Alvaro Arbeloa closing in on historic Real Madrid record — and more

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa is building momentum on the touchline, and the numbers are beginning to tell a very interesting story. 

The former Real Madrid defender, who took over after the departure of Xabi Alonso, has guided the team to five consecutive victories in La Liga.

The wins have come against Levante, Villarreal, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, and Real Sociedad, a run that has restored confidence around the club after a difficult stretch earlier in the season. 

The positive results have also placed Arbeloa on the brink of making history at the Santiago Bernabeu.

A record to chase

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the Spaniard is now just two wins away from matching the best start by a Real Madrid coach in the club’s history. 

The current record belongs to Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who won his first seven matches after arriving during the 2004-05 season.

The run eventually ended with a 0-2 defeat to Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Real Madrid finished the season in second place, four points behind Barcelona in the La Liga standings.

Alvaro Arbeloa is closing in on a historic Real Madrid record. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Interestingly, the second-best start in the club’s history is far more recent. It was achieved earlier this very season by Xabi Alonso himself. 

After making his debut as Real Madrid coach at the Club World Cup, Alonso oversaw six consecutive La Liga wins between August and the end of September.

During that stretch, Real Madrid defeated Osasuna, Oviedo, Mallorca, Real Sociedad, Espanyol, and Levante. The run came to an end with a heavy defeat in the Madrid derby at the Metropolitano.

To put things in perspective, we must look back at the records of the previous Real Madrid managers.

Carlo Ancelotti, arguably the most successful manager in the club’s history, won his first three matches. Furthermore, Zinedine Zidane registered two wins in his start at the club.

Lastly, Vicente del Bosque, Bernd Schuster, and Julen Lopetegui won three league matches.

Anfield Watchunderstands the club are huge admirers of Caleb Yirenkyi, and could be making a move for him in the summer.

Yirenkyi plays for FC Nordsjaelland and he only turned 20-years-old last month but already has over 40 appearances for the Danish club that has an impressive track-record of producing elite talent who have gone onto do well in Europe's top five leagues.

The youngster proved once again what an impressive player he is for Nordsjaelland in their victory over FC Kobenhavn in the Danish Superliga on Saturday.

With Liverpool scouts in attendance, Yirenkyi was one of the best players on the pitch and put in a spectacular performance to help secure the three points for his side.

He covered vast swathes of ground and showcased exactly what he is about. The Ghanian won five out of seven ground duels, completed the most dribbles on the pitch (2), completed 79 out of 81 pass attempts, while creating two chances, and winning all of his aerial duels.

It was a phenomenal performance and it confirmed that he's too good for this level. It also confirmed that he is ready for the step-up to a club like Liverpool and that he very much fits the club's style of play.

Yirenkyi is all action. He's comfortable playing in a side that dominates the ball and also has to press high.

The youngster would flourish under Arne Slot's system. He may not be a regular started but as we mentioned above Liverpool need more than just one midfielder.

Wataru Endo is likely leaving Anfield. The future of Curtis Jones is up in the air. Having someone like Yirenkyi makes a lot of sense.

He can play anywhere in midfield and on top of that he can also cover at full-back, meaning he'd still play a lot of games even if he was not first choice.

His performance at Saturday will likely have blown the club's scouts away and all the Reds need to do now is to agree a fee for him before someone else does.

Manchester City left James Trafford in the dark over plans to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma just weeks after bringing him back to the Etihad Stadium.

City’s goalkeeping situation has been one of the most closely watched storylines of the 2025/26 campaign, particularly after the club’s decision to invest heavily in the position during the summer transfer window.

Trafford’s return to the Etihad Stadium from Burnley was initially framed as a long-term move aligned with Pep Guardiola’s philosophy, but circumstances shifted rapidly once the window progressed.

The 23-year-old rejoined City in a £31 million deal and was entrusted with starting duties at the beginning of the season, featuring prominently during the early Premier League schedule. However, the late arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma altered the hierarchy, prompting Trafford’s transition into a supporting role.

Speaking to reporters after yet another fine performance when called upon by Pep Guardiola in domestic cup action for Manchester City, James Trafford spoke openly about his role as back-up choice goalkeeper for the club.

“I didn’t expect the situation to happen, but it’s happened, so you just get on with it”, the 23-year-old told reporters at the Etihad Stadium.

When asked to clarify whether he specifically meant the club’s signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma weeks after his arrival, Trafford said, “Yeah. It’s happened so I’ll work very hard every day and then see what happens, give it my best shot.”

On whether Manchester City moving for the Italian international had ever felt on the cards when he signed for the club from Burnley, Trafford said, “No, no. It’s just another experience to add to my career and yeah, it has been good learning.”

While league and European opportunities have been limited, James Trafford has carved out an important role as City’s trusted option in knockout competitions, providing stability and composure during high-pressure fixtures.

That trust has been repaid with a series of impressive displays, most notably during City’s run to the 2026 Carabao Cup Final, featuring in all five matches including both legs of the semi-final against Newcastle, underlining his value in Guardiola’s rotation strategy.

Guardiola has continued to publicly commend James Trafford’s attitude and technical quality, highlighting his sharpness despite extended periods without regular starts. And as Manchester City continue to compete on multiple fronts, Trafford’s readiness ensure he remains a dependable option.

Good morning everyone.

We’ve seen a lot of bicycle kicks at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club this season. First there was that one from Richarlison on the opening day of the season. Upon rewatching it, it’s almost incredible it’s not already the automatic winner for the team’s best goal this season:

Then Cristian Romero hit his own overhead kick against Newcastle. His was a little less impressive than the beauty we saw from Richarlison (bouncing twice before getting in the goal), but it came at a huge time in the match to draw Spurs level against Newcastle.

He actually scored a brace that game to salvage the draw – and we know every point matters right now.

Well, let’s add another bicycle kick to the list. Except this time it comes from a former beloved Tottenham Hotspur player: Oliver Skipp.

That’s our boy Skippy with the overhead kick in the 52nd minute of Leicester’s game against Southampton. It was a big goal, too, leveling the game against Saints until the Foxes fell in extra time. Heartbreaking for Skipp and Tottenham Hotspur hero Harry Winks.

The loss does give Leicester City more time to focus on their relegation battle (and you were concerned about Spurs). After a recent points deduction, they now sit in the drop zone and are in danger of falling to League One.

It’s a pretty tight race – just one point will see them move out of the bottom three, but they’ve also played more games than Portsmouth (21st at 33 points) and Charlton (18th at 39 points). Then you’ve got West Brom and Blackburn in the fight as well.

It’s a remarkable fall from grace for Leicester. And this could be a very rare – if not unprecedented – occurrence where two former Premier League champions drop into the third tier.

Fitzie’s track of the day: The Shoes of the Fisherman’s Wife Are Some Jive Ass Slippers, by Charles Mingus

And now for your links:

BBC Video (territory restriction): “Spurs unstoppable in 10-goal thriller against Aston Villa”

The Athletic ($$): “Clubs turn to Igor Tudor when they’re on a cliff edge – Spurs will not daunt him”

The Times: “Hull fans arrested over offensive chants during Chelsea defeat”

Daily Record: “Rangers 4 Hearts 2 LIVE as it happened – Chermiti hat trick dents Jambos title hopes”

Dana White has stated that the UFC’s proposed White House card is effectively set, before later clarifying that discussions with officials are still pending.

Dana White suggested that preparations for the event have progressed rapidly and that significant groundwork has already been completed.

However, a subsequent clarification indicates that formal talks with White House representatives must still take place before anything is officially confirmed.

Dana White says White House card is done

Dana White discussed the status of the proposed event while addressing the UFC’s broader scheduling plans. He indicated that internal preparations had moved well beyond the preliminary stage.

He outlined that multiple event options had been structured and that the matchmaking process was already underway.

“We have two different options laid out. The matchmaking process has already started. We got the White House card done last week.”

The phrasing of those remarks suggested the card had been finalised from the promotion’s standpoint. That interpretation quickly gained traction among fans and media.

Clarification suggests discussions still ongoing

Shortly after White’s comments were widely shared, additional context emerged from ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto. He provided clarification on how advanced the planning actually is.

Okamoto explained that while progress has been substantial, the event has not yet been formally completed.

“White clarifies White House card is not ‘done’ but they’ve made a lot of progress and have options laid out. He and team are flying to Washington to discuss it with the White House. Not sure yet how they will announce it when it’s time.”

The update makes clear that meetings with officials remain part of the approval process. A formal announcement is expected only after those discussions conclude.

The episode underlines the additional coordination required for an event linked to a government venue. For now, the UFC’s White House card appears advanced in planning but not officially confirmed.

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