Premier League
Five takeaways from the weekend: Richarlison’s run, West Ham alarm and Gyokeres’ double
Richarlison leads Spurs; West Ham require signings; promoted sides humbled; Gyokeres and Grealish now
Richarlison has begun the season strongly and appears to have claimed a leading role at Tottenham. After scoring twice in the win over Burnley, he was central to Tottenham’s impressive win at Manchester City. He set up the opening goal for Brennan Johnson and led a press that City struggled to deal with. Dominic Solanke was the favoured forward last season but Richarlison has made the most of his opportunity under new head coach Thomas Frank. In this form, he’ll be difficult for Solanke to oust.
West Ham head into a consequential week with the transfer window closing in seven days. Graham Potter’s position is under real threat after a nightmare start to the season, with Friday’s home humbling against Chelsea pushing him towards the exit door. Potter has failed to improve the side’s fortunes since arriving last season and a modest summer in the transfer market has added to their issues. Mads Hermansen has started poorly, while the club’s glaring issues in midfield have not been addressed. A midfield duo of James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek lacks dynamism, with Chelsea cutting through at will during their 5-1 success in East London. After an uninspiring transfer window so far, West Ham need a lift before the deadline shuts. Based on their opening two performances, the Hammers are in a fight for survival.
Promoted sides Sunderland and Leeds received a reality check after opening-weekend victories. Leeds were well beaten at Arsenal, losing 5-0 in North London. Sunderland, who stunned West Ham last week on Wearside, fell to defeat at Burnley on Saturday as Burnley ran over Regis Le Bris’ side at Turf Moor. Both clubs have learned that any off day will be punished at this level. A neutral positive is that Burnley’s win means all three promoted sides have now tasted victory after just two games.
Arsenal’s start looks strong on the surface: two wins, two clean sheets and a place at the top of the table with Mikel Arteta. Viktor Gyokeres opened his Arsenal account with two goals against Leeds, answering critics after a quiet debut and an unremarkable first half. His first was a surging run into the box and his brace will have done his confidence a world of good ahead of next week’s huge trip to Anfield. The arrival of Eberechi Eze could help unlock Gyokeres by supplying the early passes he often seeks.
Jack Grealish made his full debut as Everton opened the Hill Dickinson Stadium with a win against Brighton and played a decisive role. The loan recruit created the historic first goal for Iliman Ndiaye and added a second assist for James Garner’s fierce drive. After a poor period at Manchester City, this was more like the Grealish of old.
Premier League
Premier League confirms 15 nominees for 2025 Hall of Fame shortlist
Premier League name 15 nominees for 2025 Hall of Fame; two inductees to be announced Nov 4 ceremony.
The Premier League has published the 15 players nominated for entry to the Hall of Fame in 2025. Two inductees will be chosen from this shortlist and revealed at an induction event on November 4.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger were inducted in 2023 and remain the only managers included in the scheme. To date 22 all-time great players have joined the Hall of Fame alongside those two managers. The 2025 selection will add two more names from the new group of nominees.
Of the 15 players on the 2025 shortlist, 13 carried over from the list offered in 2024. The candidates seeking places include Michael Owen, Nemanja Vidić and Gary Neville. The winners are decided by a combination of fan votes and selection from each of the existing 24 members.
The shortlist contains two new faces. Patrice Evra is listed as a five-time Premier League champion with Manchester United, and the list also references another three-time winner with the Red Devils. Teddy Sheringham is named on the shortlist and is recorded as having made 417 appearances in the competition across spells with United, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth and West Ham United.
An induction event will be held on November 4, when the two winners will be announced.
The Hall of Fame membership so far and their year of induction is as follows:
Alan Shearer 2021
Thierry Henry 2021
Eric Cantona 2021
Roy Keane 2021
Frank Lampard 2021
Dennis Bergkamp 2021
Steven Gerrard 2021
David Beckham 2021
Wayne Rooney 2022
Patrick Vieira 2022
Sergio Agüero 2022
Didier Drogba 2022
Vincent Kompany 2022
Peter Schmeichel 2022
Paul Scholes 2022
Ian Wright 2022
Tony Adams 2023
Petr Čech 2023
Rio Ferdinand 2023
Sir Alex Ferguson 2023
Arsène Wenger 2023
Ashley Cole 2024
Andy Cole 2024
John Terry 2024
Two further players will join this roll of honour following the 2025 vote and selection process.
Liverpool
‘I Have No Idea’ — Wirtz on Adapting After a Quiet Liverpool Start
Wirtz admits he is still adapting to the Premier League after a slow start at Liverpool; goal followed.
Florian Wirtz has acknowledged that he is still finding his feet after a subdued beginning to life at Liverpool. The 22-year-old admitted the Premier League represents an adjustment and accepted that early expectations have made the opening weeks more challenging.
Pressure intensified during the international break when German media criticised his role in a 2–0 defeat to Slovakia. Wirtz answered those critics with a high-quality strike that completed a 3–1 win over Northern Ireland. He celebrated by pointing to his ear, a gesture that appeared to address his detractors.
After the match, RTL asked whether the move to England had taken its toll, and Wirtz offered a frank assessment. “It’s another league, another type of football,” Wirtz said of his slow start. “I’m happy to be there.” When asked if he believes he will open his account for Liverpool soon, Wirtz added: “I have no idea when I’ll score my first goal, hopefully in the next game, but it will come at some point.”
Against Slovakia Wirtz struggled when used out on the left of Germany’s attack, but he was returned to a more natural attacking midfield position for the Northern Ireland match. In that role he not only scored but created a game-high three chances and won more fouls than any other player on the pitch.
Wirtz will hope to replicate that attacking midfield influence when Liverpool resume Premier League duties away at Burnley at the weekend. That fixture will represent his fifth appearance in a Reds shirt and offers another chance to find consistency in a new league.
Manchester City
Haaland Shrugs Off Bus-Door Cut and Teases Teammate After Snapchat Post
Haaland needed three stitches after a bus compartment door struck his lip; he then poked fun again.
Erling Haaland required three stitches to his lip after a luggage compartment door struck him as he left the Norway team coach, and he turned the incident into light-hearted social media banter. The Manchester City striker posted the extent of the damage on Snapchat and did not hide his amusement.
“Just got banged out by a bus door. 3 stitches,” Haaland laughed on Snapchat. The message prompted a stream of comments, including sceptical followers who questioned whether a bus door was truly at fault. Haaland encouraged responses by asking for “wrong answers only”, inviting playful speculation.
One user suggested Arsenal midfielder and Norway captain Martin Ødegaard. Haaland seized the opportunity to poke fun at his long-time teammate and replied: “Correct,” which drew more amusement from his followers.
Beyond the jokes, the factual context is straightforward. Norway sit top of their World Cup qualification group with four wins from as many games and travel to face a Moldova side still searching for their first point. Haaland scored in Norway’s 5–0 win over Moldova in March and arrives at Tuesday’s fixture in strong form, having netted four goals in four games across all competitions for club and country this season.
City and country remain the backdrop to the story: a brief, peculiar injury, a public grin on social media, and a reminder of Haaland’s ongoing scoring form. The incident drew attention because of the unusual cause and Haaland’s readiness to treat it as a moment of humour rather than a setback. On the field, his record this season suggests he will be central to Norway’s hopes as they seek to maintain their perfect qualifying record.
