England launched their Autumn Nations Series with a thunderous 25-7 victory over Australia at Twickenham, while Chelsea edged rivals Tottenham 1-0 in a tense London derby and Fulham ended their four-match losing streak with an emphatic 3-0 win over 10-man Wolves at Craven Cottage.
England dominate Australia in autumn opener
England – Autumn Nations Series
England 25-7 Australia (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham) – Saturday, 1 November
Henry Pollock delivered the pivotal try as England’s bench turned the tide in a commanding 25-7 victory over Australia that launched their autumn campaign with their eighth successive win.
The 81,468-strong crowd at Twickenham witnessed England’s most complete performance of the year, with the forward pack establishing dominance through the set-pieces before the backs capitalised with clinical finishing. Pollock’s crucial score broke Australian resistance after a bright start from the Wallabies, who faded dramatically in the final quarter.
The victory sets up perfectly next weekend’s encounter with Fiji, as Steve Borthwick’s men showed the kind of controlled aggression that had been missing in recent performances. England’s scrum dominance and lineout precision proved the platform for victory, with the bench impact overwhelming the visitors when it mattered most.
Football
João Pedro breaks Tottenham hearts
Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Chelsea (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) – Saturday, 1 November
João Pedro ended his 705-minute goal drought to inflict more misery on Tottenham, with his 34th-minute strike proving decisive in a London derby that saw the hosts muster just one shot on target.
The Brazilian capitalised on brilliant work from Moisés Caicedo, who twice dispossessed Tottenham players on the edge of the box before setting up the simple finish. Chelsea’s fifth straight win against their North London rivals moves them up to fourth in the Premier League table, level on points with Spurs in third.
It was a toothless display that brought loud boos from the home support at full-time. Guglielmo Vicario prevented a heavier defeat with several crucial saves, particularly denying João Pedro what would have been a deserved second in stoppage time.
Fulham end slump with dominant display
Fulham FC – Premier League
Fulham 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Craven Cottage) – Saturday, 1 November
Fulham arrested their alarming four-match losing streak with a comprehensive victory over 10-man Wolves, who created unwanted history by becoming the first team in Premier League history to go winless in their opening 10 games of consecutive seasons. Manager Vitor Pereira was fired yesterday – the 4th Premier League manager sacked this season.
Ryan Sessegnon opened the scoring after just nine minutes, racing onto Raúl Jiménez’s through ball following Santiago Bueno’s defensive error. The match turned decisively when Emmanuel Agbadou was shown a straight red card for bringing down Josh King in a dangerous position.
Harry Wilson’s stunning strike just after the hour mark effectively sealed the points before Yerson Mosquera’s own goal completed Wolves’ misery. The victory lifts Marco Silva’s side to 14th place and three points clear of the relegation zone, providing much-needed relief after their recent struggles.
Fulham survive Carabao Cup scare
Fulham FC – Carabao Cup
Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Fulham (4-5 on penalties) (Adams Park) – Tuesday, 28 October
Issa Diop’s sudden-death penalty rescued Fulham from a giant-killing at Adams Park, as the Premier League side needed a nerve-shredding shootout to edge past League One Wycombe.
Cauley Woodrow struck early against his former club to give the Chairboys the lead, before Josh King leveled just after half-time. Despite dominating possession, Marco Silva’s team struggled to break down determined resistance from Wycombe, who came agonisingly close to producing one of the cup’s great upsets.
Both goalkeepers made multiple saves in the shootout before Diop stepped up to convert the decisive penalty, setting up a quarter-final clash with Newcastle United as Fulham continue their best cup run in five years.
Chelsea Women maintain perfect WSL start
Chelsea Women – Women’s Super League
Chelsea 2-0 London City Lionesses (Stamford Bridge) – Saturday, 1 November
Sonia Bompastor’s unbeaten Chelsea side weathered a spirited challenge from London City Lionesses, with Ellie Carpenter’s first goal for the club after just six minutes ultimately proving the difference in the capital’s newest WSL derby.
The Australian full-back finished clinically at the back post from Sandy Baltimore’s cross, but Chelsea had to wait until the 94th minute for Sam Kerr to seal the points with a trademark chip. The Blues remain top of the WSL, one point clear of Manchester City, maintaining their 100% domestic record under new boss Bompastor.
London City created numerous chances and will feel they deserved more from their brave performance against their illustrious West London neighbours, but Chelsea’s quality at both ends of the pitch proved decisive.
AFC Wimbledon grind out vital victory
AFC Wimbledon – League One
AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Burton Albion (Cherry Red Records Stadium) – Tuesday, 28 October
The Dons secured three crucial points in their push for League One consolidation with a hard-fought victory over Burton Albion at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
A scrappy encounter was settled by a moment of quality in the second half as AFC Wimbledon showed the resilience that has characterised their impressive return to the third tier. The result moves them up to sixth in League One, continuing their strong start to life back at this level following last season’s promotion.
The victory was particularly important after their weekend defeat, showing the mental strength that will be crucial as they aim to establish themselves in the division.
Rugby union
Richmond prepare for Championship battle
Richmond RFC – Championship
Richmond vs Coventry (Athletic Ground) – Saturday, 1 November
Richmond faced a crucial Championship encounter against Coventry at the Athletic Ground as both sides looked to establish themselves in the highly competitive second tier.
The London club, back in the Championship after storming to the National League 1 title last season, have shown glimpses of their potential but consistency remains elusive. This local fixture promised high intensity as Richmond aimed to build momentum in front of their home support, with the club’s famous fireworks night celebration adding extra atmosphere to what shaped as a pivotal early-season clash.
Coming up next week
Monday 3 November – Sunday 9 November:
- Autumn Nations Series: England vs Fiji at Twickenham (Saturday 8th, 17:40)
- Premier League: Chelsea host Wolverhampton Wanderers (Saturday 8th), Fulham away to Everton (Saturday)
- Championship Rugby: Richmond away to Cambridge (Saturday 8th)
- PWR: Harlequins Women fixtures TBC
- Note: Fours Head of the River Race on Thames (Saturday 15th November)
Story of the week
Fulham’s comprehensive victory at Craven Cottage provided much-needed relief for Marco Silva after a torrid run that had seen them slide dangerously close to the relegation zone. The early red card for Wolves transformed the contest, but it was the manner of Fulham’s response – clinical, composed and ruthless – that will give the Portuguese coach most encouragement as they look to climb away from trouble.
