Attacking absences do not excuse Mourinho’s lament.

At Vicarage Road, Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton were drawing 2-2 with Watford and had been reduced to 10 men. They made an immediate substitution, but did not sit back and try and defend their one point.

Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham were all left scrambling forforwards on what was a damp squib of a transfer deadline day as last-minute panic left United desperately trying to seal a deal for random target Odion Ighalo.

There is a conversation from a couple years ago that sticks in the mind — and the craw — of Sean O’Shea.

Allegations of racism again marred the weekend’s football schedule, with Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger the victim during his side’s win at Tottenham.

Liverpool, Tottenham, and Manchester City will fancy their chances of making the Champions League last eight but Bayern Munich can end Lampard’s dream

Solskjaer enjoys a wonderful return to form

Lampard’s Chelsea face Ajax at Stamford Bridge tonight, knowing a repeat of their victory in Amsterdam two weeks ago should put them within touching distance of the Champions League knockout stages.

Trizia Fiorellino, Chelsea fan correspondent for the Irish Examiner since 2004, has died in a London hospital after a short illness.

Daniel Storey Liverpool walk on, but Salah form will cause Klopp some concern

Daniel Storey looks back at the opening weekend of Premier League action.

It’s fair to say that Arsenal have under promised and over delivered in the transfer window

There are two definitions of ‘charisma’ in the dictionary - and while Jose Mourinho may prefer the description as a ‘divinely conferred power or talent’, we're sticking to the more traditional understanding of the word - a ‘compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others’.

The cartwheel-backflip celebration was as good as the goal too!

New Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says his side won’t be judged by the standard set by his all-conquering side, but he does expect them to match that team’s tireless work ethic.

One of Lampard’s greatest skills is his effortless communication skills.

I remember seeing a clip once of Harry Redknapp having some sort of open forum with a large room full of West Ham fans.

And now the end is near for Maurizio Sarri, who can at least say “I did it my way.”

Maurizio Sarri stormed out of training on the eve of Chelsea’s Europa League final against Arsenal in Baku.

Mrs Hinch – aka Sophie Hinchliffe – is an internet sensation, famous for her super bubbly cleaning tips and her regular updates about her husband and imminent first child.

Mick McCarthy has never had much truck with spin.

This was the day when England and former Republic midfielder Declan Rice found out whether Dexit was really worth all the aggro and, unlike the current political shenanigans haunting London, his strategic exit turned out rather well.

The English Championship is to the Premier League what Puma is to adidas. Well regarded in its own right — at last count the third most-watched league in Europe — it will always exist in the shadow of its bigger brother, writes Brendan O'Brien.

Here's your morning bulletin.

Every now and then there comes a match which not only has the potential to define a season but also possesses the power to force a seismic change in the football tide; and Liverpool’s visit to the Etihad tonight is one such game.

A comedy own goal by Jayden Bogle denied Derby County a third successive win and a place at the top of the table as they drew with Middlesbrough in the lunchtime kick-off.

Middlesbrough manager Pulis is plotting the downfall of Derby boss Lampard ahead of Saturday's meeting at the Riverside Stadium.

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes believes Jose Mourinho retains the full backing of both the club and their supporters.

Jose Mourinho insists he relishes the pressure cup competitions can create as he seeks to draw a line under another turbulent weekend at Manchester United.

Leeds midfielder Pablo Hernandez salvaged Marcelo Bielsa's unbeaten start to the season with an equaliser in the 2-2 draw against former club Swansea.

On February 14 this year shares in Sky plc rose 3% following the news that the

On February 14 this year shares in Sky plc rose 3% following the news that the

England 6 Panama 1

We’ll start, given the week that’s in it, with a nod to the Leaving Cert.

Yet again the talk surrounding England as they approach a major tournament is marooned somewhere between hope and hype but Damien Duff has questioned whether Gareth Southgate’s players have the commitment required to make a mark at the World Cup.

Frank Lampard has worked under Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink, and Manuel Pellegrini during a glittering playing career.

Our man inside the game wonders where the stewards were at the London Stadium.

The stress of this title run-in is making me ill. Literally. My stomach has been churning since that loss to Crystal Palace and I feel physically sick in the hours leading up to every kick-off.

Tottenham 4 Watford 0: Dele Alli turns 21 tomorrow, and although Mauricio Pochettino says he loves him like a son, it is typical of the Tottenham manager’s style that he will not give special treatment to the man he believes is the best young player in Europe.

Alex Ferguson is to return to the Old Trafford dugout for Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick's testimonial this summer.

Chelsea have been drawn against Tottenham and Arsenal will face Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick admits his future beyond this season still remains unresolved - though he does not feel retirement is near.

Here are the three top talking points from the weekend’s action...