The Daily · Monday, 31 August 2026
Fernandes Lights Up a Busy Weekend as City Turn to Ndiaye
The transfer window closed with one of its more intriguing late moves: Manchester City, having seen an £80m bid for Cody Gakpo rejected by Liverpool, pivoted swiftly to agree a £65m deal with Everton for Iliman Ndiaye. It was a telling piece of deadline-day business, confirming that Gakpo is staying at Anfield while City reshape their attack with a winger who has been one of the Premier League's more exciting presences over the past two seasons. Tottenham, meanwhile, turned their attention to Mykhailo Mudryk as the window slammed shut.
On the pitch, the weekend's Premier League action had produced plenty to discuss. Bruno Fernandes delivered a hat-trick as Manchester United came from behind to beat Ipswich 5-2, a performance that drew lavish praise from the Match of the Day panel. Chelsea edged a breathless 4-3 win over Brighton, while Liverpool could only draw 2-2 with Nottingham Forest. Away from England, Inter moved to the top of Serie A on goal difference after Hakan Calhanoglu's early strike beat Cagliari, and Monaco went top of Ligue 1 with victory over Marseille.
Off the pitch, Michel Platini added a fresh chapter to football's long-running governance disputes, publicly calling for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA president and filing a lawsuit over tactics he claims were used to block his own candidacy back in 2015.
The record
Liverpool Reject Manchester City's £80m Bid for Cody Gakpo
Manchester City have had an £80m offer for Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo turned down. City are now reported to be turning their attention to Everton's Iliman Ndiaye as an alternative.
Fernandes Hat-Trick Powers Manchester United to 5-2 Comeback Win Over Ipswich
Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Manchester United came from behind to beat Ipswich Town 5-2. Match of the Day pundit Ellen White praised the midfielder as 'unbelievable', saying 'he's on it all the time'.
Premier League Roundup: United Rout Ipswich 5-2, Chelsea Edge Brighton 4-3
A busy Premier League weekend produced some high-scoring results, with Manchester United beating Ipswich Town 5-2 and Chelsea defeating Brighton 4-3. Liverpool drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest. Newcastle players are noted as looking revitalised, while Crystal Palace's start is described as worrying.
Emery Insists Villa and Chelsea Are Rivals Despite Busy Transfer Pipeline
Unai Emery has pushed back on suggestions that Aston Villa and Chelsea are friendly clubs, insisting they want to 'kill' each other despite significant transfer activity between them. This summer alone, Emiliano Martínez, Morgan Rogers, Nicolas Jackson, and Alejandro Garnacho have all moved between the two clubs, with Jackson's deal worth up to £65m potentially making him Villa's record signing.
Chelsea Sign Atalanta Defender Ahanor for €48m Before Loan to Crystal Palace
Chelsea have agreed to sign Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor for €48m including add-ons. The Italy international will move to Stamford Bridge before heading out on loan to Crystal Palace as part of the arrangement.
Platini Calls for Infantino to Quit as FIFA President, Files Lawsuit
Former UEFA president Michel Platini has publicly called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign. Platini is also pursuing legal action against Infantino and other FIFA officials, seeking compensation for damages he claims resulted from tactics used to block his FIFA presidential candidacy in 2015.
Calhanoglu Strike Sends Inter to Top of Serie A on Goal Difference
Hakan Calhanoglu scored from the edge of the box in the ninth minute — his second goal of the season — to help Inter beat Cagliari and move to the top of the Serie A standings on goal difference. Elsewhere, Como caused problems for Allegri on his return to Napoli.