London (AFP) – The Football Association demanded answers from Manchester United and Manchester City on Monday following reports of ugly scenes that reportedly left City assistant coach Mikel Arteta bloodied after a fracas. The Guardian newspaper said Arteta was left with blood streaming down his face after a bust-up involving up to 20 players and […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City assistant coach Mikel Arteta was left with blood streaming down his face after a bust-up involving up to 20 players and members of staff following the Manchester derby, a report said on Monday. Media reports on Sunday said Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho became involved in a physical confrontation with […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Chinese Super League (CSL) side Chongqing Lifan on Monday unveiled former Portugal coach Paulo Bento as their new manager, nine months after he was sacked by Greek side Olympiakos. A tough-tackling defensive midfielder during his playing career, Bento replaces South Korea's Chang Woe-Ryong at Chongqing, which finished 10th in the 16-team CSL […]

Nyon (Switzerland) (AFP) – A record five English clubs will feature in the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League on Monday, amid talk that the Premier League is ready to dominate Europe once again. Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea all progressed from the group stage, making England the […]

Huddersfield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Chelsea's powers of recovery will be tested as Antonio Conte's side attempt to bounce back from a painful weekend defeat when they visit Huddersfield on Tuesday. Conte claimed Chelsea were no longer in the Premier League title race in the wake of the 1-0 defeat at struggling West Ham on Saturday. […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has defended his rotation policy after the Merseyside derby with Everton ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw. Mohamed Salah had put the Reds ahead on Sunday with a stunning curling effort but the Toffees were awarded a spot-kick late in the second half when Dejan Lovren nudged over […]

Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Arsene Wenger insists Olivier Giroud will not leave Arsenal in January despite the France striker's lack of starting opportunities. Giroud has yet to start a Premier League game this season, but he showed his value coming off the bench when he headed a late equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola said Manchester City's triumph in the Manchester derby was a victory for the honesty of his players and their football following criticism from Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. Set-piece goals from David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi earned City a 2-1 win at a snow-flecked Old Trafford on Sunday […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho became involved in a physical confrontation with Manchester City's players after complaining about their post-derby celebrations, according to British media reports late on Sunday. The Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph said Mourinho went to City's changing room following United's 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford because […]

Milan (AFP) – Giacomo Bonaventura struck twice as AC Milan bounced back from last week's embarrassing draw at Benevento by beating Bologna 2-1 on Sunday to give Gennaro Gattuso his first win as coach. Midfielder Bonaventura opened the scoring early on before Simone Verdi's leveller, but grabbed the winner 14 minutes from time. It was […]

Paris (AFP) – Lyon and Marseille kept the pressure firmly on Monaco in the race for Champions League qualification in France as Mario Balotelli fired Nice to another victory on Sunday. Teenage midfielder Houssem Aouar scored twice, including a last-gasp winner, as Lyon came from behind to triumph 2-1 at Amiens and go second on […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Turkish football giants Besiktas paid tribute Sunday to 46 people killed in twin bombings near the team's stadium, as others held commemorations to mark the first anniversary of the attacks. "The pain is as raw as the first day," the club said in a statement. Later Sunday, about 100 people gathered at […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona restored their lead at the top of La Liga to five points as Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi struck in the final 20 minutes to edge out 10-man Villarreal 2-0 on Sunday. Daniel Raba's red card on the hour mark for a wild lunge on Sergio Busquets handed Barca the initiative. […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City took a giant step towards the title as the leaders beat Manchester United 2-1 to clinch a record-equalling 14th successive Premier League victory, while Wayne Rooney's late leveller gave Everton a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday. City drew level with Arsenal's previous record winning streak, set between February and […]

Berlin (AFP) – Freiburg came from three goals down to win Sunday's thrilling Bundesliga basement battle 4-3 at Cologne as visiting striker Nils Petersen wrapped up his hat-trick with a 95th-minute penalty. A heavy overnight snowfall created testing conditions at bottom side Cologne, but the hosts charged into a 3-0 lead with just half an […]