Last updated: September 5, 2026, 6:11 AM ET

Premier League

Alexander Isak delivered a breakout performance for Liverpool, earning a 9/10 rating after scoring a brace inside nine minutes to inspire a 2-0 win at Ipswich on Friday. The Swedish striker, who struggled after his record transfer fee last summer, said his difficult start is now behind him. Andoni Iraola registered his first win as Liverpool head coach, while Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen endured a torrid afternoon, according to player ratings. BBC Sport's Phil McNulty asks whether the real Isak has finally arrived at Anfield. The club also secured the signing of teenage forward Djylian N'Guessan, although he won't play until at least next season. Meanwhile, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says Yankuba Minteh can still "fulfil his dream" of a Liverpool move after the Seagulls turned down offers for the winger.

Michael Carrick says Manchester United have balance in midfield following a £150m summer recruitment campaign, and insists the club "made the most" of the money available. Enzo Maresca revealed that several Manchester City players repeatedly asked whether Enzo Fernández would join before his deadline-day move, after City's rebuild was shaped by Rodri's unexpected exit. City's boss also claimed the club is excited about the "winner" in Enzo.

Mikel Arteta insisted Arsenal showed enough ambition in the transfer market despite missing out on a top-class forward. Michael Carrick also noted United made the most of available funds. The Premier League's transfer spending has been branded dangerously out of control, with a ranking of the true cost of the 50 most expensive moves. Liam Delap's big move to Nottingham Forest drew criticism for a fee that didn't make sense given his poor spell at Chelsea.

Women's Super League

London City Lionesses opened the new WSL season with a statement 2-1 win over Manchester United, courtesy of a superb flick from Danielle van de Donk and a strong performance from new signing Alexia Putellas. The Spanish international, who told fans there is more to come from her and the team, wasn't at full fluency but the result proved London City can live up to the hype that surrounded their star-studded summer. The win sends a clear message to the rest of the league. Putellas' performance and the new-look side's success was covered in detail, and the club is among the WSL's transfer window winners — which also features Tottenham — while Manchester United are among the losers.

Ahead of the new WSL season, BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team provides everything you need to know. There are also quizzes to test your knowledge of WSL stars and Bundesliga players. Has there been a changing of the guard for London sides as both Arsenal and Chelsea open their campaigns?

Birmingham City head coach Amy Merricks says her side will go "toe-to-toe" with champions Manchester City on their WSL return. Meanwhile, the UEFA Women's Champions League draw has set up a highlpot final race: Arsenal will face holders Barcelona and record winners Lyon, while Chelsea will travel to Lyon and Man City take on Bayern Munich. Early over-reactions point to a potential Barcelona–Arsenal final.

Other European Football

Paris Saint-Germain suffered a 2-1 home upset at the hands of Monaco, with Luis Enrique remaining unconcerned about his team's historic winless start to the season. The coach has been handed a significant vote of confidence, with PSG rewarding him and five squad members with new contracts, including a contract extension until 2030 as confirmed by BBC Sport. Enrique's new contract was widely expected, and the club had previously declared they were pleased with his work.

José Mourinho said he couldn't explain Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat earlier, while former Man United boss also questioned his side's performance. Atlético Madrid's coach Diego Simeone confirmed Julián Álvarez will return to the squad for the game at Athletic Club, calling his saga a "learning experience" where the star has to get an opportunity to turn his situation around (also covered by BBC Sports). Massimiliano Allegri said he regards Inter Milan as Serie A title favourites as he returns to San Siro with Napoli.

In Ligue, flak has flown at PSG, while a former PSG coach went into detail on latest. Folarin Bolagun was left out of Monaco's Conference League squad amid uncertainty over his future after the collapse of his move to Everton, which spotlights a broader USMNT transfer window.

Women's Champions League Draw

The UEFA Women's Champions League draw set up some explosive matchups. Arsenal will face holders Barcelona and record winners Lyon, while Chelsea will travel to Lyon and Man City take on Bayern Munich. The initial over-reactions highlight a potential Barça–Arsenal final. The official BBC coverage also included that particular warp.

Super League & EFL

The Women's Super League is already thriving, with London City Lionesses opening their new era with a comfortable 2-1 victory over Manchester United. The result was reinforced by a superb flick from Van de Donk that doubled the lead. The win came after a Star-studded summer. Tottenham's Women’s leader explains that the transfer window was a success. At the end of the window, Man United were not explained.

EFL and Scottish Football

EFL

– The Scottish FA are proposing financial incentives (and penalties) in a bid to get more homegrown talent playing, with clubs to vote on three initiatives aiming at increasing under-21 game time. The proposals, explained here and covered, will be a keyed agenda ast ahead of a wider forum. For more than 15 years, Scottish football has been asking what it could do better and experiments are summarised. The SPFL has announced there will be no away fans at Old Firm games this season – confirmed by BBC and Sky. Elsewhere, Derby County takeover collapse has been described, and owner David Clowes remains committed.

Championship

– With a weekend-ahead, here are five key talking points from Championship, League One and League Two.

NFL and Other Sport

In the world of boxing Katie Taylor bows out at Croke Park with the simple message of "Let's go one more time", as Sky Sports reports.

At the US Open** dynamic continued as Aryna Sabalenka complained of a strong smell of cannabis during her third-round win over Kamilla Rakhimova, a match she won, as Serena and Venus Williams suffered an agonizing doubles defeat at the tournament. The debate about the impact of influencers at Flushing Meadows continues.**

In racing, Heyzoom tries to bounce back at Ascot, while Big Mojo is fancied for the Sprint Cup. Hollie Doyle unpicks four big handicaps at Ascot, while the Sprint Cup at Liverpool heads the action. Thriston Lawrence leads the Omega European Masters in Switzerland, looking to emulate Golfer Balsteros with a lead at the halfway stage.

In cricket

– England have called up uncapped Derbyshire batter Aneurin Donald and Sussex seamer Henry Crocombe for the white-ball splashes vs Sri Lanka, as Sky Sports reports. In the Test arena, Pakistan's new coach Mike Hesson has said the team are "used to a little bit of chaos" ahead of the final Test against England. Surrey eased relegation fears with a last-wicket win over Yorkshire.

In the NFL

– in rugby league St Helens' recruitment is a question after defeat missed play-offs for the first time. Jamie Jones-Buchanan believes as they missed the play-offs; Hull KR lead Huddersfield at half-time, while St Helens briefly trailed and it was a tense part of the game formerly.

Tennis

– in the US Open exciting: The alphabet sisters lost under heartbreak.

Off-Pitch & Business

West Ham confirmed Daniel Kretinsky will become the club's largest shareholder following the Czech billionaire's investment. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur still do not have a stadium naming rights deal, with BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything explaining why after more than seven years. There is also news around several transfer buzz: Chelsea were offered replaced ex-Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma, while Coventry confirmed the signing of Yann Gboho — cousin of PSG's Doué. The final edition of the "Alternative transfer awards" hands out eight off-beat trophies, including left on the shelf and top data pick(https://headlinesbriefing.com/sports/sport-soccer/alternative-transfer-awards-hidden-gems-of-2026-window-c594a866e. Not a strong path, but with the solid review.