Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery refused to name his first-choice penalty taker on Thursday, after Neymar and Edinson Cavani's apparent falling out against Lyon last week. The Ligue 1 leaders travel to Montpellier on Saturday looking to make it seven straights wins to kick off the season, after smashing spending records in […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus and Napoli will be looking to make it six wins out of six in Serie A Saturday before must-win Champions League games next week. Juventus lost their European curtain raiser 3-0 to Barcelona and sparks should fly in the highly-anticipated Turin derby against an improving Torino before meeting Greek club Olympiakos […]

Madrid (AFP) – In the space of just five games Real Madrid have gone from red hot La Liga title favourites to trailing rivals Barcelona by seven points ahead of Saturday's trip to Alaves. When Madrid swept a crisis-ridden Barca aside 5-1 in the Spanish Super Cup last month, Zinedine Zidane's men were expected to […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho says Manchester United's dynamic start to their Premier League title challenge has been fuelled by the feel-good factor among his forwards. Mourinho's side head to Southampton on Saturday in confident mood after reeling off four wins from their first five league games. United have already scored 16 times in the […]

London (AFP) – Romelu Lukaku has asked Manchester United fans to "move on" from their controversial chant about the Belgium striker. Lukaku has quickly become a favourite of United supporters since his close-season move from Everton, but their vocal praise of the star has angered anti-racism groups. One United chant, to the tune of the […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan received an injury boost on Thursday as tests showed he hasn't suffered serious damage to his left knee. Gundogan limped off after an hour of City's League Cup win at West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday following a strong challenge from Claudio Yacob. The Germany international was making […]

Paris (AFP) – Footage of Paris Saint-Germain and France defender Layvin Kurzawa criticising national coach Didier Deschamps — and which led to a blackmail plot against him — was "taken completely out of context", according to his agent. "Layvin was the victim a few weeks ago of an extortion attempt based on an extract from […]

Madrid (AFP) – Chelsea and Atletico Madrid announced Thursday that they had reached an initial agreement that would see Diego Costa return to the La Liga club. "Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea have reached an initial agreement for the transfer of Diego Costa," the Spanish side said in a statement. "The agreement is pending the […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United announced record revenues and operating profits on Thursday despite missing out on the riches of the Champions League last season. The Old Trafford club earned revenues of £581.2 million ($783 million, 659 million euros) in the 12 months to the end of June and made an operating profit of £80.8 […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp claims criticism of Liverpool's recent struggles is unjustified because their poor run is just a temporary blip. Klopp's side crashed out of the League Cup at Leicester on Tuesday to extend their winless run to four matches in all competitions. Liverpool have conceded the first goal in their last four […]

London (AFP) – A lawmaker on Thursday accused the Football Association of an "inexcusable" lack of leadership following the sacking of England Women's manager Mark Sampson for "inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour" during his time at a previous club. Sampson had been the subject of accusations of racism, harassment and bullying made by former England player […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is pinning his hopes on David Luiz playing against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League next week even though the defender has a broken wrist. Luiz sustained the injury in Sunday's goalless draw with Arsenal when he clattered into the advertising hoardings at the end of the first […]

Berlin (AFP) – Sven Ulreich considered quitting Bayern Munich over the close season due to a lack of chances, but Manuel Neuer's latest injury has propelled his understudy into the spotlight. Germany standout and Bayern captain Neuer is out until January after undergoing surgery on Tuesday — his third operation in six months for a […]

Madrid (AFP) – Antonio Sanabria struck deep into stoppage time to hand Real Betis a shock 1-0 win away to Real Madrid on Wednesday as the European champions failed to score for the first time in 74 matches. Defeat leaves Real already seven points adrift of leaders Barcelona just five games into their defence of […]

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola is hopeful Ilkay Gundogan won't be sidelined for long after the Manchester City star was injured on his return from a serious knee problem. Leroy Sane's double earned City a 2-1 League Cup third round win at West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, but the victory was tarnished when Gundogan limped […]