Premier League

DECLAN RICE rescued a point for Arsenal after David Raya failed to stop a Bruno Fernandes freekick.Fernandes’ set piece was followed by a confident Rice strike in the second half, leaving the sides with a point apiece.Declan Rice celebrates scoring Arsenal’s equaliserCredit: PABruno Fernandes put his side ahead with a wonderful free-kickCredit: GettyDavid Raya kept the Gunners in it when he denied Mazraoui at point-blank rangeCredit: APRice made a goal-saving tackle on Rasmus Hojlund late onCredit: GettyAfter a quiet first half, both sides woke up and provided more going forward after the break but lacked quality in the final third.Raya’s display in the second half more than made up for his earlier error and, alongside Rice, kept his side in the game.Coming off the back of a riotous 7-1 victory over PSV, Arsenal reverted to their goal scoring drought and proved once again that they desperately need a striker.United fans staged a protest before the match, marching against the club’s ownership but had something to smile about after their captain whipped a free-kick that was just enough to beat Raya.The result all but solidifies Liverpool’s title hopes as Mikel Arteta drops more unnecessary points in a game where his side dominated but failed to break down United’s defence.The Gunners now sit 15 points behind leaders Liverpool with just 10 matches left to play and questions will be asked of Arteta’s failure to keep his side in the title race.But, who was on the mark for the Gunners?Can Arteta push for the title without an out-and-out striker?JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSDid anyone shine off the bench for Arteta’s side?Here, SunSport’s Conor Jones delivers his Arsenal player ratings against Manchester United…How Arteta’s Merino experiment is surprising defenders and crucial to Arsenal’s attackDAVID RAYA – 9With Fernandes’ freekick not hitting the corner, Raya should’ve saved it and you need to deliver in those moments if you want to challenge for a title.The Spanish keeper dived slowly and has no excuses for this one.However, the keeper made up for his fatal error, producing three world class saves in the second half.An outstretched right leg managed to deny a Noussair Mazraoui volley from close range and the Spaniard spread himself in Peter Schmeichel fashion to stop a flick from Joshua Zirkee’s backheel, again from incredibly close range.A late chance for Fernandes was stopped with a flailing dive and scooped off the line with a Seaman-esque save.JURRIEN TIMBER – 8With Ben White back to the Arsenal bench, Timber is fighting to make sure the right-back position is his and made a strong case at Old Trafford.A comfortable display against PSV midweek saw the Dutchman start and he delivered with a solid defensive performance and a wonderful assist forRice.Timber constantly made himself an option on the right hand side where the Gunners focused their attacks, and displayed a fantastic work rate.He was strong in aerial duels and returned most of Onana’s goal kicks to the delight of the travelling faithful.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7A solid performance managing the counterattacks which United were reliant on.The Frenchman was comfortable in possession which was vital on an afternoon where the Gunners had a lot of it.Though United looked more dangerous in the second half, it’s hard to fault either of the Gunners’ centre-halves.GABRIEL – 7Following on from a solid display in the Champions League, the Brazilian marshalled Zirkzee well, often getting in front of him to sniff out United attacks early.The defender was quick to spread the ball out to Calafiori and Trossard helping to push his side forward at each opportunity.Neither himself nor his partner lived up to their success from corners this year which could have been the difference for a blunt Arsenal attack.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6The Italian left-back replaced Myles Lewis-Skelly to deliver a goal and an assist against PSV, earning him the starting spot at Old Trafford.After a solid first half, Calafiori struggled to deal with Garnacho in the second 45 and the home side saw most of their joy attacking his flank, so his replacement felt necessary.On the attacking front, Calafiori again proved to be a nuisance for the opposition and featured in a number of attacks but needs to work on his deliveries if he wants to solidify his spot in the starting lineup.THOMAS PARTEY – 7A dangerous challenge on Garnacho in the fifth minute and the midfielder was lucky not to see yellow.Other than that, he swept up in front of his back line well and effectively recycled possession, often winning the ball back to stop attacks.The midfielder played some strong passes between the lines but can offer more to his side’s offensive unit than he did today.DECLAN RICE – 9The England star showed his eagerness by offering forward runs throughout, nearly going clean through in the third minute of the game, and saved his team from an embarrassing loss.Timber laid the ball back to Rice just inside the area and the midfielder struck cleanly beyond Onana to round off a strong performance.The midfielder linked up with Trossard a couple of times but lacked the final pass on most occasions.Rice went on to provide a goal-saving challenge on Rasmus Hojlund after Merino was dispossessed just outside his own area and proved to be the difference for his side.Arsenal would have struggled without him on the pitch and most likely lost.MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7Odegaard confidently pulled the strings for Arsenal combining well with Rice and Nwaneri.The Norwegian tested Andre Onana with a shot from outside the area and dinked a couple of balls over the top but lacked the cutting edge.While he failed to deliver on this occasion, the captain was at the heart of Arsenal’s attacks and was unlucky to see a curling strike saved by Onana in the second half.ETHAN NWANERI – 5Constantly offered an option down the right but carelessly gave the ball away to kick off a United counterattack which luckily ended in a Mazraoui handball.Like many of his team-mates, and the opposition, he lacked the final pass or shot and wasn’t as dangerous as he can be.The attacking line needed to be freshened up in the second half and his departure made sense as he failed to create as much as Trossard on the left-hand side.MIKEL MERINO – 6Merino defended doggedly, popping up to help the Gunners defend in their own final third but nearly gave the game away in the 82nd minute after being dispossessed.The Spaniard’s pressing almost nicked him a goal in the fourth minute after a defensive calamity from United and he was unfortunate to drag a shot wide of the post later on.The makeshift striker was unlucky not to send Declan Rice through in the third minute but showed again that the Gunners are in dire need of a goalscorer.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6The attacker was at fault for Fernandes’ freekick opener with a careless challenge on Garnacho, earning him a deserved yellow card.Nonetheless, Trossard pressed ferociously and got the better of Matthijs De Ligt on a number of occasions.The Belgian came close with a strike from the left that sailed just wide of the right post and nearly got on the end of a neat chip over the defensive line from Odegaard.SubsMYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (Calafiori, 58) – 7The youngster made a positive impact again and won his side a dangerous freekick on the edge of the area.GABRIEL MARTINELLI (Nwaneri, 58) – 7Brought fresh legs into the attacking unit and managed to make himself a reliable option on the right wing.Was unlucky not to score in the final ten minutes after Rice played him through while United’s backline were napping.An offside flag saved him from the embarrassment of missing a chance to win the game. 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IT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.Bruno Fernandes fired in a stunning free-kickCredit: GettyIt was a much-improved performance from UnitedCredit: APJoshua Zirkzee had another tough day leading the lineCredit: GettyThere was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.Alejandro Garnacho was fouled on the edge of the box to give United a free-kick in the skipper’s range.Arsenal’s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya between the sticks – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half but with a makeshift No9 up top, United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter.Noussair Mazraoui had a huge chance saved by Raya in a wing-back to wing-back move that would have pleased Ruben Amorim.But United’s defence was eventually breached by a brilliant effort from Declan Rice.More chances fell to both sides, Rasmus Hojlund and Gabriel Martinelli coming close to winning it before Fernandes drew a fantastic stop from Raya in the dying embers.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Red Devils eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances.Thousands of Man Utd fans launch furious protest march at way club is ‘slowly dying before our eyes’ANDRE ONANA – 6Good early save from Odegaard’s shot and a flying second half tip over from the Norwegian.Confident catch from a corner but then as he tried to take a quick goal kick he played it straight to an Arsenal player. He put his next kick straight out of play and was teased for the rest of the day by the visiting fans.Just about sums up the Cameroon’s time at United – sometimes great but with some head-scratching moments thrown in. Erratic. 6MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 8Got away with an early error which could have been costly. Also involved in a painful clash with Merino.Dutch international has shown why United signed him in recent weeks. Crucial clearance over his own bar when Martinelli was poised to equalise.Gave away free-kick with foul on Lewis Skelly that could have proved costly but also could have won it, only for his header from Garnacho’s free-kick to lack power and direction. 8VICTOR LINDELOF – 6Looks destined for the Old Trafford exit this summer but has been thrust back into the team in recent weeks.Stray pass put Arsenal on a counter attack late in the first half but the Swede can be pleased with his performance in the back three.Lung-busting run from the back teed up Garnacho for a late chance to win it but he fired his shot over the bar. 6LENY YORO – 6Needed treatment early on and looked to be feeling the effects for most of the first half and at times the young Frenchman was noticeably limping.Question marks over whether it was wise to soldier on with the injury list and a bigger game coming up on Thursday.But he had some important interceptions before it was decided he could not continue at the break – when he was replaced by Ayden Heaven. 6NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Showed his versatility by switching to wing-back after playing at centre-back in recent weeks.What a moment it could – and should – have been as he met Dalot’s cross first time only to be denied by the legs of Raya.Currently fasting due to Ramadan but did not lack energy up and down his wing and did his bit defensively. 6BRUNO FERNANDES – 8The skipper tends to be at the heart of all United’s best work.Clever play to tee-up Garnacho but his angled shot drifted wide.Showed his quality with the free-kick just before half-time – whipping it over the wall and beyond Raya.Also could have edged it right at the death but was denied by Raya. 8CASEMIRO – 7United fans might have feared the worst when they saw the midfield selected.Arsenal had most of the ball for much of the game but he showed his experience to help keep clear chances to a minimum.Early foot in to deny Rice, did well to get in the way of Odegaard’s free-kick. 7DIOGO DALOT – 6Portuguese was making his 200th appearance for United.Hung up a super cross to the back post which Mazraoui should have scored to put the home side two up – but Raya denied him.Some feel the Portuguese needs to take more risks when he goes forward but he did his bit defensively to help keep the Gunners at bay.Wasted a late chance to put a good cross in during stoppage time. 6CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 5Drafted in so goal shy forward Hojlund could be taken out of the firing line.The former Spurs man would have loved to make an impression against the Gunners but playing him in a more advanced role did not really work.Amorim chose to take him off in favour of the fresh legs of Collyer soon after the equaliser – knowing United needed some new impetus. 5ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7Better from the Argentine who has lost his way in recent weeks.Cross shot beat Raya but drifted wide in the first half but then won a free-kick on edge of box when his surging run ended with a foul by Trossard.Also supplied the cross that De Ligt headed straight at Raya as both sides searched for the winner. 7JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 5A typically frustrating first half from the Dutch forward as nothing he tried seemed to come off. Was also shrugged off the ball too easily.Attempted a cheeky back heel as he got on the end of Garnacho’s cross but Raya stuck a big right hand out to deny him.Would have been a big moment for him but instead he was subbed as soon as the Gunners equalised and replaced by Hojlund. 5SUBS:AYDEN HEAVEN for Yoro 46 – 6Prem debut as a second half sub – ironically against his former club and did well. 6RASMUS HOJLUND for Zirkzee  76 – 6Golden chance to win it but dallied too long. 6TOBY COLLYER for Eriksen 76 – 6Gave United a bit more energy in the closing stages. 6 More

DECLAN RICE twice spared Arsenal from the embarrassment of defeat by lowly Manchester United with a wicked equaliser and a brilliant saving tackle. But on a day when the Old Trafford crowd swung from mutiny towards hope, it now looks increasingly likely that Liverpool will equal United’s record of 20 top-flight titles this side of Easter.Bruno Fernandes scored a brilliant freekick to put Manchester United aheadCredit: APThe captain was passionate with his celebrationCredit: PADeclan Rice levelled the scores in the 74th minuteCredit: RexIt was his second career goal against Man UnitedCredit: GettyArne Slot’s men lead the depleted Gunners by 15 points and there is nothing to suggest Arsenal can make a fight of it – with Ruben Amorim’s team roused by a Bruno Fernandes free-kick in first-half injury time before they produced an unexpected second-half display of ambition and drive.Rice’s belting equaliser was Arsenal’s first Premier League goal in four and a half hours – and the England midfielder still had to pull off an expert challenge to deny Rasmus Hojlund a first goal in 20 games. Before kick-off an estimated 5,000 protestors had marched on Old Trafford, mostly dressed in black to represent the ‘slow death’ of United under the ownership of the Glazers and Ineos.But after a first half of further protests, the former Theatre of Dreams was roused by an impressive second-half showing from United. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSIt was probably the most irrelevant United-Arsenal fixture of the Premier League era, with Arsenal’s pursuit of Liverpool clearly a wild goose chase, while Amorim’s side cannot realistically be relegated nor qualify for Europe. Sky’s pre-match montage of highlights from the Fergie-Wenger years only served to underline the modest fare they were serving up. The 7-1 humping of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday had improved the mood music for the Arsenal.  While Arteta’s team are without an authentic centre-forward, United left their one, Rasmus Hojlund, on the bench after a run of 19 appearances without a goal. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMikel Merino continued as Arsenal’s falsie, with Gabriel Martinelli fit enough to start on the bench after injury.Did United need three central defenders to mark Merino? It didn’t seem so, but Amorim is fixated on his so-called 3-4-3, which looked very much like a back five here.Roy Keane fears Man Utd will get WORSE and reveals biggest red flag that could spell the end for Ruben AmorimArsenal have fallen 15 points behind league leaders LiverpoolCredit: GettyRuben Amorim can be happy with the pointCredit: PADeclan Rice made a match saving tackle on Rasmus HojlundCredit: GettyMerino did whistle a shot wide after Martin Odegaard had played a rapid one-two with Declan Rice.  But it was insipid, low-rent stuff all round, the home supporters only becoming animated when chants of ‘Stand up if you hate Glazers’ swept around Old Trafford like a mutinous Mexican wave. Arsenal fans sang about having won the league here, not that many of them were old enough to remember 2002. United’s gameplan appeared to be sit deep and if you get the ball, give it to Alejandro Garnacho because at least he can run fast.Leandro Trossard cut inside and drilled wide of the far post but mostly it was dreadful.Arsenal passed it around a lot, United stood there in a line of five with another line of three or four in front of them and everyone started to drift off. But then in first-half injury time, Garnacho went on one of his runs and Trosard upended him 25 yards from goal.For all the gulf in class between these two teams, Fernandes can still strike a dead ball and David Raya is still susceptible to being beaten by direct free-kicks. Leny Yoro was forced off with injuryCredit: ReutersRaya denied Joshua Zirkzee a goalCredit: AFPGabriel Martinelli forced a solid save from Andre OnanaCredit: PAFernandes was also stopped from scoring a dramatic late winnerCredit: ReutersArsenal’s keeper didn’t seem overly concerned, his starting position was too close to the far post and his dive was superfluous as Fernandes curled his shot over the Arsenal wall. At half-time, former Arsenal kid Ayden Heaven replaced the injured Leny Yoro to boos from the away end.Soon, Martin Odegaard lashed a long-range shot which Andre Onana tipped over, before Rice’s volley cleared the bar from the resulting corner.Having taken their shock lead, United actually started to commit bodies forward.Joshua Zirkzee released Diogo Dalot down the left and he produced a lofted cross for his fellow wing-back Noussair Mazaroui to volley, Raya sticking out a foot to save from point-blank range. Suddenly it felt like a proper game of football and United’s fans were roaring on their team rather than complaining about the ownership.One crunching tackle from Matthijs de Ligt – who has been a rare positive in recent weeks – almost took the roof off the Stretford End. Arteta sent on Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly but United were still pouring forward and a deflected Garnacho cross located Zirkzee who improvised a back-heeled effort which Raya saved.Lewis-Skelly, advancing from left-back was cut down by De Ligt on the edge of the box but Odegaard’s free-kick couldn’t clear the wall.Heaven somehow got away with handling the same cross three times in his own box without conceding a penalty.But 16 minutes from time, the equaliser arrived when Jurrien Timber darted down the right unchallenged and cut back for Rice to thrash home a shot in off the far post. Hojlund arrived for United, while Arteta sent on yet another left-back, Kieran Tierney, shoving Lewis-Skelly into central midfield. Merino lofted a pass to Marinelli, who shot on the gallop, forcing Onana to push wide.READ MORE SUN STORIESThen Arsenal got in a tangle trying to play out from the back and Merino’s stray pass invited Hojlund to score – yet he hesitated and Rice executed an excellent tackle to extend the Dane’s goal drought to 20 games.Fernandes then forced a brilliant double-save from Raya in the dying seconds.Mikel Arteta cut a frustrated figure as the title appeared out of his hands yet againCredit: Getty More

CHELSEA marked their sunshine-infused 120th birthday with a hard-earned win against Leicester.Enzo Maresca’s side keep their place in the Champions League spots ahead of a tough run of games with a much-needed 1-0 victory.Marc Cucurella scored from distanceCredit: GettyThe three points takes Chelsea to fourth in the tableCredit: APCole Palmer’ goal drought continued as he saw his spot-kick savedCredit: RexChelsea were by far the most threatening side and just two minutes in the Blues felt they should have had a penalty for a challenge on Palmer.VAR deemed it “minimal contact”, however, it didn’t take long for him to get a golden chance to break his eight-game goal drought.Referee Tim Robinson pointed to the spot this time after Jadon Sancho was brought down in the box.Palmer stepped up, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen.Chelsea continued to dominate but Maresca left ruing his lack of a target forward as crosses were swung aimlessly with Pedro Neto in the wars trying to reach them. With no real threat coming towards Robert Sanchez from Leicester, it looked as though it could be one of those games where they struggle to break down a side despite having the lion’s share of the ball. A moment of magic was needed as frustrations were growing and Marc Cucurella produced it on the hour mark.A peach of a strike from outside the area as he lit up Stamford Bridge, as he has on numerous occasions this season, scoring for the second game in a row. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWith chances coming and going for both sides, the nervousness among the home support was tangible as the game drew to it’s conclusion, with the relief at the full-time etched on Maresca’s face.This is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players…Wayne Bridge recalls ‘unbelievable’ fight between two Chelsea teammates which left one KO’d Robert Sanchez – 7Maresca insisted he has two good goalkeepers at his disposal in the build-up to this game, but with the way they have performed this season you have to wonder if he is almost willing that to be true. Was very nearly in the headlines again with a moment of madness seeing him come flailing towards a cross which he missed as Tosin Adarabioyo headed onto his own bar.The Spanish stopper was sparsely troubled but was there when it mattered to stop the Foxes from scoring with a quietly assured performance on his return to the side after the aforementioned mistake.Wesley Fofana –  8His every touch was loudly booed by the Leicester fans who are still bitter about him leaving them in August 2022, but the £70million defender wasn’t at all fazed on his return from a lengthy injury lay-off. He was playing at right-back in a role that was quite different to what we usually see from Reece James or Malo Gusto, basically forming a back three with Tosin and Levi Colwill. The Frenchman looked like he hadn’t been out injured at all, making a number of big tackles, blocks and clearances that manufactured a sound defensive display. Tosin Adarabioyo – 6Was extremely fortunate not to put the ball in his own net with a header that bounced off of the crossbar midway into the first-half, but aside from that it was more of the same we have come to expect from the leader of the Chelsea defence. He takes on the important role of vocally organising the backline and setting them up to play it out from the back. Levi Colwill – 7Levi is using Chelsea’s fixtures against the teams towards the bottom of the table to really build his confidence and show what has made him such a highly-rated defender by everyone at the club.Made a crucial clearance in the first half to stop Jamie Vardy opening the scoring after a defensive mix-up, was thoroughly solid at the back with a strong aerial presence and composure on the ball.Marc Cucurella – 9It was a dynamic, energetic and ultimately goalscoring performance from the Spaniard who is all over the place, in a good way, for the Chels at the moment. One minute he’s defending his own box and holding up the Leicester attack, the next he’s bursting down the left and combining with Nkunku – blink and he’s playing as a shadow striker next to Neto. His positioning created chaos for Leicester, summarised no better than when he latched onto an Enzo Fernandez pass and rifled the ball low and hard into the bottom right corner to put his side in the lead. For my money, the best left-back in world football in what has been his most prolific goal scoring season to date. Moises Caicedo – 7Was walking a tightrope from the start of the game, with a yellow card in this one holding the threat of him missing crucial upcoming games against Arsenal and Spurs. While often praised for his ball winning ability, which is beaten only by Barcelona’s Pedri in Europe’s top five leagues, it was his crisp passing and technical skill that stood out, a myriad of clever touches and bits of combination play that helped form attacks for his side. The Ecuadorian is arguably the Blues’ most important player.Enzo Fernandez (c)  – 8Chelsea’s midfield metronome has been in fantastic form of late, and put in another assured performance in the middle, which only helps his rapport with the Stamford Bridge faithful who have fallen in love with his passion and desire to succeed here. His passing was excellent and he looked the player most keen to drive his team forward with some hard running, but his performance came across somewhat stunted by a real lack of threat in front of him. That was of course, until Cucurella stepped up and smashed home to give him a deserved assist. Christopher Nkunku – 2Still doesn’t look as though he’s really found his feet at Chelsea, despite a goal and assist in his last league game vs Southampton. The No18 would be best used either in Palmer’s position or as a second striker next to a target man like he was at his prolific best for RB Leipzig. Being stuck out on the left side, his pressing comes across lazy and while he often gets into the box, he is not the presence Chelsea need as they whip balls into the middle. Cole Palmer  – 5Death, taxes and Palmer bagging pens – those things were all dead certain until today as Chelsea’s talisman missed his first ever Premier League penalty in the first half. After beginning the season as the man who doesn’t feel pressure, who has ice running through his veins, Cole now at times looks like he’s trying too hard.Those things considered, he has been the victim of the sky-high standards we have grown to expect from him and most of his work is actually still to a very high level, with some neat bits of skill and good general build-up play. Don’t be surprised to see him back to his best when Chelsea have Nicolas Jackson back from injury. Jadon Sancho – 3Played on the right-hand side of attack today and often left fans frustrated in the first-half by holding the ball for too long – not driving at defenders the way we have seen him do in the past. Did win the penalty that was missed by Palmer, and seemed to be given a lease of energy and life when his side took the lead in the second half. Fans would like to see more of Tyrique George in his place, who has shone in limited minutes on the wing this season, as it’s now 11 straight games without a goal or assist for the man on loan from Man Utd. Pedro Neto – 4Deputised for the injured Jackson and Marc Guiu in the striker position as he did in the thrashing of Southampton two weeks ago.Looked like the Karate Kid with a bandaged-up head after an early clash with Wout Faes. While he works hard, and came close with a low driven shot in the second-half, Chelsea are really asking a lot of him to lead the line against a physical Foxes backline and he struggled for large parts of the game. It wasn’t the dream 25th birthday he’d have had in mind, but I’m sure he’s more than pleased with three points. SUBS:Tyrique George (Palmer, 73) – 5Was given 20 or so minutes to try and add another goal to Chelsea’s lead, and fill a Palmer shaped void whom he replaced with Nkunku moving into the middle. This young man is adored by Stamford Bridge, with their affection towards him made obvious as the crowd around me stood to their feet for a sliding clearance in the final five minutes. The arrival of Brazil sensation Willian Estevao here next season may harm his minutes, but with more performances like today, don’t be surprised to see a player like him fight his case or shine on loan at a team like Strasbourg. Trevoh Chalobah (Fofana, 73) – 5Will be fighting for his place in the starting XI once more now that Fofana has returned, but his defensive solidity will be welcomed depth, especially on days like today where his side were left with no natural right-back as James was ill.Was strong in his challenges after being introduced, and made a few good blocks to see out the win and second successive league clean sheet which have been hard to come by at Stamford Bridge this season.Josh Acheampong (Nkunku, 89) – 5Bought on at the death to help his side see out the win and did so well, with a lot of pressure on the young man’s shoulders.  More

CHELSEA celebrate a big birthday tomorrow – but at times it feels like it’s more than just the club that is 120 years old.Despite having the youngest squad in the Premier League by far, they toiled and laboured their way to victory against a team which has now lost six games on the spin and is hurtling through the relegation trap door at breakneck speed.Marc Cucurella scored a clinical finish from outside the boxCredit: GettyCole Palmer’s barren run continues after he missed a penaltyCredit: APThree points does put them back into the top four and guaranteed Champions League football next season if they stay there.But a hard-won win over one of the worst teams in the division with a goal from the left back is hardly the stuff to trigger the popping of champagne corks for tomorrow’s anniversary.And it’s even more of a party pooper that golden boy Cole Palmer’s frustrating run in front of goal hit a new low as he missed his first Premier League penalty.Stamford Bridge’s poster boy was also subbed with 17 minutes left and trudged straight down the tunnel in an apparent grump at being taken off.It might actually do him some good to feel some tough love from boss Enzo Maresca as he strives to become a consistent force and not just a once-in-a-while superstar.New England boss Thomas Tuchel names his first squad this Friday and Palmer should be included.But recent performances suggest he still has a way to go to becoming the star the Chelsea and England fans want him to be so desperately.This was the third win in a row for Maresca but he knows his team is far from the finished article.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWith tougher games looming against Arsenal, Tottenham and even Brentford in the next few weeks, he needs everyone on song for the run-in.Fifth place might be enough to seal a return to Champions League football but Chelsea’s manager cannot gamble on that.‘I spent ages just looking at him’ – Playing vs Cristiano Ronaldo is my career highlight says star-struck Chelsea aceEspecially when it could have been so much more comfortable.Palmer went down with what VAR described as ‘minimal contact’ within minutes of kick-off and Chelsea were denied an early penalty.On 20 minutes they did get a decision from ref Tim Robinson when Jadon Sancho was tripped by Viktor Kristiansen, with minimal argument from the Danish defender.Palmer is normally deadly from the spot. He had scored 15 out of 15 for club and country in the run up to this game.But for the first time in his short but eventful Premier League career his precision from 12 yards deserted him.He rolled a fairly tame shot to his right which allowed keeper Mads Hermansen time to hit the deck and push the shot away for a corner.The fluff sums up Palmer’s mood at the moment. He has gone from being chief marksman and ‘ice-cold Palmer’ to indecisive and frustrated.Now even from the dead ball situation with no opposition players in the way.But it’s not as if there are countless others in this team stepping up to the plate while striker Nicolas Jackson recovers from a hamstring injuryOf the seven changes boss Maresca made from Thursday’s narrow Conference League win at Copenhagen, one was to put Pedro Neto back in as centre forward or ‘false nine’ in this case.Not surprisingly, Chelsea struggled to make an impact, even upon a team on a headlong course straight back to The Championship next season.Christopher Nkunku’s header which sailed wide was just about the only other effort to trouble Hermandsen – and it didn’t bother him much either.There were more grunts and groans from the crowd at half time than you hear when a Chelsea pensioner gets out of bed in the morning.Talking of which, the club paraded old soldiers Dennis Wise, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Ron Harris before kick off as part of the festivities.Squint in the afternoon sunshine and it could easily have been any of those old boys still playing, such was the pedestrian pace.What threat they did mount on the Leicester goal either fell by the wayside or was swatted away by stout defending from Conor Coady and Luke Thomas in particular.It was no surprise Chelsea finally had to make the breakthrough from outside of the box when Cucurella popped up yet again in his new role as left back turned midfield maestro.This inverted tactic being utilised by Maresca has now yielded four Premier League goals for the big-haired Spaniard since mid-December.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd just when his manager needed another favour, curly-tops delivered, picking up a diagonal ball some 20 or so yards out and drilling a shot across the face of goal and in.Instead of celebrating wildly, just turned to the fans behind them in an attempt to whip some life into them as it struggles to shine. More