Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Brazilian sharp-shooter Rafael Silva smashed a late winner as Japan's Urawa Reds beat 10-man Al Hilal 1-0 on Saturday to win a second Asian Champions League title. The forward, who also scored in last weekend's 1-1 first-leg draw in Riyadh, blasted a superb winner two minutes from time for Urawa, last […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger believes Mesut Ozil's recent resurgence is down to the Arsenal playmaker's improved fitness levels. Ozil was outstanding in last weekend’s north London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur and will again play a key role as Wenger’s side attempt to build on that win when they travel to face Burnley on […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong said the Scottish champions' hectic schedule means they have little time to reflect upon past failures and successes as they prepare for Sunday's League Cup final with Motherwell. The Glasgow giants will have had just three days preparation for Sunday's show-down with the Steelmen at Hampden following their […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City will avoid the complacency that cost Manchester United dear when he takes his Premier League leaders to visit David Wagner's Huddersfield Town on Sunday. City head to the John Smith's Stadium looking to avoid the same fate that befell Jose Mourinho when his United team […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has offered a scathing analysis of Henrikh Mkhitaryan's drop in form as the Manchester United manager explained why the midfielder has been exiled from his squad recently. The Armenian is expected to be recalled to the matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League game with Brighton after being out […]

London (AFP) – David Moyes saw West Ham secure a first point of his reign as the Premier League strugglers' manager in a 1-1 draw at home to Leicester City on Friday. The hosts fell behind early on at the London Stadium to a goal from Marc Albrighton before Cheikhou Kouyate equalised on the stroke […]

Athens (AFP) – AEK Athens’ Spanish coach Manolo Jimenez was banned for 15 days and fined 10,000 euros by the Greek Super League on Friday for an obscene gesture towards fans of local rival Panathinaikos. The league also fined AEK 10,000 euros after Jimenez flipped the bird at opposing fans as AEK drew 1-1, a […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is wary of former Blues forward Mohamed Salah as he insisted a heavy travel schedule could be no excuse for a sub-standard performance against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday. The Egyptian has made a big splash since returning to the Premier League from Serie A club Roma in […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits he has been surprised by Raheem Sterling's prolific start to the campaign with the Premier League leaders. The England forward scored the winning goal in the midweek Champions League victory over Feyenoord, taking his season's tally to 11 goals, equal with the most he […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery is satisfied with Kylian Mbappe's performances in the French capital as the teenage forward prepares for a "special" meeting with his old club Monaco on Sunday. "It will be good for him to go back to Monaco. He is happy with the work he did with them […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Lionel Messi insisted he was getting better with age after receiving the European Golden Shoe award for the fourth time on Friday. The 30-year-old Argentine won the prize for being the top scorer in Europe's leading leagues last season after netting 37 times for Barcelona. "I have always said that I don't […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he still trusts Alberto Moreno "100 per cent" despite the left-back's costly mistakes in Sevilla's stunning three-goal comeback against the Reds on Tuesday. "It is not the player to blame," Klopp said at Friday's press conference ahead of their big Premier League clash with champions Chelsea at […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino says he is not sure how playing at Wembley will affect Tottenham's energy levels over the chaotic Christmas period as they try to stay in touch at the top of the Premier League. Pochettino said on Thursday that the club's physical data is showing his players are running further at […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini is suing sportswear giant New Balance for around £2 million ($2.6 million) over "defective boots" that he says have had a negative impact on his performances. Rosalina Investments, which represents the Belgian international, said the boots had to be "steamed and stretched" by a United kit man before he […]

Madrid (AFP) – Gareth Bale finally returned to training with his Real Madrid team-mates on Friday and will be eased back in after two months on the sidelines, according to coach Zinedine Zidane. "The important thing is that he is with us, that he trains, plays, because that will stop all the negative things happening […]