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• Howe thrilled with Gordon's leading role in Man City draw

  Eddie Howe hailed Anthony Gordon's performance after he proved decisive in Newcastle United's 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

  Newcastle fell behind in the first half when Josko Gvardiol finished off a slick City move, but the home side hit back, with Gordon winning and converting a penalty to earn a point.

  With Alexander Isak injured, Gordon, who has won seven penalties in the Premier League since the beginning of last season, at least four more than any other player during that time, led the line for Newcastle.

  The England international performed brilliantly, creating two chances while also attempting four crosses as he dragged wide to stretch City's defence.

  Speaking to TNT Sports, Howe said of Gordon: "I've said he is capable of doing the role.

  "The highlight for me today was his energy and his running. He led the line really well and really pleased that he got his goal. Well deserved."

  Gordon confirmed pre-match that he is close to signing a new deal to remain at Newcastle, despite speculation linking him with a move away.

  After the match, he told TNT: "The way I play striker, you'll see a lot of pressing, just because I'm not an out-and-out number nine. I have to play it my way."

  Newcastle have 11 points from their opening six games, and Gordon is encouraged by the tally given some of the performances this season.

  He said: "It's a really good place to be considering we've been nowhere near what we can do. We've got so much more to give."

  Howe too was delighted to see such a vast improvement from his side in comparison to their dismal performance away at Fulham last week, which saw them lose 3-1.

  "We are happy, especially after last week," he told BBC Sport.

  “That was a good display, that was us playing our way, brave. It was two teams going right at each other for probably 70 minutes.

  "We got into really good crossing areas and I was really pleased with how we were off the ball and how we attacked the game. I can't ask for much more than that, the lads gave everything."

• Simeone confident for Madrid derby despite lack of rest time

  Atletico Madrid's lack of preparation time has not dampened Diego Simeone's confidence ahead of Sunday's clash with Real Madrid, with the Argentine hoping their past derby successes can provide inspiration.

  Atleti are unbeaten through their first seven games of the season in LaLiga, winning four and drawing three to sit third in the table, two points behind their cross-city rivals.

  Los Colchoneros have, however, had two fewer days to prepare for the first Madrid derby of the season, having beaten Celta Vigo 1-0 on Thursday. Carlo Ancelotti's champions, meanwhile, downed Alaves 3-2 on Tuesday.

  Atleti do boast a strong record against Los Blancos, being the only team to beat them in any competition last season – once in LaLiga last September and again in the Copa del Rey in January.

  Simeone has masterminded 12 wins in his 43 Madrid derbies as Atletico coach (15 draws, 16 losses), as many victories as they managed in their previous 77 prior to his arrival.

  Speaking at Saturday's pre-match press conference, Simeone told reporters: "A lot has changed up to this moment. 

  "It's an aspect in which we’ve improved, and that’s why the club has grown as it has, and the team is held to the standards it is.

  "Everything starts in the mind. Beyond the physical aspect, which can have an influence at times, motivation is an important weapon for everything in life."

  The Argentine did admit the lack of preparation time posed a unique challenge, adding: "It's tough to change things in two days, based on what we've been doing.

  "We are still in the process of finding our balance, we are adapting and we get it right more or less. But it is true that we need more time.

  "We accept it as it is. We said it before when we went to play against Athletic Bilbao in the (Copa del Rey) semi-final, them with five days and us with two days of rest. No-one cares."

  Atleti's only home defeat so far this year came in February's Copa del Rey semi-final against Athletic, who went on to win that trophy.

  While Madrid have plenty of firepower despite Kylian Mbappe missing out due to injury, Simeone feels Sunday's visitors will miss the influence of retired midfielder Toni Kroos.

  "The opponent has lost a very important player like Kroos," he said. "I think they are looking for that player who gives them that calm to take advantage of all their offensive power."

• International record goalscorer Sinclair to retire after NWSL season

  Christine Sinclair, the all-time record goalscorer in international football, will retire at the end of the National Women’s Soccer League in November.

  Sinclair, 41, has 190 goals in 331 appearances for Canada, making her the top scorer across both men's and women's football.

  She has played for the NWSL's Portland Thorns since 2013, helping them to win the inaugural title that year. She added further league crowns to her collection in 2017 and 2022.

  The Canadian great has had similar success with her national team, winning a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She is also one of three players to score at five World Cups, alongside Brazil's Marta and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

  Sinclair retired from international football in December 2023, and will now call time on her club career.

  "Portland, thank you will never be enough. Soccer has been my passion since I was four years old and it has taken me on a journey I could never have imagined," Sinclair wrote on Instagram.

  "As I finish out this last ride, I want to say what a privilege it has been to represent this unique, beautiful, and passionate city that I will always call home."