Premier League

SOUTHAMPTON’S groundsman slammed Ruben Dias and claimed “you know nothing” after the Manchester City defender’s bizarre rant about the St Mary’s pitch.Dias, 27, and his City team-mates were left fuming on Saturday afternoon as they could not score against one of the worst teams in Premier League history.Ruben Dias launched a bitter rant about the ‘dry pitch’ and Southampton’s defensive tacticsCredit: AlamyDias suffered a frustrating afternoon on the South coastCredit: ReutersA Southampton groundsman cheekily posted a message and a photo of the St Mary’s playing surface on XCredit: X/Stevenew12In fact, the 0-0 draw at St Mary’s ensured Saints moved on to 12 points and avoided equalling Derby’s worst-ever tally. The result could have major implications at the top end of the table, too, with City still not guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League.And Dias’ frustrations boiled over into a bitter moan following the embarrassing result.The Portuguese defender said: “We try and we must be better, we must be more dynamic, more quicker.READ MORE ON RUBEN DIAS”It was also not easy to be quick because the pitch was just dry with the sun, it was hot. “It’s sad that Southampton waste time the way they do. They just want to stop the game and make it as slow as possible because then the grass that is dry.”But we need to be better.”But that prompted a hilarious response from Southampton groundsman Steve New.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe took to social media with a picture of the St Mary’s pitch looking in pristine condition. And New cheekily wrote: “@rubendias⁩ look at all the sand. Jack Grealish to Napoli?! Conte Plots Shock £100M Raid – Would City Really Let Him Go?”And the irrigation was on early morning, pre-warm up, pre-game and for the whole of half-time. “I respect your football abilities but you know nothing about being a grounds person.”That prompted some witty and sarcastic replies.One said: “I’ve seen worse carpets. Bit too salty eh Ruben.”They just want to stop the game and make it as slow as possible because then the grass that is dry.Ruben DiasAnd another wrote: “Looks like a carpet. He’s just sad they’ve played us twice and only won 1-0 haha.”Dias also complained about Southampton’s defensive unambitious tactics and accused Aaron Ramsdale of time-wasting.The £64.5million centre-back – who is dating Maya Jama – blasted: “It’s obviously frustrating to play against a team like this. “They don’t even try anything, they just sit and don’t even want to play or win the game, they just want to be there.’BACK-HANDED COMPLIMENT'”It’s not good for the show, it’s not good for themselves, it’s not good for anyone. But it is what it is. “The funny thing is we do what Aaron Ramsdale did once and straight away it’s a yellow card. He does it 20 times and it’s just play on. “Obviously this slows the game and it just helps them consistently.”Ironically, his own manager shut down the comments by insisting Southampton are free to “do whatever they want” in their approach to the match and admitted it was “on us to break them”.Saints interim boss Simon Rusk also responded to Dias.I respect your football abilities but you know nothing about being a grounds person.Saints groundsman Steve NewHe said: “What a player. It’s frustrating isn’t it, we did want to frustrate them. “It’s a back-handed compliment. If we go toe-to-toe with them, we lose. “We’ve got a fifth of their budget. We have to find our way and that’s okay.”Southampton then brilliantly tweeted an hour after full-time: “A point without even trying to play.”Read More on The SunBut another post from the Saints admin came under fire, when they sent a message to Derby after surpassing their lowly 11-point tally. The club wrote: “Sorry if we got your hopes up, @dcfcofficial.”Aaron Ramsdale kept a crucial clean sheet and frustrated the four-time defending championsCredit: Getty More

UNAI EMERY still has Aston Villa dreaming of yet more magical European nights with a top-seven spot confirmed.Just over a month ago, the Villa fans filled the away end at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of a thrilling Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.Ollie Watkins touched in the only goal of the game as Aston Villa beat BournemouthCredit: Shutterstock EditorialThe goal was his 75th for the club in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFPMore of the same next season? They are now in prime position to give it a bloody good go after a gritty victory at fellow Euro-hopefuls Bournemouth – nervously seeing out the final ten minutes with ten men following Jacob Ramsey’s second yellow.Ollie Watkins’ strike deep in first-half stoppage time leaves the Midlands boys right in the thick of a top-five Royal Rumble with only Europa League finalists Manchester United and Tottenham left to play.It will be a fascinating finale. Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest will be throwing punches until the very last. Any of them would take fifth right now.Emery has had a taste of the Villa Park atmosphere when the Champions League is in town. You would not bet against the wiley Spanish operator earning another crack at it, especially with his Villa in fine end-of-season fettle with eight Prem wins from their last ten.For Andoni Iraola’s Cherries, this was a huge opportunity missed, but an eighth-place Europa Conference League spot is still within reach ahead of a mid-week trip to the Etihad later this month. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThat in itself should be an achievement for the south-coast outfit.Emery continued his policy of tinkering with his starting line-up in search of freshness and energy, making four changes.Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen forced to deny being stoned after ‘weird’ questionA damaging injury to Youri Tielemans also forced his hand. Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne, Amadou Onana and Ramsey were thrown into the mix.The constant rotation has worked a treat for Villa since late February, winning seven of their last nine Prem outings – with two losses coming away from home.It has been a trend of the Midlands side’s campaign – since August, all eight of their top-flight defeats have been on the road. They could not afford another away-day disaster.Bournemouth, meanwhile, had collected three points from just one of their last six games at the Vitality with four home losses in the New Year – a run that has left them scrambling for European qualification when for a long time it looked a near cert.So, who would buckle this time? Fresh off coming from behind to down Arsenal at the Emirates, Iraola made just two changes, perhaps the most surprising benching Justin Kluivert – without a Prem goal since February – for Alex Scott.But there was a welcome return for Antoine Semenyo after Dango Outtara hobbled off last week in North London, and potentially missing the rest of the season.Scott was involved from the off in an uneventful opening ten minutes football-wise – taking a hefty Mings elbow to the jaw off the ball, spending a long time on the floor receiving treatment.Another injury – this time the left hand of Kepa Arrizabalaga – ensured this one was unlikely to be a free-flowing, end-to-end blockbuster of a battle for continental bragging rights.This was also a battle of the Basque – Emery and Iraola pitting their wits against each other for sixth time, and the Villa boss boasting an unbeaten record against his compatriot, stretching back to their days of going head-to-head in La Liga with Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano in the 2021-22 campaign.Emery’s tactical set-up was finding spaces in Iraola’s midfield. Onana went on a lung-busting run that teed up Watkins, but his touch was heavy and Ramsey’s curling effort flew into the stands.Scott meanwhile was left in a heap once more, this time floored by Onana. The 21-year-old carried on, but had signalled to the medical team he was still suffering from that Mings mauling, and later picked up a needless booking.The hosts were lacking a spark up top, an Evanilson header comfortably saved by Emiliano Martinez the best they could muster in the first half.This was turning into a bitty, tense affair. In the 36th minute, Semenyo wiped out Ramsey, which sent the Villa bench potty – especially as the foul bizarrely was left unpunished.Emery soon flung his arms in frustration again as Marco Asensio rattled the post with a low drive from outside the box.The game sprung to life in first-half injury time. Kepa pulled off a stunning double save – first with his feet from a Boubacar Kamara header from close range and then with his hands to deny Matty Cash on the follow up.The visitors were getting closer, desperate for a half-time lead, and it came following a cynical Adam Smith foul on Ramsey that saw both square up to each other and both receive bookings.From the resulting free-kick, Semenyo picked up the clearance and foolishly tried to dribble his way through three Villa players, losing out eventually to Cash as Morgan Rogers flung in a delicious cross that Watkins helped on into Kepa’s far side-netting.A quick VAR check for offside was quickly dismissed and the celebrations in the away end were telling – one of jubilation but also relief.Iraola responded by bringing off a dizzied Scott for Kluivert in search of some magic, but Bournemouth’s second half was a lot of huff and puff, which suited Villa to the groundThat was until Ramsey picked up another caution in the 80th minute for a trip on David Brooks, encouraging Bournemouth to throw the kitchen sink and more.Read More on The SunSemenyo thumped just wide and then had a volley saved on the line by Martinez with seconds left as Daniel Jebbison somehow headed over.Emery’s Villa march on with Europe’s big boys in their sights once more.Jacob Ramsey was booked after going head to head with Adam SmithCredit: ReutersHe picked up his second yellow with ten minutes to goCredit: GettyAlex Scott was in the wars after taking some heavy hitsCredit: ReutersDaniel Jebbison somehow headed over right at the endCredit: GettyAmadou Onana led the celebrations in front of the away end after full-timeCredit: AFP More

BRIGHTON kept their European hopes alive with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Wolves at Molineux.Danny Welbeck and Brajan Gruda bagged a goal in each half as the Seagulls moved level on points with Brentford in eighth.Danny Welbeck opened the scoring from a spot-kick inside half-an-hourBrajan Gruda was overcome with emotion after doubling his side’s lead late onTHIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

THIS may have been Manchester City’s most embarrassing day amid a desperate season.Held by one of the worst teams in Premier League history, Pep Guardiola tucked up by Southampton’s third manager of the season.Southampton scrapped and scraped their way to a point against Manchester CityCredit: PASimon Rusk is someone even Saints fans would struggle to recognise on the street – but Guardiola will not forget him in a hurry now.The most unexpected of points for already-relegated Saints finally takes them clear of Derby County’s all-time low record.They are up to the heady heights of 12 points from 36 games.Guardiola had admitted that this had already been his most challenging season as a manager, and this would have made it all the more infuriating.City arrived unbeaten since the March international break, looking back to themselves and with an FA Cup final ready to seize next weekend.What horrendous preparation this was – their resurgence foiled by a defence which has shipped 82 goals this season.City were lacking – of course they were – but the Saints rear-guard, Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, deserve huge praise.Those ahead of them hardly left their half while Aaron Ramsdale was equal to everything thrown his way.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThey stuck to an almighty, sapping task and managed to drag Guardiola’s men down to their desperate level.Erling Haaland, who returned after six weeks injured but made little impact, had called for more hunger – but the only ones showing it were in red and white.These WILD Liverpool stats spell Arsenal disaster | Experts’ best betsCity were frustrated throughout a first half which had all the intensity of Soccer Aid.Saints effectively laid out two banks of five, and Guardiola’s men could not get through.After half an hour, they had just one shot off target to show for their effort.Southampton had a clear plan and were sticking to it, even their short spells on the ball rarely resulted in a red and white shirt crossing the halfway line.Kamaldeen Sulemana, the lone forward, had one foray forwards before Mateus Fernandes tried the same – to huge cheers from the stands.With ten Saints shirts parked within 20 yards of their own goal, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were reduced to sideways passes.City’s only real chances came from set pieces on the edge of the Saints box.De Bruyne put one just over the bar before the second, on the brink of half-time, went straight into the wall.City’s irritation was evident at the break as De Bruyne and Silva ranted towards referee Tim Robinson over Lesley Ugochukwu, on a booking, blocking a quick free-kick.Their protests for a second booking were ignored, but Rusk took note and replaced him at the break.Guardiola made a change, too. Jeremy Doku was sent on for James McAtee in a bid to add some pace to the City attack.But still they toiled as the minutes ticked by, reaching the hour mark looking no closer to an opener and with Haaland still on the periphery.The Norwegian flung himself at a Foden free-kick as it whistled through the six-yard box but did not connect.Saints had looked to move forward on a couple of occasions, daring to leave their posts. Tyler Dibling moved into City’s final third and beat Josko Gvardiol, only to bizarrely have a free-kick given against him.But then it was back to defending, Jack Stephens in the perfect spot to hook Silva’s shot over the bar when Ramsdale was beaten.Rusk decided to see how far he could push this and sent on a striker, Cameron Archer replacing Dibling.Within seconds the hosts nearly had an opener with Ruben Dias having to block Fernandes’ strike.That, for the first time, gave City the chance to counter but still they fell short. Doku did everything right, breaking away and squaring for Haaland – who was one-on-one but smothered by Ramsdale.Southampton fans were increasingly finding their voice – also perhaps wondering why this tactic had not been adopted back in November.There would still have been a lingering expectation that this would soon collapse, City would get one and then another and so on.But the goal never arrived.Savinho and Nico O’Reilly were called upon, but still Saints did not blink at the back.When the visitors did find a gap, they could not capitalise.Haaland found space with the ball at his feet for the first time all afternoon, broke in behind and squared for O’Reilly, but he could not meet the ball and ended up flat on the floor.Ramsdale stood up to everything which came his way, tipping an awkward Savinho effort behind before impressively stretching to deny Dias with seven minutes to go.De Bruyne had a pop too – though fired straight at the England keeper, who was rewarded with a slice of luck when substitute Omar Marmoush struck the bar in injury time.Everything felt like it was on Southampton’s side, and they almost won it with a minute to go, Archer denied by Ederson at the near post.The time was flying by for City, corner after corner and attack after attack resulting in nothing.Read More on The SunWelington, on just his fourth Premier League start was immense and Ramsdale stood up to everything.City were surging closer and closer to the Southampton goalmouth, but never crossed the line.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. 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