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Crystal Palace’s promising start to the campaign had them dreaming of a first top-half finish since 2014/15 amid a new wave of hope and optimism under Patrick Vieira.

Victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City formed a run of just one defeat in eight Premier League matches, with a seven-game unbeaten run indicating their form was no flash in the pan.

However, an injury to key midfielder James McArthur threatened to derail all of their impressive progress before the capital club had even reaped the rewards of their improvement.

A chaotic 3-3 draw with relegation-threatened Burnley marked the first game of the 34-year-old’s absence before three consecutive defeats compounded their newfound struggles.

Luka Milivojevic and then Jeffrey Schlupp were initially selected as McArthur’s replacements by Vieira, but with neither player excelling in the Palace engine room, summer-signing Will Hughes was finally handed an opportunity to impress over the weekend.

Since signing from Watford over the summer, the £30,000-per-week beast had only received 10 minutes of first-team action prior to Sunday’s showing.

However, his outstanding 73-minute display at Selhurst Park illustrated how Hughes is already solving Vieira’s biggest conundrum since arriving at Palace; how to replace an injured McArthur.

The former England U21 international controlled the middle of the park alongside Conor Gallagher, constantly breaking up opposition attacks before kickstarting ones of his own.

“He helped us to play really well in our build-up from the back, and for somebody who started his last game seven months ago, he was unbelievable,” said Vieira on Hughes in his post-match interview.

And the French tactician wasn’t the only one impressed with the 26-year-old’s eye-catching performance in south London.

The Athletic’s Palace reporter Matt Woosnam tweeted his admiration for Hughes, writing: “Conor Gallagher once again stole the headlines yesterday, but Will Hughes was excellent on his full debut.”

With Gallagher bagging a brilliant double, it’s clear that the youngster was Palace’s match-winner against Everton, but Hughes’ underlying numbers also illustrate his vital importance.

As per SofaScore, he received a match rating of 7.4 out of 10, the second-highest total awarded to any player that featured.

Throughout his time on the pitch, Hughes achieved a passing accuracy of 93%, had 58 touches of the ball and created one big chance that led to his providing an assist.

But he was equally as impressive out of possession, making two tackles, winning eight duels and blocking one shot, highlighting his hugely effective display.

Winnable fixtures against the likes of Southampton, Watford and Norwich City lie ahead for Palace over the festive schedule, and Vieira will be hoping Hughes can replicate the level of performance he showed against Everton in the weeks to come. With McArthur still out, that’ll be vitally important.

And, in other news…Vieira must seal Palace swoop for “crazy” £10.8m-rated beast likened to “LeBron James” 

Aston Villa will try to sign Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma in the summer, according to Ryan Taylor of The Express.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa fans were quick to flock to the update on social media.

Villa were credited with an interest in Bissouma earlier this month and even reportedly had a £25m bid turned down.

It now seems as if Juventus’ Rodrigo Bentancur is the club’s main midfield target, but Bissouma is still on Johan Lange and Steven Gerrard’s radar.

According to Taylor, Villa are expected to go back in for Bissouma in the summer, when he could be into the final 12 months of his Seagulls contract. However, Brighton remain adamant he is not for sale at any price.

Villa fans react

The AVFC Faithful relayed Taylor’s claim on Twitter on Wednesday evening. This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with one believing the summer window could be ‘absolutely mental’.

“We’re cooking”

Credit: @buendiazboyz

“I can’t see us getting Bissouma in the summer so many clubs will want him”

Credit: @Benavfctooth

“Dw we’re big time again now”

Credit: @youngprodigy08

“Our summer is gonna be absolutely mental”

Credit: @JayVtid

“Good we need Bissouma”

Credit: @mattdavis281

“110% have to”

Credit: @AvfcRegan

In other news: ‘Bottled it’ – Many Villa fans react to Fabrizio Romano transfer update. 

Manchester United could deny Manchester City the title this weekend as they take on Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The game then is important for two reasons; first to technically keep the title race alive heading into the final four matches of the season whilst, of course, the Red Devils will be extremely keen to overcome their great rivals in the form of Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.

In order to do that, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer simply has to include forward Mason Greenwood from the start.

Whilst the United striker has not been as prolific this season having struck just ten goals in all competitions compared to 17 last term, he has found his best form at just the right time for the Red Devils.

Since the start of March, the 19-year-old has netted six goals and also came off the bench last time out to score against AS Roma in the UEFA Europa League.

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Four of those goals have come in the league, meaning Greenwood has plundered more strikes in his last four Premier League appearances than he managed in his previous 27 appearances in the competition.

It is that sheer goalscoring threat that would make him a hugely attractive option to return to the starting line-up against Liverpool, especially alongside the in-form Edinson Cavani.

With the Reds having struggled defensively this season – conceding on average 0.3 goals per game more this year than in 2019/20 – the 19-year-old is likely to be a huge threat at Old Trafford.

Even his teammates are aware of the talent that Greenwood possesses, with Scott McTominay labelling him as “top drawer”.

He would certainly be deserving of that title should he turn in another impressive performance against Liverpool but only if he is afforded a start from Solskjaer.

AND in more news, find out why Solskjaer will already be delighted with a summer transfer decision made by the Red Devils…

Gio van Bronckhorst is in with a chance of securing a treble of trophies with Rangers before the end of the season as we enter the clutch stage of the campaign.

The Gers are second in the Premiership as it stands and are in the semi-finals of the Europa League and the final of the Scottish Cup. This means that the Dutchman can end his debut term at Ibrox in glorious style if they can get over the line on multiple fronts.

He is looking to carry on the excellent work done by his predecessor, who won the Scottish top-flight title ahead of their rivals last season.

Steven Gerrard led the Light Blues to glory in 2020/21 as he enjoyed an unbeaten league campaign, with his sublime work in the transfer market playing a big role in that success.

One signing he played a blinder with was the addition of English winger Ryan Kent, who joined on a permanent deal in 2019 – after initially arriving on loan a year earlier.

At the time of the move, he was valued at just £1.58m by Transfermarkt as he finally left Liverpool after a number of loans away from Anfield.

Gerrard previously labelled Kent “a constant threat” while others have claimed he’s “the Mbappe of Scottish football” and it is easy to see why when you look at his statistics for the club over the years.

In 2020/21, the Englishman produced ten goals and 11 assists in the Premiership to help the side secure the title and he has carried his fine form over into this season. Under Gerrard and van Bronckhorst combined, the forward has three goals and 17 assists domestically and in Europe.

Kent has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.14 in the league this term and this shows that he has been consistently delivering superb displays throughout the campaign. He is a reliable player for the Dutch head coach and has gone from strength to strength since making the switch from Merseyside.

At the time of writing (21/04/22), Transfermarkt value him at a whopping £12.6m, just over £11m more than his price tag in 2019. This highlights his incredible progression in Glasgow over the years as he has been able to drastically raise his market value by performing on the pitch for the Light Blues.

Bringing him to Ibrox was a sensational piece of business by Gerrard and it will be interesting to see where his career goes from here, whether that be at Rangers or elsewhere – hopefully the former.

AND in other news, Sources: Shock Rangers transfer claim emerges that will leave Wilson excited…

Billy Dodds believes that Connor Goldson has been Glasgow Rangers’ Player of the Year.

Dodds backs Goldson for Player of the Year

The former Ibrox striker was speaking on BBC Sportsound (via Ibrox News)and was asked by presenter Richard Gordon whether Steven Davis has been the Gers’ best performer this campaign.

Dodds praised the Northern Ireland international but quickly moved on to discuss Goldson, saying:

“I think Connor Goldson has been incredible, Goldson for me is a stalwart who plays every game.

“He has been outstanding, we talked about the nine goals that they’ve lost, that’s just an incredible record at any level of football.”

Brilliant

At the age of 36, Davis has been an important player for Steven Gerrard this season, and it is no surprise to see the Gers offer him a new 12-month contract (rangers.co.uk) despite him fast approaching the end of his career. However, Goldson has been a rock on which the Gers’ success has been built.

After 33 games in the Premiership so far this term, the Gers have conceded just 10 goals (BBC), and Goldson has started every single one of those matches (Transfermarkt). He has also popped up with four goals in the league, including two in the first Old Firm derby of the season as the Gers won 2-0.

Without the £4.95m-valued former Brighton man, it is hard to believe that Gerrard’s side would have been quite this good. Perhaps Dodds is correct in picking him out as the best performer in the Ibrox ranks during a memorable 2020/21 season.

In other news, some Rangers fans hammered this man’s performance against Celtic.

Carlton Palmer believes there could be interest in Kalvin Phillips this summer, but said Leeds would demand big money for the midfielder.

Phillips, who’s currently impressing for England at the Euros and was named man of the match against Croatia, has proved a vital cog in Marcelo Bielsa’s machine in recent seasons.

And the 25-year-old has quickly proved himself as one of the most complete defensive midfielders in the Premier League, despite the 2020-2021 campaign Phillips’ first in the top-flight.

Phillips featured in 29 of Leeds’ 38 league matches last season, scoring once and assisting twice, as Bielsa’s team finished ninth on their return to the Premier League.

Not only is Phillips a fan of the Yorkshire club, but he’s been with them since he was a teenager, a factor which the Leeds faithful will hope to ensure he stays at Elland Road for many years to come.

Phillips still has three more years on his current deal, which means Leeds would demand a huge fee for the midfielder should interest come their way this window, according to Palmer who spoke exclusively to Football FanCast:

“Kalvin had a tremendous game against Croatia in the first game of the Euros and had a fantastic season for Leeds, so there are going to be teams that covet him.

“But Leeds United are not going to want to sell him and if they do sell him, they’ll want big money for him.”

According to Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra, Glasgow Rangers are preparing a bid of €3m (£2.6m) for Santiago Moreno.

The Lowdown: Gers eye new arrivals

The previous campaign was a marvelous one for the Gers, as they won the Premiership for the first time in 10 years without losing a single game in the competition (thefishy.co.uk).

A place in the Champions League third qualifying round and a title defence to boot mean the Ibrox outfit will need to make new signings as they aim to progress further, with squad depth crucial ahead of a potentially gruelling campaign in Europe’s elite competition.

The Latest: Gers prepare Moreno bid

Now, it is being reported that the 55-time Scottish champions are preparing a bid for Moreno, who plays in Colombia for America de Cali.

Norwich City, as well as a number of MLS sides, are also interested in his services.

The Verdict: Making their move

21-year-old Moreno may not be a household name, but he certainly appears to have plenty of talent. He has managed 10 goals and seven assists for Cali so far in his career, including two strikes in this year’s Copa Libertadores (Transfermarkt), and he has even been labelled as the “new Sadio Mane” (TEAMtalk).

£2.6m is far from a huge sum, and if the Gers do stump up the cash they could he signing a young talent who could be an exciting player given his tender age and exciting comparisons.

If he turned out to be anything like the last Colombian the Gers signed – Alfredo Morelos – he would certainly be an inspired signing.

In other news, Rangers fans loved a photo of this star.

Seamus Coleman refused to use Everton’s injuries as an excuse after they dropped points away to Brighton on Monday night.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side could muster only one shot on target in their goalless draw with the 15th-placed Seagulls.

Having picked up just two points from the last 12 available, they’ve slipped seven points back from the top four, albeit with a game in hand.

Ancelotti cobbles together side with Calvert-Lewin among absentees

Everton were without 10 players for their trip to the Amex Stadium, most notably top goalscorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin. With midfielders Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Fabian Delph, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Fabian Delph also on the injury list, Ancelotti was compelled to field six defenders in his line-up.

Coleman and Lucas Digne lined-up either side of a back three, with Mason Holgate pushed forward into defensive midfield. Alex Iwobi was left as the only established first-team player on an eight-man bench.

However, the Everton campaign told Sky Sports that he didn’t want to ‘harp on’ about the lengthy list of absentees, saying: “There’s plenty of other teams doing that.”

That prompted Jamie Carragher in the studio to speculate whether the Republic of Ireland international was aiming a veiled dig at Everton’s injury-riddled local rivals Liverpool.

Fan feed The Toffee Blues relayed his comments, and here’s how supporters reacted, with one Toffees fan acclaiming Coleman as a “leader”.

Coleman hailed for ducking Everton injury excuse

“Such a legend”

Credit: @FtblMatthew

“I love Seamus’ honesty.”

Credit: @cazzawarrington

“My captain”

Credit: @MainManMina

“Brilliant by Seamus”

Credit: @carroll3_p

“Proper Everton captain”

Credit: @alexthompson24

“Speaks some sense him”

Credit: @tomwilky93

“Nail on the head, no excuses, not good enough, need about 7 more players”

Credit: @_JP1878_

“The man gets grief, but he doesn’t pick the side nor does he choose the captaincy. 100 billion percent every game he plays and hides nowt. Coleman’s a leader, quiet or not.”

Credit: @lewismaskens_

In other news, the asking price has been set for one of Everton’s striker targets.

Leeds United have suffered a setback before their Premier League clash against West Brom this afternoon, with Diego Llorente ruled out of action.

The Spaniard was taken off by Marcelo Bielsa at half-time of the Whites’ victory over Southampton in midweek and it now appears that he will miss the final game of the season.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash against the Baggies today, Bielsa said: “Llorente is not with us, throughout the first half at Southampton he felt something in his muscle that if he had continued he could have got injured where he got injured before, that’s why we decided that he shouldn’t participate in the second half of that game nor on Sunday.

“Every decision that I have taken I take it thinking of the player and thinking of Leeds United, not thinking in other aspects.”

The centre-back was in outstanding form in his 45 minutes on the pitch against the Saints, and that’s exactly why Bielsa will be gutted at not being able to count on him again.

As per Sofascore, Llorente won ten duels on the evening, which was by far the highest of any Leeds player, while he also made three tackles, one interception and one clearance. The defender also looked to get things going when trying to build out from the back, stepping out and making those line-breaking passes into midfield and further forward.

It was no surprise that his performance earned some rave reviews after the game, with Leeds Live’s Beren Cross saying: “One of the few to come away from the first half with a bit of credit in the bank. Was assertive and combative. Rose to the challenge of the energetic hosts and their supporters when the pressure really came on Leeds.”

Llorente has emerged as a cornerstone of Leeds’ defence in recent weeks, starting the last 13 games in the Premier League, and coming up with some big performances – not least netting that late equaliser against Liverpool.

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Being without him against West Brom will no doubt have Bielsa gutted that he doesn’t have the in-form Spaniard to call upon today.

In other news, Leeds could reach a new level if they pull off a deal for this “extraordinary talent”.

Juventus midfielder Luca Pellegrini rejected a transfer deadline day move to West Ham United as he preferred to remain in Turin, according to reports from Italy.

The Lowdown: Left-back needed

With Arthur Masuaku not long recovered from knee surgery and only Aaron Cresswell fit to play at left-back, David Moyes’ desire to bring in another player in that role was not fulfilled in the summer transfer window.

The £8.1m-rated Pellegrini was on Moyes’ radar in recent months but the move never materialised and the 22-year-old remained with Max Allegri’s side. Since his move to Juventus from AS Roma in 2019, he has spent the previous two seasons on loan at Cagliari and Genoa.

The Latest: Why he rejected the Hammers

According to Il Bianconero [via Hammers News], Pellegrini chose not to sign for West Ham and opted to remain in Italy to fight for his place at the Allianz Stadium.

He will first need to supplant Juventus’ first-choice left-back Alex Sandro, who has made 234 appearances for the club.

Pellegrini made his Juve debut over the weekend in the 2-1 away defeat to Napoli, where he came up against Matteo Politano, who scored the equalising goal.

The Verdict: Solid choice at left-back

With Cresswell turning 32 in December and Masuaku nearly 28, West Ham will be monitoring the left-back situation closely this season as they look towards the longer-term future.

Whilst Pellegrini missed large parts of last season at Genoa with two separate injuries (adductor and thigh problems), the wing-back grabbed six assists in 36 appearances for Cagliari in 2019/20, highlighting his attacking prowess.

If he does win his place in Allegri’s side ahead of Alex Sandro, his decision to stay at Juventus will prove to be the right one. However, if the Brazilian continues to be the first-choice left-back, Pellegrini could possibly be tempted by a move to West Ham in the January transfer window – especially if the Hammers are desperate for numbers given their involvement in the Europa League, or if they progress beyond the group stage in that competition.

In other West Ham news, Sky Sports pundit is surprised by David Moyes’ plans for one position. Find out more here.