Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Bernardo Silva says Manchester City will welcome the pressure of chasing down Liverpool after beating their rivals to revive the Premier League title race. Champions City moved within four points of the Premier League leaders with a tense 2-1 win over the Reds in a frantic clash they could not […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not yet spoken to Manchester United bosses about extending his stay at Old Trafford beyond the end of the season despite a perfect start to his reign. The Norwegian former striker has won his first four Premier League matches as United manager — a record that […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur have triggered an extension clause in veteran Belgian international Toby Alderweireld's contract which ties him to the Premier League highflyers until the summer of 2020. The 29-year-old central defender — capped 88 times and an integral part of Belgium's best ever performance at the World Cup last year where they […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – While street-wise South Korea pack a harder punch, former Japan coach Philippe Troussier has tipped the Blue Samurai to push their fierce rivals all the way at the Asian Cup. "Japan have one of the best teams in the competition on paper," the Frenchman told AFP before hosts United Arab Emirates […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Ahead of the Asian Cup's opening game on Saturday, here are five well-travelled coaches looking to add to their list of honours: – Hector Cuper, Uzbekistan – Cuper is now in the 15th job of a coaching career that has spanned 25 years. The Argentine's long CV includes spells as […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Liverpool emerged from the Premier League's packed festive season with a four-point lead at the top of the table, despite slipping to a first defeat of the campaign to Manchester City on Thursday. That huge win puts City back in the title race after a shocking start to the four-game […]

London (AFP) – A Chelsea fan has been banned from football matches for three years after being ejected from their Premier League game against Brighton for shouting homophobic abuse. The 20-year-old man pleaded guilty to the offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words during Chelsea's 2-1 win at Brighton's Amex Stadium on December 16. […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City won a "final" according to manager Pep Guardiola to remain in the title race by inflicting Liverpool's first Premier League defeat of the season with a 2-1 victory at the Etihad on Thursday. City's recent shock back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester had allowed Liverpool to amass […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola saluted his "fearless" Manchester City stars after the champions kept their Premier League title bid alive with a vital 2-1 win over leaders Liverpool on Thursday. Guardiola's side had no margin for error as a defeat would have left them 10 points behind the Reds and in danger […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp claimed Vincent Kompany should have been sent off for his ugly foul on Mohamed Salah as Liverpool's title charge was hit by a 2-1 defeat against Manchester City on Thursday. Reds boss Klopp was furious that City captain Kompany escaped with only a yellow card from referee Anthony […]

Madrid (AFP) – Former Arsenal star Santi Cazorla scored twice as Villarreal drew 2-2 with Real Madrid in La Liga on Thursday, with the pint-sized midfielder producing a late header for a share of the spoils. This was Madrid"s first game since winning the World Club Cup in Doha in December and the draw leaves […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City reignited their Premier League title challenge with a crucial 2-1 win over leaders Liverpool on Thursday. Leroy Sane's superb second half strike handed Liverpool their first league defeat this season and moved the champions to within four points of Jurgen Klopp's side. Here are four things we learned […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City inflicted Liverpool's first Premier League defeat of the season to breathe new life into their title defence with a 2-1 victory at the Etihad on Thursday. City now trail Jurgen Klopp's men by just four points thanks to Leroy Sane's winner 18 minutes from time after Roberto Firmino […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Benfica fired their coach Rui Vitoria on Thursday after a series of poor results for the team he led to back-to-back Portuguese titles in 2016 and 2017. Benfica came second in Portugal last year but in December failed to qualify for the Champions League knock-out rounds, and after defeats to modest clubs […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola reshuffled his Manchester City defence for Thursday's must-win top of the table Premier League clash with Liverpool as England international Kyle Walker was again dropped to the bench. City trail league leaders Liverpool by seven points with Guardiola admitting anything other than a win for the champions at […]