The Game

Another weekend, another disastrous result for Manchester United who slumped to a 3-0 defeat against an impressive Bournemouth side. At the final whistle, Old Trafford delivered its verdict – support for Michael Carrick, resounding boos for his players. But is this the end for United’s beleaguered manager?

Could Eddie Howe be next in line to take on this most poisoned of managerial chalices? More importantly, will it make any difference?

Meanwhile, there were big results for both Liverpool and Tottenham - whose was more impressive? Pierre Sage is under pressure at Palace and Arsenal are good at set-pieces again. Then it’s all aboard the Villa hype train after they inflicted Manchester City’s first defeat of the season.

Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, James Gheerbrant and Gary Jacob to discuss all that and look ahead to tonight’s Ballon d'Or ceremony in London.

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It goes from bad to worse for Manchester United. A humiliating loss to Como followed by captain Bruno Fernandes turning on the manager. Is this now a power struggle between player and manager...if so, who wins?

Aside from the chaos off the pitch what is the problem on it, is it about players not trying, poor coaching or just a simple lack of ability?

Will Michael Carrick still be manager in a weeks time?

Elsewhere, Harry Kane shows why he's in line for the Ballon D'or, Liverpool's up and down performance, another PSG masterclass and a big weekend for Spurs and Chelsea.

Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke

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Tom Clarke and Times journalist and former football league player Gregor Robertson cover all the latest from The Championship, League One and League Two.

Are Birmingham City's ambitious plans finally coming to fruition? The big time American owners have long talked about reaching the top flight, they are now fourth in the table and looking very strong. what chance they are in the promotion spots come May?

West Ham, Middlesbrough and possibly West Brom look very likely to be in the mix who else is going to join them? And did you see Isaac Price's penalty for West Brom!?

Can Jamie Vardy lead Burnley out of the relegation zone, he got his first goal, but the clarets still lost their problems are at the back.

Plus a tough week for Charlton, Preston and Bristol City.

In League One it's back to back wins for Russell Martin at Leicester, win of the weekend goes to Huddersfield and goal of the weekend Gbemi Arubi with a half way line strike for Burton Albion.

League Two and Matt Taylor is turning things around at Exeter, Salford keep winning and a goalkeeper assist for Jed Ward at Walsall.

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Brighton can't stop scoring. twenty three goals in the opening seven games is the fourth best in Premier League history. Are Fabian Hurzeler's team serious top four contenders? In beating local rivals Crystal Palace 5-0 they have piled the pressure on manager Pierre Sage, could he be the first managerial casualty of the season?

Diego Gomez scored a stunning fifty metre goal for Brighton's second, where does it rank in the great long distance goals?

Fulham got a much needed win at home to Hull who are now winless in five. But Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa is still to win over the Craven Cottage faithful.

Who has created the most chances this season...? Liverpool's hundred million pound flop Florian Wirtz...was his and Liverpool's win a Brentford a turning point or just a reflection of playing against ten men for a half?

Plus, a hard earned point for Michael Carrick at Elland Road, a Chelsea clean sheet and will Arsenal ever be free scoring?

Tom Clarke join Gregor Robertson, Kit Shepard and Pete Rutzler

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Lisandro Martinez chucked a hand grenade into the Man Utd dressing room when he questioned the quality of the clubs signings and the man responsible - technical director Jason Wilcox - Why is Britain's 'biggest' club incapable of stability?

Did PSG produce the best football played since Pep Guardiola's all conquering Barca side? in the second half Man City then showed their quality and strength in depth as they put in a barnstorming performance.

The independent football regulator report has been released, its findings suggest the majority of English football clubs are on the edge of financial disaster. Will the report change anything or is it another toothless measure...

Plus, great wins for Liverpool and Villa and a tail of two strikers in Victor Gyokores and Nicolas Jackson

Gregor Robertson joins Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft and Tony Cascarino.

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Ahead of a full set of midweek fixtures a quick catch up on the EFL with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two.

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson run the rule over the weekend results, Tonda Eckert, Robbie Savage and an 'absolute exocet' of a goal in League Two.

A suspended ban and a small fine puts spygate behind Tonda Eckert and Southampton, the decision celebrated with a win over local rivals Portsmouth.

Swansea, Stoke and QPR showed they are not going away with impressive performances against Norwich, Bolton and West Ham.

Burnley got their first win of the season, but at Preston Graham Alexander couldn't mark his first game in charge with a win as his side lost at home to Millwall.

In League One the 'flowing locks' derby saw Robbie Savage win his first game in charge at Peterborough, piling the pressure on Leicester boss Russell Martin.

In League Two look out for as pure a strike as you will see at Barnet and Salford go from strength to strength.

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Man City looked worth every penny of the money spent on them as they beat Liverpool at Anfield. But the result left a strange taste as many wondered what it meant. Is the integrity of the league at stake as all results involving Man City have an asterix until the punishment is announced. Could city 'win' the league only to then be relegated?

Liverpool had a front line including two hundred million pound players, neither produced. How worried should the club be about Florian Wirtz?

Jordan Henderson showed he wasn't just a 'vibes' signing when he scored twice and brought some calm to Chelsea's midfield.

Fulham contrived to lose again, Palace nicked three points and Brighton continue to impress.

Spurs took a lot of encouragement from a ten man draw with Man Utd. Not so Manchester United though - six points from the opening six games and a team lacking identity...how much pressure is Michael Carrick under?

And six games in the table has a refreshing look with Brentford and Brighton in the top four and Hull in 8th...can it last?

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The Premier League returns, Man City punishment needs carful thought and where do Bellingham and Kane rank?

Are Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in your top five England greats? Martin Samuel picks the best England players he's seen and Tony Cascarino picks the best five he's played against.

Manchester City plan to appeal, but if they are not successful could their punishment sink them as a club?

Messi retired in front of 80,000 adoring fans. Cristiano Ronaldo left in protest at being an used substitute, will his career end in a whimper?

And the Premier League finally returns with some big games this weekend - Liverpool City, Man Utd Spurs and will Gyokores replace Havertz for Arsenal?

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson join Tony Cascarino and Martin Samuel.

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Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson return with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two.

There are some big games in the Championship with third against fourth as Middlesbrough play Wolves and derbies at West Ham who take on QPR and West Brom at home to Birmingham.

Perhaps the most interesting story of the international break was Graham Alexander leaving Bradford City to return to Preston North End. Why do managers leave clubs flying high in one league to go to teams at the bottom of another? Alexander joins a list including Rob Edwards, Matt Bloomfield and Russell Martin. Do these moves ever pay off?

Plus, Robbie Savage takes the reigns at Peterborough, Ian holloway is losing it - again and the best irrelevant goals ever scored.

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As expected MAnchester City are to appeal against the guilty verdicts handed down to them by the independent commision. But what does that mean...will the whole affair drag on for another eight years? Matt Lawton brings us the latest - how long will the appeal take and what chance does it have of succeeding?

If City lose and the punishment relegates them - will their big stars stick around?

After the break, just how good were England? James Gheerbrant was at the match and thinks Jude Bellingham is looking like Zinedine Zidane...hyperbole or justified? Who else stood out and is this the start of something special or a one off?

Tom Clarke joins Tony Cascarino, Matt Lawton and Alyson Rudd.

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