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Liverpool and Manchester City have the opportunity to take advantage of Arsenal dropping points with victories today.
In Saturday's late kick-off, Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by Bournemouth after William Saliba was red-carded for a professional foul during the first half.
Champions Man City can briefly go top of the table when they face Wolves, before attention turns to Liverpool vs Chelsea at Anfield.
Elsewhere, Erik ten Hag saw the pressure on his job at Old Trafford eased after Manchester United's comeback win against Brentford.
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Premier League gameweek eight fixtures
Saturday, October 19
Tottenham 4-1 West Ham, 12:30Fulham 1-3 Aston Villa, 15:00Ipswich 0-2 EvertonManchester United 2-1 BrentfordNewcastle 0-1 BrightonSouthampton 2-3 LeicesterBournemouth 2-0 Arsenal
Sunday, October 20
Wolves vs Manchester City, 14:00Liverpool vs Chelsea, 16:30
Monday, October 21
Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace, 20:00 - live on talkSPORT
11 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy
Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konaté, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Jones, Gravenberch, Gakpo, Jota, SalahChelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Caicedo, Lavia, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Two huge returns for the visitors as captain Reece James and former Liverpool target Romeo Lavia both START for the Blues!
James is making his first competitive appearance for Chelsea under Enzo Maresca having only returned to training this week.
The England defender has been plagued with fitness concerns during his career that has seen him spend over 500 days on the sidelines.
The 24-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during his first official game as Chelsea captain on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 Premier League season - ironically, a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
That problem started James' most recent struggles with hamstring issues that curtailed his involvement for most of the last campaign.
Five months after undergoing surgery in December, James returned in the final few matches of last season but any hopes of proving his fitness to make a late case for a wildcard entry into England's Euro 2024 squad were ruined by a red card against Brighton in May.
Another injury suffered during Chelsea's pre-season tour of the USA has sidelined him for the first three months of the new season.
Lavia meanwhile makes his first Premier League start since the opening day of the season in August.
The Belgian, who chose a move to Chelsea over Liverpool in the summer of 2023, impressed in the 2-0 defeat to Man City.
He was excluded from the matchday squad for the next four games before making a late cameo appearance in the win over Brighton.
Lavia was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest before the break but has now been deemed fit to start here.
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16 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy
It's not been Erling Haaland's day so far!
The Norwegian had a mixed international break after becoming his country's all-time goalscorer days before he captained the side to a heavy 5-1 defeat to Austria.
He's barely had a sniff so far and his first half-chance goes begging, as Savinho finds him with a cross but he can't trap the ball.
Haaland then lets his frustrations get the better of him as he plays a five-yard pass straight out for a throw-in.
Despite Man City having 79 percent possession, the player with the fewest touches to have started this match is Haaland, with 7 touches.
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22 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy
We are back underway for the second-half and the home side are bringing on a familiar face.
Former Man City starlet Tommy Doyle is on for Wolves against his old teammates, replacing Andre in midfield.
City are unchanged as the club go hunting for a precious three points that would, at least briefly, put them top of the table.
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32 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy
The home side have been much better defensively than they have been in recent weeks, including shipping five goals to Brentford before the international break.
However, it does carry an edge of when not if Man City will take the lead such is their dominance all over the pitch.
Pep Guardiola's side are unbeaten in each of their last seven Premier League matches when drawing on at half-time, going on to win six of those matches in the second half and drawing the other.
Wolves have shown they carry a threat going forward themselves though, and had Nelson Semedo been a tiny bit clinical they could have been two goals to the good.
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40 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy
It's not often Man City score and a Norwegian is also on the scoresheet but it's not Erling Haaland.
But Pep Guardiola's side are indebted to a brilliant long-range strike from Josko Gvardiol to cancel out an opener from Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Savinho came close to putting City in front just before the break but Jose Sa, deputising for the injured Sam Johnstone, got down low to turn it behind.
Wolves have also had their chances to score a second, with Nelson Semedo squandering a one-on-one before Gvardiol had equalised.
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53 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy
WHAT A WONDER STRIKE TO LEVEL PROCEEDINGS!
It's the seventh goal Man City have scored from the outside-the-box this season but this one is the pick of the bunch.
It was looking like it would need something special to break down a stubborn Wolves backline and so it proved.
Gvardiol is given the space to get his shot away and his right-footed effort sails into the far top corner despite Jose Sa getting a slight hand to it.
Gvardiol has now scored six goals in the Premier League in 2024, the most of any defender.
Six of the last seven Premier League matches between Wolves and Manchester City at Molineux have seen both sides score.
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54 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy
Rico Lewis is just the second Manchester City teenager to start 25 Premier League games, along with Micah Richards (64).
But he's not done it at a younger age than the man who burst onto the scene.
Lewis, who turns 20 next month, is still adrift of fellow Man City academy graduate Richards who was 18-years-old when he played in a goalless draw with Newcastle in 2006.
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Today, 14:22By Joe Brophy
SEMEDO WITH A HUGE CHANCE TO MAKE IT TWO!
He set up the first and now he almost scores the second!
Man City uncharacteristically look so suspect at the back and get caught in possession inside the Wolves half.
Several quick intricate passes sets up a dangerous counter and Matheus Cunha spots the run through the middle of Semedo.
The Brazilian's through ball releases the latter through on goal.
However, Semedo struggles to get it out of his feet and his prodded effort is well blocked by Ederson under pressure from Josko Gvardiol.
To add insult to injury he's then shown a yellow card from the restart for tugging back Savinho.
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Today, 14:17By Joe Brophy
The champions have responded well to falling behind, but the home side have more pressing concerns.
Strand Larsen is briefly down for a moment and has to go off for some treatment - he does come back on, but he'll be one to watch.
Toti Gomes then picks up the game's first yellow card after scything down Savinho on the edge of the box.
It is the Brazilian who takes but his effort is a poor one - a low effort around the wall that is cleared easily.
Meanwhile, Semedo has now provided two assists in the Premier League this season.
That is the first time he's provided multiple assists in a Premier League season and for the first time in any league season since 2019/20 in La Liga with FC Barcelona (2).
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Today, 14:08By Joe Brophy
YOU CAN SEE WHY HE WANTED TO GET THINGS STARTED QUICKLY!
Strand Larsen was itching to get the match underway and no wonder why as he slams home from close range to give Wolves the lead!
It's a sensational cross from Nelson Semedo who floats a low-driven ball across the box which is begging to be attacked.
The delivery evades every City defender and Strand Larsen is gleefully alert to slot past Ederson at the back post.
His goal might not fill Gary O'Neil with too much joy, however.
The strike was the Norwegian's fourth Premier League involvement (3 goals, 1 assist) in eight matches in the competition, but he has lost every previous match he's provided a goal involvement in.
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Today, 14:05By Joe Brophy
A noisy rendition of 'Hi, Ho Wolverhampton' precedes the knee to show unity against racial discrimination.
Jørgen Strand Larsen, in his anxiousness to get Wolves off to a fast start, rushes into the Man City half before he notices the rest of the players drop down on one leg.
He then awkwardly settles himself down on his knee while still in City's half next to his rival players before the game kicks off.
Strand Larsen does get a smile out of teammate Matheus Cunha as well as Norwegian countryman and Man City star Erling Haaland.
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Today, 13:57By Joe Brophy
Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea sent a message to Alejandro Garnacho following the Argentine's goal on Saturday.
Garnacho scored the Red Devils' equaliser in their 3-1 win over Brentford, with Bees behind at half-time.
The 20-year-old celebrated the victory on social media after the match.
"ONE MORE," he said on Instagram.
His former teammate De Gea, now of Fiorentina, replied in the comments section with a superhero emoji.
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Today, 13:48By Joe Brophy
Pep Guardiola has explained the absence of Man City captain Kyle Walker, with Rico Lewis again starting at right-back.
"He does not feel good after playing with the national team so he could not travel," the City boss told Sky Sports.
On the impact of Savinho, Guardiola added: "Really good.
"He can play both sides and we have been very pleased."
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 13:23By Joe Brophy
Jose Sa has returned to the Wolves starting line-up, with summer signing Sam Johnstone not in the squad.
Manager Gary O'Neil has now explained his goalkeeper switch as his side seeks their first Premier League win of the season.
He told Sky Sports: "Sam Johnstone picked up a little injury in training during the international break.
"Jose Sa has been pushing for a start since Sam joined in the summer and he is ready."
On what it will take to repeat their Manchester City upset from last campaign, O'Neil added: "Today is a big test, but the boys' morale is fine.
"They all have faith that we are going to turn the situation around.
"It took real discipline and togetherness to beat City last season.
And then some courage and bravery when you get the ball back."
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 13:05By Joe Brophy
Wolves XI: Sa; Semedo, Bueno, Dawson, Toti, Ait-Nouri, Andre, Lemina, J Gomes, Cunha, Larsen.
Subs: Bentley, Doherty, R Gomes, Doyle, Sarabia, Forbs, Bellegarde, Guedes, Lima.
Man City Xi: Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho, Doku, Haaland.
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Ake, Grealish, Akanji, Nunes, Foden, O'Reilly, McAtee.
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Today, 12:47By Joe Brophy
Declan Rice was heard telling referee Robert Jones 'Every week it's the same' following Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
The England midfielder originally led the Gunners' protests with the officials after William Saliba was sent off for the visitors.
However, his efforts proved in vain and the Frenchman was given his marching orders - the club's red card of the Premier League this season.
Having then seen Arsenal concede two goals en route to defeat with ten men, Rice then approached referee Jones after the full-time whistle.
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 12:20By Joe Brophy
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has taken a break from discussing Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract situation to praise his defending.
Alexander-Arnold has evolved from a right-back into a quasi-midfielder, such is his all-encompassing role on the pitch.
The 25-year-old has racked up over 100 goal involvements for his boyhood Reds and scored on international duty with England.
Despite his playmaking proficiencies, Alexander-Arnold has come in for criticism over the years regarding his defensive shortcomings.
That reared its head again during the break as Roy Keane slammed him following the Three Lions' 2-1 defeat to Greece.
However, Liverpool boss Slot insisted Alexander-Arnold has stepped up in that regard this season - with the player revealing last month he has been enjoying the Dutchman's strict critique of both sides of his game.
He told Sky Sports: “He’s one of the players that can make his decisions sometimes better but to have a right back that is so special with the ball is..
extra quality… and I’m lucky enough to have that still because how many fullbacks can create so many chances for their team.
“I have to address how well he’s defending at Liverpool in the last few games we’ve played so I see a player that is bringing his game further up… which was hardly possible because he was already that good.”
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 10:40By Sean O'Brien
Chelsea travel to Liverpool on Sunday in what many consider to be Arne Slot's first real test as Reds manager.
Liverpool return from the October international break as Premier League leaders thanks to six wins from their first seven matches - and Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.
However, statistics show that their opening run of games has been favourable and the forthcoming schedule will be a huge challenge.
Their average opponent rating so far sits at around 84.5 on Opta, the lowest out of all 20 sides in the Premier League.
But their upcoming ten-game run has been statistically rated as the toughest in the in the Premier League with an average opponent rating of 89.8.
After welcoming fourth-place Chelsea, a tough trip to title hopefuls Arsenal follows before they host European qualification challengers Brighton and Villa.
There may be a period of respite when they visit the struggling Southampton, but this will be brief as their next game comes against title rivals Manchester City.
Newcastle precede the Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park, ahead of meetings with Fulham and Tottenham.
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19th Oct 2024, 21:34
Brighton have issued a positive update on Danny Welbeck's injury after he was stretchered off at St James' Park.
The striker went to hospital during the 1-0 win over Newcastle, but the Premier League club have confirmed that he's now out and flying back to the south coast with the team.
They wrote on X: "Dat guy's a bit bruised and battered, but the good news is our match winner at St James' Park, Danny Welbeck, is on our British Airways flight home."
Welbeck scored the only goal of the game in a big win for the Seagulls.
Brighton have confirmed that Welbeck is out of hospitalCredit: X: OfficialBHAFCCopied
19th Oct 2024, 20:22
Declan Rice called on his Arsenal teammates to cut out 'silly mistakes' if they're going to challenge for the Premier League title this term.
It comes after William Saliba was red-carded during their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Rice said: "The fact of the matter is that we've shot ourselves in the foot three times this season in eight games and got away with it twice.
"Luck can't go your way all the time and tonight Bournemouth kept probing and they ended up winning 2-0.
"I'm proud of us as a group of players to keep fighting and believing as we do but the naivety of it is that we need to stop making mistakes because we want 11 players for 90 minutes because that's how we'll win football matches.
"That's how I'm seeing it today."
Rice added: "With 10 men we showed a lot of character and personality to stay in the game but the big chance was Martinelli's chance where the goalkeeper made a great save.
"They then got a corner a minute later and done us.
"There's no regrets tonight other than the fact that we can't keep making silly mistakes - especially if we want to compete and be at the top at the end of the season.
"You need your best players on the pitch and it gives the other players a mountain to climb when you're down to 10 men, but the belief in this group is still so, so high.
"We just spoke in there and we have such a big month coming up and so we'll stick together.
"This is football, it's a rollercoaster and it's what happens but what's most important is that we stick together."
Rice gave a frank interview after Arsenal's defeatCredit: GettyCopied
19th Oct 2024, 19:30By Phil Spencer
Arsenal succumbed to a shock 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth that saw William Saliba sent off.
The Gunners travelled to the south coast having gone unbeaten in all of their opening seven games but fell short on Saturday.
With around 30 minutes played, Saliba fouled Bournemouth striker Evanilson whilst he was running into the Arsenal half.
Saliba was initially shown a yellow card by referee Robert Jones but after a VAR check, the centre-back was sent walking.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta opted to make a change amid their new one-man disadvantage but it failed to make a positive impact.
Bournemouth scored the opener in the 70th minute when Ryan Christie fired in following a smart corner routine.
The Cherries were the in dreamland soon after as David Raya fouled Evanilson in the area and Jones pointed to the spot.
Justin Kluivert was the man to step up from 12 yards and he did so with ease to net his side's second and seal all three points.
Arsenal missed out on the chance to go top of the Premier League and could end the weekend in fourth if Chelsea beat Liverpool.
Bournemouth earned a deserved victoryCredit: GettyCopied
19th Oct 2024, 19:16By Phil Spencer
What a night for Bournemouth!
The Cherries are now 2-0 up against Arsenal thanks to a Justin Kluivert penalty!
Fresh from going a goal down, Bournemouth went on the attack again with David Raya bringing down Evanilson in the penalty area.
While Raya avoided punishment, Kluivert stepped up to all-but wrap up what will be a crucial win for the Cherries.
For Arsenal, it's not the return from the international break that Mikel Arteta will have hoped for...
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19th Oct 2024, 19:05By Phil Spencer
Arsenal's evening is going from bad to worse with Bournemouth now leading 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium.
The 10-man Gunners had been struggling since losing William Saliba to a red card and as a result, they've been punished.
Ryan Christie is the man to give Bournemouth the lead and with just 20 minutes remaining, Mikel Arteta's side will be desperate to try and salvage something from this match.
But with one man less than the Cherries - will they be able to?
Christie scored his first Premier League goal in two yearsCredit: AFPCopied
19th Oct 2024, 18:56By Phil Spencer
Arsenal's supporters aren't impressed with William Saliba following his red card against Bournemouth.
The French defender was sent off for a professional foul on Evanilson, with fans questioning his decision to bring the forward down.
One fan wrote: "Just let him be 1:1 with keeper."
A second supporter commented: "I’m sure I heard Ferdinand say that Ferguson told his defenders to always trust the keeper in those moments."
A third fan wrote: "Should always take the 50/50 chance of a goal rather than 100% chance of being down to 10 men in the first half."
Saliba's red card has left Arsenal fans frustratedCredit: GettyCopied
19th Oct 2024, 18:06By Phil Spencer
The evening is off to a torrid start for Arsenal with William Saliba seeing red!
The French defender was given a straight-red for a professional foul on Evanilson.
Following a consultation with VAR, the decision was made to send him off, leaving Arsenal with 10 men on the pitch.
Even worse than that is the fact that Saliba is now facing the prospect of a three-match ban.
Those matches - Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea.
For more news relating to West Ham, visit our sister site WHU Latest Live.
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