Author: Andrew Rogers

Erling Haaland once again proved unstoppable as his double inspired Manchester City to a 3–1 victory over Bournemouth, lifting Pep Guardiola’s side into second place in the Premier League. The Norwegian striker struck twice in the first half, punishing Bournemouth’s high defensive line to reach 13 league goals this season and an incredible 98 in 107 Premier League appearances. After the break, Nico O’Reilly added City’s third to seal the win before Haaland was subbed off to a standing ovation. City had briefly been pegged back when Tyler Adams equalised following a goalkeeping error from Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Haaland quickly…

Liverpool ended their poor run with a 2–0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield, easing pressure on manager Arne Slot and earning their first Premier League victory since 20 September. Mohamed Salah scored his 250th Liverpool goal after a dreadful mistake from Emiliano Martínez, and Ryan Gravenberch sealed the win with a deflected strike early in the second half. The result also gave Liverpool their first clean sheet in 11 games. Villa hit the woodwork twice through Morgan Rogers and Matty Cash but were undone by their own defensive errors. “It meant a lot, especially because it happened at nil-nil,”…

Enzo Maresca slammed Liam Delap for his “very stupid red card” as Chelsea edged a chaotic 4-3 win over Wolves to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Chelsea led 3-0 at half-time through goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Estêvão, before Wolves fought back with strikes from Tolu Arokodare and David Møller Wolfe. Jamie Gittens added a fourth for Chelsea, but Wolves continued to push, earning applause despite their cup exit. Delap, returning from injury, was dismissed after collecting two yellows in seven minutes. “It’s embarrassing,” Maresca said. “I told him to stay calm, but he struggles to listen. The…

When Max Dowman was spotted playing for Billericay Town’s youth team at age six, he had his pick of top academies — but for his Arsenal-supporting family, the choice was easy. A decade later, the 15-year-old midfielder made history by becoming Arsenal’s youngest-ever starter, impressing in the Carabao Cup win over Brighton. “He had a tiny smile,” Mikel Arteta said, praising Dowman’s calm reaction to the milestone. Dowman’s talent has long been known at Arsenal, where he has consistently played above his age group. Last month, he became England Under-19s’ youngest player and goalscorer. With maturity beyond his years, he’s…

Los Angeles FC star Son Heung-min has become the second-highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, earning an annual salary of $10.4 million and total compensation of $11.2 million, according to new figures released by the MLS Players Association. Son joined LAFC in August after more than a decade at Tottenham Hotspur and quickly made an impact, scoring nine goals in 10 matches. Only Lionel Messi earns more, with the Inter Miami captain taking home $12 million in salary and $20.4 million in total compensation under his current deal, which runs through 2025. Miami recently announced a new agreement to keep…

Lionel Messi says Major League Soccer must ease its spending limits if it wants to compete with the world’s top leagues. Speaking to NBC News, the Inter Miami star said teams need “freedom to sign whoever they want” to attract more elite players and accelerate the sport’s growth in the US. MLS currently restricts spending through salary caps and designated player rules, allowing each club up to three high-earning stars like Messi. While these policies were designed to maintain parity, critics argue they now hold the league back. Messi’s comments add weight to growing calls for reform since his high-profile…

Juventus have dismissed head coach Igor Tudor following an eight-match winless run across all competitions, the club confirmed on Monday. “Juventus FC announces that it has today relieved Igor Tudor of his duties as coach of the men’s first team, along with his staff,” read a club statement, issued a day after their 1-0 defeat to Lazio. Reserve team boss Massimo Brambilla will take temporary charge. Tudor, who replaced Thiago Motta in March, was Juventus’s first foreign manager since Didier Deschamps in 2006–07. A former Juve defender, he spent nearly a decade at the club as a player, winning two…

Real Madrid edged a dramatic clásico 2-1 over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Jude Bellingham scoring the decisive goal to send his side four points clear at the top of La Liga. The match, packed with controversy and intensity, stretched to more than 100 minutes and featured 37 shots, three disallowed goals, a saved penalty, and a red card for Pedri deep into stoppage time. Madrid struck first after Bellingham turned superbly to play in Kylian Mbappé, who slotted home for the opener midway through the first half. Barcelona hit back through Fermín López, finishing off a quick passing…

Liverpool’s struggles deepened as they slumped to a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat, outplayed and outfought by a relentless Brentford side. Arne Slot’s team looked fragile throughout, unable to cope with Brentford’s pace, pressing, and direct play in a 3-2 loss that flattered the visitors. Brentford struck early through Dango Ouattara, who volleyed home after Kristoffer Ajer flicked on one of Michael Kayode’s trademark long throws. The hosts continued to exploit Liverpool’s shaky back line, with Kevin Schade’s speed repeatedly troubling Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konaté. Their dominance was rewarded again just before half-time when Mikkel Damsgaard slipped Schade through…

Leeds United piled more misery on struggling West Ham with a 2-1 victory at Elland Road, leaving Nuno Espírito Santo’s side second-bottom and winless in eight league games. Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon scored within the opening 15 minutes as Leeds capitalised on shambolic West Ham defending. Aaronson pounced first, reacting quickest to Jayden Bogle’s header across goal, before Rodon doubled the lead by nodding in unmarked from Sean Longstaff’s corner. West Ham, lacking confidence and cohesion, offered little threat until late on. Lucas Paquetá saw a first-half equaliser ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR delay caused by…