Premier League

IT was a signing that went against his entire transfer ethos — yet was arguably  the biggest no-brainer of the 105 he made at Old Trafford.Sir Alex Ferguson was never scared to splash cash as he built, strengthened or restructured his all-conquering, title-winning teams.Chelsea and boss Enzo Maresca must abandon their principles if they want to win proper trophiesCredit: PASir Alex Ferguson sacrificed his values to sign Robin van Persie but instantly won the titleCredit: GettyYet as a shrewd old Scot, value for money was also a prime factor.Very rarely did a new face arrive at Manchester United without a potential sell-on fee and the chance to recoup losses if it didn’t work out.This one, though, was different. If it went wrong, there would be no move-him-on safety net.Only Sir Alex knew it wouldn’t go wrong — and Sir Alex wasn’t usually wrong.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSo when, in the summer of 2012, Arsenal agreed to sell Robin van Persie, he didn’t pause for breath, even with a £24million price tag.That fee may be a drop in the ocean now but back then it was huge for a player nearing 30. Yet to Fergie it was a bargain.Three months earlier, when THAT Aguerooooo goal meant Manchester City were champions by the  narrowest of margins, Sir Alex had vowed never to lose the title on goal difference again.And with Van Persie as the new attacking spearhead, there was never a chance of it. United were champions by 11 points.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe crown was back at Old Trafford, their Dutch striker topped the scoring charts and Fergie headed into retirement with a 13th Premier League title in the bag,Van Persie’s goals sealed no fewer than 11 United wins that season. But the manager always did know the difference a proven big-game goalscorer can make.How Ruud van Nistelrooy’s ‘donut solution’ kicked off Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd revolution earlyStars like Cole Palmer are great but should not be relied upon to score like a proper strikerCredit: GettyAn assassin-eyed striker who — even if they didn’t end the season as the Prem’s top marksman — would get you over the line when the stakes were highest, the competition fiercest.Most champion teams over the years have had that one man they can rely on. Didier Drogba at Chelsea, Alan Shearer at Blackburn, Jamie Vardy in that astonishing Leicester triumph.Liverpool had Mo Salah AND Sadio Mane when they won the Prem. For two years Erling Haaland has banged them in for fun at City.Just like Aguero back in 2012 — only third highest over the season, but the saviour when it mattered most. Never more than on the most dramatic final day ever.Very rarely do you lift silver without a striker of pure gold.It’s why they cost so much. It’s why the best teams always have at least one.And also why it’s so remarkable that, despite splashing out more than £1billion, there is still a glaring gap in the Chelsea ranks.Of course, there are those who will point to Thursday’s 8-0 Europa Conference League rampage and wonder what all the fuss is about. And they will be showing their ignorance.It wasn’t Real Madrid or Barcelona who were put to the sword. Not a Manchester City or Liverpool. It was Noah. The Armenian equivalent of the Red Lion.For a relevant reference point, look to the 1-1 draw with United four days earlier. A game Chelsea dominated but could not kill off.Don’t buy that bull about a point at Old Trafford always being a decent result. It’s not when there’s such a chasm between the two sides as last weekend.Chelsea, as they have so often this season, played some marvellous stuff. But once again there was no one to put the ball in the net. United weren’t praying for the whistle.With a Drogba or Diego Costa in a blue shirt, they were breathing-space winners. Like City or Liverpool would have been. Like Spurs were with Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson.Match winners who can make the difference in any season. Yet this time, when it’s shaping up to be the most open in the Prem era, potential title winners as well.Yes, I know Chelsea have Cole Palmer, but he’s no attacking spearhead. He should be a great addition alongside your top dog.And who in the current squad would that be? Not Nicolas Jackson, who misses too many chances. Not Christopher Nkunku, who’s never fit for long enough.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn a season of so many contenders, the title could be won by one flash of goalscoring genius. Yet until Chelsea find that man, it won’t be them.Running riot against Noah is one thing but without a top   finisher, they’ll be sunk when it really matters. More

NEW England boss Thomas Tuchel has handed Marcus Rashford an olive branch.The German told the Manchester United forward that he wants him  in his Three Lions squad  — as long as he keeps his form up.Marcus Rashford has a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad – as long as he performs for Man UtdCredit: AFPTuchel reckons England lost Euro 2024 because Gareth Southgate axed Rashford from his squadCredit: GettyThe left-sider has not played for England since March’s friendly defeat to BrazilCredit: GettyTuchel, who starts work in January, made contact with Rashford’s camp and confirmed he is a huge admirer of the striker.A source revealed: “Tuchel contacted Marcus and his representatives and told them he saw Marcus as an essential part of the England squad.“He said he believed a big part of England’s failure to win Euro 2024 was not having Marcus as an option.“Other teams fear his abilities and Tuchel said he believed without Rashford, England didn’t offer a strong attacking threat on the left and that made them easier to play against as a lot of the ball came down the right.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Tuchel is a huge admirer of Marcus. It’s a great boost for him and another encouragement to try and get back to his best.”Rashford, 27, was left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad after scoring just eight times last season. But the striker has already bagged four goals and three assists in a struggling United team this term.And he is doing extra one-to-one training in an effort to regain his form and fitness.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSRashford is likely to get the chance to impress Tuchel when United take on Leicester on Sunday.His last appearance came from the bench in Thursday’s Europa League win over PAOK.Thomas Tuchel ‘was NOT England’s first choice and Pep Guardiola could still get the job’Southgate vs Tuchel records comparedTHOMAS TUCHELAugsburg II 2007-2008P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%Mainz 05 2009-2014P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%Honours: DFB Pokal Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2Chelsea 2021-2022P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World CupBayern Munich 2023-2024P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%Honours: BundesligaGARETH SOUTHGATEMiddlesbrough 2006-2009P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%England U21 2013-2016P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%Honours: Toulon tournamentEngland 2016-2024P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024Rashford has four goals in 17 games this season, with just one strike coming in the Premier League.And he was left out of Lee Carsley’s final England squad for the upcoming Nations League games with Greece and the Republic of Ireland.Rashford has 17 goals in 60 caps for England after making his debut in 2016.But he has played just once for his country this year, with his last appearance coming in March’s friendly defeat to Brazil.Forgotten England stars could benefit from Tuchel appointmentWITH Thomas Tuchel announced as the next England manager, a few forgotten stars might be hopeful of a return to the international set up.The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager usually uses a 3-4-3 formation.That could provide an opening for Mason Mount, who’s not been involved in the England set-up since the World Cup in 2022.The now Manchester United star enjoyed his most successful spell under Tuchel while the pair were at Stamford Bridge.Tuchel could also offer lifelines to other previously capped players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Eric Dier.RLC has excelled since his move to AC Milan and with England struggling to find a partner for Rice, he could be the surprise answer.Meanwhile, Dier played for Tuchel at Bayern Munich as part of a back-three last season.The defender did enough to convince the club to make his loan move permanent after he had fallen out of favour at Tottenham.Click here to see the full England XI who could play under Tuchel. More

ARNE SLOT insisted the era of heavy metal football was over – yet for two madcap, marauding moments the speakers went back on.For no more than a flash and a flicker…but still enough to send Liverpool five points clear after a Red arrows raid that had all the hallmarks of the previous Anfield gaffer.Liverpool continued their fine form with a 2-0 win over Aston VillaCredit: GettyThe Reds are now five points clear at the top of the tableCredit: AFPArne Slot brought back memories of heavy metal football to AnfieldCredit: PAUnai Emery saw Villa rack up their fourth defeat in a rowCredit: GettyA couple of rampant end-to-end counter thrusts served up every week under Jurgen Klopp, finished by a Darwin Nunez piledriver and a magical Mo Salah clip for a 2-0 win.Ever since Slot stepped into Klopp’s shoes, the gameplan has been more methodical than mayhem. The days of 100mph, in-your-face football aren’t the Dutchman’s style.How ironic, then, that it took a breakaway goal straight from the Klopp handbook for them to find a way to break the deadlock.A length-of-the-field assault stemming from a Villa corner, and a finish which threatened to take the net from its moorings.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt was certainly enough to send Anfield wild. Although to be fair, that stunning Brighton win had got this place buzzing half an hour before they even kicked off on Merseyside.You know those famous European evenings they speak of so fondly here? Well there was a very similar air to events last night, thanks to that result at the Amex Stadium.It was as though every Kopite realised that what they initially felt would be just one more step down a nine-month journey, could actually be a giant stride instead.Make no mistake, there was that feel about it all. Knowing this was a chance to open up daylight on City going into the international break.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAgainst a side whose form as they arrived in town couldn’t have offered a starker contrast to the Reds, either after four games without a win – the last three of them losses.The perfect setting for an Anfield onslaught, you thought. For Liverpool to tear out of the traps and put their opponents on the canvas before they know it.Liverpool have put Jurgen Klopp’s sprawling £4million home for sale – after Anfield successor Arne Slot turned it down.Only the 2024-25 version doesn’t tend to do that. It is a more measured, pick-your-moments one.Mind you, when those moments arrive, the end product is just as devastating as any of those blow-your-socks off days under Klopp. As we saw after 20 minutes.Liverpool were actually defending a corner when it broke to Virgil van Dijk a couple of yards outside his own box.The Reds skipper didn’t need to pause, didn’t need to look up. He knew Mo Salah would be on his bike and clipped the most measured of balls for the Egyptian.Darwin Nunez opened the scoring after 20 minutesCredit: EPAHe put the finishing touches on a counter-attack reminiscent of the Jurgen Klopp daysCredit: PASalah went stumbling courtesy of the backtracking Leon Bailey…but not before he had slid a pass forward to Darwin Nunez.And although a rather hefty first touch initially seemed to have taken him too wide as he rounded keeper Emi Martinez, Nunez spun and smashed in the opener.In a nano-second yells for Bailey to be sent off turned to screams of celebration at the breakthrough.And credit to referee David Coote as well, for letting play continue when Bailey laid a hand on Salah’s back.Although perhaps that is being a little kind to the official, as it was hard to say whether he was waving play on or to signal there had been no foul by the Villa man.Thank Heavens, then, that Nunez buried the chance. No case to answer…and no chance of keeping out a thunderbolt that nearly took the net from its moorings.Only a second Prem goal of the season for the Uruguayan forward – and ten minutes later he really should have been celebrating a third.Again it stemmed from a Villa corner, and again they were sliced open by a lightning strike. Excusable once, but a second time? No wonder manager Emery looked ready to explode.Mo Salah made sure of the result with a strike in the 84th minuteCredit: GettyHe celebrated with Reds fans after sending his side well clear of Man CityCredit: GettyHe surely would have done if the finish from Nunez had been as deadly as his first, too, when Salah once more sent him scooting clear.But this time, for all it was a far kinder angle to the left of the penalty spot, he blazed over and Villa breathed again.You still never really felt it would come back to haunt Liverpool. Yet minutes later it so very nearly did.Again it was a Villa corner, but this time Lucas Digne’s delivery found Amadou Onana’s head, and Caoimhin Kelleher produced a fine reaction save to tip it over.Trent Alexander-Arnold hobbled off with an injuryCredit: RexHe is now a doubt for England’s upcoming Nations League matchesCredit: AFPAnd the Liverpool keeper did the same again soon after, when Digne whipped over another that would have gone in without a touch had he not been so alert.Just as Ryan Gravenberch was when he threw himself to block Ollie Watkins when he seemed certain to bury the follow-up.The lead remained intact – but not until four minutes from time could they ever relax. And wouldn’t you know, it took another full length raid to bring it about.There was a hefty slice of luck when Diego Carlos headed against Salah on halfway, and the Kop striker went streaking through.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt was a bad night at the office for Aston VillaCredit: ReutersEmi Martinez and Co have now lost four on the bounceCredit: AFPBut there was nothing fortunate about his finish, waiting for Martinez to commit before dinking into the far corner.Job done – once it was confirmed, with Pau Torres laughingly trying to claim a penalty at the other end – and five points clear. More

THE rot continues for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.Second-half substitutes Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley scored the late goals as Brighton deservedly condemned Guardiola to an historic defeat.Brighton completed a stunning comeback as they beat Man City 2-1Credit: APCity was left stunned as they suffered their FOURTH defeat in a rowCredit: RexIt was a nightmare result for Pep GuardiolaCredit: ReutersBrighton’s comeback means Liverpool can potentially go five points clear of CityCredit: GettyWhen tennis player Vitus Gerulaitis finally beat Jimmy Connors after 16 consecutive defeats, he famously quipped: “No one beats Vitus Gerulaitis 17 times in a row.”Guardiola and Manchester City operate on a sporting level even higher than the gifted American racket-wielder.But until now, the Catalan had never lost four games on the bounce as a manager.The 4-1 Champions League thumping by Sporting Lisbon followed a Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Tottenham and a 2-1 loss at Bournemouth. And now this.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCity paid the price for failing to add to Erling Haaland’s first-half opener and then to hold back Brighton’s second-half surge.For all the talk about City’s injuries, Brighton have been suffering, too, and without the depth of squad that Guardiola can call upon.Home boss Fabian Hurzeler called Carlos Baleba off the bench at half time, then Pedro and O’Riley, after their various injury problems.Summer signing O’Riley had been out since hurting himself within 10 minutes of his debut.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut the former Celtic midfielder accepted a Pedro pass at the end of a City-style slick move before jabbing the ball home.Joy for Hurzeler and most in the stadium. More frustration for City and Guardiola.Former Man City ace now starring in CBBC series as he lives very different life as an actorThe Etihad boss was dressed like an off-duty vicar, in a roomy zip-up cardigan and grey slacks with a looser fit than his usual trousers.In fact, if you squinted, with his grey beard Guardiola bore more than a passing resemblance to Billy, the priest character from Coronation Street.Poor Billy has been having an existential crisis following the death of his husband Paul.And Guardiola looked to be suffering agony of his own for much of the match.Like their manager’s clothes, City were a bit baggy. Not the tight, drilled-to-within-an-inch-of-their-lives faultless machine you usually expect.Brighton under Fabian Hurzeler like flying by the seat of their pants at times but that really isn’t Guardiola’s thing. City looked to be back to winning ways when Erling Haaland ended his goal droughtCredit: PAThe Norwegian’s barren run had coincided with City’s dip in formCredit: RexInside three minutes the City boss was throwing his hands up in frustration as his team failed to move the ball quickly enough.The same reaction greeted a weak finish by Savinho that allowed Verbruggen to make a decent save.Another chance went begging when Haaland mishit a finish from a Phil Foden free kick, but moments later the City striker made amends.Yasin Ayari gave the ball awat and Mateo Kovacic’s pass between the home centre halves was superb. Haaland made the most of it. After Verbruggen blocked his initial shot, the Premier League’s top scorer followed up to jab the ball into the net.Soon it was almost two. From Foden’s pass Haaland let off a quick shot that came off Verbruggen and the post.The Brighton goalkeeper also kept out a Kovacic effort.The home team finally had some joy when Kaoru Mitoma got the better of Kyle Walker – prompting another theatrical response from Guardiola.Mitoma fed Danny Welbeck, whose shot was blocked by Josko Gvardiol. Pervis Estupinan’s follow-up was all wrong.Welbeck tickled the side-netting with a free kick but despite that the home side went in happy still to be in the game.With captain Lewis Dunk out, and Baleba and Pedro fit enough only for the bench, Brighton were missing their spine.There was still plenty of energy but without much coordination. Brighton roared back in the 78th minute through sub Joao PedroCredit: PAHis sharp finish sent the Amex crowd wildCredit: APThe hosts started the second half well and Guardiola was soon gesticulating and yelling like a dad whose kids just won’t listen.Ederson had to make his first save in the 52nd minute when Jack Hinshelwood sent a header straight at him from an Estupinan cross.A Pep talk to Haaland and Foden seemed to work as City improved, with Haaland’s cross forcing Igor into a last-ditch clearance.Hurzeler sent on O’Riley and the game was in the balance.City posed a threat from both wings, but Brighton created the better openings.Georginio Rutter headed over the bar, Welbeck could not control a Mitoma cross and then Ederson saved at the feet of the Japan winger.O’Riley was the hero as he made his first appearance since an injury 10 minutes into his debutCredit: APO’Riiley put his injury woes behind him with the winning strikeCredit: AFPPedro then charged through only to send his shot well off target with only the City ‘keeper to beat.On came Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne to help City try to gain some control.It didn’t work and Guardiola was soon so agitated that he went prancing into Hurzeler’s technical area.And Brighton made their momentum count in the City penalty area.Gvardiol failed to clear and Pedro pounced to score from close range.If that goal made the Amex rock, O’Riley’s lifted the roof off.City were left rocked by the result ahead of big games with Spurs and LiverpoolCredit: AlamyQuestions over Guardiola’s long-term future are sure to mount once moreCredit: PABrighton pinged the ball around like prime City and the midfielder provided the finish the move deserved.De Bruyne shot wide. In nine minutes of stoppage time, Foden and Gvardiol were also off target.READ MORE SUN STORIESHaaland was booked for a late scuffle with Jan Paul van Hecke.And the final whistle one more gave Guardiola the sinking feeling that has never been as familiar as this. More