Hornchurch Loss, Transfer Deadline Day and Man Utd Continue Good Form

Special Sport Report: 31st January – 2nd February 2026

Hello, it’s Jasper, Junior Sports Reporter for The Havering Daily, and welcome to another article where I look at this week’s football.

---

Top January Transfers

Here are some of the standout deals from across the January window, rated Jasper-style.

• Strand Larsen (Wolves → Crystal Palace) — CROSSBAR
• Ángel Gomes (Marseille → Wolves) — BANGER
• Amadou Traoré (Fulham → West Ham) — CROSSBAR (won’t play ahead of Bowen)
• Tyrique George (Chelsea → Everton, loan) — BANGER
• Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth → Manchester City) — BANGER (already proving it)
• Axel Disasi — MISS

---

National League South – Saturday

Hornchurch FC 1 – 2 Torquay United

Attendance: 1,547

Goalscorers

Hornchurch:

• A. Balanta (9’)

Torquay United:

• J. Young (50’, 68’)

I was at The Bridge to watch Hornchurch in a top-end clash against Torquay. The attendance was excellent, but after a strong first half, Hornchurch struggled in the second 45 minutes and fell to defeat.

The result sees the Urchins drop to third, behind Dorking Wanderers and Torquay United. Balanta was again on the scoresheet, continuing his impressive run of form.

Hornchurch missed the chance to bounce back following their postponed midweek match against Salisbury. They now sit four points behind the league leaders but crucially have two games in hand. A massive game awaits on Saturday.

---

Premier League Round-Up

Brighton & Hove Albion 1 – 1 Everton

Goalscorers

Brighton:

• P. Groß (73’)

Everton:

• Beto (90+7’)

Groß marked his return with a goal after missing an earlier chance. Everton substituted Barry late on, with Beto coming off the bench on his 28th birthday — and he couldn’t have asked for a better present, scoring deep into injury time.

---

Leeds United 0 – 4 Arsenal

Goalscorers

Arsenal:

• M. Zubimendi (27’)
• N. Madueke (38’)
• V. Gyökeres
• G. Jesus (86’)

Arsenal swept aside an in-form Leeds side. Madueke claimed Player of the Match after a goal and an assist, despite only starting because Saka was injured in the warm-up.

Arsenal also booked their place at Wembley in midweek, beating Chelsea to reach the Carabao Cup Final.

---

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 – 2 AFC Bournemouth

Goalscorers

Bournemouth:

• J. Kroupi (33’)
• A. Scott (90+1’)

Wolves failed to continue their recent improvement. Kroupi scored after coming off the bench, while Rayan impressed on one of his first appearances for the Cherries and took the Player of the Match award.

---

Chelsea 3 – 2 West Ham United

Goalscorers

Chelsea:

• João Pedro (57’)
• M. Cucurella (70’)
• E. Fernández (90+2’)

West Ham:

• J. Bowen (7’)
• C. Summerville (36’)
• J. Todibo (Red Card, 90+11’)

West Ham dominated the first half but poor game management proved costly. The match boiled over late on, with a mass confrontation leading to Todibo’s dismissal after excessive force.

---

Liverpool 4 – 1 Newcastle United

Goalscorers

Liverpool:

• H. Ekitiké (41’, 43’)
• F. Wirtz (67’)
• I. Konaté (90+3’)

Newcastle:

• A. Gordon (36’)

After Gordon’s opener, it briefly looked like a difficult night for Liverpool, but the hosts responded emphatically. Newcastle continue to miss Bruno Guimarães badly and are also out of the cup, having lost to Manchester City in midweek.

---

Aston Villa 0 – 1 Brentford

Goalscorers

Brentford:

• D. Ouattara (45+1’)
• K. Schade (Red Card, 42’)

Ouattara scored minutes after Schade’s dismissal as Brentford held on for an impressive away win. Villa dropped points in the title race, with Kelleher’s shot-stopping proving decisive.

---

Manchester United 3 – 2 Fulham

Goalscorers

Manchester United:

• Casemiro (19’)
• Matheus Cunha (56’)
• B. Šeško (90+4’)

Fulham:

• R. Jiménez (85’, pen)
• Kevin (90+1’)

Michael Carrick remains unbeaten as Manchester United head coach. The difference in attitude is clear — this is a match United would not have won last season.

Manchester United fan Frank Ilett AKA “The United Strand” might be getting a haircut soon.

---

Nottingham Forest 1 – 1 Crystal Palace

Goalscorers

Nottingham Forest:

• M. Gibbs-White (5’)
• N. Williams (Red Card, 45’)

Crystal Palace:

• I. Sarr (45+2’, pen)

Gibbs-White opened the scoring before Palace equalised from the spot after Williams handled the ball — forgetting, briefly, that he was not the goalkeeper.

Forest now sit six points clear of West Ham.

---

Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 2 Manchester City

Goalscorers

Spurs:

• D. Solanke (53’, 70’)

Manchester City:

• R. Cherki (11’)
• A. Semenyo (44’)

Solanke continued his scoring run after returning from injury, while Semenyo once again showed why his transfer has already paid off. Spurs produced a strong comeback, although they remain outside the top half.

---

Sunderland 3 – 0 Burnley

Goalscorers

Sunderland:

• A. Tuanzebe (OG, 9’)
• H. Diarra (32’)
• C. Talbi (72’)

Sunderland swept aside Burnley. Scott Parker was highly critical post-match, with Burnley’s top performer recording just a 3.85/10 rating. Sunderland were simply the better side.

---

Next week, I’ll be covering Hornchurch’s trip to Hampton & Richmond, alongside my take on the latest Premier League fixtures.

That’s all for this week’s football round-up — see you soon for more results, highlights, and stories from the world of football.

---

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

---

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.