<\/div>\n\u2018HOPE THIS IS A BIG TURNING POINT\u2019: MAN UTD\u2019S SHOCK WIN<\/b><\/p>\n
The upset of the weekend belonged to Manchester United as the Red Devils ended a near decade-long drought at Anfield.<\/p>\n
United\u2019s 2-1 win against bitter rivals Liverpool made it the first time in his managerial reign that Ruben Amorim\u2019s side has won back-to-back league matches.<\/p>\n
Bryan Mbeumo scored the opener in just the second minute to stun the Liverpool crowd, and then Harry Maguire headed home the winner in the 84th minute to not only send the away end into hysteria, but to usher in a new wave of optimism surrounding United.<\/p>\n
The content creator who has vowed to not cut his hair until they win five games in a row is daring to dream of ditching his shaggy mop, while the many Manchester United greats that have become pundits were pleasantly surprised.<\/p>\n
Former United captain Roy Keane said on Sky Sports: \u201cLet\u2019s hope this is a big turning point for Man Utd.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 19: Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine\/Getty Images)<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cWe don\u2019t have to get bogged down after this game about tactics and systems. This was about players and personality, and showing quality.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe players looked like they were embracing playing for Man Utd.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had a bit of luck at the back but you need that going to Liverpool. As poor as Liverpool were, they had some great chances.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big win for Man Utd and a milestone for the manager, but they need to use this as a springboard to kick on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keane\u2019s former teammate Gary Neville is confident that the current United team can play their way into the European places this season after such a result.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Manchester United’s Harry Maguire greets supporters after the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester United in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo\/Ian Hodgson)<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cThey\u2019ve just gone into the top half of the table, to ninth, and I think if they win next week, they\u2019ve got to start thinking of pushing up the league,\u201d Neville said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause they\u2019ve got to get to a point whereby there\u2019s stability at the club, the only way there\u2019s going to be stability is through winning football matches.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Manchester United have got a top six squad, particularly when you know that they haven\u2019t got European football, and they haven\u2019t got the Carabao Cup now.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at the four or five players they\u2019ve got up front in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount, and Bruno Fernandes behind them. And then the centre-backs they\u2019ve got – Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, they should be able to get a top six finish with the free weeks out of that squad.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nMaguire strikes late to sink Reds | 00:17<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nLIVERPOOL CRISIS DEEPENS<\/b><\/p>\n
Liverpool have suffered four straight defeats for the first time since November 2014, raising serious questions about their summer spending spree.<\/p>\n
The vast majority of a near \u00a3450 million (A$926 million) spend in the transfer market was focused on adding extra firepower to the Reds\u2019 attack.<\/p>\n
But club record signing Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are yet to score a Premier League goal for Liverpool.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you spend that type of money on players, the people who have spent it want to see them justifying it on the pitch,\u201d Liverpool great Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 19: Alexander Isak of Liverpool interacts with Liverpool staff after being substituted off during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan\/Getty Images)<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cI was one of the people who wasn\u2019t entirely sold on Isak coming into the club; I thought that when you buy Ekitike for \u00a380m and another guy for \u00a3125m, and it\u2019s not good for Isak having him on the bench.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s always looking over his shoulder; he can\u2019t relax – if he hasn\u2019t done anything in the first hour, he\u2019s going to come off. I think he has to find a way of getting those two players on the pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m trying to rack my brains as a Liverpool supporter what to do. Concentrating on the attack, he\u2019s got to try to make Isak and Ekitike work at some point.\u201d<\/p>\n
The problems are not confined to the front half, however, as Arne Slot\u2019s men are suddenly wide open at the back.<\/p>\n
Liverpool conceded just five times in Slot\u2019s first 12 games last season as he took a more conservative approach in his early days as Jurgen Klopp\u2019s successor.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Liverpool’s Dutch manager Arne Slot and Liverpool’s German midfielder #07 Florian Wirtz react following the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 19, 2025. (Photo by PETER POWELL \/ AFP) \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club\/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club\/league\/player publications. \/<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAt the same stage this season, the English champions have shipped 17 goals. Slot has been keen to use his wealth of attacking options. For the final half-hour against United he played with five forwards.<\/p>\n
However, that lack of balance was exposed as, just six minutes after Cody Gakpo had cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo\u2019s opener, Harry Maguire was left completely unmarked to head in Bruno Fernandes\u2019 cross.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we conceded a very sloppy second goal,\u201d said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe worked so hard to get back into the game and we created great opportunities to score the winner but if you concede a second goal like that, that is the disappointing part.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes van Dijk must take a long look in the mirror.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 19: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan\/Getty Images)<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cWhen you\u2019re a centre half and you\u2019re a big player, last year we were on about who was going to stay and he signed a big contract, then you\u2019re giving up loads of goals,\u201d Keane said on Sky Sports. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d be looking at him and asking \u2018what are you doing\u2019?<\/p>\n
\u201cParticularly as a big leader of the team. A couple of years ago we talked about United parking the bus here and we were critical. Now they\u2019ve scored two today and two last year and you\u2019re the centre half. <\/p>\n
\u201cAlways start with the man in the mirror. Van Dijk, if you\u2019re the centre half and your team are all of a sudden giving up loads of goals, and you\u2019ve got new people coming to your club, you\u2019ve got to have a good look at yourself and think \u2018am I really helping people?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nHaaland bags double for City | 01:10<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n1-0 TO THE ARSENAL<\/b><\/p>\n
The Gunners have a history of success built on solid defensive foundations. Two league titles won under George Graham in 1989 and 1991 gave birth to the chant \u201c1-0 to the Arsenal\u201d, such was the frequency of that scoreline at the old Highbury.<\/p>\n
Yet, Mikel Arteta\u2019s current crop have proved even more difficult to breach in setting a new club record after conceding just three times in their opening 11 games of the season in all competitions.<\/p>\n
For the second consecutive game, Arsenal did not even concede a single shot on target in grinding out a 1-0 win at Fulham to retake top spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe level of organisation I\u2019m very pleased with, but it\u2019s more about the mindset and the willingness to do it,\u201d said Arteta.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way our front line chases the ball, puts people under pressure, creates chaos there, it\u2019s phenomenal.\u201d Once again Arsenal required a set-piece to get the only goal as Leandro Trossard turned in Gabriel Magalhaes\u2019 flick-on from a corner.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage on October 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling\/Getty Images)<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBut they do not need to be prolific in front of goal if they continue to concede at a historically low level.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said at the start of the season I didn\u2019t feel Gyokeres would be the man to win Arsenal the league, I always felt it\u2019d be the two centre-backs, the goalkeeper and Declan Rice in midfield,\u201d Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks like they\u2019re going to give Chelsea a real run for their money in terms of that defensive record under Jose Mourinho (25 clean sheets and 15 goals conceded).<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re going to run that really close and if they do, they\u2019ve got a fantastic chance of winning the Premier League.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nSyd FC recruit eyes Socceroos dream | 01:24<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nBLACK CATS BUCK PROMOTED TREND<\/b><\/p>\n
Sunderland were languishing in English football\u2019s third tier just over three years ago.<\/p>\n
Now they are looking down on their Saudi-backed local rivals Newcastle after a dream start to their Premier League return.<\/p>\n
The Black Cats have matched their best ever start to a Premier League campaign with 14 points from eight games after beating Wolves 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.<\/p>\n
For the past two seasons all three promoted clubs from the Championship have sunk straight back to the second tier.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Daniel Ballard of Sunderland celebrates after the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stadium of Light on October 18, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster\/Getty Images)<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBut a squad overhaul with 14 new signings has put Regis Le Bris\u2019 side in position to end that trend.<\/p>\n
Relegated trio last season Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich managed just 14 points between them after eight matches last season.<\/p>\n
Sunderland\u2019s points tally is the best from a promoted side since Wolves in 2018-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me at this stage of the season, probably later with 10 or 12 games left we\u2019ll see where we are in the table and the opposition between teams \u2013 who has to fight to stay in the league will be different,\u201d Le Bris said.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Regis Le Bris, Manager of Sunderland, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stadium of Light on October 18, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood\/Getty Images)<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cEarly in the season it\u2019s a bit too late and we have to have this mindset; we can win or lose against anyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my mindset and we want to play like that. We\u2019ll go to Chelsea and try our best to win something.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe feel this mentality is not a question of opposition, it\u2019s not a question of event, it\u2019s a question of us. We want to win, do our best, to create something and be proactive.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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