Burnley 2-1 Everton. Read Paul Wilson’s match report:
Swansea City 0-0 Watford. Read Stuart James’s match report:
West Ham United 1-0 Sunderland. Read Jacob Steinberg’s match report:
Leicester City 3-1 Crystal Palace. Read Paul Doyle’s match report:
Hull City 0-2 Stoke City match report:
So, another bonkers afternoon of football in the Premier League, Football League and beyond. Arsenal go top, momentarily at least, and Stoke move two points clear of the relegation zone. In the Championship, Newcastle have moved three points clear at the top while Aston Villa are just six points of the playoffs after their latest victory. Match reports and reaction will follow in this blog. Until then, thank for your company, emails and tweets. Bye!
Full-time result: Valencia 2-3 Barcelona
Barça snatch it late on courtesy of a late, late Lionel Messi penalty. Alves, the Valencia goalkeeper came close but not close enough to keeping it out. The Barcelona players are duly pelted with all sorts from the crowd. Valencia’s players are given a huge ovation as they walk off the pitch, a fine performance despite the result.
Barça win 3-2 in a thriller in Mestalla thanks to goals from Messi (2) and Luis Suárez. Munir and Rodrigo scored for Valencia #ValenciaFCB pic.twitter.com/VeDrNcJWML
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 22, 2016
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And surely a last-minute winner for Barcelona and Lionel Messi at the Mestalla! Luis Enrique’s side trailed 2-1 but they’ve come back and the Argentinian slots home from the spot to win it.
With games elsewhere signed, sealed and delivered, thank goodness for Barcelona. Luis Suárez has been brought down and they have a last-minute penalty at Valencia ...
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Bundesliga full-time results
Darmstadt 3-1 Wolfsburg
Bayer Leverkusen 0-3 Hoffenheim
Freiburg 2-1 Augsburg
Ingolstadt 3-3 Borussia Dortmund
Hertha Berlin 2-1 Köln
Championship full-time results
Aston Villa 1-0 Fulham
Bristol City 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
Huddersfield 1-0 Derby County
Newcastle 3-0 Ipswich
Brentford 0-2 Barnsley
Norwich City 0-1 Preston
Rotherham 0-1 Reading
Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 QPR
Wigan 0-1 Brighton
Wolves 0-1 Leeds
Premier League full-time results
Arsenal 0-0 Middlesbrough
Burnley 2-1 Everton
Hull City 0-2 Stoke City
Leicester City 3-1 Crystal Palace
Swansea City 0-0 Watford
West Ham United 1-0 Sunderland
Bad news for Barcelona? The club have released a statement regarding their captain, Andrés Iniesta. The Spaniard was withdrawn after 14 minutes at the Mestalla.
“The first team player Andrés Iniesta has injured the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee,” reads the statement. “When he arrives in Barcelona the player will have more tests to find out the exact extent of the injury.” They are still playing at Valencia, where it’s still 2-2 and Lionel Messi’s been booked. As you were.
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GOAL! West Ham United 1-0 Sunderland (Reid)
Heartbreak for Sunderland and David Moyes. Winston Reid, the West Ham defender, collects the ball on the edge of the box and smashes a low left-footed shot into the corner. Elsewhere, Arsenal have the ball in the net through Mesut Özil but the Germany midfielder is miles offside.
In the Championship, two very late goals. Huddersfield have a stoppage-time winner through Elias Kachunga and Bristol City have taken the lead against Blackburn Rovers through skipper Aaron Wilbraham. “There’s only one Bristol City,” emails Nancy.
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GOAL! Burnley 2-1 Everton (Arfield)
It’s his second of the afternoon, but this is surely the winner?
Elsewhere, another goal for Bristol Rovers and it’s another Chelsea loanee. This time it’s defender Jake Clarke-Salter.
In the Championship, Reading, without a win in four, are 1-0 up at Kenny Jackett’s Rotherham. Paul McShane has got the goal at the New York Stadium. Elsewhere, Norwich City still trail Preston 1-0 at Carrow Road.
GOAL! Leicester City 3-1 Crystal Palace (Cabaye)
Surely only a consolation striker for Palace? Yohan Cabaye guides a low ball from Wilfried Zaha beyond Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Barcelona are back level at the Mestalla! Luis Suárez equalises for Barça and the substitute Rakitic is involved once more. The Croatian’s header is saved by Alves but the Uruguayan striker is there to fire home the rebound. 2-2. Game on!
Some big goals in the Championship: Matt Ritchie’s made it plain sailing, if it wasn’t already, for Newcastle at St James’ Park. A fine finish, with the outside of his boot puts the hosts 3-0 up against Ipswich Town. And Steve Bruce could yet be celebrating his second win in just a few days. Jonathan Kodjia, potentially the Championship’s record-signing, has scored his fourth goal of the season to put Aston Villa one-up at home to Fulham.
GOAL! Leicester City 3-0 Crystal Palace (Fuchs)
Game, set and match you would think now at the King Power Stadium. And in some style, too. Christian Fuchs, the Leicester full-back scores with a thunderous effort. The defender sends an unstoppable half-volley at goal and gets the deserved reward. A real screamer.
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Barcelona are behind in La Liga! Valencia have taken the lead at the Mestalla through Rodrigo, after a fine pass from Nani, the former Manchester United winger. 56 minutes on the clock there.
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Newcastle are two goals to the good against Ipswich! Pérez, with his second of the afternoon. Elsewhere, Kemar Roofe, who scored goals for fun last year, has bagged his first goal of the season to give Leeds United the lead at Wolves.
Good point, well made. “Still confused about a current trend amongst footballers in the top leagues not wearing their kits underneath all those sponsor emblazoned warmups,” emails James Thomas. “Were I named to a top tier European bench, I’d be showing up at the pitch having slept in the bloody thing. I’d be ready in about 2.2 seconds if the gaffer pointed at me. What the heck?” While finding myself nodding in agreement, Sheffield United have levelled against Bradford at Valley Parade. It’s now 3-3.
More goals in the Football League: Brighton have taken the lead at Wigan through Dale Stephens. Barnsley have doubled their lead at Brentford through striker Sam Winnall and Barnet are ahead at Wycombe.
In La Liga, Valencia have levelled against Barcelona! Munir has found the net with a powerful drive on the edge of the box. Moments before, the visitors hit the post through the substitute Ivan Rakitic. The Croatian midfielder, who replaced Andres Iniesta in the first-half, hit his effort against the woodwork after Neymar’s initial effort was saved by Alves in the Valencia goal. Neymar’s been booked, too. It’s all happening!
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GOAL! Leicester City 2-0 Crystal Palace (Okazaki)
Shinji Okazaki smashes home inside the box to double the lead for Leicester at the King Power Stadium, where Jamie Vardy remains on the substitutes bench. If Claudio Ranieri’s side can continue to fend off Palace here, then it’ll be 20 games on the bounce in the league unbeaten at home ...
Meanwhile it’s one-way traffic at Hull, where Stoke almost had a third goal but for the gloves of David Marshall. Elsewhere, Reading have missed a penalty at Rotherham, after Lee Camp saved Garath McCleary’s effort. And, Yeovil lead at Crewe through Matty Dolan.
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GOAL! Burnley 1-1 Everton (Bolasie)
Yannick Bolasie’s opened his account in Everton colours with a timely goal at Turf Moor. The Congolese winger drilled home from close range, after Ben Mee found himself the wrong side of Romelu Lukaku. Meanwhile, Plymouth are back in front at Newport in League Two. It’s 2-1 there now.
At the Emirates, Victor Valdes has just made a fine save to deny Arsenal’s Alexis Sánchez the opener. It’s still 0-0, for the time being at least:
The Beast has scored in League Two! Not you, Adebayo Akinfenwa. Jon Parkin’s levelled for Newport County at home to league leaders Plymouth Argyle. It’s 1-1 now at Rodney Parade.
La Liga half-time score: Valencia 0-1 Barcelona. The visitors take a 1-0 down the tunnel with them. Courtesy of Lionel Messi. Of course.
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Another goal for Josh Morris! And it’s the Josh Morris this time. The Scunthorpe forward has his 14th goal of the season (in 18 appearances) after his free-kick eluded everybody at Chesterfield. Elsewhere, Blackpool are 4-1 to the good at home to Doncaster Rovers.
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GOAL! Hull City 0-2 Stoke City
A fine, curling free-kick this time from the Switzerland midfielder. That’s his second of the afternoon, and it looks like it will be another calamitous afternoon for Hull and Mike Phelan. Meanwhile, Leicester have gone close early on in the second-half through Islam Slimani, who found the side-netting with a header.
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So it’s hardly been a goalfest but nevertheless there’s plenty to talk about. Can Leicester finally recreate their elusive Champions League form in the Premier League? Ahmed Musa’s first league goal of the season has them on their way, at least. Maarten Stekelenburg, who was ruddy marvellous last week, will be castigated for his error at Burnley, who are in front through Scott Arfield.
There’s no goals at Arsenal, West Ham or Swansea, but there’s this outstanding miss overseas in Poland, where Wisła Płock v Górnik Łęczna are doing battle. In the Championship, Newcastle are seemingly in cruise control and Sheffield Wednesday lead QPR 1-0.
In La Liga, Barcelona are in front with five minutes or so to until half-time at the Mestalla. In the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund have battled back from two goals down to now trail 3-2 at Ingolstadt. The next 45 minutes of action coming up shortly!
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Premier League half-time scores
Arsenal 0-0 Middlesbrough
Burnley 1-0 Everton
Hull City 0-1 Stoke City
Leicester City 1-0 Crystal Palace
Swansea 0-0 Watford
West Ham United 0-0 Sunderland
Barcelona are 1-0 up at Valencia! And who else but Lionel Messi? That’s the Argentinian’s fourth goal in four days, and 13th of the season. Barça broke down the right flank, before Messi fired home at the near post.
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GOAL! Leicester City 1-0 Crystal Palace (Musa)
A fine finish from the Nigerian, who kickstarted the move before finishing it off himself, ignoring the availability of Riyad Mahrez to his right to slot home. Musa’s strike-partner, Islam Slimani, did brilliantly to tee up Musa outside the box, who hammered home his first league goal of the season.
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GOAL! Burnley 1-0 Everton (Vokes)
It’s a dreadful mistake by last week’s hero, Maarten Stekelenburg. This week the giant Dutchman may well end up being the villain, with Vokes poking home his second goal in as many matches after netting at Southampton on Sunday.
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In the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund continue to find the going tough. Thomas Tuchel’s men have failed to win either of last two matches in the league. “A a half-time update,” emails Konstantin. “Dortmund are 2-0 behind in Ingolstadt and it’s well deserved. Ingolstadt have been excellent in defence and could even lead by more goals had they used their chances on the counter attack.” Elsewhere, it’s Darmstadt 1-0 Wolfsburg, Hertha 1-0 Köln, Hoffenheim 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen and Freiburg 0-0 Augsburg.
Still goalless at Leicester v Crystal Palace, where remember Jamie Vardy is on the bench. Riyad Mahrez has shown glimpses of his best, but the forward pairing Ahmed Musa and Islam Slimani have had little to shout about. Four of the five other games in the Premier League are still stalemates.
At the Mestalla, Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta has left the field injured against Valencia. Ivan Rakitic is on there.
Chelsea loanee watch: Bristol Rovers’ Charlie Colkett has his third goal of the season away at Oldham in League One. Rovers have lost only one of their last 10 matches. Elsewhere, Portsmouth are level against Notts County at Fratton Park, where it’s 1-1 in League Two.
GOAL! Hull City 0-1 Stoke City (Shaqiri)
And there we have it then! Xherdan Shaqiri with a firecracker into the top-corner to score his fifth goal for the club.
3 - Each of Xherdan Shaqiri's last three Premier League goals have come from outside the box. Blaster.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 22, 2016
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We are bereft of goals in the Premier League (cue to the goalrush). But in League One, Daniel Crowley, the Arsenal midfielder on loan at Oxford United, has scored his second goal in as many games to double the U’s lead at Port Vale. In League Two, Carlisle United’s unbeaten run is still looking good, with Keith Curle’s side ahead at Stevenage through Jason Kennedy. In non-league, Jamal Lowe has scored his 17th goal in 22 appearances for Hampton and Richmond Borough.
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“Just wanted to report that Marko Arnautovic is sporting gloves at Hull,” emails JR. “He is the only player to do so, except the goalkeepers of course.” Apparently it’s 12 degrees on Humberside. And it’s still October.
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Exeter City are behind, again, at St James Park. And goalkeeper Christy Pym has filed his contender for the pending 2016 Christmas bloopers DVD, allowing Luke Berry a simple finish from distance. Harrison Dunk made it 2-0 to double the pain a couple of minutes later. Paul Tisdale’s side have won just two of their last 22 games at home. An uphill task now.
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Stoke’s in-form goalscorer is at it again at Hull City. Joe Allen, who has notched in each of his last four matches, almost latches onto a chipped ball in the box but it just gets away from the Welshman.
In the Championship, Huddersfield are underway at home to Derby County. Elsewhere, Simon Cox has scored for Southend at MK Dons. Karl Robinson’s side, who have not won in three, started the day one point outside the League One relegation zone.
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Another goal for Josh Morris! But the not the Scunthorpe United forward, who has 13 goals to his name already this term. It’s the Hawick Royal Albert man instead who has this one at Berwick Rangers. Yep, sorry about that.
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An early goal for the league leaders in the Championship, and our first of the afternoon. Ayoze Pérez has his fourth goal of the season and Newcastle have made a fine start at home to Ipswich Town. Elsewhere, Doncaster Rovers are 1-0 up at Blackpool.
A minute’s silence ahead of Swansea v Watford, in respect of the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster. At Leicester City, there’s a minute’s appreciation for the late Thai King. At Bristol City, there’s also a minute’s silence, for the club’s former midfielder Gerry Gow who passed away earlier this month.
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Kick-off around the grounds just a few seconds away now. One man who needs to locate the sofa and television remote rather pronto is a certain Bastian Schweinsteiger:
Hope, all of you enjoy the weekend! pic.twitter.com/xRxDaOQZH2
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) October 22, 2016
Talking of Swansea City and Bob Bradley. Five changes for the hosts at the Liberty Stadium today. Jack Cork, the captain, and Leroy Fer, Swansea’s top-scorer this season are two of the casualties that have dropped to the bench. Mawson, the defender who will make his debut, was playing in the Conference for Welling United two years ago. The story’s there already.
👥🔢
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) October 22, 2016
Here's how the #Swans will line up against @WatfordFC this afternoon. The boss has made five changes... pic.twitter.com/6CpRpResBi
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Schoolboy error from Bob Bradley. A cardinal sin from the Swansea City manager pre-match, emails JR. “In his pre-match interview explaining why he has picked Alfie Mawson,” he says. “He explained that he is good in the air and therefore good to deal with Chris Deeney. Whoopsie.”
Appearances this season:
Chris Deeney 0
Troy Deeney 9
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Burnley’s Tom Heaton was exceptional last week at Southampton, although still conceded three. The England goalkeeper will have to keep Romelu Lukaku at bay today. All seven of Burnley’s points have come at Turf Moor this season, and they could do with adding to that tally again today.
Another promoted team, Middlesbrough, hand Adama Traoré, who was relegated with Aston Villa last term, his first start. “I’m very puzzled,” emails Mike Ollier. “Why has Karanka not chosen 3 keepers and 8 defenders? is he trying to get beat? Also, has Jordan Rhodes run over AK’s cat? What has to happen for him to get picked?”
Hull City have made three changes from the team that lost 6-1 at Bournemouth. Michael Dawson returns from injury for his first appearance of the season in defence and another former Tottenham face, Tom Huddlestone, also starts, as does David Meyler.
Meanwhile, Tim Sherwood’s just said “get their arse kicked” on Sky Sports 1. Superb.
“Nice to welcome Leon Best back to St. James’ today but I’m confident of the Toon winning fairly comfortably,” says Joey Randell via Twitter. “I’m going 2-0.” Best is yet to score for visitors Ipswich Town, since joining the club over the summer ...
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Full-time: Bournemouth 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
WWWD – Bournemouth’s home form’s been pretty sturdy of late.
“Afternoon, Ben. Great name,” emails Ben Elkington from the Mestalla. “I can give you my player ratings, rather than the ones so-called journalists create at 4.57pm in a fear-stricken office. I bet Mark Noble gets 7/10 today, regardless of whether he’s actually playing, or actually any good. I’m giving him 4/10.”
I’m going ... Riyad Mahrez 6/10. Will Keane 4/10. Troy Deeney 7/10.
North of the border, Simon McMahon brings news. “It’s League Cup semi-final weekend in Scotland and in the early kick off Morton, playing their first Hampden semi-final for 37 years, lost 2-0 to Aberdeen, the team that beat them in 1979 too,” emails Simon. “Two Glasgow teams play tomorrow in the other semi. But anyway, to the real business, as Dundee United host Dumbarton in the Scottish Championship. United, on a decent run of form that has seen them move to within three points of the top, will be out for revenge after losing at Dumbarton earlier in the season.”
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The big team news? There’s no Jamie Vardy in Leicester City’s starting XI against Crystal Palace today. “In this moment I have to rotate my players and I think Okazaki can help us to do job in the middle,” said Claudio Ranieri pre-match. “It’s just rotation, I believe Jamie will start to score sooner or later.”
Premier League lineups!
Burnley v Everton
Burnley: Heaton; Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward; Gudmundsson, Arfield; Marney, Hendrick, Kightly; Vokes
Everton: Stekelenburg; Coleman, Williams, Jagielka, Oviedo; Gana, Barry; Mirallas, Barkley, Bolasie; Lukaku
Leicester City v Crystal Palace
Leicester City: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez,
Drinkwater, King; Musa, Okazaki, Slimani
Crystal Palace: Mandanda; Kelly, Tomkins, Delaney, Ward; McArthur, Ledley; Townsend, Cabaye, Zaha; C Benteke
Hull City v Stoke City
Hull City: Marshall; Meyler, Davies, Dawson, Elmohamady; Huddlestone; Snodgrass, Livermore, Mason, Clucas; Keane
Stoke City: Grant; Bardsley, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters; Whelan, Cameron; Shaqiri, Allen, Arnautovic; Bony
Swansea City v Watford
Swansea City: Fabianski; Kingsley, van der Hoorn, Mawson, Naughton; Ki, Britton; Routledge, Sigurdsson, Barrow; Borja Baston
Watford: Gomes; Zuniga, Prödl, Kaboul, Britos, Holebas; Capoue, Behrami, Pereyra; Deeney, Ighalo
West Ham United v Sunderland
West Ham: Adrian; Reid, Kouyaté, Ogbonna, Antonio; Noble, Obiang, Fernandes; Lanzini, Zaza, Payet
Sunderland: Pickford; Manquillo, Koné, O’Shea, Van Aanholt; Watmore, Rodwell, Ndong, Pienaar, Khazri; Defoe
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Arsenal: Cech; Bellerín, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Elneny; Walcott, Özil, Iwobi; Sanchez
Middlesbrough: Valdes; Barragán, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; De Roon, Forshaw; Clayton, Traoré, Ramírez; Negredo
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Preamble
What’s on the menu today? Well, there’s a feast of Premier League and Football League action and all sorts of fun and games across Europe. Bournemouth got the ball rolling for us against Tottenham at lunchtime but, listen, Saturday’s still got so much more to give. There’s Burnley at home to Everton and Leicester City – fresh from more Champions League antics – host Crystal Palace. Then there’s the troubled pairing of West Ham and Sunderland at the London Stadium, as well as Swansea City against Watford, where the focus will doubtless be on Bob Bradley’s matchday clothing. And birthday boy Arsène Wenger, who turned 67 today, will take charge of Arsenal against Middlesbrough at the Emirates, which you can also follow live. Plus – stick with me – Hull City against Stoke on Humberside.
In the Championship, Kenny Jackett’s back in the game with Rotherham United, who host Reading at the, er, New York Stadium. Newcastle do battle with Ipswich, Norwich take on Preston and Brighton – who are doing that thing where they’re right up there towards the top again – are at Wigan. Lower down the ageing football pyramid, top play bottom in League Two as Plymouth take on Newport, and in League One, leaders Scunthorpe will be hoping to return to form at Chesterfield.
And in theory, Barcelona should still be doing football the good and proper way at Valencia in La Liga once all of the above has been wrapped up. In the Bundesliga, Dortmund are in action in half an hour or so at Ingolstadt, while Bayern kick-off a little later. So all in all, a real treat. Do join me.
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