England

AMSTERDAM — Liverpool beat Ajax Amsterdam 1-0 away with a fortunate own goal in their Champions League group-stage opener on Wednesday, riding their luck at times but still showing their title credentials.

Ajax fullback Nicolas Tagliafico turned the ball into his own net in the 35th minute to ensure a winning start in Group D for the English champions, who looked the stronger of the two teams despite Ajax creating several good chances at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

I'll admit it: I was wrong.

I picked Aston Villa as a surefire relegation candidate to begin the season.

Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo says he is ashamed of the Nigerian government following reports that soldiers opened fire on protesters in the Lekki district of the commercial capital Lagos on Tuesday.

Nigerians have been demonstrating nationwide every day for nearly two weeks against a police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), that rights groups had for years accused of extortion, harassment, torture and murders.

The unit was disbanded on Oct. 11 but the protests have persisted and at least two people were shot on Tuesday.

It is not uncommon for a goalkeeper coach to be named to a team roster, especially for a lower-league club during an injury crisis.

Burton Albion's Kevin Poole was 50 years old in 2013 when several injuries forced him don the No. 13 shirt and sit on the bench for the Brewers' League Two match against Wycombe Wanderers. A month later, the Burton goalkeeper coach also dressed as a backup for three matches after first-choice keeper Jordan Pickford was recalled by parent club Sunderland.

PARIS — Manchester United triumphed at Paris St Germain again, but Tuesday's Champions League victory was not as euphoric as the previous one, according to coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United's previous trip to Paris in 2019 ended with Marcus Rashford scoring an injury-time penalty that secured qualification for the quarter-finals on away goals, while Tuesday's 2-1 win was just a stepping stone in Group H.

We at The18 figured it was true, but at least now we have one of the brightest minds in world football saying it too. 

Newcastle United fans donated 20,000 pounds ($25,866) to a local food bank as part of a protest at the Premier League's pay-per-view (PPV) scheme.

BT Sport and Sky Sports had broadcast all Premier League games as part of their existing football packages — a temporary measure due to the barring of spectators in grounds as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Manchester United and Liverpool are in talks with Europe's elite clubs to join a new FIFA-backed tournament that would reshape the sport's global soccer landscape, Sky News reported on Tuesday.

Manchester United declined to comment on the report, Liverpool did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A Raúl Jiménez shot that took a heavy deflection off the head of Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips gave Wolverhampton a hard-fought 1-0 away win in the Premier League on Monday.

Edinson Cavani's hopes of making his Manchester United debut against former club Paris St Germain in the Champions League were dashed after the Uruguayan striker was left out of the traveling squad on Monday.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed Cavani as well as captain Harry Maguire, Mason Greenwood, Eric Bailly and Jesse Lingard have missed the trip to the French capital for Tuesday's opening group stage match. Solskjaer confirmed Cavani still needs to work on his fitness levels, while Maguire has sustained a minor knock.