Week 2 NFL Trend Report: First Quarter Fireworks in Buffalo?

Robert Lewandowski s 199th goal for Bayern Munich was not enough to claim the points as RB Leipzig fought back through Emil Forsberg s penalty to draw 1-1 in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

In their first meeting with Leipzig since a 3-0 DFB-Pokal final win in May, Lewandowski edged closer to a double century of Bayern goals to put Niko Kovac s side ahead.

But, after Bayern had a penalty overturned by VAR, Forsberg levelled matters from 12 yards on the stroke of half-time.

A rejuvenated Leipzig found Manuel Neuer in top form after the restart, though Bayern would have snatched it had Peter Gulacsi not managed to tip Kingsley Coman s deflected effort onto the woodwork as Leipzig held firm to move back into top spot after being briefly replaced by Borussia Dortmu…

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has apologised to Patrice Evra and admitted the club got it massively wrong  when they wore t-shirts in support of Luis Suarez following a racism incident between the pair in 2011.

Suarez received an eight game ban after racially abusing the Frenchman in a match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in 2011.

In the return match at Old Trafford, Evra refused to shake the Uruguayan’s hand but after the punishment was handed down by the Football Association, Liverpool wore T-shirts in support of Suarez in the warm-up of their Premier League clash with Wigan.  

There was no doubt we made a massive mistake, Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, where Evra was also a guest.

I’m not …

Antonio Conte can understand what Tanguy Ndombele is going through after being jeered by Tottenham supporters, but suggested it is down to the midfielder to win them over.

Ndombele incurred the wrath of his own fans after slowly walking off the pitch as Conte made a triple substitution with his side 1-0 down to Morecambe in Sunday s FA Cup third-round tie.

The 25-year-old trudged straight down the tunnel and fresh questions will now be asked of his Spurs career, which has yet to take off since joining from Lyon in July 2019.

Asked at his post-match news conference what he made of the reaction Ndombele received, Conte said: I was just focused on the pitch.

In football you have to be good to try to change your opinion if someone is disappointed with you.

Pep Guardiola thinks Kevin De Bruyne can achieve whatever he wants at Manchester City after committing his long-term future to the Premier League leaders.

De Bruyne penned a two-year extension this week until June 2025 that will take him up to a decade with the club if he sees out the terms.

Since signing for City from Wolfsburg in 2015, the Belgium playmaker has scored 41 goals and supplied 76 assists in 176 Premier League matches.

In terms of creativity, that puts him far above his peers, with ex-Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen (51) the only other player to have laid on more than 50 goals during the same period, with former and current team-mates David Silva (44) and Riyad Mahrez (41) up next.

De Bruyne s 535 chances created since his goalscoring…

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo says his family are stunned and very angry as he faces a rape allegation.

American Kathryn Mayorga has accused Ronaldo of sexually assaulting her in a hotel in Las Vegas in 2009, something the Portuguese has strenuously refuted.

German publication Der Spiegel first reported the claims, which also included the suggestion Ronaldo paid Ms Mayorga $375,000 in 2010 as part of a privacy agreement, preventing her from going public with the allegations. Ms Mayorga filed a lawsuit in an attempt to quash that agreement while Las Vegas police have re-opened an investigation.

Ronaldo s lawyer Peter Christiansen confirmed the payment was made to Ms Mayorga, but said some documents presented as evidence had been stolen and completely fabrica…

Liverpool end Thuram interest, Lavia talks to begin

Still working to complete their midfield reconstruction, Liverpool have reportedly decided to end their interest in signing OGC Nice s Khephren Thuram. It appears that their acquisition of Dominik Szoboszlai a few days ago played its part in that.

The Merseysiders, however, are said to be set to begin talks with Southampton over the possibility of signing Romeo Lavia, who is a target for Arsenal as well. This summer is probably the last chance Southampton will have to get more than £40 million for the services of the 19-year-old midfield pivot, given the buyback clause Manchester City forced on them when he left the Premier League champions in 2022, which is set at that amount and is valid from the summer o…

Dani Carvajal has sustained a ligament injury in his right knee, Real Madrid have confirmed.

The Spain international has featured in each of the champions first three LaLiga matches this season.

Carvajal played the full 90 minutes in a draw at Real Sociedad and a win at Real Betis, before helping turn the home clash with Real Valladolid in Madrid s favour as a second-half substitute.

But the 28-year-old is now facing a spell on the sidelines and, although his club have not announced a timescale for his ailment, reports suggest he could be out for two months.

Following tests carried out on Dani Carvajal by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to his medial collateral ligament in his right knee, a statement read.

…

Ben Chilwell produced a star turn on his Premier League debut for Chelsea as Frank Lampard s side beat Crystal Palace 4-0 on Saturday.

Chilwell marked his 100th appearance in the competition with his fifth goal to break the deadlock early in the second half and crossed for Kurt Zouma to double the lead 66 minutes in.

Palace have already beaten Southampton and Manchester United this season, but a run of five consecutive defeats to Chelsea and just two wins in 11 attempts at Stamford Bridge in the top flight was hardly encouraging pre-game reading.

Indeed, Edouard Mendy making his first league start for the Blues was largely untested in goal as the home side eased to a third win in six games in all competitions this season through a Jorginho penalty double.