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ARGENTINA CALL UP THREE PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYERS DESPITE RED-LIST RESTRICTIONS

Argentina have called up three Premier League players for World Cup qualifiers in October, despite the country remaining on the United Kingdom’s travel red list.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Tottenham duo Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero have been included in a 30-man squad for games against Paraguay, Uruguay and Peru between October 8 and 15.

Most English clubs refused to release players called up by South American countries for qualifiers staged earlier this month.

Argentine nationals no longer need to quarantine after travelling to their home country from overseas, if they are vaccinated and test negative for coronavirus.

But anyone arriving in the UK from Argentina must quarantine for 10 days.

Villa and Tottenham each have top-flight fixtures the weekend after the international break.

Dean Smith’s men are due to host local rivals Wolves on Saturday October 16, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s Spurs scheduled to play at Newcastle the following day.

Last month, the Premier League released a statement declaring clubs had “reluctantly but unanimously” decided not to release players for matches in red-list countries during the international break in September.

But Martinez, Villa team-mate Emiliano Buendia, Lo Celso and Romero were permitted to join up with their national team.

That led to farcical scenes during Argentina’s qualifier with Brazil in Sao Paulo as local health officials came on to the pitch to say the four England-based players were required to quarantine, leading to the game being abandoned after five minutes.

The quartet returned to the UK via Croatia to avoid having to quarantine.

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UEFA DROPS SUPER LEAGUE LEGAL TUSSLE WITH REBEL CLUBS

UEFA has dropped its legal case against Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid over their roles in initiating the controversial European Super League (ESL) project, which has threatened to dramatically upend the football landscape.

European football’s governing body announced on Monday night that “in the matter related to a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework in connection with the so called ‘Super League,’ the UEFA Appeals Body has declared today the proceedings null and void, as if the proceedings had never been opened.”

The moves comes after a Spanish court ruled that UEFA should not punish the three clubs that remain committed to the doomed project.

UEFA added that the other nine clubs involved in the attempted breakaway – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan – will not need to pay the fines imposed on them for trying to set up the Super League.

Earlier in the day, Liverpool denied any suggestion that their U.S. owners were privately sympathetic to the breakaway league.

“Our involvement in the proposed ESL plans has been discontinued. We are absolutely committed to following that through and there should be no ambiguity to suggest otherwise. We are acting on the best legal advice and approach to appropriately end our involvement,” read a statement.

The stance was echoed by Liverpool’s arch-rivals Manchester United, who said: “Our position as announced previously has not changed – we shall not be participating in the European Super League. The process for dissolving the European Super League entity is impacted by ongoing litigation in Spain. We are not involved in that litigation and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment.”

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BRIGHTON SNATCH LATE POINT AT CRYSTAL PALACE AS MAUPAY NETS DRAMATIC LEVELER

Neal Maupay struck at the death to salvage Brighton a point and stun rivals Crystal Palace following another dramatic battle between the two teams at Selhurst Park.

Wilfried Zaha’s first-half penalty looked to have given Patrick Vieira’s men all three points but they were hit with a sucker punch in the fifth minute of stoppage-time – in almost identical fashion to how Roy Hodgson’s Eagles had won at the Amex in February.

Maupay got onto Pascal Gross’ ball over the top and lobbed Vicente Guaita for his fourth goal of the campaign to earn a share of the spoils in south London.

Victory for Brighton would have sent them to the top flight summit for the first time in their history, but a knee injury ruled out key man Yves Bissouma while Palace handed a full debut to Odsonne Edouard after two cameos since his deadline day arrival from Celtic.

It was the hosts who dominated the early exchanges and they forced three corners in the opening eight minutes. Chances were less frequent though with Conor Gallagher’s fierce effort headed wide by Lewis Dunk before Edouard’s tame curler from outside the area was straight at Robert Sanchez.

Adam Lallana picked up the first booking of the game after 28 minutes and by this point Brighton had weathered the storm with the aim now to establish the type of control they had become accustomed to in this fixture in recent years.

Leandro Trossard clipped a shot into the side-netting soon after before the best chance of the half so far was created by the Seagulls goalkeeper.

Sanchez spotted the run of Danny Welbeck and produced a wonderful ball over the top for the former England international but he lost his balance under pressure from Joel Ward and could only get a faint touch towards goal which the onrushing Guaita dealt with easily.

After penalty appeals were waved away, more space started to open up for both with Zaha testing the Brighton custodian for the first time with a near-post shot while Lallana squandered a decent opportunity from a corner before the opener did finally arrive.

A crunching tackle by Joel Ward won possession back for Palace and Gallagher made the difference first of all, producing an incisive drive into the area where Trossard committed the foul to leave referee Andre Marriner with little option but to point to the spot.

It ensured Zaha could celebrate his 400th appearance for the club with a goal, his eighth against the Seagulls, after he sent Sanchez the wrong way to ensure there were no red faces in the Eagles camp having taken over penalty duties from usual taker Luka Milivojevic.

Steven Alzate was introduced for the visitors at the break and Potter’s side came out with better intent as Lewis Dunk forced Guaita to tip over his header. Lallana also had an effort blocked but the home side wrestled back the initiative.

Gallagher was the architect for the latest shift in momentum with his relentless pressing too much for the south coast outfit, who looked to be running on empty with substitute Alzate and Welbeck forced off with injuries.

Palace had also made changes by this point and Edouard’s replacement Christian Benteke put the game on a plate for Jordan Ayew with 14 minutes left but the Ghanaian side-footed wide with only Sanchez to beat to extend his goal drought to 35 games.

It would prove a crucial miss as not long after Shane Duffy headed straight at Guaita from Gross’ free-kick, another chance was created by the German and this one was finished.

As the clock ticked into the 95th minute, Gross side-footed forward for Maupay, who had run away from his markers, and produced a clinical finish over the Palace goalkeeper to spark wild scenes among the travelling faithful.

Referee Marriner blew for full time straight after kick-off and James McArthur and Brighton goalkeeper Sanchez came to blows before Seagulls captain Dunk was given a volley of abuse by the home fans in the Holmesdale Stand as he left the pitch.

It produced ugly scenes but in the end both were left to reflect on what might have been with the visitors missing the chance to go top while Palace’s momentum under Vieira slowed.

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AHEAD UCL TIE: MESSI FIT TO TAKE ON MANCHESTER CITY

Change of Lionel Messi of PSG during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint Germain and Lyon at Parc des Princes on September 19, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Lionel Messi is fit and in contention to line up for Paris St Germain against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The six-time world player of the year has missed PSG’s last two games with a knock but has trained ahead of the Group A clash at the Parc des Princes.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has also revealed key midfielder Marco Verratti could return after a knee problem.

Pochettino said at his pre-match press conference: “Leo is in the same position as Marco. He is in a very good way. I think he will be in the squad tomorrow but I still haven’t decided on the starting XI.”

News of Messi’s fitness raises the prospect of City facing the great Argentinian as part of a formidable forward trio with two of PSG’s other big-name stars in Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Pochettino, however, was forced to play down reports of disharmony in the camp between Brazil star Neymar and France World Cup winner Mbappe.

Having been substituted in Saturday’s Ligue 1 victory over Montpellier, Mbappe appeared to react angrily when Neymar subsequently set up a goal for Julian Draxler. His complaint seemed to be that Neymar had not done him any such favours earlier in the game.

“Small incidents sometimes can create a wave but it is actually just talk,” said former Tottenham boss Pochettino.

“These things happen, there are always things between top players. They are competitors who want to win and help the team achieve good.

“I have spoken to them individually and they have spoken to each other. There have also been photos of them enjoying themselves in training. The team is happy and calm. There is a good atmosphere.”

PSG are nine points clear in France after only eight games but they were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by Bruges in their first Champions League outing and the Messi-Neymar-Mbappe axis is actually yet to spark.

Pochettino said: “Of course they need time to work together. They need time to work in different environments and to link up in a different way than they did in the past.

“PSG are always under pressure and big stars feel pressure for different things but the most important thing is that we are so happy with the squad that we have built. Now we need time.”

Pochettino also asked people to be patient with Messi, who has started just two games since his much-heralded move from Barcelona.

He said: “We are talking about the best player in the world but, saying that, you still need to understand that he is a man, like us, that needs to adapt to the new club and the family needs to adapt to the new society and new culture.

“Let people work, let the player adapt and start to feel at home.”

Pochettino, who would not confirm reports he was set to prefer Gianluigi Donnarumma to Keylor Navas in goal, predicted a tough game.

City beat PSG in last season’s semi-finals.

Pochettino said: “City have been under the best coach in the world, in my opinion, Pep Guardiola.

“They want to win the Champions League and they are further ahead than PSG in that process but we know that in a football match anything can happen.”

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LA LIGA: ANSU FATI NETS ON BARCELONA RETURN TO EASE PRESSURE ON RONALD KOEMAN

Ansu Fati scored on his first Barcelona appearance in 10 months to ease the pressure on under-fire boss Ronald Koeman in a 3-0 win over Levante at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Memphis Depay had given Barca the lead before Luuk de Jong scored his first goal for the club since joining from Sevilla on the final day of the summer transfer window, but Ansu stole the show with his 10-minute cameo.

Barca came into the match with just one win in five across all competitions and sources told ESPN recently that the club were exploring alternative options to Koeman as manager.

But the hosts raced out of the blocks and were ahead after just six minutes when Memphis won and converted a penalty following a clumsy challenge from Levante’s Nemanja Radoja.

Barca were 2-0 up nine minutes later thanks to fellow Netherlands forward De Jong. Sergino Dest was key in the goal as he led a counterattack and fed De Jong, who coolly slotted the ball past Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez.

However, the loudest cheer of the day was reserved for the 80th minute, when Ansu replaced De Jong.

Despite the feel-good factor in Camp Nou with Ansu’s return, Barca had Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for maintaining their advantage as he was called upon to make two late saves.

But Ansu, Barca’s new No. 10, made the points safe with the third in stoppage time to evoke an even more enthusiastic reaction from the supporters as he went into the crowd to celebrate with the doctor who helped his recovery from a serious knee injury.

I didn’t imagine a comeback like this,” Ansu said after the match. “When we play at home we always have to win. I am happy with the victory. We still have a long way to go.

“I want to show my appreciation to the doctors and the physios that have been with me throughout this process. And also to the fans, who were incredible.”

Asked he felt any pressure at wearing the No. 10 shirt vacated by Lionel Messi, he said: “Not for me. It’s an honour to wear it after Leo, I’m grateful to the club and the captains for giving me the chance to wear it.

“It’s not pressure. I am grateful to take on a number that has given this club so much.”

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RAUL JIMENEZ ENDS WOLVERHAMPTON GOAL DROUGHT IN WIN AT SOUTHAMPTON

Raul Jimenez conjured a moment of magic to claim his first goal since suffering a career-threatening fractured skull and earn Wolves a 1-0 Premier League victory at winless Southampton.

The Mexico striker – sporting protective head gear following his sickening clash with former Arsenal defender David Luiz last November – emphatically ended a 336-day wait to hit the net after waltzing through Saints’ defence in the 61st minute.

He twice beat Southampton defender Jan Bednarek, as well as leaving Mohammed Salisu on his backside, en route to calmly slotting beyond home goalkeeper Alex McCarthy in front of a packed away end.

Jimenez feared he would never play again in the aftermath of his horrific head injury at the Emirates Stadium almost 10 months ago and only returned to the field at the start of this campaign.

His milestone strike was a rare piece of quality during a largely forgettable affair – the 250th top-flight fixture staged at St Mary’s – and secured Wolves only a second success of the campaign under new boss Bruno Lage.

Defeat for Southampton leaves them eight games without a win dating back to last season and three successive outings without finding the net.

Following a tricky run of fixtures, the hosts came into the contest on the back of four consecutive draws, including last weekend’s creditable point at champions Manchester City.

Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl made one enforced change as Salisu replaced the injured Jack Stephens, while Hwang Hee-chan – the only Wolves player to have registered a top-flight goal this term ahead of kick-off – was among three players recalled by the away side.

Despite their struggles in front of goal, Wolves could have been ahead after just 47 seconds.

Rampaging wing-back Nelson Semedo was given a clear sight of goal after being slipped in by Jimenez on the right but his stinging drive was pushed away by McCarthy.

The lively start swiftly fizzled out, with both sides sloppily exchanging possession and struggling to create during a dismal first 45 minutes.

Nathan Redmond thought he had opened the scoring five minutes before the break but his neat turn and finish via the underside of the crossbar was swiftly ruled out, moments before Wolves keeper Jose Sa atoned for a poor clearance by comfortably denying Adam Armstrong.

Portuguese stopper Sa was forced into more serious action early in the second period as Southampton stepped up a gear.

The summer signing from Greek club Olympiacos used his legs to repel a low effort from Valentino Livramento following good work from Armstrong before pushing away a Mohamed Elyounoussi effort.

Jimenez’s solo strike then turned proceedings in Wolves’ favour.

The former Benfica forward rolled back the clock by brushing off Bednarek wide on the left before charging towards the box, bamboozling both of Southampton’s centre-backs and coolly side-footing home.

Hasenhuttl responded by throwing on attacking trio Moussa Djenepo, Armando Broja and Shane Long from the bench.

With the home crowd growing restless, Saints poured bodies forward in the closing stages and were given six minutes of added time to chase a leveller.

But the afternoon belonged to Jimenez, who was denied a second by McCarthy deep into the additional period before soaking up the acclaim from his club’s jubilant fans.

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BRENTFORD HIT BACK TWICE TO SNATCH POINT IN THRILLING DRAW WITH LIVERPOOL

Mohamed Salah scored his 100th Premier League goal for Liverpool but it was not enough to beat Brentford, who twice pegged the Reds back in a breathless 3-3 draw.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were unable to reap the maximum profit from slip-ups by Manchester United and Chelsea earlier in the day as they shared the points after an early-evening cracker in west London.

Instead they moved just one point clear at the top, while preserving the top flight’s only remaining unbeaten record.

And Klopp will be relieved at that after Ivan Toney had what would have been a late winner ruled out for offside.

The German will also know his side will not face many tougher trips all season, with vibrant Brentford leading through Ethan Pinnock and, following goals from Diogo Jota and Salah, equalising through Vitaly Janelt.

Then, when Curtis Jones smashed Liverpool ahead again, Bees sub Yoane Wissa came up with another equaliser.

There was a taste of things to come when both teams were denied by goal-line clearances in the opening 10 minutes.

First Salah missed out on a seventh-minute opener thanks to a spectacular piece of defending from Kristoffer Ajer.

Jota’s through-ball sent Salah through and he rolled his shot past Bees keeper David Raya, but Ajer raced back and slid in to hook the ball off the line.

Moments later, at the other end, Bryan Mbeumo latched onto Toney’s flick-on and lifted the ball over Alisson, but this time Joel Matip got back to scoop the ball clear from underneath the crossbar.

Brentford were more than holding their own against the 2020 champions and were good value for the lead they took in the 27th minute.

Spanish winger Sergi Canos, who spent three years at Liverpool as a youngster but played only nine minutes for the first team, got down the Reds’ right and drilled in a low cross.

Toney helped the ball on at the near post and centre-half Pinnock was left with a tap-in.

The lead lasted barely three minutes, however, before Jordan Henderson swung in a cross from the right and Jota headed home at the far post.

Seven minutes before the interval Henderson teed up Jones on the edge of the area and his shot was deflected onto a post by Pinnock.

Jota should have been celebrating his second of the afternoon from the rebound but somehow Raya got his body in the way of the shot and it flew wide.

After the break Salah grabbed his landmark goal. The Egypt striker was was initially flagged offside as he tucked away Fabinho’s ball over the top, but a VAR check showed he was in fact onside.

Back came Brentford, though, and when Pontus Jansson slid in to crash Ajer’s cross onto the bar, Janelt popped up at the far post to force the loose ball home.

Jones blasted Liverpool back in front in the 67th minute. Moments after sending a long-range sighter high into the stands, the midfielder took aim again and his low drive took a deflection in a crowded penalty area as it flew past Raya.

Salah should have had goal number 101 after he was played in by Sadio Mane but he chipped the ball onto the roof of the net.

Moments later Bees sub Wissa arrived at the far post and produced a composed finish to equalise yet again, before Toney was denied a late winner by the linesman’s flag.

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EMILE SMITH ROWE, BUKAYO SAKA STAR AS ARSENAL OUTCLASS TOTTENHAM IN NORTH LONDON DERBY

Arsenal produced a superb first-half performance to beat north London rivals Tottenham 3-1 and leapfrog their neighbours in the Premier League table.

Spurs had no answer for their hosts, who were spurred on by academy graduates Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka – both scoring and assisting in an impressive victory.

Smith Rowe opened the scoring and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled the lead before Saka struck in a first 45 minutes dominated by Mikel Arteta’s side and Son Heung-min hit a late consolation for the beleaguered visitors.

Questions are already being asked of Nuno Espirito Santo’s suitability for the role of Tottenham boss, just 88 days since he took charge – this was the first time in 18 years that Spurs have conceded three goals in three successive Premier League games.

They sat top of the league ahead of the international break, their fans taking great pleasure in seeing Arsenal propping up the table.

This emphatic win, however, sees Arsenal go above their neighbours as they continue to recover from a poor start to the campaign.

Son and Aubameyang both had early chances which were missed before ultimately being flagged offside.

It was the hosts, however, who had started the game the brighter and they duly delivered the opening goal just 12 minutes into the contest.

Martin Odegaard had time and space to spread the ball wide to Saka, whose low cross into the box was swept home by Smith Rowe, who arrived unmarked to send the ball past Hugo Lloris.

Thomas Partey then stung the palms of Lloris with a rasping effort before Aubameyang sent an effort whistling over the crossbar.

Arsenal did look nervy when Spurs could attack, mixing up a clearance before Son drew a smart stop out of Aaron Ramsdale.

Soon after and the home side had doubled their lead, countering at pace as Smith Rowe this time turned provider – bursting into the box and squaring for Aubameyang to finish.

Tottenham wanted the goal chalked off for a foul on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg but the challenge from the returning Granit Xhaka was deemed legitimate by referee Craig Pawson.

Things would get even better for the Gunners as Saka would get in on the act to make it 3-0.

Partey stole the ball off Harry Kane and Arsenal again broke behind the Spurs defence with three passes.

Smith Rowe found Saka – who ran into the box and was challenged well by a backtracking Kane, only for the loose ball to roll back into the path of his England team-mate who then finished low past Lloris.

Nuno reacted at the interval, introducing Oliver Skipp and Emerson Royal in place of Dele Alli and Japhet Tanganga.

It made little difference at the start of the second half, Arteta up in arms as he wanted a penalty for a foul on Gabriel Magalhaes as Arsenal pushed for a fourth goal.

Spurs were wanting their own spot-kick soon after as Ben White seemed to trip Kane, but Pawson and the VAR remained unmoved.

It did, at least, finally warrant a reaction from Spurs, Ramsdale saving low from a Kane shot which appeared to be heading behind.

The England skipper would then be guilty of missing a fine chance as he outmuscled Takehiro Tomiyasu and ran through on goal only to lift his shot wide of Ramsdale’s right-hand post.

Arsenal were happy to keep possession as the game wore on but Lloris had to be alert to push a low Saka shot wide.

Spurs would get on the scoresheet with 11 minutes remaining, Arsenal’s defence this time granting Son the freedom of their area for the forward to score from Sergio Reguilon’s centre.

A comeback never looked likely but Ramsdale did superbly to tip a deflected Lucas Moura shot onto the crossbar in stoppage time as Arsenal saw out the remainder of the game to go 10th in the table, one place above Spurs.

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MICHAIL ANTONIO NETS LATE GOAL TO KEEP LEEDS WINLESS

Michail Antonio struck in the 90th minute to snatch West Ham a 2-1 victory as Leeds’ winless Premier League start was extended to six matches.

Leeds led at the break through Raphinha, but were punished again for failing to take their chances and after Junior Firpo’s second-half own goal, Antonio fired the Hammers’ last-minute winner.

The hosts’ inability to convert chances is threatening to undermine their second season back in the top flight and they slipped into the bottom three.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have equalled the club’s longest winless run from the beginning of a league campaign, set in 1935/36 and again in 1951/52.

West Ham began full of confidence after their impressive start to the season and threatened to sweep Leeds aside at the start of the first half.

Leeds’ injuries and suspension forced Bielsa to hand centre-half Charlie Cresswell his Premier League debut and the Hammers, led by Antonio, gave the 19-year-old’s game a rigorous examination.

Said Benrahma flashed an early shot wide and Antonio’s low angled drive was diverted by the slightest of touches from Illan Meslier.

Meslier was then forced into an even better flying save soon after to keep out another Benrahma effort.

But Leeds steadily grew into the game and Stuart Dallas’ curling shot was superbly tipped over the crossbar by West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Raphinha then served warning of his game-changing capabilities by cutting inside and firing straight at Fabanski, but the Poland international had no chance with the Brazilian’s next effort.

After being teed up by Mateusz Klich on the edge of the penalty area, Raphinha curled a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner to give Leeds a 19th-minute lead.

Raphinha hit a post from an identical position in the 35th minute, but West Ham finished the first period strongly.

Antonio just failed to get on the end of Benrahma’s far-post cross and following a rare mistake by Kalvin Phillips, Meslier produced a brilliant block to deny Pablo Fornals in a one-on-one.

West Ham thought they had equalised early in the second half when Tomas Soucek turned the ball home from close range following a corner.

But Antonio’s elbow had clearly caught Meslier in the face as the goalkeeper leapt to catch the ball and after VAR intervention, referee Kevin Friend ruled it out and booked the visitors’ striker.

Meslier turned away Soucek’s shot and at the other end Klich spurned a golden chance to double the home side’s lead from inside the box when set up by Raphinha.

Leeds were made to pay soon after as the action continued to ebb and flow and the Hammers drew level in the 67th minute, albeit in fortuitous circumstances when Jarrod Bowen’s cross was deflected in off Firpo.

Raphinha was withdrawn and replaced by Tyler Roberts and Leeds missed his direct running on the counter.

Both sides went in search of the winner but it was West Ham who seized their chance as Declan Rice picked out Antonio with a fine pass inside and the Hammers striker kept his composure to fire home a low finish.

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EVERTON OUTCLASS NORWICH AT GOODISON PARK, PILE MORE MISERY FOR THE YELLOWS

Everton inflicted Norwich’s latest defeat as goals from Andros Townsend and Abdoulaye Doucoure saw the Premier League basement boys beaten 2-0 at Goodison Park.

Townsend put the hosts in front with a 29th-minute penalty, awarded after referee David Coote watched replays back pitchside of Ozan Kabak’s challenge on Allan.

Norwich midfielder Mathias Normann subsequently brought two good saves out of Jordan Pickford before Doucoure’s finish doubled Everton’s advantage in the 77th minute.

The result made it six defeats from six for Daniel Farke’s rock-bottom Canaries so far this term, with their losing run in the Premier League, including the final games of the 2019-20 season, now standing at 16 matches.

Rafael Benitez’s Everton, returning to winning ways after their 3-0 loss to Aston Villa last weekend and Carabao Cup exit at QPR, are up to fifth in the table with 13 points from their six games.

While the Toffees had the fit-again Pickford back in goal, they were still without a number of players due to injury, including forward pair Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.

The opening stages of the contest saw the hosts have plenty of the ball but struggle to show much cutting edge.

The first real attempt on goal came in the 19th minute when Alex Iwobi delivered the ball from the left and it went via Salomon Rondon to Townsend, who fired a shot straight at Tim Krul, and Demarai Gray then sent a cross flashing across the Norwich area that no-one could apply a killer touch to.

Soon after, Allan went down in the box having been caught on the leg by former Liverpool loanee Kabak and appealed for a penalty, with Coote initially saying no.

But a VAR check followed, Coote watched the incident back on a pitchside monitor and pointed to the spot, and Townsend subsequently produced a cool finish from 12 yards to put Everton in front.

Norwich responded towards the end of the first half with a shot wide from Kenny McLean and then a Normann strike that Pickford turned behind.

Iwobi and Townsend hit efforts off target early in the second half before Pickford did well once more to deny Normann, pushing the Norwegian’s drive over the bar.

Norwich threatened again as McLean sent a free-kick towards Ben Gibson, who was just unable to make the connection he wanted as he tried to head in, and Normann then fired over a free-kick of his own.

It was making for a nervy time for Everton but that feeling was then settled when Gray teed up Doucoure, who slotted past Krul.

There could have been further misery for Norwich, with substitute Tom Davies seeing a shot deflect wide and Ben Godfrey, playing against his old club, then being denied from close range by Krul.