London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp admits he never expected Liverpool to get so close to winning an unprecedented quadruple as they prepare for Sunday's Merseyside derby against Everton. Klopp's side are bidding to become the first English club to lift all four major trophies in a single season. They have already won the League Cup, […]

London (AFP) – Eddie Howe says his Premier League survival battle at Newcastle has been fuelled by the lingering pain of the one he lost with his former club Bournemouth. The Magpies had just five points when Howe was appointed in November, but are now close to safety after their sixth successive home win, against […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Kaizer Chiefs have sacked English coach Stuart Baxter after he failed to end a trophy drought, a spokesman for the most successful and popular South African football club confirmed on Friday. Popularly known as the AmaKhosi (Chiefs), the Johannesburg club won a record 53 domestic titles from its formation in 1970 until […]

Paris (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain are poised to clinch the Ligue 1 title this weekend when they require just a point at home to Lens, but behind them the race for France's other Champions League places is intensifying. PSG's season will ultimately be best remembered for their exit from the Champions League […]

Berlin (AFP) – Star strikers Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland go head-to-head for what could be the last time in the Bundesliga in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. A home win over second-placed Dortmund at Munich's Allianz Arena will secure a tenth straight Bundesliga title for Bayern with three games left. […]

London (AFP) – Kevin De Bruyne is adamant Manchester City can cope with the intense pressure of battling with Liverpool in the Premier League title race. City survived a tense first half to beat Brighton 3-0 with three goals after the interval at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. De Bruyne was the catalyst as his […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's early goal proved enough as Barcelona sealed a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad on Thursday to tighten their grip on a top-four finish in La Liga. But Barca's run-in could be hampered after their defence was almost completely wiped out by injuries at Anoeta, with Dani Alves, Ronald Araujo and […]

Burnley (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Burnley improved their chances of avoiding relegation from the Premier League as Connor Roberts' superb strike inspired a vital 2-0 win against Southampton on Thursday. The Clarets won for the first time since Sean Dyche's sacking thanks to Roberts' sublime curler and Nathan Collins' header. Roberts' first goal for Burnley following […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Brazilian football great Pele was discharged Thursday from the hospital where he was admitted four days earlier for colon cancer treatment, the establishment announced. The 81-year-old was "in a good and stable clinical condition," the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said in a statement. Considered by many the greatest footballer […]

Paris (AFP) – Holders Barcelona must see off seasoned campaigners Wolfsburg if they are to reach a second consecutive Women's Champions League final, where French giants Lyon or Paris Saint-Germain will lie in wait. Barcelona have replaced Lyon as the leading force in the European women's game with a squad led by Ballon d'Or winner […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund will be without first-choice goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and midfielder Axel Witsel for Saturday's showdown at Bayern Munich, who can secure a tenth straight Bundesliga title with victory at the Allianz Arena. Kobel is out with an injured ligament and Witsel has an infection. Second-placed Dortmund are already missing Mats Hummels, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona's hunt for a quadruple continues on Friday when they face Wolfsburg in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final, a game that could break a world record for the second time in a month. Barca's all-conquering team won the treble last year but could go one better this season, […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Erik ten Hag said he is "absolutely determined" to bring success back to Manchester United after the Ajax boss was confirmed on Thursday as the troubled club's new manager from next season. Ten Hag, who has signed a three-year contract, faces a huge task to revive United after a fifth […]

London (AFP) – Harry Maguire's house was checked by police on Thursday after the Manchester United captain received a bomb threat. England defender Maguire, who lives with his fiancée and two children, has endured a difficult season with club and country, but it is not known who made the threat. The 29-year-old's home was swept […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham boss Antonio Conte admits he will be "very happy" to see Brentford's Christian Eriksen this weekend after the Dane's brush with death. Conte signed Eriksen from Tottenham when he was in charge at Inter Milan in 2020 and the playmaker was a key figure in their Serie A title triumph. Eriksen […]