Premier League

MARC CUCURELLA does not drink beer but he was the toast of Chelsea last night for salvaging their Champions League dreams.The Spanish defender produced a dazzling headed finish to a spectacular move to fire Enzo Maresca’s team back into the top five.Marc Cucurella was the hero as he notched in Chelsea’s winnerCredit: GettyThe defender stole in at the back post to head in Reece James’ crossCredit: ReutersChelsea have maintained their place in the top fourCredit: GettyHarry Maguire found the net but his strike was ruled out for offsideCredit: PAIt was another frustrating evening for Manchester UnitedCredit: PAChelsea’s ambitions of getting back among the big boys in Europe is now back in their own hands after an almighty wobble.They were struggling to break down Manchester United and with top five rivals Aston Villa winning earlier, had dropped out of the reckoning.But then the curly-topped full-back flew through the air, bulged the net and triggered a rousing chorus of the song the fans sing in his name about his massive hair and that he drinks Estrella – the famous lager from his homeland.Cucurella actually prefers a nice glass of wine but nobody was listening as Stamford Bridge went wild following his goal 18 minutes from time.READ MORE ON MAN UTDChelsea are now up to fourth and if they win at Nottingham Forest next Sunday they will be back in the Champions League after a two season absence.And his goal was of fine vintage if only for the superb turn and floated cross performed by skipper Reece James for the assist.The full-back spun on a sixpence and chipped a ball from the edge of the box with Cucurella’s trailing barnet blowing in the wind before he beat Manchester United keeper Andre Onana with a bullet header.It was the perfect rebound from last Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle which seemed to have inflicted serious damage on Chelsea’s hopes.Most read in FootballLosing the game and striker Nicolas Jackson to a three-game ban for his sending off meant boss Enzo Maresca had to send rookie striker Tyrique George into battle for his first Premier League start on a huge night for the club.It should have been a far more comfortable night for the home side.Bruno Fernandes matches Cristiano Ronaldo record as he wins Man Utd award – but admits he DOESN’T want itNoni Madueke missed a golden chance to volley Chelsea ahead in only the fourth minute from Cole Palmer’s cross.And James is such a servant for his boyhood club. Coming back from a run of hamstring injuries and surgery he has provided that cool head when needed most.He was also on hand to smack the outside of the post with a ferocious shot in the first half.Palmer came close to scoring with a cheeky curling shot from the edge of the area that also brought a diving save from Onana.Boss Maresca is convinced his team has made progress this season even though they made hard work of this victory before finally showing up late in the second half.For United boss Ruben Amorim it is now eight Premier League games without a win despite a marginally improved performance from last weekend’s abject surrender at home to lowly West Ham.Next week’s all-Premier League Europa League final against Tottenham will grant one of them access to the Champions League alongside the greats of Europe.It’s come to something when it’s a positive to only lose 1-0 while your next opponents lose 2-0 as Spurs did at Villa earlier in the evening.When it comes to it, neither Chelsea, United nor Tottenham possess much to suggest any of them belong at the top level.Read More on The SunUnited had a goal ruled out for a narrow offside against Harry Maguire and for the first 20 minutes of the game looked as if they had responded to criticism by boss Amorim over their poor attitude.Former Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount was guilty of missing a glaring chance to score against his old club before being subbed to a chorus of boos. More

UNAI EMERY had unlikely heroes Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara to thank for three crucial points as Villa turned the heat on their Champions League rivals.The Spaniard celebrated his 100th Premier League game in charge of Villa with a hard-earned 54th win.Ezri Konsa puts Aston Villa 1-0 upCredit: GettyVilla celebrate taking the leadCredit: GettyKonsa pounced to grab his third goal of the season but it was Kamara who supplied the cherry on the top of the cake with his first Premier goal – at the 69th attempt!The win saw Villa leapfrog Manchester City and move to within two points of second-placed Arsenal as Villa set a new club record with their 32nd win of the season in all competitions.Emery’s men came into this game brimming with confidence…. and a burning sense of injustice.They were unbeaten in 20 home games across all competitions – their best run for 48 years – and had won their last seven on the spin at Villa Park.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut there were empty seats as many fans couldn’t make the hastily re-arranged date after the Premier League allowed Spurs more time to prepare for Wednesday’s Europa League final. Ange Postecoglou wrapped his stars up in cotton wool ahead of their midweek trip to Bilbao. Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison, Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro were all on the bench, while Sergio Reguilon started a Premier League game for Spurs for the first time since April 2022.That meant the spotlight fell on Son Heung-min who faced a final audition ahead of Wednesday’s cup final.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBoubacar Kamara fires Villa 2-0 in frontCredit: PAThe Spurs skipper only returned from a foot injury for the last half hour of his side’s 2-0 loss against Crystal Palace.With just five days to go, this was his last chance to stake his claim for a starting place in Bilbao.How Europa League final will be decided – four key Man Utd vs Tottenham tactical battlesAnd he certainly gave Matty Cash a torrid time of it.He burst past the startled full-back after five minutes but lacked that vital match sharpness and allowed the Villa man to recover and take the pace off his shot.At the other end Antonin Kinsky got a vital touch to divert a cross away from Ollie Watkins’ waiting head before John McGinn fired just over after dispossessing Djed Spence.Villa were finding Spurs a tough nut to crack and Son was beginning to find his feet.He chopped inside Cash before rifling a ferocious effort just over, then produced a fine pass to set Wilson Odobert clear.The ball was worked wide to Mathys Tel who drilled in a low cross which Odobert turned goalwards with a cute Cruyff-flick but Emi Martinez reacted superbly to block with his left boot.It was end to end stuff and Kinsky surpassed himself with a full-length save to prevent Morgan Rogers’ delicate flick from finding the far corner of his net.Villa’s frustration was growing and Cash was booked for waving an imaginary yellow card at Pape Sarr, before Archie Gray joined him for clattering Ollie Watkins.Ange Postecoglou rested several key playersCredit: ReutersMarco Asensio then came close with a shot which flashed inches wide of the far post.But at the break Postecoglou would have been the happier boss with the stalemate.Ezri Konsa and Tel got the second half off to a bad-tempered start when they clashed and both captains were called in to have a word.Tel escaped with a warning despite flashing an elbow at Konsa and Emery tapped a finger to his temple to warn his players to think about who was benefitting from the disruption.But the tension was suddenly lifted just before the hour as Villa broke the deadlock with their 16th set-piece goal of the season in the Prem.McGinn’s deep corner was headed down by Watkins at the back post and Ezri Konsa spun to steer the ball beyond Kinsky from inside the six-yard-box.That goal lifted a weight off Villa and Kinsky did well to deny Watkins before McGinn fired just wide as Emery’s men pushed for the second goal needed to kill-off Spurs.Read More on The SunIt finally arrived after 73 minutes from the unlikeliest scorer as Kamara broke his Villa duck.Rogers fed him at the edge of the Spurs box and Asensio created space with a clever decoy run and Kamara cashed in to slam the ball beyond Kinsky from the edge of the box. More

MO SALAH says Liverpool fans were wrong to boo Trent Alexander-Arnold after he decided to quit the Prem champions.The Real Madrid-bound right-back was targeted by the home crowd when he came on against Arsenal at Anfield last Sunday.Mo Salah has backed his pal Trent Alexander-ArnoldCredit: PAWhen asked if Liverpool talisman Salah was saddened by the reception Alexander-Arnold received from his boyhood club, he replied: “Absolutely. I was surprised because it is not how we act as Liverpool fans.“The fans have been harsh with him. He didn’t deserve that because he gave it all to the fans.“We always appreciate the people who came here, even if it was for six months.“Imagine someone who gave his all for 20 years. It shouldn’t be like this and I hope it will change in the next game – Brighton or the last game of the season – because he deserves the best farewell leaving the club.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“He has done a lot for the city and a lot for the club.”Liverpool boss Arne Slot also called on fans to lay off Alexander-Arnold following the abuse in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners.Slot, who takes his side to Brighton on Monday night, said: “We saw the reaction to Trent – positive as well as negative. Now we need to draw a line under the situation and not let it be a distraction any more.”Slot’s players will face the Seagulls having had three days off for a squad trip to Dubai while the Dutchman headed to Ibiza and the Spanish hot spot’s famous O beach club.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut he insists nobody will be on the beach on the South Coast, saying: “Of course if we lose people will say it our fault for letting the players take a break.“But we will also have had three days’ training by the time we play Brighton and we know that physically the players always give everything. Andy Robertson pays tribute to ‘best friend’ Trent Alexander-Arnold after he is booed by Liverpool fans“And mentally, they are always there – as they have shown in winning the league this season.”Slot is understood to be poised to trigger the £30m release clause in right back Jeremie Frimpong’s Bayern Leverkusen that will take him to Anfield.But he stressed : “If I was to say I was bringing in a lot of new players this summer it would seem like I am not happy with some of the ones I already have.“Yet we won the league with very good players and because of that it is difficult to find others just like them.“You assume we need to bring in new players but we are very happy with the ones we have got.”Arne Slot will take his side to Brighton on MondayCredit: PA More