The Game

Arsenal beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in sixteen attempts. The Champions showed a familiar resilience, is their defence as good as they have ever had? For Liverpool they have only scored four home league goals all season, what isn't working going forward?

Is it time Brighton were in the conversation with Arsenal as title contenders. After winning at Man City - also for the first time in sixteen attempts - they are a side getting results and topping many data metrics which suggests being third is no fluke.

Michael Carrick remains enormous pressure at Man Utd but he is not the only manager under pressure; which of Le Bris at Sunderland, Carrick at Man Utd, Sage at Palace and Glasner at Forest will still be in post after the international break?

Lastly, is James hill at bournemouth in line for an international call up?

Gregor Robertson is joined by Tony Cascarino, Alyson Rudd and Pete rutzler

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Manchester United latest in part two. Part One Fleetwood, Dowman and Kane

In front of a raucous five thousand fans at Highbury Fleetwood Town beat Arsenal on penalties - did the cold rainy night cliche play a part?

Fleetwood managed to get under the skin of young star Max Dowman, was his red card a valuable lesson or unfair?

England captain Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or - and it couldn't have happened to a better man.

Michael Carrick is staying at Manchester United - for now. Was he saved by the fans and if so did sentimentality get the better of reality? Paul Hirst brings us the latest as Carrick makes peace with Bruno Fernandes, could he be in line to stay longer than anyone thought?

Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd, Paul Hirst and Martin Samuel

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Middlesbrough look set for another charge at promotion this season as Kim Hellberg's side put on a masterclass away at Bolton.

They might have competition from Southampton who would be in second but for their points deduction and their defender James Bree thinks they can win the league.

Burnley looked woeful in Nicky Hayen's last game in change, could they follow Leicester and Luton with a double drop into League One

In League One good times at Mansfield and Plymouth. Managerial change at Sheffield Wednesday and is Dave Challinor about to get a return to management?

Fleet footed brilliance from Exeter City's Luca Woodhouse in League Two and another managerial change as bottom of the pyramid Crawley sack their manager. And remember Ryan Reynold's mate Paul Mullin...? He's still scoring goals at Rotherham.

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the EFL

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Another weekend, another disastrous result for Manchester United who slumped to a 3-0 defeat against an impressive Bournemouth side. At the final whistle, Old Trafford delivered its verdict – support for Michael Carrick, resounding boos for his players. But is this the end for United’s beleaguered manager?

Could Eddie Howe be next in line to take on this most poisoned of managerial chalices? More importantly, will it make any difference?

Meanwhile, there were big results for both Liverpool and Tottenham - whose was more impressive? Pierre Sage is under pressure at Palace and Arsenal are good at set-pieces again. Then it’s all aboard the Villa hype train after they inflicted Manchester City’s first defeat of the season.

Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, James Gheerbrant and Gary Jacob to discuss all that and look ahead to tonight’s Ballon d'Or ceremony in London.

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It goes from bad to worse for Manchester United. A humiliating loss to Como followed by captain Bruno Fernandes turning on the manager. Is this now a power struggle between player and manager...if so, who wins?

Aside from the chaos off the pitch what is the problem on it, is it about players not trying, poor coaching or just a simple lack of ability?

Will Michael Carrick still be manager in a weeks time?

Elsewhere, Harry Kane shows why he's in line for the Ballon D'or, Liverpool's up and down performance, another PSG masterclass and a big weekend for Spurs and Chelsea.

Martin Samuel, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke

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Tom Clarke and Times journalist and former football league player Gregor Robertson cover all the latest from The Championship, League One and League Two.

Are Birmingham City's ambitious plans finally coming to fruition? The big time American owners have long talked about reaching the top flight, they are now fourth in the table and looking very strong. what chance they are in the promotion spots come May?

West Ham, Middlesbrough and possibly West Brom look very likely to be in the mix who else is going to join them? And did you see Isaac Price's penalty for West Brom!?

Can Jamie Vardy lead Burnley out of the relegation zone, he got his first goal, but the clarets still lost their problems are at the back.

Plus a tough week for Charlton, Preston and Bristol City.

In League One it's back to back wins for Russell Martin at Leicester, win of the weekend goes to Huddersfield and goal of the weekend Gbemi Arubi with a half way line strike for Burton Albion.

League Two and Matt Taylor is turning things around at Exeter, Salford keep winning and a goalkeeper assist for Jed Ward at Walsall.

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Brighton can't stop scoring. twenty three goals in the opening seven games is the fourth best in Premier League history. Are Fabian Hurzeler's team serious top four contenders? In beating local rivals Crystal Palace 5-0 they have piled the pressure on manager Pierre Sage, could he be the first managerial casualty of the season?

Diego Gomez scored a stunning fifty metre goal for Brighton's second, where does it rank in the great long distance goals?

Fulham got a much needed win at home to Hull who are now winless in five. But Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa is still to win over the Craven Cottage faithful.

Who has created the most chances this season...? Liverpool's hundred million pound flop Florian Wirtz...was his and Liverpool's win a Brentford a turning point or just a reflection of playing against ten men for a half?

Plus, a hard earned point for Michael Carrick at Elland Road, a Chelsea clean sheet and will Arsenal ever be free scoring?

Tom Clarke join Gregor Robertson, Kit Shepard and Pete Rutzler

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Lisandro Martinez chucked a hand grenade into the Man Utd dressing room when he questioned the quality of the clubs signings and the man responsible - technical director Jason Wilcox - Why is Britain's 'biggest' club incapable of stability?

Did PSG produce the best football played since Pep Guardiola's all conquering Barca side? in the second half Man City then showed their quality and strength in depth as they put in a barnstorming performance.

The independent football regulator report has been released, its findings suggest the majority of English football clubs are on the edge of financial disaster. Will the report change anything or is it another toothless measure...

Plus, great wins for Liverpool and Villa and a tail of two strikers in Victor Gyokores and Nicolas Jackson

Gregor Robertson joins Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft and Tony Cascarino.

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Ahead of a full set of midweek fixtures a quick catch up on the EFL with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two.

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson run the rule over the weekend results, Tonda Eckert, Robbie Savage and an 'absolute exocet' of a goal in League Two.

A suspended ban and a small fine puts spygate behind Tonda Eckert and Southampton, the decision celebrated with a win over local rivals Portsmouth.

Swansea, Stoke and QPR showed they are not going away with impressive performances against Norwich, Bolton and West Ham.

Burnley got their first win of the season, but at Preston Graham Alexander couldn't mark his first game in charge with a win as his side lost at home to Millwall.

In League One the 'flowing locks' derby saw Robbie Savage win his first game in charge at Peterborough, piling the pressure on Leicester boss Russell Martin.

In League Two look out for as pure a strike as you will see at Barnet and Salford go from strength to strength.

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Man City looked worth every penny of the money spent on them as they beat Liverpool at Anfield. But the result left a strange taste as many wondered what it meant. Is the integrity of the league at stake as all results involving Man City have an asterix until the punishment is announced. Could city 'win' the league only to then be relegated?

Liverpool had a front line including two hundred million pound players, neither produced. How worried should the club be about Florian Wirtz?

Jordan Henderson showed he wasn't just a 'vibes' signing when he scored twice and brought some calm to Chelsea's midfield.

Fulham contrived to lose again, Palace nicked three points and Brighton continue to impress.

Spurs took a lot of encouragement from a ten man draw with Man Utd. Not so Manchester United though - six points from the opening six games and a team lacking identity...how much pressure is Michael Carrick under?

And six games in the table has a refreshing look with Brentford and Brighton in the top four and Hull in 8th...can it last?

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The Premier League returns, Man City punishment needs carful thought and where do Bellingham and Kane rank?

Are Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in your top five England greats? Martin Samuel picks the best England players he's seen and Tony Cascarino picks the best five he's played against.

Manchester City plan to appeal, but if they are not successful could their punishment sink them as a club?

Messi retired in front of 80,000 adoring fans. Cristiano Ronaldo left in protest at being an used substitute, will his career end in a whimper?

And the Premier League finally returns with some big games this weekend - Liverpool City, Man Utd Spurs and will Gyokores replace Havertz for Arsenal?

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson join Tony Cascarino and Martin Samuel.

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Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson return with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two.

There are some big games in the Championship with third against fourth as Middlesbrough play Wolves and derbies at West Ham who take on QPR and West Brom at home to Birmingham.

Perhaps the most interesting story of the international break was Graham Alexander leaving Bradford City to return to Preston North End. Why do managers leave clubs flying high in one league to go to teams at the bottom of another? Alexander joins a list including Rob Edwards, Matt Bloomfield and Russell Martin. Do these moves ever pay off?

Plus, Robbie Savage takes the reigns at Peterborough, Ian holloway is losing it - again and the best irrelevant goals ever scored.

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As expected MAnchester City are to appeal against the guilty verdicts handed down to them by the independent commision. But what does that mean...will the whole affair drag on for another eight years? Matt Lawton brings us the latest - how long will the appeal take and what chance does it have of succeeding?

If City lose and the punishment relegates them - will their big stars stick around?

After the break, just how good were England? James Gheerbrant was at the match and thinks Jude Bellingham is looking like Zinedine Zidane...hyperbole or justified? Who else stood out and is this the start of something special or a one off?

Tom Clarke joins Tony Cascarino, Matt Lawton and Alyson Rudd.

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The Premier League have released their statement regarding the findings against Manchester City and it is a scathing assessment.

The independent commision referenced 'sham contracts' to reduce costs and inflate revenues disguising over nine hundred million pounds worth of 'secret funding' in the process.

The findings also make claims of false evidence and agreements or contracts designed to deceive.

For the very latest Gregor Robertson joins Chief Sports Correspondent for The Times Matt Lawton who has been leading on the story and The Times Chief Football Correspondent Jonathan Northcroft

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Manchester City have been found guilty of the vast majority of the 115 charges against them - what happens next? Relegation, points deduction, transfer embargo, financial fines...? What are the potential sanctions on offer? What does it mean for City and for the teams most affected by City's breaches? The Times Chief Sports Reporter Martyn Ziegler has covered this story for near eight years and joins the team to discuss what the sanctions could be and when it could be announced.

Plus, did England embrace the chaos against Spain? They showed more defensive frailty, conceded numerous chances and looked unlikely to beat the world Champions, even if Harry Kane had scored his penalty. So, are they any closer to going one step further at major tournaments?

And finally, Tom Allnutt looks at academies turning back to street football to try to unearth the spark of unpredictable brilliance missing from an overly structured youth football set up.

Tom Allnutt, Martyn Ziegler, Gary Jacob and Tony Cascarino join Gregor Robertson

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International football returns for the first time since the World Cup and England manager Thomas Tuchel isn't sure he can coach his players to play possession football - and some of his players seem to agree. Is that what the FA get for five million a year, a manager who can't coach? Or is it more complicated than that? While England go through their usual bout of soul searching German football hopes that Jurgen Klopp can do for them what he did for Liverpool and return them to their former glory.

And how will Zinedine Zidane harness the immense talent on offer to the French national team

Plus, five game into the Premier League what have we learnt? Can Arsenal defend their way to a title or can City score their way to a title?

Gregor Robertson joins Martin Samuel, Tony Cascarino and James Gheerbrant…

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EFL EXTRA: Dockers and Black Country Derbies

All the latest news from the EFL. This week Gregor Robertson is joined by Joe Harston.

Two big derby's as West Ham staged an impressive comeback at Millwall in the dockers derby and Wolves got the bragging rights over West Brom in the Black country derby.

Swansea came from behind to beat Lincoln and stay top, Preston couldn't quite cash in on the new manager bounce as they let a two goal lead slip at QPR. Was a point enough to save Nicky Hayen at Burnley.

A match report from Lincoln Swansea and a it is a big week for Southampton as Tonda Eckert finally faces his hearing over 'Spygate' - will there be an additional sanction?

In League One, Bradford hit the top, can they maintain their good form? Yet more woe for Russell Martin at Leicester and a painful miss at Stevenage.

Finally in League Two, three unbeaten teams at the top of the tabel, with Barnet showing no signs of a dip in form.

Plus, who do Gregor and Joe think are outsiders for the Championship play offs?

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Brighton and Brentford put in master class performances to humble Arsenal and Chelsea. Both teams looked organised, robust and hugely impressive. By contrast despite the money spent Chelsea lacked cutting edge and were shakey at the back. For Arsenal was it a timely warning that the defence of their title won't be as easy as some thought? So, can Brighton and Brentford make it into the top four...

On paper have Man City actually got the best starting eleven?

At the other end of the table Spurs go into the international break winless, what does De Zerbi do next?

Coventry got their much needed and well deserved first win of the season and Liverpool won too, but Wirtz struggled again.

Finally, is Man Utd's main problem central midfield..?

Gregor Robertson joins Tom Allnutt, Alyson Rudd and Pete Rutzler

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Two defeats in a week, including the Manchester derby, losing a two goal lead at home for the first time in fifty years and then a young star asks to leave - the problems are mounting for Manchester United and Michael Carrick.

Is it all football related or have the 'biggest club in England' still not solved their off pitch issues?

Another wonderkid, Max Dowman goes from strength to strength as he scores two and looks at home for Arsenal - how long until he is a regular starter? And just what does a seventeen year old at a top club get paid?

It is easy to forget but Leeds put in an impressive display to beat Newcastle on Monday night, how far can Daniel Farke's side go? And a successful European bow for Sunderland

Lastly, more VAR fallout and is the Premier League suffering a talent drain?

Tom Clarke is joined by jonathan Northcroft, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson

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All the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson.

Another big win for West Ham sends them top, Southampton are climbing, Swansea and West Brom are surprise packages with Wolves and Middlesbrough looking good - could they all win the Championship? Is it down to just two or three or are there outsiders who are yet to show their best?

At the bottom Preston sack Heckingbottom after another defeat; could Nicky Hayen at Burnley be next?

In League One Russell Martin got a huge win for Leicester City and gave an emotional interview discussing the hostility directed towards him, but will his win away at Stockport be enough to turn around an unhappy fan base at the King Power.

Wycombe sack their manager Michael Duff and immediately get a win; Neil Harris works his magic at Cambridge and quickest team goal at Plymouth.

In League Two are York City looking at back to back promotions and Gregor's old club Grimsby have a candidate for goal of the weekend.

Plus the usual goal, moment and result of the weekend in each division.

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