Premier League

WOLVES star Daniel Podence has been accused of spitting in the face of an opponent.The Portuguese winger, 27, scored a late equaliser to earn his side a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Wolves star Daniel Podence was accused of spitting at Brennan JohnsonCredit: Reuters
The controversial incident occurred at the end of Wolves’ draw at ForestCredit: Reuters
VAR checked the incident and the attacker escaped any punishmentCredit: Twitter
The Wolves winger had earned his side a point with a late equaliserCredit: PA
But there was huge controversy in the bad-tempered City Ground clash as opposition striker Brennan Johnson claimed he had been spat at by the Wolves ace.
VAR was called in, but despite images appearing to show Podence performing the disgusting act, the referee opted not to send him off as he escaped red.
Johnson had fired Forest into the lead shortly before half time in the Premier League clash.
But Podence grabbed his sixth goal of the season to seal a 1-1 draw before the controversial incident in the dying stages.
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When asked about the spit afterwards, Johnson said: “I think it’s just high emotion.
“I don’t remember it clearly. I don’t want to talk about it too much.
“I saw a motion come from him but they looked at it and it didn’t happen.”
However, fans were less sympathetic on Twitter.
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One fumed: “I’m pretty sure if I spit in some ones face, I’m being done for assault. How that was not at minimum, a red card I’ll never know.”
Another claimed: “Podence definitely spits in Johnson’s face…. Why wasn’t he sent off?????”
“If Podence did spit which it looked like he did, he deserves a lamping,” wrote another.
Speaking afterwards, Podence did not comment on the incident but said: “I’m very happy with that and a goal today. We had a difficult match in front of us and we got one point in the relegation fight.
“It was very frustrating because we had a lot of the ball but they had the best chances. I was looking at the time and we had a lot of time to win this game.
“I played against Forest last year in the cup and this year the matches have been brutal in terms of decisions, which are very complicated against us and make us feel frustrated. It’s difficult to explain this rivalry.” More

ARSENAL swept Leeds aside to continue their march towards a first Premier League title since 2004.The Gunners had seen rivals Manchester City thwack Liverpool 4-1 earlier in the day, but provided a perfect response.
Prem leaders Arsenal sealed another comfortable winCredit: Reuters
Gabriel Jesus bagged his first goal since October from the penalty spot in the first-half – despite being accused of diving to win it.
Ben White then added a second against his former side just after half-time, before Jesus netted again – with Rasmus Kristensen grabbing a consolation for the visitors and Granit Xhaka adding gloss for the Gunners.
SunSport’s Mark Irwin rates each Gunners performer on a successful afternoon for Mikel Arteta’s side.
AARON RAMSDALE – 7
Forced into action after just ten seconds to save from Kristensen and was far busier than he would have like.
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Denied the clean sheet he deserved by a big deflection off Zinchenko after important earlier saves from Summerville and Harrison.
BEN WHITE – 7
Not as adventurous as he has been in recent games, perhaps because he didn’t have Saka as an outlet ahead of him.
But threw off the shackles right at the start of the second-half to put this game to bed with a priceless goal from close range.
Ben White celebrates his second-half strikeCredit: Getty
ROB HOLDING – 7
Always up for the physical challenge and made a number of important interventions.
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He has proved to be a decent deputy for Saliba, even if he sometimes looked rushed in possession. Took the captain’s armband for the final few minutes.
GABRIEL – 6
Doesn’t look quite so assured without defensive partner Saliba alongside him but was still able to marshall his defence to keep Leeds away from his area for most of the game.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO – 6
Struggled early on against when Leeds were full of running but quickly established his authority.
His understanding with Xhaka down the left flank is crucial to so much of Arsenal’s attacking play.
Oleksandr Zinchenko put in another committed displayCredit: AP
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
Almost impossible to pin down drifting between the lines, he was constantly looking to unlock Leeds with his clever passes.
It looked as though the captain was going to take the penalty until he handed the ball to Jesus.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Kept Arsenal on the front foot when they were struggling to get going during the first half hour.
Always on hand to snuff out any danger before he was given a well deserved rest on the hour with the points already secured.
GRANIT XHAKA – 8
Constantly on the move to open up spaces for his team-mates to exploit, it is only now that the fans are properly beginning to appreciate what he brings to their team.
A real driving force who full deserved his late header.
Granit Xhaka battles for possessionCredit: Getty
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
With Bukayo Saka feeling under the weather, he started on the right wing but struggled to get into the game.
Finally came to life in the 56th minute when he served up Jesus’ second goal of the afternoon on a plate.
GABRIEL JESUS – 8
Making a first League start since his knee operation, he drew the foul for Arsenal’s 33rd minute penalty and sent Meslier the wrong way from the spot for his first goal in six months.
Struck again in the 6th minute before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation.
Gabriel Jesus made a successful return to Arsenal’s starting XICredit: Getty
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Almost caught Leeds out with a clever first time shot from distance which required a goal-line clearance from Ayling.
Constant thorn in Leeds’ side, it was his clever pass which set up White’s killer goal. Really deserved a goal of his own.
SUBSTITUTES
Jorginho (for Partey, 60) – 6
With the points already in the bag, his job was simply to make sure there were no late dramas.
Bukayo Saka (for Jesus, 60) – 6
His run of 51 consecutive Premier League starts finally came to an end but he was still able to get a decent run-out to see Arsenal over the line.
Kieran Tierney (for Zinchenko, 85) – 5
Not on long enough to make an impact.
Emile Smith Rowe (for Odegaard, 85) – 5
Not on long enough to make an impact.
Fabio Vieira (for Xhaka, 86) – 5
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Not on long enough to make an impact.
Subs not used: Kiwior, Nelson, Turner, Walters More

JESUS is well and truly back, and it’s not even Easter yet.It was six months – rather than a measly three days – since Arsenal fans had seen their centre forward score a Premier League goal.
Gabriel Jesus fired Arsenal to a 4-1 win over LeedsCredit: Reuters
He opened the scoring from the penalty spotCredit: Reuters
But Gabriel Jesus, on his first league start since a knee injury that had threatened to derail the Gunners’ title charge, grabbed a precious brace to restore their eight-point lead over Manchester City.
After the reigning champions had dispatched Liverpool 4-1 at the Etihad, the pressure was on Mikel Arteta’s team to respond.
And the tension was cranking up until Jesus won and converted a penalty just after the half hour.
Ben White’s goal just after the break settled the nerves and then Jesus jabbed in a Leandro Trossard cross.
The Brazilian came off to a standing ovation before an hour had elapsed, his work done.
Rasmus Kristensen pulled one back for Leeds, but Granit Xhaka’s late header ensured it was just a blip on an otherwise excellent day for the league leaders.
On the day both sets of supporters remembered their former player David Rocastle, the pre-match talk was about the current Arsenal No7.
Bukayo Saka was left on the bench, with Trossard moving to the right and Jesus resuming centre stage.
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But it was Arsenal’s reshuffled defence, with Rob Holding in for the injured William Saliba, that soon came under the microscope.
The hosts were almost caught cold from the kick-off, as they had been in the home game against Bournemouth last month.
Aaron Ramsdale saved from Kristensen inside ten seconds, and half a minute later, Gabriel Martinelli had a goalbound shot blocked at the other end.
After that frantic start, the game settled into the expected pattern: Arsenal having most of the ball, Leeds sitting back and hoping to catch the hosts on the break with their lively front three.
Jesus had a chance to score in the tenth minute, but could not put a header from a Xhaka shot on target.
From then on the home side struggled to create an opening and it was the visitors who had two chances to take the lead just after the half-hour.
Crysencio Summerville’s shot was not firm enough to trouble Ramsdale much, but when the Leeds winger teed up Jack Harrison, the Arsenal goalkeeper made a sharper save.
Then came the breakthrough. Ayling committed early to his challenge on Jesus and at first glance, the penalty looked soft.

But replays showed the Leeds captain had made contact with the Brazilian’s knee and referee Darren England’s decision was not challenged by VAR.
It looked as though Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard would take the responsibility.
But Jesus claimed the ball and, after a little stutter in his run-up, sent the ball into the centre of the net while Illan Meslier dived right.
A few minutes later, the Leeds goalkeeper rushed out to close down Trossard, only for his clearance to drop to Martinelli.
The Arsenal winger sent the ball goalwards from distance, but Ayling just about managed to clear it behind.
But the visiting skipper was at fault again when Arsenal extended their lead less than two minutes after the break.
Martinelli beat him easily and crossed to the back post where Harrison had left White to send the ball in off the bar from close range.
It was just what Arsenal and their fans needed.
Luke Ayling dived in and caught Jesus for the spot-kickCredit: Getty
Ben White made it 2-0 seconds into the second halfCredit: Getty
They roared as Jesus won the ball next to one of his own corner flags.
And then they took the roof off when he killed the game by finishing off a fine move.
Jesus received the ball from Holding and then slipped it to Trossard.
The Belgian – what a signing he has been, by the way – crossed back to the Brazilian, who jabbed it in for 3-0.
Meslier kept out a Martinelli header before Jesus was withdrawn. His afternoon had lasted less than an hour but it was a match-winning display.
Leeds were not quite done, but it was too little, too late.
Ramsdale made a good save from Brenden Aaronson, before Kristensen hit a shot badly off target.
But moments later, the Dane had another effort which was helped past Ramsdale by a deflection off Zinchenko.
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The goal caused a bit of Arsenal anxiety on and off the pitch.
Not for too long, though. A lovely pass by Odegaard found Xhaka, who headed in the fourth.
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Jesus added the Gunners’ third of the afternoonCredit: Reuters More

CODY GAKPO has been slammed by fans for his “pathetic” dive against Manchester City.The forward and his Liverpool team-mates were hammered 4-1 by the Cityzens at The Etihad on Saturday lunchtime.
Cody Gakpo was left red-faced after a ‘pathetic’ dive against Man CityCredit: Getty
The Liverpool forward dived to try and win a penalty against Nathan AkeCredit: Twitter

Dutch star Gakpo, 23, attempted to win his side a penalty during the clash after pouncing on a mistake from Manuel Akanji in the area.
But as he knocked the ball past fellow City defender Nathan Ake, he proceeded to throw himself forwards and onto the ground in an attempt to pull the wool over referee Simon Hooper’s eyes.
However, the official waved away his appeal and played on – but unfortunately for the Liverpool ace the footage of his antics has now gone viral.
One tweeted: “Cody Gakpo Fallon D’Floor contender.”
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“Fraud watch” declared another before they added: “Pathetic dive by Gakpo.”
A fellow fuming fan wrote: “That’s pathetic by Gakpo. Should be a suspension for a dive that bad.”
While another asked: “How was that not a yellow for Gakpo?! Clear dive.”
Meanwhile, after the thrashing, Gakpo said: “It speaks for itself that we are frustrated.
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“We know what we can do and when we don’t do it and lose the game, everybody is frustrated.
“I think we conceded really quick in the second half, two quick goals and it is difficult to bounce back from that.
“We have to analyse that and see how we can improve it.
“City is a strong side but I think we also showed in moments that we are also really strong side but we have to be consistent.” More

RED card ref Chris Kavanagh was at the centre of another sending off storm after two coaches were dismissed in an ill-tempered Midlands derby.Nottingham Forest assistant Alan Tate and Wolves counterpart Pablo Sanz both got their marching orders after squaring up in the technical area.
Chris Kavanagh was involved in another red-card stormCredit: Reuters
He dismissed Nottingham Forest assistant Alan TateCredit: Getty
As well as Wolves coach Pablo SanzCredit: Getty
Wolves were raging at being denied a 58th-minute penalty when Adama Traore tumbled, claiming he had been shoved over by Forest defender Felipe.
Bosses Steve Cooper and Julen Lopetegui exchanged angry words, before members of the two backroom teams joined in.
Tate looked to aim a punch in the bust-up, with Sanz diving in from the Wolves side.
Kavanagh immediately showed red cards to the pair of them – and the visitors were left even more annoyed when VAR ruled the official was right in denying them a penalty.
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There was more work for Kavanagh later in the game as there was a VAR check on an incident involving Wolves player Daniel Podence.
The goalscorer appeared to spit at Brennan Johnson, but after a check no red card was given.
It is the second game running that the referee has been at the centre of a red card controversy.
Before the recent international break he sent off THREE men in Fulham’s FA Cup defeat at Manchester United.
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Willian got his marching orders for deliberate handball, before striker Aleksandar Mitrovic saw red for shoving the ref and boss Marco Silva was dismissed for dissent.
The City Ground storm is the second bust-up between the teams in little over two months.
In January, there was a post-match free for all after Forest’s EFL Cup penalty shoot-out win over Wolves.  
The two clubs were subsequently fined a combined £85,000 for failing to control their players. More

FURIOUS Liverpool fans demanded the club send Arthur Melo back to Juventus immediately after he was spotted shaking Pep Guardiola’s hand.The flop loan transfer, who is yet to play a single minute in the Premier League, was at the centre of a touchline storm as City thumped the Reds 4-1 at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola shook Arthur Melo’s hand during the Man City celebrationsCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The City boss was delighted to see his side level at the EtihadCredit: Getty

Guardiola celebrated Julian Alvarez’s equaliser in the home technical area.
But it just so happened Kostas Tsimikas and Arthur were walking back to the Liverpool bench.
The City boss appeared to try and high five Tsimikas who ignored him before stretching out his hand for the Brazilian midfielder.
And for some reason, a smiling Arthur accepted the offer and shook his hand, then tapped the former Barcelona boss on the arm.
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Guardiola then resumed his wild celebrations, shaking his fists and gesticulating towards the City fans behind the dugout.
Unsurprisingly, plenty of supporters piled in on “rat” Arthur.
One said: “Send that t*** Arthur Melo home tonight.”
Another wrote: “Arthur Melo. F off mate.”
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A third added: “Arthur laughing even trying to buss convo with Pep and Pep airing him makes me never want to see him play for us again. Remain on the bench you has been.”
Another commented: “Just seen Arthur with Pep. Sooner we see the back of that loser the better.”
But a final user quipped: “Arthur basically doesn’t play for Liverpool so I don’t think there’s much to note here.”
Liverpool spent £4million to take Arthur, 26, on loan for the season.
But it has turned into a nightmare with just 13 minutes of first-team action coming in the 4-1 defeat at Napoli.
He suffered a thigh injury in training that required surgery and he has only just returned to the fold for Jurgen Klopp.
And he helplessly watched on in the second half as Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish tore Liverpool apart.
The result could prove crucial in both the title race and the battle for the top four, with the Reds finishing the game fifth while Brighton, Brentford and Fulham are in hot pursuit.
Arthur was an unused sub in the 4-1 defeatCredit: Getty More