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      Brighton 2 Wolves 2: Seagulls throw away two-goal lead after late goals that could save Gary O’Neil’s job

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      BRIGHTON thew away a two-goal lead in the dying seconds as Wolves salvaged an unlikely point to draw 2-2 on the South Coast.The Seagulls took the lead on the stroke of half time as Georginio Rutter slipped a pass into Danny Welbeck who superbly swept the ball into the bottom corner.Danny Welbeck’s strike at the end of the first half gave Brighton the leadCredit: GettyEvan Ferguson doubled Brighton’s lead in the 85th minuteCredit: GettyRayan Ait-Nouri pulled one back for WolvesCredit: ReutersAnd Matheus Cunha struck in stoppage time to salvage a point for the visitorsCredit: GettyThe former England striker, 33, had passed a late fitness test to play in the match but showed no sign of rustiness as he helped himself to his sixth goal of the campaign.Evan Ferguson doubled the hosts lead with five minutes remaining, rifling a superb finish beyond Jose Sa to seal the victory.It is Ferguson’s first Premier League goal since November last year.Rayan Ait-Nouri pulled one back for Wolves to moments later with what looked to be a consolation.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Gary O’Neil’s men had a late equaliser up their sleeve as Matheus Cunha fired a deflected effort beyond Bart Verbruggen to complete a shock comeback.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.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS More

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      Man City 1 Southampton 0: Champions go top of Premier League table but made to work hard against struggling Saints

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      REACHING for the stars one minute, plonked on his backside the next – and ball in the back of the net on both occasions.Welcome to the goals-are-us world of Erling Haaland. One where, however they’re teed up, the Striking Viking will knock ‘em in.Erling Haaland notched the winner but could have had a hat-trickCredit: GettyThe striker found the net despite being dragged to the floorCredit: APOn Wednesday with that incredible stretching kung fu seven-foot-in-the-air finish backheel volley as City cruised past Sparta Prague.And this time when he was all but sitting on the Etihad turf when he stuck out his boot to turn Matheus Nunes’ cross in for the fourth-minute winner which proved the difference.More a drip than the avalanche everyone expected, yet still enough to see off Saints and send the champions back to the table. With reputation intact for the beaten, as well.And you wouldn’t have expected that after only three-and-a-bit minutes, when mission improbable became mission nigh on bloody impossible, either.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat’s how long it took City to get their opener and put them in the rarified position of scoring first. After winning 13 points from behind already this term, not one they’re used to.Never a hint of that here, mind – and in a own way, chalk it down as another Guardiola masterstroke, as yet another manager paid the price for trying to follow the Spaniard’s lead of playing from the back.All well and good when you’ve got the vast array of talent at your disposal like the City manager. Not so easy for most of the others, though.The ones who would be best served playing to their strengths and clearing their lines, rather than attempting to stroke it around like backline Galacticos.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe chin strokers will, of course, be outraged at the suggestion. And Southampton chief Russell Martin continues to stick to his guns and demand his side take that approach.All very commendable, for sure. Yet also the root cause of that early opener…and so nearly at least three others beyond it, too. Micah Richards explains awkward exchange with Erling Haaland live on Sky Sports after Man City’s win over ChelseaMore of those shortly. First that cock-up in handing over possession as Saints tiki-taka’d across the backline…before Aaron Ramsdale hurriedly hacked into touch under pressure.From the throw-in Matheus Nunes crossed from the left and Haaland shrugged off Jan Bednarek’s neither-one-thing-nor-the-other attempt at defending to score from six yards.Bednarek had a half-hearted grab, a similar shove and even weaker effort to tackle. Haaland merely stuck out a foot, virtually on his backside by the time he did, and that was that.Pretty much that was that as a contest, too, you felt. Especially with City all but camped in the opposition half and the Saints – for all their pretty patterns – posing little threat.And oh-so-close to coughing up more goals through their determination to play their way out of trouble at the back. Each time they merely played their way into it.It was Tyler Dibling losing out to Savinho, and then breathing a sigh of relief when the Brazilian dithered instead of picking out Haaland on the left of the box.Then Flynn Downes twice gave it away deep in his own territory, and finally keeper Ramsdale was thanking Taylor Harwood Bellis after only finding Bernardo Silva.Still, only a matter of time before the dam burst, thought everyone. Only a matter of time before City cut loose and the goal difference goes into overdrive.Then again, maybe not. For bang on half-time they so nearly got the slap-in-the-chops alarm call of what can happen if you don’t make the most of all that possession, all those chances.The Jack Stephens pass which sent Cameron Archer scooting clear on halfway was more of a stretched-leg prod, yet that was exactly the reason City were caught on the back foot.It meant Archer ran unopposed, save for the never-catching-him Manuel Akanji, only to blast his effort against the crossbar. The one – and only – that got away.A gaffe which was inches away from looking even more costly 22 seconds after the break, when Phil Foden fizzed a low shot wide after a red arrows-style attack.But then, wonder of wonders, the unthinkable happened. Haaland somehow stuck one wide from barely a yard out when Savinho dinked the cutest of balls to the far post.Savinho to Haaland was something a running theme throughout the afternoon, in fact, because twice more he picked him out in the box.On both occasions Taylor Harwood-Bellis was the Saints’ saviour, turning one header away and grabbing Haaland’s arm long enough to deny him an angle to finish the second time.Jack Stephens got in on the act by nodding an earlier Haaland header – this one from Foden’s corner – off the line, and STILL the lead remained that solitary goal.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt would have been cancelled out altogether, too, had Southampton made the most of a three-on-two raid. And they really, really should have done.Instead Adam Armstrong blazed over and it petered out into nothing. A fitting epitaph for this game, in fact… More

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      Forgotten former Chelsea manager banished two Premier League-winning heroes to train on their own ‘to make a statement’

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      A FORGOTTEN former Chelsea manager banished two Premier League winners to train on their own “to make a statement”.The Blues have won five league titles in the past 20 years. Nicholas Anelka was one of the two top stars exiled by a new Chelsea managerCredit: GettyDefender Alex was also pushed out in an unpopular moveCredit: PA:Empics SportThat included pipping Manchester United by just one point under Carlo Ancelotti in the 2009-10 campaign.However, just a year later, a new manager came in ahead of the 2011-12 season.And he ditched two of the title-winning team in a shock and unpopular move. Former Chelsea defender Carl Magnay – who won a contract with the Blues after winning Sky TV show Football Icon in 2007 – revealed Andre Villas-Boas’ bizarre approach.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe told the Chronicle Live: “Andre Villas-Boas tried to change things quite drastically.”The likes of Nicolas Anelka and Alex – he banished them and they had to train on their own. “He was trying to make too much of a statement to senior world-class players and it didn’t go down very well. “I was able to see different dynamics, different world-class coaches.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I knew that when I’d eventually step into coaching I’d revisit those approaches and gauge which is the best one to go with.”Villas-Boas arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2011 aged just 33 – younger than some of the senior players in his squad. Chelsea ratings vs Panathinaikos: Mudryk gives rare star showing but Badiashile caught out for Greeks’ goal However, rather than bide his time, he tried to make his mark immediately with the move to exile Anelka and Alex.By December, both players had formally submitted transfer requests – with Villas-Boas open to the pair leaving.And they duly did so in the January transfer window – just two months before Villas-Boas himself got the sack after less than a year in charge.Centre-back Alex joined Paris Saint-Germain while Anelka headed to China, turning down PSG to sign for Shanghai Shenhua. Magnay, 35, worked under Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luis Filipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink, Ancelotti and Villas-Boas during his four years at Chelsea. However, he did not make a single first-team appearance for the club as injuries took their toll, including wrecking his knee during a reserve-team match against Charlton in 2010. After loans to MK Dons and Northampton, he spent the rest of his career in League Two and non-league football, retiring in November 2023 after another ACL injury the previous month.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has now stepped into coaching.Villas-Boas, meanwhile, has stepped away from the training pitches and dugouts following spells at Tottenham, Tottenham, Zenit, Shanghai Port and Marseille to become the president of FC Porto. Andre Villas-Boas struggled to win over the senior players at ChelseaCredit: AFP – Getty More

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      Premier League LIVE SCORES: Haaland scores again, Bournemouth get LATE leveller but Ipswich throw it away – updates

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      PREMIER LEAGUE action returns for another blockbuster Saturday – and defending champions Manchester City are expected to score a hatful of goals against Southampton.Pep’s side can leapfrog league leaders Liverpool with a win over 19th-placed Southampton, while high-flying Aston Villa take on Arsenal’s conquerors, Bournemouth.And the evening kick-off sees Sean Dyche’s Everton host London outfit Fulham at Goodison.Kick-off times: 3pm/5:30pm BSTTV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier LeagueLive stream: NOW TVFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSKEEP up with all the scores and the results from the Premier League with our live blog below…From Phil Thomas at the EtihadThe winners oh-so relieved and almost trudging off at the final whistle, while the losers stood in front of their fans like heroes. Three points to City, but somehow you felt Southampton would take far more from the 1-0 scoreline than the champions. Even if it does leave them still seeking a first win back in the top flight.Copy linkCopiedPremier League resultsRemember 10 minutes ago when I said every game was still tight and there was drama left?Even I couldn’t have predicted that final few minutes.Final scoresAston Villa 1-1 BournemouthBrentford 4-3 IpswichBrighton 2-2 WolvesMan City 1-0 SouthamptonCopy linkCopied90+7 – OFF THE POST! Liam Delap goes up the pitch from kick off and hits the post!Unreal drama.Copy linkCopied90+6 – GOAL! BRENTFORD 4-3 IpswichBRYAN MBEUMO steals the points for the Bees – but he’s MIGHTILY fortunate.He collects the ball on the right corner of the box and curls a cross into the area which beats all the defenders and the keeper isn’t expecting it and the ball bounces into the bottom corner. Calamity.Copy linkCopied90+6 – GOAL! Aston Villa 1-1 BOURNEMOUTHBournemouth snatch a point with the final kick!Travers is up for the set piece from the left and the outswinger finds EVANILSON 12 yards from goal, outside the near post, and he flicks a header on into the far net beyond Martinez.Scenes.Copy linkCopied90+3 GOAL! Brighton 2-2 WOLVESWould you believe it!!? Wolves have levelled it in stoppage time!And Brighton only have themselves to blame, absolutely horrendous play from them as they attack in a 4v1 attack.The pass is abysmal, absolutely atrocious and it’s a long ball forward to find MATHEUS CUNHA, who weighs up his options before smashing at goal and it goes in via a deflection and off the underside of the bar.Copy linkCopied88 – GOAL! Brighton 2-1 WOLVESA lifeline!? RAYAN AIT-NOURI gets Wolves back in it!He’s the quickest to react to a loose ball in the box after Craig Dawson’s shot was blocked from a corner.Copy linkCopied86 – GOAL! Brentford 3-3 IPSWICHWhat a game! And what a delivery from Leif Davis on the Ipswich left, who curls an absolute peach into the box and LIAM DELAP meets it with his left foot and just diverts it on target and into the net. Smashing wee finish.Copy linkCopied85 – GOAL! BRIGHTON 2-0 WolvesGary O’Neil is in bother now. But his side haven’t helped him here with a rotten mistake.Poor pass on halfway and Lamptey is allowed to scamper clear and into the Wolves box.His pass for EVAN FERGUSON isn’t great but the big striker takes a couple of touches to settle himself and smashes it low and hard beyond Jose Sa into the bottom corner.Copy linkCopiedTenseAn exciting finish to the 3pm’ers. Who’d have seen all four games on a knife-edge heading into the last five minutes?Aston Villa 1-0 BournemouthBrentford 3-2 IpswichBrighton 1-0 WolvesMan City 1-0 SouthamptonCopy linkCopiedFrom Nick Szczepanik at the AmexJust before the hour, a member of the Brighton coaching staff passed a note to Carlos Baleba. It obviously read; “Give the ball away immediately” because that is what the Cameroon midfielder did. Brighton have not been clinical enough with their final pass and Wolves are still in this.
Copy linkCopied76 – GOAL! ASTON VILLA 1-0 BournemouthDeadlock broken at Villa Park and it’s another Unai Emery masterclass from the bench!It’s patient play down the left as Maatsen – just on the pitch for Digne – gets to the byline and stands a cross to the back post, where Bailey – just on the pitch for McGinn – nods it down and ROSS BARKLEY* hits it on the turn and stretch from close range and beyond Travers.*Came off the bench also – though was at half time.Copy linkCopiedHuge chance!Barring Erling Haaland, you’d probably bank on Jhon Duran to score if given even a half chance the way he’s going.He’s in acres of room 16 yards from goal but can’t find the target. Massive chance.Copy linkCopied69 – RED CARD! Brentford 3-2 IpswichIt’s almost as if Dan knew this was coming…Harry Clarke’s first ever Premier League start:Own goalGave away a penalty to go 3-2 downRED CARDHe’s shown a second yellow card after being booked in the penalty incident. Horror afternoon, you have to feel for him.Copy linkCopiedFrom Dan King at the Gtech Community StadiumYou immediately wondered if Ipswich were going to regret missing that chance to make it 3-0. Those moments, when totted up, can be the difference between going down and staying up. This should have been the best day of Ipswich’s season and one of the best of Harry Clarke’s life. But in his first Premier League start, he’s been credited with an own goal for the equaliser (a bit harshly) and given away a penalty for the third (not harshly, as VAR rightly ruled).Copy linkCopiedLate gameEverton host Fulham in an interesting Saturday night game.Fulham have lost two on the bounce, Everton unbeaten in four.Everton XI: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Doucoure, Gueye, Harrison, Ndiaye, McNeil, Calvert-LewinFulham XI: Leno, Tete, Diop, Robinson, Pereira, Berge, Traore, Iwobi, Smith Rowe, JimenezCopy linkCopiedLatest scoresJust about midway point of the second half, so a chance for a round-up of the current scores across the top flight.Aston Villa 0-0 BournemouthBrentford 3-2 IpswichBrighton 1-0 WolvesMan City 1-0 SouthamptonCopy linkCopiedHere he comes…Like Mariah Carey in December, Jhon Duran is the main man at Villa Park and he’s unfrozen here and into the action.But it’s for Morgan Rogers and he’ll partner Ollie Watkins up top.Still goalless between Villa and Bournemouth.Copy linkCopied51 – GOAL! BRENTFORD 3-2 IpswichThe comeback is complete as Brentford hit the front.Ipswich were 2-0 after 43 minutes. 51 minutes on the clock and they’re now behind.BRYAN MBEUMO handed the opportunity from the spot after a VAR intervention as Harry Clarke adds to his own goal by bringing down Lewis-Potter. Mbeumo waits for the keeper to go down and scoops it into the top corner.Copy linkCopiedWhat. A. Miss.Blimey, backed Haaland in your fantasy teams? Look away now.Savinho slides a ball across the six-yard box and the Norwegian comes steaming in at the back post with nothing to beat as Ramsdale is scrambling.In fact, just look below, this is where Haaland misses from….Copy linkCopied49 – OFF THE LINE! Man City 1-0 SouthamptonCity coming out purring at the start of the second half.Phil Foden fizzes a shot just wide before being involved in a couple of set piece chances. The latter for Haaland for sees his header cleared off the line.Copy linkCopiedBack up and runningWe’re just about underway again in the four Premier League games.Brentford vs Ipswich still to get going after all that late drama and plenty of stoppage time.Other three underway though and plenty goals to come.Copy linkCopiedFair playJust that one shot for Southampton at the Etihad but what a chance it was.City with 10 shots in that half and just four of those on target.Saints still playing out from the back and it’s helping their passing and possession stats but they need to be perfect in the second 45 minutes once again.Copy linkCopiedFrom Graeme Bryce at Villa ParkBournemouth have stand-in stopper Mark Travers to thank for making it to half-time on level terms.The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland goalie has dealt with everything Villa have thrown at him and pulled off an incredible reflex save to deny Ezri Konsa.Not to be outdone Emi Martinez touched away a scorcher from Dango Ouattara just before the break.Honours even after an entertaining first 45 – but Villa still have their joker to play in Jhon Duran.Copy linkCopiedFrom Phil Thomas at the EtihadCameron Archer will be kicking himself in the Southampton dressing room. And if anything like his one-on-one chance to equalise, he’ll miss. Okay, it would have been a robbery that had Dick Turpin rubbing his eyes, but you suspect that’s as good as it will get for Saints.   Copy linkCopied More

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      Man City accidentally name injured star with horror broken leg on teamsheet – before quickly correcting mistake

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      MANCHESTER CITY accidentally named an injured star on their bench to play Southampton – before quickly changing it. The Premier League champions host the Saints sitting a point behind leaders Liverpool. Oscar Bobb with manager Pep GuardiolaCredit: PAAnd they went into the match with four first-team players missing; Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish. But there was actually a fifth with Oscar Bobb also sidelined – but the matchday teamsheet said otherwise. Bobb – out with a horror broken leg injury – was mistakenly named instead of James McAtee.But City soon amended the mistake with a re-print of the team sheet. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBobb was a standout in City’s pre-season tour but a freak training injury before the season started has left him sidelined until the New Year. City are still without playmaker Kevin de Bruyne too after he came off in the Champions League against Inter Milan in September. He has missed the last seven games with manager Pep Guardiola unsure when he will return. Guardiola said when probed: “I don’t know. Of course, I prefer to have all of the squad with the amount of games but it is what it is.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Hopefully he comes back soon but I don’t know yet. I would like to tell you but I don’t know.” City come into the game having won their last four, running riot midweek with a 5-0 hammering against Sparta Praha. Man City player ratings: Even Pep Guardiola can’t believe how good Erling Haaland is as new Samba man fails to shine (1) More

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      Laura Woods blasts ‘we don’t look the part at all’ as TNT Sports host claims Arsenal ‘aren’t main Man City title rivals’

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      LAURA WOODS has claimed Arsenal are not Manchester City’s main title rivals this season.The TNT Sports host has also admitted the Gunners “don’t look the part” amid their poor disciplinary record this season.Laura Woods has admitted Arsenal are not Manchester City’s main title rivalsCredit: RexThe Gunners were beaten by Bournemouth last weekend as their disciplinary woes continuedCredit: GettyMikel Arteta’s side have already had three red cards in eight Premier League matches so far this term.William Saliba is the latest player to be suspended as he serves a one-match ban this weekend.The French defender was sent off in the defeat to Bournemouth last Saturday.He will now miss Sunday’s home clash with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSAhead of the match, Woods admitted Arsenal’s disciplinary record is a worry.She told BetMGM: “I do worry for Arsenal, with injuries and suspensions.”No Ricardo Calafiori, no Martin Odegaard, no Jurien Timber and no William Saliba. I tell you what, it’s pretty infuriating being an Arsenal fan at the moment!”What’s even more infuriating is feeling like a broken record and mentioning that the next day Tosin Adarabioyo only got booked for a foul just like Saliba’s on Diogo Jota.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Yes, we Arsenal fans moan, but we should also all be wanting to see consistency in the league with decisions like this because next week it’ll be your team. “Taking a bit of responsibility, though, Arsenal need to stop getting themselves into these situations. We’re literally leaking points and throwing away games. We don’t look the part at all!”How Arsenal can fool Liverpool with ‘musical chairs’ trap Trent Alexander-Arnold must beware ofArsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor GunnersARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…DAVID RAYA – 7Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stagesPushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.BEN WHITE – 6Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team. Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.Marked improvement in the second half.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.DECLAN RICE – 6Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area. LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.GABRIEL JESUS – 8Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net. KAI HAVERTZ – 7Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.SUBSMikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/ASaliba’s suspension takes the number of Arsenal absentees to seven this weekend.Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are all set to miss out through injury after failing to train on Friday.Meanwhile, Woods believes Liverpool are City’s main title rivals this season.The presenter added: “I watched Liverpool in Europe on Wednesday, and while they didn’t blow RB Leipzig away, it was a good game for Darwin Nunez’s confidence.”Scoring a goal and proving a handful throughout the match, they need him to be at his best against Arsenal if he replaces Diogo Jota again.”Liverpool look organised, less chaotic and more controlled under Arne Slot. He has a brilliant team too and their defence is once again immense. I think it’ll be the defence that would carry them to a title.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Jurgen Klopp left them in a really good place with some very promising youngsters coming through and a few experienced old heads that know how to see out the league.”I absolutely afforded them a season of transition, but I’ve been so impressed, I think they’re Manchester City’s closest challengers now.”Liverpool are the biggest threat to City according to the TNT Sports hostCredit: Reuters More

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      Manchester United ‘hold secret talks’ with ‘a number of managers’ leaving Erik ten Hag’s future in huge uncertainty

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have held “secret talks” with “a number of managers” according to reports, leaving Erik ten Hag’s future in serious doubt.The Dutchman held onto his job this summer after the Old Trafford hierarchy, headed up by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, decided to hand him a new deal. Erik ten Hag’s job as Manchester United boss remains in doubtCredit: GettySir Jim Ratcliffe could already be looking at replacementsCredit: PABut that was only after interviewing potential replacements, including Thomas Tuchel, who has since taken over as England boss. According to the Daily Mail, United are back in the market scoping out a possible successor to Ten Hag. It is claimed chief executive Omar Berrada already travelled to Spain for talks with former Barcelona manager Xavi. Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, ex-Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic and Brentford’s Thomas Frank are also said to be on a four-man shortlist. READ MORE IN football Gareth Southgate – who stepped down as Three Lions manager after Euro 2024 – and out-of-work Graham Potter are also linked. United are 12th in the Premier League table going into their trip to West Ham this Sunday. And Ten Hag’s side have failed to win any of their first three Europa League ties following a draw with Fenerbahce in Istanbul.The ex-Ajax boss has consistently insisted that he is on the same page as United’s leadership team of Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.Most read in FootballPaul Scholes: No improvements under Ten HagMan Utd legend Paul Scholes insisted he is yet to see any improvements under Erik ten Hag’s side this season. He said: “I think they have played in spells where they’ve looked okay. They have missed a lot of chances as well.”But I think league position tells you everything. And I’m talking about both leagues, 11th in the Premier League, 21st in the Europa League.”There’s been no improvement. I think that’s the biggest disappointment with two and a little bit years in, a lot of money has been spent and we’re not seeing improvement.”You’d like to think by now they’re up there challenging them. The top three teams I know Liverpool, City and Arsenal are ahead of most other teams.”You’d like to see them getting even a little bit closer to that, but it doesn’t feel like it…”READ MORE ON SCHOLES DAMNING VERDICT HERE CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut billionaire Ineos owner Ratcliffe refuses to give Ten Hag his public backing.And United’s co-owners are weighing up their options again amid concern over the lack of progress after another £200million was spent on transfers. Erik ten Hag in confident mood as Man Utd target rare European victory Ten Hag brought in Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraou this summer. But United legend Paul Scholes claimed he is yet to see any improvements following a 1-1 draw at Fenerbahce this week.He said: “I think they have played in spells where they’ve looked okay. They have missed a lot of chances as well.”But I think league position tells you everything. And I’m talking about both leagues, 11th in the Premier League, 21st in the Europa League.”There’s been no improvement. I think that’s the biggest disappointment with two and a little bit years in, a lot of money has been spent and we’re not seeing improvement.”You’d like to think by now they’re up there challenging them. The top three teams I know Liverpool, City and Arsenal are ahead of most other teams.”You’d like to see them getting even a little bit closer to that, but it doesn’t feel like it.”I do actually think on Saturday they got closer to having the best team out, which has been a while.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I think Luke Shaw still needs to come into that. They’ve got the young lad Leny Yoro who will probably come into that.”Mainoo back into midfield and I thought there were signs, second half especially, that they scored two really good goals which excited you. So look fingers crossed they can go on and improve.”Barcelona legend Xavi is a potential candidate to replace Ten HagCredit: PABrentford manager Thomas Frank is also linked to Man UtdCredit: ReutersSporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim is another potential replacementCredit: Reuters More

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      Where it’s all gone wrong for Crystal Palace from failed signings and moody strikers to struggling England stars

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      CRYSTAL PALACE are the most surprising member of the four clubs yet to win a Premier League game this season.The Eagles won six of their last seven matches to finish 10th last season after beating the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle and Aston Villa.Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace haven’t won a Premier League match this seasonBut they have fallen flat on their face this term, leaving Austrian boss Oliver Glasner having to front up to question marks over his future.He has a reputation for falling out with chiefs at previous clubs but staff and players haven’t noticed a shift in his mood yet. And despite the terrible start Glasner has credit in the bank.SunSport’s JACK ROSSER looks at a few reasons why things are not as they should be at Selhurst Park…DEFENSIVE ISSUESCRYSTAL PALACE were not only devastating going forwards once they hit their stride at the end of last season, they had a solid foundation — using three centre-backs — to build from too.Read More on FootballBut there appear to be one too many cracks at the back so far this season — few of the Eagles’ own making.Joachim Andersen was sold to Fulham in a £30million deal, breaking up the successful pairing of the Dane and Marc Guehi.Whether it is fatigue or distraction, Palace star Marc Guehi has not looked his usual self this termAlthough, due to Guehi’s knee injury last season, the duo only played in the same Glasner team once and the England man was used in central midfield in that game on the last day of the campaign.Guehi, 24, himself had a hectic summer, first starring at Euro 2024 with the Three Lions before a drawn-out pursuit by Newcastle ended up with him staying put.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhether it is fatigue or distraction, Guehi has not looked his usual self this term.Spanish-born Morocco centre-back Chadi Riad, 21, was signed from Barcelona to add depth but picked up a knee problem in the Carabao Cup second-round, while USA ace Chris Richards, 24, has also had fitness issues.Visit the restaurant serving tasty food at affordable prices just steps away from historic Premier League groundSTRIKER STRUGGLESJEAN PHILIPPE-MATETA’S transformation into a lethal striker was key to Oliver Glasner’s early success with Crystal Palace.The 27-year-old French striker scored 13 goals in as many games under the Eagles boss to end last season.But a summer spent playing at the Olympics and frustration over contract negotiations have marred this season.The Olympics and frustration over his contract have marred Palace ace Jean-Philippe Mateta’s seasonMateta has just two Prem goals this term — both against Leicester — with relations between him and the club threatening to turn sour after he was offered a deal with wages well below where he feels they should be.Palace signed Eddie Nketiah, 25, for £25million from Arsenal, though the former England Under-21 international is yet to net for his new club in the Premier League.WHARTON HAMPEREDADAM WHARTON’S rise from the Championship to the England squad was one of the stories of the second half of last season.The midfielder, signed from Blackburn in January for an initial £18million, was an instant hit in South London and was at the heart of Crystal Palace’s superb finish to 2023-24.However, after not getting a single minute in Germany with the Three Lions, Wharton, 20, sustained a groin injury during his short pre-season which has continued to niggle and impacted his form.Adam Wharton has suffered a frustrating season so farCredit: GettyHe has still been playing games but has required injections and painkillers to do so while it is expected he will need surgery.There has been some frustration that after withdrawing from the England U21s squad this month and then not being involved against Nottingham Forest that the operation was not done during the last international break.A fit Wharton at the top of his game would make a world of difference.OLISE’S ABSENCECRYSTAL PALACE accepted early last season that it would almost certainly be their last with Michael Olise on the books.His electric form earned a £50million move to German giants Bayern Munich and the Frenchman has been sorely missed as talisman.Oliver Glasner points out that Olise, 22, was not even fit for half of his games as Palace manager last season, which is true, but he was involved in five of the seven wins that they picked up.Palace have really been missing Michael Olise after he left for Bayern MunichThe lack of a like-minded presence appears to have hit Eberechi Eze’s form too.While he has gone close on many occasions and had a perfectly-good stunner ruled out against Brentford, the mercurial midfielder has not been at his best.The man brought in to effectively replace Olise, Daichi Kamada, has struggled to adapt.READ MORE SUN STORIESJapan international Kamada was one of Glasner’s stars at former club Eintracht Frankfurt but has looked out of place in the Premier League so far.The 28-year-old, one of the top earners following his arrival on a free transfer after a year at Lazio, has struggled to compete deeper in midfield and has not been able to create enough when played further forwards. 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