Inter Milan’s Serie A encounter with Fiorentina on Sunday evening was cut short after a tragic, unforeseen circumstances as Roma loanee, Edoardo Bove, collapsed on the pitch. The Italian, who has been in good form and vital for Fiorentina, fell to the turf suddenly on 16 minutes.
Justin Kluivert made Premier League history on Saturday afternoon by netting a hat trick of penalties, becoming the first player to ever do so in the English top flight. His treble, which helped Bournemouth win 4-2 against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday, was more or less like a masterclass in how to take a spot kick. Not only was it the first hat- trick of penalties in the Premier League era, but also the first in the English top flight since Ken Barnes scored three for Manchester City in a 6-2 victory against Everton at Maine Road on 7 December, 1957, roughly 67 years back.
Manchester City’s misery got piled upon on Saturday evening at the Etihad, as Spurs put four past them at their yard to take their winless run to five in a row. Rodri, who has been ruled out till the end of the season after tearing his ACL, presented his Ballon d’Or on the evening as it was City’s first home game since his victory, but he could only watch as Ange Postecoglou’s side ran riot in the area of the pitch he usually dominates, an area which has become a vacuum in his absence. The vulnerability was clear, even before City’s results began to deteriorate. Not until now, though, had it been exposed like this.
Leicester City have decided to fire head coach Steve Cooper after just five months in charge. Having lost four of their last five matches in all competitions, including a 2-1 home loss to Chelsea on Saturday, the club currently sits in 16th place in the Premier League table after 12 games, leaving them just two points above the relegation zone.
Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo hinted on Friday night after the game against Poland that he could retire in the next one or two years, but has insisted that he will not move into management when he hangs his boots up. The Portuguese forward, who still represents Al Nassr at club level in the Saudi Pro League, will turn 40 in February, however, despite his age, the veteran is still scoring goals on the international stage, with a brace in his country’s 5-1 win over Poland including a spectacular overhead kick taking his career tally to 910 goals.
Paul Pogba has officially become a free agent, as Juventus have agreed to terminate his current contract at the end of November. The former Manchester United midfielder was initially handed a four year ban in September 2023 for testing positive for using a performance boosting substance, but the ban was then shortened to 18 months following a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The verdict meant that Paul Pogba could return to training in January, with a return to club football possible in March 2025.
Real Sociedad handed Barcelona their second La Liga defeat of the season on Sunday night, thoroughly outplaying the leaders in San Sebastian. Sheraldo Becker’s first half goal was the difference between the two sides, though Real Sociedad had plenty of chances to add to the lead. The visitors on the other hand, despite being in good form, didn’t manage to register a single shot on target.
Manchester City woes continue, as another damning loss against Brighton takes them to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions, thus, earning Brighton & Hove Albion a 2-1 win in the Premier League. City started the game the better of the two sides, dominating possession and creating numerous chances, and it looked like they were finally getting back to winning ways on the night. Erling Haaland made it 1-0 after 23 minutes, latching onto a Mateo Kovacic pass before lashing home past Bart Verbruggen. It was his 75th goal in the Premier League in what was his 77th appearance in the competition, making him the fastest player to reach that number. Just two minutes later Haaland was involved again, this time striking the post with a low effort.
Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez touched footballing apex on the 28th of October, as he clinched the inaugural men’s Ballon d’Or – awarded to the best footballer of the year, for the first time ever in his career, becoming the first ever Manchester City player to win it, and the first Spanish player since 1960 to achieve such feat.
Two quickfire Robert Lewandowski goals, followed by as many missed big chances, before sumptuous finishes from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha defined how dominant Barcelona were at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid, ending a 42 game unbeaten run, which could have seen them equal Barcelona’s record of 43 if they had avoided defeat.
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