PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS | MATCHWEEK 3

 

POST-MATCH | HURZELER AND GROß | LEEDS UNITED VS. BRIGHTON AND HIVE ALBION

 

CHELSEA 4-3 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION | POST-MATCH ANALYSIS

 

CHELSEA VS. BRIGHTON | SEVEN-GOAL THRILLER | POST-MATCH ANALYSIS

 

"CAN YOU CALL HIM AND ASK HIM? | UNAI EMERY ON WHY OLIE WATKIS WAS NOT ON YHE VILLA LIST

 

MAN UTD AGREE £70 CARLOS BALEBA DEAL WITH BRIGHTON AS MIDFIELDER GOES FOR MEDICAL

AFP

Manchester United have taken a massive step toward completing their summer rebuild after reaching an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion for Carlos Baleba. The highly-rated midfielder is now expected to travel for a medical as Michael Carrick looks to bolster his engine room following a series of high-profile departures and injuries.

Red Devils land primary midfield target

According to The Athletic, Manchester United have successfully negotiated a deal for Brighton star Baleba, with the total package for the Cameroon international set to reach £70 million. The two Premier League clubs reached a definitive breakthrough in talks after weeks of speculation surrounding the 22-year-old's future, with United paying a guaranteed fixed fee of £65m alongside £5m in add-ons. The midfielder is expected to travel tonight ahead of a scheduled medical on Saturday.

Manchester United continue to stay active in the summer transfer window as they prepare for their return to the Champions League. The Red Devils have already bolstered Carrick's squad with the acquisitions of Andrey Santos from Chelsea, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, and goalkeeper Karl Darlow from Leeds United.

Getty Images Sport

Addressing a crisis in the engine room

The pursuit of Baleba comes at a pivotal moment for United, whose central midfield options have been thinned by summer departures and key injuries. With Casemiro departing on a free transfer and Manuel Ugarte sidelined by a ligament injury suffered at the World Cup, reinforcing the middle of the pitch became a top priority for the club's recruitment team.

Despite the excitement surrounding his arrival, Baleba is working his way back to full fitness after a pre-season setback. The Cameroon international is currently sidelined with an ankle ligament injury sustained during the summer break, which kept him out of Brighton's goalless draw against Tromso in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier on Thursday.

Data-driven pursuit yields results

United's interest in the former Lille midfielder is far from a sudden development, with the club's recruitment team keeping close tabs on his progress for several seasons. Old Trafford scouts monitored Baleba extensively throughout the 2025-26 campaign, having already explored a potential deal for the Cameroonian last summer.

Baleba's ascent to the upper echelons of English football has been swift since arriving from Ligue 1. After joining Brighton from Lille in the summer of 2023, the midfielder made 112 appearances for the Seagulls, though he was limited to 23 Premier League starts last season.

Getty Images Sport 

Brighton's summer exodus continues

Baleba will become the latest high-profile departure from Brighton this summer, following the exits of Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham Hotspur, Danny Welbeck to Chelsea, and Diego Coppola to Paris FC.

Brighton kick off their new Premier League campaign by hosting Aston Villa on Sunday, while Manchester United travel to face newly-promoted Hull City tomorrow, Saturday.

- Khaled Mahmoud

WHO IS BRIGHTON’S NIGERIAN £21.5 MILLION TEENAGER WONDER KID?

 

Zadok Yohanna at the Ikon Allah Football Academy. (Image: Ikon Allah football Academy)

Brighton snapped up Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna from Swedish side AIK Stockholm this summer.

The 18-year-old put pen to paper on a five-year deal reportedly worth around £21.5 million. It's a significant fee for such a young prospect.

Speaking about the transfer, Fabian Hurzeler said: “I’m looking forward to working with Zadok. Having seen his games and his attributes, he is a player that can impact games in the final third. 

“He’s still young, and will need time to adapt to the club and Premier League, but he’s an exciting player to watch and he brings the kind of creativity we know our fans will enjoy. 

“He’s dynamic, has pace and likes to take players on. His attributes and ability will be a real addition to our attacking options.”

Before making the move to Sweden, Yohanna came through the ranks at Nigeria's Ikon Allah Football Academy, where he first caught the attention of European scouts.

Ayi Muhammed, the man who took him under his wing at the Ikon Allah Football Academy in Nigeria, believes he will be a great investment.

Muhammed is president of the academy and said he felt like a second father to the winger, who left home at the age of 11 to learn his trade.

He speaks like a dad at times and a coach at others as he talks about Yohanna from the academy in Kaduna.

“I picked Zadok from the age of 11 and his family is like three to four hours’ drive away,” he said.

“I saw his potential from the age of 11. He has special qualities and in the next two years he must get the African Balon d’Or, before the age of 20.

“This is what he can do in England. In the English league you will see another different side.

“He is special. He has all the qualities. Skills, marking ability, he uses his head. Everything, Yohanna has it."

He made 18 appearances for AIK this season in the league and cup, scoring five goals and providing four assists.

Albion will be setting their targets high in the UEFA Conference League, and Yohanna is likely to feature. It's a competition he could shine in.

On the right wing, he will face stiff competition from Yankuba Minteh, but only if the Gambian talent stays at Brighton.

Reports suggest Liverpool are pushing for a Minteh move. If that happens, pressure will really be on the teenager.

- Henry Bryant

JAMES MILNER RETIRES AT AGE 40 AFTER LIVERPOOL ICON BREAKS PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD

Premier League and England legend James Milner has retired after a 24-year career in the top-flight, playing for Liverpool, Manchester City, Leeds, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Brighton

James Milner has announced his retirement from football(Image: Getty Images)

Premier League legend and former England international James Milner has announced his retirement from football at the age of 40.

The versatile midfielder left Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of the season when his contract expired after three years on the south coast. But instead of finding a new club, Milner has decided to call time on his illustrious career just months after breaking the record for most Premier League appearances in February.

Milner played for six teams in England's top flight. The 61-time England international came through at Leeds United before joining Newcastle United and then Aston Villa. He won the Premier League twice, FA Cup and League Cup at Manchester City before winning all there is to win under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

James Milner won multiple honours at Liverpool(Image: (JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images))

Taking to X, Milner shared an emotional statement: "After 24 seasons in the @premierleague, it feels like the right time to bring an end to my playing career. From making my debut for @leedsunited, who I supported growing up, at the age of 16 and becoming the Premier League’s youngest scorer.

"I could never have dreamed of the journey I’ve been on, right through to not being able to lift my foot last year and then coming back to be part of @officialbhafc qualifying for Europe for the second time in their history at the age of 40.

"To have gone on to represent @nufc, @astonvilla, @mancity, @liverpoolfc and @officialbhafc — and not forgetting a memorable month at @officialstfc — has been an incredible privilege.

"Every club has played a huge role in my life and career, and I want to thank everyone involved — the owners, staff, coaches, teammates and supporters who welcomed me and helped me along the way."

He continued: "To the fans, thank you. To those who supported me every step of the way, your encouragement meant more than you’ll ever know. And to those who gave me grief along the way, thank you too — you all played your part in making the journey memorable and helping shape me as a player and person.

"To my family, thank you for every sacrifice, every mile travelled and every moment of encouragement. None of this would have been possible without you.

"I leave the game with immense pride, gratitude and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Football has given me far more than I could ever have imagined, and I will always be thankful for the opportunities it provided.

"Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey."

- Cameron Winstanley

BRIGHTON 3-0 CHELSEA | POST MATCH ANALYSIS

 

BRIGHTON 2-1 LIVERPOOL | POST MATCH ANALYSIS

 

PREMIER LEAGUE TOP 10

 

LIVERPOOL'S PREMIER LEAGUE CLASH WITH BRIGHTON DELAYED AS STATEMENT RELEASED

Liverpool and Brighton will kick off their Premier League clash 15 minutes later than scheduled due to a traffic accident near the Amex Stadium

Brighton host Liverpool in the Premier League's early kick-off (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool's Premier League clash with Brighton has seen kick off delayed by 15 minutes due to a road traffic accident near the Amex Stadium.

The incident has occurred on the A27, with Brighton confirming the delay on their social media accounts. In a post, the Premier League said: "Kick-off for today’s Premier League match between Brighton and Liverpool has been delayed by 15 minutes to 12:45pm.

"This is due to heavy traffic in the local area delaying the arrival of supporters." While speaking on TNT Sports, Lynsey Hipgrave added: "We do have a lot of empty seats still at the moment.

Arne Slot made two changes to his Liverpool line-up (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

"There is going to be a delay to kick-off here while they try and get as many fans as possible into the stadium. There has been an accident on the A27 heading toward the AMEX today, so long tailbacks outside.

"They are going to hold the match back a little bit just to try and get as many of the supporters in as they can."

Arne Slot was forced to sideline Mohamed Salah, with Cody Gakpo named in the starting side. Florian Wirtz was also named in the starting side, and he opened up about his season to TNT Sports ahead of kick-off.

Wirtz said: "Everyone in the world knows that the Premier League is the most intense and physically it was maybe a bit more than I was thinking but there’s always difficult things on the pitch where you have to adapt.

"Maybe you have also a bit more responsibility for more people who are supporting you and wanting you to do good.

“When I was at Leverkusen, I could have more time on the ball and maybe turn easier.

"Here you have to be so ready, with your first touch you have to be away already because otherwise there are three people on you and smashing into you. That’s maybe also a big difference. I have to be faster in my decisions.”

- Will Schofield

BRIGHTON 0-1 ARSENAL | POST MATCH ANALYSIS

 

LIVERPOOL VS. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION | KEY MOMENTS | FOURTH ROUND |EMIRATES FA CUP 0225-26

 

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-2 BRIGHTON | POST MATCH ANALYSIS | EMIRATES FA CUP

 

MANCHESTER UNITED JANUARY FIXTURES

 

DAVID RAYA'S "SAVE OF THE CENTURY"l | ARSENAL FC

 

MIKEL ARTETA | POST MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE | ARSENAL 2-1 BRIGHTON

ARSENAL 2-1 POST MATCH ANALYSIS

 

ARSENAL SCOOP POINTS VS. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION