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      ‘The club has to move on’ – Pep Guardiola reveals he chose to axe Kevin De Bruyne with Man City star prepared to stay

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      PEP GUARDIOLA confirmed it was his decision to call time on Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City career.The Belgian announced on Friday he would leave the Etihad this summer after ten glittering years.Pep Guardiola has revealed he is the one who decided to end Kevin De Bruyne’s Man City careerCredit: PAThe Belgian will leave City on a free transfer when his contract expires this summerCredit: ReutersKDB, 33, was open-minded about extending his City stay — and may even have accepted a bit-part playing role as his family are settled in the area.Yet Guardiola had been concerned over his dip in form following injuries.Ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday, boss Pep said: “Myself  and  the  club  had  to take a decision. It is not easy as he has been extraordinary.“Me, Txiki Begiristain and the club made the decision — and it is what it is.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDe Bruyne will be 34 this summer but is now clear of injury issues that dogged him in the last few seasons.Even so, offering anywhere close to the £375,000-a-week wages the attacking midfielder currently earns would have represented a big gamble by City.Guardiola added: “The club has to move forward, move on. To replicate his numbers is so difficult. To say bye to these players is so difficult“You can only be grateful. The club gave everything to him — and he gave everything to us.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“I’m incredibly grateful and sad that it will be over in two months.“He’s the only player who has finished his contract. The rest are under contract but still there are many things the club and myself haven’t decided on.”Ex-Man City star Martin Demichelis explains showdown between himself and Spain ace Sergio Canales There will be question marks over several  stars as Guardiola plans a summer shake-up. John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji have all had injury-hit campaigns while skipper Kyle Walker left on loan in January.Bernardo Silva and keeper Ederson’s form has also dipped — meaning City are now scrambling to claim a Champions League place.They spent over £170million in January but are set to splash out more this summer.And finding a replacement for De Bruyne is a priority, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, 21, their top target. More

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      Trent Alexander-Arnold set to hire key Everton man ahead of transfer from Liverpool to Real Madrid

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      EVERTON loans manager James Vaughan is quitting his post — and may start to work for Trent Alexander-Arnold.The ex-Toffees striker, 36, is poised to move on and join Liverpool right-back Alexander-Arnold’s team of advisers ahead of his likely move to Real Madrid.Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to add James Vaughan to his team ahead of a Real Madrid switchCredit: GettyFormer Everton striker Vaughan currently works as their loans manager but is set to quitCredit: PA:Press AssociationVaughan came through the ranks at Everton and ended up scoring nine goals in 60 games.His career also took him to clubs including Norwich, Huddersfield and Wigan.But the ace now looks set to link up with Alexander-Arnold’s representatives.The England star is reportedly set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer when his Liverpool contract expires this summer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt’s reckoned Alexander-Arnold has already agreed a five-year contract with the Spanish giants.And he will take home a tasty £240,000-a-week salary, working out at £13million a year.Alexander-Arnold could also pocket a lucrative signing-on fee.While he could even boost his pay packet with a series of performance-related bonuses.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThe move will see Alexander-Arnold link up with pal Jude Bellingham, who fuelled rumours of Real Madrid’s free transfer approach earlier this season.While the Spaniards could yet target more Premier League signings in Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.Steven Gerrard gives update on return to management after Liverpool legend left Al-Ettifaq Alexander-Arnold’s impending move means he is finally set to call time on his Liverpool career after 21 years.Fortunately for Liverpool, they already have a ready-made replacement in fellow Anfield academy star Conor Bradley.While the likes of Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah can also fill in there. More

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      Aston Villa 2 Nottingham Forest 1: Visitors miss chance to close gap on Arsenal as hosts move within 1 point of top four

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      ASTON VILLA’S two-goal blast in two minutes ultimately settled a game of two halves.But Unai Emery’s Champions League quarter finalists were made to fight for their seventh win in a row right until the end by Forest, their unlikely rivals for an automatic spot in next season’s competition.Aston Villa moved within one point of Chelsea in the race for top four as Youri Tielemans looks to play PSG in the Champions League nextCredit: RexMorgan Rogers fired Aston Villa in front inside 13 minutesCredit: AlamyThe England star channelled Cole Palmer’s favourite celebrationCredit: AlamyDonyell Malen’s tap-in doubled Villa’s lead within two minutesCredit: PASuper sub Jota Silva pulled one back in the 57th minuteCredit: ReutersWhat brilliant seasons these clubs are having, and what an entertaining game this was, especially in the second half.When the Forest fans struck up an early chorus of “Que Sera Sera”, the home supporters joined in to mark their shared achievement of reaching the FA Cup semi finals at Wembley.It will be Paris in springtime for Villa on Wednesday when they take on PSG in the first leg.On a deceptively cold afternoon in the West Midlands, boss Emery rested a number of key players for a match that was important for both clubs’ chances of playing elite European football next season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSEmery’s judgement seemed sound when Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen put the home side ahead with two goals in two first-half  minutes against a Forest team that seemed to be running on fumes.But Nuno Espirito Santo’s injury-hit band of brothers dug deep and rocked VIlla back on their heels after the break.Half-time sub Jota Silva pulled one back and Forest squandered a number of other chances to end Villa’s winning streak.Before the game started, Villa seemed to be giving Forest a lesson in how much they will need to improve if they do make it to the Champions League and want to compete.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSEmery was able to make eight changes to the starting line-up that had won at Brighton yet still field a formidable team.Meanwhile Nuno had to stick with the tried and trusted as injuries to Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi left him without a centre forward and needing to reshuffle.Emery ripped up his own transfer handbook to sign Villa sensation Morgan Rogers, who says HE invented Palmer celebrationForest had looked leggy and a little nervous in beating Manchester United through Anthony Elanga’s early wondergoal.A better, more incisive team than United would probably have beaten them.And Villa, for 15 minutes at least, were a much better and more incisive team than United.Forest were 3-4-3 out of possession but very much a 5-2-3 when Villa had the ball.It mattered not. Ian Maatsen drew a save from Matz Sels, then Marco Asensio and Youri Tielemans went close-ish before Rogers and Malen dealt the visitors a quick one-two combination right in the chops.Visiting centre half Morato looked up from fiddling with a shinpad to find Tielemans was about to clip a lovely pass between him and makeshift wing-back Nico Dominguez. Rogers’ control was exquisite. A quick look up, a couple of confident strides forward, a firm left-footed shot, 1-0.The second goal soon arrived and was also a little gem.Silva was a handful during his second-half cameoCredit: AFPThe weight on Tielemans’ pass to Maatsen was perfect, allowing the Dutchman to throw Ryan Yates off balance and then head to the byline.The cross was tempting, Malen’s run was well timed and the finish, a formality.Emery celebrated with his customary gusto. But the Villa boss was animated for different reasons midway through the half when Forest finally showed their teeth.Elanga attempted to recreate his incredible sprint and finish from the United game but pulled his left-foot shot wide of the far post.Then fellow flying winger Callum Hudson-Odoi found space and was also off target.Villa had lost a bit of momentum but Forest did not register a shot on goal until the 40th minute, when Emi Martinez saved easily from Yates.The visitors needed to find some energy from somewhere and Nuno sent on Silva for Elanga at the break to play as a more conventional centre forward.Villa manager Unai Emery was animated for different reasons midway through the halfCredit: ReutersEmiliano Martinez clashed with Silva as the pair squared up to each other afterCredit: AFPMartinez and Jota came to blowsCredit: AlamyUnfortunately for Forest the first chance to pull one back fell to Neco Williams, who fired wide of the far post after Hudson-Odoi retrieved a deep cross.Then the winger himself had a go from a similar position, with a similarly frustrating resultBut it was third time lucky. Williams crossed from the left, Elliot Anderson swung and missed, and Silva pounced to steer a left-footed shot across Martinez and into the net.Moments later Tielemans stopped Anderson from converting another Williams centre. Then Anderson did get a shot away, only to fire wide.Villa were on the ropes and Emery had seen enough, making a triple change just after the hour.The game had plenty of edge by now, with Silva provoking a clash with Martinez that attracted a few other players.Rogers could have restored the two-goal lead after leaving Murillo in a heap on the halfway line. But a heavy touch meant that Forest goalkeeper Sels could make a save.Back came Forest, Morgan Gibbs-White shooting wide. Sels saved from Asensio and then Tielemans as the game became end to end.Gibbs-White went close twice more, sending a header and then a right-footed shot wide.Read More on The SunSels scrambled away a Marcus Rashford corner, and in stoppage time Murillo hit the bar before Sels denied Rashford again.The Champions League needs both these clubs and their fans next year. More

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      Inside Nketiah’s nightmare cameo as he’s booked for diving within minute before he’s recklessly sent off in wild game

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      EDDIE NKETIAH suffered “one of the worst cameos ever” after being sent off within TEN minutes of coming on during Crystal Palace’s dramatic 2-1 win over Brighton.The striker was booked for simulation inside the box within 60 SECONDS of replacing goalscorer Jean-Philippe Mateta inside 68 minutes.Palace star Eddie Nketiah was shown a yellow card for simulation within a minute of coming onCredit: GettyNketiah endured a nightmare ten minute cameo during Palace’s dramatic 2-1 win over BrightonCredit: RexThe former Arsenal star was then shown a second yellow for a high boot on Jan Paul Van Hecke in the 78th minuteCredit: GettyThe striker was handed a double booking from ref Anthony TaylorCredit: AlamyFans inside Selhurst Park applauded Nketiah as he walked off down the tunnelCredit: GettyTo make matters worse, Nketiah was through on goal and could’ve unleashed a shot at Seagulls keeper Bart Verbruggen with his first touch of the game.And just nine minutes later, the former Arsenal star was shown a second yellow for a high boot on Jan Paul Van Hecke in the 78th minute.In total, Nketiah had just two touches of the ball and completed only two passes during his disaster ten minutes before being sent off.He failed to win any of his duels in the heated 3pm derby, before losing two 50-50 battles.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWhile fans inside Selhurst Park applauded a gutted Nketiah as he walked off down the tunnel, others online were far less supportive, with the game in the balance at 2-1.One wrote: “Hats off to Nketiah for one of the worst cameos in history.”A second said: “Did Nketiah really just do that?😔”But loads backed him, writing: “Nketiah didn’t even dive. There was clear contact. He also pulled out of the second. Harsh.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMeanwhile, Van Hecke himself was handed the final red card of agame which saw ref Anthony Taylor dish out THREE.Palace defender Marc Guehi was given his marching orders in between them.Ben Chilwell opens up on being bombed out by Chelsea before Crystal Palace lifelineThe 24-year-old soon followed Nketiah after also receiving a second yellow for catching Brajan Gruda with his studs.The England star’s second yellow came minutes after medics rushed onto the pitch to help Maxence Lacroix after a sickening head clash with Joao Pedro.Meanwhile, two stunning efforts from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Daniel Munoz, either side of a Danny Welbeck leveller, secured all three points for Oliver Glasner’s side.The Eagles moved to within four points of Fabian Hurzeler’s side with a game in hand. More

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      Crystal Palace 2 Brighton 1: Eagles cling on for win in chaotic final ten minutes with three sent off and horror injury

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      CRYSTAL PALACE clung on to earn a double over rivals Brighton for the first time in 92 YEARS in a match that featured THREE red cards.The Eagles have now won 12 out of 17 in all competitions since December, while Brighton are in danger of blowing up. Crystal Palace won a Premier League thriller against BrightonCredit: GettyJean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring for PalaceCredit: AFPDanny Welbeck levelled the scores before half-timeCredit: GettyBefore Daniel Munoz put Palace ahead with a wonderful strikeCredit: GettyAnthony Taylor dished out THREE red cards – the first came for Eddie NketiahCredit: AlamyThe old timers in the Holmesdale Road stand will have celebrated long into the night after seeing Palace complete a league double over Brighton for the first time since they were both playing in the Division Three South in 1933.But this well-deserved victory, secured with nine men after Eddie Nketiah and Marc Guehi were both sent off for picking up two bookings, is more significant for its impact on both club’s short-term futures. After failing to win their first eight games of the season Palace could yet end it in Europe, having already booked a visit to Wembley to face Aston Villa in an FA Cup semi-final at the end of the month.  Oliver Glasner’s side have a game in hand and moved to within two points of eighth-placed Brighton, who have lost three straight games in a nightmare week that began with an agonising FA Cup quarter-final penalty shootout defeat to Nottingham Forest.  READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWith this victory extending Palace’s unbeaten run to seven matches The Eagles will fancy their chances of qualifying for Europe through league position for the first time in their history. Goals at the start of each half from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Daniel Munoz secured what was ultimately a fairly comfortable victory for Palace, with Eberechi Eze creating both.  The 26-year-old picked a good afternoon to impress in front of watching England manager Thomas Tuchel, who will also have noted some smart saves from Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Mateta’s first goal in the third minute was celebrated with an outpouring of emotion, as it was his first since sustaining the horrific ear injury that required 25 stitches following Liam Robert’s infamous karate kick in Palace’s FA Cup win over Millwall last month.  Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe French striker was played into space on the left edge of Brighton box by Eze with no obvious route to goal, but turned to create a shooting opportunity before beating Bart Verbruggen with a left-foot curler.  Lifted by the early goal Palace continued to play with confidence, while Brighton looked sluggish. Ben Chilwell opens up on being bombed out by Chelsea before Crystal Palace lifelineEddie Nketiah was first to be sent off after two bookingsCredit: AlamyMedics later rushed on the pitch to help Maxence Lacroix after a head clash with Joao PedroA long ball from Henderson caught the visitors out in the 10th minute, with Eze going close to doubling their lead.  It took a brilliant double save from Henderson to preserve Palace’s lead in the 13th minute however. The England goalkeeper did well to get his outstretched left arm down to stop Carlos Baleba’s long-range shot before blocking Welbeck’s follow-up at close range. Henderson could do nothing about Brighton’s 31st minute equaliser, although the same could not be said of Palace defenders Jefferson Lerma and Maxence Lacroix, who allowed Welbeck to sneak in between them to volley in from a brilliant cross from the right from Yankuba Minteh. At the age of 34 and with six years since his last call-up, Welbeck’s international career is almost certainly over, but his form has been outstanding all season.If Tuchel can call up Jordan Henderson then anything may be possible.Eze on the other hand could represent England’s future, particularly if he can reproduce the flashes of individual brilliance he showed here on a more regular basis.  Palace’s second goal of the afternoon in the 55th minute was Eze at his best. Marc Guehi was sent marching for picking up a second yellow for a studs up challenge on GrudaCredit: RexHe began a counter-attack from deep in his own half, effortlessly and elegantly carrying the ball into enemy territory, before spotting Munoz in space on the opposite flank.  The cross-field pass to release Munoz was exquisite, although it still left the Colombian international with a lot to do as he cut in from the right to score at the far post. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler responded with a double attacking sub, with Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra coming on for Matt O’Riley and Minteh respectively, but there was no immediate impact.  Glasner also made a change, with Nketiah replacing Mateta, who understandably received a standing ovation for his efforts. It was Nketiah who made his presence felt soonest, with the former Arsenal striker having a strong appeal for a penalty following a tussle with Pervis Estupian. Referee Anthony Taylor felt he went down too easily however and waved him away, as well as showing him a yellow card, which looked a harsh decision. Nketiah paid the ultimate price when his afternoon was ended prematurely after just 11 minutes on the pitch when Taylor showed him a red after a second yellow, although on this occasion he could have few complaints.  The 25-year-old has been in a rich vein of form with three goals in his last five appearances, and his desire to continue got the better of him. A rash challenge for the ball with Jan Paul van Hecke saw him raise his foot far too high, and on other occasions he would have seen a straight red. Guehi was also sent off for a second yellow at the start of an epic 12-minute period of injury time, which left Palace hanging on for dear life. Read More on The SunBrighton were unable to take advantage however, and also lost a man in added time Van Hecke was sent off for a cynical foul on Daichi Kamada. While Palace are flying Brighton are stuttering at the wrong time, and will be nervously looking over their shoulders. Jan Paul van Hecke was then sent packing in added timeCredit: AFP More

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      West Ham 2 Bournemouth 2: Evanilson scores two as Cherries survive quickfire Hammers double but lose ground in Euro race

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      WEST HAM fans must just wish the season could end tomorrow.Pride is perhaps the only thing the club is playing for these days.Evanilson levels for the CherriesCredit: ReutersThe Bournemouth striker celebrates his equaliserCredit: GettyIt is highly unlikely, with three poor teams inside the drop zone, that they are going to get relegated from the Premier League.And though the core problems on the pitch are not necessarily his fault, the honeymoon period for Graham Potter ended a while ago.On a sun-drenched afternoon in East London, this had the feel of an end-of-season occasion for the Hammers, with their campaign slowly drifting towards a lacklustre finish.The lack of urgency and intensity at times was matched by the flattest atmosphere imaginable inside the London Stadium.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNo wonder the cheeky Bournemouth fans sang: “Is this a library?”Though there was a brief moment of joy when their captain Jarrod Bowen headed them in front, Bournemouth striker Evanilson scored with a tap-in to deny Potter what would have been just a fourth win in 12 matches.One image of a West Ham fan YAWNING in stoppage time summed up the sorry nature of the overall display.West Ham could end up finishing in 17th spot, which would be their WORST league finish for 14 years, and plans for next season should really be happening behind the scenes.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKJarrod Bowen had headed West Ham in front on 68 minutesCredit: PABowen celebrates his second-half headerCredit: ReutersThings could have got really bad inside the first minute when Bournemouth showed their attacking threat – but the header by Evanilson from Dango Ouattara’s floated left-wing cross sailed wide.West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was certainly alert to the danger on 32 minutes when he was forced to save with his legs a possible own goal by Tomas Soucek.’He’s got to go’ – Danny Dyer reveals two clubs he’d let Jarrod Bowen leave West Ham for even if it broke his heartThe Czech ace – who played throughout in an advanced role between Bowen and Mohammed Kudus – saw the ball inadvertently come off his midriff when Ouattara hooked it back into the box.Six minutes later, Areola was not so fortunate as his inability to hold on to the ball proved his undoing.The Parisian spilled a shot from Antoine Semenyo, who did well to fire goalbound from a  tight area, and Evanilson reacted first for his fifth goal in six matches.Inevitably there was a VAR check for a possible offside and on the last Saturday before the introduction of semi-automated offside technology, Cherries fans had to wait for someone in a Stockley Park booth to review the monitors.It could have been worse for the home side five minutes later but the flicked header by Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi bounced off the crossbar.Apart from one brief moment of lovely skill from the twinkle toes of Kudus, who performed some trickery in the middle of the field, the first half was easily forgotten from a West Ham perspective.No shots on target and boos greeted the half-time whistle.The second half did improve, from an entertainment point of view, and Niclas Fullkrug came off the bench to score his first goal in front of home fans since his £27.5million arrival last summer from Borussia Dortmund.The German giant, who has had a series of different injuries, scored with a powerful header that Kepa, the Bournemouth goalkeeper, had no chance of stopping.Bowen, who will soon get married to celebrity/influencer Dani Dyer, joined in with the fun and scored with a brilliant header himself – his first goal at home in 2025.Yet West Ham’s luck was popped by the Cherries and Brazilian No9 Evanilson scored at the back post from a Dean Huijsen header, which survived a VAR offside check for Ben Winterburn.Semenyo may have given the visitors a grandstand finish but his attempt was saved well by Areola.Read More on The SunWhen the full-time whistle was blown, most of the West Ham fans could barely bother to boo and several of their stars dropped to their knees with fatigue.For many, the summer break cannot come quick enough.Evanilson gave Bournemouth a first half leadCredit: ReutersNiclas Fullkrug levelled for the HammersCredit: Reuters More

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      Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest LIVE SCORE: Latest after Palace beat Brighton and Wolves fight back at Ipswich – latest

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      ASTON VILLA are hosting rivals Nottingham Forest in a massive Midlands derby!In a packed Saturday of football, Crystal Palace beat rivals Brighton after 14 MINUTES of injury time.Ipswich were in front against Wolves, but suffered a huge body blow as the visitors fought back from a goal to win 2-1.Graham Potter’s West Ham drew with Bournemouth.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below…From Matt Hughes at Selhurst ParkCrystal Palace dug in to secure their first league double over rivals Brighton for 93 years to increase their hopes of qualifying for Europe.  Oliver Glasner’s in-form side are now two-points behind eighth-placed Brighton with a game in hand after this hard-fought win, secured by goals in each half from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Daniel Munoz.Palace had to play the final 25 minutes (including 12 of tension-inducing added time) with just 10 after substitute Eddie Nketiah was sent off after just 11 minutes on the pitch, but showed the resilience that is becoming the hallmark of their increasingly impressive season. After failing to win their first eight games Palace could yet end it in Europe, having already booked a visit to Wembley to face Aston Villa in an FA Cup semi-final at the end of the month.Copy linkCopiedFrom Ivan Speck at Portman RoadThe Wolves fans are singing ‘We are staying up’ at Portman Road after their comeback 2-1 win at Ipswich who are now headed straight back to the Championship.The mathematics say that Ipswich can still bridge a 12-point gap to their visitors. Logic says otherwise after Jorgen Strand Larsen stabbed home an 85th-minute Pablo Sarabia volleyed cross.Substitute Sarabia had earlier cancelled out Liam Delap’s first-half opener for Ipswich.Copy linkCopiedFrom Rob Maul at the London StadiumWest Ham fans must just wish the season could end tomorrow.Pride is perhaps the only thing the club is playing for these days. It is highly unlikely, with three poor teams inside the drop zone, that they are going to get relegated from the Premier League.And though the core problems are not his fault, the honeymoon period for Graham Potter ended a while ago.Bournemouth, meanwhile, still have aspirations of European football next season.Copy linkCopiedFull time – Crystal Palace 2-1 BrightonThe nine men of Crystal Palace have held on to beat the ten men of Brighton.Daniel Munoz’s trundler was the matchwinner before the red mist descended on Selhurst Park.Copy linkCopiedFull time – Ipswich 1-2 WolvesIpswich Town have now dropped 25 points from winning positions this season, and it has Kieran McKenna and his team staring an immediate return to the Championship in the face.Wolves, meanwhile, can smell survival under Vitor Pereira.Copy linkCopiedFull time – West Ham 2-2 BournemouthIt’s another draw between West Ham and Bournemouth, the only surprise is this one didn’t end 1-1.Copy linkCopiedCrystal Palace 2-1 Brighton90+6. A THIRD red card at Selhurst Park!This time Jan Paul van Hecke is given his marching orders by Anthony Taylor for clipping Daichi Kamada as the Palace player threatened to race through on goal.Who says this isn’t a proper rivalry?!Copy linkCopiedCrystal Palace 2-1 Brighton90. Crystal Palace are now down to NINE men with Marc Guehi following Eddie Nketiah for an early bath.Already on a booking, the England defender crunches his studs into the midriff of Brajan Gruda.And now Oliver Glasner’s depleted team have 12 minutes of stoppage time to hold out for.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Ipswich 1-2 Wolves84. Jorgen Strand Larsen has Wolverhampton Wanderers on the verge of Premier League safety.The introduction of Pablo Sarabia has turned this game on its head, and after scoring, the substitute how now set up a second for the Norwegian.Strand Larsen bundles in his fourth in three games, a goal finally given the green light after a lengthy offside check,The striker picks up a yellow card for his excessive celebrations, but I doubt he cares too much about that.Copy linkCopiedFrom Matt Hughes at Selhurst ParkDaniel Munoz restored Palace’s lead in the 55th minute with another goal created by Eberechi Eze in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel.Eze’s cross-field pass to release Munoz was exquisite, although it still left the Colombian international with a lot to do.The 28-year-old showed no ill effects from last week’s trip to South America for World Cup qualifiers however, and cut in from the right to beat Bart Verbruggen at his far post. Copy linkCopiedGOAL! West Ham 2-2 Bournemouth79. Two for Evanilson, two for Bournemouth, and this game is deadlocked once again.It was a long ball lofted to the edge of the area, headed on by Dean Huijsen, and followed all the way in by the Brazilian striker.It’s seven in nine for the former Porto man!Copy linkCopiedCrystal Palace 2-1 Brighton78. Well, this is an interesting 10-minute cameo from Eddie Nketiah.Introduced as a 68th-minute substitute for Jean-Philippe Mateta, the striker was first booked for simulation, and has now been sent off for catching Jan Paul van Hecke with a high boot.Crystal Palace will have to see this one out a man light.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Ipswich 1-1 Wolves72. What a big goal this could be from Pablo Sarabia!Jorgen Strand Larsen does well to hold the ball up and feed the Spanish substitute, who initially gets lucky with a bounce off a defender before steering low past Alex Palmer and into the bottom corner.It could spell the end of the road for Ipswich Town.Copy linkCopiedFrom Ivan Speck at Portman RoadThe anxiety levels of the Ipswich fans keeps going up. Joao Gomes struck the home upright within five minutes of the restart, while nervous defending has already seen one almighty scramble indie the home area.It’s one-way traffic towards the Ipswich goal now.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! West Ham 2-1 Bournemouth68. What a turnaround at the London Stadium! It’s another brilliant header too, this time scored by Jarrod Bowen!Mohammed Kudus clips over a cross from the byline for the England international, who rises between two Bournemouth defenders in order to steer his effort inside the far post.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! West Ham 1-1 Bournemouth61. Instant impact from Niclas Fullkrug!It’s a thumping, towering header from the substitute, who climbs highest to meet James Ward-Prowse’s corner before powering beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga.It’s a first goal at the London Stadium for Fullkrug, and – surprise, surprise – West Ham and Bournemouth are drawing 1-1 again.Copy linkCopiedIpswich 1-0 Wolves60. Wolves are getting closer.After Joao Gomes crashed a shot against the post at the start of the second half, Jorgen Strand Larsen has just looped a header narrowly over the crossbar.Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-1 Bournemouth57. Two more changes for West Ham with Graham Potter wasting no time.Carlos Soler and striker Niclas Fullkrug are on now, replacing Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez.This really would be a good time for Fullkrug to kickstart his Hammers career.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton55. Palace are back in front courtesy of Daniel Munoz!Ebere Eze is once again the driving force, pushing forward from the left and feeding the marauding wing-back on the right.Munoz’s strike on the run isn’t the best but it has enough on it to bundle its way through a crowd and into the bottom corner.Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-1 Bournemouth49. Graham Potter made a change at the break, replacing young Ollie Scarles on the left with Emerson.But it’s a move yet to have the desired effect, and the Hammers are still to register a first attempt on target.Copy linkCopiedFrom Ivan Speck at Portman RoadLiam Delap’s 16th-minute goal, seizing on a Dara O’Shea nod-down, has Ipswich ahead, but they so nearly conceded disastrously when keeper Alex Palmer allowed a Cameron Burgess back-pass to roll under his foot and scrambled back in desperation to paw it away to safety.Nervous times in Suffolk.Copy linkCopiedFrom Matt Hughes at Selhurst ParkDanny Welbeck showed once again that age has not dulled his goal-scoring instincts by nipping in to poach a deserved equaliser for Brighton at Crystal Palace. The 34-year-old snuck in between Palace defenders Jefferson Lerma and Maxence Lacroix to meet a sensational cross from the right from Yankuba Minteh with a well-taken volley. Palace had taken the lead through Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s first goal since returning from that horrific ear injury in the third minute, but failed to fully capitalise on their early dominance as the visitors came back into the game.Copy linkCopiedHalf-time scoresSo far so good for Ipswich and Bournemouth, while yet again nobody can tell the difference between Crystal Palace and Brighton.Crystal Palace 1-1 BrightonIpswich 1-0 WolvesWest Ham 0-1 BournemouthCopy linkCopiedFrom Ivan Speck at Portman RoadIt’s the hope that kills you, but Ipswich have it thanks to Liam Delap’s 12th Premier League goal of the season.Wolves created plenty of early chances but Delap pounced to steer home Dara O’Shea’s knockdown and sent Portman Road into a frenzy.Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-1 Bournemouth42. Bournemouth go so close to a second as Illia Zabarnyi loops a header on to the crossbar.Graham Potter’s Hammers could do with half-time here.Copy linkCopied More

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      Medics race on to pitch to help Maxence Lacroix after sickening head injury as Crystal Palace fans call him ‘warrior’

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      MEDICS rushed on the pitch to help Maxence Lacroix after a sickening head clash with Joao Pedro. The centre-back collided with Pedro as Brighton trailed Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park. Medics rush on the pitch to help Maxence Lacroix after a head clash with Joao PedroCredit: GettyLacroix actually wanted to continue playing but the Eagles bench decided to replace him with Joel Ward. And one fan said: “Lacroix what a warrior.” Another added: “Lacroix just became an honorary one of our own hope he’s ok.” It was just one of several crazy incidents in a game that included THREE red cards. READ MORE IN football Jean-Philippe Mateta – back after his horror head injury in the FA Cup against Millwall – opened the lead after three minutes.Danny Welbeck then equalised on the half hour mark before Daniel Munoz restored Palace’s lead ten minutes after the break. The first to be shown red was substitute striker Eddie Nketiah – after being booked for diving and a studs up challenge. Marc Guehi followed as the game headed into the 90th minute following the England international’s second yellow. Most read in FootballBut the drama did not stop there as Jan Paul van Hecke was sent off six minutes into added time for his second bookable offence. Palace held onto victory to take bragging rights back down the M23. Wife of Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana ‘robbed of £62K handbag and Rolex’ in horror theft as man, 25, charged More