Summary

  1. Bye for nowpublished at 16:06 British Summer Time 19 August

    That's all we've got for you today folks. Thanks for all your reaction to Raheem Sterling and Ivan Toney being left out of their side's opening game of the new Premier League season.

    The opening round of fixtures concludes later as Leicester host Tottenham, which you can follow live here.

    Until then, click on the summary points above or to the left to catch up on today's latest stories, and hopefully you'll join us again from 07:00 BST on Tuesday.

  2. Al-Shabab interested in Wolves' Podencepublished at 16:03 British Summer Time 19 August

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Saudi club Al-Shabab are interested in Wolves forward Daniel Podence.

    There has been no bid for the 28-year-old yet but the once-capped Portugal international could leave Molineux before the end of the transfer window.

    Wolves remain relaxed over the situation and would be happy to keep Podence, especially after selling Pedro Neto to Chelsea for £54m. It is understood, though, that if Al-Shabab - or another club - offered £10m then the club is likely to sell.

    Al-Shabab have former Atletico Madrid midfielder Yannick Carrasco and Italy international Giacomo Bonaventura in their squad.

    Podence joined Wolves from Olympiakos in January 2020 and has made 106 appearances, scoring 16 goals. He returned to Olympiakos on loan last season, scoring 15 times in 45 games.

  3. 'It feels like people are waiting for Postecoglou to fail; that's deeply unfair'published at 16:00 British Summer Time 19 August

    Leicester v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

    Sutton's predictions bannerImage source, BBC Sport

    In the first week of the new season, Chris Sutton's opponent is The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-3

    I'm hearing a lot of nonsense about Tottenham and how their manager Ange Postecoglou "needs a good start" to the new campaign. I don't understand why he is under pressure at the start of his second season.

    The Spurs fans were bored and fed up every weekend under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, but they were entertained last season and almost made the top four too - all without Harry Kane.

    Nobody can argue that Ange didn't make progress, so why is he being questioned? It feels like people are waiting for him to fail and I think that's deeply unfair.

    I don't think it will bother Postecoglou, though. He will just plough through it. He has managed for a long time and has had huge success.

    I'm expecting Spurs to have another good season under him, especially now they have signed Dominic Solanke, which looks like an astute bit of business.

    Leicester will be well-organised under Steve Cooper, and they probably stand the best chance of staying up out of the three promoted clubs, but I think Spurs will be too strong for them.

    Liam's prediction: 0-2

    I like Ange a lot and I love watching James Maddison too. Maybe Solanke could bring the best out of Son Heung-min again. I see Spurs being a big threat to Manchester United for getting that fourth spot.

  4. 'Time will tell' whether Foxes are ready for Premier League returnpublished at 15:58 British Summer Time 19 August

    Leicester v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

    Leicester City

    Steve Cooper smiles during a Leicester City press conferenceImage source, Getty Images

    New Leicester boss Steve Cooper is aiming to repeat his feat of keeping an unfancied, newly-promoted side in the Premier League after being tipped for relegation, as he did with Nottingham Forest.

    "I've had it before - that's for sure - so it's not a new thing for me," he said. "It wasn't the case last time [with Forest] and let's hope that's the same this season."

    "This is a very hard-working and together group of players," he added.

    "We want to keep a lot of that going, whilst balancing the challenge of the Premier League and what might need to change or adapt. Everything has been gearing to being ready, but time will tell."

  5. 'We feel a lot more settled'published at 15:54 British Summer Time 19 August

    Leicester v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Ange PostecoglouImage source, Getty Images

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou: "It's been a different pre-season. We feel a lot more settled and better prepared for what's ahead. There were a lot of unknowns last year at this time. Having said all that, it didn't stop us from having a great start to the season.

    "We've had a solid pre-season. For the most part, everyone has contributed to that. These last sort of seven days, we've had everyone in and the level of training has gone up from the tour.

    "The pleasing thing is pretty much everyone on the list is available and that will be important for us."

  6. Bissouma needs to 'win back' trust - Postecogloupublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 19 August

    Leicester v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Media caption,

    Yves Bissouma needs to 'win back' Spurs trust, says Postecoglu

    Yves Bissouma will not be playing later, though, as Tottenham have given the midfielder a one-game suspension.

    The 27-year-old apologised for a "severe lack of judgement" after footage emerged appearing to show him inhaling laughing gas, and Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said Bissouma needs to "win back" the squad's trust.

  7. Solanke set for Spurs debutpublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 19 August

    Leicester v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Dominic Solanke is expected to make his Tottenham debut at Leicester. The striker joined Spurs from Bournemouth for a fee that could rise to £65m.

    Youngster Archie Gray, who arrived from Leeds this summer, is expected to be involved in some capacity.

    Wilson Odobert, who joined from Burnley last week, will not play as the 19-year-old winger is still awaiting a work permit.

    Dominic Solanke applauds the Tottenham fansImage source, PA Media
  8. Young striker Cannon could come in for Foxespublished at 15:41 British Summer Time 19 August

    Leicester v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

    Leicester City

    Leicester City will look to kick off the Steve Cooper era in a positive fashion but they'll have to deal with a few absentees when they face Tottenham later.

    Defender Connor Coady is expected to be out until September with a hamstring injury while forward Patson Daka has undergone surgery after suffering damage to his ankle during the club's final pre-season friendly at Lens.

    Striker Jamie Vardy is a doubt after picking up a knock during pre-season and if the Foxes have two significant absentees up top, Tom Cannon could be selected. The 21-year-old joined from Everton in last summer and scored twice in 13 Championship games last season.

    Tom Cannon runs during training with LeicesterImage source, Getty Images
  9. Skipp joins Foxes on five-year dealpublished at 15:35 British Summer Time 19 August

    Leicester City

    Oliver Skipp has joined Leicester on a five-year deal after Tottenham accepted a bid in excess of £20m.

    The 23-year-old had been with Tottenham since 2008 and made his first-team debut in 2018.

    He is looking for more playing time after making just 24 appearances in all competitions last season, mostly as a substitute.

    His deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was set to expire in 2017, but he has become the fifth summer signing by Leicester since they earned promotion back to the Premier League.

    Oliver SkippImage source, Getty Images
  10. Leicester sign Skipp from Spurspublished at 15:32 British Summer Time 19 August
    Breaking

    Leicester City have completed the signing of English midfielder Oliver Skipp from Tottenham.

  11. One more to gopublished at 15:29 British Summer Time 19 August

    Leicester v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

    Don't forget there's still one game to go in the opening round of Premier League fixtures.

    Tottenham travel to the King Power Stadium later to face newly-promoted Leicester City.

    We'll bring you some build-up shortly, but first we have some breaking news concerning both clubs...

  12. get involved

    Get Involved - your views on new VAR rulespublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 19 August

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Most people prefer football without constant long stoppages for VAR checks. People need to accept some things will be missed or the occasional error will happen in the game.

    Raf, Cambs

    The problem with VAR is VAR. Removing the joy from the game as a whole is alienating fans massively. We used to enjoy the discussion after a weekend of games, now all we do is discuss technology. Football is and always should be a simple sport.

    Allan, Hertfordshire

  13. Seagulls continue to entertain under new bosspublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 19 August

    What we learned from opening weekend

    Shamoon Hafez
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Eyebrows were raised during the summer when Brighton replaced the experienced Roberto de Zerbi, who left by mutual agreement, with relative unknown Fabien Hurzeler as their new manager.

    At 31 years and 173 days old, the German became the youngest permanent manager of a Premier League team and the first boss to be born after the competition started in 1992.

    The former Germany youth international gave debuts to summer signings Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer at Everton, and both impressed, although Kaoru Mitoma was the star of the show, running the home defenders ragged throughout and capping his superb performance with a goal.

    The tricky winger could have had more goals as the Seagulls won 3-0 and continued to play the enterprising football they played under Graham Potter and De Zerbi, which saw them qualify for last season's Europa League.

    Brighton players celebrate scoring a goal at EvertonImage source, Reuters
  14. West Ham signings will need time to gelpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 19 August

    What we learned from opening weekend

    Some have tipped West Ham to challenge for a top-four finish given the summer signings they have made under new boss Julen Lopetegui, but they began their Premier League campaign with a 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa.

    New signings Max Kilman and Guido Rodriguez started, while Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville, made their debut off the bench.

    But despite getting back in the game in the first half through Lucas Paqueta's penalty, the Hammers were stung by Jhon Duran's late winner.

    West Ham were punished for defensive frailties last season when they conceded 74 league goals, the most ever by a side to finish in the top half, and the Hammers’ highest total since 1967.

    Conceding preventable goals is a bad habit they will have to break under Lopetegui, who said this was "the first step" as his new team aims to meet their fans' new expectations.

    Media caption,

    West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa: Julen Lopetegui - They had more energy and confidence

  15. 'I think I fancy Arsenal for the title'published at 15:14 British Summer Time 19 August

    What we learned from opening weekend

    Arsenal

    Mikel ArtetaImage source, Getty Images

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was at pains to stress, after his side opened their campaign with a 2-0 win at home to Wolves, that there are no guarantees they will once again be Manchester City's main challengers for the Premier League title.

    The Gunners missed out on the top spot by two points in May, finishing runners-up for the second consecutive season despite winning 16 of their final 18 games.

    "This is a new story, this season," said Arteta. "A beautiful one hopefully, that we have to write from the beginning. This is the first chapter of that. Let's write some beautiful ones."

    The general consensus is that Arsenal have strengthened further, with the arrival of Italy defender Riccardio Calafiori bolstering what was already last season's meanest defence.

    And while they may still be missing a clinical finisher up front to push them over the line, Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer believes this could be their year.

    "Arsenal took the title race right until the last game of the season, so they weren't that far away," he said. "Four titles in a row for Man City is an amazing achievement. But to go again? I think I fancy Arsenal for the title."

  16. Havertz could lead Arsenal title challengepublished at 15:10 British Summer Time 19 August

    What we learned from opening weekend

    Steve Sutcliffe
    BBC Sport

    It took Kai Havertz until the 30 September to score for Arsenal during his first campaign at the club last season.

    This term, it took him just 25 minutes to get up and running.

    And with no sign of a new central striker being added to reinforce Mikel Arteta’s squad, it could prove to be a positive development in Arsenal’s quest to win the Premier League after finishing as runners-up in the previous two seasons.

    The Gunners closed a five-point gap to two to Manchester City over those years. If the Germany international can weigh in with a heavier contribution than the 13 top-flight goals he delivered last year, Arsenal’s hopes of silverware will surely be buoyed.

    And on this evidence there are signs his relationship with Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s top scorer in the previous campaign, is one that could flourish, with the England winger laying on the opening goal and then seeing Havertz repay the favour in the second half to seal a 2-0 win over Wolves.

    Kai Havertz faces the Arsenal fans with his arms aloft in celebrationImage source, PA Media
  17. Man City still know how to get the job donepublished at 15:05 British Summer Time 19 August

    What we learned from opening weekend

    Tom Mallows
    BBC Sport

    Manchester City had their pre-season disrupted by key players having extended breaks following summer internationals.

    That includes England trio Phil Foden, John Stones and Kyle Walker - who were fit enough to make the bench - and Spain midfielder Rodri, who was left out entirely after only resuming training last week. Manager Pep Guardiola also said that Bernardo Silva was "not ready", yet the Portugal midfielder still played 90 minutes.

    That pre-season disruption perhaps explains a solid if unspectacular performance in their 2-0 win at Chelsea, albeit one where they always had an element of control. The performance of Mateo Kovacic in the absence of Rodri pleased Guardiola.

    City lost three out of four league games when Rodri did not play last season, but a composed display - and a fine goal - from the Croatia midfielder suggests his absence may not be as keenly felt this time around.

    Media caption,

    Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City: Guardiola praises Man City as 'privilege' to lead

  18. Which Premier League club has Haaland scored more goals than?published at 14:51 British Summer Time 19 August

    Back to those Erling Haaland numbers and one last stat to make Pep Guardiola purr, and Sean Dyche bristle.

    Since joining Manchester City in the summer of 2022, the Norwegian striker has not just scored more goals than any other Premier League player, he's even scored more goals than one Premier League team.

    As the stats below show, the Norway striker has scored more goals in all competitions than Everton, although the Toffees do have a better goals-per-game ratio.

    Stats showing goals and games for Erling Haaland and Everton since the start of the 2022-23 season
  19. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Chelsea owners have a lot to answer for'published at 14:46 British Summer Time 19 August

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    About what I expected, I'm sad to say. We played quite well in patches and again missed some good chances. We have a lot a players but too many are average at best. The owners have a lot to answer for. City just buy the players they need and if it becomes silly money they don't pay. We have spent a billion for what?

    Nicholas

    There are plenty more views from Chelsea supporters on BBC Sport's dedicated club page.

    Just click here – if you’re on the app, hit the bell icon at the top of the page and choose to receive news alerts. If you’re on a browser and signed in, press‘follow’and you’ll see more Chelsea content.

  20. Thumbs down to Sterling's statementpublished at 14:39 British Summer Time 19 August

    While Erling Haaland's opening goal earned a big thumbs up from his manager, Raheem Sterling's statement has garnered the opposite response from BBC Sport readers.

    First thing this morning we asked readers to vote with their thumbs as to whether they felt Sterling was right or wrong to release his statement asking for "clarity" about his place in the team, after being left out of the squad for Sunday's match at home to Manchester City.

    A clear majority of - 1,358 at the last count - gave a thumbs down to the England forward's actions, with 413 giving a thumbs up in support of his public message to the club's hierarchy.

    Raheem SterlingImage source, Getty Images