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After every round of Premier League matches this season, BBC football pundit Troy Deeney will give you his team and manager of the week. Here are this week's choices. Do you agree? Give us your thoughts using the comments form at the bottom of this page. Bart Verbruggen ( Brighton ): I was looking at other teams, but there were so many games this week with very poor quality. Even David Raya against Forest had two shots to deal with, terrible from a goalkeeping point of view, so Verbruggen goes in for his clean sheet. Levi Colwill ( Chelsea ): He goes in only because Chelsea got a clean sheet in the league for the first time since January. He stepped up with the young goalkeeper Mike Penders in there. Gabriel ( Arsenal ): Arsenal win 1-0 and get the job done. He was right at the heart of it. A lot of people talking about Ezri Konsa, I like him but Gabriel offered that bit more in terms of experience and quality that you need to get the job done, so he goes in. Luka Vuskovic ( Brighton ): It is the same reason Verbruggen was in. Everyone else can't defend. He was good. They had a clean sheet against their nearest rivals. Diogo Dalot ( Manchester United ): Played at left-back and I thought he was amazing. Could he offer a little more in terms of quality? Absolutely. But high energy, dealt with the physical threat, defended well and offered an outlet going forward in a game that was very scrappy. Manchester United just needed to show resilience and he was right at the front for that. Sander Berge ( Fulham ): It was a massive game against Hull, a six-pointer and if Fulham lose that they are going down in my opinion. But they got the job done and he was at the heart of everything good for them. Diego Gomez ( Brighton ): He scored from the halfway line, nothing more needs to be said. Pedro Neto ( Chelsea ): Two goals, wins the game for Chelsea. He is one of those players when you look at him you think 'he is good, but I don't know why he is good', but in this game he put it all together. With all the talk of Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer, he could have a sneaky good season because these guys will take the attention of defenders and Neto can get in with his pace at the back post. Johan Manzambi ( Aston Villa ): By far the player of the month so far. An unbelievable young talent from Switzerland, 21 years of age, carrying this Aston Villa team with an aura and humbleness of 'I want to learn and do more', but also 'I'm the man of this team, give me the ball, let me show you what I can do'. James Maddison ( Tottenham ): Welcome back James Maddison. Spurs needed a bit of quality in the final third and we were unsure who would score for them, and Maddison puts it in the top corner. Great to see him back, great to see him healthy and great to see him smiling. Erling Haaland ( Manchester City ): For already the third time and with probably another 10 times to go, Mr Erling Haaland. Started up top, job done, two goals against a really poor Ipswich team and he could've had a hat-trick. Unreal from him. Fabian Hurzeler ( Brighton ): He is doing an unbelievable job. A lot of people, including myself, were wondering whether he doing a 'pat myself on the back lap of appreciation tour' after beating Arsenal - but actually what he was showing is that he is a very good manager who can continue to deliver week in and week out. He was fantastic, got the tactics spot on and also introduced some players who had been out injured.

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Roberto de Zerbi has used all the tools at his disposal to discover the missing spark in struggling Tottenham Hotspur , from acting as an amateur psychologist to team bonding dinners, then a sunshine break in Marbella. The answer, at least when Spurs finally moved off the bottom of the table with their first Premier League win this season against Coventry City, came in the shape of James Maddison as he made his first start in 18 months. He missed most of last season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in pre-season, before fracturing his shoulder in the opening-weekend defeat at Brentford in this campaign. The 29-year-old finally made it back into the Spurs starting line-up to face Coventry - and delivered in spectacular style to set them on the way to a 3-1 victory that De Zerbi hopes will finally give their season lift-off. Maddison could barely keep the smile from his face as he warmed up, then made his mark in the 14th minute by showing what Spurs have been missing with a brilliant right-foot finish from 20 yards, taking Mohammed Kudus' pass first time to arc a sweeping strike high beyond Coventry City keeper Carl Rushworth. It was a moment of sweet relief for Maddison, the goal getting loud gasps of admiration from Spurs supporters as it was shown several times on the stadium's big screens. Maddison shines on return - Tottenham v Coventry ratings Tottenham overcome Coventry to end winless start Even though the goal came against his former club, Maddison celebrated with his trademark imaginary dart throwing motion before kissing the badge on his Spurs shirt. Maddison's significance to Spurs is illustrated by the fact they had won just 12 out of 57 Premier League games since his last top-flight goal, in a 1-0 victory against Manchester United in February 2025. They had averaged less than a point a game since then. And since his last start, at Liverpool on 27 April 2025, Spurs had won only 11 of 49 league games in between, losing 23. Spurs cannot kid themselves that this was a glorious victory. It was actually only their sixth win in the past 37 home league games - drawing 10 and losing 21 - and just their fourth league victory overall in 2026, having played 27, drawn 10 and lost 13. And it was the first time they scored three goals or more at home in the league since the opening day of last season, when they beat Burnley 3-0 in Thomas Frank's first game in charge. There are still too many nerves around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and in De Zerbi's team for calm and relaxation. The victory margin flattered them somewhat, with Jack Rudoni equalising for Coventry City before Omar Marmoush's strike for his first goal for the club, then another from Ben Davies in stoppage time after a dreadful Rushworth error finally allowed Spurs to enjoy the relief of victory. And there were other things to celebrate. As well as Maddison's successful return to the starting line-up, there was the sight of Dejan Kulusevski finally back as an 87th-minute replacement for Kudus after 526 days out with a knee injury. Maddison got a deserved standing ovation when he was substituted for Conor Gallagher after 69 minutes, but the reception for Kulusevski was arguably even more rapturous as he finally took to the pitch again after such a long battle to regain fitness. It was Maddison, however, who claimed the major plaudits after he was the driving force behind the win that has proved so elusive - his positive approach playing with a smile on his face provides refreshment of its own after such a depressing sequence of results. He was eager to get on the ball, was constantly probing and prompting, all before he inevitably tired after the break. "I spoke to the gaffer this weekend about it, feeling like it was the right moment for me to go back into the starting XI after a bit of a stop-start start to the season," Maddison told Sky Sports. "I just wanted to play well and show my abilities, show what the team has missed the last 18 months. The gaffer asked me to play and wanted to enjoy watching from the side. Hopefully I did that, and a goal is always nice." If his aim was to show what Spurs have been missing, this was very much mission accomplished. And as well as Maddison and Kulusevski, Marmoush will gain confidence from his strike, another superb curling effort that gave Rushworth no chance. De Zerbi will know this is only a start, with a tough trip to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening (17:30 BST). He welcomed the return of Maddison and Kulusevski, saying: "They are different players, different talents, different personalities. With them in the dressing room there is a different atmosphere." What changes the atmosphere in the dressing room and beyond most are victories. Now De Zerbi and Spurs can actually build on three points at last, and the sights of Maddison and Kulusevski back in action will have the Italian hoping they can accelerate an improvement after the misery of recent times. Latest Tottenham news, analysis and fan views Ask about Tottenham - what do you want to know?

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Tottenham finally got their first Premier League win of the season against Coventry City . Here's how I rated the players and you can see how you scored them below. What do BBC Sport's player ratings mean? Antonin Kinsky: Fumbled first-half corner and not great with his feet. 5 Tosin Adarabioyo: Powerful in the air and did well in the physical challenges until he went off injured. 6 Jan Paul van Hecke: Disappointing night. Uncertain moments and lost possession for Coventry City's goal, but did make one brave clearance. 5 Micky van de Ven: Superb tackle to stop Brandon Thomas-Asante in the first half and solid all-round display. 7 Archie Gray: Busy and did his best to give Spurs some creative edge. 6 Sandro Tonali: Occasional flashes but still struggles to justify his £100m price tag. Needs to produce more. 6 James Maddison: Brilliant strike on his first start for 18 months. Always prompting and probing. Revelled in his return to the starting line-up until understandably tiring. 8 Andrew Robertson: Some trademark surging runs and always willing to join the attack but picked up an injury. 6 Mohammed Kudus: Mixed night. Some good things but too often short of end product. 5 Omar Marmoush: Had struggled but then scored a superb goal. 6 Dominic Solanke: Tireless but little luck. Booked and had a shot on the turn over in first half. 5 Conor Gallagher (on 69, Maddison): Not able to get into the game. 5 Mateus Fernandes (on 69, Tosin): Little impact. 5 Ben Davies (on 69, Robertson): Experienced head to close out the win and got himself a goal. 6 Subs not used: Dubravka, Senesi, Olusesi, Williams-Barnett. Carl Rushworth: No chance with first two goals but a horror show for the third from Ben Davies. 5 Milan van Ewijk : Long throws a threat, especially in the first half. Caught an elbow when trying to challenge Marmoush for his goal. 6 Bobby Thomas: Vital headed clearance and tower of strength in defence. 7 Ethan Pinnock: Another dependable performance as Coventry looked solid and well-organised at the back. 6 Jay Dasilva: Quiet night. Booked for challenge on Kudus. 5 Caleb Yirenkyi: Not able to exert much influence and was substituted. Booked for a poor challenge on Gray. 5 Matt Grimes: Always busy but not able to have a significant impact. 5 Brandon Thomas-Asante: Industrious and was only denied a goal by Van de Ven's superb first-half tackle. 6 Jack Rudoni: Showed great determination to bustle his way through for his goal. 7 Tatsuhiro Sakamoto: Some dangerous deliveries and had a good chance in the first half. 6 Sidiki Cherif : Some nice lay-offs and full of effort. Hurt his shoulder in an awkward fall. 6 Frank Onyeka (on, 60 Yirenkyi): No effect. 5 Taiwo Awoniyi (on 60, Cherif): Bustling but unable to provide threat. 5 Ephron Mason-Clark (on 78, Thomas-Asante). Subs not used: Bentley, Simms, Mfuni, Torp. Rate players out of 10 for this game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle. You must be signed in to a BBC account to play. After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Play BBC Sport's Match of the Day Predictor game

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When Sarina Wiegman took the reins as England manager in September 2021, she declared she had "come to bring the next level". Winner of the 2017 Women's Euros with her own Netherlands and runner-up at the subsequent World Cup in 2019, she certainly had the pedigree, but could she deliver on her promises? Five years on, Wiegman has pocketed two more European Championships and acquired another silver medal on the global stage. Not only that, but the success of her Lionesses exploded the women's game in this country, taking it not just to a new level, but to previously unthinkable heights. And yet on the day Wiegman extends her deal until after the Euros in 2029, her newest challenge could be her hardest yet. England manager Wiegman signs contract extension Wiegman's successful England teams have been built on a core group of players from an outstanding generation - but a few cracks have appeared this year. Seven of the team that started against world champions Spain in June also played in the Euro 2022 final against Germany - and their 4-0 defeat in Mallorca laid bare the gap England must bridge to the world's best. That result also consigned England to two rounds of play-offs to reach next summer's World Cup. Beating Greece this month navigated the first of those, with games against Ukraine, who they have beaten twice already in 2026, to come before Christmas. Nevertheless, finding successors to those who have spearheaded the success will not be straightforward. Defensive stalwarts Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood will be 37 and 36 respectively by Euro 2029, while Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh will be 32. Other key players such as Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway will also have turned 30, far from past their best, but still a consideration. "We have to continue the evolution of the Lionesses," record goalscorer Ellen White told the Women's Football Weekly podcast. "We can't stay stagnant or keep trying to win in the same ways all the time." Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis thinks one of Wiegman's strengths as a manger is her willingness to give young players a chance. "She's not afraid of bringing in players who have never been capped before," Brown-Finnis told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Wiegman is looking right across the spectrum and asking who's on form, who can add to my squad, who can fill a position or a couple of different positions?" Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Lionesses captain Steph Houghton said: "You can see Wiegman is trying to change a few things. The last camp she brought on Lexi Potter for her debut and she is now starting regularly for Chelsea. As a young player you need that to thrive in this environment. "She is seeing the progress of young players coming through to press those who have been in the squad for a long time." Greek takeaways: What did we learn from Lionesses' win? It is not as though Wiegman has ignored squad regeneration. During her time in charge, she has handed debuts to 24 players, but only Lauren James, Hannah Hampton and Lucia Kendall have become established starters. Those games against Greece offered a clue to her next steps. In Crete, Manchester City's Laura Blindkilde Brown, 23, showed glimpses of her ball-playing ability, while in the second leg 20-year-old Chelsea academy graduate Potter impressed in midfield. London City's Freya Godfrey, 21, and talented 18-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson also got their first caps as Wiegman scrutinised her options. Figures earlier this season showed the number of homegrown starters has been dropping in the Women's Super League (WSL) over the past four campaigns, with the league's growing prestige attracting more foreign stars. The Football Association (FA) chief football officer Dan Ashworth said Wiegman has helped bring "a golden age for women's football in this country". To prolong it, she will need to keep producing fruit from increasingly arid ground. 'Alarming' - does WSL have a homegrown problem? Could Potter be England's next breakthrough star? Prior to Wiegman's appointment, England women had performed well at major tournaments - finishing third at the World Cup in 2015 and fourth in 2019 - but winning Euro 2022 was something new. WSL attendances rocketed, media coverage surged and clubs amplified their women's teams. However, four years on, there is evidence to suggest interest has plateaued. Initial crowd figures for the 2026-27 season are down on previous campaigns, while only 18,587 fans watched England beat Greece 5-0 at King Power Stadium, nearly 10,000 fewer than qualifiers at Nottingham Forest's City Ground and Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium this year. With so much competition, Lionesses success is crucial for sustaining momentum in the women's game - but expectations are higher now. A fanbase was born from success and has become accustomed to it. Will they tolerate anything less than finals and trophies? After all, Spain, Japan and hosts Brazil are among the many nations that look poised to have a significant say at the World Cup next summer. Only four of the top 10 nations in Fifa's world rankings have female managers (Spain, USA and Canada), with Wiegman the longest serving. If she sees out her contract, only Hope Powell (1998-2013) and Martin Reagan (1979-90), will have been England head coach for longer. As she signed her new contract, she said she "could not think of a better job in world football". It is hard to think of many who have done a better job than Wiegman has already accomplished. Committing to three more years means her legacy may now be defined by what she achieves next.

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Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in Felix Nmecha, Emiliano Buendia is close to agreeing a new Aston Villa deal and Trent Alexander-Arnold is considering his Real Madrid future. Liverpool and Manchester United are among several Premier League clubs interested in Borussia Dortmund's Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha, with Liverpool viewing the £84m-rated 26-year-old as an alternative to Bournemouth 's England international Alex Scott, 23. (Teamtalk), external Argentina midfielder Emiliano Buendia, 29, is close to agreeing a new contract with Aston Villa after positive progress in talks. (Mail) , external England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is considering his future at Real Madrid after growing frustrated with his lack of playing time, with former club Liverpool among a host of teams monitoring the 28-year-old's situation. (Teamtalk) , external JJ Gabriel's exit from Manchester United is imminent. Real Madrid have made a significant offer for the 16-year-old English forward, while Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also interested. (Sport - in Spanish), external United are monitoring Roma's 23-year-old Brazil full-back Wesley before a potential January transfer. (Football Insider), external Rio Ngumoha has distanced himself from a possible move to Arsenal and the 18-year-old England winger says talks over a contract extension at Liverpool are "going well". (Metro), external Former Real Madrid and Spain centre-back Sergio Ramos is exploring the possibility of a return to Europe and La Liga with Getafe keen to sign the 40-year-old. (Four Four Two) , external Manchester United might have to battle against Juventus to appoint 57-year-old Italian Antonio Conte should they sack head coach Michael Carrick. (Talksport) , external Brighton are said to be "relaxed" about the long-term future of manager Fabian Hurzeler after an impressive start to the season, with the 33-year-old German linked to a possible move to Manchester United in recent weeks. (Football Insider) , external Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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While no-one doubted that following in Oliver Glasner's footsteps as Crystal Palace manager would be a difficult task, Pierre Sage now finds his position under close scrutiny. A string of poor results - most recently Sunday's 5-0 drubbing by Brighton - makes this week a crucial one in determining his future. Sage has won just two of his opening seven Premier League games in charge, while the 17 goals they have conceded is the most in the league. But there is a degree of sympathy from some behind the scenes at Selhurst Park that the Frenchman has been dealt a difficult hand. Injuries have not been kind, while the absence of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr - due to a mixture of fitness and personal issues, related to both players' desire to leave the club - has not helped the start of his reign. Co-owner and chairman Steve Parish is not one to act on impulse. He resisted the temptation to act when Glasner publicly criticised the club's board for "abandoning" the team after the decision to sell Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January. Glasner saw out his contract and added the Europa Conference League title to the FA Cup won the season before. Not that Sage is out of the woods. With crucial games against Besiktas and Newcastle on the horizon, further poor results will leave Parish with a decision to make. Some figures close to Palace believe the writing is already on the wall and, when the right replacement is in place, his short tenure will come to an end. But, having failed to appoint first-choice target Andoni Iraola following Glasner's exit, Palace are well aware of the difficulties of the managerial market. What is for sure is that the 47-year-old is facing a fight to keep his job. Sage feels 'shame' at Palace thrashing with future in doubt Sage may point to the disbanding of the squad that led Palace to their first ever major trophies, with the FA Cup in 2025 before last season's Europa Conference League triumph, as the reason for his tough start to life in south London. Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Maxence Lacroix, Daniel Munoz and Guehi have all departed Selhurst Park since the summer of 2024. The departure of highly influential sporting director Dougie Freedman in 2025 has also been keenly felt. In addition to Sage, the position of Freedman's replacement Matt Hobbs is also under the spotlight. But conceding 17 goals in seven Premier League matches points to a problem, at least in part, of Sage's own making. The team's recent DNA is rooted in defensive stability. Predecessors Glasner and Roy Hodgson produced well-organised teams with a solid base for its attacking players. Conceding close to 2.5 goals per game is so far removed from what the team's recent successes has been built upon that it has raised major concern from the club's powerbrokers. Palace are currently on course to concede 92 goals this season. No club has conceded more since Sheffield United shipped 104 goals to finish bottom in 2024. Personnel is contributing to those defensive deficiencies. Losing Guehi, Lacroix and Munoz in the space of six months represent significant losses. From the three centre-backs that started in Sunday's 5-0 loss to Brighton, Jaydee Canvot is 20 years old and Honest Ahanor only 18. Nevertheless, there is a clear sense from inside the club that Sage's system and approach has been a major contributing factor towards their troubles in defence. There is a perception from sections of supporters that the club's summer defensive recruitment has not helped. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben Chilwell and Oscar Mingueza arrived on free transfers, while Axel Disasi and Ahanor arrived on loan. As mitigation, it is understood Palace have encountered major difficulty in complying with Uefa's financial rules, leaving them hampered in the transfer market. Trying to stay within Uefa's guidelines was among the reasons why the club sold Munoz to Nottingham Forest for £22m. But those financial difficulties do not make the situation Sage finds himself any less critical. With a Europa League trip to Besiktas and home Premier League game against Newcastle on the horizon, Sage has an opportunity to change the mood music. Two positive results and the Frenchman will hope he can mount a more consistent upward trend. Two defeats, however, and Palace may well feel that enough is enough. Latest Crystal Palace news, analysis and fan views Ask about Crystal Palace - what do you want to know?

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Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a 30-day suspension by the Portuguese Football Federation after leaving his country's international camp last month. The 41-year-old captain walked out of Portugal's Nations League squad in September after being an unused substitute against Norway and then finding out he would not start against Denmark. Ronaldo said in a lengthy statement he had left because Portugal coach Jorge Jesus twice "broke his word", accusing him of an "absolute breach of trust". The Al-Nassr forward was provisionally suspended on 9 October. On Monday, the federation's disciplinary council said it had upheld the charge against Ronaldo in full and imposed a fine of 255 euros (£189). Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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Leicester City will travel to National League North side Oxford City in the 2026-27 FA Cup first round. It is the first time the Foxes have taken part at this stage of the competition since 2008 and they face sixth-tier opposition for a place in the second round. The 2021 winners were relegated to League One for this season with Russell Martin's side currently 14th having had an inconsistent start to the season. Meanwhile, there will be a family affair as Peterborough United face Reading as Posh boss Robbie Savage will take on his son Charlie's side when the first round kicks off around the weekend of Saturday, 7 November. A whopping 91 teams were named during the draw with four sides reaching the first round proper for the first time. Lowest-ranked team Tadley Calleva came from behind twice to force a replay with Aldershot and will make the trip to League One Barnsley should they progress. Meanwhile highest-ranked team Bradford City will welcome National League North side Marine as the League One leaders enter the competition. Eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds have won five games in the competition this season to reach the first round, with their reward a trip to League One side Burton Albion. Four sides reach round one of FA Cup for first time Parkway boss wants EFL side in FA Cup first round Stafford Rangers awaiting another bumper Cup crowd Mansfield Town v Macclesfield/Anstey Nomads Luton Town v Chesham United/Forest Green Rovers Kidderminster Harriers v Doncaster Rovers Burton Albion v AFC Rushden & Diamonds Bedford Town/Cray Wanderers v Stockport County Colchester United v Chorley/Worcester City Plymouth Argyle v Spalding United/Alvechurch Gateshead/Stafford Rangers v Grimsby Town Altrincham/FC United of Manchester v Notts County Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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But six players across five clubs chose to remain standing during the pre-match gesture: Speaking before Manchester City's Champions League game on Tuesday, Guehi was asked whether it had lost its impact. "I haven't been taking the knee for a while now. I always clap, just because of what that actually signifies," said the England international. "I don't think it's necessarily a football issue, I think it's a wider societal issue and football is just that beacon of hope to try and get the message out. "The message is still there, which is great. More can always be done. I think we should see how we can move the campaign along." The Premier League maintains that taking the knee is "a decision led by the players" and that it is "supportive of whatever stance they choose to take, collectively or individually". Why are Premier League clubs still taking the knee? The campaign was limited to selected matches following an agreement by club captains before the 2022-23 campaign. This season, captains agreed to take the knee during October's No Room For Racism fixtures, which coincide with Black History Month in the UK. The other five players who did not take the knee this weekend have not publicly commented, but Leeds manager Daniel Farke explained Calvert-Lewin's position. "Dom is more or less like, 'no, I don't go down. I show my respect by standing up'. Every individual is different and shows respect for this campaign in a different way," said Farke. "It's definitely a good campaign and a good topic that football and sports, in general, support situations like this because a dressing room is a perfect example of how we should all live together." Former Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha became the first Premier League player to stop taking the knee in 2021. "I feel kneeling has just become a part of the pre-match routine and at the moment it doesn't matter whether we kneel or stand, some of us still continue to receive abuse," he said at the time. Announcing this month's campaign,, external the Premier League said: "Players will be taking the knee before kick-off during the next two match rounds to show unity against all forms of discrimination." Between 2021-22 and 2025-26, reports of both discrimination and racism received by the charity more than doubled, and reached record levels last season. High-profile cases have also highlighted the continuing abuse faced by players. After England defender Jess Carter received racist abuse online during last summer's Women's Euros, the Lionesses stopped taking the knee. "Taking the knee, that's not enough. We have done that for a while. The impact is not good enough, it's not as big as we think," said England manager Sarina Wiegman at the time. In February, Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana, Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle were all subjected to racist abuse on social media over a single weekend. A BBC Sport investigation also identified 22,389 potentially abusive messages across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X over a separate weekend. Nevertheless, 2025 YouGov polling, external found a majority of ethnic minority football fans in Britain still considered taking the knee important in tackling racism - although most football fans overall in England did not. The No Room For Racism campaign extends beyond taking the knee. "We are using the reach of our players to send an important message: we are united in the fight against racism," said Premier League chief executive Richard Masters. Players have also helped develop educational resources about diversity, available to more than 19,000 primary schools across England and Wales. "I think it's important for young people to see role models who look like them, to see that they can achieve anything. It doesn't matter who you are, what you do or how you look," said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk as part of the campaign. "It means a lot to me to represent my community on and off the pitch." Racism, rape and death threats: One weekend of social media abuse in football Spain handed partial stadium closure after discriminatory chants v Egypt Arrest made after alleged racial abuse of Swans' Eom

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Seeing Ronald Araujo with the South American drink known as Mate is becoming a regularity around Liverpool . Those close to the 27-year-old say that true to his Uruguayan heritage, he takes the caffeinated beverage - made by steeping dry leaves in warm water - wherever he goes. The sight of defender Araujo in Liverpool's starting line-up is also becoming the norm this season. For all the focus on Liverpool's big-money signings, it is the one they got on loan that is increasingly looking like one of their most important deals. Since arriving on a season-long loan from Barcelona, Araujo has started eight of Liverpool's 10 games under Andoni Iraola, with six of those appearances coming at right-back and four at centre-back. Last week, he scored his first Liverpool goal with a header against LASK and there was a backheel assist for Dominik Szoboszlai against Atletico Madrid. With Conor Bradley out since January with a knee injury and Jeremie Frimpong now sidelined until the November international break with a muscle injury, Araujo, who is taking English lessons, is seizing the chance to showcase the versatility and experience that attracted Liverpool to him. "I came from a big side, as is Liverpool. I think people here, it's almost like they are more intense when you go down the street, when you go out to the centre of Liverpool, or when you go out to eat something. But that's lovely. You see how they experience football themselves," Araujo said on Monday. "I am really happy here. My family is very happy and that's also very important. I'm just really hungry to go on this season and give the best I can of myself and continue to learn and grow as a player. I'm having that game time and that's what I want and then we'll see what happens and what I want for the future." At Barcelona last season, Araujo was granted a leave of absence to prioritise his mental health and the move to England in the summer felt like one that suited all parties - even if he was initially seen as a stopgap solution for Liverpool Araujo, who has 29 caps for Uruguay, took a wage cut and Liverpool have an option to buy him in the summer for £47m. It is a hefty sum and remains an unlikely outcome, but the understanding for now is that Araujo is just happy to show his qualities to everyone once again. "It's very early to talk about these things," he said, when asked about his future. "I'm just trying to enjoy every day and continue to develop and to play and to give what's required of me to have that confidence. I'm really happy to be here but it's a bit early to be talking about those things." With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez's contracts expiring this summer, Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward will have some important decisions to make. When everyone is fit, Liverpool are well-stocked in the centre-back department and the way Jeremy Jacquet, 21, has settled in since moving from Rennes in the summer is proof that if you are good enough, you are old enough. Alongside Van Dijk, 35, Gomez, 29, and Jacquet, 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni will offer another option once fit. Leoni is hoping to return next month from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury he sustained on his debut in September 2025. Liverpool also have an option to buy back Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen this summer so are not short of options. The likes of 18-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe, currently on loan at Levante in La Liga, and Mor Talla Ndiaye, 18, are names for the future too. Liverpool did not initially plan to bring in Araujo this summer, but given their injury crisis were forced to act and his abilities have largely benefited Iraola this season. "Ronald [Araujo] was one of those situations that before the market was not there and the situation appeared," said Iraola. "Then we talked to the player - the first conversation I had with him was quite encouraging. You see a hungry and experienced player who has played in a top club and is willing to show the level." "I told him that sometimes we will need you playing as a right-back and he was ready for everything to help the team - the more he plays, the more he speaks the language and the more he learns from his team-mates, the more we will benefit from his experience. Everything has been quite positive with him." "Coming to a club like Liverpool is not easy. There are demands and responsibilities. I'd already experienced that in Barcelona and ultimately that's a huge club where there are huge demands where every game you need to give your very best. You play well in one game, but you have to come back and do that again," he said. Do that, and both Iraola and Ward may be left with a decision to make. Why has Araujo joined Liverpool and where did it go wrong at Barcelona? Latest Liverpool news, analysis and fan views Ask about Liverpool - what do you want to know?

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Jota admits he "met some demons" during his long injury absence but believes there is no need to "rush" his return to full match fitness at Celtic. The Portuguese winger, 27, sustained cruciate ligament damage in April 2025 and made his first-team return last weekend in the 2-0 win at Motherwell. And, after coming off the bench again in Sunday's 7-1 Scottish Premiership victory at home to Hearts, Jota believes the ordeal has strengthened his character. "I've met some demons and I've had some good talks with them," he said. "We developed a good relationship and we are all on the same table nowadays and we can laugh about everything that happened. "If you don't grow from a situation like this, it's because you didn't learn anything. "I could step away, see different things from other perspectives and value some stuff that maybe I wasn't valuing before. "I have a clear idea of what I want, what I am. There's no lost time because I grew a lot. It had to be what it had to be and I didn't lose. I actually gained because I'm way stronger nowadays." Hearts roll out red carpet ... and Celtic walk all over it 'Four points is nothing' - O'Neill stays cool after statement win Jota's game time will be restricted to domestic games in the short term as he is not in Celtic's Europa League squad, with Celta Vigo visiting Glasgow on Thursday (20:00 BST). However, he is valuing what playing opportunities he has. "My love for football is immense," he explained. "Maybe someone else wouldn't want to come back because of the struggle or some guys just don't have that in themselves. "That was my fuel to keep on working every day, to be healthy and fit, even if things weren't going that way. "This is my dream. It's my passion. So there's moments where you reflect, there's moments where you're down and you cannot see any light but that doesn't mean that you stop believing. You just need to find another way. "My aim was always to come back fit, whatever time I need to take because I still have a long career in front of me and I'm still young. "So there's no rush, let's do everything correctly and just trust the process." Visit our Celtic page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views

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European governing body Uefa has told Fifa it must release key documents and answer all questions relating to its governance and decision-making by a deadline of 2 November. At the Fifa Council on Thursday, president Gianni Infantino apologised for his World Cup sell-off plan - but failed to offer a full explanation for how the proposal was devised. In the letter seen by BBC Sport, Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said that world football's governing body had failed to address "a number of fundamental questions". "Others remain unanswered, and the information and documentation requested have not been provided," it read. The letter included eight pages of questions covering a number of issues, from the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) private investment, to the Fifa Peace Prize and the controversial suspended ban given to USA striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup. "The withdrawal of FFE, the acknowledgement of mistakes and the announcement of 'potential governance reforms' do not answer how the relevant decisions were taken or why the Fifa Council was not involved at the appropriate stage," it continued. "Any refusal to disclose information or documents should be justified individually, with a clear explanation of the specific grounds relied upon. "These questions require answers now. They cannot be deferred until the next meeting of the Fifa Council - nor can future governance reforms substitute for scrutiny of decisions already taken and accountability for them." The questions were first put to Infantino at the Fifa Council last week. Could Wenger really take on Infantino and run for Fifa presidency? Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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The Champions League is back this week - and you can watch highlights of Europe's showpiece club competition on the BBC throughout this season. Just like the previous two seasons, from 22:00 BST on the Wednesday of Champions League matchweeks, there will be game-by-game highlights available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. You'll also be able to watch highlights - along with analysis from our experts on the big stories and talking points, - in Match of the Day on Wednesdays on BBC One at 22:40. There will be clips available on the BBC Sport website, app and on social media. You will also be able to follow all the action online and on the BBC Sport app through our live text coverage, as well as listen to radio commentary. BBC Radio 5 Live will continue to have live commentary of selected Champions League games and you can also listen on the BBC Sounds app and your smart speaker. BBC podcasts Football Daily and Euro Leagues will bring you reaction and the biggest talking points from the Champions League throughout the campaign. This year's competition includes five British clubs: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United. It means the BBC has highlights of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup this season. TNT Sport and Amazon Prime Video will show Champions League games live in the UK. Amazon have first pick of the Tuesday games - 17 matches in total - with all of the other matches shown on TNT. 17:45: Sabah v Borussia Dortmund, Fenerbahce v Slavia Prague 20:00: PSG v Barcelona, Manchester City v AEK Athens, Napoli v Bodo/Glimt, Porto v PSV Eindhoven, Roma v Slovan Bratislava, Liverpool v Villarreal, Stuttgart v Atletico 17:45: Como v Manchester United, Lille v Galatasaray 20:00: Sporting v Lask, Real Betis v Feyenoord, Inter Milan v Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayern Munich v Arsenal (5 Live), Aston Villa v Viking, Club Brugge v Lens, Real Madrid v RB Leipzig Bayern Munich v Arsenal (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

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Duncan Ferguson is plotting a return to the glory days at the Oval after his appointment as the new Glentoran manager. The 54-year-old former Everton star was confirmed as the Irish League club's new boss on a "multi-year contract" on Monday. Glentoran have not won a league title since 2009 and sit 11 points behind leaders Coleraine in the Irish Premiership. "I'll give the club everything and I expect the players to give everything as well," Ferguson said during a news conference on Monday. "Hopefully we can compete with the teams at the top of the league and get a bit closer to them. At the minute we're bit adrift of the top two or three. "I'll bring a football team that will really run, run and run. I'll push them as hard as I can and set them up tactically well. "Defensively we have been very good but we've lacked in creating chances so hopefully we can play attacking football." Ferguson named boss of Irish League club Glentoran What awaits Everton hero Ferguson in shock Glens role? Glentoran net late to snatch win against Limavady Ferguson, who also played as a towering striker with Dundee United and Newcastle United, has managed Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. His coaching career includes being assistant manager at Everton under renowned managers Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez, and also two spells as caretaker boss. Glentoran have struggled to challenge for the title despite significant investment from owner Ali Pour and the adoption of a full-time professional model in recent years. Ferguson said he jumped at the opportunity to get back in football after two years out of the game and is confident the club will give him financial backing. "It's a great chance for me to get into football," he added. "I've been out of football for two years. I didn't know if was going to get back in or do television work but it's a great chance for me. "They've got ambition. I spoke to the owner Ali [Pour] and they've got the ambition to get this club back to what it was before. "I know they haven't won a title in 17 years. I'm a people person and when I met him we got on - I think we'll get the backing from him as he's backed the club for the last number of years."

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When Jack Hinshelwood unapologetically smashed home Brighton and Hove Albion's fifth goal of the game against bitter rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday , it completed a fourth straight Premier League win for the high-flying Seagulls - with an aggregate scoreline of 15-0. Hinshelwood's volley from two yards out to wrap up a 5-0 victory was in stark contrast to his team-mate Diego Gomez's audacious effort from the halfway line that put Brighton two up in just the seventh minute of the A23 derby. Fabian Hurzeler's free-scoring side have arguably been the most entertaining top-flight team to watch this season, but they have backed up their attacking flair with a robust defence. No team has scored more and no team has conceded fewer goals. After seven games, they sit third on 16 points behind reigning champions Arsenal and table-toppers Manchester City, who have a 100% record. But can the Seagulls maintain their momentum and mount a serious title challenge? That's the opinion of Match of the Day pundit Dion Dublin, who played in Manchester United's 1992-93 title-winning side. "Because what we've seen of them this season is just togetherness, harmony... the manager's making good decisions. "[Pascal] Gross is leading the line in regards to what goes on on the pitch and what is the right kind of way they want to play. And everybody's chipping in with goals. The look a very, very frightening team at the moment." Shades of Barca and Beckham - Brighton aim to maintain superb start How Brighton attract and develop the best young players ahead of their rivals Timely recognition or long overdue? How Gross is proving all-time bargain In the summer of 2025, Brighton lost their top scorer Joao Pedro to Chelsea, and history repeated itself this year when the Blues lured veteran forward Danny Welbeck to Stamford Bridge. Once again, however, the Seagulls' enviable data-led recruitment model, aided by club owner Tony Bloom's close links to Jamestown Analytics, appears to have found a promising replacement. Having been used primarily as a substitute last season, Greece striker Charalampos Kostoulas has been entrusted to spearhead the attack, and the 19-year-old has repaid the faith shown in him by Hurzeler with three league goals and two assists. Only Lamine Yamal has more goal involvements among teenagers in Europe's top five leagues this season. Kostoulas has a strong supporting cast including Hinshelwood, Yasin Ayari, Malick Yalcouye and Maxim de Cuyper, not to mention a rejuvenated Pascal Gross pulling the strings from a deeper position. With 11 league scorers already - while also being the beneficiaries of three own goals - Hurzeler's men are sharing the load impressively. As well as being the division's top scorers, Brighton have had the most shots on target and sit second for xG, shots and big chances. In the top five European leagues, only Barcelona, with 39 goals from nine La Liga matches, have more domestic league goals than Brighton. Equally as encouraging is how well they have coped defensively despite the loss of centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke and midfield anchorman Carlos Baleba. Luka Vuskovic looks to be a tremendous acquisition from Tottenham Hotspur, and he has helped the Seagulls, who remain unbeaten at home, record a league-high five clean sheets. The rapid rise of a former art dealer to Europe's hottest young manager There are only seven previous instances of a team scoring 23 or more goals after seven games of a Premier League season. All bar one have gone on to finish in the top three, with Manchester City winning the title in 2011-12 and 2022-23. The outlier? Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United team of 1994-95, who faded and finished sixth. Comparisons have already been drawn between that side, dubbed 'The Entertainers', and the swagger of the current Brighton squad. With that in mind, Alan Wares co-host of the Albion Roar podcast suggested that perhaps a Champions League place, rather than a full-blown title challenge, might be a more realistic aim. "I think with the Premier League being seven games in and the other matches we've already played, I think the dream for us is sustainability. I wouldn't go for a target, just as high as possible," said Alan. "The club is really wanting to qualify for Champions League at the end of the season but yes, we've made a good start - are we title contenders? It's way too early to consider that. I would say that, at the moment, is fantasy stuff. But every football fan's got to have their dream and our point is, why not? "If we can continue this, and that is the main point we've got to look at, if we can be sustainable in what we're doing and what we achieve, then yes. Why not? Go for the sky, see what happens." With Conference League football to juggle, it seems improbable Brighton's squad can last the pace with the likes of Arsenal for the duration of the season. Leicester City, the last outsiders to lift the title, do provide some hope. They were eighth with 12 points after seven games of their memorable 2015-16 triumph. There is a chance Brighton's final league position could be affected by matters off the pitch. Last month, an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules over a nine-season period. City are appealing against the verdict, meaning the severity and timing of any punishment - which could take the form of a points deduction - remain unknown. Brighton have the chance to give City a fright when they travel to the Etihad on Halloween - one of four successive away games in all competitions - and the league table may well present a very different picture by the time November's international break comes around. For now, Brighton are exactly where they deserve to be. And they're having great fun in the process. Follow Brighton & Hove Albion on BBC Sounds Pre-match, post-match and topical Albion content Subscribe and listen for everything you love about the Seagulls Latest Brighton news, analysis and fan views Ask about Brighton - what do you want to know?