London (AFP) – Eden Hazard came to Maurizio Sarri's rescue as the Chelsea star's superb late strike earned a 1-1 draw against Wolves on Sunday. Sarri's side were seconds away from another damaging defeat after Raul Jimenez put Wolves ahead at Stamford Bridge. Hazard spared the under-fire Sarri's blushes with his thunderous stoppage-time equaliser, but […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp warned title rivals Manchester City that Liverpool will not give up their title bid quietly after a 4-2 victory over Burnley cut Pep Guardiola's lead at the top of the Premier League to a single point. Liverpool responded impressively to City's win against Watford on Saturday, rallying strongly after falling […]

Berlin (AFP) – Gianni Infantino wants to speed up plans for a new Club World Cup and abolish the Confederations Cup at next week's FIFA council meeting in Miami, according to German broadcaster ZDF. The report says FIFA president Infantino wants to discuss expanding the Club World Cup from it's current format of seven teams […]

London (AFP) – Aston Villa's Jack Grealish was punched by a pitch-invading Birmingham fan in a shocking incident during Sunday's Championship clash, but the midfielder had the last laugh as he scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over their bitter rivals. Grealish was in the Birmingham penalty area in the 10th minute when […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has warned his side may have to accept the height of their current capabilities is to be a top-four club after a costly defeat against struggling Southampton. Spurs, who were on the fringes of the title race until two weeks ago, are now battling just to hold on […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Roberto Firmino returned to goalscoring form at the perfect moment for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, hitting the net twice in a 4-2 victory over Burnley that hauled them back to within a point of Premier League leaders Manchester City. Sadio Mane was also on the scoresheet twice in a game in which Liverpool […]

Frankfurt am Main (AFP) – The Israeli government on Sunday said it was "shocked" by an anti-Semitic tweet sent to an Israeli football player during a second division game in Berlin, in an incident being investigated by German police. In a profanity-laced insult, an apparent fan of FC Union Berlin tweeted that Almog Cohen, captain […]

London (AFP) – Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish was punched by a pitch-invading Birmingham fan in a shocking incident during Sunday's Championship clash between the bitter rivals. Grealish was in the Birmingham penalty area in the 10th minute when a man ran on to the field and threw a punch from behind the Villa captain. […]

London (AFP) – Raheem Sterling urged Manchester City to maintain their "amazing mentality" as the Premier League leaders chase an unprecedented quadruple. Pep Guardiola's side won the English title in record-breaking fashion last season, but their defence of the crown has been much tougher, with Liverpool posing a serious threat. City have climbed back above […]

Paris (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe said he was left "stunned" by Paris Saint-Germain's gut-wrenching exit from the Champions League in midweek as Manchester United pulled off an improbable comeback in the last 16. Marcus Rashford's 94th-minute penalty at the Parc des Princes gave United a 3-1 win in France to send the English club through […]

Milan (AFP) – Krzysztof Piatek struck again to rescue a 2-1 win for AC Milan at bottom club Chievo on Saturday, keeping their Champions League push firmly on track, but the Polish striker was accused of scoring with a 'kung fu' kick. Piatek joined Milan from Genoa in January and has now scored eight goals […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola was sorry if Manchester City were given a helping hand on their way to a 3-1 victory over Watford, but insisted his side were well worthy of the win that opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League. City were labouring to break down […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – African giants Al Ahly of Egypt and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco lost CAF Champions League group matches Saturday, placing their chances of reaching the quarter-finals in the balance. A Tuisila Kisinda goal six minutes from time condemned record eight-time champions Ahly to a 1-0 Group D defeat by V Club of […]

Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez might have been rested but instead both played and scored as Barcelona came from behind to beat Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, ahead of their crunch Champions League second leg against Lyon. Raul de Tomas' scintillating strike gave struggling Rayo a surprise lead at the Camp Nou but […]

London (AFP) – Darren Moore has been sacked by West Bromwich Albion despite his side sitting fourth in the Championship, while Leeds remain on course for promotion to the Premier League after a 1-0 victory against Bristol City on Saturday. Moore was axed as West Brom boss just hours after their hopes of breaking into […]