Maresca's Man City top; Spurs goalless through four — SkimNews
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- Maresca's Manchester City went five-for-five after Sunday's 1-0 at Old Trafford, Haaland scoring the winner and Phil Foden sent off, leaving them joint-top with Arsenallink ›
- Rúben Dias told BBC Sport that Maresca has layered pressing and defensive details onto Guardiola-era fundamentals rather than overhauling the systemlink ›
- Tottenham are goalless through four Premier League games despite a £320m attacking overhaul, joining Coventry City as the only teams yet to register a goal this seasonlink ›
- Pedro Porro's anticipated return from injury could boost Spurs' chance creation, as his tendency to cut inside aligns with De Zerbi's preference for inverted full-backslink ›
- James Maddison returned from a shoulder injury in Spurs' Carabao Cup match against Liverpool, giving De Zerbi a player suited to receiving between the lineslink ›
- Derrick Henry opened 2026 with 144 rushing yards and three touchdowns in Week 1, climbing to third all-time in career touchdown runslink ›
- Josh Allen enters his age-30 season as the 2024 MVP, opening a new $2.1 billion stadium era under 36-year-old head coach Joe Bradylink ›
Maresca's Manchester City are five-for-five under their new boss after Sunday's 1-0 at Old Trafford — Haaland scoring, Foden sent off, and zero panic despite the venue of last year's Sanchez meltdown. If Dias is right that the Italian has layered pressing details onto Guardiola-era fundamentals rather than tearing them down, City have answered the only question that mattered in September. Tottenham are goalless through four Premier League games despite £320m of attacking talent, with De Zerbi's possession philosophy still searching for a finisher.
The stories behind this week
Derrick Henry Eyes Emmitt Smith's All-Time Rushing RecordTo catch Smith, Henry needs either three 1,700-yard seasons or four 1,300-yard seasons — production virtually no running back has sustained into his mid-30s. His Week 1 opener of 144 yards and three touchdowns suggests no decline yet, but the yardage gap means Henry's chase depends on historic longevity, not just continued excellence.
De Zerbi's Spurs Struggle to Score Despite £320m SpendSpurs invested £320m in attacking reinforcements but are failing to convert promising build-up into goals, suggesting the bottleneck is not talent but tactical integration. The delay in executing De Zerbi’s system risks early-season points and could pressure the manager before the team fully adapts.
Allen carries the ball, the jokes and the BillsAt 30 in his MVP prime with new coach Joe Brady and a $2.1 billion stadium in place, Allen faces what may be his best remaining window to deliver Buffalo its first Lombardi Trophy — yet his self-described need to absorb hits to feel engaged creates a tension threading through every snap, with teammates privately admitting they love to see his fearless runs while fearing the cost.
Sources: FA chief demands FIFA equity plan docsFIFA’s internal cohesion is fracturing as three major confederations and key council members challenge its president’s authority, with legal deadlines and the Oct. 15 council meeting setting immediate stakes. The push for document disclosure raises the risk of formal investigations or governance reforms.
A team that offered hope... then, four months later, Hamas attacked IsraelThe same dressing room that briefly produced Muslim prayer and Jewish tefillin side by side has been forced apart: one star left Israel after his wife posted about Gaza's children, another's best friend died in IDF combat, and racist chants that Beitar Jerusalem ultras once monopolised have spread to grassroots clubs where they were previously unheard. The talent pipeline that produced this golden generation depends on whether players from both communities can still share a national shirt — a question that is now about Israeli identity, not just sport.
Sterling admits driving Lamborghini dangerously ahead of motorway crashA high-profile footballer with a knighthood-honored anti-racism advocacy record is now convicted of dangerous driving, drug possession and failing to provide a specimen — charges that could carry a driving ban or custodial sentence when he is sentenced. Sterling is currently a free agent, meaning any custodial outcome would directly affect his ability to secure a new contract.
Maresca Keeps City Perfect With Old Trafford WinFive straight wins after a Community Shield thrashing — and a composed response to a red card at the venue of last year's Sanchez meltdown — have neutralised the Guardiola-successor narrative before it could harden, with wins over Norwich (Carabao Cup) and Sunderland next up to seal a near-flawless opening month.
Europe's Ryder Cup Squad Scouts Adare Manor EarlyDonald is replicating the continuity model that powered Europe's 2023 and 2025 wins — bringing back 10 of 12 players plus loyal vice-captains — to chase an unprecedented threepeat, while Noren's warning about the course-setup blind spot reveals the one variable the bond-building trip cannot solve.
Why it matters: Maresca's calm at Old Trafford has already erased the rebuild-narrative cushion rivals were counting on, and if City seal September unbeaten against Norwich and Sunderland, the post-Guardiola rebuild question becomes moot by October.
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