Premier League

JAKE O’BRIEN stooped to conquer and grab the equaliser that extended Everton’s unbeaten run to seven games.In first-half stoppage time, O’Brien was among the burly Toffees defenders who failed to deal with a long throw and was then unable to stop Yoane Wissa giving Brentford the lead.Jake O’Brien flies in for Everton’s equaliserCredit: ReutersCarlos Alcaraz celebrates Jake O’Brien’s levellerCredit: PABut the towering right back took advantage of poor defending at the other end to head home with 13 minutes left.David Moyes’ side deserved the point after having much the better of the second half.And they could have had all three if Beto had not fluffed his third good chance of the evening in the dying minutes.Yet the Bees will also feel that they missed a big opportunity to put themselves right back in the mix in the top half of the table where every point counts.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThomas Frank’s side have now failed to win any of their last six home matches, having been brilliant at the Gtech earlier in the season.In the first half, they looked like the team which had more to play forWhatever Moyes says about the old-fashioned 40-point mark, you won’t need that to stay up this year and Everton took a good half hour to get going.Wissa’s goal was fitting reward for the Bees’ first-half superiority.Most read in FootballYoane Wissa arrived to head the breakthrough for the BeesCredit: PABEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSYet they could have been two goals down.For all the silky skills of Kevin Schade and Mikkel Damsgaard, and despite a number of decent openings, the hosts had not forced Jordan Pickford into a meaningful save before Beto fluffed two big chances.Dream Team Transfer Recommendations for Gameweek 26The first was comedy gold.When Jack Harrison attempted a through ball on the break, Bees defender Ethan Pinnock slipped and, in the process, accidentally impeded Beto.The striker regained his feet, ran on but then could only produce a tame shot that Brentord goalkeeper Mark Flekken blocked.Moments later, Charly Alcaraz’s header sent Beto clean through on goal. Again, his shot was too close to Flekken, who deflected it just wide.Wissa finally tested Pickford and then scored in the next phase of play.Everton’s great big defenders allowed Schade’s long throw to bounce, Bryan Mbeumo headed against the bar from close range and Wissa reacted quickest to nod in from on the goalline.In the opening minute of the second period, Brentford almost gifted an equaliser but Schade cleared from inside the six-yard box after Harrison’s corner had hit Kristoffer Ajer.Wissa celebrates putting Brentford in front in first-half stoppage timeCredit: PAThe visitors finally began to enjoy some sustained possession in the hosts’ half, without creating a proper chance.Wissa had a goal ruled out for offside after Keane Lewis-Potter opted to pass rather than shoot after Damsgaard’s luscious pass.It proved costly – but only because Brentford substitute Paris Maghoma’s first contribution was to allow O’Brien to equalise.Everton broke and Vitalii Mykolenko sent in a cross towards the back post. O’Brien lost Maghoma far too easily and stooped to head the ball across Flekken.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt could have been even better. But when Beto broke clear again his shot across Flekken was not hard or well-directed enough, and the Brentford goalkeeper saved once more. More

PATRICK DORGU owes his new team-mate Harry Maguire a drink.And while they’re at the bar, Andre Onana should probably be buying a couple for the England defender too.Man Utd bounced back to win a thriller against IpswichCredit: RexThe Red Devils secured a 3-2 victory despite playing the second half with 10 menCredit: ReutersMaguire was the Manchester United match-winner for a second straight home game – nodding in the decisive goal just after half-time.But that only came after Dorgu and Onana had done their utmost to keep Ipswich in the game during a calamitous first half.The new £25 million full-back handed Jaden Philogene an opening goal on a plate after an early mix-up with his goalkeeper.And to compound his misery on his first Prem start at Old Trafford, the Dane got a red card just before half-time for an X-rated tackle on Omari Hutchinson.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMinutes later Onana stood rooted to the spot as Philogene’s cross shot into the box trickled past him into the corner to level the game up. In the end it didn’t matter as – just like he did in the FA Cup earlier this month – Maguire used his head to come to United’s rescue.But Ruben Amorim must be wondering why this team have to do everything the hard way.Even by the standards of this nightmare season, it was a shocker of a start by United.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThe Tractor Boys last scored at Old Trafford way back in 1992 but they were handed a goal gift-wrapped and on a plate within four minutes.There was absolutely no danger as Dorgu looked to shepherd a hopeful ball forward back to his goalkeeper.Erik ten Hag reveals he HAS returned to work and may never go back to management after Man Utd sackingJaden Philogene put Ipswich ahead with just minutes on the clockCredit: ReutersPatrick Dorgu’s error saw the Tractor Boys take an early leadCredit: GettyBut the Dane never looked and he pushed his back pass beyond the helpless Onana.Jaden Philogene – who had trotted after the ball forward more in hope than expectation – could not believe his luck as he walked it into an empty net.The two United players looked at each other accusingly – but it was hard to blame Onana for this one.It was the easiest goal the £20 million winter signing from Aston Villa will ever score.And what a boost for Kieran McKenna on his return to Old Trafford.Man Utd ratings vs Ipswich as Maguire saves the day after Onana makes case to be WORST ever signingMANCHESTER UNITED eased their fears of the drop in a topsy-turvy relegation six-pointer with Ipswich.The Red Devils triumphed 3-2 despite playing the second half with ten men.A major cock-up from Patrick Dorgu and Andre Onana saw Ipswich take a third-minute lead through Jaden Philogene.Then, after United had recovered to lead 2-1, Dorgu saw a straight red card for a poor challenge on Omari Hutchinson.Philogene scored again to level it before the break only for Harry Maguire to nod in to be United’s saviour.But who was United’s best player on the night?Here, SunSport’s Phil Thomas reveals his Manchester United player ratings…Sam Morsy’s own goal in the 22nd minute saw United fire backCredit: PAJoshua Zirkzee’s pressure paid off as the visitors fired into their own netCredit: GettyThe Ipswich boss spent five years in a variety of roles on the coaching staff and was well regarded – before leaving to take charge at Portman Road in December 2021.Given they have lost seven of their 13 league games at home this season, you could forgive the home faithful for fearing the worst.Yet United showed some spirit by fighting back with Alex Palmer making a flying save to deny Maguire an equaliser.In the end the Red Devils needed a helping hand of their own to get level.Bruno Fernandes fired a curling free-kick into a crowd of players and Town skipper Sam Morsy nodded into his own net.Matthijs de Ligt put United ahead moments laterCredit: GettyHis goal sent Old Trafford wildCredit: ReutersFour minutes later they had turned the game on his head as Fernades sent over a corner that was met by Maguire.His header was saved by Palmer, who also pushed out the rebound from Diogo Dalot but Matthijs De Ligt was on hand to fire the loose ball into the roof of the net for his first goal at Old Trafford.The keeper who arrived from West Brom in the transfer window could count himself unlucky but at least he kept his team in it by saving from Dorgu minutes later.It looked as though it was going to be straight-forward from there as Ipswich struggled to stay in the game.But nothing is every straight-forward for United these days.Dorgu’s game went from bad to worse with a red card before the breakCredit: GettyThe new wing-back will now serve a three-game banCredit: EPADorgu’s challenge on Omari Hutchinson on the touchline near the dug-outs looked nasty but was not even considered worthy of a yellow card by ref Darren England.However he was told by the VAR to go and have another look and the more he looked, the more obvious it became that it was a clear red.The £25 million January signing’s first Prem game at Old Trafford had been nothing if not eventful. Not one he will want to tell the grandchildren about.Amorim did a quick reshuffle – throwing on Noussair Mazrouai for Alejandro Garnacho – and they were still composing themselves when the visitors levelled.It was another pantomime goal and Philogene’s hopeful ball into the box evaded everyone – including Liam Delap – and Onana as it rolled into the corner.There was still time in the first half for Ipswich to bag a secondCredit: RexPhilogene netted against as the sides went in levelCredit: GettyWhat must the United boss have been thinking as he made his way back to the dressing room at half-time? Yet again his team had hit the self-destruct button.Clearly he got something right though as his team began the second half in determined mood and restored their lead within a couple of minutes of the re-start.Yet again – for the sixth goal in succession – it came from a Fernandes set piece as the skipper curled over a corner.Maguire got above Philogene and planted his downward header beyond the despairing dive of Palmer.Harry Maguire put United back ahead minutes into the second halfCredit: ReutersIt proved to be the winning goal as United held out for victoryCredit: GettyIpswich had plenty of time to find a way back in again but were restricted to long range efforts with Jack Taylor slicing an effort wide.Another promising moment saw Jens Cajuste’s low cross just evade Philogene – who was hunting for a hat-trick.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut – believe it or not – despite being a man down, United got through the second half without too many scares, much to the relief of the Old Trafford faithful.There had been more than enough of those in the first half. 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HERE was another desperate indictment of Arsenal’s inability to sign a striker in January.After Mikel Arteta’s bare-bones society failed to score for a third time in four matches, it looks as though the Gunners will struggle to finish second in a one-horse race.Ethan Nwaneri was a bright spark for the GunnersCredit: GettyIt was another frustrating match for Mikel ArtetaCredit: GettyMikel Merino provided little in attackCredit: APA point away against Nuno Espirito’s Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest – who are unbeaten at home since September – is not a terrible result in itself.But with midfield man Mikel Merino struggling as a false nine, there was precious little prospect of Arsenal scoring on the banks of the Trent.Since their 5-1 pasting of Manchester City, the Gunners have only managed to score against the whipping boys of Leicester City.And in defence of Merino, it was not as if Arteta’s team created any chances for him to miss.READ MORE ON ARSENALFor a match between the second and third best teams in England, this was extremely poor.Riccardo Calafiori fired against the inside of a post early on but until a late flurry of goalmouth action, this was a dismal affair.Arsenal must attempt to find some inspiration before their Champions League campaign restarts against PSV Eindhoven in Holland on Tuesday because this was depressingly flat.Arteta’s men look tired and weary, their raft of injuries to attacking players seriously taking its toll.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile Forest fans sang about being champions of Europe 45 years ago, and Arsenal sang about being champions of England 20-odd years ago, there was precious little to shout about in the here and now. While three straight away defeats had bruised Forest’s hopes of Champions League football, they had been red-hot at the City Ground – pasting Brighton 7-0 here the last time out.Arsenal ratings vs Forest as NOBODY looks like scoring for Gunners but Saliba’s a Rolls Royce againMIKEL ARTETA may not have anyone to put the ball in the back of the net but in William Saliba he has one of the best defenders in the Prem.The Arsenal boss watched his side’s faint title hopes go well and truly up in smoke in the goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.But his brilliant backline emerged, once again, with credit from this tricky clash at the City Ground.Together with Gabriel, Saliba kept a tight lid on Forest dangerman Chris Wood, who scored a hat-trick in his last appearance on this ground.But the fact the Gunners’ biggest threat at the other end of the pitch came from left-back Riccardo Calafiori – who was subbed off at half-time – says it all about the dire situation Arsenal somehow find themselves in.Here is how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated the Gunners stars’ displays…Ian Wright fears three Arsenal superstars could run down contract, including Saka Arsenal’s home defeat by West Ham had snuffed out their faint title hopes – and Merino continued as a makeshift centre-forward. Even without silverware to play for, there are always records to be broken.And when Arsenal full-back Calafiori and Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic were booked inside the first three and a half minutes, it was the earliest instance of two yellow cards in a Premier League game since 2012. Early on, it was much as predicted – Arsenal with plenty of the ball, Forest threatening on the counter. Calafiori was hogging the limelight – almost conceding a penalty when he was beaten for pace by Callum Hudson-Odoi, clipping the winger on his way down, then turning Nicolas Dominguez in the Forest box and drilling a shot against the inside of the post. That effort was greeted with strangled cries from the Gooners at the opposite end of the ground. While plenty of full-backs have doubled as central midfielders, since Pep Guardiola came up with that idea, it is rare to see a left-back continually popping up at centre-forward.But that appeared to be Calafiori’s novel dual role – and in the absence of an authentic No 9, necessity was the mother of invention for Arteta. Or perhaps the Italian wasn’t actually supposed to be bombing forward all the time – because, at the interval, Arteta withdrew the only interesting player in the first half, in favour of Kieran Tierney. It was scrappy and disjointed contest, with an inordinate amount of misplaced passes disappearing off the pitch entirely. Even Arsenal’s mastery of set-pieces has been on the wane lately, although Tierney went closer with a header from an Odegaard corner. As the tumbleweed swept across the pitch, Forest finally launched their first attack of the second half, the roof almost coming off the Trent End when Nuno’s men won a corner. Soon, Gibbs-White slotted a pass through to Chris Wood, whose shot was pushed away by David Raya – and, 69 minutes in, we had our first meaningful save of the match. Wood soon had another sniff at goal but was cleaned out by a William Saliba slide tackle – yet the linesman flagged for offside, just in case anyone had any ideas about getting excited by this.Ryan Yates, on as a sub, won a free-kick on the edge of the box when he was clattered by Merino. It was desperate enough for Arteta to call Raheem Sterling from the bench, in place of Ethan Nwaneri, who had been well shackled by Forest left-back Neco Williams. The former England winger has been hopelessly devoid of inspiration since arriving on loan from Chelsea last summer. Martin Odegaard appeared to have the best chance of the night but his shot was acrobatically cleared by Murillo – yet again it was offside.Forest finished the stronger side, bombing the Arsenal box with crosses in the dying minutes but of all the 0-0 draws you could witness, few could be quite as 0-0 as this one. More

ARSENAL fans moaned after Alexander Isak was ruled out of Newcastle’s clash with Liverpool – even though the table shows they should actually be HAPPY about it.The Gunners were in action against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night and looking to keep up the pressure in what is increasingly becoming a one-horse title race.Arsenal fans moaned after Alexander Isak missed Newcastle’s trip to LiverpoolCredit: AlamyLiverpool were already 11 points clear of second-place Arsenal, who lost to West Ham at the weekend.And Arne Slot’s men made that a 13-point gap after beating Newcastle 2-0, while the Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw at the City Ground.However, Liverpool were given a gift before their game against the Magpies.Newcastle have been carried to sixth in the table by striker Isak.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Swede has banged in 19 goals and is their biggest threat by a mile.Fortunately for Liverpool, Isak missed out on Newcastle’s trip to Anfield this evening with a groin injury.But Arsenal fans were left complaining about Liverpool at not having to face one of the league’s best players.One said: “Isak injured, you can’t make this up.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnother declared: “Arsenal fans going mental.”One noted: “Most gifted title run in history.”‘Second again, ole ole’ – Brutal West Ham fans taunt Arsenal with three cheeky chants after stunning the EmiratesAnother added: “Happy days for Liverpool.”However, the Premier League table suggests that Arsenal should actually have been happy about Isak’s absence.That’s because they were closer to sixth-place Newcastle than to league leaders Liverpool before kick-off.Toon were only nine points behind the Gunners.One fan chuckled: “Always something to moan about.”Another added: “Every team has injuries, it’s unfortunate.” More