Football

ALTHOUGH none of us really need to look at the Premier League table to discover this, it is now official. This is Manchester United’s worst ever Premier League team.Harvey Barnes hails his match-turning double for NewcastleCredit: ReutersBruno Guimaraes punished Altay Bayindir’s error with the Toon’s fourthCredit: GettyGuimaraes enjoys completing the second-half routCredit: GettyA thoroughly-deserved 14th loss of the season – equalling last season’s record number of defeats – means this lamentable team cannot reach 58 points, which was their lowest ever tally from three seasons ago.After Alejandro Garnacho cancelled out a lovely opening goal from Sandro Tonali, United were swept away in the second half by two goals from Harvey Barnes.Although cock-up keeper Andre Onana was given the day off, United no 2 Altay Bayindir proved he has been watching him too closely in training by gifting Newcastle a fourth goal through Bruno Guimaraes.Toon manager Eddie Howe was watching from hospital as he recovers from his illness.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut his spirits would have been lifted by a strong performance from a team who are now fourth place with a game in hand.That match is at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday and Newcastle really do look a good bet for a Champions League spot.If United are to somehow join them in that competition, they have to win the Europa League so they have to see off Lyon this week.While this is not impossible following their 2-2 draw on Thursday, this complete mauling will not have given them much confidence. United really are a mess.Most read in FootballSandro Tonali celebrates the boot into Man Utd with his breakthroughCredit: PABEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSNewcastle are everything that Amorim would like his United team to be. Strong at the back, dynamic in midfield and with a touch of class up front.In charge of proceedings for Toon was assistant boss Jason Tindall and he is certainly calmer than normal.Eddie Howe will MISS Newcastle vs Man Utd clash after being taken to hospital for testsMan Utd ratings vs Newcastle as Zirkzee does well before injury but dropped Onana’s stand-in has a shockerMANCHESTER UNITED’S worst ever Premier League season was confirmed with a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.The Red Devils are now guaranteed to finish on less than 56 points, which is their lowest ever Prem total.And they can only get that high if they win ALL of their last six games.If they’re not careful, they could even finish 17th – just one spot above the marooned bottom three.It was another dark day that reflects a poor campaign for United as Newcastle carved them open with ease in the second-half.Ruben Amorim dropped keeper Andre Onana after his horror show against Lyon midweek.But stand-in Altay Bayindir had a game to forget too.Sandro Tonali’s volley, a double by Harvey Barnes and a Bruno Guimaraes finish cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho’s goal.Here is how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated the United performances…Apart from changing keepers, Amorim also gave a full debut to young defender Harry Amass.And what was already a tough watch for United’s fans got worse as Joshua Zirkzee – their best player – hobbled off with a hamstring injury.There could not be too many complaints about Newcastle’s opener as it was pure class.  Alexander Isak played the star turn as he came short to receive a clever, low pass from Kieran Trippier.With his back to goal around the edge of the area, Isak controlled the pass with his left foot and then delivered a sensational flick with his right boot. The ball looped over the heads of both Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro and Tonali buried a shot into the bottom corner.United stopper Bayindir did not stand a chance, although he did make a brilliant block to stop Isak from making it 2-0. And that proved important as United finally got out of their half to level with a counter-attack.Manuel Ugarte got the better of Joelinton for the first time in the game and picked out Diogo Dalot, who slipped a pass for Garnacho to find space as left-back Tino Livramento had pushed up. The Argentinian winger still had plenty of work to do but he carefully caressed the ball into the corner, via the post.United could have been in front at half-time, undeservedly, but Garnacho was denied a second goal by Nick Pope who got down to his left to save.Alejandro Garnacho soon angled a clinical leveller for Man UtdCredit: GettySandro Tonali drilled a brilliant opener for the MagpiesCredit: PARuben Amorim’s team continued with a bit of momentum after the break and had appeals for a penalty waved away when Diogo Dalot went down after going shoulder-to-shoulder with Tonali.And it got even worse for Dalot as he was easily beaten by Livramento who delivered a far post cross towards Murphy. For his 10th assist of the season, Murphy cut the ball back for his 10th Premier League assist of the season with Barnes having an easy tap-in.Barnes had started despite Anthony Gordon returning to fitness and that decision was vindicated for his stunning second which condemned United to another defeat.Noussair Mazraoui dithered, Barnes snatched the ball off him and then ran into an enormous gap which was helped by Lindelof just watching rather than making an attempt to tackle. Barnes cantered into the area and smashed his shot past Bayindir for his third goal in two games.Read More on The SunWhile Bayindir had no chance for that one, he let himself down when plonking the ball on the head of Joelinton when attempting to pass out from the back. Newcastle’s Brazilian nodded the ball in the direction of Guimaraes and he was never going to miss that.When United’s skipper Bruno Fernandes was then replaced, Newcastle’s home fans responded with a chorus of ‘there’s only one Bruno”.Midfielder Barnes restored Newcastle’s lead soon after the breakCredit: GettyBarnes slotted his second goal to make it 3-1 after more dozy defendingCredit: AFP More

ENZO MARESCA blamed a moody Stamford Bridge for Chelsea’s flop against Ipswich as they stumbled in the Champions League race.The Blues boss saw his side fall two goals behind against the relegation certainties on Sunday afternoon before rescuing a point in the second half.Enzo Maresca has urged fans to get behind Chelsea following Sunday’s 2-2 draw with IpswichCredit: RexThe Blues saw their Champions League hopes take another hitCredit: GettyChelsea came from two goals down to take a point thanks to Jadon SanchoCredit: ReutersAnd Maresca said his side abandoned their principles due to the “environment” in west London.The Blues started fast but were hit with a sucker punch on 19 minutes when Julio Enciso grabbed a shock opener, before Ben Johnson doubled the lead just after half an hour.An Axel Tuanzebe own goal and a stunner from Jadon Sancho rescued a point, but two points dropped invited further pressure in Chelsea’s unconvincing pursuit of a top five spot.Chelsea handed possession over ahead of both goals by playing long balls, with the home fans prone to grumbling about their team playing out from the back.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMaresca said: “We lost a little bit of confidence because we conceded, probably because of the environment.”This is the moment that you have to continue doing the right things and don’t change plans.”Also because we are a team that most of the time our goal kicks we start from playing short, the second goal we decide to play long because of the environment and we concede the second one.”So you have to be strong, you have to continue with the things that you are doing.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”In terms of fans, I said many times, we are stronger with our fans.”We are a better team and it’s up to them to decide the way to be. Today probably, with the 0-1, 0-2, it’s normal to be in the way they were.’I can’t see anything’ – Chelsea fans moan as live TNT Sports coverage of Conference League clash is ruined by smoke”In the moment that we are in, a difficult moment, you can expect that they are not happy.”But in the same moment, it is the moment that we need more support.”Kieran McKenna was disappointed to see his side concede twice after going ahead, but the travelling fans gave them a huge ovation after full-time.We lost a little bit of confidence because we conceded, probably because of the environment.Enzo MarescaThe Ipswich boss is also concerned about Jaden Philogene, after the January signing “opened the side of his knee up” and had to be helped off minutes after coming on as a substitute.McKenna said: “It looks like a blow, no doubt.”He’s opened up the inside of his knee, so it’ll be scanned. It’s usually the MCL that gets some damage in that sort of tackle.Read More on The Sun”He had one on his left side last season, so we’ll get it scanned and see how he is.”We’ll be hoping that the damage isn’t too bad.” More

JADON SANCHO spared Chelsea’s blushes as Enzo Maresca’s side came from behind to draw.Relegation-threatened Ipswich went 2-0 up after 31 minutes with Chelsea flat throughout the first half.Jadon Sancho spared Chelsea’s blushes with a beautyCredit: GettyCole Palmer was not at the races againCredit: ReutersNicolas Jackson fluffed his lines in front of goalCredit: GettyEnzo Fernandez was a rare bright spark for the BluesCredit: ReutersThey kickstarted into life immediately after the break when Axel Tuanzebe bundled a Noni Madueke cross into the back of his own net under pressure from Marc Cucurella.Chelsea should have already been a goal to the good but Nicolas Jackson fluffed his lines – a familiar tale this season.The Blues were booed off the pitch after their first half display but Sancho redeemed his team-mates after he unleashed a brilliant curling effort into the top corner.Chelsea came into the fixture having won each of their last five Premier League games at Stamford Bridge but failed to build momentum after their midweek win in Warsaw.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCole Palmer delivered another weak performance but Fernandez continued his recent impressive form, while Sancho shined from the bench.A victory would have propelled Chelsea into fourth place, a point ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, but a draw leaves Enzo Maresca’s side in fifth.Here is how SunSport’s Conor Jones rated the Blues display…ROBERT SANCHEZ – 4The keeper had a quiet first half but failed to stop either of the goals and his distribution was poor.Most read in FootballThe Spaniard faced very little in the second half as his side dominated possession and looked much more dangerous.TREVOR CHALOBAH – 4Pushed high to support Madueke and forced a save from Alex Palmer in the first half with a low, driven strike but it was a routine stop.BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThe defender was at fault for the second goal where he was pulled out of position and failed to win a header over George Hirst, eventually leading to the Enciso cross and Johnson’s header at the back post.Chalobah was then moved into centre half at the break and dealt with Ipswich’s counter-attacks reasonably well, denying Liam Delap a shot on goal shortly after he came on.’I can’t see anything’ – Chelsea fans moan as live TNT Sports coverage of Conference League clash is ruined by smokeTOSIN ADARABIOYO – 5The defender had a quiet game and will be disappointed to have conceded two at home after keeping a clean sheet away at Legia Warsaw.Tosin didn’t offer a threat from set pieces and was part of Chelsea’s worst 45-minute period of the game.Made way for Malo Gusto in the second half, with Trevor Chalobah moving across into centre-half.LEVI COLWILL – 5Started brightly, playing a brilliant pass through the lines from a free-kick which found Enzo Fernandez in the half space.Managed to find himself open in the Ipswich box for a free header which should have found the back of the net but can instead be added to the list of missed chances for the Blues on the day.Chelsea put in a poor display at the back as a group and allowed the visitors to capitalise on their mistakes.Ultimately, the Englishman will be disappointed with his backline’s performance, especially after a clean sheet midweek.MARC CUCURELLA – 6The Spanish full-back was up to his usual tricks on Sunday, rolling in pain to win a free-kick in the first half leading to relentless boos from the travelling support.The Spaniard’s defensive performance didn’t match his theatrics as he was caught on the back foot for the opening goal from Enciso and then beaten at the back post for Johnson’s header and Ipswich’s second.Cucurella came out of the blocks firing in the second half and was in the box to bundle home Madueke’s cross, with the help of Tuanzebe.Overall, he was dangerous and caused Ipswich more problems than most of the Blues’ front line.MOISES CAICEDO – 5Didn’t play noticeably badly but was part of a midfield that was caught out on the break for both goals.Protected his back four with more consistency in the second half but recycled the ball well and regained possession on numerous occasions.Needs to offer more going forward when his side are struggling to create.ENZO FERNANDEZ – 7Enzo was positive and drove the Blues’ attack forward throughout the first half, linking up well with Madueke and pressing eagerly with Palmer.The Argentinian matched his attacking work rate at the back going forward and tried to drive his team up the pitch with every possession.The midfielder was keen to take on shots and when his side were struggling he was the only player who showed signs of turning things around.NONI MADUEKE – 6Madueke was a threat down the right-hand side early on and pressed the Tractor Boys’ back line with enthusiasm but his day was defined by missed chances.An awkward volley nearly crept past Alex Palmer at the near post but Ipswich fans were relieved to see it nestle into the outside netting.The winger failed to convert again in the last ten minutes of the first half after Palmer slid in Cucurella and the Spaniard delivered a dangerous cut back which he spooned into row Z but delivered the assist to kickstart the comeback.COLE PALMER – 4Palmer started quietly but perked up around 15 minutes into the first half when he toyed with the Ipswich backline before combining well with Pedro Neto to fizz a ball across the six-yard line.Yet, the young attacker looked hesitant and lacking in confidence as he failed to show the cut throat decision making and talent we saw in the first half of the season.If the Englishman was hoping this fixture could be the turning point in a run of flat form, he was wrong.PEDRO NETO – 6Found acres of space on the right flank but failed to capitalise despite numerous balls into the box and consistent opportunities to cut in onto his right foot.Came close with a volley from the edge of the area in the second half and picked up his performance in the second half but still lacked the cutting edge.The winger had a half chance to win the game with a difficult volley in the box but could only slice the ball high and wide.NICOLAS JACKSON – 4Jackson showed signs of life but was kept quiet by Dara O’Shea and made a case for his side to start looking at strikers come the summer transfer window.The striker should have scored in the eighth minute of the game after Enzo played a dangerous ball across the box from the right but he could only hit the post.The Senegalese attacker lost the physical battle with Ipswich’s backline and failed to offer a dangerous outlet on the break which was where his side looked most dangerous.SUBSMALO GUSTO – 5Came on to replace Tosin and offer a conventional full-back on the right-hand side which helped the home side’s stability in the second half.Inverted well and helped contain Ipswich counter attacks by recycling the ball around the edge of the area and offered himself on the right flank.JADON SANCHO – 7Came on and scored a wonderful equaliser but didn’t have loads of opportunities to impact the game outside of his goal.Read More on The SunOverall, Maresca couldn’t ask for much more and Sancho rescued a point for his side.CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU – 5Did not make an impact in his few minutes on the pitch. 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