Milan (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as voracious Italian champions Juventus finished 2018 on a high with a 2-1 win over Sampdoria to set a new record of 53 points before the winter break. Ronaldo curled in the opener after just two minutes in Turin adding a second from the penalty spot after 66 […]

Milan (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace as Italian champions Juventus finished 2018 on a high with a 2-1 win over Sampdoria giving the Italian champions a new record of 53 points before the winter break. Ronaldo curled in the opener after just two minutes in Turin adding a second from the penalty spot […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has restored Manchester United's attacking elan in the short space of time he has been caretaker manager said defender Luke Shaw. Solsjkaer will be seeking a third successive victory — when they host out of form Bournemouth on Sunday — since taking over following the sacking of Jose Mourinho […]

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola's obsessive attention to detail has brought much success but could also be the reason Manchester City have suffered a slump in form, claims Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg who played under him at Bayern Munich. Hojbjerg will captain Southampton when they host Guardiola's side on Sunday with City arriving on the back of […]

Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola faces a testing week that could prove crucial in arresting Manchester City's slump and reviving the defence of their Premier League title. City end 2018 with a testing visit to Southampton before opening 2019 with leaders Liverpool coming to the Etihad, a game in which defeat for City […]

London (AFP) – Former England cricket and rugby captains Alastair Cook and Bill Beaumont headlined sporting personalities in the New Years Honours List with both men receiving knighthoods from Queen Elizabeth II. Cook — who has more Test centuries (33) and runs (12,472) than any other England player accrued during a record 161 Test matches […]

Milan (AFP) – European football governing body UEFA said Friday that the correct anti-racism protocol had not been followed during the Italian league game between Inter Milan and Napoli midweek amid repeated abuse of Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Napoli's French-born Koulibaly was targeted by monkey noises and racist chants at the San Siro, before being […]

London (AFP) – West Ham were celebrating on Friday after rising teenage star Declan Rice signed a new long-term contract with the Premier League club. The 19-year-old midfielder, who has made 51 appearances for the east London side, has signed new terms until 2024 — with the option to extend for a further year. The […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – CAF Champions League trophy-holders Esperance of Tunisia will face Horoya of Guinea, Orlando Pirates of South Africa and FC Platinum of Zimbabwe in the 2018/2019 group phase. The Friday draw at a luxury Cairo hotel overlooking the Nile river split the qualifying survivors into four groups with each club facing their three […]

Milan (AFP) – Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado has undergone successful surgery on his left knee, Serie A champions Juventus confirmed on Friday. The 30-year-old picked up the injury during Juventus's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Young Boys in Switzerland two weeks ago. The club said Cuadrado "underwent an arthroscopic treatment .. which was perfectly successful" […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Unai Emery may have suggested Liverpool can repeat the achievement of the London club's celebrated 'Invincibles' but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has told his unbeaten Premier League leaders to expect a tough contest at Anfield on Saturday. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side were undefeated as they won the Premier League in […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Egyptian club Zamalek, one of the strongest contenders for the 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup, were paired with Moroccan outfit Ittihad Tanger Friday in the play-offs draw in Cairo. The White Knights have won nine CAF titles, making them the joint third most successful club in the annual African competitions. But the Cairo […]

Milan (AFP) – Coach Gennaro Gattuso and striker Gonzalo Higuain are set to remain at AC Milan, the club's sporting director Leonardo said on Friday. Speculation has been mounting that former Milan midfielder Gattuso will be axed if he does not deliver a win against lowly SPAL on Saturday in the last match before the […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Unai Emery believes Mohamed Salah is now among the world's top five players, despite failing to sign him when he was in charge of Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners boss will be in opposition to the Liverpool forward when his Arsenal side face the unbeaten Premier League leaders at Anfield on […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti said Friday it was time to say "enough" to racism and hatred in football as his side travel to Empoli this weekend without their fans after violence and chanting overshadowed the team's Boxing Day match against Napoli at the San Siro. Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly was targeted […]