Premier League

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Almost every week the Premier League narrative is built around the big clubs, but not this time. Crystal Palace's phenomenal recent form has been unfairly overlooked to some degree but not now. Stopping the Liverpool juggernaut in its tracks is one thing, but this was no fluke. The three points were well deserved and could easily have been wrapped up in the first half at Selhurst Park by Oliver Glasner's side.

‌The recent Palace story is even bigger than that, they have a myriad of reasons to be applauded. They are the only unbeaten side in the Premier League and deserved to be sitting in second place on Sunday morning. They have done this while losing their two best players in the last year, Michael Olise to Bayern Munich and Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, though the £100m income from the pair would have come in handy with the rebuild. This could and maybe should have led to a precipitous fall, but it has not, well not yet anyway.

‌Is this just a lucky run of form against generally more average sides? Well winning the Community Shield against Liverpool along with their win on Saturday spoke volumes and they had already drawn away at Chelsea and could have easily won that one too.

‌At the end of last season, they drew away at Arsenal, Liverpool and won at the Tottenham Stadium, and that is before you come to the FA Cup win against the mighty Manchester City.

‌This is a golden time for Palace, maybe one of the best in the club's history. They deserve their position and they deserve their shot at European glory.

‌I just hope those extra games do not turn out to be their downfall. That looks like their biggest threat to continuing success just now.

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Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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Let's adapt a Chinese proverb: "A journey to 40 points starts with a single step. But it should have been three steps."

All the same, there was more cheer to be had from Saturday's performance at Tottenham.

In a scrappy game, Wolves were better at scrapping, a trait that will serve them well in the difficult months ahead. Everyone agreed there were a lot of good things to take forward for the rest of the season.

But, hang on. Which things exactly?

Vitor Pereira sent out almost the same team that competently saw off Everton in the Carabao Cup last week, which is to say an almost completely different team, in a different formation, to the one that fell in a heap against Leeds.

On this page earlier this week, you'll have read George Lakin of Always Wolves, and others, heralding a back four as the way forward.

But at half-time, and at nil-nil, Pereira changed it back, reintroducing Emmanuel Agbadou as the middle man of three centre-backs. Afterwards, the coach told me it had worked. "In my opinion, we controlled the second half. We created the best chance, we played better football, and in my opinion, we deserved to win."

So reverting to a back five was to gain more control?

"Of course, because in the first half we conceded a lot of dangerous crosses - we were facing some problems. That's why it's important to have not one system but two systems working, and when we cannot control with one system, we control with the other."

As such, those calling for Pereira to settle on his 'best XI' may be disappointed. By this reading, Wolves may be dogged, but not dogmatic.

Some things are clearer. Sam Johnstone, not immediately taken to the hearts of the supporters, has brought a welcome steadiness recently and staked his claim to stay in the team.

Ladislav Krejci is the most obviously ready of the summer signings and bears the hallmarks of a leader. His position, in whatever formation, seems assured.

Hugo Bueno, the best crosser in the squad, is now in possession at left-back - or wing-back.

Most of all, Wolves look up for the fight, and are at least conscious that they really are in a battle to stay up. Pereira believes they will win it: "I don't have any doubts."

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We asked for your views on Liverpool's 1-0 defeat by Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Dax: A hostile atmosphere, a dubious penalty and a team defending that lead in numbers. But Liverpool's problems were of their own making. The injuries to Alisson and Ekitike were the result of poor balls by our players. We have to be calmer to be accurate. Poor and hasty decisions can cost us more than just the result as tonight has proved.

Stephen: Dreadful, disjointed, the system too open and the defending is lax. No-one is working together. Need to go back to basics.

Sukie: Individually and collectively, a very poor display. They out-pressed us, and we gave the ball away far too many times. No reaction after the Crystal Palace game. Apart from Hugo Ekitike, new players aren't clicking with the team. A rebuild too far? Slot's a manager who likes consistency and using a small set of players. Not this season. It will take time but you don't get that in Premier League.

Ben: A bunch of turkeys lose in Turkey. This is looking like 2020-21 all over again when we won the league in the previous season. A lack of defensive options due to a lack of strength in depth, and an over-reliance on attack to bail us out nearly cost us our season. I know it's too early to be reaching for the panic button yet but, at this rate, it's going to be a long slog until we can sort things out in January.

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Andy: Poor performance, the new players haven't settled yet, and it leaves us stretched and exposed at the back, and lacking intensity in the press going forward. Whenever Jurgen Klopp signed new players, it took maybe a few months with some of them before they became regulars, for example, Fabinho. They all had to wait to make their debuts or to become regulars in the side. They had to gel in training and become use to the system. Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong all just seem a bit off the pace and out of touch with the rest of the side.

Eddie: We have become far too easy to play against. We are slow and predictable. This isn't a shock result. We have been beaten by a very average team and this will keep happening if we keep playing the ball across the back waiting for the other team to take it of us. Not confident for Saturday either and if this keeps happening it will bring its own pressure.

Amul: Team hasn't quite settled. They're still trying to find their balance which hasn't been helped by the fact that players have made unforced errors in matches but, it will improve in time.

Bradley: I'm getting absolutely sick and tired of these performances from Liverpool and some of those players should be ashamed of themselves. I just cannot understand how you can spend all that money in one summer transfer window and somehow be worse. Utterly woeful. If a remedy isn't found soon, Arne Slot must be questioned.

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Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson says Chelsea's scrappy win over Benfica is "job done" but the side "always seem to be a work in progress".

The Blues edged a 1-0 victory on Jose Mourinho's return thanks to a first-half own goal but struggled for coherence after Enzo Maresca rotated his starting XI.

"It wasn't a great spectacle, wasn't a thriller," Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "On reflection, the result was far more important than the performance for Chelsea.

"The frustration of the fans was apparent. Maresca ended up reversing the changes he made to the side by bringing on the players that you'd have expected to start midway through the second half.

"But, 20-25 minutes after the game you take a step back and think he's made those changes because of the fixtures that they've had and the tough run of results. This was a game where they had to get a result and stop that run of defeats."

Chelsea made five changes from the side beaten by Brighton at the weekend, including leaving Joao Pedro on the bench, and Robinson recognised the challenges Maresca faced.

"They were in a difficult spot and came up against a Jose Mourinho side who came here very organised," he said. They had their chances on the break and caused Chelsea problems. A draw wouldn't have been an unfair result.

"Missing an out-and-out number nine was glaringly obvious. Tyrique George started down the middle and I think there was a bit of fluidity missing. It wasn't a slick performance but it was a job done. It won't have got Chelsea fans off their seats but they'll go away reasonably happy.

"It was scrappy at times, it wasn't a pretty performance, but the result was far more important than anything else.

"Chelsea always seem to be a work in progress. It's the never-ending project."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he "loved" the way Viktor Gyokeres performed against Newcastle and has backed the forward to score the goals the Gunners need.

Gyokeres looked to have won a penalty in the first half against the Magpies on Sunday after he was brought down by goalkeeper Nick Pope, but the decision was overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR).

The Sweden international did not find the back of the net in Arsenal's dramatic 2-1 win at St James' Park and had a tough afternoon battling against the physical Newcastle defenders. Nevertheless, Arteta was impressed by the resilience the striker showed.

"I loved it. I absolutely loved how he took it. He went on board and there wasn't a single moment where he showed frustration," the manager said.

"I told him that he was going to get some decisions and some not and he was going to have two or three players around him, but I loved his reaction a lot.

"The way he handled the situation emotionally and also because he was involved in a lot of dangerous moments. It's a pity he didn't score a goal because in my opinion he fully deserved it."

Arteta will be hoping Gyokeres can show those qualities again when they host Olympiacos in their second game of the Champions League campaign on Wednesday night.

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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Liverpool may be reigning Premier League champions and the current leaders but they have been guilty of occasional defensive lapses this season, including in Saturday's defeat at Crystal Palace.

Head coach Arne Slot isn't pinning the blame on his backline, however. He said at Monday's news conference: "One of our strengths last season was keeping the other team away from goal and normally that doesn't start with your defenders."

Slot insists the devil is in the detail, pointing out that four of the seven top-flight goals his team have conceded came from set-pieces.

At this stage 12 months ago, the Merseysiders had conceded just two goals, neither of which was from a set-piece. They also earned four clean sheets in their first six games, twice as many as in the current campaign.

Despite changes to personnel leaving Liverpool with a slightly more attacking line-up, they haven't faced more shots or shots on target in the current campaign – those numbers are largely similar. But they are conceding far more high-quality chances, with the expected goals total by their opponents 2.4 greater than at the same stage in 2024-25.

As a result, there has been a dramatic drop in the Reds' save percentage, which has fallen from almost 90% to 56%.

That is not a reflection on goalkeeper Alisson. The expected goals on target model, external, which takes into account how accurate and powerful shots are, only has him underperforming by half a goal in 2025-26, and little should be read into that.

Instead, Liverpool need to give the Brazilian better protection, particularly from set-pieces.

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William Saliba signing a new long-term contract at Arsenal shows he "believes in the club", says European football journalist Julien Laurens.

Despite interest from the continent, the 24-year-old has pledged his immediate future to the club by signing a five-year deal.

France international Saliba has built a strong partnership with fellow centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes in recent seasons, and this has helped the Gunners develop one of the best defensive records in the Premier League over the past three campaigns.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live before Arsenal's match against Newcastle, Laurens said: "It is massive, really.

"He had only two years left on his contract and top European clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were already getting in touch, hoping that he would go into the last year of his contract and then could put pressure on.

"But when you have a player who is ready to snub clubs like Real Madrid, and all this means, to stay at your club then you are doing something right too.

"He believes in the project, he believes in the club. He believes in his partnership with Gabriel, which is one of the best in Europe, if not the best in Europe with a couple of others – I think this is huge."

Despite joining for £27m in 2019 from Saint-Etienne, then 18-year-old Saliba would spend time on loan at multiple French clubs before making his debut in 2022 and establishing himself as a first-choice centre-back.

"He was not ready when Mike Arteta first arrived, for the demands that Mikel has and the details he requires," added Laurens.

"William had to grow. He had to grow quickly, when he was on loan, when he came back, and proved to Mikel he was ready to start at some point and that Mikel could build this team around him. That he could be at the heart of it.

"At 24, there is still room to improve in a lot of things, but he has come such a long way."

How many Manchester United players would get into the Crystal Palace team?

That was the question asked by former Premier League striker Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club because both clubs play the same formation, but Palace are getting the results.

"They are well-drilled at Palace," answered The Observer's Rory Smith. "And what is impressive is how quickly Oliver Glasner managed that.

"He has been able to do it consistently too, even though their players change because they do have to trade.

"They lost Michael Olise last summer and Eberechi Eze this summer yet Glasner does not seem to bat an eyelid. That is a really modern way of managing because he accepts things change around him.

"Sometimes those changes can be challenging and he has put his foot down, like saying they shouldn't be selling their captain, but none of that detracts from the work he does.

"The fact they are 18 games unbeaten is genuinely astonishing and the fact they are third in the Premier League after the summer they had, is extraordinary.

"You have to stress what a brilliant job Glasner has done."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

"Liverpool have got a bit of a problem at the back," former Premier League striker Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"I feel they are a work in progress as they don't have the same balance.

"Andy Robertson has been phenomenal on the ball over the years and Milos Kerkez is nowhere near peak Robertson level. That is a bit of an issue.

"Ibrahima Konate has had a dreadful start to the season, they have issues at right-back and the left-back hasn't really found his form.

"They have Virgil van Dijk but then only one cover at centre-half and that is Joe Gomez.

"I am not sure Arne Slot likes Jeremie Frimpong. I was at the game at the weekend and he made second-half changes and took Conor Bradley off, put Dominik Szoboszlai to right-back and kept Frimpong on the bench."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Former England captain Steph Houghton says the way they have started this season in the Premier League "has been super impressive" because of "the energy and fight".

After six games, the Black Cats sit in fifth with 11 points and only one defeat.

"They were defending for their lives [against Nottingham Forest] but I love the fact they are loving doing that," Houghton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"They have accepted that they probably won't be able to play the football that they want to play away from home.

"Regis le Bris has brought in quality who don't have a lot of Premier League experience, other than Granit Xhaka, but he is anchoring that midfield and getting his experience across to the younger players.

"The energy and fight has been unbelievable. I don't think anyone could have dreamed about the start. They have been super impressive."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Monday's 1-1 draw at Everton in Nuno Espirito Santo's first game in charge of West Ham.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Rob: A very good second-half performance. El Hadji Malick Diouf and Crysencio Summerville were fantastic down the left and really stretched the defence. A solid start from Nuno. We looked so much more effective then under Graham Potter - quick and decisive in our turnovers and aggression in tackles. Positive start and hopefully the start of things to come.

Richie: An honest effort. With Potter in charge we would have lost that game. Still going to be a long old season though... Arsenal away next.

Jamie: Definite signs of improvement. Clear issues defending set-pieces, but a huge shift in mentality. We were the much better team after conceding, which is a huge change from every other game. Good signs.

Matt: Really enjoyed the second half and the return of the counter-attacking football that made us so fun to watch in the 2021 Jesse Lingard season. Let's hope our fans wait at least a few years this time before forgetting how bad we were and whinge about our football not being the 'West Ham way'.

Kevin: Better but early days and still a very poor goal conceded.

James: Promising considering Nuno has only had a few days to work with the players. Summerville was excellent and Jarrod Bowen delivered as always. Good to see Freddie Potts get some minutes too.

Ian: It's good to see some technical know-how and effort from the lads, you could see the enjoyment within the players.

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Chelsea fan Tom Overend tells BBC Sport that recent criticism directed at head coach Enzo Maresca is "unfair".

The Blues sit eighth in the Premier League after collecting eight points from the opening six games, and have only won once in their past five matches.

All eyes will be on Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, when Jose Mourinho returns with Benfica in the Champions League.

"A Chelsea legend," Maresca called him in Monday's news conference and that sentiment is shared by fan Teema Nicholls, who also spoke to BBC Sport about the former manager.

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Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace may have been demoted from the Europa League last month but they're riding high in other continent-related tables, and are currently on the longest unbeaten run of any club in Europe's top five leagues.

Their streak of 18 matches without defeat is at least twice as long as that of giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich, who are next best in the rankings.

The run includes two wins and a draw against Liverpool, an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, and draws at both Arsenal and Chelsea.

It's an incredible turnaround by a team that lost five of their first eight top-flight games last season, only registering their first league win at the end of October.

Only Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City have won more Premier League points than Palace in 2025, while the Eagles' defence have conceded just three goals in their opening six league matches this season, even though four of those six games have come against teams who finished in the top seven in 2024-25.

Tom Gayle
Match of the Day commentator at Villa Park

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Sunday felt like a big game for Harvey Elliott. He has had to be patient for a first Aston Villa Premier League start, and it just happened to be against Fulham, the club who he made his professional debut for as a 15-year-old.

However, the 22-year-old was substituted - some would say hooked - at half-time. His replacement, Emi Buendia, assisted and scored in a little over six minutes of action.

Speaking afterwards, Unai Emery was keen to stress the change was for tactical reasons and not performance related. He says Elliott "needs time".

I'm not alone in thinking it was quite a coup for Villa signing not only a Premier League winner, but a youngster who a few months ago was named player of the tournament as England lifted the Under-21 European Championship trophy.

Emery's meticulous attention to detail should never be underestimated. This is a coach who watched the documentary Sunderland 'Til I Die to help prepare for their recent draw at the Stadium of Light, despite the series largely focusing on the Black Cats' demise as opposed to recent success.

Elliott admits the set-up at Villa is "completely different" to any of his previous experience, and has taken "no offence" to his new head coach commenting publicly on how he needs to adapt to their playing style.

Not every signing hits the ground running in a new environment, but I cannot see how Elliott, who can play left wing, right wing, or in the number 10 position, does not make Aston Villa a better team.

We saw enough at Liverpool to suggest that perhaps Emery needs to slightly lower the requirement for perfection from Elliott in order to get the best out of player widely regarded as one of England's brightest young talents.

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Holly Turbutt
Fan contributor

West Ham Network's Holly Turbutt says that putting such an abrupt stop to Graham Potter's project feels "brutal".

"As much as I wanted Potter to succeed, once belief in that project is gone, it makes sense to move quickly," says Holly.

Find more from Holly Turbutt at West Ham Network, external

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Former Premier League striker Wayne Rooney says Liverpool summer signing Florian Wirtz "damages the balance" of Arne Slot's side.

The 22 year-old is still searching for his first goal for the Reds and is yet to directly contribute to a goal since his assist in the Community Shield.

"It's been tough for him. I don't think there's any denying that," Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show.

"He's played OK. When you sign so many players like Liverpool have - Liverpool don't normally do this but they've signed basically a whole new frontline, and then you've got [Mohamed] Salah there as well - they're all competing and they all want to do well. Wirtz is probably the one who's not doing as well, but he's got so much ability.

"I don't see where he gets into the team. I think it was a lot of money. I think Wirtz actually damages the balance of Liverpool and how they play. He's a top player and I'm sure he will get better - but he's had a slow start and I think there's no denying that.

"I've seen players come into this league and it takes time. It's not the price tag. It's not the player or his ability. I don't see where he fits into what Liverpool do in that system.

"Is he a third midfield player? For me, no, he's more of an attacking player. So if I have to choose between him and Szoboszlai, then I choose Szoboszlai."

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

A subplot of Aston Villa's first win of the season was Emi Buendia's impact from the bench.

The attacking midfielder set up John McGinn, before scoring himself two minutes later, after being introduced at the restart.

It was his first Villa goal for a year - since scoring in the Carabao Cup against Wycombe last September - and first in the Premier League since March 2023.

Villa were open to letting the 28-year-old leave in the summer after he spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen.

Buendia wanted to fight for his place, having joined from Norwich in a then club record £38m deal in 2021 before seeing his Villa career interrupted by a serious knee injury two years ago, which kept him out for the entire 2023-24 season.

"He didn't want to leave, he had the possibility to leave in the transfer window but he wanted to stay here and take the commitment here. He is showing it every day and every match," said manager Unai Emery.

"We used it to get his best, energy, commitment and qualities. He scored, he helped us and he is going to be important this year."

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Newcastle United and Arsenal, which saw Mikel Arteta's side stage a late comeback at St James' Park.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Duncan: Arsenal got what they deserved. We set up to not lose and not to win the game, which is always disappointing. It was such a negative approach, tactically speaking. Up until the 70th minute, Pope was 'man of the match' and then he reverted to type. Thiaw continues to impress at the back and seems to fit in rather well. The midfield was non-existent, much like the forward line. Tonali was doing his best to get the midfield into the game but failed miserably. Bruno was conspicuous by his absence, as was Murphy. Gordon was completely ineffective, only creating two noticeable instances of creative play. If this is Howe's approach to the season then you can keep it.

Dean: Eddie Howe needs to go. There is nothing new here and no skill like Alexander Isak. We were a one-trick pony team and now we just can't hit a barn door. We need new management with new ideas.

Ali: When will Newcastle's coaching team realise that sitting deep and pumping the ball back to the opposition is not working? Sometimes a team has to retain possession, but we are awful in that respect.

Richard: Surely we've got to look at Nick Pope's actions. He had a great first half then sold us out with poor distribution and was nowhere near the following corner.

Arsenal fans

Nigel: After Newcastle's goal I was honestly bewildered about the game plan and the line-up but, as always, Arteta silenced my inner question mark. The referee was awful and VAR was pointless. Overall, it was a hard-fought win which underpins our season aspirations; the Premier League title.

Brian: Arteta took the brake off and it showed.

Sean: We needed that win! I know it is early in the season but we need to keep the pressure on Liverpool. One concern is that Gyokeres doesn't score in big games, but maybe that is down to the way we play. He is a target man that needs crosses into the box.

Karl: We need more up front and chances need to be taken. While the defence does its thing, we need the attack to match. We can't keep relying on corners and free-kicks. A much needed win, but way harder than it needed to be.

Lou: I can feel the boys are determined now. We didn't start the season as great as we could have, but Saka is back and the whole team are together now.

Wayne Rooney believes the soul has gone from his former club Manchester United and he has no faith in manager Ruben Amorim to turn things around.

United's record goalscorer said the club was "broken" on the latest edition of BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, and he goes to games "expecting" them to lose.

Manchester United's 3-1 defeat at Brentford on Saturday meant they have collected 34 points from Amorim's 33 league games in charge and have still to win successive matches.

The club are said to remain supportive of their head coach despite the damaging loss which left them 14th in the Premier League table.

But Rooney added that some current players "don't deserve to wear the shirt", the side "needs a new engine" and supporters are "waiting for the club to crumble".

"I am not seeing anything which is giving me any confidence, there needs to be big changes in my opinion," said the former England striker, who won five league titles during 13 years at Old Trafford.

"Manager, players, whatever that is. Whatever it takes to get Manchester Untied back.

"I don't recognise the whole football club. I don't see players fighting, I don't see character, I don't see desire to win.

"I go to a game watching, expecting, here we go again - expecting the team to lose or maybe pick up a point.

"It's not even just results on the pitch. It's everything about the club that needs fixing - Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have walked into a real challenge.

"We're seeing staff members getting sacked after 20, 30 years who are very important people to that football club.

"The soul has gone from the club. It needs a new engine, a new lease of life. It needs something to kickstart that football club."

Listen to The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

Here are some of your replies:

Palace fans

Steve: That was the best performance I've seen from Palace. It could have been 5-0 at half-time and when Liverpool made big changes, we still managed them. I have to keep pinching myself because this isn't what we are used to, but I rather like it.

Andy: The master tactician Glasner set the team up perfectly! Every player knew their role and executed. When Liverpool scored the team didn't lie down, they got back up and took the game! You've got to be happy to be a Palace fan!

Stephen: I'm speechless. It was a display of pure brilliance. We could've had six or seven goals and we deserved the win. If we could play like that every week then I'm convinced we could win the title. It's just a dream at the moment, but can it become reality?

Michael: This is the best Palace team ever. They seem unbeatable, nobody knows how to beat this well-drilled Oliver Glasner system. Long may it continue. We are living the dream.

Liverpool fans

Harry: In the first half, it honestly looked like we didn't know how to play football. We couldn't win the ball in vital areas, we were dispossessed 75% of the time when trying to find the last ball, we made sloppy mistakes and were tragic in defence. In the second half, we picked up the pace slightly but again were dispossessed and gave away chances/fouls when there was no need. I certainly think Slot needs to change something up behind closed doors.

Carl: It seems like we do not have a real plan or sense of urgency. We should've lost this game by many more goals. I still do not understand Slot's selection process, it seems based on money equals results but it does not work. Arne, please start the seasoned players who have requisite composure and skill.

Tim: An abysmal first half, we were not switched on from the off. The constant mixing of new team players seems to mean a lack of cohesion. Some of the new signings need to step up, Isak included.

Carlo: We aren't looking like champions at all. The first half was lethargic and disorganised. The second half was chaotic and again disorganised. The multi-million pound players are not really up to the task. Champions? Not in my book.

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West Ham United have entered the Premier League managerial merry-go-round after sacking Graham Potter, with former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo already emerging as a strong candidate to take over.

Potter lasted just eight months at London Stadium, so we asked if you agree with the timing of the decision - and what the club should be looking for in their next managerial appointment.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Leigh: I really wanted it to work under him, but unfortunately he did need to go. However, it is horrendous timing by the board again. I honestly feel we are a joke club. A major change is needed at the top.

Kevin: Why wait all week? It has been seven days since the defeat against Crystal Palace. The board could've done this on Monday, giving time to appoint a new manager before the Everton game. Potter may well have needed to go but as sure as eggs are eggs, the entire board need to go as well. This just proves they are unable to run our club properly.

Mark: Potter arrived with a 29% win rate and a reputation of being a smart, adaptable manager. It was never going to work out. Although pre-season was quite promising, with just the one defeat to Man Utd in the USA. It is sad - as when any manager loses their job - but West Ham have to pay for an established manager who can win now, not another freebie.

Colin: It's time the players take some responsibility, for first Julen Lopetegui and now Potter. We have decent players - we just need someone to get a tune out of them.

Nilesh: Right decision, odd timing. If they haven't got someone in place already, why sack him after sending him out to do the media duties and embarrassing him? He had to go, but that's pretty shocking treatment.

George: This season feels very much like the 2010-11 season, where we all knew we were going down from the opening couple of games. I don't think a new manager will change that.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Douglas Luiz is out of Nottingham Forest's game with Sunderland with a hamstring injury.

The midfielder has gone for a scan on the hamstring injury he suffered in the 2-2 Europa League draw at Real Betis on Wednesday.

Boss Ange Postecoglou is confident it is not serious but they need to look after the on loan Juventus midfielder's fitness and he will miss Saturday's visit of the Black Cats.

"Douglas Luiz wasn't great yesterday so we have sent him for a scan on his hamstring. He won't be available this weekend," he said.

"With him, I think we have got to be really careful with how we use him in the early part of the year. He had a lot of issues last year at Juventus and came in late here.

"We'll just be cautious with him. We'll see what the scan says but he definitely won't be available this week.

"It's nothing serious, we know that; it's nothing significant. But with the international window around the corner, there might be an opportunity for us to really build him up because he's such a good player and we saw that the other night."

Murillo remains out having missed the last three games with a thigh problem he suffered against Arsenal.

Postecoglou added: "Murillo is still not where we want him to be. He's still not totally comfortable.

"He is still doing individual training. We were hoping he would progress a bit quicker, but it was a pretty severe knock on his thigh.

"My understanding is the healing process has just been slower than what we thought and he doesn't feel comfortable. We've just got to be patient with him.

"He is out on the grass and working individually. It is just a matter of incorporating him back into the team."

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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The announcement by the Tottenham board is viewed by individuals close to the matter as largely a formality.

Market regulations require formal statements following speculation of such potential buyouts.

It has been claimed to BBC Sport that Brooklyn Earick was approached to issue the statement to the London Stock Exchange following a report in a national newspaper that claimed he was spearheading a takeover bid.

However, it was eventually left to Tottenham and Enic to publicly address the speculation, despite the fact Earick has been posting on social media about the reported takeover bid on Friday morning.

The seriousness of Earick's advances will become much clearer in the coming weeks. But what is clear is Spurs is viewed as a club that is purchasable.

Of course, the key catalyst of the recent flurry of interest from parties interested in taking over at Tottenham is the departure of long-serving executive chairman Daniel Levy.

Levy's exit has been taken by some as a clear sign that the Lewis family, who ultimately own the club, are preparing to sell.

However, the soundings - publicly and privately - are in complete contrast to the belief from some industry figures that the club is on the market.

The Lewis family are maintaining that Tottenham is simply not for sale. But that isn't preventing groups from testing the water.

Indeed, in addition to Earick's interest, a consortium involving Amanda Staveley has been among a number of parties not to have been dissuaded from pursuing a Spurs buyout despite the Lewis' family's stance.

If Earick is serious, then we may be about to find out how staunch the Lewis family are about leading Tottenham into the post-Levy era.

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Manchester United need to "take notice" of the data if they are to improve this season, says former defender Rio Ferdinand.

The Reds Devils have won two games so far this Premier League campaign and sit 11th in the table. And with a goal difference of minus two, consistently finding the back of the net has been a challenge.

However, statistics have previously suggested that Ruben Amorim's side have been playing better than their results suggest.

"I don't get strung along by data, but when there is data that's punching you in the nose, you've got to take notice of it," Ferdinand told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"When you look at all of the data around chances created and shots – in that element of the game Manchester United are really thriving. The only key area – the most important data – which isn't functioning and firing is the actual ball hitting back of the net.

"We're getting ourselves in the right positions to do that, but we just haven't executed. That has got to change. That has got to be an uplift - 100%.

"Before a ball was kicked this season, I was hopeful of change. I'm still probably in the hopeful situation right now, so that's not great. And only consistent results and a change in that area is going to change the way Manchester United fans feel about the team."

With his reluctance to move away from his three-at-the-back style, boss Amorim has already come under scrutiny with United's slow start to the season.

Asked whether he still sees the Portuguese being in charge in by January, Ferdinand responded: "I can, yeah - if results start improving and becoming more consistent in a positive way.

"The guys at Ineos are sensible guys. They are not knee-jerk reaction guys that are going to make a decision off the back of one result.

"It's a holistic approach. You can't give a manager a huge windfall of money to spend and then go and sack him after five or six games."

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