Premier League

WEST HAM flop Kalvin Phillips swore at a fan after being heckled following his nightmare performance against Newcastle.The midfielder has struggled for form since his January loan switch from Manchester City.Kalvin Phillips stuck up his middle finger at a fan who shouted abuseAnd against Newcastle he had an afternoon to forget as he was subbed on with his side leading 3-1, but ended up tasting defeat.Phillips, 28, gave away a penalty which Alexander Isak converted to make it 3-2, and he could not prevent Harvey Barnes scoring twice to hand Toon an unlikely win.He was heckled after the match as he made his way to the team coach with a fan shouting out: “Useless! Absolutely useless!”Phillips responded by sticking up his middle finger at the fan as he boarded the coach, with children looking on.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans slammed Phillips following his performance at St James’ Park with one supporter branding him “the worst loan of all time”.Another added: “I’d send Kalvin Phillips back to Man City before the clocks go forward.”Phillips was also criticised for his outburst with one fan suggesting he “lost his head”.Another added: “They got to cut his loan for that? Unbelievable disrespect.”Most read in FootballThe midfielder had a torrid display against NewcastleBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERWest Ham paid an undisclosed loan fee to bring Phillips to London Stadium and will cover the entirety of his £140,000-a-week-wages until the end of the season.His move was meant to help him earn a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad at Euro 2024 after not playing regularly under Guardiola at City.But his poor form for the Hammers is seeing that become increasingly unlikely.’He’s wasting his time playing’ – Ex-Premier League referee bizarrely tears into Kalvin Phillips for getting sent off More

ASTON VILLA’S clash with Wolves was momentarily halted to allow players to break their Ramadan fast.Moussa Diaby fired Villa in front in the first half and he was one of the stars given time for Iftar.Moussa Diaby broke his first during the second half of Aston Villa v WolvesCredit: GettyRayan Ait-Nouri also broke his fastCredit: GettyIftar is the fast-breaking evening meal of during Ramadan, with Muslims forbidden from eating and drinking during daylight hours.Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri also came over to the touchline for a quick bite to eat after referee Paul Tierney called a halt to play.Diaby gulped down a drink likely filled with electrolytes and ate a banana before resuming play.The refuelling had a positive effect for the winger as moments later he burst through before playing in Ezri Konsa, whose cross somehow looped into the back of the net to give Aston Villa a 2-0 lead.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is not the first time a Premier League game has paused so players can take Iftar.A match between Burnley and Southampton in 2022 was stopped to allow Saints duo Mohamed Elyounoussi and Jan Valery to take on food and water.Villa vs Wolves was paused for a second time not long after Diaby and Ait-Nouri resumed playing.That’s because assistant referee Steve Meredith needed new batteries in his radio.Most read in FootballThere was a quick response in dealing with the technical issue but the problem did still cause a significant delay in play.That meant there was nine minutes added on in stoppage time at the end of the second half but Villa were able to see out a comfortable 2-0 victory.Fans think they’ve spotted bizarre optical illusion in Wolves training ground video More

CONOR GALLAGHER was blasted for appearing to “blank” a Chelsea mascot in the tunnel before the Burnley game.Gallagher was stand-in skipper on the day and led the Blues out at Stamford Bridge. Conor Gallagher was blasted for ‘blanking’ a Chelsea mascotBut before doing so, a mascot did his best to try and get what appeared to be a high five from the midfielder. Gallagher does make sure to embrace the youngster but left him hanging for the high five. Although it could have been confusion or a lack of awareness, it could also have been caused by the fact that he was distracted by his former Charlton and England team-mate Josh Cullen – who was captaining Burnley. Despite this, the England international was slammed by fans who thought he had “blanked” the mascot. Most read in FootballOne said: “That poor kid that got completely blanked by Conor Gallagher.”Another added: “This is highly shameful and embarrassing.”One fumed: “Conor Gallagher airing the mascot.”But in his defence, another argued: “He patted on his back didn’t blank him at all.”Most read in FootballGallagher played an hour at Stamford Bridge and would have watched on in frustration as Cole Palmer’s double was cancelled out. A late Dara O’Shea header and blunder from keeper Djordje Petrovic saw ten-men Burnley rescue a point in a 2-2 draw. It was later shown that Gallagher did walk out with his arm around the mascot.Gallagher did embrace the mascot afterCredit: XHe walked out with the mascot onto the Stamford BridgeCredit: XSimon Jordan slams ‘pathetic’ Chelsea fans for criticising Todd Boehly Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino was left head in hands and said: “So disappointed. “We didn’t show the consistency and the capacity to deal with and manage the game. “We allowed them some actions from set pieces to get some possibility to believe.”It is a result that shows that we need to improve in many areas if we want to be competitive.”It was so easy for them to get to our last third. We were not aggressive enough in open play and defending set pieces. “We need to improve like a team and be more competitive.”Mauricio Pochettino watched Chelsea squander their leadCredit: AFP More

CHELSEA fans are hailing Cole Palmer after his “absolute filth” panenka penalty against Burnley.The England star gave the Blues the lead from the spot on the stroke of half-time.Cole Palmer scored a brilliant panenkaPalmer scored a double but Chelsea twice relinquished their leadCredit: GettyVincent Kompany was sent off for his penalty protestsCredit: PAIt is the sixth penalty Palmer has scored this season but the first he has chipped down the middle.Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric could do nothing but watch the ball as he dived to the right.Chelsea fans loved the cheekiness of Palmer’s penalty and began praising the forward, who scored twice in a 2-2 draw.One reacted saying: “This kid is just amazing.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother added: “That panenka by Cole Palmer was insane.”A third wrote: “What a penalty Cole Palmer! Absolute filth 🔥”Burnley were left outraged by the incident however as they believe the penalty should not have been awarded despite defender Lorenz Assignon making contact with Mykhailo Mudryk.Assignon was shown a second yellow card to add insult to injury, leaving boss Vincent Kompany fuming.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHis protests resulted in referee Darren England brandishing a red card for him too, leading fans to slam the official.One reacted saying: “One of the worst calls you’ll see all season. Darren England isn’t fit to referee. Burnley robbed.”Ashley Cole picks his all-time team-mates XI… but does it boast more Arsenal or Chelsea stars?Another added: “Darren England is one of, if not the worst referee ever appointed by the Premier League, which is saying something, but yet again will be referring next week and making more horrific decisions.”And a third said: “Darren England is one of the worst referees in football.”Lorenz Assignon reacts with shock after his red cardCredit: Reuters More

COLE PALMER’S heroics were not enough to steal all three points for Chelsea against Burnley.The Blues were twice pegged back by the 10-man Clarets as they played out a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.Cole Palmer scored twice as Chelsea drew with BurnleyCredit: APDjordje Petrovic was beaten by both Josh Cullen and Dara O’SheaCredit: GettyPalmer, who thought he had won the match late one, was a constant threat both down the right and through the middle.Meanwhile, it was an afternoon to forget for Djordje Petrovic in the Chelsea goal.Here is how SunSport rated the rest of the Chelsea performances.Djordje Petrovic – 5Rarely tested but was at fault for both Burnley goals. Got his finger tips to Cullen’s first equaliser before throwing the ball into the net for the visitors’ second.Malo Gusto – 7Gusto was a constant threat down the right as he linked up with Palmer in attack, Could have got on the scoresheet on the stroke of half-time but was denied by Arijanet Muric.Axel Disasi – 6Composed in defence and dealt with a string of Burnley attacks well. The Frenchman thought he had given Chelsea the lead only for his goal to be ruled out for handball by VAR.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBenoit Badiashile – 7A quiet afternoon defensively for Benoit Badiashile but he showed his calmness on the ball throughout the match. Produced several brilliant long balls to start attacks and get his side in behind the Burnley defence.Simon Jordan slams ‘pathetic’ Chelsea fans for criticising Todd Boehly Marc Cucurella – 6Looked bright going forward but caused problems by Lorenz Assignon before he was sent off. Afforded more chance to attack down the left after Burnley reduced to 10 men.Most read in FootballMoises Caicedo – 6Careless in possession early on and may have been punished by better opposition. The former Brighton man grew into the game as it progressed, though.Enzo Fernandez – 7Started a majority of the Chelsea attacks as he dominated the midfield. Unlucky not to score after his deflected strike was tipped over by Muric.Conor Gallagher – 6Difficult start in physical battle with Sander Berge before combining well with Palmer to create several openings. Booked for a clumsy high tackle on Charlie Taylor.Conor Gallagher struggled to cope in a physical midfield battleCredit: EPACole Palmer – 8Once again the Blues’ biggest threat as he twice went close early on. Showed calmness under pressure with an ice cool dinked penalty to open scoring.Nicolas Jackson – 6Limited by his service at times but Nicolas Jackson continued to work hard and gave the Burnley backline little rest with constant running and hold up play. Handed several half chances but unable to provide a meaningful test for Muric.Mykhailo Mudryk – 6Flattered to deceive down the Chelsea left with several stunning pieces of skill combined with a poor final ball. Fouled by Assignon to win the penalty.Mykhailo Mudryk endured a frustrating afternoon down the Chelsea leftCredit: ReutersSUBSNoni Madueke (for Gallagher 61’) – 6Looked bright down the right hand side after coming on, with his introduction allowing Palmer to move inside.Raheem Sterling (for Caicedo 73′) – 7Excellent flick to set up Palmer for his second. Showed moment of quality Chelsea were missing.Alfie Gilchrist (for Gusto 87′) – 6Replaced the injured Gusto and saw a late effort blocked as Chelsea chased a winner. More

JOE COLE slammed Newcastle’s medical team after several players were forced off with injury against West Ham.Newcastle have been plagued by injury issues all season long with the likes of Nick Pope and Callum Wilson long-term absentees.Captain Jamaal Lascelles was the first Newcastle star forced offCredit: GettyTino Livramento’s game was also ended earlyCredit: PASubstitute Miguel Almiron last just ten minutesCredit: GettyKieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Joelinton were also unavailable for the visit of West Ham, but things went from bad to worse for Eddie Howe during the 90 minutes.First captain Jamaal Lascelles went down after just 17 minutes and appeared to be in a great deal of agony.He was substituted and the Hammers took advantage as they equalised through Michail Antonio just four minutes later.West Ham then added a second deep in first-half stoppage time and went 3-1 ahead shortly after half-time.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowe was then dealt another blow through the injury to Tino Livramento in the 56th minute.The defender was subbed off for Miguel Almiron, who remarkably suffered an injury of his own and had to be taken off just ten minutes later.But his replacement Harvey Barnes – who missed months of the campaign through injury – invigorated his side and slotted home an equaliser before firing in a brilliant winner from distance.It was a defiant display from the Magpies considering their injury woes, which left TNT Sports commentator Joe Cole slamming the club’s medical team.Most read in FootballAlmiron’s replacement Harvey Barnes won the game for NewcastleCredit: ReutersBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERCommentator Darren Fletcher asked Cole about the situation, adding: “[I’ve] never seen anything like it.”Cole responded saying: “I’ve played in teams with injury crises but this is a bit more than what I’ve ever seen.Sporting Director Dan Ashworth talks about his job at Newcastle United “But what I will say is it’s never really bad luck. It’s always to do with how training it, the methodology, overtraining players, there’s an art to it.”The problem at football clubs is you get lots of people from a sports science background, strength and conditioning and they’ve all got an opinion.”With situations like this it’s too many chefs spoiling the broth – players are going down left, right and centre.”I think it’s lazy to call it bad luck. For players like Almiron to come on and pull a hamstring after ten minutes, I’ve been in that situation, when you aren’t primed and right to be playing because you’ve either done too much in the gym or too much on the pitch.”We need to do better as football clubs at protecting players.” More