Premier League

IBRAHIMA KONATE was left stunned after discovering he was not Man of the Match against Wolves.The Liverpool defender opened the scoring in his side’s 2-1 win at Wolves on Saturday.Ibrahima Konate could not believe he was not named Man of the Match against WolvesCredit: X/SkySportsPLArne Slot agreed with the decision to give the award to Ryan GravenberchCredit: X/SkySportsPLIt was his second goal of the season after a strike in the Champions League against AC Milan earlier this month.However, it was not enough to win the Man of the Match award at full-time.Instead, Konate had to present the trophy to team-mate Ryan Gravenberch during their post-match interview.The Frenchman was left stunned, though, as he asked: “Sky Sports, who decides who is the Man of the Match?READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”How is this possible? It’s my brother, I have to give it to him. Milan I score, today I score… I didn’t deserve it?”What happened? You have to talk with them I don’t know who decides.”After being told which member of the production team had chosen the winner, he shook his head and tutted: “Gary Neville… thank you, Gary.”Konate’s manager agreed with the choice, however, as he spoke after the match.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArne Slot explained: “Konate? Well then maybe he forgot the moment we conceded a goal.”So maybe that was the reason we conceded because he wasn’t there at that moment because to say the least it was avoidable.” Wolves crisis ahead of crunch Liverpool clash as Gary O’Neil reveals illness ripping through squadKonate has started every match in the league since coming on at half-time against Ipswich on the opening weekend.The 25-year-old has now made 97 appearances for the Reds, scoring five goals.Saturday’s win lifts Slot’s side to the top of the league, one point clear of Manchester City and Arsenal.They are back in action on Wednesday at home to Bologna in the Champions League.Konate opened the scoring in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Molineux on Saturday nightCredit: Getty More

ERIK TEN HAG bizarrely admits he is listening to criticism from PUNDITS to get his Manchester United reign on track.That is despite the under-pressure manager going to war with them twice this season.Erik ten Hag is using criticism to fuel a turnaround at Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyAlan Shearer slammed Ten Hag’s management last seasonCredit: GettyTen Hag also recently responded to Jamie Redknapp’s commentsCredit: GettyTen Hag is back in the firing line after United’s lacklustre 1-1 Europa League draw with FC Twente on Wednesday.And he said of the pundits: “Some give very good advice.“For me, the best advice is stay clinical and see where the team is and which areas we have to improve.“You can have an opinion about football and when you’re in the job, you have to deal with this. Respect the criticism.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTen Hag previously branded Jamie Redknapp “crazy” for claiming he axed Marcus Rashford for the draw at Crystal Palace because of problems behind the scenes.At the time, he said: “I don’t understand the criticism. People are entitled [to criticise] if they want to, but not entitled to bring speculation.”And after the humbling 3-0 defeat by Liverpool at the start of this month, Ten Hag hit back at jibes over the performance, saying: “I’m sorry for you, I have another vision.”More flak will almost certainly come his way if there is another flop against Tottenham on Sunday – much like Shearer’s criticism of his side last season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut the Dutchman now says: “I can’t take every criticism into account. I don’t read, of course, all the criticism.“It’s not even possible. I don’t even want to know.Erik ten Hag ‘couldn’t wait to drop’ Man Utd starter for player who ‘isn’t much of an upgrade’, says Paul Scholes “Stay methodical, guide the team on the right pathway and make sure you make the right steps to get the best out of the team.”United go into the game lying 11th and Ten Hag accepts that his young team have to keep taking opinions on the chin.He says: “They will be judged every game — and that’s normal.“Everyone, for every game, is expecting United to be winning. It isn’t a secret for anyone.“When you are in this club, you have to deal with this factor and we do. It doesn’t matter whether you are young or old.“We have to cope with this and get the best out of it and match the expectations that everyone has.“But we know also that young players, a young squad, a new team, takes some time.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We are going in a good direction in the last couple of weeks in many aspects of football.“Now it’s about being more efficient and scoring more goals.” More

JADON SANCHO already has more assists than seven Manchester United attackers combined this season.The winger joined Chelsea on transfer deadline day, having been left out of Erik ten Hag’s matchday squad for the Red Devils’ first two Premier League games of the season.Jadon Sancho has hit the ground running at ChelseaCredit: GettyEnzo Maresca’s side will possess an obligation to buy Sancho for between £20-25million at the end of the season, provided that they finish in the top 14.Despite not being in favour with Ten Hag, Sancho has hit the ground running in West London.The England international, 24, has laid on an assist in each of his three Premier League appearances for the Blues thus far.On his debut he set up Christopher Nkunku’s winner in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe then assisted Nicolas Jackson’s opener as Chelsea triumphed 3-0 at West Ham.This afternoon he made it three assists in 170 minutes of action for his new team by setting up Cole Palmer in the 4-2 victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.As pointed out by Squawka, Sancho has been more productive than several of Man Utd’s creative players.In fact, his tally of three assists is more than Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen, Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo have managed combined so far this season.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSNo Man Utd player has notched more than one Premier League assist this term.Fernandes, Garnacho, Amad Diallo, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui each have one apiece.Chelsea confirm the signing of Jadon Sancho on loan from Man UtdThe Red Devils will be hoping to add more assists as they take on Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday.Following last Saturday’s 0-0 bore-fest at Crystal Palace, United produced a disappointing performance to draw 1-1 with FC Twente in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday.Earlier this month, Chelsea boss Maresca was asked about the importance of Sancho building a connection with his new fans and feeling at home straight away.The Italian, 44, said: “It’s very important. I have a feeling that Jadon is a guy that needs love.”This is what I think when I spoke with him before he join us.”Also I know he has the desire to show the player he is, but for me, it is just to enjoy football.READ MORE SUN STORIES”This is the reason why they play.”They are happy and want to play football, they want to enjoy football and then because they are good, they are going to do good things.”Man Utd’s creative players have struggled to find a spark so far this seasonCredit: Getty More

ARNE SLOT knows there will be a few wobbles to come. Probably next month when Liverpool’s fixtures will finally start getting a bit tougher.Yet Slot can only win what is put in front of him. Equally, while Liverpool’s fans were all dreading life after Jurgen Klopp, few of them would have expected their team to be top after six games.Mo Salah scored a penalty to send Liverpool top of the tableCredit: PAAlthough the Dutchman’s team were not exactly convincing here in the West Midlands, Liverpool – with the exception of that odd result at home to Nottingham Forest – have still been decent this season.In a scrappy battle littered with mistakes, Ibrahima Konate scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool. Less than 60 seconds after Rayan Ait-Nouri’s leveller was confirmed by VAR, Wolves gave away a penalty and Mo Salah struck what proved to be the winner.Incredibly, Wolves have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 18 Premier League games with the last one coming in a 1-0 win at Sheffield United in February. Life certainly is not getting any easier for Gary O’Neil.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAfter just one win in ten at the end of last season, Wolves are stuck with just one point but their fixtures have included matches against Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle and Aston Villa.They definitely need something against Brentford next weekend because after the international break, they play Manchester City and could be in danger of being completely marooned.In contrast, Liverpool, who beat Milan 3-1 in the Champions League and crushed West Ham 5-1, definitely got a favour from the Premier League fixture computer.Slot has faced just one side who finished in the top half of the table last term – Manchester United – while the other games were against newly-promoted Ipswich, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Wolves.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSo it will be better to judge Liverpool’s progress under the Dutchman at the end of October after they have played Arsenal and Chelsea.But without a doubt, so far, so good.Jamie Carragher names all-time Liverpool XI with Match of the Day legend, Steven Gerrard and no room for Luis SuarezSurprisingly, though, Liverpool looked lethargic at times and it was only at the end of the first half that they caused Wolves any problems.Home keeper Sam Johnstone received an ovation from the home fans for keeping out a close-range strike from Dominik Szoboszlai.It was a mixture of both a good save and a poor miss, yet in the second minute of stoppage time, Johnstone should have done better when he failed to keep out the header from Konate.It was a powerful effort but it was helped into the net by Johnstone.Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen should have stopped Diogo Jota from delivering a cross which was then completely misjudged by Santiago Bueno with Konate then overpowering defender Toti.Unbelievably, Wolves continued to make silly mistakes and Mario Lemina played a ludicrous, suicidal pass across his area straight to Salah. With Johnstone out of his position, Salah failed to stick the ball into an empty net and shot wide.Liverpool decided to copy Wolves with some shambolic defending of their own. Strand Larsen capitalised on a huge mix-up between Alisson and Konate who left the ball for each other and Wolves sub Carlos Forbs’ attempt fell perfectly for Ait-Nouri to score from close range.Alisson and Konate argued with each other while there was a VAR check for a Forbs handball.Yet incredibly, Wolves failed to maintain their composure and they conceded the penalty when Nelson Semedo had his arms all around Jota.Jota was looking for the penalty but Semedo was stupid to make the contact and Salah sent Johnstone the wrong way.In what proved to be a topsy-turvy day for Konate, he delivered an absolutely terrific last-minute block to deny Forbs.At the end, Wolves captain Lemina left the pitch in tears and quite clearly, things are not looking too clever for manager O’Neil, particularly as some of the locals are starting to turn.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut hopefully, the Wolves board will see sense and realise that O’Neil – whose squad had also been hit with a sickness bug – deserves time to sort this out.But when did football clubs actually have any sense? Ibrahima Konate headed the Reds in front just before the breakCredit: RexThe Reds defender went from hero to zero, thoughCredit: GettyRayan Ait-Nouri capitalised on Konate’s mistake to tap in the equaliserCredit: GettyNelson Semedo hauled Diogo Jota to the floorCredit: ReutersSalah made no mistake from the spot, sending Sam Johnstone the wrong wayCredit: GettyIt is so far so good for Arne Slot who has picked up 15 points from a possible 18Credit: Getty More

ARSENAL fans moaned on social media after a Leicester star escaped a yellow card for kicking the ball away.The Gunners have twice had players shown second yellow cards for the same offence this season.Wilfred Ndidi prodded the ball following a foul on Bukayo SakaNo action was taken against the midfielderDeclan Rice was sent off against Brighton, before Leandro Trossard was handed his marching orders for time-wasting vs Manchester City last weekend.During the first-half of today’s clash with the Foxes, several Gooners online felt that Wilfred Ndidi should have been red carded.In the 31st minute, the Nigerian was shown a yellow for an alleged foul on Riccardo Calafiori, despite seeming to get the ball.Just a few minutes later, Ndidi was in the thick of the action again.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis team-mate Stephy Mavididi was penalised for fouling Bukayo Saka by the touchline.With the ball lying stationary and Saka down in a heap, Ndidi prodded it a few yards over the touchline.Arsenal fans in the stadium appeared to notice, with boos ringing down from the stands.Plenty of others also took to social media to vent.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne cried: “Consistency please.”While a second moaned: “How dare we ask for consistency.”Man Utd legend Roy Keane blasts Arsenal as ‘small team with small mentality’ in furious rant at Ian WrightA third claimed: “Double standard.”Although another countered: “That’s not delaying the play as the lad is down injured. Why does this need explaining again.”The Gunners led 1-0 at the time, courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli’s 20th minute opener.Trossard, having served his one-match ban in mid-week, then doubled his side’s advantage on the stroke of half-time.Leicester came roaring back in the second-half, with James Justin’s brilliant double restoring parity.But having been on the end of a stoppage-time heartbreaker last weekend, Arsenal produced one of their own this time around.READ MORE SUN STORIESNdidi unfortunately deflected Trossard’s effort into his own net in the 94th minute, with Kai Havertz then adding a fourth to seal a 4-2 win.Their victory saw Mikel Arteta’s side take advantage of Manchester City’s slip up earlier in the day, after the reigning champions drew 1-1 at Newcastle.Declan Rice was sent off against BrightonCredit: ReutersMichael Oliver sent Leandro Trossard off against Man City last weekCredit: Getty More