Premier League

MICKY VAN DE VEN’S late strike sent Vincent Kompany’s Burnley hurtling back to the Championship.The Clarets needed to win at Spurs to stand a chance of staying up and had looked in good shape when Jacob Bruun Larsen gave them an early lead.Micky van de Ven sealed a late winner for SpursCredit: AFPIt sealed Vincent Kompany’s Burnley’s relegationCredit: ReutersYet Tottenham did what they have done against so many average opposition at home this season as they turned it around thanks to goals from Porro and Van de Ven.It kept their own slim chances of reaching the top four alive.But for Burnley, their Premier League survival dream is now dead, having taken just 24 points from their 37 games played so far.Spurs were horribly out of form after four straight defeats and their lack of confidence was obvious throughout.Burnley should have been ahead after just five minutes but Guglielmo Vicario was on hand to deny Vitinho’s goal-bound header.Ange Postecoglou’s men looked a shadow of the side that had dismantled the Clarets 5-2 on their own patch back in September.Captain Son Heung-min hit a hat-trick that day in his first game playing through the middle, but he was next to no threat here.The home fans applauded the life of late Spurs supporter Morgan Smith in the 23rd minute – in reference to the tragically young age at which he died.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSeconds later, Burnley took the lead as they become the latest side to expose Spurs’ brittle backline.Sander Berge beat Porro to a 50-50 and rolled the ball in behind makeshift left-back Oliver Skipp, for Bruun Larsen to slot past Vicario.It was no shock given Spurs’ poor run of form – and the seventh time in their last eight home league games they had fallen behind.The goal was a huge boost to the visitors’ survival hopes, although Muric’s decision to waste time over a goal-kick with only half an hour played seemed a little premature.It did no good either as minutes later the scores were level as Porro raced forward, was not closed down and blasted in at the near post.The Spaniard was the difference-maker in Spurs’ 1-0 win over the Clarets here in the FA Cup back in January.Jacob Bruun Larsen opened the scoring for BurnleyCredit: PABruun Larsen celebrates the openerCredit: ReutersAnd thought this strike did not quite match that particular howitzer in quality, it was still lethal.Burnley continued to play risky passes out from the back – as they have all season – and it should have cost them here.Muric’s awful pass-out went straight to Johnson who should have either buried it or squared for Son to do the same, but instead the Welshman fired into the side netting.Burnley have had plenty of ‘what if’ moments this season, many involving Muric whose horrendous errors against Brighton and Everton in April cost them four points.It was the same here as a flurry of chances were not taken in the second half here, from Wilson Odobert’s blast to unconverted headers from Dara O’Shea and Maxime Esteve.It was a game low on quality, summed up by the out-of-form James Maddison doing the hard bit to give himself a free shot at goal with a neat drop of the shoulder, but then firing weakly at Muric.Pedro Porro levelled the game for SpursCredit: PAPorro made it all to play forCredit: GettyAnge Postecoglou had few attacking options on the bench due to injuries to Timo Werner and Richarlison – who, after some confusion on Friday, WAS out with a calf problem.So the Aussie got creative, bringing on youngster Dane Scarlett to play up top, pushed Son out wide and Van de Ven moved to left-back with the lesser-spotted Radu Dragusin coming on.It made a difference, with Johnson coming within a whisker of turning home Son’s delivery to send a warning sign to Kompany’s men.It was not heeded and with eight minutes to go, Van de Ven found himself in Burnley’s box, composed himself and fired into the bottom corner.That did for Burnley, who then suffered the ignominy of players arguing with each other in the dying minutes.Lorenz Assignon wanted a penalty when he went down under Son’s challenge, but then stayed down even neither ref Jarred Gillet nor his VAR gave it.Centre-back Dara O’Shea then marched up the pitch and told his team-mate to get up and get on with it.It left Assignon seething with nigh-on everyone, earning him a yellow card which only enraged him further as his side faced up to life back in the second tier next season.Micky van de Ven riffled home a winner for SpursCredit: GettyThe race for Champions League football is still onCredit: Reuters More

CHELSEA take on Nottingham Forest tonight in the Premier League – and both sides are after a crucial win. The Blues are still in the hunt for the crucial European places while a win for Forest would put them on the brink of Premier League survival for another season.
Kick-off time: 5.30pm BST
Stream/TV: Sky Sports Premier League
Forest XI: Sels; Boly, Murillo, Niakhate; Montiel, Yates, Danilo, Aina; Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella; Gallagher, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Around the grounds:
The games that kicked off at 3pm are all over at last, following a lengthy stoppage time as Brentford got the better of Bournemouth at the death, winning 1-2.
This is how the scores look heading into this evening’s kick-off.

Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford
Everton 1-0 Sheffield United
Newcastle 1-1 Brighton
Tottenham 2-1 Burnley
West Ham 3-1 Luton
Wolves 1-3 Crystal Palace

Copy linkCopiedI’m sorry Nic Jackson!
Nicolas Jackson has been in great form of late up front for Chelsea, and seems to be proving the doubters wrong.
Can he keep up his good run this evening against a Forest side that has struggled defensively?
Nicolas Jackson has shone for Chelsea in recent weeksCredit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedGuess who’s back?
There is a very familiar face in the Nottingham Forest team for Chelsea fans, and it would be the ultimate source of pain if he performs well against his old club this evening.
Callum Hudson-Odoi was involved in debates with Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden a few years back, as to who was going to be the star that lead their team and England to glory for the next decade.
As it happened, CHO ended up with a serious injury, and despite creating plenty of chances for the Blues, he lacked that clinical nature that would see him produce the numbers that the other two went on to achieve.
Nonetheless, lots of Chelsea fans look back at Callum’s time at Stamford Bridge fondly, as he won the Champions League with the Blues in 2021.
These days, he is starting consistently for Nottingham Forest, and re-finding his feet as a Premier League winger, and performing well of late in particular.
The 23-year-old has scored 7 goals in the PL this season, and has an assist too, which has left the question in many fans mind – why did Chelsea sell him to buy Mykhailo Mudryk?
He has a point to prove today, let’s see if he can do it.
Copy linkCopiedReece James makes the bench
On his return to the squad Reece James is starting on the bench for Chelsea at the City Ground.
Trevoh Chalobah is deputising at right-back, where he has been more than capable in the last few games, but he generally lacks the threat that RJ and Gusto do in the offensive phase.
He will undoubtedly receive a huge ovation from the away support.
Reece James returns to the Chelsea squadCredit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest starting XI
This is how Forest line up as they are fighting to stay in the Premier League:
The Trees’ line up to take on Chelsea at homeCredit: @NFFC via X
Copy linkCopiedChelsea starting XI
This is how Chelsea line up at the City Ground!

Chelsea’s starting XI vs ForestCredit: @ChelseaFC via X
Copy linkCopiedReece James returns
There is a HUGE bit of news for Chelsea fans ahead of this game.
Captain Reece James has returned from injury following his surgery.
He is one of the best full-backs in the world when he is fit, but injuries have been a huge concern for the England international this season.
If he can stay fit though, he could really be huge for Chelsea in their European push.
Let’s hope he makes it through today unscathed.

Copy linkCopiedLots on the line
The magnitude of this game cannot be underestimated.
With a win at home, Nottingham Forest will secure Premier League football for next season, which will be a huge achievement given their points deduction earlier on this year.
However, Chelsea cannot afford to lose. The Blues are desperate for European football next season, and with the way Man Utd have been playing of late, they are in with a real shot of playing in the Europa League, should they win today.
But if they lose they will be in danger of missing out, as Newcastle play Man Utd next week.
Copy linkCopiedWelcome to Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea!
Good afternoon and welcome to Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea, the first instalment of today’s Premier League football!
This is a fixture that has been dominated by Chelsea in recent seasons, and they will be the favourites today.
But their form away from home is quite different to their Stamford Bridge form, and we will have to see if things have really turned around for Mauricio Pochettino today.
It has been far from a great season for Nottingham Forest, but a win today will guarentee that they are playing Premier League football next season, so there is more than enough on the line.
Stay tuned as coming right up SunSport will have any breaking news, team updates and the starting sides all before kick off at 5:30pm.
Nottingham Forest play host to Chelsea this eveningCredit: Getty
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MANCHESTER CITY kicked Arsenal’s hopes for a shock slip-up into the long grass.City boss Pep Guardiola started a turf war before the game by claiming he was worried the Craven Cottage surface would be too dry and not cut short enough.Josko Gvardiol scored again as Man City took top spot in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyThe Croatian’s brace took his tally to five goals in seven gamesCredit: APPhil Foden added his name to the scoresheet in the second halfCredit: EPAJulian Alvarez added the fourth from the penalty spot in the final secondsCredit: ReutersBut his side despatched a Fulham side featuring three ex-Gunners with ease in a sunshine stroll by the Thames.Noel Gallagher was in the away end to see his team tick off another win on the way to the title with the same kind of predictability he has shown in every album since What’s The Story, Morning Glory?Left back Josko Gvardiol scored his fourth goal in seven games to give them an early lead and Footballer of the Year Phil Foden poached a second just before the hour.Gvardiol grabbed the third, too, as his remarkable scoring streak continued. And in stoppage time Issa Diop was shown a second yellow card for fouling Julian Alvarez in the box and the Argentinian World Cup winner picked himself up to make it four.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAfter some gentle sparring, Gvardiol gave City the lead from their first meaningful attack.The Croat played a simple one-two with Kevin De Bruyne, wrong-footed Issa Diop with a deft first touch, and then stroked the ball into the net with the greatest of ease.Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno made comfortable saves from Bernardo Silva and Foden, while Diop made a decent block on Silva.But City were not showing any great urgency to get a second goal, probably because they did not think they would need one.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFulham had started well but could not lay a glove on the visitors. The most discomfort they caused was when captain Bobby De Cordova-Reid caught Foden with an arm off the ball.Marco Silva signalled his displeasure with a double half-time change, sending on Tom Cairney for De Cordova-Reid and Adama Traore for Willian.Ex-Manchester City & Everton star hauled off team bus & arrested after ‘refusing to pay child support to model ex’Within a few minutes of the break, Leno made his best save so far, again from Silva.But City were looking a little sloppy, and goalkeeper Ederson was finally called into action when Rodri got the last touch on a Traore cross.Leno saved from De Bruyne, but then Foden pounced on a loose ball after Joao Palhinha had taken Silva out on the edge of the box.Guardiola held his head in his hands when Erling Haaland missed a good chance but there was no real jeopardy.And then Gvardiol snuck in at the back post to turn in Silva’s cross.There was time for Leno to make another stop, this time from Jeremy Doku, as Guardiola rested key men for Tuesday’s trip to Tottenham, before Alvarez earned and scored the penalty.Arsenal will have to hope their hated rivals do more to worry City’s champions-in-waiting than Fulham could.Fulham’s Issa Diop, pictured challenging Julian Alvarez, received a red card in stoppage timeCredit: AP More