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"I will never have a better night in my whole life. It is a fairy tale. You can't even dream about something like that."

When Troy Parrott arrived for international duty with the Republic of Ireland last Monday, little did he know that six days later, he would have catapulted his country to the World Cup play-offs.

First, there was an impressive 2-0 win against Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed the headlines for his red card, but it was Parrott's name being sung by the Ireland supporters after he scored both goals.

'What dreams are made of' - Troy Parrott hat-trick keeps Ireland's World Cup hopes alive

As it happened | Teams | Match stats

WC 2026 European qualifying schedule | Who has qualified so far

The AZ Alkmaar striker was the hero again for Ireland on Sunday against Hungary. He equalised twice at the Puskas Arena, before a dramatic 96th-minute winner saw his team win 3-2 - a night he says will never be bettered.

Dublin Airport even changed their name to the 'Troy Parrott International Airport' on social media in a celebratory, tongue-in-cheek nod to the 23-year-old's heroics.

Two vital games. Five goals. Parrott has had a huge say keeping his country's hopes alive of a first appearance at the World Cup since 2022.

For fans of AZ or the Eredivisie, it is perhaps no surprise. For others, the striker is often thought of as the Tottenham youngster who never quite hit the heights he was earmarked for.

But his career proves that the prospect of success does not end if you take a chance and leave the big Premier League club. In fact, it might lead one of the best moments of your life.

Beginnings at Spurs

After beginning his career with Belvedere in his native Dublin, Parrott joined Spurs' youth ranks in the summer of 2017 at the age of 15.

Two years later, he signed a professional deal and began training with the first-team squad. He made his senior debut in a Carabao Cup loss to Colchester in September 2019.

Some had compared him to Robbie Keane in his early career, while Parrott trained alongside Harry Kane in the same position. It restricted his opportunities and minutes, despite there being times when he was the only fit striker in the squad.

Despite making his Premier League debut against Burnley in December 2019, he would make just one more substitute appearance in the competition for Tottenham under Jose Mourinho.

Then came the well-trodden EFL loan track.

Stuttering EFL loans - but success in the Netherlands

Parrott had five loans in his time at Tottenham, four of them in England. His first to Millwall in August 2020 was hampered by injury, and it was curtailed when he was recalled in January with just 14 appearances and no goals.

A few weeks later Parrott joined Ipswich, who were then in League One, scoring twice in 18 appearances.

Next came season-long spells at MK Dons (2021/22) and Preston (2022/23). The former saw Parrott help the Dons to the play-offs, scoring in the semi-final second leg against Wycombe, but the club were beaten 2-1 on aggregate.

But with another underwhelming loan at Preston, the next move had to be a big one. Speaking to Sky Sports in October 2024, Parrott said: "There have been seasons that I have had before where I have not enjoyed it too much" - referencing his time on loan in the EFL.

It was time for Parrott look away from England, landing at Excelsior in the Eredivisie. Moving to the Netherlands proved to be the making of the young striker.

"The most important thing was to start enjoying football again without any pressure on it," the 23-year-old told Sky Sports. "Not telling myself I need to do this, I need to do that. I know the talent I have so if I am feeling good in myself and happy then that is always going to show itself on the pitch.

"But it was a big step because I did not have any idea what to expect when I first came over. Moving from Ireland to England is one thing but to move somewhere where they speak a different language, a different culture, it was always going to be a challenge."

He scored 17 goals for Excelsior in all competitions, with 10 of those coming in the league. Despite hat-tricks in both the semis and final of the two-legged Eredivisie play-offs - each scored at home - Parrott could not stop the club from being relegated.

Despite the disappointing end to the season, Parrott was finally showing the potential many had laid upon his head since he was a teenager at Spurs.

Speaking on his Excelsior loan, he said: "The thing that helped me the most was that I realised I was a striker who needed to be in the box. On a couple of the loans that I had, I tried to show my ability to come deep and link play. A lot of the time, I was too far away from the goal to score.

"I worked a lot with the coach at Excelsior on just being in the box, being there when the ball is getting crossed. I think for me that was the biggest thing, just drilling it into my own head that ultimately you're a striker and you need to be in the box to score goals."

Flourishing at AZ Alkmaar

Having found a home in the Netherlands, Parrott made a permanent move from Spurs to AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2024 for a reported fee of £6.7m.

Reflecting on his time at Tottenham a few months later, he added to Sky Sports: "No, I don't think I have any regrets. I am grateful for how the club treated me, helping me to grow up as a person and a player.

"Those expectations are hard for any young player. I'm speaking like I am old, I'm still young now! It is just the experience I had, being out on all the loans and stuff, is more than what I should have at this age. But it is something a lot of young players go through.

"I believe for me I've learned to just put that to the side. It does more harm than it does good. Just to block all that out. I am happy now, being able to showcase what I can do week in and week out at a big team playing in Europe. It is what I wanted when I moved here."

Parrott has kept up his standards with AZ. Last season, he scored 14 goals in 30 Eredivisie games - the league's third highest scorer. One of the highlights was four goals against Heerenveen in a 9-1 win in September 2024.

His form continued into the 2025/26 campaign, with 10 goals in seven games across all competitions, but found himself halted by a knee injury at the end of August. He has scored three more league goals since his return, with AZ four points ahead of Ajax in the Eredivisie table.

Such is his form, a return to the Premier League has been mooted in some areas, although he is contracted to AZ until 2029. Those transfer links will only have increased after his star turn in November's qualifiers.

More good times to come for Parrott and Ireland?

In just two games this month, Parrott has doubled his international goals tally. Before stepping out against Portugal, he had scored five goals in 31 caps and only once since 2022.

While he remains a regular call-up for the Republic of Ireland, he has been guilty of squandering chances with some of his good club form not quite translating to his country.

Now, it appears the two have began to merge, and Ireland will need more of the same as they navigate a huge few months at the start of 2026.

Parrott rightly said he struggles to see how the night in Hungary can be bettered, but there are still the play-offs to come and maybe even a first World Cup. The good times can roll even further.

Given the momentum and confidence both Parrott and Ireland have after this international break, it would be hard to deny them more nights like Sunday.

"I will never have a better night in my whole life. It is a fairy tale. You can't even dream about something like that."

When Troy Parrott arrived for international duty with the Republic of Ireland last Monday, little did he know that six days later, he would have catapulted his country to the World Cup play-offs.

First, there was an impressive 2-0 win against Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed the headlines for his red card, but it was Parrott's name being sung by the Ireland supporters after he scored both goals.

'What dreams are made of' - Troy Parrott hat-trick keeps Ireland's World Cup hopes alive

As it happened | Teams | Match stats

WC 2026 European qualifying schedule | Who has qualified so far

The AZ Alkmaar striker was the hero again for Ireland on Sunday against Hungary. He equalised twice at the Puskas Arena, before a dramatic 96th-minute winner saw his team win 3-2 - a night he says will never be bettered.

Dublin Airport even changed their name to the 'Troy Parrott International Airport' on social media in a celebratory, tongue-in-cheek nod to the 23-year-old's heroics.

Two vital games. Five goals. Parrott has had a huge say keeping his country's hopes alive of a first appearance at the World Cup since 2022.

For fans of AZ or the Eredivisie, it is perhaps no surprise. For others, the striker is often thought of as the Tottenham youngster who never quite hit the heights he was earmarked for.

But his career proves that the prospect of success does not end if you take a chance and leave the big Premier League club. In fact, it might lead one of the best moments of your life.

Beginnings at Spurs

After beginning his career with Belvedere in his native Dublin, Parrott joined Spurs' youth ranks in the summer of 2017 at the age of 15.

Two years later, he signed a professional deal and began training with the first-team squad. He made his senior debut in a Carabao Cup loss to Colchester in September 2019.

Some had compared him to Robbie Keane in his early career, while Parrott trained alongside Harry Kane in the same position. It restricted his opportunities and minutes, despite there being times when he was the only fit striker in the squad.

Despite making his Premier League debut against Burnley in December 2019, he would make just one more substitute appearance in the competition for Tottenham under Jose Mourinho.

Then came the well-trodden EFL loan track.

Stuttering EFL loans - but success in the Netherlands

Parrott had five loans in his time at Tottenham, four of them in England. His first to Millwall in August 2020 was hampered by injury, and it was curtailed when he was recalled in January with just 14 appearances and no goals.

A few weeks later Parrott joined Ipswich, who were then in League One, scoring twice in 18 appearances.

Next came season-long spells at MK Dons (2021/22) and Preston (2022/23). The former saw Parrott help the Dons to the play-offs, scoring in the semi-final second leg against Wycombe, but the club were beaten 2-1 on aggregate.

But with another underwhelming loan at Preston, the next move had to be a big one. Speaking to Sky Sports in October 2024, Parrott said: "There have been seasons that I have had before where I have not enjoyed it too much" - referencing his time on loan in the EFL.

It was time for Parrott look away from England, landing at Excelsior in the Eredivisie. Moving to the Netherlands proved to be the making of the young striker.

"The most important thing was to start enjoying football again without any pressure on it," the 23-year-old told Sky Sports. "Not telling myself I need to do this, I need to do that. I know the talent I have so if I am feeling good in myself and happy then that is always going to show itself on the pitch.

"But it was a big step because I did not have any idea what to expect when I first came over. Moving from Ireland to England is one thing but to move somewhere where they speak a different language, a different culture, it was always going to be a challenge."

He scored 17 goals for Excelsior in all competitions, with 10 of those coming in the league. Despite hat-tricks in both the semis and final of the two-legged Eredivisie play-offs - each scored at home - Parrott could not stop the club from being relegated.

Despite the disappointing end to the season, Parrott was finally showing the potential many had laid upon his head since he was a teenager at Spurs.

Speaking on his Excelsior loan, he said: "The thing that helped me the most was that I realised I was a striker who needed to be in the box. On a couple of the loans that I had, I tried to show my ability to come deep and link play. A lot of the time, I was too far away from the goal to score.

"I worked a lot with the coach at Excelsior on just being in the box, being there when the ball is getting crossed. I think for me that was the biggest thing, just drilling it into my own head that ultimately you're a striker and you need to be in the box to score goals."

Flourishing at AZ Alkmaar

Having found a home in the Netherlands, Parrott made a permanent move from Spurs to AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2024 for a reported fee of £6.7m.

Reflecting on his time at Tottenham a few months later, he added to Sky Sports: "No, I don't think I have any regrets. I am grateful for how the club treated me, helping me to grow up as a person and a player.

"Those expectations are hard for any young player. I'm speaking like I am old, I'm still young now! It is just the experience I had, being out on all the loans and stuff, is more than what I should have at this age. But it is something a lot of young players go through.

"I believe for me I've learned to just put that to the side. It does more harm than it does good. Just to block all that out. I am happy now, being able to showcase what I can do week in and week out at a big team playing in Europe. It is what I wanted when I moved here."

Parrott has kept up his standards with AZ. Last season, he scored 14 goals in 30 Eredivisie games - the league's third highest scorer. One of the highlights was four goals against Heerenveen in a 9-1 win in September 2024.

His form continued into the 2025/26 campaign, with 10 goals in seven games across all competitions, but found himself halted by a knee injury at the end of August. He has scored three more league goals since his return, with AZ four points ahead of Ajax in the Eredivisie table.

Such is his form, a return to the Premier League has been mooted in some areas, although he is contracted to AZ until 2029. Those transfer links will only have increased after his star turn in November's qualifiers.

More good times to come for Parrott and Ireland?

In just two games this month, Parrott has doubled his international goals tally. Before stepping out against Portugal, he had scored five goals in 31 caps and only once since 2022.

While he remains a regular call-up for the Republic of Ireland, he has been guilty of squandering chances with some of his good club form not quite translating to his country.

Now, it appears the two have began to merge, and Ireland will need more of the same as they navigate a huge few months at the start of 2026.

Parrott rightly said he struggles to see how the night in Hungary can be bettered, but there are still the play-offs to come and maybe even a first World Cup. The good times can roll even further.

Given the momentum and confidence both Parrott and Ireland have after this international break, it would be hard to deny them more nights like Sunday.

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Arsenal failed to capitalise on Chelsea's slip-up at Liverpool after being held to a flat 0-0 draw with Tottenham in the north London derby.

The Gunners had the chance to gain ground on rivals at the top of the Women's Super League after Sonia Bompastor's side earlier dropped two points to bottom club Liverpool, but managed to pass up the opportunity, unable to convert 13 efforts at goal into anything meaningful.

The real winners of the weekend, therefore, are Manchester City, who extended their lead at the top to three points from Chelsea - their biggest margin of difference so far this season. Belief in the City camp of a prolonged title charge is steadily growing.

Arsenal's hopes, meanwhile, are dwindling. They were far the superior side at Spurs - who offered close to nothing in the attacking third - and yet Lize Kop was never at full stretch. The goalkeeper twice denied Stina Blackstenius and latterly thwarted substitute Olivia Smith, with each stop routine. Never before has this fixture ended goalless.

As it happened | Teams | Match stats | Table

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Renee Slegers' side have scored more goals than any other in 2025 (60 from 21 games) but have found creativity hard to come by in recent weeks. They were undone by Bayern Munich in the Champions League midweek and have now dropped 11 points in WSL competition. No previous champion has ever gone on to lift the title having conceded that number of points across a 22-game campaign.

"Tottenham were set up to draw," reflected Sky Sports' Izzy Christiansen. "They didn't show any intent to win the game, they were quite reserved. I say that in a positive sense. From Arsenal's perspective they were completely nullified - they need to improve in the final third."

Why are Arsenal stalling?

Analysis by Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

"Arsenal don't move into the final third quickly enough," Sky Sports' Rachel Corsie said of Arsenal's recent creativity problem. "Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius are doing the same thing. That's easy to defend.

"The deliveries aren't dangerous or dynamic enough. We aren't seeing the best of Arsenal's attacking players," she added. Intensity is perhaps a problem, too. Arsenal failed to compete with Spurs' physicality in midfield, making eight fewer tackles.

Arsenal have been used to getting their own way under Slegers but this year have been found out in certain games. Olivia Smith made impact with "forward intent", Slegers noted, and was the player to finish the game with the most touches in the opposition box (nine) despite only playing a half.

"We need clearer and bigger chances," the Arsenal boss concluded. Can't argue with that. Arsenal's one second-half shot on target is simply not enough if efficiency is also lacking.

Foord airs frustrations

Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord:

"Frustrating. We came here to get three points. Credit to Spurs because they made it tough to play.

"They got numbers back and really made it difficult for us in the box. They went out to do that and succeeded. We ultimately need a better end product."

Ho reveals tactic to 'remove emotion'

Tottenham boss Martin Ho:

"What I said to the players all week was 'we can either be reckless and play with emotion, or we can take the emotion out and play with performance. I thought the players adapted to the game well. We played through Arsenal well.

"It takes courage and bravery [to attack Arsenal], we've got young players in the frontline and maybe we need to risk the ball a bit more. I've asked us to be more fluid with our movement.

"We work a lot on that in training but it's a confidence thing to take on the responsibility."

Story of the match in stats...

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Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham are monitoring Antoine Semenyo ahead of the January transfer window.

The forward signed a new contract in the summer amid interest from a number of clubs, including Spurs and Manchester United.

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Semenyo has continued to impress other teams with his performances for Bournemouth this season. Only Erling Haaland (11) and Igor Thiago (8) have scored more Premier League goals than Semenyo (6) this season.

It follows on from a return of 11 league goals last year for the 25-year-old, and bids when the new window opens cannot be ruled out.

Contrary to reports, however, Semenyo has not asked to leave and is believed to have been annoyed by those claims.

No move materialised for Semenyo in the summer as United signed Bryan Mbeumo and Spurs signed Mohammed Kudus, so Semenyo signed a new five-year Bournemouth contract until 2030.

Spurs are looking at signing another forward in January, particularly one who can play on the left, while Liverpool and City are also thinking about new forward options in the long term.

Semenyo glad to have committed to Bournemouth amid transfer links

Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this month, Semenyo said he is not oblivious to the speculation around his future, but revealed he was glad he remained with Bournemouth in the summer.

Ahead of the Cherries' defeat at Manchester City, the winger spoke to Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp, and was quizzed about his future.

"I don't think about it too much," Semenyo said. "I try to stay present as much as I can. You see the news all the time, I see it as well, I'm not oblivious, but I try to keep focused.

"I'm enjoying my football here. If I'm not scoring goals, all of that goes away. I try to stay present, do the best I can for the team, score goals and whatever happens in the future happens.

"When they [his former team-mates] all left [in the summer], there was a lot of interest and back and forth with the club.

"But I knew in my head that the manager's got something up his sleeve this year. How we finished off the season last year was so good and we could continue, especially with the players we've bought in as well.

"I wasn't too sure at the start but we've kicked on like a house on fire. I'm glad I committed to staying here because I'm enjoying every moment."

A new kind of pressure dawns for Man City

Man City vs Man Utd, Saturday, 1.30pm

Something in the air changes when you're top of the pile and after Chelsea's draw at Arsenal last weekend, Man City have turned from the chaser to the chased.

Now we find out how serious their title credentials are with the pressure already rising and as they take on the final of their realistic competitors for the league crown, as well as their cross-town rivals, and the side with the second-tightest defence in the division.

How Iman Beney's impact at Man City shows new level of ambition

But collectively, Man City's forwards have found the net 15 times this term, at least six more than any other side's attacking unit.

Andree Jeglertz's style is less about pretty football - City's predominance in the past - and more geared towards results. City still play a possession-based style but it's less focussed on passing opposition sides into oblivion.

They are down in every passing metric this season compared with last. Average possession, sequence time in open play and pass frequency have all dropped. And yet City are more fluid, comfortable winning the ball in deeper areas and attacking at pace.

"We will miss passes, but we hunt the ball back," Jeglertz told his side at half-time when trailing to Everton last week. They won the game 2-1 with goals scored by Viv Miedema and Bunny Shaw. A predictable pair. City's frontline is firing, and while it continues to function in that way, they are a fearsome prospect.

However, Marc Skinner's side have taken points off Chelsea and Arsenal this season. If they can navigate this latest test, the feeling that this might be the year the WSL trophy leaves west London will really begin to grow.

Skinner could do without a must-not-lose game immediately after an embarrassing home defeat by Aston Villa last weekend, because should they leave empty handed they will find themselves seven points off the top of the table. Not insurmountable, but not far off.

A morale-boosting win over PSG in midweek has set them up well, but this is a different kettle of fish entirely.

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History beckons for Chelsea

Liverpool vs Chelsea, Sunday, 12pm, live on Sky Sports Premier League

Chelsea stand on the precipice of history. If they win or draw this weekend, they will set a new record for WSL games unbeaten - 34, beating their own previous run of 33 league games without defeat.

Sonia Bompastor told Sky Sports last week that the run is not even on her radar, but it will be an incredible feat nonetheless. Chelsea are a winning machine, although there is one more game to navigate first.

Add to that, captain Millie Bright can break the WSL appearance record with her 211th game in the league. The word 'legend' is batted around often, but that certainly applies to the Blues captain. She remains a consistent performer for Chelsea as well.

Liverpool will be boosted by their first WSL point last weekend. Gareth Taylor has been a thorn in Chelsea's side too - he has been the manager in two of their last four league defeats, and was in charge the last time the Blues failed to score in a WSL match.

This, of course, was with Man City, but Taylor has the know-how to beat Chelsea - not many do. Whether his players can execute the plan is another story, with the Blues looking unstoppable.

Spurs look good - but Ho is yet to prove they can mix with best

Tottenham vs Arsenal, Sunday, 2.30pm, live on Sky Sports Premier League

It's rare for Arsenal to find themselves level on points with Tottenham heading into a north London derby. Sunday's hosts have a miserable record against their rivals, only winning one of 11 meetings. Last season the Gunners won this fixture 3-0.

But times are changing. Spurs' spark has been reignited by new boss Martin Ho and his all-action style of football. They have won three of four on home turf, and actually registered more wins overall (five) than Arsenal have managed this term - only five points shy of their total points tally for last season. Things are looking up.

How individual development underpins Martin Ho's coaching philosophy

Spurs play fast and direct. In many ways it's the antithesis to Arsenal's approach, which is far more methodical and intricate. Both can work as long as the shoe fits, but it's this clash of styles that makes this meeting at this particular juncture interesting.

It's a striking comparison, and Ho's biggest challenge if he wants to turn what was previously a middling team into something much greater.

Back to the day job for Aston Villa

Aston Villa vs London City Lionesses, Sunday, 12pm, live on Sky Sports Mix

After a shock, though not undeserved, win at Man Utd last weekend, it's back to the bread and butter for Aston Villa, but a game which will go further to determining which end of mid-table they finish with a game against one of the teams around them in London City.

Victory would leapfrog them above their opponents and into sixth, and with a game in hand over fifth-placed Tottenham would have them in a solid position to mount a charge to unseat Spurs too.

They could have an easier draw than Sunday's opponents, however, who have a perfect record against anyone outside of last season's top four.

Jocelyn Precheur's side do have the second-leakiest defence in the division and when facing the fourth-lowest scorers, which of those is better fixed will have a big say in who goes on to win.

Leicester hoping to end poor away run

Brighton vs Leicester, Sunday, 12pm, live on Sky Sports+

Despite their pre-season turmoil, Leicester have stabilised somewhat under Rick Passmore. The next area of improvement is their away form.

The Foxes are without a win in their last 20 WSL games on the road (D7 L13) and could set the longest winless away run in the history of the competition this weekend - they are are currently level with Yeovil Town.

And Brighton are strong at home. The Seagulls have lost just one of their last five WSL games on their own patch (W3 D1) - although that defeat did come in their most recent, which was a 3-2 loss to Man Utd.

The game will be played at the Amex Stadium as Brighton look to boost their own season, which is failing to hit the same heights of the last few years.

Can West Ham follow up their first point?

West Ham vs Everton, Sunday, 12pm, live on Sky Sports+

In the eighth game of the WSL season, West Ham finally registered their first point of the campaign against Leicester. They also beat Southampton 5-0 in the midweek League Cup game to give them another boost in confidence.

A home game against Everton could be the perfect time for more points too. The Hammers were strong at Victoria Road last year, and have won three of their last four WSL home games against Everton (L1), keeping a clean sheet in four of their last five.

The Toffees themselves are not out of reach from the relegation spot, having not won since the opening day of the season at Liverpool, and are in need of points. It will be an intriguing to see if either can snatch the advantage.