Arsenal Winning Run Ends In Sunderland Draw, De Ligt Rescues Man Utd

Arsenal’s 10-game winning run came to an end as Brian Brobbey’s last-gasp goal gave Sunderland a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Premier League leaders, while Manchester United rescued a 2-2 draw at Tottenham on Saturday.

Former Arsenal defender Dan Ballard fired Sunderland ahead with a powerful finish in the 36th minute at the Stadium of Light.

That ended the Gunners’ run of eight consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.

Bukayo Saka levelled with a composed finish in the 54th minute before Leandro Trossard smashed Arsenal into the lead from the edge of the Sunderland area in the 76th minute.

Arsenal were within touching distance of an 11th successive victory in all competitions, but Brobbey stabbed home from Ballard’s header to earn a point in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

It was the first time they had failed to win in any competition since a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the top flight on September 21.

As they chase a first English title since 2004, Arsenal hold a seven-point lead at the top.

But second-placed City would close the gap on Arsenal to four points if they beat champions Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Liverpool can move within five points of Arsenal if they defeat City.

The Gunners have finished as Premier League runners-up for the last three seasons and haven’t lifted a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.

At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Bryan Mbeumo fired United ahead in the 32nd minute amid mounting discontent among home fans.

Booed off at half-time, Tottenham hit back and looked to have secured a dramatic victory after Mathys Tel equalised in the 84th minute and Richarlison deflected in a shot from Wilson Odobert in the 91st minute.

But United defender Matthijs de Ligt powered in a 96th-minute header to extend his side’s unbeaten run to five games.

Tottenham’s failure to hold onto the lead was another blow to their dismal record in home league games in 2025, which includes only one win in six top-flight matches in north London this term.

Neither manager was satisfied with the outcome, and United boss Ruben Amorim said, “We have so much to grow as a team because today was our day to win. If we have a little bit more bravery, we can kill this game.”

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank added, “A lot of things we could have done a bit better. The last goal is all about the urgency; maybe don’t give the cross away and defend better.”

Seventh-placed United have now failed to beat fourth-placed Tottenham in eight meetings, including a 1-0 defeat in the Europa League final in May.

Wins For West Ham And Everton

West Ham boosted their bid to avoid relegation with a 3-2 win against fellow strugglers Burnley at the London Stadium.

Burnley took the lead in the 35th minute when Lesley Ugochukwu’s cross reached Zian Flemming, and the Dutch forward headed home from close range.

READ ALSO: De Ligt Rescues Draw For Man Utd After Tottenham Turnaround

Callum Wilson hauled West Ham level with a predatory finish from the rebound after Crysencio Summerville’s shot was saved in the 44th minute.

Tomas Soucek netted for West Ham in the 77th minute, the Czech midfielder bundling in from close range after Lucas Paqueta’s cross was parried into his path by Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka.

And, when Dubravka fumbled the ball towards Kyle Walker-Peters in the 87th minute, the defender’s clinical finish put the result beyond doubt.

Josh Cullen’s stoppage-time strike was no consolation for Burnley.

Third-from-bottom West Ham’s second successive win moved them level on points with fourth-from-bottom Burnley.

Everton ended a three-game winless run with a 2-0 victory over Fulham at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

David Moyes’ men went in front when Idrissa Gueye prodded home after James Tarkowski’s header hit the bar in first-half stoppage time.

Everton defender Michael Keane wrapped up the points when he turned in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s corner in the 81st minute.

Chelsea hosts Wolves in the last game of Saturday’s schedule.

De Ligt Rescues Draw For Man Utd After Tottenham Turnaround

Matthijs de Ligt salvaged a 2-2 draw for Manchester United at Tottenham in a frantic finale as both sides missed the chance to go second in the Premier League on Saturday.

Spurs looked to have secured a dramatic victory, having trailed with six minutes to go, as Mathys Tel equalised before Richarlison headed home in the 91st minute.

However, De Ligt powered in a 96th-minute header to extend United’s unbeaten run to five games.

Both sides move onto 18 points from 11 games, but goal difference separates Spurs in third from United in seventh.

The Red Devils have now failed to beat Spurs in their previous eight meetings, but it was the most recent of which that will live long in the memory of the Tottenham support.

Spurs ended their 17-year trophy drought thanks to a scrappy 1-0 win in the Europa League final in May, which also took them into the Champions League, while United missed out on European football altogether.

Despite the huge blow to United’s finances and prestige, Ruben Amorim is making the most of having more time on the training field to finally build some momentum after a tough first year at Old Trafford.

Unlike most of United’s big money signings in recent years, Bryan Mbeumo has proved his worth since a £65 million ($86 million) move from Brentford in July.

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The Cameroonian was named Premier League player of the month for October and took his tally to four goals in as many games when he headed in from Amad Diallo’s cross on 32 minutes.

Spurs were booed off after a woeful attacking display in losing a London derby 1-0 to Chelsea last weekend.

After another dreary first 45 minutes, the hosts came to life early in the second period.

Senne Lammens produced a brilliant stop to turn Cristian Romero’s flick behind.

The Belgian goalkeeper was quickly called into action again to parry Joao Palhinha’s effort.

Brennan Johnston, who scored the winner when the sides last met in Bilbao, was then denied an equaliser by the offside flag.

Tottenham’s burst of attacking threat quickly fizzled out, though, and discontent among the home fans with manager Thomas Frank showed when his decision to replace Xavi Simons was roundly booed.

However, the Spurs boss can claim his changes turned the game around.

Destiny Udogie crossed for fellow substitute Tel to turn and fire into the top corner via a deflection off De Ligt.

Wilson Odobert, introduced off the bench at half-time, then curled a shot towards the far corner that Richarlison flicked in to leave Lammens helpless.

The Brazilian tore off his shirt and was reduced to tears in his celebration.

Yet, it still was not enough to earn Tottenham a first home league win since the opening weekend of the season.

De Ligt was offered too much space at the back post from Bruno Fernandes’ corner, and his header was too powerful for Guglielmo Vicario.

Okoye Returns As Nigeria Unveils Squad For World Cup Playoff (FULL LIST)

Nigeria have named a 24-man squad for the 2026 World Cup playoff, recalling Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye for the tie against the Panthers of Gabon.

The Super Eagles’ list also included long-time absentee and Sevilla forward, Chidera Ejuke and Raphael Onyedika.

Okoye returns after serving a two-month ban for involvement in betting. Onyedika is making the list following his missing of the final games of the World Cup qualifier due to injury.

The squad features regulars like Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen; captain William Troost-Ekong; Alex Iwobi of Fulham; Ademola Lookman; Samuel Chukwueze, Calvin Bassey and Simon Moses.

Others are fast-rising defender, Benjamin Fredericks; Akor Adams of Sevilla; forwards Tolu Arokodare, Olusegun Olakunle among others.

Every player will fly into Morocco and converge in Rabat on Monday, 10th November.

READ ALSO: Nigeria To Face Gabon In 2026 World Cup Play-Offs

Nigeria will take on Gabon in the first semi-final of the playoffs at the Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, Morocco on November 13.

The winner of that match will play either Cameroon or DR Congo in the final to take Africa’s only ticket for the intercontinental playoff billed for next year.

Nigeria’s Squad for 2026 World Cup Playoff

See the full list of Nigeria’s invitees for the 2026 World Cup playoff:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Slot Urges Patience As Isak Returns To Training With Liverpool

Alexander Isak will return to Liverpool training on Friday ahead of this weekend’s showdown against Manchester City but manager Arne Slot has pleaded for patience with the club’s record signing.

Isak, who signed in September from Newcastle for a British-record fee of £125 million ($164 million), has not played since coming off at half-time of the Champions League win in Frankfurt last month.

“He will train for the first time today with the team again, after being three weeks out,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“I know that I said three weeks ago that his pre-season has ended so now it’s time for us to see where he is.

“But I have to come back to those words, because if you are three weeks only with the rehab, that doesn’t bring you back to the levels he was three weeks ago.”

Swedish international Isak has played just eight games for his new club since arriving at Anfield on transfer deadline day, and is yet to score a Premier League goal.

Slot said Isak, 26, would need time to get match fit.

“You cannot compare rehab with games of football or training sessions with the team,” said the Dutchman.

“As much as we try to replicate it, that’s simply not possible. So, again I have to say, give him some time.”

Slot also said he expects goalkeeper Alisson Becker to be available again immediately after the international window that follows the match with City.

City and Liverpool have dominated English football over the past decade but this year both clubs are playing catch-up with Arsenal, who are six points clear of Pep Guardiola’s second-placed team.

Champions Liverpool are a further point behind after a win against Aston Villa last week ended a four-match losing run.

18 Held In Turkish Probe Into Football Referees Betting Scandal

Eighteen people are being held in Turkey in a probe into referees suspected of betting on football matches, the Istanbul prosecutor’s office said Friday.

Twenty-one people, including 17 referees and the president of a first division club, have had warrants issued for their arrests, the prosecutor’s office said, without specifying how many referees are among the 18 people being questioned.

The investigation is focusing on suspicions of match fixing and abuse of power.

The Disciplinary Council of the Turkish Football Federation had already suspended 149 referees last week accused of betting on matches in violation of a ban.

The suspensions range from eight to 12 months but the federation has not specified if any were suspected of betting on matches they referred.

Nigeria’s Nnadozie Nominated For 2025 FIFA The Best Award (FULL LIST)

Super Falcons’ Chiamaka Nnadozie, has been nominated in FIFA’s “The Best” women’s goalkeeper of the year category, a testament to her impressive form for both club and country in 2025. 

The world football governing body said the Nigerian was shortlisted for her performances from 11 August 2024 to 2 August 2025. 

“The Nigerian was magnificent as Paris FC stunned Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final, keeping a clean sheet and then denying two penalties in the shootout,” FIFA wrote about the Brighton shot stopper. 

“Nnadozie also kept four shutouts in six games as the Super Falcons sunk Morocco in Rabat to reclaim the WAFCON title.”

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores His First Champions League Hat-Trick

On the international front, the Nnadozie was a prominent member of Nigeria’s team which won the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for a record 10th time.

The goalkeeper played all six matches and conceeded just thrice – two in open play in the final – as the Super Falcons romped to the title in Morocco earlier in the year.

She kept four clean sheets in the competition, earning her rave reviews from pundits and fans alike.

Other goalkeepers in contention for the FIFA “The Best” women’s prize include Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Cata Coll (Spain), Christiane Endler (Chile), Hannah Hampton (England), Anna Moorhouse (England), and Phallon Tullis-Joyce (USA).

The FIFA “The Best” shortlist adds to the swelling number of nominations the 24-year-old has received for her impecable showing for both club and country.

Nnadozie was nominated for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy at the Ballon d’Or where she ended fourth.