Micky van de Ven defended Tottenham and Aston Villa's fracas at the end of their FA Cup third round tie, but sent a blunt warning to his Spurs team-mates that they cannot only show "this passion" when they are losing, having gone into half-time 2-0 down.
Antoine Semenyo left a lasting impression on his new Manchester City teammates with his man of the match performance in the Sky Blues 10-1 win over Exeter City in the third round of the FA Cup. The former Bournemouth man grabbed a goal and an assist, prompting Rico Lewis to say the Ghanaian international made a "seamless transition" into Pep Guardiola's side.
Tottenham Hotspur saw their injury crisis worsen after Brazil international Richarlison limped out of their FA Cup third-round tie with Aston Villa on Saturday evening. The north Londoners are now sweating on the fitness of the 28-year-old striker, who had to be replaced midway through the first half after picking up a suspected hamstring problem.
Marc Guehi was spotted approaching angry Crystal Palace fans in the aftermath of his side’s historic FA Cup defeat against sixth-tier Macclesfield FC on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles captain came face-to-face with the travelling supporters following a seismic loss which manager Oliver Glasner said he had “no explanation” for after the full-time whistle.
Macclesfield FC captain Paul Dawson dedicated his side’s incredible FA Cup victory over holders Crystal Palace to late team-mate Ethan McLeod, who died in a car crash at the age of just 21 last month. The Silkmen produced one of the greatest upsets in the tournament’s history as they defeated Oliver Glasner’s Eagles at Moss Rose Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Wrexham’s Hollywood co-owner Rob Mac has described his side’s performance in their FA Cup third-round victory over Nottingham Forest as ‘incredible’. The Red Dragons produced a sublime showing to knock out their Premier League opposition on penalties, producing the first shock of the round. After the game, McElhenney was unable to hide his delight.
Wayne Rooney was reduced to tears on punditry duty for the BBC as he watched his brother John produce the greatest shock result in FA Cup history. Non-league side Macclesfield FC ran out 2-1 winners over cup holders Crystal Palace to progress to the fourth round and shock the footballing world with a late Yeremy Pino consolation not enough to save the Eagles’ blushes.
Macclesfield FC - the lowest-ranked team left in the FA Cup - recorded one of the greatest shocks in the competition's history as they stunned holders Crystal Palace in a seismic 2-1 victory on Saturday. Goals either side of half-time from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts ensured the Silkmen, who were newly-reformed in 2020, reached the fourth round at the expense of their Premier League opponents.
Sean Dyche has lambasted his Nottingham Forest side after they crashed out of the FA Cup third round at the hands of Championship side Wrexham. The Forest boss was furious following their 4-3 defeat on penalties and slammed those who had played out the initial 3-3 draw in North Wales, suggesting that those who started did not deserve a run out in the Premier League.
Two Manchester United players faced off in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Friday, with Noussair Mazraoui's Morocco knocking out Bryan Mbeumo's Cameroon 2-0. Despite the disappointment for the former Brentford forward, Cameroon's elimination provides a timely boost for the Red Devils, who will be pleased to once again be able to call on Mbeumo's services.
Arthur Okonkwo proved to be Wrexham's hero as the Dragons shotstopper denied Omari Hutchinson from 12 yards to send the Championship side into the fourth round of the FA Cup at Nottingham Forest's expense. The pair couldn't be separated after 120 minutes, playing out an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Racecourse Ground, as Wrexham claimed a 4-3 shootout victory on Friday night.
San Diego FC have confirmed that club-record signing Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano is no longer part of their sporting plans ahead of the 2026 season. Despite being under contract through 2028 and among the league’s highest earners, the Mexican forward is now expected to depart as the club reshapes its roster and priorities.
Manchester United interim coach Darren Fletcher has declared there is a huge amount of talent in the club's academy, in contrast to predecessor Ruben Amorim's derisory remarks about the Red Devils' youth players. Fletcher has been coaching United's under-18s this season but is temporarily in charge of the first team after Amorim was sacked on Monday.
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has hit out at Atletico Madrid counterpart Diego Simeone for his treatment of Vinicius Jr during their Supercopa de Espana meeting on Thursday. Los Blancos emerged as 2-1 winners in their semi-final in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, with Federico Valverde and Rodrygo scoring for Alonso's side.
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has come in for criticism after attempting to push Liverpool defender Conor Bradley off the pitch in the closing minutes of Thursday's Premier League draw with Liverpool at the Emirates. Martinelli tangled with Bradley after the 22-year-old went down and appeared to be in some distress. He was subsequently stretchered off the pitch and the fear is that he has sustained a serious injury.
Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr was embroiled in more controversy on Thursday after clashing with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone while being substituted during the two teams' Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia. The pair exchanged words in a heated moment as Real Madrid won 2-1 to book a final against bitter rivals Barcelona on Sunday.
Al-Nassr have slipped four points behind Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal after slumping to a 2-1 defeat to Al Qadsiah. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of 2026 from the penalty spot in the game to halve the deficit but it was not enough as Jorge Jesus's team lost for the second match in a row. Yet Ronaldo is refusing to throw in the towel as he bids to win his first major trophy since moving to the Middle East.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Pro League title hopes took a blow after Al-Nassr's disappointing 2-1 loss to Al-Qadsiah at Al-Awwal Park on Thursday. Ronaldo's side were on top for large periods but second-half goals from Julián Quiñones and Nahitan Nández put the visitors in control. A late Ronaldo penalty set up a grandstand finish but Al-Nassr missed the chance to close the gap to table-topping Al-Hilal.
Antoine Semenyo delivered the perfect parting gift to Bournemouth fans ahead of his move to Manchester City later this week. The departing Cherries star rifled home a 95th-minute winner against Tottenham with what could prove to be his final touch for the club, topping off what was an electric and unpredictable evening on the south coast under the lights.
Chelsea fans have unleashed their rage on defender Marc Cucurella after he was sent off away to Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday night. The Spaniard was caught out by a long ball over the top from goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who released Harry Wilson in on goal. Cucurella blatantly pulled the midfielder's arm back, sending him tumbling to the ground. To no-one's surprise, the full-back was shown a red card - the Blues' seventh of the season.
Folarin Balogun says that Mauricio Pochettino has ensured that no U.S. men's national team players feel their place is guaranteed, which only makes the Monaco striker's recent goals feel all the more important. After missing much of 2025 with injury issues, Balogun returned to full fitness in the fall and has been scoring for club and country.
Barcelona begin their quest to claim the Spanish Supercopa crown against Athletic Club in the semi-finals, taking place in Saudi Arabia, but they will do so without their talisman Lamine Yamal in the starting line-up. In a shock reveal, Hansi Flick named the 18-year-old on the bench, opting for a more cautious approach after struggling with injury issues this season.
Soccer’s rise in the United States has reached another milestone. According to a recent survey from The Economist, the sport has overtaken baseball to become the country’s third-most popular sport, trailing only American football and basketball - a shift driven in part by the continued growth of Major League Soccer.
Inter Miami are close to securing Tadeo Allende on a permanent transfer from Celta Vigo following a record-breaking MLS season. The Argentine winger was a key figure in Miami’s MLS Cup triumph, and his return would bolster a roster preparing not only to defend the title in 2026, but also to compete on the international stage.
Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has opened up on his feud with Andre Onana after infamously calling the Cameroonian one of the Red Devils' "worst-ever goalkeepers". The two traded barbs in the lead-up to United's Europa League quarter-final clash with Lyon last season, before the Premier League side won a dramatic knockout tie. Now, the ex-Chelsea ace has revisited that thorny issue.
Lionel Messi has opened up on his post-retirement plans in an apparent nod to Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. The Argentina international is coming towards the end of his career but is still, arguably, one of the best players in the world at the age of 38. While many would love the Miami ace to go into management, the veteran appears to have other ideas.
Florian Wirtz finds himself at the centre of a fresh VAR storm after Fulham lodged an official complaint regarding his controversial opener in the recent draw at Craven Cottage. The Cottagers are demanding answers from the refereeing body, convinced that the German international was clearly offside despite the new tolerance rules allowing the strike to stand.
West Ham fans were left fuming after the Hammers were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest in a vital relegation six-pointer, as VAR played a key role. First, the home side saw a finish from Crysencio Summerville ruled out, just minutes before Forest scored an equaliser, and their winner came from a contentious penalty.
Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher has opened up on the possibility of playing his twin sons, Jack and Tyler, during Wednesday's trip to Burnley in the Premier League. Fletcher, United's Under-18s coach, has been placed in temporary charge of the first team after the club decided to sack Ruben Amorim.
Liam Rosenior must wait to take charge of Chelsea for the first time, with Under-21 coach Calum McFarlane set to manage the first team against Fulham on Wednesday evening. The Blues have officially appointed Enzo Maresca's permanent replacement, with Rosenior jumping from BlueCo-owned Strasbourg to their sister club in the Premier League.