Summary

Media caption,

BBC sports editor Dan Roan explains Manchester City charges

  1. 'It is the Premier League and it can happen'published at 10:55 British Summer Time 16 September

    Wolves 1-2 Newcastle

    Wolves manager Gary O'Neil told BBC's Match of the Day: "It is the Premier League and it can happen. We have got some tough games against teams who are going to finish high up the league and unfortunately they can kill you with moments. I asked the group to give everything and that was pretty close to everything today."

    Watch his full reaction:

    Media caption,

    Wolves 1-2 Newcastle: Gary O'Neil reaction

  2. 'Barnes is an outstanding finisher' - Howepublished at 10:48 British Summer Time 16 September

    Wolves 1-2 Newcaslte

    Harvey Barnes and teammates celebratingImage source, Getty Images

    Newcastle manage Eddie Howe told BBC's Match of the Day after the club's win: "I do think it is a squad game and we need to use the good players that we have. I'm very prepared to make early changes if I feel something is not right as it was today.

    "There wasn't any hesitation from my view, we need to inject some energy and just a new dynamic into the team. That's not a reflection on the players that came off but thankfully it helped us this time."

    And he added on Harvey Barnes: "He's an outstanding finisher, he really is. He's lethal coming in on that right foot. He scores all types of goals, that was a long-range strike which was second to none at a big moment for us so I'm delighted with him."

  3. Newcastle's best season start for 29 yearspublished at 10:41 British Summer Time 16 September

    Wolves 1-2 Newcastle

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Eddie Howe clappingImage source, Getty Images

    It is Newcastle's best start to the season in 29 years.

    Third in the early Premier League table after Sunday's 2-1 win at Wolves, the start belies any frustrations following a disappointing transfer window.

    They were not at their best and there is clearly more to come from a squad which could have done with more quality arrivals over the summer.

    Boss Eddie Howe pointed to the fact winning helps the Magpies control the narrative from any talk of discontent - following director of football Paul Mitchell's claims he inherited a transfer strategy which was not fit for purpose.

    "Winning is everything," he said. "I’ve never shied away from that. The best way of that it is be unified, the unity between the supporters, players and coaching staff is key. I’ll do everything in my power to keep that unity.

    "It’s a great platform for us. Confidence is always the key ingredient in any sporting team.

    "Hopefully by winning in the manner we are confidence will continue to grow. There’s not doubting the quality of players we have."

  4. get involved

    'Newcastle have an opportunity for fourth for the chasing pack'published at 10:33 British Summer Time 16 September

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

    Finley: Do you believe Newcastle’s early season form, even without playing at their best, suggests they are strong Champions League contenders again this season?

    Phil: It has been an excellent start for Eddie Howe’s team, Finley, and while I think the top three places will still be Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool (in that order) I do still think there is an opportunity for fourth for the chasing pack – and while I picked Newcastle to finish ninth they can still force their way in there.

    There has been lots of talk about what Newcastle haven’t got after a disappointing transfer window when sporting director Paul Mitchell failed to deliver Crystal Palace’s England defender Marc Guehi or any other key signings, but it is also well worth remembering they still have some very fine players.

    Alexander Isak is a high-class striker while Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes – who has produced real touches of class to score against Spurs and Wolves – provide genuine quality out wide. The return of Sandro Tonali from suspension is also an upgrade for last season’s squad, when he missed most of the campaign.

    I stil have Newcastle as outsiders to make the top four, I have a fancy for Aston Villa, but there is absolutely no reason why they should not set their sights on it because there is a little gap in that particular market.

  5. Did you know?published at 10:27 British Summer Time 16 September

    Wolves 1-2 Newcastle

    Harvey Barnes has been directly involved in 11 goals in his 25 Premier League appearances for Newcastle (7 goals, 4 assists), averaging a goal or assist every 87 minutes of league action for the Magpies.

    Want more Newcastle news? Have a read of the club page.

  6. Barnes secures winpublished at 10:20 British Summer Time 16 September

    Wolves 1-2 Newcastle

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Newcastle celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Harvey Barnes' stunning strike maintained Newcastle's unbeaten start after the Magpies came from behind to win at Wolves.

    The winger, on as a substitute, curled in from 20 yards with 10 minutes left soon after Fabian Schar had levelled.

    Mario Lemina's first goal since February gave the hosts the lead but Gary O'Neil's side remain winless from their opening four games.

    Read the full report.

  7. get involved

    'Everton simply cannot afford to get relegated'published at 10:14 British Summer Time 16 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Chris Gill: It’s never ending misery for Everton fans. How long has Dyche got? Is there actually a manager on the planet who can salvage this wretched football club?

    Hello, Chris. Everton have made it clear Sean Dyche still has the support of the club’s hierarchy behind the scenes and at the moment it does not look as if anyone has the power or is inclined to make a managerial change even if they wanted to, that is even before you get to the financial implications of such a decision.

    Dyche did a fine job last season after another terrible start but this has been worse and the manager needs to find solutions fast.

    The problem will come if Everton keep losing. Dyche’s big selling point in the past we his ability to produce sides that were hard to score against, as Everton were last season. This season they have conceded 13 goals in four league games, twice losing 2-0 leads. They are soft and the continued presence of Ashley Young and Michael Keane demonstrates the paucity of resources.

    Everton simply cannot afford to get relegated with the new stadium coming next season, which will focus minds, and there is a sense of inevitability that if new owners comes in, they will want their own manager.

    Dyche is into the final season of his contract with no indication he will be offered a new deal, which suggests change will come eventually, even if it is for the start of next season.

    As for the manager who can save Everton….can I have a long think about that one?

  8. 'If Arsenal beat Man City this weekend, it's game on'published at 10:06 British Summer Time 16 September

    Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal

    John Murray
    BBC Radio 5 Live's chief football correspondent

    Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and William SalibaImage source, Getty Images

    In his programme notes, Ange Postecoglou described this as ‘a fantastic test of where we’re at against a strong opponent’. That did indeed prove to be the case. It strikes me that the worst thing for Tottenham was that Arsenal dropped points at home to Brighton before the international window which meant it was crystal clear what they had to do in the derby, with the Etihad Stadium their next Premier League destination. Now, Arsenal will go there next Sunday knowing that a 0-0 draw to match last season’s result for them there, really would do fine. And if they win, it is game on.

    The £65m deal they did with Bournemouth this summer for Dominic Solanke was a Tottenham club record fee. Anyone playing that role for Spurs will automatically be compared to Harry Kane and what they need most is for Solanke to get off the mark.

    He’s played twice, chances have come and gone in the matches against Leicester and on his home debut against Arsenal, and he’s still waiting for that first Tottenham goal. But he missed the second and third matches of the season against Everton and Newcastle with an ankle injury. What Ange Postecoglou said post match about Solanke not having played for almost a month should be borne in mind before judging him too soon.

  9. get involved

    'There is no way Alexander-Arnold will be left out'published at 09:59 British Summer Time 16 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Michael: Hey Phil, I’m a Liverpool fan . How do you solve the situation with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Connor Bradley? The latter is probably overall a better defender but TAA is a once in a generation talent. So how do you think we make use of both of them?

    Morning, Michael. Actually a nice problem for Arne Slot to have.

    There is no way Alexander-Arnold will be left out, he is simply too good and too important. It may be that Bradley, who is a real talent, may just have to wait for his chance until Slot finds a formation where he can utilise both in the way you mention, with Bradley as right-back and Trent Alexander-Arnold more advanced.

    He may just decide that is not the way forward – and getting Alexander-Arnold to sign a new contract may help to crystallise his thoughts.

  10. 'What I love about them is that they're defenders'published at 09:54 British Summer Time 16 September

    Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal

    Nigel Reo-Coker
    Former West Ham midfielder on the Football Daily podcast

    Former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker on the Football Daily podcast discussing the defensive partnership between William Saliba and Gabriel: "Arsenal have everything you look for in a team who wants to win the Premier League. They got that togetherness, the belief and both the emotional desire and control. Arsenal for me were tactically 100 per cent in this north London derby.

    There is no plan B for Tottenham. Arsenal rode the wave, and with the defensive solidarity of Gabriel and Saliba is just sensational. What I love about them is that they're defenders, who want to defend. They love getting blocks and tackles in, and celebrate with each other like they're just won something. These two are pillars and are quickly on their way to becoming legends.

  11. Stoke sack head coach Schumacherpublished at 09:49 British Summer Time 16 September

    Some news from the Championship this morning - Stoke City have sacked head coach Steven Schumacher following their defeat to Oxford United on Saturday.

    It was a 1-0 defeat and their third in the league already this season, which left them 13th after five games.

    Schumacher had been in the job for nine months after leaving Plymouth in December.

    Stoke's sporting director Jon Walters said the decision was made to "serve the long-term interests" of the club.

    “As always in football, these decisions are difficult," Walters added., external

    Steven Schumacher, who has beenImage source, Getty Images
  12. get involved

    'An element of pragmatism has to come in'published at 09:43 British Summer Time 16 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Russell MartinImage source, Getty Images

    Aldar: Russell Martin is receiving a lot of stick for ‘lack of pragmatism’. We heard this song all last season about Kompany. Well, he’s at Bayern Munich now, only one of the biggest clubs in the world, so worked out for him just fine. Why shouldn’t a young coach stick to principles that have won him success in the past no matter the cost, develop players in a more progressive system, and get himself on a shortlist for a top job in management? It’s not like ‘pragmatism’ is a magic guarantee of safety and success, or is it?

    Morning, Aldar. I think is a real double-edged sword. Russell Martin has a style and set of principles that he is determined to stick to and I thought Southampton looked very good until Cameron Archer missed the penalty against Manchester United.

    I don’t happen to think Martin will change his approach, which is admirable, but if you are constantly losing this cannot be an enjoyable experience for him, his players or Southampton’s fans, which is why I believe an element of pragmatism has to come in, unless results come of course, if Saints want to stay in the Premier League.

    Vincent Kompany did the same at Burnley last season, refusing to budge on style, and it was a thoroughly miserable season for them. The players who played in such a fashion to stroll to the Championship were not good enough to pull it off in the Premier League.

    As I said, I thought Southampton looked really good for 35 minutes on Saturday and Martin will believe if they play like that against teams in and around them, and in the middle of the table, they will get results.

    I honestly believe the Kompany appointment was a bit freakish because Bayern Munich messed up their search for a new manager, even trying to persuade Thomas Tuchel to stay after announcing he was leaving.

    It’s a great job for Kompany and there will be no excuses for failure.

  13. 'It was a solid performance'published at 09:36 British Summer Time 16 September

    Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal

    Kevin Nolan
    Former West Ham midfielder on Football Daily

    Former West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan on the Football Daily podcast discussing the north London derby: "It was a sold performance. When you have your top two players out, you're expecting Tottenham to really have a go at Arsenal but I didn't think that was the case. I feel like Arsenal went there, were steady and scored off a great set piece".

  14. 'Premier League defeats puts cups into sharper focus for Tottenham'published at 09:30 British Summer Time 16 September

    Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal

    John Murray
    BBC Radio 5 Live's chief football correspondent

    Son Heung-minImage source, Getty Images

    That was a ruthless Arsenal win. Manchester City have made the perfect start with four wins out of four, and Erling Haaland going great guns. Yet, if Arsenal can go and win there on Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s side will go above City and will have recorded victories at Aston Villa, Tottenham and the Etihad this season. Don’t forget Arsenal have neither lost, nor even been behind, in a Premier League away match in 2024. But, of course Manchester City away is the ultimate test.

    This time last year, Tottenham were starting out under Ange Postecoglou and on the way to becoming early Premier League leaders. During that time they slipped out of the Carabao Cup at Fulham after a penalty shoot-out. In the end they played only three cup matches last season, going out at home to Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

    Losing two of their first four matches of this Premier League season puts the cups into sharper focus for Spurs and means Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup date at Coventry City appears to have taken on a much greater significance. So there we are. Feel free to do with, or not, as you see fit.

  15. Arsenal overcome two tricky away gamespublished at 09:23 British Summer Time 16 September

    Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal

    Arsenal have proved they can do it away from home so far this season with two impressive wins on the road.

    Of course they defeated Tottenham on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but they also travelled to Aston Villa earlier this campaign and secured a 2-0 victory.

  16. 'People are finding chinks in your armour'published at 09:16 British Summer Time 16 September

    Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal

    Kevin Nolan
    Former West Ham midfielder on Football Daily

    Former West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan on the Football Daily podcast Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglu: "I don't think they have the squad to be better than Arsenal at this moment in time.

    It's the Premier League, not the Scottish League, you're not in Australia or Japan now. You're in a proper league where people are finding chinks in your armour. It will be interesting to see what happens because it was very poor from Tottenham and I expected more due to Arsenal's vulnerabilities."

  17. Did you know?published at 09:09 British Summer Time 16 September

    Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal

    Arsenal have won half of their Premier League away games against Tottenham under Mikel Arteta (50% - 3/6). Indeed, this is now just one victory fewer than the Gunners managed in 22 away games against them in the competition under Arsene Wenger (4/22 – D11 L7).

    Want more Arsenal news? Read the club page.

  18. get involved

    Get Involved - Phil McNulty Q&Apublished at 09:03 British Summer Time 16 September

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

    The BBC's chief football writer Phil McNulty is taking questions from you today, so get them in using the information above.

    It could be about the Premier League, European action or the EFL Cup.

    Remember to leave your name with the message.

  19. get involved

    Get Involved - Can Arsenal win the league?published at 08:56 British Summer Time 16 September

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

    Arsenal can go all the way to 'steal ' the premier league crown from Man City if they manage to keep all influential players fit. Saka, Odegaard, Rice and the two centre backs are crucial in the run ins. I wish them best of luck!

    Dr Desai

  20. 'It felt really nice winning this one' - Timberpublished at 08:47 British Summer Time 16 September

    Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal

    Jurrien TimberImage source, Getty Images

    Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber told the BBC after the win: "You know how bad the fans want to win this game but it's the same for every game. You prepare for every game the same way but it felt really nice winning this one.

    "Another clean sheet which is really good from our team. Credit to Spurs, they started really well but we showed again today it's really hard to score against us. We need just one goal to win the game.

    "I am really, really enjoying it even with all these games coming up. The feeling of being fit is an amazing feeling.

    "It's a true honour. We showed up today and credit to everyone who came in."