Premier League

GARY NEVILLE has revealed Manchester United’s low performance levels and history of struggling managers are contributing towards Erik ten Hag’s “breakdown” at Old Trafford.The Red Devils boss, 54, stormed out of his post-match press conference following a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday night.Erik ten Hag watched his side produce another disappointing display on SaturdayCredit: GettyGary Neville was damning in his assessment of Manchester UnitedCredit: Sky SportsIt was another dismal display from Ten Hag’s side as their winless run extended to four games.They also slipped below Newcastle into seventh place in the Premier League table and are 10 points adrift of Tottenham in fifth as their hopes of Champions League qualification suffered another blow.And Neville, who has seen his former club employ five different permanent managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure 11 years ago, feels Ten Hag is beginning to unravel in a similar manner to his predecessors.Speaking on Sky Sports, the iconic Man Utd right-back said: “There’s nothing more to say, we’ve seen it all before, it is a repeat of what we’ve seen over the last six, seven, eight years.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Managers in their second seasons, third seasons sometimes at Manchester United where there seems to be that sort of breakdown at the end.”The main thing is the performance levels. We’ve seen at Brentford, we’ve seen at Bournemouth, they’re really low performance levels which is the biggest worry.”Neville then discounted injuries as a legitimate reason for Man Utd’s campaign, before he added: “There’s no explanation for how they’re playing at this moment in time.”I think the anger, the disappointment that has gone out of many Manchester United fans’ voices.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTuchel showed why he could be the perfect man for Man Utd, says Andy DillonBy Andy Dillon
TOMMY TUCHEL could not have done it better had he submitted his CV to LinkedIn or Indeed.
Somehow mustering some gumption from the worst Bayern Munich team in more than a decade to stop a rampant Arsenal dead in their tracks is a spectacular job advert for a manager soon to be looking for work.
If Sir Jim Ratcliffe wasn’t watching from his Old Trafford office or from the cinema room in one of his tax havens, he should have been.
They may have even sat up and taken notice in Newcastle or in the owners’ Riyadh hub as Tuchel reminded everyone of his credentials as a top-level coach with devilish timing.
If change is coming then Tuchel is playing a trump card.
His side turned up and cowed the team that, as far as the current Premier League goes, is the best in England.
It may only add to the questions around Tuchel that after tossing away the only league easier to win than Scotland’s or Spain’s, Munich have sprung to life in Europe.
After 11 years unopposed as German champions, Chelsea’s former manager has chucked it in at home in a remarkable act of ineptitude. But freak years can happen.
Tuchel is an enigma. But that is part of the appeal as much as winning the Champions League with Chelsea just three months after taking the job.
With no new signings, he took a team that had lost five of the previous ten games and turned them into European Champions.
With Ratcliffe considering swingeing budget cuts at Old Trafford, a coach who can perform wonders on peanuts would be music to his ears.
Click here to ready Andy’s column in full.
Or to read more from Andy Dillon, click here.

“We’re getting to that point whereby the FA Cup is a big thing – the game next week against Coventry and then obviously a final hopefully if they get through next week.”That’s a big thing because winning trophies two seasons on the bounce should never be sniffed at – you always say winning a trophy in a season is a real achievement.Watch Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag storm out of press conference after Bournemouth draw”But it is a sort of bizarre experience watching United play in terms of how bad they can get to in games.”A number of names have been linked with replacing Ten Hag including England boss Gareth Southgate and ex-Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter.Ten Hag has one year left on his contract at Old Trafford.Man Utd’s next five games in all competitions More

JURGEN KLOPP saw his hopes of a historic quadruple blown to pieces in the space of six days in 2022.And now Liverpool’s treble bid looks to have fallen apart in less than four days.It was a desperately disappointing day for LiverpoolCredit: ReutersEberechi Eze scored for Crystal Palace in the 14th minuteCredit: RexA wonderfully worked move ended with a tidy finish from EzeCredit: RexJurgen Klopp was left thoroughly frustrated as his title hopes suffered a massive blowCredit: ReutersIt was another below-par performance from LiverpoolCredit: ReutersLiverpool failed to turn their possession into goalsLiverpool dominated the second half but failed to convert their chancesA 3-0 quarter-final first leg loss to Atalanta on Thursday means that barring a miracle, Liverpool will not be featuring in the Europa League final in Dublin next month.And now, a 14th minute winner from Eberechi Eze which handed Palace a stunning win and will have been greeted with cheers from Manchester City and Arsenal fans.Liverpool, unbeaten at home in the league coming into the game, have been kings of the comeback this season but not here against a Palace team who put in a proper shift. For Reds fans, these nightmare few days are like two years ago when, having won both domestic cups, they were pipped to the title on the final day by Manchester City before losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid in Paris.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLike the previous week against Manchester United, Liverpool paid the price for not taking their chances.Equally, Palace’s back five defended brilliantly and both Adam Wharton and Will Hughes were outstanding in central midfield.Liverpool’s finishing was absolutely shocking.Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones all missed sitters in the second half and Jean-Philippe Mateta should also have put Palace 2-0 up.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSLiverpool spurned a host of chances in front of goalCredit: APIt was a famous win for Oliver Glasner’s Palace sideCredit: ReutersConor Bradley also went off injured in another blow for LiverpoolCredit: ReutersLiverpool spent much of the game inside Palace’s halfMeanwhile, this game was the latest proof that Mo Salah does not look the same player since returning from injury and he also failed to stick away a good chance in injury time.Oliver Glasner’s team had not won in their previous five matches and had managed just a solitary victory in nine games.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersLiverpool’s next five games in all competitionsSo it is fair to say not many of the Palace fans who made the journey to the North-West would have expected a hugely important win which has seriously eased their relegation worries.There was a minute’s silence before the game to mark 35 years of the Hillsborough disaster.Alisson, who had missed the previous 15 games with a hamstring injury, was back in the place of Caoimhin Kelleher.Yet the Reds’ problems started following a poor pass by Alisson which Robertson kicked out for a throw.Palace kept possession in an incredible 21-pass move which drifted from the right over to the left and resulted in Tyrick Mitchell cutting the ball back for Eze.The marking at the back was dreadful and there was a huge amount of space between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, which gave Eze an easy chance to score with a first-time shot.Klopp grimaced as he watched the goal and little wonder.Anfield was left in silence and it could have got even worse.Van Dijk delivered a slip reminiscent of Steven Gerrard’s famous mistake against Chelsea a decade ago.And the Dutchman was thankful that Andy Robertson scrambled back to produce a brilliant goal-line block to keep out an effort from  Mateta.Robertson was Liverpool’s best player and it was from one of his corners which saw Wataru Endo lift a shot against the bar.The Scottish international then delivered another perfect cross which saw Palace keeper Dean Henderson brilliantly flick over a flying effort from Luis Diaz.At half-time, Klopp introduced Dominik Szoboszlai for the hopeless Endo and then shortly into the second half, was forced to give Trent Alexander-Arnold his long-awaited run-out due to an injury to Conor Bradley.You knew it was not Liverpool’s today when Nunez somehow failed to score at point-blank range when he blasted a shot straight at Henderson.And with Henderson beaten, Jota looked certain to score but his strike was blocked by Nathaniel Clyne.Mateta also wondered how he failed to make it 2-0 as, from a couple of yards out, he was denied by Alisson.READ MORE SUN STORIESJones blazed wide and Salah should have scored but his effort was blocked by Mitchell.At the end, you only had to look on the faces of Klopp and the players who know they have shot themselves in the foot.Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to the side ended in dismayCredit: PA More

JOEL WARD has 301 Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace under his belt.But No 35 remains arguably the most memorable — and it was a game that Palace did not even win.Joel Ward played in the thrilling 3-3 draw between Crystal Palace and Liverpool in 2014Credit: RexLuis Suarez was in tears at the end as the Reds’ title charge collapsedCredit: GettyIt came during May 2014 in the campaign’s penultimate round of games.Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool visited Selhurst Park with their title challenge hanging by a thread and went three up before the hour.But in nine sensational minutes at the end, Tony Pulis’ Palace fought back for a 3-3 draw that ended the Kop’s Prem challenge and left Luis Suarez in tears.Nearly ten years on, Ward is the last player left at Palace who took part in ‘Crystanbul’ — named as a cruel twist on Liverpool’s famous 2005 Champions League final comeback win in Istanbul.READ MORE FOOTBALLAnd as the Eagles head to Anfield today aiming for a result that would derail another Liverpool title bid, Ward happily relived that famous evening.The Palace captain, now 34, said: “That game brings back a lot of joyous memories.“You think you are dead and buried. The whole country, probably, whoever was watching it across the different television channels, probably thought, ‘It’s game over’.“Then you go and flick the page and rewrite history.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDays after the infamous Steven Gerrard slip during a huge home defeat against Chelsea, Liverpool arrived at Selhurst Park.The odds were stacked against them hitting back to win a first top-flight title since 1990 but, if Rodgers’ Reds could close the goal difference gap on Manchester City, it would pile on the pressure heading into the final day.Paul Merson rules one team OUT of Premier League title race as Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City’s three-way fight hots upJoe Allen put Liverpool ahead in the first half. Then, in the space of two second-half minutes, Palace defender Damien Delaney deflected Daniel Sturridge’s shot past Julian Speroni and Suarez added a third.It was, as at least one pundit said at the time, just a question of how many more they could score. Or was it?Ward added: “We had some strong characters in the dressing room at the time.“We always knew that, given the opportunity on the break or counter-attack, we were going to cause issues and frighten teams.“They were probably pushing for as many goals as possible to put them in a stronger position for the title race with goal difference. That left them a little bit open. We just took the opportunity.“Sometimes you just write your own story. You earn your own luck.”With barely ten minutes to go, that bit of luck arrived for Palace and Delaney.Ward said: “The first goal, when Damo opened up and it took that deflection and went in the top corner, it was kind of, ‘Ooh, we’re back in this!’“It was kind of a shell shock. The fans at Selhurst Park fed off that and the atmosphere just erupted.”’I DON’T REMEMBER!’It can only take one game to become a cult hero at a football club. And up stepped Dwight Gayle.The former non-league striker had come off the bench to replace Jason Puncheon in the 65th minute.And two minutes after Delaney’s goal, Yannick Bolasie squared the ball and Gayle opened up his body to fire past Simon Mignolet.The Reds were on the ropes. With two minutes to go, they were on the floor when fellow sub Glenn Murray headed the ball on and Gayle scored again.Ward said: “Gayley, first and foremost, is a top lad. I have a lot of time for him.“What he’s done in the game, to come from where he’s come from, is brilliant.“His finishing was second to none, day in, day out on the training pitch. Given the opportunity in front of goal, he was hitting the target and making the keeper work.”Everyone remembers Gayle’s goals. What many have forgotten — including Ward — is who blocked the late shot by Lucas Leiva, which would have given Liverpool a stoppage-time winner.Brendan Rodgers’ title bid was undone by the drawCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe Liverpool dejection was clear to seeCredit: GettyDwight Gayle scored the equaliser to make it 3-3Credit: GettyThe goal sparked wild scenes at Selhurst Park – and among Manchester City fansCredit: AFPIt was, in fact, Ward’s block but he said: “I don’t actually remember that!“I wouldn’t have been able to tell you much about what happened in that game afterwards because it was a bit of a blur.“Everyone at that point is mucking in to get the job done. When you come back from a deficit like that, you just make sure you get the game across the line.”A point felt like three for a Palace side that had spent much of its first season back in the top flight near the bottom of the table.Ward said: “It’s great whenever you get a result against a team like Liverpool. “Especially in that manner when you come back — and with the importance of that game, there was a lot riding on it.“It didn’t necessarily change the course of the season on its own but it did play its part.“To do that in the early days of us being in the Premier League is a massive victory in some ways.”It was a momentous, history-defining gameJoel WardFast forward ten seasons and Palace find themselves in a similar situation.In 2014, they lost to City by two goals at home the weekend before facing a Liverpool side reeling from that Chelsea defeat.Eight days ago, they were beaten 4-2 at Selhurst Park by City and on Thursday the Reds lost their 33-game unbeaten home run when Italians Atalanta humbled them 3-0 in the Europa League quarter-final first leg.But on this occasion Palace need the points — or a point at least — more than in 2014, with the threat of relegation not yet banished.Now, as then, Ward and his Eagles will embrace the chance to prove they can mix it with the best.He said: “Whenever you come up against teams like this in the Premier League, you have to relish the challenge.“You go into the game knowing you’re playing one of the top teams in the world right now and you’ve got to be on your A-game.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We have to focus on implementing our game plan. That’s what we did ten years ago.“That game lives on in the memories of many. It was a momentous, history-defining game.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED star Casemiro was slammed by Jamie Redknapp for his performance against Bournemouth.The Red Devils were fortunate to pick up a point in a 2-2 draw with the Cherries.Jamie Redknapp slammed Casemiro’s performance against BournemouthCredit: Sky SportsThe midfielder was singled out for his lack of effortCredit: GettyCasemiro’s defensive work was lacking against the CherriesBruno Fernandes scored twice including one from the penalty spot as United looked vulnerable in defence once again.Redknapp identified Casemiro as the problem, particularly for Bournemouth’s second goal as he failed to run back and close the space which Justin Kluivert took advantage of to score.The pundit was shocked by Casemiro’s lack of effort and suggested his performance was more befitting of Soccer Aid than the Premier League.He said on Sky Sports: “He’s one of my favourite defensive midfielders in world football, I’ve loved watching him play but right now he looks like he’s playing in Soccer Aid.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He looks like he’s playing at such a pace where the game is a bit of fun and there’s celebrities coming on the pitch – no, this is the Premier League.”You’ve got so much experience, and that isn’t really the case with anything else apart from running.”I think to myself Rodri, what would Rodri do in that situation? He would be flying out there to help his team-mates, and that’s what you should be doing.”At the moment he’s not setting the right example to the young players around him, and as I say I’m a massive fan but that isn’t good enough, because if he sprinted he would have stopped that.”Most read in FootballThe Brazilian was also a little wasteful in possessionCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTuchel showed why he could be the perfect man for Man Utd, says Andy DillonBy Andy Dillon
TOMMY TUCHEL could not have done it better had he submitted his CV to LinkedIn or Indeed.
Somehow mustering some gumption from the worst Bayern Munich team in more than a decade to stop a rampant Arsenal dead in their tracks is a spectacular job advert for a manager soon to be looking for work.
If Sir Jim Ratcliffe wasn’t watching from his Old Trafford office or from the cinema room in one of his tax havens, he should have been.
They may have even sat up and taken notice in Newcastle or in the owners’ Riyadh hub as Tuchel reminded everyone of his credentials as a top-level coach with devilish timing.
If change is coming then Tuchel is playing a trump card.
His side turned up and cowed the team that, as far as the current Premier League goes, is the best in England.
It may only add to the questions around Tuchel that after tossing away the only league easier to win than Scotland’s or Spain’s, Munich have sprung to life in Europe.
After 11 years unopposed as German champions, Chelsea’s former manager has chucked it in at home in a remarkable act of ineptitude. But freak years can happen.
Tuchel is an enigma. But that is part of the appeal as much as winning the Champions League with Chelsea just three months after taking the job.
With no new signings, he took a team that had lost five of the previous ten games and turned them into European Champions.
With Ratcliffe considering swingeing budget cuts at Old Trafford, a coach who can perform wonders on peanuts would be music to his ears.
Click here to ready Andy’s column in full.
Or to read more from Andy Dillon, click here.

Casemiro was off the pace against Bournemouth and made just one interception, while losing six of his duels.He was also a little wasteful in possession as he misplaced 13 passes – more than all but two of his team-mates and ten more than midfield partner Kobbie Mainoo.Bruno Fernandes and Bournemouth boss Iraola in heated debate on pitch at full-time after controversial Man Utd draw More