Fleetwood Town manager Matt Lawlor struggled to contain his emotions after his League Two side produced one of the greatest shocks in Carabao Cup history by eliminating Arsenal. The Poulton-le-Fylde-born coach watched his team secure a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the reigning Premier League champions at Highbury.
Fleetwood Town defender Conor Haughey has sensationally revealed that he did not spend a single minute practising penalties before firing the decisive spot-kick to eliminate Arsenal from the Carabao Cup. The 19-year-old showed remarkable composure at Highbury to secure one of the greatest upsets in the competition's long history.
Fleetwood Town defender Jake Batty hailed his team-mates' resilience after the fourth-tier underdogs pulled off a monumental Carabao Cup shock by eliminating Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties. Despite sitting 84 places below Mikel Arteta's men in the football pyramid, the hosts held firm for a 1-1 draw before winning 5-3 on spot-kicks.
Espanyol have officially parted ways with head coach Manolo Gonzalez following a disastrous exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of fourth-tier opposition. The Catalan club confirmed the decision on Tuesday after a dramatic 4-3 defeat against Sestao River Club proved to be the final straw for the hierarchy.
Mikel Arteta could not hide his fury as Arsenal's Carabao Cup campaign ended in a shocking fourth-round defeat to League Two minnows Fleetwood Town. The Gunners boss was seen animatedly berating teenage prospect Max Dowman on the touchline after a moment of madness left the North London giants short-handed during a dismal evening at Highbury Stadium.
Xabi Alonso has insisted he will celebrate if Chelsea score against his former club Liverpool in the Carabao Cup at Anfield. The Blues must do it without star Brazilian striker Joao Pedro, who faces weeks on the sidelines with a thigh problem picked up in training on the eve of Saturday's dismal 2-0 derby defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Fleetwood Town, losing 5-3 on penalties after a -1-1 draw. Despite dominating possession and a second-half equaliser from Viktor Gyoekeres, Mikel Arteta's side could not find a way past the stubborn fourth-tier hosts.
Paul Scholes believes Bruno Fernandes can no longer be trusted as Manchester United captain and should move to Saudi Arabia after his 'unforgivable' criticism of Michael Carrick. Fernandes questioned the manager's tactics after the 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como and was then dropped for the Bournemouth game, with Nicky Butt claiming he has jeopardised his legacy.
Chelsea are weighing up a move for Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari after talks over a new contract stalled. The Sweden international's deal expires at the end of the season, while Xabi Alonso is still looking to add a midfielder to his squad following the deadline-day sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City over the summer. Galatasaray and AC Milan are also keeping tabs on him.
Arsenal's Carabao Cup encounter with Fleetwood Town was hit by a bizarre delay on Tuesday evening as an unauthorised drone forced officials to suspend play. The fourth-round fixture was only minutes old when the mystery object was spotted, leading to concerns over safety at Highbury Stadium.
Crystal Palace are considering former Tottenham boss Thomas Frank as a potential replacement for Pierre Sage, with recent results having increased the pressure on the Frenchman. Frank, who has been out of work since leaving Spurs in February, is highly regarded at Selhurst Park, but his struggles in north London remain a concern as the Eagles weigh up their options.
Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal has broken his silence following the recent Ballon d'Or ceremony, where he watched Harry Kane walk away with the game’s most prestigious individual honour. The teenage sensation, who has taken world football by storm over the last eighteen months, remains undeterred by the result as he sets his sights on future dominance.
Barcelona have set their sights on Leeds United’s rising star Tarik Muharemovic as a priority long-term reinforcement for their backline. The Bosnian international has emerged as one of the most promising defenders in England, sparking a heavy scouting mission from the Catalan giants.
Julian Nagelsmann is interested in becoming Manchester United's next manager and holds a key advantage over frontrunner Eddie Howe in the race to succeed Michael Carrick. Nagelsmann would cost nothing to appoint after leaving his Germany role in July, while United would have to pay Newcastle compensation to land Howe, with Carrick set to stay on for Saturday's trip to Chelsea.
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has praised Harry Kane after the England captain won the 2026 Ballon d'Or in London on Monday evening, describing his numbers as "frightening". The Italian revealed that he and his staff felt it was a logical choice, adding that it was right for the award to go to a player who is not always highlighted like some of his rivals.
UEFA has officially barred Lens supporters from attending their upcoming Champions League clash at Anfield against Liverpool. The heavy sanction follows a series of crowd disturbances and the extensive use of pyrotechnics during recent European fixtures.
Former France international Jerome Rothen has launched a blistering attack on Kylian Mbappe following the conclusion of the Ballon d'Or ceremony. The pundit suggested that the Real Madrid forward relied more on a calculated public relations strategy than his on-pitch performances to secure a high ranking in the final standings.
LAFC winger Son Heung-min suffered a racist microaggression from a supporter following their thrilling derby draw with LA Galaxy on Sunday. A spectator was filmed hurling a racial slur at the South Korean international as he thanked the crowd after the final whistle. The shocking incident has sparked widespread fury across social media, with fans demanding immediate action.
Switzerland have officially welcomed Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo back into the national team setup following a controversial investigation into forged COVID-19 vaccination documents. The pair were sidelined during recent international windows as the Swiss Football Association (SFV) scrutinized their actions from 2022.
Kai Rooney scored four goals in 44 minutes as Manchester United’s Under-18s thrashed Burnley 6-0 on Tuesday. The 16-year-old forward’s clinical display has left fans calling for him to be fast-tracked into Michael Carrick’s first team, who head to Chelsea on Saturday on the back of an eight-game winless run capped by a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Gary Neville has admitted he is stunned by Manchester United's decision to retain Michael Carrick as manager following a disastrous run of form. Despite intense pressure after a heavy home defeat, the club legend will remain in the dugout for this weekend's pivotal Premier League meeting with Chelsea.
Jamie Carragher has offered a blunt assessment of Harry Kane’s historic Ballon d’Or victory, suggesting the striker would have remained empty-handed had he stayed at Tottenham. The former Liverpool defender believes the England captain’s move to Germany was the essential catalyst for his individual recognition on the world stage.
France's top-flight football schedule has been thrown into chaos as escalating nationwide protests over rising living costs have forced authorities to postpone several key weekend fixtures. Following an earlier police intervention that delayed the clash between heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, severe civil unrest continues to stretch security resources across the country.
Chelsea have been hit with a significant setback ahead of their midweek Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool, with Xabi Alonso confirming that Joao Pedro is set for a spell on the sidelines. The Brazilian forward was a surprise omission from the squad that faced Tottenham at the weekend and is now expected to miss several weeks of action.
Juventus have identified USMNT international Folarin Balogun as their priority attacking target ahead of the January transfer window. The out-of-favour Monaco striker is desperate for a fresh start after a proposed deadline-day move to Everton collapsed following his medical.
