Sports
Haaland defends Man City’s 100% record, Hull hold Aston Villa
Manchester City maintained its perfect Premier League start with a hard-fought 1-0 win over promoted Coventry City on Saturday, but the narrow victory highlighted how much work remains after the club’s 450 million pound ($608.45 million) rebuild.
A third successive win was sealed in familiar fashion by Erling Haaland, with a little help from British-record-equaling signing Enzo Fernandez on his debut but City were made to sweat by a Coventry side still seeking a first point.
Crystal Palace earned their first league victory of the campaign as they twice came from a goal down to prevail 3-2 at Fulham, while four other games ended all square.
Newcastle United recovered from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at home to Bournemouth who scored first for the third game in a row but are still without a victory.
Tottenham Hotspur picked up their first point of the season but failed to have a shot on target in a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest who had a goal ruled out by VAR for handball.
Brighton & Hove Albion drew 1-1 at home to Leeds United, Brentford versus Sunderland also finished 1-1, while promoted Hull City held visitors Aston Villa to a 0-0 draw.
After Manchester City’s eye-watering splurge continued until Tuesday with the arrival of Argentina midfielder Fernandez from Chelsea and Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, Coventry may have feared the worst at The Etihad Stadium.
Maresca handed debuts to Fernandez and fellow deadline-day signing Ndiaye, while midfielder Elliott Anderson, whose club-record 115-million-pound arrival was surpassed by Fernandez, was also in the starting lineup.
Fernandez played a key role in Haaland’s 26th-minute opener, sliding a pass through for Antoine Semenyo, whose cross the Norway striker headed in. Haaland’s strike was his 300th goal in all competitions in his top-flight club career.
Haaland also had a goal ruled out but it was Coventry who finished strongly and an equalizer would not have flattered Frank Lampard’s side, who forced City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into a string of saves.
City completed 803 passes to Coventry’s 217 but there was some relief at the final whistle, although Enzo Maresca was happy enough with the nature of the performance.
“I really liked today for different reasons. First half we could have scored one or two more but we worked together to win so I am happy,” the Italian said.
“Anxiety from the fans is normal. Nine out of 10 of these games you end with a bad feeling but it’s important to win 1-0. Not all the performances are going to be nice, you also need ugly moments.”
City lead the table with nine points. Champions Arsenal and Chelsea, the other teams with a 100% record, meet Sunday at The Emirates Stadium.
Hull dropped their first points in an impressive start to life back in the top flight but have yet to concede a goal, while Villa’s struggles persisted as Unai Emery’s side still search for a first goal and have one point from three matches.
Craven Cottage entertainment
Coventry and Fulham remain without a point after three games, while Villa will hope to get their tally up and running when they travel to surprise package Hull.
The day’s real entertainment happened at Craven Cottage where Fulham’s new manager Alvaro Arbeloa suffered his third successive defeat as Ben Chilwell scored the winner for Palace.
Josh King put Fulham ahead after 11 minutes but Tyrick Mitchell leveled for the visitors before Cesar Palacios tucked in a rebound to restore the home side’s lead.
Mitchell equalized again for Pierre Sage’s side before Chilwell, who joined on a free transfer, latched onto a loose ball to drive home the winner in the 77th minute.
“It’s a good result but we have to be honest, our start has not been of the level expected. We did better with mentality in the second half,” Sage said.
Bournemouth made Premier League history by becoming the first club to score first in their opening three games of a season without winning any of them.
Marcus Tavernier gave Bournemouth an early lead before a Malick Thiaw own goal made it 2-0 after 35 minutes.
Harvey Barnes pulled a goal back before halftime and Jacob Ramsey earned Newcastle a point with a late strike to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
“Two times already in the last two games, but it is what it is,” Bournemouth manager Marco Rose said. “It’s good that we are in situations to be able to win games … We have to talk about the negatives, get better and try to finish the games.”
Vitaly Janelt put Brentford ahead against the run of play just before the hour mark against Sunderland but Enzo le Fee’s late penalty earned the visitors a point. Brighton’s record signing Luka Vuskovic scored his side’s equalizer against Leeds.
Tottenham are yet to score in the league this season but at least emerged with a point from the City Ground, although Forest were left frustrated after Neco Williams’ second-half effort was ruled out for handball after some chaotic Spurs defending.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open with a routine win over Alejandro Tabilo on Saturday, while Coco Gauff also moved on as several other American contenders were eliminated.
Naomi Osaka overcame a mental and physical battle to outlast Belgium’s Elise Mertens in a three-setter on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Two of the brightest young prospects in the women’s draw and close friends off it, put on a show as American Iva Jovic edged Filipina Alexandra Eala in a thrilling clash on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
After back-to-back five-setters, top seed Zverev finally enjoyed a quieter night as he overcame a small mid-match dip to see off Chile’s Tabilo 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-2.
“I think today was definitely much better than the last couple of days. I think I improved a lot from the baseline,” Zverev said.
“I wasn’t happy with the second set. I think especially the end of the second set I lost focus a little bit. I was not moving as well. I was not playing as well. But I think the first and third sets are a big improvement to the other days. I’ll try to focus on that.”
Japanese 13th seed Osaka, a two-time U.S. Open champion, worked through a challenge after letting slip a one-set and break advantage before managing an Achilles niggle to beat Mertens 6-3 3-6 7-5.
The match was as much a test of Osaka’s composure as her tennis, with the 28-year-old showing visible frustration before regaining control in the decider.
“Honestly, I didn’t feel like I played amazing, and it was really getting me down, like I was very negative on myself, so I’m really sorry about my behavior,” an emotional Osaka said.
Jovic, 18, and Eala, 21, traded momentum throughout a contest that lasted more than three hours before the American prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 7-5. Jovic, the 14th seed, will next face compatriot and fan favorite Gauff.
Fourth seed Gauff had earlier provided the day’s clearest positive for the home fans, the 22-year-old beating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-3 6-4, as the 2023 champion looks to win a third Grand Slam crown.
Second seed Elena Rybakina continued her quest for a third major title and the top spot in the WTA rankings, advancing after a 7-6(6), 6-3 win over Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Australian Open champion Rybakina avenged the second-round defeat she suffered to the Ukrainian at the French Open. The Kazakh will face Osaka for a place in the quarterfinals.
Iga Swiatek, the 2022 champion, beat Marie Bouzkova 7-6(3), 7-6(3) while French Open champion Mirra Andreeva advanced by downing Nikola Bartunkova 6-2, 7-6(5).
American take hit
The day had begun with a string of painful exits for the home players.
Past U.S. Open finalists Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova all crashed out in the third round, dealing a stinging blow to the home fans at Flushing Meadows.
Ninth seed Fritz had yet to drop a set in New York and looked on his way to another routine victory before Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo flipped the script and won 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
It was the earliest exit in four years for the 2024 runner-up and Cerundolo will next face Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, who shocked fifth seed Flavio Cobolli 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-0, 6-3.
The American women fared no better, as China’s Zheng Qinwen came back from a 5-0 deficit in the decider to beat 2017 runner-up Keys 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 on the Grandstand, collapsing on the court in utter joy as she fights back from a career slump.
The Olympic champion reached the quarterfinals for the second straight time only two years ago but was forced to go through qualifying this time after a chronic right elbow injury derailed her career progress.
Last year’s runner-up and 10th seed Anisimova was unable to reverse her fortunes in a frustrating year at the majors, with a 6-2, 7-5 defeat by Anastasia Potapova.
Young American wildcard Michael Zheng was another casualty, unable to complete a comeback against Frenchman Arthur Gea in a 7-6(7), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat.
Gea became just the second lucky loser to reach the fourth round, after fellow countryman Corentin Moutet in 2022.
The day ended on a positive note for the home crowd, who spurred Learner Tien to a gritty 6-3 1-6 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4 win over Czech Jakub Mensik.
Beşiktaş’s Serbian marksman Dusan Vlahovic scored a 73rd-minute winner to help his side come from behind to defeat cross-town rivals Fenerbahçe 2-1 in an intense Turkish Süper Lig derby Saturday.
The victory elevated Beşiktaş to nine points from their opening four matches of the campaign, while Fenerbahçe remained stuck on six points after suffering their second defeat in four league outings.
Beşiktaş established an aggressive tempo from the opening minute, forcing Fenerbahçe goalkeeper Ederson into making early saves.
In the 16th minute, Leandro Trossard collected a clever pass from Orkun Kökçü and tested the Brazilian shot-stopper with a curling effort from the left side of the penalty area.
Ederson was called upon again six minutes later, diving sharply to his left to parry a powerful long-range strike from Junior Olaitan.
Despite absorbing heavy early pressure from the visitors, Fenerbahçe capitalized on their first significant opportunity to open the scoring in the 26th minute.
Left-back Archie Brown launched a long throw-in deep into the penalty area, where a weak defensive clearance fell directly to Fener’s Milan Skriniar.
The Slovakian defender made no mistake from close range, putting the ball past Beşiktaş goalkeeper Alexander Nübel to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Beşiktaş, however, refused to let the setback derail their rhythm and answered back in the 38th minute through a precise passing combination.
Trossard unlocked the Yellow Canaries’ defense with a sharp through-ball to Rıdvan Yılmaz on the left side of the box and the Turkish international left-back slotted a low shot into the far corner to send the teams into halftime tied at 1-1.
Fenerbahçe nearly restored their advantage just before the break in the 43rd minute when Mason Greenwood produced a dazzling individual run, dribbling past both Yılmaz and Emirhan Topçu before dragging his angled shot narrowly wide of the far post.
The second half developed into an open, high-tempo affair dominated by the duel between Ederson and the Beşiktaş attack.
In the 57th minute, Olaitan threaded a pass through to Vlahovic, but Ederson rushed off his line to deny the Serbian striker in a one-on-one situation.
Fenerbahçe created their only other on-target effort of the match in the 66th minute. Ederson sent a long goal kick downfield that Kerem Aktürkoğlu flicked into the path of Vedat Muriqi, whose volley from outside the penalty area was saved by Nübel.
Just a minute later, Ederson produced another vital save to keep Fenerbahçe level, stopping substitute Ilhan Fakılı in a second one-on-one opportunity after the winger was released by Olaitan.
Beşiktaş finally broke through Ederson’s resistance to claim the winning goal in the 73rd minute off a clinical counterattack.
Olaitan initiated the move from his own half, finding Kökçü on the left flank. Kökçü drove into the penalty area and drew Ederson off his line before laying an unselfish pass across to Vlahovic, who guided the ball into the empty net.
Trossard nearly added a third for Beşiktaş in the 81st minute, but his long-range strike crashed off the frame of the goal.
Fenerbahçe struggled to create clear opportunities for an equalizer during the closing stages as the visitors held firm to secure all three points in the derby.
Real Betis stunned Real Madrid 1-0 on Friday, with goalkeeper Alvaro Valles saving Kylian Mbappe’s stoppage-time penalty to preserve a dramatic victory and hand Jose Mourinho a losing start in his return to the Madrid bench this season.
Troy Parrott scored in the 81st minute to put Betis ahead, but the hosts still had to survive a late Madrid surge. Valles delivered when it mattered most, diving to his left to deny Mbappe from the penalty spot before making another crucial save in the final moments.
Mbappe had a chance to rescue Madrid after Vinícius Júnior earned a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time. Vinícius drove toward the left side of the area before Betis defender Natan slid in and brought him down.
Mbappe stutter-stepped during his runup before sending his attempt toward the lower left corner. Valles read it perfectly, diving across his goal to make the save.
The Betis goalkeeper celebrated with a roar before bumping his chest into a stunned Mbappe.
“We were sure we had it, but of course you also need a bit of luck,” Valles said. “He is very good at trying to make you commit early and not showing you where he is aiming. I was fortunate to stop it.”
Valles had been outstanding throughout the match and was the main reason Madrid left Seville empty-handed.
He made a reflex save in the 11th minute to deny Dean Huijsen’s header from an Arda Güler delivery. Four minutes later, Güler found Vinícius at the far post, but the Brazilian’s effort struck the woodwork from a tight angle.
Betis created chances of its own, with Antony setting up Cucho Hernández in the 21st minute, only for the forward to shoot narrowly wide.
Madrid continued to threaten before halftime. Vinícius played Mbappe through with Valles out of position, but Mbappe’s first effort was blocked by Natan. Mbappe collected the rebound and appeared to have beaten Valles with his second attempt, only for Marc Bartra to make a crucial goal-line clearance.
Valles then produced another fine stop to keep out Jude Bellingham’s header from a Güler corner.
Madrid came even closer in first-half stoppage time when Huijsen headed another Güler delivery against the crossbar.
Güler was substituted in the 65th minute but was named man of the match after another influential performance in Madrid’s attack.
Mbappe had another opportunity in the 68th minute after Huijsen won possession from Antony and released the France forward, but Valles again stood firm.
Betis finally broke through in the 81st minute following a corner. Thibaut Courtois saved Nelson Deossa’s initial header, but Parrott reacted quickest to the rebound and fired into the net.
Madrid immediately pushed for an equalizer. Mbappe struck the crossbar four minutes later, while the visitors thought they had leveled in the 87th minute when Carlos Espi finished Vinicius’ cross with a spectacular overhead kick.
The goal was ruled out for offside following a video assistant referee review.
That set up the frantic finish.
Valles saved Mbappe’s penalty, then produced one final stop to tip an Espi header over the crossbar and complete a memorable night.
Mbappe had entered the match in strong form, scoring in two of Madrid’s first three games of the season, including a hat trick. But he endured a frustrating night in Seville, missing several opportunities and ultimately seeing his late penalty saved.
Madrid’s first defeat of the La Liga season leaves the club with nine points after four matches, level with Betis, which also has three wins and one loss.
Mbappe will have little time to dwell on the miss. Madrid hosts Inter Milan in their Champions League opener Tuesday, giving the French star an immediate opportunity to respond.
The 17th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship is underway in Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye, where riders are competing on an upgraded track as the MXGP Türkiye event enters its ninth edition.
Free practice and qualifying sessions began at the Afyonkarahisar Motor Sports Center for several classes, including the MXGP World Championship, MX2 World Championship, EMX250 European Championship and EMX125 European Championship.
This year’s event features additional track elements designed to increase the technical difficulty of the course, according to Ogün Baysan, vice president of the Turkish Motorcycle Federation.
“The track has become a very challenging and ambitious course with the new features we added this year,” Baysan told reporters. “We have been developing the championship continuously for nine years, always building on what we achieved the year before.”
Baysan said the event has grown beyond a traditional racing competition, with its festival component becoming an increasingly important part of the program.
The organizers are already looking ahead to next year’s 10th edition, which is expected to feature an expanded festival. Baysan said Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal has requested that the festival be extended to 10 days, while the Turkish federation has also asked the FIM to consider adding more races to the program.
Even without those additions, this year’s event has expanded its racing schedule with the inclusion of the EMX125 and EMX250 European championships.
Baysan described MXGP Türkiye as more than a motorcycle racing event, saying it has become an important platform for promoting Afyonkarahisar and Türkiye internationally and supporting sports tourism.
“This is a motorcycle organization rather than just a race,” he said. “Afyonkarahisar has become a gateway to the world. It is one of the best ways to promote Türkiye and Afyonkarahisar and one of the best forms of sports tourism.”
He also highlighted the economic and cultural impact of hosting international visitors, saying the event gives local businesses, hotels and residents an opportunity to showcase the city and its character to a global audience.
“We are hosting this many foreign visitors in the best possible way,” Baysan said. “It is not only about the race and the festival. We are showing the world our businesses, our hotels, our people and the fact that this is a very different Anatolian city.”
Türkiye’s next generation
Alongside the championship races, MXGP Türkiye is continuing its MXGP Academy program, which is designed to prepare promising young Turkish riders for careers on the international motocross circuit.
The academy brings together young riders who have performed well in Türkiye’s national championships and provides them with specialized training aimed at developing their technical and competitive abilities.
The program focuses particularly on riders competing in the 65cc and 85cc categories. Participants receive instruction on riding technique, race preparation and the demands of competing at the level of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
The academy also places emphasis on the physical and mental development required to build a professional career, giving young riders an understanding of discipline, preparation and the responsibilities that come with competing at an international level.
Several activities were held at the start of this year’s championship, including a parent information meeting, MXGP Academy rider training, MX-A certification and a parent workshop titled “Communicating With an MX Rider.”
The first session of the MXGP Academy motorcycle training program was also completed as part of the event.
Parents’ key role
The academy’s organizers have also made parents part of the training process, recognizing their influence on young athletes as they progress through the sport.
The parent workshop provides guidance on the demands of motocross, effective communication with young riders and ways families can provide constructive support during training and competition.
The goal is to create an environment in which young riders can develop both on and off the track while gaining the skills and discipline required for a professional career.
Barcelona spent much of the summer chasing Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, but Raphinha’s explosive start to the La Liga season suggests they may already have the attacking firepower they need.
The Brazilian winger has scored five goals in three games while operating out of position as Barcelona’s No. 9, giving the defending champions plenty of reason for optimism ahead of Sunday’s trip to Valencia at Mestalla.
Barcelona have won all three of their league games and sit on nine points, level with Jose Mourinho’s revamped Real Madrid and Real Betis, who stunned Los Blancos 1-0 on Friday.
The Catalan club failed to sign the marquee forward they wanted to bolster their attack following the summer departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Instead, they turned to a deadline-day deal for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus.
Yet even Jesus, a former Manchester City forward, faces a difficult task in breaking into an attack that is already flourishing, with his fellow Brazilian Raphinha leading the charge.
“I don’t think I’m coming to improve the team because it’s already great,” Jesus said at his presentation Tuesday.
“I’m just coming to help.”
Raphinha is expected to keep his role as the team’s center forward in the weeks ahead, although the start of the Champions League will encourage coach Hansi Flick to rotate his squad.
Raphinha suffered several injury problems last season, so Jesus could help lighten his workload.
Flick’s arrival at Barcelona signaled a new era not only for the team but also for Raphinha, who had become frustrated under Xavi Hernandez.
Under Flick, the former Leeds United winger developed into a vital part of Barcelona’s system, helping the team claim back-to-back league titles and earning the admiration of his teammates.
“At this moment, Raphinha is doing really great,” Flick said Saturday.
“He’s the best option for us at the moment in this position.”
No surprise
Flick was upset when Raphinha missed out on the Ballon d’Or in 2025 and said this week he has not been surprised by how quickly the 29-year-old has impressed through the middle.
“Of course I expected his performance. He’s a world-class footballer. I always want him on my team,” Flick said, describing Raphinha as one of Barcelona’s “leaders.”
With Barcelona’s pressing game central to Flick’s system, Raphinha can literally lead from the front and set the tone.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m annoying for my teammates,” Raphinha admitted last season, as he continually pushed to maintain the team’s standards and work rate.
The winger was given the captain’s armband this season and, instead of battling with Anthony Gordon for a place on the left wing, is showing that he will not easily be dislodged.
“Raphinha is a role model because he helps us all a lot, especially the younger ones. He’s approachable, and that’s what we want, a captain like that,” Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal told DAZN.
Raphinha scored twice against Elche in the first game of the season as Barcelona ran out 5-0 winners, scored again in the 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao and then struck another brace in the 5-2 romp over Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
There is still a question over whether Raphinha can sustain his superb numbers over a long period, particularly against defenses that sit deeper than Barcelona’s opponents have so far. Such teams could deny the Brazilian the space he likes to burst into.
The trip to Mestalla to face Carlos Corberan’s Valencia may offer a different type of challenge, but since joining Barcelona in 2022, Raphinha has risen to the occasion against every opponent he has faced.
FIFA has described legal applications filed by UEFA in U.S. courts seeking access to documents related to the governing body’s controversial private investment plan as part of a “smear campaign” against FIFA.
UEFA is seeking court-ordered discovery of evidence and documents linked to FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a private company that was envisioned as the vehicle for operating the World Cup and other FIFA competitions.
FIFA confirmed last month that the plan called for private investors to acquire a 20% stake in FFE. FIFA President Gianni Infantino abandoned the proposal on Aug. 1 following opposition from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, which represents football associations across North and Central America and the Caribbean.
That withdrawal has not stopped UEFA from pursuing Infantino and other FIFA officials, with UEFA saying the documents it obtained were intended for use in preparing potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland, according to filings seen by the Press Association on Aug. 27.
The following day, FIFA sought permission to oppose UEFA’s request in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The motion was granted by the court on the next business day, Aug. 31. FIFA has until Sept. 28 to submit a full opposition to the court.
A similar motion to oppose the request was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday. Documents from FIFA’s legal team seen by the Press Association described UEFA’s applications as being “little more than press releases in further support of UEFA’s smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership.”
FIFA’s filing asks the New York court to defer consideration of UEFA’s discovery application until the Florida court has ruled on it. Alternatively, FIFA requests that the court allow it to oppose UEFA’s application no later than Sept. 30.
The filing said UEFA’s motivation in opposing FFE and Infantino was “to prevent smaller countries from having the financial strength to compete with the European elite.”
It added: “If soccer is strengthened in the developing world, global competition increases, which ultimately reduces UEFA’s market power and provides more competition for its flagship tournaments.
“By raising funds to allow some of FIFA’s smaller member associations to better develop soccer, FFE would lead to more players from those nations choosing to represent their countries of origin and playing in their home leagues rather than playing abroad.
“All of this would erode UEFA’s dominance over other regions of the world.”
UEFA’s filing accused Infantino of “criminal mismanagement” in relation to FFE and said the proposed $4.2 billion sale of a stake in the company was “a fraudulently off-market price promoted by Infantino for his own benefit.”
In a separate statement published last week, UEFA called for an independent external review of the origins of FFE. It said that if Infantino chose to stand for re-election at next year’s FIFA Congress, UEFA would “join forces with its partner confederations to ensure that member associations are offered a credible alternative – one committed to integrity, accountability, development and genuine institutional change.”
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