Erling Haaland scored twice to propel Manchester City up to second in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday.

The Cherries started the day in second thanks to the longest unbeaten run in the English top flight.

But Andoni Iraola's side were undone by the scintillating form of the Norwegian striker, who took his tally to 13 Premier League goals in 10 games.

The Cityzens are up to second on the Premier League table 🔵🔝#MCIBOU | #SSPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/EY8LkSksIE

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 2, 2025

Haaland's relentless streak is maintaining City's title challenge as they reduced the gap to leaders Arsenal back to six points and edged one point ahead of Liverpool, who they face next weekend.

Despite a first defeat in 10 games away to Aston Villa last weekend, Pep Guardiola remained confident his side can pose a threat to Arsenal come May.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

There were more encouraging signs for Guardiola as Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden shone in creative roles, while Nico O'Riley became the first City player other than Haaland to score in the Premier League for over a month.

Buoyed by their unbeaten streak since losing at Liverpool on the opening night of the season, Bournemouth started brightly.

However, their brave high line was exposed on 17 minutes when Cherki's header allowed Haaland to gallop clear from inside his own half to slam past Djordje Petrovic.

The visitors levelled eight minutes later when Gianluigi Donnarumma claimed he was impeded as the Italian tried to collect a corner and Tyler Adams thrashed home the loose ball.

But Haaland restored City's advantage before halftime by racing onto another Cherki pass in behind the Bournemouth defence to round Petrovic and slot home his 26th goal for club and country this season.

Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland do the double ⚽⚽

📺 Stream #MCIBOU on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/fLlXXk9ldA

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 2, 2025

The 25-year-old also became only the third player to ever score multiple goals in four consecutive Premier League home games after Luis Suarez and Robbie Fowler.

Guardiola has called for greater contributions from his other attacking players to lessen the goalscoring burden on his prolific No 9.

Still no City player other than Haaland has scored more than once in the league this season, but O'Riley chipped in from full-back to seal the three points.

Foden was the creator this time as O'Riley strode forward before arrowing a low shot into the far corner.

Haaland was denied the chance of a hat-trick as he was replaced by Omar Marmoush eight minutes from time with one eye on facing his former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday.

A double was enough to keep City still within range despite Arsenal's rampant run of nine consecutive wins and seven straight clean sheets in all competitions.

Nuno Espirito Santo celebrated his first win as West Ham manager on Sunday as his spirited team battled from behind to beat Newcastle 3-1 at the London Stadium.

The Hammers remain in the relegation zone after just their second Premier League win of the season but are now just three points behind 17th-placed Burnley, whom they play next week.

Eddie Howe's Newcastle took the lead courtesy of a fine early strike from Jacob Murphy but Lucas Paqueta levelled and an own goal from the unfortunate Sven Botman gave the home team the advantage at halftime.

The visitors made wholesale changes in the second half but were blunt in attack and Tomas Soucek made sure of all three points for West Ham in the closing moments.

Nuno was appointed West Ham boss in late September, just over two weeks after he was sacked by Nottingham Forest, who are also in the drop zone.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

The Portuguese, who has had to be patient in waiting for his first win, said it was "terrific to hear the noise at the London Stadium".

"The players are realising that winning in the Premier League, we have to work very hard," he told the BBC. "We will do it again. The win makes it easier, there are smiles and the legs feel easier.

"We see slight improvements on the pitch. We have to create a platform on the pitch."

TURNAROUND

Murphy put Newcastle ahead in the fourth minute, fizzing a shot from the edge of the area just 26 seconds after Jarrod Bowen's effort clattered off the post at the other end.

Referee Robert Jones awarded West Ham a penalty six minutes later, ruling that Bowen had been brought down by Malick Thiaw, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review as Thiaw had touched the ball.

The Hammers were deservedly level in the 35th minute when Paqueta hammered a sweet strike from outside the box past the sprawling Nick Pope.

And moments before halftime they were in front when a low cross from defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka was sliced into his own net by Botman, whose attempted interception left Pope stranded.

The Hammers are 45 minutes away from their first win in six Premier League matches ⚒️🫧#WHUNEW | #SSPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/pv4bRRIr0C

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 2, 2025

Howe brought on Fabian Schar, William Osula and Jacob Ramsey for Emil Krafth, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Gordon at halftime, later making further changes.

The visitors dominated possession but Pope was called into action twice in quick succession at the other end as West Ham threatened a third goal.

Hammers midfielder Freddie Potts had the ball in the net with just over 20 minutes remaining but the goal was ruled out for off-side.

Newcastle continued to probe but could not find an equaliser and Soucek had the last laugh, poking home deep into stoppage time.

The Hammers get their first victory under Nuno Espírito Santo 👏🫧#WHUNEW | #SSPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/6oD4iu4N6x

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 2, 2025

It is West Ham's first win at home in the Premier League since February while defeat leaves Newcastle 13th the table and still searching for their first league win of the season away from home.

"It wasn't a great day for us," said Howe. "The away form is something that will be talked about and discussed and is of course something that concerns us."

Wolverhampton Wanderers sacked manager Vitor Pereira on Sunday, ending his tenure after a catastrophic start to the Premier League season that has left the club winless and marooned at the foot of the table.

The Portuguese coach's fate was sealed following Saturday's humiliating 3-0 defeat at Fulham, a result that sparked fury among travelling supporters who directed their anger at both Pereira and the club's Chinese owners.

The timing also proved particularly brutal given that Pereira had signed a contract extension less than two months earlier.

'WE MUST MAKE A CHANGE'

"Vitor and his team worked tirelessly for Wolves and helped guide us through a challenging period last season, for which we are grateful," Wolves' executive chairman Jeff Shi said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, the start to this season has been a disappointment and, despite our strong desire to give the head coach time and matches to find an improvement, we have reached a point where we must make a change."

Wolves' nightmare campaign has yielded a measly two points from 10 games, leaving them eight points adrift of the safety zone in what appears an increasingly desperate battle for Premier League survival.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

They have scored the joint-fewest goals in the division while simultaneously boasting the league's leakiest defence.

Pereira becomes the fourth Premier League manager to face the axe this season, joining Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest), Graham Potter (West Ham United) and Ange Postecoglou (Forest).

YOUTH COACHES TAKE INTERIM CHARGE

Wolves said all eight of Pereira's backroom staff had also left the club, and that under-21 head coach James Collins and under-18 head coach Richard Walker would take training until a new manager was appointed.

Pereira's departure ends an 11-month spell in charge after he joined in December 2024, replacing Gary O'Neil with Wolves languishing in 19th place.

The Portuguese coach led them to safety with a run of six straight wins in March and April, finishing 17 points clear of the relegation zone.

Despite a poor start to the current campaign, Shi had publicly backed Pereira earlier this season, rewarding him with a three-year extension after last season's turnaround.

However, results did not improve and the 3-0 defeat at Fulham -- where Wolves were reduced to 10 men in the first half -- was described by Pereira as the "worst performance from my team".

"Today I'm not proud about our work. I don't need anybody to judge my work. I judge my work, I judge myself," he said after the loss.

Pereira's exit marks his sixth straight year leaving a managerial post.

The Portuguese has had short-lived spells across five countries since 2020, managing Shanghai SIPG, Fenerbahce, Corinthians, Flamengo and Al Shabab before joining Wolves.

Wolves next travel to Chelsea on Saturday before the international break.

Liverpool ended a four-game losing streak in the Premier League as Mohamed Salah scored his 250th goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Salah pounced on an error by Emiliano Martinez to open the scoring before Ryan Gravenberch's deflected effort secured a long-awaited victory that lifts the defending champions up to third in the table.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot's decision to make wholesale changes for Wednesday's 3-0 League Cup exit to Crystal Palace only piled even more pressure on his returning stars to get back to winning ways after six defeats in seven games in all competitions.

Yet they nearly paid for another slow start.

Liverpool had conceded inside the first 15 minutes of all their four consecutive Premier League defeats and were inches away from doing so again when Morgan Rogers blasted a shot off the post from outside the box.

Giorgi Mamardashvili has struggled to fill the void left by the injured Alisson Becker in recent weeks but the Georgian goalkeeper made a stunning stop moments later to turn Maty Cash's deflected effort onto the post.

Villa were cutting through Liverpool's press with ease in the early stages, but soon became architects of their own downfall in playing out from the back.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

The visitors were handed a let off when Dominik Szoboszlai robbed Pau Torres but fired meekly into the arms of Martinez with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Hugo Ekitike did power a header past the Argentine only for a VAR review to show the Frenchman was clearly offside from Szoboszlai's cross.

However, Villa did not heed their warning as a terrible error from Martinez teed up Salah to roll his landmark goal into an unguarded net just before halftime.

The Egyptian's struggles have played a major part in the Reds' difficult start to the season, but he now has five goals in this campaign and sits behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt as the third top goalscorer in the club's history.

Mo Salah has now scored 250 goals for the Reds… Incredible. 👑 pic.twitter.com/QLfjFmcHve

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 1, 2025

The goal also ended Liverpool's seven-game run of conceding first and their confidence began to flow back in a dominant second-half showing.

Villa had won their last four league games, including notable scalps against Tottenham and Manchester City, to begin the day level on points with Liverpool.

However, Unai Emery's men struggled to live with a fired-up Liverpool after the break.

Gravenberch was badly missed due to an ankle injury in last weekend's 3-2 defeat at Brentford.

The Dutch midfielder had fortune on his side for Liverpool's second goal when he surged onto Alexis Mac Allister's pass before his strike deceived Martinez thanks to a deflection off Pau Torres.

A first clean sheet in 11 games rounded off a perfect start to a big week for Slot's men.

Real Madrid visit Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday before a visit to Manchester City next weekend.

A disastrous run has left Liverpool with a mountain to climb if they are to reel in Arsenal to defend their title.

But cutting the gap to the Gunners back to seven points is an important first step to hauling themselves back into the title race.

Mohamed Salah's 250th Liverpool goal ended the Premier League champions' losing streak in a 2-0 win against Aston Villa, while leaders Arsenal beat Burnley to surge seven points clear on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw at struggling Nottingham Forest and Chelsea won 1-0 at London rivals Tottenham.

After losing their previous four league games, and six of their last seven in all competitions, spluttering Liverpool finally showed signs of life at Anfield.

Arne Slot's troubled team were gifted their opening goal in first half stoppage-time when Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez's wayward pass was intercepted by Salah, who slotted into the empty net for his fifth goal this season.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea claim big wins on Saturday 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽️#SSFootball | #LIVAVL pic.twitter.com/NyWKfu9OCF

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 1, 2025

The Egypt forward's milestone 250th goal in all competitions for Liverpool was followed by Ryan Gravenberch's 58th minute deflected strike, wrapping up the Reds' first league victory since they beat Everton on September 20.

🙌 pic.twitter.com/oUSJA1qpUr

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 1, 2025

Liverpool's win, which leaves them third but seven points behind Arsenal, was well-timed ahead of a crucial week featuring clashes with Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Arsenal eased past Burnley 2-0, creating a five-game winning streak in the league to position themselves as firm favourites to end their painful two-decade wait to be crowned English champions.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

Viktor Gyokeres headed the Gunners ahead following a Declan Rice corner in the first half at Turf Moor for his first league goal since mid-September – yet more joy for the set-piece specialists.

England midfielder Rice himself headed home to double the visitors' lead in the 35th minute and put them in total control.

"The first half was exceptional – we scored two goals and gave nothing away," Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said.

"That was the platform. We had to make a few changes and didn't have that much control in the second half. Defending was exceptional again, we didn't give anything."

Arsenal, who have now won nine games in a row in all competitions, have enviable options in attack but their team is built on a rock-solid defence that has conceded just three league goals in 10 games this season.

UNITED RESCUE POINT

Manchester United, seeking their fourth straight league win, led 1-0 at the City Ground courtesy of Casemiro's first-half opener.

But Forest, who had not scored a league goal since September 20, roared back after the break as their confidence flooded back.

Morgan Gibbs-White headed the home side level in the 48th minute before Nicolo Savona tapped in just two minutes later to complete a dramatic turnaround.

But Amad Diallo levelled with a sweet volley in the 81st minute to rescue a point for United, who have been much improved in recent weeks after a poor start to the season.

Ruben Amorim, marking a year since his appointment as United manager, was disappointed to drop points but encouraged by his team's mentality.

"I feel in the recent past if we had had this situation (from 1-0 up to 2-1 down) we would have struggled so much more than today," he said.

"My feeling is we played well but we dropped a little bit of energy. When we have the full energy we are the better team."

Forest, who last month appointed Sean Dyche as manager to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou, remain in the relegation zone, four points behind 17th-placed Burnley.

Chelsea maintained their impressive record against Tottenham, winning 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Joao Pedro for a fifth straight Premier League victory over the north Londoners.

Enzo Maresca's fifth-placed side trail fourth-placed Tottenham on goal difference.

Rock-bottom Wolves, reduced to 10 men in the first half following the dismissal of Emmanuel Agbadou, are eight points from safety after a miserable 3-0 defeat at Fulham.

Crystal Palace beat Brentford 2-0 and Brighton pummelled Leeds 3-0.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank refused to condemn Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence after his defenders appeared to ignore him following Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Chelsea.

Joao Pedro's 34th minute strike gave Chelsea a fifth consecutive victory over their London rivals and a 10th win in their last 12 meetings in all competitions.

Frank's team were booed off after they produced only one shot on target in their latest disappointing display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It was a third home loss in seven matches under the former Brentford boss, who has been unable to solve the poor home form that also plagued his predecessor Ange Postecoglou in 2025.

Adding to Frank's problems, Van de Ven and Spence headed towards the tunnel after the final whistle and, despite Frank seemingly telling them to thank the Tottenham fans, they walked past the Dane, who stared in their direction before he turned to applaud the crowd.

"I think that is one of the small issues. We have Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence who are doing everything they can. They perform very well so far this season and everyone is frustrated. We do things in a different way, so I don't think it is a big problem," Frank said.

"All the players are of course frustrated. They would like to do well, they would like to win, they would like to perform well, so I understand that.

"I think it is about, which is difficult, to be consistent in good times and in bad times. That is why I went around to the fans as I did. It is more fun when we win, I can tell you that."

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

'FRUSTRATION AND EMOTIONS'

Although they sit in third place in the Premier League – above Chelsea on goal difference – Tottenham fans are becoming frustrated with their manager's prosaic tactics, which stand in stark contrast to the club's 'to dare is to do' ethos.

Asked if he understood the supporters' reaction at the result, Frank said: "Yes, 100 per cent. We all sense the frustration and the emotions. That is part of football."

Frank has always been known as a pragmatic manager willing to sacrifice style for points, a philosophy unlike the attack-minded Postecoglou, who was sacked despite winning the Europa League last season to end the club's 17-year trophy drought.

"I would say that of course hurts massively. I have never been in charge of a team that created that little in one game. That of course I will look into," Frank said of Tottenham's dismal attacking performance against Chelsea.

This was only Chelsea's third clean sheet in 12 matches and boss Enzo Maresca was relived to emerge unscathed for once.

"In any case I am happy with the 1-0, happy with the three points and especially because we kept the clean sheet, but it is something we need for the future. We know we are a team in the end who will score goals, but we need to do better defensively," Maresca said.

"I think the performance was very good. On the ball and off the ball. For sure the way we press was very important."

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca said he had never lost faith in striker Joao Pedro after the Brazilian ended an eight-game barren run by scoring the winner in the Blues' 1-0 win at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday.

Joao Pedro has been nursing an injury which is still likely to limit his involvement in the squad outside matchdays.

"Joao has never been a problem. The problem with Joao is he is not training every day. He has some problems we need to manage," Maresca said, adding that the return from injury of striker Liam Delap - who was suspended for Saturday's game - would offer more options in attack.

The Italian hailed his midfielder Moises Caicedo who added to his impressive start to the season by stealing possession from Spurs and providing the chance for Joao Pedro to convert in the 34th minute.

"Moi is showing how good he is. He's top. The best thing for him, he's humble, such a good guy and is there to help everyone. Him and Rodri are the best defensive midfielders in the world," Maresca said.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

Spurs coach Thomas Frank lamented the performance of his side who managed only one shot on target.

"I would say that of course hurt massively," the Dane said when asked about Spurs' lack of attacking threat. "I've never been in charge of a team that has created that little. I will of course look to make that better. Today we didn't hit the level."

Spurs, who have won only one of their five home games in the league - a 3-0 victory over Burnley in their opening match - host Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday. Chelsea travel to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag on Wednesday.

Joao Pedro finally brought a halt to his Chelsea goal drought as the Brazilian striker sealed a 1-0 win to extend Tottenham's dismal record on their home turf on Saturday.

Enzo Maresca's side took the lead when Joao Pedro netted late in the first half of the London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It was his first goal in nine games in all competitions dating back to his last strike against Fulham on August 30.

The 24-year-old has netted only three times for the Blues since signing from Brighton in a £60 million ($78 million) move in the close-season.

The World Champions cruise into the top four 🔵🔝#TOTCHE | #SSPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/cW5aeqU5mV

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 1, 2025

Chelsea's third win in their last four Premier League games lifted them into fourth place, behind third-placed Tottenham on goal difference.

Tottenham haven't won at home in the league since beating Burnley on the opening weekend of the season in August.

Their wretched home league form in 2025 started under Frank's predecessor Ange Postecoglou and the former Brentford boss is yet to find a cure.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

Although they lost in the League Cup fourth round at Newcastle in midweek, Tottenham have fared much better on the road this season, with an emphatic 3-0 win at Everton in their previous top-flight game.

But Tottenham fans are beginning to show signs of discontent at Frank's prosaic tactics, which stand in stark contrast to the club's 'to dare is to do' ethos.

Frank was hit by an early injury blow when Lucas Bergvall suffered a head injury and was replaced by concussion substitute Xavi Simons.

Bergvall appeared to plead with Tottenham's medical staff to let him stay on and when they refused, he angrily pushed one of the medics before Frank intervened to diffuse the situation.

SLOPPY SPURS

Alejandro Garnacho carried Chelsea's main threat in the first half as the Argentine forward tested Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario from distance.

Vicario went down with a knee injury midway through the half, but he was able to continue after treatment and immediately came to Tottenham's rescue.

Pedro Porro's clearance rebounded off Garnacho to Joao Pedro inside the area and Vicario stood tall to repel his low strike.

But Joao Pedro wasn't to be denied and he made amends for that miss with Chelsea's opener in the 34th minute.

Moises Caicedo tenaciously harried Simons and Micky van de Ven on the edge of the Tottenham area, winning possession and poking the ball towards Joao Pedro, who lashed into the roof of the net from six yards.

Frank was furious with Tottenham's sloppy defending, kicking a water bottle in disgust on the touchline.

Having ended his barren run, Joao Pedro nearly struck again when he took Malo Gusto's pass and unleashed a powerful effort that Vicario tipped over.

Rodrigo Bentancur could consider himself fortunate to escape with a booking after the Tottenham midfielder's ugly challenge on Reece James was deemed "not serious foul play".

Tottenham finally forced Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez into action on the stroke of halftime with a Mohammed Kudus blast, but the Spaniard was equal to it.

Enzo Fernandez, unmarked 10 yards from goal, headed wastefully over from James' cross soon after the interval.

Frank's side were guilty of conceding possession far too easily, with their lack of attacking impetus leaving their supporters increasingly frustrated.

The fans' angst mounted as Vicario had to tip over from Pedro Neto's fierce strike and Tottenham never seriously threatened a late escape.

Mikel Arteta labelled Arsenal's first half display in Saturday's 2-0 win against Burnley as "one of the best" in his reign as the Premier League pace-setters extended their lead at the top.

Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice bagged first-half goals at Turf Moor to give Arsenal a ninth successive win in all competitions.

The Gunners' interval advantage would have been more commanding but for two saves from Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who twice denied Bukayo Saka.

Arteta rated it as the first opening 45 minutes of his spell as Arsenal boss, which began in 2019.

These moments ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9JanYuvOZo

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 1, 2025

"We started the game exceptionally well. I think the first half is one of the best that we've played, scored two goals, generated another two or three big chances and conceded nothing," he said.

"And that was a platform, because in the second half we dropped the standards, especially with the ball, and with our intentions to play more forward. But again, defensively, we were exceptional."

Burnley failed to lay a glove on the north Londoners, with their first effort on goal coming through Florentino Luis' header in the 73rd minute before substitute Marcus Edwards' free-kick hit a post deep in stoppage time.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

Gyokeres struck the opener from a corner as Arteta's side also extended their league-leading set-piece goals tally this season, excluding penalties, to 12.

He was singled out for special praise by Arteta after ending a five-game goal drought in the league.

We keep moving. pic.twitter.com/NUGkU5lUTH

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 1, 2025

But the Sweden striker could be doubtful for Tuesday's Champions League game at Slavia Prague after being replaced at halftime due to a muscle strain.

"I think it was one of the best games that he's played for us," Arteta said of the summer signing from Sporting Lisbon.

"Overall, his performance was exceptional, apart from the goal, and we had to take him off because he was feeling a little niggle, muscular.

"His high press, his positioning and his touches, his threading in behind, the way he linked play, the way he gets us from this situation to transition.

"He was in a really good moment. It's a shame that he felt something."

Crystal Palace brushed aside London rivals Brentford in a comfortable 2-0 home win in the Premier League on Saturday, thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta's header and a Nathan Collins own goal.

Mateta gave Palace a deserved lead in the 30th minute after Jefferson Lerma headed Yeremy Pino's booming freekick back across goal for the French striker to nod home his sixth league goal of the campaign.

Palace's second came six minutes after the break via the old-school method of a long throw into the box from Lerma, which the unfortunate Collins headed into his own net.

Palace's win, their first in four league games, puts them seventh on 16 points from 10 games, while Brentford slip to 12th with 13 points.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

Viktor Gyokeres ended his Premier League goal drought as leaders Arsenal beat Burnley 2-0 to move seven points clear at the top on Saturday.

Gyokeres put the Gunners in front with a predatory header and Declan Rice increased the visitors' advantage before halftime at Turf Moor.

The Sweden striker had gone five games without scoring in the top-flight as part of a disappointing spell of two goals in nine matches in all competitions.

Gyokeres got back on track with his first league goal since September 13 and his sixth in all competitions since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in the close-season.

Arsenal's lead in the title race is likely to be trimmed by the time the rest of the weekend's games are played, but a blistering run of nine successive victories in all competitions has served as a significant statement to their rivals.

📈 @Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the Premier League with a win over Burnley! pic.twitter.com/wvAIKwSTYn

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 1, 2025

Mikel Arteta's side have won eight of their 10 league games and their parsimonious defence has not been breached for seven successive matches in all competitions.

After finishing as Premier League runners-up for the last three seasons, Arsenal are determined to finally win their first English title since 2004 and their first trophy of any kind since the 2020 FA Cup.

Questions were being asked about Arteta's ability to lead Arsenal to the title before the start of the season, but the Spaniard has taken advantage of champions Liverpool's collapse to put his team in a strong position.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

Currently in the midst of a hectic run of seven matches in just 22 days, the Gunners return to action in the Champions League at Slavia Prague on Tuesday.

RELENTLESS ARSENAL

Arsenal's remarkable prowess at dead balls has seen them nicknamed "Set-Piece FC" this season.

They were the first team in Europe's top five leagues to score 10 goals from set-pieces in the current campaign and they struck in familiar fashion in the 14th minute.

After Gabriel Magalhaes combined with Rice to set up Eberechi Eze's winner against Crystal Palace last weekend, the same duo laid on Gyokeres's opener.

Rice's in-swinging corner reached Gabriel and the Brazilian knocked it back to Gyokeres for a clinical close-range header.

It was the eighth time Arsenal had scored from a corner so far this season – the most ever from a team in their first 10 matches of a Premier League campaign.

Burnley had no answer to Arsenal's aerial barrage and Jurrien Timber should have doubled the lead when he met another Rice corner with a header that flashed over.

Arteta's men were pouring forward in waves and they went close again when Gyokeres teed up Bukayo Saka for a strike that was palmed away by Martin Dubravka before Leandro Trossard's follow-up was cleared off the line.

Arsenal's relentless pressure produced a second goal in the 35th minute when Trossard's chipped cross was headed emphatically past Dubravka by Rice.

Gyokeres was unable to finish the match as Mikel Merino replaced him at the break in a fresh fitness scare for the injury-hit Gunners.

But Arsenal were so dominant that Burnley were unable to muster a single shot in the first hour as the visitors cruised to victory in commanding style.

A stunning volley from Amad Diallo earned Manchester United a battling 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.

Looking to continue their revival under Ruben Amorim, United appeared to be on their way to securing a fourth successive league victory after Brazilian Casemiro headed them into a 34th-minute lead.

United, however, capitulated early in the second half when two goals in less than two minutes from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona turned the match on its head.

The visitors responded well but were frustrated in their efforts to restore parity until Diallo unleashed a blistering strike from the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a point for his side.

Diallo almost snatched victory at the death as United missed the chance to climb to second in the standings with a win, the point helping them move into fifth, above rivals Manchester City who play on Sunday. Forest stayed 18th.

An incredible Amad strike secures a point for @ManUtd 👊 pic.twitter.com/ecaiDGeofR

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 1, 2025

On paper, the City Ground appeared like the perfect place for United to continue their resurgence back up the table. With new boss Sean Dyche at the helm, Forest came into Saturday's clash on a four-game losing streak, all without scoring.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

The visitors started like a side on the up. Close season signing Benjamin Sesko should have done better from a Bryan Mbeumo pull-back before the Slovenian arrowed another strike wide.

Home supporters were incensed at the decision to award United the corner that led to the opening goal. Boos rang out from all corners of the stadium as Casemiro headed in his third goal of the season.

DIALLO GOLDEN CHANCE

Diallo had a golden chance to double his side's lead late in the first half, blazing over from a good position, profligacy that proved costly as United fell apart after the restart.

The United wing-back was no match for Gibbs-White as the Forest live wire headed past goalkeeper Senne Lammens to net the home side's first league goal since September 20.

With the crowd lifted, 92 seconds later the turnaround was complete. United failed to deal with another long ball into the penalty area and it fell for Savona who earned redemption with a close-range finish.

United responded well, with Bruno Fernandes' fizzing strike hitting the post on the hour mark, before Diallo's shot from the edge of the penalty area, after Forest had only half cleared a corner, broke the hosts' resistance.

A goalline clearance was needed to keep out Diallo's rasping effort in stoppage-time, but defeat would have been harsh on Forest.

Second-place Bournemouth will attempt to continue their surprising Premier League start when they visit fifth-place Manchester City on Sunday.

The Cherries (5-1-3, 18 points) join league leaders Arsenal as the only EPL sides to lose just once through nine games, with arguably their most impressive victories coming in late August at Tottenham and home against Brighton in mid-September.

Antoine Semenyo has become the latest striker to blossom under manager Andoni Iraola. Semenyo's six league goals follow the career-best 11 he scored in 2024-25.

And while the Cherries have outperformed metrics like expected goals so far, City manager Pep Guardiola isn't about to write off the legitimacy of their position in the table or weigh in on whether they can maintain their spot.

"That's a question for Iraola," Guardiola said. "I would say it's just nine games but also in previous seasons they're consistent. The team, manager, players, a tough opponent, but we know that."

Guardiola would be as much of an authority as anyone, having led City (5-3-1, 16 points) to six league titles in total, including four in a row in an unprecedented streak that was halted with Liverpool's triumph last season.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

His side is currently six points back of Arsenal – and two behind Bournemouth – after seeing a five-match league unbeaten run broken last weekend at Aston Villa.

City have one of the world's top scorers at their disposal in Erling Haaland, who leads the EPL with 11 goals and was cleared to return Sunday after a minor knock in the Villa defeat.

And they've remained unbeaten in both their other competitions so far, taking seven points from three UEFA Champions League matches and recently seeing off second-tier Swansea City 3-1 in the EFL Cup fourth-round tie in midweek.

Bournemouth haven't had to balance multiple commitments since a second-round EFL Cup defeat way back in August, and perhaps that shows in a virtually clean injury report.

Brazilian striker Evanilson was the only question after he was forced to miss last weekend's 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Iraola says he'll be available Sunday.

"So now it's very difficult for me to make decisions because I have to leave some players out of the squad," Iraola said. "But it's good, because we are in a lovely place in that sense and we can approach the game in different ways, and I will have to think very well (about) what's going to be the possible starting XI and the options from the bench."

Premier League chiefs have blamed the reduction of Boxing Day matches this season on the expansion of European competitions.

Fixtures on December 26 have been a traditional part of the Premier League's Christmas schedule, but this year only one game will be played when Manchester United host Newcastle.

With Boxing Day falling on a Friday, the Premier League will instead play seven games on Saturday, December 27 and two on Sunday, December 28.

Aware that the lack of action on Boxing Day will prompt complaints from football traditionalists, the Premier League was quick to lay the blame on UEFA.

European football's governing body has overseen increases in the number of clubs competing in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

"The Premier League would like to acknowledge the circumstances that have led to a reduced number of matches on Boxing Day this season - impacting an important tradition in English football," the Premier League said in a statement on Friday.

"There are now several challenges to Premier League fixture scheduling rooted in the expansion of European club competitions - which led to a revision of our domestic calendar ahead of last season, including changes to the FA Cup.

"This ultimately left the Premier League as a 33-weekend competition - fewer than previous seasons, despite being a 380-match competition since 1995.

"With fewer weekends to work with, the league is bound by how the calendar falls."

UEFA's European competitions now stretch across 10 midweek matchdays rather than six, with the Premier League having to adapt its schedule around the increased continental action.

Concerns over player welfare after the extra games were added led to world football's governing body FIFA saying there should be a minimum rest period of 72 hours between matches.

"As with previous years - and in keeping with our commitment to clubs - special arrangements have been made to allow more time between games played across the festive period," the Premier League said.

"This will allow greater time for players to recover, with the rest periods between rounds 18, 19 and 20 being increased to ensure that no club plays within 60 hours of another match."

The Premier League plans to return to a bumper festive schedule on Boxing Day next year.

"The League can give an assurance that next season there will be more Premier League matches on Boxing Day - as the date falls on a Saturday," the statement said.

Pep Guardiola is confident Manchester City will contend for the Premier League title if Rodri can rediscover his best form after returning from injury.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner missed most of last season following knee surgery and has been plagued by fitness issues so far this term.

City have lost three of their opening nine league games to slip six points behind leaders Arsenal.

Yet, Guardiola's men have only lost once in their last 11 games in all competitions to start strongly in the Champions League and reach the League Cup quarterfinals.

Rodri is set to be involved for the first time in nearly a month when City host second-placed Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

"I think he (Rodri) will be ready to help. I don't know if he will be able to play from the beginning, but hopefully he can be with us," Guardiola told reporters on Friday.

Pep 💬 (Injury updates) Yeah, [Erling Haaland is fit].

I think he [Rodri] will be ready to help. I don't know if he will be able to play from the beginning, but hopefully he can be with us. pic.twitter.com/H8rf2PhZD1

— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 31, 2025

Erling Haaland is also fit despite picking up a knock the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend that halted City's momentum in the title race.

"Still, we're not our best but we're close," added Guardiola.

"I've said before that we have the smell when I see the team and the training dressing room, how we apply and how we want to do things.

"I have the feeling Rodri can become his best, we'll be a team that's difficult to beat.

"Will we be still close to the (title) fight? I don't know but from the beginning since the Club World Cup in the United States, I'm optimistic about what this team can do this season."

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

City begin the weekend two points behind Bournemouth, who are on an eight-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Guardiola has been particularly impressed by the Cherries after they cashed in on three of their preferred back four last season.

Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi joined Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain respectively for combined fees in excess of £150 million.

"They are top. How co-ordinated they are with the hierarchy with the sporting directors, with the managers and with the players," said Guardiola.

"They have a clear philosophy and that doesn't change."

Tottenham Hotspur centre back Cristian Romero is available for selection for Saturday's Premier League home clash against London rivals Chelsea after recovering from an adductor strain, manager Thomas Frank said on Friday.

The 27-year-old Argentina international, who captains Spurs, missed the North London club's last four matches across all competitions after picking up the problem during the warm up against Aston Villa on 19 October.

Italian left back Destiny Udogie and French forward Wilson Odobert have also recovered from their respective injuries and are available for selection.

Spurs are third in the Premier League standings with 17 points from nine matches, trailing leaders Arsenal by five. Frank's side lead ninth-placed Chelsea by three points.

"The positive is that Romero, Destiny and Wilson will all be available for the squad," Frank told reporters.

Cuti ✅
Destiny ✅
Wilson ✅

The latest team news from Thomas Frank's pre-match press conference!

🔗 https://t.co/MD8u9vxLJO pic.twitter.com/8nDveNzaig

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 31, 2025

However, striker Dominic Solanke is not expected to be back before the international break.

The 28-year-old England international is sidelined with an ankle issue, having had minor surgery last month.

"We're very aware of when we get Dom back, we hope - touch wood - we have him back and no setbacks, so we are very aware of doing it the right way," Frank added.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

Spurs are looking to bounce back after a disappointing fourth-round League Cup exit at the hands of holders Newcastle United on Wednesday.

However, Spurs face a challenging task, having struggled against Chelsea in recent years, with just one win in their last 13 Premier League meetings.

Frank emphasised the importance of the home crowd in what promises to be an intense London derby.

"Home game against Chelsea under the floodlights is going to be unique and special. I'm really looking forward to it," the Dane said.

"We need the fans behind us. I know they give us everything and the best clubs are all united together. That is the plan and the aim.... (It is) Maybe the best stadium in the world and definitely the best fans in the world and we know the sound in that stadium can be insane."

Manchester City's Erling Haaland is fit to feature at home to second-placed Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, said manager Pep Guardiola, who added that midfielder Rodri could also return from injury to play.

Haaland, who leads the league with 11 goals through nine games, clattered into the post in the dying minutes of City's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa last week, suffering what Guardiola called "a knock".

The 25-year-old Norway striker was among numerous regular starters who did not play in City's 3-1 win at Swansea City in League Cup fourth round on Wednesday.

Rodri has not played since suffering a hamstring injury at Brentford before the October international break, the latest setback in a return for the Spaniard since a major knee injury 13 months ago.

"I think he (Rodri) will be ready to help," Guardiola said on Friday. "I don't know if he will be able to play from the beginning, but hopefully he can be with us."

Pep 💬 (Injury updates) Yeah, [Erling Haaland is fit].

I think he [Rodri] will be ready to help. I don't know if he will be able to play from the beginning, but hopefully he can be with us. pic.twitter.com/H8rf2PhZD1

— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 31, 2025

City sit fifth in the table, six points behind leaders Arsenal and two off Bournemouth, and need a response in their title quest.

Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth side arrive as an early-surprise package, unbeaten in eight league games for their best-ever top-flight start.

Guardiola praised Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, who is joint-second in the scoring table with Brentford's Igor Thiago on six goals each.

"It is not just this season, the way Bournemouth play suits him (Semenyo) perfectly. He is an extraordinary player," Guardiola said.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

Sunday will also mark midfielder Phil Foden's 200th appearance for Manchester City.

"It has been an honour for me to see these 200 games and the impact he has made for us and the club of his heart," Guardiola said. "It is a good milestone, especially for his age (25)."

The City coach would not offer an opinion when asked whether Foden deserves an England recall when manager Thomas Tuchel announces his squad next week ahead of World Cup qualifying games against Serbia and Albania.

"That is a question for Thomas," Guardiola said. "He has to play as best as possible. English players are fantastic and in his position there are many. He has to play good every day and, after that, Thomas will decide the best for the national team."

England have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca clarified comments he made about Liam Delap and revealed on Friday that the suspended striker apologised to the team after his red card.

The Italian had said after a 4-3 League Cup win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday that Delap was "playing the game for himself" and called the sending off embarrassing and stupid.

"I spoke with Liam, he knows everything, he's aware of the situation, he knows that he made a mistake. Full stop. No more than that," Maresca told reporters ahead of the Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday that Delap will miss.

"Straight after the game, in the changing room, he apologised to everyone."

Chelsea have had five red cards in their last nine matches and Maresca conceded some of them were avoidable.

"It's something we need to learn, something we need to do better. For sure in the future we will be better on that," he said.

The manager suggested his comments about Delap had been misunderstood. "I'm not from England so sometimes when I try to translate from Italian to English, sometimes it's a bit different," he added.

"Liam, on the pitch, is more focused on his battle with the central defender than the rest. This was what I was trying to say after the Wolves game.

"I know that Liam will be a fantastic player for us but there are some things, like the rest, that he needs to improve."

Maresca said Chelsea would still be without Cole Palmer but Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro were all available for the Spurs game.

Chelsea are ninth in the Premier League, three points behind third-placed Tottenham.

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli will miss Saturday's Premier League trip to Burnley due to injury, while centre back William Saliba remains doubtful, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday as his side look to extend their remarkable run of form.

Brazil international Martinelli limped off the pitch following Arsenal's 1-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, while Frenchman Saliba was substituted at halftime at the Emirates.

Both players were absent from Wednesday's League Cup fourth-round 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

"I think we have the same ones. Martinelli still out, Saliba we have to wait and see. The rest are getting closer, but not ready yet," Arteta told reporters.

"We don't know yet (Martinelli's timeline for return), but this game comes too early for him."

Arteta expects long-term absentees including Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke to make a return soon.

"I would say weeks, and some of them pretty soon, hopefully. We have the international break, but after that we hope to have some of them back," Arteta said.

"I'm excited because they are tremendous players. I see them work every single day, how desperate they are to be part of the team.

"The huge boost that is going to be for the squad to have and those players again, after such a long, long time, so really happy that I think it's going to be very soon."

Arsenal have been in impressive form, becoming the first English top-flight team to play at least six times in a month without conceding a goal.

Their flawless October included Premier League wins over West Ham United, Fulham and Crystal Palace, alongside triumphs against Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and a League Cup win against Brighton.

Arteta's men currently sit atop the Premier League standings with 22 points from nine matches, four clear of second-placed Bournemouth.

"Yes (keep the foot on the gas) and maintain the level of urgency," Arteta said. "The concentration, the focus, the ambition we are showing in every game, and every game brings different challenges.

"Sometimes we have to be very patient and some of the time we have to have a different approach.

"The game against Burnley is going to be really tough. They are extremely well coached and Scott (Parker) has done really well with the club."

Burnley are 16th in the league table with 10 points.

Liverpool head into Saturday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa desperate to halt a miserable run of six defeats in their last seven outings across all competitions, but manager Arne Slot faces a selection headache.

Injured striker Alexander Isak and goalkeeper Alisson have yet to return to training, and Slot told reporters on Friday he was "99.9 per cent sure (they are) not in the squad on Saturday".

Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch could feature after training on Thursday in a bit of good news for Slot's reigning champions whose slump has them seven points behind league leaders Arsenal in seventh in the standings and facing a string of tough games.

"In the end phase of the injury, things can slow down a bit or things can go faster but Ryan trained with us yesterday and he will train with us today and then we will make the call whether he is able to start," Slot said.

Villa have won their last four league matches and are one place behind Slot's team in the table, but level on points.

Liverpool then host LaLiga leaders Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday before travelling to fifth-place Manchester City on 9 November.

The Merseyside team's troublesome start, which included an ugly fourth-round League Cup exit on Wednesday in a 3-0 defeat by Crystal Palace, comes despite the club spending £446 million ($599 million) on new recruits in the close season.

However, Slot said he was pleased with his squad.

"We miss nothing," he said. "I am completely happy with the team and with all the quality that we have and I am also completely convinced by the strategy and the policy that we have, but not all of them have had a proper pre-season or have been injured.

"When three or four are injured you go back to 16 players," Slot added. "You have to keep them fit as we did last season... A few others have missed out on pre-season or had injuries during pre-season.

"It has been more difficult than last season to keep them all available. Maybe last season we were more lucky and now we are more unlucky. But, no excuses for our results before people say this."