Just For Kicks

20 years on, there was no miracle in Istanbul as Liverpool’s tough run continued with a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League, a night that piled on more frustration for Arne Slot’s side. Victor Osimhen’s penalty was the difference, but it was the injuries that stung most, with Alisson among those forced off. After a patchy start in the league, this result couldn’t have come at a worse...

In Malaysian football’s biggest crisis in decades, FIFA has slapped FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) with a RM1.9 million fine with seven players suspended, after allegations of falsified documents have thrown the revamped national project into chaos. With an appeal still underway, the implications could be seismic — threatening to unravel the national football project and casting a long sha...

The episode kicks off with Aston Villa’s hard-fought Europa win over Bologna before shifting to Real Betis’ clash with Nottingham Forest — and what Ange Postecoglou’s influence is revealing about Forest’s evolving style. The pundits also weigh in on Rangers’ setback against Genk and other key results from the EFL Cup. Attention then turns to the Premier League’s headline fixtures: Liverpool’s bid...

In a contest of two title-favorites, Arsenal left it late but snatched a 1-1 draw against Manchester City, with Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time strike wiping out Erling Haaland’s early goal. City, surprisingly toothless in possession, ended with a Pep-era record low of just 32.8%, as Mikel Arteta’s bold second-half changes—most notably Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka—turned the tide. Martinelli’s...

It’s been a whirlwind week in European football. Liverpool clawed their way past Atletico Madrid in a fiery showdown dripping with drama, while Arsenal cruised through Bilbao with a composed 2-0 that oozed confidence. Spurs scraped past Villarreal courtesy of a goalkeeping howler, and Harry Kane smashed home a brace for Bayern Munich against Chelsea. Over at St. James’ Park Marcus Rashford crashed...

Will England’s dominant win over Serbia set them on course for World Cup glory? Can Jack Grealish keep his emotions in check if he finds the net against his old club, Aston Villa? What does life after Daniel Levy look like for Tottenham Hotspur? And will Manchester be painted red or blue after this weekend’s fiery derby clash? We tackle all this and so much more—breaking down the biggest talking p...

Germany were stunned in Bratislava, falling 2-0 to Slovakia in their first-ever away defeat in World Cup qualifying, a result that also stretched their losing streak to three. Goals from David Hancko and David Strelec sealed the upset, leaving serious doubts over Julian Nagelsmann’s leadership and his team’s mentality. Elsewhere in Europe, England dominated possession (83%) in a routine 2-0 win ov...

Grimsby Town delivered a night of cup folklore, dumping Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup in a 12-11 penalty epic after a 2-2 draw that had everything—errors, drama, and raw emotion. Manchester United's André Onana, endured a nightmare, gifting the League Two underdogs both of their goals with a weak parry for Charles Vernam’s opener and a calamitous flap that let Tyrell Warren tap in a sec...

It's only the second week of the new season of the English Premier League, and yet the familiar narratives are beginning to take shape. Spurs, once again, showed that they have Man City's number, with an impressive, solid, and pragmatic display at the Etihad. With five goals scored, and no goals conceded, is Thomas Frank proving to be Spurs' best signing this season? Meanwhile, their North London...

Newcastle’s game with Liverpool this weekend should’ve been a big talking point, but all the noise has been about Alexander Isak’s looming exit from Tyneside. The striker’s fallout with the club has completely stolen the spotlight, with reports of broken promises, him training on his own, and growing tension in the dressing room. Even Alan Shearer’s weighed in, blasting how badly the whole situati...

The opening week of the Premier League delivered drama in spades, headlined by a heavyweight clash at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Arsenal. In a tense encounter, a single mistake proved fatal for the hosts: stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir spilled a Declan Rice corner just 13 minutes in, gifting Riccardo Calafiori the simplest of headers to seal a 1–0 win for the Gunners. Over in L...

At last, the football famine is over—Premier League’s back and the buffet is open! The 2025/26 season kicks off with a bang, and right at the centre of the first weekend’s drama is at Old Trafford, where Manchester United welcome Arsenal. The Gunners roll in with fresh firepower—Viktor Gyökeres and Martín Zubimendi—looking to go one better than last season’s runner-up finish. United, not to be out...

Football returns with a bang—and a shock at Wembley! Crystal Palace lifted their first-ever Community Shield after edging Liverpool 3–2 in a tense penalty shootout, the sides having traded blows in a gripping 2–2 draw. The Reds roared ahead early, with Hugo Ekitike striking first with fellow debutant Jeremie Frimpong doubling the lead. But Palace clawed back—Jean-Philippe Mateta coolly converting...

Chelsea etched their name in the history books by becoming the first club to claim all five major European trophies, capping the feat with a commanding 4-1 comeback win over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final in Wroclaw, Poland. After trailing at halftime, the Blues surged in the second half, with Cole Palmer delivering a standout performance that sealed the victory. The triumph marks...

After spending much of the season in the top spots, Nottingham Forest suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to fierce rivals Chelsea, just missing out on a coveted Champions League place. A decisive goal from Levi Colwill secured Chelsea’s return to Europe’s top tier, with the Blues finishing fourth in the league table. Meanwhile, ten-man Aston Villa were left heartbroken after a controversial 2-0 loss to...

“I always win things in my second year,” declared Ange Postecoglou after a narrow defeat to Arsenal last September—a bold proclamation that was met with smirks and skepticism. But fast-forward to the Europa League final, and it’s Postecoglou who’s smiling now. In a tense, hard-fought clash, it was Brennan Johnson’s scrappy first-half strike that proved decisive, securing Tottenham Hotspur their fi...

Eberechi Eze's 16th minute strike after a swift counter attack was enough to secure a historic FA Cup win for Crystal Palace against a dominant Man City side that eventually ran out of ideas to break Palace down. The Just For Kicks' team dissect the win and celebrate the diversity of winners in the domestic English game this season. Then, they look back to Matchweek 37 and calculate which team wil...

Everton Football Club is set to bid an emotional farewell to Goodison Park, their iconic home since 1892, with the final Premier League match at the stadium taking place this weekend against Southampton. Affectionately known as "The Grand Old Lady," the stadium has stood as a pillar of English football, witnessing countless historic moments—from Dixie Dean’s astonishing 60-goal season in 1928 to h...

In one of the most thrilling clashes in recent memory, Inter Milan edged Barcelona 4-3 after extra time to clinch a dramatic 7-6 aggregate win and book their place in the Champions League final. Lautaro Martínez and Hakan Çalhanoğlu gave Inter early control, but Barça roared back with goals from Eric García, Dani Olmo, and a late strike from Raphinha in the 87th minute. Just when it seemed over, F...

Chelsea secured a vital 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, reigniting their push for Champions League qualification. Enzo Fernández struck early, putting the hosts ahead within three minutes, before a defensive mix-up led to a Jarell Quansah own goal to double Chelsea’s lead. Although Virgil van Dijk narrowed the gap late on, Cole Palmer coolly converted a stoppage-time penalty—his fir...

Barcelona’s 17-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal lit up the Champions League stage with a sensational performance in a pulsating 3-3 draw against Inter Milan. The teenager’s dazzling footwork and composure under pressure left fans in awe and even earned high praise from Inter boss Simone Inzaghi, who hailed him as “a phenomenon born every 50 years.” The match was a rollercoaster from the first whist...

Like it was ever in doubt! Liverpool only needed a point this weekend to clinch their 20th league title — and they did it in style, smashing Tottenham 5-1 at a buzzing Anfield. Arne Slot’s side shook off an early scare from former Red Dominic Solanke and came roaring back with goals from Luis Díaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah, plus a helping hand with an own goal from Destin...

Two is better than one" — but for Liverpool, just one point now stands between them and history. After Arsenal stumbled to a midweek draw against Crystal Palace, the Reds are a single result away from equalling Manchester United’s record of 20 league titles. Arne Slot’s side face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield this Sunday, needing only a draw to seal the crown. A win would not only mark Liverpool’s...

Trent Alexander-Arnold made a sensational return from injury, coming off the bench to score a dramatic late winner that brought Liverpool within touching distance of their twentieth Premier League title—while also confirming Leicester City's relegation. The Foxes became the first team in top-flight history to endure nine consecutive home games without scoring. Alexander-Arnold's precise left-foote...

A night of pure drama at Old Trafford! Shades of Barcelona ’99 as Harry Maguire rose to nod home a 120th-minute winner, capping off a breathless nine-goal thriller and sending Manchester United into the UEFA Europa League semi-finals. It's a desperate bid to salvage a chaotic season—and a shot at Champions League qualification. But they're not the only ones with a mission. Ange Postecoglou’s Totte...