Premier League

BOURNEMOUTH defied the odds to stay in the Premier League when many tipped them to go down.Those expecting the Cherries to get relegated included Roy Keane and Gary Neville.
Bournemouth’s Premier League survival was secured on Sunday when Everton lost to Manchester CityCredit: Getty
The Cherries then posted a brilliant montage video of many pundits, including Gary Neville, predicting the club to get relegatedCredit: Twitter
Roy Keane also didn’t fancy Bournemouth’s chancesCredit: Twitter
And now Bournemouth’s Prem survival is confirmed, the club uploaded a brilliant video taking a swipe at the likes of Keane and Neville.
The Cherries posted a montage video to Twitter of many pundits and social media influencers predicting the club to go down at the start of the campaign.
Keane, Neville and Jamie Carragher all gave Bournemouth no chance, but Everton’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday secured Bournemouth’s safety.
Their survival comes despite a 9-0 thrashing at Liverpool earlier in the campaign, and former boss Scott Parker admitting the club were “underequipped” for the Premier League.
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But Gary O’Neil has done a superb job since taking over, resulting in Sunday’s “hall of fame” tweet trolling Keane, Neville, Carragher and Co.
One said in response to the montage video: “Tweet of the year!!! Love this.”
Another joked: “ADMIN INTO THE EPL HALL OF FAME NEXT.”
A third added: “This is brilliant! Well done Bournemouth!”
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And a fourth said: “Give the admin a pay rise, sensational work. Never write us off.”
The Cherries spent just £23.3million last summer after winning promotion from the Championship.
As a result, many saw them as a certainty for the drop.
But O’Neil steadied the ship, and with more additions in January results improved.
With two games left to play, O’Neil’s side sit on 39 points, safe from the threat of relegation. More

LEICESTER CITY officials have reportedly decided to scrap their end-of-season awards evening amid the club’s relegation battle.The Foxes currently sit 19th in the Premier League table, two points from safety with three games to play.
Leicester’s annual awards evening has been cancelledCredit: Getty
The Foxes are currently fighting to stay in the Premier LeagueCredit: PA
And fans, as well as staff members, are growing more and more concerned about the prospect of relegation to the Championship.
Leicester chiefs are also understood to be fearing the drop, so they have decided to cancel the club’s annual end-of-season awards dinner.
According to The Telegraph, they feel that hosting the event – which was originally scheduled for next week – would be inappropriate given the club’s current situation.
As well as missing out on the annual awards evening, Leicester players will also be expected to take a huge pay cut if they are relegated.
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Each member of the first team will have their wages slashed by 35 to 50 per cent before the Championship season starts.
The Foxes are already at risk of losing several players during the summer transfer window.
James Maddison is expected to leave the King Power Stadium amid interest from both Newcastle and Tottenham.
Harvey Barnes has also been linked with a move away.
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And Youri Tielemans is set to leave on a free transfer after refusing to sign a new deal.
The Belgium international has faced backlash from many Leicester fans in recent weeks.
He was named club captain following the arrival of Dean Smith last month, but several supporters have questioned his loyalty given his contract situation.
Leicester host Liverpool in a crucial Premier League fixture on Monday evening.
A win will lift the Foxes out of the relegation zone and above Leeds with two games to play. More

AVRAM GLAZER remained tight-lipped on the sale of Manchester United as he made a rare public appearance at Wembley on Sunday.The 62-year-old was in attendance to watch United’s defeat to Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup final.
Avram Glazer was in attendance at Wembley but refused to any any takeover questionsCredit: Getty
Man Utd owner Avram Glazer remaining tight lipped about a Man Utd sale. Lots of speculation if it’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe or Sheikh Jassim that’ll get the keys to Old Trafford. Still questions about whether he and his brother Joel will stay as part of any deal with Sir Jim Ratcliffe pic.twitter.com/xctkM7mrpn— Tyrone Francis (@TJFrancisLive) May 14, 2023

It is the second time that members of the Glazer family have been at a game this term having also witnessed the club’s men beat Newcastle at the capital stadium to lift the Carabao Cup in February.
Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe is still awaiting confirmation he has the green light to takeover at Old Trafford.

Sun Sport revealed last week how brothers Joel and Avram Glazer, co-chairmen at United, have indicated that Ineos’ offer for a stake is their preferred choice rather than a full sale to Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani.
And, much to the anger of the club’s supporters, it has been reported that both brothers want to remain at United as part of the deal.
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Avram’s appearance yesterday has now provided a strong suggestion that both he and Joel will be remaining as part of the new regime by keeping smaller shares for three years.
The American, whose family have been in control of United for 18 years, watched on as Sam Kerr scored the only goal of the game for the Blues on Sunday.
Following the game, a host of reporters were waiting for post-match interviews in the tunnel area and spotted him walking past, at which point one asked: “How long’s the sale gonna take?”
Avram simply ignored the question and walked straight by.
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After the clip of him ignoring the question went viral, one fan blasted: “Avram Glazer is a coward!”
Another wrote: “We won’t stand for Avram Glazer’s lack of leadership and commitment to the club.”
A fellow Red Devil tweeted: “Avram Glazer needs to step up and take responsibility for the mess he’s created at  It’s time for change and accountability!” More

ARSENAL’S head of medical services Gary O’Driscoll put the boot in on Moises Caicedo as he provided an impromptu update on Gabriel Martinelli’s fitness.Martinelli was forced off at the 20-minute mark of the 3-0 loss to Brighton following Caicedo’s “revenge tackle”.
This challenge from Moises Caicedo saw Gabriel Martinelli have to go offCredit: Reuters
Martinelli quickly knew he was in troubleCredit: Reuters
Martinelli was seen in a protective boot after Arsenal’s loss to BrightonCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Caicedo’s nasty challenge came soon after after Martinelli had clattered into Karou Mitoma, a challenge that incredibly went unpunished by the referee.
After coming off the Brazilian was then pictured wearing a protective boot to avoid further aggravation against injury.
O’Driscoll has since provided an update on Martinelli’s condition.
A fan caught up with him while in his car after the game.
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Upon being asked how Martinelli is, O’Driscoll replied: “Sore.”
The fan then commented on the tackle which forced Martinelli off, with O’Driscoll blasting it as: “Terrible foul, disgraceful, disgraceful foul.”
He then added: “He’s a bit sore but he should be ok.
“Will he be back for the end of the season? Yeah, I think he’ll be back.”
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O’Driscoll then also provided updates on crocked stars Oleksandr Zinchenko and William Saliba.
He said: “Not sure about him (Zinchenko), everyone’s fighting to be back for the next game.
“Saliba? Same. Next game.”
The defeat against the Seagulls means the Premier League title can be wrapped up next week.
Arsenal know a loss to Nottingham Forest will seal the title for Manchester City.
Even if the Gunners get back to winning ways, a win for City against Chelsea will see them crowned three-peat Premier League champions.
In some positive news for the Gunners, they have been handed in a boost in their pursuit of Caicedo after Roberto De Zerbi revealed Brighton were prepared to lose him.
He said: “We will lose some players, maybe Caicedo or maybe [Alexis] Mac Allister.
“We need to bring in some other good players.”
Gary O’Driscoll, Arsenal’s Head of Medical Services, gave an update on the Brazilian’s conditionCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans lambasted Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher after he omitted Erik ten Hag from his NINE candidates for manager of the season.Carragher praised Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi after he led the Seagulls to a stunning 3-0 win at the Emirates that effectively ended Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes.
Manchester United fans slammed Liverpool legend Jamie CarragherCredit: Rex
Carragher didn’t name Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag as manager of the year candidateCredit: PA
The Sky Sports pundit then recommended him for the award along with eight other candidates, but didn’t include Ten Hag.
Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Fulham’s Marco Silva and Wolves’ Julen Lopetegui were also nominated.
Carragher, 45, tweeted: “What a performance from Brighton yet again today, their manager could be manager of the season. Has there ever been so many candidates for that award?!!
“Pep, Arteta, Howe, De Zerbi, Emery, Frank, O’Neil, Silva, Lopetegui.”
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But United fans strongly opposed Carragher’s shortlist as they took to the comments’ section to voice their disapproval.
The Red Devils’ faithful pointed out that Ten Hag is the only Premier League manager to have won a trophy so far this season after his recent Carabao Cup triumph.
City boss Guardiola is, however, still chasing an incredible Treble, which would blow Ten Hag’s achievements out the water.
Ten Hag inherited the Manchester giants at a difficult time and still led them to the FA Cup Final as well as the Europa League semi-finals and is on course for a top-four finish in the Prem.
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One fan tweeted: “Erik ten Hag should be in this list Jamie. Look at where Manchester United came from.”
Another commented: “Why isn’t Erik ten Hag listed?? United had their worst season last year.
“He’s won the Carabao Cup, reached the Europa semi-final, currently on course for a top 4 finish and is in the FA Cup final. I’d say he’s in with a shout.”
A third wrote: “How did ETH didn’t make this list of yours? This is ridiculous Jamie.”
This fan posted: “Not sure how Ten Hag doesn’t even get mentioned as a contender.
“2 cup finals, won the first and probably gonna get top 4 and CL qualification!.. Surely a better season than at least half of the managers listed!…”
And that one said: “No Ten Hag but everyone else in and around him! Unreal – only manager to win a trophy so far as well.” More

MIKEL ARTETA issued an angry apology to Arsenal fans after chucking in the title towel.A 3-0 home defeat by Brighton means Manchester City will be crowned Champions if the Gunners lose their next game at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta has apologised to fans after seeing Arsenal’s title dream virtually endCredit: AP
The Gunners suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Brighton on SundayCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Gutted Arteta said: “I hate the feeling of letting people down when they are expecting something. That’s the biggest regret and I have to apologise for that.
“Second position is secure and that is not going to change but this result is going to take me a few days to digest.
“My job is to get the best out of every single player and obviously today I didn’t do that, so it’s my responsibility.
“What the team has done over the last ten months is very different to what anybody expected and we have to manage how we deal with those expectations.
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“We fought really hard to be in this position but when you are in a critical moment like this, you cannot do what we did in the second-half.
“Now we have to look at if this team is capable of doing it when it comes to the biggest stage.
“With the level that is required to fight for the Premier League title and to compete in the Champions League, there’s a lot of things to think about and analyse because a performance like this cannot happen.
“Last Sunday we were so proud of the way we won at Newcastle and today is the complete opposite.
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“There were a lot of interruptions today. There were 30 fouls and the game had no flow. But we didn’t capitalise on our big moments, we lost a lot of duels and conceded some really poor goals.
“And after Brighton’s second goal, we had no answers. That’s the reality.”
Even if Arsenal win their two remaining games, City will still win the League if they win at home to Chelsea next Sunday.
And skipper Martin Odegaard admitted: “It feels like there’s no hope. I don ‘t think City are going to make too many mistakes now.
“We have to be honest, it’s going to be very difficult now. It’s a big disappointment and tough to take.
“We’ve done a lot of good things this season but this is not how we wanted it to end.
“At the moment I don’t have any answers but we have to accept it, learn from it and make sure we keep improving.”
Goals from Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinian were enough to take Brighton up to sixth place and boss Roberto de Zerbi said: “I am very delighted with the performance. We deserved to win and I am really happy and proud of these players.
“Now we have 58 points but that is not yet enough to qualify for Europe. We have four more tough games to play but we deserve to play in Europe next season.
“We want to become a bigger team than we are now and the most important part of the mentality so now we have to forget all about this result otherwise we will 100 percent lose our next game against Newcastle.”
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Goalscorer Undav revealed that De Zerbi had shown his players a video of Michael Jordan to motivate them ahead of this game.
But De Zerbi laughed: “Undav speaks too much. I don’t like basketball but I love the mentality of the big champions in every sport.” More