Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 25, 2026, 3:40 PM ET
Premier League
Manchester United collapsed espn.com at Old Trafford, with Bournemouth scoring three after Michael Carrick dropped captain Bruno Fernandes to the bench. Fernandes's bench demotion bbc.co.uk has drawn questions about whether the gamble backfired, and Tony Pulis argued the club needs stability bbc.co.uk rather than further changes. Carrick himself insisted the club is manageable bbc.co.uk, even as pressure mounts on him.
Tottenham won 2-0 at Chelsea espn.com, only their second Premier League win at Stamford Bridge, and Roberto De Zerbi called them the complete team espn.com. The result ended a 42-game winless run and lifted Spurs to 12th, their highest league position in some time. Chelsea's afternoon unravelled further after Palmer's red card and a Penders own goal, with Tottenham sealing the win skysports.com.
Palace scored their first-ever goal against Chelsea skysports.com before Chelsea fought back, with Sandy Baltimore coming off the bench to rescue a comeback skysports.com in the women's fixture. Pressure on Palace's Oliver Glasner grew after a heavy home defeat to Newcastle skysports.com.
Manchester City lost at Aston Villa espn.com, ending their unbeaten Premier League record at the start of a season, while Arsenal moved level on points espn.com with City at the top. Arteta is also compiling footage skysports.com of rival managers leaving their technical areas.
Liverpool have struggled for goals bbc.co.uk in the league despite scoring 15 in four cup games, and Sheffield Wednesday sacked Henrik Pedersen bbc.co.uk after less than 15 months in charge.
La Liga
Barcelona can make history bbc.co.uk against Real Madrid, and Hansi Flick outlined a plan espn.com to contain Mbappé. Real Madrid face the Clásico without Thibaut Courtois, who is out with flu espn.com. Julián Álvarez apologized to Atlético fans espn.com over his bid to join Barcelona, after his goal helped Atlético close the gap espn.com on the leaders.
Serie A & Bundesliga
Napoli and Roma drew 3-3 espn.com in a derby that featured two Roma fightbacks and a McTominay double. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany is stable espn.com but could be away for weeks, and Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly tracking Bayern forward Karl espn.com.
MLS & Scotland
Nashville SC clinched the Supporters' Shield espn.com after a 2-0 win, and Red Bull beat Inter Miami espn.com courtesy of a Casemiro own goal, with Messi coming off the bench espn.com. In Scotland, Celtic restored their four-point lead skysports.com with a Duran winner at Hibs, while Alistair Johnston felt something again bbc.co.uk, prompting injury concerns, and Rangers bounced back bbc.co.uk with a 4-0 win over St Johnstone.
Other Football
Neymar was sent off espn.com under the "Vinícius Júnior rule" for covering his mouth and left furious. England won the cerebral palsy World Cup bbc.co.uk for the first time, and Cardiff's Brian Barry-Murphy spoke emotionally bbc.co.uk about a tribute win linked to Aberfan. In the WSL, Manchester United's recent turnaround bbc.co.uk has been notable, and Huddersfield top the EFL bbc.co.uk while Derby struggle.
Coming Up
Barcelona and Real Madrid meet in the Clásico bbc.co.uk, with Barça aiming to make La Liga history. Pressure on Carrick is expected to keep building, with BBC Sport mapping out the Premier League's sacking season bbc.co.uk.