Premier League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares124 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘This is why people don’t like Arsenal’ – Gunners fans spotted already wearing Champions League WINNERS shirts

      by

      ARSENAL fans were spotted already wearing Champions League WINNERS shirts. The Gunners take a commanding 3-0 lead to the Spanish capital after their quarter-final first-leg victory against Real Madrid at the Emirates. Arsenal fans were spotted already wearing Champions League winners shirtsCredit: AFPSo confidence was high ahead of Brentford’s Premier League trip to North London. In a picture shared by the Prem’s official Instagram account, two Arsenal fans have “CL WINNERS” on their backs. Unsurprisingly, it caused outrage online with football fans quickly taking the opportunity to mock.One said: “This is exactly why no one likes them.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother quipped: “This delusion is getting out of hand someone give them medical attention.”A third wrote: “They’re brave.”And one added: “The type of thing you just don’t do… setting yourselves up for potential disaster.”Even fellow Arsenal supporters couldn’t condone the behaviour.Most read in FootballArsenal ratings vs Brentford as Partey dominates in midfield but Jorginho a passenger as title hopes fizzleCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne saying: “Nah our fanbase can be annoying sometimes.” While another feared the worst, adding: “Ah they’ve proper jinxed it with that shirt…”Arsenal’s Kai Havertz hits the gym as he continues his recovery from injury Those Arsenal fans may be biting their fingernails if the Brentford match is anything to go by.Thomas Partey’s opener was cancelled out by Yoane Wissa to drop more league points – with Liverpool three wins from the title. Mikel Arteta left out Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly – but Arteta said his team’s minds were not focused on Madrid. He insisted: “The way we did the game certainly not. The way the feeling was with the players, certainly not.”To prepare well you have to play as well as possible and win the next game.” More

    • 225 Shares124 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal vs Brentford LIVE RESULT: Wissa’s stunning strike sees Gunners drop two vital points in thrilling Prem derby

      by

      ARSENAL have dropped two vital points in their bid to catch Premier League leaders Liverpool courtesy of Yoane Wissa.Declan Rice ran the full length of the pitch before playing it to Thomas Partey who initially put the Gunners ahead.But Wissa’s sensational strike means that Liverpool are just THREE wins away from winning the title.RESULT: Arsenal 1-1 BrentfordThe beauty of the BernabeuAfter Brentford, it’s the small matter of the Bernabeu for Arsenal.The Gunners head to Spain for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid on Wednesday with a 3-0 lead.While that would be too tall an order for most clubs, Los Blancos have shown time and time again that when it comes this competition, nothing is impossible.Mikel Arteta knows this, and admitted that he has already turned his attention to a contest that he believes could be beautiful.Now it is time to recover well and tomorrow we have to start to prepare for the most beautiful game of the season.Mikel ArtetaSky SportsCopy linkCopiedAsensio’s spots of botherMarco Asensio has been a revelation since arriving at Aston Villa on loan from PSG, but today the Spaniard joined an unwanted club.In having two penalties saved by Aaron Ramsdale in the 3-0 win at Southampton, the forward became just the fourth player to miss two penalties in a Premier League game.He’s also the second Aston Villa player on the list after Juan Pablo Ángel had two saved by Fulham’s Edwin van der Sar in February 2005.Also there are Darren Bent, who missed two against Tottenham Hotspur in April 2010, and Saido Berahino, who twice faltered versus Watford in April 2016.Copy linkCopiedNervous Forest in ‘decisive moment’Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo admits this is a ‘decisive’ time of the campaign as his side chase the Champions League dream.The Tricky Trees fell to a second consecutive defeat – and their first at home since November – after Abdoulaye Doucoure struck for Everton deep into stoppage time.Forest remain third but have Manchester City and Aston Villa breathing down their necks while Chelsea and Newcastle – who both play tomorrow – wait in the wings.We cannot get away from the fact it is a decisive moment of the season. We were not comfortable and the fans also saw the boys were struggling. We are in this position and we want to try to give it a go. It is in our hands but nobody is going to give us anything, we have to do it by ourselves. Nuno Espirito SantoCopy linkCopiedWhen can Liverpool win the title?After Arsenal’s draw this evening, Liverpool now require three victories – nine points – to confirm themselves as Premier League champions.Should the Gunners lose at Ipswich next Saturday, then the red could even clinch the title next Sunday at Leicester, assuming they beat West Ham tomorrow.Copy linkCopiedDeparting De Bruyne can make differenceKevin De Bruyne lit up the Etihad Stadium in his first home game after announcing he would be leaving Manchester City this summer.The brilliant Belgian whipped home a free-kick with his side 2-0 down to Crystal Palace, and then inspired his team to an eventual 5-2 victory.In scoring his set-piece, De Bruyne became just the sixth player to score 30 goals from outside the penalty area in the Premier League.The City captain then set up Mateo Kovacic for his side’s third goal, and in the process scored and assisted in the same top-flight game for the 28th time.After the game, De Bruyne revealed he is finally free of injury and is looking forward to helping the Citizens over the next month before seeing where the future takes him.It’s been a hard season. Having a hernia wasn’t fun, but I’ve been pain-free for the last six weeks and that makes a massive difference. Now I feel free I’m able to do a lot of training sessions and feel I can do a good job. I don’t know what will happen next but I want to play on so let’s see where I end up. If I can play football and my family’s happy I’m good.Kevin De BruyneTNT SportCopy linkCopiedArsenal angered by Norgaard challengeMikel Arteta believes that a challenge from Christian Norgaard on Gabriel Martinelli in the first half was a ‘clear’ red card.The Brentford midfielder was booked by Simon Hooper for the scissor-like action that took out the Brazilian – and VAR backed the on-field decision despite reviewing the incident for serious foul play.The referee was surrounded by Arsenal players following the foul, and Gabriel Martinelli later suggested that it could have caused him serious injury.I haven’t seen it againm but in my opinion in that moment if my foot was on the floor then he could have broken my leg – even if he didn’t mean it.Gabriel Martinelli on Christian Norgaard’s challengeSky SportsCopy linkCopiedArteta: We lost controlA disappointed Mikel Arteta believes his Arsenal side let Saturday evening’s encounter with Brentford slip away from them.The Gunners got themselves in front in the second half, only to concede a messy equaliser shortly after making a trio of changes.The Gunners have now dropped 16 points from winning positions this season (8 draws) – just one fewer than they had in the past two campaigns combined (8pts in 2022-23 and 9pts in 2023-24).We are disappointed with the result. We had full control of the game and then conceded a very poor goal. It was not good enough and when you don’t do what you have to do against this team, you concede.Mikel ArtetaSky SportsCopy linkCopiedWiss of the seasonYoane Wissa helped Brentford to a point and then afterwards admitted that he’s in the ‘form of his life’.The Congolian’s equaliser was his 50th goal involvement in the top flight (41 goals and 9 assists), making him only the second Brentford player to reach the milestone after Bryan Mbeumo (64).And by hitting 15 Premier League goals, the Bees are now the first side to have two players score 15+ this campaign (Mbeumo 16).Wissa is also the first Brentford player to score 15 non-penalty goals in a single Premier League season.Yes, that’s fair. I had a good conversation with Thomas [Frank in the summer] and he gave me a lot of love and confidence. After that, it is taking steps forward with the guys, and after one, two, three goals, it just goes from there.Yoana Wissa on whether he’s in the form of his lifeSky SportsCopy linkCopiedMatch stats from the EmiratesBrentford had an expected goals total of just 0.19 against Arsenal.It’s the fourth lowest xG for a team to avoid defeat in a Premier League match this season with two of the other three also coming against Arsenal (Everton 0.09 in 0-0 draw at the Emirates and Fulham 0.16 in 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage).Copy linkCopiedFrom Jordan Davies at the EmiratesArsenal head to the Bernabeu off the back of a frustrating, and at times dull, draw. More points dropped and Liverpool’s crowning is now just a few wins away. You cannot win the league with 12 Prem draws.All eyes on Madrid now. No injuries is a plus. The Arsenal fans will quickly forget about this one if they go and do the business against Carlo Ancelotti’s Galacticos on Wednesday night.Copy linkCopiedFull time – Arsenal 1-1 BrentfordA case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show for Arsenal, who follow up their fantastic thumping of Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final with a drab draw against Brentford.The Gunners looked to have got the job done when Thomas Partey belted them into the lead just after the hour mark.But a spate of changes brought chaos to the Arsenal backline, and Yoane Wissa took advantage by hooking in Nathan Collins’ nod down.The upshot is that Liverpool now require three victories to confirm themselves as Premier League champions.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-1 Brentford90+3. Bukayo Saka hasn’t given up just yet.He works room for a cross that is blocked, but then springs to his feet for another go.Again, it is blocked by some resolute defending. Brentford don’t look like letting this one slip now.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-1 Brentford90. There will be SIX minutes of stoppage time.The capital letters are probably unnecessary there, neither side are going for it.Gustavo Nunes is on for Brentford for his Premier League debut. The 19-year-old Brazilian joined the Bees in August, but has been unable to feature until now due to a back injury.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-1 Brentford87. Jorginho is unable to continue and so the Gunners will see this game out with ten men.They’re used to that, mind you. Only usually it’s because they’ve had a player sent off for a wild challenge/PGMOL conspiracy against their club.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-1 Brentford85. Jorginho has gone down and he looks in a bad way. And the concern for Mikel Arteta is that he has already made his five changes.With Saka, Odegaad, Lewis-Skelly, Timber and Merino already on, the Arsenal boss has no other available substitutes to call upon.Copy linkCopiedFrom Jordan Davies at the EmiratesMikel Arteta turned to Mikel Merino as soon as Yoane Wissa scored. Having already chucked on Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly, he wants more firepower, even if it means risking them for the Madrid clash next week…At least Declan Rice is getting a breather, now off for Merino.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-1 Brentford82. Trossard miscues a simple pass to Martinelli and the ball rolls out of play for a Brentford throw. The Emirates groans in unison.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-1 Brentford79. Mikkel Damsgaard’s evening is over. He’s replaced in the Brentford midfield by Mathias Jensen.A big last ten minutes coming up.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-1 Brentford76. Flekken has his heart in his mouth as he almost gifts Arsenal an immediate the second.The goalkeeper takes a heavy touch to control a long ball outside the box and it allows Saka the opportunity to sneak in and steal.The substitute touches it around the Dutchman but Brentford get a number of bodies back to defend the open goal before Saka can fully control and the moment passes.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-1 Brentford74. Brentford have their equaliser now!Arsenal fail to deal with Michael Kayode’s cross to the back post, and when Nathan Collins heads back in to keep the attack alive, Yoane Wissa swivels to hook in through a crowd of players.The visiting players celebrate. The visiting fans celebrate. And once again, the Gunners have work to do.Copy linkCopiedLeveller!Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-0 Brentford72. Bryan Mbuemo squanders an opportunity for Brentford.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-0 Brentford69. Goalscorer Thomas Partey is withdrawn from the action with a quarter of the game to go.His replacement is Jurrien Timber, and Arsenal now have two fresh full-backs with Myles Lewis-Skelly having come on for Kieran Tierney.Brentford make two changes themselves. Yehor Yarmoliuk and Michael Kayode are on for Vitaly Janelt and Kristoffer Ajer.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-0 Brentford66. Declan Rice has been involved in eight goals in his last 10 matches across all competitions for club and country (four goals and four assists).See, he’s not just a free-kick merchant.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-0 Brentford63. To make matters worse for Brentford, here come Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.The exciting pair are on for Ethan Nwaneri and Oleksandr Zinchenko as Arsenal look to wrap this on up. Copy linkCopied More

    • 200 Shares73 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal ratings: Partey states his case for contract extension but Jorginho is a passenger against Brentford

      by

      ARSENAL saw any lingering Premier League title hopes go up in smoke after dropping more points against Brentford.Mikel Areta made five changes from Tuesday’s stunning 3-0 win over Real Madrid for the Gunners’ return to domestic duty.Thomas Partey opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 61st minuteAfter a quiet afternoon, Yoanne Wissa equalised for BrentfordAnd, the magnificent Thomas Partey aside, it seemed this Arsenal XI had more than one eye on Wednesday’s return leg in their Champions League quarter-final.It started out like a pre-season friendly, with Arsenal cautiously trying to avoid any unnecessary injuries ahead of the big trip to the Bernabeu.And while Brentford chanted “You’ll win f*** all” come May, the away players started flat in their chase for European qualification. Arsenal thought they took the lead but Kieran Tierney’s header in the 26th minute was ruled out by the new semi-automated offside rule.READ MORE ON ARSENALAnd moments later Brentford captain Christian Norgaard avoided a red card for a rough challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.Partey finally found a breakthrough after a lung-bursting counter-attacking run from provider Declan Rice, before Arteta brought on the cavalry.Yet the subs actually negatively effected Arsenal’s momentum, and Brentford quickly equalised through Yoane Wissa’s acrobatic finish.After just two wins in their last seven league games, Arsenal are now 10 points behind Liverpool, who need a maximum of just three victories to secure the title.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesHere’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Gunners at the Emirates stadium…David Raya – 7Not as composed and commanding as he was against Madrid, but how could he be?The Spaniard sent a few iffy passes into the visitors’ path early on. But he produced a great save to deny Kristoffer Ajer from an opener inside 20 minutes, after Bryan Mbeumo’s great first time ball for the overlap around Tierney. Distribution was fantastic as pro-active goalkeeping saw him pluck a testing Brentford corner out the air before rolling out to Rice for his on a rampaging run for Arsenal’s goal. Great vision.Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesKieran Tierney – 6The left back looked chuffed after receiving huge applause from the fans and hugs from his team–mates after heading in a goal in the 26th minute.But an offside call from VAR denied the Scot what could have been his last goal for the club, with a likely summer exit to Celtic looming.Brilliantly got back to nick the ball from Mbeumo, who was a few yards from getting a shot off.Jakub Kiwior – 6The Pole just keeps growing in confidence with each passing game, a credit to his circumstance and how he has taken the opportunity. There is a sense of calm that previously was not there when he first came in. William Saliba – 8Woke the fans up from their sleep with an inviting 20 yard run, to win Arsenal a corner in the first 15 minutes.The Frenchman wasn’t asked to do much defensively in the first half.But he dealt with the pace of Kevin Schade and dominated their one-on-one strength battle later in the game.Brilliant on the ball as he repeatedly carried it out from the back, rarely making a mistake.Thomas Partey – 8Should the 31-year-old be given a contract extension when his current deal expires in the summer? Tuesday’s unsung hero moved into right back in Arteta’s five man squad rotation ahead of the trip to Madrid on Wednesday. He inverted into midfield, with Brentford unable to offer any threat down the right hand side. And just as Arteta was prepping Saka and Odegaard to come on, Partey lashed in his first fourth Prem goal of the season.Things turned sour though, because Partey could be a doubt for Madrid, after the Ghanaian picked up an unspecified knock.Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5Started in midfield and was eager to impress with some nice flashes in his audition to come off the bench against Madrid.Gifted chances to Ethan Nwaneri and Martinelli in the first half and tested Mark Flekken’s goal himself.The Ukrainian, of course, isn’t as brave going forward as Odegaard. But this was a solid performance.Declan Rice – 7 His name was cheered the loudest before kick-off after his thunderous free kicks against Madrid here on Tuesday.But he’s clearly the engine of this Arsenal team, who dominates in midfield, gets in the box and sends glorious corners in time after time. It was Rice’s near 30-yard run that set up Partey’s opener.He did head down into Vitaly Janelt’s path inside six minutes, but luckily for him, Brentford couldn’t get a shot off.But there’s a feeling among fans that something special can happen every time Rice touches the ball in the opposition box.Rice is on unstoppable formJorginho – 4The Italian was wearing the armband from the off with Odegaard rested on the bench and Gabriel Magalhaes out until the end of the season.But it wasn’t exactly a captain’s performance from a deeper role in midfield. Much of the game seemed to pass him by at times.The former Chelsea star is clearly one of those destined to leave in the summer overhaul. Arsenal went down to 10 as Jorginho limped off with a suspected rib injury and all five subs were used.Ethan Nwaneri – 5The 18-year-old stepped into Bukayo Saka’s shoes on the right wing, with Arteta saving the England superstar for Madrid. But he didn’t see much of the ball and struggled with Brentford’s physical low block.Produced a brilliant cross which sadly was nodded in by the only player who happened to be offside in the build-up.And got the fans up from their seats with some tricky feet through several Brentford stars at the start of the second half.Nwaneri didn’t see much of the ball and struggled with Brentford’s physical low blockGabriel Martinelli – 5Was Arsenal’s most fouled player. He took a bizarre touch when Zinchenko found him a few yards from Flekken’s goal in the first half. The Brazilian needs to be stronger at times. But his runs were a handful down the left flank all afternoon.The Emirates went nuts – and so did Arteta – when Norgaard avoided a red card after clattering into Martinelli from behind in the first half.Leandro Trossard – 6Another game, another makeshift striker for Arsenal, with club player of the month Merino rested on the bench.Trossard did well to break away inside 13 minutes but his pass was just behind Martinelli. He’s always a great player to have in your squad and had several shots kept out by busy bees keeper Flekken in the first half.SUBSBukayo Saka – (for Nwaneri ’63 min) – 5Should’ve scored a massive chance when he pinched the ball off Flekken and rounded him late on, but couldn’t make it count.Martin Odegaard – (for Zinchenko ’62 min) – 5A valiant attempt to pull some strings, but to no avail.Myles Lewis-Skelly – (for Tierney ’62 min) – 6Strolled through Brentford’s left hand side within a minute of coming on. What a talent he is.Imagine being saved and prioritised for the 15 times Kings of Europe at 18 years old.Read More on The SunJurrien Timber – (for Partey ’70 min) – 4Was turned by Wissa for Brentford’s goal.Mikel Merino – (for Rice ’75 min) – 5A smart sub for Arteta, came just a minute after 1-1. But the midfielder had little-to-no impact on proceedings. More

    • 250 Shares124 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal 1 Brentford 1: Gunners blow another lead after Partey strike as Liverpool need just three wins to clinch title

      by

      FROM really great to really rather average.It was very much a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show as Arsenal paid the price for a not-quite-there performance after their momentous Champions League win over Real Madrid.Thomas Partey gave Arsenal the leadCredit: GettyBut the Gunners were held by Brentford thanks to Wissa’s equaliserCredit: RexThe home fans thought it was Partey time again when right back Thomas gave them a second-half lead.It looked like being enough to decide the game, especially when Mikel Arteta sent on a few of the big Guns he had rested ahead of Wednesday’s second leg.Instead it was Brentford substitute Michael Kayode who made a big impact at both ends, playing his part in the move that set up Yoane Wissa for his 15th league goal of the season and then preventing Bukayo Saka from restoring the home team’s lead.You could argue it was perfectly reasonable for Arteta and his players to regard the English title as gone and to focus on succeeding Real as kings of Europe.read more on arsenal But intensity is hard to turn on and off.Arsenal should have enough about them to go to Madrid and convert a 3-0 lead into a place in the last four of Europe’s blue riband competition.Yet if Real score first and relatively early, the Gunners may yet regret not going into the game with another victory under their belt.Credit to Brentford, too, for not folding after going a goal down.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWith less daunting fixtures than this to come, they can still dream of playing in Europe themselves next season.Arteta made five changes from the Real victory, but hero Declan Rice, a man who makes the Duracell Bunny look like a slacker, was not one of them.Arsenal’s Kai Havertz hits the gym as he continues his recovery from injury When the name of free-kick king Rice was read out before kick off, it naturally received the biggest cheer.The sun was out, the mood was festive.But for the first 20 minutes, the football was forgettable.It looked and felt like a pre-season friendly.Arsenal probed a bit, with Gabriel Martinelli forcing goalkeeper Mark Flekken into a block and full back Kristoffer Ajer into a well-timed challenge.Yet the first proper chance fell to the visitors in the 22nd minute and they really should have scored.Bryan Mbeumo collected Mikkel Damsgaard’s crossfield pass and rolled it into Ajer’s path.But the big man could not find a big finish and David Raya saved more comfortably than he could have hoped.Partey put the Gunners on the right trackCredit: GettyStung into action, Arsenal thought they were ahead a few minutes later after a series of corners.Kieran Tierney headed in Ethan Nwaneri’s cross for what would have been his first goal since December 2021, only for the VAR to rule him offside.The home fans’ frustration grew when Christian Norgaard was only booked for a foul on Martinelli.Flekken saved from Oleksandr  Zinchenko, who was playing in a midfield role, and Ajer made a superb block on a Martinelli effort.Arsenal ratings vs Brentford as Partey dominates in midfield but Jorginho a passenger as title hopes fizzleRice drew a save from Flekken, then another direct from the resulting corner, before the busy Bees keeper also denied Leandro Trossard, as the Gunners ended the half very much on top.The home fans were not exactly enthralled. Thousands of those in the posh seats were not in place to rattle their jewellery for some time after the action resumed for the second half. .For a while, “action” was a generous word, mind you.All the players were just about doing enough to prove they were trying but few apart from Nwaneri were really going that extra mile to make something happen.Wissa levels for Brentford with a smart finishCredit: AFPHe secured a huge win for the LondonersCredit: ReutersWhen Rice finally stood over a free kick in a dangerous position, in the 58th minute, he ignored cries of “Shoot!”from the home fans, took it short and then fired the return pass straight into the Brentford wall.But just as Arteta was losing patience like any neutral watching on television, and preparing to send on Martin Odegaard, Rice created the opening goal.From their own corner, Brentford suddenly found themselves on the wrong end of a three-v-two break.Rice charged forward and time his pass to Partey perfectly. But Flekken will be disappointed to have been beaten at his near post, however powerful the shot.If the Bees were deflated by the goal, they could hardly have been encouraged to see Arteta send on the cavalry anyway, in the shape of Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Myles Lews-Skelly.But after another lull in the game, it was a Brentford substitute who made the difference.After an initial corner, Kayode crossed to the far post, Nathan Collins headed the ball back into the six-yard box and Wissa hooked it in impressively.Kayode immediately made a crucial contribution at the other end.Read More on The SunFlekken tried to be too clever and was robbed by Saka. But as the winger advanced towards an empty net, Kayode made up enough ground to put the ball behind for a corner.It was all Arsenal for the rest of the game, but they could not find a winner, with Saka shooting wide in the last of six minutes of stoppage time.Bukayo Saka must have thought he was about to win the gameCredit: GettyBut he squandered the sitterCredit: ReutersSaka looks on in frustrationCredit: Reuters More

    • 163 Shares117 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea owners lose £1BILLION in two years despite club reporting a £130m profit

      by

      CHELSEA’S owners have lost £1billion over the last two seasons despite the club posting profits.The Blues are controlled by chiefs Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali via parent company 22 Holdco Ltd.Chelsea’s holding company has lost £1bn in two yearsCredit: GettyThe business, which also owns the Chelsea women’s team and French side Strasbourg, have posted worrying figures in their latest accounts.This season they have lost a whopping £445.5m and it comes after they ended the previous year with a £653m deficitOver two years of trading, the company’s losses are at £1.1bn.22 Holdco Ltd borrowed £967m and repaid loans of £317m this year, paying £94m in interest on their borrowings.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe accounts blame “investments in the playing squads” for the worrying financial report.These figures come at a time when Chelsea posted profits of £129.6m over the 2023-24 season.There is a difference between the finances of the holding firm and the club after the women’s side was sold to a sister company for £200m and two hotels at Stamford Bridge went for £76.5m.Premier League rules allow Chelsea to register these transactions and it has helped them make a profit.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHowever, the cash generated is not allowed to count as income for 22 Holdco Ltd when reporting to HMRC.The sale of the women’s team and hotels assisted Chelsea in avoiding a breach of the Prem’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.’We’re not Arsenal’ – Chelsea fans hold protest against Todd Boehly ownership and demand they leaveTeams are not allowed to lose over £105m over a three-year period and the regulations do not address associated party transactions after a change could not be agreed following a vote last summer.However, Uefa have different rules and only allow a £75m loss over the same three-year period.They also do not let associated party transactions count in the books.Uefa are reportedly assessing Chelsea’s sale of the women’s team and they have previously dished out fines to clubs who have broken rules. More

    • 213 Shares73 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Looks like lost property’ – Arsenal star David Raya forced into bizarre kit change before Brentford clash

      by

      DAVID RAYA was forced into a bizarre kit change against Brentford.The keeper – formerly of the Bees – would usually wear the Gunners’ bright yellow kit for the London derby.David Raya was forced into a bizarre kit change against BrentfordHe had to wear black socks opposed to yellowRaya in his mismatched kitCredit: RexThis is Raya’s usual kitCredit: GettyBut Brentford – playing in their primarily black away kit – also wore yellow socks. So Raya was forced to wear black goalkeeper socks and also wore black shorts – similar to his away strip. And the switch of style did not go unnoticed with fans as one said: “Did they forget Raya’s yellow pants and socks.”Another added: “Why the hell is David Raya wearing the shorts of our away kit?”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne joked: “Raya really looks like he’s pulled his kit from lost property my OCD is going into overdrive every time I see him.”Another said: “Has Raya got the wrong shorts on?”The Spanish international started his career in England with Blackburn in 2014 – while have a loan spell with Southport the same year.He then moved to Brentford in 2019 and spent five years with the Bees – joining Arsenal on loan in 2023. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSRaya then made his move permanent in 2024 and has since become the Gunners’ No1.Last year, Arsenal women’s side were forced to wear Chelsea socks bought from the Blues club shop to avoid a kit clash. The Gunners warmed up in white socks – which clashed with Chelsea’s – so kick-off was delayed in order to buy dark ones from the megastore.Arsenal said last night that they were aware of the kit clash days in advance and had always planned to wear the black shorts and socks with the yellow top.Why Jacob Murphy and Bruno Fernandes will decide Newcastle vs Manchester Utd | Experts’ best bets – Weekend Wager More

    • 238 Shares114 Views

      in Soccer

      Southampton 0 Aston Villa 3: Ramsdale saves TWO Asensio penalties but Saints creep closer to worst ever Prem record

      by

      OLLIE WATKINS saved Aston Villa blushes – particularly two-time penalty flop Marco Asensio – on a bruising afternoon on the South Coast.Villa boss Unai Emery could not have imagined that a trip to relegated Southampton would have proven to be such a difficult and frustrating one.Ollie Watkins spared Aston Villa’s blushesCredit: GettyThe high-demanding Spaniard had to wait until 73 minutes before Watkins’s intervention opened the floodgates for the visitors by the Channel.And once he could relax, he was able to rest some weary bodies before Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against PSG at Villa Park.Within seven minutes of replacing the subdued Marcus Rashford, Watkins showed the flexibility of hamstrings as he managed, while on the stretch, to hook a volley past Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.It was a brilliant goal, one the great Premier League strikers would have applauded, and it settled the nerves for the away fans who had otherwise been in great voice throughout.read more in footballIf anyone was pleased with Watkins’s heroics, then it would have been Asensio who, three minutes earlier, had seen his dreadful penalty saved by Ramsdale.Asensio, 29, had a SECOND poorly-struck penalty saved in stoppage time – he went the same way and so did Ramsdale – but this time John McGinn was on hand to benefit.In the end, it was a result that lifted Villa into fifth place in the Prem and back into Champions League contention – an eighth win out of nine outings.But given the tough fixture list coming up, Emery would have wanted to have sealed this much quicker than they did, so he could rest key players that had been subjected to some hefty Southampton challenges.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt could have been so much easier had Rashford – playing alongside Asenio in the Premier League for just the second time – scored inside the opening 40 seconds.On-loan Rashford, 27, was unleashed by Youri Tielemans and survived the clutches of the new semi-automated offside technology.Yet on his 29th birthday and 250th Saints appearance, Polish defender Jan Bednarek was in the right place to block the attempt.Since their record relegation was confirmed last weekend at Tottenham, it was inevitable that sorry Ivan Juric – who oversaw 13 defeats out of 16 – would not be hanging around.Interim boss Simon Rusk made two changes and went with a back three and though Villa dominated possession in the first half, Southampton had a chance on 16 minutes that could have ruffled a few feathers.Cameron Archer outpaced the tentative Tyrone Mings but Emiliano Martinez saved the attempt with both hands and was reminded by the away support why he is the “world’s No.1 keeper”.Ramsdale, 26, has had a terrible time in the Saints goal this season, following another personal relegation, but he will be proud of the way he blocked the long-distance shot from Amadou Onana on 48 minutes.And also how he managed to palm away the spot-kick from Spaniard Asensio, who must do better if the tie with PSG ends up going to penalties this week.Watkins had won that clear-cut penalty – less than two minutes after replacing Rashford – from a Bednarek challenge.And the Englishman scored his 15th goal of the season as he managed to reach Tieleman’s crafty long-pass.Any prospects of a nerve finale seemed to disappear when Dutch midfielder Malen scored for the third game in a row with a clinical finish on 79 minutes.That was the cue for hundreds of Southampton to go marching out of St Marys and in fairness, who could blame them?Apart from a 88th-minute Martinez full-length save from Mateus Fernandes, it got worse for Rusk’s troops.Read More on The SunAnd though Ramsdale defied Asensio once again, McGinn was quick to react in the 94th minute, showing off once more his famous goggle celebration.Southampton need just ONE POINT to avoid being the statistically worst team in Premier League history but with six matches left, they are running out of time. More

    • 263 Shares76 Views

      in Soccer

      Brighton 2 Leicester 2: Foxes end dismal run of 885 minutes without scoring to earn draw after two Joao Pedro penalties

      by

      LEICESTER ended their 885-minute goal drought to secure a vital point at Brighton.Joao Pedro scored twice from the penalty spot for the hosts.Leicester ended their goal drought to draw 2-2 at BrightonCredit: ReutersJoao Pedro netted two penalties but they were not enough for the hostsCredit: ReutersBut Caleb Okoli’s 74th minute equaliser ensured Leicester gave their survival hopes a little boost.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More