The English Premier League Season (2024/25)

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Mohamed Salah's penalty sent Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League as they beat winless Wolves.

The forward's second-half spot kick quickly restored an advantage that had been cancelled out by Rayan Ait-Nouri's leveller after Ibrahima Konate's first Premier League goal had given the visitors the lead at Molineux.

Arne Slot's side capitalised on Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle and moved back above Arsenal to reclaim top spot with a hard-fought win while the hosts remain bottom.

Wolves' enthusiastic start was punctured by some nervous moments in defence but the struggling hosts opened well, with Alisson claiming Matheus Cunha's effort.

Their issue this season is failing to convert positive performances into victories and, slowly, Liverpool wrestled a degree of control and should have gone ahead five minutes before the break.

Virgil van Dijk slipped in Diogo Jota on the right and his low cross was met by Dominik Szoboszlai four yards out, only for Sam Johnstone's sprawling save to turn the ball wide.

Yet the visitors did open the scoring in first-half injury time when Jota breezed past Jorgen Strand Larsen, crossed for Konate and he rose above Toti Gomes to power in a header, although Johnstone may have done better.

Salah could have doubled the lead soon after the break but his snapshot from Mario Lemina's woeful pass flew wide of an open goal before Wolves' 56th-minute leveller.

Ait-Nouri fired in from close range following Carlos Forbs' mis-hit shot after Jorgen Strand Larsen robbed a dozing Konate.

Parity lasted just five minutes, though, when Nelson Semedo pushed Jota in the box and Salah converted the spot kick to win it.

Source: BBC
 
Today's Fixtures (29-09-2024)
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A superb individual strike from two-goal Liam Delap earned Ipswich Town a draw against Aston Villa, who missed a chance to move level on points with Premier League leaders Liverpool

With Ipswich trailing 2-1 in the second half, striker Delap collected the ball just inside Villa territory, raced into the penalty area and tricked his way beyond Diego Carlos before firing low past goalkeeper Emi Martinez.

The former Manchester City forward had turned in Jack Clarke's cutback to give Ipswich an eighth-minute advantage, but visitors Villa recovered to lead by half-time at Portman Road.

Morgan Rogers collected Jacob Greaves' poor clearance and exchanged passes with Ollie Watkins before crashing in his first goal for the season to equalise.

Leon Bailey's cross from the right then picked out unmarked England striker Watkins, who nodded past Arijanet Muric from six yards.

At that stage Villa looked set to achieve a comeback victory for the third Premier League match in a row.

However, Delap's intervention secured a fourth successive league draw for Ipswich as the Tractor Boys climbed to 15th in the table.

Ipswich were decent value for their point, which lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Their wait for a first win since returning to the Premier League goes on, although manager Kieran McKenna will take positives from this latest display.

Delap's two goals were both well taken but quite different in execution.

His first was a predatory first-time strike from inside the penalty area and his second was all of his own making, reminiscent of his first Premier League goal for Ipswich in the 1-1 draw against Fulham on 31 August.

The 21-year-old perhaps should have had a hat-trick, but Martinez denied him when he was sent through for a one-on-one in the first period.

Kalvin Phillips had a hand in Ipswich's opener, winning a turnover deep in the Villa half before feeding Clarke to set up Delap.

England international Phillips also tested Martinez with a stinging drive from outside the penalty area.

Of concern to McKenna will be the defensive lapses that led to two soft goals at the other end.

Ipswich's next four league fixtures are against teams currently outside the top 10, so hopes of a first league win of the campaign arriving soon will be high - especially if Delap can continue this fine start to his career in Suffolk.

Villa came from a goal behind to beat Wolves 3-1 in their previous Premier League outing, a week after fighting back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Everton at Villa Park.

That pattern looked like continuing on Sunday, once the visitors had recovered from their early setback.

The form of England hopeful Rogers, 22, has been among the major recent positives for Villa and he found the net for the first time at club level this season with a composed finish from inside the box.

England forward Watkins' header was his fourth league goal in his last three games and put Villa on course for what would have been a fifth win in six Premier League outings in 2024-25.

They appeared comfortable in spells, but this was another game in which Villa were unable to show their best form for a full 90 minutes and on this occasion they could not take away all three points.

Villa's attention will now turn to two blockbuster home games in five days.

BBC Sport
 
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Tottenham produced a magnificent display to outclass 10-man Manchester United at Old Trafford and pile renewed pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

Spurs, even without injured Son Heung-min, tore Manchester United apart as they set the platform for victory with a first-half masterclass, the only mystery being how they only had Brennan Johnson's third-minute goal to show for their overwhelming dominance.

Johnson's simple finish was created by Micky van de Ven's barnstorming run from his own half, and Spurs went on to create chance after chance without adding to their advantage - Timo Werner being the biggest culprit when he allowed United keeper Andre Onana to save when clean through.

United's cause was not helped when captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off three minutes before the break for a lunge at James Maddison – but Ten Hag's side were an overrun, indisciplined rabble well before they had a numerical disadvantage.

Spurs finally extended their lead two minutes after the interval when Dejan Kulusevski lifted a deft finish over Onana after a fine break by Johnson.

The hard-working Dominic Solanke got the goal his industry deserved and gave the scoreline a more realistic appearance 12 minutes from time, turning in Pape Matar Sarr's headed flick at a corner to spark a mass exodus from Old Trafford by United's supporters.
 
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Bournemouth claimed a comfortable Premier League victory over south-coast rivals Southampton, whose dismal start to the campaign continued at Vitality Stadium.

The result lifts Bournemouth up to 11th in the table and the outcome rarely looked in doubt after club record signing Evanilson set the Cherries on their way - the Brazil forward reacting sharply to Marcus Tavernier’s quickly taken free-kick to prod the ball past Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

From that point Andoni Iraola’s side took full control against a Southampton team who are 19th, with just a solitary point to show from their first six games of the season.

With Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie dominating in midfield, the hosts doubled their lead.

Antoine Semenyo charged down the right and cut the ball back to Cook, whose placed effort deflected off his own team-mate Dango Ouattara to completely deceive Ramsdale, as it diverted into the bottom right corner.

As Russell Martin’s Southampton side struggled to hold on to possession, and at times caused their own problems in defence, the hosts deservedly added a third.

Ghana winger Semenyo tormented several watching defenders before drilling a low effort into the left corner from the edge of the box.

While the game was effectively over as a contest at the break, Southampton did improve in the second period after the half-time introduction of Ross Stewart, Ben Brereton Diaz and Joe Aribo.

But, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis nodded home Mateus Fernandes' delivery from the left, it proved little more than a consolation for the visitors.
 

Forest owner Marinakis charged with misconduct by FA​


The Football Association has charged Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis with misconduct following his side's defeat by Fulham on 28 September.

The FA alleges, external Marinakis behaved in an "improper" manner around the City Ground tunnel after the final whistle.

The Greek businessman, 57, has until Monday, 7 October to respond.

Forest lost 1-0 and surrendered their unbeaten start to the season after Raul Jimenez converted a 51st-minute penalty for Fulham.

The visitors were awarded the penalty after referee Josh Smith was urged to consult the pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Smith determined from the replays that Forest defender Murillo had scraped his studs along the back of Andreas Pereira's calf.

Forest were further angered when VAR ruled against them in penalty claims involving Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi.

"We all want peace and for things to continue well, to not have to speak about the referees. But it was bad, wasn't it?" Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said after the match.

"Let’s try to avoid [talking about officials] and give the referees peace. I think they are trying to improve, but today was not the best day."

Forest have previously had issues with VAR.

After a 2-0 defeat by Everton in April, the club said they had "warned" the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) that "the VAR is a Luton fan but they didn't change him".

Forest are 10th in the Premier League table with nine points after six games, and next play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 6 October.

 
Half Time

Crystal Palace 0, Liverpool 1
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Liverpool continued their impressive start to the season by securing a sixth successive victory in all competitions with victory at Crystal Palace - but it came at a cost as goalkeeper Alisson went off with an injury

The early Premier League pacesetters took the three points thanks to Diogo Jota's first-half strike as the Portugal forward capitalised on some poor defending to turn in Cody Gakpo's cross.

But as they closed in on the three points Alisson appeared to suffer a hamstring injury when making a clearance and was replaced by Vitezslav Jaros for the final 10 minutes, with the Czech goalkeeper making his debut.

Liverpool have lost just once in the Premier League so far but Crystal Palace are winless, with this their fourth defeat in seven games.

They had an early Eddie Nketiah strike disallowed for offside, while Ismaila Sarr forced a good save out of Alisson just before the break.

Liverpool's inability to find a second meant that Palace - having been a distant second best for large periods - were always in with a chance of taking something.

Alisson was twice called upon in the second half to make saves, first keeping out Nketiah's shot after the visitors had been caught in possession, and then denying Eberechi Eze.

While the late change in goal was a blow for Liverpool, Palace were unable to truly test Jaros before the final whistle, with Eze firing straight at the goalkeeper after a good break.

The win meant Liverpool moved four points clear at the top of the table before the 15:00 BST games got under way. Palace, meanwhile, remain in the bottom three with three points from seven games.

BBC Sport
 
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Arsenal came from behind to maintain their unbeaten start to the season against winless Southampton at Emirates Stadium

Two goals in 10 second-half minutes from Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli ensured the Gunners made a full recovery after being stunned by Cameron Archer's opener for the visitors, before Bukayo Saka confirmed the three points late on.

It meant Arsenal became only the second club in Premier League history to record 400 home wins, and they remain within one point of Premier League pace-setters Liverpool before the international break.

Southampton, who still only have one point after seven games, had struggled amid incessant Arsenal pressure from the outset but, albeit at times unconvincingly, the visitors successfully held out until half-time.

Saints took an unexpected lead 10 minutes after the restart, Archer providing a neat finish on the counter attack after Raheem Sterling, making his first league start for the Gunners, was dispossessed by Mateus Fernandes.

That only served to spark Arsenal into life, however, and the hosts responded just three minutes later when Havertz curved an excellent finish in off the post, before Martinelli timed his run perfectly to meet Saka's cross at the back post.

With Arsenal unable to put the game out of reach, Southampton produced a spirited response but were twice denied by the woodwork when Dibling's effort deflected on to the post and Adam Armstrong hit the crossbar from the resulting corner.

But Saka, provider of his side's first two goals, scored the third in the closing stages with a clinical finish, as Arsenal extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 16 matches.

Saka stars in Arsenal fightback

Arsenal required a dramatic late show to rescue three points against Leicester last weekend and, for a long period, their latest meeting with one of the promoted clubs again threatened to prove complicated.

It took Southampton's opener to animate Arsenal, until then bordering on complacent in their dominance and infuriatingly wasteful in pursuit of a breakthrough.

But the response is what will matter most to Arteta, enjoying his longest unbeaten streak as Arsenal boss, with five wins from seven - along with two draws achieved with 10 men - representing a very promising start to their latest Premier League title challenge.

Saka once again proved invaluable to the Gunners' cause, with his involvement in all three goals taking his tally to three goals and seven assists after 10 games in all competitions this season.

The England international kick-started the comeback by dispossessing Flynn Downes and teeing up Havertz, then lofting a wonderful cross to Martinelli before getting the goal his performance deserved.

It appeared set to be a long afternoon for Southampton as they weathered wave after wave of Arsenal attacks in the early stages, but Russell Martin's side grew in belief as they restricted Arsenal to just one first-half shot on target.

That saw Thomas Partey, deployed at right-back in the absence of the injured Jurrien Timber, denied by Ramsdale before Jan Bednarek denied Sterling on the rebound.

But Saints' joy was short-lived following Archer's shock opener and the visitors were ultimately overrun in the closing stages. Despite positives for Martin to take, not least their resilience, they have now matched their worst ever top-flight run, going a 20th match without a win for the first time since 1969.

BBC Sport
 
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Brentford capitalised on a dreadful defensive performance from Wolves to claim their first Premier League victory since August and leave Gary O’Neil’s side still searching for their first top-flight win of the season

Six of the eight goals at the Gtech Community Stadium were scored in the first half, with Brentford taking an early lead for the fourth game in succession when Nathan Collins nodded in Mikkel Damsgaard’s cross with only 75 seconds on the clock.

In an astonishing opening, the hosts were pegged back just over two minutes later when Matheus Cunha steered Nelson Semedo’s cutback past Mark Flekken, but the Bees were given a chance to restore their advantage from the penalty spot following Mario Lemina’s foul on Collins.

Up stepped Bryan Mbeumo, who sent Sam Johnstone the wrong way for his sixth league goal of the campaign.

Yet again, Wolves responded swiftly and equalised for a second time when Jorgen Strand Larsen turned Rayan Ait-Nouri’s low delivery in to the far corner.

But the visitors were level for less than 90 seconds as Christian Norgaard collected Vitaly Janelt’s pass before rifling the ball into the far corner.

And Brentford made it four before the break when Ethan Pinnock – left completely unmarked from Damsgaard’s corner – sent a well-placed header inside the far post.

The hosts continued to create the better openings after the restart, and Johnstone did well to deny Pinnock from another corner before thwarting Kevin Schade in a one-against-one.

Second-half substitute Fabio Carvalho scored a fifth for Brentford after Johnstone had parried Keane Lewis-Potter's shot into his path, before Ait-Nouri rifled home a late consolation for the visitors.

The defeat leaves Wolves rooted to the foot of the table with only one point from their first seven matches, while Brentford climb into the top half.

BBC Sport
 
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Facundo Buonanotte sealed Leicester's first Premier League win of the season as the Foxes beat Bournemouth 1-0

The Brighton loanee's second goal of the campaign lifted the hosts to 15th before what is viewed as a pivotal run of games.

They face Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich after the international break in their bid for survival, but rode their luck with Lewis Cook's free-kick disallowed for offside.

Dango Ouattara and Illia Zabarnyi also hit the woodwork for the visitors, who failed to build on Monday's win over Southampton despite a dominant second half.

Leicester's early nerves were clear but they were eased after Buonanotte's 16th-minute winner.

Patient build-up involving Jamie Vardy and James Justin sent Buonanotte scampering down the right and the forward raced inside, breezed past Marcos Senesi and lashed in high from 10 yards.

It was the first time this season the Foxes had been ahead at home in the league, while the hosts also felt they should have had a penalty when Stephy Mavididi's cross struck Zabarnyi's outstretched arm.

The Cherries initially struggled to recover and Vardy blew a golden chance to make it 2-0, shooting wide with just Kepa to beat 10 minutes before the break.

It kept Bournemouth within touching distance and three minutes after the restart Zabarnyi's header hit the post before Mads Hermansen turned Ryan Christieu's effort away and Ouattara headed wide.

Cook's free-kick, which Evanilson may have touched, was disallowed - with the otherwise anonymous Evanilson offside - and Ouattara nodded on to the bar from close range soon after as the Foxes held on.

BBC Sport
 
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Mateo Kovacic scored twice as Manchester City overcame a dogged Fulham to pick up a first Premier League win in three games

City dominated the early stages before Raul Jimenez's outstanding backheel cross enabled Andreas Pereira to score from close range.

Adama Traore missed two big chances either side of that - being denied by Ederson in a one-on-one and then skying a shot from inside the box.

And City midfielder Kovacic made him pay.

His first was a first-time effort from a half-cleared corner that went in via a deflection.

And his second, shortly into the second half, was a much cleaner strike from the edge of the area.

There was almost a twist, as Traore beat Kyle Walker for pace before again shooting at Ederson.

In fact, City conceded several more chances before Jeremy Doku drifted in from the left and crashed a fantastic strike into the far top corner.

At that stage you thought surely City were home and dry but they left substitute Rodrigo Muniz free in the box to give Fulham renewed hope late on.

But Marco Silva's side could not muster an equaliser.

City are now unbeaten in 50 home games in all competitions, the fourth English top-flight side to ever manage that.

BBC Sport
 
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West Ham gained their first home Premier League win of the season as they overpowered newly promoted Ipswich Town, who remain without a victory since their top-flight return

Goals from Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta gave the Hammers the three points and eased the pressure on manager Julen Lopetegui after an indifferent start since he replaced David Moyes as manager.

Antonio swept home Bowen’s low cross after 48 seconds, but in a frantic start Liam Delap equalised with Alphonse Areola unable to keep out his 18-yard strike, despite getting a hand to the ball.

Ipswich missed chances to move ahead and that, along with a number of defensive errors, proved costly.

Dara O'Shea cleared Tomas Soucek's effort off the line after Ipswich lost possession inside their own penalty area, but the hosts restored their lead when Kudus reacted quickest to head in from close range after Antonio's header had bounced off the crossbar and down on to the goalline.

But the hosts dominated after the break and Bowen, left out of England's squad for the Nations League matches against Greece and Finland, put the game beyond Ipswich with a fine low strike.

The goal once more came from a defensive error from Ipswich. Ben Johnson's looped backpass asked a lot of goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, but he could not control the ball and lost possession with Bowen grabbing his second goal of the season shortly after.

His second assist of the afternoon followed later on, with a square pass with the outside of his boot, with Paqueta tapping in unmarked from close range for West Ham's fourth on a miserable day for the visitors.

BBC Sport
 
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Everton and Newcastle United were both left frustrated after playing out an eventful stalemate at Goodison Park.

Newcastle United played the more controlled football in a frenetic contest but squandered a first-half penalty when former Everton forward Anthony Gordon saw a first-half penalty saved by England keeper Jordan Pickford.

Gordon had been taunted by Everton's fans from the first whistle but missed the chance to silence his tormentors when his poor spot-kick was saved by Pickford diving to his left after James Tarkowski was rightly penalised for foolishly dragging Sandro Tonali to the floor at a corner.

Everton had earlier seen an Abdoulaye Doucoure header ruled out for offside and Tonali's shot was cleared off the line by Iliman Ndiaye as both sides tried to make the breakthrough in a scrappy encounter.

Gordon missed another big chance late on but Everton also wasted a huge opportunity when substitute Idrissa Gueye blazed over an open goal after Newcastle keeper Nick Pope had saved from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who had his claims for a penalty after clashing with defender Dan Burn chasing the rebound turned away by referee Craig Pawson.

Source: BBC
 
Pathetic inconsistent refereeing once again... Manu should be down to 10
 
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will hope a battling draw at Aston Villa will relieve the fierce scrutiny of his position

The club's co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance at Villa Park to see United at least show some of the resilience that was missing in the collapse at home to Tottenham and the defensive solidity lacking in Porto in the Europa League.

Ten Hag turned to the veteran duo of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans to add some steel, although he lost the England defender to injury right on half-time.

Marcus Rashford twice tested Villa keeper Emi Martinez while United captain Bruno Fernandes came closest with a second half free-kick that bounced back off the bar at the Holte End. Substitute Antony also forced Martinez into an acrobatic save from long range.

United keeper Andre Onana was relatively untroubled, although he did well to athletically push away a power drive from Villa midfield man Youri Tielemans.

Ten Hag must now hope Ratcliffe and the rest of United's watching hierarchy saw enough to keep faith with the Dutchman, although this draw means they are still five games without a win.

Manchester United simply had to avoid defeat at Aston Villa to ensure the focus on manager Ten Hag did not become more intense, perhaps to the point where the Old Trafford hierarchy felt it was time for a change.

It was hardly a sparkling performance, indeed for long periods this game was bogged down in a morass of mediocrity, but at least United fought for their manager and actually had the better opportunities to win.

Ten Hag's quest for defensive solidity after shambolic performances against Spurs and Porto saw him turn to 36-year-old Evans and Maguire as his central defensive partnership with Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez dropped.

The pair performed creditably, especially Evans - despite losing Maguire alongside him at the interval.

Villa were kept at arm's length throughout as United showed increased discipline against Unai Emery's side, always formidable at home, as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich found out in the Champions League.

Ten Hag will be satisfied with what he saw and may feel aggrieved United did not collect more than a point, especially when Fernandes beat Martinez with a fine free-kick, only to see it strike the woodwork.

United's top brass will now have time to take stock in the international break, which they will go into on the back of a decent result before they return to Premier League action against Brentford at Old Trafford.

Aston Villa and their supporters expended so much energy and emotion during Wednesday's superb Champions League victory against Bayern Munich that it was perhaps no surprise such intensity could not be replicated, even for the visit of Manchester United.

And so it proved as Villa Park's subdued atmosphere provided a complete contrast to the feverish environment before, during and after the meeting with Bayern.

Emery's side lacked the snap and aggression that marked the win over Bayern, with even the second-half introduction of talisman substitute Jhon Duran, the match-winner against the Germans, unable to lift the mood despite being brought on to huge applause.

Villa's fans did their best to rouse their side but it was to no avail as they once again relied on the excellence of keeper Emi Martinez, who had more work to do than opposite number Andre Onana - although it did not actually amount to very much.

In the end, the animated Emery and his players almost accepted they would have to settle for a draw but this has still been another highly satisfactory week in the development of Aston Villa.

BBC Sport
 
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Chris Wood and Noni Madueke scored as Chelsea and Nottingham Forest played out a tactical and feisty draw at Stamford Bridge

Forest went ahead when 32-year-old striker Wood slid in a finish past Robert Sanchez after a good set-piece routine involving James Ward-Prowse and Nikola Milenkovic in the 49th minute.

But Chelsea responded quickly as Madueke equalised eight minutes later after cutting in on his left foot and shooting, his fourth such effort having had the beating of left-back Alex Moreno.

Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White came off injured in the second half - putting his chances of contributing with England this month in major doubt as he gingerly walked off the pitch, looking in pain and frustrated.

Referee Chris Kavanagh sent off Forest's Ward-Prowse for deliberately handling the ball to stop a Nicolas Jackson counter-attack in the second half, giving him a second yellow card, having booked him earlier on for a more conventional tactical foul on star man Cole Palmer.

Then, Madueke also appeared to go off injured after a melee sparked by Neco Williams, who pushed defender Marc Cucurella into Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea looked to their extensive bench to win the match, bringing on Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto to win the game with a man advantage, but Palmer had two chances well saved by Matz Sels and Felix headed an effort wide in stoppage time.

There were two huge efforts saved in the closing minutes.

Williams curling effort for the visitors was saved by Sanchez, before - at the other end - Nkunku's diving header was saved at close range by Sels.

It felt like a close match of two in-form clubs pitting their records against each other, with Chelsea dominant in the latter stages.

The Blues' five-game winning run has ended but they remain unbeaten in the league since the opening match of the season, while Forest are undefeated on the road in six matches, their longest such run since 1995.

BBC Sport
 
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Brighton produced a superb fightback to come from two goals down and beat Tottenham in a Premier League thriller on the south coast.

Spurs looked to be heading to a sixth successive victory in all competitions as they deservedly led 2-0 after 37 minutes.

Brennan Johnson opened the scoring with his sixth goal in six games when he timed his run perfectly to run on to Dominic Solanke’s through ball before slotting past Bart Verbruggen.

The home goalkeeper should have done better with a curled shot from James Maddison as he got two hands to the low strike, but could not keep the ball out as Spurs doubled their lead.

But Brighton were a side transformed after the break.

They pulled one back early in the second half, when Destiny Udogie was unable to clear the ball from Kaoru Mitoma's cross and Yankuba Minteh capitalised to grab his first goal for the Seagulls following his £30m move from Newcastle.

The impressive Mitoma was again involved as the hosts equalised in the 58th minute, passing to Rutter, who twisted to create space away from Micky van de Ven and then shoot low past Guglielmo Vicario.

Rutter then did excellently to not give up, slide in near the byeline to get a cross in, which Danny Welbeck converted with a downward header to score what proved to be the winner.
 
Brentford are the first side in the Premier League history to score in the opening 90 seconds of four consecutive games:

22s vs. Man City
23s vs. Tottenham
37s vs. West Ham
75s vs. Wolves
 
Chelsea and Forest charged for failing to control players

Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have been charged by the Football Association for failing to control their players after a mass confrontation during Sunday's Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.

However, no action will be taken against Nicolas Jackson after the Chelsea forward appeared to slap, external Forest's Morato, as players from both sides clashed towards the end of the match, which ended 1-1.

Tempers had flared after Forest's Neco Williams had appeared to push defender Marc Cucurella off the pitch.

The incident involving Jackson and Morato was reviewed by the video assistant referee at the time.

"It's alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 88th minute," the FA said in a statement.

Both clubs have until Thursday to respond to the charge.

Three players were booked following the clash - Williams for Forest and Cucurella and Levi Colwill for Chelsea.

A total of six players were booked for the Blues throughout the match, meaning they are the subject of an automatic £50,000 fine after accumulating six or more bookings for the second time this season.


BBC
 
Nottingham Forest have been fined £750,000 and warned over their future conduct after posting comments about VAR Stuart Attwell on social media in April

Sky News
 
Premier League to 'take time' over response to APT case

The Premier League has warned its clubs it will be "taking the necessary time" to decide how to respond to this week's landmark verdict in the legal battle with Manchester City over rules governing commercial deals.

In a letter sent by chief executive Richard Masters - and seen by BBC Sport - he hints at a possible delay to a key meeting to discuss the situation, advising there could be an "impact on the scheduling".

Both sides claimed victory after the decision of an arbitration panel was published on Monday following a legal challenge by City against the league's associated party transaction (APT) regulations.

APT rules are in place to ensure sponsorship deals with companies linked to clubs' owners represent fair market value.

City had some complaints upheld, with two aspects of the rules deemed unlawful by the tribunal.

The tribunal said low-interest shareholder loans should not be excluded from the scope of APT rules, and that changes made in February to toughen up the regulations also breached competition law.

In its initial response on Monday, the Premier League said the panel "endorsed the overall objectives, framework and decision-making of the APT system", adding it would seek to amend its rules "quickly and effectively".

Its Financial Controls Advisory Group and Legal Advisory Group are due to meet next Tuesday, with a full meeting of the clubs following on Thursday.


 
Young Premier League players 'suffering more injuries'

Premier League players aged under 21 are spending longer sidelined through injury than ever before, with knee problems on the rise, a study has shown.

New data from global insurance group Howden's 'Men's European Football Injury Index' has revealed similar trends across Europe's top men's leagues.

The revelations come as club and international calendars face increasing scrutiny, with many players arguing congested schedules threaten their welfare.

James Burrows, head of sport at Howden, highlighted the "ever-increasing physical demands" on players as a reason for the spike in injuries.

"As fixture congestion intensifies with expanded competitions domestically and internationally, we are seeing more players sidelined for longer periods," he said.

Players' union Fifpro has made the same argument, external. Its 2024 Player Workload Monitoring Report claims 78% of coaches and 72% of players surveyed support the implementation of a guaranteed rest period in the calendar.

The same report detailed how England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham played 251 competitive games before reaching the age of 21 in June, while ex-England captain David Beckham played 54 in comparison.


 
West Ham's Lucas Paqueta wants the FA to investigate whether information about his spot-fixing case was leaked

He continues to deny the four charges of intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the purpose of affecting the betting market.

Sky Sports
 

Nuno gets three-match touchline ban over red card​


Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been banned from the touchline for three matches after his red card in the draw at Brighton last month.

Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who was also charged for his reaction to being dismissed in the 2-2 draw, has been suspended for one game.

Gibbs-White was sent off in the 83rd minute after receiving a second booking, with Nuno and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler both red carded in the aftermath.

Nuno has been fined £55,000 and Gibbs-White £20,000.

Hurzeler was given an £8,000 fine but avoided a touchline ban.

A Football Association statement, external read: "It was alleged that the Nottingham Forest head coach [Nuno] acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official.

"The Nottingham Forest midfielder [Gibbs-White] allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official after being sent off.

"It was alleged that the Brighton and Hove Albion manager [Hurzeler] acted in an improper manner."

It said Nuno, Gibbs-White and Hurzeler all admitted to their respective charges, with the punishments enforced by the independent regulatory commission.

Forest had asked for more time to prepare a response having initially been given until 27 September.

Nuno apologised for his reaction to the officials, including referee Rob Jones and fourth official Anthony Taylor, and had hoped his contrition would lead to leniency.

However, not only was the Portuguese manager given a two-match ban for this specific incident, a one-game suspended ban - for comments following Forest's 2-0 defeat at Everton in April - was also activated.

They came after Forest's controversial social media post which called VAR Stuart Attwell's integrity into question.

Last week, the club was fined £750,000 for the post, which was seen over 45 million times.

 
Half Time

Tottenham Hotspur 1, West Ham United 1
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A spectacular second half-display saw Tottenham run out dominant Premier League winners over local rivals West Ham in north London

Hammers winger Mohammed Kudus turned in the opening goal of the game from a Jarrod Bowen cross in the 18th minute having missed a similar chance moments earlier.

Midfielder Dejan Kulusevski got Spurs a deserved equaliser which squeezed in after hitting both posts in the 36th minute.

But with Spurs already dominant in the first half, they took their game to another level after the interval as James Maddison was substituted for Pape Matar Sarr.

They scored just seven minutes later as Yves Bissouma arrived to finish Destiny Udogie's cutback to put Spurs ahead.

Son Heung-min, who had been pulling the strings for the other goals, then saw his shot saved by Alphonse Areola but his parry deflected off Jean-Clair Todibo and into the goal.

The Korean scored five minutes later by tucking in a finish after the Hammers failed to clear a loose ball, but then hit the post with a similar chance as West Ham turned over possession straight after the resulting kick-off.

Remarkably, Kudus was sent off after pushing both Sarr and Micky van de Ven in the face, following an intervention from VAR Christopher Kavanagh.

The result was what Spurs' impressive attacking play deserved and their second-half display helps to exorcise demons after the club squandered a 2-0 lead at Brighton before the international break.

They lost that match 3-2 at Amex Stadium - leading Ange Postecoglou to describe the display at his "worst defeat" since becoming Spurs manager last summer.

Sweden captain Kulusevski is taking his game to the next level this season and, after scoring at Old Trafford before the international break, the 24-year-old got a crucial first-half equaliser on Saturday afternoon.

His near-post effort settled some nerves in a key moment after the north Londoners went a goal down early on.

Physically, technically and tactically, Kulusevski is finding that his game is coming together this season now he is playing in his preferred attacking midfielder role.

He may only have two goals and an assist this season but those watching closely will see his influence and he is increasingly becoming one of the first names on the team sheet.

Interestingly, it was James Maddison who was hauled off in a 'tactical change' for Sarr - with other attackers arguably in better form.

This is a squad built mostly by former manager David Moyes and it is struggling to adapt to new manager Julen Lopetegui's approach.

Formerly a counter-attacking team, the Hammers came to Spurs to play out from the back, keep possession and try to attack their rivals.

But they were outgunned, not as well-drilled in the attacking third and made a series of calamitous errors from the back.

Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola's goal-kicks led to Spurs chances and others were kicked out of play.

A midfield featuring Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez was physically dominated and exploited by Spurs' press and the defence struggled to build from the back.

The only positive for West Ham is they looked dangerous whenever Jarrod Bowen or Kudus were able to run at the opposition wingers.

It is worrying that the 4-1 scoreline may even have flattered a well-beaten West Ham.

Ghana international Kudus looked like he kicked Van de Ven as he fell following a 50-50 challenge and then pushed the Dutchman in the face, sparking a mass brawl, in which he accidentally knocked heads with substitute Richarlison before pushing Sarr in the face.

With two Spurs players down on the floor, referee Andrew Madley initially gave a yellow card.

But VAR Chris Kavanagh ensured it was cancelled before a straight red card was issued for violent conduct in the 86th minute.

Undoubtedly West Ham's best player in a difficult afternoon, the forward has made it harder for Lopetegui to recover as he now faces a three-match ban to compound the club's troubles.

BBC Sport
 
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Ollie Watkins scored his fifth Premier League goal of the campaign to help Aston Villa continue their fine start to the season with victory over Fulham as both sides were reduced to 10 men

Fulham took the lead when a long punt from Bernd Leno was chased down by Raul Jimenez and he won a tussle with last man Pau Torres before striking a left-footed shot low into the corner of the net.

Villa got themselves back on level terms four minutes later when a 20-yard shot from Morgan Rogers took a big deflection off Calvin Bassey and wrong-footed Leno.

Fulham were awarded a penalty shortly before the half-hour mark after Matty Cash was deemed to have blocked a Jimenez header back across goal - but Andreas Pereira's tame low effort was saved by Emiliano Martinez.

Villa seized the initiative on the hour when England striker Watkins peeled away from Emile Smith Rowe and powerfully headed in a Youri Tielemans corner.

Fulham's afternoon from that point only went from bad to worse as defender Joachim Andersen was sent off for dragging down Watkins before Issa Diop clumsily turned a low cross from Lucas Digne into his own net.

The only sour note for Villa was the dismissal of substitute Jaden Philogene, who was sent off for a second yellow card after he fouled Reiss Nelson in injury time.

Villa's victory lifted them up to fifth in the table and gave them their best start to a Premier League campaign after eight games since 1998-99.

BBC Sport
 
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For the second season running, Manchester United came from behind to secure a crucial victory over Brentford at Old Trafford and ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag

United trailed at the break thanks to Ethan Pinnock’s controversial injury time header which came while Matthijs de Ligt was off the pitch being treated for a head wound.

But at the start of the second half, Alejandro Garnacho ended the home side’s 316-minute Premier League goal drought as he applied a magnificent first-time finish to Marcus Rashford’s cross.

Striker Rasmus Hojlund won it for the hosts in the 62nd minute when he ran onto Bruno Fernandes’ sensational flicked pass with the outside of his boot to calmly chip the ball over Brentford keeper Mark Flekken, who slid out to block.

It wasn’t quite as exciting as 12 months ago when Scott McTominay’s injury time double ended Brentford’s hopes of a first win in this stadium since 1937.

However, for Ten Hag, this victory could be more significant.

The Dutchman accused the media of creating ‘fairytales and lies’ over his position, but given United started the game in 14th, anything other than victory would fuel negativity around Ten Hag before Thursday’s Europa League trip to Fenerbahce.

BBC Sport
 
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Danny Welbeck’s first-half goal proved decisive as Brighton condemned Newcastle to their first Premier League defeat at home since January


The result lifts the Seagulls up to fifth in the table with the Magpies remaining in eighth.

Brighton had spent most of the opening period defending when Welbeck’s quick thinking made the difference.

The former England forward, who turns 34 next month, played a clever one-two with Georginio Rutter before placing the ball in the bottom right corner with the visitors' first effort on goal of the afternoon.

Welbeck, who was withdrawn on a stretcher late on after appearing to injure his back, has now scored five goals in eight appearances in the top flight this term.

However, Brighton’s victory was also down to some resilient defending and profligate finishing from the hosts.

Eddie Howe's side carved out several promising openings with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon both going close but they were unable to find a way past visiting goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

BBC Sport
 
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Leicester City staged a stunning comeback from two goals down as Jordan Ayew's stoppage-time winner gave them a dramatic victory against Southampton in a Premier League thriller at St Mary's Stadium

The Foxes looked down and out, feeling the wrath of their travelling supporters as goals from Cameron Archer and Joe Aribo gave the Saints a thoroughly deserved half-time advantage inside 28 minutes.

Archer steered home a simple finish from Ryan Manning’s left-wing cross after eight minutes, before Aribo applied a similar strike as Kyle Walker-Peters sent in the delivery.

Southampton were dominant but Leicester showed great resilience and were inspired by a brilliant individual display from substitute Abdul Fatawu after he was introduced on the hour.

He had already started to pose a threat even before Facundo Buonanotte turned in his cross from close range, signalling a sensational Leicester revival.

Fatawu had turned the game on its head and he was a central figure again when Leicester drew level 16 minutes from time, first shooting against the bar, then forcing a fine save from Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with a header seconds later.

In the resulting melee, Ryan Fraser dragged back Jamie Vardy as he tried to pounce on the rebound, the veteran striker scoring the resulting penalty with the Saints substitute shown a red card.

And, in a frantic finale, Ayew delighted Leicester fans and left the home support to turn on their team with that strike seven minutes into stoppage time.

BBC Sport
 
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Everton extended their unbeaten run to four Premier League matches with a 2-0 victory against winless Ipswich at Portman Road

Iliman Ndiaye gave the Toffees an early lead when he capitalised on some sloppy Ipswich defending to fire home from close range for his third goal of the season.

Some more poor defending allowed Dwight McNeil to pick out Michael Keane, who blasted home a left-foot shot from a tight angle to double Everton's advantage before half-time.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin spurned a number of chances to make the result more comfortable for the Toffees either side of the break.

Ipswich were full of effort and endeavour but struggled to create many clear openings.

It is Everton's first away win for 16 games in all competitions, a run stretching back to last December.

Defeat means Ipswich set a new club record of eight games without a win to start a top-flight season.

BBC Sport
 
VAR allowing a city goal whilst a player is offside and in keepers eye line, no shock. We've seen this before
 
VAR allowing a city goal whilst a player is offside and in keepers eye line, no shock. We've seen this before

When Stones met the ball with his head , the keeper had a clear view & no infringement. Goal imo .

It would have been nice if city dropped points but they were better & deserved the 3 points
 
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John Stones' dramatic stoppage-time winner sent Manchester City to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win at battling Wolves


The defender's header - in the fifth minute of injury time - was given when referee Chris Kavanagh awarded the goal on review, to the hosts' fury, after it was initially ruled out for offside.

Josko Gvardiol had cancelled out Jorgen Strand Larsen's early opener for Wolves, who remain winless this season and are bottom of the Premier League.

City made the early running at Molineux but were stunned on seven minutes when neat build-up sent Nelson Semedo away and his brilliant cross, which bypassed four City defenders, was tapped in by Strand Larsen.

The recalled Jose Sa, in for injured goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, denied Bernardo Silva soon after as City controlled the game but they had to wait until the 33rd minute to level when Gvardiol found the top corner from 20 yards.

Yet it did not give them an immediate platform for victory and the visitors were met by an undaunted opponent who denied them space, although only an excellent low save from Sa denied Savinho in first-half stoppage time.

Another Sa stop kept Ruben Dias out as City camped in the hosts' half but they were almost caught out by a rare Wolves break, Matheus Cunha shooting wide.

Guardiola summoned Phil Foden and Jack Grealish from the bench but City were made to wait until deep into stoppage time to find a winner.

Stones headed in Foden’s corner, only for Silva to be ruled offside as he was standing in front of Sa, but, with the City players watching on, referee Kavanagh gave the goal to break Wolves’ hearts.

BBC Sport
 
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Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with victory over Chelsea at Anfield as manager Arne Slot's outstanding start continued

The Dutchman is the first Liverpool boss to win 10 of his first 11 games, this latest triumph sending them a point clear of Manchester City following their dramatic stoppage-time victory at Wolves earlier.

Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead from the spot after 29 minutes following Levi Colwill’s foul on Curtis Jones, though a second penalty awarded on the stroke of half-time for Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez's block on the same player was overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR) after initially being awarded by referee John Brooks.

Chelsea took advantage of that VAR reprieve to equalise three minutes after the break, Nicolas Jackson racing clear to score, the goal awarded after being ruled out for offside.

Liverpool took only three minutes to restore their lead, Jones stealing in at the far post to steer Salah's cross past a hesitant Sanchez in front of a joyous Kop.

It mean Slot's only loss since succeeding Jurgen Klopp was to Nottingham Forest at Anfield in September, while this was Chelsea's first league defeat under new manager Enzo Maresca since the opening-weekend home reverse against Manchester City.

Liverpool are a more ordered side under Slot, more measured than the all-out 'heavy metal' football of his illustrious predecessor Klopp who swept up silverware before leaving Anfield at the end of last season.

What has not changed is the success, with what has been regarded as a good start tempered by cautious messaging about the standard of opposition beaten - now rebadged as an excellent one after victory over an improving Chelsea side.

This win was workmanlike, but another three points is what mattered, especially as Manchester City applied pressure after the theatre and controversy of their last-gasp win at Wolves.

Salah had one of his quieter games, yet set Liverpool on their way from spot and carved out a brilliant assist for Curtis Jones' winner.

It was a goal Jones deserved for a lively performance, which earned one penalty and only had another denied by VAR.

Liverpool survived a couple of anxious moments near the end, and an early injury which meant Diogo Jota was replaced by Darwin Nunez provided the one cloud, but this result and performance is the perfect platform for next Sunday's visit to Premier League title rivals Arsenal.

BBC Sport
 
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Dean Henderson's mistake piled more misery on winless Crystal Palace as Chris Wood sealed victory for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

The Palace goalkeeper, in front of watching interim England manager Lee Carsley, allowed Wood's second-half strike to squirm under his arm.

Oliver Glasner's Eagles remain in the Premier League's bottom three, while Forest rise to eighth after their first home win of the season.

Eberechi Eze and Eddie Nketiah hit the woodwork for Palace, while Ryan Yates also nodded on to a post for the hosts.

Palace enjoyed the better of a bright opening and Eze went close before Nketiah's fine 30-yard effort clipped the upright, but after a slow start Forest roused themselves and Elliott Anderson's excellent run and shot forced Henderson into action.

Wood headed over before being denied by Jefferson Lerma on the line as Forest continued to create chances, and Yates' header came back off the post after 22 minutes.

Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo - watching from the stands as he starts a three-game touchline ban - would have been encouraged, but Palace regrouped and Matz Sels turned Eze's drive on to the bar after the break.

But Wood struck with 25 minutes left when he seized on Trevoh Chalobah's clearance and his first-time effort from 20 yards crept under Henderson's arm.

Sels then ensured Forest took all three points with another fine save, this time denying Jeffrey Schlupp with 10 minutes left.
 
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was given a five-match stadium ban for spitting on the floor as match officials walked past in the tunnel, an independent regulatory commission has said

Marinakis was found guilty of improper conduct for the incident following Forest's 1-0 Premier League defeat by Fulham at the City Ground on 28 September.

In publishing its written reasons behind the decision, the commission said there was "no excuse" for such an "an egregious display of disrespectful behaviour" that could "fuel disrespect towards match officials".

A separate commission's written reasons said Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo and midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White were punished for swearing at match officials following the 2-2 draw at Brighton on 22 September.

Nuno was given a three-match touchline ban after he was shown a red card, while Gibbs-White was given a one-match ban for his reaction to being sent off.

The commission accepted their admissions of guilt and genuine remorse as mitigation, but said Nuno's previous disciplinary charges counted against him.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, who was also sent off in the aftermath of the incident, received a £8,000 fine but avoided a touchline ban.

Why was Marinakis banned?
The spitting incident occurred after Forest's unbeaten start to the season came to an end following a VAR-awarded penalty to Fulham.

Referee Josh Smith, assistant referee James Mainwaring and fourth official Tim Robinson submitted written statements saying they saw Marinakis spitting on the floor in their direction as they made their way to the dressing room.

In his defence, Marinakis claimed that he had a hacking cough because he smokes two or three cigars a day and the incident was unintentional.

The commission rejected this defence, pointing to the fact none of the officials' statements mentioned coughing and CCTV footage of the tunnel backed up that assertion.

It said it believed Marinakis "deliberately spat in a disrespectful and disgusting display of contempt towards the match officials".

It concluded this was a case of serious misconduct that warranted a severe punishment to act as a deterrent.

Marinakis argued a ban from the tunnel and dressing room areas would suffice, but the commission disagreed given he is not required in those areas after games.

Source: BBC
 
Forest owner banned for spitting towards officials

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was given a five-match stadium ban for spitting on the floor as match officials walked past in the tunnel, an independent regulatory commission has said.

Marinakis was found guilty of improper conduct for the incident following Forest's 1-0 Premier League defeat by Fulham at the City Ground on 28 September.

In publishing its written reasons behind the decision, the commission said there was "no excuse" for such an "an egregious display of disrespectful behaviour" that could "fuel disrespect towards match officials".

A separate commission's written reasons said Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo and midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White were punished for swearing at match officials following the 2-2 draw at Brighton on 22 September.

Nuno was given a three-match touchline ban after he was shown a red card, while Gibbs-White was given a one-match ban for his reaction to being sent off.

The commission accepted their admissions of guilt and genuine remorse as mitigation, but said Nuno's previous disciplinary charges counted against him.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, who was also sent off in the aftermath of the incident, received a £8,000 fine but avoided a touchline ban.


 

Ferguson leaves Inverness CT after administration​


Duncan Ferguson has left his position as manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the former Scotland striker has told BBC Scotland News.

The Scottish League 1 club was put into administration on Tuesday amid financial issues and was automatically deducted 15 points as a result.

That has left them 12 points adrift at the bottom of the table and facing relegation to League 2, just eight years after they were in the top flight.

Regardless of what division they are in next season, they will start on minus five points.

Speaking outside the Caledonian Stadium on Wednesday, former Dundee United, Rangers, Everton and Newcastle forward Ferguson said he and two of his coaches had been let go.

Earlier, Ferguson said he had "always been against administration".

Players and other staff are expected to hear if they still have jobs on Thursday.

Administrators BDO said they were working to "secure the long term future" of the Highland club by attempting to find new owners.

If that fails, assets could be sold and the money raised distributed to creditors.

Investor Alan Savage, a former club chairman, told BBC Scotland News he would give it his "best shot" to help save the club.

Asked if he was confident it could be saved, he replied: "Of course I am, yeah."

Savage pledged to help anyone who lost their job to find a new one.

Asked about his own role if the club survives, he said: "It's a step-by-step process and until we've gone through those steps it's a bit early to say."

 

Lopetegui on Kudus, defensive troubles and Man Utd​


West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

  • On Mohamed Kudus's suspension: "His behaviour was not good and he knows that. He knows he has to improve his temperament because this can't happen. I am sure this will be the last time it happens."
  • He didn't give any hints as to who may replace the Ghana playmaker in the team: "We have players ready to play for him. I am sure the player who is going to play in his place is going to do well. It's sometimes that one's problem is another's opportunity and I hope that is the case."
  • When asked if he's feeling any pressure after a poor start in the Premier League: "When you become a coach, you live with pressure always. It's that kind of life. We didn't have the best start or [the] start we wanted to have, but we are sure we are taking steps to arrive at the end of the season in the position we want to be. The only way is to work hard and try to silence the critics by improving."
  • On his opponents: "It is very clear they have one way to play, to attack, to defend and we have to analyse that to beat them."
  • On why his team have been inconsistent: "We are playing against different teams and each match has had key moments. We have to try to have more consistency and to play better. I can imagine how this team can develop and what it can do and we are going to work to make this real as soon as possible."
  • On the team's defensive troubles: "The defensive work is the work of the whole team. We have talked about this, to be more consistent, and to be more aggressive in our box. I am sure we are going to find this level."

 
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Chris Wood's derby double sent Nottingham Forest up to fifth in the Premier League after a dominant win at Leicester.

The striker seized on two second-half mistakes to punish his former club and take his league goal tally to seven this season.

Ryan Yates had given Forest a 16th-minute lead, only for Jamie Vardy to level soon after.

But the visitors recovered and Wood's clinical finishing ensured they have now lost just one of their opening nine games.

Foxes boss Steve Cooper suffered defeat against his old club - the first time he had faced them since being sacked last December - and watched on frustrated as Leicester were the architects of their own downfall, punished for every error they made.

First, Facundo Buonanotte opted to run out of defence with the ball rather than clear upfield and was robbed by Callum Hudson-Odoi on the edge of the area.

Elliot Anderson drove into the box and James Justin was only able to half clear his cross, which fell for Yates to find the bottom corner from 20 yards.

The lead lasted just seven minutes, though, as Harry Winks was slipped in on the left, and Vardy darted in between Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic to poke in the midfielder's cross from six yards.

Rather than settle Leicester down, the leveller galvanised Forest and Mads Hermansen brilliantly denied Nicolas Dominguez from point-blank range. The Danish goalkeeper also turned Hudson-Odoi's strike away before the break.

Forest then took complete control when they capitalised on more mistakes from the hosts. Wood made it 2-1 just two minutes into the second half when Leicester lost possession and he rolled Caleb Okoli to expertly find the corner with a low drive.

Hudson-Odoi then hit the post, but it still got worse for the Foxes on the hour when Wout Faes made a mess of dealing with visiting keeper Matz Sels' long clearance and Wood nodded over Hermansen.

Only a woeful Yates miss denied Forest a late fourth.
 
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Bournemouth striker Evanilson scored with the last touch of the game to rescue a point at Aston Villa in the Premier League

The Cherries were given a free-kick six minutes into stoppage time and, with everybody including the goalkeeper forward, Marcus Tavernier found an unmarked Evanilson at the near post and Bournemouth's record signing flicked a header into the far corner.

Villa had been the better side and went ahead in the 76th minute when Ross Barkley hooked in Leon Bailey's header back across goal.

John McGinn had a strike ruled out in the 28th minute after a long video assistant referee (VAR) review.

McGinn converted Ollie Watkins' cutback, but it was ruled that the ball had narrowly rolled out of play for a Bournemouth goalkick just before Watkins gathered possession.

It still looked like being Villa's day, but substitute Evanilson had the final say, scoring for just the second time since he joined Bournemouth from Porto in August for a club record £40.2m fee.

BBC Sport
 
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Bryan Mbeumo scored a 96th-minute winner as Brentford beat Ipswich Town in a seven-goal thriller in the Premier League

Mbeumo's left-footed cross into the box evaded everyone and nestled into the bottom corner as the Bees remain unbeaten at home.

Substitute Liam Delap scored to make it 3-3 with four minutes remaining as he met Leif Davis' cross and produced a delicate flicked finish past Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

Brentford came from two goals down and looked set for victory as Harry Clarke was sent off for the away side having picked up two yellow cards.

Two goals in three minutes from Sam Szmodics and George Hirst had given the Tractor Boys hope of their first victory since returning to the division.

Kalvin Phillips' threaded pass found Hirst who passed to Szmodics and the Ireland forward finished from 15 yards out.

Hirst then fired across Flekken as Kieran McKenna's side took control.

However, their lead was wiped out before the break thanks to Yoane Wissa's 44th minute goal and an unfortunate Clarke own goal in the space of two minutes.

Wissa found the back of the net from Vitaly Janelt's cross and then got a shot away from a tight angle with Clarke getting the final touch and sending the ball into his own net.

Clarke brought down Keane Lewis-Potter in the box six minutes after the restart and Bryan Mbeumo scored the resulting penalty to make it 3-2 to the home side.

Clarke then fouled Lewis-Potter in the 69th minute as Ipswich were reduced to 10 men.

Delap scored to level matters, but Mbeumo's late strike means Ipswich are still winless in the Premier League after nine games.

Incredibly, the away side almost rescued a point when Delap crashed an effort off the post with seconds left to play.

BBC Sport
 
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Wolves staged a dramatic late fightback from 2-0 down to rescue a point and lift themselves off the bottom of the Premier League in a thrilling game at Brighton

The home side looked to be coasting to three points and a place in the top four after goals by in-form Danny Welbeck and substitute Evan Ferguson put them firmly in control.

That left Gary O'Neil's Wolves staring at a sixth successive league defeat.

But Rayan Ait-Nouri reduced the deficit in the 88th minute before Matheus Cunha capped an impressive performance with a deflected shot which went in off the underside of the bar in the 93rd minute.

The point was enough to lift Wolves off the bottom of the table after a horrible run of results left O'Neil under serious pressure.

BBC Sport
 
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Manchester City went back to the top of the Premier League as Erling Haaland’s early effort proved enough to beat struggling Southampton

When Haaland shrugged off Jan Bednarek to turn Matheus Nunes’ fifth-minute cross beyond Saints keeper Aaron Ramsdale for his 11th league goal of the season, the visitors seemed set for a heavy defeat.

But a combination of their own dogged defending and some poor finishing from City, with Haaland the chief culprit, ensured a few home nerves before the final whistle.

The result extended City’s unbeaten Premier League record to 32 games. They are now only six weeks away from going a full 12 months since their last defeat, by Aston Villa on 6 December.

Although they deserve credit for the way they battled, the result did nothing to help Southampton’s problems towards the foot of the table.

Russell Martin’s men still only have a single point to their name almost a quarter of the way through the campaign.

They can take solace from the knowledge that the only previous time they failed to win any of their first nine games, in 1998-99, they stayed up, but Martin needs to hope Southampton’s owners show him some patience as he looks to change the club’s fortunes following their return to the top flight.

Given City’s lengthy injury list, manager Pep Guardiola will be delighted with a victory that means his side can see how Arsenal go on against Liverpool from a position of authority, and to have suffered no more problems.

Haaland, though, will wonder how on earth he only came away with a single goal, which takes his tally to 14 in all competitions this season.

A ripped shirt was the legacy of his physical battle with Bednarek but two head-in-hands moments were the end product of his failure to score more than once.

The Norwegian was only a yard out at the start of the second period when he pounced on Savinho’s far-post cross. Somehow he put the ball wide. Haaland, like everyone else in the stadium, was left in stunned disbelief at that failure.

Haaland also couldn’t believe it when former City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis turned his header off the line. And he got his third opportunity, also at the far post, all wrong, when he only succeeded in turning what should have been a routine header back across goal for Southampton to clear.

His final opportunity came in stoppage time when he was sent running at the Southampton goal. This time Ramsdale made the block.

Aside from Haaland’s efforts, Phil Foden, on only his second Premier League start of the season, flashed a shot narrowly wide at the start of the second period.

It wasn’t pretty – or comfortable. But City got the job done, which is all that really matters.

BBC Sport
 
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Substitute Beto netted a dramatic equaliser deep in stoppage time to salvage a draw for Everton against Fulham, extending their unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Sean Dyche's side looked to be heading for defeat following a lacklustre performance, but Portuguese striker Beto turned home Ashley Young’s cutback in the 94th minute to ensure the Toffees stretched their run without defeat to five games.

"It means a lot for me," Beto told BBC Match of the Day. "These couple of weeks I wasn't playing so I needed to put in the hard work, and as everybody says the hard work pays off.

"This time it pays off for me and my team-mates, for the Toffees, and it is really important.

"The hard work pays off. I just need to keep working. If I have the opportunity of course I want to score, and if I don't I will keep working - this is my mentality.

"We showed tonight we don't give up. We need to keep this mentality."

It looked like Alex Iwobi was returning to haunt his old side when he fired home the opening goal on the hour mark following a fine run by Emile Smith Rowe, but the Cottagers could not hold on.

Marco Silva’s men were on top in the early stages and came close to breaking the deadlock with chances in quick succession - Adama Traore's drive from an angle was pushed away by Jordan Pickford before Smith Rowe hooked over from close range.

Everton had been timid in the exchanges but could have gone in front out of nowhere after midfielder Idrissa Gueye - on his 200th Premier League appearance - rattled the crossbar with a rasping shot and Dominic Calvert-Lewin's follow-up was ruled out for offside.

The Blues were disjointed for large periods of the game but plugged away until the end - and Beto picked the perfect time to celebrate his first league goal of the campaign.

Source: BBC
 
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Both teams have players missing .

Arsenal home advantage will be important to them .

Liverpool need to show energy & be clinical with any chances.
 
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Cole Palmer scored his seventh goal of the season as Chelsea beat Newcastle to continue their impressive start

Palmer struck early in the second half when his clean strike from just inside the penalty area beat Nick Pope at his near post.

Nicolas Jackson's fifth league goal of the campaign had given the Blues an 18th-minute lead, when he fired home from Pedro Neto's square ball after Palmer's delicious pass set Chelsea away.

But Newcastle were level 14 minutes later thanks to Alexander Isak's tap-in.

Isak perhaps should have levelled towards the end of the game after rounding goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but his attempt to walk the ball in was thwarted by Chelsea defenders.

Chelsea thought they had a late penalty when Christopher Nkunku went down inside the box under a challenge. It was initially given but the decision was overturned following a review by the video assistant referee after it appeared Nkunku slipped.

In the end, Palmer's seventh goal in just nine Premier League games secured the three points that elevated Chelsea to fourth in the table.

They could drop to fifth if Arsenal avoid defeat against Liverpool later on Sunday, but Chelsea's presence in the higher reaches underlines their impressive form under boss Enzo Maresca so far this season.

They have won five of their nine Premier League games under the former Leicester manager, losing only to Manchester City and Liverpool.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are 12th and are now winless in their last five league outings.

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Jean-Philippe Mateta's first-half strike clinched Crystal Palace's first Premier League win of the season as they edged lacklustre Tottenham

After being reinstated to the starting line-up, the Frenchman broke the deadlock after Spurs defender Micky van de Ven was easily dispossessed deep in his own half and, following a scramble in the box, Mateta powered home his third goal of the season.

Ange Postecoglou's side responded well after falling behind and Van de Ven's spinning effort from a corner deflected off the thigh of team-mate Brennan Johnson before bouncing off the post.

In the final stages of the first half, Palace keeper Dean Henderson was finally called into action as he produced a wonderful, fingertip save to deny James Maddison on his 200th top-flight appearance.

After some fine work from Johnson early in the second half, Dejan Kulusevski was unable to level, while Palace's Eberechi Eze squeezed the ball under Guglielmo Vicario, but the offside flag was rightly raised.

England forward Eze was a constant thorn in Spurs' side and incensed when a penalty was not awarded after he was pulled down in the area.

Substitute Richarlison could then only smile at the Palace crowd when he poorly failed to make contact on Pedro Porro's dangerous ball into the six-yard box.

At the other end, Adam Wharton almost scored his first Palace goal with a wonderful right-footed effort from outside of the box, but Vicario was equal to it.

A desperate Spurs continued to push forward in search of an equaliser but the home defence, who have kept one clean sheet this season, stood firm to lift themselves out of the bottom three.

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Jarrod Bowen scored an injury-time penalty to condemn Manchester United to a 2-1 defeat in the Premier League and ease pressure on manager Julen Lopetegui

Casemiro thought he grabbed a point for the visitors when he headed home with less than 10 minutes left to cancel out Crysencio Summerville's 74th-minute opener.

But United were furious as referee David Coote was sent to the pitchside monitor by the Video Assistant Referee with three minutes remaining to review Matthijs de Ligt's challenge on Danny Ings in the box.

Despite protests from United's players over a handball by Ings, Coote pointed to the spot and Bowen calmly converted, slotting past Andre Onana.

United dominated possession and chances in the first half at London Stadium, but the visitors lacked a clinical edge and were left to rue their missed chances.

After a lacklustre first half, West Ham were an improved side after the interval and peppered United's box with attacks, and they were eventually rewarded when Summerville slid in to direct Ings' scuffed effort into the back of the net.

The result leaves United 14th in the Premier League with just three wins in their opening nine matches, piling further pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

It is a statement win for West Ham, however, as they move one place above United after an underwhelming start to the season.

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Mohamed Salah's late equaliser gave Liverpool a point against Premier League title rivals Arsenal in an eventful encounter at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal led twice but were undermined by injuries to key defenders Gabriel and Jurrien Timber in the second half, having already been without the suspended William Saliba.

The setbacks allowed Liverpool to apply pressure and take a point, leaving Manchester City at the top of the table.

Arsenal were rewarded for a fast start when Bukayo Saka bamboozled Andy Robertson to score his 50th Premier League goal at the near post after nine minutes.

Their lead only lasted until the 18th minute when Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk equalised, nodding in from close range after Luis Diaz headed on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross at the near post.

Mikel Merino put Arsenal ahead again with a powerful header from Declan Rice's free-kick shortly before half-time.

Liverpool improved after the break and Salah equalised with a routine finish from Darwin Nunez's unselfish square ball after he had been set clear by Alexander-Arnold's superb pass.
 
Chelsea and Forest fined for on-pitch melee

Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have been fined £40,000 and £125,000 respectively for failing to control their players in their Premier League game earlier this month.

Both clubs admitted a Football Association charge following the incident that took place in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on 6 October.

It was sparked by Forest defender Neco Williams, who pushed Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella into Blues manager Enzo Maresca, resulting in an on-pitch melee.

An independent regulatory commission acknowledged both clubs admitted guilt but said the punishment needs to reflect that it was still a "serious incident involving a large number of players from both sides".

It issued a larger fine to Forest because this was the sixth such incident involving the club in the last three years, while it was just Chelsea's third in five seasons.

The commission said Forest's poor recent record and "lack of contrition" were aggravating factors, adding it saw no evidence the club is "addressing what is now becoming a serial problem".

As a result, Chelsea were initially fined £50,000 and Forest £150,000, with both reduced for admitting the charge.


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Wolves sporting director Hobbs given two-match ban​


Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs has been given a two-match stadium ban and fined £7,000 for misconduct by the Football Association.

Hobbs' charge related to an incident following the 2-1 defeat by Manchester City on Sunday, 20 October.

Wolves were unhappy that John Stones' injury-time winner was allowed to stand, with the defender's header awarded by referee Chris Kavanagh despite initially being disallowed because Bernardo Silva was standing in an offside position.

Hobbs admitted the FA charge, which alleged he had acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive words towards the match official/s around the tunnel area after the final whistle.

It is the second time in less than a year Hobbs has been found guilty of misconduct.

In November 2023 the 44-year-old was given a one-game stadium suspension and ordered to pay £4,000 after admitting using improper and/or abusive and/or insulting language towards a match official after Newcastle were awarded a controversial penalty in a 2-2 draw at Molineux.

 
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Alexander Isak scored the only goal as Arsenal dropped points in the Premier League against Newcastle at St James’ Park.

The Swede’s 12th-minute header came after the Gunners failed to clear their lines and Anthony Gordon sent a sumptuous ball into the area.

Arsenal had started the game well but once Isak found the net they struggled to get a handle on proceedings and lacked creativity in the final third.

Mikel Arteta made changes in the second half to try to break down Newcastle’s resolute defence but his side registered just one shot on target across the 90 minutes.

Victory for the Magpies moves them up to eighth in the league while Arsenal are third and will find themselves eight points adrift of Manchester City in top spot should Pep Guardiola’s side beat Bournemouth later on Saturday.

Arteta said prior to the match that it is "too early" to talk about the title race but defeat leaves them in a difficult position.

The Spaniard has suggested that injury troubles have hampered his side at times but, having limped off in last week’s draw against Liverpool, both Gabriel and Jurrien Timber started the match in the North East, with William Saliba also back from suspension.

Bukayo Saka’s fitness has also been a concern but he played 85 minutes against Liverpool, came on as a substitute in the midweek win over Preston and started against the Magpies.

The absence of Martin Odegaard is, however, a clear issue for the Gunners with the lack of fluidity and vision evident against Newcastle.

This fixture last season finished with the same scoreline but was laced with controversy as Gordon’s goal was subject to three VAR checks – all of which came back in Newcastle’s favour – and Arteta labelled the decision a “disgrace”.

But the Arsenal boss can have no complaints about the manner in which his side were beaten this time as the hosts ultimately had the better of them.

Arsenal dominated possession in the second half but lacked cutting edge as Declan Rice headed what was probably their best chance of the game wide in the final minutes.

Arteta's team were unbeaten until their 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth two weeks ago, but they are now without a win in three league matches and have lost vital ground on their title rivals.

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