Premier League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Leicester 2 Brighton 2: Seagulls capitulate and throw away two-goal lead as Vardy leads late comeback for Van Nistelrooy

      by

      HOW many more scripts has Jamie Vardy got left in him?Once again, the Leicester City legend, 38 next month, rode to the rescue to make sure new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy stayed unbeaten after two games.First Foxes scorer Jamie Vardy helps Bobby De-Cordova Reid celebrate a stoppage-time point-saver that the ex-England striker teed upCredit: ReutersDe Cordova-Reid sparked mayhem with this 91st-minute equaliserCredit: RexRuud van Nistelrooy saw Leicester snatch a dramatic pointCredit: PABrighton were cruising to victory – and fifth place in the Premier League – thanks to Tariq Lamptey’s first-half super strike and sub Yankuba Minteh.But Fabian Hurzeler’s side took their foot off the gas – and Vardy needed no second invitation.Leicester levelled it up with two goals in the space of five minutes late on – and Vardy played his part in both of them.He gave the Foxes hope after 86 minutes when he latched on to a pass from Bobby De Cordova-Reid and netted from close range.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThen, in the first minute of stoppage time, Vardy turned provider to set up De Cordova-Reid to send the King Power Stadium wild.Until then, the closest Leicester had come to scoring was when James Justin’s header brought a save from Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen.Brighton were in control throughout until the latter stages – and unlike West Ham in midweek – they had made their dominance count.They took the lead before the break with a beautifully-struck left-foot shot from Lamptey which gave the reliable Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen no chance.Most read in FootballMads Hermansen had little chance with Tariq Lamptey’s wonder strikeCredit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd with 11 minutes left, Minteh was set up by Pervis Estupian and doggedly battled to create the chance for number two, just nine minutes after coming on.But then came Leicester’s stirring fightback.Graham Potter admits he’s ‘looking at things’ as speculation intensifies that he’ll replace Julen Lopetegui at West HamAnd while van Nistelrooy has problems he needs to address if Leicester are to stay up, he will know his squad lacks nothing when it comes to spirit.Brighton’s two dropped points prevented them moving fifth, while the Foxes have now edged five points clear of the drop zone.The sharpshooter was the Foxes’ key man late onLamptey is mobbed after his spectacular opener for BrightonCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal player ratings: Bukayo Saka runs the show but Jakub Kiwior fails to fill Gabriel’s big shoes

      by

      SET pieces were crucial AGAIN but Arsenal lost more ground in the title race after coming back from behind to draw 1-1 with Fulham. The Gunners thought they’d won it at the death but are now SIX points behind Prem leaders Liverpool, after enduring a frustrating afternoon at Craven Cottage.Other corner, another goal as William Saliba equalised early into the second halfFulham went 1-0 up early after latching onto a loose ball with a quick counterArsenal dominated the early exchanged but saw themselves 1-0 down early thanks to Raul Jimenez’s spell-bounding run and finish inside 11 minutes.The visitors had plenty of the possession, but very little to show for it in the opening 45 minutes.Mikel Arteta was booed at half-time, but unlike last year’s defeat at Craven Cottage he held off on any substitutions at the break.Another successful corner routine saw the Gunners level after William Saliba poked home from six-yards five minutes after half-time.READ MORE ON ARSENALAnd heartbreak ensued in the 89th minute when Bukayo Saka’s back post header was ruled out after Martinelli strayed offside in the build up.Here SunSport’s Katherine Walsh gives her player ratings…David Raya – 6 Couldn’t do much about his one-on-one with Jimenez and was rarely threatened after that.Until a HUGE save at his near post in the 71st minute after Sander Berge’s ball over the top sent Andreas Pereira away.Most read in FootballDavid Raya was left vulnerable for Jimenez’ openerThomas Partey – 5Arteta opted to play Partey at right-back but, it quickly became clear just how missed the Ghanaian’s presence was in midfield.William Saliba – 6 Great positioning and a lengthy VAR check saw him tap in the equaliser from a back-post Havertz’s header. Yes, from another corner.Couldn’t get back in time to stop Jimenez’s opener. Could he have done more?Jakub Kiwior – 4 Terrible afternoon filling into Gabriel’s big shoes. Easily outmanoeuvred by Raul Jimenez’s inside run for the Fulham No.9’s sleek low finish opener inside 11 minutes.Seemed out of place and not sure of his role during corner routines.Raul Jimenez rang a ring around Kiwior for Fulham’s early openerJurrien Timber – 5 Undoubtedly a greater influence on the right side of defence.Timber was quiet by his standard and was dragged narrow for Jimenez’s opener.Martin Odegaard (c) -Looked like he was struggling with something in the first half-an-hour as he hunched over, and hobbled off while walking inside at half-time after being on the end of a big tackle from Sander Berge.Some harmless balls into the Fulham box went well past Trossard as Arsenal looked somewhat rattled after going 1-0 down.Replaced by 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri when Arsenal were looking for a winner.Jorginho – 6 Largely did his job in nullifying Emile Smith Rowe before the Arsenal youth academy star was replaced inside 60 minutes.But some wayward long balls saw a frustrated Arteta turn away in the opening half.Declan Rice – 6 Some lovely runs between the centre-backs in his bid to push forward to level the score. Didn’t stop running and linked up well with Saka and Odegaard.But had to bail out the makeshift left hand side of Timber and Kiwior out a couple of times and lethal from corners.Bukayo Saka – 7Every time you look at the TV, Saka was crossing. Great corners from the right hand side.Grew into the game with both Robinson and Bassey working hard to team up on him, soon sat them both down with an outrageous run.Such a menace from the right but Robinson finally went in the book in the final five minutes.Kai Havertz – 6Out-duelled by Diop for much of the first half and rarely tested former Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno in his 73 minute appearance.Poor sense of positioning at times to get onto some good crosses from his Saka and Trossard.But made up for it in the second half, with a brilliant back post run from Rice’s corner which inadvertently set up Saliba.Kai Havertz failed to threaten Fulham keeper LenoHavertz headed down into the path of goalscorer SalibaLeandro Trossard – 6 An unbelievable piece of skill saw him bamboozle former Gunner Iwobi but his stunning cross was fumbled by Saka.More of a threat in the second-half before he looked disappointed to be subbed off for Gabriel Martinelli. SubsG Jesus (’73 for Havertz) – 4 Indecisive as Rice pinged a ball over the top for his run, which eventually landed in Leno’s waiting hands.Gabriel Martinelli (’60 for Trossard) – 6Disastrously aught offside in the lead up to Saka’s would-be winner in the 89th minute.But worked better with Timber than Trossard perhaps managed. Tricky feet saw him fouled several times by Kenny Tete in final 15 minutes.Sent multiple great crosses from the left, but Leno was often up to collect.Booked for dissent as he bounced the ball in frustration at not being awarded a throw in. READ MORE SUN STORIESMikel Merino (’73 for Jorginho) – 5Should’ve been booked for a tug on Pereira. E Nwaneri (’78 for Odegaard) – 6 Brave runs in his 15 minute cameo. Arteta clearly trusts the teenager. More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Fulham 1 Arsenal 1: Bukayo Saka’s late winner ruled out for offside as Gunners drop more points in Prem title race

      by

      SET-PIECE again, Ole Ole.The new go-to chant for Arsenal fans was bellowed once more in the away end at Craven Cottage – William Saliba’s 52nd minute tap-in providing further clout for their ‘corner kings’ label in the Prem.Arsenal were denied a later winner against FulhamCredit: ReutersOn this occasion however, it was not enough for the win – more points dropped in this intriguing and unpredictable title race just when the Gunners were beginning to build some momentum.Saliba’s second goal in two games – after another corner finish in the 2-0 win over Manchester United in mid-week – cancelled out an 11th minute strike from Raul Jimenez.It was a struggling away-day performance from Arsenal, almost saved by an 89th minute winner from Bukayo Saka only for VAR to heartbreakingly spot an offside in the build-up.A run of four victories on the spin in all competitions has been halted. Six points off leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand after their Merseyside derby postponement.READ MORE IN football Even boss Mikel Arteta must now concede that the Reds are hot favourites. This is their title to throw away, especially with Manchester City floundering and Chelsea still an unknown prospect.They top the set-piece charts – now 23 goals from corners since the start of the 2022/23 campaign and seven this term – but Arsenal are still lacking that extra edge needed to get over the line when it matters most.Arteta says he wants his boys to be the ‘kings of everything’. They are still some way from achieving that.As for Fulham, they are now unbeaten in their last nine London derbies and can start to dream of qualifying for Europe next year. What a job Marco Silva is doing in West London.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJimenez was one of four changes made by the Portuguese coach having been dropped for the 3-1 win over Brighton here in mid-week.Arteta also shuffled his pack, but not by choice. Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori were absent once more with Oleksandr Zinchenko also dropping out with a knock.I was sacked as a factory worker, the next day I had trials at Arsenal – I was gobsmackedNot for the first time this term, Arsenal’s back four as a result was makeshift. Thomas Partey slotted in at right-back yet again with Jakub Kiwior continuing at centre back alongside William Saliba.Yet the visitors were riding high from their recent set-piece masterclass to beat Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates – and got their first corner inside the first three minutes.The away end sung their set-piece chant, only to watch their dead-ball specialists struggle to produce more golden moments inside the first 45 minutes.Fulham, unlike United, had done their homework and were prepared, sacrificing three players to stand on the front post as blockers while Adama Traore man-marked a roaming Saliba.And perhaps the weather from storm Darragh was playing its part, something Arteta claimed pre-match would take some adapting to.But given Arsenal’s control early on, there was no panic from the bench – that was until Jimenez was put in behind on a rare Fulham foray forward.Raul Jimenez opened the scoring for FulhamCredit: PAJimene celebrates with former Gunner Alex IwobiCredit: AFPPoland international Kiwior was starting successive Prem games at centre back for the first time since May 2023, and has previous at this ground – hauled off at half-time in this fixture 12 months ago in a damaging 2-1 defeat.And he was at fault again, allowing Mexican big-man Jimenez to chest down a long ball from Leno with little challenge before letting him spin in behind from an unspectacular pass from Tete.The finish was brilliant, however, with one touch to settle himself and another to fire across a helpless David Raya into the far side-netting for his first goal in seven outings.In the miserable wind and rain engulfing the Cottage, Arsenal’s initial composure was gone. Their game turned ragged as they tried to orchestrate a comeback.Partey drove forward and lost possession, giving Traore a chance to nearly sneak Jimenez in again for but a fine recovery tackle by Saliba.They were soon back in their dominant groove. A Bukayo Saka cross almost found the head of Kai Havertz but for Calvin Bassey’s timely interception.William Saliba levelled for ArsenalCredit: GettyThe game was back on in West LondonCredit: ReutersLeandro Trossard then turned provider, putting balls on a plate for Saka and Declan Rice. The former scuffed his high into the stands, the latter volleyed his just wide.Fulham appeared content to dig in and hang on as half time approached with Bernd Leno rarely being called into action and their defensive block was doing its job to stifle and frustrate.Seven minutes into the second half, with the weather worsening, it was Silva’s turn to feel frustrated as at the fifth attempt, Arsenal’s corner routine came good.Rice’s delivery was whipped and dangerous towards the back post. Havertz glanced it back into the six yard box and Saliba – left unmarked for the first time – prodded into an empty net.The wild celebrations were briefly cut short by VAR. At first glance, the Frenchman looked to have strayed offside but for the bright white boot of Antonee Robinson keeping him on.Saliba revelled in the chance for a second celebration, punching the air, while Arteta responded on the hour mark by bringing on Gabriel Martinelli for Trossard.Arsenal were pummelling Fulham’s box with their one true love – crosses, corners and free-kicks. In the 69th minute, Partey should have put his side ahead with a free header from a Rice pick-out.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe hosts then gave a little reminder of their strengths on the counter – Andreas Pereira storming away with a shot fired low at Raya’s legs.It could have been so different in the final few minutes had Martinelli’s foot not been an inch offside before his dinked cross for Saka to slam home at the back post. VAR was the party pooper again.Gabriel Martinelli was offside in the build-upBukayo Saka thought he had won the gameCredit: PA More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Axed Man Utd director Dan Ashworth ‘frogmarched out of Old Trafford’ by alternative exit hours before contract ripped up

      by

      DAN ASHWORTH was reportedly “frogmarched” out of a hidden Old Trafford exit after agreeing to leave Manchester United.The sporting director’s time at the club has come to an end after just five months.Dan Ashworth was escorted out of Old Trafford after his exit was sealedCredit: PAUnited pushed hard to add him to their boardroom in the summer, paying Newcastle £3million in compensation.But following crunch talks with CEO Omar Berrada after the 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest last night, Ashworth quit by “mutual consent”, according to a United statement.Manchester Evening News claim he was seen looking “grim-faced” as he trudged across the press room yesterday. He was “escorted” out an “alternative exit” by a member of security and United’s chief operating officer Collette Roche.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAshworth was did not leave through the usual directors’ entrance or Stretford End tunnel.Journalist Samuel Luckhurst wrote on social media: “In retrospect, perhaps he was frogmarched out.”Ashworth and other senior club figures are responsible for handing Erik ten Hag a new contract, only to sack him 14 games later.And they were in charge of the summer transfer business that saw them spend £200m on Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe 53-year-old chief claimed he “liked” the squad earlier this season.But SunSport exclusively revealed last month that the summer spending spree and Ten Hag’s failure caused a blame game to begin in the boardroom.Crystal Palace chief Dougie Freedman is favourite to replace Ashworth, having been linked with the job before.Man Utd’s Player Ratings Against Nottingham Forest More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham vs Chelsea LIVE SCORE: Maresca’s Blues travel to Spurs for huge Premier League London derby – latest updates

      by

      CHELSEA may have quietly become Premier League title contenders – but bitter rivals Tottenham will be eager to derail their hopes later today. The Blues’ recent 5-1 drubbing on struggling Southampton saw them close the gap on leaders Liverpool.While Spurs dropped points for a second successive time after losing 1-0 to Bournemouth on Thursday night.Kick-off time: 4.30pm GMTLive stream: NOW TVTV channels: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollow ALL the action from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with our live blog below…Last 10 meetingsLook away now, Spurs fans.The last ten matches between the two clubs has made for pretty shocking reading for Tottenham supporters and great reading for the Blues.Chelsea have won SEVEN of the last 10 and lost only one.Those matches have also seen an aggregate score of 19-7 to the Blues…Chelsea 2 – 0 SpursSpurs 1 – 4 ChelseaSpurs 2 – 0 ChelseaChelsea 2 – 2 SpursChelsea 2 – 0 SpursSpurs 0 – 1 ChelseaChelsea 2 – 0 SpursSpurs 0 – 3 ChelseaChelsea 2 – 2 SpursSpurs 0 – 1 ChelseaCopy linkCopiedRainy day in the capitalBoth sides will have to brave the wind and rain today if they want to come out on top and away from the game with three points. Credit: ReutersCredit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedBoss focussed on task at handPostecoglou was asked whether he felt he had the support he requires from the club:”I don’t need support. I don’t worry about contracts, I don’t worry about support,” he said. “I just want to make sure that what I set out to do, I accomplish and that is to bring success to this football club. “I will work my backside off to make sure that happens. I am not going to be deterred in my ambitions or endeavour to do that and that’s what I’ll keep doing.”Credit: AFPCopy linkCopiedMaresca looking to evolve teamAs things stands, Chelsea seem to be in a race for a top four position this season.Getting back into the Champions League will have been one of the main aims for the club right now.Victory in North London today would cement their place in the top four as we head towards a busy Christmas fixture schedule.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedTottenham subsMaddison on the bench. Austin, Spence, Dragusin, Reguilon, Gray, Bergvall, Maddison, Werner, LankshearCopy linkCopiedTottenham XIFull strength back four for Tottenham but Vicario still out for a lengthy period. Forster; Porro, Romero, Van De Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, Son.Copy linkCopiedChelsea subsJorgensen, Gusto, Disasi, Tosin, Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall, Joao Felix, Madueke, NkunkuCopy linkCopiedChelsea XICaicedo looks like he’s at right-back for Chelsea. Sanchez, Caicedo, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho, JacksonCopy linkCopiedAnge frustrated by lack of consistencyAgainst Man City, Spurs put the defending champions to the sword in their own back garden.They are capable, on their day, of causing problems for any of the big teams in the Premier League.What frustrates the manager most is that they can go from these games to losing to teams in the bottom half of the table.If they want to achieve anything this season, that needs to be addressed.Credit: AlamyCopy linkCopiedWelcome to Tottenham vs ChelseaIt is a big crunch clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as two bitter rivals face each other in a London derby with Spurs welcoming Chelsea.Ange Postecoglou suffered the loss of Ben Davies with a hamstring problem in their recent defeat against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.Micky van de Ven is still out with a thigh problem, while Cristian Romero is still working his way back from a toe injury which may mean Archie Gray filling in alongside Radu Dragusin at the back for this game.Rodrigo Bentancur, Guglielmo Vicario, Richarlison, Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert are also out of the first-team reckoning.Son Heung-min came on for a second-half cameo in midweek and is likely to immediately come back into the starting line-up.Chelsea’s primary selection concerns also come in defence as Wesley Fofana and Reece James are the only senior players missing for the visitors due to injury.Youngster Omari Kellyman is also absent, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is ill. Instead Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Nicolas Jackson could all come back in for a refreshed attacking setup at the expense of Madueke, Nkunku and Joao Felix.Levi Colwill and Robert Sanchez are also primed for a return in the Blues’ backline but Disasi’s performance in midweek should see him stay in the side replacing Fofana.Copy linkCopied More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Cole Palmer’s incredible off-field earnings revealed after Chelsea star sets up his own company to handle sponsor deals

      by

      FOOTIE hotshot Cole Palmer made £1.6million in a year – ON TOP of his wages for playing.The England star, 22, who became the second-quickest Chelsea star to reach 30 Premier League goals this week, has seen cash in his image rights company Palmer Management Limited shoot up.Cole Palmer made £1.6million in a year – on top of his wages for playingCredit: AlamyPalmer netted lucrative sponsorship deals with the likes of fashion brand BoohooCredit: BoohooHe also starred in a Burberry advertCredit: BurberryThe Chelsea and England attacking midfielder makes more than £30,000 a week from sponsorship deals.The windfall comes in addition to his Stamford Bridge salary.Accounts filed this week show he had assets of £2,149,409 at the end of October 2024 – compared to £563,475 a year earlier.Assets include £1,698,821 cash in the bank.READ MORE IN football They cover the period when Cole – who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 – netted lucrative sponsorship deals with Nike and fashion brand Boohoo.Cole set up the company three years ago to handle his off the pitch earnings, with it described as a “media representation services” company.After paying bills, Cole was left with net assets of £1,271,616.The star paid £318,421 corporation tax and a further £189,643 in tax and social security.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCole, 22, banked a substantial pay rise over the summer, taking his salary from £80,000 to £130,000 a week, after penning a fresh nine-year deal with the Londoners.The former City man recently revealed he is dreaming of winning the Ballon d’Or and being crowned the world’s best player. He told the Men In Blazers podcast: “Ballon d’Or, that’s what everyone wants to win. I wish.” Cole Palmer reveals he failed PE in hilarious interview as fans tell Chelsea star to consider going into comedy More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Next Man Utd sporting director odds revealed with TWO ex-bosses and Prem icon among frontrunners to replace Dan Ashworth

      by

      THE odds on who will replace Dan Ashworth at Manchester United have been revealed – and two familiar faces are in the market.Ashworth, 53, has quit as sporting director just five months after arriving at Old Trafford.Dan Ashworth has left Man Utd following showdown talksCredit: ReutersDougie Freedman is the bookies’ favourite to replace himCredit: ReutersHe held crunch talks with CEO Omar Berrada after the 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest last night and left by mutual consent, a United statement said.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly been pivotal in Ashworth’s exit and is now on the lookout for a new chief.The bookies have Crystal Palace director of football Dougie Freedman (2/1) as the frontrunner.Freedman, who came close to getting the job instead of Ashworth, has been credited for several successful Palace signings such as Marc Guehi and Michael Olise.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBonusCodeBets have Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Berta (4/1) and Juventus’ Cristiano Giuntoli (6/1) next on their list.United could get Lee Congerton (16/1) out of the former Leicester and Atalanta supremo’s contract at Al-Ahli.While AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini is priced the same following his four years as the Italian giants’ technical director.If Ratcliffe wants to poach another Newcastle chief like he did with Ashworth, his successor Paul Mitchell (20/1) could be an option.Most read in FootballHe was linked to the Man Utd job before Ineos’ takeover was completed last Christmas.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOdds on Ashworth’s replacement Dougie Freedman – 2/1Andrea Berta – 4/1Cristiano Giuntoli – 6/1 Lee Congerton – 12/1Paolo Maldini – 16/1Paul Mitchell – 20/1Julian Ward – 25/1Ralf Rangnick – 33/1Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 50/1via BonusCodeBets.Ex-Liverpool chief Julian Ward (25/1) is another alternative, but he is currently working for Reds owner FSG.Perhaps United will perform a shock U-turn and bring Ralf Rangnick (33/1) back after he never got to fill his planned role consultancy role due to him stepping in as interim boss.Man Utd’s Player Ratings Against Nottingham Forest The German claimed he needed to perform “open-heart surgery” to fix things at the club.But he is unlikely to put his scrubs on as he is currently Austria’s manager.But another ex-United boss who is out of work is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (50/1).His return is highly unlikely given he has never been a sporting director before.Ralf Rangnick is an outsider to seal a shock return to Old TraffordCredit: GettyOle Gunnar Solskjaer is unlikely to get the jobCredit: AFP More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Leicester vs Brighton LIVE SCORE: Foxes score two late goals in four minutes to complete INCREDIBLE comeback – updates

      by

      RUUD VAN NISTERLOOY is chasing a second successive win as Leicester boss TODAY – but Brighton are looking to bounce back from their midweek loss.The Seagulls had their wings clipped by Fulham who hand them a 3-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.While Manchester United legend Van Nistelrooy led the Foxes to a 3-1 win against West Ham during their last outing.Kick-off time: 2pm GMTLive stream/TV: Not televised in the UKFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow ALL the action from the King Power with our live blog below… More