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On the day it was revealed that he wants to leave the French champions in January, Mbappe found himself the centre of attention at Parc des Princes

On an evening where Kylian Mbappe and PSG had made headlines before even stepping onto the pitch, a big performance was needed to hush the latest soap opera surrounding Paris Saint-Germain.

Mbappe did step up to fire a penalty home in the first half against Benfica, and celebrated with intent following reports that he has asked to leave PSG in January.

The goal made Mbappe the club's all-time top scorer in the Champions League, but his goal & the lead it gave PSG did not translate into a positive second-half performance. Benfica defended shrewdly and grew into the contest, forcing PSG into errors as they took their foot off the gas and stopped piling on the pressure.

Marco Verratti's waning influence resulted in him clipping Rafa Silva and gifting the visitors a chance to equalise from the spot after 62 minutes, which Joao Mario did with ease.

Victory for either side on the night would've been enough for them to secure their place in the Champions League knockout stages after Juventus surprisingly lost to Maccabi Haifa earlier in the evening, but both teams lacked the quality to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

It was a tiring watch on a day that had surely already been exhausting enough for PSG fans – what happens next is anyone's guess.

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Kylian Mbappe:

Was his goal from the penalty spot? Sure. But did he score? Absolutely. When all is said and done, nobody will look back and remember the dribbles that didn't quite come off or the crosses that were wayward; what they will see is Mbappe's name on the scoresheet in the game that all-but secured PSG's place in the knockout stages. It would've been very easy to crumble under the pressure considering the headlines on Tuesday, but the Frenchman didn't. He stepped up and delivered.

Lionel Messi:

The resurgence of Messi only continues to be highlighted in his absence. After a difficult first year in Paris, the Argentine has been an absolute hit in his second season, and in a performance that lacked desire, magic and overall cutting edge quality, PSG most definitely missed him. Who'd have thought?

Hugo Ekitike:

Ekitike didn't have to do a lot to be a winner on the night. In fact, much like Messi, he'd have gotten away with not playing at all and still made the cut. If ever there was a reason to justify keeping the squad on its toes by chopping and changing even its most 'irreplaceable' players, tonight's performance was it. Neymar and Mbappe were far from perfect, but Galtier gave them the benefit of the doubt. That has to change. Ekitike is a fabulous talent and deserved the chance to come on and change the game much earlier than he did. Perhaps Galtier will realise that having slumped to a third successive draw in the space of a week.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Achraf Hakimi:

Considering just how high a regard Hakimi is held in, fans have a right to be disappointed with his performance on Tuesday. Lacking just about everything that typically makes his game so special, the Moroccan fell flat. He didn't push up high enough or attempt to get beyond the line of defence enough, which stifled PSG creatively. Add a lack of quality in possession to that fact, and suddenly he had put in a rather average performance.

Marco Verratti:

Another performance which seemed to lack intensity, Verratti faded as the game went on, and it was clear for all to see when he clumsily brought down Rafa Silva inside the box after an hour. His challenge was lazy and resulted in a booking after it was picked up by VAR, which rules him out of PSG's next Champions League game. When the likes of Verratti stop firing in midfield, the whole team struggles.

Pablo Sarabia:

Nobody was expecting Sarabia to slot into the front three and fill the boots of Lionel Messi, who scored a wonder goal in the reverse fixture and was missing through injury. That is an almost impossible task. But when given the chance to start in a big game, you have to stake your claim. Sarabia didn't. Instead, the Spain international looked flustered and didn't make the most of the ball when it did come his way. Poor touches, lacking urgency and forgettable. That's not how you force your way into the starting XI.

Getty ImagesPSG Ratings: Defence

Gianluigi Donnarumma (5/10):

Switched off in the first half and almost gave a goal away in doing so, when receiving the ball to feet. Not at fault for losing his clean sheet to a penalty.

Sergio Ramos (6/10):

Confident in and out of possession. Led proceedings at the back for his side. What a huge presence he is for PSG; they've got to keep him fit this season.

Marquinhos (6/10):

A more composed figure within the back three; necessary when sitting next to Ramos in particular. Wasn't challenged all too much by Benfica's front line, though.

Danilo Pereira (5/10):

Took plenty of risks on the ball – some which almost caught him out – but recovered well and generally swept up without issue. Maybe needs to find the balance between risk and reward.

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Getty ImagesMidfield

Achraf Hakimi (4/10):

Bailed out by the offside flag after what was a very poor excuse of a header early on, which resulted in a handball. Also lacked his usual quality when trying to attack down the right flank.

Vitinha (5/10):

Too safe in possession. Would've been better trying to burst beyond the lines and create overloads.

Marco Verratti (5/10):

Swept up well in front of a backline that was drilled into taking risks with the ball to begin with, but faded as the game drew on. Far too casual after the break and gave away a penalty as a result. Frustrating.

Juan Bernat (6/10):

Better than his colleague on the other flank and linked up well with attackers. His run in the first half forced the penalty which put PSG ahead.

The Argentine might have won the World Cup, but his form during the second half of the season threatens to derail his bid for an eighth Golden Ball

On Wednesday, as one elite footballer careened off into the Manchester night in celebration, another sat at home, somewhere on the European continent. The first had just scored his 35th Premier League goal of the season, smashing a record that had stood almost 30 years, with an emphatic dink. The second was, and still is, barred from playing football, suspended by his own club for two weeks.

Both of them, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi, are among the top contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or. But a few months ago, this wasn't supposed to be a competition.

Messi rolled through the first half of the season at PSG in fine form, before enjoying his finest career achievement yet, completing football with a long-coveted World Cup win. Haaland was, in fairness, scoring in buckets and terrorising the Premier League, but with Manchester City having slipped behind in the title race and with Norway having not qualified for Qatar 2022, the battle for the Golden Ball did not feel like a fair fight.

But now, things have changed. Messi's post-World Cup season has turned into a footballing wasteland, with only brief moments on the pitch punctuating what has otherwise been five months of transfer speculation and boos from PSG ultras. Haaland, meanwhile, has become the sharpened edge of a near-perfect team, the final-boss finisher of a potential treble-winning outfit.

That Ballon d'Or battle, once an exercise in silence, has become a full blown debate. And right now, Haaland might just win it.

Getty ImagesDoes it mean anything?

There are some caveats here. The Ballon d'Or isn't voted on until August, and won't be revealed for another two months after that. There is also, historically, an immense recency bias when it comes to the 100 journalists who cast their votes. Luka Modric, as impressive as his 2017-18 season was, certainly saw his campaign buoyed by an unlikely World Cup final run, which remained closer in the memory than the achievements of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo that campaign.

It is also to be acknowledged that Ballons d'Or are a bit silly. They tend to be an internet measuring stick for trolls to pit incomparable players against each other, though there is no doubt that the players themselves are very invested in winning one – or eight.

Indeed, using the trophy to juxtapose Messi and Haaland would be a massive disservice to both. Messi is, these days, a player best appreciated by his body of work over 90 minutes. The Argentine still scores and assists at a European-leading rate, but it's the way that he picks up the ball, dictates play and makes use of acute angles that make him among the world's best at 35.

Haaland is inherently more quantifiable, both by nature of his position and terrifying goalscoring record. He's broken the 50-goal mark this season, and started to chip in with some assists, too. Here is a ferociously direct goalscoring robot, steadily becoming sentient. If he doesn't win this year's Ballon d'Or, there will certainly be one in his future.

In the world of sensible football conversation, then, the honour pits two entirely different entities against each other. But these things aren't necessarily rational. Fans want awards, and they want their favourite players to win them now

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe case for Haaland

In this forum, it is Haaland who is pulling away. In any other year, his Ballon d'Or wouldn't really be of any doubt. Domestically, Haaland is scoring in buckets while seldom touching the ball. He has bagged four hat-tricks and hasn't gone more than three games without finding the net all season.

Add to that the fact that this is his first campaign playing in Europe's most difficult league, with his side chasing down an emerging Arsenal in the title race, and no one in the world is having a better season domestically.

His European record makes for even more horrifically fascinating reading. Haaland has 12 goals in the Champions League. He scored five in one game against RB Leipzig and two across two legs in the quarter-finals against Bayern Munich. At 22-years-old, he mas more Champions League goals than Samuel Eto'o, Kaka and Wayne Rooney managed in their respective careers. With 35 in 27 games, Haaland could conceivably pass Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 140 top-tier European goals.

Haaland is admittedly formulaic in his goalscoring, occupying the left side of the box before sweeping his shots into the far right corner. There is some variation to things, but the City attack is set up to ensure that Haaland gets the ball in the right space, at the right time, with goal to hit.

But there have still been some other-worldly moments of improvisation around that theme. There was the game-winner against former club Borussia Dortmund, when the striker to seemed to elongate his left leg while approximately 15 feet off the ground to meet a cross to the far post. There was the bullying of Arsenal, where Haaland delicately laid the ball off to an advancing De Bruyne, who ran through to score the goal that could well have dashed the Gunners' title hopes.

There is a real chance, too, that Haaland could be the key in Man City breaking their Champions League duck. He could finish the year with 60 goals and three trophies. That is a freakishly good season — one of the best in football history.

GettyThe case for Messi

Messi, though, also hoisted a very important trophy at the end of December. The images alone of him lifting the World Cup express just how important the whole thing was to him. There was Messi lifting the trophy after full time; Messi sitting on his team-mates' shoulders, paraded around the stadium; Messi kissing the trophy while cradling the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player under his left arm; Messi waking up next to the trophy.

It was very clear that he didn't part company with it for quite some time, and it was all deserved. Messi won the one thing that had previously eluded him at an age when most aren't supposed to. He scored seven goals in the tournament, including two in the final. Everything that Argentina did went through him, too. Messi is the best to ever do it, and Argentina set up to allow him to show why he is so good.

There is an element of relief to his campaign, too. Messi has enjoyed unbounded success at the club level, but famously struggled for Argentina. He had lost in the World Cup final in 2014 and blasted a penalty over in the Copa America showpiece two years later. He was dubbed a bottler for Argentina, a player always destined to have that one glaring hole in an otherwise glittering resume.

But then, he did it. And the argument here is that everything else is rendered meaningless. Messi won the trophy he'd always coveted, and was the best player at the tournament while doing so. One for the football romantics, indeed, but a near-unbeatable case for the Ballon d'Or nonetheless.

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Saudi Tourism AuthorityMessi made a mistake

Then, Messi did a very atypical, self-indulgent thing. It is disheartening to see a footballer representing the nation-state of Qatar collect hundreds of millions from the nation-state of Saudi Arabia. It is even worse to see him do it consciously. Messi, it has since emerged, knew his suspension was coming. He was informed by manager Christophe Galtier that the team would have to report to training on Monday morning if they lost to Lorient.

As Messi stormed down the Parc des Princes tunnel following a 3-1 defeat, then, he knew he had a team engagement in less than 24 hours. And he got on a plane, anyway. Messi, as a result, is banned for two weeks. It is possible, if not likely, that he doesn't play for PSG again. He has lost the faith of the fans, first booed, then sworn at by the club's most loyal supporters.

And although his manager is yet to comment on Messi's future beyond the next fortnight, the Argentine has done something pedantic here. His Paris Saint-Germain career was fading to an anticlimactic end anyway. This was a disappointing way to speed up that process.

It's come at the exact wrong time for his Ballon d'Or campaign, too. Messi was already allowing the gap in this argument narrow. His post-World Cup showings have been dire at times, and while he still has 12 goal contributions to his name, he's now something of a ghostly figure sort of strolling near the centre circle for most contests.

There is also his team's form to consider. PSG have been knocked out of the Champions League by a struggling Bayern Munich side and bounced from the Coupe de France by arch-rivals Marseille. Meanwhile, a double-digit Ligue 1 lead has shrunk to just five points.

Messi is not only to blame here — some of PSG's defending has been miserable, while Kylian Mbappe has also been short of his best — but Ballon d'Or contenders don't often point fingers elsewhere.

He is playing — and now playing — his way out of contention.

The Rojiblancos' record signing turned in a match-winning performance to keep Xavi's side within striking distance of the league leaders

It just had to be Joao Felix. On Sunday, the Barcelona loanee showed exactly why he is still rated so highly despite everything that has happened in his up-and-down career. Playing against his parent club Atletico Madrid, Felix turned in his best performance for the Blaugrana to date, and bagged the winning goal in a 1-0 win for Xavi's side.

Barca created a number of chances early, with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski missing clear opportunities to put their side ahead. Felix, though, grabbed the much-deserved opener, darting down the left and dinking the ball over Jan Oblak — and he didn't hold back with his celebration, either!

The Portugal international was their primary outlet for the rest of the clash, as he darted at defenders, caused problems down the wing, and tracked back with the kind of vengeance he's been lacking since he arrived in Catalunya.

And although Atleti made things uncomfortable at times, the Blaugrana looked mostly composed in key areas. Their midfield trio — Ilkay Gundogan, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong — simply played through the Rojiblancos', and ensured that Barca never really lost their control of the game.

By the 76th minute, Felix was exhausted, grabbing the back of his hamstring, and half-limping off the pitch. For the first time since he arrived late in the transfer window, Barca fans rose to their feet to applaud what had been a special showing.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Olympic Stadium…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Inaki Pena (7/10):

Had little to do before making immense saves from a Depay free-kick and a Correa shot from point-blank range late on. Who needs Marc-Andre ter Stegen, eh?

Jules Kounde (6/10):

Moved back to a right-sided role. Didn't have loads to do in a defensive sense, and kept the ball moving when needed.

Ronald Araujo (8/10):

Immense in the air, and put his body on the line with regularity. Loves these kinds of physical contests.

Andreas Christensen (7/10):

A late replacement for Inigo Martinez after the warm-up. Atleti tried to attack his side of the pitch, but he handled things well.

Joao Cancelo (7/10):

Completed a solid percentage of his passes, created one big chance, and got his defensive positioning mostly correct. Doesn't have to be assisting every game to make an impact.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Pedri (7/10):

Silky on the ball, composed in central areas. Still looked tired towards the end. Much improved after a rough run of form.

Ilkay Gundogan (8/10):

Immense at the base of midfield. Cut passing lanes, and broke away from pressure. Pedri did the pretty stuff, Gundogan went about the dirty work with aplomb.

Frenkie de Jong (8/10):

Impactful all over the pitch. Covered loads of ground and put in an excellent block to deny Griezmann shortly before half time. Worked well with Gundogan. He makes Barca tick.

Getty ImagesAttack

Raphinha (7/10):

Really raised his level for the big game. Could have scored early on, and was a constant menace on the wing. Looked tired late — which was understandable.

Robert Lewandowski (4/10):

Missed a couple of chances early, and was handled far too easily by the Atleti defence. Should have made it 2-0 towards the end of normal time. Well off it.

Joao Felix (9/10):

Probably his best showing in a Barca shirt. Kicked around from the first minute against his former team-mates but it didn't seem to get to him. Direct, skilful and a joy to watch at times. Took his goal wonderfully — and seemed to enjoy it, too!

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Ferran Torres (6/10):

A good shift on the left to relieve a tired Felix.

Lamine Yamal (6/10):

Didn't shy away from the physicality of things.

Fermin Lopez (N/A):

No time to make an impact

Xavi (8/10):

After a series of poor showings, Barca were excellent from the get-go. They created chances aplenty, got contributions from their main men, and held on at the end. A good day, right after a series of bad ones.

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Discover our top 6 broadband internet providers in the United States, for all your sports streaming

In this internet age, your broadband has to support a lot. From streaming YouTube compilations of the world's biggest soccer stars to conquering the field on EA FC. Plus, lest we forget, those long, long, Zoom meetings – whatever your requirements, a stable and consistently reliable connection is essential. 

Luckily, we've got the inside scoop on the best broadband providers in the United States. So, keep reading for our top 6!

Top 3 things to considerAvailability – Not all broadband networks will be available to you, depending on where you live. Look out for what others in your area are using to narrow your search down.Speed – depending on your uses for broadband, the speed you actually need will differ. Gamers will look for high-speed providers, while casual internet users will not be dependent on ultimate speeds.Price – broadband is another monthly cost to consider, so make sure you aren't stretching yourself too thin.

It’s also worth looking into the quality of customer service and the security features a provider has on offer before subscribing.

Our top 6 broadband providersAT&TVerizon FiosCentury LinkCox InternetXfinity SpectrumBroadband Plans and Pricing

Service Provider Subscription Download Speeds Full Pricing

AT&T

Internet 300

300 Mbps

$55/Mo

Internet 500

500 Mbps

$65/Mo

1 GIG Internet

1 GIG

$80/Mo

2 GIG Internet

2 GIG

$110/Mo

5 GIG Internet

5 GIG

$180/Mo

VerizonFios

/

300 Mbps

$49/.99/Mo

/

500 Mbps

$69.99/Mo

/

1 GIG

$89.99/Mo

Cox Internet

Go Fast

100 Mbps

$49.99/Mo

Go Even Faster

250 Mbps

$69.99/Mo

Internet Ultimate 500

500 Mbps

$89.99/Mo

Go Super Fast

1 GIG

$119.99/Mo

Go Beyond Fast

2 GIG

$149.99/Mo

CenturyLink

CenturyLink Simply Unlimited

100 Mbps

$50/Mo

CenturyLink Fiber Internet

200-940 Mbps

$30-70/Mo

Xfinity

Connect

75 Mbps

$19.99-30.00/Mo

Connect More

200 Mbps

$25.00/Mo

Fast

400 Mbps

$35-55.00/Mo

Superfast

800 Mbps

$60-65.00/Mo

Gigabit

1000 Mbps

$60-70.00/Mo

Gigabit Extra

1200 Mbps

$70-80.00/Mo

Spectrum

Spectrum Internet

300 Mbps

$49.99/Mo

Spectrum Internet Ultra

500 Mbps

$69.99/Mo

Spectrum Internet GIG

1000 Mbps

$89.99/Mo

Related ContentBest Cable and Satellite providers for live sports streamingBest streaming services for live sports in 2023FAQsWill my internet subscription price change?

Most likely. There are lots of good deals that only run temporarily, so it's good practice to look at the terms and conditions of any discounted bundles/subscriptions so you don't get caught out.

Can I get the broadband I want in my area?

Service providers allow you to check this through a ZIP code search on their website. Make sure to use this tool to check the availability in your area before browsing for a subscription.

What internet speed should I go for?

If you live alone, anything up to 50 Mbps will do you fine. But if you live in a larger household, with gamers or remote workers, it's worth investing in a higher internet speed to accommodate lots of devices simultaneously and prevent lagging/buffering.

Are TV+Internet bundles worth it?

That depends on what you watch and which TV subscription is included. If it's the cheapest package and you're a sports lover, it's unlikely to have the channels you need.

Best US broadband internet providers

Editors Pick: Best All-RounderAT&T BroadbandGetty Images Get connected with AT&T today

AT&T subscription offers up to 5 Gig internet, unlimited data usage and solid availability across 22 states. It also provides both Fiber broadband and DSL (your classic telephone line connection). Its best internet packages are Fiber, which is a quicker and more reliable way to access the internet. However, like most broadband providers, Fiber services have limited availability. 

DirectTV is an offshoot of AT&T, so there are plenty of bundles to get you the best television coverage with quick, consistent connection. To find out more about the sports channels on offer, see our article how to watch live sports on DirectTV.

Offers and Deals

Internet Savings Offer

Qualify for $20 off your monthly internet subscription when you sign up for AT&T Wireless. 

Choice Reward Offer

New customers who purchase an AT&T Fibre plan are eligible for an AT&T Visa Reward Card or a gift card from either Amazon, Apple, Google Play, Starbucks, Target, or Uber, between $100 and $150. 

Get connected with AT&T today

Best for: Remote working, subscription prices.VerizonFiosGetty Images Get connected with VerizonFios today

VerizonFios is the best option for remote workers and online gamers. With its impressive upload speeds of up to 880 Mbps, so you’ll never be the one buffering on calls. It’s also a fiber service provider, so is quick and reliable on the downloads. 

Additionally, it offers the most for the subscription price with its bundles. When an internet subscription is combined with select 5g mobile subscriptions, each monthly subscription plan receives a $20 discount. That puts the 300 Mbps plan at only $24.99/mo, which is a bargain. 

To top it all off, Verizon allows you to cancel your Fios service without 

early termination fees, so you’re not restricted by your contract. 

Offers and Deals

Special deals run for Military, first responders, teachers and nurses, to save up to $25/mo on subscriptions. 

Get connected with Verizon Fios today

Best for: Affordable standard pricing, flexible installationCox InternetGetty Images Get connected with Cox Internet today

Cox's broadband strength is it's stripped-down fiber internet service. It offers an affordable monthly subscription for download speeds, the best of which is the Go Fast Plan which gets you 100Mbps for just under $50/mo. 

Cox also offers Panoramic Wifi, which is designed for quick and easy self-installation. It holds its own as one of the cheaper options, along with Xfinity and Spectrum. 

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Subscriptions available for under $50

Best For: All round speedCenturyLinkGetty Images Get connected with CenturyLink today

CenturyLink just about trumps VerizonFios for upload speed, offering up to 940 Mbps with its Fiber plan. With download and upload speeds well matched, it’s a great option for gamers and those working from home. CenturyLink is also a dual service provider; its cheapest subscription package (Simply Unlimited) is DSL. 

Lastly, with no contracts and an easy self-installation process, it's a flexible broadband option.

After breaking their transfer record to sign the Brazil attacker, the Blaugrana are set to offload a number of players, either now or in the summer

Getty Images1Javier Mascherano

As reported by Goal, Javier Mascherano's proposed move to Hebei China Fortune is almost a done deal. All that remains now is for the deal to be finalised, meaning the Argentine's eight-year stay at Camp Nou is coming to a close.

The versatile defender will depart with his head held high and with the gratitude of Blaugrana fans the world over, having helped the Catalan club win 17 trophies, including two Champions Leagues, since arriving from Liverpool in August 2010.

AdvertisementAA2Arda Turan

Arda Turan is another player almost certain to leave Camp Nou before this month. The Turkish attacker has not made anything like the same impact as Mascherano, having failed dismally to justify the €34 million fee Barca paid Atletico Madrid for his services in 2015.

Of course, Arda was not eligible for selection until January of the following year due to the Catalans' transfer ban but even when he has played, the winger has severely underwhelmed.

As a result, Barca are now desperate to remove him from their wage bill and the 30-year-old is set to join Istanbul Basaksehir before the week is out.

Getty Images3Gerard Deulofeu

Gerard Deulofeu revitalised his career during a sensational six-month loan spell at AC Milan, prompting Barcelona to enact the buy-back clause they had inserted in the winger's contract when they sold him to Everton in 2015.

The 23-year-old had hoped that his second spell at Camp Nou would turn out differently to his first but, in spite of the considerable void left by Neymar's move to Paris Saint-German and an early-season injury to Ousmane Dembele, Deulofeu has been unable to convince Ernesto Valverde that he is worthy of a regular starting berth. 

A January return to Italy now sees inevitable, with Napoli and Inter leading the chase to sign a player who is desperate to represent Spain at this summer's World Cup in Russia. Barca, though, will not accept anything less than €10m for Deulofeu.

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Getty4Rafinha

After an injury-plagued year, Rafinha is now looking to revitalise his career and Barcelona believe that the versatile midfielder would be well served by a move away from Camp Nou, given the intense competition for places within the Liga leaders' starting 11.

The Catalans are open to offers for their youth academy product but, given suitors such as Serie A side Inter have understandable doubts over his fitness, a January loan deal with the option of a permanent switch at the end of the season seems the more likely outcome.

Former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards was reportedly involved in a horror car crash on Wednesday morning as his Ranger Rover flipped on its side.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Edwards and driver unscathed in crash on outskirts of LisbonCar flipped onto its side in horror crashSporting CP take on Atalanta in Europa League on ThursdayWHAT HAPPENED?

The emergency services rushed to the scene of the accident in Atalaia, on the outskirts of Lisbon, where both Edwards and the driver of the other vehicle were found to be miraculously unharmed – as the reports. The Sporting CP winger is thought to have been on his way to join his team-mates, who are set to travel to Italy ahead of their Europa League clash against Atalanta. The former England U20 international is said to be shaky, but unhurt, and will be assessed by the club's medical staff.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite losing a number of star players in the summer, Sporting have made a strong start to the season and know that if they secure victory in Italy, they will qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League. Edwards can be considered a key part of Sporting's success this season, having contributed seven goals and the same number of assists to the collective cause. The Lions will be hopeful that their number 10 will be able to make another contribution in their key game tomorrow evening.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Edwards came through the Spurs academy before moving to Portugal on a free transfer in 2019. Edwards impressed at Vitoria Guimaraes, scoring 20 goals, before earning a €7.7 million move to the capital – becoming the first English player to play for Sporting since Spurs defender Eric Dier.

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WHAT NEXT FOR EDWARDS AND SPORTING?

Edwards will return his focus back on helping Sporting qualify for the Europa League knockouts and fight for the league title against Benfica. The English winger has long been touted with a return to the Premier League and may well be joined by his Sporting team-mate Ousmane Diomande, who has been the centre of wild transfer speculation.

While Manchester City and Liverpool dominated our main team of the year, as many as 10 clubs are represented in the under-21 edition

Manchester City and Liverpool's battle for the title dominated this season's edition of the Premier League, but they are scarcely represented in Goal’s Under-21 Team of the Year – with young talent impressing all over the division in 2018-19.

A total of 10 clubs feature in our side of starlets, with performances in all competitions taken into account in order to compile this best XI.

From finalists in the Champions League and Europa League to players who spent their seasons fighting relegation, here is the Premier League Young Team of the Season.

GettyGK | Arijanet Muric

It’s been quite the season for Arijanet Muric. In between turning 20, choosing to play and then debuting for the Kosovo national team and winning the Premier League with Manchester City, the young goalkeeper was chosen by Pep Guardiola to be his first choice in the EFL Cup. Muric played five of City’s six games as they lifted the trophy, keeping four clean sheets, conceding just one goal and saving two penalties in their quarter-final victory over Leicester.

AdvertisementGettyRB | Trent Alexander-Arnold

There are a whole host of young, talented right-backs in the Premier League right now – but Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Southampton’s Yan Valery only get honourable mentions thanks to Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool man has had a stellar campaign, registering an incredible 12 assists in the Premier League – the most of any defender. But the 20-year-old has been formidable defensively too, making 33 interceptions and winning 37 of his 57 tackles as the Reds fell just short of the title. 

GettyCB | Juan Foyth

Few managers nurture young talent as well as Mauricio Pochettino, so Tottenham Hotspur have a real star in the making in Juan Foyth. His season ended in reckless fashion after a red card at Bournemouth, but the 21-year-old has impressed otherwise. An accomplished passer who presents an aerial threat and also a versatile option with his ability to play at right-back, Foyth is also now a full Argentina international, making his debut in October.

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GettyCB | Joe Gomez

Joe Gomez’s season was hampered by injury again this term, but he still showed why Liverpool are excited about his talent. The young defender has played an important part in the Reds’ season, with performances at home to Brighton and Red Star Belgrade particular highlights. He’s alternated between right-back and centre-back roles since moving to Anfield, but if his future is in the latter position with Alexander-Arnold in the former, both England and Liverpool should be licking their lips.

Harry Maguire has received a new date for his retrial for alleged assault and bribery, but it may never go ahead, per a new report.

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Maguire receives fresh trial dateWas set to plead innocence after Mykonos incidentTrial may never actually happen(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Per , Maguire's retrial for alleged assault and bribery in Mykonos was set to be held this week, but it has now been delayed due to legal action and it is not set to take place until March next year. However, the report makes clear that the trial may never happen, following his arrest in 2020.

AdvertisementWHY HAS THE TRIAL BEEN MOVED?

The England defender was set for a hearing on Wednesday but a lawyer's strike in the country has meant that the trial has been delayed. This is the second time that the trial has been delayed, and Maguire must now wait to plead his case.

WHAT IS MAGUIRE ALLEGED TO HAVE DONE?

The defender was arrested whilst on holiday with his wife Fern Hawkins, his sister, Daisy, and his brother, Joe. It has been alleged that Daisy was injected with an unknown substance after being approached by Albanian businessmen. Maguire has claimed that in the aftermath of the event, he was taken to a police station and assaulted by authorities. He attempted to flee, and his defence is that he believed he was being kidnapped.

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Getty WHAT SENTENCE DID MAGUIRE RECEIVE?

Maguire was initially found guilty in 2020 and was handed a 21-month suspended sentence. The United ace appealed that decision and has been awaiting the retrial ever since.

The Gunners are top of the Premier League after 14 games, so who have been their main men – and where do they still need to improve?

It’s been a record-breaking start to the season for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side have entered the break for the World Cup sitting five points clear at the top of the Premier League table having won 12 of their first 14 games.

It’s the best start to a league season in the club’s history and has fans wondering whether the Gunners could now go on to end their 18-year wait for a Premier League title.

But who has been the stand out player so far? What has been the best performance and where could improvements be made?

Below, GOAL dissects Arsenal’s remarkable season so far…

Getty ImagesBest player

Given the way Arsenal have played so far this season, it’s incredibly difficult to pick just one player.

Gabriel Jesus has been a revelation, even though his goals have dried up, while Ben White has barely put a foot wrong at right-back and Gabriel Martinelli has been electric.

Thomas Partey has been sensational during the past two months and William Saliba continues to produce monstrous performances week after week.

But Granit Xhaka has been truly outstanding and gets the nod for this one.

Xhaka’s redemption story at Arsenal has been the theme of the season and his consistency levels have been unwavering.

He has been transformed under Arteta and is clearly loving the more advanced midfield role he is now operating in.

Three goals and three assists in 14 starts is a fine return and he deserves every bit of praise that has come his way so far this season.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBest performance

The win at Chelsea was superb in many ways.

It may have only been 1-0, but it was a performance of near total domination from Arteta’s men.

They went to the home of one of the big six and controlled the game from start to finish, playing with personality and style.

There have been plenty of other fine displays, including the North London derby success against Spurs and the home win over Liverpool.

But the victory at Stamford Bridge, and the manner of it, showed exactly what this new Arsenal team is about.

Getty Images.Best goal

There are plenty to choose from here.

William Saliba’s superb strike at Bournemouth was a serious contender, as was Thomas Partey’s spectacular effort against Tottenham.

There have also been plenty of excellent team goals, but Partey’s curler against Nottingham Forest just edges this one.

The replay of the goal from behind Partey really demonstrated how good a strike it was.

He whipped it around two defenders and bent it perfectly into the top corner from just outside the box. It was a wonderful finish.

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Getty ImagesBest new signing

His goals may have dried up recently, but Gabriel Jesus has still been hugely influential in Arsenal’s success.

They simply wouldn’t be where they are in the Premier League without the summer addition from Manchester City.

Jesus’ role in the win at Chelsea was a prime example of just how vital he is to the team, even if he is not scoring goals.

He should have scored at Stamford Bridge when he sent a header wide in the first half following a sensational Arsenal move.

But he didn’t let his head drop and his relentless work rate and determination to play for his team-mates drove his side on to get the win.

It was his desire that won the ball back off Thiago Silva that led to the corner which Arsenal scored their winning goal from in the second half.

Jesus does need to get back amongst the goals after the World Cup break; that is clear. 

But his recent barren run shouldn’t take away from just how impressive he has been so far during his debut season in North London.

Lyon battered Slavia Prague 9-0 in their first match of the 2023/24 UEFA Women's Champions League season.

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Lyon trample Slavia Prague 9-0Lindsey Horan started matchFrench side manage seven different scorersWHAT HAPPENED?

Six first half goals from Lyon told the story as Lindsey Horan and Co pummeled Slavia Prague into the pitch Tuesday evening. Kadidiatou Diani's first-half brace stole the show as the France international shined in her first WUCL game with the club. Horan, meanwhile, ran circles in the midfield while putting on a passing clinic.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Lyon managed seven different goal-scorers, with Diani and Vanessa Giles being the only multi-scorers with two. By the halftime whistle it was already 6-0 to the away side, and come the second half, a plethora of subs were made – with Horan among those being hooked.

The USWNT midfielder left the pitch in the 69th minute, and although she didn't find herself on the scoresheet, Horan played an important role in the match with possession and tempo control in the center of the pitch.

DID YOU KNOW?

This is the second time Lyon have put nine goals past Slavia Prague in recent years, with the French side winning 9-1 in 2015. It's safe to say the 2021-22 European champions well in the hunt for their ninth title!

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LYON?

The French side are back in action on November 17 with a league match against Dijon Foot before returning to UWCL action again the following week against SKN St. Polten on November 24.