English Premier League club, founded 1879, nicknamed the Black Cats.
Wrexham has confirmed a high-profile pre-season tour to the United States, with fixtures against Leeds United, Liverpool and Sunderland. The team is focused on training and results as injuries shape squad selection ahead of the Championship campaign.
Woking FC has parted ways with manager Jermain Defoe by mutual consent, ending a four-month spell after the club’s season preparations. Directors say concerns across staff and players prompted the decision, with no direct concerns raised by Defoe.
Elliott has returned to Liverpool after a difficult Villa loan, describing it as a second chance. He has played nine league games for Villa, with a clause forcing Villa to buy at £35 million if he reached 10 appearances. He is aiming to cement his place under Andoni Iraola while remaining open to future moves.
A wave of new football kit designs is hitting top Scottish and European clubs as the 2026-27 season approaches. BBC Business collects notable releases from AC Milan to Celtic and Wales, with reactions ranging from praise for heritage-inspired designs to criticism of bold, modern looks.
Arsenal has given 16-year-old Max Dowman more first-team opportunities after a pre-season showing. Dowman is the youngest Premier League scorer, and his involvement is expected to grow as the 2026-27 season nears.
Fulham host Chelsea as Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso begin managerial duties, backed by hefty summer signings including Morgan Rogers. Chelsea arrive with a club-record 117m outlay and a reshaped squad aiming to push up the table after finishing 10th last season. The match kicks off tonight at Craven Cottage in a decisive early-season showdown.
The draw for the Champions League group stage has placed 36 clubs into four pots based on UEFA coefficients. Top clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, PSG, Bayern, Real Madrid and others are in pot one. Aston Villa and Manchester United return to the competition in pot two. Pots three and four include a mix of European contenders and newcomers. The draw introduces a new rule barring teams from hosting the same opponent in three consecutive league phases.
Sunderland has earned their first win of the season as Habib Diarra and Wilson Isidor combine for the visitors’ late winner. Fulham’s goalscoring threat is stifled by Sunderland’s resilient defense and Nordi Mukiele’s commanding display.
Arsenal has beaten Chelsea in a London derby, continuing their strong start to the season. Other results included Manchester United drawing 2-2 with Everton, and Hull City continuing to challenge xG conventions. The weekend’s slate reshapes the early table as clubs chase consistency ahead of the international break.
Manchester United are enduring a painful start to the season, with a 2-2 draw after an own goal by Lisandro Martinez and late leveller by Cunha. The club sits mid-table after five matches, and manager Michael Carrick faces mounting scrutiny as results fail to meet expectations.
Arsenal have beaten Chelsea in a London derby as Mikel Arteta’s side show resilience after a 2-1 win at the Emirates. Chelsea, despite strong attacking moments, are struggling defensively and still adjusting under Xabi Alonso. The result underscores a widening gap between the two clubs early in the season.
Manchester United have beaten Bodo/Glimt 5-0 at Old Trafford in their Champions League return. Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Kane scored; Fernandes, Kane and Michael Olise have each been nominated for this year’s Ballon d'Or. United have recorded their biggest European win since 2020.
Arsenal has maintained a perfect start to the season after a 1-0 win at Sunderland, with Bruno Guimarães’s late strike and a pivotal penalty saved by David Raya. Mikel Arteta deems the decision to award a Sunderland penalty as unacceptable, and Arsenal will seek clarification from Pro Ref on VAR involvement.
Manchester City have won a dramatic Manchester derby, extending their lead at the top as United push hard but fall short. A red card for Phil Foden opened a chaotic half, with Enzo Fernandez offside controversy and Haaland finishing late to seal the result.
Coventry City has secured a first Premier League win since 2001, lifting spirits after a nightmare start that left them with four straight defeats and no goals. Lampard’s side capitalised on a late VAR call to beat Nottingham Forest, signaling a potential shift as the break approaches, though the wider reality of the season remains brutal for newly promoted clubs.
The Carabao Cup ties see Manchester City and Norwich facing each other after City, the holders, may rest stars. Fleetwood and Liverpool advance to round four, with further ties shaping the fourth-round draw. Everton and Newcastle, Fulham and Palace, and Bournemouth and Villa also progress, setting up a busy slate of matches.
Switzerland has named its 25-man squad for Nations League fixtures against Scotland, Slovenia and North Macedonia, with captain Granit Xhaka returning after a strong World Cup and Boteli scoring again for his club. Uncapped defender Sascha Britschgi is included for the first time, and Zachary Athekame is back from loan to Lyon. Matches begin Sept. 29 in Scotland, with home games in Lucerne.
Granit Xhaka has withdrawn from Switzerland’s Nations League squad as prosecutors review a possible criminal case over a vaccination certificate obtained during the Covid pandemic. Embolo is also unavailable as the Swiss focus on upcoming matches against North Macedonia, Scotland, and Slovenia.
Arsenal has moved to second in the Premier League table after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, with Noni Madueke scoring a deflected late goal. The result follows three consecutive victories as Arsenal gears up for a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.