FOOTBALL

Manchester United Women Reach First League Cup Final After Beating Arsenal

Manchester United Women
January 2026

Manchester United reached their first Women’s League Cup final with a 1-0 semi-final win over Arsenal, extending their run of clean sheets against the Gunners. Terland scored just before half-time, and Arsenal later went down to ten players. United capitalised on a goalkeeper error, with Wangerheim teeing up Terland for a close-range finish. Arsenal pressed and created chances, but Smith was sent off for a second booking, and Tullis-Joyce made key saves as United held firm to face Chelsea.

TalkSPORT Presenter Apologises After Beckham Post During Brooklyn Family Feud

Shebahn Aherne
January 2026

Aherne apologised after a social post about meeting Beckham was criticised as objectifying, landing during intense coverage of the Beckham family feud. Brooklyn publicly accused his parents of controlling behaviour and said he does not want reconciliation. Aherne shared an anecdote about interviewing Beckham and described sniffing her arm afterward, which drew backlash online. She then issued a public apology saying it was a joke and not intended to offend. Beckham separately spoke about social media risks and parenting.

Harry Kane Double Sends Bayern into Champions League Last 16 as Ultras Section Closed

Harry Kane
January 2026

Bayern beat Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 to secure automatic Champions League last-16 qualification, with Kane scoring twice. Kim was sent off, and Kane later missed a hat-trick when his second penalty struck the crossbar in the closing stages. Kane headed in from an Olise corner, then converted a penalty after being fouled. Despite playing with ten, Bayern controlled possession and limited danger. The Sudkurve was empty because tickets were cancelled after UEFA punished pyrotechnics from prior matches.

Mateta Tells Crystal Palace He Wants Out as Ambition and Contract Talks Sour

Jean-Philippe Mateta
January 2026

Mateta has reportedly informed Palace he wants to leave, believing the club no longer matches his ambitions. He is unhappy that recruitment assurances and proposed contract terms were not met, and he wants regular European football. Reports say he wanted to go last summer and stalled in late-2025 contract talks hardened his stance. Juventus proposed a loan with conditional purchase, Palace rejected it and set a higher valuation, while Villa and Chelsea have also contacted his camp.

Chelsea Reintegrate Disasi as Rosenior Faces Injury Hit and Keeps Sterling Exiled

Axel Disasi
January 2026

Rosenior brought Disasi back into first-team training after a year out, driven by need and a reset approach, while Adarabioyo is out for weeks and Sterling remains outside the main group. Rosenior said he met Disasi to clear the air and offered a clean slate, but noted he is behind on match fitness. The move follows Adarabioyo’s hamstring issue and ongoing attempts to find a permanent exit for Sterling before the window shuts.

Gareth Bale Says Alonso Failed at Real Madrid Because He Was a Coach Not a Manager

Xabi Alonso
January 2026

Bale blamed Alonso’s Madrid failure on not managing egos and pressure at the Bernabeu, despite strong tactical ability and early results. Bale argued Real Madrid requires a manager who can handle personalities and scrutiny, not only a tactician, implying that mismatch helped unravel Alonso’s tenure after the Super Cup loss and subsequent fallout.

Tottenham Beat Dortmund as Bellingham Targeted After Red Card Turns Game

Jobe Bellingham
January 2026

Spurs won 2-0 over Dortmund as Romero scored early, Dortmund went down to 10 men after Svensson was sent off, and Solanke sealed it, leaving Dortmund facing a tougher route toward the knockouts. Romero opened the scoring, VAR upgraded Svensson’s challenge on Odobert to a red, and Solanke finished soon after. Dortmund created little before and after the dismissal, sliding to 12th and toward a play-off tie scenario.

Vinicius Pleads for Bernabeu Backing After Monaco Rout and Booing Hurt

Vinicius Junior
January 2026

Vinicius said recent whistles at the Bernabeu have affected him and asked supporters to back the team, while stressing he wants focus on his football, not off-field drama or coaching changes. He said he felt uncomfortable because mistakes were met with boos, accepted fans’ right to demand more, denied influencing Alonso’s exit, and called for unity after recent setbacks. He also played down contract noise and said he remains calm with just over a year left on his deal.

De Zerbi Plays Down Manchester United Links Ahead of Marseille Champions League Game

Roberto De Zerbi
January 2026

De Zerbi dismissed speculation about the United job and said his focus is entirely on Marseille while United continue their search for a permanent head coach. He stressed he feels good at the club and city and would not discuss future possibilities, despite past reports he was interviewed for the role and United admiration for his work since Brighton and his early Marseille success.

Jack Grealish Facing Months Out With Suspected Foot Stress Fracture at Everton

Jack Grealish
January 2026

Reports say Grealish has a suspected stress fracture in his foot that could sideline him for months, threatening his season momentum and World Cup plans. He is expected to see a specialist to confirm severity. The setback could hurt his case for Tuchel’s England squad and complicate Everton’s potential permanent move, despite a productive loan spell of two goals and six assists in 22 appearances.