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Manchester United The Guardian · 25 Oct 2026 · 21:24 Tallinn

Manchester United board hold crisis talks over Carrick’s future

Manchester United’s hierarchy is considering whether Michael Carrick should remain manager after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth. The loss was United’s sixth in twelve matches across all competitions and left them with only one league victory this season. Eddie Howe is reportedly the preferred alternative of director of football Jason Wilcox if the club decides to make a change. Carrick left Bruno Fernandes on the bench after the captain had criticised tactical decisions following the midweek Champions League defeat by Como. Harry Maguire, wearing the armband, said the squad remained behind the manager but acknowledged that the players must take responsibility. The significance extends beyond one result: United’s shortage of cohesion, confidence and attacking ideas has revived questions about recruitment and decision-making. Any managerial change will therefore be judged not only by immediate results but by whether the club can create a stable football structure.

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Premier League The Guardian · 25 Oct 2026 · 17:12 Tallinn

Liverpool end Brighton’s four-match winning run

Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 at Anfield to end the visitors’ sequence of four successive Premier League victories. Florian Wirtz was central to the opening move, although the goal was officially recorded as a Pascal Groß own goal, before Alexander Isak added a second. Isak has now scored in six of his first six league appearances for Liverpool, giving the club a reliable focal point during a period of adjustment under Andoni Iraola. Brighton had moments of pressure and struck the post, but their final delivery and finishing repeatedly let them down. Liverpool’s response was particularly encouraging because the team defended with energy after half-time rather than relying only on attacking talent. The result gives Liverpool their first home league win of the season and suggests that their expensive attacking group is beginning to understand the manager’s demands. Brighton remain dangerous, but this was a reminder that possession and chances still need end product.

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Premier League The Guardian · 25 Oct 2026 · 18:29 Tallinn

Newcastle defeat Palace as pressure grows on Pierre Sage

Newcastle United defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park after two goals in a decisive spell immediately after half-time. Will Osula finished Jacob Murphy’s cross, and Harvey Barnes completed a flowing move six minutes later to settle the match. Palace had been competitive in isolated moments but produced very little sustained attacking threat during a poor first half. The defeat leaves Pierre Sage under significant pressure after Palace conceded 19 goals in eight league matches and followed a heavy loss to Brighton with another defeat. Newcastle were also criticised after recent inconsistent performances, yet Matthias Jaissle’s side showed greater intensity and structure after the interval. The result matters for both managers: Sage needs a defensive solution quickly, while Jaissle can use the clean sheet and controlled second half as evidence that his squad is starting to respond. Newcastle’s £260m summer rebuild remains unfinished, but this was a useful step.

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Premier League The Guardian · 25 Oct 2026 · 18:40 Tallinn

Hull and Brentford share points in difficult conditions

Hull City drew 1-1 with Brentford at the MKM Stadium, preserving the hosts’ unbeaten home record while extending Brentford’s run of consecutive away draws. Oli McBurnie put Hull ahead from the penalty spot after Aaron Hickey brought down Tim Iroegbunam inside the area. Brentford recovered in the second half when Dango Ouattara reacted quickest to an Igor Thiago pass and scored from close range. Hull had opportunities to regain the lead but could not make their late pressure count. Strong winds associated with Storm Boelo disrupted the opening stages and made clean possession difficult for both sides. The result is encouraging for Hull’s home form but frustrating because they have now gone seven matches without a victory. Brentford’s away resilience is valuable, although four straight draws also underline a lack of decisive finishing. Both teams remain organised and competitive, but each needs more victories if it wants to move clear of the lower-table pressure.

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Premier League The Guardian · 25 Oct 2026 · 20:39 Tallinn

Sunderland and Leeds share a goalless draw

Sunderland and Leeds United drew 0-0 at the Stadium of Light in a match heavily affected by severe wind. The result left Sunderland at the bottom of the Premier League despite a performance that arguably deserved a second victory of the season. Both goalkeepers made important interventions, while the conditions repeatedly disrupted passing and reduced the quality of the final ball. Sunderland’s late pressure nearly produced a winner when Sean Longstaff’s shot was blocked close to goal. Leeds had spells of control but could not convert their opportunities and remain a side that is competitive without being consistently clinical. The point has different value for each club: Sunderland will see it as another missed opportunity, while Leeds can take encouragement from avoiding defeat in a difficult environment. Their early-season positions are not yet decisive, but both teams need attacking improvement if they are to avoid being dragged into a long relegation battle.

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Women's Super League The Guardian · 25 Oct 2026 · 22:38 Tallinn

Manchester United end City’s perfect WSL start

Manchester United drew 1-1 with Manchester City after Elisabeth Terland scored late to cancel out Khadija Shaw’s second-half opener. The result ended City’s perfect winning start and moved the defending champions behind Chelsea on goal difference. United were improved compared with their two 3-0 defeats in last season’s league meetings and created enough opportunities to justify the point. City controlled long periods through the passing of Yui Hasegawa and the movement of Lauren Hemp, but United remained competitive and continued to threaten in transition. Terland’s equaliser came after a high ball into the area was only partially cleared, allowing her to finish first time. The draw gives City an immediate test of their response, with a Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain followed by a league trip to London City. For United, the performance could become an important turning point after a difficult opening under Eva Olid.

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Scottish Premiership The Guardian · 25 Oct 2026 · 19:53 Tallinn

Celtic recover to beat Hibernian

Celtic came from behind to beat Hibernian 2-1 at Easter Road and restore a four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Owen Elding gave Hibernian an early lead, but a Jason Kerr own goal levelled the contest before Camilo Durán scored his tenth league goal of the season. The victory was important because Celtic had suffered a Europa League defeat against Celta Vigo only days earlier and needed a domestic response. It was also Celtic’s ninth league win in ten matches, reinforcing their position as the team to catch. Hibernian remain bottom after a third straight defeat since Marink Reedijk replaced David Gray, leaving the new manager with a difficult rebuilding task. Celtic did have one concern when substitute Alistair Johnston went off shortly after returning from injury. The champions’ margin at the top is healthy, but the congested schedule means fitness and rotation will remain central to their title defence.

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