Premier League

ERLING HAALAND reckons Martin Odegaard should have beaten him to the Player of the Year award.Haaland’s record-breaking 52 goals helped Manchester City overhaul Odegaard’s Arsenal to the Premier League title.
Erling Haaland celebrates title glory but finished the Prem season as an unused sub because Man City rested stars in the final-day 1-0 loss at BrentfordCredit: AFP
Martin Odegaard congratulates scorer Granit Xhaka in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Wolves and would have been a worthy player of the year, says HaalandCredit: Getty
But the striker believes the Gunners’ playmaker – his Norway team-mate – deserved the individual gong from the Football Writers.
Haaland, 22, also believes some of his City colleagues, especially Rodri, were unlucky to pass under the radar of critics.
Pep Guardiola’s men hope to add Champions League and FA Cup glory to their fifth Prem crown in the last six seasons.
And Treble glory would upgrade the campaign of former Borussia Dortmund hero Haaland to truly extraordinary.
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But he is happy to dish out credit to players putting in the graft behind him, even including an Arsenal rival.
Haaland told William Hill: “If I had to pick another player to have won Player of the Year, I would say my Norwegian friend Odegaard has had a really good season.
“There are also other teammates that could have easily won it because there’s a lot of players in the Manchester City team that have been outstanding this season. 
“If you watch all of our games, you will see that Rodri has just been so solid throughout the whole season.
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“I think sometimes he is a bit hidden because he is in midfield and he’s the one pulling everything together.
“I don’t want to say too many names, but maybe it could have been one of them.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED’s stars finished the Premier League season with a win over Fulham.In their final match before the crucial FA Cup final against Manchester City, the Red Devils had to make sure they kept their standards high.
David De Gea made a penalty save to deny Aleksandar MitrovićCredit: Reuters
Bruno Fernandes made an impact as he scored United’s second goalCredit: Getty
Erik ten Hag’s men did things the hard way as they had to come from behind after Kenny Tete gave the London side the lead early on.
David De Gea could not do much about Fulham’s opening goal but did make a vital contribution as he saved Aleksandar Mitrović’s penalty in the first half.
Jadon Sancho was another player that showed he still has something to offer as he netted the equaliser, though it was a simple tap-in for the winger.
Bruno Fernandes also starred as he netted the go-ahead goal at Old Trafford as he chipped Bernd Leno in the 55th minute.
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One player that struggled in the game was Marcus Rashford.
The forward had a couple of chances but was not able to convert and was replaced in the 77th minute by Wout Weghorst.
Read how SunSports Ken Lawrence has rated the Manchester United players.
DAVID DE GEA – 7
This season’s Prem golden glove winner has had a few lows despite his clean shoot record but a fine penalty save to deny Aleksandar Mitrovic was a real high.
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DIAGO DALOT – 6
Almost certain to make way for Aaron Wan – Bissaka at the FA Cup final but in attack especially did his chances of winning the right back slot no harm at all.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 6
Has grown more assured throughout the campaign and underlined his improvement under Erik ten Hag with a solid and steady display.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
Harry Maguire did well in the match against FulhamCredit: Reuters
The centre back may have been starting his last game as a Manchester United player with big doubts over his future but player with real authority.
TYRRELL MALACIA – 6
Can be pleased with his first season in the Prem and looked lively going forward but Luke Shaw will be going up against Manchester City at Wembley.
CASEMIRO – 7
As has been the case through the campaign always in the thick of things covering so much ground in his hybrid role of holding midfielder and stealth attacker.
FRED – 6
Very much the Marmite midfielder within Erik ten Hag’s squad but more loved than hated him for the through – ball for Bruno Fernandes to put United ahead.
JADON SANCHO – 6
Looked as happy and confident as he has done since his £73M arrival from Borussia Dortmund two years ago, slotted his seventh goal of a difficult season for him.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 9
Bruno Fernandes starred during the matchCredit: Alamy
Loves nothing more to be the leader of United’s band and showed why his manager lets him in style , adding a cute finish to grab the points.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Delivered a brilliant early free kick saved well by Bernd Leno and was a constant threat playing in the central role he now looks more comfortable in.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 8
Started the season with a flea in his ear over his attitude but the Argentinian teenager again showed he is becoming the blond bombshell of Old Trafford.
SUBS
ANTHONY MARTIAL (Garnacho 68): A decent run out for Wembley 5
SCOTT MCTOMINAY (Casemiro 68): The Scottish international brought his usual industry 5.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN (Fred 68): Coasted through the moral – booster 5.
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WOUT WEGHORST (Rashford 77): Got no real opportunity to show his power 5.
FACUNDO PELLISTRI (Fernandes 84): Produced a sparkling run through the middle 5. More

GRANIT XHAKA said goodbye to Arsenal and all that was missing was the Premier League trophy.The Swiss international is leaving English football after seven years at the Emirates and signed off with the first double of his career.
Granit Xhaka grabbed a brace as Arsenal thumped Wolves at the EmiratesCredit: Reuters
The Swiss star provided the ideal farewell to the Gunners as he looks set to departCredit: AP
He goes with the memory of two FA Cup final victories but without the League winners’ medal which he thought was heading his way for so much of this season.
And he showed that he is going to be a hard man for Mikel Arteta to replace when he completes his impending move to Bayer Leverkusen.
Because not only has he become a cult favourite with the fans who once made his life a misery, he has also played an integral part in Arsenal’s most successful season for years.
And many observers will be wondering why the club are so willing to let the influential Xkaha depart for a cut-price £13million fee when he still has another year of his contract to run.
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The fans are certainly asking that question, chanting ‘Granit Xhaka, we want you to stay’ when he made his emotional departure in the 75th minute.
But the 30-year-old central midfielder has his heart set on a return to the Bundesliga after Arsene Wenger signed him from Borussia Moenchengladbach as a direct replacement for Arteta in 2016.
And Arteta is not going to stand in his way as a reward for his part in helping to turn the club’s fortunes around.
So you can only assume that he already has a top class replacement lined up to assume Xhaka’s leadership duties on and off the pitch.
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Declan Rice by any chance?
This comfortable last-day stroll means Arsenal finish the campaign with 84 points, which is their highest total since the 2004 Invincibles.
It was also their 26th League win of the season, equalling the Invincibles’ club record as the club prepares for their long-awaited return to the Champions League.
But it still wasn’t enough to deny Manchester City yet another title and after leading Pep Guardiola’s team by eight points not so very long ago there was still in air of what might have been as the players completed their lap of appreciation at the final whistle.
But those inquests are for another day because this was all about celebrating Arsenal’s renaissance as serious Premier League contenders.
And no-one was given a louder reception than Xhaka on the day he scored twice and should have left the ground with a hat-trick ball.
It was during the fag end of Unai Emery’s ill-fated Arsenal reign that Xhaka was stripped of the captain’’s armband after he told the Gunenrs fans where to go when they booed him off the pitch during a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
He was ready to quit the club there and then and it was only Arteta’s appointment two months later which persuaded him to rip up his plans to submit a transfer request.
Gabriel Jesus (left) scores Arsenal’s fourth goal against WolvesCredit: PA
It still took him a while to mend his fractured relationship with the supporters but now they worship the ground he walks on and sing his name at every possible opportunity.
They were in full voice in the 11th minute when he rose to head in Gabriel Jesus’ cross to the back post.
And it was standing ovation time three minutes later when he shot home from close range after Max Kilman’s ham-fisted attempts to clear Martin Odegaard’s backheel.
But neither chance was as easy as the one he spurned with a horrible 31st minute miskick right in front of goal after being teed up by Bukayo Saka.
It was a miss everyone could afford to laugh off because Saka had already put this game to bed with a beauty into the top corner before Jesus and Jakub Kiwior applied the second-half icing.
It was probably a good job for Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui that he was banished to the directors’ box as he served a touchline ban.
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Because his team were lucky to finish with nil after failing to test Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale all afternoon as they limped over the finishing line in 13th place.
So it’s no wonder Lopetegui is pushing for a major summer spending spree to improve his squad. Because they’re going to be in serious trouble next season if they can’t do better than this.
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EVERTON have retained their Premier League status on a dramatic final day of the season.But it is heartbreak for Leicester and Leeds who were relegated to the Championship.
Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stunning hit put Everton in front against BournemouthCredit: Getty
The Doucoure strike lifted Everton back out of the relegation zone to safetyCredit: Getty
Leicester were relegated despite beating West HamCredit: Rex
Sean Dyche’s side knew three points at home to Bournemouth would guarantee their survival regardless of results at the King Power or Elland Road. 
And the Toffees secured a 1-0 win thanks to an Abdoulaye Doucoure belter just before the hour mark.
So that meant Leicester, who did all they could by beating West Ham 2-1, and Leeds, who lost 4-1 to Tottenham, were down.
Sam Allardyce named a defensive XI for Leeds’ must-win clash with Tottenham – but allowed Spurs to walk through and Harry Kane opened the scoring after just two minutes to plunge the hosts into deeper trouble. 
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However, the live table did not change until the 33rd minute when Harvey Barnes fired Leicester in front.
A neat one-two with Kelechi Iheanacho played the winger in behind and he opened his body up to tuck brilliantly past Lukasz Fabianski.
That sent the King Power into ecstasy – and Goodison Park into a nervous wreck as the dreaded news filtered through – with the Foxes jumping up into that all-important 17th place on goal difference.
Leeds started the second half in the exact same fashion as the first, conceding inside two minutes to all but seal their fate. 
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With United seemingly out of the picture, that turned the attention on Leicester and Everton – locked on 34 points. 
But on 57 minutes, the tide turned thanks to Doucoure’s stunning strike for the Toffees, blasting an emphatic hit into the back of the net to explode Goodison into life – and lift them back out of the drop zone. 
Wout Faes headed in for his first Leicester goal moments later to put the Foxes in full command against the Hammers – and the home fans hoping for a Bournemouth equaliser. 
Leeds pulled one back through Jack Harrison but all that did was improve the goal difference – and it was cancelled out by Kane seconds later as Jordan Pickford wrestled with Dominic Solanke in the Toffees’ goal mouth. 
Everton fans celebrated their survival on the pitchCredit: AFP
Leeds will be playing in the Championship next seasonCredit: AFP
Many of Leicester’s key players are set to leave the King PowerCredit: Getty
Pablo Fornals pulled one back for West Ham in the East Midlands, ramping up the pressure on Leicester to hold on for victory.
But Dean Smith was still reliant on a favour from the Cherries on Merseyside, with a win for Leicester academic if Everton could hold on. 
A whopping ten minutes of injury time were added on at a nervous Goodison.
And there was a huge sigh of relief when Pickford made a flying save to punch Matias Vina’s volley to safety as the full-time whistle went at a dejected Leicester while Lucas Moura added Tottenham’s fourth against Leeds.
But the roar was a lot louder and jubilant when the welcome sound of Stuart Attwell’s whistle secured Everton’s survival, prompting a pitch invasion by celebrating fans and condemning 2016 champions Leicester back to the Championship after nine years in the Prem.
Sam Allardyce could not believe his side conceded so earlyCredit: Getty
Harvey Barnes tucked in to fire Leicester aheadCredit: Reuters
Everton fans reacted to the news from the King PowerCredit: Reuters
Fans desperately kept updated with events elsewhere on a dramatic dayCredit: Reuters
Jordan Pickford was an instrumental figure as the Toffees celebrated the goalCredit: Reuters
Wout Faes got his first Leicester goal to make it 2-0Credit: Getty
A fight broke out between fans in the Leicester home endCredit: Rex More

CHELSEA were held to a 1-1 draw on the final day of the Premier League season against Newcastle. The Blues went 1-0 down early in the game after Anthony Gordon put the Magpies ahead with a tap-in.
Anthony Gordon opened the scoring against ChelseaCredit: Getty
Kieran Trippier’s own goal brought Chelsea back into the gameCredit: AFP
But Kieran Trippier’s own goal after Raheem Sterling’s goal-bound effort brought Frank Lampard’s side back into it.
Both sides had chances to win the game but ultimately the spoils were shared as Newcastle finished the season in fourth.
Chelsea finished their lowest position this century as they came 12th in what’s been a dismal season.
But Mauricio Pochettino has now reportedly signed his contract as Chelsea boss and will begin work next week with the club.

Here’s how SunSport’s Matt Penn rated the Blues’ performances…
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 4
Not big enough. Not commanding enough. Actually had a decent chance of saving Anthony Gordon’s tap-in but let it squirm under him.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 5
Nice tribute from Chelsea fans but just isn’t at the races anymore. Was run past with ease too many times.
Thiago Silva – 5
Awarded the Player of the Season award before the game but lost his man in Gordon before Newcastle’s opening goal.
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Thiago Silva won Chelsea’s Player of the Year awardCredit: Getty
Trevoh Chalobah – 4
Not comfortable on the ball when the team aren’t playing well. Hooked at half-time for Wesley Fofana.
Lewis Hall – 6
Chelsea’s best player going forward at times and put in a few enticing crosses just as he did against Manchester United in midweek.
But playing out of position, a little frail defensively.
Conor Gallagher – 5
Expected to leave the club in the summer. He means well but won’t be up to the standard Mauricio Pochettino is looking for.
Enzo Fernandez – 6
Always looks for an incisive pass but just hasn’t got the movement in front of him at the moment. Needs a another midfield partner this summer.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6
An okay likely final outing at Stamford Bridge for Loftus-Cheek, who showed his usual attributes in driving forward into space.
Just struggles to find the final ball.
Came off for Carney Chukwuemeka after an hour.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea acknowledges the fans after he is substituted offCredit: Getty
Noni Madueke – 5
One of Chelsea’s brighter performers at times over the last few weeks, but struggled to get on the ball at all today. Had one shot in the second half and it went high and wide.
Kai Havertz – 3
Non-existent in attack. Looks completely fed up of this season and struts around like he can’t wait to he can’t wait to get on the beach.
Hooked after an hour for Joao Felix, who should’ve started.
Raheem Sterling – 6
Chelsea’s top scorer this season and provided the shot which led to the Blues’ goal.
Ultimately lack of consistency and fitness has cost him and Chelsea throughout the 2022/23 campaign.
Havertz put in another drab performance in Chelsea’s draw with NewcastleCredit: AFP
Substitutes
Wesley Fofana (6) – Didn’t have a lot to do but at least he didn’t concede. That’s always something.
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Carney Chukwuemeka (6) – Did fine when he came on. Chelsea were the better side with him on the pitch.
Joao Felix – (5) – Missed a sitter of a header in the final minute of the game. More

A FAN has stormed on to the pitch during Everton’s vital Premier League fixture against Bournemouth.The Toffees were battling to save their Premier League status when a fan entered the pitch.

A fan ran towards Dominic Solanke and Yerry Mina at Goodison ParkCredit: Twitter
They then proceeded to run towards Cherries star Dominic Solanke and Everton’s Yerry Mina in the 71st minute of the match.
Before the fan reached the footballers, he was caught by a steward and taken away.
And viewers have reacted to the moment on social media by slamming the pitch invader.
One tweeted: “Ridiculous fanbase.”
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Another said: “Fans are hilarious.”
Everton were leading the game thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stunning goal earlier in the second half.
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After Leicester beat West Ham 2-1 at the King Power Stadium, the Toffees needed to hold onto their lead in order to stay in the Premier League.
And after a tense end they were able to keep out Bournemouth, sending the crowd into raptures.
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Leeds’ defeat to Tottenham meant that there was no chance that the Yorkshire side would be able to save themselves, especially with results going against them. More