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JOELINTON STARS AS NEWCASTLE MOVE NORWICH CLOSER TO RELEGATION

Joelinton scored twice on his 100th Premier League appearance for Newcastle as they climbed into the top half with a comfortable 3-0 win over Norwich which moved the Canaries closer to relegation.

It was the Magpies’ first win at Carrow Road since January 1994, with the Brazilian finding the net two times inside the first half.

Joelinton broke the deadlock in the 35th minute with a curled strike into the top corner before slotting home again just six minutes later.

Bruno Guimaraes wrapped up the win at the start of the second half, when he beat a defender to Tim Krul’s attempted pass out from the back, before taking a touch and cleverly lobbing the goalkeeper.

With Newcastle flying after a fourth consecutive win, Norwich remain rooted to the foot of the table, eight points from safety with five matches remaining.

The game started slowly, but Newcastle had the first significant chance when Dan Burn played a perfect long ball from defence to Jacob Murphy, but the 27-year-old was unable to find the target and dragged wide.

Norwich then had an opportunity, with Kieran Dowell, who was picked out by Mathias Normann, firing over the bar.

The home side then potentially should have taken the lead when Teemu Pukki was played in one-on-one with Martin Dubravka, but he allowed the defenders to get back when trying to take the ball around the goalkeeper.

The Finland international then pulled it back to Dowell, who shot over the bar for a second time in quick succession.

Newcastle found the breakthrough in the 35th minute.

Murphy passed to Allan Saint-Maximin who flicked it to Sean Longstaff and the midfielder fed Joelinton, who curled into the top corner. VAR reviewed the goal for a possible offside, but Murphy was ruled onside.

Moments later, the visitors fired in a second, with Murphy again involved in the build-up, driving into the box before playing in an unmarked Joelinton to slot past Krul.

Newcastle added a third just after half-time.

In trying to clear his lines, Krul passed it straight to Guimaraes just outside the box, in an attempt to give the ball to Kenny McLean.

Under no pressure at all, the Brazilian took a touch before a beautifully lofted finish over Krul’s head and into the back of the net.

Krul was more alert in the 59th minute when he made a relatively straightforward save to deny Joelinton a hat-trick.

In the 65th minute Norwich had a chance to pull one back as Jonathan Rowe played in Pukki. But the striker dragged just wide of the far post, and the Canaries were unable to find a way back into the game.

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TOTTENHAM HELD BY BRENTFORD TO DENT TOP-FOUR HOPES

Tottenham’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League suffered another blow as they limped to a disappointing 0-0 draw at Brentford.

After Arsenal moved into the Premier League’s top four by beating Manchester United in the lunchtime kick-off, Spurs fluffed their lines with a sub-par performance in west London.

They looked devoid of all attacking creativity and for the second successive game they failed to have a shot on target.

It could have been even worse as Ivan Toney was denied by the woodwork twice as Brentford almost made it four wins in a row.

Tottenham’s front three of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski were again blunted and it looks as if Spurs, who had scored a glut of goals in recent weeks, have been found out.

Their top-four hopes remain in their own hands, however, as they still have Arsenal to play at home in a game that is looking like being decisive in the race.

The narrative before the match was about Christian Eriksen coming up against his former club for the first time since leaving in January 2020 and then suffering a cardiac arrest at last summer’s European Championship.

And the Denmark international was instrumental to a strong Brentford start as he directed play.

Bryan Mbeumo had a shot deflected just wide as the Bees forced a number of early corners.

It was from one of those that they came within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute as Toney sent a header from Eriksen’s delivery crashing into the crossbar.

Spurs, who were blunted by Brighton last week, again look bereft of any sort of creative flair as Brentford contained them by packing the midfield.

Things looked up briefly early in the second half as Kane got involved for the first time by seeing his shot on the turn blocked, while there was a moment of pinball as Kane, Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur all had efforts blocked in quick succession.

But Brentford got a second wind and came back at Spurs, with Kane needing to clear off the line from Pontus Jansson’s header, with Hugo Lloris getting down well to keep out Eriksen’s low shot.

Spurs threw bodies forward in search of the win at the end but rarely looked like getting through.

They had a major escape at the death as Toney was denied by the woodwork again, heading another Eriksen delivery into the post.

There was almost drama at the other end in injury time as Kane tried an acrobatic volley which went inches wide.

But Spurs did not deserve the win as they lost ground in the race for the top four.

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LIVERPOOL WIN DERBY TO KEEP QUADRUPLE BID ON TRACK AND ADD TO EVERTON’S WOES

Liverpool’s 2-0 victory in a testing 240th Merseyside derby kept their quadruple bid on track while pushing Everton slightly closer to their first relegation in 71 years.

Andy Robertson’s second goal of the season produced the vital breakthrough after 62 minutes of dogged resistance from the visitors and Divock Origi enhanced his derby legacy with his sixth goal in nine cross-city matches.

This was far from the humiliation many predicted – and Toffees fans feared – as Everton showed they can be organised and put up a fight but the one thing manager Frank Lampard could not bridge was the gulf in class.

Victory reduced the gap to leaders Manchester City back to one point, while leaving their near neighbours now two points from safety.

They had started the game in the bottom three after Burnley’s victory over Wolves and things got worse for them before a ball was even kicked at Anfield.

An injury to Ben Godfrey in the warm-up meant the visitors took the field having changed both centre-backs from the midweek draw with Leicester, Michael Keane the late replacement alongside Mason Holgate with Yerry Mina rested completely following his comeback against the Foxes after two months out with a thigh problem.

But that did not alter their tactics, which were understandably evident from the off: get behind the ball in a 4-5-1, eat up as much time as possible at restarts and frustrate the life out of their opponents.

It could have been an approach straight out of Lampard’s former mentor Jose Mourinho’s playbook, who famously came here in 2014 with Chelsea to derail a Reds title bid.

It certainly worked for 45 minutes as they limited Liverpool to just three shots, none of which were on target, despite 86 percent possession.

The fact Everton completed only 32 passes in the first half – the fewest by a team in the opening period of a Premier League game since Watford’s 30 in November 2006 – was inconsequential to the overall game plan.

Richarlison, who was frequently on the floor and ate up a lot of time for treatment, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who collapsed to the floor like a weary marathon runner at the end of 26.2 miles every time he collected the ball in two hands, drew most of the ire from Anfield.

Youngster Anthony Gordon also trod a fine line, with his booking for a dive in the penalty area from a non-existent Naby Keita challenge his worst offence.

Half of the 12 Premier League bookings for simulation this season have been for Everton players, with three alone against Liverpool. But it was all part of the ploy to disrupt and disturb and their hosts fell into the frustration trap.

The game had a more old-school derby feel about it, with Diogo Jota and Seamus Coleman involved in one confrontation which saw the Liverpool player pushing a hand towards the defender’s face in retaliation to a challenge, and Sadio Mane in the middle of a melee of 21 players after Abdoulaye Doucoure was booked for chopping down Fabinho.

Incredibly, Everton had the better chances early in the second half as Gordon and Alex Iwobi both directed attempts wide.

Prior to that, Joel Matip’s tangle with Gordon inside the area looked like it could have risked a penalty but referee Stuart Atwell was not in the least bit interested.

Jurgen Klopp sent on Luis Diaz and Origi just before the hour and the latter, who has made a habit of making his own personal derby history, combined with Mohamed Salah for Robertson to head home unmarked at the far post.

The deluge looked like it would start with Diaz and Salah, who volleyed over, having chances before Demarai Gray whistled a shot past Alisson Becker’s right-hand post to show the visitors were not yet done.

Robertson then proved his worth at the other end with a vital block to prevent an Iwobi equaliser.

Fittingly Origi, who has barely played this season, finished things off with a close-range header five minutes from time.

The party rolls on at Anfield, with a Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Villarreal on Wednesday, but things do not get any easier for Everton with Chelsea up next at Goodison at the weekend.

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TYSON FURY RETAINS WORLD TITLE WITH BRUTAL VICTORY OVER DILLIAN WHYTE

Tyson Fury enjoyed a happy homecoming as he retained his WBC heavyweight title with a sensational sixth-round stoppage of British rival Dillian Whyte at a packed out Wembley Stadium.

In his first fight on UK soil since August 2018, Fury was treated to a hero’s welcome by a 94,000 capacity crowd and largely dictated the tempo before ending proceedings in devastating fashion.

A vicious uppercut caught Whyte flush on the chin before he was disdainfully pushed over on to his back, and while the mandatory challenger beat the count, referee Mark Lyson waved off the fight.

Whyte could have few complaints at a halt being called with just one second remaining before the fight reached the midway point as he was clearly on unsteady legs after the bout’s first significant strike.

The 6ft 9in Fury (now 32-0-1, 23KOs) was able to use his considerable height and reach advantage to keep Whyte at bay while the challenger was made to look clumsy and cumbersome in contrast to his foe.

Whyte, cut over his right eye after an accidental clash of heads, was first installed as the WBC’s number one contender nearly four years ago but he was unable to impose himself as he found himself tied up whenever he attempted to close the distance.

Fury has repeatedly suggested in recent weeks that he would end his glittering career and, after treating the crowd to a rendition of Don McLean’s American Pie following his win, he said: “This might be the final curtain for the Gypsy King.”

If this is the finish then a highlight-reel punch in front of a post-war British record crowd is a satisfying climax to the career of a modern great, even if much-anticipated showdowns against WBA, IBF and WBO titlist Oleksandr Usyk or another domestic rival in Anthony Joshua go begging.

Fury has cut a relaxed figure this week, sharing pleasantries and light-hearted exchanges with Whyte when they came face-to-face despite years of back-and-forth bickering on social media.

Indeed the only times Fury bristled was at the mention of his relationship with former advisor Daniel Kinahan, who was last week sanctioned by the US Treasury amid claims of smuggling drugs and money laundering, all of which he denies. Fury says he has “absolutely zero” business with the alleged crime boss.

The matter lingered throughout the build-up and there was speculation about whether the issue would impact Fury’s mindset on the night. If it did, it was not evident after an elaborate and pyrotechnic entrance where he briefly sat on a throne and jogged to the ring on a chilly night in London.

A cagey opening round was only notable for Whyte boxing southpaw, which Fury had suggested he may do in an attempt to nullify his mandatory challenger’s powerful left hook, but it seemed to be early mind games from the Jamaica-born Londoner as the pair settled into orthodox stances in the second round.

Whyte, who in comparison to his opponent was booed to the ring, attempted to exploit Fury’s fleshy midsection but missed the target by a long way with a wild right and had to soak up a couple of one-twos in the second round.

The busier Fury was starting to find his range into the third with another combination drawing gasps from those in attendance and a telling smirk from the fighter himself. While Whyte seemed unfazed, he was unable to mount much of a response.

Both fighters received warnings in a spiky fourth round, with the duo sharing words with Fury seemingly upset he had been hit on the break. Whyte, meanwhile, seemed to be frustrated at Fury’s excessive holding.

Whyte landed a decent left hook in the fourth but could not force the issue as Fury started to look increasingly comfortable, popping off a ramrod jab to unsettle his adversary in the fifth round, six months on from knocking out Deontay Wilder in a memorable third fight between the pair in Las Vegas.

He closed the show in equally unforgettable fashion here, a punch that came from nowhere that brought deafening cheers, to bring an end to Whyte’s first world title challenge. It was his third defeat of a 31-fight career but this was Fury’s night.

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CHRISTIAN PULISIC NETS WINNER AS CHELSEA DEFEAT 10-MAN WESTHAM AFTER LATE DRAMA

Christian Pulisic’s last-minute goal handed Chelsea a 1-0 Premier League win over 10-man West Ham and spared Jorginho’s penalty blushes.

Second-half substitute Pulisic swept home Marcos Alonso’s low cross at Stamford Bridge to seal Chelsea’s first home win in four matches in all competitions.

The USA forward’s crisp finish also offered Jorginho a major reprieve, with the Italy midfielder having missed a penalty with just four minutes left on the clock in an incident that also saw West Ham reduced to 10 men.

Craig Dawson was sent off for hauling back Romelu Lukaku in the box, gifting Chelsea the perfect chance to turn a dispiriting performance into a much-needed win.

Jorginho stepped up and delivered his trademark hop, skip and side-footed penalty effort – only to see Lukasz Fabianski guess correctly and pull off a comfortable save.

Former Napoli man Jorginho missed two crucial penalties against Switzerland as reigning European champions Italy failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup.

But just when another penalty failure looked set to haunt the 30-year-old at Stamford Bridge, up popped Pulisic with a vital rescue act.

A win to keep Chelsea solidly in third place in the Premier League table, but given its dramatic nature also a result that ought to boost some weary bodies and minds in west London.

Manager Thomas Tuchel admitted on Friday that his players are “fragile”, tired and running short of ideas on how to fix their ailing home form.

A dismal first half devoid of any invention or quality did absolutely nothing to disabuse anyone in the ground of those notions.

The much-changed Hammers were content to sit in two banks of four and invite Chelsea to break down their regimented set-up.

The Blues had no answers before the break, and turned around as flat as they were frustrated.

The hosts finally upped the ante and the tempo after the interval, with a deflection helping Fabianski to keep out N’Golo Kante’s strike.

Trevoh Chalobah’s 20-yard drive forced Fabianski into another save, but still Chelsea failed to fire.

The Blues’ malaise was encapsulated by Thiago Silva powering between West Ham’s lines and picking his spot with a shot – only to see team-mate Timo Werner deflect his effort wide. Werner was flagged for offside just for good measure.

Dawson’s fine block thwarted Mason Mount and Werner could only blast wide after collecting the loose ball in the six-yard box.

Werner was then presented with the chance of the match as the ball dropped to him just eight yards out, but the Germany forward could not connect properly at full stretch, allowing Fabianski a straightforward save.

Pulisic, Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech replaced Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kai Havertz and Werner for the final 15 minutes as the Blues went for broke.

The triple substitution paid off in the end, but not without further drama.

Lukaku thought he had produced a vital act by drawing the penalty from Dawson, only for Jorginho – so often so secure from the spot – to miss again.

Pulisic stepped into the break as the super sub instead then, making no mistake when racing onto the ball with the goal at his mercy.

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LA LIGA: PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG SENDS BARCELONA INTO SECOND IN LALIGA TABLE

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired Barcelona back into second place in LaLiga after a narrow victory at Real Sociedad.

The former Arsenal striker’s 11th goal for the club secured a 1-0 win at the Reale Seguros Stadium which leaves them 15 points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

Ousmane Dembele had already hit the post when Aubameyang headed Barca into an 11th-minute lead, and Frenkie De Jong and the Gabon international both went close to a second before the break.

Sociedad fought for a way back into the game in a tight second half, but were unable to find a way past keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as the Catalan side bounced back from their shock home defeat by Cadiz.

Sevilla sit third after Jesus Corona struck twice in an eventful 3-2 win at lowly Levante.

Corona headed the visitors into a 14th-minute lead, but they were soon pegged back by Jose Luis Morales’ penalty after Diego Carlos had handled, only for Corona to double his tally with 27 minutes gone.

Morales passed up the opportunity to level for a second time when he missed a 71st-minute spot-kick, and Levante were made to pay when Jules Kounde headed the visitors further ahead nine minutes from time, although substitute Roberto Soldado made it interesting when he scored with three minutes remaining.

Ten-man Athletic Bilbao survived a tense conclusion to see out a 3-2 victory at Cadiz.

Bilbao looked to have the game won by half-time as they raced into a 3-0 lead after Raul Garcia had set them on their way within three minutes of kick-off.

Iker Muniain doubled their tally with 22 minutes gone, converting the rebound after keeper Jeremias Ledesma had saved his penalty, and Mikel Vesga made it three 12 minutes before the break.

Substitute Lucas Perez pulled a goal back for the home side 11 minutes after the restart within seconds of his introduction, and Vega’s 71st-minute dismissal for a second bookable offence provided a further boost.

Ruben Sobrino further reduced the deficit with three minutes left on the clock and fellow substitute Fali was denied an equaliser deep into stoppage time by the upright as Cadiz launched a late blitz.

Sergi Guardiola edged Rayo Vallecano seven points clear of the relegation zone as a 1-0 win at Espanyol ended their wait for a league victory at the 14th attempt.

Guardiola broke the deadlock two minutes before half-time to give the visitors the lead, and Rayo, who last tasted LaLiga success in December, might have won more comfortably had Alvaro Garcia’s shot not come back off the post on the hour.

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NOVAK DJOKOVIC COMES FROM BEHIND TO SEAL SERBIAN OPEN SEMI-FINAL SPOT

Novak Djokovic recovered from a set down for the second match in a row to defeat compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic and reach the semi-finals of the Serbian Open.

The world number one survived a deciding tie-break against Laslo Djere on Wednesday and found himself up against another fellow Serbian on Thursday.

Kecmanovic has been having an excellent season and held on to an early break to take the first set, but Djokovic hit back from a break down in the second and finished the match playing his best tennis of a disrupted season.

He roared as a final backhand landed inside the line to clinch a 4-6 6-3 6-3 victory and set up a last-four clash with either Karen Khachanov or Thiago Monteiro.

Speaking in his on-court interview, Djokovic, who is playing just his third tournament of the year, said: “I’m very pleased that I’m not going to play a Serbian player for a change because its a very strange feeling sharing the court with your compatriots.

“They are very rare occasions when I’m able to play at home and experience this atmosphere, so I’m trying to enjoy every single moment.”

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ROBERTS, COLLINS ON TARGET AS BURNLEY BEAT SAINTS TO CLOSE IN ON EVERTON

Connor Roberts hit a stunning first Premier League goal and Nathan Collins added another as Burnley moved to within one point of fourth-bottom Everton with a 2-0 win against Southampton.

Saints started brightly but it was Burnley who took the lead on 12 minutes when Josh Brownhill teed up Roberts to turn and send a curling effort beyond the reach of Fraser Forster.

Wout Weghorst was twice denied by the brilliance of goalkeeper Forster, who then tipped away a Jay Rodriguez header before Weghorst struck the woodwork as Burnley pressed for a second.

The Clarets doubled their tally after 44 minutes when Collins headed home from another Brownhill assist. It was Burnley’s 11th goal attempt in a dominant opening half.

Charlie Taylor’s superb block averted the danger from Southampton’s Che Adams as the Clarets dug in to claim back-to-back home wins.

Burnley remain 18th on 28 points, but if they avoid defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday the Clarets will move above Everton, who face Liverpool at Anfield later that day.

Southampton stay in 13th with 39 points.

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POLICE INVESTIGATE AFTER HARRY MAGUIRE RECEIVES BOMB THREAT

Harry Maguire’s house was swept by police on Thursday after the Manchester United captain received a bomb threat, the PA news agency understands.

The 29-year-old has been subject to widespread scrutiny and criticism during what has been a poor season for all connected to the Old Trafford giants.

United skipper Maguire has now had to report a bomb threat to police, leading to Cheshire Constabulary conducting a sweep of the home he shares with his fiance and two young children.

A spokesman for the England international told the PA news agency: “In the last 24 hours, Harry has received a serious threat to his family home.

“He has reported this to the police who are now looking into the matter.

“The safety of his family and those around him is obviously Harry’s number one priority.

“He will continue to prepare for this weekend’s fixture as normal and we will not be commenting in any further detail at this time.”

United will travel to Arsenal for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

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PREMIER LEAGUE GREATS CELEBRATED AT HALL OF FAME EVENT

A line-up of Premier League legends gathered in London tonight, for the first Premier League Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Hall of Fame 2022 inductees Vincent Kompany, Wayne Rooney, Patrick Vieira and Ian Wright were in attendance and took to the stage alongside inaugural inductee Alan Shearer.

The ceremony, hosted by broadcaster Kelly Cates, featured each of the players formally receiving their Hall of Fame medallions from Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Masters, in front of their families and guests including Gary Lineker and Dan Walker, DJ Roman Kemp, music artist AJ Tracey and YouTubers Chunkz and Elz the Witch.

Manchester United duo Paul Scholes and Peter Schmeichel, Chelsea’s legendary forward Didier Drogba and Manchester City’s all-time leading scorer Sergio Aguero shared video messages after they were unable to attend in person.

Rooney, who attended the event with wife Coleen, said: “If I had the chance to have played with any of the Hall of Fame inductees, it would have to be Thierry Henry because of the player he was and his ability to score and create goals.

“Current Premier League players who I think can be future inductees, I’d have to go for Kevin De Bruyne, Mo Salah and Harry Kane.”

When asked the same question, Vieira selected from one of his fellow 2022 inductees, while picking a player under his present charge at Crystal Palace as a potential future Hall of Famer.

“It would have to be Paul Scholes,” Vieira said. “He’s one of the best to ever play in the Premier League.

“The current players that I can see making it into the Hall of Fame would be Kevin De Bruyne for sure. I hope that Wilfried Zaha will make it one day, and Sadio Mane.”

Wright said that when he found out he had been inducted, it was extremely “emotional and humbling” and dedicated the honour to his former Palace manager Steve Coppell.

He said: “I have received so many messages from fans which is incredibly touching. It’s the stuff dreams are made of to be amongst this group of elite players. I want to dedicate my induction to Steve Coppell who first took a chance on me, to take me off the building site and give me my chance at being a professional footballer.”

Kompany, whose guests included wife Carla and his father Pierre, said: “This moment is difficult to describe but I am incredibly honoured. I am probably the most injured Hall of Famer though. I may have depended on my team-mates at times but I also tried to make others better.”

Shearer felt honoured to have the current crop of stars join him in the Hall of Fame.

“I just love football, I would play in a Sunday League if I wasn’t professional, so to be on a list among so many great players who have graced the Premier League and achieved so much is a great honour.”

Shearer also went for De Bruyne, Salah and Kane as current players destined to join him. “They’re all fantastic players,” he said.

The Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates the exceptional skill and talent of individuals who have graced the Premier League since its inception in 1992. It is the highest individual honour awarded to players by the League.

All inducted players receive a medallion engraved with their name and the year of their induction, as well as a £10,000 donation from the Premier League to a charity of their choice.