Crystal Palace supporters inadvertently vandalised their own team’s bus thinking it belonged to Middlesbrough prior to the Premier League clash between the relegation rivals on Saturday.

The coach, which was parked at a hotel nearby Selhurst Park, was daubed with the club’s name ‘Crystal Palace FC’ in red, white and blue paint across the sides and rear of the vehicle.

The incident occurred hours before Palace secured a vital 1-0 win that lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Klopp points finger at Leicester board

The Leicester City squad have found an unlikely ally in Juergen Klopp after the Liverpool manager said that the club’s board were likely responsible for Claudio Ranieri’s sacking.

The Foxes have been subjected to plenty of negative headlines lately after media reports suggested a player revolt led to Ranieri’s sacking last week.

“Players are not more powerful. We were much more powerful in the past,” Klopp said.

“It depends always on the board. As long as the players talk together there is no problem. It is not about how powerful (the players are).”

Villarreal’s Asenjo suffers ACL injury

Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, effectively ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Asenjo suffered the fourth such injury of his career, although the first to his left knee, during his team’s 3-2 home defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday evening.

“Tests confirmed that Sergio Asenjo has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament to his left knee,” the La Liga club said.

Asenjo, who has made 29 appearances in all competitions this season for Villarreal, will have to undergo surgery. The typical recovery time for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament is around six months.

Togo’s Kone saves goalkeeper’s life

Francis Kone took action to save an opponent’s life during a league game in the Czech Republic at the weekend.

When Bohemians goalkeeper Martin Berkovec was knocked unconscious after colliding with a team-mate just after the half-hour mark of their club’s home game against Slovacko, opposing forward Kone acted quickly.

The Togo forward put his fingers in the prone Berkovec’s mouth to retrieve the goalkeeper’s tongue.

“It wasn’t the first time I have done that. It’s something like the fourth time. Twice in Africa, once in Thailand,” Kone told Czech media after the 0-0 draw between the sides.

“I immediately checked to see if he had swallowed his tongue.”

The best is yet to come says Depay

Memphis Depay said there was more to come from him after scoring twice as Lyon thrashed Metz 5-0 on Sunday.

The former Manchester United attacker made it three goals in seven league games since arriving from Old Trafford in January.

But Netherlands international Depay told reporters: “Even if I scored two goals today, there are still things I can do better.

“I’m improving. That’s the second time I’ve played the whole 90 minutes.

“I’m still not at my best. I’m only 23 years old, and I have a lot of things to learn but I keep on working and try my best.”

China’s Tianjin have no budget limit

Tianjin Quanjian have set “no limit” on what they are willing to spend in the summer and will pursue players at the same level as January target Diego Costa, owner Shu Yuhui has said.

Last month, Tianjin made an offer for Costa but Chelsea immediately rejected it and the Chinese club eventually signed Alexandre Pato from Villarreal.

Yuhui said: “There is no limit on transfer budget. We can target whoever we want. But on several occasions, our targets are reluctant to join us.

“It remains to be seen who will join us in June, but I can assure you that the new players will be on the same level as Costa.”

League Cup defeat hard to take – Davis

Southampton can take no consolation from their strong League Cup final showing after their loss to Manchester United on Sunday, according to Steven Davis.

Claude Puel’s Saints were the better side for much of an enthralling final, which was settled by a late Zlatan Ibrahimovic header as United recorded a 3-2 win.

Asked about being the better team in the final, the Northern Ireland midfielder said: “It’s not consolation at the minute to be honest.

“But if we play like that between now and the end of the season we’ll certainly win more games. Everyone’s feeling down.

“We can feel proud of the spirit and character we’ve shown, especially after going 2-0 down.

“When we got ourselves back in the game, we thought we might go on and win in it.”

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