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      Sporting expect Ruben Amorim to raid his old club for Man Utd next summer with THREE stars tipped for pricey transfers

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      RUBEN AMORIM revealed he will not sign any Sporting Lisbon stars in January.But the new Manchester United boss refuses to rule out a summer move for sensation Viktor Gyokeres.Ruben Amorim could bring three Sporting Lisbon players to Manchester UnitedCredit: EPAViktor Gyokeres has been linked with Man Utd but is also being monitored by ArsenalCredit: PAUnited have only scored eight goals in nine top-flight games this season.Ex-Coventry striker Gyokeres, 26, has already netted 18 times so far — having hit 43 last term — but the Swede’s release clause is £84million.Amorim said: “I’m not going to get any players from Sporting in January. Gyokeres costs 100 million and it’s very difficult.”Despite promising not to make any moves when the winter transfer window opens, Sporting bosses are privately admitting they expect Amorim to come in for his former players next summer.READ MORE ON MAN UTDGyokeres — also being followed closely by Arsenal — refused to rule out a potential move to the Premier League.He said: “Going with Amorim to Man Utd? I don’t know… I’m here.“As you can see, I enjoy it at Sporting. It’s nothing I think about.“I’m just sad about him leaving. We wish him all the best.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThree Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro.Goncalo Inacio is another player Amorim could look to take with him to Old TraffordCredit: GettyAnother player Amorim could move for is centre-back Ousmane Diomande.Portuguese Amorim, meanwhile, has yet to speak to any of United’s players, including countrymen Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes.Ruben Amorim showed flashes of a young Jose Mourinho is his latest press conference – and teased a big announcementAhead of joining on November 11, he added: “As for United, I haven’t spoken to anyone — not even the players. I’m focused on Sporting.”Ex-Red Devils winger Nani is backing Amorim to be a success.Nani said: “He is in an excellent place and has all the conditions to do well.”Morten Hjulmand is the third man Amorim may bid for as Man Utd bossCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea fans LOVE Eden Hazard’s reaction as Blues legend is pranked by barber with Tottenham shirt

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      CHELSEA fans hailed Eden Hazard’s reaction after he was hilariously pranked with a Tottenham shirt by his barber.Blues icon Hazard, 33, spent seven hugely successful years at Stamford Bridge between 2012 and 2019.Eden Hazard did not realise he was about to be pranked at the barbersCredit: INSTAGRAM @astarbarbersHe reacted hilariously when he realised his apron cape had a Spurs shirt printed on itCredit: INSTAGRAM @astarbarbersHazard made himself a Chelsea legend during his seven years at the clubCredit: GettyHe scored 11 goals and assisted 85 in 352 appearances for the club, winning two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, as well as the FA Cup and League Cup.Hazard left for Real Madrid five years ago – a move that failed desperately, largely due to persistent injuries.But the Chelsea faithful have never held that against the Belgian, who also earned 126 caps and scored 33 goals for his country.And it appears Hazard reciprocates the love between him and Blues supporters.READ MORE ON CHELSEAA-Star Barbers chose to prank him by putting the print of a Tottenham shirt on his apron cape.And when it was put on him he was not having any of it.Hazard said: “Bro, what are you doing man?”The former Lille man then threw it off as the barber laughed at the brilliant response.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAlongside the video, they added the caption: “Once a blue, always a blue 🔵.”Reacting to the clip, one fan said: “Don’t ever do that to our man 😂💙💙.”Watch Eden Hazard get mercilessly booed in CHARITY MATCH as fans refuse to forget Chelsea legend’s pastAnother added: “Eden never disappoints us 😂❤️.”A third replied: “💙👏legend.”While a fourth said: “You don’t try that with a Chelsea legend man.”A-Star Barbers have cut a host of footballers’ hair including Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland and Paul Pogba. More

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      Loose-lipped Amorim’s incredible Sporting press-conference shows new Man Utd boss will be non-stop entertainment in Prem

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      RUBEN AMORIM accepts he is a nightmare for the press officers who sit next to him at each media conference.They often want him to stop talking but here is a man who does not believe that silence is golden.Ruben Amorim was refreshingly honest in his press conference on Friday nightCredit: EPAHe revealed he wanted to stay at Sporting Lisbon until the end of the seasonCredit: EPAThis is why he will be enormously entertaining once he gets his feet under the table at Old Trafford.Although Amorim has never been one to criticise referees, you still get the feeling the Portuguese will talk himself into trouble over other issues once he is properly settled in English football.Admittedly, in his first press conference since being confirmed as United manager — after the outgoing Sporting Lisbon boss oversaw a 5-1 win over Estrela Amadora on Friday — he refused to speak about his new employers in Manchester.He also avoided talking about facing Manchester City, Sporting’s Champions League opponents on Tuesday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNevertheless, speaking 11 hours after the Red Devils announced his appointment, Amorim delivered a string of fascinating soundbites, most of which were completely unprompted.He also apologised to Sporting’s media man, sitting to his right, for ignoring the club’s pleas during the week for him to not to talk to the media about the speculation with United.Amorim, 39, has agreed a £6.5million-a-year deal at United but — remarkably — has claimed he turned down THREE TIMES that amount from another club who met his £8.3m buy-out clause.He spoke to West Ham and Liverpool in the summer but they did not make a firm offer.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWhile his claim of being offered nearly £20m a season surprised even the most well-briefed Sporting journalists, the feeling is that this club could have been Chelsea, who spoke to Amorim in 2023.But £20m a year would have been a huge amount, even by their money-is-no-object standards.Watch as Sporting CP’s fans jeer at new Manchester United Manager Rúben AmorimDuring his 30-minute press conference, Amorim seemed more serious compared to his previous media appearances during the week.You can imagine what he might look like after a season in Manchester if things do not go to plan.Amorim insisted that he was only ever interested in United — although he was bound to say that.He then revealed he wanted to remain in Lisbon and move to the Premier League at the end of this season.United said it had to be now and you could hardly blame them.Amorim also revealed he told Sporting at the start of the season that this would be his last year at the club.But despite the approach of United after the sacking of Erik ten Hag, Amorim conceded it was still not a straightforward decision to leave Sporting and he agonised over taking the plunge.He said: “United came along, paid the clause, above the clause, and the chairman defended his interests.“The only request I made to United was that it would be at the end of the season and they told me that wasn’t possible, that it was now or never.“I had three days to decide on something that would completely change my life. It’s not the first time that I’ve had my clause paid by another club.“Nor is it the second. It’s very hard for me to leave.“The club knew that if I rejected it, I wouldn’t have it in six months.“And I knew that in six months I would know that I wouldn’t be at Sporting. The only club that I wanted, and that moved me, was United.“It got to a point where I had to decide — and I did. Now I’m going home much more relaxed.“I would earn three times more with the last club that offered to pay my clause. I gave everything I had for the club.“I changed my mind several times. My concern is not to harm the Sporting team. And we’ll see later. I’ll have that concern when I’m at United.”After the midweek Champions League clash against City, Amorim will head to his former club Braga next Sunday when he will wave goodbye to Portuguese football for now.He heads to Manchester a week tomorrow and that will be the day Sporting plan to name their next manager, which is expected to be B team boss Joao Pereira.While there remains some anger at the timing of Amorim’s departure, many Sporting fans have taken the news well.And the majority gave him a good reception before and after Friday’s 5-1 Primeira Liga win.And he has certainly left Sporting in a good place. Having already won the title twice, they are top with a 100 per cent record from ten games. They are also unbeaten in the Champions League after three games and are in eighth spot.READ MORE SUN STORIESAmorim added: “I’m leaving here today feeling much more relieved. I was a little surprised by the fans’ reaction.“But I’m more relieved that everything is clearer now. My smile is always there but it’s a difficult time.”Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for. More

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      Ruben Amorim refused to have pints with me during our coaching course… he’s right man for Man Utd, says Gabby Agbonlahor

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      A FEW beers down the pub was a highlight of the day for Gabby Agbonlahor and his pals at Uefa coaching sessions in Belfast.Yet there was one man who shunned the prospect of a few pints because he was only there to learn.Ruben Amorim took a coaching course in Northern Ireland in 2019Credit: YouTubeAmorim will take charge of Manchester United from November 11Credit: EPAGabby Agbonlahor did his coaching badges alongside AmorimCredit: GettyEven then, Ruben Amorim stood out from the crowd.Manchester United’s new manager took his Uefa badges in Northern Ireland because he was able to take part in a super-intense, fast-track course.Amorim quit his first job at Casa Pia in 2019 after initially being suspended because he did not have the necessary qualifications to coach in Portugal.But having taken his B Licence in Belfast that same year, he was handed a job with Braga’s B team and his career then took off in spectacular style.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEx-Aston Villa star Agbonlahor, 38, said: “In Belfast, you can do a fast-track course. In England, it takes a year but for this one, you go for a week and each day lasts from 8am to 8pm.“I did my Uefa A and B badges there. It cost a few thousand pounds.“I was last there in 2020. I remember enjoying the days, although the weather was always rubbish.“Amorim first came to the course in 2019 after he resigned from his first job because he did not have the right qualifications. That is why he did the fast-track course.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“There were about 20 on the course. Benjani, Chris Samba, Lee Cattermole, Craig Gardner and Alex Bruce were among the others on it.“Amorim was very well-liked but you did not see him after 8pm when the course finished.Amorim confirmed by Man Utd but it’s a huge gamble and delay to start is bizarre“Each night we’d go to the Irish pub but he was not like that. We were there to do our badges after retiring but it was very much a box-ticking thing. It certainly was for me.“I had finished playing and had free time, so it was just the sort of thing you would do — but for him it was different.“Even then, he just spoke well. I remembered him as a player and he was a year older.“During the course, we all had to put on training sessions and his sessions were good.“We put them on for a load of 18-year-old lads from Belfast and I was nervous.“But Amorim came in and was completely prepared. Then it was a case of boom, boom, session done.Each night we’d go to the Irish pub but he was not like that. We were there to do our badges after retiring but it was very much a box-ticking thing. It certainly was for me.Gabby Agbonlahor“You could obviously tell then he had something. He was desperate for the qualifications.”Former Benfica midfielder Amorim made an instant impression at Braga B and was appointed first-team manager at the start of 2020.After leading the club to a League Cup success, he was snapped up by Sporting Lisbon two months later.Agbonlahor, now a talkSPORT pundit, said: “What I love about him is that he went to Braga, won a trophy and within a few months Sporting paid €10million for him.“That is crazy money in Portugal. Sporting must have seen something in him at Braga.“From being around him, I felt he had an aura. He is also no-nonsense. For me, Manchester United have got the right man as they need someone with the right philosophy.“I know Erik ten Hag had said he could not do it with these players. Amorim knows he has to bring some sort of style of play.“I could tell when a team is playing for their manager and I felt United were not under Ten Hag.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Amorim’s lucky he has Portuguese players in Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes and will lean on them.“He will want money to spend. I am not sure he will want the likes of Antony and Casemiro. He will want some legs in midfield.”Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for. More

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      Phil Foden has personal chef move into grounds of new country home as mum reveals shock change to Man City star’s diet

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      PHIL FODEN has moved a chef into the grounds of his new home as he attempts to cook up a storm in the Premier League over the coming months.The Manchester City and England striker has recently moved away from his Stockport roots and into a country pile.Phil Foden has moved a chef into the grounds of his new houseCredit: GettyAnd Foden, 24, has taken a full-time chef with him who will live in the gatekeeper’s cottage on the Cheshire Estate.A source revealed: “Phil wants to be on top of his nutrition and the chef has a lovely space to prepare all his meals.“It’s the ultimate luxury and because he’s away a lot with the team, having his own chef means he can just focus on his football and young family.”Foden’s mum Claire recently told Talk Eat Laugh: “The shocking thing is I hear him ordering salmon a lot now and he never used to eat that!READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He used to have low iron levels, but that’s all up to scratch now.”Foden, 24, has three children with childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke.He was named last season’s PFA Player of the Year after a sensational campaign with Man City.He scored 27 goals and assisted 12 in 53 games as Pep Guardiola’s men claimed their fourth successive Premier League title.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSInside Phil Foden’s country estateANGLING-mad England ace Phil Foden has moved to a sprawling country estate with its own fishing lake.The Man City midfielder, 24, his girlfriend Rebecca Cooke and their three children ­settled into the five-bed, five-bathroom house earlier this year.It is set in 2.5 acres and Phil has already posted pictures of him and eldest son Ronnie, known as El Wey or The Dude by South American fans, fishing together.A source said: “Everyone knows Phil loves his fishing so it has always been a dream of his to have a home with its own lake so he can fish in peace and quiet and also teach Ronnie the skills he needs to be a successful angler.“They can set their kit up and leave it while they pop back into the house to get some food, or go to bed and leave it all there for the morning. Phil is loving it.”The Cheshire property has a one-bedroom cottage next door for his extended family.But so far this season he has started just three of Man City’s 10 league matches.One of those came on Saturday as the champions suffered their first Premier League defeat in 11 months.Manchester City and England star Phil Foden wins PFA Player of the Year award Bournemouth beat Man City 2-1 thanks to goals from Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson.The result leaves City two points adrift of Liverpool after Arne Slot’s men came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 at Anfield.Fellow title rivals Arsenal lost more ground as their 1-0 defeat to Newcastle sees them seven points adrift. More

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      BBC Sport pundit forced to apologise after kicking table and breaking set of Football Focus celebrating goal vs Arsenal

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      SHAY GIVEN broke a table on the set of Football Focus as ‘chaos’ broke out in the BBC studio.The Newcastle icon, 48, appeared on the show alongside presenter Kelly Somers and former Lioness Anita Asante.Shay Given was excited after Alexander Isak gave Newcastle the leadCredit: X/ BBCMOTDGiven, 48, clutched a piece of the table that he’d brokenCredit: X/ BBCMOTDThe Beeb show aired while the Toon took on Arsenal in the early kick-off.While appearing as a pundit, Given also had an eye on his beloved old side.And when Alexander Isak put Newcastle in front, the Irishman couldn’t help but celebrate.After returning from a segment, Somers said: “I’m just going to let you in on a little secret, live on BBC One.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”It’s been a bit chaotic in the studio. Shay Given has just broken part of the set. Why have you broken part of the set?”Clutching a piece of the table, Given said: “Well I just kicked the table by mistake so I apologise.”Asked by Somers why he’d done that, he continued: “Why did I do that?”Because Isak has just scored against Arsenal. Brilliant cross from Anthony Gordon.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAlexander Isak celebrates his 12th minute openerCredit: Getty”Isak header, top corner, 1-0 to the Toon. Howay.”Given would have been thrilled as the game progressed, with Isak’s 12th minute goal going on to earn Newcastle a priceless 1-0 victory.Arsenal vs Newcastle: Player RatingsAfter the game, Toon boss Eddie Howe praised his side’s mental strength.He said: “You have to be really strong mentality and know results will turn if you continue to do the right things.”It has been a difficult week with the fixtures but the players have done really well.”There was a better feeling in training after the Chelsea win, as if pressure lifted slightly.”Today’s performance was built on hard, work , desire and a lot of really good defending in the second half.”I thought we looked good.”Ultimate sports presenters rich listTV sports presenters make a mint.The biggest and best are signed up on yearly deals with the likes of the BBC, ITV and Sky for your viewing pleasure.Laura Woods is dominating the media landscape at the moment, leading TNT Sports’ coverage and ITV’s.Alex Scott and Jermaine Jenas are two of the fresher faces for the BBC’s sporting output.Then, it’s the old guard of Gary Lineker and Mark Chapman who also command hefty fees for their Match of the Day programmes.SunSport has taken a look at how those big names rank and compiled a list of the top 10 highest earning stars that grace our TV screens.With number one worth a whopping £29.4million more than number 10!Read the story and see the full list here. More

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      Southampton 1 Everton 0: Saints bag first win in huge relief to under-fire Russell Martin as Toffees rue missed sitter

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      ADAM ARMSTRONG ended Southampton’s agonising wait for their first Premier League win.The Saints celebrations and sighs of relief were enough to register on the Richter scale.Adam Armstrong scored his first goal of the seasonCredit: GettyThe win takes Southampton off the bottomCredit: GettyA first clean sheet of the season helped Saints to three pointsCredit: ReutersBeto missed a sitter and had a goal ruled out of offsideCredit: ReutersThe striker hit the bar when it was easier to scoreCredit: PAIt looked to be another case of some attractive football leaving Russell Martin’s side short such was the lack of quality at times.Passes were pinged and possession high but chances wasted until Armstrong, the man whose goal earned promotion in May, struck in the 85th minute – moments after Beto had clattered the bar.In front of Serbian owner Dragan Solak, Southampton and Martin knew they needed to deliver – and eventually they managed to crawl over the line.Veteran Adam Lallana conducted an impressive and creative midfield alongside Flynn Downes and Matheus Fernandes – often exposing gaps in the Everton defence.But each time they broke free, setting Cameron Archer or Armstrong away, the quality was not there to hurt the Toffees.Archer, set away by Downes, raced through alone but dragged wide of the far post.Having wasted a couple of crosses, Armstrong was unfortunate when Jordan Pickford got the slightest touch to one, just diverting the ball away from Ryan Manning who was alone awaiting a tap in at the far post.Everton were offered a couple of chances when the hosts overplayed or were sloppy on the ball but were not showing the speed of thought to take advantage and should have gone in behind when Taylor Harwood-Bellis sent a free header wide just before the break.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSLallana was replaced by Joe Aribo before the restart.Southampton took their time to regain the threat they showed late in the first half and Aaron Ramsdale, who finally has a clean sheet for Saints, had to save a powerful Orel Mangala shot from the edge of the box.Coronation Street legend who plays Roy Cropper spotted singing X-rated chant at Premier League matchArcher started to pose a threat in behind again and drew a foul from Michael Keane. From chaos caused by the free-kick Harwood-Bellis saw a shot deflected behind.Martin added teen Tyler Dibling, absent from the start due to illness, to the attack in place of wing-back Manning.The winger had Everton in reverse with his first involvement, charging the back line and sparking a move that ended with an Aribo header in Jordan Pickford’s hands.Southampton were in the ascendency but desperately lack the killer instinct to capitalise on those moments.Walker-Peters twice picked out Armstrong at the far post but there was too much power on the cross for the forward to convert.Sean Dyche sent on Jack Harrison and Beto in a bid to turn the tide back the other way. Ramsdale made a brave but fortunate save from Keane’s far post header, tipping onto the post before the ball bounced back onto his shoulder and hit the post a second time.The England keeper got a huge slice of luck ten minutes from time when Harrison’s dinked finish from Dwight McNeil’s cross dropped just wide of the post.Sub Beto then crashed against the bar from close range.Having clung on, Southampton finally showed a glimpse of quality.Yuki Sugawara, sent on minutes earlier, was wonderfully picked out by Harwood-Bellis down the right.The full-back cut back cleverly for Armstrong who fired low and hard past Pickford – his first Premier League strike of the season and one which could save his boss’ skin.But Southampton do not do things easily. They have collapsed here already against Ipswich and Leicester – surrendering much needed points.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd they looked to have done it again on 88 minutes as Beto found the back of the net – but a desperately close and drawn out offside call eventually fell their way.There is an awfully big gap still to close, but the first steps may have been taken. More

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      Bournemouth 2 Man City 1: Guardiola and Co dealt major title blow after shock first Premier League defeat in 11 MONTHS

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      PEP GUARDIOLA’S imperious champions were brought down to earth by little Bournemouth.The Blues sank to their first Premier League defeat in 32 matches – and they can have no complaints.Antoine Semenyo fired beyond Ederson to give Bournemouth the leadCredit: GettyIt is the Bournemouth forward’s fourth Premier League goal of the seasonCredit: RexEvanilson scored Bournemouth’s second goal of the game in the 64th minuteCredit: AFPThe Brazilian put Bournemouth in complete control as they earned a memorable winCredit: RexIt is Manchester City’s first league defeat since December last yearCredit: ReutersFor Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth must now be taken seriously in the Premier League – and you had better believe it.The sensational Antoine Semenyo fired the Cherries ahead in the first half and Brazilian Evanilson added a second just after the hour.Josko Gvardiol pulled a late goal back but Guardiola can have no complaints because they were second best for most of the match.They didn’t muster a shot on target until ten minutes from time and Gvardiol’s header was their second.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd to think this followed Bournemouth’s unthinkable victory over Arsenal on the same pitch two weeks ago.That day the Gunners’ own undefeated run was shot down 2-0 after they suffered a first-half sending off.But there was no helping hand for the hosts this time because this was no ordinary day out at the seaside for Guardiola and his merry, supposedly depleted, men.Pep had been talking up a serious injury list – and an irritating Carabao Cup defeat at Spurs had their trophy-laden gaffer worried.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPep Guardiola suffered a frustrating afternoon at the Vitality StadiumCredit: RexMan City have fallen behind Liverpool in the title raceCredit: GettyBut maybe he was just telling porky pies because Kyle Walker was surprisingly back in the starting line-up with Kevin de Bruyne on the bench.And of course it does help team morale when you can recall a robotic goal machine in Erling Haaland.Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsHaaland stepped off the coach with 74 Premier League goals in his pockets from 75 games with 11 of them arriving this season alone.The Norwegian monster was “rested” at Tottenham with this fixture in mind – even if it was against little old Bournemouth.Then again, the striker’s goalscoring record of just one in four league meetings against the minnows isn’t one of his best stats.Guardiola’s unbeaten league leaders had won their previous 14 top-flight games against the Cherries, scoring over three goals per match.Even worse, Bournemouth had never beaten City in their 20 league meetings – a record for most matches lost against the same opponent in the top four tiers.But there again the hosts couldn’t be underestimated having just ended Arsenal’s undefeated league campaign on the same grass last time out.And a fighting late, late draw at Aston Villa last weekend served notice that Andoni Iraola’s boys are now serious top-flight opposition.Just a minute after The Last Post was beautifully played by a military bugler, the Cherries came so close to posting the first goal.Bournemouth soaked up Man City pressure to secure a famous victorySemenyo produced a Player of the Match display to inspire Bournemouth’s winOasis songwriter and Man City fan Noel Gallagher looked on in angerCredit: ReutersMarcus Tavernier robbed former Cherries star Nathan Ake in midfield and set Semenyo racing clear.Semenyo’s drive was blocked by goalkeeper Ederson, who reacted superbly keeping out Justin Kluivert’s follow-up shot with his outstretched leg.Iraola had instructed his team to go full-out from the off to try and score first because they hadn’t notched a goal in the first 15 minutes all season.And Semenyo followed his orders immaculately when he put the Cherries deservedly ahead on nine minutes.Milos Kerkez brushed past Phil Foden down the left wing before he picked out Semenyo.The ball was behind the Ghana striker but he had time to spin round and strike his fourth goal of the campaign into the far corner.Semenyo is the new Premier League shooting sensation with only Haaland having more shots on goal than him this campaign.And to be fair Haaland was virtually a spectator as the hosts kept his defence on the back foot in the opening 20 minutes.But that was never going to last and alarm bells were soon ringing in the home defence when Foden picked the Norwegian out at the back stick.The blonde giant rose highest but instead of trying for goal he headed the ball sideways and Bernardo Silva couldn’t reach it.Bournemouth nearly shook their mighty visitors with a second goal straight after the break.A long ball over the top reached the ever-dangerous Semenyo but when he took a bad touch Evanilson took on shooting duties.Luckily for the Blues, Ederson was alive to the danger and diverted the Brazilian forward’s shot for a corner.City responded well and should have levelled on 51 minutes but Foden pulled his effort wide from Matheus Nunes’ pass.The visitors were concerned just before the hour when Haaland was injured in a clash with Lewis Cook.Cook apologised to the Norwegian who received no sympathy from the home fans who sang “You will be crying in a minute”.Up popped Semenyo again when he left Walker on the deck before he charged forward and saw his shot deflected wide.But Evanilson then did make it 2-0 as Kerkez turned provider again before the Brazilian slotted home.City pulled a goal back eight minutes from time when Gvardiol’s headed Ilkay Gundogan’s cross into the top corner.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Blues scented a comeback and should have escaped with a draw but Haaland had a header cleared off the line in stoppage time.But this spirited Bournemouth bunch deserved their most famous victory in the club’s history. 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