Author: Andrew Rogers

Marc Guéhi heads into Crystal Palace’s clash with Liverpool determined to prove his worth, weeks after his deadline-day move to Anfield collapsed. Palace chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug on the £35m deal at the last minute, leaving Guéhi frustrated but undeterred. Since then, the 25-year-old has impressed for both club and country, scoring his first international goal and cementing his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England setup. Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted Guéhi had been disappointed by the failed transfer but praised his professionalism. “Sometimes my children would like to have something,” Glasner said. “Then you have to say: ‘Sorry,…

Diego Simeone sprinted down the touchline in relief as Atlético Madrid snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano. Julián Álvarez scored twice in the final 13 minutes, completing his first hat-trick for the club and rescuing a side that had been sliding into crisis. Atlético led early through Álvarez’s volley but a spectacular strike from Pep Chavarría and Álvaro García’s finish turned the game around. Just 36 seconds after VAR confirmed Rayo’s second, Álvarez equalised before curling in the 89th-minute winner. Simeone, who had introduced two full-backs in a baffling switch, was vindicated as the Metropolitano erupted. The relief…

Real Madrid extended their perfect start to the Spanish league with a 4-1 win at Levante on Tuesday. Vinícius Júnior shone in the first half, scoring a superb opener in the 28th minute before setting up Franco Mastantuono to double the lead. Levante reduced the deficit through Etta Eyong’s header early in the second half, but Kylian Mbappé restored control. The French forward converted a Panenka penalty after Unai Elgezabal’s foul, then rounded Mat Ryan to slot home his second. The victory keeps Xabi Alonso’s side five points clear at the top with 18 points from six matches. Levante remain…

Mikel Arteta has hit back at criticism of Arsenal’s tactics in their 1-1 draw with Manchester City, insisting he was “extremely surprised” by the negative reaction. Gabriel Martinelli’s late equaliser earned Arsenal a point after Erling Haaland’s opener, with the Gunners dominating possession. City’s 33.2% share was the lowest ever recorded by a Pep Guardiola team in more than 600 league games. Despite this, pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher accused Arteta of playing with the “handbrake on” after leaving £67.5m signing Eberechi Eze out of the starting lineup in favour of the more defensive Mikel Merino. Arteta dismissed the…

Girona FC, just a year after reaching the Champions League, are staring into the abyss at the bottom of La Liga following a 4-0 drubbing by Levante. The defeat marked their fifth consecutive loss and left the club with a single point from their opening games, extending a troubling run in which they have won only two of their last 21 matches. Once praised for their entertaining, high-flying football under Míchel Sanchez, Girona have been ravaged by key departures, including top scorers and playmakers, leaving the squad unrecognizable. The coach described his team as “a dead team,” highlighting a lack…

Le Classique—Marseille versus Paris Saint-Germain—is one of France’s most storied football rivalries. Yet today, it is more a clash of tradition and record books than a genuinely competitive fixture. Historically, Marseille could pride themselves on being France’s first and only European champions after winning the 1993 Champions League. PSG, despite recent dominance in domestic football, only recently matched that continental achievement with their own European triumph, ending Marseille’s 32-year claim to exclusivity. The rivalry’s origins were rooted in genuine competition. In the early 1990s, Marseille, under Bernard Tapie, dominated Ligue 1, but PSG’s rise—boosted by Canal+ investment—challenged their supremacy, sparking…

Thousands of West Ham supporters staged protests before the home game against Crystal Palace, calling for chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady to step down. The demonstrations, organised by fan groups including Hammers United and Crossed Hammers, cited poor league form, early cup exits, and dissatisfaction with the club’s management as reasons for demanding change. Hammers United described the protest as “the start of a sustained campaign” and called for the club to be run by professionals, warning that continued mismanagement could see West Ham decline further. The protests follow a vote of no confidence from the club’s fan…

Aston Villa’s slow start to the Premier League has left Unai Emery seeking progress, with the club yet to score in their first four matches. Financial restrictions, the recent sale of key players, and a midweek Carabao Cup exit have compounded a difficult period, but the team remains confident as they prepare for Sunday’s trip to Sunderland. Emery has highlighted the challenges posed by financial rules, including UEFA’s squad cost rule (SCR) and the Premier League’s profitability regulations, which have limited Villa’s transfer activity. Despite late additions such as Harvey Elliott, Jadon Sancho, and Victor Lindelöf, senior players acknowledge more…

A little over 24 hours before kick-off, Hansi Flick spoke about how lucky he felt to have acquired Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. Barcelona’s manager was unconcerned by Rashford’s recent struggles at Old Trafford, confident the forward could strengthen his squad. In the 82nd minute, Rashford walked off smiling after scoring two brilliant goals that dismantled Eddie Howe’s gameplan and silenced St James’ Park. Despite a late goal from Anthony Gordon, Barcelona held on for a 2-1 win. The match was a fast-paced affair, with both teams showing bursts of speed, particularly down the wings. Raphinha’s surges tested…

Chelsea returned to the Champions League with a 3-1 defeat at Bayern Munich, as Harry Kane’s clinical finishing proved decisive. The England captain punished defensive lapses, scoring twice and taking his European tally to 42 goals in 58 appearances, while Cole Palmer’s late strike offered brief hope for the visitors. Chelsea showed intent, probing Bayern’s high line and creating chances through Enzo Fernández and Malo Gusto, but errors proved costly. Michael Olise’s cross forced an own goal from Trevoh Chalobah, and Kane converted a penalty to put Bayern 2-0 ahead. Palmer responded with a composed finish to mark his 100th…