Premier League returns into an era of 'post-verdict unreality' with Manchester City's decade recast as a sham
Barney Ronay writes that the Premier League's return from the international break is unlike any previous resumption: with Manchester City found guilty at first instance and still denying all charges, the league comes back into a state of 'post-verdict unreality', with the club's 10-year dominance rebranded as a sham and its first date in the new world a 'requiem for a dream' at Anfield on Sunday.
Matches
Premier League squandering chances as xG shortfall fuels record draw rate
Goals are up across the 2026-27 Premier League but teams are wasting chances at a rate that has driven the highest proportion of draws in the competition's history, with 14 of 20 clubs underperforming their expected goals.
Djed Spence set for long-awaited Inter debut against Parma after two-month layoff
Djed Spence could finally make his Inter debut when the Scudetto holders host Parma at San Siro on Saturday, having not featured since England's World Cup third-place play-off against France. Head coach Cristian Chivu confirmed the €35m summer signing from Tottenham will be called up and eased back into action over the coming weeks.
Stanway, Le Tissier and Russo fire England to 3-1 first-leg win over Greece in World Cup play-off
Georgia Stanway, Maya Le Tissier and Alessia Russo scored as England beat Greece 3-1 in the first leg of their Women's World Cup play-off in Crete on Friday night, taking a two-goal cushion into Tuesday's second leg at King Power Stadium. Kallisti Brouksair's late goal kept the tie alive, with the winners facing Slovakia or Ukraine in round two for a place at Brazil 2027.
England grind out 3-1 win over stubborn Greece to take control of World Cup playoff
England will take a commanding lead into Tuesday's World Cup qualifying playoff second leg in Leicester after beating Greece 3-1 in the first leg in Heraklion, though Sarina Wiegman's side again laboured against a low block. Georgia Stanway, Maya Le Tissier and Alessia Russo scored, with Russo's third goal in as many games offering a timely answer to England's No 9 question.
'We don't feel inferior to anyone, not even Barcelona!' – Getafe star Terrats fires Camp Nou warning
Getafe midfielder Ramon Terrats insists his side fear nobody ahead of Saturday's LaLiga trip to the Spotify Camp Nou, despite facing a rampant Barcelona side that have won all eight matches across all competitions this season.
Transfers & Teams
Foster 'a Piece in the Puzzle' as He Targets MLS Cup Silverware With Houston Dynamo
Lyle Foster says he joined the Houston Dynamo believing they can go 'all the way' as the club fights to arrest a slump and climb back into the Western Conference's top four against Minnesota United.
Chelsea and Bayern line up January bids for Barcelona’s Jules Koundé
Chelsea and Bayern Munich are reportedly considering moves for Jules Koundé in January as the Barcelona defender struggles for regular minutes. Bayern’s interest may depend on selling Sacha Boey first.
People & Analysis
Manchester United's broken attack: top of the league for shots, bottom for chance quality
Manchester United lead the Premier League for non-penalty shots but rank joint-second bottom for expected goal value per attempt, leaving them over-reliant on Bryan Mbeumo after a soft opening schedule.
Premier League returns into an era of 'post-verdict unreality' with Manchester City's decade recast as a sham
Barney Ronay writes that the Premier League's return from the international break is unlike any previous resumption: with Manchester City found guilty at first instance and still denying all charges, the league comes back into a state of 'post-verdict unreality', with the club's 10-year dominance rebranded as a sham and its first date in the new world a 'requiem for a dream' at Anfield on Sunday.
From Barry to van Hecke: Premier League clubs overloading their star men with chances
Data shows the leading expected-goals player at almost every Premier League club is carrying a bigger share of chances than last season, stretching young, new and even defensive players — and dragging down the division's conversion rate.
