Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: November 1, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
Premier League: Arsenal at Anfield
Arsenal espn.com returned to Anfield for the first time in 14 years and left with a 1-0 win over Liverpool that moved them top of the table. Kai Havertz's early strike proved decisive, and the defence held firm against the Reds' expensive attack. Mikel Arteta espn.com said his players "loved the mission," while Declan Rice bbc.co.uk was singled out for an elite performance in midfield. Two flashpoints drew debate, including an Isak non-penalty and a Madueke-Mac Allister clash skysports.com that prompted VAR questions. Iraola, meanwhile, said Liverpool's players will be told to dive for penalties bbc.co.uk in future.
Manchester United Crisis
Manchester United's slide deepened after a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, in which Lisandro Martinez was sent off espn.com and the club now face a relegation battle. Michael Carrick said there would be no "stigma" attached to the side's form, but Gary Neville skysports.com warned the team is stuck in a worrying rut. Supporters are still backing Carrick skysports.com, who has presided over the club's worst start in 40 years. Erik ten Hag, meanwhile, told ESPN Cristiano Ronaldo was not fit espn.com for United, while Al Nassr rested Ronaldo espn.com ahead of their Champions League trip. In the transfer market, Balogun espn.com has been linked, and United are reportedly eyeing Balde bbc.co.uk from Barcelona.
Europe's Top Leagues
Real Madrid espn.com secured a fourth straight La Liga win, with Mbappé and Bellingham both on target in a 3-0 victory over Racing Santander. AC Milan espn.com beat rivals Inter 3-1 in the derby, with Christian Pulisic scoring inside five minutes, and the American has since extended his contract espn.com to 2031. PSG espn.com set a club record as Achraf Hakimi claimed his first career hat trick. Bayern and Dortmund drew 2-2 in Der Klassiker after Harry Kane missed a penalty espn.com. Brighton espn.com inflicted a second straight defeat on Manchester City, and Barcelona's Hansi Flick joked that it is easier to substitute Lamine Yamal espn.com when he has scored.
Scottish Football
Falkirk skysports.com claimed their first win over Celtic in 19 years, a result that has prompted Chris Sutton to blame Martin O'Neill skysports.com for the club's struggles. Celtic have now lost six of their last ten matches, raising questions about the side's regression bbc.co.uk. O'Neill insisted that a frozen-out midfielder still has a future bbc.co.uk at the club. In the Scottish Cup, Hibs beat Hearts 2-1 skysports.com to reach the League Cup final against Rangers, with Marink Reedijk winning his first match as Hibernian boss.
Women's Football
Chelsea thrashed Charlton 6-0 skysports.com in the WSL, while Manchester City beat London City. Alessia Russo rescued a draw skysports.com for Arsenal late on. Drew Spence broke the WSL appearance record bbc.co.uk, and Nashville, in MLS, tied Miami's single-season points record espn.com after a 3-2 win over the Red Bulls. In the NWSL, the Decision Day scenarios espn.com are set to decide the Shield and the playoff places.
Coming Up
Arsenal will look to build on their Anfield win as they take the Premier League lead espn.com. The NWSL's Decision Day espn.com will settle the Shield and the remaining playoff places.