Premier League

BRIGHTON suffered a huge blow to their European hopes after Solly March picked up an injury against Everton.The winger looked to pull his hamstring as he charged back to try and stop a Toffees break in the shock 5-1 mauling at home to the Toffees.
Solly March appeared to pull his hamstring against EvertonCredit: Getty
March went down as Everton broke up the pitchCredit: Twitter – @btsportfootball
Leading to Everton’s fourth goalCredit: Getty
The run was in vain as he fell to the ground holding his thigh, while Alex Iwobi continued his run.
The former Arsenal man then set up Dwight McNeil to score Everton’s fourth goal of the game.
And fans could not believe the luck on social media.
One fan tweeted: “Solly March’s hamstring gave way at an inopportune time.”
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A second commented: “Dwight McNeil goal to make it 4-0 AND Solly March did his hamstring on the same play. Rough, rough day for Brighton today.”
A third wrote: “What an end of the season for Solly March. Miss a semi-final sudden death pen now pulled a hammy after being dropped twice.”
A fourth said: “Sad to see Solly March pull that hamstring.”
Manager Roberto De Zerbi has warned of March’s fitness before the match.
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He told BT Sport: “Solly March is not in his best moment (fitness) and Evan Ferguson is good to play one part of the game for sure.”
The injury to March would be a blow as he has been in good form this season, scoring seven goals and assisting seven more in the Premier League.
Brighton were already in a perilous position after a storming first half from the visitors.
This led to an awkward moment as summer signing Joao Pedro was unveiled to fans.
Abdoulaye Doucoure netted a brace while McNeil forced an own-goal from goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Alexis Mac Allister’s flukey goal did give the Seagulls a consolation goal but the result has already been decided.
McNeil did grab his second in the 96th minute to put the game to bed at 5-1. More

FANS joked Brighton keeper Jason Steele has been “watching too much David de Gea” after his own-goal horror against Everton.Dwight McNeil’s cross flew in off Steele’s leg after he left his near post exposed.
Jason Steele looks all at sea as he nets an embarrassing own goalCredit: PA
Steele then made it even worse visually with a backwards tumbleCredit: Rex

That put relegation strugglers Everton 3-0 up after a crazy first 35 minutes at European hopefuls Brighton on Monday.
Uncapped Englishman Steele, 32, only replaced Spanish international Robert Sanchez as the Seagulls’ first-choice stopper in March.
And until Monday’s blunder the long-time deputy had justified manager Roberto De Zerbi’s decision to promote him above Sanchez.
Ironically, Steele’s sudden rise was partly due to his footwork – as De Zerbi likes to play out from the back.
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But the ex-Blackburn and Sunderland stopper appeared to either get his bearings wrong or gamble as he prepared for McNeil to whip the ball in.
The keeper left a yard of space between himself and the goal.
And as the ball came in he got down on his knees – watching in anguish as it then flashed inside the near post off his stretching leg.
Poor Steele even finished up doing a backwards head-over-heels.
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And fans were merciless about his error.
One said: “Jason Steele has been watching too much De Gea.”
Another wrote: “De Zerbi ball = Chaos.”
It follows Manchester United No1 De Gea fumbling in Said Benrahma’s tame long-ranger for West Ham’s winner on Sunday.
Defeat meant the Red Devils are just a point above fifth-placed Liverpool, although Erik ten Hag’s men still have a game in hand.
Steele’s cock-up was a massive boost for the Toffees.
And it got even better for Sean Dyche’s side when McNeil rounded Steele for a tap-in to make it four in the second half.
Alexis Mac Allister bundled home a consolation for Brighton before McNeil rifled in another in stoppage time to seal a shock 5-1 victory.
The win lifts Dyche’s side out of the drop zone by two points, with three games remaining. More

BRIGHTON fans have all been saying the same thing after new signing Joao Pedro was unveiled during the clash against Everton.Pedro, 21, made his way onto the pitch to applaud his new fans at half time of the Premier League fixture.
Joao Pedro was unveiled to Brighton fans at half time during the game against EvertonCredit: Getty
But the team Seagulls were 3-0 down to the ToffeesCredit: Rex
But the timing could have been better as the Seagulls had been hammered in the first half of the match.
Abdoulaye Doucoure netted a brace and Dwight McNeil forced an own goal off goalkeeper Jason Steele to put the Toffees in control.
It was quite a shock as the South Coast side are battling to qualify for European football while Everton are fighting to secure their Premier League status for next season.
And fans were demanding that he was subbed on to try and recover the game.
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One Brighton fan tweeted: “Sub him on!”
A second wrote: “Tell Joao Pedro to get his f*****g boots on.”
A third fan joked: “No you can’t go back to Watford!”
A fourth said: “What a time to unveil Joao Pedro at the Amex 😭😂.”
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While a fifth added: “Joao Pedro on the pitch at half time, waving and clapping the crowd and thinking ‘What the f**k have I signed up for here?’
“Don’t worry Joao, it’s not normally like this 😂.”
Brighton tried to get back into the game in the second half but found themselves 4-0 down after McNeil rounded the goalkeeper.
Alexis Mac Allister’s flukey goal did give the Seagulls a consolation goal but the result has already been decided.
McNeil did grab his second in the 96th minute to put the game to bed at 5-1.
The Seagulls have forked out just shy of £30million for the Brazilian striker, with the deal having the potential to rise to £35m.
He signed a five-year deal at The Amex and will join the club when the summer transfer window officially opens following this season.
The deal breaks Brighton’s previous club record signing of £20m paid to Bristol City in 2019 to sign defender Adam Webster and is a huge fee for Watford.

Pedro has 11 goals and four assists in 35 Championship appearances this season.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are also set to sign Liverpool midfielder James Milner on a free transfer. More

THIS is the shocking moment an Arsenal fan was beaten up after being discovered in the home end by Newcastle fans.The Gunners travelled to the North East on Sunday as Mikel Arteta’s men attempted to keep their diminishing title hopes alive.
An Arsenal fan was beaten up after being discovered in the Newcastle endCredit: Twitter / @MissySM
The shocking scenes occurred yesterday as Arsenal won 2-0 at St James’ ParkCredit: Twitter / @NewcUtdFCFans
Martin Odegaard and Co won 2-0 – producing an excellent performance on the pitch, despite all hell breaking loose off it.
In a video shared by Twitter account Away Day Sleepers, an Arsenal supporter could be seen high up in the Milburn Stand.
Having seemingly just been discovered by nearby Toon fans, the man could be seen being wrestled to the ground.
As stewards approached, the Arsenal fan got back to his feet, and appeared to be told to “get out” by furious home supporters.
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Just moments later, and with young children in the vicinity, the fan could then be seen appearing to engage in a fierce confrontation with Toon fans, before being wrestled down again from behind.
Throughout the incident, a child can seemingly be heard shouting “dad” repeatedly.
Twitter account Newcastle United FC Fans, who appeared to originally post the clip, alleged that the Arsenal supporter had “thrown bottles around” while goading the home crowd.
They tweeted: “The bairns who witnessed this, an Arsenal supporter in the nufc family stand, have been left traumatised.
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The Arsenal fan was wrestled to the ground after being discovered by Toon supportersCredit: Twitter / @NewcUtdFCFans
The Arsenal fan was warned to ‘get out’ in ugly scenesCredit: Twitter / @NewcUtdFCFans
“The Arsenal fan was a disgrace and throwing bottles around.”
They then added: “He was winding home fans up and celebrating. One young boy has said he’s not going back.”
Other supporters online questioned why stewards weren’t on the scene more quickly.
One wrote: “What worries me, is the fact that it’s not dealt with quickly by the stewards. I’ve said this for a long time, but some of them working at SJP are only, let’s say very young. Can they control disruption and certain problems that occur?”
Another replied: “I’ve said the same. I look at the stewards and think “really?” Some are too busy trying to watch the match, some look like they would c*** themselves if any trouble.”
In a further clip circulating on social media, the fan can be seen being escorted towards the concourse by Newcastle supporters, rather than stewards.
Stewards were criticised for not intervening quicklyCredit: Twitter / @MissySM
One Newcastle supporter said the Arsenal fan was ‘throwing bottles’Credit: Twitter / @MissySM More