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Rickie Lambert admitted a late equalizer for Ludogorets had left Liverpool "devastated" in Bulgaria but claimed their performance in the 2-2 draw ought to be enough to silence their critics. A Simon Mignolet error gifted the hosts an early lead through Dani Abola, but Lambert's first Champions League goal leveled it before Jordan Henderson put […]

Cesc Fabregas believes he is playing the best football of his career – and puts his scintillating form down to the quality of his Chelsea team-mates. The Spain midfielder moved to Stamford Bridge from Barcelona in the summer, insisting he had 'unfinished business' in the Premier League having previously spent eight years at Arsenal. Things […]

Liverpool's Champions League hopes remain alive after their first goals in the competition since mid-September but a late Ludogorets equaliser saw them leave Bulgaria disappointed. A dogged performance with few of the hallmarks of manager Brendan Rodgers' preferred way of playing brought an end to a four-match losing run and would have repaired some badly […]

Arsenal put their recent troubles behind them to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium and qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a match to spare. The Gunners have endured their worst start to a domestic campaign for 30 years, and are eighth in the Barclays Premier League following Saturday's […]

Sergio Aguero commanded the headlines after scoring a stunning hat-trick for Manchester City against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. Here, Press Association Sport shares eight interesting facts about a player rated among the best in the world. 1. Aguero is known widely by his nickname 'Kun', a moniker that has stuck since childhood. It comes from […]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere would not be the same player if you took away the determination which played a part in him suffering another injury blow. The 22-year-old England international is set to see a specialist after damaging his ankle ligaments following a sliding challenge by Manchester United defender Paddy McNair on […]

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers accepts captain Steven Gerrard is no longer the driving force he was but insists it is wrong to write him off entirely. And despite Gerrard's former team-mate Jamie Carragher suggesting it was time for the 34-year-old to be released from the defensive role which he believes he is unsuitable for, Rodgers […]

Sergio Aguero struck twice in the closing minutes to complete a hat-trick and revive Manchester City's Champions League hopes with a 3-2 win over 10-man Bayern Munich. City's challenge had looked all but over after Aguero's early penalty was cancelled out by quickfire goals from Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski before half-time. But Aguero seized […]

Roberto Di Matteo played down the talk of a revenge mission as Chelsea visited Gelsenkirchen to take on his Schalke side – but it was embarrassment that greeted the Italian as the Blues eased into the knockout stages of the Champions League. Current Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insisted in the build-up to this clash that […]

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has called on his players to be more tenacious and aggressive in the wake of criticism his side is too soft. After the 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Sunday, a match in which they took an early lead, former Reds vice-captain Jamie Carragher said they were bullied and mentally weak. […]

Nathaniel Clyne has warned Southampton's top-four rivals the Saints are ready to fight for a Champions League spot. The England defender is confident they can maintain their challenge ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester City at St Mary's. Clyne scored in the Saints' 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Monday as they extended their unbeaten […]

Boss Paul Lambert defended Aston Villa's fans after their lowest league gate for 15 years. Just 25,311 watched Villa hold Southampton to a 1-1 draw at Villa Park, where Gabby Agbonlahor's opener – following Fraser Forster's gaffe – was cancelled out by Nathaniel Clyne. It was the lowest crowd in the Premier League at Villa […]

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has promised his team will fight to the end to keep their Champions League hopes alive. City host Bayern Munich in a crucial clash on Tuesday knowing anything but victory could effectively end their hopes for another year. Pellegrini's men have claimed just two points from four games in Group […]

Arsenal's second largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov has told Arsene Wenger to start learning from his mistakes and claims the Gunners need to strengthen the entire team to compete with the best in Europe. The Russian billionaire, who owns 30 per cent of the club, was keen to emphasize his admiration for Wenger but believes the […]

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed "rumors" that the club could attempt to sign Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. Messi's future at Barca has been the subject of recent speculation despite the Argentinian's hero status at the Nou Camp and his phenomenal goalscoring record. The 27-year-old scored a hat-trick against Sevilla last weekend to become […]