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The sound of fans being wowed by his football is something that has followed Eberechi Eze wherever he has played. The Arsenal forward is known for his off-the-cuff skill, maverick nature and entertaining style. But lately, those familiar elements of Eze have been missing. Sunday's 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest was Eze's first Premier League start of the season. But replaced at half-time, having completed just nine passes and 22 touches of the ball, many have started to question whether he can reproduce the performances he was once known for. Arsenal criticism from very small minority - Arteta Madueke's 'anger and conviction' shows he's more than a 'finisher' This is not the first time Eze's role in the squad has been called into question. He switched off when Matty Cash scored Aston Villa's opener in their 2-1 defeat in December 2025 and, despite starting the following game, was left on the substitute's bench for the next four league matches. And while the 28-year-old is a much-loved character around both the Arsenal and England squads, even Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel referenced how Eze was "coming back to his true shape and form" in training during the last international break - hinting that he has not been at his best so far this season. The reason Eze's performance is coming under scrutiny now is that the Gunners failed to land a new world-class attacker in the transfer window, despite being heavily interested in Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr and Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez. Arsenal signed Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge in the summer and the Greek international had been the first-choice winger for Mikel Arteta this season, until he picked up a hamstring injury on international duty. Tzolis being out of action presented an opportunity for Eze to break into the squad again, scoring in a start on the left wing against Lille in the Champions League - but he was unable to follow that up against Forest. "I think that finding his role and position has been challenging," former Arsenal and England defender Matt Upson said. "And when you come to a club with the stature and the quality of Arsenal, if you're not showing that you're nailing down a certain role, I think it's very very hard to maintain a position in the team. "He's now filling in a bit on the left-hand side, which I don't think particularly suits him, but he's had to. "He doesn't play like a wide player for me and I think just knowing your role when you're at a club like Arsenal is so important." Eze scored some spectacular goals in big moments when he was at Crystal Palace, including the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City in 2025. "I think all the high-end stuff that we saw from him which made him a player that Arsenal we're going to go and target, that's the icing on the cake," said Upson. "So when the foundation's not quite there in terms of the situations you're getting in and how quickly you get into the ball, where you are on the field, where your headspace is at about what your role is and what you've got to do, then it's hard to produce those moments that make you the top player." Eze shone from the left at Palace, but in his final two seasons in south London he operated from a narrower number 10 role. But with captain Martin Odegaard the first choice in that position at Arsenal and Arteta unlikely to start the pair regularly with the options he has available in the middle of the pitch, it means Eze's route into the team is limited. Upson believes Eze must understand what is wanted from him. "It's almost a process for him if he wants to kind of grow into starting more matches for Arsenal," he said. "I think figuring that out is really important and having that level of intensity, which I think has been an adjustment for him from where he's come from - into a big club, with a manager that they don't come more intense than really." There's an argument that Eze does not get a run in one position or a run of games to build momentum, but the stats show he gets a substantial amount of game time. The Gunners played 63 matches last season and Eze started 36 of those (57%). Since his debut for Arsenal in August 2025 he has started in 56% of games (40 out of 72). His 11 goals in 61 appearances have been scored across just eight games. And he has delivered some huge moments in an Arsenal shirt, scoring five against rivals Tottenham Hotspur across two Premier League matches, with a hat-trick in the home fixture - while he also scored winners against Newcastle and former club Crystal Palace as the Gunners won the title. Encouragingly for Eze and Arsenal fans, there are signs it still could click this season. Although the sample size is a lot smaller, Eze's numbers per 90 minutes this season are higher in assists (0.25), goals and assists combined (0.50), shots on target (0.74), dribbles completed (1.98) and touches in the opposition box (5.95) than the previous campaign. "We have some really good players and the expectations are so big for all of them," Arteta said. "And we want more from everybody. That is the mindset. "That is what is going to make us better individually and as a team. I hope that continues as it is going to push all of us to reach different kind of levels and develop." Arsenal face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday (20:00 BST). Latest Arsenal news, analysis and fan views Ask about Arsenal - what do you want to know?

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Eighth-tier Stafford Rangers will host League Two side Grimsby Town in the FA Cup first round after thumping National League strugglers Gateshead 5-0 in Tuesday's fourth qualifying round replay. The Heed, who are bottom of the fifth tier, had been held to a 1-1 draw in Saturday's initial tie and were humbled by goals from Scott Bakkor, Darryl Mason, Mitch Clarke, Joe Dunne and Jack Birch. Caretaker Gateshead boss Ben Clark apologised to his club's fans and said his side were "miles off it" after the defeat at Marston Road. Stafford are one of two eighth-tier sides remaining in the competition, along with fellow Northern Premier League club AFC Rushden & Diamonds, who will visit Burton Albion in round one. It is the first time in 20 years that Stafford have reached the first round proper. Elsewhere, seventh-tier Alvechurch hammered sixth-tier Spalding 4-0 to set up a trip to League One high-fliers Plymouth Argyle. Another seventh-tier side, London-based Cray Wanderers, earned a tie at home to the highest-placed team in round one, League One leaders Stockport County, by beating Bedford Town on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Worcester City, also from the seventh tier in the Southern Premier Central, will visit Colchester United of League Two after edging out Chorley 1-0. However, ninth-tier Tadley Calleva, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, were unable to pull off a shock as they fell to a 2-0 home defeat by Aldershot in their replay and it is the Shots who will visit third-tier Barnsley. Harrogate Town needed extra time to beat seventh-tier Bury 3-1 and Macclesfield, who stunned holders Crystal Palace in the third round last season, secured their place in round one with a 3-0 victory at Anstey Nomads. The Silkmen will now travel to League One side Mansfield in the first round. This was the final round of the competition where ties can go to replays, with all further rounds decided on the day. All first round ties will be played on 6-9 November. Four sides reach round one of FA Cup for first time Leicester to visit Oxford City in FA Cup first round Stafford Rangers awaiting another bumper Cup crowd Cray Wanderers 2-2 Bedford Town (Cray won 4-3 on penalties) Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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Crawley Town have sacked head coach Colin Kazim-Richards with the side five points adrift at the bottom of League Two. Kazim-Richards was dismissed after his side's 3-2 loss at home to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night. It was their seventh loss in 10 league games - the Red Devils have won just once in League Two all season. Kazim-Richards' assistant Julian Gray has also been relieved of his duties while director of football Erdem Konyar will leave the club too. "The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Colin and Julian, who joined during a challenging period and played an important role in securing the club's EFL status at the end of last season," a club statement read., external "We would also like to thank Erdem for his hard work and commitment since returning to the club last year. "All three depart with the best wishes of everyone at Crawley Town, and we wish them every success in their future endeavours." Shrewsbury pile pressure on Crawley's Kazim-Richards Crawley name Kazim-Richards as new head coach Kazim-Richards signs new deal with Crawley The start is Crawley's worst since they won promotion to the English Football League in 2011. Having won the League Two play-offs in 2024, Crawley were relegated back to the fourth tier a year later. Last season, the club finished just one point and one place above the League Two relegation zone as Kazim-Richards guided them to survival via two wins and three draws in their final seven matches after his appointment in March. But this season's struggles have led fans to call for a change, with the club announcing his departure just after midnight following their loss at home to Shrewsbury. Asked by BBC Radio Surrey if he could turn his side's fortunes around after the loss, Kazim-Richards said: "I feel I can. If I'm given the time is another question. It's not a question I can answer for you. "I think we need a little bit more experience, a little bit in terms of game management and things like that. But we'll see what happens, right?" Over the summer, 16 players arrived at Crawley either permanently or on loan while another 16 departed. Kazim-Richards felt he did not have enough experience in his side, which has conceded 20 goals in 10 league games. "With the players we've got I still think I could have got the best out of them and I can get the best out of them," he added. "I just think there's certain areas they need help in and players need other players to be able to give them that nous, that experience, while they're playing with them as well. "I think I've given nine league debuts. That's not an excuse and it's not me getting at them - you can only get experience by doing it, but at certain times they need help with that for sure." Robin Grey, sports editor, BBC Radio Surrey and Sussex This has felt inevitable for the last few weeks, it's been Crawley's worst start to an EFL season in their history. Colin Kazim-Richards achieved his goal of keeping the club up in difficult circumstances at the end of last season. But this summer's recruitment felt a scattergun approach, with nine senior debuts handed so far - that stat alone shows this squad lacks experience. The departure of Erdem Konyar as director of football shows there is clearly recognition from [owner] Raphael Khalili the recruitment hasn't been good enough. He took a gamble on the inexperienced Kazim-Richards, now he must go for someone with league experience. The club's position seems desperate even at this stage of the season. Pre-match, post-match and topical Reds content Subscribe and listen for everything you love about Crawley Town

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An animal rights group is urging Crystal Palace to retire their live bald eagle mascot with immediate effect, saying a "bright stadium filled with boisterous fans is no place for animals". In a letter to Palace CEO Sharon Lacey, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) asked the Premier League club to stop using the eagle, named Phoenix, in pre-match displays at Selhurst Park and to never use live animal mascots again. The London team, known as the Eagles since 1973, introduced a live eagle to matchdays in 2010. Kayla, who died in 2020, performed the role for 10 years and her replacement Phoenix made her debut against West Ham in August 2024. Peta says birds can become "frightened, disoriented and panicked" in stadium environments, putting themselves and fans at risk. Using them for displays and entertainment also denies the animals, who "would naturally avoid humans", the opportunity to engage with their natural instincts, leading to "frustration and stress", the group said. The organisation has "detailed records" of incidents involving live mascots, including birds, being injured or killed in collisions with walls, windows and match balls, as well as a falcon embedding its talons in a spectator's scalp after landing on his head. In 2017, a Charlton Athletic fan was found guilty of trying to punch Kayla the eagle at a League Cup fixture two years earlier. "Many professional sports teams use only willing humans as mascots and the club already has Pete the Eagle to excite the crowd," said Dr Carys Bennett, Peta's senior corporate projects manager. "Bald eagles are widely recognised as symbols of freedom. They deserve better than to be used as an entertainment prop to amuse the Eagles' fans." Latest Crystal Palace news, analysis and fan views Ask about Crystal Palace - what do you want to know?

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Chelsea 's academy has been a production line for England defenders, and Josh Acheampong could become the latest to take that step. Since John Terry broke through in the early 2000s, Chelsea have produced Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori for England, while also developing international centre-backs Andreas Christensen and Nathan Ake. Acheampong has started six of Chelsea's past nine matches in all competitions. Only four players - attackers Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, and defenders Colwill and Maxence Lacroix - have played more than his 581 minutes under new manager Xabi Alonso. Much of that has stemmed from Alonso settling on a more consistent side. Chelsea had conceded a league-high 12 goals before the international break but have let in only one since, including recording their first clean sheet of the season away at Everton on Saturday. Acheampong, 20, has operated as a roaming centre-back in a back three alongside more fixed options Colwill and Lacroix, stepping into midfield or moving wide to perform the role of a traditional full-back when in possession. He has also developed a promising understanding with right wing-back Pedro Neto, combining with him in the move that led to Joao Pedro's goal against Bournemouth, while keeping £75m signing Wesley Fofana out of the side. Alonso has been keen to emphasise Chelsea's defensive improvement as a collective effort, with the return of Moises Caicedo from injury and his partnership alongside 36-year-old Jordan Henderson adding greater stability. During a pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, Alonso also hammered home his policy of giving minutes to those who most deserve it, rather than on reputation. It's in this environment Acheampong has begun featuring regularly, while also starting eight of England Under-21s' past 10 matches. Increasingly, the young defender appears to be knocking on the door of a senior call-up should manager Thomas Tuchel seek a versatile option on the right side of defence. Acheampong is under contract until 2029, meaning decisions need to be made between now and next summer. Across recent transfer windows, the defender has been repeatedly linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, only for sources within Chelsea to insist he was "untouchable". That message has remained consistent, although it has occasionally raised eyebrows. Chelsea seriously explored moves for now-Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen in the summer of 2025 and Liverpool centre-back Jeremy Jacquet in January 2026, who possess similar attributes and are only a year older than Acheampong. At one stage during the summer Chelsea had 10 senior centre-backs on their books, before ending the transfer window with six. In a season without European football, there were genuine doubts over how much Acheampong would play. Potential loan moves were explored, including a switch to Crystal Palace. Palace instead signed Chelsea's Axel Disasi on loan, with Premier League rules permitting only one domestic loan signing from another top-flight club. Despite being with Chelsea since Under-8s, Acheampong has come close to leaving on more than one occasion. In 2023, he did not sign a professional contract on his 17th birthday, which is typically the norm for elite academy prospects. The club's current ownership later moved to secure his future in January 2024, avoiding the risk of losing him for only a nominal compensation fee. Twelve months later, Acheampong again appeared to be heading towards the exit in what former manager Enzo Maresca described as a "bad situation". Before the conclusion of lengthy and ultimately successful negotiations, the club's hierarchy withdrew him from selection at both academy and first-team level before he eventually signed a contract until 2029. That agreement, signed in December 2024, remains the deal he is on today. Chelsea could face important decisions next summer, when Acheampong, Colwill and Fofana will all enter the final two years of their contracts. Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo were sold to Como and Tottenham Hotspur respectively this summer after entering the final two years of their deals. The policy stems in part from lessons learned following Chelsea's 2022 takeover, when Antonio Rudiger and Christensen departed on free transfers to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. Those exits triggered a scramble to reinforce the centre of defence, contributing to expensive moves for Fofana and Marc Cucurella. Acheampong's recent performances have begun to attract wider recognition among Chelsea supporters and have raised the stakes surrounding his future. At present, there are no active discussions over a new deal, although the idea of a seven-year contract has been floated previously. There is caution within Acheampong's camp about rushing into negotiations until there is clearer evidence that he can become a regular starter at Chelsea. However, the first-team football provided by Alonso has given the club its strongest chance yet of persuading one of its most promising academy graduates to commit his long-term future. Latest Chelsea news, analysis and fan views Ask about Chelsea - what do you want to know?

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When Viking FK ended a 34-year Norwegian title drought last year, it was days like these in the Champions League they were dreaming of. A visit to Aston Villa on Wednesday comes on the back of a remarkable 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich last time out, where Viking led 2-0 at half-time but then needed a last-minute goal to rescue a point. After that game, Viking captain Zlatko Tripic - who joined the club in the second tier in 2018 - told Norwegian channel TV2: "I could have played another 90 minutes. I'm so incredibly proud. I've waited 34 years for this." Tripic is one part of the Stavanger club's revival story - along with a rarity in modern football, joint head coaches. Former assistants Morten Jensen and Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim both stepped up together in 2021 and led them to last season's title - while they are top again this season. The pair spoke to the BBC's Euro Leagues show last month before their Champions League debut. Aarsheim, who spent the bulk of his playing career at Viking, said: "It's a special story. We were born Viking fans, we've been playing in Viking. "We were working together as assistant coaches and the dream job in managing Viking came up. "We said let's do it together. It will be better and the chances to get the job will be better." In a recent interview with the Guardian, external he said: "For us, Viking is Barcelona. The players have to understand that we see Viking as more than a club. In our heads, it's the best team in the world." Jensen, who was on Viking's books as a player but never made a first-team appearance, said: "If you dare sometimes to go against the strides then you can achieve great things. "If you're going to follow and do whatever everybody else does, maybe we become a poor replica. "So for now we're happily married here and we love working together." This is Viking's first time in a European group stage since the 2005–06 Uefa Cup. Aarsheim said: "It's almost unreal. We talked about it, maybe you should go into the Conference League and learn there, then you go into the Europa League. And we just jumped into the best party ever so it's unreal." Jensen called their Champions League fixture list - which includes trips to Villa, Atletico Madrid and Napoli and the home game with Bayern - "the whole buffet". "We go to England, we go to Germany, we go to Italy, we go to Spain. We go to Napoli, Diego Maradona's old playground, against Atletico Madrid we'll be up against Diego Simeone's side which will be very interesting," he said. "And obviously Aston Villa as well, Norwegians are quite obsessed with English football so to go there to Villa Park and actually our old assistant coach Pal Fjall is set-piece coach there." Last season they wrapped up the title on the final day - beating Valerenga 5-1 at home to maintain their one-point lead over dethroned champions Bodo/Glimt. It marked Viking's first league title since 1991, having been in the second tier as recently as 2018. "A lot of people were very nervous and excited. I've never experienced it before," Lars Risan - a Viking fan and podcaster told BBC Radio 5 Live last year. "Hopefully it won't be the only time in their life they experience it, but it's been 34 years. "It's a big deal. It brings us all together and we can celebrate as a city. It's one of those special things you never know when you'll be able to experience again. "You can feel the atmosphere in town. I want everyone to be able to take part in that. If we could just go down to stadium and have a big party that would be awesome." Viking are three points above Bodo this season - but have played a game more. Viking are one of Norway's most successful teams, with this their ninth league title. However six of their titles came between 1972 and 1982. They have had several British managers, including former Manchester United defender Bill Foulkes - a survivor of the 1958 Munich air disaster and European Cup winner in 1968 - in 1985, and Roy Hodgson for 18 months from 2004 to 2005. Viking also had several players who went on to have careers in the English Premier League, including former Fulham striker Erik Nevland and defender Brede Hangeland, Southampton striker Egil Ostenstad and Thomas Myhre, who was a goalkeeper at Everton and Sunderland. Nevland, who also played for Manchester United, has been Viking's sporting director since 2021. In Europe they enjoyed famous days too, perhaps most notably knocking Chelsea out of the Uefa Cup first round in 2002 with a 5-4 aggregate win. But in 2017, under English manager Ian Burchnall and with several British players in the team, they were relegated for the first time in 31 years. Viking fan Risan said: "They spent too much money on players who weren't good enough. A lot of things went wrong and it ended in relegation. But it turned out to be a good thing for Viking." As they prepared for the second-tier campaign in 2018, back came Bjarne Berntsen as head coach. The veteran had previously played for the club, managed them from 1992 to 1995, had another spell as caretaker boss and also been their chief executive for a while. They won the second-tier title and promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt. "They realised they had to go back to their roots and make the people of Stavangar proud of Viking, and be part of the Viking family," added Risan. "There were a lot of local players, they invested in the youth academy. "They built for the future something that would be stable for years and not relying on money from rich uncles, as we say in Norway." In their first season back in the top flight, they won the 2019 Norwegian Cup - their first trophy since 2001. After finishing sixth in the Covid-interrupted 2020 season, Berntsen was surprisingly sacked and replaced by his two assistants. "People were sceptical about it," admitted Risan. "It seems like it just works for them even though people were laughing or asking questions. They figured out how they wanted to do it and stuck to it. They're both from Stavanger and love the club." They finished third in 2021 and 2024 and the duo finally got their team over the line last season after finishing with seven consecutive wins. Key to their success has been captain Tripic. The winger, now 33, joined the club immediately following their relegation in 2018. He had previously won the Norwegian title twice with Molde in 2011 and 2012 and arrived from Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol, where he had played in Europe. "It's a great story," said Risan. "We had just got relegated in 2017 and it was a big surprise when Zlatko turned up. "He was a profile, someone we didn't think [we could sign]. We thought he just came to keep fit and train. "But he really liked the idea of taking the club to something great and being part of a good story. "Viking is traditionally a big club, but it was down in the dust. He's been a big part of taking Viking back to the top of the table." Tripic scored the winner in their 2019 cup final success over Haugesund but left in 2020 for Turkish side Goztepe, returning 18 months later. The Croatia-born forward then reached double figures in both goals and assists in three consecutive seasons - something no Viking player had ever done before. And he was one of the heroes in last week's draw with Bayern, setting up two goals including the equaliser. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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Guess the footballer in as few attempts as possible. After each wrong guess you unlock a new clue. The fewer clues you need to get the right answer, the more points you score. Once you're done keep scrolling to beat all three of BBC Sport's daily quizzes. Give us five correct answers inside five minutes. Guess this fiendishly difficult question. You have five lives before the answer is revealed. After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device. Don't miss the Match of the Day Predictor deadline All our Five in Five quizzes in one place Can you name the 10 Lionesses with most England caps?

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"It's Manchester United. We are only just getting our heads around the fact we are playing Inter, Milan and Juventus. "This is without doubt the biggest night in the club's history." The words of a Como staff member say it all. United may not be the force they once were and travel to Italy on the brink of a full-blown crisis after six games without a win, their worst run since 2018-19. But, in terms of global stature, they are immense. To put this into context, when United savoured the last of their three Champions League triumphs in 2008, Como were a Serie D club, playing in one of nine semi-professional regional leagues, where attendances tend to be measured in their hundreds. According to chief executive Mirwan Surwaso, it was their status as an amateur club - they returned to Serie D in 2017 after being unable to convince the authorities of their financial wellbeing - which first attracted the London-based media company Sent Entertainment, owned by Indonesian billionaires Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono. When they concluded a deal in 2019, the Hartono brothers were planning a TV project, with the idea of screening matches involving young Indonesian players back home. A visit from Manchester United was not part of the plan. There cannot be many Champions League stadiums you can walk around and in addition to seeing an iconic tourist attraction. Lake Como is 29 miles long and 2.5 miles wide in some parts - you also come across a yacht club and an 'Aero Club' for the sea-planes that take off at regular intervals. The clubs themselves have been there for a long time. But Como also use their natural surroundings to offer one hour Lake Como tours, followed by 'pre-match Lakeside hospitality'. In town - Como's population is just over 83,000, which means 90% of them could fit in the San Siro Stadium - there is a plush new club shop, selling all kinds of branded merchandise. There was no need for that in Serie D. "Somehow the team got promoted, we had to go professional, and the plan had to be scrapped," Surwaso told Piers Morgan's Football Uncensored Podcast this month. The alternative plan is still being amended substantially. Initially it was expected this season would be a selling year, when some of the developing talents Como thought they could cash in on would be sold. Instead, manager Cesc Fabregas steered his squad to fourth place in 2025-26, capitalising on AC Milan's shock defeat at Cagliari. It meant in the space of five seasons from Fabregas' arrival as a player, Como had gone from Serie B to the Champions League. Earlier this week, Lionel Messi's son Ciro gave Como his seal of approval by being pictured with his dad wearing a replica Como kit. Tangible evidence of a meteoric rise. "Compared to when I finished my career here, it is completely different," said Fabregas. "It is not even night and day. It is another world. "Playing Manchester United is a historic day once again for the club, the city of Como and fanbase. "When I retired as a player, I coached to get experience. I explained what I thought of the club and my vision and put the plan to work. We are a family here. Even when we lose, fans come and celebrate. We need to be humble and remember who we were because the story of Como will be beautiful, and we will remember it forever." The captivating nature of the Como story does bring with it some questions. In the short term, some wonder how they can possibly comply with Uefa's financial rules, which European football's governing body does not intend to amend despite Como's rise from Serie B. Surwaso told Morgan: "The scrutiny is on us but we always have our books in order, so we are not too worried." The other point, which will become an issue if the forecast heavy rain at kick-off arrives, is that three quarters of the 12,300-capacity Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia is uncovered. Growing both sides of the club is essential if Como are to maximise their potential. For Fabregas, whose responsibility is clearly on the playing side, there is a balance to be struck between celebrating the spectacular journey Como have been on, and ensuring his players are not resting on their laurels. "We were at minus 10 when we started, but we don't want to spend time thinking about what has passed," said the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea star. "If you want to do that, retire and go write a book about what Como did. We must look at what is in front of us." While Como now attract thousands to their games, those who followed the club when crowds were in the hundreds remain. "I had an uncle who supported Como," said Marco Melillo, an out-of-town fan. "He showed me the sticker collection, I saw the blue shirt and the blue colours and totally went crazy about it. "I know in England a lot of people support teams in lower leagues, but that is not so true in Italy, where people support bigger teams. I do not like that that much. I was not really interested in supporting a team that was winning something. I liked the colours. I liked the stadium and when I came here and saw the lake, it was 'wow'. "We know the club is in the best situation ever in its history but when I see the faces of the guys and ladies that were also here in Serie D, we just see in our eyes and say, 'OK, we hope that this story will go on as long as possible, as best as possible, but if it maybe abruptly ended, because in the past we had also some bad things, we know we will be there'." Federico Borghi is a local, and despite the weather, came with his huge Como 1907-2007 history book. "In 2008, I had just started to go to the stadium to attend games," he said. "Not even in our best dreams could we think of playing Manchester United. I get chills even thinking about it. "As soon as I entered the stadium for the first time I realised this was going to be my faith. I was there in the bad times and that has strengthened my faith and my relationship with the club. "The Premier League is my inspiration and to face one of the top three or four biggest clubs in the world, it's a big honour." 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Since the current Champions League format was introduced at the start of the 2024-25 season, Europe's elite club competition has delivered all of the above and more. Already trending upwards over the past two campaigns, there has been a genuine goals boom in this year's competition. The 187 goals scored so far have come at an average of 4.16 per game - the highest in Champions League history. "Look how many goals have been scored, it's phenomenal," ex-Manchester United and England winger Ashley Young said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "The attackers are being clinical." Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock described the volume of goals as "incredible" - so how unusual is it? Not only is the current goals-per-game percentage the highest ever in the Champions League, it is the third highest in European Cup history - behind only 1959-60 (4.19) and 1955-56 (4.38). While 40 goals were scored across nine games on Tuesday, last week was even more spectacular. Last Wednesday saw the third highest-scoring day in Champions League history (46 goals), bettered only by the final league-phase matchdays of 2024-25 and 2025-26, when 18 matches took place. The 78 goals scored across Tuesday and Wednesday last week made matchday two the highest scoring in history. That was nine more than the total scored on matchday one this season (69) - which, at the time, was the second highest-scoring matchday since the new league phase was introduced in 2024-25. Will we see the record fall again this week? It's already halfway there. Doue impresses as PSG beat Barcelona in thriller Ever since Uefa announced its plans to alter the format of the Champions League in 2021, the impact on matches has been a hot topic. Scrutiny has only increased since the changes were implemented in time for the 2024-25 season. After beginning life as a six-team invitational tournament in 1955-56 before growing to a 32-team knockout tournament in 1967, the Champions League as we know it began in 1992. A group stage was added, with the last 16 entering a knockout phase. There was a brief spell with two group stages, but this was reverted back to the single group-stage format for the 2003-04 tournament. The group stage previously featured 32 teams in eight groups of four, with the top two sides from each of those groups qualifying for the last 16. For the start of the 2024-25 season, the group stage was replaced with a 36-team league phase, with each side playing eight one-off fixtures instead of six games against three teams. The top eight finishers qualify directly for the knockout stages, with those placed ninth to 24th entering a two-legged play-off stage. The bottom eight are eliminated, meaning that after eight matches, 24 sides are still in the competition. Some argue that that creates a lack of jeopardy, which encourages teams to play more expansively. "I think the entertainment has gone up, although I'm not sure the quality has gone up," The Times football writer Tom Arnott told BBC Radio 5 Live. "If I'm looking at the games it's brilliant to watch and thrilling because the football itself is fantastic - but what do they mean? "The lack of jeopardy, why would PSG and Barcelona play for a draw, why not go for it? If you need five wins from the eight games you know you've got some margin there. If you lose it's OK. I think the format allows all the teams to loosen up. "The entertainment value is there but I think you come away from these matches sometimes and still think 'what does it all mean?'. The lack of jeopardy early on does deliver entertainment." The night 'ruthless' Ngumoha came of age for Liverpool No Haaland, no problem - can Foden be Man City's alternative goalscorer? Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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In a game of seven goals, none were scored by Rio Ngumoha - but this was his night. The 18-year-old was simply a class apart from the rest in Liverpool's 4-3 win over Villarreal. It is over a year since Ngumoha burst on to the scene for Liverpool with a memorable stoppage-time winner at Newcastle. He has been in and out since then, impressing in flashes and even going on to make his England debut earlier this season. But this performance was different, inspiring his team to a memorable comeback win in the Champions League. By the time the teenager was replaced in the 74th minute, with Bradley Barcola taking over, the chants of "Rio, Rio, Rio" had repeatedly rung around Anfield. It was quite the sight to see Alisson embrace Ngumoha shortly after the young man was given Uefa's player of the match award. "It's up there with one of the best [games] I've played. I enjoyed myself out there and the team helped me a lot," Ngumoha told Amazon Prime. "Whenever I get the ball and there's an opportunity to go one versus one, or two versus one, I believe in myself to do it. I'll just keep going and be ruthless." Liverpool were woeful for much of the first half as they trailed Villarreal by two goals, but Ngumoha took responsibility and began to turn the tide. After Alexis Mac Allister pulled one back, Ngumoha found space to dink in a delightful ball that was met by Ronald Araujo for an equaliser. Ater the break, Ngumoha - as he had done all evening - waltzed past Sergi Cardona to set up Mac Allister to give Liverpool the lead. Florian Wirtz added what proved to be a vital fourth. Ngumoha inspires Liverpool comeback win - report and player ratings Liverpool 4-3 Villarreal: What Iraola and Ngumoha said The match statistics alone showed what a threat Ngumoha can be. He had 12 touches in the opposition box, completed seven out of eight dribbles, and registered two crucial assists. But watching Ngumoha is more than just a numbers experience. There's a fearless nature to his play that can get the crowd going, and he was the one bright spark in a first half where Liverpool lacked any sort of rhythm. In a game increasingly focused on structures, Ngumoha's raw ability to take a man on is what helps to set him apart. "He was magnificent tonight," said former Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge on Amazon Prime. "On the ball, this kid has so much potential - and I say 'kid', but he's a young man. He has so much quality and it's stuff that you can't teach to be honest. "What he does with the ball at his feet - that is God-given ability - and his hard work on the training pitch, doing things day in and day out, and being ruthless, is what he said in his interview, and I like that. He wants to be decisive, and I love that." Ngumoha, who has grown up playing down the left, has struggled to get minutes on his preferred side this season, especially with Cody Gakpo and Barcola often playing down that flank. But head coach Andoni Iraola wants his wingers to be able to play on both sides and Ngumoha's improvement on the right flank has been impressive in such a short space of time. Ngumoha also spoke about his rapid development on the right on Saturday, after Liverpool beat Brentford. "I feel like I've got a lot better playing there from the Newcastle game [at the start of this season] until now," Ngumoha said. "I'm understanding it more. And going away with England helped a lot as well. I like playing on both sides. It gives me another tool in the toolbox." Iraola praised Ngumoha's attitude and how he is playing more minutes "endurance-wise" but stressed the need to remember the youngster is not done with his development. "I am happy with his attitude because he is eager to improve the things we think he needs to improve, and to add more things to his game," Iraola said. "He has played a lot on the right lately and is feeling so comfortable now, but he is only 18 and still not the full package. "I hope it continues the same way, but it is not always going to be like this. "There will be ups and downs in the process, but I'm happy because attitude-wise I think he's in a great place." Talks continue over a new deal, with Ngumoha currently on the contract that he signed in September 2025, weeks after his 17th birthday, that tied him down until 2028. The expectation is that he will sign with more lucrative terms now that he is 18 and - as Ngumoha said at the weekend - those negotiations are going well and in the hands of his agent. He will focus on letting his football do the talking - as he did on Tuesday night against Villarreal. What is certain is that Liverpool have a truly special talent on their hands and one that they will hope can entertain the Anfield crowd for years to come. 'I never looked back' - Ngumoha on his rise over the past year Latest Liverpool news, analysis and fan views Ask about Liverpool - what do you want to know?

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Phil Foden's magnificent man-of-the-match display in the Champions League against AEK Athens served as a reminder of the prodigious talent that the player still possesses. After two disappointing seasons in which, by his own admission, he failed to hit the heights expected, there may be those who had forgotten what he can produce. Being left out of the England squad for the World Cup last summer did not help, but he came into this season telling reporters he was looking forward to a "fresh start" under new manager Enzo Maresca. Up until last weekend, that fresh start had been a slow burner with the low point of being sent off in the derby against Manchester United in September, before he sparked into life by netting against Ipswich on Saturday. That was his first Premier League goal in 10 months and a strike that seems to have opened the floodgates, with the 26-year-old netting a superb hat-trick in the 5-1 hammering of Athens at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. "I enjoyed that a lot," Foden told TNT Sports. "The lads were great again. We showed determination again. I am a forward so I have to keep scoring and helping the team. It is good for my confidence." Asked if he was returning to his best form, Foden said: "Slowly, but surely. Still got a long way to go, but I am going in the right direction. Scoring along the way definitely helps. "I want to keep working hard and keep being the best I can for the manager and the team." Foden stars with hat-trick as Man City thrash AEK Athens A smiling Foden gliding across the turf in full flow is a joy for City fans to watch and he sent them home happy after a performance in which he had a hand in four of the five goals. Boss Maresca took a risk by making eight changes from the side that beat Ipswich in their last outing, with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias and Foden the players retained. Striker Erling Haaland was named in the squad but ultimately given the night off after sustaining a blow to the foot in the previous game, giving Maresca the chance to explore his suggestion that Foden could offer a "solution" in the false nine role. After starting on the right, he moved into that position later in the game and it paid dividends, with Foden saying he "really enjoyed" the role. Though there was a brief scare for City at the start of the second half when the visitors pulled a goal back to trail 2-1, they found another gear and were out of sight by the final whistle. And by then, Foden had become just the third Englishman to score a hat-trick and provide an assist in a Champions League match after Wayne Rooney for Manchester United in 2004 and former team-mate Raheem Sterling for City in 2019. While the first and third goals were converted from close range, the second was a stunning finish from just inside the area, Foden opening up his body and caressing a first-time effort into the top corner. "Beautiful - that's the word I would use to describe him," former City defender Joleon Lescott said of Foden on TNT Sports. "His finishing was exquisite. "I think he has convinced the manager that if Erling Haaland isn't available for any reason throughout the season, then he is the man to play at number nine." Foden scored 19 goals as City won the Premier League in 2023-24 and was named the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year and the league's player of the season. He ended last season by failing to score in his last 31 games for club and country but despite the struggles, he signed a new four-year deal in July. The red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford could have been damaging but the aim now will be kick on and build on this showing. "I was very happy with Phil, even before the red card to be honest," said Maresca. "I said since day one that I consider him one of the best English players. "We know that Phil is a top player. Again, for different reasons, he had some problems in the last two years but he is going to help us. "That is why we are so keen to have him in the best way." Former England winger Ashley Young said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "When Phil Foden gets his opportunities tonight, he takes them with both hands. By getting a hat-trick, his confidence is going to be sky high. "Enzo Maresca is going to be happy he hasn't had to bring on Erling Haaland or Jeremy Doku. He has been able to use the players that are in his squad. "This is no way a second-string but you have got to go our there and show the manager 'I should be playing'. "Foden is answering his manager's questions."

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"You're dead right. I can't argue with that." Michael Carrick's response was to the point. The question that prompted it in his pre-match news conference at a rain-lashed Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium in Como concerned his side's failure to keep clean sheets. It was put to Carrick that it would help if United could manage some shutouts, and he was asked if he had figured out the problem. United have kept the opposition out just once in 10 games this season, against Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK last month. "There's definitely parts of our game we have to improve to make things easier. I am fully aware of that," said Carrick, whose side take on Como in the Champions League on Wednesday. The problem goes further than this season though. They managed six clean sheets in Carrick's 17 matches in charge last term, including two in their final three games. Prior to that they had only managed two all season, part of an overall tally of nine in 63 games under his predecessor Ruben Amorim. It is an extreme comparison given solid defence was the bedrock of Arsenal's Premier League title triumph, but the Gunners, who face Bayern Munich in Germany on Wednesday, have recorded seven clean sheets in 11 matches this season. Continuity of selection would presumably help Carrick achieve defensive stability. It has proved virtually elusive so far. Only once has Carrick been able to name the same back four, when Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw started the victory against Ipswich at Old Trafford on 30 August and kept their places for the trip to Everton the following week. Carrick described his fitness update before the Como encounter as "a mixed bag". That was largely based on him saying Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt was "fit and ready" after 11 months on the sidelines with the back injury that required surgery in May. Yet De Ligt was on the bench at Leeds on Sunday when Martinez went off with the thigh injury that prevented him travelling to Italy, and instead Carrick turned to Noussair Mazraoui, usually a full-back, for the central slot. United's defensive resources are stretched thinner as Leny Yoro is ruled out through suspension. Shaw is still not fit and is expected to be out for "a little bit longer" than the 10 days Kobbie Mainoo is going to miss, which could mean the left-back won't return until after the November international break. To many observers, the Manchester United left-back situation was one that could have been anticipated and should have been addressed in the summer. The fact United spoke to Manchester City about Algeria international Rayan Ait-Nouri on deadline day suggests they did view it as a potential issue. After starting all 38 Premier League games last term and the first three this, Shaw has played only twice since, and the number of games missed could reach double figures before the 31-year-old returns. When Diogo Dalot lined up at left-back against Leeds, he became the fifth different player to start there for United in six games. Aside from Shaw, none of the quintet could be regarded as a natural left-back. However, after it was suggested Martinez's post-match outburst following the defeat by Atletico Madrid was partly down to 20-year-old Ayden Heaven playing at left-back, sources did point out the youngster played more often in that role than in the centre during his youth days at Arsenal. It was also suggested in the summer that United's coaching team did not believe 19-year-old Harry Amass, who was Shaw's stand-in during pre-season, was yet at the right level. Amass' single appearance so far this season, as a substitute for the final 18 minutes against Sabah, backs up that view, although Carrick has countered it. "He's right in contention," Carrick said. "At some point, young players need an opportunity. It's just finding the right time. "Sometimes it's because there's an unfortunate thing happened to somebody else. Sometimes it's just you're doing so well we have to give you a chance. "All the young players are in a similar boat. There's maybe four, five, or six of them trying to make that next step in terms of getting into the team and trying to start games, and Harry's definitely one of them." The failure to sign competition for Shaw is a stick that has been used to beat Carrick and sporting director Jason Wilcox. There is sympathy amid the agent fraternity for Wilcox, who was given a budget to work to that many in the game felt was inadequate to address United's needs. There is a theory that the £50m spent to acquire Andrey Santos from Chelsea should have been diverted elsewhere. With Santos sitting next to him as he spoke to the media on Tuesday, it was hardly a topic Carrick was going to engage with. "When we've got injuries at different stages, we can always look at what could have been done and where we could have improved," Carrick said. "I spoke to you about making the best of the transfer window in the situation we had. This man next to us [Santos] was a big part of that. I'm delighted to have him. "We had to make decisions in the summer. We did what we could do and made the best of it." Pre-match, post-match and topical United content Subscribe and listen for everything you love about the Red Devils Latest Manchester United news, analysis and fan views Ask about Man Utd - what do you want to know?

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The UK audit regulator has confirmed it is leading inquiries into accounting irregularities at Manchester City. The Financial Reporting Council confirmed in a letter to the House of Commons business select committee it had taken over "regulatory consideration" of the case from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales on 30 September. No formal investigation has started, but the FRC is making inquiries into the case. It comes after Manchester City were found guilty by an independent commission of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, including by artificially inflating the club's financial position by more than £900m. City are appealing the verdict. The FRC has greater resources, and greater powers, to apply sanctions if it does find evidence of violations. It routinely oversees accounting standards at bigger institutions such as listed public companies, but not football clubs. The FRC can look into the conduct of BDO, Manchester City's auditors, to ask whether the audit was in line with the rules. It can also apply sanctions to individuals such as directors or employees of the Etihad club, if they are members of professional accountancy bodies. BDO is the UK's fifth-biggest accounting firm, but claims to be a market leader in football, advising more Premier League and Championship clubs than any other firm. The independent commission which looked into Manchester City found that the club gave a "misleading impression" of the scheme used to disguise the origin of shareholder funds injected into the club to its auditors, who were "unaware" of the scheme. Manchester City have said they will appeal against the commission's decision, arguing that it contains "material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe". Liam Byrne, chair of the business select committee, called for greater powers for the FRC to look into similar cases. He wrote on X: "The regulator's letter exposes gaps in its ability to compel evidence from the club and pursue directors who fall outside its disciplinary rules. "This raises serious questions about the powers available to hold companies and directors to account. "The government has a responsibility to explain why reforms to close these gaps were abandoned - and what will now be done to strengthen accountability." Man City confirm appeal against guilty verdict

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes criticism of his team's playing style is only coming from a "very small minority" of observers. The Gunners have won 10 out of 11 games this season but have not been scoring freely and have struggled to break down teams that defend deep. On Sunday, they needed an 80th-minute goal from substitute Noni Madueke to edge past Nottingham Forest. It was just their 11th goal in seven Premier League games so far. The Gunners won the Premier League last season by conceding the fewest goals in the league and scoring the most from set-pieces. They have not registered a set-piece goal yet this campaign in any competition. Asked about the debate surrounding their playing style, Arteta said: "I don't have that impression because I heard that the style was incredible. We have scored so many goals, we have more possession, more shots, different players participating, no goals on set-pieces. "So the story is completely different to last year. "I think we are talking about a very small minority [criticising the team]. I think the other ones, they know. I think they have enjoyed a lot the way we have played and dominated games this year. And I think we have proven that." Arteta says there is room for improvement when they play teams with deep-lying defences. "The low block demands a different kind of game to the high block. A team that is constantly putting the ball in the last line. It's different." said the Spaniard, whose side face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. "I think it requires something different to the team. Still, I think on Sunday, we could have done things better. And that's in our hands. And we need to recognise that openly as well." Goalkeeper David Raya says the players are not irritated by questioning of their style, and suggests Arsenal's record so far this season speaks for itself. "People have their own opinions. We have our own opinion. At the end of the day, we have lost one game in 11 this season and if you call that boring or irritating, I don't know what to say," he said. "We enjoy playing football. We enjoy going out there every single day to win football matches, and that's the most important thing." Raya on Konsa, and more from Arteta - read latest Arsenal news, analysis and fan views Madueke's 'anger and conviction' shows he's more than a 'finisher' Ask about Arsenal - what do you want to know?

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Manchester United targeting Lewis Hall and Adrien Truffert, Real Madrid remain interested in Riccardo Calafiori and Liverpool and Arsenal both keen on Xavi Espart. Manchester United are plotting a major defensive overhaul next summer and will revisit a deal for Newcastle and England left-back Lewis Hall, 22, who is keen to move to Old Trafford. Bournemouth and France defender Adrien Truffert, 24, is also a target. (i news) , external Real Madrid remain interested in signing Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori, but Arsenal have made it clear an extraordinary offer would be required for them to sell the 24-year-old. (CaughtOffside), external Liverpool and Arsenal are both interested in Spanish defender Xavi Espart, but Barcelona would reject offers for the 19-year-old, who has a release clause in excess of £84m. (Teamtalk), external Newcastle are keen on making a move for AC Milan and England defender Fikayo Tomori when the 28-year-old becomes a free agent in the summer. (Football Insider), external Arsenal are targeting a January move for Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi, 22, with the German reportedly valued at £42m. (Sun), external Argentina midfielder Emiliano Buendia is set to sign a new contract at Aston Villa , while talks with Sweden's Victor Lindelof, 32, and 19-year-old Englishman George Hemmings are also progressing. (Athletic), external Manchester United are continuing to monitor the situation of Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr, 28, with Galatasaray also still interested in the Senegal international. (Teamtalk), external Tottenham and Spain right-back Pedro Porro, 27, would "seriously consider" the chance to join either Barcelona or Real Madrid. (Football Insider), external Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez, 28, is set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season. (Mail), external Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast