Graham Ruthven

Graham Ruthven is a freelance football writer based in Glasgow, Scotland. He has written for the New York Times, Guardian, ESPN, Eurosport, Grantland, The Scotsman, Bleacher Report, Four Four Two, Vice, Al Arabiya, Sports on Earth and Scottish TV among many other publications and outlets.

Stories By Graham Ruthven

• Sport

  Cherki Steps Up for Manchester City

  If anyone was in any doubt about the importance of Rayan Cherki’s role to Manchester City, they were surely convinced by the Frenchman’s performance in the win over Nottingham Forest. Cherki was the best player on the pitch, contributing a goal and an assist to keep Pep Guardiola’s team within touching distance of Arsenal.

• Sport

  Rayan Cherki – A symbol of change for Man City this season.

  If anyone was in any doubt about the importance of Rayan Cherki’s role to Manchester City, they were surely convinced by the Frenchman’s performance in the win over Nottingham Forest. Cherki was the best player on the pitch, contributing a goal and an assist to keep Pep Guardiola’s team within touching distance of Arsenal.

• Sport

  Unai Emery Shows His Class at Chelsea

  Just as it appeared Aston Villa’s incredible winning run was coming to an end, Unai Emery flexed his tactical muscle. Trailing 1-0 to Chelsea, the Spaniard made three changes from the bench, introducing Ollie Watkins, Jadon Sancho and Amadou Onana.

• Sport

  Cristian Romero’s mad moment against Liverpool showed he’s still a liability for Spurs

  Had it not been for Cristian Romero, there might have been a late equaliser for Tottenham Hotspur against Liverpool on Saturday. Despite being second-best for the majority of the Premier League encounter, Spurs had pulled themselves into a position to snatch an unlikely point, until Romero was sent off The Argentinean defender had no grounds for appeal, not that this stopped him complaining to the referee about his decision to show red.

• Sport

  Arsenal will now face a different sort of test with Man City pushing them so close

  Arsenal are top at Christmas, as many expected them to be after it became clear that Mikel Arteta’s team were title race frontrunners from an early stage of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. The Gunners are on course for their first championship since the days of Arsene Wenger and yet a familiar sense of dread is setting in.

• Sport

  England is blessed with several elite number 10s and Morgan Rogers might be the pick of the bunch

  Unai Emery might not have much patience for questions about Aston Villa’s Premier League title credentials, but Morgan Rogers’ performances this season are pushing the Villa Park outfit closer and closer to the top of the table.

• Sport

  Harry Wilson is showing that he’s one of the most naturally gifted players in the Premier League

  Harry Wilson is having his own personal Goal of the Season campaign for Fulham this term. There’s already a few to choose from. His opportunistic long-range goal against Tottenham Hotspur was an excellent finish while the outside-of-the-boot goal against Crystal Palace was nonchalantly brilliant.

• Sport

  Are Aston Villa legitimate Premier League title challengers after toppling Arsenal?

  There were two sides to the story that unfolded at Villa Park on Saturday. Arsenal were one side. Now winless in their last three away games, the Gunners are faltering for the first time this season even if they remain in control at the top of the Premier League table.

• Sport

  Chaos at the top: a season of volatility

  A week ago, Chelsea were being talked about as potential Premier League title challengers. Enzo Maresca’s side had held their own against Arsenal despite playing with just 10 men for the majority of the match, leading many to suggest they could run the Gunners close this season.

• Sport

  Igor Thiago is the reason Brentford aren’t missing Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa

  Only one player has scored more Premier League goals this season than Igor Thiago and that one player is Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker is unparalleled in his natural ability to find the back of the net, but Igor Thiago is currently closer to that standard than anyone else at the top of English football.

• Sport

  Phil Foden is showing signs of being back to his best

  For only the fourth time this season, Erling Haaland failed to score in a Premier League match on Saturday. The Norwegian was uncharacteristically subdued as Leeds United visited the Etihad Stadium, registering just one shot on target.