GABRIEL JESUS has scored his first Premier League goals since JANAURY – and they came in the first 15 minutes at Selhurst Park.
Jesus’ incredible hat-trick fired a heavily-rotated Gunners into the Carabao Cup semi-finals when the Arsenal met Crystal Palace in midweek.
And Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can do the double over the Eagles as they hope to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool.
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SOUTHAMPTON have appointed Ivan Juric days after axing Russell Martin.
The Saints are cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League and Russell was giving his marching orders following a 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.
They have wasted no time in finding his successor, hiring Juric on an 18-month contract.
Juric, 49, arrives after being sacked by Roma in November – less than two months after taking charge of the Serie A side.
The Croatian has been in management for ten years but never coached outside of Italy.
He said after putting pen to paper: “I’m very pleased. I think it’s a really big challenge but I’m very optimistic because I saw a team that can do better.
“It’s important to immediately be connected with the fans. I want an aggressive team and I think that fans of Southampton will like that.”
Juric also had spells at Mantova, Crotone, and Hellas Verona, and he had three separate back-to-back stints at Genoa between 2016 and 2018.
His most successful reign came at Torino between 2021 and 2024, winning 44 games of 122 games in charge.
He is now tasked with keeping Southampton in the Premier League -his new side nine points off safety after winning just one match in 16.
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Juric’s 18-month contract includes a summer break clause, and a two-year option to extend that will be triggered should Saints stay up.
Juric, a former Croatia international, is known for driving a hard line on fitness with his players while his playing style is less reliant on the playing out from the back style preferred by Martin.
CHRISTMAS tractor runs to raise money for charity have been axed after police elf and safety warnings.
Kenn Valley Young Farmers Club in Devon cancelled their annual ride due to take place Sunday claiming police were “cracking down”.
Farmers dress their vehicles up in Christmas lights and drive them through local villages for charity.
They said: “This event has raised thousands for charity, however due to police and highways legislation we have been strongly advised not to proceed.
“This event comes with many risks, risks that there have always been ways around.
“However the police are cracking down on safety and after an hour long teams meeting discussing the event- they are not happy.”
River Dart Rotary Club, which organises another tractor run, said they too had to cancel for similar reasons.
Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “This is a cop out by the police.
“Of course health and safety regulations must be followed but risks can be managed so that people can raise funds for charity and bring some much-needed festive cheer to our rural communities after Labour’s vindictive Budget.”
Mo Metcalf-Fisher from the Countryside Alliance said “After the kick in the teeth farmers received from the Treasury with the family farm tax, this Scrooge like clampdown on festive tractor runs is another blow to farming communities at a time when they need all our support.”
A police spokesman said: “Devon and Cornwall Police take public safety extremely seriously and have a duty to inform members of the public of certain health and safety aspects when organising any public event.
“Advice has been given by police and partners, through the Safety Advisory Group in how events can be ran lawfully and as safely as possible to ensure participants and the public are kept safe, as well as minimising traffic disruption to other road users.”
BRENDAN DOLAN is looking to repeat history and do the double over Michael van Gerwen.
Dolan beat Lok Yin Lee 3-0 to set up at third round game against three-time world champion Van Gerwen.
The Irishman knocked Van Gerwen out of last year’s World Matchplay Championship and is looking to do it all over again.
Dolan said: “I’m hoping for more of the same. I don’t think Michael is.
“I’m going to get stuck in, do my best and hopefully put in a really good performance that I know I can do.”
Dolan has been dealing with a shoulder problem in recent months.
But his finishing power helped him to victory over Hong Kong’s Lee at Ally Pally.
Dolan told Sky Sports: “I would have liked better scoring but my doubles finishing was brilliant.
“I’m glad to get over the line and I’m delighted with the win. I’m over the injury. That’s gone.
“That’s done and dusted. Onwards and upwards.”
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Van Gerwen began his charge for a fourth World Championship with a routine 3-0 victory against England’s James Hurrell.
He said: “I think I played OK, of course like everyone knows it’s been a tough year for me.
“To stand up here and do the thing you want to do always takes a lot of energy, but overall I put in a good performance.
“My doubles were there, I was confident, and the most important thing is that I won the game.
“It wasn’t spectacular but I don’t really care because I won the game. It’s only the start of my campaign and there’s more to come.”
GLASTONBURY fans think they’ve worked out one of the acts for next year, as they pray that one indie star will take to the Worthy Farm stage.
Glastonbury 2025 is already shaping up to be an iconic festival, with names including Sir Rod Stewart confirmed to perform to thousands of fans.
Yet music fans think they’ve worked out another musician who could take to the stage, as they think his performance is ‘nailed on’.
Indie singer Tom Mirsch revealed to fans he has a new album coming out next year, as he revealed he’s been ‘missing’ music.
The singer shared an update to fans via his Instagram, where he wrote: “This Friday I’m releasing an EP!
“A collection of songs including the ones I’ve already been putting out, mostly older ones that need to see the light of day before I start releasing my album next year…so stay tuned this Friday.”
He continued: “And 2025 is gonna bring you the album I’ve been working on.. very happy to start releasing music again. I’ve missed it!!”
Many fans have wondered if the new album out next year, could mean Tom at Glastonbury as the perfect place to promote his new music.
Writing on Reddit, one user speculated: “With tom misch due to release an album in 2025, could this mean he will be on the lineup?
“He was supposed to play in 2020 with yussef dayes and obviously never in the end due to covid so this could be a highly likely rumour imo!
“I personally think he think he’d be an incredible addition especially on the west holts stage and if we get the supposed duo from 2022 with yussef dayes we could be in for a treat! What do we think?”
Another shared: “I think he’s nailed tbh, new album coming out soon.”
“Set on a main stage followed by a super shy slot in one of Arcadia or levels please,” prayed one hopeful fan.
Another posted: “I wish been wanting to see him for years.”
Tom isn’t the only singer speculated by fans to be joining the Glastonbury line up next year, with others including Emo legend group Bright Eyes and Mary J Blige.
So far the line up for next year hasn’t been fully confirmed, with the full listings usually released in March ahead of the festival in summer.
Sir Rod Stewart was the first act confirmed to be playing though, as he takes on the Legends slot.
The singer wrote on X: “I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that I’ll be playing @glastonbury 2025!
“After all these years, I’m proud and ready and more than able to take the stage again to pleasure and titillate my friends at Glastonbury in June. See you there!”
He also makes history as the first artist to take the stage in a Legends slot after previously headlining the festival.
ARSENAL suffered a huge blow as Bukayo Saka limped off injured against Crystal Palace.
The winger started Saturday’s clash at Selhurst Park and helped his side race into the lead with a sixth-minute assist for Gabriel Jesus.
But Saka pulled up midway through the first half clutching his leg.
The England star had attempted to swing in a cross from the right wing with Arsenal leading 2-1.
And he immediately fell to the ground with a pained expression on his face.
Medics rushed to Saka’s side as he struggled to move.
He eventually made his way off the field for treatment.
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A WOMAN has been sexually assaulted on her way home from a night out, as cops arrest a 27-year-old man.
The victim, in her twenties, was targeted near Great Wilson Street in Leeds, in the early hours of Wednesday, December 18.
A 27-year-old man, from Leeds, had been following her along Call Lane as she made her way home from a night out.
Cops arrested him and he remains in custody while investigations into the serious sexual assault continue.
West Yorkshire Police have urged anyone who may have any information to come forward.
A spokesperson for the force said: “A man has been arrested as detectives continue to investigate a serious sexual assault on a woman in Leeds city centre.
“The 27-year-old man, from Leeds, has been arrested in connection with the incident where a woman in her twenties was attacked in the vicinity of Great Wilson Street in the early hours of Wednesday, 18 December, after being followed from Call Lane.
“The man remains in custody and detectives from Leeds District Safeguarding Unit are continuing to progress the investigation.
“Anyone who witnessed any part of the incident or who has any information that could assist is asked to contact Leeds District Safeguarding Unit via 101 quoting crime reference 13240686440 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat.”
ZOE Ball has arrived in New York City to visit her son Woody after bidding an emotional farewell to her BBC Radio 2 show.
Yesterday was her final day on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show, and the first thing she did after signing off was hop on a transatlantic flight to the States, where her 24-year-old son lives.
Woody has followed in the footsteps of his mother and his DJ father Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, as a presenter and DJ.
Zoe, 54, hung up her headphones and mic and stepped away from the breakfast show to focus on family after her mother Julia passed away from cancer.
Listeners poured in messages of support, including huge celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, David Tennant and Robbie Williams.
But the one that had her in tears yesterday was from Woody, who said: “Hey mum, you’ve done such an amazing job on the Breakfast Show and I just wanted to thank you for making everyone’s mornings a bit more magic. Here’s to a healthier sleeping schedule. Love Woody.”
So, it seems natural that the first stop after her tearful departure was to see him.
His sister Nelly was on the flight too and they are planning on spending Christmas together as a family.
Woody posted a series of stories which told the exciting arrival.
First he exclaimed: “My mum and sister just landed.”
Next, he posted a picture gazing up to the sky with the words “It’s snowing.”
He followed that with a picture of Zoe in bed, with his sister also in the frame, captioned “Family safe and sound.”
Then, the family began to exchange presents, and he posted that he was pleased with his birthday present, a jumper, which he said was “Warm A F.”
The family reunion is a sweet and happy conclusion to the end of an era for the legendary presenter.
Zoe bid an emotional final farewell to her devoted listeners as she quit the show yesterday.
Zoe was the first female host of the Radio 1 and Radio 2’S breakfast shows, taking over at BBC 2 from Chris Evans in 2019.
Many will remember she rose to fame as a ladette of the nineties presenting the OZone, Live and Kicking and more before that.
As she bid adieu to the Breakfast show to focus on family she began her five-minute on air monologue by saying: “I am obviously full of feels today and I have so many people I want to thank.”
But the mum-of-two gave a special shout out to her kids, telling them: “Being your mum is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
ALEXIS TOYLO has caught the eye during his Ally Pally debut – for his bizarre pre-throw routine.
The Filipino saw off Richard Veenstra 3-0 on Saturday afternoon to book his place in the second round of the PDC World Championship.
Toylo was considered a big outsider against the World No. 47 before a dart was thrown.
But the 32-year-old dominated the contest, completing a whitewash with an 86.03 average.
Methodical at the Oche, Toylo showed off his bizarre pre-throw ritual which he completes before each visit.
Prior to each set of three, he slows proceedings down by attempting a number of ghost throws.
The method caught the attention of Abigail Davies, who was on commentary for Sky Sports.
She said: “Toylo is sort of the Rafael Nadal of the darting world with all these routines.”
Davies was referring to Nadal’s painstaking routine prior to every serve.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner is famous for adjusting his shorts, touching both shoulders and tweaking his nose before throwing the ball skywards.
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Fans were quick to notice Toylo’s slow approach to darts – a far cry from the fast-paced game employed by many at the very top.
One fan wrote on X during the contest: “So hard to play against someone with that tempo.”
Another said: “Watching this bloke is like watching paint dry…”
While a third added: “Gosh……sorry but that was painful to watch.”
But a fourth countered: “Why am I seeing hate for Toylo? He got the job done.”
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Toylo will now face Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski in the second round.
The delighted Filipino said after his win: “I felt the pressure to deliver.
“I’m so happy I won, it’s hard to describe how I’m feeling right now.”