London (AFP) – Maurizio Sarri believes Chelsea's crucial 2-0 win over Tottenham can save their season after his decision to drop Wembley rebel Kepa Arrizabalaga paid off on Wednesday. Pedro's second half strike and a farcical own goal from Kieran Trippier were a much-needed boost for Sarri as the Chelsea manager fights to avoid the […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was glad to see Romelu Lukaku making the most of playing in his favoured central striker role with two goals in Manchester United's 3-1 win at Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Lukaku has been asked to fill in on the flanks in recent weeks, with caretaker United manager Solskjaer preferring […]

London (AFP) – Maurizio Sarri insists Kepa Arrizabalaga is still Chelsea's first choice goalkeeper despite dropping the rebellious Spaniard for Wednesday's 2-0 win over Tottenham. Sarri axed Kepa following his star's astonishing mutiny in the League Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday when he refused to be substituted after suffering an extra-time injury at […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic shrugged off the upheaval of Brendan Rodgers's departure as Odsonne Edouard's stoppage time winner gave Neil Lennon a winning start to his second spell in charge with a 2-1 victory at Hearts on Wednesday. The Scottish champions had suffered a tumultuous two days as Rodgers left to take charge of Leicester […]

Madrid (AFP) – Luis Suarez scored twice on Wednesday as Barcelona inflicted another defeat on Real Madrid to move within touching distance of winning a record fifth consecutive Copa del Rey. Madrid were the better side for at least half of a wild Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu but three goals conceded in 28 chaotic, […]

London (AFP) – Romelu Lukaku pressed his claims for a more prominent role under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with his first goals in 10 appearances, scoring twice in Manchester United's 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace on Wednesday that maintained their challenge for a top-four finish. Lukaku scored either side of half-time to put United in control […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Sergio Aguero struck the vital second-half penalty that maintained Manchester City's bid to retain their Premier League title in a tense 1-0 win over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. City kept pace with leaders Liverpool thanks to the Argentinian scoring his 25th goal of the season from […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk each scored twice as Liverpool thrashed Watford 5-0 to maintain their one-point advantage over Manchester City in the Premier League title race. Mane ensured it was not going to be a nervy night at Anfield by scoring twice in the first 20 minutes, including a spectacular […]

London (AFP) – Sadio Mane struck twice as Liverpool kept their noses in front of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after a packed Wednesday programme featuring all of the top seven sides. Jurgen Klopp's men eased past in-form Watford 5-0 at Anfield to calm fears over their staying power as they […]

London (AFP) – Mesut Ozil made the most of being handed a rare start by Arsenal boss Unai Emery as the German masterminded a 5-1 victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday to keep the Gunners in pole position for a top-four finish in the Premier League. Ozil opened the scoring after just four minutes before turning […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Mamelodi Sundowns went top of the South African Premiership Wednesday after a laboured 3-2 home victory over Cape Town City in a match they should have won convincingly. Having opened a two-goal lead two minutes from the end of regular time, the wasteful eight-time league champions almost threw away two points in […]

Rome (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that world football's governing body is still pondering a 48-team 2022 World Cup in Qatar, saying that "anything is possible" following Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un's summit in Vietnam. "I think it's worthwhile having a look at the idea and trying (to implement it). Obviously […]

London (AFP) – Kepa Arrizabalaga has been dropped by Maurizio Sarri for Chelsea's clash with Tottenham on Wednesday as the Blues goalkeeper paid the price for his refusal to be substituted during the League Cup final. Sarri opted to replace Kepa with Argentine veteran Willy Caballero for the crucial London derby at Stamford Bridge. The […]

Nantes (France) (AFP) – French club Nantes have referred their dispute with Cardiff City over the transfer fee of Emiliano Sala to FIFA, football's governing body confirmed on Wednesday. The clubs are wrangling over payment of the fee following the tragic death of Argentinian Sala in an airplane accident in January. Nantes referred the matter […]

London (AFP) – The Football Association said on Wednesday it is investigating allegations that Manchester City paid £200,000 ($267,000) to Jadon Sancho's agent when the player was 14. German magazine Der Spiegel said City made the prohibited payment to agent Emeka Obasi in relation to the deal that took the youngster to the club from […]