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      Newcastle 1 Brighton 1: Toon suffer huge blow in race for Europa League places as Seagulls earn draw

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      NEWCASTLE tripped up to ensure the nerviest of endings in their battle to land Europe.Four wins from five had the Magpies motoring towards the Europa League.Sean Longstaff bagged his eighth goal of the seasonCredit: ReutersNewcastle’s equaliser cancelled out Joel Veltman’s openerCredit: ReutersAfter the season from hell in terms of injuries, it would be some achievement.Forget sixth, Newcastle had Tottenham and fifth in their sights.Yet this hiccup at the worst possible time, despite them remaining sixth, means it is sure to go right down to the wire.While far the worst performance, Eddie Howe’s Mags never did enough to see off Brighton.They’ve been scoring goals for fun recently but their front line faltered badly here.Alexander Isak has been in deadly form recently but the Swedish striker turned in his worst performance for months.Next up is a trip to Manchester United and a ground they have won at just once in the Prem since 1972.And they may well have to break that hoodoo on Wednesday if they are to close out a European spot.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThis was hardly a disaster but there were glum faces everywhere at full time after this slip.The Geordies were in fine voice from the off following their recent run, creating a carnival atmosphere in the sunshine.While Brighton had nothing to play for other than finishing in the top half, Newcastle needed a win to strengthen their grip on sixth.Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi was going potty on the touchline in the early stages as his side struggled to get out.But they soon took control and the travelling fans were jumping with joy 18 minutes in.Danny Welbeck glanced Pascal Gross’ corner towards the back post and Veltman outmuscled Elliot Anderson to bundle home beyond Martin Dubravka.A huge dent to Newcastle’s European hopes, the locals grew increasingly frustrated as their lads toiled.As Brighton bossed possession, Toon struggled to find any rhythm or momentum.It took 34 minutes for them to create a good chance but Longstaff could only no a corner into the ground and straight at a grateful Bart Verbruggen from three yards.Finally some encouragement, yet Newcastle could not build on it and were lucky not to be 2-0 down.Cut to shreds down their right, Danny Welbeck played Simon Adingra into acres of space before the winger charged towards the box and picked out an unmarked Julio Enciso at the back post, only for the Paraguayan to spoon a header well over.Yet just as Eddie Howe must have been considering changes at the break, the hosts levelled up with the last kick of the first half.In front of England boss Gareth Southgate, Anthony Gordon did the damage with a mazy dribble into the box before finding Elliot Anderson, who squared it for Longstaff to tap home his sixth of the season.It means Newcastle have scored in every home game this campaign, the first time they have managed to do so in the top-flight since 1958-59.The start of the second half settled quickly into the same rhythm as the first with Brighton passing it around at will.But they struggled to make inroads, with the Magpies’ direct approach causing all sorts of problems without being able to fashion out any big chances.A cagey affair, the game desperately needed a spark.Howe called for the cavalry with 25 minutes remaining, bringing Harvey Barnes, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton on.Toon desperately needed an injection of energy, yet it was the visitors who continued to look the more threatening as the clock ticked on.One for the defences, both sides lacked quality in the final third.And nothing summed that up more than when Barnes blazed miles over from the penalty spot after being teed up by Gordon.The winger had a chance to redeem himself moments later, but his shot from the left side of the box was tame and straight at Verbruggen.They thought they’d won it in the dying moments when Almiron squared it for Gordon to tap home, but the Paraguayan was inches offside and the Geordies had to settle for an underwhelming point in their final outing at St James’ Park.Here is how the action unfolded… More

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      Everton 1 Sheff Utd 0: Doucoure’s goal enough for Toffees as relegated Blades’ season dismal season nears end

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      ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE headed in-form Everton into the Prem comfort zone by seeing off doomed Sheffield United.The midfielder rounded off a sweet 31st minute move with an easy winner as the Toffees moved closer to the mid-table spots than the three relegation places.Doucoure enjoys the goal that moved the Toffees well clear of the drop zoneCredit: GettyAbdoulaye Doucoure nodded Everton in front on 31 minutesCredit: GettyEverton keeper Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan was at Goodison Park to cheer the England star on to a Prem victoryCredit: PABlades’ defender Jack Robinson had escaped a red after VAR assessed a booking the defender was given for his furious reaction against home striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.The Blades’ star turned to shove the England ace in an off-the-ball exchange – sparking a bigger flare-up.And Robinson must have been relieved when video replays backed the on-pitch decision just to hand him a yellow card.Everton finally broke through just past the half-hour mark – in delightful fashion.Dwight McNeil angled a pass for Calvert-Lewin to calmly lift the ball cover outcoming keeper Wes Foderingham, leaving Doucoure with an easy head-in.The Toffees continued to have most of the play without ever quite dominating.The Blades struggled to conjure efforts on target.But Cameron Archer drilled a late left-footer wide from an inviting position.Toffees’ boss Sean Dyche bellowed out instructionsCredit: PACASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS More

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      Bournemouth vs Brentford LIVE SCORE: Latest Premier League updates as Cherries look to continue surge up the table

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      BOURNEMOUTH host Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.The Cherries are looking to finish in the top half for the first time since 2017 after enjoying a fine season under Andoni Iraola.
      Kick off time: 3pm BST
      TV/Stream: Not available to watch in the UK due to 3pm blackout.
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      Chelsea complete first sale of summer transfer window as forgotten £37m star moves to Euro giants

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      CHELSEA have reportedly completed their first sale of the summer.The Blues are looking to offload players in order to help them meet Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Hakim Ziyech is reportedly joining Galatasaray permanently from ChelseaCredit: GettyNow Fabrizio Romano claims that they have agreed the permanent exit of Hakim Ziyech.The Moroccan winger, 31, joined Galatasaray on a season long loan last summer.Now he is set to stay there long-term, according to the journalist.Romano posted on X: “Hakim Ziyech will not return to Chelsea as he’s staying to Galatasaray on permanent move.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“Obligation to buy clause, triggered and signed as Chelsea already sent letter to Gala confirming the agreement.”Speculation mounted in January that Galatasaray were contemplating terminating Ziyech’s loan early due to injury problems.However, his form in the second half of the campaign seems to have persuaded them to turn it into a long-term deal.Ziyech has scored eight goals in 21 appearances this season. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt remains unclear what transfer fee the English side will receive for the attacker.Chelsea forked out £34m to sign Ziyech from Ajax back in 2020.Ashley Cole picks his all-time team-mates XI… but does it boast more Arsenal or Chelsea stars?The star lifted the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup in the first 18 months of his arrival at Stamford Bridge but he struggled to impress.After just six goals in 64 Premier League appearances, he was allowed to head to Turkey last summer.And he has shone for Gala in the top-flight, scoring six times in 16 outings.Ziyech and his Galatasaray team-mates are aiming to complete the double over the next few weeks.They are currently top of the Turkish Super Lig, six points clear of second-placed Fenerbahce.There are three games left of the season, including a crucial clash between the top two on May 19.READ MORE SUN STORIESGalatasaray were also declared Turkish Super Cup winners earlier this season after Fenerbahce forfeited the clash.Their rivals fielded an U19 team and then walked off the pitch after two minutes.Boehly’s impressively bad Chelsea jobBy Andy Dillon
      IT IS small beer to billionaires like Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.Understandably, the price of a pint at Chelsea, the cost of a coach to Bramall Lane or admission to a youth game won’t even register in the big men’s bank balances.But when you run an English football club, even if you don’t know what’s of value to the fans, you should make sure there are people nearby that do.Boehly and his sidekick are clearly failing in this regard and have scored an own goal just as spectacular as that from defender Axel Disasi against Leicester on Sunday.The letter from Chelsea Supporters’ Trust to the chairman and his co-owner  was not your usual fed-up fan rant.It may have been a devastating four-page assassination job on Boehly and Eghbali’s entire regime.But did you notice how little griping was aimed at some of the abject football played by a massively overpriced and underachieving bunch of players?What two hard-nosed American financiers make of being warned about the “irreversible toxicity, almost  irrespective of results on the pitch” in a withering assault on their ability to run a Premier League club would be a joy to know. Way to go, boys.It takes some doing to p*** off the normally mild-mannered CST, an elected group of diehards ranging from mid-20s to retirement age and made up of largely professional people.Not the kind of Chelsea fans who push black men off Paris Metro trains.To them and many others who devote themselves to the pursuit of Chelsea FC, it is not all about silverware — contrary to outside perception.There are some at Stamford Bridge with a sense of entitlement after so many years of winning trophies. But to most, it is a cult, a religion, a devotion. It’s about belonging and feeling part of it. Like at other clubs, win or lose.The  price of a pint, a hot dog, a matchday programme, a season ticket or away travel may seem insignificant to those spending £1billion on a development squad.But it means a lot to the fans who were there before and will be there long after Boehly and his pals from Clearlake Capital have cleared off.And they don’t take kindly to being blanked either. The owners of Chelsea have predictably missed the point when it comes to the fan base. Next month’s game at Sheffield United is on Sunday, April 7.Kick-off is at 5.30pm because of the city’s half-marathon earlier that day. There is also a train strike.Yet the away end at Bramall Lane will be full. Just like it was on Christmas Eve at Wolves.A friend paid £600 on the black  market for two tickets to see Chelsea the day before New Year’s Eve. He still hasn’t told his missus the true cost.He was at Middlesbrough when a pathetic Chelsea lost 1-0 in a  midweek  Carabao Cup semi-final.Chelsea have been awful most of this season and last. Yet my friend will still go. So will thousands of others who just want to feel part of the team, even a losing one. The perceived lack of communication from the owners is seen as a rejection of worth.The CST points to a disconnect between club and supporters not seen since the early 1980s.That was when then chairman Ken Bates tried to electrify the fences  surrounding the pitch to thwart the hooligans in The Shed.With crowd numbers on the slide at Stamford Bridge as a result of Boehly and Behdad’s detached, lofty air, they may have to do the same again — only now to keep the fans in. More

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      I won the Treble with Man Utd in 1999 but I would NOT want to play for club now… it’s a real bad place

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Dwight Yorke says he would NOT want to play for the club now.The 1999 Treble-winner claims Old Trafford is a “bad place” to be under Erik ten Hag.Erik ten Hag’s side have lost a club record number of Prem gamesCredit: AlamyDwight Yorke, right, pictured with fellow treble-winning legend Andy ColeCredit: EPAYorke said: “I wouldn’t want to play. It’s whether you want to face that sort of aggro coming in.“Just knowing there’s a lack of creativity, lack of passion, the negative talk about the team.“It’s just a real bad place to be if you are a United player, not just a centre-forward.”Ten Hag’s side have already lost a club-record 13 Premier League games this season.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThey are languishing eighth in the table and new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is promising a major summer overhaul — with Dutch boss Ten Hag’s job under threat.It is totally different to the time when Yorke was top scorer in a team that rocked the football world under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning the Prem, FA Cup and Champions League in one season.These days, it does not even rock Salford.Back then, Yorke insists United would click their fingers and players would come running to sign.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSNot any more.He said: “If you’re a player and you’ve got the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City after you, then United are second tier.I won iconic Treble at Man Utd… but I fear I’ll have to BUY a football club to ever land another managerial job“People are second-guessing about whether they want to join United.“It never used to be like that.“United come in for you? You don’t think about it. Now players are thinking, ‘I am not so sure’. That is not a good sign.”Yorke was speaking at the launch of a new Amazon Prime series entitled ‘99’ about that Treble-winning season.For Yorke, watching it makes it even more painful to witness the current crisis at Old Trafford.“It is like two different clubs.READ MORE SUN STORIESYorke, 52, added: “It’s so far apart, it’s not even close.”l ‘99’ is available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video from  May  17.Pundits’ verdict on Ten Hag’s futureWhere do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future?
      Michael Owen – He has to go
      “He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
      Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
      “If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
      Jamie Carragher – Sacked
      “I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
      Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
      “To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
      Louis Saha – On the fence
      “I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
      Alan Shearer – Sacked
      “I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.” More

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      Pep Guardiola has bizarre fear about facing Fulham that has seen him drastically change Man City training

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      PEP GUARDIOLA is facing a pain in the grass as Mikel Arteta backed Fulham’s kite-flyers to bring down Manchester City’s title charge.City  boss  Guardiola fears the turf on the Craven Cottage pitch will be LONG and DRY for Saturday lunchtime’s must-win clash, so he has had his stars preparing on a similar surface at the Etihad campus.Guardiola is worried about the blades but doesn’t mean Sheffield UnitedCredit: RexPep’s men will have to get to the root of the problem at Craven CottageCredit: RexVictory will launch his Treble winners two points clear of Arteta’s Arsenal at the top of the Prem.But Guardiola admitted: “I don’t know about the grass because last season it was so, so high and dry.“It’s like playing tennis at Wimbledon or Roland Garros – completely different, just ask a tennis player about the speed of the ball. It’s the same in football.”The Premier League guidelines state grass should be less than 30mm long but Guardiola likes it as low as 21mm.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe added: “We did part of our training session with dry, high grass. It’s a massive difference. We have to feel it to know what to do.”The Spaniard accused Nottingham Forest of using the same pitch tactics to slow down his side.Guardiola said: “There have been a few games like it, not many because in England for ten months it’s winter, it’s raining.“A 12.30pm kick-off  is also different to 8pm, the forecast is sunny.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGunners’ supporters feared Fulham were already on the beach after video emerged of Marco Silva’s stars flying KITES in training.But Arsenal chief Arteta said: “The power of team bonding -sometimes you get amazing results. I’m positive it’s what’s going to happen to Fulham.”Man City 5 Wolves 1- Erling Haaland scores FOUR as Guardiola’s reigning champions go within a point of leaders ArsenalThe Londoners need a slip-up from City to stand a chance of lifting a first title since 2004.Arteta added: “My brain tells me when talking to the players that we are lifting the Premier League.“I want to follow my brain and my gut. This is the way I want everybody to think.“Hopefully we can achieve it.”Arsenal boss Arteta tips Fulham to come out of the shade vs Man CityCredit: Getty More

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      David Moyes is the best manager I have worked with in my 30-plus year career and he will be missed at West Ham

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      IF a week is a long time in politics, then the same can be said of football.And in the modern-day, pressure-cooker environment of the Premier League, where the thunderous pace on the field is matched only by the extreme scrutiny off it, a 4½-year stint as a manager is nothing short of an ultra-marathon.David Moyes will get the great send-off he meritsCredit: PAMoyes will always be hailed for 2023 Europa Conference League gloryCredit: AFPDavid Moyes will depart his role at West Ham next week  as the fourth longest-serving  manager in the top flight behind only Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.And he leaves with everyone’s utmost respect, gratitude and admiration, having devoted every ounce of his energy to improving and growing our club  since the minute he walked through the door.He also leaves as only the third manager in our 129-YEAR history to have secured a major piece of silverware. David was the architect of that magical night in Prague last June that gave an entire generation of Hammers fans their first taste of European glory and a memory that will last a lifetime.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn the annals of claret and blue, the name David Moyes will rightly sit alongside the great Ron Greenwood and John Lyall. And like those two legendary bosses, his tenure has been laid on a foundation of hard work, honesty and integrity.When he returned to London Stadium in December 2019, he was tasked with galvanising  an expensively-assembled but under-performing squad.The task appeared to become even harder when Covid struck just two months later. That threw the football calendar into chaos, depriving clubs like West Ham of the elements needed to climb the table — a close-knit squad and a packed stadium full of passionate fans.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHowever, with true East  London ‘never give up’ grit and determination, the West Ham family came together and there’s no doubt that even deeper bonds were forged in those unprecedented, unique months.David threw himself into the challenge and left no stone unturned in creating a belief and spirit at our Rush Green training ground that ensured our Premier League status.David Moyes reveals why Declan Rice is behind West Ham’s horror run of formNot only that, but he found time to do his bit supporting the community in need.This is something that means so much to our club — doing everything from calling isolated and elderly supporters during lockdown, to working as a  volunteer driver to deliver fruit and vegetables to residents in his hometown of Preston.A measure of the man behind the manager.Since then, he has been responsible for a period of stability and positive growth on the pitch. Two top-seven Prem finishes, three consecutive seasons of European competition and some unforgettable victories.Those came both at home  and on our travels — not least June 7, 2023, in the Fortuna Arena and Jarrod Bowen’s last-gasp winner against Fiorentina, leading to immortality and parties  on the streets of east London.On Saturday afternoon, David will lead his team into battle at the London Stadium for the final time against Luton.MOYES RECORD AS HAMMERS’ BOSSDAVID MOYES’ two reigns at London Stadium includes a rare Premier League milestone and a treasured piece of club history.
      Here’s a rundown of the 61-year-old, ex-Everton and Manchester United chief’s West Ham record.
      November 2017 – Appointed Hammers’ boss for the first time, with the club in the drop zone.
      January 2018 – Became only the fourth manager – behind Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp – to clock up 200 Prem wins.
      May 2018 – Left after the end of his six-month deal, having kept West Ham up.
      December 2019 – Re-appointed boss, with the Hammers 17th.
      May 2020 – Finished 16th with 39 points, the club’s lowest Prem tally since 2011.
      2020-21 – Came sixth with West Ham’s highest-ever Prem tally of 65 points.
      2021-22 – Back-to-back top-seven finishes for first time in club history. Came seventh and made the Europa League semi-finals.
      2022-23 – Became only the third Hammers’ manager to win a major trophy, beating Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.
      Unbeaten in that tournament with 12 wins and a draw.
      But ended up 14th in the Prem – the lowest position any team winning silverware in Europe has finished.
      2023-24 – Mutually agreed with West Mam in May to leave at the end of the season.
      Currently ninth with two games left.

      He will approach the fixture with exactly the same diligent preparation, intense focus and honest determination he has shown for each and every one of the previous 229.David deserves a magnificent send-off from our supporters and I have no doubt that is what he will get.Often in life — and certainly in sport — one of the toughest challenges is knowing when to change something that has been good, something that has been stable, something that has been successful.Both David and us at West Ham believed that it is the right time to make a change as we look to continue that pursuit in line with our ambition for an even brighter future.A future that David Moyes has helped to make possible, thanks to the building blocks of stability and consistency that he has put in place.He leaves through the front door at West Ham United, with his head held high.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd he will always be  welcomed back, with affection, warmth and appreciation. I can safely say he has been the best manager I have worked with in my 30-plus year career and he will be missed.Moyes gave West Ham both stability and growthCredit: PA More

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      Tottenham should WANT to help Arsenal win the Premier League – anything else is just a f***ing weird take

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      I KNOW a few Tottenham fans who have told me they would love to see Ange Postecoglou put the kids out to face Manchester City on Tuesday night, so Arsenal can’t win the league.I have to be honest — it’s a f***ing weird take.Tottenham face Man City next week – but a win could put rivals Arsenal in pole position for the Premier League titleCredit: GettyAnge Postecoglou claims his team are determined to winCredit: GettyYou hate another team so much that you want City to win it, again?Not a chance.I’m getting to a point where, as a football fan, I want a different team to win the league. Not because City are terrible but it just gets boring.We want to see the likes of City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and, hopefully, Spurs all pushing and competing until the final ebbs of the season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLI want to be sat there thinking, ‘Blimey, who’s going to win the league?’ rather than, ‘This is a done deal, it’s City, roll on the summer’ because it becomes a waste of time.So, here we go: Tottenham should WANT to help Arsenal win the title by getting a result against City.It will give themselves and everyone else hope that they can win it one day.Arsenal are on the cusp of ending a 20-year stint without a league title.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWho is to say someone else cannot do that next season with the right manager and right recruitment?But, currently, Spurs know they’ve mucked up a top-four spot. They won’t catch Aston Villa and they’ve hit a wall.Furious Tottenham stars have to be separated at half-time in Liverpool clash with goalkeeper Vicario forced to interveneThey’re having a horrific end to the season.However, the players would never quit or give up during a game. I’m sure of it, regardless of the situation.Even last weekend, against Liverpool, they were 4-0 down and they still didn’t stop pushing and grabbed two goals.The sporting integrity, elite mentality and winning morals that have got them to this level will not allow them to not do it.However, once you go a goal or two down to City, there is a bit in your head that goes, ‘F***, I hope this isn’t six or seven’.You don’t stop attacking but you really, really focus on defending and that will sap the already bizarre atmosphere inside the ground.Spurs normally do well against City and they will come out  for their last big hurrah of the campaign for the first 30 minutes. But if City score, it will break their spirit.It will then be one of those games where City put together 800 passes, job done.Arsenal are pushing to win the Premier League titleCredit: GettyArsenal will hope. I just cannot see it but they should still be happy with their efforts this season. They have closed the gap.We all know that they, alongside City, are the two best teams in the country. Fact.The problem mainly Tottenham fans have is that everyone knows City are the superteam.So if Arsenal win the league they will be considered the greatest of all time, even better than the Invincibles, who didn’t have a team like City to compete against.But even if Arsenal do lose out, as early as Sunday as I reckon Man United could nick something at Old Trafford, no one is going to say they’ve bottled it.If anything, Liverpool’s drop-off is more of a bottling.They were top, it was going to be Jurgen Klopp’s fairytale ending but now that has fallen to s**t.All the pressure is on City this weekend.On paper, you’d think beating Fulham is a given — they’re on the beach, they’ll smash them.But City play before Arsenal, which is always the worst.West Ham’s manager switch a ‘disgrace’WEST HAM’S decision to replace David Moyes with Julen Lopetegui is a disgrace.I don’t buy all this, ‘Be careful what you wish for’ nonsense. The fans want a change and they are within their rights to demand that.West Ham announced this week that David Moyes will leave the club this summerCredit: PAEx-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is set to take overCredit: PAThey want a different style of play, more attacking excitement. But then the fans get lumbered with another defensive-minded coach. I don’t understand it.And even worse, this guy quit on Wolves the week before the season started.That’s the question the West Ham players will want answering: Why did you quit? Will you quit on us?Lopetegui has a poor record in England. A 37 per cent win rate at Wanderers is hardly stellar.READ MORE SUN STORIESBasically, he’s got a nice Spanish-sounding name, so he is suddenly the best man to replace Moyes and yet Gary O’Neil has done an amazing job with Wolves.It’s classic football snobbery. More