Newcastle manager Eddie Howe on Tuesday backed William Osula to become "the complete package", expressing his relief the striker did not leave the club on deadline day.

Eintracht Frankfurt were reportedly poised to complete a move for the 22-year-old in the transfer window, but Newcastle called off talks.

Osula has enjoyed more game time than expected this season, albeit it largely as a substitute, after big-money signing Yoane Wissa suffered a knee injury on international duty.

"Obviously it didn't happen and much to our relief it didn't happen because Yoane picked up an injury and Will is vitally important," Howe said when asked how close Osula came to leaving St James' Park.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

"We believe in his talent. He's got speed – I think you could see that when he came on the pitch the other day – he's quick, he's athletic.

"But also I think what he's added just through the continued attitude to his training, a lot better know-how, nous in terms of how to manage game situations.

"He's benefited from that and he's coming on the pitch looking like the complete package."

Newcastle host Tottenham in the League Cup last 16 on Wednesday, with Osula in line for a rare start after scoring twice in the previous round against Bradford City.

The Dane has only started once in the Premier League this season, making the majority of his appearances as a substitute for Nick Woltemade.

"He's an incredible athlete," added Howe.

"Obviously he's doing cameos at the moment, we'd love him to be able to sustain that for longer, which is very difficult, but he's got the physical capabilities of delivering that, I think."

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is upbeat about the long-term future of Micky van de Ven with the north London club despite reported interest in the Dutch defender from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The centre-back scored twice in Sunday's 3-0 win at Everton to take his tally for the season to five goals in 13 appearances, with Spurs now third on the table, five points behind leaders and arch north London rivals Arsenal.

Van de Ven has become a leading figure in the absence of injured club captain Cristian Romero and could lead the side out again in a League Cup match away to holders Newcastle on Wednesday.

Frank, attempting to retain the senior players in a squad that won the Europa League in May, was relaxed about keeping hold of Van de Ven, who joined Spurs on a six-year deal in 2023, for all the talk that Real are tracking the progress of the 24-year-old.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

"Yeah, very happy with Micky. I think he has been brilliant for the club since he signed and he has taken some steps up this season," Frank said.

"I think he actually defends even better. I think he is still very good on the ball, he added the goals and the headed goals, which I am very happy with. He's a threat from set-pieces.

"Character and leadership also growing and as far as I know, we have a good contract with him, but definitely a player I see with a big future at the club.

"I think he is happy here, that is very important, and we're happy with him, so let's see what happens in the future.

"I think the most important thing is it looks like he really enjoys his football, he really enjoys his time here, I am very happy with him, everyone is really happy, so that's a good sign."

With the clock deep into stoppage time and the tension at Molineux thick enough to cut with a knife, Foster delivered a moment of pure magic. His 95th-minute strike wasn’t just a goal — it was a lifeline, a statement, and a spark that reignited Burnley’s belief on the road.

But Foster’s influence stretched far beyond that dramatic finish. From the first whistle, he was a constant menace — pressing high, linking play, and dragging defenders out of position. His movement created space for Zian Flemming to bag a first-half brace, and his relentless energy set the tone for Burnley’s aggressive approach.

Even as Wolves clawed their way back to 2-2 before the break, Foster never faded. He remained a livewire, always looking to exploit gaps and push the tempo. And when the moment came — with the game hanging in the balance — he was there, calm and clinical, to bury the winner and send the away end into raptures.

The celebration said it all: Foster sprinting toward the fans, arms wide, before being engulfed by teammates — including a jubilant Martin Dúbravka who raced the length of the pitch to join the pile-on. It was a snapshot of unity, passion, and belief.

A late Lyle Foster winner for @BurnleyOfficial 🎯
An even later match-saving Martin Dubravka stop 🫣 pic.twitter.com/Mtan7aERd5

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 26, 2025

Scott Parker’s side showed resilience to weather the Wolves’ comeback, but it was Foster’s fire that ultimately lit the way. On a night when Burnley needed a hero, he stepped up — and then some.

(1) new message from Lyle Foster 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/MyX7cQAbGv

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) October 26, 2025

Jurrien Timber urged Arsenal "not to get too high" after they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League.

On a weekend where title rivals Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all lost, the Gunners beat Crystal Palace 1-0 to move four points clear of shock second-placed team Bournemouth.

Arsenal's seventh consecutive victory in all competitions put them six points in front of City and seven ahead of reigning English champions Liverpool.

The victory over capital rivals Palace also capped a fine week for Mikel Arteta's men, who also posted a third successive Champions League win with a 4-0 rout of Atletico Madrid.

There are increasing hopes among the Gunners' faithful that Arsenal may be on their way to ending their long wait for the Premier League title. The club were last crowned champions of England back in the 2003/04 season.

But Arsenal defender Timber said: "It is good to stay neutral, and not to get too high.

"Obviously, we've been doing well, but it's still early in the season, and we just have to keep getting better game by game."

The 24-year-old Netherlands international added: "The next game is already in three days, which is a (League) Cup match (against Brighton), and the next Premier League game (against Burnley) is going to be tough as well.

"So, let's keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard, and then from there, we'll see what happens."

Arsenal's impressive start to the season has been built on a miserly defence which has conceded just three goals in their opening 13 games across all competitions, with the clean sheet against Palace their fifth in succession.

"Everyone plays a part in it, but it's a good thing and a good foundation to build on," said Timber. "From that standard, you just have to keep getting better and be consistent in what we do, and then throughout the whole season, hopefully we'll turn it into something beautiful.

"It gives you confidence and it shows that we're doing really well, and also, if it's for multiple games in a row, it says something about consistency.

"We just have to keep improving, and look at what we can do better, but also take that feeling with you, that confidence and go into the next game with the same mindset."

Arsenal took a firm grip on the Premier League title race with the Gunners edging out Crystal Palace on Sunday as title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City fell to defeat.

City sit just inside the top five, narrowly ahead of local rivals Manchester United who climbed above Liverpool courtesy of a third consecutive victory as they beat Brighton 4-2 on Saturday.

Newly-promoted Sunderland sit fourth after stunning Chelsea, while Leeds and Burnley also won this weekend as all three are on course to buck the trend of sides being relegated straight back to the Championship.

ARSENAL'S TITLE TO LOSE

After finishing second for the past three seasons, Arsenal's time under Mikel Arteta for a first league title in 22 years looks to have come.

The Gunners were again able to rely on their strength from set-pieces and an exceptional defensive record to beat Palace 1-0 at the Emirates.

Eberechi Eze scored his first league goal against his former club after Palace failed to clear a Declan Rice free-kick.

Arteta's men have still not hit top gear offensively, but it has not mattered thanks to a club record run of clean sheets.

Arsenal have conceded just three times in 13 games in all competitions to open up a six-point lead over City and move seven clear of Liverpool.

"I probably value this victory more than any other victory this season," said Arteta.

By contrast, Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet in nine games after a 3-2 defeat at Brentford.

Arne Slot appears at a loss to halt the champions' alarming slide and worse could be on the horizon with the in-form Aston Villa and City to come before next month's international break.

 

Nine Matchweeks in, this is how we stand 👇 pic.twitter.com/8mv8kLfhFt

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 27, 2025

 

City's reliance on Erling Haaland's scoring streak to bring them back into the title race was exposed in a 1-0 defeat at Villa.

No City player other than the Norwegian has scored more than once in the Premier League this season.

FRONT THREE FIRE FOR MAN UTD

Ruben Amorim waited nearly a year for back-to-back Premier League wins and can claim to show tangible signs of progress after Brighton were beaten at Old Trafford for the first time in four years.

All three of the Red Devils' £200 million ($266 million) trio of attacking summer signings came to the fore.

Matheus Cunha scored his first United goal, while Bryan Mbeumo struck twice and Benjamin Sesko grabbed an assist.

"They have a lot of talent. But I really like the way they defend," said Amorim.

"We can have all the talent in the world but, if we don't fight, in this league, you have no chance."

 

And the Reds go marching ON, ON, ON! ❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/e6JDwFJvbR

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 25, 2025

 

On a weekend in which Liverpool, City, Chelsea, Palace and Nottingham Forest all lost after the exertions of European football in midweek, United are clearly benefitting from being able to concentrate on one match per week.

A top-four finish and return to the Champions League next season is now a more than realistic target for Amorim's men.

PROMOTED TRIO SHAKE UP STATUS QUO

Sunderland are off to the best start from a promoted side for 17 years after coming from behind to win at Stamford Bridge.

Leeds beat West Ham 2-1, while Burnley struck late to win 3-2 at winless Wolves.

For the past two seasons, the likes of West Ham, Wolves, Everton and Forest have been saved by the struggles of the promoted sides.

Last season, Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester combined for just 59 points and 12 wins.

Just over a quarter of the way into the current campaign, Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley already have 38 points and 11 victories between them.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Vitor Pereira was serenaded by fans last season after keeping them in the Premier League but he said he understood their frustrations after they chanted for his dismissal in the wake of Sunday's 3-2 home defeat by Burnley.

Wolves are bottom of the table with just two points from nine games, and are the only winless side in England's top four divisions.

Sunday's loss prompted home supporters to chant, "You're getting sacked in the morning" and Pereira had to be dragged away by his own players after confronting angry fans at the final whistle.

"We understand the frustration of the people and supporters but what I must say, if we fight united with them, we can win games and compete and achieve our targets - without them, it is impossible," the Portuguese manager told reporters.

"Two months ago they sang my name, because together with the work we did last season, we are competing in the Premier League and not the Championship. Now they sing my name to sack me."

Wolves went 2-0 down before hitting back through a Jorgen Strand Larsen penalty and Marshall Munetsi's header, only for Burnley to strike again in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

"If I was a supporter, I feel proud of my team because they worked and showed the spirit, mentality and ambition to win the game, even when losing 2-0 (after 30 minutes)," said Pereira.

Wolves next host Chelsea in the League Cup midweek before travelling to Fulham on league duty on Saturday.

 

Defeat.

⏱️🐺 pic.twitter.com/X0AA0Tm2VX

— Wolves (@Wolves) October 26, 2025

 

Arsenal stretched their Premier League lead to four points as Eberechi Eze's goal beat his former club Crystal Palace 1-0, while Manchester City lost 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday.

Bournemouth are now the Gunners' closest challengers in second after they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0.

After Liverpool's latest defeat to Brentford on Saturday, Arsenal enjoyed the perfect weekend as both their title rivals fell further behind as they go from strength to strength.

Eze left the Eagles to join Arsenal in a £60-million deal in August and his first Premier League goal was decisive as Mikel Arteta's men were again able to lean on their set-piece prowess and a solid defence.

The England international blasted in on the volley after Palace failed to clear Declan Rice's free-kick six minutes before halftime.

It had to be him 😮‍💨⚡

Ebere Eze gets his first Premier League goal against his former side 🌟

📺 Stream #ARSCRY on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/EEx7ZMUcj6

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 26, 2025

Arsenal again failed to hit top gear going forward, but didn't need to as they kept a 10th clean sheet in 13 games in all competitions this season.

"The technique from Eze is unbelievable. We needed something special," said Arteta.

"We didn't score a second goal and when you don't do that you are in danger, but we restricted them to very little."

The only concern for Arteta was the sight of Rice and William Saliba having to be replaced in the second half due to injury.

Arsenal now lead fourth-placed City by six points and have a seven-point cushion over Liverpool in sixth.

HAALAND STREAK ENDS

City appeared to be emerging as Arsenal's biggest obstacle in the title race after a nine-game unbeaten run.

But Pep Guardiola's men lost at Villa Park for the third consecutive season as Erling Haaland's 12-game scoring streak came to an end.

Matty Cash's stunning strike from outside the box on 19 minutes secured a fourth consecutive league win for Villa as Unai Emery's men climb to seventh.

Matty Cash loves a long-range effort 😤🚀

He powers it past Donnaruma for the lead ⚽

📺 Stream #AVLMCI on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/KdEQWQmZGr

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 26, 2025

Haaland had a late goal ruled out for offside, but City's lack of goal threat other than the Norwegian finally cost the visitors.

Erling Haaland scores but the flag goes up 😲❌

📺 Stream #AVLMCI on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/LQy4rYVM6c

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 26, 2025

No City player other than Haaland has scored in the Premier League for a month.

"We were not aggressive enough," said a disappointed Guardiola.

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Spurs captain Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham inflicted Everton's first defeat at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Pape Mate Sarr added a third late on to continue Tottenham's strong start under Thomas Frank.

History makers. pic.twitter.com/a6ztsrf8f7

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 26, 2025

Bournemouth climbed up to second as Forest's struggles continued despite a change in management.

Sean Dyche got his reign off to a winning start against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday, but Forest remain in the bottom three after they were convincingly beaten on the south coast.

Marcus Tavernier opened the scoring for the Cherries directly from a corner as the swirling wind caught out Matz Sels.

Eli Junior Kroupi then blasted in his fourth goal in six Premier League games to double Bournemouth's lead.

Another superb afternoon 😍 pic.twitter.com/KOnBK5EQEc

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) October 26, 2025

Wolves remain bottom of the table after Burnley edged a 3-2 thriller in stoppage time at Molineux thanks to Lyle Foster.

Zian Flemming's double put the visitors 2-0 up inside 30 minutes but Wolves hit back before halftime through Jorgen Strand Larsen and Marshall Munetsi.

Foster's late strike propelled the Clarets five points clear of the relegation zone and left Wolves now six points adrift of safety.

Box office from our number 9 🍿 pic.twitter.com/wryQ3NcmGl

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) October 26, 2025

Two headed goals by Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven helped his side to a 3-0 Premier League win over Everton on Sunday as the visitors became the first team to win in the Merseyside club's new stadium.

History makers. pic.twitter.com/a6ztsrf8f7

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 26, 2025

Tottenham made a sluggish start but took the lead in the 19th minute when Dutch defender Van de Ven nodded in from virtually on the goal line following a corner.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalised soon after but his powerful header was disallowed for an infringement on Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Van de Ven doubled Tottenham's lead with another close-range header from another corner in first-half stoppage time to leave Everton with a mountain to climb.

Vicario made some superb saves in the second half as Tottenham protected their advantage and substitute Pape Matar Sarr headed a late third to secure the victory that lifted Tottenham to third in the table with 17 points from nine games.

Instant impact 🌟 pic.twitter.com/2bn6cT6g1M

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 26, 2025

Everton are 14th with 11 points.

Before kickoff at the gleaming Hill Dickinson Stadium on the banks of the River Mersey, Everton were the only team in the Premier League not to have conceded a goal from a set piece.

By halftime that boast was redundant as the hosts were twice left red-faced by corner routines.

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Set pieces have become a theme of the season so far with corners and long throws being utilised across the top flight with increasing success.

Tottenham showed they are keeping up with the fashion as both their goals smacked of simple training ground ploys.

First Mohammed Kudus swung in a deep corner beyond the back post when Rodrigo Bentancur improvised with his shoulder to send the ball back into the area where Van de Ven pounced.

Tottenham's second goal was also simple but deadly. This time Pedro Porro whipped in a corner and Van de Ven out-muscled Everton's England keeper Jordan Pickford to skim a header into the net and leave the hosts scratching their heads.

Micky van de Ven. I am moved. pic.twitter.com/zyIHv8OLS9

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 26, 2025

"I've never scored two goal in one game," Van de Ven, who now has five goals in all competitions this season, told Sky Sports.

"We saw some great mentality again today. When we play away in the Premier League, we know it is going to be tough, and we showed great character."

It was the perfect way for Tottenham to bounce back from last weekend's home defeat by Aston Villa and they have now picked up 13 out of 15 points on the road this season.

Everton will point to a rather harshly disallowed goal, ruled out because an offside player was adjudged to be hampering Vicario from a corner.

But they did not show enough invention despite plenty of possession and even when they did get a sight of goal, Vicario proved an unbreakable barrier with one reflex save from Beto's close-range overhead kick simply top class.

Manchester City suffered their first loss since August as Matty Cash's first-half strike secured a 1-0 victory for Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, the hosts' fourth straight win in the competition.

City's first loss since August left them six points behind leaders Arsenal after nine matches. Villa, unbeaten in their last six league games, are a point below City.

"We work a lot on set-pieces, over the last couple of years there have been a lot of set-pieces that have won us games and today is no different," Cash told the BBC after his second league goal of the season.

"The last month we've been really good. Defensively really good. We've just stuck together as a group. And at Villa Park they're always behind us."

Villa looked to find Ollie Watkins with long balls and counters early on, while Emiliano Buendia's shot went too high in the third minute. Tijjani Reijnders almost put City ahead in the sixth minute but the midfielder's shot went over the bar.

The hosts took the lead in the 19th minute from Buendia's corner, as Cash received the ball just outside the box and fired with his left foot into the bottom right corner past a helpless City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Matty Cash loves a long-range effort 😤🚀

He powers it past Donnaruma for the lead ⚽

📺 Stream #AVLMCI on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/KdEQWQmZGr

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 26, 2025

Norway international Erling Haaland ran through Villa's defensive line and nearly equalised two minutes later, but keeper Emiliano Martinez denied his attempt.

Villa kept up the pressure despite losing Buendia to a right-foot injury near the half-hour mark, with Watkins' header off Lucas Digne's corner being blocked and Morgan Rogers heading wide off John McGinn's cross 10 minutes later.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

VILLA EDGE CITY

After the break, Villa's defence survived a chaotic moment near the hour mark as Savinho fired two shots on target, but his first effort was blocked and the second attempt was scooped over the bar from the edge of the goal line by defender Pau Torres.

Villa had chances to extend their lead as Jadon Sancho, who replaced Buendia, cut in from the left in the 69th minute and fired two shots at Donnarumma but the Italian keeper blocked both times.

Watkins just had the keeper to beat as he chased a through ball into City's box six minutes later, but Donnarumma was quick to drop down and keep it out.

Haaland, who had scored in his last 12 matches for club and country, found the net near the 90th minute but it was ruled out due to an offside in the build-up, as City failed to find an equaliser and succumbed to their third loss at Villa Park in a row.

Erling Haaland scores but the flag goes up 😲❌

📺 Stream #AVLMCI on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/LQy4rYVM6c

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 26, 2025

"Our pressing was really bad, we arrived two seconds late to every duel. That was the feeling, even though our offensive concepts were quite good... when our pressing isn't good we don't play well," City captain Bernardo Silva told Sky Sports.

"It's still a long way to go. I don't want to draw too many conclusions. We'd love to be at the top but we're not."

City visit Swansea City in a League Cup clash on Wednesday, while Villa continue their league campaign at title-holders Liverpool on Saturday.

Eberechi Eze scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal as the leaders' set-piece expertise secured a 1-0 win against his former club Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Eze struck late in the first half at the Emirates Stadium to ensure Arsenal took full advantage of the latest losses for title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Gunners maintain the top spot in the Premier League standings 🔝⚽#ARSCRY | #SSPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/oseQhe8Gvq

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 26, 2025

The England midfielder had netted just once in 10 previous appearances for the Gunners in all competitions since arriving from Palace in a £60 million deal in August.

Having finished as runners-up for the last three years, Arsenal's seventh win from nine league games added to the growing feeling that this could be the season they finally end their title drought.

Mikel Arteta's side are four points clear of second-placed Bournemouth and, more significantly, six ahead of Manchester City and seven clear of Liverpool.

Liverpool's 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Saturday left the champions' title defence in turmoil after a fourth successive top-flight loss.

Chasing a first English title since 2004 and a first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, Arsenal have reeled off seven successive wins in all competitions.

The Gunners have only conceded three goals in their 13 games in all competitions this season, a parsimonious run including 10 clean-sheets.

The only concern for Arteta was Declan Rice limping off in the second half after William Saliba was unable to continue beyond the interval due to a potential injury.

With rock star Jon Bon Jovi watching from the stands, Palace threatened to start in a blaze of glory when Jean-Philippe Mateta raced clear, but Arsenal were able to snuff out the danger.

Saliba had to make a last-ditch block to stop Ismaila Sarr in his tracks as the Palace winger threatened to give the visitors a shock lead.

EZE IMPACT 

Aside from those early scares, Arteta's men dominated possession as they tried to prise open Palace's well-drilled defence.

It took Arsenal 33 minutes to muster their first shot as Leandro Trossard's low drive from just inside the penalty area was well held by Dean Henderson.

But Arsenal's prowess at free-kicks and corners has seen them dubbed "Set-Piece FC" and once again they struck from a dead ball situation.

They became the first team in Europe's top five leagues to score 10 goals from set-pieces this season after tormenting Atletico Madrid from dead balls in the midweek Champions League rout.

They took that tally to 11 in the 39th minute.

Rice curled a free-kick into the Palace area and Gabriel Magalhaes headed down to Eze, who showed impressive technique to meet it on the bounce and guide an agile finish past Henderson from 12 yards.

It had to be him 😮‍💨⚡

Ebere Eze gets his first Premier League goal against his former side 🌟

📺 Stream #ARSCRY on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/EEx7ZMUcj6

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 26, 2025

Eze's celebration, raising his arm to the sky with little expression on his face, was muted out of respect to Palace.

Cristhian Mosquera replaced Saliba at halftime and Arsenal were inches away from immediately doubling their lead.

Gabriel's header smacked off the crossbar and rebounded to Rice, whose close-range shot was well saved by Henderson.

When the ball was recycled to Bukayo Saka on the edge of the area, the Arsenal forward went close himself with a curler that whistled just wide.

Gabriel should have increased Arsenal's set-piece goal total when he headed wide from virtually on the line, a miss that ended painfully as he needed treatment after crashing into the post.

Having delivered his first significant contribution to Arsenal's title charge, Eze departed in the closing stages to a standing ovation that even Palace fans joined in.

Liverpool were tipped to turn the Premier League title race into a prolonged coronation this season, but instead the champions find themselves mired in an unexpected crisis after their latest shock defeat.

The Reds were beaten 3-2 at Brentford on Saturday as they crashed to a fourth successive league loss.

Coming hot on the heels of a first defeat against Manchester United at Anfield since 2016, Liverpool suddenly look more vulnerable than at any time in Arne Slot's reign.

Liverpool are languishing in sixth place after four defeats in their first nine league matches, with leaders Arsenal having seized their mantle as the top-flight pace-setters.

Liverpool have already lost as many Premier League games this season as in their entire title-winning campaign.

It is a remarkable fall from grace after Slot's side romped to the trophy last season, finishing 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal and wrapping up the title with four games to spare.

Fuelled by a £446 million ($593 million) spending spree in the close-season, Liverpool started the campaign as odds-on favourites to extend their reign with a record 21st English title.

But Liverpool's decision to overhaul their already battle-tested squad has backfired.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

They twice smashed their transfer record in the summer with blockbuster deals for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz and Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

Slot also brought in Hugo Ekitike, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Jarell Quansah were among the notable departures from Anfield.

There were early warning signings that Slot's revamp would not go smoothly when Liverpool were beaten on penalties by Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.

Although the Reds won their first seven games in all competitions this term, they rarely impressed and needed late goals to emerge victorious in six of those games.

Palace gave Liverpool a dose of their own medicine with a late goal in a 2-1 victory that finally exposed the flaws in Slot's team.

Defeats at Galatasaray and Chelsea followed before United emerged from their own crisis to plunder a 2-1 win at Anfield.

By the time Brentford punished Liverpool's sloppy defending to leave the champions in turmoil, Slot was looking increasingly bewildered on the touchline.

'NOWHERE NEAR GOOD ENOUGH' 

Slot's issues are spread throughout the side, with Wirtz looking completely out of sync, while British record signing Isak has managed just one goal in eight appearances.

Mohamed Salah has been anonymous since late last season and Slot has already dropped him twice this term in a bid to spark the Egypt forward into life.

Frimpong and Kerkez have struggled at full-back and even captain Virgil van Dijk has been below par as Liverpool find themselves targeted by a barrage of long balls.

The tragic death of Diogo Jota in a car crash during the close-season has also taken its toll.

But most alarming for Liverpool fans is Slot's admission that he has no answers to the pressure being applied to his crumbling defence by opponents' direct tactics.

"Teams seem have a certain playing style against us, which is a very good strategy to play, and we haven't found an answer yet," he said.

"You cannot even compete, which we don't do at the moment, because we simply concede too many goals.

"It definitely also has to do with if you change quite a lot during the summer, then I think it's not a surprise that it can go a bit like this. But I didn't expect it to go with four losses in a row, let that be clear."

Liverpool are only the fourth reigning champions to lose four consecutive games.

It is also the first time they have lost four consecutive league games since February 2021.

Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson offered no excuses for their struggles ahead of Palace's visit to Anfield in the League Cup on Wednesday.

"In a difficult moment, the only way to get out of it is work even harder, run that bit more and look after yourself that bit better," he said.

"The results have been nowhere near good enough over the last five, six games. We're the only ones who can get us out of it.

"We need to start playing better and we need to start showing a lot more consistency."

Newcastle United's dramatic late 2-1 Premier League win over Fulham on Saturday may prove more than just three points — it could be the emotional spark their season needs, said United boss Eddie Howe.

Bruno Guimaraes' 90th-minute strike rescued the Magpies from what looked like a damaging draw, and Howe believes the timing of the goal could have a ripple effect.

"Late goals don't just affect the game you've won, they affect mood and belief going forward," Howe said.

"It can have a big knock-on effect. We've had heartbreak the other way. This felt like a massive moment for us. We found a way to win."

Newcastle's win was just their third of the season and saw them climb provisionally to 10th in the table.

Howe wants more though after last season's fifth-place finish and a League Cup victory.

The Magpies were looking to get their league campaign back on track after last weekend's disappointing 2-1 loss at Brighton and Hove Albion, but were buoyed by their emphatic 3-0 Champions League victory over Benfica midweek.

Howe had talked of reigniting Newcastle's Premier League push — and his side backed up that ambition with a purposeful start with Jacob Murphy scoring in the 18th minute.

Sasa Lukic drew the visitors level in the 56th minute and the game looked to be heading towards a draw before Guimaraes' late-game heroics.

Substitute William Osula drove to the edge of the box, but his shot was parried into the path of Guimaraes by goalkeeper Bernd Leno, and the Brazilian poked it in from close range.

"It's one I'll remember, that's for sure," Howe said. "You always remember when you win late, and it was a priceless win for us ... a big three points."

Howe had praised Guimaraes' durability in logging thousands of miles to play for club and country in his pre-game press conference on Friday, pointing out that his captain "very rarely lets you down."

The midfielder proved his point at St James' Park.

"I feel unbelievable. We were very tired from Wednesday's game and I think we had to learn how to finish the game," Guimaraes said.

"I'm happy in the end we scored a goal. The last few games we have been punished at the end - by Arsenal, Liverpool.

"Will Osula, he came, he shot and I was ready for the rebound in my 150th start for this club. Now I just want to rest for a bit because I am very tired.

"We cannot play the perfect game every time but we need to find the three points and we did this today. Very pleased for everyone. This is the Newcastle I know, we fight until the end."

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said the English champions' quality will eventually show if they stick together after a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat to Brentford on Saturday.

The Reds' title defence has collapsed over the past month and they have slipped to sixth in the table.

Leaders Arsenal could open a seven-point advantage over Arne Slot's men on Sunday.

Liverpool were again exposed defensively by Brentford's strength from set pieces and on the counter-attack in a 3-2 defeat in west London.

The Reds have conceded two or more goals in six of their nine league games and are without a clean sheet in nine games.

"It's difficult to say. The fact we didn't keep a clean sheet for nine games," said centre-back Van Dijk.

"It's easy to blame a particular person, the backline or set-pieces, but it's a collective thing in the end. Everyone has to look in the mirror, including myself.

"I am sure we will get out of this, but we won't do it just by talking about it. We will try to improve. We need each other, we need the support, we need the people who were celebrating with us last year to be with us now even more.

"We will get out of this because we have the quality offensively and defensively."

Slot, though, was concerned by what he regarded as the worst performance from his side in any of the defeats so far.

All three previous losses came via late goals scored by Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Manchester United.

"You cannot compare all of them but the most concerning thing is that you lose four times in a row," said Slot.

"Afterwards you can judge the performance and today was the worst in my opinion from all the four."

Manchester United's improvement under coach Ruben Amorim continued as Matheus Cunha, Casemiro and two goals from Bryan Mbeumo secured a 4-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, their third successive Premier League win.

Looking to build on last weekend's first victory at Liverpool since 2016, Cunha arrowed home a sublime 24th-minute strike into the bottom corner, the Brazilian's first goal for United.

There was fortune about the second from Casemiro 10 minutes later, his shot taking a huge deflection before finding the net, but Mbeumo's well-taken third just after the hour mark put the hosts in complete command.

Danny Welbeck's sublime free kick against his former club pulled one back for Brighton, before Charalampos Kostoulas's header in stoppage time ensured a nervy finish at Old Trafford.

With Brighton committing everyone forward in search of the equaliser, Mbeumo fired a fine strike into the roof of the net to lift United to fourth in the standings. Brighton stayed 12th.

Man United's new signings are starting to click 🔴🔥

📺 Stream #MUNBHA on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/gaTO3Dk9GD

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

"I enjoy it a lot here," Mbeumo told Sky Sports. "It hasn't been easy at the start. It's a new environment, a new expectation but I think with the link up with the team, everything is going the right way.

"The work we put in, the togetherness we give on the pitch is key. I like the challenges, I came here to a big club and we want to fight for the best places."

BRIGHTON BIG TEST FOR UNITED

The visit of Brighton provided a big test for an improving United, given that since start of 2021-22 season, no team has won more league games against United than their opponents.

Victory at Anfield was the first time Amorim had achieved back-to-back league wins since taking charge 11 months ago, but the United manager insisted the revival would be undone if they slipped to another loss to Brighton.

Welbeck forced a fine save from United goalkeeper Senne Lammens early on as Brighton started brightly, but Cunha's pinpoint finish settled home nerves.

Since the start of last season, Cunha has scored more goals from outside the box than any other Premier League player in all competitions.

Matheus Cunha 🎯

This is what Man United's new addition is capable of 👏👏

📺 Stream #MUNBHA on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/0E0ygmRD3o

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

Casemiro's deflected strike deservedly put a dominant United further ahead, with more chances coming and going to extend the hosts’ lead before the break.

Casemiro 🇧🇷

Man United's Brazilians are running the show at Old Trafford 🔴✨

📺 Stream #MUNBHA on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/cxp87vKheY

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

Mbeumo followed up his goal at Liverpool with the third to put United into a seemingly unassailable position.

Proof they are far from the finished article yet came, however, as mistakes crept in and Welbeck started the Brighton comeback.

United appeared on the ropes when Kostoulas pounced, but Mbeumo made sure of the three points in style, a third United league win in a row for the first time August 2024.

"We put ourselves in a really difficult position," Welbeck said. "We have a great group. We got two goals and were closing to maybe getting a third. It didn't happen but it is a good sign we showed character."

Champions Liverpool suffered a fourth successive Premier League defeat as they lost 3-2 at Brentford on Saturday to continue their miserable run of form in the capital.

Arne Slot's stumbling side fell behind after five minutes when Dango Ouattara volleyed in following a long throw and Kevin Schade went through to make it 2-0 in the 45th.

Brentford's work on the training ground pays off 🐝💥

📺 Stream #BRELIV on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/sgWEtyCA4K

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

Milos Kerkez replied for the visitors in first-half stoppage time with his first Liverpool goal from Conor Bradley's cross.

Milos Kerkez gives Liverpool a lifeline just before half-time 💥

📺 Stream #BRELIV on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/2Jdo9KZ3nt

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

Liverpool's expected second-half siege never really materialised, however, and Igor Thiago restored Brentford's two-goal advantage from the penalty spot on the hour mark.

Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool hope with a clinical finish in the 89th minute but they had left it too late.

It is the first time since 2021 that Liverpool have lost four successive league games, with three of those matches in London after defeats at Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

They are now sixth in the table on 15 points, four behind leaders Arsenal who could extend that margin on Sunday when they host Crystal Palace.

Brentford's second win in a row moved them up to 10th place, two points behind Liverpool.

BRENTFORD FANS TAUNT SLOT

The home fans took delight in taunting Liverpool manager Arne Slot with chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" and while the Dutchman need not worry about that, the sense of his side's title defence wilting was palpable.

They looked fragile at the back, were often out-muscled by Brentford and doubts about Salah's lack of impact will continue despite him slamming home a fine late goal to end a more than month long scoreless run in the Premier League.

Mo Salah rifles it in to end his recent drought from open-play 🚀

📺 Stream #BRELIV on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/iWOJCOtrJa

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

Brentford's threat from long throws could not have escaped Slot's attention but his side were caught cold by the tactic on a chilly night in south west London.

Michael Kayode wound up a long delivery into the box and when Kristoffer Ajer flicked it on Ouattara reacted superbly to hook his volley past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool responded with chances for Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo but they were not convincing and were undone again as halftime loomed. Mikkel Damsgaard's superb long pass sent Schade away and he kept his composure to beat Mamardashvili.

Kerkez fired home from close range in the fifth minute of stoppage time despite fierce Brentford protests about an infringement.

Brentford earned a penalty when Virgil Van Dijk clipped the foot of Ouattara on edge of the area and after a long VAR check referee Tim Robinson awarded a spot-kick, and Thiago coolly slotted his shot down the middle.

Salah's instant control and finish set up a chaotic period of stoppage time that took the game into its 100th minute but Brentford held on for a thoroughly-deserved three points.

A famous night for the Bees 🐝🔥

Liverpool lose their fourth Premier League game in a row 😲#SSFootball | #BRELIV pic.twitter.com/BgOTryqlXa

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

Liverpool lost for the fourth consecutive game in the Premier League as Brentford beat the champions 3-2 on Saturday, while Manchester United climbed into the top four with a 4-2 victory over Brighton.

Man United climb into the top four as Chelsea and Liverpool lose 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽️#SSFootball | #SSPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/Jy38P7J7Ag

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

Less than a month since starting the season with five straight wins, Liverpool's title defence has come off the rails as the defensive frailties in Arne Slot's side were brutally exposed by Brentford.

Dango Ouattara hooked in from a long throw after just five minutes to set the tone and Kevin Schade added a second just before half-time at the end of a slick counter-attack that cut the visitors wide open.

Milos Kerkez halved Liverpool's deficit before Igor Thiago's penalty restored Brentford's two-goal cushion.

Mohamed Salah ended his six-game Liverpool goal drought in spectacular fashion late on, but could not dig the Reds out of trouble.

A famous night for the Bees 🐝🔥

Liverpool lose their fourth Premier League game in a row 😲#SSFootball | #BRELIV pic.twitter.com/BgOTryqlXa

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

Liverpool slip to sixth and could be seven points adrift of Arsenal by Sunday should the leaders beat Crystal Palace.

MBEUMO GIVES UNITED MOMTUM 

It took nearly a year under Ruben Amorim for United to win back-to-back league games but have now won three in a row after ending Brighton's run of success at Old Trafford.

The Seagulls had won on their previous three visits amid a run of six wins in seven league games against United.

There are signs of the Red Devils' £200 million trio of attacking additions in the transfer window, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, beginning to click.

Man United's new signings are starting to click 🔴🔥

📺 Stream #MUNBHA on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/gaTO3Dk9GD

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

Cunha curled in his first goal for the club from outside the box before Casemiro's deflected effort doubled United's lead before half-time.

Sesko then teed up Mbeumo to fire in at the near post.

Danny Welbeck's brilliant free-kick and Charalampos Kostoulas' header set up a nervy finale.

But Mbeumo smashed home his second goal to seal the points in the 97th minute.

"The performance was important but it would not be Manchester United without suffering a bit," said Amorim.

United surge ahead of Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham into the Champions League places and within three points of leaders Arsenal.

CHELSEA 'NOT GOOD ENOUGH'

Sunderland's dream return to the top flight after an eight-year absence goes on after a 2-1 win at Chelsea lited the Black Cats up to second.

Chelsea looked like they would be the side to go second in the table when Alejandro Garnacho drilled in his first goal for the club after just four minutes.

Sunderland levelled midway through the first half when Wilson Isidor bundled in from close range after Chelsea failed to clear a long throw-in.

The visitors comfortably held the Club World Cup winners at bay in the second period before landing the sucker punch on the counter-attack in the 93rd minute when Brian Brobbey teed up Chemsdine Talbi to curl perfectly into the bottom corner.

It doesn't get any better for the travelling fans 🤩⚽#SSFootball | #CHESUN pic.twitter.com/alxP6S6UJf

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

Defeat leaves Chelsea in seventh with their title challenge fading fast.

"We were not good enough and in the Premier League the consequences can be bad," said Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

"If you want to be there (challenging for the title), you need consistency."

Newcastle beat Fulham 2-1 thanks to captain Bruno Guimaraes' 90th minute strike at St. James' Park.

Saka Lukic had cancelled out Jacob Murphy's opener for the Magpies.

But Marco Silva's men fell to a fourth consecutive defeat that leaves them hovering just above the relegation zone.

Guimaraes swept home the rebound after Bernd Leno had saved William Osula's initial effort to propel Newcastle up to 11th.

Newcastle's captain fires in the winner ⚫⚪#SSFootball | #NEWFUL pic.twitter.com/D8fmdx2EeZ

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2025

Sunderland extended their strong return to the Premier League on Saturday when they dealt Chelsea a 2-1 home defeat with substitute Chemsdine Talbi curling in a winner deep into stoppage time.

The visitors, who moved up to second place in the table, had gone behind in the fourth minute when Alejandro Garnacho claimed his first goal for Chelsea, cutting in from the left and shooting through the legs of Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

The Londoners' lead was cancelled out by Wilson Isidor's equaliser in the 22nd minute when the Frenchman stabbed in from close range after Chelsea failed to deal with a long throw.

The game appeared to be heading for a draw as Chelsea failed to find a way through the Black Cats' disciplined midfield and defensive lines.

In the third minute of added time, however, Talbi collected a pass by fellow substitute Brian Brobbey and the Morocco winger placed his low shot perfectly for his first goal for Sunderland since signing from Club Brugge in July.

SUNDERLAND HAD RIGHT BALANCE

Sunderland coach Regis Le Bris said his players had found the right balance between pressing Chelsea high up the pitch in key moments before holding their deep blocking formation.

"It's a good performance, especially after the early goal," the Frenchman told reporters. "We won three points. We are happy with the way we played. It is important to grab this opportunity when possible."

Enzo Maresca's men had been seeking their third league win in a row after victories over Liverpool and Nottingham Forest but failed to build on their early lead.

Brazilian teenager Estevao, who came on to score the winner in the 2-1 victory over Liverpool, was largely held at bay by Sunderland after he replaced Garnacho in the 58th minute.

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah said the Blues had paid the price for losing concentration in the dying moments.

"As a team it is not the best of games but it is one we have to learn from," he told Sky Sports.

"With the Champions League we have a lot of games but we can't complain. These are the games we want to play in and we can't use that as an excuse."

West Ham United’s horrific run of results in the Premier League this season continued with a 2-1 defeat at Leeds United on Friday, ensuring their worst start in over half a century.

A dismal return of four points is West Ham's worst performance after their opening nine games of a league campaign since the 1973-74 season.

It's a loss in Leeds. pic.twitter.com/Hcgu7a0JKE

— West Ham United (@WestHam) October 24, 2025

They sit second from bottom, but if Wolverhampton Wanderers win at home to Burnley on Sunday, the Hammers will drop to last.

Already they have changed their manager, but the departure of Graham Potter, since appointed Sweden coach, and the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo have not altered their fortunes.

Two goals down in the opening 15 minutes at Elland Road, they only conjured up a late consolation to leave Nuno as the first West Ham boss to fail to record a win from his first four Premier League games since Manuel Pellegrini eight years ago.

Ironically, the Hammers’ only victory this season came in a 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest when Nuno was in charge there.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

The Portuguese coach sounded a drastic warning after Friday’s game, saying: “We must change our attitude, we must change the way we approach things, we must commit ourselves better, prepare better, work harder.

“We don't expect things to change by themselves. Realising we have time can be a mistake if we don't change things around quickly.”

STARK WORDS FROM CAPTAIN BOWEN

Captain Jarrod Bowen’s assessment was as stark.

"This is the Premier League, and we need to really pull our finger out. As we're in a real situation. We have to face the reality of that. The sooner it starts hitting everyone, it needs to change," the forward said.

West Ham have conceded 20 goals – four more than the next-worst defence in the league – and are not showing much sharpness up front either, with seven scored.

They have looked weak in physical battles, poorly organised defending set pieces and their tactical approach has been criticised by pundits.

Nuno after tonight’s defeat 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/V9XLXzCgl6

— West Ham United (@WestHam) October 24, 2025

"There are many problems in our club, unfortunately," added Nuno. "It is not up to us to hide ourselves behind the problems. Everyone has to be alive and do much more and be in the right position."

Ordinarily, two home games next would offer the possibility of a turnaround, with Newcastle United visiting on November 2, followed by struggling Burnley six days later.

But West Ham go into those games having lost five successive home games in the top flight for only the second time in their history, previously doing so in 1931.

Nuno Espirito Santo's winless start to his West Ham reign has reached four games after Leeds cruised to a 2-1 victory at Elland Road on Friday.

Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon struck for Leeds in the first 15 minutes, with Mateus Fernandes's late reply coming too late to save the lacklustre Hammers.

Second-bottom West Ham are three points from safety after seven defeats in their first nine top-flight matches this season.

Nuno has taken one point from a possible 12, with a draw at Everton in his opening match followed by defeats against Arsenal, Brentford and Leeds.

Hired to replace the sacked Graham Potter, who was only in charge of the east Londoners for eight months, Nuno has been tasked with ensuring West Ham don't suffer a relegation that would leave them outside the top-flight for the first time since 2011-12.

But the last West Ham manager to fail to win any of his first four games in charge was Manuel Pellegrini in September 2018.

Leeds secure their third Premier League win of the season ⚪💥#SSFootball | #LEEWHU pic.twitter.com/unrYq2QPu1

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 24, 2025

Nuno was sacked by Nottingham Forest in September after the break-down of his relationship with volatile owner Evangelos Marinakis following disagreements over the club's transfer policy.

If the Portuguese coach doesn't spark a quick upturn in West Ham's fortunes, he could be in danger of suffering a second dismissal in the space of one season.

Leeds' previous match at Elland Road ended in a 2-1 defeat against Tottenham, shattering their 23-match unbeaten run at home.

But they got back on track on home turf with a dominant performance that laid bare the extent of the problems facing Nuno.

In the third minute, Noah Okafor was left unmarked by teenager Oliver Scarles for a header that was parried by Alphonse Areola towards Aaronson, who stabbed home from close-range as West Ham's flat-footed defenders failed to react.

⚽ 3' Brenden Aaronson
⚽ 15' Joe Rodon

Leeds are two goals clear of West Ham at Elland Road ⚪⚡

📺 Stream #LEEWHU on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQWD1K#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/e1m6CQpnL0

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 24, 2025

West Ham were in disarray and Daniel Farke's men doubled their lead in the 15th minute.

It was a shocking goal for West Ham to concede as Lucas Paqueta's sloppy marking allowed Rodon to rise unchecked to meet Sean Longstaff's corner with a thumping header into the far corner from five yards.

West Ham have shipped nine goals from corners in the Premier League this season, six more than any other side.

Drenched in the ceaseless Yorkshire downpour, the bedraggled Nuno responded by sending on striker Callum Wilson to replace the injured Scarles in an admission that his formation wasn't working.

Nuno's luck wasn't about to change and Paqueta had a goal disallowed by VAR for offside.

Tomas Soucek squandered a chance to give West Ham a lifeline with a wayward close-range header as boos from the travelling fans filled the air.

West Ham had never won a Premier League game when trailing by two or more goals at half-time and their 102nd attempt would be no different.

Fernandes glanced a header into the far corner from Jarrod Bowen's cross in the 90th minute, but Leeds survived four minutes' stoppage-time to leave the visitors marooned in the relegation zone.

Fifth-place Chelsea will try to continue their strong run of form on Saturday when they host a newly promoted Sunderland side that sits seventh after surpassing early expectations.

Chelsea (4-2-2, 14 points) have won four straight matches in all competitions, with half of those coming in the first phase of UEFA Champions League play.

Their league performances have been just as impressive. They dealt a second loss to a Liverpool side that entered Stamford Bridge leading the league, then hammered Nottingham Forest 3-0 in a result that cost Trees manager Ange Postecoglou his job.

Even so, the Blues are ahead of Sunderland (4-2-2, 14 points) only on goal difference. And manager Enzo Maresca says there's nothing fraudulent about the Black Cats, who are contesting their first Premier League season since 2016-17.

"I think they have shown since the start of the season that they are a very good team," Maresca said. "They play together, they work together, and they play as a team. In terms of results, they have the same points as us, so they are showing how good they are. It's a Premier League game, and I don't think any game at this level is easy."

And while Chelsea have been good, they're also decidedly less than full strength. Versatile attacker Cole Palmer (groin) and summer striker signing Liam Delap (hamstring) have both been injured for the majority of the early campaign. Palmer is not expected back until at least next month, while Maresca said Delap could be available next week but will miss Saturday's match.

Back home tomorrow to host Sunderland. ✊ pic.twitter.com/FrKwm3B657

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 24, 2025

Without them, it's been an attack by committee, with three goals each from Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo leading five Blues who have scored multiple times.

Objectively, the quality of Sunderland's results are less impressive, with three of their four wins coming against sides currently in the relegation zone.

But in contrast to sides like Luton Town and Burnley, whose failed recent attempts at Premier League survival featured an attack-minded tactical setup, Sunderland have built their strength through the back, keeping four clean sheets and conceding only six goals.

Five goals against Sunderland back in May 2017. 👊 pic.twitter.com/W4H6y0dPTo

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 24, 2025

"I think it's important to build consistency, especially in this league," Cats manager Regis Le Bris said. "If you are solid, to protect your goal, you don't concede many goals, I think it's better to build confidence and to be able to be competitive."

Le Bris will be without Paraguayan center back Omar Alderete, who originally returned from international duty with a thigh injury but has since been treated for concussion symptoms.

French striker Wilson Isidor has three of Sunderland's nine league goals.