Soham Mukherjee

Trent Alexander-Arnold pulled up injured just three minutes into Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Marseille on Tuesday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu. The English full-back, handed his Champions League debut in the white jersey by head coach Xabi Alonso, lasted just three minutes before pulling up in pain.

Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard showed off his trademark dance moves after a pinpoint assist as FC Seoul got their AFC Champions League campaign underway. The English midfielder was the livewire in attack in a fiery 1-1 draw against Machida Zelvia at the Machida Gion Stadium as Seoul made their comeback into Champions League Elite after five years.

Arsenal’s £64 million ($74m) man Viktor Gyokeres gave supporters a scare after a brutal collision with team-mate Gabriel left him bloodied and bandaged during their Champions League clash with Athletic Club. The pair went for the same aerial ball in the box and Gabriel made forceful contact with the back of the striker's head. The Swede crumpled to the turf as blood gushed from the injury, requiring lengthy treatment.

Alexander Isak might make his debut in Liverpool colours as Arne Slot revealed his plan ahead of the Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid, with the striker included in the matchday squad. The Swede, snatched from Newcastle United for a jaw-dropping £125 million ($171m), has been handed the legendary No.9 jersey and is poised to finally step onto the pitch in front of the Kop.

Manchester United players have made their feelings known on Rasmus Hojlund in response to the striker's fast start at Napoli following his loan move. It took him just 14 minutes in a Napoli shirt to do what he so often struggled to do at Old Trafford: score when it mattered.

Mason Greenwood has been told how to reach the next level with Marseille as the former Manchester United forward makes a return to Champions League football. The Englishman is preparing for the biggest game of his Marseille career so far as he readies himself to face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. He has reignited his career in France after leaving Old Trafford under a cloud, and Tuesday night marks his return to top-tier European football.

Andy Carroll endured a nightmarish outing as the former Liverpool striker was sent off on his full debut for Dagenham & Redbridge. The 36-year-old, who lit up St James’ Park and Anfield in his prime, found himself captaining Dagenham in an FA Cup second qualifying round tie against Bedford. It was billed as his grand return to competitive action after a frustrating spell on the sidelines. Instead, it ended in frustration.

Eddie Howe was delighted with Nick Woltemade's goalscoring debut after landing the striker to replace Alexander Isak. Handed the impossible task of stepping into the void left by £125 million ($170m) Isak, the 23-year-old German silenced any doubters with a thunderous debut goal in front of a raucous St James’ Park crowd.

Lucas Bergvall announced himself in dazzling fashion as Tottenham Hotspur crushed West Ham 3-0 in a fiery London derby. The Swedish prodigy, just 19 years and 223 days old, became the second-youngest Spurs player ever to both score and assist in a single Premier League match. Only Nick Barmby (18 years, 321 days), who achieved the feat back in 1992, stands ahead of him in the record books.

Unai Emery hailed Aston Villa star Emi Martinez for his sensational performance against Everton following a failed move to Manchester United. However, in a shock turn, United ditched Martinez at the last minute and instead signed Belgian youngster Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. That switch paved the way for Andre Onana’s loan departure to Trabzonspor, but left Martinez high and dry in Birmingham.

Harry Kane was at his very best as the Bayern Munich star scored a brace in a 5-0 rout of Hamburg with Luis Diaz also hitting the net.

David Datro Fofana’s rollercoaster Chelsea career has taken another wild turn after the forgotten striker was shipped out on loan yet again, this time to Turkish outfit Fatih Karagumruk S.K. The Ivorian, who cost the Blues £11 million when he arrived from Molde in January 2023, has failed to nail down a place at Stamford Bridge and has been passed around Europe like unwanted baggage.

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney feels a certain former Manchester City player was one of the most underrated players of his time. The Old Trafford legend, still the top scorer in Manchester derby history, recalled the brutal 6-1 hammering by Manchester City in 2011 – and singled out one striker who, in his eyes, never got the respect he deserved.

Noni Madueke might have been smiling after Arsenal’s 3-0 cruise past Nottingham Forest, but the winger was dealt a stinging jab from Martin Keown straight after the final whistle. The ex-Gunners hardman told the 22-year-old, to his face, that he had once seen him as “selfish”. It was a bold claim, especially on live TV, but Keown insisted that while Madueke has shown flair since swapping Chelsea blue for Arsenal red, he has finally started to balance his individual brilliance with more team-focused play.

Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz lit up with joy when handed a customised PlayStation 5 controller dedicated to his late friend and former Liverpool teammate, Diogo Jota. The Colombian, who shared a close relationship with the Portuguese attacker during their time together at Anfield, was visibly touched by the red controller, which carried the engraving “Diogo J” on the back.

Santos shared a contradictory update on Neymar's fitness after the superstar was snubbed by Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian suggested injury concerns were behind the decision, claiming the forward had suffered another setback. For a player desperate to make his mark at next summer’s World Cup, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

Birmingham City are ripping up the transfer rulebook as they reportedly target Champions League players with the Blues chasing a Premier League return. Backed by the deep pockets of Knighthead Capital and the star power of NFL icon Tom Brady, the Blues are no longer thinking like a club fresh out of League One. Instead, they are daring to dream of mixing it with Europe’s elite within the next two to three seasons, and they’re building a plan to make it happen.

Pep Guardiola has stunned Manchester City fans by preparing to bring Kalvin Phillips back into the fold, and could reportedly include him in the 25-man Premier League squad. The forgotten midfielder, who has not played a competitive game for City since December 2023, could now make his long-awaited return in the fiercest fixture of them all, the Manchester derby against United. For a player once deemed surplus to requirements, this is a shot at redemption he can’t afford to waste.