News from Friday’s press conferences, including Everton, Tottenham, Manchester City and West Ham
Continue reading...Premier League team news: predicted lineups for the weekend action
Arsenal face a tricky trip to in-form Leeds while Manchester United bid to continue their revival at home to Fulham
Saturday 3pm Venue Amex Stadium
Continue reading...The top five moves of the 2026 January transfer window – video
Before transfer deadline day, Guardian football writer Ed Aarons gives his top five moves of the 2026 January transfer window and what they mean for the 25-26 Premier League season.
Continue reading...Pitch Points: Which Arsenal narrative will prevail, and how has Carrick reset Man United?
The world of soccer throws up no shortage of questions. In today’s column, we endeavor to answer three of them
One narrative has been set: Arsenal are bottling it. Last weekend’s home loss to Manchester United confirmed what the Gunners’ biggest doubters always suspected: that Mikel Arteta and his players don’t have it in them to win the Premier League title. Arsenal’s haters already started their victory lap.
Continue reading...Champions League playoffs: Benfica get Real Madrid rematch, Newcastle face Qarabag
Benfica goalkeeper Trubin scored in 4-2 win over Madrid
Eddie Howe’s men face 3,000-mile trip for first leg
Real Madrid have been dealt an instant rematch with José Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League playoffs. The Portuguese club will seek a repeat of Wednesday’s astonishing 4-2 victory against the Spanish giants, when their goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored deep into injury time to send them through, and host the first leg in Lisbon.
It is the headline tie in a draw that also gives Newcastle a 3,000-mile journey to Azerbaijan for a first leg against Qarabag. Eddie Howe’s side will feel confident after an impressive display in holding Paris Saint-Germain, last season’s winners, to a 1-1 draw at Parc des Princes on Wednesday, although they will be aware that the Azeri champions, beaten 6-0 at Liverpool, held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw on home soil in November. They will face Barcelona or, in an all-Premier League clash, Chelsea if they go through.
Continue reading...Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Nico O’Reilly gives Manchester City options, Sunderland miss Granit Xhaka’s grit and West Ham find a way
Just when Brighton supporters were hoping their side was building some momentum after a run of five games undefeated in all competitions, Saturday’s stoppage-time loss to Fulham arrived. Fabian Hürzeler’s side led at half-time, but their collapse was typical of performances on the road this season. Securing only two away wins – against Chelsea in September and Nottingham Forest in November – has undermined their challenge for Europe. Their next two games at the Amex, against Everton on Saturday and arch-rivals Crystal Palace next week, are an opportunity to make up some ground. Only seven points separate them from Chelsea in fifth place, but Brighton’s record against David Moyes’s side at home is terrible, having failed to beat them since 2019 when a late Lucas Digne own goal sealed the points for Graham Potter against an Everton team managed by Marco Silva. Ed Aarons
Brighton v Everton, Saturday 3pm (all times GMT)
Leeds v Arsenal, Saturday 3pm
Wolves v Bournemouth, Saturday 3pm
Chelsea v West Ham, Saturday 5.30pm
Continue reading...Europa League roundup: Jimoh-Aloba the hero as Aston Villa hit back
Nineteen-year-old fires winner to give Villa 3-2 win
Rangers’ poor campaign ends with 3-1 loss to Porto
The 19-year-old Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba was the hero as Aston Villa came from two goals down to beat Red Bull Salzburg 3-2 at Villa Park, though they lost Ollie Watkins to injury in the first half.
Jimoh-Aloba hit the winner with three minutes remaining, tucking Kadan Young’s low cross into the corner to cap a fightback that looked unlikely after a limp showing for an hour.
Continue reading...Europa League: goals and action from all 18 games in league phase finale – as it happened
Aston Villa hit back from two down to beat Salzburg, Nottingham Forest thrashed Ferencvaros and Celtic secured a playoff place
“Villa feel like a proper club again,” says your roving reporter Martin Keown at Villa Park. Not sure what “proper” means there, but OK.
“They can win the Premier League. Everyone’s saying they can’t.”
Continue reading...Champions League review: discontent for Real Madrid in a chaotic conclusion to group play
Álvaro Arbeloa’s team have concerns as they look ahead to the knockout stages, while Jamie Carragher has concerns about the draw
It was billed by broadcasters as “Matchday Mayhem”. Finally, after 17 of the 18 final day matches had finished, came a chaotic denouement. Not even José Mourinho’s long Champions League heritage had included a moment like this, though his wild celebration was familiar. Benfica were beating Real Madrid 3-2, and Mourinho’s former club were already dropping out of the top eight. “I was told [the scoreline] is enough, so let’s close the door,” said Mourinho.
Continue reading...O’Neill aims for ‘renewed enthusiasm’ as Celtic seek Europa League relief
In a tumultuous campaign and three-way Scottish title fight, the 73-year-old manager still has ambitions on the European stage
Martin O’Neill’s involvement in celebrated European moments in Celtic’s history means he is entitled to bridle at the belief that domain is no longer a priority. O’Neill used pre-match media duties for the Europa League visit of Utrecht on Thursday to point towards what has the potential to be an uplifting few days for the Scottish champions.
“We got a result in Feyenoord and fought our guts out in Bologna,” he said. “We don’t now want to just throw it away. We want to try and go for it if we can. We could still lose the game. We might not win the match and we might go out of the competition, but we want to give it a go.
Continue reading...Champions League: Benfica keeper’s last-gasp header sends side into playoffs
Anatoliy Trubin scores dramatic goal against Real Madrid
Barça and Sporting in last 16, Bodø/Glimt make playoffs
Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a 98th-minute header as Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 to secure a Champions League knockout place on Wednesday and deny their opponents an automatic spot in the last 16.
Benfica were heading out despite leading 3-2 with seconds of stoppage time remaining before Trubin met a free-kick to score the goal they needed to get into the playoff round on goal difference.
Continue reading...Erling Haaland sparks Manchester City win over Galatasaray to seal last-16 place
Pep Guardiola often bemoans the schedule so Manchester City entering the last 16 directly and missing the home-and-away knockout playoff round pleased the manager.
City ended in eighth place due, in part, to Benfica’s 4-2 win against Real Madrid, the Portuguese side being led by his old adversary, José Mourinho, to whom Guardiola will be happy to offer a thank you message.
Continue reading...Napoli 2-3 Chelsea: Champions League – as it happened
Joao Pedro’s two goals were enough to take Chelsea into the top eight and dump out Antonio Conte’s team
Liam Rosenior spoke to TNT ahead of kick-off: ““It’s been a positive start. Firstly the players and their engagement and attitude and willingness to learn, I think they have enjoyed it as well. Tonight is another big test for us and if we manage to come through it , it gives us a great chance of being in the top eight.”
“They are very good on transition. They are very organised in their press. From what I’ve seen they will press us really, really high, whether that is from a 3-4-3 or a 5-4-1. They have outstanding players. They build well from the back. It is going to be a difficult game and we are prepared for it.”
Continue reading...Champions League: Benfica keeper earns playoff place; Liverpool, Spurs and City book top-eight spots – as it happened
Anatoliy Trubin’s 98th-minute goal was the highlight of a dramatic night on which all the English teams bar Newcastle finished in the top eight
Napoli Meret, Di Lorenzo, Juan Jesus, Buongiorno, Spinazzola, Lobotka, McTominay, Olivera, Vergara, Elmas, Hojlund.
Subs: Contini, Spinelli, Gutierrez, Lukaku, Beukema, De Chiara, Garofalo.
Continue reading...Chelsea urge fans to take ‘extreme caution’ in Naples after two taken to hospital
Treatment needed for ‘non-life-threatening injuries’
Chelsea fans report having knives pulled on them
Chelsea have told fans to take “extreme caution” in Naples after two supporters were treated in hospital there before their Champions League tie in the Italian city.
Napoli and Chelsea meet at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday night in the competition’s final round of group games.
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