Browsing: Haaland

Oct 11, 2025, 02:56 PM ET

OSLO, Norway — Manchester City star Erling Haaland twice missed a penalty for Norway against Israel but still wound up with a hat trick in a 5-0 World Cup qualifying win on Saturday.

Haaland’s first penalty was hit low and saved by Daniel Peretz. But Polish referee Szymon Marciniak ordered the kick to be retaken because the goalkeeper had moved off his line too soon.

Editor’s Picks

• 
• 

1 Related

He tried the other way the second time, aiming for the corner, but Peretz guessed correctly again and palmed his effort away as Haaland looked on disbelievingly.

Haaland made up for it later in the first half when he scored with a low strike after latching onto Alexander Sørloth‘s pass, his 10th goal in the qualifying campaign.

The Norway star went on to score two more goals to take his tally to 12, the most in UEFA qualifying matches by far. He also has 12 goals in nine matches for City this season, taking his club tally to 136 in 155 games for the club.

The hat trick for Haaland took his total for Norway to 51 in his career to extend his lead as the country’s all-time leader in goals. He reached the 50-goal mark in just 46 games, whereas it took Harry Kane 71 matches with England, Brazil’s Neymar 74 and Kylian Mbappé 90 games with France to hit the half-century milestone.

Record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi took 107 games to hit 50 for Argentina, and Cristiano Ronaldo needed 114 games with Portugal.

The win keeps Norway perfect in qualifying with six wins from six games. They lead Italy by nine points in Group I, but the Italians can still theoretically catch them for top spot and an automatic bid to the World Cup next summer.

Norway have not played in a World Cup since 1998.

There were peaceful pro-Palestinian protests before the match in Oslo. A police line formed close to the stadium but at a measured distance from the protesters, some of whom chanted “Shut down the embassy,” while others carried red cards and one woman held up a small sign saying “Game Over Israel.”

A few dozen fans stayed to continue protesting outside the stadium once the match started.

The venue was almost full, with 22,000 to 23,000 spectators inside. Capacity was reduced by 3,000, as seats were made unavailable near Israeli fans and in the front row due to security measures.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.

Source link

Pep Guardiola was thankful his Manchester City team has Erling Haaland scoring goals and Gianluigi Donnarumma stopping them after victory at Brentford came at the cost of another Rodri injury.

“I have an incredible striker and keeper,†Guardiola said, the Norwegianâ€s ninth-minute goal proving the winner. Haalandâ€s form is reaching the levels of Cityâ€s 2022-23 treble season, the No 9 scoring in a ninth consecutive game. “Heâ€s the best,†said his manager. “The year of the treble, he scored – what? – 50 million goals? I think heâ€s part of the club now, heâ€s settled. He feels now that itâ€s mine.â€

On Donnarummaâ€s crucial save from Igor Thiago, Guardiola said: “This guy starts to play at the highest level at 17. When they told me heâ€s 26 itâ€s like heâ€s had centuries playing football. His composure, his presence. With clubs who play good you get one piece of action and he did it today. One against one.â€

Guardiola passed the personal milestone of 250 Premier League wins, surpassing Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger in reaching that total in a record 349 matches. “I will invite them to a good dinner, maybe not in Manchester, somewhere sunnier,†he said of those legendary managers. “Or in Manchester. Itâ€s an honour and a pleasure to be part of Premier League history. I say thank you to the club and the players and the staff I had. We did it quicker and faster. Now letâ€s go to 250 games more.â€

On Rodriâ€s hamstring issue, the latest setback after a cruciate knee injury last season, Guardiola said: “I would love to have Rodri every three days but after one year it happens all the time, it is so demanding. That is why we tried to be gentle, play for 60-65 minutes but it cannot happen more.â€

Gianluigi Donnarumma slaps the ball away from Brentfordâ€s Michael Kayode. Photograph: Javier García/Shutterstock

Keith Andrews, Brentfordâ€s manager, was pleased his team improved after Cityâ€s first-half dominance to threaten until the full-time whistle. “What weâ€re trying to do is bring a team together, a club together, after so many changes,†he said. “I think itâ€s growing. I think you could see that in the second half performance today against top-level opposition.â€

Source link

Sean Longstaff (Leeds)

A last-gasp Bournemouth equaliser on Saturday may have been painful for the Elland Road faithful but the performance of Sean Longstaff gives Daniel Farke and co much hope for the rest of the season.

In a standout display, the former Newcastle United man both scored and assisted in an English league game for just the second time in his career, after also doing so for Blackpool v Doncaster Rovers in August 2017 in League One, to give the hosts a share of the spoils.

On top of that, Longstaff also created seven goalscoring chances for team-mates, the most by any player in a top-flight game this season and the joint-most by a Leeds player on record (since 2003-04).

Igor Thiago (Brentford)

The post-Thomas Frank era at Brentford was never going to be easy, but under the tutelage of former set-piece coach Keith Andrews the Bees are finding their feet, with Saturday’s 3-1 win over Manchester United the highlight so far.

Igor Thiago was the star of the show at Gtech Community Stadium, becoming just the second player to score twice in the opening 20 minutes of a top-flight game against United, after Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal in October 2015.

The Brazilian, who has big Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo-shaped boots to fill, secured his double from three shots in the game, with the London side’s hitman netting four of Brentford’s nine goals in the Premier League this season.

Robin Roefs (Sunderland)

Sunderland’s superb start to their first Premier League campaign since 2016-17 continued at the weekend, courtesy of a hard-fought 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.

The visitors had goalkeeper Robin Roefs to thank with the Dutchman making six saves, a joint-high at the weekend, while he also created two goalscoring chances, with only one goalkeeper on record (Wayne Hennessey with three for Burnley v Manchester United in 2021) registering more in a Premier League game since 2003-04.

Overall, Roefs has now kept three clean sheets in six Premier League appearances this season, a haul only Newcastle United’s Nick Pope can better, with four, while his tally of 20 saves gives him a top-three ranking in the division.

Source link

Sep 26, 2025, 03:29 PM ET

Harry Kane reached a century of goals for Bayern Munich with his second strike against Werder Bremen on Friday and claimed a piece of European history in the process.

Kane’s 100 goals have come in just 104 matches, the fastest anyone has achieved that mark with a club in Europe’s top five leagues this century.

– Rae: Musiala’s injury has pushed Bayern’s Kane to get even better
– Tottenham’s Frank: Would love Kane return but don’t expect it

Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo needed 105 games to notch 100 goals for Manchester City and Real Madrid, respectively.

Kane, who joined the Bundesliga giants from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023, is the 19th man to score 100 goals for Bayern.

Harry Kane celebrates his 100th goal for Bayern Munich in just 104 games. Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

“I knew about this record, for sure,” Kane told ESPN. “It was hard not to hear about it or see it. Yeah, it’s a big one, first of all to reach 100 goals for any club is an amazing achievement. A club like Bayern Munich is extra special. And then to do it in record time, one game less, you’re talking about some of the great players — Ronaldo one of the best ever, Haaland on his way to being a great.

“These are great achievements that I can look back on when I’m a bit older, but for now it’s just about enjoying it.”

Kane is under contract with Bayern until the end of next season and coach Vincent Kompany dismissed a question about whether the England captain might seek a return to the Premier League next year.

“I honestly have to say that isn’t a topic for us. We don’t discuss that, we don’t need to discuss that,” Kompany told Sky. “What he’s showing now is how he feels, I believe, and that was another nice moment for him today.”

The 32-year-old has been in particularly prolific form to start the new season. Kane now has 10 goals in five Bundesliga games and 15 goals in all competitions.

After Jonathan Tah had opened the scoring for Bayern, Kane made it 2-0 with his 99th goal from the penalty spot in the 45th minute after being fouled by Marco Friedl. It was Kane’s 18th successful penalty conversion in 18 attempts for Bayern, the longest streak without failing to score in Bundesliga history.

It took only until the 65th minute for Kane to bring up the century as he finished low from the center of the box following a pass from Luis Díaz.

Although he was undoubtedly eyeing a third hat trick of the season, Kane was substituted in the 78th minute to a warm reception from Bayern fans inside Allianz Arena.

The match finished 4-0 after Konrad Laimer added a fourth goal for Bayern late on to stretch their lead at the top of the Bundesliga with a fifth win in as many games.

“We’ve built a lot on what we started last year with the manager, the way he wants us to play, his ideas without the ball,” Kane added. “And month by month, we’ve been getting better. This start of the season wasn’t easy because of the lack of preseason after the Club Word Cup, so to start the season how we have is compliments to everyone involved.

“There’s still a long way to go, but when you’re winning games like this and dominating games it sends a message to every other team, not just in Germany but in Europe as well.”

Bayern will now prepare to visit Pafos of Cyprus in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Source link

Key events

Show key events only

Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature

That concludes our blogging for the day. Back tomorrow for Matchday Live, and a full run of fixtures.

ShareTom Garry

The West Ham United manager Rehanne Skinner has said she thinks none of last Sundayâ€s WSL matches should have taken place, so soon after the death of the former Liverpool and West Ham manager Matt Beard last Saturday. Liverpoolâ€s trip to Aston Villa was postponed but other WSL sides still took to the field around 15 hours after the news of Beardâ€s death, at the age of 47, was announced.

Skinner, whose side were one of those in action away at Brighton last time out, said on Friday: “I donâ€t know why any of the games were on at the weekend, because [of] the amount of people, players, coaching staff across the game that have obviously known Matt. I think the expectation on what people had to do at the weekend was not assessed properly at all.â€

Beard led West Ham to their first cup final in 2019, and was in charge at Liverpool until February this year. Skinner, whose team will host the defending champions Chelsea – another of Beardâ€s former clubs – this Sunday, continued: “I think the contingency plans around these things need to be looked into in much more detail. When you see some of the players and some of the staff that have had to go through the weekend – we shouldnâ€t be putting people in that position. If weâ€re going to talk about the wellbeing of players and coaches you canâ€t pay lip service to it.â€

Share

Andy Hunterâ€s full story on Jota and Slot.

Share

La Liga news, per Reuters: Brazilian forward Raphinha and keeper Joan Garcia have joined Barcelonaâ€s growing injury list.

Raphinha is expected to be out for around three weeks with a hamstring injury, while Garciaâ€s ruptured meniscus of his left knee requires surgery, keeping him out for between four to six weeks, depending on his recovery.

Barcelona, second in the standings and two points behind Real Madrid, are already missing midfielder Gavi for up to five months after he underwent knee surgery. Fermin Lopez is also out injured but Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde are expected to return this weekend.

Share

Arne Slot has confirmed that Diogo Jotaâ€s family have been paid out the late strikerâ€s contract. In an interview with TNT, he said the following.

“The grief of the city, that is what makes it for me so special to work at this club. To work at a club where there is success and there is a parade, of course this parade is bigger than any parade everywhere around the world. But the way they conducted, the fans themselves, after that tragedy. How many flowers there were, all the memorials, I can almost get emotional thinking about it. Itâ€s unbelievable what our fans have done. And our players as well, the way they have conducted themselves in and around the funeral. And then we have to train again. And there are moments where I feel, ‘What must his wife and his children feel now?â€.

“Because it sounds so hard… our life continues. People expect from me that I prepared them forever. And that sometimes feels a bit difficult, knowing how hard it is for the family and for the parents. The phase they are still going through and will go through for the rest of their lives. I said how proud I felt about how the fans reacted but ownership… Owners are mainly criticised, like managers, but the way theyâ€ve handled this situation, by paying his wife and his children all the money from the contract [is commendable]. Maybe people think itâ€s normal, but it is not in football.â€

Share

Matt Beard memorial fund has raised £50,000

Tom Garry

A crowdfunding page raising money for the family of the former Liverpool manager Matt Beard has surpassed £50,000 in donations, as womenâ€s football players, coaches and fans rally around Beardâ€s loved ones following the shock news of his death last Saturday, at the age of 47.

The fundraising page, setup by the broadcaster Jacqui Oatley, originally only targeted raising £5,000 but donations have been flooding in from across the womenâ€s game to see the total climb to more than 10 times that target.

Several WSL managers have also being paying their personal tributes to Beard during many of Fridayâ€s press conferences, including the Leicester City interim manager Rick Passmoor, who fondly recalled facing Beard in the opposition dugout over many years, stretching back to Beardâ€s time in charge of Millwall prior to the WSL being founded and when Beard preceded Emma Hayes as the Chelsea manager.

The former Leeds United and Notts County manager Passmoor, whose Leicester team will host Tottenham on Sunday, said: “Pitchside, we always had a little grin at each other at some stage during a game. Itâ€s a very, very sad time and Iâ€ve just got so many happy memories. He was always smiling, chuckling – maybe not towards refs – but always before and after games, he was talking about family, friends, players and how we can take the game in the right direction.â€

Share

More on that Tottenham takeover talk from David Hytner.

Spurs have been stalked by takeover talk for a long time and Levyâ€s ousting intensified it, with two groups making moves for control. One was Amanda Staveleyâ€s PCP International Finance, the other a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited. The club rejected both, with sources close to the Lewis family insisting the club were not for sale.

Earick, who is a former DJ, and his backers have tried to muscle in and they have been given the same message. A Lewis family source said: “This unsolicited and unnecessary interest does nothing to change the familyâ€s resolve and commitment to do whatever it takes to drive success on the pitch. The club is not for sale.â€

Share

Monday Night Football will be Everton v West Ham, and David Moyes has been expressing sympathy with his predecessor, Graham Potter. “I never think it is correct when a manager comes under great criticism. Graham Potter is an excellent manager and his record at Brighton and getting the Chelsea job, you donâ€t get those jobs without having quality. Obviously he is finding it difficult but I have no doubt heâ€ll find success. This business does not mean everyone can deliver a trophy.â€

Share

Pep Guardiola going full “wow, guys†over his former defender, Kyle Walker, set to face Manchester City with Burnley on Saturday.

He was unbelievable. One of the greatest full-backs ever. I slept like a baby for the games with Kyle there.

Share

Wolves play Tottenham on Saturday evening, and Pereira spoke today. His team are pointless so far. “We need to increase our level. The last game gave us good signals and we must keep working to increase the dynamics: defending and attacking.

“We feel that to show the level of the players we have in this moment, we need just a result, a win, and everything can change. The squad is more balanced that last season because we have two players for each position and I believe that it is time to prove why they are in the Premier League, why we selected them from other leagues to come to this league.

“This is the time for the players to be themselves, be comfortable to play in their best level. I believe this internal competition is good for us. I donâ€t have any doubts that we will increase our level in the next weeks. Now is the time that I feel the start of a connection between the players, you see different movements, skills and they create the dynamics between them. This is the way tactically and mentally to build something strong.

“I feel that we are starting our season because now we have all the players together, working for something – and understanding what we want.â€

Share

Thereâ€s a few crisis clubs this season, Villa, West Ham and Wolves. Thereâ€s a story emerging that provides an intersection between two of them. According to informed fan site Molineux News, the Hammers considered turning to Vitor Pereira before he signed his new Wolves contract just recently, making connection with Jorge Mendes, the super agent.

Share

Thomas Frank has been speaking about talk of a Tottenham takeover: “The start was very stable. Daniel [Levy] had been here for 25 years but the change came and I was a little bit like ‘okay I didnâ€t expect that†but since then, the owners have been very transparent, very good in communicating, very clear – the club is not for sale.

“For me personally, I find it a stable environment coming into work every day and also I learned over a lot of years that the only thing that helps me and helps the team is that I do everything I can to focus on the team.â€

Share

Handover: John Brewin is here to take up the running as we enter the home straight.

Share

Nottingham Forest: “We are definitely making progress,†says Ange Postecoglou of the new style of play to which Nottingham Forestâ€s players are having to become accustomed under his regime. “Our football is gradually getting to the place that we want. The results havenâ€t been what we wanted but thatâ€s not because of lack of performance and thatâ€s an important thing for me. Thereâ€s enough from the games Iâ€ve been in charge of to show me that the players are responding and we are heading in the right direction.â€

Having failed to win any of his first games as Nottingham Forest head coach, Ange Postecoglou will take his place in the home dug-out at the City Ground for the first time tomorrow. Photograph: Matthieu Mirville/DPPI/ShutterstockShare

Updated at 10.20 EDT

Jamie Jackson

Manchester United: Ruben Amorim has urged Manchester United to record back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time of his 32-game tenure by beating Brentford in Saturdayâ€s noon kickoff.

“Itâ€s really important. We talked about that at the end of the game [Sundayâ€s 2-1 win over Chelsea]. We need the sense of urgency that we need to win, no matter what. Itâ€s going to be really difficult. Every time we start to prepare for the next game and watch the opponent, we think itâ€s going to be really tough. I have that feeling. But for me, we cannot control the game.

“The most important thing is to start the game like we did against Chelsea and Burnley – we need to be really focused and have the feeling of needing to win every match.

“I donâ€t say [doing this] playing well, because I think we have done that, but itâ€s normal that the fans donâ€t know what is going to happen the next game. To be honest, I have an idea, but I donâ€t know how itâ€s going to be and Iâ€m the manager of the team.

“The best way of dealing with that is approaching every game like itâ€s the last one. I understand the feeling of the fans, so letâ€s start changing that feeling to present ourselves with the urgency of what we need to do on the pitch.â€

Share

Nottingham Forest: Despite having been in charge of Nottingham Forest for four matches, Ange Postecoglou will get to savour the atmosphere of the City Ground for the first time when Sunderland come to town tomorrow. The Australian has yet to taste victory in his new role, losing two games and drawing the others.

“Iâ€m certainly looking forward to it,†he told reporters. “Weâ€ve had four away games. I donâ€t think itâ€s a bad run of form, but playing four away games doesnâ€t happen very often. I am sure they [the fans] are excited to see the team, so irrespective of form or anything else, there should be a really good buzz at the stadium tomorrow.

“Home comforts. The fans will get behind the players so itâ€s going to be great. The players will enjoy it. When they walk out tomorrow night and they hear the noise that will be supportive of them, I think it will help the performance.â€

Share

Celtic: Having been denied a summer move to an unspecified club rumoured to have been Brentford, Celtic striker Daizen Maeda has been out of sorts this season and was hooked at half-time in Celticâ€s Europa League draw with Red Star on Wednesday. Brendan Rodgers said after the game that the Japanese striker “wasnâ€t at his best or anywhere near itâ€.

However, the Celtic manager has since said he backs Maeda to return to form, as long as he doesnâ€t wallow in self-pity. “You canâ€t underestimate how difficult itâ€s been for him,†he said. “This is a guy who has given absolutely everything for this football club and even sometimes when you want to give your best, thereâ€s a subconscious thing that can obviously hold you back a little bit.

“But, like I say to any player in this situation, itâ€s so important that you donâ€t get caught up in this sort of mentality of ‘itâ€s not fairâ€, because when you get caught in that, itâ€s very dangerous territory and itâ€s hard to move on from. So you have to really look forward, really do it for your team-mates, do it for your family, do it for your supporters, and then eventually you get confidence back and you start to get back to your normal self.â€

Daizen Maeda (right) cut a forlorn figure against Red Star in Belgrade before being substituted at half-time. Photograph: Pedja Milosavljevic/STARSPORT/ShutterstockShare

Brentford: While Keith Andrews has far more important things to worry about than what kind of reception Mbeumo will get from Brentford fans tomorrow, he is asked for his thoughts anyway. “I think Bryan should get a really good reception from the fans,†he says. “Bryan epitomises everything good about this football club. Six years at the club, couple in the Championship, arrived as a 19-year-old. He was from France, spoke very little English, developed as a young man, developed as a player.

“He was given time, patience, support, and I think the way it went last year was the culmination of that six-year work, that six-year journey where so many people in that building played a part in his in his development. I know for a fact he really appreciates that. He appreciates the fans. I think it just epitomises what what this club is about.

“Bryan rightly should get a really good reception. Having said that, I donâ€t want us to give him a nice reception on the pitch. Yes, we know all about him, all his qualities Weâ€re very aware of what a good player is and weâ€ll help hopefully try to nullify that by making it an afternoon that he doesnâ€t enjoy.â€

Share

Manchester United: On the even of Bryan Mbeumoâ€s return to Brentford as a Manchester United player, Ruben Amorim has been singing the praises of a winger who, it seems, has a hitherto undocumented side-hustle as an electrician.

“Itâ€s really important for eveything he has been doing,†he says. “The light he brings to the dressing room. He is not the guy who talks, but he is always there to help us. He runs a lot, presses a lot, he is a different threat to last season. Iâ€m more than happy with Bryan.â€

Bryan Mbeumo has yet to score in the Premier League for Manchester United but he has brought light to their dressing-room. Photograph: Ash Donelon/Manchester United/Getty ImagesShareTom Garry

WSL: Manchester City will be without their England winger Lauren Hemp for a “couple of weeksâ€, their head coach Andrée Jeglertz has confirmed. Hemp was seen wearing a protective boot on the sidelines as Manchester City beat Everton 3-1 in the Subway League Cup group stage on Wednesday.

Speaking during his press conference on Friday afternoon, Jeglertz said: “She has an ankle injury and sheâ€s out for a couple of weeks. Itâ€s a tough situation for her, she wants to play, we want her to play, and she wants to contribute to the team, but injuries happen and sheâ€s doing everything she can to get back as quickly as possible. Hopefully she will be back soon.â€

Manchester City will host London City Lionesses in the WSL on Sunday [12:00], looking for a fourth straight win in all competitions.

Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp has been sidelined for “a couple of weeks†with an ankle injury. Photograph: Harriet Lander/WSL/WSL Football/Getty ImagesShare

Manchester United:Ruben Amorim announces that Amad Diallo will miss tomorrowâ€s game against Brentford due to a family bereavement. “We are giving all the support to Amad and understood he needed to return home,†he says. He also reveals that as well as Casemiro, who is suspended, Noussair Mazraoui will be out with injury until after the international break.

Manchester United midfielder Noussair Mazraoui has been ruled out of tomorrowâ€s match against Brentford. Photograph: Conor Molloy/ProSports/ShutterstockShare

Everton: David Moyes kicks off his press conference by telling reporters that Jarrad Branthwaite, who has yet to play for Everton this season as he recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered just days before it started, will not be available for Monday nightâ€s match against West Ham. Merlin Rohl, who signed for Everton from the German side Freiberg during the summer, will also miss out with a groin injury.

Jarrad Branthwaite has yet to appear for Everton this season after picking up a hamstring injury just before their campaign started. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PAShare

Updated at 09.26 EDT

West Ham: Currently the subject of a trend on social media where users have taken to superimposing his face on assorted celebrities and historical figures of note, Potter is asked if he is aware he has become a subject of ridicule through the medium of … er, meme. “Yes, I am aware of it,†he says. “It made my 15-year-old son laugh a lot so you have to accept what comes with [the job]. At times [itâ€s] ridicule but that is just the environment we are in and it is what it is.â€

And does he have a favourite meme? “No not really,†he says. “I havenâ€t given it too much thought and you can imagine Iâ€ve got a few more important things than that [going on] to be honest. As I said it is what it is and you have to deal with those things.â€

Share

Updated at 09.15 EDT

Tottenham Hotspur: An expression of interest to buy the club by a consortium led by the former DJ and Nasa engineer turned tech bro Brooklyn Earick, 41, has been “unequivocally rejected†by owners ENIC, according to PA.

A report in The Sun on Thursday night stated American tech entrepreneur Earick was ready to launch an overall £4.5bn takeover bid for the Premier League club. Spurs†majority owners ENIC, which is run by the Lewis family trust, earlier this month rejected expressions of interest from Amanda Staveleyâ€s PCP International Finance and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited.

A club statement at the time insisted “Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale†and PA say a source close to the Lewis family reiterated that message on Thursday night.

Share

Updated at 09.03 EDT

West Ham: One-time flavour of the month turned favourite for the sack race, Graham Potter takes West Ham to Hill Dickenson Stadium on Monday night in desperate need of a win to try and silence his many critics among the West Ham fan base. Given the cloud of toxicity that hung over the London Stadium during West Hamâ€s loss to Crystal Palace last weekend, Potter and his players may well prefer to be playing a couple of hundred miles away from home.

“I think you have to accept that at the highest level that the margins are small,†said Potter of a dismal start to the season in which West Ham have lost four league games out of five and been knocked out of the Carabao Cup. “You canâ€t wait for those to come round for you and you just have to keep working. We have to keep moving forward and try and change it and thatâ€s the job, thatâ€s life and we are looking forward to changing that dynamic.â€

Some unsolicited advice, Graham – you also need to learn how to defend corners.

Share

Updated at 10.12 EDT

Newcastle United: Joelinton ended a nine-month goal drought by scoring his first two goals of the calendar year two goals against Bradford City as Newcastle began the defence of the Carabao Cup and his said he and his teammates have not been unsettled by the protracted and occasionally unseemly departure of Alexander Isak from the club during the summer.

“We had a good pre-season,†said the Brazilian. “We know the noise around but we are professional. We kept the focus and do what we have to do on the pitch, and everyone has done well. We wish Alex the best. He did well for the club and now heâ€s gone and we have to focus on the players that are here in the squad and keep going.â€

Newcastle host Arsenal on Sunday and will be hoping to beat them at St James†Park for the fourth time in succession. Joelinton is confident they can do so. “Thatâ€s the way we feel against everybody,†he said. “Every time we step on the pitch, we try to represent Newcastle in the best way possible against any team. We believe in ourselves and know we can play against anyone, and thatâ€s what we try every game.â€

Joelinton returns to the dressing-room after scoring two goals in Newcastleâ€s midweek Carabao Cup demolition of Bradford City. Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United/Getty ImagesShare

Arsenal: Already five points behind Liverpool in the title race after just five games, the club face what could be an extremely tricky assignment on Sunday when they travel to St James†Park. Arteta has been buttering up Newcastleâ€s head coach and the clubâ€s fans ahead of the trip.

“I always praise the work Eddie [Howe] and his staff have done there,†he says. “They have managed to create such an atmosphere at home and a clear identity. It is going to be another tough test. We know we are going to have to be more efficient to win the game and we are going to work on that in the next couple of days. [The atmosphere at St James†Park] is incredibly beautiful. One of the best atmospheres in this country. They play every single ball with you. Itâ€s electric. Itâ€s one team in one city. Itâ€s a great atmosphere to play in.â€

Mikel Arteta has been praising the work of Eddie Howe and his players in helping to foster an “incredibly beautiful†atmosphere at St James†Park. Photograph: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 08.34 EDT

Arsenal: Arteta goes on to express his delight that William Saliba has signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal and says that he hopes everyone on the planet follows suit. “Hopefully it will be everyone in the world very soon,†he says.

“That is what Iâ€m hoping. Itâ€s great to see so many players willing to stay. [Saliba] is very impressive for his age because sometimes we tend to forget [how young he is]. Itâ€s his consistency and the way he has matured as a person. Year after year he has built a partnership, with Gabriel especially, but the back line and the keeper.

“Every time I sit with a player and I see what their intentions are its that they want to stay with us. We donâ€t take it for granted. It means the club are doing really well to make players and staff feel valuable.â€

William Saliba has signed a new and presumably improved five-year deal with Arsenal. Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PAShare

Updated at 09.17 EDT

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta opened his press conference with some words of condolence and support for the family of Billy Vigar, the 21-year-old former Arsenal academy player who passed away yesterday after suffering a “significant brain injury†while playing for Chichester City in the Isthmian League last weekend.

“Shocking news,†says the Arsenal head coach. “Straight away I am thinking about the family and how difficult it is to go through something like this. Our full support with the family.â€

Share

Newcastle United: Having overseen a revolution at Newcastle since the Saudi takeover of the club in 2021, Eddie Howe is now concentrating on evolution as his team prepares to welcome Arsneal to St James†Park on Sunday.

“They are a different team [to last season] but likewise we are a different team,†he tells reporters. “We are still in the moment of finding out what team we are going to be and there have been really positive signs already this season. Against Bradford there were signs of the creative side to our game and the technical side was in a really good place and we are going to need something similar [on Sunday].â€

Share

Source link

Key events

Show key events only

Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature

That concludes our blogging for the day. Back tomorrow for Matchday Live, and a full run of fixtures.

ShareTom Garry

The West Ham United manager Rehanne Skinner has said she thinks none of last Sundayâ€s WSL matches should have taken place, so soon after the death of the former Liverpool and West Ham manager Matt Beard last Saturday. Liverpoolâ€s trip to Aston Villa was postponed but other WSL sides still took to the field around 15 hours after the news of Beardâ€s death, at the age of 47, was announced.

Skinner, whose side were one of those in action away at Brighton last time out, said on Friday: “I donâ€t know why any of the games were on at the weekend, because [of] the amount of people, players, coaching staff across the game that have obviously known Matt. I think the expectation on what people had to do at the weekend was not assessed properly at all.â€

Beard led West Ham to their first cup final in 2019, and was in charge at Liverpool until February this year. Skinner, whose team will host the defending champions Chelsea – another of Beardâ€s former clubs – this Sunday, continued: “I think the contingency plans around these things need to be looked into in much more detail. When you see some of the players and some of the staff that have had to go through the weekend – we shouldnâ€t be putting people in that position. If weâ€re going to talk about the wellbeing of players and coaches you canâ€t pay lip service to it.â€

Share

Andy Hunterâ€s full story on Jota and Slot.

Share

La Liga news, per Reuters: Brazilian forward Raphinha and keeper Joan Garcia have joined Barcelonaâ€s growing injury list.

Raphinha is expected to be out for around three weeks with a hamstring injury, while Garciaâ€s ruptured meniscus of his left knee requires surgery, keeping him out for between four to six weeks, depending on his recovery.

Barcelona, second in the standings and two points behind Real Madrid, are already missing midfielder Gavi for up to five months after he underwent knee surgery. Fermin Lopez is also out injured but Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde are expected to return this weekend.

Share

Arne Slot has confirmed that Diogo Jotaâ€s family have been paid out the late strikerâ€s contract. In an interview with TNT, he said the following.

“The grief of the city, that is what makes it for me so special to work at this club. To work at a club where there is success and there is a parade, of course this parade is bigger than any parade everywhere around the world. But the way they conducted, the fans themselves, after that tragedy. How many flowers there were, all the memorials, I can almost get emotional thinking about it. Itâ€s unbelievable what our fans have done. And our players as well, the way they have conducted themselves in and around the funeral. And then we have to train again. And there are moments where I feel, ‘What must his wife and his children feel now?â€.

“Because it sounds so hard… our life continues. People expect from me that I prepared them forever. And that sometimes feels a bit difficult, knowing how hard it is for the family and for the parents. The phase they are still going through and will go through for the rest of their lives. I said how proud I felt about how the fans reacted but ownership… Owners are mainly criticised, like managers, but the way theyâ€ve handled this situation, by paying his wife and his children all the money from the contract [is commendable]. Maybe people think itâ€s normal, but it is not in football.â€

Share

Matt Beard memorial fund has raised £50,000

Tom Garry

A crowdfunding page raising money for the family of the former Liverpool manager Matt Beard has surpassed £50,000 in donations, as womenâ€s football players, coaches and fans rally around Beardâ€s loved ones following the shock news of his death last Saturday, at the age of 47.

The fundraising page, setup by the broadcaster Jacqui Oatley, originally only targeted raising £5,000 but donations have been flooding in from across the womenâ€s game to see the total climb to more than 10 times that target.

Several WSL managers have also being paying their personal tributes to Beard during many of Fridayâ€s press conferences, including the Leicester City interim manager Rick Passmoor, who fondly recalled facing Beard in the opposition dugout over many years, stretching back to Beardâ€s time in charge of Millwall prior to the WSL being founded and when Beard preceded Emma Hayes as the Chelsea manager.

The former Leeds United and Notts County manager Passmoor, whose Leicester team will host Tottenham on Sunday, said: “Pitchside, we always had a little grin at each other at some stage during a game. Itâ€s a very, very sad time and Iâ€ve just got so many happy memories. He was always smiling, chuckling – maybe not towards refs – but always before and after games, he was talking about family, friends, players and how we can take the game in the right direction.â€

Share

More on that Tottenham takeover talk from David Hytner.

Spurs have been stalked by takeover talk for a long time and Levyâ€s ousting intensified it, with two groups making moves for control. One was Amanda Staveleyâ€s PCP International Finance, the other a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited. The club rejected both, with sources close to the Lewis family insisting the club were not for sale.

Earick, who is a former DJ, and his backers have tried to muscle in and they have been given the same message. A Lewis family source said: “This unsolicited and unnecessary interest does nothing to change the familyâ€s resolve and commitment to do whatever it takes to drive success on the pitch. The club is not for sale.â€

Share

Monday Night Football will be Everton v West Ham, and David Moyes has been expressing sympathy with his predecessor, Graham Potter. “I never think it is correct when a manager comes under great criticism. Graham Potter is an excellent manager and his record at Brighton and getting the Chelsea job, you donâ€t get those jobs without having quality. Obviously he is finding it difficult but I have no doubt heâ€ll find success. This business does not mean everyone can deliver a trophy.â€

Share

Pep Guardiola going full “wow, guys†over his former defender, Kyle Walker, set to face Manchester City with Burnley on Saturday.

He was unbelievable. One of the greatest full-backs ever. I slept like a baby for the games with Kyle there.

Share

Wolves play Tottenham on Saturday evening, and Pereira spoke today. His team are pointless so far. “We need to increase our level. The last game gave us good signals and we must keep working to increase the dynamics: defending and attacking.

“We feel that to show the level of the players we have in this moment, we need just a result, a win, and everything can change. The squad is more balanced that last season because we have two players for each position and I believe that it is time to prove why they are in the Premier League, why we selected them from other leagues to come to this league.

“This is the time for the players to be themselves, be comfortable to play in their best level. I believe this internal competition is good for us. I donâ€t have any doubts that we will increase our level in the next weeks. Now is the time that I feel the start of a connection between the players, you see different movements, skills and they create the dynamics between them. This is the way tactically and mentally to build something strong.

“I feel that we are starting our season because now we have all the players together, working for something – and understanding what we want.â€

Share

Thereâ€s a few crisis clubs this season, Villa, West Ham and Wolves. Thereâ€s a story emerging that provides an intersection between two of them. According to informed fan site Molineux News, the Hammers considered turning to Vitor Pereira before he signed his new Wolves contract just recently, making connection with Jorge Mendes, the super agent.

Share

Thomas Frank has been speaking about talk of a Tottenham takeover: “The start was very stable. Daniel [Levy] had been here for 25 years but the change came and I was a little bit like ‘okay I didnâ€t expect that†but since then, the owners have been very transparent, very good in communicating, very clear – the club is not for sale.

“For me personally, I find it a stable environment coming into work every day and also I learned over a lot of years that the only thing that helps me and helps the team is that I do everything I can to focus on the team.â€

Share

Handover: John Brewin is here to take up the running as we enter the home straight.

Share

Nottingham Forest: “We are definitely making progress,†says Ange Postecoglou of the new style of play to which Nottingham Forestâ€s players are having to become accustomed under his regime. “Our football is gradually getting to the place that we want. The results havenâ€t been what we wanted but thatâ€s not because of lack of performance and thatâ€s an important thing for me. Thereâ€s enough from the games Iâ€ve been in charge of to show me that the players are responding and we are heading in the right direction.â€

Having failed to win any of his first games as Nottingham Forest head coach, Ange Postecoglou will take his place in the home dug-out at the City Ground for the first time tomorrow. Photograph: Matthieu Mirville/DPPI/ShutterstockShare

Updated at 10.20 EDT

Jamie Jackson

Manchester United: Ruben Amorim has urged Manchester United to record back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time of his 32-game tenure by beating Brentford in Saturdayâ€s noon kickoff.

“Itâ€s really important. We talked about that at the end of the game [Sundayâ€s 2-1 win over Chelsea]. We need the sense of urgency that we need to win, no matter what. Itâ€s going to be really difficult. Every time we start to prepare for the next game and watch the opponent, we think itâ€s going to be really tough. I have that feeling. But for me, we cannot control the game.

“The most important thing is to start the game like we did against Chelsea and Burnley – we need to be really focused and have the feeling of needing to win every match.

“I donâ€t say [doing this] playing well, because I think we have done that, but itâ€s normal that the fans donâ€t know what is going to happen the next game. To be honest, I have an idea, but I donâ€t know how itâ€s going to be and Iâ€m the manager of the team.

“The best way of dealing with that is approaching every game like itâ€s the last one. I understand the feeling of the fans, so letâ€s start changing that feeling to present ourselves with the urgency of what we need to do on the pitch.â€

Share

Nottingham Forest: Despite having been in charge of Nottingham Forest for four matches, Ange Postecoglou will get to savour the atmosphere of the City Ground for the first time when Sunderland come to town tomorrow. The Australian has yet to taste victory in his new role, losing two games and drawing the others.

“Iâ€m certainly looking forward to it,†he told reporters. “Weâ€ve had four away games. I donâ€t think itâ€s a bad run of form, but playing four away games doesnâ€t happen very often. I am sure they [the fans] are excited to see the team, so irrespective of form or anything else, there should be a really good buzz at the stadium tomorrow.

“Home comforts. The fans will get behind the players so itâ€s going to be great. The players will enjoy it. When they walk out tomorrow night and they hear the noise that will be supportive of them, I think it will help the performance.â€

Share

Celtic: Having been denied a summer move to an unspecified club rumoured to have been Brentford, Celtic striker Daizen Maeda has been out of sorts this season and was hooked at half-time in Celticâ€s Europa League draw with Red Star on Wednesday. Brendan Rodgers said after the game that the Japanese striker “wasnâ€t at his best or anywhere near itâ€.

However, the Celtic manager has since said he backs Maeda to return to form, as long as he doesnâ€t wallow in self-pity. “You canâ€t underestimate how difficult itâ€s been for him,†he said. “This is a guy who has given absolutely everything for this football club and even sometimes when you want to give your best, thereâ€s a subconscious thing that can obviously hold you back a little bit.

“But, like I say to any player in this situation, itâ€s so important that you donâ€t get caught up in this sort of mentality of ‘itâ€s not fairâ€, because when you get caught in that, itâ€s very dangerous territory and itâ€s hard to move on from. So you have to really look forward, really do it for your team-mates, do it for your family, do it for your supporters, and then eventually you get confidence back and you start to get back to your normal self.â€

Daizen Maeda (right) cut a forlorn figure against Red Star in Belgrade before being substituted at half-time. Photograph: Pedja Milosavljevic/STARSPORT/ShutterstockShare

Brentford: While Keith Andrews has far more important things to worry about than what kind of reception Mbeumo will get from Brentford fans tomorrow, he is asked for his thoughts anyway. “I think Bryan should get a really good reception from the fans,†he says. “Bryan epitomises everything good about this football club. Six years at the club, couple in the Championship, arrived as a 19-year-old. He was from France, spoke very little English, developed as a young man, developed as a player.

“He was given time, patience, support, and I think the way it went last year was the culmination of that six-year work, that six-year journey where so many people in that building played a part in his in his development. I know for a fact he really appreciates that. He appreciates the fans. I think it just epitomises what what this club is about.

“Bryan rightly should get a really good reception. Having said that, I donâ€t want us to give him a nice reception on the pitch. Yes, we know all about him, all his qualities Weâ€re very aware of what a good player is and weâ€ll help hopefully try to nullify that by making it an afternoon that he doesnâ€t enjoy.â€

Share

Manchester United: On the even of Bryan Mbeumoâ€s return to Brentford as a Manchester United player, Ruben Amorim has been singing the praises of a winger who, it seems, has a hitherto undocumented side-hustle as an electrician.

“Itâ€s really important for eveything he has been doing,†he says. “The light he brings to the dressing room. He is not the guy who talks, but he is always there to help us. He runs a lot, presses a lot, he is a different threat to last season. Iâ€m more than happy with Bryan.â€

Bryan Mbeumo has yet to score in the Premier League for Manchester United but he has brought light to their dressing-room. Photograph: Ash Donelon/Manchester United/Getty ImagesShareTom Garry

WSL: Manchester City will be without their England winger Lauren Hemp for a “couple of weeksâ€, their head coach Andrée Jeglertz has confirmed. Hemp was seen wearing a protective boot on the sidelines as Manchester City beat Everton 3-1 in the Subway League Cup group stage on Wednesday.

Speaking during his press conference on Friday afternoon, Jeglertz said: “She has an ankle injury and sheâ€s out for a couple of weeks. Itâ€s a tough situation for her, she wants to play, we want her to play, and she wants to contribute to the team, but injuries happen and sheâ€s doing everything she can to get back as quickly as possible. Hopefully she will be back soon.â€

Manchester City will host London City Lionesses in the WSL on Sunday [12:00], looking for a fourth straight win in all competitions.

Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp has been sidelined for “a couple of weeks†with an ankle injury. Photograph: Harriet Lander/WSL/WSL Football/Getty ImagesShare

Manchester United:Ruben Amorim announces that Amad Diallo will miss tomorrowâ€s game against Brentford due to a family bereavement. “We are giving all the support to Amad and understood he needed to return home,†he says. He also reveals that as well as Casemiro, who is suspended, Noussair Mazraoui will be out with injury until after the international break.

Manchester United midfielder Noussair Mazraoui has been ruled out of tomorrowâ€s match against Brentford. Photograph: Conor Molloy/ProSports/ShutterstockShare

Everton: David Moyes kicks off his press conference by telling reporters that Jarrad Branthwaite, who has yet to play for Everton this season as he recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered just days before it started, will not be available for Monday nightâ€s match against West Ham. Merlin Rohl, who signed for Everton from the German side Freiberg during the summer, will also miss out with a groin injury.

Jarrad Branthwaite has yet to appear for Everton this season after picking up a hamstring injury just before their campaign started. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PAShare

Updated at 09.26 EDT

West Ham: Currently the subject of a trend on social media where users have taken to superimposing his face on assorted celebrities and historical figures of note, Potter is asked if he is aware he has become a subject of ridicule through the medium of … er, meme. “Yes, I am aware of it,†he says. “It made my 15-year-old son laugh a lot so you have to accept what comes with [the job]. At times [itâ€s] ridicule but that is just the environment we are in and it is what it is.â€

And does he have a favourite meme? “No not really,†he says. “I havenâ€t given it too much thought and you can imagine Iâ€ve got a few more important things than that [going on] to be honest. As I said it is what it is and you have to deal with those things.â€

Share

Updated at 09.15 EDT

Tottenham Hotspur: An expression of interest to buy the club by a consortium led by the former DJ and Nasa engineer turned tech bro Brooklyn Earick, 41, has been “unequivocally rejected†by owners ENIC, according to PA.

A report in The Sun on Thursday night stated American tech entrepreneur Earick was ready to launch an overall £4.5bn takeover bid for the Premier League club. Spurs†majority owners ENIC, which is run by the Lewis family trust, earlier this month rejected expressions of interest from Amanda Staveleyâ€s PCP International Finance and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited.

A club statement at the time insisted “Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale†and PA say a source close to the Lewis family reiterated that message on Thursday night.

Share

Updated at 09.03 EDT

West Ham: One-time flavour of the month turned favourite for the sack race, Graham Potter takes West Ham to Hill Dickenson Stadium on Monday night in desperate need of a win to try and silence his many critics among the West Ham fan base. Given the cloud of toxicity that hung over the London Stadium during West Hamâ€s loss to Crystal Palace last weekend, Potter and his players may well prefer to be playing a couple of hundred miles away from home.

“I think you have to accept that at the highest level that the margins are small,†said Potter of a dismal start to the season in which West Ham have lost four league games out of five and been knocked out of the Carabao Cup. “You canâ€t wait for those to come round for you and you just have to keep working. We have to keep moving forward and try and change it and thatâ€s the job, thatâ€s life and we are looking forward to changing that dynamic.â€

Some unsolicited advice, Graham – you also need to learn how to defend corners.

Share

Updated at 10.12 EDT

Newcastle United: Joelinton ended a nine-month goal drought by scoring his first two goals of the calendar year two goals against Bradford City as Newcastle began the defence of the Carabao Cup and his said he and his teammates have not been unsettled by the protracted and occasionally unseemly departure of Alexander Isak from the club during the summer.

“We had a good pre-season,†said the Brazilian. “We know the noise around but we are professional. We kept the focus and do what we have to do on the pitch, and everyone has done well. We wish Alex the best. He did well for the club and now heâ€s gone and we have to focus on the players that are here in the squad and keep going.â€

Newcastle host Arsenal on Sunday and will be hoping to beat them at St James†Park for the fourth time in succession. Joelinton is confident they can do so. “Thatâ€s the way we feel against everybody,†he said. “Every time we step on the pitch, we try to represent Newcastle in the best way possible against any team. We believe in ourselves and know we can play against anyone, and thatâ€s what we try every game.â€

Joelinton returns to the dressing-room after scoring two goals in Newcastleâ€s midweek Carabao Cup demolition of Bradford City. Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United/Getty ImagesShare

Arsenal: Already five points behind Liverpool in the title race after just five games, the club face what could be an extremely tricky assignment on Sunday when they travel to St James†Park. Arteta has been buttering up Newcastleâ€s head coach and the clubâ€s fans ahead of the trip.

“I always praise the work Eddie [Howe] and his staff have done there,†he says. “They have managed to create such an atmosphere at home and a clear identity. It is going to be another tough test. We know we are going to have to be more efficient to win the game and we are going to work on that in the next couple of days. [The atmosphere at St James†Park] is incredibly beautiful. One of the best atmospheres in this country. They play every single ball with you. Itâ€s electric. Itâ€s one team in one city. Itâ€s a great atmosphere to play in.â€

Mikel Arteta has been praising the work of Eddie Howe and his players in helping to foster an “incredibly beautiful†atmosphere at St James†Park. Photograph: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 08.34 EDT

Arsenal: Arteta goes on to express his delight that William Saliba has signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal and says that he hopes everyone on the planet follows suit. “Hopefully it will be everyone in the world very soon,†he says.

“That is what Iâ€m hoping. Itâ€s great to see so many players willing to stay. [Saliba] is very impressive for his age because sometimes we tend to forget [how young he is]. Itâ€s his consistency and the way he has matured as a person. Year after year he has built a partnership, with Gabriel especially, but the back line and the keeper.

“Every time I sit with a player and I see what their intentions are its that they want to stay with us. We donâ€t take it for granted. It means the club are doing really well to make players and staff feel valuable.â€

William Saliba has signed a new and presumably improved five-year deal with Arsenal. Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PAShare

Updated at 09.17 EDT

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta opened his press conference with some words of condolence and support for the family of Billy Vigar, the 21-year-old former Arsenal academy player who passed away yesterday after suffering a “significant brain injury†while playing for Chichester City in the Isthmian League last weekend.

“Shocking news,†says the Arsenal head coach. “Straight away I am thinking about the family and how difficult it is to go through something like this. Our full support with the family.â€

Share

Newcastle United: Having overseen a revolution at Newcastle since the Saudi takeover of the club in 2021, Eddie Howe is now concentrating on evolution as his team prepares to welcome Arsneal to St James†Park on Sunday.

“They are a different team [to last season] but likewise we are a different team,†he tells reporters. “We are still in the moment of finding out what team we are going to be and there have been really positive signs already this season. Against Bradford there were signs of the creative side to our game and the technical side was in a really good place and we are going to need something similar [on Sunday].â€

Share

Source link

Iliman Ndiaye, Everton, £6.5m – West Ham (h)

Taking on a Hammers defence that has conceded a league-high 13 goals, Ndiaye is, just about, the best option from Everton’s great-value midfield trio.

You might prefer Jack Grealish (£6.8m) after his four assists so far, or budget-friendly Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£5m), who has taken as many shots as Ndiaye.

But Senegal forward Ndiaye is the biggest goal threat and also on penalties.

Mohammed Kudus, Spurs, £6.6m – Wolves (h)

Like West Ham, Wolves are a team worth targeting and Kudus seems to be the best bet for Spurs from an attacking standpoint, after Xavi Simons was benched last week.

The Ghanaian has four assists so far – the joint most in the league – and has been involved in 40% of Tottenham’s goals.

Morgan Gibbs-White, Nottingham Forest, £7.5m – Sunderland (h)

Forest are a hard team to read this season, with a managerial change already and just one victory.

We were expecting them to be much better and, with Ange Postecoglou taking charge of his first home game, a more attacking Forest side could emerge.

Gibbs-White has taken nine shots in five games and is worth a punt this week.

Sunderland have a top-six defence so far and have been impressive in the first five weeks – will that continue?

Phil Foden, Manchester City, £8m – Burnley (h)

Is Foden back to near his best? The England midfielder was so good in the derby win over Manchester United and has had two league starts in a row.

If you can afford him, why not go for it?

Last season was a bit of a write-off, but we know what he can do – 19 goals and eight assists in the 2023-24 Premier League is proof of his ability.

Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth, £7.7m – Leeds (a)

No need to lose faith in Semenyo after last week’s blank.

He’s on penalties, takes lots of shots and has been involved in a whopping 83% of Bournemouth’s goals this season.

Source link

Sep 21, 2025, 10:58 AM ET

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is Barcelona’s ideal replacement for Robert Lewandowski, while Crystal Palace center back Marc Guéhiis set to snub Liverpool and now has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid next summer.Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

– Liverpool’s Van Dijk hails form of ‘unbelievable’ Gravenberch
– Dowman, 15, breaks Arsenal record with goal for U21 side
– Matt Beard, ex-Liverpool women’s manager, dies aged 47

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is a man in demand. Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images

TRENDING RUMORS

– Barcelona have identified Manchester City striker Erling Haaland as their dream replacement for 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski, says Football Insider. Haaland, 25, has scored 130 goals in 151 games since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, and he signed a new 9½-year contract in January. City aren’t looking to let the Norway international leave, and it would take an offer of £150 million to start talks, which Barcelona would need to raise by letting other players go.

РCrystal Palace center back Marc Gu̩hi has now told his advisers that his heart is set on a move to Real Madrid, after his deadline day move to Liverpool fell through, says The Mirror. Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konat̩already looks set to leave as a free agent in the summer, with Los Blancos one of the clubs interested in the France international, but they could also land Gu̩hi for nothing. Elsewhere, Marca reports that Bayern Munich center back Dayot Upamecano has offered himself to Real Madrid as a free agent with his contract also expiring in the summer.

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

– Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford hopes to make a permanent transfer to Barcelona, but the club might struggle to make it happen due to LaLiga’s wage cap. Rashford, 27, is on loan at the club and has impressed so far this season, but The Daily Mail reports that Barca can’t afford to keep him long term due to his salary.

– Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes is the latest name being considered by AC Milan as they look into possible replacements for Mike Maignan in the summer, as reported by Calciomercato. Cagliari’s Elia Caprileand Parma’s Zion Suzukiare also among the candidates and will be closely monitored throughout the season. Even so, the Rossonerihaven’t given up on keeping Maignan past his contract’s expiration in 2026, despite renewal negotiations having stalled for several months.

EXPERT TAKE

play

1:46

Has Vinícius Júnior been affected by no longer being Madrid’s star player?

Steve Nicol and Alex Kirkland discuss Vinícius Júnior’s recent performances for Real Madrid.

OTHER RUMORS

– Manchester United want to sign Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde and are ready to offer a deal of cash plus 20-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.(Defensa Central)

– Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all interested in Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who could be available for €80m. (CaughtOffside)

– Atlético Madrid aren’t giving up hope of signing Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson in January, having also looked at the 31-year-old in the summer transfer window. (Football Insider)

– Gabriel Jesusis seriously considering leaving Arsenal amid interest from West Ham United, Everton and Flamengo. (Football Transfers)

– West Ham United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are all monitoring AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek‘s situation. (Ekrem Konur)

– Brendan Rodgers could be the pivotal factor in persuading Chelsea winger Raheem Sterlingto join Celtic. (Football Insider)

– Roma, Juventus and Stade Rennais are among those who have looked at Atalanta right back Marco Palestra, who is currently on loan at Cagliari. (Corriere dello Sport)

– AC Milan are following Udinese center backs Thomas Kristensen and Oumar Solet, with the latter’s transfer costing double that of his teammate at around €30m. (Calciomercato)

Source link

MANCHESTER, England — Pep Guardiola seemed slightly annoyed Wednesday when he said Manchester City are “apparently” not one of the…

Barcelona are optimistic about signing Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Liverpool will face competition from City for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, and Everton to rebuff any interest in centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.

Signing Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has become an obsession for Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who is confident the Norway international, 25, will join the La Liga club in the future. (El Nacional – in Spanish), external

Manchester City are set to rival Liverpool for the free transfer signing of 25-year-old England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi next summer, when his contract is due to expire. (Mirror), external

Brentford have expressed interest in Borussia Dortmund’s 19-year-old German full-back Almugera Kabar. (Bild – in German, subscription required), external

Everton will rebuff any approaches for England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite in 2026 with the 23-year-old part of a long-term project at the club. (Talksport), external

Scouts from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid have all been watching Ajax’s 17-year-old Belgian midfielder Jorthy Mokio. (Caughtoffside), external

Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 21, is keen to sign for Liverpool despite interest from Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Benfica presidential candidate Cristovao Carvalho says he will sack coach Bruno Lage and try to persuade former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to replace him should he be elected next month. (Sportbild – in German), external

Another Benfica presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes wants to bring Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim back to the Lisbon club, where he spent nine years as a player. (Times – subscription required), external

Source link