This was no fairytale arrival for Graham Potter, who must take Sweden to next summer’s World Cup via the most difficult route possible. A weakened side were well beaten by Switzerland, a country whose aptitude they should be aiming to at least match, ultimately paying for frailties at both ends. Disastrous defending brought the soft spot kick from which Granit Xhaka put the home side back in front on the hour, undoing an impressive recovery with Benjamin Nygren cancelling out Breel Embolo’s goal. Dan Ndoye, a threat throughout, deservedly scored another and the replacement Johan Manzambi added late gloss. There were few flourishes from a clearly rusty Alexander Isak on his introduction from the bench. It meant Switzerland will, in the fair assumption that they do not lose by six goals in Kosovo on Tuesday, compete on the highest stage once again and continue to be a benchmark for Potter’s adopted country. Continue reading...

Maybe it should not have come as such a surprise that the team that was able to slow Arsenal’s title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobby scored an injury-time equaliser after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a first-half goal from the Sunderland captain, Dan Ballard. It was a rocky night for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal have a seven-point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home to Liverpool on Sunday, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six in Saturday’s later game. Continue reading...

⚽ Premier League updates from the 5.30pm GMT kick-off ⚽ Live scores | Edwards in talks with Wolves | Mail Scott Here’s an illustration of the size and scope of the task facing Sunderland today. Arsenal last conceded a goal at 5.05pm on 28 September. Since then, they’ve only allowed 12 shots on target in 12 hours and 56 minutes of football, over eight-and-a-half matches, a sequence that equals a club record established in 1903, when they were still knocking around in Woolwich. Nick Ames digs deeper. Sunderland are in If It Ain’t Broke mode. They name the same XI that started the 2-1 win at Chelsea and the 1-1 draw with Everton. This will be the first time Granit Xhaka has faced Arsenal since leaving the Gunners two years ago. Continue reading...

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka was called the signing of the season - and then came his biggest contribution so far with his strike against Everton.

David Moyes, the manager who oversaw a disastrous relegation for Sunderland eight years ago, found a very different club on his first return to the Stadium of Light. Back then, Sunderland were on a downward slope. Now, things are on the up. Régis Le Bris’ impressive Sunderland moved up to fourth place ahead of Saturday’s home game against Arsenal after a 1-1 draw against Moyes’ Everton side. A deflected strike from the impressive Granit Xhaka cancelled out Iliman Ndiaye’s brilliant opening goal. Continue reading...