Manchester Derby Poses Maresca’s First Big Test, Chelsea Aim to End Hull Honeymoon

 Manchester City's Erling Haaland runs after the ball during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between FC Porto and Manchester City in Porto, Portugal, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (AP)
Manchester City's Erling Haaland runs after the ball during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between FC Porto and Manchester City in Porto, Portugal, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (AP)
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Manchester Derby Poses Maresca’s First Big Test, Chelsea Aim to End Hull Honeymoon

 Manchester City's Erling Haaland runs after the ball during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between FC Porto and Manchester City in Porto, Portugal, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (AP)
Manchester City's Erling Haaland runs after the ball during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between FC Porto and Manchester City in Porto, Portugal, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (AP)

Enzo Maresca faces his first major test since stepping into Pep Guardiola's shoes as City visit United in the Manchester derby on Sunday, while Arsenal aim to extend their flawless start at Sunderland.

Alongside last season's top two, only newly-promoted Hull remain unbeaten but their brilliant start faces an acid test against Xabi Alonso's free-scoring Chelsea.

At the other end of the table, Fulham have yet to register a point under Alvaro Arbeloa ahead of their tough trip to Liverpool.

AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of the weekend's action:

Haaland hungry for more

Four games in, Maresca has made the perfect start since accepting the daunting task of succeeding Guardiola as City boss.

But nine points from nine in the Premier League and a winning start to their Champions League campaign in Porto has masked some underwhelming performances.

Coventry missed a series of chances to secure their first goal and point in the top flight for 25 years at the Etihad last weekend as City clung on for a 1-0 victory, while Maresca's men needed two late goals to beat Bournemouth on the opening weekend of the season.

It was not only an off-season of change in the dugout. City splashed out a record £460 million ($623 million) on new players, including a whole new midfield of Enzo Fernandez, Elliott Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

That trio could start together for the first time at Old Trafford, but one thing that has remained consistent for City is Erling Haaland's reliability to get goals.

The Norwegian has five in four games, becoming City's third-highest goalscorer of all-time in the process on 167.

"I'm really proud of these numbers but I'm only 26 and I'm hungry for more," said Haaland.

United, by contrast, have wasted the chance to make a strong start and are at risk of already being cut adrift in the title race.

Michael Carrick's men have picked up just four points from an inviting opening trio of matches against Hull, Ipswich and Everton.

Fears for Fulham

Alvaro Arbeloa's reign as Fulham boss could be short-lived unless he can summon a response on his return to Anfield.

The Spaniard is favorite to be the first Premier League coach sacked after three straight defeats.

Arbeloa has been accused of being too naive, with his expansive gameplan leaving the Cottagers' defense exposed.

A trip to Liverpool, where Arbeloa played for two-and-a-half seasons, and a visit from Manchester United is to come before a three-week international break which could allow the club to rethink the decision to hire the former Real Madrid boss.

"It is not about my position, but I am very confident and I talk to my players that they are working in the way I want," said Arbeloa.

Hull have 'to kick' Chelsea

Odds-on favorites for relegation before the season began, Hull are the only side yet to concede in a dream return to the top flight.

Chelsea's slick forward line will put the Tigers solidity to the test after Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer masterminded a six-goal second half to beat Leeds 6-3 in the League Cup.

Introduced at half-time with the Blues trailing, Palmer scored twice and Rogers provided four assists to take Chelsea's tally in five matches under Alonso to 16 goals.

"To kick them," joked Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic on his plan to stop a Chelsea attack also featuring the in-form Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto and Estevao. "If you are there man-marking, you don't have a chance."



Kompany: Bayern Are Close to their Best Despite Consecutive Draws coach

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany gives a press conference after the UEFA Champions League football match between Viking FK and FC Bayern Munich in Stavanger, Norway on October 13, 2026. (Photo by Carina Johansen / NTB / AFP)
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany gives a press conference after the UEFA Champions League football match between Viking FK and FC Bayern Munich in Stavanger, Norway on October 13, 2026. (Photo by Carina Johansen / NTB / AFP)
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Kompany: Bayern Are Close to their Best Despite Consecutive Draws coach

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany gives a press conference after the UEFA Champions League football match between Viking FK and FC Bayern Munich in Stavanger, Norway on October 13, 2026. (Photo by Carina Johansen / NTB / AFP)
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany gives a press conference after the UEFA Champions League football match between Viking FK and FC Bayern Munich in Stavanger, Norway on October 13, 2026. (Photo by Carina Johansen / NTB / AFP)

Bayern Munich are edging closer to their very best despite drawing their last two matches, coach Vincent Kompany said on Friday.

The German champions, who take on visitors RB Leipzig on Saturday, have drawn their last two matches in all competitions – a 2-2 against Augsburg that included conceding the fastest goal in Bundesliga history, followed by a 3-3 at rank outsiders Viking in the Champions League on Tuesday.

They looked far from convincing in both matches, missing chances and looking shaky at the back, and having ⁠to come from ⁠behind both times to rescue draws.

They are currently in third spot in the Bundesliga, two points behind leaders Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund.

"We want to attack," Kompany told a press conference. "We have the feeling that there are a lot of things behind the perception of ⁠these two results. I have the feeling it is just before we show our very best version.

"In the last two matches we shot 50 times on goal. If we do a few things better then we are not too far from our very best version."

Bayern have busy weeks coming up and after Leipzig – they face Arsenal in the Champions League before taking on leaders Freiburg in the Bundesliga. They then host Dortmund in ⁠Der ⁠Klassiker on October 31 after a German Cup second-round match against Magdeburg.

"These moments that some people think might be difficult we say these are the best moments you can have in your career. If you win these matches then you have created some moments," Reuters quoted Kompany as saying.

"We are sharp and motivated... we look forward to these matches to measure ourselves against the best.

"The lads reach the limit in every training session and it is fun to watch. They know it is now best to talk on the pitch."


Chelsea Captain Reece James Undergoes Knee Surgery

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - September 6, 2026 Chelsea's Reece James applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - September 6, 2026 Chelsea's Reece James applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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Chelsea Captain Reece James Undergoes Knee Surgery

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - September 6, 2026 Chelsea's Reece James applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - September 6, 2026 Chelsea's Reece James applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Chelsea captain Reece James has undergone knee surgery, the Premier League club said Friday.

Chelsea described the procedure as minor, but did not confirm the precise nature of the injury, which was sustained during a training session.

England defender James has endured a slew of injuries involving his knee and hamstring. A hamstring problem ruled him out of part of the 2026 World Cup.

Chelsea did not say how long it would take before the 26-year-old James would be back in action, The Associated Press reported.

“Reece has already begun his road to recovery and will be supported by the club’s medical department at Cobham during this rehabilitation phase,” it said in a statement. “Everyone at Chelsea wishes Reece a speedy recovery and will support him on his road to return.”

Chelsea, which is sixth in the league, travels to Everton on Saturday.


Elina Svitolina Loses to Resurgent British player Sonay Kartal at Wuhan Open

Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
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Elina Svitolina Loses to Resurgent British player Sonay Kartal at Wuhan Open

Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina is out of the Wuhan Open after losing 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to resurgent British player Sonay Kartal in the quarterfinals Friday, The Associated Press reported.

The No. 170-ranked old Kartal, who missed more than six months with a stress fracture in her back, has won six of her eight matches since returning to the elite tour. She beat two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini to reach the quarterfinals in Wuhan after defeating ninth-seeded Belinda Bencic, the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist, in the second round.

Kartal, who broke Svitolina's serve in the last game to clinch the match, reached a career-high No. 44 ranking in July of last year. Svitolina lost in the quarterfinals at the China Open last week to eventual champion Zheng Qinwen.

Kartal advanced to a semifinal against 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, who beat 11th-seeded Diana Shnaider 7-6 (6), 6-1.

Seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek was scheduled to play a quarterfinal later Friday against American Ann Li, who upset top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in the second round.

The winner of that match will face either Maria Sakkari or Maja Chwalinska in the semifinals.