Liverpool landed a huge blow in the title race, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points after a comfortable 2-0 win over Manchester City. 

The Reds went to the Etihad knowing their lead over Arsenal would extend to double digits after the Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat by West Ham on home turf, and duly extended their supremacy. 

In a game that has long been one of the most fiercely-contested, high quality affairs in recent years, Liverpool flew into an early lead, with Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai netting in a dominant first half. 

City put up something of a sterner defence in the second half, but survived a scare when Curtis Jones’ third was ruled out for offside, and were ultimately unable to trouble the scoresheet.

But who were the stars that stole the show in this heavyweight encounter? Which players left the Etihad knowing they could, and maybe should, have contributed more?

Here, Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE runs the rule over both sides from Sunday’s clash at the Etihad.  

Mohamed Salah scored his eighth Premier League goal in nine games and 25th of the season

Pep Guardiola’s side missed out on the chance to go third with a poor display at the Etihad

Man City (4-3-3) 

Ederson – 5

Rarely the perpetrator but always at the scene of the crime. Can’t be blamed for the goals but he stood rooted to the spot and did not even try to stop them.

Rico Lewis – 5.5

Was at fault for Liverpool’s first goal by conceding the ball that led to the corner conceded. Did well in possession otherwise.

Abdukodir Khusanov – 7

His horror show on his debut against Chelsea was well-documented but the Uzbek has been decent since then and made some big tackles here to keep the scores down.

Nathan Ake – 6

The most senior man in City’s back line did not make many mistakes but would have been disappointed with conceded goals.

Abdukodir Khusanov struggled initially on his arrival but made some big tackles on Sunday

Nathan Ake was his side’s senior defender and although he did not make any glaring errors, he will leave the Etihad bitterly disappointed

Josko Gvardiol – 5

Technically so talented on the ball but struggled against Salah in the first half.

Nico – 6

Smooth operator in midfield for City helps them tick much better than the last few months. Had a lot on his hands off the ball.

Kevin De Bruyne – 3.5

Has been one of, if not the, best midfielders of his generation but another stinking performance here. Nothing he tried came off.

Phil Foden – 4.5

Popped up in some nice pockets but often lost possession cheaply and his shots were weak.

Kevin De Bruyne may be one of the Premier League’s greatest ever players but he had a stinker

Phil Foden popped up in some good positions but failed to exert a real impression on the game

Savinho – 7.5

City’s creator-in-chief on the right constantly caused problems but felt he needed a true No 9 to square the ball to.

Omar Marmoush – 6

Brilliant finish for his offside goal. Superb footballer but his team-mates clearly missed the focal point of Erling Haaland in the middle. A few loose touches.

Jeremy Doku – 7.5

Brilliant performance but, like Savinho, often had little to aim at. Had Alexander-Arnold on toast, as they say.

Substitutes:

James McAtee (for De Bruyne, 66min) – 6

Ilkay Gundogan (for Marmoush, 78min) – 6

Ruben Dias (for Ake, 78min) – 6

Mateo Kovacic (for Nico, 78min) – 6

Subs not used: Stefan Ortega, Matheus Nunes, Vitor Reis, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish.

Manager:

Pep Guardiola – 6

Missed his main man Erling Haaland. 

His side saw a lot of the ball but lacked end product.

Guardiola and Co missed their main man Erling Haaland up top in Sunday’s chastening defeat

Liverpool (4-2-3-1)

Alisson – 7

Most of the shots he faced were straight at him but he answered every question posed to him.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5

May see Doku in his nightmares in the coming days. 

Belgian winger tore him apart but the vice-captain was good on the ball.

Ibrahima Konate – 7.5

An excellent season for the Frenchman and he stood up to the task again here.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was given a rough evening by his opposite number Doku, who had him ‘on toast’

Virgil van Dijk – 7.5

Skipper had to cover his full backs so often and was regularly the man to mop up crosses.

Andy Robertson – 5

Copy and paste from Alexander-Arnold but read ‘Savinho’ instead. Tough day but survived with a clean sheet.

Ryan Gravenberch – 7.5

His silky passing and dribbling normally stands out but this match was all about his off-the-ball work in a warrior-like display.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7.5

Played a beautiful role in the first goal and helped set the tempo in midfield.

Virgil van Dijk was called on to cover his full backs throughout the clash and regularly mopped up crosses

Ryan Gravenberch’s off-the-ball movement was at the fore in his warrior-like performance

Mohamed Salah – 8

Thirty up for the season now. Did not do loads but got his goal as ever. Mind-boggling that he is out of contract in the summer with no resolution.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 8.5 (MOTM)

Hungary captain’s influence on this team grows by the week. He is the hardest-worker in the team off the ball and constantly causes problems with it. Nice finish for 2-0.

Curtis Jones – 7.5

Never stopped running in a slightly more advanced role to usual. An underrated and important asset for Liverpool.

Luis Diaz – 6.5

Consistently gave Lewis problems with his direct running. May have scored himself in the second half but was thwarted by Khusanov.

Forward Salah scored and assisted in the same game for the 11th time in the league this term

Szoboszlai was the man of the match and his influence on this side grows with every week

Substitutes:

Kostas Tsimikas (for Robertson, 74min) – 6

Wataru Endo (for Jones, 74min) – 6

Cody Gakpo (for Diaz, 79min) – NA

Harvey Elliott (for Salah, 90+1min) – NA

Jarell Quansah (for Alexander-Arnold, 90+1min) – NA

Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota.

Manager:

Arne Slot – 8

Arne Slot’s game plan worked to perfection, with a brilliant first half and steely second period

Game plan worked to perfection. Win the game in the first half then show off the defensive steel after the break.

Referee:

Anthony Taylor – 8

A superb refereeing performance. Game passed with no controversial incidents.

Kelty Hearts 0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1  

It is Friday afternoon and Charlie Christie is on the road. He is driving more than 1,200 miles, there and back, to see his son.

The chief executive of Inverness Caledonian Thistle has not abandoned his duties, however, when it comes to finding a buyer for the club.

‘I was on the phone to the administrators this morning and there are two or three strong declarations of interest,’ he says. ‘These people have made serious enquiries, asking the proper questions. So there are possibilities.’

Christie is heading south to watch his son, Ryan, play for Bournemouth. It’s the weekend of the Scottish internationalist’s 30th birthday. Christie junior is a Premier League player now, but the family are forever entwined with ICT.

That was one of the main reasons why Christie senior stepped in as chief executive when the club entered administration last October. ‘Alan Savage was key to that decision, too,’ he says, referring to the Inverness businessman who has come in to address debts and find a buyer for the club. ‘I have total respect for him as a businessman and as a person.’

Christie believes there has been significant progress. ‘I feel the fanbase has increased and there is not the disillusionment that existed under the previous regime,’ he says.

Ryan is now a top performer with Bournemouth, but hasn’t forgotten his former club’s plight

The Highland club are now fighting for their survival after descent into administration

A fan himself, of course, he has also played for Inverness Caledonian and Inverness Thistle as well as Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He has been manager, academy director and now chief executive. He is also a hero.

His part in the Scottish Cup victory over Celtic 26 years ago has never been forgotten. ‘It was my greatest day on a football pitch,’ he says simply. ‘Some of my friends say the club is in my DNA and I suppose that is true. But my feeling is that it’s not about what me or the young fellow (Ryan) have done for the club. It’s what the club has done for us.

‘A businessman who is a fan told me recently that he knows when I make a decision it is for the good of the club and not for the good of me. I am at the age where I don’t worry about much personally. I am settled and my kids have done well, so it is all about the club’.

Christie would like to play a part in restructuring the club when new buyers come in, but is keen to re-establish close links to the local community. ‘That was strong when we were in the Highland League but I feel we have lost a bit of that over the years. It would be great to bring it back.

‘You hope we will turn a corner and things will get better. We know there is light at the end of the tunnel.’

As the road unfolds to Bournemouth, he addresses the role his son has played in the club. Ryan, of course, played for Caley Thistle from 2013 to 2015 before spectacular success at Celtic and then the Cherries, where he is contention for a place in the EPL team of the year.

There have been reports that the midfielder has given £20,000 to the Highland club, but his dad says: ‘I don’t know about that. I have asked the young man but I haven’t got an answer. All I get is a smile and he says nothing. But I do know he has helped the academy out over the years when they have needed goals or any other equipment.’

He has also enlisted some EPL support for ICT. ‘Marcus Tavernier and Antoine Semenyo are always asking how the club is doing,’ says Christie of the Bournemouth players. ‘And, in my bag, I have a club shirt for the Bournemouth chef who is now a fan.’

The travelling fans are ecstatic as their favourites pick up a vital three points in Fife

Inverness Caley Thistle are doing all they can to survive the rigours of League One football

It is Saturday afternoon and David Chiffers has been on the road since morning. ‘Yes, it has taken us just about two and a half hours,’ he says after he parks the car outside New Central Park for the League One match with Kelty. His eight-year-old grandson, Mason, has been riding shotgun from Inverness to deepest Fife.

‘He has been coming since he was three,’ says grandad. ‘So he has watched us in a cup final against Celtic in 2023 and witnessed us going into administration.’

He adds: ‘I have been here since the start in 1994.’

The club were formed as a result of the merger between Inverness Caledonian and Inverness Thistle. ‘I was Thistle before that,’ says Chiffers.

The trip to Kelty is poignant as it signposts the beginning of Caley Thistle’s anguished season. The club plotted to move their training base to Kelty’s New Central Park – 135 miles away from home – until a public outcry forced a rethink. Administration, however, soon followed. 

Chiffers is bullish about the future. ‘I believe we are coming out the other side. I believe in both Alan Savage and Charlie Christie. I feel we are building again and I prefer to regard it as exciting times in that we could come out of it all stronger.’

Andrew Moffat, of the Wyness Shuffle podcast, also treks up to the stadium with a relative spring in his step.

‘We are in a state of flux, so it is obviously slightly worrying,’ he says. ‘But the focus is to get beyond Annan in the league table and out of the relegation play-off spot.’

He says administration was ‘the best course of action because of what happened under the previous stewardship’. He adds: ‘It is a necessary evil and we’ve had to go through it. Alan Savage is a successful businessman who has the interests of the club at heart and his aims align with the fans. We want to become a solvent club with links to the community. Charlie Christie simply is Caley Thistle. So these are the ideal guys to take the club forward.’

Inverness manager Scott Kellacher urges his players on during the match with Kelty Hearts

Kelty boss Charlie Mulgrew tries to do likewise but his team were defeated 1-0 at home

And the football under manager Scott Kellacher? ‘It is exciting, adventurous, with a lot of young players,’ he says. ‘Alfie Bavidge can get you off your seat.’

Two hours later, he does. The forward, on loan from Aberdeen, scores the only goal of the game to bring Caley Thistle within striking distance of Annan.

It is Friday afternoon and the manager is planning the road ahead. ‘It has been frenetic. But I have always wanted to do the job,’ says Scot Kellacher, appointed in the wake of administration.

‘I have worked my way up here from the under 9s. I love the club. It’s my life and has been for 21 years.’

He does not say this lightly. Kellacher has known dark times. In 2021, he was taken to hospital with viral encephalitis and then contracted Covid.

‘It took me a long, long time to recover,’ he says. ‘Viral encephalitis involves swelling in the brain and spine. Covid struck at the same time. I was hit hard. I was on oxygen for 12 days. It entailed five or six months of recovery. It was a really hard experience for the family. I have slowly got back into the swing of things.’

He does not shrink from the altogether different challenges posed by administration. ‘I am the sort of man who won’t dip his toe in. I’m all in.’

Inverness born and bred, he has always had a bond with the club. ‘If there was ever a time you would do everything to help the club it is now. I am giving it everything I’ve got,’ he says.

Inverness fan David Chiffers and grandson Mason were rewarded for the long trip to Kelty

Andrew Moffat of the Wyness Shuffle podcast says administration was for the best for club

Fans enjoy the perfect Saturday environment as Kelty Hearts prepare to host Inverness

Determined to be positive in the face of trials, Kellacher has been aided by top performance coach Donald MacNaughton in building an upbeat spirit at the club.

‘We have all been relentless in training so we have the best opportunity to move up the league. I have great staff and players and we are pulling in the same direction,’ he says.

‘We need to give ourselves a fighting chance to stay safe. We have a really young squad and we are all learning. I am becoming a bit calmer. I understand players’ side of things and my own side of things and then can come up with the best scenario for going forward.

‘It has been a rollercoaster. But when people go on a rollercoaster they do so to enjoy it. I have enjoyed it.’

He adds: ‘It’s hard, hard work but I want that. Some of the moments we have had this season will live with me for the rest of my life. I was first-team coach when we won the Scottish Cup in 2015. I have seen the best but, with administration I have also seen the worse. I know where we want to get to.’

At 5pm on a Saturday in Fife, Kellacher beams as he praises his players and the travelling fans. The immediate journey is back to Inverness. Three points make the most convivial of travelling companions.

With the Saudi owners in town for a summit that will shape the vision of Newcastle United for future generations, here was a reminder that the current vintage are in need of more immediate support.

This was a game that showcased the strengths and vulnerabilities of Eddie Howe’s squad, with its big fish swimming in shallow waters. 

They won and moved back into the Champions League places because they have world-class players such as Alexander Isak. They were nervy until the last because they don’t have enough of them.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, PIF governor and club chairman, is here on Tyneside to make key decisions on stadiums and training grounds. But before they put spades in the ground on either of those off-the-field projects, they need to build on the promise of what they have on it.

Newcastle’s players can produce special matches and special moments, and that much was evident by the manner in which they scored four goals inside 11 minutes in the first half. 

There were Met Office warnings of a storm that never came to pass, but that period was like a cyclone of black-and-white jerseys tearing through the visitors. 

The in-form striker bagged a brace during a first half blitz from the home side at St James’

Isak netted his first goal from the penalty spot after Ola Aina’s handball in the area

That the goal-blitz played out to a backing track of Howe’s name felt like a message being sent to those in the plush seats – the manager has our backing, now he needs yours.

Because after two years without a first-team addition, what then happened in the second half laid bare their frailties. 

Newcastle became tired, ragged and clung to a decreasing lead with such anxiety that team-mates Anthony Gordon and Fabian Schar looked ready to square up to each other late on. Al-Rumayyan was at the boxing in Riyadh on Saturday, but that would not have been a good look in front of the boss.

By this stage, it was Forest throwing the punches. They trailed 4-1 at half-time after a first half in which they looked like they didn’t much fancy the prospect of European travel next season. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were gifted an early lead but responded in kind with the generosity of their own defending.

But the second half saw Forest revert to the team who have been in the top four for nine weeks now – and Newcastle were on the ropes throughout. Nikola Milenkovic pulled one back on 63 minutes and Ryan Yates nicked another from close range in the 90th. In truth, Forest just ran out of time. 

Had there been much more than the three minutes added, you would have fancied them to complete the comeback. But because of that earlier passage in which they lost their discipline, their bearings and their minds, they lost a match from which they more than deserved a point, if not more.

Callum Hudson-Odoi fired them in front after just six minutes, capitalising on an error by Jacob Murphy and Nick Pope’s positioning to smash in from 25 yards. But rather than sit in and frustrate Newcastle, it was their own manager they drove around the bend.

Lewis Miley was afforded too much space to swipe home an equaliser on 23 minutes. Ninety seconds later and Lewis Hall was also given the freedom of Forest’s half to burst into the area and his shot was deflected into the path of Murphy, who improvised to turn in with his stomach. It was Forest, though, who’d had the wind taken out of them.

Forest suffered their second defeat in consecutive games despite fighting hard to come back

Lewis Miley (left) equalised for the home side after the vistiors had taken an early lead

Jacob Murphy also got himself on the scoresheet during an action-packed first half

Nikola Milenkovic (31) reduced the deficit as Forest improved after the half-time break

Ryan Yates (right) added a third in the 90th minute to make it a nervy ending for the home fans

It would have been three goals in five minutes had VAR and referee Stuart Attwell not needed a ludicrous amount of time to determine that Ola Aina had handled from Hall’s delivery. That penalty was eventually converted by Isak, but only just. 

It was a Panenka of sorts. For a split-second it looked more like a panettone as Matz Sels read the intent and stood up to save. He then flapped at the ball and ended up in the net with it. The calamity of that captured what was happening to his team and a minute later Isak had another.

Joe Willock galloped into open ground, as he did throughout the first half, and played in the Swede, who clipped beyond Sels via a deflection off the sliding Murillo. 

The Brazilian centre back was unfortunate, but the desperation of his attempt spoke to the desperation of his original positioning. 

Forest were bad, but it was also a whirlwind showing of attacking force by Newcastle. However, they could not have blown any colder after half-time.

Those padded seats in the directors’ box would have felt pretty uncomfortable as the home side – and not by the instruction of Howe – sat back. 

It would be wrong to say they defended their lead, because this was no coherent resistance. Their best hope was that the clock beat Forest, and it did. 

Newcastle’s group is in need, and deserving of, new energy and ideas. They have gone so hard for so long that they have looked weary at times this season. Of late, they just cannot perform over 90 minutes.

For while the big infrastructural decisions are due in the boardroom, this was a timely prompt of the repairs and upgrades that are necessary in the dressing-room.

Manchester United have been hit with an injury scare ahead of their game at home to Ipswich on Wednesday night.

The player suffered a knee problem during United’s 2-2 draw with Everton and could add to United’s lengthy injury list.

United boss Ruben Amorim faces an anxious wait to see whether the player will be available for the clash at Old Trafford.

Amad Diallo is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering ankle ligament damage, while Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo are also currently unavailable.

Other United players who are also sidelined include Lisandro Martinez, Toby Collyer, Jonny Evans and Altay Bayindir.  

United, who are languishing in 15th place in the Premier League, are determined to return to winning ways.

As reported by ESPN, Noussair Mazraoui is a doubt for the game against Ipswich.

The 27-year-old had to be substituted in the 70th minute against Everton as he was replaced by Leny Yoro.

Mazraoui is struggling with a knee problem and will be assessed again on Monday.

The Morocco international has featured prominently for United since joining from Bayern Munich last summer.

In total, Mazraoui has already made 38 appearances for United across all competitions.

He has been used in various positions by Amorim, featuring as a wing-back on either flank or as a central defender in a back three.

If Mazraoui is unavailable against Ipswich then it seems likely that Yoro could be named in the starting lineup.

United managed to salvage a point against Everton despite having been two goals down. 

Noussair Mazraoui is a doubt for the game against Ipswich because of a knee problem

Mazraoui will be assessed on Monday to determine whether he can play against Ipswich

Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure scored in the first half to put Everton in the ascendancy but Bruno Fernandes got a goal back before Manuel Ugarte equalised in the 80th minute.

United are 13 points clear of the relegation zone but will be determined to move up the table as quickly as possible and finish a challenging campaign strongly.

There is still the possibility of silverware for United this season – they are through to the fifth round of the FA Cup, where they will host Fulham, while they will take on Real Sociedad in the round of 16 in the Europa League. 

Liverpool moved 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a comfortable victory over Manchester City.

Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai were on the scoresheet and VAR denied Curtis Jones a third.

The Reds took a giant step towards winning a second Premier League title with the win, with Arsenal in second having 12 games left to play to Liverpool’s 11.

Full report to follow. 

After lunch on Monday, Manchester United’s embattled staff will sit down and brace themselves for the latest round of savage job cuts by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Some will be there in person at Old Trafford to hear the bad news. Others will dial in remotely at 2.30pm to find out how Ineos plan to achieve their ‘core objective to help United win again, which requires transformation on and off the pitch’, according to an email sent to employees.

Up to another 200 jobs are at risk which would mean that more than a third of the workforce has been culled since Ineos took over football operations a year ago.

The plan is to reinvest a significant chunk of the savings into the first team, as if enough money hasn’t already been ploughed into paying the transfer fees and wages of one of the worst United sides in living memory.

You see, saving money is one thing but spending it wisely is something else altogether.

Ruben Amorim admitted earlier this month that staff are paying the price for United’s failings on the pitch with their jobs – ‘we spend the money, we are not winning’ – and here at Goodison Park was further evidence of the almost criminal wastage of recent years.

The heavy cuts and spending so far have only seen United hit the self-destruct button 

United are on course for their worst-ever Premier League season under Ruben Amorim 

A United team stuck in 15th place in the Premier League table escaping from Goodison Park on their last visit to this wonderful old stadium with a point they barely deserved, thanks to an unlikely second-half comeback and a penalty controversy in injury time that went their way.

A United team that was outplayed and outfought for more than an hour by a resurgent Everton side buoyed by the return of David Moyes.

A United team crying out for creativity in front of goal after letting Marcus Rashford and Antony go out on loan in January without signing any replacements.

Amorim’s only attacking option on the bench at Goodison Park besides Alejandro Garnacho was teenage rookie Chido Obi. It was baffling that he left Garnacho there for 62 minutes before Obi got his second senior outing eight minutes later.

It was only when the Argentina winger came on and allowed Bruno Fernandes to take up a deeper role that United started to play.

Garnacho won the two free-kicks that resulted in Fernandes beating Jordan Pickford from the edge of the box and Manuel Ugarte volleying in his first United goal to equalise after Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure had given Everton a commanding lead before half-time.

Both goals came from second balls which underlined Everton’s greater appetite and aggression.

Moyes’s side could still have won it deep into added time when referee Andy Madley awarded a penalty after Ashley Young went down under a challenge from Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire, then reversed his decision after being advised to check again on the pitchside monitor.

The Red Devils were extremely fortunate to escape Everton with a point on Saturday afternoon 

It was a highly controversial call to overturn the late penalty decision in favour of Ashley Young

Alan Shearer has ripped into Man United, calling their recent performances ‘Confused.com’

It’s 13 years since Sir Alex Ferguson had a quiet word with Young about diving. Did the former United man’s reputation count against him?

Maybe it would have been a soft penalty, but there was no clear and obvious error to justify the VAR overturning the on-field decision.

It certainly felt as though United had got away with one again at the end of a week in which Mail Sport revealed that some players are losing faith in Amorim’s methods. Any success, they believe, is down to pot luck rather than planning.

A second full week of working on the training pitch at Carrington produced another muddled performance following the defeat at Tottenham.

Amorim insisted that he didn’t change anything at half-time, and merely told the players to better execute the plan that was in place from the start.

But there are times when United look like they are making it up as they go along.

‘To me, it’s confused.com,’ Alan Shearer told Match of the Day. ‘I’m not sure they know what they’re doing.

Full weeks on the training pitch have produced nothing but muddled showings in the league

‘I really look at the players and think they’re struggling to understand what the manager wants and needs.’

Amorim’s side are at home to Ipswich at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. They must prevent a team lying third from bottom in the Premier League – and managed by former United coach Kieran McKenna – from closing the 13-point gap between the two clubs and dragging United into serious relegation trouble.

While that scenario still feels unthinkable, Amorim spoke once again at Goodison Park on Saturday about ‘surviving’ for the rest of the season.

Some of the poor staff waiting to learn their fate on Monday might be lucky to last that long.

Former Premier League star Moise Kean has collapse on field during Fiorentina’s clash with Hellas Verona on Sunday afternoon. 

The Italian forward joined Fiorentina at the start of the season following spells at Juventus, Everton and Paris Saint-Germain, and has gone on to score 15 goals in Serie A this term. 

However his most recent outing ended in distressing scenes, with Kean going down off the ball following a heavy collision. 

While attempting to win back possession, Kean slipped and his head made contact with the knee of Pawel Dawidowicz while jostling for the ball with Diego Coppola. 

He went down holding his face in clear discomfort, but was allowed to play on despite receiving lengthy treatment on the pitch from the Fiorentina medical staff. 

On his return, the former Everton and PSG forward was seen sporting plasters on a cut above his left eye from the collision.  

After going down a second time both sets of players were quick to call for assistance

Kean was then taken off the field on a stretcher after having a neck brace fitted on the field

Yet moments after the resumption of play, Kean once again went down in the centre circle, with both sets of players frantically gesturing for assistance in worrying scenes. 

After receiving more treatment, Kean was taken off the field on a stretcher with a neck brace, and towards the pitchside ambulance. 

Reports in Italy have claimed that the player was conscious after being taken off the field on a stretcher and being escorted to hospital.  

‘ACF Fiorentina announces that the player Moise Kean suffered a head injury during the match against Verona,’ a statement on Fiorentina’s official website said shortly after the final whistle.

‘The player is in hospital for checks.’

It is the second time this season that a Fiorentina player has collapsed mid-game, with Kean’s team-mate Edoardo Bove suffering a cardiac arrest during a match back in September.

Bove, on loan at Fiorentina from Roma, was in attendance for Sunday’s game, and according to reports, the Italy U21 international turned away as the events unfolded on the field. 

Fiorentina went on to lose the match 1-0 after a 95th minute winner for the hosts, but Viola manager insisted the welfare of his forward was of paramount importance in his post-match conference. 

Team-mate Edoardo Bove, who suffered a cardiac arrest mid-game in December – was in attendance

‘I was very worried on the touchline and hope it is nothing serious,’ the head coach said.

‘The player’s health is the most important thing.’

Bove’s future it Italy is unclear after being fitted with an implanted defibrillator following his collapse earlier in the season; Serie A rules prevent any player with one from featuring. 

‘I know that this is a temporary condition. My goal is to return to playing in June,’ Bove said in January. ‘I still have a few (medical) visits to do, the doctors have to cross-reference all of the data.’ 

‘If I decide to keep it, I won’t be able to play in Italy,’ he added. ‘Here, health comes before the individual, I’m not saying that the rule is wrong.

‘Abroad, yes, (it is possible to play) practically everywhere. Football is too important for me, I can’t allow myself to give up like this. I’ll try again, without a shadow of a doubt. I will also see how I am, If I’m afraid, if I don’t feel calm, then everything will change.’

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner won’t take any risks with Adam Wharton as the midfielder eases his way back into action.

Wharton, 21, was a revelation at Selhurst Park after joining last February, taking to life in the Premier League seamlessly following his £22.5million move from Championship side Blackburn.

So impressive was Wharton’s form that he forced his name into former England boss Gareth Southgate’s plans ahead of the Euros, making his debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina last June before being named in his final squad for last summer’s tournament in Germany.

Wharton reported back from Three Lions duty with injury and was able to play through the pain until October, when the pain in his hip and groin became unmanageable and required surgery.

After making another appearance off the bench in Palace’s impressive 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, the expectation is that Wharton will soon be ready to feature from the off. Glasner, though, urged caution.

He said: ‘I think this is the first time he is fit now since the final of the Euros, since July (2024). Now it’s important to manage the minutes in the best way.

England international midfielder Wharton came on as an 81st-minute substitute on Saturday

‘For a player this frustrates you and it frustrated him a lot. It was a case of hope that, (by) taking the surgery, everything would be fine and it wasn’t.

‘It took him almost four months after the surgery and the prognosis was three to five weeks and that’s frustrating again. The shape where he is now is a credit to him.’

Glasner also handed Wharton’s Palace and England team-mate Eberechi Eze a first start for nearly a month at Craven Cottage.

Like Wharton, Eze has battled with niggling injuries this season, but his manager hopes those fitness struggles will soon be a thing of the past.

‘It’s good to have him back. I still think he’s not 100 per cent fit, you can see it sometimes. At half-time he needs treatment but it’s getting better and better and of course we know he can help us with his dribbling,’ explained Glasner.

‘I know him now for one year and I know he has a lot of potential. If he shows this potential than he has the potential to be a starter for England.

‘But also in the last weeks and months he’s struggled with some injuries, so now it’s supporting him to get him back into his best shape.’

An enraged Lionel Messi grabbed the neck of an opposing coach and fumed at the referee after Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw on Saturday night.

Messi salvaged a point for the Herons in their MLS opener as he weaved through New York City FC’s defense and set up Telasco Segovia for a goal in the 10th minute of second half stoppage time.

But the Argentine star was seemingly dissatisfied with the result, as video from after the final whistle shows him melting down.

Messi first got in the face of the referee, as he angrily pointed at official Rosendo Mendoza and continued berating him.

The referee gestured for Messi to walk away but he continued talking, earning himself a yellow card.

Messi even briefly continued arguing with the referee after his booking before finally making his way off the field.

He also fumed at referee Rosendo Mendoza and earned himself a yellow card with his arguing

On his way to the sideline, NYCFC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy appeared to say something to Messi, which led to a fiery exchange between the pair as the Miami star covered his mouth.

Two Miami assistants stepped in to diffuse the situation, and it looked as though Messi was about to exit the situation before he returned and put his hand on Ballouchy’s neck for several seconds.

Ballouchy, a former MLS player from Morocco, looked stunned as Messi finally walked off the field – and gestured for the coach to come with him.

It’s not clear what set Messi off towards Ballouchy or Mendoza, though the latter sent off Miami’s Tomas Aviles in the 23rd minute of the game for a last-ditch tackle on Alonso Martínez.

Aviles opened the score for Miami in the fifth minute – also via a Messi assist – before New York City’s Mitja Ilenic levelled the match in the 26th.

Martinez later pounced on a Miami giveaway in the 55th minute to give the visitors a lead, before Miami tied it up late.

Miami now has a quick turnaround ahead of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first round on Tuesday against Sporting KC, who they lead 1-0.

Jude Bellingham was spotted sat alongside new girlfriend Ashlyn Castro during Real Madrid’s game against Girona on Saturday.

Bellingham missed the game through suspension after being sent off in his side’s draw with Osasuna last time out, when referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero showed the England international red for swearing.

It had appeared there been been confusion between whether Bellingham told the official to ‘f*** off’ or if he said ‘f*** you’, but Madrid lost their appeal against the two-game ban.

As a result, the midfielder watched on from the stands alongside American model Castro, with whom he went public with earlier this month following reports he had left celebrity dating app Raya.

Bellingham was spotted preparing for Real Madrid’s flight home from Manchester Airport following the first-leg of the side’s Champions League clash with Manchester City alongside Castro and his mum Denise after he had scored a 92nd-minute winner.

Now, he has been spotted at the Bernabeu for the first time since entering a relationship with Castro, and the duo watched on as Los Blancos were forced to play without one of their star players.

The England international saw his other half, 27, crack a smile when they appeared on the big screen inside the Bernabeu

Bellingham had been linked to American model Castro in recent weeks and they have now gone public

Bellingham, 21, was seen wearing an all-black turtle neck as he sat in the stands to the left of Castro and Denise.

As the couple were displayed on the big screen, Castro donned a smile, while Bellingham remained straight-faced.

Castro had already met the midfielder’s parents and chatted to his mum Denise and dad Mark in the family box at the Bernabeu during Madrid’s 5-1 win over Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League on January 22.

She has over 265,000 followers on Instagram and was previously linked with Hollywood actor Michael B Jordan and NBA star LaMelo Ball, though there were rumours that the relationship began before the end of her previous romance.

They are said to have stopped dating last November, around the time she and Jude began to interact. Sources told the outlet that the speculation was ‘all lies’.

This has seemingly been confirmed by Castro’s ex, LA Clippers guard Terance Mann, who ended the rumours once and for all on a TikTok live.

‘Ashlyn is cool, people,’ Mann told his viewers. ‘I don’t know why everybody is on her head about anything. She’s cool. Me and Ash are cool.’

He added that he was certain Castro was not unfaithful and that people should ‘calm that narrative down’.

The 27-year-old American met the midfielder’s parents and chatted to them in the family box at the Bernabeu during Real Madrid’s 5-1 win over Red Bull Salzburg last month

Castro appears to live a varied and artistic life based off her exploits on Instagram.

The model has shared photographs from art galleries, skyscraper bars, mountain landscapes, and the gym among a spate of selfies.

She comes from Los Angeles, California.

Bellingham had been linked with Dutch model Laura Celia Valk last year, though she last month described herself as ‘single’.

The pair were believed by many to be in a relationship but never went public.

They prompted rumours following a publicity stunt orchestrated by an opportunistic executive at Manchester-based clothing company Pretty Little Thing, where Ms Valk is a model.

It was at a previous glamourous lingerie photoshoot in Madrid that she apparently confided in make-up artists and hairdressers that she and the Real superstar had got close.

In details believed to have been leaked by the firm to a red top newspaper, Ms Valk, 25, was said to be ‘completely smitten’ and had spent time at his home in the Spanish city.

Bellingham sat out the game after being sent off during Madrid’s last league match

There was confusion over whether Bellingham had said ‘f*** off’ or ‘f*** you’ to the referee

In terms of the game, Bellingham saw his side earn a comfortable 2-0 lead through goals from Vinicius Jnr and Luka Modric.

With the win, Madrid once again moved level on points with arch rivals Barcelona in LaLiga, though are second on goal difference.

In the Champions League, however, they earned a 6-3 aggregate win over Manchester City in the week to reach the last-16 of the competition.

There, they will face local rivals Atletico Madrid, before a potential clash with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool down the line.