Just For Kicks

Pep Guardiola marked his 1,000th match as a manager in perfect fashion as Manchester City swept aside Liverpool 3–0 at the Etihad Stadium - beating them for the first time since April 2023 - cutting Arsenal’s Premier League lead to just four points. Erling Haaland redeemed an early penalty miss with a towering header to open the scoring, before a deflected strike from Nico Gonzalez and a stunning solo goal from Jeremy Doku sealed a commanding victory. Doku was the standout performer, dazzling Liverpool’s defence with pace and flair as City’s attacking rhythm—driven by Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva—returned to its brilliant best. All that plus the rest of the weekend's PL action here on this episode of Just For Kicks!

Liverpool delivered a commanding display at Anfield, defeating Real Madrid 1–0 in the UEFA Champions League. Alexis Mac Allister sealed the victory with a precise header from Dominik Szoboszlai’s pinpoint free-kick in the 61st minute. Though the scoreline was slim, Arne Slot’s men dominated from start to finish, carving out chance after chance only to be denied time and again by the brilliance of Thibaut Courtois in the Madrid goal. Among a host of impressive performances, Conor Bradley stood out, expertly containing Vinicius Jr and embodying the renewed energy, confidence, and intensity that marked Liverpool’s resurgence after a difficult spell.We review that plus other European ties & also look forward to the weekend's football action, here on Just For Kicks!

Arsenal put on a strong show at Burnley, cruising to a 2–0 win with goals from Viktor Gyökeres and Declan Rice. The first came from a clever set piece — Rice whipped in a corner, Gabriel Magalhães flicked it on, and Gyökeres was in the right spot to nod it home. Later, Burnley tried to push forward with a long throw, but it backfired as Arsenal hit them on the break, with Rice finishing it off to seal the deal. The win keeps Arsenal’s unbeaten run going putting them seven points clear at the top of league. Elsewhere, we talk the end of Liverpool's domestic losing-streak, Manchester United salvaging a draw at Nottingham Forest, Chelsea coming up tops in a scrappy game against their London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, while looking forward to selected Champions League matches.

Liverpool’s Carabao Cup run came crashing down at Anfield as they fell 3–0 to a confident and composed Crystal Palace side. Under the floodlights, Palace dazzled—Ismaïla Sarr struck twice in quick succession before halftime, exploiting Liverpool’s frailties, while Yeremy Pino’s late finish in the 88th minute sealed a memorable triumph. Arne Slot’s bold decision to overhaul his starting lineup, making ten changes, backfired spectacularly, extending the Reds’ alarming run to six defeats in seven games.That plus the rest of EFL Cup action, plus EPL previews here on Just For Kicks!Photo: Getty Images

It may still be early days in the Premier League season, but Arsenal’s intent is unmistakable. After three consecutive runner-up finishes, Mikel Arteta’s side have opened up a four-point cushion at the top following a weekend where their main rivals stumbled. Liverpool’s ongoing crisis—four straight league defeats—and Manchester City’s slip at Aston Villa have left the Gunners as the clear early frontrunners. With the league’s best defensive record—just three goals conceded and six clean sheets—Arsenal once again showed their steel, as Eberechi Eze struck against his former club Crystal Palace to secure another vital win. Now sitting four points clear, could this finally be the season they end their 21-year wait for the title?Elsewhere, Manchester United survived a late Brighton fightback as Bryan Mbeumo’s brace offered a much-needed boost for the under-pressure Ruben Amorim. Sunderland’s remarkable run continued with a 2–1 away victory over Chelsea, while the new-manager bounce faded for Nottingham Forest’s Sean Dyche, whose side fell 2–0 to Bournemouth. All that and more, right here on Just For Kicks!photo credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Harry Maguire’s time at Manchester United has evolved into one of football’s most compelling tales of redemption. Once the world’s most expensive defender following his £80 million transfer from Leicester City in 2019, Maguire endured a dramatic fall from grace — stripped of the captaincy, relegated to the bench, and relentlessly scrutinised by fans and the media alike. A failed move to West Ham United in 2023 seemed to signal the end of his Old Trafford chapter.Yet under Rúben Amorim’s guidance, Maguire has rewritten his story with resilience and quiet determination. His resurgence was on full display over the weekend, as Manchester United stunned Liverpool with a 2–1 victory at Anfield — sealed, fittingly, by Maguire’s dramatic last-minute winner. We delve into that monumental triumph for Amorim’s 'rejuvenated' side, review the midweek European action, and look ahead to another enticing round of Premier League fixtures.Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

The English Premier League returns from an eventful international break with a showdown that's sure to grab the headlines, despite both teams' erratic form. Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield, looking to get back on track after losing three games in a row - a feat that's unheard of for Arne Slot as he tries to get his new signings to gel together very soon for their title defence. Manchester United, meanwhile, won their last game at home against Sunderland, but Liverpool are a different proposition, and with Ruben Amorim so far not being able to string together two wins on the trot, can they really capitalise on Liverpool's poor form? There's only one way to find out, as the pundits look ahead to this match, and many others, including Nottingham Forest against Chelsea, and Man City vs Everton, only on another contemplative episode of Just For Kicks!Image Credit: Poh Smith / Shutterstock.com

So close, yet so far for Indonesia — their World Cup dreams slipped away in heartbreaking fashion after a narrow 1–0 defeat to Iraq in Jeddah, sealed by substitute Zidane Iqbal’s calm and clinical second-half finish. Throughout the match, Indonesia displayed admirable heart, grit, and belief, holding their own against a disciplined Iraqi side. Yet, for all their effort and possession, the finishing touch remained elusive, their attacks repeatedly stifled by Iraq’s resolute defense. The loss ultimately confirmed Indonesia’s exit from World Cup contention, drawing the curtain on a campaign that, while ending in disappointment, was rich with glimpses of promise, growth, and the stirring potential of a team on the rise.We dissect that, plus the rest of the weekend's round of internationals, here on Just For Kicks. photo credit - Reuters

A stunning stoppage-time goal from 18-year-old Estêvão sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory for Chelsea over Liverpool, denying the reigning Premier League champions a chance to reclaim top spot. Moisés Caicedo had given Chelsea the lead, but Cody Gakpo’s equalizer looked to have earned Liverpool a share of the points—until Estêvão’s 95th-minute winner stunned the visitors. Earlier in the day, Arsenal’s 2-0 triumph over West Ham had already dropped Liverpool to second, where they remain heading into the international break.Elsewhere, Manchester City stayed well within the title chase, inspired once again by Erling Haaland’s lethal form, as they edged Brentford 1-0. Antoine Semenyo’s impressive brace propelled Bournemouth into fourth place, while Ange Postecoglou’s wait for a first win as Nottingham Forest manager continued after a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. Meanwhile, Manchester United claimed a much-needed 2-0 home victory over Sunderland. All that and more in this week’s Just For Kicks.

A stunning stoppage-time goal from 18-year-old Estêvão sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory for Chelsea over Liverpool, denying the reigning Premier League champions a chance to reclaim top spot. Moisés Caicedo had given Chelsea the lead, but Cody Gakpo’s equalizer looked to have earned Liverpool a share of the points—until Estêvão’s 95th-minute winner stunned the visitors. Earlier in the day, Arsenal’s 2-0 triumph over West Ham had already dropped Liverpool to second, where they remain heading into the international break.Elsewhere, Manchester City stayed well within the title chase, inspired once again by Erling Haaland’s lethal form, as they edged Brentford 1-0. Antoine Semenyo’s impressive brace propelled Bournemouth into fourth place, while Ange Postecoglou’s wait for a first win as Nottingham Forest manager continued after a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. Meanwhile, Manchester United claimed a much-needed 2-0 home victory over Sunderland. All that and more in this week’s Just For Kicks.