Chelsea vs Newcastle LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Cole Palmer goal proves decisive

Chelsea vs Newcastle LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Cole Palmer goal proves decisive

Chelsea moved themselves into the top four of the Premier League with a well deserved 2-1 victory over Newcastle a Stamford Bridge.

The Blues dominated and controlled possession in the first half with Eddie Howe’s Magpies looking uncharacteristically uneasy as the match went on. Cole Palmer, always eager to impress, had the ball in the back of the net with six minutes only for the goal to be ruled out for an offside in the build-up.

However, it didn’t take Chelsea long before they went ahead. Palmer released Pedro Neto down the left wing and he squared to Nicolas Jackson for a tap-in after a quick counter attack.

Alexander Isak managed to pull one back with an awkwardly taken equaliser to send the teams into the break on level terms but it was Palmer who had the last word. Less than two minutes after the restart he slotted past Nick Pope to secure the points for the hosts.

Relive the action with our live blog below:

Chelsea vs Newcastle LIVE

  • Chelsea defeat Newcastle in the Premier League

  • 90+2’ NO PENALTY! Spot kick overturned after VAR intervention (CHE 2-1 NEW)

  • 90’ PENALTY! Nkunku brought down by Burn in the box (CHE 2-1 NEW)

  • 47’ GOAL! Palmer sends Chelsea ahead (CHE 2-1 NEW)

  • 32’ GOAL! Isak pokes visitors level (CHE 1-1 NEW)

  • 18’ GOAL! Jackson slots Chelsea into the lead (CHE 1-0 NEW)

  • 6’ DISALLOWED! Palmer finds the back of the net but drifted offside in the build-up (CHE 0-0 NEW)

Chelsea FC 2 – 1 Newcastle United FC

Palmer speaks to Sky Sports

16:23 , Chris Wilson

Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer is first to speak to Sky, and he says that Chelsea “don’t mind proving people wrong”.

“I try and go out there and play my game. That is what I do. I always try to enjoy my football game by game.

I try to not put pressure on myself. Many people on the outside try to put pressure on me to replicate what I did last season in terms of numbers.

“It is my second season playing football and I am still very, very young.”

Regarding Chelsea and fighting for top four, he said: “We just try to play our own game, block the noise out from the outside. We don’t mind proving people wrong.

“We are all young and we have a top coach, but there are improvements still.”

FT: Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

16:15 , Chris Wilson

That result puts Chelsea back into the top four. They sit on 17 points, one behind Villa, and are above Arsenal on goal difference ahead of the Gunners’ match against Liverpool.

Newcastle remain in 12th, with 12 points from their first nine matches.

Elsewhere in the Premier League

16:12 , Chris Wilson

Two more results to report from the Premier League.

In south London, Crystal Palace beat Spurs 1-0 thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta, while in east London, West Ham won 2-1 against Manchester United courtesy of a late penalty from Bowen.

FT: Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

16:08 , Chris Wilson

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FULL-TIME! Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

16:04 , Chris Wilson

An entertaining match comes to an end in west London. Chelsea take a deserved three points at home after a game that was close overall, though they certainly deserved it more than Newcastle.

Chelsea move into the top four once again!

FULL-TIME! Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

16:03 , Chris Wilson

FULL-TIME! The referee brings it to an end!

The corner comes in but it’s cleared and Chelsea take the three points!

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

16:02 , Chris Wilson

97 mins

Maybe time for one more chance for the away side as Pope has the ball in the Newcastle half and punts it forward. Good defending from Cacicedo though.

Newcastle win the throw but they can’t find the gaps. They lump it forward again and Willock plays it back across goal – and James comes in with a fine defensive header to clear it over his own goal!

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

16:01 , Chris Wilson

96 mins

Into the final of the allotted minutes, but there’ll be a couple of extra minutes due to the VAR check for the penalty.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:59 , Chris Wilson

94 mins

Newcastle have a chance to build an attack but it’s all too disjointed. Dan Burn fizzes in a hopeful cutback but there’s nobody there.

Nkunku leads the counter but the whistle goes for offside.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:58 , Chris Wilson

93 mins

There’s still time for the away side here but they have to get a move on, and it’s Chelsea who still have most of the ball. A chance for Newcastle here though as Nkunku concedes a free-kick and is booked.

Maresca is booked for his reaction too!

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:56 , Chris Wilson

93 mins

So Newcastle get a second chance to take something, but will they capitalise?

Sean Longstaff was booked for dissent in the meantime.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:56 , Chris Wilson

91 mins

PENALTY OVERTURNED!

It was certainly fleeting contact from Burn, and Simon Hooper goes to the screen before overturning his decision.

We’re into the second of six minutes of added time here.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:54 , Chris Wilson

90 mins

PENALTY TO CHELSEA!

Chelsea burst forward and Nkunku surges into the box. Burn has his hands all over him and he drags the Frenchman down as he checked back inside – it’s given, but there’s a VAR check.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:53 , Chris Wilson

88 mins

Chelsea are closing the game out and they win a goal kick after the ball forward runs out of play.

Newcastle make two changes as Osula and Kelly replace Hall and Joelinton.

Another goal in east London – Jarrod Bowen has converted a penalty to put West Ham 2-1 up against Manchester United.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:51 , Chris Wilson

87 mins

Half a chance for Chelsea as Joelinton is dispossessed on the edge of his own box, but Nkunku dwells on the ball for too long and his shot is blocked.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:50 , Chris Wilson

85 mins

Now Sanchez is booked for delaying a restart.

Into the final five minutes of normal time and Newcastle are throwing themselves forward , but Chelsea do look fairly comfortable.

Another attack breaks down as Neto runs it into Pope.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:47 , Chris Wilson

83 mins

Newcastle lump a long free-kick forward but they’re penalised for a foul from Burn.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:46 , Chris Wilson

81 mins

CHANCE!

Newcastle’s turn to build patiently now, but they can’t find an opening and Palmer wins possession. He exchanges passes with Nkunku in the box before laying it off to Mudryk. The Ukrainian is in plenty of space but he can only fire his shot straight at Pope!

Will Chelsea live to rue that missed opportunity?

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:44 , Chris Wilson

80 mins

Chelsea aren’t committing as many men forward now, and are trying to take the sting out of the Newcastle attack.

They build patiently, exchanging passes in midfield before the attack breaks down.

In east London, Casemiro has levelled things for Manchester United against West Ham.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:42 , Chris Wilson

77 mins

Newcastle have some real momentum now but they’re penalised for a foul on Gusto in the Chelsea box.

The home side make two more changes – Gusto makes way for Marc Cucurella, and Christopher Nkunku replaces Nicolas Jackson.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:40 , Chris Wilson

75 mins

CLOSE! How have Newcastle nit scored here!?

Newcastle knock the long ball forward and Isak wrestles free from the challenge from Fofana to win the ball. He’s 1-v-1 and skips past Sanchez, but the angle is too tight to hit it. He tries to skip past another challenge to get the shot away, but he’s tackled!

Joelinton was free in the box, unmarked, to tap in, but Isak didn’t square it! Had to be 2-2 that.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:38 , Chris Wilson

74 mins

Newcastle have definitely improved since making their substitutions, but only one chance of note for them so far. They’ve found a way back into it though, for sure.

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Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:36 , Chris Wilson

72 mins

Enzo Fernandez comes on for Romeo Lavia.

In other news, West Ham have gone 1-0 up against Manchester United thanks to a goal from Crysencio Summerville. Crystal Palace still lead Spurs at Selhurst Park too.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:35 , Chris Wilson

69 mins

CHANCE!

Newcastle come forward and Joelinton releases Willock down the left. He hangs up the cross and Isak heads it towards goal, but James is there to clear it almost off the line!

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:32 , Chris Wilson

67 mins

Both sides make subs as Madueke makes way for Mykhailo Mudryk for Chelsea, and Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff come on for Miguel Almiron, Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:30 , Chris Wilson

66 mins

Chelsea do look very comfortable at the moment. The away side look like they’re missing Anthony Gordon here.

Hall wins a free-kick near the Chelsea box after Madueke pulls him back. The England winger is booked for the challenge.

Schar lines it up but he curls his effort over.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:28 , Chris Wilson

64 mins

Barnes tries to lead the Newcastle attack as he’s fed the sweeping pass from Guimaraes, but he’s dispossessed.

Tonali is the next player booked for delaying the restart.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:26 , Chris Wilson

62 mins

Palmer feeds Neto down the left, but Chelsea are forced to work it backwards and Palmer’s ball into the box is caught by Pope.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:25 , Chris Wilson

59 mins

Chelsea attack again but the header bounces over and the goal kick is given, though it should have been corner.

Newcaslte try and launch an attack but Hall’s ball forward is cleared.

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Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:22 , Chris Wilson

57 mins

Newcastle have their first real attack of the second half and it’s a dangerous one, as Barnes threads it to the overlapping Isak. He clips a ball towards the back post but it’s great defending from James to head away, almost on his own goal line.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:20 , Chris Wilson

55 mins

Lavia is booked for delaying the restart, and there’s a bit of a lull in attacking activity here as Madueke’s through ball goes out for a goal kick.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:17 , Chris Wilson

54 mins

It feels like a crucial point in the game now, as Chelsea could essentially win it here if they keep this up.

Gusto fires a shot well over, but Newcastle look very ragged and disjointed at the moment.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:16 , Chris Wilson

51 mins

Another Chelsea counter ends with Madueke hitting a weak shot at Pope. The home side are dominating once again though.

Newcastle look a bit shocked out there.

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:14 , Chris Wilson

49 mins

So the home side are ahead once more – can they keep their lead (or even extend it) this time?

They almost do, as the cross comes in from Madueke. Neto rises early and gets above Livramento, but he crashes his header against the post!

GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

15:11 , Chris Wilson

47 mins

GOAL! And the home side lead within a couple of minutes of kick-off!

Newcastle lose possession on halfway and Caicedo threads it to Palmer. He drives towards the box and hits a low shot to the near post – Pope gets a hand to it but he can’t keep it out!

KICK-OFF! Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

15:09 , Chris Wilson

The away side get the second half underway in West London.

HALF-TIME! Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

15:08 , Chris Wilson

The teams are coming back out at Stamford Bridge, so we’re moments away from the second half.

HALF-TIME! Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

15:07 , Chris Wilson

And back at Stamford Bridge, we have an intriguing second half ahead of us between Chelsea and Newcastle.

The home side certainly dominated large parts of the first half and looked the more dangerous of the two teams. This dominance showed as Nicolas Jackson put the home side ahead within the first 20 minutes.

But the home defence switched off for a moment to allow Isak in to equalise, and since then it has been a little more equal.

Chelsea have certainly been the better of the two sides though, and they’ll fancy their chances of grabbing a win here.

Both sides will certainly need to be more clinical, and more solid at the back, if they are to come away with a win though.

HALF-TIME! Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

15:03 , Chris Wilson

A note from around London – West Ham and Manchester United are currently level at the break, while Crystal Palace are defending a precarious lead at home to Spurs.

HAL-TIME! Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

15:00 , Chris Wilson

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HALF-TIME! Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:54 , Chris Wilson

52 mins

HALF-TIME!

Probably the last chance of the half as Caicedo and Gusto combine to foul Barnes. Newcastle can swing in a dangerous set-piece here – Hall delivers it but Burn can only direct a header up into the air, and Sanchez collects it.

The referee blows the whistle and the two teams head down the tunnel level after the first half.

Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:51 , Chris Wilson

50 mins

Isak is briefly down after being caught by Fofana, but both are fine. Up the other end, Chelsea are penalised as Jackson drifted offside.

Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:50 , Chris Wilson

49 mins

Sanchez comes off his line well to deal with a dangerous long ball forward.

Hall picks out Barnes with a clipped ball forwards but Gusto does well to recover the ball.

Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:49 , Chris Wilson

47 mins

Chelsea win another corner as Livramento heads Gusto’s cross behind. James delivers the set-piece – and it’s headed behind for another.

Palmer will deliver this one – and Pope punches it behind!

One more in-swinger from Palmer – it’s a dangerous delivery but Pope catches it well.

Worth noting that Newcastle have neither scored nor conceded from a corner so far this season.

Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:46 , Chris Wilson

45 mins

Shouts around Stamford Bridge as Guimaraes avoids a foul after sliding in on Neto.

There’ll be SEVEN minutes of added time at the end of the first half.

Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:45 , Chris Wilson

44 mins

Livramento does well to win a foul from Neto, and there’ll be some brief respite for the away side. At the other end, Colwill is calm enough to play a pass back to Sanchez to clear.

Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:43 , Chris Wilson

42 mins

Barnes leads the Newcastle counter and he feels he’s fouled, but it was a good challenge from Lavia.

Moments after, Burn has his hands on Madueke as he looks to latch onto a long ball forward, but the referee doesn’t give the foul.

Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:42 , Chris Wilson

41 mins

Chelsea are finishing the half in the ascendancy here. Neto – who’s moved onto the right wing for now – hits a deflected shot that has wrong-footed Pope, but the ‘keeper adjusts his feet to make a good save.

Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:41 , Chris Wilson

39 mins

Another promising Chelsea attack as Palmer shifts it wide to Gusto before Neto has a shot deflected over for a corner.

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Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:37 , Chris Wilson

36 mins

Caicedo does well to win the ball back near the Newcastle box. It’s given back to him by Jackson, and the Ecuadorian blasts an effort over from outside the box.

Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:36 , Chris Wilson

34 mins

So, despite some promising attacking play from Chelsea, they find themselves level. It was a well-worked goal from Newcastle, if not the prettiest.

In other news – Palace lead Spurs 1-0 after a strike from Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:34 , Chris Wilson

33 mins

GOAL GIVEN!

Plenty of tension as VAR takes a while to look if Isak had drifted…but he’s played onside by Fofana’s right boot!

Newcastle are level!

GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle

14:33 , Chris Wilson

32 mins

GOAL! The visitors are level!

Tonali and Joelinton exchange passes near halfway before the Italian slides a pass across to Harvey Barnes. The England man plays in Livramento on the overlap and he squares it for Isak to tap in!

Hang on though…it looks like there could be an offside!

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

14:31 , Chris Wilson

31 mins

Half a chance as Isak’s glancing header at the front post is well over.

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

14:31 , Chris Wilson

30 mins

The match has certainly calmed down a bit but you do get the sense that Chelsea could score whenever they attack.

Newcastle launch a long free-kick from their own half, which ends with Tonali winning a corner as Palmer charged down the cross.

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

14:29 , Chris Wilson

27 mins

Plenty of space in midfield for Chelsea when they look to attack, but it’s Newcastle who have a chance now.

They pour men forward and Isak finds Barnes with the cutback, but the shot is blocked. The away side attack again, but two shots are blocked from within the box and Chelsea counter to win a corner.

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

14:26 , Chris Wilson

25 mins

Good work from Caicedo as he receives a poorly judged pass from Sanchez but wriggles free to release Palmer.

The home side come forward again, and Neto beats Livramento down the left and manages to keep the ball in play, but Gusto can’t get a clean connection with the ball at the back post.

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

14:24 , Chris Wilson

23 mins

Madueke’s cross is headed down by Jackson but he can’t direct it back to a Chelsea man. The home side are dominating here.

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

14:23 , Chris Wilson

23 mins

Chelsea launch another attack and Jackson’s pass forward deflects into the path of Neto, who curls an effort into the gloves of Pope.

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

14:22 , Chris Wilson

22 mins

A lull in activity at the Bridge ends with Palmer drawing a foul and a yellow card as Schar trips him.

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

14:21 , Chris Wilson

19 mins

Newcastle look to answer straight away as Guimaraes finds Almiron with a chipped ball into the box, but the Paraguayan can’t get his effort on target.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

14:20 , Chris Wilson

18 mins

The home side are definitely ahead now!

It all comes from a Newcastle cross too as the ball in is cleared and it falls to Palmer. On the turn, he threads a brilliant pass to the overlapping Neto and the Portuguese beats Schar down the wing, before lifting his head and finding Jackson unmarked in the area. The striker slots a simple side-foot past Pope for 1-0!

Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:18 , Chris Wilson

17 mins

Good work from Fofana to shepherd the ball and head it back to Sanchez. He’s looking alright now.

Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:17 , Chris Wilson

15 mins

Huge shouts for a penalty from Newcastle as Guimaraes goes down as he burst into the box, but the referee waves it away! VAR will check it presumably…

No matter anyway, as he was well outside of the area.

No goals (except disallowed ones) in the first 15 in any of the three 2pm matches.

Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:15 , Chris Wilson

14 mins

Palmer’s ball forward is blocked but he has a second chance and feeds through Neto down the left. The former Wolves man wins a corner.

James swings in the corner but it’s good defending from Hall to make the block.

Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:14 , Chris Wilson

12 mins

Quite a lengthy bit of treatment for Fofana but he walks off and he looks like he’ll be okay to carry on. It looks like an issue with his knee .

Newcastle win a corner after Colwill deals with a ball forward to Joelinton, and a poor delivery ends with a Chelsea throw.

On second look, Fofana still looks uncomfortable out there.

Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:11 , Chris Wilson

10 mins

Hall is dispossessed by Madueke and now it’s the turn of the home side to have possession. Once again, they don’t look in any particular rush in the opening stages.

Newcastle mount a counter that ends with Guimaraes hitting a deflected shot that Sanchez collects.

Wesley Fofana is briefly down after flying into a late challenge to try and stop the counter. He receives a yellow card for the tackle too.

14:08 , Chris Wilson

7 mins

James clips a inviting early ball over the defence but Pope rushes out to clear. Nice idea from the Chelsea captain.

Newcastle have their first bit of sustained possession just into the Chelsea half, but it’s a little pedestrian at the moment.

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DISALLOWED GOAL! Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:06 , Chris Wilson

6 mins

The goal is indeed disallowed as Palmer had stepped slightly offside. A second chance for Newcastle – that was far too easy for the home side.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

14:05 , Chris Wilson

4 mins

GOAL! The home side are ahead within four minutes!

James plays a pass inside and Jackson turns his man all too easily before sliding in a pass into the path of Palmer. He bursts into the box and slides a low effort across Pope and into the far corner.

Hold on though – it looks like Palmer has strayed offside…

Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:04 , Chris Wilson

3 mins

Colwill is alert to head away Isak’s clipped cross, before Tonali is penalised for being offside.

Chelsea go on the counter and it falls to Madueke again after good work from Jackson, but the England winger can only drive a shot right at Pope.

Worth noting that Reece James is starting at left-back today, with Gusto in his favoured position.

Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:02 , Chris Wilson

1 min

Just two points separate these two sides at kick-off, though there have been very different atmospheres around the two clubs of late.

Chelsea have the first meaningful attack as Madueke makes some space before his cross is collected by Pope.

Chelsea vs Newcastle LIVE

14:00 , Chris Wilson

KICK-OFF!

The home side get us underway in west London.

Newcastle have gone just over 600 minutes without a goal from open play – can they change that in a difficult game at Stamford Bridge?

Chelsea vs Newcastle LIVE

13:57 , Chris Wilson

Both sides are starting to emerge from the tunnel at Stamford Bridge, so we’ll be underway soon.

Chelsea v Newcastle LIVE

13:55 , Chris Wilson

We’re five minutes away from kick-off in west London.

There are 2pm kick-offs in the east and south of the capital today too – West Ham host Manchester United and Crystal Palace welcome Tottenham.

Chelsea vs Newcastle LIVE

13:50 , Chris Wilson

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Chelsea vs Newcastle head-to-head

13:47 , Chris Wilson

These two sides have met a total of 176 times, with the first meeting dating back to 1907. Overall, Chelsea have won 80, Newcastle have won 56, and 40 have ended as draws.

Chelsea won 3-2 the last time the two teams met – in this fixture last season, when Chelsea won 3-2 in March.

Newcaslte beat the Blues 4-1 at St. James’ Park 11 months ago.

Howe on Gordon

13:44 , Chris Wilson

Eddie Howe says Anthony Gordon felt a problem with his groin yesterday and so has travelled to London but won’t feature. He’s not sure how long the England winger will be out.

Match facts

13:40 , Chris Wilson

Newcastle have won two of their last four Premier League games against Chelsea, drawing one and losing one. This is as many wins as they had in their previous 13 (D1 L10).

After winning three of their first four Premier League games this season, Newcastle have since failed to win their last four, drawing two and losing two. The Magpies last went five matches without winning in the league in March 2023.

Eddie Howe has won two of his Premier League games against Chelsea in charge of Newcastle – only Alan Pardew (four wins) has beaten the Blues more in the competition for the Magpies.

Howe also beat the Blues four times while in charge of Bournemouth and could be the third manager to win 3+ Premier League games against them with two different clubs, after Kenny Dalglish (Blackburn/Liverpool) and David Moyes (Everton/West Ham).

Enzo Maresca explains why ‘slow’ learner Mykhailo Mudryk is starting to prove worth for Chelsea

13:35 , Chris Wilson

Enzo Maresca admitted Mykhailo Mudryk has been a slower learner than his Chelsea teammates but praised the winger’s performance in his side’s 4-1 win over Panathinaikos.

It was an efficient yet thorough display in Athens to maintain the visitors’ perfect start in the Conference League and the Ukrainian’s contribution was key, scoring the second goal with a brave header as well as setting up two goals for Joao Felix.

Maresca previously challenged Mudryk to seize upon his selection in the starting XI and prove the worth of his £88million transfer fee, and those words were heeded as the 23-year-old had his strongest game of the season in the Olympic Stadium.

Enzo Maresca explains why ‘slow’ learner Mykhailo Mudryk is starting to prove worth

Match facts

13:30 , Chris Wilson

Chelsea’s last three Premier League defeats have come against last season’s top-three sides (0-5 vs Arsenal in April, 0-2 vs Man City in August, 1-2 vs Liverpool last weekend). The Blues are unbeaten in 19 games against all other teams (W13 D6), scoring 54 goals across these matches.

Chelsea have named the youngest average starting XI in the Premier League this season – 23 years, 220 days. They are the only team in Premier League history to get eight games into a season without using anyone over the age of 27.

Cole Palmer has 18 goals and five assists in his last 14 Premier League appearances at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea, while Nicolas Jackson has been involved in 13 goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances (nine goals, four assists).

Across the Premier League

13:20 , Chris Wilson

Chelsea’s match is just one of the important matches near the top end of the table today, as Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates at 4.30pm GMT.

Much has been made of Arsneal’s potential injury woes, but can Arteta get a solid performance out of a depleted side after a few poor results of late?

There’s also an additional 2pm kick-off today, as Manchester United travel to West Ham hoping to ease some of the pressure on Erik ten Hag. They currently sit 13th in the league on 11 points, one place and one point behind Newcastle.

13:15 , Chris Wilson

Chelsea have lost just one of their 29 Premier League home games against Newcastle, winning 21 and drawing seven. Their last loss against the Magpies was a 2-0 defeat in May 2012 – a game fondly remembered by some for a brilliant brace from Papiss Cisse.

Eddie Howe: “We have to have a perception of achievement and growing as a football club”

13:10 , Chris Wilson

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said that his side “need to score goals”, after suffering a small run of games without finding the net.

“It’s been at the heart of everything we’ve done since we’ve been here, to be an attacking team, and we certainly haven’t lost the intent to attack or score.

“I’d just love to see us be free and take those chances we create.

“We have to have a perception of achievement and growing as a football club to keep not just the so-called big names happy, but everyone happy and going in a forward direction.

“I’ve seen it very quickly go the other way. Myself and everyone connected at the club has a big job to try to keep that momentum positive.”

Howe also praised Anthony Gordon as “such a talent” after the winger signed a new deal at the club.

Enzo Maresca admits Chelsea lack ‘proper leader’ as he asks for ‘more personality’ from Reece James

13:05 , Chris Wilson

Enzo Maresca has told Reece James he expects more personality from Chelsea’s captain as the head coach admitted his squad is without a natural leader.

James made his first appearance of the season in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool last weekend following a lengthy injury lay-off and did not travel with the side that beat Panathinaikos in Athens on Thursday.

The last two campaigns have been blighted by knee and hamstring problems for the 24-year-old but he was nevertheless appointed club skipper by previous boss Mauricio Pochettino last August.

“I spoke with him and I expect from him more in terms of leadership inside the changing room,” said Maresca.

“He’s on the way, he’s doing well, he’s progressing but I expect more.”

Enzo Maresca admits Chelsea lack ‘proper leader’ as he makes Reece James request

Team news

12:58 , Chris Wilson

Newcastle have made two changes to the side that lost at home to Brighton last week, and both changes come on the wings.

On the left, Miguel Almiron replaces Jacob Murphy, while Anthony Gordon – who is not in today’s squad – drops out in place of Harvey Barnes.

Team news

12:52 , Chris Wilson

Enzo Maresca has made tow changes to the side that slipped to a narrow defeat against Liverpool last week.

In defence, Wesley Fofana replaces Tosin Adarabioyo, while in midfield, Pedro Neto comes onto the left wing in place of Jadon Sancho.

Line-ups

12:47 , Chris Wilson

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Gusto; Lavia, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.

Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin, Veiga, Cucurella, Enzo, Mudryk, Sancho, Felix, Nkunku.

Newcastle XI: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Barnes.

Subs: Odysseas, Ruddy, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff, Miley.

Chelsea are making progress at last — but a crucial task still faces Enzo Maresca

12:40 , Chris Wilson

The previous time Chelsea lost to Liverpool they were labelled the “blue billion-pound bottle jobs”. Eight months on, there was a more flattering appraisal, and from the victor. “If I would be a Chelsea manager, I would say if we can play like this at Anfield, we can compete for a top-four position,” said Arne Slot. This wasn’t a repeat of the Carabao Cup final, the extra-time failure against Jurgen Klopp’s kids, or their last trip to Anfield, the 4-1 walloping in January.

There was more respectability in a reverse. “We don’t like to lose, but if we have to, we choose this way,” said Enzo Maresca, who pronounced himself “proud but also upset”. The Italian may have been exaggerating when he said: “We controlled most of the game”. Slot’s verdict on his 2-1 win may have been fairer. “In an ideal world, we would have outplayed them completely but it was an equal game,” he said.

Chelsea are making progress at last — but a crucial task still faces Enzo Maresca

Predicted line-ups

12:30 , Chris Wilson

Here are The Independent’s predicted line-ups – we’ll have concrete team news at around 12.45pm.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Gusto; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Newcastle XI: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Tonali; Barnes, Isak, Gordon.

Team news

12:25 , Chris Wilson

Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are both back available for Chelsea after serving suspensions, while Reece James returned from injury last weekend.

Newcastle, meanwhile, remain without Callum Wilson after a set-back in the striker’s recovery, with Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier and Jamaal Lascelles also sidelined.

When is Chelsea vs Newcastle?

12:20 , Chris Wilson

Chelsea vs Newcastle is due to kick off at 2pm GMT on Sunday 27 October at Stamford Bridge.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage from 1pm GMT. Subscribers can stream via Sky Go.

Is Chelsea v Newcastle on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch

Chelsea vs Newcastle LIVE

12:10 , Chris Wilson

Chelsea will hope to bounce back from defeat against Liverpool as Enzo Maresca’s side welcome Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge.

Having found form under their new manager, the loss at Anfield was the second successive Premier League game in which they had dropped points.

They now take on a Newcastle side that would climb above their hosts with three points, though are without a win in four fixtures.

Eddie Howe’s visitors have drawn a blank in their last two outings and will hope to remedy their attacking ailments here.

Chelsea vs Newcastle LIVE

12:00 , Chris Wilson

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s early kick-off between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are looking to return to winning ways after a loss against Liverpool last week, and the Magpies are doing the same after a surprise loss at home to Brighton.

We’ll have all the latest build-up, team news and updates right here.


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Blood and injustice: How Manchester United got ‘mad’ and back to winning ways

Blood and injustice: How Manchester United got ‘mad’ and back to winning ways

A day after Erik ten Hag had gone on the attack over reports of his demise, his Manchester United players used their own sense of injustice to fuel a fightback that will have greater influence over the narrative at Old Trafford.

A manager under scrutiny is entitled to counter-punch and in his press conference ahead of facing Brentford, Ten Hag accused journalists of writing fairytales about his future. Equating the press pack with Hans Christian Andersen is a sure-fire way to endear yourself to the fanbase and, having been questioned for much of his two-year reign, Ten Hag doubtless feels he has to project total strength in crucial moments.

Words only go so far, though. Results are what will dictate the reality of Ten Hag’s tenure.

Beating Thomas Frank’s side at home on Saturday was a start but it didn’t come without jeopardy. Indeed, at its core was an episode of gore that imbued Ten Hag and his players with a burning desire to turn things around. That it featured one of the managers’ key signings, whose leadership origin story dates back to their days together at Ajax, only heightened the drama.

Early in the game, Matthijs de Ligt took a novel approach to defending by planting his head into the knee of opponent Kevin Schade as the ball bounced outside the area. With blood pouring down his face, looking like he had made an early start to his Halloween costume, as a result of that collision, De Ligt was forced to the sidelines for treatment as the game continued.

United’s medics chose to try to stem the bleeding by clogging the wound with a jelly-like substance rather than wrapping a bandage around the Dutchman’s head, due to the awkward position of the cut. But into first-half stoppage time, referee Sam Barrott ushered De Ligt off again as it reopened. Rules ban players from continuing with bloody gashes.

De Ligt returned, only to be directed off again by Barrott when Brentford won a corner in the final seconds before the break. De Ligt flapped his arms in irritation and then, as he was being tended to, watched Ethan Pinnock escape Diogo Dalot to head in the opening goal. De Ligt swivelled and booted one of the pitchside balls into the advertising boards.

Afterwards, Ten Hag said: “It was dry blood, so he was already treated for the injury. I didn’t understand why he was sent off. A huge moment, because Brentford is very good at corners and you miss one of your best headers of the ball.”


Matthijs de Ligt complains to fourth official Gavin Ward after Brentford’s opening goal (James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

The blood’s viscosity was not a consideration for Barrott but United complained at the timing and circumstance of the official’s implementation of the rules. Ten Hag’s assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy steps down the touchline to confront fourth official Gavin Ward. Ten Hag directed his anger that way too. Both received guarantees from Barrott in response.

“Definitely we were mad and angry at half-time,” said Ten Hag afterwards. “We felt some injustice and used it as fuel.”

Blame for the concession could go to United’s defending of Mikkel Damsgaard’s corner, or the physios for failing to stop the bleeding the first time, or Ten Hag for declining to simply replace De Ligt. Victor Lindelof immediately got ready to come on when De Ligt initially went down, but Ten Hag was told by his compatriot that he could continue.

There is trust between them since Ten Hag made De Ligt his captain, at age 18, in an intriguing manner.

The pivotal date is March 4, 2018, as Ajax travelled to Vitesse Arnhem needing to win to keep up faint hopes of catching PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie title race. Ten Hag had taken over early in the January, winning four of his first six league matches and drawing two others.

But he tasted his first Ajax loss that day in Arnhem, to a side who had a young Mason Mount, now of United, playing for them on loan from Chelsea. As people began to drift into the Ajax changing room following the 3-2 defeat, several players talked about what had gone against them. They complained about the officiating, which they felt had been skewed towards the hosts. Some pointed out the pitch was awkward to play on. Others felt the weather had been detrimental to their style.

Then De Ligt entered and he did not like what he was hearing. Despite his teenage years, he told his older team-mates to stop blaming other factors and instead look at their own performances, as he would do. He said the only way Ajax would become champions is by improving individually and collectively, rather than pointing fingers.


Bruno Fernandes wipes blood from De Ligt’s head (Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

De Ligt had broken into the side the previous season and started the Europa League final, against United, as a 17-year-old, so had some status but this was still a bold move given his age. Ten Hag was greatly impressed by what he considered to be a winning mentality and had an idea.

The next day, having slept on it, he told his coaches that he was going to make the kid captain of Ajax, feeling his unflinching attitude should be recognised. During that morning’s training session, the manager informed his squad.

Six days later, De Ligt led Ajax out at Johan Cruyff Arena for the visit of Heerenveen and opened the scoring with a header after winning the ball in midfield and continuing his run into the box to meet a floated pass by Hakim Ziyech. Ajax went on to win 4-1, although they ultimately lost the title race to PSV.

The next season was one of the best in Ajax’s modern history. They won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup (Dutch football’s FA Cup equivalent), and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, knocking out Real Madrid and Juventus along the way and playing thrilling football before a stunning late meltdown at home against Tottenham cost them a place in the final.

Following spells with Juventus and Bayern Munich since, De Ligt’s start to his United career since being signed this summer has been somewhat checkered. He scored away to Southampton, ghosting into the box as he had done in his first game as Ajax captain, but had such a chaotic performance in the 3-3 at Porto in the Europa League that Ten Hag felt compelled to take him out of the starting line-up for the subsequent trip to Aston Villa.

De Ligt’s injury yesterday was the result of once again engaging early with a situation and being a split-second late.

But his determination to stay on echoes what Ten Hag saw in Arnhem over six years ago and De Ligt did his bit after the break. Late in the game, his aggressive approach won United the ball on the wing and he carried possession down the same touchline where he had earlier shown such fury, eventually crossing so Alejandro Garnacho could test Mark Flekken with a shot.


Rasmus Hojlund, who scored United’s winner, celebrates Garnacho’s equalizing goal (James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

By that stage, Garnacho’s volley from Marcus Rashford’s brilliant cross and Rasmus Hojlund’s deft finish from a Bruno Fernandes flicked assist had swung the points United’s way. They had come out flying for the second half, proof that these players are still trying for their manager — even those who have experienced friction at times. Rashford was energised in and out of possession and could have had at least three more assists. Casemiro also had a very good game.

Ten Hag’s selection choices paid off, too. Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were starting their first Premier League game alongside Fernandes since September last year — the 3-1 home loss to Brighton — but here, the partnership worked. Lisandro Martinez was near faultless as the makeshift left-back.

Match-going United fans have largely stayed with Ten Hag and his team as well. Hundreds remained afterwards outside Old Trafford for photos. De Ligt, once his wound was fully cleaned up, was one of those who obliged them.

The big caveat is that Ten Hag needs consistent performances like this against the best teams. Only then will his relationship with United truly have hope of ending happily ever after.

go-deeper

(Top photo: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)


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Manchester United vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result as Rasmus Hojlund completes turnaround

Manchester United vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result as Rasmus Hojlund completes turnaround

Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund got on the scoresheet as Manchester United bounced back after conceding a controversial goal to beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford for their first victory in more than a month.

The win meant United climbed to 10th in the standings on 11 points after eight matches, and eased some of the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag, whose job has been the subject of media speculation. Brentford are 12th on 10 points.

United had 10 men on the pitch when Ethan Pinnock headed in Brentford’s goal from a corner deep in first-half stoppage time after referee Sam Barrott instructed Matthijs de Ligt to go to the touchline to stem the bleeding from a gash on his head.

United came out of the break fired up and Garnacho latched onto a cross from Marcus Rashford to fire home from the left side of the six-yard box into the far corner in the 47th minute.

Hojlund put the home side ahead in spectacular fashion in the 62nd when Bruno Fernandes found him with a back-heel pass, and the Dane chipped the ball over goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

Manchester United vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League updates

  • FULL TIME! Manchester United end five-game winless run with comeback win

  • 68’ GOAL! Hojlund puts United ahead with brilliant chip finish (MUN 2-1 BRE)

  • 48’ GOAL! Garnacho fires equaliser shortly after the restart (MUN 1-1 BRE)

  • 45+5’ GOAL! United behind as Pinnock heads visitors in front (MUN 0-1 BRE)

  • United defender De Ligt was off pitch receiving more treatment for head injury

  • United are on a five-game winless run in all competitions

  • Man Utd XI: Onana, Dalot, de Ligt, Evans, Martinez, Casemiro, Eriksen, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund

  • Brentford XI: Flekken, van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer, Janelt, Norgaard, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter, Schade

Manchester United FC 2 – 1 Brentford FC

Manchester United’s sense of injustice sparks comeback win for Erik ten Hag

17:43 , Richard Jolly

Perhaps it took a sense of injustice to spare Manchester United further ignominy. When the half-time whistle blew, they were losing and losing their rag, Brentford on course for a first win at Old Trafford since 1937, United set for a third consecutive league defeat at Old Trafford, a fate they had not suffered since 1979. As it stood, they were the joint lowest scorers in the Premier League, their drought stretching past five hours. The class of 2024 were failing, the class of 2004 fuming. Ruud van Nistelrooy was booked. Darren Fletcher ran after the officials in the tunnel.

Ethan Pinnock’s opener – though actually far less controversial than United imagined – had annoyed their past. Their present responded. The temptation was to call it a much-needed win for Erik ten Hag, though perhaps the scarcity of victories means they all are, but ended with a first triumph in six games, just a fourth in 12 outings this season. The outstanding Alejandro Garnacho delivered a wonderful equaliser, Rasmus Hojlund a decider to cap a show of spirit.

Man Utd’s sense of injustice sparks comeback win for Erik ten Hag

Manchester United vs Brentford

17:06

The full-time whistle sounds and United are 2-1 victors over Brentford at Old Trafford. While the first half saw a bloody De Ligt struggling and touchline-bound, Brentford were decisive in his absence and struck the lead just before the interval. Pinnock rose best from a Damsgaard corner to head into the top-left, and it’s fair to suggest that even with De Ligt on the pitch, that goal would still go in. In the second half, United changed their tune and were inspired by Garnacho’s continued skilful industry. Just two minutes into the new period, the Argentine restored parity with a lovely volleyed finish as Rashford found him on the left channel of the area with a beautifully pin-point pass. Then, after continued offensive impetus, 15 minutes later saw the Red Devils snatch the lead with Hojlund. Martinez won the ball back and played forwards. Fernandes then offered a deft flick to play in the Dane, who obliged to dink the on-rushing Flekken and ultimately provide the decisive goal of the afternoon. United operated at an xG of 1.48, while the visitors stayed at an xG of 0.98. Now, United go 10th in the table, with Brentford down to 12th. Thank you for joining us today, goodbye!

Manchester United vs Brentford

17:02

FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-1 BRENTFORD

Manchester United vs Brentford

17:01

Brentford are keeping United in their area. The hosts don’t react to the dropping ball following a long-throw and then Carvalho drags his effort wide right!

Manchester United vs Brentford

17:00

Brentford keep fighting here and Frank has waved his players forward. Can they level late on?

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:59

There will be five added minutes today.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:56

United’s stand-out star Garnacho comes off to a standing ovation. Noussair Mazraoui is on, fully recovered from recent surgery on his heart.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:56

Rashford enterprise results in a corner on the right for United. Brentford clear, with Mbeumo desperate to break, yet he doesn’t get far. In the next pahse, Yarmoliuk fires over, but the flag is up anyway on Wissa’s run through the back line.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:53

Substitution Jonathan Grant Evans Victor Jörgen Nilsson Lindelöf

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:53

Substitution Carlos Henrique Casimiro Manuel Ugarte Ribeiro

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:52

Mbeumo wins a free-kick deep on the right and after a free-kick cross has the United defence alert, an eventual offside halts the visiting progress.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:51

Substitution Sepp van den Berg Mads Roerslev Rasmussen

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:49

United have numbers forward as Rashford drives at Collins and shoots, yet the move was rather telegraphed and the Irishman can block. Garnacho then pounds one low and hard after De Ligt made good yardage, yet Flekken can save easily, putting his body behind the ball.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:46

Casemiro darts in and Rashford puts the ball into Zirkzee’s path, but again, the Dutchman can’t get it under control. He just can’t catch a break.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:44

Damsgaard tries to wriggle through the Red Devils’ midfield, yet Eriksen ushers him off the ball before then getting fouled himself.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:43

United are just knocking the ball around now with jeers arriving from the home crowd. Zirkzee then gets played in, yet he can’t take it in his stride. Casemiro takes control, yet it’s comfortably wide right.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:39

Brentford’s changes keep coming as Janelt is withdrawn for young Unkrainian Yehor Yarmoliuk.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:39

Hojlund comes off to a brilliant Old Trafford reception following his game-changing dink. Joshua Zirkzee is on for the last 16-plus minutes.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:39

Substitution Kevin Schade Fábio Leandro Freitas Gouveia de Carvalho

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:39

The ball has been in play for a while now, but the referee remembers a foul from Ajer on Hojlund, and the Norwegian is booked.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:36

Dalot has seemingly forgot he’s a defender! He’s tried to race in behind again! The pass for the right-back was just too long, though, and Flekken claimed easily.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:33

Dalot breaks in behind after Onana pings one forward, and with Schade falling, Flekken has to come out and block the Portuguese! Great pass from the Cameroonian keeper!

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:30

Substitution Keane William Lewis-Potter Yoane Wissa Bileko

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:27

United are a complete different team here in the second half. Garnacho is looking electric and puts the ball into an area where there’s no one. Casemiro then crosses and Fernandes heads wide.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:28

Assist Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:25

United have a corner on the left with Eriksen. Hojlund darts in behind and Van den Berg puts it behind. The corner utlimately comes to nothing as a short move is well-read by Brentford.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:22

Norgaard is down now after Fernandes seemingly studs the Dane’s ankle on the right. No card given though.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:20

Yellow Card Christian Thers Nørgaard

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:19

Dalot slides through the back of Lewis-Potter and receives a deserved yellow card.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:18

Manchester United have attempted six shots on target in this match, higher than their season average of 4.8 in the Premier League.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:18

Casemiro has a go from range, and the sun-blinded Flekken saves again! The cap-wearing Dutchman didn’t look too sure where that was, yet he does well in the low sunlight.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:17

Garnacho nearly gets a second! Van den Berg is allowing the winger too much space and he jinks in from the left to fire low. Flekken tips it from the bottom-left corner in agile fashion.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:15

Brentford have conceded three goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Only West Ham United (four) have conceded more in the Premier League this season.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:12

Rashford and Hojlund link up superbly on the edge of the Brentford box and the latter runs inside, yet Pinnock slide tackles superbly.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:12

Goal Alejandro Garnacho Ferreyra

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:12

Assist Marcus Rashford

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:11

We’re back underway at Old Trafford as United have work to do.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:04

With that showing, Manchester United have now failed to score a first-half goal in seven of their eight games, more often than any other team in the Premier League this season. Something has to change for Ten Hag if he wishes his keep his job. United’s half chances have culminated in a lowly xG of 0.28. Although Brentford have largely operated on the counter, their xG of 0.83 hints at far more positivity going forward, and their decisive nature in front of goal has illustrated they’re not just early goal gimmick-chasers. United can’t play victim for too long in this one, otherwise Brentford could pull away.

Manchester United vs Brentford

16:00

The interval arrives and Brentford lead 1-0 here at Old Trafford as United are incensed. A relatively non-descript game had panned out to this point with Flekken and Onana only really tested by Garnacho and Norgaard efforts, respectively. Yet, the drama arrived in the final knockings. Earlier in the match, De Ligt for some reason opted to use his head to tackle Schade’s knee and was off the pitch on numerous occasions to get the wound on the top of his skull sealed up. However, as he cleared a late cross from the visitors, it opened up again, and thus he was called off for treatment. Brentford took the corner and Pinnock rose best to head into the top-left corner, and it’s fair to suggest that even with De Ligt on the pitch, that goal still goes in. Dalot didn’t follow the defender’s run and now an offensively blunt United trail with only themselves to blame.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:55

HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 BRENTFORD

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:52

Brentford have a corner here on the left. De Ligt’s head wound is open again. It’s doubtful he’ll be back for the second half.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:52

Goal Ethan Rupert Pinnock

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:52

Yellow Card Jonathan Grant Evans

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:47

There will be four minutes of added time here.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:47

Damsgaard nearly finds Lewis-Potter behind the United line, but an agile leg from Dalot, it looked like, halted the trouble. United are still forced to defend and De Ligt has blood running down his head!

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:46

Norgaard is frustrated at Casemiro’s theatrics to win a foul off the Dane. Referee Barrott has a chat with the Brentford midfielder to calm him down.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:44

Garnacho forces Flekken to save! Hojlund offers brilliant hold up play and then finds Garnacho who cuts back on his right to fire into the bottom-left. It’s deflected slightly and Flekken can save before it’s smashed behind for a corner. This comes to nothing, yet United keep the pressure up.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:43

Collins is down after Hojlund collides with the defender. The Dane is then played in in Collins’ vacant spot and the centre-back gets up to track back as the striker fires low and wide of the right post. The Irishman wasn’t happy with the referee there. Hojlund was apologetic.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:39

United counter after Lewis-Potter is slow to cross on the left. Hojlund holds the ball up in the centre and Rashford then pings Garnacho through on the left. The youngster drives at goal but his finish is poor and balloons high and wide at the near post.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:38

Casemiro has a go from range, and it’s deflected over for a corner on the right. Norgaard heads away and Fernandes then slams one way over.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:36

Eriksen fires over from inside the box. How on earth has he missed by such a height? Well, it doesn’t matter, as Collins was fouled by Rashford in the lead up and Eriksen has reprieve.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:34

The corner on the left nears Schade, yet Eriksen clears for the hosts.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:34

Onana saves from Norgaard! The Dane turns away from Casemiro with aplomb and fires from a central-right position just outside the box. It’s going in the left-side, yet Onana is agile to tip it away for a corner.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:32

After United eventually deal with Mbeumo, debatably illegally, with an arm across the throat being employed – Fernandes is fouled by Schade as he looks to get Garnacho off and running.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:31

Mbuemo gets left by Martinez and Evans lashes the ball skywards as the winger clearly causes panic as he chases Flekken’s ball from the back just off the right side.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:28

United buzz with intent around the Bees’ box and it goes out to Garnacho. He takes on Van den Berg succesfully and fires on goal. However, Flekken saves well down to his right. The subsequent corner comes to nothing.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:27

Brentford have lost all three of their Premier League away games so far this season – they’ve not begun a league campaign with four straight losses on the road since 1961-62, when they lost their first nine in the third tier. They’ve admittedly looked the brightest out of the two teams so far here.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:23

Flekken drops his claim from the left-sided corner and it has to be cleared off the line with Hojlund lurking!

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:22

The corner falls to Garnacho after De Ligt leaves it. His shot is blocked but the hosts keep coming and Rashford’s left-sided cross is blocked by Pinnock.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:21

United have a corner on the right after Ajer puts a cross behind on that side. Eriksen will take.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:20

So far, Brentford have had 68% possession to United’s 32%. There have been zero attempts on the Bees’ goal so far.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:18

De Ligt is back on, presumably glued up. Brentford have a throw-in on the left with Pinnock. He can launch them. Damsgaard then fires, but can’t get hold of it and Martinez blocks.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:17

Lewis-Potter smashes his free-kick into the wall and United can build out. Reminder, De Ligt is still on the sideline receiving treatment. Untied down to ten.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:16

Well, after De Ligt receives treatment to a gash on the top of his head, it looks like the medics are going to try and strap him up further. It does look like Lindelof will be entering the fray at some point, despite De Ligt’s intent to stay on.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:14

De Ligt is down with a head injury. Schade has flicked the ball over the Dutchman and the defender has headered the German’s knee. Free-kick to Brentford, as the former Bayern man was nowhere near the ball.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:11

Brentford are in possession here, yet United have pressed them deep. Somehow the Bees have well to escape with Ajer, yet his pass on the edge of the United area is intercepted well by Garnacho’s slide. Great recovery.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:09

Mbeumo brings the ball down from a simply sublime Collins cross-field ping and the winger drives at Martinez before jinking back on his left. However,he can’t keep the shot down and it flies high and left of the target.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:07

Manchester United average 0.7 goals per game in the Premier League this season (five goals in seven games), compared to three goals per game across all other competitions this term (12 goals in 4 games).

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:06

Brenford should have the lead here. Janelt crosses excellently from the left and Evans miss-kicks it. Schade misses it too and United survive!

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:05

Fernandes makes a positive start on the left. He drives and fires in a low cross for Hojlund to try and latch onto at the near post. However, Flekken is out to claim.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:03

Onana finds the ball at his feet. He’s out of his box playing like a centre-back. Interesting.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:03

And we’re off. United look to keep possession and not allow the Bees yet another early goal.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:02

Manchester United will kick us off after the coin toss.

Manchester United vs Brentford

15:02

Today’s official is Samuel Barrott, and he leads the players out to the Old Trafford turf. There’s a palpable tension around the place as Ten Hag’s future continues to hang in the balance. Will he get his team firing today? Or will United succumb to the dynamic speedsters from West London? All we know, is that this one should have all the makings of an entertaining watch.

Manchester United vs Brentford

14:57

Brentford boss Thomas Frank came within a matter of minutes of securing his side’s first Old Trafford victory since 1937 in the corresponding fixture last season. However, while Scott McTominay’s late strike denied him, hopes remain alive against this inconsistent United team this afternoon. For this meeting, Frank makes no changes to the team that whalloped Wolves 5-3 last time out, with attacking impetus very much in focus with the continued excellence of Bryan Mbuemo. He has scored six goals in his seven Premier League games this season, netting in each of his last three appearances. His next goal or assist will see him become the first Brentford player to register 50 Premier League goal involvements (currently 28 goals, 21 assists).

Manchester United vs Brentford

14:52

Erik ten Hag makes three changes to the Manchester United side that drew 0-0 with Aston Villa last time out in the Premier League. The injured Harry Maguire makes way while Noussair Mazraoui drops to the bench. Kobbie Mainoo is also out of the team. In their place, arrive Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, and Matthijs de Ligt.

Manchester United vs Brentford

14:47

SUBS: Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, Ben Mee, Jayden Meghoma, Mads Roerslev, Ryan Trevitt, Yegor Yarmolyuk, Yunus Emre Konak, Fabio Carvalho, Yoane Wissa.

Manchester United vs Brentford

14:47

BRENTFORD (4-2-3-1): Mark Flekken; Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins, Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer; Vitaly Janelt, Christian Norgaard; Bryan Mbuemo, Mikkel Damsgaard, Keane Lewis-Potter; Kevin Schade.

Manchester United vs Brentford

14:47

SUBS: Altay Bayindir, Noussair Mazraoui, Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Jack Fletcher, Manuel Ugarte, Amad Diallo, Antony, Ethan Wheatley, Joshua Zirkzee.

Manchester United vs Brentford

14:42

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Andre Onana: Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez; Casemiro, Christian Eriksen; Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Rasmus Hojlund.

Manchester United vs Brentford

14:42

Manchester United are hoping their home contest against Brentford will prove to be the start of a more consistent run of form after another turbulent spell in the Premier League campaign under divisive manager Erik ten Hag. Currently, United are in 13th place on eight points after seven matches. Manchester United earned a point in their last Premier League match, drawing 0-0 at Villa Park against Aston Villa, extending their winless streak to three (W0 D2 L1). Brentford defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers in a staggering 5-3 at home in their last league match. This ended a three-match winless streak, and left the visitors in 11th spot on 10 points through seven matches.

Manchester United vs Brentford

14:37

Hello everyone, and welcome to live text coverage of the Premier League’s Matchweek eight clash between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford.

Manchester United vs Brentford

14:30

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Manchester United vs Brentford

13:00

Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…


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Samuel Omorodion beats Matthijs De Ligt to score Porto’s second goal (AFP via Getty Images)

Porto v Manchester United LIVE: Result and final score as Harry Maguire saves Red Devils in Europa League

Samuel Omorodion beats Matthijs De Ligt to score Porto’s second goal (AFP via Getty Images)

Super sub Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time header saved Manchester United’s blushes and potentially Erik ten Hag’s job as the Europa League clash with Porto ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Four days after their 3-0 home humiliation at the hands of Tottenham, the Red Devils put criticism of the players and their under-fire manager to the side with an impressive start in Portugal.

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund had United in control, only for Ten Hag’s men to lose their way and their defensive faculties as Pepe scored before Samu Omorodion’s brilliant brace.

Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second straight match as Ten Hag squirmed, only for Maguire to head home a Christian Eriksen corner in stoppage time to seal a point.

Porto vs Manchester United LIVE

  • Manchester United face Porto in the Europa League, kick-off at 8pm | Live on TNT Sports

  • United boss Erik ten Hag fighting for his job after last week’s embarrassing 3-0 loss to Spurs

  • Porto sit second in the Primeira Liga, with six wins from seven games

  • Porto XI: Costa, Joao Mario, Ze Pedro, Nehuen, Moura, Varela, Eustaquio, Nico, Pepe, Galeno, Omorodion

  • Man Utd XI: Onana, Mazraoui, De Light, Martinez, Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Diallo, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund.

  • GOAL! Marcus Rashford fires visitors in front, Porto 0-1 Man Utd (7 min)

  • GOAL! Rasmus Hojlund adds second after another Diogo Costa error, Porto 0-2 Man Utd (20 min)

  • GOAL! Pepe knocks in rebound to pull one back, Porto 1-2 Man Utd (27 min)

  • GOAL! Samu Omorodian heads hosts level, Porto 2-2 Man Utd (35 min)

  • GOAL! Omorodion adds another to complete comeback, Porto 3-2 Man Utd (50 min)

  • GOAL! Harry Maguire heads late equaliser, Porto 3-3 Man Utd (90+1 min)

FC Porto 3 – 3 Manchester United FC

Ten Hag: ‘Judge us at the end of the season’

23:00 , Will Castle

Erik ten Hag has asked Manchester United fans to trust the process after clawing back a 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League this evening.

“We will get there,” he said on TNT Sports. “Don’t judge us in this moment, judge us in the end of the season.

“I said the same last season, just wait. We are in the process, we will improve, and we have now two seasons where we achieved finals.

“Just wait, we have to develop and progress this team. We will work and we will continue.

“We will fight. You see the spirit and the connection between the staff and the team. It’s strong spirit they want to achieve.

“We are in the direction. We have that good mentality, but especially in some defending parts, we have to step up.”

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

Bruno Fernandes sees red again

22:50 , Will Castle

Bruno Fernandes saw red for the second time in as many games after being shown two yellows for two very similar high challenges.

Of course, his red against Tottenham was overturned earlier this week. But for ex-Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, today’s dismissal was totally justified.

“The Tottenham one was not a red, he was unlucky. I don’t think he was unlucky tonight,” he said.

“The first one, because it’s early on in the game, they’ll probably give a yellow for that just because your foot is high.

“It doesn’t need to be. Let him bring the ball down and win it on the ground.

“If you’re on a booking, you can’t make that challenge. Just go head it.”

Ten Hag still has the dressing room, says Maguire

22:45 , Will Castle

Harry Maguire says his teammates still have faith in Erik ten Hag after heading home a late equaliser to spare United’s blushes in Porto.

“Definitely,” said Maguire when asked if the players still believed in the manager.

“To be honest, I’ve played for this club now for six years, so I know how it works, and when you go through a bad spell, players come under pressure, but also the manager does.

”He’s experienced enough. He’s been in the game long enough. He’s been at this club long enough that I’m sure he’s learned how to deal with it and it’s part and parcel of playing for this club or managing this club.”

Harry Maguire earned the late point (Luis Vieira/AP) (AP)Harry Maguire earned the late point (Luis Vieira/AP) (AP)

Harry Maguire earned the late point (Luis Vieira/AP) (AP)

Ten Hag: Rashford substitution was for rotation

22:34 , Will Castle

Erik ten Hag has quelled fears that Marcus Rashford’s half-time substitution was forced by injury, insisting that Alejandro Garnacho’s introduction was purely based on rotation ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa.

“We have to rotate,” he said on TNT Sports. “Garnacho, we didn’t start him. He had a great game, not only on Sunday, but I think in the whole season.

“On Sunday we have again another hard game, a good game, so we need the players to be available and be fit and fresh.”

Tough times at the Estadio do Dragao

22:30 , Will Castle

Ten Hag’s ugly European record

22:27 , Will Castle

Relief will likely be the prevailing emotion for Manchester United fans after snatching a late draw at Porto.

However, it’s yet another game without a win in Europe for Erik ten Hag.

Owen Hargreaves laments ‘ridiculous’ turnaround

22:24 , Will Castle

Owen Hargreaves was far from pleased at his former side’s capitulation during the middle portion of today’s outing against Porto.

“There was a lot going on,” he said. “There were so many holes defensively.

“Manchester United didn’t stop any crosses, and then to go 3-2 down after being 2-0 up was ridiculous.

“The middle part of the game was crazy. That’s what it’s been like for a couple of years.”

Paul Robinson: ‘The manager has not lost the dressing room’

22:13 , Will Castle

Former England goalkeeper believes Man United desire to find a late equaliser proves that Erik ten Hag still has the backing of the players.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “We said, ‘why was he bringing on Maguire and Evans?’ That’s why.

“Corner in from Eriksen and Maguire rises with a powerful header – Porto have no-one on the posts and they pay for it. Powerful strong header.

“That shows spirit and a team where a manager has not lost the dressing room.

“Yes, they have been outplayed at parts but they have shown a lot of character and a lot of determination.

“With 10 men they have pressed and it looks like they will walk away with a point.”

Has this kept Erik ten Hag in a job?

22:03 , Will Castle

Full-Time: Porto 3-3 Manchester United

22:00 , Will Castle

Manchester United leave it late to salvage a point as Harry Maguire emerges from the Estadio do Dragao as the hero on the night.

United were two goals to the good in 20 minutes thanks to strikes from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund but were pegged back to 2-2 before the break, with Samu and Pepe drawing Porto level.

Samu then gave the Portuguese giants the lead after the restart and came ever so close to seeing out the win – only for the Maguire to rise above the rest in added time to snatch a draw at the death.

Erik ten Hag could have been in serious trouble had United left Porto empty handed tonight.

An enthralling European encounter.

Porto 3-3 Manchester United

21:56 , Will Castle

90+4 minutes: Jonny Evans wins a free-kick in United’s half. That’ll cool things off for a second.

It’s been an incredible game and you have to think the visitors will take a point.

Seconds to play.

GOAL! Porto 3-3 Manchester United

21:54 , Will Castle

90+1 minutes: GOAL! HARRY MAGUIRE TO THE RESCUE!

Superb corner delivery by Eriksen and it’s the substitute Maguire who leaps above the rest, getting over the ball and brilliantly heading past Costa to equalise.

What drama. Has that just saved Erik ten Hag’s skin?

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:52 , Will Castle

90 minutes: Five minutes added on. Five minutes to salvage something for Manchester United.

Two corners conceded by Porto in quick succession. Let’s see if they can make something of this.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:50 , Will Castle

87 minutes: Save! Superb stop from Costa to tip over Garnacho’s dipping shot from range.

United are running out of time.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:49 , Will Castle

84 minutes: It should have been four.

Deniz Gul finds himself with half the pitch to break into and has Galeno in support, but decides to go for goal himself.

His effort is saved and the ball gets cleared.

RED CARD! Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:45 , Will Castle

80 minutes: RED CARD! For the second game running, United’s skipper is shown red.

Bruno Fernandes goes in with a high boot to meet a cross and appears to catch his man on the face.

It’s an honest attempt to win the ball but the Porto players are furious, and the ref deems it a second yellow card offence.

He may feel hard done by as after closer inspection at the replay, it didn’t actually look like his boot made any contact.

But dangerous play is dangerous play, and United are down to 10.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:40 , Will Castle

77 minutes: A few substitutions.

For Porto, Samu makes way for ex-Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic. A superb display from the striker with two goals to his name.

Eustaquio also makes way for Arsenal loanee Fabio Vieira.

United make a double defemsive change, with Martinez and De Ligt making way for Evans and Maguire.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:37 , Will Castle

75 minutes: Manchester United are pushing for an equaliser, peppering the Porto box with crosses and dominating in possession.

That said, nothing too troubling for the hosts to deal with thus far.

Porto might be sitting back but United need to be wary of not getting caught out on the break.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:34 , Will Castle

72 minutes: De Ligt latches onto the aerial ball but his header lacks power and it’s a comfortable stop for Costa.

Garnacho then cuts inside with the intent of firing one into the far corner, but his shot his blocked for the corner. The resulting delivery comes to nothing.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:33 , Will Castle

70 minutes: Fernandes goes for it again from outside the box, but shoots high and wide.

The way Costa is playing tonight, you can understand why getting shots away regardless of position may be the best policy for United. That’s their 20th effort of the night.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:30 , Will Castle

68 minutes: Attacking changes from Ten Hag as Zirkzee and Antony enter the fray.

Hojlund and Amad make way.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:28 , Will Castle

65 minutes: Save! Another big stop from Onana to prevent this going from bad to worse, getting down low to divert Samu’s effort away for a corner.

Resulting delivery nearly causes problems for United as Galeno pokes goalwards, but the Red Devils are able to clear.

Joshua Zirkzee is said to be getting stripped.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:26 , Will Castle

64 minutes: That might have gone out of the stadium!

Lisandro Martinez goes for the spectacular half volley from about 35 yards out – and as you’d expect from a centre-half, it goes high, wide and out of shot.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:25 , Will Castle

62 minutes: Mazraoui fires a pretty weak bobbling effort from the edge of the box – but it’s a poor parried save from Diogo Costa, who palms it right into the danger area with Garnacho closing in.

Garnacho is off balance and can only shoot high and into the side netting. But it’s another error by the highly-rated Portuguese shot-stopper.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:20 , Will Castle

57 minutes: United are spending more and more time on the ball – Porto, now with the lead, are sitting back and trying to frustrate their opponents.

Unable to break into the box, Garnacho unleashes a viscious effort from range to sting the gloves of Costa.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:18 , Will Castle

54 minutes: It’s United’s turn to search for an equaliser.

Bruno Fernandes fires an effort across the goal, hitting it with power but it goes well wide. Nothing to worry about for Costa.

Christian Eriksen then gets played into the box and takes the ball to the byline, but his pullback rolls straight into the arms of the keeper.

A better delivery and that could have been a golden opening for the visitors.

Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:14 , Will Castle

52 minutes: Chelsea fans will be watching this tonight rueing the fact their side couldn’t get a deal for Samu over the line back in August, which reportedly fell apart when finalizing the control.

He looks like a ruthless goalscorer and a real talent. Definitely one to watch this season.

GOAL! Porto 3-2 Manchester United

21:12 , Will Castle

50 minutes: GOAL! THEY’VE TURNED IT ON ITS HEAD!

It’s that man Samu again with an EMPHATIC finish, who fires into the roof of the net after a pullback from Pepe.

They were 2-0 down. Now they’re 3-2 up.

Big response required from Manchester United now – a massive test of character.

Porto 2-2 Manchester United

21:09 , Will Castle

47 minutes: Save! Big stop from Onana to deny Francisco Moura, who found himself in acres of space breaking in behind.

Far too open from United. Early second half jitters.

Porto 2-2 Manchester United

21:06 , Will Castle

46 minutes: We’re back underway.

Half-Time: Porto 2-2 Manchester United

21:06 , Will Castle

Alejandro Garnacho is getting ready to come on for the start of the second half – and it’s Marcus Rashford who comes off.

You can only presume that’s due to an injury, because he was on fire in that first 45.

Potential blow for Ten Hag.

Half-Time: Porto 2-2 Manchester United

21:01 , Will Castle

Marcus Rashford is showing his true worth on the European stage.

Half-Time: Porto 2-2 Manchester United

20:54 , Will Castle

What a half of football we’ve just watched.

After a frantic 45 minutes, there is nothing to seperate the two sides going into the break.

United seemed in control of the contest inside 20 minutes, with Rashford and Hojlund giving Ten Hag’s side an early advantage.

However, two goals in the space of seven minutes pegged the visitors back as Samu and Pepe brought parity for Porto.

Prime Thursday evening entertainment. Long may it continue.

Porto 2-2 Manchester United

20:50 , Will Castle

45+2 minutes: United fans will be LOVING what they are seeing from Marcus Rashford.

He’s terrorising Joao Mario down that left-hand side and once again drives into the box, dancing past defenders before firing a shot away, only for it to be blocked.

Best player on the pitch so far.

Porto 2-2 Manchester United

20:48 , Will Castle

45 minutes: Three minutes added on.

Searching Porto ball sent in behind for Galeno to chase, but Onana gets there first.

Porto 2-2 Manchester United

20:48 , Will Castle

44 minutes: Worrying moment for United fans as Lisandro Martinez goes down with an injury.

The Argentinian has endured a horrible time with injuries as of late, so Ten Hag will be relieved to see him get to his feet after receiving treatment.

He’s back on the pitch and seems ok.

Porto 2-2 Manchester United

20:45 , Will Castle

42 minutes: Last ditch defending from Porto as Fernandes lofts a delightful ball into the box.

Pinball on the edge of the six yard box before Casemiro gets a shot away, well saved by Costa for a corner.

Porto 2-2 Manchester United

20:43 , Will Castle

40 minutes: End-to-end stuff here.

It’s been frantic for the most part in this 40 minutes, and after a decent spell of Porto pressure, United are pushing again.

Hojlund leads a charging break into the opposition half and slots a searching ball into the box for Amad to chase, only for it just bypass the Ivorian.

Porto 2-2 Manchester United

20:39 , Will Castle

37 minutes: This is the fourth time in ten matches that Man United have conceded two goals or more this season.

Even when in control of the contest, United are leaking goals.

Porto 2-2 Manchester United

20:37 , Will Castle

35 minutes: GOAL! Just like that, Porto are level!

Porto’s main route of attack this half has been twofold: Joao Mario cross, Samu Omorodian header. That’s exactly what’s paid dividends here.

At the second attempt, Samu bravely latches on to Mario’s delivery to head past Onana into the roof of the net.

What a game we have on our hands.

Porto 1-2 Manchester United

20:33 , Will Castle

30 minutes: Important few minutes for United here as Porto look to build up some momentum.

Joao Mario whips in another dangerous ball, but Mazraoui produces an effective defensive header to get the ball out of harm’s way.

As Amad Diallo tries to bring the ball away, Omorodian puts a forearm in his back and gets a yellow card for his troubles.

GOAL! Porto 1-2 Manchester United

20:30 , Will Castle

27 minutes: GOAL! Porto are back in it!

Brilliant delivery into the box is met by Samu, whose header forces a fantastic save from Onana.

However, his parry falls right into the path of the charging Pepe who puts in the rebound.

The Dragao erupts, and we have a game on.

Porto 0-2 Manchester United

20:27 , Will Castle

24 minutes: Marcus Rashford is looking like a different player tonight.

Another driving run into the box from the winger before drilling one towards Costa, who on the other hand is very much having an off night.

The most confident he’s seemed in months.

GOAL! Porto 0-2 Manchester United

20:24 , Will Castle

20 minutes: GOAL! Rasmus Hojlund is back in the starting XI for the first time this season – and he’s back on the scoresheet!

Rashford turns provider this time to slip Hojlund through, who sees his left-footed effort just creep over the line before Diogo Costa scoops it away.

It’s another error from the keeper, who got a big arm to it and should have really kept the shot out. But again, United will not care.

Porto 0-1 Manchester United

20:20 , Will Castle

19 minutes: Porto might have gone behind early but it hasn’t stifled the home faithful who are still in full voice.

Porto 0-1 Manchester United

20:18 , Will Castle

17 minutes: Very close to a second from Rashford as his curling delivery bypasses everyone before just going wide of the wide post. Diogo Costa rooted to the spot.

Two corners then go awry for the visitors.

Porto 0-1 Manchester United

20:17 , Will Castle

14 minutes: Big block by Martinez as Samu receives the ball behind the penalty spot before firing an effort goalwards.

At the same time, there’s hopeful appeal for a penalty from Galeno, who claimed Dalot was pulling his shirt. Referee having none of it.

Porto 0-1 Manchester United

20:14 , Will Castle

12 minutes: Porto haven’t let the wind go out of their sails and are playing with intent for an equaliser.

They earn a corner that comes to nothing, but are nonetheless peppering Onana’s box – Samu is the obvious target.

Porto 0-1 Manchester United

20:12 , Will Castle

10 minutes: Another attempted ball in behind to Rashford, with a lot of their attacking play coming down that left hand side.

Diogo Costa gets there first and collects.

GOAL! Porto 0-1 Manchester United

20:10 , Will Castle

7 minutes: GOAL! They’ve been largely on the back foot in the early stages, but it only takes one chance.

Direct play from Marcus Rashford to drive into the box, before cutting in and firing towards the bottom left corner of Diogo Costa’s goal.

The keeper gets a foot on it and should do better, but the visitors won’t care. An early boost for Erik ten Hag.

Porto 0-0 Manchester United

20:05 , Will Castle

4 minutes: Porto have had three flurries into the final third in as many minutes and are very much on the front foot here during the early stages.

Joao Mario enjoying the ball down the left flank and playing it into Samu Omorodion, who has already had a shot blocked.

Porto 0-0 Manchester United

20:02 , Will Castle

1 minute: KICK OFF! We’re underway.

Porto showing early signs of promise and quickly force Onana into his first save of the evening.

Great noise coming from the home fans.

Here come the teams!

20:00 , Will Castle

The Estadio do Dragao welcomes the teams after a pretty spectacular display from the Porto fans, put on in celebration of the club’s 500th game in their home stadium.

Kick-off imminent.

Ten Hag: ‘We need a reaction’

19:52 , Will Castle

Tonight could well be a massive game for the future of Erik ten Hag, who is under the microscope as Manchester United boss.

There is real scope that a bad performance tonight could cost him his job – and as such, he’s made one final plea to his players.

“We have to see a reaction. Of course, we need a reaction,” he said on TNT Sports.

“We have to do everything well. It’s a very good opponents and it’s a challenge, but we want those challenges. We need to have the winning mentality that things will go well.

“When things are going wrong, that’s the moment you have to keep the faith.”

 (EPA) (EPA)

(EPA)

Gary Neville lays into ‘absolutely disgusting’ Manchester United performance

19:45 , Mike Jones

Gary Neville slammed an “absolutely disgusting” performance from Manchester United as Tottenham won 3-0 at Old Trafford to increase the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

“The big story today is that in that first half,” he said on Sky Sports. “You can’t say it came from nowhere because Manchester United have been inconsistent all season, but they have chosen to put in their very worst performance, their very worst possible showing.

“It was an absolutely disgusting performance in that first half in effort, quality, everything you want in a football team and there are going to be questions to answer for that group (of players) and the manager in the next week.”

Jamie Carragher unimpressed by Man Utd’s £42m signing: ‘He’s out of position all the time’

19:39 , Mike Jones

Jamie Carragher singled out Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt for criticism and said the £42 summer signing was “out of position all the time” during the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.

In a segment on Monday Night Football, the former Liverpool centre-back highlighted three incidents during the first half at Old Trafford where Spurs were able to counter-attack against United and said De Ligt was at fault.

The Netherlands international and former Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich defender has only made four Premier League starts for United but has been caught out in the defeats to Liverpool and now Spurs.

Carragher unimpressed by Man Utd’s £42m signing: ‘He’s out of position all the time’

More from Vitor Bruno

19:33 , Mike Jones

“I’ve heard a lot of people saying that they have a rope around their necks,” said Bruno when asked by United’s form.

“But, no, no, we are just looking at our objective and that is to reach the next stage. We always see them as a threat, not as a good point to take them on.

“We have to just be ourselves and look at them the way the way we have to look at them, with respect, a lot of respect, with a lot of individuals.

“I know what you mean talking about their last match, but we must see the whole not the last one.”

Countdown to kick-off

19:32 , Will Castle

Just under half an hour to go until things kick off in Porto.

Erik ten Hag will be desperate for his side to bounce back from Sunday’s disastrous defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, but Porto will no doubt pose a difficult challenge.

Rasmus Hojlund is back up top – can he prove the difference?

 (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Pre-match thoughts from Porto coach

19:27 , Mike Jones

Porto coach, Vitor Bruno, says he is expecting Man Utd to be a tough team to beat tonight despite them going through a rough patch in terms of form.

Bruno said: “Even though Manchester United are going through a difficult period, it’s a club with history and European experience, which has great individual values.

“We cannot underestimate them. At the same time, we must always aim to achieve victory, because representing this club means that.”

Erik ten Hag on facing Porto

19:21 , Mike Jones

Erik ten Hag spoke about what he is expecting from tonight’s match saying: “We know that Porto are a good team, with good players and good strategy. We have to play good football to get a positive result. The way they attack, with dynamism and creativity, and the way they defend, with aggressivness, will be a real challenge for use.

“The team is frustrated, due to the defeat at the weekend and also for not winning in three games. When we are not winning, we get very disappointed. But we have to turn things around, with all the players having to be up to the task in every game. Opponents are always 100 per cent motivated against us and we have to be prepared for that.”

The last time Porto hosted a Premier League heavyweight

19:19 , Will Castle

The Estadio do Dragao is not an easy place to visit – just ask Arsenal.

Nothing for me to panic about – Erik ten Hag calm over Man Utd’s poor start

19:15 , Mike Jones

Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United’s poor start to the campaign is nothing “to panic about” as the under-fire manager ignores talk of the sack and focuses on ending the season with more silverware.

May’s FA Cup final win against rivals Manchester City was the high point in a miserable campaign and helped save the Dutchman’s job after lengthy deliberation by ambitious Ineos.

But Ten Hag’s third season in charge has begun in alarming fashion, with Sunday’s 3-0 home humbling by Tottenham ratcheting up the pressure on the United manager.

Nothing for me to panic about – Erik ten Hag calm over Man Utd’s poor start

Travel nightmare for Man Utd fans

19:15 , Will Castle

There will be a fair few empty seats in the away end of the Estadio do Dragao this evening after a flight that was supposed to be carrying some 180 Manchester United fans was cancelled.

Supporters were left waiting at Manchester Airport for a gruelling ten hours before being informed their flight would not be taking off due to the fact there were no landing spots available in Porto.

Varela on striving to win

19:09 , Mike Jones

Porto midfielder, Alan Varela, says his team owe it to the fans to try and defeat Manchester United when they clash in the Europa League tonight.

Varela said: “We work at all times to win. In the first round that didn’t happen but we want it to happen now. The fans deserve it. The quality this squad has makes us believe in that, even if on the other side is a strong opponent like Manchester United.”

Porto team news

19:06 , Will Castle

Only one change for Vitor Bruno’s Porto to the side that started their 4-0 win over Arouca on Sunday as Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustaquio replaces Nicolas Gonzalez.

Porto starting XI: Costa, Joao Mario, Ze Pedro, Nehuen, Moura, Varela, Eustaquio, Nico, Pepe, Galeno, Omorodion. Subs: Ramos, Djalo, Grujic, Fabio Vieira, Vasco Sousa, Ivan Jaime, Namaso, Andre Franco, Deniz Gul, Martim Fernandes, Goncalo Borges, Rodrigo Mora.

Man Utd team news

19:04 , Will Castle

Rasmus Hojlund makes his first start of the campaign as Erik ten Hag makes four changes to the side that got beaten 3-0 by Tottenham on Sunday.

Manuel Ugarte, Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee all drop to the bench while Kobbie Mainoo misses out after being forced off against Spurs through injury.

Coming into the starting XI are Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Amad Diallo.

Man Utd starting XI: Onana, Mazraoui, De Light, Martinez, Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Diallo, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund. Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Evans, Lindelof, Maguire, Collyer, Gore, Ugarte, Antony, Garnacho, Zirkzee.

Antony on drew with FC Twente

19:03 , Mike Jones

Manchester United’s first Europa League game resulted in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford against FC Twente last week.

“We were quite sad after the Twente game,” said winger Antony when asked about the game.

“We wanted the win and we had to analyse this afterwards but we’ve analysed the game now and the errors committed. But now we are ready for the next game and to get the three points.

“We need to focus on our game, not on them, and believe in our work and everything we have been doing in training. That way, we can get things right during the game.”

Antony on facing Porto

18:57 , Mike Jones

“Porto are an excellent team,” Man Utd winger Antony told the club’s media team ahead of flying out for the Europa League encounter.

“But we also have an excellent team. It will be a difficult game with Porto being at home but we will be well prepared ahead of the tie.

“I have heard a lot about the Estadio da Dragao, from Casemiro as well, as he played for Porto. It is a great stadium right? We are going to have a difficult game that we need to prepare well to have a great game.

“I know Pepe, I played with him with the national team and he is a great player. Brazilians always have something to offer.“

Will Porto come out on top?

18:42 , Mike Jones

Despite being beaten 3-2 by Bodo/Glimt in matchday one, the Portuguese side registered a whopping 28 shots, their most in a European match since they played Roma in 2019.

With such a high shot count things could easily get away from Man Utd who’s defence has not been as strong as it would like so far this season.

Porto vs Man Utd

18:36 , Mike Jones

The two clubs have met eight times with Manchester United winning three of these fixtures in comparison to Porto’s two victories.

The last time United visited the Estadio do Dragao, Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-range effort sealed a narrow 1-0 victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

Can the repeat that success tonight?

Bruno Fernandes’s new low is a symbol of Erik ten Hag’s collapsing Man Utd regime

18:30 , Mike Jones

The defence calls the Tottenham No 10. “Even [James] Maddison when he gets up, he said it was a foul but never a red card,” insisted Bruno Fernandes. And if it was an accurate version of events; but even if with a star witness, he was pleading in vain. “I don’t think it was a red card,” said Erik ten Hag. “I don’t know why VAR doesn’t call the referee to the screen,” added Fernandes

There is a simple answer to that: because Chris Kavanagh’s initial decision was correct, because a high challenge connected with Maddison’s leg when nowhere near the ball. Fernandes’s lunge looked reckless and out of control, the sort that could be deemed dangerous. Cut through the Portuguese’s grumbles, however, and there was one pertinent comment. “I let my teammates down with one man down,” said Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes’s new low is a symbol of Erik ten Hag’s collapsing Man Utd regime

Manchester United injury news

18:24 , Mike Jones

Here is a round-up of Manchester United’s injury concerns:

Kobbie Mainoo – The midfielder was substituted during the 3-0 defeat by Tottenham but trained with the squad this week and appears to be fully fit.

Mason Mount – Mount came on against Spurs only to be taken off again with a head injury. He sat out of training this week but it is thought to be a precautionary measure after he suffered a minor cut, rather than any concussion. He is a doubt for Porto but is likely to be available for the weekend’s trip to Aston Villa.

Harry Maguire – Maguire missed the Tottenham game with an unspecified knock in training, but he was back in training this week and is expected to be available.

Victor Lindelof – Lindelof is back in training and the Swedish defender could make his first appearance of the season in the coming weeks.

Luke Shaw – The full-back’s injury troubles have continued this season but he could be back later this month after progress from his calf strain.

Leny Yoro – The big-money signing is not expected to be fit until November after fracturing a foot bone. “Yes, he is doing very well,” Ten Hag said last week. “It is very pleasing that his rehab is going in the right direction and I expect him soon, but what I mean by soon, is that he is now in the right planning process.

“He is in the right spot and he will return as soon as possible into the squad and then the team training.”

Tyrell Malacia – The full-back missed the entire 2023-24 season with a knee injury, but he was named in United’s Europa League group stage squad to suggest a return is imminent. However, Malacia has still not featured in team training so November is a likely return.

Manchester United still in ‘transition’

18:18 , Mike Jones

Man Utd boss, Erik ten Hag, reiterated his claim that the team are in “transition” but can still achieve their targets this season.

Having won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his first two years in charge, Ten Hag believes United can challenge for silverware again.

“From the moment I came in, we knew we had to change,” he said. “We had to replace some older players and bring new players in. Our choice was to bring young players in and you know that takes time to get the messages on board, to get a game model on board and to introduce a new culture that takes time.

“In the meantime, you have to win and I think we have proven in the last two years, and we win. And I’ve proven in my career that always I will win. The last six years I have [won] eight trophies.

“We have to embed the game model, we have to embed a stronger team as we have now and so we have to work on our problems and give the solutions. We have a good potential on players so once it’s embedded we will go and we will drive, and I’m sure we will achieve the targets we have set for this season.

“That is always winning trophies and finishing as high as possible of course in the league because that is definitely a very important purpose for us.”

Man Utd need to keep up ‘belief’ says Ten Hag

18:12 , Mike Jones

Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag, says his players need to keep believing that they can turn their form and results around.

“The most important is always keeping the belief,” he told Sky Sports. “You stay in the game by keeping the belief. That’s the most important message that we have to give because if you lose your faith you lose everything.

“We have to keep going and stick to the plan and move on.”

Erik ten Hag reveals Manchester United’s biggest problem after Tottenham defeat

18:06 , Mike Jones

Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United’s “most important” problem to solve is improving the team’s self-belief ahead of important fixtures against Porto and Aston Villa this week.

The manager is under increased pressure after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur but is set to be given the trips to Porto and Villa before the international break.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Ten Hag insisted that he is not worried about losing his job if results do not go United’s way and said the club are “together” under the new ownership.

Erik ten Hag reveals Manchester United’s biggest problem after Tottenham defeat

Man Utd players ‘mad’ about recent results

18:00 , Mike Jones

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says that his team are ‘mad’ and ‘disappointed’ about their recent results and he’s backing them to turnaround their recent form/

“As always when we are not winning, we are very disappointed and we are also mad, mad with ourselves and especially when you lose a game like Sunday,” Ten Hag said at Wednesday’s delayed news conference.

“We are mad and from the madness we have to get motivation and go onto the next game.”

 (EPA) (EPA)

(EPA)

What are Man Utd’s next fixtures?

17:54 , Mike Jones

Erik ten Hag is set to remain in charge of Manchester United after calling for more time after the dismal defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

United have made their joint-worst start to a Premier League season after losing three of their first six games – including 3-0 defeats to Liverpool and Spurs at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag is set to be given United’s next two games, which are tough trips to Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

United’s visit to Villa Park comes on Sunday and is followed by the October international break, which could spell bad news for Ten Hag if results continue to go against him.

Benni McCarthy talks Erik ten Hag

17:48 , Mike Jones

Erik ten Hag’s former assistant Benni McCarthy has claimed that the Manchester United manager lacks “fire” as pressure again builds on the Dutchman at Old Trafford.

“In modern football, I believe that players want to see a bit more passion in their coach,” the former Porto and Blackburn striker told Portuguese outlet ZeroZero. “They need to feel that the coach is with them and willing to fight alongside them.

“Tactically, I feel that Erik is at the top. He lacks a bit of that fire, that passion. That’s where we differ, him and I.”

Erik ten Hag’s former assistant claims Manchester United manager lacks ‘fire and passion’

17:42 , Mike Jones

Erik ten Hag’s former assistant Benni McCarthy has claimed that the Manchester United manager lacks “fire” and “passion” as pressure again builds on the Dutchman at Old Trafford.

A damaging defeat to Tottenham has led to renewed speculation over Ten Hag’s future after he narrowly avoided losing his job this summer.

It continued a difficult start to the season for the club that has left them languishing in 13th place in the Premier League with just two wins from their first six games.

Erik ten Hag’s former assistant claims Man United manager lacks ‘fire and passion’

Porto vs Man Utd prediction

17:36 , Mike Jones

It is impossible to predict how United will play on any day, though expect a shaky and nervous performance after recent results and pressure.

The fact that Porto fell to a loss against Bodo/Glimt does offer encouragement though, and Erik ten Hag will likely rest fewer players than his Portuguese counterpart.

Porto 1-1 Manchester United.

Predicted line-ups and latest odds

17:30 , Mike Jones

Here’s how we see the two teams lining up to face one another this evening. Man Utd should elect for pace in the forward line with Bruno Fernandes controlling play in midfield once more:

Porto XI: Costa; Mario, Pedro, Perez, Moura; Varela, Gonzalez; Pepe, Sousa, Galeno; Omorodion.

Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Ugarte; Diallo, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund.

As for the latest odds from the bookmakers. United’s indifferent form means that they are only slight favourites to triumph this evening with Porto close behind at 17/10. But, with home advantage the Portuguese side may have the edge with the fans.

Porto 17/10

Draw 9/5

Man Utd 13/10

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Man Utd’s early team news

17:24 , Mike Jones

For United, Sunday’s nightmare against Spurs was made worse by the injury to Kobbie Mainoo, who limped off shortly after Fernandes’ red card. It is unknown how long the England international will be out for, but this game will certainly come too early.

In his absence, expect Casemiro or Christian Eriksen to return to the United side. Fernandes will likely start too, considering he has to sit out the next three league games.

In defence, expect ten Hag to line up with what seems like his preferred back five, with Dalot and Mazraoui as full-backs.

In attack, it may be time to start Rasmus Hojlund as ten Hag fights to save his job, with Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho likely to start on the wings.

Porto’s early team news

17:18 , Mike Jones

Porto have no new injury concerns after their straightforward 4-0 win over Arouca last weekend. However, attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira, on loan from Arsenal, is a major doubt after suffering a muscle injury in early September.

Summer signing Samu Omorodion will lead the line, with Galeno, Pepe and Vasco Sousa likely playing behind the striker.

Nico Gonzalez and Alan Varela will anchor the midfield, with Joao Mario, José Pedro, Nehuén Pérez and Francisco Moura the probable back four.

How to watch Porto vs Man Utd

17:12 , Mike Jones

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports. Subscribers will also be able to watch via the Discovery+ app and website.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

When is Porto vs Manchester United?

17:06 , Mike Jones

Porto vs Manchester United kicks off at 8pm BST tonight, Thursday 3 October, at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto, Portugal.

 (Action Images via Reuters) (Action Images via Reuters)

(Action Images via Reuters)

Porto vs Man Utd

17:00 , Mike Jones

Manchester United travel to Portugal to face Porto on Thursday evening in the second match of their 2024/25 Europa League campaign.

The Red Devils are under immense pressure after a humiliating 3-0 loss to Tottenham last week, with rumours circulating that Erik ten Hag has just two games to save his job – this fixture and the weekend’s match away to Aston Villa.

United began their Europa League campaign with a timid, worrying 1-1 draw at home to FC Twente, and they travel to northern Portugal to face a Porto side that sit second in the Primeira Liga, having won six of their seven league matches.

It’s set to be a tense affair at the Estádio do Dragão, and with an unsettled United likely without Kobbie Mainoo, who knows what may happen as these former Champions League winners meet in Europe’s second-string competition.

Good evening!

09:03 , Mike Jones

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Europa League action as Manchester United face Porto in the league phase.

The Red Devils are in desperate need of a win after a series of draws and a humiliating defeat to Tottenham at the weekend in the Premier League.

Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in that match but will be available for this evening’s fixture as United look to secure their first European win of the season.

We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and updates throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.

Man United salvage draw as defensive woes continue

23:07 , Will Castle

Super sub Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time header saved Manchester United’s blushes and potentially Erik ten Hag’s job as the Europa League clash with Porto ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Four days after their 3-0 home humiliation at the hands of Tottenham, the Red Devils put criticism of the players and their under-fire manager to the side with an impressive start in Portugal.

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund had United in control, only for Ten Hag’s men to lose their way and their defensive faculties as Pepe scored before Samu Omorodion’s brilliant brace.

Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second straight match as Ten Hag squirmed, only for Maguire to head home a Christian Eriksen corner in stoppage time to seal a point.

Harry Maguire salvages a Europa League point for 10-man Manchester United




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Mohamed Salah scored Liverpool’s second against Bologna (Action Images via Reuters)

Liverpool vs Bologna LIVE: Champions League result and reaction after Mac Allister and Salah on target

Mohamed Salah scored Liverpool’s second against Bologna (Action Images via Reuters)

Liverpool secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Bologna at Anfield, to continue their flawless start to the 2024/25 Champions League season.

Alexis Mac Allister struck after just 11 minutes, with Mohamed Salah adding another in the second half to put the game beyond Bologna.

The Reds began their European campaign in an impressive manner, easily beating AC Milan 3-1 at the San Siro in what will be one of their most difficult fixtures of the competition’s new league phase.

However, with teams including Real Madrid and German champions Bayer Leverkusen to come, Arne Slot has already secured a crucial three points in his first European night at Anfield.

Bologna have lost both a manager and some key players since qualifying for the competition last season, and they currently languishing in 13th place in Serie A with just seven points, having drawn their opening Champions League match 0-0 with Shakhtar Donetsk.

Follow all the latest build-up, team news and updates below, as well as the reaction to the evening’s other Champions League matches:

Liverpool vs Bologna LIVE

  • Liverpool face Bologna in their second match of the Champions League league phase, with kick-off at 8pm BST | Live on TNT

  • The Reds host the Italian side having won the first game of their campaign 3-1 against AC Milan at the San Siro

  • Bologna drew their first game in the competition 0-0 with Shakhtar Donetsk

  • Liverpool XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Salah, Robertson, Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold

  • GOAL! Alexis Mac Allister scores – LIV 1-0 BOL [11’]

  • Half time: Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

  • GOAL! Mohamed Salah scores second – LIV 2-0 BOL [75’]

  • Full time: Liverpool 2-0 Bologna

Liverpool FC 2 – 0 Bologna FC 1909

Mac Allister speaks after the match

22:22 , Sonia Twigg

Mac Allister said to TNT Sports: “I’m really happy personally but for the team. He [Alisson] made some good saves. Sometimes I think we need to defend better, at least Ali showed how good he is. I’m happy for him and for the team.”

On his goal: “Yeah to be fair it is quite hard [to miss] you could. A goal is a goal, in this team when we make a run Mo [Salah] can see everything. Really happy for him, I think it was a good night for everyone.

On still transitioning to life under Arne Slot: “It is clear we are in transition, we are happy with the ideas, we are trying to get there. There is room for improvement, that’s why we work very hard every day.”

Full time: Liverpool 2-0 Bologna

21:51 , Sonia Twigg

Full time: Illing-Junior has a good chance with a volley at the edge of the box but cannot direct it goalwards, and that will be the final moment of action.

Ultimately Liverpool were the better side and deserved the three points, although Bologna had a goal disallowed for offside and their intensity did cause problems.

Job done for Liverpool, and their flawless start to the Champions League continues.

Liverpool 2-0 Bologna

21:48 , Sonia Twigg

90 minutes: There are three minutes of added time and Bologna have a free-kick just outside the Liverpool box.

Orsolini takes it and it deflects from the wall behind for a corner.

Liverpool 2-0 Bologna

21:45 , Sonia Twigg

87 minutes: The Bologna manager is just letting frustrations get the better of him as he punches the dugout chair while his side fail to beat the first man from a free kick.

Liverpool 2-0 Bologna

21:40 , Sonia Twigg

82 minutes: The intensity has just gone slightly after Liverpool’s second goal, but Bologna are keeping their high press and they have shown in this match that they can be dangerous.

Liverpool 2-0 Bologna

21:36 , Sonia Twigg

79 minutes: Bologna make two changes after their defence was stretched again, giving Liverpool another chance before the flag went up.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Bologna

21:32 , Sonia Twigg

75 minutes: GOAL! What an incredible strike from Mohamed Salah!

He curls the ball into the corner to double Liverpool’s advantage.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

21:30 , Sonia Twigg

73 minutes: Szoboszlai attempts an unorthodox scorpion kick to try and play Salah in and it almost works, but the ball was just slightly too far ahead of the Egyptian winger.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

21:26 , Sonia Twigg

69 minutes: Gakpo and Tsimikas seemingly getting ready to come on as Arne Slot prepares to make another round of substitutions.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

21:23 , Sonia Twigg

66 minutes: Another ball from Szoboszlai across the box is just out of reach of Diaz.

Liverpool still have their slender lead.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

21:21 , Sonia Twigg

64 minutes: Salah curls a chance narrowly wide of the target, and Liverpool have come close, but still not added a second in the game so far.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

21:20 , Sonia Twigg

62 minutes: Diogo Jota comes on for Darwin Nunez, that seems pre-planned at bang on the hour mark, but can the new Liverpool forward find the second that has alluded them so far.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

21:17 , Sonia Twigg

60 minutes: Liverpool have a corner and a chance to add to their lead but it fails to beat the first man, and Salah’s second delivery is also intercepted.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

21:14 , Sonia Twigg

57 minutes: Bologna have a chance to counter-attack and they manage to carve out a shot with Urbanski firing well wide of the shot, which was always rising, but it was a good chance.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

21:10 , Sonia Twigg

53 minutes: Liverpool have had most of the ball since the restart, and there’s another chance to build, but Diaz’s ball is intercepted before it finds Robertson and the attack is thwarted.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

21:08 , Sonia Twigg

50 minutes: Liverpool commit forward and pass it around but Bologna have a lot of players back and the reds are struggling to find a way through.

Mac Allister tries to find Alexander-Arnold but he takes a heavy touch and the goalkeeper smothers the ball.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

21:04 , Sonia Twigg

47 minutes: Nunez has a chance! The cross from Salah was floated and just too far behind the striker and he cannot get enough power on it.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

21:02 , Sonia Twigg

46 minutes: Liverpool get the second half underway

Half time: Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:52 , Sonia Twigg

Here are some photos from the first half:

 (REUTERS) (REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

 (Peter Byrne/PA Wire) (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Half time: Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:47 , Sonia Twigg

Half time: Liverpool go into the break with the lead, but there were enough chances for Bologna that the reds and Arne Slot will want to address as they go into the second half.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:43 , Sonia Twigg

42 minutes: Salah goes down in the box but the referee is not drawn into giving anything.

Both sets of players may well be looking forward to half time with how energetic this match has been.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:39 , Sonia Twigg

39 minutes: Konate and Beukema have both been shown yellow cards for a bit of pushing and shoving for a Liverpool corner which is punched away by the goalkeeper.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:37 , Sonia Twigg

37 minutes: Since the Bologna onslaught, the game has calmed down a bit slightly as Liverpool have the chance to build again, but Diaz’s touch lets him down and the visitors are able to clear.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:33 , Sonia Twigg

33 minutes: Save! Alisson has to be alert to push the shot from Urbanski wide!

Liverpool are weathering the storm a bit after their early possession.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:32 , Sonia Twigg

32 minutes: Post! Bologna have just grown into this game, and Liverpool don’t look entirely comfortable playing out from the back.

The shot rebounds off the post and Liverpool have been handed a let off.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:31 , Sonia Twigg

The latest from Karl Matchett:

Three times in attempting to play short from goal kicks, Liverpool have lost possession – Alisson is complaining that he’s not being given the right options, though Slot has already spoken that at times he must be ready to go more direct if that’s the case. A fortunate escape from the second occasion, as Konate deflected the effort onto the bar, but the home side’s defensive concerns so far have been largely of their own making.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:29 , Sonia Twigg

29 minutes: Chance! Nunez tries his luck at the other end of the pitch, driving forwards and then shooting rather than passing, but the shot was always rising and sails over the bar.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:29 , Sonia Twigg

28 minutes: Woodwork! A loose ball from Liverpool has been capitalised on by Bologna who take the shot, it deflects onto the crossbar and goes out of play.

That was a bit of a let off for Liverpool.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:26 , Sonia Twigg

26 minutes: Virgil Van Dijk has been shown a yellow card for an arm in the neck of a Bologna player.

It might be a bit harsh.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:23 , Sonia Twigg

23 minutes: Nunez has a shot, it drops perfectly for him, but the angle was too tight and he didn’t get the contact with the ball he would have wanted and fires straight at the goalkeeper.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:19 , Sonia Twigg

19 minutes: Chance! Liverpool probably should have scored, it was almost perfect for Szoboszlai at the far post but that was a big chance missed for Liverpool.

Bologna are struggling to contain the threat of Salah down the right.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:17 , Sonia Twigg

16 minutes: Offside goal! Darwin Nunez has the ball in the back of the net but it has been flagged for offside, he just didn’t hold back enough when starting his run, that would have been the ideal opportunity to go 2-0 up.

Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:15 , Sonia Twigg

Here’s the take so far from our reporter Karl Matchett at Anfield:

It hasn’t quite been one-way traffic, but Liverpool have looked comfortable and confident from the get-go and their midfield is well on top – it’s no surprise that two key components from that area of the pitch combined for the opening goal. Some of the switches of play from defence to wing have been excellent, preventing Bologna from squeezing play or staying compact, and Mac Allister’s run from deep has made the most of that space.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Bologna

20:11 , Sonia Twigg

11 minutes: GOAL! Liverpool have taken the lead!

The cross from Mohamed Salah was inch-perfect and Mac Allister was only a couple of yards out when the ball just glides off his foot and into the net.

Goal disallowed! Liverpool 0-0 Bologna

20:10 , Sonia Twigg

10 minutes: Goal disallowed! Dallinga has the ball in the back of the net, and thought he had put the visitors ahead at Anfield, but the flag goes up for offside and the goal will not stand.

That’s an early warning for Liverpool though.

Liverpool 0-0 Bologna

20:09 , Sonia Twigg

8 minutes: Liverpool are definitely playing a high press, and Nunez is working hard to chase down the goalkeeper and defenders when they get the ball.

Whether this an early tactic, or if they planning on playing the whole match at this tempo remains to be seen

Liverpool 0-0 Bologna

20:06 , Sonia Twigg

6 minutes: Liverpool have kept up the tempo from their early start, and it is a big night for Darwin Nunez, who has a chance to impress his new manager Arne Slot.

Liverpool 0-0 Bologna

20:02 , Sonia Twigg

2 minutes: It’s a stunning ball across the box and Diaz is just unable to reach it, Bologna nearly turned the ball into their own net, but it has been a high tempo start from Liverpool.

Liverpool 0-0 Bologna

20:00 , Sonia Twigg

1 minute: Bologna kick the game underway

Liverpool fans boo Champions League anthem

19:58 , Sonia Twigg

The teams are out, the Champions League anthem has been played, and the match is about to get underway.

Some sections of the Liverpool crowd booed the Champions League anthem.

Liverpool vs Bologna

19:54 , Sonia Twigg

You’ll Never Walk Alone is being played and sung around the ground and the players are about to emerge from the tunnel.

Liverpool vs Bologna

19:52 , Sonia Twigg

The match will get underway in just 10 minutes’ time so here are some photos from around the ground as the atmosphere heats up:

 (REUTERS) (REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

 (EPA) (EPA)

(EPA)

 (Peter Byrne/PA Wire) (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

What Slot has said

19:45 , Chris Wilson

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arne Slot said that he sees “things we have to improve if we want to stay where we are”.

“Every fixture is difficult in the Premier League and we have to do things better. But one of the reasons we can stay up there is we have a lot of quality.

He went on to add that Liverpool “cannot accept mediocrity” and need to show “the highest standards every day”.

On Bologna, he said: “We know how difficult it is to play against a team that man mark.

“We don’t underestimate them at all because that is not what they deserve after their finish last season.”

He finished by adding that he is hoping for “a special night for everyone involved”.

Liverpool match stats

19:30 , Chris Wilson

Bologna will be Liverpool’s 10th different Italian opponent in European competition, after Inter Milan, Juventus, Roma, Genoa, Milan, Fiorentina, Napoli, Udinese, and Atalanta.

The Reds have lost three of their last five at home to Italian sides (W2).

Liverpool have won each of their last 10 group or league stage games at Anfield in major European competitions.

They have scored two or more goals in their last nine in a row. Their last defeat was to an Italian side – they lost 0-2 to Atalanta in November 2020.

The Reds also lost 3-0 to Atalanta in the quarter-finals of the Europa League last season.

Mohamed Salah could become the first Liverpool player to score in five consecutive home games in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League. He has scored in all four of his appearances at Anfield in his previous season in this competition (four goals in 2022/23).

Arne Slot’s perfectionism will be defining factor of Liverpool’s Champions League campaign

19:20 , Chris Wilson

As Arne Slot looked forward to his first European night at Anfield, Alexis Mac Allister harked back to his Champions League bow. Which was all of two weeks ago. As the Liverpool midfielder noted, it is remarkable he had won the World Cup before even playing in the premier club competition. “For some people it was a surprise I won a World Cup but I made my debut against [AC] Milan in the Champions League so it is quite crazy,” the Argentina international said.

But, swift as Mac Allister’s rise was, it was nonetheless a sign of Liverpool’s enduring appeal that they could recruit him when in the Europa League. Slot was in the Champions League last season but, while Jurgen Klopp is a Champions League winner and four-time finalist, his predecessor was not.

The Dutchman nevertheless has particular reasons to relish Bologna’s visit to Anfield. “I am privileged enough to work at Feyenoord where Champions League nights last season were also really special. People tell me it will be even more special here tomorrow,” he said.

Slot’s perfectionism will be defining factor of Liverpool’s Champions League campaign

Liverpool v Bologna head-to-head

19:10 , Chris Wilson

These two sides have never previously met in a competitive fixture.

The Reds currently sit 12th in the Champions League’s new league phase table, though they have played a game less than many teams. In the Premier League, Slot’s side sit top of the league with 15 points, one above both Arsenal and Manchester City.

Bologna are seven-time winners of Serie A and finished fourth last season, though they are struggling in 13th this season, with just seven points. They have lost several key personnel since last season, including manager Thiago Motta (who moved to Juventus) and Manchester United signing Joshua Zirkzee.

The unintended effect of the new Champions League – and why Liverpool can benefit

19:00 , Chris Wilson

Heading into the first few weeks of the new Premier League season, one of the most frequent questions aimed Arne Slot’s way was that of rotation. At Feyenoord, he candidly explained, there was little reason to switch up his first team too much; fewer league games, one fewer domestic cup to navigate and more difficulty in reaching the latter stages of Europe. His final campaign at the Eredivisie side saw Slot’s team play only 48 matches – and that included the Johan Cruyff Shield, the Dutch season-opener, and going the distance to win the KNVB Cup.

A few weeks later and the new Liverpool boss has shown a deft hand at altering his lineup without, so far, dramatically reducing the quality on show; while the performance against West Ham was somewhat stutteringafter nine changes, so too was the win over Wolves with a regular first XI in place.

League Cup aside, Slot has shown an early preference for making a couple of switches, keeping the bulk of his starters in situ and letting others find form and push for places two or three at a time. Cody Gakpowas perhaps the first to stake his claim; more recently, Curtis Jones has done likewise.

The unintended effect of the new Champions League – and why Liverpool can benefit

Liverpool team news

18:48 , Sonia Twigg

Liverpool made one change, with Darwin Nunez starting against Bologna and Diogo Jota on the bench.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Salah, Robertson, Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold

Subs: Jaros, Kelleher, Gomez, Endo, Jones, Gakpo, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton, Bradley, Nyoni

Team news

18:38 , Chris Wilson

The line-ups will be announced in just under 10 minutes, but here’s a reminder of the early team news.

The Reds have Alisson back and have three potential absentees as a result. Harvey Elliott is definitely out, while Federico Chiesa has suffered a muscular injury that could rule him out until the international break. Darwin Nunez, who missed the weekend game through illness, is the other doubt.

Lewis Ferguson, Oussama El Azzouzi and Tommaso Pobega are the three likely absentees for Bologna.

Liverpool suffer Federico Chiesa injury blow – but another forward set to return

18:30 , Chris Wilson

Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa has suffered an injury blow that denies him a first Champions League night at Anfield and could rule him out until the international break.

The Italy international has a muscular problem that means he will sit out Wednesday’s game against Bologna and makes him a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace.

Manager Arne Slot believes it will be a particular blow for Chiesa, a £10m summer signing from Juventus, to miss a match against against a team from his home country.

Liverpool suffer Chiesa injury blow – but another forward set to return

Arsenal’s impressive win over PSG shows the Champions League has surrendered its competitive edge

18:20 , Chris Wilson

A “big Champions League night” that ended up being quite a nice run-out for Arsenal. Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain looked less a sportswashing project and more a youth project. The level of superiority in this 2-0 win is again to Arsenal’s credit, but should also be a worry for Uefa.

This was one of the big-name fixtures that the new Champions League was sold on – more games between the best, more fixtures, more, more, more – and yet it didn’t really feel like either side treated it as a match of much consequence. It was a world away, say, from 2000-01 when Lyon came to North London and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal absolutely knew they had to do something.

If it is by now becoming tedious to read about these issues, it is worth remembering that such themes only arise because very little of consequence happens on the pitch. Here, in just the second of eight games, Arsenal got the win that already puts them more than halfway to the top 24.

How the Champions League surrendered its competitive edge

Prediction & odds

18:10 , Chris Wilson

Odds

Liverpool 1/6

Draw 6/1

Bologna 14/1

Prediction

The Reds to record another home victory against a side struggling to match their own exploits of last term.

Liverpool 2-0 Bologna.

Predicted line-ups

18:05 , Chris Wilson

LIV – Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Gakpo, Jota

BOL – Skorupski, Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis, Freuler, Aebischer, Urbanski, Orsolini, Castro, Ndoye

Team news

18:00 , Chris Wilson

The Reds have Alisson back and have only two potential absentees as a result – Harvey Elliott, who is definitely out, and Darwin Nunez, who missed the weekend game through illness.

Lewis Ferguson, Oussama El Azzouzi and Tommaso Pobega are the three likely absentees for Bologna.

Is Liverpool vs Bologna on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Champions League fixture

17:50 , Chris Wilson

When is the match?

The match kicks off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 2 October at Anfield.

Where can I watch it?

All Champions League games are shown on TNT Sports in the UK. This game is on TNT Sports 2 and can be streamed for subscribers on the discovery+ app.

You can purchase a TNT Sports subscription via discovery+ here, for only £30.99 per month.

Liverpool vs Bologna LIVE

17:40 , Chris Wilson

Liverpool will attempt to make it two wins from two in the new-look Champions League, with their first home encounter of the European campaign coming against Serie A side Bologna.

The Reds won in relative comfort at the weekend despite a poor overall performance against Wolves, but have generally been impressive this term and sit top of the Premier League table. They also saw off another Italian outfit in AC Milan in the first gameweek in Europe.

Bologna haven’t faced Milan yet in their domestic league, but they sit four points behind them and nine places lower in the table after managing just two wins from six to-date, 12th following a home draw with Atalanta at the weekend.

Arne Slot may opt to change one or two from his starting lineup following a low-key weekend outing, particularly given the lack of real concern over progression from this stage of the Champions League.

Liverpool vs Bologna LIVE

17:31 , Chris Wilson

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Champions League match between Liverpool and Bologna.

Arne Slot’s side face another Italian side in their second match in the competition this season, having put in an impressive performance in their opener as they beat AC Milan 3-1 at the San Siro.

Bologna have had a mixed start to the season and drew their opener 0-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk, though a trip to Anfield is certain to give them another gear in tonight’s match.


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Man United v Tottenham LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Kulusevski and Solanke score in big win

(Getty Images)

Manchester United were hammered and humbled by Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, beaten 3-0 as captain Bruno Fernandes was shown a straight red card.

The match got off in the worst possible way for the hosts as Micky van de Ven embarked on a brilliant run to tee up Brennan Johnson for a tap-in, but United failed to respond as they were dominated on their own patch throughout. Andre Onana prevented the scoreline from being any worse, but Fernandes’ knee-high challenge on James Maddison saw him sent-off right before half-time.

Straight after the restart Dejan Kulusevski volleyed in a second, while Dominic Solank poked in a third for Spurs later on – but the damage had long since been done as United were woeful and booed off the pitch by a section of their fans at full time. Follow all the reaction and updates in the live blog below:

Man United vs Tottenham LIVE

  • GOAL! 77’ – Solanke stretches to tap in a third goal after a corner (MUN 0-3 TOT)

  • GOAL! 49’ – Kulusevski immediately scores second after the break (MUN 0-2 TOT)

  • RED CARD! 44’ – Bruno Fernandes sent-off for knee-high tackle on Maddison

  • GOAL! 2’ – Van de Ven brilliantly sets up Johnson for a tap-in (MUN 0-1 TOT)

Manchester United FC 0 – 3 Tottenham Hotspur FC

Another dreadful Man United defeat shows ambition is built on little more than delusion

19:12 , Karl Matchett

For Erik ten Hag, a list of dreadful days as Manchester United manager was already rather too long. Quite where this ranks is a moot point, but it was wretched, both shocking and yet familiar. Outclassed by Tottenham Hotspur even before they were outnumbered by them, United again looked an expensive, incoherent mess.

While Ten Hag was serenaded by the Spurs fans with chants of “sacked in the morning”, one of United’s leaders actually did get his marching orders. Bruno Fernandes’ red card was a symptom of United’s problems; passive for too long, they were petulant at times, their attempts to halt Tottenham verging on the desperate, their plans falling apart.

On Thursday, Ten Hag claimed that United had turned a corner. Instead, this season feels a continuation of the last, a campaign that could be littered with ignominies. An eighth defeat in 20 league games at Old Trafford underlines how far they have fallen. United’s new hierarchy can talk of winning the title by 2028 but they are already six points off fifth, in the bottom half and with a negative goal difference.

The table may not lie. Just as Liverpool did last month, Spurs exposed the gulf with rivals. Tottenham have similar immediate aims, of Champions League qualification this season: but whereas United’s looked built on delusion, there seems a realism to theirs.

Another dreadful Man United defeat shows ambition is built on delusion

Gary Neville lays into ‘absolutely disgusting’ Manchester United performance against Tottenham

20:00 , Karl Matchett

Gary Neville slammed an “absolutely disgusting” performance from Manchester United as Tottenham won 3-0 at Old Trafford to increase the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

The dismal hosts fell to their third defeat of the Premier League campaign after just six games as captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for “serious foul play” late in the first half.

Tottenham, who led thanks to Brennan Johnson’s early goal, added two more after the break with Old Trafford emptying rapidly after Dominic Solanke’s third sealed all three points.

It meant there were barely any fans left to boo the team as United fell to successive 3-0 defeats at home in the Premier League, following Liverpool’s comfortable win at the start of the month.

Gary Neville lays into ‘absolutely disgusting’ Man Utd performance against Tottenham

Erik ten Hag told he has ‘no excuses’ as Man United boss claims red card had ‘big impact’ on defeat to Spurs

19:29 , Karl Matchett

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag acknowledged his players were well below the necessary level of performance in their 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, but insisted the red card to Bruno Fernandes just before half-time had a “big impact” on the outcome.

Spurs started quickly and were ahead inside two minutes, Brennan Johnson tapping in from close range. And they hardly let up their assault on United’s box for the remainder of the first half, with the hosts managing just three shots and 37 per cent possession in the first 45 minutes, compared to Tottenham’s 12 efforts and 63 per cent.

Despite that, Ten Hag felt his side were close to coming back on terms after Alejandro Garnacho hit the outside of the post and Joshua Zirkzee saw an effort on the stretch comfortably saved, with Fernandes’ dismissal for a knee-high challenge on James Maddison the turning point which prevented his side finding a route back into the game.

Ten Hag told he has ‘no excuses’ as United boss claims red card had ‘big impact’

Gary Neville lays into ‘absolutely disgusting’ Manchester United performance against Tottenham

19:00 , Karl Matchett

Gary Neville slammed an “absolutely disgusting” performance from Manchester United as Tottenham won 3-0 at Old Trafford to increase the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

The dismal hosts fell to their third defeat of the Premier League campaign after just six games as captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for “serious foul play” late in the first half.

Tottenham, who led thanks to Brennan Johnson’s early goal, added two more after the break with Old Trafford emptying rapidly after Dominic Solanke’s third sealed all three points.

It meant there were barely any fans left to boo the team as United fell to successive 3-0 defeats at home in the Premier League, following Liverpool’s comfortable win at the start of the month.

Gary Neville lays into ‘absolutely disgusting’ Man Utd performance against Tottenham

FT – Man United 0-3 Tottenham

18:52 , Karl Matchett

Spurs players talking at fulltime now.

Brennan Johnson first after scoring the opener: “We completely dominated the game, did things exactly as we wanted. We had a clear game plan and did a great job.

“Micky’s one of the quickest once he gets going. The manager demands we be at the back post, the goal like that it’s easy but it’s about getting there first.”

And Micky van de Ven, who assisted his goal in such style:

“We controlled the game, we knew they are quite dangerous on counter-attacks but we controlled it.

“I intercepted the ball and saw the gap. I was like ‘now I’m going!’ and I knew he’s at the second post. I didn’t see the goal because I was falling down the stairs but I knew he put it in!

“We showed we have the quality to play at this intensity all game so it’s a deserved three points.”

FT – Man United 0-3 Tottenham

18:45 , Karl Matchett

Full time stats, Man United 0-3 Tottenham:

Possession 39% – 61%

Shots 11-24

On target 2-10

xG 0.97 – 4.67

Corners 5-3

Bookings 5-3

Red cards 1-0

FT – Man United 0-3 Tottenham

18:37 , Karl Matchett

Spurs up to eighth then, three points behind Chelsea in fourth. Early on still, but they’ll feel happier at being that close to the Champions League spots after being midtable. United down to 12th with a minus three goal difference.

FT – Man United 0-3 Tottenham

18:31 , Karl Matchett

The whistle goes, Man United fans boo, Spurs fans cheer and Gary Neville calls the first-half performance from his former side “disgusting”.

Quite the result for Spurs, a really good performance – awful from start to finish for United, who had Bruno Fernandes sent-off.

90+5’ – Man United 0-3 Spurs

18:28 , Karl Matchett

Final seconds, although Old Trafford is already half-empty anyway. This is back-to-back 3-0 home league defeats for Ten Hag – their last game here in this competition was the loss to Liverpool. Both games could have been far higher-scoring in truth, for the visitors.

Mikey Moore dips inside and almost does increase the scoreline, curling just wide of Onana’s far post.

90+2’ – Man United 0-3 Spurs

18:26 , Karl Matchett

De Ligt sweeps one wide as United give it one more go to find a goal at least – which would stop them dropping to 12th.

Doesn’t look as though they’ll get it. “Absolutley woeful, as bad as it gets” bemoans Gary Neville on Sky Sports.

88’ – Man United 0-3 Spurs

18:22 , Karl Matchett

Time now running down, not fast enough for the home fans and players though. Another chastening outing for Erik ten Hag. United’s wins this season have come over Fulham, newly promoted Southampton and lower-league Barnsley – nobody else.

Onana – United’s best player by a mile today – stops Solanke adding a fourth, with Sarr heading wide on the rebound.

Six minutes added on.

84’ – Man United 0-3 Spurs

18:18 , Karl Matchett

Amad Diallo comes on for Mount, who plays less than a half after coming on as sub himself.

United’s upcoming games are away to Porto and Villa, home to Brentford then away to Fenerbahce and West Ham. Not a routine run, as their four-match unbeaten stretch comes to an end here.

They’ll also drop down a place in the table on goal difference if it stays 3-0.

81’ – Man United 0-3 Spurs

18:15 , Karl Matchett

Dragusin comes on for Spurs and with his first challenge he catches Mount in the head – he’s bleeding and needs treatment. Off the pitch he goes.

GOAL! 77’ – Man United 0-3 Spurs

18:10 , Karl Matchett

That’s that! United’s best period ends in them conceding a third – a corner from the left is flicked on by Sarr and Solanke stretches to get a toe on the ball and prod over the line.

Bergvall took the corner – great changes, Postecoglou will tell us!

76’ – Man United 0-2 Spurs

18:09 , Karl Matchett

Triple change for Spurs – Sarr, Moore and Bergvall on for Maddison, Werner and Johnson.

74’ – Man United 0-2 Spurs

18:05 , Karl Matchett

Porro picks up a yellow card now for fouling Garnacho, who continues to look lively. Double sub for United, Eriksen and Hojlund on for Ugarte and Rashford. Richard Jolly’s assessment from Old Trafford:

“Perhaps United have played better with 10 men, though that is an indictment of their efforts with 11. Casemiro has at least looked a threat in the final third. Manuel Ugarte has gone off, perhaps to spare him a red card. It is an understatement to say he has not been good today, even if the circumstances of United’s performance are a mitigating factor.”

72’ – Man United 0-2 Spurs

18:04 , Karl Matchett

Postecoglou could be thinking about changes here too, given his side have totally lost control – they have no possession, just counter-attacking from time to time.

Werner leads one down the left about 50 yards, beating a defender in the process – but then his cut-back is between three players and he throws his arms up in despair.

Garnacho goes down the other end, tricks his way inside and shoots – deflected wide.

68’ – Man United 0-2 Spurs

18:01 , Karl Matchett

Closest United have come. A lofted ball over the top finds Casemiro running in of all people and he angles a half-volley on the bounce just past the far post.

Rasmus Hojlund is ready to come on for United as they seek a way back into the game.

64’ – Man United 0-2 Spurs

17:57 , Karl Matchett

Mount sends over a free-kick but Vicario claims well. A few more deliveries into the area and the home fans are buoyed once more, urging their team to continue the fight to find a way back into the game.

Spurs have just lost control of the game over the last ten minutes, but they will surely have chances to counter-attack if United push on.

Kulusevski beats Ugarte down the wing and is bundled over – another yellow, for the United midfielder this time.

60’ – Man United 0-2 Spurs

17:53 , Karl Matchett

United have just won their first corner of the game – Martinez won a header and appealed for a handball, but nothing doing. Then there’s another penalty shout – from more players this time – soon after, being Martinez again steers a shot past the post.

Romero did touch the ball with his arm but it wasn’t out or up, so no spot kick.

This is United’s best period of pressure, by which we mean they’ve had a few crosses and one half-hearted shot just wide. Ten Hag on the sidelines wafts his hands around and continues to chew his gum.

56’ – Man United 0-2 Spurs

17:48 , Karl Matchett

Could, or should, be 3-0 – Onana to the rescue with a double save.

Kulusevski takes on two to burst through midfield and feed a brilliant ball to Werner; he shapes up the low shot which Onana gets down for, then the keeper lurches back up to deny the onrushing Johnson from the rebound, too.

52′ – Man United 0-2 Spurs

17:47 , Karl Matchett

Yellow card for Spence for handball; yellow card for Martinez for a lunging slide which took out Maddison.

Richard Jolly at Old Trafford, where the Spurs fans are singing “sacked in the morning” to Erik ten Hag:

“From bad to worse to even worse to…. Manchester United’s afternoon is deteriorating still further, the terrific Johnson setting up Kulusevski to volley in. 1-0 flattered United at half-time. 2-0 could lead to rather more.”

48’ – Man United 0-2 Spurs

17:41 , Karl Matchett

A horror show from United defensively.

Martinez misses a challenge on the halfway line, Dalot lunges in and can’t cut the ball out, De Ligt doesn’t cut out hte cross and nobody at all has run with Kulusevski, as he flicks in the second past the keeper.

GOAL! 47’ – Man United 0-2 Spurs

17:40 , Karl Matchett

That would be a no!

Johnson races away down the right flank, delivers a low cross and finds Dejan Kulusevski – he clips one in past Onana and Spurs are immediately two goals to the good.

46′ – Man United 0-1 Tottenham

17:38 , Karl Matchett

Djed Spence is on for Udogie at the break for Spurs, Casemiro is on for Zirkzee for United.

Let’s see if they have any kind of better approach play, better tempo about their game or better ability to stop Spurs playing through them.

HT – Man United 0-1 Tottenham

17:30 , Karl Matchett

Richard Jolly at Old Trafford:

“Deserved red card for Bruno Fernandes – that was a dangerous lunge at James Maddison – and an increasingly disastrous day for Manchester United, with Kobbie Mainoo hobbling off.”

 (Action Images via Reuters) (Action Images via Reuters)

(Action Images via Reuters)

‘Unstoppable’ Micky van de Ven produces stunning assist with 70-yard sprint

17:25 , Karl Matchett

Micky van de Ven produced a stunning 70-yard run from defence to set up Brennan Johnson’s opening goal at Manchester United in a “special” assist from the Tottenham centre-back.

Van de Ven pounced on a loose ball in the Spurs half after Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford lost possession, before the Dutch international surged forward from inside the halfway line.

Van de Ven eased away from Manuel Ugarte and past compatriot Matthijs de Ligt to reach the byline before squaring a perfect low cross to the back post, where a grinning Johnson was on hand to tap into the empty net.

‘Unstoppable’ Micky van de Ven produces stunning assist with 70-yard sprint

HT – Man United 0-1 Tottenham

17:23 , Karl Matchett

Van de Ven beats Garnacho in a foot race down the wing and slide-tackles the ball out of play – that just about sums up the difference between the teams.

The half-time whistle goes and boos ring out, be they for Erik ten Hag, his team or the referee. Could be all three from this home crowd.

Spurs lead, one-nil.

 (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

 (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

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45+3’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

17:20 , Karl Matchett

United must be amazed they are only a goal behind. Mount goes straight through Bentancur for no reason and is booked.

They have been so, so far off it in this first half, but Spurs have missed two or three really decent openings to add to Johnson’s early strike.

44’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

17:16 , Karl Matchett

A dreadful afternoon gets worse for United who immediately make a change. Mainoo is replaced by Mason Mount – although bizarrely Mount doesn’t come on straight away and the home team play on for a few moments with nine.

They are down to ten though and not looking in good shape today at all.

Five minutes added on.

RED CARD! 42’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

17:14 , Karl Matchett

Bruno Fernandes given a straight red card!

The United midfielder slipped as he changed direction, then lunged into a knee-high tackle on James Maddison who was skipping away from him.

No doubt about the decision, he’s far too high and not going for the ball at all.

United down to ten men.

42’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

17:13 , Karl Matchett

Dalot is carded to make it both United full-backs into the book, dragging down Kulusevski.

The Swede sees a shot blocked by Mainoo just after, as Spurs continue their assault on Onana’s goal – but no second reward for them yet, which will give Ten Hag hope that he can demand a reaction from his team at the break.

This game is like a basketball match at times, both sides looking for passes through gaps from deep to flood forward, but only Spurs are doing it with any productive manner.

40’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

17:10 , Karl Matchett

The first real moment for United – Garnacho batters a volley against the outside of the post.

Rashford’s deep cross finds his fellow winger and he sets himself, then powers a drive which Vicario might have covered, but strikes the woodwork anyway. A warning for Spurs, after their domination of this first half.

Then it’s up the other end and it really should be 2-0 as Timo Werner speeds away from the defence – but one-on-one with Onana, he shoots straight at the keeper who saves.

36’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

17:07 , Karl Matchett

De Ligt has continually given possession away when trying to play out, but he now blocks Udogie as he again bursts through and tries to shoot – it’s over for a corner. Spurs continue pressing for this second goal – and Romero very nearly gets it in spectacular fashion.

A first corner is half-cleared, Porro crosses back in and Romero produces a side-on bicycle kick which flies only a yard wide of the post.

Mazraoui is then booked for a late slide in on Udogie as United continue to fail to get to grips with the pace of their opponents.

32’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

17:03 , Karl Matchett

Richard Jolly at Old Trafford:

“A rather chastening half-hour for Manchester United who, one Joshua Zirkzee shot apart, have not threatened enough, while looking troubled by Tottenham’s pace and creativity. Perhaps Erik ten Hag’s gameplan is to counter-attack, but Spurs have done that better as well as looking the superior side in possession.”

30′ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

17:01 , Karl Matchett

Kulusevski and Johnson link once more around the right edge of the box, where United are just totally unable to shut down the spaces and stop Spurs continually running past them. Maddison’s eventual cross is beyond Werner this time but Dalot is pickpocketed, Maddison shoots – Onana saves.

26’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

16:59 , Karl Matchett

Mazraoui has to lift the ball out from under his own bar as Spurs cut through United once more – Brennan Johnson this time the provider with a low ball, but with Werner lurking it’s the full-back who gets there first and saves his side falling further behind.

Spurs boss Postecoglou must be feeling his side should be at least two up by now – four shots to one, 61% possession, 12 touches in the box to three – all in their favour.

22’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

16:55 , Karl Matchett

Udogie was down injured and needed some treatment, but looks like he’s ok to continue for now. A first really decent opening for United then, as Mainoo is involved and the ball is worked towards Zirkzee in the middle of the box – he diverts the ball toward goal and it’s on target, but Vicario saves.

18’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

16:51 , Karl Matchett

Fernandes fizzes a ball wide for Rashford, who has looked bright in getting forward in this first half, but the winger’s low cross is nowhere near Zirkzee or Mainoo. Easy for Vicario and for Spurs to start again – they are well on top so far.

Udogie now sparks another counter-attack, passes to Kulusevski and he tees up Johnson…and his low finish beats Onana, but hits the post. So close to a second.

14’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

16:45 , Karl Matchett

Udogie and Maddison both break behind United’s back line in quick succession and work chances on goal – the left-back’s effort goes flying over the bar from a narrow angle, but Maddison’s needs a decent block from Onana to prevent a second goal. Lovely exchange between the English midfielder and Kulusevski on the edge of the box to evade Ugarte and the centre-backs.

10’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

16:41 , Karl Matchett

Onana batters the ball forward and Rashford is streaking away behind the defence after bending his run – the flag does go up but he beats Van de Ven and Romero to the ball and shoots low, only for Vicario to save at the near post.

Wouldn’t have counted, but does show United how they might get themselves chances and a foothold in this game. Spurs’ defence is of course very high upfield.

7’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

16:40 , Karl Matchett

United needing to settle, but Spurs are just staying on the front foot as you’d expect – looking to win the second ball at every opportunity and flood players forward. Kulusevki is nominally a third midfielder for the visitors but he’s so high upfield challenging, putting the centre-backs under pressure when he can and forcing the hosts back. Zirkzee has barely had a touch so far.

GOAL! 4’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

16:38 , Karl Matchett

Richard Jolly after that opening goal at Old Trafford:

“Four goals in four games since deleting his Instagram account for Brennan Johnson, proving we are all better off without social media. But what a sensational solo run from Micky van de Ven, covering 70 yards at startling speed, to set him up. What a start for Spurs.”

GOAL! 2’ – Man United 0-1 Spurs

16:35 , Karl Matchett

Sensational start!! Van de Ven wins the ball halfway inside his own half and absolutely blazes his way through the entire United team, squaring brilliantly across the six-yard box and Brennan Johnson is totally unmarked to tap in his fourth in four games!

Never mind that clean sheet, it’s gone after 200 seconds!

1’ – Man United 0-0 Spurs

16:32 , Karl Matchett

Here we go – kick-off! Three clean sheets in five in the league for United, if they manage a fourth then that will be a big positive for Ten Hag to point to – but it’s wins United really need.

Spurs could say the same, of course.

Man Utd v Spurs – live

16:25 , Karl Matchett

Richard Jolly is at Old Trafford for us today – we’ll bring you his insight through the match. Ahead of the game he points out a habit Erik ten Hag is developing with his team sheets…

“Last week, Erik ten Hag benched Marcus Rashford after he had started scoring goals. Now Christian Eriksen has chipped in with three in three games and is only a substitute. No Son Heung-min for Tottenham, which means a first league start of the season for Timo Werner.”

Kick-off on the way!

Man Utd v Spurs – live

16:21 , Karl Matchett

Ange Postecoglou ahead of kick-off now:

“Short turnaround from Thursday and Son just wasn’t right for today so we go without him.

“We’ve had to suffer those things a fair bit, key players missing out – you just have to learn to cope without him.

“Timo Werner is most comfortable there, that’s why we brought him to the club so he gets his opportunity today.

“You’re facing a big club here, an iconic stadium, lots of attention – they are the kind of games you want to be involved in.

“We’ve won the last three so we’re going ok. League form is mixed but performances aren’t bad – it’s a challenging start in terms of results but I’m pretty happy with how we play our football.”

Man Utd v Spurs – live

16:16 , Karl Matchett

Ten Hag adds that Fernandes always ends up as creating the most chances for the team – he’s not worried about a lack of end product from him right now.

“Bruno will work on his form, he’s always working hard, taking responsibility and being captain. The goals and assists will come.”

He’s 11/10 to score or assist today against Spurs, or 8/1 to score the first goal.

Man Utd v Spurs – live

16:11 , Karl Matchett

Erik ten Hag ahead of kick-off:

“We have to kill in front of the goal. We are creating loads of chances but we don’t finish enough.

“I’ll be worried when we don’t create chances. I know we have players who can finish: Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho, Hojlund. Plenty are good finishers.

“Rashford scored there last week so he’s in the right direction and now has to make the last step.”

Man Utd v Spurs – live

16:06 , Karl Matchett

Form this season – all competitions:

Man Utd

LWLLWWDD

Spurs

DWLLWWW

Not too much to take as yet – Spurs’ three in a row have come against Coventry, Brentford and Qarabag. United’s only win against top-flight opponents in their current four in a row was at newly promoted Southampton.

Man Utd v Spurs – live

16:00 , Karl Matchett

It was in the summer of 2023 when Erik ten Hag declared he wanted Manchester United to be “the best transition team in the world”. If he has succeeded, it is probably not quite in the meaning he intended, as the Red Devils enter this weekend following a 1-1 draw with Twente.

His side conceded too many goals on the counter-attack last season, forever looking susceptible to the break. But United are specialists in transition in a different respect. In the third season of Ten Hag’s reign, after 122 games and an outlay of £600m, they remain in transition.

They can seem forever mired there. It may be unfair to judge the Dutchman’s newest team after five league games, before the biggest summer signing Leny Yoro has even made his debut, but they are six points off the lead in the Premier League already. A marquee match against Tottenham is also a mid-table clash, with the sides sitting in 11th and 10th. Lose and the temptation would be to suggest it will already be a 12th successive season without a true title challenge.

Most of that is not Ten Hag’s fault, of course. But the club’s new chief executive Omar Berrada has set the target of winning the title by 2028 to mark their 150th anniversary. Which would require United to exit transition, to trade their inconsistency for the kind of sustained excellence the true contenders display.

United showed signs of it in Ten Hag’s debut campaign, during a run of 40 games that produced just four defeats. Their last six results – two defeats, two wins, two draws – follow a season when their longest unbeaten run spanned five matches.

Read Richard Jolly’s pre-match preview:

Ten Hag’s ultimate goal leaves Man Utd far away in their four-year plan

Man Utd v Spurs – live

15:50 , Karl Matchett

As for Man United, there’s been a lot of talk over Bruno Fernandes’ lack of end product – one assist and no goals so far this term from five games. Nobody for the team has actually netted more than once or assisted more than once in the Premier League, however.

But is Fernandes underperforming in terms of execution, or merely playing poorly and not contributing?

He has a combined xG for the season of only 1.9, not high considering he’s still averaging 3.5 shots per 90, and six chances created isn’t high for him either. Missing three big chances is his biggest downfall so far though – while Zirkzee and Garnacho have missed four apiece.

Man Utd v Spurs – live

15:45 , Karl Matchett

Son hasn’t been Spurs’ go-to man for taking chances this season, but he has certainly been a creative force for them. His four big chances created is the highest in the squad this term, as are his 13 key passes in total.

But in Kulusevski and Maddison they still have two outlets who are laying on the chances and capable of adding goals too – Maddison netted his first of the season last week, though he’s back in central midfield rather than an attacking role now.

Man Utd v Spurs – live

15:36 , Karl Matchett

A big miss to not have Son, but also a big chance for Timo Werner – it’s his first start of the campaign and he has only 38 minutes of Premier League action to his name so far.

The eyebrow-raising pairing of James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield continues, so it’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top of that particular battle, with Christian Eriksen removed from United’s engine room this time around.

Man Utd v Spurs – live

15:30 , Karl Matchett

An hour until kick-off at Old Trafford; a win for the hosts today will send them above Spurs and up to eighth. Spurs can go to the same position if they take the three points, while a draw leaves both in the same positions as now, tenth and eleventh.

Not where either one wants to be.

Spurs are ahead of United on goal difference, scoring four more this term, with both conceding five.

Confirmed lineups

15:25 , Karl Matchett

No Son Heung-min for Spurs – and Ugarte makes his first league start for United!

Team news! Man Utd vs Tottenham

15:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Son Heung-min misses out after limping off Tottenham’s win over Qarabag in midweek. He is replaced by Timo Werner, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski also starting in an attacking line-up named by Ange Postecoglou.

Manuel Ugarte makes his first start for Manchester United. He replaces Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee all start.

Team news! Man Utd vs Tottenham

15:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Man Utd XI: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot, Mainoo, Ugarte, Fernandes, Garnacho, Zirkzee, Rashford.

Spurs XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Maddison, Bentancur; Johnson, Kulusevski, Werner; Solanke.

Man Utd v Spurs – live

15:08 , Karl Matchett

Team news coming up in just a few minutes – the big questions will be over whether Ten Hag starts Rashford or Amad on the wings, with Garnacho now looking a likely starter once more.

Whether Ugarte starts in midfield is another debate, while Spurs are hoping for Son to be fit.

Man Utd v Spurs – live

15:02 , Karl Matchett

Ten Hag on his team’s need to control the match today:

“I think it will be a very intensive game,” the United manager said. “It is always against Tottenham. I think it is our style as well, so I think it is going to be a very dynamic, attractive game.

“Of course every opponent has strengths and weaknesses and Tottenham have their strengths definitely. In their philosophy they are very clear, very attacking but that leaves also space, but that is what they take into account. Maybe that can help but you have to be very good against Tottenham.

“If you want to control the game, then you need again a high performance level and then we will create again, I am sure, and then it’s about taking your chances.”

Man Utd v Spurs – live

14:55 , Karl Matchett

Erik ten Hag is convinced Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will soon be back to his best having made a slow start to the season.

The 30-year-old attacking midfielder joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2020 and is United’s most successful signing since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

Fernandes signed a new and improved deal until 2027, with the option of a further year, on the eve of a season that he has yet to set alight. The Portugal international has provided four assists but has yet to find the net ahead of taking on Tottenham this Sunday.

“I think the team brings him now in the situation,” Ten Hag said. “I think he is capable, and he has proven this so many years already in the Premier League that he can create many chances. I am convinced this season he will not do differently. He will come and respond, he will find his form and he is already creating chances, but he will make final passes, he will score goals 100 per cent and it’s just a matter of time.”

Man Utd v Spurs – live

14:45 , Karl Matchett

Erik ten Hag’s ultimate goal leaves Manchester United far away in their four-year plan

It was in the summer of 2023 when Erik ten Hag declared he wanted Manchester United to be “the best transition team in the world”. If he has succeeded, it is probably not quite in the meaning he intended, as the Red Devils enter this weekend following a 1-1 draw with Twente.

His side conceded too many goals on the counter-attack last season, forever looking susceptible to the break. But United are specialists in transition in a different respect. In the third season of Ten Hag’s reign, after 122 games and an outlay of £600m, they remain in transition.

They can seem forever mired there. It may be unfair to judge the Dutchman’s newest team after five league games, before the biggest summer signing Leny Yoro has even made his debut, but they are six points off the lead in the Premier League already. A marquee match against Tottenham is also a mid-table clash, with the sides sitting in 11th and 10th. Lose and the temptation would be to suggest it will already be a 12th successive season without a true title challenge.

Most of that is not Ten Hag’s fault, of course. But the club’s new chief executive Omar Berrada has set the target of winning the title by 2028 to mark their 150th anniversary. Which would require United to exit transition, to trade their inconsistency for the kind of sustained excellence the true contenders display.

Richard Jolly previews United’s next challenge:

Ten Hag’s ultimate goal leaves Man Utd far away in their four-year plan

Man Utd v Spurs – live

14:35 , Karl Matchett

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou praised the intent of his team after they started their Europa League campaign with an impressive 3-0 home win over Qarabag despite being forced to play with 10 men for 83 minutes.

After kick-off was delayed due to the late arrival of Qarabag’s team bus, Radu Dragusin’s night lasted only seven minutes when he received a red card for a cynical pull on Juninho as Spurs’ last-man.

It failed to significantly knock Tottenham off their stride though, with Brennan Johnson able to score for a third successive match five minutes later before Pape Sarr doubled the hosts’ advantage in the 52nd minute.

Spurs boss Postecoglou was left with some late concerns after Son limped off in the 71st-minute before Archie Gray appeared in pain late on.

Johnson was also withdrawn at half-time after he continued his rich vein of form, but the Australian played down concerns.

“I haven’t spoke to him. He said he felt a bit tired, but I haven’t spoken to him or the medical team yet,” Postecoglou said of Son.

More here.

Son Heung-min is hugged by Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou (John Walton/PA) (PA Archive)Son Heung-min is hugged by Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou (John Walton/PA) (PA Archive)

Son Heung-min is hugged by Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou (John Walton/PA) (PA Archive)

Man Utd v Spurs – live

14:25 , Karl Matchett

Erik ten Hag says he respects the critics and even embraces some of their suggestions as Manchester United’s frequently under-fire manager prepares to take on Tottenham.

Sunday sees the stuttering Red Devils welcome Ange Postecoglou’s side four days after their deflating 1-1 draw with FC Twente at an expectant Old Trafford.

Ten Hag was annoyed by United’s mentality and toothlessness in a Europa League opener that followed a frustrating 0-0 stalemate at Crystal Palace.

Those results, but particularly Wednesday’s performance, have increased the noise around United, but Ten Hag has long since learned how to deal with doubters.

Manchester United must ‘respect the criticism’, claims under-pressure Erik ten Hag

Man Utd v Spurs – live

14:15 , Karl Matchett

Spurs don’t have quite as many absentees to contend with, as attackers Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are the only definite players out through injury.

Son Heung-min went off during the week but Ange Postecoglou wasn’t too downbeat about it, while Brennan Johnson’s substitution was tactical, he added, not through a knock.

There were several changes in their team for the win over Qarabag, though the likes of Micky van der Ven, Dominic Solanke and Son all still played.

Man Utd v Spurs – live

14:10 , Karl Matchett

United are still suffering with some injury issues, in particular in defence.

Leny Yoro is still out for some time and awaiting a competitive debut, while fellow centre-back Victor Lindelof is sidelined. So two are left-backs Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw, meaning Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui continue as the full-backs in Erik ten Hag’s team.

Not too much scope for him to alter things, there, with both playing in midweek too.

Man Utd v Spurs – live

14:05 , Karl Matchett

It’s 11th against 10th today and, while we’re early in the season and don’t need to read too much into that just yet, does hint at the up-and-down nature of these sides.

From five league games they’ve both won two, drawn one and lost two – though Spurs will argue they also won their Europa League opener, while United drew in midweek with Twente.

Much more is expected from both, regardless.

Man Utd v Spurs – live

11:35 , Karl Matchett

Good afternoon and welcome to the Independent’s live coverage of the Premier League – today we’re bringing you Manchester United versus Tottenham Hotspur from Old Trafford, a battle of two sides always seeming capable of more and fighting for European spots for next term, but often lacking consistency.


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Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club (The FA via Getty Images)

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Premier League latest score, goals and updates from fixture

Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club (The FA via Getty Images)

Follow live coverage as Chelsea face Brighton & Hove Albion today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.

The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola’s side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United’s latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year – yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.

Meanwhile, it’s Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:

Chelsea FC 4 – 2 Brighton & Hove Albion FC

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

17:02

A sensational four-goal display from Palmer – who truly could have had more – powers Chelsea past Brighton 4-2 at Stamford Bridge. Despite starting the match the better of the two sides and taking a lead within seven minutes, Hurzeler’s side were then taken apart by an incredible solo performance by Palmer, who became the first player in Premier League history to find the back of the net four times in the opening half of a game. The pick of the bunch was a free-kick from 30 yards out – his third of the day – giving Verbruggen absolutely no chance by putting it right in the top corner. Sanchez gifted Baleba a goal late in the opening period to leave the Seagulls down by two at the interval, but they were unable to get any closer, with Maresca’s side organised at the back, giving their opponents few opportunities to test Sanchez. Both Palmer and Jackson could have added to the hosts’ tally in the second half, but manful defending from Dunk prevented an even greater margin of victory. Chelsea win with an xG of 3.19 ahead of matches this week against Gent and Nottingham Forest in the Europa Conference League and Premier League respectively, while Brighton fall to their first defeat of the year after an output of just 1.05 xG and host Tottenham in eight days. That concludes our commentary of the Premier League fixture between Chelsea and Brighton – we hope you’ve enjoyed it!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

17:02

FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 4-2 BRIGHTON

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

17:00

Palmer and Nkunku work a short-corner routine that looks to trouble the Brighton defence, but it’s smartly worked all the way back to Sanchez from the flag, with Chelsea looking to see out the 4-2 victory.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:58

The fourth official indicates five minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:58

Veiga manages to push the ball off the foot of Minteh, with Enciso quick to latch upon it – firing a hurried strike from a long way out that sails high over Sanchez’s crossbar.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:57

Dunk has attempted 100 passes in this game; it’s the third time this season that a Brightonplayer has attempted 100 or more in a single match in the Premier League and more than any other player in this game (ahead of Baleba – 50 passes).

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:55

It looks to be job done for Chelsea, who have less than five minutes to hold on for a third-consecutive Premier League win. Results around the grounds mean that Maresca’s side currently sit in second place – one point behind Manchester City – as things stand, while Liverpool and Aston Villa still have the chance to jump them in the table later this weekend.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:52

Estupinan manages to get into the penalty area near the byline after a Chelsea giveaway in their defensive third, but the left-back has his pocket picked by Gusto, who times his challenge well before winning a throw-in to sap a bit more time off the clock.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:49

Minteh cuts inside from the right and sends a skipping cross into the penalty area for Ferguson, but the striker doesn’t gamble on the delivery, allowing Sanchez to get there first.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:45

Lavia is introduced for just his third Premier League appearance for Chelsea, with the booked Fernandez protected with 11 minutes to go.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:45

Substitution Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck Evan Joe Ferguson

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:45

Jackson is recalled to the bench with an assist – but not a goal – to his name. Nkunku gets a chance to add to his personal tally, after a hat-trick performance against Barrow in the League Cup on Tuesday.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:45

Fofana commits to a late sliding challenge on Enciso, catching the Brighton substitute just outside the penalty area. It’s a free-kick for the visitors, while the Chelsea defender is shown a yellow card.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:44

Brighton are one of four sides still unbeaten in the Premier League this season coming into this weekend’s games, though their last three have all been drawn (two total wins). They’ve never gone unbeaten in their first six games from the start of a top-flight campaign before.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:43

With a quarter-hour left to go in the game, Brighton have not threatened enough in the second half to convince Chelsea they are capable of the comeback. After nine shots and an xG of 0.86 in the first period of play, Hurzeler’s side have only managed three off-target efforts and an expected goals of just 0.05, despite maintaining more than 50 per cent possession before and after the restart.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:40

Chelsea won both Premier League meetings with Brighton last season, despite having a player sent off in each game. It’s one of just two occasions a team has won consecutive meetings with an opponent despite going down to 10 men (also Middlesbrough against Sunderland in 2002), while the Blues have never had a player sent off in three-consecutive meetings with an opponent.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:36

Substitution Georginio Lucius Rutter Yankuba Minteh Moat

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:36

Substitution Ferdi Erenay Kadıoğlu Julio César Enciso Espínola

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:35

Substitution Jadon Malik Sancho Mykhailo Mudryk

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:35

CUCURELLA SCORES BUT IT WON’T COUNT! Sancho’s inswinging corner is flicked on at the near post by Neto, with the ball dropping kindly to Cucurella inside the six-yard box. The left-back does well to control the ball before whacking it past Verbruggen with a raised boot, but it won’t count after an offside in the build up!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:35

Substitution Marc Cucurella Saseta Renato Palma Veiga

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:33

Jackson breaks into the penalty area after a wonderful disguised pass from Palmer and looks to beat the goalkeeper from a close-range left-footed effort, but Dunk slides across and manages to divert the effort wide for a corner.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:33

Julio makes an enterprising run through the middle of the pitch before spreading play out to the right for Rutter. The winger slips a pass into the penalty area for the overlapping Ayari, who goes down after a tangle of legs with Cucurella. The referee is in a good position to spot the incident and allows play to continue, which infuriates the Brighton forwards.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:31

Chelsea make their first change of the contest – sending on even more firepower – with Neto taking over from Madueke on the right wing.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:31

Hinshelwood’s delivery from the free-kick doesn’t quite find Dunk at the far post, causing a bit of a panic in the penalty area, but Cucurella is able to eventually clear the danger quite emphatically.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:28

Ahead of a Brighton free-kick, the referee calls Estupinan and Gusto over to have a word about some pushing and shoving. The visiting left-back needs to be careful – under the close eye of the match official after his earlier booking.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:26

Jackson has been involved in 14 goals in his last 14 Premier League games for Chelsea (nine goals, five assists), two more than he’d managed in his first 27 appearances (nine goals, three assists).

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:24

JUST WIDE! Brighton are caught trying to play out from the back, with Verbruggen’s pass to Wieffer intercepted by a determined Caicedo, who immediately prods the ball forward for his team-mate. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Palmer can’t quite find the back of the net with his right foot, sending it whistling wide of the near post!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:23

Substitution Adam Harry Webster Igor Julio dos Santos de Paulo

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:23

Substitution Mats Wieffer Yasin Abbas Ayari

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:20

Baleba’s interception immediately puts Brighton on the attack, but Rutter chooses the unselfish option, looking to split the lines with a pass for Welbeck, instead of shooting with room ahead of Cucurella. It’s the wrong choice, with Chelsea almost immediately able to clear their lines.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:19

Cucurella and Sancho work an effective one-two pass on the left wing, putting the full-back in a good position for a cross. His high, hanging delivery is attacked by Jackson, who puts his header disappointingly wide of the mark.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:19

CLOSE TO A FIFTH! Sancho’s inswinging corner is headed away initially by Welbeck, but only as far as Palmer 20 yards from goal. Full of confidence, the England international controls the clearance with his knee before hitting a well-timed volley towards goal. The effort forces Verbruggen to cover the top of his goal, but the ball flies narrowly over!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:16

Palmer has become the first Premier League player in history to score four goals before half-time in a single match – an incredible feat for the young forward.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:15

OFF THE LINE BY WEBSTER! Palmer turns provider, scooping an unbelievable first-time cross over the top of Brighton’s defence for Jackson, who manages to hold his run until the last possible second. With only the goalkeeper to beat, the striker rounds Verbruggen and sends an off-balance shot towards the open net – only to be denied by Webster, who comes flying across the goal-line to make an acrobatic stop!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:15

Estupinan charges forward, beating Madueke for pace before threading it through to Mitoma. In trademark style, the winger looks to cut inside ahead of Gusto and have a shot but his touch lets him down, allowing Fofana to cut across and end the move.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:12

Palmer feeds the ball through to Jackson, who waits for the pass to catch up to him before turning and lashing a left-footed shot that’s pushed behind for a corner by Verbruggen.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

16:11

Chelsea get the match restarted from the kick-off!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:56

Behind by two goals, Brighton have little option but to come forward and attack; a risky strategy considering just how open and porous their back line has been in the first half. Perhaps Moder could be a useful option in the second half to help protect the defence and keep the ball, while Enciso is a possible entrant either in attack, or in the middle of the park to help create more penetration. Minteh is also a danger down the flanks, while Chelsea will be looking to keep everything in front of them and preserve their deserved lead. Lavia could be introduced for just his third Premier League appearance for the Blues – possibly in place of the booked Fernandez – while Nkunku will likely see the pitch in an attempt to improve on his record of four goals in his last three matches.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:56

An absolutely mad first half at Stamford Bridge comes to a close with Chelsea ahead by four goals to two, thanks to a four-goal first-half performance from Palmer and some poor play at the back from both sides. Brighton started the more positive of the two teams, controlling possession and linking up in neat triangles, eventually taking the lead after just seven minutes thanks to Rutter – scoring after Caicedo’s blocked clearance. It appeared an early deficit was just what Palmer needed to get going, with the England international hitting the woodwork and having a goal chalked off for offside – only to find the back of the net three times in the ensuing 10 minutes – including a superb free-kick from 30 yards out. A Sanchez mistake gave Brighton the chance to pull one back through Baleba, but Palmer was once again there to restore the Blues’ two-goal advantage, slotting an acute-angle finish past Verbruggen for four goals in 40 minutes. Enzo Maresca’s side have produced an xG of 1.95 (1.72 of that coming from Palmer alone), while Brighton scored twice on just 0.72.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:55

HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 4-2 BRIGHTON

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:54

Hurzeler will just be looking to get his side into the half-time interval, where he can deliver additional instructions after seeing a lot of positives and negatives in the first period at Stamford Bridge. Brighton have certainly had their moments going forward, but look to be missing the presence of both Veltman and Van Hecke.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:48

Rutter gets to the corner of the penalty area and cuts inside ahead of Cucurella before hitting a low drive that’s blocked by a well-placed Fernandez.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:47

The fourth official indicates eight minutes will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:47

Estupinan sends an outswinging corner towards the six-yard box looking for a late goal, but Fofana and Cucurella combine to clear Chelsea’s lines.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:46

Sancho has now contributed an assist in each of his last three games, while Palmer takes his personal tally this season to six goals – only behind Erling Haaland.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:43

Assist Jadon Malik Sancho

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:42

Goal Cole Jermaine Palmer

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:42

Madueke sends a skipping cross towards the penalty spot for Sancho on the other side, but a brave Verbruggen comes a long way off his line to make sure he’s first to it.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:41

MADUEKE GOES WIDE! Chelsea again expose Brighton’s high line, sending the ball right over the top for Madueke. Hinshelwood tries his best to keep pace with the winger but he’s taken out of the play inside the penalty area, only for Madueke to send his acute-angle shot rippling the side-netting!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:41

Despite already bagging a hat-trick in 30 minutes, Palmer could have even had more this game, with the forward denied by the frame of the goal and a narrow offside margin, in what could have been an outrageous five-goal spell. He’s on top form – replicating his production from last year

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:41

BRIGHTON PULL ONE BACK! 3-2! It’s a poor goal for Chelsea to concede, with Sanchez virtually passing it right to Baleba 18 yards from goal. From there, it’s a simple finish for the midfielder, who takes a touch to bring the ball under his control before slotting a cool finish past the goalkeeper to pull the lead back to one!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:37

Cucurella is extremely late challenging Hinshelwood for the ball, catching the midfielder and upending him instead. It’s a yellow card for the now Chelsea – former Brighton – full-back.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:32

Goal Cole Jermaine Palmer

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:31

Brighton’s defence is yet again breached, with Madueke getting past Dunk and Webster 30 yards from goal, until he’s tripped and send to the ground by a desperate Estupinan. It’s a yellow card for the left-back, while Chelsea demand a red.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:31

Yellow Card Enzo Jeremías Fernández

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:30

Penalty Goal Cole Jermaine Palmer

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:28

Yellow Card Lewis Carl Dunk

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:27

There is a lengthy VAR check after the disallowed goal, with the team of referees checking to ensure that Madueke started his run in an offside position. There is also a case to be made that Sancho was unable to hold his line during the pass across the face of goal as well – with the video assistants agreeing with the on-field decision.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:26

ANOTHER GOAL CHALKED OFF! Chelsea move the ball up from the back centrally, with Jackson picking up possession inside the centre-circle. The striker immediately plays a pass forward for the pacey Madueke, who latches onto it and drives into the penalty area. Looking to provide for a team-mate, he squares a pass across the face of goal for Sancho, who finishes from close range, but yet another offside call denies Chelsea by the narrowest of margins!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:23

Assist Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:22

Goal Cole Jermaine Palmer

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:22

PALMER SCORES BUT IT WON’T COUNT! Again looking for the same connection, this time Fernandez puts some air under his pass, lifting the ball over the top of the defence for the run of Palmer from inside his own half. This time, the forward makes no mistake, slotting his finish past the goalkeeper, but he’s denied by the linesman’s flag, with offside the call!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:21

OFF THE POST! INCREDIBLE! Fernandez splits the Brighton defence with a superb pass forward for Palmer, putting the ball perfectly in the forward’s stride. The England international’s first touch lets him down somewhat but he still manages to drag Verbruggen off his line before chipping a cheeky finish over him – only to be denied by the base of the post!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:20

Brighton are moving the ball with speed and purpose in midfield, interchanging neatly in triangles to get past the Chelsea press as they look to build attacks down the wing. Baleba and Hinshelwood have worked well in tandem with their respective full-backs, forcing the hosts onto the back foot early.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:19

INSTINCTIVE SAVE FROM SANCHEZ! Hinshelwood and Baleba link up delightfully in midfield, giving Welbeck the chance to run down the right wing to latch onto the ball. The striker eventually delivers a cross into the six-yard box from a position near the byline, which takes a dangerous deflection on its way through, forcing the Chelsea goalkeeper to stick out an arm and swat it away with a closed fist!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:18

Estupinan’s ensuing corner-kick is floated to the near post, but Jackson is back to do his defensive duties, powering the ball away with his head.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:16

Estupinan delivers a lovely cross into the penalty area looking for the run of Welbeck, with Cucurella forced into a diving header to turn the ball behind for a Brighton corner.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:13

Sancho glides into the penalty area after linking up with Cucurella, but his low, left-footed cross into the six-yard box is a tame delivery that is easily gathered by Verbruggen.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:13

After being looked at both on the pitch and on the touchline, Rutter has been cleared to return to the fray, having given his side an early lead away from home!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:12

Brighton take the lead but there’s no time for celebration, as the medical staff are on to the pitch to take a look at Rutter, who appears to have collided with Sanchez during his headed attempt that led to the goal. Chelsea players are circling referee Peter Bankes looking for a foul the other way, but their appeals are denied, as the goal stands!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:08

Assist Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:08

There are a number of Chelsea players who will be looking to make a good impression against their former club, with Sanchez, Cucurella and Caicedo all coming from Brighton to Stamford Bridge. No doubt the two outfield players will be desperate to score, while the goalkeeper will be looking for a third-consecutive clean sheet; with Jorgensen having featured in Chelsea’s League Cup match against Barrow.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:07

Hinshelwood’s lax pass back to Wieffer is intercepted by Jackson, who plays the ball unselfishly across the edge of the 18-yard box for Sancho. The winger takes a touch to set himself before firing a shot but it’s blocked by a desperate Dunk.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:04

A lovely piece of skill gets Mitoma past Gusto down the left wing, but Caicedo comes across to help narrow down the angle, with the Japan international’s cross eventually caught by Sanchez.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

15:02

Brighton get the match underway from the kick-off!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

14:48

Brighton make three alterations to the XI that drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Webster takes the spot of the unavailable Jan Paul van Hecke at centre-back, while Kadioglu is handed a first Premier League start with the absence of Joel Veltman. The final swap is in midfield, where Samuel Adingra is left out for Wieffer.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

14:48

Chelsea make one change to the side that beat West Ham 3-0 seven days ago, with Gusto in for Adarabioyo at right-back, which pushes Fofana inside to centre-back.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

14:48

BRIGHTON SUBS: Tariq Lamptey, Igor Julio, Julio Enciso, Jakub Moder, Yankuba Minteh, Jason Steele, Yasin Ayari, Evan Ferguson, Imari Samuels.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

14:48

BRIGHTON XI (4-3-3): Bart Verbruggen; Pervis Estupinan, Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster, Ferdi Kadioglu; Carlos Baleba, Mats Wieffer, Jack Hinshelwood; Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, Georginio Rutter.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

14:48

CHELSEA SUBS: Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Pedro Neto, Mykhailo Mudryk, Filip Jorgensen, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, Renato Veiga, Romeo Lavia.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

14:48

CHELSEA XI (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez: Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto; Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo; Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke; Nicolas Jackson.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

14:48

With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up – starting with our hosts!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

14:38

Just one point and one place behind Chelsea, Brighton have gotten off to a flying start under new, young coach Fabian Hurzeler, with the Seagulls avoiding defeat in each of their first seven matches in all competitions. Despite the positive start, today’s visitors have gone three league games without a win, drawing against Arsenal, Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest. A side usually known for its attacking prowess, Brighton have seemingly found their rhythm defensively, with only Liverpool and Arsenal conceding fewer goals after five matches.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

14:32

Chelsea have bounced back from a disappointing 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League on the first of September, winning each of their last three matches in all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-0. Yet to experience victory in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful this campaign, Enzo Maresca’s sixth-placed side could jump all the way into second by the end of play today with three points and some help from elsewhere.

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

14:32

Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Premier League fixture between Chelsea and Brighton!

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

13:00

Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…


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Why Manchester United’s 7-0 win over Barnsley could actually mean something

How much should you read into a Carabao Cup third-round win at home to opponents sitting 41 league places below you, who had already lost to your under-21s in their own backyard this season? Not much, probably.

Not beyond the result and the scoreline, at least. Because while anything less than a win would be unacceptable, anything more than a bog-standard two or three-goal victory can have its benefits. Especially if, like Manchester United, you do not hand out a proper thrashing very often.

That this 7-0 win over third-tier Barnsley was the biggest of Erik ten Hag’s time in charge should not really be much of a surprise. That Ten Hag’s previous biggest victory was by only a three-goal margin should.

Remember the 4-1 wins against Real Betis and Chelsea during his first year in charge? Good, solid performances, but not merciless, unrelenting eviscerations of the opposition. They weren’t nights when United were totally and utterly dominant. There have not been many of those at all, in truth.

That has been quite a departure from Ten Hag’s predecessor as permanent manager and you could make a coherent argument that some of the more swashbuckling elements of United’s play under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have faded over the past two years. The statistics back that up.

While Solskjaer’s two full seasons in charge brought 233 goals in all competitions, Ten Hag’s brought 196, with Ten Hag only overseeing eight fewer games.

This was United’s biggest win since the 9-0 against Southampton in February 2021, when in retrospect Solskjaer’s side were reaching their peak. This was also the first time United have scored five or more under Ten Hag. That happened 10 times under Solskjaer, including in his very first game.


Marcus Rashford was in fine form against Barnsley (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)

Solskjaer was also around the last time United won by a 7-0 scoreline — against Barnsley, funnily enough, with the Norwegian setting up three in October 1997. But how about the last time United lost 7-0? Nobody needs a reminder of where that was, who it came against, and whose watch it was on.

There have been several heavy defeats under Ten Hag but few wins of this kind. This is precisely why, although this was not a night that will define United’s season, it was the type of game and win they have long needed.

That applies on an individual as well as collective basis. This was the first time Marcus Rashford has scored twice in a game since the 3-0 win over Leicester City in February 2023, as his extraordinary form during the middle part of that campaign approached its zenith.

There were flashes of Rashford’s 2022-23 vintage throughout against Barnsley: the nimbleness of feet, the agile shifts of balance to scramble defenders. Even the head-pointing celebration made a reappearance after he scored his first.

It is too early to herald three goals in two games against Southampton and Barnsley as a return to his best, but Rashford is famously a form player and this favourable pair of fixtures may have given him a kickstart that he can sustain.

Another player needing a good night was Antony, whose performance may not have been enough to retain his place, but he at least came away from his first start of the season breaking his duck.

After an intervention by Casemiro, and despite Rashford being on the pitch, he was allowed to take the first-half penalty that he won. It was still only 1-0 at that stage, with only 35 minutes gone, but even then the pattern of the game suggested United would not be short on scoring opportunities.


Antony had a rare night to enjoy at United (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)

“They give each other the opportunity to score a goal like the penalty when Antony needs some confidence,” Ten Hag noted. “They are with each other, they are together.”

Then there was Alejandro Garnacho, who made only his second start of the campaign. Ten Hag’s use of the 20-year-old has been striking given he played him from the off in 38 consecutive games between November and the end of last season.

Garnacho’s long summer at the Copa America and international duties with Argentina since are part of that, but with his manager using him more sparingly, he has looked sharper and more explosive and has also started showcasing different sides to his game.

Garnacho’s two goals came with two assists — the first, a sublime cross-field pass to set up Rashford. He is almost playing too well to remain an impact player, which was precisely the problem that led to that long run in the XI last year, but then that is the type of problem Ten Hag is happy to have.


Alejandro Garnacho has been used off the bench this season (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

This win meant all of his fit and available front-three options have now found the net this season and, even before Rasmus Hojlund fully recovers from a hamstring injury, there is set to be some debate over which combination is United’s best.

“There will be rotation,” Ten Hag said. “The conclusion from all of you is not right, that when I pick an XI I drop a player. I pick a starting XI because I know I have to rotate. We have more than 11 players who can be in the line-up of any match in this moment.”

A team that has been known to struggle in attack is quickly becoming oversubscribed with options up top, having hit double figures over their last two games combined. There are caveats aplenty and maybe it proves nothing more substantial than a short-term morale boost, but United needed this reminder they can win and win big.

(Top photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)


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Premier League Teams Nearly Half Owned by American Owners

Manchester United and Fulham kicked off the 2024-25 Premier League season on Friday, and United won 1-0 at Old Trafford on a late goal by Joshua Zirkzee.

In a bit of scheduling coincidence, the owners of the two clubs will square off again Saturday on the other kind of football field, as the Glazer family’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Jacksonville Jaguars, owned by Shahid Khan, in an NFL preseason game.

The Glazers and Khan are among nine American ownership groups of Premier League teams, which will have a full slate of games this weekend. The list includes newly promoted Ipswich Town, which is owned by American financial firms ORG, Bright Path Sports Partners and Avenue Sports. They are all chasing Manchester City, which has finished atop the EPL standings for four straight years.

The second division Championship also has nine teams controlled by Americans after Mark Attanasio recently increased his stake in Norwich City through his Norfolk Holdings, which first took a stake in the team in 2022 and will now own 85%.

Americans have invested heavily in English football teams over the past two decades, starting with Malcolm Glazer’s leveraged buyout in 2005 that valued Man United at £790 million ($1.4 billion at the time). Stan Kroenke started buying shares of Arsenal in 2007 and took full control in 2011 at a $1.2 billion valuation.

Man United ranked on top of Sportico’s global soccer team valuations at $6.2 billion, while Arsenal was eighth at $3.91 billion.

In 2010, John Henry’s Fenway Sports Group bought Liverpool for £300 million ($476 million at the time). FSG built a strong performer on and off the field, including three Champions League finals appearances in five years. The value is up more than tenfold to $5.11 billion and fourth overall.

Attanasio also owns MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers and follows a string of U.S. sports team owners to invest in the UK. They are attracted by the global reach of the clubs, but most of them want to see more restrictions on player spending, akin to the major leagues in North America. The lack of salary caps can trigger massive losses as teams spend in a fight to avoid relegation or gain promotion to the Premier League. At the top of the financial table, teams compete for a Champions League spot and to field the best squads to advance in European tournaments.

Only five English Premier League teams out of 20 made money after player trading during the 2022-23 season. The aggregate loss before taxes and finance costs was £530 million ($684 million based on current exchange rates), according to company filings. The NFL’s pre-tax profit: $4.6 billion.

Khan’s team investments offer a window into the economic structure of different sports leagues. In 2011, he spent $770 million to buy the Jaguars. The club turns a hefty profit each season that can top $100 million in a good year, and the Jags are now worth nearly $5 billion.

Two years after buying Jacksonville, Khan bought EPL club Fulham for more than $200 million. Fulham was relegated to the Championship the following season, where it has spent six of 11 seasons under Khan. He has piled up $500 million in operating losses in the London club, and the team is likely worth one-tenth of the Jaguars.

The lousy economic model that exists across European soccer explains why Manchester United and Real Madrid are the only soccer teams to crack the top 30 among the world’s most valuable sports franchises, which skews heavily toward the NFL with its strict salary cap and $400 million-a-year TV checks, along with a few NBA and MLB teams mixed in.

Americans can’t kick their UK soccer habit, though. Brit Steve Parish runs Crystal Palace, but American John Textor owns the largest stake at 45%, and private equity titans Josh Harris and David Blitzer each own 18%.

Textor wants his own UK club to control and has entered exclusive talks to buy Everton from Farhad Moshiri after a pair of failed attempts to buy the club by American firms 777 and Friedkin Group. Everton lost $107 million during the 2022-23 season, its sixth straight year of losses that totaled $623 million, based on current exchange rates. The club escaped relegation on the last day of the 2022-23 season and finished 15th last year. Yet still, there’s a Yank who wants to purchase it.


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Man City vs Manchester United LIVE: Community Shield result and reaction after Akanji scores winning penalty

Manchester City secured their first Community Shield win since 2019, with Manuel Akanji scoring the decisive eighth penalty against local rivals Manchester United.

The game started off in a slow fashion, with Alejandro Garnacho breaking the deadlock in the 82nd minute with a stunning strike, before Bernardo Silva equalised with just a minute of normal time to take the game to penalties at Wembley.

There were just two misses from Bernardo Silva and Jadon Sancho in the first five penalties, which included a goal from Ederson, before it went to sudden death.

Jonny Evans did not look confident stepping up for his side’s eighth and ended up firing over the bar, while Akanji rolled his into the back of the net to give Pep Guardiola’s side the victory.

Community Shield LIVE: Man City v Man United

  • Penalties: MCI 7-6 MUN – Akanji wins Community Shield for Man City in sudden death penalties

  • FT: Game is going to penalties MCI 1-1 MUN

  • GOAL! Bernardo Silva hits equaliser – MCI 1-1 MUN (‘89)

  • GOAL! Alejandro Garnacho breaks deadlock with stunning strike – MCI 0-1 MUN (‘82)

  • Half time: Man City 0-0 Manchester United

  • Premier League champions Man City face FA Cup winners Manchester United

  • Community Shield is a rematch of FA Cup final, won by United against their rivals

  • Man Utd XI: Onana; Dalot, Evans, Maguire, Martinez; Mainoo, Casemiro; Amad, Fernandes, Mount; Rashford.

  • Man City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, O’Reilly; Bobb, McAtee, Doku; Haaland.

Manchester United’s missing piece exposed as Manchester City end Community Shield streak

18:00 , Chris Wilson

There are times in recent years when it has felt that Manchester City have had an annual ritual. Lose the Community Shield, win the Premier League. Their seasons started in disappointment and ended in glory. But, the runners-up three times in a row have finally got their hands on a trophy they value less than most. City came from behind in the game and then the shootout, showing resilience and a determination to beat Manchester United with a weakened team.

There was a redemptive moment for Manuel Akanji, who scored the winning spot kick in a marathon shootout. He had missed from 12 yards when Switzerland exited Euro 2024 to England but, after seven teammates had stepped up, was called upon to apply the final touch. There was a starring role for Ederson who, with City behind in the shootout, palmed Jadon Sancho’s penalty onto the post and then calmly scored himself. There was a remarkably eventful cameo from Bernardo Silva, who equalised in the 89th minute only to then miss City’s first penalty.

Manchester United’s missing piece exposed as Man City end Community Shield streak

Pep Guardiola explains reasons behind Man City selling Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid

20:00 , Chris Wilson

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City will discuss signing another striker to replace Julian Alvarez.

The Argentina international, who scored 36 goals in his two seasons at City, will complete an £82m move to Atletico Madrid.

Guardiola revealed he gave his approval to the World Cup winner’s move and accepted Alvarez probably wanted more first-team football after understudying Erling Haaland.

Guardiola explains reasons behind Man City selling Alvarez to Atletico

Aaron Wan-Bissaka nears Manchester United exit as West Ham talks advance

19:40 , Chris Wilson

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is closing in on a transfer to West Ham as his five-year stay at Manchester United is nearing an end.

Talks between the clubs are progressing well and United are expected to move for Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazrouai if the right-back is sold.

Wan-Bissaka, who has one year left on his contract at Old Trafford, is likely to cost around £17m.

It had been thought personal terms could be an issue, given his salary at United, but there is growing confidence that he will move on.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka nears Manchester United exit as West Ham talks advance

Pep Guardiola prepared to wait for right players despite Manchester City’s increasing need for ‘deputies’

19:20 , Chris Wilson

Pep Guardiola was staring at the start of a season that could span 48 weeks for Manchester City. He has often sounded the alarm about the impact of a crowded schedule for players and the Club World Cup will only add to it. He also reflected on the challenge City face to retain the Premier League title. “Everyone wants the crown that we have worn for four years,” he said. “I understand it.” Some of his rivals do more than merely want it: they seek to strengthen to secure it. Manchester Unitedhave been more active in the transfer market. “They’ve done it for many years, but it’s not news; just when City spend,” noted Guardiola. It could be seen as an observation or a dig.

And if it has been a quiet summer in the blue side of Manchester, with only Savinho arriving, Julian Alvarez’s departure to Atletico Madrid raises the question if City will be weaker this season. “I’m very pleased with the squad for the quality of human beings and the quality,” countered Guardiola. He has touted the introduction of the teenager Nico O’Reilly to the squad and the return of James McAtee from loan at Sheffield United, while admitting Sergio Gomez, another fringe figure, is a loss.

Guardiola prepared to wait for right players despite Man City’s need for ‘deputies’

Matthijs de Ligt poised for Manchester United transfer as fee agreed

19:00 , Chris Wilson

Manchester United have agreed a £42m fee with Bayern Munich for Matthijs de Ligt and are set to make the Netherlands defender their third summer signing.

De Ligt, who captained the Ajax team Erik ten Hag took to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, is likely to become the second centre-back United have bought this year, after Leny Yoro.

The 24-year-old has been a target throughout the transfer window and United, who were reluctant to pay a huge fee, reached a breakthrough in talks with Bayern.

Matthijs de Ligt poised for Manchester United transfer as fee agreed

Jonny misses from the spot as City beat United to Community Shield title

18:40 , Chris Wilson

A horror moment for Manchester United veteran Jonny Evans gifted the Community Shield to Manchester City after a penalty shoot-out.

Evans lifted his spot-kick over the crossbar before Manuel Akanji tucked in the winning penalty as Pep Guardiola’s side secured the first silverware of the season.

Alejandro Garnacho thought he had inflicted more Wembley misery on the four-time Premier League winners when he repeated his FA Cup final goalscoring heroics from just 77 days earlier with nine minutes remaining.

Jonny misses from the spot as City beat United to Community Shield title

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 7-6 on pens – MAN CITY WIN THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

18:25 , Chris Wilson

United’s focus will now turn to their first Premier League match, which takes place this Friday.

They play Fulham in the Premier League opener at Old Trafford – that game kicks off at 8pm BST on Friday, 16 August.

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 7-6 on pens – MAN CITY WIN THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

18:20 , Chris Wilson

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is last to speak to ITV. He says it was a  “tough result to take”.

“When the performance is right, when you lose, everyone feels this. It hurts in your stomach. You have to feel pain and we have to hurt. We have to take this belief in to the league.

“We did very good to produce the second goal in the FA Cup final before half-time and weren’t able to do that here,” he adds.

On Jadon Sancho, he says that the England winger “is a very good penalty taker and today he missed but that is part of the game”.

“We managed to be on an equal level with Man City and got [Marcus] Rashford high on the pitch and good defending. We created chances, we got pressure in the ball and in possession we had some very good chances from this, so there are many positives we can take,” he adds.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 7-6 on pens – MAN CITY WIN THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

18:10 , Chris Wilson

City have their seventh Community Shield win, after victories in 1937, 1968, 1972, 2012, 2018 and 2019.

They begin their season a week on Sunday, as they return to London to play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

That match kicks off at 4.30pm BST on Sunday, 18 August.

 (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 7-6 on pens – MAN CITY WIN THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

17:55 , Chris Wilson

Guardiola is next to speak to ITV.

“At this stage of the season, in Manchester I know what it means for the fans,” he says. “To start the season with a title is good”.

“I love the personality to take it, and he did it,” he says about Akanji. Regarding Ederson, he says that the Brazilian is “our best penalty taker, alongside Erling and Kevin”.

On Bobb, he says: “What action. He’s really good in small spaces, his work ethic is so aggressive”.

“[It was] a difficult game, and after 35 [minutes], we lost a lot of balls, and in transitions they are one of the best teams in the world,” he continues.

“The lesson is…it’s nice to play this game becausew you won something in the lats season. Now we see how the players come back, try and create a routine.

“The target is not to win the Premier League, but the next game.”

FT: Man City 1-1 Manchester United

17:50 , Chris Wilson

 (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 7-6 on pens – MAN CITY WIN THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

17:45 , Chris Wilson

Oscar Bobb, who was awarded man of the match, is the next to speak to ITV. He says it’s a “great feeling” to win today.

“[It’s] the first time we’ve won it in three or four years, so it’s amazing,” he says.

“I think the belief, all the way through we had it, we kept going, and then it [the goal] came.

“I though it was going to be Erling, but Bernardo was there,” he adds

He’s asked if Ederson is the best penalty taker at City, to which he replies: “I haven’t seen him miss!“

“It’s another trophy, its a great start,” he says as he’s given the MOTM award.

17:35 , Chris Wilson

Trophy number 18 for Man City under Pep Guardiola. Not a bad return.

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 7-6 on pens – MAN CITY WIN THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

17:30 , Chris Wilson

Manuel Akanji was the first player to speak to ITV after the match, and he calls it “a great start to the season”.

“I let the others shoot first because obviously when you miss a penalty [as he did against England at Euro 2024], you don’t go into the next one with that much confidence. I told Ederson I would shoot it down the middle in training so I did it and it went in.

“It wasn’t easy. We played well, United got a bit better before it went to 1-0. Then it was a great cross from Oscar [Bobb] and Bernardo’s header.

“Ederson is probably the best penalty taker in our team, Erling [Haaland] as well. When Ederson takes the penalty I know it is a goal.

“I haven’t won the Community Shield yet so I’m really happy that I got this trophy as well and we look forward to hopefully win the next one soon.”

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 7-6 on pens – MAN CITY WIN THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

17:24 , Chris Wilson

City have avoided being just the second team – after United – to lose four Community Shield matches in a row.

They lost on penalties to Arsenal before winning the league last year – will we see the same outcome in May 2025?

For United, it’s a disappointing start to the season, but they know the importance of three points in their Premier League opener. The signing of De Ligt looks almost certain, but their midfield needs addressing immediately if they’re to get top four.

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 7-6 on pens – MAN CITY WIN THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

17:18 , Chris Wilson

A similar story for United, with players who probably shouldn’t even be at the club letting them down once more.

For City, their ever-reliable players get them through the game once more, with Bernardo Silva scoring the equaliser and even Ederson converting a penalty (as well as saving one)!

The trophy ceremony will be up soon.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 7-6 on pens – MAN CITY WIN THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

17:15 , Chris Wilson

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 7-6 on pens – MAN CITY WIN THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

17:12 , Chris Wilson

Manuel Akanji’s penalty is blasted down the middle and City take the win in the curtain-raiser! They go one better than last season.

Plenty of antics once again from Onana, but for nothing in the end.

 (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 7-6 on pens

17:10 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

It will be Akanji to win it for City. He scores and City win the Community Shield!

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 6-6 on pens

17:10 , Chris Wilson

MISSED!

Evans makes his way to the penalty spot – and he rifles a terrible effort over! So poor.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 6-6 on pens

17:09 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

Dias is next for City. He confidently dispatches his penalty, with Onana going the wrong way once more.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 5-6 on pens

17:08 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

Martinez steps up and sends Ederson the wrong way too! A stutter and then right into the side-netting.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 5-5 on pens

17:08 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

A superb pen from Nunes – the best of the day as he rifles into the roof of the net.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 4-5 on pens

17:07 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

McTominay up next, and he doesn’t look to confident, but his pen has enough power to creep past Ederson despite the Brazilian diving the right way.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 4-4 on pens

17:06 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

Ederson steps up and dispatches confidently, winning the battle of the ‘keepers. He sent Onana the wrong way too!

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 3-4 on pens

17:06 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

Casemiro is composed as he steps up and sends Ederson the wrong way. Ederson will take next!

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 3-3 on pens

17:05 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

Savinho steps up and it’s as confident as you like, side-footing into the corner and sending Onana the wrong way.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 2-3 on pens

17:04 , Chris Wilson

SAVED!

Sancho steps up, and he doesn’t look to confident. He fires a poor penalty to Ederson’s left, and the Brazilian gets an arm to it.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 2-3 on pens

17:03 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

Haaland is the next taker. He confidently sends Onana the wrong way. Not fazed at all.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 1-3 on pens

17:02 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

Garncacho is another with a leisurely run-up, but he sends Ederson the wrong way and clips it wide into the side-netting. Great pen.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 1-2 on pens

17:02 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

De Bruyne is next for City. A small stutter in the run-up and he sends Onana the wrong way to get City on the board.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 0-2 on pens

17:01 , Chris Wilson

GOAL!

Dalot steps up for United and fires a low effort that Ederson reaches, but he can’t save it due to the power on it!

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 0-1 on pens

17:00 , Chris Wilson

SAVED! Bernardo Silva is the first taker for City.

He takes a leisurely run-up and hits it low, and Onana dives the right way and saves!

Man City 1-1 Manchester United: 0-1 on pens

16:59 , Chris Wilson

So we head to penalties. They’ll be taken at the United end. Fernandes is up first!

The Portuguese steps up with his usual run-up and slips it past Ederson into the opposite corner.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United

16:55 , Chris Wilson

95 mins

Kovacic skips past the challenge in midfield as City look for a late winner. They shift it across to De Bruyne, who plays in a dangerous ball that Onana eventually collects.

The referee blows the final whistle and the Community Shield goes to penalties for the fourth time in eight seasons.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United

16:52 , Chris Wilson

93 mins

A free-kick for United near the edge of the City box as it’s handled. Plenty of players up for United, but the ball in from Fernandes doesn’t even beat the first man.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United

16:51 , Chris Wilson

90 mins

Doesn’t look like we’re seeing Zirkzee today for United, which is a strange decision.

City attack as they look for the winner, and United are lucky to clear as they were wide open there.

Man City 1-1 Manchester United

16:50 , Chris Wilson

90 mins

Oscar Bobb comes on for Kevin De Bruyne, as the referee adds five minutes on for injury time.

GOAL! Man City 1-1 Manchester United

16:49 , Chris Wilson

89 mins

GOAL! City get for the equaliser.

Great play down the right wing from Bobb and Lewis, with the former getting in behind the United defence and clipping a cross over to the far post. Bernardo Silva has lost Pellistri, and he nods into a practically open goal!

Man City 0-1 Manchester United

16:45 , Chris Wilson

86 mins

Bernardo Silva gets the second booking of the day as he comes in very late on Garnacho.

Man City 0-1 Manchester United

16:44 , Chris Wilson

84 mins

Jadon Sancho has come on for Marcus Rashford, who will be pleased with his performance overall (though he should’ve had a goal).

City are looking for a goal now, with United dropping deeper as they look to keep their lead.

GOAL! Man City 0-1 Manchester United

16:42 , Chris Wilson

82 mins

GOAL!

The deadlock is broken. Collyer wins the ball and Pellistri ships it in field to Fernandes. He sweeps it wide to Garnacho, who drives into the box with a diagonal run, cutting inside and eventually releasing a low shot that creeps past Ederson!

16:41 , Chris Wilson

81 mins

Bernardo Silva has come on for McAtee in the third City change so far.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:40 , Chris Wilson

79 mins

CLOSE! Close again from United as Rashford heads the corner back across goal, but McTominay narrowly misses as he tries to connect with it in front of goal!

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:38 , Chris Wilson

77 mins

Another good chance for United there, and the commentators say that Erik ten Hag will be ‘pleased’ with the overall performance, but the finishing has still been lacking, as it often was last season.

Garnacho goes with the long-range effort and his shot is deflected behind.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:35 , Chris Wilson

75 mins

CLOSE! So close from United.

It’s so simple too, as a great pass over the top from Fernandes feeds Garnacho in behind the City defence. City are back-pedalling, and Garnacho plays a lovely ball straight to Rashford, who just needs to tap it in on target for a certain goal. But it comes off his ankle and hits the base of the post!

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:34 , Chris Wilson

73 mins

United resorting to counter-attacking mostly now, as City pile on the pressure, with Bobb and Savinho a constant threat on each wing.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:30 , Chris Wilson

70 mins

A great pass from Onana sets McTominay away, but he’s fouled almost midway into the City half.

United have a breakaway attack and Fernandes is nearly through, but he doesn’t have the pace and rifles a shot straight at Ederson.

City counter, and a brilliant last-ditch challenge from Martinez prevents Savinho from a goalscoring opportunity.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:27 , Chris Wilson

67 mins

Savinho’s first involvement sees him lay it off to Nunes, who wins a corner. City work it from the clearance, but Pellistri blocks at the back post.

City come again, with Savinho easily beating Pellistri, but there’s nobody to meet his cross.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:25 , Chris Wilson

65 mins

Nicely worked from United as Fernandes and Garnacho combine to get United to the edge of the box, before the Portuguese clips a ball into McTominay in the box, but the Scot can’t get it under control.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:23 , Chris Wilson

63 mins

City’s turn to make changes. Matheus Nunes and Savinho come on, the latter for his debut. Doku and O’Reilly make way.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:22 , Chris Wilson

61 mins

It’s United’s turn to press City in defence, though City play out in their usual manner. City attack, with Doku getting the better of Pellistri before Gvardiol curls an effort wide from outside of the box.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:19 , Chris Wilson

59 mins

United make four changes. Diallo, Mount, Maguire and Mainoo make way.

Pellistri, McTominay, Garnacho and Toby Collyer come on. Minutes in the legs for some, but those changes don’t exactly increase United’s chances of winning.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:16 , Chris Wilson

57 mins

Kovacic intercepts the loose pass from Casemiro, but Dalot does well to take it from Doku. United sweep it wide to Diallo, who eventually ships it to Fernandes, but his cross is headed behind by Lewis.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:14 , Chris Wilson

DISALLOWED GOAL!

It’s clearly offside, but it was brilliant from Fernandes.

He latches on to the through ball and cuts back, eventually curling a shot over Ederson and into the far corner.

The VAR check is quick, and it’s ruled out.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:13 , Chris Wilson

53 mins

Well played from Casemiro in defence to dispossess Doku in the box, but United can’t capitalise as ball over the top to Rashford is intercepted.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:11 , Chris Wilson

51 mins

The second half has started in a similar way to the first, with United knocking it around the back and City not bothering to press as of yet.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:09 , Chris Wilson

49 mins

United have started with more purpose than they had during a lot of the first half, but they’re struggling a little when they have the ball near the City box. The lack of centre-forward has been telling so far.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:06 , Chris Wilson

46 mins

Some great play from Mainoo to scoop a pass out of a tight area to Fernanfes. The Portuguese plays Rashford in behind the defence, though he can’t make anything as City get numbers back.

Kick-off: Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:05 , Chris Wilson

McAtee gets the second half started in London.

HALF-TIME: Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:04 , Chris Wilson

Both teams are back out onto the pitch now. No changes at half-time from either manager.

Both sides have new signings on the bench – United have the Netherlands’ Joshua Zirkzee, signed from Bologna, while City have new Brazilian Savinho, who spent the last season impressing for Girona in La Liga.

HALF-TIME: Man City 0-0 Manchester United

16:02 , Chris Wilson

A few minutes away from the second half now. Will we see penalties or will one of these sides take it in normal time?

A reminder that the Community Shield goes straight to penalties, rather than extra-time, if there’s no winner in the 90.

HALF-TIME: Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:55 , Chris Wilson

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

 (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

HALF-TIME: Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:50 , Chris Wilson

The referee blows the whistle and we go into the break at 0-0. Not a classic by any means – United probably with the better chances overall, but City dominated as usual in parts too.

Not a lot to read into for City, with a severely depleted squad but a clear plan. For United, there have been flashes of attacking innovation, but the way they played in parts won’t be the cause for a lot of hope among their fans.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:47 , Chris Wilson

45 mins

There’ll be two minutes of added time, as Mainoo can’t quite connect with a Fernandes free-kick.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:45 , Chris Wilson

43 mins

Great carrying from Kovacic as he wins the ball off Fernandes and surges towards the United box. He lays it off to Doku, who tries a shot from a similar to where he scored in the cup final, but this one is off-target.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:43 , Chris Wilson

41 mins

Great play from Lewis as he gets into the box, works the space past Mainoo and cuts the ball back, but Maguire is there to intervene.

Both Maguire and Casemiro are receiving treatment.

No shots on target yet from either side, but United with the best two chances of the game so far.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:40 , Chris Wilson

39 mins

A confident spell of possession from City as they look to take the sting out of the recent spell of United pressure.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:38 , Chris Wilson

34 mins

Fernandes with the long-range effort that hits Dias square in the face, and he has to take a time-out.

United come forward again and it’s another well-worked move, with Fernandes laying off to Casemiro, and the Brazilian playing the one-two with Mainoo on the edge of the box before shipping it wide to Rashford. He’s got plenty of space as he opens his body up to curl it towards the far post, but it’s wide.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:34 , Chris Wilson

31 mins

CLOSE! Brilliant from Amad Diallo!

Fernandes ships it down the line to the Ivorian, who plays a one-two with Casemiro. The Brazilian plays a lovely return to slip it behind the defence, and Diallo is one-v-one, but he tries to square it to Mount rather than shoot!

Maybe a bit harsh to say he should’ve shot, but some brilliant play nonetheless.

Dare I say, more impressive than anything I saw Antony do last season.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:30 , Chris Wilson

28 mins

Fernandes nicks the ball off O’Reilly and United spread it wide to Diallo. He runs at Gvardiol and squeezes in between him and Doku, but his shot is wide.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:29 , Chris Wilson

26 mins

United’s first foray forward in a while ends with Rashford playing a good cross-field ball to Fernandes, whose lay-off into the path of Diallo is slightly overhit.

Unitedeventually regain possession though, as Ederson fires a pass out of play.

62 per cent possession for City overall.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:26 , Chris Wilson

24 mins

CLOSE!

United give the ball away in defence, and it’s straight to Bobb. He turns and flicks it into the path of McAtee – he weighs up the curled effort in the box and it’s great technique, but he hits the post!

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:25 , Chris Wilson

23 mins

City are starting to press higher when United have the ball, forcing them into going long – and we know how that ends. United are struggling to threaten at the moment.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:23 , Chris Wilson

22 mins

Fernandes is chasing shadows at the moment whenever Onana punts the ball long up to him, which has happened on a few occasions.

A half-chance for City as Lewis carries and then, facing no pressure, bursts into the box before hanging up a cross, which is deflected towards the back post. Haaland can’t get clean contact with his back to goal.

Moments later, Bobb goes closest as he picks it up on the wing, cuts inside Martinez to find the angle, and blasts well over.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:19 , Chris Wilson

18 mins

Straight away, Doku wins the next battle against Dalot too, and follows it up by skipping past Maguire and into the box. He clips a cross backwards towards O’Reilly, but it’s too far back and the danger’s gone.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:18 , Chris Wilson

16 mins

Casemiro’s clearance earlier is the closest the ball has got to either goal so far.

Doku wins the latest battle against Dalot as the full-back brings the Belgian down on halfway.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:16 , Chris Wilson

14 mins

Nice feet from McAtee on the edge of the United box, but his cross can’t find a blue shirt.

Harry Maguire is briefly down as he collides with Haaland as the Norwegian chased a pass to Onana.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:13 , Chris Wilson

12 mins

City are starting to impose themselves now, having kept a large chunk of possession over the last five minutes or so, though it ends when the cross-field ball goes out for a goal kick.

Ridiculous from Jonny Evans as he fails to clear and gives away a needless corner.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:11 , Chris Wilson

9 mins

Bobb’s corner is a good one and Casemiro does well to head away at the near post. United clear the second corner, but Diallo fouls Lewis as he tries to win possession.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:10 , Chris Wilson

8 mins

United have actually set up with Fernandes more as a false 9, with Mount at 10 and Rashford on the wing. It would be nice to see Zirkzee at some point from a United point of view.

Bobb and Haaland look for the one-two on the edge of the United box, but there’s a little too much on it from the City striker. Moments later, they win their first corner of the match.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:07 , Chris Wilson

4 mins

So no De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Walker or Rodri for City today, though looking at the United defence, you would probably still fancy City to nick it come full-time.

The presence of Jonny Evans and Casemiro at the start of the 2024/25 season will not be a comfort to any United fans, that’s for sure.

No chances at all yet, with both teams trying to settle.

Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:03 , Chris Wilson

2 mins

A cagey opening couple of minutes, with neither side able to keep sustained possession. United are passing it around in their defensive third, with City happy to leave them to it for now.

Kick-off! Man City 0-0 Manchester United

15:01 , Chris Wilson

Bruno Fernandes gets us underway in the annual Premier League curtain-raiser.

Man City vs Manchester United

14:57 , Sonia Twigg

The teams are ut on the pitch and lining up for the national anthem and the match will get underway in just three minutes’ time

Matthijs de Ligt poised for Manchester United transfer as fee agreed

14:52 , Sonia Twigg

Manchester United have agreed a £42m fee with Bayern Munich for Matthijs de Ligt and are set to make the Netherlands defender their third summer signing.

De Ligt, who captained the Ajax team Erik ten Hag took to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, is likely to become the second centre-back United have bought this year, after Leny Yoro.

The 24-year-old has been a target throughout the transfer window and United, who were reluctant to pay a huge fee, reached a breakthrough in talks with Bayern.

The German club will make a loss on De Ligt, selling him for an initial €45m, plus a further €5m in add-ons, after buying him for €67m from Juventus in 2022.

Matthijs de Ligt poised for Manchester United transfer as fee agreed

Pep Guardiola reveals Jack Grealish injury

14:50 , Sonia Twigg

Pep Guardiola said to ITV ahead of the match: “We are here because we did something good last season. The rival deserves to be here because they won something.

“In the holidays the energy is gone but once you start the competitions the energy rises. Waiting for all the squad to come back and see how we are training and what is our mentality to see what is going to happen.

“Unfortunately Jack [Grealish] was a little bit niggles. He had some discomfort and didn’t feel good yesterday.

“The mentality will be to try and play.”

Erik ten Hag speaks ahead of the Community Sheild

14:46 , Sonia Twigg

The Manchester United manager told ITV: “The FA Cup final win was a long time ago, I almost forgot, it was last season so look forwards. It was a very good performance, we overperformed probably but we have to do that consistently.”

When asked about pre-season, he said: “Mixed, many players were not available. We just have one week and then this game before we have to go into the new season. I don’t like friendlies, I like real action.”

On the new season, he said: ““I’m always excited. The future. You start on zero, you have to prove yourself for a season. You want to win again, you want to make a next step so it is a lot about moving forward.”

Community Shield LIVE: Man City v Man United

14:45 , Chris Wilson

Just 15 minutes until kick-off now. Will this match go as expected and end with a fairly straightforward win? The bookies seem to think so.

But with a weaker-than-usual starting eleven for both sides, who knows what could happen as both try and get up to speed early on ahead of the beginning of the Premier League season.

A reminder that United kick off their season in the Premier League opener on Friday, 16 August, while City travel back to London to start their campaign against Chelsea.

Man City vs Manchester United

14:40 , Sonia Twigg

The players are out there warming up and here are some photos of them in action:

 (Adam Davy/PA Wire) (Adam Davy/PA Wire)

(Adam Davy/PA Wire)

 (Manchester United via Getty Imag) (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

(Manchester United via Getty Imag)

 (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Head-to-head

14:35 , Chris Wilson

These two sides have played a total of 193 matches in all competitions, with the first match taking place in 1891. The first game with both under their current club names took place in 1902.

As it stands United have won 79 games, with City winning 61 and 53 ending as draws.

The most recent match was of course that 2-1 win in the FA Cup final for Manchester United, though City won both league games last season: 3-0 at Old Trafford and 3-1 at the Etihad.

14:30 , Chris Wilson

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

 (The FA via Getty Images) (The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

Match stats

14:25 , Chris Wilson

This match marks United’s first appearance in the Community Shield since a 2-1 win over Leicester in 2016 in Jose Mourinho’s first match in charge.

Both City and United have been runners-up nine times in Community Shield matches. Whoever loses today will be the first club to do so on 10 occasions.

The last time these two sides met in the Community Shield was in 2011, when City went 2-0 before a second-half United comeback stole the match in injury time, courtesy of a Nani winner.

Pre-match stats

14:20 , Chris Wilson

This is the eighth time in the history of the Community Shield that the match has been a repeat of the previous season’s FA Cup final, with the most recent two coming in 2007 (Man Utd v Chelsea) and 2017 (Arsenal v Chelsea).

This is the fourth consecutive year Manchester City are appearing in the Community Shield, though they failed to win the trophy in any of 2021, 2022 or 2023. Only United (1998 to 2001) have failed to win the Community Shield in four consecutive years.

Man United have won the Community Shield more times than any other side, with a total of 21 victories. United have won the trophy in their last four appearances.

Is Man United vs Man City on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Community Shield fixture

14:15 , Chris Wilson

Around 45 minutes before kick-off now, so a final reminder of how you can watch today’s match.

When is it?

Man City v Man United will kick off at 3pm BST on Saturday, 10 August at Wembley Stadium in London.

How can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on ITV 1, with coverage starting at 2.15pm. Subscribers can also stream the match via the ITVX App.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Is Man Utd vs Man City on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch

Community Shield is a perfect restart – except Man United face many of the same old issues

14:10 , Chris Wilson

For Erik ten Hag, the new start comes in the fixture that could have been his endgame. He could have bowed out against Manchester City at Wembley. Instead, reports of his demise proved exaggerated. Manchester United confounded expectations. He won the FA Cup and lost the sack race. Ten Hag’s reward was to keep his job, with a one-year extension triggered, and another Manchester derby in London, two months later and after making two summer signings.

There can be a sense of renewal to United, but also one that the past is inescapable. Ten Hag had hoped that injuries would be consigned to last season but Leny Yoro seemed to exhibit the characteristics of a 2023-24 United centre-back by promptly getting injured: the £52m teenager’s debut will be delayed for three months.

With Tyrell Malacia out and a further four doubts, he only has three senior defenders guaranteed to be fit to face the champions.

Community Shield a perfect restart – except Man United face all the same old issues

Team news

14:03 , Chris Wilson

Man Utd XI: Onana; Dalot, Evans, Maguire, Martinez; Mainoo, Casemiro; Amad, Fernandes, Mount; Rashford.

Subs: Bayindir, Collyer, Eriksen, McTominay, Pellistri, Antony, Garnacho, Ssncho, Zirkzee.

Man City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, O’Reilly; Bobb, McAtee, Grealish; Haaland.

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Ake, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Savinho, Nunes, Kabore.

Pep Guardiola prepared to wait for right players despite Manchester City’s increasing need for ‘deputies’

13:51 , Chris Wilson

Pep Guardiola was staring at the start of a season that could span 48 weeks for Manchester City. He has often sounded the alarm about the impact of a crowded schedule for players and the Club World Cup will only add to it. He also reflected on the challenge City face to retain the Premier League title. “Everyone wants the crown that we have worn for four years,” he said. “I understand it.” Some of his rivals do more than merely want it: they seek to strengthen to secure it. Manchester Unitedhave been more active in the transfer market. “They’ve done it for many years, but it’s not news; just when City spend,” noted Guardiola. It could be seen as an observation or a dig.

And if it has been a quiet summer in the blue side of Manchester, with only Savinho arriving, Julian Alvarez’s departure to Atletico Madrid raises the question if City will be weaker this season. “I’m very pleased with the squad for the quality of human beings and the quality,” countered Guardiola. He has touted the introduction of the teenager Nico O’Reilly to the squad and the return of James McAtee from loan at Sheffield United, while admitting Sergio Gomez, another fringe figure, is a loss.

Guardiola prepared to wait for right players despite Man City’s need for ‘deputies’

Team news

13:40 , Chris Wilson

We’re expecting the line-ups to be announced any moment now…

Zubimendi, Neto, Solanke and more: Premier League transfers set to be completed before start of 2024/25

13:30 , Chris Wilson

The Premier League season is now barely a week away from starting – and while some clubs have done business already in preparation for 2024/25, there are no doubt lots of transfers still ahead before the window shuts at the end of the month.

While the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United have made moves in defence, Chelsea have added squad options everywhere and champions Manchester City have brought in one attacking reinforcement, Liverpoolhave yet to do any incoming senior business at all, so expect that to change sooner or later at the very least.

Further down the table there are still moves in the works for West Ham, Tottenham, Newcastle and more, as top-flight teams look to get set for the campaign ahead.

The Premier League transfers set to be completed before start of 24/25

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent’s website




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