Premier League

ON the day when Erling Haaland raised his bat for an historic half-century, it was Manchester City’s ‘other’ centre-forward who propelled the champions to the top of the table with a gem of a winner. As a World Cup winner with Argentina, Julian Alvarez is not a bad player to have on second fiddle. 
Erling Haaland brought up his 50th goal of the seasonCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Julian Alvarez scored the pick of the goalsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

Here, as City were given a very decent contest by mid-table Fulham, Alvarez won an early penalty to give Haaland his 50th goal of the season and then netted a swerving, dipping strike of his own. 
Haaland’s emphatic third-minute spot-kick made him the first English top-flight player in 92 years to net 50 goals in all competitions in any season – since Pongo Waring of Aston Villa in 1931.
City chalked up an eighth straight Premier League win – and an 18th unbeaten match – to replace Arsenal at the top for the first time since February 18, with a game in hand on the Gunners.
But Fulham, who equalised through Carlos Vinicius, had a proper go at Pep Guardiola’s Treble hunters and felt they should have had a second-half penalty.   
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Marco Silva’s side have enjoyed an excellent return to the top flight and have long since been well clear of danger. 
And anyone assuming that City would coast through their remaining games were reminded of the competitive nature of this league – as well as the fact that City are not quite as good without Kevin De Bruyne. 

The absence of the Belgian, City’s chief creative force, with a minor ‘niggle’, raised optimism among the home support that Fulham might keep the score down. 
But with their own best two attacking players, the banned Aleksandar Mitrovic and injured Willian, nobody was expecting much.
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After all, Arsenal had been unable to lay a glove on City in the most one-sided title showdown of all on Wednesday. 
It took just three minutes for City to score and for Haaland to complete his half-century. 
Fulham skipper Tim Ream stuck out a knee and Alvarez accepted the invitation to tumble over, Simon Hooper pointing to the spot. 
Haaland had blazed his previous spot-kick over the bar, at Bayern Munich, and had ceded penalty duties to Riyad Mahrez for last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United.
But this time the Norwegian rammed his effort low and hard into the corner, giving Bernd Leno no chance. 
City had dominated the ball but Fulham had strung a few decent moves together before the shock equaliser arrived on 15 minutes.
Andreas Pereira floated a pass into the box, Harry Wilson provided an adept nod-down and Vinicius, Mitrovic’s unsung understudy, chested it and lashed home left-footed.    
The Brazilian centre-forward gets plenty of stick but he has now scored against both Chelsea and City here. 

It was the first time in seven games that City had conceded anything other than a consolation goal.
There was a blow for Fulham soon after, though, when Ream slipped and suffered a suspected broken arm.
The 35-year-old American had played every minute of Fulham’s league campaign before he was replaced by Issa Diop.  
Jack Grealish, located in space by Haaland’s pass, then had a shot turned on to the bar by Leno.
And City restored their lead eight minutes before the break, through a corking Alvarez effort. 
Fed by Mahrez, the Argentine World Cup-winner saw his first shot blocked but then struck a peachy effort which swerved past Leno and dipped beneath the bar. 
Haaland converted his penalty into the bottom cornerCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Carlos Vinicius powered home an equaliserCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Alvarez was on cloud nine after his beautiful strikeCredit: Getty
After being slightly disoriented by the equaliser, City were fully back in their stride now.
Following a passing carousel down the right, Mahrez found Ilkay Gundogan, whose shot was blocked by the legs of Leno. 
Early in the second half, Haaland nipped in and shot wide from a Grealish centre, before a powerful Alvarez shot was beaten away by Leno at his near post.
Then a second serious injury for the hosts, when Pereira collided with Manuel Akanji and was carried off on a stretcher with his right leg in a brace.
The arrival of Tom Cairney, though, injected greater attacking threat into Fulham’s midfield and spoon Ederson was spilling a long ball, almost letting in Vinicius, who fell.
While there was contact, the Brazilian had gone looking for it. 
There was a better shout for Fulham soon after Walker seemed to pull at Bobby Decordova-Reid but Hooper was having none of it again.  

Decordova-Reid drilled one just wide and was then replaced in treble substitution, with Guardiola then sending on Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva.
City negotiated nine minutes of injury-time and now face West Ham at home on Wednesday, as they close in on a fifth title in six seasons.
Bobby Decordova-Reid wanted a penalty when he was challenged by Kyle WalkerCredit: AP
Andreas Pereira was stretchered off after a horror injuryCredit: Getty
Tim Ream went off in the first half with his arm supported by his shirtCredit: Getty
Pep Guardiola’s side are closing in on a fifth title in six seasonsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Willian and Aleksandar Mitrovic watched from the Craven Cottage standsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans are convinced Jadon Sancho told Bruno Fernandes to “stop moaning” during the game against Aston Villa.The two Red Devils could be seen voicing their frustrations at each other during the first half of the Premier League clash.

However United were finding it difficult to convert chances and take the lead which is when Sancho was spotted shouting at Fernandes.
It appears that Sancho is just trying to keep the Portuguese midfielder calm.
But fans took to social media to discuss the moment.
One fan tweeted: “Bruno moans too much actually.”
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A second commented: “Even Sancho knows Bruno is a cry baby.”
A third wrote: “Love Bruno but being captain doesn’t mean you have to moan and complain about every ball. It’s a very negative approach.”
A fourth said: “He’s right. He never stops moaning.”
While a fifth added: “Sancho is playing well but Bruno is complaining about every pass.”
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But the moment did not seem to cause any issues between the team-mates as they celebrated Fernandes’ opening goal together.
It is not the first time Fernandes has been criticised for his attitude on the pitch.
Former Man United star Roy Keane labeled the midfielder’s body language “disrespectful” after being substituted in the past. More

FULHAM midfielder Andreas Pereira was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg during their clash with Manchester City on Sunday.The former Manchester United man, 27, who has registered five goals and six assists this season, went up for a challenge with Manuel Akanji at the beginning of the second half.
Andreas Pereira landed awkwardly after challenging Manuel Akanji for the ballCredit: Getty
Pereira was stretchered off with a suspected broken legCredit: AFP
Both sets of players applauded as he made his way off the pitchCredit: Getty
His injury appears to be a serious one following the awkward landingCredit: Getty
And he appeared to land awkwardly on his right leg, collapsing to the ground in a heap.
The medical team rushed on and treated him for several minutes.

His leg was eventually placed in a brace and he was stretchered off the field.
Tom Cairney replaced Pereira in the 58th minute as Fulham trailed 2-1.
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Erling Haaland gave Man City the lead from the penalty spot after less than three minutes, bagging his 50th goal of the season in all competitions.
Carlos Vinicius levelled for the hosts on the quarter of an hour mark.
But Julian Alvarez then restored City’s lead nine minutes before the break with a superb curling finish.
Pep Guardiola’s men started the day two points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal but with two games in hand.
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And they are now the overwhelming favourites to clinch a fifth title in six seasons after a 4-1 win over the Gunners on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Fulham have dropped away from European contention after just two wins from seven league games.
Heading into the clash with City, they sat 10th, eight points adrift of a Europa Conference League place. More

JURGEN KLOPP has had a little smile at Chelsea’s struggles – and insists he will not make the same mistakes in Liverpool’s rebuild.The Reds boss has endured a difficult season at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp could not hide his delight at Chelsea’s strugglesCredit: Getty
Todd Boehly’s era at Stamford Bridge has not gone to plan so farCredit: PA
But he admitted the woes suffered at Stamford Bridge are “good to see” in a thinly-veiled swipe at Todd Boehly.
The American billionaire, who bought Chelsea from Roman Abramovich last May, splashed out £600million on new signings and is already looking to appoint the fifth manager of his tenure after Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard.
Enzo Fernandez arrived for a British-record £106m while Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana all came in for big money.
But it has not worked with Chelsea dumped out of both domestic cups by Manchester City, knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid and languishing way down in 12th in the table.
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They have lost their last five matches in a row and are winless in eight since Potter oversaw a 3-1 win at Leicester on March 11.
But Klopp could not hide his satisfaction that the new Blues owner’s attempts to buy immediate success have flopped dramatically – and instead led to a bloated squad training across two pitches and not enough seats the dressing room for everyone.

The German, who beat Chelsea in the League Cup and FA Cup finals last season, told Sky Sports: “I feel a little bit for Chelsea to be honest, because it’s not going well, I think they’re a top, top team.
“But on the other side it’s good to see that you cannot just bring top players together and think it works out.
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“You have to build a team and that’s what the guys there underestimated and gave their coaches a nearly impossible job to do.
“You cannot have two dressing rooms, you cannot train on two pitches, you have to create relationships, you have to create team spirit, and that’s the only reason why I’m a little bit happy about it.”
The Liverpool chief, 55, added: “Chelsea will be fine in the end and they will be incredibly strong next year, but I’m using them just as an example.
“At the highest level, no, we cannot do it like that. And that’s what we will not do.
“You have to bring in the right players and build a new team. This team wrote a sensational story and now we start a new one, that’s it.”
Klopp is preparing for an overhaul of his own on Merseyside.
Five players are out of contract in the summer plus Arthur Melo’s dismal loan will end, meaning four central midfielders may need replacing.
Roberto Firmino has revealed he is leaving while Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip are heading into the final 12 months of their deals.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham looks set to end in disappointment.
Conor Gallagher, Kalvin Phillips, Ryan Gravenberch, Nicolo Barella, Mason Mount and Alexis Mac Allister have all been linked with summer switches to join the six-time European champions. More

GRAEME SOUNESS has slammed Harry Kane for an “embarrassing” interview ahead of Tottenham’s clash against Liverpool.The striker spoke to Sky Sports and admitted that one of the reasons for the Spurs’ poor season is a loss of core values and repeated chopping and changing of managers.
🗣️ “I feel embarrassed for Harry Kane.” 😡Graeme Souness criticises Harry Kane’s interview calling him “media trained” pic.twitter.com/aeqpNwrzZ6— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 30, 2023

🗣️ “If he’s sick to the stomach with how it’s going he doesn’t do an interview!” 😳The Super Sunday team get heated discussing Harry Kane 👀 pic.twitter.com/jnibdxGeYf— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 30, 2023

Graeme Souness has hit out at Harry KaneCredit: Sky Sports
Kane has said there has been a loss of core values at TottenhamCredit: Alamy
Kane, 29, believes the downfall started after the departure of former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Since Pochettino’s departure in 2019, five different managers have taken charge of the Lilywhites – but none of them have been able to lead the club to silverware.
Kane also admitted that interim manager Ryan Mason is having conversations with the team over improvements.
Tottenham have struggled to compete at the top of the Premier League in recent years amid the club’s ever-changing managerial structure.
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But Souness was not impressed with Kane’s interview and hammered the Three Lions skipper, for coming across as “media trained” and suggested that this season he has not only let himself down, but also his family.
He said on Sky Sports: “I will be polite as I possibly can. When you are a professional football player, passion should be with you all the time, desire should be with you all the time. It is not a light switch, you can’t flick it on and off.
“Harry came across there as if he had been media trained, he knew what questions were coming and he knew how he was going to answer them. Maybe he consulted someone in PR at Spurs.
“I know I am a certain age and I know I am from a different generation, but I find that so weak.
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“I played with players that the most important thing in their lives come Friday is what was going to happen on the Saturday and they went out there as if that was it.
“Everything I do and everything I contribute to in life is on the next ninety minutes. These players today come on and be interviewed are media trained, the supporters don’t want to hear that.
“Passion and desire for 45 minutes against Manchester United, what about back to the first game of the season in August, that is when passion and desire starts.
“And then it is with you throughout the season and if you are a good player and a good team, you might win something.
“But you don’t consistently let down supporters like this Spurs group of players have. They let down managers, they have let down supporters and ultimately themselves and their own families.
“I feel embarrassed for him in that comment, and I am a big fan of Harry Kane. 
“I think he could have said ‘I am disappointed myself, I have let my family down, I have let everybody I work with down’, I think he has to say that as a captain.
“I think the players at Spurs today are bordering on a disgrace. I have said he is a fabulous player, but I am criticising that interview of his.
“I played with leaders and what they do is dig you out.
“Does Harry do that for Spurs, or does he look after Harry?”
Fellow pundit Robbie Keane then tried to defend the Spurs ace as he replied saying: “Of course he does, Harry is the one that if you look at the squad they are lacking a lot of leaders.
“Harry is one of those leaders, but they don’t have ten of them.”
Souness fired back: “I never get fed up with saying this, but you will never be successful at a football club unless you have good, seasoned pros.”
Jamie Redknapp then added: “I think he will be sick to the stomach with how it has gone there. But he can’t just stand there slagging his mates off.”
And Souness replied: “If he is sick to the stomach, he does not do that interview. That is a different type of interview.”

Kane became Tottenham’s all-time top goalscorer in February when he led Spurs to a 1-0 win over Manchester City.
But it is thought this could be his last season at the club as he is Manchester United’s top transfer target this summer. More