First Up: Football - A Daily Football Briefing

Arsenal are back on top of the Premier League after a 2-0 win over West Ham, with Bukayo Saka scoring on his 200th appearance. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s title hopes took another hit as they suffered a third straight defeat - this time at Stamford Bridge - and Spurs climbed into third with a scrappy win at Leeds. Manchester City beat Brentford but lost Rodri to injury, and Ange Postecoglou’s struggles at Nottingham Forest continued after another defeat.

Elsewhere, Barcelona were thrashed 4-1 by Sevilla, Kylian Mbappé scored again as Real Madrid returned to the top of La Liga, and Rangers sacked Russell Martin after a torrid run. Coventry hit five to stay top of the Championship, while Ipswich finally won the East Anglia derby after 16 years.

And in the so-called “Hollywood Derby,” Wrexham and Birmingham City drew 1-1 - with Blues chairman Tom Wagner’s half-time speech going down like a lead balloon.

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Nottingham Forest’s wait for a win under Ange Postecoglou goes on after a 3-2 Europa League defeat to Midtjylland, making him the first permanent Forest boss in a century to fail to win his first six games.

Aston Villa enjoyed happier fortunes with victory at Feyenoord, while Celtic were left fuming after a disallowed goal in their loss to Braga. Elsewhere, Roma endured a bizarre triple-penalty drama against Lille and Rangers slipped up in Austria.

In the Premier League, Liverpool have been dealt a major blow with Allison ruled out for at least six weeks, while Oliver Glasner is being linked to the Manchester United job. In the US, Nashville SC lifted their first ever trophy by winning the US Open Cup.

And finally, NBA star Joel Embiid made headlines with his World Cup predictions - backing France and Spain while cheekily dismissing England’s chances of glory in 2026.

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PSG sent out another Champions League statement with a late Gonçalo Ramos winner to beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou. Elsewhere, Manchester City were pegged back by a stoppage-time penalty in Monaco, Arsenal saw off Olympiakos at the Emirates, Newcastle hammered Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, and Rasmus Højlund struck twice in Napoli’s win over Sporting.

Also, Fede Valverde responded to rumours about refusing to play at right-back for Real Madrid and Sheffield Wednesday face a possible 15-point deduction after repeated wage delays. Newcastle’s Tino Livramento picked up a knee injury, while Gareth Southgate ruled himself out of any future move to Manchester United.

And in the US, Emma Hayes made headlines by likening international management to being a grandparent.

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Liverpool fell to a fiery 1-0 defeat in Istanbul as Victor Osimhen’s penalty gave Galatasaray their first clean sheet in 24 Champions League games. Arne Slot’s side also lost keeper Alisson to injury and had a late penalty overturned by VAR.

Elsewhere, Spurs nicked a last-minute draw in Norway, Real Madrid cruised past Kairat with a Kylian Mbappé hat-trick, Atletico thumped Frankfurt, and Jose Mourinho’s Benfica were beaten on his return to Stamford Bridge.

In other news, Arsenal’s William Saliba signed a new five-year deal, Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall vented frustration after a fifth booking of the season, and Milan’s city council approved plans to sell the San Siro to Inter and AC Milan, paving the way for redevelopment.

And in the Championship, Chris Wilder was sent off in bizarre fashion after striking a Sheffield United fan with a wayward shot while arguing a penalty decision, before his Blades side went on to lose 2-1 to Southampton.

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We look back at Nuno's first game in charge at West Ham as they take on Everton in Merseyside. Then we preview a huge night of Champions League action: nine fixtures on Tuesday including Jose Mourinho’s dramatic return to Stamford Bridge as Benfica boss, Liverpool’s tricky trip to Galatasaray, Spurs back in Norway against Bodo Glimt, and Atletico Madrid, Inter, Ajax, and Bayern also in action. We break down the latest drama at Chelsea, where Enzo Maresca faces growing scrutiny despite board support, and look at a top-of-the-table Championship clash between Middlesbrough and Stoke. Plus, we wrap up with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and his increasingly eccentric methods for motivating his players; from dogs named 'Win' and pickpockets to blasting anthems at training - culminating in his latest experiment: learning leadership lessons from RAF fighter pilots.

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We recap a dramatic Premier League weekend, starting with Crystal Palace stunning Liverpool 2-1 thanks to Eddie Nketiah’s stoppage-time winner, ending the Reds’ unbeaten run and lifting Palace to second. Arsenal came from behind to beat Newcastle 2-1 with late goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel, while Manchester United’s woes deepened in a 3-1 defeat at Brentford after Bruno Fernandes missed a crucial penalty. Elsewhere, Brighton overturned Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, Manchester City thrashed Burnley 5-1, and late goals stole points for Bournemouth, Tottenham, and Aston Villa. Off the pitch, West Ham sacked Graham Potter after a poor run and appointed Nuno Espírito Santo as their new head coach, just days after Potter became the subject of viral AI face-swap memes—adding a surreal twist to a tough week for the former Hammers boss.

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From Aston Villa’s nervy Europa League win over Bologna and Rangers’ setback against Genk, to standout moments across Europe including Lyon’s Tanner Tessman and Porto’s late winner - it's a packed Friday show! We look ahead to a huge weekend of Premier League action, with Liverpool’s unbeaten showdown at Crystal Palace, Manchester United’s tricky trip to Brentford, and Newcastle hosting Arsenal in a fiery St James’ Park clash. Abroad, it’s the Madrid derby and a Serie A top-of-the-table meeting between Napoli and AC Milan. Off the pitch, Arsenal secure William Saliba on a long-term deal, Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike lands in hot water after his bizarre red card, and Cole Palmer finds himself in an unexpected legal tussle with a French vineyard over his “Cold Palmer” trademark.

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Arsenal, Manchester City, Spurs and Newcastle all progressed in the Carabao Cup, while Forest were denied a famous win on their Europa League return after Antony’s late strike for Real Betis. Elsewhere Roma, Freiburg and Celtic all picked up results on the opening night of the group stage.

Away from the pitch, Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni has been ruled out with an ACL tear, Chelsea fans are angry over ticket hikes for Jose Mourinho’s Stamford Bridge return with Benfica and FIFA is pushing for an expanded 2030 World Cup - even bigger than the 48-team format in 2026.

And in non-league football, Spalding United’s Lewis White went viral after accidentally driving 180 miles to the wrong 'Bury' before making it back to play the last few minutes.

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Another Premier League side bowed out of the Carabao Cup as Burnley were beaten 2-1 at home by League One Cardiff City. Chelsea avoided embarrassment with a comeback at Lincoln City, Liverpool squeezed past Southampton thanks to Hugo Ekitike’s late strike, and Wolves knocked out Everton to continue their cup run.

Elsewhere, Brighton hit Barnsley for six, Fulham edged Cambridge United, and Real Madrid and AC Milan recorded comfortable wins in Spain and Italy.

Off the pitch, Aston Villa parted ways with football operations chief Monchi, Arsenal confirmed Noni Madueke faces up to eight weeks out, and the EFL discussed a radical play-off expansion.

Plus, Fulham fans were left amused when new signing Kevin’s apparent marriage proposal turned out to just be him asking his girlfriend to make it official.

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Ousmane Dembélé was crowned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner in Paris, beating Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal to the men’s prize. In the women’s category, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí made history by claiming her third consecutive Ballon d’Or. PSG’s Luis Enrique and England’s Sarina Wiegman won the coaching awards, while Lamine Yamal and Vicky López picked up the Kopa Trophies.

Back on the pitch, PSG’s big night was soured by a 1-0 defeat to rivals Marseille in Le Classique - their first away loss in the derby for 14 years. Napoli maintained their perfect start in Serie A, and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva sparked debate after criticising fixture scheduling.

And in a surprise revelation, Wayne Rooney revealed that Manchester United’s success in the late 2000s wasn’t just down to Sir Alex Ferguson or Cristiano Ronaldo - but the team bonding they built while playing SOCOM on the PSP.

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