Premier League

EAGLE-EYED fans spotted Yoane Wissa’s “distraction technique” as Bryan Mbeumo converted a penalty after VAR drama.It took 66 minutes for the deadlock to be broken by Brentford in their London derby against Crystal Palace.Bryan Mbeumo missed his initial spot-kick but was given a retakeCredit: PAMarc Guehi was judged to have encroached by entering the DCredit: Sky SportsYoane Wissa started celebrating before Mbeumo took the shot on his second attemptMbeumo has now scored all nine of his Prem penaltiesCredit: ReutersThe Bees were awarded a penalty and Mbeumo stepped up – only to see his initial spot-kick hit the post and then be cleared by Marc Guehi.But the Palace skipper was judged to have encroached into the box before the effort was taken following a VAR check.Mbeumo was allowed to retake his penalty and he stepped up again, sending Dean Henderson the wrong way.His team-mate Wissa did not lose any belief in him despite his initial miss, having the confidence to start celebrating before he took his shot.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans noticed the striker running off to the Brentford fans in the away end with his arms up while Mbeumo coolly jogged up to the spot.Wissa avoided looking silly with his “distraction technique” as Mbeumo found a way beyond Dean Henderson at the second time of asking.Kevin Schade then headed home Brentford’s second before debutant Romain Esse got a consolation for Palace.On a wringing wet and damp afternoon in South London, the goals completed a first league double for the Bees over Palace for 69 years.Most read in FootballIt was the first time Palace had lost since a 5-1 thumping by Arsenal on December 21 and boss Oliver Glasner could only stand by the side of the dugout and sigh in the rain.One point and one place in the table separated these two London clubs pre-game, so it was clearly going to be a tight affair between two evenly-matched sides.But at least they are both looking upwards this season and, for the time being, not behind their shoulders like many had anticipated.Brentford’s No.1 Mark Flekken has made 101 saves in the Premier League this term, the most of any goalkeeper.And the stopper recorded 102nd when he brilliantly palmed away a stinging shot from Frenchman Jean-Philippe Mateta.Conditions were extremely tough, with driving rain straight from kick-off and for most of the afternoon, and a slippery surface underfoot.It meant that timing tackles was imperative, something that Bees centre-back Nathan Collins did to perfection when he managed to nick the ball off Eberechi Eze on 35 minutes with a sliding interception.It was a recovery tackle of the highest quality and though many drenched Palace fans screamed for a penalty, it was anything but that.In the second half, Palace needed Eze to take more control and assert his talent on this occasion.After being brought down recklessly by Vitaly Janelt, the English winger saw his free-kick deflect off the left hip of Sepp Van Den Berg and off the post with Flekken stranded.Brentford were awarded a penalty after Maxence Lacroix caught the shins of Collins but it came seconds after Will Hughes had been lucky not to be penalised for handball.For the first penalty, Mbeumo did a stop-start run-up but his left-footed strike hit the post and was then cleared by quick-thinking Guehi.However, VAR’s Darren England had noticed encroachment by Guehi before the effort was taken by Mbeumo.The Cameroonian forward made no mistake the next time, firing into the other part of the goal and cupping his hand to his ear as he ran off to the section of Brentford fans.It was his 14th league goal of the season and further showed why clubs are looking to sign him up this summer – if not before the February deadline day.Wissa was so confident his mate would score he was celebrating with both arms aloft before the spot-kick had even been taken.“F*** VAR” chanted the Palace fans but in this instance they had few complaints.Things got worse for them when Schade latched on to Mikkel Damsgaard’s delivery from the right but after making the connection, he also clashed with Richards.Both men, dazed and confused, felt the full impact of the collision and were rightly subbed off.READ MORE SUN STORIESPalace made it an interesting finale when substitute Esse scored on 85 minutes, converting at the back post when Daniel Munoz played it across goal from an Eze cross.With nine minutes allocated for stoppage time, Brentford had to maintain their concentration but while Collins did give away a silly free-kick with minutes to go, Palace did not have the ability to capitalise.Kevin Schade headed in Brentford’s secondCredit: GettyRomain Esse scored off the bench on his debutCredit: Getty More

PEP GUARDIOLA took a big gamble by throwing £92.5 million worth of new talent straight in for this top four showdown.It threatened to back-fire when Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov made a major blunder in the third minute of his Manchester City career to gift Chelsea the lead.Omar Marmoush showed he can become a key player for Man City with an impressive debutCredit: GettyAbdukodir Khusanov had a nightmare first appearance for his new clubCredit: GettyBut at least there was a hugely encouraging debut from Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush – who played a big part in helping City back into the game.The £59 million ace has been one of the stand out stars of the German league this season thanks to his 20 goals – not to mention the assists.And he has the energy to breathe new life into what has been a spluttering season for the champions.Marmoush had a couple of great chances and also saw a goal chalked off for offside during his 74 minute run-out.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe also showed promising signs of a link up with Erling Haaland – which almost led to a goal midway through the second half.The only downside was a habit of running offside – but put that down to over-enthusiasm as he tried to make an impression on his first run out.Fellow new arrival Khusanov will need more than an arm round his shoulder over the next few days after the way his debut started.Thankfully for him it didn’t get notably worse after that second minute blunder that gifted the visitors the lead – because for a while it looked like it might do.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe got a yellow card a couple of minutes later and on a couple of occasions he looked in danger of getting another one.Still there was a crucial block to deny Jadon Sancho a second goal of the night for the visitors and a sliding tackle that brought enthusiastic applause from his manager.Omar Marmoush shows his goal scoring skills for Egyptian National Team Boss Guardiola had some consoling words for Khusanov after his horror debutCredit: PAThe first Uzbek to play in the Prem lasted until the 54th minute when Guardiola replaced him with John Stones.City’s crowd are a forgiving bunch and he was given a generous round of applause as he made his way off – so that will have made him feel better.It always looked like a big gamble from Pep to pitch him straight in – after all he’s only played just over 30 games of top level football. More

WITH an injury list in double figures and the team stuck in mid-table, these really are dark old days for Tottenham fans.Points on the pitch are as rare as patience off it… there’s certainly no chance of being dazzled by smiles in this part of North London.Harry Redknapp believes there are reasons for Spurs fans to be positiveCredit: GettyIn Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham have a future world-class midfielderCredit: ReutersArchie Gray can be a future Spurs captainCredit: ReutersNever mind silverware, a silver lining will just do for now and with so many dark clouds above the place at the moment, there’s plenty to pick from.Which in Tottenham’s case is the emergence of three of the brightest young stars anywhere in the Premier League — Mikey Moore, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.All of them chucked into the thick of it far sooner than boss Ange Postecoglou would have liked, for sure.In an ideal world, I’m certain he would have far preferred to ease them in gently.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut needs must, of course, so it was a case of sink or swim instead and all three of them never for one second looked like going under.They have been raving about Moore for ages, even though he’s still only 17, and it’s always great when a kid comes through the ranks and lives up to the billing.Well, Mikey is definitely doing that and more — this kid is going to be a big star, believe me.And before anyone jumps on my case, by the way, I know the other two were bought in.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut that doesn’t mean it’s any less exciting to see a young talent come through.Bergvall is a “proper” player. I love the fact he’s got a bit of devilment about him already and there is no chance of him getting pushed around. More the opposite, to be honest.Ange Postecoglou’s press conference interrupted by coughing fit amid Tottenham crisis As for Gray, he came at a price and it’s easy to see why.Another teenager, but already a nailed-on Spurs captain of the future in my book.Archie’s played for England at every level from Under-15 up and it’s only a matter of time before he’s got the full set.So there HAS been some good from all the problems… not that it will keep anyone happy if results don’t improve, mind. And to be fair, nor should it.Although I do think it’s a bit harsh for the fans to be having a pop at Daniel Levy as they are.I’m not chairman of his fan club by any means, but I just don’t agree with it.Let’s be honest, what can Daniel really do? And don’t say get out of the club, because that’s not going to happen any more than he’s about to sack Ange.Levy’s given his manager a fortune for players, Spurs have the best stadium in the country and the training ground is second to none.Even with all those injuries, the squad is big enough to cope far better than it is.And with so many players, there is really no point in paying loads for even more.Some fans are calling for Ange Postecoglou to be sackedCredit: RexLook at the centre-backs, for example. When Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are fit, they go straight in again. Spurs already have defenders coming out of their ears. Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison, James Maddison … big-money buys everywhere. They ain’t going to sign guys to sit on the bench further down the line.This is certainly no time to panic and, to be fair, there’s no chance of Daniel getting rid of Ange — whatever anyone says about him being under pressure.Levy will realise this is a time for solidarity. Although if things don’t improve by the end of the season, I know better than most about how ruthless he can be.If we get to May and they are still bobbing around in mid-table with no trophy on the table, that’s when Ange could find out, too.But, don’t forget, they’re a goal up going into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final and the Europa League is hardly packed with the biggest names in football.Let’s be honest, it’s a second-rate competition with a load of sides who are Championship standard at best.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat gives Tottenham every chance of going all the way.If it all goes belly up then have a go, for sure, but for now just enjoy seeing those three young guns tearing it up.Mikey Moore is living up to the hype in his cameosCredit: Rex More