England

LIVERPOOL, England — James Rodriguez netted twice and Dominic Calvert-Lewin became the first Everton player to score in the opening four matches of a Premier League season as they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2 on Saturday to stay top of the table with a maximum 12 points.

The hosts produced another classy performance with Rodriguez's fellow Colombian Yerry Mina also on the scoresheet for Carlo Ancelotti's high-flying side who next face champions Liverpool in the Merseyside derby after the international break.

In many respects, Wayne Rooney has been written off by football fans and media alike. The former England star left Manchester United three years ago and even spent a couple seasons in MLS, so it might seem like he’s a faded has-been.

But don’t forget, at 34 Rooney is younger than Cristiano Ronaldo, who many still hold as the best pure striker in the world right now (sorry Lewa). He’s a month younger than Luka Modric, who won the Ballon d’Or two years ago. And Rooney can still provide moments of magic like few in the world can even dream of.

LONDON — Chelsea settled their stuttering start to the season with a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday as Ben Chilwell marked his league debut for the Blues by scoring the opening goal and creating another for Kurt Zouma.

Jorginho sealed the win with two late penalties in a second-half demolition of Palace who had stifled Chelsea in a goalless first half.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Highlights (Oct. 3, 2020)

Liverpool forward Sadio Mané has become the second player from the English Premier League champions to test positive for COVID-19 this week.

The club said in a statement on Friday that the Senegalese, who scored in Monday's 3-1 league win over Arsenal, has displayed minor symptoms of the virus but feels in good health overall.

Sadio Mane has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating according to the necessary guidelines.

MADRID — Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traoré was named in the Spain squad by coach Luis Enrique on Friday, three days after also being called up by Mali.

Traoré, who was born in Barcelona to Malian parents, has been at the center of a tug-of-war between the two federations over the past 18 months.

He can still represent either nation as he has not yet played senior international football.

The winger was selected by Luis Enrique for last month's fixtures against Germany and Ukraine, but was forced to withdraw from the squad following a positive COVID-19 test.

Sheffield United has signed Liverpool's 20-year-old striker Rhian Brewster on a five-year deal in a club-record deal, the Premier League outfit said on Friday.

United did not disclose the transfer fee but British media said it paid 23.5 million pounds ($30.40 million) for the England Under-21 international.

Rhian Brewster Transfer Fee: $30.4 million

Rhian Brewster is a Blade.  pic.twitter.com/rqrIZMHB5b

USWNT star midfielders Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle joined Manchester City in August. They’ve already got their new club within striking distance of winning the FA Women’s Cup.

Mewis scored her first City goal and Lavelle made her City debut in an impressive 2-1 win over Arsenal in the FA Women’s Cup semifinals on Thursday. 

The Gunners had won their first three matches of the season by a combined 19-2, including a 4-0 rout of Alex Morgan’s Tottenham on Saturday. 

Fulham stinks. Not even American Antonee Robinson could do anything to prevent the disaster of a 3-0 defeat to Brentford in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Thursday, which followed a winless start in the Prem. All Robinson could do was watch the insane Said Benrahma nutmeg goal vs Fulham.