Premier League

DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN is facing another spell out after fracturing his cheekbone in Everton’s 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa.The Toffees striker was forced off in first half at Villa Park following a collision with Emiliano Martinez and was rushed straight to hospital.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be forced to wear a protective maskCredit: Getty
It is the latest in a long run of injury issues for the 26-year-old over the past year – with the forward now having to follow FA concussion protocols, though he could return sooner rather than later with a protective mask.
Calvert-Lewin’s father was reduced to tears in the stands following another injury but has also hit out at Everton supporters for abuse directed at his son.
Writing on Facebook, Karlda Lewin said: “The life of a Premier League footballer Dad.
“The last time I went to Villa Park, he was a 16-year-old sub for Sheffield United.
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“Today I was there to see him start his first game in 2 years that he’s been fully fit.
“I was nervous beyond belief but I knew how hard he’d worked to recover so had faith he’d be ok.
“To see my son hurt like that brought me to tears again. It always will no matter what age he is. He’s now in hospital getting sorted.
“I hear the names he got called by his own ‘fans’ first-hand and what I will say is this: my son lives the dream daily like you wouldn’t believe and that won’t change, regardless of what some numpty in Stone Island gear shouts.
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“Stay bitter fellas. Stay bitter.
“So it’s another little setback in a long list of setbacks but he’ll be alright. He always is.”
The striker said: “Didn’t expect to end up here today. I’m sorry it wasn’t the return everyone was hoping for and no one is more frustrated than me. It’s a sore one, but I’ll be back shortly.”
Meanwhile, Everton have condemned racist abuse sent to midfielder Amadou Onana on Instagram following the defeat.
It comes a week after teammate Neal Maupay was targeted by sick trolls on the platform.
Calvert-Lewin was forced off after a collision with Emiliano MartinezCredit: Reuters More

MOISES CAICEDO confessed he had a nightmare debut for Chelsea following his record transfer.The Ecuadorian midfielder, 21, completed his £115million move from Brighton to the Blues last week.
Moises Caicedo made his Chelsea debut but it did not go well for himCredit: Alamy
And he got his first minutes under Mauricio Pochettino as a second-half sub away at West Ham yesterday.
But his half-hour display did not go to plan.
Not only did he fail to help his new side find an equaliser against the Hammers as he came on with Chelsea trailing 2-1.
But the £115m man enabled Lucas Paqueta to wrap up the three points in the London derby by sliding in on Emerson to give an injury-time penalty away.
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Paqueta’s finish added to goals from Nayef Aguerd – who was later sent off for a second yellow – and Michail Antonio, either side of Carney Chukwuemeka’s equaliser and Enzo Fernandez’s missed penalty.
And Caicedo took to social media to share his thoughts after his horror Chelsea start, which was blasted by fans online.
Caicedo wrote on Instagram: “It wasn’t the debut that I expected but I’m happy to get my first minutes with this big club.
“We’ll keep working hard to put this team where it deserves.
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“Thanks to the fans who are supporting me.”
Plenty of his new team-mates flooded the replies with messages of support.
Fernandez wrote: “This is not how it starts, but how it ends. Let’s go all out brother! We will all work together.”
Injured captain Reece James added: “Together as one.”
Goalscorer Chukwuemeka simply said: “Together.”

Marc Cucurella typed: “Let’s go up man.”
And Christopher Nkunku, another big-money summer arrival, posted strong arm and fire emojis.
Caicedo looks set to make his home debut at Stamford Bridge in Friday’s clash with Luton.
Chelsea then host AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup and face Nottingham Forest in West London on September 2 before the international break.
The midfielder bundled Emerson over for the penaltyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Caicedo came on with 61 minutes on the clock at West HamCredit: Alamy More

BRENTFORD striker Ivan Toney has hinted that he’d be open to joining Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester United when he returns to football.The 27-year-old is currently serving an eight-month ban from the sport for betting offences.
Toney has named the three clubs he’d consider joiningCredit: Getty
He is set to make a comeback in January, but Brentford could face a battle to keep him.
Several clubs have expressed an interest in signing the striker, but Toney has named the three that he’d consider joining.
Speaking to Steven Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast, he said: “Everyone wants to play at the top of the tree.
“Not that Brentford aren’t there, but everyone wants to play for these big clubs and compete for trophies.
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“If a chance was to come along, I would be silly not to look into it. The manager knows that I want to play at the highest level possible and whenever that time comes, so be it.
“My time at Brentford has been probably the best of my career.
“The next club I go to will be the right club. I am a Liverpool fan my whole life.
“I have liked Arsenal from young, how they play and how passionate their fans are.
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“But I’m a Liverpool boy, Liverpool fan at heart.
“I liked [Dimitar] Berbatov. I liked watching United a lot when Berbatov was there, too.”
Toney was charged with 232 breaches of FA regulations before he was hit with an eight-month ban earlier this year.
The striker was also diagnosed with a gambling addiction after admitting to the offences.
He will be allowed to return to training with Brentford from next month. More

BEN MEE revealed the incredible bonus available for Brentford if they score a certain type of goal.And the stats show it is working a treat for the Bees.
Ben Mee and his Brentford team-mates have a bizarre goal bonus in placeCredit: Getty
Thomas Frank has cemented the West Londoners as an established top-flight team, finishing ninth last term.
And as they begin their third campaign in the Premier League, the manager is rewarding his stars when they find the net from a set piece.
Brentford were the most clinical Prem team from corners, free-kicks and throw-ins in 2022-23, with 16 of their 58 goals scored from dead-ball situations.
And that has led to a nice bump for the Bees’ pay packets.
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Mee told Ben Foster on the Fozcast podcast: “We have a set-piece bonus, we’re big on set pieces and things like that so hopefully we’ll get a few more goals this year.
“If we score from a set piece within a certain time, at the end of the season the lads will get a bonus.
“Brentford are big on stats and percentages of scoring goals.
“Set pieces is a high chance of getting a shot on goal or a chance.
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“We work off that and at the end of the season we add it up from for and against. It gives you an incentive to go for it.
“The second phase could be part of the set play, within a certain amount of time – we sort of measure it, within like 15 seconds it counts as a set piece.”
Jurgen Klopp moaned Brentford “stretched the rules” at set pieces with pulling and pushing in the penalty area during Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat in January.
Mee chipped in with three goals for Brentford last term and formed a strong partnership with fellow defender Ethan Pinnock.
Frank’s side have started the new season well with a 2-2 draw with Tottenham followed by a convincing 3-0 win at Fulham.
Of those five goals, two have come from Bryan Mbuemo penalties but none via other set pieces yet.
However, Cristian Romero’s header for Spurs came directly from a whipped James Maddison free-kick.
Mee sat out of both matches with a calf injury sustained in pre-season.
One of Mee’s three goals last season came in the 4-0 thumping of Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty More

DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN’S dad has slammed “bitter” Everton fans for abusing his son after he was forced off with an injury at the weekend.The Toffees fell to a 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday, leaving them rock bottom of the Premier League table.
Calvert-Lewin was forced off with a facial injury on SundayCredit: Getty
Karlda has slammed fans for abusing his sonCredit: https://www.instagram.com/dcl/
Calvert-Lewin suffered a nasty facial injury early in the game after colliding with Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
Although the 26-year-old initially attempted to play on, he was eventually substituted in the 38th minute after his cheek began to swell up.
Calvert-Lewin’s dad, Karlda, has since revealed that the striker was abused by some Everton fans as a result.
In a Facebook post, he wrote: “The life of a Premier League footballer Dad. The last time I went to Villa Park he was a 16 year old sub for Sheffield United.
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“Today I was there to see him start his first game in 2 years that he’s been fully fit.”
Karlda then went on to reveal that the horrific abuse directed towards his son left him in tears.
He added: “I was nervous beyond belief but I knew how hard he’d worked to recover so had faith he’d be ok.
“To see my son hurt like that brought me to tears again. It always will no matter what age he is.
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“He’s now in hospital getting sorted. I hear the names he got called by his own “fans” first hand and what I will say is this.
“My son lives the dream daily like you wouldn’t believe and that won’t change, regardless of what some numpty Stone Island gear shouts.
“Stay bitter fellas. Stay bitter. So it’s another little set back in a long list of set backs but he’ll be alright. He always is.”
Calvert-Lewin has been plagued with injury issues over the last two years.
He has missed matches due to a fractured toe as well as hamstring and knee issues since the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign.
For the second week in a row Everton have had to condemn abuse targeted at one of their players.
After midfielder Amadou Onana revealed racist abuse that he had been sent on Instagram, the club said: “Everton Football Club strongly condemns any form of racist and discriminatory abuse towards our players.
“The club is aware of a racist post targeted at Amadou Onana. Such abuse is vile and will not and should not be tolerated. The club is conducting an investigation to identify the individual responsible and will also be supporting the Police with any investigation they conduct.
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“We must all take a zero-tolerance stance by reporting such behaviour to social media platforms and the authorities. Racism has no place online, in our stadia or in our communities.”
It comes a week after striker Neal Maupay was targeted on Instagram following the opening day defeat to Fulham. More

HECTOR BELLERIN has earned a whopping £38million in a stellar football career. But still only aged 28, the Spanish full-back is already preparing for life after his playing days.
Hector Bellerin, right, was a three-time FA Cup winner with ArsenalCredit: Getty
The three-time FA Cup winner, LaLiga champion and Copa del Rey victor linked up with eco-club Forest Green Rovers in September 2020.
Bellerin invested cash to become the EFL side’s second-largest shareholder in his continued support for the environment and sustainability.
Forest Green are the world’s first vegan and carbon-neutral club with chairman Dale Vince introducing a series of measures to go green – including renewable energy, bamboo kits, plant-based food for players and fans and a new wood-based stadium.
And Bellerin, who went vegan in 2017, was determined to use his public profile and platform to do his part and raise awareness.
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The minority owner said: “I was really excited when I first discovered the opportunity to get involved at Forest Green Rovers – and the brilliant work the club is already doing.
“It’s important that I invest in things I am passionate about – and I’m excited to help push football into having a sustainable future.
“Forest Green Rovers prove to clubs who say ‘they don’t have resources to be sustainable’ – that it is possible. With the new stadium, being carbon-neutral and vegan the club is doing some mind-blowing work.
“People have a universal love of football, so there’s no better industry to promote sustainability – and what we can do as football supporters to be more environmentally conscious.
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“I became a vegan around three years ago and at first, I just wanted to try it and detox my body. Initially, I thought I’d eat meat as a ‘treat’ – but, being vegan just worked for me.
“After a month of being vegan, I felt stronger – and I didn’t struggle with ankle injuries anymore. I began to feel more energetic on the pitch – and I began to notice a real difference.”
Bellerin also proved his commitment to doing his bit for the planet by inspiring the planting of 50,000 trees in the Amazon rainforest.
He pledged 3,000 trees for each Arsenal win during the back end of the 2019-20 season and encouraged fans to also get involved.
The tattooed defender has also dipped into fashion and politics as the well-rounded footballer shows there is more to his life than football.
Football, though, is still very important.
The four-cap Spain international spent 11 years on the books at Arsenal, making 239 appearances.
But a cruel ACL injury in January 2019 ruled the then-£110,000-a-week man out for nine months and the flying full-back has struggled to regain his top form since.
Bellerin left the Emirates for Barcelona in 2022 but after just six months and 141 minutes of LaLiga action, he left the Nou Camp for Sporting and was on the move again this summer as he signed a five-year deal at Real Betis.
Forest Green Rovers are the greenest football club in the worldCredit: Rex
Bellerin joined Real Betis in the summer on a five-year dealCredit: Alamy More

ASTON VILLA are looking into claims Leon Bailey had an altercation with a fan after the 4-0 win over Everton.Bailey scored the third goal in a dominant Villa victory.
Leon Bailey is alleged to have pushed a fan to the floorCredit: Getty
After the final whistle, Bailey is understood to have been in corporate boxes at Villa Park.
And the Daily Mail claim Bailey was involved in an incident after a fan asked the player to pose for a photo with his son.
It is alleged that Bailey refused, and pushed the fan to the ground.
It is claimed there is CCTV footage of the interaction between Bailey and the fan, as well as several witnesses.
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Police were called by security working on site, and the fan in question is said to have given a statement at the scene.
The incident is now being looked into by Aston Villa.
West Midlands Police released a statement which reads: “We’re investigating after a man at Aston Villa Football Club was allegedly assaulted at just after 5pm on Sunday.
“Officers will be speaking to all those involved and we are liaising with officials at the club to establish the full circumstances.
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“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information can get in contact via Live Chat on our website or on 101, quoting log 2940 of 20 August.”
Do you know the fan or did you see the incident? Please email kealan.hughes@the-sun.co.uk with any information. More