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BURKE STRIKE EARNS SHEFFIELD SHOCKING VICTORY AT MANCHESTER UNITED.

Oliver Burke earned bottom club Sheffield United a surprise 2-1 win at Manchester United, as the hosts missed out on returning to the top of the table.

The Scot’s 74th-minute strike deflected in off Axel Tuanzebe to hand the Blades only their second victory of the campaign, and their first away from home.

Man Utd started brightly, with Marcus Rashford firing wide, before Sheff Utd’s Billy Sharp forced a fine save from David De Gea.

Kean Bryan then put Sheff Utd in front on 23 minutes, as he headed in his first Premier League goal from John Fleck’s corner.

Harry Maguire equalised for Man Utd on 64 minutes, heading in Alex Telles’s corner.

But Sheff Utd restored their lead 10 minutes later when Burke’s first PL goal went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Defeat leaves Man Utd in second on 40 points, one behind Manchester City, who have a match in hand.

Sheff Utd remain bottom, but they now move within 10 points of safety.

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CHRIS WOOD HEADER SECURES 3-2 WIN FOR BURNLEY AGAINST ASTON VILLA.

Chris Wood’s 79th-minute header secured back-to-back victories for Burnley as they came from behind to win 3-2 against Aston Villa.

Ollie Watkins finished Matt Targett’s left-wing cross with the outside of his foot to put Villa in front on 14 minutes.

Burnley equalised in the 52nd minute when Ben Mee headed in powerfully from Ashley Westwood’s inswinging corner.

Jack Grealish was denied a wonderful solo goal by Nick Pope, but the Villa captain did score in the 68th minute, sliding in a low volley from Douglas Luiz’s centre.

The hosts hit back eight minutes later, with Dwight McNeil’s cross inadvertently finding the bottom corner.

And Wood glanced in McNeil’s cross at the back post with 11 minutes remaining to complete a remarkable turnaround.

Burnley sit 15th with 22 points, while Villa drop to 10th on 29 points.

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CHELSEA HELD TO BARREN DRAW IN TUCHEL’S FIRST MATCH.

Thomas Tuchel’s first match in charge of Chelsea ended in a 0-0 draw at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Chelsea controlled the early proceedings and Olivier Giroud narrowly failed to connect with Callum Hudson-Odoi’s teasing low cross.

After half-time, Chelsea continued to press for an opener, with Conor Coady pulling off two great blocks to deny Giroud.

At the other end, Pedro Neto chipped the ball over Edouard Mendy but his effort clipped the top of the crossbar.

Mateo Kovacic fired inches wide as Chelsea failed to find the breakthrough.

The result moves Chelsea up to eighth on 30 points, while Wolves are 13th on 23 points.

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ATHLETES HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY’LL RECEIVE VACCINES BEFORE THE OLYMPICS – MO FARAH

Mo Farah believes the Olympic Games will go ahead this summer and says athletes have been told they will receive vaccinations against Covid-19.

Farah, who has won 5,000 and 10,000 metres gold at each of the last two Games in London and Rio, has previously said he is targeting success in the longer distance only in Tokyo.

However, the Games are again under threat from the coronavirus pandemic, which were originally postponed by 12 months in March last year.

The idea of vaccinating athletes has been floated by International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound, and Farah told talkSPORT: “I think most people in a career want to go to an Olympics and take part in an Olympics.

The key thing is to stay safe and see what the country can do. What they have said to us is basically everyone will be able to get Covid injections and after that it’s less risk of spreading the disease, and then from there just see what happens and take one day at a time.

“I think (the Games) will go ahead but at the same time, for me I have had the experience of taking part in three Olympics and I have to see it as another race and see what happens.”

It is understood the British Olympic Association is not involved in any active conversations with the Government in regard to vaccinating athletes, and its chief executive Andy Anson told the PA news agency earlier this month: “The priority has to be the people who need it most – frontline workers, the elderly and the vulnerable.

“There will come a time, hopefully ahead of the Olympic Games when the athletes can be considered for vaccination, but we’ll only do that when it’s appropriate.”

IOC president Thomas Bach has previously said there is “no reason whatsoever” to further delay the Games, which are due to start on July 23.

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ASHLEY WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM FOOTBALL.

Former Wales captain Ashley Williams, who led his country to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, has announced his retirement.

The 36-year-old defender made more than 300 appearances for Swansea, was an ever-present as the club reached the Premier League for the first time in 2011, and also played for Everton, Stoke and most recently Bristol City.

Williams appeared 86 times for Wales and scored two goals, including the equaliser in the memorable 3-1 win over Belgium in the European Championship quarter-final in France.

Williams said in a statement on Instagram: “After consideration of recent offers to continue playing, I would like to announce my retirement as a professional footballer.

“It has been an honour to play 741 games across all levels of the English football leagues and to represent some incredible teams.

It has been an unbelievable journey and one I will look back on with my family and be immensely proud of. Starting from non-league to playing at the highest level in the Premier League, as well as representing my country on 86 occasions, was beyond my wildest dreams.

Captaining Wales in a semi-final (of the) European Championships in 2016 was my greatest achievement and something I will never forget.

“Football has taught me so much both on and off the field and I will take this with me into the next chapter. I look forward to still being involved in the game in the future.”

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MANCITY THRASH WESTBROM 5-0 TO GO TOP OF THE TABLE.

Manchester City swept aside West Bromwich Albion 5-0 in impressive style to become a record ninth different overnight leader of the Premier League this season.

Phil Foden had a shot tipped on to the post by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone before Ilkay Gundogan scored for the third successive match to put them ahead.

Joao Cancelo doubled the lead with a curling strike before Gundogan scored his second of the match.

Riyad Mahrez made it four on the stroke of half-time with a fierce shot from the right-hand side of the penalty area.

The Algerian turned provider early in the second half as he played the ball across the six-yard box for Raheem Sterling to tap home the fifth.

City have 41 points, one ahead of Manchester United, who play on Wednesday, while West Brom stay 19th on 11 points, six adrift of 17th-placed Brighton.

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HARRISON STARS AS LEEDS UNITED BEAT NEWCASTLE 2-1.

Jack Harrison scored his fourth goal of the season to give Leeds United a 2-1 win at Newcastle United and end a two-match losing run.

The winger struck with a fierce shot from the left of the area to restore Leeds’ advantage four minutes after Newcastle had got back into the contest.

Rodrigo had fired Leeds into an early lead, after a quick break involving Patrick Bamford and Raphinha, who also hit the post.

Newcastle improved after the break and Miguel Almiron equalised from Callum Wilson’s flick.

After Harrison’s goal, Jamal Lewis and Jamaal Lascelles both hit the bar before Jonjo Shelvey was denied a second Newcastle equaliser by a brilliant Illan Meslier save.

Leeds stay 12th on 26 points, while Newcastle remain 16th on 19 points as their winless league run stretches to nine matches.

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SOUCEK DOUBLE HELP WESTHAM EDGE CRYSTAL PALACE AS HAMMERS CLIMB TO FOURTH.

Tomas Soucek scored twice as West Ham climbed to fourth with a comeback victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The hosts led early on when Wilfried Zaha fired in a fine shot from the edge of the area after only three minutes.

Six minutes later, West Ham equalised when Michail Antonio cut the ball back for Soucek to head in.

On 25 minutes Aaron Cresswell whipped over a cross and Soucek volleyed in for a superb second.

Antonio also struck the post twice in the first half, and brought a save from Vicente Guaita after the break, before Craig Dawson’s thumping header extended West Ham’s lead on 65 minutes.

Substitute Michy Batshuayi tucked in a second for the Eagles deep into stoppage time but the Hammers sealed their fourth straight PL win.

West Ham are fourth on 35 points, one ahead of champions Liverpool while Palace are 13th on 23 points.

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ASTON VILLA SIGN MIDFIELDER SANSON FROM MARSEILLE.

Aston Villa have announced the signing of midfielder Morgan Sanson from Marseille for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.

The 26-year-old Frenchman has agreed a four-and-a-half-year deal at Villa Park.

“Morgan has performed consistently at the highest level in French football for a number of seasons as well as in this season’s Champions League, and is a player with the quality and experience to play in any midfield position,” head coach Dean Smith told the club’s official website.

He will add real competition for starting places and gives us more squad depth which is vital to competing successfully in the Premier League.”

Sanson spent four years at Marseille, scoring 25 goals and providing 22 assists in 157 appearances, having previously played for Le Mans and Montpellier.

Villa’s next match is at Burnley on Wednesday before a trip to Southampton on Saturday 30 January.

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CHELSEA CONFIRM THOMAS TUCHEL AS NEW MANAGER.

Chelsea have announced the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as their new head coach.

The 47-year-old German moves to Chelsea after the departure of Frank Lampard on Monday and signs an 18-month contract with the possibility of an extension.

“We all have the greatest respect for Frank Lampard’s work and the legacy he created at Chelsea,” Tuchel told the club’s official website.

“At the same time, I cannot wait to meet my new team and compete in the most exciting league in football. I am grateful to now be part of the Chelsea family – it feels amazing!”

Tuchel’s most recent coaching position was at Paris Saint-Germain, whom he left in December 2020 after back-to-back league titles and guiding them to last season’s UEFA Champions League final.

He has also coached Augsburg, Mainz and Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga.

“It is never easy to change head coach in the middle of the season but we are very happy to secure one of Europe’s best coaches in Thomas Tuchel,” said Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.

Tuchel will be in the Stamford Bridge dugout when Chelsea host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.