Football

NEWCASTLE UNITED’S fantastic festive form continued as Jhon Duran made Unai Emery’s naughty list.The Aston Villa striker was looking to score for the fifth straight game but instead his afternoon lasted just over half an hour before he blew his team’s chances of victory.Anthony Gordon put Newcastle in front after barely 80 secondsCredit: RexThe Toon winger curled expertly into the top cornerCredit: GettyAlexander Isak could not miss as he doubled the hosts’ advantageCredit: PAJhon Duran was sent off for Aston VillaCredit: ReutersThe Colombian maverick was sent off for violent conduct following a naughty stamp on Fabian Schar to leave Villa without a win at St James’ Park since 2005.However, fellow top-four rivals the Magpies are absolutely flying after a fourth-consecutive victory, in particular their Swedish striker Alexander Isak.He scored again to make it 11 in 12 for him after Anthony Gordon gave them a dream start, and Joelinton put the cherry on the cake at the death.The omens of Emery’s team ending 19 years of hurt on Tyneside quickly evaporated.Just 80 seconds were on the clock before Gordon almost caused the roof to come off the Gallowgate after Toon’s midfield three all combined well.Sandro Tonali won back possession deep in his half and played it short to Bruno Guimaraes, who in turn passed it on to Joelinton.His fellow Brazilian charged forwards as the Villa defence continued to back off him, allowing him to slip in left to Gordon, who cut inside Matty Cash and curled it straight across Emiliano Martinez and into the top corner. Jacob Murphy dragged one wide while Gordon failed to connect properly with another effort as Newcastle looked to blow the visitors out of the water.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHowever, Villa under Emery are made of stern stuff these days, and it was their midfield that soon began to take charge after seeing out the early storm.Lucas Digne’s free-kick forced Martin Drubravka into a flying stop but the Magpies retaliated with Kieran Trippier, enjoying a rare start in place of the ill Tino Livramento, making Martinez work from his own set-piece strike.I’m a former Newcastle striker who filled ex-England star’s car with rotten fish as revenge for him cutting up my clothes It was turning into a brilliant contest – until Duran’s moment of madness left Villa right up against it.He had been niggling with Fabian Schar throughout the opening half hour when he tried to snidely stamp on him.The Newcastle defender was shepherding the ball away from danger under pressure from the South American forward when it exploded.But as Schar went to ground on his front, Duran looked to hurdle him but in a strange, late motion, his left foot caught the defender’s hamstring while his right stamped straight along his rival’s lower back and side.Toon players raced over as their team-mate writhed in pain and ref Anthony Taylor issuing him a red card, with Duran volleying a water bottle for good measure as he eventually left the pitch.Tensions were rising on and off the pitch as Emery and his staff became more and more irritated by Eddie Howe’s notorious No2 Jason Tindall, including him “shushing” them.And that boiled over at the half-time break when Tindall was forced to start the second period sat in the press box in the Milburn Stand before scurrying elsewhere after he and a Villa analyst were sent off for a confrontation in the tunnel.That could’ve started when Joelinton’s flying arm sent Morgan Rogers crashing to the ground, a challenge that earned one of three yellow cards in the opening 45, but the visitors obviously had wanted more.Away from all of the brewing trouble, Martinez also made an incredible one-handed save to keep his team in it when pushing away Tonali’s shot from eight yards.That left it still all to play for after the break as Emery went for it, replacing Youri Tielemans with Ollie Watkins, but their hopes did not last long.Isak, who had just headed into the side-netting, continued his purple patch.The lovely move started with Bruno beautifully slipping in Murphy down the right, and he squared it for the Swede to simply tap in.The hotshot was denied a brace moments later after just straying offside as Newcastle continued to swarm forward and turn the screw.Murphy should have made it three but instead went for power instead of precision and whacked a strike off the bar.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Villa were spared even further embarrassment late on when Ezri Konsa’s clearance went into Bruno’s behind and deflected in from two yards out – but VAR spotted it came off the Toon skipper’s arm.But the third did come in the final seconds as Joelinton collected the ball, drove forward before slamming home from just outside the box.It was the second flick of the boot on Fabian Schar’s back that prompted the red cardCredit: GettyDuran booted a water bottle in anger as he trudged offCredit: GettyTempers boiled over on the touchlineCredit: Reuters More

BOURNEMOUTH’S late flourish failed to land the victory needed for a top-five spot as Crystal Palace deservedly earned a point.Ismaila Sarr had a goal ruled out for the lowly Eagles, while key man Eberechi Eze had a long-ranger spectacularly tipped over by Cherries keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr slots home but saw his effort ruled outCredit: ReutersSarr was frustrated but Palace would surely have taken a point beforehandCredit: RexPalace stopper Dean Henderson sees Dango Ouattara go close for BournemouthCredit: RexAntoine Semenyo did go close to a late winner for Andoni Iraola’s men.But overall Palace halted the Bournemouth express and were full value for a point.The Cherries, now unbeaten in six games, were not on their shooting game having 18 shots with only four on target.Brazilian Evanilson came on as a livelier replacement for Enes Unal to help Bournemouth improve in the closing stages.READ MORE TOP FOOTBALLBut Palace remained robust in defence as they lifted themselves four points clear of the drop zone.Eagles chief Oliver Glasner was certainly delighted.He said: “It’s a good point here at Bournemouth. They are really in very good shape.“We expected the game to be how it was. Very intense, many duels. They were playing very straight in behind, having a lot of pace and sometimes it’s not so easy to defend.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“On the other side, when you have the ball, they always make pressure, you never have time, and in some situations we did really well, when we moved the ball quickly and created our moments, so this is a good point.”Glasner added: “I think we defended really well. We were very focused and concentrated, especially on the long balls in behind.Son Heung-min tells Tottenham flops to applaud fans after defeat at Bournemouth”Overall, we can still improve of course.”But today it was important to get at least a point, and this is what we did.”Bournemouth chief Andoni Iraola shows his frustrationCredit: GettySon Heung-min tells Tottenham flops to applaud fans after defeat at Bournemouth More

COLE PALMER broke an incredible 23-year Chelsea goal record after his stunner against Fulham. The England international opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge in the West London derby. Cole Palmer celebrates his opening goal against FulhamCredit: GettyHe effortlessly drifted past a sea of Fulham shirts before placing a left-footed curler past Bernd Leno. It was 12th goal of the season and remarkably his 26th of 2024. That saw Palmer break Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s record of most Premier League Chelsea goals in a calendar year – scoring 25 in 2001.Others in the top five were Didier Drogba with 22 in 2010, Diego Costa scoring 21 in 2016 and Frank Lampard with 20 in 2005. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPalmer also made it 51 goals and assists in as many games since signing for Chelsea in the summer of 2023. The playmaker joined from Manchester City in a deal worth £42.5 million and has quickly become one of the most in-form players in the world. His solo stunner left former City defender and Amazon Prime pundit Nedum Onuoha in awe. Onuoha said: “My goodness. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Cole Palmer, he’s so so good at finding the ball in the spaces between the midfield and the defence but look at the way he takes this on the back foot and immediately wants to try and affect the game.”Takes it to the side, shuffles and it’s the easiest goal in the world for him.”Oh my goodness, there’s a megs [nutmeg] in there as well. When players can make it look that simple, you know they’re on a different level.”Despite Palmer’s stunner, Fulham fought back to steal a famous 2-1 thanks to goals from Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz. Rodrigo Muniz scored a late winner for FulhamCredit: Getty More

JHON DURAN saw red after a horror challenge on Fabian Schar. The Aston Villa striker, 21, finally dislodged Ollie Watkins in the starting XI for Unai Emery in recent weeks.Jhon Duran was sent off for Aston Villa at NewcastleCredit: ReutersDuran lost out in his battle with Fabian Schar then landed on the defenderCredit: PAIt was the second flick of the boot on Schar’s back that prompted the red cardCredit: GettyBut he lasted just half an hour in the Boxing Day trip to Newcastle.Already showing his frustration earlier on after another decision went against him, Duran lost his cool while in a foot race with Schar.The Colombian youngster lost out in the battle and slipped into a tackle on the Newcastle centre-back.He seemingly landed on his left foot on Schar’s left hip. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut in a secondary action, Duran flicked his right boot out, catching Schar on the back with his studs and then pushing his foot up towards his opponent’s head.That prompted a furious reaction from Newcastle trio Martin Dubravka, Dan Burn and Joelinton who were quick to remonstrate with Duran as Schar clutched at the sore spots on his backside while lying on the turf. Referee Anthony Taylor took his time before brandishing the red card.And they were few complaints from the Villa man, his team-mates or the manager. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSDuran then risked further punishment by furiously kicking a water bottle on the sidelines before being marched down the tunnel.Emery barely even looked at his No9, knowing he may well have ruined Christmas for Villa.Emi Martinez’s eight-word blast at Jack Grealish revealed as new footage of pair’s furious tunnel row emerges The visitors fell behind in just the second minute at St James’ Park thanks to Anthony Gordon’s superb curling finish. But they felt they should have been back level in terms of players on the pitch just before half-time. Joelinton swung a stray arm out at Morgan Rogers, catching the Villa man around the neck.Rogers went down in a heap, desperately trying to get Joelinton red carded.But Taylor decided a yellow was sufficient punishment.Then at half-time in the tunnel, tempers boiled over once again and Eddie Howe’s assistant Jason Tindall saw red. But the talk on social media at the break was all about Duran’s moment of madness – with many suggesting he could feel hard done by to receive his marching orders.One said: “Harsh red.”Another wrote: “Not in a million years.”And a third added: “Disgraceful decision.”But another user replied: “The first one I would give him the benefit but the second is so deliberate.”And a final commented: “He 100 per cent tries to do him, right decision red card, intent more than actual contact.”Ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given also gave his verdict at half-time.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe told Amazon Prime Video: “I think Schar puts in a brilliant tackle.”But I think he leaves a bit on Duran in the tackle and Duran reacts raking his studs down him.”THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More