‘We have made these mistakes … you can get punished’
Dowman lost appeal against red card at Fleetwood
Mikel Arteta has warned Max Dowman that he “is not in Disneyland” and must learn from his red card against Fleetwood after Arsenal’s appeal against his three-match suspension was rejected.
The 16-year-old became the youngest player ever to be sent off in the League Cup on Tuesday as the Premier League champions crashed out to the League Two side Fleetwood. Arteta said he was “very disappointed” that the Football Association rejected the appeal against his red card and felt Dowman was lucky not to suffer a broken foot from “reckless tackles”.
While it is customary for fans of top-flight clubs with delusions of grandeur to cope with Fizzy Cup exits by pretending the competition is beneath them, this is no longer an option that is open to supporters of Newcastle United. Winning the trophy sponsored by a low-calorie, fruit-flavoured energy drink brand from Thailand may only rank fifth in the domestic pecking order behind the Premier League, FA Cup and both transfer windows, but nobody will ever forget how much it meant to hundreds of thousands of overjoyed Geordies when their team did exactly that the season before last to end a trophy drought dating back to the Jurassic era. And with a quarter-final trip to the tough-tackling League Two bullyboys of Fleetwood up for grabs during their match against serial trophy-dodgers Everton last night, the travelling Toon Army must have fancied their chances of being in the shake-up again.
I clearly remember the first time I laughed out hard and loud, as a 12-year-old, reading Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome. Tonight, 50 years later, after a stretch of horrendous bad years and months (and for my mental health, I exclude the struggles of Tottenham), I read the Football Daily column. Its is often quite witty, but this time, reading about some penalty kick gone awry … I know, I have a simplistic sense of humour, but I laughed so hard and cried at the same time, that my family wondered what happened. Thanks for a cathartic experience. Words” – L Json.
As a Spurs supporter who saw my first game at White Hart Lane when I was five years old – almost eight decades ago – I can only express my relief that attention has drifted away from the continual ridicule of my team. The fact that a certain club that should return to south of the Thames managed to lose at Highbury (ironically), that lot from down Kings Road and Manchester United are all hogging the headlines for all the wrong reasons just makes life sweeter. It’s time for my second nap of the day now, so I’ll sign off” – Stewart McGuinness.
Manchester United’s most famous eras were built around their academy products, so why not give the current crop a chance to shine?
Watching Manchester United succumb meekly against Comoand Bournemouth brought to mind questions and comparisons with yesteryear. Two of United’s most famous eras were built around their youth players: the Busby Babes and the Class of ’92. Could this be a moment for Michael Carrick to give their most talented academy products a meaningful chance?
In February 2025 I saw United beat Arsenal 3-2 in the FA Youth Cup at the Emirates Stadium. Jack and Tyler Fletcher did well for United and so did Harry Amass, a signing from Watford. Max Dowman, a generational talent, starred for Arsenal.
Fifa is to fall short of gender equality with the prize money on offer at next year’s Women’s World Cup, despite making a record $15bn (£11.2bn) in revenue from this summer’s men’s tournament.
Gianni Infantino, the Fifa president, said in 2023 that the organisation’s ambition was to have equality for the prize pot for 2027, saying: “Fifa is stepping up with actions, not just with words.” There had, therefore, been widespread hope across the women’s game that 2027’s prize pot would match the men’s on at least a per-team basis.
Dejan Kulusevski returned to competitive action for Tottenham after a 17-month injury layoff to play the last few minutes in the club’s 3-1 home victory against Coventry last week and followed that up with another substitute appearance in Saturday’s win at Chelsea.
Kulusevski had multiple setbacks after knee surgery in May 2025. But a second procedure in March finally set him on the road to recovery.
After a disaster World Cup, the team have continued to spiral, with tensions high between young and older players and the captain’s standing in question
Son Heung-min and Cristiano Ronaldo are iconic No 7s, Premier League legends and international record-breakers. Now there is a surprising danger of them having something else in common: being a divisive presence in their national teams.
On 21 October, during a parliamentary committee meeting, politician Jeong Yeon-wook put a question to acting Korea Football Association (KFA) president Lee Yong-soo, that took a story out of the sports pages and into the national conversation. “It is said that recently, within the national team squad, players have been calling him not by his name but as ‘No 7’ or ‘that person’. Do you know who that is?” Lee then replied, “Are you referring to Son Heung-min?” Jeong went on: “So it appears to be true. … It has also been revealed that the national team’s leadership is causing discord and has broken down overall.” Lee declined to comment.
Michael Carrick and Bruno Fernandes held clear-the-air talks this week. Fernandes was an unused substitute against Bournemouth after criticising Carrick’s tactics during the Champions League defeat at Como but it seems the situation has been resolved – for now. Dropping Fernandes did not do United any good against Bournemouth, who ran riot at Old Trafford, and the captain is expected to return to the starting lineup for the trip to Chelsea. If that happens, he owes Carrick a performance. Fernandes has been poor this season and it is time he did his talking on the pitch. Jacob Steinberg
Chelsea v Manchester United, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The biggest night in Everton’s season started with a big call from David Moyes and demanded a big performance from his players. With the exception of Jack Grealish, they did not let him down. A quarter-final at Fleetwood Town is their prize after a clinical, committed display shattered Newcastle’s hopes of lifting the Carabao Cup for a second time in three seasons.
Newcastle dominated spells of the fourth round tie and the stats – registering 28 shots to Everton’s 11, although only nine visiting attempts were on target – but individual defensive errors and an ineffective attack proved a ruinous combination. Matthias Jaissle denied his team are a soft touch, despite persuasive evidence to the contrary, yet called Newcastle “naive” and the defeat, in front of almost 8,000 of their fans, “shocking”. Andy Burnham was among the many Evertonians in attendance grateful for Newcastle’s generosity.
You cannot miss half a dozen big chances at Women’s Champions League level and expect to get away with it. That is the harsh lesson Manchester City learnt on Thursday against Paris Saint-Germain, who extended the English champions’ wait for their first win in Europe this season by striking late to secure a point at a disappointed Joie Stadium.
City’s third draw from three Champions League games so far this season really ought to have been a victory. Instead, their hopes of a top-four spot and with it automatic qualification for the quarter-finals are looking increasingly slim.
Internazionale and Milan have unveiled plans for their new Generali Stadium, which will replace the shared San Siro venue from the 2031-32 season.
The stadium, sponsored by Generali – Italy’s largest insurance company – will have a capacity of 71,500 seats and is expected to cost the two clubs €1.2 billion (£1bn). The plans were revealed at a gala event at Milan’s Castello Sforzesco on Thursday – but some fans in attendance voiced their opposition to San Siro being demolished.
4 min: City have the first real chance as they try and find Shaw in the box but Karchaoui marshals the threat well. The hosts come again with Fujino finding the Jamaica international but she can’t connect with the cross.
2 min: Can you believe this is the first time these two clubs have met? That fun fact blew my mind a bit. Both teams starting slowly, trying to figure the other out.
Challenger’s identity could be approved by next week
Arsène Wenger not thought to have entered reckoning
Uefa and its allies are close to identifying a candidate to run against Gianni Infantino in the Fifa election and could select the challenger as early as next week.
The clock is ticking on efforts to oppose Infantino in March, with candidates required to confirm they are standing by 18 November, but there is growing confidence those attempts are nearing a successful resolution. Discussions with potential nominees have gained momentum despite recent setbacks that included a U-turn by the Asian Football Confederation president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, who surprisingly endorsed Infantino’s push for a fourth term.
Football Daily isn’t suggesting standards at Chelsea have slipped in recent years, but the quality of their players who miss penalties in shootouts against Liverpool certainly appears to be on the slide. Before last night, footballing royalty such as Arjen Robben, Geremi, Tammy Abraham, César Azpilicueta, Mason Mount and even goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had all missed from the spot in four consecutive post-match deciders against Liverpool across 19 years and four different competitions. On Wednesday, a flame-haired Argentinian irritant, a striker we’d never previously heard of before yesterday and a defensive liability whose boots increasingly look to have been welded on to the wrong feet each added their names to the roll of shame. Valentín Barco, Emanuel Emegha and Wesley Fofana, take a collective bow.
The reaction when Fleetwood made the final penalty was the best example I’ve ever seen of pandemonium! – Jim Geissman
A few random thoughts from one of the Wednesday fans who saw Harry Kane’s first goal at Orient (Tuesday’s Football Daily). Main after match conversation topics were how we’d shipped four goals in the second half, our new signing Gary Madine, and those people on the balconies of the new flats who watched the game for free. Without cameras I’d have no recall of Harry Kane’s goal but funnily enough I do genuinely remember Dean Cox having a very good game. We’ve talked about it loads since, but I don’t think any of us at the time thought Kane stood out in that game. Which just goes to show. A thoroughly deserved award for a career of consistent & often under-appreciated excellence. And what a superb motto: “Work in silence. Let success be your voice” – Alan.
Carrick says he is not surprised to still be head coach
He describes Fernandes as ‘important’ for the squad
Michael Carrick has said he will not strip Bruno Fernandes of the Manchester United captaincy after dropping him for the defeat by Bournemouth and that he is not surprised to have kept his job as the head coach.
Carrick and Fernandes held talks this week after the Portuguese criticised the tactics in the loss to Como, resulting in the midfielder being an unused substitute on Sunday. Harry Maguire took the armband but will not retain it for Saturday’s game at Chelsea, with Carrick saying “there is no decision to be made” and praising Fernandes.
Home crowds have plummeted amid a dispute with the owner, but 10,000 travelled 300km to see Tuesday’s 6-2 win
Serie A had its second scoreless draw of the season on Wednesday evening. Parma and Udinese were the culprits, though perhaps they can be allowed some grace. The game was not short on incident, Maduka Okoye saving a penalty for the Friulians, who had been on a six-game losing streak, midway through the second half. Mariano Troilo made a goalline clearance for Parma soon after.
An open, end-to-end game was made to look drab in the context of this bonkers campaign. While Parma and Udinese stymied one another at the Tardini, Milan came from behind to lead Bologna at San Siro. And then collapsing to a 4-2 defeat.
Gone are the eight criteria to be a High Impact Player so clubs can spend their money on whomever they want – and the solution makes sense
When Washington plays Chicago this Sunday in DC, “Rowdy Audi” will probably be full. It will also be full when the post-season starts, should they lock up their top-four position with a positive result on Decision Day. Equipped with an accessible stadium in a big city, a proud fanbase and a formidable roster rife with players qualifying for the High Impact Player (HIP) rule’s initial criteria (including Trinity Rodman, who gave the rule its moniker), the Spirit hold sway in the attendance charts.
But starting next season, everyone on the Spirit will qualify for the “Rodman Rule”. So will every player in NWSL. Announced Friday, NWSL settled a grievance with the league’s Players Association, who argued that the initial criteria violated federal labor law.
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