Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: August 29, 2026, 2:19 PM ET

Premier League: Liverpool Held, Cherki Inspires City

Liverpool’s new era under Arne Slot hit an early snag as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest at Anfield, with Victor Muñoz thumping in a deflected leveller to rescue a point. The result exposed lingering issues from last season, as Andoni Iraola’s side showed the same shortcomings that cost Slot his job last term. Iraola fumed at an electronic board issue that delayed his substitutions before Forest’s penalty, claiming the goal would not have occurred had the fourth official’s equipment worked properly. Morgan Gibbs-White was the standout performer, earning high praise in player ratings for his display. Alexander Isak scored his first goal of the season in the draw, but questions remain over how Liverpool can get the best out of him consistently.

Manchester City maintained their perfect Premier League start with a 4-1 victory at Crystal Palace, inspired by Rayan Cherki’s two goals. Jamie Redknapp hailed the midfielder as a “genius” after the match, with Cherki and Erling Haaland providing the firepower to challenge Arsenal for the title. Elsewhere, James Tarkowski’s stoppage-time goal denied Bournemouth victory on Marco Rose’s home Premier League debut, earning Everton a dramatic 2-2 draw. Liam Millar scored late to seal Hull’s second straight win, 1-0 at Coventry, extending Frank Lampard’s side’s 25-year wait for a Premier League win.

West Ham remain winless after a 1-1 draw at Watford, with Nuno Espirito Santo still searching for his first league victory in front of Vicarage Road’s biggest crowd in six years. Wrexham’s winless run extended to four games as they fell 2-1 to Birmingham at the Racecourse Ground, with Phil Parkinson left “shellshocked” by the “unacceptable” goals conceded. Defender Dom Hyam suggested the side may need a “horrible” streak to rectify their defensive issues.

Championship Roundup: Charlton Top, Saints & Wolves Shine

Charlton moved to the top of the Championship table with a 1-0 victory over Preston, maintaining their perfect start to the season. Lincoln earned their first second-tier win in 65 years as Ben House’s 66th-minute goal gave them a 1-0 win at previously-unbeaten Bolton. QPR came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at Blackburn, making it two wins from three in the Sky Bet Championship.

Norwich cruised to an emphatic 4-1 home win over Burnley to finally get their campaign up and running. Cyle Larin proved why Southampton boss Tonda Eckert rates him as the best striker in the Championship, scoring a double in a 5-1 demolition of Millwall that shattered the visitors’ perfect start. Wolves came from behind to beat Stoke 4-1 and continue their unbeaten start, while Will Lankshear made it six goals in five games as Middlesbrough won 3-1 against West Brom. Swansea remained unbeaten after goals from Joseph Opoku, Eom Ji-sung and Ronald secured a 3-0 win at Derby.

Transfer News: Barcola, Álvarez, Jackson & More

Liverpool are closing in on a £123m deal for PSG forward Bradley Barcola, a move that could increase doubts over Cody Gakpo’s future. The Reds could spend up to €140 million in their deal for the winger, raising questions about whether he is the man to replace Mohamed Salah long term. Nottingham Forest have agreed a £22m deal with Crystal Palace for Daniel Muñoz, and have also launched an ambitious £40m bid for Everton teenager Harrison Armstrong.

Julián Álvarez, a target for Barcelona and Arsenal, is being lined up for a return to Manchester City, according to Transfer Talk. Aston Villa completed the signing of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea on Friday in a £65m deal, with Ollie Watkins looking set to join Al-Hilal. BBC Sport examines what Jackson will bring to Villa with Watkins set for exit. Al Hilal are also closing in on Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli in a deal worth up to €65 million ($76m).

Arsenal are reportedly in talks with Real Madrid for Endrick as they chase a left winger, while the Gunners and Barcelona are monitoring Marcus Rashford’s situation. Fulham are in talks to sign Romania defender Andrei Ratiu from Rayo Vallecano, while Tottenham have rejected a season-long loan offer from Sunderland for Kevin Danso. Man City had been tracking Ayyoub Bouaddi since he emerged at age, and the club’s €100m signing of the teenager signals their intent for both the present and future. With the transfer window still open, ESPN examines how Arsenal’s rivals can dethrone the reigning champs.

European Football: Bayern, PSG, Milan & More

Bayern Munich kicked off their Bundesliga season in style with a 5-1 win over Stuttgart, with Michael Olise among the scorers. Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique praised his team’s fighting spirit after they scored two stoppage-time goals to secure a 2-2 draw against Lille in Ligue. Christian Pulisic was an unused substitute as Ruben Amorim continued his perfect start to Serie A life at AC Milan with a 2-0 win over Venezia.

Cristiano Ronaldo secured a 2-1 victory over Al Taawoun, extending Al Nassr’s perfect record and keeping them atop the Saudi Pro League. The tiny town of Elversberg, with a population of just 13,000 and no train station, is aiming to defy the odds in their Bundesliga debut. UEFA flexed its muscles at the Champions League draw in Monaco, taking their battle with FIFA president Gianni Infantino into criminal court with criminal charges filed.

EFL & Scottish Football

The European football weekend is in full swing with all five of the continent’s major leagues finally in action, as Premier League action continues after Liverpool’s draw with Forest. EFL highlights from the weekend include Charlton going top, Wolves and Saints winning, and West Ham being held. Jose Mourinho says the three-week international break is a “concern” for Real Madrid, with several key players facing a demanding schedule after the World Cup in his latest comments.

Jim Goodwin will be missing from Dundee United’s dugout against Kilmarnock after being admitted to hospital on Thursday, the Scottish Premiership club confirmed. Celtic are reportedly close to signing PSV Eindhoven’s Joel van den Berg, but they and Rangers appear to have missed out on other targets. Rangers will provide Celtic with 300 tickets for the League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on 13 September. Celtic and Rangers have been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors after fan disorder last season. Read the best storylines before this weekend’s full card of Scottish Premiership fixtures, including how clubs will respond to Euro disappointments. Derek McInnes says Rangers are “a long way away” from what he wants but backs himself to deliver success at Ibrox.

Rugby League, Golf & Other Sports

Wigan Warriors retained the League Leaders’ Shield after a 26-20 victory over Leeds Rhinos, moving within one game of a second consecutive treble. Leeds returned to the top of the Betfred Super League with a convincing 34-6 victory at St Helens on Friday. Viktor Hovland holds a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship, with Scottie Scheffler firmly in FedExCup contention. Rory McIlroy is chasing a fast start as Hovland shares the lead at East Lake.

Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris has extended his contract with McLaren until at least 2030, saying there is “nowhere else I want to be”. Wimbledon star Arthur Fery continued his dream summer by reaching the final of the Winston-Salem Open on Friday. Take a look at Sunday’s opening singles order of play at the US Open, with four Brits and Novak Djokovic in action. Beau Greaves took Rob Cross to a last-leg decider before losing out 6-5 on her European Tour debut in the first round of the Hungarian Darts Trophy.

Mikaela Mayer and Natasha Cameron will seek to cement their greatness in what could be the fight of the year, following a heated weigh-in clash. Scaffolding has been put back up at a snooker club wall where its mural of Ronnie O’Sullivan went viral, with some comparing it to a zombie. We have an action-packed day’s racing on Saturday with flat action from Chepstow, Windsor and Saratoga, live on Sky Sports Racing.

Cricket, Boxing & Other News

England lost a wicket shortly after resumption against Pakistan at Lord’s on day three of the second Test, with live score updates available. In 1956 a football photographer captured a moment in time that is still adored 70 years later, and the story of why one of sport’s most iconic images still resonates is told. Craig Kirby thought about quitting football following the death of his son, but at 50 he didn’t expect to go viral documenting his final season in a story that has become an inspiration. Frank Lampard cites Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti as the main influences on his style, saying he is “somewhere in the middle” of the two managerial greats. Newcastle midfielder Lewis Miley is backed to “go as far as he wants” as the 20-year-old prepares to face former team-mate Sandro Tonali at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Kieran Trippier praising his presence.

MLS, Man City & More

After the World Cup, MLS ran an ad that read: “We’ll take it from here.” In its made-up Leagues Cup, though, the only thing it has taken is an L, as the implosion highlights how much work the league has left. Manchester City fans submitted more than 180,000 AI-generated kit designs, but the club chose Elliott’s to wear as their third shirt in 2026-27. ESPN’s new ranking of the top 10 soccer players in the world right now might surprise you, with the full list available here. Martin Ho, Vic Pelova, Kirsty Hanson, Signe Gaupset and Tinka Tandberg join Ben Haines on the latest BBC Women’s Football Weekly.