London (AFP) – Maurizio Sarri admitted the departure of Cesc Fabregas has left a gaping hole in his squad magnified by Jorginho's below-par performance in Saturday's 2-1 win over Newcastle. Sarri said the 31-year-old Spanish World Cup-winning midfielder, who left for Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco last Friday, would have been a natural replacement for Jorginho. […]

London (AFP) – Brazil midfielder Fabinho impressed Jurgen Klopp enough in central defence in Saturday's 1-0 win over Brighton to reassure the Liverpool manager he can be a reliable stop-gap partner for Virgil van Dijk. Croatian Dejan Lovren added to the problems in central defence when the World Cup finalist suffered a hamstring injury in […]

London (AFP) – Unai Emery says his players are in dire need of a win to regain their confidence and reboot their challenge for a Champions League spot for next season. The Gunners' bid to return to the Champions League after a two-year hiatus has hit the rocks of late — Saturday's 1-0 defeat by […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Japan captain Maya Yoshida has warned the Blue Samurai they will need to find an extra gear to challenge co-favourites Iran and South Korea for the Asian Cup title. The Southampton defender admitted Japan had benefited from two controversial penalty decisions after a 1-0 victory over Oman in Abu Dhabi at […]

Preston (United Kingdom) (AFP) – The police commander at the Hillsborough football stadium disaster will face trial on Monday over the deaths of 95 Liverpool supporters, 30 years on from the tragedy. David Duckenfield was the match-day commander at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough ground on April […]

Marseille (AFP) – Cesc Fabregas got off to a positive start in his debut for struggling Ligue 1 side Monaco after his side gained a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Marseille at a tumultuous Stade Velodrome on Sunday. Fabregas, who joined the Principality club from Chelsea on Friday, struck a composed figured in the midfield as […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has acknowledged finding a long-term replacement for Fernandinho is becoming a matter of increasing urgency for Manchester City. The 33-year-old Brazilian has become one of the most important players in City's line-up during Guardiola's three seasons at the club, with his hard work and passing ability as a […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Zesco United defeated South Africa visitors Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 Sunday to complete a successful weekend for Zambian clubs in the first legs of CAF Confederation Cup play-offs. Nkana trounced San Pedro from the Ivory Coast 3-0 Saturday and the chances of both Zambian representatives reaching the group stage after the return matches […]

Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi scored his 400th La Liga goal on Sunday, a total his coach Ernesto Valverde called "monstrous", as Barcelona terrorised Eibar to reclaim their five-point cushion at the top of the table. Messi drove the ball into the bottom corner after being teed up by Luis Suarez, who added two goals […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Lionel Messi's total of 400 La Liga goals is "monstrous", according to Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde, who described his Argentine superstar as belonging to "another galaxy". Messi hit his quadruple century in the 53rd minute of Barca's win over Eibar on Sunday to extend his record as the division's all-time top scorer. […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Golden Arrows coach Steve Komphela returned Sunday to Bloemfontein Celtic, the club he quit last month, and came away with a 1-1 South African Premiership draw. Kabelo Dlamini put Celtic ahead just before half-time and Zimbabwean Knox Mutizwa levelled midway through the second half with both scoring their fourth league goals of […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says he fears a "massive problem" after Harry Kane limped off the Wembley pitch with an apparent ankle problem following his side's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United. Kane was hurt after clashing with United defender Phil Jones in the closing seconds of the match as the visitors dug […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said David de Gea was making a case to be considered Manchester United's greatest-ever goalkeeper after he produced a masterclass on Sunday to protect his side's 1-0 lead against Tottenham. The match at Wembley pitted two of the bookmakers' favourites to permanently replace Jose Mourinho against one another but […]

Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi scored his 400th La Liga goal on Sunday as Barcelona strolled past Eibar 3-0 to reclaim their five-point cushion at the top of the table. Messi drove the ball into the bottom corner after being teed up by Luis Suarez, who added two goals to his own tally either side […]

London (AFP) – David De Gea said the "real Manchester United" had been on show after his brilliant goalkeeping display secured a 1-0 win over Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday. Victory gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his sixth successive win in all competitions, and fifth in a row in the Premier League, as United's caretaker manager […]