This week's episode of Divers and Cheats focused its discussion on the NASL, USL and MLS, and it created more buzz on social media than any of our previous three shows. The change in tact by the NASL since 2012 is striking. The mission statement of the league in the 2012 media guide included the following passage: “The […]

Manchester City have clinched the signing of Belgian attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg. The 24-year-old former Chelsea player had been a prime transfer window target of City boss Manuel Pellegrini who can now integrate him into the Barclays Premier League leaders' squad. De Bruyne has signed a six-year contract, his new club announced. […]

When news surfaced ahead of the 2014-15 campaign that Arsenal right back Hector Bellerin broke Theo Walcott’s previous club record for a 40 meter sprint of 4.42 seconds, many were surprised. Walcott, who topped Thierry Henry’s time of 4.82 in 2009, is widely regarded as one of, in not the, fastest player in the Premier League. Bellerin […]

Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez had two goals each as Real Madrid claimed a comfortable 5-0 victory over Real Betis in a high-tempo Primera Division match at the Bernabeu. Record signing Gareth Bale also scored a brace while Cristiano Ronaldo was denied many times as Rafael Benitez took charge of his first home game for […]

Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of River Plate midfielder Matias Kranevitter. The 22-year-old has passed his medical and put pen to paper on a five-year contract with Atletico, although he will not link up with the Primera Division club until after playing in the FIFA Club World Cup with Copa Libertadores champions River in […]

Sevilla striker Kevin Gameiro wants his side to use Sunday's visit of Atletico Madrid to prove they can more than mix it with the top sides as they prepare for a return to the Champions League this season. Sevilla have won back-to-back Europa League titles over the last two years but they will be back […]

Thomas Muller was spot on for Bayern Munich as they made it three wins out of three to return to the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday. The Germany international scored two goals – his fourth and fifth of the season, the second a penalty – in a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, who had […]

Thomas Vermaelen was the unlikely hero as Barcelona labored to a 1-0 win over Malaga to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Primera Division season. The former Arsenal defender smashed in the only goal of the game with 17 minutes remaining at the Nou Camp, just when Barca looked set to draw a […]

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic hailed a long-awaited victory at Anfield as one for the club's history books. The Hammers ended a 52-year wait for a league win at Liverpool with a stylish 3-0 success after goals from Manuel Lanzini, Mark Noble and Diafra Sakho. Even a harshly-awarded red card for Noble, after the hosts […]

Tim Howard denied Tottenham their first Barclays Premier League win of the season with a string of superb saves that enabled Everton to leave White Hart Lane with a goalless draw. Harry Kane, Ryan Mason and Toby Alderweireld were kept at bay by Howard in the first half, although Kane should have finished his one […]

West Brom have completed the signing of Manchester United defender Jonny Evans. The 27-year-old center-half has penned a four-year deal and joins Albion after making 198 appearances in all competitions for United. Press Association Sport understands the deal for the Northern Ireland international will cost the Baggies an initial £6million, rising to £8million with add-ons. […]

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho paid tribute to Crystal Palace, but lamented his own side's failings and the lack of a penalty award after a second loss in 100 Premier League home games. Chelsea secured the title with a 1-0 defeat of Palace on May 3, but the Eagles were triumphant on this occasion, stunning the […]

Fabricio Coloccini's own goal handed Arsenal a hard-fought victory at Newcastle after controversial striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was sent off just 16 minutes into the game. The Serbia international, who has now picked up two bookings and a sending-off in his first five appearances for the club, received a straight red card from referee Andre Marriner […]

Thiago Motta has ended speculation about his future by signing a one-year contract extension with Paris St Germain. The Italy international had been linked with a move away from the French champions, with Arsenal, Liverpool and his former clubs Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan reported to be among those clubs interested in acquiring his services. […]

Danny Blind has named Arjen Robben as the Netherlands' captain for the forthcoming European Championship qualifying matches against Iceland and Turkey. Blind, who took over from Guus Hiddink as national coach last month, has decided to give the armband to Bayern Munich playmaker Robben instead of previous skipper Robin van Persie, who has agreed to […]