Cole Palmer netted a stoppage time penalty against his former club Manchester City to rescue a point for Chelsea in a pulsating, end to end eight goal Premier League classic at Stamford Bridge. The 20 year old, who swapped his boyhood club for Chelsea last summer, placed it in the top corner to beat Ederson as Mauricio Pochettino’s side came from behind for a third time in a breathless game.
Dominic Solanke’s brace was just enough to give the cherries a well deserved victory over a Newcastle United team that has been bruised with a lot of injuries. Andoni Iraiola’s side failed to capitalise on numerous chances initially in the first half before Dominic Solanke eventually broke the deadlock just after an hour, taking advantage of a loose ball that ricocheted off Joe Willock to slot in from close range. He doubled the lead 13 minutes later, flicking in a rebound after Luis Sinisterra’s header came back off the post.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta went all in at the Premier League refereeing after a gross injustice on Tyneside, before turning attention to the shortcomings of his own team.
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now, 2023 has seen Barcelona legend, Argentina’s hero and Inter Miami CF star, Lionel Messi, win a record EIGHTH Ballon d’Or, beating Manchester City striker Erling Haaland for the award after leading Argentina to the World Cup last year in what was more or less like a fairytale. The 36 year old football legend became the first player based in the American MLS to claim the most coveted individual prize in the football world, even though 99% of the triumph is based on his genius display in Qatar.
Manchester City cruised past Manchester United with ease at Old Trafford on Sunday as Erling Haaland struck twice and Phil Foden added another to give Manchester City a dominant derby day victory, taking the club up to third, tied on points with Arsenal and two points behind Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur. City had lost their last two on the road in the Premier League prior to this one, but had too much for the current United side who, despite a recent run of narrow wins amid injuries, have issues to address across the pitch.
In a game that has a lot of pedigree like the El Clasico, Jude Bellingham continued his stellar start to life at Real Madrid as his brace led Real Madrid to an El Clasico win, ending Barcelona’s unbeaten start to the season and handing them a huge blow in the title race. Ilkay Gundogan had given Barcelona an early lead before the Englishman took centre stage to equalise from long range, just before netting a second to win it late in the game.
Manchester United and England legend, Sir Bobby Charlton, dies aged 86. Sir Charlton, who is regarded as one of Manchester United’s greatest ever players, scoring 249 goals in 758 appearances between 1956 and 1973 and winning the European Cup with United in 1968, as well as three First Division titles, passed on on Saturday afternoon, during the 3pm fixtures.
More than 40 players have been suspected of being involved in betting scandals that have rocked Italian football. Newcastle midfielder Tonali and Aston Villa winger Zaniolo were among the first names released in the investigation being carried out by Italian authorities along with Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli, and the trio are set to be just the start, followed by a long list of other players who are also caught up in the probe.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will pay £1.3bn for 25% of Manchester United after Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim withdrew from the bidding process. Sheikh Jassim’s offer, which valued United at more than $8 billion, was believed to be the only bid for 100 per cent of the club, the Qatari’s bid was insufficient for the Glazers, who have owned United since 2005 – so Sheikh Jassim withdrew from the process.
The wonders that Xabi Alonso has worked at Bayer Leverkusen, who remain undefeated this season and are the current leaders of the Bundesliga, have increasingly spark rumours about the managerial future of the former LaLiga winner. The manager reportedly has an affordable release clause in his contract that would allow him to leave the German club and potentially coach one of his former clubs, namely Real Madrid, Liverpool, or Bayern Munich, if they express interest next summer.