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 »

Michael Flynn is looking forward to continuing his magical relationship with the FA Cup after guiding Cheltenham to a 3-1 first-round victory at Rotherham.The 44-year-old, who made a name for himself by twice steering hometown club Newport beyond the third stage of the competition, watched on as a Joel Colwill brace and Ethon Archer’s superb solo effort condemned Town’s League One op...Full Story »

Blackpool coach Stephen Dobbie was delighted to see his side reach the FA Cup second round with a 2-0 win over Gillingham.Sonny Carey’s brilliant brace ensured the near 600-mile round trip was worth it for Steve Bruce’s League One outfit.And first-team coach Dobbie, at the helm as Bruce takes time off following the tragic death of his grandson, said: “The message to the boys wa...Full Story »

Graham Alexander praised Bradford for not getting frustrated in their 3-1 comeback FA Cup first-round win over Aldershot.The Bantams, who had not made the FA Cup second round since 2020, came from behind against the National League side with three second-half goals.An upset looked on the cards when Jack Barham, who scored a hat-trick in the same round at Swindon last year, fired Aldershot in fro...Full Story »

Kieran McKenna branded referee Tim Robinson’s decisions “unacceptable” after Ipswich were denied a penalty and had Kalvin Phillips sent off in the 1-1 draw against Leicester.The Town boss accused Robinson of taking centre stage when, with Ipswich leading through a fine Leif Davis volley, the official turned down what looked a clear penalty when Conor Chaplin was barged over by ...Full Story »

Bromley boss Andy Woodman has set his sights on a place in the FA Cup third round after his side’s thrilling 4-3 victory at Rochdale.Corey Whitely opened the scoring after 19 seconds for the visitors and Michael Cheek doubled the lead on three minutes.But Sam Beckwith pulled a goal back after 24 minutes and Kyron Gordon levelled seven minutes into the second half.The script looked written ...Full Story »

Arne Slot said he will take a lot of confidence from his Liverpool side’s resilience after seeing them come from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 and go back top of the Premier League.Liverpool were second best in the first half and fell behind to a fine strike from Ferdi Kadioglu, with Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck spurning chances to add to their lead before the break.And they paid the p...Full Story »

Guiseley were denied a famous FA Cup win as they lost 5-4 on penalties away to Stevenage.The Northern Premier League side deserve plenty of plaudits and maybe more after the match had finished 1-1 following extra time.But two saves during the penalty shoot-out from home goalkeeper Murphy Cooper, one from Lebrun Mbeka which stopped the Lions winning, were able somehow to send the League One side ...Full Story »

Mornflake Stadium proved again to be giant-killing territory for Ben Strevens as he celebrated Dagenham & Redbridge’s FA Cup success at Crewe with his family at the final whistle.Daggers boss Ben Strevens once hit a winner from the penalty spot for Eastleigh in an FA Cup tie at Crewe in 2015.Just like the first-round tie nine years ago, the Vanarama National League side’s winner ...Full Story »

Cambridge manager Garry Monk was glad to avoid an FA Cup shock at Woking, with his team winning the first round tie 1-0.A second half goal by James Brophy was the difference at the Laithwaite Community Stadium as the League One team saw off their spirited National League opponents.Monk, whose team have now won four matches in all competitions, was keen to contrast his side with other FA Cup shoc...Full Story »

Reading manager Ruben Selles admitted his young and inexperienced side were still too “powerful” for League Two Fleetwood in their 2-0 FA Cup first-round victory.The League One Royals went in front three minutes into the second half through skipper Tyler Bindon and doubled their advantage in the 86th minute. Jayden Wareham claimed the goal but the crucial final touch was adjudged to ...Full Story »