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

    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

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

    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

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    Nottingham Forest 0 Everton 1: Tricky Trees suffer devastating Champions League blow after Doucoure’s late winner

    EVERTON snatched a stunning late victory to dent Nottingham Forest’s Champions League bid.Abdoulaye Doucoure finished brilliantly in stoppage time from substitute Dwight McNeil’s pass.Abdoulaye Doucoure slots home Everton’s brilliant late winnerCredit: ReutersDoucoure celebrates after snatching three points for the visitorsCredit: GettyTHIS 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

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    Eddie Howe will MISS Newcastle vs Man Utd clash after being admitted to hospital as club release statement

    EDDIE HOWE will miss Manchester United’s trip to Newcastle on medical grounds. A statement read: “Eddie Howe will miss tomorrow’s game against Manchester United due to illness. Eddie Howe will miss Manchester United’s trip to Newcastle on medical groundsCredit: Rex”The Magpies’ head coach was admitted to hospital late on Friday evening having felt unwell for a number of days. “Everyone at Newcastle United extends their best wishes to Eddie for a speedy recovery, and further updates will follow in due course.” Howe was absent from the pre-match press conference which Newcastle confirmed was down to illness. And he will not be in the dugout at St James’ Park with assistant Jason Tindall to step in. READ MORE IN football Tindall gave an update on Howe while addressing the media on Friday morning.He said: “He’s been really poorly. Bed-ridden. We’ve been in daily contact but it’s not affected any of the preparations.”Still got a few days and hopefully he’ll be back for weekend.”The Magpies last match saw them face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Monday with Howe showing no signs of illness during the game.Most read in FootballNewcastle’s next five game after Man UtdThey cruised to a 3-0 win over Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side thanks to an early brace from Jacob Murphy and a 34th-minute strike from Harvey Barnes.Following the match, Howe said: “Impressive, but really professional as well in terms of the way that the players took the game.”We stuck to our task, we were professional, really good to get a clean sheet, and three goals. I don’t think we were at our very best today.”We certainly need an upturn in performance if we’re going to win the next three.”Jason Tindall will replace Howe in the dugoutCredit: Getty More

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    Premier League LIVE SCORES: Leicester equalise vs Brighton, Forest and Villa in action, Man City hit FIVE against Palace

    PREMIER LEAGUE action has returned to the big screens – and it has been a super Saturday so far!Manchester City started the day with a HUGE 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace, despite the Eagles going two goals up at one stage.Brighton host Leicester, Nottingham Forest take on Everton and Southampton are currently facing Aston Villa in the 3pm kick-offs.Then at 5:30pm BST, fresh off their huge victory against Real Madrid, Arsenal welcome Brentford to the Emirates.Start time: 12.30pm BST / 3pm BST / 5.30pm BSTTV channel: TNT Sports 1 / Sky Sports Main EventStream: Discovery+ / NOW TVMan City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne, McAtee, MarmoushCrystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Lerma, Mitchell, Wharton, Kamada, Sarr, Eze, MatetaFull time – Brighton 2-2 LeicesterThe home team are greeted with boos at the final whistle after gifting shot shy Leicester two goals and an unexpected point.Copy linkCopiedFull time – Southampton 0-3 Aston VillaWhat’s worse? Southampton or Marco Asensio at taking penalties?Copy linkCopiedFull time – Nott’m Forest 0-1 EvertonLate, late drama at the City Ground, and Forest have fallen to a second successive defeat. A big win for the Toffees.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Southampton 0-3 Aston Villa90+4. Marco Asensio has a second penalty saved by Aaron Ramsdale – but John McGinn converts the rebound for 3-0!The Spanish forward turns away in disgust before his captain even follows up for the third, and looks absolutely furious with himself.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Nott’m Forest 0-1 Everton90+4. Abdoulaye Doucoure has won it!!A tired Murillo gets caught in possession just inside his own half, presenting Dwight McNeil with space to bomb forward.The winger looks up and plays in Doucoure on the left, who takes a fine first touch and then sweeps past Matz Sels and int the roof of the net.It’s a hammer blow for Nottingham Forest and their Champions League aspirations!Copy linkCopiedBrighton 2-2 Leicester87. Leicester go so close to a winner! The Foxes have their tails up and come flying forward with Bilal El Khannouss.The Moroccan comes inside on to his right foot and curls a shot on to the base of the far post.Copy linkCopiedNott’m Forest 0-0 Everton87. There’s a VAR check ongoing for a possible Everton penalty, but don’t get too excited – I can see from here that the challenge on Beto doesn’t meet the threshold for overturning the on field decision.Oh, and it was probably outside the box too.Copy linkCopiedNott’m Forest 0-0 Everton83. Inside the final ten minutes at the City Ground, and is it a grandstand finish?Well, in a word, no.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Southampton 0-2 Aston Villa79. Another substitute, another goal! What a squad Unai Emery is building at Aston Villa!A clever through ball from Morgan Rogers dissects the Southampton defence, allowing Donyell Malen to race through and rocket a shot past Aaron Ramsdale.It’s three in three Premier League games for the former Dortmund ace!Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Brighton 2-2 Leicester74. Leicester have done it again!Admittedly, they’ve been helped here by some slack defending from Brighton, who completely switch off when Bilal El Khannoussi swings over a free-kick from the right.It gives Memeh Okoli a free run into the six-yard box and, having timed his run to beat the offside trap, heads powerfully past Bart Verbruggen.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Southampton 0-1 Aston Villa73. Aston Villa are in front now!And it’s that man, Ollie Watkins, off the bench to break the deadlock.The pass over the top from Youri Tielemans is glorious, and the substitute timed his run perfectly to poke a volley past Aaron Ramsdale and in off the underside of the crossbar.Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 0-0 Aston Villa69. Aaron Ramsdale saves Marco Asensio’s penalty!It’s a brilliant stop from the Saints keeper, who dives to his left and pushes out the Spaniard’s spotkick.The penalty was won by Ollie Watkins, only just on as a substitute, after he raced into the area and was brought down by former teammate Jan Bednarek.But rather than the striker taking it – or even Youri Tielemans – the ball was handed to Asensio, and he promptly spurned the chance to break the deadlock.Copy linkCopiedNott’m Forest 0-0 Everton60. There hasn’t been much of an improvement in the standard at the City Ground.Chris Wood has at least livened things up with a dive inside the six-yard box so unconvincing that he could hardly bring himself to look at the referee, let alone appeal to him.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Brighton 2-1 Leicester55. For the second time this afternoon, Darren Bond has been sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR to award a Brighton penalty that really should have been awarded the first time round.Matt O’Riley clearly had his shirt pulled by Luke Thomas as he took aim at Mads Hermansen’s goal.Once again, Joao Pedro isn’t put off by the lengthy theatre of it all, and when the moment comes, he slams a superb spotkick into the top corner for his second of the afternoon.Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 0-0 Aston Villa51. Amadou Onana stings the palms of Aaron Ramsdale with a rasping effort from 25 yards.Unai Emery made no changes at half-time despite that huge Champions League clash with PSG looming on the horizon.Copy linkCopiedNott’m Forest 0-0 Everton47, The home fans at the City Ground are doing all they can to rouse their team as they attack the Trent End in the second half.This already has the makings of a one-goal game.Copy linkCopiedFrom Graeme Bryce at the City GroundWhat has happened to Nottingham Forest’s swashbuckling style?That’s been the most turgid 45 minutes I’ve sat through this season.Callum Hudson-Odoi did manage to sting Pickford’s palms with a fiercely hit shot in first-half stoppage time.But most fans would have rather spent 45 minutes having root canal treatment than suffer more of the same in the second half.Forest’s swash has definitely buckled here.Meanwhile Everton have dominated possession but still don’t look like they could score for Toffees!Copy linkCopiedFrom Ian Winrow at the AmexWell it had to happen sometime.Leicester have finally scored but Brighton will wonder how they have reached half time with only Joao Pedro’s penalty to their name. Copy linkCopiedHalf-time – Brighton 1-1 LeicesterThe afternoon’s third Premier League game is also level at half-time, although we have at least seen two goals – one of which was Leicester’s first in FOREVER.Brighton have had plenty of chances, and will be frustrated not to be well ahead.Copy linkCopiedFrom Rob Maul at St Mary’s0-0 at St Mary’s. A frustrating first half for Aston Villa. Even the away fans who had been in good voice at the start have quietened down.Southampton players have left one or two late feet on their opposing numbers. Villa need some quality later on. They will not want to head to the Champions Leaguer quarter-final second leg with PSG having to mend some bruised bodies. Their big names need to produce in the next 45 minutes.Copy linkCopiedHalf-time – Southampton 0-0 Aston VillaIt’s also goalless at St Mary’s, but not for the want of trying.Villa have recorded 12 shots in the first half although only three have been on target.The bottom club – managed today by Simon Rusk – are so far holding firm.Copy linkCopiedHalf-time – Nott’m Forest 0-0 EvertonA poor first 45 at the City Ground.Surely it can only get better in the second half.Copy linkCopiedBrighton 1-1 Leicester42. Fabian Hurzeler’s side should be back in front.Matt O’Riley, presented with a clear opportunity, fluffed his lines at the vital moment. Blimey.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Brighton 1-1 Leicester38. Hold the back page! Leicester City have scored a goal!Stephy Mavididi has bagged the Foxes’ first in more than 13 hours of football, and it brings them level in Brighton.A loose touch from Lewis Dunk on halfway allows the visitors to spring three-on-two, and when the Brighton captain tries to make amends he deflects Mavididi’s first shot straight back to him.At the second attempt, the Leicester forward drills it through the legs of Bart Vebruggen, and – against all odds – it’s 1-1.Copy linkCopiedFrom Rob Maul at St Mary’sYouri Tielemans is one of Aston Villa’s most creative and decisive players and it was ball over the top that found Marcus Rashford inside the first minute (the Marcus Rashford shot was blocked by Southampton defender Jan Bednarek).Yet he took a whack on his ankle and it will be interesting to see if he can last the pace. Villa fans are in good voice here. Southampton have had one decent chance in the first half so far but Emiliano Martinez saved from Cameron Archer on 16 minutes.Copy linkCopied More

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    Mo Salah wears luxury £730,000 watch for Liverpool contract announcement as he seals new deal in style

    MOHAMED SALAH signed his new Liverpool contract in style with a swanky new watch.Salah, 32, put an end to months of uncertainty that would have seen him becoming a free agent in June with Saudi Arabian clubs tabling astronomical bids.Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah finally signed a new contractAnd Salah did so in style with a luxury watchSalah donned a Richard Mille RM17-02 watchLiverpool star Salah’s watch costs a staggering £730,000The drawn-out saga came to a happy end on Friday with the winger putting pen to paper on a new deal worth a reported £400,000 per week that ties him to the Reds until 2027.And the Egypt international looked totally classy as he posed for the cameras ready to sign the dotted line.Salah wore a luxury blue ceramic Richard Mille RM17-02 watch on his left wrist.The Egyptian star’s timepiece costs a staggering £730,000, which comes as no surprise as he will become the Premier League’s second highest earner.Read More on FootballThe ex-Chelsea ace will only be behind Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, who now makes £500,000 per week after signing his own mammoth new ten-year deal in January.Salah posted a number of pictures to social media showing him posing at Anfield.And the ex-Roma star revealed he rejected Saudi offers due to his legacy, his desire to break more records and to fulfil his ultimate dream of winning the Ballon d’Or.Reports from Egypt suggested the former Fiorentina ace was offered annual wages from the Saudi Pro League worth a whopping £130m.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSalah has been dominating the Premier League this season as he is the competition’s top scorer with 27 goals and 17 assists in 31 appearances.The versatile forward is also leading Liverpool to the title as they are 11 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal.Moment Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are pulled apart after apparent spat during Liverpool training Virgil van Dijk is now set to follow his star team-mate and sign a new contract before his current one runs out in June after agreeing his own extension. More

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    Pep Guardiola does an Ange Postecoglou with gesture to his own fans in bizarre scenes after Marmoush goal for Man City

    PEP GUARDIOLA made a bizarre gesture to his own fans in a move straight out of the Ange Postecoglou playbook. The Premier League champions found themselves trailing 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace after goals from Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards.Pep Guardiola made a bizarre gesture to his own fansCredit: X formerly Twitter / @beINSPORTS_TRGuardiola pointed to his ears as Man City levelledCredit: X formerly Twitter / @beINSPORTS_TRFans online compared him to Ange PostecoglouCredit: X formerly Twitter / @beINSPORTS_TRKevin De Bruyne pulled one back for City – kickstarting an emphatic 5-2 fightback with Omar Marmoush levelling only minutes later.It sent the home City fans wild – but manager Guardiola appeared to make a goading gesture to his own supporters. The Spaniard pointed his finger to his ear and waved his arms up and down to the Etihad faithful – as some fans questioned if it was in reference to boos around the stadium. Guardiola has been known to gesture to supporters before in a bid to get them going as the 12th man. READ MORE IN football But fans online could not help but compare the ex-Barcelona boss to under-fire Tottenham manager Postecoglou. One said: “Is he Ange in disguise!”Another added: “Pep thinks he is Ange.” A third joked: “Pep turning into Ange.” Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPostecoglou surprised Spurs fans by replacing Lucas Bergvall with Pape Matar Sarr at Stamford Bridge earlier in the month. The away contingent responded by chanting: “You don’t know what you’re doing.”‘People like you will be happy’ – Postecoglou snaps at Sky Sports reporter in ‘generational meltdown’ after Chelsea lossHowever, Sarr then fizzed a long-ranger into the back of the net.And Postecoglou reacted by appearing to cup his ears towards his club’s own fans – only for the goal to be chalked off by VAR.Spurs lost 1-0 and Postecoglou explained: “I want them to be happy – we’ve just scored a cracking goal.”I wanted them to get really excited. I felt at that time we could potentially go on and win the game.”Postecoglou cupped his ears to Spurs fansCredit: Getty More

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    Man City 5 Crystal Palace 2: Kevin De Bruyne leads dramatic comeback in seven-goal thriller days after announcing exit

    KEVIN DE BRUYNE gave Manchester City fans a glimpse of what they’ll soon be missing by leading the comeback in a bizarre game.Crystal Palace’s quickfire start had earned them a shock – but fully merited – early 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Eberi Eze and Chris Richards.Kevin De Bruyne inspired Man City’s stunning comebackCredit: PAOmar Marmoush was amongst the goals againCredit: ReutersMateo Kovacic scored after being set up by a clever De Bruyne passCredit: APJames McAtee latched onto a long ball and netted City’s fourthCredit: GettyNico O’Reilly’s fifth ensured they moved into the top four of the tableCredit: PABut then De Bruyne, who manager Pep Guardiola has chosen to offload at the end of the season, rolled back the years and took command.The City skipper has been a shadow of his magnificent self for much of the campaign, but against Palace we got the brilliant Belgian of old.De Bruyne scored one and had a hand in THREE others, and the Etihad paid homage by bellowing out his name.He had already seen one follow-up strike blocked for a corner, and a whipped effort which rattled the upright before making it third time lucky on 33 minutes.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEveryone knew what was coming as De Bruyne stepped up to take the free kick after Nico Gonzalez was chopped by Daichi Kamada.But stopping it was something else entirely, and keeper Dean Henderson never got close as his shot went through a huge gap and in off the post.A couple of minutes later De Bruyne turned provider by nodding James McAtee’s cleverly lofted cross back intro the danger zone.Ilkay Gundogan missed out with an awkward-height volley, but Omar Marmoush was never going to at the far post and it was all square.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSYet it was far from comeback complete, because two minutes after the break City were ahead – and once more De Bruyne had a part to play in a marvellously crafted strike.Gundogan began it by feeding Nico O’Reilly down left. He dragged it back to De Bruyne, who stopped the ball dead and laid it off for Mateo Kovacic to smash into the corner.Ten minutes later keeper Ederson was the unlikeliest of creators when he pumped a clearance downfield and McAtee raced beyond everyone.The City youngster – on Bayer Leverkusen’s summer hit list – took a touch to control, another to steady himself and the third was to stroke it into an empty net.It was just about all Ederson had to do in the second half, before limping out of the closing stages with a muscle strain.City, though, still hadn’t finished and ten minutes from time Nico O’Reilly was celebrating a first Prem goal when his left foot volley clipped Nathaniel Clyne and flew into the corner.De Bruyne finally took his bow for the closing minutes, leaving to a standing ovation. You suspect there will be a few more before he finally exits the Etihad for good.Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze opened the scoringCredit: PAChris Richards gave Palace a shock 2-0 lead with a header from a cornerCredit: GettySemi-automated offside technology helped rule out Palace’s thirdCredit: @PLMatchCentre More