Manchester United missed the chance to go fifth in the Premier League when they were held 1-1 by West Ham United at Old Trafford on Thursday, a result which keeps the visitors in the relegation zone.
Harry Kane rose to rescue England, striking twice in the span of 11 minutes as the former champions fought back from a goal down to beat a a gritty Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup last-32 clash in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The Democratic Republic of Congo secured a spot in the World Cup knockout stage after a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory against Uzbekistan. Yoane Wissa scored twice, including a crucial penalty, and Fiston Mayele added another goal to seal their progression. This win marks DR Congo's return to the World Cup knockouts after 52 years, setting up a clash with England.
West Ham United eased the pressure on new manager Julen Lopetegui with a surprise 2-0 victory away to in-form Newcastle United in the Premier League on Monday.
Chelsea recovered to beat West Ham United 2-1 to jump to fourth place in the English Premier League on Monday.
Promoted Sunderland, who have defied expectations to stay in the top half of the Premier League table, could be the worst affected with six players going to the tournament, while the likes of Fulham, Manchester United, Burnley and Crystal Palace will also have to make do without some key personnel.
West Ham beat Premier League strugglers Leicester City 2-0 at the London Stadium on Thursday thanks to an early strike from Tomas Soucek on his 30th birthday and an own goal just before halftime.
Graham Potter is in talks to replace Lopetegui, according to British media reports, and the former Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion manager is expected to take charge of West Ham for their FA Cup third-round game at Aston Villa on Friday.
The official 26-man squads for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Chelsea battled from two goals down to beat West Ham 3-2 in the Premier League on Saturday with a stoppage-time Enzo Fernandez winner.
Erik ten Hag's side, featuring several players who played in the World Cup in Qatar, could have doubled their lead when Anthony Martial's shot was well saved by Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Liverpool moved to 76 points from 32 games with title rivals Manchester City on 74 points from one game fewer, with Pep Guardiola's side hosting Brighton and Hove Albion at the Etihad on Wednesday.
;You will have setbacks. We beat Arsenal, we beat Liverpool. On Sunday, we had a bad day at the office. City were better, we have to accept that. But we can't accept our unacceptable performance. So thank you for the lesson, Pep and City. We have to understand, we have to do things much better.'
Manchester United's revival came to a disappointing end as Bournemouth forward Joshua King's goal on the stroke of halftime earned a 1-0 victory on a blustery south coast on Saturday.
"And you need also that you can make tactical choices. We are looking for the right player for our squad and (he) has to match our sporting criteria but also our financial criteria."
Liverpool's English Premier League title winning captain Jordan Henderson was named England's Footballer of the Year on Friday in the annual vote of the Football Writers' Association (FWA).
Goalkeeper De Gea was forced to leave the field during Spain's Euro 2020 qualifier against Sweden on Tuesday.
Joe Willock and Callum Wilson scored to give Newcastle United a well-earned 2-0 victory over Manchester United.
Images from Saturday's action in the Premier League.
Manchester City inched closer to their treble as they downed Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Man United get injury boost ahead of Liverpool FA Cup clash
IMAGES from the Premier League matches played on Tuesday.
IMAGES from Premier League matches played on Sunday.
With United unable to sign a replacement, the pressure will be on 21-year-old England forward Marcus Rashford to deliver the goals in a more central role than he has previously operated in.
Images from the EPL match played between Manchester United and Watford on Sunday.
After opening with a 4-0 win over Chelsea, Monday's 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers, would have been a second straight win, had Paul Pogba converted his second half penalty kick.
Manchester United are facing an injury crisis
Manchester City reached their fourth straight League Cup final as second-half goals from John Stones and Fernandinho gave Pep Guardiola's side a 2-0 win over Manchester United in Wednesday's semi-final at Old Trafford.
Liverpool head to United with widest gulf in years
Late Varane header earns stuttering Man Utd 1-0 win over Wolves
Liverpool's James Milner's converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time and Sadio Mane added a late second goal to secure a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Monday.
Liverpool resumed their march to a second Premier League title on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over West Ham United.
The two previous meetings at Anfield ended in 4-0 and 3-1 defeats for Arsene Wenger's Arsenal teams, but there is a fresh optimism around the club after a successful transfer window.
Manchester United closed in on the Premier League's pole position after a 2-1 home win over Aston Villa on Friday put them level on points and games played with champions and leaders Liverpool.
Ivan Toney, once Brentford's lynchpin in attack, has moved to Al-Ahli for 40 million pounds ($52.50 million).
Mohamed Salah scored a late equaliser from a penalty kick as Liverpool escaped Old Trafford with a single point in a 2-2 draw with Manchester United to climb to even on points with Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Manchester United returned to winning ways in ruthlessly emphatic fashion
List of major transfers in the top Premier League ahead of the 2019-20 season (all transfer fees as reported by British media):
Jota's header earned the three points but it was a struggle in the rain for Juergen Klopp's side who looked uneasy at the back without the injured Virgil van Dijk.
IMAGES from the Premier League matches played on Saturday
