Premier League

LIVERPOOL fans slammed Cody Gakpo following their win over Brighton.The Reds were made to work hard for their win as they came from behind to beat the Seagulls 2-1.Cody Gakpo irritated fans with his late cameo against BrightonCredit: GettyDanny Welbeck opened the scoring inside two minutes before goals from Luis Diaz and Mo Salah sent Liverpool top of the Premier League.But fans were still feeling a little disgruntled after the match and voiced their frustration with substitute Gakpo.The striker was brought on in the last minute to help Liverpool see the game out but fans were left unimpressed with his work effort.One supporter reacted saying: “Surely Gakpo needs to be sold this summer. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”There’s no way Michael Edwards or Richard Hughes are watching this guy jog after being subbed on and are thinking he’s got a long-term future at this club.”Another added: “Gakpo uses our games as his weekly stroll.”A third wrote: “Cody Gakpo coming on and refusing to even jog in a must win game with 5 minutes to go. Get him gone.”And another commented: “Can someone please explain to me why Cody Gakpo is jogging?Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”This guy got subbed in and he’s already tired 😂😂😂”Gakpo is often used as a rotation option with Jurgen Klopp preferring the likes of Salah, Diaz and Darwin Nunez.But the Dutchman has contributed this season with 13 goals in 43 games for Liverpool.Liverpool preparing transfer for ‘next Mo Salah’ but face competition for £51m Eintracht Frankfurt star More

FORMER Premier League star Kean Bryan has demanded an “investigation” after Newcastle announced Jamaal Lascelles’s ACL injury.The captain went down after just 17 minutes in the Magpies’ 4-3 victory against West Ham and appeared to be in a great deal of pain.Newcastle have announced Jamaal Lascelles has suffered an ACL injuryCredit: Alamy More

PEP GUARDIOLA appeared to give Jack Grealish an on-field dressing down after Manchester City’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal.The England star, 28, returned from injury to feature from the bench for the reigning Premier League champions.Pep Guardiola appeared to berate Jack GrealishCredit: RexThe City boss was animated with his No10Credit: EPAGrealish came on as a 61st minute subCredit: ReutersGrealish, 28, had been returning from injury in the top-of-the-table clashCredit: GettyGrealish embarked on plenty of scampering runs down the left flank, but was unable to conjure up a winner for City.Guardiola, 53, didn’t seem to be pleased with Grealish’s half-hour cameo.Upon the final whistle, the City boss stomped on to the pitch.When he found Grealish, Guardiola could be seen frantically waving his arms as he spoke to his No10.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFollowing the 20-second dressing down, the exasperated-looking Spaniard ruffled Grealish’s famous barnet.Guardiola memorably ranted at then-Southampton ace Nathan Redmond in 2017.He later admitted to regretting his on-field tirade, saying: “I cannot control myself. Hopefully I will improve.”Fans couldn’t help but notice his impassioned conversation with Grealish.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKEROne wrote on social media: “Pep chewing Grealish out like this LMFAO.”While a second raved: “Grealish should crack the big weirdo.”Arsenal fans pray ‘I hope this isn’t mind games’ after Pep Guardiola rules key pair out of huge Man City title clash A third said: “Why embarrass them on the pitch? Not very professional.”Although another added: “Nothing wrong with it. Coaching moment.”After the match, Guardiola told the BBC of the 0-0 draw: “Tough game.”Quite similar game to the last ones, take the point and on to the next.”They make a really good pressing. They are a master of that. It is what it is. In the end we tried.”They have really top players in defensive, defending perfectly compact. Low block. We tried.” More

ROY KEANE has brutally labelled Erling Haaland a “League Two player” after Manchester City’s draw with Arsenal.The Norwegian striker was blasted for his all-round player in Keane’s scathing post-match rant.Roy Keane labelled Erling Haaland a ‘League Two player’ in a brutal post-match rantCredit: Sky SportsHaaland struggled to make an impact against Arsenal on SundayCredit: AlamyHaaland struggled to make an impact during Sunday’s goalless title clash at the Etihad Stadium.He completed just seven passes and failed to register a shot on target against the Gunners.His performance and overall play was criticised by Keane at full-time.Speaking on Sky Sports, the Manchester United legend explained: “The levels of his general play is so poor and not just today.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I think laying stuff off, headers, whatever it might be. In terms of in front of goal, he’s the best in the world.”But his general play for such a player is so poor. Not just today, he has to improve.”He’s almost like a League Two player, that’s how I look at him. His general play, it has to improve and it will do over the next few years.”Keane’s rant shocked fans on social media, with one commenting: “Roy Keane two-footing Haaland there.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOther fans agreed, though, with one adding: “Roy Keane spot on. Average striker when he ain’t shooting.”Another supporter also wrote: “Not one lie was told. Just a goal merchant.”Roy Keane pokes fun at old nemesis Alan Shearer to the delight of Ian Wright and Les FerdinandThe ex-United captain was infamously involved in a heated spat with Haaland’s dad Alf Inge as a player.Their feud came to a head with Keane’s horror challenge on the then City man during a Manchester derby in 2001.Haaland had accused Keane of simulation during a match four years earlier when the Irishman was left with a ruptured cruciate ligament.Despite his woes against Arsenal, Haaland remains this season’s Premier League scorer.He has 18 league strikes this term, but has scored just once in City’s last four Premier League matches. More

INSTEAD of the clash of the titans we were expecting, Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta served up a clash of the tight ‘uns – with Jurgen Klopp the only winner. Arsenal boss Arteta saw his side grind out the first goalless draw contested at the Etihad in two and half years.Arsenal were physical with City’s stars throughoutCredit: AFPNathan Ake was forced off with an injury during the first halfCredit: ReutersBut it was Liverpool boss Klopp who was best pleased with this miserable match as his Reds now lead the Premier League, two points clear of the Gunners and three ahead of champions City. It was as if Klopp’s two chief title rivals were determined to serve him up the Premier League trophy in a whip-round for his leaving present., Arteta is supposed to be the apprentice of Guardiola, the high priest of footballing purity, but instead this was like watching two teams being simultaneously coached by Jose Mourinho.   Neither side managed to force a serious save from either goalkeeper in the dullest of non-events. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArsenal wasted time, committed tactical fouls and showed precious little attacking ambition – which, as the away side, might be justified. But City were cautious too and they have still failed to beat any side in the top five of the current Premier League table this season.The defending Treble-winners are simply not as good as they were last term – their summer signings Jeremy Doku, Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol have not improved them and Erling Haaland is not the force of nature he was a year ago.At a similar stage last season, Arsenal were battered here 4-1, Haaland monstering Rob Holding and their title hopes were over. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERBut this time they travelled with renewed purpose, without having dropped a single point in 2024, and having defeated City at home, as well as in a Community Shield penalty shoot-out. City were without Kyle Walker and with his fellow England casualty John Stones only fit enough to make the bench. Sergio Aguero’s shoulder POPS OUT after 10 mins of football return after heart scare as Man City legend teases comebackArteta chose Jesus on the left flank and the former City man missed the first clear chance of the match when he chested down Ben White’s centre but shot wide of the near post. It was cagey, though. Both managers had selected four specialist centre-backs and two defensive midfielders, so it was congested in the centre of the park, both teams lacking natural width.Nathan Ake – who had missed one close-range headed chance from a corner, was soon forced off, with Rico Lewis on as an authentic full-back but City were struggling to find any openings.Declan Rice was thriving amid the midfield traffic, winning one great tackle to rob Rodri and set off an Arsenal break which ended with Kai Havertz sliding into City keeper Stefan Ortega.  Jesus steered another shot wide as City defended deep. It was as cautious a match as you could possibly imagine from two teams who needed a win and whose managers preach the beautiful game. Ref Anthony Taylor was determined to let things flow, Rice getting away with a cynical foul on Haaland on one of the rare occasions that the Norwegian had a sniff. Jurgen Klopp, desperate for a draw here, would have been rubbing his hands in glee.Early in the second half, Kovacic curled a long-ranger narrowly wide. But on the hour, with the game still excruciatingly tight, Guardiola blinked first and sent on Jack Grealish and Doku in place of Foden and Kovacic. When Jesus was booked for dissent – the first man to go into Taylor’s book despite a glut of tactical fouls from Arsenal – it got the loudest cheer of the afternoon. Arteta sent for Leandro Trossard, then Gabriel Martinelli for a limping Saka. Raya was booked for time-wasting at least an hour after City’s fans had first called for that punishment. READ MORE SUN STORIESSome tactical wonks would have been stroking their chins and declaring it was compelling but for most of us it played out like a game of chess consisting only of pawns. On 85 minutes, a goalkeeper made an actual save when Trossard darted down the left and saw his effort beaten away by Ortega.  More