Football

RUBEN AMORIM lost his cool during a sloppy first half for Manchester United against Everton.The Red Devils boss fumed at several United stars and took no prisoners when players were not following his instructions.Ruben Amorim lost his cool during the first halfCredit: RexHe had a positive influence on his players with Marcus Rashford scoring twiceCredit: GettyFirst Amorim blasted Joshua Zirkzee for being out of position to press, with Casemiro and Matthijs de Ligt also coming under fire.Minutes later he was back at it, ordering Alejandro Garnacho and Mason Mount to warm up after his side allowed Everton to play the ball into the United half.However his moaning paid off as his players quickly bucked up their ideas and opened the scoring through Marcus Rashford in the 34th minute.A few minutes later it was 2-0 with Zirkzee bagging his first goal since the opening day of the season.READ MORE ON MAN UTDUnited also came racing out of the blocks at half-time with Rashford scoring after just 20 seconds.Zirkzee then added his second to round off a 4-0 win following good work from Amad, who won the ball from his quick pressing before feeding his team-mate to slot past the keeper.Rashford praised the system Amorim has introduced, claiming it makes the Red Devils more unpredictable.He said post-match: “It’s fun for us to learn something new. We feel stronger in this system. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAmorim needs A LOT of time on training pitch to fix Man Utd… unfortunately he won’t get it, writes Charlie WyettIN theory at least, the only way is up for Manchester United, writes Charlie Wyett.We are nearly a third of the way through this Premier League season and it is still staggering to see United lurking in 12th place.They have managed just four wins with a goal difference of 0. Only Everton, Crystal Palace and Southampton have scored less.It is certainly not a false position and a point at Ipswich illustrated the massive job that Ruben Amorim faces.United’s fans sang the name of their new manager throughout the game.They also gave the players rapturous applause on the final whistle and although this was an improvement on some of the performances this season, the bar has been set pretty low.The club’s optimistic supporters will see that their team is only six points off the top four.  Ultimately, though, it is difficult to see United even reaching last season’s final position of eighth as they look worse.United’s patched-up defence will improve – and a three-man formation at the back will help them – but you have to wonder where the goals are going to come from. Marcus Rashford struck after 81 seconds and then went missing for the rest of his 68 minutes on the pitch.Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee were also introduced in that double change midway inside the second half but added absolutely nothing. What a terrible couple of signings they have proved to be and United’s fans would swap both of them for Ipswich’s Liam Delap.Amorim did not celebrate the Rashford goal and paced around his technical area throughout looking uneasy.Each time there was a break in play, he called over players for instructions.Alejandro Garnacho headed over to the touchline on a couple of occasions while there were also words for Diogo Dalot, Casemiro and Jonny Evans.Amorim, a manager with infectious enthusiasm, will be hopeful he can get his message across to all of the players in the next few weeks.But the problem for the Portuguese coach is that this was the first of 10 games in the space of 33 days.What he really needs are spells on the training ground without a midweek game but he does not have that luxury.“Other teams don’t know what to expect from us. We can change a lot with our personnel for different games.“The energy is what we want from Old Trafford.”Francis Ngannou tackles Andre Onana to floor moments after Man Utd’s win over Bodo-Glimt More

CHELSEA moved to joint-second in the Premier League table with an resounding 3-0 win over Aston Villa.Goals from Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer saw the Blues make light work of their opponents at Stamford Bridge.Cole Palmer bagged a goal and assist as Chelsea beat Aston Villa 3-0Credit: ReutersPedro Neto had a quiet day out at Stamford BridgeCredit: ReutersVilla struggled to impress as their winless run continued.While Chelsea clocked up their third successive win in all competitions to keep Enzo Maresca’s show on the road.But who was the best player on the pitch for the hosts? And did anyone have a game to forget?READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHere, SunSport’s Katherine Walsh delivers her Chelsea player ratings…Robert Sanchez – 6 Kept Watkins at bay on two occasions in the first-half, which was welcome after questions were raised over his place as first-choice goalkeeper.Moises Caicedo –  6Rare start from right-back in the absence of Reece James, but was solid in an inverted role as Chelsea grew in confidence. Steps into challenges nicely at just the right time, and is becoming a dependable figure for the Blues.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWesley Fofana – 4Some uncomfortable moments for Fofana amid his battle with Ollie Watkins. Was subbed off inside the hour mark after seemingly twisting his ankle after treading on the ball. Chelsea legend John Terry reveals moment that ‘broke me’ three days after Champions League final penalty slip vs Man UtdEnzo Maresca was delighted with his side’s latest winCredit: GettyLevi Colwill – 6Would be lower before he cleared Ross Barkley’s blistering header over the bar from a corner. Went down easy when defending Watkins in the second-half, could’ve cost his side some cases against better opposition. Marc Cucurella – 7Chelsea’s most creative full-back won the ball high-up to set up Jackon’s opener. Put the defensive work in aswell after having Jaden Philogene’s number the whole game.Romeo Lavia – 6Another impressive midfield performance from the Belgian, who shows prowess beyond his years on and off the ball. Seems the perfect pivot partner for Fernandez when Caicedo isn’t in the middle, and people need to start talking about how Manchester City let him go for peanuts.Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring in west LondonCredit: GettyEnzo Fernandez continued his fine form with a goalCredit: GettyEnzo Fernandez (c) – 7His best goal in a Chelsea shirt this calender year with a slick volley past his Argentina team-mate from the edge of the box. The Chelsea captain set himself up after playing a lovely one-two with PalmerPedro Neto – 5Didn’t get on the ball enough compared to his fellow forward team-mates. Lovely drop of the shoulder after Fofana was subbed off but pretty quiet afternoon. Cole Palmer  – 8Out of form? Nonsense. He’d been on the edges of it at times. But made one, and scored an absolute screamer. You cannot keep a good man down. Only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has scored 30 goals at Stamford Bridge in quicker time. Linked up well with Sancho and Fernandez and assisted the Argentine’s volley and a constant threat while charging at Olsen’s goal in the second-half.Todd Boehly certainly enjoyed what he sawCredit: GettyChelsea are starting to come together after a tricky few yearsCredit: ReutersJadon Sancho – 6Full of confidence and a constant threat in a high wing-back role this afternoon. Could’ve won his side a penalty but stayed on his feet mid-way through the first-half. Still not quite there in the final third, though, as he was replaced by Madueke midway through the second half.Nicolas Jackson – 7A poacher’s finish opened the scoring inside seven minutes – his eighth in the league this season. A wonderful goal saw him get his foot round to volley in off the post with his weaker peg after Cucurella’s cross awkwardly deflected off Matty Cash.Tangled with Martinez, who was replaced by Robin Olsen at half-time.SubsBenoit Badiashile (60’ for Fofana) – 6Nothing too dramatic from the towering centre-back after replacing the injured Fofana.Noni Madueke (70’ for Sancho) – 4 Booked for simulation in the final five minutes. Unnecessary.Christopher Nkunku (70′ for Jackson) – 5Great cross for what should’ve been Chelsea’s third as Palmer and Madueke got mixed up in the 77th minute.READ MORE SUN STORIESJoao Felix – (86′ for Palmer) – 3 Missed a sitter at the death after Madueke’s shot was kept out. Also booked within three minutes of coming on for a lunge on Tielemans.  More

TOM CAIRNEY had a taste of the highs and lows experienced by Spurs fans most weeks after he scored and then was sent off in a crazy, 21-minute sub cameo.The Fulham club captain, 33, had been introduced on 62 minutes after Brennan Johnson’s ice-cool finish put under-par Tottenham ahead.Brennan Johnson broke the deadlock early in the second halfCredit: ReutersThe Welshman has already reached double figures for the seasonCredit: ReutersFulham’s No10 Tom Cairney equalised with a stunning effortCredit: AFPCairney’s first goal of the season earned Fulham a point but he was later sent offCredit: ReutersCairney was sent off late on for this challenge on Dejan KulusevskiCredit: ReutersFulham were the dominant side against SpursCairney had an eventful cameo off the benchThings seemed to be going so well for Cairney when he curled home a splendid leveller soon after coming on.But his short shift was over on 83 minutes when ref Darren Bond upgraded his yellow to a red after consulting his pitch-side telly to consider Cairney’s foul on Dejan Kulusevski.Spurs could not capitalise on the extra man as they limply followed up last week’s euphoric 4-0 win at the Etihad, which had been preceded by a dismal 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich.It was little surprise to hear frustrated home fans give a few boos at full-time as their wildly inconsistent campaign continued.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBoss Ange Postecoglou was dealt a blow ahead of kick-off when £65million striker Dominic Solanke was ruled out through illness.The England man actually reported for duty at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hours before kick-off, but was deemed too poorly for action and was sent home.Spurs underwhelmed but they should have taken the lead inside 49 seconds.Timo Werner, starting in Solanke’s absence with Son Heung-min shifted to centre-forward, nicked the ball and laid in the South Korean who struck straight at Bernd Leno.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCairney was dismissed after referee Darren Bond went to the pitchside monitorCredit: AFPHe returned to the pitch to show Cairney a red cardCredit: AFPCairney scored the equaliser but failed to see the end of the matchCredit: ReutersPostecoglou’s Russian roulette football approach means Tottenham games are a joy to watch for the neutral.But they can be nail-biting, exhausting affairs for fans whose excitement over every chance their team creates are matched by the anxiety felt at the opportunities they give up.Fulham stars repeatedly slap pitch-invading fan on head in wild celebrations as he is dragged off by stewards This game fit neatly into that description with Fulham looking so dangerous on the counter.Twice Ben Davies, sporting a black eye picked up against Roma on Thursday, had to make last-gasp interventions, first to deny Raul Jimenez and then Sander Berge.While Fraser Forster once again impressed with his shot-stopping ability in the absence of injured No1 Guglielmo Vicario.The England international made two fine stops to deny Jimenez, the second of which saw him produce a powerful right-hand to deny the Mexican’s well-struck volley.Alex Iwobi, one of FOUR ex-Arsenal players in Marco Silva’s starting line-up, then went a whisker away from an opener as he blasted onto the crossbar.Spurs themselves hit the woodwork before the break when James Maddison’s sneaky free-kick under the wall was deflected onto the post.The hosts started the second period in equally lacklustre fashion and Forster had to be at his best to deny Issa Diop and then Iwobi.Spurs were loose in possession too with lax passes from Maddison and Radu Dragusin.But they went unpunished and on 55 minutes, Spurs went ahead through Johnson.The Welshman crashed home a clever loop of a cross from Werner from close-range.Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, left, endured a frustrating afternoonCredit: AFPIt took his tally to four goals in as many games for club and country – as well as ten in 20 for Spurs this term.Postecoglou may have felt aggrieved at that point that Fulham were not reduced to ten men after Sasa Lukic escaped a second yellow card minutes after his first one.Having rightly been cautioned for fouling Yves Bissouma, the Serb took out Son with a strong challenge but ref Bond played advantage and did not take any action later.Sensing his side had got away with one, Marco Silva sensibly withdrew Lukic on 62 minutes and sent Cairney on in his place.Seven minutes later, the sub made his mark with a thumping finish into the far corner from Iwobi’s cutback that had Forster grasping at thin air.Cairney celebrated like a man who had not netted for some time – understandably given his last goal came 361 days ago.Postecoglou’s lengthy absentee list meant he had mainly kids on the bench – with 16-year-old midfielder Luca Williams-Barnett literally at school this week.But one man the Aussie did have was star-of-the-season Kulusevski, benched to manage his workload, and he was sent on before the restart.And it was for a foul on Kulusevski that saw Cairney’s explosive cameo come to an end.The ex-Scotland international was initially booked for catching the Swede on the back of the leg down to his Achilles.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut while there did not appear to be any malice in the challenge, it was a nasty one, and that yellow turned to red after VAR recommended Bond check his monitor.Yet Spurs could not capitalise, and now have just one win in their last five games – albeit that victory did read Manchester City 0 Tottenham 4. 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CHELSEA bolstered their title credentials in stirring style with a thumping win over free-falling Villa thanks to Cole Palmer’s latest wonder strike at Stamford Bridge.First-half goals from Nicolas Jackson and the rejuvenated Enzo Fernandez followed by a late Palmer beauty from outside the box brushed aside Unai Emery’s side who are now eight games without a win in all competitions.Nicolas Jackson fires Chelsea into the leadCredit: GettyJadon Sancho congratulates Jackson for his goalCredit: GettyBut it is all sunshine and light for Chelsea who moved level on points with Arsenal and into the top four and are very much in the shake-up for a first Prem title since Antonio Conte’s 2016-17 side won the league.Blues boss Enzo Maresca paired Fernandez with Romeo Lavia in midfield for the first time with Moises Caicedo employed in an unfamiliar right-back role and the moves worked a treat as Villa were ripped apart to continue their worst run of results since Emery’s appointment in October 2022.The £105million Fernandez was axed from the starting line-up by Maresca last month and told his massive transfer fee did not entitle him to a place in his team. But since that wake-up call the 24-year-old has displayed his best form in a Chelsea shirt as followed up on last week’s goal against Leicester with a sweetly-struck half volley after exchanging passes with Palmer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLVilla looked a pale shadow of the side that finished fourth last season and got off to the worst possible start when Jackson’s side-footed effort went in off the post after Marc Cucerralla robbed Jaden Philogene with a robust challenge then crossed for the Senegal striker to tap home.Ollie Watkins had scored on his previous two visits to Stamford Bridge and he should have continued that run when he rolled past the dithering Wesley Fofana on the edge of the Chelsea box but shot straight at the legs of the advancing Robert Sanchez.Emi Martinez almost gifted Jackson a second goal when he passed straight to the forward’s feet, but he was unable to get his shot away and the Argentine gloveman recovered well to regather the ball.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEnzo Fernandez doubles the Blues’ advantageCredit: GettyFernandez celebrates his goalCredit: GettyHe may be rated as the world’s top keeper, but there is never any shortage of drama when Martinez is on the field and midway through the first half he was penalised for the rarely-awarded crime of picking up a backpass from Pau Torres. Most read in FootballThat led to the remarkable sight of all 11 Villa players on their own goalline to defend an indirect free-kick which Martinez raced out to block just before suffering an arm injury from a Jackson challenge that forced him off at halftime.Villa started the second half with Robin Olsen in goal as Chelsea continued to dominate with Jackson guilty of twice fluffing his lines when through on goal before Palmer iced the victory with a brilliant finish into the top corner six minutes from time.Substitute Joao Felix should have made it 4-0 two minutes from time with a close range header after Olsen parried away Noni Madueke’s cross as Villa continued to shoot themselves in the foot by giving the ball away cheaply in midfield.John McGinn’s rising effort in stoppage time was the visitors only real attempt at goal in what was a chastening afternoon for Emery’s men who then saw sub Christopher Nkunku shoot narrowly wide before Stuart Attwell’s final whistle put them out of their misery,Villa desperately need a win at home to free-scoring Brentford on Wednesday to prevent their campaign spiralling out of control as they struggle to combine Champions League and Premier League commitments.The potential absence of Martinez would be another huge blow for Emery who failed to hide his frustration on the sideline alongside his livewire set-piece coach Austin McPhee.At one stage the usually measured Spaniard was involved in a heated discussion with the Chelsea bench after a late challenge from Watkins as the pressure of his side’s shocking run evidently is taking its tollChelsea head to lowly bottom-placed Southampton on the same night and victory at St Mary’s and with a repeat performance they cannot be discounted from returning Champions League football back to Stamford Bridge come the end of the season.Cole Palmer bags Chelsea’s thirdCredit: ReutersPalmer celebrates his brilliant goalCredit: Reuters More

RUBEN AMORIM said Marcus Rashford had to ‘want it’ to get back to his very best.Well he certainly wanted it on this Sunday afternoon and he got it too with a pair of goals and a display that suggested the new boss is quickly finding the old Rashford.Joshua Zirkzee scored his first goals since the opening game of the seasonCredit: EPAMarcus Rashford also bagged a doubleCredit: GettyMan Utd have scored seven goals this weekCredit: AFPGoodness me Amorim even got a pair of goals out of Joshua Zirkzee as well and we were wondering if he would ever have a shot again.It was only Everton, but it was also impressive from the Red Devils.It is not often you get a comfortable win in the league for the fans to enjoy here at Old Trafford.That’s two victories and a draw in Amorim’s first three games.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe new boss bounce has put a spring back in the steps of United fans.And back in Rashford who scored two in a game for the first time in 22 months when he did just that in the 3-0 win over Leicester City at home.He was in a purple patch then, on his way to posting career-best figures of 30 goals in a season.That is the Rashford Amorim wants back, that is the Rashford United needs.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMan Utd were clinical against the ToffeesThe visitors barely got a sniffAfter he scored in the 3-2 victory over Bodo Glimt in the midweek Europa League tie this was extremely encouraging from the 27-year-old.The weight of the world he seemed to be carrying on his shoulders looked to be shaken off as he covered the Old Trafford turf with that effortless ease and speed he possesses.Francis Ngannou tackles Andre Onana to floor moments after Man Utd’s win over Bodo-GlimtMind you there was a bit of help for United from the opposition here.Jarrad Branthwaite was desperate to help United out this season and finally he seemed to get his wish.The Everton centre-back put a ball past his own goalkeeper and then could claim a partial assist for the home sides’s second as the struggling Toffees came unstuck.Of course Branthwaite had been hoping to be wearing the Red of United in this fixture after the big spenders came knocking at Goodison Park’s door last summer.They offered £45million plus add ons, Everton held out for £70million and United looked elsewhere.He had an afternoon to forget here.It was the 34th minute when Bruno Fernandes played a corner out to the edge of the area for the unmarkedRashford.His shot to the bottom left-hand corner looked to be covered by the diving Jordan Pickford.Then Branthwaite stuck out a foot and deflected it past him.Just seven minutes later and Branthwaite was in danger of being carried shoulder high off the pitch by the United faithful.Everton looked in no danger as Pickford advanced from his area with the ball and passed it forward to Abdoulaye Doucoure.Still no danger as Doucoure laid it back to Branthwaite, then the alarm bellls rang as he dithered, Amad stole possession from him and fed Brunos Fernandes.Bruno Fernandes contributed two assistsCredit: ReutersEven United weren’t making a mess of this chance as the captain squared for Zirkzee to score only his second goal for the club.Reward for United for being the more positive from the off against an Everton side who arrived in trouble at the wrong end of the table but with only one defeat from their previous eight league games.Five of those were draws, however, and they had not scored in the previous three and any thought that dropping Dominic Calvert-Lewin to the bench with Beto going up front might change that was misplaced.Although Beto would have Everton’s only chance of the first period when he was put through by Dwight McNeil, he rounded the goalkeeper but found the side netting from an angle.That came with the scores level but United were always looking the more likely to break the deadlock.In Amad and Rashford they had the most dangerous players on the pitch and they combined to extend United’s two-goal lead straight from the second-half restart and put the game out of Everton’s reach.Not that Sean Dyche’s men had looked in touching distance of it from the start.When John Brooks sounded the whistle for the beginning of the second period Everton laid the ball back for Pickford to launch upfield.United would clear their lines and with a great turn and lay off, Zirkzee sent Amad away.Rashford raced between two Everton defenders and across his teammate to receive a perfectly weighted pass and fire home.Number four arrived in the 64th minute with the excellent Amad’s determination winning its rewards once more.He charged through James Tarkowski to win the ball off him before finding Zirkzee who fired back across Pickford into the bottom right-hand corner.This was United’s first league victory by four goals since the opening day of the 2021-22 season when they thumped Leeds 5-1.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe trip to Arsenal on Wednesday will of course provide a sterner test of Amorim’s early days in charge.He at least has United up and running with Rashford leading the charge again. 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