The Game

EFL EXTRA: Dockers and Black Country Derbies

All the latest news from the EFL. This week Gregor Robertson is joined by Joe Harston.

Two big derby's as West Ham staged an impressive comeback at Millwall in the dockers derby and Wolves got the bragging rights over West Brom in the Black country derby.  

Swansea came from behind to beat Lincoln and stay top, Preston couldn't quite cash in on the new manager bo...

Brighton and Brentford put in master class performances to humble Arsenal and Chelsea. Both teams looked organised, robust and hugely impressive. By contrast despite the money spent Chelsea lacked cutting edge and were shakey at the back. For Arsenal was it a timely warning that the defence of their title won't be as easy as some thought? So, can Brighton and Brentford make it into the top four... 

On paper have Man City actual...

Two defeats in a week, including the Manchester derby, losing a two goal lead at home for the first time in fifty years and then a young star asks to leave - the problems are mounting for Manchester United and Michael Carrick. 

Is it all football related or have the 'biggest club in England' still not solved their off pitch issues?

Another wonderkid, Max Dowman goes from strength to strength as he scores two and looks at home fo...

All the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson. 

Another big win for West Ham sends them top, Southampton are climbing, Swansea and West Brom are surprise packages with Wolves and Middlesbrough looking good - could they all win the Championship? Is it down to just two or three or are there outsiders who are yet to show their best?

At the bottom Preston sack Heckingbottom ...

Man City and Arsenal are joint top. Huil impress at Chelsea, Spurs can't score and centre halves sometimes score absolute screamers.

But sadly, the headlines are all about VAR...again. This time an 'error of judgment' is the reason Haaland's fine finish was not disallowed at Old Trafford.

A quick assessment of where we're at with VAR before a look at a new attacking approach from Enzo Maresca and a lack lustre response from Man Utd.

A...

Solid home wins for Liverpool and Man City, a strong away wins for Arsenal and Villa mean the English teams have started well in Europe. 

Martin Samuel thinks there is no reason why all the English teams should not be qualifying for the last 16.

While there are some potent front three's around, no team compares to Arsenal's defensive strength - 

how would Arsenal reserve team do in the Premier League?

Mauricio Pochettino thin...

A week is a long time in the football league, and West Ham used back-to-back matches to kickstart their season with two big wins.

Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson as Nuno Espirito Santo's team finally get moving in The Championship and there's more impressive results for Swansea, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Bristol City. 

Elsewhere the guys wonder whether Jamie Vardy's arrival is really going to be enough to sav...

Arsenal put on a dominate display to beat potential title rivals Chelsea. Despite going one down after only a minute the Gunners looked calm, confident and positive throughout. Was it the benefits of having a title under their belts or a new approach from Mikel Arteta? Chelsea have arguably the best attack in the league, but have they left themselves short in defence and midfield?

Alexander Isak is starting to prove his worth at Liv...

After a crazy summer transfer window in which 3.5 billion pounds was spent and multiple 100 million transfers between English clubs - has the transfer market gone mad? Inlafted prices, last minute deals... is the Premier League an outlier, or is it the new norm for football transfers. 

Which club had the best window and which was the best individual transfer?

Arsenal have hit the ground running, but after a promising attacking s...

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two.

Wolves and Southampton already look to have so much strength in depth for Championship level "it is scary.". But it's Charlton who are top on nine points, can they keep it up...

Who is the beat striker in the division?  

In League One Blackpool are on the front foot and Stockport look good as they get back to winning ways.

Pl...

Hull sit proudly at the top of the table. Is it a freak or have the Tigers, and the other promoted clubs been misjudged?

Ipswich were thumped at Old Trafford, but their performance had many positive signs. While Man Utd looked to have rediscovered some swagger. Who shone brightest, Fernandez, Rashford or Mainoo.

After the break familiar horribly memories at Spurs as they lose again - but will it be different this time? A very pos...

Forest pay fifty million for Liam Delap; City buy a teenager for eighty five million and Spurs sign second stringer Savio also for eighty five million. Has the Premier League transfer market gone mad?

Xabi Alonso's Chelsea looked good in their first run out of the season, if they sign a keeper could they be challengers to Arsenal? 

As teams struggle to compete financially is it a level playing field or stacked in favour of 'the ...

Our weekly look at all the latest from the EFL with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson.

Plenty of surprises in week two of the Championship. West Ham lost at home in front of sixty two thousand fans, are their players ready for a tough season in the second tier?

No wins for fancied Norwich, Birmingham or Burnley. At the top Millwall may have a new star up front in Taryk Arconte and West Brom have started where they left off last sea...

The Premier League is back and if the opening weekend is anything to go by it could be an unpredictable season. 

Hull shocked Man United, Brentford reminded Roberto De Zerbi of the tough job he faces at Spurs and Brighton thumped Villa. 

Promoted Ipswich got a big win, Man City got a late winner and Liverpool levelled with the last kick against an impressive Newcastle. 

Champions Arsenal made it look easy against C...

The 2026/27 Premier League season is here. So, it is prediction time.

Who is going to win it, who is in the top four?Who's getting relegated, who could be looking over their shoulders?  

Plus who will be the surprise packages, who are we most excited to see and which manager will come under pressure first?  

Tom Clarke is joined Chief football correspondent for The Times and Sunday Times and football journalist...

The Football League is back and as unpredictable as ever. 

Gregor Robertson joins Tom Clarke to discuss the opening weekend in The Championship, League One and League Two after plenty of reminders of why these divisions are so hard to call. 

Will Lankshear scored twice to get promotion chasing Middlesbrough off to a winning star but West Ham, Burnley and Wolves all draw. There was controversy as West Brom surprise N...

Are Arsenal clear favourites to retain the title? Do Man City really need more players and are Chelsea dark horses? Just some of the questions we answer in the first of our Premier League Preview shows.

Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Pete Rutzler also look at which teams need more signings before the season starts and could some big players still be on the move. 

Plus, which teams might be taking a worried look ov...

Tom Clarke is joined by the Times Joe Harston and Kit Shepard and EFL stalwart Gregor Robertson to preview the start of the EFL season which kicks off this weekend!

Can anyone stop West Ham? And is Jarrod Bowen going to run away with the Golden boot? We discuss how the Hammers will cope with the pressure of having to win every week having just dropped into the Championship

Elsewhere we look at how well equipped the other two ...

Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Gary Jacob and Tony Cascarino to continue the build up to the new Premier League season which is less than two weeks away!

Bruno Guimares has signed for champions Arsenal, we ask what impact the Brazilian will have on the Gunners midfield and we herald the return of experienced and sensible transfers after they shelled out £75 million for the 28 year old.

One Brazilian in the door, but ano...