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      Moment Graham Potter ‘loses entire West Ham fanbase in 20 seconds’ with shocking Tottenham comments

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      WEST HAM manager Graham Potter has enraged the club’s fanbase after shocking Tottenham comments on Friday.The 49-year-old spoke about the Hammers’ London neighbours ahead of their Premier League meeting on Sunday with a lack of regard for the clubs’ longstanding rivalry.West Ham manager Graham Potter has angered his own fanbase over Tottenham commentsThe comments came after Spurs defeated Bodo/Glimt 3-1 on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League semi final.Potter said: “They’ve had a tough season. I’m pretty sure if you speak to Ange [Postecoglou], injuries, young players, the double competition [has had an impact].”In this league, nothing is forgiven.”They’ve done well in Europe and hopefully they can finish the job and reach the final.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWest Ham fans were quick to jump to X in disbelief over the comments, some even calling for Potter to be sacked.One fan said: “How is a former Chelsea manager who’s now current West Ham coach wishing Spurs all that good?”What happened to rivalry? At least pretend to care about the fans. Come on.”Another kept it short: “Yeah sack him.”Most read in FootballThe two London clubs have traditionally endured a fierce rivalry, dating back to their early years.West Ham legend Mark Noble said to TNT Sports: “I was brought up as a West Ham fan and being around loads of West Ham fans myself, they always ingrained in me that ‘we’ve always got to beat Spurs’.”Potter adopted a much friendlier tone at his press conference, well-wishing a team that his fans hold in contempt.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe former Chelsea manager was already on thin ice with the fanbase, only winning three games since taking over from Julen Lopetegui in January.Even his predecessor managed more with a win percentage of 30 percent to Potter’s 21 percent so far.At 17th, the club have actually slipped three places down the table since their managerial change.It has been a disappointing season for the Hammers who started it with European aspirations.If they win on Sunday, however, they could leapfrog Spurs who currently sit at 16th. A positive result might be the only thing that could save Potter’s fractured relationship with West Ham. More

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      ‘Harder to miss than score’ – Embarrassed Millwall star left floored after miss that could have put them in playoffs

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      MILLWALL striker Josh Coburn put in a contender for miss of the season – at the worst possible time. The Lions needed to better Bristol City’s result to sneak into the playoffs on a dramatic final day of Championship action.Millwall’s Josh Coburn missed a sitter against BurnleyCredit: AlamyThe 22-year-old somehow fired wide from yards out as the Lions missed out on the playoffsCredit: PAMillwall made the ideal start at Turf Moor, with Mihailo Ivanovic netting an early opener for the visitors. But Josh Brownhill responded with an instant equaliser for the hosts, who had already secured promotion the Premier League. Millwall pushed forward with their season on the line.And Coburn – on loan from Middlesbrough – was presented with a golden opportunity just minutes before half time. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLA whipped ball across the box evaded Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, falling kindly to Coburn yards out.The 22-year-old was in the centre of the goal and looked destined to score.But he somehow shanked his effort inexplicably wide of the post, burying his face in the turf. Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd gasped on commentary: “I cannot believe this. Oh, look at it. Oh my days.Most read in Football”Wait till you see this miss, wow. Wow.”BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKFans were equally as scathing, with one writing on X: “Harder to miss that than score.”Another joked: “No new deal for him in the summer!!Birmingham become first EFL club to win promotion as Tom Brady’s club bounce back to Championship at first attemptWhile a third added: “And to think @Boro wanted us to pay up to £3m for him – thank god it was only a loan.”The miss would prove costly for the Lions, who conceded twice after the break to lose 3-1.Millwall haven’t been in the top flight since 1990 and will now face a ninth-straight year in the Championship. Their defeat meant Bristol City – who drew 2-2 at home with Preston – take the final playoff spot. Elswhere, Frank Lampard’s Coventry City sealed fifth place thanks to a brace from Jack Rudoni. Frank Lampard’s Coventry have reached the playoffs after beating MiddlesbroughCredit: GettyThe 2-0 win over Boro ended Michael Carrick’s side’s own playoff hopes.The Sky Blues will now take on Sunderland, while Sheffield United face Bristol City.And Leeds sealed the title after a dramatic 2-1 win at Plymouth Argyle. Read More on The SunAt the other end of the table, Luton Town suffered back-to-back relegations. The Hatters were thrashed 5-3 at West Brom, joining Plymouth and Cardiff in dropping to League One. More

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      Moment Jamie Vardy grabs referee’s wrist and blows whistle to stop game while official lies prone on the ground

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      THIS is the moment Jamie Vardy grabbed a referee’s wrist and blew his whistle top stop the game as the official lay prone on the ground.The bizarre incident occurred during Leicester’s Premier League clash against Southampton.Jamie Vardy grabbed a ref’s wrist before blowing into his whistleCredit: GettyThe bizarre moment occurred after David Webb went down injured after a collisionCredit: PAThere was nothing at stake for either side following their confirmed relegations to the Championship.But Leicester made sure they turned up in front of their home fans when Vardy bagged an opener in the 17th minute.The Foxes began to turn up the heat on Southampton at the King Power Stadium.But just four minutes later, the game was suspended after referee David Webb suffered an injury.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe official fell to the floor holding his face after a collision with Leicester’s Jordan Ayew.Webb rolled around on the turf as players from both sides gathered round to check on him.But Vardy left fans in stitches as he bent down to grab Webb’s wrist.The Premier League winner, who is leaving Leicester when his contract expires this summer, then took hold of Webb’s whistle.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd he brought the game to a halt by blowing into it for a cheeky ‘peep’.Proceedings ended up stopping for 12 whole minutes as Webb received treatment.Jamie Vardy anounces he’s LEAVING Leicester in emotional video with striker left close to tears after 13 yearsBut fans were left tickled by Vardy’s behaviour on a warm afternoon.One said: “There’s no f*****g way.”Another declared: “The PL is going to miss him.”One noted: “This is prime Vardy.”Another added: “Peaky Barclays man.”The delay failed to knock the wind out of Leicester’s sails though, with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men doubling their lead before half-time through Ayew. More

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      Top-flight sides set to resume bitter rivalry next season with stadiums that are nearly TOUCHING after minnows promoted

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      TWO clubs whose stadiums are virtually touching will renew their rivalry next season.It comes after the minnows earned promotion into the top flight – following Jurgen Klopp’s scathing comments.Paris FC will be neighbours with PSG next seasonCredit: AFPThe newly-promoted side move into their new home for the 2025-26 campaignCredit: AFPParis FC confirmed their spot in Ligue 1 next season with a 1-1 draw away at Martigues on Friday.That put them four points clear of Metz who are third and must settle for a promotion play-off spot. And it means Paris FC will be right next door to their enemies, the giants of French football. That is because Paris FC are moving into a new stadium next season which is literally a few yards from Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe two teams’ feud dates back to 1972 when Paris FC split away from Paris Saint-Germain – who themselves were only formed two years earlier when Stade Saint-Germain and Paris FC merged. Paris FC are part of the Red Bull group, with the energy drink company buying a ten per cent stake last year. And the arrival of ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as head of global soccer for Red Bull prompted the stadium move.Klopp felt the atmosphere at the Stade Sebastien Charlety was not good enough – and spearheaded a move to the Stade Jean-Bouin, home of Stade Francais rugby team. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut the 19,000-seater ground – smaller than their current home – is directly next to PSG’s own home. The two venues are separated by Rue Claude Farrere.Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry give their verdict on Arsenal’s defeat to PSGBut PSG will be hoping that is as close as their rivals can get to them next term.Luis Enrique’s Ligue 1 champions will go for a fifth title in a row in 2024-25.And they will be hoping to not only boast the local and national bragging rights – but be kings of Europe, too.PSG go into Wednesday’s second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Arsenal leading 1-0. The winners face Barcelona or Inter in Munich’s final. PSG hope to be crowned European champions later this monthCredit: GettyParis FC split from Paris Saint-Germain in 1972Credit: AFP More

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      Non-league club sponsored by Bonnie Blue forced to RETRACT kit and crowdfund for a new one over FA rule

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      A NON-LEAGUE football club is looking for a new shirt sponsor after being forced to RETRACT the deal it had with Bonnie Blue.The controversial adult star Bonnie Blue had become the shirt sponsor for Calstock FC.Calstock FC were sponsored by OnlyFans star Bonnie BlueCredit: SWNSThe sponsorship was paid for by the controversial adult starCredit: InstagramThe Cornwall-based side shared a kit which featured a “BB” logo that was funded by the 25-year-old.The logo featured on a new blue away kit rather than the club’s established yellow and black home shirt.However, the club has now revealed that they are prohibited from wearing the kit due to the FA’s “interpretation of the regulations”.A statement read: “Due to the FA’s interpretation of the regulations, we are retracting the kit bearing the BB logo.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”We did not do this to offend.”We, as an adult club and collective, categorically do not advocate or support the oppression of women.”The club was hit with criticism on social media but it appears that this has not factored into the decision.The shirt also featured the phrase, “Up The Bonnie Blue Bees” printed along the back of the shirt.Most read in FootballA GoFundMe page has also been set up to help the club replace the banned shirt.Blue, whose real name is Tia Emma Billinger, hails from Stapleford, Nottinghamshire.Bonnie Blue sparks outrage AGAIN with foul-mouthed ad that saw her paid five-figure sum by ‘family friendly’ tech giantThe shirt featured Blue’s logo on the frontCredit: AlamyIt also said ‘Up The Bonnie Blue Bees’ on the backCredit: AlamyShe rose to fame claiming to sleep with over 1,000 men in just 12 hours. The infamous OnlyFans model was recently banned from Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.She had tried to pull a viral stunt when she advertised an offer to “entertain” fans before the visit.Speaking on the Only Stans podcast: “I thought when they asked me to go to the side, ‘maybe they’re upgrading my tickets, maybe they want to escort me to my seat, this is quite nice, it’s a good service’.”They asked to see my tickets, I showed them and they took them off me, saying, ‘we’re escorting you off the premises’.”Apparently, they don’t discriminate against sex workers, but I was banned because I was a sex worker. Read More on The Sun”I was going to encourage them (the players), give them a good time.”I also think if I’m entertaining the supporters it’s less people drinking so I’m actually doing something good for their health.”Who is Bonnie Blue? Born in May 1999, Bonnie – whose real name is Tia Billinger – grew up in a small Derbyshire village, and attended the Friesland School in the village of Sandiacre.She has two half-siblings – a sister and a brother – who have always remained out of the public eye.She never knew her biological father, and considers stepfather Nicholas Elliott her dad.Bonnie also became something of a dance star in her local area, and competed in the British Street Dance Championships alongside her sister back in 2015.She also had a part-time job at Poundstretcher as a teenager.After school, she began working in recruitment.In October 2022, Bonnie married Oliver Davidson, who she had started dating when she was just 15.Once they were married, they moved to Australia, where Bonnie continued working in recruitment.However, it was in Australia that she decided to pursue a different line of work, and tried her luck as a ‘cam girl’ – crediting Oliver for giving her the confidence to enter the adult entertainment world.She quickly made a name for herself in the industry, and was soon making £5,000 a week.But while her work life was going from strength to strength, her relationship was crumbling, and she and Oliver split after almost a decade together.She moved over to OnlyFans following her cam girl success, and once again found fame on there.She quickly became a favourite on the site, especially thanks to her “niche” of sleeping with young male students – such as when she bedded 158 students during Nottingham Trent University’s freshers week in September 2024. Bonnie is now estimated to be worth £3 million, and makes around £600,000 a month on OnlyFans.Her family are also supportive of her work, with mum Sarah Billinger even claiming she’s her daughter’s PA, and helps clean up after Bonnie’s events – as well as handing out condoms to young clients. In January 2025, Bonnie claimed to have broken the world record for the most amount of sex in 12 hours, after apparently sleeping with 1,057 men from 1pm to 1am at a secret London event. More

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      Leicester vs Southampton DELAYED as referee forced off on his DEBUT after undergoing treatment

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      LEICESTER CITY’S Premier League clash with Southampton was DELAYED for 12 minutes after the referee was forced to go off for treatment.Ref David Webb – who was replaced on his Prem debut – fell to the deck holding his face after Jordan Ayew collided with him as he ran past. Leicester City’s Premier League clash with Southampton has been suspended after the referee was forced to go off for treatmentThe referee fell to the deck holding his face after Jordan Ayew collided with himThe official was making his Premier League debutDavid Webb was forced off down the tunnel for a concussion checkPlay was delayed for 12 minutesThe unfortunate incident happened in the 33rd minute after Jamie Vardy scored Leicester’s first goal at home since December 8.But Webb couldn’t have endured a worse Premier League refereeing debut.The official dropped to the turf and held his face for several seconds after catching the shoulder of Leicester star Ayew in the middle of the pitch.And Leicester captain Vardy felt compelled to step in as he bent down to lift Webb’s arm to blow the whistle.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSPREMIER LEAGUE LIVE – LATEST GOAL UPDATESIn fact, Vardy blew the whistle while it was still in Webb’s hand as he laid on the pitch face down.Vardy – who scored his 199th goal for Leicester – then instantly walked off, before physios stormed the pitch to come to the official’s aid.Webb came back to his feet after a few minutes before heading down the tunnel for a concussion check at the King Power Stadium.Most read in FootballWith play formally suspended thanks to Vardy’s intervention, both sets of players were milling around on the pitch waiting.Leicester star Ayew accidentally bumped into WebbJamie Vardy ran over to take the whistle from the referee and blow itCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd Webb couldn’t continue the rest of the game, so fourth official Sam Barratt was subbed in to resume play after the lengthy delay.A commentator said: “Webb is said to be OK and is under observation.”Jamie Vardy anounces he’s LEAVING Leicester in emotional video with striker left close to tears after 13 yearsReferee’s delegate Phil Sharp was forced to step in as the fourth official during the unprecedented scenes.And it was Ayew who then extended relegated Leicester’s lead in the 44th minute.The former Crystal Palace star’s free-kick hit the wall from 25 yards, before he hammered in a half-volley into the bottom left corner.Both sets of players were milling around on the pitch waitingFourth official Sam Barratt was forced to sub in for Webb More

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      Premier League LIVE SCORES: Leicester vs Southampton DELAYED, Everton leading Ipswich, Arsenal up NEXT – updates

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      SATURDAY’S Premier League action features four huge matches!The early kick off saw two teams with European ambitions, Aston Villa and Fulham, face off in the West Midlands, with Youri Tielemans scoring the only goal in a Villa win.Two 3pm fixtures see Everton welcome already-relegated Ipswich Town and Leicester City host Southampton in a basement clash.Saturday’s action concludes with Arsenal welcoming Bournemouth to the Emirates at 5.30pm.Kick off times: 12.30pm/3pm/5.30pmCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below…From Phil Thomas at GoodisonA day of nostalgia and tradition in the penultimate game at Goodison……so how fitting that Everton are maintaining their time-served custom of being consistently inconsistent to the end.Two up and cruising against a relegated side which looked ready to crumble, only to blow it and having to settle for a point.Well I did say if a fourth goal was coming, Ipswich were favourites to get it…Copy linkCopiedFrom Dan King at the Emirates StadiumWhen it comes to injuries, you can have sympathy with Arsenal.This time they leave full back Jurrien Timber out as a precaution and in comes Ben White for only his third start since November.But in terms of the alleged refereeing plot against the Gunners, ask Bournemouth how they feel.They were set fair for a win over Manchester United that would have kept them right in the hunt for European football until Evanilson was sent off, a decision that was overturned on appeal Could it be that there was a cock-up instead of a conspiracy and that incompetence is dealt out at random?Mikel Arteta’s side were not quite on it when they drew with Brentford in between their quarter final clashes with Real Madrid.After Liverpool sealed the title, this is another test of Arsenal’s will not to come third in a two-horse race.Copy linkCopiedFull time – Leicester 2-0 SouthamptonThe Foxes come out on top in the battle of the bottom two and record a rare win.Southampton still have work to do to not be remembered as the joint-worst Premier League team of all time.Copy linkCopiedFull time – Everton 2-2 IpswichAn entertaining game comes to an end at Goodison.Copy linkCopiedEverton 2-2 Ipswich90. Six minutes of stoppage time has just been signalled at Goodison……and that has lifted Ipswich.Kieran McKenna’s relegated outfit believe they can win this!Copy linkCopiedFrom Graham Hill at the King PowerThings have calmed down after an incident-packed first half.If anything, Southampton have looked the most likely to score.They had a goal disallowed after 55 minutes when Matty Fernandes put the ball in the net, after sub Paul Onuachu’s header was saved superbly by Jacob Stolarczyk. But it was ruled out for offside.The travelling Saints fans let interim boss Simon Rusk know what they thought of his decision to sub Fernandes moments later.They sang ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ and followed it up with a lengthy rendition of ‘Matty, Matty Fernandes’.Leicester have brought on 15-year-old Jeremy Monga – but can Vardy score again for his 200th Leicester goal?Copy linkCopiedEverton 2-2 Ipswich79. From 2-0 down, Ipswich have clawed their way level.It’s substitute George Hirst who has bagged the equaliser, following in his father’s footsteps with an instinctive header at the far post.The striker took advantage of some good fortune when a cross from the left looped up off Idrissa Gueye, but he was alert and showed bravery to dart in and head down past Jordan Pickford.They may be heading back to the Championship, but Ipswich have something to celebrate here.Copy linkCopiedEqualiser!Copy linkCopiedLeicester 2-0 Southampton71. And yet somehow this game makes the game at Goodison Park look action-packed.There’s just been one shot on target in the second half at the King Power, and I can’t even remember who had it.Copy linkCopiedEverton 2-1 Ipswich68. It has been 30 minutes since Everton last attempted a shot in this game.Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back on the bench today. Maybe it’s up to him to put that right.Copy linkCopiedFrom Phil Thomas at Goodison ParkOn easy street with half-time in sight… now scrapping like street fighters to keep their noses in front.At least Everton are consistent to the end – they’ve always been in a league of their own when it comes to making things hard for themselves.If there’s a fourth goal in this, you sense Ipswich will be the ones who score it.Copy linkCopiedEverton 2-1 Ipswich56. Ipswich scorer Julio Enciso picked up a knock at the start of the second period but he appears to have shaken it off.And now he’s eyeing up Jordan Pickford goal again with another long range effort, but this time the Everton keeper comes out on top to comfortably save.Copy linkCopiedTeam news from the EmiratesArsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Trossard, MartinelliBournemouth (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Araujo, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Adams; Tavernier, Kluivert, Ouattara; EvanilsonCredit: @Arsenal on XCredit: @afcbournemouth on XCopy linkCopiedBack on it for the second halfWe are underway again at Goodison and the King Power, although the latter is a little behind following that first half stoppage.Can Southampton find a way back in? Will Everton start their farewells to Goodison in style? It’s time to find out.Copy linkCopiedFrom Graham Hill at the King PowerAfter 12 minutes of stoppage time here – and an eventful first half – Leicester are in uncharted territory as far as 2025 goes.Ruud van Nistelrooy called on his relegated team to play with freedom – and they have. The Foxes are 2-0 up at half time with goals from skipper Jamie Vardy and a 43rd minute strike from Jordan Ayew who saw his free-kick hit the Saints wall before scoring from the rebound.But ref David Webb went down injured midway through the half and had to come off. There was a delay of almost 12 minutes before play could resume – with fourth official Sam Barrott stepping up to take the whistle, and a referees’ coach Phil Sharp, taking over on the touchline.As if that wasn’t enough, a fans’ protest banner aimed at the owner, Top Srivaddhanaprabha and director of football Jon Rudkin, was mistakenly shown on the stadium’s big screen. Leicester use the broadcast feed for match action and swiftly took down the banner shot.But Southampton still look a long way from that magic 12 point mark.Copy linkCopiedHalf-time – Leicester 2-0 SouthamptonThe Foxes lead the battle of the bottom two at the King Power.Jamie Vardy and Jordan Ayew helped themselves to a couple of smart finishes but the first half was marred by a scare for referee David Webb.The official collided with Ayew, and was eventually replaced with a suspected concussion, leading to lengthy stoppage time.Copy linkCopiedFrom Phil Thomas at Goodison ParkWhere did that come from? Nearly half an hour of pretty much nothing, then 20 minutes of blood and thunder…and a couple of worldies.Beto’s headed opener, Liam Delap’s come-and-have-a-go to anyone in sight – and then two rub-your-eyes, Roberto Carlos-style swerving strikes from Dwight McNeil and Julio Enciso.Bring on the second half!Copy linkCopiedHalf-time – Everton 2-1 IpswichThe Toffees lead at the break, but not as convincingly as they would have liked.Goals from Beto and McNeil had them in total charge, but a stunner from Julio Enciso means this one has all to play for.Copy linkCopiedLeicester 2-0 Southampton44. Jordan Ayew rockets Leicester into a two-goal lead!The Ghanian appeared to have passed up his opportunity by chipping a 20-yard free-kick into the wall.But the forward readjusted himself quickly to take on the rebound, and promptly drilled it low into the bottom corner before the Southampton defence could react.Copy linkCopiedBelter!Copy linkCopiedEverton 2-0 Ipswich41. One of the goals of the season by Julio Enciso has Ipswich back in the contest!There appears no danger when the Paraguayan picks up the ball just inside the Everton half.But with a drop of the shoulder, he skips inside his marker and bursts forward.Thirty yards out, he takes aim with a strike that dips wickedly as it passes Jordan Pickford and crashes in off the bar.Copy linkCopiedWhat a goal!Copy linkCopiedLeicester 1-0 Southampton38. The game is back underway at the King Power, but has taken some time to pick up pace following that lengthy stoppage.Expect injury time aplenty at the end of the first half.Copy linkCopiedEverton 2-0 Ipswich35. On his 100th appearance for the club, Dwight McNeil doubles Everton’s lead!The winger is revelling back in the side after injury, and his strike here deceives Alex Palmer by swerving all over the shop.As a result, the Ipswich goalkeeper barely moves to keep out McNeil’s 25-yarder and it promptly thumps into the back of the net.Copy linkCopiedIt’s two!Copy linkCopied More

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      Aston Villa 1 Fulham 0: Early Tielemans goal fires Villans level on points with Chelsea in race for Champions League

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      YOURI TIELEMANS’ bullet header was just enough to see off a Fulham side who fired blanks – as Aston Villa made it 17 home games without defeat.That equalled a club record set by Unai Emery’s team between March and December 2023 and kept them on course for a potential Champions League berth.Aston Villa earned a hard fought 1-0 win against Fulham at Villa ParkCredit: ReutersYouri Tielemans opened the scoring in the 12th minute at Villa ParkCredit: GettyRyan Sessegnon’s second-half strike was ruled out for handball five minutes into the second halfCredit: GettyIt also maintained the Spaniard’s remarkable record against the Cottagers, who he has now beaten in all seven encounters against them – the best record of his managerial career against any club.This won’t go down as one of his better performances but at this stage of the season that doesn’t matter.Villa’s players had suffered two absolute sledgehammer blows ahead of this crucial game.Losing to a stoppage time goal at Manchester City was painful enough.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut being spanked 3-0 by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi final at Wembley really piled on the agony for Emery’s men.However this was no time to feel sorry for themselves, with the Premier League’s finishing tape in sight.In his programme notes Emery stressed the importance of putting the past behind them.”During the week, we kicked out from our mind any distraction, regret or fear,” he wrote.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”No past and no future, football only knows about the present.”Do we want Villa in the top level of football again? YES.Emery ripped up his own transfer handbook to sign Villa sensation Morgan Rogers, who says HE invented Palmer celebration”Are we aware of how important the Fulham match is? YES.” Fortunately for him Tielemans got the memo!The little Belgian has been the beating heart of this Villa side all season.Incredibly this was the 27-year-old’s 52nd consecutive start of the season. That made him the first player to clock up that many starts for the club since Earl Barrett and Kevin Richardson way back in 1994.And he celebrated the milestone with the goal which turned out to be the winner, after 12 minutes.Fulham will be kicking themselves at the ease with which the Belgian scored.John McGinn flighted in a corner from the right and Tielemans timed his run to perfection to burst between Kenny Tete and Harry Wilson and head beyond Bernd Leno.Although the German goalie managed to get a glove on the ball there was no chance of him keeping that particular bullet out.It was the midfielder’s fifth goal of the season – and Villa’s 15th set-piece goal – and Tielemans went on to produce a man of the match performance.It’s still hard to believe Emery snapped him up on a free from Leicester City two seasons ago.He was at the heart of everything that was good about Villa as he ran the show with his accurate passing.In an often frantic game, he seemed to play the game at his own pace, as he covered every blade of grass on Villa Park.In truth this was a slow burner however as both forward lines failed to find the spark needed to ignite the contest.Ollie Watkins was trying desperately to break Gabby Agbonlahor’s 74-goal haul to become Villa’s top Premier goalscorer of all time.But he headed wide following a short corner in seven minutes as Marco Asensio’s cross was just a centimetre or two too high for him.And that set the tone for another frustrating afternoon for the England striker who has now gone three games without a goal.In fact the only real other moment of note during a dreadful first half came from Tielemans again.He looked set to score a screamer of a second until Bernd Leno got his fingertips to prevent his 25 yarder finding the top bin!However none of the dozy officials spotted his brilliant save, which brought a wry smile to Leno’s face.And a dreary half ended when Martinez plucked an Alex Iwobi effort out from under his crossbar, with impressive ease.Fortunately things livened up after the break.Watkins just failed to get on the end of a teasing Cash cross before Fulham thought they had equalised.The ball struck Sessegnon’s hand on the way down to the shotCredit: GettyRyan Sessegnon tried to tame Antonee Robinson’s lay-off by taking the ball down on his chest.But the ball brushed his hand before he lashed a screamer beyond Martinez and into the far corner.Referee Rob Jones spotted the handball and VAR agreed with the official that any handball in the run-up to a goal is a no, no as Fulham cursed their luck.Meanwhile, Emery cursed Ezri Konsa for losing the ball in midfield, leading to another Fulham chance which Harry Wilson just failed to take.The Spaniard was a flurry of arms as he vented his anger several times at Konsa who tried to argue back – which didn’t help the situation!Leno then denied Watkins, using his foot to divert the striker’s shot before Pau Torres missed a snip at the far post.Nerves frayed as the clock ticked down and Cash bravely blocked Joachim Andersen at the back post as Fulham pushed for an equaliser.Adama Traore then slashed a volley wide before Villa sub Donyell Malen almost killed off the Cottagers.Read More on The SunHe sprinted through onto Jacob Ramsey’s pass but smashed the ball off the underside of Leno crossbar.However Villa were relieved to leave with three hard-earned points, with on-loan forward Marcus Rashford set to miss the rest of the season through hamstring injury. More