London (AFP) – Radiating anger and resignation in equal measure, Arsene Wenger wore the exasperated expression that has become all too familiar to Arsenal followers during their club's futile attempts to conquer Europe. Wenger's frustrated demeanour on the touchline at the Allianz Arena last month was provoked by the sight of Arsenal being outclassed by […]

Milan (AFP) – If Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina reproduces the kind of form that was key to Saturday's 2-1 win over Roma against Real Madrid in midweek, a Champions League upset could be on the cards. But the former Barcelona and Liverpool shot-stopper would be forgiven for also hoping Cristiano Ronaldo forgets his shooting boots […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's seemingly extraordinary decision to drop Alexis Sanchez before Saturday's defeat at Liverpool was the result of a training ground row, British media reported Sunday. According to the Daily Telegraph, Sanchez walked out of training and was involved in a bust-up with angry team-mates days before the match. The […]

Sunderland (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has told his Manchester City side they are now into "must-win" territory in their three-pronged bid for silverware this season. City top-scorer Sergio Aguero's 23rd goal of the campaign and a third in as many matches from German midfielder Leroy Sane sealed a comfortable 2-0 Premier League win at struggling […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino has warned Chelsea that Harry Kane's unquenchable thirst for goals will keep Tottenham hot on the leaders' heels as the title race gathers pace. Kane struck twice as Pochettino's side closed the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to seven points with a 3-2 win over Everton at White Hart […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Arch-rivals Celtic and Rangers will meet in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup next month, with holders Hibernian drawn against Aberdeen. Celtic, the Scottish champions-elect, have already beaten fellow Glasgow giants Rangers three times this season but lost to them in an Old Firm clash at the same stage of the Scottish […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Swedish defender Victor Lindelof, who was strongly linked with a move to Manchester United in January, has signed a new contract with Benfica until 2021, the club revealed on Sunday. The 22-year-old agreed a one-year extension to his previous deal, while Argentine centre-back Lisandro Lopez penned a three-year extension to his contract […]

Berlin (AFP) – Striker Florian Niederlechner netted both of Freiburg's goals in their shock 2-1 comeback win at Bundesliga high-fliers Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday to leave them just outside the top six. Eintracht crashed to only their second defeat at home this season despite taking an early lead when Sweden striker Branimir Hrgota converted their […]

Sunderland (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Sergio Aguero's 23rd goal of the season helped Manchester City reclaim third place in the Premier League thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win at struggling Sunderland on Sunday. A fifth goal in three games from the in-form Argentina international, whose future at the club has been clouded by the recent impact of […]

Madrid (AFP) – A smiling Fernando Torres watched just four days on from a sickening blow to the head as Antoine Griezmann struck twice in Atletico Madrid's 3-0 win over Valencia on Sunday. Torres, a lifelong Atletico fan, was knocked unconscious during his side's 1-1 draw at Deportivo la Coruna on Thursday and spent the […]

Milan (AFP) – Leonardo Bonucci's second-half leveller saved Juventus's blushes a day after Roma virtually conceded the title as the champions were held to their first Serie A draw in over a year at Udinese. Juventus, aiming for a record sixth consecutive scudetto, were given a push in the right direction on Saturday when Roma's […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayer Leverkusen "regretfully" sacked coach Roger Schmidt — despite still being in the Champions League — following their humiliating 6-2 Bundesliga thrashing at Borussia Dortmund. The 49-year-old is the ninth coach to be fired by a Bundesliga club this season. Schmidt, who took charge in July 2014, was dismissed after three straight […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane extended his hot streak with a blistering brace as Tottenham beat Everton 3-2 to close the gap on leaders Chelsea to seven points on Sunday. Kane opened the scoring with a thunderous first-half strike at White Hart Lane and netted again after the break to take his goal tally to […]

London (AFP) – After refusing to rule out a move to Barcelona, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has an opportunity to show why he is so highly regarded when his Premier League title chasers face Everton on Sunday. Pochettino, who coached Barca's city rivals Espanyol between 2009 and 2012, has emerged as one of the most […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – The Seattle Sounders' defense of the Major League Soccer championship got off to a rocky start on Saturday as they fell 2-1 to the aggressive Houston Dynamo. Houston, who finished last season at the bottom of the Western Conference, gave no quarter to the defending champions. Their aggressive play led to […]