Football/Soccer 8 Hours

Last updated: September 12, 2026, 10:29 PM ET

Premier League: Arsenal Edge Sunderland to Top the Table

Arsenal continued their winning start to the Premier League season with a gritty 2-0 victory at Sunderland, a result that moved them above Manchester City at the summit. Bruno Guimaraes scored a stunning goal just two minutes after David Raya had saved a penalty, a decisive swing that proved the difference at the Stadium of Light. Raya was the hero of the afternoon, and the player ratings reflected his importance, with the goalkeeper earning a 9/10 while Guimaraes was awarded 8/10 for his match-winning contribution. The BBC's own ratings panel likewise singled out both men as crucial to the outcome, underscoring how narrow the margin truly was.

Arteta Fumes Over Penalty Decision

Mikel Arteta was left furious despite the win, describing the penalty awarded to Sunderland as "unacceptable". The Arsenal manager raged at the call that could have cost his side a result, and he did not hide his frustration afterward. He said the game had been left "unprotected" by the officiating, even as his players survived the scare to extend their winning run. The victory keeps Arsenal's momentum intact heading into a demanding stretch of fixtures.

Spurs Winless and Goalless After Everton Stalemate

Tottenham's difficult start to the season deepened with a 0-0 draw at home to Everton, leaving them both winless and goalless in the Premier League. The bore draw extended a drought that is already raising questions about the new era at the club. BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty warned that a brave new era risks turning into a false dawn if the goals do not arrive soon. The player ratings made grim reading for Dominic Solanke, who struggled throughout, while Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite was solid at the back. Manager Roberto de Zerbi admitted his squad lacks both physical condition and confidence, though he insisted they can overcome the slow start.

Liverpool Held Again at Anfield

Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham at Anfield, their second straight home stalemate to open the campaign. Manager Andoni Iraola cited a lack of freshness among his players but refused to use fatigue as an excuse for the dropped points. The result has already prompted scrutiny, with questions mounting over whether it is too early to worry about a side that has failed to win either of its first two league games on home soil.

Chelsea's Defensive Frailties Exposed in Hull Draw

Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by newly promoted Hull City at Stamford Bridge, and Xabi Alonso was far from pleased. The Chelsea boss called for more desire in defence and warned it will take time to fix the frailties at the back, admitting he wants his side to grind out "boring" wins instead. The mood around Stamford Bridge was subdued afterward, with Alonso unhappy with a soft Chelsea performance that let two points slip against a newly promoted side.

Mbappé Fires Real Madrid Past Rayo

Kylian Mbappé continued his blistering start to the season with two goals and an assist as Real Madrid returned to winning ways in LaLiga with a 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano. The Madrid win was built on Mbappé's brilliance, reasserting the champions' authority after a recent stumble.

Pulisic Inspires Milan Comeback at Lazio

Christian Pulisic marked his first appearance since the 2026 World Cup with an assist as AC Milan rallied from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw at Lazio. Pulisic helped Diego Moreira score twice in the space of three minutes, completing a remarkable turnaround in Serie A. It was a satisfying return for the American, who marked his comeback with a decisive contribution after the disappointment of the World Cup exit.

Barcelona: Flick Hails Raphinha's New Role

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has praised Raphinha as "unbelievable" after converting the Brazilian into a striker this season. Flick called him one of the best in the world in his new No. 9 role, a positional switch that has paid immediate dividends for the Catalan club.

Man United: Defensive Rebuild Under Scrutiny

Questions are mounting over Manchester United's transfer strategy, with their slow rebuild — prioritizing one position each summer — having left them light at the back. The slow rebuild approach has drawn criticism as the club prepares for a crucial derby. Amid the uncertainty, Diogo Dalot insisted he still has the desire to win the biggest trophies at Old Trafford, with the eight-year veteran reaffirming his commitment ahead of another pivotal derby.

Arsenal: Gabriel Eyes UCL Redemption; Transfer Gossip

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães has said he is "eager" for another chance to take a penalty in a Champions League final, seeking penalty redemption after his previous miss. Off the pitch, the club is monitoring Como's Nico Paz, while Liverpool and Aston Villa are tracking Cher Ndour and Sunderland are refusing to give up on Geny Catamo, according to Sunday's gossip.

Leicester's Long Fall From Glory

A decade after their stunning Premier League title and Champions League debut, Leicester City have endured a sad descent to English football's third tier. The painful decline raises the question of whether there is a way back for the fallen champions.

EFL and Scottish Cup Roundup

In the EFL, BBC Final Score pundit Sam Parkin examined the weekend's talking points, including West Ham's dominance and relief for Russell Martin's side. In Scotland, Aberdeen and Hibs both advanced to the League Cup semi-finals, with 10-man Aberdeen heaping misery on Kilmarnock as both sides progressed. The first Old Firm meeting of the season arrives with Rangers and Celtic set to clash in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals, a tie steeped in intrigue given the absence of away fans, past European calamities and derby debuts.

Around Europe and Beyond

Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal returned to his duties on Saturday, contradicting reports from the day before suggesting his resignation was final. In the Premier League, Jordan Pickford joined the 100 clean sheet club, becoming one of a select group of goalkeepers to reach the milestone. Meanwhile, the weekend's live coverage tracked Arsenal's trip to Sunderland alongside Tottenham's ongoing winless run.

US Open: Rybakina Wins Title, Shelton Reaches First Final

Elena Rybakina cemented her position as world No 1 by dethroning two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka to claim her maiden US Open title in New York. On the men's side, Ben Shelton reached his first Grand Slam final and said he is ready to "do it for the USA" when he faces top seed Alexander Zverev in the US Open final.

Athletics: Hodgkinson Takes Silver in 800m

Keely Hodgkinson settled for silver in the hotly anticipated women's 800m final at the World Athletics Championships, beaten by her Swiss rival Audrey Werro. The 800m final delivered a stunning result as Werro claimed the title.

Golf: Hull to Lead Europe in Solheim Cup Singles

Anna Nordqvist has backed Charley Hull to lead Europe out first in the Sunday singles, insisting Hull's game is "right where it needs to be". The Solheim Cup singles lineup sees the Englishwoman entrusted with setting the tone for Team Europe.

Darts: Van Gerwen Knocked Out in Antwerp

Michael van Gerwen is out of the Flanders Darts Trophy after Damon Heta edged a tight second-round clash in Antwerp, with neither player losing a leg against the throw. The Antwerp upset saw Nathan Aspinall shine on a day of surprises.

Rugby: South Africa vs All Blacks in Baltimore

South Africa scored a spectacular try against the All Blacks in Baltimore, lighting up the latest chapter of rugby's fiercest rivalry. The super try headlined live coverage of the Test match in the United States.

WSL: West Ham Claim First Win

West Ham claimed their first Women's Super League win of the season with a 2-1 home victory over London City Lionesses. The 2-1 result gave the Hammers a much-needed lift early in the campaign.