Troy Deeney labelled Bart Verbruggen’s error against Chelsea ‘an absolute stinker’ but his Brighton teammates bailed him out of jail.
Coming off a 7-0 mauling at the hands of Nottingham Forest in their last fixture, Brighton secured a much-needed win to book a spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup as they beat the Blues 2-1 at the Amex Stadium.
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The Brighton goalkeeper produced a woeful error to put Chelsea in frontCredit: AFP
However, they had to come from behind as the Seagulls’ best-laid plans were wrecked after just five minutes.
Jadon Sancho fizzed a diagonal pass towards Cole Palmer, who was stationed out on the left flank.
Palmer looked to catch Brighton’s backline off-guard and volleyed the ball across goal with a first-time effort.
However, the Chelsea star’s effort was directed towards Verbruggen and looked like it would be a routine save for the Dutchman.
Instead, the Seagulls goalkeeper misjudged the flight and bounce of the ball as it cannoned off his shoulder and into the back of the net.
A number of the Brighton players put their hands on their heads in sheer disbelief at their teammate’s shocking error.
Speaking on commentary, talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook labelled it as ‘an absolute calamity from Verbruggen.’
Former Watford striker Deeney was equally ruthless in his analysis.
“What a stinker,” Deeney said.
“What an absolute stinker the fella has had there.”
Deeney added: “He [Palmer] actually shanks it into the ground, it bounces into the keeper and he falls backwards towards his goal, hits his shoulder and goes in.
“It’s awful, awful goalkeeping. The best part about it as we’re watching the replays is seeing all the Brighton players, all the confidence has just gone.
“They must be feeling 7-0 is coming again.”
It is not the first time this season Verbruggen has been shaky at the back.
In fact, the 22-year-old has made four errors leading to a goal in the Premier League, with only Robert Sanchez and Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric producing more (five).
Luckily for Verbruggen, Brighton found an equaliser just seven minutes later.
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Verbruggen will have wanted the ground to swallow him whole after his errorCredit: Getty
Seagulls defender Joel Veltman popped in a cross from just outside the box and was deftly flicked on by Georginio Rutter.
The pace on Rutter’s header left Chelsea goalkeeper Sanchez with no chance as the hosts swiftly got back on level terms.
Brighton then took the lead in the 57th minute through Kaoru Mitoma after he deftly controlled a lofted pass from Rutter before lifting it over the on-rushing Robert Sanchez.
The Japanese international’s second-half strike ultimately proved to be the winner in a much-needed boost for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
For Chelsea, the loss means they have failed to qualify for the fifth round of the FA Cup for just the second time since the 2014/15 season.
As for Brighton, they have now reached the fifth round of the tournament for the fourth time in the last five campaigns.
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Mitoma scored his third goal of 2025 as Brighton avoided a third-straight lossCredit: Getty
Pep Guardiola suffered four consecutive defeats for the first time in his managerial career as Manchester City’s dismal spell hit a new low with a late collapse in their 2-1 loss at Brighton.
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With just 12 minutes left, Guardiola’s troubled side were clinging onto the lead given to them by Erling Haaland in the first half.
But they collapsed in the closing stages as Joao Pedro equalised before Matt O’Riley bagged Brighton’s winner seven minutes from full-time.
For the first time in his glittering career as a manager with City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Guardiola has been beaten four times in a row.
It was also the first time City had lost four successive games since a run between April and August 2006 under Stuart Pearce.
Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City.Source: AFP
After exiting the League Cup to Tottenham and suffering a first league loss since December at Bournemouth, City were thrashed 4-1 by Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in midweek.
The slump continued as they failed to kill off Brighton before the second half implosion that threatens to derail their bid for a fifth successive Premier League title.
Second-placed City are two points behind leaders Liverpool, who can extend that gap to five points if they beat Aston Villa at Anfield later on Saturday.
City have been beset by injury problems, most notably the loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for the rest of the season.
Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji were only fit enough for the bench, while Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish were absent from the squad.
Guardiola had insisted he would solve City’s problems but he has so far been unable to come up with the answer to their mounting crisis.
City had paid for failing to turn their dominance into more than a one-goal lead against Sporting and profligacy was a problem again on the south coast of England.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 09: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, interacts with Jan Paul van Hecke of Brighton & Hove Albion following the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Manchester City FC at Amex Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
– City in turmoil –
Savinho should have put City ahead when Mateo Kovacic’s pass sent him surging into the Albion area, but the Brazilian’s weak finish allowed Bart Verbruggen to save.
Kovacic was the catalyst when City took the lead in the 23rd minute with a goal equal parts inspiration and perspiration.
The Croatia midfielder’s inch-perfect pass split the Brighton defence but Haaland still had work to do as his initial shot was blocked by Verbruggen, leaving the Norwegian in a race with Jan Paul van Hecke to poke the ball in before it could be cleared.
Haaland’s 15th goal in all competitions this season was only the second time he had netted in his last six league appearances.
Haaland’s 75th league goal since joining City in 2022 was almost followed by the 76th moments later, his low drive repelled by Verbruggen at the near post.
Kovacic’s long-range volley forced another good stop from the increasingly over-worked Verbruggen.
But City fatally dropped their intensity just before half time, allowing Fabian Hurzeler’s side to gain a foothold.
Brighton’s Cameroonian midfielder #20 Carlos Baleba (2R) celebrates on the pitch.Source: AFP
Jack Hinshelwood wasted a golden opportunity to haul Brighton level early in the second half as his close-range header from Pervis Estupinan’s cross was palmed away by Ederson.
Ederson raced off his line to save at Kaoru Mitoma’s feet before Pedro scuffed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Pedro made amends for that miss as the Brazilian punished woeful City defending to equalise with 12 minutes left.
Mitoma was given too much space for a pass into Welbeck in the six-yard box. Rico Lewis’s block-tackle stopped Welbeck shooting but Josko Gvardiol and Matheus Nunes didn’t clear the danger, allowing Pedro to pounce with a close-range strike.
Guardiola slumped into his seat but there was worse to come for the City boss in the 83rd minute.
Pedro slipped his pass through City’s leaky defence and O’Riley timed his run perfectly to clip a composed finish past Ederson from 10 yards to leave the champions in turmoil.
RESULTS
Brentford 3 (Wissa 27, 58, Damsgaard 50) Bournemouth 2 (Evanilson 17, Kluivert 49) Brighton 2 (Pedro 78, O’Riley 83) Manchester City 1 (Haaland 23) Crystal Palace 0 Fulham 2 (Smith Rowe 45+2, Wilson 83) West Ham 0 Everton 0 Wolves 2 (Sarabia 2, Cunha 51) Southampton 0
The midfielder leapt into the air over Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic to nod home a cross from winger Bukayo Saka.
England skipper Harry Kane came awfully close to doubling England’s advantage in the 78th minute when he powered a Jarrod Bowen cross at goal.
Despite Serbia’s goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic seemingly wrong-footed, he managed to get a hand to Kane’s header and push it onto the crossbar as the ball was eventually cleared.
Bellingham scored the only goal of the contest. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP)Source: AFP
Substitute Wout Weghorst snatched a late winner for the Netherlands in a 2-1 victory over Poland on Sunday in their opening Euro 2024 clash.
The Burnley striker, who burst into life at the 2022 World Cup, once again brought his best game to the big stage in Hamburg as Poland looked to have frustrated their opponents, despite injured striker Robert Lewandowski being unable to play.
The Barcelona striker’s replacement Adam Buksa, headed Poland in front after 16 minutes before Cody Gakpo levelled with a deflected effort at the Volksparkstadion.
Netherlands failed to convert further openings and Poland improved as the game seemed to be heading for a draw, before Weghorst intervened in the 83rd minute to delight his team’s fans.
The Netherlands, who performed strongly two years ago at the Qatar World Cup after failing to reach Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, came out of the blocks quickly.
Despite lacking the star power of previous generations — the likes of Arjen Robben, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie — their current trio of forwards are dynamic.
Liverpool winger Gakpo took the creative reins alongside Memphis Depay and Xavi Simons, and tested Wojciech Szczesny with a low drive.
Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders steered a good chance narrowly wide before Michal Probierz’s Poland took the lead against the run of play with one of their first forays forward.
Antalyaspor striker Buksa planted a glancing header beyond Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from Piotr Zielinski’s corner after 16 minutes.
Wout Weghorst’s late winner secured three points for the Netherlands. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Szczesny saved well from Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk and Depay flashed two efforts off-target before Gakpo levelled.
The forward’s effort from just outside the area deflected in off Bartosz Salamon, leaving Juventus goalkeeper Szczesny with no chance.
Gakpo put Netherlands ahead from close range after being teed up by Nathan Ake but his shot rose fractionally too high.
Poland largely managed to stifle their opponents in a more even second half, with the Netherlands short of ideas.
Verbruggen saved from Jakub Kiwior at his near post, while the rampaging Denzel Dumfries threatened twice at the other end.
Stefan de Vrij headed a corner over but the fluency Koeman’s side produced in the opening period was harder to come by as Poland’s confidence grew.
It took Weghorst to finally put the Oranje ahead. He finished clinically with his first opportunity two minutes after coming on.
Ake, who also teed up Gakpo for the opener, slid a low cross into the box and Weghorst diverted it home with a tidy finish.
It was a scenario the towering striker predicted right before the game.
“I knew this was going to happen,” Weghorst said.
“I can show you the WhatsApp texts. This morning I texted my girlfriend: ‘It will be 0-0 or 1-1 about 20 minutes before FT whistle, and then…’ My goal came a bit later, but still.”
Gakpo scored the equaliser for the Netherlands against Poland. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)Source: AFP
STAR SAVES DENMARK THREE YEARS AFTER NEAR-DEATH AT EUROS
Christian Eriksen scored for Denmark in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia at Euro 2024 on Sunday, almost three years to the day since he nearly died in his team’s opening game at the last tournament.
The Manchester United midfielder fired his team ahead on 17 minutes in front of a Stuttgart stadium filled overwhelmingly by Denmark supporters, but Erik Janza’s late deflected effort earned Slovenia a point in their first match at the Euros since 2000.
Highly-rated Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko nearly caught Kasper Schmeichel out with a powerful long-range drive, but moments later it was Denmark who struck.
A quick throw-in was flicked on by Jonas Wind into the stride of Eriksen, who crashed a low shot into the far corner to give the Danes the lead.
With Sesko being closely monitored by the Danish defence, Andraz Sporar failed to take advantage of a hole in the backline as he miscontrolled a bouncing ball forward when he looked through on goal.
Sesko almost handed Denmark a second as he hacked a clearance in his own area against his teammate, Jan Oblak watching on in hope as the ball skipped just wide of his goal.
Christian Eriksen scored for Denmark three years after he almost died on the field. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Eriksen blazed over just before halftime after more excellent work from the lively Wind, with Slovenia defender Jaka Bijol close to heading into his own net after a Denmark set-piece early in the second half.
Oblak produced a brave stop to prevent Rasmus Hojlund doubling the advantage, blocking the United forward’s effort from point-blank range to keep his team in it.
Adam Gnezda Cerin glanced a cross wide as Slovenia pressed for an equaliser and Sporar stabbed wide as he lunged to meet a free-kick.
Sesko was desperately unlucky to see his rasping drive cannon back off the post, but Slovenia were soon level.
Denmark could not properly clear a corner and Janza’s thumping half-volley from just outside the penalty box brushed off Morten Hjulmand to leave Schmeichel stranded.
Sporar had the chance to snatch victory for Slovenia after bursting past Jannik Vestergaard, but he powered into the side-netting as Schmeichel appeared to get the faintest of touches.
Another season has come and gone as Manchester City made history by becoming the first team to win four-straight Premier League titles.
In a campaign in which the most goals were scored in a season since the mid-1960s, Guardiola’s side pipped Arsenal to the post yet again to make it six league titles from the last seven.
It was significantly less successful for Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United as the promoted trio were sent straight back to the Championship in what was a 26-year first.
Sandwiched between City and Sheffield United were a host of teams who all defied, met or fell way below pre-season expectations.
Foxsports.com.au takes a look at how EVERY team went in our Premier League Report Card!
If ever there was a fitting song to describe Arsenal’s season, look no further than Linkin Park’s classic, In The End.
Mikel Arteta’s side really did try oh-so-hard and they got oh-so-far.
But in the end, it didn’t even matter because ultimately no-one remembers who came second.
However, to summarise Arsenal’s season by just a few lyrics is an immense disservice to the way they improved significantly on last year’s efforts.
Granted, the Gunners shelled out a whopping $AUD199 million to sign Declan Rice, but there was a reason Mikel Arteta was desperate to snap up the former West Ham skipper.
Same goes for Kai Havertz, who defied his famous chant and proved to his detractors the $113m Arsenal spent on him did not go down the drain with 13 league goals.
There’s a sense of what might’ve been had summer recruit Jurrien Timber not been injured and the impact he’d have had on Arsenal’s backline too.
It has been a tremendous season for Arsenal as they accrued more points, scored more goals and conceded fewer than they did in 2022/23.
However, a grim run in December in which the Gunners won three of seven league games coupled with a costly 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in April is what ultimately derailed their title bid.
The loss to Villa will sting given Arsenal could and should have been out of sight in the first half, if not for some dreadful finishing.
Regardless, Arteta’s side will be better off for the experience from another title charge and one senses a first Premier League trophy since 2003/04 is not far off.
Grade: A
Atalanta pump Leverkusen in Europa final | 01:15
Aston Villa (4th, 68 pts, +15)
The sleeping giant is finally awake.
After 41 years, Aston Villa is back among Europe’s elite thanks to a top four finish, a predicament very few outside of those at Bodymoor Heath would have thought was achievable.
But under Unai Emery, Villa have transformed into a team that makes the impossible become possible.
What makes the Spaniard’s revolution even more impressive is he has not had to make significant surgery on the squad, with Youri Tielemans (free), Moussa Diaby ($98m) and Pau Torres ($59m) arriving in the summer.
Emery has instead drastically improved the players already at his disposal, including the likes of midfield duo Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz as well as fleet-footed winger Leon Bailey.
But the most notable example of Emery waving his magic wand on a player is with Ollie Watkins, who scored 19 goals and led the Premier League with 13 assists.
Emery has also had to overcome significant challenges in his first full season with Villa.
Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia, two starting players last season, suffered season-ending injuries before the season began while Kamara tore his ACL in February, exposing Villa’s lack of depth.
Throw in a run to the European Conference League semi-finals and it’s staggering how this squad held on for as long as they did in the race for a Champions League spot.
Yet this is a team who played Manchester City off the park in a 1-0 victory in December and did the double over Arsenal, showcasing just how freakishly good this team is when on song.
Next season will be an even bigger challenge but, as Emery and his merry band of Villa troops have proven, nothing can be out of the question.
Unai Emery has been arguably the manager of the season.Source: Getty Images
Bournemouth (12th, 48 pts, -13)
Stories of Andoni Iraola’s sacking were being written after Bournemouth’s 6-1 defeat to Manchester City in November, the club’s seventh loss in the first 11 games.
But the Cherries, who sat in the relegation zone and were among several pundits’ tips to go down despite a summer spend of $212 million, decided to stick with the Spaniard.
Boy, did it pay off.
The loss to City sparked a staggering run of six wins in Bournemouth’s next seven, including victories over Newcastle and Manchester United, as pressure eased off Iraola.
Key to this run was star striker Dominic Solanke, who went on to record his best goalscoring season in the Premier League with a final tally of 19.
Iraola’s intense high press was pivotal for Solanke and the Cherries’ goalscoring fortunes as a whole, failing to score in just three games from January onwards and even then, those games were against Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Defensive improvement will be required from Bournemouth if they are to rise higher on the ladder and go beyond the 48-point mark, the club’s highest total in the top flight.
But under Iraola, who recently signed a new deal to stay with Bournemouth until at least the end of the 2025/26 season and is a nominee for manager of the season, it feels like the Cherries are on the verge of something special.
Grade: B+
Dominic Solanke had a brilliant season in front of goal.Source: Getty Images
Brentford (16th, 39 pts, -9)
The big pre-season question on everyone’s minds when it came to Brentford was how they would fare without superstar striker Ivan Toney and his 20 league goals, at least until January.
The answer? Not very well.
Thomas Frank’s side sat as high as 9th in early November, but after a 3-2 win over West Ham, results took a nosedive.
The Bees won just three games and lost an alarming 14 across an 21-game stretch from November to mid-April.
It was hoped Toney’s return from a gambling ban would ease the burden on Brentford’s forwards and at first he did, scoring four goals in his first five games back.
But that was as good as it got for the star striker, with the Bees largely relying on Congolese winger Yoanne Wissa for goals.
Three wins in Brentford’s last six games ensured Frank’s troops would avoid being sucked into a relegation battle but the Dane knows a similar slump in form could be more costly next season.
Grade: D
Ivan Toney’s gambling ban had a huge impact on Brentford’s season.Source: Getty Images
Brighton (11th, 48 pts, -7)
A season that began with such so promise for the Seagulls ended with little more than a whimper.
With a Europa League campaign to contend with as well as the departures of Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Robert Sanchez, enigmatic Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi had his work cut out for him.
But concerns about how De Zerbi would cope without the star trio were initially alleviated as the club won five of its first six games, including victories over Newcastle and Manchester United.
However, that winning feeling largely deserted Brighton for the remainder of the season as De Zerbi struggled to keep the side humming on multiple fronts, finishing with seven defeats from the final 12 league games.
There was also a lack of consistency between the sticks as summer recruit Bart Verbruggen and Jason Steele battled to be the starting goalkeeper, the last position that needs constant chopping and changing.
In fairness, Brighton were dealt a horrible hand with injuries with the likes of Solly March, Julio Enciso, Kaoru Mitoma and Adam Webster among others missing large chunks of the season.
De Zerbi also cut a frustrated figure in the media and struggled to deal with constant speculation linking him to bigger clubs as Brighton ultimately elected to mutually split with the Italian.
Time will tell if a fully fresh Brighton can get back to the heights they initially scaled under De Zerbi.
Grade: C-
Fans were grateful for Roberto De Zerbi, but his Brighton time came to a poor end.Source: Getty Images
Burnley (19th, 24 pts, -37)
Fresh off a Championship season in which they finished first with 101 points and lost only three games, some predicted Vincent Kompany’s Burnley side to be one of the surprise packages of the season.
And in some ways, maybe they were a bit of a surprise. But only in how bad they were.
Kompany quickly learned his possession-heavy approach simply would not work in the Premier League as Burnley were time-and-time-again sliced open by their rivals.
Burnley won just a solitary game before December as points deductions to Everton and Nottingham Forest was all that kept them in with a shout of a miraculous survival effort.
The Clarets’ transfer dealings were also questionable as they failed to properly replace Nathan Tella and Ian Maatsen, who accounted for 32 goal involvements in the Championship.
Instead, Kompany elected to bring in several young faces into the team who had little to no Premier League experience and it backfired spectacularly.
Burnley will be one of the favourites for promotion next season and if they achieve that, Kompany — if he is still in the job — knows he cannot afford to make similar mistakes again.
Then again, there’s shock rumours that he might be heading off to Germany to take over Bayern Munich. Stranger things have happened.
Grade: F
Burnley’s season was a disaster, but their coach might be rewarded for the flop with a cushy new gig.Source: AFP
Chelsea (6th, 63 pts, +14)
Now, there’s two ways one can look at Chelsea’s season.
They finished with 19 more points than they did in 22/23 — the biggest improvement of any team — as Cole Palmer emerged as one of the brightest talents in the Premier League with 22 goals and 11 assists.
New boss Mauricio Pochettino also guided the team home to a sixth-place finish, bringing European football back to Stamford Bridge after a season without it.
Chelsea also made it to the League Cup final and the semi finals of the FA Cup.
Sounds decent, right?
Then you remember this is the same Chelsea who forked out $828 million on recruits in the summer — a Premier League record for a single window — and were well on track for a mid-table finish, if not for a five-game win streak to round out the season.
Sections of Blues fans called for Pochettino’s head, Nicolas Jackson had more yellow cards than goals for a brief period and the club suffered embarrassing defeats to Nottingham Forest, Wolves as well as a 5-0 thumping against Arsenal.
We’ve opted for the more optimistic approach because this is an awfully young Chelsea squad and although it took quite some time for them to hit their straps, they showed what they’re capable of in the final third of the season.
But how will they cope under yet another new manager next season?
Chelsea’s Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been punted.Source: AFP
Crystal Palace (10th, 49 pts, -1)
Whisper it quietly, but Crystal Palace might actually be fun.
As the Eagles sleepwalked towards relegation under Roy Hodgson, the club wielded the axe on the 76-year-old and brought in former Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner on February 19.
What a masterstroke it proved to be.
Glasner, who took over at Selhurst Park with Palace sitting 15th but perilously close to the bottom three, immediately brought a sense of excitement back to the club.
He found a way to re-energise Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise who, when on song, are two of the most electrifying talents in the Premier League.
But most impressive was Glasner’s ability to unlock a whole new level in Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Prior to Glasner’s arrival, Mateta had scored just 10 goals from 79 league appearances for the Eagles.
But the Frenchman transformed into a completely different player once Glasner took over, scoring 14 goals in 14 games.
Glasner won seven and lost just three games from his 14 in charge, with a memorable run of six victories from the final seven fixtures of the season sparking the most immaculate of vibes among the Palace fanbase.
If Palace can keep a hold of Eze, Mateta and Olise in the summer, there’s no reason why this team can’t kick on next season.
Grade: B-
Palace turned into a thrilling attacking side, and there’s plenty of optimism for next season.Source: Getty Images
Everton (15th, 40 pts, -11)
If there was a Premier League equivalent to Rocky Balboa, it’s Everton.
You can knock them down as many times as you like and throw haymakers until kingdom come, but the Toffees just won’t go quietly into the night.
Everton were slapped with an initial ten-point deduction in November for breaking the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), dropping them into the relegation zone.
Those ten points were reduced to six in February upon appeal, but a second PSR breach resulted in a further two-point deduction in April.
Oh, and don’t forget the messy takeover saga with 777 Partners which still looks no closer to being ratified amid concerns over the group’s finances.
Having flirted with relegation the previous two seasons, it was feared the initial deduction might have been a mountain too high to climb for Sean Dyche’s side.
A 13-game winless streak from late December to April exacerbated those fears even more, but Dyche is no stranger to a relegation fight and knows exactly what was needed to steer the team to safety.
Roared on by a rabid fanbase desperate to survive and stick the proverbial finger at the Premier League, Everton went on to win five of their last eight — including a 2-0 victory over arch rivals Liverpool — to secure safety.
One of the most impressive aspects about Everton this season is how strong their defending had been, with their tally of 51 goals conceded bettered only by Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
If Dyche can find a way to get the Toffees firing up front and maintain that defensive steel, Everton should enjoy a relatively drama-free 24/25 season.
Grade: C
Five wins from their last eight games ensured Everton’s survival, but it was another messy season.Source: Getty Images
Fulham (13th, 47 pts, -6)
Some feared the worst for Fulham when talismanic striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and his 14 league goals departed for the vast riches on offer in Saudi Arabia.
Why? Well, Fulham’s next highest goalscorers behind Mitrovic were Willian and Carlos Vinicius with just five goals each.
Raul Jimenez joined in the summer but struggled to fill Mitrovic’s boots and had his campaign derailed by injury.
Even though Jimenez was billed as Mitrovic’s replacement, it turned out to be Brazilian forward Rodrigo Muniz who stepped up when the Cottagers needed a hero.
The Brazilian enjoyed a stunning run of form in February and March, scoring eight goals in as many matches to show he belongs at Premier League level.
Alex Iwobi also proved to be a shrewd summer recruit, driving Fulham up the field with slaloming runs and picking out intelligent passes.
Considering Mitrovic’s importance and the goals he brought, Marco Silva has done well to keep Fulham up with relative ease.
But will Cottagers fans accept another season of mid table mediocrity?
Grade: C-
The Klopp era has ended at Anfield.Source: Getty Images
Liverpool (3rd, 82 pts, +45)
It was going so, so well for Liverpool.
Even as late as April 4, Jurgen Klopp’s side sat on top of the Premier League.
But the Reds just simply ran out of steam, winning just three of their final eight games to slip away in the title race.
If anything, Liverpool’s late collapse mirrored Klopp’s reasoning for why he would depart the club at the end of the season, citing he was “running out of energy”.
Granted, Liverpool were dealt a brutal hand when it came to injuries, forcing a number of young stars to step up.
Liverpool’s defensive struggles were also on full display in the second half of the season, keeping just four clean sheets from December 26 onwards.
Unsurprisingly Mohamed Salah was the Reds’ main goalscoring threat but in somewhat alarming scenes, it was his lowest goalscoring return since joining Liverpool with a final tally of 18.
It was still a marked improvement on Liverpool’s 22/23 season in which they finished outside the Champions League places, but some may be wondering what could’ve been in Klopp’s last dance.
As the German rides off into the sunset, or the more fitting weather depiction in Liverpool of grey skies and rain, one must wonder if similar memories are on the horizon or if that’s as good as it may get for some time.
Grade: B+
Klopp’s PERFECT goodbye to Anfield crowd | 01:11
Luton Town (18th, 26 pts, -33)
Just about every fan of the other 19 Premier League teams had Luton Town circled as the one away day they wanted most this season.
Famed for its rather unique entrance for travelling fans in which they enter between townhouses, Luton’s Kenilworth Road is an old, tiny ground, but that’s where its charm lies.
However, it’s an away day that lasted just one season in the Premier League as Luton, unsurprisingly, were relegated.
The Hatters elected not to spend heavy in the summer, opting for sustainability should they end up being relegated rather than recklessly burning cash and needing to deal with an inflated wage bill in the Championship.
Although Luton showed they rarely had issues scoring — shut out in only five games this season — they conceded a whopping 82 goals, the second-most in the Premier League.
It was a valiant effort from Rob Edwards’ troops this season and a run of three wins and two draws from six games across the festive period gave Luton fans hope that maybe, just maybe they’d survive their debut Premier League campaign.
However, 12 losses in Luton’s 16 games sucked the life out of their survival efforts as the gulf in quality ultimately proved too large.
Grade: D-
EPL Wrap: City CHAMPIONS again! | 03:10
Manchester City (1st, 91 pts, +62)
Once again we’ve reached the end of the Premier League season and once again Manchester City are champions.
This year’s triumph made it a record fourth-straight league title for Pep Guardiola’s side, highlighting the vice-like grip they have on the Premier League trophy.
Although City had a few wobbles in the first half of the campaign, they did not lose a single match after a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on December 6.
City also had to cope without superstar playmaker Kevin de Bruyne for half of the season after suffering a hamstring injury in the opening match against Burnley while goalscoring freak Erling Haaland also spent time on the sidelines.
But Guardiola’s side found a way to overcome every challenge as English midfielder Phil Foden enjoyed his best season yet, scoring 19 goals and delivering eight assists in the Premier League.
Yes, City have 115 charges of breaching the PSR rules hanging over their head, leaving many to view their accomplishments with a big asterisk.
Yet until any punishment comes from that, we can only marvel at this unprecedented dominance from the best manager and one of the best teams in world football at the moment.
Grade: A
City players URGE fans to hold off | 01:21
Manchester United (8th, 60 pts, -1)
It was a season of unwanted records for Manchester United.
A lowest-ever Premier League finish. Their most losses in a league season. The most goals they’d conceded in a single Premier League season.
In fact, the Red Devils conceded more shots (668) than the infamous Derby County side of 2007/08 did (630). Yes, that Derby side that won just one game all season.
They’re not entirely exiled from European football just yet, as a win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final would secure a berth in the Europa League.
But that is not a reward Erik ten Hag’s side deserve one bit.
Marcus Rashford and Casemiro looked a complete shadow of the forces they were last season while a disjointed backline caused chaos, with Leicester City discard Jonny Evans drafted in to save the day.
The emergence of teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was undoubtedly the brightest spot of Manchester United’s season while Alejandro Garnacho continues to impress.
But the less said about this United season, the better.
Grade: C-
Rashford LEFT OUT of Euro squad | 01:17
Newcastle (7th, 60 pts, +23)
If you tuned in to a Newcastle game this season, you were, quite literally, guaranteed goals.
A team that scored four or more goals in a single match on ten occasions, the Magpies ended the season with a whopping tally of 85 goals scored.
Alexander Isak enjoyed a stunning season in which he scored 20 goals from 28 league appearances, while Anthony Gordon made himself undroppable with his impressive displays.
But at the other end of the field, the club took a major step backwards.
Having conceded just 33 goals last season, Eddie Howe’s side shipped 62 goals.
However, the team was decimated by injuries this season, with an alarming 258 games missed by players due to injury.
There’s also the small sideshow of Sandro Tonali, who was the club’s marquee summer signing but copped a 10-month ban for breaching Italian betting regulations.
Newcastle also had to contend with a Champions League campaign, which tested the club’s depth levels.
Although Newcastle suffered some patchy runs of form throughout the season, Howe deserves plenty of plaudits for guiding the Magpies to Europe once again, even if it is the Europa Conference League and dependent on Manchester City winning the FA Cup.
Grade: B
Alexander Isak had one hell of a season.Source: Getty Images
Nottingham Forest (17th, 32 pts, -18)
Nottingham Forest must be incredibly grateful for how badly the three promoted teams struggled this season, otherwise they would have been in serious strife.
After yet another big summer window, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis had high expectations of Steve Cooper and his squad but they simply weren’t met in the first half of the season.
A 2-0 loss to Tottenham brought an end to the well-liked Cooper’s time at the City Ground as Marinakis brought in former Wolves boss Nuno Esperito Santo.
The Portuguese manager didn’t exactly transform the clubs fortunes but he did enough to ensure Forest stayed up, even though the club copped a four-point deduction for PSR breaches.
The brightest spot of Nottingham’s was the emergence of Brazilian defender Murillo, who joined in the summer from Corinthians, as the club faces a fight to keep him next season.
Although Forest’s on-field performance may have been lacking, they were box office entertainment off it.
An eagle-eyed fan spotted Marinakis’ accreditation nestled in the bushes of someone’s front garden in Fulham, presumably hurled in frustration having seen Forest lose 5-0.
Then there were the accusations Stuart Atwell, the VAR operator for Forest’s 2-0 loss to Everton, was a Luton Town fan after the team had a number of penalty shouts turned down.
A less chaotic campaign both on and off the field surely isn’t too much for Forest fans to ask for, right?
Grade: D
Murillo deservedly won the club’s Player of the Year for a brilliant season, but he could be out the door with bigger clubs circling.Source: Getty Images
Sheffield United (20th, 16 pts, -69)
If there’s one small comfort Sheffield United fans can take from this season, it’s that they weren’t worse than the 2007/07 Derby County side.
However, the Blades’ tally of 104 goals conceded is 15 more than Derby shipped, so it’s still rather grim.
In fact, Sheffield United lost a game by five or more goals a staggering seven times.
Regardless, Sheffield United will want to forget this season ever happened.
Practically doomed from the start with a squad weaker than what it was in the Championship, the sales of Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye made the Blades an easy choice to come last.
The club’s summer recruits also didn’t exactly inspire much confidence either given they were largely young players who had never played in the Premier League.
Paul Heckingbottom got sacked after a 5-0 loss to Burnley, leading to Chris Wilder making a surprise return to Bramall Lane.
But not even Wilder, who worked miracles when he got the Blades promoted in 2019, could muster any magic as Sheffield United trudged towards their inevitable fate.
Grade: Expelled
The Blades were truly atrocious this campaign.Source: Getty Images
Tottenham (5th, 66 pts, +13)
Not many would have given Ange Postecoglou a chance of overseeing an improved season from Tottenham Hotspur.
Throw in the exit of superstar striker Harry Kane and many feared the worst for the Aussie boss.
Instead, Postecoglou rolled up his sleeves, spent wisely in the transfer market and had his players quickly adapting to his all-action, high intensity style of play.
The Aussie brought an excitement factor to a team that had been devoid of any joy on the field for some time, even overseeing a ten-match unbeaten run which had Tottenham on top of the ladder.
However, injuries soon exposed Tottenham’s alarming lack of depth and it sparked a mid-season wobble as Postecoglou attempted to right the ship.
Although ambitions of a top four spot fell away with a horror run of five defeats in the final seven games, this season shouldn’t be viewed as anything but a success.
After all, it’s typically during the second season when Postecoglou really shines with his team.
Grade: A-
Ange Postecoglou entertained Spurs fans with a thrilling season … but there should be more to come.Source: Getty Images
West Ham United (9th, 52 pts, -14)
Grade: B-
After a difficult 2022-23 league campaign saw them manage just 40 points and a 14th-placed finish (partly down to focusing on the Europa Conference League, which they won), this year was another slog – even if they bounced back up the Premier League ladder.
It was always going to be hard this season after losing superstar skipper Declan Rice to Arsenal for £100 million plus bonuses.
In truth, they never really managed to mitigate that loss. Defensively, they were very poor: the third-most xG against, the third-most shots on target against, and a whopping 74 goals conceded. They clearly missed Rice’s defensive protection.
On the other hand, there were strong signs up front. For a team without a genuine striker, Jarrod Bowen banged in 20 goals in all competitions, their most by any player since 2004-05.
Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus were excellent, the latter becoming one of the breakout stars of the season and almost guaranteed to move to a bigger club in the off-season.
Manager David Moyes has turned West Ham into a solid, reliable unit in his last four-and-a-half years. A ninth-placed finish that sees a manager leave, and yet the fans are happy to see him go? It’s proof of how far he’s taken the Hammers.
Yet after a handful of gruelling seasons with European commitments placing an additional drain on players, his preference for a small squad proved his downfall.
Moyes started just 20 different players in the league, and made the fewest substitutions of any manager.
In the end, his team just ran out of legs – and their small squad means incoming manager Julen Lopetegui has a big transfer window ahead of him.
There were great moments for the Hammers, but another hectic schedule took its toll.Source: Getty Images
Wolves (14th, 46 pts, -15)
Grade: C+
Speaking of Lopetegui, remember when he left Wolves less than a week before the start of the season?
The Spanish manager had guided Wolves from a relegation scrap to a 13th-place finish in the space of seven months before walking out the door over a lack of spending on the squad.
Wolves were forced to sell a host of players to meet financial fair play rules and were widely predicted to be relegated.
In short, they were an absolute shambles. No wonder Lopetegui wanted out.
Wolves were left with a ridiculously thin squad, which injuries exposed – especially when they won just one of their last 10 games.
But they nevertheless achieved the most important things: they avoided a financial fair play punishment and balanced the books, ensured safety from relegation two months before the end of the season, and Gary O’Neil got the most out of just about every player at his disposal.
Just ignore their dire collapse in the last two months, and things seem a little bit more rosy.
Arsenal leapfrogged Liverpool at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win at Brighton on Saturday after Kevin De Bruyne scored twice in Manchester City’s victory at Crystal Palace.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard lifted the Gunners to 71 points — one clear of Jurgen Klopp’s men, who are tied on 70 points with defending champions City.
Liverpool face a trip to mercurial Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday in the next chapter of a thrilling three-way title race.
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Ange schools journo over Spurs finances | 04:10
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have now won 10 of their past 11 league games and have added steel to style after faltering badly in the home straight last season.
The Gunners boss hailed his team’s maturity and cleverness against a side who had not lost at home since August.
“In attack and defence we had big performances individually,” he told the BBC. “We missed some big chances but the team looked really connected and had purpose. The last pass and shot to finish the situation could have been better, but it doesn’t matter as we kept going.” Arsenal, who have not been crowned league champions since 2004, dominated the first half at the Amex Stadium but needed a penalty to take the lead.
The breakthrough came when Gabriel Jesus was brought down by Tariq Lamptey and the returning Saka sent Bart Verbruggen the wrong way for his 14th Premier League goal of the season in the 33rd minute.
Arsenal doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark when Jorginho set up Havertz at the near post for a simple tap-in and Trossard made it three with a deft chipped finish.
It was a big win for the Gunners.Source: Getty Images
DE BRUYNE MAGIC HANDS CITY WIN
In the early kick-off, De Bruyne netted twice and top scorer Erling Haaland hit his 19th league goal of the season in City’s 4-2 win at Selhurst Park.
Jean-Philippe Mateta gave the home side a shock early lead but De Bruyne levelled in the 13th minute with a curler into the top corner to quell any nerves from the visitors.
Palace carried an attacking threat but Rico Lewis put City ahead just after halftime and De Bruyne and Haaland combined for the third.
Midfielder De Bruyne added his second with a stinging shot in the 70th minute — his 100th goal for the club — to make the game safe, before substitute Odsonne Edouard scored a consolation.
City boss Pep Guardiola hailed the Belgium international, who missed five months of the season with a hamstring injury he sustained in the opening match at Burnley.
“Sometimes it’s Phil (Foden), Erling or Julian (Alvarez), today it was Kevin,” he said.
“Without him we would not be able to win this. You talk about managers but players like Kevin make this game easy.”
De Bruyne was on a different level.Source: Getty Images
TOFFEES FINALLY TURN IT AROUND
Everton went into their match against second-from-bottom Burnley desperately searching for a spark after a run of 13 Premier League matches without a win.
They struggled to impose themselves but benefited from a huge slice of fortune when goalkeeper Arijanet Muric’s clearance deflected in off Dominic Calvert-Lewin in first-half stoppage time.
Everton, who last played outside the English top-flight in the 1953/54 season, are now four points above the relegation zone.
But the club need everything they can get as they wait nervously to find out if they will be handed a second points deduction this season for breaking Premier League financial rules.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored an incredibly lucky goal.Source: Getty Images
BIG BOOST FOR SPURS
Fourth-placed Villa, who drew 3-3 against Brentford, will rue a second-half collapse that could prove costly in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Unai Emery’s men had led 2-0 before three goals in nine minutes from Mathias Jorgensen, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa turned the match on its head.
But Ollie Watkins levelled in the 80th minute, leaving Villa just three points above Tottenham, who have two games in hand.
Aston Villa’s English striker #11 Ollie Watkins reacts at the full time whistle.Source: AFP
Carlton Morris scored a 90th-minute goal in Luton’s 2-1 win against Bournemouth — a result that leaves them in the relegation zone but now level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle edged past Fulham 1-0 courtesy of a late goal from Bruno Guimaraes while West Ham came from behind to beat Wolves 2-1.
Manchester City failed to break down a determined Arsenal defence as a highly-anticipated clash at the top of the Premier League failed to live up to the hype in a 0-0 draw at the Etihad on Sunday.
Liverpool were the big winners of the day in the title race as they beat Brighton 2-1 to go top, two points ahead of Arsenal and three clear of City with nine games to play.
A share of the spoils preserves City’s unbeaten home run stretching back to November 2022 and ends Arsenal’s eight-match winning run in the Premier League.
But it is the Gunners who will be happier with a point as they prevented Pep Guardiola’s men from scoring at the Etihad for the first time in two years and 58 home games in all competitions.
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It was a tense clash but neither team could find the net.Source: AFP
“Defensively we were outstanding,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. “The next step is with the ball to have more composure to attack better. “They are the best team in the world by far, best manager by far, and we have to catch up. That’s the challenge for us.”
City had 72 per cent possession but struggled to make anything of it against a defence that has conceded the fewest number of goals in the Premier League this season.
“We didn’t create much but it was almost actions,” said City manager Guardiola. “It’s not easy to break them (down) but I recognise the intention was there.”
Guardiola said Liverpool were now “favourites” to win the title in Jurgen Klopp’s final season.
City are still yet to win in six matches this season against other sides in the Premier League top five and must end that run when fourth-placed Aston Villa visit on Wednesday to keep their title challenge alive.
“Always who is first is favourite, second favourite is Arsenal,” added Guardiola.
“It is not in our hands. All we can do is win against Aston Villa.”
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) comforts Arsenal’s Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard at the end of the match.Source: AFP
– ARSENAL STILL MUST ‘IMPROVE’ –
Arsenal had also been in free-scoring form, netting 33 times during their eight-match winning streak.
However, the visitors had lost on their last eight trips to the Etihad, including a 4-1 thrashing as the title race swung decisively in City’s favour last season, and opted for a counterattacking approach.
“Eleven months ago we were here and the story was very different, we have to keep making steps,” added Arteta, who said his side still have to improve to match the standards City have set in winning five Premier League titles in six seasons.
“We are improving, competing better, understanding how you have to play these games.
“We have to come here and win. Today we draw and we still have to improve to be able to do that.”
Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts.Source: AFP
Nathan Ake wasted the home side’s best chance in the first half when he failed to connect properly with a dangerous Kevin De Bruyne corner.
City were already missing the key defensive duo of Kyle Walker and John Stones after both were injured on international duty with England.
And Guardiola was forced to cobble together an even more makeshift backline when Ake hobbled off on 27 minutes.
Arsenal, though, rarely tested the City defence.
Gabriel Jesus could just not stretch far enough to meet Bukayo Saka’s cross in the only sign of life from the England international.
At the other end, Erling Haaland was extremely well-marshalled by Arsenal’s solid centre-back pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
And the Norwegian fluffed his lines when he did get a rare sight of goal seven minutes from time as he failed to connect with a corner at the back post.
Arsenal’s best chance to snatch all three points came late on when substitute Leandro Trossard fired straight at Stefan Ortega.
But a share of the spoils leaves the title race still tantalisingly poised with three points separating the top three.
Diaz (L) and Salah (C) scored as Liverpool pulled off a crucial win.Source: AFP
SALAH FIRES AGAIN
Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool to the top of the Premier League as the Egypt star’s clinical finish capped a stirring fightback to beat Brighton 2-1 on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were rocked by Danny Welbeck’s blistering strike after just 85 seconds at Anfield.
Luis Diaz restored order with an equaliser later in the first half, before Salah netted after the interval to seal a vital victory.
Salah’s third goal in his last three games was his 22nd in all competitions this term.
Unbeaten in their last six league matches, Liverpool sit three points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who face third-placed Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium later on Sunday.
An Arsenal victory would take them above Liverpool on goal difference. Any other result would keep Liverpool in pole position.
For the first time in 10 years, the Premier League’s top three were separated by only one point after 28 games prior to this weekend’s matches.
Thanks to Salah, treble-chasing Liverpool remain firmly in the hunt for a record-equalling 20th English title in Klopp’s final season.
Salah stood tall again.Source: Getty Images
Unbeaten in their last 27 home league games, Liverpool are back in action at Anfield against lowly Sheffield United on Thursday.
Just two minutes in, Brighton’s Simon Adingra broke quickly in a devastating counter-attack that caught Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley out of position.
When Virgil van Dijk’s scuffed clearance rolled to Welbeck just inside the penalty area, the Brighton forward lashed a strike into the top corner to leave Klopp shaking his head.
Salah was making his first league start since New Year’s Day after an injury-plagued beginning to 2024.
Looking to make up for lost time, Salah nearly grabbed the equaliser with a curler that whistled just wide.
The Egypt forward threatened again from Bradley’s cross, but he couldn’t keep his shot on target from a good position 10 yards out.
Liverpool’s dominance was rewarded in the 27th minute when Brighton failed to clear Salah’s header from a corner and Diaz volleyed home from close-range.
Liverpool celebrate another win.Source: Getty Images
Darwin Nunez’s agile effort from flat on the turf was saved by Bart Verbruggen just before the break.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Max Allister squandered a chance against his former club with a header that flashed narrowly wide early in the second half.
Dominik Szoboszlai fired past the far post from 20 yards, while Nunez was denied by Verbruggen at the near post.
Wave after wave of Liverpool pressure crashed against Brighton’s defensive wall before De Zerbi’s men cracked in the 65th minute.
Mac Allister was catalyst with a perfectly-weighted pass that picked out Salah’s run into the area and the forward dispatched a composed low finish past Verbruggen.
In a tense finale, former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana should have punished his old team, but he rolled his shot wide to Klopp’s immense relief.
Rasmus Hojlund made Premier League history as the Manchester United striker’s double ensured his side survived a scare from lowly Luton in their 2-1 win on Sunday.
Hojlund became the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League games after netting twice in the first seven minutes at Kenilworth Road.
At 21 years 14 days old, Hojlund surpassed Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock’s previous record set when he was 21 years 272 days old.
After failing to score in his first 14 Premier League appearances following his August move from Atalanta, Hojlund has scored eight times in his last eight games in all competitions.
Hojlund’s brace should have put United in complete control, but Luton fought back impressively as Carlton Morris quickly reduced the deficit.
Erik ten Hag’s side were under siege for spells and wasted several chances to kill off fourth-bottom Luton in a tense finale.
Sixth placed United’s fourth consecutive league victory moved them within five points of fourth placed Aston Villa in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
For long periods during a difficult season, that target has seemed beyond United, but Hojlund’s prolific form has given them renewed hope.
With just 37 seconds gone, Hojlund intercepted Amari’i Bell’s dreadful back pass, rounded keeper Thomas Kaminski and slotted into the empty net.
United’s fastest league goal this season was followed by Hojlund’s second in the seventh minute.
When Alejandro Garnacho smashed a volley towards goal from a United corner, the strike hit Hojlund’s chest and deflected into the net.
Hojlund scored a game-winning double against Luton Town. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
Kaminski saved well from Marcus Rashford, who curled narrowly wide moments later as United looked set to run riot.
But Morris gave Luton an unexpected lifeline in the 14th minute when the burly striker headed in from close-range after Tahith Chong’s shot deflected into his path.
Gabriel Osho should have equalised, but the Luton defender headed wide from a corner.
Morris went closer with a thunderous strike that whistled just wide from the edge of the area after Garnacho carelessly lost possession.
Ten Hag replaced Casemiro and Harry Maguire with Jonny Evans and Scott McTominay at halftime in a bid to stem Luton’s momentum.
Despite the change, Luton pummelled United immediately after the break, with Cauley Woodrow and Chong both threatening an equaliser.
Luton never gave up and Barkley was inches away from spoiling Hojlund’s memorable day in stoppage-time when his header grazed the bar.
There was also a surprise appearance at the game, with pop megastar Harry Styles taking in all the action at Kenilworth Road.
Styles sat next to Luton legend Mick Harford for the game, although the three-time Grammy winner has previously claimed he’s a United fan.
Harry Styles was at Kenilworth Road to take in the match. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Brighton pushed Sheffield United closer to relegation as the Premier League’s bottom club capitulated after Mason Holgate’s dismissal in Sunday’s 5-0 rout at Bramall Lane.
Holgate was sent off early in the first half for the United defender’s ugly foul on Kaoru Mitoma.
Brighton made the most of Holgate’s exit as Facundo Buonanotte and Danny Welbeck struck in quick succession.
Jack Robinson’s second half own goal was followed by Simon Adingra’s late brace, condemning the shambolic Blades to a sixth defeat in their last nine league games.
Chris Wilder’s team are languishing seven points from safety with 13 games left to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
United’s 65 goals conceded in the Premier League this season are the most ever by a side in their first 25 matches in the competition.
A victory at fellow strugglers Luton last weekend had breathed new life into the Blades’ hopes of avoiding relegation.
Yet they reverted to type with a self-inflicted loss that edged them nearer to the drop.
Brighton were winless in their last six Premier League away matches, but they had won 5-2 at Bramall Lane in the FA Cup fourth round in January and ended their barren stretch on their return to Yorkshire.
Brighton smashed five goals past Sheffield United. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
United threatened a goal inside two minutes when James McAtee picked out Jayden Bogle on the edge of the area and his drive was pushed away by Bart Verbruggen.
That proved a crucial moment as Brighton took control.
Wilder’s men were reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute when Holgate’s studs-up high challenge left Mitoma writhing in pain.
Holgate was initially booked but referee Stuart Attwell upgraded his decision to red card after using the pitchside monitor to review the on-loan Everton right-back’s crude foul.
Brighton needed just seven minutes to make their numerical advantage count. United complained that Brighton should not have been given as a corner because the ball appeared to come off Welbeck last.
From the controversial set-piece, Buonanotte made the Blades pay as he scrambled his effort over the line just before it was hacked clear.
Brighton struck again four minutes later, with former Manchester United forward Welbeck lashing high into the net from close-range after Wes Foderingham pushed Mitoma’s shot into his path.
Wilder was left cursing his luck when Ben Osborn’s close-range volley was ruled out by VAR for a tight offside call against the defender.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side wrapped up their second league win of 2024 in the 75th minute when Robinson turned Mitoma’s cross into his own net.
Adingra rubbed salt into United’s wounds with a clinical volley from 10 yards in the 78th minute.
There was still time for Adingra’s deflected effort to loop in over Foderingham in the 85th minute as United surrendered without a fight.
Manchester United ended Liverpool’s perfect record at Anfield on Sunday, holding the Premier League title chasers to a 0-0 draw after wins for Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Jurgen Klopp’s men came into the match as hot favourites to inflict yet more agony on their bitter rivals and boasting 11 wins from 11 games in all competitions at home this season.
Liverpool dominated, hogging nearly 70 per cent of possession and 34 shots to United’s six but they could not break through against their stubborn opponents.
Klopp’s men finish the day second in the table, a point behind Arsenal’s tally of 39 after the Gunners earlier beat Brighton 2-0.
It was a moral victory for United manager Erik ten Hag, whose team last season suffered a 7-0 drubbing at Anfield and came into the match with 12 defeats in 24 games this season.
United were missing suspended captain Bruno Fernandes while out-of-form Marcus Rashford was once again left on the bench.
But they dug deep and stopped their slide after a heavy home defeat against Bournemouth last week and a tame Champions League exit in midweek.
United goalkeeper Andre Onana reacted well to keep out a close-range Virgil van Dijk header in the first half and the visitors could even have won the game, but Rasmus Hojlund’s shot was blocked at the near post by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Van Dijk said the Liverpool team were frustrated by the result, believing they were “superior in all aspects”.
“If you see how we played the game, we had most of the ball and created some opportunities,” he told Sky Sports.
“There was only one team trying to win the game.
Diogo Dalot was sent off late in the second half for dissent. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“We want to win every game of course and that is why it is frustrating. Sometimes we shot too easy and could have passed on the overlap. The right decision was sometimes lacking.” Scott McTominay, who skippered United, said his team were disappointed they did not create more opportunities.
“We had to stay calm and stick together and we had moments in the game where we had chances and could have hurt them,” he added.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, runners-up to Manchester City last season, dominated at the Emirates, wasting a succession of openings but they finally broke through in the 53rd minute.
Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke jumped to head a corner away but could only flick it into the path of Gabriel Jesus, who headed the ball into an empty net.
Kai Havertz doubled the lead for the Gunners in the closing minutes, slotting past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after being found by Eddie Nketiah.
Arsenal’s win over Brighton ensured they went into top spot on the ladder. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)Source: AFP
“Incredible performance,” Arteta told the BBC.
“A joy to watch from the start to the end. The way we did it against this very good team.
“Even at halftime the scoreline didn’t reflect that. We fully deserved to win the game.” Across London, Unai Emery’s Villa fell behind to a Keane Lewis-Potter goal on the stroke of halftime.
However, Brentford’s Ben Mee was sent off in the 71st minute and six minutes later Villa were level when Alex Moreno got on the end of a Leon Bailey cross.
Ollie Watkins completed the turnaround against his former club when he headed in a Boubacar Kamara flick-on from a corner with five minutes to go to make it 2-1.
Kamara was sent off in the closing minutes for violent conduct. Mohammed Kudus scored twice and Lucas Paqueta provided all three assists at the London Stadium as West Ham beat Wolves 3-0.
Heung-Min Son continues to dazzle alongside Tottenham’s creative fulcrum as Chelsea’s $1 billion project continues to unravel in spectacular fashion.
Meanwhile, a certain revolution by the British seaside continues to dazzle while the promoted trio struggle to find their feet six games into the season.
Foxsports.com.au reviews the weekend that was in Premier League Talking Points!
THE ‘CLEVER, SHARP’ SPURS PARTNERSHIP SENDING SHIVERS DOWN RIVALS’ SPINES
When Harry Kane departed for Bayern Munich in a $AUD169 million deal, there were plenty wondering how Tottenham would function in attack without him.
After all, he scored a staggering 30 league goals last season, an astonishing feat when you factor in Tottenham scored 70 league goals in total.
It meant new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou had a major issue to resolve early into his tenure.
But six games into Tottenham’s 2023/24 league campaign and it looks like Postecoglou has found a solution.
Attacking midfielder James Maddison arrived in north London during the summer and although he will never replicate Kane’s goalscoring feats, he adds something different to Tottenham’s attack.
Crucially, Maddison — who took the No. 10 shirt after Kane’s departure — has formed an outstanding partnership with Tottenham forward and captain Heung-Min Son.
James Maddison could be one of the signing of the summer. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)Source: AFP
Maddison assisted both of Son’s goals in the north London derby against Arsenal, with the former chalking up four league assists in total while Son is second in the golden boot race with five goals from six games.
The Telegraph’s Jason Burt couldn’t help but marvel at just how well these two have clicked so early into Postecoglou’s tenure.
“Clearly no-one expects Maddison to match the goal output from Kane, no-one apart from Erling Haaland can do that, but his presence in the Tottenham team can certainly elevate Son, who has gained a fresh lease of life and hunger since Kane’s departure and gaining the captaincy,” Burt wrote.
“Sometimes when there is such a huge figure as Kane in a team it can mean there is eventually an over-dependence on him.
“Quickly an understanding has already developed between Son and Maddison and not least because both are not only clever, sharp players but they are also selfless.
“They are on the same wavelength with the way they see the game.”
With the Maddison and Son link-up already blossoming so early in the season, it’s a major warning sign for Tottenham’s Premier League rivals.
VAR call leaves Ange ‘disconsolate’ | 01:12
$60M STAR ALREADY SUSPENDED AS BLUES’ BILLION-DOLLAR BLUNDER EXPOSED AGAIN
Chelsea fans thought they had hit rock bottom after finishing 12th last season in a miserable campaign that saw four different managers take the reins at Stamford Bridge.
But the Blues look set for another season to forget despite a summer of huge investment, taking the total spent in three transfer windows under the club’s American ownership to over £1 billion ($1.2 billion).
Mauricio Pochettino has won just one of his first six league games in charge and it was a familiar story for the Argentine as his side failed to find the net for the third consecutive game.
A knee injury to Christopher Nkunku that has meant the French forward is yet to play a minute of competitive action for the club has not helped.
But other big money signings such as Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling are failing to pull their weight in front of goal.
In fact, Jackson has already managed to get himself suspended having accrued five yellow cards in just six games.
What’s most concerning is the fact all five of the $60 million man’s yellow cards have come as a result of dissent and were easily avoidable.
It could be the 22-year-old’s inexperience coming to the fore, but it also highlights the frustration among Chelsea’s players at just how poorly they’ve started the season.
Less than 10 days ago, Pochettino claimed Chelsea will be back in European competition next season “for sure.”
That claim is looking more optimistic than realistic with every passing week.
Chelsea sit 14th in the table and face Arsenal, Tottenham, City, Newcastle, Brighton and Manchester United in their next nine games.
Nicolas Jackson has already picked up five yellow cards in just six games. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ABSURD STAT BEHIND SOARING SEAGULLS’ BLISTERING START
A current glance of the teams at the pointy end of the Premier League will show a number of familiar names.
Manchester City in first, Liverpool in second, Tottenham in fourth and Arsenal in fifth.
But in third place is … Brighton?
Yep, Roberto De Zerbi’s side are flying high with five wins and one loss in six games this season and have scored a league-leading 18 goals in the process.
The latest win came in a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth in which they went behind courtesy of an egregious error from goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
What makes Brighton’s fast start even more impressive is the fact they have made 22 changes to their starting lineup this season, more than any of their rivals have.
To compare to this stage last season, Brighton had made only three lineup changes under De Zerbi’s predecessor Graham Potter.
Beating Bournemouth was also an impressive feat given it was just days after they slipped to a surprise 3-2 loss to AEK Athens in their first Europa League group game.
Who knows if Brighton can maintain their blistering start to the season, but there’s plenty to like about what’s going on in Sussex.
The Seagulls are soaring high in third. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
PROMOTED TRIO CONTINUE TO FACE COLD, HARSH PL REALITY
Sheffield United suffered their worst ever league defeat as Saudi-backed Newcastle ran riot at Bramall Lane.
But the Blades are not the only club struggling to bridge the financial and quality gap between the Championship and the Premier League.
Burnley and Luton’s promotion parties seem a distant memory as they sit alongside Sheffield United in the bottom three.
After a combined 16 games this season, none of the three have even collected a win, with the trio all having just one point on the board.
Luton were the last to get off the mark as they drew 1-1 with Wolves on Saturday.
But even that felt like a missed opportunity for the Hatters after Wolves played the entire second-half a man down after Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s red card.
Burnley ran Manchester United much closer, but still had nothing to show for a positive performance in their 1-0 defeat.
Newcastle score EIGHT in historic win | 01:42
RED DEVILS VETERAN’S RETURN UNDERLINES WOES DESPITE MUCH-NEEDED VICTORY
It wasn’t pretty and they even started with a centre back who was relegated last season, but Manchester United finally stopped the rot, if only for one game.
A moment of individual brilliance from Red Devils skipper Bruno Fernandes ensured United left Turf Moor with a 1-0 victory over Burnley for just their third win in six Premier League games.
Perhaps it is emblematic of United’s recent woes that Jonny Evans, who had trained with the club in the off-season after leaving Leciester City before signing a one-year contract, was the man who provided the assist.
Or, in a fairer take on the matter, it is because United have a large casualty ward and Evans was one of very few fit and available options for the game.
Both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez were out injured while Raphael Varane started on the bench before coming on in the 79th minute.
Yet Evans proved himself capable of stepping up to the plate when needed most.
It was the 35-year-old’s first United start since March 2015 and his first assist since February 2013.
Whether it is the first of more to come remains to be seen, which is both a good and bad thing.
Good because it means Evans can still perform at a high level but bad because he is a 35-year-old who was released by Leicester City and had very few takers in the summer.
Again, victory against Burnley was the most important thing for Erik ten Hag’s side, but better performances are needed
Newcastle thrashed Sheffield United 8-0 to shrug off their slow start to the Premier League season on Sunday, as Son Heung-min’s double earned Tottenham a point from a pulsating 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
Saudi-backed Newcastle had lost three of their opening five Premier League games to dampen expectations of a title challenge on Tyneside.
But Eddie Howe’s men showed no mercy as they put the Blades to the sword with ease.
Three goals in 14 first-half minutes set the tone as Sean Longstaff, Dan Burn and Sven Botman put the visitors on course to cruise to victory.
Callum Wilson, Anthony Gordon, Miguel Almiron, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak were then on target after the break as the Magpies became the first side to have eight different goalscorers, not including own goals, in a Premier League game.
“The big thing for us was that we really wanted to score and we weren’t content with three,” said Howe. “I want that mentality to run through the team.”
However, Newcastle fell just short of the nine-goal Premier League record for a margin of victory.
The size of the defeat sinks Sheffield United to bottom of the table on goal difference with Paul Heckingbottom’s future as manager now in doubt.
Things went from bad to worse for Chelsea.Source: AFP
BLUES NIGHTMARE AFTER ANOTHER LOSS
Chelsea’s disastrous start to Mauricio Pochettino’s reign goes on as the 10-man Blues lost 1-0 at home to Aston Villa.
Malo Gusto’s straight red card for a lunge on Lucas Digne on the hour mark gave the home side a mountain to climb at Stamford Bridge.
Villa made their man advantage count when Ollie Watkins’ powerful strike beat Robert Sanchez from a narrow angle.
Despite spending more than any other Premier League club in the summer transfer window, Chelsea have taken just five points from Pochettino’s first six league games in charge.
They have failed to score in three straight games, with their five points from six games their worst tally since 1978.
“We need to be aware about what is going on but at the same time we need to be calm,” said Pochettino. “We cannot say that the players gave up after 70 minutes, they were fighting until the end with one player less.”
Besides Gusto, they’ll also be without starting striker Nicolas Jackson for their next game, after he picked up a fifth yellow card in just six Premier League games to cop himself a one-match suspension.
The worst Blues since ‘78.Source: Getty Images
‘BRAVE’ SPURS BATTLE BACK
Spurs have still won just once in their last 31 away league meetings with Arsenal, but the optimism garnered under Ange Postecoglou’s early weeks in charge was not punctured at the Emirates despite twice falling behind in the north London derby.
Arsenal’s bright start was rewarded when Bukayo Saka’s strike was deflected into his own net by Cristian Romero.
But for the fifth time in seven games under Postecoglou, Tottenham fought back from a goal down.
James Maddison’s cross was swept home by Son at the near post three minutes before half-time.
Romero’s afternoon went from bad to worse when he was harshly penalised for handball and Saka stroked home the resulting penalty to restore Arsenal’s lead.
VAR call leaves Ange ‘disconsolate’ | 01:12
But the Gunners lost record signing Declan Rice at half-time to injury and that proved costly as an error from his replacement Jorginho gifted Tottenham an equaliser just a minute later.
Maddison was again the creator as he robbed the Italian midfielder and teed up Son for a cool finish into the far corner.
“Arsenal are a top team and we had to defend at times. But we showed real courage and bravery to keep playing our football,” said Postecoglou.
A draw leaves Spurs and Arsenal in fourth and fifth respectively, four points off the top.
Liverpool cut Manchester City’s lead at the top to two points with a 3-1 win over West Ham as Jurgen Klopp’s men showed more promising signs of getting back to their best.
The Reds sank to fifth last season, but have the firepower that could make them the biggest threat to City’s throne as champions.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring from the penalty spot after he was up-ended in the box by Nayef Aguerd.
West Ham bounced back to fully merit their equaliser before half-time when Jarrod Bowen’s diving header found the far corner.
However, the Hammers were undone by a moment of magic when Alexis Mac Allister’s inch-perfect chip picked out Darwin Nunez, who volleyed into the far corner.
Diogo Jota then came off the bench to make it 3-1 five minutes from time.
Darwin Nunez scored a stunner.Source: Getty Images
BRIGHTON BATTLE BACK AFTER HOWLER
Brighton took advantage of dropped points for both north London sides to move up to third after coming from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1.
Dominic Solanke fired Bournemouth in front after a glaring error from Brighton ‘keeper Bart Verbruggen.
Milos Kerkez’s own goal brought Brighton level in first-half stoppage time, but that did not stop coach Roberto de Zerbi sending on Kaoru Mitoma at the break.
The Japanese winger took just 16 seconds to put Brighton in front with a precise finish and Mitoma made sure of the points when he headed home Pervis Estupinan’s cross 14 minutes from time.
Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton scores the team’s third goal.Source: Getty Images
