Soccer

BRUNO FERNANDES has provided a theory as to why Alejandro Garnacho didn’t celebrate his “banger” of a goal against Leicester in front of Manchester United fans.The Red Devils cruised to a 3-0 win against the Foxes at Old Trafford on Sunday, ending Ruud van Nistelrooy’s spell as interim manager on a high.Bruno Fernandes reckons he knows why Alejandro Garnacho didn’t celebrate his ‘banger’ against LeicesterCredit: AFPThe Man Utd star scored a screamer in his side’s 3-0 win at Old TraffordCredit: GettyGarnacho usually likes to toast his special strikes alongside fansCredit: GettyThe victory was just their fourth in 11 Premier League games this season.And after going unbeaten in four games under Van Nistelrooy – with three of those results being wins – United are well set up to push on when new boss Ruben Amorim comes to town.However, there were questions over one of United’s goals against Leicester today.Argentina winger Garnacho bagged the third and final strike of the afternoon with an absolute howitzer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut interestingly, the ace did not celebrate in his usual fashion and instead opted for a subdued toast away from supporters.It is unclear why Garnacho did not do his usual trademark celebration for a sizzler, which is to jump onto a billboard in front of fans.Yet United captain Fernandes reckons he may know the reason why.The Portuguese ace opened the scoring on Sunday, with an own-goal from Leicester’s Victor Kristiansen also setting the Red Devils on their way to victory.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd Fernandes believes Garnacho did not celebrate in his usual style for one big reason.He said: “It was a good day at work, I have to say. We have a lot of players with big qualities, but people can get too excited after one game and too down after another.Emotional Ruud van Nistelrooy given incredible ovation at Old Trafford with Man Utd interim still unclear on his future”Garnacho scored a banger but didn’t celebrate like he should because he thinks he has lost faith from some fans. I told him people will always moan but lots of people like you and enjoy what you do.”I told him to celebrate, it was something special. He is a special player, we have difference makers. They are the ones who win us games. We want them to score every game but that isn’t going to happen.”He also jokingly added: “The Fantasy managers won’t be happy with you guys taking that goal off me.”Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

MARC CUCURELLA was Chelsea’s star of the show in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal.Enzo Maresca’s men survived late Gunners pressure to earn a hard-fought point that sees the Blues stay above their London rivals on goal difference.Marc Cucurella kept Bukayo Saka quietCredit: GettyPedro Neto scored a brilliant equaliserCredit: GettyCole Palmer had a difficult day amid injury strugglesCredit: GettyHere is how SunSport rated the Chelsea players’ performances.Robert Sanchez – 6 Still punches the ball clear when a catch would be much safer – and reassuring for the fans behind him.Malo Gusto – 6READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWent close with a header in the first-half. But was missing at right-back when Arsenal took the lead through Gabriel Martinelli’s 59th minute goal. The problem with also playing in midfield. Wesley Fofana – 7Strong challenges and now fully back from lengthy injury. Also went close to a goal in the second half when he pumped the ball just over. Levi Colwill – 6 Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSForging a partnership with Fofana at the heart of defence. Got caught dangerously in possession by Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard but recovered. Marc Cucurella – 7Cracking tussle with Bukayo Saka. Despite being one of only three men on the pitch wearing gloves, including the keepers, Chelsea’s left-back is a formidable defender. Cole Palmer has fewer touches but is more deadly thanks to Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea tactics Moises Caicedo – 6Enjoying a run of form at the moment that includes last weekend’s volleyed equaliser at Manchester United. Strong tackler and smooth through the gears in midfield. Romeo Lavia – 6A surprise package keeping £107million Enzo Fernandez out of the team. After a terrible run of injuries is forming some consistency. But any twinge is a scare and came off in the 66th minute. Noni Madueke – 6Called up to the latest England squad and is mobile and nippy. Also seemed a bit stroppy and went straight down the tunnel when subbed in the 66th minute. Perhaps needed treatment.Cole Palmer – 6Maybe the sore knee is still troubling him. Only trained yesterday for the first time in almost a week. But it hampered his impact on a disjointed London derby. Pedro Neto – 7Starting to make his presence felt after being relegated to the Conference League matches. Stunning powerful drive for the equaliser and full of energy.  Nicolas Jackson – 6Feisty and fiery but went to ground too easily to win a couple of free kicks when he could have done more damage on his feet. Gives everything though. Subs:Enzo Fernandez (Lavia 66 mins) – 5Has a fight on his hands to prove himself to boss Maresca despite his enormous price tag. Mykhailo Mudryk (Madueke 66 mins) – 5Pace and determination but still questions over his quality at the highest level. READ MORE SUN STORIESChristopher Nkunku (Jackson 87 mins) – 5Last throw of the dice by Chelsea to snatch a victory. More

NO London club has won the Premier League in the last seven seasons and we can safely say that run will be extended to eight.The capital’s two best teams contested a derby with plenty of ferocity but precious little class and both are now nine points adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool.Chelsea and Arsenal shared the points in a drab London derbyCredit: GettyBoth sides hit the target in a 1-1 draw at Stamford BridgeCredit: GettyA physical match saw both sides put in big challengesCredit: GettyTempers threatened to spill over at times in a heated clashCredit: GettyWhile Enzo Maresca has been applauded to the high heavens for making some sense of the Chelsea madhouse, he is yet to score a win against any of the ‘Big Six’ clubs.And Mikel Arteta – who was finally able to field a full-strength side here – has seen his Arsenal team slide out of the title hunt by failing to win any of their last four Premier League matches.Pedro Neto drilled home an equaliser to cancel out Gabriel Martinelli’s second-half opener after Kai Havertz, the man who won Chelsea the European Cup in 2021, had a first-half effort ruled out for a fag-paper offside.  Arteta’s frustrations were compounded by Bukayo Saka limping off late on – suggesting the England winger might miss England’s games against Greece and Ireland.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAlthough given that the England manager Thomas Tuchel isn’t even turning up for those, few will be too concerned about that.Chelsea have won only once in five league matches although the Blues can point to a marked improvement from the last time they played Arsenal, when they were gubbed 5-0 under Mauricio Pochettino. Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard had returned to the starting line-up after a two-month lay-off with an ankle injury while Declan Rice played despite a broken toe.And while this might not be the most spiteful London derby – both clubs hate Tottenham far more than each other – you wouldn’t really have guessed as much.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe noise of the crowd crackled around the Bridge, interspersed only by the occasional sound of studs on bone.Moises Caicedo welcomed Odegaard back to the Premier League with a bruising late challenge, then Levi Colwill was booked for a reducer on Saka.Chelsea cult hero looks like he hasn’t aged a day as he’s spotted in new role at AC Milan There had been a clear, and understandable, Chelsea policy of suffocation towards Saka – who spent much of the afternoon being pursued by Marc Cucurella, with the eagerness of a King Charles spaniel after a stick.Meanwhile, there was a little football too – Cole Palmer, who passed a late fitness test, forced David Raya to push over a powerful 20-yarder and Neto was threatening carnage down the left.First, the speedy Portuguese had a cross nodded wide by Noni Madueke, then after he had taunted Ben White with his bobs and feints, he centred again for Malo Gusto to head over from close range.Arsenal, with more of the ball but fewer of the chances, did go close through Gabriel Martinelli – whose shot was beaten away by Robert Sanchez – before they thought they had taken the lead.Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring when he fired past Robert SanchezCredit: GettyThe ace was one of the brighter players on the pitchCredit: GettyIt was the two men decried as ‘Chelsea rejects’ by the Bridge faithful – Declan Rice and Kai Havertz – who combined to find the net.Rice, ditched by the Blues at the age of 14, played a cute quick free-kick which Chelsea off-guard and off-balance, allowing Havertz to slot past Sanchez.Rice and Havertz bumped chests but their glee was cut short by the dreaded Stockley Park Killjoy Squad who deemed the German forward’s shoulder had leaned a few millimetres ahead of the foot of the last defender.After half an hour of enjoyable old-school cut and thrust, here was a moment of forensic nonsense to slow the pulse. Pedro Neto had other ideas as he banged in Chelsea’s equaliserCredit: ReutersThe winger’s impact sent Stamford Bridge wildCredit: GettyAfter the break, Wesley Fofana spooned over a Madueke cross but on the hour, Arsenal were in front.As with the disallowed goal, Chelsea simply switched off and forgot to defend one flank as Odegaard’s crossfield pass found two men in wide open space, one of whom, Martinelli, tucked home.The Arsenal fans who had been slaughtering ref Michael Oliver for the petty booking of Havertz, forgot about all that and rejoiced awhile.Jurrien Timber threatened to double the lead by beating three Chelsea defenders only to ping his shot narrowly wide.Kai Havertz missed a sitter at the deathCredit: GettyMikel Arteta pounded the ground in frustrationCredit: GettyBut when Maresca introduced his £106million sub Enzo Fernandez, the Argentinian soon teed up the equaliser.Fernandez located Neto, who had drifted inside and into space, where he drilled one past Raya into the bottom corner.  Nicolas Jackson soon had the ball in the net but was miles offside and then he duffed a header after Raya had duffed a punched clearance – a sequence which pretty much summed up the afternoon.READ MORE SUN STORIESYet Havertz could have won it at the death when he threw himself at a ball travelling across Chelsea’s box.But the former Blue could not get near it, leaving boss Arteta pounding the turf in fury. 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