Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: September 5, 2026, 2:14 PM ET

Premier League

Liverpool secured their first league win under Andoni Iraola as Alexander Isak netted a brace inside nine minutes to beat Ipswich 2-0 at Portman Road. The Sweden international, who struggled after his record transfer fee last summer, was the best player on the pitch with a 9/10 display, while Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen endured a difficult afternoon. Isak admitted his difficult start to life at Anfield is now behind him, with chief football writer Phil McNulty asking whether the real Isak has finally arrived. Iraola's first win came after early dominance from his side, with the Spaniard's tactical setup paying dividends.

Erling Haaland's 300th career goal proved decisive as Manchester City edged Coventry 1-0 to maintain their perfect record under Enzo Maresca, who has navigated the summer window after Rodri's surprise exit. The City boss revealed his players repeatedly asked whether Enzo Fernández was joining before his deadline-day move. Maresca's midfield rebuild was the highlight of a busy window in which not everything went their way.

Newcastle fought back from two goals down as Jacob Ramsey's late strike rescued a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at St James' Park. Alex Scott impressed for the visitors while Dedic struggled at right-back for the hosts. Elsewhere, Brighton fought back to claim a 1-1 draw against Leeds, with the Whites made to pay for countless missed chances at the Amex. Enzo Le Fee's late penalty rescued a point for Sunderland in their 1-1 draw at Brentford.

Championship

Will Lankshear's seventh goal in seven matches gave Middlesbrough a 1-0 victory against previously-unbeaten QPR. Conor Shaughnessy and Marezi scored as Portsmouth secured their first home win of the season with a 2-0 defeat of Cardiff at Fratton Park. Lyndon Dykes scored his first two goals for injury-hit Millwall in a 4-0 demolition of Bolton at The Den.

Two late goals underscored West Ham's 3-0 win over Derby, their second home victory in five days. Burnley's dire start under Nicky Hayen continued as Bristol City fought back to snatch a 2-1 victory at Turf Moor. Tyrick Mitchell's double saw Crystal Palace come from behind twice to win 3-2 at Fulham, with Pierre Sage recording his first win in charge of the Eagles.

Mikkel Ladefoged scored his first goal in English football to secure Lincoln a deserved late point in their 1-1 draw with Southampton. Stoke cruised to a ruthless 4-0 win over 10-man Charlton, with Devenny bagging a brace. Callum Lang scored twice as Preston edged past local rivals Blackburn 2-1 at Deepdale to earn their first points of the season.

Women's Super League

Chelsea's revenge campaign started with a stumble as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa in their opening WSL match, with missed chances and a defensive mistake proving costly. Alexia Putellas' WSL debut for London City wasn't a virtuoso performance, but her new side's 2-1 win over Manchester United sent a statement to the league. The Spain international promised there's more to come from her and the team after the Lionesses lived up to the hype in their season opener.

The star-studded London City cruised to victory over United, with both Arsenal and Chelsea opening their seasons with new-look squads as the question of a changing of the guard emerges. Tottenham and London City won the WSL transfer window according to our analysis, while Manchester United were among the losers. The UEFA Women's Champions League draw brought some big teams together, with an Arsenal-Barcelona final a tantalising possibility. Test your knowledge with our WSL player quiz.

European Football

José Mourinho said he couldn't explain Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat at Real Betis, his first loss since returning to LaLiga. Paris Saint-Germain's difficult start continued as Monaco won 2-1 at Parc des Princes, but Luis Enrique remained unconcerned and insisted he is pleased with performances. The PSG boss was rewarded with a three-year contract extension keeping him at the club until 2030, with five players also given new deals after back-to-back Champions League titles.

Folarin Balogun has been left out of Monaco's Conference League squad amid uncertainty over his future after the collapse of his proposed transfer to Everton. Raphinha has been appointed as Barcelona's captain for the 2026-27 season, becoming the first Brazilian to hold the role. Lamine Yamal scored his 50th club goal this week at 19 years and 49 days old, drawing comparisons with Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé and Haaland. Diego Simeone confirmed Julián Álvarez will be in Atlético Madrid's squad to face Athletic Club, saying the star has an opportunity to turn things around. Massimiliano Allegri said he regards Inter Milan as Serie A title favourites as he prepares to return to San Siro with Napoli.

Transfers & Rumours

Liverpool have confirmed the departure of sporting director Richard Hughes, with sources telling ESPN he is expected to take up a similar role at Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. Michael Carrick said Manchester United have balance in midfield following a £150m summer recruitment campaign, insisting the club have "made the most" of their transfer budget. Chelsea were offered Yves Bissouma as a potential Enzo Fernández replacement, according to Saturday's newspaper reports.

Arsenal are set to sign teenage Georgian midfielder Andria Bartishvili despite the transfer window being over. Trabzonspor are eyeing a move for Richarlison on deadline day, while Chelsea's Pedro Neto may consider his options in January. We've ranked the 50 most expensive transfers of the 2026 summer window by true cost, and handed out alternative transfer awards including best bargain and top data pick. The gossip column also reports Manchester City and Chelsea showed interest in Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton.

International & Other Football News

Luka Modric, is not ready to retire from international football and hopes to play for Croatia in upcoming Nations League games, including against England. Steve Clarke says he had to cajole the Scottish FA into handing him a new contract as national head coach. The Football Association's review into England's World Cup campaign will canvass player opinions. Rangers failed to pursue their interest in Lewis Ferguson, while Gordon Strachan lauded Celtic's transfer business. Everton manager David Moyes says he has never met or spoken to the club's owner Dan Friedkin. Swansea City and Wrexham meet in a mouthwatering Welsh derby with both clubs eyeing the Premier League. Roberto De Zerbi has stood by his past prediction of Mykhailo Mudryk being a player that can win the Ballon d'Or. Fenerbahce midfielder Matteo Guendouzi received a four-match European ban and a €50,000 fine after a brawl following the Champions League play-off win at Lyon. After Harrison Biggins' 70-yard goal, BBC Sport Wales recalls some of the best long-range strikes over the years.

Formula 1 & Motorsport

Pierre Gasly produced a sensational performance to claim his first career pole position in F1, stunning the grid's usual frontrunners at the Italian Grand Prix. George Russell established himself as pole position favourite ahead of qualifying as the Mercedes driver topped Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in final practice, with Russell set to fight the Ferraris in qualifying.

Golf

A tearful Paul Casey vowed to donate all of his prize money to the victims of the Crans-Montana bar fire after storming into the lead of the DP World Tour's Omega European Masters on Saturday. Defending champion Thriston Lawrence reeled off six birdies in a row to secure the lead at the halfway stage as he looks to emulate Seve Ballesteros.

Boxing, Tennis & Other Sports

Katie Taylor's glittering boxing career will draw to a close on Saturday night at her dream venue Croke Park, with the message simple: "Let's go one more time." Andy Ruiz Jr was beaten in his comeback bout in a shock unanimous decision loss to Damian Knyba. Anthony Joshua's former trainer Robert McCracken insists it's not "anybody else's business" whether the former unified world champion wants to proceed with a Fury fight.

Serena and Venus Williams fell to defeat to Maya Joint and Chan Hao-Ching in a heart-breaking US Open doubles defeat. A huge discussion around tennis etiquette has been sparked at the US Open due to disruption caused by a growing number of content creators and influencers at Flushing Meadows. Follow live updates from the US Open as Taylor Fritz leads while Coco Gauff plays later.

Almeraq left an off-day at Newmarket in the rearview mirror with a dominating Sprint Cup victory at Haydock Park. Constitution Hill had to settle for an ultimately well-beaten fourth to Pride Of Arras in the William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park. Beau Greaves made more darting history as she became the first woman to win a match on the PDC's European Tour, securing a second-round clash with Luke Humphries. Jamie Jones-Buchanan believes St Helens need a big rebuild as the side missed out on the play-offs for the first time in club history, with St Helens trailing Leigh at half-time while Hull KR lead Huddersfield. South Africa are pulling clear of New Zealand in a pulsating Test match. There's a busy day's racing on Saturday with flat action from Ascot and Newcastle live on Sky Sports Racing.