Paris (AFP) – A Cesc Fabregas penalty set Monaco on their way to a crushing 4-0 win over Metz on Saturday that keeps the principality side right in the running for the Ligue 1 title before leading duo Paris Saint-Germain and Lille clash later. Kevin Volland also scored before a brace by substitute Wissam Ben […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel suffered the first defeat of his reign as struggling West Bromwich Albion took advantage of Thiago Silva's red card to earn a stunning 5-2 win on Saturday. Tuchel had overseen a 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions since replacing the sacked Frank Lampard in January. But that impressive […]

London (AFP) – In-form Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho has signed a new contract with Leicester that will keep him at the Premier League club until 2024. Iheanacho has scored nine times in his last nine appearances in all competitions as Leicester cemented their grip on third place in the Premier League and reached the FA […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Al Ahly Benghazi will become the first Libyan club since 2010 to host a CAF club match when they tackle South African visitors Orlando Pirates Sunday in the Confederation Cup. Deadly violence in the post-Moamer Kadhafi era forced Libyan national teams and clubs to stage home matches in other north African countries, […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Five-time title-holders TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo were eliminated from the CAF Champions League Friday after losing 2-0 at Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria. The visitors were undone by goals from substitutes Amir Sayoud and Youcef Bechou in the dying minutes with Ahmed Gasmi, who also came off the bench […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil urged his players on Friday to make history by beating Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey. La Real will face bitter rivals Bilbao on Saturday in the postponed final from last season, which has been put off as long as possible in the […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel wants Timo Werner to stop worrying about his goal drought after the Chelsea forward's glaring miss contributed to Germany's shock loss against North Macedonia. Werner's failure to tap into an open goal in the 2-1 loss to North Macedonia was crucial to Germany losing a World Cup qualifier for the […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho refuses to "play that game" regarding speculation over Tottenham Hotspur star striker Harry Kane's future after he was linked with replacing Sergio Aguero at Premier League rivals Manchester City. Mourinho said he did not know if England captain Kane always had a smile on his face "but he is always […]

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola said Manchester City may well not replace record goalscorer Sergio Aguero due to the financial fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic. Guardiola added the runaway Premier League leaders possessed enough talent to cope without Aguero when his contract expires at the end of the season. The Argentine joined City from Atletico […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel have played down reports their clubs will go head to head in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland. Haaland has emerged as one of the world's top forwards after scoring 21 goals in 21 appearances in the […]

Rome (AFP) – When Juventus travel across town for the their Easter weekend meeting with local rivals Torino on Saturday, they will do so without veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. The 43-year-old, who is currently the number two keeper at Juve, is suspended... for blasphemy. In Italian football, players are told to watch their language but […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp has challenged Liverpool to salvage their troubled Premier League season with a late bid to finish in the top four. Klopp's side are languishing in seventh place and sit five points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League. The Reds' win over Wolves […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid play Eibar on Saturday at the start of a definitive fortnight in their season that will stretch a creaking squad and test Zinedine Zidane's dependence on his ageing stars. Still with a shot at winning La Liga, Madrid know defeat by Barcelona next weekend would likely end their challenge, with […]

London (AFP) – Jack Grealish's return to fitness is the boost Aston Villa need as his absence due to a shin injury has coincided with a poor run of form for the team, manager Dean Smith said on Friday. Villa have won just once in the six Premier League matches that the 25-year-old has been […]

Belgrade (AFP) – The captain's armband that Cristiano Ronaldo flung to the ground in disgust after Portugal were denied an injury-time winner against Serbia was sold at a charity auction for 64,000 euros ($75,000) to an anonymous bidder. With seconds to go while the score in the 2022 World Cup qualifier was 2-2 in Belgrade, […]