Alex Connor

Football Journalist

Stats Perform

Produce live text commentary and matchday blogs, delivering up-to-the-minute updates while meeting stylistic and technical requirements for clients such as FotMob and Google. Write match reports for the official Premier League website.

FotMob •

Serie A: Napoli 2-1 Fiorentina

It’s full-time, and Napoli have held on to claim a much-needed 2-1 victory over struggling Fiorentina to move up to third in Serie A. The hosts made the breakthrough in the 11th minute, when goalkeeper Meret’s long ball found Vergara, who fired Napoli ahead. After both sides struck the woodwork in the first half, Napoli swiftly doubled their lead after the restart, thanks to Gutierrez’s delightful curling effort in the 49th minute. However, Fiorentina quickly disrupted the game’s momentum, with Solomon converting a rebound to haul Vanoli’s side back into the contest. Kean and Piccoli both missed late chances for Fiorentina, who stay 18th and in the relegation zone. This victory lifts Napoli to within seven points of league leaders Inter, and also means the club has equalled its longest unbeaten home streak in Serie A in the three-points-per-win era (also 22 between August 2015 and September 2016, with Maurizio Sarri at the helm). Meanwhile, Fiorentina have now lost 12 games in this league and only in 1937/38 and 2001/02 (14 each) did they have more defeats after 23 games in a single Serie A championship (12 also in 1946/47). In this match, Napoli recorded 1.80 xG and 19 shots, compared to Fiorentina’s 1.36 xG and 15 shots, digging in deep to secure the three points. Next Saturday in Serie A, Napoli face an away trip to Genoa, while Fiorentina host Torino. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

Champions League: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Bodø/Glimt

Astonishing scenes! Bodo/Glimt secure a historic 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at Estadio Metropolitano to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase play-offs. This incredible result has lifted the Norwegians into 23rd spot, and they’ve sealed consecutive victories in Europe. The hosts raced into an early lead through Sorloth’s powerful header, before Sjovold found an equaliser before the break. Bodo completed the comeback in the 59th minute, when Hogh poked in from close-range as his side held on to claim a momentous victory. Atleti struggled to create chances in the second half and will be bitterly disappointed with the scoreline, as they will also have to settle for the knockout play-offs after dropping to 14th in the table. Simeone’s men managed 2.04 xG and 27 shots, compared to Bodo’s 1.88 xG and 11 shots, but Atleti’s lack of cutting edge and end-product has proven costly. Knutsen’s side can continue dreaming as they’ll eagerly await the draw for the next round. Atleti will play Levante in LaLiga on Saturday, while Bodo’s domestic season doesn’t start until March. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

Premier League: Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea

Following an action-packed second half, Chelsea leave Selhurst Park with a commanding 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace, who are now winless in eight Premier League games. Estevao opened the scoring in the first half, after pouncing on Canvot’s dismal back pass. The Blues’ lead was swiftly doubled in the second half, thanks to Joao Pedro’s drilled finish. The visitors were then awarded a penalty after Canvot accidentally handled Joao Pedro’s goal-bound shot, allowing Fernandez to slot the spot-kick into the bottom corner. Wharton received a late red card for picking up two yellow cards, before Richards netted a late consolation. Despite recording 2.04 xG and 13 shots, Palace have suffered yet another defeat and are floundering in 15th. Meanwhile, Chelsea registered 2.20 xG, and this important win moves them up to fourth. Next week, the Eagles face Nottingham Forest away in the Premier League as Chelsea travel to Italy to play Napoli on Wednesday in the Champions League, before hosting West Ham United in the top-flight on Saturday evening. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

Champions League: Chelsea 1-0 Pafos

That is a monumentally important win for Chelsea, who jump into the top eight of the Champions League group-phase table on goal difference, courtesy of a tense, but well-deserved 1-0 victory over Pafos. Tension was beginning to build around Stamford Bridge until the 78th minute, when Caicedo nodded in after Neto’s corner was flicked on. Previously, Pafos goalkeeper Gorter was in imperious form, producing brilliant saves to deny the likes of Caicedo, Fernandez and Estevao. However, the visitors’ resistance was eventually broken deep into the second half and these three points move Chelsea up to eighth, in line for automatic qualification for the round of 16. This sets up a huge game against Napoli in their final Champions League fixture, with their old boss Antonio Conte needing a win to even secure a top-24 finish. In this match, Rosenior’s side recorded 1.68 xG and 21 shots, compared to Pafos’ 0.15 xG and four shots. This result means Pafos drop to 30th, and the Cypriots play Slavia Prague in their final European outing. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
Official Premier League Website •

Premier League: Liverpool 1-1 Burnley

Edwards' equaliser at Anfield extends Reds' run of Premier League drawsLiverpool dropped points again at home to a promoted club as the defending Premier League champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley at Anfield.Marcus Edwards arrowed in a 65th-minute equaliser for the relegation-battling Clarets on Saturday, as Liverpool drew a fourth straight top-flight game.
Edwards’ goal came from Burnley’s only shot on target as Arne Slot’s team could not make their dominance count at the other end, be...
FotMob •

Serie A: Juventus 5-0 Cremonese

Juventus climb up to fourth in Serie A, four points behind league leaders Inter, following a dominant 5-0 victory over Cremonese in Turin. Bremer and David netted within the first 15 minutes. Yildiz missed a penalty, but tucked in the rebound to give Juventus an unassailable three-goal advantage at half-time. Meanwhile, Cremonese had a penalty overturned by VAR, and manager Nicola was sent off for an angry reaction to a refereeing decision. The Bianconeri went into cruise control in the second half, with an own goal from Terracciano and McKennie stretching the score to 5-0. This result means that Juventus have won nine of their last 11 games in all competitions, and have overtaken Roma in the Serie A standings. Spalletti’s men recorded 3.38 xG and 18 shots, while Cremonese managed just 0.91 xG as they stay 13th in the table. On Saturday in Serie A, Juventus face an away trip to Cagliari, while Cremonese host Verona next Monday. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
Official Premier League Website •

Premier League: Crystal Palace 0-0 Aston Villa

Emery's side drop more points in the title race as they extend winless run against Eagles to seven matches. Aston Villa dropped more points in the title race as they were frustrated by Crystal Palace again in a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park to extend their winless run against the Eagles to seven matches in all competitions.  Brennan Johnson came close to a goal on his home debut for Palace in the first half, but the signing from Tottenham Hotspur was denied by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who w...
Official Premier League Website •

Report: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Sunderland

Brobbey's late equaliser cancels out Davies' first-half openerBrian Brobbey’s 80th-minute stunner caused Tottenham Hotspur to drop more points at home in the Premier League after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sunderland on Sunday.Brobbey picked out the top corner with a thunderous effort after a neat one-two with Enzo Le Fee.
But things had started positively for Spurs when Ben Davies diverted Micky van de Ven’s goal-bound effort into the net from close range in the 30th minute.
However, the h...
FotMob •

Serie A: Juventus 1-1 Lecce

It’s full-time in Turin, and despite their dominance, Juventus have lost valuable ground in the Serie A title race with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Lecce. The visitors scored with their only shot on target when Banda intercepted Cambiaso’s poor pass, before firing into the net. Juventus responded quickly in the second half, when McKennie’s 49th-minute finish levelled the score. The Bianconeri were then awarded a penalty for a Kaba handball after a VAR review, but David’s dreadful effort was saved by Falcone. In their search for a winner, Yildiz hit the post in the 94th-minute and Openda failed to convert the rebound. Spalletti’s side managed 2.69 xG, 25 shots and 71.5% possession. Meanwhile, their opponents mustered 0.26 xG and stay 16th, moving five points clear of the relegation zone. This draw means Juventus remain fifth and are five points behind league leaders Milan, who have played a game less than the Bianconeri. Next time in Serie A, Juventus are away at Sassuolo, while Lecce host Roma. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

Premier League: Brentford 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur

It’s full-time at the Gtech, and neither side could find the breakthrough, as Brentford and Tottenham share the points with an uninspiring 0-0 draw. The majority of the action occurred in the second half, with Lewis-Potter and Thiago both missing presentable opportunities from close range. Meanwhile, Spurs appealed for a penalty when Gray felt he was tripped by Schade, but it appeared to be just a coming together. It wasn’t a particularly swashbuckling performance from either team, with a draw an accurate and fair reflection of the match. The visitors recorded a slightly higher xG of 1.01 and nine shots, while Brentford registered an xG of 0.83 and seven shots. This result leaves Frank’s men in 12th, one point behind Andrews' side in ninth. Both teams are back in action on 4 January, with Spurs hosting Sunderland and Brentford away at Everton. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
Official Premier League Website •

Report: West Ham United 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

The Seagulls peg back Nuno Espiritio Santo's side twice to earn a draw as both teams' winless streaks continueThere was penalty pandemonium at the London Stadium as West Ham United ended a run of three successive losses with a pulsating 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.Although Nuno Espirito Santo’s side closed the gap on 17th-placed Nottingham Forest to four points, West Ham were twice pegged back by their visitors in a dramatic game.
Jarrod Bowen slotted the home side into a 10th-minute...
FotMob •

Premier League: Crystal Palace 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur

It’s full-time at Selhurst Park, and Spurs have secured a determined 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, thanks to Gray’s first goal in senior football. The youngster opened the scoring in the 42nd minute with a close-range header, after latching onto Richarlison’s flick. The Brazilian had two goals ruled out for offside, while Odobert also hit the post for Tottenham. Meanwhile, despite recording 15 shots and 62.1% possession, Palace struggled for any attacking inspiration, with Mateta and Devenny missing their best opportunities. Glasner’s men registered a higher xG with 1.31 compared to Spurs’ 0.84, but Frank’s side resolutely stuck to their task with an effective defensive performance. This result propels Tottenham up to 11th, two points behind ninth-placed Palace, who have now suffered three successive Premier League defeats. Both clubs are back in league action on New Year's Day, with Palace hosting Fulham, while Spurs face an away fixture at Brentford. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

EFL Cup: Cardiff City 1-3 Chelsea

Chelsea took advantage of their unassailable squad depth and advanced to the EFL Cup semi-finals thanks to a chaotic 3-1 victory over Cardiff in the Welsh capital. This game burst into life in the second half as substitute Garnacho opened the scoring with a ruthless finish, following Lawlor’s glaring error. Cardiff threatened an upset when Turnbull levelled with a brilliant header. However, Chelsea’s Premier League quality prevailed as Neto’s deflected strike and Garnacho’s second of the match sealed the win to break Cardiff hearts. The visitors recorded a massive 2.57 xG, while also registering 20 shots. Meanwhile, Barry-Murphy’s men, who battled tremendously hard, managed 0.58 xG and ten shots. Ultimately, Maresca’s changes were the all-important difference between the sides, and they’re into the last four of the competition. Later this week, Cardiff travel to Lincoln City for a League One game, while Chelsea face a Premier League away fixture against Newcastle United. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

Champions League: Benfica 2-0 Napoli

It’s full-time in Portugal, and Benfica have deservedly secured a 2-0 victory over Napoli. The hosts were comfortably the better side throughout the contest and opened the scoring in the first half through Rios’ poked finish. Just minutes into the second half, the Portuguese giants doubled their lead when Barrerio’s exquisite flick rounded off a free-flowing counter-attack, after excellent work from Ivanovic and Rios in the build-up. Napoli struggled to create clear-cut chances, managing an xG of just 0.69 and two shots on target. Meanwhile, Benfica’s superiority is reflected by their 2.17 xG and 13 shots. This result moves Mourinho’s men up to 25th in the Champions League standings, while Conte’s side are 23rd. Later this week, Benfica face an away fixture against Moreirense in the Primeira Liga, and Napoli travel to Northern Italy to play Udinese in Serie A. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

Premier League: Leeds United 3-1 Chelsea

Leeds desperately needed a win and emphatically answered their critics with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Elland Road to move out of the relegation zone. The Blues couldn’t cope with Leeds’ intensity and fell two goals behind in the first half, thanks to Bijol's header and Tanaka's powerful strike. Neto smashed in from close range at the beginning of the second half to briefly provide Chelsea with some hope, but this was extinguished by Calvert-Lewin, who pounced on a defensive mistake from Tosin to tap into an empty net. The hosts recorded a massive 2.82 xG and 17 shots, while from 71.4% possession, Chelsea managed just 1.1 xG and two shots on target. This sobering result is a reality check for Chelsea, who drop to fourth, while Leeds leapfrog West Ham United and move up to 17th, three points clear of the relegation zone, to end a run of four successive defeats. Later this week in the Premier League, Leeds host Liverpool in Yorkshire, while Chelsea travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

Serie A: Roma 0-1 Napoli

The full-time whistle sparks jubilant scenes for the away side as Napoli clinch a pivotal 1-0 victory in the Serie A over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. Ultimately, the two teams were separated by a breathtaking Napoli breakaway goal in the 36th minute, when Hojlund and Neres ruthlessly combined. The Napoli winger raced clear on the counter-attack and calmly dispatched the one-on-one opportunity. The Giallorossi’s best chance fell to substitute Baldanzi in the 90th minute, but his strike was well-saved by Milinkovic-Savic as Napoli held on to claim a monumentally important win. Roma recorded more possession (56%), but managed just two shots on target and an expected goals (xG) of 0.56. Meanwhile, Napoli outscored their opponents’ xG with a total of 1.03 and move up to second in Serie A, level on points with table-toppers Milan, as Roma drop to fourth. Next weekend in Serie A, Roma travel for an away tie against Cagliari. Napoli have two matches next week, including a Coppa Italia game with Cagliari, before a reunion with Conte’s old club Juventus in Serie A. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Fulham

Tottenham’s wretched home form continues as Fulham secure their first Premier League away win of the season with a 2-1 victory in North London. Spurs paid the price for a dreadful first-half performance, and quickly fell two goals behind when Tete fired the visitors in front, before Vicario’s glaring error gifted Wilson the second. Frank’s side improved in the second half and pulled a goal back through Kudus’ thunderous 59th-minute finish. However, Silva’s men held on to clinch a momentous three points as Spurs have now lost five of their last seven games in all competitions. The 2025 Europa League winners registered 62.8% possession, 0.86 expected goals (xG) and 14 shots, but just two were on target. While Fulham managed 0.42 xG and seven shots. This result means Fulham are 15th and a point behind Spurs, who stay tenth. Next week, Tottenham face a daunting away fixture against Newcastle United and a home match against Brentford. As for Fulham, they host Manchester City and Crystal Palace. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

Ligue 1: Monaco 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain

Monaco have condemned PSG to their second Ligue 1 defeat of the season and added more excitement to the title race with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Enrique’s side at the Stade Louis II. In a largely uneventful first half, Minamino forced Chevalier into a smart save, and Salisu hit the post for Monaco as PSG struggled for creativity. The visitors didn’t do enough to raise the tempo in the second half, and Monaco capitalised on their lacklustre display when Minamino slotted into the bottom corner. Kehrer’s sending off set up a nervy finish, but Vitinha, Ndjantou and Neves all missed chances, allowing Monaco to claim a monumental three points. PSG posted more possession (56.5%) and a higher expected goals (xG) with 1.01 to Monaco’s 0.52, but couldn’t find a breakthrough. Monaco move up to sixth, seven points behind table-toppers PSG. In their upcoming Ligue 1 outings, Monaco face an away trip to Brest, while PSG host Rennes. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

Champions League: Liverpool 1-4 PSV

Liverpool’s crisis dramatically deepens as Slot’s team suffers an embarrassing 4-1 defeat against a rampant PSV side. The Dutch giants jumped into an early lead through Perisic’s penalty, before Liverpool equalised thanks to Szoboszlai. The visitors then produced a mesmerising second-half performance, with Til’s dinked finish putting PSV back in front. Substitute Driouech added two late goals as Liverpool fall to another crushing loss at Anfield, with the pressure increasingly mounting on Slot. The Merseyside outfit recorded more possession with 63.3%, and registered a higher expected goals (xG) with 2.66 to PSV’s 2.21. The reigning Premier League champions posted 27 shots to their opponents' nine, but they played chaotically and were deservedly beaten. This result moves PSV up to 15th in the Champions League standings as Liverpool drop to 13th. Later this week, Liverpool travel to London to face West Ham in the Premier League, while PSV have a home game against Volendam in the Eredivisie. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

International Friendly: Angola 0-2 Argentina

Argentina earn their eighth win in their last ten games in all competitions with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Angola at the Estadio 11 de Novembro. Messi missed two massive chances in the first half before playing an inch-perfect pass to Martinez, who fired La Albiceleste into a 43rd-minute lead. The hosts didn’t give up and continued to pressure the 2022 World Cup winners, with Luvumbo twice failing to convert presentable opportunities. Eventually, Argentina’s unerring quality prevailed as Martinez picked out Messi, who coolly doubled the lead. Scaloni’s men recorded 65.8% possession and also posted a higher expected goals (xG) with 1.50 to Angola’s 0.49. This game will be an important lesson for Angola, whose Africa Cup of Nations campaign starts next month. Meanwhile, this competitive battle has served as another key part of Argentina’s defence of their World Cup crown, as they continue preparation for next year’s tournament. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
FotMob •

Serie A: Inter 2-0 Lazio

Inter cruise into the November international break at the top of Serie A on goal difference, following an eye-catching 2-0 victory over Lazio at the San Siro. Martinez swiftly put the Nerazzurri ahead in the third minute with a magical long-range effort that flew into the top corner. In the second half, Inter’s dominance continued, and Bonny doubled the lead by finishing off a brilliant team move from close range. Zielinski thought he had added a third for the hosts, but VAR intervened to rule it out. Lazio threatened at the end when Gila struck the bar and Pellegrini had an effort saved by Sommer, but Inter held on for the win and a clean sheet. Chivu’s side registered more possession with 53.8%, and also recorded a higher expected goals (xG) with 1.91 to Lazio’s 0.68. This result propels Inter to first, while Lazio are ninth. In their next Serie A outings, Inter face Milan in the Derby della Madonnina on 23rd November, while Lazio host Lecce on the same day. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary. Thank you for joining us!
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