Veteran forward Junior Hoilett came off the bench to score in the 82nd minute and give Canada a n...

<p>Veteran forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///intfr/players/2098" href="https://thescore.com/intfr/players/2098">Junior Hoilett</a> came off the bench to score in the 82nd minute and give Canada a narrow 1-0 win over Suriname in the first leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal clash Friday.</p><p>Just four minutes after being introduced, Hoilett snuck behind the Suriname defense and redirected a clever pass from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/159817" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/159817">Jonathan David</a> into the net off the underside of the crossbar, giving Jesse Marsch's team the edge going into the return fixture at BMO Field in Toronto on Tuesday.</p><p>The winner of the two-legged affair qualifies for the Nations League finals, a four-team event being held in March at SoFi Stadium, along with next summer's Gold Cup.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">GOAL 🇨🇦<br><br>JUNIOR HOILETT, LET'S GO 😎<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanMNT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CanMNT</a> go up 1-0 over Suriname in Leg 1 of this Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals series 💥<br><br>🔴 Watch LIVE on OneSoccer <a href="https://t.co/SJgS9EVSQu">pic.twitter.com/SJgS9EVSQu</a></p>— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/onesoccer/status/1857592284390236251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Canada, No. 35 in the FIFA rankings, controlled the play in Paramaribo against the world's 136th-ranked side but struggled to find a consistent attacking rhythm on the artificial turf at the Frank Essed Stadion. A physical Suriname squad, led by Real Sociedad forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///espcr/players/54539" href="https://thescore.com/espcr/players/54539">Sheraldo Becker</a>, managed to disrupt the flow of the game and limit Canada to mostly sterile possession.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/187409" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/187409">Tani Oluwaseyi</a> came close to scoring his first international goal and breaking the deadlock in the opening half but was horribly unlucky to hit both posts with a shot after getting free inside the penalty area.</p><p>The home side was also denied by the frame of the goal when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcqconca/players/182899" href="https://thescore.com/wcqconca/players/182899">Gleofilo Vlijter</a> clipped the crossbar with a header off a corner kick just before the hour mark.</p><p>Marsch responded to that scare by turning to his bench, showing off the improved squad depth that has served him well since taking over as Canada's coach.</p><p>The late introduction of Hoilett proved decisive, as he scored the only goal of the match with one of his first touches of the game after his streaking run into the box was perfectly spotted by David, the in-form Lille striker who turned provider as he's done so often for the national team.</p><p>"His savviness and understanding on how to break plays in the last third is why we brought him," Marsch said of Hoilett, according to <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/canada-scores-late-to-down-suriname-in-concacaf-nations-league-quarterfinal-1.2205888">The Canadian Press</a>.</p><p>Canada, which outshot Suriname 13-2, continues to have trouble converting chances. The Canadians have nine goals in 12 games under Marsch.</p><p>"It's a little bit the story of our team ... because we don't find a way to get that goal in the first half with some big chances, the game is in the balance. And then we have to put a lot of energy into it," Marsch explained.</p><p>Canada was without star left-back and captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/69320" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/69320">Alphonso Davies</a>, who withdrew from the squad ahead of the two-legged tie as a "precautionary measure due to physical fatigue."</p><p>Midfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///uefa/players/134054" href="https://thescore.com/uefa/players/134054">Stephen Eustaquio</a> wore the armband in Davies' absence.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/148092" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/148092">Tajon Buchanan</a> made his return for Canada in the match, coming off the bench for his first appearance since undergoing surgery to repair a fractured tibia suffered in training during this summer's Copa America.</p>

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 01: Junior Hoilett of Canada gestures during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Canada and Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

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<p><em>Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 11 of the 2024-25 season.</em></p><h3>Sound the alarm 🚨</h3><p>Is it time to panic yet?</p><p>Pep Guardiola is enduring the worst streak of his managerial career, losing four consecutive matches (in normal time) for the first time ever after his reigning champions capitulated late and fell, 2-1, to Brighton &amp; Hove Albion.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Man City are scoring fewer goals than last season on average and conceding more at the other end. It's not an ideal combination. So, what gives? We wrote in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3115284" href="https://thescore.com/news/3115284">this space</a> last week that Guardiola still hasn't figured out how to best set up his team without Rodri. That remains true despite Mateo Kovacic's best efforts to fill the Spaniard's enormous shoes. But it's more than that.</p><p>City, more than ever before under Guardiola, look out of gas. Mentally, more than anything. Perhaps several years of Guardiola demanding the absolute maximum out of the squad and extracting every last ounce has <em>finally</em> taken its toll. Aside from a few recent additions, these players have won absolutely everything. At some point, motivation and drive have to wane a little bit. At the sport's upper echelon, and with Liverpool on a tear, the slightest dip gets magnified. That's happening to City right now.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">1 - Pep Guardiola has lost four games in a row in all competitions for the very first time in his managerial career, while Manchester City have lost four straight games for the first time since August 2006, when Stuart Pearce was manager of the club. Unthinkable. <a href="https://t.co/yAnz6ct8dn">pic.twitter.com/yAnz6ct8dn</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1855332643853815819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Sure, injuries have compounded the issue, but that explanation will, understandably, be met with rolled eyes and tiny violins by rival fans. Even for a club with unlimited riches, an uneven track record in the transfer market will eventually catch up with you. That's a factor, too.</p><p>This may all be moot, of course.</p><p>Man City are still <em>only</em> five points off top spot despite the walls seemingly caving in. There are 27 games left. It's a long season. Two seasons ago, they erased an eight-point deficit at the start of April to reel Arsenal in and claim the title. It's still November.</p><p>Writing them off now would be foolish, but it seems like this is the most vulnerable City have been since Guardiola's arrival.</p><h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3><p><strong>Nice to have you back</strong></p><p>It's not a big revelation to say that Arsenal badly missed captain Martin Odegaard while he was sidelined for two months with an ankle injury. Still, Sunday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea was a good reminder of how influential the creative Norwegian is for Mikel Arteta. Odegaard, who's created more chances from open play than any Premier League player in 2024, crafted the Gunners' goal at Stamford Bridge with a delightful assist for Gabriel Martinelli. In his absence, the middle of the field was a black hole for Arsenal, relying almost exclusively on Bukayo Saka and set pieces to generate scoring opportunities. Odegaard changes that entire equation.</p><p><strong>Mo Salah appreciation</strong></p><p>With another decisive display in Saturday's 2-0 win over Aston Villa, Mohamed Salah is up to 10 goals and as many assists in all competitions this season. We haven't even reached mid-November. No other player across Europe's top five leagues has hit double figures in both categories. Salah, 32, is a machine, producing at an elite level every season without fail. Liverpool's blistering start to the campaign and five-point lead atop the table is the product of several factors, but the Egyptian's continued greatness is chief among them. Get his contract situation sorted out, Liverpool.</p><p><strong>The great entertainers</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751816/cropped_GettyImages-2181201127.jpg?ts=1729961391" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751816/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181201127.jpg?ts=1729961391 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751816/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181201127.jpg?ts=1729961391 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751816/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181201127.jpg?ts=1729961391 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751816/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181201127.jpg?ts=1729961391 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751816/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181201127.jpg?ts=1729961391 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alex Pantling / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Looking for a guaranteed thrill ride every week? Watch Brentford. The Bees are the most entertaining team in England. Only Tottenham Hotspur have scored more goals than Thomas Frank's men, who've found the net 14 times in their last five league games after Saturday's seesaw 3-2 win over Bournemouth. On the flip side, only 19th-placed Wolves have <em>conceded</em> more than Brentford. They haven't kept a single clean sheet in the league on the campaign but have only been shut out once - in August by Liverpool. There's never a dull moment.</p><p><strong>Class of '22</strong></p><p>Nottingham Forest are sitting in a Champions League spot. Fulham have climbed into the top half of the table after two victories in less than a week. Bournemouth, meanwhile, are comfortably mid-table after beating Arsenal and Manchester City over the past month. The three clubs all climbed into the top flight together in 2022. Considering how badly overmatched so many promoted teams look when making the leap from the Championship, this trio is quickly building a case as one of the best promoted classes in Premier League history. The 2001 triumvirate, which also featured Fulham along with Blackburn and Bolton, holds that title for now after coming up together and staying in the top tier for over a decade.</p><p><strong>One step forward, two steps back</strong></p><p>The only thing consistent about Tottenham this season is their inconsistency. On the back of an excellent display against Aston Villa in the league last week, Spurs crashed back down to earth Sunday, losing at home to previously winless Ipswich Town after an atrocious first-half showing that Ange Postecoglou dubbed "unacceptable." Spurs might be the most erratic team in the league, and it's becoming increasingly clear into Postecoglou's second season that the squad and coach aren't compatible. So, really, what are we doing here? How long should Tottenham persist? They can be one of the better teams in the league at their best but only show their best sporadically before inevitably taking a step backward.</p><h3>Star performer 🌟</h3><p><strong>Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)</strong></p><p>It took him a while, but Fernandes is finally on the board this season.</p><p>The Manchester United captain marked his 250th appearance for the club with a goal and an assist in the Red Devils' 3-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday, continuing the rich vein of form that has directly coincided with Erik ten Hag's firing. The Portuguese midfielder, who publicly apologized for his lack of production under the Dutchman, didn't score in 13 games with Ten Hag at the helm this season. In four matches with Ruud van Nistelrooy as the interim coach, Fernandes has four tallies and two helpers.</p><p>His slump to begin the campaign was an outlier. Fernandes isn't everyone's cup of tea, far from it, but he's been enormously productive since arriving in Manchester. He's been directly involved in 100 goals in 170 Premier League appearances and is the only Manchester United player to create seven or more chances in a single league match since 2020, doing so 10 times.</p><p>You can stomach the histrionics when you're getting that type of output. </p><p>Incoming manager Ruben Amorim will be hoping his compatriot can keep shining and help him get off to a strong start at the club.</p><h3>Best XI 😎</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,775539:Mazraoui,820140:Konat%C3%A9,789578:O%27Shea,873289:Cucurella,422685:Fernandes,535936:Joelinton,604785:Iwobi,863098:Cunha,1021382:Pedro,666857:Wissa&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2011" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,775539:Mazraoui,820140:Konat%C3%A9,789578:O%27Shea,873289:Cucurella,422685:Fernandes,535936:Joelinton,604785:Iwobi,863098:Cunha,1021382:Pedro,666857:Wissa&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2011 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,775539:Mazraoui,820140:Konat%C3%A9,789578:O%27Shea,873289:Cucurella,422685:Fernandes,535936:Joelinton,604785:Iwobi,863098:Cunha,1021382:Pedro,666857:Wissa&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2011 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,775539:Mazraoui,820140:Konat%C3%A9,789578:O%27Shea,873289:Cucurella,422685:Fernandes,535936:Joelinton,604785:Iwobi,863098:Cunha,1021382:Pedro,666857:Wissa&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2011 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,775539:Mazraoui,820140:Konat%C3%A9,789578:O%27Shea,873289:Cucurella,422685:Fernandes,535936:Joelinton,604785:Iwobi,863098:Cunha,1021382:Pedro,666857:Wissa&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2011 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,775539:Mazraoui,820140:Konat%C3%A9,789578:O%27Shea,873289:Cucurella,422685:Fernandes,535936:Joelinton,604785:Iwobi,863098:Cunha,1021382:Pedro,666857:Wissa&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2011 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Courtesy: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)</p><h3>Highlight of the weekend 🎥</h3><p>Sammie Szmodics went for a bike ride to help Ipswich Town sink Tottenham Hotspur and finally pick up their first win of the Premier League season.</p><p><em>(Available to view in U.S. only)</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">IPSWICH SHOCK SPURS. 🚜👀<br><br>Sammie Szmodics scores a stunning overhead kick to give Ipswich Town the lead!<br><br>📺 USA Network | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TOTIPS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TOTIPS</a> <a href="https://t.co/8jafRA57eN">pic.twitter.com/8jafRA57eN</a></p>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1855622069305606509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><em>(Available to view in Canada only)</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sammie Szmodics SCORES!!<br><br>⚽ 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur vs Ipswich Town<br><br>WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 <a href="https://t.co/2w98QqADfX">https://t.co/2w98QqADfX</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PremierLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PremierLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/wWMrx6bYXD">pic.twitter.com/wWMrx6bYXD</a></p>— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) <a href="https://twitter.com/fuboTVCanada/status/1855620862008770856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3><p>Manchester City are setting all kinds of unwanted firsts right now.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">1 - Erling Haaland has lost a Premier League match in which he scored a goal for the very first time, having won 40 and drawn six of the previous 46 he’d scored in before today. Humbled. <a href="https://t.co/o6fBiyew4J">pic.twitter.com/o6fBiyew4J</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1855333701430976945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Social media moment 📱</h3><p>It was quite a day for this Fulham supporter at Selhurst Park:</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">They say romance is dead met my future wife at palace away up the fulhammmm <a href="https://t.co/1J0Hjw3xfw">pic.twitter.com/1J0Hjw3xfw</a></p>— Luke (@Lukehsffc) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lukehsffc/status/1855300144524120189?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Played</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1.</strong></td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>+15</td>
<td>28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2.</strong></td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>+9</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3.</strong></td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>+8</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4.</strong></td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>+6</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6.</td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>+4</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7.</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8.</td>
<td>Newcastle</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9.</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10.</td>
<td>Tottenham</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>+10</td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11.</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12.</td>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14.</td>
<td>West Ham</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15.</td>
<td>Leicester</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.</td>
<td>Ipswich Town</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>-10</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>18.</strong></td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>19.</strong></td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>-11</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>20.</strong></td>
<td>Southampton</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>-14</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.</em></p>

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<p>Just like that, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> and Inter Miami are done in the MLS playoffs.</p><p>Atlanta United stunned the Supporters' Shield winners Saturday, going on the road and winning a do-or-die Game 3 in the opening round of the postseason.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/178185" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/178185">Bartosz Slisz</a> scored a towering header in the 76th minute, giving Atlanta a thrilling 3-2 upset victory over a Miami team that was widely expected to reach the MLS Cup final following a record-breaking regular season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Miami was incensed with the officiating on Slisz's winning goal, asking referee Lukasz Szpala to stop the play because defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/200232" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/200232">Tomas Aviles</a> was down inside the penalty area. Atlanta's attack was allowed to continue - the referee is only obliged to halt play for a head injury - and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/165816" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/165816">Pedro Amador</a> took advantage of the distracted Miami defense with a perfect ball for Slisz.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another game, another assist for Amador. ATLANTA LEAD!<a href="https://twitter.com/ATLUTD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ATLUTD</a> // Audi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCupPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLSCupPlayoffs</a> <a href="https://t.co/9oI18VqPsR">pic.twitter.com/9oI18VqPsR</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1855443030171320581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Atlanta, which needed a minor miracle on Decision Day simply to reach the playoffs as the No. 9 seed, had to navigate a wild-card game against Montreal just to set up the first-round meeting with Messi, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/4433" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/4433">Luis Suarez</a>, and the rest of Inter Miami's star-studded squad.</p><p>After losing the opening match of the three-game series, Atlanta roared back to claim the last two and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where Orlando City awaits.</p><p>"Grinding. Believing. Resilience," Atlanta captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1693" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1693">Brad Guzan</a>, who made seven saves in the winner-take-all match, <a href="https://x.com/MLS/status/1855450547933053115">said</a> afterwards when asked about his team's formula for unexpected success. "There's some fairy dust in our locker room. I couldn't be more proud of our guys."</p><p>Saturday's contest looked early like it would be a procession for Miami when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/159502" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/159502">Matias Rojas</a> opened the scoring at Chase Stadium in the 17th minute. But striker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/200231" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/200231">Jamal Thiare</a> silenced the home crowd with two goals in quick succession minutes later.</p><p>Messi, who could yet come away with this season's MVP award, scored a rare header to level proceedings in the 65th minute. Momentum was with Miami.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Miami need a goal. Who else? MESSI delivers.<a href="https://twitter.com/InterMiamiCF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@InterMiamiCF</a> // Audi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCupPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLSCupPlayoffs</a> <a href="https://t.co/jqYMye2FCj">pic.twitter.com/jqYMye2FCj</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1855440305752801558?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>But the Five Stripes, as they've done continually down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs, stayed poised, weathered the storm with some excellent saves Guzan, and then struck in dramatic fashion to keep their improbable run alive.</p><p>Miami, meanwhile, will be forced to conduct a post-season debrief far earlier than anyone envisioned after Messi and Co. romped to a single-season MLS points record.</p><p>"This season has had good and bad things. If you think about where we were in November last year, there has obviously been progress in terms of the club, not just the team. If you think about the expectations we had for this playoffs, obviously we came up a little short," Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino, who led Atlanta to playoff glory in 2018, said.</p><p>"The players are sad, as they should be when there are so many expectations and the team can't fulfil them. In this final part of the year we got used to achieving the objectives but we couldn't achieve the most important one."</p>

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - NOVEMBER 9: Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after missing a scoring opportunity during the match between Atlanta United and Inter Miami CF on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Messi, Miami crash out of MLS playoffs as Atlanta pulls off huge upset

The supersized Champions League resumed this week, with all 36 teams back in action over 48 frene...

<p><em>The supersized Champions League resumed this week, with all 36 teams back in action over 48 frenetic hours. Below, theScore's soccer editors reflect on Matchday 4 in Europe's premier club competition while also taking a step back to survey the landscape at the midway point of the opening round.</em></p><h3>Key takeaway from Matchday 4 📝</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/cropped_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Gordon Brunt</strong>: There's never a shortage of excuses after Arsenal lose. Some complaints about outside forces conspiring against them have even seemed justified. But this time it's their struggling attack that needs to shoulder the blame. The latest perceived injustice involved the ever-confusing handball rule in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Inter Milan. The decision to award Inter a spot-kick felt harsh on Mikel Merino, especially after he was denied one of his own after being punched in the head by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer at the other end. Another Arsenal grievance for the pile. From a perceived refereeing agenda against them to injuries that have proved costly, Arsenal routinely have something to moan about. But their lack of creativity after conceding right before halftime was the real reason they lost. The glaring issue that Mikel Arteta needs to fix is an Arsenal attack that can't cope when Kai Havertz is in a slump. Signing another proven striker last summer might've helped.</p><p><strong>Anthony Lopopolo</strong>: The little guys still stand a chance. In the tournaments of old, a newcomer like Brest, who had never qualified for the Champions League, would've been buried at the bottom of a group of heavyweights with zero chance of progressing. They would've simply enjoyed the ride. But here they are in fourth place in the Champions League table with 10 points out of a possible 12 after Wednesday's 2-1 win over Sparta Prague. Those 10 points should be enough for Brest to earn at least a playoff spot, according to Opta's projections. But with matches to come against 24th-placed PSV Eindhoven and 28th-placed Shakhtar Donetsk, Brest could reasonably finish with the 16 points likely necessary to earn automatic qualification to the knockout round. UEFA expanded the tournament to make it more profitable, but in a weird way, it has offered previously overlooked teams a lifeline.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Gianluca Nesci</strong>: Matchday 4 was a turning point in the competition. One of the biggest gripes about the new format, aside from fixture congestion and general resistance to change, was that the supersized opening round created less jeopardy for the top clubs, which had more time to recover from any setback because there were simply more points available. Even when some stumbled early, there was no sense of panic. That's changing now. Shocking - and comprehensive - losses for Real Madrid and Manchester City, the two overwhelming tournament favorites, have blown things open, while other teams such as Paris Saint-Germain, expected to cruise comfortably into the next round, still have lots of work to do and little time to do it.</p><h3>This week's crisis club 😬</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/cropped_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/w220xh124_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/w320xh180_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/w640xh360_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/w768xh432_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">David Ramos - UEFA / UEFA / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Brunt</strong>: Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side is in panic mode after getting pummeled by Sporting CP. Manchester City's long list of injuries was a major talking point heading into the encounter, and rightfully so with stars like Rodri missing and Kevin De Bruyne not fit enough to start. But that didn't make Tuesday's 4-1 scoreline any less shocking. City did well to get back into the game, threatening to cut the deficit down to one goal before disaster struck when Erling Haaland's penalty rattled off the crossbar. Heads went down and the team showed an uncharacteristic lack of fight on its way to losing three straight games in a season for the first time since April 2018. Is this the beginning of City's downfall? Highly unlikely. But it presents a rare opportunity for rivals to take advantage of a City side that won't likely be down for long.</p><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti is on the hot seat after losing back-to-back matches at home to Barcelona and AC Milan. They conceded seven goals across the pair of games and looked entirely out of sorts in Tuesday's 3-1 defeat to Serie A's seventh-placed team. Kylian Mbappe doesn't look comfortable alongside Vinicius Junior, and Dani Carvajal's injury-enforced absence has allowed opponents to wreak havoc on Madrid's right flank. Jude Bellingham hasn't scored for Madrid in 177 days and seems unsure how to interpret his deeper midfield role. It doesn't get any easier for Los Blancos: Liverpool and Atalanta are up next, and they only have one more game to play at home. With just six points in the bag, Madrid have to win at least two of their final four games just to have a chance to make the playoffs.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: RB Leipzig. A last-second away loss to Atletico Madrid on Matchday 1? Aggravating, but not panic inducing. Blowing a lead, at home, against 10-man Juventus and losing? Rough, but it was one of "those" games. Falling to Liverpool, the best team in the tournament so far? No shame in that. But Leipzig followed up those results by getting outplayed - and comfortably beaten - by Celtic in a match they badly needed to have in order to keep their dwindling hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive. <em>That</em> is cause for serious concern. Leipzig are one of only five teams in the competition without a point. Instead of tussling with Europe's elite, their peers at the bottom of the table are the likes of Slovan Bratislava and Sturm Graz. With no points and a tough remaining schedule, Leipzig now look destined for a very early exit.</p><h3>Player of the week 🌟</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/cropped_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Gualter Fatia / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Brunt</strong>: Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker is finally getting the recognition he deserves. After more than a year of tormenting defenses in Portugal, it took scoring a hat-trick against Manchester City in Tuesday's Champions League win for the spotlight to <em>truly</em> beam on Gyokeres. While everyone's been in awe watching Haaland score at a record-setting pace in England, the 26-year-old Gyokeres has mastered his craft at Sporting to become one of the most prolific strikers in the world. He went from scoring 21 goals for Championship side Coventry City in 2022 to more than doubling that amount with 43 goals in his debut season for Sporting. And he's showing no signs of slowing down. Recording his third hat-trick of the season Tuesday gives him 23 goals in 17 games and launched him into a share of the lead atop the Champions League scoring chart with five tallies.</p><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Luis Diaz. The Colombian's evolution continued Tuesday with a hat-trick performance against Bayer Leverkusen, the first of his professional career and the strongest evidence yet that he can lead Liverpool's attack. A left-winger by trade, Diaz has played more centrally under head coach Arne Slot and reminded fans of Roberto Firmino with the way he hustled and pounced on opportunities in Liverpool's 4-0 win. Diaz chipped the 'keeper like he had done it a million times before, shrugged off his marker at the far post to score, and finished off an odd-man rush to complete the hat-trick. He can hurt opponents, and if he plays centrally, Slot can shelter Darwin Nunez on the wing where he'll have less pressure to score.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Edon Zhegrova. A baller, pure and simple. The winger was at his dynamic best in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Juventus, setting up Jonathan David's first-half goal with one of his many mesmerizing runs and incisive passes. The 25-year-old completed eight successful dribbles in the match, continually twisting Juan Cabal into a pretzel until the Juve left-back was mercifully substituted after chasing Zhegrova's shadow around for over an hour. Nobody has attempted more take-ons in this season's Champions League than the Kosovo international, who could dribble past an opponent inside a phone booth.</p><h3>Best XI so far 😎</h3><p><em>With the league phase officially hitting the midway point, here's a look at our standout players of the tournament thus far.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Courtesy: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)</p><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><p><em>Here's the complete league phase table after Matchday 4. Remember: The top eight teams advance directly to the last 16, and the sides that finish ninth to 24th head to the new knockout phase playoffs, two-legged ties that determine who joins the eight automatic qualifiers in the round of 16. The bottom 12 clubs are eliminated from the Champions League.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2</strong></td>
<td>Sporting CP</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>Monaco</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>Brest</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>5</strong></td>
<td>Inter</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>6</strong></td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>7</strong></td>
<td>Borussia Dortmund</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>8</strong></td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>9</em></td>
<td>Atalanta</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>10</em></td>
<td>Man City</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>11</em></td>
<td>Juventus</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>12</em></td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>13</em></td>
<td>Leverkusen</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>14</em></td>
<td>Lille</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>15</em></td>
<td>Celtic</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>16</em></td>
<td>Dinamo Zagreb</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>17</em></td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>18</em></td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>19</em></td>
<td>Benfica</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>20</em></td>
<td>AC Milan</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>21</em></td>
<td>Feyenoord</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>22</em></td>
<td>Club Brugge</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>23</em></td>
<td>Atletico</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>24</em></td>
<td>PSV</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26</td>
<td>Sparta Prague</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td>Stuttgart</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td>Shakhtar</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td>Girona</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td>Salzburg</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td>Bologna</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>32</td>
<td>RB Leipzig</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td>Sturm Graz</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>34</td>
<td>Young Boys</td>
<td>-10</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td>Crvena Zvezda</td>
<td>-12</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>36</td>
<td>S. Bratislava</td>
<td>-13</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

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The good, bad, and ugly as UCL opening round hits midway point

<p><em>Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 10 of the 2024-25 season.</em></p><h3>Caicedo coming good</h3><p>It didn't take long for many to slap the "flop" label on Moises Caicedo after he joined Chelsea for a British-record £115 million last year. The Ecuadorian, so dynamic as the midfield lynchpin at Brighton &amp; Hove Albion, was expected to arrive at Stamford Bridge and immediately uplift a dysfunctional team that was in transition.</p><p>That obviously didn't happen.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Caicedo, who <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39674010/record-transfer-fee-made-chelsea-arrival-difficult-caicedo">spoke openly</a> about feeling weighed down by the gargantuan transfer fee affixed to his name, looked uncomfortable in Chelsea blue. The confidence he displayed patrolling the midfield for Brighton vanished. But he's starting to get it back now.</p><p>With the added stability provided by manager Enzo Maresca, Caicedo is silencing those doubters and proving indispensable to his team. His excellent goal earned Chelsea a point against Manchester United on Sunday, which was a nice bonus for a player who's at his best when his team doesn't have the ball. Caicedo has the most combined tackles and interceptions in the Premier League this season, winning the ball back and doing all the work in midfield that frees up more attack-minded players like Cole Palmer. It's no surprise that he's played the second-most league minutes of any Chelsea outfield player this season.</p><p>"The problem with Moi is because the club paid big money, people expect them to be the best," Maresca said after Sunday's draw at Old Trafford. "It is normal to be a bit up and down. We are trying to improve him and he is showing how good he is."</p><p>Caicedo is just the latest reminder that snap judgments on transfers are rarely correct. It's natural for players to need an adjustment period, especially when coming into a volatile situation.</p><p>If Chelsea are going to keep progressing back to the top of the Premier League, where they expect to be at some point soon after such an enormous expenditure, Caicedo will be a protagonist.</p><h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3><p><strong>Arsenal already running out of steam?</strong></p><p>Arsenal, despite their recent struggles, remain a good team. They've probably been a little unlucky with injuries and absences so far this season, too. Martin Odegaard's unavailability has obviously had a massive impact. But, following Saturday's 1-0 loss to Newcastle United, Mikel Arteta's team is already in danger of reaching a point of no return in the title race. A seven-point deficit isn't unsurmountable, especially with so many points still on the table, but Arsenal's margin for error is evaporating. At a certain point, it doesn't matter how good you are, the randomness of the sport will work against you if you're trying to make up too much ground. Until Odegaard returns, Arsenal need to get more out of Gabriel Martinelli, who hasn't scored or provided an assist in nearly a month. Bukayo Saka is doing his part on one side. Martinelli has to provide a secondary option from the opposite flank.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The 'all eggs in the Martinelli &amp; Saka baskets' formation. <a href="https://t.co/DheL6ZQAPm">pic.twitter.com/DheL6ZQAPm</a></p>— Between The Posts (@BetweenThePosts) <a href="https://twitter.com/BetweenThePosts/status/1852730537158344789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>Nottingham Forest soaring</strong></p><p>The likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur are all looking up at Nottingham Forest in the table right now. What a difference from last season's relegation scrap. Forest, winners of three straight after a comprehensive victory over West Ham United on Saturday, sit third, their highest position in the Premier League since 1998. They're doing it by playing clean and simple football, with quick and technical wide players providing service for old-school frontman Chris Wood, who is thriving. Since Nuno Espirito Santo's first match in charge of the club, only Erling Haaland has more non-penalty goals in the Premier League than the imposing 32-year-old striker. Nuno can't take <em>all</em> the credit for the recent surge, though, as he's been serving a touchline ban during Forest's three-match winning streak.</p><p><strong>No great escape for Man City this time</strong></p><p>Not even Manchester City, widely regarded as the best club side in the world, can overcome a slow start <em>every</em> time. Pep Guardiola's men conceded the first goal for the third time in their last four Premier League matches on Saturday, falling behind against Bournemouth in just the ninth minute. Unlike comeback wins over Fulham and Wolves, City, missing several key players amid a mounting injury crisis, couldn't turn things around and fell 2-1, their 32-game league unbeaten streak snapped. Their status as league leaders disappeared, too. City looked slow and sluggish right from the opening minute, with multiple players simply unable to keep up with the energy of their Bournemouth counterparts. Guardiola still hasn't figured out how to keep his machine operating at its usual level without Rodri and admitted that City must learn to "handle" the current injury situation.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Not a fluke. <a href="https://t.co/e6gmzF2JND">pic.twitter.com/e6gmzF2JND</a></p>— Between The Posts (@BetweenThePosts) <a href="https://twitter.com/BetweenThePosts/status/1852767562389442987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>Solanke's hard work pays off</strong></p><p>Dominic Solanke has had a lukewarm start to his Tottenham career. He went into Sunday's match against Aston Villa with just two league goals on the campaign and hadn't registered a shot on target in his last three outings. The selfless attacker does plenty of hard work off the ball for Spurs, covering ground and pressing opponents in the defensive phase of play, and he often drops deep to create running lanes for his teammates when Tottenham are in possession. All of that is important for the overall health and success of the team. But, ultimately, a striker who cost £65 million and is being tasked with replacing some of the production of club legend Harry Kane is going to be judged on his goalscoring exploits. Solanke, in addition to his other contributions, delivered in that regard on Sunday, too, scoring twice in four minutes, including a delectable little chipped finish, as Tottenham came storming back to score four goals in the second half and beat Aston Villa. Can he kick on from here?</p><h3>Star performer 🌟</h3><p><strong>Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)</strong></p><p>Semenyo was <em>everywhere</em> against Manchester City. The versatile forward spent time on both flanks, swapping sides and finding joy against both Josko Gvardiol and Kyle Walker. Neither defender could handle the 24-year-old. Semenyo pinned Gvardiol and spun off him inside the box to score the opening goal of Bournemouth's memorable 2-1 win, and he ran Walker ragged all game. Each time he picked up the ball and drove forward, the home crowd buzzed in anticipation, and the City backline looked vulnerable. Pep Guardiola eventually made a substitution to move Walker into central defense after watching him get continually steamrolled.</p><p>The Bristol City academy product looked similarly threatening in the Cherries' recent win over Arsenal but didn't have the goal to show for all of his endeavor. No such issue here. Bournemouth have now taken seven points from their last three matches, sandwiching their aforementioned wins with a draw against Aston Villa. In three consecutive weeks, three of the best teams in the country couldn't get the better of Bournemouth, and Semenyo has been a major reason why they're now up to eighth in the Premier League.</p><h3>Best XI 😎</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=746395:Ramsdale,682548:Aina,490868:Bednarek,844425:Guehi,1195281:Kerkez,1174672:Gomes,1137668:Caicedo,292462:Salah,933576:Semenyo,690107:Isak,591734:Solanke&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2010" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=746395:Ramsdale,682548:Aina,490868:Bednarek,844425:Guehi,1195281:Kerkez,1174672:Gomes,1137668:Caicedo,292462:Salah,933576:Semenyo,690107:Isak,591734:Solanke&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2010 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=746395:Ramsdale,682548:Aina,490868:Bednarek,844425:Guehi,1195281:Kerkez,1174672:Gomes,1137668:Caicedo,292462:Salah,933576:Semenyo,690107:Isak,591734:Solanke&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2010 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=746395:Ramsdale,682548:Aina,490868:Bednarek,844425:Guehi,1195281:Kerkez,1174672:Gomes,1137668:Caicedo,292462:Salah,933576:Semenyo,690107:Isak,591734:Solanke&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2010 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=746395:Ramsdale,682548:Aina,490868:Bednarek,844425:Guehi,1195281:Kerkez,1174672:Gomes,1137668:Caicedo,292462:Salah,933576:Semenyo,690107:Isak,591734:Solanke&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2010 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=746395:Ramsdale,682548:Aina,490868:Bednarek,844425:Guehi,1195281:Kerkez,1174672:Gomes,1137668:Caicedo,292462:Salah,933576:Semenyo,690107:Isak,591734:Solanke&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2010 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Courtesy: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)</p><h3>Highlight of the weekend 🎥</h3><p>Leif Davis' composed volley and Ola Aina's wicked screamer were strong contenders, but Mohamed Salah's winning goal versus Brighton gets the nod. The speed and precision of the counterattack, the scintillating finish from the Egyptian star, and the roar of the Anfield crowd making the camera shake all combine to create a thrilling goal and moment.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Simply stunning 🤩<br><br>Salah’s brilliant finish secures all three points 💫 <a href="https://t.co/8tLMHJG9hs">pic.twitter.com/8tLMHJG9hs</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1852833063979700457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3><p>"But can he defend!?!?"</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Most tackles made by a Liverpool defender in a Premier League game since 2016/17:<br><br>◎ 9 - TAA vs. Leicester (2021) <br>◉ 9 - TAA vs. Brighton (2024)<br><br>Kostas Tsimikas also made seven tackles today. 👀 <a href="https://t.co/f9eam3ahhd">pic.twitter.com/f9eam3ahhd</a></p>— Squawka (@Squawka) <a href="https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1852760367803342864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Social media moment 📱</h3><p>We're dipping into the weekend's FA Cup action here, where the halftime entertainment during Wycombe Wanderers' victory over York City featured a rendition of "Let It Go" from a fan who was out on his bachelor weekend. The Elsa outfit was on point. The singing? Jury's still out.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The half time entertainment for Wycombe’s 3-2 win against York City was a bloke on his stag do singing ‘Let it go’ 😂<br><br>🎥 <a href="https://twitter.com/GabRamseyJourno?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GabRamseyJourno</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/hL3afIR7ZB">pic.twitter.com/hL3afIR7ZB</a></p>— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheFLZone/status/1852793343874568505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>A mention, too, for Aina, who <a href="https://x.com/MundialMag/status/1852989154222596422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1852989154222596422%7Ctwgr%5Eed14614211d68596db5ce21d8c540b478d6816ce%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcmsadmin.thescore.com%2Fadmin%2Fnewsroom%2Farticles%2F3108884">explained</a> during a post-match interview - while crushing a juice box - that his thunderous goal against West Ham was actually born out of exhaustion. "I was knackered ... so I just thought I might as well hit it." Good decision, as it turns out.</p><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Played</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1.</strong></td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>+13</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2.</strong></td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>+10</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3.</strong></td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>+7</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4.</strong></td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>+8</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>+6</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6.</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7.</td>
<td>Tottenham</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>+11</td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8.</td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9.</td>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>+1</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10.</td>
<td>Newcastle</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11.</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12.</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14.</td>
<td>West Ham</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15.</td>
<td>Leicester</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.</td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>18.</strong></td>
<td>Ipswich Town</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>-11</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>19.</strong></td>
<td>Southampton</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>-12</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>20.</strong></td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>-13</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.</em></p>

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EPL Review: Caicedo comes good, Forest surge, Arsenal sputter

Presumptive 2024 Ballon d'Or favorite Vinicius Junior, along with the rest of the Real Madrid del...

<p>Presumptive 2024 Ballon d'Or favorite <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/101248" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/101248">Vinicius Junior</a>, along with the rest of the Real Madrid delegation, decided not to make the trip to Paris for Monday's ceremony.</p><p>The decision was made to skip the event after learning the Brazilian had missed out on the sport's top individual honor, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42052014/vinicius-junior-real-madrid-skip-ballon-dor-awards">Gustavo Hofman and Rodrigo Faez of ESPN</a>.</p><p>Manchester City midfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/67114" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/67114">Rodri</a>, long viewed as Vinicius' primary challenger for the award, ended up <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3111070" href="https://thescore.com/news/3111070">taking home the accolade</a>. Vinicius finished second in the voting. Teammates <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/161381" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/161381">Jude Bellingham</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/15906" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/15906">Dani Carvajal</a> rounded out the top four.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"If the award criteria doesn't give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner," Real Madrid told <a href="https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/real-madrid-boycott-ballon-dor-153937883.html">Agence France-Presse</a> ahead of Monday's ceremony. "As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d'Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected."</p><p>The organizers of the event insisted Monday that "no player or club" knew who would win the award ahead of time. "All the clubs and players are in the same boat," a Ballon d'Or source told Agence France-Presse.</p><p>A panel of journalists representing the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings votes on the Ballon d'Or.</p><p>Eight Real Madrid players were nominated for various awards that were handed out by France Football, together with UEFA, on Monday. Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, won the men's Johan Cruyff Trophy as best coach.</p><p>Real Madrid was named the best men's club of the year during the ceremony, but nobody from the storied team was on hand to accept the award at the Theatre du Chatelet.</p><p>Vinicius was long considered the Ballon d'Or frontrunner after leading Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double last season. He scored 21 goals across those two competitions, including tallies in both the semifinals and final of the Champions League.</p><p>The last Brazilian player to claim the men's honor was Kaka in 2007.</p><p>Though he had a standout year at club level, the 24-year-old Vinicius struggled in his marquee international tournament of the year, with Brazil being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Copa America.</p><p>Conversely, Rodri was named Player of the Tournament as Spain won Euro 2024, a triumph that came on the back of his starring role during Manchester City's latest Premier League title-winning campaign.</p>

Madrid, Spain - October 22: Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Borussia Dortmund at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on October 22, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/28824236/related

Real Madrid skip Ballon d'Or event, reportedly upset about Vinicius snub

<p><em>Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 9 of the 2024-25 season.</em></p><h3>Squad depth pushed to the limit</h3><p>When Rodri was ruled out for the season with a torn ACL, Arsenal, in the eyes of many, jumped to the front of the queue in the title race. With Kevin De Bruyne also nursing injury issues, this looked like the most obvious chance for Arsenal - or Liverpool, perhaps - to end Manchester City's hegemony.</p><p>But since Rodri suffered the injury in last month's draw with Arsenal, Pep Guardiola's team has dropped only two points, and it eked out one-goal wins in its last three league matches. The schedule has certainly been helpful - those wins came against Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and now-last-place Southampton - but City continue chugging along despite not being at their fluid best and missing various starters, with Matheus Nunes finally finding his feet and contributing in a meaningful way.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Arsenal are facing the same type of test.</p><p>Captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined, and they finished Sunday's 2-2 draw against Liverpool with Jakub Kiwior and teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly as part of a makeshift backline. Liverpool exploited that area of the pitch to score their late equalizer, as Kiwior hesitated while trying to intercept a pass into the channel before Mohamed Salah's goal. With Riccardo Calafiori also sidelined, Mikel Arteta will be desperate to receive good news about the injury that forced Gabriel Magalhaes out of the contest in the second half.</p><p>William Saliba's return from suspension, meanwhile, can't come soon enough.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is the first time since 2 May 2023 (vs Chelsea) that Arsenal have had neither William Saliba or Gabriel Magalhães on the pitch in a Premier League game <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARSLIV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARSLIV</a> <a href="https://t.co/3cCjIdzAXj">pic.twitter.com/3cCjIdzAXj</a></p>— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaAnalyst/status/1850597444523884945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>With some big tests coming over the next month, Arsenal need to grind out wins. Three points, not style points, is all that matters. On the balance of play, they were unlucky not to beat Liverpool on Sunday, conceding late to Salah, who continues to feast in north London. Those are the types of margins we'll be dealing with all season in this title race.</p><p>Arteta, who has shown a strong willingness - bordering on desire - to play attritional football with lineups that utilize four central defenders across the backline, will have no qualms about winning ugly. If they can do that consistently, this could be the Gunners' year after all.</p><h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3><p><strong>Battle of the crisis clubs</strong></p><p>Erik ten Hag has taken a lot of flak of late - including in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3101987" href="https://thescore.com/news/3101987">this space</a> - but he has genuine reason to feel aggrieved after Manchester United's 2-1 loss against West Ham United on Sunday. The late penalty, which Jared Bowen converted in stoppage time to give Julen Lopetegui a desperately needed win of his own, was soft, at best. There was contact by Matthijs de Ligt on Danny Ings, but it looked more incidental than anything. That the on-field call (no foul) was overturned after VAR intervened, was, frankly, bewildering. Not all contact is a foul. Regardless, the result piles more pressure on Ten Hag, whose team failed to convert a host of chances and now has one win in its last eight games across all competitions. The Hammers, who were themselves the proverbial "crisis club" after getting routed last week, are now, almost inconceivably, <em>ahead</em> of Manchester United in the table.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Each day on PL there is one main crisis club. The goal is to never be it</p>— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) <a href="https://twitter.com/oilysailor/status/1342910958411382787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2020</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>Miss of the season (so far)</strong></p><p>Diogo Dalot didn't score here. That's it. That's the whole description.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Diogo Dalot won't want to see this one again 😮<br><br>It's still goalless at the London Stadium, despite Man Utd having this great opportunity to go ahead<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHUMUN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WHUMUN</a> <a href="https://t.co/PwIg3xRPpV">pic.twitter.com/PwIg3xRPpV</a></p>— Premier League (@premierleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1850549176209199360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>Ignominious outing</strong></p><p>Ipswich Town defender Harry Clarke's full Premier League debut was certainly memorable - just not in the way he wanted. Clarke, 23, became only the second player in league history to score an own goal, concede a penalty, <em>and</em> get sent off in the same match, completing the unfortunate treble in Saturday's chaotic 4-3 loss to Brentford. Southampton's Jan Bednarek is the only other player in England's top flight to manage the same feat, doing so during the Saints' infamous 9-0 defeat to Manchester United in 2021. The Tractor Boys, who threw away a 2-0 lead and conceded a stoppage-time winner at the Gtech Community Stadium, are still winless after nine matches, their longest-ever run without a victory to start a top-flight campaign.</p><p><strong>Dat Guy Welbz</strong></p><p>Danny Welbeck wasn't a prototypical Brighton &amp; Hove Albion signing when he joined the club as a 29-year-old. The Seagulls, renowned for their ability to unearth young talent before selling for an enormous profit, took a chance on the oft-injured striker in 2019. Now they're reaping the rewards. Welbeck, 33, is enjoying a renaissance, leading the line for Fabian Hurzeler, a manager two years his junior. Welbeck scored his sixth league goal of the season Saturday, and he's now just three shy of matching his career-best tally; he scored nine times for Manchester United in both 2011-12 and 2013-14. Evan Ferguson, who scored his first league goal in 11 months this weekend, is the long-term answer up front - until he too is sold - but, for now, "Welbz" is the main man.</p><p><strong>Turning point for Wolves?</strong></p><p>If Wolves turn their season around and avoid relegation - they're currently second last in the table and without a win after nine games - a wild sequence from Saturday's unlikely 2-2 draw with Brighton could be the singular moment that got Gary O'Neil's team on the road to recovery. Wolves fought back for a point after trailing 2-0 into the 88th minute, and, while down 2-1 in stoppage time and pushing for an equalizer, gave up a rare four-on-one counter. Incredibly, Tommy Doyle broke up the play and flipped the field by finding Matheus Cunha, who scored the all-important equalizer seconds later. Wolves have been hindered by the most difficult schedule in the league to start the season, but this heroic play by Doyle can be the building block to turn things around as their fixture list gets more favorable.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What if I told you that the team defending a 4 on 1 break here is about the score the equaliser? 🤯<br><br>What a bottle job from Brighton <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BRIWOL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BRIWOL</a> <a href="https://t.co/Zgeq8z6cf8">pic.twitter.com/Zgeq8z6cf8</a></p>— Josh Parish (@joshparish_) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshparish_/status/1850230892704485570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Star performer 🌟</h3><p><strong>Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)</strong></p><p>His two goals in the seesaw 4-3 win over Ipswich weren't exactly brilliant pieces of individual quality. One was a penalty, and the other, though a 96th-minute winner, was a cross that simply evaded everyone and went into the net. But in lieu of a <em>truly</em> dominant individual performance across the league this weekend, this is as good an opportunity as ever to give Mbeumo the recognition he so richly deserves.</p><p>The 25-year-old, arguably the most underrated player in the Premier League, is second in scoring behind only Erling Haaland. He's the first player to have 50 Premier League goal involvements for Brentford (29 goals, 21 assists) and has taken over as the undisputed talisman following the departure of Ivan Toney. His understanding and intermingling with Yoane Wissa is critical to Brentford's play, and the two are quickly becoming one of the league's most intriguing attacking duos.</p><h3>Best XI 😎</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=731855:Travers,760320:Wan-Bissaka,209405:van%20Dijk,950485:Lacroix,1070712:Gvardiol,654096:Rice,923312:Mbeumo,818975:Eze,843040:Neto,169719:Wood,863098:Cunha&amp;formation=4-1-3-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%209" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=731855:Travers,760320:Wan-Bissaka,209405:van%20Dijk,950485:Lacroix,1070712:Gvardiol,654096:Rice,923312:Mbeumo,818975:Eze,843040:Neto,169719:Wood,863098:Cunha&amp;formation=4-1-3-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%209 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=731855:Travers,760320:Wan-Bissaka,209405:van%20Dijk,950485:Lacroix,1070712:Gvardiol,654096:Rice,923312:Mbeumo,818975:Eze,843040:Neto,169719:Wood,863098:Cunha&amp;formation=4-1-3-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%209 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=731855:Travers,760320:Wan-Bissaka,209405:van%20Dijk,950485:Lacroix,1070712:Gvardiol,654096:Rice,923312:Mbeumo,818975:Eze,843040:Neto,169719:Wood,863098:Cunha&amp;formation=4-1-3-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%209 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=731855:Travers,760320:Wan-Bissaka,209405:van%20Dijk,950485:Lacroix,1070712:Gvardiol,654096:Rice,923312:Mbeumo,818975:Eze,843040:Neto,169719:Wood,863098:Cunha&amp;formation=4-1-3-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%209 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=731855:Travers,760320:Wan-Bissaka,209405:van%20Dijk,950485:Lacroix,1070712:Gvardiol,654096:Rice,923312:Mbeumo,818975:Eze,843040:Neto,169719:Wood,863098:Cunha&amp;formation=4-1-3-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%209 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Courtesy: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)</p><h3>Highlight of the weekend 🎥</h3><p>Crystal Palace finally picked up their first win of the season Sunday, and this spectacular assist from Eberechi Eze was the decisive moment that lifted Oliver Glasner's team to a 1-0 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur. A special flick from a special player.</p><p><em>(Available to view in U.S. only)</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Crystal Palace pounce on a loose touch and Jean-Philippe Mateta fires home to give them the lead over Tottenham! 👀<br><br>📺 Peacock | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CRYTOT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CRYTOT</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ov788SOweI">pic.twitter.com/Ov788SOweI</a></p>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1850548388204302697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><em>(Available to view in Canada only)</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jean-Philippe Mateta SCORES!!<br><br>⚽ 1-0 Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur<br><br>WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 <a href="https://t.co/2w98QqADfX">https://t.co/2w98QqADfX</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PremierLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PremierLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/3z4eJuS4Pz">pic.twitter.com/3z4eJuS4Pz</a></p>— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) <a href="https://twitter.com/fuboTVCanada/status/1850547308393378010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3><p>There's territorial dominance, and then there's this from Man City ...</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Josko Gvardiol has had more touches in the final third this season than any player from any other Premier League club.</p>— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) <a href="https://twitter.com/danielstorey85/status/1850488242337882510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Social media moment 📱</h3><p>After another outstanding performance in which he scored the winning goal against Newcastle and helped set up his team's other tally with a defense-splitting pass from his own half, Chelsea star Cole Palmer was compared to club icon Gianfranco Zola by manager Enzo Maresca. Palmer's hilarious response will make you feel ancient.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cole Palmer’s FIFA knowledge 💯🎮<br><br>To be fair, he was only 1 when Zola left Chelsea 😅 <a href="https://t.co/9tJ6AuXlxp">pic.twitter.com/9tJ6AuXlxp</a></p>— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1850579297519505588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Played</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1.</strong></td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>+11</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2.</strong></td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>+12</td>
<td>22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3.</strong></td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>+7</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4.</strong></td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>+8</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6.</td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>+4</td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7.</td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>+4</td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8.</td>
<td>Tottenham</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>+8</td>
<td>13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9.</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10.</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11.</td>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12.</td>
<td>Newcastle</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13.</td>
<td>West Ham</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15.</td>
<td>Leicester</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.</td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>18.</strong></td>
<td>Ipswich Town</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>-11</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>19.</strong></td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>-13</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>20.</strong></td>
<td>Southampton</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>-13</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/28819064/related

EPL Review: Unwanted trebles, horrible misses, and depth issues

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are among the finalists for the 2024 Major League Soccer MVP award a...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/4433" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/4433">Luis Suarez</a> are among the finalists for the 2024 Major League Soccer MVP award after leading Inter Miami to a record-breaking regular season.</p><p>MLS announced the finalists for each of its major year-end awards Thursday.</p><p>The Miami superstars are joined in the race for the top individual honor by Golden Boot winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/15086" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/15086">Christian Benteke</a> of D.C. United, Columbus Crew talisman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/96354" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/96354">Cucho Hernandez</a>, and Portland sharpshooter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/167806" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/167806">Evander</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Messi is considered the front-runner after scoring 20 goals and recording 16 assists in 19 league matches. He delivered a hat-trick in the regular-season finale, lifting Miami to a victory that saw the Supporters' Shield winners establish a new MLS record for points in a single campaign.</p><p>Though the Argentine appeared in only 19 matches - just over 50% of Inter Miami's games - he exceeded the 1,000-minute benchmark needed to be considered for the year-end accolade.</p><p>Here are the finalists for each of the league's end-of-season awards:</p><h3>MVP</h3><ul>
<li>Christian Benteke - D.C. United</li>
<li>Evander - Portland Timbers</li>
<li>Cucho Hernandez - Columbus Crew</li>
<li>Lionel Messi - Inter Miami</li>
<li>Luis Suarez - Inter Miami</li>
</ul><h3>Coach of the Year</h3><ul>
<li>Chris Armas - Colorado Rapids</li>
<li>Gerardo Martino - Inter Miami</li>
<li>Wilfried Nancy - Columbus Crew</li>
</ul><h3>Newcomer of the Year</h3><p><em>The league defines a "newcomer" as a player with previous professional experience who debuted in MLS in 2024.</em></p><ul>
<li>Luca Orellano - FC Cincinnati</li>
<li>Gabriel Pec - LA Galaxy</li>
<li>Luis Suarez - Inter Miami</li>
</ul><h3>Young Player of the Year</h3><p><em>Players must be born on or after Jan. 1, 2002 to be eligible for this award.</em></p><ul>
<li>Diego Gomez - Inter Miami</li>
<li>Diego Luna - Real Salt Lake</li>
<li>Cristian Olivera - LAFC</li>
</ul><h3>Defender of the Year</h3><ul>
<li>Jordi Alba - Inter Miami</li>
<li>Steven Moreira - Columbus Crew</li>
<li>Jackson Ragen - Seattle Sounders</li>
</ul><h3>Goalkeeper of the Year</h3><ul>
<li>Kristijan Kahlina - Charlotte FC</li>
<li>Hugo Lloris - LAFC</li>
<li>Patrick Schulte - Columbus Crew</li>
</ul><h3>Comeback Player of the Year</h3><p><em>MLS uses this award to recognize a player "who has overcome a severe injury and/or adversity, thus missing a significant portion of the 2023 season, and shown improved performance to achieve success during the 2024 season."</em></p><ul>
<li>Robin Lod - Minnesota United</li>
<li>Maxi Moralez - New York City FC</li>
<li>Lewis Morgan - New York Red Bulls</li>
</ul>

COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 02: Lionel Messi #10 and Luis Suarez #9 of Inter Miami CF celebrate a goal during the second half against the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field on October 02, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/28771458/related

Messi, Suarez headline finalists for MLS MVP award

<p><em>The supersized Champions League resumed this week, with all 36 teams back in action over 48 frenetic hours. Below, theScore's soccer editors reflect on Matchday 3 in Europe's premier club competition.</em></p><h3>Key takeaway from Matchday 3 📝</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/cropped_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">picture alliance / picture alliance / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Anthony Lopopolo</strong>: What happened to Red Bull's swashbuckling sides? RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg are each without a point after three matches. Salzburg haven't even scored yet. Leipzig at least have an excuse, opening their campaign against Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Liverpool. And while they dropped all of them, Leipzig played well enough in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Reds, controlling the tempo for large chunks of the game. Leipzig also had two goals disallowed for offside. But the project is over a decade old now. Leipzig have lost steam in Europe since reaching the semifinals in 2020. Salzburg have never made it past the round of 16. This is an inflection point for Red Bull. Jurgen Klopp, its new head of soccer operations, may have a real job on his hands.</p><p><strong>Gianluca Nesci</strong>: The proverbial "big" teams actually have to work for this. Concern that more matches in the new <s>group</s> league phase would give the bigger, richer contenders more leeway to coast through to the next round was a fair critique, but it's clear through three games that many of those sides can't put things into cruise control. Paris Saint-Germain are 19th in the table after three forgettable performances. Bayern Munich have lost two straight and sit 23rd. After a bright start, Juventus was trucked at home by Stuttgart and tumbled down the standings. Atletico Madrid are in one of the elimination places. Teams will need roughly 11 points to get into the knockout playoffs, while 15 or 16 points could secure an automatic berth in the round of 16. Some of Europe's most decorated clubs need to turn things around quickly to reach those benchmarks.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Which fairy-tale team do you most believe in? 🦄</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/cropped_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w220xh124_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w320xh180_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w640xh360_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w768xh432_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Carlos Rodrigues / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Sporting CP. They're unbeaten after 12 matches to start the season and have one of Europe's most reliable scorers in Viktor Gyokeres, who already has 13 goals across the Primeira Liga and Champions League. While Manchester City and Arsenal will surely test the Portuguese side in its next two Champions League fixtures, the rest of its schedule is winnable, with matches against Club Brugge, Leipzig, and Bologna. This team has scored in all but one of its last 21 matches in European competition, and with seven points in tow, Sporting can even afford a couple of slip-ups on the path to qualifying.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Aston Villa. Despite this being their first appearance in Europe's top-tier competition since 1983, nobody thought Villa would be a pushover going into the Champions League. But let's be real: not even the most ardent supporters could have expected <em>this</em> level of success. Unai Emery, who arrived in Birmingham with the club mired in relegation trouble, has Villa sitting atop the 36-team Champions League table with a 100% record after beating Bologna on Tuesday. They haven't conceded a goal in the tournament thus far and have a relatively friendly schedule the rest of the way. Their league form - Villa sit fourth in the Premier League - crystalizes what everyone on the continent is quickly learning: Aston Villa are for real.</p><h3>This week's crisis club 😬</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/cropped_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Paris Saint-Germain. Luis Enrique's side could only convert one of its 26 attempts on goal in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven, leaving the club with just four points from three matches ahead of a challenging slate of games. PSG face Atletico, Bayern, and Manchester City and may have no choice but to accept a play-off spot when it's all said and done. The problem is that they don't have composure in front of goal. They have two goals for the 62 shots they've fired thus far. That's the third-most any team has attempted in the Champions League and a conversion rate of a little over 3%.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone's team, synonymous with solidity for so many years, is having an identity crisis. Atletico dropped their second straight Champions League match Wednesday, throwing away a lead and crumbling late in a 3-1 loss to Lille. That comes on the back of a 4-0 shellacking against Benfica. Once Europe's most miserly defensive unit, playing against Atleti was like running headfirst into a brick wall. But that wall and the aura that came with it have crumbled as the club has tried to evolve and play a more ambitious attacking game. Atleti, without a clean sheet in nearly a month, occupy one of the automatic elimination places near the bottom of the Champions League table. It's time to stick or twist.</p><h3>Player of the week 🌟</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/cropped_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/w220xh124_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/w320xh180_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/w640xh360_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/w768xh432_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alex Caparros / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Vinicius Junior. Once Real Madrid got their comeback effort underway, the Brazilian took over, flying past defenders as he completed a hat-trick in the second half of their 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund. His second goal was breathtaking. Vinicius collected the ball in Madrid's half of the field before galloping up the pitch and bending a perfect shot past the goalkeeper. It was the kind of goal only a match-winner would score. And Vinicius has been exactly that. Like Karim Benzema before him, the 24-year-old always comes up clutch when Madrid are desperate for a reaction. But he didn't just provide the breakthrough. He recovered the ball five times in the second half, showing the hunger to make something happen, even when he was dozens of yards away from the opposition third. Vinicius' energy clearly rubbed off on his teammates.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Raphinha. What a turnaround. Many Barcelona fans were longing for the club to sign Nico Williams this summer to relegate Raphinha to the bench - or have him shipped out entirely. Not anymore. The Brazilian is quickly becoming the poster child of Hansi Flick's revitalized and reinvented team. He scored a sublime hat-trick in Wednesday's 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich, wearing the armband and leading his club to a cathartic win over an old foe. With four Champions League goals on the campaign, Raphinha has already surpassed his total from last season's tournament. In all, he has nine tallies on the season, thriving in a nominal left-wing role that gives him more freedom to drift inside and attack the heart of the opposition backline.</p><h3>Should Vini win Ballon d'Or on Monday? 🏆</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/cropped_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/w220xh124_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/w320xh180_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/w640xh360_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/w768xh432_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Absolutely. You could find players who scored more last season, but Vinicius excelled in virtually every attacking category, producing in big moments and electrifying fans with a season-high 37 successful take-ons in the Champions League last term. His two goals in last year's quarterfinals against Bayern Munich helped propel Madrid to the final, where he also scored. Also, Los Blancos never lost a game in which Vinicius found the net last season. All told, he was the most valuable player on the team that won the Champions League and La Liga. Why shouldn't he win the Ballon d'Or? That's the more interesting question.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: He's going to, and he's fully deserving. But it's a little disconcerting how much of a foregone conclusion this seems considering the body of work by his closest challenger. Rodri, inarguably the most important player on a Manchester City team that made history by winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title in 2023-24, followed up that continued success at club level by earning Player of the Tournament honors during Spain's run to the Euro 2024 crown. Fair or not, Ballon d'Or voters have always placed outsize importance on international competitions when deciding who takes home the sport's most coveted individual trophy. Vinicius' Brazil flopped badly at the Copa America, while Rodri was critical to Spain's Euro triumph. Are we sure this is so cut-and-dried?</p><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><p><em>Here's the complete league phase table after Matchday 3. Remember: The top eight teams advance directly to the last 16, and the sides that finish ninth to 24th head to the new knockout phase playoffs, two-legged ties that determine who joins the eight automatic qualifiers in the round of 16. The bottom 12 clubs are eliminated from the Champions League.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2</strong></td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>Man City</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>Monaco</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>5</strong></td>
<td>Brest</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>6</strong></td>
<td>Leverkusen</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>7</strong></td>
<td>Inter</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>8</strong></td>
<td>Sporting CP</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>9</em></td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>10</em></td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>11</em></td>
<td>Borussia Dortmund</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>12</em></td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>13</em></td>
<td>Benfica</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>14</em></td>
<td>Juventus</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>15</em></td>
<td>Lille</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>16</em></td>
<td>Feyenoord</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>17</em></td>
<td>Atalanta</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>18</em></td>
<td>Stuttgart</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>19</em></td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>20</em></td>
<td>Celtic</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>21</em></td>
<td>Sparta Prague</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>22</em></td>
<td>Dinamo Zagreb</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>23</em></td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>24</em></td>
<td>Girona</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>AC Milan</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26</td>
<td>Club Brugge</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td>Atletico</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td>PSV</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td>Bologna</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td>Shakhtar</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td>RB Leipzig</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>32</td>
<td>Sturm Graz</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td>Crvena Zvezda</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>34</td>
<td>Salzburg</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td>Young Boys</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>36</td>
<td>S. Bratislava</td>
<td>-10</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/28768320/related

Champions League, Matchday 3: Big teams wobble, but Barca are back

Humans can't fly. Luckily for Erling Haaland, he doesn't seem encumbered by those mortal restrict...

<p>Humans can't fly. Luckily for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/159222" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/159222">Erling Haaland</a>, he doesn't seem encumbered by those mortal restrictions when he's on a football pitch.</p><p>The Manchester City striker soared through the air to score a scarcely believable flying backheel goal in Wednesday's 5-0 Champions League destruction of Sparta Prague.</p><p><em>(Available to view in U.S. only)</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">HOW!?! 🤯<br><br>Erling Haaland with an acrobatic finish to remember 💫 <a href="https://t.co/DANwBX30JY">pic.twitter.com/DANwBX30JY</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1849185867341906185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><em>(Available to view in Canada only)</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">ERLING HAALAND TAKE A BOW! WOW WHAT A GOAL! 😱<br><br>📺 Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> live on <a href="https://t.co/6e0eQThQd3">https://t.co/6e0eQThQd3</a> <a href="https://t.co/JSUoiQ0Ac3">pic.twitter.com/JSUoiQ0Ac3</a></p>— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) <a href="https://twitter.com/DAZN_CA/status/1849184942837641334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Haaland scored twice in the lopsided victory - of course, he did - to bring his career tally to 44 goals in 42 Champions League matches.</p><p>"If I tried to do that I'd pull my groin," <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/90747" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/90747">Phil Foden</a>, who opened the scoring after just three minutes, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3106834" href="https://thescore.com/news/3106834">told</a> reporters. "I don't know how he did it. I just think it's just his long legs.</p><p>"He's a freak, isn't he? I've seen him score one similar against Borussia Dortmund."</p><p>Pep Guardiola echoed those sentiments.</p><p>"I didn't know how he scored," the Manchester City manager said, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41966894/erling-haaland-goal-man-city-champions-league-guardiola-record">ESPN</a>. "For a human being, I would say no (it's not normal). He made a fantastic goal."</p>

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Erling Haaland of Manchester City scores their second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Manchester City and AC Sparta Praha at City of Manchester Stadium on October 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.

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Watch: 'Freak' Haaland goes airborne for incredible flying backheel goal

Raphinha is on an absolute heater.  The Barcelona winger continued his red-hot start to the seaso...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/96238" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/96238">Raphinha</a> is on an absolute heater.</p><p>The Barcelona winger continued his red-hot start to the season Wednesday, scoring a sublime hat-trick in his side's 4-1 win over Bayern Munich that ended the German side's six-match winning streak against the Catalan club.</p><p>After finding the net twice in the first half, the Brazilian completed his treble with an excellent finish in the 56th minute, smacking a low shot into the corner and giving his team an insurmountable lead after being sent through by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/193783" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/193783">Lamine Yamal</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><em>(Available to view in U.S. only)</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lamine Yamal 🤝 Raphinha<br><br>The Brazilian completes his hat-trick in style 🌟 <a href="https://t.co/PhoUEJTtQj">pic.twitter.com/PhoUEJTtQj</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1849186664352026857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><em>(Available to view in Canada only)</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">RAPHINA GET'S HIS HAT TRICK IN SUBLIME FASHION!! 🤯👏<br><br>📺 Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> live on <a href="https://t.co/6e0eQThQd3">https://t.co/6e0eQThQd3</a> <a href="https://t.co/YCJ3xAUZ02">pic.twitter.com/YCJ3xAUZ02</a></p>— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) <a href="https://twitter.com/DAZN_CA/status/1849185246857580907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Raphinha now has nine goals in 13 matches for Barcelona this season.</p><p>His hat-trick matched that of Real Madrid counterpart <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/101248" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/101248">Vinicius Junior</a>, who <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3105855" href="https://thescore.com/news/3105855">scored three times</a> in a comeback win over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. The Brazilian wingers, both in sensational form, figure to play vital roles for their respective teams when eternal rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid meet in the latest edition of El Clasico on Saturday.</p><p>"In my opinion this game could have been a (Champions League) final, to be able to win it in this way, so well, in front of our fans, is quite special and I leave here happy," Raphinha said after Wednesday's win.</p><p>"For the fans, I think it was revenge," he added, reflecting on Bayern's recent dominance against Barcelona in the competition. "As a fan I suffered through those games too."</p>

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 23: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munchen at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on October 23, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.

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Watch: Red-hot Raphinha nets hat-trick in Barca's cathartic win over Bayern

La Liga is renewing its efforts to hold a league match in the United States.  Spain's top divisio...

<p>La Liga is renewing its efforts to hold a league match in the United States.</p><p>Spain's top division is working to bring Barcelona's home game against Atletico Madrid, currently scheduled for the third weekend of December, to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41959518/laliga-target-barcelona-atletico-madrid-miami-match-sources">Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens of ESPN</a>.</p><p>Multiple issues still need to be resolved before that plan can come to fruition, Marsden and Llorens note.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>La Liga has been trying for several years to stage a competitive league fixture in the United States, but that proposal has faced staunch opposition from FIFA, U.S. Soccer, Spanish fans, and the country's federation (RFEF).</p><p>La Liga president Javier Tebas, in partnership with U.S. events promoter Relevent Sports Group, tried unsuccessfully to bring a 2018 league match between Barcelona and Girona to Miami. A year later, a Madrid court blocked the league's attempt to stage a game between Atletico and Villarreal abroad.</p><p>But resistance to the idea isn't as strong as it once was, according to Marsden and Llorens, making this latest effort a real possibility, particularly after a key court ruling earlier this year.</p><p>The U.S. Supreme Court decided in April to allow Relevent's antitrust lawsuit against FIFA and U.S. Soccer to go forward, challenging the former's longstanding policy that barred a country from hosting league matches involving teams from a different country.</p><p>FIFA's position on the current proposal remains unclear.</p><p>UEFA, which told ESPN it has "not been approached regarding this matter," would also have to sign off as the governing body of European soccer.</p><p>Uncertainty within the Spanish soccer federation is another potential hurdle. RFEF is currently without a president, but sources told Marsden and Llorens that an interim board would have the power to approve such a plan.</p><p>Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, is slated to host a regular-season game between the Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 22, making scheduling another issue to be considered.</p><p>The stadium, which seats over 65,000, hosted the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia earlier this year.</p>

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 13: General view of Hard Rock Stadium during Colombia's field recognition ahead of the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 final against Argentina on July 13, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Report: La Liga working to stage December's Barca-Atletico game in Miami

<p><em>Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 8 of the 2024-25 season.</em></p><h3>Liverpool pass 1st big test 💪</h3><p>Fair or not, Liverpool's early-season success came with a major asterisk in the eyes of most. Prior to Sunday's clash with Chelsea, the Reds had one of the most forgiving schedules in the league; Liverpool didn't face any of the current top nine in their first seven games. </p><p>Sunday, then, would provide a more accurate representation of Liverpool's credibility as a title threat. Consider the test passed. The threat is real.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Led by Curtis Jones, an unlikely hero, and Mohamed Salah, the <em>most</em> likely protagonist, Liverpool held off a Chelsea side that hadn't lost a game since August, retaining top spot in the Premier League with a 2-1 win. It wasn't all smooth sailing - Chelsea had more of the ball and took more shots - but Arne Slot's men dug in when necessary and created just enough to stay unbeaten.</p><p>"The better the teams you face, the more you need to fight," Slot told reporters after the match. "It helps if you play against a Chelsea, it is a big game and everyone feels it. We felt it and the fans felt it because they were there for us today. We showed up, that was the most important thing."</p><p>They need to keep showing up. Liverpool play Arsenal, Brighton, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Manchester City, and Tottenham before the calendar year ends.</p><p>If they're still leading the pack after that run, the caveats will be no more.</p><h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3><p><strong>Did Wolves get jobbed?</strong></p><p>In a word, no. Cruel as Wolverhampton's last-second 2-1 loss to Manchester City was after Gary O'Neil's team battled so valiantly for 95 minutes, John Stones' <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3103667" href="https://thescore.com/news/3103667">controversial header</a> was correctly awarded upon a VAR review. The goal was initially called off on the field because Bernardo Silva was adjudged to be interfering with goalkeeper Jose Sa and, thus, offside. But the Portuguese midfielder crucially disengaged with the netminder after a slight bump <em>before</em> Stones' effort - which is considered a different phase of play and, therefore, not part of the offside conversation - and moved out of the line of sight when the header itself was directed toward the goal.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It comes down to fine margins, and Wolves will no doubt ask questions about their disallowed goal against West Ham last season.<br><br>Key difference being Tawanda Chirewa was directly in front of goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and stood up. <br><br>Silva was not in the keeper's line of vision. <a href="https://t.co/KlZCB3x0Ae">pic.twitter.com/KlZCB3x0Ae</a></p>— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaleJohnsonESPN/status/1848019095825903859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Wolves, and Manchester City's title rivals, will understandably be fuming, especially considering the timing of this sequence, but, ultimately, this was the correct call. If anything, a clear push in the back by Matheus Nunes moments earlier, which allowed City to regain possession and charge back up the field to earn the corner kicks that eventually created their goal, was the real uncalled infraction that punished Wolves.</p><p><strong>West Ham implode</strong></p><p>Tottenham Hotspur deserve credit for pouring it on in the second half of Saturday's 4-1 win over West Ham United, especially considering the lows they hit in their last match prior to the international break. But let's not get it twisted: This was an implosion by the Hammers on multiple fronts. Trailing 2-1 and still very much in the match, under-fire manager Julen Lopetegui wanted to make a triple substitution to try and turn the tide. Instead, Spurs scored twice in five minutes amid confusion on the touchline, including a comical own goal that was credited to Alphonse Areola, effectively ending the match.</p><p>West Ham didn't make their desired changes until after the onslaught. Obviously, it was too late by that point. Mohammed Kudus, West Ham's most credible attacking threat, capped the collapse with a needless red card in the closing minutes. Sack watch is very much on for Lopetegui as West Ham continue to toil without an identifiable style or substance to their play.</p><p><strong>Ten Hag continues to deflect</strong></p><p>Erik ten Hag always tries to give himself an out. There's always an excuse. The Manchester United manager's latest diatribe against the world stemmed from Matthijs de Ligt's head injury during Saturday's 2-1 win over Brentford. The Dutchman, bleeding profusely from his head after a nasty clash, was forced to leave the pitch multiple times. On one such occasion, after the referee instructed him to depart for treatment, Brentford used their temporary man advantage to score from a corner kick. Ten Hag, fuming in the moment, called the situation an "injustice" after the match. There was no "injustice." The referee, by rule, must send any player with blood on their person or equipment off the field. </p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750582/cropped_GettyImages-2179593220.jpg?ts=1729360366" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750582/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179593220.jpg?ts=1729360366 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750582/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179593220.jpg?ts=1729360366 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750582/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179593220.jpg?ts=1729360366 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750582/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179593220.jpg?ts=1729360366 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750582/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179593220.jpg?ts=1729360366 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">James Gill - Danehouse / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Ten Hag can certainly twist the narrative, you have to give him that. The only sin here was his own. De Ligt, through no fault of his own, was a liability because he had to leave the field multiple times. Ten Hag had more than one opportunity to substitute him and ensure his team had 11 men on the field for the entirety of the half. He didn't. That's bordering on coaching malpractice. It's largely moot because United turned the game around in the second half, but it continues to be clear he's not the right person to bring Manchester United back to the top.</p><p><strong>Arsenal authors of their own demise</strong></p><p>Declan Rice <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3103141" href="https://thescore.com/news/3103141">said it best</a> after Arsenal's third red card of the season cost them dearly in an eventual 2-0 loss to Bournemouth. "Naive" and "silly" mistakes are threatening to derail a potential title-winning campaign. The Gunners are certainly good enough to end their title drought, but they have to stop shooting themselves in the foot to make that a reality. Mikel Arteta's team has already picked up more red cards in the opening eight games of the campaign than in the previous two Premier League seasons combined.</p><p>The usually unimpeachable William Saliba was at fault Saturday, hauling down Evanilson as he was going to latch onto a loose ball and head clean through on goal. Leandro Trossard deserves equal blame, though, as his ludicrous backward pass went astray, sailing over everyone, and giving the Bournemouth striker a chance to race forward before Saliba grabbed hold of him. Crucially, the disastrous sequence has a more long-lasting impact than just Saturday's loss, as Saliba will miss next weekend's game against Liverpool following the first red card of his senior club career.</p><h3>Star performer 🌟</h3><p><strong>Curtis Jones (Liverpool)</strong></p><p>Curtis Jones is loving life under Arne Slot right now.</p><p>The 23-year-old midfielder, starting in his second consecutive Premier League match after spending the early part of the season as a second-string option off the bench, was the best player on the pitch in Sunday's 2-1 win over Chelsea. Jones won the penalty to set up Mohamed Salah's opener and then scored the winner himself in the second half, ghosting behind the static Chelsea center-backs with a sneaky run and keeping his composure from in tight to deliver the key goal at Anfield.</p><p>Starting in an ostensibly deeper midfield position, Jones was popping up all over the pitch, as evidenced by his decisive tally, and he did a little bit of everything for Slot and his team. In addition to winning a penalty and finding the net, he won six duels, had four touches inside the Chelsea penalty area, made three tackles, and created two scoring chances.</p><p>Liverpool's midfield, once viewed as a liability, suddenly has serious depth.</p><h3>Best XI 😎</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=416175:S%C3%A1,470834:Semedo,290410:Keane,785411:Senesi,1070712:Gvardiol,933768:Jones,1336566:Buonanotte,935379:Kulusevski,883080:Rogers,1203665:Garnacho,113836:Welbeck&amp;formation=4-1-4-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%208" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=416175:S%C3%A1,470834:Semedo,290410:Keane,785411:Senesi,1070712:Gvardiol,933768:Jones,1336566:Buonanotte,935379:Kulusevski,883080:Rogers,1203665:Garnacho,113836:Welbeck&amp;formation=4-1-4-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%208 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=416175:S%C3%A1,470834:Semedo,290410:Keane,785411:Senesi,1070712:Gvardiol,933768:Jones,1336566:Buonanotte,935379:Kulusevski,883080:Rogers,1203665:Garnacho,113836:Welbeck&amp;formation=4-1-4-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%208 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=416175:S%C3%A1,470834:Semedo,290410:Keane,785411:Senesi,1070712:Gvardiol,933768:Jones,1336566:Buonanotte,935379:Kulusevski,883080:Rogers,1203665:Garnacho,113836:Welbeck&amp;formation=4-1-4-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%208 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=416175:S%C3%A1,470834:Semedo,290410:Keane,785411:Senesi,1070712:Gvardiol,933768:Jones,1336566:Buonanotte,935379:Kulusevski,883080:Rogers,1203665:Garnacho,113836:Welbeck&amp;formation=4-1-4-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%208 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/lineup-builder/team?players=416175:S%C3%A1,470834:Semedo,290410:Keane,785411:Senesi,1070712:Gvardiol,933768:Jones,1336566:Buonanotte,935379:Kulusevski,883080:Rogers,1203665:Garnacho,113836:Welbeck&amp;formation=4-1-4-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%208 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Courtesy: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)</p><h3>Highlight of the weekend 🎥</h3><p>Combine Bruno Fernandes' deft flick and Rasmus Hojlund's delicate finish, and you get an exquisite Manchester United goal.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The flick 🤩<br>The finish 😍<br>The cele 🥳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MUFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/cymLuANHgS">pic.twitter.com/cymLuANHgS</a></p>— Manchester United (@ManUtd) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1847744533754216891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3><p>When will Manchester City lose a Premier League game?</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Manchester City have set a new club record for the longest ever unbeaten run in their league history (31 games).<br><br>Pep beats his own record from 2018. 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/mqRmzblyuQ">pic.twitter.com/mqRmzblyuQ</a></p>— Squawka (@Squawka) <a href="https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1848015442754859247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Social media moment 📱</h3><p>There was a certain irony about Arsenal, the Premier League's set-piece kings, being undone by a clever Bournemouth set-piece routine. That wasn't lost on the Cherries' social media team.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Set piece routine levels 💯</p>— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) <a href="https://twitter.com/afcbournemouth/status/1847699514926264753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Played</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1.</strong></td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>+12</td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2.</strong></td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>+10</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3.</strong></td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>+7</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4.</strong></td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>+4</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6.</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>+7</td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7.</td>
<td>Tottenham</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>+9</td>
<td>13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8.</td>
<td>Newcastle</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9.</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10.</td>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12.</td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>+1</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13.</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14.</td>
<td>Leicester</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15.</td>
<td>West Ham</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.</td>
<td>Ipswich Town</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>-10</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>18.</strong></td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>19.</strong></td>
<td>Southampton</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>-12</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>20.</strong></td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>-13</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.</em></p>

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EPL Review: Liverpool rise to challenge, Arsenal step on rake

The 2024 Major League Soccer regular season came to an end Saturday with 28 teams in action and p...

<p><em>The 2024 Major League Soccer regular season came to an end Saturday with 28 teams in action and plenty on the line. Multiple clubs were jostling for playoff spots, while others were scrapping over seeding. Here's how things unfolded on Decision Day and what the playoff bracket looks like heading into the MLS postseason.</em></p><h3>Eastern Conference</h3><p>Supporters' Shield winners Inter Miami - and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> - grabbed most of the attention Saturday by hammering the New England Revolution 6-2 and establishing a new <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3103261" href="https://thescore.com/news/3103261">single-season points record</a> in a game where Messi scored a second-half hat-trick off the bench.</p><p>But the playoff drama in the East unfolded further down the table, as CF Montreal and, against all odds, Atlanta United secured the final two postseason berths at the expense of D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union. Atlanta, which fired head coach Gonzalo Pineda in June and turned to Rob Valentino as interim boss, went into Saturday's game sitting 12th in the conference but jumped up to ninth, and the last playoff place, with a win over Orlando City combined with losses for D.C. United and Philadelphia.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>D.C. United, with Golden Boot winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/15086" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/15086">Christian Benteke</a>, needed just a point to make the playoffs but fell 3-0 at home against Charlotte.</p><p>Atlanta, leading 2-1 late in Saturday's match and needing all three points, appeared to concede a decisive equalizer that would've ended their season. But Orlando's goal was chalked off for handball after a VAR review, and the Five Stripes held on to extend their campaign.</p><p>Montreal, meanwhile, beat New York City FC and will feature in the postseason for just the second time since 2016.</p><p>Montreal and Atlanta will meet in the single-elimination Wild Card match on Oct. 22. The winner advances to take on Inter Miami in Round 1, a best-of-three playoff series slated to begin Oct. 25.</p><p>The full MLS playoff schedule will be available at a later date.</p><p>Here's how the bracket shapes up in the East:</p><ul>
<li>Inter Miami (1) vs. Montreal (8) or Atlanta (9)</li>
<li>Columbus (2) vs. New York Red Bulls (7)</li>
<li>Cincinnati (3) vs. New York City FC (6)</li>
<li>Orlando City (4) vs. Charlotte (5)</li>
</ul><h3>Western Conference</h3><p>Though the playoff places in the West were already decided, seeding was at stake on Decision Day, including at the top of the conference. And there was no greater drama than the scenes that unfolded involving Los Angeles rivals the LA Galaxy and LAFC, who were taking on Houston and lowly San Jose, respectively.</p><p>The Galaxy, sitting atop the conference for much of the year, needed just a point in their final regular-season match to secure home-field advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs for the first time since 2011.</p><p>With the Galaxy trailing 1-0 in their match, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/85574" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/85574">Marlon Santos</a> scored a 91st-minute header to give LAFC a 3-1 lead in the concurrent fixture, sending his side temporarily top of the conference thanks to a superior goal difference. But <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/205843" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/205843">Gabriel Pec</a> then converted a 96th-minute penalty for the Galaxy, flipping the order back in favor of Greg Vanney's team.</p><p>But there was one more decisive twist.</p><p>Houston defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/67584" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/67584">Daniel Steres</a>, who spent five years with the Galaxy before joining the Dynamo, scored a stunning header in the 101st minute to take down his former team and allow LAFC to swipe the No. 1 seed in the West with one of the final plays of the regular season.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!? 🤯<br>DECISION DAY DRAMA 😲<a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonDynamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HoustonDynamo</a> takes down the <a href="https://twitter.com/LAGalaxy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAGalaxy</a> with a 101st minute goal and LAFC fans are loving it.<a href="https://twitter.com/LAFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAFC</a> clinch the top seed in the West! 🚨 <a href="https://t.co/I9kkEwiCR4">pic.twitter.com/I9kkEwiCR4</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1847841013869519095?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Here's what the Western Conference playoff bracket looks like after that incredible finish Saturday night:</p><ul>
<li>LAFC (1) vs. Vancouver (8) or Portland (9)</li>
<li>LA Galaxy (2) vs. Colorado (7)</li>
<li>Real Salt Lake (3) vs. Minnesota (6)</li>
<li>Seattle (4) vs. Houston (5)</li>
</ul><p>The 18 playoff teams will now embark on a journey to reach the MLS Cup final, which will take place Dec. 7.</p>

KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 05: Aaron Long (C) of Los Angeles FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal in the second half against Sporting Kansas City on October 5, 2024 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

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MLS playoff bracket set after dramatic Decision Day action

Lionel Messi took matters into his own hands.  Inter Miami made history Saturday night, crushing ...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> took matters into his own hands.</p><p>Inter Miami made history Saturday night, crushing the New England Revolution 6-2 in the final game of the 2024 regular season to establish a new Major League Soccer record for points in a single campaign with 74.</p><p>Miami came back from 2-0 down to claim the record-breaking win, with Messi coming off the bench with the game tied in the second half and promptly scoring a hat-trick after he had helped create another marker.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Messi did Messi things 🐐<br><br>First MLS hat trick to help <a href="https://twitter.com/InterMiamiCF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@InterMiamiCF</a> breaks the MLS single-season points record. <a href="https://t.co/slAuAVHUS1">pic.twitter.com/slAuAVHUS1</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1847832389076005350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The victory saw Miami eclipse the previous MLS record that was set when the Revolution racked up 73 points in 2021.</p><p>Gerardo "Tata" Martino's team is only the fourth in MLS history to break the 70-point barrier, joining the aforementioned Revs, LAFC (2019), and the New York Red Bulls (2018).</p><p>Miami went into the contest having already secured the Supporters' Shield. With the playoffs on the horizon, Martino opted to leave captain Messi out of the starting lineup as he continues to manage his minutes after a recent ankle injury.</p><p>The home side came out sluggish, conceding twice in the opening 34 minutes, but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/4433" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/4433">Luis Suarez</a> scored a pair of slick goals in a three-minute span just before the halftime interval to bring Miami level and bring his tally to 20 goals on the campaign.</p><p>Messi entered the match to raucous applause in the 57th minute and within seconds made an impact as he helped create <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/192570" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/192570">Benjamin Cremaschi</a>'s close-range finish. That stood up as the eventual match-winning goal.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Tonight we celebrate... and let's get ready for the playoffs."<br><br>David Beckham thanks the fans, players &amp; staff after <a href="https://twitter.com/InterMiamiCF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@InterMiamiCF</a> breaks the MLS single-season points record and lifts the Supporters' Shield. 🛡️🥳 <a href="https://t.co/iIodgqmnNC">pic.twitter.com/iIodgqmnNC</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1847803644579557757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>But Messi wasn't done there. Not even close.</p><p>The Argentine then went on a personal scoring spree. He notched his first of the game with a vintage left-footed strike in the 78th minute, added another three minutes later, and then capped his rapid hat-trick by finishing off a sensational team move in the waning seconds.</p><p>He finishes the regular season with 20 goals in 19 matches.</p><p>After the match, with the team celebrating its multiple regular-season accomplishments, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed on the pitch that Inter Miami will take part in next summer's Club World Cup, adding that the MLS side will host the opening match of the supersized event on June 15.</p>

Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates with Uruguayan forward #09 Luis Suarez after scoring his team's fifth goal during the Major League Soccer (MLS) football match between Inter Miami and New England Revolution at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, October 19, 2024.

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Messi's hat-trick lifts Inter Miami to MLS single-season points record

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