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Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson hailed Joachim Andersen’s “colossus” performance after the Dane’s late equaliser secured a 1-1 draw against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. Kevin Schade’s stunning opener was cancelled out by Andersen in the 76th minute as both Brentford and Palace shared the spoils for a fifth consecutive time in the Premier League. Hodgson lauded the centre-back’s overall performance which nullified the threat of Brentford duo Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, who both fired blanks for the first time this season. “I thought Joachim Andersen was the outstanding player today in our team and maybe the outstanding player on the field,” Hodgson said. “I thought he was a colossus today, he won every header in both ends of the field and I thought he won every challenge he went into, he was a leader figure and he drove the team forward. “He wasn’t afraid to come more than midway into the opponent’s half as we saw and he was playing balls and spraying it around from about 25 yards from goal and that was a great responsibility that he took there. “I think it was very fitting that he got the goal even though it wasn’t a classic.” For the first time this season Brentford appeared lost without focal point Ivan Toney, who is suspended, as they struggled to look threatening in the final third. Frank highlighted his frustration at his side’s attacking performance and credited Hodgson’s Palace for their defensive efforts. “No ( I wasn’t happy with the amount of Brentford chances) but I am not surprised,” Frank added. “For whatever reason and I can’t figure it out, the two teams (Brentford and Palace) cancel each other out more or less in these games. “In five games we’ve played them the amount of chances the two sides have created are very limited and I would have loved to have taken more. “I think in the half opening transitions we lacked the final pass action to create more and we should’ve won 1-0 which is so frustrating.” Schade’s 18th-minute goal was his first for Brentford since his switch in January and Frank talked up the winger’s qualities. “I am so pleased for him, it’s so important for the confidence and what a goal it was,” Frank said. “I loved his initiative to run at the opponent where he got all the way into the box and was composed before a fantastic finish so hopefully he can do more of those nice goals.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How England’s players rated during Twickenham defeat to Fiji Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou toasts as early birthday present Liverpool lucky with availability of centre-backs this season – Jurgen Klopp

A frustrated Mikel Arteta apologised to the Arsenal supporters after a crushing 3-0 loss at home to Brighton all but ended their Premier League title hopes. Second-half goals from Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan earned the Seagulls a deserved victory at the Emirates that means Manchester City need one more win from their final three games to defend their crown. City could be champions on Saturday night if Arsenal lose at Nottingham Forest with the gap between the top two now four points, and Pep Guardiola’s side holding a game in hand on the Gunners, who have failed to win five of their last seven matches. “A really different feeling to the feeling that we all had last Sunday (at Newcastle) when we felt proud and we felt that we really did what we needed to win in certain moments. Today is completely the opposite,” Arteta admitted. “We have to apologise to our people, especially for the second half. What I have to accept first is what happened in the second half and digest it. “After that until it’s mathematically over… the second position is secure. That’s not going to change. We have to digest and that will take a few days. “At the moment it’s just frustration. The feeling that we gave the game away in the second half. We fought really hard to be in the position that we are in and today we were in a critical moment to keeping hoping and digging for that dream. When you have to play in these moments you cannot do what we did in the second half. “Then we have to look. If a team is capable of doing that when it comes to the biggest stage, there’s a lot of things to analyse and think about because it cannot happen.” Manchester City’s 3-0 victory at Everton earlier in the day had ramped up the pressure on Arsenal but they started strongly despite losing Gabriel Martinelli to an ankle injury after 19 minutes. Gabriel Jesus tested Jason Steele midway through the opening 45 and Leandro Trossard clipped the crossbar with a swerving effort before Bukayo Saka dragged an effort wide from 14 yards at the end of a stop-start half. Brighton punished Arsenal’s profligacy straight after half-time when Estupinan followed up his blocked cross with a scuffed centre that Enciso headed home for his third goal of the season. Arteta made a raft of changes after but the visitors stayed in control and picked off the hosts with Undav able to lob Aaron Ramsdale in the 86th minute before Estupinan grabbed a deserved goal with a close-range finish in stoppage-time. A reflective Arteta added: “Obviously what the team has done over the last 10 months is very different to what anybody expected and that generates a lot of expectation as well enthusiasm, happiness and joy. “That’s something that has to be managed in the right way and after we have the responsibility to make sure the team performs and I am responsible for that. “So, I hate the feeling of letting people down when they are expecting something. That’s the biggest regret I have today and I have to apologise for that.” It was a different set of emotions for Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, who laughed off comparisons with Jose Mourinho after he wheeled off down the touchline to celebrate Undav’s goal. He did insist, however, that nothing had been achieved by his sixth-placed side. “Yes I am very delighted for the performances. I think we deserved to win but then really happy, really proud because the last five days were very difficult after the defeat on Monday (against Everton),” De Zerbi stated. “We have 58 points and not enough to qualify for Europe. “We have another four games, tough games, Newcastle, Southampton, City and last game Aston Villa and we have to fight to deserve to qualify because 58 points is not enough to play Thursdays next year.” Read More Title race over: Arsenal’s season ends with painful submission Man City being driven to title by man of the moment – and it’s not Erling Haaland Football rumours: Roberto De Zerbi expects Brighton duo to leave The sporting weekend in pictures Brighton win puts Manchester City on title brink – 5 things from Premier League

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says it still “hurts deeply” to have missed out on the Premier League title, but he is happy with the progress he has made after taking over a club that had lost its “soul”. The Gunners led the Premier League title race for 248 days last season before they were eventually chased down by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who went on to win the treble, leaving the Gunners trophyless for a third straight season. Arteta admits it still pains him that his side fell short but feels there were plenty of positives to take from last term, and from his tenure overall. In an interview with Marca, the 41-year-old Spaniard said: “To this day, it still hurts me deeply, not having won the Premier (League) after spending 10 months fighting with City. “But that’s the sport. That said, what has been achieved with such a young team is worthwhile. That is clear to me too.” The Spaniard, who took over at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019, continued: “This started (over) three years ago. I was Pep’s assistant at City, we played against Arsenal and I saw that the soul of the club had been lost. “It was not enjoyed, it was not felt. I knew that there was the option, shortly after, of being on the other bench and I knew that this club is so big that you had to connect the team with the fans. It has been hard to do, and now I feel happy. “We have a clear identity, there is union and we are full of energy. That’s the biggest thing. From top to bottom, they all push in the same direction.” I feel loved, valued by our owners, Stan and Josh (Kroenke), and I have a lot to do here at this club. I am happy and tremendously grateful to be at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta to Marca Arteta responded to a question about reports linking him with a move to Paris St Germain, where he spent an 18-month loan spell during his playing career, by insisting he was “happy” and “grateful” to be with the north London club. “I can only say that I am happy at Arsenal,” he said. “I feel loved, valued by our owners, Stan and Josh (Kroenke), and I have a lot to do here at this club. I am happy and tremendously grateful to be at Arsenal.” The Gunners kick off their 2023-24 campaign against Nottingham Forest on August 12. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Chicago Cubs’ Marcus Stroman wants MLB to be embraced globally after London trip On this day in 2012: Joey Barton stripped of captaincy by QPR Justin Steele impressed by support for Chicago Cubs at London Stadium

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