The U.S. opened a three-match international break with a frustrating defeat with few positives after the game's first 33 seconds

If the first 33 seconds were anything to go by, the U.S. women's national team were set to cruise. They'd gotten on the board in the blink of an eye, with Rose Lavelle seemingly setting a tone with a first-minute goal. Surely that would be a sign of things to come. Surely, like Spain and England earlier this year, the USWNT would use that goal to kickstart a rout of Portugal.

Not quite. In fact, not even close. Instead, it was the USWNT who found themselves on the end of a stunning 2-1 defeat at Subaru Park, one that served as a harsh reminder that, despite recent successes, this team still has a lot of work to do.

Not only had the USWNT never lost to Portugal – they had won 10 of 11 all-time meetings, with the two teams playing to a scoreless draw in the group stage of the 2023 World Cup – they had never even conceded a goal. After Lavelle's goal, the US held a 40-0 goalscoring advantage over Portugal all-time.

But that changed quickly. After Lavelle quick opening goal, the USWNT were outmuscled and, in truth, outplayed by Portugal. The two goals came off set pieces, one in the first half from Diana Gomes and a deflected effort from Fatima Pinto in the 72nd minute to seal it.

Boiling it down to just that would be unfair to Portugal, though. The visitors played toe-to-toe with the USWNT, having their share of the ball and fighting like hell to get it back every time they lost it. Portugal's performance was scrappy, yes, but it was also somewhat complete, unlike the one put forward by the USWNT, who generated little of note outside of the goal and a few near-misses.

With the 2-1 loss, the USWNT has now dropped three matches in a calendar year for the first time since 2022 – and this was much different than previous 2-1 setbacks against Japan and Brazil, as Portugal entered the match ranked 23rd in FIFA's world rankings. The USWNT is ranked No. 2.

Fortunately for the USWNT, they'll get their chance to respond in just a few days as these two teams face off in East Hartford, Connecticut on Sunday. This was the first game for Emma Hayes' side in 113 days, having last played in a 3-0 win over Canada on July 2. The rust was obvious, but Sam Coffey gave that justification no legitimacy, calling it a "cop out." She noted that Hayes called out the lack of team cohesiveness. 

"Disappointment is the word," Coffey told TNT after the match. "Conceding on two set pieces? We pride ourselves on defensive set pieces and we did not live up to that standard tonight. Her biggest message was that we were just too individual. We didn’t play as the incredible team that we are tonight. We tried to do it as individuals, and that’s not who we are. The strength of the team is its numbers, the group itself. We did not show that tonight. That’s a huge learning for us."

Hayes was equally frustrated, saying of the 113-day layoff, "I aged 113 years on the touchline. Like, it was frustrating, of course. Listen, our team have been wonderful since I've been here. This, for me, is a moment for us to really lean in and say, ‘Look, there's a reason we set you up a certain way. And, you know, sometimes it doesn't happen.' And I'm frustrated because I know everybody wants to do well and we're disappointed… We scored a goal and we stopped playing."

If the U.S. wants to change the result, and the narrative, they'll need much better on Sunday.

GOAL rates the USWNT's players from Subaru Park.

• Getty Images
  

  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Phallon Tullis-Joyce (7/10):

  Kick-started the early goal by playing the ball upfield. Great kick save in the first half, and not much she could do on either goal.

  Emily Fox (6/10):

  Felt like a bit of a risk starting her given her recent injury issues, but she seemed fine. Some scary moments, though, due to Portugal's physicality.

  Tara McKeown (4/10):

  A little bit too shaky in the moments in which Portugal challenged her. Will need to clean those up if she wants to challenge for a starting role.

  Emily Sonnett (4/10):

  Couldn't get there to prevent the first goal and it seemed that it was her mark that scored. Was fine outside of the set pieces, but centerbacks are always frustrated to concede on corners.

  Avery Patterson (6/10):

  Showed off some of the attacking juice that makes her such an interesting addition to this team. Struggled at times with the physicality but fought back more as the game went on, creating a few chances.

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  Midfield

  Sam Coffey (5/10):

  Depending on Hayes' set-piece tactics, may have been partially responsible for the first goal. Did plenty of the defensive duties, though, with the two more offensive-minded midfielders next to her.

  Lindsey Heaps (5/10):

  Had some good moments and some frustrating ones, particularly out of possession. Not wildly effective, though, as she usually is.

  Rose Lavelle (7/10):

  Was such a nice finish that the assistant referee didn't even realize to call it back for offside. Credit to Lavelle, though, despite the positioning as, even outside of the goal, she was an attacking menace all game.

• Getty Images
  

  Attack

  Alyssa Thompson (5/10):

  Pace made her dangerous, but the decision-making could use some work. It was easy to see the problems she created, but she needs to make more of it.

  Catarina Macario (7/10):

  Got the assist and was very shifty on the ball throughout. Probably deserved a goal and might have had one if not for a tight offside call midway through the second half.

  Michelle Cooper (5/10):

  Took an absolute beating in the first half, but soldiered through, making it to the second half despite nearly coming off early on.

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  Subs & Manager

  Claire Hutton (7/10):

  A good appearance from the young midfielder, as that unit looked much more lively after the young subs came on.

  Lily Yohannes (6/10):

  Didn't have any signature passes, but the game probably could have used her a bit earlier given Portugal's possession numbers.

  Emma Sears (6/10):

  Definitely brought some life to the team, creating some danger down the wing shortly after coming on.

  Yazmeen Ryan (5/10):

  Came in as the No. 9 and definitely had energy, but there wasn't much service.

  Jaedyn Shaw (N/A):

  Would have been nice to see her in the game earlier with a chance to make an impact.

  Emma Hayes (6/10):

  It easy to understand the desire to see the team play through tough stretches, but it seemed clear that this game needed subs earlier. At this point in the cycle, though, all good to see if her put the team to the test. It's just that you lose sometimes when that happens.

Centuries by Luke Wells, Josh Bohannon and Ashton Turner on debut have given Lancashire a chance of defeating Kent on the final day of the Rothesay County Championship match at Blackpool and thereby securing their first red-ball victory of the season.Replying to the visitors’ 374, Lancashire were 639 for 9 at the close after a day in which their batters savaged Daniel Bell-Drummond’s attack.Wells made 152, Bohannon 124 and Turner a career-best 154 on a day when their county amassed the highest total in matches between the sides.Lancashire will go into the final day with a lead of 265 and the decision facing stand-in skipper James Anderson is whether to declare overnight or club a few more runs before trying to force a win on a docile surface. The latter seems unlikely.In a first session slightly curtailed by a light shower, Lancashire added 105 runs in 30.5 overs for the loss of nightwatcher Tom Bailey, who had made 25 untroubled runs before he was lbw on the front foot to Joey Evison.Otherwise, the highlight of the morning was Wells reaching his third first-class century for Lancashire against Kent when he reverse-swept Jack Leaning to the third boundary. The Red Rose opener had faced 195 balls and hit twelve fours and a six.However, the first session proved to be merely the prelude to an even more severe assault on the Kent bowling in the next two sessions. After taking 24 balls to get off the mark, Josh Bohannon reached his fifty off a further 78 deliveries with an on-drive off Evison. In the next over Wells lost the ball when he walloped Matt Parkinson for a six over the wall at the South End to bring up his own 150.Next ball, however, the former Lancashire leg-spinner applied to balm to his wounded pride when Wells tried to repeat his previous stroke and was well caught by Wes Agar at long off for 152. That dismissal ended the opener’s enterprising 136-run stand with Bohannon and it left his side still 71 runs shy of Kent’s first innings total.Despite having made his runs in a minute short of six hours during which he hit 17 fours and three sixes, Wells’ dejection at his dismissal clearly suggested he thought he had missed a big opportunity to make an even bigger contribution. The cricket that followed supported that judgement.Ashton Turner joined Bohannon and the pair put on a further 174 runs either side of tea, with Turner making an immediate impact in his first innings for Lancashire, reaching his hundred off 117 balls with six fours and four sixes.Bohannon had earlier reached his century off 191 balls with a square cut off his old team mate Parkinson, having hit nine fours and three sixes but he was eventually caught by Agar off Jack Leaning’s off-spin for 124, having hit ten fours and four sixes in his 210-ball innings.Late in the day, Matty Hurst was bowled for 21 by Evison, who took his third wicket and finished with 3 for 61 from 21 overs on a day when he had plainly been the pick of the Kent attack.Eight overs before the close Turner was caught at long off by Leaning off Parkinson and Michael Jones fell to the same combination for 41, leaving the leg-spinner with figures 3 for 188 from 35 overs. Jaydn Denly took two late wickets.The problem now for Anderson and his bowlers is that this Stanley Park pitch still looks very flat and it will take all of Anderson’s wiles and a shrewd rotation of his bowlers to take ten wickets in one day, given that only 19 have fallen in the first three, five of today’s dismissed batsmen perishing to catches in the deep.

MacGregor stars again with the ball in tight victory over Bears at Chelmsford

ECB Reporters Network04-Jun-2025

Sterre Kalis resisted for Bears but couldn’t overcome Essex•ECB via Getty Images

Essex’s batters came to the party as they overcame the weather and a late Sterre Kalis blitz to beat Warwickshire by 19 runs under the Duckworth Lewis Stern method at Chelmsford in the Vitality Blast women’s competition.Issy Macleod (44), Grace Scrivens (36) and an explosive 27 from Maddie Penna lifted the hosts to 154 for 4 in a game reduced to 14 overs-a-side by rain.Kalis plundered 52 in 23 balls in reply, but her pyrotechnics came too late as Esmae MacGregor (3 for 32) and Sophia Smale (2 for 13) helped restrict the visitors to 139 for 8.Scrivens survived a huge lbw shout first ball from Issy Wong, replays suggesting the England Lions’ captain from last winter was lucky to escape the dreaded umpire’s finger.The Essex skipper made good use of the reprieve, driving and sweeping forcefully to clock up eight boundaries in quick time, At the other end Lauren Winfield-Hill’s sumptuous straight drive helped raise the 50-partnerhip in 31 balls.Charis Pavely ended the fun, luring Scrivens down the pitch to be stumped by Abi Freeborn. The batter hadn’t reached the pavilion before a cloudburst drove the players from the field.When play resumed 80 minutes later, Winfield-Hill perished caught at square leg off Millie Taylor, but Penna caught the mood launching the night’s first six over the mid-wicket stand and adding four fours in a brutal 12-ball effort.Even when she fell to Katie George’s boundary catch, Macleod smote five fours as 57 came off the last four overs.Davina Perrin, fresh from her 87 against Durham on Sunday, set the tone for the chase, pulling the first ball for four, and plundering three more boundaries from the next over bowled by Scriven.One shot too many saw her hole out at mid-on off Kate Coppack, but Essex missed out on a second scalp in the powerplay when Wong, promoted up the order was reprieved on 11, a skier dropped at mid-off by Scrivens. The drop didn’t prove expensive with the England all-rounder caught soon afterwards from the bowling of the in-form MacGregor who scattered the stumps of the dangerous Laura Harris later in the same over.Sterre Kalis played the knock of the night, twice clearing the ropes as she raced to 50 with five fours and two sixes, but by the time she became one of two late wickets for Sophia Smale from the game’s penultimate ball, the cause was lost.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is in line to receive a welcome boost, with one star now expected to make an earlier return from injury.

Mikel Arteta shares Arsenal injury update pre-Fulham

The return of Premier League football after another tedious international break, much to the delight of Gunners supporters, is now imminent.

Arsenal take on Marco Silva’s Fulham at Craven Cottage, with Arteta looking to extend his side’s seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions and maintain their place atop the Premier League table.

The North Londoners have failed to win at Fulham’s ground in each of their last two visits, losing 2-1 there at the end of 2023 and drawing 1-1 a year later.

Silva has worked wonders on a shoe-string budget since guiding Fulham to promotion and an immediate return back to the top flight in 2022/2023, and the Whites are currently faring much better than a few of last summer’s much more lavish spenders.

Rank

Club

Gross Spend

Sales

Net Spend

15.

Crystal Palace

£48.9m

£67.5m

+£17.7m

14.

Aston Villa

£28m

£43m

+£15m

13.

Fulham

£35.1m

£8.7m

-£26.4m

12.

Burnley

£97.7m

£31m

-£66.7m

11.

West Ham

£131.3m

£55m

-£76.3m

See where Arsenal rank here…

Arteta currently has a few key players out as well, with club captain Martin Odegaard, summer signing Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all unavailable for their trip across London.

Jesus is still recovering from his ACL tear, which has kept him out since last winter, and reports suggest that Arsenal could even sell the Brazilian in January following the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres.

Madueke was in red-hot form before he was sidelined with a knee problem, which was a major blow for the England international, and Odegaard swiftly returned to the treatment table with his own knee issue after just coming back from a shoulder injury.

Havertz, meanwhile, played just half an hour this season before he too suffered a knee complication.

Speaking of the German, reliable club insider HandOfArsenal has shared a very encouraging update on Havertz’s progress via X, which provides further insight into what Arteta said in his pre-Fulham press conference.

Kai Havertz could return "earlier than expected" with Arsenal staff "blown away"

It is believed the attacker is striving to make an earlier return than anticipated, and his performances in rehab have even left Arsenal staff blown away.

This is undoubtedly excellent news for Arsenal, as the 26-year-old has become a crucial figure for Arteta.

Last campaign, Havertz was a key man in their attacking lineup across all competitions, showcasing his creativity and versatility with 15 goals and 5 assists — including four strikes in the Champions League.

These numbers would’ve been even greater if not for a hamstring injury which kept him out for three months towards the end of 2024/2025, and his potentially imminent presence will relieve some of the creative burden on Arsenal’s available forward line.

Havertz will also keep Gyokeres firmly on his toes, with the Swede currently on a six-game streak without scoring.

Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system at Manchester United has certainly divided fans, and the jury is still out as to whether it works or not. One of the major changes to the system compared to previous great United teams over the years is the midfield.

Amorim operates with two number sixes in a double pivot, with two number 10s ahead of those, either side of the striker. He has adapted Bruno Fernandes’ game, with the talismanic United midfielder now playing in that pivot, rather than close to goal, where he has had lots of previous success for the club.

Another player who has been affected by the different system is Kobbie Mainoo.

Why Kobbie Mainoo is in an awkward situation

It has certainly not been the easiest season for one of the most exciting young midfielders in the world, Mainoo. The 20-year-old ranked 36th in the recent Golden Boy awards, highlighting just how big a talent he is.

However, the 2025/26 season has not been plain sailing for Mainoo, through no fault of his own. The boyhood United star has only played 166 minutes across five games this term, and has registered an assist in that time. He’s yet to start a Premier League game.

Well, many United fans are confused as to why the England international cannot break into their starting lineup. Former Red Devils midfielder Owen Hargreaves said after the Manchester derby that he’ll “never know” why Amoirm isn’t picking Mainoo.

Indeed, it is strange, given the young midfielder’s exploits during his short career so far. The 20-year-old has started a final at a major tournament for England and scored an FA Cup final-winning goal.

Mainoo’s lack of involvement at United this season has certainly been disappointing, given his obvious talent, and left him in an awkward situation. Interestingly, there was a former United midfielder who was ahead of him at one stage.

The ex-midfielder ahead of Mainoo

Although Mainoo has not been given any opportunities this season, the 20-year-old is without doubt a huge talent. He could certainly be viewed as the heir in line to the throne when it comes to legendary United midfielders.

Well, before Mainoo made his first-team debut, there was someone else who could have staked a claim to that title. Fellow academy graduate Zidane Iqbal made his first-team debut just under a year before the England international, but did not quite follow the same career path.

Iqbal’s only game for United came in the Champions League against BSC Young Boys. He only played one minute of normal time, and never failed to get onto the pitch again, despite being on the bench several times.

The Iraqi international left the club for Dutch side FC Utrecht in 2023 and was sold for just £857k. He has since gone on to make a real impression for the Eredivisie side, making 41 appearances and scoring once.

The midfielder’s best skill is his passing, which has really shone during his time in the Netherlands. Last season, he averaged 6.58 progressive passes and 5.4 passes into the final third per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 11% and 16% respectively, of midfielders in the Dutch top flight.

Pass completed

46.21

83rd

Pass accuracy

88.3%

98th

Progressive passes

6.58

89th

Passes into final third

5.4

84th

Passes into penalty box

1.18

74th

If Iqbal had stayed at Old Trafford and been given a chance to show off his talent, he could have been the natural successor to the famous number 18 shirt. That has previously been worn by midfield maestros Fernandes and, earlier, Paul Scholes.

Interestingly, the Iraqi international looked up to Scholes as a youngster. He once explained, “I’d kind of just base my game off him and put myself in his shoes”, which is not a bad way to learn the art of control in midfield.

Well, to wear the number 18 shirt as a creative midfielder at United, you really do need to be a player capable of pulling the strings. Fernandes has 86 assists in Red so far, and the legendary Scholes amassed 82, per Transfermarkt.

The stats show just how well Iqbal can dictate the game in midfield. He has proven himself to be a true controller of the midfield in a top league, and surely could have been considered worthy enough of donning that famous number 18 shirt.

United fans can only look back on this as what could have been. Iqbal was ahead of Mainoo in his development and perhaps could have formed the perfect partnership alongside the 20-year-old, with the number 18 on his back.

Bigger mistake than McTominay: Man Utd sold their own Trent for just £5m

Man Utd’s recruitment record has been called into question, with Scott McTominay not the only former star now shining…

ByRobbie Walls Sep 23, 2025

Given the size of the club and their incredible success over the last 20 years or so, some truly world-class players have represented Chelsea.

The likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba are not club legends, but icons of the Premier League as a whole.

However, one player who might not always get the full respect he deserves from rival fans, but is adored at Stamford Bridge, is Eden Hazard.

The Belgian wizard was magical to watch at his best, and in good news, it looks like Chelsea might have a player on their books who could eclipse even his time at the club, and no, it’s not Cole Palmer.

Hazard's Chelsea career in numbers

Hazard joined Chelsea from French outfit LOSC Lille for around £32m in the summer of 2012, just a few weeks after they won their first Champions League.

It didn’t take long for the mercurial ace to settle, as he provided an assist in his first Premier League game for the club and ended the season with a sensational haul of 13 goals and 23 assists in 62 games and a Europa League medal.

It was more of the same the following year, as he racked up 25 goal involvements in 49 games for the club, although the year after that, in the 14/15 season, he transformed into an undeniably world-class superstar.

In that season, the La Louvière-born game-changer was utterly unplayable, and by the time the final game had finished, he had scored 19 goals, provided 13 assists, won the league and league cup and was named Player of the Year.

It’d be a similar story just two years later as the 34-year-old’s 21 goal involvements in 36 league games helped the West Londoners clinch another title, something they’ve not done since.

Hazard’s Chelsea career
Appearances	352
Starts	297
Minutes	26967′
Goals	110
Assists	88
Goal Involvements per Match	0.56
Minutes per Goal Involvement	136.19′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

By the time Hazard left Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, he had played 352 games for the club, in which he scored 110 goals and provided 88 assists.

It’s hard to imagine many players even coming close to such a CV, but football is forever evolving, and there is a certain youngster in Enzo Maresca’s squad who looks like he could match or exceed the Belgian’s Chelsea record.

The Chelsea gem who could eclipse Hazard

Now, there is certainly an argument to be made that Palmer could one day eclipse Hazard’s Chelsea record, but in this instance, there is another even younger talent who looks like he could do the same.

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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

That youngster is, of course, Estevao, who finally joined the squad in the summer after being signed from Palmeiras for around £29m last summer.

The Brazilian had to wait a full year due to regulations regarding foreign players under the age of 18, but the fact that the Blues were still keen to splash the cash on him is an indication of just how highly rated he is.

In fact, while it is absurdly early, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has already made his feelings on the teenager clear, labelling him a “future Ballon d’Or winner.”

While it is likely going to be some time before the 18-year-old is seriously considered for the prestigious prize, he is already making quite the impression this season.

For example, when he came off the bench for Pedro Neto against Liverpool, the “world-class” prospect, as dubbed by scout Jacek Kulig, he helped to change the game for his side.

His constant desire to run at opposition defenders and incredible technical ability made life hell for Andy Robertson, and then, finally, thanks to his positioning, he got the winning goal late on.

However, the game against the Reds wasn’t the Franca-born gem’s first impressive display this season, as he has consistently impressed off the bench.

Moreover, when he started against West Ham United, he provided an assist for Joao Pedro.

Ultimately, Estevao might only have two goal involvements for Chelsea at the moment, but it genuinely feels like the club has a world-class player on their hands, and should he achieve what Mattinson claims he will, then he’ll also surpass Hazard’s record in blue.

Chelsea prepare £78m bid for "special" forward whose value is skyrocketing

The Blues are eyeing a free-scoring star and could go big to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Oct 6, 2025

Chelsea equaled the longest unbeaten streak in Women’s Super League history as they were held to a controversial 1-1 draw with title rivals Arsenal on Saturday afternoon. Alyssa Thompson’s opener was cancelled out by Alessia Russo's late strike in a breathless match which saw Sonia Bompastor’s Blues match their own 33-game unbeaten league run at the Emirates Stadium.

In another blistering start from Chelsea, winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd hit the post before Thompson scored her side’s seventh goal in the opening 15 minutes of league games this season, chipping Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar with a wonderful finish. Bompastor’s side almost had a second when Van Domselaar parried Catarina Macario’s effort onto the crossbar, with Wieke Kaptein unable to convert the rebound from close range.

However, as has been custom this season, Chelsea’s scintillating start soon fizzled out as Arsenal grew into the game, almost pouncing on careless moments in possession from first Hannah Hampton and then Mille Bright before the break. The hosts picked up from where they left off in the second half and thought they had levelled when Gunners striker Stina Blackstenius pounced on Niamh Charles’ poor clearance, but the goal was controversially chalked off for handball. Chelsea will argue justice was served, however, as replays later showed they should not have conceded the corner which led to the disallowed strike.

As the most-played fixture in WSL history wore on, Arsenal continued to push and probe and they were finally rewarded when Chelsea goalkeeper Hampton failed to keep out Russo's last-gasp leveller, though replays would later show that the forward looked offside in the build-up. There was still time for one more final twist as substitute Frida Maanum thought she had won the fiery encounter for Renee Slegers’ side, but her goal was ruled out for offside. However, replays would later show that the midfielder looked onside as she coolly slotted past Hampton.

The result ensures Arsenal – who are fourth and still five points behind leaders Chelsea – remain in the title race, while fellow contenders Manchester United slipped to a surprise 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa on the same day. Meanwhile, second-placed Manchester City have the chance to go top when they travel to Everton on Sunday.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the Emirates Stadium…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Hannah Hampton (4/10):

Almost put Chelsea in trouble with a sloppy pass, before Bright mopped up with a last-ditch challenge in the first half. She then failed to keep out Russo's last-gasp strike, getting a hand to it but not doing enough to keep it out.

Lucy Bronze (5/10):

Lining up at right-back, having operated at centre-back against London City Lionesses, she showed signs of rustiness in her battle with Arsenal's Caitlin Foord.

Nathalie Bjorn (5/10):

Every time compatriot Blackstenius looked to have the better of her, the Sweden defender would recover, getting something on the ball to snuff out the danger. She almost scored an own goal, however, with an air shot late on.

Millie Bright (5/10):

Now with the joint-most appearances in WSL history (210), the captain was generally composed but there was a five-minute spell in the first half when she was careless in possession.

Niamh Charles (4/10):

The left-back got away with one as her poor clearance was pounced upon by Blackstenius, whose goal was controversially chalked off for handball. She then struggled up against Arsenal substitute Olivia Smith.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Wieke Kaptein (5/10):

Had the chance to score in the first half but her header was saved from close range, before failing to slip in Kaneryd during a promising counter-attack.

Keira Walsh (7/10):

Dictating the tempo as always, she set Thompson on her way to scoring with a crisp through ball in the build-up.

Erin Cuthbert (6/10):

Cool-headed in the middle of the park, the Scotland international rarely gave the ball away, giving Chelsea a trusty platform to build on.

Getty Images SportAttack

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (8/10):

In an electric start to the game, she hit the post within the first two minutes before setting up Thompson for Chelsea's goal.

Catarina Macario (7/10):

Combining clever link-up play with terrific strength in flashes, the Arsenal defenders struggled to contain the USWNT forward, before her influence waned.

Alyssa Thompson (8/10):

Driving forward with terrific speed and guile, she played a one-two with Kaneryd before lobbing Van Domselaar for Chelsea's strike.

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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager

Ellie Carpenter (6/10):

A second-half substitute, she powered forward whenever she could, using her experience to aid the visitors.

Sam Kerr (6/10):

Replacing Macario late on, she provided an outlet for Chelsea, who were reduced to counter-attacking as the match wore on.

Oriane Jean-François (N/A):

Unable to make an impact as a late substitute.

Sandy Baltimore (N/A):

Brought on too late to influence the game.

Sonia Bompastor (7/10):

Shuffling her deck by making five changes, Bompastor watched on as Thompson repaid her faith with a super goal. The introduction of Australia duo Carpenter and Kerr proved helpful, too.

Manchester United made it three wins out of three in the Premier League on Saturday when they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2 at Old Trafford.

Bryan Mbeumo, who joined from Brentford in the summer, scored twice, whilst Casemiro and Matheus Cunha also got on the scoresheet in front of the home fans.

Bruno Fernandes, as shown in the clip above, played a crucial role in the fourth goal with his brilliant dummy, but his influence in the final third is beginning to wane.

Why Bruno Fernandes's influence is waning

The Portugal international has hit double figures for both goals and assists in all five of his full seasons at Old Trafford to date, per Sofascore, which speaks to the consistent impact that he has had at the top end of the pitch.

However, Bruno only has two goals and one assist in ten appearances in all competitions so far this term, scoring two goals from 4.29 xG in the Premier League, per Sofascore, which shows that his influence is waning.

Do not get it twisted, the 31-year-old star is still an influential player who can produce moments of magic for United, but the arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko mean that he does not need to carry the team on his back anymore.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

He still has two years left on his contract and only turned 31 last month, which means that he does still have plenty of gas left in the tank, but there is another player at United who may have Bruno’s captaincy in his sights, Matthijs de Ligt.

Why Matthijs de Ligt is a future Man Utd captain

The Netherlands international is five years younger than Bruno and may have more of a long-term future at Old Trafford, which could see him eventually snatch the captaincy if he continues to shine at the back.

After the 4-2 win over Brighton, content creator Liam Canning described his performance as “monstrous”, stating that he has “been United’s best player this season” and that the defender is “a future captain in the making” for the Red Devils.

It is hard to argue with that assessment from Canning after watching the former Bayern Munich and Juventus centre-back strut his stuff against Brighton on Saturday.

Minutes

90

Interceptions

1

Clearances

6

Blocks

1

Ball recoveries

5

Aerial duel success rate

100% (2/2)

Pass accuracy

91%

As you can see in the table above, De Ligt was ‘monstrous’ at the back for Ruben Amorim by winning 100% of his aerial duels and making several important defensive interventions.

This season, per Sofascore, the United defender has won 61% of his duels across nine starts in the Premier League. This shows that he has provided a dominant defensive force at the heart of Amorim’s back three.

Rio Ferdinand recently claimed that the Dutchman should be “the first name on the teamsheet”, which is usually reserved for the captain and main star of the team, and that is high praise coming from a player who won Premier League titles whilst playing in the same position.

De Ligt, of course, has also shown that he is a leader. He was the youngest captain in the knockout stage of the Champions League when he played for Ajax in the quarter-finals at the age of 19, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he can be a leader and a captain.

Therefore, Bruno may need to watch out as his powers seem to be waning whilst De Ligt’s stock is rising and he potentially has more years left ahead of him than the Portugal international to lead the club forward as captain, should Amorim decide that he is suitable for that role.

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Liverpool spent big back in 2018 on Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, with the pair helping transform the Reds into Premier League winners once again.

More recently, those at Anfield have splashed the cash on Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, with the latter becoming Liverpool’s all-time record signing. However, over the years, the Reds have also missed out on bringing some iconic names to Anfield.

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3 ByBen Goodwin May 17, 2025 10 superstars Liverpool almost signed 10 Cristiano Ronaldo

Starting off with arguably the biggest missed deal in Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2003. Liverpool thought they had their man for just £4m when the forward was at Sporting CP.

Former Reds assistant Phil Thompson recalled the story of Ronaldo’s failed move to Merseyside, with Manchester United hijacking a deal.

9 Jude Bellingham

Liverpool were close to signing Jude Bellingham when he was at Borussia Dortmund back in 2023, however, the Reds would pull out of a big-money deal.

Former Reds stars Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold were even looking to lure Bellingham while they were with England, but instead, the midfielder chose Real Madrid.

8 Dani Alves

One of the best right-backs the game has ever seen, Dani Alves came close to a Liverpool transfer in 2006.

Rafael Benitez and the Reds struck an £8m agreement to sign the Brazilian but instead opted to use the funds on Dirk Kuyt. Alves would go on to sign for Barcelona two years later.

7 Dele Alli

Before signing for Tottenham in 2015 from MK Dons, Dele Alli had interest from Liverpool, and being a Reds supporter growing up, was keen on a move to Anfield.

Brendan Rodgers was in charge at the time and once admitted a deal was close, but Spurs ended up paying £5m for Alli.

Dele Alli’s record vs Liverpool

Games

13

Wins

1

Draws

5

Losses

7

Goals

1

6 Diego Maradona

In 1980, Diego Maradona was an unknown teenager coming impressing at Argentinos Juniors and could have signed for Liverpool.

Bob Paisley was in charge at Liverpool and was offered the chance to sign Maradona, however, he was hesitant about the off-field antics of the Argentine and opted against a transfer.

5 Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale began his career as a left-back at Southampton, and Liverpool were after a new one in 2007.

The Welshman was wanted by Liverpool and Benitez, however, a fee failed to be agreed and Bale would join Tottenham. The Reds ended up with Argentine Emiliano Insua.

4 Nemanja Vidic

One of the best centre-backs the Premier League has seen, Nemanja Vidic was actually wanted by Liverpool before his move to Man Utd in 2006.

Vidic would spend eight years at Old Trafford, winning five top flight titles, but Benitez spoke to the Serbian about a move to Anfield.

3 David Silva

After winning the World Cup with Spain in 2010, David Silva was a man in demand and would leave Valencia for Manchester City.

However, Liverpool were also in the race and came close to landing the attacking midfielder. Instead, they would have to face his magic for City over the next 10 years.

2 Michael Laudrup

A teenager in 1983, Michael Laudrup grew up a Liverpool supporter and could have joined the Reds when he was at Brondby.

The length of a contract was the key sticking point regarding Laudrup’s move to Anfield, and he ended up joining Serie A side Lazio.

1 Alexis Sanchez

After Luis Suarez’s move to Barcelona in 2014, Liverpool were on the search for a new marquee attacking signing and attempted to sign Alexis Sanchez.

The Chilean star was at the Nou Camp but would leave that summer, but instead of heading to Merseyside, Sanchez would sign for Arsenal.

Liverpool’s emphatic win over Eintracht Frankfurt was a false dawn. On Saturday evening, the Reds slumped to a fourth successive Premier League defeat against Brentford.

It’s a sad thing to suggest, but it very much seems like Liverpool are struggling to do the basics. This is a side whose cool and calculated football allowed Arne Slot to romp to the league title last season. This group couldn’t be further away from that indomitable outfit.

Who does that boil down to? The manager? The upheaval? The tactical imbalances sparked by a combination of facets? It’s all so difficult to define, and Slot is the only one who can conjure up the answers to placate the masses.

However, we must start with the backline. So much isn’t right, but Liverpool’s defence is painfully poor. Despite their world-renowned reputations, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have flattered to deceive.

Liverpool's defensive struggles continue

Liverpool are in a crisis. It is a saving grace that the season is young enough for a four-game losing streak to not be detrimental, but this does not sugarcoat the severity of the Reds’ woes.

At the epicentre is the skipper Van Dijk, and Konate besides. The centre-backs lack any morsel of their typical security and confidence in the backline, between them winning 20 duels at the Gtech but still failing to keep a clean sheet or produce the kind of convincing display needed to stem the flow.

Defensively, the Reds are a mess. But the problems run far deeper. Van Dijk lacks his typical grace and brilliance; Konate has been below par all year.

The plain truth is the excuses are running out, and while he’s among the most talented footballers in the world, Florian Wirtz continues to be a disappointment in a Liverpool shirt, and he must be dropped from the line-up once again.

Slot must drop Florian Wirtz

When Florian Wirtz joined Liverpool this summer in a record-breaking £116m deal, most anticipated the Reds would add one of the most devastating playmakers in the world to their ranks.

And they did, but Liverpool are a team in disrepair right now, and Wirtz has failed to acclimatise to life in Slot’s squad. And against Andrews’ Bees, the fleet-footed star’s struggles continued.

He racked up two assists against Frankfurt in midweek, but the 22-year-old flattered to deceive against Brentford, with the Liverpool Echo even seeing it fit to brand him with a 4/10 match rating after an inconsequential display in red.

Perhaps most concerning is the fact that the German faded without having taken his foot off the pedal from a work-rate standpoint. To put that another way, the quality on the evening simply wasn’t there.

Florian Wirtz – Stats vs Brentford

Stats

#

Minutes played

83′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

54

Shots (on target)

1 (0)

Accurate passes

33/43 (77%)

Chances created

1

Dribbles

1/2

Recoveries

4

Tackles

1/1

Duels won

2/5

Data via Sofascore

While the fact remains that he is among the most talented players in the Premier League, there is a bluntness about his output in Slot’s Liverpool side. The solution comes down to Slot, and Slot does not have the answer. For now, Liverpool and Wirtz’s wait for success rages on.

Indeed, Wirtz is one of the best footballers in the world, but he’s not performing, and Liverpool have got to reach beyond the box and search for left-field solutions to their current problems.

Because Slot’s solutions are falling short, so frustratingly short.

Where now? Liverpool host Aston Villa next week in the Premier League, and then they travel to Manchester City. There is much to ponder, and on the basis of the evidence, it’s unlikely that keeping an under-performing player like Wirtz in the line-up would prove the solution.

Sure, he’s got a show-stopping ability, but this hasn’t been channelled. All told, Liverpool need to make some big changes, perhaps even reverting to type. If that is the case, Wirtz does not feature in Slot’s best 11.

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