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    ‘You tipped them’ – Jamie Carragher in huge row with Gary Neville over Arsenal title prediction and striker claim

    JAMIE CARRAGHER had a heated row with Gary Neville over his Premier League title predictions.The Manchester United legend said Arsenal would be crowned champions before a ball was kicked this season.Gary Neville had a heated debate with Jamie CarragherCredit: Sky Sports Neville was accused of hypocrisy for saying Arsenal did not win the league due to their lack of strikerCredit: EPABut speaking ahead of the Gunners drawing 2-2 with the title winners today, Neville blamed them falling short on not signing a striker.Carragher agreed but accused his Sky Sports pundit of being a hypocrite, ranting: “It’s obvious when you look at the situation they’re in right now about the striker and I’m sure they’ll rectify that in the summer and bring someone in.”But were you [Neville] saying this at the start of the season about a striker, why did you tip them for the league at the start of the season?”You tipped them for the league at the start of the season, so don’t now talk about because they’ve had injuries up front they need a striker.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The point I’m trying to make is if you tip someone for the league, you can’t then say halfway through the season or at the end of the season: ‘They should have bought a striker, what was Arteta doing?'”But Neville hit back and justified the reason behind his Arsenal prediction, explaining: “On August 15, there’s three weeks left of the of the transfer window. “I thought they would also get a striker in January and they didn’t.”Carragher was not done there as things became increasingly heated, replying: “Who? Who? You tipped Arsenal for the title so don’t say now Mikel Arteta made a mistake about the striker.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSNeville snapped back: “Oh my God, Carra, last summer everyone was saying, Arsenal’s fanbase have been saying they need a striker for two or three seasons. “I think Arsenal would have won the league this year. I’m hugely disappointed in Arsenal this season not winning the league. ‘Best thing you’ll see today’ – Arsenal fans LOVE moment Gary Neville is brutally shut down over criticism live on TV”I thought they should have been there this season. Nothing to do with Liverpool. Liverpool have done absolutely fantastically well. It’s not Liverpool’s problem.”But Arsenal should be closer to them and they’ve gone backwards, they should have added a striker last year in the transfer window and they didn’t do it.”I’ve been saying that for two or three years, Carra, so it’s not a case of just saying it now. They should have got a striker in their squad.”Despite his love for Liverpool, Carragher did not expect Arne Slot to guide his former club to the title this season.He instead thought they were going to come third and Manchester City would win it again.Neville predicted Liverpool to finish fifth, behind Man Utd in third. More

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    Former Premier League star who was rushed to hospital after having two strokes wins triumphant Wembley final

    FORMER Premier League star Tommy Widdrington celebrated triumph at Wembley as his Aldershot Town side beat Spennymoor 3-0 in the FA Trophy final.Widdrington, 53, said there was “not a prouder person in the stadium” after three second-half goals from Jack Barham, Dan Ellison and Josh Barrett saw them secure victory.Aldershot Town FC lifted the FA Trophy for the first time in their historyCredit: GettyFormer Southampton defender and Aldershot manager Tommy Widdrington suffered two strokes at the end of last yearCredit: PAWiddrington said there was ‘no one in the stadium prouder’ as he lifted the Cup with son, TheoCredit: GettyJosh Barrett, one of three second-half goalscorers, said the team would ‘party hard’Credit: GettyThe ex-Southampton ace – dad of Strictly star Kai – recovered from two strokes suffered at the end of last year to stand at the home of football and lift the Cup with the National League outfit, winning their first trophy since 2008.Widdrington told BBC Sport: “There is not a prouder person in this stadium, I’m very appreciative of the support I’ve had during my health problems and the people of Aldershot have been incredible.”To finish the year I had with this moment is great, this final is the best of the teams outside the top four divisions, it’s no mean feat to win this.”I’m made up for the lads and Wembley is about winning, if you don’t win it then it has to be the worst feeling in the world, the players have their names in the history books of the club, I’m delighted.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGoalscorer Barrett added to the broadcaster that the team would “party hard” and reserved special praise to the manager and the fans.He called on the owners to back Widdrington with some money to make them “a League Two team in no time”.The 26-year-old said: “It’s crazy, I can’t believe these scenes.”We didn’t really execute the game plan in the first half but in the second half we dominated, that finish was one I knew was coming, I always try things and that’s who I am.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”The fans deserve this, give our manager some money and we will be a League Two team in no time, let’s hope we can get back up that table next season.”I’ve loved every minutes of being here, the fans have accepted me and we’re going to party tonight, party hard!”Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at WembleyAldershot finished 16th in the National League this season.Meanwhile, Whitstable Town came from behind to beat AFC Whyteleafe 2-1 in the FA Vase earlier on.It was the Southern Counties side’s first ever time winning the trophy, with their previous best run in the competition being the fifth round in the 1996-97 season. More

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    ‘El Clownico’ – Fans rip Man Utd and Spurs as they lose again to sit 16th and 17th ahead of ‘worst Europa final ever’

    MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham have been mocked ahead of what fans have termed the “worst Europa League final ever”.Both teams have struggled in the Premier League this season amid European campaigns to remember.Manchester United are now only two places above the relegation zoneCredit: AFPTottenham’s defeat to Crystal Palace was their 20th in the leagueCredit: GettyIt has been a Prem campaign to forget for the Red DevilsCredit: PAUnited and Spurs both lost 2-0 on Sunday, at home to West Ham and Crystal Palace respectively.Three points for West Ham means they leapfrog United and Spurs, who are now 16th and 17th in the Prem.That has prompted supporters of rival clubs to poke fun at the strugglers, with many dumbfounded as to how they have reached the Europa League final.One fans said: “Europa League Final is between 16th and 17th of Prem Table. This is El Clownico.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnother added: “Both clubs playing in the final of the Europa League are currently down by 2 goals to nothing. It is really a battle of clowns. 🤣🤣🤣”A third wrote: “Europa league final is gonna be the epitome of trash vs garbage 😭😭😭😭”And another commented: “These two are going to play the Europa League final. Battle of clowns🤡🤡”United are now winless in seven league games and suffered an injury blow to Leny Yoro against the Hammers.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThe French centre-back covered his face with his shirt and appeared to be holding back tears as he trudged straight down the tunnel after injuring his foot.It is the same foot he had a problem with earlier this season and he could now miss the May 21 final.’I’d dive head first through a brick wall for him’ – Ange Postecoglou’s rallying speech reduces Tottenham fans to tears More

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    Premier League cult hero and ex-England star’s son, 23, closing in on EFL transfer after lighting up non-league

    FORMER England winger Trevor Sinclair’s son looks to be getting a chance at Accrington Stanley.Midfielder Isaac, 23, plays for Curzon Ashton in National League North but is set to join The ‘Owd Reds.He is the son of Premier League hero Trevor SinclairIsaac Sinclair looks to be getting a chance at AccringtonCredit: GettySinclair Jr was at Blackpool as a teenager — like his dad — but this will be his first shot at the EFL.He has scored six goals and provided three assists in 45 games for Curzon Ashton this season.Isaac plays in a similar right-wing position to his dad for the Manchester-based non-league side.Sinclair’s day job sees him design clothes and sportswear, while he also helps out at his brother’s scaffolding company.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut that is set to change with a move into professional football with League Two side Accrington.Stanley marginally avoided relegation from the football league this season after finishing 21st in the table, as Morecambe and Carlisle went down. Isaac made headlines at the start of the season after scoring a wonder goal against Oxford City.Dad Trevor made 360 Premier League appearances throughout his playing career.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHaving started at Blackpool in 1989, the winger went on to play for Queens Park Rangers, West Ham, Man City, Cardiff City, Lancaster Gate and Squires Gate.He scored 52 goals during his time in the Premier League and provided 36 assists.The 52-year-old was also capped 12 times by England.The Sun exclusively revealed last month how he was facing bankruptcy over an unpaid £36,000 tax bill. Sinclair Sr enjoyed five-and-a-half seasons with West Ham More

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    Arsenal player ratings: Mikel Merino too slow in midfield and Gabriel Martinelli flourishes in new role at Anfield

    ARSENAL fought back from two goals down to secure a valuable point at Anfield.Liverpool tore Mikel Arteta’s side apart in a blistering first 20 minutes after the Gunners wasted early chances.Mikel Merino did not impress in midfieldCredit: GettyGabriel Martinelli looked miles better when moving inside to the No9 roleCredit: AFPBut they showed their character to fightback and they are now almost certain to get Champions League football.Here is how SunSport’s Alex Smith rated the Arsenal performances…David Raya – 7Liverpool ran riot in the first-half and carved Arsenal apart with ease, it could have been three or four if it was not for two brilliant saves from Raya.He kept the score down by getting in the way of efforts from Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones. Proved to be the springboard for the Gunners’ comeback. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBen White – 4Did not cover himself in glory for Cody Gakpo’s opener. Started too high up the pitch and was never getting back for the ball over the top.Then switched off and didn’t get back to the right-back position, completely caught out by Liverpool’s quick throw-in and Andy Robertson crossed from acres of space.Does not look like the same player since returning from injury. William Saliba – 5Momentarily switched off for Diaz’s goal and it proved costly.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSStrangely stopped tracking the Colombian, perhaps thinking the ball was running through to Raya. But Diaz didn’t stop moving and it was an easy tap-in for him.Jakub Kiwior – 5His days at Arsenal appear numbered and he was OK today.Did get caught out by Liverpool’s direct balls and a tad slow to react for the goals, but his zipped passes were impressive.Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6Tidy on the ball as usual and has a real knack of winning fouls when under pressure. Incredibly press resistant. But the teenager needs to work on his one vs one defending if he is to remain at left-back. Booked for one of his classic panic fouls on Mo Salah – gets beaten and then drags the winger back cynically. Thomas Partey – 3Was tasked with trying to win the ball back high up the pitch, which he did before him and Leandro Trossard both bizarrely ran away from the ball.The problem came when Liverpool played through Arsenal’s press or went direct – Partey did not have the speed or energy to get back in transition. Have seen snails run back faster. Overran by Liverpool’s midfield.Mikel Merino – 3Are we sure he is a midfielder and not a striker?Unconvincing and looked way too slow in the centre of the park. Really struggled with the pace and intensity of the Liverpool team.Clumsily gave the ball away on the edge of his own box and then committed a bad foul in panic. Correctly red carded. Showed his poacher’s instinct to follow in after Alisson palmed out Martin Odegaard’s shot.Martin Odegaard – 7Tidy in possession with some nice touches and he finally had a shot, which led to Arsenal’s equaliser.Odegaard plays safe and sideways too often and it took until his team were 2-0 down before he started to play the passes we know he can play. Unlucky not to win it with his late effort.Bukayo Saka – 6His open goal miss against PSG may still have been in his mind when a huge chance fell his way when the score was 0-0.A Nicolas Jover special set-piece created the chance for Saka, which he snatched at and pulled agonisingly wide. Not as sharp as usual but always a threat when cutting onto his left foot. Liverpool got away with being overly physical with him, unlucky not to win free-kicks.Leandro Trossard – 5Was lively. Always looking to get on the ball and make something happen. Nice cross for Martinelli’s header.But is simply not a striker and was only useful when drifting away from the typical No9 position.He takes far too many touches, eventually getting crowded out and surrounded by Liverpool players. Frustrating. Gabriel Martinelli – 7Was on the scoresheet and works incredibly hard. Looked better when moving centrally in the second-half and made a couple of really nice runs. Deserves a start down the middle to see what he can do as he is not a title-winning winger as he does not beat his full-back enough. SUBS:Riccardo Calafiori (for White, 78 minutes) – 6Put himself about in the closing stages.Read More on The SunKieran Tierney (for Trossard, 78 minutes) – 6Good late tackle on Salah late on. Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Saka 88 minutes) – 6Arteta needed a fifth player on the pitch who could play left-back to see out the game. More

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    Bonnie Blue defies Premier League stadium ban despite being escorted out after offer to give fans ‘good time’

    BONNIE BLUE appears to have defied a Premier League ban by sneaking back into a ground.The OnlyFans model, whose real name is Tia Emma Billinger, previously claimed she had been “permanently banned” from entering the premises of Nottingham Forest.Bonnie Blue appeared to defy a Premier League stadium banCredit: Instagram / bonnie_blue_xoxThe OnlyFans model was previously banned from entering the home ground of Nottingham ForestCredit: Instagram / bonnie_blue_xoxBonnie has just shy of 700,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram/bonnie_blue_xoxIt came after the infamous adult content creator tried to pull a viral stunt when she advertised an offer to “entertain” fans, prompting safeguarding concerns about her visit.Speaking on the Only Stans podcast last month, Blue had said: “I recently went to a Nottingham Forest game. Well, I attempted to. “I put on my socials, ‘hey boys, I’m going to be at the game, I’d like to film with you afterwards’.”I turn up at the football game and the gate security was like, ‘you are permanently banned from the ground’.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I thought when they asked me to go to the side, ‘maybe they’re upgrading my tickets, maybe they want to escort me to my seat, this is quite nice, it’s a good service’.”They asked to see my tickets, I showed them and they took them off me, saying, ‘we’re escorting you off the premises’.”However, taking to her Instagram story on Sunday, Blue appeared to be in defiance of this ban as she filmed herself outside the City Ground.It is not clear whether she attempted, or managed to, enter the stadium itself.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBlue, who has just shy of 700,000 followers on Instagram, had continued: “Apparently they don’t discriminate against sex workers but I was banned because I was a sex worker. “I was going to encourage them (the players), give them a good time. I also think if I’m entertaining the supporters it’s less people drinking so I’m actually doing something good for their health.”Nuno Espirito Santo argues with Nottingham Forest owner on City Ground pitch moments after disastrous drawBlue’s online notoriety exploded earlier this year after she claimed to break a world record by allegedly sleeping with 1,057 men in 24 hours.Forest were left feeling blue following their home game after falling to a 2-2 draw with already-relegated Leicester.Morgan Gibbs-White had powered his team into the lead with a goal and assist following Conor Coady’s opener, before Facundo Buonanotte opened the Forest defence to score late on.The result left Forest with just one win in six league games and sitting an agonising point outside of the top five.Frustrations crept over after the match as club owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed on to the pitch and appeared to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo.Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville slammed the incident as “scandalous” and added Nuno should “negotiate his exit tonight” on social media.Neville later emphasised his view again on Sky Sports, saying: “I feel compelled just to mention what the Forest owner has just done on the pitch over at the City Ground is absolutely scandalous.“If I was Nuno I’d be going and having a strong word with him because that is an absolute scandal.“He’s just qualified for European competition and where that club’s been, and to be remonstrated with on the pitch in front of their own fans is an absolute joke.”Nuno explained Marinakis was frustrated over Taiwo Awoniyi, who played on despite being hurt after colliding with the post.Awoniyi was asked if he needed to be brought off but he said no, so Nuno took off Jota Silva instead.However Awoniyi was actually hurt and was not able to perform to the levels required for the last ten minutes, provoking Marinakis’ irritation.Nuno said post-match: “Football is emotions. Today there were more than 30,000 people in the ground with their own emotions. It was a tough moment, after the situation with [Taiwo Awoniyi] we had one man less after a misunderstanding.“It’s difficult to control emotions when we had so much expectation on a day like this.”Read More on The SunAsked if the Awoniyi situation sparked Marinakis’ reaction, Nuno confirmed: “Yes, it was because of that. It was a misunderstanding, a miscommunication. I’m sorry, I cannot go much further.“It’s based on emotions, you cannot make a big deal out of it. It happens and it will happen again. With the emotions today, it’s understandable.” More

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    Liverpool 2 Arsenal 2: Gunners come back from two down to salvage crucial point at Anfield after horror week

    ARSENAL fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with already-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield.Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz scored twice in 87 seconds before Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino struck in the second half.Cody Gakpo opened the scoring inside 20 minutesCredit: AFPLuis Diaz doubled Liverpool’s lead 87 seconds laterCredit: EPAGabriel Martinelli notched one back quickly after half-timeCredit: GettyMikel Merino levelled the scores to give Arsenal hope of a dream win at AnfieldCredit: AlamyMerino was given a second yellow card for lunging into Dominik SzoboszlaiCredit: PAThe Gunners have now been dragged into a race for second as the draw put them two points above Newcastle, who beat Chelsea 2-0 earlier on Super Sunday.There was a celebratory atmosphere as Liverpool – who wrapped up the title two weeks ago – were given a guard of honour by their closest table chasers.The champions scored the first in the 20th minute when Arsenal’s defence switched off following a quick throw-in and Andy Robertson’s cross was headed in by Gakpo.Arne Slot’s side doubled their lead a minute within seconds when Dominik Szoboszlai chased on to a forward pass and squared the ball for Diaz to slide into an empty net.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSArsenal looked as though they were heading for a heavy defeat but rallied after the break.Martinelli headed in a cross from Leandro Trossard to give them a lifeline in the 47th minute, before Merino followed into the area to equalise after Alisson tipped a shot from Martin Odegaard on to the crossbar.Merino was then sent off for a second bookable offence when he lunged in to swipe Szoboszlai after losing possession.It was Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first appearance for Liverpool since he announced he would be leaving at the end of the season and he was loudly booed by supporters when he came on as a substitute.Most read in BoxingJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesBut he almost turned those boos to cheers when his free-kick, following the red card for Merino, curled just wide of the post.Odegaard almost grabbed a winner in added time, before Robertson had a goal disallowed for a foul by Ibrahima Konate on Myles Lewis-Skelly in the 97th minute.Alexander-Arnold was the ultimate professional as he clapped the fans at full-time, while being hugged by his team-mates. More

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    Ruben Amorim vows to QUIT Man Utd if things dont change fast as dejected boss identifies ‘most dangerous thing’ at club

    RUBEN AMORIM revealed that he’s prepared to STEP DOWN as manager of Manchester United if he can’t turn around the club’s disastrous form.United suffered their 17th Premier League defeat of the season after losing 2-0 to West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday.Ruben Amorim said he’s prepared to step away from Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyDejected United players slump on the floor as Jarrod Bowen celebrates scoring West Ham’s secondCredit: AFPThe Red Devils are winless in seven Prem games with two draws and five losses – their joint-longest run in the competition since 1992.The Europa League finalists slumped to 16th place as goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen saw West Ham leapfrog them in the table.Amorim appeared dejected after the full-time whistle and then revealed that he’s ready to QUIT the club if he can’t turn things around.The 40-year-old said: “I don’t want to talk about the players. I’m talking about myself and the culture in the club and the culture in the team. I have that feeling.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“We need to change that and we need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave. “Because we cannot have a season like this next year. If the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different persons.”So it’s a big problem that we have here at the club. It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to address that.”We are losing the feeling that we are a massive club and the feeling that it’s not the biggest thing in the world losing a game at home.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford”We don’t have that fear anymore and that is the most dangerous thing that a big club can have.”I think it’s a concern. It’s not the players fault. It’s my fault, I’m responsible.Casemiro STAYING at Man Utd? Amorim’s Shock U-Turn Explained!”If we cannot change that really fast we should give our place to different persons.”If you look at the goals that we suffer, we can avoid these goals. The lack of energy, of urgency. That is the most dangerous things in this club.”You can feel it at the beginning of the game. Between our box and opponent’s box there is a lack of urgency. That is something we have to change in this club.”If the feeling is still here next season, we have to go away and give the space to different people. All of us.United suffered their ninth home Prem defeat of the season, their joint-most ever home losses in a single league campaign, along with 1930/31, 1933/34, and 1962/63.The Red Devils have fallen 1-0 behind 12 times at Old Trafford in the league this season, with only Leicester (15) doing so more at home.Amorim added: “We don’t play so well in the Europa League but we have a different sense of urgency.”It’s something we need to work on. It’s inside the pitch and outside the pitch. “If we are not able to do, we have to go away and give the space to different people. All of us.”We are going to face a team from Premier League in the final so we are going to struggle. “Of course we are going to be more focused, and that is a concern because we have to be focused every game.”For me, it doesn’t matter if we win the Europa League because the problems are much bigger than that.””We are losing the feeling that we are a massive club.United face Tottenham, who have beaten them three times this season, in the final in the Bilbao on May 21.Spurs are also set for an embarrassing end to the season, as Ange Postecoglou’s men dropped to 17th after losing 2-0 to Crystal Palace.Despite their horrendous domestic season, United could still sneak into the Champions league if they beat Spurs in Bilbao in 10 days.Read More on The SunYet Amorim said: “I’m not concerned about the final. It’s by far the smallest problem in our club.“They will be focused for the final but I don’t know what is best, if it’s playing in Champions League or not.”Man Utd ratings vs West Ham as Ugarte awful and Mainoo invisible in latest horror showMANCHESTER UNITED dropped to 16th in the Premier League after suffering an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to West Ham at Old Trafford.Ruben Amorim named a strong team for United’s return to domestic duty, but not even Amad Diallo could save the day.United gave fans a lively start, but reverted back to factory settings after the visitors took the lead inside 27 minutes.West Ham picked off United against the run of play, before former Man Utd star Aaron Wan-Bissaka came back to haunt his old club.The full-back fed a clever ball through to Mohammed Kudus, who thrashed a low cross into the six yard box for Tomas Soucek to tap home.United got caught cold again and were the masters of their own undoing, after Kudus pounced on Manuel Ugarte’s mess up to set up Jarrod Bowen, who doubled West Ham’s lead in the 58th minute.Apart from some bright moments from Amad, this was another awful performance from the home side, as West Ham became the SIXTH team to the double over United this season.The Red Devils haven’t haven’t won a Prem game since their 3-0 win at Leicester on March 16, which incidentally was the last team West Ham beat in February.Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated every Man Utd star’s performance at Old Trafford… More