Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said Alexis Mac Allister’s versatility has added a different dimension to his midfield this season. The Argentina World Cup-winner was a stand-out performer in a deeper-lying role again on Sunday as Liverpool strolled to a 3-0 home win against Nottingham Forest. After Liverpool’s seventh league win of the season kept them three points behind leaders Tottenham, Klopp said of Mac Allister’s role: “It’s obviously really not a discussion we have, otherwise we wouldn’t play him there. “But I think today everybody could see the benefit of a player who comes rather from the offensive side of the game than from the other side.” Mac Allister scored 12 goals for Brighton last season in a more advanced position before signing a five-year deal with Liverpool, who paid £55million for him in June. He was key to Liverpool in his new role on Sunday as they kept Forest pinned deep in their own half, with two goals in four first-half minutes from Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez followed by Mohamed Salah’s second-half effort. “I’m really pleased for him,” Klopp added. “A lot of defensive top moments, he checked the counter, was really there. He’s good at these things. That’s why we play him there. “We have a really creative player in the centre of the park, together with Trent (Alexander-Arnold) in some moments obviously, which is very helpful.” Forest’s winless league run was extended to six games as boss Steve Cooper contends with a string of injuries, but they remain five points above the relegation zone. Chris Wood was a late withdrawal from Sunday’s squad due to a hamstring injury and with Taiwo Awoniyi returning to the bench after a groin problem, Cooper was short of options up front. He said: “We were defensive and tried to play on the counter-attack. But I came here the other night when Liverpool played Toulouse and it finished 5-1 and was over fairly quickly. “You can come here and try to be expansive and you can be on the end of a really, really difficult result. We’re not on the end of a good result, of course, but I’ve seen really good teams come here and get punished. “We were forced into the team we had to pick, certainly at the top end of the pitch. When we got some of the players in more normal positions, you could see a little bit of a better identity. But the third goal killed it.” Read More Sam Burgess hopes to bring ‘fresh approach’ to get Warrington back on track FIFA sends ‘support and prayers’ to Luis Diaz as search for his father continues Manchester United ‘have got to move on’ from humbling derby experience Bukayo Saka does not fear burnout and is keen to feature in every Arsenal match Early exit puts Champions Trophy at risk – England’s dismal World Cup defence A Premier League winner and ex-England international – Danny Drinkwater retires

FIFA has sent its “support and prayers” to Liverpool forward Luis Diaz following the kidnapping of his parents in Colombia. It has been confirmed that Diaz’s mother has been rescued and after the player returned home to be with family members, the Colombian authorities have stepped up their search for his father. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Instagram: “On behalf of FIFA and the global football community, I would like to extend our support and prayers to Luis Diaz, his family and his friends in these difficult times.” The Colombia football federation (FCF) has also issued a further statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, demanding that those holding Diaz’s father release him immediately without conditions. The FCF said: “We ask the captors of Luis Manuel Díaz, father of @LuisFDiaz19, to release him now, without conditions. Football is peace. Lucho, we are with you. Colombia is with you.” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said after Sunday’s 3-0 home win against Nottingham Forest that preparing for the game had been “the most difficult I’ve ever had in my life”. Klopp added: “I didn’t expect that, I wasn’t prepared for it. “I don’t want to make the game bigger than it was, but definitely, we tried to help Luis with the fight we put in because obviously we want to help and we cannot really help. “So the only thing we can do is fight for him and that’s what the boys did.” Liverpool secured their fifth straight home Premier League win to move three points behind leaders Tottenham. But Klopp said: “How can you make a football game really important on a day like this? It’s really difficult. I’ve never struggled with that in my life. “We heard late last night about it. We spoke to Luis, he wanted to go home…Then we got the news with his mum, which is fantastic, and since then nothing really. “We are obviously the first people to get involved and we try to have knowledge of everything as much as we can, but we don’t want to disturb in any way the important people there, we just want to support, that’s it.” Liverpool said in a statement: “Liverpool Football Club can confirm it is aware of an ongoing situation involving the family of Luis Diaz in Colombia. “It is our fervent hope that the matter is resolved safely and at the earliest possible opportunity. In the meantime, the player’s welfare will continue to be our immediate priority.” Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro said on X: “In an operation in Barrancas, Luis Diaz’s mother has been rescued, we continue the search for the father.” Liverpool signed Diaz from Porto in January 2022 in an initial £37.5million deal that included a potential extra £12.5million in add-ons. The 26-year-old winger has made 11 appearances this season and scored three goals. Diaz was an unused substitute for Thursday’s 5-1 Europa League win against Toulouse after starting the Premier League victory over Everton last weekend, but was not in the 18-strong squad for Forest’s visit to Anfield. Read More Manchester United ‘have got to move on’ from humbling derby experience Bukayo Saka does not fear burnout and is keen to feature in every Arsenal match Early exit puts Champions Trophy at risk – England’s dismal World Cup defence A Premier League winner and ex-England international – Danny Drinkwater retires On this day in 2008: David Beckham heads to Milan to boost England hopes The sporting weekend in pictures

Jonny Evans says Manchester United have to move on from their derby disappointment and believes injuries have played a part in Erik ten Hag’s second season struggles. A promising first campaign under the Dutchman has been forgotten as a challenging start to this term continued with Sunday’s humbling at home to Manchester City. Erling Haaland’s brace and a late Phil Foden goal sealed City a derby victory at Old Trafford that was more one-sided than even the 3-0 scoreline suggested. Outclassed, outthought and outmanoeuvred for the most part, it was an embarrassing end to the Red Devils’ admittedly unconvincing three-match winning run in all competitions. “It’s never easy – everyone’s disappointed,” said experienced defender Evans, who was frustrated by the decision to award a first-half penalty for Rasmus Hojlund’s tug on Rodri. “You wish you could turn back the clock, but you know we’ve got to move on now. “We’re disappointed obviously. We put a lot into the second half to get back and you know 2-0, maybe the chance with Rashy (Marcus Rashford) we sort of get back in it. “But you know (it’s) probably disappointing that we didn’t create too much in the second half.” Sunday’s defeat means United have lost five of their opening 10 league games, leaving them 11 points behind leaders Tottenham and Evans believes that absentees are a mitigating factor. United boss Ten Hag has had deal with a swathe of injuries, with Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Amad Diallo ruled out of the derby. Four of those played key roles in February’s Carabao Cup triumph against Newcastle, who head to Old Trafford in the fourth round on Wednesday as the holders look to bounce back from Sunday’s City humiliation. “At this club that’s what it’s all about, you’ve got to (move on),” defender Evans, who returned to the club in the summer, told MUTV. “We’ll be preparing for the next game now and making sure preparations are ready. “I think we’ve been disrupted with a lot of injuries this season in terms of key personnel. “Probably a lot of our starting players would be, you know, they’re missing. “I think the manager’s found out difficulties having to sort of work on team, on tactics and having to change the personnel quite a lot with only two days in between games. “So that’s been difficult, hopefully we can get more players back and get a real sort of opportunity to create freshness within the playing squad.” City lost at Newcastle in the previous round, so Pep Guardiola’s side get a rare midweek off before hosting Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday. Haaland will be expected to add to this season’s 13-goal haul when the Cherries come to town, fresh from using Old Trafford taunts to fuel his brace and assist on Sunday. “The performance was incredible,” the striker told the club website. “Fantastic from every single player. Fantastic from every Manchester City player. It was fantastic. “I think we performed throughout the 90 minutes, every single minute. “We controlled the whole game. Big shoutout to everyone. I’m happy to play in this team.” Read More Bukayo Saka does not fear burnout and is keen to feature in every Arsenal match Early exit puts Champions Trophy at risk – England’s dismal World Cup defence A Premier League winner and ex-England international – Danny Drinkwater retires On this day in 2008: David Beckham heads to Milan to boost England hopes The sporting weekend in pictures Joel Embiid scores 35 points in big win for Philadelphia 76ers

Georgia Stanway says it is frustrating the Ballon d’Or ceremony taking place on the eve of a round of women’s international games was not “planned a little bit better”. The England and Bayern Munich midfielder is among the nominees but will not be at Monday evening’s ceremony in Paris as she prepares for the Lionesses’ match against Belgium in Leuven, part of a busy schedule of Nations League fixtures on Tuesday. Stanway, whose international team-mates Mary Earps, Millie Bright and Rachel Daly have also been shortlisted, told a press conference regarding her nomination: “It’s very cool, and nice to get the accolade as well as a lot of the team-mates in the Lionesses. “There’s a few people I would also add to the list who have had very, very successful years. It’s a real achievement to be amongst those names. “It’s unfortunate we couldn’t be there. That’s something we spoke as a player group (about), and we just kind of said it would be nice in the future if it wasn’t on a matchday minus one, so that we could enjoy the experience. “It is (frustrating), because it’s potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You never know if you’re ever going to get selected for such an accolade like that again, so it would be really nice to enjoy the experience and be there and feel like a star amongst the stars. It would be nice in the future if it wasn’t on a matchday minus one, so that we could enjoy the experience. Georgia Stanway “If it was planned a little bit better, then maybe it would be easier for a lot of female footballers to be there.” Asked for her thoughts on the matter, and on there only being one female Ballon d’Or category, England boss Sarina Wiegman added: “You hope that develops too. “We talk about the planning now. Everyone is working so hard and of course we have to do a job, that’s what we’re here for. “So you can’t attend that, and it would be really nice if things like that are organised so that players have the opportunity to join too.” Read More Bukayo Saka does not fear burnout and is keen to feature in every Arsenal match Early exit puts Champions Trophy at risk – England’s dismal World Cup defence A Premier League winner and ex-England international – Danny Drinkwater retires

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka insists he is not concerned about burnout and is ready to answer manager Mikel Arteta’s challenge of playing 70 games this season. The England winger, 22, captained the Gunners to a 5-0 victory over Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon to keep them within two points of the top of the Premier League. Saka has started all-but one of Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League games this season, sitting out the victory over Manchester City with a hamstring complaint. Missing the win ended a streak of 87 successive league appearances for Saka, stretching back to May 2021. Saka’s durability has been an asset for club and country as Arteta called for him to keep playing and contributing to Arsenal’s quest for silverware. “Look at the top players in the world, they play 70 matches and every three days and make the difference and win the game. You want to be at the top, you have to be able to do that,” the Spanaird said last year. Saka, who notched up 62 appearances for both Arsenal and England last season, believes he can produce the kind of numbers Arteta is demanding. When you look at the top players, they are there every three days and they are winning games for their team Bukayo Saka “I think it’s possible,” Saka said. “When you look at the top players, they are there every three days and they are winning games for their team. “So I’m trying to be at that level, and to obviously be at that level I need to push myself. Of course, it’s difficult, but I’m trying to do it and give it my best. “I think I’m really focused on the next coming games and what I can do for the team. My focus is not really there (on talk of potentially burning out). “I’m a guy who always wants to be on the pitch, always wants to give my best, and if I’m injured and I have to be forced to be out, then of course I will sit out. “But as long I’m there and I’m ready to play, I am always going to give my best and tell them that I want to play.” Saka is expected to be rested as Arteta shuffles his pack for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round trip to West Ham. But he could once again be sporting the captain’s armband when Arsenal travel to Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday, with skipper Martin Odegaard nursing a hip problem and regular stand-in Gabriel Jesus out with a hamstring injury. “It was a really special moment for me,” Saka said of leading out Arsenal as captain for the first time. “To be honest, I can’t really describe how I was feeling when I was walking out. I just tried to take in the atmosphere and just realise where I am and where I’ve come from. “Then obviously I had to switch my focus to the game and we did, and we got the three points – which is the most important thing at the end of the day. “We are close to the top of the table in the Premier League, we are top of our Champions League group and we are still in all the other competitions. “I think that is something we can be proud of, but I agree there is another level for us to go to. We are pushing.” Read More Early exit puts Champions Trophy at risk – England’s dismal World Cup defence Luis Rubiales banned from all football-related activity for three years by FIFA A Premier League winner and ex-England international – Danny Drinkwater retires On this day in 2008: David Beckham heads to Milan to boost England hopes The sporting weekend in pictures Joel Embiid scores 35 points in big win for Philadelphia 76ers

FIFA has banned former Spanish Football Association president Luis Rubiales from all football-related activity for three years. Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation following Spain’s victory over England in the World Cup final on August 20, but Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual. While Rubiales initially attempted to carry on in his role, he subsequently resigned last month and has now been punished for a breach of article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has banned Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), from all football-related activities at national and international levels for three years, having found that he acted in breach of article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” a statement read. “This case relates to the events that occurred during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on 20 August 2023, for which Mr Rubiales had been provisionally suspended for an initial period of 90 days. “Mr Rubiales has been notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today. “In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, he has 10 days in which to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com. The decision remains subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee. “FIFA reiterates its absolute commitment to respecting and protecting the integrity of all people and ensuring that the basic rules of decent conduct are upheld.”

With another gameweek in the bag, Fantasy Premier League managers are recovering from a weekend of either frustration or elation after some predictable results, plenty of goals and even a win for Everton. This week is another opportunity to reset, make some tweaks to your team or finally play your wildcard to ring in a number of wholesale changes while in-form players are still, relatively, cheap. As the Premier League enters its 11th week, here are five players we think could impress, though managers need to decide whether using a transfer earlier in the week is a gamble worth taking, or if waiting until the midweek Carabao Cup action is finished will aid their efforts to bring success in the upcoming gameweek. Erling Haaland - Manchester City, forward (14m) A blistering strike against Brighton in gameweek 9 seems to have kick-started Erling Haaland’s season as he followed it up with a star performance in the Manchester derby, scoring two goals and setting up a third for Phil Foden. A 24-point return from his last two matches raises the eyebrows and he will be keen to extend his tally against Bournemouth this week. Potentially tricky encounters against Chelsea and Liverpool are on the horizon and his extorionate price may turn off some managers looking for a more balanced side but he could be worth a one week blast to rack up some points against the 17th placed Cherries. Eddie Nketiah - Arsenal, forward (5.5m) If you’re weak in the forward line or just fancy switching things up, Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah could be the way to go. He’s not a guarantee of points, especially with the Gunners facing Newcastle on Saturday, but with Gabriel Jesus injured he’s highly likely to start. A hat-trick against Sheffield United this weekend proves his quality with the England forward also having a unique quirk of scoring in big games. At just £5.5m too, he’s definitely one to take a risk on for a few weeks with Arsenal also facing Burnley and Brentford in November. Bryan Mbeumo - Brentford, midfielder (6.6m) This pick is all about striking whilst the iron is hot and could back fire immediately so you have been warned. The Brentford midfielder has blanked on half of the gameweeks this season but his two most recent outings have seen him be a consistent scorer with 14 and 13 points earned against Burnley and Chelsea respectively. Has he got one more week of high scoring in him? Perhaps. The Bees are playing West Ham who come into the game on the back of three league matches without a win. A 1-0 loss to Everton at the weekend leaves David Moyes’ side vulnerable and Mbeumo’s form could see him punish the Hammers. Afterwards Brentford take on Liverpool and Arsenal which could be a step too far for even Mbeumo despite his recent purple patch. Bringing him in would be a risky gamble yet could pay off in the short term. Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool, defender (6.1m) We now enter the realm of expensive defenders and there is only one real pick to go for if you’re looking for stability. Liverpool’s captain has played every minute of the Reds’ previous five league games, keeping clean sheets in his last two outings. When it comes to goals conceded only Man City and Arsenal better Liverpool’s nine and with matches against Luton and Brentford next in the fixture list Van Dijk seems the easiest choice to guarantee some added points from the back line. Marc Guehi - Crystal Palace, defender (4.5m) The cheaper defensive option though comes in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi. A poor October for the Eagles means the defender is only £4.5m to buy yet his selection could pay off handsomely as Palace take on Burnley, Everton and Luton in November. Roy Hodgson will see all these matches as winnable and Palace have been quite good in defending against teams near to them in the table. Guehi will play in every match, if he doesn’t get injured, so is he worth a punt for three potential cleansheets? Absolutely. Read More FPL GW10: Phil Foden, Kieran Trippier and five players to consider for transfers FPL GW9: Watkins, Gordon and five players to consider for transfers A Premier League winner and ex-England international – Danny Drinkwater retires A Premier League winner and ex-England international – Danny Drinkwater retires Erik Ten Hag’s deluded message leaves Man Utd with a brutal reality How Pep Guardiola turned Old Trafford into Man City’s playground

Premier League winner Danny Drinkwater has announced his retirement from football. The 33-year-old midfielder was one of the stars of Leicester’s shock title triumph in 2016, earning a big-money move to Chelsea the following summer. But he did not manage to establish himself as a first-choice player at Stamford Bridge and unsuccessful loan spells at Burnley and Aston Villa followed along with disciplinary problems. He pleaded guilty to drink-driving after crashing his car in 2019, suffered an ankle injury in an incident outside a nightclub later the same year and head-butted then Villa team-mate Jota on the training ground in March 2020. Drinkwater’s last appearances came on loan at Reading in 2021-22, following which his contract with Chelsea expired. Speaking on The High Performance Podcast, he said: “It’s been a long time coming maybe, especially with the last year, but I think it’s time to officially announce it now. “I think I’ve been in limbo for too long. I’ve been wanting to play but not getting the opportunity to play at a standard or a level where I felt valued. I’m happy not playing football but I’m happy playing football, so do I just shake hands with the sport? It's been a long time coming maybe, especially with the last year, but I think it's time to officially announce it now Danny Drinkwater “It’s all I’ve known. It’s been my life since I was six, seven years old. It was never going to be an easy thing. “If I was playing week in, week out and I had to say I’ve got to stop, maybe through injury or through just age, not being able to get about the pitch like I’d like to, I think it would be trickier.” Drinkwater came through the Manchester United academy but did not make a first-team appearance before joining Leicester in 2012. He was called up for the first time by England in March 2016 and made three appearances but was one of three players cut from the squad for the European Championship. Read More On this day in 2008: David Beckham heads to Milan to boost England hopes The sporting weekend in pictures Joel Embiid scores 35 points in big win for Philadelphia 76ers

Lyon head coach Fabio Grosso suffered “serious” facial injuries after the French club’s team bus came under attack from fans throwing projectives before Sunday’s match at Marseille. The league fixture on Sunday evening was called off after the attack on the Lyon bus, which shattered windows as it arrved at Stade Velodrome. Footage on social media appeared to show that stones had been thrown and Grosso and his assistant Raffaele Longo were injured by falling shards of glass. French football’s governing body took the decision to abandon the Ligue 1 fixture after an emergency meeting. Grosso, the former Italy international and World Cup window, was pictured on a stretcher with a bloodied face after the attack. The governing body, Ligue de Football Professionnel, said in a statement: “During the crisis unit meeting following the incidents that occurred outside the Stade Velodrome on the route of its bus, Olympique Lyonnais made known its opposition to taking part in the match given the circumstances.” OL issued a statement strongly condemning the attack, adding that they had initially looked for the match to go ahead, before realising the conditions of Grosso and Longo were "much more serious than expected" and due to the "mental state of the players". The club said: "This Sunday evening, at the entrance to the Velodrome stadium, several individuals violently attacked the Olympique Lyonnais bus, as well as its staff and players. "Six buses of Olympique Lyonnais supporters were also targeted. If in the past, attacks of this type had already taken place, which Olympique Lyonnais has always regretted, this Sunday, October 29, a new step towards the worst was taken. "In fact, several secure windows were broken by heavy projectiles of unknown nature. These same projectiles penetrated the interior of the bus. "Coach Fabio Grosso and his assistant Raffaele Longo were directly hit and seriously injured in the face during this attack. Present with them on the bus, the players and staff were also deeply affected by the violence of this attack, which Olympique Lyonnais strongly condemns. "Initially, as indicated by the OL representative at the start of the crisis meeting, driven by their courage, the coach and the players wanted the meeting to be able to take place. "Subsequently, the OL representative was informed of the physical condition of Fabio Grosso and his assistant Raffaele Longo, much more serious than expected, but also of the negative medical opinions and the mental state of the players. She then announced a change in the situation, indicating the impossibility of playing the match." OL said it was "clearly impossible" for the match to take place, adding that they planned to "file a complaint in the coming days" before calling on the authorities to take action. They concluded: "Finally, Olympique Lyonnais regrets that this type of situation occurs every year in Marseille and invites the authorities to take stock of the seriousness and repetition of this type of incident before an even more serious tragedy occurs." Marseille issued a statement of their own, criticising the perpetrators and wishing 45-year-old Italian Grosso well. "Olympique de Marseille deplores the unacceptable incidents which took place this evening around the Stade Velodrome, against the professional team bus as well as Olympique Lyonnais supporter buses," the OM statement read. "The club wishes a speedy recovery to Lyon coach Fabio Grosso and strongly condemns this violent behaviour which has no place in the world of football and in society. "Due to a handful of mindless people, the game planned for this evening was spoiled and deprived 65,000 supporters of attending a football match. "The club complies with the decision taken by the LFP and remains at its disposal so that the match which was scheduled for this Sunday, October 29, takes place as quickly as possible and under the best possible conditions at the Stade Velodrome." Marseille have a recent history of incidents involving their stadium or supporters, including fans storming the training ground and setting a fire, enforcing a match being postponed in 2021. The Metropolitan Police arrested five people a year ago, “believed to be away supporters,” when Marseille played a Champions League game at Tottenham. And one Marseille fan faced an attempted murder charge over firing a flare into Eintracht Frankfurt fans at a game, seriously injuring one visiting supporter. Lyon manager Grosso scored the winning penalty kick for Italy in the shootout victory over France in the 2006 World Cup final. Both clubs have been under pressure lately. Despite replacing Marcelino with Gennaro Gattuso as coach in September, Marseille remain showing poor form with one win and three losses in their last four league games. Lyon are the only team still winless in the league. Replacing Laurent Blanc with Grosso as coach in September hasn’t paid off for Lyon, as they sit in last place. Includes reporting from PA Read More Lyon manager injured after team bus attacked en route to Marseille match How Wales fared at World Cup and what the future holds for Warren Gatland’s men Major military search begins after kidnapping of Luis Diaz’s father Major military search begins after kidnapping of Luis Diaz’s father On this day in 2008: David Beckham heads to Milan to boost England hopes Mauricio Pochettino insists Chelsea must rebuild trust with supporters

David Beckham joined AC Milan on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy on this day in 2008. The then 33-year-old England midfielder agreed a two-month move to Italy to stay fit during the MLS close-season in the United States. England manager Fabio Capello, who coached Beckham at Real Madrid, said: “Milan have made a good addition. “At Madrid I left him out of the squad because he had signed a contract with Los Angeles but he continued to come on the field and train and I put him back in the team. “He is a very serious lad, very sensible, a professional. People think he is a playboy off the field, it’s not true at all.” The 108-times capped Beckham felt a move to Milan would boost his chances of England selection. Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said: “His reasons are to stay fit and to make himself available for England, and the only way he can do that is to be training and playing in a good environment. “This, on the part of David, was a purely technical rationale. He wants to continue to play for England and this is one of the ways to do that.” Beckham began his glittering career at Manchester United, where he won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League. He joined Real Madrid in 2003 and spent four years in Spain before moving to LA Galaxy. Beckham had two loan spells at Milan and ended his career at Paris St Germain in 2013. Beckham went on to win 115 caps for England, a total only bettered by Peter Shilton and Wayne Rooney. Read More The sporting weekend in pictures Joel Embiid scores 35 points in big win for Philadelphia 76ers Rugby Australia chairman refuses to quit after Eddie Jones resignation

With the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season coming out on Halloween night, we need to prepare ourselves for some teams to be ranked higher, or lower, than what the AP voters decided over the weekend. Prepare to be battery-throwing mad.

Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea must rebuild trust with their fans if they hope to reverse their woeful home form that has seen them win just one of their last 13 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge. That run dates back to a 1-0 win against Leeds in March, since then they have picked up a single home victory against newly promoted Luton in August. The 2-0 defeat to Brentford on Saturday was their third home loss in six this season, and saw them revert to the hesitant, goal-shy habits that have been a feature during owner Todd Boehly’s 18 months in charge. At one stage in the first half Pochettino was drawn into a confrontation with a supporter who challenged the contributions of striker Nicolas Jackson, and there was a notable souring of the atmosphere once Brentford took the lead just before the hour mark. In all there have been just three home league victories in 2023, with the team having failed to score on 10 occasions in all competitions. “The key is to create a good atmosphere,” said Pochettino. “I think you need to be in the right way with the fans, with the team. The team need to translate to the fans the idea that they can trust them. “I think it (takes) time. We have many talented players but still they are so young. I’m not talking about the mentality of the club or the badge because Chelsea is about victories and a strong winning mentality. “The team is young and we need to match this level of capacity to compete always at your best. “We can talk about Cole Palmer who arrived in the last moments (of the transfer window) who is showing character, taking the responsibility to take penalties. It’s always about getting a good balance.” Pochettino had 10 first-team players unavailable from the start against Brentford, with the in-form Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez joining a lengthy injury list before kick-off with minor knocks. Captain Reece James was for the second consecutive game fit only for a late cameo for the bench, whilst Ben Chilwell was also absent. “Not to complain or make excuses, but we need all the squad fit,” said Pochettino. “We have too many circumstances at the moment where we are competing but we are missing things. When we have all the players fit, I think the team is going to find its balance. “It’s not easy to build trust (with the fans) and be mature and to accept sometimes that the game is going in a direction that you don’t want. “You need to be calm in this moment to have the character, to be mature enough and to have the capacity to say ‘we play in (our) way’. You need time. It’s about the maturity that we need to get.” Read More Retiring Ben Youngs believes the future is bright for England England an incredibly tight-knit unit – Matthew Mott refutes ‘unsettled’ claim Unai Emery confident Aston Villa can challenge for top-four spot Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi staying positive after ‘frustrating’ Fulham draw Sir Bobby Charlton tributes – in pictures Old Trafford pays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of Manchester derby