<![CDATA[ Latest from FourFourTwo ]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/feeds.xml Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:00:00 +0000 en <![CDATA[ Michael Carrick fighting for Manchester United future as bookmakers slash sack odds ]]> Pressure is mounting on Michael Carrick at Old Trafford following Manchester United’s Carabao Cup exit to Brighton.

The 3-2 defeat, which saw the Seagulls come back from a 2-1 deficit, has prompted bookmakers to drastically slash odds on Carrick's dismissal.

Another defeat adds to what has been a tricky start to Carrick’s first full season as permanent manager. With the Red Devils languishing in 13th place in the Premier League table after picking up just four points from their opening four matches, an early cup exit leaves the club fighting on fewer fronts when silverware could have papered over the cracks of an otherwise sub-standard season.

Michael Carrick sack odds

Michael Carrick file photo

Michael Carrick on Champions League duty with Manchester United

In response to the defeat, Sky Bet has priced Carrick at 10/3 to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post, down from his 33/1 pre-season standing.

The former Middlesbrough boss was 11/1 in the same market at the start of September, and 15/2 prior to Wednesday's elimination.

Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match against Hull City

Michael Carrick (Image credit: George Wood/Getty Images)

Bookmakers have also priced the ex-Man United midfielder at 5/2 to leave the Old Trafford hotseat before Christmas Day.

And for those punters bullish enough to back an immediate exit, Carrick is 6/1 to be sacked before the end of September or during October. November, meanwhile, represents the shortest individual month for his potential departure at 7/2.

The road ahead offers little relief for the under-fire boss with Sky Bet offering 10/1 on Manchester United to lose their next two Premier League matches against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur.

Should their poor form snowball further, odds stretch to 50/1 for four straight league defeats - which would encompass losses to Leeds United and AFC Bournemouth - and 100/1 for five consecutive Premier League defeats.

Bookmakers haven't completely written off the former England international, though. Carrick remains 2/1 to weather the storm and remain in charge until the end of the season.

Enzo Maresca, head coach of Manchester City, issues instructions during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England.

Carrick was beaten in the Manchester derby last weekend (Image credit: Getty Images)

However, with patience wearing thin among supporters and Man United already drifting from the top four race, upcoming fixtures will prove crucial in determining whether Carrick can stabilise the ship or become the latest managerial casualty in Old Trafford's turbulent post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Man United are away at Fulham on Sunday, 20 September in the 4:30pm kick-off on Sky Sports.

Their next league match after that comes following the extended September-October international break, at home to Tottenham Hotspur on October 10.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/coaches-managers/michael-carrick-fighting-for-manchester-united-future-as-bookmakers-slash-sack-odds YL5bE7U49Hj4SVB2rxvP8o Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:00:00 +0000 false false false

Pressure is mounting on Michael Carrick at Old Trafford following Manchester United’s Carabao Cup exit to Brighton.

The 3-2 defeat, which saw the Seagulls come back from a 2-1 deficit, has prompted bookmakers to drastically slash odds on Carrick's dismissal.

Another defeat adds to what has been a tricky start to Carrick’s first full season as permanent manager. With the Red Devils languishing in 13th place in the Premier League table after picking up just four points from their opening four matches, an early cup exit leaves the club fighting on fewer fronts when silverware could have papered over the cracks of an otherwise sub-standard season.

Michael Carrick sack odds

Michael Carrick file photo

Michael Carrick on Champions League duty with Manchester United

In response to the defeat, Sky Bet has priced Carrick at 10/3 to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post, down from his 33/1 pre-season standing.

The former Middlesbrough boss was 11/1 in the same market at the start of September, and 15/2 prior to Wednesday's elimination.

Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match against Hull City

Michael Carrick (Image credit: George Wood/Getty Images)

Bookmakers have also priced the ex-Man United midfielder at 5/2 to leave the Old Trafford hotseat before Christmas Day.

And for those punters bullish enough to back an immediate exit, Carrick is 6/1 to be sacked before the end of September or during October. November, meanwhile, represents the shortest individual month for his potential departure at 7/2.

The road ahead offers little relief for the under-fire boss with Sky Bet offering 10/1 on Manchester United to lose their next two Premier League matches against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur.

Should their poor form snowball further, odds stretch to 50/1 for four straight league defeats - which would encompass losses to Leeds United and AFC Bournemouth - and 100/1 for five consecutive Premier League defeats.

Bookmakers haven't completely written off the former England international, though. Carrick remains 2/1 to weather the storm and remain in charge until the end of the season.

Enzo Maresca, head coach of Manchester City, issues instructions during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England.

Carrick was beaten in the Manchester derby last weekend (Image credit: Getty Images)

However, with patience wearing thin among supporters and Man United already drifting from the top four race, upcoming fixtures will prove crucial in determining whether Carrick can stabilise the ship or become the latest managerial casualty in Old Trafford's turbulent post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Man United are away at Fulham on Sunday, 20 September in the 4:30pm kick-off on Sky Sports.

Their next league match after that comes following the extended September-October international break, at home to Tottenham Hotspur on October 10.

]]> <![CDATA[ ‘I had to make my own luck’ West Ham United's Ffion Morgan on using social media to grow her profile ]]> While Ffion Morgan did not always understand why footballers would put their lives on social media, she is now one of the most-loved and recognised online personalities in women's football.

The Wales international has built her own platform, giving fans an insight into life as a professional footballer.

And for Morgan, it is about more than simply creating content - she hopes building her profile can help create more opportunities for herself and other female players who might not always have the spotlight.

Ffion Morgan: ‘I had to make my own luck’

Ffion Morgan

Ffion Morgan (Image credit: Getty Images)

For Morgan, building a profile away from the pitch has been about taking control of opportunities rather than waiting for them to arrive.

That realisation led her to social media, where the 26-year-old has built an audience by showing the reality of life as a professional footballer.

Ffion Morgan

Ffion Morgan on matchday (Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo, she said: “For me, I don't necessarily have the opportunities that others do.

"Where I sit as a Welsh player, and not necessarily at one of the top clubs. So I had to make my own luck.

“Branding is a huge part of that. To grow my brand on social media, which inspires a generation and shows people what it's really like as a footballer. There's not many negatives in what I'm doing, which is fantastic.”

It was not something she immediately embraced. In fact, when her sister first suggested Morgan start putting herself out there online, she was far from convinced: "My sister encouraged me to do videos and at the time I was like, no, nobody does it, that's weird, I don't want to do it.

“But she said I could be one of the first and pave the way for more people to create opportunities for themselves. So I went for it. I put myself out there, and if people know my name, even if it's from social media, it might get them at a game, and then it'll get them supporting West Ham, and then it'll go on from there.”

‘It’s more than just football’

A detailed view of the Nike Barclays Women's Super League 2026/27 match ball before the Barclays Women's Super League 2026/27 match between Crystal Palace FC and Everton on September 06, 2026

Morgan hopes her content can give fans an insight into life as a WSL player (Image credit: Alex Broadway - WSL/WSL Football via Getty Images)

Morgan's content offers an unfiltered look at professional football, from matchdays and recovery to food, training and the reality of life away from the pitch.

“I just like showing all the game days, what our schedule's like, what recovery's like. So if you're a young footballer watching it, they're going to love that.

“I also want to use my content to show my lifestyle and what's important to me, which is family, friendship and relationships, because in football it can be quite lonely, so showing that is important as well.”

Sonia Bompastor holding the WSL trophy

The WSL trophy (Image credit: Getty Images)

That openness has already had an impact, with Morgan regularly receiving messages from people who have been inspired by her content, especially young players.

“I get messages all the time,” she added. “Saying things like ‘I didn't want to play football anymore, but you've got me back into it.'

“I've met so many people through them liking my vlogs. I know that's so silly, but they've got group chats and they've met friends, which is just lovely. And that's what football is. It's a community and it's more than just football, especially in the women's game, it's fantastic.”

‘You’re hungry for more’

CARDIFF, WALES - JUNE 09: Ffion Morgan of Wales warms up prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 Qualifier match between Wales and Czechia at Cardiff City Stadium on June 09, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales.

Ffion Morgan hopes Wales can qualify for the 2027 World Cup (Image credit: Simon Galloway/Getty Images)

Morgan’s next big opportunity could come with Wales, who are targeting qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup after making history by reaching Euro 2025.

“After the Euros and our success in qualifying for that, we've always wanted more as players and wanted to show ourselves on the big stage.

“Now that we've done it once, you're hungry for more, which is a good thing, but also a bad thing.

“We're all so excited to get going and the playoffs are coming up quite soon. Hopefully everyone stays fit and healthy and then hopefully we'll smash that and Brazil would be fantastic.

“I think my parents would love me if we qualified because they definitely want a Brazil trip!”

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/i-had-to-make-my-own-luck-west-ham-uniteds-ffion-morgan-on-using-social-media-to-grow-her-profile 9fUxN5reFJYL5H4jCmN4eN Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000 false false false

While Ffion Morgan did not always understand why footballers would put their lives on social media, she is now one of the most-loved and recognised online personalities in women's football.

The Wales international has built her own platform, giving fans an insight into life as a professional footballer.

And for Morgan, it is about more than simply creating content - she hopes building her profile can help create more opportunities for herself and other female players who might not always have the spotlight.

Ffion Morgan: ‘I had to make my own luck’

Ffion Morgan

Ffion Morgan (Image credit: Getty Images)

For Morgan, building a profile away from the pitch has been about taking control of opportunities rather than waiting for them to arrive.

That realisation led her to social media, where the 26-year-old has built an audience by showing the reality of life as a professional footballer.

Ffion Morgan

Ffion Morgan on matchday (Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo, she said: “For me, I don't necessarily have the opportunities that others do.

"Where I sit as a Welsh player, and not necessarily at one of the top clubs. So I had to make my own luck.

“Branding is a huge part of that. To grow my brand on social media, which inspires a generation and shows people what it's really like as a footballer. There's not many negatives in what I'm doing, which is fantastic.”

It was not something she immediately embraced. In fact, when her sister first suggested Morgan start putting herself out there online, she was far from convinced: "My sister encouraged me to do videos and at the time I was like, no, nobody does it, that's weird, I don't want to do it.

“But she said I could be one of the first and pave the way for more people to create opportunities for themselves. So I went for it. I put myself out there, and if people know my name, even if it's from social media, it might get them at a game, and then it'll get them supporting West Ham, and then it'll go on from there.”

‘It’s more than just football’

A detailed view of the Nike Barclays Women's Super League 2026/27 match ball before the Barclays Women's Super League 2026/27 match between Crystal Palace FC and Everton on September 06, 2026

Morgan hopes her content can give fans an insight into life as a WSL player (Image credit: Alex Broadway - WSL/WSL Football via Getty Images)

Morgan's content offers an unfiltered look at professional football, from matchdays and recovery to food, training and the reality of life away from the pitch.

“I just like showing all the game days, what our schedule's like, what recovery's like. So if you're a young footballer watching it, they're going to love that.

“I also want to use my content to show my lifestyle and what's important to me, which is family, friendship and relationships, because in football it can be quite lonely, so showing that is important as well.”

Sonia Bompastor holding the WSL trophy

The WSL trophy (Image credit: Getty Images)

That openness has already had an impact, with Morgan regularly receiving messages from people who have been inspired by her content, especially young players.

“I get messages all the time,” she added. “Saying things like ‘I didn't want to play football anymore, but you've got me back into it.'

“I've met so many people through them liking my vlogs. I know that's so silly, but they've got group chats and they've met friends, which is just lovely. And that's what football is. It's a community and it's more than just football, especially in the women's game, it's fantastic.”

‘You’re hungry for more’

CARDIFF, WALES - JUNE 09: Ffion Morgan of Wales warms up prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 Qualifier match between Wales and Czechia at Cardiff City Stadium on June 09, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales.

Ffion Morgan hopes Wales can qualify for the 2027 World Cup (Image credit: Simon Galloway/Getty Images)

Morgan’s next big opportunity could come with Wales, who are targeting qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup after making history by reaching Euro 2025.

“After the Euros and our success in qualifying for that, we've always wanted more as players and wanted to show ourselves on the big stage.

“Now that we've done it once, you're hungry for more, which is a good thing, but also a bad thing.

“We're all so excited to get going and the playoffs are coming up quite soon. Hopefully everyone stays fit and healthy and then hopefully we'll smash that and Brazil would be fantastic.

“I think my parents would love me if we qualified because they definitely want a Brazil trip!”

]]> <![CDATA[ Arsenal are showing Manchester United how they should have managed nightmare transfer scenario ]]> Manchester United are set to lose England Under-17 forward JJ Gabriel, who has asked to leave the club months after being named Player of the Season in the Under-18 Premier League.

The Man United teenager's decision has thrust him even further into the spotlight than his playing prospects already had. Gabriel is 15 years old and the truth is nobody should be taking an interest in anything he does.

That's a bigger problem that football as a whole needs to start taking seriously, but as far as Gabriel goes, it's likely to prove a mis-step for Man United to fumble his progress.

Arsenal's Max Dowman is a demonstration of what might have been

Max Dowman celebrates scoring Arsenal's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

Max Dowman (Image credit: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Man United have had opportunities to demonstrate their faith in Gabriel and show him that the route to first team football has been laid out.

While it's possible to question the youngster's desire to leave before he's even 16 years of age, the advice he's receiving, and the rights and wrongs of other clubs sniffing around him, there is an example in the Premier League that points to a better outcome.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Down at Arsenal, 16-year-old Max Dowman has been given chances and taken them. The Premier League champions have a young talent of their own, and he made his league debut at 15.

Dowman is increasingly being tipped for a senior England call-up, a stark contrast with Gabriel even at this absurdly early stage in both of their careers.

Arsenal have managed Dowman through without over-use. He has six Premier League appearances to his name and another eight in the cups. He's played in the Champions League three times but his lone senior appearance this season was in Tuesday's Carabao Cup win at Ipswich Town.

He scored twice, and therein lies the clue that might have served Man United in Gabriel's case. Dowman is an obvious talent but he won't be thrown in for frequent appearances regardless of those goals.

Mikel Arteta is biding his time. Notably, though, Dowman has had sufficient chances to impress.

JJ Gabriel scores in the FA Youth Cup for Man United

JJ Gabriel (Image credit: Getty Images)

Dowman and Gabriel are different people with their own minds and their own advisors, but it's hard to ignore the sense that Man United could have thrown him a bone if they'd wanted.

It wouldn't have been to their detriment either; the Red Devils obviously believe he has huge potential. He might have been in line to play against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday but took himself out of contention with his request to leave.

But when Man United were preparing to play their Champions League opener against Azeri champions Sabah, Gabriel was scoring a hat-trick against them in the UEFA Youth League.

Perhaps the young forward is getting ahead of himself for whatever reason – that isn't and shouldn't be any of our business, and Man United have their own reasons to select him or not – but there's a good chance Dowman would have been selected in an equivalent Arsenal match.

If that's the difference between keeping and losing a top prospect, it could be a decision they come to regret.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/arsenal-are-showing-manchester-united-how-they-could-have-managed-nightmare-transfer-scenario iPr3fiEo3Kp46du4AJp32G Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:42:52 +0000 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:43:17 +0000 false false false

Manchester United are set to lose England Under-17 forward JJ Gabriel, who has asked to leave the club months after being named Player of the Season in the Under-18 Premier League.

The Man United teenager's decision has thrust him even further into the spotlight than his playing prospects already had. Gabriel is 15 years old and the truth is nobody should be taking an interest in anything he does.

That's a bigger problem that football as a whole needs to start taking seriously, but as far as Gabriel goes, it's likely to prove a mis-step for Man United to fumble his progress.

Arsenal's Max Dowman is a demonstration of what might have been

Max Dowman celebrates scoring Arsenal's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

Max Dowman (Image credit: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Man United have had opportunities to demonstrate their faith in Gabriel and show him that the route to first team football has been laid out.

While it's possible to question the youngster's desire to leave before he's even 16 years of age, the advice he's receiving, and the rights and wrongs of other clubs sniffing around him, there is an example in the Premier League that points to a better outcome.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Down at Arsenal, 16-year-old Max Dowman has been given chances and taken them. The Premier League champions have a young talent of their own, and he made his league debut at 15.

Dowman is increasingly being tipped for a senior England call-up, a stark contrast with Gabriel even at this absurdly early stage in both of their careers.

Arsenal have managed Dowman through without over-use. He has six Premier League appearances to his name and another eight in the cups. He's played in the Champions League three times but his lone senior appearance this season was in Tuesday's Carabao Cup win at Ipswich Town.

He scored twice, and therein lies the clue that might have served Man United in Gabriel's case. Dowman is an obvious talent but he won't be thrown in for frequent appearances regardless of those goals.

Mikel Arteta is biding his time. Notably, though, Dowman has had sufficient chances to impress.

JJ Gabriel scores in the FA Youth Cup for Man United

JJ Gabriel (Image credit: Getty Images)

Dowman and Gabriel are different people with their own minds and their own advisors, but it's hard to ignore the sense that Man United could have thrown him a bone if they'd wanted.

It wouldn't have been to their detriment either; the Red Devils obviously believe he has huge potential. He might have been in line to play against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday but took himself out of contention with his request to leave.

But when Man United were preparing to play their Champions League opener against Azeri champions Sabah, Gabriel was scoring a hat-trick against them in the UEFA Youth League.

Perhaps the young forward is getting ahead of himself for whatever reason – that isn't and shouldn't be any of our business, and Man United have their own reasons to select him or not – but there's a good chance Dowman would have been selected in an equivalent Arsenal match.

If that's the difference between keeping and losing a top prospect, it could be a decision they come to regret.

]]> <![CDATA[ The story of the missing Ballon d’Or (and proof Robert Lewandowski won it) ]]> In July 2020, France Football made the decision to cancel the Ballon d'Or due to disruptions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Ligue 1 had cancelled the remainder of its season early in April, while the Premier League, LaLiga, and Bundesliga resumed after months of delay. France Football argued that comparing players across leagues with vastly different season lengths and match counts would be unfair.

Competitions like the Champions League had to switch to single-leg knockout tournaments behind closed doors, changing standard evaluation conditions. The temporary introduction of five substitutes per match and postponed summer international tournaments like Euro 2020 and Copa America further altered the landscape.

And the winner was...

Striker of the Year recipient Bayern Munich's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski is seen on a screen during the 2021 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on November 29, 2021

Robert Lewandowski (Image credit: Getty Images)

Rather than hold the traditional journalist vote, France Football replaced the 2020 award with the ‘Ballon d'Or Dream Team’. An international jury voted for an all-time best XI in football history instead of a player of the year.

But here’s the thing, FourFourTwo, held the vote anyway...

The Ballon d'Or trophy is displayed during a press conference to present the new Ballon d'Or trophy, on the outskirts of Paris, on September 19, 2019. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images)

The Ballon d'Or trophy (Image credit: Getty Images)

At the end of 2020, FourFourTwo undertook the huge task of polling football journalists ourselves to reveal who the true winner of the Asterix Ballon d'Or was.

An in-house shortlist was created consisting of the 30 players who had had the best season. This was then passed to 101 football journalists from 101 nations, across six continents. Each picked their top five players for 2020.

If you recall, the Ballon d'Or's voting format changed in 2022, but prior to that, the system was: one journalist from over 100 different FIFA member nations picked their top five from a 30-man shortlist, with their picks earning 6, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point(s) respectively.

FourFourTwo's 30-man 2020 shortlist

  • Alisson
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold
  • Karim Benzema
  • Alphonso Davies
  • Kevin De Bruyne
  • Angel Di Maria
  • Bruno Fernandes
  • Serge Gnabry
  • Leon Goretzka
  • Erling Haaland
  • Jordan Henderson
  • Ciro Immobile
  • Harry Kane
  • Joshua Kimmich
  • Robert Lewandowski
  • Romelu Lukaku
  • Sadio Mane
  • Marquinhos
  • Lionel Messi
  • Kylian Mbappe
  • Thomas Muller
  • Manuel Neuer
  • Neymar
  • Sergio Ramos
  • Andrew Robertson
  • Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Mohamed Salah
  • Son Heung-min
  • Thiago Alcantara
  • Virgil van Dijk

The results

Polish forward Robert Lewandowski talks to the press upon his arrival to attend the 2021 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on November 29, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

FourFourTwo's 2020 polling shows Robert Lewandowski would've won the 2020 Ballon d'Or by 441 points (Image credit: Getty Images)

In what was an open-and-shut case, FourFourTwo proved Lewandowski won the 2020 Ballon d'Or with 561 points. Interestingly, the 441-point gap between Lewandowski and 2nd place (Kevin De Bruyne) would've broken the record for the biggest winning margin, beating the 429-point gap Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2016 Ballon d'Or by.

Petition to remove the 2020 asterix, Your Honour, as per the evidence below:

  • 1 Robert Lewandowski (561 points)
  • 2 Kevin De Bruyne (120 points)
  • 3 Sadio Mane (113 points)
  • 4 Lionel Messi (101 points)
  • 5 Cristiano Ronaldo (98 points)
  • 6 Manuel Neuer (69 points)
  • 7 Virgil van Dijk (67 points)
  • 8 Kylian Mbappe (64 points)
  • 9 Joshua Kimmich (59 points)
  • 10 Neymar (48 points)
  • 11 Erling Haaland (43 points)
  • 12 Mohamed Salah (42 points)
  • 13 Thomas Muller (36 points)
  • 14 Sergio Ramos (27 points)
  • 15= Thiago Alcantara (23 points)
  • 15= Serge Gnabry (23 points)
  • 17 Ciro Immobile (21 points)
  • 18 Son Heung-min (18 points)
  • 19 Alphonso Davies (15 points)
  • 20 Romelu Lukaku (14 points)
  • 21 Trent Alexander-Arnold (13 points)
  • 22 Karim Benzema (11 points)
  • 23 Bruno Fernandes (10 points)
  • 24 Alisson (7 points)
  • 25 Marquinhos (4 points)
  • 26= Leon Goretzka (3 points)
  • 26= Andrew Robertson (3 points)
  • 28 Harry Kane (2 points)
  • 29 Jordan Henderson (1 point)
  • 30 Angel Di Maria (0 points)

⤵️ The working out

See in full how each journalist from all the nations voted. Spare a thought for poor Angel Di Maria – the only man to get nil points. Curiously, four on the panel felt Robert Lewandowski deserved zilch. Tough crowd...

🇩🇿 ALGERIA

✍️ Maher Mezahi 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Manuel Neuer

Sadio Mané

Neymar

🇦🇴 ANGOLA

✍️ Ivan Capuepue 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Ciro Immobile

Sadio Mané

Erling Haaland

Son Heung-min

🇦🇷 ARGENTINA

✍️ Martin Mazur 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Thomas Muller

Virgil van Dijk

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA

✍️ James Dampney 🗞️ Finder

Virgil van Dijk

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Manuel Neuer

Trent Alexander-Arnold

🇦🇹 AUSTRIA

✍️ Thomas Middler 🗞️ The Other Bundesliga

Robert Lewandowski

Erling Haaland

Alisson

Serge Gnabry

Kevin De Bruyne

🇦🇿 AZERBAIJAN

✍️ Rasi Movsumzadeh 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Serge Gnabry

Sadio Mané

Erling Haaland

🇧🇩 BANGLADESH

✍️ Mehedi Sujan 🗞️ New Age

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Mohamed Salah

Kevin De Bruyne

Manuel Neuer

🇧🇧 BARBADOS

✍️ Renaldo Gilkes 🗞️ Loop News

Robert Lewandowski

Ciro Immobile

Sergio Ramos

Cristiano Ronaldo

Romelu Lukaku

🇧🇪 BELGIUM

✍️ Samindra Kunti 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Joshua Kimmich

Erling Haaland

Romelu Lukaku

🇧🇴 BOLIVIA

✍️ Paola Perez 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Neymar

Lionel Messi

Manuel Neuer

Joshua Kimmich

🇧🇦 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

✍️ Sasa Ibrulj 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Kylian Mbappe

Cristiano Ronaldo

Thiago Alcantara

🇧🇷 BRAZIL

✍️ Mauricio Savarese 🗞️ AP

Robert Lewandowski

Neymar

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Serge Gnabry

Kevin De Bruyne

🇧🇬 BULGARIA

✍️ Metodi Shumanov 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Virgil van Dijk

Serge Gnabry

Sadio Mané

Romelu Lukaku

🇧🇮 BURUNDI

✍️ Elvis Iradukunda 🗞️ BETV

Manuel Neuer

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Kylian Mbappe

Cristiano Ronaldo

🇨🇲 CAMEROON

✍️ Njie Enow 🗞️ CRTV

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Sadio Mané

Virgil van Dijk

Lionel Messi

🇨🇦 CANADA

✍️ Kiyan Sobhani 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Kevin De Bruyne

Cristiano Ronaldo

Neymar

🇹🇩 CHAD

✍️ Nesta Yamgoto 🗞️ Tchadinfos

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Cristiano Ronaldo

Karim Benzema

Neymar

🇨🇳 CHINA

✍️ Jiang Mengxi 🗞️ CGTN

Robert Lewandowski

Mohamed Salah

Kylian Mbappe

Kevin De Bruyne

Joshua Kimmich

🇨🇴 COLOMBIA

✍️ Carl Worswick 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Neymar

Sadio Mané

Erling Haaland

🇨🇰 COOK ISLANDS

✍️ Rashneel Kumar 🗞️ Cook Islands News

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

Thomas Muller

Karim Benzema

🇨🇷 COSTA RICA

✍️ Rodrigo Calvo 🗞️ Buzon De Rodrigo

Robert Lewandowski

Joshua Kimmich

Lionel Messi

Kevin De Bruyne

Marquinhos

🇭🇷 CROATIA

✍️ Ivan Tomic 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Neymar

Andrew Robertson

Manuel Neuer

Sergio Ramos

🇨🇿 CZECH REPUBLIC

✍️ Karel Haring 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Kevin De Bruyne

Erling Haaland

Trent Alexander-Arnold

🇩🇰 DENMARK

✍️ Johan Lyngholm-Bjerge 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Virgil van Dijk

Kylian Mbappe

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

🇨🇩 DR CONGO

✍️ Michel Tobo 🗞️ foot.cd

Robert Lewandowski

Kylian Mbappe

Ciro Immobile

Lionel Messi

Serge Gnabry

🇪🇬 EGYPT

✍️ Marwan Saeed 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Virgil van Dijk

Mohamed Salah

Bruno Fernandes

🇸🇻 EL SALVADOR

✍️ Claudio Martinez 🗞️ Pencho y Aida FM

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Lionel Messi

Ciro Immobile

Sergio Ramos

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ENGLAND

✍️ Chris Flanagan 🗞️ FourFourTwo

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Kevin De Bruyne

Neymar

Erling Haaland

🇪🇪 ESTONIA

✍️ Angelo Palmeri 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Romelu Lukaku

Ciro Immobile

Erling Haaland

Mohamed Salah

🇪🇹 ETHIOPIA

✍️ Haileegziabher Adhanom 🗞️ SuperSport

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi

Kevin De Bruyne

🇫🇴 FAROE ISLANDS

✍️ Trondur Arge 🗞️ Sosialurin

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

Kevin De Bruyne

Thomas Muller

🇫🇮 FINLAND

✍️ Joonas Partanen 🗞️ Iltalehti

Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Joshua Kimmich

Bruno Fernandes

Erling Haaland

🇫🇷 FRANCE

✍️ Fabien Fougeray 🗞️ CANAL+

Robert Lewandowski

Thiago Alcantara

Son Heung-min

Erling Haaland

Trent Alexander-Arnold

🇬🇲 GAMBIA

✍️ Momodou Bah 🗞️ CAFOnline

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Sadio Mané

Bruno Fernandes

Manuel Neuer

🇩🇪 GERMANY

✍️ Jonathan Harding 🗞️ DW Sports

Robert Lewandowski

Joshua Kimmich

Erling Haaland

Leon Goretzka

Manuel Neuer

🇬🇭 GHANA

✍️ Bernard Neequaye 🗞️ Daily Graphic

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Kylian Mbappe

Sadio Mané

Trent Alexander-Arnold

🇬🇷 GREECE

✍️ Vasilis Sambrakos 🗞️ gazzetta.gr

Robert Lewandowski

Joshua Kimmich

Manuel Neuer

Thomas Muller

Kevin De Bruyne

🇭🇺 HUNGARY

✍️ Gyorgy Szollosi 🗞️ FourFourTwo Hungary

Robert Lewandowski

Kylian Mbappe

Joshua Kimmich

Cristiano Ronaldo

Manuel Neuer

🇮🇸 ICELAND

✍️ Johann Sigurdsson 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi

Kevin De Bruyne

Virgil van Dijk

🇮🇳 INDIA

✍️ Mihir Vasavda 🗞️ Indian Express

Robert Lewandowski

Kylian Mbappe

Kevin De Bruyne

Sadio Mané

Joshua Kimmich

🇮🇩 INDONESIA

✍️ Tio Prasetyo 🗞️ Box2Box

Robert Lewandowski

Bruno Fernandes

Virgil van Dijk

Alphonso Davies

Trent Alexander-Arnold

🇮🇷 IRAN

✍️ Babak Golriz 🗞️ Sport360

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Kevin De Bruyne

Karim Benzema

Sadio Mané

🇮🇱 ISRAEL

✍️ Michael Yokhin 🗞️ Freelance

Thomas Muller

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Joshua Kimmich

Trent Alexander-Arnold

🇮🇹 ITALY

✍️ Emanuele Giulianelli 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Thomas Muller

Kylian Mbappe

Mohamed Salah

Cristiano Ronaldo

🇯🇵 JAPAN

✍️ Koki Harada 🗞️ Tokyo Chunichi

Robert Lewandowski

Virgil van Dijk

Cristiano Ronaldo

Son Heung-min

Ciro Immobile

🇯🇴 JORDAN

✍️ Mohammed Awaad 🗞️ Alroeya

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Lionel Messi

Kylian Mbappe

Romelu Lukaku

🇰🇪 KENYA

✍️ Charles Nyende 🗞️ Nation

Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Serge Gnabry

Lionel Messi

Karim Benzema

🇽🇰 KOSOVO

✍️ Bajram Shala 🗞️ RTV 21

Robert Lewandowski

Sergio Ramos

Sadio Mané

Joshua Kimmich

Kylian Mbappe

🇱🇧 LEBANON

✍️ Mohamed Fawaz 🗞️ Almustaqbal

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi

Mohamed Salah

🇱🇷 LIBERIA

✍️ Anthony Kokoi 🗞️ KMTV

Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi

Sergio Ramos

Kylian Mbappe

🇱🇾 LIBYA

✍️ Morad Dkeel 🗞️ WTV-Libya

Joshua Kimmich

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Erling Haaland

Thiago Alcantara

🇲🇴 MACAU

✍️ Pedro Santos 🗞️ Ponto Final

Cristiano Ronaldo

Mohamed Salah

Manuel Neuer

Lionel Messi

Bruno Fernandes

🇲🇬 MADAGASCAR

✍️ Haja Lucas Rakotondrazaka 🗞️ L’Express de Madagascar

Robert Lewandowski

Thiago Alcantara

Lionel Messi

Neymar

Manuel Neuer

🇲🇼 MALAWI

✍️ Peter Kanjere 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

Manuel Neuer

Kevin De Bruyne

🇲🇾 MALAYSIA

✍️ Vijhay Vick 🗞️ Johor Darul Ta’zim

Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Kylian Mbappe

Lionel Messi

Mohamed Salah

🇲🇽 MEXICO

✍️ Jason Marquitz 🗞️ soccermexicana.com

Sadio Mané

Robert Lewandowski

Neymar

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Serge Gnabry

🇲🇪 MONTENEGRO

✍️ Danilo Mitrovic 🗞️ ND Vijesti

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Neymar

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Thomas Muller

🇲🇦 MOROCCO

✍️ Mohamed Amine El Amri 🗞️ Le Matin

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Romelu Lukaku

Sadio Mané

Karim Benzema

🇳🇦 NAMIBIA

✍️ Sheefeni Nikodemus 🗞️ The Namibian

Robert Lewandowski

Son Heung-min

Marquinhos

Ciro Immobile

Sadio Mané

🇳🇱 NETHERLANDS

✍️ Guus Hetterscheid 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Kevin De Bruyne

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

🇳🇿 NEW ZEALAND

✍️ Gordon Watson 🗞️ OFC TV

Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Kylian Mbappe

Lionel Messi

Virgil van Dijk

🇳🇮 NICARAGUA

✍️ Gunther Kuse 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Kevin De Bruyne

Joshua Kimmich

Virgil van Dijk

🇳🇬 NIGERIA

✍️ Tolu Olasoji 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Neymar

Serge Gnabry

Kevin De Bruyne

🇬🇧 NORTHERN IRELAND

✍️ Keith Bailie 🗞️ County Down Spectator

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Alphonso Davies

Kevin De Bruyne

Erling Haaland

🇳🇴 NORWAY

✍️ Thore Haugstad 🗞️ NRK Sport

Robert Lewandowski

Virgil van Dijk

Lionel Messi

Kevin De Bruyne

Thomas Muller

🇴🇲 OMAN

✍️ Ashok Purohit 🗞️ Muscat Daily

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Cristiano Ronaldo

Mohamed Salah

Sergio Ramos

🇵🇰 PAKISTAN

✍️ Umaid Wasim 🗞️ dawn.com

Robert Lewandowski

Thomas Muller

Neymar

Kevin De Bruyne

Romelu Lukaku

🇵🇪 PERU

✍️ Victor Zaferson 🗞️ Freelance

Thomas Muller

Erling Haaland

Kylian Mbappe

Thiago Alcantara

Leon Goretzka

🇵🇭 PHILIPPINES

✍️ Ryan Fenix 🗞️ GMA News Online

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Kevin De Bruyne

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

🇵🇱 POLAND

✍️ Zbigniew Muchag 🗞️ Pilka Nozna

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Joshua Kimmich

Sergio Ramos

Sadio Mané

🇵🇹 PORTUGAL

✍️ Valter Marques 🗞️ Record

Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Virgil van Dijk

Thiago Alcantara

Kylian Mbappe

🇶🇦 QATAR

✍️ Mitch Freeley 🗞️ beIN SPORTS

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Virgil van Dijk

Kylian Mbappe

Sergio Ramos

🇮🇪 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

✍️ David Sneyd 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Thiago Alcantara

Serge Gnabry

Sadio Mané

Erling Haaland

🇷🇴 ROMANIA

✍️ Emanuel Rosu 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Manuel Neuer

Thiago Alcantara

Cristiano Ronaldo

🇷🇺 RUSSIA

✍️ Artur Petrosyan 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Lionel Messi

Virgil van Dijk

Son Heung-min

🇷🇼 RWANDA

✍️ Peter Kamasa 🗞️ The New Times

Sadio Mané

Neymar

Mohamed Salah

Kylian Mbappe

Thiago Alcantara

🇸🇦 SAUDI ARABIA

✍️ Atef Nahass 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Mohamed Salah

Sadio Mané

Thiago Alcantara

Kylian Mbappe

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 SCOTLAND

✍️ Kenny Millar 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Mohamed Salah

Virgil van Dijk

Erling Haaland

Alphonso Davies

🇸🇳 SENEGAL

✍️ Adama Ndione 🗞️ RTS

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Thomas Muller

Karim Benzema

Kevin De Bruyne

🇷🇸 SERBIA

✍️ Vladimir Novak 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Virgil van Dijk

Neymar

Manuel Neuer

Joshua Kimmich

🇸🇱 SIERRA LEONE

✍️ Alusine Rehme Wilson 🗞️ Northern Times

Alphonso Davies

Sadio Mané

Mohamed Salah

Cristiano Ronaldo

Kylian Mbappe

🇸🇬 SINGAPORE

✍️ Jeremy Lim 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Mohamed Salah

Serge Gnabry

Virgil van Dijk

Sadio Mané

🇸🇰 SLOVAKIA

✍️ Martin Rendek 🗞️ Hospodarske noviny

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Kylian Mbappe

Lionel Messi

Joshua Kimmich

🇿🇦 SOUTH AFRICA

✍️ Juandre Joubert 🗞️ FourFourTwo SA

Virgil van Dijk

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Erling Haaland

Kevin De Bruyne

🇰🇷 SOUTH KOREA

✍️ Steve Han 🗞️ Goal

Robert Lewandowski

Joshua Kimmich

Kylian Mbappe

Karim Benzema

Jordan Henderson

🇪🇸 SPAIN

✍️ Jon Prada 🗞️ Marca

Robert Lewandowski

Joshua Kimmich

Sergio Ramos

Kylian Mbappe

Lionel Messi

🇸🇷 SURINAME

✍️ Desney Romeo 🗞️ ABC TV

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Kevin De Bruyne

Virgil van Dijk

Sergio Ramos

🇸🇪 SWEDEN

✍️ Lee Roden 🗞️ Sveriges Radio

Virgil van Dijk

Lionel Messi

Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Erling Haaland

🇨🇭 SWITZERLAND

✍️ Eva Tedesco 🗞️ 20 Minuten

Joshua Kimmich

Robert Lewandowski

Sergio Ramos

Romelu Lukaku

Sadio Mané

🇹🇿 TANZANIA

✍️ Salim Masoud Said 🗞️ SandalsForGoalposts

Robert Lewandowski

Kylian Mbappe

Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi

Sergio Ramos

🇹🇹 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

✍️ Lasana Liburd 🗞️ wired868.com

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Sadio Mané

Neymar

Lionel Messi

🇹🇳 TUNISIA

✍️ Abdesslam Dhaifallah 🗞️ Radio Mosaique FM

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Kylian Mbappe

Cristiano Ronaldo

Mohamed Salah

🇹🇷 TURKEY

✍️ Simge Yazici 🗞️ FourFourTwo Turkey

Robert Lewandowski

Alisson

Neymar

Cristiano Ronaldo

Erling Haaland

🇺🇬 UGANDA

✍️ Ismael Kiyonga 🗞️ Kawawo Sports

Robert Lewandowski

Sergio Ramos

Erling Haaland

Kevin De Bruyne

Alphonso Davies

🇺🇦 UKRAINE

✍️ Andriy Kudyrko 🗞️ ua-football.com

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Kevin De Bruyne

Ciro Immobile

Erling Haaland

🇦🇪 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

✍️ John McAuley 🗞️ The National

Robert Lewandowski

Joshua Kimmich

Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi

Sadio Mané

🇺🇸 USA

✍️ Martin Harasimowicz 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Son Heung-min

Mohamed Salah

Sadio Mané

Lionel Messi

🇻🇪 VENEZUELA

✍️ Hugo Chavez 🗞️ Lider

Kevin De Bruyne

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Thomas Muller

Neymar

🇻🇳 VIETNAM

✍️ Tran Duc Truong 🗞️ zing.vn

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi

Neymar

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 WALES

✍️ Huw Davies 🗞️ Freelance

Kevin De Bruyne

Robert Lewandowski

Son Heung-min

Harry Kane

Alphonso Davies

🇿🇼 ZIMBABWE

✍️ Grace Chingoma 🗞️ The Herald

Robert Lewandowski

Erling Haaland

Kevin De Bruyne

Sadio Mané

Alphonso Davies

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/the-story-of-the-missing-ballon-dor-and-the-proof-robert-lewandowski-won-it AHyde9pAKaoHL7iwZUmBc5 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:46:59 +0000 false false false

In July 2020, France Football made the decision to cancel the Ballon d'Or due to disruptions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Ligue 1 had cancelled the remainder of its season early in April, while the Premier League, LaLiga, and Bundesliga resumed after months of delay. France Football argued that comparing players across leagues with vastly different season lengths and match counts would be unfair.

Competitions like the Champions League had to switch to single-leg knockout tournaments behind closed doors, changing standard evaluation conditions. The temporary introduction of five substitutes per match and postponed summer international tournaments like Euro 2020 and Copa America further altered the landscape.

And the winner was...

Striker of the Year recipient Bayern Munich's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski is seen on a screen during the 2021 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on November 29, 2021

Robert Lewandowski (Image credit: Getty Images)

Rather than hold the traditional journalist vote, France Football replaced the 2020 award with the ‘Ballon d'Or Dream Team’. An international jury voted for an all-time best XI in football history instead of a player of the year.

But here’s the thing, FourFourTwo, held the vote anyway...

The Ballon d'Or trophy is displayed during a press conference to present the new Ballon d'Or trophy, on the outskirts of Paris, on September 19, 2019. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images)

The Ballon d'Or trophy (Image credit: Getty Images)

At the end of 2020, FourFourTwo undertook the huge task of polling football journalists ourselves to reveal who the true winner of the Asterix Ballon d'Or was.

An in-house shortlist was created consisting of the 30 players who had had the best season. This was then passed to 101 football journalists from 101 nations, across six continents. Each picked their top five players for 2020.

If you recall, the Ballon d'Or's voting format changed in 2022, but prior to that, the system was: one journalist from over 100 different FIFA member nations picked their top five from a 30-man shortlist, with their picks earning 6, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point(s) respectively.

FourFourTwo's 30-man 2020 shortlist

  • Alisson
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold
  • Karim Benzema
  • Alphonso Davies
  • Kevin De Bruyne
  • Angel Di Maria
  • Bruno Fernandes
  • Serge Gnabry
  • Leon Goretzka
  • Erling Haaland
  • Jordan Henderson
  • Ciro Immobile
  • Harry Kane
  • Joshua Kimmich
  • Robert Lewandowski
  • Romelu Lukaku
  • Sadio Mane
  • Marquinhos
  • Lionel Messi
  • Kylian Mbappe
  • Thomas Muller
  • Manuel Neuer
  • Neymar
  • Sergio Ramos
  • Andrew Robertson
  • Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Mohamed Salah
  • Son Heung-min
  • Thiago Alcantara
  • Virgil van Dijk

The results

Polish forward Robert Lewandowski talks to the press upon his arrival to attend the 2021 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on November 29, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

FourFourTwo's 2020 polling shows Robert Lewandowski would've won the 2020 Ballon d'Or by 441 points (Image credit: Getty Images)

In what was an open-and-shut case, FourFourTwo proved Lewandowski won the 2020 Ballon d'Or with 561 points. Interestingly, the 441-point gap between Lewandowski and 2nd place (Kevin De Bruyne) would've broken the record for the biggest winning margin, beating the 429-point gap Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2016 Ballon d'Or by.

Petition to remove the 2020 asterix, Your Honour, as per the evidence below:

  • 1 Robert Lewandowski (561 points)
  • 2 Kevin De Bruyne (120 points)
  • 3 Sadio Mane (113 points)
  • 4 Lionel Messi (101 points)
  • 5 Cristiano Ronaldo (98 points)
  • 6 Manuel Neuer (69 points)
  • 7 Virgil van Dijk (67 points)
  • 8 Kylian Mbappe (64 points)
  • 9 Joshua Kimmich (59 points)
  • 10 Neymar (48 points)
  • 11 Erling Haaland (43 points)
  • 12 Mohamed Salah (42 points)
  • 13 Thomas Muller (36 points)
  • 14 Sergio Ramos (27 points)
  • 15= Thiago Alcantara (23 points)
  • 15= Serge Gnabry (23 points)
  • 17 Ciro Immobile (21 points)
  • 18 Son Heung-min (18 points)
  • 19 Alphonso Davies (15 points)
  • 20 Romelu Lukaku (14 points)
  • 21 Trent Alexander-Arnold (13 points)
  • 22 Karim Benzema (11 points)
  • 23 Bruno Fernandes (10 points)
  • 24 Alisson (7 points)
  • 25 Marquinhos (4 points)
  • 26= Leon Goretzka (3 points)
  • 26= Andrew Robertson (3 points)
  • 28 Harry Kane (2 points)
  • 29 Jordan Henderson (1 point)
  • 30 Angel Di Maria (0 points)

⤵️ The working out

See in full how each journalist from all the nations voted. Spare a thought for poor Angel Di Maria – the only man to get nil points. Curiously, four on the panel felt Robert Lewandowski deserved zilch. Tough crowd...

🇩🇿 ALGERIA

✍️ Maher Mezahi 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Manuel Neuer

Sadio Mané

Neymar

🇦🇴 ANGOLA

✍️ Ivan Capuepue 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Ciro Immobile

Sadio Mané

Erling Haaland

Son Heung-min

🇦🇷 ARGENTINA

✍️ Martin Mazur 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Thomas Muller

Virgil van Dijk

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA

✍️ James Dampney 🗞️ Finder

Virgil van Dijk

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Manuel Neuer

Trent Alexander-Arnold

🇦🇹 AUSTRIA

✍️ Thomas Middler 🗞️ The Other Bundesliga

Robert Lewandowski

Erling Haaland

Alisson

Serge Gnabry

Kevin De Bruyne

🇦🇿 AZERBAIJAN

✍️ Rasi Movsumzadeh 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Serge Gnabry

Sadio Mané

Erling Haaland

🇧🇩 BANGLADESH

✍️ Mehedi Sujan 🗞️ New Age

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Mohamed Salah

Kevin De Bruyne

Manuel Neuer

🇧🇧 BARBADOS

✍️ Renaldo Gilkes 🗞️ Loop News

Robert Lewandowski

Ciro Immobile

Sergio Ramos

Cristiano Ronaldo

Romelu Lukaku

🇧🇪 BELGIUM

✍️ Samindra Kunti 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Joshua Kimmich

Erling Haaland

Romelu Lukaku

🇧🇴 BOLIVIA

✍️ Paola Perez 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Neymar

Lionel Messi

Manuel Neuer

Joshua Kimmich

🇧🇦 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

✍️ Sasa Ibrulj 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Kylian Mbappe

Cristiano Ronaldo

Thiago Alcantara

🇧🇷 BRAZIL

✍️ Mauricio Savarese 🗞️ AP

Robert Lewandowski

Neymar

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Serge Gnabry

Kevin De Bruyne

🇧🇬 BULGARIA

✍️ Metodi Shumanov 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Virgil van Dijk

Serge Gnabry

Sadio Mané

Romelu Lukaku

🇧🇮 BURUNDI

✍️ Elvis Iradukunda 🗞️ BETV

Manuel Neuer

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Kylian Mbappe

Cristiano Ronaldo

🇨🇲 CAMEROON

✍️ Njie Enow 🗞️ CRTV

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Sadio Mané

Virgil van Dijk

Lionel Messi

🇨🇦 CANADA

✍️ Kiyan Sobhani 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Kevin De Bruyne

Cristiano Ronaldo

Neymar

🇹🇩 CHAD

✍️ Nesta Yamgoto 🗞️ Tchadinfos

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

Cristiano Ronaldo

Karim Benzema

Neymar

🇨🇳 CHINA

✍️ Jiang Mengxi 🗞️ CGTN

Robert Lewandowski

Mohamed Salah

Kylian Mbappe

Kevin De Bruyne

Joshua Kimmich

🇨🇴 COLOMBIA

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🇨🇰 COOK ISLANDS

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🇨🇷 COSTA RICA

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🇩🇰 DENMARK

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🇨🇩 DR CONGO

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🇬🇭 GHANA

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🇮🇷 IRAN

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🇮🇱 ISRAEL

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🇲🇪 MONTENEGRO

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🇲🇦 MOROCCO

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🇳🇦 NAMIBIA

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Robert Lewandowski

Son Heung-min

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Ciro Immobile

Sadio Mané

🇳🇱 NETHERLANDS

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Robert Lewandowski

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Kevin De Bruyne

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🇳🇿 NEW ZEALAND

✍️ Gordon Watson 🗞️ OFC TV

Robert Lewandowski

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🇳🇮 NICARAGUA

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Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Kevin De Bruyne

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🇳🇬 NIGERIA

✍️ Tolu Olasoji 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Neymar

Serge Gnabry

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🇬🇧 NORTHERN IRELAND

✍️ Keith Bailie 🗞️ County Down Spectator

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Alphonso Davies

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Erling Haaland

🇳🇴 NORWAY

✍️ Thore Haugstad 🗞️ NRK Sport

Robert Lewandowski

Virgil van Dijk

Lionel Messi

Kevin De Bruyne

Thomas Muller

🇴🇲 OMAN

✍️ Ashok Purohit 🗞️ Muscat Daily

Robert Lewandowski

Kevin De Bruyne

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Mohamed Salah

Sergio Ramos

🇵🇰 PAKISTAN

✍️ Umaid Wasim 🗞️ dawn.com

Robert Lewandowski

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🇵🇪 PERU

✍️ Victor Zaferson 🗞️ Freelance

Thomas Muller

Erling Haaland

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Leon Goretzka

🇵🇭 PHILIPPINES

✍️ Ryan Fenix 🗞️ GMA News Online

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Kevin De Bruyne

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

🇵🇱 POLAND

✍️ Zbigniew Muchag 🗞️ Pilka Nozna

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Joshua Kimmich

Sergio Ramos

Sadio Mané

🇵🇹 PORTUGAL

✍️ Valter Marques 🗞️ Record

Robert Lewandowski

Cristiano Ronaldo

Virgil van Dijk

Thiago Alcantara

Kylian Mbappe

🇶🇦 QATAR

✍️ Mitch Freeley 🗞️ beIN SPORTS

Robert Lewandowski

Sadio Mané

Virgil van Dijk

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🇮🇪 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

✍️ David Sneyd 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Thiago Alcantara

Serge Gnabry

Sadio Mané

Erling Haaland

🇷🇴 ROMANIA

✍️ Emanuel Rosu 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi

Manuel Neuer

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Cristiano Ronaldo

🇷🇺 RUSSIA

✍️ Artur Petrosyan 🗞️ Freelance

Robert Lewandowski

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Lionel Messi

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🇷🇼 RWANDA

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Sadio Mané

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🇸🇦 SAUDI ARABIA

✍️ Atef Nahass 🗞️ Freelance

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🇸🇳 SENEGAL

✍️ Adama Ndione 🗞️ RTS

Robert Lewandowski

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🇷🇸 SERBIA

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🇸🇱 SIERRA LEONE

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🇸🇬 SINGAPORE

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🇺🇦 UKRAINE

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🇿🇼 ZIMBABWE

✍️ Grace Chingoma 🗞️ The Herald

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]]> <![CDATA[ 'Lionel Messi called me a donkey in my DMs' Ex-Liverpool man reveals Argentina star's sharp tongue behind closed doors ]]> As a prominent TV pundit, Jamie Carragher is used to taking his fair share of flak on social media.

The ex-Liverpool defender probably received a sizeable helping of criticism during his playing days, too, although the bulk of that didn't take place online.

It's one thing for fans and newspaper columnists to bite back about the way a footballer plays or an ex-player's punditry takes, but how about possibly the greatest player of all time?

Carragher: 'Messi called me a donkey'

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher (Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking in a new interview with SPORTbible, Carragher was asked which high-profile player was most likely to confront him over his footballing opinions.

The former Liverpool man didn't hesitate to pull back the curtain on an unexpected encounter with Messi, admitting that the legendary forward possesses a surprisingly sharp tongue behind closed doors.

Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher is one of Sky Sports' flagship pundits (Image credit: Getty Images)

The social media exchange occurred during Messi’s time at Paris Saint-Germain, according to Carragher. In line with his TV punditry duties, the outspoken Scouser had delivered a blunt assessment of PSG's European prospects, arguing that the French giants had virtually no chance of lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy while attempting to field Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar simultaneously.

That critique evidently struck a nerve in Paris, prompting the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner to reach out personally on social media.

"He wasn't too happy with something I'd said about his PSG team having no chance of winning the Champions League with Messi and Mbappe and Neymar all playing at the same time," Carragher recalled. "He sent me a few messages in Spanish, which I then got translated. And the gist of it was basically he called me a donkey."

Far from taking offence at the insult, the Sky Sports pundit took the dressing-down in his stride, perceiving a reprimand from footballing royalty as something of a badge of honour.

"Which was fair enough coming from him," Carragher added. "So, yeah, if you're going to get a message off someone who's not happy, make sure it's the greatest player of all time, and that's what happened to me."

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 11: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi (Image credit: Getty Images)

The timing of the exchange was all the more surreal given what went down only twenty-four hours later. Shortly after firing off the direct message response, Messi took to the stage to add another piece of individual silverware to his collection.

"And the next night he won the Ballon d’Or," Carragher revealed. "I said, 'Congratulations', and he never messaged me back."

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/lionel-messi-called-me-a-donkey-in-my-dms-ex-liverpool-man-reveals-argentina-stars-sharp-tongue-behind-closed-doors MCwDE2Y8ogVQ83hhNpVFNf Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:45:20 +0000 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:46:44 +0000 false false false

As a prominent TV pundit, Jamie Carragher is used to taking his fair share of flak on social media.

The ex-Liverpool defender probably received a sizeable helping of criticism during his playing days, too, although the bulk of that didn't take place online.

It's one thing for fans and newspaper columnists to bite back about the way a footballer plays or an ex-player's punditry takes, but how about possibly the greatest player of all time?

Carragher: 'Messi called me a donkey'

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher (Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking in a new interview with SPORTbible, Carragher was asked which high-profile player was most likely to confront him over his footballing opinions.

The former Liverpool man didn't hesitate to pull back the curtain on an unexpected encounter with Messi, admitting that the legendary forward possesses a surprisingly sharp tongue behind closed doors.

Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher is one of Sky Sports' flagship pundits (Image credit: Getty Images)

The social media exchange occurred during Messi’s time at Paris Saint-Germain, according to Carragher. In line with his TV punditry duties, the outspoken Scouser had delivered a blunt assessment of PSG's European prospects, arguing that the French giants had virtually no chance of lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy while attempting to field Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar simultaneously.

That critique evidently struck a nerve in Paris, prompting the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner to reach out personally on social media.

"He wasn't too happy with something I'd said about his PSG team having no chance of winning the Champions League with Messi and Mbappe and Neymar all playing at the same time," Carragher recalled. "He sent me a few messages in Spanish, which I then got translated. And the gist of it was basically he called me a donkey."

Far from taking offence at the insult, the Sky Sports pundit took the dressing-down in his stride, perceiving a reprimand from footballing royalty as something of a badge of honour.

"Which was fair enough coming from him," Carragher added. "So, yeah, if you're going to get a message off someone who's not happy, make sure it's the greatest player of all time, and that's what happened to me."

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 11: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi (Image credit: Getty Images)

The timing of the exchange was all the more surreal given what went down only twenty-four hours later. Shortly after firing off the direct message response, Messi took to the stage to add another piece of individual silverware to his collection.

"And the next night he won the Ballon d’Or," Carragher revealed. "I said, 'Congratulations', and he never messaged me back."

]]> <![CDATA[ Newcastle United are already regretting failed transfer leaving Matthias Jaissle with immediate problem ]]> Newcastle United are ruing a missed opportunity to bolster their depleted midfield in the summer transfer window.

The Magpies can claim to have sold Sandro Tonali and captain Bruno Guimaraes at the top of their value but they did so unwillingly and were left with a problem in the middle of the pitch.

When two players of that level depart at the same time, the recruitment challenge they leave behind is a difficult one. More often than not, different profiles and a reimagined outlook are part of the fix.

Newcastle missed out on a transfer that would have solved an issue

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali

Sandro Tonali (Image credit: Getty Images)

Newcastle signed Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City but he was substituted due to a suspected concussion just 18 minutes into their 4-1 loss at Leeds United on Monday night, leaving new manager Matthias Jaissle facing an acute issue.

There are high hopes for Sean Steur, signed from Ajax in the summer and brought on to replace Gonzalez at Elland Road, but Newcastle were one injury away from a midfield pairing with an average age of 19.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Lewis Miley is already a highly rated and well established member of the Newcastle team but Jaissle's only experienced central midfield options are Gonzalez and Joe Willock, the latter of which has been playing in a more advanced role under the German.

Aladji Bamba, like Miley, is 20 - and by the sounds of Jaissle's press conference communications, not ready. Steur and Bamba are exciting signings in the long run but Newcastle's midfield is short on numbers, light on experience and devoid of the kind of leadership both Guimaraes and Tonali had in abundance.

That's not lost on Newcastle. Just before the start of the season, their pursuit of a compelling signing with that very shortcoming fell through despite both clubs reportedly believing it was going to happen.

Indeed, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was even stripped of the Marseille captaincy when he pulled the plug on a £15 million move to St James' Park.

Hojbjerg would have been a short-term answer, but a good one. He's an experienced leader and an extra body, the perfect choice to come off the bench in situations like the one Jaissle faced on Monday.

Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg celebrates a win over Arsenal in the Premier League in May 2022.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Dane, now 31, has no shortage of Premier League know-how. Hojbjerg amassed 145 appearances in the top flight in four seasons with Southampton and another four at Tottenham Hotspur.

He's a physical and streetwise presence who could have been an appropriate foil for Newcastle's young midfielders if the worst happens.

Unfortunately for Jaissle, the worst did happen and Hojbjerg remains in the south of France having apparently blocked the move.

Gonzalez suffered a suspected concussion in West Yorkshire and the introduction of Steur from the bench was processed as a concussion substitution. Gonzalez will miss Newcastle's next game against Hull City due to FA concussion rules.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/newcastle-united-are-already-regretting-the-failed-transfer-that-left-matthias-jaissle-with-an-immediate-problem bkLnzvYXgnuXvm9MXFZu6F Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:03:34 +0000 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:05:53 +0000 false false false

Newcastle United are ruing a missed opportunity to bolster their depleted midfield in the summer transfer window.

The Magpies can claim to have sold Sandro Tonali and captain Bruno Guimaraes at the top of their value but they did so unwillingly and were left with a problem in the middle of the pitch.

When two players of that level depart at the same time, the recruitment challenge they leave behind is a difficult one. More often than not, different profiles and a reimagined outlook are part of the fix.

Newcastle missed out on a transfer that would have solved an issue

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali

Sandro Tonali (Image credit: Getty Images)

Newcastle signed Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City but he was substituted due to a suspected concussion just 18 minutes into their 4-1 loss at Leeds United on Monday night, leaving new manager Matthias Jaissle facing an acute issue.

There are high hopes for Sean Steur, signed from Ajax in the summer and brought on to replace Gonzalez at Elland Road, but Newcastle were one injury away from a midfield pairing with an average age of 19.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Lewis Miley is already a highly rated and well established member of the Newcastle team but Jaissle's only experienced central midfield options are Gonzalez and Joe Willock, the latter of which has been playing in a more advanced role under the German.

Aladji Bamba, like Miley, is 20 - and by the sounds of Jaissle's press conference communications, not ready. Steur and Bamba are exciting signings in the long run but Newcastle's midfield is short on numbers, light on experience and devoid of the kind of leadership both Guimaraes and Tonali had in abundance.

That's not lost on Newcastle. Just before the start of the season, their pursuit of a compelling signing with that very shortcoming fell through despite both clubs reportedly believing it was going to happen.

Indeed, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was even stripped of the Marseille captaincy when he pulled the plug on a £15 million move to St James' Park.

Hojbjerg would have been a short-term answer, but a good one. He's an experienced leader and an extra body, the perfect choice to come off the bench in situations like the one Jaissle faced on Monday.

Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg celebrates a win over Arsenal in the Premier League in May 2022.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Dane, now 31, has no shortage of Premier League know-how. Hojbjerg amassed 145 appearances in the top flight in four seasons with Southampton and another four at Tottenham Hotspur.

He's a physical and streetwise presence who could have been an appropriate foil for Newcastle's young midfielders if the worst happens.

Unfortunately for Jaissle, the worst did happen and Hojbjerg remains in the south of France having apparently blocked the move.

Gonzalez suffered a suspected concussion in West Yorkshire and the introduction of Steur from the bench was processed as a concussion substitution. Gonzalez will miss Newcastle's next game against Hull City due to FA concussion rules.

]]> <![CDATA[ Rebirth of a rivalry? Coventry City and Aston Villa clash again after 25 years apart ]]> In May 2001, John Mullaney stood among his fellow Coventry City supporters and thrust aloft a crudely fashioned sign of defiance: “We’ll be back.”

Coventry had been relegated from England’s top division for the first time, 34 years after Jimmy Hill became the first manager to take the Sky Blues out of the second tier in the right direction.

Mullaney was right, after a fashion. It took a quarter of a century and immeasurable despair, but Coventry are back in the Premier League.

‘They were our biggest local rivals when I was growing up’

Coventry City's Aurele Amenda is helped off the pitch by Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings

Coventry City's Aurele Amenda is helped off the pitch by Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings (Image credit: Getty Images)

But as the club capitalised on an updated version of their supporter’s handiwork to mark the occasion, the significance of where his homemade placard was displayed might have been lost to fans outside the West Midlands.

Nobody who filed into the Coventry Building Society Arena for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third round tie against Aston Villa was in that category. Coventry were relegated at Villa Park and there’s not a football stadium in the world where they wouldn’t have preferred to suffer.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Coventry and Villa haven’t been drawn together in the FA Cup or League Cup in the intervening years. It was with a cruel flourish that they were paired in the Sky Blues’ first season back in the Premier League.

Despite their proximity, the rivalry between Coventry and Villa – largely an off-the-pitch matter and not inaccurately described as a little one-side – is often overlooked.

FourFourTwo spoke to Steve, a Villa supporter, outside the ground before Unai Emery’s team faced Coventry.

“I remember sending [Coventry] down, but it was so long ago that I don’t really remember how I actually felt about it,” he said.

“It’s good for the region that they’re in the Premier League again but I can’t imagine they’ll stay long. I don’t mind saying that – they were our biggest local rivals when I was growing up even if we sometimes don’t like to admit it.

Aston Villa's Ibrahim Mbaye and Tammy Abraham

Ibrahim Mbaye and Tammy Abraham (Image credit: Getty Images)

“It’s just that I didn’t think about them for a moment in the time they were away.”

That’s the thing about one-sided rivalries. The supporters who don’t actively participate in it react badly to being disliked with such intensity, thus it’s seldom truly one-sided when push comes to shove.

Coventry were unable to harness a match with needle to kickstart their season

Aston Villa captain John McGinn and Yann Gboho of Coventry City

John McGinn and Yann Gboho (Image credit: Getty Images)

What’s not in doubt is that the rivalry with Villa, in some shape or form, is real for many Coventry fans.

The teams were together for years without others from Birmingham and the West Midlands crossing their paths all that often, and the Sky Blues’ relegation and a few players moving to Villa Park left a bad feeling.

“We’re a club without a mutual rivalry, I think it’s fair to say,” Dominic Jerams, the Coventry supporter behind Sideways Sammy, tells FourFourTwo.

“When I started going to Coventry games we were in the Premier League and Aston Villa were the main rivals. When we were first in the Championship, Leicester City became the big rivalry.

“Our rivalries have always been contextual. And there was Dion Dublin going to Villa. Moustapha Hadji. George Boateng. It was really galling after a while. As a young fan, they were all of my favourite players, so Villa have lingered as a rival in my mind.”

Rivals or not, Coventry and Villa arrived in the third round of the Carabao Cup in need of a springboard, and it was the visitors who booked their place in the fourth round and will hope to have earned a boost in confidence into the bargain.

Victor Torp scored a beautiful free kick to briefly give the home team hope, but Tammy Abraham scored two goals either side of Ross Barkley’s unmarked header as Villa put three goals past the Sky Blues again, quarter of a century after the last time.

For manager Frank Lampard and Coventry, there was no sweet relief and no respite from a brutally difficult start to the season. Six matches into 2026/27, a 4-2 win over Plymouth Argyle isn’t enough to ease a darkening mood.

By the time this fixture is replayed in the Premier League, both Lampard and Emery will know much more about where their teams stand.

Neither should read too much into their first encounter of the season. The Villa manager told reporters after the match that the Carabao Cup is important, not least as a possible route back into Europe, but sometimes matches pop into the fixture list that are really more for the fans than anything else.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/rebirth-of-a-rivalry-coventry-city-and-aston-villa-clash-again-after-25-years-apart oSckfnJYC3Q6aa2GFLiJUS Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:19:49 +0000 false false false

In May 2001, John Mullaney stood among his fellow Coventry City supporters and thrust aloft a crudely fashioned sign of defiance: “We’ll be back.”

Coventry had been relegated from England’s top division for the first time, 34 years after Jimmy Hill became the first manager to take the Sky Blues out of the second tier in the right direction.

Mullaney was right, after a fashion. It took a quarter of a century and immeasurable despair, but Coventry are back in the Premier League.

‘They were our biggest local rivals when I was growing up’

Coventry City's Aurele Amenda is helped off the pitch by Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings

Coventry City's Aurele Amenda is helped off the pitch by Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings (Image credit: Getty Images)

But as the club capitalised on an updated version of their supporter’s handiwork to mark the occasion, the significance of where his homemade placard was displayed might have been lost to fans outside the West Midlands.

Nobody who filed into the Coventry Building Society Arena for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third round tie against Aston Villa was in that category. Coventry were relegated at Villa Park and there’s not a football stadium in the world where they wouldn’t have preferred to suffer.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Coventry and Villa haven’t been drawn together in the FA Cup or League Cup in the intervening years. It was with a cruel flourish that they were paired in the Sky Blues’ first season back in the Premier League.

Despite their proximity, the rivalry between Coventry and Villa – largely an off-the-pitch matter and not inaccurately described as a little one-side – is often overlooked.

FourFourTwo spoke to Steve, a Villa supporter, outside the ground before Unai Emery’s team faced Coventry.

“I remember sending [Coventry] down, but it was so long ago that I don’t really remember how I actually felt about it,” he said.

“It’s good for the region that they’re in the Premier League again but I can’t imagine they’ll stay long. I don’t mind saying that – they were our biggest local rivals when I was growing up even if we sometimes don’t like to admit it.

Aston Villa's Ibrahim Mbaye and Tammy Abraham

Ibrahim Mbaye and Tammy Abraham (Image credit: Getty Images)

“It’s just that I didn’t think about them for a moment in the time they were away.”

That’s the thing about one-sided rivalries. The supporters who don’t actively participate in it react badly to being disliked with such intensity, thus it’s seldom truly one-sided when push comes to shove.

Coventry were unable to harness a match with needle to kickstart their season

Aston Villa captain John McGinn and Yann Gboho of Coventry City

John McGinn and Yann Gboho (Image credit: Getty Images)

What’s not in doubt is that the rivalry with Villa, in some shape or form, is real for many Coventry fans.

The teams were together for years without others from Birmingham and the West Midlands crossing their paths all that often, and the Sky Blues’ relegation and a few players moving to Villa Park left a bad feeling.

“We’re a club without a mutual rivalry, I think it’s fair to say,” Dominic Jerams, the Coventry supporter behind Sideways Sammy, tells FourFourTwo.

“When I started going to Coventry games we were in the Premier League and Aston Villa were the main rivals. When we were first in the Championship, Leicester City became the big rivalry.

“Our rivalries have always been contextual. And there was Dion Dublin going to Villa. Moustapha Hadji. George Boateng. It was really galling after a while. As a young fan, they were all of my favourite players, so Villa have lingered as a rival in my mind.”

Rivals or not, Coventry and Villa arrived in the third round of the Carabao Cup in need of a springboard, and it was the visitors who booked their place in the fourth round and will hope to have earned a boost in confidence into the bargain.

Victor Torp scored a beautiful free kick to briefly give the home team hope, but Tammy Abraham scored two goals either side of Ross Barkley’s unmarked header as Villa put three goals past the Sky Blues again, quarter of a century after the last time.

For manager Frank Lampard and Coventry, there was no sweet relief and no respite from a brutally difficult start to the season. Six matches into 2026/27, a 4-2 win over Plymouth Argyle isn’t enough to ease a darkening mood.

By the time this fixture is replayed in the Premier League, both Lampard and Emery will know much more about where their teams stand.

Neither should read too much into their first encounter of the season. The Villa manager told reporters after the match that the Carabao Cup is important, not least as a possible route back into Europe, but sometimes matches pop into the fixture list that are really more for the fans than anything else.

]]> <![CDATA[ Four Days of Derbies: Stream Celtic vs Rangers, Millwall vs West Ham, Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid and more... ]]> The footballing gods have blessed us with four days of footballing derbies that even Vinnie Jones couldn't have dreamt up.

From Thursday 17 September to Sunday 20 September, we have some huge games, all starting on Thursday as AFC Wimbledon take on their franchised rivals MK Dons.

That is just the appetiser for what arrives at the weekend, with Millwall meeting West Ham for the first time since 2012 in the showpiece on Saturday.

Sunday has four fixtures to keep an eye on, with the first Old Firm derby of the 2026/27 league season between Celtic and Rangers taking place at the same time as Wolves vs West Brom. The Madrid derby follows before it all concludes with Le Classique on Sunday evening, as Marseille welcome their bitter rivals PSG to the Stade Vélodrome.

Want to know how you can watch every game? We'll detail the key streams for all six matches below.

Four Days of Derbies: How to watch

AFC Wimbledon vs MK Dons (Thursday, 17 September, 8:00pm KO)

AFC Wimbledon Fans

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Dons Derby takes place on Thursday, with Wimbledon looking to see off their franchised rivals and move into the play-offs.

MK have started the season with five draws from six and are still searching for their first win since promotion last season.

Watch: Sky Sports (UK) | Paramount+ (US) | beIN Sports (AUS)

Millwall vs West Ham (Saturday, 19 September, 12:30pm KO)

Winston Reid of West Ham celebrates scoring their second goal during the npower Championship match between West Ham United and Millwall, at Boleyn Ground on February 04, 2012 in London, England.

(Image credit: Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

A rivalry reunited on Saturday lunchtime as the Dockers Derby takes place for the first time since 2012, when Winston Reid scored a second-half winner (pictured above).

Since then, West Ham have been promoted back to the Premier League, lifted a European trophy and been relegated to the Championship, while Millwall have continued to float between League One and the second tier.

Expect fireworks from the fans and players alike.

Watch: ITV (FREE) / Sky Sports (UK) | Paramount+ (US) | beIN Sports (AUS)

Wolves vs West Brom (Sunday, 20 September, 12:00pm KO)

Craig Dawson of Wolverhampton Wanderers clashes with Kyle Bartley of West Bromwich Albion during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Wolves

(Image credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The Black Country derby is the showpiece game of the EFL Championship on Sunday and a chance for the Baggies to exact revenge after a 2-0 defeat in a feisty FA Cup fourth-round tie in 2024.

Both sides have enjoyed decent starts to the season as well, losing only one league match to this point, and will hope that they will be thereabouts come the end of the season.

Watch: Sky Sports (UK) | Paramount+ (US) | beIN Sports (AUS)

► Read More: Marshall Munetsi and the midfield run that could help Wolves push for the Premier League

Celtic vs Rangers (Sunday, 20 September, 12:00pm KO)

Olwethu Makhanya of Rangers in possession of the ball under pressure from Benjamin Nygren of Celtic during the Premier Sports Cup Quarter Final match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.

(Image credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Just a week after Rangers won the opening Old Firm derby of the season in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals, the two rivals go head-to-head once again, this time at Celtic Park.

Martin O'Neill's side have made a perfect start to their Scottish Premiership campaign, winning all six of their games so far. Victory on Sunday would see them move eight points clear of second-placed Rangers, just under a fifth of the way through the season.

A response will certainly be expected from the Bhoys, who will have been shellshocked by their 3-0 defeat last weekend.

Watch: Sky Sports (UK) | Paramount+ (US) | beIN Sports (AUS)

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid (Sunday, 20 September, 3:15pm KO)

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid completes for the ball with Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF

(Image credit: Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

While not quite as big as El Clásico, the Madrid derby always carries a special feeling, and with José Mourinho returning to the Bernabéu this summer, the Simeone vs Mourinho headlines practically write themselves.

Both are renowned for their pragmatic approach to football, but they have had to reinvent themselves in recent years, with goals now flowing much more freely.

Real Madrid's attacking quartet of Yan Diomande, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé can scare any defence, but Atlético won't let that concern them. They have loved this fixture in recent years, suffering just one defeat in their last seven La Liga meetings with Los Blancos at home.

Watch: Premier Sports (UK) | ESPN (US) | beIN Sports (AUS)

Marseille vs PSG (Sunday, 20 September, 8:00pm KO)

PSG's Desire Doue takes a shot against Marseille in Ligue 1

(Image credit: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP via Getty Images)

Closing out the weekend of derbies is Le Classique in Ligue 1, as Marseille face PSG at the Stade Vélodrome.

Both sides have endured difficult starts to the season, winning just one of their opening four games, but a derby-day win can quickly change fortunes.

Expect Marseille to set the tempo at home, particularly after their 5-0 hammering at the hands of their bitter rivals last time out.

Watch: Ligue 1+ (UK) | beIN Sports (US) | N/A (AUS)

Watch from anywhere

If you're abroad this weekend you're going to find your streams of the derbies geo-restricted.

The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate NordVPN as the best VPN you can buy.

Get 75% off NordVPN + 3 months extra free

🥇 World's best VPN service
🙌 Fast, secure, easy to use
✅ Unblocks Streaming ServicesView Deal

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/four-days-of-derbies-stream-celtic-vs-rangers-millwall-vs-west-ham-atletico-madrid-vs-real-madrid-and-more dPybUsgLiCsTys3sMUnJUB Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 false false false

The footballing gods have blessed us with four days of footballing derbies that even Vinnie Jones couldn't have dreamt up.

From Thursday 17 September to Sunday 20 September, we have some huge games, all starting on Thursday as AFC Wimbledon take on their franchised rivals MK Dons.

That is just the appetiser for what arrives at the weekend, with Millwall meeting West Ham for the first time since 2012 in the showpiece on Saturday.

Sunday has four fixtures to keep an eye on, with the first Old Firm derby of the 2026/27 league season between Celtic and Rangers taking place at the same time as Wolves vs West Brom. The Madrid derby follows before it all concludes with Le Classique on Sunday evening, as Marseille welcome their bitter rivals PSG to the Stade Vélodrome.

Want to know how you can watch every game? We'll detail the key streams for all six matches below.

Four Days of Derbies: How to watch

AFC Wimbledon vs MK Dons (Thursday, 17 September, 8:00pm KO)

AFC Wimbledon Fans

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Dons Derby takes place on Thursday, with Wimbledon looking to see off their franchised rivals and move into the play-offs.

MK have started the season with five draws from six and are still searching for their first win since promotion last season.

Watch: Sky Sports (UK) | Paramount+ (US) | beIN Sports (AUS)

Millwall vs West Ham (Saturday, 19 September, 12:30pm KO)

Winston Reid of West Ham celebrates scoring their second goal during the npower Championship match between West Ham United and Millwall, at Boleyn Ground on February 04, 2012 in London, England.

(Image credit: Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

A rivalry reunited on Saturday lunchtime as the Dockers Derby takes place for the first time since 2012, when Winston Reid scored a second-half winner (pictured above).

Since then, West Ham have been promoted back to the Premier League, lifted a European trophy and been relegated to the Championship, while Millwall have continued to float between League One and the second tier.

Expect fireworks from the fans and players alike.

Watch: ITV (FREE) / Sky Sports (UK) | Paramount+ (US) | beIN Sports (AUS)

Wolves vs West Brom (Sunday, 20 September, 12:00pm KO)

Craig Dawson of Wolverhampton Wanderers clashes with Kyle Bartley of West Bromwich Albion during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Wolves

(Image credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The Black Country derby is the showpiece game of the EFL Championship on Sunday and a chance for the Baggies to exact revenge after a 2-0 defeat in a feisty FA Cup fourth-round tie in 2024.

Both sides have enjoyed decent starts to the season as well, losing only one league match to this point, and will hope that they will be thereabouts come the end of the season.

Watch: Sky Sports (UK) | Paramount+ (US) | beIN Sports (AUS)

► Read More: Marshall Munetsi and the midfield run that could help Wolves push for the Premier League

Celtic vs Rangers (Sunday, 20 September, 12:00pm KO)

Olwethu Makhanya of Rangers in possession of the ball under pressure from Benjamin Nygren of Celtic during the Premier Sports Cup Quarter Final match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.

(Image credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Just a week after Rangers won the opening Old Firm derby of the season in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals, the two rivals go head-to-head once again, this time at Celtic Park.

Martin O'Neill's side have made a perfect start to their Scottish Premiership campaign, winning all six of their games so far. Victory on Sunday would see them move eight points clear of second-placed Rangers, just under a fifth of the way through the season.

A response will certainly be expected from the Bhoys, who will have been shellshocked by their 3-0 defeat last weekend.

Watch: Sky Sports (UK) | Paramount+ (US) | beIN Sports (AUS)

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid (Sunday, 20 September, 3:15pm KO)

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid completes for the ball with Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF

(Image credit: Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

While not quite as big as El Clásico, the Madrid derby always carries a special feeling, and with José Mourinho returning to the Bernabéu this summer, the Simeone vs Mourinho headlines practically write themselves.

Both are renowned for their pragmatic approach to football, but they have had to reinvent themselves in recent years, with goals now flowing much more freely.

Real Madrid's attacking quartet of Yan Diomande, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé can scare any defence, but Atlético won't let that concern them. They have loved this fixture in recent years, suffering just one defeat in their last seven La Liga meetings with Los Blancos at home.

Watch: Premier Sports (UK) | ESPN (US) | beIN Sports (AUS)

Marseille vs PSG (Sunday, 20 September, 8:00pm KO)

PSG's Desire Doue takes a shot against Marseille in Ligue 1

(Image credit: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP via Getty Images)

Closing out the weekend of derbies is Le Classique in Ligue 1, as Marseille face PSG at the Stade Vélodrome.

Both sides have endured difficult starts to the season, winning just one of their opening four games, but a derby-day win can quickly change fortunes.

Expect Marseille to set the tempo at home, particularly after their 5-0 hammering at the hands of their bitter rivals last time out.

Watch: Ligue 1+ (UK) | beIN Sports (US) | N/A (AUS)

Watch from anywhere

If you're abroad this weekend you're going to find your streams of the derbies geo-restricted.

The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate NordVPN as the best VPN you can buy.

Get 75% off NordVPN + 3 months extra free

🥇 World's best VPN service
🙌 Fast, secure, easy to use
✅ Unblocks Streaming ServicesView Deal

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> <![CDATA[ "I’ll probably shed a tear - there will be a lot of emotion" Bournemouth legend explains what it means for Cherries to play in Europa League ]]> Bournemouth icon Steve Fletcher admits it could be an emotional evening for him on Thursday when he sees the club he has served almost non-stop since 1992 step onto the European stage for the first time.

The Cherries will visit Real Sociedad in the Europa League after securing a top-six finish last team to earn qualification.

Bournemouth's campaign looked to be stalling going into the new year, however, with Andoni Iraola's side having gone without a league win in their previous 11 games, stretching back to October.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

“There will be a lot of emotion when we play that first game in Europe"

Antoine Semenyo celebrates his final ever goal for Bournemouth

Antoine Semenyo's late winner against Spurs changed Bournemouth's season (Image credit: Getty Images)

But Semenyo's 95th-minute winner in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham just two days before he completed his transfer move to Manchester City turned the tide, with Bournemouth going unbeaten all the way through to the end of the season to secure 6th place.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, Fletcher said: “It was an incredible night. You couldn’t write it for him to score that goal as well. It was such a relief to win, because we hadn’t won a game for a while. But even before that, despite not winning, our performances had been improving.

Bournemouth stalwart Steve Fletcher

(Image credit: Getty Images)

“The boys were incredible when that moment came and Antoine left.

"We were so happy because he deserved his big move – the lads understood that we needed to step up and you could already see it happening in the performances.

“We went into every game thinking we could get three points because the team was full of confidence.

“We did very well at keeping the noise out of the camp and concentrating on our performances. In the last three games, we knew what we needed to do. We actually performed better under pressure.”

“To finish in a Europa League place and celebrate on the pitch with the staff, players, everyone associated with the club and all the fans was incredible.

“I don’t think it properly sank in until a couple of days later when I started going out on the streets and into supermarkets and restaurants, and people came to talk to me about it. The magnitude of what the club and that team achieved will live forever.

“There will be a lot of emotion when we play that first game in Europe.

“Personally, I’ll probably shed a tear and try to capture the moment as much as I can.”

Fletcher was speaking in association with MrQ, the new official sleeve partner of AFC Bournemouth.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/ill-probably-shed-a-tear-there-will-be-a-lot-of-emotion-bournemouth-legend-explains-what-it-means-for-cherries-to-play-in-europa-league wyJ5ftutjAkaByxKJhqbae Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 false false false

Bournemouth icon Steve Fletcher admits it could be an emotional evening for him on Thursday when he sees the club he has served almost non-stop since 1992 step onto the European stage for the first time.

The Cherries will visit Real Sociedad in the Europa League after securing a top-six finish last team to earn qualification.

Bournemouth's campaign looked to be stalling going into the new year, however, with Andoni Iraola's side having gone without a league win in their previous 11 games, stretching back to October.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

“There will be a lot of emotion when we play that first game in Europe"

Antoine Semenyo celebrates his final ever goal for Bournemouth

Antoine Semenyo's late winner against Spurs changed Bournemouth's season (Image credit: Getty Images)

But Semenyo's 95th-minute winner in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham just two days before he completed his transfer move to Manchester City turned the tide, with Bournemouth going unbeaten all the way through to the end of the season to secure 6th place.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, Fletcher said: “It was an incredible night. You couldn’t write it for him to score that goal as well. It was such a relief to win, because we hadn’t won a game for a while. But even before that, despite not winning, our performances had been improving.

Bournemouth stalwart Steve Fletcher

(Image credit: Getty Images)

“The boys were incredible when that moment came and Antoine left.

"We were so happy because he deserved his big move – the lads understood that we needed to step up and you could already see it happening in the performances.

“We went into every game thinking we could get three points because the team was full of confidence.

“We did very well at keeping the noise out of the camp and concentrating on our performances. In the last three games, we knew what we needed to do. We actually performed better under pressure.”

“To finish in a Europa League place and celebrate on the pitch with the staff, players, everyone associated with the club and all the fans was incredible.

“I don’t think it properly sank in until a couple of days later when I started going out on the streets and into supermarkets and restaurants, and people came to talk to me about it. The magnitude of what the club and that team achieved will live forever.

“There will be a lot of emotion when we play that first game in Europe.

“Personally, I’ll probably shed a tear and try to capture the moment as much as I can.”

Fletcher was speaking in association with MrQ, the new official sleeve partner of AFC Bournemouth.

]]> <![CDATA[ Quiz! Can you name every team competing in Europe this season? ]]> As the first round of league phase matches gets the European season underway in style, this FourFourTwo quiz presents one straightforward question with a whole host of tricky answers. How well do you know the teams playing in the three continental club competitions this season?

PLAY ALL QUIZZES

FourFourTwo football quizzes

(Image credit: Future)

PLAY NOW You can play all FourFourTwo quizzes right HERE

The Champions League, Europa League and Conference League are each administered by way of a monolithic mega-table and we simply want to know if you can name every team populating them.

That adds up to a whopping 108 teams and you can have 20 minutes to tap each one out in search of a green light.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

FourFourTwo has lots more football quizzes and they're all courtesy of Kwizly. If you enjoyed this one because it's a big 'un, try this on for size: Can you name every player to have ever scored a Premier League hat-trick?

We know you're busy, so we've got some snappier quizzes too. Here are a couple of them. Can you answer these questions about the Premier League in 2016-17 and name every team in the top two tiers of women's football in England?

But, if you do have some time on your hands today, we want you to name the first goalscorer of every Premier League season from the inaugural 1992-93 season right up to 2026-27

FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 69 features clues on boxers, badges and Barclaysmen. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of football trivia and analysis, and don't forget to join The Club: our free membership portal where you can secret hints and get on the leaderboard.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/quiz/quiz-can-you-name-every-team-competing-in-europe-this-season zwdd2QbpXaPwAEFm3QN2N Thu, 17 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0000 false false false

As the first round of league phase matches gets the European season underway in style, this FourFourTwo quiz presents one straightforward question with a whole host of tricky answers. How well do you know the teams playing in the three continental club competitions this season?

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FourFourTwo football quizzes

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The Champions League, Europa League and Conference League are each administered by way of a monolithic mega-table and we simply want to know if you can name every team populating them.

That adds up to a whopping 108 teams and you can have 20 minutes to tap each one out in search of a green light.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

FourFourTwo has lots more football quizzes and they're all courtesy of Kwizly. If you enjoyed this one because it's a big 'un, try this on for size: Can you name every player to have ever scored a Premier League hat-trick?

We know you're busy, so we've got some snappier quizzes too. Here are a couple of them. Can you answer these questions about the Premier League in 2016-17 and name every team in the top two tiers of women's football in England?

But, if you do have some time on your hands today, we want you to name the first goalscorer of every Premier League season from the inaugural 1992-93 season right up to 2026-27

FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 69 features clues on boxers, badges and Barclaysmen. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of football trivia and analysis, and don't forget to join The Club: our free membership portal where you can secret hints and get on the leaderboard.

]]> <![CDATA[ A Selhurst Park decision might just have sealed Crystal Palace's relegation this season ]]> It is standard fare for a recently appointed manager to praise their new club's supporters, but the detail in Pierre Sage’s answer suggested he really meant it.

“First of all, it’s about the league, to be really honest,” the Frenchman said last month when asked why he had chosen to join Crystal Palace. "And after that it is a special club. It is the only club [in the Premier League] with ultras, and as I said, I like to play for the fans.”

Unfortunately for Sage, he never got the chance to experience the atmosphere he signed up for. Palace’s ultras group, the Holmesdale Fanatics, disbanded on the eve of the new season. It has not taken long for their absence to be felt.

"The flat atmosphere was a topic of discussion after both matches"

Crystal Palace

The Holmesdale Fanatics were renowned for their pre-match displays (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Fanatics were founded in 2005 by a group of Palace season-ticket holders in Block B of the Holmesdale Road stand. By the end of that decade they were earning widespread praise for the colour, creativity and vibrancy they brought to the then-Championship club’s support, with flares and flags at the forefront and a drum setting the tempo for their European-style songs.

The Fanatics went from strength to strength following Palace’s promotion to the Premier League in 2013. Their entirely fan-funded tifos graced not only Selhurst Park, but Wembley and Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena, too. In 2019 the group moved from Block B near the corner flag to Block E directly behind the goal in the Holmesdale Road end, establishing itself as a vocal hub at the heart of Palace’s home support.

Adam Wharton

Crystal Palace have had a difficult start to the 2026/27 season (Image credit: Getty Images)

The hole they have left has been conspicuous in the early weeks of this season. Palace have lost their first two Premier League home games, 4-1 to Manchester City and 3-2 to Ipswich Town. The flat atmosphere was a topic of discussion after both matches.

The group’s decision to cease operations came as a surprise, even though tensions with the club had been building over the previous few years. Long-standing proponents of a grassroots, bottom-up approach to football fandom, the Fanatics have grown frustrated by the club’s increasingly top-down approach, exemplified by pre-match light shows and music blasted at a deafening volume immediately after the final whistle.

That culture clash over how best to generate an atmosphere formed part of their decision to step away.

“We have repeatedly warned the club that likeminded fans cannot congregate at Palace in the numbers required to sustain a growing active supporter culture,” a statement released in August said.

“There needs to be a drastic shift at Palace towards younger fans and a move away from a culture in which people attend the ground expecting to be entertained, towards a culture of supporters turning up to play an active role in influencing the result."

Pierre Sage

Pierre Sage has had a tricky start to his time as Crystal Palace manager (Image credit: Getty Images)

The statement also aired the Fanatics’ grievances with the broader state of the sport in England.

“Increasingly driven out by sky-high ticket prices, needless restrictions that are designed to strip away the dignity of supporters, and relentless harassment and legal action, many young people are choosing to opt out of a game that seems determined to push them away.”

While many Palace fans have mourned their departure from the scene, others have been less sympathetic. The move from Block B to Block E displaced many long-standing season-ticket holders, fuelling resentment. Some supporters were displeased when the Fanatics appeared to have a section of away ends reserved for them in last year’s Conference League campaign amid suspicions they had not accrued enough loyalty points to qualify. Inevitably, their forthright political stances divided the fan base, delighting some and dismaying others.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: A general view of the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park on May 10, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)

A general view of Selhurst Park (Image credit: Getty Images)

Yet overall the Holmesdale Fanatics were a force for good at Palace, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks the atmosphere at Selhurst Park is better for their absence.

Despite Selhurst’s reputation for being a difficult place to go, Palace have had a curiously mediocre record in front of their own fans for much of their current 13-year spell in the top flight. In nine of those seasons, the Eagles have finished higher in the Premier League’s away table than the home equivalent.

The situation is unlikely to improve now Selhurst Park has lost its beating heart. Right now, home is where the hurt is for Crystal Palace.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/a-selhurst-park-decision-might-just-have-sealed-crystal-palaces-relegation-this-season zN5MSXt8R8SgaTPyVGW7M6 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 false false false

It is standard fare for a recently appointed manager to praise their new club's supporters, but the detail in Pierre Sage’s answer suggested he really meant it.

“First of all, it’s about the league, to be really honest,” the Frenchman said last month when asked why he had chosen to join Crystal Palace. "And after that it is a special club. It is the only club [in the Premier League] with ultras, and as I said, I like to play for the fans.”

Unfortunately for Sage, he never got the chance to experience the atmosphere he signed up for. Palace’s ultras group, the Holmesdale Fanatics, disbanded on the eve of the new season. It has not taken long for their absence to be felt.

"The flat atmosphere was a topic of discussion after both matches"

Crystal Palace

The Holmesdale Fanatics were renowned for their pre-match displays (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Fanatics were founded in 2005 by a group of Palace season-ticket holders in Block B of the Holmesdale Road stand. By the end of that decade they were earning widespread praise for the colour, creativity and vibrancy they brought to the then-Championship club’s support, with flares and flags at the forefront and a drum setting the tempo for their European-style songs.

The Fanatics went from strength to strength following Palace’s promotion to the Premier League in 2013. Their entirely fan-funded tifos graced not only Selhurst Park, but Wembley and Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena, too. In 2019 the group moved from Block B near the corner flag to Block E directly behind the goal in the Holmesdale Road end, establishing itself as a vocal hub at the heart of Palace’s home support.

Adam Wharton

Crystal Palace have had a difficult start to the 2026/27 season (Image credit: Getty Images)

The hole they have left has been conspicuous in the early weeks of this season. Palace have lost their first two Premier League home games, 4-1 to Manchester City and 3-2 to Ipswich Town. The flat atmosphere was a topic of discussion after both matches.

The group’s decision to cease operations came as a surprise, even though tensions with the club had been building over the previous few years. Long-standing proponents of a grassroots, bottom-up approach to football fandom, the Fanatics have grown frustrated by the club’s increasingly top-down approach, exemplified by pre-match light shows and music blasted at a deafening volume immediately after the final whistle.

That culture clash over how best to generate an atmosphere formed part of their decision to step away.

“We have repeatedly warned the club that likeminded fans cannot congregate at Palace in the numbers required to sustain a growing active supporter culture,” a statement released in August said.

“There needs to be a drastic shift at Palace towards younger fans and a move away from a culture in which people attend the ground expecting to be entertained, towards a culture of supporters turning up to play an active role in influencing the result."

Pierre Sage

Pierre Sage has had a tricky start to his time as Crystal Palace manager (Image credit: Getty Images)

The statement also aired the Fanatics’ grievances with the broader state of the sport in England.

“Increasingly driven out by sky-high ticket prices, needless restrictions that are designed to strip away the dignity of supporters, and relentless harassment and legal action, many young people are choosing to opt out of a game that seems determined to push them away.”

While many Palace fans have mourned their departure from the scene, others have been less sympathetic. The move from Block B to Block E displaced many long-standing season-ticket holders, fuelling resentment. Some supporters were displeased when the Fanatics appeared to have a section of away ends reserved for them in last year’s Conference League campaign amid suspicions they had not accrued enough loyalty points to qualify. Inevitably, their forthright political stances divided the fan base, delighting some and dismaying others.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: A general view of the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park on May 10, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)

A general view of Selhurst Park (Image credit: Getty Images)

Yet overall the Holmesdale Fanatics were a force for good at Palace, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks the atmosphere at Selhurst Park is better for their absence.

Despite Selhurst’s reputation for being a difficult place to go, Palace have had a curiously mediocre record in front of their own fans for much of their current 13-year spell in the top flight. In nine of those seasons, the Eagles have finished higher in the Premier League’s away table than the home equivalent.

The situation is unlikely to improve now Selhurst Park has lost its beating heart. Right now, home is where the hurt is for Crystal Palace.

]]> <![CDATA[ Quickfire Quiz 204: Can you answer 10 questions in 90 seconds? ]]> It's time for another FourFourTwo Quickfire Quiz. You've got 90 seconds to answer 10 tricky football trivia questions, so let's get started.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

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Quickfire Quiz

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QUICKFIRE QUIZ Play more Quickfire Quizzes

FourFourTwo has loads of football quizzes, all courtesy of Kwizly. First, can you name the 50 most expensive signings ever made by Barcelona or Real Madrid?

We also want to know if you can tell us the three most expensive Premier League signings of every summer since 1992 and every team in the top two tiers of women's football in England?

Fancy some questions about the Premier League's most celebrated one-season wonders, the players who made a big but brief impression in their time in England's top division? Of course you do.

Next, we have a couple of quizzes that ask you to put some groups of four into the correct order – one about players and their Premier League appearances, the other about teams and their titles.

If you're a players expert rather than a teams nut, our huge career paths quiz is for you. How many of those 100 career paths can you identify? Lastly, can you name every team in the Football League right now? There's only one way to find out.

We have puzzles too. Our Weekend Crossword is a regular football teaser for your Sunday, and remember to sign up to the newsletter for more quizzes in your inbox. Don't forget to join The Club for free additional membership benefits!

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/quiz/quickfire-quiz-204 FoFwjGdLWVhXgkU9r8VzP4 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000 false false false

It's time for another FourFourTwo Quickfire Quiz. You've got 90 seconds to answer 10 tricky football trivia questions, so let's get started.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

PLAY MORE

Quickfire Quiz

(Image credit: Future)

QUICKFIRE QUIZ Play more Quickfire Quizzes

FourFourTwo has loads of football quizzes, all courtesy of Kwizly. First, can you name the 50 most expensive signings ever made by Barcelona or Real Madrid?

We also want to know if you can tell us the three most expensive Premier League signings of every summer since 1992 and every team in the top two tiers of women's football in England?

Fancy some questions about the Premier League's most celebrated one-season wonders, the players who made a big but brief impression in their time in England's top division? Of course you do.

Next, we have a couple of quizzes that ask you to put some groups of four into the correct order – one about players and their Premier League appearances, the other about teams and their titles.

If you're a players expert rather than a teams nut, our huge career paths quiz is for you. How many of those 100 career paths can you identify? Lastly, can you name every team in the Football League right now? There's only one way to find out.

We have puzzles too. Our Weekend Crossword is a regular football teaser for your Sunday, and remember to sign up to the newsletter for more quizzes in your inbox. Don't forget to join The Club for free additional membership benefits!

]]> <![CDATA[ 'The Rolls Royce of budget defenders right now' Six of the best FPL differentials your team needs in Gameweek 5 ]]> In Fantasy Premier League (FPL) finding the right differentials at the right time is often what makes the difference between a good season and a great one.

A differential is any player owned by 15 per cent or fewer managers, and these can help you surge up the rankings in a way that would take weeks to achieve through more predictable choices.

With four gameweeks of data now available the picture is clear enough to find the players who are really performing under the radar. Here are six worth considering this week:

Best FPL Differentials in 2026/27

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal kisses the Premier League trophy.

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal kisses the Premier League trophy. (Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)

Bukayo Saka - Arsenal

Price: £9.5m

Owned by: 12.3%

GW5 Fixture: Brighton (a)

Saka has been sharp all season. The numbers back that up as Saka is top among midfielders for Expected Goals (xG) so far.

What has been most encouraging is the minutes - 90, 89 and 90 - in his three Premier League games. A rest in the Carabao Cup during midweek means he arrives into this gameweek fresh and ready to perform. The upcoming schedule beyond GW5 is also very good with captaincy potential in GW6, GW8 and GW10.

Morgan Gibbs-White - Nottingham Forest

Morgan Gibbs-White

Morgan Gibbs-White (Image credit: Getty Images)

Price: £8.0m

Owned by: 12.5%

GW5 Fixture: Coventry (h)

A home game against a Coventry side that has let in the most goals in the league without scoring any of their own is a very good chance to pick up points.

Gibbs-White is on set pieces and penalties, making him Forest's obvious talisman. His chance creation makes him a constant bonus point magnet as well. He earned all three bonus points in GW4 from an assist, which shows how involved he is in everything Forest do going forward.

Thierno Barry - Everton

Tyrique George and Everton frontman Thierno Barry

Thierno Barry (L) (Image credit: Getty Images)

Price: £5.6m

Owned by: 6.6%

GW5 Fixture: Ipswich (h)

Probably the most interesting differential on the entire list is Thierno Barry. His place in the starting line-up is secure and Iliman Ndiaye’s departure has opened the door for him to take penalty duties.

At £5.6m, he allows significant upgrades across the rest of the FPL squad as well. The data only strengthens the case further with Barry sitting among all forwards for xG this season, behind only Erling Haaland. That is not a number you can ignore.

James Tarkowski - Everton

James Tarkowski

James Tarkowski (Image credit: Getty Images)

Price: £6.1m

Owned by: 13.3%

GW5 Fixture: Ipswich (h)

Playing in a defence that has let in just three goals across the first four matches, Tarkowski heads into this gameweek with newly-promoted pair Ipswich Town and Hull City as his next two fixtures.

Reliable for defensive contributions, he brings an aerial threat from set pieces and is certain to start. A simple choice for those looking to strengthen at the back.

Jan Paul van Hecke - Tottenham Hotspur

Jan Paul van Hecke

Jan Paul van Hecke (Image credit: Getty Images)

Price: £4.9m

Owned by: 6.7%

GW5 Fixture: Aston Villa (h)

Much like Tarkowski, Van Hecke is completely reliable, solid for defensive contributions and brings aerial threat from dead ball situations. Spurs have kept back-to-back clean sheets heading into this weekend and face an Aston Villa side that has scored just once all season.

The upcoming home fixtures make him a more appealing long-term hold and at under £5.0m the price is great for what he offers.

Tarik Muharemovic - Leeds United

Tarik Muharemovic

Tarik Muharemovic (Image credit: Getty Images)

Price: £5.0m

Owned by: 4.0%

GW5 Fixture: Crystal Palace (h)

The player who has impressed the most so far this season belongs to Leeds. Muharemovic has adapted to Premier League football with ease, is second among all defenders for defensive contributions after four matches and brings real set piece threat on top of that.

A home game against Crystal Palace this week, with an ownership of 4% and a price that allows the rest of the team to be built around premium players, the Bosnian really is the Rolls Royce of budget defenders right now.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/tactic/the-rolls-royce-of-budget-defenders-right-now-six-of-the-best-fpl-differentials-your-team-needs-in-gameweek-5 X6HnZmfGkjT4YGAoa5CwLU Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 +0000 false false false

In Fantasy Premier League (FPL) finding the right differentials at the right time is often what makes the difference between a good season and a great one.

A differential is any player owned by 15 per cent or fewer managers, and these can help you surge up the rankings in a way that would take weeks to achieve through more predictable choices.

With four gameweeks of data now available the picture is clear enough to find the players who are really performing under the radar. Here are six worth considering this week:

Best FPL Differentials in 2026/27

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal kisses the Premier League trophy.

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal kisses the Premier League trophy. (Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)

Bukayo Saka - Arsenal

Price: £9.5m

Owned by: 12.3%

GW5 Fixture: Brighton (a)

Saka has been sharp all season. The numbers back that up as Saka is top among midfielders for Expected Goals (xG) so far.

What has been most encouraging is the minutes - 90, 89 and 90 - in his three Premier League games. A rest in the Carabao Cup during midweek means he arrives into this gameweek fresh and ready to perform. The upcoming schedule beyond GW5 is also very good with captaincy potential in GW6, GW8 and GW10.

Morgan Gibbs-White - Nottingham Forest

Morgan Gibbs-White

Morgan Gibbs-White (Image credit: Getty Images)

Price: £8.0m

Owned by: 12.5%

GW5 Fixture: Coventry (h)

A home game against a Coventry side that has let in the most goals in the league without scoring any of their own is a very good chance to pick up points.

Gibbs-White is on set pieces and penalties, making him Forest's obvious talisman. His chance creation makes him a constant bonus point magnet as well. He earned all three bonus points in GW4 from an assist, which shows how involved he is in everything Forest do going forward.

Thierno Barry - Everton

Tyrique George and Everton frontman Thierno Barry

Thierno Barry (L) (Image credit: Getty Images)

Price: £5.6m

Owned by: 6.6%

GW5 Fixture: Ipswich (h)

Probably the most interesting differential on the entire list is Thierno Barry. His place in the starting line-up is secure and Iliman Ndiaye’s departure has opened the door for him to take penalty duties.

At £5.6m, he allows significant upgrades across the rest of the FPL squad as well. The data only strengthens the case further with Barry sitting among all forwards for xG this season, behind only Erling Haaland. That is not a number you can ignore.

James Tarkowski - Everton

James Tarkowski

James Tarkowski (Image credit: Getty Images)

Price: £6.1m

Owned by: 13.3%

GW5 Fixture: Ipswich (h)

Playing in a defence that has let in just three goals across the first four matches, Tarkowski heads into this gameweek with newly-promoted pair Ipswich Town and Hull City as his next two fixtures.

Reliable for defensive contributions, he brings an aerial threat from set pieces and is certain to start. A simple choice for those looking to strengthen at the back.

Jan Paul van Hecke - Tottenham Hotspur

Jan Paul van Hecke

Jan Paul van Hecke (Image credit: Getty Images)

Price: £4.9m

Owned by: 6.7%

GW5 Fixture: Aston Villa (h)

Much like Tarkowski, Van Hecke is completely reliable, solid for defensive contributions and brings aerial threat from dead ball situations. Spurs have kept back-to-back clean sheets heading into this weekend and face an Aston Villa side that has scored just once all season.

The upcoming home fixtures make him a more appealing long-term hold and at under £5.0m the price is great for what he offers.

Tarik Muharemovic - Leeds United

Tarik Muharemovic

Tarik Muharemovic (Image credit: Getty Images)

Price: £5.0m

Owned by: 4.0%

GW5 Fixture: Crystal Palace (h)

The player who has impressed the most so far this season belongs to Leeds. Muharemovic has adapted to Premier League football with ease, is second among all defenders for defensive contributions after four matches and brings real set piece threat on top of that.

A home game against Crystal Palace this week, with an ownership of 4% and a price that allows the rest of the team to be built around premium players, the Bosnian really is the Rolls Royce of budget defenders right now.

]]> <![CDATA[ 'Kylian Mbappe is the greatest threat to Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or success' Ruud Gullit issues Bayern Munich star a Galactico warning ]]> Former Ballon d'Or winner Ruud Gullit has explained how he believes Kylian Mbappe could receive the France Football award, citing “personal preference” as the deciding factor.

The Dutchman narrowed his list down to three names: Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane, then admitted that “no one has stood out” as the Ballon d'Or’s clear winner.

Gullit claimed that it is usually “not too difficult” to pick out the France Football award’s victor, and that voters will have a tougher time in 2026.

Ruud Gullit explains why “personal preference” could win Kylian Mbappe the Ballon d'Or

Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard pose for a photo. Gullit is holding the Ballon d'Or.

Gullit knows how to win the Ballon d'Or.

Speaking with ComeOn, the Dutchman stated that “personal preference” will be a considerable factor in the minds of Ballon d'Or voters, with Mbappe, Yamal and Kane each possessing similar claims.

Gullit said: “Kylian Mbappe was the top scorer at the World Cup, Harry Kane was the top scorer in the Bundesliga, but Erling Haaland was top scorer in the Premier League and won two trophies.

Harry Kane looks on during the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich.

Gullit was impressed by Harry Kane, but believes his claim isn't necessarily the standout. (Image credit: Getty Images)

“Rodri was excellent for Spain and had a fantastic World Cup. Lamine Yamal? We all love him but he was not the star of the World Cup final, and he didn’t make it to the Champions League final.

“So there’s a lot to think about,” confessed the Dutchman. “I think this year the winner is going to be picked out of personal preference, not so much on what they have achieved."

For Mbappe, that could spell positive omens. With Yamal and Kane unable to produce clear-cut cases for their worthiness over the Frenchman, it is “personal preference” that could see him emerge as victor.

Kane has, like many Premier League players of the 2010s, historically been snubbed for the award, while Mbappe and Yamal have each received podium finishes.

Should Ballon d'Or voters decide that the Frenchman has waited long enough, coupled with Yamal having additional years left to win France Football’s award, then the trophy could be his come October.

Rodri lifts the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy, Spain squad celebrate behind him.

Spain won the World Cup, but Yamal was not the star, believes Gullit. (Image credit: Getty Images)

On who he would choose, Gullit was undecided. “If I was picking based on my personal preference, it would be between three players but I cannot pick between them because it is too hard,” he confessed.

“None of them won the Champions League this year. Yamal won the World Cup but he was not the main man for Spain. [But] I can understand why people would vote for Yamal.

“I can understand why people would vote for Mbappe, [and] why people would vote for Kane,” he continued. “That’s why they are the three I would pick, but don’t ask me to pick just one of them.”

“What Kane has done in Germany is unbelievable, but then I watched the World Cup, and I watched the Champions League, and what Mbappe and Yamal did is also unbelievable,” Gullit concluded.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/former-ballon-dor-winner-explains-how-kylian-mbappe-could-win-france-football-award UrfjaqvSEyN2nwDEp2mEFU Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:30:00 +0000 false false false

Former Ballon d'Or winner Ruud Gullit has explained how he believes Kylian Mbappe could receive the France Football award, citing “personal preference” as the deciding factor.

The Dutchman narrowed his list down to three names: Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane, then admitted that “no one has stood out” as the Ballon d'Or’s clear winner.

Gullit claimed that it is usually “not too difficult” to pick out the France Football award’s victor, and that voters will have a tougher time in 2026.

Ruud Gullit explains why “personal preference” could win Kylian Mbappe the Ballon d'Or

Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard pose for a photo. Gullit is holding the Ballon d'Or.

Gullit knows how to win the Ballon d'Or.

Speaking with ComeOn, the Dutchman stated that “personal preference” will be a considerable factor in the minds of Ballon d'Or voters, with Mbappe, Yamal and Kane each possessing similar claims.

Gullit said: “Kylian Mbappe was the top scorer at the World Cup, Harry Kane was the top scorer in the Bundesliga, but Erling Haaland was top scorer in the Premier League and won two trophies.

Harry Kane looks on during the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich.

Gullit was impressed by Harry Kane, but believes his claim isn't necessarily the standout. (Image credit: Getty Images)

“Rodri was excellent for Spain and had a fantastic World Cup. Lamine Yamal? We all love him but he was not the star of the World Cup final, and he didn’t make it to the Champions League final.

“So there’s a lot to think about,” confessed the Dutchman. “I think this year the winner is going to be picked out of personal preference, not so much on what they have achieved."

For Mbappe, that could spell positive omens. With Yamal and Kane unable to produce clear-cut cases for their worthiness over the Frenchman, it is “personal preference” that could see him emerge as victor.

Kane has, like many Premier League players of the 2010s, historically been snubbed for the award, while Mbappe and Yamal have each received podium finishes.

Should Ballon d'Or voters decide that the Frenchman has waited long enough, coupled with Yamal having additional years left to win France Football’s award, then the trophy could be his come October.

Rodri lifts the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy, Spain squad celebrate behind him.

Spain won the World Cup, but Yamal was not the star, believes Gullit. (Image credit: Getty Images)

On who he would choose, Gullit was undecided. “If I was picking based on my personal preference, it would be between three players but I cannot pick between them because it is too hard,” he confessed.

“None of them won the Champions League this year. Yamal won the World Cup but he was not the main man for Spain. [But] I can understand why people would vote for Yamal.

“I can understand why people would vote for Mbappe, [and] why people would vote for Kane,” he continued. “That’s why they are the three I would pick, but don’t ask me to pick just one of them.”

“What Kane has done in Germany is unbelievable, but then I watched the World Cup, and I watched the Champions League, and what Mbappe and Yamal did is also unbelievable,” Gullit concluded.

]]> <![CDATA[ How to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar for FREE: Live streams and TV channels for Black Cats' Europa League opener ]]> Watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar as the Black Cats begin a historic Europa League campaign at the Stadium of Light, with FourFourTwo bringing you all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar: key information

It promises to be a special night on Wearside, as Sunderland play their first European game for 53 years - and the first-ever continental clash at the Stadium of Light.

They face an Alkmaar side who sit second in the Eredivisie, the Netherlands' top flight, following an unbeaten start to the domestic campaign.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar online and from anywhere, in the Europa League 2026/27.

Can I watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar for free?

Yes, Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar will be broadcast for free in Brazil on CazeTV's YouTube Channel.

The YouTube Channel requires no account or subscription, just click the link above and stream.

Those outside Brazil can use NordVPN to unlock the stream from anywhere in the world.

Watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar from anywhere

Away from home right now? You don't have to miss Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar.

The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate NordVPN as the best VPN you can buy.

Get 75% off NordVPN + 3 months extra free

🥇 World's best VPN service
🙌 Fast, secure, easy to use
✅ Unblocks CazeTV
📺 Stream Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar from anywhereView Deal

How to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar in the UK

Fans in the UK can watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar on TNT Sports and its streaming partner HBO Max.

The game is live on TNT Sports 1, with kick-off at 8:00pm BST.

Watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar on TNT Sports and HBO Max

TNT Sports is the home of European football in the UK, with live coverage of every Europa League and Conference League game, plus the vast majority of Champions League matches. You can add TNT Sports to your TV package for around £25-£30 per month on a long-term contract, but the easiest way to watch is through the HBO Max streaming platform for £25.99/month. View Deal

How to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar in the US

US viewers can watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar on Paramount+. Kick-off is at 3:00pm ET.

Watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar on Paramount+

All Europa League fixtures are shown live on the Paramount+ streaming platform, included on the Essential package for $8.99 a month. You will also get access to every Champions League and Conference League game, as well as selected EFL matches.View Deal

How to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar in Australia

Stan Sport is the home of the Europa League in Australia and is the place to go to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar. Kick-off is at 5:00am AEST on Thursday.

Watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar on Stan Sport

Fans in Australia can watch Europa League live streams on Stan Sport, with prices starting at AU$29.99 a month. View Deal

Tickets

Get VIP Premier League tickets HERE with Seat Unique!

For a die-hard fan, Seat Unique is a shortcut to those sold-out, high-stakes Premier League matches that usually feel out of reach without years of loyalty points. By partnering directly with clubs like Manchester United, Spurs, and Everton, they provide 100% official, guaranteed entry without the red tape of memberships or ballots. It’s a secure way to bypass the resale lottery and walk straight into the ground with a prime view, making those "once-in-a-lifetime" derbies actually doable.View Deal

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar: Preview

Sunderland's Europa League clash with AZ Alkmaar is more than half a century in the making.

It is 53 years since the Black Cats embarked on their only previous European campaign, which ended in an aggregate defeat against Portuguese giants Sporting in the second round of the 1973/74 European Cup Winners' Cup.

The club have spent more seasons in League One than the Premier League over the past decade, but their remarkable rise under manager Regis Le Bris will reach another milestone when they entertain the Dutch side in the first-ever continental clash at the Stadium of Light.

This is the first of eight league phase fixtures Sunderland will play between now and January, which includes facing AC Milan at the San Siro in December, and you can bet that the Black Cats' fans will savour every minute.

SEE ALSO How to watch Europa League live streams from anywhere

Le Bris will be determined to ensure Sunderland progress beyond the league phase, but they have been handed a tough test in their opening game.

Alkmaar are experienced campaigners at European level and have reached both the quarter-finals and the semi-finals of the Conference League in the past four years, while they have made a terrific start to the Eredivisie season.

The Dutch side are second in the table after winning their opening five top-flight matches, before their perfect start came to an end against Willem II last Friday.

Alkmaar are captained by former Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie, who scored against Willem, while winger Ro-Zangelo Daal and striker Mexx Meerdink have been in great form this season, each finding the net four times in the league.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Sunderland 1-1 AZ Alkmaar

This is a tough game for Sunderland but they are capable of taking at least a point, on what will be an emotional night.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/watch-sunderland-vs-az-alkmaar-europa-league-2026-27 XFCYwkXCDqvXnDaFM4xv6T Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0000 false false false

Watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar as the Black Cats begin a historic Europa League campaign at the Stadium of Light, with FourFourTwo bringing you all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar: key information

It promises to be a special night on Wearside, as Sunderland play their first European game for 53 years - and the first-ever continental clash at the Stadium of Light.

They face an Alkmaar side who sit second in the Eredivisie, the Netherlands' top flight, following an unbeaten start to the domestic campaign.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar online and from anywhere, in the Europa League 2026/27.

Can I watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar for free?

Yes, Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar will be broadcast for free in Brazil on CazeTV's YouTube Channel.

The YouTube Channel requires no account or subscription, just click the link above and stream.

Those outside Brazil can use NordVPN to unlock the stream from anywhere in the world.

Watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar from anywhere

Away from home right now? You don't have to miss Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar.

The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate NordVPN as the best VPN you can buy.

Get 75% off NordVPN + 3 months extra free

🥇 World's best VPN service
🙌 Fast, secure, easy to use
✅ Unblocks CazeTV
📺 Stream Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar from anywhereView Deal

How to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar in the UK

Fans in the UK can watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar on TNT Sports and its streaming partner HBO Max.

The game is live on TNT Sports 1, with kick-off at 8:00pm BST.

Watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar on TNT Sports and HBO Max

TNT Sports is the home of European football in the UK, with live coverage of every Europa League and Conference League game, plus the vast majority of Champions League matches. You can add TNT Sports to your TV package for around £25-£30 per month on a long-term contract, but the easiest way to watch is through the HBO Max streaming platform for £25.99/month. View Deal

How to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar in the US

US viewers can watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar on Paramount+. Kick-off is at 3:00pm ET.

Watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar on Paramount+

All Europa League fixtures are shown live on the Paramount+ streaming platform, included on the Essential package for $8.99 a month. You will also get access to every Champions League and Conference League game, as well as selected EFL matches.View Deal

How to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar in Australia

Stan Sport is the home of the Europa League in Australia and is the place to go to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar. Kick-off is at 5:00am AEST on Thursday.

Watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar on Stan Sport

Fans in Australia can watch Europa League live streams on Stan Sport, with prices starting at AU$29.99 a month. View Deal

Tickets

Get VIP Premier League tickets HERE with Seat Unique!

For a die-hard fan, Seat Unique is a shortcut to those sold-out, high-stakes Premier League matches that usually feel out of reach without years of loyalty points. By partnering directly with clubs like Manchester United, Spurs, and Everton, they provide 100% official, guaranteed entry without the red tape of memberships or ballots. It’s a secure way to bypass the resale lottery and walk straight into the ground with a prime view, making those "once-in-a-lifetime" derbies actually doable.View Deal

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar: Preview

Sunderland's Europa League clash with AZ Alkmaar is more than half a century in the making.

It is 53 years since the Black Cats embarked on their only previous European campaign, which ended in an aggregate defeat against Portuguese giants Sporting in the second round of the 1973/74 European Cup Winners' Cup.

The club have spent more seasons in League One than the Premier League over the past decade, but their remarkable rise under manager Regis Le Bris will reach another milestone when they entertain the Dutch side in the first-ever continental clash at the Stadium of Light.

This is the first of eight league phase fixtures Sunderland will play between now and January, which includes facing AC Milan at the San Siro in December, and you can bet that the Black Cats' fans will savour every minute.

SEE ALSO How to watch Europa League live streams from anywhere

Le Bris will be determined to ensure Sunderland progress beyond the league phase, but they have been handed a tough test in their opening game.

Alkmaar are experienced campaigners at European level and have reached both the quarter-finals and the semi-finals of the Conference League in the past four years, while they have made a terrific start to the Eredivisie season.

The Dutch side are second in the table after winning their opening five top-flight matches, before their perfect start came to an end against Willem II last Friday.

Alkmaar are captained by former Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie, who scored against Willem, while winger Ro-Zangelo Daal and striker Mexx Meerdink have been in great form this season, each finding the net four times in the league.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Sunderland 1-1 AZ Alkmaar

This is a tough game for Sunderland but they are capable of taking at least a point, on what will be an emotional night.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> <![CDATA[ Manchester United vs Brighton FREE live stream: TV Channels, Kick-Off Time and Prediction for Carabao Cup 3rd Round Tie ]]> Watch Manchester United vs Brighton for free in the Carabao Cup 3rd round, with FourFourTwo bringing you all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Manchester United vs Brighton: key information

Michael Carrick's side will be desperate to hit back from their derby-day defeat to Manchester City on Sunday and secure a spot in the last 16.

For Brighton, the Carabao Cup will offer a great opportunity for silverware, and they have looked in scintillating form in the attacking third of the pitch so far this season, with 13 goals to their name in the Premier League.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Manchester United vs Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round online and from anywhere, including for free.

Watch Manchester United vs Brighton for FREE

Manchester United vs Brighton will be broadcast for free in the UK on ITV1 and ITVX.

Coverage of the fixture will begin at 7:30pm BST with kick-off arriving at 8:00pm.

Abroad for this game? Use NordVPN to unlock your free United vs Brighton stream online from anywhere in the world.

Watch Manchester United vs Brighton from anywhere

Away from home for today's game? You don't have to miss Manchester United vs Brighton because of geo-restrictions.

The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate NordVPN as the best VPN you can buy.

Get 75% off NordVPN + 3 months extra free

🥇 World's best VPN service
🙌 Fast, secure, easy to use
✅ Unblocks ITVX
📺 Stream Man U vs Brighton from anywhereView Deal

How to watch Manchester United vs Brighton in the UK

As alluded to earlier, Manchester United vs Brighton is free-to-air on ITV1 and ITVX.

The game is also live on Sky Sports, with coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Watch Manchester United vs Brighton on Sky Sports

Sky Sports is the main rights-holder for the 2026/2027 Carabao Cup in the UK, with every game live on Sky Sports' channels or the Sky+ bonus streaming offering. Plans start from £35 a month on a long-term TV contract, while new customers on a 24-month Sky TV contract can add Sky Sports for £20 a month. You can also stream short-term for a similar cost via Now TV. View Deal

How to watch Manchester United vs Brighton in the US

Paramount+ will broadcast Manchester United vs Brighton in the US. Kick-off is at 3:00pm ET.

Watch Manchester United vs Brighton on Paramount+

Manchester United vs Brighton is one of a select number of Carabao Cup fixtures shown live on the Paramount+ Essential package, which costs $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year. The Essential plan also gets you access to the Champions League, Europa League and EFL games.View Deal

How to watch Manchester United vs Brighton in Australia

Manchester United vs Brighton will be live on beIN SPORTS 2 and the beIN SPORTS Connect streaming platform. Kick-off is at 5:00am AEST on Thursday.

Watch Manchester United vs Brighton on beIN SPORTS

Watch every Carabao Cup 2026/27 game live on beIN SPORTS for $16.99 a month or $169.99 a year. Both plans include a 7-day free trial. beIN SPORTS will also have live coverage of several matches in the Championship, League One and League Two, including the play-offs.View Deal

Manchester United vs Brighton: Preview

Derby day couldn't have been much more embarrassing for Manchester United on Sunday as, despite Man City's Phil Foden getting a red card, they fell to a 1-0 defeat. Albeit, that goal was awarded in strange offside circumstances, the Red Devils failed to create much, with Bruno Fernandes spending more time trying to stop Erling Haaland rather than dictating play.

Creating shouldn't be an issue against a Brighton side which has a tendency to concede chances, but at the other end of the pitch United will need to tighten it up.

They have looked susceptible to conceding at any time and, with Carlos Baleba and Matthijs de Ligt still out, they have little option to change personnel at the back.

SEE ALSO How to watch Carabao Cup 2026/27: TV Guide, Free Streams & Fixtures — Round 3

For Brighton, the Carabao Cup may not be a huge priority with Europe on the calendar and a strong start to the 2026/27 Premier League. But they appear a team who could make a deep run, all things considered.

Going forward, they have been nothing short of magical so far this term and have already hit 17 goals in all competitions, including four against Aston Villa and five against Coventry on the weekend.

But the Seagulls do have a stacked injury list and may not be able to afford many changes today if they envisage a place in the fourth round.

Femi Azeez is a possibility to make his debut after signing from Millwall, while Georginio Rutter is expected to take some part following his injury.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Manchester United 2-4 Brighton

Brighton have won four of their last five visits to Old Trafford, and United's defence will leak plenty of goals again this Wednesday.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/watch-manchester-united-vs-brighton-free-carabao-cup-3rd-round cyCvY27D6GApLJ2Vhr5UeA Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0000 false false false

Watch Manchester United vs Brighton for free in the Carabao Cup 3rd round, with FourFourTwo bringing you all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Manchester United vs Brighton: key information

Michael Carrick's side will be desperate to hit back from their derby-day defeat to Manchester City on Sunday and secure a spot in the last 16.

For Brighton, the Carabao Cup will offer a great opportunity for silverware, and they have looked in scintillating form in the attacking third of the pitch so far this season, with 13 goals to their name in the Premier League.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Manchester United vs Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round online and from anywhere, including for free.

Watch Manchester United vs Brighton for FREE

Manchester United vs Brighton will be broadcast for free in the UK on ITV1 and ITVX.

Coverage of the fixture will begin at 7:30pm BST with kick-off arriving at 8:00pm.

Abroad for this game? Use NordVPN to unlock your free United vs Brighton stream online from anywhere in the world.

Watch Manchester United vs Brighton from anywhere

Away from home for today's game? You don't have to miss Manchester United vs Brighton because of geo-restrictions.

The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate NordVPN as the best VPN you can buy.

Get 75% off NordVPN + 3 months extra free

🥇 World's best VPN service
🙌 Fast, secure, easy to use
✅ Unblocks ITVX
📺 Stream Man U vs Brighton from anywhereView Deal

How to watch Manchester United vs Brighton in the UK

As alluded to earlier, Manchester United vs Brighton is free-to-air on ITV1 and ITVX.

The game is also live on Sky Sports, with coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Watch Manchester United vs Brighton on Sky Sports

Sky Sports is the main rights-holder for the 2026/2027 Carabao Cup in the UK, with every game live on Sky Sports' channels or the Sky+ bonus streaming offering. Plans start from £35 a month on a long-term TV contract, while new customers on a 24-month Sky TV contract can add Sky Sports for £20 a month. You can also stream short-term for a similar cost via Now TV. View Deal

How to watch Manchester United vs Brighton in the US

Paramount+ will broadcast Manchester United vs Brighton in the US. Kick-off is at 3:00pm ET.

Watch Manchester United vs Brighton on Paramount+

Manchester United vs Brighton is one of a select number of Carabao Cup fixtures shown live on the Paramount+ Essential package, which costs $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year. The Essential plan also gets you access to the Champions League, Europa League and EFL games.View Deal

How to watch Manchester United vs Brighton in Australia

Manchester United vs Brighton will be live on beIN SPORTS 2 and the beIN SPORTS Connect streaming platform. Kick-off is at 5:00am AEST on Thursday.

Watch Manchester United vs Brighton on beIN SPORTS

Watch every Carabao Cup 2026/27 game live on beIN SPORTS for $16.99 a month or $169.99 a year. Both plans include a 7-day free trial. beIN SPORTS will also have live coverage of several matches in the Championship, League One and League Two, including the play-offs.View Deal

Manchester United vs Brighton: Preview

Derby day couldn't have been much more embarrassing for Manchester United on Sunday as, despite Man City's Phil Foden getting a red card, they fell to a 1-0 defeat. Albeit, that goal was awarded in strange offside circumstances, the Red Devils failed to create much, with Bruno Fernandes spending more time trying to stop Erling Haaland rather than dictating play.

Creating shouldn't be an issue against a Brighton side which has a tendency to concede chances, but at the other end of the pitch United will need to tighten it up.

They have looked susceptible to conceding at any time and, with Carlos Baleba and Matthijs de Ligt still out, they have little option to change personnel at the back.

SEE ALSO How to watch Carabao Cup 2026/27: TV Guide, Free Streams & Fixtures — Round 3

For Brighton, the Carabao Cup may not be a huge priority with Europe on the calendar and a strong start to the 2026/27 Premier League. But they appear a team who could make a deep run, all things considered.

Going forward, they have been nothing short of magical so far this term and have already hit 17 goals in all competitions, including four against Aston Villa and five against Coventry on the weekend.

But the Seagulls do have a stacked injury list and may not be able to afford many changes today if they envisage a place in the fourth round.

Femi Azeez is a possibility to make his debut after signing from Millwall, while Georginio Rutter is expected to take some part following his injury.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Manchester United 2-4 Brighton

Brighton have won four of their last five visits to Old Trafford, and United's defence will leak plenty of goals again this Wednesday.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> <![CDATA[ Manchester United will win nothing this year, claims former Ballon d'Or winner ]]> Former Ballon d'Or winner Ruud Gullit has claimed Manchester United will not win major silverware this term, having 'missed the boat' years ago to be in Premier League title contention.

Michael Carrick’s men endured a potentially damaging derby loss at Old Trafford last weekend, to a 10-man Manchester City side that scored and kept a clean sheet after Phil Foden saw red.

Now, the Dutchman has stated that Manchester United are 'in a hole' and will not beat their competitors to the Premier League trophy, or any silverware for that matter.

Ruud Gullit slams Manchester United claiming Sir Alex Ferguson 'saw it coming'

Ruud Gullit poses with the FA Cup after Chelsea's win over Middlesbrough in the final in May 1997.

Gullit is a serial winner (Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking with ComeOn, Gullit slammed the Red Devils’ lack of quality claiming that Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all possess better players.

The Dutchman then added that Manchester United “missed the boat” years ago, and that the club has fallen dramatically since their days of Premier League and Champions League success under Sir Alex Ferguson.

A smiling Mikel Arteta, wearing an Arsenal shirt, holds the Premier League trophy, which is decorated in red and white ribbons

'Fancy some of this?' (Image credit: Getty Images)

“Manchester United? They cannot compete this year,” Gullit claimed. “Not yet. I think they still lack a little bit of quality, as we can see they cannot control a game.

“That is not something that is going to be easy to fix. Because it does depend on a lot of individual quality, not just the team quality. If they want to achieve things again, it will take some time.

“The most important thing that Manchester United can show this season is patience. They don’t have the best players in the Premier League anymore. They are having to deal with the fact that the players they really need all play for the other clubs. They missed the boat about five or six years ago.

“It will take some time for them to get back to a level where they can [compete for] the Premier League title. There are too many stronger contenders with a lot more quality this season,” Gullit continued.

The Dutchman then suggested that Ferguson saw the club’s downfall coming, retiring 'just in time' during a period in which Manchester United’s rivals were going from strength-to-strength.

Sir Alex Ferguson kissing the Premier League trophy, his last piece of silverware as Manchester United manager, in May 2013.

Gullit believes Sir Alex Ferguson saw Manchester United's downfall coming (Image credit: Getty Images)

“Sir Alex Ferguson himself said it will take 10 years and that could be it. They are in a hole. They have been in a hole since Ferguson left and I think he knew what he was doing,” confessed Gullit.

“That’s why he retired at that time. He is clever. He saw this all coming and retired just in time. He knew at that moment that it was the end. Things were changing because more and more teams had money to spend.

“[Those teams] were bringing in these top coaches, and the top players only want to play for top coaches. That’s not Manchester United anymore. It will take them some time to come again,” the Dutchman concluded.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/manchester-united-cannot-compete-and-will-win-nothing-this-year-claims-former-ballon-dor-winner tY66WMGPpnzghGz73mkAKR Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:49:36 +0000 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:12:24 +0000 false false false

Former Ballon d'Or winner Ruud Gullit has claimed Manchester United will not win major silverware this term, having 'missed the boat' years ago to be in Premier League title contention.

Michael Carrick’s men endured a potentially damaging derby loss at Old Trafford last weekend, to a 10-man Manchester City side that scored and kept a clean sheet after Phil Foden saw red.

Now, the Dutchman has stated that Manchester United are 'in a hole' and will not beat their competitors to the Premier League trophy, or any silverware for that matter.

Ruud Gullit slams Manchester United claiming Sir Alex Ferguson 'saw it coming'

Ruud Gullit poses with the FA Cup after Chelsea's win over Middlesbrough in the final in May 1997.

Gullit is a serial winner (Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking with ComeOn, Gullit slammed the Red Devils’ lack of quality claiming that Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all possess better players.

The Dutchman then added that Manchester United “missed the boat” years ago, and that the club has fallen dramatically since their days of Premier League and Champions League success under Sir Alex Ferguson.

A smiling Mikel Arteta, wearing an Arsenal shirt, holds the Premier League trophy, which is decorated in red and white ribbons

'Fancy some of this?' (Image credit: Getty Images)

“Manchester United? They cannot compete this year,” Gullit claimed. “Not yet. I think they still lack a little bit of quality, as we can see they cannot control a game.

“That is not something that is going to be easy to fix. Because it does depend on a lot of individual quality, not just the team quality. If they want to achieve things again, it will take some time.

“The most important thing that Manchester United can show this season is patience. They don’t have the best players in the Premier League anymore. They are having to deal with the fact that the players they really need all play for the other clubs. They missed the boat about five or six years ago.

“It will take some time for them to get back to a level where they can [compete for] the Premier League title. There are too many stronger contenders with a lot more quality this season,” Gullit continued.

The Dutchman then suggested that Ferguson saw the club’s downfall coming, retiring 'just in time' during a period in which Manchester United’s rivals were going from strength-to-strength.

Sir Alex Ferguson kissing the Premier League trophy, his last piece of silverware as Manchester United manager, in May 2013.

Gullit believes Sir Alex Ferguson saw Manchester United's downfall coming (Image credit: Getty Images)

“Sir Alex Ferguson himself said it will take 10 years and that could be it. They are in a hole. They have been in a hole since Ferguson left and I think he knew what he was doing,” confessed Gullit.

“That’s why he retired at that time. He is clever. He saw this all coming and retired just in time. He knew at that moment that it was the end. Things were changing because more and more teams had money to spend.

“[Those teams] were bringing in these top coaches, and the top players only want to play for top coaches. That’s not Manchester United anymore. It will take them some time to come again,” the Dutchman concluded.

]]> <![CDATA[ Arsenal report: Gunners remain in talks with Real Madrid superstar ]]> Arsenal are reportedly in talks with the camp of Real Madrid superstar Rodryo. The 25-year-old is back running after enduring an ACL tear in March.

Prior to his sidelining, the Brazilian was among the Gunners’ firmest targets for left-sided attackers. His return date has been tentatively pencilled in for January 2027.

Mikel Arteta’s side also entered talks with the 25-year-old’s fellow countryman and team-mate, Vinicius Junior, in the summer. Now, Arsenal appear to have been brought full-circle — back to Rodrygo.

Arsenal in talks with Rodrygo’s camp ahead of injury return and January window

Rodrygo of Real Madrid CF looks on during the La Liga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Real Betis Balompié.

Rodrygo is recovering from an ACL tear, but could be targeted for a Premier League move in January. (Image credit: Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)

If pursuing two of Real Madrid’s attacking Brazilians wasn’t enough, the Gunners also enquired previously about blossoming youngster Endrick. Now, it appears that only Rodrygo remains a realistic Arsenal target.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the Gunners are in talks with the 25-year-old's camp ahead of his projected January 2027 return date; however, the Brazilian believes he can return sooner.

Rodrygo of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF.

Arsenal have been long-time admirers of Rodrygo. (Image credit: Diego Souto/Getty Images)

Real Madrid’s medical staff are behaving cautiously in their treatment of Rodrygo, with a ‘New Year’ return being targeted, but the 25-year-old is determined to beat that timeframe.

The Brazilian aims to be back on the pitch before Christmas, with Arsenal retaining strong interest in the La Liga star for his quality and versatility.

Merely two seasons ago, the 25-year-old recorded 13 goals and nine assists in 50 appearances for the Spanish club. Two terms prior, he bagged 30 contributions in 51.

Rodrygo is under contract until 2028, however, should the Real Madrid man return from injury prior to Christmas, Arsenal are set to make a move for the Brazilian as early as January.

The Gunners reinforced their left flank this summer by securing Christos Tzolis’ services, who has since recorded four assists in seven Arsenal appearances.

Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal running.

The Gunners let Gabriel Martinelli go this summer. (Image credit: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Elsewhere, the club allowed Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli — both left-sided attacking options — to depart from London, for the Super Lig and Saudi Pro League respectively.

Only Tzolis and Eberechi Eze stand out as clear options for Arsenal on the flank, as Mikel Arteta’s men pursue an unprecedented Premier League title defence.

Should they move in January, which appears likely, Rodrygo stands tall on the list of transfer options. Arsenal return to English top-flight action against Brighton on Saturday.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/transfer/arsenal-remain-in-talks-with-real-madrid-superstar-ahead-of-january-transfer-window-report chJP6TCH7J89YB9vQz7NXj Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:57:19 +0000 false false false

Arsenal are reportedly in talks with the camp of Real Madrid superstar Rodryo. The 25-year-old is back running after enduring an ACL tear in March.

Prior to his sidelining, the Brazilian was among the Gunners’ firmest targets for left-sided attackers. His return date has been tentatively pencilled in for January 2027.

Mikel Arteta’s side also entered talks with the 25-year-old’s fellow countryman and team-mate, Vinicius Junior, in the summer. Now, Arsenal appear to have been brought full-circle — back to Rodrygo.

Arsenal in talks with Rodrygo’s camp ahead of injury return and January window

Rodrygo of Real Madrid CF looks on during the La Liga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Real Betis Balompié.

Rodrygo is recovering from an ACL tear, but could be targeted for a Premier League move in January. (Image credit: Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)

If pursuing two of Real Madrid’s attacking Brazilians wasn’t enough, the Gunners also enquired previously about blossoming youngster Endrick. Now, it appears that only Rodrygo remains a realistic Arsenal target.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the Gunners are in talks with the 25-year-old's camp ahead of his projected January 2027 return date; however, the Brazilian believes he can return sooner.

Rodrygo of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF.

Arsenal have been long-time admirers of Rodrygo. (Image credit: Diego Souto/Getty Images)

Real Madrid’s medical staff are behaving cautiously in their treatment of Rodrygo, with a ‘New Year’ return being targeted, but the 25-year-old is determined to beat that timeframe.

The Brazilian aims to be back on the pitch before Christmas, with Arsenal retaining strong interest in the La Liga star for his quality and versatility.

Merely two seasons ago, the 25-year-old recorded 13 goals and nine assists in 50 appearances for the Spanish club. Two terms prior, he bagged 30 contributions in 51.

Rodrygo is under contract until 2028, however, should the Real Madrid man return from injury prior to Christmas, Arsenal are set to make a move for the Brazilian as early as January.

The Gunners reinforced their left flank this summer by securing Christos Tzolis’ services, who has since recorded four assists in seven Arsenal appearances.

Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal running.

The Gunners let Gabriel Martinelli go this summer. (Image credit: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Elsewhere, the club allowed Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli — both left-sided attacking options — to depart from London, for the Super Lig and Saudi Pro League respectively.

Only Tzolis and Eberechi Eze stand out as clear options for Arsenal on the flank, as Mikel Arteta’s men pursue an unprecedented Premier League title defence.

Should they move in January, which appears likely, Rodrygo stands tall on the list of transfer options. Arsenal return to English top-flight action against Brighton on Saturday.

]]> <![CDATA[ Manchester United youngster shares revealing social media post after JJ Gabriel news ]]> Manchester United youngster Shea Lacey has taken to social media and posted what appears to be a jab at fellow wonderkid JJ Gabriel.

The 19-year-old uploaded an image to X (formerly Twitter) of him arriving with the squad at Old Trafford, in Manchester United attire.

The photo was accompanied by a heart emoji as its caption. It arrived shortly after news broke of Gabriel attempting to exit Manchester United.

Shea Lacey makes timely Manchester United social media post

JJ Gabriel running in celebration for Manchester United.

JJ Gabriel's decision made national headlines (Image credit: Getty Images)

Lacey’s post was immediately flooded with support from the Red Devils faithful, with many interpreting it as being in response to Gabriel’s attempted departure.

The image has amassed over 100,000 likes on X, with Manchester United fans describing Lacey as “the future” and a “proper Red” in the comments beneath.

Shea Lacey on the pitch for Manchester United.

Shea Lacey received his Champions League debut vs Sabah. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Gabriel, who scored over 20 goals for Manchester United’s development squad last term, informed the club earlier this week of his intention to depart as a free agent. Due to his age, the actual request is for his schoolboy forms to be cancelled and allowed to leave as he cannot be signed to a professional contract until his 17th birthday.

Reports also circulated that portrayed Gabriel as being frustrated by Lacey and Harry Amass receiving Champions League appearances versus Sabah last Thursday, while he didn’t get the Michael Carrick nod.

The Red Devils won that clash 4-0, with both Lacey and Amass being substituted on for Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu respectively in the 72nd minute.

Gabriel, who received his unofficial senior debut during pre-season versus Atletico Madrid, was not part of the squad to face the Azeri champions.

For Gabriel’s youth player registration to be cancelled, the player, club and parent/carer must all agree on the departure. In the event of this failing to be reached, the Premier League are able to intervene.

Michael Carrick walking, hand on head.

Michael Carrick will not be happy with JJ Gabriel's decision. (Image credit: Getty Images)

‘Kid Messi’ is Gabriel’s unofficial nickname, and the Manchester United boss attested to his staggering quality back in August.

“JJ is one of the boys. He's obviously got a really big talent. He's trained with us quite a bit and is getting experience all the time. He's physically adapting to each step that he makes, and we're just continuing his development,” Carrick said.

Under-21s boss Adam Lawrence has also chimed in, stating that his primary goal was to “not ruin” the Manchester United youngster, who now appears set to leave.

“Well, I think the first thing in my job is not to ruin him. When you have a talented player like JJ and the other lads, of course, you obviously don't want to stifle their freedom and their creativity,” he said.

Gabriel is being courted by the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain according to reports.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/manchester-united-youngster-shares-revealing-social-media-post-after-jj-gabriel-news pxAK6g72NKqtPiNA9tBSLZ Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:51:27 +0000 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:54:21 +0000 false false false

Manchester United youngster Shea Lacey has taken to social media and posted what appears to be a jab at fellow wonderkid JJ Gabriel.

The 19-year-old uploaded an image to X (formerly Twitter) of him arriving with the squad at Old Trafford, in Manchester United attire.

The photo was accompanied by a heart emoji as its caption. It arrived shortly after news broke of Gabriel attempting to exit Manchester United.

Shea Lacey makes timely Manchester United social media post

JJ Gabriel running in celebration for Manchester United.

JJ Gabriel's decision made national headlines (Image credit: Getty Images)

Lacey’s post was immediately flooded with support from the Red Devils faithful, with many interpreting it as being in response to Gabriel’s attempted departure.

The image has amassed over 100,000 likes on X, with Manchester United fans describing Lacey as “the future” and a “proper Red” in the comments beneath.

Shea Lacey on the pitch for Manchester United.

Shea Lacey received his Champions League debut vs Sabah. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Gabriel, who scored over 20 goals for Manchester United’s development squad last term, informed the club earlier this week of his intention to depart as a free agent. Due to his age, the actual request is for his schoolboy forms to be cancelled and allowed to leave as he cannot be signed to a professional contract until his 17th birthday.

Reports also circulated that portrayed Gabriel as being frustrated by Lacey and Harry Amass receiving Champions League appearances versus Sabah last Thursday, while he didn’t get the Michael Carrick nod.

The Red Devils won that clash 4-0, with both Lacey and Amass being substituted on for Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu respectively in the 72nd minute.

Gabriel, who received his unofficial senior debut during pre-season versus Atletico Madrid, was not part of the squad to face the Azeri champions.

For Gabriel’s youth player registration to be cancelled, the player, club and parent/carer must all agree on the departure. In the event of this failing to be reached, the Premier League are able to intervene.

Michael Carrick walking, hand on head.

Michael Carrick will not be happy with JJ Gabriel's decision. (Image credit: Getty Images)

‘Kid Messi’ is Gabriel’s unofficial nickname, and the Manchester United boss attested to his staggering quality back in August.

“JJ is one of the boys. He's obviously got a really big talent. He's trained with us quite a bit and is getting experience all the time. He's physically adapting to each step that he makes, and we're just continuing his development,” Carrick said.

Under-21s boss Adam Lawrence has also chimed in, stating that his primary goal was to “not ruin” the Manchester United youngster, who now appears set to leave.

“Well, I think the first thing in my job is not to ruin him. When you have a talented player like JJ and the other lads, of course, you obviously don't want to stifle their freedom and their creativity,” he said.

Gabriel is being courted by the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain according to reports.

]]> <![CDATA[ Liverpool star's future made clear as Bayern Munich consider offer: report ]]> Florian Wirtz is not actively being pursued by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, however, Vincent Kompany’s men remain interested in the German, according to reports on the continent.

Wirtz has been decidedly average during his first 54 games for Liverpool, failing to live up to the expectations that arrived with his £116.5 million price tag.

Rumours recently circulated that Bayern Munich — who Liverpool pipped to his signature last summer — were preparing an offer for the German. While that is untrue, their interest in Wirtz is said to remain.

Bayern Munich retain interest in Liverpool's Wirtz

Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz stood on the pitch.

Wirtz has been underwhelming for 54 games now (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to a report from Christian Falk and CF Bayern, Kompany is content with his current squad and the Bundesliga champions are not actively pursuing Wirtz.

However, if the German were to appear on the market, Bayern Munich would be 'the first team he’d talk to.'

Vincent Kompany looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Union Berlin and FC Bayern Munich.

Vincent Kompany likes the German, but is content with his current squad. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Falk said: “Of course, if Florian Wirtz were, at some point in future, interested in making a return to the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich would be the first team he’d talk to.

“However, there is nothing planned. Bayern have a big squad and everyone’s feeling really confident. [Jamal] Musiala has a long contract, and don’t forget that Vincent Kompany is trying a new system.

“[That’s] with Michael Olise as the fulcrum in the centre – the same position he currently plays in for the French national team. So, Bayern have a lot of options.”

Falk then noted that Liverpool’s staggering investment in Wirtz makes it unlikely that he will appear on the market. “Don’t forget, either, that it was a lot of money Liverpool paid for Wirtz."

First and foremost, rumours of the German returning to the Bundesliga were always rendered unbelievable because of the Reds’ clear unwillingness to sell.

Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen running on the pitch versus Liverpool.

Wirtz's 'big game' record, even with Bayer Leverkusen, is staggeringly poor. FFT previously touched on this, early into his Liverpool career. (Image credit: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Should Liverpool deem it in their best interests for Wirtz to exit so soon into his Merseyside contract, the club would undoubtedly lose millions.

However, a return of just nine Premier League contributions in 38 games, for a £116 million attacking midfielder playing behind the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and last term Mohamed Salah, will have surely caused worry.

FourFourTwo have previously written about Wirtz's difficulties in adapting to Premier League life early last term, and not much has changed since.

Regardless, it appears the German is set to remain, as has always been expected, but Bayern Munich will be the first in line should Liverpool look to sell — and they’d be the first club approached by Wirtz himself.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/florian-wirtz-future-made-clear-amid-poor-form-and-rumours-of-bayern-plunge t86VrV4z3QrqJh6W82XtoS Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:30:00 +0000 false false false

Florian Wirtz is not actively being pursued by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, however, Vincent Kompany’s men remain interested in the German, according to reports on the continent.

Wirtz has been decidedly average during his first 54 games for Liverpool, failing to live up to the expectations that arrived with his £116.5 million price tag.

Rumours recently circulated that Bayern Munich — who Liverpool pipped to his signature last summer — were preparing an offer for the German. While that is untrue, their interest in Wirtz is said to remain.

Bayern Munich retain interest in Liverpool's Wirtz

Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz stood on the pitch.

Wirtz has been underwhelming for 54 games now (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to a report from Christian Falk and CF Bayern, Kompany is content with his current squad and the Bundesliga champions are not actively pursuing Wirtz.

However, if the German were to appear on the market, Bayern Munich would be 'the first team he’d talk to.'

Vincent Kompany looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Union Berlin and FC Bayern Munich.

Vincent Kompany likes the German, but is content with his current squad. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Falk said: “Of course, if Florian Wirtz were, at some point in future, interested in making a return to the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich would be the first team he’d talk to.

“However, there is nothing planned. Bayern have a big squad and everyone’s feeling really confident. [Jamal] Musiala has a long contract, and don’t forget that Vincent Kompany is trying a new system.

“[That’s] with Michael Olise as the fulcrum in the centre – the same position he currently plays in for the French national team. So, Bayern have a lot of options.”

Falk then noted that Liverpool’s staggering investment in Wirtz makes it unlikely that he will appear on the market. “Don’t forget, either, that it was a lot of money Liverpool paid for Wirtz."

First and foremost, rumours of the German returning to the Bundesliga were always rendered unbelievable because of the Reds’ clear unwillingness to sell.

Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen running on the pitch versus Liverpool.

Wirtz's 'big game' record, even with Bayer Leverkusen, is staggeringly poor. FFT previously touched on this, early into his Liverpool career. (Image credit: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Should Liverpool deem it in their best interests for Wirtz to exit so soon into his Merseyside contract, the club would undoubtedly lose millions.

However, a return of just nine Premier League contributions in 38 games, for a £116 million attacking midfielder playing behind the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and last term Mohamed Salah, will have surely caused worry.

FourFourTwo have previously written about Wirtz's difficulties in adapting to Premier League life early last term, and not much has changed since.

Regardless, it appears the German is set to remain, as has always been expected, but Bayern Munich will be the first in line should Liverpool look to sell — and they’d be the first club approached by Wirtz himself.

]]> <![CDATA[ Liverpool save millions in transfer bailout as risky manoeuvre eases pressure on hierarchy ]]> Liverpool secured a 3-1 Carabao Cup victory against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday evening, with an added-time Dominik Szoboszlai screamer securing victory amid late Spurs pressure.

Goals arrived through the Hungarian, Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister — who scored in similar style to his thumper versus Atletico Madrid last week — as Andoni Iraola fielded a rotated side.

Four Liverpool youngsters in Rio Ngumoha, Lewis Koumas, James McConnell and Trey Nyoni took to the pitch; a particularly fine outing from the latter appears to have saved the Reds millions.

Trey Nyoni’s performance against Spurs could have saved Liverpool millions

Trey Nyoni walking in a Liverpool tracksuit at Anfield.

Nyoni was special last night. (Image credit: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Nyoni was in good form against Liverpool’s Carabao Cup opposition, boasting 95 per cent pass accuracy in his 65-minute appearance.

In the opponent’s half, Nyoni recorded 22 successful passes from 24 attempts — with 100 per cent long ball accuracy — won four duels, and recorded six defensive contributions.

Trey Nyoni on the pitch for Liverpool, smiling.

The 19-year-old recorded 95% pass accuracy. (Image credit: Getty Images)

In comparison, Mac Allister recorded 22 successful passes from 27 attempts in Spurs’ half — with 67% long ball accuracy — won five duels, and recorded five defensive contributions. The Argentine also played an additional half-hour.

While Nyoni lacked the goal-scoring output of his Anfield partner on Tuesday evening, he delivered an all-round display that could end up saving Liverpool millions.

The Reds' recent transfer activity saw their midfield personnel remain identical, except for the departures of Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajcetic. And for Iraola, the faith he placed in Nyoni to spare the Reds’ blushes could hardly have been quicker repaid.

His start also served as a reminder to supporters that they never truly know the full story. Did Nyoni perform well enough at the AXA Training Centre this summer for Liverpool not to look elsewhere in the window?

Or was his performance the kind of lucky, perfectly-timed intervention that Iraola had merely prayed for? Whatever the answer, the showing was undeniable.

General view of Anfield before the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Brighton.

Liverpool have progressed in the Carabao Cup. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The 19-year-old appears set to be an unexpectedly critical player for the Basque boss this term, and serve as the midfield reinforcement Liverpool so desperately craved.

Nyoni being ‘like a new signing’ will provoke eye rolls from the Reds faithful — they’ve heard it one too many times before — but it is a possibility.

Whether Liverpool truly had it all planned out from the beginning is irrelevant. This young man will be watched closely, and he’ll have all of Anfield behind him.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/liverpool-save-millions-in-transfer-bailout-as-risky-manoeuvre-eases-pressure-on-depleted-hierarchy cGhQrCSJDqo4x2TGrHj58T Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:27:59 +0000 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:07:51 +0000 false false false

Liverpool secured a 3-1 Carabao Cup victory against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday evening, with an added-time Dominik Szoboszlai screamer securing victory amid late Spurs pressure.

Goals arrived through the Hungarian, Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister — who scored in similar style to his thumper versus Atletico Madrid last week — as Andoni Iraola fielded a rotated side.

Four Liverpool youngsters in Rio Ngumoha, Lewis Koumas, James McConnell and Trey Nyoni took to the pitch; a particularly fine outing from the latter appears to have saved the Reds millions.

Trey Nyoni’s performance against Spurs could have saved Liverpool millions

Trey Nyoni walking in a Liverpool tracksuit at Anfield.

Nyoni was special last night. (Image credit: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Nyoni was in good form against Liverpool’s Carabao Cup opposition, boasting 95 per cent pass accuracy in his 65-minute appearance.

In the opponent’s half, Nyoni recorded 22 successful passes from 24 attempts — with 100 per cent long ball accuracy — won four duels, and recorded six defensive contributions.

Trey Nyoni on the pitch for Liverpool, smiling.

The 19-year-old recorded 95% pass accuracy. (Image credit: Getty Images)

In comparison, Mac Allister recorded 22 successful passes from 27 attempts in Spurs’ half — with 67% long ball accuracy — won five duels, and recorded five defensive contributions. The Argentine also played an additional half-hour.

While Nyoni lacked the goal-scoring output of his Anfield partner on Tuesday evening, he delivered an all-round display that could end up saving Liverpool millions.

The Reds' recent transfer activity saw their midfield personnel remain identical, except for the departures of Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajcetic. And for Iraola, the faith he placed in Nyoni to spare the Reds’ blushes could hardly have been quicker repaid.

His start also served as a reminder to supporters that they never truly know the full story. Did Nyoni perform well enough at the AXA Training Centre this summer for Liverpool not to look elsewhere in the window?

Or was his performance the kind of lucky, perfectly-timed intervention that Iraola had merely prayed for? Whatever the answer, the showing was undeniable.

General view of Anfield before the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Brighton.

Liverpool have progressed in the Carabao Cup. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The 19-year-old appears set to be an unexpectedly critical player for the Basque boss this term, and serve as the midfield reinforcement Liverpool so desperately craved.

Nyoni being ‘like a new signing’ will provoke eye rolls from the Reds faithful — they’ve heard it one too many times before — but it is a possibility.

Whether Liverpool truly had it all planned out from the beginning is irrelevant. This young man will be watched closely, and he’ll have all of Anfield behind him.

]]> <![CDATA[ In-form Leeds United striker and two other players all FPL managers should avoid ]]> As the Premier League campaign gathers pace, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are hunting high and low for early-season form, and value, to gain a competitive edge.

While goalscoring runs, favourable fixtures and underlying numbers dominate FPL transfer forums, we mustn't forget about the disciplinary tightrope that poses a hidden trap for unsuspecting fantasy managers.

Premier League rules state any player who accumulates five yellow cards within their team's opening 19 league matches receives an automatic one-game suspension.

Premier League players already at risk of one-game suspension

Referee Stuart Attwell counts down

Referee Stuart Attwell (Image credit: Getty Images)

For FPL managers planning several gameweeks in advance, bringing in players already picking up cautions at an unsustainable rate represents a bit of a risk.

At the very top of the warning list is Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The forward has hit the ground running at Elland Road since signing on a free transfer last summer.

He leads the line impressively, highlighted by his goalscoring performance in Leeds' recent 4-1 win over Newcastle United, and last season was recalled to the England setup.

But, behind those impressive fantasy returns lies a disciplinary concern: Calvert-Lewin has already picked up three yellow cards in his first four league appearances of the season.

Sitting just two bookings away from a one-match ban, bringing in the in-form frontman could easily backfire if he picks up cautions in quick succession, which given his brash centre-forward style, is always a possibility.

Vitaly Janelt

Vitaly Janelt (Image credit: Getty Images)

Joining Calvert-Lewin on three early yellow cards is Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt.

Frequently targeted by fantasy managers as a cheap, budget-enabling midfield asset to sit on the bench or fill in for rotation, Janelt's combative style in the middle of the park has seen him land in the referee's notebook three times already this term.

For FPL managers looking for stability in their squads, Janelt's suspension risk makes him a far less appealing bargain option.

Adam Smith

Adam Smith (Image credit: Getty Images)

Completing the trio is AFC Bournemouth defender Adam Smith, who is no stranger to physical battles, but his quick accumulation of bookings early in the campaign has put him on the verge of suspension.

Defenders in fantasy football are primarily picked for consistent minutes, defensive contributions and clean sheet potential. Therefore, using a transfer on a player facing what is likely to be an impending suspension restricts squad flexibility.

Savvy FPL bosses must keep a close eye on disciplinary records, then. Investing in players approaching a ban risks burning valuable transfers later, making Calvert-Lewin, Janelt, and Smith three names to avoid for the time being.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/in-form-leeds-united-striker-and-two-other-players-all-fpl-managers-should-avoid zoVn5EjduoUFR75oFX2Fef Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:30:00 +0000 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:54:21 +0000 false false false

As the Premier League campaign gathers pace, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are hunting high and low for early-season form, and value, to gain a competitive edge.

While goalscoring runs, favourable fixtures and underlying numbers dominate FPL transfer forums, we mustn't forget about the disciplinary tightrope that poses a hidden trap for unsuspecting fantasy managers.

Premier League rules state any player who accumulates five yellow cards within their team's opening 19 league matches receives an automatic one-game suspension.

Premier League players already at risk of one-game suspension

Referee Stuart Attwell counts down

Referee Stuart Attwell (Image credit: Getty Images)

For FPL managers planning several gameweeks in advance, bringing in players already picking up cautions at an unsustainable rate represents a bit of a risk.

At the very top of the warning list is Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The forward has hit the ground running at Elland Road since signing on a free transfer last summer.

He leads the line impressively, highlighted by his goalscoring performance in Leeds' recent 4-1 win over Newcastle United, and last season was recalled to the England setup.

But, behind those impressive fantasy returns lies a disciplinary concern: Calvert-Lewin has already picked up three yellow cards in his first four league appearances of the season.

Sitting just two bookings away from a one-match ban, bringing in the in-form frontman could easily backfire if he picks up cautions in quick succession, which given his brash centre-forward style, is always a possibility.

Vitaly Janelt

Vitaly Janelt (Image credit: Getty Images)

Joining Calvert-Lewin on three early yellow cards is Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt.

Frequently targeted by fantasy managers as a cheap, budget-enabling midfield asset to sit on the bench or fill in for rotation, Janelt's combative style in the middle of the park has seen him land in the referee's notebook three times already this term.

For FPL managers looking for stability in their squads, Janelt's suspension risk makes him a far less appealing bargain option.

Adam Smith

Adam Smith (Image credit: Getty Images)

Completing the trio is AFC Bournemouth defender Adam Smith, who is no stranger to physical battles, but his quick accumulation of bookings early in the campaign has put him on the verge of suspension.

Defenders in fantasy football are primarily picked for consistent minutes, defensive contributions and clean sheet potential. Therefore, using a transfer on a player facing what is likely to be an impending suspension restricts squad flexibility.

Savvy FPL bosses must keep a close eye on disciplinary records, then. Investing in players approaching a ban risks burning valuable transfers later, making Calvert-Lewin, Janelt, and Smith three names to avoid for the time being.

]]> <![CDATA[ ‘I shut myself away and became totally depressed. I cancelled all appearances and TV work. I didn’t want to talk to a soul’ Chris Kamara reveals how he dealt with ‘devastating’ medical diagnosis ]]> Chris Kamara has opened up about how his 'pride and bravado' stopped him from seeking medical help for his apraxia and dyspraxia.

The beloved former Soccer Saturday stalwart received his diagnosis for the rare neurological condition in 2022 - but says the signs had been there for much longer.

Though the illness has not gone away, Kamara is now in a much better place physically and mentally, and he recently completed the Great North Run.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Kammy: 'Some people thought I was drunk'

However, Kamara told FourFourTwo just how tough it was to get the diagnosis that effectively ended his broadcasting career, saying: "I thought I was imagining it at first. I tried to speak and the words wouldn’t come out, or they came out wrong.

"I was slurring so much that some people thought I was drunk.

Chris Kamara has since returned to public life

Chris Kamara is in better spirits now (Image credit: Getty Images)

"It was maddening. The worst thing is, I felt like it was all my fault. The signs had been there and I’d chosen to ignore them until it was too late.

"It was while we were filming Cash in the Attic that I started to notice my speech slowing.

"The show was really good with me about it and wanted me to continue, but I was worried.

"But I brushed it aside, like I did so often throughout my playing career. As a player, I wasn't really interested in going to the doctor or seeing anybody. I was like, ‘Man up, Chris! What can be so bad?’

"I went through life as a dinosaur, basically. I don’t know whether it's pride, bravado, or whatever. I just kept thinking, ‘One day I’ll wake up and it’ll be gone’."

Chris Kamara singing on the pitch at Valley Parade

Chris Kamara is a big beloved character (Image credit: Getty Images)

When it didn't go away, Kamara finally sought help.

He explained: "I went to see my GP and the blood test revealed I had an underactive thyroid - but another doctor told me that he’d never come across a person suffering with thyroid issues whose speech had been affected. He told me to look elsewhere for the root of that issue.

"So I saw another specialist and was eventually diagnosed with apraxia of speech and dyspraxia of my motor skills.

"I was absolutely devastated. I shut myself away and became totally depressed. I cancelled all appearances and TV work. I didn’t want to talk to a soul."

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/i-shut-myself-away-and-became-totally-depressed-i-cancelled-all-appearances-and-tv-work-i-didnt-want-to-talk-to-a-soul-chris-kamara-reveals-how-he-dealt-with-devastating-medical-diagnosis WKdpsiTsTXvSvx3AqAAm8b Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:51:24 +0000 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:36:17 +0000 false false false

Chris Kamara has opened up about how his 'pride and bravado' stopped him from seeking medical help for his apraxia and dyspraxia.

The beloved former Soccer Saturday stalwart received his diagnosis for the rare neurological condition in 2022 - but says the signs had been there for much longer.

Though the illness has not gone away, Kamara is now in a much better place physically and mentally, and he recently completed the Great North Run.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Kammy: 'Some people thought I was drunk'

However, Kamara told FourFourTwo just how tough it was to get the diagnosis that effectively ended his broadcasting career, saying: "I thought I was imagining it at first. I tried to speak and the words wouldn’t come out, or they came out wrong.

"I was slurring so much that some people thought I was drunk.

Chris Kamara has since returned to public life

Chris Kamara is in better spirits now (Image credit: Getty Images)

"It was maddening. The worst thing is, I felt like it was all my fault. The signs had been there and I’d chosen to ignore them until it was too late.

"It was while we were filming Cash in the Attic that I started to notice my speech slowing.

"The show was really good with me about it and wanted me to continue, but I was worried.

"But I brushed it aside, like I did so often throughout my playing career. As a player, I wasn't really interested in going to the doctor or seeing anybody. I was like, ‘Man up, Chris! What can be so bad?’

"I went through life as a dinosaur, basically. I don’t know whether it's pride, bravado, or whatever. I just kept thinking, ‘One day I’ll wake up and it’ll be gone’."

Chris Kamara singing on the pitch at Valley Parade

Chris Kamara is a big beloved character (Image credit: Getty Images)

When it didn't go away, Kamara finally sought help.

He explained: "I went to see my GP and the blood test revealed I had an underactive thyroid - but another doctor told me that he’d never come across a person suffering with thyroid issues whose speech had been affected. He told me to look elsewhere for the root of that issue.

"So I saw another specialist and was eventually diagnosed with apraxia of speech and dyspraxia of my motor skills.

"I was absolutely devastated. I shut myself away and became totally depressed. I cancelled all appearances and TV work. I didn’t want to talk to a soul."

]]> <![CDATA[ How to watch Europa League 2026/27: TV Guide, Free Streams and Fixtures — Matchday 1 ]]> The Europa League is back for 2026/27 and it is set to be a fascinating watch. This guide has all the details on TV coverage and free live streams, ensuring you won't miss a minute of action.

Europa League broadcasters

This week marks the start of the 36-team league phase, where European heavyweights such as AC Milan, Benfica and Juventus begin their quest for glory alongside relative minnows, including Bournemouth, Celje and Torreense.

The Cherries are making their European debut and are joined by two more Premier League teams: Sunderland, competing in continental football for the first time since 1973, and Crystal Palace, last season's Conference League winners. Meanwhile, Celtic are Scotland's sole representative in the league phase.

Gameweek one takes place over Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September, which features eye-catching fixtures including Milan vs Benfica, Besiktas vs Marseille and Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth. Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Celtic all begin their campaign at home, against Lech Poznan, AZ Alkmaar and Ferencvaros respectively.

If you’re going to be abroad for any of the action, don’t forget that you can use a VPN to watch your usual Europa League live stream from overseas – find out more below.

Can I watch the Europa League for free?

Yes, selected Europa League games are free-to-air in specific countries across the world.

In the US, CBS Sports Golazo Network will show some games for free. You don't even need an account to stream the matches live.

Elsewhere, RTBF in Belgium, TRT in Turkey, CazeTV in Brazil and TV8 in Italy will show selected matches for free.

Abroad? Use NordVPN to unlock your free Europa League stream if you're travelling during the 2026/27 season.

Use a VPN to watch the Europa League from anywhere

Geo-restrictions apply to all major streaming services these days, but that doesn't mean you can't get your usual Europa League coverage if you're overseas.

All you need is a VPN (Virtual Private Network), a handy piece of internet security software that can make it look like your device is still back at home. Assuming it complies with your broadcaster’s T&Cs, you can use a VPN to unblock your usual streaming services and enjoy the football wherever you are in the world.

There are plenty of good-value options out there, but FourFourTwo’s brainy office mates TechRadar are big fans of NordVPN.

🟩 NordVPN – get the world's best VPN

💰 75% Off Today
🆓 3 Months Extra Free
🔓 Unlocks Europa League streamsView Deal

Where to watch Europa League in the UK

TNT Sports and its streaming partner HBO Max is the home of the Europa League in the UK, with every game live across the 2026/27 season either on linear TV or via the HBO Max app.

Watch the Europa League on TNT Sports and HBO Max

TNT Sports is the home of European football in the UK, with live coverage of every Europa League and Conference League game, plus the vast majority of Champions League matches. You can add TNT Sports to your TV package for around £25-£30 per month on a long-term contract, but the easiest way to watch is through the HBO Max streaming platform for £25.99/month.View Deal

How to watch the Europa League in the US

Broadcasting giant CBS holds the exclusive Europa League rights in the US.

The Paramount+ streaming platform has every single game live, with selected matches on CBS Sports Network and the free-to-air CBS Sports Golazo Network.

Watch the Europa League on Paramount+

All Europa League fixtures are shown live on the Paramount+ streaming platform, included on the Essential package for $8.99 a month.

You will also get access to every Champions League and Conference League game, as well as selected EFL matches.View Deal

Watch Europa League live streams in Canada

DAZN holds the rights to Europa League football in Canada. Subscriptions start from $24.99 a month.

Meanwhile, streaming platform OneSoccer has partnered with DAZN to show three Champions League and Europa League matches per week, starting this season.View Deal

Watch Europa League live streams in Australia

Fans in Australia can watch Europa League live streams on Stan Sport, which will show every game of the 2026/27 season. Stan Sport also has live coverage of every single Premier League match.

You'll need a base Stan subscription (AU$9.99 a month) plus the Stan Sport add-on ($20 a month), which comes to A$29.99 a month in total.View Deal

Watch Europa League live streams in New Zealand

DAZN is the home of the Europa League in New Zealand, will every match shown live.

A DAZN subscription starts at $14.99 per month, reduced to $149.99 if you sign up for a full year.View Deal

Europa League fixtures this week

Wednesday, September 16

Fixture

Kick-off time

UK

US

Ararat-Armenia vs Sparta Prague

17:45 BST / 12:45 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Omonia Nicosia vs Celta Vigo

17:45 BST / 12:45 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

AC Milan vs Benfica

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Anderlecht vs Lyon

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Bayer Leverkusen vs Celje

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs Dinamo Zagreb

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Olympiakos vs Jagiellonia Bialystok

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Sturm Graz vs Rennes

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Thursday, September 17

Fixture

Kick-off time

UK

US

Levski Sofia vs RB Salzburg

17:45 BST / 12:45 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

OFI Crete vs Hoffenheim

17:45 BST / 12:45 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Besiktas vs Marseille

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Celtic vs Ferencvaros

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznan

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Lillestrøm vs Torreense

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Viktoria Plzen vs Union Saint-Gilloise

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Europa League format

The Europa League follows the same format as the Champions League, with 36 teams competing in the league phase. Each club will play eight matches against eight different opponents, four at home and four away, with games taking place solely on Thursday nights from matchweek two onwards. The league phase runs from September 16 to January 28.

The top eight teams in the 36-team table progress straight through to the last 16, while the clubs who finish 9th-24th go into a play-off round. The eight teams who win their play-off round ties reach the last 16.

From then on, it's the traditional two-leg home-and-away ties to get to the quarter-finals and semi-finals, up to the final in Frankfurt, Germany, on May 26, 2027.

Europa League dates

Matchday 1: 16-17 September 2026

Matchday 2: 15 October 2026

Matchday 3: 22 October 2026

Matchday 4: 5 November 2026

Matchday 5: 26 November 2026

Matchday 6: 10 December 2026

Matchday 7: 21 January 2027

Matchday 8: 28 January 2027

Knockout phase play-offs: 18 & 25 February 2027

Last 16: 11 & 18 March 2027

Quarter-finals: 8 & 15 April 2027

Semi-finals: 29 April & 6 May 2027

Final: 26 May 2027 (Frankfurt)

Europa League teams

  • AC Milan
  • Anderlecht
  • Ararat-Armenia
  • AZ Alkmaar
  • Bayer Leverkusen
  • Benfica
  • Besiktas
  • Bournemouth
  • Celje
  • Celta Vigo
  • Celtic
  • Crystal Palace
  • Dinamo Zagreb
  • Ferencvaros
  • Hapoel Be'er Sheva
  • Hoffenheim
  • Jagiellonia
  • Juventus
  • Lech Poznan
  • Levski Sofia
  • Lillestrøm
  • Lyon
  • Marseille
  • NEC Nijmegen
  • OFI Crete
  • Olympiacos
  • Omonia
  • RB Salzburg
  • Real Sociedad
  • Rennes
  • Sparta Prague
  • Sturm Graz
  • Sunderland
  • Torreense
  • Union Saint-Gilloise
  • Viktoria Plzen

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/watch-europa-league-2026-27 ZXhXTjyQDzmiYWshyzF77H Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 false false false

The Europa League is back for 2026/27 and it is set to be a fascinating watch. This guide has all the details on TV coverage and free live streams, ensuring you won't miss a minute of action.

Europa League broadcasters

This week marks the start of the 36-team league phase, where European heavyweights such as AC Milan, Benfica and Juventus begin their quest for glory alongside relative minnows, including Bournemouth, Celje and Torreense.

The Cherries are making their European debut and are joined by two more Premier League teams: Sunderland, competing in continental football for the first time since 1973, and Crystal Palace, last season's Conference League winners. Meanwhile, Celtic are Scotland's sole representative in the league phase.

Gameweek one takes place over Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September, which features eye-catching fixtures including Milan vs Benfica, Besiktas vs Marseille and Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth. Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Celtic all begin their campaign at home, against Lech Poznan, AZ Alkmaar and Ferencvaros respectively.

If you’re going to be abroad for any of the action, don’t forget that you can use a VPN to watch your usual Europa League live stream from overseas – find out more below.

Can I watch the Europa League for free?

Yes, selected Europa League games are free-to-air in specific countries across the world.

In the US, CBS Sports Golazo Network will show some games for free. You don't even need an account to stream the matches live.

Elsewhere, RTBF in Belgium, TRT in Turkey, CazeTV in Brazil and TV8 in Italy will show selected matches for free.

Abroad? Use NordVPN to unlock your free Europa League stream if you're travelling during the 2026/27 season.

Use a VPN to watch the Europa League from anywhere

Geo-restrictions apply to all major streaming services these days, but that doesn't mean you can't get your usual Europa League coverage if you're overseas.

All you need is a VPN (Virtual Private Network), a handy piece of internet security software that can make it look like your device is still back at home. Assuming it complies with your broadcaster’s T&Cs, you can use a VPN to unblock your usual streaming services and enjoy the football wherever you are in the world.

There are plenty of good-value options out there, but FourFourTwo’s brainy office mates TechRadar are big fans of NordVPN.

🟩 NordVPN – get the world's best VPN

💰 75% Off Today
🆓 3 Months Extra Free
🔓 Unlocks Europa League streamsView Deal

Where to watch Europa League in the UK

TNT Sports and its streaming partner HBO Max is the home of the Europa League in the UK, with every game live across the 2026/27 season either on linear TV or via the HBO Max app.

Watch the Europa League on TNT Sports and HBO Max

TNT Sports is the home of European football in the UK, with live coverage of every Europa League and Conference League game, plus the vast majority of Champions League matches. You can add TNT Sports to your TV package for around £25-£30 per month on a long-term contract, but the easiest way to watch is through the HBO Max streaming platform for £25.99/month.View Deal

How to watch the Europa League in the US

Broadcasting giant CBS holds the exclusive Europa League rights in the US.

The Paramount+ streaming platform has every single game live, with selected matches on CBS Sports Network and the free-to-air CBS Sports Golazo Network.

Watch the Europa League on Paramount+

All Europa League fixtures are shown live on the Paramount+ streaming platform, included on the Essential package for $8.99 a month.

You will also get access to every Champions League and Conference League game, as well as selected EFL matches.View Deal

Watch Europa League live streams in Canada

DAZN holds the rights to Europa League football in Canada. Subscriptions start from $24.99 a month.

Meanwhile, streaming platform OneSoccer has partnered with DAZN to show three Champions League and Europa League matches per week, starting this season.View Deal

Watch Europa League live streams in Australia

Fans in Australia can watch Europa League live streams on Stan Sport, which will show every game of the 2026/27 season. Stan Sport also has live coverage of every single Premier League match.

You'll need a base Stan subscription (AU$9.99 a month) plus the Stan Sport add-on ($20 a month), which comes to A$29.99 a month in total.View Deal

Watch Europa League live streams in New Zealand

DAZN is the home of the Europa League in New Zealand, will every match shown live.

A DAZN subscription starts at $14.99 per month, reduced to $149.99 if you sign up for a full year.View Deal

Europa League fixtures this week

Wednesday, September 16

Fixture

Kick-off time

UK

US

Ararat-Armenia vs Sparta Prague

17:45 BST / 12:45 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Omonia Nicosia vs Celta Vigo

17:45 BST / 12:45 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

AC Milan vs Benfica

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Anderlecht vs Lyon

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Bayer Leverkusen vs Celje

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs Dinamo Zagreb

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Olympiakos vs Jagiellonia Bialystok

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Sturm Graz vs Rennes

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Thursday, September 17

Fixture

Kick-off time

UK

US

Levski Sofia vs RB Salzburg

17:45 BST / 12:45 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

OFI Crete vs Hoffenheim

17:45 BST / 12:45 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Besiktas vs Marseille

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Celtic vs Ferencvaros

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznan

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Lillestrøm vs Torreense

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Viktoria Plzen vs Union Saint-Gilloise

20:00 BST / 15:00 ET

TNT Sports /
HBO Max

Paramount+

Europa League format

The Europa League follows the same format as the Champions League, with 36 teams competing in the league phase. Each club will play eight matches against eight different opponents, four at home and four away, with games taking place solely on Thursday nights from matchweek two onwards. The league phase runs from September 16 to January 28.

The top eight teams in the 36-team table progress straight through to the last 16, while the clubs who finish 9th-24th go into a play-off round. The eight teams who win their play-off round ties reach the last 16.

From then on, it's the traditional two-leg home-and-away ties to get to the quarter-finals and semi-finals, up to the final in Frankfurt, Germany, on May 26, 2027.

Europa League dates

Matchday 1: 16-17 September 2026

Matchday 2: 15 October 2026

Matchday 3: 22 October 2026

Matchday 4: 5 November 2026

Matchday 5: 26 November 2026

Matchday 6: 10 December 2026

Matchday 7: 21 January 2027

Matchday 8: 28 January 2027

Knockout phase play-offs: 18 & 25 February 2027

Last 16: 11 & 18 March 2027

Quarter-finals: 8 & 15 April 2027

Semi-finals: 29 April & 6 May 2027

Final: 26 May 2027 (Frankfurt)

Europa League teams

  • AC Milan
  • Anderlecht
  • Ararat-Armenia
  • AZ Alkmaar
  • Bayer Leverkusen
  • Benfica
  • Besiktas
  • Bournemouth
  • Celje
  • Celta Vigo
  • Celtic
  • Crystal Palace
  • Dinamo Zagreb
  • Ferencvaros
  • Hapoel Be'er Sheva
  • Hoffenheim
  • Jagiellonia
  • Juventus
  • Lech Poznan
  • Levski Sofia
  • Lillestrøm
  • Lyon
  • Marseille
  • NEC Nijmegen
  • OFI Crete
  • Olympiacos
  • Omonia
  • RB Salzburg
  • Real Sociedad
  • Rennes
  • Sparta Prague
  • Sturm Graz
  • Sunderland
  • Torreense
  • Union Saint-Gilloise
  • Viktoria Plzen

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> <![CDATA[ It's time to bring back the Cup Winners' Cup ]]> Football used to be a simple game.

Win the league? Well done, you’ve qualified for the European Cup. Finish among the best of the rest? Into the UEFA Cup you go. Win your domestic cup? Congratulations, you’re off to the Cup Winners’ Cup.

Everyone knew where they stood.

UEFA maths

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - May 19: Lazio Flag and Fans at the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final match between Lazio and Real Mallorca at Villa Park on May 19, 1999 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Lazio fans at the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final vs Real Mallorca at Villa Park on May 19, 1999 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Today, European football requires a flowchart, a calculator and a working knowledge of UEFA coefficients to understand exactly what is going on.

The Champions League now has 36 teams playing in one enormous league table. The Europa League does likewise.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - MAY 27: Dean Henderson of Crystal Palace lifts the UEFA Conference League trophy after his team's victory in the UEFA Conference League Final 2026 match between Crystal Palace FC and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Football Arena Leipzig on May 27, 2026 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Crystal Palace lift the UEFA Conference League trophy after defeating Rayo Vallecano at Football Arena Leipzig on May 27, 2026 (Image credit: Getty Images)

And sorry Crystal Palace fans, but the Conference League is the continental equivalent of the Papa John’s Trophy (or whatever it’s called this week).

It’s a competition with zero cachet. It’s also the byproduct of the over-complication of European football.

It just shoves in more teams into ever-more-complicated formats, creating yet more games.

What European football could really do with is something wonderfully simple.

Yes, it’s time to bring back the Cup Winners’ Cup.

European Cup Winners Cup Final in Gothenburg May 1983 Aberdeen 2 v Real Madrid 1 after extra time Aberdeen captain Willie Miller holding European Cup-Winners Cup trophy. 11th May 1983 (Photo by Staff/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

Aberdeen captain Willie Miller holding European Cup-Winners Cup trophy aloft, alongside goalkeeper Jim Leighton, after defeating Real Madrid 2-1 in the final in Gothenburg, May 1983 (Image credit: Getty Images)

The clue was always in the name. Win your country's domestic cup, and you qualified for a European competition populated by other teams who had done exactly the same thing.

First held in 1960/61, the Cup Winners’ Cup went on to provide some of European football’s most iconic moments.

Nayim from the halfway line. Ronaldo powering Barcelona to victory under Bobby Robson. Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen defeating Real Madrid in the final.

But the real beauty of the competition wasn't found only in its finals or its famous winners – it was in the very makeup of the tournament.

There was none of this league-phase nonsense. No finishing 23rd and still having a chance of lifting the trophy. It was straight knockout football from the get-go, with ties played over two legs.

And there was jeopardy at every turn.

Cup Winners Cup

Ronaldo powered Barcelona to Cup Winners' Cup victory under Bobby Robson (Image credit: Getty)

Modern European football has become obsessed with guaranteeing its biggest clubs more matches. The Cup Winners’ Cup guaranteed you nothing.

Draw a giant in the first round and your European adventure could be finished by October.

Where else would you see Shamrock Rovers take on Bayern Munich? The two met in 1966/67 and the eventual champions required a late Gerd Müller goal to squeeze through 4-3 on aggregate.

Or how about Merthyr Tydfil against Atalanta? The Welsh minnows stunned their Serie A opponents by winning the first leg before eventually going out in Italy.

Then there was Bangor City against Atlético Madrid, another pairing that looked as though somebody had picked two teams from opposite ends of a European football atlas.

That unpredictability wasn't restricted to individual ties, either.

The Cup Winners’ Cup captured teams at particular moments in their history. Sometimes it provided a glimpse of what was coming next.

Manchester United won it in 1991, shortly before Alex Ferguson's side began their era of domestic dominance.

Sampdoria lifted it in 1990, won Serie A the following year and reached the European Cup final in 1992.

The final edition was won by Lazio in 1999. Twelve months later, they were champions of Italy.

It was often a trophy for teams on the rise. And because qualification depended on winning a cup rather than finishing in roughly the same league positions every season, the cast constantly changed.

Chelsea Cup Winners' Cup

Chelsea were the last English club to win the Cup Winners' Cup in 1998

Real Madrid never won it, despite reaching two finals. Dinamo Tbilisi won it. So did Slovan Bratislava. And KV Mechelen. Even Spurs won it.

That isn't to suggest it was some sort of European competition for minnows.

Barcelona lifted the trophy four times. Ajax, Arsenal, Milan and Anderlecht all won it. Bayern Munich and Manchester United did too.

That was precisely what made it so appealing.

One season you could have Barcelona and Bayern Munich. The next you might have Carl Zeiss Jena (finalists in 1981), Antwerp (1993 runners-up) or FC Magdeburg (winners in 1974).

Domestic cups provided different qualifiers every year and therefore European football got different stories.

Another consequence was that nobody ever retained the Cup Winners’ Cup. Across almost four decades of competition, not one defending champion came back and won it again the following year.

Eventually, however, the Cup Winners’ Cup became a victim of European football's changing landscape.

The Champions League expanded and qualification became increasingly complicated. Domestic cup winners were often also qualifying for UEFA's premier competition through their league position.

By 1999, the Cup Winners’ Cup was gone, but at least it received a fitting send-off.

A Lazio side containing Alessandro Nesta, Pavel Nedvěd, Christian Vieri and Roberto Mancini defeated Mallorca 2-1 at Villa Park.

It has been consigned to history ever since. But 27 years on from its demise, perhaps European football needs the Cup Winners’ Cup more than ever.

If you've been paying attention to any of this, you'll know the answer to whether it should return.

Yes. Yes, it should.

Bring back a competition for Europe's domestic cup winners. Straight knockout football, home and away, populated entirely by teams who actually won something to get there.

And while we're at it, give the winners of the Carabao Cup a route into it too.

Suddenly, a domestic trophy that now sits only just above the Community Shield in terms of prestige comes with the promise of a proper European adventure.

No endless league phase. No competition that seemingly starts the second the previous season ends. Cup winners playing cup winners in every single tie.

It’s time to restore some semblance of order to the European footballing calendar.

Let’s get the Cup Winners’ Cup back – and then we can have a serious conversation about the Anglo-Italian Cup.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/its-time-to-bring-back-the-cup-winners-cup wgMJeUhgjDtGE6c9PTEEXS Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:21:42 +0000 false false false

Football used to be a simple game.

Win the league? Well done, you’ve qualified for the European Cup. Finish among the best of the rest? Into the UEFA Cup you go. Win your domestic cup? Congratulations, you’re off to the Cup Winners’ Cup.

Everyone knew where they stood.

UEFA maths

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - May 19: Lazio Flag and Fans at the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final match between Lazio and Real Mallorca at Villa Park on May 19, 1999 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Lazio fans at the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final vs Real Mallorca at Villa Park on May 19, 1999 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Today, European football requires a flowchart, a calculator and a working knowledge of UEFA coefficients to understand exactly what is going on.

The Champions League now has 36 teams playing in one enormous league table. The Europa League does likewise.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - MAY 27: Dean Henderson of Crystal Palace lifts the UEFA Conference League trophy after his team's victory in the UEFA Conference League Final 2026 match between Crystal Palace FC and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Football Arena Leipzig on May 27, 2026 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Crystal Palace lift the UEFA Conference League trophy after defeating Rayo Vallecano at Football Arena Leipzig on May 27, 2026 (Image credit: Getty Images)

And sorry Crystal Palace fans, but the Conference League is the continental equivalent of the Papa John’s Trophy (or whatever it’s called this week).

It’s a competition with zero cachet. It’s also the byproduct of the over-complication of European football.

It just shoves in more teams into ever-more-complicated formats, creating yet more games.

What European football could really do with is something wonderfully simple.

Yes, it’s time to bring back the Cup Winners’ Cup.

European Cup Winners Cup Final in Gothenburg May 1983 Aberdeen 2 v Real Madrid 1 after extra time Aberdeen captain Willie Miller holding European Cup-Winners Cup trophy. 11th May 1983 (Photo by Staff/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

Aberdeen captain Willie Miller holding European Cup-Winners Cup trophy aloft, alongside goalkeeper Jim Leighton, after defeating Real Madrid 2-1 in the final in Gothenburg, May 1983 (Image credit: Getty Images)

The clue was always in the name. Win your country's domestic cup, and you qualified for a European competition populated by other teams who had done exactly the same thing.

First held in 1960/61, the Cup Winners’ Cup went on to provide some of European football’s most iconic moments.

Nayim from the halfway line. Ronaldo powering Barcelona to victory under Bobby Robson. Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen defeating Real Madrid in the final.

But the real beauty of the competition wasn't found only in its finals or its famous winners – it was in the very makeup of the tournament.

There was none of this league-phase nonsense. No finishing 23rd and still having a chance of lifting the trophy. It was straight knockout football from the get-go, with ties played over two legs.

And there was jeopardy at every turn.

Cup Winners Cup

Ronaldo powered Barcelona to Cup Winners' Cup victory under Bobby Robson (Image credit: Getty)

Modern European football has become obsessed with guaranteeing its biggest clubs more matches. The Cup Winners’ Cup guaranteed you nothing.

Draw a giant in the first round and your European adventure could be finished by October.

Where else would you see Shamrock Rovers take on Bayern Munich? The two met in 1966/67 and the eventual champions required a late Gerd Müller goal to squeeze through 4-3 on aggregate.

Or how about Merthyr Tydfil against Atalanta? The Welsh minnows stunned their Serie A opponents by winning the first leg before eventually going out in Italy.

Then there was Bangor City against Atlético Madrid, another pairing that looked as though somebody had picked two teams from opposite ends of a European football atlas.

That unpredictability wasn't restricted to individual ties, either.

The Cup Winners’ Cup captured teams at particular moments in their history. Sometimes it provided a glimpse of what was coming next.

Manchester United won it in 1991, shortly before Alex Ferguson's side began their era of domestic dominance.

Sampdoria lifted it in 1990, won Serie A the following year and reached the European Cup final in 1992.

The final edition was won by Lazio in 1999. Twelve months later, they were champions of Italy.

It was often a trophy for teams on the rise. And because qualification depended on winning a cup rather than finishing in roughly the same league positions every season, the cast constantly changed.

Chelsea Cup Winners' Cup

Chelsea were the last English club to win the Cup Winners' Cup in 1998

Real Madrid never won it, despite reaching two finals. Dinamo Tbilisi won it. So did Slovan Bratislava. And KV Mechelen. Even Spurs won it.

That isn't to suggest it was some sort of European competition for minnows.

Barcelona lifted the trophy four times. Ajax, Arsenal, Milan and Anderlecht all won it. Bayern Munich and Manchester United did too.

That was precisely what made it so appealing.

One season you could have Barcelona and Bayern Munich. The next you might have Carl Zeiss Jena (finalists in 1981), Antwerp (1993 runners-up) or FC Magdeburg (winners in 1974).

Domestic cups provided different qualifiers every year and therefore European football got different stories.

Another consequence was that nobody ever retained the Cup Winners’ Cup. Across almost four decades of competition, not one defending champion came back and won it again the following year.

Eventually, however, the Cup Winners’ Cup became a victim of European football's changing landscape.

The Champions League expanded and qualification became increasingly complicated. Domestic cup winners were often also qualifying for UEFA's premier competition through their league position.

By 1999, the Cup Winners’ Cup was gone, but at least it received a fitting send-off.

A Lazio side containing Alessandro Nesta, Pavel Nedvěd, Christian Vieri and Roberto Mancini defeated Mallorca 2-1 at Villa Park.

It has been consigned to history ever since. But 27 years on from its demise, perhaps European football needs the Cup Winners’ Cup more than ever.

If you've been paying attention to any of this, you'll know the answer to whether it should return.

Yes. Yes, it should.

Bring back a competition for Europe's domestic cup winners. Straight knockout football, home and away, populated entirely by teams who actually won something to get there.

And while we're at it, give the winners of the Carabao Cup a route into it too.

Suddenly, a domestic trophy that now sits only just above the Community Shield in terms of prestige comes with the promise of a proper European adventure.

No endless league phase. No competition that seemingly starts the second the previous season ends. Cup winners playing cup winners in every single tie.

It’s time to restore some semblance of order to the European footballing calendar.

Let’s get the Cup Winners’ Cup back – and then we can have a serious conversation about the Anglo-Italian Cup.

]]> <![CDATA[ Quiz! Can you name Manchester United's 50 most expensive signings ever? ]]> This FourFourTwo quiz is all about the biggest transfer fees ever forked out by one of the biggest and most powerful football clubs on the planet. There was a time when Manchester United had such clout in the transfer market that it seemed they could simply have their pick of the players. But which of them cost United the most?

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The Red Devils face competition for players from multiple rivals nowadays but they remain committed to spending huge fees when the opportunity presents itself. They even spend some of it well occasionally.

We want you to name Manchester United's 50 biggest signings ever and we're giving you a time limit of 10 minutes in which to do it.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

FourFourTwo has many more football quizzes, all courtesy of Kwizly. If you want to take on one of the biggest we've ever done, this one's for you: Can you name every player to have ever scored a Premier League hat-trick?

Something snappier? You got it. Can you answer these questions about the Premier League in 2016-17 and name every team in the top two tiers of women's football in England?

If it's another chunky one you're after, how about attempting to name the first goalscorer of every Premier League season from the inaugural 1992-93 season right up to 2026-27?

FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 67 features clues on shirt sponsors, EFL counties, and relegations. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of football trivia and analysis, and don't forget to join The Club: our free membership portal where you can secret hints and get on the leaderboard.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/quiz/quiz-can-you-name-manchester-uniteds-50-most-expensive-signings-ever BMLAUv3ihsLBg7CcLRmK2N Wed, 16 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0000 false false false

This FourFourTwo quiz is all about the biggest transfer fees ever forked out by one of the biggest and most powerful football clubs on the planet. There was a time when Manchester United had such clout in the transfer market that it seemed they could simply have their pick of the players. But which of them cost United the most?

PLAY ALL QUIZZES

FourFourTwo football quizzes

(Image credit: Future)

PLAY NOW You can play all FourFourTwo quizzes right HERE

The Red Devils face competition for players from multiple rivals nowadays but they remain committed to spending huge fees when the opportunity presents itself. They even spend some of it well occasionally.

We want you to name Manchester United's 50 biggest signings ever and we're giving you a time limit of 10 minutes in which to do it.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

FourFourTwo has many more football quizzes, all courtesy of Kwizly. If you want to take on one of the biggest we've ever done, this one's for you: Can you name every player to have ever scored a Premier League hat-trick?

Something snappier? You got it. Can you answer these questions about the Premier League in 2016-17 and name every team in the top two tiers of women's football in England?

If it's another chunky one you're after, how about attempting to name the first goalscorer of every Premier League season from the inaugural 1992-93 season right up to 2026-27?

FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 67 features clues on shirt sponsors, EFL counties, and relegations. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of football trivia and analysis, and don't forget to join The Club: our free membership portal where you can secret hints and get on the leaderboard.

]]> <![CDATA[ Could Arsenal match the Invincibles and go unbeaten in the Premier League again? ]]> Morgan Rogers is the only player to have scored against Arsenal this season. Chelsea succeeded where Coventry City, Aston Villa, Napoli and Sunderland have failed, and the Gunners came back to beat them too.

There are two teams without a goal in their first four Premier League matches of 2026/27 but Arsenal stand alone in having conceded only once. They've won all of their games and looked all but immovable.

It's usually folly to read much into the state of things so early in the season but Arsenal and Manchester City are the top two and already four points clear. They've finished first and second in three of the last four seasons.

Could Arsenal stay unbeaten all season?

Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates scoring the winner in the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase match against Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy

Martin Odegaard (Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal have picked off a couple of the weaker starters in the division but have had to show a bit of themselves in each of their matches so far. Mikel Arteta must be thrilled with how his team have begun their Premier League title defence.

Buoyed by the status of champions, Arsenal are calmer and more self-assured. They're more measured. The five teams who've faced them in the league and the Champions League have encountered a side brimming with know-how even when they need to dig themselves out of a tricky spot.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Arteta's bench for the win against Arsenal comprised Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapie, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, and eventual match-winner Bruno Guimaraes.

None of Arsenal's rivals can match that, and it bodes well for when the time comes to hold their nerve.

Arsenal as an institution know a thing or two about that. In 2003/04, Arsene Wenger led them to an unbeaten Premier League title. They were the first English men's team to avoid defeat in a 38-match season.

The current class arguably don't have the same degree of sheer individual brilliance of a team that included Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Patrick Vieira.

But if The Invincibles were a team of ability and aura, Arteta's Arsenal can certainly be said to have a bit about them too. They have exceptional team players, elite in a very modern manner, and have developed over years a ruthless will to win.

Declan Rice of Arsenal kisses the Premier League Trophy after their team's victory in the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England.

Arsenal with the Premier League trophy (Image credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

It's very early to be talking about Arsenal going unbeaten again, but then Wenger himself famously went a year early and ended up belatedly delivering on his prediction.

Could it happen again? Sure.

Man City appear to have the best chance of denying Arsenal a second Premier League title on the spin. Perhaps they're the most likely opponent to overcome their wiles in a one-off match as well; we'll have to wait until the end of November to find out.

Will it happen? The smart money says not.

There's a long way to go. There's too much time, too many matches, too many variables just waiting to be discovered in the months ahead.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/could-arsenal-match-the-invincibles-and-go-unbeaten-in-the-premier-league-again GJzkVV8vVFBbuacYs8XsEm Wed, 16 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 false false false

Morgan Rogers is the only player to have scored against Arsenal this season. Chelsea succeeded where Coventry City, Aston Villa, Napoli and Sunderland have failed, and the Gunners came back to beat them too.

There are two teams without a goal in their first four Premier League matches of 2026/27 but Arsenal stand alone in having conceded only once. They've won all of their games and looked all but immovable.

It's usually folly to read much into the state of things so early in the season but Arsenal and Manchester City are the top two and already four points clear. They've finished first and second in three of the last four seasons.

Could Arsenal stay unbeaten all season?

Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates scoring the winner in the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase match against Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy

Martin Odegaard (Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal have picked off a couple of the weaker starters in the division but have had to show a bit of themselves in each of their matches so far. Mikel Arteta must be thrilled with how his team have begun their Premier League title defence.

Buoyed by the status of champions, Arsenal are calmer and more self-assured. They're more measured. The five teams who've faced them in the league and the Champions League have encountered a side brimming with know-how even when they need to dig themselves out of a tricky spot.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Arteta's bench for the win against Arsenal comprised Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapie, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, and eventual match-winner Bruno Guimaraes.

None of Arsenal's rivals can match that, and it bodes well for when the time comes to hold their nerve.

Arsenal as an institution know a thing or two about that. In 2003/04, Arsene Wenger led them to an unbeaten Premier League title. They were the first English men's team to avoid defeat in a 38-match season.

The current class arguably don't have the same degree of sheer individual brilliance of a team that included Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Patrick Vieira.

But if The Invincibles were a team of ability and aura, Arteta's Arsenal can certainly be said to have a bit about them too. They have exceptional team players, elite in a very modern manner, and have developed over years a ruthless will to win.

Declan Rice of Arsenal kisses the Premier League Trophy after their team's victory in the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England.

Arsenal with the Premier League trophy (Image credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

It's very early to be talking about Arsenal going unbeaten again, but then Wenger himself famously went a year early and ended up belatedly delivering on his prediction.

Could it happen again? Sure.

Man City appear to have the best chance of denying Arsenal a second Premier League title on the spin. Perhaps they're the most likely opponent to overcome their wiles in a one-off match as well; we'll have to wait until the end of November to find out.

Will it happen? The smart money says not.

There's a long way to go. There's too much time, too many matches, too many variables just waiting to be discovered in the months ahead.

]]> <![CDATA[ Quickfire Quiz 203: Can you answer 10 questions in 90 seconds? ]]> 10 questions. 90 seconds. This FourFourTwo Quickfire Quiz demands depth of football trivia skills and speedy fingertips, so let's find out what you've got.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

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Quickfire Quiz

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QUICKFIRE QUIZ Play more Quickfire Quizzes

FourFourTwo has many more football quizzes, all courtesy of Kwizly. Let's get you started by asking you to answer these questions about the great one-club men of world football.

If you're one of those folk who's really into football transfers, take on this challenge to name Arsenal's 50 most expensive signings ever. There's a good few decades of history to get stuck into.

Next, we want to know whether you can answer 15 questions about the 2016-17 season in the Premier League and name every player to have scored a hat-trick in the Premier League.

Further afield, this quiz simply asks you to put some groups of clubs into the correct order based on the number of league titles they've won, from most to least. Easy, right? Wrong.

Let's get serious. Serious about size. Serious about difficulty. Can you name every team to have ever played in the group stage, league phase or first round of the Champions League?

We have puzzles too. Our Weekend Crossword is a regular football teaser for your Sunday, and remember to sign up to the newsletter for more quizzes in your inbox. Don't forget to join The Club for free additional membership benefits!

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/quiz/quickfire-quiz-203 PKrEFqDELUs9E4QDV5Aihg Wed, 16 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000 false false false

10 questions. 90 seconds. This FourFourTwo Quickfire Quiz demands depth of football trivia skills and speedy fingertips, so let's find out what you've got.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

PLAY MORE

Quickfire Quiz

(Image credit: Future)

QUICKFIRE QUIZ Play more Quickfire Quizzes

FourFourTwo has many more football quizzes, all courtesy of Kwizly. Let's get you started by asking you to answer these questions about the great one-club men of world football.

If you're one of those folk who's really into football transfers, take on this challenge to name Arsenal's 50 most expensive signings ever. There's a good few decades of history to get stuck into.

Next, we want to know whether you can answer 15 questions about the 2016-17 season in the Premier League and name every player to have scored a hat-trick in the Premier League.

Further afield, this quiz simply asks you to put some groups of clubs into the correct order based on the number of league titles they've won, from most to least. Easy, right? Wrong.

Let's get serious. Serious about size. Serious about difficulty. Can you name every team to have ever played in the group stage, league phase or first round of the Champions League?

We have puzzles too. Our Weekend Crossword is a regular football teaser for your Sunday, and remember to sign up to the newsletter for more quizzes in your inbox. Don't forget to join The Club for free additional membership benefits!

]]> <![CDATA[ Daniel Farke has harnessed Leeds United's hidden superpower as Everton and Manchester City warned ]]> Leeds United's first match back in the Premier League was against Everton on a Monday night last August. They won 1-0, and would eventually crack the code to their comfortable top-flight survival.

In their first Monday night fixture of 2026/27, Leeds looked every bit the established and currently unbeaten Premier League team in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United.

Some teams in the division are experiencing transition in one form or another, not least Newcastle themselves, but Leeds are as sturdy a proposition as they come and it's showing in their results.

Elland Road under the lights is a fearsome prospect

Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Burnley at Elland Road on May 1, 2026 in Leeds, United Kingdom.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Image credit: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Quantifying the impact of passionate and vocal support on a football team is impossible. One of the great joys of attending football matches is knowing, feeling, when a stadium has lift-off.

It can't be measured, but it's there. It makes a difference and the players acknowledge that a noisy atmosphere can help to energise them. That can't be comprehended through a television screen.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

It's easy to lapse into cliches when considering the intangible relationship between decibels and motivation; we know how it feels when that symbiosis fires but that doesn't make it powerful.

That doesn't take away from the fact that Leeds, Farke and Elland Road have built something beautiful beside the M621.

Since the manager was appointed in the summer of 2023, Leeds have played 24 matches at home that have kicked off at 7:45pm or 8:00pm. In two seasons in the Championship and one full campaign in the Premier League, they haven't lost any of them.

Leeds played eight of those evening games in each of the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, and seven in the top flight in 2025/26. They did lose a 7:30pm kick-off and have won a ton of other home games under Farke, but along such arbitrary lines are patterns drawn.

The West Yorkshire club's floodlit fortunes stand up to a degree of scrutiny. Only Farke knows whether he'd switch all their home games until after dark given the choice. He certainly knows how to make the most of them.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke

Daniel Farke

Leeds are unbeaten in 16 home games in all competitions that kicked off at 7:45pm or later, a run that dates back to August 2024 and a Carabao Cup first round exit at the hands of Middlesbrough.

It's likely to change in the meantime but Leeds' next evening kick-off at Elland Road is scheduled to take place on New Year's Day, when the Toffees return to Leeds. Their next game, against Manchester City the following week, will also be played under the lights.

The midweek visit of Hull City in early March is currently set to be the last evening kick-off at Leeds in the Premier League this season - but we'll see about that.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/daniel-farke-has-harnessed-leeds-uniteds-hidden-superpower-to-consolidate-in-the-premier-league Rd7eud9kNskUN4wnnAxXh9 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:47:49 +0000 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 16:05:10 +0000 false false false

Leeds United's first match back in the Premier League was against Everton on a Monday night last August. They won 1-0, and would eventually crack the code to their comfortable top-flight survival.

In their first Monday night fixture of 2026/27, Leeds looked every bit the established and currently unbeaten Premier League team in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United.

Some teams in the division are experiencing transition in one form or another, not least Newcastle themselves, but Leeds are as sturdy a proposition as they come and it's showing in their results.

Elland Road under the lights is a fearsome prospect

Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Burnley at Elland Road on May 1, 2026 in Leeds, United Kingdom.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Image credit: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Quantifying the impact of passionate and vocal support on a football team is impossible. One of the great joys of attending football matches is knowing, feeling, when a stadium has lift-off.

It can't be measured, but it's there. It makes a difference and the players acknowledge that a noisy atmosphere can help to energise them. That can't be comprehended through a television screen.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

It's easy to lapse into cliches when considering the intangible relationship between decibels and motivation; we know how it feels when that symbiosis fires but that doesn't make it powerful.

That doesn't take away from the fact that Leeds, Farke and Elland Road have built something beautiful beside the M621.

Since the manager was appointed in the summer of 2023, Leeds have played 24 matches at home that have kicked off at 7:45pm or 8:00pm. In two seasons in the Championship and one full campaign in the Premier League, they haven't lost any of them.

Leeds played eight of those evening games in each of the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, and seven in the top flight in 2025/26. They did lose a 7:30pm kick-off and have won a ton of other home games under Farke, but along such arbitrary lines are patterns drawn.

The West Yorkshire club's floodlit fortunes stand up to a degree of scrutiny. Only Farke knows whether he'd switch all their home games until after dark given the choice. He certainly knows how to make the most of them.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke

Daniel Farke

Leeds are unbeaten in 16 home games in all competitions that kicked off at 7:45pm or later, a run that dates back to August 2024 and a Carabao Cup first round exit at the hands of Middlesbrough.

It's likely to change in the meantime but Leeds' next evening kick-off at Elland Road is scheduled to take place on New Year's Day, when the Toffees return to Leeds. Their next game, against Manchester City the following week, will also be played under the lights.

The midweek visit of Hull City in early March is currently set to be the last evening kick-off at Leeds in the Premier League this season - but we'll see about that.

]]> <![CDATA[ Referees counting down dead balls is undignified and inexact - football already has a less chaotic answer to time-wasting ]]> Premier League referees are in the spotlight after a number of high-profile incidents during the weekend fixtures. When are they not?

Refereeing decisions come and go. Mistakes are made because that's what humans do. Whether or not there's sufficient and suitable accountability in those instances is a matter of opinion, but there's probably more than most of us realise.

Football as a highly professionalised industry has developed an addiction to solving problems with problems. Interpretation is part of referees' responsibility in applying the Laws of the Game but technical language is the primary tool used in their defence.

The referee's countdown is final, and not only in Europe

Referee Stuart Attwell counts down

"FOUR!" (Image credit: Getty Images)

The natural consequence of a sport that's played in grey but craves black and white is a constantly growing rule book that inadvertently ties itself in knots.

That's what football has now. VAR, causes celebre, FIFA interference and persistent misreading of public opinion have all played their part in a version of football that doesn't understand its own Laws.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

They are simple and open to interpretation while the sport thunders towards officiousness in a great global game of busybody Whack-A-Mole. Of course it's causing issues.

Far beyond the purview of the increasingly maligned and caricatured Pro Ref, football's attempt to whack the mole of time-wasting has created the unedifying spectacle of referees counting down various time limits with their fingers while bellowing numbers across the pitch.

Take a moment, step back, and think about that. About how it looks, and what it symbolises. Set aside the use of the whistle for now – that's a level of technical zealotry for another day.

Referees are now being asked to manually provide a count not only for the goalkeeper to release the ball from their hands in-play but for throw-ins and goal kicks too.

It's noble in intent but chaotic in practice, and it's hard to feign surprise at that outcome. Where a referee's interpretation collides with fans, players and managers thinking they're getting precision, it's always going to become just another thing to moan about.

Referee Glenn Nyberg counting down

"THREE!" (Image credit: Getty Images)

Time-wasting is annoying. That's as close to a consensus view as football really has, and even then it's different when it's our own team doing it. That some of the delays have been baked in by VAR shouldn't go unacknowledged, but delaying tactics are frustrating to watch and detrimental to the game.

The current answer to that isn't just undignified. It's as inexact and just as prone to exactly the same flaws as the time-wasting toolkit referees already had.

It wouldn't be uncharitable to suggest that referees counting variations of five, eight and ten seconds on their fingers was rushed into football as an overreaction to time-wasting and was poorly considered as a result.

What tends to get lost in the furore of Premier League discourse is that football is a vast, deep, global game. These new gestures look a bit silly at the top; in non-league, they're embarrassing.

Referee Jarred Gillett counts down

"TWO!" (Image credit: Getty Images)

Lower down the pyramid, Saturday afternoons are now dragged through the same rigmarole time and again.

Fans and managers flap their arms around and tap their wrists, inherently partisan but also oblivious that the countdowns are triggered by the referee's interpretation of necessity.

Players choose not to pick the ball up to take throw-ins and then lose their tempers when a count begins before they have it in their hands. Long throw-ins are exempted to a degree, treated as any other set piece where the taker and some hefty centre-backs need to get into position.

Over. And over. And over.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, these measures do little to address the scourge of time-wasting, creating instead a mess of ignorance and fury and fussiness that solves nothing that couldn't already have been dealt with by clamping down on time-wasting.

Referees are still directed to judge when a countdown begins on that basis. One might argue that a serious sport would simply have embarked upon a crackdown using its existing laws.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/referees-counting-down-dead-balls-is-undignified-and-inexact-football-already-has-a-less-chaotic-answer-to-time-wasting TqCun9RDUtZxMFXADcKLyn Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:00:00 +0000 false false false

Premier League referees are in the spotlight after a number of high-profile incidents during the weekend fixtures. When are they not?

Refereeing decisions come and go. Mistakes are made because that's what humans do. Whether or not there's sufficient and suitable accountability in those instances is a matter of opinion, but there's probably more than most of us realise.

Football as a highly professionalised industry has developed an addiction to solving problems with problems. Interpretation is part of referees' responsibility in applying the Laws of the Game but technical language is the primary tool used in their defence.

The referee's countdown is final, and not only in Europe

Referee Stuart Attwell counts down

"FOUR!" (Image credit: Getty Images)

The natural consequence of a sport that's played in grey but craves black and white is a constantly growing rule book that inadvertently ties itself in knots.

That's what football has now. VAR, causes celebre, FIFA interference and persistent misreading of public opinion have all played their part in a version of football that doesn't understand its own Laws.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

They are simple and open to interpretation while the sport thunders towards officiousness in a great global game of busybody Whack-A-Mole. Of course it's causing issues.

Far beyond the purview of the increasingly maligned and caricatured Pro Ref, football's attempt to whack the mole of time-wasting has created the unedifying spectacle of referees counting down various time limits with their fingers while bellowing numbers across the pitch.

Take a moment, step back, and think about that. About how it looks, and what it symbolises. Set aside the use of the whistle for now – that's a level of technical zealotry for another day.

Referees are now being asked to manually provide a count not only for the goalkeeper to release the ball from their hands in-play but for throw-ins and goal kicks too.

It's noble in intent but chaotic in practice, and it's hard to feign surprise at that outcome. Where a referee's interpretation collides with fans, players and managers thinking they're getting precision, it's always going to become just another thing to moan about.

Referee Glenn Nyberg counting down

"THREE!" (Image credit: Getty Images)

Time-wasting is annoying. That's as close to a consensus view as football really has, and even then it's different when it's our own team doing it. That some of the delays have been baked in by VAR shouldn't go unacknowledged, but delaying tactics are frustrating to watch and detrimental to the game.

The current answer to that isn't just undignified. It's as inexact and just as prone to exactly the same flaws as the time-wasting toolkit referees already had.

It wouldn't be uncharitable to suggest that referees counting variations of five, eight and ten seconds on their fingers was rushed into football as an overreaction to time-wasting and was poorly considered as a result.

What tends to get lost in the furore of Premier League discourse is that football is a vast, deep, global game. These new gestures look a bit silly at the top; in non-league, they're embarrassing.

Referee Jarred Gillett counts down

"TWO!" (Image credit: Getty Images)

Lower down the pyramid, Saturday afternoons are now dragged through the same rigmarole time and again.

Fans and managers flap their arms around and tap their wrists, inherently partisan but also oblivious that the countdowns are triggered by the referee's interpretation of necessity.

Players choose not to pick the ball up to take throw-ins and then lose their tempers when a count begins before they have it in their hands. Long throw-ins are exempted to a degree, treated as any other set piece where the taker and some hefty centre-backs need to get into position.

Over. And over. And over.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, these measures do little to address the scourge of time-wasting, creating instead a mess of ignorance and fury and fussiness that solves nothing that couldn't already have been dealt with by clamping down on time-wasting.

Referees are still directed to judge when a countdown begins on that basis. One might argue that a serious sport would simply have embarked upon a crackdown using its existing laws.

]]> <![CDATA[ Liverpool vs Tottenham FREE live stream: TV Channels, Kick-Off Time and Prediction for Carabao Cup 3rd Round Tie ]]> Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur for free as the Premier League heavyweights meet at Anfield in the third round of the Carabao Cup, with FourFourTwo bringing you all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: key information

Both sides were held to frustrating 0-0 draws on Saturday, as Liverpool failed to find a way past Fulham and Spurs played out a stalemate with Everton to continue their goalless start to the league campaign.

This competition represents a great opportunity for Reds manager Andoni Iraola and Tottenham counterpart Roberto De Zerbi to claim their first piece of silverware with their respective clubs, as tonight's winners will need to navigate only three further rounds to reach the Wembley final.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup third round online and from anywhere, including for free.

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur for FREE

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur is available to watch for free in the UK, with the Carabao Cup clash live on ITV4 and streaming service ITVX.

ITV has free-to-air coverage of at least one match per round during this season's competition, including the final. You just need to register to watch on ITVX.

Outside the UK? Use a VPN to access your free Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur stream from anywhere in the world.

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur for free on ITV

In order to give the competition more exposure, Sky Sports is sharing at least one Carabao Cup fixture per round with public broadcaster ITV, including the final. The key selected third-round match is Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur with Manchester United vs Brighton also shown tomorrow evening.

Find out the pundits and commentators for tonight's game hereView Deal

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur from anywhere

Away from home right now? You don't have to miss Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur.

The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate NordVPN as the best VPN you can buy.

Get 75% off NordVPN + 3 months extra free

🥇 World's best VPN service
🙌 Fast, secure, easy to use
✅ Unblocks ITVX
📺 Stream Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur from anywhereView Deal

How to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur in the UK

As mentioned above, fans in the UK can watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur for free on ITV4 and ITVX. Kick-off is at 8:00pm BST.

The game is also live on Sky Sports, with coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur on Sky Sports

Sky Sports is the main rights-holder for the 2026/2027 Carabao Cup in the UK, with every game live on Sky Sports' channels or the Sky+ bonus streaming offering. Plans start from £35 a month on a long-term TV contract, while new customers on a 24-month Sky TV contract can add Sky Sports for £20 a month. You can also stream short-term for a similar cost via Now TV. View Deal

How to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur in the US

US viewers can watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur on Paramount+. Kick-off is at 3:00pm ET.

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur on Paramount+

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur is one of a select number of Carabao Cup fixtures shown live on the Paramount+ Essential package, which costs $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year. The Essential plan also gets you every single Champions League and Europa League game live. Bargain!View Deal

How to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur in Australia

beIN SPORTS is the home of the Carabao Cup in Australia and has live coverage of Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur.

The third-round clash will be live on beIN SPORTS 2 and the beIN SPORTS Connect streaming platform. Kick-off is at 5:00am AEST on Wednesday.

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur on beIN SPORTS

Watch every Carabao Cup 2026/27 game live on beIN SPORTS for $16.99 a month or $169.99 a year. Both plans include a 7-day free trial. beIN SPORTS will also have live coverage of several matches in the Championship, League One and League Two, including the play-offs.View Deal

Tickets

Get VIP Liverpool tickets HERE with Seat Unique!

Seat Unique tickets at Anfield offer a fantastic matchday. You get premium padded seats in the new Anfield Road stand (Block AM5, front rows) and access to the Brodies Lounge for three hours pre-match. Enjoy street food, a complimentary half-time drink, a matchday programme, and entertainment, including a Liverpool legend appearance, making it a truly elevated experience.View Deal

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: Preview

Andoni Iraola has made an unbeaten but uninspiring start to his Liverpool tenure, summed up by Saturday's flat 0-0 draw at home to a Fulham side who had yet to gain a point in the Premier League this season.

That performance and result was hugely frustrating for Reds fans after their side's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last Wednesday, while it leaves Iraola with a difficult balance to strike when he picks his team for the Carabao Cup visit of Tottenham Hotspur.

The Spaniard will likely be tempted to rest players as Liverpool play their third game in less than a week, but he will also be aware that a defeat would end arguably his best chance of silverware this season, with just three more rounds between this stage and the Wembley final.

Iraola may use this match as an opportunity to give some minutes to defender Joe Gomez, who is back in training after suffering an injury in pre-season.

SEE ALSO How to watch Carabao Cup 2026/27: TV Guide, Free Streams & Fixtures — Round 3

If Liverpool's start to the campaign has been uninspiring, Spurs' has been unacceptable.

Tottenham's 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday meant they failed to score in the opening four games of a league season for the first time in the club's history, despite spending well over £300m on signings over the summer.

Fans could be forgiven for fearing the worst after consecutive 17th-place finishes in the Premier League, but the Carabao Cup could bring out the best in Spurs after they thrashed Charlton Athletic 5-1 in the previous round.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi is missing several players through injury, although there is a chance that full-backs Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie could be in the squad after missing Saturday's game.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur

The Reds are favourites to progress, although the result could well depend on how many changes each manager makes.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/watch-liverpool-vs-tottenham-hotspur-carabao-cup-2026-27-free TPF5JFHy2kKD3ev8jTVg3n Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:00:00 +0000 false false false

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur for free as the Premier League heavyweights meet at Anfield in the third round of the Carabao Cup, with FourFourTwo bringing you all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: key information

Both sides were held to frustrating 0-0 draws on Saturday, as Liverpool failed to find a way past Fulham and Spurs played out a stalemate with Everton to continue their goalless start to the league campaign.

This competition represents a great opportunity for Reds manager Andoni Iraola and Tottenham counterpart Roberto De Zerbi to claim their first piece of silverware with their respective clubs, as tonight's winners will need to navigate only three further rounds to reach the Wembley final.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup third round online and from anywhere, including for free.

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur for FREE

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur is available to watch for free in the UK, with the Carabao Cup clash live on ITV4 and streaming service ITVX.

ITV has free-to-air coverage of at least one match per round during this season's competition, including the final. You just need to register to watch on ITVX.

Outside the UK? Use a VPN to access your free Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur stream from anywhere in the world.

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur for free on ITV

In order to give the competition more exposure, Sky Sports is sharing at least one Carabao Cup fixture per round with public broadcaster ITV, including the final. The key selected third-round match is Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur with Manchester United vs Brighton also shown tomorrow evening.

Find out the pundits and commentators for tonight's game hereView Deal

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur from anywhere

Away from home right now? You don't have to miss Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur.

The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate NordVPN as the best VPN you can buy.

Get 75% off NordVPN + 3 months extra free

🥇 World's best VPN service
🙌 Fast, secure, easy to use
✅ Unblocks ITVX
📺 Stream Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur from anywhereView Deal

How to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur in the UK

As mentioned above, fans in the UK can watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur for free on ITV4 and ITVX. Kick-off is at 8:00pm BST.

The game is also live on Sky Sports, with coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur on Sky Sports

Sky Sports is the main rights-holder for the 2026/2027 Carabao Cup in the UK, with every game live on Sky Sports' channels or the Sky+ bonus streaming offering. Plans start from £35 a month on a long-term TV contract, while new customers on a 24-month Sky TV contract can add Sky Sports for £20 a month. You can also stream short-term for a similar cost via Now TV. View Deal

How to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur in the US

US viewers can watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur on Paramount+. Kick-off is at 3:00pm ET.

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur on Paramount+

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur is one of a select number of Carabao Cup fixtures shown live on the Paramount+ Essential package, which costs $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year. The Essential plan also gets you every single Champions League and Europa League game live. Bargain!View Deal

How to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur in Australia

beIN SPORTS is the home of the Carabao Cup in Australia and has live coverage of Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur.

The third-round clash will be live on beIN SPORTS 2 and the beIN SPORTS Connect streaming platform. Kick-off is at 5:00am AEST on Wednesday.

Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur on beIN SPORTS

Watch every Carabao Cup 2026/27 game live on beIN SPORTS for $16.99 a month or $169.99 a year. Both plans include a 7-day free trial. beIN SPORTS will also have live coverage of several matches in the Championship, League One and League Two, including the play-offs.View Deal

Tickets

Get VIP Liverpool tickets HERE with Seat Unique!

Seat Unique tickets at Anfield offer a fantastic matchday. You get premium padded seats in the new Anfield Road stand (Block AM5, front rows) and access to the Brodies Lounge for three hours pre-match. Enjoy street food, a complimentary half-time drink, a matchday programme, and entertainment, including a Liverpool legend appearance, making it a truly elevated experience.View Deal

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: Preview

Andoni Iraola has made an unbeaten but uninspiring start to his Liverpool tenure, summed up by Saturday's flat 0-0 draw at home to a Fulham side who had yet to gain a point in the Premier League this season.

That performance and result was hugely frustrating for Reds fans after their side's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last Wednesday, while it leaves Iraola with a difficult balance to strike when he picks his team for the Carabao Cup visit of Tottenham Hotspur.

The Spaniard will likely be tempted to rest players as Liverpool play their third game in less than a week, but he will also be aware that a defeat would end arguably his best chance of silverware this season, with just three more rounds between this stage and the Wembley final.

Iraola may use this match as an opportunity to give some minutes to defender Joe Gomez, who is back in training after suffering an injury in pre-season.

SEE ALSO How to watch Carabao Cup 2026/27: TV Guide, Free Streams & Fixtures — Round 3

If Liverpool's start to the campaign has been uninspiring, Spurs' has been unacceptable.

Tottenham's 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday meant they failed to score in the opening four games of a league season for the first time in the club's history, despite spending well over £300m on signings over the summer.

Fans could be forgiven for fearing the worst after consecutive 17th-place finishes in the Premier League, but the Carabao Cup could bring out the best in Spurs after they thrashed Charlton Athletic 5-1 in the previous round.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi is missing several players through injury, although there is a chance that full-backs Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie could be in the squad after missing Saturday's game.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur

The Reds are favourites to progress, although the result could well depend on how many changes each manager makes.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> <![CDATA[ Manchester United dealt wonderkid transfer bombshell as star in the making asks to leave: report ]]> Manchester United have been rocked by a major off-field setback after 15-year-old prodigy JJ Gabriel submitted a formal request to leave the club, according to a report by the Telegraph.

Carrington’s standout academy talent has reportedly left the Old Trafford hierarchy in shock by seeking to cut short his development at one of English football's best youth setups.

The news follows a strong start to the 2026/27 campaign for Gabriel, who recently netted a debut hat-trick in the UEFA Youth League against Sabah FK's Under-19 side.

Manchester United set to lose star academy prospect

JJ Gabriel celebrates scoring against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League

JJ Gabriel celebrates scoring against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League (Image credit: Getty Images)

The teenage forward has built on an excellent season with Man United's U18s - in which he scored 28 goals in 35 matches - before making the transition to the U21s this term.

He has already pitched in with two goals and two assists in his first two outings in Premier League 2.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford

Michael Carrick has chosen not to select Gabriel in any of his senior matchday squads this season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Gabriel's progress had put him on the cusp of first-team history, until this latest bombshell.

Having met Premier League age requirements by turning 15 prior to August 31, he is officially eligible for senior squad selection this season.

First-team manager Michael Carrick has routinely integrated him into senior training sessions, leading some fans to speculate on the possibility of a record-breaking senior bow before his 16th birthday in October.

However, that no longer looks as though it will be the case with Gabriel reportedly seeking an exit from the club.

The forward will not be short of suitors and there have in the past been rumours that Barcelona made overtures towards the player's family.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 17: The Newcastle United Press Conference and Training Session in Preparation for the UEFA round 16 second leg against Barcelona, at Nou Camp on March 17, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Might this be where Gabriel ends up? (Image credit: Getty Images)

Under FA regulations, players cannot sign professional contracts until they turn 17, making Gabriel's connection to Manchester United one which is founded upon schoolboy academy registration terms.

Gabriel's camp has formally requested the cancellation of his registration, bypassing the usual procedures involved with football transfers.

It leaves Man United at risk of losing him for tribunal-set compensation rather than a lucrative fee.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/transfer/manchester-united-dealt-wonderkid-transfer-bombshell-as-star-in-the-making-asks-to-leave-report nsPL5TN2EKhU4dfMckFNaV Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:23:18 +0000 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:24:17 +0000 false false false

Manchester United have been rocked by a major off-field setback after 15-year-old prodigy JJ Gabriel submitted a formal request to leave the club, according to a report by the Telegraph.

Carrington’s standout academy talent has reportedly left the Old Trafford hierarchy in shock by seeking to cut short his development at one of English football's best youth setups.

The news follows a strong start to the 2026/27 campaign for Gabriel, who recently netted a debut hat-trick in the UEFA Youth League against Sabah FK's Under-19 side.

Manchester United set to lose star academy prospect

JJ Gabriel celebrates scoring against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League

JJ Gabriel celebrates scoring against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League (Image credit: Getty Images)

The teenage forward has built on an excellent season with Man United's U18s - in which he scored 28 goals in 35 matches - before making the transition to the U21s this term.

He has already pitched in with two goals and two assists in his first two outings in Premier League 2.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford

Michael Carrick has chosen not to select Gabriel in any of his senior matchday squads this season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Gabriel's progress had put him on the cusp of first-team history, until this latest bombshell.

Having met Premier League age requirements by turning 15 prior to August 31, he is officially eligible for senior squad selection this season.

First-team manager Michael Carrick has routinely integrated him into senior training sessions, leading some fans to speculate on the possibility of a record-breaking senior bow before his 16th birthday in October.

However, that no longer looks as though it will be the case with Gabriel reportedly seeking an exit from the club.

The forward will not be short of suitors and there have in the past been rumours that Barcelona made overtures towards the player's family.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 17: The Newcastle United Press Conference and Training Session in Preparation for the UEFA round 16 second leg against Barcelona, at Nou Camp on March 17, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Might this be where Gabriel ends up? (Image credit: Getty Images)

Under FA regulations, players cannot sign professional contracts until they turn 17, making Gabriel's connection to Manchester United one which is founded upon schoolboy academy registration terms.

Gabriel's camp has formally requested the cancellation of his registration, bypassing the usual procedures involved with football transfers.

It leaves Man United at risk of losing him for tribunal-set compensation rather than a lucrative fee.

]]> <![CDATA[ Manchester United in talks to sign teenage England midfielder who is a boyhood Old Trafford fan ]]> Manchester United have been recruiting aggressively at youth level lately but what could be their next capture has a first-team feel to it.

The Red Devils are in initial talks for boyhood Man United supporter Louis Page, who currently represents Leicester City in League One, FourFourTwo understands.

Page, 18, has registered three assists in four league matches so far this term, including two in the Foxes' recent 4-3 win over Stockport County.

Man United eye Leicester wonderkid

Louis Page

Louis Page (Image credit: Getty Images)

The teenager has been one of the more redeemable aspects of Leicester's poor start to the 2026/27 campaign in the third tier, producing a series of standout performances for Russell Martin's ailing side.

Leicester climbed to 13th with victory at Edgeley Park last weekend but their record of two wins from six matches has them five points off the pace of league leaders Sheffield Wednesday.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - AUGUST 12: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is pictured during the pre-season friendly match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Croke Park on August 12, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick (Image credit: Getty Images)

Page is an England Under-19 international and has started four of Leicester's six league matches this term.

A creative, holding midfield player, Page signed a contract extension with the Foxes last September tying him to the club until June 2029, however, Leicester's financial situation may necessitate a sale in the near future, particularly if he continues his early season form.

It was rumoured that Page and family were guests of Manchester United for the recent 5-2 win over Ipswich Town, although that has not been confirmed by either club.

The left-footer has links to Manchester with father Don having spent much of his lower and non-league career representing clubs in the area.

Should Man United be successful with a formal approach in the coming months, it is likely Page will be loaned back to Leicester where he will continue his development in a familiar environment at the Foxes' state-of-the-art Seagrave training facility.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/transfer/manchester-united-in-talks-to-sign-teenage-england-midfielder-who-is-a-boyhood-old-trafford-fan qJTFzpWpJTcKHEbFzGvJYh Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:52:44 +0000 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:53:55 +0000 false false false

Manchester United have been recruiting aggressively at youth level lately but what could be their next capture has a first-team feel to it.

The Red Devils are in initial talks for boyhood Man United supporter Louis Page, who currently represents Leicester City in League One, FourFourTwo understands.

Page, 18, has registered three assists in four league matches so far this term, including two in the Foxes' recent 4-3 win over Stockport County.

Man United eye Leicester wonderkid

Louis Page

Louis Page (Image credit: Getty Images)

The teenager has been one of the more redeemable aspects of Leicester's poor start to the 2026/27 campaign in the third tier, producing a series of standout performances for Russell Martin's ailing side.

Leicester climbed to 13th with victory at Edgeley Park last weekend but their record of two wins from six matches has them five points off the pace of league leaders Sheffield Wednesday.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - AUGUST 12: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is pictured during the pre-season friendly match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Croke Park on August 12, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick (Image credit: Getty Images)

Page is an England Under-19 international and has started four of Leicester's six league matches this term.

A creative, holding midfield player, Page signed a contract extension with the Foxes last September tying him to the club until June 2029, however, Leicester's financial situation may necessitate a sale in the near future, particularly if he continues his early season form.

It was rumoured that Page and family were guests of Manchester United for the recent 5-2 win over Ipswich Town, although that has not been confirmed by either club.

The left-footer has links to Manchester with father Don having spent much of his lower and non-league career representing clubs in the area.

Should Man United be successful with a formal approach in the coming months, it is likely Page will be loaned back to Leicester where he will continue his development in a familiar environment at the Foxes' state-of-the-art Seagrave training facility.

]]> <![CDATA[ Hull City receive major fitness boost as unbeaten run tipped for extension ]]> Hull City and Newcastle United both have a free week to recuperate after the latest round of Premier League fixtures, and will meet at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon.

Newcastle have already booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup but were given a harsh reminder that evolving on the hoof can be difficult when they were thrashed by Leeds United on Monday.

The Magpies next opponents will be unbeaten Hull, who also played their third round Carabao Cup tie last week but ended up on the wrong side of a 1-0 result against Sunderland.

Newcastle United injury news reveals triple blow

Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle United head coach

Matthias Jaissle (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Tigers have drawn their last two league matches against Aston Villa and Chelsea but head into the weekend fixtures still undefeated in the Premier League.

It's clear that they're going to take some beating and Newcastle's latest injury update could make it even more challenging as Matthias Jaissle plots a first league win in three games.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez was substituted in the middle of the first half at Elland Road but the new Newcastle boss appears to be hopeful that it will prove a precautionary measure after a blow to the head.

"With Nico, as a manager and we as a club, we have the responsibility if he has that knock out feeling as we all saw," Jaissle said.

"We have to be responsible to take him off the pitch even though he looked fine then. But there are rules for that occasion. Independent of how important it is to win a match, we are all human beings, and we take that seriously to take him off the pitch."

Winger Anthony Elanga's prognosis is less positive. The Sweden international suffered an injury in between matches and there are fears he could be out of action for some time.

"The injury doesn't look good. We need to investigate how serious it is. Elanga is struggling with injury but at the moment it does not look that good," said Jaissle.

Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga has just three goals to his name this season

Anthony Elanga (Image credit: Getty Images)

Newcastle are also expecting to be without Jacob Ramsey on Saturday after the 25-year-old sustained a thigh injury before Monday's match.

"The simple way to explain that is he felt his thigh in the warm-up so he was not able to play tonight," Jaissle added. "It does not look good for the weekend at the moment."

Gonzalez, Elanga and Ramsey are new additions to an injury list that also includes long-term absentees Joelinton, Dan Burn and William Osula.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/hull-city-hopes-of-staying-unbeaten-boosted-as-newcastle-united-issue-triple-injury-update q4vCdNL9BCvZKMukFjSFzT Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000 false false false

Hull City and Newcastle United both have a free week to recuperate after the latest round of Premier League fixtures, and will meet at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon.

Newcastle have already booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup but were given a harsh reminder that evolving on the hoof can be difficult when they were thrashed by Leeds United on Monday.

The Magpies next opponents will be unbeaten Hull, who also played their third round Carabao Cup tie last week but ended up on the wrong side of a 1-0 result against Sunderland.

Newcastle United injury news reveals triple blow

Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle United head coach

Matthias Jaissle (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Tigers have drawn their last two league matches against Aston Villa and Chelsea but head into the weekend fixtures still undefeated in the Premier League.

It's clear that they're going to take some beating and Newcastle's latest injury update could make it even more challenging as Matthias Jaissle plots a first league win in three games.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez was substituted in the middle of the first half at Elland Road but the new Newcastle boss appears to be hopeful that it will prove a precautionary measure after a blow to the head.

"With Nico, as a manager and we as a club, we have the responsibility if he has that knock out feeling as we all saw," Jaissle said.

"We have to be responsible to take him off the pitch even though he looked fine then. But there are rules for that occasion. Independent of how important it is to win a match, we are all human beings, and we take that seriously to take him off the pitch."

Winger Anthony Elanga's prognosis is less positive. The Sweden international suffered an injury in between matches and there are fears he could be out of action for some time.

"The injury doesn't look good. We need to investigate how serious it is. Elanga is struggling with injury but at the moment it does not look that good," said Jaissle.

Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga has just three goals to his name this season

Anthony Elanga (Image credit: Getty Images)

Newcastle are also expecting to be without Jacob Ramsey on Saturday after the 25-year-old sustained a thigh injury before Monday's match.

"The simple way to explain that is he felt his thigh in the warm-up so he was not able to play tonight," Jaissle added. "It does not look good for the weekend at the moment."

Gonzalez, Elanga and Ramsey are new additions to an injury list that also includes long-term absentees Joelinton, Dan Burn and William Osula.

]]> <![CDATA[ Who are the ITV pundits, commentators and presenters for Manchester United vs Brighton? ]]> All is not well at Old Trafford following their Manchester derby defeat last weekend, but Michael Carrick still has the opportunity to turn things around. Brighton, meanwhile, travel north as one of the Premier League's form sides.

ITV are broadcasting this game on free-to-air television in the UK on Wednesday night and. Bringing you all the build-up, in-game analysis and post-game talking points is their broadcasting A team.

Here's a full breakdown of the ITV squad calling this midweek match-up.

Who are the pundits, commentators and presenters for Man United vs Brighton?

Brighton's German head coach Fabian Hurzeler gives a thumbs up to the fans

Brighton's German head coach Fabian Hurzeler gives a thumbs up to the fans (Image credit: Glyn KIRK / AFP)

The Third Round clash is being broadcast on ITV1 at 8pm BST, with coverage beginning at 7:30pm BST.

The complete line-up of pundits, commentators and presenters for the match has been revealed, with the game taking place at Old Trafford.

Mark Pougatch

Mark Pougatch (Image credit: Getty Images)

Mark Pougatch leads the coverage, as he did throughout the World Cup for ITV.

Joining him as pundits are ex-Man United defender John O'Shea and former Brighton striker Glenn Murray, supported by Sam Matterface and Michael Brown on commentary duties.

Experienced journalist Gabriel Clarke is ITV's reporter for this one.

John O'Shea plays in goal for Manchester United vs Tottenham, 2007

Remember when John O'Shea had to pull on the gloves against Spurs in 2007? (Image credit: Alamy)
]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/who-are-the-itv-pundits-commentators-and-presenters-for-manchester-united-vs-brighton ZYRk2bWQFHogMjoU27UZR Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:27:12 +0000 false false false

All is not well at Old Trafford following their Manchester derby defeat last weekend, but Michael Carrick still has the opportunity to turn things around. Brighton, meanwhile, travel north as one of the Premier League's form sides.

ITV are broadcasting this game on free-to-air television in the UK on Wednesday night and. Bringing you all the build-up, in-game analysis and post-game talking points is their broadcasting A team.

Here's a full breakdown of the ITV squad calling this midweek match-up.

Who are the pundits, commentators and presenters for Man United vs Brighton?

Brighton's German head coach Fabian Hurzeler gives a thumbs up to the fans

Brighton's German head coach Fabian Hurzeler gives a thumbs up to the fans (Image credit: Glyn KIRK / AFP)

The Third Round clash is being broadcast on ITV1 at 8pm BST, with coverage beginning at 7:30pm BST.

The complete line-up of pundits, commentators and presenters for the match has been revealed, with the game taking place at Old Trafford.

Mark Pougatch

Mark Pougatch (Image credit: Getty Images)

Mark Pougatch leads the coverage, as he did throughout the World Cup for ITV.

Joining him as pundits are ex-Man United defender John O'Shea and former Brighton striker Glenn Murray, supported by Sam Matterface and Michael Brown on commentary duties.

Experienced journalist Gabriel Clarke is ITV's reporter for this one.

John O'Shea plays in goal for Manchester United vs Tottenham, 2007

Remember when John O'Shea had to pull on the gloves against Spurs in 2007? (Image credit: Alamy)
]]> <![CDATA[ Who are the ITV pundits, commentators and presenters for Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur? ]]> Liverpool and Tottenham have had tricky starts to the 2026/27 campaign but should both be eyeing silverware this season, and the Carabao Cup is a great opportunity to secure some.

ITV are showing this fixture in the UK and have rolled out their broadcasting A team to bring you all the build-up, in-game analysis and post-game talking points.

Here's a full breakdown of the ITV squad calling this midweek match-up.

Who are the pundits, commentators and presenters for Liverpool vs Spurs?

Andoni Iraola

Andoni Iraola (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Third Round clash is being broadcast on ITV4 at 8pm BST, with coverage beginning at 7:30pm BST.

The complete line-up of pundits, commentators and presenters for the event has been revealed, with the game taking place at Anfield.

Mark Pougatch

Mark Pougatch (Image credit: Getty Images)

Mark Pougatch leads the coverage, as he did throughout the World Cup for ITV.

Joining him as pundits at Anfield are Robbie Fowler and Les Ferdinand, supported by Sam Matterface and Lucy Ward on commentary duties.

Seasoned journalist Gabriel Clarke is ITV's reporter for this one.

Robbie Fowler pictured in May 2022

'God', as he's known in the red half of Liverpool (Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)
]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/who-are-the-itv-pundits-commentators-and-presenters-for-liverpool-vs-tottenham-hotspur ByECG52CMYakPLwwMajFC Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:20:02 +0000 false false false

Liverpool and Tottenham have had tricky starts to the 2026/27 campaign but should both be eyeing silverware this season, and the Carabao Cup is a great opportunity to secure some.

ITV are showing this fixture in the UK and have rolled out their broadcasting A team to bring you all the build-up, in-game analysis and post-game talking points.

Here's a full breakdown of the ITV squad calling this midweek match-up.

Who are the pundits, commentators and presenters for Liverpool vs Spurs?

Andoni Iraola

Andoni Iraola (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Third Round clash is being broadcast on ITV4 at 8pm BST, with coverage beginning at 7:30pm BST.

The complete line-up of pundits, commentators and presenters for the event has been revealed, with the game taking place at Anfield.

Mark Pougatch

Mark Pougatch (Image credit: Getty Images)

Mark Pougatch leads the coverage, as he did throughout the World Cup for ITV.

Joining him as pundits at Anfield are Robbie Fowler and Les Ferdinand, supported by Sam Matterface and Lucy Ward on commentary duties.

Seasoned journalist Gabriel Clarke is ITV's reporter for this one.

Robbie Fowler pictured in May 2022

'God', as he's known in the red half of Liverpool (Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)
]]> <![CDATA[ Newcastle United attacker set for extended spell on sidelines as severity of injury revealed ]]> Newcastle's 4-1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday night has triggered something of a knock-on effect, leaving head coach Matthias Jaissle facing a selection crisis ahead of this weekend’s fixture against Hull City.

Aside from the pain of a comprehensive beating in West Yorkshire, Jaissle now has fewer options available to him than when the game began.

The Magpies lost key wing option Anthony Elanga before kick-off, while midfielder Jacob Ramsey remained an unused substitute on the night.

Newcastle facing injury crisis

Newcastle United

Newcastle United team huddle (Image credit: Getty Images)

Addressing the worsening injury situation post-match, Jaissle offered an unwelcome assessment of Elanga's condition.

"The injury doesn't look good. We need to investigate how serious it is. Elanga is struggling with injury but at the moment it does not look that good."

Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United celebrates scoring with Joe Willock in the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 29, 2026 in London, United Kingdom

Anthony Elanga had started the season promisingly (Image credit: Getty Images)

The manager was equally pessimistic about Ramsey, who was unable to take to the field despite being named among the substitutes.

"The simple way to explain that is he felt his thigh in the warm-up so he was not able to play tonight.

"That was the next challenge. Tonight the story was many things came together. It does not look good for the weekend at the moment."

The less-than-ideal injury scenario continued during the match itself when midfielder Nico Gonzalez was forced off in the first half following a blow to the head.

Jaissle emphasised that the club prioritised player welfare over match circumstances in enforcing mandatory concussion protocols: "With Nico, as a manager and we as a club, we have the responsibility if he has that knock out feeling as we all saw. We have to be responsible to take him off the pitch even though he looked fine then. But there are rules for that occasion. Independent of how important it is to win a match, we are all human beings, and we take that seriously to take him off the pitch."

Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle United head coach

Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle United head coach (Image credit: Getty Images)

The potential absence of Elanga, Ramsey, and Nico compounds an already busy medical room at St James' Park.

First-team stalwarts Joelinton and Dan Burn remain sidelined with ongoing injuries, while right-back Amar Dedic is seemingly not 100% after being withdrawn in the second half against Leeds, having entered the contest carrying a knock from last week's tie against Millwall. Furthermore, FourFourTwo understands Will Osula has been wearing a protective boot since sustaining a foot injury on the opening weekend against Liverpool. He is expected to be out of action until after the international break.

With half a dozen key first-team figures potentially unavailable, what should have been an opportunity to bounce back against newly-promoted Hull City has morphed into a tactical headache.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/newcastle-united-attacker-set-for-extended-spell-on-sidelines-as-severity-of-injury-revealed 5yfKEYZvJXuYk4DoMTJGEP Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:52:37 +0000 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:53:58 +0000 false false false

Newcastle's 4-1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday night has triggered something of a knock-on effect, leaving head coach Matthias Jaissle facing a selection crisis ahead of this weekend’s fixture against Hull City.

Aside from the pain of a comprehensive beating in West Yorkshire, Jaissle now has fewer options available to him than when the game began.

The Magpies lost key wing option Anthony Elanga before kick-off, while midfielder Jacob Ramsey remained an unused substitute on the night.

Newcastle facing injury crisis

Newcastle United

Newcastle United team huddle (Image credit: Getty Images)

Addressing the worsening injury situation post-match, Jaissle offered an unwelcome assessment of Elanga's condition.

"The injury doesn't look good. We need to investigate how serious it is. Elanga is struggling with injury but at the moment it does not look that good."

Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United celebrates scoring with Joe Willock in the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 29, 2026 in London, United Kingdom

Anthony Elanga had started the season promisingly (Image credit: Getty Images)

The manager was equally pessimistic about Ramsey, who was unable to take to the field despite being named among the substitutes.

"The simple way to explain that is he felt his thigh in the warm-up so he was not able to play tonight.

"That was the next challenge. Tonight the story was many things came together. It does not look good for the weekend at the moment."

The less-than-ideal injury scenario continued during the match itself when midfielder Nico Gonzalez was forced off in the first half following a blow to the head.

Jaissle emphasised that the club prioritised player welfare over match circumstances in enforcing mandatory concussion protocols: "With Nico, as a manager and we as a club, we have the responsibility if he has that knock out feeling as we all saw. We have to be responsible to take him off the pitch even though he looked fine then. But there are rules for that occasion. Independent of how important it is to win a match, we are all human beings, and we take that seriously to take him off the pitch."

Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle United head coach

Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle United head coach (Image credit: Getty Images)

The potential absence of Elanga, Ramsey, and Nico compounds an already busy medical room at St James' Park.

First-team stalwarts Joelinton and Dan Burn remain sidelined with ongoing injuries, while right-back Amar Dedic is seemingly not 100% after being withdrawn in the second half against Leeds, having entered the contest carrying a knock from last week's tie against Millwall. Furthermore, FourFourTwo understands Will Osula has been wearing a protective boot since sustaining a foot injury on the opening weekend against Liverpool. He is expected to be out of action until after the international break.

With half a dozen key first-team figures potentially unavailable, what should have been an opportunity to bounce back against newly-promoted Hull City has morphed into a tactical headache.

]]> <![CDATA[ Manchester Celtic? The story of how Irish influence shaped Manchester United ]]> Manchester United are undoubtedly one of the biggest football clubs in the world and may just be the most famous. Their fanbase stretches all over the globe, but outside of the North-West of England, their greatest stronghold is situated across the Irish Sea.

Ireland – both north and south of the border – has contributed as much to the club as any country outside of England. Four of the top 15 appearance makers. The joint-fifth all-time goalscorer. Three club captains. The most successful skipper, the incomparable Roy Keane. And to many, the greatest player to ever wear the United shirt, George Best.

So, what is the genesis of the connection between the green of Ireland and the red of Manchester United?

Manchester Celtic

A close-up of a fan wearing a Manchester United shirt, and a scarf in yellow and green - the colours of the club under their original guise of Newton Heath

A fan wearing a Manchester United shirt, and a scarf in yellow and green - the colours of the club under their original guise of Newton Heath (Image credit: Alamy)

The troubled and tumultuous history between Great Britain and Ireland is well-known at surface level, but 800 years of occupation can’t be covered in 800 or so words.

Migration to Britain was commonplace over the centuries, but particularly during the Great Famine and dawn of the Industrial Revolution, with Manchester becoming one of the most represented areas.

Irish immigrants helped build the city, and several railway workers were among those who formed the original Newton Heath in 1878. When the club faced closure 24 years later, it was saved by a group of investors and renamed Manchester United, although “Manchester Celtic” was also suggested.

Manchester United football team for 1911-1912 season. Caption reads: Manchester United FC 1st League Champtions 1910-11. (team at that time included: Tony Donnelly, Alex Bell, Mickey Hamill, George Wall, George Anderson, Samuel Blott, Alfred Capper, George Livinstone, Enoch West, Manager Ernest Mangnall )

Manchester United League Champtions 1910-11. (team at that time included: Tony Donnelly, Alex Bell, Mickey Hamill, George Wall, George Anderson, Samuel Blott, Alfred Capper, George Livinstone, Enoch West, Manager Ernest Mangnall) (Image credit: Getty Images)

While Irish players played for Heath, the first-ever Manchester United player from the island was Mickey Hamill, who joined from the now-defunct Belfast Celtic. Patrick O’Connell followed soon after, a football icon who should be far more well known.

Other players came and went either side of the World Wars, but the club we know today was truly born the day Sir Matt Busby walked through the doors of Old Trafford. His first captain was from Ireland. Dubliner Johnny Carey had played for United before and during World War II, when he remarkably served in the British Army.

Busby’s impact and United’s growth as a powerhouse in the English game was reflected in an FA Cup win in 1948, Carey lifting the famous trophy at Wembley.

Carey retired soon after as a youth movement took over at the club in the shape of the iconic Busby Babes. Back-to-back league titles came with United being the first English side to play in the European Cup.

24th April 1948: Manchester United captain Johnny Carey is carried shoulder high after his team beat Blackpool 4-2 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. (Photo by William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Manchester United's Irish captain Johnny Carey is carried shoulder high after his team beat Blackpool 4-2 in the FA Cup final at Wembley in 1948 (Image credit: Getty Images)

The 1957-58 season will always be the saddest and most significant in the club’s storied history, but their continental campaign started in Dublin. Shamrock Rovers were the first Irish side to play in the competition, losing 6-0 to United at Dalymount Park.

Liam “Billy” Whelan was one of the true stars of the side of the decade, and fittingly scored twice on his return to his native city.

A life and career on the cusp of greatness was tragically cut short in Munich, where he passed alongside seven of his teammates and 15 other passengers. The outpouring of grief was worldwide, and Dublin stood still as Whelan’s funeral took place. It was the moment United became “Ireland’s team”.

It was helped further by the heroic Harry Gregg of Derry, who survived the crash and pulled people from the wreckage.

From the ashes of Munich, United somehow rose. Busby built his third great side which, of course, included players north and south of the border.

Another FA Cup was won in 1963, Cork’s Noel Cantwell this time walking up those hallowed steps. The legendary Johnny Giles started in what was his final game for the club, as well as fellow Dubliner Tony Dunne, who played an Irish record 535 games for the club.

All three, as well as goalkeeper Pat Dunne, were spotted by the legendary Billy Behan, a former goalkeeper turned scout. He was joined by Bob Bishop, who spotted talent north of the border, most notably the one and only George Best.

George Best

(Image credit: Alamy)

As United’s near-fictional European odyssey concluded with their first European Cup in ‘68, Best became the sole Irishman to win the Ballon D’or. The starting lineup in the final included the Belfast Boy as well as Irish full-backs Dunne and Shay Brennan.

Busby’s retirement a year later kickstarted a sharp decline. His successor was Cork’s Frank O’Farrell and the likes of Frank Stapleton, Paul McGrath, Gerry Daly, Ashley Grimes, Jimmy Nicholl and others were all features of the cup-winning sides in the years to come.

The 1985 FA Cup final win over league champions Everton is famous for several reasons. Dubliner Kevin Moran became both the first man to be sent off in the final and the only to win the cup and the All-Ireland Gaelic championship. Belfast’s Norman Whiteside scored the stunning winner in extra time.

Manchester United's Norman Whiteside competes for the ball with Everton's Peter Reid at Wembley in 1985

Norman Whiteside competes for the ball with Everton's Peter Reid at Wembley in 1985 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Sir Alex Ferguson’s arrival a year later changed the course of football history with two of his very best players, Corkmen Denis Irwin and Roy Keane, crucial to so much of his success.

Irwin is in the top 10 appearance makers, while Keane was the on-field driving force behind the glory of the 1990s and early-2000s, lifting by far the most trophies for the club. His display in the 1999 semi-final second leg at Juventus rivals Best’s in Benfica ‘66 as the best in United’s European history.

The 1990s also saw English football utterly transform with the dawn of the Premier League and the Bosman ruling, which reflected world changes as capitalism and globalisation took charge. It saw United eventually look elsewhere rather than Ireland for talent, as well as for pre-season games.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 1: Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson and John O'Shea of Manchester United pose in the dressing room with the Carling Cup trophy after the Carling Cup Final match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on March 1 2009 in London, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

The last significant Irish players to feature for Manchester United: Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson and John O'Shea (Image credit: Getty Images)

John O’Shea and Jonny Evans are the last Irish players to significantly contribute to the club’s success, with O’Shea continuing the trend of an Irish player in all three of United’s European Cup-winning squads. Darron Gibson and Paddy McNair played smaller roles.

Evans' unlikely return to the club in 2023 ended an unwanted seven-year wait for an Irish player either side of the border, although it has not stemmed the flow of fans making the weekly pilgrimage across the sea to support the team.

A report this year by Mancunian Matters revealed Ireland is the overseas country with the most season ticket holders at Old Trafford (1,616). Ireland has nearly twice as many holders as the next country on the list (Norway with 837). That means at least 2% of the 74,000+ crowd are Irish on any given matchday.

United were the obvious choice for the first club football game at Croke Park, just as they were to open the newly-developed Aviva Stadium in 2010.

If the prophecy of United needing an Irish player to be truly successful is true - all of Busby and Ferguson’s combined 18 titles had a shade of green - Troy Parrott may be the best bet as his career continues to go from strength to strength.

That is unless the hugely promising JJ Gabriel decides to play for Ireland. Unknown to many, his father Joe O’Cearuill made two appearances for the national team on the ill-fated tour of the US in 2007, playing at the Giants Stadium like Keane and McGrath 13 years prior.

With both United and Ireland hopefully coming out of their self-inflicted down years, the off-field connection will hopefully be mirrored again on the pitch. Until then, United will continue to be the most followed English club in Ireland.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/manchester-celtic-the-story-of-how-irish-influence-shaped-manchester-united GGBsiPEuECjo4x2DyQw8YA Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:10:03 +0000 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:13:07 +0000 false false false

Manchester United are undoubtedly one of the biggest football clubs in the world and may just be the most famous. Their fanbase stretches all over the globe, but outside of the North-West of England, their greatest stronghold is situated across the Irish Sea.

Ireland – both north and south of the border – has contributed as much to the club as any country outside of England. Four of the top 15 appearance makers. The joint-fifth all-time goalscorer. Three club captains. The most successful skipper, the incomparable Roy Keane. And to many, the greatest player to ever wear the United shirt, George Best.

So, what is the genesis of the connection between the green of Ireland and the red of Manchester United?

Manchester Celtic

A close-up of a fan wearing a Manchester United shirt, and a scarf in yellow and green - the colours of the club under their original guise of Newton Heath

A fan wearing a Manchester United shirt, and a scarf in yellow and green - the colours of the club under their original guise of Newton Heath (Image credit: Alamy)

The troubled and tumultuous history between Great Britain and Ireland is well-known at surface level, but 800 years of occupation can’t be covered in 800 or so words.

Migration to Britain was commonplace over the centuries, but particularly during the Great Famine and dawn of the Industrial Revolution, with Manchester becoming one of the most represented areas.

Irish immigrants helped build the city, and several railway workers were among those who formed the original Newton Heath in 1878. When the club faced closure 24 years later, it was saved by a group of investors and renamed Manchester United, although “Manchester Celtic” was also suggested.

Manchester United football team for 1911-1912 season. Caption reads: Manchester United FC 1st League Champtions 1910-11. (team at that time included: Tony Donnelly, Alex Bell, Mickey Hamill, George Wall, George Anderson, Samuel Blott, Alfred Capper, George Livinstone, Enoch West, Manager Ernest Mangnall )

Manchester United League Champtions 1910-11. (team at that time included: Tony Donnelly, Alex Bell, Mickey Hamill, George Wall, George Anderson, Samuel Blott, Alfred Capper, George Livinstone, Enoch West, Manager Ernest Mangnall) (Image credit: Getty Images)

While Irish players played for Heath, the first-ever Manchester United player from the island was Mickey Hamill, who joined from the now-defunct Belfast Celtic. Patrick O’Connell followed soon after, a football icon who should be far more well known.

Other players came and went either side of the World Wars, but the club we know today was truly born the day Sir Matt Busby walked through the doors of Old Trafford. His first captain was from Ireland. Dubliner Johnny Carey had played for United before and during World War II, when he remarkably served in the British Army.

Busby’s impact and United’s growth as a powerhouse in the English game was reflected in an FA Cup win in 1948, Carey lifting the famous trophy at Wembley.

Carey retired soon after as a youth movement took over at the club in the shape of the iconic Busby Babes. Back-to-back league titles came with United being the first English side to play in the European Cup.

24th April 1948: Manchester United captain Johnny Carey is carried shoulder high after his team beat Blackpool 4-2 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. (Photo by William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Manchester United's Irish captain Johnny Carey is carried shoulder high after his team beat Blackpool 4-2 in the FA Cup final at Wembley in 1948 (Image credit: Getty Images)

The 1957-58 season will always be the saddest and most significant in the club’s storied history, but their continental campaign started in Dublin. Shamrock Rovers were the first Irish side to play in the competition, losing 6-0 to United at Dalymount Park.

Liam “Billy” Whelan was one of the true stars of the side of the decade, and fittingly scored twice on his return to his native city.

A life and career on the cusp of greatness was tragically cut short in Munich, where he passed alongside seven of his teammates and 15 other passengers. The outpouring of grief was worldwide, and Dublin stood still as Whelan’s funeral took place. It was the moment United became “Ireland’s team”.

It was helped further by the heroic Harry Gregg of Derry, who survived the crash and pulled people from the wreckage.

From the ashes of Munich, United somehow rose. Busby built his third great side which, of course, included players north and south of the border.

Another FA Cup was won in 1963, Cork’s Noel Cantwell this time walking up those hallowed steps. The legendary Johnny Giles started in what was his final game for the club, as well as fellow Dubliner Tony Dunne, who played an Irish record 535 games for the club.

All three, as well as goalkeeper Pat Dunne, were spotted by the legendary Billy Behan, a former goalkeeper turned scout. He was joined by Bob Bishop, who spotted talent north of the border, most notably the one and only George Best.

George Best

(Image credit: Alamy)

As United’s near-fictional European odyssey concluded with their first European Cup in ‘68, Best became the sole Irishman to win the Ballon D’or. The starting lineup in the final included the Belfast Boy as well as Irish full-backs Dunne and Shay Brennan.

Busby’s retirement a year later kickstarted a sharp decline. His successor was Cork’s Frank O’Farrell and the likes of Frank Stapleton, Paul McGrath, Gerry Daly, Ashley Grimes, Jimmy Nicholl and others were all features of the cup-winning sides in the years to come.

The 1985 FA Cup final win over league champions Everton is famous for several reasons. Dubliner Kevin Moran became both the first man to be sent off in the final and the only to win the cup and the All-Ireland Gaelic championship. Belfast’s Norman Whiteside scored the stunning winner in extra time.

Manchester United's Norman Whiteside competes for the ball with Everton's Peter Reid at Wembley in 1985

Norman Whiteside competes for the ball with Everton's Peter Reid at Wembley in 1985 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Sir Alex Ferguson’s arrival a year later changed the course of football history with two of his very best players, Corkmen Denis Irwin and Roy Keane, crucial to so much of his success.

Irwin is in the top 10 appearance makers, while Keane was the on-field driving force behind the glory of the 1990s and early-2000s, lifting by far the most trophies for the club. His display in the 1999 semi-final second leg at Juventus rivals Best’s in Benfica ‘66 as the best in United’s European history.

The 1990s also saw English football utterly transform with the dawn of the Premier League and the Bosman ruling, which reflected world changes as capitalism and globalisation took charge. It saw United eventually look elsewhere rather than Ireland for talent, as well as for pre-season games.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 1: Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson and John O'Shea of Manchester United pose in the dressing room with the Carling Cup trophy after the Carling Cup Final match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on March 1 2009 in London, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

The last significant Irish players to feature for Manchester United: Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson and John O'Shea (Image credit: Getty Images)

John O’Shea and Jonny Evans are the last Irish players to significantly contribute to the club’s success, with O’Shea continuing the trend of an Irish player in all three of United’s European Cup-winning squads. Darron Gibson and Paddy McNair played smaller roles.

Evans' unlikely return to the club in 2023 ended an unwanted seven-year wait for an Irish player either side of the border, although it has not stemmed the flow of fans making the weekly pilgrimage across the sea to support the team.

A report this year by Mancunian Matters revealed Ireland is the overseas country with the most season ticket holders at Old Trafford (1,616). Ireland has nearly twice as many holders as the next country on the list (Norway with 837). That means at least 2% of the 74,000+ crowd are Irish on any given matchday.

United were the obvious choice for the first club football game at Croke Park, just as they were to open the newly-developed Aviva Stadium in 2010.

If the prophecy of United needing an Irish player to be truly successful is true - all of Busby and Ferguson’s combined 18 titles had a shade of green - Troy Parrott may be the best bet as his career continues to go from strength to strength.

That is unless the hugely promising JJ Gabriel decides to play for Ireland. Unknown to many, his father Joe O’Cearuill made two appearances for the national team on the ill-fated tour of the US in 2007, playing at the Giants Stadium like Keane and McGrath 13 years prior.

With both United and Ireland hopefully coming out of their self-inflicted down years, the off-field connection will hopefully be mirrored again on the pitch. Until then, United will continue to be the most followed English club in Ireland.

]]> <![CDATA[ Quiz! Can you name Liverpool's 50 most expensive signings ever? ]]> Liverpool have many decades of success behind them, usually built around a solid core of local players and a rich seam of Scottish stars. This FourFourTwo quiz is more interested in the biggest transfers that have played their part (or not) in the Reds' history.

PLAY ALL QUIZZES

FourFourTwo football quizzes

(Image credit: Future)

PLAY NOW You can play all FourFourTwo quizzes right HERE

Liverpool have been outspent in the Premier League era by most of the clubs they tend to compete with, but there's not a top-flight team in England without a load of big-money buys under their belt.

Your mission is to name Liverpool's 50 biggest signings ever. We're giving you 10 minutes to catch 'em all.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

FourFourTwo has many more football quizzes, all courtesy of Kwizly. First up, can you name the first goalscorer of every Premier League season since 1992-93 and answer some questions about the Premier League 30 years ago?

Next, we want you to sort these players by their numbers of Premier League appearances and these teams by the number of domestic championship titles they've won in their histories.

If you've got half an hour to spare, we've got an absolute monster of a quiz for you to sink your teeth into. Can you name every player to have ever scored a Premier League hat-trick? 400+ answers there, so best of luck!

FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 67 features clues on shirt sponsors, EFL counties, and relegations. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of football trivia and analysis, and don't forget to join The Club: our free membership portal where you can secret hints and get on the leaderboard.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/quiz/quiz-can-you-name-liverpools-50-most-expensive-signings-ever wxDdHykWn7UYJ2kA4SRuGh Tue, 15 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0000 false false false

Liverpool have many decades of success behind them, usually built around a solid core of local players and a rich seam of Scottish stars. This FourFourTwo quiz is more interested in the biggest transfers that have played their part (or not) in the Reds' history.

PLAY ALL QUIZZES

FourFourTwo football quizzes

(Image credit: Future)

PLAY NOW You can play all FourFourTwo quizzes right HERE

Liverpool have been outspent in the Premier League era by most of the clubs they tend to compete with, but there's not a top-flight team in England without a load of big-money buys under their belt.

Your mission is to name Liverpool's 50 biggest signings ever. We're giving you 10 minutes to catch 'em all.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

FourFourTwo has many more football quizzes, all courtesy of Kwizly. First up, can you name the first goalscorer of every Premier League season since 1992-93 and answer some questions about the Premier League 30 years ago?

Next, we want you to sort these players by their numbers of Premier League appearances and these teams by the number of domestic championship titles they've won in their histories.

If you've got half an hour to spare, we've got an absolute monster of a quiz for you to sink your teeth into. Can you name every player to have ever scored a Premier League hat-trick? 400+ answers there, so best of luck!

FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 67 features clues on shirt sponsors, EFL counties, and relegations. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of football trivia and analysis, and don't forget to join The Club: our free membership portal where you can secret hints and get on the leaderboard.

]]> <![CDATA[ Phil Foden's England future dealt another major blow in Manchester City win at Old Trafford ]]> There wasn't a player at Old Trafford on Sunday with a more acute sense of the Manchester derby than Phil Foden.

The 26-year-old has been on the books at Manchester City for 18 years. He's from Stockport and he was light blue through and through by the time he joined the club's junior ranks.

Foden gets it. But, while clashing with the captain of Manchester United at Old Trafford might carry a certain cultural cache in the locality, getting sent off for it in the first half of a tight derby match isn't the smartest move.

Foden's derby red card could cost him in the long run

Phil Foden of Manchester City during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on August 23, 2026 in Manchester, England.

Phil Foden (Image credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Bruno Fernandes might have been credited with getting the attacking midfielder dismissed on Sunday, but the United skipper made a stupid decision of his own. In the age of VAR – and there was plenty of that about at Old Trafford – getting away with kicking Foden was a matter of luck rather than skill.

In the end, Foden can count himself on the winning side even in his absence. Man City went on to win 1-0 in highly contentious circumstances and Fernandes lost a Manchester derby in the Premier League for the seventh time.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Man City manager Enzo Maresca suffered no ill effects from Foden's red card and will have little problem navigating his impending three-match ban, but the possible consequences for Foden himself are just beginning.

Observing his naive reaction to Fernandes' kick was England manager Thomas Tuchel, who has been in charge since the start of 2025 but has given Foden just six of his 49 senior caps.

Tuchel clearly doesn't need an excuse to leave Foden out of his England plans but the task of convincing him can only be made harder by a close-up view of this understandable but unhelpful lapse of discipline in a big game.

Foden missed out on the World Cup squad earlier this year and competition in his position is as fierce as ever.

Arsenal trio Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke all went to the World Cup ahead of him. Marcus Rashford made the cut; Cole Palmer did not. Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham all featured heavily.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 18: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of England, arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026

Thomas Tuchel (Image credit: Getty Images)

The problem for Foden isn't so much that he's on the outside and missed a great opportunity to grab Tuchel's attention as the fact that the players on the inside are raising the standard while he's chasing it.

Gordon has made a positive start at Barcelona and Rogers appears to be settling nicely after his move from Aston Villa to Chelsea.

Unfortunately for Foden, they're the players in possession of the England shirts most likely to come his way, while the next group includes Saka as a proven alternative and a selection of attacking players who perform a variety of roles Foden has yet to deliver upon consistently at international level.

In that scenario, the Man City man needs to seize his chances to impress Tuchel and take steps in the right direction. Extra reasons for doubt will not do him any favours.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/phil-fodens-england-future-was-dealt-another-major-blow-in-manchester-city-win-at-old-trafford 3cBE4rAfsgSiQZjmyP5tt9 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 false false false

There wasn't a player at Old Trafford on Sunday with a more acute sense of the Manchester derby than Phil Foden.

The 26-year-old has been on the books at Manchester City for 18 years. He's from Stockport and he was light blue through and through by the time he joined the club's junior ranks.

Foden gets it. But, while clashing with the captain of Manchester United at Old Trafford might carry a certain cultural cache in the locality, getting sent off for it in the first half of a tight derby match isn't the smartest move.

Foden's derby red card could cost him in the long run

Phil Foden of Manchester City during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on August 23, 2026 in Manchester, England.

Phil Foden (Image credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Bruno Fernandes might have been credited with getting the attacking midfielder dismissed on Sunday, but the United skipper made a stupid decision of his own. In the age of VAR – and there was plenty of that about at Old Trafford – getting away with kicking Foden was a matter of luck rather than skill.

In the end, Foden can count himself on the winning side even in his absence. Man City went on to win 1-0 in highly contentious circumstances and Fernandes lost a Manchester derby in the Premier League for the seventh time.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Man City manager Enzo Maresca suffered no ill effects from Foden's red card and will have little problem navigating his impending three-match ban, but the possible consequences for Foden himself are just beginning.

Observing his naive reaction to Fernandes' kick was England manager Thomas Tuchel, who has been in charge since the start of 2025 but has given Foden just six of his 49 senior caps.

Tuchel clearly doesn't need an excuse to leave Foden out of his England plans but the task of convincing him can only be made harder by a close-up view of this understandable but unhelpful lapse of discipline in a big game.

Foden missed out on the World Cup squad earlier this year and competition in his position is as fierce as ever.

Arsenal trio Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke all went to the World Cup ahead of him. Marcus Rashford made the cut; Cole Palmer did not. Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham all featured heavily.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 18: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of England, arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026

Thomas Tuchel (Image credit: Getty Images)

The problem for Foden isn't so much that he's on the outside and missed a great opportunity to grab Tuchel's attention as the fact that the players on the inside are raising the standard while he's chasing it.

Gordon has made a positive start at Barcelona and Rogers appears to be settling nicely after his move from Aston Villa to Chelsea.

Unfortunately for Foden, they're the players in possession of the England shirts most likely to come his way, while the next group includes Saka as a proven alternative and a selection of attacking players who perform a variety of roles Foden has yet to deliver upon consistently at international level.

In that scenario, the Man City man needs to seize his chances to impress Tuchel and take steps in the right direction. Extra reasons for doubt will not do him any favours.

]]> <![CDATA[ Quickfire Quiz 202: Can you answer 10 questions in 90 seconds? ]]> The latest FourFourTwo Quickfire Quiz covers the length, breadth and depth of the beautiful game. Let's find out what you know with 10 questions in 90 seconds.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

PLAY MORE

Quickfire Quiz

(Image credit: Future)

QUICKFIRE QUIZ Play more Quickfire Quizzes

FourFourTwo has many more football quizzes, and they're all courtesy of Kwizly. Your Premier League knowledge is next in line to be tested. Can you name the first goalscorer in every single Premier League season and arrange these players in order of their Premier League appearances from most to least?

Here's a question for you. A question with many, many answers. Can you name every player ever to have scored a Premier League hat-trick?

If your women's football expertise is up to date, we want you to list out every team currently competing in the top two divisions of women's football in England, namely the WSL and WSL2.

But if you know the past better than the present, this one's for you. We want you to name every club to have played in England's top flight, either the First Division or the Premier League, since 1945.

We also have 15 questions each on the Premier League in the 2016-17 season, the 2006-07 season and the 1996-97 season. How much do you remember about the top flight 10, 20 and 30 years ago?

We have puzzles too. Our Weekend Crossword is a regular football teaser for your Sunday, and remember to sign up to the newsletter for more quizzes in your inbox. Don't forget to join The Club for free additional membership benefits!

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/quiz/quickfire-quiz-202 Fc59umAXavMJgbY6eseTh7 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000 false false false

The latest FourFourTwo Quickfire Quiz covers the length, breadth and depth of the beautiful game. Let's find out what you know with 10 questions in 90 seconds.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

PLAY MORE

Quickfire Quiz

(Image credit: Future)

QUICKFIRE QUIZ Play more Quickfire Quizzes

FourFourTwo has many more football quizzes, and they're all courtesy of Kwizly. Your Premier League knowledge is next in line to be tested. Can you name the first goalscorer in every single Premier League season and arrange these players in order of their Premier League appearances from most to least?

Here's a question for you. A question with many, many answers. Can you name every player ever to have scored a Premier League hat-trick?

If your women's football expertise is up to date, we want you to list out every team currently competing in the top two divisions of women's football in England, namely the WSL and WSL2.

But if you know the past better than the present, this one's for you. We want you to name every club to have played in England's top flight, either the First Division or the Premier League, since 1945.

We also have 15 questions each on the Premier League in the 2016-17 season, the 2006-07 season and the 1996-97 season. How much do you remember about the top flight 10, 20 and 30 years ago?

We have puzzles too. Our Weekend Crossword is a regular football teaser for your Sunday, and remember to sign up to the newsletter for more quizzes in your inbox. Don't forget to join The Club for free additional membership benefits!

]]> <![CDATA[ How to watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United for FREE: Live streams for Premier League Monday Night Football clash ]]> Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United for free as both teams aim to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season in this week's Monday Night Football clash. FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Leeds United vs Newcastle United: key information

Daniel Farke's men ended last season strongly and have begun this campaign in the same vein, taking five points from their first three matches.

The Magpies have an identical record to their opponents and are yet to taste defeat in any competition under Matthias Jaissle since the head coach's arrival last month.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United online and from anywhere, including for free, in a tasty Monday Night Football clash in the Premier League.

Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United for FREE

Although Leeds United vs Newcastle United isn't technically available to watch for free, there is a way that viewers in the US can stream the game at no cost.

Live coverage in the States is on USA Network and this is available on YouTube TV, which currently comes with a 10-day free trial for new customers.

Outside the US? Use a VPN to access your free Leeds United vs Newcastle United stream from anywhere in the world.

Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United from anywhere

Away from home right now? You don't have to miss Leeds United vs Newcastle United.

The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate NordVPN as the best VPN you can buy.

Get 75% off NordVPN + 3 months extra free

🥇 World's best VPN service
🙌 Fast, secure, easy to use
✅ Unblocks USA Network
📺 Stream Leeds United vs Newcastle UnitedView Deal

How to watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United in the UK

Leeds United vs Newcastle United is live on Sky Sports in the UK.

The game is this week's Monday Night Football clash and will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage starts at 6:30pm BST, with kick-off at 8:00pm.

Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United on Sky Sports

Sky Sports is the main rights holder for the Premier League in the UK, with at least 215 games – including every match picked for Monday Night Football – live on Sky Sports' channels across the 2026/27 season. Plans start from £35 a month on a long-term TV contract, while existing customers on a 24-month Sky TV contract can add Sky Sports for £20 a month. You can also stream short-term for a similar cost via Now. View Deal

How to watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United in the US

As mentioned above, fans in the US can watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United on USA Network. Kick-off is at 3:00pm ET.

Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United on USA Network

USA Network is part of NBCUniversal, which holds the Premier League broadcast rights in the US.

This is a linear channel, so you will need a cord-cutting package. YouTube TV (10-day free trial), DirecTV Stream (5-day free trial), Hulu+Live TV (3-day free trial) and Sling Blue all carry the channel.View Deal

How to watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United in Australia

Stan Sport has live coverage of Leeds United vs Newcastle United in Australia. Kick-off is at 5:00am AEST on Tuesday.

Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United on Stan Sport

Stan Sport is down in price for 2026/27 from AU$32 to AU$29.99. The streaming service will not only show Leeds United vs Newcastle United but also every other Premier League and Champions League game across the campaign.View Deal

Tickets

Get VIP Premier League tickets HERE with Seat Unique

For a die-hard fan, Seat Unique is a shortcut to those sold-out, high-stakes Premier League matches that usually feel out of reach without years of loyalty points. By partnering directly with clubs like Manchester United, Spurs and Everton, they provide 100% official, guaranteed entry without the red tape of memberships or ballots. It’s a secure way to bypass the resale lottery and walk straight into the ground with a prime view, making those "once-in-a-lifetime" derbies actually doable.View Deal

Leeds United vs Newcastle United: Preview

Leeds United have proved a tough nut to crack over the past six months, although their defensive solidity deserted them in a chaotic 6-3 Carabao Cup defeat at Chelsea last Wednesday, in which they conceded all six goals in the second half.

Daniel Farke made eight changes to his starting lineup for the trip to Stamford Bridge and the Leeds manager will expect his side to be much less open for the visit of Newcastle United, as they aim to go unbeaten in their opening four matches of a Premier League season for just the fourth time.

The Whites have conceded just twice in their first three league games and may feel they should have more than five points, after spurning several good opportunities in their 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion nine days ago.

Their trip to the south coast was also marred by Joe Rodon's hamstring injury, which looks set to keep the defender out for at least a couple of months, but midfielder Ilia Gruev is closing in on his return from a knee problem.

SEE ALSO How to watch Premier League 2026/27: TV Guide, Streams & Fixtures

Newcastle may have the same number of points as Leeds over their first three games, but their matches have produced twice as many goals.

The Magpies drew 2-2 at home against Liverpool and Bournemouth, sandwiching a 2-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur, while they have progressed to the Carabao Cup fourth round after victories against Championship sides West Bromwich Albion and Millwall.

It means head coach Matthias Jaissle remains unbeaten in an impressive start to his tenure at St James' Park since succeeding Eddie Howe last month.

The German has various injury concerns ahead of the trip to Elland Road, though, with summer signings Amar Dedic (hamstring) and Ewan Jaouen (knee) both doubtful, while Joelinton, Dan Burn and Will Osula are sidelined.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Leeds United 1-1 Newcastle United

Both teams will feel they can take three points, but a draw wouldn't be a bad result for either side.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/watch-leeds-united-vs-newcastle-united-premier-league-2026-27-free nqQQMNqUX2JR2WoVfPHFNQ Mon, 14 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0000 false false false

Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United for free as both teams aim to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season in this week's Monday Night Football clash. FourFourTwo has all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world.

Leeds United vs Newcastle United: key information

Daniel Farke's men ended last season strongly and have begun this campaign in the same vein, taking five points from their first three matches.

The Magpies have an identical record to their opponents and are yet to taste defeat in any competition under Matthias Jaissle since the head coach's arrival last month.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United online and from anywhere, including for free, in a tasty Monday Night Football clash in the Premier League.

Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United for FREE

Although Leeds United vs Newcastle United isn't technically available to watch for free, there is a way that viewers in the US can stream the game at no cost.

Live coverage in the States is on USA Network and this is available on YouTube TV, which currently comes with a 10-day free trial for new customers.

Outside the US? Use a VPN to access your free Leeds United vs Newcastle United stream from anywhere in the world.

Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United from anywhere

Away from home right now? You don't have to miss Leeds United vs Newcastle United.

The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate NordVPN as the best VPN you can buy.

Get 75% off NordVPN + 3 months extra free

🥇 World's best VPN service
🙌 Fast, secure, easy to use
✅ Unblocks USA Network
📺 Stream Leeds United vs Newcastle UnitedView Deal

How to watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United in the UK

Leeds United vs Newcastle United is live on Sky Sports in the UK.

The game is this week's Monday Night Football clash and will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage starts at 6:30pm BST, with kick-off at 8:00pm.

Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United on Sky Sports

Sky Sports is the main rights holder for the Premier League in the UK, with at least 215 games – including every match picked for Monday Night Football – live on Sky Sports' channels across the 2026/27 season. Plans start from £35 a month on a long-term TV contract, while existing customers on a 24-month Sky TV contract can add Sky Sports for £20 a month. You can also stream short-term for a similar cost via Now. View Deal

How to watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United in the US

As mentioned above, fans in the US can watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United on USA Network. Kick-off is at 3:00pm ET.

Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United on USA Network

USA Network is part of NBCUniversal, which holds the Premier League broadcast rights in the US.

This is a linear channel, so you will need a cord-cutting package. YouTube TV (10-day free trial), DirecTV Stream (5-day free trial), Hulu+Live TV (3-day free trial) and Sling Blue all carry the channel.View Deal

How to watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United in Australia

Stan Sport has live coverage of Leeds United vs Newcastle United in Australia. Kick-off is at 5:00am AEST on Tuesday.

Watch Leeds United vs Newcastle United on Stan Sport

Stan Sport is down in price for 2026/27 from AU$32 to AU$29.99. The streaming service will not only show Leeds United vs Newcastle United but also every other Premier League and Champions League game across the campaign.View Deal

Tickets

Get VIP Premier League tickets HERE with Seat Unique

For a die-hard fan, Seat Unique is a shortcut to those sold-out, high-stakes Premier League matches that usually feel out of reach without years of loyalty points. By partnering directly with clubs like Manchester United, Spurs and Everton, they provide 100% official, guaranteed entry without the red tape of memberships or ballots. It’s a secure way to bypass the resale lottery and walk straight into the ground with a prime view, making those "once-in-a-lifetime" derbies actually doable.View Deal

Leeds United vs Newcastle United: Preview

Leeds United have proved a tough nut to crack over the past six months, although their defensive solidity deserted them in a chaotic 6-3 Carabao Cup defeat at Chelsea last Wednesday, in which they conceded all six goals in the second half.

Daniel Farke made eight changes to his starting lineup for the trip to Stamford Bridge and the Leeds manager will expect his side to be much less open for the visit of Newcastle United, as they aim to go unbeaten in their opening four matches of a Premier League season for just the fourth time.

The Whites have conceded just twice in their first three league games and may feel they should have more than five points, after spurning several good opportunities in their 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion nine days ago.

Their trip to the south coast was also marred by Joe Rodon's hamstring injury, which looks set to keep the defender out for at least a couple of months, but midfielder Ilia Gruev is closing in on his return from a knee problem.

SEE ALSO How to watch Premier League 2026/27: TV Guide, Streams & Fixtures

Newcastle may have the same number of points as Leeds over their first three games, but their matches have produced twice as many goals.

The Magpies drew 2-2 at home against Liverpool and Bournemouth, sandwiching a 2-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur, while they have progressed to the Carabao Cup fourth round after victories against Championship sides West Bromwich Albion and Millwall.

It means head coach Matthias Jaissle remains unbeaten in an impressive start to his tenure at St James' Park since succeeding Eddie Howe last month.

The German has various injury concerns ahead of the trip to Elland Road, though, with summer signings Amar Dedic (hamstring) and Ewan Jaouen (knee) both doubtful, while Joelinton, Dan Burn and Will Osula are sidelined.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Leeds United 1-1 Newcastle United

Both teams will feel they can take three points, but a draw wouldn't be a bad result for either side.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

]]> <![CDATA[ Roberto De Zerbi enters Tottenham Hotspur history books as 50-year low revealed ]]> Only two teams are still without a goal after four matches of the new Premier League season.

Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City are 360 minutes plus stoppage time without a goal.

As a newly promoted team, Coventry have their own issues to resolve. Spurs have invested heavily in improving on the last two seasons of dreadful Premier League results and a goalless start hasn't exactly been sweetened by a couple of points from 0-0 draws.

Is this Spurs' worst-ever start?

Marmoush joined Spurs on loan in the summer transfer window

Omar Marmoush (Image credit: Getty Images)

Roberto De Zerbi's Spurs have achieved an unwanted piece of history by failing to register a goal in their first four matches.

2026/27 is the first time in their history that Spurs have started the season with four goalless league matches, and the last time they scored as late as their fourth game was in 1974/75, when a goal against Manchester City followed blanks against the same opposition as well as Ipswich Town and Carlisle United.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Remarkably, that season was the last time they didn't score in their first match of the season until the inaugural Premier League campaign fully 18 years later.

Spurs were goalless in the first two games of that 1992/93 campaign. That was the last time, until now, they had to wait for game three to open their goalscoring account for a new season.

2026/27 is the 13th season of the Premier League era in which Spurs have been unable to get off the mark within 90 minutes of the first whistle, but the historical comparison is insignificant by comparison with matters of the here and now.

Spurs do have those two points. Of the five Premier League teams without a win, only Bournemouth have managed more draws. De Zerbi will fancy their chances of picking up their first win on Saturday, when they have a home fixture against Aston Villa.

After all, these are early days.

Brighton's Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi reacts during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on February 3, 2024. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Roberto De Zerbi (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Spurs boss can look forward to having more of his most incisive players available regularly. Even at this early stage, only three players have started all four matches: Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali are the only outfielders.

Spurs and Coventry, among others, can take solace in the fact that time is a great healer in the modern Premier League.

Transfer deadline day arriving weeks into the season is particularly unhelpful for teams making more than cosmetic changes over the summer. For some, not quite being ready at the start of the season is becoming part of the market calculation.

Spurs don't necessarily fall into that category but so much about this first month or so is transient that it's increasingly possible to cut under-performing sides some slack. Whether a historically poor start in terms of goalscoring disqualifies Spurs from that leeway is a matter for the fans.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/what-is-the-longest-tottenham-hotspur-have-gone-without-scoring-at-the-start-of-a-season 5ekWNU9oCtx8azBVhvqGu7 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:56:45 +0000 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:13:07 +0000 false false false

Only two teams are still without a goal after four matches of the new Premier League season.

Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City are 360 minutes plus stoppage time without a goal.

As a newly promoted team, Coventry have their own issues to resolve. Spurs have invested heavily in improving on the last two seasons of dreadful Premier League results and a goalless start hasn't exactly been sweetened by a couple of points from 0-0 draws.

Is this Spurs' worst-ever start?

Marmoush joined Spurs on loan in the summer transfer window

Omar Marmoush (Image credit: Getty Images)

Roberto De Zerbi's Spurs have achieved an unwanted piece of history by failing to register a goal in their first four matches.

2026/27 is the first time in their history that Spurs have started the season with four goalless league matches, and the last time they scored as late as their fourth game was in 1974/75, when a goal against Manchester City followed blanks against the same opposition as well as Ipswich Town and Carlisle United.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Remarkably, that season was the last time they didn't score in their first match of the season until the inaugural Premier League campaign fully 18 years later.

Spurs were goalless in the first two games of that 1992/93 campaign. That was the last time, until now, they had to wait for game three to open their goalscoring account for a new season.

2026/27 is the 13th season of the Premier League era in which Spurs have been unable to get off the mark within 90 minutes of the first whistle, but the historical comparison is insignificant by comparison with matters of the here and now.

Spurs do have those two points. Of the five Premier League teams without a win, only Bournemouth have managed more draws. De Zerbi will fancy their chances of picking up their first win on Saturday, when they have a home fixture against Aston Villa.

After all, these are early days.

Brighton's Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi reacts during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on February 3, 2024. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Roberto De Zerbi (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Spurs boss can look forward to having more of his most incisive players available regularly. Even at this early stage, only three players have started all four matches: Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali are the only outfielders.

Spurs and Coventry, among others, can take solace in the fact that time is a great healer in the modern Premier League.

Transfer deadline day arriving weeks into the season is particularly unhelpful for teams making more than cosmetic changes over the summer. For some, not quite being ready at the start of the season is becoming part of the market calculation.

Spurs don't necessarily fall into that category but so much about this first month or so is transient that it's increasingly possible to cut under-performing sides some slack. Whether a historically poor start in terms of goalscoring disqualifies Spurs from that leeway is a matter for the fans.

]]> <![CDATA[ West Ham United data dump uncovers revealing London Stadium findings as quarter of a million fans missing ]]> Data obtained via a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request from turnstile software managed by Newham Council has revealed an average discrepancy of nearly 13,000 unoccupied seats per Premier League fixture at the London Stadium during the 2025/26 season.

The council’s turnstile entry logs, which track real-time stadium access, contrast with West Ham United’s published ticketing figures.

While the club reported selling an average of 62,455 tickets across 19 home league matches - representing a 99.92% capacity fill rate - turnstiles recorded an actual average attendance of just 49,567 spectators, placing true stadium occupancy at 78.66%, meaning a total of 244,870 paid-for seats remained empty on matchdays across the campaign.

Midweek West Ham fixtures record largest drop-offs

West Ham celebrate during their 4-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers

West Ham are currently top of the Championship table, following last season's relegation (Image credit: West Ham United FC via Getty Images)

Turnstile data shows that attendance fell most during evening and midweek fixtures. For the visit of Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, January 6, over 62,000 tickets were sold but only 33,357 supporters attended.

This meant there were over 29,000 empty seats for that particular fixture.

Mateus Fernandes of West Ham United reacts after missing a chance during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on May 10, 2026 in London, England.

West Ham are seeking promotion back into the top flight (Image credit: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Against Brentford on Monday, October 20, 2025, West Ham again sold over 62,000 tickets, but just over 40,000 turned up.

Again, on December 30, 2025, the Hammers' actual attendance of 43,696 for their game against Brighton fell some way short of the 62,438 gate officially reported, which counted tickets sold.

High-profile Category A fixtures also recorded significant absences. The London derby against Tottenham Hotspur saw 9,868 ticket holders absent despite 62,459 tickets sold, while the fixture against Chelsea recorded 6,630 unused seats.

The FOI disclosure provides numerical backing to long-standing supporter grievances following West Ham’s 2016 move from the Boleyn Ground. Upton Park was noted for its compact, hostile atmosphere, and proximity of fans to the pitch. In contrast, the converted Olympic venue in Stratford has faced criticism over its sightlines, distance from the playing surface, and diluted matchday atmosphere.

Coupled with transport challenges and rising ticket costs, the council turnstile figures indicate that a substantial portion of season ticket holders regularly choose not to attend mid-tier or inconveniently scheduled matches, despite having already purchased their seats.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/west-ham-united-data-dump-uncovers-revealing-london-stadium-findings-as-quarter-of-a-million-fans-missing kLt5P8d9kLczydF4iRtuH4 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:00:00 +0000 false false false

Data obtained via a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request from turnstile software managed by Newham Council has revealed an average discrepancy of nearly 13,000 unoccupied seats per Premier League fixture at the London Stadium during the 2025/26 season.

The council’s turnstile entry logs, which track real-time stadium access, contrast with West Ham United’s published ticketing figures.

While the club reported selling an average of 62,455 tickets across 19 home league matches - representing a 99.92% capacity fill rate - turnstiles recorded an actual average attendance of just 49,567 spectators, placing true stadium occupancy at 78.66%, meaning a total of 244,870 paid-for seats remained empty on matchdays across the campaign.

Midweek West Ham fixtures record largest drop-offs

West Ham celebrate during their 4-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers

West Ham are currently top of the Championship table, following last season's relegation (Image credit: West Ham United FC via Getty Images)

Turnstile data shows that attendance fell most during evening and midweek fixtures. For the visit of Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, January 6, over 62,000 tickets were sold but only 33,357 supporters attended.

This meant there were over 29,000 empty seats for that particular fixture.

Mateus Fernandes of West Ham United reacts after missing a chance during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on May 10, 2026 in London, England.

West Ham are seeking promotion back into the top flight (Image credit: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Against Brentford on Monday, October 20, 2025, West Ham again sold over 62,000 tickets, but just over 40,000 turned up.

Again, on December 30, 2025, the Hammers' actual attendance of 43,696 for their game against Brighton fell some way short of the 62,438 gate officially reported, which counted tickets sold.

High-profile Category A fixtures also recorded significant absences. The London derby against Tottenham Hotspur saw 9,868 ticket holders absent despite 62,459 tickets sold, while the fixture against Chelsea recorded 6,630 unused seats.

The FOI disclosure provides numerical backing to long-standing supporter grievances following West Ham’s 2016 move from the Boleyn Ground. Upton Park was noted for its compact, hostile atmosphere, and proximity of fans to the pitch. In contrast, the converted Olympic venue in Stratford has faced criticism over its sightlines, distance from the playing surface, and diluted matchday atmosphere.

Coupled with transport challenges and rising ticket costs, the council turnstile figures indicate that a substantial portion of season ticket holders regularly choose not to attend mid-tier or inconveniently scheduled matches, despite having already purchased their seats.

]]> <![CDATA[ Exiled Tottenham Hotspur star Richarlison offered lifeline by competition rulebook ]]> Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison could be handed a route back into first-team action this week, with the Carabao Cup offering the exiled forward his only realistic chance of playing competitive football before 2027.

The Brazilian international was excluded from manager Roberto De Zerbi’s official 25-man Premier League squad list following the conclusion of the summer transfer window.

Richarlison had previously informed the Italian head coach of his desire to seek a fresh challenge away from north London, but a suitable transfer failed to materialise before the deadline passed.

Richarlison could be brought in from the cold to alleviate Spurs' attacking woes

Richarlison

Richarlison sits alongside Spurs' injured first-team players last weekend (Image credit: Getty Images)

Consequently, the forward has found himself frozen out of matchday squads, failing to feature since August 26, when he was an unused substitute in Spurs' 5-1 Carabao Cup victory over Charlton Athletic.

However, as Tottenham prepare to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup this week, De Zerbi may be forced to turn to his forgotten man.

Roberto De Zerbi

The decision rests with Roberto De Zerbi (Image credit: Getty Images)

Unlike the Premier League, Carabao Cup regulations do not mandate that players must be registered within a 25-man league squad to be eligible for selection.

Any professional player legally contracted to the club is permitted to feature, handing Richarlison a loophole and a potential path back onto the pitch.

Tottenham have endured a difficult start to their 2026/27 campaign, failing to score a single goal in their opening four Premier League matches.

Despite a £350 million summer squad overhaul, Spurs have appeared toothless in attack, leaving De Zerbi under pressure following a frustrating goalless draw against Everton.

Richarlison finished as Tottenham’s top scorer last season, and with the transfer window firmly closed, both player and manager are well aware that the striker is staying put until at least January.

Richarlison

Richarlison wants to leave Spurs (Image credit: Getty Images)

The midweek cup fixture represents an opportunity for both parties. Calling upon Richarlison offers a proven goalscoring option to help solve what is becoming an attacking crisis.

For Richarlison, the Carabao Cup is quite literally his sole avenue for first-team minutes, and to put himself in the shop window ahead of the New Year.

With Tottenham lacking European football this season, the FA Cup Third Round not commencing until January, and the Premier League door locked until the winter registration window opens, the striker faces a spell in isolation if omitted. It's up to De Zerbi whether he rolls the dice, though.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/exiled-tottenham-hotspur-star-richarlison-offered-lifeline-by-competition-rulebook Hx4RHf3U2aYc2T63JaHPwJ Mon, 14 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000 false false false

Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison could be handed a route back into first-team action this week, with the Carabao Cup offering the exiled forward his only realistic chance of playing competitive football before 2027.

The Brazilian international was excluded from manager Roberto De Zerbi’s official 25-man Premier League squad list following the conclusion of the summer transfer window.

Richarlison had previously informed the Italian head coach of his desire to seek a fresh challenge away from north London, but a suitable transfer failed to materialise before the deadline passed.

Richarlison could be brought in from the cold to alleviate Spurs' attacking woes

Richarlison

Richarlison sits alongside Spurs' injured first-team players last weekend (Image credit: Getty Images)

Consequently, the forward has found himself frozen out of matchday squads, failing to feature since August 26, when he was an unused substitute in Spurs' 5-1 Carabao Cup victory over Charlton Athletic.

However, as Tottenham prepare to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup this week, De Zerbi may be forced to turn to his forgotten man.

Roberto De Zerbi

The decision rests with Roberto De Zerbi (Image credit: Getty Images)

Unlike the Premier League, Carabao Cup regulations do not mandate that players must be registered within a 25-man league squad to be eligible for selection.

Any professional player legally contracted to the club is permitted to feature, handing Richarlison a loophole and a potential path back onto the pitch.

Tottenham have endured a difficult start to their 2026/27 campaign, failing to score a single goal in their opening four Premier League matches.

Despite a £350 million summer squad overhaul, Spurs have appeared toothless in attack, leaving De Zerbi under pressure following a frustrating goalless draw against Everton.

Richarlison finished as Tottenham’s top scorer last season, and with the transfer window firmly closed, both player and manager are well aware that the striker is staying put until at least January.

Richarlison

Richarlison wants to leave Spurs (Image credit: Getty Images)

The midweek cup fixture represents an opportunity for both parties. Calling upon Richarlison offers a proven goalscoring option to help solve what is becoming an attacking crisis.

For Richarlison, the Carabao Cup is quite literally his sole avenue for first-team minutes, and to put himself in the shop window ahead of the New Year.

With Tottenham lacking European football this season, the FA Cup Third Round not commencing until January, and the Premier League door locked until the winter registration window opens, the striker faces a spell in isolation if omitted. It's up to De Zerbi whether he rolls the dice, though.

]]> <![CDATA[ Frank Lampard is safe despite Coventry City's horror start – Doug King knows better than to lose his nerve ]]> Coventry City couldn't have asked for a worse start to their first season back in the Premier League.

The Sky Blues have played four, lost four. New signing Taiwo Awoniyi was sent off against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, leaving his teammates to see out a match that took the number of goals they've conceded to 10.

Frank Lampard's team are yet to add a single goal to the other side of the ledger. Only Tottenham Hotspur can say the same, and their defensive record is only half as bad.

Frank Lampard has earned the backing of Coventry owner Doug King

Coventry City owner Doug King

Doug King (Image credit: Getty Images)

There's no shortage of doom and gloom on Coventry's behalf, and justifiably so. History shows that promoted teams who start with four losses tend to end the season in the Premier League's relegation places.

Lampard is under external scrutiny on the basis of results alone, but a sizeable proportion of Coventry supporters are aware of the harsh reality of Premier League promotion and appreciative of Lampard's work away from the mainstream spotlight.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Sure, times are tough. The results aren't where they need to be. The Brighton game was a brutal reminder that some afternoons are going to be hard to stomach. Nobody is sugarcoating any of that, least of all Lampard himself.

But the supporters are largely keeping their heads and the same should be true of Sky Blues owner Doug King. Nothing in football is forever, but Lampard can operate freely in the knowledge that his chairman is his biggest advocate in the game.

There was no hiding from the difficult season ahead when King and Coventry committed to a new three-year contract for Lampard.

King has been crystal clear that he'll stand behind his manager, explaining during the summer that he's more concerned about his club doing the right things in the right way than surface-level results.

It's a self-assured outlook and shows a surprisingly enlightened understanding of the sheer size of the challenge for new Premier League clubs.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Frank Lampard, Manager of Coventry City, looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Coventry City at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on January 04, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Frank Lampard (Image credit: Getty Images)

There are 19 other teams that want to beat Coventry and King appears to be reluctant to risk cutting off his nose to spite his face.

That's the element that's likely to be missing from the wider discussion in the weeks and months ahead. King should be tapping into the beginnings of his patience reserves, not the end, because Lampard has earned that faith.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, now is not the time for flapping. Coventry are in a miserable spot but King and the Sky Blues supporters seem largely aware that avoiding that is no guarantee. Failing to avoid it doesn't undo the positive evolution of Lampard as a manager in the last two years.

When Coventry kick off against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, it'll be the bottom two teams in the Premier League on the pitch at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Emery has a broad base of support at Villa because of his achievements. It shouldn't be any different for Lampard.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/frank-lampard-is-safe-despite-coventry-citys-horror-start-doug-king-knows-better-than-to-lose-his-nerve y3GHda6FV67mUfBdpoDHRd Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000 false false false

Coventry City couldn't have asked for a worse start to their first season back in the Premier League.

The Sky Blues have played four, lost four. New signing Taiwo Awoniyi was sent off against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, leaving his teammates to see out a match that took the number of goals they've conceded to 10.

Frank Lampard's team are yet to add a single goal to the other side of the ledger. Only Tottenham Hotspur can say the same, and their defensive record is only half as bad.

Frank Lampard has earned the backing of Coventry owner Doug King

Coventry City owner Doug King

Doug King (Image credit: Getty Images)

There's no shortage of doom and gloom on Coventry's behalf, and justifiably so. History shows that promoted teams who start with four losses tend to end the season in the Premier League's relegation places.

Lampard is under external scrutiny on the basis of results alone, but a sizeable proportion of Coventry supporters are aware of the harsh reality of Premier League promotion and appreciative of Lampard's work away from the mainstream spotlight.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Sure, times are tough. The results aren't where they need to be. The Brighton game was a brutal reminder that some afternoons are going to be hard to stomach. Nobody is sugarcoating any of that, least of all Lampard himself.

But the supporters are largely keeping their heads and the same should be true of Sky Blues owner Doug King. Nothing in football is forever, but Lampard can operate freely in the knowledge that his chairman is his biggest advocate in the game.

There was no hiding from the difficult season ahead when King and Coventry committed to a new three-year contract for Lampard.

King has been crystal clear that he'll stand behind his manager, explaining during the summer that he's more concerned about his club doing the right things in the right way than surface-level results.

It's a self-assured outlook and shows a surprisingly enlightened understanding of the sheer size of the challenge for new Premier League clubs.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Frank Lampard, Manager of Coventry City, looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Coventry City at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on January 04, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Frank Lampard (Image credit: Getty Images)

There are 19 other teams that want to beat Coventry and King appears to be reluctant to risk cutting off his nose to spite his face.

That's the element that's likely to be missing from the wider discussion in the weeks and months ahead. King should be tapping into the beginnings of his patience reserves, not the end, because Lampard has earned that faith.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, now is not the time for flapping. Coventry are in a miserable spot but King and the Sky Blues supporters seem largely aware that avoiding that is no guarantee. Failing to avoid it doesn't undo the positive evolution of Lampard as a manager in the last two years.

When Coventry kick off against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, it'll be the bottom two teams in the Premier League on the pitch at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Emery has a broad base of support at Villa because of his achievements. It shouldn't be any different for Lampard.

]]> <![CDATA[ Former Liverpool man resurrecting career in spectacular fashion at newly-promoted side ]]> Over the past couple of years, Loris Karius has been engineering one of European football’s most satisfying career revivals.

Lately, the German goalkeeper has produced a string of spectacular performances for newly-promoted Bundesliga side Schalke 04.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has earned Man of the Match accolades in recent weeks, establishing himself as Schalke's backstop in their first top-flight campaign since 2022/23.

Loris Karius is enjoying a career renaissance in Germany

Loris Karius

Loris Karius makes a save against Bayern (Image credit: Getty Images)

Karius was reportedly excellent in a 3-1 victory against Union Berlin last weekend, racking up seven crucial saves - including a magnificent point-blank reaction stop in second-half stoppage time - to seal all three points.

That performance built on a heroic display against champions Bayern Munich, where Karius produced three fine stops to secure a 0-0 draw and a clean sheet.

KIEV, UKRAINE - MAY 26: Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius cries after the UEFA Champions League Final match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius cries after the UEFA Champions League Final match between Real Madrid and Liverpool, 2018 (Image credit: Getty Images)

It marks a triumphant return to the highest level for a player whose career seemed permanently shadowed by his exit from Liverpool.

Following two high-profile errors in the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final against Real Madrid, which were later revealed to have occurred while Karius was suffering from a concussion, the German 'keeper faced intense media scrutiny.

Karius recently opened up about the mental health toll of that period, admitting he hit 'rock bottom' and considered walking away from the sport altogether.

"I thought about ending my career: I was only 25," Karius revealed in a candid interview. "I no longer wanted to train, no longer wanted to play."

After his departure from Anfield, loan stints at Besiktas and Union Berlin, and a peripheral period as a backup 'keeper at Newcastle United, Karius joined Schalke to fight his way back into regular action.

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - MAY 17: Loris Karius of FC Schalke 04 lifts the Meisterschale trophy as Schalke celebrates its league title victory after the 2. Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Eintracht Braunschweig at Veltins-Arena on May 17, 2026 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Kevin Voigt/GettyImages)

Karius with the 2. Bundesliga trophy last season (Image credit: Getty Images)

His perseverance is paying dividends, having gone from forgotten figure to one of Germany's most in-form shot-stoppers.

Karius’s form has even led to suggestions of a potential international call-up. With legend Manuel Neuer retired from international football and Germany facing a noticeable dearth of elite, in-form options, Karius playing his way back into national team contention is no longer beyond the realm of possibility.

If he maintains this trajectory at Schalke, one of football’s great redemption arcs could reach the international stage.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/former-liverpool-man-resurrecting-career-in-spectacular-fashion-at-newly-promoted-side PF8yNGKgHrBusqa9XE9Y59 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 false false false

Over the past couple of years, Loris Karius has been engineering one of European football’s most satisfying career revivals.

Lately, the German goalkeeper has produced a string of spectacular performances for newly-promoted Bundesliga side Schalke 04.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has earned Man of the Match accolades in recent weeks, establishing himself as Schalke's backstop in their first top-flight campaign since 2022/23.

Loris Karius is enjoying a career renaissance in Germany

Loris Karius

Loris Karius makes a save against Bayern (Image credit: Getty Images)

Karius was reportedly excellent in a 3-1 victory against Union Berlin last weekend, racking up seven crucial saves - including a magnificent point-blank reaction stop in second-half stoppage time - to seal all three points.

That performance built on a heroic display against champions Bayern Munich, where Karius produced three fine stops to secure a 0-0 draw and a clean sheet.

KIEV, UKRAINE - MAY 26: Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius cries after the UEFA Champions League Final match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius cries after the UEFA Champions League Final match between Real Madrid and Liverpool, 2018 (Image credit: Getty Images)

It marks a triumphant return to the highest level for a player whose career seemed permanently shadowed by his exit from Liverpool.

Following two high-profile errors in the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final against Real Madrid, which were later revealed to have occurred while Karius was suffering from a concussion, the German 'keeper faced intense media scrutiny.

Karius recently opened up about the mental health toll of that period, admitting he hit 'rock bottom' and considered walking away from the sport altogether.

"I thought about ending my career: I was only 25," Karius revealed in a candid interview. "I no longer wanted to train, no longer wanted to play."

After his departure from Anfield, loan stints at Besiktas and Union Berlin, and a peripheral period as a backup 'keeper at Newcastle United, Karius joined Schalke to fight his way back into regular action.

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - MAY 17: Loris Karius of FC Schalke 04 lifts the Meisterschale trophy as Schalke celebrates its league title victory after the 2. Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Eintracht Braunschweig at Veltins-Arena on May 17, 2026 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Kevin Voigt/GettyImages)

Karius with the 2. Bundesliga trophy last season (Image credit: Getty Images)

His perseverance is paying dividends, having gone from forgotten figure to one of Germany's most in-form shot-stoppers.

Karius’s form has even led to suggestions of a potential international call-up. With legend Manuel Neuer retired from international football and Germany facing a noticeable dearth of elite, in-form options, Karius playing his way back into national team contention is no longer beyond the realm of possibility.

If he maintains this trajectory at Schalke, one of football’s great redemption arcs could reach the international stage.

]]> <![CDATA[ Manchester City’s new midfield was a mess, but the tactical story of their win vs Manchester United is how Enzo Maresca's "plan" reined a certain key player in ]]> Enzo Fernandez sauntered off the pitch with a wry smile, blood trickling from his nose, a job well done. He was, of course, the villain, the catalyst, encapsulating the grit and steel behind Manchester City’s battling victory at Old Trafford.

But that telling of Sunday’s game is flawed, the smirk largely unearned.

In order to beat Manchester United, Enzo Maresca had to plan around Fernandez, not with him. The adaptation to Phil Foden’s red card – flipping the tactical pattern of the match – benefitted Manchester City only because it tamed Fernandez, whose presence was proving more disruptive to City than Foden’s absence.

Release the hound

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Enzo Fernandez of Manchester City celebrates after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Enzo Fernandez pulls at the chain until it snaps, which can be extremely useful in a Manchester derby but also, to be frank, a liability (Image credit: Getty Images)

To play Fernandez is to release the dogs of war. He pulls at the chain until it snaps, which can be extremely useful in a Manchester derby but also, to be frank, a liability. The tactical story of City’s win is one of how Maresca reined him in.

In the first half, before Foden’s red card and after it, Manchester City’s new midfield was a mess. Elliot Anderson (magnificent throughout, but overworked) was stationed alone at the base with Rayan Cherki and Fernandez nominally deployed as eights in front of him, a bold attacking move from Maresca that backfired when Fernandez moved wildly out to the left flank or into the forward line, leaving Anderson isolated.

Fernandez’s strange positioning emptied the middle for City, limited their passing options and, in turn, forcing slow and hesitant sideways possession. Below, he is too far wide (image 1) or too high (image 2), allowing Manchester United to surround Anderson and/or dominate empty space:

Manchester Derby 2026

Image 1: Fernandez is so wide he leaves the City midfield exposed, allowing United to dominate (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Manchester Derby 2026

Image 2: Fernandez is so high he leaves the City midfield exposed, allowing United to dominate (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Maresca told Sky Sports after the game that his initial plan with Cherki and Fernandez as eights had been to “attack a little bit [more] to create an overload in the middle against the extra midfielder”, ruling out the possibility Fernandez’s positioning – so wide, so high, so weird – was a tactical instruction from the dugout.

It allowed Manchester United to grow into the contest, pinch possession in that vacated middle, and transition quickly, just as Michael Carrick would have hoped. It was the exact tactical battle everyone had predicted (City possession, United counters) and clearly United were on top, harassing and frustrating the visitors until Foden snapped, and the tactics were reversed.

Well, eventually. At first, Fernandez kept making the same bizarre decisions despite being part of a two-man midfield. City remained all at sea:

Manchester Derby 2026

(Image credit: Alex Keble)

Here is a typical example of how Fernandez’s positioning left City overly stretched and, therefore, vulnerable to being caught in transition when the ball was lost:

Manchester Derby 2026

Ten-man City are forced to play vertically into the (too high) Fernandez, who is completely disconnected from Anderson. When Fernandez is tackled, United have huge amounts of space to counter-attack into (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Manchester Derby 2026

As above (Image credit: Alex Keble)

It wasn’t until half-time that Maresca found a way to pull on the leash. He brought on Illiman Ndiaye for Cherki and instructed his players to sit back, therefore compressing space between the lines with a simplified defensive structure in a 4-4-1 formation, conceding the ball to United but, counter-intuitively, regaining the initiative.

Manchester Derby 2026

In the second half City dropped back, making Enzo more disciplined (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Gianluigi Donnarumma started playing long balls up the pitch, punting it into the United half to prevent Manchester City from even attempting to build out from the back. The idea was to cut out midfield, win the second balls that fell around Erling Haaland, and get Ndiaye weaving through the lines.

The passing football – which had lured Fernandez into his ultra-expansive mindset – disappeared, and as a consequence the spaces shrank. City were now compact off the ball (falling back instead of pressing) and on it (pushing up to receive long balls, rather than spreading out in their own half to play through United).

The long balls up for Haaland were played again and again until one of them – Haaland challenging, Ndiaye picking up the pieces – led directly to the controversial winner:

Manchester Derby 2026

Donnarumma takes a long goal kick (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Manchester Derby 2026

Donnarumma's long goal kick is is flicked on by Erling Haaland (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Manchester Derby 2026

Ndiaye picks it up and dribbles through the lines, and eventually the ball is worked out to Gvardiol to cross for Haaland’s winner (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Before kick-off, Maresca said his team needed to “embrace the noise, embrace the chaos,” a call to lean into the atmosphere and ride out the madness of derby day. Nobody embodied that mentality better than Fernandez and, in that respect, his role was important.

But ultimately, what defined this match was a tactical rewrite enforced by Foden’s red card yet designed to tame Fernandez’s excesses.

Fernandez embraced the chaos. Maresca contained it.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/tactic/manchester-citys-new-midfield-was-a-mess-but-the-tactical-story-of-their-win-vs-manchester-united-is-how-enzo-marescas-plan-reined-a-certain-key-player-in rjYZK2hTuCoWDz3qLp3eoD Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:19:30 +0000 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:22:12 +0000 false false false

Enzo Fernandez sauntered off the pitch with a wry smile, blood trickling from his nose, a job well done. He was, of course, the villain, the catalyst, encapsulating the grit and steel behind Manchester City’s battling victory at Old Trafford.

But that telling of Sunday’s game is flawed, the smirk largely unearned.

In order to beat Manchester United, Enzo Maresca had to plan around Fernandez, not with him. The adaptation to Phil Foden’s red card – flipping the tactical pattern of the match – benefitted Manchester City only because it tamed Fernandez, whose presence was proving more disruptive to City than Foden’s absence.

Release the hound

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Enzo Fernandez of Manchester City celebrates after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Enzo Fernandez pulls at the chain until it snaps, which can be extremely useful in a Manchester derby but also, to be frank, a liability (Image credit: Getty Images)

To play Fernandez is to release the dogs of war. He pulls at the chain until it snaps, which can be extremely useful in a Manchester derby but also, to be frank, a liability. The tactical story of City’s win is one of how Maresca reined him in.

In the first half, before Foden’s red card and after it, Manchester City’s new midfield was a mess. Elliot Anderson (magnificent throughout, but overworked) was stationed alone at the base with Rayan Cherki and Fernandez nominally deployed as eights in front of him, a bold attacking move from Maresca that backfired when Fernandez moved wildly out to the left flank or into the forward line, leaving Anderson isolated.

Fernandez’s strange positioning emptied the middle for City, limited their passing options and, in turn, forcing slow and hesitant sideways possession. Below, he is too far wide (image 1) or too high (image 2), allowing Manchester United to surround Anderson and/or dominate empty space:

Manchester Derby 2026

Image 1: Fernandez is so wide he leaves the City midfield exposed, allowing United to dominate (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Manchester Derby 2026

Image 2: Fernandez is so high he leaves the City midfield exposed, allowing United to dominate (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Maresca told Sky Sports after the game that his initial plan with Cherki and Fernandez as eights had been to “attack a little bit [more] to create an overload in the middle against the extra midfielder”, ruling out the possibility Fernandez’s positioning – so wide, so high, so weird – was a tactical instruction from the dugout.

It allowed Manchester United to grow into the contest, pinch possession in that vacated middle, and transition quickly, just as Michael Carrick would have hoped. It was the exact tactical battle everyone had predicted (City possession, United counters) and clearly United were on top, harassing and frustrating the visitors until Foden snapped, and the tactics were reversed.

Well, eventually. At first, Fernandez kept making the same bizarre decisions despite being part of a two-man midfield. City remained all at sea:

Manchester Derby 2026

(Image credit: Alex Keble)

Here is a typical example of how Fernandez’s positioning left City overly stretched and, therefore, vulnerable to being caught in transition when the ball was lost:

Manchester Derby 2026

Ten-man City are forced to play vertically into the (too high) Fernandez, who is completely disconnected from Anderson. When Fernandez is tackled, United have huge amounts of space to counter-attack into (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Manchester Derby 2026

As above (Image credit: Alex Keble)

It wasn’t until half-time that Maresca found a way to pull on the leash. He brought on Illiman Ndiaye for Cherki and instructed his players to sit back, therefore compressing space between the lines with a simplified defensive structure in a 4-4-1 formation, conceding the ball to United but, counter-intuitively, regaining the initiative.

Manchester Derby 2026

In the second half City dropped back, making Enzo more disciplined (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Gianluigi Donnarumma started playing long balls up the pitch, punting it into the United half to prevent Manchester City from even attempting to build out from the back. The idea was to cut out midfield, win the second balls that fell around Erling Haaland, and get Ndiaye weaving through the lines.

The passing football – which had lured Fernandez into his ultra-expansive mindset – disappeared, and as a consequence the spaces shrank. City were now compact off the ball (falling back instead of pressing) and on it (pushing up to receive long balls, rather than spreading out in their own half to play through United).

The long balls up for Haaland were played again and again until one of them – Haaland challenging, Ndiaye picking up the pieces – led directly to the controversial winner:

Manchester Derby 2026

Donnarumma takes a long goal kick (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Manchester Derby 2026

Donnarumma's long goal kick is is flicked on by Erling Haaland (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Manchester Derby 2026

Ndiaye picks it up and dribbles through the lines, and eventually the ball is worked out to Gvardiol to cross for Haaland’s winner (Image credit: Alex Keble)

Before kick-off, Maresca said his team needed to “embrace the noise, embrace the chaos,” a call to lean into the atmosphere and ride out the madness of derby day. Nobody embodied that mentality better than Fernandez and, in that respect, his role was important.

But ultimately, what defined this match was a tactical rewrite enforced by Foden’s red card yet designed to tame Fernandez’s excesses.

Fernandez embraced the chaos. Maresca contained it.

]]> <![CDATA[ Chelsea are scoring for fun but there's one bad habit Xabi Alonso needs to break to turn them into contenders ]]> Chelsea drew 2-2 with promoted Hull City on Saturday. On the back of a loss, albeit against Arsenal, it was an unwelcome development in these early weeks of Xabi Alonso's management.

It's important not to overlook Hull's own influence on the outcome. The Tigers have enjoyed an impressive start and remain unbeaten. Before heading south to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, they hadn't conceded a Premier League goal.

Yet the result was undeniably a disappointing one for the Blues for one reason above all others: it must be a rarity that Chelsea, with punchy aspirations and huge investment in them, score twice at home without winning.

Chelsea need to close the back door to step up Premier League fortunes

Chelsea winger Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Only one team in the division has scored more goals than Chelsea in the first four league games of the season, and they're an outlier.

Brighton & Hove Albion have netted 13 goals to Chelsea's 10, but nine of them were against an Aston Villa side that might as well have been meeting for the first time, and Coventry City, who've started badly and were ripe for the same treatment.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Unfortunately for Alonso, it's a similar story at the other end. Chelsea, in fifth, have the worst goal difference and highest number of goals conceded in the top eight. It's important to recognise that it's early days and Chelsea have only been beaten by Arsenal, but Alonso will be looking for ways to tighten up.

Only three teams have conceded more than Chelsea.

Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth has had to pick the ball out of his net 10 times in four games. That's not an ideal start but it's only one goal worse than Chelsea.

Crystal Palace are conceding regularly and it's a problem for Pierre Sage just as it is for Alonso, but four of those goals were scored by Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland for Manchester City.

Ipswich Town, in ninth, have also conceded 10 times. Bruno Fernandes was responsible for three of those and Manchester United for five in total.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Emiliano Martinez of Chelsea during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Hull City at Stamford Bridge on September 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alexander Canillas/MB Media/Getty Images)

Emiliano Martinez (Image credit: Getty Images)

Chelsea's vulnerability is playing out differently. The West Londoners have conceded at least twice in all four of their matches, including their two wins out of the gate. They needed to score three times to beat Fulham and four times to beat Brighton.

That's only a problem if it becomes a problem. Chelsea's results have mostly overcome it up to this point and they've scored more than they've conceded. With attacking firepower like that, it would take a disaster to make it any other way.

But this is Chelsea. Saturday's goals were scored in the space of seven minutes against a defence that cost £140 million, was made up of players who were all at Stamford Bridge last season, and was backstopped by the self-proclaimed best goalkeeper in the world.

For now, these are teething issues at worst. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez can be a little patchy at times but tends to come good in the meat of the season, and fellow new signing Maxence Lacroix is just one of the options available to Alonso who wasn't on the pitch when Hull scored their goals.

As the margins get finer, though, there's no doubt Alonso will see defensive improvements as a way to give Chelsea the best possible chance of success.

'Soft' defending won't be good enough and the new boss has been clear that the short trip to Brentford is where he expects that process to kick in.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/chelsea-are-scoring-for-fun-but-theres-one-bad-habit-xabi-alonso-needs-to-break-to-turn-them-into-contenders WrjjfgUWv6vCTfaKyVrhwN Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000 false false false

Chelsea drew 2-2 with promoted Hull City on Saturday. On the back of a loss, albeit against Arsenal, it was an unwelcome development in these early weeks of Xabi Alonso's management.

It's important not to overlook Hull's own influence on the outcome. The Tigers have enjoyed an impressive start and remain unbeaten. Before heading south to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, they hadn't conceded a Premier League goal.

Yet the result was undeniably a disappointing one for the Blues for one reason above all others: it must be a rarity that Chelsea, with punchy aspirations and huge investment in them, score twice at home without winning.

Chelsea need to close the back door to step up Premier League fortunes

Chelsea winger Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Only one team in the division has scored more goals than Chelsea in the first four league games of the season, and they're an outlier.

Brighton & Hove Albion have netted 13 goals to Chelsea's 10, but nine of them were against an Aston Villa side that might as well have been meeting for the first time, and Coventry City, who've started badly and were ripe for the same treatment.

Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List

Unfortunately for Alonso, it's a similar story at the other end. Chelsea, in fifth, have the worst goal difference and highest number of goals conceded in the top eight. It's important to recognise that it's early days and Chelsea have only been beaten by Arsenal, but Alonso will be looking for ways to tighten up.

Only three teams have conceded more than Chelsea.

Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth has had to pick the ball out of his net 10 times in four games. That's not an ideal start but it's only one goal worse than Chelsea.

Crystal Palace are conceding regularly and it's a problem for Pierre Sage just as it is for Alonso, but four of those goals were scored by Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland for Manchester City.

Ipswich Town, in ninth, have also conceded 10 times. Bruno Fernandes was responsible for three of those and Manchester United for five in total.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Emiliano Martinez of Chelsea during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Hull City at Stamford Bridge on September 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alexander Canillas/MB Media/Getty Images)

Emiliano Martinez (Image credit: Getty Images)

Chelsea's vulnerability is playing out differently. The West Londoners have conceded at least twice in all four of their matches, including their two wins out of the gate. They needed to score three times to beat Fulham and four times to beat Brighton.

That's only a problem if it becomes a problem. Chelsea's results have mostly overcome it up to this point and they've scored more than they've conceded. With attacking firepower like that, it would take a disaster to make it any other way.

But this is Chelsea. Saturday's goals were scored in the space of seven minutes against a defence that cost £140 million, was made up of players who were all at Stamford Bridge last season, and was backstopped by the self-proclaimed best goalkeeper in the world.

For now, these are teething issues at worst. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez can be a little patchy at times but tends to come good in the meat of the season, and fellow new signing Maxence Lacroix is just one of the options available to Alonso who wasn't on the pitch when Hull scored their goals.

As the margins get finer, though, there's no doubt Alonso will see defensive improvements as a way to give Chelsea the best possible chance of success.

'Soft' defending won't be good enough and the new boss has been clear that the short trip to Brentford is where he expects that process to kick in.

]]> <![CDATA[ Roberto De Zerbi makes Igor Tudor excuse as Tottenham Hotspur blame game begins after goalless start ]]> Roberto De Zerbi has seemingly begun pointing fingers at his Tottenham Hotspur squad, citing their sub-par fitness as a reason for their drab start to the season, following last weekend's 0-0 draw against Everton.

The Toffees played their part, operating an effective man-to-man marking structure that helped extended Spurs' barren, goalless start to the new Premier League season.

Despite overseeing a £350 million summer spending spree designed to fire Spurs back into the Champions League, De Zerbi watched his side draw yet another blank this past weekend.

Spurs players 'not fit enough' despite full De Zerbi pre-season

Roberto De Zerbi

Roberto De Zerbi (Image credit: Getty Images)

Tottenham have now failed to find the back of the net in their opening four league fixtures of the 2026/27 campaign. Rather than taking tactical responsibility for his team's lack of a cutting edge, some may take the view that De Zerbi has opted to pass the buck.

Speaking to Sky Sports following the final whistle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Spurs boss shifted the focus away from his own setup and directly onto the application of his players.

Roberto De Zerbi

Much to ponder for RDZ (Image credit: Getty Images)

"The physical condition of the team is not the best," De Zerbi claimed when pressed on his side's attacking struggles.

It is something of a deflection from the manager keen to explain away an unexpected start to the season.

De Zerbi did suggest he felt the team played well on Merseyside, referencing the number of times they entered the Everton penalty area, but was frustrated his players did not take enough shots. Choosing to cast blame onto the physical state of the dressing room, as well as individuals' decision-making, is certainly a choice when this is a dressing room he spent an entire pre-season preparing physically and tactically.

What makes De Zerbi’s comments particularly concerning for Spurs fans is how familiar they sound.

Just seven months ago, back in February, former boss Igor Tudor made similar comments. The Croatian accused a fatigued Tottenham squad of lacking basic fitness and desire during a torrid run of form. Tudor’s public assessment subsequently alienated key players, ultimately accelerating his exit, leaving a toxic atmosphere in north London.

Tottenham have parted ways with Igor Tudor

Igor Tudor's tenure was short-lived in north London (Image credit: Getty Images)

De Zerbi was brought in to lift that gloom, and achieved that during the latter part of last season by rebuilding player confidence, none more so than Dutch defender-turned-skipper Micky van de Ven.

But as the pressure mounts, he appears to be pulling from the same playbook of excuses as his predecessor.

Leaning on fitness issues after just four games is something of a red flag. If the Italian cannot figure out how to integrate £350m worth of new talent and get Tottenham firing in front of goal, the blame game will do little to save him from difficult conversations with his superiors, and crucially, maintaining the good will of fans.

]]> https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/coaches-managers/roberto-de-zerbi-makes-igor-tudor-excuse-as-tottenham-hotspur-blame-game-begins-after-goalless-start SZJ2ttUNXyYhubrx3QVnE Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:07:17 +0000 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:08:58 +0000 false false false

Roberto De Zerbi has seemingly begun pointing fingers at his Tottenham Hotspur squad, citing their sub-par fitness as a reason for their drab start to the season, following last weekend's 0-0 draw against Everton.

The Toffees played their part, operating an effective man-to-man marking structure that helped extended Spurs' barren, goalless start to the new Premier League season.

Despite overseeing a £350 million summer spending spree designed to fire Spurs back into the Champions League, De Zerbi watched his side draw yet another blank this past weekend.

Spurs players 'not fit enough' despite full De Zerbi pre-season

Roberto De Zerbi

Roberto De Zerbi (Image credit: Getty Images)

Tottenham have now failed to find the back of the net in their opening four league fixtures of the 2026/27 campaign. Rather than taking tactical responsibility for his team's lack of a cutting edge, some may take the view that De Zerbi has opted to pass the buck.

Speaking to Sky Sports following the final whistle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Spurs boss shifted the focus away from his own setup and directly onto the application of his players.

Roberto De Zerbi

Much to ponder for RDZ (Image credit: Getty Images)

"The physical condition of the team is not the best," De Zerbi claimed when pressed on his side's attacking struggles.

It is something of a deflection from the manager keen to explain away an unexpected start to the season.

De Zerbi did suggest he felt the team played well on Merseyside, referencing the number of times they entered the Everton penalty area, but was frustrated his players did not take enough shots. Choosing to cast blame onto the physical state of the dressing room, as well as individuals' decision-making, is certainly a choice when this is a dressing room he spent an entire pre-season preparing physically and tactically.

What makes De Zerbi’s comments particularly concerning for Spurs fans is how familiar they sound.

Just seven months ago, back in February, former boss Igor Tudor made similar comments. The Croatian accused a fatigued Tottenham squad of lacking basic fitness and desire during a torrid run of form. Tudor’s public assessment subsequently alienated key players, ultimately accelerating his exit, leaving a toxic atmosphere in north London.

Tottenham have parted ways with Igor Tudor

Igor Tudor's tenure was short-lived in north London (Image credit: Getty Images)

De Zerbi was brought in to lift that gloom, and achieved that during the latter part of last season by rebuilding player confidence, none more so than Dutch defender-turned-skipper Micky van de Ven.

But as the pressure mounts, he appears to be pulling from the same playbook of excuses as his predecessor.

Leaning on fitness issues after just four games is something of a red flag. If the Italian cannot figure out how to integrate £350m worth of new talent and get Tottenham firing in front of goal, the blame game will do little to save him from difficult conversations with his superiors, and crucially, maintaining the good will of fans.

]]>