Mikel Arteta salutes Arsenal for rewriting recent history with victory at Fulham
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Mikel Arteta hailed his Premier League table-toppers for rewriting recent history following Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Fulham. The Gunners extended their lead at the league summit to three points after Leandro Trossard scored from a corner shortly before the hour mark at Craven Cottage. Arsenal took just one point in their away fixtures at Newcastle and Fulham, and at home to West Ham last season. This time around they have registered nine points from nine and their victory here, at a ground where they have failed to win on their previous two visits, marked another statement of intent in the club’s bid to end their 22-year wait for a league title. “The recent history wasn’t in our favour and we wanted to change that, like we did against Newcastle and West Ham at home,” said Arteta. “And this is another step to having that mindset and that ability to win these kind of matches against a really good opposition, and a really difficult place to come. “When the context is 0-0, and the game gets longer and longer it becomes more difficult, but we showed a lot of maturity. We kept knocking on the door in various ways, and in the end we found a way, with the set-piece to do it but we deserved it.” In the moments after Trossard’s opener, Bukayo Saka looked to have earned his side a penalty when he was upended on the corner of the area by substitute Kevin. Anthony Taylor wasted no time in pointing to the spot but VAR adjudged Kevin touched the ball before taking out the man. Taylor headed over to his pitch-side monitor and overruled his decision. Arteta, who was visibly frustrated on the touchline, continued: “I was getting animated because it was taking so long. “I asked Anthony ‘why it was taking so long’. It was nothing to do with the process, it was just that the screen wasn’t working. “It probably wasn’t a penalty so they made the right decision in the end, and I was just animated because of the process.” The only sour note for Arteta following Arsenal’s fifth straight victory in all competitions was Viktor Gyokeres’ failure to find the net for a seventh straight game. Arteta added: “He was very close again today. We were all begging for him to score. The work rate he puts in for the team is phenomenal. We try to give him support and the love, and it will come.” For Fulham, who have now lost three consecutive league games, manager Marco Silva admitted he was frustrated to allow Arsenal to score their 37th goal from a corner in the league since the start of 2023-2024 season – remarkably 16 more than any other side. He said: “Arsenal are in a great moment and they are a tough side to play against, but until they scored, there was nothing really special from them. “Offensive set-pieces are hard to stop. The frustration for us is that we felt we were well prepared, and we showed in the game that we were, but you have to be focused for 95 or 100 minutes and in that one moment we let them in.”
Skipper cup down to the last four – FBC News
Source: Fiji Rugby / Facebook Skipper Cup semifinal lineup for next week has been locked in, with Malolo, Nadi, Tailevu, and Naitasiri sealing their spots after a thrilling weekend of quarterfinal action. Malolo pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the round, edging defending champions Nadroga 23–22 in a tense battle that went down to the wire. Nadi held off a strong Suva side 34–29 in front of their home fans, while Tailevu cruised past Lautoka with a convincing 39–18 win to secure their place in the final four. Article continues after advertisement Rounding off the quarterfinals, Naitasiri proved too strong for Ba, coming from behind to record a solid 32–18 victory at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. The semifinals are expected to deliver another round of intense matchups as the four giants chase a place in the 2025 Skipper Cup final. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Match of the day analysis: Ange Postecoglou sacking is ridiculous
Match of the Day pundits Micah Richards and Alan Shearer say it was “ridiculous” for Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis to sack manager Ange Postecoglou after just 39 days in the job. WATCH MORE: Chelsea beat Forest to end Postecoglou’s time at City Ground Available to UK users only.
Six Kings Slam live: Scores and updates from Carlos Alcaraz v Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic v Taylor Fritz matches in big-money Saudi exhibition on Netflix
Carlos Alcaraz v Jannik Sinner The grand final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be up next! Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:18 Novak Djokovic picks up injury during third-place match It looks like Djokovic pulled up with a right-leg injury during the match. He battled through a lot of long games and shook hands with Fritz as soon as he lost the first set, having to win in at least three sets to win the match. Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:17 Taylor Fritz records first win over Novak Djokovic After 11 defeats, Taylor Fritz records his first ever win over Novak Djokovic. It’s not the way he wanted to do it, in a first-set retirement, and it won’t count towards the official head-to-head. But that was a proper battle and can offer the American a lot of encouragement. “That was really physical, you know what happens is you get into those really long games and the balls start to just wear out and get so huge to the point where it’s so hard to get a free point on the serve, hit a winner. “Playing the long points, playing the long games, makes everything just slower, longer. It’s such a tough set and at the end of it, like I said, conditions just got so slow we’re just playing. Long rallies, back to back to back, just having to fight for every point, so it’s, it’s brutal.” Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:12 Novak Djokovic explains retirement “Not great, I want to apologise to everybody. Sorry guys. Sorry you couldn’t see the second set. One of the longest sets I’ve played. “Credit to Taylor. We had some incredible games towards the end of that set, and it’s one of the longest sets I’ve ever played, to be honest. “It was an amazing visit to Riyadh for me once again. I want to thank everybody for really welcoming me. Hopefully if I keep on going next year, I’ll be back if you guys want me here. “Now it’s rest and really addressing some of the issues I have with my body, and then hopefully playing the last couple of tournaments of the season, let’s see.” (REUTERS) Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:10 NOVAK DJOKOVIC RETIRES FROM THE MATCH! WOW! Djokovic shakes hands with Fritz and the match is over! Djokovic holds his hands up to the crowd! But after a 75-minute first set, he concedes the match! Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:09 FIRST SET! Novak Djokovic 6-7 Taylor Fritz Fritz leans into the backhand down the line and pulls out a super winner, bringing up his first set point. Djokovic catches the line but Fritz replies with a massive forehand, Djokovic goes long!! Fritz wins the set on the tiebreak! Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:08 Tiebreak! Novak Djokovic 6-6 Taylor Fritz Awesome from Djokovic! He rips the forehand return down the line off the Fritz second-serve to get into the changeover at 3-3. Fritz wins a scrambling point by covering Djokovic at the net. Djokovic lands a serve out wide that Fritz can’t return. But that’s super from Fritz! He goes from power and depth to a delicate drop shot – he leads 5-4 with two serves to come, the set in his grasp. Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:07 Tiebreak! Novak Djokovic 6-6 Taylor Fritz Fritz scorches back-to-back winners after a misguided drop shot on the opening point. And Fritz then comes up with a stunner, a dipping backhand as Djokovic came into the net. Fritz goes up 3-2 with two serves to come. Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:03 Tiebreak! Novak Djokovic 6-6 Taylor Fritz We’ve had 14 break points in this set. Nine for Fritz, five for Djokovic. But all of them have been saved. Fritz serves it out to get to the tiebreak – and he has never won a tiebreak against Djokovic in six attempts. (REUTERS) Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:00 Djokovic holds! Novak Djokovic 6-5 Taylor Fritz* “Nooo” Fritz howls as the forehand goes out. Djokovic on game point, is not far away from the ace out wide. And finally Fritz puts the defensive shot long after an attack from Djokovic, who raises his arms in celebration! A 16-minute service hold and Djokovic is attempting to whip the crowd up into a frenzy by directing the noise. Heck of a game. Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 18:56
Premier League highlights: Nottingham Forest 0-3 Chelsea – Ange Postecoglou sacked minutes after loss
Chelsea score three second-half goals to beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground and trigger the sacking of manager Ange Postecoglou just 17 minutes after the game ends. READ MORE: Forest sack Postecoglou after 39 days in charge Available to UK users only.
Samoa U17 women set for World Cup debut against France – FBC News
Source: OFC History is about to be made! Next week, the Samoa U-17 Women’s team will proudly represent their island nation on the global stage for the very first time at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. Led by coach Juan Chang Urrea, the players are set for a thrilling challenge in Group D, where they’ll take on football giants France, Canada, and Nigeria. Their first match kicks off Monday morning (Samoa time), against France, and the excitement is palpable. Samoa earned their ticket to Morocco after an incredible run to the final of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Fiji last year. They backed it up again this year, reaching the same stage when hosting the tournament on home soil in Apia, proof that this team is no one-hit wonder. Article continues after advertisement Samoa celebrate their first goal during the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2024, Semi Final 1, Samoa v New Caledonia, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Wednesday 18 September 2024. Photo: Kirk Corrie / www.phototek.nz Chang Urrea’s journey with Samoa Football began last year, and the German-born, New Zealand-based former Guatemalan youth international has poured his heart into the role. “My heart belongs to Samoa,” he told FIFA.com. “I’m so grateful to President Sam Petaia and the Football Federation Samoa for trusting me. Every tournament, we’re growing stronger and it’s exciting to imagine how far these players can go.” “It’s really good to get together, we have had a few camps this year and it feels like the little family is back together. The players are so happy to see each other and are positive and excited. We want to make Samoa proud and we want to make the Oceania region proud.” Chang Urrea told OFC this week. Over the past 16 months, Chang Urrea has transformed the women’s game in Samoa, and he’s confident the best is yet to come. Samoa’s coach Juan Chang Urrea. OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2023, Tonga v Samoa, Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji, Saturday 24th June 2023. Photo: Kirk Corrie / www.phototek.nz “I just want the players to know and really believe they can play at this level if they put everything out there. Everyone loves the underdog story and to show the world that even though they are the smallest nation, but if you have the biggest heart, work ethic and are ready, you can move mountains.” He told OFC. Chang Urrea’s also quick to give credit where it’s due, to former Crystal Palace and Wellington Phoenix player Paul Ifill, who first brought him into Samoa’s coaching setup. “The first time I landed in Apia, it just hit me, I felt like I’d come home,” he said with a smile. Chang Urrea has embraced Samoan culture wholeheartedly. Faith, family, and community are the heartbeat of Samoan life, and they’re just as central to the football team. Players proudly learn the national anthem, the Siva Samoa dance, and take turns leading lotu (devotional prayers) with church hymns each day. “Some players grow up outside Samoa and don’t know much about their roots,” he explained. “So, we make culture part of our team’s foundation. I always ask them why they want to play for Samoa, because representing your family and heritage is everything.” He told FIFA.com. Team Samoa during the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2024, Samoa v Tonga, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Wednesday 11 September 2024. Photo: Kirk Corrie / www.phototek.nz With an estimated 800,000 Samoans worldwide, including a quarter of a million in the U.S., Chang Urrea has been on a mission to find and connect Samoan talent wherever it shines. “We used to work with an agency to find overseas players, but that stopped a while back,” he said. “So, I started reaching out myself, one family leads to another, one school to another. In Utah alone, I found five Samoan players thanks to an amazing woman from the Utah Soccer Youth Association.” Every discovery starts with scouting, checking match footage, calling coaches, and evaluating full games (not just highlight reels). “I want to see how they play for the whole 90 minutes,” laughs Chang Urrea, who knows the U.S. system well after his own playing days at Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma. Chang Urrea has been meticulous with his preparation, and despite being massive underdogs Samoa will showcase the nation’s pride, spirit, and culture on the world stage. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Six Kings Slam live: Scores and updates from Carlos Alcaraz v Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic v Taylor Fritz matches in big-money Saudi exhibition on Netflix
Carlos Alcaraz v Jannik Sinner The grand final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be up next! Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:18 Novak Djokovic picks up injury during third-place match It looks like Djokovic pulled up with a right-leg injury during the match. He battled through a lot of long games and shook hands with Fritz as soon as he lost the first set, having to win in at least three sets to win the match. Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:17 Taylor Fritz records first win over Novak Djokovic After 11 defeats, Taylor Fritz records his first ever win over Novak Djokovic. It’s not the way he wanted to do it, in a first-set retirement, and it won’t count towards the official head-to-head. But that was a proper battle and can offer the American a lot of encouragement. “That was really physical, you know what happens is you get into those really long games and the balls start to just wear out and get so huge to the point where it’s so hard to get a free point on the serve, hit a winner. “Playing the long points, playing the long games, makes everything just slower, longer. It’s such a tough set and at the end of it, like I said, conditions just got so slow we’re just playing. Long rallies, back to back to back, just having to fight for every point, so it’s, it’s brutal.” Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:12 Novak Djokovic explains retirement “Not great, I want to apologise to everybody. Sorry guys. Sorry you couldn’t see the second set. One of the longest sets I’ve played. “Credit to Taylor. We had some incredible games towards the end of that set, and it’s one of the longest sets I’ve ever played, to be honest. “It was an amazing visit to Riyadh for me once again. I want to thank everybody for really welcoming me. Hopefully if I keep on going next year, I’ll be back if you guys want me here. “Now it’s rest and really addressing some of the issues I have with my body, and then hopefully playing the last couple of tournaments of the season, let’s see.” (REUTERS) Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:10 NOVAK DJOKOVIC RETIRES FROM THE MATCH! WOW! Djokovic shakes hands with Fritz and the match is over! Djokovic holds his hands up to the crowd! But after a 75-minute first set, he concedes the match! Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:09 FIRST SET! Novak Djokovic 6-7 Taylor Fritz Fritz leans into the backhand down the line and pulls out a super winner, bringing up his first set point. Djokovic catches the line but Fritz replies with a massive forehand, Djokovic goes long!! Fritz wins the set on the tiebreak! Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:08 Tiebreak! Novak Djokovic 6-6 Taylor Fritz Awesome from Djokovic! He rips the forehand return down the line off the Fritz second-serve to get into the changeover at 3-3. Fritz wins a scrambling point by covering Djokovic at the net. Djokovic lands a serve out wide that Fritz can’t return. But that’s super from Fritz! He goes from power and depth to a delicate drop shot – he leads 5-4 with two serves to come, the set in his grasp. Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:07 Tiebreak! Novak Djokovic 6-6 Taylor Fritz Fritz scorches back-to-back winners after a misguided drop shot on the opening point. And Fritz then comes up with a stunner, a dipping backhand as Djokovic came into the net. Fritz goes up 3-2 with two serves to come. Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:03 Tiebreak! Novak Djokovic 6-6 Taylor Fritz We’ve had 14 break points in this set. Nine for Fritz, five for Djokovic. But all of them have been saved. Fritz serves it out to get to the tiebreak – and he has never won a tiebreak against Djokovic in six attempts. (REUTERS) Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 19:00 Djokovic holds! Novak Djokovic 6-5 Taylor Fritz* “Nooo” Fritz howls as the forehand goes out. Djokovic on game point, is not far away from the ace out wide. And finally Fritz puts the defensive shot long after an attack from Djokovic, who raises his arms in celebration! A 16-minute service hold and Djokovic is attempting to whip the crowd up into a frenzy by directing the noise. Heck of a game. Jamie Braidwood18 October 2025 18:56
Pitso signed Maluleka to stop Chiefs from winning the league, says ex-Bafana star
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker believes Pitso Mosimane only signed George Maluleka to destabilise Amakhosi in 2020. Maluleke spent six years at Chiefs but shocked many when he signed a pre-contract with rivals Sundowns during a season where Amakhosi were in fine form and topping the Betway Premiership by 11 points. Despite their dominance that season, Amakhosi eventually lost the league to Masandawana on the last day. Parker, who was part of the Chiefs team that lost the league by two points, feels Pitso did not need Maluleka. “We went into the bubble and there were a lot of mind games played by coach Pitso Mosimane,” the former Chiefs star told Smash Sports. “We were already leading the log by 11 points, it’s a huge gap. On top of it, coach Pitso signed George Maluleka on a pre-contract, trying to destabilise our camp.” Parker on how Pitso Mosimane signed Maluleka from Chiefs Parker revealed that then then-coach Ernst Middendorp still wanted to keep Maluleka until the end of the season but the midfielder signed a pre-contract with Sundowns “Middendorp still wanted to keep George but I believe once your mind is set elsewhere, you’re no longer perform, no matter how hard you can try,” he said. Although Chiefs held a comfortable lead at the top, Pitso Mosimane famously warned the fans, saying, “May is too far.” “It affected our rhythm and momentum. We kept on pushing but the results were not coming. Worst of all, things were taken lightly, it was like “Ah, unlucky, ah next time” we should’ve tackled this seriously, especially from management to the players. Take it seriously and say, “Hey, this can’t be allowed! We need to grind the result, because it’s getting nearer.” Do you think Pitso only signed George Maluleka to stop Amakhosi?
Salford game disrupted by pitch invaders with England flags in protest to Gary Neville
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Salford City’s lunchtime kick-off was disrupted by pitch invaders waving England flags protesting Gary Neville in light of the former Manchester United defender’s comments on “angry, middle-aged white men” dividing the nation. The invaders in question have been claimed to be members of Britain First, a far-right party in the UK, and men described as “local Salford patriots”. They took to the pitch during Salford’s clash with Oldham in League Two wearing “Gary Neville is a traitor” hoodies and holding flags with the St George’s Cross, while a section of fans chanted “Gary Neville is a w*****”. open image in gallery Pitch invaders plant an England flag in the middle of the pitch at Salford City (Suzanne Geldard / X) The individuals were tackled to the ground by stewards and hauled off the pitch before being swiftly removed from the stadium by police. It comes after Neville, who played for England for more than 10 years, revealed that he removed a union flag from one of his development sites in Manchester as it was being “used in a negative fashion”. The former footballer, who has developed properties since the age of 21, released a video on 3 October following the Yom Kippur terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue, outlining his thoughts on recent events and questioning the patriotism behind putting up union flags. The football pundit explained how he feels the nation is “being turned on each other” by “angry, middle-aged white men who know what they’re doing”. Neville described heading down Bury New Road and witnessing the Jewish community coming together in the aftermath of the attack and being “out in the streets defiant”. The ex-footballer turned property developer then compared it to a journey down Littleton Road in Salford, where he saw “probably 50-60” union jack flags, causing him to question why they are now being put up in such numbers. “Funnily enough on one of my development sites last week there was a union jack flag put up and I took it down instantly,” said Neville. open image in gallery (Mike Egerton/PA Wire) “Some people might be watching this and thinking: ‘Gary you’re not really patriotic.’ I’ve played for my country 85 times, I love my country, I love Manchester and I love England. “I’ve been building in this city for 15-20 years, and there’s no one put a union jack flag up in 15-20 years, so why do you need to put one up now?” Neville added: “The union jack flag used in a negative fashion is not right and I’m a proud supporter of England, of Great Britain, of our country and will champion it anywhere in the world as one of the greatest places to live. “But I think we need to check ourselves, check ourselves and start to think about bringing ourselves back to a neutral point because we’re being pulled right and left and we don’t need to be pulled right and left at all.” Neville also received backlash from football crowds during England’s recent international in Latvia, where fans chose to sing the same X-rated chants seen at Salford. Salford declined to comment when contacted by The Independent.
Volleyball brings companies together in Nadi – FBC News
[file photo] The Airports Fiji Limited Volleyball Tournament is back in full swing this year, bringing together airport workers, corporate teams, and community members in one of Fiji’s biggest social sports events. What started in 2004 as a small airport stakeholder tournament organized by AFL to strengthen relationships among organizations has now grown into a massive annual competition. This year’s competition is the biggest yet, featuring 106 teams from 43 organizations across eight categories including men’s, women’s, mixed, masters men’s, masters women’s, and masters mixed for players over 40. Article continues after advertisement Tournament organizer Buloulele Wilson says the event aims to bring more people together to create meaningful engagement. “We’re trying to encourage organizations to get everyone, make this tournament inclusive of all races and all genders. So, yeah, that’s one of the new categories that we’ve been running for the last three years, since we’ve come back after COVID, is the invitational category.” Over the years, the tournament has attracted strong sponsorship support with Vodafone Fiji standing by as the main sponsor since its inception. What began as a small initiative to bring colleagues together has now grown into a major community event, one that embodies the energy and togetherness that define Fiji’s sporting culture. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.