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ANTOINE SEMENYO GOAL ENOUGH AS BOURNEMOUTH BOOST EUROPEAN PUSH WITH FULHAM WIN

Antoine Semenyo struck inside 53 seconds as Bournemouth reignited their quest for continental qualification with a 1-0 Premier League victory over fellow European hopefuls Fulham at the Vitality Stadium.

Forward Semenyo clinically pounced on an early error from Cottagers captain Antonee Robinson to claim his 10th goal of the season and earn the Cherries a first win in seven league games.

Evanilson went close to doubling the hosts’ lead when he struck the woodwork before Andoni Iraola’s men hung on to climb to eighth – above their opponents and Brighton on goal difference.

Ryan Sessegnon wasted the best of Fulham’s chances to equalise – heading straight at Kepa Arrizabalaga in the first half – before seemingly being substituted incorrectly during the second period.

Bournemouth began the evening having taken just two points from a possible 18 during a dramatic drop-off in form since going fifth with a 3-1 success at relegated rivals Southampton on February 15.

Defender Marcos Senesi replaced Illia Zabarnyi in the only change from the Cherries’ 2-2 draw at West Ham, while Cottagers boss Marco Silva stuck with the team which defeated champions-elect Liverpool 3-2.

Bournemouth raced ahead inside a minute.

Alex Scott led the counter attack following a loose pass from Timothy Castagne and, after Robinson’s mistake, Semenyo nipped in to cut inside Joachim Andersen and curl the ball into the bottom-left corner.

The hosts should have increased their advantage in the 16th minute when Evanilson rattled the crossbar from only four yards out after Scott headed Milos Kerkez’s cross from the left back across goal.

Fulham also looked dangerous going forward during an entertaining first half.

Rodrigo Muniz threatened three times in quick succession, including flashing across goal following defensive dithering from Bournemouth centre-backs Senesi and Dean Huijsen, before the unmarked Sessegnon tamely nodded into the arms of Kepa.

Senesi was shown a yellow card for a lunging challenge on Andersen, despite winning the ball, while Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno kept out a low shot from Scott in added time.

Bournemouth boss Iraola replaced Senesi with Zabarnyi for the second half and almost saw his side double their lead in the 55th minute when the legs of Leno denied Tyler Adams.

Fulham manager Silva then looked unhappy amid confusion as he made a triple substitution which took around two-and-a-half minutes to complete.

Tom Cairney, Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez came on, with Sessegnon, who was withdrawn alongside Sander Berge and Muiz, appearing to be brought off incorrectly due to an admin error.

Bournemouth stopper Kepa clawed away an Alex Iwobi effort and comfortably saved from Sasa Lukic as the west London visitors pushed for a leveller.

At the other end, VAR deemed Leno got fingertips to the ball when Evanilson went down in the box seeking a penalty, 10 minutes from time.

The hosts comfortably held on during seven minutes of added time to claim an overdue victory – their first at home since thrashing Nottingham Forest 5-0 in January – and put their European push back on track.

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VIRGIL VAN DIJK EXPECTS A BUSY LIVERPOOL SUMMER

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is expecting a big summer in the transfer market as the club look to build on their pending Premier League title triumph.

The 2-1 victory at home to West Ham, secured by the centre-back’s 89th-minute winner, leaves the Reds a maximum of six points away from lifting a record-equalling 20th championship.

Van Dijk’s own future is likely to be secured later this week with the announcement of a two-year contract to match the commitment Mohamed Salah made on Friday, but with main rivals Manchester City and Arsenal certain to strengthen, Liverpool cannot afford to stand still.

Forward Federico Chiesa was the only addition to head coach Arne Slot’s squad but he has not even had a bit-part role and greater reinforcements are needed in all three areas of the pitch.

“I think Liverpool should be able to challenge for titles in the upcoming years,” said Van Dijk, who captained the team for the 100th time against West Ham.

“Whatever happens in terms of players going out, players coming in, I think it should be a big summer. I think they’re planning to make it a big summer, so we all have to trust the board to do the right job.

“I think we 100 per cent can improve. I think we shouldn’t forget the quality that the Premier League possesses, especially this season. It’s incredible how everyone can beat everyone.

“Brentford got a draw at Arsenal, Chelsea-Ipswich was a draw. We obviously lost against Fulham last week, so we can’t forget that either.

“This year, there is a training camp and there is time for the team to work on what the manager wants and I think that will then improve the team.

“I think a proper pre-season would definitely help the club in order to be even more consistent than we already have been.”
In terms of consistency there is no-one who is delivering more than Salah.

In line for a fourth Golden Boot in eight years, the Egypt international set a new record for a 38-game Premier League season with his assist for Luis Diaz’s opener his 45th involvement (27 goals, 18 assists).

The ending of his long-running contract saga provided a significant boost for the club, as will the conclusion of Van Dijk’s.

“You can’t put it in words how consistent he is,” added the Dutchman.

“Obviously his numbers but the work-rate he’s put in over those last eight years at the club is incredible and he can still show it for another few years.”

Van Dijk is set to become only the second Liverpool captain to lift the Premier League trophy and he is looking to add to that.

“Being successful with Liverpool, the culture of the club, everything that embodies Liverpool – that is just part of me,” he said.

“I love the club, that’s pretty obvious. I think you can see that in the way I speak about the club, the way I work for the club in terms of what I do on the pitch on and off the pitch, and that will always be the same.

“We are two wins, six points away from glory. I know what it means to the club and I know what it will bring us if it happens. Most of the players don’t so when it happens it will be beautiful but we still have a job to do.”

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HARVEY BARNES SHINES IN NEWCASTLE 4-1 WIN AGAINST MAN UNITED

Harvey Barnes sent head coach Eddie Howe the best possible get-well message as Newcastle brushed aside Manchester United 4-1 to climb into fourth place in the Premier League table.

Barnes struck twice after the break at a packed St James’ Park after Alejandro Garnacho had cancelled out Sandro Tonali’s opener, with Bruno Guimaraes’ late strike completing a first league double over the men from Old Trafford since the 1930-31 season to put a smile on Howe’s face in his hospital bed.

Assistant Jason Tindall looked on as the Magpies claimed a fourth successive league win to leave themselves just a point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest with a game in hand.

For Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, who handed goalkeeper Altay Bayindir a league debut in place of the error-prone Andre Onana, there were flashes of positivity going forward, but a calamitous defensive frailty, the Turkey international included, proved fatal.

The hosts were first to threaten when, after Kieran Trippier had picked off Joshua Zirkzee’s crossfield pass and fed Jacob Murphy, the wide man whistled a skidding third-minute shot just wide of Bayindir’s far post.

Zirkzee forced Nick Pope into a fine reaction save after combining beautifully with Bruno Fernandes to work his way to the edge of the penalty area as the visitors responded. Still, Newcastle took a 24th-minute lead when Trippier slid the ball into Alexander Isak’s feet. He teed it up before clipping a pass into the run of Tonali, who volleyed sweetly past Bayindir.
Bayindir produced a stunning save to keep out Isak’s 34th-minute volley from a Tino Livramento cross as the pressure mounted, and his side was back in it within three minutes when Manuel Ugarte played in Diogo Dalot and he sped upfield before feeding Garnacho to shoot across Pope and in off the foot of the post.

Pope denied Garnacho a second at the end of another pacy break as the half-time whistle approached, but the teams went in level at the break.

Teenage Harry Amass blazed over after Dalot had gone down under Tonali’s covering challenge as the second half resumed at breakneck pace.

But it was the Magpies who regained the lead within seconds when Livramento skipped past Dalot and crossed for Murphy to stab the ball back across for Barnes to score.
Zirkzee’s afternoon came to an unfortunate conclusion 10 minutes into the second half when he appeared to damage a hamstring as he embarked on a mazy run from his half and had to be replaced by Rasmus Hojlund, with Mason Mount and Patrick Dorgu coming on for Garnacho and Amass at the same time.

But Newcastle smelled blood and pinned the Red Devils back, deep inside their half, and they extended their lead with 64 minutes gone when Noussair Mazraoui slipped under pressure from Barnes, who raced in on goal before blasting the ball emphatically past Bayindir.

Bayindir’s afternoon took a further turn for the worse when his 77th-minute clearance was headed back by Joelinton to Guimaraes, who made no mistake with just the keeper to beat.

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NEWCASTLE BOOST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BID AS LEICESTER MOVE STEP CLOSER TO RELEGATION

Newcastle blew Leicester away with three first-half goals to inflict a miserable 3-0 defeat on the Foxes who moved a step closer to suffering relegation from the Premier League.

The Magpies flexed their muscles in front of Sky Bet Championship-bound Leicester in a ruthless start to boost their hopes of returning to the Champions League by moving level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.

Jacob Murphy set the tone for the evening when he tapped in with 113 seconds on the clock and he grabbed his brace when he knocked in the rebound after Fabian Schar struck the crossbar from inside his own half.

Many of the Leicester fans who decided to turn up seemingly headed early for the exit doors when Harvey Barnes haunted his old club with the third goal on his return to leave Leicester 15 points adrift of safety with seven games to go.

Leicester last scored in front of their own fans against Brighton on December 8 and drawing another blank meant they became the first side in Football League history to lose eight home league games in a row without scoring a goal.

The Foxes forced Nick Pope into action 10 seconds into the contest as Jamie Vardy blasted an effort on goal from a tight angle but the England international was alert enough to tip it round a post.

Leicester went behind to a goal inside two minutes for a second straight game.

The Magpies hardly had to break a sweat as former Leicester man Barnes easily unlocked the frail home defence with a pass in behind and Tino Livramento fizzed it across goal for Murphy, who was waiting to tap home at the far post.

Newcastle doubled their advantage nine minutes later in quite outstanding fashion.

Schar picked the ball up inside his own half and lifted his head to find Mads Hermansen way of his line. He decided to audaciously have a crack which bounced flush off the upright and fell kindly for Murphy to bury his second.

The hosts were trying to demonstrate their attacking ability, this time Bilal El Khannouss sprinting down the left and unleashing an effort which drew a second stop from Pope.

The visitors were in no mood to show mercy and they punished Leicester with a third in the 34th minute.

Joelinton had the freedom of the King Power Stadium as he forced a save from Hermansen but Leicester were unable to stop the follow-up again as Barnes tapped in the rebound.

Leicester were inches away from scoring their first home goal of this calendar year. Patson Daka’s strike had the beating of Pope only to see the ball bounce off one post, hit the other and roll to safety.
The Magpies seemed content with their first-half showing and took their foot off the gas but Schar again tried his luck which Hermansen saved – he was greeted with sarcastic cheers from the dejected home fans.

Leicester were trying to find that elusive first home goal, though, with Wout Faes coming close with a header which was glanced the wrong side of a post to sum up another bleak night for the Foxes.

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ENZO FERNANDEZ HEADER SENDS CHELSEA BACK INTO TOP FOUR AFTER WIN OVER TOTTENHAM

Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to take advantage of the growing discontent surrounding the home side.

As when these teams met in north London last season, VAR played a prominent role, ruling out goals from Moises Caicedo and Pape Sarr after half-time, but Chelsea deserved the points as their Champions League challenge got back on track.

They had begun with far greater energy than in recent lacklustre performances. In the first minute Nicolas Jackson on his return to the side was denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario then saw Micky van de Ven’s fluffed clearance ricochet off him and against the post, before moments later Malo Gusto rifled Marc Cucurella’s cross into the side-netting.

Destiny Udogie almost then turned Cole Palmer’s cross past his own goalkeeper under pressure from Fernandez as Spurs seemingly improvised their way defensively through the early exchanges.

A concerning sight for Maresca was Caicedo requiring treatment on the pitch for a hamstring issue, particularly so with Romeo Lavia having suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from injury. The head coach need not have worried, as Caicedo recovered to give an outstanding first-half display of power and poise to snuff out Spurs’ limited attacking presence.

There were signs of life at last in the visitors after 37 minutes when Son Heung-min found space in the box and drew a one-handed stop from Robert Sanchez. Levi Colwill then cleared sloppily but James Maddison failed to take advantage and was easily shrugged off the ball.

Jadon Sancho had been lively on the left but was chastised by home fans for failing to shoot when in good positions. He finally gave them their wish late in the first half, striking low at goal from an angle via a deflection off Djed Spence and drawing an excellent flying stop from Vicario.

Spurs had themselves to blame for Chelsea’s winner five minutes into the second half. After Sancho had been given freedom inside the box to pirouette on the ball, assess options and lay it off, Udogie did little but stand and watch as Fernandez drifted across him to meet Palmer’s cross and nod his side in front with the simplest header.

Caicedo then thumped the ball into the bottom corner only to be denied after a hugely protracted VAR check that judged Colwill to have strayed offside by an almost imperceptible margin.

Spurs were then themselves denied by a pitchside review after Sarr had lashed in what looked a stunning equaliser from long range, the Spurs substitute having caught Caicedo on the knee in winning the ball for which he was shown a yellow card.

Sanchez kept out Son for a second time after a Spurs counter in the final minute of the 90, before 12 additional minutes during which Ange Postecoglou’s side failed to put Chelsea under much pressure to challenge their lead.

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ARSENAL’S GABRIEL MAGALHAES RULED OUT FOR REST OF SEASON AS HAMSTRING INJURY NEEDS SURGERY

Arsenal have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid after Gabriel was ruled out for the rest of the season.

The Gunners confirmed the Brazil defender will require surgery on the hamstring injury he sustained in his side’s 2-1 Premier League against Fulham on Tuesday.

Gabriel, who has starred at the heart of Arsenal’s defence in recent seasons, went down in the 16th minute with the injury and was unable to continue.

The north London side host Real Madrid in the opening leg of their quarter-final clash at the Emirates on Tuesday before the return leg eight days later.

Arsenal said in a statement: “Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhaes has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery.

“Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season.

“Everyone at the club will be fully focused on supporting Gabi to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge has been derailed by injuries to pivotal players. Just as manager Mikel Arteta welcomed back Bukayo Saka, he will now be without Gabriel for the last-eight clash against the 15-time European Cup winners.

Gabriel’s season-ending injury leaves Arsenal desperately short on numbers in defence with major doubts over Jurrien Timber, who went down twice holding his right knee against Fulham before being replaced in the second half, and Ben White.

The latter was not even fit enough for the squad on Tuesday. Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also sidelined.

Gabriel, who has played 49 times for Arsenal and Brazil this season, was replaced by Jakub Kiwior with the Pole making his first appearance in the league since December.

Arteta has been without several influential players this season. Captain Martin Odegaard missed 12 matches with an ankle problem, Saka was sidelined for 101 days after tearing a hamstring and Kai Havertz also suffered a hamstring injury – during Arsenal’s warm-weather training camp in February – which ruled him out for the season.

Gabriel Jesus ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in January and faces a significant period on the sidelines.

The Champions League is Arsenal’s only realistic hope of silverware. Liverpool are 12 points clear in the race for the title with 24 points to play for across the remaining eight fixtures.

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DAVID MOYES: JAMES TARKOWSKI LUCKY NOT TO SEE RED FOR ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER TACKLE

David Moyes believes James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister as Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on a controversial night at Anfield.

Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal, which Moyes claimed should have been ruled out for offside, gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were left unhappy with decisions from referee Sam Barrott and his assistants.

The first concerned Tarkowski’s early foul on Mac Allister, the Everton defender clearly winning the ball but catching the Argentinian high on the back of the calf with his follow-through.

Barrott showed a yellow, a decision quickly upheld following a VAR check, but one few agreed with.

Former Everton hard man Duncan Ferguson said it was a “straight red all day” on Sky Sports.

Moyes said: “I thought at the time it was a brilliant tackle for a derby game.

“You people are all asking for (physical play) and then when you get it you want a sending-off, so be careful what you wish for.

“I thought it was a brilliant tackle, but since I’ve seen it and come back in we could have been lucky he didn’t get a red.

“It looked high, but it depends what era you want to watch your football in.”

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, sent off for his protests when these sides met at Goodison Park in February, held his tongue.

“I don’t want to comment on the situation because so many already did and even people who are not liking Liverpool a lot are saying how clear and obvious it was,” he said.

Jota took his goal, his first since January, in some style, but Moyes fumed over the build-up after his nine-match unbeaten run since returning to Everton ended.

Luis Diaz was in an offside position when Ryan Gravenberch played the ball forward, but Jota capitalised after Tarkowski cut out a pass heading in his direction.

“He’s offside,” Moyes said. “I’ve not sought an explanation. I’ve said to (the officials) I’m disappointed. I think it’s quite an easy one to give. All our players are holding the 18-yard line and Diaz has come from behind and affects Tarky from behind.

“I’m really surprised it wasn’t given, or maybe I’m not surprised. I don’t think there’s many managers who come here and think they get loads of decisions at Anfield.

“I wasn’t sure how well the linesmen have done their jobs tonight. There were early flags, late flags, I didn’t think they’ve done particularly well.”

Moyes even got some sympathy from Slot.
“It was not offside according to the rules,” the Dutchman said. “Do I like the rules? No. I do not like the rule, it is not a rule that helps the team wanting to attack. So I hate that rule, but the execution of the rule was fortunately for us well done in that situation.”

While he questioned the officials, Moyes had “no complaints” over the result away to a side now 12 points clear at the top and Slot admitted Everton had made his players work hard for their win.

“It was hard fought, but that is definitely not a surprise,” he said. “Nine games unbeaten, Everton, they hardly concede a goal, hardly ever conceded a chance. We had to be there many times and you hope one time it will be enough and it was for Diogo.”

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DIOGO JOTA’S SOLO GOAL FIRES LEADERS LIVERPOOL TO VICTORY IN CONTROVERSIAL MERSEYSIDE DERBY

Liverpool re-established their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League with Diogo Jota’s strike against Everton settling a second controversial Merseyside derby of the season.

Jota’s first league goal since mid-January was potentially one of his most important of the campaign as the 1-0 victory kept second-placed Arsenal at more than arm’s length.

It also ended Everton manager David Moyes’ nine-match unbeaten league run since taking over in January and extended his personal record to 22 Anfield visits without a win.

But the main talking point was Everton defender James Tarkowski seemingly getting away with an excessive challenge on Alexis Mac Allister early in the first half.

That former Toffees striker and renowned hard man Duncan Ferguson called it a “straight red all day” told its own story.

Sam Barrott had never refereed at Anfield before, never mind handled a Merseyside derby, and there were times when it looked like he was reluctant to make a decision.

None more so than Tarkowski’s 11th-minute tackle which appeared to receive universal condemnation from pundits and commentators for its unnecessary ferocity.

Jarrad Branthwaite had just bailed out his centre-back partner by blocking a shot by Jota, who had turned Tarkowski too easily on the edge of the area.

The veteran defender seemed to want to re-establish his authority and the next time the ball came his way he took it cleanly but followed through wildly, catching Mac Allister halfway up his calf.

Barrott issued a yellow card and VAR saw no reason to upgrade it, with the Premier League subsequently describing the tackle as “reckless”. Ferguson, a Sky Sports pundit, said the decision was “unbelievable”.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, who had been sent off for his protests at Goodison Park in February after Tarkowski’s equaliser in the eighth added minute, just about managed to keep a lid on his frustrations.

It set the game on edge, which played into the visitors’ hands, and they had the best two chances of the half.

Beto’s goal was ruled out for offside before the striker hit a post in a one-on-one with Caoimhin Kelleher, in because Alisson Becker failed concussion protocols following a clash on Brazil duty, after capitalising on a rare error by Virgil van Dijk.

The best Liverpool could muster was a Mohamed Salah header straight at Jordan Pickford and a Ryan Gravenberch shot deflecting kindly into the England goalkeeper’s arms.

Gravenberch set the tone for the second half with a shot which was parried by Pickford and headed behind by Branthwaite.

But the breakthrough finally came in the 57th minute.

Jota retrieved Diaz’s backheel and jinked his way past Idrissa Gueye and Tarkowski before firing past Pickford.

There was a degree of karma in the fact Diaz had been offside until Tarkowski stuck out a leg to half-block Gravenberch’s intended pass, on which Jota pounced.

Barrot got himself into a mess late in the game when he blew for a foul inside Liverpool’s half as substitute Darwin Nunez chased the ball and collided with Pickford in the penalty area, with the Uruguay international getting himself booked for unsporting behaviour for rolling back onto the pitch to receive treatment.

It was far from a classic but after back-to-back defeats, in two cup competitions, for the first time under Slot just before the international break a return to winning ways brought a second title in five years one step closer.

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MARCUS RASHFORD SCORES FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL FOR VILLA IN WIN AT BRIGHTON

Marcus Rashford struck his first Premier League goal for Aston Villa to set his side on course for a comprehensive 3-0 win over fellow European hopefuls Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

The on-loan Manchester United forward added to his brace in Saturday’s 3-0 FA Cup quarter-final success away to Preston by bobbling home a 51st-minute finish after Villa countered from a Seagulls corner.

In-form Marco Asensio doubled the lead 12 minutes from time with his eighth goal in his last seven appearances before fellow substitute Donyell Malen’s maiden goal for the club sealed victory in the 10th minute of added time.

Albion were frustrated to be denied a quick-fire equaliser after Rashford’s milestone goal when winger Simon Adingra’s close-range effort was disallowed following a VAR check due to an adjudged handball by Kaoru Mitoma in the build-up.

Fabian Hurzeler’s hosts also hit the woodwork through Yasin Ayari’s first-half free-kick before slipping to eighth place – a point and a place below Villa – on the back of a first top-flight defeat in two months.

Villa arrived in Sussex buoyed by reaching a first FA Cup semi-final since finishing runners-up 10 years ago, while Albion were seeking a response to the disappointment of a penalty shoot-out exit at home to Nottingham Forest.

Travelling fans wasted little time in taunting home supporters about reaching Wembley during an end-to-end opening in which both sides threatened.

Matty Cash fizzed a rising drive just over with the visitors’ best opportunity, while Adingra’s curling effort drifted narrowly wide at the other end following a swift counter-attack led by Mitoma.

Brighton wanted a penalty in the 28th minute when winger Mitoma was nudged over by right-back Cash.

The incident prompted a disagreement on the touchline as Villa manager Unai Emery took issue with Albion boss Hurzeler leaving his technical area to protest against the decision of referee Stuart Attwell.

Villa had greater reason to feel aggrieved in the 37th minute when Jack Hinshelwood, who had already been booked, appeared to bring down Jacob Ramsey in the box, only to somehow escape punishment following a VAR review.

Midfielder Ayari almost gave Albion a 42nd-minute lead but his 20-yard free-kick, after being hauled down by Boubacar Kamara, was touched on to the post by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The away side seized the initiative just six minutes into the second period with a route-one counter-attack launched by Martinez.

After comfortably catching Jan Paul van Hecke’s header from a Seagulls corner, the Argentinian World Cup winner rolled the ball to Morgan Rogers, whose long, diagonal ball sent England international Rashford racing clear to scuff beyond Bart Verbruggen.
The Seagulls thought they had equalised four minutes later.

However, following Attwell’s trip to the pitch-side monitor, Mitoma was deemed to have handled Ayari’s lofted pass into the box, prior to Adingra sweeping home after Martinez failed to claim the loose ball.

Having initially responded well to falling behind, Brighton were dealt a knockout blow in the 78th minute.

Defender Eiran Cashin, on for his Brighton debut in place of captain Lewis Dunk, was caught out trying to intercept Cash’s ball forward, allowing Rogers to race down the right and pick out prolific Paris St Germain loanee Asensio, who calmly found the bottom right corner with a fine, first-time finish.

Brighton were given 10 minutes of added time to find a way back into the contest.

But the hosts rarely threatened to set up a tense finale before Netherlands forward Malen compounded their misery by thumping a low shot into the bottom left corner to secure Villa’s sixth successive victory in all competitions.

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SANDRO TONALI’S STUNNING STRIKE KEEPS NEWCASTLE IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PURSUIT

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United stands in the wall with Lewis Hall, Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and AFC Bournemouth at St James' Park on January 18, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Sandro Tonali blasted Newcastle firmly into the race for Champions League qualification with a stunning strike to seal a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brentford.

On a night when Alexander Isak became the first man to score 20 Premier League goals for the Magpies in consecutive seasons, it was Italy international Tonali, who found the back of the net twice against the Bees in the Carabao Cup fifth round, who snatched the headlines with a superb winner 16 minutes from time.

Isak had given the hosts, playing for their first time since their Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool, the lead in first-half stoppage time with his 24th goal of the season and 20th in the league.

Bryan Mbeumo equalised with a penalty before Tonali lit up St James’ Park and eased his side into fifth place with a game in hand on the teams above them.

Isak should have scored within two minutes, but glanced a header wide from Tino Livramento’s cross before Kieran Trippier had to get in a timely header to prevent Mbeumo’s teasing cross from reaching Kevin Schade at the far post.

Brentford were almost caught out with 22 minutes gone when Jacob Murphy slid Isak in and he stepped outside defender Nathan Collins before blasting a foot over Mark Flekken’s crossbar.

Harvey Barnes and Tonali both saw shots blocked in quick succession as the home side turned the screw, but Fabian Schar had to put his body on the line to prevent Schade’s 30th-minute drive from calling Nick Pope into action for the first time.

Barnes had the ball in the net in stoppage time after Isak had left Ethan Pinnock and Nathan Collins behind with a mazy run, but tried to be too clever and his team-mate had run offside.

However, the Sweden international made amends within seconds, arriving at the far post to tap home Murphy’s cross after Mbeumo had slipped in front of him at the end of a move which had started with Pope.

Newcastle picked up where they had left off after the restart, but with Mbeumo’s invention testing the Magpies, their lead rarely looked comfortable.

Murphy and Barnes both should have extended their advantage after the former had caught Keane Lewis-Potter in possession, but it evaporated with 66 minutes gone when, after Pope had brought Yoane Wissa down as they competed for a ball lofted into the penalty area, Mbeumo calmly converted to level.

Brentford should have been ahead within two minutes when Pinnock rose unopposed to meet Schade’s cross, but saw his header come back off a post.

It was left to Tonali to win it in style with a remarkable 74th-minute strike from an unlikely angle, which caught out Mark Flekken at his near post and sent the home fans among a crowd of 52,021 into raptures.

Substitute Callum Wilson and Barnes both saw late attempts deflected wide, but Mikkel Damsgaard skied his stoppage-time effort over to the relief of the locals.