London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino stubbornly insists winning a trophy is not the priority for Tottenham but he is playing a risky game as he focuses on finishing in the top four in the Premier League. Spurs lost 2-0 at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on Sunday, just three days after they fell to […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits he is loving life as Manchester United's caretaker manager and is already making plans for next season, even though the Norwegian still does not know if he will remain in charge. The 45-year-old has made a record-breaking start in charge at Old Trafford, becoming the first boss to […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – United Arab Emirates coach Alberto Zaccheroni indulged in some mind games Monday before the Asian Cup semi-finals, suggesting opponents Qatar were favourites to win. The Italian, who steered Japan to a record fourth title in 2011, sought to take the pressure off his players before Tuesday's politically charged clash in Abu […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – When the United Arab Emirates take on bitter Gulf rivals Qatar in the Asian Cup semi-finals on Tuesday, good luck spotting the Qatari fans. Not only are Qataris largely barred from UAE due to the ongoing Gulf blockade, but the hosts have gone to great lengths to make sure no pro-Qatar […]

Shanghai (AFP) – China are looking for a new coach after Italian World Cup winner Marcello Lippi left following the team's meek quarter-final exit from the Asian Cup. The veteran leaves China ranked 76th in the FIFA rankings, level with Belarus and a spot below Uganda. Lippi's side was guilty of some calamitous defending in […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aims to continue his impressive start as Manchester United manager at home to Burnley on Tuesday, with the case for him to be appointed permanently seemingly growing by the week. The FA Cup fourth-round victory at Arsenal on Friday took the Norwegian caretaker manager's record to eight […]

Milan (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty to seal a hard-fought 2-1 win for Juventus against Lazio in Rome on Sunday to pull 11 points clear in Serie A. Juventus had trailed after an Emre Can own-goal after an hour before substitute Joao Cancelo pulled the champions level and then earned the penalty which […]

Paris (AFP) – Edinson Cavani scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain beat Rennes 4-1 on Sunday, a victory overshadowed by coach Thomas Tuchel's admission that Neymar is set to miss next month's Champions League showdown with Manchester United. Neymar was missing against Rennes after suffering a recurrence of a metatarsal injury in a French Cup win […]

Milan (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty to seal a hard-fought 2-1 win for Juventus against Lazio in Rome on Sunday to pull 11 points clear in Serie A. Juventus had trailed after an Emre Can own-goal after an hour before substitute Joao Cancelo pulled the champions level and then earned the penalty which […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel has admitted Neymar is unlikely to be fit in time for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester United next month. "It's going to be super difficult", Tuchel told Canal+ when asked if Neymar would return from a metatarsal injury in time for […]

London (AFP) – Gianfranco Zola insisted Chelsea wanted Callum Hudson-Odoi to stay at Stamford Bridge after the highly-rated teenager scored on what could be his last appearance for the club. The England youth international was on target in between a Willian double as FA Cup holders Chelsea won 3-0 at home to Championship side Sheffield […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has challenged his in-form players to relish their demanding schedule as they continue to chase Premier League leaders Liverpool with a visit to Newcastle on Tuesday. Jurgen Klopp's side exited both domestic cup competitions at early stages this season, leaving them to concentrate on the […]

Paris (AFP) – Edinson Cavani scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain shook off the loss of Neymar to injury with a 4-1 win over Rennes at the Parc des Princes on Sunday that keeps them unbeaten at the top of Ligue 1. The Uruguayan's goals took him to 16 for the season in 14 league appearances […]

Girona (Spain) (AFP) – Gareth Bale needed just two minutes to mark his return from injury with a goal as 10-man Real Madrid held on for a 4-2 victory over Espanyol on Sunday. Bale had been out since January 3 with a calf strain but made an instant impact off the bench at the RCDE […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur suffered their second defeat in English knockout football in a matter of days as they lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday. Connor Wickham gave the unfancied Eagles, 29 points adrift of Spurs in the Premier League, a ninth-minute lead before a penalty […]