Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris believes his side showed in their 0-0 draw at QPR that they have the battling qualities needed to sustain a promotion challenge.The Sky Bet Championship leaders have been dominant so far this season but were not at their best at Loftus Road and had to hold on after Jobe Bellingham was sent off early in the second half.Frenchman Le Bris said: “We feel we can pl...Full Story »

Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City “couldn’t handle” Bournemouth as his injury-hit side lost 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium to see their unbeaten run in the Premier League ended after 32 games.The champions were without key players, and in the absence of John Stones and Ruben Dias fielded a makeshift defence into which Bournemouth ripped with a fearless attacking display, capp...Full Story »

Ian Holloway admitted he needed an ice bath to contain his excitement after seeing Swindon come back to reach the FA Cup second round with a 2-1 win over Colchester.Town looked to be heading for their customary early Cup exit after Arthur Read found Harry Anderson in space on the right and the forward burst through on goal and rifled into the far corner in the 64th minute.But Swindon substitute ...Full Story »

Head coach Tom Cleverley lauded four-goal Vakoun Bayo after Watford climbed into the top six of the Championship with a stunning 6-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.Michael Smith quickly cancelled out Ryan Porteous’ opener before penalties from Tom Ince and Bayo put Watford in the driving seat.Bayo bagged his second and claimed the match ball either side of Pol Valentin&rs...Full Story »

Chesterfield assistant manager Danny Webb admitted Isthmian Premier League side Horsham caused them problems before his side advanced to the second round of the FA Cup.Leading scorer Will Grigg netted early in both the first and second half and Armando Dobra was also on the scoresheet in a 3-1 win.Horsham thought they could cause an FA Cup upset after substitute Chris Dickson’s consolation...Full Story »

Wigan manager Shaun Maloney heaped praise on goalkeeper Sam Tickle as the England Under-21 international made several key saves in his side’s 2-0 success at Carlisle in the first round of the FA Cup.Tickle made some brilliant saves to stave off a galvanised Carlisle side, who felt aggrieved by Ethan Robson’s 14th-minute red card.There were two in particular, from Luke Armstrong and D...Full Story »

Manager Matthew Taylor reflected on a proud day for Wealdstone as they caused an FA Cup first-round upset with a 1-0 triumph at Grimsby.Alex Reid’s 90th-minute strike was enough to give the National League strugglers an unlikely victory at the home of a side sitting 10th in League Two.And former Portsmouth and West Ham midfielder Taylor pointed to a half-time tactical tweak that helped his...Full Story »

Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke praised the professionalism of his side after they booked their place in the second round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win over his former club Port Vale.Goals from Marc Roberts and Davis Keillor-Dunn were added to by substitute Adam Phillips’ coolly-taken penalty to secure victory for Clarke on his return to Vale Park, while Ronan Curtis replied for the Valiant...Full Story »

Stephen Robinson joked he might have to step up to take St Mirren’s next penalty after Greg Kiltie became the latest player to miss a spot-kick for the Buddies.Saints lacked the cutting-edge required to get the better of a resolute Ross County side who held firm for their second 0-0 draw in four days in the William Hill Premiership.After skipper Mark O’Hara relinquished penalty duty ...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers were taken to extra time by Vanarama National League South side Weston-super-Mare before beating their West Country neighbours 3-1 to book a place in the FA Cup second round.A 95th-minute header from Rovers centre-back Connor Taylor, meeting Luke McCormack’s whipped cross, in the first half of the additional period saw Rovers reclaim the lead after the match had finished 1-1...Full Story »