London (AFP) – Jermain Defoe scored two penalties as third-bottom Sunderland prevented Liverpool from significantly trimming Chelsea's lead at the Premier League summit in a 2-2 draw on Monday. Liverpool twice went ahead, through Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane, but Defoe's two spot-kicks mean Chelsea will move eight points clear if they win at Tottenham […]

London (AFP) – Controversial midfielder Joey Barton returned to the Premier League on Monday after re-signing for Burnley despite having a charge of misconduct hanging over him for alleged betting. The 34-year-old Englishman, who played a leading role in Burnley's promotion back to the Premier League last term, has been training with the squad since […]

London (AFP) – A five-year-old Sunderland fan who has terminal cancer was adjudged joint winner of the BBC's December goal of the month award. Bradley Lowery, who earlier this season had his name chanted by Sunderland and Everton fans in the fifth minute of their match in which he led the Black Cats out, beat […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Former Liverpool striker on Monday signed a three year deal with top Istanbul side Besiktas, the club said in a statement. Former Dutch international Babel, who played for Liverpool from 2007 to 2011, was a free agent after his contract with Deportivo La Coruna expired. Besiktas said he would be paid 1.2 […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Midfielders Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria and Hakim Ziyech of Morocco and striker Basem Morsy of Egypt will be notable absentees from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon this month. They all failed to find favour as national coaches put the final touches to plans for the tournament, which kicks off […]

West Bromwich (United Kingdom) (AFP) – James Morrison rounded off a superb second-half performance by West Brom as they came from behind to beat struggling Hull 3-1 and mark their 400th Premier League appearance in style on Monday. Morrison's goal added to those of Chris Brunt and Gareth McAuley saw the hosts come from 1-0 […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gave a tetchy television interview to a BBC journalist following his team's 2-1 Premier League win over Burnley on Monday. City overcame the first-half dismissal of Fernandinho to prevail through goals from Gael Clichy and substitute Sergio Aguero, but Guardiola seemed less than impressed. Told […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Enner Valencia came off the bench to make a decisive impact as the Ecuadoran striker inspired Everton's 3-0 win over Southampton on Monday. Valencia hadn't scored a club goal since netting twice for West Ham against Manchester City in January 2016. But the 27-year-old was back on the scoresheet at Goodison Park […]

London (AFP) – Jermain Defoe scored two penalties as third-bottom Sunderland prevented Liverpool from significantly trimming Chelsea's lead at the Premier League summit in a 2-2 draw on Monday. Liverpool twice went ahead, through Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane, but Defoe's two spot-kicks mean Chelsea will move eight points clear if they win at Tottenham […]

Sunderland (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was an angry man after two penalties from Jermain Defoe slowed his team's pursuit of the Premier League leaders Chelsea as they were held to a 2-2 at lowly Sunderland on Monday. Liverpool led twice through goals from Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane, but two disputed […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City overcame the first-half dismissal of Fernandinho and another Claudio Bravo error to secure a nervy 2-1 Premier League victory over Burnley on Monday. Fernandinho's third red card in six games will lead to a four-game suspension, but after City's worst first half to a league season in eight […]

London (AFP) – Jermain Defoe scored two penalties as third-bottom Sunderland prevented Liverpool from significantly trimming Chelsea's lead at the Premier League summit in a 2-2 draw on Monday. Liverpool twice went ahead, through Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane, but Defoe's two spot-kicks mean Chelsea will move eight points clear if they win at Tottenham […]

Middlesbrough (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Leicester City's underwhelming season continued on Monday as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough that did little for either side's hopes of avoiding Premier League relegation. With Jamie Vardy completing his three-game suspension and Riyad Mahrez again disappointing, Leicester lacked a cutting edge and it was Boro […]

Brussels (AFP) – China's buying binge continued into the New Year with Tianjin Quanjian FC luring Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel away from Zenit Saint Petersburg with an 18 million euro annual pay packet, Belgian media reported Monday. Over the four-year deal Witsel, 28, will pocket 72 million euros ($75 million) in salary at the club […]

London (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes his goal-scoring form for Manchester United has forced his critics to eat their words. There were fears that, aged 35, the former Paris Saint-Germain star would struggle to cope with the ferocious pace of the Premier League. But he has risen to the challenge in style, scoring 17 goals […]