Premier League

WILFRIED ZAHA was forced off injured before half-time after appearing to sustain a groin injury against Leicester.The Crystal Palace star was visibly emotional as he received treatment, before being replaced by Jordan Ayew in first-half stoppage time.
Wilfried Zaha was visibly upset as he sustained an injuryCredit: Reuters
Roy Hodgson comforts his star manCredit: Reuters
The Ivorian, who appeared to be close to tears, was comforted by boss Roy Hodgson as he left the pitch.
Zaha’s injury will come as a huge blow to Palace’s 75-year-old boss.
Today’s Selhurst Park clash marked his return to the dugout after surprisingly replacing Patrick Vieira as boss.
The Eagles had been dominating Leicester prior to Zaha’s withdrawal.
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But it was the Foxes that went on to take the lead on 56 minutes via Ricardo Pereira.
Leicester’s lead didn’t last long, however, with Eberechi Eze’s free-kick striking the woodwork and going in off unlucky goalkeeper Daniel Iversen on the hour mark.
Palace went into the match on a run of 12 Prem matches without a win.
Talisman Zaha, 30, missed four of these matches with a previous ailment.
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Despite their dreadful form in 2023, Palace went into today’s match 12th in the Prem table.
Zaha’s Palace contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
He has made 25 appearances this term, scoring six goals and laying on three assists.
But Hodgson and Zaha had reason to celebrate in the end as Palace ran out 2-1 winners.
Zaha, 30, is out of contract at the end of the seasonCredit: Reuters More

MANCHESTER UNITED under Sir Alex Ferguson were the worst losers, according to ex-Newcastle star Warren Barton.The 53-year-old reminisced over the time he played against the Red Devils in 2001, when Newcastle beat them 4-3.
Roy Keane was sent off for clashing with Alan ShearerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Warren Barton has reflected on the famous 4-3 win for NewcastleCredit: Getty
The classic game is remembered for the bust-up between Alan Shearer and Roy Keane, which resulted in the Irishman getting sent off.
The Man Utd captain threw the ball angrily at the Newcastle striker and the pair exchanged words, leading to Keane hitting Shearer and receiving a red card.
Speaking on the day, Barton said: “Shearer said ‘by the way, where were you lot when it all kicked off with Roy Keane at the end?’
“The fact is, Big Al was very capable of looking after himself. He didn’t need anyone. It’s no secret that there was no love lost between the pair.
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“Shearer had just celebrated wildly around St James’ after his goalbound shot had been bungled in by Wes Brown for an own goal to put us 4-3 up.
“Clearly it really wound up the opposition players. Keane and the rest of that United team were the worst losers.
“During those years, Fergie’s teams suffered so few defeats over an incredible era of title-winning campaigns.
“The fact Shearer had turned down United twice to join Toon meant there was always a bit of needle when the two clubs met.
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“It was huge relief to us because we knew at that moment [Keane’s red card] they wouldn’t come back from that — and the three points were ours.
“I was just returning from an injury so started on the bench.But when Rob Lee suffered a knock in the first half —  having scored our second goal — my instruction was to sit in midfield and contain the United threat.
“That’s all very good but when you’ve got the likes of Keano, Juan Sebastian Veron, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs hitting you from every direction that’s no easy task.
“I vividly remember in a quiet moment in the second half I actually asked Scholesey: ‘How many players have you actually got on the pitch?’
“They were everywhere. It’s a privilege to look back and talk about these matches.
“These were crown jewel Premier League games and even though this was 22 years ago, I can remember it as though it was yesterday.
“I’m convinced the roar of St James’ fans that day got us over the line. Those supporters and the atmosphere that stadium generates always made such a difference.
“I count myself lucky to have played in games when we had two management giants in Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alex Ferguson — men who set the benchmark for today’s top bosses like Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
“When I came on at the break we were 2-1 up. As soon as Nikos Dabizas rammed home our third just seven minutes into the second half, we thought the two-goal cushion could possibly be enough.
“But within a blink of an eye it was 3-3 after Giggs and Veron hit two goals in two minutes just after the hour. That is how good they were. They never knew when they were beaten.
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“But when Al made it 4-3 with eight minutes left — via that final touch from Wes Brown — we hoped that would finally be the goal that killed them off.
“Then the spat erupted between Shearer and Keano. We knew United were done and we could celebrate a famous win.”
Warren Barton played in the game versus Man UtdCredit: Getty More

GABRIEL JESUS netted a penalty to score his first goal since October as he gave Arsenal the lead against Leeds this afternoon.But some fans felt he dived to win the spot kick.
Gabriel Jesus throws himself to the turfCredit: Getty
Gabriel Jesus went down in dramatic fashionCredit: Rex
Jesus, 25, twisted and turned inside the box, sending defender Luke Ayling to the ground.
As the Brazilian jinked inside, Ayling dangled a leg out at him.
The forward went tumbling to the turf, with the referee not hesitating to point to the spot.
Jesus dusted himself down and slotted down the middle to put the Gunners 1-0 in front.
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On the incident, one fan wrote on social media: “Gabriel Jesus Dive should win the dive of the season.”
A second added: “The Gabriel Jesus Dive Special is alive and well in the PL.”

While a third tweeted: “Solid dive from Gabriel Jesus, won’t overturn it because there was slight contact to the knee.”
Another fumed: “Gabriel jesus what a cheat.”
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Luke Ayling hangs his head in his hands after the spot kick was givenCredit: Reuters
The goal was just Jesus’ sixth in the Prem this term.
He has played 17 league games since making his switch from Manchester City last summer – missing a large chunk due to the knee injury he suffered at the World Cup.
Jesus made sub appearances against Fulham and Crystal Palace prior to the international break, before returning to the starting XI this afternoon. More

THIS was magnificent Manchester City at their very best.Be warned Arsenal, they will not go away.
Manchester City stuffed Liverpool to put the pressure on ArsenalCredit: Getty
Julian Alvarez came in for Erling Haaland and delivered the goodsCredit: Reuters
Jack Grealish put on a masterclass performanceCredit: Getty
If the Gunners want their Premier League trophy they might just have to break into the Etihad to get it.
Pep Guardiola’s men know how to win titles, know how to stay the course, know how to chase down an opponent.
The Gunners could not have a worse sight in their rearview mirror as they try to break a 19-year drought.
This was embarrassing for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who had to endure chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as his side slumped to a third successive defeat.
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He had asked his team to “show up and really go for it”.
They didn’t. They won’t make the top four.
They had taken the lead through Mohammed Salah in the 17th minute.
But City came roaring back.
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They were level through Julian Alvarez in the 27th minute then turned on the style after the break with goals from Kevin De Bruyne in the 46th, Ilkay Gundogan in the 53rd and Jack Grealish after 74th.
Grealish was excellent all afternoon while De Bruyne is answering the call from his boss to find his very best form again.
To think this was achieved without their top scorer Erling Haaland who is injured.
It was all a bit fiery at the start.
Tackles flew in with Grealish constantly being grounded with Fabinho on his toes.
Referee Simon Hooper was implored by a crowd of Liverpool players to send off Rodri with the scores level after he twice hauled back an opponent but the first booking was not added to.
Liverpool had looked happy to concede possession and then hit their opponents on the break, which they did to good effect to take the lead through Salah.
It is the fourth time he has faced City this season including the Community Shield and EFL Cup and he has now scored every time.

The last Liverpool player to score against the same opponent in four games in one season was Ian Rush against Everton in 1985-86.
The build-up to the goal started with a long ball from Trent Alexander Arnold to Diogo Jota who burst clear from just inside the City half.
It looked tight, but he was onside.
Manuel Akanji did well to sprint back and hold him up in the box but when the ball ran loose Salah charged on to it and curled a shot into the far top corner.
City responded and fashioned a chance for Ilkay Gundogan which he miskicked.
When Mahrez had a free shot which he sent over as manager Pep Guardiola held his head in his hands.
They were almost made to pay when Liverpool broke again this time with Salah running free but Grealish did superbly to sprint across the pitch and block his intended square ball to the unmarked Jota.
City’s equaliser would come from the boot of the man promoted into the first team on the back of Haaland’s injury.
Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne scored after half-timeCredit: AFP
Mo Salah fired the Reds in front with his fine finishCredit: Reuters
De Bruyne spread the ball out wide to Gundogan who charged inside and passed to the opposite flank where Grealish was lurking.
His low cross was perfect for Alvarez to turn in.
Guardiola celebrated wildly.
He even got right in the face of Liverpool subs Arthur Melo and Kostas Tsimikas who were walking back towards their bench after warming up.
Tsimikas did well to keep his cool and ignore him.
The City boss would be leaping about and punching the air again as people were still taking their seats after the break.
Alvarez found Mahrez and his slide rule square ball evaded the outstretched arm of Alisson allowing De Bruyne to side-foot home.
Just seven minutes later it was three.
Liverpool looked lost for much of the second halfCredit: Reuters
Injured Erling Haaland, back left, celebrated the City win in the standsCredit: Getty
Alvarez was involved again as his shot was blocked by Trent Alexander-Arnold in front of his goalkeeper.
The ball rebounded to Gundogan who scooped it into the back of the net.
At that moment the fight went out of this Liverpool side.
Klopp made a quadruple substitution with just over 20 minutes left, with even Salah brought off, as he tried to turn the tide.
But his team were sunk.
More waves of City attacks would come crashing in and another goal this time from the boot of Grealish in the 74th minute.
A fine way to celebrate his new £10million-a-season boot deal with Puma who will have delighted with his man-of-the-match display.
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The record buy would roll the ball down the flank for De Bruyne then trot into the box to take the return and steer a shot past Alisson.
Done and dusted.
Pep Guardiola taunted Arthur Melo as he warmed upCredit: Getty
Tempers flared during the first half at the EtihadCredit: Reuters
Liverpool wanted a red card for RodriCredit: EPA More