Xavi insisted in his press conference after Barcelona's game against Rayo Vallecano that more signings are needed, as the coach wants a bit more depth in his squad. In particular, he has made it known to the sporting management that strengthening the full-back positions is a vital issue if the team are to achieve anything this season. In the first game of the season, it was clear that they ha...Full Story »

Nigel Pearson had no complaints over the Mark Sykes sending off that marred Bristol City’s first Sky Bet Championship win of the season.But the Ashton Gate boss felt Luton’s Luke Freeman should also have been red carded for his reaction to the lunging 67th-minute tackle on him that caused a fracas among several players.Nahki Wells shot the home side ahead on five minutes from Alex Sc...Full Story »

Alex Morris says a hard-fought 1-0 League Two win over Sutton shows his Crewe side have found “different ways of winning games”.The Railwaymen put a dismal 3-0 defeat to Salford at the weekend quickly behind them thanks to Courtney Baker-Richardson’s early strike and moved up to sixth in the table.But Crewe lived uneasily at times against their visitors’ direct approach, ...Full Story »

Mark Kennedy was full of praise for his backroom staff as well as his players after securing his first league win as Lincoln’s new head coach with a 2-1 victory at Oxford.Tom Hopper and Anthony Scully struck in the first half to continue their unbeaten start to the season.Cameron Brannagan pulled a goal back for the U’s from the penalty spot midway through the second half.But Oxford,...Full Story »

Marcus Harness returned to former club Burton and struck the winner on the hour mark as Ipswich maintained their place at the summit of League One with a 1-0 victory.The summer signing settled a combative encounter which saw his old side drop to the foot of the table still searching for their first win of the season.Albion went close early on with an effort from former Norwich striker Gassan Aha...Full Story »

Skipper Billy Sharp will miss Sheffield United’s Sky Bet Championship fixture against against Sunderland on Wednesday evening through injury.The 36-year-old striker turned an ankle in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough and the damage is yet to be fully assessed because of swelling around the joint.However, midfielder Ben Osborn is facing at least two weeks on the sidelines after suff...Full Story »

ERLING HAALAND celebrated Manchester City's 4-0 win over Bournemouth by jetting off to sunny Marbella. The 21-year-old superstar enjoyed a dip in the sea on Sunday while holidaying in the Spanish seaside resort. Haaland was seen walking into the sea in front of a female companionCredit: The Mega Agency Haaland showed off some nasty sunburn as he went shirtless on the beach, with his back and ...Full Story »

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper knew his side had to deliver for the fans as their first Premier League home game for 23 years ended in a 1-0 victory over West Ham.The City Ground had not hosted a top-flight match since 1999 and Taiwo Awoniyi ensured it was a winning homecoming for Forest with his first-half goal.The striker, who until Saturday night was the club’s record signing this ...Full Story »

Nottingham Forest won their first Premier League home game for 23 years with a 1-0 success over West Ham.The City Ground had not hosted a top-flight match since 1999 and Taiwo Awoniyi ensured it was a winning homecoming for Forest with his first-half goal.The striker, who until Saturday night was the club’s record signing this summer, bundled home from close range to become the first Fores...Full Story »

Moritz Jenz and Giorgos Giakoumakis both netted acrobatic efforts as Celtic cruised to a 5-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.Jenz, Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota – with another stunning strike – all notched their second goals of the season as the champions wrapped up three points before half-time.Substitute Carl Starfelt added a fourth to put Celtic ahead of Rangers on goal differenc...Full Story »

Swansea manager Russell Martin praised the aggression and intensity of his players after they snatched their first win of the Sky Bet Championship season with a 1-0 victory at Blackpool.Michael Obafemi teed up substitute Olivier Ntcham for the simplest of goals in the 87th minute after a two-on-one situation with the keeper.Martin was particularly pleased with the way his side bounced back from ...Full Story »

Mark Bonner was delighted with Cambridge’s 2-1 victory over Exeter after Paul Digby hit the decisive goal in the 88th minute.Jevani Brown gave Exeter the lead shortly before half-time, only for Sam Smith to equalise on the hour for the hosts.“To win all three of our opening home games is important and it’s also important that we’ve come from a losing position to win today...Full Story »

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl was pleased with his side’s response as they battled back from two down to earn a 2-2 draw with Leeds with a pair of late goals.Rodrigo had struck twice at the start of the second half to put the visitors in a dominant position but Jesse Marsch’s side were unable to hold out for a second successive Premier League win.Joe Aribo tapped home to halve th...Full Story »

Delighted Derby boss Liam Rosenior saluted his battling side as they dug deep to beat Barnsley 2-1 in the battle of last season’s relegated clubs.Conor McCarthy’s own goal and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s strike did the damage as the Rams triumphed at Pride Park.But Josh Benson’s 64th-minute really put the cat amongst the pigeons as the Tykes roared back to cause the hosts pl...Full Story »

Lincoln manager Mark Kennedy admitted he was “frustrated” his side failed to hold on for a precious victory in a 1-1 home draw with Forest Green.“I’m really frustrated,” reflected Kennedy. “One hundred per cent we could have taken all three points.”Baily Cargill’s unfortunate own goal looked to have condemned Rovers to defeat, but striker Connor Wi...Full Story »

Bradford boss Mark Hughes said captain Richie Smallwood’s impressive opening goal set the tone for his side’s 2-0 victory over 10-man Newport at Valley Parade.Captain Smallwood blasted in from 25 yards after just six minutes to put Bradford on their way to a first league win of the season.Harry Chapman added the second after the Exiles had been reduced to 10 men following a red card ...Full Story »

Joey Barton pointed to Bristol Rovers’ fine defensive display as well as summer signing John Marquis after the forward scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against Oxford.Rovers made it back-to-back victories in Sky Bet League One thanks to Marquis’ first goal for the West Country club.A clever free-kick routine in the first half led to Aaron Collins touching on and Marquis heading in f...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers won their first home league game of the season as they saw off Oxford 1-0 at the Memorial Stadium.The home side made the most of the early kick-off, scheduled at the request of Avon & Somerset Police, with John Marquis scoring his first league goal for the West Country club on 34 minutes.A well-worked free-kick for Rovers involved Sam Finley chipping over the defence, with Aar...Full Story »

Loanee Lewis Mayo returns to the Kilmarnock squad for the visit of cinch Premiership champions Celtic on Sunday after being unable to play against parent club Rangers last weekend.Jordan Jones, Blair Alston and Chris Stokes are back in contention after recovering from various injuries.On-loan Middlesbrough goalkeeper Zach Hemmings (groin) and Scott Robinson (heel) remain out. Lee Hodson has join...Full Story »

Livingston manager David Martindale expects to have an unchanged squad for Saturday’s cinch Premiership game at home to Hibernian.James Penrice and Morgan Boyes are both closing in on a return from injury but are unlikely to be involved this weekend.Tom Parkes is set to be sidelined for the majority of the season with a knee injury.Hibs will have attacker Jair Tavares available after he mi...Full Story »