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For years, Don Strapzy has said it while watching the SE Dons, his words becoming part of the soundtrack to a football club built on ambition, personality and a belief that the game belongs to everybody. But when Alex Teniola scored in the 95th minute to complete a remarkable comeback against Chichester, the phrase found a new audience. The Dons had trailed 2-1 before scoring twice in added time to win 3-2. Don Strapzy's commentary went viral, capturing the kind of footballing drama that needs no embellishment. There was more to come. A 5-1 victory away to former National League club Weymouth followed, leaving the Dons one win away from the FA Cup first round proper. Three seasons ago, they were playing Sunday League football. Now, after six matches in their maiden FA Cup campaign, including a replay, they prepare to face Sholing in the fourth qualifying round, with Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday or Reading among the clubs waiting in the next round. The Dons have already beaten four teams from higher leagues. They are one of only three clubs left in the competition to have started in the extra preliminary round. This is not supposed to happen. But then, the Dons have never been particularly interested in what is supposed to happen. "We are just normal people that dare to be great," Don Strapzy told Sky Sports . The club, founded in 2014 by south-east London rapper Don Strapzy, real name Andrew McHugh, and his friends, has grown from a Sunday League team into a football club, a content platform and a community with more than 250,000 YouTube subscribers. The videos have taken supporters inside dressing rooms, onto touchlines and into the lives of the people who make the club what it is. In 2024, a link-up with Forest Hill Park opened the door to Saturday football. Promotion followed, and the SE Dons name was adopted for the 2025/26 campaign. Their FA Cup debut arrived in August. A 2-0 victory against Erith Town at their home ground, The Garrison, announced their arrival in the competition. Now, the dream is becoming difficult to contain. "I used to speak to my dad about this all the time," Don Strapzy said. "My dad, he'd have a Guinness, and we'd get carried away. Like, 'Son, we're going to get to round three, get Man Utd.' "And I'd be like, 'Dad, we're getting carried away'." That conversation carries a different weight now. His father, known affectionately as Mr Old Skool, has since passed. So has his mother, Paula, who was a familiar presence around the club and helped with the kits. "It's allowed me to keep my parents' names alive," Don Strapzy said. "My mum, anything for Paula. People that haven't met her, I hear my mum's name all the time. "My dad, Mr Old Skool, he was a gentleman. He genuinely loved the club." Don Strapzy explained that, after losing Paula, the club gave his father something to look forward to each week. Now, the shirts bearing Mr Old Skool's name and the supporters singing for him in the 70th minute offer a way for his son to honour that legacy. "My life could have gone so differently," he said. "I've got friends who are gone. They ain't coming back. "My life could have gone in that route if it wasn't for my father, my mum, and my faith in the Lord." For all the jokes about European football, the ambition is sincere. Don Strapzy has no intention of pretending otherwise. "If we manage to beat Sholing, I'm asking myself, do we want the big tie now? Or do we try and get one that we can potentially go through?" he said. "The way God is writing this script right now, I wouldn't be surprised if we get to round three." The Europa League, meanwhile, has already entered the conversation. "We've been dreaming big from the start," he said on Sky Sports News . "If we can win the FA Cup, we'll be in Europa League next season." Tongue firmly in cheek, perhaps. But the Dons have earned the right to dream. Teniola knows better than most what that belief looks like from the other side. Before joining the club, the forward played for Baiteeze Squad, one of the Dons' great Sunday League rivals. He described their rivalry as the Man Utd-Arsenal of that level, with hundreds turning out for matches that helped make grassroots football a spectacle again. Yet when the opportunity came to join the Dons, Teniola recognised something familiar. "I've always been a SE Dons sort of player," he said. "I wear my heart on my sleeve. And that's the kind of culture that's bred at SE Dons." His late winner against Chichester was a reminder of why he fits. Introduced in the 85th minute, he kept his composure to toe-poke the ball under the goalkeeper and send his team-mates into celebration. "I can never explain the feeling of scoring a winner," he said. "It's one of the best feelings in the world." The goal also carried a personal significance. Teniola's nickname, "Teniola Time", dates back to a late goal for Tonbridge Angels around a decade ago. His latest intervention has given the name another chapter. For Don Strapzy, the importance of the right characters goes beyond goals. "You're not just a football player," he said. "You need the right characters in your changing room, the right leaders, the right mentality." Big G, the club's long-serving captain and goalkeeper, understands that better than most. George Kamurasi is of royal lineage in Uganda's Tooro Kingdom and is often heard on a matchday bellowing the Dons spirit from between the sticks. His story reflects the extraordinary lives behind the badge. His own grief, including the death of his parents, has also helped shape a club where remembrance and belonging are never far from the surface. "What you see on camera is real," Teniola said. "No one is acting." That authenticity is the Dons' greatest asset. The Viking-style celebrations, the music, the travelling support and the catchphrases may have helped them build an audience, but the football is now matching the spectacle. Don Strapzy is under no illusion about what comes next. Sholing are two divisions above the Dons and have their own FA Cup dream to protect. There will be no overlooking them. But a place in the first round proper would put a club born in Sunday League football alongside teams with Premier League histories. For a group that once dreamed of taking on Manchester United over a drink and a conversation, that would be something. "It's history, bro," Don Strapzy said. "We're literally making history." The Dons have spent years building their boat to conquer new shores. One more victory could take them somewhere they have never been before. And if Teniola finds himself in the right place at the right time again, perhaps the commentary will take care of itself. Some things don't need commentary. Some things just need to be seen.

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Manchester United go into Sunday's game at Elland Road in a position they are all too familiar with. Under pressure. Michael Carrick's under pressure. The players are under pressure. And perhaps there is no one more under pressure than Jason Wilcox. The club's director of football was the target of Lisandro Martinez's post-match outburst following the defeat to Atletico Madrid in midweek, with the Argentine singling him out for not doing enough to prepare for the club's return to the Champions League. Martinez issued an apology on Thursday after internal talks, and Wilcox still has the backing of his bosses at Old Trafford. But he must be starting to think there is something in the Yorkshire water as he was also the centre of controversy the last time Manchester United visited Leeds. Rewind back to the start of the year. The two sides played out a rather unremarkable 1-1 draw. Matheus Cunha cancelling out Brenden Aaronson's opener. However, the big talking point came during the post-match press conference. Ruben Amorim was the man in the away dugout that day, and defended his position in sensational fashion. "I came here to be the manager of Manchester United. Not to be the coach. That is clear," Amorim reiterated to journalists. "I know that my name is not [Thomas] Tuchel, it's not [Antonio] Conte, it's not [Jose] Mourinho, but I'm the manager of Manchester United and it's going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decides to change." Two days later, Amorim was sacked. Then came the details of the explosive meeting with Wilcox that appeared to be the beginning of the end. Ahead of the trip to Elland Road, a meeting was held between the two where Amorim's tactical approach was discussed in detail. Ultimately, the decision to fire Amorim was one that put an end to in-house tension, but not one that would cause fireworks among the fanbase. Results under the Portuguese had not been convincing across his 14-month tenure. That would be further justified when Carrick came in and secured Champions League football during his interim spell. He was subsequently handed the permanent gig by Wilcox and co. Having seen the positive work that Carrick had already overseen, the change in fortune since means fans, like Martinez, are starting to look above the head coach for an answer. An outlay of £163m was the investment into the squad thanks to the signings of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba. Was that enough to 'back' Carrick? Martinez didn't think so, but Wilcox certainly does. Speaking in a message published to the club's website following Tielemans' arrival, he said: "Last season, I wrote about the sense of responsibility to help get this great club back to the top. "A year on, we can be proud of the progress we have made towards our ultimate goals. We have taken great strides forward and can be confident that we have the right structures and processes in place to achieve regular and sustained success in the future. "We can all be proud of the winning culture that is developing at Carrington as we continue to build a talented and determined group of players ready to compete across all four competitions." Since those words, United have had a record-breaking start to the Premier League campaign for all the wrong reasons. They were eliminated from the Carabao Cup at the point of entry. Ironically, Wilcox watched the exact same events unfold last season. Elland Road was where things all came to a head under Amorim. After Martinez's comments, the same could be said again. This time though, the problem can't just be removed, even with the apology. Does this force Wilcox's hand to open up further dialogue with supporters? As Sky Sports News' Danyal Khan pointed out, it would be appreciated. "The shame is that there has been a lack of clear communication from the leadership. I know they do the in-house media sometimes. Jason Wilcox will do an interview here and there, but I really think it's missed," Khan said in a special Sky Sports vodcast. "Any time I go to Old Trafford, that's the issue. They want more clear communication. I don't know the reason why they haven't done that. But, I think if Wilcox did a day of media in pre-season, that would've gone a long way with fans." Away to Leeds is always a tough game for United. The last two occasions, Wilcox has been the man in the spotlight. In January, he found his way out by sacking Amorim. Squashing the beef with Martinez is his attempt to do the same now. Question is, will it be enough if United's dismal form continues? The longer things don't change on the pitch, the more Martinez's original outburst will appear to ring true with supporters. Now that he has specifically been brought up by a player, it will be a lot harder for him to shift the blame.

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The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday's newspapers... Antonio Conte has made it known to Manchester United bosses that he would be keen on the job if they did decide to axe Michael Carrick - Daily Mirror Lisandro Martinez is reluctant to extend his contract at Manchester United amid his bombshell outburst over the board's lack of ambition - The Sun Roy Keane has accused Manchester United's dressing room leaders of being too busy podcasting to enforce dressing room discipline - Daily Mail Lisandro Martinez's furious outburst at the Manchester United hierarchy was prompted by Ayden Heaven being forced to play at left back - The Sun Ander Herrera has told the critics to stop hammering Bruno Fernandes and show the Manchester United captain more respect - Daily Mirror Former Manchester United star Paul Parker has revealed he would NOT sign Erling Haaland at Old Trafford - The Sun Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite is admired by Manchster United with Bournemouth and France star Adrien Truffert another name on their radar - Daily Mail Mikel Merino believes that a players-only meeting after last season's draw with Wolves pushed Arsenal towards the Premier League title - Daily Mirror Paper Talk is a review of the sports headlines from the national newspapers, every Monday to Friday, live on Sky Sports News from 10.30pm. Missed the show? Catch up on the latest news with the Paper Talk podcast. Celtic flop Michel-Ange Balikwisha has accused the Parkhead club of ruining his World Cup dream by refusing him a loan last season - Scottish Sun Thelo Aasgaard admits he didn't think twice about leaving Rangers to join Anderlecht - Scottish Sun Celtic hero Scott Brown has admitted he's missing the day-to-day life of being a football manager and previously rejected the chance to take the reins at Cheltenham Town - Scottish Sun Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the Portugal squad would be 'very difficult', according to his sister - Daily Mirror Alex Scott has left her role as presenter on Disney+'s Women's Champions League coverage just weeks after taking part in the launch of new show 'The Hangout', which was widely criticised by fans - Daily Mail

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Bournemouth's history-making season continued on Thursday as they played - and won - their first-ever home European match, beating Sturm Graz 3-0 in the Europa League. It makes it two wins from two for the competition debutants and perhaps more importantly, they held on to a lead they took towards the end of the first half - something they have been unable to do in a poor start to the Premier League. Evanilson will go down as the man who scored the first European goal at the Vitality Stadium and it was a thing of beauty. Adam Smith - captaining a team he joined in England's third tier 16 years ago - found him with a cross, with the Brazilian curling a powerful header past the goalkeeper from 15 yards out. Sturm Graz came out with intent at the start of the second half and could have equalised just after the hour. Jurgen Heil smashed the woodwork before Djorde Petrovic was needed to keep out Jacob Hodl's follow-up. But the Cherries rode the wave and doubled their lead through another Brazilian, Rayan. It was a howler from Daniil Khudyakov, whose spilled save from a corner landed to the Bournemouth forward. His low, fizzing shot then sped through the goalkeeper's outstretched hands. And in second-half added time, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty. Former Huddersfield man Jon Gorenc Stankovic was penalised for a foul on James Hill - also coming in the aftermath of a Bournemouth corner. Summer signing Alvaro Rodriguez stepped up to chip the spot kick in for his first Bournemouth goal, sealing another three points. It puts the Cherries fifth in the Europa League league phase table ahead of welcoming Ruben Amorim's AC Milan to the Vitality next Thursday. 12: CHANCE! Smith curls in a wonderful cross for the incoming Tavernier, but he's defended well as his attempt goes wide. 29: NO GOAL! The ball is in the back of the net for Bournemouth - but it's immediately ruled out for a handball against Bafode Diakate. 33: OFF THE POST!! Tavernier's curling effort hits the woodwork. 41: PENALTY?! REFEREE SAYS NO! Sturm Graz have their best attack of the half, with calls for a penalty after Beganovic goes down. He is unfairly booked after, but looked to already be losing his footing as Smith made contact. 43: GOAL! Evanilson gives Bournemouth the lead with an incredible curling header from some distance. 63: OFF THE POST! SAVE! Heil hits the post with a thunderous effort from the right, before Hodl's follow-up is stopped by Djorde Petrovic's legs. 76: GOAL! Rayan's low, hard shot beats Khudyakov after some poor goalkeeping. 90+2: PENALTY SCORED! Stankovic fouls Hill as he strikes inside the box and Bournemouth are awarded a penalty. Rodriguez scores from the spot. Bournemouth captain Adam Smith to TNT Sports : "It's been a long time coming. The fans were up for it, the players were up for it so we're very happy with the performance. "It wasn't my best cross [for Evanilson's goal], but I put it into the area and what a finish from him. It's a great header. He's deserved it because he's worked very hard this season and many more to come from him. "We deserved that bit of luck and from there, we went on to win the game. In the second half, we got a bit tired but the quality that came off the bench is great. We look forward to Sunday now." On if this can be a springboard for Bournemouth: "It was very disappointing at the weekend [against Chelsea]. We let ourselves down as players, we know that. We had a chat with each other and got a reaction today. "That's a Bournemouth performance right there, but the week is not done. We have a massive game against Sunderland and we need to get three points." Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose to TNT Sports when asked if he saw what he wanted from his team: "Yes. Performance wise, clean sheet, attitude, effort. A deserved win and now we have to continue and get consistent in this kind of thing. Sunderland is the next challenge. "I believe in this team and I know we are always confident, despite being in a difficult situation [in the Premier League]. Even today, we changed some players. "We could see that the squad is working, that everyone is keen to play, that everyone deserves to play and it's good for us for the next few weeks to have a competitive squad. "Today, we won 3-0 and it's a really good result after a good performance, but we have to prove it [consistency]. "Alvaro Rodriguez did some steps the last three weeks which began with the national break. He worked really hard individually and you could see every step and I'm quite happy that he scored. "If we stick together like this, if we have our fans then we are hard to play [against] and then it's hard to beat us. That's what we should take into the next game. It's getting tough one but it helps this kind of game, this result." Analysis from Sky Sports News' Mark McAdam at the Vitality: "Back-to-back wins in the Europa League! "Not a classic by any stretch but one that will live long in the memories for Bournemouth fans; their first ever taste of European football at the Vitality - a real moment in history. A game they dominated across the pitch from start to finish. "This needs to be the springboard for their season and their next match against Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday. Win that and suddenly their season is off and running..."

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Celtic showed second-half fight but were ultimately outclassed away to Benfica as they were beaten 4-1 in the Europa League. Defensive mistakes from Celtic helped Marco Silva's hosts race into a three-goal lead by the break, with Jhon Duran at the double and Alexander Bah on the scoresheet. Camilo Duran - who had made his own way to Portugal after staying in Scotland for the birth of his child - pulled one back for Martin O'Neill's side and hit a post as Celtic tried to set up a grandstand finish. But instead, Vangelis Pavlidis wrapped up the scoring and a comprehensive win for Benfica, which leaves Celtic with two defeats from their first two games in the league phase. There may have been encouragement in some of their second-half attacking play but alarm bells were ringing at the back. In Lisbon, the city which hosted Celtic's greatest moment in the 1976 European Cup final, the visitors handed Benfica a head start when Dane Murray kicked the back of Jhon Duran's leg in a crowded box. The former Aston Villa striker was cool with his panenka penalty. Sebastian Tounekti then switched off for Bah to volley in before Auston Trusty and Celtic keeper Vijami Sinisalo contrived to let Jhon Duran score from what appeared an impossible position for the third. Celtic were desperately unlucky not to bring the game back to 2-1 before that, with Kasper Hogh hitting a post from close range before Camilo Duran curled the rebound against both the crossbar and the other post. And it would not be the last time the frame of the goal was rattled. Fredrik Aursnes nodded against a post at the other end, from what was eventually flagged an offside position, while Andreas Schjelderup and Tomas Araujo hit the woodwork in the second half, with Camilo Duran's strike against an upright in between. Fine margins in those moments - but the difference between these sides was far greater. 4: PENALTY TO BENFICA! Murray kicks Jhon Duran in the back of the leg as he goes to make a clearance in a crowded penalty area. 5: GOAL! DURAN WITH THE PANENKA! Cool as you like from the Colombian striker who dinks in the opener. 23: GOAL! It's cute from the impressive Gianluca Prestianni, who lifts a cross into the box for Bah to volley in - but it's terrible from Tounekti, who goes to sleep and allows Bah to run off him and into space to convert. 25: SIDE-NETTING! Jhon Duran fires the wrong side of the near post and Celtic are on the ropes here. 28: CELTIC SO UNLUCKY! Hogh volleys against the upright from Tounekti's cross before Camilo Duran bends a follow-up shot against the crossbar and post. 35: OFF THE POST! But the offside flag goes up. Jhon Duran meets a corner and heads it into the six-yard box but Fredrik Aursnes nodded against the post before being flagged offside. 36: GOAL! Trusty tries to show Jhon Duran away from goal but the striker hooks his foot around the ball and somehow angles an effort past Sinisalo at his near post. 63: GOAL! Camilo Duran pulls one back for the Hoops, heading in sub Haissem Hassan's cross. 72: OFF THE POST! Sub Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain feeds Camilo Duran in the box and he crashes a left-foot strike against the near upright! 74: OFF THE POST! Andreas Schjelderup now goes close for Benfica! 89: GOAL! Pavlidis runs in behind and clinically fires low into the net from the edge of the box to make it 4-1. 90: OFF THE FRAME AGAIN! Araujo heads Pavlidis' cross against the bar! Celtic boss Martin O'Neill to TNT Sports: "It's the last thing you want to do, concede so early on. At 2-0 we have a great chance to make it 2-1 and then in a few minutes they make it 3-0. We could have capitulated but I thought the second half performance was really terrific. "We created chance after chance, we should have scored more goals, and of course you're going to leave yourself a bit open at the end. But this second-half performance gives me the determination. I think we can still qualify. I know it's down to six games. We can still do it. "Overall, I'm really, really delighted with the second-half performance and it's a shame we conceded the three goals first of all." Celtic captain Callum McGregor to TNT Sports: "A disappointing result. We're here to try to get points and win but we played against a really good side, with really good quality in the final third. First half we didn't really help ourselves, in terms of the unforced errors that lead to the goal, but second half gives us a bit to hang onto in terms of performance. We scored one, could have scored another couple as well. A game of two halves."

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Georginio Rutter scored twice and set up one as Brighton thrashed Kauno Zalgris 4-0 to get their Conference League campaign off to a winning start. Brighton were dominant from the first whistle to the last against the Lithuanian Cup winners and took the lead through Rutter, but only after a VAR check. The ball had initially been deemed to have gone out of play before Ibrahim Osman's cut-back to the Frenchman, but the goal was awarded after review. Rutter then turned provider as Brighton doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Hinshelwood - returning to the side for the first time since the Premier League opening weekend - slotted into the corner. The third came after a lung-bursting run from Malick Yalcouye, who played Osman through to cross for Rutter to turn into the net with ease. Matt O'Riley made it four with a header as he scored his first Brighton goal since August 2025. The Australia international should have got his second with another header late on, but was denied by an excellent save from Tomas Svedkauskas. It is now five straight wins in all competitions for Fabian Hurzeler's side who host rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports. Analysis from Sky Sports News' Sophie Evans: "A convincing win for Fabian Hurzeler's side as they kick off the club's second chapter in Europe in style. The fans around the stadium are already confident of a strong run in this competition, chanting 'we're going to go to Istanbul'. "The Brighton boss joined his team in applauding this evening's home support. He said that their energy would be crucial in making the Amex a fortress for the opposition this season. "It's five wins in a row in all competitions for the Seagulls. They were already the favourites to win the Conference League and their dominant performance this evening will only drive that narrative." 3: CLOSE! Costinha heads over from six yards out! Excellent early opportunity for Brighton. 14: SAVE! Gross shoots from the free-kick, but his effort is tipped over by the goalkeeper! 32: CLOSE! Dunk whips a shot at goal from distance that goes just over and lands on the roof of the net! 35: SAVE! Gross with an excellent delivery from the right for Hinshelwood who heads into the ground forcing the goalkeeper to make an acrobatic one-handed save. 43: GOAL! Rutter opens the scoring after turning in Osman's cross. The goal is awarded after a VAR check. 45+1: GOAL! Rutter turns provider and crosses for Hinshelwood who produces a tidy finish across the goalkeeper to double Brighton's lead. 49: SAVE! Gross picks out De Cuyper with a lovely ball, the substitute crosses on the volley for Hinshelwood whose header is tipped over. 53: GOAL! Rutter scores his second of the night after a quality ball from Yalcouye to Osman who cuts back for the Dutchman to apply the finish. 67: GOAL! O'Riley heads across the goalkeeper and into the net to make it 4-0 to the home side. 79: SAVE! Costinha with a header at the back post. Well saved by the goalkeeper! 82: SAVE! O'Riley's bullet-header is saved brilliantly by the Kauno Zilgris goalkeeper.

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Sunderland survived a huge scare as they came from behind to clinch back-to-back Europa League victories with a 2-1 win over Torreense following Noah Sadiki’s 93rd-minute winner. Regis Le Bris' side made hard work of their first European away fixture in 53 years, trailing at half-time to the Portuguese second division club, who took a shock lead through centre-back Volnei Feltes' outstanding strike from 25 yards that nestled in the top right corner. Sunderland were frustrated during the first-half when Timur Tuterov's close-range header from Luke O'Nien's long throw was ruled out for a soft foul, but it was no excuse for a poor performance, failing to have a shot on target until the 57th minute. Le Bris had made seven changes and was forced to bring on regular first-teamers Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka, Reinildo and Nordi Mukiele midway through the second period to turn the game. Mukiele provided a deserved equaliser, crossing for Jules Ahoka, who used the pace on the delivery to guide the ball back from where it came and into the bottom right corner. Sunderland were denied a late penalty after a VAR check, but their relentless second-half pressure finally paid off in stoppage time. Xhaka touched the ball down for Sadiki in the area and he slammed a shot into the net before jumping into the away end to celebrate with their jubilant supporters.

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Pierre Sage lost to his former side as Crystal Palace fell to a 3-2 defeat to Lyon in the Europa League Lyon raced into a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Corentin Tolisso and Ernest Nuamah either side of the first half and looked comfortable while ahead, with Palace offering little in the form of a response without a shot on target. Sage, facing the club that sacked him in January 2025, sparked a reaction after the interval with Yeremy Pino pulling a goal back with his fine strike at the near post in the 50th minute. Pavel Sulc's flick to divert Keito Nakamura's shot looked to have ended any hopes of a comeback until Daichi Kamada, who had already seen a strong claim for a penalty waved away despite contact from Nuamah, halved the deficit with under 10 minutes to go. The resurgence ultimately fell short and means Palace suffered defeat to the team that cost them their place in the Europa League last season due to John Textor's involvement in the Ligue 1 side. The Eagles will now look to bounce back when they face rivals Brighton, live on Sky Sports , this Sunday before a tough trip to Besiktas in their next European outing. 8: GOAL! Lyon take an early lead after Tolisso reacts first in the box to sweep home following lacklustre Palace defending. 45+2: GOAL! Nuamah doubles the lead for Lyon just before the break after guiding his effort into the back of the net. 21: GAME ON? Pino pulls one back with fine strike into the roof of the net following Adam Wharton's fine pass into the box. 68: PENALTY CLAIM! Daichi Kamada goes down inside the area after being bundled over by Nuamah but play is waved on and VAR clears the incident. 76: GOAL! Sulc flicks Keito Nakamura's shot into the back of the net to restore two-goal lead. 81: COMEBACK ON? Kamada sparks hopes of a comeback after halving the deficit with under 10 minutes to go.

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Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has issued an apology for his outburst after Tuesday's Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid. Martinez launched an extraordinary attack on the club's hierarchy after the 2-0 defeat in Spain, as he criticised the lack of summer investment in the squad and said he expected more from "upstairs" after he singled out technical director Jason Wilcox. In a statement released on Thursday night, the defender said: "Today I met with the club's leadership and the manager. "It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday's game. "Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity. "The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that I want to apologise. How to stream Sky Sports flexibly with NOW "Our club is at its best when we are all united, and I recognise that my words in that moment did not help with that. "I know that every single person at Manchester United is doing everything possible to achieve our shared ambition: bringing the success that this club and its supporters deserve. "With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together." The club now consider the matter closed as they prepare for Leeds on Sunday, live on Sky Sports. On Wednesday, Martinez issued a statement to clarify his outburst, but did not apologise. Manchester United will focus on revamping their defence in the next transfer windows and have the formal option to prolong Martinez's stay for a further year. It is also understood that there is no pressure on Wilcox internally regarding his position. Martinez has been keen on a move away from Old Trafford for some time. In the summer, he pushed for a move to Atletico Madrid, the side that beat United in the Champions League on Tuesday night, to follow his good friend and international team-mate, Cristian Romero, who left Spurs for Spain. No suitable bid for Martinez came in for Manchester United to consider. The 28-year-old made similar explosive comments about his bosses when at Ajax in 2022. Martinez, who again wanted a move away, called their sporting director Gerry Hamstra a "nobody".

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Very few successes ever come easy. Whether it's title wins or top three finishes, every WSL season is becoming harder to predict - and plenty of clubs, including Tottenham, have their eyes on the prizes. Spurs started the 2026/27 season with statement wins against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, winning by an aggregate of 11-0 - but they came crashing back down to earth with a 6-1 defeat to London City Lionesses before the international break. It would have offered Tottenham boss Martin Ho and his players a sharp reminder about the task they have on their hands if they want to finish in the Champions League spots this season - and it does not get any easier with Chelsea and Arsenal to come in the next two games, starting at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, live on Sky Sports . But the ever-pragmatic Ho will not have forgotten that. Spurs have gone from relegation contenders to European consideration in less than 18 months under the former Brann boss, but any route to the top will not be straight forward. Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports , he said: "You're always optimistic that it can go well, but I'm also realistic that you don't just have this long-term success. It's not linear, there's going to be ups and downs, but I know if you want long-term consistency, you're going to have to have this. "We can't just go from being a team that's been fighting at the bottom of the table to go and challenge for the [WSL] trophy and make that successful and consistent over years to come. There's a process to that but the ambition is always to be at the top of that table. "Since coming in, I've tried to push standards, push the expectation with staff and players to give us a platform that can give us an opportunity to progress. "The players deserve a lot of credit for that because they take the information and run with it. They play with courage, bravery, with personality which is what I asked for and their commitment and willingness is first class. "Maybe there were times early on when I thought it was going to take a lot longer to get to where we want to be identity-wise, but the players deserve the credit because they've enabled us to maybe accelerate a little bit quicker than what I probably thought." Part of that has come through shrewd recruitment, particularly this summer. Spurs signed Champions League winners Victoria Pelova and Alice Sombath from Arsenal and Lyon respectively, Caitlin Dijkstra also joined from Wolfsburg in just a few of the impressive incomings. It all follows Ho's plan of bringing in different experiences from league, European and international levels to strengthen the squad and add a steel they were perhaps missing in his first year. "We felt like we needed certain qualities in certain positions and those players that have come in have allowed us to do that," Ho said. "They've also been in environments where they've been competing in different ways, they'll bring those experiences here which was important for us that we have a diverse environment and culture. "You also want to make sure you get a balance also between the youth and experience of the squad. You want to get a balance of where you feel relationships can be built and where they can be long-term on the pitch. "Alice [Sombath] was one of those in that position where she's had such wonderful experiences at Lyon of winning titles, but also internationally, she's got really good credibility at such a young age. The opportunity to bring her in was huge for us and someone we have followed for a while. "Then people like Victoria [Pelova], who's coming off the back of a long-term injury. She was maybe low of confidence and wasn't in a place where she felt her football could go forward. The opportunity to bring her here after having those conversations was important. Victoria Pelova is the WSL's joint-top scorer this season (5) along with Man City's Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw and Birmingham's Oceane Hurtre. "She's been part of a winning culture and a winning environment and those environments are what we want to bring to the club, which she can share and we can lean on those experiences from her. "But since she's come in, she's been outstanding in terms of giving her the enthusiasm again to play football, but giving her the confidence and belief she can achieve what she wants in terms of own ambitions." On October 24, Pelova will be reunited with her former Arsenal team-mates in the north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It is the site of Spurs' only win against the Gunners in any competition, and given their rivals' own dismal start to the season, might be sensing another. Before that though, a resurgent Chelsea - and another insight into whether this Tottenham team have what it takes to compete against the WSL's best. "You have to show a willingness to compete in those games first," Ho reflected. "You go in with the mindset and the objective is always to win the game, but we have to look at the process behind that first and the performance has to allow you to be in that position psychologically. "Are they going to be tough games? 100 percent, but they're the games you want to play and I want to play in as a coach, the players want to play in. The commercial interest is big in those because they're London derbies so you have to embrace them as a player. "But they're the ones where you will really see the character and belief of the group, they're the ones where you'll really see the development and the progress of the team, but one game doesn't tell you if you're a good team or a bad team. "It maybe gives you some answers in terms of where we need to go and the direction we need to go in, but it doesn't define you." After a bruising defeat nearly two weeks ago, Spurs will have a point to prove in their next two games. While they might not define them as a team, it could go some way in defining where they finish come May.

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Our top tipster Lewis Jones, aka Jones Knows, provides his analysis and betting insight for a busy weekend of Premier League action. Set pieces could be where this game is won and lost - and the numbers suggest Chelsea are there to be got at. Everton under David Moyes have built a clear identity around dead-ball situations, using their physicality and aerial presence to turn corners and free kicks into genuine scoring opportunities. Chelsea, meanwhile, have developed a rather less convincing reputation in this department. They have already conceded seven goals from set pieces this season - more than any other Premier League side. And this is not simply a short-term problem. Chelsea are conceding set-piece goals at a rate of 0.53 per 90 minutes since the start of last season, the highest ratio of any Premier League team over that period. So, who better to target in the goalscorer market than James Tarkowski. The Everton defender is a major weapon at attacking set pieces, leading the way among the club's defenders for touches in the opposition box and shots. His recent record offers further encouragement. Tarkowski has scored three times across his last 15 games, including a goal against Bournemouth this season. At 14/1 with Sky Bet, the price is big enough to tempt me. Week 6 @SkySportsPLPredictions & Best Bet results:Leif Davis to score or assist 3/1 ❌0-0 half-time Arsenal vs Leeds 9/4 ✅Jarrad Branthwaite to be fouled Evs ✅Over 3.5 cards Palace vs Forest ✅P+L +3.25Season P+L +0.505/10 correct results1/10 correct scores pic.twitter.com/TArRJ9ug7m Andoni Iraola has a miserable record against Brentford, going seven meetings without a win and losing five of them. Brentford's direct approach has repeatedly caused problems for his footballing philosophy, finding ways to bypass the press and turn matches into the sort of physical, second-ball contests that can leave his teams exposed. Of course, Iraola now has a higher calibre of player at his disposal than he did at Bournemouth. But better players do not automatically solve tactical problems, particularly when the opposition know how to exploit them. Brentford have shown they can make life difficult for this style of football. Liverpool's early-season numbers also make uncomfortable reading. Liverpool have scored just six non-penalty Premier League goals, the sixth-fewest in the division. More concerning is the lack of quality chances they are creating. They have manufactured only nine Opta-defined big chances, the joint-lowest total alongside Aston Villa and Coventry. Brighton, by comparison, have created 27. Therefore, the under 3.5 goals element also appeals. At 11/10 with Sky Bet, backing Brentford on the double chance alongside under 3.5 goals offers a route in. The betting market still appears reluctant to trust Hull City whatsoever, with their long-standing underlying data seemingly carrying too much weight in the assessment of their chances. But football matches are not played on historical spreadsheets. And what Hull are producing right now suggests they deserve considerably more respect. They have lost just one of their six Premier League matches this season, against Newcastle - and even that defeat came with a significant caveat: Hull won the expected goals battle. They also came out on top in that metric during their 2-2 draw at Chelsea. Hull are proving capable of competing with established Premier League sides while carrying a genuine threat of their own. They look a dangerous proposition for a Fulham side who have looked alarmingly fragile when games have begun to turn against them. The collapses against Ipswich and Crystal Palace, having been in winning positions, are difficult to ignore. Against an opponent willing to keep asking questions, that defensive vulnerability could become costly. At 6/5 with Sky Bet, Hull on the double chance is the bet of the weekend. The market is still judging Hull on what they were rather than what they are. I'm happy to take advantage while that gap in perception remains. Manchester City are winning football matches at a rate that their underlying numbers simply cannot justify. That is not necessarily a reason to oppose them but it does make me question whether the market is giving enough consideration to the chances their opponents are creating. No team has overperformed its expected-goals numbers more than City, with the expected-points model suggesting they should have collected around seven fewer points than they have. That gap deserves scrutiny. It is not just about City's ruthless finishing at one end, it is also about the opportunities they are allowing at the other. Look at Sunderland, who generated 2.97 expected goals from 17 shots against City. Coventry also managed 12 shots in their 1-0 defeat at the Etihad. That opens the door for Ipswich to contribute to the scoring here. At 4/5 with Sky Bet, both teams to score is the angle. City's results may be sparkling in the Premier League but their underlying defensive numbers tell a less comfortable story. Johan Manzambi could be one of the Premier League's breakout stars this season. Under Unai Emery, the young Swiss forward has been given a prominent role playing off the central striker, and the early signs are that he is ready to make the most of it. The shot volume is what really catches my eye. In his last three starts, Manzambi has registered 13 shots, with four hitting the target and two finding the net. When that kind of volume is combined with a favourable fixture, the goalscorer market starts to look interesting. And Newcastle are about as favourable a defensive opponent as you could ask for. If the Magpies concede here, they will set a new club record for consecutive home games in all competitions without keeping a clean sheet (16). Their defensive record at St James' Park this calendar year is particularly damning, conceding 36 goals and keeping just two clean sheets across 20 home matches in all competitions. So I am happy to trust Manzambi's recent shooting numbers. At 3/1 with Sky Bet, I'm happy to play him to score. Bournemouth and Sunderland have managed just one win between them across their six matches this season. That sort of start can change the psychology of a football match. Confidence becomes fragile and avoiding defeat can feel more important than chasing victory. That makes under 2.5 goals at Evens an interesting proposition with Sky Bet. Bournemouth's historical goal numbers might tempt you towards another open, entertaining contest. Across their last 50 matches, the average total has been 3.1 goals per game. But I would be wary of leaning too heavily on that data in this spot. After shipping five goals in a single game at Chelsea, it is only natural for a team to take stock. Defensive security can become the priority. That is where the draw becomes an interesting possibility which rows alongside a low-scoring game. Neither side has done enough so far to inspire complete confidence and a cagey contest in which both teams are reluctant to play too risky would hardly be a surprise. Pascal Gross has been one of the Premier League's outstanding performers this season. He is the player who makes Brighton tick. But he carries a serious goal threat, too. Four goals already this season underlines that point. Add the fact he is on penalties and there are multiple routes to a goal. The market appears to be anticipating a comfortable win for Brighton with their expected goal output approaching three. That creates an interesting opportunity in the player goalscorer markets. If Brighton are expected to score freely, why are we being offered 7/2 with Sky Bet about one of their most influential players finding the net? That feels large. Gross has the technical quality to arrive in dangerous positions, the composure to finish chances and the added advantage of penalty-taking duties. In a fixture where Brighton are expected to create plenty, those qualities make him an appealing candidate to get on the scoresheet. It doesn't exactly take a Tony Bloom-like figure to work out that Leeds are a bet at these prices with 13/10 being offered by Sky Bet. Sometimes the noise surrounding Manchester United can become so deafening that it distorts the betting market but the chaos at Old Trafford right now makes the odds-against price about a Leeds victory particularly appealing. This is a nightmare fixture for a United side who look fragile, disjointed and incapable of dealing with opponents who bring relentless intensity. Leeds will make this an uncomfortable afternoon where turning the atmosphere at Elland Road makes home advantage key. United have shown this season that they struggle when opponents take the game to them physically and emotionally. Leeds have collected 45 points from 31 Premier League games since the start of December 2025 - a tally bettered by only five teams. Their home form is even more persuasive. Leeds have taken 29 points on their own patch over the same period. Only Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have collected more. In what is the same old story, the market appears to be giving Manchester United too much credit for their name and not enough weight to their current shortcomings. Back Leeds to bring the intensity and take the points. Arsenal remain one of the Premier League's elite defensive sides but there are signs that the absence of William Saliba is having a marginal impact on their ability to shut teams out. It is a subtle shift rather than a dramatic decline, yet subtle shifts matter when the market continues to price a defence as though it is operating at its absolute best. With Gabriel and Saliba paired together, Arsenal have averaged just 0.65 expected goals against per game. This season, that figure has risen to 0.9. It is hardly a collapse in defensive standards but it is a meaningful increase. Arsenal have conceded five goals across their last four Premier League games, too. It does suggest there may be more opportunities for opponents to find a breakthrough than the market assumes. Nottingham Forest are an interesting opponent in that regard. Their recent attacking performances have deserved more reward with Forest averaging 1.88 expected goals per 90 minutes. That is a healthy level of chance creation and it suggests their goal threat is stronger than their actual returns might indicate. At 10/11 with Sky Bet, both teams to score is the play. Arsenal remain formidable but their defensive numbers have edged in the wrong direction while Forest are creating enough chances to suggest a goal is coming. There is a disciplinary angle worth following with Roberto De Zerbi's attacking approach creating the conditions for opponents to find themselves making fouls and being shown cards. Since De Zerbi took charge, opposition teams have averaged 2.3 cards per 90 minutes against Spurs. That is an interesting trend particularly when you consider the type of wide players Tottenham have. Savio and Mohamed Kudus are dangerous one-vs-one operators who thrive on committing defenders. Savio has drawn a card every 154 minutes of Premier League action in his career while Kudus won 21 bookings off the opposition in his final season at West Ham, ranking third for cards drawn per game that campaign of all Premier League players to have played more than 1,000 minutes. Coventry full-back Milan van Ewijk is in the firing line then. Van Ewijk has already been booked twice this season, giving us some evidence that he is not immune to getting stuck in. At 7/2 with Sky Bet, the price offers an appealing return for a player who could be under sustained pressure.

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Harry Kane has agreed a new deal in principle with Bayern Munich until the summer of 2029. The England captain and his family are said to be enjoying life in Munich. It's understood the Bundesliga club are now finalising the paperwork on his contract extension. Kane has scored a phenomenal 154 goals in 156 matches since moving from Tottenham to Bayern in 2023. His 73 goals for club and country last season - including the World Cup with England - have put him in strong contention for the men's Ballon d'Or. During his time at Bayern, he has won two Bundesliga titles - the first in 2025 acting as the first major trophy of his career - as well as last season's German Cup and the German Super Cup in the last two years. In the last three years, Kane has also won the European Golden Shoe twice - given to the top scorer on the continent - and has won the Bundesliga Golden Boot in each of his three seasons at Bayern. Kane also took England to the Euro 2024 final during his time with the German giants, as well as leading the Three Lions to their best World Cup finish since 1966 earlier this summer. Earlier this month, he equalled Peter Shilton's England appearance record by winning his 125th cap, which he will hope to beat in next month's Nations League matches. Kane set the record to become the fastest player to 100 goals in the history of the Bundesliga earlier this month. He didn't just set it, he smashed it, reaching his ton in 98 games - 31 faster than the previous holder, Dieter Muller, whose record had stood for almost half a century. That was underpinned by the most prolific scoring season of his entire career in 2025/26, netting 36 goals in 31 Bundesliga matches as well as 14 in 13 Champions League matches and, if that wasn't enough, a further 12 strikes for England including six at the World Cup. Already the best No 9 in the world, Kane has somehow found a way to hit new heights even in his 30s. Scoring 73 goals in 65 games is, simply, mindblowing. And a fitting reward for maintaining his fitness better than he ever has before - having arrived at previous international tournaments already clearly burnt out. Others may have picked up bigger team honours but for an individual award, there has been no player in better form on the planet. And what better time to pick up the award than in his home town when the winner is crowned at the London Palladium later this month?

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His expression of regret for not telling the council about his plans earlier was not good enough for European football leaders, including FA chair Debbie Hewitt, who still want him to resign. It was expected council members would also quiz Infantino on a number of controversial issues at the meeting. As well as the World Cup sell-off plan, Infantino faced scrutiny on the decision to suspend the one-match ban of USA striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup, the FIFA Peace Prize and why it was given to USA President Donald Trump, and the reasons for an additional £1.3m fee he received in 2024 on top of his FIFA salary. After this summer's World Cup, Infantino abandoned a controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private equity investors after fierce opposition from football's governing bodies. Infantino had then given football associations until September 19 to back his proposals to sell off part of FIFA to private investors with a £30.1m incentive to accept. But the controversial proposals received fierce criticism from UEFA, CONCACAF (the North American, Central American and Caribbean association) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Analysis by Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol: "It's not enough for European football leaders, because make no mistake, they have had enough of Gianni Infantino, they want him out. "They just think this is the final scandal in a long list of scandals - and don't forget what Infantino was doing this summer behind the backs of the FIFA Council, who are effectively the FIFA Board. "He was negotiating to sell a stake, not just in the World Cup, but all future FIFA tournaments forever more. A 20 per cent stake, he was going to set up a new company, and the company was valued at just $20bn (£15m) when the World Cup this summer made $15bn (£11bn). "So, European football leaders are convinced he was trying to sell off the World Cup on the cheap. They have gone to the courts to try and force him to release all documents about this plan he had come up with. They are saying today [Thursday], including the chair of the FA, Debbie Hewitt, that basically sorry is not good enough, we need to see the documents, we want to see all the figures, you've got to be transparent, you've got to release all these documents. "And I think the reason they are so desperate to get their hands on those documents is because they know it will be a massive scandal if they have the evidence to prove the FIFA president was selling off a stake in FIFA tournaments to people with close ties to President Trump for a knockdown price. That would be a big, big story." Infantino is hoping to be re-elected for a fourth term next year, without facing a challenger for the third election a row. Arsene Wenger, Luis Figo and Michelle Kang have been mentioned as potential candidates but it remains to be seen whether any of them are prepared to challenge Infantino. Anyone who wants to take on Infantino has until 18 November to declare their candidacy. It may be in the best interests of challengers to declare their intention to stand as late as possible in order to give Infantino and his supporters less time to prepare for taking on a rival. Former Arsenal manager Wenger is respected around the world but he has shown no interest so far in leading FIFA. He has been happy working as FIFA's global football development chief since 2019, although he did release a statement in August criticising Infantino's plan to sell off a stake in the World Cup. He was appointed to his role by Infantino and has supported some of the FIFA president's most controversial projects, such as a biennial World Cup and an expanded Club World Cup. Luis Figo has launched a scathing attack on Infantino in a newspaper column, calling for his resignation in the wake of the World Cup sell-off scandal. The former Real Madrid and Barcelona star has the profile to pose a challenge, but his role as a UEFA adviser since 2017 could make it harder to secure the votes he would need from football associations around the world to replace Infantino. Lyon, London City Lionesses and Washington Spirit owner Kang has also been mentioned as a potential challenger but there have been no indications that she is preparing to take on Infantino. The FIFA Council has 37 members made up of: