Two expertly taken goals from Will Smallbone and Tyrese Campbell inside eight second-half minutes propelled Stoke to a wholly deserved 2-0 win at Preston.Stoke’s win meant a successful first return to Deepdale for former Preston boss Alex Neil, who has revived hopes of a promotion challenge after taking charge of the Potters in August.Midfielder Smallbone, on loan from Southampton, sparked...Full Story »

Simon Weaver avoided equalling the longest winless run of his 13-and-a-half year tenure as Harrogate manager following a 2-1 triumph over fellow strugglers Hartlepool.The Sulphurites had lost nine of their last 10 contests without a victory in all competitions but midfielder Alex Pattison’s fourth goal of the season and striker Jack Muldoon’s first since the campaign’s opening ...Full Story »

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is losing patience with his attacking players after another blunt display at Nottingham Forest.Villa needed a spectacular strike by Ashley Young to earn a 1-1 draw with Forest, who went ahead through Emmanuel Dennis’ first-half header.Gerrard has bemoaned his side’s lack of attacking quality this season and again it was evident as Villa failed to put o...Full Story »

Alex Neil hailed Phil Jagielka as “incredible” after the 40-year-old inspired Stoke to a 3-1 victory over his former club Sheffield United.The veteran defender scored one and set up another as Stoke secured a first home win under new boss Neil since his arrival from Sunderland.Jagielka crossed for Ben Wilmot’s early opener and then scored his first goal since April 2019, either...Full Story »

Alex Hurst’s second-half goal helped York beat rock-bottom Torquay 1-0.Hurst picked up the ball on halfway in the 71st minute and ran clear before firing under Gulls keeper Mark Halstead.The goal allowed City to make amends for their disappointing reverse in the midweek derby with Halifax.Prior to Hurst’s strike, Lenell John-Lewis had gone close for York and Maziar Kouhyar hit the ba...Full Story »

PAUL MERSON COLUMN: Despite City's current dominance in the Premier League filling the trophy cabinet at the Etihad Stadium is dependent on one major factor and it could all unravel It sounds crazy after they put six past Manchester United but I don't agree with the idea that Manchester City are untouchable and the best side on the planet. Don't get me wrong, they're incredible but I still thi...Full Story »

Stoke manager Alex Neil will be without four key players for his side’s Sky Bet Championship clash against Sheffield United at the bet365 Stadium.Sam Clucas will miss out again with a hamstring injury, while Harry Souttar is continuing his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament tear.Gavin Kilkenny (groin) and Jacob Brown (muscle) are also expected to be absent.Harry Clarke, who marked...Full Story »

Alex Neil felt his homework paid off as Stoke struck late to earn a point from a 1-1 Sky Bet Championship draw with Burnley.Sub Harry Clarke headed in with three minutes remaining to cancel out Connor Roberts’ opener for the home side early in the second half and ensure the Potters left Turf Moor with a positive result on the back of a 4-0 weekend drubbing at the hands of Watford.Neil reve...Full Story »

Bristol City will be without key midfielder Alex Scott for their Sky Bet Championship clash with Coventry.Scott was booked for the fifth time this season in Saturday’s defeat by QPR and must serve a one-match ban.The Robins have lost their last three matches and remain short at the back, with Tomas Kalas (knee) facing further time on the sidelines while Timm Klose was at Ashton Gate on Sat...Full Story »

Crewe boss Alex Morris knows his side need more fire in front of goal after a dour goalless draw at Carlisle.Morris admitted it was a “tough watch” after the snooze fest at Brunton Park.Striker Kristian Dennis, who has scored eight times this season, squandered Carlisle’s best chance when he headed wide on the stroke of half time.Alex stopper Arthur Okonkwo produced a good save...Full Story »

Alex MacDonald’s dramatic winner earned Gillingham only their second victory of the season in a 1-0 defeat of Sutton at Priestfield.Josh Neufville’s curling shot forced Gills goalkeeper Glenn Morris into an early save before Sutton defender Joe Kizzi missed the target after connecting with Will Randall’s deep corner.The hosts remarkably had more goals disallowed – three &...Full Story »

Defender Alex Pearce is likely to miss AFC Wimbledon’s home clash against Colchester due to a groin injury.The summer signing, who has deputised as captain this season, was forced off after just seven minutes at Bradford last weekend and is not expected to feature.Chris Gunter is back from international duty with Wales and should nudge teenager Isaac Ogundere out of the side after a solid ...Full Story »

FOOTIE star Eric Dier has another reason to smile after getting his England place back - he's scored with stunning model Anna Modler. The Tottenham centre back has landed a blow on rivals Arsenal after stepping out with the pin-up ex of their former star Alexis Sanchez. Anne Modler is blissfully happy with Eric Dier, a pal told The SunCredit: Instagram Eric met South African beauty Anna throu...Full Story »

Stoke boss Alex Neil insisted his side were denied an obvious penalty in the final moments of their 0-0 Sky Bet Championship draw at QPR.Referee Matt Donohue waved away the visitors’ appeals after Ben Wilmot went down under a challenge from Kenneth Paal at Loftus Road.Neil said: “The game shouldn’t be remembered for one incident. But I think it’s a clear penalty.“I&...Full Story »

Alex Morris believes Crewe are on the right track after a 1-0 win over Crawley.Many fans feared last April’s relegation to League Two could trigger a further downward spiral, but Alexandra are sitting ninth in the table after nine games.They claimed their first triumph since mid-August after Courtney Baker-Richardson netted the winner in the 73rd minute.“When the club were relegated ...Full Story »

Alexander Isak’s second-half penalty salvaged a point for Newcastle but Eddie Howe’s men are still searching for their first Premier League win since the opening day of the season after they were held by Bournemouth at St James’s Park.Howe’s first game as manager against the club he coached from the depths of League Two to the top flight threatened to turn into one to for...Full Story »

Jacob Ramsey fired Aston Villa to a vital 1-0 win over Southampton.The midfielder’s first goal of the season lifted Villa to 13th, level on points with their visitors, and eased any pressure on manager Steven Gerrard.The hosts built on their point against Manchester City with a workmanlike, if not fluid, display although, in reality, it did little to ease long-term fears of their direction...Full Story »

Alex Neil was full of praise for his Stoke side after they picked up their first win under his management with a convincing 3-0 victory over Hull at the MKM Stadium.Stoke scored their first when Lewis Baker’s free-kick deflected off the wall and completely wrong-footed Tigers keeper Matt Ingram.Baker turned provider when his floated cross was met by the head of Ben Wilmot, who scored his s...Full Story »

Alex Gilbey’s stunning strike was the difference as Stevenage beat Newport 1-0 to stay second in Sky Bet League Two.Gilbey made the perfect impression on his home debut, pouncing on a loose ball just outside the box to side-foot the ball into the top right-hand corner of the net two minutes into the second half.Stevenage saw most of the ball in a first half of few chances, but it was the v...Full Story »

Trent Alexander-Arnold's bid to be in Gareth Southgate's starting eleven for the upcoming World Cup just took another major hit. The Liverpool right back has come under heavy fire for his underwhelming defensive performance in his side's 4-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League. And it seems it's not just top-level pundits taking aim at Trent as the internet had a field day in making fun...Full Story »