The mere mention of Dennis Viollet conjures up images of a clinical striker scoring goals for Sir Matt Busby’s Manchester United. The name of the Busby Babe is permanently etched in the Old Trafford club’s history books being the first player to score in European competition for United as well as holding the record for […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola warned his under-achieving squad that they are playing for their futures at the Etihad Stadium. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach, tasked by the Abu Dhabi owners with establishing the club among Europe's elite, has found his first season to be more demanding than […]

Sunderland (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Struggling Sunderland gave manager David Moyes their full backing on Tuesday but called his threat to slap a BBC woman reporter "wholly unacceptable". The 53-year-old Scot apologised to Vicki Sparks even before the furore over their apparently light-hearted exchange a fortnight ago broke on Monday. Thinking the camera and microphone […]

London (AFP) – Leading scorer Sadio Mane's season could have run its course dealing a huge blow to Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, manager Jurgen Klopp said on Tuesday. The 24-year-old Senegalese winger — who has scored 13 goals this season and whose absence when on Africa Cup of Nations duty coincided […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona coach Luis Enrique hinted he will follow Pep Guardiola's lead by taking a sabbatical rather than seeking a new job when he steps down at the end of the season. Enrique announced last month he will not renew his contract at Camp Nou despite winning eight trophies in his three-year reign […]

London (AFP) – Michail Antonio is to be offered a pay rise as a reward for his outstanding performances this season, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic said on Tuesday. The 27-year-old midfielder, who will return for Wednesday's crucial game with Arsenal and bolster a side just six points above the relegation places after four successive […]

London (AFP) – Beleaguered Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Tuesday a top four finish and a place in the Champions League is a realistic target for his stuttering team. But the 67-year-old Frenchman admitted his team — presently sixth and seven points off the Champions League places with a game in hand on fourth-placed […]

London (AFP) – Luke Shaw is back in the Manchester United squad for Tuesday's Premier League match with Everton according to media reports after holding 'clear the air talks' with Jose Mourinho, who slammed him at the weekend. The 21-year-old fullback — signed for over £30 million (35m euros, $37.3m) in 2014 from Southampton — […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino insists "nothing is impossible" as Tottenham Hotspur attempt to increase the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea. Second-placed Spurs travel to face Swansea City on Wednesday, with their title hopes buoyed by Chelsea's shock loss to Crystal Palace last weekend. With north London club Spurs beating Burnley, it meant the […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho believes his side can reignite their Premier League title ambitions on Wednesday against a Chelsea team rocked by a shock 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace. Ten points clear following the international break, Chelsea saw their lead trimmed to seven points after they crashed at home to Palace on […]

A young boy was sitting on his own after a particularly disappointing soccer training session. Looking down at his boots, he felt physically sick believing he had let his coach down. The coach noticed this lonely figure, made his way over and put his arm around the forlorn player seemingly attuned to the pain that […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Brendan Rodgers says his job has only begun in terms of bringing Celtic success having landed the Premiership title on Sunday and improve their fortunes in Europe. Rodgers' side, 25 points clear of second-placed Aberdeen, set a new Scottish top-flight record as the earliest ever champions after wrapping it up with eight […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger’s claim that Arsenal's draw with Manchester City could prove a turning point in their season will be tested when West Ham United visit the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday The under-fire Arsenal manager, who has yet to reveal whether he will sign a new contract with the Gunners when his current […]

Madrid (AFP) – Jorge Sampaoli has a final shot to further his case to land his dream job at the end of the season when his slumping Sevilla side travel to Barcelona on Wednesday. Sampaoli looked to be at the head of the queue when Barca boss Luis Enrique announced he would step down at the […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool have a grip on a Champions League place but there are still reasons for manager Jurgen Klopp to be wary as he prepares for Wednesday's Premier League match at home to Bournemouth. For one thing, he will be without his leading scorer Sadio Mane, who suffered a knee injury during the […]