FPL Gaffer
Ranked by squad relevance · refreshed hourly
Manager praises team’s resilience after late equaliser ‘Everyone has to find a way of making it work’ David Moyes praised Everton’s resilient response to a troubled week after his side twice came from behind to salvage a point against Manchester United through Ainsley Maitland-Niles’s long-range strike. The deadline-day signing, who was introduced in the 77th minute after James Garner pulled up with cramp, preserved Everton’s unbeaten start to the season with a 25-yard effort in the 96th minute. Continue reading...
Mbeumo’s goal was a moment of individual inspiration but Michael Carrick will want more from Fernandes, Cunha and Rashford Tunnel vision allowed Bryan Mbeumo seconds of focus, ignoring everyone in red around him, while those in blue provided a guard of honour. In a team game, it was an act of selfishness but sometimes they are the most satisfying, and Manchester United celebrated the single-mindedness when the ball rippled the inside of the netting. This is a new front four for United after Marcus Rashford spent last season at Barcelona but there should be greater familiarity between those who have already spent a year together. Bruno Fernandes is the instigator as a No 10 while Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo and Rashford try to create their own theories of chaos against defence through a complex potion of individual skill, tactical freedom and instinctive collaboration but the formula is yet to be perfected. Continue reading...
Kate Scott, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards discuss their oft-viral approach to covering soccer for a US audience It takes something special for a sports broadcast to outshine the action on the field. Yet that is often what happens on CBS Sports, where the Champions League studio show has struck a rare chord with viewers, most often broadcast on streaming branch Paramount+. The usual group (Kate Scott, Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry, and Micah Richards), have become fixtures on the American TV circuit, thanks in large part to their on-air chemistry. Scott guides the show expertly – all with with a mass of banter and ribbing along the way. Continue reading...
Fulham need a win, Tottenham show some spirit and Jack Grealish offers Everton much-needed energy With 25 minutes to go against Manchester United, the Everton supporters had something to roar about as Jack Grealish made his return after rejoining on loan. The attacking midfielder remains universally popular thanks to his desire to entertain, getting the hosts back on their feet by creating dangerous situations within seconds of his arrival. Everton were limited in the final third for long periods as Thierno Barry sat on the periphery. If David Moyes is to keep his side pushing for a top-half finish, he will need Grealish to be a creative focal point. Will Unwin Continue reading...
It was the time and place for Alexis Mac Allister to do his talking on the pitch and the disgruntled Liverpool midfielder delivered on cue. “Very sad” over Liverpool’s refusal to offer him a new contract, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were getting theirs, Mac Allister made Anfield very happy with a match-winning display against Atlético Madrid. The Argentina international, one of five World Cup finalists involved in an absorbing, delicately-poised contest, vented his frustrations in the best possible and most professional way – from behind an immaculate 20-yard strike into Jan Oblak’s goal rather than a microphone. Mac Allister believes he is playing for a new deal this season and promised to give “100% to my last day” at the pre-match press conference. He was true to his word to extend Atlético’s winless sequence against English opposition in the Champions League league phase to 11 matches. Continue reading...
Hughes joins Saudi exodus after two years at Anfield Martinelli, Summerville and Watkins are at Al-Hilal Richard Hughes has been appointed as the sporting director of Al-Hilal, the Saudi Pro League club confirmed on Sunday, following his departure from Liverpool . Hughes, 47, joined Liverpool in 2024 from Bournemouth. He appointed Arne Slot as Jürgen Klopp’s successor as head coach, a decision that paid immediate dividends as the Reds claimed the Premier League title in 2024-25. Slot was sacked and replaced by Andoni Iraola in June. Continue reading...
Manager delighted by reaction to Chelsea’s opener Alonso says his side must be ‘tighter’ Mikel Arteta warned that Arsenal are capable of hitting even greater heights after the Premier League champions sent a statement to their title rivals by fighting back from a goal down to beat Chelsea on Sunday. Arteta’s side were under pressure after conceding for the first time this season when Morgan Rogers struck early at the Emirates Stadium, but the response to the setback was outstanding. Kai Havertz equalised before conjuring a brilliant dummy for a rejuvenated Martin Ødegaard to make it 2-1, ensuring that Arsenal moved level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. Continue reading...
The first heavyweight encounter of the Premier League season was previewed in some quarters as the immovable object versus the irresistible force. Arsenal do not give an inch. Chelsea have been fun and free-scoring under Xabi Alonso. Yet that overlooked something pretty fundamental. The percussive force of Arsenal’s game when they have the ball and want to make something happen. Chelsea landed a significant blow after 77 seconds when Morgan Rogers put them in front with a nicely executed volley from the edge of the area. It was not only the first goal that Arsenal have conceded this season but one with rich narrative strands. Rogers was chased by Arsenal over the summer only to join Chelsea for £117m . Continue reading...
Where’s the fun in doing it the easy way? Chelsea remain chaotic at the back but can drag their opponents into horrible places. It helps, mind you, to have some assistance from the referee. Jarred Gillett and Cole Palmer? They made for a killer combination as Chelsea swerved embarrassment and treated Stamford Bridge to one of life’s rarities: a classic in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Gillett, a referee who always seems to be guessing when he makes key calls, was the villain as far as Leeds were concerned. They had just gone 2-0 up when Gillett altered the flow of the tie by pointing to the spot after Pep Chavarría made the most of slight contact from Daniel James. The subsequent conversion from Palmer was inevitable and from there so was the comeback from Chelsea, who rattled through four goals in 12 minutes before eventually reaching the last 16 by winning 6-3. Continue reading...
Plus, Arteta on Tzolis and Havertz + why Colwill was benched The post FPL notes: Odegaard “great” + Mosquera injury latest appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning , Nicky Bandini and Archie Rhind-Tutt to discuss the return of the Champions League Continue reading...
True redemption, perhaps, would have been to score with a Panenka, but Enzo Le Fée didn’t quite have the chutzpah for that. His duffed dink at Brentford in January was the low point of one of Sunderland’s two worst performances of the season, but he converted from the spot with eight minutes remaining to earn a draw in a battle of two physically aggressive and well-drilled teams who must both look at the chaos elsewhere and be thinking again of top-half finishes. It had seemed that it would be a tale of Brentford’s newfound strength in depth and a second-half turnaround as they overcame a rocky first period to have the better of the second after a triple change at half-time, having already lost their captain Nathan Collins to a calf strain. But instead it was a Sunderland substitute who made the key contribution, Wilson Isidor being held by Keane Lewis-Potter at the back post to earn the penalty. Continue reading...
The managers may have changed but the result stays the same. For the fourth successive trip to this part of west London, Crystal Palace returned over the river with a win as Pierre Sage got his reign off the mark in dramatic style. Their hero was Ben Chilwell, the former England left-back who was signed on deadline day from Strasbourg – this time permanently, after a loan spell in which he helped Palace win the FA Cup – after he came off the bench to volley home the winner. It was a bitter blow for Fulham’s new manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who had seen his side lead twice through the impressive Josh King – who showed his potential in front of the watching England manager, Thomas Tuchel – and César Palacios before being pegged back twice by Tyrick Mitchell, the second in a moment of pure slapstick. Arbeloa and his side left the pitch to boos from some supporters and remain pointless after three matches. But having won here three times in 2025 under Oliver Glasner, this has been a happy hunting ground for Palace and Chilwell could not contain his delight as he celebrated with Sage and the travelling fans at the full-time whistle. Continue reading...
The line-ups from Gameweek 3’s final match The post Arsenal v Chelsea team news: Konsa + Tzolis start, no Mosquera appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
Striker scores twice to sink Birmingham Arsenal, Palace, Spurs and Liverpool win Some things just feel inevitable. Some strikers just feel inevitable. Despite a new season, a fresh start and new opponents, it is still the same storyline for Manchester City : Khadija Shaw wins them the game. The Jamaica striker began the campaign exactly how she finished the previous league season, with two goals, and demonstrated why it was so crucial that the club eventually persuaded her to sign a new contract in the summer. Last season’s Golden Boot winner in the Women’s Super League could have scored at least twice in the first half had it not been for an excellent debut performance from Sophie Baggaley in goal for promoted Birmingham . Continue reading...
Aston Villa were 3-1 up after 43 minutes but were made to sweat for their first win of the season, emerging victorious from an entertaining Champions League opener with Club Brugge. John McGinn, who struck the only goal when Villa belatedly got their season up and running last September against Bologna , opened the scoring before Emi Buendía and a first goal for Nicolas Jackson in claret and blue appeared to put Villa out of sight at half-time. The Belgian side have become familiar foes since Villa returned to the big time, the glitziest club competition of them all; a freakish Tyrone Mings handball gifted the hosts a penalty, and subsequently victory , in 2024-25 and on this occasion Aaron Wan-Bissaka conceded a second-half penalty to plunge a seesawing contest back into the balance. Continue reading...
Oliver Glasner argued there was insufficient evidence to disallow Neco Williams’s goal against Tottenham, accusing the video assistant referee Peter Bankes of guessing that the Nottingham Forest defender handled and said ruling it out weakens the officials’ authority. Midway through the second half, Williams stooped to head in on the goalline as Sandro Tonali attempted to hook the ball clear after Morgan Gibbs-White’s deflected effort bobbled towards the net. Glasner conceded at least one angle showed Williams appeared to handle the ball, seemingly to protect himself as Tonali went to clear the ball with his left boot, but said the footage was too unclear to disallow the goal. “I don’t think VAR can intervene when he’s guessing,” said Forest’s head coach. “It was not clear and obvious. We had a briefing before the season that the threshold for VAR intervention should be very high and this is why it was a wrong intervention for me. Continue reading...
Rangers beat St Mirren 1-0 at Ibrox Celtic also narrow winners at St Johnstone A dramatic last-gasp strike from substitute Bojan Miovski gave Rangers a 1-0 Premiership win over St Mirren at Ibrox. Back in the technical area after a two-game touchline suspension, Derek McInnes watched St Mirren’s Australian goalkeeper Jacob Chapman keep the home side at bay in the first half with a string of saves, albeit helped by some poor finishing. Continue reading...
Teenager welcomes LeBron to 76ers Vincent Janssen scores Timbers’ first MLS hat-trick Embolo scores, Messi assists in charged match Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan became the youngest player in MLS history to record a five-match goal contribution streak on Saturday. At 16 years and 342 days old, Sullivan scored in his third consecutive MLS match on Saturday when he tallied in the 75th minute of the Union’s 2-0 victory over CF Montreal. He has three goals and three assists during his past five league matches. Continue reading...
After their record-breaking feats last year in the Champions League, Arsenal are at it again. But having been delayed along with hundreds of travelling supporters by travel chaos on Tuesday, Mikel Arteta’s side had to bide their time against Napoli until Martin Ødegaard continued his rich vein of goalscoring with the crucial strike 15 minutes from full time. Perhaps it was the fact that, at Uefa’s insistence, they were forced to wear red shorts for the first time since a Premier League game against Watford in 2022 that Arsenal were not quite at their flowing best here and missed a hatful of chances. Continue reading...
Luka Vuskovic hauls and Dominic Calvert-Lewin spurns big chances in Brighton 1-1 Leeds The post FPL notes: £4.5m midfielder stars again + another De Cuyper return appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
Enzo Fernández started for Manchester City after Nico O’Reilly’s back injury during the warm-up and sparkled, showing why the club paid a British-record-equalling £125m for the midfielder. The winner came courtesy of Erling Haaland’s 300th goal in club football and Fernández had a key part, feeding Antoine Semenyo, whose cross from the right was crashed home. In the second half Coventry hammered away, but their wait for a first top-flight goal since Mustapha Hadji’s second in a 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa on 5 May 2001 goes on. The visitors did not like losing, but were heartened by holding the star-studded hosts to a slender win, though the bottom line is all three of their Premier League outings on their return have been defeats. Continue reading...
We dissect Champions League wins for Aston Villa and Man City The post FPL notes: Haaland double, no Cash + Cherki subbed early again appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
If only Adam Armstrong, the Wolves striker presented with a golden chance in the 87th minute, had shot into the same corner of the net at the Railway End that his teammate Jackson Tchatchoua had located when scoring one of the most memorable own goals at the end of the first half, then César Peixoto’s team would surely now be second in the Championship. Instead Armstrong, one of the Football League’s most proven goalscorers, lifted his shot over an open goal from 10 yards when played in by Fer López at the end of this implausibly open derby. Birmingham ultimately deserved to extend their unbeaten start to the league season. Continue reading...
FPL notes from Everton 2-2 Man Utd The post FPL notes: Most-sold Mbeumo scores, Rashford, Garner + Norgaard injury latest appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
Critics view Fernandes job as move to shore up position Fifa says change is designed to make sport ‘truly global’ Gianni Infantino has separated Fifa’s management of the Caribbean countries from the rest of Concacaf in a move widely regarded by his opponents as an attempt to split the alliance to remove him from office. Concacaf covers North and Central America as well as the Caribbean and was previously managed as one bloc. But the Guardian has learned that the former Switzerland midfielder Gelson Fernandes, an Infantino loyalist, has been appointed as the director of member associations for the Caribbean, in addition to his position looking after Fifa’s African members. Continue reading...
FPL lessons from Nott'm Forest 0-0 Spurs The post FPL notes: Williams a “core” player, Munoz for Aina + Savio’s fitness appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
United play Sabah, then Manchester City on Sunday ‘To win the Champions League was the ultimate’ Michael Carrick is excited to lead Manchester United on their return to the “magical” Champions League but admitted playing on Thursday night was “not ideal” with the derby on Sunday. United welcome Sabah to Old Trafford after a two-year Champions League absence. The Azerbaijani club are making their debut among Europe’s elite, having been in existence for less than a decade. Continue reading...
Forward says incident was ‘a little interesting’ Heading practice with Alf Inge helped with opener Erling Haaland has claimed Pablo Rosario “grabbed my bottom” during Manchester City’s 2-0 win at Porto on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the 92nd minute, with Haaland having scored City’s goals. The forward and midfielder grappled, went to ground and were booked after being separated. “I was really keen on a hat-trick and it seemed like he was very eager to stop me from getting it,” Haaland told Norway’s TV 2. “It was a little interesting, that – you’ll be seeing a picture where he’s grabbing my bottom. It’ll be interesting to see that picture.” Continue reading...
Five Premier League teams were in EFL action on Tuesday The post FPL notes: Dedic injury, Mendy sub explained + another Hall assist appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
The line-ups from the Hill Dickinson Stadium The post Everton v Man Utd team news: Grealish a sub, Reds unchanged appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
Plus, Marco Rose on Bournemouth's midweek exertions The post FPL notes: Jaissle on Fernandez-Pardo’s fitness + Wissa deeper appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
Plus, a so-so nine points for Triple Captain Erling Haaland The post FPL notes: O’Reilly injury latest, Cherki subbed + Ndiaye criticism appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
Chelsea play Hull City in Gameweek 4 The post Triple Captain Palmer in FPL Gameweek 4? The pros + cons… appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
Enzo Le Fee scores a penalty as Sunderland draw at Brentford The post FPL notes: Why Sangare was subbed off + Collins injury latest appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
Newcastle did just enough in south-east London to progress to the next round of the Carabao Cup. Joe Willock scored the only goal of this boisterous, fun, slightly vague cup tie against a spirited Millwall team that was not so much down to the bare bones, as the bones beneath the bones. By the end there was a sense both sets of fans were more or less happy. Millwall for the vigour of the performance and Newcastle for the result, the clean sheet and any signs of early progress in the dawning of the age of Jaissle-ball. Continue reading...
There was a gulf between the teams in the middle of the park, with Moisés Caicedo’s absence hurting the visitors There have been seasons when Chelsea have turned up at the Emirates Stadium and parked the bus. “You know, I think 10 years without a title is boring,” José Mourinho said in response to criticism from Arsenal fans after a stultifying 0-0 draw in April 2015 . On Sunday, though, there was no holding back from Chelsea. “I want to compete in the best possible way to win,” Xabi Alonso said after seeing his new side edged out by Arsenal in a breathless encounter . “Today we didn’t want to sit deep from the first minute. We wanted to be active.” The plan worked at times. Chelsea maintained their habit of scoring early goals, going ahead through Morgan Rogers, and created further openings. But they were facing the champions and do not have Arsenal’s completeness . Shortcomings were exploited, particularly in midfield. Declan Rice romped through the middle at one point and the winning goal owed much to Reece James losing track of Martin Ødegaard as Arsenal’s captain strode through to fire past Emiliano Martínez . Continue reading...
Looking back on Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool The post FPL notes: Isak brace, Iraola on Gakpo + Barcola debut appeared first on Best FPL Tips, Advice, Team News, Picks, and Statistics from Fantasy Football Scout .
It’s still very early but Mikel Arteta’s side are playing with an authority and freshness that eluded them at times last season Sign up for our free newsletter here Three league games played, three games won . For Arsenal this season could only have started better if Manchester City, who look like being one of their two most serious challengers, had dropped points. But it’s not just about results: Arsenal have been comfortably the better side in each of those three games, approaching each of them in very different ways. After the controlled victory over Coventry City and the tight game against Aston Villa that was won thanks to ratcheting up the pressure in the 15 minutes after half-time, came success in a far more open game in which they conceded for the first time this season. Chelsea tested Arsenal on Sunday, went ahead, and yet Mikel Arteta’s side still always looked like they would win – even if it did take a superb late save from David Raya to keep out an Estevão shot. But the goalkeeper too is part of their strength; even if an opposing team can work a shooting opportunity, Raya has the capacity for spectacular saves that can dispirit opponents. This is an extract from Soccer Desk, a newsletter from the Guardian US. Subscribe for free here. Continue reading...
A referee is alleged to have made a remark referring to menstruation that has revived concerns about treatment of players It was a comment allegedly made by a referee during a WK League match that became one of the biggest controversies in South Korean women’s football. What began as an on-field dispute involving South Korea’s all-time top goalscorer, Ji So-yun, has since developed into a wider debate, prompting a response from the Korea Football Association and raising questions about the treatment of female players, the structural set-up of women’s football in Korea and accountability within its governing bodies. It was around the 31st minute of the Suwon FC Women v Seoul City Hall game on 28 August when the incident happened. Suwon’s former Chelsea midfielder Ji appealed for a foul after what she felt were repeated rough tackles by the opposition. The female referee, Bae Sun-young, is then alleged to have made, over the officials’ radio system, a remark interpreted as referring to menstruation after describing Ji as “sensitive from the start”. Ji says she overheard the comment and footage from the game shows Ji visibly upset as she talks to the referee. Ji was shown a yellow card after confronting the official. In frustration Ji threw a water bottle as she approached the Suwon bench. Bae walked towards Ji, appearing to reach for a red card before deciding against issuing one, showing a yellow instead. This is an extract from our free email about women’s football, Moving the Goalposts. To get the full edition, visit this page and follow the instructions . Moving the Goalposts is delivered to your inboxes every Tuesday and Thursday . Continue reading...
