Erling Haaland has broken yet another record following his fantastic finish in the Champions League last night, and Manchester City look to be getting back to business as usual.
It was a night which was set up to be a glorious homecoming (admittedly, sooner than expected) for Kevin De Bruyne, who paid his visit to the Etihad Stadium since leaving the club this summer, but not everything exactly went according to plan.
Not only did an early red card for Napoli see the Italian champions down to 10 men and effectively trying to survive for just over an hour, but the need for a tactical substitution from ex-Chelsea coach Antonio Conte also meant that De Bruyne was hooked off after just 26 minutes.
Being given an even more premature standing ovation than his return to his former club – Conte actually apologising to the Belgian for what he deemed a necessary sacrifice – and signalling a collapse in the second half, said downfall was largely brought on by this bit of genius from Haaland and Phil Foden:
As you can see, the assist from the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ was arguably even more deft than the header, but take nothing away from the move as a whole, because it felt like yet more signs of City getting back to their ingenious best.
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Special mention should go to Jeremy Doku as well, who’s speedy and direct drive then dribble into the six-yard box sealed the victory with a two-goal cushion and shared shades of his strike in the Manchester derby this past weekend.
However, it was yet another milestone moment for Haaland, who opened the scoring not only to put their first points on the board in the 2025/26 UCL campaign, but also became the fastest player to net 50 goals in the premier European competition.
Of course, we shouldn’t be that surprised by the achievement: Haaland was putting up serious numbers even before he arrived in England; he just seems to have increased the number of statistical feats he keeps surpassing since he got there.
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Speaking to the media after the game, Man City manager Pep Guardiola said Haaland should now be seen as up there with the likes of Messi and Ronaldo, remarking, “they are on another planet”.
“It’s not easy for Erling, always with many defenders around him”, he went on to add, “but he’s fantastic”, noting that he is improving already this season.
Do you agree with Pep’s bold claim – do you think he is ready to be considered among the greatest ever?
You watch Haaland reach another Champions League record and the rest of the highlights from Manchester City vs Napoli here.
Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC’s next game has been postponed amid red weather warnings, with a frozen pitch having already set in.
We suspect they won’t be the only ones either…
Oldham Athletic were set to take on Notts County FC at home this weekend, with the upcoming fixture set for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 10 January, but the state of the Boundary Park stadium’s playing surface has already been declared unfit for use.
Informing the fans of the unfortunate decision, the rescheduled date and time for the match remain yet to be confirmed.
Saturday's home fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. #oafc
Addressing supporters online, OAFC wrote: “An inspection took place on Thursday afternoon with the pitch frozen following persistent freezing temperatures since our last home game on New Year’s Day and further adverse weather forecast.
“The inspection was called due to persistent freezing temperatures and in anticipation of further adverse weather between now and kick-off. Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, and refunds can be claimed after the new date is confirmed.”
As for Notts County, they have also updated their fans on social media.
They have assured that “tickets purchased for this fixture will [also] be valid for the rearranged date” and that “supporters who require a refund will be able to do so after the date for the rearranged fixture is announced.”
Postponement comes amid parts of Oldham, Greater Manchester and other areas across the country being hit with severe weather warnings, which have now been upgraded from an initial yellow rating.
2026’s first named storm, the weather event dubbed by Goretti by the French meteorological service, is set to bring further frosty conditions and blustery winds to us Brits.
The UK received its first snowfall of the year earlier this month, but this next pattern of cold air is set to see even more arrive, with the forecast potentially running into next week.
As for the Latics, the 15th-placed League Two team will have to wait until their ground thaws out to try and make up ground between them and the play-off spots.
Worth keeping an eye on the Met Office if you were planning a trip to the footy over the next few days.
Club de Padel to close current Manchester location to make way for more Deansgate Square skyscrapers
Daisy Jackson
Club de Padel, the first padel club to open in Manchester, will be relocating from its Deansgate Square home.
The wildly popular sports club will close next week, as landowners Renaker begin the next phase of development of the skyscraper district.
Club de Padel is keeping its new location under wraps for now – but will be going out from its current Manchester home with a bang.
The club, which welcomed more than 100,000 people in the first year alone, will be offering free padel for all before it closes at Deansgate Square.
Club de Padel launched back in 2023, with four competition-grade courts, and has since added a Finnish sauna experience with Good Sauna, launched a best-selling clothing range with UN:IK, plus become the home for Manchester’s most popular run club with MADE Running.
As well as that, the club has been donating free courts and coaching during the school holidays to local children’s charity Wood Street Mission, and hosting events with the likes of adidas, REFY and Blank Street Coffee.
It’s been one of the city’s top sporting success stories, attracting attention from the likes of The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Hypebae and the BBC.
But now Club de Padel will be leaving its current home ahead of Renaker’s expansion of its luxury skyscraper district.
Club de Padel ManchesterClub de Padel is at the foot of the Deansgate Square towers
As for that new top-secret location opening later this year – they’re promising an ‘indoor and outdoor space in an incredible location, featuring an expanded padel experience, high-end wellness and social spaces, and a year-round programme of events’.
Club de Padel founders said in a statement today: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here in Manchester — bringing padel to the city centre for the first time and introducing tens of thousands of people to the sport during our time on Deansgate.
“But this site was never meant to be permanent, and we’ve been limited in what we can build here, so the time is right to move on, grow and improve.
“We’ve learned a huge amount from our time in Manchester and from opening our second club in Sheffield last year, and we’re excited to reveal the locations of our new sites — including the new Manchester club — and begin the next phase.
“In the meantime, we want to thank everyone who has made this club so special, and invite them to enjoy a free game of padel on us.”
Club de Padel will close to begin its Manchester relocation on 14 January.
You can book a free hour of padel between 9 and 14 January, through the usual Playtomic system – you’ll be refunded for your booking in full on arrival.
Danny Jones -
19th September 2025 
