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With the seventh season of Indian Super League (ISL) getting a kick-off date on November 20, the clubs have more or less entered into full-fledged pre-season training in Goa. 

Head coaches of Chennaiyin and Odisha were the only remaining staff arrivals. However, Chennaiyin FC coach Csaba Laszlo arrived in Goa on Sunday while Odisha FC's Stuart Baxter is set to come in on Monday.

Both of these coaches had only gotten their visas stamped last week which meant they were the last head coaches to come to India. 

ATK Mohun Bagan were the first to begin full training in the presence of their head coach Antonio Habas who was also the first among coaches to reach Goa. Habas was followed by Jamshedpur's Owen Coyle and NorthEast United's Gerard Nus.

The rest of the head coaches, including East Bengal's Robbie Fowler soon followed and are currently serving their mandatory 14-day quarantine inside the assigned hotels. 

All clubs except new entrants East Bengal have begun on-field training. 

With the upcoming edition of the ISL set to kick-off within a month, the teams are all eager to step up their preparations. Now that all head coaches are in, they will be eager to impress their philosophy on the teams. 

Several Malaysian players were in action for their overseas club over the weekend, with one newcomer not needing long to make history.

In Thailand:

Malaysia forward Norshahrul Idlan Talaha came on for BG Pathum in their 3-2 away win over Sukhothai FC in Thai League 1 match. He replaced Siroch Chatthong in the 78th minute in the match that was held on Sunday, to help the Rabbits stay at the top of the with a six point-lead. It was his first ever appearance as a substitute for the club that he joined early in the season, with his three previous appearances this season coming as a starter.

Norshahrul Idlan. Photo from BG Pathum

But things were underwhelming for defender Dominic Tan and forward Mohamadou Sumareh, both at Police Tero. While the latter was not even on the bench for their match at home against Muangthong United also on Sunday, the former came on as a replacement at the hour mark, when the score was tied at 1-1. But just two minutes after his introduction, Picha Autra restored the visitors' lead, before Willian Popp sealed the win in the 68th minute. Tero are currently in eighth place after the defeat. It was Dominic's eighth appearance this season, his sixth as a substitution, while Sumareh has yet to make his competitive debut for the club he joined just last month.

In Europe:

Malaysia star Safawi Rasid too is yet to make his first team competitive debut for Portuguese Primeira Liga side Portimonense SC. On Sunday they lost 1-0 playing away to CD Tondela, with Safawi not selected for their matchday squad, and they are currently just one spot above the relegation zone, in 16th place.

But the attention grabber is surely teenage star Luqman Hakim Shamsudin's first team competitive debut for KV Kortrijk on early Saturday morning. The youngster came on in the 74th minute of their home match against RSC Anderlecht, when they were trailing 3-0, and was later involved in a movement that resulted in an 87th-minute penalty for the home team. The spot kick was converted by Ilombe Mboyo, to end the match 3-1. The result perhaps was not what the Guys wanted, but for the 18-year old, he etched his name in the Malaysian football history book as the first ever Malaysian to play in a top European league.

Luqman Hakim making his debut. Photo from KV Kortrijk

Manchester City have confirmed the death of former academy player Jeremy Wisten, who passed away at the age of just 18. 

Wisten, a promising defender born in Malawi but raised in the United Kingdom, joined City's elite development squad in 2016 before recently leaving the club. 

While the cause of death is yet to be confirmed, City posted a brief statement in tribute to Wisten on Sunday night. 

"The Manchester City family are saddened to learn of the passing of former Academy player Jeremy Wisten," a statement on Twitter read. "We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time." 

A number of City's senior players also paid tribute on social media with Raheem Sterling and Aymeric Laporte among those to send their support. 

Cole Palmer, who has been in Manchester City's academy since 2010, knew Wisten well and posted an emotional farewell on Instagram. 

"You Will Be Forever Missed. Fly High My Brother. Rest In Paradise!" Palmer wrote in a post accompanied with pictures and videos of the two together. 

Former City academy product Tyrhys Dolan, who now plays for Blackburn Rovers, has started raising money to ensure the best send off for Wisten. 

"We are raising money to help Jeremy’s family to give him the best send of my brother deserves," Dolan posted on Instagram. 

"No words can describe the pain I am feeling right now I am forever heartbroken. From the first day I met you, you kept it real with me and always had my back and was always there to help me whenever I needed it.

"I’m just so sad that I couldn’t be there to help you brother. Thank you for giving me the best times of my life. I’m so privileged to have called you my brother and no matter where I go in life I know you will always be by my side watching over me like you always have done.

"Earth has lost a king but heaven has gained the most perfect angel. We just celebrated your 18th birthday and what a night it was! Please watch over me bro and guide me everything I do will be for you and your family." 

Former Netherlands boss Marco van Basten has questioned Donny van de Beek's decision to join Manchester United.

The 23-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Ajax over the summer but has so far struggled to secure regular game time and was an unused substitute in the club's recent 0-0 draw with Chelsea. 

While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stressed Van de Beek's time will come, Patrice Evra suggested on Saturday that the Red Devils simply don't need the young Dutchman - citing their current options in midfield. 

Van Basten has now weighed in on the situation, suggesting Van de Beek shouldn't have jumped at the opportunity to sign for United and instead waited for a move where he could have played more regularly. 

"It is very bad for such a boy to only play six or seven times in a year," Van Basten told Ziggo Sport. 

"That's terrible for your rhythm! You can earn a lot more, but you also have to see where you can play.

"Is it about a five-year contract that he can sign? No, that's bullshit. Then you shouldn't go to Manchester United, but wait with it or for another club. You have to want to play football every week, and such a club is then bad for your career."

Van de Beek's agent hit out at the Red Devils late last month over his player's lack of game time - a situation that hasn't improved in recent weeks. 

“A substitute, I don’t like it at all," Sjaak Swart told VoetbalPrimeur. “I couldn’t do it myself, substituting in with four minutes left to play. Then you’d better let me sit down." 

Former Ajax team-mate Hakim Ziyech has meanwhile urged Van de Beek to stay patient in his push to establish himself at Old Trafford.

“We spoke in the beginning when he moved to Man United, but we didn't speak about his situation,” Ziyech said. “I think he will need time as well, he's come from a different country, a different style of play.

“And I know for sure it will take some time for him as well to get used to everything and then I know for sure he will bring quality to the squad over there.

“For him the most important thing now is to stay calm.”

Jose Mourinho has baulked at comparisons between his current Tottenham team and the Real Madrid side he managed across the 2011-12 season.

During that campaign in Spain, Mourinho saw his star-studded side strike a record 121 times in La Liga as they claimed the league title in emphatic fashion. 

The veteran manager seems to have found a similar spark at Spurs this season with the club's attack firing freely early on. 

Tottenham have scored the equal most goals (15) in the Premier League so far, while they've scored 19 times across their past four matches in all competitions. 

Despite that strong start, Mourinho was quick squash comparisons to Real Madrid and stress overall team cohesion is more important at Spurs. 

"No, in Real Madrid, I had amazing, amazing attacking players and we managed to build the team in a certain way," Mourinho said.

"I have to be honest and say we have lots of good attacking players here but we need to give stability to the team because the team needs stability in the back to feel solid, confident – to [be able to] have a go. So we need to find that balance.

"It is a team thing, it’s not just about individuals. We need to be able to play with all these attacking players and have the team with everybody ready to be organised defensively and not to give space to the opponent. And behind, we need to improve in some details – that’s obvious.

"You look to our squad and incredible quality and numbers and options from midfield to attack and we are trying to find solutions and we are trying to be organised.

"Thursday for example Ben Davies played, I think, for the first time as a centre-back in a back four because before it was in a back five." 

While all eyes will be on Tottenham's attack when they face Burnley in the league on Monday, Mourinho's defence has been bolstered over the summer by the signings of Joe Rodon, Matt Doherty and Sergio Reguilon. 

"Joe Rodon, we just love his potential, his mentality. He needs to work to get there. Matt Doherty has just arrived and he is also adapting," Mourinho said. 

"Reguilon, of course, is, especially going forward, an incredible player. He needs also to adapt to the defensive demands of the Premier League. It’s a process."

Andrea Pirlo says he wants to use Cristiano Ronaldo on the left of a front-three upon his return as Juventus crashed to another poor result with Leonardo Bonucci suffering an injury.

The Old Lady fell to a 1-1 draw against Hellas Verona at Juventus Stadium on Sunday, needing a Dejan Kulusevski equaliser to salvage a point with 13 minutes to play, while Bonucci limped from the field in the 75th minute.

After winning their opening Serie A match against Sampdoria, Juve have now drawn matches versus Roma (2-2), Crotone (1-1) and Hellas Verona, with their only win coming when Napoli defaulted after failing to show up to match.

Ronaldo hasn't featured for Juve since failing a Covid-19 test while in Portugal camp earlier this month and his return date is unknown after again testing positive for the virus last Wednesday.

The Portuguese superstar will need to pass a coronavirus test 24 hours before a match, meaning his participation in Wednesday's Champions League blockbuster against Barcelona is still in doubt.

Pirlo was asked how he plans to fit Ronaldo into the team alongside Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata, with the Juve legend revealing he wants to use the 35-year-old in the position he dominated in for many years at Real Madrid.

"We are thinking to play them as a front-three," Pirlo told reporters post-match. "With Ronaldo in his classic centre-left position".

Bonucci came from the field under duress with 15 minutes to play and was replaced by young defender Gianluca Frabotta.

Pirlo revealed the 33-year-old suffered a fitness issue during the 2-0 mid-week Champions League win against Dynamo Kiev, but didn't mention if the two ailments were connected.

"He had already something during the Kiev match," Pirlo said. "We'll evaluate."

Kulusevski has enjoyed a solid start to his Juve career, with the 20-year-old contributing two goals and one assist in his five appearances across all competitions.

Pirlo explained why the Swedish international started on the bench and spoke of his surprise that Dybala finished the match on the field.

"These matches are tough because there are many duels on the whole pitch, we wanted to skip their first pressure by playing with one touch," Pirlo said. 

"Kulusevski has been playing for six matches and we didn't have other subs, but when he has come on the pitch he has played very well. Dybala? We didn't expect him to last 95 minutes."

Juventus currently sit fifth on the Serie A table, three points behind leaders AC Milan, who have an 100 per cent record and a game in hand on the Old Lady.

Papiss Cisse scored his first Fenerbahce goal as the Yellow Canaries defeated Trabzonspor 3-1 on Sunday evening.

After an impressive spell at Alanyaspor – where he scored 42 goals in 65 outings, the ex-Newcastle United forward reunited with his former boss Erol Bulut at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

He did not find the net in his first two games, nonetheless, he opened his goal account in his third league tie after coming on as a second-half substitute for Jose Sosa.

In the fixture that produced four goals, on loan Stoke City striker Benik Afobe put the visitors in the 23 minutes. Profiting from a careless defending from two Fenerbahce players who headed the ball to his path – the 27-year-old darted into the hosts’ goal area before unleashing a low cross past goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

Despite boasting of an inferior ball possession, Trabzonspor went into the first-half break with a slim advantage.

A more determined Yellow Canaries approached the second-half with thirst for goals and that paid off in the 51st minute as Serkan Asan turned the ball into his net while trying to clear Marcel Tisserand’s header.

Four minutes later, Enner Valencia put Bulut’s men ahead for the first time in the encounter after finishing off a pass from substitute Cisse who replaced Sosa in the last 45 minutes.

The hosts finished off the game in the 72nd minute with the 35-year-old former Senegal international heading home a headed cross from captain Gokhan Gonul.

On loan Aston Villa star Mbwana Samatta was handed a starter’s role by the 19-time Turkish champions, albeit, he was substituted for Kemal Ademi with three minutes left to play. Senegal's Mame Thiam and Morocco's Nabil Dirar were not listed for the encounter.

Afobe and Nigeria’s Anthony Nwakaeme were in action from start to finish, but they could do little to prevent the Black Sea Storm from losing their third game of the 2020-21 Turkish topflight campaign.

Cape Verde forward Djaniny was brought in for Turkish defender Kamil Corekci in the 73rd minute, while Malian forward Fousseni Diabate replaced Brazil's Flavio in the 83rd minute.

Sitting in the second spot after accruing 14 points from six games, Fenerbahce take on Antalyaspor in their next game on November 2 as Trabzonspor seek redemption versus Kasimpasa.

Jude Bellingham has heaped praise upon Jadon Sancho for helping him settle at Borussia Dortmund. 

The 17-year-old moved to Germany from Birmingham City over the summer and has already made seven appearances for Dortmund in all competitions this season. 

Bellingham is following in the footsteps of Sancho, who has become a Bundesliga star after joining from Manchester City in 2017. 

The talented English duo have quickly struck up a close friendship at Dortmund, with Bellingham particularly grateful for Sancho's support. 

"Sancho is really very important to me. Not just because he comes from the same country as me or because he speaks the same language. Even more important is how he puts his arm around me, but also around the other young players...how he strengthens us in our abilities, gives us confidence," Bellingham told Kicker. 

"He's a great role model for English players my age. To get praise and encouragement from him means a lot to me. That helps me a lot." 

Despite his young age, Bellingham is already no stranger to senior football after playing 41 games in the Championship last season for Birmingham. 

Quickly making the step up to the Bundesliga and Champions League, the teenager is relishing the chance to test himself further and believes he should no longer be considered an apprentice. 

"I think I've matured a lot both as a player and as a person in the past few months," Bellingham said.

"Physically, the league is extremely tough, it is not for nothing that it is one of the toughest in the world. In this league, the physical and mental robustness, being able to acquire what is needed at this level was of inestimable value for my further career. 

"I'm definitely not an apprentice anymore. I was simply challenged very early to learn to read a game. Offensive and defensive. That helped me a lot in retrospect."

Dortmund currently sit third in the Bundesliga after a recent 3-0 win over Schalke and next face Zenit in Champions League action on Wednesday. 

Bellingham started Dortmund's Champions League group opener against Lazio last week but was withdrawn at half-time in a 3-1 loss to Lazio. 

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has slammed VAR, saying there is no excuse for officials to miss key incidents now they have the technology to help them.

VAR has once again been in the spotlight this week after controversial decisions during last weekend’s Merseyside derby and Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Porto on Wednesday.

Last Saturday, Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford avoided punishment for a clumsy foul on Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk that left the Dutchman facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

At the Etihad Stadium midweek, City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan also avoided a red card for an apparent foul on Porto goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin, with City awarded a penalty for a foul by Pepe moments later.

On both occasions VAR reviewed the incidents, but decided not to take further action.

Mourinho, who believes both Pickford and Gundogan should have been sent off, accepts referees can miss key incidents in real time given the frantic speed of the game.

However, he cannot accept such errors not being corrected given the VAR official has access to instant replays of incidents from several angles.

“I think the attention [the incidents have received] is based on the fact that there is a VAR. Without VAR, the situations on the pitch happen and the human being, the referee, makes mistakes,” Mourinho said, whose Tottenham side travel to Burnley on Monday.

"And you know me for quite a few years – it was difficult for me to accept the human mistakes but I learned and in this moment, I always accept the referee’s mistakes.

“What we don’t accept is the VAR mistakes. So I think if the referee of that match [the Merseyside derby], 100 mph, the situation happened, the linesman gives an offside, everybody would say: 'Ok, it was a bad tackle but it happened and it’s done'.

“But the problem was there was a VAR. The Porto goalkeeper could be now with a broken leg. And nobody understands how a broken leg for a Porto goalkeeper is transformed into a penalty against them.

"If the referee makes that mistake, everybody understands because the game is 100mph but with the VAR, how can that VAR make that mistake? And the situation of Pickford for me is the same. It’s the VAR, it’s not the referee.”

Juventus head coach Andrea Pirlo was frustrated his Juventus side only started playing with intensity after they had fallen behind in their 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona on Sunday. 

Having had just one shot on target in an insipid first half, Serie A champions Juve fell behind on the hour-mark when Verona's Andrea Favilli slotted home from 15 yards. 

Juve - winless in two consecutive Serie A games against Verona for the first time since 1989 - stormed back through substitute Dejan Kulusevski's equaliser 13 minutes from time and created a number of excellent opportunities in the closing stages without converting.

Pirlo's Juve ended the game having had 22 shots but the Italian boss was not impressed that the hosts needed a 'slap in the face' to start carving out chances - as the Old Lady crashed to their second consecutive 1-1 league draw after finishing with the same scoreline against Crotone last weekend.

"Our first half wasn't aggressive enough. We waited for them and yet we created the best chances," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"We reacted well after they took the lead, but we shouldn't need a slap in the face to wake up and play with intensity. When you play against Verona or Atalanta, it's difficult because they take you one-on-one all over the field and create many duels. 

"We worked to avoid their high press and that worked better in the second half. It's tough against them, but we could've done better."

With Cristiano Ronaldo still absent from the team after his Covid-19 diagnosis, Juventus face another injury worry with Leonardo Bonucci appearing to suffer a leg injury.

The 33-year-old limped from the field in the 75th minute to be replaced by Gianluca Frabotta, with Pirlo revealing Bonucci actually suffered a fitness issue againsy Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League last week.

"He had already something during Kiev's match", Pirlo told reporters post-game. "We'll evaluate."

The result moves Juve up to fifth - three points behind leaders AC Milan, who have played a game fewer - while Verona remain in eighth position.

Juve host La Liga giants Barcelona in a mouth-watering Champions League clash on Wednesday before travelling to Spezia in Serie A on Sunday.

Karl Toko Ekambi scored a first-half brace as Lyon hammered Monaco 4-1 in a Ligue 1 encounter on Sunday.

The Indomitable Lions striker doubled the hosts' lead at the Groupama Stadium, 22 minutes after Memphis Depay opened the scoring.

Toko Ekambi was played through on goal by Zimbabwe's Tino Kadewere and he later sealed Lyon's win with another goal just before the break.

Houssem Aouar made it 3-0 from 12 yards in the 41st minute before the Cameroon international hit the target again three minutes.

The two goals were Toko Ekambi's second brace in his last two games in the French top-flight, after he grabbed a double against Strasbourg last Sunday.

Three minutes after the restart, Wissam Ben Yedder pulled a goal back for Monaco but it was not enough to inspire a comeback as Niko Kovac's side conceded their third Ligue 1 defeat of the season.

Nigeria winger Henry Onyekuru did not make Monaco's travelling squad for the game as he awaits his fifth league appearance this campaign.

Toko Ekambi who has scored four goals in seven league games so far, was in action for 90 minutes for Lyon while Ivory Coast's Maxwel Cornet and Kadewere saw 81 minutes of action before they were substituted.

Sunday's victory propelled Lyon to sixth in the Ligue 1 table with 13 points after eight matches while Monaco are placed 12th with two points behind Rudi Garcia's side.

Arsenal talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has continued his struggles as he has now gone five league games without a goal for the first time since 2014.

The Gunners captain's failure to find the back of the net was punctuated by his team losing 1-0 to Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Substitute Jamie Vardy scored the Foxes' winner in the 80th minute after heading into an empty net when Cengiz Under's cross had taken Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno out of the game.

His opposite number Aubameyang went into the Leicester match with only six shots in his five previous Premier League games - but did score the winner mid-week against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.

The 31-year-old only managed two shots against the Foxes with the most notable a wayward header during a first half in which a dominant Arsenal failed to capitalise.

It's the first time Aubameyang has failed to score a goal in five consecutive league games since he didn't hit the back of the net for Dortmund during the same amount of matches in 2014.

Aubameyang's profligacy in front of goal has contributed a team tally of only eight goals in six Premier League games, which is Arsenal's second-lowest amount in the last 20 top-flight seasons (five goals in 2015-16).

The defeat to Leicester was Arsenal's first at home in 2020 and their first loss at the Emirates since Mikel Arteta's first home game in charge against Chelsea in December 2019.

Leicester have risen to fourth in the Premier League table with the smash-and-grab victory, which was their first away win at Arsenal since September 1973, ending a run of 27 matches with an away victory against the Gunners in all competitions.

The Foxes have had a better start to the season than their title-winning campaign in 2014-15, with their fourth victory in six games emulating their best start to a Premier League campaign in 2000-01.

Despite coming into the match under an injury cloud, Vardy entered in the 60th minute and scored his 11th goal in 12 Premier League games against Arsenal, with only Wayne Rooney (12) scoring more.

His strike was also his fifth goal at the Emirates Stadium, meaning he overtakes Harry Kane (four) as the most prolific opposition striker at the Gunners home ground.

Frank Lampard believes Chelsea have little cause for concern after failing to score in their last two games, insisting he has total faith that Timo Werner and Kai Havertz will hit their groove soon.

Chelsea managed just one shot on target in a 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Saturday, the same scoreline of the midweek stalemate with Sevilla in the Champions League.

The Blues have moved to a more defensive approach this week after starting the season in a more open style, but have yet to find balance or get the best out of their attack. 

Still, head coach Lampard is backing his Germany internationals along with the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic to make the difference over the course of the season.

"I am very happy with Timo," Lampard told reporters via a Zoom video press conference. "If you go back to the game before that, he scored two goals and Kai Havertz scores a goal. I am least worried about the front end of the pitch with the players that we have there.

"It is normal that it will take some time for relationships [to build]. For when we have got to put the ball in behind, the ball into feet, clearly these things are going to take time to build. The reason we brought Timo and Kai into the club is to add to the quality we already have here.

"Hakim Ziyech is looking like he is getting close to starting a game with his fitness. I have no worries about that. The last bit didn’t happen for us today. It is normal, that happens in football but I am very happy with the players."

Under Lampard, Chelsea have typically been a proactive pressing team that likes to keep possession, but they have sat back to defend deeper in the last week and have looked to play longer passes.

Lampard has admitted that the Blues are still looking to get the balance right between defence and attack, while praising the recent impact of his 36-year-old defender Thiago Silva.

"Where we have conceded more goals in certain games than we would have liked this season, it is important to address those problems," Lampard added. "You obviously address them at the back and I thought we defended the box very well today.

"Defending for me, at this level, is about concentration. Concentration is what will define defending in top players generally. What you saw in Thiago Silva today is a defender who concentrates at every moment of the game in every minute, to not just affect things for himself but affects those around him. I think that was a big plus today.

"The balance of the team is something we are constantly trying to work on. We got into some nice areas in the final third but didn’t have the usual spark that we have seen already from Timo, from Kai already or what Christian can do. That is normal.

"I will make a big positive of the fact that we defended very well today, at times we had good control, but we did not have that penetration that we normally have."

Elsewhere, Manchester City drew away at West Ham and Liverpool picked up all three points against Sheffield United but weren't comfortable in their 2-1 win.

Those big clubs, alongside the likes of Chelsea, United, Arsenal and Tottenham have all dropped points early on in the season.

Lampard pointed to a lack of pre-season and fans as part of the issues facing the "big six", which has been caused by the overall challenges of playing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"I think it is a hard one to pinpoint as there can be a number of factors," he concluded. "The fans are a factor, but I don’t know why it certainly feels like a factor. My feeling is from talking about ourselves is we went to play to Arsenal in the cup final a week after the season ended.

"A lot of the other teams finished their season when we played Wolves, so I couldn’t give the lads a few days [before the final]. Then we went to Munich one week later, so I couldn’t give the lads a few days there. Then the lads had shy of two weeks off.

"Then we come back in and we had double figures of isolation for two weeks. So it is not easy, I hate excuses because you only want to move forward but from our point of view, and we had new players coming into the team.

"Football is all about relationships on the pitch. It is always about the timing of the pass one forward wants, whether you go inside, or you come on the outside. Those sorts of things are what you work on the training pitch.

"We are now working on them in game to try and get a lot of improvement in the team. It is normal for results to be affected when you are talking about teams you expect to be at the top.

"We just need to keep our head on and improve, because we have a lot of faith in the squad. Today shows the basis of being able to keep a clean sheet and show resilience. I am less worried [about] relationships at the top of the pitch as that will be down to individual quality and we certainly have that."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended Daniel James after another poor performance from the Manchester United forward saw him brought off in the 57th minute against Chelsea.

James was a surprise name in the starting XI as the Blues held United to a scoreless draw at home on Saturday, as Solskjaer decided to stick with the same side that had beaten Newcastle in the league the weekend before.

While the Welshman impressed at St James’ Park last weekend, he struggled to make any impact at all down the left wing and didn’t manage a single shot on goal before he was replaced by Edinson Cavani shortly before the hour mark.

The 22-year-old was thrown in at the deep end at the start of last season having arrived from Swansea, and plans to slowly integrate him to the first-team squad were pushed aside after he scored three goals in his first four appearances. But, with his form dwindling, he started just one league game after the coronavirus lockdown and has struggled to force his way back into the starting XI this season.

But despite his disappointing display Solskjaer is backing the Wales international.

“Dan's confidence is high, of course, because he's starting games with the quality of players he's in the team with,” Solskjaer said. “Against Chelsea was one of those days where he played against some good players as well, he had some moments, and we keep on working./

"Dan's had a really good impact at the club and we're looking forward to developing him more.”

James isn't the only United player who has been struggling for form. The team have not managed to win at Old Trafford yet this season having registered two defeats and a draw in the league. Up next is the visit or RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday before Arsenal in the league next weekend.

“We have difficult opponents, that's true, but we have RB Leipzig in the Champions League and then Arsenal, so another two big games, difficult games, but we'll make sure we're ready for them,” Solskjaer explained. “Good preparation, as we always do, and let's see where we get.”

It was a disappointing day for Ghana striker John Antwi and his Egyptian club Pyramids as they succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Moroccan outfit RS Berkane in the 2020 Caf Confederation Cup final on Sunday.

Issoufou Dayo's first-half effort in the single-legged fixture at the Prince Moulay Abdullah Stadium in Morocco was enough to hand The Orange Boys their first title in the competition.

There final was originally scheduled for May this year but had to be rescheduled to October due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It was redemption of sorts for Berkane, who lost in the final of the 2019 Confed Cup to Egyptian giants Zamalek. Their win also highlights Morocco's dominance in the competition, the 2020 success becoming the fifth title won by a club from the north African country. No country has produced more winners than Morocco and Tunisia (also five).

For Pyramids, however, making the Confederation Cup final just six years after becoming an elite division club and two years after taking on their current identity from being formerly named Al Assiouty Sport will certainly remain a mark of pride despite Sunday's defeat.

Berkane came into the final on the back of a 2-1 triumph over national rivals Hassania Agadir, while Pyramids accounted for Guinean side Horoya 2-0 in the semi-final to snatch a historic first ever final berth.

In the end, Burkina Faso defender Dayo emerged hero of the match as his scrappy 15th-minute goal decided the fixture.

Although there would be no more goals, there was certainly drama towards the end of the tie as Berkane's Bakre El Helali was sent off for a rough tackle after a video assistant review.

Ghana international Antwi was a second half substitute in the game, coming on in the 66th minute for Ahmed Tawfik.

It was a big disappointment for the Ghanaian, who was hoping to build on his recent exploits of becoming the all-time foreign top scorer in the history of the Egyptian top league and earning a Ghana recall for the first time since 2017.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his confusion at the decision to disallow a goal for his side in a 1-0 defeat to Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Alexandre Lacazette thought he had headed the Gunners in front after just four minutes at Emirates, only for the linesman to flag for an infringement. 

While the France international was onside from the corner, Granit Xhaka was ruled to have impeded Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel from an offside position. 

That ruling would prove decisive as Leicester scored the winner via Jamie Vardy in the 80th minute as Arteta's side failed to make the most of their statistical dominance. 

Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said: "I’m really disappointed, we had it in our hands in the first half and I don’t know how the hell the goal was disallowed.

"They caught us with space at the back and in that moment we lost the game. It is difficult to create spaces with 10 men behind the ball, but we should have finished the game better. When it comes to those moments you can’t give away chances at the back.

"We still had some moments after the goal but gave away too many free kicks. The effort that the boys put in, and the pressure the Leicester team put you under, it’s not an easy thing to do but we have to improve."

The result sees Arsenal drop to 10th in the Premier League, while Leicester have risen to fourth after six games of the new season. 

"The game the way it went, I felt we had total control in the first half and restricted them to nothing. We were winning every ball, created a few chances and scored a goal I don't know how it got disallowed," Arteta added to BBC Sport.

"They defended deeper in the second half, waiting for the mistake and in one moment they did it. Against this block, against so well organised teams, when you open them up you have to put the ball in the back of the net. They were similar against Manchester City, they scored with two set pieces and credit to them for what they have done but our players responded and I feel sorry for them.

"We have so many alternatives in the team and can have fluidity. It worked in some moments and there are options we can manage."

Dejan Kulusevski spared Juventus from their first Serie A defeat of the season as his late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw against Hellas Verona at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

Andrea Pirlo's side were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Crotone last time out and looked like they would be on the end of an even worse result when Andrea Favilli put the visitors ahead after an hour.

Substitute Kulusevski had other ideas, though, cutting in from the right to score his second goal for the club following his arrival from Atalanta during the off-season 13 minutes from time.

The result moves Juve up to fifth - three points behind leaders Milan, who have played a game fewer - while Verona remain in eighth.

Juve were sluggish in the early stages and had to wait until the 20th minute for their first attempt on goal, Marco Silvestri getting down well to deny Federico Bernardeschi after a swift counter-attacking move had carved the Verona defence apart.

Juan Cuadrado was presented with a glorious opportunity to open the scoring shortly before the interval, but he thundered a 10-yard effort against the crossbar after another impressive move.

Alvaro Morata then thought he had given Juve the lead on the stroke of half-time, but his sublime scooped finish was ruled out by VAR for offside.

Juve failed to spark at the start of the second period and were duly punished on the hour mark when Favilli stroked home from the middle of the penalty area after being teed up by Mattia Zaccagni.

Paulo Dybala - making his first Serie A appearance of the season - crashed a deflected effort from distance against the crossbar 15 minutes from time, but Kulusevski drew the hosts level a few moments later after bamboozling Marco Faraoni and curling into Silvestri's bottom-right corner.

Adrien Rabiot flashed a powerful drive agonisingly wide soon after as Juventus created a flurry of late opportunities, but they ultimately fell short of expectations and Verona held on.

What does it mean? Juve missing talismanic Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 while on international duty with Portugal, has now missed three games for the Serie A champions and his absence was felt on Sunday.

His team-mates had 22 shots - many of which came in the frantic closing stages - but only six were on target. It is not hard to imagine that number would have been significantly higher if the former Real Madrid superstar had been on the pitch. 

Impressive Morata in industrious form

After three goals in his previous two games, Morata was once again Juve's brightest spark. He made three key passes - a team high alongside Dybala - and can claim an assist for Kulusevski's leveller.

Dybala experiences a mixed return

The Argentina international was full of enthusiasm on his return to first-team action, but his finishing left a lot to be desired. He had just one shot on target from a whopping nine shots, while he lost possession 19 times - more than any other Juve player.

Key Opta facts

- Favilli is the first player to be subbed on, score and then taken on in less than 10 minutes during a Serie A match in the three-points era (since 1994-95).
- Juventus are winless in two consecutive Serie A games against Verona for the first time since 1989 (four).
- Morata claimed his first Serie A assist since May 2016 (for a Leonardo Bonucci goal against Sampdoria).
- Kulusevski's equaliser was just the second from 12 Serie A goals scored as a substitute.
- Verona are unbeaten in two consecutive Serie A games against the defending champions for the first time since 2000 (four, against Milan and Lazio).

What's next?

Juve host Barcelona in a mouth-watering Champions League clash on Wednesday before travelling to Spezia in Serie A on Sunday. Verona, meanwhile, face Venezia in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday and Benevento in the league five days later.

Memphis Depay has shown his support for injured Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk with a touching gesture while playing for Lyon on Sunday.

After scoring the opening goal in the 4-1 Ligue 1 win against Monaco, Depay lifted his shirt to reveal a message for his Netherlands international team-mate: "Virgil stay strong my brother."

Van Dijk suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee after a clash with Everton's Jordan Pickford during the Merseyside derby earlier this month.

The Reds central defender will undergo surgery on the issue and is likely to miss the rest of the season, with six to nine months the usual absence for this type of injury.

Speaking to Telefoot after the match, Depay reiterated his support for Van Dijk and insisted he was focussed on Lyon despite rumours of a move to Barcelona during the last transfer window.

"I am very sad for Virgil," he said. He is our [Netherlands] captain. Losing him now is difficult, especially for him. But he's going to be even stronger when he comes back. Because he has a great mentality.

"I think it was a good first half. We started well, and after scoring, we controlled the game well. But we have to do a lot better than we did in the second half. We stopped playing, it was a poor 2nd act. But it was a great victory in the end.

"I have always been focused on OL, even in the transfer window. My future is no excuse for not doing my job. As a player, I always want to be my best and add something to the team."

Liverpool were forced to field midfielder Fabinho at centre-back alongside Joe Gomez in their recent Premier League clash against Sheffield United, with the Brazilian conceding a penalty in a 2-1 victory.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson thinks the Reds should target Wolves defender Conor Coady as a replacement for Van Dijk in January, with the England international having plenty of English top-flight experience.

"I would think Virgil will be out for the season," Lawrenson told The Argus. "I think it’s a write-off because you’ve got to get match fit and that’s almost impossible nowadays because they don’t play reserve team football.

"If Liverpool are going to pay big money for somebody in January, they want absolutely ready-made. Conor Coady has had loads of shouts and he is a very good organiser who has played lots of games in the Premier League."

Following the diagnosis for his injury, Van Dijk used social media to promise that he would return from his injury 'better, fitter and stronger'.

"This afternoon I met with a leading consultant to start the process of planning the finer details of my rehabilitation following the incident yesterday," Van Dijk wrote on Twitter.

"I'm now fully focused on my recovery and will do everything I can to be back as quickly as possible.

"Despite the obvious disappointment, I'm a firm believer that within difficulty lies opportunity and with God's help I'm going to make sure I return better, fitter and stronger than ever before.

"In football, as in life, I believe everything happens for a reason and it's important to try and keep level-headed whether going through the highs or the lows. With the support of my wife, kids, family and everyone at Liverpool, I'm ready for the challenge ahead.

"I'd like to thank everyone for the messages of support. It's meant a huge amount to me and my family, and now I'll be doing everything possible to support my teammates in any way I can ahead of a big few weeks ahead as I take my own recovery day by day. I'll be back."