Premier League

COLE Palmer and Chelsea are back on track.Ange Postecoglou and Spurs remain off the rails, on the road to nowhere. Or the sack.Enzo Fernandez arrived perfectly to head Chelsea’s 50th-minute winnerCredit: RexFernandez celebrated his crucial goalCredit: ReutersA mass flare-up in a heated derby erupted just before half-timeThe Aussie cupped his ears at his own fans when substitute Pape Mata Sarr seemed to have grabbed an equaliser his team did not deserve.Moments earlier the travelling supporters had told him “You don’t know what you’re doing” when he had brought on Sarr for their beloved Lucas Bergvall in a double change with 25 minutes to go.But Postecoglou was hung out to dry when a VAR intervention led to the goal being ruled out for Sarr’s foul on Moises Caicedo.On another night, the main story would have been fit-again Palmer providing only his second goal contribution of 2025 – and his first in 10 games – by laying the only goal on a plate for Enzo Fernandez.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLIt puts Chelsea on the front foot again after rivals for a Champions League place won earlier in the midweek round of games.But their victory was hardly unexpected. Nor was another dismal night for Spurs and Postecoglou.He is the first Tottenham manager to lose his first four league games against their London rivals, although Spurs have not won at Stamford Bridge since April 2018.Whether he gets a fifth chance surely depends on his team winning the Europa League and taking the alternative route into the Champions League.Most read in FootballTottenham’s Micky van de Ven had a heartstopping moment when the ball ricocheted off him onto his own post in the first minuteCredit: ReutersBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBecause Spurs, with most of their first-choice players available again, barely laid a glove on the Blues.Postecoglou admitted in a pre-match interview that he felt the majority of Tottenham fans had lost faith in what he and his team were trying to do.North Korea’s Bizarre Ban on Tottenham HotspurEven before the mocking chant and his reaction to it, you could see why.Chelsea were superior in every department.It was not as feisty as the 2016 Battle of the Bridge. Nor as bonkers as Chelsea’s 4-3 and 4-1 victories in their last two visits to White Hart Lane. But from start to finish, it was action-packed, with each side having a goal ruled out by VAR, and yellow cards and passion a-plenty.Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero were playing together at centre half for Spurs for the first time since both going off injured in the seven-goal thriller against the Blues nearly four months before.Inside 50 seconds they were embarrassingly undone  by Trevoh Chalobah’s long ball over the top.Nicolas Jackson, back after two months out with a hamstring injury, got there first, and his accidental prod was blocked by Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. When Van De Ven tried to clear, the ball ricocheted off Jackson on to a post and from there to safety.The visitors immediately showed their teeth with a lightning break that required Marc Cucurella to block Son Heung-Min’s shot.Then Chelsea Malo Gusto strummed the side-netting with a shot that some in the home crowd thought was a goal.So far, so crazy.For about 10 minutes things calmed down, before Destiny Udogie’s challenge stopped Fernandez converting Palmer’s cross from close range.The chances had dried up, but the passion was still there. Caicedo roared at Van De Ven in triumph after halting the Dutchman when he sprinted away from a robust challenge on Palmer.Malo Gusto was gutted after a Chelsea missCredit: PAJadon Sancho was frustrating the home crowd and boss Maresca by not obeying his pre-match instruction to shoot more.Out of nothing, Son drew a save from Robert Sanchez. Finally, Sancho had a go but Vicario made a fine stop. The only thing the teams had forgotten to do before first-half stoppage time – apart from score – was to have a fight. Enter Romero, who bundled over Levi Colwill and found himself confronted by a furious Chalobah in what became a rolling maul involving a number of players. Both were booked.It was knockabout stuff, yet goalless.But not for long.Palmer had already stung the hands of Vicario before sending in a beautiful cross that exposed the Spurs defence utterly.While they all looked at each other, Fernandez arrived unmarked to power a header into the net.The Argentinian’s fellow £100m midfielder, Caicedo, thought he had made it two not long afterwards.But his lovely volley after Spurs failed to clear a free kick was ruled out for offside against Colwill after a four-minute VAR check.Which didn’t stop the visiting fans repeating their earlier chorus of “We want Levy out”.Chelsea kept coming, Palmer calling Vicario into action again.Postecoglou thought he had turned the tide when Sanchez failed to stop Sarr’s long-distance shot.But amid Chelsea protests VAR Jarred Gillett called referee Craig Pawson to the monitor and he disallowed the goal for a foul by Sarr on Caicedo, booking the Tottenham man for good measure.There were chances at both ends before the end. In the 89th minute, Brennan Johnson crossed but Son’s shot at the back post was not firm enough to beat Sanchez.Tottenham still had hope when 12 minutes of additional time were announced.But defeat means the clock ticks ever louder on Postecoglou’s reign.Afterwards he blamed the loss on Sarr’s disallowed goal – reserving most of his fury for the long deal;y over a VAR intervention.He blasted: “You are standing around for 12 minutes. It’s just killing the game, but no-one cares about that, they just love the drama and controversy”If a referee sees that and he needs to see it for six minutes, what’s clear and obvious about it?Read More on The Sun”We sat there and were waiting for six minutes for something that VAR official Jarred Gillett thought was clear and obvious – it’s crazy, it’s madness.”We accept it and have to take the fall out from it.” More

HARRY WINKS was axed from the Leicester City squad after reportedly getting into a blazing row with Ruud van Nistelrooy.Winks, 29, found himself dumped out of the matchday team for the Foxes’ 2-0 defeat at Manchester City on Wednesday night. Harry Winks reportedly refused a request to stay one night per week at Leicester’s training groundCredit: RexRuud van Nistelrooy is understood to have had a ‘heated row’ with the midfielderCredit: PAAnd now The Telegraph report it came after getting into a “heated” argument with the manager.Van Nistelrooy allegedly requested Winks compromised on his 100-mile daily commute to the club’s state-of-the-art £100million training ground. He wanted the former Tottenham man to stay overnight at the on-site hotel accommodation once a week at Seagrave in North Leicestershire – which also boasts a nine-hole golf course. However, it is understood Winks refused the suggestion and has private reasons for commuting from Hertfordshire every day, which he has done since joining the club for £10m under Enzo Maresca last season.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe ten-cap England international did welcome a baby daughter with partner Lowri Algar in mid-March. It is the latest off-field issue surrounding Leicester who looked destined for an immediate relegation back to the Championship.Earlier in the season, Winks was among a group of Foxes players who partied in Copenhagen while holding a sign reading “Enzo I miss u” following a defeat to ex-manager Maresca’s Chelsea. Then last month, The Telegraph revealed how the atmosphere under Van Nistelrooy has been toxic throughout his tenure at the King Power Stadium. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSJannik Vestergaard, who fell out with previous managers Brendan Rodgers and Steve Cooper, allegedly shocked members of staff by bringing his dog to training when there was no one at his London home to look after it.Like Winks, it is understood Vestegaard is one of the three senior Leicester players who travels more than 90 miles per day to training.Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy reacts to 2-0 defeat against Man City There were various other issues including bust-ups between players and coaches. Winks was a key figure for Maresca in the Championship last season but has played a bit-part role in recent weeks, not starting in the Premier League since a 4-0 defeat at Everton on February 1. Vestergaard, meanwhile, has been exiled from the last three of Van Nistelrooy’s matchday squads – the defeats to Chelsea, Manchester United and City. Before he booted Winks for the Etihad game, the ex-Red Devils striker told how he is demanding high standards from his squad – despite the horrendous run that has seen 14 defeats from 15 matches and seven games without a goal.Van Nistelrooy said: “One of the first things I looked at when I arrived was to see how things are done here, and then apply my standards in this environment.“In general, I’ve tried to increase the standards over the past three months. “You have to take full advantage of these facilities. That is where the standards come in.“It’s a perfect place to increase the standards as high as I feel is possible to run a club that wants to be in the Premier League. Read More on The Sun”People have to get used to it. In the short term, you won’t see the effects of it, but in the long term it will pay off.”SunSport has contacted Leicester City for comment. Winks has not started in the Premier League sinceCredit: GettyJannik Vestergaard also fell out of favour with Van NistelrooyCredit: AFP More

FULHAM star Calvin Bassey suffered an awkward moment after showing Arsenal fans his BUM at the worst possible time.The Cottagers ace was named as a sub for Tuesday night’s clash at the Emirates.Fulham star Calvin Bassey showed his bum to Arsenal fansCredit: TIKTOKThe ace’s antics came at the worst possible momentCredit: TIKTOKArsenal won the match 2-1 thanks to goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka.There was some bad news as Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off injured before being ruled out for the rest of the season, while Jurrien Timber also limped off.And Fulham’s 94th minute strike through Rodrigo Muniz proved to be too little, too late in North London.However, visiting star Bassey had a moment to forget as he engaged in some banter with Arsenal fans.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHome supporters could not help but sing “who are ya?” as Bassey warmed up in front of them during the second half.The defender could not resist laughing at the comments.And he responded in kind by leaning over and patting his backside in the direction of the Arsenal fans.This responded in laughs and whistles from loyal Gunners.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut their attention was quickly drawn back to the field of play as Saka headed home on his comeback from injury.The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Emirates faithful.The football boot customiser who’s scoring BIG with the game’s biggest stars are | Football FixersBukayo Saka scored seconds after Bassey’s bum noteCredit: GettyAnd Bassey retreated back towards the Fulham bench as supporters cheered Saka’s name.Fans on social media certainly found his interaction hilarious.One said: “Bassey’s such an interesting character.”Another declared: “Bassey’s had a howler.”One noted: “Calvin cursed them.”Another added: “Inspiring stuff.” More

KYLE WALKER admits he was almost in tears after his “sad” Manchester City exit.But the England star insists he “could not say no” to AC Milan amid his family drama back home.Kyle Walker has lifted the lid on his stunning switch to AC Milan in JanuaryCredit: AlamyThe ace was close to tears after leaving Man CityCredit: GettyWalker completed a stunning loan move to the Italian side in January after seven and a half years at City.The 34-year-old won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League in 319 games under Pep Guardiola.And Walker has since gone on to star 11 times for new side Milan, including yesterday’s 1-1 derby draw with Inter in the Coppa Italia semis.The right-back completed his San Siro switch amid family drama involving estranged wife Annie Kilner and former mistress Lauryn Goodman.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe shares four children with Annie, while having also fathered two more with Lauryn.And Walker, who was recently seen barking orders at teammate Joao Felix, has now revealed that he came close to crying while saying his goodbyes to City staff and players.He told BBC Sounds’ The Kyle Walker Podcast: “I said to the team manager…the player liaison officer, I said that I wanted to say goodbye to the lads in the canteen before I left when I knew the deal was complete. “And he actually texted the whole building! So, there were 150 people there and I had to say goodbye, which was a little bit nerve-wracking.Most read in Football”It was sad because as much as people might have this persona about me or whatever, I did speak to completely everyone in that building from the cleaners, to the cooks, to the kit men, to the physios.“There was the lady there, Emma, that would be behind the counter and serve you food, or get your drinks and whatever.Kyle Walker party girls revealed as globe-trotting models – and lift lid on how star is enjoying his new life in MilanWalker shares four children with estranged wife Annie KilnerCredit: InstagramHe also has two children with former mistress Lauryn GoodmanCredit: Rex”And even when I looked over at her, I wanted to cry because it was like every day I’ve said, ‘Morning’ to you and given you a cuddle, and all of a sudden now I’m not going to see you anymore, and you don’t think about that when the process is happening, but then when you come to say goodbye, it’s hard.”Walker also lifted the lid on his reasons for moving to Milan.He added: “In football, I think when certain things come, or certain opportunities come, you have to take it.“And for me to experience a different league, for me to experience a different culture, for me to play for a club like AC Milan… I don’t think you can turn that down.“And when you know they want you, or you want to go there, and you want to have a new challenge, I think there are certain clubs in the world that you kind of can’t say no to.“I think with him (Pep) being a top player, playing for a top club and managing these top players, [he knows] people are going to have different desires or ambitions to go and do certain things with their career, and I just think for me, it just came at the right time. It came at the right time. It was the right club. “And I just felt, you know what, I need to go and try something different because I don’t want to live after football saying I wish I’d have just explored something different and come to a club like this. I think it was the right fit for me.” More