Premier League

ASTON VILLA star Douglas Luiz has explained his bizarre chest-shimmy celebration against Manchester United.The midfielder poked home from close range to equalise on Sunday, before Scott McTominay snatched a winner for the Red Devils.
Douglas Luiz puzzled some with his shimmy celebrationCredit: PA
The Brazilian revealed he was just getting into the Carnival spiritCredit: Getty
After scoring Luiz pulled off an unusual celebration that left some, incuding Rio Ferdinand, a little perplexed.
He got down on one knee and began shimmying his shoulders in a little dance.
Ferdinand reacted to the celebration saying: “You okay Douglas Luiz?😭😂”
The Brazilian hit back, replying: “I’m good, thanks it’s just carnival time in Brazil.”
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It proved to be an eventful afternoon for Luiz, who was accused by some fans of aiming his celebration at United star Raphael Varane.
He also clashed with goalscorer Hojlund late on at Villa Park.
The pair were involved in a heated altercation during stoppage time after the United forward gestured to the crowd.
He appeared to call for silence from the home supporters, which was met with a furious reaction in the stands.
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Luiz then confronted Hojlund as tempers flared during the closing stages of the match.
Villa are now just five points ahead of top four rivals United but are still tipped to finish in a Champions League qualification spot by a supercomputer.
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FULHAM have been hit by a dilemma over January signing Armando Broja.The West London club signed the striker on loan from neighbours Chelsea on deadline day.
Armando Broja could cost Fulham an extra £4million if he does not start more gamesCredit: Rex
Muniz has been back amongst the goals in recent gamesCredit: Reuters
But the structure of the deal means Fulham will have to cough up more money for the amount of time Broja DOESN’T spend on the pitch.
Fulham agreed to pay Chelsea a loan fee of around £750,000 for the 22-year-old.
However that total will increase to £4million if Broja fails to start 60 per cent of Fulham’s games.
And so far he has not made the starting line-up thanks to the form of Muniz.
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The Brazilian took a while to score his first goal of the season but he has now bagged in consecutive games against Burnley and Bournemouth, notching twice at the weekend.
He is making it very difficult for manager Marco Silva to drop him and since Fulham play with only one striker, there is no place for Broja.
Fulham have to start Broja in nine of their last 14 Premier League games to avoid paying out millions, leaving Silva in a tricky position.
He said of the situation: “I had a conversation with him [Broja] about the situation.
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“We believe in him. He knows that when you are in the Premier League, there is competition for places.
“He arrived a day before the Burnley game [February 3]. The striker who played [Muniz] scored an important goal.
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“It doesn’t matter if he is on a contract or if he is on loan.
“Football players are not stupid. They can understand decisions. One way to deal with the situation is to work hard and show they are better than the other.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED loanee Facundo Pellistri scored against Barcelona just days after his agent slammed Erik ten Hag.Pellistri found game time difficult to come by at Old Trafford so joined Granada on loan last month.

Facundo Pellistri scored and assisted against BarcelonaCredit: Getty
Erik ten Hag was slammed by Pellistri’s agent last monthCredit: Getty
And he has not taken long to show his quality as he starred in a 3-3 draw with Barcelona on Sunday.
The winger produced a brilliant cross for Richard Sanchez to equalise just before half-time after Lamine Yamal had given Barca the lead.
Pellistri, 22, then put his side in front with a great poacher’s finish at the back post on the hour mark.
Barca twice equalised but Pellistri proved his quality – just days after his agent Edgardo Lasalvia aimed a swipe at Ten Hag.
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He said: “Whether he returns to Manchester in the middle of the year will depend on the performance he shows.
“If Ten Hag continues, it’s going to be difficult. Ten Hag hasn’t used him, valued him, or treated him like a professional.”
Just two months ago, Ten Hag said: “For Pelli he has to make a step from a bench player, often having a very good impact, to a starting XI player.
“We will see how quick that process will go.”
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Pellistri made nine appearances for United in the Premier League this season, with just one of these being a start.
The Uruguayan has appeared a total of 24 times for United, but is yet to score for the club.
He has been on loan to Alaves twice since joining United in 2020.

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FANS were shocked to discover that Gary Neville hands out Man of the Match awards based on player stats.Harry Maguire picked up the prize for his performance against Aston Villa on Sunday in Manchester United’s 2-1 win.
Harry Maguire was named Man of the Match against Aston VillaCredit: Getty
Gary Neville admitted he basis his MOTM selection on statsCredit: PA
That left some fans baffled with Roy Keane also sceptical of Neville’s selection.
But it has come to light that the pundit uses key match stats to pick his Man of the Match, and Maguire came out on top in several key areas.
No United player made more passes or won more duels – the centre-back also won the most aerial duels and assisted Rasmus Hojlund’s opener using his head.
Maguire, 30, ranked second in tackles made and even made the most entries into the final third of any Red Devil.
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It was an accomplished display on his return to the starting line-up following injury, but some fans were still a little puzzled to see him named Man of the Match.
One fan reacted to Neville’s selection strategy saying: “Neville admitting on TV that he asked the stats guys to give him info on the best player by stats to name best player of the game… turned out it was Maguire… he wasn’t convinced lol,
Another added: “Gary Neville has said he chose it off the stats 😂”
A third wrote: “Lost a bit of respect for Neville’s opinion with his admission that he asks for somebody’s input for MOTM instead of using his eyes like the rest of us. Poor.”
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Keane claimed that Maguire got the nod from Neville because he is a fellow defender.
He said: “I thought he did alright today, obviously some lads give defenders Man of the Match because they’ve been defenders themselves – that type of scenario. It was definitely going to be a defender.”
Neville then asked who Keane would have given it to instead, leading to him to add: “No big deal about that but we’ve praised the defenders considered the amount of chances Villa had.
“Winning Man of the Match the bottom line is it’s no big deal, what’s important for Maguire is he’s getting games under his belt and he’s getting back up to speed.
“He’s a good, solid, experienced defender. The problems are still there for Man United, they got away with it today because the attacking players are scoring goals.”
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