Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid's poor week following Champions League defeat by Chelsea continued as they lost more ground in the La Liga title race in a 0-0 draw at modest Madrid neighbours Leganes on Saturday. But for a brilliant second-half save from Jan Oblak to deny Nabil El Zhar, Leganes could even have registered […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte expressed optimism about the extent of the injury that curtailed striker Alvaro Morata's involvement in Saturday's 1-0 loss at home to Manchester City. Morata was substituted in the 35th minute of the game at Stamford Bridge and appeared to gesture to his left hamstring as he left the […]

Amiens (France) (AFP) – Eighteen Lille fans were hurt, including three seriously, in Amiens on Saturday when a stadium barrier collapsed in the away section as supporters celebrated a goal in French league match. The Ligue 1 fixture between Amiens and Lille was suspended in the 16th minute, and later abandoned, after a fence separating […]

London (AFP) – Match-winner Kevin De Bruyne came back to haunt former club Chelsea as Manchester City defeated the Premier League champions 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to reclaim top spot. De Bruyne, who left Chelsea for Wolfsburg in January 2014, struck from outside the box midway through the second half, securing a victory […]

Rome (AFP) – Italy's under-pressure coach Giampiero Ventura on Saturday recalled Bologna midfielder Simone Verdi to his squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Albania. After losing 3-0 to Spain in Madrid earlier this month, Ventura's squad has given up hope of winning Group G and automatic qualification for next summer's finals in […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City underlined their title credentials as Kevin De Bruyne's thunderbolt sealed an impressive 1-0 win at Chelsea, while Manchester United remain hot on their heels after a 4-0 rout of Crystal Palace on Saturday. Having lost the Premier League leadership to United earlier in the day, City moved back above their […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar scored twice, including a first-half penalty, and created another goal as Paris Saint-Germain hammered previously unbeaten Bordeaux 6-2 in Ligue 1 on Saturday. The Brazilian curled in a brilliant 30-yard free-kick after just five minutes at the Parc des Princes before sliding in Edinson Cavani to double the lead seven minutes […]

Madrid (AFP) – Sevilla moved up to second in La Liga as second-half goals from Ever Banega and Luis Muriel ensured a routine 2-0 Andalusian derby victory over winless Malaga on Saturday. A sixth defeat in seven games pushes Malaga boss and legendary former Real Madrid player Michel ever closer to becoming already the fourth […]

London (AFP) – Stoke City held off a frantic late onslaught as Peter Crouch scored the winner to edge Southampton 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday. But Mark Hughes's team only earnt their second win of the campaign after Saints forward Manolo Gabbiadini spurned two late chances to steal a draw. Mame Diouf put […]

London (AFP) – Senegalese international Diafra Sakho came off the bench to score a last-minute winner as West Ham defeated fellow strugglers Swansea 1-0 on Saturday, a vital three points which probably saved the job of coach Slaven Bilic. The 27-year-old Sakho, who had replaced Javier Hernandez with just 12 minutes left, scored from close […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has called for calm as his side host Las Palmas on Sunday amid heightened political tension in Catalonia as pro-secessionist groups forge ahead with a referendum on independence for the north-eastern region of Spain. Outspoken central defender Gerard Pique joined the club this week in backing Catalonia's right […]

Berlin (AFP) – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's miserable week continued as he missed a penalty but Borussia Dortmund still ground out a 2-1 win at Augsburg on Saturday to extend their Bundesliga lead. Star striker Aubameyang followed on his poor performance in Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League defeat at home to Real Madrid by firing a weak penalty […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Marouane Fellaini scored twice as Manchester United maintained their blistering start to the season with a 4-0 thrashing of lowly Crystal Palace on Saturday. Juan Mata, making his 200th Premier League appearance, gave United the lead after just three minutes, with Fellaini's goals followed by a late tap in for […]

London (AFP) – Romelu Lukaku extended his hot streak as Manchester United powered to a 4-0 victory against Crystal Palace, while Harry Kane inspired Tottenham's 4-0 demolition of Huddersfield on Saturday. With Manchester City facing champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge later on Saturday, United temporarily moved to the top of the Premier League as Lukaku […]

Huddersfield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – A Harry Kane masterclass ensured Tottenham cruised to a 4-0 victory against Huddersfield on Saturday. Tottenham beat Cypriot champions APOEL Nicosia 3-0 courtesy of a brilliant Kane hat-trick on Tuesday and he was just as impressive in West Yorkshire, killing off Huddersfield inside the opening 20 minutes with two superbly […]