Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola believes his brilliant Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho can extend his Manchester City career by moving back to central defence on a permanent basis as he ages. The 33-year-old has been a key figure in the success enjoyed by Guardiola over the past two seasons and in City's ongoing bid […]

Milan (AFP) – Napoli could finish the weekend trailing Serie A leaders Juventus by 11 points after Carlo Ancelotti's wasteful side stuttered to a 0-0 draw at Fiorentina on Saturday. Fiorentina goalkeeper Alban Lafont produced a string of saves to deny Piotr Zielinski and Dries Mertens as Napoli failed to score away from home for […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Kaizer Chiefs' winless run against Orlando Pirates stretched to 12 matches spanning 1,496 days when they surrendered the lead in an often cagey 1-1 Soweto derby draw Saturday. Although Chiefs are the most successful South African football club with 53 trophies, they have not defeated their arch domestic rivals in any […]

London (AFP) – Cardiff City captain Sol Bamba dedicated his goal and a 2-1 victory over Southampton to Emiliano Sala after an emotional match for the Welsh club. Saturday's fixtures were the first round of Premier League games since the player's death was confirmed earlier this week. The Argentinian striker's body was formally identified by […]

Berlin (AFP) – Defending champions Bayern Munich trimmed the gap in the Bundesliga table to five points behind Borussia Dortmund on Saturday as Robert Lewandowski scored his 100th goal at home in a 3-1 win over Schalke 04. Dortmund had earlier blown a three-goal lead at home to Hoffenheim, who scored three times late on, […]

Milan (AFP) – Napoli could finish the weekend trailing Serie A leaders Juventus by 11 points after Carlo Ancelotti's wasteful side stuttered to a 0-0 draw at Fiorentina on Saturday. Fiorentina goalkeeper Alban Lafont produced a string of saves to deny Piotr Zielinski and Dries Mertens as Napoli failed to score away from home for […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Ousmane Dembele is back in the Barcelona squad for Sunday's La Liga match away to Athletic Bilbao while Lionel Messi was also included in the matchday group by the Catalan club. Barca coach Ernesto Valverde reiterated on Saturday Messi would play at San Mames only if he is fit, after the Argentinian […]

Madrid (AFP) – Thibaut Courtois overcame the jeers — and a barrage of toy rats — while Gareth Bale delivered a timely reminder of his talents as Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 in a feisty city derby on Saturday. Real's fifth league win in a row means they sit second for the first time […]

Huddersfield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Unai Emery said he is not worried Arsenal were unable to keep a first away clean sheet of the season as first half goals from Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazatte secured a 2-1 win at struggling Huddersfield. The result keeps Arsenal in the thick of the chase for a top-four […]

London (AFP) – Winger Jack Clarke was taken to hospital as Kalvin Phillips' header in the 11th minute of added time salvaged a 1-1 draw for Leeds United at Middlesbrough to send them to the top of the second tier Championship on Saturday. The huge amount of injury time was due to Leeds' highly-rated 18-year-old […]

Paris (AFP) – An injury to Edinson Cavani gave Paris Saint-Germain fresh cause for concern on Saturday as the French club's huge Champions League showdown with Manchester United approaches. Cavani appeared to hurt his leg while taking the penalty three minutes before half-time that gave PSG a 1-0 win over Bordeaux at the Parc des […]

Huddersfield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – First-half goals from Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazatte secured a 2-1 win for Arsenal at struggling Huddersfield on Saturday and kept the pressure on Chelsea and Manchester United in a three-way battle for a Champions League spot. However, their Spanish manager Unai Emery still awaits his first away clean sheet […]

Madrid (AFP) – Thibaut Courtois overcame the jeers and Gareth Bale delivered a timely reminder of his talents as Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 in a feisty city derby on Saturday. Real's fifth league win in a row means they sit second for the first time since September, above Atletico, and just five points […]

Berlin (AFP) – Despite a dazzling display from Jadon Sancho, Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund threw away a three-goal lead at home on Saturday as Hoffenheim's stunning late fightback forced a 3-3 draw. Dortmund could have gone 10 points clear of Bayern Munich, who host Schalke later on Saturday, with victory. Sancho opened the scoring, set up […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool returned to winning ways and the top of the Premier League table while Manchester United climbed into fourth place on Saturday as English football paid tribute to the late Emiliano Sala. First-half goals from Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah's 48th-minute effort gave Liverpool a 3-0 win over Bournemouth […]