LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino admits struggling Chelsea need to “grow up” after their troubled season was hit again with a 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa late last night.

Pochettino’s men have won just once in six league games under his charge after Ollie Watkins’ second-half goal secured three points for Villa at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are stranded in 14th place, just four points above the relegation zone, after failing to score in their last three games.

Chelsea’s latest upset came when defender Malo Gusto was sent off after 58 minutes for a challenge on Lucas Digne.

After a VAR review on the sidelines, referee Jarred Gillett changed the initial yellow card to red following a dangerous play foul.

Adding to Pochettino’s woes, Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who has scored just one goal since his move from Villarreal, was shown his fifth yellow card in an effort to block Villa’s free-kick, serving a one-match ban.

Pochettino refused to criticize the match officials and instead said he and his players were to blame following Chelsea’s latest defeat.

“It’s our responsibility and the players’. We can’t blame VAR or the referee,” said Pochettino.

“That situation, we have to act differently. I will not blame or say anything against Malo Gusto.

“Incidents happen in football and they affect the game and the team in a negative way.

“We have to grow as a team, not just in an individual way. A player like Nico (Jackson) who is too young, goes through Premier League experience and he learns, he needs time.”

BARCELONA: Real Madrid recovered to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 to return to the top of La Liga, maintaining their perfect start to the season.

After Barcelona beat Real Betis last night, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad needs to overcome Basque opponents to get back ahead of the league.

Real Sociedad took the lead through Ander Barrenetxea, but Madrid equalized thanks to a Fede Valverde goal before Joselu sealed their fifth consecutive win of the season.

England’s Jude Bellingham missed the mark this time after starting well by scoring five goals in his first four games with the Spanish giants. He remains the top scorer so far.

Madrid will begin their Champions League campaign against Union Berlin at home this Wednesday, and despite missing Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema in the summer, and star player Vinicius Junior to injury, they are still one of the squad’s toughest.

Sociedad took the lead as early as the fifth minute at the new Santiago Bernabeu, when Takefusa Kubo made a pass to Barrenetxea.

Valverde equalized a minute into the second half and Joselu scored Madrid’s winner in the 60th minute.

Madrid currently lead the league by two points over Barcelona, ​​with both Spanish giants yet to lose this season.

GLASGOW: Harry Maguire was deemed ‘Scotland’s best striker’ after scoring his own goal at Hampden Park.

The England defender was met with ridicule every time he got the ball after being put in by the controller, Gareth Southgate.

Maguire replaced Marc Guehi during the break in the 3-1 win over Scotland in a historic friendly between the two teams.

The former Manchester United captain was even more unfortunate when Andrew Robertson’s ball was caught into his own net for Scotland’s only goal.

“Scotland don’t have any proper tries. Power Harry Maguire,” said one fan.

“Harry Maguire probably had more attempts on goal against England than Scotland,” said another.

“Scotland’s best striker is Harry Maguire,” said another fan.

Phil Foden opened the scoring followed by Jude Bellingham’s goal for England to lead 2-0 before the break.

Maguire’s own goal in the second half allowed Scotland to close the gap but Harry Kane ensured England’s victory late in the game.

LIVERPOOL, England: Dominik Szoboszlai scored the first goal for Liverpool and Mohamed Salah scored his seventh goal in seven games against Aston Villa as the hosts won easily 3-0 in the Premier League at Anfield.

Juergen Klopp’s squad, who have won 10 of their last 12 games against Villa, moved up to third in the league with 10 points from four games while Villa collected six points.

Salah, who is reportedly being targeted for a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, scored the 188th goal of his Liverpool career after grabbing a back pass in the 55th minute.

Szoboszlai gave Liverpool a dream start with a left-footed strike from outside the box after the third minute.

Liverpool doubled their advantage when finisher Darwin Nunez was hit by the crossbar and bounced into the goal when he touched Villa defender Matty Cash.

NEWCASTLE: Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s comeback down to 10 men at Newcastle was his best ever win as a manager – a dramatic encounter he has never experienced.

Darwin Nunez scored two late goals after coming on as a substitute for Liverpool, who lost Virgil Van Dijk in the first half for a foul on Alexander Isak and missed a late strike from former Everton man Anthony Gordon.

Klopp, who had appeared dissatisfied with the referee’s decision throughout the game, said it was his best win in two decades in charge.

“He was more difficult than the Barcelona game (Liverpool came back from losing 3-0 in the first match back). In 1,000 games as a coach, I’ve never had a game like this.

“With 10 players in this atmosphere and an opponent like this, I’m sure it never happens. These moments are rare and very special.

“At the break I told the players that at the moment maybe it’s something we can tell our grandchildren about. We can’t concede a second goal, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) can’t get a second yellow card – and we’ll have opportunity,” said Klopp.

According to Klopp, scorer of the winning goal, Nunez was eager for action after not starting the game and used this opportunity to prove his worth.

“He’s not happy but you can’t have more than 11 players playing all the time, so you need stability. Players are not happy. We need to invent a new way of playing football and Darwin can be a big milestone for him,” he said.

Klopp was also furious with the referee’s decision to send a red card to Van Dijk. The German controller said the defender’s mistake was too light.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was disappointed his side lost to an opponent playing with 10 men.

“It’s the same as last year’s game at Anfield (defeat at the end). I think the boys did well, good start.

“The second goal (for Newcastle) would have changed everything and we didn’t get it. If Nunez came on they were looking for one goal and got two,” said Howe.

LONDON: Manchester United and Mason Greenwood have jointly agreed for the forward to leave Old Trafford after he was charged with facing criticism, the club announced on Monday.

The 21-year-old forward has been suspended by the Premier League (EPL) since 30 January 2022 for being charged with having an affair with a young woman after his images and videos were posted online, but investigations into the case were not continued.

Prosecutors said last February that they dropped cases involving the attempted robbing and sexual assault that resulted in Greenwood following the withdrawal of witnesses and new evidence being found.

However United, citing today’s facts, said: “Everyone involved, including Mason, went through the trouble of continuing their careers at Manchester United.

“It was agreed the best way for him was to leave Old Trafford, and we are now working with Mason to achieve that goal.”

Greenwood, whose contract expires in June 2025, said: “I did not do what was charged against me, and in February I was acquitted of all charges.

“The best decision for all is that I will continue my football career not at Old Trafford, when my presence will not be a hindrance for the club.” –

LONDON: Mohamed Salah will stay at Liverpool while rejecting a hefty offer from Saudi Arabia, the Egyptian’s agent said last night.

The Anfield star is reportedly a target for Al-Ittihad, who are willing to pay Liverpool £52m in addition to offering the forward a £77m a year contract.

Al-Ittihad has tied up Salah’s team-mates at Liverpool, Fabinho while captain Jordan Henderson moved to Al-Ettifaq.

But Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas, confirmed the 31-year-old is happy to stay in action at Anfield.

“If we were considering leaving LFC this year, we would not have renewed that contract last summer,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Mohamed remains committed to LFC.”

Salah signed a three-year contract last summer, making him the highest-paid player in Liverpool’s history.

He scored 30 goals last season and racked up 186 goals in six years on Merseyside.

LONDON: Arsenal are rushing to sign Neymar to complete the Premier League squad.

Former Arsenal player Julio Baptista says the Brazil star is in need of a fresh break after being too comfortable at Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar, 31, is one of the players the Ligue 1 club will let go of in this summer’s transfer window.

“I think Neymar is comfortable at PSG, but the best step for him is to create a new atmosphere at another club – maybe one that gives him the support and confidence he needs. He didn’t feel that at PSG.

“Arsenal is one of the best clubs in Europe. We are aware, since eight years ago, Arsenal have not shown their true achievements.

“But now, with Arteta, Arsenal are a different team. They are building something very powerful. Maybe this is the key.

“In Brazil we say, you have a house, you have everything, and you only need a key to open it.

“Maybe Neymar is the key to unlocking and completing everything at Arsenal. He’s an amazing player,” said Baptista.

Neymar will also have no problem settling in at the Emirates as Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes are also his team-mates in the Brazil squad.

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) made a pretty hefty offer for Kylian Mbappe worth 865 million pounds.

According to the Defensa Central report, PSG made an extraordinary offer to Mbappe by offering a 10-year contract.

It will tie the French international forward to the club until the age of 34 and essentially serves as a lifetime deal.

In fact, it will also be the most lucrative sports contract in history.

However, Mbappe has reportedly told PSG that he is not motivated by money and dreams of playing for Real Madrid where he can win every trophy there is.

The striker has already told the club that he has no intention of signing a new contract and plans to leave the club on a free next summer.

However, PSG gave Mbappe an ultimatum that he must sign a new contract or be sold this summer.

The striker is a legend in France when he scored 212 goals in 260 games in addition to 98 assists.

Mbappe is still yet to win a Champions League title despite lifting the World Cup with France in 2018 and helping the team to the final in 2022.