Premier League

CHELSEA squandered yet more points after Crystal Palace came from behind at Selhurt Park. The Blues opened the scoring through main man Cole Palmer and looked set to bounce back from consecutive defeats. It was yet more dropped points for ChelseaCredit: ReutersBut a mistake on the ball from Palmer allowed Palace in to equalise with Eberechi Eze setting up Jean-Philippe Mateta. With Chelsea now without a win in three league matches, this is how Jack Rosser rated the players. Robert Sanchez – 6Back in the side after Filip Jorgensen started the defeat to Ipswich.Sanchez is always under the microscope but did well when it came to controlling things in his area, making some saves and claiming the ball well from corners.READ MORE ON CHELSEA There is a lot of work still to be done on his distribution though. Twice attempted balls out found Crystal Palace shirts.There was not much he could have done for Mateta’s goal.Malo Gusto – 6With Reece James back from injury and watching from the bench, Gusto would have wanted a perfect performance.The Frenchman looked to be delivering that until, late on, he lost track of Eze in the box and the England man squared for the leveller.Most read in FootballJosh Acheampong – 7The teenager settled quickly on his first Premier League start.He was solid at the back alongside Colwill and, even more impressively, was quick and positive in possession, picking out a couple of smart passes from the back.Levi Colwill made defensive mistakesCredit: AlamyLevi Colwill – 5Colwill looked steady for the most part but was dragged out of position when it counted, chasing Ismailia Sarr and leaving the back four all over the place in the build up to Mateta’s goal.He was also booked for a rather reckless challenge on Cheick Doucoure and can perhaps count himself lucky the referee was not sent for a second look.Marc Cucurella – 6Struggled to cling on to Palace’s electric right-back Daniel Munoz at times.Munoz was given a lot of time and space to cause problems down the right by Cucurella, who can count himself lucky he was not punished.Going the other way Cucurella showed plenty of energy, often pinching the ball from those in red and blue.Moises Caicedo – 6A quiet game from the former Brighton man. If Chelsea are to get back to their best they need a midfield that can ensure they continue to dominate games when on top.There were too many occasions today when Crystal Palace were given a sniff – Caicedo at his best stamps that out.Enzo Fernandez continues to step upCredit: GettyEnzo Fernandez – 7With Romeo Lavia still injured, Fernandez has stepped up in recent weeks.The Argentine was assured in midfield and cute and creative in possession, looking to move the ball forward whenever he got the chance.Pedro Neto – 5The Portuguese brings so much promise with his pace but often lets himself down in the final third.Too often a good run ends in him losing the ball due to indecision or going down too easily.Cole Palmer – 7The former Manchester City man was in devastating form once again.A fine opener was almost quickly followed by a second goal while he probably should have had a pair of assists before the break if it was not for a superb Chris Richards tackle and some wasteful finishing from Jackson.Jadon Sancho was a menace down the leftCredit: PAJadon Sancho – 8Made the opening goal with a wonderful bit of skill, letting the ball run through his legs to leave Chris Richards stranded before charging down the flank to tee up Palmer.Sancho remained a thorn in Palace’s side on his wing, delivering a few dangerous balls and leaving defenders rather embarrassed.Nicolas Jackson – 5Jackson’s wastefulness will go down as perhaps the single reason Chelsea did not leave with three points.The Senegal striker should have doubled their lead not long after Palmer had put them ahead.Free at the far post after a free-kick, Jackson could not even hit the target and sent a scrappy effort into the side netting.There were further chances, one laid on by Palmer, but he could not make them count.READ MORE SUN STORIESSubstitutesMarc Guiu (on for Jackson, 81’) – n/aNoni Madueke (on for Sancho, 86’) – n/aNicolas Jackson was wasteful in front of goalCredit: Rex More

IVAN JURIC may as well resign now or start planning for life with Southampton in the Championship.The Croatian boss has a break clause this summer in the 18-month contract he signed after taking over from axed Russell Martin.Yoanne Wissa, left, Bryan Mbeumo, centre, and Kevin Schade, right, got on the scoresheetCredit: ReutersKevin Schade broke the deadlockCredit: ReutersKeane Lewis-Potter added a fourth for BeesCredit: ReutersWissa compounded Saints’ misery late onCredit: ReutersSo if his continued involvement with Southampton depends on their Premier League status he can forget that. They do not have a cat in hell chance of beating the drop.Two second-half goals – one from the spot – from Bryan Mbeumo as well as strikes from Keane Lewis-Potter and Yoane Wissa added to Kevin Schade’s first-half opener bagged Brentford their first Prem win on the road this season.And had it not been for some wasteful finishing from Wissa and Lewis-Potter, a fine Aaron Ramsdale save and the crossbar this would have been more embarrassing.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSouthampton are 10 points adrift of safety and that gap could expand further if Ipswich win at Fulham today or if Wolves get any kind of result at home to Nottingham Forest tomorrow.Juric said: “It was a bad day. I am disappointed with everything.“I expected more after two weeks here. I felt we could compete and do better. But today felt like someone kicked you in the head.“The players know the situation is bad but we must try to get better.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I’ve never had this feeling before. There was such a huge difference between the teams.“Today I thought we could take a step forward but took three back. We cannot live this day again. We cannot lose 5-0 at home.” Disgusted Southampton fans stream out of St Mary’s 27 minutes into Tottenham clash after going 4-0 downBrentford fans mocked Saints by chanting: “How s**t must you be, we’re winning away!” And boss Thomas Frank said: “This is one of my biggest moments as far as performances with Brentford in the Premier League. “To go down to Southampton a team fighting for their lives with a new manager and energy is difficult. To win in the way we did was satisfying.“We were in complete control for 90 minutes. We gave nothing away. We scored five and should’ve scored even more. I’m pleased and proud of that.” Saints got off to the worst possible start, falling behind in the sixth minute.Mikkel Damsgaard played a lovely pass into the path of Schade, who hit a lovely shot with the outside of his right boot to beat Ramsdale.Then Yoane Wissa was denied doubling the lead by a point-blank save from Ramsdale.Christian Norgaard then met a Mathias Jensen corner but his header bounced back off the bar.Brentford thought they had doubled their lead after the break when Sepp van den Berg headed home from a corner.But Wissa had pulled down Jan Bednarek in the lead up to the goal and ref Stuart Attwell overturned his decision after watching it on the pitchside monitor.Wissa missed a sitter after he was played in by a Schade flicked header but he lobbed well over the bar.But they finally grabbed their second.Mbeumo played a one-two with Wissa before rifling an angled effort into the roof of the net.And it got worse for Saints when clumsy Lesley Ugochukwu hauled down Sepp van den Berg and Mbeumo coolly slotted home from the spot.READ MORE SUN STORIESWissa saw an effort on the turn kept out by Ramsdale and Lewis-Potter shot barely an inch wide after being played in by Mbeumo.But Lewis-Potter snatched a fourth in stoppage time after being set up by Mbeumo and there was still time for Wissa to add another after he pounced on an awful Yukinari Sugawara header to slot home. More

FOR 76 minutes Unai Emery watched Leon Bailey suffer.But while every Villa fan prayed for him to hook his struggling winger, the Spaniard held his nerve.Leon Bailey fired in Aston Villa’s winner against LeicesterCredit: AFPThe Jamaican’s goal ensured the hosts keep in touch with the European spotsCredit: ReutersThen Emery showed why he is paid the big bucks as he made a double substitution and sent Ian Maatsen and Emi Buendia on for Lucas Digne and Ross Barkley.Villa fans were scratching their heads at why he hadn’t ended Bailey’s miserable afternoon there and then.But 60 seconds later they discovered why.Maatsen pounced on James Justin’s pass out of defence and worked a one-two with Jacob Ramsey, then delivered a low ball into the box.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd there was Bailey waiting to slam the ball beyond Jakub Stolarczyk to open his account for the season and justify his gaffer’s faith in him.Prior to the match, Emery had called on John McGinn and Bailey to find an end product to their game.Neither had managed to score a Premier League goal all season and with Villa deprived of seven-goal Jhon Duran and six-goal Morgan Rogers through suspension, Villa were deprived of 50 per cent of their scoring power this season.Emery needed someone to step up to the plate and McGinn fell by the wayside within 20 minutes when he hobbled off with a hamstring injury.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThat left much of the onus on Ollie Watkins’ broad shoulders – the problem was he was relying on Bailey to provide him with the service he needed – and the little Jamaican was having a stinker.Leicester’s Luke Thomas was all over Bailey like a rash in the first half and the winger couldn’t find his range as he was hustled out of his stride.if we’re able to get the vid then: Aston Villa fans’ coach ‘ATTACKED with stones’ after defeat at NewcastleAs the moans and groans grew, Bailey’s confidence seemed to sink – until Villa needed him most.Then he pounced to earn Emery’s men three crucial points and make it ten games without defeat at their Villa Park fortress.It was hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for the Foxes, who came for a point and looked as though they had managed to grind one out when Stephy Mavididi struck to cancel out Ross Barkley’s second-half sweet strike of an opener for Villa.Jordan Ayew drove down the right and picked out Jamie Vardy with an inch-perfect cross.The old Fox managed to wriggle in front of Ezri Konsa to get his shot off and looked to have ended his seven-match goalless streak against Villa until Emi Martinez defied him with a stunning point-blank save.But Mavididi was on hand to slam the loose ball home from close range and send the Foxes’ travelling support into a frenzy.That strike came just six minutes after Villa had seized the lead through Barkley.Youri Tielemans collected a weak Jannik Vestergaard headed clearance and the ball fell kindly to Barkley who took it down on his chest and delivered a thunderous low shot which sped beyond Stolarczyk.At last we had a game to get excited about because the first half was simply abysmal.Emery had used his programme notes to reveal he is hungry for more success with Champions League contenders Villa.But for 45 appalling minutes, his players looked as if they had lost their appetite for the fight as they only managed one shot on target.It was quite simply the worst half of football I have had the misfortune to witness this season.Talk about a slow-burner – after a first half of utter dross, the game hadn’t even started to smoulder.Matty Cash had a header easily saved by Stolarczyk and Watkins saw a shot blocked by Conor Coady.But the only real noteworthy incident was Villa skipper McGinn limping off to be replaced by Ramsey – to join Pau Torres, Diego Carlos and Jaden Philogene on the Villa’s growing crocked list.However, Emery’s men came out after the break with some fire in the bellies.Tielemans set the tone with an early shot which Stolarczyk got down well to save before the quickfire goals at either end.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Villa couldn’t be sure of all three points until Bailey answered his gaffer’s SOS with his timely winner to end his 19-game Premier goal drought.It was a sore way for Ruud van Nistelrooy to suffer a fifth straight defeat but he will take heart from the way his side battled for 90 minutes.Ross Barkley broke the deadlock with a sweet strikeCredit: PAHe celebrated by putting the ball up his topCredit: AFPLeicester equalised through Stephy MavididiCredit: PAThe winger tucked home a rebound from a tight angleCredit: GettyJohn McGinn was forced off early to add to Villa’s injury woesCredit: AFPRuud van Nistelrooy went into the game with one win in six as Foxes bossCredit: ReutersJakub Stolarczyk got down well to make this saveCredit: AFPLeicester remain stuck in the relegation zoneCredit: ReutersUnai Emery’s side are eighth on 32 pointsCredit: Reuters More

THOMAS TUCHEL barely had time to take his seat here before his England hopefuls quickly showed just how much talent he has at his disposal.Dominic Solanke gave Spurs the lead within four minutes with a brilliant header, before Anthony Gordon levelled up with a smart finish just two minutes later.Anthony Gordon scored Newcastle’s equaliser on six minutesCredit: GettyHe did so in front of the watchful eye of new England boss Thomas TuchelCredit: AFPBoth players will be hoping to be included when new Three Lions boss Tuchel names his first squad in March – and be a big part of his mission to end our 60-year wait for silverware at the World Cup next year.At 29, Jacob Murphy is unlikely to be called up but even he put up a decent case with his assist here for Alexander Isak’s winner his sixth goal involvement in the last five games.Newcastle have won all five of those to motor up the league and put them in sight of the Champions League spots.While injury-hit Spurs, who were interested in Tuchel after Antonio Conte left, have now lost three of their last five home league games, winning none of them.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe horror run has left the North Londoners nearer the drop zone and the top four and cranked up the heat on boss Ange Postecoglou, though his absentee list has been crippling.It was not just Solanke and Gordon on show for the baseball-cap-wearing Tuchel and his assistant Anthony Barry to keep an eye on from their seat up in the director’s box.Newcastle full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, along with Gordon, started November’s 5-0 thrashing of the Republic of Ireland and started here too.Murphy and Dan Burn, 32, have never been called up for their country but the way they are playing, and the short-term nature of Tuchel’s tenure, the German may have had them on his notes list too.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAs for Spurs, they fielded 18-year-old Archie Gray at centre-back again due to their injury crisis.While the obvious candidate for Tuchel to consider, James Maddison, was surprisingly left on the bench.Tottenham fans protest ‘Levy out’ with black balloons as Spurs chairman akwardly watches on during Liverpool lossThat was despite him being suspended for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool and Postecoglou’s squad being stretched to breaking point.Maddison, 28, had been due to start Sunday’s draw with Wolves but was put on the bench due to illness, emerging as a second-half sub,He then went out to watch the darts at Ally Pally that night hours later, though Postecoglou on Friday said he had no issue with that, having given his tired team two days off.A sickness bug then hit Postecoglou’s team in the week, to the point where goalkeeper Fraser Forster – another player eligible for England – missed this game altogether.It meant Brandon Austin was handed his first-ever Spurs appearance, despite being at the club for nearly ten years and turning 26 next week.His last senior appearance came a whopping four years ago while on loan in the MLS at Orlando City.Livramento’s game looked like it might have been over inside the first minute after colliding into Lucas Bergvall, but he eventually picked himself up and carried on.Spurs were in need of a fast start and they got one thanks to Solanke expertly finishing off a brilliant move.Bergvall, the 18-year-old Swede starting ahead of Yves Bissouma, drove the ball forward and gave it to Brennan Johnson, who cut it back for Pedro Porro to swing in a cross.Solanke managed to hold off Sven Botman – starting his first game in nine months after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury – and headed into the far corner.The lead lasted all of two minutes though and, such has been Spurs’ season of late, it came in desperately unlucky circumstances for the hosts.They were breaking up the pitch when a Bergvall pass struck Joelinton’s hand, diverting the ball back towards their 18-yard box, allowing Bruno Guimaraes to tee up Gordon who slotted into the corner.Spurs protested but VAR agreed with on-pitch referee Andrew Madley that Joelinton’s hand was not in an unnatural position when the ball struck it.Which, as tough as it was on Spurs, was probably right by the letter of the law.Postecoglou was left incensed anyway – as were the Spurs fans when the already-booked Burn did not receive a second caution for what they felt was a deliberate handball midway through the half.Isak has been the man of the moment of the festive period with eight goals in his last seven before this game.He surprisingly let Spurs off the hook on 32 minutes when firing Murphy’s cutback just wide.But lightning does not strike twice, particularly for Postecoglou’s team right now, and six minutes later the super Swede diverted in a Murphy cross which had hit Radu Dragusin along the way.Amazingly, Spurs’ selection problems worsened as Dragusin was forced off at half-time, meaning Postecoglou was now without all FOUR of his centre-backs.Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies were already out injured and not expected back until the end of the month.It saw Sergio Reguilon come on and Djed Spence, presumably because he was a bit taller than the other full-backs, pushed into the middle of defence.The results may be dismal of late for Postecoglou but his players still appear to be giving their all for him on the pitch – and that was the same in the second half here.His knackered side pushed for a leveller, with Brennan Jonson striking the post and Maddison, who came on in the 63rd minute, whipping narrowly past the post after a short corner.Even Reguilon looked like he might score after an attacking frenzy from Spurs but the Spaniard’s wild shot ended up going out for a throw.Solanke had a brilliant chance to win it in ten minutes of stoppage time, but planted his header from Porro’s cross straight at Martin Dubravka. That did not take away from a superb individual display from Spurs’ centre-forward, giving Tuchel plenty to think about as he hot-footed it down to the South Coast to take in Brighton vs Arsenal.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt could quite conceivably have been Eddie Howe sitting up in the director’s box as England boss had the Three Lions hierarchy gone for him.He will have to settle instead with Newcastle’s red-hot form, while Postecoglou was left to stew over another defeat during this painful period which shows no signs of easing up.Dominic Solanke headed Spurs in front in styleCredit: GettyGordon levelled with a neat finish into the bottom corner from an angleCredit: ReutersAlexander Isak touched home the winner at the back postCredit: GettyThe Swede has scored in seven consecutive Premier League appearancesCredit: GettyBrandon Austin was making his Premier League debutCredit: ReutersMore misery mounted on Ange PostecoglouCredit: ReutersGordon took a nasty whack to the face causing blood to pour from his noseCredit: Rex More

THE explanation behind Marcus Rashford’s shock Manchester United axe has been revealed.Rashford, 27, scored three in Ruben Amorim’s first two Premier League games in charge.Marcus Rashford has been exiled by Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyHe has not featured in Manchester United’s last four Prem matchesCredit: PAHe grabbed the opener two minutes in against Ipswich before helping himself to a double as United thrashed Everton 4-0.But then Amorim dumped Rashford out of the starting XI for the defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.And he has not featured in the Premier League since.Rashford was left out of matchday squads entirely against Manchester City, Bournemouth and Wolves – plus the Carabao Cup exit at Tottenham – then returned as an unused sub against Newcastle on December 30.READ MORE ON MAN UTDTellingly, Amorim refused to bring the forward on despite United trailing 2-0 from the 19th minute. It means the academy graduate’s only start since December 1 was away at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League and he has played 118 minutes of football from a possible 720 under Amorim. And his prolonged absence looks set to extend with Rashford missing training due to illness ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Anfield. Now there is talk of a possible transfer exit away from Old Trafford, especially after Rashford admitted he was open to a “new challenge”.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut according to The Athletic, there is a specific reason behind Amorim’s sudden change of tune.It is claimed in the aftermath of the win over Everton, Amorim was told Rashford had been on a night out in Manchester on Friday, November 29 – less than 48 hours before the Toffees clash on Sunday, December 1.Former Man Utd star slams Rashford and says he should move to MLS The new manager has a strict rule on players not going out to bars so close to matches.When he spoke to Rashford about the matter, the £325,000-a-week star reportedly denied the suggestions and told his gaffer he had been misinformed.Nonetheless, Amorim dropped Rashford.Then two weeks later, Rashford was said to be slacking in United’s final training session before the Manchester derby on December 15 – with again claims he had been out on the Friday before a Sunday match.Again, Rashford’s representatives strenuously rebuffed the reports and there is a feeling within his camp that the England man and local hero gets extra scrutiny on his social life than team-mates.A year ago, Rashford phoned in sick for training on a Friday – two days before facing Newport in the FA Cup – and it transpired he had been on a bender in Belfast. On the Monday after the cup clash, for which Rashford was axed, Sir Dave Brailsford addressed the United squad in a pre-arranged meeting – but then spoke privately with Rashford for 90 minutes. Why Rashford joining Arsenal is perfect fitBy Martin LiptonMARCUS RASHFORD is at a crossroads.But now the England star has to make the biggest choice he has ever faced – does he care about cash, or about his career?Rashford’s shock admission that he is “ready for a new challenge” after some two decades under the Manchester United umbrella has altered the dynamic around his future.That Rashford might not fit the blueprint of Ruben Amorim – who has now responded to Rashford’s comments – was not exactly a surprise.The Portuguese coach prefers a 3-4-3 formation but appears to have settled on Rasmus Hojlund as his starting central striker and wants two “narrow” inside forwards, with the width coming from the wing-backs.Rashford has always wanted to play through the middle but is often at his best exploiting spaces out wide – and that skillset does not necessarily suit the way Amorim wants to play.Even so, going public with his evident dissatisfaction at being bombed entirely from the squad for the Manchester derby was a major move, even if he vowed there would be “no hard feelings” if he does leave his boyhood club.In truth, Rashford has been leaving United almost from the moment he signed that new £325,000 per week contract in 2023.Something was broken in his connection to the club. His form dropped, his threat dissipated, his issues with the hierarchy deepened.When Erik ten Hag dropped him for hosting a birthday party after a derby defeat, and he later pulled a sickie to miss the FA Cup game with Newport, it felt even then that the writing was on the wall.The facts suggest the love affair has ended. After scoring 30 in all competitions to earn that new deal, he has scored just 15 in the 18 months since it was signed.Amorim’s arrival seems merely to have accelerated what was increasingly inevitable.Now, though, it is up to Rashford to determine what his future will bring.If it is only about the money, then his options might be somewhat limited.It is hard to see a Prem rival coughing up the same £16.9m annual salary – although Rashford’s comments have probably knocked £20m-plus off any transfer fee, even next month.But Real Madrid have their fill of big-money strikers and Barcelona’s budget remains restricted by La Liga financial controls.In Europe, then, that probably leaves PSG – but a move to a one-club league.Or, in the wider world, he could follow the likes of Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino and Co and head to the Saudi desert.Lucrative, yep. Certainly a different environment – and that may be exactly what Rashford both wants and needs. But the football? Not in a million years.What Rashford needs, above all, is to be able to play for trophies and showcase his talents.There is no better stage than the Premier League – which has far more global eyeballs on it than any other domestic competition.And in that Premier League there is one club crying out for a goalscoring No 9, especially if he can also play down the left channel to balance out the side and widen its threat.Rashford has always been more Longsight than London.Yet Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, might be the perfect fit.The Gunners’ lack of a proper scorer is one of the major factors many fans feel has hurt their title challenge this year.Gabriel Jesus has never been a natural finisher, while Kai Havertz is still a converted midfielder.And while the link-up between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka makes their right flank deadly, faith in Gabriel Martinelli on the left is waning.There have not been too many who succeeded at Arsenal after leaving United – although Danny Welbeck was not a flop.Rashford has all the attributes to change that history, if he can reproduce what everybody knows is inside him.And by breaking free, giving himself the chance to start all over, Rashford can make a point to Amorim that will resonate for a very long time.The attacker also angered Erik ten Hag in December 2022 by oversleeping and arriving late to a team meeting, prompting him to be dropped to the bench.Then in November 2023, Ten Hag slammed Rashford’s decision to go out partying for his birthday after a 3-0 hammering by rivals City as “unacceptable”. The 2024-25 season started off badly for the 60-cap international with two of his best mates at the club, Jadon Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, both leaving.He has chipped in with four Prem goals and an assist and has improved his running stats – now averaging 10.2km and 21.33 sprints per 90 minutes of action. His Europa League goal and two in the Carabao Cup take his overall United tally to 138 – 15th on the all-time list and now just seven behind Cristiano Ronaldo in joint 13th. Whether he adds many to that list, though, remains to be seen.Only clubs in Saudi Arabia would realistically be able to match his mammoth wages – but he has turned down three bumper offers already. SunSport revealed a swap deal with Victor Osimhen of Napoli is being discussed after Juventus declined the option to strike a deal.The MLS remains another possible exit route should he fail to win over his new manager and regain his starting spot following his recent exile. Amorim’s current stance to sideline Rashford has been given the support of the boardroom hierarchy.The ex-Sporting chief, though, insists the ball is in the player’s court to get himself back into contention and reignite his United career – but only if he is willing to prove he is up for the challenge.Amorim said: “It depends more on him than me.READ MORE SUN STORIES”He has to want it really, really bad. “He’s here. He’s ready to play if I decide.”Rashford scored twice against Everton in a 4-0 winCredit: GettyRashford – pictured in New York during the November international break – allegedly went out less than 48 hours before the clashCredit: GettyAmorim is being supported by the club’s top brassCredit: Getty More