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Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool: Reds’ unbeaten run ends

Liverpool’s 17-game unbeaten streak came to a halt after a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, with late drama sealing the Reds’ first loss of the season.

Arne Slot’s men were outplayed for much of the contest as Palace struck early through Ismaila Sarr, before Eddie Nketiah’s late goal secured victory despite Federico Chiesa’s equaliser.

Palace strike first

The hosts made a blistering start, capitalising on a defensive lapse when Ryan Gravenberch failed to clear a corner, allowing Sarr to fire home from close range.

Liverpool relied on goalkeeper Alisson, who pulled off a string of world-class saves to keep Palace at bay before the break.

Liverpool falter despite Alisson’s brilliance

Alisson continued to frustrate Palace in the second half, denying Jean-Philippe Mateta in a one-on-one. Liverpool then grew into the game but Florian Wirtz wasted a big chance to open his account before being substituted.

Late drama seals Reds’ first loss

Substitute Chiesa appeared to rescue Liverpool with another late equaliser, but Palace had the final say when Nketiah pounced on a long throw to send the home crowd into jubilation.

Palace remain the only unbeaten side in the Premier League, while Liverpool’s title push has suffered a setback.

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Brighton 3-1 Chelsea: Welbeck double seals comeback win go Seagulls

Brighton came from behind to stun 10-man Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, with Danny Welbeck scoring twice in a dramatic second-half turnaround.

The Blues had taken the lead through Enzo Fernandez in the 24th minute, but their momentum collapsed after Trevoh Chalobah was sent off early in the second half.

Chelsea undone by red card

Chalobah’s dismissal for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity left Chelsea playing with 10 men for the second straight Premier League match.

Despite holding onto their narrow lead, Enzo Maresca’s side struggled to withstand Brighton’s growing pressure.

Welbeck inspires Brighton’s comeback

Danny Welbeck struck in the 77th minute to level the contest before Maxim De Cuyper powered home a close-range header to put Brighton ahead.

Welbeck then completed the turnaround with his second goal late on, sealing all three points for the visitors.

Blues slump continues

The result condemned Chelsea to back-to-back league defeats, after falling 2-1 at Old Trafford last weekend.

They will hope to pick themselves up again, when they face Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday.

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Brentford 3-1 Man United: Fernandes penalty miss costly as Red Devils slump after Chelsea win

Manchester United failed once again to secure back-to-back Premier League victories after falling 3-1 to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Bruno Fernandes’ missed penalty in the second half proved crucial as Ruben Amorim’s side slipped back into old habits just a week after defeating Chelsea.

 

United’s barren run of consecutive league wins now stretches back to May 2024.

 

Brentford capitalise on United’s frailties

Brentford’s Benjamin Sesko finally opened his account after earlier misses. Harry Maguire’s failed attempt to play Igor Thiago offside gifted the hosts their opener before Thiago struck again on 20 minutes, pouncing after Altay Bayindir parried into his path.

Mathias Jensen sealed the win in added time, leaving United’s defence and midfield exposed.

Despite Bayindir producing several key saves, United’s lack of urgency and poor pressing left them under constant pressure.

 

Fernandes and Dalot show frustration

 

Fernandes cut a frustrated figure throughout the game, arguing with teammates and officials.

He was booked for a rash challenge on Dango Ouattara after protesting referee Craig Pawson’s decisions.

Diogo Dalot, back from injury, endured a torrid afternoon, repeatedly beaten for pace and misplacing key passes.

His lapse of concentration contributed to Brentford’s dominance on the flanks, with United supporters voicing their anger from the stands.

Amorim under pressure again

Manager Ruben Amorim stuck to his 3-4-2-1 system despite United struggling for attacking fluency.

Mason Mount was deployed out wide, but the tactical shift failed to change the flow of the game.

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Ballon d’Or 2025: Dembele Reveals First Person To Congratulate Him For Beating Yamal

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has disclosed who was the first to congratulate him on winning this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The Frenchman recently won the award ahead of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in Paris after recording the highest points.

The 28-year-old spoke with L’Equipe as he disclosed that Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi was the first person who congratulate him for his achievement.

He also added revealed that the likes of Luis Suarez and Xavi also congratulated him.

“Messi congratulated me first, he sent me a message directly,” Dembele said via @ReshadFCB (as reported by Sportskeeda).

“Xavi and Luis Suárez also sent me their congratulations. They were all very happy for me.”

Dembele and Messi were former Barcelona teammates in the past during their time at Camp Nou.

The former Dortmund star won the treble in the 2024-25 season with PSG, scoring 33 goals and registering 13 assists in 49 appearances in all competitions for the club.

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I Would Have Been Dead If Not For My Wife – Football Legend, Wayne Rooney Confesses

English football legend Wayne Rooney has admitted that he believes he might not be alive today if not for his wife, Coleen, who helped him overcome his struggles with alcohol.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the former England and Manchester United star told his friend and former teammate Rio Ferdinand that at the peak of his career, he would “drink for two days straight.”

Recalling that period, the 39-year-old said his routine was: “come training and at the weekend I’d score two goals and then I’d go back and go and drink for two days straight again.”

He credited his wife with stepping in to manage his behavior. “She helped me control that massively and managed me because I needed managing,” Rooney said, adding, “I honestly believe, if she weren’t there, I’d be dead.”

Rooney recalled meeting Coleen when they were secondary school students in Liverpool and marrying her in 2008 after six years of dating. He noted that she saw his issues early on.

“When I was 17, she could see, she knew my mind and she knew I was a bit out there,”
he said. “I loved my football, obsessed with football, but also I loved a night out or whatever, going out. She’s seen it very early on and she’s controlled that. Well, not controlled, but helped me control that massively.”

Rooney also revealed that during his time playing for Manchester United, he would attempt to hide his drinking sessions from manager Sir Alex Ferguson by chewing gum and using eye drops.

The couple, who have four children, have faced several public incidents related to Rooney’s infidelity and alcohol use, for which he has issued public apologies. He was famously arrested for drink-driving in Cheshire in 2017, pleading guilty, and was subsequently banned from driving for two years and fined by his then-team, Everton. He was also arrested for “public intoxication” in the US a year later and paid a fine.

Having recently left his role as head coach at Plymouth Argyle, Rooney now hosts his own BBC podcast and works as a pundit on Match Of The Day.

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Sergio Busquets Announces He Is Set To Retire From Football At The End Of MLS Season

Spanish football legend Sergio Busquets has announced that he will retire from professional football at the end of the MLS season in October.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano first revealed the news on Friday, writing on 𝕏: “Sergio Busquets RETIRES from professional football at the end of the MLS season! Decision made by Spanish midfielder… who’s leaving Inter Miami and professional football in October. Legend and icon of the game.”

Shortly after, the 36-year-old midfielder confirmed it himself with a heartfelt video on Instagram, where he wrote: “A heartfelt thank you to everyone, and to football, for everything. You will always be a part of this beautiful story.”

Busquets joined Inter Miami last year to reunite with former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi. Known for his sharp intelligence, flawless positioning, and unshakeable composure under pressure, he has often been described as the “midfield anchor” who allowed others to shine.

His legacy, however, was cemented long before his time in America.

At Barcelona, he lifted numerous La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies, forming the spine of Pep Guardiola’s iconic tiki-taka era.

On the international stage, he played a central role in Spain’s golden generation, helping La Roja to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

Busquets will now step away from the pitch as one of the most influential midfielders of his generation.

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My Children Are Young, One Day, They’re Going To Read This – PSG Defender, Hakimi Breaks Silence On R@pe Allegations

Paris Saint-Germain defender, Achraf Hakimi, has spoken out for the first time regarding the r@pe allegations against him.

Hakimi insists the allegations are all lies, noting that they are affecting his young family and have tarnished his name.

The Morocco international has faced r@pe allegations since 2023, after a 24-year-old woman accused him of sexual assault at his Boulogne-Billancourt residence.

In an interview with Canal+, Hakimi said: “I have never been subjected to such harm.

“For me, it was difficult and it continues to be. Because when you write lie after lie, it hurts, especially for my family.

“My children are still young. They don’t know the internet and they can’t read. But one day, they’re going to read this kind of thing.

“And for me, seeing that these lies have been written about their father is not pleasant. And I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

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Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba Enters Boxing Top 10 As Anthony Joshua Drops Out

The heavyweight division is once again making headlines as The Ring magazine, a leading authority in boxing rankings, has released its latest list, revealing significant changes at the top.

At the summit remains Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning champion, whose clinical skills and historic victories have cemented his place as the man to beat.

Right behind him is Tyson Fury at No. 1, still considered the biggest threat to Usyk after their unforgettable clash.

Joseph Parker continues his resurgence by climbing to No. 2, while Germany’s Agit Kabayel breaks into the top three, shaking up the traditional order. Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic, both hungry young lions, take the fourth and fifth spots, proving the next generation of heavyweights is coming on strong.

Further down the list, Britain’s Fabio Wardley holds steady at No. 6, followed by the dangerous Chinese powerhouse Zhilei Zhang at No. 7. Congo’s Martin Bakole comes in at No. 8, with teenage sensation Moses Itauma breaking into the top ten at No. 9, showing that youth is beginning to shape the future of the division.

But perhaps the biggest talking point is Nigeria’s own Efe Ajagba, who re-enters the rankings at No. 10. Known for his devastating knockout power, Ajagba has battled his way back into contention, and his presence signals that African boxing still has a strong voice in the heavyweight picture.

In a surprising twist, Anthony Joshua drops out of the rankings altogether. Once a dominant force and global superstar, Joshua has been inactive for over a year, and inactivity has cost him his place in the top ten.

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I Don’t Hate Ronaldo, But Messi Is A Better Player – Wayne Rooney Says

Former England striker Wayne Rooney has insisted that he holds no ill feelings toward Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, he insisted that Lionel Messi is a better footballer.

Rooney and Ronaldo were at United together between 2004 and 2009, winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League.

“I absolutely love Messi, love watching him play and that was the only reason because I think Messi had a little bit more in terms of how he played and taking players on and whatever,” Rooney said.

“Ronaldo’s a killer and people think because I’ve said Messi is better than Ronaldo, I don’t like him or speak down on him.”

Rooney played in the United team that lost two Champions League finals against Messi’s Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.

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Ballon d’Or 2025: LaLiga Explains Why Lamine Yamal Was Denied Award

LaLiga president, Javier Tebas, has claimed that Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal was denied the 2025 Ballon d’Or because of his age.

Tebas has however expressed his optimism that Yamal will soon win the award.

Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain finished top in the Ballon d’Or voting this year, with 18-year-old Yamal as runner-up.

Yamal however went home with the Kopa Trophy for best young player, a prize he has now won back-to-back.

“If he had been older than 23, he would have won it, too, I’m sure, but since he was younger, they gave him the other one [Kopa trophy],”
Tebas said.

But unlike Tebas, Barcelona President Joan Laporta had admitted that Dembele won the prize because PSG lifted the Champions League trophy.