Premier League

COLE PALMER’S season gets better and better, while Reece James’ could hardly get worse.Chelsea’s superstar Palmer has single-handedly guided the club from the depths of mid-table to what should be continental football next season with his elite goal-getting prowess.Cole Palmer scored as Chelsea beat Brighton 2-1Credit: GettyChristopher Nkunku was also on target as Chelsea moved into 6th placeCredit: GettyHis 22nd of the Premier League term – a smooth looping header in the 34th minute – helped down Brighton to lift the Blues into a Europa League-beckoning sixth spot.And as if Palmer’s shoulders are not heavy enough, he will surely be expected to replicate this stunning form for England in Germany this summer at the Euros.But what of James? An injury-plagued season and a straight red here coming off the bench which will see him miss yet more football for both club and country with a major tournament looming and friendly auditions on the horizon.It was an idiotic 88th-minute kick-out at Joao Pedro off the ball on a night when VAR was under the microscope more than ever.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLChristopher Nkunku stepped off the bench to double the lead in the 64th minute with just his third goal in a Chelsea shirt, but the away end sung Palmer’s name into the night, even after Danny Welbeck’s injury time consolation.Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is notoriously safe in his selection process, yet you simply cannot ignore the elegance and electricity that Palmer possesses right now – and you cannot ignore James’ dramatic plummeting form.What a £40m signing Palmer has been since arriving from Manchester City, taking Pep Guardiola’s preferred main man in Erling Haaland – who has 27 Prem goals so far – all the way for that Golden Boot with one outing remaining.A fourth successive top flight victory for the first time since October 2022 has steadied the ship and calmed choppy waters at Chelsea. Progress is – finally – being made in West London.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOn the South Coast, Robert De Zerbi’s Seagulls end this historic campaign – where they have competed on four fronts domestically and on the continent – battling for a top 10 presence.One win in their last nine in the Prem was not what De Zerbi had envisioned, yet the Italian knows that with their injury crisis soon behind them, next season bodes yet more promise.Chelsea’s top summer transfer targetsThe Italian coach – now expected to remain at Brighton for another year at least – made two changes from last weekend as Pedro and Tariq Lamptey came in.Poch altered his line-up by just one – Thiago Silva dropping out for Malo Gusto, while £115m summer signing Moises Caicedo made his first return to the Amex.But in the 16th minute, another ex-Seagull in Marc Cucurella thought he had won a penalty following Facundo Buonanotte’s lunge.Ref Michael Salisbury had no hesitation, that was until VAR requested a monitor review which showed Buonanotte had just won the ball. Who needs VAR, huh?Cole Palmer gave Chelsea the leadCredit: ReutersInjury-ravaged Christopher Nkunku fired in a secondCredit: ReutersNo intervention needed for Palmer’s brilliance – guiding Cucurella’s cross over Verbruggen with ease and arrogance, matched only by his ‘chilly’ celebration.Brighton responded. Lamptey was influential before he was involved in a nasty off-the-ball collision that decked Mykhailo Mudryk with Nkunku replacing the Ukrainian soon after.VAR checked and waved on. Palmer almost found another from Malo Gusto’s delivery but was denied by Lewis Dunk’s block. Nicolas Jackson had a flick-on ruled out for a foul in the build-up and Pedro smacked the bar with his header.Reece James was shown a straight red for kicking out at Joao PedroCredit: Premier LeagueJames faces a bumper four-game banCredit: GettyDanny Welbeck pulled one back late on but Brighton could not get an equaliserCredit: PAThe end-to-end madness continued after the break, coinciding with Brighton skipper Dunk being subbed off with injury.Palmer, Gusto and Jackson all squandered big early chances and Pascal Gross somehow knocked wide from another superb Lamptey pick-out.Poch was getting edgy over his side’s wastefulness until Nkunku tucked away Gusto’s low cross with aplomb.READ MORE SUN STORIESVAR had one more spotlight moment, rightly asking ref Salisbury to watch back footage of James – on the pitch for 19 minutes – swiping at Pedro while on the floor. Red all day.Nevertheless, Chelsea fans can start to dust off their suitcases… More

CHELSEA sub Reece James was sent off for kicking – in a regrettable replica of sister Laura’s World Cup shame.Skipper James ruined his second cameo after a long spell out injured by lashing out in the 89th minute of a 2-1 Premier League win at Brighton.Reece James saw red in the closing minutes at 2-0 upCredit: RexLauren James apologised after a dismissal for stamping on Michelle AlozieCredit: APFouled and grounded by Joao Pedro, the England wing-back struck out his leg – connecting with the thigh of the Brazilian striker.James will now be banned for the first three Prem games next season – as it’s his second dismissal of the campaign.Referee Michael Salisbury missed the retaliation at first – but flashed the red card at James after VAR asked the whistler to check replays.The defender’s sibling Lauren was dismissed last August when a VAR review showed she had stamped on Nigerian star Michelle Alozie.Chelsea were 2-0 up when James was given his marching orders – with Danny Welbeck grabbing a consolation for Brighton deep in stoppage time.Cole Palmer’s 22nd goal of the season and sub Chris Nkunku’s goal midway through the second half had earlier left the Blues seemingly coasting.But VAR controversy marred the clash.Chelsea had a penalty overturned after Salisbury watched pitch-side replays of a challenge on ex-Seagull Marc Cucurella.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd many Blues’ fans were seething when what they reckoned was a clear “elbow” on Mykhailo Mudryk by ex-Stamford Bridge kid Tariq Lamptey went unpunished. Mudryk’s replacement Nkunku went on to play a key role as Chelsea leapfrogged Newcastle into sixth place.Chelsea legend’s daughter cheekily shows off her bum in bold outfit as stunned fans say ‘excuse me?’ But James’ sending-off tarnished the joy for Mauricio Pochettino’s men.He’d set up a goal when he launched his comeback in Sunday’s 3-2 dramatic win at Nottingham Forest.But this time his quick reactions were of a negative kind – and almost sparked the opposite result.Sister Lauren apologised for her own rash moment nine months ago in a last-16 tie that the Lionesses only won on penalties.”I am sorry for what happened,” she said, before promising: “I promise to learn from my experience.” More

CHELSEA got their numbers in a twist in an awkward blunder at Brighton.Mauricio Pochettino was keen to ring the changes at the Amex with his side leading 2-0 in the second half.There was confusion over Chelsea’s double substitution at BrightonCredit: RexEventually Reece James could come on for Malo GustoCredit: RexBut a mix-up by one of his coaches saw the Blues forced to cancel their substitution.And that left skipper Reece James standing perplexed on the touchline waiting to come on.It appears Chelsea’s staff managed to hand the wrong digits to the fourth official Andy Davies on the south coast.So when the stadium announcer read out that Noni Madueke was going to come off for James, the coaches went into a panic and immediately tried to scrap the change to ensure the right switches took place.Eventually, though, the Chelsea bench got their admin all sorted out.And that enabled a 69th-minute double change which saw James replace fellow right-back Malo Gusto while Raheem Sterling took his place on the wing instead of Madueke. But when they did finally get done, Chelsea fans were happy with the decisions.One said: “Love the Sterling and James subs.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother wrote: “Good subs by Poch. Adingra doesn’t wanna track back, keeps losing gusto. Sterling and James should cause more problems down that right side now. Hopefully another goal.”The Blues were already on course for all three points away at the Seagulls. A look at Chelsea’s forgotten wonderkidsCole Palmer had put Chelsea in front as they continued their strong end to the season with a superb looping header.Then sub Christopher Nkunku, who came on for the injured Mykhailo Mudryk just before half-time, doubled his side’s lead.The French forward turned home a low Gusto cross on 64 minutes.However, Chelsea fans excited by James’ entrance soon had their hopes dashed when he was sent off.The England international kicked out at Joao Pedro in a moment of madness to see red late on. And the nerves were jangling in the away end when Danny Welbeck scored in the 97th minute to make it 2-1. But the ten men clung on to keep their hopes of a shock fifth-placed finish alive. James was sent off late on for kicking out at Joao PedroCredit: Reuters More

NEWCASTLE fans trolled Manchester United by wearing umbrella hats, flippers and swimming goggles at leaky Old Trafford.Shocking scenes on Sunday saw water pouring into the crumbling stadium.Newcastle fans enjoyed taking the mick out of Old Trafford’s leakCredit: XOne supporter even rocked a wet suit and flippers with an umbrella hatCredit: XThe crumbling stadium had a waterfall on Sunday afternoonCredit: GettyA dramatic Manchester storm with 41mm of rainfall sparked the chaotic cascade, drenching seats in a stark reminder of the state of the old ground. It even leaked through an internal ceiling as it started dripping into the away dressing room.The tunnel was even partially flooded while post-match media commitments had to be moved with electrical equipment covered. Workers were on site at Old Trafford on Monday to try and make rapid repairs ahead of United’s final home game of the season at home to the Magpies.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut travelling Toon supporters wasted no time in mocking the Red Devils with a hilarious choice of headwear.A few witty members of the Toon Army opted for fancy dress – or just wise precautions in case of any showers.One rocked up at Old Trafford in a wetsuit, flippers and an umbrella hat while others took their seats in the swimming goggles in brilliant digs.Viewers flooded to social media as they burst into laughter.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne said: “Nah Newcastle fans have goggle and umbrella hats on 🤣🤣”Another wrote: “What kind of shade is this 😂😂😂 Newcastle fans wore swimming goggles to the very old trafford😂😂😂😂”Man Utd’s problems laid bare with WATERFALL flooding through Old Trafford’s leaky roof as heavens open vs ArsenalA third added: “Newcastle fans taking p*** out of the Theatre of streams!! Wearing goggles etc lol”A fourth replied: “‘Theatre of Streams’ has finished me off. We’re a joke of a club. Newcastle fans have got goggles on.”And a final user moaned: “Away fans arriving at OldTrafford with umbrella hats and swimming goggles on… laughing stock of England. Can’t do another year of this s***.”Ratcliffe could propose a new venue on the land next to the current groundHome fans got the last laugh on the night, though, as sub Rasmus Hojlund grabbed a goal just moments after coming off the bench in a 3-2 win for Erik ten Hag’s men. Following the embarrassing scenes of Sunday, it is understood Trafford Council contacted United to get assurances over the safety of the 114-year-old venue.A spokesperson for Trafford Council told The Athletic: “While we recognise the scale of the torrential downpour during the game against Arsenal on Sunday, we have been in touch with Manchester United ahead of the match against Newcastle this evening.“Club officials have fully cooperated with us and have provided reassurance that the safety of fans has not been compromised. We will continue to monitor the situation.”The gushing water made for dramatic scenesCredit: GettyThe Old Trafford pitch was covered in puddlesCredit: GettyThe tunnel area had dried out by the time Newcastle arrivedCredit: Getty More

FED-UP Chelsea fans can’t wait for this summer’s vote on the future of VAR – after two huge controversies in the Premier League clash at Brighton.The Blues had a penalty overturned and saw old boy Tariq Lamptey unpunished for what some viewers claimed was a nasty “elbow”.VAR helped the ref ruled Buonanotte’s challenge on Cucurella was no penaltyMudryk was taken off injured following Lamptey’s challengeCredit: GettyPremier League clubs will soon vote on whether video reviews will stay next season.And there were two major examples at the Amex Stadium of why it’s such a heated issue.First, referee Michael Salisbury gave a spot-kick when Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte appeared to win the ball against ex-Seagull Marc Cucurella.But before the Blues could take the spot-kick, VAR intervened.READ MORE TOP FOOTBALLSalisbury was sent over to watch the tackle on a pitch-side monitor – and reversed his on-field verdict.Fans were also baffled as Chelsea were instead given a goal kick, despite Buonanotte’s touch of the ball being the reason the penalty was not awarded.One fan responded: “No mention that Chelsea were robbed of a corner as a result of a referee mistake. Good use of VAR.”Another suggested: “Proves that the refs are clowns & not VAR.”Most read in Football”It’s taking all of the enjoyment out of the game” 😮Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane and Andy Cole share their thoughts on the recent news of scrapping VAR next season ❌ pic.twitter.com/T24VxqZRF1— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2024

However, rules state that a drop ball must be given for every penalty award that is reversed by VAR.And ironically, the Blues BENEFITED from that exact same rule during their home fixture against Brighton.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAt Stamford Bridge, the Seagulls were awarded a last gasp penalty for handball despite the ball striking Levi Colwill in the face.And Roberto De Zerbi’s players were then furious as they were denied the corner they would have been entitled to had a penalty not been given at all.Frustrated Chelsea supporters at the Amex also insisted Lamptey deserved a red card for a tangle with Mudryk that led to the winger being replaced by Christopher Nkunku before half-time.One observer reacted: “’No conclusive evidence’. VAR isn’t the problem. It’s the officials behind the screen who are the problem in England.”Chelsea legend’s daughter cheekily shows off her bum in bold outfit as stunned fans say ‘excuse me?’ Another posted: “Var continues to be a joke vs Chelsea btw.”And a third wrote: “Two VAR checks/decisions have gone against Chelsea in this first half.”READ MORE SUN STORIESFortunately for the Blues, they were able to win anyway as Cole Palmer and Christian Nkunku netted in a 2-1 victory.But in a rather less controversial intervention, VAR did play its part again in the 88th minute as Reece James was sent off for kicking Joao Pedro. More