Premier League

JURGEN KLOPP was left uttering “wow” after Eberechi Eze put Crystal Palace 1-0 up against Liverpool on Sunday.Eze fired the Eagles ahead in the 14th minute after receiving the ball from Tyrick Mitchell on the edge of the six-yard box.Eberechi Eze fired Crystal Palace to a 1-0 win over LiverpoolCredit: GettyJurgen Klopp was left uttering ‘wow’ on the sidelinesCredit: Sky SportsThe winger’s strike stunned Anfield into silence, while Klopp simply said: “Wow,” while staring onto the pitch.Palace went on to win the match thanks to Eze’s decisive goal.And fans were quick to react, with one person writing: “A goal so good even Klopp said ‘Wow’ and applauded it.”Another added: “Palace scoring a lovely (and ultimately winning) goal and the camera cutting to Klopp mouthing the word ‘Wow’ might be my favourite few seconds of Sky footage for quite some time.”Read More on FootballA third said: “Adam Wharton & #cpfc had Klopp saying wow 😭.”While a fourth wrote: “17 passes, the amount of space Eze has to pick his spot and Klopp’s WOW at the end – some days are better than others when your a @CPFC fan.”Klopp admitted he felt “rubbish” following Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace.He told Sky Sports: “I feel really rubbish. I am standing here and to talk about this game is really tricky.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEze scored his seventh Premier League goal of the season against Liverpool”The first half was absolutely not good enough. We lost conviction from the last game [vs Atalanta]. We concede the goal, which is a horrible goal. A completely free player in the six-yard box, that cannot happen.”We were just not together. It is not about pointing the finger at that or that or that.Paul Merson warns of transfer that would ‘take the pool out of Liverpool’ that risks Reds ‘finishing nowhere'”The solution is being really together on the pitch. Where we are, we got to by being an absolute machine against the ball and that is what we have to be.” More

UNAI EMERY averages more points per game at the Emirates Stadium than both Mikel Arteta AND Arsene Wenger.The Aston Villa manager, 52, masterminded his side to a 2-0 victory over the Gunners on Sunday in a seismic blow to his former club’s Premier League title hopes.Unai Emery led his Aston Villa side to victory at the Emirates on SundayCredit: APEmery has averaged more points per game at the Emirates than current Arsenal boss Mikel ArtetaCredit: ReutersAnd it will be an even sweeter three points given the Spaniard was widely considered a failure during his time in charge of Arsenal.Yet despite a trophyless 18 months in North London, he still boasts more points per game at the Emirates than current boss Arteta and club icon Wenger.Following Emery’s win with Villa, his average has increased to 2.26 points per game.According to Opta, that means he outperforms Wenger [2.22] and Arteta [2.11].READ MORE ON ARSENALAnd his win percentage at Villa now sits ahead of Wenger’s at Arsenal – 57.33 compared with 57.2.However, he did fail to win anything at Arsenal and finished fifth in the Premier League in his only full season in charge.Wenger, whose Arsenal side only moved to the Emirates from Highbury in 2006, won three league titles and seven FA Cups, while he also reached the Champions League final.Arteta won the FA Cup in 2020 and, after successive eight-place finishes, guided them to fifth in 2021/22 and second last season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWith six games remaining of the 2023/24 campaign they sit second, two points adrift of defending champions Manchester City.But Emery’s lack of silverware during his time at Arsenal only made Sunday’s win with Villa all the more special.Hollywood superstar interrupts interview to reveal she is Arsenal fan as supporters boast ‘we are gargantuan’ Speaking after the game, he said: “Before the match, we were very motivated and very excited about the possibility.”This is a very tough match and we needed to be focusing very well defensively.”We wanted to be strong and have high commitment to defence in the first half, and wait for our moment to control the game.”The first half was more difficult but we tried to dominate with the ball. Second half we competed very well.”We are not being consistent in every match like I want but today we were fantastic.”Wenger averaged less points than Emery at the Emirates after Arsenal moved from Highbury in 2006Credit: Reuters More

FANS have spotted Ollie Watkins mimicking Thierry Henry’s celebration after he scored the winning goal against Arsenal at the Emirates.Mikel Arteta’s side squandered the opportunity to return top of the Premier League with two late goals leading them to a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa.Aston Villa secured a 2-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates thanks to Ollie Watkins’ winning goalCredit: ReutersWatkins copied Thierry Henry’s trademark celebrationCredit: GettyAfter Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, Arsenal would have leapfrogged Manchester City to the top spot.But it was Champions League-chasing Villa who snatched all three points in a dramatic game in north London.Leon Bailey opened the scoreline in the 84th minute hitting the back of the net with shot-stopper David Raya diving across the goal to make the save.Just moments later Watkins chipped the ball over the Arsenal goalkeeper from inside the area to double their lead.READ MORE ON ARSENALAnd the striker put Arsenal fans to misery as Watkins mimicked Henry’s trademark celebration – holding the corner flag.The England international who has scored 19 Premier League goals this season was applauded by fans, with one suggesting that the celebration should be displayed in the renowned Louvre Art Gallery in Paris.A supporter said: “Watkins with the Henry celebration on their own turf hang it in the Louvre.”Another added: “Not the Thierry Henry celebration! Ollie Watkins you menace!”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERWhile an Arsenal said: “Ollie Watkins the Arsenal fan killing our title chances with a dagger followed by a Henry celebration. This is true pain.”Despite having numerous attempts to score Arsenal were unable to break through Villa’s strong defence. Paul Merson rules one team OUT of Premier League title race as Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City’s three-way fight hots upEmiliano Martinez made a stunning save from Leandro Trossard in the first half leaving the Gunners without a response. This loss keeps them in second place, two points behind Manchester City. Arsenal now must rely on the results with their remaining fixtures to hopefully see them through to a Premier League victory, More

ARSENAL suffered a heavily damaging defeat in their hopes of a first Premier League title in 20 years as they lost 2-0 at home to Aston Villa.Ollie Watkins came within an inch of putting the visitors in front when his strike hit the inside of the post and spun wide shortly before half-time.Arsenal suffered their first Premier League defeat of 2024Credit: ReutersIt is a huge blow to their hopes of winning the Premier League titleCredit: APSeconds later, ex-Arsenal keeper Emi Martinez brilliantly denied Leandro Trossard from close range with a sprawling save to keep the scores level.Villa eventually did break the deadlock in the 84th minute when Leon Bailey turned home Lucas Digne’s cross.And Watkins made sure of the win moments later as he raced through before dinking superbly over David Raya to boost their top four hopes and deal Arsenal a huge blow in the title race.Here is how SunSport’s Jordan Davies saw the performances of the Arsenal players.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDavid Raya – 6No shots to concern himself with in the first half, aside from Watkins smacking his right post before agonisingly dribbling back across his goal mouth.The Spaniard also had no chance of stopping Youri Tielemans’ stunning strike that hit the woodwork twice before being cleared, as well as both late goals.Ben White – 7A necessary yellow card to deny Villa a counter attack his only blip in another solid display.Will be vital to their season run-in.Most read in FootballGabriel – 6Did well to recover on a few occasions but then almost cost his side with a poor ball that struck Oleksandr Zinchenko on the back and put in Watkins to strike Raya’s post.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWas then caught in a tangle in the box before Bailey struck late on.Errors are beginning to creep back into his game at a time when Arsenal do not need any nerviness at the back.Arsenal’s top targets in the summer transfer windowWilliam Saliba – 8Solid as a rock and getting even more confident with ball at feet and moving up the pitch.Kept Watkins very quiet. Couldn’t really blame him for Villa’s goals.Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5Oleksandr Zinchenko struggled against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoonCredit: GettyA few nice passes inside but he is still a liability in defence.Zinchenko gave away the ball on the edge of his own box as Tielemans rattled the bar and the base of the post with a shot.Got turned far too easily and far too often.Looked like he was running through custard at times.Declan Rice – 7He may not be grabbing as many headlines for Arsenal at this stage of the season but his influence is still there for all to see.Just lacked that killer pass.Martin Odegaard – 8Martin Odegaard was still incredibly influential despite playing in a deeper roleCredit: EPAPlaying much deeper than usual but continued orchestrating with great effect.Odegaard should have had a few assists to his name in the first half alone.Looked fatigued in the closing stages – no surprise that he was subbed with the trip to Munich in a few days.Kai Havertz – 6Back in his midfield role and got forward plenty early on, denied by Martinez from a tight angle having darted into the box and fluffed numerous one v ones.Bukayo Saka – 6Limped his way through the first period after yet another bruising half of football, but remained lively and curled one just wide in the 41st minute.Barely got a sniff in the second half, such was Villa’s impressive defensive shape.Gabriel Jesus – 6Simply had to put Arsenal ahead in the 17th minute with a back post header prodded into the side netting, but his energy dragged Arsenal through a tough opening 45 minutes.Fed off scraps after the break.Leandro Trossard – 6One of the misses of the season just before the break inside the six-yard box. Brilliant save from Martinez, but anywhere else and it hits the back of the net.Always seems to be at his best coming off the bench in games like this.As a starter, he drifts in and out of the action far too much.Takehiro Tomiyasu (for White, 66 mins) – 6Unsure why White was taken off, as he rarely misses a minute, and Tomiyasu was fairly anonymous.Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 66 mins) – 6Provided some zip that Trossard had been missing but Arsenal’s lack of creativity made it almost impossible for him to conjure anything up.Emile Smith Rowe (for Odegaard, 78 mins) – 6His only involvement was chasing Watkins back before watching the ball hit the back of the net.READ MORE SUN STORIESJorginho (for Jesus, 78 mins) – 6Tried to be positive on the ball but was largely wasteful and inaccurate.Eddie Nketiah (for Zinchenko, 87 mins) – N/AUnused subs: Ramsdale, Partey, Kiwior, Vieira. More