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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Rob Smyth

Tottenham 3-1 Nottingham Forest, Leicester 1-3 Chelsea: clockwatch – as it happened

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring the 2-0 lead during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest
Harry Kane celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot for his, and Spurs’, second goal of the game. Photograph: Isabel Infantes/EPA

That’s it for today’s clockwatch. If you need more excitement, and who doesn’t, you can join Scott Murray for Crystal Palace v Manchester City. Goodnight!

Match report: Leeds 2-2 Brighton For a variety of reasons, it’s been a difficult 24 hours for many sports journalists. But not Aaron Bower, who had the abundant pleasure of watching Leeds and Brighton go toe to toe.

Match report: Everton 1-0 Bournemouth

Will Unwin was at Goodison to see Everton fight against relegation with every particle of their being.

Updated

While all those goals were being scored, the BBC’s sports coverage continued to unravel. As your friend and mine, Scott Murray, put it: “They’ve lost the green room!”

“Following this all from Japan,” says Stephen Seymour. “At last the Blues are putting a run together. What a game.”

It sounded like all kinds of fun. (I assume you mean Leicester 1-3 Chelsea, not Everton 1-0 Brentford.)

Match report: Tottenham 3-1 Nottm Forest

The Jim Ramsey derby went the way of the home side, with Harry Kane scoring twice. Ed Aarons was there.

“When the football gods want to crush you, first they give you hope,” says Mary Waltz, one of our resident Everton fans. “Agony.”

Mary, you do realise you won the game?

The updated Premier League table

Look at that game of snakes and ladders from Crystal Palace onwards!

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Arsenal 26 34 63
2 Man City 26 41 58
3 Man Utd 25 6 49
4 Tottenham Hotspur 27 12 48
5 Liverpool 26 18 42
6 Newcastle 24 18 41
7 Brighton 24 14 39
8 Fulham 26 4 39
9 Brentford 25 7 38
10 Chelsea 26 1 37
11 Aston Villa 25 -7 34
12 Crystal Palace 25 -11 27
13 Wolverhampton 26 -16 27
14 Nottm Forest 26 -26 26
15 Everton 27 -18 25
16 Leicester 26 -9 24
17 AFC Bournemouth 26 -26 24
18 West Ham 25 -10 23
19 Leeds 26 -11 23
20 Southampton 25 -21 21

Premier League: final scores

On this day in 1998, Samassi Abou must score.

Championship full-times (selected)

  • Burnley 3-0 Wigan

  • Sheffield United 0-1 Luton

  • Swansea 1-3 Middlesbrough

Full time: Leicester 1-3 Chelsea

Chelsea make it three wins in a row in a thrilling game at the King Power Stadium. It was a match that had everyth most things, including an exquisite goal from Kai Havertz.

Full time: Everton 1-0 Brentford

Dwight McNeil’s rasping goal in the first minute of the game gives Everton a precious victory, their first in four games, and ends Brentford’s long unbeaten run.

Full time: Tottenham 3-1 Nottm Forest

Harry Kane scores twice to help Spurs to a predictable victory over Nottingham Forest.

Everton 1-0 Brentford David Raya, the Brentford goalkeeper, comes up for a corner – and misses an excellent headed chance! Oh my.

Forster saves Ayew's penalty!

Tottenham 3-1 Nottm Forest Spurs are going to win the Jim Ramsey derby, but they have made slightly heavy weather of it. Dejan Kulusevski is penalised for handball, which gives Forest a penalty. Andre Ayew steps up… and Fraser Forster saves. Didn’t Ayew miss against Uruguay at the World Cup as well?

Tottenham Hotspur's keeper Fraser Forster saves a penalty by Nottingham Forest's Andre Ayew.
Tottenham Hotspur's keeper Fraser Forster goes the right way and thwarts Nottingham Forest's Andre Ayew. Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

Full time: Leeds 2-2 Brighton

Jack Harrison scored at both ends (we think) in a richly entertaining game. Leeds v Brighton was never going to be dull, was it.

“Conte is a very good manager but he has performed terribly this season,” says Brendan Murray. “ The team has been much less than the sum of its parts, his use of the squad abysmal and demeanour and performance on press duties risible. Blaming everybody while smirking at anyone who questions his methods.”

Yeah, hard to argue with any of that, apart from one bit. The squad just isn’t very good, is it? It’s certainly not the fourth best squad in the Premier League. I know Conte is complicit in that but I still think – purely in terms of results – that he has overachieved. Son’s loss of form has been a killer, as it was for Mourinho.

Leicester 1-3 Chelsea Leicester’s day/season just got a little worse: Wout Faes has been sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Leicester are about to lose their fourth consecutive Premier League game, and no I still don’t think there’s any chance of them being relegated.

Everton 1-0 Brentford They’re slightly behind schedule at Goodison, so there are still six minutes plus added time remaining. This would be such an important win for Everton.

Premier League latest

GOAL! Leicester 1-3 Chelsea

Goal given, and it sounds like another banger. Chelsea are heading for their third consecutive victory, and by all accounts they have played some terrific attacking football today.

Updated

GOAL? Leicester 1-3 Chelsea (Kovacic 79)

Mateo Kovacic has scored a spectacular bicycle kick for Chelsea, but this might be offside as well…

Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic scores their third goal.
A fine finish from Mateo Kovacic gives Chelsea their third goal. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters
Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team's third goal.
Kovacic is congratulated by his teammates. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Getty Images

Updated

GOAL! Spurs 3-1 Nottm Forest (Worrall 81)

Joe Worrall has scored a rare away goal for Forest. Meanwhile…

Joe Worrall of Nottingham Forest scores the team's first goal.
Joe Worrall of Nottingham Forest heads home for a consolation goal. Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Updated

“Conte is a very good manager given the right circumstances,” says Jeremy Boyce. “These people are not numpties, they haven’t got where they have today... More to the point, is the doomed scenario in the N17 Cheese Emporium as long as Chairman Dan hangs on to power? What will Spurs do to achieve final vindication, annex N7 and declare it their title if the others win?”

Leicester 1-2 Chelsea Mykhailo Mudryk has had a goal disallowed for offside at the King Power Stadium. This sounds like a helluva game, and I can’t wait to watch the h- well never mind.

Championship

A penalty from Chuba Akpom has made it Swansea 1-3 Middlesbrough. Meanwhile…

GOAL! Leeds 2-2 Brighton (Harrison 78)

Jack Harrison has scored at both ends (tbc)! This one sounds like a cracker, curled sweetly into the far corner after Wilfried Gnonto took a quick set-piece.

Jack Harrison of Leeds United scores the team's second goal .
Jack Harrison of Leeds United curls a shot goalwards … Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Jack Harrison of Leeds United scores the team's second goal .
The ball flies past Brighton keeper Jason Steele and the home side are back on level terms. Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters

Updated

Everton 1-0 Brentford Everton are hanging on at Goodison Park, where Dwight McNeil has just cleared off the line from Ethan Pinnock.

Crystal Palace v Man City team news

Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne are on the bench for Manchester City, who are at Selhurst Park for the late Premier League game. You can follow that with Scott Murray.

Updated

Leeds 1-2 Brighton The away side have missed a couple of three good chances to finish Leeds off. There’s still a bit of confusion as to whether their second goal was scored by Solly March or Jack Harrison.

Updated

Bundesliga

The leaders Bayern Munich came from 1-0 to beat Augsburg 5-3 in a slightly madcap game. Four of the goals came from defenders/wing-backs: two for Benjamin Pavard and one apiece for Joao Cancelo and Alfonso Davies. The other goal came from Leroy Sane.

Leicester 1-2 Chelsea Harry Souttar’s shot has been cleared off the line by Conor Gallagher, though it sounds like Souttar should have given him no chance.

“Best of Irish luck to all the Irish at the Oscars” says Nora Mulcahy, and why not.

Leeds 1-2 Brighton It sounds like Solly March got the decisive touch for Brighton’s second goal, not Jack Harrison. I apologise if you have been affected by my mistake.

Updated

The Premier League latest

GOAL! Spurs 3-0 Nottm Forest (Son 62)

Two Sons make a right for Spurs, or something: Richarlison sets up Son Heung-min to finish off Nottingham Forest, whose execrable away form continues.

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min scores their third goal.
Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min scores their third goal. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/Reuters

Updated

As things stand (yes, yes, I know), Brighton are seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with three games in hand. If they qualify for the Champions League, I’m buying the film rights.

GOAL! Leeds 1-2 Brighton (Harrison og 61)

This sounds like a cracking game as well. Leeds could have taken the lead moments ago – but now Brighton are ahead. Kaoru Mitoma runs Luke Ayling and hits a cross that is inexplicably turned into his own net by Jack Harrison.

Leeds United's Jack Harrison scores an own goal and Brighton & Hove Albion's second.
Leeds United's Jack Harrison scores an own goal and Brighton & Hove Albion's second. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters

Updated

Championship

And now Middlesbrough are ahead at Swansea! Cameron Archer has completed a very quick comeback at the evocatively named Swansea.com Stadium.

Here’s what that does to the ‘the noo’ Championship table.

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Burnley 36 42 80
2 Sheff Utd 36 24 67
3 Middlesbrough 36 22 63
4 Luton 36 10 60
5 Blackburn 36 0 58

Championship

It’s all change at the top: Aaron Ramsey has equalised for Middlesbrough at Swansea, and Carlton Morris has put Luton ahead at Bramall Lane.

(Nathan Tella has also scored his second to put Burnley 2-0 up against Wigan, but they were promoted months ago.)

Updated

“There is probably a league table somewhere which correlates success on the field with the hairstyle of the manager,” says John Starbuck. “It’s quite probable, though, that baldness ultimately wins.”

Define baldness.

Antonio Conte celebrates Harry Kane’s second goal against Nottingham Forest
Antonio Conte celebrates Harry Kane’s second goal against Nottingham Forest. Photograph: Leila Coker/AP

Peep peep! The second halves are under way.

Live scoreboard

You can follow all the goals in the EFL, and around Europe, on our live scores page. A few bits of note:

  • Nathan Tellas has put the Championship leaders Burnley 1-0 up at home to Wigan, who are down to 10 men.

  • Sheffield United are being held at home by Luyon, but third-placed Middlesbrough are a goal down at Swansea

  • The League One leaders Sheffield Wednesday are a goal up at Portsmouth through Josh Windass.

  • Leyton Orient, top of League Two, aren’t playing, but Stevenage – who started the day in third – are 3-1 up at home to Walsall.

Leicester 1-2 Chelsea

Ooh hoo hoo. I’ve just seen Kai Havertz’s goal and it is a work of art. This is the Dennis Bergkamp goal that Paul Merson compared it to on Sky Sports. Havertz’s goal has the same velvet erotica, yet his might be even better because he had less space to work with than Bergkamp.

Updated

Half time

These are the half-time scores in the Premier League. The match at the King Power Stadium sounds like a minor classic.

GOAL! Leicester 1-2 Chelsea (Havertz 45+6)

Kai Havertz has put Chelsea back ahead with a gorgeous goal, a cushioned lob on the volley from Enzo Fernandez’s scooped pass. “Goal of the season, Bergkampesque,” coos Paul Merson on Sky.

Kai Havertz of Chelsea scores his sides second goal against Leicester City.
Kai Havertz of Chelsea delicately lobs Leicester keeper Danny Ward. Photograph: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock
Kai Havertz of Chelsea scores his sides second goal against Leicester City.
And Chelsea have the lead once again. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Updated

Leicester 1-1 Chelsea It’s all happening at the King Power Stadium. Chelsea survive a penalty appeal when the ball hits Fofana’s elbow, then Amartey studs Havertz in the chest and isn’t punished. According to Paul Merson on Sky, both Amartey and Ricardo Pereira could have walked in the first half.

NO GOAL! Everton 1-0 Brentford

The ball hit Gray’s arm, so the goal has been disallowed. Next!

GOAL? Everton 2-0 Brentford (Gray 42)

Ethan Pinnock’s attempted clearance hits Demarai Gray and flies into the net, but did it hit his arm?

Updated

GOAL! Leeds 1-1 Brighton (Bamford 40)

Patrick Bamford has equalised for Leeds with a deflected shot that looped over Jason Steele.

Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford scores his side’s equalising goal to make the score 1-1.
Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford scores his side’s equalising goal to make the score 1-1. Photograph: Alex Dodd/CameraSport/Getty Images
Leeds United's Patrick Bamford celebrates scoring their equaliser in front of the happy lLeeds fans.
Bamford and the Leeds fans celebrate the equaliser. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters

Updated

European roundup: Real Madrid 3-1 Espanyol

GOAL! Leicester 1-1 Chelsea (Daka 39)

This sounds like a helluva game. Joao Felix, who thought he’d put Chelsea 2-0 up a moment ago, has now contributed to Leicester’s equaliser. He lost the ball in a dangerous area, and Patson Daka – making his first Premier League start of 2023 – welted the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Leicester City’s Patson Daka scores their equaliser.
Leicester City’s Patson Daka wellies the Foxes back on level terms. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters
Leicester City's Patson Daka (right) celebrates scoring his side's equaliser with James Maddison.
Daka (right) celebrates with James Maddison. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Updated

Premier League latest

NO GOAL! Leicester 0-1 Chelsea

Joao Felix was offside, so a beautiful goal is consigned to the dustbin.

GOAL! Spurs 2-0 Nottm Forest (Kane 35 pen)

Two for Spurs, two for Harry Kane. This came from the penalty spot after Richarlison, who is having a fine game, was brought down by Joe Worrall.

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane scores their second goal from the penalty spot past Nottingham Forest's keeper Keylor Navas.
Harry Kane sends Nottingham Forest's keeper Keylor Navas the wrong way and doubles Spurs’ lead. Photograph: David Klein/Reuters

Updated

GOAL! Leicester 0-2 Chelsea (Felix 34)

Potter out! Joao Felix has finished off a wonderful move to double Chelsea’s lead, although there’s a check for offside.

Chelsea's Joao Felix scores a goal but it’s later disallowed for offside.
Chelsea's Joao Felix sticks the ball in the net. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters

Updated

GOAL! Leeds 0-1 Brighton (Mac Allister 33)

Brighton are ahead at Elland Road. Alexis Mac Allister, who is having the time of his 24-year-old life, has put them ahead from Kaoru Mitoma’s header.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister scores their first goal against Leeds.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister heads home. Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters
Alexis Mac Allister of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates with Kaoru Mitoma (right) after opening the scoring at Leeds.
Mac Allister celebrates with Kaoru Mitoma (right) after opening the scoring at Leeds. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images

Updated

Tottenham 1-0 Nottm Forest “Hey Rob, why do you think Conte is such an awful manager?” says Yash Gupta. “Especially considering Tottenham Hotspur and its fans had nothing to do with his hair at all in the past.”

I think he’s one of the best managers in the world, if you’re into the whole results thing.

Leicester 0-1 Chelsea And now Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has hit the bar at the other end after a deflection off Kalidou Koulibaly.

On this day in 1990, a pulsating FA Cup tie at Loftus Road, live on BBC One.

Leicester 0-1 Chelsea Joao Felix has hit the post for Chelsea, who lead 1-0 in an open game at the King Power Stadium. And yes, since you asked, Gary Lineker is in attendance. Apparently he used to play football for Leicester.

Updated

Bundesliga

Bayern Munich were 1-0 down at home to Augsburg. It’s now half-time, and they have edged their way into a 4-1 lead. Joao Cancelo, Benjamin Pavard (2) and Leroy Sane got the goals.

GOAL! Spurs 1-0 Nottm Forest (Kane 19)

Harry Kane plants a header back across Keylor Navas from Pedro Porro’s cross, and this time it counts.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane scores their first goal against Nottingham Forest.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane heads the home side in front. Photograph: David Klein/Reuters
Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane celebrates after heading  the home side in front.
Then celebrates. Photograph: Nigel Keene/ProSports/Shutterstock
Fans celebrate the opening goal from Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur against Nottingham Forest.
As do the Spurs fans. Photograph: Javier García/Shutterstock

Updated

The latest Premier League scores

“I already feel quasi-bludgeoned by so many uses of ‘as it stands’ over the last few days but know that there are many more to come,” weeps Steven Hughes. “‘Currently’; ‘at present’; ‘as it is now’; ‘at this time’; ‘where we are now’ could all be used instead or as part of a rotating squad of descriptions but they won’t. Yours, with blood coming from my nose and ears.”

Surely you mean ‘blood coming from my nose and ears the noo’.

Leicester 0-1 Chelsea Daniel Amartey has missed an open goal. “He can’t miss!” says Paul Merson on Sky. “He’s cleared it!”

GOAL! Leicester 0-1 Chelsea (Chilwell 12)

Ben Chilwell has volleyed Chelsea into the lead against his old club, and we have a perfect excuse to link to this piece from Jacob Steinberg.

Ben Chilwell of Chelsea scores the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea.
Ben Chilwell of Chelsea fires the visitors ahead. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Getty Images
Ben Chilwell of Chelsea celebrates scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea.
The fans of his former club don’t look too impressed. Photograph: Manjit Narotra/ProSports/Shutterstock

Updated

Spurs 0-0 Nottm Forest I don’t think they did draw the lines on the wrong player for Richarlison’s goal, although there are plenty of people who still think it wasn’t offside.

Updated

Everton 1-0 Brentford I’ve just had a vision of Dwight McNeil’s goal and it was a beauty, arrowed into the far corner from the edge of the area after a quick Everton break.

Match report: Hearts 0-3 Celtic

NO GOAL! Spurs 0-0 Nottm Forest

Erm, about that Richarlison goal. It’s been disallowed for offside… but there is a suggestion that the VAR team may have drawn the line against the wrong player again.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS COUNTRY, WE CAN’T EVEN TIE OUR OWN SHOELACES ANYMORE.

Updated

Leicester 0-0 Chelsea Joao Felix is limping heavily after a poor tackle from Ricardo Pereira. On Sky Sports, Paul Merson says it could easily have been a red card. He wasn’t even booked.

Updated

GOAL! Spurs 1-0 Nottm Forest (Richarlison 3)

Who writes your scripts? After all that hot air in the week, Richarlison has scored his first Premier League goal for Spurs! It was a brilliant finish from an equally good pass by Oliver Skipp (apparently).

GOAL! Everton 1-0 Brentford (McNeil 1)

Dwight McNeil has smashed Everton ahead inside 50 seconds!

Everton’s Dwight McNeil scores their first goal against Brentford.
Whoomp there it is. Everton have the led courtesy of Dwight McNeil’s left boot. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/Reuters
Everton's Dwight McNeil celebrates scoring their first goal.
Which he’s rather pleased about. Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters

Updated

Peep peep! It’s Saturday. It’s 3pm. It’s time for football.

Nearly time for the 3pm games. Before that, a quick musical interlude.

Bundesliga

In an unforseeable development, Bayern Munich have come from behind to lead Augsburg. Joao Cancelo and Benjamin Pavard did the needful.

Updated

La Liga

Marco Asensio’s injury-time goal clinched a 3-1 win for Real Madrid at home to Espanyol. They’re still in the title race, just about, and they play Barcelona next weekend.

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Barcelona 24 38 62
2 Real Madrid 25 31 56
3 Atletico Madrid 24 19 45
4 Real Sociedad 24 9 44
5 Real Betis 24 7 41

Match report: Bournemouth 1-0 Liverpool

On this day in 2003, Martin Keown messes with the wrong guy.

Updated

On this day in 1989, Forest put the skids under Arsenal’s title challenge

“In these dark times it does raise my spirit to see the collective action of Gary’s fellow presenters,” says Mary Waltz. “It may not be a picket line but it is close. Reactionary governments strike out in anger when someone uses words to convict them. They think they are strong but are only showing how weak they are. Hold the Line!!!”

Bundesliga

It won’t last, so appreciate/wince at this scoreline while you can: Bayern 0-1 Augsburg. Mergim Berisha has scored after a couple of minutes.

The BBC have apologised for… oh. You’re halfway there, lads, one last push.

The BBC will only be able to bring limited sport programming this weekend and our schedules will be updated to reflect that.

We are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans.

We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon.

Solidarity latest

Championship

Bristol City have beaten Blackpool 2-0 in the early game. A banger from Andreas Weimann was followed by a season from Alex Scott.

The Premier League relegation battle, brought to you in association with Spandex

Full time: Bournemouth 1-0 Liverpool

It’s not quite as seismic as 8 April 1990, but Bournemouth have joined that Crystal Palace side in avenging a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Philip Billing’s goal and Mo Salah’s windy penalty were decisive on a memorable afternoon at the Vitality Stadium. It’s a huge win for Bournemouth, who – at least for the next couple of hours – jump from 20th to 16th.

Pos Team P GD Pts
16 AFC Bournemouth 26 -26 24
17 West Ham 25 -10 23
18 Leeds 25 -11 22
19 Everton 26 -19 22
20 Southampton 25 -21 21

Presented without comment

Scottish Cup

It finished Hearts 0-3 Celtic in the quarter-final at Tynecastle. I don’t know what else to tell you.

Updated

Spurs v Nottm Forest team news

Richarlison, the floor is yours.

Leicester v Chelsea team news

Talking of Brighton, this is a cracking read on Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical audacity. That’s right: tactical audacity.

Updated

Leeds v Brighton team news

Everton v Brentford team news

A summary of the BBC/Gary Lineker story, cut and pasted with love from our dedicated blog

  • Gary Lineker’s suspension from the BBC has been followed by dozens of presenters, pundits and contributors withdrawing from BBC duties this weekend.

  • As the corporation attempted to find a replacement host for Match of the Day on Friday, pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer announced they were pulling out of the show in solidarity.

  • Match of the Day is still due to air tonight, but without a presenter, pundits or commentators.

  • On Saturday morning, Alex Scott announced she had withdrawn from presenting Football Focus, and Jason Mohammad, the presenter of Final Score, followed suit. Both of those shows were then replaced on the BBC TV schedule.

  • The BBC’s Radio 5 Live sports coverage was also withdrawn, as was Colin Murray’s 11am Fighting Talk show on the station.

  • Former England striker Jermain Defoe has tweeted that he will not appear as planned on Sunday’s Match of the Day 2.

  • Former BBC director general Greg Dyke has said the BBC has undermined its own credibility because it will be viewed as having bowed to government pressure.

  • Lineker, meanwhile, has travelled to Leicester to watch his former side’s match against Chelsea.

Bournemouth 1-0 Liverpool Bournemouth still lead at the Vitality Stadium, but there’s been a missed penalty. Can you resist this clickbait? Can you?

Scottish Cup

Celtic are about to join Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the semi-finals. They are 3-0 up at Hearts with a few minutes remaining. Aaron Mooy, Kyogo Furuhashi and Cameron Carter-Vickers got the goals.

La Liga

Real Madrid lead Espanyol 2-1 at half-time at the Bernabeu. They went behind, as is their wont, but Vinicius Jr and Eder Militao have only gone and changed the narrative.

If it stays like this Real will be six points behind Barcelona having played a game more. Barcelona play Athletic in Bilbao tomorrow.

Updated

Anyway, to today’s early games

After just under an hour at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth lead Liverpool 1-0. Philip Billing scored after one of many incisive counter-attacks from the home side.

Liverpool look dangerous going forward and extremely frazzled at the back. You can follow the last half hour with Scott Murray.

Apropos bugger all, how good is this goal?

All diving headers are good for the viscera, but this is particularly special. In fact I’m struggling to remember a header quite like this: diving away from goal, then straining his neck muscles like an angry Bruce Banner to force it back across the goalkeeper. The background noise (both the crowd and the commentary from Dave Farrar) are perfect as well.

Preamble

And now for something completely different: actual football. The increasingly bizarre/depressing/uplifting/hilarious Match of the Day story is going to dominate the news cycle for the forseeable, but antediluvian values dictate we should also keep abreast of this afternoon’s games.

This afternoon’s Clockwatch will focus on the overwhelming futility of life in England in 2023 Premier League, with five of the bottom seven in action, but we’ll also have updates from around England and Europe. And, yes, from BBC Towers. We have a dedicated Fiasco of the Day blog that you can follow as well.

These are this afternoon’s Premier League games, all 3pm kick-offs unless stated.

These all looked like huge games 24 hours ago; now they’re almost background noise. It takes a lot to push football off the back pages, but football has managed it.

Updated

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