Premier League

FRANK LAMPARD has been slammed by Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure who felt he was “disrespected” by his former boss.Doucoure fell out of Lampard’s plans at the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign, having initially featured prominently when Lampard first took charge.Abdoulaye Doucoure believes Frank Lampard made a mistake with himCredit: PALampard dropped Doucoure and later had a fall out with the midfielderCredit: RexDoucoure said the situation almost forced him out of the clubCredit: AlamyThe midfielder was dropped after starting the opening match of the season and did not start another Prem game until Lampard was sacked in January 2023.Doucoure returned to the side under Sean Dyche and felt the impact he made proved Lampard made the wrong decision.He criticised his former boss in an interview with The Overlap, saying: “He did not trust me. I really do not understand because this was my worst experience with the manager. Every manager started me, every manager trusted me.”Frank Lampard was the only one who did not trust me and I think he made a mistake with me.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He was not fair with me. He left me on the bench for so many games and did not give me a chance. It upset me with him. There was no communication between me and him.”He didn’t trust me and I think he made a mistake. I think I proved him wrong after that because under the new manager Sean Dyche I was the difference maker in the team.”I think for him he was a great player, but as a manager with Everton it was a big lesson for him and I think he learned from that.”Doucoure revealed his situation under Lampard meant he almost left the club, particularly after he was made to alone or with the Under-21s following a bust-up with Lampard.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe continued: “Because of my relationship with him I was pushing away, I was nearly out of the club, because I can’t sit on the bench. I need to play.”It was sad for me… he pushed me away, I was training with the U21s.How Liverpool’s genius offside-buster gives them HUGE edge over Everton”After one home game there was a big argument between me and him and the day after they said I can’t stay with the team – he felt disrespected by me in front of the players. They said I had to train alone or with the U21s.”I think he disrespected me a little bit. I was very close [to leaving]. I did not want it but the exit was very close. It was heartbreaking.” More

BUKAYO SAKA stepped up his recovery from a hamstring injury last week as he targets a return to action.The Arsenal winger suffered a torn hamstring in December and was forced to undergo surgery just after Christmas.Bukayo Saka has stepped up his recovery in DubaiCredit: GettyThe Arsenal star shared some pictures of himself in trainingIn one of the photos, the scar from his hamstring surgery was visibleWhile he is yet to return to full training, Saka has been stepping up his recovery in recent days as he edges closer to a comeback.In a series of photos shared on his Instagram on Monday morning, the 23-year-old could be seen completing some strength and conditioning exercises in Dubai.The scar from his recent hamstring operation was also visible on his right leg in one of the photos.Arsenal fans could not contain their excitement at the prospect of Saka nearing a return.Read More in FootballOne person took to the comments to write: “It will be like a new January signing…”Another said: “This picture made me happy.”A third joked: “Defenders are shaking.”While another commented: “Starboy is back!”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSaka is expected to return in early March and could be available for the first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 clash.Ben White is also understood to be nearing a return. Bukayo Saka is spotted on crutches after Arsenal’s win at Crystal PalaceThe defender has been unavailable since November but could make his comeback when Arsenal face Leicester City on Saturday.Mikel Arteta suffered another injury blow last week when Gabriel Martinelli limped off with a hamstring issue against Newcastle.Martinelli is expected to be absent for six weeks.ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Saliba will be having nightmares about Isak as Lewis-Skelly is only Gunners star to show upARSENAL were humbled by Newcastle at St James’ Park as the Magpies beat them 2-0 to secure a spot in the League Cup final.The North Londoners knew they needed to take an early advantage if they were to overturn the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates.But Jacob Murphy was on hand to put the Magpies a goal ahead after Alexander Isak’s shot rebounded off of the post and out to him.Shortly after the break, Anthony Gordon doubled the lead to all but confirm a second League Cup final in three years for Eddie Howe.Here’s how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated the Gunners.David Raya – 5Stitched Declan Rice right up for the second goal.And that absolutely killed this as a contest for his side.Jurrien Timber – 6Tried to get forward and support the attack early but soon found himself dropping deeper to avoid being caught on the counter.Tough night for the Dutchman up against Gordon in front of the red-hot home crowd.William Saliba – 4Let frustration get the better of him when he got himself booked for grabbing Anthony Gordon’s shirt.And the winger almost embarrassed him again at the start of the second period when he caught the defender sleeping, nicked the ball from him, but could only shoot wide.The usually assured star will be having nightmares of Gordon and Isak.Gabriel Magalhaes – 6Another who struggled to contain Toon’s two pacey attacking threats but did fair slightly better than his usually formidable partner.Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7Another assured performance from the full-back in a raucous atmosphere.Could not be faulted for any of the goals and showed flashes off his potential despite the humbling.Martin Odegaard – 6Everything Arsenal did try came through the skipper.Although he loses a mark as things could have been a very different story if he had finished his first half effort had hit the inside rather than outside of the post.Thomas Partey – 6Plenty of running about but very little to show or product for his efforts.Declan Rice – 6Looked to take a knock late in the first half and continued to struggle on after the restart.Was hung out to dry by his goalie for the second goal and he did keep pushing until the very end.But it was a disappointing night for the England star and his partner Partey as they came up short against Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.Gabriel Martinelli – 5Struggled to get past big Dan Burn during his brief time on the pitch.And his night was brought to an abrupt end when he limped off before the break.Kai Havertz – 4Outmuscled, outbattled and outthought but Svan Botman and Fabian Schar.Produced zilch on an evening when he and his team-mates lacked creativity and ideas.Leandro Trossard – 5Many will have been fancying him to cause some problems for the 34-year-old Kieran Trippier but the veteran had him in his pocket all night.Arteta had seen enough by the hour mark and opted to let Raheem Sterling have a go instead.Subs usedEthan Nwaneri (37 mins for Martinelli) – 6Desperately tried to inject some pace and threat into the faltering Arsenal attack but the task proved too much for the young Gunn.He should have plenty more big occasions to look forward to though in his career.Mikel Merino (70 mins for Odegaard) – 5The game was already done and dusted when he entered the fray for battle.Some nice touches, but like those before him, he couldn’t produce anything for the visitors.Raheem Sterling (61 mins for Trossard) – 4Got half an hour to try and get at Trippier but, just like Trossard before him, he was not given an ounce of joy.Riccardo Calafiori (78 mins for Timber) – 4Was brought on simply to get some minutes in his legs.Jorginho (78 mins for Partey) – 4See above. Little chance to make an impact with the game well and truly over. More

NOTTINGHAM FOREST manager Nuno Espirito Santo left his players in awe as he showed off an unexpected talent.Nuno, 51, joined his team in the pool at their training facility in Wilford Lane.Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo joined his players in the club’s poolCredit: TwitterAnd Nuno went on to become viral in front of the Forest camerasCredit: TwitterNuno put together an excellent dive in front of his playersCredit: TwitterNuno left his players and fans in absolute awe with his stuntCredit: TwitterAnd the Portuguese tactician left his stars open-mouthed as he launched himself from the top deck of the diving board.The ex-Wolves boss jumped from the highest board available and dropped expertly head first in front of his stunned squad.Forest TV recorded Nuno’s stunt and shared it on social media, leaving fans in amazement.Some of them even used that incredible scene as an opportunity to throw shade at rival managers, such as Liverpool’s Arne Slot, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou.Read More on FootballOne Forest supporter tweeted: “Nuno’s legendary status grows further.”Another commented: “Omg. Wow.”A third wrote: “Pep would be stood at the side talking about the best way to get in the water is to just go down the steps.”This fan said: “Big Ange & Arne would be doing laps round the lazy river.”Most read in FootballAnd that one exclaimed: “Nuno doing 10/10 dives off the top board.”Forest have been enjoying a stunning campaign after two turbulent seasons back in the Premier League that saw them just avoiding relegation back to the Championship.Moment Nottingham Forest fans ‘try to bribe Anthony Taylor’ during VAR check as hilarious footage goes viralThe Tricky Trees are the Premier League’s surprise package as they sit third in the table with three points separating them from second-placed Arsenal.High fliers Liverpool are nine points ahead with a game in hand. More