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PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho delivers Dele Alli injury update ahead of Norwich City clash

Tottenham Hotspur Manager Jose Mourinho looks on prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho has played down fears over an injury to Dele Alli ahead of facing Norwich City. Spurs needed to comeback from a poor first half performance to win against Brighton and Hove Albion on Boxing Day with the England international scoring the winner at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He could be an important player against away at Carrow Road in his team's final game of 2019 due to the suspensions of Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko. Both players reached their respective limits for yellow cards in the win over Brighton and will miss out on playing against Norwich as a result....
TRANSFERS

Zlatan Ibrahimovic rejoins AC Milan until end of season

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC MilanZlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to AC Milan on a contract until the end of the current Serie A season with the option to extend the deal for a further season, the club has said.The 38-year-old former Sweden international had been without a club since the end of his previous contract at MLS club LA Galaxy.He previously spent two years at Milan, scoring 56 goals in 85 appearances and winning the Serie A title in 2011.“I’m coming back to a club I hugely respect and to the city of Milan which I love,” Ibrahimovic said. “I’ll fight together with my teammates to change the course of this season. I will do everything to make it happen”.
LALIGA

Real Madrid Midfielder Asensio aims to recover in time for CL Quarterfinals

Marco Asensio of Real Madrid CF looks on prior to the Liga match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid CF at Iberostar Estadi.Real Madrid have been missing Marco Asensio for months after he suffered a devastating injury in the preseason, but he is reportedly aiming to return in the Champions League knockout stages.Although Real Madrid sit in second place in La Liga and thoroughly outplayed FC Barcelona in the last Clasico, it has been a tough season for them injury-wise. For example, Eden Hazard has been sorely missed over the past month, including against Barca. Marcelo and James Rodriguez were also dealing with injuries in the last month, while players from Isco to Luka Modric have suffered injuries this season.But the main long-term absence for Los Blancos in 2019-2020 has been youn...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Firmino scores twice as Liverpool thrash Leicester to go 13 points clear

Roberto Firmino of Liverpool scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Liverpool FC at The King Power Stadium.First came the Champions League title, then the Club World Cup last week. Now, with a 13-point lead, Liverpool will surely be champions of England again by May.Leicester, the closest challenger, was blown away in a 4-0 victory that pushes Liverpool closer to ending a three-decade title drought.There is half of the season still to play but the gulf was vast on Thursday night, exposed by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s repertoire of assists and a goal from the right back.Alexander-Arnold’s crosses set up both of Roberto Firmino’s goals and another was handled by Leicester Caglar Soyuncu which led to James Milner scoring a penalty.
PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal held to 1-1 draw as Southampton stun Chelsea at home

Lewis Cook of Bournemouth holds off Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium.Mikel Arteta got off to an underwhelming start as Arsenal manager with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth as Chelsea slumped to another shock home reverse, losing 2-0 to Southampton, on Boxing Day.Carlo Ancelotti had a more positive impact on his Everton bow as Dominic Calvert-Lewin's brilliant diving header earned a 1-0 win over Burnley.Chelsea's defeat allowed Tottenham to move back to within three points of the top four as they came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Dele Alli.The top two clash later when Leicester host Liverpool hoping to close the gap on the runaway league le...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham fight back to beat Brighton in EPL

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Adam Webster of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane and Dele Alli scored in the second half as Jose Mourinho’s side came from behind to claim a 2-1 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Thursday.Kane followed up his own shot to equalise in the 53rd minute and cancel out Adam Webster’s first-half header and Alli put Spurs ahead in the 72nd, knocking in a pass from Serge Aurier to complete a move inspired by substitute Christian Eriksen.Spurs were reeling from a disheartening home 2-0 loss to Chelsea and a sleepy atmosphere gripped their stadium early in the game, which was ...
TRANSFERS

Report: Man utd loanee Chris Smalling want permanent move to Roma

Chris Smalling of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AS Roma at Stadio Artemio Franchi.Manchester United star Chris Smalling has reportedly expressed a desire to complete a permanent move to Roma having settled in brilliantly in Italy.The experienced Englishman was loaned out in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first full season in charge with many not expecting him to perform as well as he has done so far.Smalling’s form has even seen him, if reports are to be believed, be considered for a recall to the national side with Gareth Southgate said to be impressed.United fans had previously expressed concerns as to why Marcos Rojo or Phil Jones didn’t leave the club first as they were the more dispensable players.With Solskjaer’s men defensively poor of late, having fa...
TRANSFERS

Mandzukic quits Juventus for Qatari cub Al-Duhail

Mario Mandzukic of Juventus during the match between Juventus v Juventus U19 at the Villar Perosa Stadium.Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic has left Juventus to join Qatari club Al-Duhail on a free transfer after a four-year stint with the Italian side.Al-Duhail announced the signing of the World Cupper on their official website on Tuesday. Mandzukic’s move ends the rumours and speculations which stated that the footballer could join Manchester United in the winter transfer window.“The team’s management succeeded today in contracting with the Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic of Juventus in a free transfer deal after the end of his contract with his Italian team,” Al-Duhail said in a statement on their website.Mandzukic was a part of the team that finished runners-up in the 2018 FIFA Wor...
TRANSFERS

Chelsea Reportedly offered the chance to sign Isco

Frank Lampard of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground.Chelsea FC have been presented with the opportunity to sign Real Madrid playmaker Isco, according to a report in England.The Daily Mirror is reporting that the Blues have been offered the experienced Spain international ahead of the January transfer window.The same article states that Real Madrid are eager to offload some unwanted players in an attempt to free up space for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen.According to the same story, the Blues are considering making an offer of Isco amid Frank Lampard’s eagerness to improve the Chelsea FC squad next month.The Daily Mirror go on to report that the west London side have in the region of £150m to spend on new signings in the January transfer window.The...
SERIE A

Giuseppe Iachini Appointed Fiorentina Coach

Giuseppe Iachini manager of Fiorentina.Fiorentina have appointed former player Giuseppe Iachini as their new manager.The hierarchy have acted swiftly to replace Vincenzo Montella, who was sacked on Saturday, following a 4-1 thrashing at home to Roma on Friday night, leaving them without a win in seven matches.Iachini, who made 126 appearances for Fiorentina during a five-year spell, has led four sides to promotion out of Serie B, but was sacked as Empoli manager in March."The current situation in the table forced us to change the coach," said Rocco Commisso, the club's billionaire owner."We chose Iachini because he is a great man, linked to Florence and Fiorentina. Now we have to stick together and get back on the right track as soon as possible."The 55-year-old has huge experience in Ital...
TRANSFERS

Atletico Madrid Reportedly close to signing PSG striker Cavani

Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Paris St Germain and Galatasaray AS at at the Parc des Princes.PSG striker Edinson Cavani is poised to move to Atletico Madrid in a transfer deal which could be inked in the coming days, the Marca sports daily reported on Monday.Rumours of a possible move from Paris Saint-Germain have been on the cards for months, but may be imminent, given the Uruguayan forward's frustration at being left on the bench, the Spanish paper said."The transfer could take place in the coming days. In principle, the agreement would be for two-and-a-half seasons, although it is still up for discussion," it said of Cavani, whose contract with PSG is up in June.But securing PSG's agreement for an immediate transfer of their...
BUNDESLIGA

Hansi Flick to stay as Bayern Munich Manager until end of the Season

Head coach Hans-Dieter Flick of Bayern Munich looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena.Bayern Munich has confirmed interim coach Hansi Flick will stay in charge until at least the end of the season.The club's management praised Flick's start to life in charge of the German champion and said he could stay in the job for the long term.Flick has won eight out of 10 games since taking charge of Bayern in October when Niko Kovac was fired following a run of poor form.“We at FC Bayern are very satisfied with Hansi Flick’s work,” chairman and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on the club website.“Under him as head coach, the on-field development has been outstanding, both in terms of the quality of our play and the results achieved.”Flick was...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Carlo Ancelotti targets Anfield win to kickstart Everton Reign

Everton unveil new manager Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park.Carlo Ancelotti has set his sights on a second win over Liverpool this season.Ancelotti will aim to end Everton’s 21-year Anfield hoodoo when he takes on the European champions during next month’s FA Cup third round tie.The Italian is one of the few managers to best Jurgen Klopp’s side, with Napoli taking seven points off the Reds over the previous two seasons.Despite the Blues’ lengthy wait for Merseyside derby victory, with none since 2010, Ancelotti is aiming to end that barren run in the January 5 clash.“I would not describe a trip to Anfield as mission impossible.“Nothing is impossible in football.”The three-time Champions League winner also downplayed a potential reunion with free agent Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Goodison Park ne...
SERIE A

AC Milan thrashed 5-0 at Atalanta, worst league loss in 21 years

Alejandro Gomez and Ruslan Malinovskyi of Atalanta BC celebrates after their team-mate Mario Pasalic scored during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan at Gewiss Stadium.AC Milan suffered their heaviest defeat for more than 21 years as they were thrashed 5-0 by Atalanta in Serie A.Stefano Pioli's side are 10th in the table and could go into Christmas in the bottom half if Sassuolo or Bologna win later on Sunday.Alejandro Gomez scored a stunning opener, nutmegging Andrea Conti before firing home, and Atalanta's final three goals came in the last half hour.Mario Pasalic scored and Josip Ilicic netted twice before Luis Muriel struck.Atalanta, who are in the Champions League knockout stages, rise to fifth in the table.Milan had not lost by five goals in any competition since bein...
NEWS

Ligue 1: Mbappe nets twice as PSG beat Amiens

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in action during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Amiens SC at Parc des Princes.Kylian Mbappe celebrated turning 21 with a silvery-looking haircut and two more clinical finishes as league leader Paris Saint-Germain beat struggling Amiens 4-1 on Saturday.It was a familiar sight as the lightning-fast France star with his new dyed hair — after his birthday on Friday — latched onto a long pass from Neymar and adroitly clipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.Mbappe has been involved in 15 goals in his last 12 league games — 11 goals and four assists — and his partnership with Brazil star Neymar continues to flourish.Neymar danced in front of the home fans after tapping home from close range early into the second half. Mauro Icar...
NEWS

Liverpool win their first FIFA Club World Cup title

Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, lifts the Club World Cup after his team's 1-0 victory over CR Flamengo at Khalifa International Stadium.England's Liverpool won their first 2019 FIFA Club World Cup title after beating Brazil's Flamengo 1-0 in the final on Saturday.Champions League winners Liverpool beat the Brazilian side as their Brazilian star Roberto Firmino scored at the 99th minute in extra time at Khalifa International Stadium as Qatar is this year's host nation.Brazilian forward Firmino also carried his team to the final, scoring a vital goal in the injury time of the second half against Mexican club Monterrey.Mexican football club Monterrey defeated Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal 4-3 on penalties to finish at third place at the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 on Saturday.Following a 2-...
LALIGA

La Liga Champions Barcelona Cruise past Alaves 4-1

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Lucas Perez of Deportivo Alaves during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou.Reigning Spanish La Liga champs Barcelona beat Deportivo Alaves 4-1 on Saturday in order to maintain their lead in the league.In their 18th league match on Saturday at home in the Camp Nou, Barcelona opened up a three-point lead, thanks to goals from Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal.On Wednesday, Barcelona drew 0-0 with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in El Clasico.Leaders Barcelona have 39 points while Real Madrid, closely following at second spot with 36 points, will face Athletic Bilbao at home at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Sunday.
PREMIER LEAGUE

Sheffield United up to 5th with win at Brighton

Oliver McBurnie of Sheffield United runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Sheffield United at American Express Community Stadium.Sheffield United kept up its brilliant first season back in the Premier League by beating Brighton 1-0 away to climb into fifth place in the standings.In a game where United had two goals ruled out by the video assistant referee, the strike that was allowed came in the 23rd minute when a long clearance by goalkeeper Dean Henderson wasn’t dealt with effectively by defender Lewis Dunk and Oli McBurnie raced clear to finish.The visitors stayed unbeaten away from home in league play since Jan. 19, when they lost to Swansea when they were in the second-tier League Championship. They have played nine away games in the...
BUNDESLIGA

Bayern snatch late win over Wolfsburg

Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena.Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich grabbed a 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening.The game got off to a fiery start as Bayern's Ivan Perisic forced Koen Casteels into a superb save from distance, while Manuel Neuer was called upon to keep out Felix Klaus at the other end.David Alaba went close to breaking the deadlock for the home side at the midway point as his stinging strike from distance forced Casteels to make a fine one-handed save.The tempo slowed down in the latter stages of the first half as Wolfsburg were quite happy to soak up the pressure as the Bavarians dominated p...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta pledges to be ruthless at Arsenal to create 'winning mentality'

Mikel Arteta the Arsenal Head Coach during his press conference at Emirates Stadium.New Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is ready to channel the ruthlessness he witnessed under Pep Guardiola as he sets out to whip the Gunners into shape.The 37-year-old left the backroom staff at Manchester City on Friday to take the managerial job at the Emirates Stadium on a three-and-a-half year deal.He replaces Unai Emery, who was sacked three weeks ago after 18 months in charge, but will not be in the dugout for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Everton.Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg will take charge of the game at Goodison Park – with Everton also reportedly closing in on appointing their own new manager as Carlo Ancelotti edges closer to the job.Arteta will fully gets hold of the reins at Bournemouth ...
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