“THE first ‘big six’ clash of the season saw two clubs with a 100% record come face-to-face. Arsenal played host to Chelsea at the Emirates but the hosts received a shock in the first minute when Morgan Rogers netted his second goal since arriving from Aston Villa. Former Chelsea man Kai Havertz scored the equaliser in the 25th minute with a shot that goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez should probably have stopped and the game was clinched by Martin Ødegaard in the 50th. Arsenal showed they are out to retain their title and Chelsea suggested they are a better equipped side than last season, but they are still some way from being contenders. Manchester City also have a 100% record after beating Coventry City with a goal from Erling Haaland. Liverpool secured their first win under new manager Andoni Iraola as they beat Ipswich Town at Portman Road (pictured). …”
Game of the People
Torino’s Nikola Vlasic equalises from the spot against Inter Milan in Serie A
European Round-up: Arsenal put Chelsea in their place
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Bournemouth might have unearthed another top talent in Alvaro Rodriguez
“… That is how one senior Atletico Madrid source described the situation surrounding Julian Alvarez this summer. Although deadline day ended with Alvarez staying at Atletico, the fallout from the window’s most bitter transfer saga is only just settling — and the story is far from over. 
“Julian Alvarez was whistled and insulted by Atletico Madrid fans as he made his first appearance for the club since expressing his desire to move away, amid interest from Barcelona and Arsenal. Alvarez’s name was jeered by the Atletico supporters at the Metropolitano when it was read out before their La Liga game against Villarreal, while many gestured and made their feelings clear towards the Argentina striker when he began to warm up around the hour mark. …”
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“After the final whistle of Rayo Vallecano’s 3-0 Conference League quarter-final first leg win over AEK Athens on April 9, almost the entire crowd of 14,000 stayed behind in the stands for over 15 minutes to sing and celebrate together. Rayo’s players and coaches remained on the pitch to share a joyful connection with fans whose support had helped the team overwhelm their Greek opponents. Most of those present eventually headed home, or to the many neighbourhood bars in the working-class Madrid suburb of Vallecas that gives the club its name. But others stayed behind to form queues outside the stadium, with some fans camping out overnight to secure a ticket for the second leg. …”
“IT’s always entertaining to watch Diego Simeone on the touchline at an Atlético Madrid game; he’s a human jack-in-the-box, a black-clad octopus who resembles a rabid director of inner-city traffic. For 15 years, Simeone has been the driving force behind the club’s graduation from Real Madrid and Barcelona’s wing men to contenders for silverware. In his time, they have won two league titles, the Copa del Rey and two Europa Leagues, not to mention reaching two Champions League finals. In 14 seasons, Atlético have never finished below fifth and that was in Simeone’s first half-season in charge. …”
“The last time Elche were a top-flight side, they were flirting with unwanted records. In 2022-23 — their centenary year — they finished 12 points adrift at the bottom of the table, cycled through six different managers, and went 19 games without a win to get the season underway. Only two teams have ever made a worse start. But two years away from the limelight looks to have done Elche good, with a rebuilt squad and new approach under coach Eder Sarabia. He has taken them back to the top tier with a distinct brand of possession football, and it was only defeat to Alaves before the international break that prevented them from becoming the first newly-promoted side in Spanish top-flight history to go unbeaten in their opening eight games. …”
Scissors Kick 