From the Back Pages, October 27: Neymar the star of the show on first ‘El Clasico’ as Bale and Ronaldo are stifled

Manchester United 3 Stoke City 2: Rarely will a glimpse of the familiar have been so welcome. Just when all seemed lost, when they found themselves on the edge, staring into the abyss, Manchester United summoned that old spirit, that old belief. They were down and they were out. And then they were on top of the world. (The Times)

Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 2: Gunners made to work by rejuvenated Eagles. (The Independent)

LUIS SUAREZ scored the fourth hat-trick of his Liverpool career as West Brom were blown away by the brilliant South American. (The Express)

The head of Fifa’s anti-racism task force will meet Yaya Touré on Sunday to hear at first hand his experience of being racially abused by CSKA Moscow fans. Jeffrey Webb, a Fifa vice-president, said he had asked to meet the Ivory Coast midfielder at Stamford Bridge after Manchester City’s game against Chelsea. (The Guardian)

Saints march into third spot: Southampton 2 Fulham 0: Saints’ rise continues with as Fulham defeat makes this their best ever start to a top-flight season. (The Telegraph)

England put their troubled build-up behind them by producing an heroic performance against tournament favourites Australia in the Rugby League World Cup’s opening contest. Steve McNamara’s men suffered a humiliating defeat to minnows Italy in a warm-up game, but against their Australian rivals they threated to reproduce their stunning win in the opening match of the 1995 World Cup, surging to a 10-0 lead after 19 minutes, thanks to tries from threequarters Ryan Hall and Leroy Cudjoe. (The Mirror)