London (AFP) – Jack Wilshere believes he is nearing a return to his best form as he prepares to make a fifth successive Premier League start when Arsenal visit West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. The game will see manager Arsene Wenger in charge for a record 811th Premier League game, passing the mark previously set […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola is hopeful Vincent Kompany's latest injury setback is not too serious as he looks to continue Manchester City's extraordinary winning run at Crystal Palace on Sunday. Club captain Kompany suffered his third injury of the season when he limped off with a calf problem just 11 minutes into […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho says he is happy with the financial backing of the Manchester United board but fears it will be difficult for his club to challenge rivals Manchester City given their massive spending power. The United manager was expanding on comments he made following the 2-2 draw with Burnley on […]

Milan (AFP) – Napoli's record goal-scorer Marek Hamsik scored again to keep his side top of Serie A with a 1-0 win at Crotone on Friday as they sealed the symbolic title of Winter Champions. It was the 1l7th goal in a Napoli shirt for the Slovakian international who last week overtook Diego Maradona as […]

London (AFP) – The Football Association lent its full support to Rhian Brewster, the leading scorer in England's Under-17 World Cup victory earlier this year, over his claims of suffering racial abuse and said it would push for "appropriate response from the relevant authorities". The 17-year-old — who is yet to make his debut for […]

Belgrade (AFP) – Former defender Mladen Krstajic will coach Serbia at next year's World Cup in Russia, a senior official at the country's football federation (FSS) announced on Friday. "Krstajic has our confidence to lead the team in the coming period into the World Cup in Russia," Goran Bunjevcevic said, according to the agency Tanjug. […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane could become as emblematic a player for Tottenham Hotspur as Francesco Totti was for Roma, his manager Mauricio Pochettino said on Friday. The 24-year-old England striker — who has been with Tottenham since 2009 — established a new Premier League record of goals in a calendar year with a hat-trick […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte wants both Belgian star duo playmaker Eden Hazard and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to remain with champions Chelsea despite speculation they would like to move to Spain. Hazard's father told a Belgian newspaper his son doesn't wish to commit to a new contract — he still has over two years left […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Liverpool have spent well in paying £75million ($100million) for Virgil van Dijk, because he thinks high-qualy players work out cheaper in the long run. Guardiola was interested in signing Van Dijk from Southampton, but missed out after Liverpool agreed a deal on Wednesday, with […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has mischievously highlighted the changing view of Jurgen Klopp after his Liverpool counterpart spent £75 million to sign Southampton’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk this week. The Manchester United manager cheekily suggested on Friday that if he were a member of the media, he would ask Klopp about […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Rangers manager Graeme Murty says his side are capable of claiming a shock Old Firm derby win against Celtic — but only if they deliver their best performance of the season. Murty's side, who have taken just one point off their bitter rivals since returning to the top tier in 2016, head […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool's successful pursuit of Virgil van Dijk will end the year on a high note for Jurgen Klopp's club as they face Leicester in the Premier League on Saturday. The £75 million fee ($100 million) – a world record for a defender – which Liverpool agreed with Southampton for the Dutch international […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte has urged Chelsea to take a significant step towards a top four finish in the Premier League by beating Stoke on Saturday. Conte's side know their chances of retaining the Premier League title are slim given Manchester City's record-breaking run has left Chelsea 16 points adrift of the leaders. But […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – December has been a disappointing month for Jose Mourinho, who needs Manchester United to beat Southampton at Old Trafford on Saturday in order to restore some optimism for the New Year. Mourinho has seen United fall 15 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City in the Premier League title race, as […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger admits he is no nearer to establishing where Arsenal's Chilean star Alexis Sanchez's future lies. Wenger praised the 29-year-old's two-goal display that helped secure a 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace on an evening where the French manager equalled Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson's Premier League record of 810 matches in […]