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Andrew Cesare Richardson

Being a football fan is like living in a constant state of existential crisis.
Take the Premier League title race, for example. Neutrals would prefer a winner other than Manchester City again but they’d also like a bit of a battle.
But then, if there is a title fight, if there is pressure, does anyone come out on top against City? It just seems like there is no real sweet spot.
Anyway, as you ponder on that, let’s take a look at what happened while you were sleeping.
Arsenal cruise

Is there a more inconsistent team in world football than West Ham? Their last seven matches have seen them win 4-1, lose 4-1, beat Manchester United, lose to Nottingham Forest, draw with Everton, impressively win at Newcastle and now suffer a 5-2 home defeat to Arsenal.
The Gunners, meanwhile, have well and truly got over their mini slump with 10 goals in two games. While it’s now 11 in their last two visits to the London Stadium.
All the goals here came before half-time with the Gunners 4-0 up inside 36 minutes.
The win moves them back into second, six points behind leaders Liverpool, who host City later, where a win for the visitors – I know, I know but just indulge me for a second – would see them leapfrog Mikel Arteta’s side.
Incidentally, another defeat for Pep Guardiola and co, coupled with a Chelsea victory against Aston Villa would see the champions drop out of the top four.
Think again, Ruud

You’d forgive Ruud van Nistelrooy for having second thoughts about taking the Leicester City job after he watched the Foxes lose 4-1 at Brentford thanks to Kevin Schade’s hat-trick.
The Foxes remain 16th, just a point above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Justin Kluivert scored three penalties as Bournemouth won 4-2 at Wolves to end their hosts’ decent, recent run.
“That sounds beautiful,” the Dutchman said, when told a hat-trick of spot kicks was a Premier League first. “To go in the history books – that’s amazing. I’m super happy with it.”
Elsewhere, Chris Wood continued his impressive scoring season with the only goal as Nottingham Forest beat Ipswich 1-0, while a last-gasp equaliser earned Crystal Palace a 1-1 draw with Newcastle.
No Klassik

Bayern Munich needed a late equaliser from Jamal Musiala to salvage a 1-1 draw in Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund, who took the lead thanks to Jamie Gittens’ fantastic opener.
Harry Kane scored three in this very match last season but this time around was taken off with an injury, which manager Vincent Kompany said “wasn’t that bad”.
In France, Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-1 at home to Nantes, who had come into the match looking to end a run of four-straight defeats, which they did.
Milan beat Empoli 3-0 in Serie A, while Atletico Madrid kept up their improved form with a 5-0 thumping of Valladolid to remain firmly in the Spanish title picture.
In the women’s game, Emma Hayes’ return to England with the United States ended in a 0-0 draw at Wembley.
While, in South America, there was the all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores – the continental cup – final which saw Botafogo beat Atletico Mineiro 3-1 to win the tournament for the first time in their history, despite having a man sent off in the first minute.
Proud Andy

Ireland may have scrapped their way to a 22-19 victory over Australia, but head coach Andy Farrell said he was “proud”.
All four Tests, starting with the defeat by New Zealand, have been littered with errors, an uncommon theme during his reign.
“We were feeling sorry for ourselves but you’ve no right to think that everything’s going to go your own way, all singing, all dancing the whole time,” Farrell said of the dressing room at half-time. “So with that in mind, we got over ourselves and I thought we came back strong.
“The big picture of the game is that I’m really proud of the victory because it was hard fought in the end against a bit of adversity, so delighted to get the win.”
Back on pole

Max Verstappen may have already won the 2024 world title, but the drama does not stop there.
The Red Bull drive snatched his first pole since Austria in June from Mercedes’ George Russell in the final stages of qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.
“Crazy,” Verstappen said. “Honestly, I also didn’t expect that.
“Well done to the team to give me a car that feels a bit more connected and once the car is more together you can push a lot harder.
“We did change a bit on the car but I never thought it would make such a swing in performance, it felt a lot more stable over one lap and that is exactly what we need.”
A little extra …
The head coach of the Hong Kong universities’ basketball champions believes that allowing local players to face their regional universities regularly is one of the best ways to raise their standards in the long run.
Meanwhile, did you read about the highly thought of basketball referee from Hong Kong who’s at a crossroads career-wise?
And finally, Lee Man boss Matt Holland will continue as Ashley Westwood’s No 2 for the Hong Kong representative side but said there would be no conflict of interest.


Liverpool hit Spurs for six, United channel 1980s form; Joshua your only option, Fury told

Arteta bullish on Arsenal’s title chances, City in relegation mode, Lee’s darts championship over

Fury piles on pounds for Usyk fight, Dias adds to City injury woes, Gatland keeps job

Tottenham triumph in comedy of errors, angry gamblers drive online abuse, Bottas to Mercedes

While you were sleeping

Arsenal hammer West Ham, Van Nistelrooy sees Leicester ship 4 as Ireland beat Australia

Arsenal defender Gabriel salutes the crowd in celebration after his side’s 5-2 victory at West Ham. Photo: AP

Arsenal players Bukayo Saka (left), Gabriel (centre) and Declan Rice (right) celebrate the victory at West Ham. Photo: Reuters

Incoming Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy watched his new side lose 4-1 from the stands at Brentford. Photo: AP

Jamal Musiala celebrates after scoring a late equaliser for Bayern Munich against Borussia Dortmund. Photo: AP

Irish joy and Australian dejection after the hosts’ tight victory during their Autumn International Test in Dublin. Photo: Reuters

F1 world champion Max Verstappen was back on pole in qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix. Photo: dpa

Hong Kong No 2 Matt Holland set to stay in role despite beginning top job with Lee Man

Matt Holland will continue as Hong Kong assistant while managing Lee Man. Photo: Nora Tam

Match-winner Everton Camargo (right) shrugs off a challenge from Kitchee midfielder Aaron Rey. Photo: Nora Tam

Kitchee fullback Jordan Lam tries to dash clear of Lee Man’s Camargo. Photo: Nora Tam

Dutch ex-Manchester United boss back in the Premier League, Man City drop to third place

Former Manchester United forward and interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appointed Leicester manager. Photo: Reuters

Ruud van Nistelrooy congratulates his Manchester United players after the second of his two wins over Leicester. Photo: EPA

Brighton and Southampton drew 1-1 in a disappointing, yet rewarding point for the high-flying hosts. Photo: Reuters

Novak Djokovic (right) said he caught Andy Murray (left) off guard after recently appointing him as coach. Photo: Reuters

England’s Jos Buttler is considering whether to focus on batting under Brendon McCullum. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

Rugby

Mikel Arteta’s side are doing all they can ahead of the big Liverpool v Man City clash, while Justin Kluivert made Premier League history


Mikel Arteta’s side are doing all they can ahead of the big Liverpool v Man City clash, while Justin Kluivert made Premier League history.


English Premier League