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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was perplexed by how VAR dealt with a penalty claim during his side's 1-0 loss at Manchester City.

Raheem Sterling scored the only goal midway through the first half at the Etihad Stadium, where Arsenal played a full part in an absorbing contest.

Arteta bemoaned a trio of clear-cut chances that went begging before the break, City goalkeeper Ederson standing firm to twice deny Bukayo Saka before saving from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

When defending a corner in first-half stoppage time, Kyle Walker's boot came close to Gabriel's head and Arteta questioned why a more thorough video examination of the incident did not take place.

"That has to be checked," he told Sky Sports.

"They said that they checked, and I said, 'How the hell have you checked if you took two seconds to check that action?'. Obviously, there is something there."

Despite ruing those missed chances, former City assistant Arteta had plenty of praise for how his team approached the match.

"I am upset because I think we deserved more from the game," he said. "I am extremely happy with the performance we put in against a top, top team, to play with the courage we did and to make it as difficult as we did, I cannot demand much more from the players.

"When you have three big chances in this game, you have to score. I think the three of them were really good chances and then the situation we have with Kyle Walker from the corner."

Arteta added: "We've come a long way. I'm extremely happy. I was in that dressing room for four years and I know what it takes for a team to do what we've done here."

Saturday's defeat leaves Arsenal in fifth place in the Premier League standings after five matches, the Gunners recording three wins and two defeats in their opening fixtures of the 2020-21 season. 

Arteta's charges will be back in action on Thursday away to Rapid Vienna as they kick off their group campaign in the Europa League.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed Islam Slimani has a role to play in his team after turning down the chance to leave the club for a fourth loan spell.

The 32-year-old striker has spent the last two-and-a-half seasons away from the King Power Stadium with loan stints at Newcastle United, Fenerbahce and Monaco.

Rodgers explained why the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner is yet to make a matchday squad this season, but he is upbeat about the impact he can have on his team.

“Yes (there is a role for Slimani),” Rodgers said as per Leicestershire Live. “He’s a player I’ve liked, but he wasn’t going to feature so much for me, and when he came into the club he’d been a number one striker, so it was difficult for him, and that’s why he’s gone out to spend time on loan.

“He’s not featured so much over the course of pre-season and the early season, because my thinking was that he would end up going out. But I had it in my mind that if he didn’t go out, he can certainly be someone who could come into our squad. That’s how it’s evolved.

“He’s not going out on loan, and he’s someone I happily welcome in, because it’s going to be a real demand for all of the players, so to have quality players is important.

“He showed during his time at Monaco – I saw him last year on the TV a number of times – he’s someone who can contribute for us.”

Last season, Slimani scored nine goals in 18 Ligue 1 matches for Monaco and Rodgers has highlighted how his abilities will be of advantage for the Foxes in the Premier League, Carabao Cup and the Uefa Europa League.

“He’s clearly a physical presence. Coming into the box, he’s good in the air, but saying that Jamie is good in the air as well when the ball comes in,” he continued.

“(Slimani) is slightly taller, and that’s one of his strengths, attacking the ball from the side. He can give us an option in the games, absolutely. He likes to play up there on his own but he can also play off a different type of a striker as well.”

Leicester City who are fourth in the Premier League table, host Aston Villa for their league fixture on Sunday.

Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga have spoken up about their inclusions in Malawi's provisional squad for this year's Cosafa Women's Cup.

The Malawian strikers enjoyed an impressive season in China as debutant Temwa scored nine goals to help Wuhan win a maiden title, while Tabitha led Jiangsu Suning to the runners-up spot.

Following their exploits in the Chinese Women's Super League, the striking sisters were named in a 35-player provisional squad for the regional tournament slated for November 3-15 in South Africa.

Having missed the duo's services in the last two editions, coach Abel Mkandawire is keen on having Chawinga as the She-Flames seek to clinch their first-ever semi-final appearance this term. 

The Chawinga sisters, however, have confirmed their availability for the competition billed to be held next month in Port Elizabeth.

"We will be available for the Cosafa tournament," Tabitha, who also doubles as the team's captain told Malawian tabloid, Nyasa Times.

Corroborating her elder sister's stance, Temwa said: "I will certainly be available for the call to national duty".

In a build-up to the 10-nation competition, Malawi have since opened the training camp at Mpira Village in Blantyre on Thursday, October 15.

The She-Flames are expected to find out their opponents in the group stage when the draw is conducted on October 22.

It wasn’t the start Cape Town City head coach Jan Olde Riekerink was looking for, but he was able to find several positives from the defeat to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 quarter-finals.

The Citizens had been in superb form when the Premier Soccer League (PSL) resumed after the four-month break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the Cape side was unable to keep that momentum going upon the start of the 2020/ 21 campaign as a well-taken header by Terrence Dzvukamanja in the 23rd minute earned the Gauteng side a 1-0 win on Saturday night at the Citizens’ expense.

However, Pirates did not have things all their own way at Orlando Stadium and they had to grind out the victory despite City having been reduced to 10 men after Fagrie Lakay’s 33rd minute sending off for standing on Wayde Jooste's ankle.

The Cape team showed good character to keep themselves in the contest and nearly equalised right at the death when Tashrique Morris just failed to get a decisive touch on Abubaker Mobara’s cross.

Riekerink felt his men deserved more than they got on the night.

“I think we started good, and I think we deserved [to score] the last chance, the last goal, its all that you can hope for if you go for everything or nothing," he told SuperSport after the game.

"Unlucky for the guys that they didn't score. But I’m very proud of the team the way they present themselves. They worked for the result, we had the opportunity, but it did not fall our way.

“Pirates couldn’t find the solution, they didn’t press us, so we had time. And as I mentioned before the game, this team has great unity and they fight for each other,” the Dutchman continued.

“You will win games and you will lose, but especially when you lose you will see the team spirit and I must compliment them for the way they fought. At the end, we have to win games, but if we keep going like this, then the results will be there.”

The Cape side will now turn their attention to the league, with their first match scheduled for Saturday 24th October, at home against Chippa United.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was pleased to net twice in his first game back since recovering from Covid-19 , while joking that not even the virus would have kept him out of Saturday's Derby della Madonnina against Inter.

The AC Milan star made the difference for his side, scoring both of their goals as Inter went down in the derby for the first time since 2016 in a 2-1 reverse. 

Zlatan hit first 12 minutes in, converting the rebound after seeing his penalty saved by Samir Handanovic, before doubling his tally shortly after with a close-range finish to polish off a lethal Milan counter-attack. 

Inter narrowed the scoreline through Romelu Lukaku but could not find an equaliser, leaving Milan top of Serie A with a perfect 12 points from four games so far. 

Their veteran Swedish forward has made a huge difference since arriving in January, and not even an enforced lay-off over the international break due to his positive Covid-19 test appears to be slowing the 39-year-old down. 

"I lost my sense of taste a little, but I didn't have any other symptoms," Zlatan told  Sky Sport   after the match when asked about his brush with the virus. 

"I swabbed myself every three days and I told myself that I would play in the derby whatever the cost, even if I were still positive!

"Better with age? Yes, I feel more complete and the experience helps. If I had the condition of a kid today, no one would stop me."

Milan last lifted the Scudetto all the way back in 2010-11, with their last trophy of any kind coming in 2016 when the Rossoneri lifted the Italian Supercoppa. 

Zlatan will not let himself become distracted by title talk, though, with just four games of the season gone for Stefano Pioli's charges.

"We are only at the beginning, we are thinking about one game at a time," the former Sweden striker added.

"When I arrived the goal was Europe, we did it and we have to do well there too. There is a chance to win the Scudetto, if you can do one thing you can do everything." 

Milan and Zlatan kick off their Europa League campaign on Thursday with a visit to Parkhead to take on Celtic.

Federico Chiesa was sent off on his Juventus debut as the Cristiano Ronaldo-less Serie A champions drew 1-1 with Crotone on Saturday. 

Bereft of the talismanic Ronaldo, who is self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 while on international duty with Portugal, Juve looked far from their best at Stadio Ezio Scida. 

Alvaro Morata's first goal since rejoining the club on loan from Atletico Madrid cancelled out Simy's early penalty for the hosts, but their hopes of going on to claim all three points were dealt a blow with 30 minutes remaining when Chiesa, who joined on loan from Fiorentina on transfer deadline day, received a straight red card. 

Juve - whose veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made his 650th Serie A appearance - thought they had won it late on thanks to a close-range finish from Morata but he was deemed to be offside after a lengthy VAR review. 

Crotone started with a spring in their step and were rewarded after 11 minutes when Simy stroked home from the penalty spot after Leonardo Bonucci had been adjudged to have fouled Arkadiusz Reca inside the area. 

Juve bounced back nine minutes later when Morata slid home from four yards after being picked out by Chiesa.

Manolo Portanova - making his first appearance since May 2019 - was denied by Alex Cordaz at his near post shortly before the interval, while at the other end Buffon denied Pedro Pereira. 

Rodrigo Bentancur flashed an effort wide immediately after the restart before Luca Cigarini whipped wide of Buffon's left-hand post from a promising position on the edge of the area. 

Chiesa then saw red for a late challenge on Cigarini, although Andrea Pirlo's men almost stole ahead soon after when Morata flicked a header onto the post. 

The Spain striker was denied a second inside the closing 15 minutes, with a VAR review showing that he was marginally offside when he turned home Juan Cuadrado's low ball into the area. 

A point moves Juve up to fourth, four points behind leaders Milan, while Crotone are off the bottom after picking up their first point of the season.

What does it mean? Juve lack goal threat without Ronaldo 

Pirlo might feel his side should be returning to Turin with all three points, given the late drama surrounding Morata's disallowed strike, but Crotone were good value for a point. They reduced their more illustrious opponents to just two shots on target - a statistic it is not hard to imagine would have been significantly higher had Ronaldo been available. 

Morata does his bit up top

Morata did his best to cover for Ronaldo's absence, opening his account in his second spell at the club, hitting the post with a deft header and coming agonisingly close to grabbing a late winner. Pirlo will demand more from his hold-up play, however, given he lost possession a whopping 20 times. 

Chiesa's promising start ends in tears

Chiesa looked sharp before his dismissal, making three key passes and laying on Morata's goal. It is that red card his Juve bow will be remembered for, though, as he became the first player to receive his marching orders on his debut for the Bianconeri in the three-points-for-a-win era. 

Key Opta Facts: 

- Juventus have not won in six away Serie A games in a row for the first time since August 2010.
- Federico Chiesa is the first Juventus player, in the three points era, to receive a red card in his debut match for Juventus in Serie A.
- In his last three games against Crotone in Serie A Federico Chiesa has provided two assists and scored one goal.
- Juve have faced nine penalties in 2020 - in Serie A have only Fiorentina have faced more (10).
- Leonardo Bonucci is the player who has conceded the most penalties in 2020 in Serie A (four).

What's next?

Juve start their Champions League campaign with a trip to Dynamo Kiev in Group G on Tuesday before hosting Hellas Verona in Serie A on Sunday - the same day Crotone travel to Cagliari.

Everton star Richarlison has apologised for his challenge on Thiago Alcantara in Saturday's Merseyside derby.

Richarlison was shown a straight red card in the 90th minute of the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, having lunged in on Liverpool playmaker Thiago, who was making his first Premier League start.

His dismissal looked to have cost Everton when Jordan Henderson netted in stoppage time, only for VAR to controversially disallow the goal for offside.

In his post-match comments, Jurgen Klopp suggested the severity of the injury sustained by Thiago in the challenge was unknown, though revealed: "It looks not good."

Richarlison, who hit the post with a header midway through the second half, has subsequently issued an apology to Thiago, though he insisted no harm was intended.

"Everyone who knows my background knows that I was never a violent player," Richarlison wrote in a statement issued on his official website.

"What happened today was an accident from sheer over-dedication. I did not enter that dispute with the intention of hurting Thiago. 

"When I saw that the collision was going to happen, I picked up my foot and hit him with my knee, which was inevitable due to the speed of the play.

"I already sent a message to him apologising and I also do it here publicly. I hope he hasn't been hurt and that everything is fine. 

"I also apologise to my team-mates, my club and my fans for leaving them with one less [player] at the end of the game. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to change what happened, other than to reflect, work and move on."

Richarlison's dismissal was the 22nd in a Premier League clash between Liverpool and Everton, who have been shown 15 red cards.

On top of a possible injury for Thiago, Liverpool also have concerns over Virgil van Dijk, who was forced off after a challenge from Jordan Pickford – who escaped punishment – early on.

Jordan Henderson revealed after the match that Pickford had also apologised for his role in that incident.

"Everyone keeps asking us about it so I'm guessing it's a red card. It mustn't be a good challenge," Henderson told BT Sport. "To be fair, Jordan came up and apologised to me after the game and [told me] to tell Virgil."

Bruno Fernandes recovered from a rare penalty miss to set up a late 4-1 Premier League win for Manchester United at Newcastle United on Saturday.

The Portugal international, who had never previously failed from 12 yards for United, looked to have passed up the visitors' best chance of victory at St James' Park when Karl Darlow produced a magnificent stop.

That spot-kick came after Harry Maguire - fit despite a knock on international duty - cancelled out a second-minute Luke Shaw own goal, with United dominant but set to be frustrated heading into the closing stages.

A rapid counter-attack produced the breakthrough moment, though, as Fernandes picked out the top-right corner before Aaron Wan-Bissaka lashed in a third and Marcus Rashford finished the 96th-minute fourth, ensuring United bounced back from the 6-1 defeat to Tottenham with all three points.

The latest setback in Shaw's United career had come after just 102 seconds as he toed Emil Krafth's cross past David de Gea following a Newcastle counter.

It was a goal befitting a ragged start as United dictated without initially threatening, finding their range after 19 minutes only for Fernandes' stunning strike to be ruled out due to an offside in the build-up.

The visitors had their leveller four minutes later, though, as captain Maguire - who missed from point-blank range at the same end of the stadium last season - headed in Juan Mata's corner.

De Gea saved well from Allan Saint-Maximin's piledriver, while Darlow dealt with Wan-Bissaka's wayward cross but was then grateful to Jamaal Lascelles for a goal-line clearance from Rashford, who saw another shot parried.

Only a sublime stop from De Gea denied Callum Wilson from close range early in the second half, yet Newcastle survived an even greater scare when Jamal Lewis fouled Rashford but Darlow brilliantly repelled Fernandes' spot-kick.

Jonjo Shelvey nodded another Maguire header away from the line moments later and Darlow came to the hosts' rescue again with a brave block from Rashford.

It looked like that would be enough to preserve a home point until United's late show as Fernandes applied a wonderful finish with four minutes left, before Wan-Bissaka rifled into the roof of the net and finally Rashford swept in number four with time up.
 

What does it mean? Patience pays for Solskjaer's side

This did not look like being United's day as Darlow came through a slightly shaky start to deny Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men time and again.

The Newcastle goalkeeper, who was hobbling in the closing stages after a challenge with Rashford, made eight saves in all from 28 United attempts - 14 on target - but was helpless in a frantic finale.

Rashford showed poise to tee up Fernandes and also Wan-Bissaka before belatedly scoring himself, sealing a win that was a lot less comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

Maguire makes amends

Newcastle appear to be incapable of dealing with Maguire, who now has two goals against the Magpies - one for Leicester City - and should have had another last year when left unmarked in the six-yard box.

After tough recent outings for both club and country, the United skipper also did his job at the other end, making three clearances and four interceptions.

Last straw for Shaw

Shaw's days as United's first-choice left-back looked numbered even before this mishap. Alex Telles, signed after the England man's woeful display against Tottenham, watched on from the bench.

It was a half-hearted attempt at blocking Krafth's centre that deceived De Gea, and Shaw was perhaps fortunate Newcastle opted not to isolate him against Saint-Maximin, who created two chances from the opposite flank.

Key Opta Facts: 

- Newcastle United conceded four goals at home in the Premier League for the first time since April 5, 2014 - also against Manchester United (4-0 defeat).
- Man Utd enjoyed their 10th comeback win against Newcastle in the Premier League - the most by any side against a single opponent in the competition.
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have been awarded 17 penalties in the Premier League since the start of last season, which is five more than any other side in the competition (12 scored).
- Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in 20 goals in his 18 Premier League appearances for Man Utd (11 goals, nine assists), scoring in each of his last three games.
- Marcus Rashford registered three goal involvements in a single Premier League game for the only the third time ever (one goal, two assists), having also done so against Fulham in December 2018 and Arsenal in February 2016.

What's next?

This was a much-needed win for United ahead of a pivotal stretch. They visit Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Newcastle are not back in action until next Sunday's trip to Wolves.

Ronald Koeman suffered the first defeat of his reign as Barcelona failed to capitalise on a shock loss for Real Madrid, slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Getafe. 

With El Clasico looming on the horizon, reigning champions Madrid were stunned by newly promoted Cadiz as LaLiga resumed on Saturday following the international break.

However, Barca missed the chance to move level on points with their rivals ahead of next Saturday's showdown at Camp Nou. 

Jaime Mata's 56th-minute penalty was enough for Getafe to secure a first league win over their illustrious opponents since a similar 1-0 result back in November 2011, a run of 16 games. 

Lionel Messi struck a post and Getafe captain Djene Dakonam was spared from scoring an own goal by the crossbar, but - after starting his reign with back-to-back wins - Koeman has now seen his side pick up a solitary point from their next two outings, laying bare the size of the task on his hands. 

Ousmane Dembele made his first start of 2020 and there was also an opportunity handed to teenager Pedri from the outset, suggesting the new boss will show faith in youth during the rebuilding job required. 

Still, it is a big-money signing who will once again come under the spotlight, Antoine Griezmann squandering his team's best chance to leave him still without a goal at club level in the early stages of the 2020-21 season. 

The French forward wastefully blasted over when clean through in a first half consistently punctuated by the sound of referee Cesar Soto Grado's whistle, with five players shown yellow cards. 

Getafe had rarely threatened before Frenkie de Jong helped them out, the midfielder clumsily catching Dakonam inside the area as he rushed in attempting to win the ball. 

Mata duly converted from the spot – sending Neto the wrong way – and the dogged hosts held firm to their slender advantage through to the final whistle. 

In an eventful finish to proceedings not in keeping with the rest of the contest, Juan Hernandez blazed over at one end before Getafe were saved by the woodwork in stoppage time, Barca unable to find a late leveller their performance scarcely merited.

What does it mean? Barca rebuild will take time 

The underlying issues within the squad following a tumultuous 2019-20 campaign were not going to be solved by moving on some of the old guard during the transfer window. There are some early positives, but this was the first real bump in the road for Koeman. 

Having failed to engineer his own exit, Messi is still around. However, so too is the dependency on him to create in attack. The visitors had 73 per cent possession but mustered just one on-target attempt. 

Getafe showing fighting spirit 

Rather than Barca, it is Getafe who are now on level terms with Madrid at the summit on 10 points. This was a performance that typified Jose Bordalas' side; they conceded 20 fouls and were happy to be without the ball for long spells, yet they still had more total shots and more attempts on target than the opposition. 

Griezmann miss crucial 

After impressing while away with France, Griezmann suffered another outing to forget when back on Spanish soil. Playing in his preferred position through the middle, his one attempt saw him badly fluff his lines. It was the kind of opening he would normally be expected to tuck away.

What's next?

Barcelona start their Champions League campaign at home to Ferencvaros in midweek, followed by a Clasico clash that has taken on even greater significance for both sides. As for Getafe, they host Granada in LaLiga action next Sunday.

Gabrielle Onguene put up an impressive show for CSKA Moscow as they confirmed their place in the 2020 Russian Women's Cup final following Saturday's 2-1 semi-final win over Ryazan.

Going into the contest, CSKA had defeated Krasnodar 2-1 to reach the semi-final two weeks ago, while Ryazan edged Chertanovo in the quarter-final by the same scoreline on the same day.

The Red and Blue team made a promising start to the encounter when Tatyana Petrova fired them ahead after just five minutes at the Spartak Olympian Stadium.

Maksim Zinovyev's team continued to pile the pressure on Ryazan defence and found another breakthrough in the 27th minute as Petrova bagged her brace and her side's second of the match.

After the break, last season's runners up made the best start in the second half but could not find a way past CSKA's defence.

Ryazan, however eventually found the back of the net through Ksenia Tsybutovich but her effort seven minutes from time was not enough to deny Zinovyev's side a place in the final.

The Cameroonian striker was in action for the duration of the match and was finally able to inspire her side to a first Cup final since the 2017 triumph.

Having clinched a final spot, CSKA will face the second semi-final winner of November 4th's Zvezda Perm/Yenisey and Zenit Saint Petersburg/ Lokomotiv Moscow.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has sent an olive branch to his opponents whom he thrashed during the national elections held on Saturday.

The 41-year-old clinched another term to run Kenyan football for another four years after he managed 77 votes out of the 85 cast to trounce his four opponents in what turned out to be a one-sided exercise held at a Nairobi Hotel.

Former Gor Mahia CEO Omondi Aduda with his running mate Athanas Obango came second with just five votes. Herbert Mwachiro, who once served as the FKF deputy CEO alongside Harold Ndege, who is a former Kenya international, walked home with three votes.

Journalist Boniface Osano and his running mate had nothing to smile about since they walked home empty-handed, same as Dan Mule, who had presented Peter Lichungu as his running mate.

Mwendwa has now extended an olive branch to all those who participated in the exercise to come together and help him to improve Kenyan football.

“I am very humbled for the overwhelming win we scooped as Team Blue,” Mwendwa told Goal after the polls.

“I knew going into the elections that I will retain my seat but I didn’t know I will do it with such an emphatic style, I thank the delegates for giving me another mandate to lead them and I promise I will achieve my targets in the next four years.

“I also want to ask those who were competing against me, and even those who lost in various positions here today [Saturday] I am welcoming them to my side, let them come we work together, let us put our heads together to improve our football.

"I cannot do this on my own or with the team you have given me, I need everyone on board so we can achieve our set targets.

“We have several targets we must achieve in the next four years, I want to see Kenya in the World Cup, for both men and women national teams, I know it might sound like a dream or even a joke, but we can make it, we need proper planning and that is why I want everyone on board.”

Mwendwa continued: “We are starting work immediately, on Monday it will be business as usual at the secretariat [our offices at the Goal Project], we don’t have time to waste, we have wasted time-fighting in courts but now that we are done with elections, then it is time to give back and fight for football, we want to make sure football is back with a bang.

“The overwhelming win is a clear indication that delegates have trust in our management, they have trusted us again with football, and we will do our best to make sure that everyone enjoys every bit of football in the country.”

In the race for the Federation Women Representative, Violet Kerubo Momanyi was narrowly beaten by Margaret Omondi. The latter managed to get 43 votes, one more than Momanyi.

Former Gor Mahia treasurer Sally Bolo had zero votes.

Michael Ouma Majua won the Nairobi National Executive Council (NEC) ticket after downing Tom Onyango Alila comfortably. The former managed to collect 59 votes while Alila came second with 25. Isaac Macharia got none.

Ahmedqadar Mohamed Dabar got 82 votes against Mohammed Abdi Farah, who managed to get just three votes. As a result, Dabar will represent North Eastern in the NEC.

The Upper Rift will be represented in the executive by Bernard Korir, who succeeded David Gikaria.

Joseph Andere retained the Nyanza seat after managing to get 79 votes, ahead of his only competitor Laban Jobita, who managed just five.

The new office will now be focused on helping Kenya continue growing in football with the 2026 World Cup a target.

However, the main focus will now shift on the Harambee Stars' Africa Cup of Nations qualifier double-header against Comoros in November.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice to give Milan a 2-1 win over Inter in a dramatic Derby della Madonnina as he marked his return from having coronavirus in style.

The 39-year-old had missed four games and not played for almost a month after contracting COVID-19, but he put Stefano Pioli's men two goals up inside 16 minutes on Saturday.

Romelu Lukaku got Inter back in it before the break but, despite second-half pressure, Antonio Conte's side could not force an equaliser as their four-match derby winning streak was ended.

Milan stunned Inter with two goals in the space of three minutes, both scored by Ibrahimovic.

After being sent through on goal by Hakan Calhanoglu, the Swede drew a clumsy foul from Aleksandar Kolarov and took the resulting penalty himself.

Samir Handanovic dived to his right to make an impressive save, only for Ibrahimovic to convert a left-footed rebound.

Ibrahimovic then struck again after a superb counter-attack that also involved Calhanoglu resulted in Rafael Leao sending in a superb cross from the left, which he impressively converted with a controlled first-time finish.

Lukaku made no mistake in the 28th minute as he tucked in from close range after Gianluigi Donnarumma inadvertently touched Ivan Perisic's driven cross into his path.

Lautaro Martinez then had a header cleared off the line by Simon Kjaer and an even better chance in the air, this time from Lukaku, was somehow sent wide by the unmarked Belgium striker at the end of a breathless first half.

A third headed chance went begging after the break, Achraf Hakimi off target with a diving effort as Inter upped the pressure, while substitute Rade Krunic fired wide when he should have wrapped up a Milan win at the other end.

There was one more twist when Inter were awarded a penalty when Donnarumma was adjudged to have brought down Lukaku in the closing stages but VAR ruled the striker had strayed offside before the incident as in-form Milan held on to celebrate a famous triumph.

Jurgen Klopp admits the injury that forced Virgil van Dijk out of Liverpool’s eventful derby date with Everton is “not good”.

The Dutch defender lasted less than 11 minutes against the Toffees in a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

He was forced from the field and went straight down the tunnel after tangling with Jordan Pickford.

The Everton goalkeeper came flying out to meet the Liverpool centre-half as a looping ball dropped inside the box.

Pickford connected with Van Dijk at knee height, leaving a talismanic figure for the Reds writhing on the deck.

The Dutch defender got back to his feet after receiving treatment, but was in no position to continue and had to be replaced.

Klopp has now suggested that Van Dijk could be set for an untimely spell on the sidelines, with Liverpool preparing to open their Champions League campaign against Ajax on Wednesday and already without first-choice keeper Alisson, although no timescale has been put on his recovery as yet.

Quizzed on the severity of Van Dijk’s ailment, the Reds boss told reporters: “I don’t know. It’s not good.

“Virgil played I don’t know how many games in a row, he plays with pain, he plays with pretty much everything.

“But he couldn’t play on. That’s not good.”

Pickford has apologised for the rash challenge that laid Van Dijk low, but that offers little consolation to the Reds.

Klopp is still confused as to how the Everton shot-stopper escaped any punishment for a wild challenge, despite the offside flag going up.

VAR reviewed the incident and decided no red card was required, with technology also working against Liverpool towards the end of a dramatic encounter as Jordan Henderson saw a late goal ruled out on the back of a marginal offside call.

On the decision not to punish Pickford up for his wild lunge, Klopp added: “I haven’t seen it again. Only in the game, and for me it was a clear penalty that I saw.

“Obviously, we saw the flag went up for offside. I still thought it was worth having a look for the foul but that didn’t happen.

“We have no power there. We just sit here and we discuss it. We have to ask other people about that, not me.

“It’s not a challenge a goalkeeper can do in the box. If it’s not offside it’s a 100 per cent penalty.”

Victor Osimhen has joined thousands of Nigerians in calling for an end to police brutality in the country after scoring his maiden goal in Serie A on Saturday.

Osimhen sealed the hosts’ 4-1 victory over Atalanta at the Stadio Sao Paolo with a 43rd-minute strike.

Napoli had a perfect start to the encounter thanks to Mexico star Hirving Lozano's four-minute brace, in the 23rd and 27th minutes, while Matteo Politano made it 3-0 in the 30th minute.

Osimhen then connected with goalkeeper David Ospina's long ball to break his duck in the Italian top-flight, just two minutes before the break.

He celebrated the goal in style as he joined his compatriots in demanding an end to police brutality in Nigeria.

Over the past week, Nigerians have trooped out in numbers in protest against a unit of the Nigeria Police Force alleged with extrajudicial killings of civilians, and global football stars, including Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, and Arsenal's Mesut Ozil have shown their solidarity.

Since the start of the season, Osimhen has now contributed a goal and an assist in three league matches for the Partenopei.

Senegal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly played from start to finish for Napoli while Algeria left-back Faouzi Ghoulam replaced Politano in the 61st minute for his second appearance of the season.

Saturday's win pushed Napoli to third on the Serie A table with eight points after four games, although on the pitch they boast a perfect record of three wins in three.

During the week they were punished by the league authorities for not honouring their last Serie A match against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium and the Serie A champions were handed a 3-0 win, with Napoli additionally docked a point for the no-show.

Osimhen will be looking to help Napoli build on this latest win when they host AZ Alkmaar for their opening UEFA Europa League match on Thursday, before they travel to Benevento for their next league fixture on October 25.

Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways as Luis Suarez's 150th LaLiga goal and Yannick Carrasco's stoppage-time header handed them a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo.  

Diego Simeone's side failed to register a shot on target in their 0-0 draw with Villarreal before the international break, which followed a similarly dismal performance in a goalless meeting with Huesca.   

Suarez settled any nerves early on at the Balaidos, though, scoring his third Atleti goal in the sixth minute to become the second fastest player to reach a 150 in LaLiga in the 21st century after Cristiano Ronaldo.   

Atleti confirmed a 200th LaLiga win under Simeone late on when Carrasco headed home after Joao Felix's effort  crashed back off the crossbar. 

The visitors started with a spring in their step and Suarez's shot from 12 yards squirmed underneath Ivan Villar after the Uruguayan was picked out by Manuel Sanchez following a slick move down the left.    

The hosts carved out two clear opportunities to level midway through the first half. Sergio Carreira crashed an effort against the upright after stealing in unmarked at the back post, before a clean-through Santi Mina was denied by Jan Oblak's outstretched foot.   

Thomas Lemar saw his corner bounce back off the crossbar with Villar flailing, but another goal for Atleti before the break would have been harsh on Celta, who ended the first half with 10 attempts on goal to the visitors' three.  

Suarez was denied a second immediately after the restart as Villar diverted his close-range effort from Diego Costa's pass over the crossbar.   

Atleti looked far more robust at the back in the second half, limiting Celta to a series of half-chances, while at the other end Villar got down well to push substitute Marcos Llorente's low strike past the post with 15 minutes remaining.  

The visitors' jump to fourth in the table was sealed in the fifth minute of stoppage time when substitute Carrasco headed past Villar after sublime skill from Joao Felix had resulted in his powerful strike rebounding off the crossbar and into his path. 
 

What does it mean? Atleti bounce back with trademark win  

It was rarely pretty but Simeone will hardly care as he became the second head coach to win 200 LaLiga games a single club – former Real Madrid boss Miguel Munoz (257) is the only man with more. Like so many of those wins, the three points did not come easily for Atleti. They were indebted to a combination of wasteful finishing from Celta and typically robust goalkeeping from Oblak to claim a second win of the campaign.  

Torreira wastes little time making his mark 

Making his first start since a loan move from Arsenal earlier this month, Lucas Torreira was an industrious presence at the heart of Atleti's midfield. The Uruguay international gained possession six times - a team high alongside Stefan Savic - and led the way for interceptions with five.  

Costa labours before early departure  

Aside from one incisive pass to Suarez, Costa looked a shadow of his former self. He managed only one shot on goal and made just 12 passes before he hobbled off injured in the 50th minute.

Key Opta facts
- Simeone recorded his 200th win in his 330th game for Atletico in LaLiga, making him the second coach to reach the milestone for the same club in the competition, after Miguel Munoz (257).
- Atletico are unbeaten in their last 20 LaLiga games (W11 D9), equalling their best unbeaten streak in the competition (20 in 2017, W13 D7).
- Lucas Torreira completed 53 passes in his first game for his new team (59 total passes), more than any other Atleti player on their LaLiga debut since at least 2005-06.
- Celta Vigo have lost 63 of their 105 games against Atletico in LaLiga (W23 D19) - that is more than any other opponent in LaLiga.
- Suarez is the first player to score three or more goals in his first four appearances for Atleti in LaLiga since Radamel Falcao in 2011 (five goals).

What's next? 

Atleti start their Champions League campaign with a trip to holders Bayern Munich in Group A on Wednesday, before hosting Real Betis in LaLiga three days later. Celta, meanwhile, travel to Levante in the league on October 26. 

SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo admitted his side lost their focus in the second half against Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) but was ultimately content with the 3-2 win in an MTN8 quarter-final at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

First-half strikes by Bradley Grobler, Iqraam Rayners and Ghampani Lungu had put Matsatsantsa in a commanding position.

But goals either side of half-time by Mogakolodi Ngele pulled the Limpopo team right back into the game and in the end it took some determined defending and a few crucial saves from Ronwen Williams to see the Pretoria team into the next round.

Being the first game of the new season, Tembo was not overly fazed, but he did caution his men to be more ruthless in future.

“It was a game of two halves, we took our chances in the first half and played very well,” the Zimbabwe-born coach told SuperSport after the game.

“Second half we were a little lethargic. But what was important was to get to the next round and now we have 90 minutes in the bag, that’s very key for us.

“When you are leading 3-0 you need to try and be a bit more professional and close the game. But they [TTM] scored a very good goal and that gave them belief. Second half they were pushing.”

For TTM coach Joel Masutha, it was a case of mixed emotions. He was not pleased by some elementary errors, but found positives in the character his men showed.

“I’m happy with the way the guys applied themselves, especially in the second half. And also in the last part of the first half," he told SuperSport as well.

“It's a big lesson to all of us. You need to do all the aspects of the game properly. Defending, first 25 minutes we were caught wanting. We also have to work on our finishing because we got chances to come back into the game.

“But only five [training sessions] sessions and the guys did what they did.

"Its a good sign and we’ll soldier on. With what they did today, it shows that they are hungry and they want to make a mark and that bodes well for the team.”

Theo Walcott marked his first Southampton appearance for almost 15 years by setting up the late equaliser that secured a dramatic 3-3 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

German stars Timo Werner and Kai Havertz scored their first Premier League goals for Chelsea, but there were familiar failings in the home team's ranks and Frank Lampard's men were punished.

Chelsea were thrilling going forward at times, with Werner, who also had a goal disallowed, netting twice before setting up Havertz for what looked set to be the winner.

But between Werner's double and Havertz's strike it had been the same story for the Blues' defence, with Danny Ings and Che Adams taking advantage, and Walcott's shot from the edge of the penalty area in stoppage time was nodded in by Jannik Vestergaard to pinch a point.

Chelsea were two clear after 28 minutes as Werner raced onto Jorginho’s pass, held off Bednarek and flicked the ball coolly over McCarthy before heading in.

Ings ran through a dozing defence to haul Southampton back into contention in the 43rd minute, and a Chelsea calamity came early in the second half.

The error-prone Kepa pulled out of a challenge to meet an under-hit backpass from Kurt Zouma, and that allowed Adams to win the ball and thrash in from close range.

Havertz turned in a short pass from Werner to nudge Chelsea 3-2 in front two minutes later, but there was a sting to come.

A Southampton free-kick was only half-cleared and Walcott – a teenage star at St Mary's who has returned on loan from Everton – lashed a strike goalwards, with Vestergaard applying the decisive touch.

What does it mean?

Werner and Havertz became the fifth and sixth Germans to score in the Premier League for Chelsea, following Michael Ballack, Andre Schurrle, Antonio Rudiger and Marko Marin, but questions persist at the back. Kepa is a consistent liability, which was borne out again here, and it reeks of neglect that Chelsea’s central defence is still so patently not up to the job.

Lucky 13 for Werner

Southampton had kept opponents down to an average of 7.25 efforts on goal in their opening four games of the Premier League season, but by half-time here they had faced nine attempts. Werner, who had 11 efforts without reward in his first four league outings for Chelsea, finally got lucky with attempt number 13 and was on punishing form throughout.

Walcott turns on the style

Former Arsenal forward Walcott took a while to get up to speed, but before his vital late role there were signs he was rolling back the years. Good movement and a neat pass into the feet of Adams almost brought about a goal before Vestergaard's equaliser. He made five key passes in the game, out of a team total of eight.

Key Opta Facts 

- Chelsea have lost just one of their last nine home Premier League games (W7 D1), after losing four of the seven before that (W2 D1). 
- Adams scored and assisted in the same game for the first time since October 2018 for Birmingham against Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
- Since the start of last season, only Robert Lewandowski, Ciro Immobile and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more goals in Europe's top five leagues than Werner (30).
- Southampton have lost only one of their last eight away Premier League games (W4 D3) after losing two in a row directly before that in February.

What's next?

Chelsea have a Champions League home game against Europa League holders Sevilla coming up on Tuesday. Southampton's next assignment is a home clash with Premier League leaders Everton.