Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has accused Manchester United of lacking a killer instinct after another week of misfiring performances at Old Trafford, saying players are "not in love with the goal". Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 35, is United's 27-goal top scorer of which 16 have been in the Premier League. No other United player […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has vowed to bounce back from his worst campaign in management after admitting he was taught a lesson in his first season with Manchester City. Guardiola was head-hunted by City's wealthy Abu Dhabi owners following brilliant spells with Barcelona, where he won the Champions League twice, and Bayern […]

London (AFP) – Brighton moved within touching distance of promotion to the Premier League as Glenn Murray fired the Championship leaders to a 2-1 win at QPR on Friday. Murray put Brighton ahead after the interval at Loftus Road and Sebastian Pocognoli added the visitors' second. Matt Smith got one back for QPR but the […]

Paris (AFP) – Mario Balotelli scored a first-half double as Nice came from behind to win 2-1 at Lille on Friday and keep their unlikely bid for the French title alive. Ibrahim Amadou's early deflected strike had Lille in front at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, but Balotelli quickly equalised with a sublime finish and then tapped […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Benfica coach Rui Vitoria has signed a two-year extension to his contract, tying him to the club until 2020, the Portuguese champions announced on Friday. Vitoria was appointed by the Lisbon giants in 2015, joining from Vitoria Guimaraes to succeed Jorge Jesus, who left for bitter rivals Sporting. The 46-year-old led Benfica […]

Zurich (AFP) – FIFA could seal a major partnership deal with Qatar Airways within weeks, a source said on Friday, the same day football's corruption-tainted world body announced a $369 million loss. "We hope to confirm it in the next few months, perhaps before the congress in Bahrain (May 10-11)," the source close to FIFA […]

Madrid (AFP) – Diego Simeone believes Atletico Madrid need top scorer Antoine Griezmann in top form if they are to once again derail city rivals Real Madrid's La Liga title challenge on Saturday. Real hold a two-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga and have a game in hand as they edge […]

Milan (AFP) – Lionel Messi "cried tears of frustration" in his battle to beat vomiting urges and muscle problems, says the Italian doctor who claims he revamped the Barcelona striker's lifestyle to maintain his superstar status. Doctor Giuliano Poser, a sports nutritionist who specialises in optimising muscle performance through the use of specific foods, is […]

Milan (AFP) – Mario Mandzukic is set to be rested but treble-chasing Juventus were warned to focus on Chievo despite the looming visit of Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Croatia international Mandzukic trained apart from the rest of Juve's squad this week as he recovers from an injury niggle, and […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers signed a four-year contract extension with the Scottish Premiership champions on Friday. Rodgers led Celtic to the title in his first season in charge of the Glasgow giants and, just days after that triumph was wrapped up, the former Liverpool boss has been rewarded with a new deal. […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were rocked Friday with manager Jurgen Klopp saying forward Sadio Mane will be out for the season to have knee surgery. The 24-year-old Senegal international, who has played a major part in Liverpool's bid to finish in the Premier League top four, suffered the injury […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho had no qualms Friday in proclaiming his Manchester United side not good enough to rid themselves of the unwanted tag of Premier League draw specialists. United go to Sunderland on Sunday after a 20-match unbeaten run in the top flight, but having drawn 10 of those matches. Seven […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shrugged off suggestions his "so polite" side were involved in a heated row with Chelsea's stars following a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge. Tempers are said to have flared in the tunnel after Wednesday's defeat that left City 14 points off top spot when an […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte was adamant Friday he was "here to stay" despite persistent rumours linking him with a move to Inter Milan after the end of the season. The 47-year-old former Juventus and Italy head coach has impressed in his first season in England, which could yet end with Chelsea completing a […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham striker Harry Kane could start against Watford on Saturday after recovering faster than expected from an ankle injury, said manager Mauricio Pochettino, who may though have to deploy his third-choice goalkeeper. The return of Kane, who has missed Spurs' last three matches, will buoy their distant hopes of making up the […]