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Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

19 October 2026 at 03:00

Florian Wirtz takes on more responsibility in Liverpool’s attack while Pierre Sage is under pressure at Crystal Palace

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s physicality overpowering Bryan Mbeumo in Manchester United’s area at a corner grabbed him a fifth goal in 10 outings for Leeds: a pretty respectable ratio. “I just tried to cause a ruckus,” said Leeds’ No 9. “I make it difficult for the defender. I read the flight of the ball and was quickest to react. I feel really comfortable [here]. I feel the support from the club and the fans and it is a great feeling stepping on to the pitch, particularly at Elland Road.” Of the contenders to be understudy to Harry Kane as England’s centre-forward, Calvert-Lewin may be the lead act – if he can stay injury-free, which has been a difficulty throughout his career. Jamie Jackson

Match report: Leeds 1-1 Manchester United

Match report: Brentford 1-2 Liverpool

Match report: Manchester City 3-2 Ipswich

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© Composite: Guardian Pictures (via Getty / REX)

© Composite: Guardian Pictures (via Getty / REX)

© Composite: Guardian Pictures (via Getty / REX)

Neto double at Everton leads Chelsea to victory marred by Martínez head injury

Chelsea have returned from the international break with an authority that augurs well for Xabi Alonso. Two goals from Pedro Neto condemned Everton to a first defeat of the season as the visitors climbed to fourth on the back of their first Premier League clean sheet since January. A head injury sustained by Emi Martínez, who was carried off on a stretcher after seven minutes of treatment, was the only concern from a mature display in the Merseyside sunshine for Alonso’s team.

There were goalkeeping problems at both ends, with Jordan Pickford unconvincing for the second week in succession as David Moyes’ side suffered self-inflicted wounds. But Everton could have no complaints about the merits of Chelsea’s victory given their contrasting performances in the second half.

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© Photograph: Peter Powell/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Peter Powell/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Peter Powell/AFP/Getty Images

Premier League news: go bananas: Maresca loving fans’ show of defiance; Alonso backs his defence

16 October 2026 at 17:30

Manchester City manager embraces response to external criticism while Chelsea coach says ‘clean sheets will come’

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© Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

© Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

© Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

15 October 2026 at 19:01

Henderson back on Merseyside, Farke threatens more misery for Carrick and Forest are a threat to Arsenal

A lively reception awaits the former Liverpool midfielders Jordan Henderson and Xabi Alonso at Everton and, in the case of the former, any jeers can be considered an unintentional tribute. They will speak of what the 36-year-old is able to produce now as much as what, and where, he delivered in the past. With two goals and an assist against Bournemouth last Saturday, Henderson became the oldest player to contribute directly to three goals in a Premier League game, and demonstrated his role at Chelsea is not simply to elevate standards off the pitch. His midfield partnership with Moisés Caicedo gave Alonso’s team balance and enabled the front three of Morgan Rogers, João Pedro and Cole Palmer to flourish. Their confrontation against an Everton defence that had impressed this season, only to litter the draw at Hull with costly mistakes, will provide a stern test of the hosts’ unbeaten start and may well be dictated by the veteran behind them. Andy Hunter

Everton v Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST)

Brentford v Liverpool, Saturday 3pm

Fulham v Hull, Saturday 3pm

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© Composite: Guardian Pictures; PA; Reuters; EPA

© Composite: Guardian Pictures; PA; Reuters; EPA

© Composite: Guardian Pictures; PA; Reuters; EPA

Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

12 October 2026 at 03:00

Manchester City unrepentant in victory, Spurs make progress of a sort and Noni Madueke meets the moment

The manner of Manchester City’s victory at Liverpool was an article of both vindication and vilification. Those gleefully wielding inflatable bananas in the Anfield away end could thumb their noses. Why not enjoy the dances of defiance until the music stops? The same went for City players, asked to perform under the darkest of clouds, able to focus, at last, on football, rather than legal argument and uncertain futures. Beyond City, the sight of a club found guilty of 100-plus charges laying waste to such rivals as Liverpool was deeply uncomfortable. The Premier League season and product are badly damaged until the matter is somehow resolved. What happened at Anfield should double the haste for a resolution. Chants of “cheat” whenever City players, the game already won, slipped the ball around, are bound to be repeated at other stadiums. Enzo Maresca has described his club’s plight as “noise” but his team’s victory did absolutely nothing to turn the volume down. John Brewin

Match report: Liverpool 0-3 Manchester City

Match report: Crystal Palace 3-1 Nottingham Forest

Match report: Hull City 2-2 Everton

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© Composite: Getty Images

© Composite: Getty Images

© Composite: Getty Images

Mohamed Belloumi grabs point for Hull in seesaw draw with Everton

11 October 2026 at 11:13

Hull retained their unbeaten home record since returning to the Premier League with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Everton at the MKM Stadium.

Brennan Johnson found the net in the 34th minute but was denied a first Premier League goal for the Toffees following a video assistant referee check, leaving the sides to go in goalless at the break. The hosts wasted little time after the interval, however, as Joe Gelhardt opened the scoring in the 48th minute following an error by Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

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© Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Richard Sellers/Apl/Sportsphoto

© Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Richard Sellers/Apl/Sportsphoto

© Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Richard Sellers/Apl/Sportsphoto

Everton owner The Friedkin Group exploring sale of club after two years

9 October 2026 at 03:43
  • Owner looking at investment options including sale

  • Transfer window raised questions over commitment

Everton’s owner, The Friedkin Group, is looking to sell the club less than two years after taking over from Farhad Moshiri.

The Houston-based company confirmed in a statement on Friday that it was seeking fresh investment in Everton but was also open to relinquishing control should a suitable buyer be found. No timescale has been placed on a sale but TFG is confident of attracting a buyer quickly and potentially concluding a deal this season.

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© Photograph: Tony McArdle/Everton FC/Getty Images

© Photograph: Tony McArdle/Everton FC/Getty Images

© Photograph: Tony McArdle/Everton FC/Getty Images

Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

8 October 2026 at 19:01

Michael Carrick is wary of ‘Dr Tottenham’, Oliver Glasner returns to Selhurst Park and will Manchester City summon a siege mentality at Anfield?

Declan Rice’s future role in England’s midfield was questioned by Gary Lineker after Alex Scott’s impressive first senior international start in the 7-0 thrashing of Croatia. But the decision to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s squad in an attempt to manage his workload made sense after Rice had only three weeks off post-World Cup before returning to pre-season training. The 27-year-old has struggled with persistent back problems after suffering a hamstring injury last December and Mikel Arteta will hope that the rest has done Rice – who is thought to be close to agreeing a lucrative new contract at the Emirates – the world of good as they prepare to resume the defence of their Premier League title against Leeds on Saturday. Ed Aarons

Arsenal v Leeds, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST)

Aston Villa v Brentford, Saturday 3pm

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© Composite: Getty Images

© Composite: Getty Images

© Composite: Getty Images

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