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Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has admitted that he found it strange how Queens Park Rangers played the final moments of their historic game against Manchester City in May 2012, adding fuel to a longstanding conspiracy theory peddled by Wayne Rooney that Manchester United were done out of the title. Sergio Aguero's last-ditch winner famously secured the title for City instead.

• Rooney questions QPR's approach

  Rooney has always openly questioned whether QPR allowed City to win the game in question at the Etihad Stadium a little too easily. Roberto Mancini's team, who had hauled Manchester United back in during a rollercoaster title race up to that point, needed three points in their final match of the season to be sure of a first English league championship in 44 years. But QPR, who were fighting relegation, led 2-1 going into the final stages.

  It meant that because United won their own fixture away at Sunderland, they finished their season as champions. But City were still playing and had enough time to turn things around, through Edin Dzeko and then Aguero. What has always rankled with Rooney is that QPR survived relegation, even in defeat, because of Bolton’s 1-1 draw with Stoke. He has implied that they may have already before the end of the game they were safe, although that has always been unclear.

  "Paddy Kenny should have done better for a couple of the goals," Rooney said in 2022. "City get the second goal and QPR kick it straight back to them and that's never been questioned – I find that strange. Djibril Cisse celebrating after the game with the City players, but yeah listen it's a historic moment in the Premier League so I'm sure that, if you are not involved as a Manchester United player, that's probably one of the greatest moments in the league."

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• AFP
  

  Dean adds weight to Rooney's claims

  Speaking on, brought to you by , Mike Dean gave his opinion on what happened that day. He was the referee for the game and considered it odd the way QPR surrendered possession so easily after City had got back level at 2-2 through Dzeko's equaliser.

  "[City] make it 2-2, and [QPR] just kick it back and give it to them. And we [the match officials] were like, 'What's going on, why are they giving the ball back straightaway?' I said [that] in the ear piece. To kick off and give the ball straight back to them. Neil Swarbrick, the fourth official, said, 'Keep switched on, something is going to happen.'

  "You just knew something was going to happen. You could just tell. What was strange about it, once QPR found out they were safe, Jamie Mackie was on the pitch celebrating while the game was still going on."

  Rooney was also appearing on the show and cheekily added: "They had loads of ex-City players in there as well," referencing Shaun Wright-Phillips, Nedum Onuoha and Joey Barton in the QPR side – Barton had earlier been sent off for violent conduct.

• Cisse denies foul play

  QPR and former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse was seen celebrating with City players afterwards, but recently denied that had anything to do with wanting the club to win the title over United. He told this year that it was only because close friend Samir Nasri was in the City team, combined with QPR's own survival.

  "I was celebrating with Samir Nasri," he said. "I didn't celebrate with Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero or anybody else. I celebrated with my brother, Samir, who had been a friend of mine for 15 years.

  "Manchester United lost the Premier League title because they dropped points throughout the season. It was nothing to do with me or QPR. What Rooney said isn't cool. He took out his frustrations on me. It's not my fault. If we had wanted Man City to win the league, would it not have been a little risky to have waited until the very last minute to let them score? We could have let them win 4–0 or 5–0 and gone home. But we played a strong team, the manager wanted to win that game. It wasn't our reserve team."

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• AFP
  

  Man City still await Premier League charges verdict

  Theoretically, United could still be retrospectively awarded the 2011-12 Premier League title. The season falls within the period of time for which City face at least 115 charges for alleged financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.

  A verdict is still to be given on the case that has dragged on for years, with the long-awaited hearing concluding almost 12 months ago without any further updates. Nobody really knows what sanctions and punishments could be applied if City, who fiercely deny wrongdoing, are deemed guilty. But nothing, including titles being stripped, is off the table at this stage.

Rookie batter Tommy Boorman compiled a superb match-winning innings of 38 not out under intense pressure to carry Gloucestershire to an impressive three-wicket victory over Leicestershire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.Making only his third List-A appearance, Boorman struck two fours and two sixes and staged an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 35 in 18 balls with Craig Miles, who helped himself to a brace of sixes in making 18 not out as Gloucestershire reached their victory target of 286 with nine balls to spare.Gloucestershire appeared to be cruising when James Bracey compiled an eye-catching 96 from 106 balls and staged an opening stand of 105 with Cameron Bancroft, who contributed 40. But seamer Alex Green turned the tide back in Leicestershire’s favour, taking 5-52, dismissing both openers and dangermen Ben Charlesworth and Jack Taylor to set up a tense finale.Peter Handscomb could count himself unlucky to finish on the losing side, Leicestershire’s skipper raising a brilliant 107 from 125 balls with nine fours and a six and sharing in a substantial partnership of 115 for the fifth wicket with Ben Cox, who contributed a run-a-ball 61, as the Foxes recovered from 76 for 4 to post 285 for 7.Liam Trevaskis produced a hard-hitting 30 not out as the visitors added 61 runs in the final five overs, but Gloucestershire seamer Josh Shaw excelled with the new ball, returning figures of 3 for 40 to keep last season’s beaten semi-finalists in check.Gloucestershire’s decision to bowl first was justified when Shaw claimed 3 for 20 with the new ball to reduce the Foxes to 22 for 3. The Yorkshireman bowled Rishi Patel between bat and pad without scoring, had Sol Budinger held at deep third via a top-edged cut and then had Lewis Hill caught at the wicket in the act of cutting, at which point he had dismantled Leicestershire’s top order in the space of 15 deliveries from the Ashley Down Road end.Having mustered just three boundaries in the powerplay, the visitors were under duress in the face of variable bounce on a slow pitch. But Shan Masood and Handscomb effected a partial recovery, staging an important alliance of 54 in 13.3 overs. The fourth-wicket partnership was beginning to flourish when Ben Charlesworth made a breakthrough with his first ball, persuading Pakistan Test captain Masood to top-edge a pull shot to deep fine leg and depart for 35 with the score 76 for 4 in the 19th.That was as good as it got for Gloucestershire. New batter Cox looked to disrupt the home side’s smooth progress from the outset, clearing the rope behind square for the first six of the innings when Matt Taylor dropped short as the Foxes reached halfway on 113 for 4.The batters managed to get on top for the first time against spinners Ollie Price and Jack Taylor, Handscomb and Cox combining excellent running between the wickets and clever placement in raising a 50 partnership from 57 balls. Averaging a half-century every four innings in List-A cricket, Handscomb went to his 42nd fifty from 76 balls, while Cox attained the same landmark via 45 deliveries with five fours and a six.Gloucestershire needed a wicket and Akhter obliged, bowling Cox to terminate a partnership that had revitalised Leicestershire. Cox had scored a run-a-ball 61 and helped establish a platform from which the visitors could launch a late assault.Matt Taylor removed Ian Holland cheaply, but there was no shifting Handscomb, the Australian going to his ninth List-A hundred by launching Akhter over long-off for six. He received staunch support from Liam Trevaskis with a quickfire unbeaten 30 from 22 deliveries in a valuable seventh-wicket alliance of 51 in 35 balls as the Foxes smashed 61 runs in the final five overs.Gloucestershire openers Bracey and Bancroft were initially circumspect in the face of the new-ball threat. But Bracey soon warmed to his task, greeting Tom Scriven with a pick-up for six over midwicket and a pull for four next ball as the home side advanced to 47 without loss at the end of 10 overs. So dominant was Bracey, that Bancroft contributed just seven runs to the 50 partnership.Bracey went to an authoritative half-century from 58 deliveries, reaching that landmark with his ninth four, causing Handscomb to turn to spin. The opening partnership had realised three figures before the Foxes made the breakthrough they so desperately needed, Bancroft edging a catch behind off Chris Wright in the 20th over.Ollie Price proved adept at rotating the strike thereafter and Gloucestershire were well-placed on 134 for 1 at the halfway stage, requiring a further 152 at 6.1 an over. These two posted a 50 partnership from 65 balls, but Price fell for 29, hitting Green straight to Handscomb at midwicket.Green then struck a telling blow, having Bracey held at deep square leg, at which point Gloucestershire still needed 108 to win with two new batters at the crease. Charlesworth hit a quickfire 19, only to succumb to a leg-side strangle as Green made another important intervention.Sensing an opportunity, Leicestershire kept up the pressure and Trevaskis dismissed Joe Phillips for 14 to further reduce the home side, still 61 short of their target with nine overs remaining.Boorman helped himself to a six and a four off Holland, but Gloucestershire’s task was made harder when Green accounted for Jack Taylor and Akhter with successive deliveries in the 46th over.Miles hit a straight six off Green and Boorman repeated the feat off Trevaskis as the eighth wicket pair held their nerve. Miles hit the winning six in the penultimate over.

In search of a much-needed attacking spark, Newcastle United are now reportedly among the most active clubs in the race to sign a Champions League wonderkid.

Howe: Benfica win "sets the standard" for Newcastle

Bouncing back from their Brighton defeat in style, Newcastle eased past Benfica in the Champions League to make it two wins from three. In contrast to their Premier League displays, the Magpies were in free-scoring form and sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Jose Mourinho’s side at St James’ Park thanks to Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes.

After a mixed week of results, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted that his side’s victory over Benfica “sets the standard” for what he expects going forward.

Howe told reporters: “I think it is that kind of game that sets a standard. That we have to take forward to our next few games that we’ve got coming up. That’s the level that we have to be at.

“I thought we’ve been threatening putting a performance like that together. Even at Brighton, there were some really positive moments, but that gets lost in the result. Today, we got both. We got another clean sheet and we scored some goals. Confidence returned to our attacking players, so it’s a great night for us.”

Howe can forget Barnes to unleash Newcastle teen who's "similar to Mbappe"

Newcastle are not short of options in wide areas, with Harvey Barnes impressing in midweek

ByJoe Nuttall Oct 23, 2025

Finding that attacking spark in the Premier League is now the challenge for those in Tyneside. Even with record signing Nick Woltemade already firing on all cylinders and Yoane Wissa to return from injury, however, they may yet turn towards the January transfer market for some much-needed quality going forward.

In a World Cup year, there are certainly plenty of players who could do with a chance, including one teenage sensation who’s been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Newcastle active in race to sign Endrick

According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are now active in the race to sign Endrick in January now that Real Madrid are willing to let the Brazilian leave on loan.

The 19-year-old wonderkid has not played a single minute under new manager Xabi Alonso and desperately needs a winter move if he is to secure a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad next summer.

Given Newcastle’s attacking struggles, welcoming a player as exciting as Endrick wouldn’t exactly be a bad idea, either. Whilst he has struggled to impress enough to get Alonso’s attention, he could yet find his feet at St James’ Park in January.

If the praise of former Palmeiras sporting director Joao Paulo Sampaio is anything to go by, then Newcastle have a rare opportunity to land a generational star on loan this season.

The door has opened for the Magpies to make their move and they should take full advantage when the January transfer window arrives.

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed in a new interview with Piers Morgan that he doesn't expect to extend his history-making football career for that much longer, also admitting that his interests in retirement will ultimately lie outside the sport he has dedicated his life to. It comes after the Portuguese icon had been billed as "perfect" for a role upstairs at former club Manchester United.

Ronaldo has retirement planned out

Having chosen Piers Morgan for an incendiary interview marking his exit from Manchester United in 2022, Ronaldo again linked up with the divisive media personality, this time on YouTube channel .

The 40-year-old forward, who has a contract with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League until the end of the 2026-27 season, was asked outright about eventual retirement. "Soon," Ronaldo replied, revealing he has been thinking about how it will go for years. "I think I will be prepared. It will be tough, of course. Will be difficult, yes. Probably I will cry, yes…

"It will be very, very difficult but I've prepared my future since [I was] 25, 26, 27 years old. So I think I will be capable to support that pressure."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFuture outside football

There will be lots of calls for Ronaldo to stay in football when he eventually does hang up his boots, with a wealth of expertise and experience to share. But coaching, management or executive roles within the sport don’t appear to appeal to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Nothing will compare to the adrenaline we have for football to score a goal," Ronaldo explained, revealing that retiring from football will finally give him the time to pursue other things.

"But I have other passions. [When I retire] I'm going to have more time for me, have more time for my family, to raise my kids. I want to be more a family person, more present. Also, to have my own hobbies. I like to see UFC, the fights. I like padel. I like and I want to learn more about my companies.

"I'll never be a [full-time] YouTuber, of course, but I want to be there. I'm going to spend more time on that to learn. I think I'm going to do funny things and things I'm not used to doing before. Because I live football 24 hours [each day] to do the right things and perform."

Post-playing role at Man Utd now unlikely

Ronaldo's desire to do things with his life other than football suggests leaving the sport altogether, which means recent speculation that he could consider a post-playing career in the boardroom, potentially even back at Manchester United, is quite unlikely to come to fruition.

Former team-mate Wes Brown, who won the Champions League alongside Ronaldo in 2008, had said he wouldn't put it past Ronaldo to remain involved in football that way. "He could definitely move into the boardroom," Brown said. "He's got the ability to swerve away from coaching and into the executive level, 100 per cent. Why not? If he's enjoying it, it'll be perfect for him."

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Getty Images SportIn pursuit of more trophies

Ronaldo probably isn't going to call time on his career before the end of his Al-Nassr contract. Aside from it being incredibly lucrative – worth a reported €257m (£235m/$280m) per year – the veteran forward is still freely scoring for the club and continues to chase trophies.

The lack of a major domestic or international trophy since moving to Saudi Arabia – the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup is the only silverware so far – is a notable blot on Ronaldo's record. Al-Nassr have seen both Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal win the Pro League in recent seasons, while the King's Cup and wider continental success has also been beyond them.

So far in 2025-26, though, Al-Nassr lead the way in the domestic table with a 100 per cent record after seven games. They are only competing in the secondary AFC club competitions this season, but could feasibly be back in the Champions League Elite next year – potentially Ronaldo's last dance in football.

Next summer also comes Ronaldo's last crack at the World Cup with Portugal.

The lack of Premier League football might be a drag, but West Ham United fans were at least able to watch Jarrod Bowen on Tuesday night.

The sensationally talented winger didn’t feature in the drab 2-0 win over Andorra, but he did come off the bench in the 5-0 demolition of Serbia.

It was the Hammers star’s 17th cap for the country, and while that’s a great achievement, plenty would argue his talent and form suggest he should have plenty more under his belt.

The Englishman has been one of the Irons’ best players for years now, but he might have some welcome competition in the shape of an academy gem pretty soon.

Bowen's West Ham career

Bowen joined West Ham in January 2020 from Hull City for a fairly hefty fee – for a Championship player – of £20m.

While it’s easy to forget today, the then 23-year-old wasn’t an instant hit in East London, scoring just a single goal and providing four assists in his 13 appearances that season.

However, we started to see the player we recognise today the following season, as he bolstered his return to eight goals and six assists and, from that point on, was one of the club’s key players.

Undoubtedly, the 28-year-old’s best moment for the Hammers came in the 2023 Conference League final, in which he scored the match-winning goal in the 90th minute to hand the club their first European trophy.

In all, the Leominster-born monster has made 242 appearances for West Ham, totalling 19251 minutes, in which he’s scored 75 goals and provided 52 assists.

That means the legend in the making has managed to average a goal involvement every 1.90 games, or every 151.58 minutes since making the move to the London Stadium over five years ago.

With all that said, it’s certainly encouraging that the academy might be about to provide the club with their own homegrown version of Bowen.

West Ham's homegrown Bowen

West Ham have a proud history of developing some seriously top talent, and the latest star to come out of their academy may just be Elisha Sowunmi.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

The 18-year-old prospect joined the club at the under-9s level and put pen to paper on his first professional contract earlier this summer.

It’s not hard to see why the Hammers were keen to tie him down, as he’s come on leaps and bounds in the junior sides and had a campaign to remember last season.

For example, in 25 appearances totalling just 2081 minutes, the promising talent put the ball in the back of the net 14 times and provided two assists to boot.

That means he was able to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 1.56 games, or every 130.06 and suggests he could be a real goal threat when he progresses to the first team, like Bowen.

Appearances

25

Minutes

2081′

Goals

14

Assists

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.64

Minutes per Goal Involvement

130.06′

However, that isn’t the only trait he shares with the 28-year-old, as he’s also incredibly versatile, having played all over the pitch from attacking midfield to up top and off the right, which is now considered his primary role.

It should be said that the step-up to senior football is massive, and it may take a few years before fans see him on a regular basis, but as academy manager Kenny Brown points out, “he has all the talent in the world.”

Ultimately, Bowen is without question West Ham’s best player and probably will remain so for at least a few more years, but keep an eye out for Sowunmi – he looks like the real deal.

West Ham can forget Lampard by hiring "the best manager in the world"

The league-winning legend would give West Ham a much bigger boost than Lampard.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 9, 2025

Liverpool turned a corner at the weekend, professionally defeating West Ham United at the London Stadium to arrest the shocking slump that has sent Arne Slot’s project into a spin.

However, it’s important for those of a Red persuasion not to get too excited. West Ham are hardly in good form, teetering on the edge of the Premier League relegation zone.

But there were some positives to be taken after that industrious win. Particularly, Liverpool looked sharp in attack, with Alexander Isak netting his first league goal for the Reds and Cody Gakpo notching a goal and an assist. Florian Wirtz sparkled in his creative role.

There has been talk of FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes dipping into the transfer market for a new forward in January, but if anything, the win over the Hammers and Liverpool’s abject form highlight a different area that needs attention.

Liverpool's winter transfer plans

It’s clear that Liverpool need a centre-back. Top sources have also linked the Premier League champions to prolific Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65m release clause valid from January.

However, the centre of the park appears to have been overlooked. Certainly, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have not formed a convincing partnership this season, and a tough-tackling and dynamic option could be worthwhile for a Liverpool side looking to bounce back.

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool are expected to table a €60m (£53m at current exchange rates) bid for Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, with the French midfielder no longer considered untouchable at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It’s understood that Los Blancos have held informal discussions about the 23-year-old’s future after an injury-affected few years, but Camavinga is one of the best in the business, and Liverpool could hit the jackpot by signing him for a comparatively affordable fee.

Why Liverpool want Eduardo Camavinga

Camavinga has been at Real Madrid for most of his professional career, having left France and Rennes and joined the Spanish giants in a €40m (£34m) package back in 2021.

He’s won the full gamut, and, on an individual level, been hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as “a real war machine in midfield”. One of the sternest criticisms Slot’s side have faced pertains to their lack of physicality and bite in midfield this season, outduelled in most of their defeats – and there have been a whole host of losses.

Camavinga would fix that, settling into the six berth. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 12% for successful take-ons, and the top 1% for tackles won per 90, emphasising his ball-playing quality and the gritty defensive acumen that would stabilise Slot’s sinking system.

Looking at those metrics – and more – in a different format, see how Camavinga could add more defensive solidity to the engine room when assessing his data against that of Mac Allister, whose form has plummeted this season.

Goals

0.11

0.18

Assists

0.11

0.20

Touches

76.18

63.79

Pass completion (%)

90.8

83.3

Shot-creating actions

2.44

3.80

Progressive passes

4.76

5.76

Progressive carries

1.93

1.46

Successful take-ons

1.13

0.67

Recoveries

5.72

4.65

Tackles won

2.72

1.46

Interceptions

1.25

0.91

Aerials won

1.30

0.56

But those metrics are taking across a year-long stretch, and the Argentine was among the creme-de-la-creme last year as Slot’s Reds romped their way to the title.

Semenyo might be a stellar addition to a Liverpool side who opted against a direct Luis Diaz replacement this summer, but Gakpo has held down the fort measurably well, and Rio Ngumoha, 17, was entrusted with a regular first-team role after an impressive emergence season.

Real Madrid are in a state of upheaval right now, and signing a player of Camavinga’s ilk for a decent figure won’t come around too often. Wataru Endo is scarcely used by Slot and Gravenberch and Mac Allister need proper competition.

Should Liverpool instil some French flair into their midfield in the form of Camainga, they would be sure to level up, adding the joie de vivre that has been lacking this term, and a tough-tackling presence that would ease the defence’s burden and free up the forwards to reach new heights.

Gakpo upgrade: Liverpool open surprise talks to sign "magic" £70m PL star

Liverpool are planning to strengthen their flanks after a tough start to the season.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 1, 2025

Fifties from Bens Compton and Dawkins provide platform before home side stumble

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Sep-2025Lancashire bowled Kent out for 293 on day one of their Rothesay County Championship match at Canterbury, before reaching 19 for 0 at stumps, to trail by 274.Ben Compton hit 77 and Ben Dawkins 60 but Kent lurched from 217 for 2 to 274 for 5, before the next four wickets fell for four runs. Mitch Stanley took 5 for 80 and Tom Hartley 3 for 68, although the bowling was marred by 37 extras, including 26 no-balls.Luke Wells and Keaton Jennings then survived eight overs to reach stumps on 3 and 10 respectively.James Anderson travelled with Lancashire but was left out of the starting XI, while Kent handed a first-class debut to Mo Rizvi and Michael Cohen made his first red-ball appearance for the hosts.Stanley struck in the sixth over to get Jaydn Denly caught behind for 8, but it was an otherwise joyless morning for Lancashire, with Kent reaching 122 for 1 at lunch.Dawkins crunched Stanley through point to bring up his maiden first-class fifty and Compton then eased to the same milestone with two off the same bowler.When Stanley then appealed for caught behind against Dawkins, for a delivery that seemed to flick his shirt, it was turned down, to a chorus of catcalls from the Nackington Road Grumblers, although Dawkins soon perished when he flicked Stanley to Michael Jones at midwicket, ending a stand of 136.Tawanda Muyeye, out for a golden duck in the Vitality Blast quarter-final between these two sides on Saturday, cracked Tom Hartley back over his head for six and even Compton charged down the wicket on a couple of occasions but their partnership was interrupted when they collided with such force while attempting a second run that Muyeye’s helmet flew off.Compton stayed down in the middle, while Muyeye staggered to his feet before collapsing after making his ground. The ball was ruled dead in accordance with the ECB’s concussion guidelines and both batters needed treatment. After an 11-minute delay both were able to continue.Muyeye was then hit on the upper arm and dropped by Matty Hurst off Stanley when he was on 29, but any doubts about how well he was seeing it were banished when he dumped Hartley for six over midwicket.He then produced an outstanding upper cut to hit Stanley for six over point, only to play on to Hartley in the next over, bowled for 48.From here on, everything went south for the hosts. Stanley had Compton caught behind and Hartley bowled Ekansh Singh for 4, leaving Kent on 248 for 5 at tea.Harry Finch and Joey Evison seemed to have stabilised things until three wickets fell in seven deliveries. Finch was unlucky to be given caught behind to Wells and Rizvi lasted just two balls before he chopped on to the same bowler. Hartley then had Evison caught at first slip for 22.Stanley finished Kent off, bowling Matt Quinn for 1 with the new ball and getting Matt Parkinson caught behind for 12.The closest Kent came to a wicket was when Corey Flintoff, on as sub for Muyeye, missed a difficult chance to catch Wells off Evison in the final over.