Manager says top-four slot this season would be successKyle Walker says goodbye to fans of ‘incredible club’ Pep Guardiola has admitted ­Manchester City have lost their fear factor and need to “recover who we are” but backed his team to challenge for honours next season, while Kyle Walker’s loan move to Milan was confirmed. The reigning Premier League champions are fifth in the table and 12 points behind the leaders, Liverpool, before Saturday’s visit of Chelsea after a dismal first half of their title defence. City defeated Chelsea on the opening day of the season at ­Stamford Bridge but that accounts for one of only two victories over teams in the top nine, the other being a 3-0 home win against Nottingham Forest. Continue reading...

The teenager on his calm demeanour, learning the defender’s art in Italy and his side’s European credentials He is surely one of the most exciting prospects in the game – José Mourinho said as much around this time last year – but to many Dean Huijsen is just a Chill Guy. Last month the 19-year-old celebrated his first Bournemouth goal, against Tottenham, by mimicking the popular meme of a human-like dog smirking with paws in pockets, and then did the same a couple of weeks later after opening the scoring in a resounding win at Old Trafford. A TikTok clip of Huijsen imitating the image, posted by Bournemouth, has been viewed 11m times. “I’ve always been a pretty relaxed person, pretty chilled,” Huijsen says. “I think I am pretty calm on the ball, I make my decisions and I don’t get too panicked. I thought it would be a nice celebration but didn’t expect it to go so viral. I just thought it would be funny – I guess people liked it.” Continue reading...

With Bournemouth challenging for a top-four place in the Premier League this season, BBC Sport analyses how the Cherries are doing it.

Harvey Elliott deserves a Liverpool start, Chelsea should go for the jugular at City and Mikey Moore would help Spurs In a surprise to pre-season predictors, this match is as important as a fixture in January can be in the battle for Champions League football. Nottingham Forest head into the weekend level with second-placed Arsenal, while Bournemouth are three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and seven back from Forest. The scrutiny on both teams is growing but they keep answering the questions thrown at them. Despite having no out-and-out striker last weekend, Bournemouth put four past Newcastle, giving Nuno Espírito Santo a warning. Justin Kluivert scored a hat-trick, his second of the season, at St James’ Park as Andoni Iraola’s flexible front four excelled. Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo might feel more confident against a natural No 9 but Forest’s centre-back pairing will relish the challenge. Will Unwin Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest, Saturday 3pm (all times GMT) Brighton v Everton, Saturday 3pm Liverpool v Ipswich, Saturday 3pm Southampton v Newcastle, Saturday 3pm Continue reading...

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood signs a new contract to keep him at the City Ground until 2027.