Marseille (AFP) – Marseille coach Andre Villas-Boas on Friday gave a limited apology to a journalist from a local newspaper who he threatened and struck after a defeat earlier in the week. On Wednesday, after his team lost 2-1 in a Ligue 1 game in Rennes, Villas-Boas approached the journalist from Marseille-based La Provence, gave […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has told Steven Bergwijn "we are all together" after the forward received harsh criticism following two missed chances in Tottenham's 2-1 defeat by Liverpool this week. Champions Liverpool made the most of their let-off, scoring a late winner through Roberto Firmino, leapfrogging Spurs to go top of the Premier League. […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick says it would be the "cherry on the cake" if his side capped an incredible 2020 by beating Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday to finish the year top of the Bundesliga. Second-placed Bayern, who won the treble last season, are one point behind leaders Leverkusen, the division's only […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is relishing Manchester United's first competitive match against Leeds United in nine years on Sunday, recalling 'fiery' encounters during his time as a player in the Premier League. The Norwegian came on as a substitute in the last Premier League meeting between the two sides in February 2004, months […]

Berlin (AFP) – The Bundesliga's bottom club Schalke 04 on Friday confirmed the sacking of Manuel Baum after just 79 days as head coach, with Huub Stevens returning for his fourth stint to try to end their 28-game winless streak in the league. Schalke are already on their third coach this season as Stevens, 67, […]

London (AFP) – Former England manager Sam Allardyce has come to terms with his role as a specialist escape artist as he prepares to embark on his mission to save Premier League strugglers West Brom from relegation. The man who used to bristle at being branded a survival expert has been parachuted in to save […]

London (AFP) – Mikel Arteta said Arsenal knew there would be no "quick fix" after he arrived at the club as he scrambles for solutions following a disastrous start to the Premier League season. The Gunners head into Saturday's Premier League match at Everton languishing in 15th place in the table following a 1-1 draw […]

London (AFP) – Mikel Arteta said everyone at Arsenal knew there would be no "quick fix" as he scrambles for solutions after a disastrous start to the Premier League season. The Gunners head into Saturday's Premier League match at Everton languishing in 15th place in the table following a 1-1 draw against Southampton. Arsenal's winless […]

London (AFP) – Players "overwhelmingly support" continuing to take a knee in support of the fight against racial injustice, the Professional Footballers' Association said on Friday. Teams at Premier League and English Football League games have been making the gesture since matches restarted in June following the coronavirus shutdown. The players' union said it had […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan target top spot in Serie A on Sunday at home against promoted Spezia as league leaders AC Milan face a tricky trip to Sassuolo. Inter are just one point behind their city rivals after picking up a fifth consecutive league win against Napoli midweek. Antonio Conte's side have gained four […]

Berlin (AFP) – Second-placed Bayern Munich are eager to stamp their authority on the Bundesliga with a win at current leaders Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday in their third top-of-the-table clash already this season. Under their Dutch coach Peter Bosz, Leverkusen are the only club still unbeaten in the German league. They are a point ahead […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool top the Premier League table but the defending champions — like all of the traditional big guns — are finding it tough to pull away from an eager pack of contenders. The stumbles of the "Big Six" have allowed a clutch of unfashionable clubs to dream of overthrowing the established order […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid's top scorer this season Karim Benzema said the La Liga champions are "on the right track" ahead of potentially returning to the top of table with a win at Eibar on Sunday. Madrid, who last led the league last season, trail leaders Atletico Madrid and second-placed Real Sociedad on goal […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain are hoping to have Neymar back in time for their top-of-the-table clash at Lille on Sunday, as the Brazil superstar looks to have recovered quicker than expected from what looked like a bad ankle injury. Coach Thomas Tuchel said "for Neymar we will do everything" after Wednesday's 2-0 win over […]

Milan (AFP) – Roma moved level on points with champions Juventus in third place in Serie A on Thursday with a 3-1 win over 10-man Torino. Torino had a mountain to climb after Wilfried Singo was sent off after 14 minutes in Rome following two yellow cards in seven minutes. Roma followed on from their […]