Football

Atletico Madrid have moved level on points with LaLiga leaders Barcelona and won 11 straight matches across all competitions.

Jonas Eidevall has revealed that Arsenal's budgetary constraints led to WSL record scorer Vivianne Miedema leaving the club in the summer.

Catarina Macario has praised Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor ahead of a key moment in the Blues' bid to win a quadruple.

Almost seven months after he parted ways with the Jamaican national football team, former Reggae Boyz head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson revealed that his decision stemmed from an unconducive situation within the country’s football programme.

After Gary O'Neil and Russell Martin lost their jobs earlier this week, Ange Postecoglou slammed today's treatment of football managers.

Though Jamaica’s young Reggae Girlz are in prime position to advance to the next round of the Concacaf Under-17 Women’s Qualifiers, head coach Marlon Hylton knows their task is far from finished until the final whistle in their top-of-the-table clash against host nation Nicaragua on Saturday.

Mount Pleasant FA’s head coach, Theodore Whitmore, has called for his team to remain grounded and focused on their long-term objectives, even as they extended their remarkable run in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Racing United at the Anthony Spaulding Complex on Monday.

Jamaica’s young Reggae Girlz head coach, Leacroft Lettman, has emphasized the need to rebuild and prepare for future competitions after his team fell short in the just-concluded Concacaf Women’s U-20 qualifiers.

Though pleased with the young Reggae Boyz performance in their 10-1 thrashing of the Cayman Islands, assistant coach Carlton Simmonds stressed that the mission at the Concacaf Under-17 Men’s qualifiers isn’t over as they still have one more game to win to complete their objective.

Head coach Steve McClaren reaffirmed that he and his Reggae Boyz are fighting for the Jamaican people, as he believes 2026 World Cup qualification is within reach and is determined to help the country get there.

While maintaining their winning momentum is important, Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz head coach, Hubert Busby, is looking beyond just another victory when they open their two-match friendly series against Peru on Sunday.

Brown died at the age of 82 in hospital last month after a short illness and the remembrance service took place at Ayr Racecourse, following a private family funeral.

Brown was the last man to lead Scotland to a World Cup finals, taking charge of the team in France 25 years ago.

Some of the Scotland players who played under him such as Jim Leighton, Tom Boyd, Gary McAllister, Murdo MacLeod, Tosh McKinlay, John Collins, Colin Hendry and Darren Jackson were in attendance along with former national team managers Andy Roxburgh and Alex McLeish.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster and chairman Murdoch MacLennan were joined by SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell.

Derek McInnes of Kilmarnock, Aberdeen’s Barry Robson and Tony Docherty of Dundee were among current Scottish club managers present along with West Ham manager David Moyes.

Other well-known figures from Scottish football such as Willie Miller, James McFadden, Archie Knox, Jim Jefferies, Billy Stark, Jimmy Bone, Jocky Scott and Dick Campbell attended the service.

Brown is survived by his two sons, Hugh and John, and his daughter, Val, all of whom spoke eloquently about their father. In an emotional eulogy, Val catalogued her father’s life and football career and his love of quoting statistics.

She also recalled his brief foray into the world of pop music when he was a player at Dundee in the 1960s.

With tongue in cheek, she said: “Strangely, dad was very proud of having a hit single as one of five Dundee FC players who formed the famous pop group Hammy and the Hamsters. With their hits ‘She Was Mine’ and ‘My Dream Came True’ I am told they were the best boy band this side of Broughty Ferry.”

Son Hugh thanked the audience for “the incredible love and support, it is overwhelming and heart-warming” before he spoke with some humour about his father’s “tough love”.

He said: “I think it would be fair to say we endured old-school discipline at home so in all honesty we were absolutely delighted when he decanted to his beloved Largs for the summer (for SFA coaching courses) leaving mum and the three of us to get on with it.

“We didn’t have fancy holidays as kids but we had good manners drummed into us – John has forgot some.

“Good grammar was very important but we had the best sports equipment. He was a football fanatic who couldn’t cook, wash, iron or do anything domestically and he struggled to relax really until later in life – but a wonderful man. We were all so proud of him.”

Son John spoke about his father’s love of entertaining an audience: “Dad didn’t let the truth stand in the way of a good story. He would far rather tell a beautiful lie than a boring truth.”

Brown, a former schoolteacher, also led Scotland to the European Championship in 1996 and was involved in a coaching capacity at three other major tournaments.

The Glasgow-born former Rangers and Dundee player managed Clyde before his international coaching career, which also included leading Scotland Under-16s to a World Cup final and the under-21s to a European semi-final.

Brown was manager of Scotland from 1993 until 2001. He later managed Preston, Motherwell and Aberdeen before becoming a director at Pittodrie.

Two goals from Joe Powell, the first a stunning 25-yarder and the second from the penalty spot after Kell Watts had handled in the box, secured the three points after Charlie Hughes had put Wigan in front just before half-time.

Albion had to finish the game with 10 men after Beryly Lubala picked up a second yellow card making it a nervy end for Albion and the manager.

“I am delighted for the lads because they work so hard and people don’t see the graft that they put in and the setbacks we keep getting,” Maamria said.

“But they keep rising and we never lost belief in what we are doing and I thought tonight’s performance was absolutely outstanding.

“It was a different type of performance. To beat a very good Wigan team here in the way that we beat them is a real credit to the players.

“After a slow start we took control of the game and should have scored at least a couple and then to concede from the long throw was a real kick in the teeth.”

Maamria reserved praise for Powell, who is rapidly becoming one of the real leaders in the Brewers squad.

“We have got some big players but probably the biggest turnaround since I’ve been in charge is Powelly,” he said.

“He is not just what you see on the pitch. He is a proper voice in the dressing room and a true leader in there. We have a few young ones leading but he is right up there.”

For Wigan it was a third defeat in a row and just one win in the last six league games after a fine start to the season.

Boss Shaun Maloney knew his side were in for a tough encounter against the Brewers.

“I knew what type of match it was going to be. It was never going to be really open or free flowing so the game went how I thought it would,” he said.

“Two moments in the game cost us the result. I have no complaints on the penalty. I can’t be too critical because the players, in general, they gave me the performance that I wanted.

“Today I felt we didn’t quite get what we deserved. A draw maybe but at 1-0 I felt pretty comfortable. We will have moments like this throughout the season.

“What I didn’t expect was that when you have this sort of moment, like we have over the last two or three games, the impact it can have on the mindset. A bit longer lasting than I thought and these results feel harder because of our position in the table.”

The Bees had taken the lead through Ethan Pinnock’s header in first-half stoppage time but were pegged back by goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund after the break.

Brentford welcome Ipswich Town to Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, knowing a victory could push them back into the top half of the Premier League standings.

Their next five league games are against teams currently around them, and Frank wants to see more character from his side in the coming weeks.

"It was a good first half, I was very happy with that, I thought we were the better team in that period of the game against a good team," Frank said.

"We went 1-0 up, but it's so frustrating and annoying that they scored after two minutes of the second half - if they don't do that, you don't know what would have happened. 

"I thought that we were way too passive. But we are at Old Trafford, they have some top players. After the first goal, I felt like we lacked a bit more character.

"If we want to win here, we need more. Unfortunately, not enough of our players hit a high enough level in the second half.”

Ipswich, meanwhile, were handed a fourth defeat of the season against Everton at Portman Road, leaving them without a win since their return to the Premier League.

The Tractor Boys are one of four sides in the division yet to taste victory, the first season in top-flight history to see as many as four different sides all fail to win any of their first eight games of the campaign.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna expected difficulties in adapting to the Premier League, though said his players must do better in overcoming the fine margins they have experienced.

"We knew it would be a challenging season and the step up into the Premier League was always going to be a big challenge,” McKenna said. “In eight games we've got a result in four of them.

“We know where we need to improve and it's up to us to turn those margins in our favour. The last two games have got away from us.

“The balance of the game was really fine, and we didn’t manage to find enough to change the game in the second half against a good, experienced side. We had a go before the end, but it wasn’t enough.” 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brentford - Mikkel Damsgaard

Damsgaard has assisted three goals in his last two Premier League appearances, more than he had in his first 55 games in the competition (two).

He has assisted via a corner in his last two games, with only Ashley Williams for Everton in April 2017 assisting a goal from a corner situation in three consecutive appearances in Premier League history.

Ipswich – Omari Hutchinson

Despite failing to notch a goal this season, Hutchinson has been a threat for the Tractor Boys.

In the Premier League, only Mohammed Kudus (28), Jeremy Doku (22) and Adama Traore have completed more dribbles than the Englishman (18).

Ipswich have also applied the second-most pressures to opponents in the Premier League this season (1,736) with Hutchinson top among all players for those pressures (316).

MATCH PREDICTION: BRENTFORD WIN

This is the first ever top-flight meeting between Brentford and Ipswich. It will be the 1452nd fixture to be played in England’s top-flight, and the 937th in the Premier League.

Brentford have lost just one of their last nine league games against Ipswich (W4 D4), with this the first meeting between the sides since a 2-0 home win for the Bees in April 2019.

Ipswich will also have to be aware of the Bees’ aerial threat. Only Aston Villa (five) have scored more headed goals in the Premier League this season than Brentford (four).

However, after losing a league-high 30 points from winning positions in the Premier League last season, Brentford have also dropped the most when leading in the competition this term (11). The Bees have scored first in each of their last six league games but have gone on to win just two of them (D1 L3).

McKenna’s side remain winless in the Premier League this season (D4 L4). In only two previous league campaigns have they endured longer winless starts, both in the Championship in 2009-10 (14) and 2018-19 (11).

Ipswich have also had the fewest shots (75), fewest shots on target (23) and had the fewest touches in the opposition’s box (130) in the Premier League this season, while the Tractor Boys have also accumulated the lowest expected goals (xG) total (6.3).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Brentford – 54.2%

Draw – 22.6%

Ipswich – 23.2%

The 27-year-old has undergone 28 weeks of chemotherapy and had his knee and part of his femur cut out after being diagnosed with the disease in July 2022.

He retired from football in April of this year and his latest scans have shown the cancer is no longer active.

Anderton said in a social media post: “Not how I imagined my mid-20s to pan out but it is what it is. Never did I think a sore knee would turn out to be bone cancer. I don’t think it’s really possible to put into words how the last year has been but I’m blessed to still be here battling on.

“Full knee, along with 12cm of my femur replaced with metal, I got to keep my knee cap though! Twenty-eight weeks of chemotherapy and 36 weeks of another drug which is classed as an antibiotic. Close to 70 nights stayed in hospital, a few infections thrown in there just to keep me on my toes.

“My first lot of scans have come back with the best possible news I could have hoped for, no sign of active disease. This journey is by no means over as the cancer can return and I’m going to be checked every few months for the foreseeable.

“I just wanted to let people know and more importantly thank everybody for everything over the last year. The messages I’ve received, the donations to the Go Fund Me and the all-round support has been unbelievable.

“I’m going to try and enjoy some normal life with my family now and make the best memories whilst trying to figure out what’s next.”

Shreeves joined the organisation in 1992 and has been ever-present since in his role as touchline reporter, as well as presenting The Debate, Sunday Supplement and The Football Show.

In a statement, he said: “There’s an old saying that you always have to know the best time to leave even the greatest party.

“And that’s what my 32 years at Sky have been – the most fantastic party I could ever imagined attending. From the first kick of a ball in the live coverage of the Premier League to Manchester City’s title celebrations last season – with plenty in between.

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“I have been fortunate to work for a ground-breaking company who have helped revolutionise football. But the time is right to move on.

“Sky have been incredibly generous in recognition of my service and I can’t speak more highly of so many people I’ve worked with there over three decades. I now have the opportunity for new experiences which I’m looking forward to announcing in the very near future.”

Shreeves, who had started his working life as an estate agent, began his career in football at the 1990 World Cup and was touchline reporter the day Sky televised its first Premier League game, Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 win over Liverpool in August 1992.

Sky Sports’ director of football Gary Hughes said: “Geoff has been an integral part of the Sky Sports football team and the best tunnel reporter in the business, interviewing the biggest names at the biggest games for over 30 years.

“Geoff leaves with our sincere thanks and best wishes for the future. As Sir Alex always said, Well done, Geoff!”

Bellingham, who spent his formative years at Birmingham where Francis also made his name as a teenager, thanked him for the guidance he had provided.

In a post on his official Twitter account, the 20-year-old said: “A very sad day for @BCFC and all of football. Beyond legendary, a trailblazer, a great and an icon of the game.

“The only thing that could exceed his quality and accolades on the pitch was his class off it. Thank you for all the guidance and the benchmarks you set. Rest in peace, King Trevor!”

Bellingham was one of a series of current and former players to pay their respects to Francis after a spokesman for the family confirmed on Monday the former Birmingham, Nottingham Forest and England striker had died following a heart attack.

He became Britain’s first £1million player when he joined Forest in 1979 and he went on to score the club’s winner in the European Cup final later that year.

John McGovern, who lifted the trophy as Forest captain, said in a video interview tweeted by the club: “I’d be describing him as a footballer, absolute top class, but as a person he would probably be up there as well.

“My condolences certainly go out to his family because this is one of the game’s nice guys.”

Another former team-mate at Forest, Martin O’Neill, said on social media: “Really devastated to hear the tragic news that Trevor Francis has passed away. A phenomenal player, superb team-mate and a great friend. Football has lost a true great of the game.”

Francis earned 52 England caps and later led Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham to major finals as a manager.

A post on England’s official Twitter account said: “We are deeply saddened by the news that Trevor Francis has passed away aged 69.

“He won 52 caps and scored 12 goals – including two at the 1982 @FIFAWorldCup for the #ThreeLions between 1977 and 1986.

“All of our thoughts are with his family, friends and former clubs.”

Former Forest and England goalkeeper Peter Shilton tweeted: “I’m absolutely devastated to hear about my old team-mate Trevor Francis. Such a wonderful gentleman a friend and a terrible loss.”

Francis former club’s Birmingham, Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Sampdoria, Atalanta, Rangers, QPR and Manchester City offered their condolences, with the Genoa club writing simply: “Rest in peace, Trevor #Francis.”

Former England striker turned TV presenter Gary Lineker wrote: “Deeply saddened to hear that Trevor Francis has died.

“A wonderful footballer and lovely man. Was a pleasure to work alongside him both on the pitch and on the telly. RIP Trevor.”

Former England team-mate Peter Reid said: “Great fella, played against him, England team-mate. He signed me for QPR from Everton. RIP Trev.”

Chris Waddle, who was a member of Francis’ Owls side that reached the League Cup and FA Cup finals of 1993, tweeted: “So sorry to hear the sad news that Trevor Francis has passed away, he was a lovely man and such great player and thank you so much for bringing me to SWFC..RIP legend.”

Mark Bright, another member of that Wednesday side, added: “RIP, Trevor Francis. Trev signed me when he was player/manager at SWFC.

“The club experienced some great times in the early 90’s, both Trev his wife Helen were very kind in helping me to settle in at the club. I greatly appreciated it then & now. Love to sons Matthew & James.”

Chris Kamara, the former Brentford and Swindon midfielder who later became a media colleague of Francis’, also offered his condolences.

He wrote: “Oh no, just heard Trevor Francis has passed away. What a player he was & what a gentleman. Got to know him well when Trevor was doing his co-commentary’s for Sky, a job he loved.

“RIP Trevor the first million pound player who always looked a million dollars.”

Another media colleague, Hayley McQueen, daughter of former Leeds and Manchester United defender Gordon McQueen, said: “Gutted about the passing of Trevor Francis, he was never the same after the passing of his beloved wife Helen six years ago.

“One of the loveliest couples you could meet who took me under their wing whilst working on a World Cup way back, dinners, lunches & even meet-ups back in London.”

Francis broke into the Birmingham team at the age of just 16 and his fame went beyond the game.

Former heavyweight world boxing champion Frank Bruno tweeted: “Trevor Francis RIP. Sad news about the sudden death of Trevor, he played in an era when I watched Match of the day avidly, another legend gone too soon. We met a few times, especially when I did events in and around the midlands.”

Journalist and TV presenter Piers Morgan wrote: “RIP Trevor Francis, 69. Britain’s first £1m footballer who had 52 caps for England and won back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest.

“Then became a superb TV pundit and was by all accounts a lovely man. Sad news. RIP.”

Neither team fielded full-strength units for the international friendly, but the competitive fixture, in front of a vociferous crowd at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, was a fiercely contested affair.

Despite looking less potent as an attacking unit, a defensively solid Jamaica took the lead through Justin McMaster in the 60^th minute.  The Cameroonians, however, managed to eventually get back on level footing after substitute Djawal Kaiba’s deflected long-range effort flew over the head of Jahmali Waite and into the net, in the 76th minute.

Despite losing the lead, Hallgrimsson believes the team, which consisted of many players based in Jamaica, put in a commendable performance, considering the limited preparation time.

“I think we are quite happy with the players. It was a good result for Jamaica; playing early in the season and a lot of players not having a lot of games under their belt and playing in a difficult environment, probably the biggest crowd most of the players have played in front of, with 40,000 people supporting the opponent.” Hallgrimsson said following the match.

“They were intimidating circumstances playing a World Cup team but I think we can be happy with the result.  I am happy with how professional the players were in the camp and how much they took in from what we were trying to teach them.  Overall, I think that we were really happy,” he added.

“For the game itself we need to improve a lot but that is understandable when these players haven’t played a lot together.”

 

The Hammers’ Brentford curse struck again after Nathan Collins condemned them to a 3-2 defeat on an unlikely afternoon of firsts in west London.

Defender Collins scored his first goal for the club after Jarrod Bowen became the first player in Premier League history to score in each of his side’s first six away matches.

There was also a first goal in 35 matches, and 14 months, for Brentford forward Neal Maupay.

Unfortunately for West Ham, it was a first Premier League win – or even point – against the Bees which eluded them. Thomas Frank’s side have the hoodoo over the Hammers having won all five meetings since they were promoted.

“We weren’t talking about anything weird and wonderful,” said former centre-half Moyes.

“We’ve found that we’ve not dealt with things which as a player I would have been disgusted with myself for not being able to deal with them much better.

“I don’t think my teams do that. That is why I am annoyed that I’ve come here and not been able to defend when put under pressure.”

Maupay headed Brentford into a 10th-minute lead with his first goal since he scored against West Ham in September 2022.

West Ham equalised through a stunning volley from Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus and were ahead after 26 minutes through Bowen’s strike.

But a glaring miss from Michail Antonio before half-time proved costly as West Ham fell foul of two Brentford crosses, with an own goal from Konstantinos Mavropanos and Collins’ fine header giving Brentford a third straight win.

“The first goal was ‘Keystone Cops’,” added Moyes. “If you see that today, how can you win if you don’t deal with those moments?

“The second cross comes from (Bryan) Mbuemo and we should have dealt with that, then a cross to the back post and Collins gets it.

“We’re talking about small things, but small things lead to bigger things. We didn’t deal well enough with the small things.”

Brentford climbed above West Ham after a third straight victory and a 14th London derby without defeat.

“If feels of course very good,” said Frank. “Every win in the Premier League feels fantastic and coming back from 2-1 down, against a good team, and also a good performance makes me a happy man.

“I’m smiling, I’m so pleased for Neal. The last three weeks he was showing more and more in training with the sharp touches, the good finishes, more and more confident, getting up to his best level.

“The players were really celebrating Neal’s goal, and that tells you a lot about the group. A goalscoring run? That would be nice.”

The Robins were gifted the lead after 19 minutes in farcical circumstances as Scott Robertson tried to play the ball back to his keeper but it hit the post and rebounded for Aaron Drinan to score.

In the 73rd minute, Sam Slocombe came out of his goal and attempted to thread a pass into midfield but played it straight to Paul Glatzel, who had earlier headed against the bar and this time could not believe his luck as he put the ball into the empty net.

In stoppage time a County corner found substitute Alassana Jatta at the far post and he sent the ball back across goal and into the net.

But they could not find the unlikely equaliser and Maynard said it was a tough defeat for him to take after dominating play for the majority of the match.

He said: “If you look at the two errors they are horrendous – really bad, really bad errors that cost us.

“I think they had one effort in the first half that they hit the crossbar and it was good play from them – they got down the side and crossed it.

“But I think we had the best moment in the first half right at the start of the game (David McGoldrick’s shot saved after a three-on-three breakaway) and I think if you go 1-0, it’s a different game. But yes, it’s a tough one to take.

“Obviously, it’s tough for the fans, and I feel their frustration. We’re all frustrated.

“If we were getting opened up and outplayed, then you can kind of accept it.

“But it’s unforced errors that we’re making at the minute and it’s been that trend since I’ve been here really, if you look at the goals that we’ve conceded.”

Gavin Gunning credited his Swindon players with carrying out their game plan to perfection.

He said: “I was so pleased with how we played, we subdued them in what they were able to do where the game counts in and around the penalty area.

“They went from side to side and backwards to stack passes and never really had any clear-cut chances.

“It worked really well and the shape was fantastic, the communication was key.

“And then when we got on transition when the ball turned over, we looked like we were going to score every time.

“We have had a lot more clear chances than them today and they had all of the ball.”