Premier League

WILLIAM SALIBA saw red to spark controversy in Arsenal’s defeat at Bournemouth.The centre-back earned his first ever sending-off as VAR intervened over a professional foul on the halfway line.Evanilson and Saliba went crashing to the floor in a huge talking pointCredit: RexThe verdict appeared contentious as Evanilson was far away from goal when fouledCredit: GettySaliba and Evanilson tangled in the most dramatic moment of the first halfReferees’ chief Howard Webb was on the phone after the controversySaliba pulled back Evanilson as the Brazil attacker attempted to burst completely clear in mid-pitch.VAR Jared Gillett summoned on-pitch ref Rob Jones to the monitor.And after looking, Jones had no doubts as he waved a red to reduce the Gunners to 10 men.Saliba will now be banned for just ONE game.READ MORE ON ARSENALHad it been violent conduct, he would have been suspended for three matches. Fans were split over the drama, which came half an hour into a tight, goalless first period at the Vitality Stadium.Saliba and Evanilson tangled just inside the Arsenal half.It appeared the Frenchman was the offender as they both went to ground.Most read in FootballJones made his decision after looking at the VAR monitorCredit: PAFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut even if Evanilson had been allowed to break through, he would still have had plenty of work to do.One viewer claimed: “I think the attacking player was too far from the post – maybe yellow.”Arteta is open to allowing Arsenal academy players to take part in first team trainingBut another said of Saliba’s actions: “Very reckless from a star player.”Referees’ chief Howard Webb was spotted apparently in animated conversation on a phone at the time of the incident.Pundit Jamie Carragher responded to that scene with a tweet – which he quickly deleted.One supporter still claimed it was “not a good look” for Webb – but others attacked “conspiracy theories” over the matter.Some fans suggested Evanilson had been offside.But one posted: “No, the referee made the correct call after the VAR review to send off Saliba after taking down Evanilson, last man and had a clear run towards goal. “For anyone questioning an ‘offside’, Trossard played the ball in this scenario.”Rob Jones handed William Saliba his first ever red cardSaliba was dismissed after half an hour at the Vitality StadiumCredit: Rex More

RUSSELL MARTIN watched in agony as his side suffered yet another disastrous collapse – to leave his future hanging in the balance.Southampton cruised 2-0 up through Cameron Archer and Joe Aribo – but again collapsed as Facundo Buonanotte, a Jamie Vardy penalty and Jordan Ayew in the 99th minute earned Leicester victory.Jordan Ayew raced away to celebrate his late Leicester winnerCredit: ReutersAyew’s effort sneaked in to break Southampton heartsCredit: PAFellow scorers Jamie Vardy and Facundo Buonanotte hail Ayew’s goalCredit: ReutersSouthampton’s Charlie Taylor, Flynn Downes and Joe Aribo reflect on defeatCredit: ReutersMartin had angrily rounded on his team’s critics before the game, inviting them down to the South Coast to discuss things with him, insisting his team were being brave and that it would pay off.He might get some responses after this latest disaster.Saints’ last win in the Premier League is now a chilling 21 games ago, ironically against Leicester, way back in March 2023. The season before last.The speculation over Martin’s future will now surely crank up.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSouthampton’s next game sees them visit Manchester City, but following that are two potentially winnable outings, against fellow strugglers Everton and Wolves. If he lasts that long, that future could hang on those matches.His team could not, in such a crucial game, have got off to a better start, as they flew at Leicester from the off.Cooper’s team had an escape after only four minutes, as Ryan Manning’s corner was thundered against the bar by Joe Aribo’s header, and City only just managed to scramble the ball away.Four minutes later though, their sluggish start was duly punished, as Walker-Peters fed Manning on the left, and his low cross was fired home from six yards out by Archer.Most read in FootballJamie Vardy’s penalty past Aaron Ramsdale put Leicester levelCredit: ReutersFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSCity tried to hit back, but Wout Faes blazed over from a free kick when he should have done better, and then James Justin headed wide from Stephy Mavididi’s cross.But Leicester could not handle Walker-Peters’ dashes down the left, and when the defender skipped past Justin, he got to the byline and pulled the ball back for Aribo to slot home a crucial second goal for the Saints.Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsSouthampton could have had a third when Flynn Downes found space in the box, but goalkeeper Mads Hermansen somehow managed to save with his legs.City did though almost get one back against the run of play, when Bilal El Khannouss curled his shot against the inside of the post, but the ball bounced out and Saints survived.Faes then almost scored a spectacular own goal as his diving header from Fernandes cross was pushed over by Hernansen. Vardy had been quiet, and Mateus Fernandes got back to block well when he for once had space, and then Buonanotte curled an effort just wide.At the other end though Tyler Dibling saw his shot saved – but Leicester’s improved display saw them pull one back a minute later, when Abdul Fatawu crossed low and Buonanotte slotted the ball in at the near post.Saints’ nerves suddenly were showing, and ten minutes later Fatawu’s, curling shot came back off the bar.Martin’s side did not clear, and when Fatawu’s header at the far post was only half stopped by Aaron Ramsdale, Saints scrambled the ball away – but Ryan Fraser was ruled by VAR to have pulled back Vardy when he was going for the loose ball.READ MORE SUN STORIESVardy needed no second invitation to slam home the penalty to haul Leicester level.Then deep into stoppage time Harry Winks’ corner fell to Ayew, completely unmarked in the area, and he drilled his shot into the corner of the net.Cameron Archer salutes his early goal but it turned sour for the SaintsCredit: GettyArcher pounced for the first of Southampton’s two first-half goalsCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER UNITED produced a rousing comeback to beat Brentford at Old Trafford.Goals by Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund cancelled out Ethan Pinnock’s first-half opener.Man Utd produced a crucial Old Trafford comebackCredit: AFPThe Red Devils’ win will ease pressure on beleaguered boss Erik ten Hag, who this week defiantly blasted reports that he is on the verge of the sack.On a crucial afternoon for Ten Hag and Co, here’s how SunSport rated each United performer.ANDRE ONANA – 6Did not have much to do for a lot of the game but pulled out a good first-half save to deny Christian Norgaard.DIOGO DALOT – 6Good display from right-back and almost capped it with a goal when he stormed forward only to have his effort beaten away by Mark Flekken.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6At the centre of the controversy in first-half injury time as he had to leave the field with a bleeding head wound and from a corner Brentford scored. He was already looking suspect as was the bandage that was put on his head early in the game in the first place.Matthijs de Ligt suffered a nasty cut during the first halfCredit: GettyJONNY EVANS – 7Continuing an amazing end to his career at Old Trafford. Man of the match last time out in the goalless draw at Aston Villa and looked solid again. Great ovation when he came off towards the end.LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7Shifted to an unaccustomed left-back spot but without problems and was particularly good getting forward down the flank.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6Chosen alongside Casemiro instead of new buy Manuel Ugarte who was on the bench again, but struggled to get into this game although he was involved for Hojlund’s goal. Thankful for the referee’s whistle in the first period calling play back for a foul after missing a sitter.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChristian Eriksen missed a golden chance in the first halfCredit: PACASEMIRO – 5Looked like he was off in the summer but back in the team although looking to be missing a yard and often beaten to the ball.Casemiro had a difficult afternoon before being replaced late onCredit: EPAMARCUS RASHFORD – 7Does not operate as well on the right but Garnacho was so good down the left. Highlight of his first half was an incredible crossfield ball from right to left to set up Garnacho. Then in the second he provided the assist for Garnacho’s leveller.Darren Bent claims Thomas Frank is ready to take over from Erik ten Hag at Man Utd Marcus Rashford unleashes a shot at goalCredit: ReutersBRUNO FERNANDES – 7Tried to orchestrate something from midfield but looked a frustrated figure in the first period. Then he showed his class after the break with that great little flick to set up Hojlund for his goal.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 8Had an all action first half after switching from the right to the left but wasted too many chances. Made up for it in the second with a fine finish from Rashford’s cross in a man of the match performance.Alejandro Garnacho celebrates firing Man Utd levelCredit: AFPRASMUS HOJLUND – 7After getting one in Porto to open his season’s account he is now off and running with his first league goal of the campaign. A cool, clever chipped little finish it was too. The hope will be that starts a much needed run of goals but he needs to see more of the ball.Rasmus Hojlund scored on his first Old Trafford start of the seasonCredit: GettySUBSTITUTESJoshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 74) – 5Strange change to make after Hojlund had just scored. His replacement fluffed the one half chance he had.Victor Lindelof (for Evans, 89) – 6A change that largely gave the fans a chance to acclaim Evans’ performance.Manuel Ugarte (for Casemiro, 88) – 6A change that probably should have come earlier.READ MORE SUN STORIESNoussair Mazraoui (for Garnacho, 90+1) – 6Back after a heart procedure for a few late minutes.Man Utd grabbed a crucial win for boss Erik ten HagCredit: AP More

HUGE controversy erupted over Brentford’s opener at Manchester United.Referee Samuel Barrott made the Red Devils’ bloodied defender Matthijs de Ligt leave the pitch as he prepared to defend a corner – from which Ethan Pinnock headed the Bees in front.Matthijs de Ligt needed extensive treatment for this injuryCredit: GettyEthan Pinnock soared high to nod Brentford in frontCredit: GettyDe Ligt needed was forced off the pitch at a crucial momentCredit: APUnited were furious, with boss Erik ten Hag shown the yellow card for his protests – but used their anger to spark a 2-1 comeback victory.De Ligt first went off for due to a head cut on the brink of first-half stoppage time.United tried to patch the centre-back up THREE TIMES.But the Dutchman still appeared to be bleeding when he returned four minutes later.READ MORE ON MAN UTDDe Ligt was promptly told to leave the pitch for more treatment.And a major row blew up when Brentford scored while the Dutchman was on the sidelines. Many United fans blasted the “joke referee” and claimed it was “yet another big decision” against their team.But plenty of supporters reckoned Barrott got it spot on – with some fans even pointing the finger at the Red Devils’ medical team.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOne said: “Bandage that wound from the beginning or sub him off… Pathetic.” Another posted: “Can’t blame them, the ref can’t just send a CB out at a corner kick, unacceptable.”Erik ten Hag slams reports he’s set to be sacked as ‘fairytales’ but admits Man Utd ‘have a mountain to climb’ However, one fan had a more balanced opinion.He wrote: “It’s understandable why you can’t be on the pitch with a bleeding head, but it seems unfair to have to defend the corner with 10 men against one of the best set- piece teams in the league.”Just shows the concussion rules still need taken care of properly.”United appeared to use their frustration for good after the break, surging forward in raid after raid, with Alejandro Garnacho steering a brilliant equaliser. Rasmus Hojlund then clipped the Red Devils’ winner midway through the second period.Alejandro Garnacho brilliantly levelled for UnitedCredit: Reuters More

RICHARLISON instantly found himself in the thick of the action as he returned from injury on Saturday afternoon.The Brazilian, 27, rose from the bench to replace Dominic Solanke in the 81st minute of Tottenham’s clash with West Ham.Richarlison took a sore one from Mohammed KudusCredit: RexThe Brazilian was sent flying by the GhanaianCredit: ReutersRicharlison, 27, ended up down in a heap alongside Micky van de VenCredit: ReutersHis last appearance had come in his side’s 4-0 win over Everton on August 24, having subsequently suffered with a calf issue.Moments after the forward’s introduction, his team-mate Micky van de Ven found himself in an altercation with Mohammed Kudus.Having taken exception to the Ghanaian’s challenge, Van de Ven confronted the West Ham star.Kudus quickly lost his cool, striking the Dutchman in the face.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSeeing his team-mate go down, Richarlison instantly rushed over to get involved.As he reached Kudus, however, the Hammers winger turned round, inadvertently – and brutally – catching his opponent in the face.Richarlison was knocked to the ground, lying in a heap next to Van de Ven.Kudus’ meltdown wasn’t over, as he went on to strike Pape Matar Sarr in the face too.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRicharlison was making his return from injuryCredit: RexKudus, 24, was sent off following a VAR checkCredit: GettyIncredibly, referee Andy Madley initially only showed Kudus a yellow card, while also booking Van de Ven.But following a VAR check, the 24-year-old Hammers winger was given his marching orders.TNT Sports host Becky Ives leaps off Tottenham Hotspur Stadium roof on live TV as she screams ‘to dare is to do’In the first-half, Kudus had given West Ham the lead in the London derby.The Hammers star swept Jarrod Bowen’s 18th-minute centre beyond Guglielmo Vicario to spark pandemonium among the visiting fans.In-form Dejan Kulusevski levelled for Spurs on 36 minutes, before a seven-minute blitz prior to the hour mark saw Ange Postecoglou’s side take a commanding lead.Yves Bissouma gave Tottenham the lead on 52 minutes, before Alphonse Areola inadvertently turned in Son Heung-min’s shot for a third.The South Korean then marked his return from injury with a goal of his own, beating Jean-Clair Todibo before rifling past Areola.Tottenham nearly made it five following Kudus’ red card, but in the end settled for a dominant 4-1 victory over their London rivals.Son Heung-min marked his return from injury with a goalCredit: Alamy More