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Chelsea marked Xabi Alonso’s home debut with an entertaining 4-3 victory over Brighton to continue their winning start to the season. It was another display of electrifying attacking football that should have had the game won inside half-an-hour, goals from Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and João Pedro putting the home side into a three-goal lead that was then almost dismantled by a brave Brighton fightback and their own clumsy defending.…

Julián Álvarez returned to training with Atlético Madrid on Sunday after missing three sessions last week, as the club stood steadfast in its refusal to allow the star forward to join Barcelona. Atlético won 3-1 at Sevilla in LaLiga on Saturday — with Álex Baena scoring twice — with Alvarez left out of the matchday squad by coach Diego Simeone. On Friday, Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín reiterated that…

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick played down concerns over Lamine Yamal‘s start to the new season, saying he will support the forward after a draining few months. Yamal, 19, has started Barça’s opening two games of the season but has not yet registered a goal or an assist despite the Spanish champions registering 5-0 and 2-0 wins over Elche and Athletic Club. His demeanour in and around the Elche game was…

Barcelona are in “very advanced” negotiations with Arsenal over a deal to sign Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, a source has confirmed to ESPN. Jesus, 29, has just one year to run on his contract with the English champions and has emerged as an option for Barça following their failure to land Julián Álvarez. Barça are hopeful of finalising a deal worth in the region of €10 million ($11.5m / £8m)…

Everton are considering a move for USMNT forward Folarin Balogun ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline, sources have told ESPN, but a move for the 25-year-old could hinge on the outcome of attempts to offload Iliman Ndiaye and Beto. Blues’ manager David Moyes is determined to bolster his team’s attacking options during the final two days of the transfer window and Monaco forward Balogun is a leading target to complete switch…

Virgil van Dijk has urged Liverpool to keep Cody Gakpo at the club amid interest from Manchester City. Sources told ESPN City and Liverpool are in talks over a potential deal for the Netherlands international, who would be valued at around £85million ($115m.) His exit will only be sanctioned if Liverpool sign another wide forward, in addition to Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, who is set to undergo a medical on…

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has said his overhauled squad have to hit the ground running because the intensity of the Premier League won’t wait for them to settle. Villa’s Europa League winning team has been ripped apart this summer as Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Martínez, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have all left, with Ollie Watkins also on the way out. Nicolas Jackson, Leon Goretzka, Johan Manzambi and…

Roberto De Zerbi leapt to the defence of Tottenham’s £100 million ($135m) midfielder Sandro Tonali after he endured a night to forget in a 2-0 loss at home to his old club Newcastle. Tonali was rested for Wednesday’s 5-1 win over Charlton in the Carabao Cup in order to work more on his physical condition after a below-par display on his debut at Brentford. However, he struggled to impose himself…

Midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler has started in his Bundesliga debut as a plethora of Socceroos stars made their mark in Europe on Saturday. Cristian Volpato scored a terrific goal for Serie A club Sassuolo, Mohamed Toure claimed a double for Championship side Norwich City, and Lucas Herrington enjoyed a second Premier League win with Hull City. Meanwhile, goalkeepers Patrick Beach and Maty Ryan continued their fine form with Troyes and Levante…

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has branded claims that his side lacked motivation in their defeat to Hull City as “lazy.” Carrick’s team have been accused of playing without passion and flight in their 2-0 defeat at MKM Stadium on the opening weekend of the season. – Carrick: Baleba needs 2-3 weeks before Utd debut – Premier League transfers: All confirmed ins, outs – Man United…