Tottenham's Harry Kane played down injury fears after ending a "difficult week" by scoring the winning goal against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Kane's first-half header was enough to help Spurs return to winning ways in the league following last weekend's derby defeat to Arsenal, although his game ended early after receiving a kick to the leg.

However, the England captain said it was nothing to be worried about.

"It's been a difficult week to say the least, and it was nice to get the win," Kane told Sky Sports.

"It was a bit of a scrappy goal, Son [Heung-min] whipped one in with pace and it went in. We managed to get the win, and we know it's a difficult place to come.

"We've just got to recover and prepare for the Champions League midweek. I'm feeling good and scoring goals so hopefully that continues."

Kane has now scored 12 goals in his last 12 Premier League games.

Regarding his early departure, enforced after he was caught by Alexis Mac Allister, Kane said: "Obviously, he's gone full power with the shot and I just managed to get in front of him.

"It's definitely a sore one, but it's worth it when you win the game for sure. I'm feeling good."

Spurs were devastated by the death of fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone this week, and head coach Antonio Conte was visibly emotional during a touching pre-match tribute.

Kane's team-mate Ryan Sessegnon, who started at left wing-back ahead of Ivan Perisic, said Ventrone was firmly in the players' thoughts as they battled to victory.

"We 100 per cent knew we had to perform today and that was because of Gian Piero," Sessegnon said.

"It's a difficult place to come, you saw their performance [in last week's 3-3 draw] at Liverpool and it was good for us to come here, keep a clean sheet and get a win. We had to dig deep."

Tottenham are next in action on Wednesday when they host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League. 

Harry Kane's first-half header saw Tottenham end a difficult week with a 1-0 Premier League victory at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Spurs were rocked by the death of fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone this week, and head coach Antonio Conte was visibly emotional during a touching pre-match tribute.

On the pitch, Conte's team delivered – Kane's excellent header proving the difference against Brighton in Roberto De Zerbi's first home game at the helm.

Kane missed a chance to double Spurs' lead around the hour mark, but despite showing plenty of promise, Brighton lacked the cutting edge to pull level as their seven-match unbeaten home run came to an end.

The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges – Son Heung-min testing Robert Sanchez with a free-kick before Matt Doherty sent a half-volley over.

Danny Welbeck drilled wide at the other end, but Spurs' early pressure told in the 22nd minute. Having made an outstanding stop to deny Rodrigo Bentancur, Sanchez was beaten when Kane stooped to expertly head home from Son's cross-shot.

Brighton finally managed to wrest some control after the half-hour mark, with Lewis Dunk heading over and Solly March's crisp effort arrowing a foot wide.

Despite having to withstand more Brighton pressure after the restart, Spurs might have had a second if not for Dunk brilliantly intercepting Kane's pass to Son.

Brighton's captain was turned easily by Kane a minute later, but Tottenham's talisman failed to apply the finish.

A late offside flag then disallowed a wonderful Son finish, but Tottenham – despite Welbeck missing another decent chance – ultimately did not require a second.

Bruno Guimaraes' move to Newcastle United was "absolutely a bargain" in the eyes of Eddie Howe, who savoured a masterclass on Saturday from the Brazil international.

Newcastle fended off reported interest from Juventus and Arsenal to sign Guimaraes from Lyon in January for £35million, with the midfielder acknowledging he "took a gamble" to boost his World Cup hopes.

The 24-year-old has subsequently delivered and become a favourite at St James' Park, scoring twice in the 5-1 win over Brentford on Saturday.

Since making his Premier League debut in February, no Newcastle player has managed more than Guimaraes' seven goals, further aiding his bid for a starting spot with Brazil at Qatar 2022 in November.

While Brazil head coach Tite will make the final call on Guimaraes' selection, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe was effusive in his praise as he suggested his signing represented great value for money.

"I find it difficult with that number, but I would say that he's a bargain in today's current climate," Howe said. "He's absolutely a bargain because he's had a huge effect on the team and the club.

"In today's market, that is a relatively modest sum, which I can't really believe I'm saying. But it is.

"No disrespect to anyone I've played with, but they can't compare to Bruno, maybe bar Jermain Defoe, who was incredible in his early days. But there'd be no one else like him.

"In terms of coaching, I've coached some really good individuals, but he would be right up there. He's an incredible talent and an incredible person.

"We love him to bits, and we're enjoying watching him, coaching him and playing a part in his development."

Newcastle had been held in their last two home league games but returned to St James' Park winning ways in emphatic fashion.

The Magpies have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League games (W5 D5), while only four teams have more won points than Newcastle (52) in the competition in 2022.

Guimaraes told NUFC TV: "We've lost many points at home, and we can't have this happening. We know at home we need to win.

"Today was an amazing day for me. I'm very proud of the boys, of the gaffer."

Boss Howe pointed to upcoming games against Manchester United, Everton and Tottenham as representing a major test of his team. They come in the space of eight days, starting on Sunday, October 16.

"Now we enter a really tough three-game week," Howe said, "and we're well aware that those games are difficult.

"We'll enjoy tonight, and enjoy the feeling of how well the team has done, but then quickly focus on what's ahead."

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has saluted Erik ten Hag's personal touch and revealed how the new management team have lifted flagging morale.

United posted four successive Premier League wins before last week's trip to rivals Manchester City, where hat-tricks from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden condemned them to a comprehensive 6-3 defeat.

However, Ten Hag's side bounced back with a 3-2 victory over Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday, boosting their hopes of progressing from Group E.

McTominay came off the bench during United's trip to Cyprus but has started six of seven league games under Ten Hag despite the arrivals of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.

Speaking to United's website, the Scotland international made a favourable comparison between Ten Hag and his predecessors, saying of the Dutch boss: "On tour [in pre-season] he asked me about my family and how they were and how they're getting on.

"That was a real good touch because I felt like I could then trust him, and want to play for him and be in a team with him, where he's pushing me.

"I obviously want to be making sure I'm doing my best for him because he's got a real understanding about my personal life as well, which is massive in terms of a player. I've never really, properly had that before.

"[I've had] other bits from other coaches, but I feel like he's really, really, good in that aspect."

With United failing to win a major trophy since Jose Mourinho's team captured the 2016-17 Europa League, McTominay felt sweeping changes were required at Old Trafford, and he highlighted the role of Ten Hag's backroom team in implementing them.

"There's a lot of change, obviously," he said. "I think it's clear to notice that on the pitch, in terms of the way we set up and the different ideas the manager has got."

He pointed to the influence of assistant boss Mitchell van der Gaag and technical director Darren Fletcher, and also highlighted the role of former England boss Steve McClaren, a notable recruit to Ten Hag's coaching staff.

"Steve McClaren is literally one of the best guys you can have in football because he keeps everybody alive, he keeps everyone together and that is so good for players, in boosting their confidence," McTominay said.

"I feel like some players needed that at the end of last season. They needed lifting and that energy bringing into the group, and they've most definitely done that."

United travel to Everton for their next Premier League outing on Sunday, looking to improve on their dismal record in recent away games.

The Red Devils have lost eight of their last 10 Premier League away matches, and scored as many goals in last week's defeat to City as they had in their previous eight road trips.

Graham Potter was full of praise for his "really impressive" Chelsea players after they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

A brilliant Kai Havertz header in first-half injury time set the Blues on their way, before Christian Pulisic and substitute Armando Broja added second-half goals to cap a brilliant display.

The three points took Chelsea into the top four and gave Potter an important first home league victory after arriving from Brighton and Hove Albion in September.

Potter was delighted with his team after the game, telling reporters: "Winning games helps so we look forward to the games.

"It's about hard work, it's being together, that stuff is important but the guys have been really impressive.

"Credit to Wolves, they came out and gave us more of a test in the second half, we saw that period out and we managed to score a nice goal.

"We want to score more than one, we were playing so well and if you have that performance level, the goals will come.

"The effort was fantastic and they've worked hard in training this week.

"I've said from the start I've been impressed with how open, honest and responsible they are. It's difficult to keep the same 11 with the schedule, but there is an element of consistency to how we play.

"[I am] Really happy with the boys and how we've recovered. We go again [at Milan] on Tuesday."

Potter explained his decision to make seven changes from Wednesday's 3-0 Champions League home victory against Milan, saying: "I pick the right team to [try to] win.

"The schedule is tight so there's not a load of recovery time. We have to try to select the best team to give us the chance to perform well."

The Chelsea boss was also pleased to see Broja get on the scoresheet with a well-taken finish into the bottom corner in the 90th minute.

"Great finish, nice pass too," Potter added. "Whenever he comes on he works hard for the team.

"He's had to be patient but he's been working hard in training and it's nice for him to score."

Riyad Mahrez declared Erling Haaland is "on fire" and Pep Guardiola labelled the new Manchester City talisman "an incredible weapon" after the striker scored once more against Southampton.

Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden and Mahrez all struck past former City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu on Saturday, before Haaland coolly converted in the 65th minute to cap a 4-0 victory.

That marked his 15th Premier League goal in just nine games this season, as many strikes as Kevin De Bruyne managed in the entire last campaign when he finished as City's top league scorer in a championship-winning team.

Mahrez hailed his Norwegian team-mate after Haaland became just the second City player to score in seven successive Premier League appearances, after Sergio Aguero.

"It was a difficult game, we made it easy by scoring early and then we controlled," the Algeria international told BBC Sport.

"We had a lot of chances to score more, but we didn't. We didn't concede much, it was a controlled game.

"Haaland is part of our team, he is our striker. Like any other striker, if we can find him it's perfect because he is on fire. If not, there are a lot of players and everyone can make a difference."

City have now won their last nine home league games, scoring at least three goals each time, and moved to the top-flight summit by overtaking Arsenal, who play Liverpool on Sunday.

Manager Guardiola echoed the sentiments of Mahrez as he credited the exploits of free-scoring Haaland, while he pinpointed the early stages of the title race as significant heading towards the World Cup break in November.

"Last season we suffered a lot against them, but today we were much better," Guardiola told BBC Sport, referring to two league draws last term against Southampton.

"Some players were not at their best, but we create a lot of chances. We were solid.

"For a long time Phil Foden is playing really good. The impact from him is great. Erling Haaland had the chances again. He scored a brilliant goal. It's an incredible weapon for us, a big threat.

"We will see the result from Arsenal and Liverpool, always in Premier League there are good games. Being close to the top of the league is important going into the World Cup."

By contrast, Southampton have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League away games – the longest current league run and the worst such streak in Saints' history in the competition.

Southampton sit just a point above the relegation zone, leading to increasing speculation that Ralph Hasenhuttl will be dismissed.

"I will not be here next week, because next week we play at home," manager Hasenhuttl said when asked about his future. "It is not my decision to make.

"Since I've come here, and it's been nearly four years now, we have been fighting for results. The problem is not here today, it's from other weeks where we did not get enough points."

Erling Haaland continued his remarkable scoring run as Manchester City climbed above Arsenal at the Premier League summit after a commanding 4-0 victory over Southampton.

City soon eased into the ascendancy at Etihad Stadium as Joao Cancelo and Manchester derby hat-trick hero Phil Foden struck in a first half where a tepid Southampton offered little.

Riyad Mahrez stretched the advantage after the break before Haaland collected his 15th league goal, as many as Kevin De Bruyne managed when finishing as City's top scorer in the competition last term.

Pep Guardiola's team moved two points clear of Arsenal, who play Liverpool on Sunday, after their ninth straight home win in the league, scoring at least three goals in each of those games.

Former City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu parried away a fizzing Mahrez half-volley, while Haaland struck the left post after a Foden throughball in a frantic start.

Cancelo broke the deadlock in the 20th minute as he twisted past James Ward-Prowse before drilling a left-footed strike past Bazunu, who then denied Foden on the half-hour mark.

However, there was no stopping Foden shortly after as the England international delicately chipped over the onrushing Bazunu following De Bruyne's pass.

Mahrez volleyed in a third goal from Rodri's lofted cross shortly after half-time, before City had a penalty appeal turned down for what they thought was a Mohammed Salisu pull on Haaland.

Southampton could not keep Haaland quiet for much longer, with their new talisman converting into the bottom-left corner in the 65th minute after Cancelo's cutback.

What does it mean? City dominant as Saints away woes continue

A 6-3 humbling of Manchester United and a 5-0 victory in Europe over Copenhagen were backed up in dominant fashion by City against Southampton, with Guardiola's side showing no signs of relenting.

While a tougher task will follow at Anfield against Liverpool next week, City continue to sweep aside opponents at will as they search for a fifth top-flight crown in the last six seasons.

Meanwhile, Southampton's away struggles persist, and boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is under serious pressure now. They are without a clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League away games – both the longest current run in the league and their worst such streak in the competition.

De Bruyne makes history

De Bruyne has been in incredible form throughout the start of this season and picked up yet another assist after teeing up Foden – the ninth goal the Belgium international has set up in as many Premier League games this season.

The simple throughball for Foden also marked De Bruyne's 94th assist in the Premier League for City, surpassing David Silva for the most goals created for the club in the competition.

Haaland is human

Haaland has taken to life in England with ridiculous ease, scoring 20 goals in 13 games across all competitions and breaking numerous records along the way.

After just nine Premier League games, the striker needs just one more goal to surpass City's top scorer last season, De Bruyne, which is frankly astonishing.

He missed a few chances here, though, and looked on in disbelief when his shot that rattled the left post did not bounce into the net off the upright.

What's next?

City head to Copenhagen to play in the Champions League on Tuesday, before the crunch clash at Liverpool arrives next Sunday, when Southampton host West Ham.

Goals from Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja gave Chelsea a 3-0 win over Wolves at Stamford Bridge in Graham Potter's first home league match in charge.

A much-changed Chelsea dominated the opening 45 minutes and took the lead in first-half injury time when Havertz nodded home Mason Mount's cross.

Mount then had a big hand in the second, playing in Pulisic to dink over Jose Sa, before substitute Broja raced through to add a late third as Chelsea beat Wolves for the first time in four attempts.

The Blues move up to fourth as Potter earns an important first home league victory after making seven changes.

The hosts started brightly with Conor Gallagher and Havertz both going close in the early minutes, though Daniel Podence headed just wide at the other end.

Jorginho saw a low drive parried away by Sa, while Mount dragged a shot left of the target as Chelsea pressed for an early goal.

Joao Moutinho tested Kepa Arrizabalaga with a powerful free-kick, before Sa made a brilliant save to tip a Pulisic curler wide at full stretch.

But Wolves' resistance was broken in first-half injury time as Havertz looped a sublime header into the far corner from Mount's driven cross from the right.

The visitors enjoyed a much better spell after the interval, but fell further behind when Pulisic and Mount combined before the former delicately finished to make it 2-0.

Havertz could have added a third shortly after, but his chip was pushed away by Sa before Hwang Hee-chan missed a golden opportunity to pull a goal back as he fired straight at Arrizabalaga.

Broja rounded off the scoring in the dying minutes, cutting onto his right foot before firing a delightful finish into the bottom corner to cap a brilliant Chelsea display.

Antony says Manchester United must "impose our game" when they face in-form Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.

United hit back from a humiliating 6-3 defeat to rivals Manchester City last weekend with a 3-2 victory at Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Red Devils face another tricky test when they visit an Everton side looking to win three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since March 2021, when Carlo Ancelotti was in charge.

Antony is prepared for a battle on Merseyside at a stadium where they were beaten 1-0 last season.

The told Premier League Productions: "We know it’s going to be a difficult, tough game.

"My team-mates have already spoken to me about this fixture. They said it will be difficult. We have to impose our game, show our strength.

"We shouldn’t get worked up and let our heads go down because of one game, one result. Sadly, we lost the last [Premier League] game but, when you think about it, we’ve beaten Liverpool and the league leaders Arsenal.

"Our season can’t be summarised by just one game. We’re now focused on the match against Everton and, God willing, we will get the three points."

Antony has impressed since joining from Ajax and will hope to become the first United player to score in their first three Premier League games for the club with another strike against Everton.

The Brazil international says his goalscoring form is a result of his hard work on the training ground, adding: "I’ve always worked very hard and the results are a consequence of this.

"I’ll always give 100 per cent, regardless of whether I score or not. It was nice to score another goal [against City] though, unfortunately, we lost the game.

"I was training that shot the day before the game. I hit about 10 to 15 balls and, thankfully, I was able to score the goal.

"Now it’s time to prepare and train more, correct mistakes, move in the right direction and achieve great things."

Cristiano Ronaldo must "stay patient" and take his opportunities when they arise if he is to reignite his career, according to former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney.

Portugal international Ronaldo has endured a difficult time of things in his second season back at Old Trafford, having started just one of United's seven Premier League games.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner led the scoring charts for United in the previous campaign with 24 goals, but his only goal in nine outings this term was a penalty against Sheriff.

That came in the Europa League, a competition Ronaldo – the Champions League's all-time record scorer – is now having to use to prove himself to manager Erik ten Hag.

Rooney, who played alongside Ronaldo between 2004 and 2009, says his former colleague will be finding life on the substitutes' bench tough but can still turn things around.

"The manager's obviously gone a different way in terms of how they're playing and been successful," said D.C. United head coach Rooney.

"Cristiano... him and [Lionel] Messi are two of the greatest players to ever play the game, but ultimately time catches up with us all. 

"He's obviously not the player he was when he was 22 or 23, for instance. It's a tough one for him.

"Knowing him, it'll be very difficult to sit on the bench. I'm sure if he stays patient, his chance will come and it's then him taking those chances and trying to force his way back in."

This is the first season since 2005-06, during his first spell at United, that Ronaldo has failed to score in his opening six league appearances.

The Sporting CP academy product has had 12 shots across 207 minutes without scoring in the top flight this season, generating an expected goals (xG) value of 0.8.

Only playmaker Christian Eriksen (1.2) has a higher xG among United players who have yet to score in the league this term.

Ronaldo is expected to be part of United's squad for Sunday's trip to Everton, against whom the Red Devils have won just one of their past seven league matches.

Erling Haaland could hit 50 Premier League goals this season if he can stay fit, according to Manchester City team-mate Manuel Akanji.

The Norway international has demolished numerous records amid an incredible start to life in England, scoring 19 goals across 12 games in all competitions this term.

Haaland netted a brace in a 5-0 midweek thrashing of Copenhagen, taking him to 28 strikes in 22 appearances in the Champions League, a goals-per-game record of 1.27.

The 22-year-old next faces Southampton on Saturday after becoming the first player in Premier League history to score hat-tricks in three straight games following his last treble against Manchester United.

With 12 goals in eight league games, Haaland will eye the single-season top-flight records of Alan Shearer and Andy Cole, who both got 34 in a single campaign, and Akanji backed his colleague to keep firing.

Asked if Haaland could hit a half-century, Akanji responded: “If he stays healthy then I think there is nothing that can stop him, yes."

City have won their past eight Premier League home games, managing at least three goals each time, and could at least temporarily leapfrog leaders Arsenal with victory over Southampton.

Pep Guardiola's side have scored 29 goals after eight games, which is the joint-most at this stage of a Premier League campaign, and will be hoping Haaland can fire again to take them to the summit.

Kyle Walker-Peters will be one Saints defender aiming to stop the free-scoring Norwegian, though he thinks it is too early to draw comparisons between the City striker and Tottenham talisman Harry Kane.

"Come on," he told talkSPORT. "Harry Kane has done it for how many years in the Premier League?

“I think Haaland has had an absolutely unbelievable start. Some of the stats I’m seeing, it’s just ridiculous.

"But Kane has proven it for God knows how many years now. I don't think we can compare them just yet. Haaland is definitely hungry to prove to people he's better than him [Kane].

"And Kane will want to stay at the top. So they'll have a good battle for top goalscorer."

Fabinho says Liverpool's showdown with Premier League leaders Arsenal will provide a great opportunity for the Reds to "get our confidence back" as they look to improve their recent form.

Jurgen Klopp's side have endured a slow start to the Premier League season and are already 11 points behind the Gunners after their opening seven games.

The trip to the Emirates is the third of nine matches that Liverpool will play across all competitions in October, while they welcome reigning champions Manchester City to Anfield next weekend.

And with games coming thick and fast, Fabinho has called for focus from his team-mates as they look to build momentum and embark on a run of positive results.

"[The] Emirates is a nice place to play and Arsenal, of course, are in a really good moment right now, playing really well, winning their games, top of the league," the Brazil international told Liverpool's official website.

"It's a good opportunity for us as well to show that we are Liverpool, we are still one of the best teams in this league. So, it's a good opportunity for us to get the three points and to close the gap on these teams as well.

"I always say that this is the moment every player likes; playing every three or four days. Different competitions to play – Champions League, Premier League – so a lot of big games to play.

"In the league, our next two games are against maybe the better two teams at the moment, Arsenal and Man City. So, what an opportunity for us to play against these teams, to play these kind of games to get our confidence back.

"This moment is not good, and it's not easy when we know you can do better, you can play better, you can win more and more games. We just have to keep focused, keep concentrating, try our best to turn this situation."

Manchester United are reportedly in the market for defenders in the January window, and are said to have interest in Inter trio Milan Skriniar, Alessandro Bastoni and Denzel Dumfries.

Skriniar is considered a hot commodity at centre-back and was recently the subject of a €60million bid from Paris Saint-Germain. Inter rejected that bid, but with the Slovakian's contract set to expire at the end of the season, this will be their last opportunity to cash in if they believe Skriniar will not sign an extension.

Bastoni, 23, has already banked 16 international caps for Italy and is a rising star in his own right, while Dumfries boasts 37 caps for the Netherlands and is flexible enough to play both right-back and in the middle of defence.

The trio are at the centre of Inter's goals this season, but sitting ninth in the Serie A with four wins and four losses from their first eight games, the potential cash injection from selling one or more could fund significant improvements elsewhere.

TOP STORY – UNITED PLAN PLUNDER OF INTER'S DEFENSIVE STOCKS

InterLive reported United's interest in Skriniar, while Calciomercato believes the Red Devils are preparing an offer for Dumfries, with the idea being to use him at right-back.

Gazzetta dello Sport claims the Old Trafford side will have to contend with Tottenham and Manchester City in their chase for Bastoni, and Calciomercato adds that Chelsea also have interest in the Italian.

United's hunt for defenders is not limited to Serie A, with The Express reporting that they are also seriously looking at Bayer Leverkusen's 21-year-old Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong, stating that manager Erik ten Hag sees him as "the ideal signing" in that position.

ROUND-UP

– Foot Mercato is reporting Chelsea will not stand in the way of Paris Saint-Germain if they come with a reasonable bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

– According to ESPN, United feel confident Cristiano Ronaldo will stay through the January transfer window due to the lack of interest in the 37-year-old.

– Football Insider claims Arsenal are considering a move for United's Marcus Rashford at the end of this season.

– Newcastle United have met with Vasco da Gama representatives to discuss a potential deal for 18-year-old Andrey Santos, who is expected to cost more than £30m, according to The I.

– Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham both have interest in Chelsea's N'Golo Kante if the 31-year-old does not sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge, per L'Equipe.

Football loves a redemption story, and it's fair to say Granit Xhaka is living one right now.

You don't have to cast your mind back too far to recall a time when the Switzerland international was practically persona non grata at Arsenal – in the fans' eyes, anyway.

Red cards, becoming a scapegoat, falling out with the supporters in the most public way imaginable: Xhaka's Arsenal career has rarely been straightforward.

And yet, as Mikel Arteta's Gunners prepare to make something of a title statement against Liverpool on Sunday, Xhaka knows his will be one of the first names on the team, and deservedly so.

It serves to highlight his unlikely return from the brink.

The problems

Xhaka arrived at Arsenal with a reputation as a clever but combative midfielder who was more than happy to get stuck in. After all, his five red cards in from the start of the 2013-14 season until the end of 2015-16 was the most of any Bundesliga player over that period, and only two players were booked more often (29).

There was an acceptance his style of play would be a risk, though many Gunners fans were adamant such forcefulness was missing from their midfield.

While Xhaka did show many qualities during his debut season, it was his disciplinary record and aggressive style that unsurprisingly defined him in the eyes of many, as he was shown three red cards across all competitions in the 2016-17 campaign.

He did then go three successive seasons without a red card, attributing his initial improvement in that area to Arsene Wenger back in November 2017, with video analysis seemingly crucial to the midfielder's learning. Though it should be said, he amassed 10 yellows in each of those three league campaigns, so it wasn't as if he suddenly became an angel.

The thing is, Xhaka's wild side may have been embraced or at least more readily forgiven were it not for his other on-pitch woes. Between August 2016 and September 2020, his 16 Opta-defined errors leading to shots were five more than any other Arsenal player across all competitions, while only Petr Cech and Bernd Leno (both seven) – goalkeepers, so you'd expect them to be punished more – committed a greater number of errors that led to goals (six).

Similarly, Xhaka's five penalty concessions over the same period was a joint-high at Arsenal with David Luiz. Essentially, there was a common perception emerging that he was liability even if he wasn't getting sent off.

The downfall

It was the last 12 months of the aforementioned four-year period when Xhaka's Arsenal days appeared numbered. In October 2019, exactly a month after being made captain, Xhaka was substituted during Crystal Palace's visit to the Emirates Stadium and a chorus of boos was aimed in his direction.

Xhaka made sarcastic gestures to the crowd in response, cupped his ear and then appeared to swear at the Arsenal fans as he was replaced by Bukayo Saka. He swiftly removed his jersey on his way down the tunnel.

Former Arsenal players and fans alike called for him to lose the captaincy after head coach Unai Emery suggested Xhaka shouldn't have reacted as he did.

On November 5, Arsenal confirmed Xhaka had been stripped of the armband and he didn't play again until the end of the month when the Gunners faced Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League – he had missed five games in all.

In the intervening period, Xhaka provided an explanation for his actions, detailing how months of abuse at matches and on social media had seen him reach "boiling point". He professed his love for the club and encouraged everyone to "move forward positively together".

Remarkably, that's what happened.

The redemption

It bears remembering, the atmosphere around Arsenal was toxic enough even without the Xhaka situation – December saw Emery replaced by Arteta, and the latter was unequivocal in his desire to keep Xhaka at the club.

A move to Hertha Berlin had been agreed, according to the player's agent, and that appeared to be the end. But, with the January 2020 transfer window only a day old, Arteta revealed Xhaka had assured him he was staying.

Six months later, Xhaka emphasised the importance of Arteta in that decision. He told BT Sport: "I was very, very close to leaving the club. I had, until this [Palace incident], had a great, great time in this football club. It was never in my mind to leave the club before, but after this happened, of course you think about it.

"When Mikel arrived, I had a very good meeting with him, very good conversations. Mikel was the guy. He turned me around and gave me a second chance, and he showed me he trusted me and I have tried to give him everything back."

Since then, he's steadily won back the faith of Arsenal fans and is arguably enjoying the finest spell of his Arsenal career. This season, he's already got two goals and three assists in eight Premier League games – only in 2018-19 (four) has he scored more goals in a single campaign for the Gunners, while only in 2017-18 has he provided more assists (seven).

So, to anyone wondering what's changed, the answer is fairly clear: Xhaka's playing a more advanced role and this is allowing his strengths – distribution, shooting – to shine. For much of his Arsenal career, he's been used as the deepest midfielder, but that's no longer the case with Thomas Partey the first choice in that role.

With more freedom to get forward, Xhaka's creating 2.2 chances from open play every 90 minutes (all comps.) – his previous best in that regard for Arsenal or Borussia Monchengladbach was 1.2. Granted, those were over full seasons, but that shouldn't detract from an obvious greater creative influence.

While he is making fewer tackles and interceptions than ever before, the fact only four midfielders have more than his five Premier League goal involvements this term suggests it's not a problematic sacrifice.

The Granit Xhaka most have known throughout his Premier League career was associated with work rate and destructive tendencies, but his current guise suggests he's not only enjoyed a redemption but a rebirth.

Erik ten Hag was justified in criticising his Manchester United players on the back of last week's heavy Premier League loss to Manchester City, full-back Diogo Dalot has said.

United's four-match winning league run was ended in emphatic style by rivals City, who led 4-0 at half-time and 6-1 in the second half en route to an eventual 6-3 victory.

It marked the fourth time United had conceded six goals in a Premier League match and leaves them sixth in the table after seven matches of the 2022-23 campaign.

Ten Hag admitted after the match his side produced an "unacceptable" display, one in which they were "undisciplined", "lacked belief" and "made wrong decisions".

And Dalot, who played the full 90 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, accepts he and his team-mates can have no complaints regarding their manager's choice words.

"[Ten Hag's comments] did not hurt. I think this should be the standard of this club," he told reporters. "If you play for Man United you believe every single game. 

"You have to have confidence as well, but you have to take the responsibility that you're playing for the biggest club in the world. 

"This has to be normal for us but in a good way – not be overwhelmed but take it as a responsibility and this has to be the standard for every player."

Dalot retained his place at right-back for Thursday's Europa League group trip to Omonia Nicosia as United responded to the City defeat with a 3-2 comeback win.

It was not a vintage performance from United, with Karim Ansarifard giving the hosts a shock half-time lead, but Dalot says picking up all three points is all that matters.

"After a defeat like City it is always tough, but it is time to take responsibility and especially improve in some respects, which we should for the rest of the season," he said. 

"We had a lot of challenges [against Omonia] and we needed a response. The three points is what we came for and we are happy with that.

"Overall we could have controlled the game much more than we did, especially in the last minutes and also in the minutes after we conceded."

Marcus Rashford was introduced at the midway stage against Omonia and scored twice for United, either side of assisting fellow substitute Anthony Martial.

That made Rashford the first United substitute to both score and assist in a Europa League match, with this their 47th game in the competition.

"The substitutes made a really good impact, which is amazing for us as a team. I'm really happy with that," Dalot said. "They deserve it as well. 

"It shows every player wants to play, to show they have a role in this team. Overall, there are some really positive things to take but also some things that need to get better."

United return to league action on Sunday with a trip to Everton, against whom the Red Devils have won just one of their past seven league matches.