FOOTBALL

Scottish Cup Third-Round Draw Sends Dunfermline to Queen of the South

Scottish Football Association, Dunfermline Athletic, Queen of the South and Partick Thistle
25 October 2026

The Scottish Cup third-round draw has paired last season’s finalists Dunfermline Athletic with Queen of the South, while Championship leaders Partick Thistle will travel to Elgin City. The fixtures are scheduled for the final weekend of November.

Dunfermline, managed by Neil Lennon, return to the competition after losing 3-1 to Celtic in last season’s final. Other ties include Ross County against Brora Rangers, Ayr United against Largs Thistle and Livingston away to Clydebank. Several remaining fixtures depend on the outcome of postponed second-round matches.

Liverpool Beat Brighton 2-0 as Isak’s Revival Continues

Liverpool, Brighton, Alexander Isak and Andoni Iraola
25 October 2026

Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-0 at Anfield to record their fourth consecutive victory across competitions. Alexander Isak scored his sixth goal of the season as Liverpool climbed to fourth in the Premier League.

Liverpool took the lead when Florian Wirtz’s effort deflected off Pascal Groß for an own goal. Isak added the second after Bradley Barcola recovered possession and created the opportunity. Brighton controlled more than 64% of possession but failed to convert their chances. Liverpool protected their lead with strong defending, although Wirtz was substituted after twisting his ankle. The severity of his injury remains uncertain.

Newcastle Beat Crystal Palace 2-0 as Pressure Mounts on Pierre Sage

Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Pierre Sage, William Osula and Harvey Barnes
25 October 2026

Newcastle defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park, leaving Palace among the Premier League’s bottom four. Supporters booed manager Pierre Sage after a fifth defeat in eight league matches.

William Osula and Harvey Barnes scored for Newcastle as Palace failed to recover from their recent 5-0 defeat against Brighton. Palace have collected only seven points from eight matches and conceded a league-high 19 goals. Sage acknowledged supporters’ frustrations but insisted that the club’s management remains focused on improving results. No decision concerning his position has been announced.

Arsenal Women Beat Tottenham 2-1 After Controversial Penalty

Arsenal Women, Tottenham Women, Alessia Russo and Martin Ho
24 October 2026

Arsenal defeated Tottenham 2-1 in the Women’s Super League north London derby, with Alessia Russo converting a disputed second-half penalty. The result relieved pressure on Arsenal manager Renée Slegers after a disappointing start to the season.

Referee Phoebe Cross awarded a penalty when Cathinka Tandberg’s clearance struck teammate Ella Morris’ outstretched hand. Russo converted in the 56th minute. Tottenham manager Martin Ho argued that the decision was inconsistent with handball guidance because the ball came directly from a teammate at close range. Ho also called for greater investment in professional referees and officiating technology, neither of which is fully established in the WSL.

Arsenal Beat Everton 2-0 to Draw Level With Manchester City

Arsenal, Everton and Mikel Arteta
24 October 2026

Arsenal defeated Everton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, moving level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. The victory followed City’s defeat against Aston Villa earlier on Saturday.

Arsenal secured an important home victory despite the absence of injured winger Bukayo Saka. Manager Mikel Arteta received his second yellow card of the season for leaving the technical area. City remain ahead on goal difference, leaving the teams level on points after eight league matches.

Barnet Condemn Racist Abuse of Midfielder Isiah Noel-Williams

Barnet and Isiah Noel-Williams
24 October 2026

Barnet have condemned racist abuse directed at midfielder Isiah Noel-Williams on Instagram following the club’s 1-1 League Two draw against Oldham Athletic. The 23-year-old was targeted after receiving a red card during the match.

Noel-Williams was dismissed in the 70th minute, and Oldham subsequently equalised in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Barnet publicly shared evidence of an offensive social media message and issued a statement supporting their player. The club strongly rejected racist behaviour online and in football. No confirmed disciplinary or police outcome was reported in the supplied article.

Roma Fight Back Twice to Draw 3-3 With Napoli in Serie A Thriller

Napoli, Roma, Scott McTominay, Leonardo Balerdi and Frank Anguissa
24 October 2026

Roma twice recovered from two-goal and one-goal deficits to draw 3-3 with Napoli in the Derby del Sole. Scott McTominay scored twice for Napoli, but Leonardo Balerdi’s late equaliser denied the hosts an important Serie A victory.

Frank Anguissa opened the scoring with an overhead kick in the 26th minute, and McTominay doubled Napoli’s advantage shortly after half-time. Matías Soulé and Balerdi brought Roma level before McTominay restored Napoli’s lead with a long-range strike seven minutes from time. Balerdi headed in again in the final minute to secure a draw. Napoli’s inconsistent league form continued despite McTominay’s recent scoring resurgence following heart surgery.

Julián Álvarez Apologises to Atlético Fans After Barcelona Transfer Attempt

Atlético Madrid, Julián Álvarez and Diego Simeone
24 October 2026

Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez has apologised to supporters for trying to secure a summer transfer to Barcelona. His apology followed Atlético’s 1-0 La Liga victory over Deportivo La Coruña, in which the Argentine scored the winning goal.

Álvarez acknowledged that his public comments during the World Cup were poorly timed and expressed. His attempts to leave Atlético had angered fans, with some continuing to whistle him during matches. Saturday’s goal was his first league goal in eight months and helped Atlético move within two points of leaders Barcelona before El Clásico. Manager Diego Simeone welcomed the apology and said the club needs Álvarez performing at his best.

Tottenham Beat Chelsea 2-0 for Rare Stamford Bridge Victory

Tottenham, Chelsea, Mathys Tel, Mike Penders and Cole Palmer
24 October 2026

Tottenham defeated Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, recording only their second Premier League away victory against their London rivals in 34 visits. The win lifted Roberto De Zerbi’s side to 12th place after a difficult start to the season.

Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders punched a corner into his own net in the 77th minute. Cole Palmer was subsequently sent off after receiving two yellow cards, and Mathys Tel sealed the result with an individual goal in the 87th minute. Tottenham controlled 68% of possession and secured back-to-back league victories for only the second time in 42 attempts.

Cole Palmer Suspended for Liverpool Cup Clash After Tottenham Red Card

Chelsea, Cole Palmer and Liverpool
24 October 2026

Chelsea will be without Cole Palmer for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Liverpool after the midfielder was sent off during the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham. Palmer received two yellow cards but will serve only a one-match suspension.

Palmer was first booked following a confrontation involving Tottenham midfielder Mateus Fernandes before receiving a second yellow for a late challenge on Conor Gallagher. Domestic competition rules allow the suspension to carry over from the Premier League into the Carabao Cup. Palmer will therefore miss the Liverpool fixture but is expected to be eligible for Chelsea’s following league match against Manchester United.