Premier League

PREMIER LEAGUE great Peter Crouch revealed the legendary Robert Prosinecki smoked cigarettes in the showers at half-time when he played for Portsmouth.Crouch and Prosinecki were team-mates at Pompey during the 2001-2002 season and the former has some very fond memories playing with the legendary midfielder.
Peter Crouch and Robert Prosinecki played together at PortsmouthCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Prosinecki would smoke in the Portsmouth showers during half-timeCredit: Getty – Contributor
Crouch, though, insists Prosinecki was a ‘genius’ on the pitchCredit: Rex
The former striker still remembers one of the Croatian great’s most unusual rituals, which involved him enjoying a smoke during the manager’s half-time team talk.
Then gaffer Harry Redknapp would allow Prosinecki, who came close to the Ballon d’Or in the 1990s, to partake in the shocking habit.
The ex-Tottenham and Liverpool star, though, insists that when the Real Madrid great put on a pair of boots he was always a “genius” on the pitch.
Crouch said during the latest episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast: “Prosinecki was the best I’ve seen in the dressing room.
Read More on Football
“I mean Harry would let him do it, but at half-time he’d just be in the showers having a fag.
“Every time he would say, ‘Robbie’ and he would just pop [and respond], ‘gaffer’! You’d see smoke coming out.
“You obviously don’t get away with that if you’re a normal player. But if you’re him, I mean the man was a genius.”
But Prosinecki’s smoking habit wasn’t the only “weird” phenomenon that took place at the Portsmouth dressing room on a regular basis.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
Shaun Derry suffered from pre-match jitters and would always be sick before taking to the pitch.
Crouch added: “That shower room was weird, Shaun Derry used to throw up before every game [because of] nervous energy.
“Robbie would be there having a fag, Derry would be throwing up… But great times.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED were booed off the pitch following their 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.The Red Devils suffered their seventh Premier League defeat of the season at the hands of Andoni Iraola’s side following a dismal performance.
Man Utd suffered a 3-0 defeat to BournemouthCredit: AFP
The Red Devils were booed off the pitchCredit: Getty
Dominic Solanke broke the deadlock within the opening five minutes, setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
Philip Billing then doubled Bournemouth’s advantage during the second half shortly before Marcos Senesi sealed all three points.
Old Trafford was half empty by the final whistle, but the remaining fans were keen to let their be feelings known, as they have on several occasions already this season after home defeats.
A wave of boos echoed around the stadium as the Red Devils trudged off the pitch.
Read More on Man Utd
Fans on social media also berated Erik ten Hag and his team for the performance.
One person tweeted: “That Man Utd result is the sort of result that gets managers fired…”
Another added: “Losing 3-0 ranks as one of the worst results in the post-Ferguson era. Bournemouth’s first win at Old Trafford was thoroughly deserved, #MUFC had no answer to their unity + purpose. Ten Hag’s team is so brittle.”
While a third wrote: “Surely this is sackable.”
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
The odds of Ten Hag being sacked by Man Utd before Christmas have now been slashed to 5/2, according to Betfair.
United’s next two games are against Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
The Red Devils face Bayern in a must-win Champions League clash on Tuesday, although a victory does not guarantee they will qualify.
They then return to Premier League action to take on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday – the scene of last season’s 7-0 drubbing. More

MANCHESTER UNITED were humiliated at home again as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.Dominic Solanke hit the Red Devils with an early blow after breaking the deadlock within the opening five minutes.
It was another disappointing day for the Red DevilsCredit: AFP
Philip Billing then doubled Bournemouth’s advantage in the 68th minute shortly before Marcos Senesi sealed the win.
Old Trafford was half-empty by the final whistle as fans fumed about the dismal display.
As Man Utd suffer another horror defeat, SunSport’s Neil Custis rates the performance.
ANDRE ONANA
Can’t really point the finger at him but he is just a very average goalkeeper at best and United need a lot better than that to go where they want to go. 5.
Read More on Man Utd
DIOGO DALOT
With United just one down he was put through and should have pulled the ball back for Rasmus Hojlund in a great position but chose to shoot and found the side netting. 5.
HARRY MAGUIRE
Had a fine first half reading the game and getting great tackles in but crumbled with the rest of the back four in the second half and got lost for stuck between three men for the third. 6.
LUKE SHAW
Asked to move into the centre again in the absence of Victor Lindelof. His pass was intercepted leading to the second goal and was beaten to the header by Billing for the second. 4.
SERGIO REGUILLON
Erik ten Hag says they need to speak to Spurs about whether his loan will be extended beyond New Year. I would send him back. Sloppy ball given away that led to visitors goal. 5.
Most read in Football
SCOTT MCTOMINAY
Kept pushed well forward again in a 4-1-4-1 but while half chances fell his way the top scorer couldn’t take them on this occasion. 5.
SOFYAN AMRABAT
Looked a bit overwhelmed at times patrolling in front of the back four on his own and was beaten by Lewis Cook when he assisted the first Bournemouth goal. 5.
ANTONY
Clearly seen as a threat by Bournemouth as they were constantly on his heels leaving him rolling on the deck more than once. Disappeared in the second-half. 5.
BRUNO FERNANDES
This was one of those frustrating games for the captain when he is desperately trying to grab some control of the game without success. Booked late on and will miss Liverpool next week. 4.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO
He was excellent in midweek but kept totally quiet by the Bournemouth defence on this occasion. 4.
ANTHONY MARTIAL
Got the biggest cheer of the day from the United fans when his number was held up to get him off. Offered little or nothing once more. 3.
SUBS:
RASMUS HOJLUND (For Martial 56)
At least he ran around a bit, unlike the bloke he replaced. 5.
MARCUS RASHFORD (For Garnacho 79)
On too late to affect the game but given his form he probably would not have done much if he came on any earlier. 5.
Read more on The Sun
FACUNDO PELLISTRI (For Antony 79)
If Antony remains inconsistent he needs to start getting a run in this inconsistent team. 6.
JONNY EVANS (For Shaw 79)
Brought on just to get a few minutes into his legs presumably as the game was up. 6. More

ANTHONY MARTIAL was cheered off the pitch after being substituted during Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.The Frenchman put on another lacklustre display before being hauled off in the 56th minute.
Anthony Martial was substituted to huge cheers in the 56th minuteCredit: PA
And as he was making his way back to the dugout, he received a huge round of applause – for all the wrong reasons.
The Old Trafford crowd appeared to be thrilled that Martial was being substituted following his below-par performance.
He was replaced by £72million summer signing Rasmus Hojlund.
Fans took to X to react, with one person writing: “Deafening cheers for Hojlund must hurt Martial a bit.”
Read More on Man Utd
Another added: “The cheers for Hojlund coming on were loud! Can’t help but feel they were more for Martial coming off tho.”
A third person wrote: “Huge cheers from Man Utd fans as Martial is replaced by Hojlund. It has to be said the former was abject for the 55 minutes he was on the pitch.”
While another later commented: “Hojlund in five mins has done more than what Martial did in 55 mins.”
Man Utd fans were left furious when Martial was named in the starting line-up ahead of the game.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
The forward has only scored just once in 13 Premier League appearances so far this season.
Following Martial’s substitution Bournemouth went on to win 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi. More