Leeds

Undoubtedly, Sunderland – who won 2-1 at Chelsea on Saturday – have been the biggest surprise this term. Minutes away from a Championship play-off final defeat in May, they will end October fourth in the top flight.

With 17 points from nine matches, the Black Cats have equalled their best Premier League start, matching their tally from 1999-00.

Only five newly promoted sides have earned more points than Sunderland in the same number of matches. All five, including Sunderland themselves in 2000, managed to survive relegation.

“It’s an unbelievable start and one that’s been well earned,” former Watford captain Troy Deeney told Final Score.

“If you said that a couple of months ago, Sunderland fans would tell you, you’re crazy.”

Ex-Manchester United and England midfielder Michael Carrick added on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Anyone who is honest enough will say that they never expected Sunderland to start this well, so full credit to them.

“The amount of points they have accumulated already has given them an unbelievable start and that’s something they will want to build on.”

COPS have launched a murder inquiry after a teenager was stabbed and “dumped” in the street.

Multiple police cordons were in place last night after the victim, believed to be 19 years old, was found by officers with serious injuries in the Harehills area of Leeds around 12pm yesterday.

He was pronounced dead shortly after.

The man is thought to have been attacked in another part of the city before being left in St Wilfried’s Crescent.

As investigations continue, three crime scenes were erected.

In a statement, West Yorkshire Police said: “Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Leeds.

“At around 12pm today (8 October), a report was received that a man was found on St Wilfrid’s Crescent, Harehills, with serious injuries. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

“He has not yet been formally identified. A number of scenes are in place whilst extensive enquiries are carried out, including Parkside View, St Wilfrid’s Crescent and Amberton Crescent.

“Officers from the Homicide and Major Enquiry team are appealing to anyone who was in any of these areas around 12pm who may have witnessed anything to come forward with information.

“Local neighbourhood policing patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide reassurance.”

Anyone with information that may help the police with their enquiries can call 101 using log number 650 of October 8.

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Matt Newsum, BBC Sport rugby league reporter

Jake Connor’s receipt of the Man of Steel award in 2025 is somewhat fitting given the mental toughness he has shown in particular to put himself back among Super League’s best players since joining Leeds.

The 30-year-old has never lacked talent, but at times application and discipline have been his downfall. However, that is no longer the case, as an initial mix of tough words from boss Brad Arthur and a supportive environment since then have allowed Connor to thrive.

He was pivotal in Rhinos’ return to the play-offs with his creativity and kicking game, and his mercurial abilities also drew the best from team-mates Lachie Miller and Brodie Croft.

Back-rower Eva Hunter deserves her award following a stellar season with treble-winning Wigan in the women’s game.

Pound for pound, few players run and hit as hard as Hunter, who is a constant source of tries with her driving runs on the Wigan edge. She is box-office.

London Roosters contributed plenty to the 2025 wheelchair season and England’s Joe Coyd was key to that, despite defeats by Halifax Panthers in both finals.

His consistency helped set the standard for team-mates such as Mason Billington and new England captain Lewis King, and he will hope to impress further on England’s tour of Australia this autumn.

PEDRO PORRO had a brilliant response to being hit by a vape during Tottenham’s win at Leeds.

Thomas Frank‘s side earned a hard-fought three points at Elland Road.

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Porro produced the assist for Mohammed Kudus‘ winner and he was also able to have a bit of fun in the second half.

As the full-back prepared to take a corner in front of the Leeds fans a vape was thrown at him.

The vape hit Porro and he responded by picking it up and pretending to smoke it.

And the Spaniard wasn’t done having his fun with the moment.

He wasted no time in uploading an Instagram post from the game, including an image of him holding up the vape for referee Tom Bramall.

He captioned the post: “Back on track with the boys… Didn’t feel like vaping today, fancied the three points instead.”

The cheeky jab went down well with fans, who flocked to his comments to praise him for his conduct on and off the pitch.

One commenter said: “Guys a comedian hahahaha unreal”

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And another fan added: “Brilliant Pedro!!! Great performance too.”

The incident amused the Spurs faithful, but another moment in the second half had them tearing their hair out.

Summer signing Xavi Simons attempted an audacious rabona through ball when the game was at 1-1, but could only dribble the tame effort to the waiting feet of Joe Rodon.

The Dutchman will thank Kudus and Porro for taking the eyes off him going into the international break.

MANCHESTER, Leeds and Oxford have been named as top powerhouses for business growth in the UK, according to a report.

The study, carried out by NatWest and data company Beauhurst, analysed growth across innovation, profit, headcount and turnover among mid-market firms nationwide.

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Manchester ranked highly thanks to its thriving creative and digital sectors, fuelled by MediaCityUK and a flourishing start-up scene.

Oxford stood out for its research-driven businesses, many of which began as university spinouts before scaling into significant mid-market enterprises.

Leeds, meanwhile, has built a reputation in health technology to complement its long-established financial services sector, strengthened by close ties to NHS Digital and leading hospitals.

While London remains the largest centre for profit, headcount and turnover in the mid-market, the report reveals other areas of the UK are increasingly standing out for their innovation.

Smaller authorities also made the list, with Slough and Telford & Wrekin both highlighted as growth hotspots.

Swindon has also emerged as one of the nation’s leading climate technology hubs, thanks to its cluster of renewable energy and clean-tech firms.

Andy Gray, managing director of commercial mid-market at NatWest, said: “The UK’s economic story is no longer written only in its biggest cities.

“Across the country, mid-sized businesses are scaling up, investing in people and creating high-quality jobs.

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“These boom regions demonstrate that entrepreneurial energy and economic resilience can flourish anywhere.”

Among the emerging centres of growth, researchers pinpointed South Cambridgeshire as home to a thriving cluster of university spinouts.

Aberdeenshire also performed strongly in the innovation category, reflecting its long-standing expertise in oil and gas, now being redirected into renewable energy, carbon capture and wider climate technologies.

Local firms there have benefitted from specialist engineering skills, proximity to North Sea projects and strong research links – helping the area reinvent itself as a hub for innovation in the UK’s energy transition.

The research focused on mid-market companies turning over between £25m and £500m annually – these businesses account for 26 per cent of employment and 30 per cent of UK economic Gross Value Added.

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The findings also project that, with the right support, mid-market companies could add an extra £115 billion in turnover and £35 billion of Gross Value Added by 2030 – despite representing just 0.5 per cent of businesses in the UK.

Henri Murison, chief executive at The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “While London remains an important location for mid-market businesses, this new report from NatWest clearly points to the impressive growth and innovation that is taking place in the North.

“As the Autumn Budget approaches, we should be backing concrete steps towards adoption and diffusion of innovation in businesses that are seeking to scale up, providing more high skilled jobs in Northern towns and cities, and playing a fundamental part in delivering the UK Government growth mission.”

Louise Hellem, chief economist at the CBI, said: “This report underlines the vital role the mid-market sector plays in driving regional growth and strengthening our economy.

“These businesses are not just surviving, they’re expanding, innovating, and investing in their communities.

“To fully unlock the UK’s potential and develop high growth clusters, we should harness their strengths as part of regional growth plans, ensure they are engaged in shaping local skills plans and have greater access to finance to scale.”

The mesmerising finish with a 16-pass move that criss-crossed the pitch, and had Harry Robertson beat a number of tackles along the way, sets up a semi-final trip to Hull KR on Saturday, 4 October.

As Super League’s two most successful clubs, sharing 17 Grand Final wins between them, the showdown at Headingley between the fourth and fifth placed teams promised to enthral.

Both sides made a number of changes for the knockout tie, with Saints’ backs reshuffled after winger Kyle Feldt was injured in last week’s win against Castleford, while Leeds could again call on the prolific Ryan Hall and Man of Steel nominee Jake Connor.

Scrum-half Connor played a part in Leeds’ opening try, with the ball quickly shifted through the hands of Lachie Miller and Ash Handley before finding Hankinson to dive over.

The try from Hankinson, after he spilled a high ball at the other end to invite pressure on Leeds, summed up the chaotic nature of the opening exchanges.

A combination of luck and quick thinking had Saints pull level, after Curtis Sironen managed to take a high kick before then offloading for Morgan Knowles, who spilled the ball.

The forward, however, thrust a boot out to turn what seemed destined to be a knock-on into a sublime grubber kick for Lomax to finish.

McDonnell went on to restore Leeds’ advantage as he bobbed and weaved his way through three attempted tackles to touch down on the half-hour mark.

Lees’ departure at half-time left Saints short on the bench on a physically taxing night in West Yorkshire as Leeds piled forward in search of more tries after the break.

Leeds went on to waste a succession of chances to add to their lead, with a captain’s challenge from Saints also seeing a Handley try scrubbed off.

At the other end it took a try-saving shove from Connor to keep Bennison from crossing over on the hour mark.

But the winger would go on to pull a try back to give Saints hope with four minutes left after Connor had put the hosts eight points up with his penalty.

A Leeds penalty conceded for offside allowed Saints one last chance to salvage a memorable result, which Wright did for the club that gave his season renewed purpose after leaving financially-troubled side Salford on loan in August.

Wigan Warriors: Field, Miski, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall, French, Smith, Byrne, O’Neill, Thompson, Walters, Farrell, Ellis.

Interchanges: Havard, Nsemba, Mago, Leeming.

Leeds Rhinos: Hankinson, Lumb, Newman, Watkins, Simpson, Croft, Sinfield, Oledzki, O’Connor, Jenkins, Gannon, McDonnell, Palasia.

Interchanges: Shorrocks, Bentley, Lisone, Holroyd.

Referee: Chris Kendall.

GABRIEL GUDMUNDSSON dropped an absolute clanger by heading past his own keeper Karl Darlow in stoppage time to gift Fulham victory.

The Swedish defender, under no real pressure, conspired to nod a Ryan Sessegnon corner into his own net.

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It is one of the most baffling own goals you will see.

That moment of madness cost Leeds what would have been a well deserved point.

But they can only blame themselves for not taking their chances.

They still have only managed one goal this season — a Lukas Nmecha penalty in the 1-0 win against Everton.

It is worry that they have not scored in open play in 360 minutes of Prem football — and is why the German boss has been crying out for reinforcements in the forward line.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was only able to head straight at Bernd Leno when he met a lovely Brenden Aaronson cross.

While Sean Longstaff cracked the crossbar with a shot from distance — and Aaronson himself had an angled effort kept out by the Fulham keeper.

Fulham record-signing — £34.6million man Kevin — started on the bench after joining from Shakhtar on transfer deadline day and did not come on until the final 14 minutes.

And he almost scored a stunner when his long-range shot was kept out by Darlow.

Wilson — who had been linked with a move to Leeds during the summer — was the only change made by Silva from their last game at Chelsea, coming in for Tim Castagme.

Calvert-Lewin made his first Leeds start as Farke opted to make five changes from the goalless draw at Newcastle before the international break.

In came Ethan Ampadu, Aaronson, Anton Stach, Noah Okafor and Darlow.

Leeds had a huge chance to move in front when Calvin-Lewin managed to find himself unmarked to meet a superb Aaronson cross — but he was only able to head straight at Leno.

Neither side had got into a proper rhythm.

The visitors were looking to get the ball up quick towards their frontmen but Fulham were comfortably dealing with that approach.

But the Cottagers were struggling to create anything to trouble Darlow — who was making his first Prem appearance in almost four years with first-choice Lucas Perri injured.

Noah Okafor played a couple of nice stepovers before the ball fell to Stach but his effort was charged down.

Jayden Bogle charged down the right flank and attempted an ambitious effort from an angle but it was deflected out for a corner.

Leeds were denied going in front on the stroke of half-time when Longstaff left fly from 25 yards after running on to a Calvert-Lewin header.

 header but his effort clipped the top of the bar.

And Fulham keeper Leno denied the visitors going in front at the start of the second half.

With torrential rain and even hail lashing down on Craven Cottage Aaronson’s angled effort was kept out.

And then Kenny Tete and Calvin Bassey both slid in to block Okafor, who looked set to pull the trigger 15 yards out.

Bogle also saw an effort charged down after he was allowed to run forward without being challenged.

Darlow then made a fantastic save to keep out a curling Wilson effort that was destined for the top left corner.

That was to be Wilson’s last action as he was hauled off by Silva along with Josh King, who were replaced by Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore.

Fulham had been controlling the ball well without making many inroads.

And they finally got the crowd off their seats.

First Gabriel Gudmundsson was turned by Alex Iwobi and Joachim Anderson’s cross was met by Muniz.

But his downward header was kept out by Darlow.

Then Smith Rowe burst through before his shot was pushed on to the post by Darlow.

Finally Silva opted to throw on Kevin with 14 minutes left.

And he almost brought the house down with a ripper that Darlow tipped over.

But then came Gudmundsson’s moment of madness to give Fulham victory.

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Leeds: Miller; Hall, Newman, Simpson, Hankinson; Croft, Sinfield; Oledzki, O’Connor, Jenkins, Gannon, McDonnell, Palasia.

Interchanges: Watkins, Bentley, Lisone, Holroyd.

Catalans: Aispuro-Bichet; Makinson, Cotric, Smith, Yaha; Keary, Fages; Dezaria, Tison, Navarrete, Sims, Sironen, Garcia.

Interchanges: Bousquet, Satae, Seguier, Zenon.

Referee: Jack Smith.

The relationship between Sheffield Wednesday supporters and owner Dejphon Chansiri may be fractured, but for Owls boss Henrik Pedersen the “togetherness” of his young players was a source of pride as they produced a Carabao Cup upset against Leeds on Tuesday.

Wednesday fans have been showing their discontent with the Thai businessman following a summer of turmoil during which the club has failed to pay wages on time for a third successive month, and been hit with sanctions from the EFL.

There were visible protests against Chansiri during Wednesday’s Championship opener against Leicester, and that continued for the Leeds match as thousands of supporters opted to boycott the game.

Instead, many chose to follow the action at watch-a-longs at pubs and clubs, and they were treated to a display full of guts and desire by a youthful Wednesday side.

The Owls’ difficult summer meant they started the season with just 12 senior players, and against Leeds they fielded a side featuring four 20-year-olds and five teenagers and an average age of 21.

But there were no signs of a gulf in class between them and their Premier League opponents as Sheffield Wednesday won 3-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

“Really, really proud,” Pedersen told Sky Sports after the match. “How they stayed together, I’m just proud.

“They stepped up so much in a game like this, nobody could see that, so big respect to our boys.”

For ex-England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, covering the game for BBC Radio 5 live, the sense of togetherness extended to the supporters as well.

“There’s an incredible story going on at the club at the moment,” he said.

“A lot of supporters decided not to come to the stadium but actually stood in solidarity with the ones who did.

“They finally took a stand and didn’t want the owner, and club to be run the way it was.

“The supporters are standing together, the players are standing together and that performance tonight was the epitome of togetherness.

BANK Holiday revellers donned fancy dress at the booze-fuelled Otley Run as they kicked off celebrations for the three-day weekend.

Hundreds of rowdy drinkers took to the streets in their best and brightest for the famous pub crawl with pals.

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The booze trail is seen as a rite of passage for many and happens multiple times a year attracting thousands.

James Bond, Ginger Spice and the Fantastic Four were all out in force as they trekked all 17 venues on the trail.

The iconic Otley Run starts at Woodies pub in Far Headingly and finishes at The Dry Dock at the edge of Leeds city centre.

The aim of the game is to have a drink in each of the 17 pubs along the way.

One group of girls were all spotted wearing bridal gowns and wedding dresses

While another group donned cowboy hats and colourful dresses for the West Yorkshire drinkathon.

Another girl was even snapped all smiles in a toothpaste tube outfit.

The lads were also dressed up for the Bank Holiday bonanza as James Bond and The Joker with others wrapped in St George flags wielding swords as English knights.

Others were kitted out in lederhosen with one even spotted with a traffic cone on his head – but that might just be the booze talking.

Pirates, princesses and policewomen alike were also spotted in the excited crowds as they enjoyed the three-day weekend.

Participants begin at Woodies before swilling snifters at 15 other watering holes during the challenge, which takes place several times a year.

Drinkers sip a final brew at the aptly named Dry Dock – a narrow boat-turned-pub.

The list of boozers you’re supposed to stop at has changed over the last few years but still stands at 17 strong.

Punters are tasked with a drink at every stop in their best fancy dress with themes ranging from the simple to the outlandish.

It’s particularly popular among students and locals in Leeds and is often a vibrant and chaotic journey through some of the city’s most beloved watering holes.

Revellers often opt for superheroes, animals, or film characters but, honestly, anything goes.

It can often make for hilarious encounters as multiple themes and characters all mingle in one pub.

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BUKAYO SAKA and Martin Odegaard’s are doubts for Liverpool after hobbling off against Leeds.

Both players were struck down with injuries either side of half-time.

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Captain Odegaard fell awkwardly under a challenge and appeared to hurt his shoulder.

He initially continued but was hauled off after a few minutes and replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.

Arsenal were 1-0 ahead at the time and did not take long to add another, Saka firing past the keeper shortly after Odegaard went off.

But the Gunners talisman also picked up an injury, lasting just eight minutes into the second half.

Saka appeared to suffer a hamstring injury and he received treatment before hobbling off.

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It was a chastening evening for the Challenge Cup holders, who found Leeds simply too hot to handle.

They were not helped by first-half injuries to forwards Sauaso Sue and Jai Whitbread, which took them out of the contest and, in the case of Sue in particular, looks serious enough to threaten his involvement in the run-in.

Already without the suspended Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Hull KR were on the back foot from the start with Leeds drawing first blood in the 13th minute through Connor, who landed six out of six with the boot.

There did not look to be much on when he took the ball in the middle of the field, but a fend on Whitbread created the space and the Leeds half-back had the pace to go over.

Four minutes later, teenage front-row Cassell struck for his side’s second try, collecting Kallum Watkins’ chip kick, which cannoned off the post.

It was the outstanding young prospect’s second try in two games.

Things went from bad to worse for the Robins when Miller went over for the home side’s third try in the 26th minute. It was a beauty too, with the lightning full-back gliding through a hole as the home side spread the ball, and then stepping off his right foot for his ninth Super League try of the season.

Leeds led a stunned Hull KR 18-0 at the break.

The visitors came out strongly after the break, but winger Joe Burgess was thwarted by a terrific last-ditch tackle from Newman. Then Mikey Lewis, who endured an uncharacteristically error-ridden evening, was held up over the line.

Hull KR claimed a try on the hour as Newman, under pressure for a kick from Jack Broadbent, spilled the ball behind his own line, but referee Jack Smith adjudged he was tackled in the air.

Brodie Croft put Newman in for Leeds’s fourth try with ten minutes left, leaving Tom Davies’s 100th Super League try late as mere consolation.

While the defeat will almost certainly only delay Hull KR’s crowning as League Leaders’ Shield winners, Leeds have put themselves right into the race for second place that brings with it a home semi-final.

The only blot on the evening for Leeds was the loss of captain Ash Handley in the second half to a groin injury.

Everton manager David Moyes says he’s disappointed by the crucial video assistant referee decision that gave Leeds a 1-0 win, insisting James Tarkowski did everything he could to avoid conceding a late penalty.

WATCH: Match of the Day highlights: Leeds 1-0 Everton

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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke calls his side’s win against Everton “special” as the newly promoted side begin the new season with a 1-0 victory at Elland Road.

MATCH REPORT: Leeds edge past Everton on Premier League return

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Leeds, amid the cacophony, pinned passive, panicky Everton back in the first half, every tackle bringing supporters to their feet – especially a crunching challenge by Ethan Ampadu that left Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall prone on the turf.

If there was a worry for Leeds and Farke, it was that their dominance in the first half brought no reward, their attack a blunt instrument despite their superiority, with only one of their 12 shots on target.

Could they maintain that intensity after the break? The answer was no.

Instead, Leeds showed other qualities they will require this season as they dug deep, did the dirty work – albeit with little or no threat from a dreadful Everton – and eventually claimed the win with that dramatic late twist.

New Leeds keeper Lucas Perri was given a comfortable introduction as Everton left him virtually unemployed apart from one low shot from Carlos Alcaraz in the closing stages, which he saved comfortably.

Everton introduced new loan signing Jack Grealish with 20 minutes left, but this was a performance beyond rescue and redemption – an illustration of why Moyes has expressed his concerns about the lack of new arrivals, with acquisitions needed at right-back, on the right side and in the central midfield position.

Moyes clearly feels France under-21 striker Thierno Barry is a raw work in progress, but it is hard to see how he could have delivered anything worse than the performance Beto served up at Elland Road.

Leeds, in contrast, will be buoyed by the sheer exuberance and energy that poured down from the stands into Farke’s players. One game only, yes, but the surge of belief and optimism this result and performance will deliver is vital.

Leeds United fan Colson Smith is given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to pre-season training as the newly promoted side prepare for their return to the Premier League.

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For as long as there’s been relegation, supporters have been trying to predict the minimum number of points needed to avoid it.

So what should Burnley, Leeds, Sunderland and others be aiming for?

Traditionally, 40 points are said to be enough for Premier League survival.

That’s because only three teams have ever reached the 40-point mark in a 38-game season and gone down.

They are: West Ham with 42 in 2002-03, Sunderland with 40 points in 1996-97 and Bolton with 40 points the following year.

But, given all three of those seasons were well over 20 years ago, is it time to set a lower benchmark?

Over the past 10 seasons, the average points collected by the team in 18th – a total you’d need to better in order to stay up – has been exactly 32.

Tottenham finished 17th last term with 38 points but, because of the weaknesses of the promoted trio, they would still have beaten the drop with just 26.

The season before, 17th-placed Nottingham Forest managed 32 points – a tally which included a four points deduction – but actually only needed 27 to stay up.