Right-backs rightly on the move.

A look at the weekend's football

Right-backs on the move, Part 1. Kyle Walker-Peters played his 200^th game for Southampton on Saturday. He’s got five left for them. Walker-Peters doesn’t get much publicity nationally but he should do. The 28-year-old represents qualities that fans love – positivity, professionalism and pride in performance, personally and collectively. Walker-Peters’ contract expires this summer and he will leave with the best wishes and thanks of Southampton fans. He stayed with Saints when they went down in 2023. He never complains. He went to left-back for a while when Tino Livramento came in. Kyle-Walker’s actually so known as a right-back that he actually wears No 2. He’s still good enough to find a home in the top division. Unlike some Southampton players, Walker-Peters deserves to stay in the Premier League.

Kyle Walker-Peters. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.

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Right-backs on the move, Part 2: It is possible for Trent Alexander-Arnold to want to leave Liverpool and love them at the same time. The 26-year-old has been involved with the club for two decades. He’s bound to have strong feelings. Those emotions all poured out when he scored against Leicester City on Sunday. His celebration in front of the Liverpool fans was impassioned. Alexander-Arnold may be heading to Real Madrid but some of his heart will always remain with Liverpool.

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Manchester United’s left side deserves some applause. Tyler Fredricson stepped in for his debut as the left-sided centre-back close to wing-back Harry Amass. United lost to Wolves but neither of the academy graduates let the side down. You never know how promising colts will train on but they deserve their chance. Fredricson won four of his five tackles, was strong in the air, composed and showed decent distribution. He’s 20 but been held back by injury.

Whether Ruben Amorim sees his future back-three as Fredricson-Ayden Heaven-Leny Yoro remains to be seen – it’s far too inexperienced. But at least you would see more promise and identity. United fans have been wanting Amass to be given more of an opportunity. Erik ten Hag initially backed him pre-season, then kept him in reserve, and then he got injured. With £25m Patrick Dorgu not yet impressing as left wing-back, Amorim could do worse than give Amass a longer run (Dorgu played right against Wolves). He’s 18, positive, can whip in a cross, and feeds United’s love for the home-grown. And United could do with any positive going at the moment.

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In the past year, Niclas Fullkrug has played international football with Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, Mats Hummels and Joshua Kimmich so he knows what elite professionals look like.

Some people might find it a bit rich that the well-paid, newly-arrived, frequently injured Fullkrug now gives both barrels to some of his West Ham United team-mates. Sceptics argue that his questioning of their mindset would carry more weight if it had come from Jarrod Bowen, West Ham’s captain and emblem of total commitment. But Fullkrug’s right. Some are in the comfort zone. He’s an experienced German international who’s worked with players who embody top-level application. Now he’s demanding under-achieving club-mates to do more. As long as Fullkrug’s said the same to their face, then fair enough. Such honesty should be applauded.

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As a city, Bristol has so much going for it. Good music scene, the beautiful Downs, great university, some stunning buildings, Banksy’s art, the bar where Del Boy fell through the counter and one of the world’s most iconic bridges. Oh, and Jason Knight, Bristol City’s captain and driving force. For once, City have not faded with the Championship play-offs in sight. They are fifth, a point above Coventry City (sorry, Frank Lampard’s Coventry City), and four points clear of seventh-placed Middlesbrough.

Knight embodies their determination. The 24-year-old Irish midfielder, formerly of Derby County, keeps talking to local media about the traps that can lie in wait in the Championship and the need to keep focused and keep delivering. City have taken 10 points from a possible 12, but face tough trips on the road to Kenilworth Road (today) and Elland Road (before finishing the regular season at home to Preston North End). With Knight, they have a chance.

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Of all the chocolate-box assortment of compliments being paid to David Moyes for his revival of Everton, Pep Guardiola’s reaction on Saturday must have particularly pleased Moyes. Guardiola was inevitably in magnanimous mood. Manchester City had won at Goodison Park after all. But there was something truly respectful in the way Guardiola embraced Moyes and spoke to him after the final whistle. It was the respect of one coach to another, a respect and understanding of the pressure Moyes works under and respect for the work he’s done. It’s an image that will doubtless feature on the cover of the League Managers Association magazine “The Manager”. Everton were 16^th when Moyes took over in January, fearful of playing their first season at their gleaming new home in the Championship. Moyes ended all those fears, unified the club, and Everton are now 13^th, 17 points clear of the drop zone, saying an emotional farewell to Goodison while also looking hopefully to Bramley-Moore Dock.

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At the weekend, London Stadium carried rolling ads for the Premier League Summer Series in Atlanta, New Jersey and Chicago. Games are being played back-to-back: West Ham play Manchester United after Everton take on Bournemouth at MetLife Stadium on July 26. Tickets range from $75 to $506 behind the benches – with resale available at $696. All good for PSR if not for player workload.

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Enjoy the rest of the bank holiday – and the day’s games.