Football Roundup: This week’s footballing action – Premier League, Super League, European football, and more
It was a big weekend of footballing action across the English and European leagues, with Arsenal finally seeing joy over Man City and a controversial red card in the WSL.
Premier League weekend action
England’s finest were back in action for a packed weekend of high drama. The PL is now on a break as players head off for international duty.
Arsenal beat City
Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City
Arsenal beat Manchester City in what will be a real boost of confidence in their hopes of winning the title. It was the first time Arsenal had beaten City in the Premier League since December 2015. Many of the pundits had this game highlighted as a potential psychological turning point in the title race – it also marked the second defeat for Man City. It’s still early in the title race, but the gap between the sides are only three points – compared to seven at this time last season.
Manchester United’s season starts
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
A late comeback saw Manchester United claim all three points, kickstarting their 2023/24 season. Man U was 1-0 down for much of the match, but bringing on Scott McTominay at the 88th minute livened up the game and saw the Scottish international score twice in stoppage time. The late win will undoubtedly boost morale in the club but how the team will reconnect after the international break is hard to tell. It’s been a difficult start to the season for Man U once again – they’re currently in 10th place in the PL, and it’s unclear if the club are heading back to their ruthless ways or just papering over the cracks of a club on the brink.
You have to feel for Brentford who were by far the better team and until the last few minutes of madness, looked more like they would add more goals to their lead. If they had won, it would’ve been their first win at Old Trafford since 1937.
Sterling inspire Chelsea
Chelsea 4-1 Burnley
Despite going 1-0 down in the first 15 minutes, Raheem Sterling showed why he’s the team’s most important player, and the key to them having any success in the Premier League. Chelsea’s performance was, at times, disjointed but thanks to an own goal, Chelsea was back level before the break. Sterling’s cross, deflecting off the knee of a Burnley player not only got the team back level but seems to have given the team a boost. In the second half, they went on to score three more times – with Sterling getting his name on the score sheet.
He also won a penalty in the 50th minute, allowing Cole Palmer to score his first Chelsea goal since his move from City. It’s too early to say if this is a real turning point for the Blues – who are 11th in the Premier League, but Sterling is showing his value and importance to the club, and leaving pundits wondering why Gareth Southgate hasn’t called him up for international duty.
Tottenham continue winning
Tottenham 1-0 Luton Town
Spurs have continued their winning ways as they claimed all three points in their Saturday away game at Luton. The narrow win means Tottenham are now top of the Premier League. The game wasn’t without its drama as Yves Bissouma was shown a red card just before half-time, Spurs had to hold strong and at the 52-minute, Micky van de Ven poked home his first goal for the club. Spurs have made a great start to the title race and have shown real character in the season. They head into the international break on top of the league and surely many will be feeling confident about their return.
WSL: the Super League returns
City shown two red cards
Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea
Perhaps one of the most exciting matches this weekend, saw two heavyweight teams battle it out, with two red cards being shown and 11 yellows being dished out. City were reduced to nine players. Captain Alex Greenwood was sent off in the 38th minute after receiving a second yellow for time-wasting at a free-kick – a controversial decision that many didn’t agree with. In the 81st minute, Lauren Hemp was sent off after a foul earned her a second yellow. City struggled but were able to defend the 1-0 lead for much of the game, but in added time, Chelsea’s Guro Reiten poked in from close range after a scramble in the box to make it 1-1.
Arsenal struggle at United
Manchester United 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal were fortunate to get a point out of the game as defeat was narrowly avoided. Arsenal scored first, with Blackstenius showing her power and strength to put the Gunners ahead in the 14th minute. But a howler from the Arsenal keeper saw United equalise in the 27th minute. It was a competitive half with no clear winner in sight, and the game was very much there to be won. Melvine Malard scored on her debut to put United ahead in the 81st minute and it looked like United would be able to hold onto the win in front of a packed-out Leigh Sports Village but a spectacular strike from Cloe Lacasse in stoppage time meant the Gunners were able to at least take a point from the match. Arsenal need to sort out its defence going forward but should remain confident in having a team packed with qualify regardless of having a host of injured players. United will be disappointed at conceding so late but should have confidence in how well their new signings – Melvine Malard, Hinata Miyazawa and Lucia García, have done, with all three impressing early on. The team also have the world’s number-one-ranked goalkeeper.
International break sees big names out
Spain v Scotland: Ryan Jack and Kieran Tierney out of Euro 2024 qualifier
Ryan Jack has withdrawn from the Scotland squad before Thursday’s Euro 2024 qualifier away to Spain.
Defender Kieran Tierney is also out with injury.
Scotland will qualify for next summer’s finals in Germany if they avoid defeat in Spain or if Norway fail to beat Cyprus on the same night.
Bukayo Saka ruled out for England with injury
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has ruled out England star Bukayo Saka for the October international games, as he has been benched with a hamstring injury.
England face Australia (October 13) and Italy (October 17). England manager Gareth Southgate had stated on Thursday he would take no risks with Saka despite the Italy clash being a crucial European Championship qualifier.
The England vs Australia game is a friendly.
Female referee to take charge of England v Australia
Stephanie Frappart will referee Friday’s international friendly between England and Australia, becoming the first female official to oversee a men’s international match at Wembley.
Frenchwoman Frappart became the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup fixture during Qatar 2022 when she took charge of Germany’s 4-2 victory over Costa Rica.
Peter Elsworth, the FA’s head of refereeing operations, said: “Stephanie is an outstanding referee.
“We’re delighted she and her team will take charge of our upcoming fixture against Australia in front of a sold-out crowd at Wembley Stadium and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to the home of English football.”
European football – Will Messi return to Barcelona?
Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino has said “I don’t know anything” about rumours linking Argentina legend Lionel Messi, 36, with a loan move to Barcelona during the Major League Soccer close season, which runs from the end of October to February. (Goal)
Arsenal and Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus, 26, could be used as part of a swap deal with Napoli for Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 24. (Express)
Ajax will discuss the future of head coach Maurice Steijn after the Dutch side dropped into the top-flight’s bottom three with a third straight defeat in the Eredivisie. (Fabrizio Romano)
Former Ajax manager Louis van Gaal, who recently joined the club’s supervisory board, was in the stands to watch their latest defeat – 2-1 at home to AZ Alkmaar on Sunday. (Talksport)
AC Milan have added France striker Olivier Giroud to their official squad list of goalkeepers following his stoppage-time save in Saturday’s victory over Genoa. The 37-year-old took the gloves following a 97th-minute red card for goalkeeper Mike Maignan. (FourFourTwo)
