London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City's Community Shield triumph against Liverpool was the perfect preparation ahead of this season's duel for supremacy between the Premier League rivals. Guardiola's side drew first blood on the eve of the new campaign with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out success after a 1-1 draw in the annual curtain-raiser […]

London (AFP) – Kevin De Bruyne said Manchester City and Liverpool were not yet "physically ready" for the start of the season after the Premier League champions won the Community Shield on penalties on Sunday. Raheem Sterling gave City a first-half lead before Joel Matip grabbed a late equaliser for Liverpool in the annual curtain-raiser […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City drew fired the first shot in their battle for supremacy with rivals Liverpool on Sunday as they snatched the Community Shield with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win after a 1-1 draw at Wembley. Raheem Sterling gave City a first half lead before Joel Matip grabbed a late equaliser for Liverpool […]

Berlin (AFP) – Schalke chairman Clemens Toennies is facing calls to resign a fortnight before the start of the Bundesliga season following widespread condemnation of racist comments he made last week. The 63-year-old has been criticised for saying more power stations should be built in Africa, "then Africans would stop felling trees and producing children […]

London (AFP) – Everton have signed teenage Italy striker Moise Kean from Juventus on a five-year deal. The Italian champions said the fee was an initial 27.5 million euros ($31m, £25m) but could rise by a further 2.5 million euros if certain conditions were met. The 19-year-old Italy forward is Everton's fifth signing of the […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal's failure to qualify for the Champions League for a third successive season, compounded by an underwhelming transfer window, has left the Gunners facing a turbulent campaign. Here, AFP Sport takes a closer look at the issues that will determine whether Unai Emery's side can turn the tide: What to expect: Arsenal's […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United have missed out on the top four in four of the six seasons since Alex Ferguson stepped down and fans are coming to terms with their current status as Premier League also-rans. Here, AFP Sport looks at whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can make United contenders again for the first time […]

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has dominated English football in his time at Manchester City, winning five of the six domestic trophies in the last two seasons, and once again is putting Premier League glory at the top of his list of ambitions for the new season. On Sunday, City tackle Champions League winners Liverpool […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Trophy-holders Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits — the top three finishers in the last South African Premiership — all won Saturday when the new season began. Johannesburg outfit Wits top the table on goal difference after ending a run of five losses at AmaZulu by winning 3-0 in Durban. Pirates […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted on Saturday he has "no doubts at all" that Paul Pogba is committed to Manchester United. French World Cup winner Pogba was missing from the United squad for the pre-season penalty shootout win over AC Milan in Cardiff. However, United coach Solskjaer insisted the star's absence was due […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – England forward Jadon Sancho scored a goal and set-up another as Borussia Dortmund beat Bayern Munich 2-0 on Saturday to deny the German league and cup champions a fourth straight Super Cup title. Sancho, 19, fed Spain forward Paco Alcacer for Dortmund's opener just after the break before clinching the victory […]

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Daniel James converted the winning penalty in a shootout to give Manchester United victory over AC Milan and six wins in as many pre-season matches on Saturday. The 21-year-old Wales international — who signed from second tier Swansea in the close season — sealed victory after David de Gea had […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Ryan Christie scored a hat-trick as champions Celtic crushed hapless St Johnstone 7-0 in their opening Scottish Premiership match of the season on Saturday. Christie's treble — including two excellent long range efforts — and goals from Mikey Johnston, Olivier Ntcham, Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths was the perfect message to send […]

London (AFP) – Promotion favourites Cardiff and Fulham began their Championship campaigns in the worst possibly way on Saturday after respective defeats to Wigan and Barnsley. Josh Windass picked himself up from missing a penalty to mastermind Wigan's 3-2 victory over Neil Warnock's Cardiff whilst Fulham fell at Barnsley 1-0. Cardiff got off to a great […]

Shenzhen (China) (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe provided the moments of magic as Paris Saint-Germain collected their first silverware of the new season with a 2-1 French Champions Trophy victory over Rennes in Shenzhen Saturday. PSG's German boss Thomas Tuchel looked relieved more than delighted afterwards, given his side were behind at half-time. "There's fatigue for […]