Sky Sports

PAUL MERSON suffered an awkward wardrobe malfunction live on Sky Sports after jumping up to celebrate one of Declan Rice’s incredible free-kick goals.The Arsenal star delivered two dead-ball strikes in the space of 12 minutes as his side thumped Real Madrid 3-0 in the Champions League.Paul Merson suffered an awkward wardrobe malfunction on Sky SportsThe former Arsenal legend was reacting to one of Declan Rice’s free-kicks against Real MadridCredit: EPAMikel Merino also netted in the quarter-final first-leg clash at the Emirates on Tuesday night.And Arsenal are now on the verge of setting up a semi-final tie against one of Aston Villa or Paris Saint-Germain.There were star performances all over the pitch for the Gunners yesterday.But it was Rice who stole the show with two sumptuous free-kicks.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe England star, who had NEVER scored one single direct free-kick in his entire career beforehand, hit his first from distance in the 58th minute.However, Rice’s second goal in the 70th minute was even better.Standing at an angle akin to set-piece legend David Beckham, Rice curled a beauty round Real Madrid’s wall and into the far-top corner.Watching in the Sky Sports studio, former Arsenal star Merson was left delighted by the effort.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHowever, as he jumped up in delight to celebrate, fan favourite Merse’s jumper rode up his body, leaving his tummy exposed.Supporters found his cheeky gaffe brilliant though.Declan Rice reveals Arsenal’s set-piece coach told him to CROSS… before firing stunning free-kickMerse’s jumped slid up his body, delighting his fans at homeOne said: “Take off your shirt Mese, I know you want it, come on you Gunners!”Another declared: “Brilliant from Merson.”One noted: “Lol Merson’s belly as he jumps up to celebrate.”Another added: “What an epic reaction, iconic.”Following his jump, Merson had to plenty to say about Rice’s goal too.He boomed: “What a goal, it’s a phenomenal free kick, Rice Rice baby!Read More on The Sun“What a goal, honestly, the first one was good, this one is better!“He’s bent it, whipped it, beat Courtois from there, what a goal.”Arsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners… More

FANS were left fearing for Manchester United icon Gary Neville after he APOLOGISED for his commentary during Sunday’s drab derby.Neville’s former side United and rivals Man City played out a dull 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, sending supporters of both sides to sleep.Gary Neville apologised for his commentary during Man Utd’s 0-0 draw with Man CityThe derby failed to ignite as fans were served up a dismal affairCredit: GettyThe encounter lacked the kind of excitement usually found in one of the league’s biggest matches.And even Neville sounded like he was dropping off with some unenthusiastic remarks from the commentary box.However, the Sky Sports pundit left fans stunned as he said sorry for his dreary commentary.Neville explained that his mood merely mirrored the lack of enthusiasm on the pitch.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd he even labelled the modern-day style of “micro-managing” players a “disease in the game.”Neville first said: “I don’t think there was one player who walked off that pitch disappointed about drawing 0-0, from either side. They all walked off sort of thinking, ‘We’re okay here, got away without making a mistake’. It was that type of game.“It was a real disappointment. I apologise for my co-commentary actually, I think I let it get to me. I was boring on there as well. That was drab as well.”On United’s lack of progress under boss Ruben Amorim, and their tactical “disease”, Neville continued: “I get what he (Amorim) is saying about it being that stage of the season, United and City are in a difficult moment. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“But this robotic nature of [players] not leaving positions and being micro-managed within an inch of their lives, of not having any freedom to take a risk and try to win a football match, is becoming an illness in the game. It’s a disease in the game.“You think of Pep Guardiola over the years and that’s what his teams do. ‘They should be ashamed’ – Pep Guardiola slams Man Utd fans for sick chants aimed at City ace Phil Foden’s mum”We’re seeing poor imitations of that across the board now. “United’s goalkeeper rolling his foot over the ball and waiting for things to happen – that’s not it. That’s not what this club is, it’s not what we do here.“Liverpool don’t do that. You’ve got to be a top team with tempo in your play, rhythm in your play, get the ball moving, shift it quickly.”From a United perspective, I get why he (Amorim) has gone deep, back into a structure, he called it a low block. “But that’s what we’ve seen from Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag. They’ve all come in with the intention of playing high-press, high-energy football, but always go back to playing in a low block in big games.”Fans were quick to react to Neville’s spectacular rant.One said: “Neville’s having a proper meltdown.”Another declared: “It’s a huge number of Prem games, it’s dull.”Read More on The SunOne noted: “He’s spot on, modern football is boring, it’s all robotic tactics.”Another added: “I agree, the league has been getting steadily worse.” More

ANGE POSTECOGLOU snapped at a Sky Sports reporter in a “generational meltdown” after Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea.The Australian saw red after Enzo Fernandez’s strike condemned his side to another defeat.Ange Postecoglou snapped at a Sky Sports reporter after Spurs’ defeat to ChelseaBig Ange was left fuming over VAR’s lengthy decision to overturn Pape Matar Sarr’s equaliserSpurs were second best all over the field at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.And fans even booed when Postecoglou replaced favourites including Lucas Bergvall in the second half.Tottenham also saw a strike from Pape Matar Sarr ruled out for the midfielder’s earlier foul on Moises Caicedo, resulting in a yellow card after a lengthy VAR check.Postecoglou cupped his ears to Spurs fans when the goal initially went in after they had jeered Sarr’s introduction in place of Bergvall.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile goalie Guglielmo Vicario appeared to shush several supporters at full-time.The result means Tottenham remain rooted in 14th place, ten points off the top half and 18 off fourth-place Chelsea.But Postecoglou could not contain his disdain for the result after full time.Speaking to Sky Sports’s Patrick Davison, the Spurs gaffer slammed the length of time it took for VAR to rule out Sarr’s goal.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut he also took aim at the reporter, who had suggested that despite the lengthy wait, VAR actually made the correct decision.Postecoglou said: “Look Pat, you can try and force me into a corner. You are. Did you think last night was a red card? Clear and obvious? Yes, okay. Tottenham fans fume at Spurs flops as Ange Postecoglou ‘stays out firing line’ after GOADING them during loss at ChelseaPostecoglou cupped his ears to Spurs fans after Sarr, who was booed coming on, scoredSupporters afterwards let rip at their team of flopsGuglielmo Vicario appeared to shush them in bizarre scenesThe goalie then hit Chelsea’s tunnel before heading off the field”How many minutes did it take this referee to figure out it was clear and obvious? In your basic knowledge of vocabulary, clear and obvious, what does that suggest to you. “If you have to watch something quite a few times, is that clear and obvious?”Davison replied: “No, it’s maybe not clear and obvious [but] I do think it was a foul, if I’m honest.”Postecoglou fired back: “Right, there you go. So the referee didn’t see it, he then needs to see it for six minutes, but he gets the right outcome so you’re happy. That’s why the game is going the way it is. “I guess people like you will continue to be happy, sitting on your couches, waiting six minutes for clear and obvious stuff.  I don’t agree with it, but that’s fine.”Fans were quick to react to Postecoglou’s rant.One said: “Generational meltdown.”Another declared: “Absolute gold this.”One noted: “Clear and obvious Spurs are 14th.”Another added: “Unlucky mate.”Ange’s Sky Sports rant in full“Difficult night, tight game. Not an easy place to come. You have to work hard to stay in the game. “They scored a disappointing goal but we forced our way back in the game but unfortunately we couldn’t get the goal.“It’s a work in progress. It’s the first time we’ve had the group together and there were elements of it. We didn’t get locked in tonight. “We could have been a little bit cleaner with our football. But for the most part we handled it well.“It’s a tough ask coming here but there was enough there tonight to say the lads are getting back to the level we need to get to.“VAR is killing the game. We all saw on TV last night and if Jared Gillett had been the VAR it would have had a different outcome. “You just don’t know what you’re going to get and everyone’s standing around for 12 minutes but no one seems to care. “They love the drama and controversy. They want a 24-hour discussion about it but it’s killing the game.What was clear and obvious about it? The referee had to look at it three or four times. Last night we sat on our couches and all went ‘Oh my God!’ “Tonight we stood for six minutes for Jarred Gillett. It’s madness but we accept it and when we accept it we have to take the fallout.”Look Pat, you can try and force me into a corner. You are. Did you think last night was a red card? Clear and obvious? Yes, okay.”How many minutes did it take this referee to figure out it was clear and obvious? “In your basic knowledge of vocabulary, clear and obvious, what does that suggest to you. If you have to watch something quite a few times, is that clear and obvious?”Right, there you go. So the referee didn’t see it, he then needs to see it for six minutes, but he gets the right outcome so you’re happy.”That’s why the game is going the way it is. I guess people like you will continue to be happy, sitting on your couches, waiting six minutes for clear and obvious stuff. I don’t agree with it, but that’s fine.“I wanted the supporters to cheer. I thought it was a cracking goal. They’ve booed my substitutions before. It had nothing to do with them booing my substitutions.“You’re trying really hard, mate but my view is that it was a tight game decided by a really poor decision.“Apart from that everyone got through healthy, we got some minutes into players and we move on to Sunday.”Later on, Postecoglou denied trying to wind up fans following his ear-cupping after Sarr’s goal.He said: “Jesus mate, it’s incredible how things get interpreted. We’d just scored, I just wanted to hear them cheer. “Because we’d been through a tough time, and I thought it was a cracking goal. I wanted them to get really excited. “I felt at that point we could potentially go on and win the game. I just felt momentum was on our [side]. “It doesn’t bother me, it’s not the first time they’ve booed my substitutions or my decisions, that’s fine, they’re allowed to do that.”Postecoglou also continued his VAR rant, adding: “It’s killing the game but no one cares about it.“Clear and obvious means you go to the screen, standing around for six minutes. “Not me, because I’m very vocal on it, we all accept it. It’s going to be refereed by AI soon.Read More on The Sun“Like I said, we might as well dispense with the players at some point when some genius comes up with a game with no participants at some point. Referees aren’t refereeing. “If anyone believes when VAR was brought in we would be sitting around for six minutes with a microscope. It’s irrelevant if it’s a foul.” More