Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: September 21, 2026, 6:01 AM ET

Manchester City Chaos at the Etihad

Manchester City head into the extended international break three points clear at the top of the Premier League after an utterly bonkers 5-3 victory over Sunderland that produced eight goals and complete defensive disarray. Erling Haaland set a unique milestone by scoring the eighth goal of the game, capping a chaotic afternoon in which the Norwegian once again rewrote the record books. Enzo Maresca could enjoy a little relaxation over the break after his side passed what he described as a "difficult" Sunderland test, though the defensive lapses that allowed Sunderland to score three times will give him plenty to ponder. The result left Manchester City in a jubilant mood and piling pressure on Arsenal, who now trail the champions heading into the pause. Brian Brobbey hit a hat-trick on the losing side, a remarkable individual feat rendered meaningless by his team's defensive collapse, and the player ratings from the eight-goal thriller made for grim reading for the Sunderland back line. Sky Sports' analysis described Maresca's City as serving up pure chaos, with Cody Gakpo shining for Liverpool elsewhere on a weekend that delivered drama across the board.

Liverpool Edge Bournemouth as Isak Finds Form

Alexander Isak scored the winning goal as Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0 on Andoni Iraola's return to the Vitality Stadium, handing the Reds a hard-fought three points on the road. The question on everyone's lips was whether Isak has finally found form at Liverpool, with the Swedish striker's winning goal at Bournemouth offering Iraola hope that his expensive attack is beginning to click after looking devoid of a spark for much of the early season. New arrival Jeremy Jacquet earned heaped praise from Iraola after an impressive performance at the back, marking a clear step forward in his adaptation to English football. The defensive display was solid throughout, though Iraola still needs more from his attacking players if Liverpool are to sustain a title challenge. Player ratings from the south-coast clash saw both Jacquet and Alisson impress greatly, with the Brazilian goalkeeper producing key saves to preserve the clean sheet. Jamie Carragher, however, was scathing about Florian Wirtz, calling it one of the worst displays he has seen from the German and suggesting he cannot start against Manchester City on current form.

Manchester United Rescue Late Point at Fulham

Manchester United failed to win yet again as a comical own goal from Lisandro Martinez gifted Fulham the lead before Matheus Cunha's late deflected equaliser grabbed a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage. Cunha's 89th-minute strike, which took a significant deflection, saved United from another embarrassing defeat and rescued a point that papered over the cracks of another disjointed performance. Michael Carrick played down concerns that Manchester United's poor start to the season is down to fitness issues, insisting his squad is in good physical condition despite the laboured display. Gary Neville was having none of it, urging Carrick to stop defending his players after what he branded a "disgrace" at Fulham. The pressure intensified further when Alvaro Arbeloa accused the referees of not wanting Manchester United to lose, adding a conspiratorial edge to the growing scrutiny surrounding the club's stuttering campaign.

Mourinho's Derby Meltdown in Madrid

Jose Mourinho blasted the referee and VAR after Real Madrid's 2-1 derby defeat, claiming his side should have had "two red cards" awarded in their favour during a stormy post-match press conference. The Portuguese manager held up pictures of two tackles to the assembled media, theatrically displaying what he considered clear officiating errors that cost his team the match. In a further escalation, Mourinho printed out screenshots displaying the two incidents he believed the officials got wrong, turning his press conference into an impromptu evidence session. The display was vintage Mourinho, deflecting attention from his team's performance by targeting the officiating, though the defeat leaves Real Madrid with serious questions to answer in the title race.

Old Firm: Rangers Compound Celtic's Misery

Rangers secured a narrow win at Celtic Park in the first Old Firm league game of the season, piling pressure on Celtic boss Martin O'Neill and flipping the narrative in Glasgow. Highlights of the 2026/27 Scottish Premiership clash showed Rangers grinding out the result in a tense encounter that left Celtic searching for answers. Martin O'Neill admitted he might be time to wrap it up, saying he will use the international break to reflect on his position after another damaging defeat to the club's fiercest rivals. Roy Keane's appearance at Celtic Park as O'Neill ponders his future only added to the speculation, with the Irishman's presence fuelling gossip about a potential changing of the guard in the Celtic dugout. Tom English reflected on the derby, observing that Rangers look like a club that knows where it wants to go while Celtic simply look lost. Derek McInnes is starting to make his mark at Ibrox, with consecutive Old Firm derby wins demonstrating that his Rangers project is gathering genuine momentum.

Premier League Early Season Lessons

Five matches into the league season, BBC Sport took stock of which Premier League teams have impressed and which have disappointed, with some sides described as "far from their best" and others a "joy to watch." As the break looms, key lessons have emerged from the opening weeks, including the surprising resilience of certain mid-table sides and the struggles of expected contenders. In the Championship, Norwich suffered their second successive 4-3 defeat as Bolton prevailed in a seven-goal thriller at Carrow Road. Crystal Palace secured a valuable point at unbeaten Leeds in a goalless stalemate at Elland Road, with Pierre Sarr marshalling the Palace defence superbly.

USMNT: Pepi Out, Downs In, Next Generation Arrives

Ricardo Pepi was replaced on the squad by striker Downs ahead of the United States men's national team's match against Chile, handing the replacement a golden opportunity to stake his claim. Pepi's injury in a PSV match raised significant concerns for the USMNT, with the striker forced to be substituted during club duty in the Netherlands. In more encouraging news, Sullivan and the USMNT's gifted next generation kick-started the road to the 2030 World Cup, with no Christian Pulisic in the squad but enormous potential on display from the young group.

Pulisic and Milan Maintain Unbeaten Run

Christian Pulisic scored his first Milan goal of 2026 as AC Milan continued their unbeaten Serie A run with a commanding 3-0 win over Lecce at San Siro. The American's goal was the highlight of a comfortable afternoon for the Rossoneri, who remain firmly in the title picture.

Marseille Fans Revolt Against American Ownership

Angry Marseille fans displayed hostile banners directed at the club's American owner Frank McCourt, protesting what they branded his "Ligue 2 project" in a scathing indictment of the club's direction under foreign ownership.

Messi Magic Not Enough as Miami Draw Again

Lionel Messi scored his 101st goal for Inter Miami CF, but Anders Dreyer outdueled the Argentine as San Diego FC rallied to hand Miami their fourth straight draw in a 2-2 stalemate. The result leaves Miami searching for answers despite Messi's continued individual brilliance.

Referees' Union Clashes with MLS NEXT Pro Over Higuain

The union representing MLS and USL referees launched a scathing critique of MLS NEXT Pro over its handling of discipline involving Higuain, with the dispute centering on the league's treatment of the former star striker.

Townsend's Remarkable Escape

Former England international Andros Townsend remarkably escaped injury after being run over by a pitch roller, an incident that could have had far more serious consequences for the veteran winger.

Transfer Rumors: Arsenal, Spurs, Endrick and More

Arsenal are monitoring Dortmund forward Maximilian Beier as a potential January addition, with Manchester United also targeting Mesloub in a busy transfer landscape. Spurs could move for Morgan Gibbs-White in a £125m January move, while JJ Gabriel's next step remains unresolved amid the speculation. Liverpool and Manchester City are both looking at Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu, while Arsenal could offer Endrick a way out of Real Madrid as the Brazilian struggles for minutes at the Bernabeu.

International Break: Longest Ever and Its Benefits

Fans have grown used to international games interrupting the club season, but this international break is the longest ever, and there are genuine reasons to believe that is a good thing for clubs and players alike. Northern Ireland's return to Nations League B will see them face a player of Kvaratskhelia's quality, presenting a stern test in their campaign opener. The pros and cons of being a long-distance football manager were explored through the experiences of former Stoke City managers who commuted from afar.

Palmer Withdraws from England Squad

Cole Palmer is withdrawing from the England squad because of a muscle injury, handing the Chelsea playmaker a frustrating international break on the sidelines.

Southampton's Spygate Verdict Looms

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert awaits the FA hearing into his 'Spygate' misconduct case amid club controversy, with the manager stating he has "asked for forgiveness" as the club braces for the verdict.

Cardiff's Owner and the 1,000-Day Absence

BBC Sport Wales assessed Vincent Tan's often controversial stewardship of Cardiff City, marking 1,000 days without the owner attending a single game.

Ipswich Investigate Racist Abuse of Fatawu

Ipswich Town condemned the abuse directed at Abdul Fatawu as "completely unacceptable" and confirmed the player has received support as the club investigates the racist incident.

Boxing: Fisher vs Pirotton Golden Ticket Fight

All eyes turn to Johnny Fisher's heavyweight clash with Michael Pirotton, a "golden ticket" fight with significant implications for both men's careers, with full details on fight time, ringwalks, undercard and how to watch.

Formula 1: Antonelli's Mind Key to Title Race

Former Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg believes Kimi Antonelli's biggest obstacle is his own mind as the young Italian contends for the 2026 title, suggesting the psychological battle will decide the championship.

NFL: Flores Dominates Bears, Williams Injured

Brian Flores struck again as his Vikings defense dominated the Bears in a 9-3 defeat, with another New Orleans Saints comeback and mounting pressure elsewhere rounding out the weekend review. Caleb Williams suffered an injury in the Bears' loss as the Saints shocked the Ravens in a dramatic set of results.

Golf: Spaun Wins BMW PGA as McIlroy Falters

JJ Spaun outlasted a packed leaderboard on Sunday at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, claiming a significant victory ahead of his Presidents Cup debut. Spaun said he played with a huge chip on his shoulder after being snubbed by Team USA, using the disappointment as fuel for his Wentworth triumph. Rory McIlroy turned his attention to chasing down Patrick Reed for another Race to Dubai title after a near-miss at Wentworth, admitting "I had my chances" in a frustrating final round. Jacob Bridgeman heads into his Presidents Cup debut as a two-time PGA Tour winner after racing to the Biltmore Championship title. England's Charlotte Heath secured her maiden LET title in dramatic fashion at the La Sella Open, bouncing back after blowing a lead to claim her first Ladies European Tour victory. The DP World Tour plans to keep its Play-Offs in the UAE despite player safety concerns, with chief executive Guy Kinnings confirming the Middle East will remain the host region.

Darts: Smith Thrases Price, Littler's Sweep Ends

Ross Smith thrashed Gerwyn Price 11-5 to become World Series of Darts Finals champion after Luke Littler's shock exit from the tournament. Littler's bid for a clean sweep of all major PDC titles in 2026 ended in Amsterdam after a crushing defeat to Clayton, ending one of the most anticipated storylines of the darts calendar.

Cricket: Middlesex End 36-Year Wait

Middlesex ended a 36-year List A trophy drought by beating Leicestershire Foxes in the Metro Bank One Day Cup final, a landmark achievement for the county.

Rugby: Ireland Blow 19-Point Lead Against USA

Ireland blew a 19-point lead to suffer a stunning 40-36 loss to the USA in their opening WXV Global Series match, a collapse that will haunt the Irish squad.

Match of the Day Highlights

With Man City v Sunderland and Andoni Iraola's return to Bournemouth with Liverpool, Match of the Day delivered comprehensive highlights of a dramatic Premier League weekend.