Andros Townsend has responded to criticism directed at the Crystal Palace winger for refusing to celebrate the goal he scored in Sunday’s FA Cup defeat of Tottenham. Townsend, the winger, netted Palace’s second in their 2-0 win, converting from the penalty spot after Kyle Walker-Peters handled in the area. His lack of celebration after hitting the back of the net was noted on social media, and the 27-year-old was blasted for refusing to enjoy scoring against the Lilywhites. One individual, @PaulLay10, called Townsend out on Twitter. He wrote: “@andros_townsend career at @SpursOfficial – played 50 times in 7 years (last time 3 years ago). They loaned him out 9 times.…

West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has put his house up for sale as he prepares for a probable exit from the club in the summer. Carroll, 30, is out of contract at the end of the season and is not expected to be offered fresh terms on a new deal at the London Stadium. The former Newcastle and Liverpool forward will not be leaving the club this month though, with the Hammers short on attacking options. However, Carroll certainly appears to be planning for his future elsewhere after deciding to sell his nine-bedroom mansion in Essex. The home, which he shares with reality TV star fiancee Billi Mucklow, has…

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is “sorry” for Thierry Henry after the Frenchman was suspended by Monaco. The Ligue 1 club confirmed on Thursday that Henry had been suspended pending a decision over his future. But reports claim they have sacked the Arsenal legend after just 104 days in charge. Speaking about the decision, Guardiola, who managed Henry at Barcelona for two years between 2008 and 2010, said: “I don’t understand it but it’s not my business. “I’m not there when the people make the decisions. But I’m so sorry for him, I appreciate him because I know him very well. “He’s an exceptional person so in football sometimes you…

Heung-Min Son is to return to Tottenham as South Korea have been knocked out the Asian Cup at the quarter-final stage. Son, the forward, linked up with his country for the mid-season competition earlier this month, with his most recent domestic appearance the defeat by Manchester United on January 13. His international commitments ruled him out last week’s win at Fulham and Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final loss at Chelsea. But Son is now free to return to England with South Korea suffering a shock defeat by Qatar, with Abdulaziz Hatem’s 78th minute goal enough to send the 2022 World Cup hosts through to the Asian Cup semi-finals. The 26-year-old played…

Rangers have confirmed the signing of Matt Polster on a two-and-a-half-year deal. The 25-year-old defender, who has one cap for the United States national team, impressed on trial in Glasgow and secured a work permit, though the move is still subject to international clearance. Polster joins from Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire, where he made 91 appearances and scored three goals. He played against Gers boss Steven Gerrard during the Gers manager’s time in America with LA Galaxy. And after training stints at Auchenhowie and Tenerife, the versatile player, who can play at right-back or in midfield, has done enough to win a contract. Polster join a long list…

David Luiz is set to commit his immediate future to Chelsea by signing a new one-year contract extension, according to reports. The Brazil international has accepted a new deal which will run until the end of June 2020, claim Goal. This deal ensures Luiz will remain at Stamford Bridge for at least one extra season with his existing contract due to expire at the end of the ongoing campaign. Chelsea have stuck to their contract policy for elder players in agreeing an extension with Luiz; the west London club refuse to offer over-30s anything other than one-year deals. Luiz is enjoying something of a renaissance under Maurizio Sarri this season, and he…

Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek could make a rapid return to action this weekend following his back complaint. The England midfielder left the pitch in tears during Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest on January 5 after his injury issue flared up again. The 22-year-old has suffered a stop-start Stamford Bridge career in recent seasons mainly due to his recurring back problems. The Sun reported recently that there has been a growing concern at the Blues that Loftus-Cheek could require surgery to fix the injury. But Chelsea coach Gianfranco Zola has revealed some hugely positive news on the popular ace. What games has he missed? Loftus-Cheek has missed four Chelsea…

Charlton striker Karlan Grant has joined Huddersfield Town for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £2million. The 21-year-old, who has scored 14 goals this season, is the Terriers’ first signing of the January transfer window. Grant has put pen-to-paper on a three-and-a-half year deal and joins a struggling Huddersfield side. Jan Siewert’s men have lost nine of their last 10 league games and are 11 points from safety. Terries boss Siewert said: “As I do, this club believes in talented young players and Karlan certainly fits that description. He’s a player I’m delighted to have the chance to work with. “Our recruitment team has put a…

Arsenal have included Emiliano Sala’s name on their matchday programme to honour the missing striker ahead of the Premier League clash with Cardiff. Sala disappeared last week on a flight to the Welsh capital after sealing a club-record move to the Bluebirds. And the Gunners have paid tribute to the striker by including him in the away squad list on the matchday programme. Sala’s name can be seen at the bottom of the list of Cardiff players next to a daffodil – the national flower of Wales. The Argentine had not been issued a squad number after signing for the club. Cardiff’s chief executive Ken Choo also confirmed the Bluebirds…

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax in a £65million deal. The highly-rated youngster can play as a defensive or attacking midfielder and has been tracked by a whole host of European clubs in recent months, including Manchester City and Juventus. De Jong moved to Ajax from Willem II in 2015 and has appeared 65 times for the Amsterdam outfit. In June, the 21-year-old made his international bow for the Netherlands and has now featured five times for his national team. He is known for his technical skills on the ball and his ability to split defences with his creative passing ability. Barca’s latest recruit joins…