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Under-pressure Alvaro Arbeloa earned the first Premier League win of his managerial career as Fulham beat Hull City 1-0 at Craven Cottage to climb out of the relegation zone. With pre-match talk of his position relying on the next two fixtures after a difficult start to the season, the Spaniard got the response he needed as Alex Iwobi's first-half goal secured three vital points. Iwobi struck in the 34th minute, finishing a sweeping move as his effort trickled through goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis' arms. Fulham dominated the first half, registering 10 shots, and continued to create chances after the break. Josh King was denied one-on-one before Tzolakis produced another important save to keep out Iwobi. Fulham should have extended their lead, with Iwobi curling narrowly wide before his excellent cross found Gonzalo Garcia, whose header struck the crossbar in the 74th minute. Hull struggled to impose themselves for much of the contest, although Fulham could not find the second goal to put the game beyond the visitors. The closing stages brought late drama when Ryan Sessegnon was sent off in stoppage time for a late challenge on Robinio Vaz, catching the Hull substitute around the heel and Achilles area. Fulham were reduced to 10 men for the final moments, but held on to secure a crucial victory. 3: IWOBI GOES CLOSE! Iwobi curls an early effort over the bar as Fulham make a positive start.34: FULHAM SCORE! Iwobi finishes a sweeping move to put Fulham ahead, although goalkeeper Tzolakis should do better as the ball trickles through his arms.54: BIG TZOLAKIS SAVE! The Hull goalkeeper denies King after a neat give-and-go with Charles.58: ANOTHER BIG SAVE! Iwobi goes one-on-one with Tzolakis after some superb one-touch play, but the goalkeeper comes out on top.70: IWOBI GOES CLOSE! The Fulham midfielder curls an effort narrowly wide as the hosts look for a second.74: OFF THE BAR! Garcia meets Iwobi's superb inswinging cross with a header, but the ball crashes against the crossbar.82: HULL WANT A PENALTY! Gelhardt goes down in the Fulham area, but the referee waves away the visitors' appeals.90: SESSEGNON SENT OFF! The Fulham substitute is shown a red card for a late challenge on Vaz, catching the Hull player around the heel and Achilles area. Analysis by Sky Sports' William Bitibiri at Craven Cottage: "Could this be the turning point in Alvaro Arbeloa's Fulham reign? "It is certainly a start. With reports suggesting the Spaniard had two games to save his job, he needed a response and his players delivered one. "Fulham played with an intensity and attacking fluency that had been missing during their winless start to the Premier League season. "They registered 10 first-half shots, moved the ball quickly and repeatedly exposed a Hull side who struggled to impose themselves. Alex Iwobi's goal was deserved, but the hosts could easily have won by a greater margin. "There were encouraging signs of an identity taking shape, with the performance even prompting thoughts of 'Arbeloa-ball' at Craven Cottage. "Yet one result cannot erase the concerns of the opening weeks, and Fulham made the closing stages unnecessarily nervy before Ryan Sessegnon's stoppage-time red card. "The win lifts them out of the relegation zone and gives Arbeloa breathing space. "Whether it proves a turning point depends on what follows. For now, he has bought himself time and shown what his Fulham side can be."

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Banana-crazed fans, a tradition that started in the 1980s, made for a playful atmosphere, and City's players responded with another demonstration of dogged defiance to move six points clear at the top. Their focus on winning football matches despite the huge scrutiny the club is under cannot be questioned. Pep Guardiola was the guest of honour when PSG visited in the week. On Saturday, it was former director Txiki Begiristain, who oversaw an unprecedented period of domestic dominance during his time at the Etihad. City are maintaining a united front wherever possible. Erling Haaland was insatiable again, scoring once in each half to take his seasonal tally to 12. He's scored four just this week - and is now the fastest of any player in Premier League history to reach 100 non-penalty goals. VAR also denied him a hat-trick late on. It was the forgotten Phil Foden - starting for the first time since being sent off at Manchester United - who opened the scoring, benefitting from Jeremy Doku's trickery to beat Christian Walton with a guided low finish. Daizen Maeda had Ipswich level within 155 seconds of Foden's strike. The visitors had no answer for Haaland, though. Mateo Kovacic teed up an easy first for the striker to head home and Iliman Ndiaye slid him through for a well-taken second. City were cruising, but a jittery finish has become customary at the Etihad and after Zian Flemming made the scoreline 3-2 from the penalty spot, nerves jangled. But it would seem that nothing was going to stand in the way of Enzo Maresca becoming the first manager to win his first seven Premier League games in charge of a new club. With City fighting against the re-write of their recent history, that is one achievement that cannot be stripped away.

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Alexander Isak scored on his return from injury as Liverpool fought back from a goal down to clinch a 2-1 victory over Brentford, who had Yehor Yarmoliuk and Vitaly Janelt sent off. Isak, back in the side following a thigh problem, finished clinically from Bradley Barcola's knockdown in the second half as Andoni Iraola's side bounced back from their loss to Manchester City. Liverpool had appeared in trouble when Keane Lewis-Potter's header put Brentford in front moments after the visitors had penalty correctly overturned, but Yarmoliuk's moment of madness in first-half stoppage time changed the game. With only seconds remaining until the break, Yarmoliuk headbutted Jeremy Jacquet before a Liverpool corner, with referee John Brookes brandishing a straight red card for violent conduct after being sent to the pitch-side monitor by the VAR. Liverpool made their man advantage count after the break as Victor Munoz latched onto a Florian Wirtz through ball to score a superbly-taken equaliser, before Isak completed the turnaround. Brentford had a golden chance to equalise when Igor Thiago failed to convert from close range and they finished the game with nine men as Janelt was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time for a foul on Liverpool substitute Rio Ngumoha. The victory allows Liverpool to climb above Brentford into fifth in the Premier League table but it was not without problems. Dominik Szoboszlai had to come off with another injury in the first half on his return to the side, while half-time substitute Jeremie Frimpong only lasted seven minutes before being forced off. Iraola moved Munoz to right-back after Frimpong's injury but it did not stop the summer signing from charging forward to score the equaliser as Liverpool punished Yarmoliuk's ill-discipline to inflict Brentford's first defeat of the campaign. Isak seems to have it in for Brentford. His goal made it five in five games against them. Only Manchester City's Erling Haaland has a better 100 per cent hit rate against a Premier League side, with his total of six against Crystal Palace. Only Haaland has scored more goals than Isak this season too. The 27-year-old is up to five in the Premier League this season, despite having missed the Manchester City fixture due to injury. He only needs one more to double his tally from last season, when injury issues and poor performances prompted questions over his £125m signing from Newcastle. Now he finally looks like the player Liverpool thought they were getting. Isak was on the edges of the game during the first half. His goal came from one of only two shots before his 79th-minute substitution for Lewis Koumas. But the manner in which it was taken highlighted the ruthlessness that makes him so deadly at his best. He only had a split second, under pressure from Barcola's knockdown, to get his shot off. But his touch and snapshot were executed at dizzying speed, leaving Kelleher with little chance.

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Will Lankshear stepped off the bench to inspire Middlesbrough's stirring second-half fightback in their 2-2 draw with 10-man Cardiff at the Riverside. The Bluebirds stunned high-flying Boro in the first half and led 2-0 at the interval after goals from Jack Moylan and Ollie Tanner. Lankshear, the Championship's top scorer, was surprisingly rested but the striker was brought on by Kim Hellberg at half-time, and within 16 minutes of his introduction Boro were level. Tommy Conway halved the deficit before Lankshear struck his 11th goal of the season in all competitions. Cardiff went down to 10 men with seven minutes to play when Gabriel Osho was given a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Lankshear, but Boro - who are now unbeaten in nine league games - could not force a winner. Middlesbrough started well and threatened a breakthrough inside two minutes when Callum Brittain broke down the right but Krystian Bielik did well to intercept his cross and deny Kyle Joseph - leading the line in the absence of the rested Lankshear - a tap-in. The visitors settled and were dominating possession but after Joseph pounced on some sluggish defensive play, Aidan Morris and Amario Cozier-Duberry both had shots blocked inside the penalty area. Neto Borges then blazed over after a Brittain cut-back. Boro were made to pay for their missed chances when Cardiff took the lead midway through the first half. Tanner was allowed to advance towards the Boro box before Moylan skipped past Borges and Morris with ease and beat Radek Vitek at his near post with a low drive. Cozier-Duberry had a close-range shot blocked by Alex Robertson before Nathan Trott denied the Brighton loanee with an acrobatic save. Boro should have levelled on the stroke of half-time when Cozier-Duberry squared for Joseph but the striker's attempt at a back-heel flick was blocked. Instead, they found themselves two goals down after Cardiff punished the hosts in a slick counter-attack from a Boro corner. The impressive Tanner was set away down the right, cut inside Adilson Malanda and curled beautifully into the far corner. Hellberg called on his top scorer at the break, with Lankshear introduced alongside United States midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, and the changes had the desired effect. Thirteen minutes into the second half, Conway met Brittain's low cut-back from the right and drilled home to halve the deficit. And just three minutes later, Lankshear curled into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area to draw Boro level. Osho was given a straight red for a tackle on Lankshear right in front of the technical area, but the Bluebirds clung on for a point.

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Watford lifted the pressure on head coach Alessio Dionisi and quelled their supporters' rebellion against owner Gino Pozzo with a deserved 2-0 win against sluggish Charlton. After shipping nine goals in calamitous defeats by Burnley and Cardiff, Dionisi's side had slumped into the bottom three and the fans had turned their anger on Pozzo. But goals from Luca Kjerrumgaard and substitute Jordan Zemura - the Zimbabwe defender's first for the club - extended Charlton's worrying run to eight games without a win as the Addicks were booed off at Vicarage Road. Watford, on the other hand, kept their first clean sheet in 210 days with only their second win in three months. Despite the mood of insurrection swirling around Pozzo on social media, protests against his 14-year ownership outside the ground before kick-off were limited. In the stands, the atmosphere was entirely supportive as Watford made a bright start, Senegal World Cup star Krepin Diatta extending Charlton goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo after a quarter of an hour. The Addicks should already have been ahead by then after the unmarked Miles Leaburn headed Ivan Mesik's cross wide from six yards. But Watford, lively and assertive despite six defeats in their previous seven games, made most of the running as Myron Boadu fired wide from the edge of the box before the same player was thwarted by Billy Koumetio's superb last-ditch tackle. At the other end, Koumetio was narrowly off target with a first-time effort from a half-cleared corner as Charlton finished the first half strongly, but the Hornets were soon back on the front foot after the break. Boadu, played clean through by Kjerrumgaard's chested pass, rolled his finish wastefully wide of Okonkwo's right-hand post but in the 58th minute Watford were in front. Edo Kayembe's shot from the edge of the box was only parried by Okonkwo and Kjerrumgaard devoured the rebound from close range, only his second goal of the season. If Okonkwo was at fault for the goal, he fared better when he tipped Kayembe's low, fizzing rocket round a post before the DR Congo international fired over from a favourable angle. Only with time running out did Charlton sustain any pressure on Watford's goal, with Addicks sub Charlie Kelman's prodded effort cleared off the line by Mamadou Doumbia. But on the break Watford spurned a succession of chances as Martin Payero's near-post header was brilliantly parried by Okwonko, Doumbia should have done better than a weak finish and Payero bent a 25-yarder just wide. Finally, four minutes into stoppage time, two substitutes combined to make the points safe, Zemura dinking an exquisite finish over the advancing Okwonko from Rocco Vata's pass.

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Pressure continued to mount on Renee Slegers as Arsenal were booed off the pitch following their 1-1 draw with Birmingham at the Emirates. Arsenal went into the international break with just five points from their opening five WSL games after the 4-2 defeat with Manchester City, and just one win in six in all competitions. A home game against newly-promoted Birmingham, who themselves had mustered just two league draws all campaign, seemed like the scenario to return to winning ways. After Alessia Russo struck the post with a fabulous diving header in the first half, the Gunners were left stunned as they were hit on the break early in the second, allowing September's player of the month Oceane Hurtre to poke the visitors ahead. Birmingham's resolve was tested, with Sophie Baggaley making a superb save to maintain the lead. However, seconds later she was beaten by an incredible Olivia Smith strike to pull Slegers' side level. Arsenal pushed for a late winner but a combination of Baggaley and their inefficiency in front of goal that has plagued them all season ensured they went winless in five WSL games for the first time. It resulted in boos at the full-time whistle, as questions over Slegers' future intensify. 14: SAVE! Cooney-Cross' smart half-volley kept out by Baggaley. 18: OVER! Russo gifted a chance after Baggaley's poor pass, but attempted lob goes over. 38: POST! Russo comes agonisingly close to converting excellent Williamson cross. 50: OVER! Holmberg impressive run ends in her striking over the bar. 53: GOAL! Arsenal shell-shocked as Hurtre gives Birmingham lead on the counter. 65: HUGE SAVE! Baggaley denies Baum from point-blank range. 66: GOAL! Smith stunner pulls Gunners level. 73: MASSIVE SAVE! Baggaley again on hand to stop Wubben-Moy right on the line. 76: OVER! Smith snatches at big chance to put Arsenal ahead. "It's been such an interesting start to the season for Arsenal. I think they are left with so many questions and no answers right now, but they are not playing badly. They're not failing to create chances. "If Manchester City and Chelsea win tomorrow, you would almost write them out of the title race. "If they had won today they might've found a bit of momentum. I genuinely think the failure to win today has pushed them out of a title race. That was not what Renee Slegers' mission was this season."

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Jake Cooper's scrambled equaliser rescued a point for Millwall as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Lincoln in the Championship. The Imps looked on course to put Wednesday's 6-0 home thrashing against West Ham behind them in style when goals from Andrei Coubis and Rob Street put them in a strong position after 33 minutes at The Den. But the Lions were able to prevent back-to-back home defeats with a much-improved second-half performance, with the visitors hanging on for a share of the spoils after having Deji Elerewe sent off soon after Cooper's leveller. Lincoln had the perfect pick-me-up after their midweek hiding as they scored after just 25 seconds when the ball was cleared as far as Coubis and the Romanian defender fizzed a low strike from outside the box that went in off the far post. Stunned by the early opener in what was the first meeting between the two clubs since 1999, Millwall pressed for a quick response as Kyrell Lisbie slashed a shot wide from Lyndon Dykes' long throw. The Imps then doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Street's shot went through the legs of Millwall goalkeeper Filip Marschall. There was some controversy around the goal, though, as what looked a clear handball by Reeco Hackett in the build-up was missed by the assistant stood close by. Watford 2-0 Charlton: Alessio Dionisi's Hornets bounce back from nightmare week to win Middlesbrough 2-2 Cardiff: Will Lankshear strikes again as Boro battle back for a point Burnley 1-2 Wolves: Fer Lopez on target as Clarets' winless run at Turf Moor extends to 21 league games Lincoln 0-6 West Ham: Hammers net six against nine-man Imps QPR 4-1 Derby: Rangers thump four past struggling Rams Portsmouth 3-2 Sheffield United: Ebou Adams scores late Pompey winner against 10-man Blades Somehow, Lincoln failed to add to their tally five minutes into the second half when Freddie Draper's header from Adam Reach's cross hit the post before Dom Jefferies struck the same upright with his follow-up. Millwall finally began to rally after the hour mark, with Dykes nodding Zak Sturge's ball into the box across for Luke Cundle whose header was clawed away by George Wickens. And they were back in the game after 63 minutes when Camiel Neghli's low cross found its way to Lisbie who saw his initial effort blocked before he quickly sorted out his feet to slide in his first goal for the Lions. The Imps almost restored their two-goal cushion within a minute, however, when Draper's shot across goal was pushed out by Millwall's substitute goalkeeper Max Crocombe, with the rebound just evading Hackett. Lisbie then looked certain to equalise for the hosts when Romain Esse's ball into the box was deflected into his path, but Wickens stood strong in making a big save. But Millwall were level in the 82nd minute when Cooper managed to force the ball in from close range after Lincoln were unable to clear Ryan Leonard's corner. The visitors then had to survive the final six minutes, plus stoppage time, with 10 men after Elerewe was sent off for fouling Zak Lovelace when the last man.

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Manchester United will look at trying to strengthen in the January transfer window, according to head coach Michael Carrick, as the club draw up plans to improve the defence over the next year. Lisandro Martinez this week publicly called out the club's hierarchy for a lack of investment in the summer window, in which United (£163m) were outspent by promoted sides Hull (£173m) and Ipswich (£211m) despite qualifying for the Champions League. United focused on the midfield rebuild, bringing in Youri Tielemans (£35m), Andrey Santos (£50m) and Carlos Baleba (£70m) for a combined £155m, rather than addressing the lack of depth at left-back and up front. Despite United's restraint in the summer market, Carrick, who is under mounting pressure amid a five-game winless run, has told Sky Sports there is a desire to be active for any opportunities that might arise in January. "When the next transfer window comes, you want to plan and you want to make the best of it," said Carrick ahead of Sunday's trip to Leeds, live on Sky Sports . "Whatever that looks like at this stage, we don't quite know. But without doubt, there's opportunity because the transfer window is open. "So we'll definitely be looking at that and trying to come out stronger in whatever way that looks like." United plan to focus on revamping their defence in the next transfer windows in the third stage of their squad-building process, which has seen the attack and midfield addressed over the last two seasons. In the summer, United explored potential options in their search for a long-term successor to Luke Shaw, who is out of contract at the end of the current season. England international Lewis Hall was the main focus at left-back, but Newcastle were adamant that he was not for sale after allowing a number of big-name players to leave. Hall has since signed a long-term contract at Newcastle. There are also doubts around Martinez's future at Old Trafford. The Argentina international's current deal, which expires at the end of this season, includes a club-held option to extend for a further year. United's last trip to Elland Road spelt the end for Carrick's predecessor, Ruben Amorim, but the man currently in the Old Trafford hot seat believes he will be given time to shape this team despite the poor results this season. Four defeats from the first nine games of the season has cast doubt over Carrick's job security with United in the bottom half of the Premier League table after six games. Asked if he thinks he will get time, Carrick said: "I do, yeah. But it's not something that I think about. "I'm here to win football matches, but winning football matches short term with an eye on developing the club and pushing the club to be great. "Again, in terms of results and winning things, it's a great club anyway, but on the pitch, we need to be great. "We haven't quite hit that level in recent times, and I understand that. But I don't think about myself in my own situation, about how much time or what it looks like for me. There's no individual that's more important than this football club." Martinez's comments in midweek have struck a chord with some United fans who have shared his views about the running of the club for some time. Internally, the matter is resolved, insists Carrick, after Martinez apologised on social media for the timing and public nature of his criticisms - but not the opinions themselves. But, externally, the problem remains that Martinez's intervention has intensified the growing sense of dismay among fans after a poor start to the season. Asked if he understands the frustration from the fans, Carrick said: "I've got frustrations about not getting the right results. "The players have got frustrations about not getting the right results. My main focus is helping the team and driving this club forward and leading. Again, pushing the standards, pushing the expectations, pushing the achievements. "As a whole club, we're very together on that. Emotion is quite good at times. Fire and passion is good at times. You've just got to use it and guide it in the right way. We'll certainly do that." United have not won a Premier League title since 2013 in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season and have never genuinely come close to winning it in the intervening 13 years. In his public outburst, Martinez called into question the ambition of United's hierarchy, who have set a target to win the league title by 2028, as set out by CEO Omar Berrada. "We're striving to get back to the top," said Carrick when asked if United are ambitious enough. "We've been there before, repeatedly. "We've had a bit of a spell when we haven't quite been there. For all of us, we're striving to get to the top and we're building. We're acknowledging that we're building and we're coming from behind. "That's pretty obvious, it's factual. We're all pushing to get there. No one more so than me. "I'm desperate to get this club to where we feel we belong. We've got to earn that and that comes from a lot of different things. We're all pushing in the same direction to try and achieve that."

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Burnley's run without a home league win will continue beyond the one-year mark after the Clarets were beaten 2-1 by Wolves at Turf Moor. On October 18, it will be 12 months to the day since they beat Leeds 2-0 in the Premier League. Since then, they have lost 11 games and drawn the other 10. It is the longest run without a home win across England's top four tiers. Jamie Vardy's first English football goal since returning last month put Nicky Hayen's side ahead, but defensive errors allowed Fer Lopez and Tawanda Chirewa to turn the game around, securing Wolves' first win in three and lifting them to sixth. In an interview with Sky Sports earlier this week, Vardy had been asked if this was his final season as a professional. "We'll have to wait until the summer and let my legs tell my head what they think!" he said. On Friday night, Vardy proved his legs still have plenty left in them. The 39-year-old found the net with his second shot of the game, scoring his first goal in English football since May 18, 2025, when he netted his 200th and final goal for Leicester. But his strike was not enough to send Burnley into half-time ahead. Kyle Walker gifted possession away just outside his own penalty area, and Wolves were quick to punish the costly error. Sean Neave took over, squaring the ball for Lopez to fire home via the inside of the left-hand post. Burnley lost their grip on the game after the break and fell behind with 18 minutes remaining. Igor's dreadful touch gifted Chirewa the opportunity to strike, and although his effort was met by Gregoire Coudert's gloves, the ball looped over the goalkeeper and under the crossbar. Burnley offered little in response and were met with a chorus of boos at the final whistle, as their fifth league defeat of the season was confirmed.

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The top stories and transfer rumours from Saturday's newspapers... Liverpool are planning to raid Aston Villa for record signing Johan Manzambi - The Sun Arsenal are eyeing a surprise January move for Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae as they look to plug holes in their backline - Mirror Manchester City's claim to have "irrefutable evidence" that will overturn their guilty verdict on appeal is based on a trove of emails, letters and bank statements - Telegraph JJ Gabriel is close to securing his Manchester United exit as his team-mates play on without him - Mirror Phil Parkinson's role as Wrexham manager is under increasing pressure - talkSPORT Troy Deeney has offered his services to Watford on an advisory basis as they face the prospect of another managerial change - talkSPORT Rangers boss Derek McInnes has revealed that he's happy enough with his squad that he doesn't want to see major transfer business in January - Scottish Sun Celtic are reportedly considering David Moyes as their next manager - with the whisper being branded "disrespectful" to under-fire Martin O'Neill - Daily Record Paper Talk is a review of the sports headlines from the national newspapers, every Monday to Friday, live on Sky Sports News from 10.30pm. Missed the show? Catch up on the latest news with the Paper Talk podcast. Ex-Man Utd player Antony revealed his home was burgled while on Champions League duty with Real Betis - The Sun Barcelona are facing major disruption ahead of their El Clasico showdown with Real Madrid after club workers threatened to go on strike - The Sun Alex Scott , the former Football Focus host, has left her role as a presenter of the Women's Champions League coverage on Disney+ - Guardian Rising tennis star Rafael Jodar has apologised and said he is still "learning how to behave on court" following an incident at the Shanghai Masters - The Athletic British Cycling is facing further questions after a former employee accused it of having a "toxic culture" days after Matt Richardson was sent home from the World Track Championships in Shanghai - Guardian

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Martin O'Neill wants Celtic to take the positives from a 4-1 defeat to Benfica when they host Hearts on Sunday - live on Sky Sports. However, is the 74-year-old right to be "really, really delighted" with the Hoops' second-half performance in Lisbon? The result leaves Celtic with no points from six after two league-phase fixtures in the Europa League and means they have now lost four of their last five matches across all competitions. Another defeat - fairly or unfairly - also raises more questions over O'Neill's future in the Parkhead hot seat. It was just weeks ago, following consecutive defeats to Rangers and a loss in their opening Europa League fixture, that O'Neill said he was going to consider his position after a gruelling week. He stayed, and now he must deliver. Here we answer some key questions as the veteran boss chases another huge result on Sunday... Following that 4-1 thumping against Benfica, O'Neill hailed Celtic's second-half display and believes they can still progress in the competition despite sitting 34th in a 36-team table. "The last thing you want to do is concede so early on," he told TNT Sports . "Then at 2-0 we've got a great, great chance to make it 2-1 and within a few minutes they make it 3-0. "We could have capitulated, but I thought the second-half performance was really terrific. It was a game of two halves. We created chance after chance, we should have scored more goals. "The second-half performance gives me what I would call the determination, and I think we can still qualify. I know it's down to six games, but we want to qualify for this competition to get into the knockout stages. "Overall, I'm really, really delighted with the second-half performance, and it's a shame that we conceded the three goals first of all." Benfica were clinical and ultimately too much to handle. In the first half, even when Celtic were not causing their own problems, such as giving away a penalty for the hosts' opener, they were being cut apart at times. That's where the problem lies. Yes, O'Neill's side could have scored when they hit the frame of the goal in either half - but so could have their opponents. Yes, things did improve after the restart - but could it have got any worse considering the Hoops were 3-0 down after 36 minutes? O'Neill may be using all of his managerial experience to try to motivate his side and create some positivity among the fans ahead of a huge game against Hearts. After all, he needs a raucous Parkhead on Sunday to help them get past last season's runners-up. So those with a glass half-full mindset will be fully in favour of that. However, those with a glass half-empty approach will have been worried by Thursday and demand improvement. Quickly. Losing in their Champions League qualifier, to Rangers in the Premiership and League Cup, and now another Europa League loss - the worrying trend of failure in big matches is something that needs to end. Speaking on Sky Sports News, Tino Callaghan from A Celtic Exchange Podcast said: "They were the kind of comments I suppose you'd expect any manager to make. There are small positives to take from Celtic's second half, and I think the manager is choosing to accentuate them, which you would expect him to do. "However, there was so much wrong in the first half in particular, and that's where the real issues are for Celtic at this moment in time. "It's just the fact that at times we weren't even competing. We were completely outstripped in that first half, and I think that in itself points back to a more general feeling of frustration amongst the fans that we are no longer competing at the top table in Europe. "Back in the day, we would potentially draw Benfica in the Champions League and fancy our chances of maybe getting something, but we went into that game last night with no real hope. "I really thought he was going to leave after his comments after the Rangers game. They were particularly concerning. It's not that everyone else was asking the question. The man himself was asking the question of himself, and I thought there was a serious chance he would walk. "It seems that he's taken some time to reflect. He's probably spoken to people at the club and decided to stay on, but you need to start getting results if you've decided that you are the man for the job. "Hearts is massive now on Sunday. A must-win game. Martin O'Neill came out quite strongly, saying that he thinks we still can qualify in the Europa League too. I agree with that, but talk is cheap. You need to start doing it on the park, and that starts again on Sunday." Speaking before Celtic beat Motherwell, former Parkhead player and Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton said: "I thought he was wrong to say what he said in terms of he had doubts [about his future in the job]. People will view that as a weakness. I think that was a big mistake. "I've never heard him talk like that in his whole managerial career. I just think, if I was Martin, I would just want an easy life. What has he got going for him at Celtic at this moment? "He didn't get the players he wanted in order to compete at the highest of levels in Europe, so he was let down there. He was undermined by one of his players, Cameron Carter-Vickers, who shouldn't be coming out publicly and undermining the manager and questioning the tactics. "It just shows where the club is at. It's like the Wild West, there are shots fired everywhere. You now have the situation where the Green Brigade are saying 'we are not going to rock up at European games. We aren't going to go to the cup games.' "The split between the top of the club and the supporters, I thought couldn't get any wider than last year. It does seem now that it is more fractious."

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"They give presence." Xabi Alonso sat up a little more in his press conference seat and pointed to his chest. "They give stability." Chelsea have made an erratic start under the Spaniard but last Saturday the midfield partnership of Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson brought control and balance to the team in a 5-1 thrashing of Bournemouth. "For me, it's fundamental that we get that area strong," Alonso told the media after that game, well aware of how Chelsea's excellent attacking play in the early weeks of the season has been undermined by a leaky defence, exposed in end-to-end contests. The answer lies in the middle of the pitch. Alonso, a star central midfielder himself during his playing days, has used a variety of players and combinations in that area through his first six Premier League games. Reece James has been a regular selection. But the Chelsea captain's knee surgery, which is going to keep him out for the coming months, necessitates Alonso settling on a different option. The Caicedo-Henderson combination could be the partnership he takes forward, with Everton away up next. They showed their character and quality last time out. Caicedo's return to fitness was always going to be a key element to the solution. The Ecuadorian had been limited to just 14 minutes of football this season before playing 72 against Bournemouth. His impact on the team was clear at Stamford Bridge. He topped the tackles won and interceptions metric for Chelsea, and also used the ball efficiently, posting a 96.4 percent passing accuracy, the best of any starter from either side. "With him, we have a better midfield area," said Alonso plainly. "When you are better in the middle, you have a more complete team, and I think that is something to build around. "He's going to be a key player for us. We knew that, and we have seen today." But if Caicedo delivered his expected attributes, Henderson delivered a couple of sensational surprises, whipping in two brilliant long-range goals. His influence with his all-round game - at 36 years of age - may be an even bigger surprise to his critics. The former Liverpool captain's controversial switch to Al Ettifaq in 2023 and subsequent struggles at Ajax seemed to be spelling the end to his career. But after Brentford brought him back to these shores, England boss Thomas Tuchel saw the situation differently, taking Henderson to the World Cup. Now Alonso is giving him an even more prominent role. "We signed him for everything - if he's able to score two beauties, as today, we are more than happy for him," smiled Alonso when asked about the player of the match. Henderson was everywhere against Bournemouth. He covered 11.9km, the most of any player, despite setting the record for being the oldest Chelsea player to be directly involved in three goals in a Premier League game. "Apart from the goals, he's done many, many good things," said Alonso. "A very 'midfielder' performance, always being involved in the action, always giving solutions to the team-mates." We'll keep you up to date with Everton vs Chelsea on Saturday; kick-off 12.30pm. Stay across the game with our live blog for team news, in-game updates and analysis. Then from 5.15pm you can watch FREE match highlights on the Sky Sports website and App. The wider impact was crucial. Alonso described Chelsea's display as "a very complete performance" and said Henderson and Caicedo bring the best out of players around them. "Both, in terms of qualities, are different, in terms of the positioning as well. I think that they help each other well," said Alonso. "And they give presence, they give stability. You know that they are going to be the ones that are going to be helping the rest, not just for his qualities, because they understand the game, they can play in shorter spaces, but as well, defensively, they give good balance." Alonso made a point of referencing Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco in his post-match assessment last Saturday and he did the same in his pre-Everton press conference on Friday. They are two players who have also been deployed in central midfield this term. Squad depth is going to be important, even if Chelsea are not involved in Europe this season. But the Caicedo-Henderson axis could be his winning formula. Everton away on Saturday will be the next test to see if the pair can continue to bring cohesion and control to Alonso's Chelsea.

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Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will take a new team photograph including William Saliba after the defender's surprise absence from the one published this week. Arsenal supporters were left baffled by Saliba's omission from the official 2026/27 picture as Arsenal revealed he was unavailable to attend due to a medical appointment. Saliba is yet to play this season because of a back injury but the 25-year-old remains a key player, having made 184 appearances for the club, which heightened the intrigue around his omission. "What happened was that we have tried to do that picture three times already and we had to cancel it last minute for different reasons," explained Arteta ahead of Arsenal's away trip to Nottingham Forest, live on Sky Sports on Sunday. "We had some commercial obligations, we had some people who flew over to do that, so we decided to do that picture. "We will have another picture with the whole family. "Hopefully we can get them all together at some point one day, and we'll announce that as well." Arteta replied "yes" when asked to confirm that Arsenal planned to retake the picture and insisted Saliba was "completely fine" about the situation. He said: "Well, it wasn't in his hands. But Willy is normally happy about everything. He knows how loved he is. He was taking some banter from the players and he is completely fine." Saliba resumed training on the grass earlier this month and Arteta said he is progressing positively, with a scan scheduled for next week as he edges closer to a return to action. "I think next week we have another MRI with him to see how the healing process is going. "But every sign so far has been very, very positive. It will be good to have him."

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Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is set to be in the squad for Sunday's trip to Leeds United after he apologised for his public outburst about the club's hierarchy. Head coach Michael Carrick insisted the situation had been resolved and that everyone involved has "moved on" as he faced questions about Martinez criticising the lack of investment in the transfer window. Martinez, whose outspoken comments came after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid, met the club's hierarchy, including Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada, and Carrick, on Thursday before making an apology. Asked about Martinez on Friday ahead of Sunday's trip to Leeds, live on Sky Sports, Carrick said: "He's released his statement and realised he made a mistake. "That's enough for us to move on with. From our point of view, the acknowledgement of what's been done is enough to move on."

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Welcome aboard the rollercoaster that is a rebuild in the Premier League. Before we begin, please ensure your seatbelt is securely fastened and keep hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. Newcastle and Aston Villa, who face each other live on Saturday Night Football , were two sides dismantled in the summer transfer window. Teams with clear identities, forced into new eras. The Magpies, after also losing Eddie Howe, retained 70 per cent of their league minutes from last season, the fifth-lowest figure, while Villa made the biggest change at just 49 per cent. Now the two sides face off live on Sky Sports , with their form in the league to start the 2026/27 season fluctuating as a result of the upheaval they endured during the summer. Here, Sky Sports dissects the turbulent time and outlines why more twists and turns are likely on the way. The departures of players like Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon are one thing - but Newcastle's rebuild stretches far beyond that. Howe announced his shock departure in pre-season, just under five years after taking charge and 25 days before the season began. The club were then forced to look for a new face in the dugout while also filling gaps on the pitch. Matthias Jaissle was named as his successor and the early indications were positive. Newcastle went unbeaten across their opening five games but a 4-1 loss at Leeds United offered a worrying insight into what could be to come. In their last two away trips they have lost by the same scoreline. The first time since 2012 that Newcastle have conceded four or more goals in back-to-back Premier League away games. The team look vulnerable defensively. No side has conceded more goals (13) and Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher blamed the "lack of physicality" in the squad after the loss at Coventry City, claiming they were "beaten up" on the road again. In contrast, Villa started slowly without a league goal scored until the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on September 12. Slow starts are not uncharted territory for Emery. Last season, they didn't score in the league until September 21. A chastening 4-0 loss to high-flying Brighton in their opener sparked alarm bells after losing Emiliano Martinez, Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins. A loss against Arsenal, a draw at newly-promoted Hull City and the defeat to Forest followed before a cup victory at Coventry stirred a degree of confidence to beat Tottenham prior to the international break. Villa are by no means the finished article, but with new signings Nicolas Jackson, Johan Manzambi and Zion Suzuki all impressing, their slow start is beginning to gather pace. The blistering performance to beat Fenerbahce 6-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday proved the levels this newly-formed squad can reach - consistency is the next obstacle for Emery to tackle. Two rebuilds moving at different paces, taking turns at different moments across the early parts of this season. There are plenty more to come. The stop-start form in the Premier League highlights each team's shortcomings. Newcastle have more errors leading to shots than any other side (14). Villa follow closely in second with 13. The two clubs are joint for errors leading to goals with three apiece. These figures point to disjointed squads, unfamiliar with the fresh faces around them and their instinctive actions, and errors arise as a result. The disconnect continues in other areas of the pitch. Villa have managed the fewest shots on target of any team (19) and Newcastle aren't far behind them with 24. Creating those chances is clearly an issue, with Emery's side recording the joint-fewest big chances (9), while Newcastle's 12 is the fourth worst. Only Fulham have a worse big chance conversion rate than Newcastle (16.7 per cent), too. One common theme combines the two rebuilds which could explain their stumbling form so far. After seeing key parts of their squad stripped away, the spines of the team that they would usually rely on, they have been forced to recruit new talents that will need time to produce on a regular basis in the top flight. The average age of the eight players signed this summer for Newcastle is 21.4. Asking them to replace the experience that Guimaraes, 28, and Tonali, 26, have at this level is no mean feat. Villa have a similar problem. A rejuvenation of their ageing squad was needed but replicating the same consistency that Emery's side are known for is a difficult task while embedding young talent. The average age of the senior players they sold this summer is 29, whereas the 11 new recruits brought in were 23. A figure which would be even lower if it wasn't for the signings of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 28, and Leon Goretzka, 31. The new recruits have shown their talent in flashes. Johan Manzambi's performance at Spurs on his first start, with a goal and assist, exemplified that. Bazoumana Toure's two goals for Newcastle have also shown he is capable of delivering. But while the new signings settle into their new environments - and with injuries to key players also playing their part - both teams are attempting to find a balance between slowly integrating new signings and needing immediate results in the Premier League. Newcastle and Villa are strapped in for a bumpy ride. The talent is there but there are plenty of twists and turns on the horizon - their meeting at St James' Park is just the next one.