Football

COLE PALMER left hard-to-please Roy Keane purring after a sensational moment during Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Newcastle.The England playmaker, 22, picked up the ball deep in his own third before using his quick feet to beat a couple of Toon attackers and curling a pinpoint pass up the pitch.Cole Palmer picked up the ball deep in his own half and surrounded by Newcastle playersCredit: X @SkySportsPLPalmer used his quick feet and remarkable vision to create some space and fire off a passCredit: X @SkySportsPLThe pinpoint, curling pass sent speedy Pedro Neto on his way up the pitchCredit: X @SkySportsPLNeto beat his man and was left with the simple job of squaring to Nicolas JacksonCredit: X @SkySportsPLPalmer’s ball curled its way through the Newcastle defence and set Pedro Neto on his way to simply square to Nicolas Jackson and allow the in-form striker to poke the ball home.The strike put Chelsea 1-0 up as they would go on to maintain their strong start to the season with a 2-1 win over Eddie Howe’s squad.Stunned fans joked Man of the Match Palmer’s stunning play was “illegal in at least 142 countries”.And the Three Lions wonderkid even had notoriously-grumpy Manchester United legend Keane gushing.READ MORE SPORT STORIESSpeaking on Sky Sports, Keane said: “I love watching this kid.”Even his awareness when he receives the ball, he knows exactly what’s happening but then to execute the pass… perfect pass, you just run and he’s going to pick you out.”Alan Smith, co-commentator for Sky Sports, dubbed it the “pass of the season”.In the studio, Jamie Carragher went a step further, saying: “This pass over 60 yards, I mean, that’s one of the best passes I’ve seen, never mind this season, but in the Premier League.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPalmer’s own boss, Enzo Maresca, later beamed: “It is the reason why people pay.”The former Manchester City star has already drawn comparisons to Blues icon Gianfranco Zola for his style of play.Chelsea ratings vs Newcastle: Cole Palmer shows why he could win Ballon d’Or but team-mate flops in new position – PLATFORMAnd Zola himself was quick to pile praise on Palmer after yet another ludicrous performance.The Italian legend, 58, said: “The first thing I notice is that when he receives the ball he’s already looking to do what is next,”That is a quality only a few players have.”Youngster Palmer admitted he doesn’t know too much about Zola… but knows his class thanks to his love of video games.On comparisons to the Stamford Bridge idol, Palmer said: “I know he is an icon on FIFA so he must have been good.”To be honest I didn’t really watch him play. Everyone says he was a great player, so thank you.”Palmer celebrated with goalscorer Jackson after his pass led to a goal out of seemingly nothingCredit: GettyEven hard-to-please Roy Keane was left in awe of Cole Palmer’s playCredit: GettyCole Palmer has been compared to Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola, with Italian – pictured here in August – praising the youngster’s abilityCredit: GettyPalmer continued: “I always try to enjoy my football game by game… I try not to put pressure on myself.”Many people on the outside try to put pressure on me to replicate what I did last season in terms of numbers.”It is my second season playing football and I am still very, very young.”And he was optimistic for record-breakingly-youthful Chelsea’s future, as well as his own, as he added: “We just try to play our own game, block the noise out from the outside. We don’t mind proving people wrong.”We are all young and we have a top coach, but there are improvements still.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter the game, giddy fans took to social media to talk up Palmer.One claimed “he makes football looks so easy”, while another compared his game-changing pass to a “nuclear bomb” the way it scattered the Toon defence. More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans are convinced Xavi is set for the Old Trafford hot seat – after his wife Nuria Cunillera’s latest social media update.The Barcelona legend has been linked with a move to replace under-fire boss Erik ten Hag. Xavi’s wife Nuria Cunillera has appeared to drop a big Red Devils hint on her social mediaCredit: GettyShe uploaded a snap of Xavi alongside his son Dan, who is wearing a Man Utd kitCredit: Instagram @nuriacunillera81The post came just hours after Erik ten Hag watched his United side lost at West HamCredit: AlamyMan Utd slumped a 2-1 loss against West Ham on Sunday to pile more pressure on the Dutchman. Xavi and his family had no such worries as they enjoyed a lazy weekend together. Cunillera uploaded a snap of the former Spanish midfielder sorting through football stickers with his son Dan.Fans were surprised to see the five-year-old was decked out in a Man Utd shirt.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe upload came just hours after the Red Devils fell to defeat against the Hammers. One fan wrote on X: “She knew what she was doing!”Another said: “Yeah…that’s no accident.A third predicted: “The rumour is becoming true story.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile a fourth added: “I’d take him in a second over EtH. It can’t be any worse.”Regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Xavi has managed both Al Sadd and Barcelona since hanging up his boots in 2019. Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersThe 44-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving the Catalan giants over the summer.During his time at the Nou Camp, Xavi won 89 of 142 games with a win percentage of 62.68 per cent. How Man Utd could line up under XaviDESPITE Man Utd backing under-pressure manager Ten Hag, reports have emerged suggesting the Red Devils have lined up Xavi as a potential replacement.According to reports, United chiefs have identified the 44-year-old as a possible option if the Dutchman is sacked.Xavi’s team typically lines up in a 4-3-3 formation, with the La Masia graduate championing the “Four P’s” – positioning, possession, pressure and perception.Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are both extremely capable right-backs who could feature in a Xavi team due to their technical prowess.If either Malacia or Shaw cannot be relied on to play, Xavi may try a raid on his old club by signing 21-year-old Alejandro Balde.SunSport selects Xavi’s potential XI as the Spaniard is linked with a move to the Theatre of Dreams…Reports in Spain suggested United contacted the Barca legend in May.But their interest cooled due to his desire to take a year off from football. It’s since been claimed contact has twice been made between United and Xavi via intermediaries in recent months.READ MORE SUN STORIESMan Utd ratings vs West HamTHE LONDON STADIUM was the venue for the latest defeat in a shocker of a season.To be fair, it was a hugely controversial VAR call in the dying moments that handed West Ham a 2-1 win.And the first half from the Red Devils was impressive.Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Rosser rated the players…Andre Onana – 6Very loose with the ball at his feet early on but soon settled.Manchester United conceded from West Ham’s first shot on target, though given Ings’ deflected strike there was little Onana could have done about it.Diogo Dalot – 5Delivered one of the most entertaining missed chances you will see all season – doing so well to clip the ball past Lukasz Fabianski before smashing the ball high and wide of an open goal.Despite that, had little trouble from those in claret and blue attacking down his side until Summerville was introduced. The former Leeds man tested Dalot a number of times with his pace.Redeemed himself a touch with the header back in ahead of Casemiro’s equaliser.Matthijs de Ligt – 6Hard done by in conceding the penalty for what looked a soft challenge on Hammers striker Ings.Restricted West Ham well for the most part but United never looked entirely comfortable at the back and a more potent attack could have caused much more trouble.Lisandro Martinez – 6Struggled at times to deal with the strength and direct nature of Michail Antonio, who tested all across United’s back line well until he was replaced by Ings.Noussair Mazraoui – 5Struggled to keep a handle on both Bowen and former Manchester United man Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the most part and was thrown around by Michail Antonio at times.Having looked soft at the back he also offered very little going forwards down the left.Casemiro – 6Started strongly dominating in the middle but struggled to wrestle that back when West Ham picked up.Was denied a first half goal by Fabianski’s superb save but got one eventually as he refused to give up and made sure the ball.Christian Eriksen – 5Some flashes of creativity in the first half but could not help United keep control in the second after West Ham perked up.Marcus Rashford – 4Entirely absent throughout the hour he was on the pitch. Played down the right he was easily managed by Emerson Palmieri who had little of note to do before the winger went off.Bruno Fernandes – 7Caused huge problems for West Ham and created plenty of chances which his teammates put to waste.Fernandes made a fine run to meet a Casemiro cross but headed over the bar and had to watch both Garnacho and Dalot pass up huge chances after his good work to set them up – especially the latter, a wonderful looped ball to cut out the entire West Ham defence.Alejandro Garnacho – 5The young winger should have had two goals inside the opening eight minutes. One chance was rattled against the bar before a poor finish sent the second wide of the far post.He continued to cause trouble down the left but faded as the game went on and crucially gave the ball away in the build-up to Summerville’s goal.Rasmus Hojlund – 5Drew a couple of saves from Hammers keeper Fabianski but neither looked too difficult.The Dane was rather comfortably dealt with by West Ham’s central defenders and never looked too much of a threat.SubstitutesAmad Diallo – 6Added some life and threat to a forward line which had offered little after the break and lifted a clever ball over to Dalot in the build-up to Casemiro’s goal.Joshua Zirkzee – 5Claimed an assist but did not know a lot about it and struggled to have an impact from there on.Victor Lindelof – n/aUnused subs: Altay Bayindir, Manuel Ugarte, Jonny Evans, Ethan Wheatley, Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher.Man Utd face Leicester on Wednesday in the last-16 of the Carabao Cup.Ten Hag’s men welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Sunday for what could be a pivotal clash in the Dutchman’s career. 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ARNE SLOT was shown a yellow card during Liverpool’s draw at Arsenal… because of an eavesdropping fourth official.The Reds twice fought from behind to snatch a point against title rivals Arsenal on Sunday evening, as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah cancelled out Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino’s strike.Arne Slot was booked after venting about Arsenal players – with the fourth official overhearing and believing it was aimed at himCredit: GettyLiverpool returned to Merseyside with a share of the spoils after twice coming from behindCredit: GettyBut as tempers flared in a tempestuous title showdown, a spot of confusion on the touchline led to Kop boss Slot being shown a yellow card.The Liverpool chief explained he was growing frustrated with Arsenal stars “falling down” under the slightest contact.And as he vented to his own players from the touchline, a twitchy-eared match official believed Slot was ranting at him – and quickly flashed the booking. Slot said: “[Arsenal] always fell down when they had ball possession.READ MORE SPORT STORIES”I said to Ibou [Konate]: ‘This is a f***ing joke’.”But the fourth official thought I was talking to him. I got a yellow for that!”The top-of-the-table showdown in North London wasn’t without its controversy.Bitter Gooners were twice left angered by the match officials at the Emirates in a heated contest.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn the first half, Van Dijk appeared to lash out at Kai Havertz – before equalising ten minutes later with home fans claiming the Dutch defender shouldn’t have even been on the pitch.And late in the game, after Liverpool piled on the pressure and snatched a second leveller, Arsenal went up the other end and thought they’d scored in the 90th minute.Liverpool have put Jurgen Klopp’s sprawling £4million home for sale – after Anfield successor Arne Slot turned it down.Jakub Kiwior leapt highest to head a ball forward towards Havertz, with the German getting the better of his marker to flick the ball on before lobbing goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.However, referee Anthony Taylor judged the ex-Chelsea forward to have fouled Konate, possibly because his arms was raised, leaving fans calling the decision “pathetic”.Meanwhile, SunSport can reveal former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has put his £4million Merseyside mansion up for sale after successor Slot turned down the chance to move in.The Dutch boss and wife Mirjam were shown around the seven-bed home but are deciding on their next move.The club have now put the gated property on the market – ending a 20-year link.A source said: “It was identified by the club as an ideal base for incoming managers.“Arne was offered it when he took over in the summer but has chosen to live elsewhere.“As a result, the club has decided to cut its losses.”Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard bought the home in Formby, Merseyside, in 2005 after it was built by a local developer.The property boasts three living rooms, a games room, swimming pool, two-storey gym, solarium, jacuzzi, sauna and cinema.When Gerrard left for US side LA Galaxy in 2015 he sold the house to incoming Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.The Northern Irish manager was sacked that October but kept the property and rented it to Klopp.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn 2019 Liverpool bought it as an investment and are said to have allowed Klopp, 57, to stay on rent-free.But Slot appears to have turned down the chance to move in and will look to move his family elsewhere. More