Ten things we spotted during the international break

The Premier League returns on Saturday following a 12-day break for international fixtures. Here we select standout players, moments and achievements across that period.

Spence's incredible journey of redemption

Djed Spence's journey from bit-part-player to the first Muslim to represent England has been nothing short of sensational.

A product of Fulham's academy, Spence signed his first professional contract with Middlesbrough in July 2018 and made his Championship debut the following season.

But in a pattern that would repeat itself, he found himself out of favour at Boro, excelled during a loan spell at Nottingham Forest in 2021/22 and then joined Tottenham Hotspur that summer.

What should have been a dream move for Spence quickly turned sour and a reported clash of personalities with head coach Antonio Conte resulted in the defender spending time on loan at clubs including Rennes and Leeds United, before finally earning an opportunity at Spurs under the leadership of Ange Postecoglou.

Spence, a player previously on the fringes, has since emerged as a key asset for Spurs as a left-back or left wing-back. On Tuesday night, he wrote a new chapter in his story when he made his England debut, replacing Reece James for the final 21 minutes of England's 5-0 win over Serbia.

After the match, England captain and former Spurs team-mate Harry Kane presented Spence with his red legacy cap to mark the occasion, and neither could hide their emotions, with Spence declaring on social media it was "the proudest day of my life".

Spence receives his legacy cap from Kane

Kane said, "He had to keep his head up. He had to work hard and now he’s an England player.

"He fully deserves this. I’m a little bit emotional because I know how much it takes to get here and I saw what it was like, and it was tough for you."

Haaland maintains scoring form

The Erling Haaland goalscoring machine shows no sign of slowing down.

Manchester City's striker signed off for the international break by setting another Premier League record, the highest tally of goals scored by a player in his first century of appearances in the competition. Haaland's strike against Brighton & Hove Albion was his 88th in 100 league matches.

City's talisman was at it again for Norway, netting five times as his country thrashed Moldova in a record-equalling 11-1 win in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier, a result that matched Macedonia's victory over Liechtenstein in the 1996 qualifiers.

Haaland, who also weighed in with two assists, has never represented his country at a major tournament, but his fifth hat-trick for Norway has put them six points clear at the top of Group I with a perfect five wins from five.

Isak's first match minutes of 2025/26

The summer-long saga of Alexander Isak's move from Newcastle United to Liverpool reached its conclusion on transfer deadline day - and Arne Slot's new striker finally got his first match minutes of the season under his belt.

Isak was an unused substitute for Sweden in Friday's 2-2 qualifying draw with Slovenia, but he replaced Newcastle's Anthony Elanga for the final 18 minutes against Kosovo on Monday with his side trailing 2-0.

The 25-year-old, who registered three shots including two on target, couldn't hide his delight at getting back playing once more.

"It's great that everything was settled before the camp and that I could focus on playing football again," said Isak.

Liverpool fans could get their first glimpse of Isak on Sunday when Slot's side travel to promoted club Burnley.

First England goals for Madueke, Konsa and Guehi

It's always special to score your first goal for your country, and a trio of Premier League stars - Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi - did just that for England against Serbia.

Each goalscorer could take great personal satisfaction for scoring, too.

Questions were asked by some Arsenal fans following Madueke's big-money move from Chelsea to Emirates Stadium this summer, but a wonderful composed finish for England's second goal was a timely reminder of his quality.

For Aston Villa defender Konsa, his first goal - and England's third on the night - was the perfect riposte to those Serbian fans who had pointed a laser pen in his face, an incident that caused the match to be briefly paused.

And for Guehi, who saw a dream transfer deadline day move from Crystal Palace to champions Liverpool fall through at the final hour, it was an indication that it's business as usual as he crowned another composed defensive display with England's fourth goal, a neat finish from close range.

Injury concerns mount ahead of Manchester derby

Both Man City and Manchester United have been dealt fresh injury blows ahead of Sunday's mouthwatering Etihad Stadium derby.

Omar Marmoush was forced off after just nine minutes of Egypt's qualifier against Burkina Faso, with a subsequent scan indicating that the Man City striker is a doubt for Sunday's derby along with John Stones, who withdrew from the England squad before a ball had been kicked.

For Man Utd, Diogo Dalot could also miss out after withdrawing from the Portugal squad with what is reported to be a muscular issue.

One positive for Man Utd is that Brazil star Matheus Cunha, who withdrew from their squad after sustaining an injury against Burnley, has hinted on social media that he may be available for selection.

Merino offers attacking option for Arsenal

While Mikel Merino has waited patiently to get Premier League match minutes for Arsenal this season, he has made the most when called on to the international stage.

Four goals in the midfielder's two World Cup qualifiers for Spain this past week is testament to that, including a career-first hat-trick in a 6-0 thumping of Turkey.

Merino has recorded just 77 minutes of Premier League action so far in 2025/26, but with Saturday's home match against Forest kicking off a run of six matches in 19 days across all competitions, the in-form star may be more in demand than he has been.

Business as usual for Jimenez

Raul Jimenez may be waiting to score for Fulham for the first time in five league matches, a run that stretches back to 18 May last season, but it's been business as usual for Mexico.

The 34-year-old made it three goals in his last four internationals with Mexico's opener in a 2-2 friendly draw with South Korea in a match that also featured former Spurs favourite Son Heung-min on target.

Watch Jimenez's fine header v South Korea

Fulham team-mate Calvin Bassey also found the net for the first time at senior international level, scoring in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa, with Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze also featuring.

Ekitike makes France debut

It may only have been a 10-minute cameo appearance, but for Hugo Ekitike it was a landmark moment as he made his senior debut for France in a 2-0 win over Ukraine.

Liverpool’s summer signing was not named in Didier Deschamps' initial France squad, but an injury to Man City’s Rayan Cherki opened up a space - and Ekitike gratefully accepted.

Ekitike, who has a French mother and Cameroonian father, reportedly earned the indignation of Cameroon manager Marc Brys, who allegedly said he "didn't succeed" after stating his desire to play for France.

Disagreements or not, Ekitike's decision does spell good news for Liverpool, who will now have the 23-year-old available in December and January, when team-mate Mohamed Salah will be missing part of the domestic season due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Anderson's fairytale continues

Two caps, two man-of-the-match winning displays - it's been quite an introduction for England new-boy Elliot Anderson.

Anderson has been in fine form for Forest this season, enjoying more touches of the ball than any other Premier League player so far in 2025/26 (315).

He has also ventured into the opposition’s penalty area on more occasions than any other player (27), made more successful passes into the final third of the pitch (62) and made more line-breaking passes starting in the opposition’s half of the field (23).  

The ease with which he stepped in and bossed England's midfield on his debut, a 2-0 win against Andorra, and followed up with another composed display versus Serbia, bodes well for both club and country - and may have former club Newcastle regretting the sale of their former academy graduate just 13 months ago.

Anderson receives Player of the Match trophy from Morgan Gibbs-White

Wirtz shows his class with stunning free-kick

Germany needed a response after a shock 2-0 defeat by Slovakia in their Group A opener last Thursday - and Florian Wirtz was their inspiration with a brilliant free-kick in a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland.

Liverpool fans have already warmed to the young German, who has featured in all three of the Reds' Premier League victories this season against AFC Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal.

Although yet to have any goal involvements at club level following his summer move from Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz gave a glimpse of just why he is considered one of the best attacking midfielders in the world with his sensational match-winning strike - and provided a further reason for Liverpool supporters to feel excited.

Watch UEFA's Goals of the Round, featuring Wirtz and Merino