Football news live updates - Arsenal earn late win, Messi hits career milestone

Man Utd sale: Ratcliffe and Jassim BOTH approved

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have BOTH progressed to the next stage of negotiations to complete a takeover of Manchester United.

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim and INEOS founder Ratcliffe are the only two bidders to go public with their desire to buy the club. It is believed Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim have been told they have progressed to the second of a three-stage takeover process.

It remains to be seen whether the Glazers will accept an offer from either party, as they did not promise to sell United when they put the club up for sale in November. There is a chance the Americans owners will sell just a fraction of their shares - or nothing at all.

Read more here.

Arteta explains Smith Rowe sub

Emile Smith Rowe was bought on as substitute within half an hour at the Emirates but only lasted 47 minutes, with Mikel Arteta claiming the Arsenal star was always going to struggle having been out for so long.

The academy graduate has been plagued with injury this term, which has hampered his first-team ambitions, but he was afforded an opportunity when Leandro Trossard was forced off with a concern of his own after 22 minutes. Smith Rowe occupied a role on the left of the Arsenal attack with Gabriel Martinelli coming in centrally.

Arteta opted to hook Smith Rowe for Reiss Nelson, the eventual match-winner, on the 69th minute. The player didn't appear to have picked up a knock, but made his return to the pitch earlier than planned having spent several months out nursing a groin issue.

Read what Arteta had to say about Smith Rowe.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal is substituted from the pitch during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Messi magic for PSG

Lionel Messi netted the opener for PSG against Nantes on Saturday - which was the 1000th goal he has either scored or assisted in his career.

It was another terrific finish from the Argentine, who has five goals in his last five matches now.

Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move

Nelson on Arsenal win

Saliba patience paid pff

Mikel Arteta is finally banking some payback for his patience after resisting Jamie Carragher's early calls over defender William Saliba.

Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League by beating Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday - with the once-snubbed Saliba at the heart of their defence.

The Gunners were on the verge of dropping points at the Emirates after goals from Philip Billing and Marcos Sensei gave the Cherries a two-goal advantage. Yet Thomas Partey, Ben White and Reiss Nelson all found the net to complete a superb comeback.

Nelson's winner was scored in the 97th-minute, leaving Arsenal fans in ecstasy. Perhaps Saliba's reaction was the best of them all, as he considered whipping his shirt off - changing his mind at the last minute - and volleyed the corner flag before running off.

Read more here.

Potter optimism at Chelsea

FULL-TIME | Southampton 1-0 Leicester

That's it at St Mary's and Southampton have beaten relegation rivals Leicester.

Alcaraz's first-half is the difference between the two sides.

Partey pays Atsu tribute

HALF-TIME | Southampton 1-0 Leicester

It's half-time in the huge relegation six-pointer at St Mary's and Southampton are in front.

Ward-Prowse missed a chance to give Southampton the lead from the spot but Ward made a smart save to deny him.

However, the hosts opened the scoring moments later as Alcaraz slotted home.

Arteta on Trossard injury

GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Leicester (Alcaraz 37')

Southampton have taken the lead against the run of play at St Mary's as Alcaraz runs through on goal before slotting past Ward.

What a huge goal that could be in the relegation battle!

De Jong Man Utd stance made clear

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is not currently interested in leaving the club amid renewed transfer interest from Manchester United but that stance may change over the coming months, it has been claimed.

De Jong is said to lead United’s summer transfer shortlist with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag keen to bolster his midfield ranks. He believes the Dutchman would be the perfect compliment for Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, of whom De Jong is a huge admirer.

United had an initial transfer fee of £56.2million agreed with Barca last summer to sign the 25-year-old but no deal came to fruition as the player wished to remain at the Camp Nou. De Jong remains the highest earning player at the Catalan giants.

Read the full story here

Alexander-Arnold opens up on Liverpool struggles

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has blamed a lack of consistency for his team's struggles to replicate last season's quadruple push.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds won both domestic cups last term, as well as reaching the Champions League final and finishing second in the Premier League. This time, though, they are almost certain to end the season empty-handed after a number of setbacks.

Liverpool sit sixth in the table ahead of Sunday's game at home to Manchester United, with a 21-point gap to league-leaders Arsenal. They were also eliminated from the FA Cup by Brighton and the Carabao Cup by Manchester City, while a 5-2 first-leg defeat at home by Real Madrid leaves their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

Read the full story here

KO: Southampton 0-0 Leicester

Ready for more? We've got live updates of Southampton v Leicester at St Marys' Stadium with both sides desperate for points. Stick with us...

Twist in Zaha transfer saga

Wilfried Zaha is attracting fresh interest from Arsenal and Chelsea ahead of the summer transfer window.

Zaha, 30, has less than six months to run on his current contract and there is a growing expectation that the winger will quit Crystal Palace at the end of the campaign after rejecting multiple offers from the south London outfit.

A host of top clubs, including Italian giants AC Milan, have been credited with an interest in Zaha's services and more suitors are likely to emerge if the forward is available on a free transfer. But while a switch abroad has previously been mooted, speculation is now rife that Zaha could decide to remain in the Premier League - and in the capital.

Read the full story here

FT: Arsenal fight back, Chelsea win and Spurs lose

Another enthralling weekend of Premier League action is over - and there have been big results at both ends of the table.

Arsenal restored their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League after a stunning last-gasp fightback win over Bournemouth, while Spurs fell to a shock 1-0 defeat against Wolves.

Chelsea ground out a much-needed 1-0 win over Leeds, while Aston Villa beat Crystal Palace 1-0.

Elsewhere, Brighton thrashed West Ham 4-0 to increase the pressure on David Moyes.

GOAL! Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth

Arsenal have done it! Reiss Nelson has scored a dramatic 97th minute winner to complete the turnaround for the Gunners, who trailed 2-0!

GOAL! Brighton 4-0 West Ham

It's four for Brighton, Danny Welbeck gets in on the act to pile the pressure on Hammers boss David Moyes...

GOAL! Wolves 1-0 Tottenham

Adama Traore has scored a late, late goal for Wolves - will it be enough for all three points?

GOAL! Brighton 3-0 West Ham

It's game over at the Amex Stadium, where Karou Mitoma has scored a third for Brighton.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth

Ben White has equalised for Arsenal! The Gunners have fought back from 2-0 down and it's now all to play for....

GOAL! Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth

Now hold on - Thomas Partey has fired Arsenal back into this. 2-1 with half an hour remaining at the Emirates...

GOAL! Arsenal 0-2 Bournemouth

It's two for Bournemouth! Marcos Senesi has doubled the Cherries advantage against the run of play.

As it stands Arsenal are dropping points in the title race - which would cap a brilliant day for Manchester City, who beat Newcastle earlier this afternoon.

GOAL! Brighton 2-0 West Ham

Brighton have doubled their lead against the Hammers courtesy of Joel Veltman, who chests the ball home at the far post after a corner.

West Ham have a torrid record against Brighton and now have it all to do on the south coast...

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Leeds

Graham Potter needs a result today - and he might just get one!

Former Leicester defender Wesley Fofana has broken the deadlock for the Blues with a towering header to leave Illian Meslier with no chance.

Half-time scores: Arsenal trail against Bournemouth

It's half-time in the Premier League - and the biggest story is at the Emirates, where Arsenal are trailing Bournemouth courtesy of Phillip Billing's early, early strike.

It took the midfielder just nine seconds to fire the Cherries into a shock lead. And with Manchester City beating Newcastle earlier this afternoon, the onus is on the Gunners to muster up a response.

Elsewhere, Chelsea are being held by Leeds and Tottenham and Wolves is goalless. Brighton lead West Ham 1-0 courtesy of an Alexis McAllister penalty.

Zidane Chelsea links addressed

Zinedine Zidane has been linked with replacing Graham Potter in the Chelsea hot seat - but such a possibility has been dismissed by former teammate Emmanuel Petit.

Zidane has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 and was linked to the Manchester United job last season. The legendary former midfielder has frequently spoken of his desire to return to management after two successful stints at the helm at Los Blancos.

Speaking earlier this year, Zidane explained in a typically coy interview over his future: "Am I still able to contribute things as a coach? Yes, many things, or I think at least some!

Read the full story here

Ten Hag's Man Utd start speaks volumes

The differences between Erik ten Hag and Jose Mourinho have been plain to see at Manchester United, a former team-mate of the Dutch coach has said.

Former Ajax boss Ten Hag took over at Old Trafford ahead of the 2022-23 season and has already improved the team's fortunes. After finishing sixth last season, United are well-placed for a top four finish and have already claimed their first silverware since 2017 by beating Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

Hans Kraay, who played with the 53-year-old at De Graafschap, has spoken to Mirror Football about his former colleague. The ex-midfielder, who also spent time in England with Brighton, pointed to Ten Hag's first day in charge when emphasising how he differs from former United boss Mourinho.

Read the full story here

GOAL! Brighton 1-0 West Ham

Brighton take the lead from the penalty spot against the Hammers.

Karou Mitoma wins the spot-kick and Alexis McAllister converts his eigth goal of the season with ease.

FIFA president at Millwall

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has snubbed the Premier League and instead headed down to The Den to take in Millwall's Championship clash against Norwich.

GIANNI INFANTINO, THE FIFA PRESIDENT, IS AT THE DEN?! #Millwall pic.twitter.com/Urw5nEdi9l

— Jack Clarke (@jack_clarke) March 4, 2023