Eddie Howe had admitted the hardest part is yet to come for Sandro Tonali after watching him play a cameo role in Newcastle’s 4-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace.The 23-year-old Italy international, who could face a lengthy ban if he is found to have breached betting rules by an ongoing investigation in Italy, was applauded warmly by the Toon Army before, during and after Saturday

Stockport manager Dave Challinor hailed his side’s eight-game winning run as “an amazing achievement” after they fought hard for a 3-2 win over Grimsby in Sky Bet League Two.Two goals inside the first 10 minutes from Louie Barry and Tanto Olaofe put them in control.Olaofe missed a chance to make it three from the penalty spot and Grimsby grabbed a goal just before the break throu

Wayne Rooney admitted “it’s great to be back in English football” despite suffering a 1-0 defeat in his first match as Birmingham’s new boss at Middlesbrough.The former Manchester United and England striker was left frustrated against ex-team-mate Michael Carrick’s Boro when Morgan Rogers flicked in an 89th-minute winner at the Riverside.Rooney, who turns 38 on Tuesda

Wigan boss Shaun Maloney got one over on his good friend Gary Caldwell, but praised the role his young players had in Saturday’s 2-0 League One win at Exeter.Martial Godo capitalised on an Exeter defensive error to tap in Shaun Humphreys’ low cross for the opener after eight minutes, before Jordan Jones’ stoppage-time strike took a huge deflection off Will Aimson before nestling

Mark Robins was left frustrated after seeing his Coventry side beaten 1-0 despite an impressive display at Bristol City.The Sky Blues fell to a sucker punch in first-half stoppage time, allowing centre-back Rob Dickie to rise and head his first Bristol City goal from a Taylor Gardner-Hickman free kick.Coventry had dominated to that point without finding a finish, clipping the crossbar twice throug

Burton boss Dino Maamria reflected on a “huge win” for his side as they came from behind to record a stunning 4-1 win over 10-man Bristol Rovers and make it four wins on the bounce.Bez Lubala grabbed two goals to turn the game in Albion’s favour by half-time after Antony Evans had nodded Rovers in front.“That is a huge win for us,” Maamria said. “The more wins y

Enzo Maresca insisted his Leicester players remained full of belief even when they were trailing during their 3-1 comeback win at Swansea.Matt Grimes fired the hosts into a 20th-minute lead with a sublime volley, but Jannik Vestergaard fortuitously bundled into the net on the stroke of half-time to level proceedings with what was his first goal for the Foxes.Second-half efforts from Abdul Fatawu a

Plymouth manager Steven Schumacher tipped goalkeeper Michael Cooper for the Premier League after he kept a clean sheet on his comeback in a 0-0 draw against West Brom at The Hawthorns.The 24-year-old, who has made more than 150 appearances for the Pilgrims, made his return after eight months out with a ruptured cruciate knee ligament and helped Argyle to their first shutout in seven games.“S

Crewe boss Lee Bell warned his side not to let their standards drop as he celebrated his 50th game in charge with a 4-2 victory at Crawley.The visitors twice came from behind, drawing level for a second time when Crawley’s stand-in skipper Dion Conroy put through his own goal 11 minutes after the break.Late goals from Courtney Baker-Richardson and substitute Elliot Nevitt took Crewe up to th

Pep Guardiola paid tribute to Brighton after his Manchester City side held on for a slender 2-1 win over the Seagulls in the Premier League on Saturday.The champions looked be cruising to victory as Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland struck inside the opening 19 minutes at the Etihad Stadium but the visitors responded after the break.Substitute Ansu Fati set up a nervy finish when he pulled a goal