Premier League

EVERTON fans hailed a second unexpected goal hero in the space of three days as Carlos Alcaraz enjoyed a debut to remember.The former Southampton man marked his first Toffees start with an assist and the winner as David Moyes and Co pulled off another great escape.Carlos Alcaraz’s late goal sealed a 2-1 win for Everton at Crystal PalaceCredit: ReutersThe Eagles were left empty-handed at the final whistleCredit: ReutersAlcaraz wouldn’t even have been playing had not Abdoulaye Doucoure not been sent off for goading Liverpool fans on Wednesday night.Toffees fans arrived in south London on a high following James Tarkowski’s late equaliser in Goodison’s final Merseyside derby.But they will also know that Palace had enough chances to have given Moyes’ men an utter spanking but somehow threw it away.Literally in fact as Beto’s opener, cancelled out by Jean-Philippe Mateta, was the result of Tyrick Mitchell’s duff throw all added up to quite a week for Everton, who had Jordan Pickford to thank for denying Mateta early on.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBoth Toffees centre-halves were especially grateful as each was guilty of a ricket.Tarkowski’s careless flick off a boot put Jarrad Branthwaite under pressure and the England hopeful made a right mess of trying to clear.That left Mateta with all the goal to aim at but Pickford smothered his low drive.England’s Number 1 soon had to scramble again, this time to deny Justin Devenny. Palace tails were well and truly up.Everton didn’t exactly heed the warning either and required a Pickford-VAR combo to remain level with just 20 minutes on the clock.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSPickford kept out Marc Guehi’s header at the expense of a corner that Jefferson Lerma headed in.A linesman ruled the delivery into the box had gone out of play first however – and VAR footage couldn’t prove otherwise.Everton and Liverpool stars sent off in post-match brawl as police intervene with Slot seeing red for handshake stuntHenderson had been a spectator at the other end but Pickford’s Three Lions understudy did well to bat away Jesper Lindstrom’s volley.He got an accidental knee in the head from a team-mate in the process but was cleared to carry on after medics bunged some padding up his bleeding bugle.Normal service was quickly resumed in the Everton box with Pickford racing out to stop Mateta going clear – and Tarkowski ending up on his backside in a scramble seconds later.Beto opened the scoring in the 42nd minuteCredit: ReutersThe goals sparked jubilant celebrationsCredit: ReutersAnd once again the Everton goal had a charmed life as Palace did everything but score.Centre-back Chris Richards showed quick feet to dribble his way into the box and Mateta’s prod set up Ismaila Sarr for a shot he pinged off the bar with only Pickford to beat.Within seconds of the that let-off Mitchell gifted Everton a 42nd-minute lead from a clanger of a throw-in.Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised for the EaglesCredit: GettyHis goal came early in the second halfCredit: PAThe left-back managed to chuck it behind Lerma, who hadn’t been paying attention, and Alcaraz gleefully raced away down the right to set up Beto for a cool dink past Henderson.The came VAR intervention number two, with Mateta’s smart close-range finish seconds into the restart examined for an age.Had the Frenchman been off when Guehi flicked on? Eventually the answer came: this couldn’t be proved either and Palace were level.Alcaraz pounced with just 10 minutes leftCredit: ReutersThe goal saw Everton soar to 13th in the tableCredit: ReutersHenderson had to make saves from Lindstrom and Beto to prevent the Toffees nicking another lead.Mitchell was replaced by winter window addition Ben Chilwell on the hour – but was clapped off by Palace fans willing to overlook his earlier error.Chelsea spare part Chilwell soon burst down the left and Pickford flapped a none too venomous effort round for a corner.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe sting in the tale arrived with 10 minutes to go when Alcaraz was in the right place to net the winner.Jake O’Brien nodded down Jack Harrison’s ball to the back post and when sub Ashley Young saw a shot blocked by Will Hughes the Argentinian was on hand to ram home the rebound. More

GARY NEVILLE has slammed Chelsea’s board for an “unforgivable mistake” following their 3-0 defeat to Brighton.The Blues were run ragged on the South Coast as they lost to the Seagulls for the second time in less than a week.Gary Neville has slammed Chelsea’s board after another defeat to BrightonCredit: APThe pundit questioned Chelsea’s insane spending recordCredit: AFPBrighton first dumped Chelsea out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win last weekend.And on Friday night they fired three goals past the Londoners in a league clash at the Amex, inflicting back-to-back defeats on Enzo Maresca.Chelsea’s woeful form has now seen them drop to sixth in the table.They are 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, who still have a game in hand.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd the potential title race promised earlier in the season now looks set to be a battle just to finish in the European places.To make matters worse, Chelsea are now light on forwards following injuries to strikers Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.Mykhailo Mudryk is unavailable as he awaits the results of the B-sample for his positive drugs test.While Joao Felix was packed off on loan to AC Milan on deadline day of the winter window.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSNoni Madueke became the latest casualty as he limped off the field last night.While in the backline, Chelsea continue to leak goals regardless of whether Robert Sanchez or Filip Jorgensen start.Chelsea player ratings vs BrightonNow, Neville has hit out at those running the show at Stamford Bridge.However, he does not feel the blame lies with beleaguered boss Maresca.Instead, he reckons Todd Boehly and Co are to blame for spending over a BILLION pounds without bringing in a top-class striker and goalie.Neville, who last year called Chelsea “billion-pound bottle jobs” after their Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool’s kids, said: “The pressure should be on the people who are recruiting the players.“To leave out of a billion pound (project), positions like centre forward and a goalkeeper is unforgivable.“The pressure should not be on the coach at all.“It’s very difficult to play football without a centre forward and goalkeeper.”Chelsea ratings vs BrightonHOW SunSport’s ISABELLE BARKER rated Chelsea flops as the Blues failed to muster a single shot on target in a 3-0 loss to Brighton,FILIP JORGENSEN 5 Jorgensen wasn’t all to blame for letting in the three goals, particularly Kaoru Mitoma’s wonder strike. But Chelsea fans will be thinking ‘be careful what you wish for’ with Rob Sanchez not looking so bad anymore. MALO GUSTO 6 Gusto stood his ground well at times with Mitoma one-on-one for some of Chelsea’s better defending in the match. LEVI COLWILL 5When Colwill lost the ball under minimal pressure and stayed on the ground, making no attempt to recover his position it summed up his game. Twice in two matches he’s given goals away for being weak.TREVOH CHALOBAH 5 The centre-back flapped about when marking Mitoma for the opener. MARC CUCURELLA 5 Struggled to keep Yankuba Minteh in check and was fully sat down by the Gambia winger for Brighton’s third goal – much to the pleasure of the booing home fans. MOISES CAICEDO 7Caicedo was jeered by chants of “what a waste of money”.But he has been one of the Blues’ only bright sparks for the last six months and, even today, he was Maresca’s best player.ENZO FERNANDEZ 6 The Chelsea skipper was unlucky not to have nabbed an equaliser after rising above Joel Veltman on 36 minutes to head home – but he fouled the Dutchman in the build up. Looked sluggish in other areas of the game though. NONI MADUEKE 5 Had little influence as he was substituted off on 20 minutes due to a hamstring injury. The Blues are running out of forwards with him joining Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu on the injured list.COLE PALMER 5Palmer was reeling throughout both halves, constantly throwing his hands up in frustration at the lack of service from his teammates.He blazed well over, when he did have a shot and the Blues didn’t have a single effort on target. PEDRO NETO 5 It was not clear what Neto’s purpose was on the pitch, he only really looked good at sprinting and still couldn’t beat Tariq Lamptey in a 1v1. CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU 5 Nkunku did a very good job at jogging around and not doing a lot. Blues would probably rather see Jackson starting if he wasn’t also out injured. SUBSJADON SANCHO 5 Sancho looks as though he is doing what he did at Manchester United, starting well but going off the boil. In his last 11 games across all competitions, he has nabbed just one assist. KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL 6REECE JAMES 6 TYRIQUE GEORGE 6 More

FANS hailed Marcus Rashford’s Premier League debut for Aston Villa – and reckon Manchester United might have been the problem.Rashford, 27, joined Villa on loan during the January transfer window.Marcus Rashford impressed on his Premier League debut for Aston VillaCredit: ReutersRuben Amorim may be regretting letting the forward leaveCredit: GettyThat came after the £325,000-a-week forward was exiled by United boss Ruben Amorim.The Portuguese gaffer publicly slammed Rashford – even claiming he would rather play his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach ahead of the England international.But now Rashford is away from Amorim and toxic United, he looks ready to thrive once again and wasted no time in showing what he can do.And if his Villa performance on Saturday is anything to go by, the egg may well be left on Amorim’s face instead.READ MORE ON MAN UTDRashford played the final 24 minutes in the FA Cup win over Tottenham on his Villa debut.But his first bow for his new side in the Premier League came as Villa drew 1-1 with ten-man Ipswich.Rashford replaced Jacob Ramsey at half-time and midway through the second half he was involved in Villa’s equaliser.The striker’s epic free-kick crashed back off the woodwork and Ollie Watkins scored the rebound. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSElsewhere, there was plenty of bright play from Rashford as he proved a constant threat with his direct running, dangerous forward play, linking up with his new team-mates effectively and even helping out defensively in his first Prem match for 70 days.And fans on social media were quick to laud the 60-cap Three Lions ace.Roy Keane breaks silence on Marcus Rashford’s shock transfer to Aston Villa and has MAJOR concernOne said: “Look at Rashford man. Utd let him down, nothing else. The environment is massive. Every bit of abuse from fans plays a massive part. Open your eyes.”Another wrote: “Rashford looks good…… Amorim, you really froze him out instead of utilising him until the end of the season.”A third added: “Rashford is looking good, out to prove Amorim wrong.”A fourth typed: “Marcus Rashford has been brilliant so far.”A fifth commented: “What did Amorim say he is bad at?”A sixth replied: “We loaned our best player Rashford to Villa when Amorim could have lowered his ego and worked with him?”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd a final user posted: “Rashford tracking back!!”Despite Rashford’s impact, though, Villa had to settle for a point against the relegation-threatened Tractor Boys. Rashford was a constant threat throughout the second halfCredit: ReutersHis free-kick bounced back off the woodwork for the equaliserCredit: Reuters More

RYAN CHRISTIE starred as Bournemouth soared to fifth in the Premier League table by pushing South Coast rivals Southampton a step closer to relegation with a 3-1 win at St Mary’s.Creative midfielder Christie conjured a fine assist for Dango Ouattara’s 14th-minute opener before swiftly firing home a superb second to help put the Cherries on the cusp of the Champions League qualification spots.Ryan Christie starred as Bournemouth thumped Southampton 3-1Credit: GettySaints look destined to go down unless they can turn things around quicklyCredit: ReutersSubstitute Marcus Tavernier sealed victory seven minutes from time after Kamaldeen Sulemana briefly created some jeopardy by halving Saints’ deficit.Defeat for bottom club Southampton was their 20th of a miserable top-flight campaign as near neighbours Bournemouth deservedly claimed local bragging rights and a first league double in this fixture.Ivan Juric’s beleaguered side sit 10 points from safety, having now played a game more than 17th-placed Wolves, while Andoni Iraola’s Cherries are dreaming of a maiden European adventure after climbing above Chelsea, on goal difference, and Newcastle.Saints were seeking to record consecutive top-flight wins for the first time since February 2022 following a 2-1 success at fellow strugglers Ipswich before last weekend’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship club Burnley.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut that mission was quickly derailed during a blistering start from Bournemouth.Ouattara claimed the early breakthrough, finding space between Southampton centre-backs Jan Bednarek and Nathan Wood to glance home via the far post with his shoulder following Christie’s delightful delivery from the left.Lively Scotland international Christie went from provider to scorer by doubling the Cherries’ lead just two minutes later.Saints captain Bednarek sloppily conceded possession deep inside his own half with a poor clearance, which allowed Justin Kluivert to work the ball to Christie, who expertly whipped the ball into the bottom left corner from almost 25 yards.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWith travelling fans revelling in the occasion and the life sucked out of the rest of the stadium, the hosts struggled to muster a response.Club record signing Sulemana, one of three players recalled following the win at Portman Road, dragged harmlessly wide with Southampton’s sole attempt of a one-sided opening period which ended with jeers from the stands.Bournemouth star Julian Araujo celebrates with fans in pub holding a pool cue after Southampton win despite not playingMeanwhile, Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was required to produce a solid stop from Ouattara to prevent his former club stretching their advantage.Bournemouth’s recent 11-game unbeaten league run, which brought 24 points from a possible 33, was halted by a 2-0 loss to leaders Liverpool a fortnight ago.With such a gulf in class on display, it seemed only a matter of time before the Cherries wrapped up a return to winning ways.Dango Outtara opened the scoring for BournemouthCredit: GettyRyan Christie doubled their lead moments laterCredit: GettyRamsdale produced a fine fingertip save to deny Antoine Semenyo at the end of a mazy run and then clawed Christie’s header off the line from the resultant corner.The appearance of 18-year-old midfielder Tyler Dibling from the bench briefly lifted the mood of home supporters before Saints temporarily shifted the momentum 18 minutes from time with their first meaningful effort.As Bournemouth continued to sit back, Sulemana collected a pass from Paul Onuachu to drill his first Premier League goal since May 2023 into the bottom right corner.From a position of power, the Cherries’ stranglehold on the contest suddenly looked precarious.READ MORE SUN STORIESKamaldeen Sulemana pulled one back for Southampton in the second halfCredit: GettyMarcus Tavernier sealed all three points for the Cherries late onCredit: PARamsdale was forced to prevent Kyle Walker-Peters heading into his own net before Iraola’s men eventually put the result beyond doubt to avoid a nervy finale.Semenyo raced clear of Southampton’s defence before teeing up Tavernier, who scored Bournemouth’s winner on this ground in April 2023, to thump past Ramsdale, with more boos greeting the full-time whistle. More