AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson felt his side were worthy winners after they defeated Charlton 1-0 at the Valley in the Carabao Cup first round.The Plough Lane side booked their place in the second round with a first-half goal from Paul Osew.Robinson made eight changes, but was certain his much-altered outfit showed plenty of strength in depth.He said “I thought we caused a few of o...Full Story »

Much-changed Birmingham squeezed through to the Carabao Cup second round after debutant Marcel Oakley’s late goal downed a spirited Colchester 1-0 at St Andrew’s.Oakley’s deflected shot in the 76th minute finally saw off the League Two side as crowds returned to St. Andrew’s for the first time since March 7, 2020.But there was little to cheer for the home fans – who...Full Story »

Leyton Orient are without Adam Thompson and Harry Smith for the visit of QPR in the EFL Cup.Defender Thompson is not ready to return from an ankle injury and striker Smith is recovering from a knee problem.Both have stepped up their rehabilitation but Wednesday’s match comes too soon.Veteran skipper Darren Pratley could be rested by boss Kenny Jackett.QPR could welcome back Ilias Chair, wh...Full Story »

The Reds defender will miss the opening weeks of the campaign after suffering a knock in a pre-season friendly Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is expected to miss weeks rather than months as the full-back says he'll work hard to come back from his recent injury. Robertson has been diagnosed with some ligament damage that will take time to heal, keeping him out of the first few games of Liv...Full Story »

Blackburn are expected to be without Joe Rankin-Costello and Bradley Johnson when they host Morecambe in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.The duo are not expected to be fit in time to feature in the clash after missing Saturday’s season opener against Swansea.However, manager Tony Mowbray has no new injury concerns to deal with following their Sky Bet Championship curtain-rais...Full Story »

Cardiff could hand a first start of the season to Kieffer Moore for their Carabao Cup first-round clash with Sutton.The Wales striker missed pre-season due to Covid but came off the bench in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship draw at home to Barnsley.If Moore does come in it is likely to be as one of several changes made by Bluebirds boss Mick McCarthy.With the likes of Lee Tomlin, Isaac Vass...Full Story »

Birmingham boss Lee Bowyer is likely to make a number of changes to his side for the Carabao Cup first-round visit of Colchester.Blues opened their Sky Bet Championship campaign with a 1-0 win at recently-relegated Sheffield United but many of the side are likely to be rotated.Chelsea loanee Juan Castillo could make his full debut after coming off the bench on Saturday, while fellow new arrival ...Full Story »

Michael Ballack's long term girlfriend Natacha Tannous has shared an emotional tribute to his teenage son Emilio following his death in a tragic quad bike accident earlier this week. The 18-year-old was killed after the vehicle flipped close to their family holiday home in Troia, which is close to the capital of Lisbon, in the early hours of Thursday. Police said that Emilio, who is one of thr...Full Story »

Chelsea's 2020/21 Chelsea endured a mixed 2020/21 campaign to say the least. It began pretty poorly, with the Blues having even looked as though they would struggle to crack the top-four under Frank Lampard. However, Lampard would eventually be replaced by Thomas Tuchel, who transformed Chelsea into one of the best sides in Europe. During his short period in charge, Tuchel has already pick...Full Story »

Captain Kyle McFadzean grabbed a stoppage-time winner as Coventry celebrated their return to the city with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.The 34-year-old defender drove in from 15 yards to ensure the Sky Blues won their first match back at the Coventry Building Society Arena.It represented a terrific finale for Mark Robins’ men, who had spent the last two years as tenants at...Full Story »

St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson was disappointed that his side were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Motherwell having been in control for the majority of the cinch Premiership game before Tony Watt’s equaliser 10 minutes from time.St Johnstone had led through a first-half Stephen O’Donnell own goal but the visitors hit back late on.“The disappointing thing is we did n...Full Story »

The returning Celtic fans discovered a new hero as Kyogo Furuhashi bagged a home-debut hat-trick in a 6-0 victory over Dundee.The Japan international netted twice from close range in the first half before sealing his treble immediately before going off to the acclaim of 24,500 supporters midway through the second period.After netting on his first start in Thursday’s Europa League win again...Full Story »

The ex-Tottenham boss came flying off the touchline to contest a dubious goal against his team and was promptly sent packing There is no such thing as a friendly match when Jose Mourinho is involved, and the Roma boss proved as much by receiving a red card when tempers boiled over in Saturday's pre-season clash with Betis. The well-travelled manager has never been afraid to share his opinio...Full Story »

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson praised his players’ defensive diligence as they won at St Mirren to move to the top of the cinch Premiership.Goals from Andy Halliday and Liam Boyce gave the visitors a commanding lead and meant Joe Shaughnessy’s late header served only as a consolation for Saints who also had Kristian Dennis sent off.It was Hearts’ first win in Paisley for almost...Full Story »

Wayne Rooney was happy to see his last-minute team selection pay off after Derby claimed a hard-fought point against Huddersfield.Rooney only decided what his team would be on the morning of the game and was delighted with the way they responded.Considering the transfer embargo and the restrictions Rooney has been working under, Derby started well and created several half-chances with Louie Wats...Full Story »

Lee Johnson thinks Sunderland have shown what they are made of by starting the season with a much-needed victory over Wigan in front of more than 30,000 at the Stadium of Light.However, the Black Cats head coach insists there is still more to come despite seeing encouraging signs as his side come from behind to beat an ambitious Latics side 2-1 in Sky Bet League One.Wigan took the lead on 15 min...Full Story »

Michael Duff expects Cheltenham to have some tough days ahead during their first League One campaign in 12 years.But the Robins started off with a point from a 1-1 draw at Crewe after Andy Williams and Mikael Mandron traded first-half goals.Loyalty to the squad which won the League Two title last term and a lack of resources has meant Duff has not been the busiest manager in this summer’s ...Full Story »

Mark Robinson felt his side showed the AFC Wimbledon spirit as they came from behind to beat Doncaster.The Dons had the better of the first half but fell behind when Charlie Seaman netted for Rovers seconds after the break.While manager Robinson admitted he had some concerns over how his young side would react, he need not have worried as Ayoub Assal equalised before new signing Luke McCormick c...Full Story »

Stoke boss Michael O’Neill praised his side’s character after a thrilling 3-2 win against Reading.The Potters were twice pegged back as goals from Nick Powell and Jacob Brown were cancelled out by John Swift and Liam Moore, but debutant Sam Surridge came off the bench to grab a late winner in an entertaining encounter at the Bet365 Stadium.It is the first time since 2009 that Stoke h...Full Story »

Kilmarnock snatched a late 1-0 win at Queen of the South to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Scottish Championship season.Jason Naismith struck in time added on to ensure Killie kept pace with Partick Thistle and Inverness at the top of the fledgling table.Naismith fired low into the net when Rumarn Burrell slid him in.Liam Polworth had a first-half goal ruled out for offside for the vis...Full Story »