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• Havertz: Arsenal 'ready for the fight' in Premier League title race

  Kai Havertz says Arsenal are "ready for the fight" as they aim to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool.

  The Gunners are in second place and nine points adrift of the Reds, who have only dropped five under Arne Slot after the opening 13 matches of this campaign.

  Mikel Arteta's side will hope to reduce the deficit when they welcome Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, while Liverpool travel to St James' Park to face Newcastle United.

  Arsenal have been runners-up to Manchester City in each of the last two Premier League seasons, and Havertz is confident they will be in contention once more this time around.

  "It's still in the first part of the season and a lot can happen," he said. "For me personally, I think how much tougher the Premier League gets year by year.

  "Liverpool, all of a sudden, are performing at the highest level week in, week out. I have to give credit to them, for sure. [There are] lots of games to play, points to get, so we will be ready for the fight.

  "There are still a lot of things in the team that we can develop and be better at, and I'm sure the next couple of years are going to be great for us. I think everyone will be ready for it."

  Arsenal are full of momentum, having won each of their last three matches across all competitions, while scoring 13 goals along the way.

  The Gunners only managed 12 in their previous nine games, with Martin Odegaard missing seven of those, but Havertz believes he and his team-mates have enjoyed the benefits of the skipper's recent return from injury.

  "For me, it's quite nice! He's just magic," the forward said. "He makes everything so calm and easy on the pitch, has the confidence to turn games around on his own.

  "Even in bad moments, he takes the ball and does something with it. He never shies away. He's a very important player for us."

• Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw named November’s Etihad Player of the Month

  Jamaican star Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has been named the Etihad Player of the Month for November, capping off a phenomenal period that showcased her goal-scoring prowess and undeniable impact on the pitch. Shaw beat out fierce competition from Jill Roord and Alex Greenwood to claim the coveted award.

  The prolific striker netted six goals across five matches in November, leading her team to four victories and securing qualification to the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals with two group games to spare.

  Shaw kicked off November in style, rounding off the scoring in a commanding 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in what was the club’s 200th Barclays Women’s Super League fixture. Rising to meet a pinpoint cross from Jess Park, Shaw’s clinical header further cemented her reputation as one of the league’s most lethal forwards.

  The standout performance of the month came against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium, where Shaw delivered a sensational hat-trick in a 4-0 victory. Her first goal came just 21 seconds into the match, setting the tone for her historic display. With this treble, Shaw not only moved to the top of the WSL all-time hat-trick chart, surpassing teammate Vivianne Miedema, but also became the first player in league history to score three hat-tricks against the same opponent.

  Shaw’s contributions extended beyond domestic competition, as she played a starring role in Europe. In a gritty encounter against Sweden’s Hammarby, she scored both goals in a 2-1 victory. Her first was a deflected strike that found the back of the net, and her second—a venomous effort from the edge of the area—restored the lead shortly after the hosts equalized.

  Shaw’s consistency, clinical finishing, and ability to rise to the occasion in key moments were instrumental in her team’s success throughout November. Her achievements underscore her position as one of the top players in women’s football today.

   

• Hurzeler prepared for 'intense' Fulham clash

  Fabian Hurzeler is expecting an "intense" contest when Brighton and Hove Albion face Fulham in the Premier League on Thursday.

  Brighton were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw with bottom side Southampton last Friday but are fourth in the table after 13 rounds of matches.

  Fulham are four points behind Brighton after going two games without a win, but Hurzeler is anticipating a tough match at Craven Cottage.

  "They are a very good team, good in possession," he said. "They do everything out of compactness and they try to shift and be aggressive.

  "It is a very small, tight stadium; the pitch is not the biggest, so it should be quite an intense game."

  Hurzeler will have a different vantage point for the match in south London as he is serving a touchline ban after being yellow carded last week.

  "Honestly, I trust my team, I trust my staff," he said. "I'm also very convinced that the players will do it on the pitch."

  Fulham were stunned 4-1 by lowly Wolves in their most recent home game, which they followed up with a creditable 1-1 draw at Tottenham.

  Tom Cairney was sent off and will therefore serve a suspension in the game with Brighton, while Sasa Lukic and Harrison Reed are also out.

  Goalkeeper Bernd Leno accepts Fulham will not find things easy against the high-flying Seagulls.

  "Brighton are a very good team, very well organised team. It will be a very tough game," he said.

  "We'll try to play our game, we'll try to win that game, but Brighton are in a good moment. Hopefully we can keep the points at the Cottage."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Fulham - Harry Wilson

  Wilson has been involved in four goals in his past four Premier League appearances against Brighton (two goals and two assists), including a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win for Fulham in this corresponding fixture last season.

  The forward has yet to start a league game this season, but he has three goals in nine substitute appearances for Marco Silva's side.

  Brighton - Kaoru Mitoma

  Mitoma opened the scoring for Brighton in their draw with Southampton, making it goals in back-to-back Premier League games.

  The Japan international has more goals (two) in his past two games than he managed in the previous 24 (one) in the competition, but he has never scored in three in a row.

  MATCH PREDICTION - FULHAM WIN

  Brighton have won three of their six Premier League away games so far this season, which is just one less than they managed in the whole of the 2023-24 campaign.

  Fulham have conceded in each of their last 10 Premier League home games, meanwhile, shipping 20 goals in total in this run. 

  However, the London side are unbeaten in all eight of their Premier League games against Brighton – the joint-most they have faced a side without ever losing (along with Norwich City).

  Brighton have also failed to win any of their league visits to Craven Cottage, losing three of those and drawing the other.

  Furthermore, Albion are winless in their past nine Premier League away matches against London clubs in their worst-such run since between 1961 and 1967 (10 games).

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Fulham - 41.4%
  Brighton - 33.8%
  Draw - 24.8%