Key events
Aston Villa have been in the news. Their draw with Fulham will not, though, do much for their ascension in English and European football
Notwithstanding this disappointing draw, it is beyond question that Emery has done an admirable job at Villa. Even after losing another tranche of top talent, with Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Emi Martínez heading up the exits last summer after winning the Europa League, the former Arsenal and PSG manager has resurrected the club’s fortunes yet again. They start seasons slowly – winning only two of their last 12 league games in August and September – but once he has cast his spell and integrated the new signings, Villa tend to get going; they had won eight of their previous 10 league games in October and November.
Huge win for Brighton at Manchester City.
Hürzeler was asked what is possible for Brighton this season. “The only thing we’re focused on is that we are in a big process, a process of analysing the game. Then try to prepare for Getafe [on Thursday], a big challenge.”
Brighton can be proud of victory here – and of being third. They are worth the lofty position and who would bet against Champions League qualification? They protected their lead admirably because City kept coming at them: City’s problem was the final touch or finish and not creating enough for the lethal Erling Haaland.
Barney Ronay’s Manchester United verdict is scathing.
Michael Carrick is miles away from being the actual story here. For the record, the United manager is now a little more pre-doomed, pre-sacked, pretty much already lounging around in one of those holiday adverts with Tony Pulis joshing about what’s for lunch. This defeat means United haven’t won a game since early September. At full time only the fact that Coventry and Sunderland would be playing each other later in the afternoon ruled out the prospect of an end-of-day bottom place.
Here’s Jacob Steinberg’s report from Stamford Bridge.
Here was a moment to symbolise United’s decline under the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Martínez has had a lot to say about those above him recently, but this is a player who should have been sold along. United have too many in that category and it is hard to see a change of manager alone fixing the problem.
A dead man talking?
“There’s no words I’m going to explain to you now that makes it any different,” he said. “It’s not going to change it. We’ve got to move forward and win matches, it’s as simple as that.”
Preamble
Good morning, and welcome. Another Sunday, another day of speculation about Michael Carrick? Well, probably. There’s also Liverpool v Arsenal, as the Gunners try to shake off their midweek visit to the north west, and Andoni Iraola attempts to keep his team rolling along.
All that and the latest news and reaction from Saturday’s games.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/nov/01/carrick-defiant-after-latest-defeat-liverpool-v-arsenal-buildup-wsl-and-more-matchday-live
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