Premier League

WEST HAM and Arsenal served up one of the finest London derbies in recent memory on Saturday night, with SEVEN goals in the first half alone.The Gunners sailed into a 4-0 lead in the opening 35 minutes before the Hammers reduced the deficit with two quickfire goals, including a sublime Emerson free-kick.Kai Havertz celebrates putting Arsenal 4-0 aheadCredit: AlamyBukayo Saka’s penalty on the stroke of half-time made it 5-2, becoming only the fourth Premier League match in history to see seven goals before the break.A relatively lacklustre second half followed, with Mikel Arteta ringing the changes, particularly with Wednesday night’s showdown with Man Utd at the Emirates in the back of his mind.The result pulled the Gunners up to second in the Premier League table, six points behind Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s huge showdown between the leaders and a struggling Man City. Here’s how SunSport’s Charlie Pittock rated the Arsenal players…READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDavid Raya – 6Beaten at his near post for Wan-Bissaka’s opener, and could do nothing about Emerson’s free-kick.Conceded two in two minutes, but had virtually nothing to do besides that.A quiet night at the office for David Raya.Credit: GettyJurrien Timber – 6Charged towards the near-post at every corner, creating space for Gabriel to score and further opportunities throughout the game.West Ham players seemed to take turns fouling him, a major worry given the Arsenal’s current lack of options at right-back.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWilliam Saliba – 6Outshone by his defensive partner, but Saliba hardly put a foot wrong in the first half either.Lucky to escape a booking early in the second half for a challenge on Jarrod Bowen.Moment huge brawl breaks out in West Ham end with punches thrown and fan knocked to ground in London derby vs ArsenalGabriel – 8The Brazilian headed home early on after a new-look corner routine to put his side in front.Wiped out by Lukasz Fabianski to gift Arsenal a penalty right at the end of the first-half.Taken off at half-time, Mikel Arteta confirmed in his post-match press conference that it was due to a prior injury.Gabriel heads home to fire Arsenal into an early lead during Saturday night’s London derby with West Ham.Credit: AFPRiccardo Calafiori – 5There’s no doubting the Italian’s attacking capabilities, but his defensive awareness risks being his downfall, as he was caught out for Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s goal.Replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko in the 56th minute, and appeared to point at his groin as he left the pitch.Bukayo Saka – 9Mr Reliable – at the centre of anything and everything whenever the Gunners went forward.Whipped in an inch-perfect corner for Gabriel, squared it to Trossard for Arsenal’s second, won the penalty for the third, and scored the penalty to make it 5-2 late on in the first half.Replaced by Raheem Sterling with 74 minutes on the clock.Bukayo Saka wheels away in celebration after scoring Arsenal’s FIFTH of an action-packed first halfCredit: GettyJorginho – 6The Italian had a fairly anonymous first half, but when your team scores five in one half, can anyone really have had a bad game?Declan Rice – 6Controlled the midfield alongside Jorginho, helping keep West Ham counter attacks to a minimum.Gave away a foul in a dangerous area before Emerson slotted home West Ham’s second with a wonderful free-kick.Leandro Trossard – 7Doubled the Gunners’ first-half lead with the easiest goal he’ll score all season.Pinged a perfect pass over the top to send Havertz through for the fourth.Much quieter in the second half, as were the rest of his team-mates.Martin Odegaard – 7The Gunners captain’s glorious through ball split open the West Ham defence in the build-up to Arsenal’s second.Always a threat, and made it 3-0 with a penalty.Martin Odegaard slots home a penalty to extend Arsenal’s lead.Credit: RexKai Havertz – 6Ran in behind to make it 4-0 within 35 minutes, prompting a mass exodus of West Ham fans.He’s now got as many Premier League goals and assists for Arsenal as he did for Chelsea, but in 42 fewer games.SUBSJakub Kiwior – 6Replaced Gabriel for the second half, and he certainly had big boots to fill.Hardly had anything to do in a very quiet second half for the Gunners defence.Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6 Mikel Arteta may have no choice but to play the Ukrainian at left-back if Calafiori is injured, and he didn’t do himself any harm.Solid at the back and got involved in some of Arsenal’s attacks too.Raheem Sterling – 6The Chelsea loanee is in desperate need of minutes, and came on with 15 minutes to go.Hit the side netting after Declan Rice’s menacing run through the West Ham midfield.Gabriel Jesus – 5Completely misjudged a pass within seconds of coming on, the former Man City man is yet to replicate the same form he had at the Etihad in an Arsenal shirt.READ MORE SUN STORIESMade some promising runs but looks totally void of all confidence.Ethan Nwaneri – N/AThe 17-year-old was brought on with just over five minutes to go, and didn’t really have enough time to make an impact on the game. 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ARSENAL’S Men In Black destroyed West Ham with dark arts, ruthless calm and flashes of deadly beauty.And Julen Lopetegui’s team must wish the Gunners also had the magic Neuralyzer gadget from the Will Smith films to wipe this Hammer house of horror show from their memory.Arsenal smashed West Ham 5-2 at the London StadiumCredit: GettyThe Gunners netted all of their goals in the first halfCredit: APWest Ham were left stunned as they struggled to impressCredit: PAThe result moved Arsenal to second in the tableCredit: GettyBut no-one who witnessed it will ever forget a half of football that made Hollywood’s best attempt to do football, Escape To Victory, look realistic.Only three times before has the Premier League come up with a script featuring seven goals in the opening 45 minutes.When the first four of them went to Arsenal, a significant number of home fans headed for the exits.Some of them returned when their team quickly pulled two back.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet their hopes of an incredible resurrection took a blow in the chops when goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski caught Arsenal defender Gabriel in the head while trying to punch clear another of those pesky corners.Like the Men in Black sequels, the goalless second half was not as good but Mikel Arteta will not care much.With three emphatic wins in a week, Arsenal have let Liverpool and Manchester City know they are very much still around ahead of their title rivals meeting at Anfield on Sunday.Just as in the victories against Nottingham Forest and Sporting Lisbon, the combination of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard was at times irresistible.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSCertainly by a West Ham side who gave them plenty of help.You could write a book about the first half. The basic plot was Arsenal doing all the things they do best (which doesn’t include defending this season).West Ham fans filmed walking out after 34 minutes as they fall 4-0 down to Arsenal… before comeback beginsCentre back Gabriel was supposedly a doubt for the game.But when Saka prepared to take a corner, surely there was no confusion in the minds of the West Ham players about which opponent they needed to mark most closely.In scenes more reminiscent of American football, a large cluster of players from both sides gathered beyond the far post, deep in the penalty area.Antonio was supposed to be on Gabriel, but as the routine unfolded, the Gunners centre back worked his way free with the help of his blockers.Gabriel Magalhaes opened the scoring after 10 minutesCredit: AFPLeandro Trossard doubled Arsenal’s leadCredit: PAMeanwhile at the near post, Jurrien Timber gave Lucas Paqueta a nudge in the back that stopped him heading away Saka’s inswinging delivery.And that left Gabriel free as a bird to glance the ball into the net.It’s all very slick and clever, but is it football?The tinfoil-hat brigade among the Arsenal fans love to believe that on-field officials, VAR’s and basically the whole world is involved in a conspiracy against them.Or in favour of Manchester City. Or…something.Yet they have strangely little to say about some of the blatant obstruction, crafty fouls and general s**thousery that their team is allowed to practise without fear of punishment.Arsenal ratings vs West HamWEST HAM and Arsenal served up one of the finest London derbies in recent memory on Saturday night, with SEVEN goals in the first half alone.The Gunners sailed into a 4-0 lead in the opening 35 minutes before the Hammers reduced the deficit with two quickfire goals, including a sublime Emerson free-kick.Bukayo Saka’s penalty on the stroke of half-time made it 5-2, becoming only the fourth Premier League match in history to see seven goals before the break.A relatively lacklustre second half followed, with Mikel Arteta ringing the changes, particularly with Wednesday night’s showdown with Man Utd at the Emirates in the back of his mind.The result pulled the Gunners up to second in the Premier League table, six points behind Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s huge showdown between the leaders and a struggling Man City.Read how SunSport’s Charlie Pittock rated the Gunners stars.Martin Odegaard made it 3-0 from the penalty spotCredit: ReutersSoon it was 4-0 thanks to Kai HavertzCredit: GettyCrysencio Summerville’s sumptuous finish was ruled out for offside and it was brief respite from sustained Arsenal pressure.Saka shot wide when well placed before causing more mayhem from a corner.Then he created the beautiful second goal, the first of three in nine minutes.After laying the ball inside to Odegaard, the England winger made a crafty run into the box.He controlled his captain’s delicious return pass on his left thigh then crossed immediately with his right foot. Leandro Trossard could not miss, and didn’t.Numerous West Ham fans were filmed leaving their seatsThey missed a quickfire Hammers double from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson PalmieriCredit: ReutersSaka’s next assist came when he went down under Paqueta’s challenge to earn a softish penalty.Odegaard stroked it home. Amazingly it soon got worse for the Hammers.Max Kilman failed to cut out Trossard’s long ball and Kai Havertz scored confidently.Some West Ham fans had seen enough. They missed Aaron Wan-Bissaka scoring from a Carlos Soler pass and Emerson clipping home a fabulous free kick.It was crazy knockabout stuff, proper Saturday teatime entertainment.Things went a little less family-friendly when an Emerson foul on Saka led to a melee and both players receiving yellow cards.Bukayo Saka put the game to bed before half-time with another penaltyCredit: GettyThe result saw Arsenal move to second in the tableCredit: GettyThe final mad moment of a crazy half of football came when Fabianski tried to punch another Saka corner clear but only succeeded in hitting Gabriel.After Saka converted the spotkick to make it 5-2, there was still time for Emerson to force David Raya into a fine save with another free kick.Gabriel did not appear for the second half. Nor did the great entertainment.Like zombies at the drive-in, West Ham attempted to rise from the dead again. Bowen fired off target and Antonio’s shot was deflected wide. There were a few oohs and aahs as the ball ricocheted around the Arsenal penalty area a couple of times, but nothing clear-cut until the death.The Gunners’ attitude was more about control and contain than scoring further goals. Although they looked dangerous on the break and Saka’s corners continued to terrify the Hammers, Fabianski’s only decent save was from Odegaard.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe managers made use of all their substitutes and Danny Ings should have scored in stoppage time after rounding Raya.But after Fabianski’s fist struck the final telling blow of that unbelievable first half, there was no changing the outcome. More

WEST HAM fans were filmed walking out against Arsenal after just 34 minutes before their team launched a short-lived fightback.The Hammers were left stunned as Mikel Arteta’s visitors raced into a 4-0 lead in east London.West Ham fans were filmed leaving early after conceding four goals against ArsenalSome decided to leave their seats after just 34 minutesGabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz were all on target for the Gunners.West Ham were second-best all over the pitch as they failed to record even just one shot in reply.And video footage showed numerous supporters leaving their seats inside the London Stadium.Some were seen calling time on the first half in the 34th minute.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd the exodus only grew when Arsenal bagged their fourth soon after.But those who made for an early exit missed West Ham net a quickfire double to make it 4-2.In the 38th minute, Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave his side a glimmer of hope with a well-taken finish.And things got even better moments later when fellow full-back Emerson Palmieri banged in a beautiful free-kick.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe celebrations from those still in their seats were sure to have tempted fans back from the concourse.But their collective joy was short-lived.Inside Arsenal’s new £300m+ stadium plans with futuristic Emirates project set to dwarf Spurs groundFans who left missed two quickfire goals from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson PalmieriCredit: ReutersWest Ham lost their momentum when Bukayo Saka made it 5-2 to Arsenal before half-timeCredit: GettyAs West Ham pushed for a third, they ended up conceding a penalty from a corner.With Odegaard already netting one from the spot, Bukayo Saka got the chance to open his account.And England’s star winger made no mistakes as he fired home to make it 5-2 to Arsenal.Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui responded at the break by replacing winger Crycensio Summerville with anchorman Edson Alvarez.But neither side was able to find the net again, with the result sending Arsenal into second while leaving West Ham in 14th. More

DANIEL MUNOZ struck in stoppage-time to complete a classic villain-to-hero story at Selhurst Park.Munoz posted his entry for miss of the season after an awful waste from just six yard in the first half — and it got worse for Palace when Marc Guehi put past his owner keeper eight minutes after the break.Daniel Munoz celebrates his late equaliser at Selhurst ParkCredit: GettyDaniel Munoz’s late header saw Crystal Palace rescue a point against NewcastleCredit: ReutersThe right-back jumped high in the air to break Toon heartsCredit: ReutersNewcastle looked on course to win the match without having a shot on targetCredit: GettyMarc Guehi turned the ball into his own net after Anthony Gordon’s strikeCredit: ReutersBut the Colombian ace made amends for his earlier miss by planting a superb header past Nick Pope.It means Toon boss Eddie Howe was unable to mark turning 47 by taking all three points.He thought he had eight minutes after the break when Harvey Barnes drew a foul from Jefferson Lerma 25 yards out on the right, Lewis Hall’s short free-kick was worked right to Sandro Tonali who found Gordon sneaking around the back to the byline.His pass into the six-yard box was a peach and Guehi, trying to clear, ended up putting the ball past his own keeper for an unfortunate own goal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Toon boss was still smarting from the 2-0 loss at home to West Ham at St James’ Park on Monday night.And he was left feeling gutted again as Munoz struck at the death.Sandro Tonali returned to the Newcastle team, replacing Sean Longstaff, while Dan Burn was in for Lloyd Kelly after a one-game ban.Meanwhile Palace chief Oliver Glasner was hoping to end a three-game win-less streak.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe also made two switches to the team — with Eberechi Eze back after a month out with a hamstring injury and Lerma also coming in with Justin Devenny and Cheick Doucoure on the bench.It was a quiet start with Palace moving the ball around without any pressing.Visit the restaurant serving tasty food at affordable prices just steps away from historic Premier League groundJoe Willock had to receive treatment after picking up a muscular injury but got back on his feet to resume.However it took a brilliant last-ditch clearance from Fabian Schar to deny Newcastle what looked like a certain leveller with Eze set to pounce from close range after a lovely pass from Ismaila Sarr.Newcastle were dealt a blow when Alexander Isak came off worse in a 50-50 with Tyrick Mitchell and ended up hobbling off with a lot of discomfort in the Swiss star’s hip.Harvey Barnes was flung on as his replacement.A closely-fought game saw Palace have the better opportunitiesCredit: ReutersNewcastle lost Alexander Isak to injury and will be sweating over his fitnessCredit: GettyAnd Trevoh Chalobah tried his luck from 30 yards – with the fizzing effort just clearing the bar.Then Toon keeper Nick Pope stuck a leg out to keep out Sarr’s effort from point-blank range after a wonderful centre from Daniel Mumoz — although the assistant flagged offside.Munoz was guilty of winning what surely will be a nomination for miss of the season.As Palace countered following a Newcastle corner, Sarr played the perfect pass towards the back post for Munoz to shoot into an empty net from six yards. But incredibly he put his effort wide!Gordon was the architect behind Newcastle’s openerCredit: ReutersHis shot went in off Guehi, with the strike going down as an own-goalCredit: ReutersNewcastle finally forced Dean Henderson to make a save in the 40th minute when Barnes exchanged passes with Bruno Guimaraes before seeing his angled effort kept out by the Palace keeper.Newcastle moved in front against the run of play seven minutes after the break thanks to a training-ground creativity and a piece of luck.After Barnes drew a foul from Lerma 25 yards from goal on the right, Lewis Hall’s short free-kick was worked right to Tonali who found Gordon sneaking around the back to the byline.His pass into the six-yard box deflected off Guehi for an unfortunate own goal.Munoz made sure he had the final say with a 94th minute equaliserCredit: ReutersThe Colombian was delighted to make such a late impactCredit: ReutersBut Palace were denied from levelling.Sarr got one-on-one with Pope but the Toon keeper saved and Dan Burns’ shot on the follow up from an acute angle was kept out by Munoz.Lerma then saw an effort from the edge of the box deflected wide.Guehi, desperate to make amends for his error, could not quite keep his header down after meeting a cross.READ MORE SUN STORIESPope then managed to push a Sarr shot wide and from the resulting corner Guehi nodded the ball into the path of Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose shot on the turn flashed over.But their equaliser came in dramatic fashion as Munoz fired in a head in the fourth minute of stoppage time.Eddie Howe was hoping to bounce back from last week’s West Ham defeat with a winCredit: ReutersThe point could prove crucial for Oliver Glasner in the race against the dropCredit: Reuters More

CHRIS WOOD smashed home a second-half penalty to carve out his place in Forest folklore.The Kiwi striker’s old-fashioned thunderbolt from the spot left Arijanet Muric helpless as the striker drew level with Bryan Roy as Forest’s top Premier League scorer on 24 goals.Nottingham Forest returned to winning ways against IpswichCredit: AlamyChris Wood scored Forest’s winner from the penalty spotCredit: GettyJota Silva won the penalty for Forest in the second halfCredit: ReutersIpswich remain in the Premier League’s relegation zoneCredit: AlamyThat is a fabulous return for the much-travelled 32-year-old, who was seen by many as an uninspiring signing when he arrived from Newcastle for a bargain £15million.However, the veteran hitman has now scored 15 goals in 18 appearances for club and country this season.That is an astonishing return and there was never a hint of doubt in Forest fans’ minds that he would score when he was put on the spot.Ipswich matched Forest for the first 45 minutes but they faded badly as the game became bogged down after Wood’s winner.Read More on FootballYet it all started so promisingly.Morgan Gibbs-White flashed a header into the side-netting as he reacted first to get on the end of Elliot Anderson’s near-post corner.Forest continued to press when Callum Hudson-Odoi’s shot was blocked by Muric and Ryan Yates powered in a shot which Sammy Szmodics cleared for a corner.Yates’ effort looked to be hurtling wide but Szmodics wasn’t to know that and was right not to take any unnecessary risks.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut Ipswich grew into the game and came closest to breaking the deadlock midway through a fiercely-contested first half.Leif Davis whipped in a corner and Cameron Burgess powered in a header which beat Matz Sels but Ola Aina was perfectly positioned to hack the ball off the line.Aina shows off his left foot declaring, ‘It’s still hot!!!’Forest responded and Jota Silva glanced a header wide before Gibbs-White failed to generate enough power, allowing Muric to safely smother his low shot.Ipswich were living up to their Tractor Boys image with a couple of agricultural challenges and Axel Tuanzebe collected an early booking for scything down Silva.And Dara O’Shead joined him for dissent before Gibbs-White became Forest’s first sinner when he was booked for fouling Sam Morsy.The game was being bogged down by far too many niggly fouls and both sides lacked a cutting edge.Ipswich proved the point when they passed up a golden chance to take the lead after 33 minutes.Nikola Milenkovic’s sloppy header landed at Liam Delap who set up Omari Hutchinson wide on the right.Fiery second halfHis low shot was beaten out by Sels but Delap’s untimely touch took the ball away from Conor Chaplin just as he seemed certain to score.But whatever Nuno Espirito Santo said at half-time clearly worked because Forest returned with a fire in their belly that Ipswich never matched.Within three minutes of the restart they won a penalty – even if it was on the soft side.Silva jinked his way into the box, Szmodics stuck out a lazy leg – as forwards often do – and the Forest ace took a tumble.Referee Tony Harrington gave himself time to ponder it, then pointed to the spot.VAR Matthew Donohue agreed with his call as Ipswich groaned at the way they had been sucker-punched by the little Portuguese star.Wood makes historyWood stepped up knowing history was in the making.And he didn’t disappoint with an old-fashioned rocket shot which threatened to rip the net as it exploded behind poor Muric.The Ipswich keeper then did brilliantly to keep his side in the game as Forest continued to fly forward.He somehow twisted his body in mid-air to claw Murillo’s header onto his crossbar.Wood charged in for the rebound and went down following a clash with O’Shea.But this time Harrington decided in Ipswich’s favour and VAR confirmed he was right as Wood had made first contact with O’Shea’s boot.Ipswich couldn’t respondYates then had a header brilliantly cleared off the line by Burgess as Town held on grimly.Wood then toppled in the box again but again Harrington decided he had initiated the contact with Jens Cajuste, who clearly nicked the ball.Ipswich had fallen completely out of the game and had managed only two touches in Forest’s box and no shots at goal.Sub Jack Clarke put that right with 20 minutes remaining but, like his team, his shot lacked a killer punch and Sels dealt with it with ease.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs the clock ticked down both managers made a flurry of substitutes to kill any momentum stone dead.And despite having seven minutes of stoppage time the Tractor Boys couldn’t get out of third gear! More

FOR once, nobody could accuse Ruud Van Nistelrooy of having a long face.Before his eyes, the Manchester United thoroughbred was shown the huge task he has in front of him if he is to pull around Leicester’s gallop down the table.Brentford move up to seventh in the Premier League thanks to Kevin Schade’s hat-trickCredit: ReutersNew Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was in the stands to watch the gameCredit: PAFacundo Buonanotte gave Leicester a lead that lasted just four minutesCredit: ReutersYoane Wissa levelled from close range to start the comebackCredit: GettySchade was the match-winner as he produced a stunning displayLeicester had their share of the ball but did not make it countKevin Schade was the main tormentor, with a brilliant hat-trick made up of the sort of finishing Van Nistelrooy used to produce in his days at one of the Premier League’s greatest goalscorers.Not a rookie manager with a lot on his plate, it seems.Nevertheless, each time the cameras cut to the Dutchman sat in the directors’ box sat next to chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha the pair seemed to be smiling.Possibly, the serious business for the new Leicester manager does not begin until he is the one taking the reins.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut it was clear that on, as well as off, the field, he is inheriting a mess.That situation had not been helped when the players had decided to mark the departure of Steve Cooper after the defeat Chelsea last week by sticking to their festive plans and heading off for a Christmas party in Copenhagen.The Danish capital is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, so perhaps a difficult week for the east Midlands club might have been blessed with a fairytale ending.Not a bit of it. It was just very, very Grimm.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBrentford’s Kevin Schade scored his first of the afternoon in the 29th minuteCredit: PAHe bagged another before the break and completed his hat-trick before the hour markCredit: ReutersHaving put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal before kick-off, Van Nistelrooy chose to let caretaker Ben Dawson take charge in a bid to improve on a return of just one point from the last four Premier League games.Van Nistelrooy’s appointment seemed linked more to brief uplifting magic he brought to Manchester United in his brief spell as interim manager than to footballing logic.Leicester stars party in nightclub next to ‘Enzo I miss you’ sign hours after Chelsea loss on night before Cooper sackedAnd that same sparkle seemed to be working when Leicester took the lead in the 22nd minute.Ethan Pinnock was knocked off the ball far too easily by the ever-wily Jamie Vardy and the former England man squared to give Facundo Buonanotte the easiest of tap-ins.That after the winger had already tested Mark Flekken inside two minutes after a poor clearance from the Brentford goalkeeper.However, the appointment of a goalscoring legend as manager remains an interesting one.The one positive feature of the season has been the ease with which Leicester were generally able to find the back of the net.The team had scored in 11 of the 12 Premier League games this season – a tally which could not be bettered anywhere else in the top flight.But, oh the defending! England international Conor Coady and Luke Thomas were given their first starts of the season in a revamped line-up.However, Leicester held onto their lead for less than three minutes and were on their way down and out within six.Schade burst into far too much space down the left channel, centred across the six yard box and the Leicester defence could only watch as Yoane Wissa strode ahead of them to tuck the ball into the back of the net.Then they were at their hapless worst as the ball pin-balled around the Leicester penalty area crying out for somebody in blue to put his boot through it.It was an afternoon to remember for the German forwardCredit: RexInstead, it fell to Schade and he steered it into the net to turn the game on its head.From then on, it was one way traffic.Simple diagonal passes cut Leicester defence into blue ribbons far too easily with Thomas Frank’s cruel decision to field three out-and-out strikers paying dividends with the quality of some of the finishing.Brentford had to wait until an extended period of first-half stoppage time to earn themselves a cushion – and again it was so, so easy.Mikkel Damsgaard had time to thread his pass through for Schade again and the German barely broke stride as he swept the ball into the net from a tight angle with his left foot.Brentford continued the second half as they ended the first, sweeping Leicester before them in wave after wave of dominant attacking football.It took them just 13 minutes to get the fourth, when Nathan Collins curled his cross behind the Leicester defence.Schade left blue shirts in his wake to chase it down and took the time he needed to fire low past exposed Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.A glut of substitutions for both sides did nothing to change the balance of play, with Brentford knocking the ball easily around the edge of the Leicester penalty area to the “Ole”s of their delighted fans.Van Nistelrooy, right, sat next to Leicester chairman Aiyawatt SrivaddhanaprabhaCredit: Reuters“This is embarrassing,” sang the corner packed with Leicester fans hoping for so much better from this new dawn.Even Van Nistelrooy himself had lost that smile, rubbing his chin thoughtfully at what he was watching.Brentford, with their organisation, understanding and stability under Franks have after all become the benchmark for all teams of limited budget wanting to make their way up the table to compete with the big boys.Van Nistelrooy has just three days to address the issues before West Ham come to what could be a powderkeg atmosphere at the King Power Stadium.And when the final whistle blew he was already sat in his chair making notes.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt was as if the Beatles anthem they play at the end of the game at Brentford was just for him.“Hey Ruud! Take a bad team and make it better,” the Fab Four seemed to be singing. More