• Howe on Botman, Joelinton and club crest proposals

    Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Arsenal (kick-off 16:30 BST).Here are the key lines from his news conference:Howe said he "wasn't sure" about Sven Botman's availability for the game but added: "We don't think it's a serious injury and we'll give him a chance to be fit."On Joelinton: "He's working away behind the scenes. Typical Joe he's absolutely foot to the floor trying to get fit because he wants to be involved. The b
  • Xhaka 'lifted Sunderland standards' - Ballard

    Dan Ballard and Granit Xhaka have been Premier League regulars for Sunderland this season [AFP via Getty Images]Dan Ballard says Granit Xhaka's arrival raised the standards at Sunderland to help them compete in the top half of the Premier League.Switzerland midfielder Xhaka was one of several summer signings following the club's promotion from the Championship through the play-offs.The 33-year-old, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen, was installed as captain, and his leadership has had a clear imp
  • Unsung heroes and trailblazers - Rooney and Allardyce on management

    Wayne Rooney played for Sam Allardyce at Everton from 2017 until 2018 [AFP via Getty Images]Sam Allardyce is often seen as an old school coach who made football simple - but he was once known as one of the game's innovators who was open to new and different methods of management.He took inspiration from American Football and utilised sports science many years before it became common. Those methods left a lasting impression on those who played for him and would themselves go on to become managers
  • Oliver Glasner says Leeds will know Crystal Palace line-up after 2-2 draw with KuPS

    Oliver Glasner says Leeds will know Crystal Palace line-up after 2-2 draw with KuPSCrystal Palace will have to win a two-legged knockout phase play-off to reach the last 16 of the Conference League after playing out a 2-2 draw with KuPS on Thursday. But manager Oliver Glasner’s main disappointment from the stalemate is that Leeds United will know their starting line-up for Saturday’s Premier League clash. Glasner said (per BBC Sport): “With the demotion, we got the pl
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  • The step a Manchester City youngster should have taken may occur in January

    The step a Manchester City youngster should have taken may occur in JanuaryIt seems certain that Claudio Echeverri will return to Manchester City in January. His loan move to Bayer Leverkusen hasn’t panned out as Echeverri has only made eleven appearances for Leverkusen this season. The majority of those appearances have been as a late substitute. Such appearances have done nothing to aid the development of the young attacking midfielder. It has now been reported that Echeverri is open to
  • Lincoln encounter a 'daunting task', says Barry-Murphy

    [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Cardiff City travel to third place Lincoln City on Saturday (15:00 GMT) as they seek to extend their lead at the summit of the League One table.The Bluebirds will be looking to make it six wins on the spin in the league, after beating Doncaster Rovers 4-3 last time out.Brian Barry-Murphy's side also impressed midweek in their 3-1 defeat at home to Premier League opponents Chelsea in the League Cup quarter-finals.The Club World Cup champions had to rely on late goals to
  • 👀Does he regret leaving América? Richard Sánchez's poor form

    👀Does he regret leaving América? Richard Sánchez's poor formWhat began as the major transfer market triumph for Diego Milito’s management has ended in sporting disappointment. Richard Sánchez, the Paraguayan midfielder who arrived at the beginning of the year amid huge expectations, has been included on the list of expendable players drawn up by coach Gustavo Costas for the 2026 season.
    Racing made a significant investment of 3 million dollars for his full tran
  • Brazilian champions Flamengo eyeing Neymar 💣

    Brazilian champions Flamengo eyeing Neymar 💣After falling in the Intercontinental Cup final against PSG, Flamengo is already planning a move that could shake up the global market. According to journalist Matteo Moretto from the Marca newspaper, the Brazilian club has serious intentions of signing Neymar Jr. with a short-term contract until June 2026.The "Mengao" strategy is to offer the star a highly competitive environment and the warmth of his homeland so that he reaches peak physical
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  • 🙌Diego Arias reveals the secrets behind the celebrations

    🙌Diego Arias reveals the secrets behind the celebrationsAtlético Nacional closed an unforgettable 2025 by being crowned champions of the Cup, a title that represents relief and vindication for Diego Arias’s process. Amidst the celebrations, the “verdolaga” coach emphasized that the key to success did not lie solely in tactics, but in the human strength built within the locker room.The triumph of the “silent leaders”Arias took advantage of the celebrat
  • 🔍 The centre-backs on Colo Colo’s radar

    🔍 The centre-backs on Colo Colo’s radarThe management of Blanco y Negro is preparing for a decisive day this Friday, December 19. At Casa Alba, the board will vote on the priority reinforcements for the 2026 season, with a focus on the central defense following the departures of Emiliano Amor and Sebastián Vegas, in addition to the possible sale of Alan Saldivia.The names on the listCoach Fernando Ortiz already has a list of candidates to rebuild the defense, with Argentine
  • 🚨Dimayor releases the official fixture for Liga BetPlay I

    🚨Dimayor releases the official fixture for Liga BetPlay IThe Sports Management of the División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano (DIMAYOR) has taken the first official step toward the new season by announcing the fixture for the 19 matchdays of the Liga BetPlay DIMAYOR I-2026. With this announcement, the country’s professional clubs now know the order of their matchups for the tournament that will kick off the football year.The Return of the PlayoffsOne of the most relevant
  • Barcelona defender poised to leave in January – four clubs interested

    Barcelona defender poised to leave in January – four clubs interestedBarcelona will struggle to sign players during the upcoming winter transfer window, but there could be departures. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is a leading candidate in the first team, and in the case of Barca Atletic, Mamadou Mbacke is poised to end his two-year stay in Catalonia.Mbacke, whom Barcelona signed permanently from LAFC in the summer of 2024 after a six-month loan spell, has struggled to convince Hansi Flick’s
  • 😱 Spanish second division sides end 30-year wait in Copa del Rey

    😱 Spanish second division sides end 30-year wait in Copa del ReyThree games concluded* the third phase of the Copa del Rey 2025/26, this Thursday (18).*Granada vs. Rayo Vallecano still needs to be played and is scheduled for January 6.And, with Burgos' 3-1 victory over Getafe, the teams from Spain's second division broke a 30-year record in the tournament.This is because the 2025/26 edition has become the one with the highest number of second division teams in the round of 16 in the last
  • Nadiem Amiri and Mainz offset last placed Bundesliga finish in 2025 with guaranteed European football in 2026

    Nadiem Amiri and Mainz offset last placed Bundesliga finish in 2025 with guaranteed European football in 2026No matter what happens this weekend, Mainz will spend the winter break at the bottom of the Bundesliga table. Despite that hard fact, the Rheinhessen will at least have European football to offer their fans in the coming 2026 calendar year. Heading into the Bundesliga’s 15th matchday, Mainz have still only won one solitary league fixture. In Europe, they’ve been a differe
  • 'Result is not what we wanted' - games pile up for Palace

    Oliver Glasner is about to enter the final six months of his contract at Crystal Palace [Getty Images]As if two games in 48 hours were not enough, Crystal Palace now face an additional two-legged play-off to keep their European dream alive.Thursday's frustrating 2-2 draw with Finnish champions KuPS left Palace outside the automatic last-16 places in the Conference League, Europe's third-tier competition.The Eagles, who are making their debut in major European competition, will have to play addit
  • Villarreal injury woes continue as key defenders ruled out for Barcelona clash

    Villarreal injury woes continue as key defenders ruled out for Barcelona clashThis weekend’s big La Liga match sees 3rd host 1st, as Villarreal take on Barcelona at La Ceramica. The two teams have won six and seven league matches in a row respectively, but one of those streaks will be coming to an end on Sunday.Villarreal, who did not play last weekend due to their match against Levante being called off due to a red weather warning in the Valencia region, come into the Barcelona clash on t
  • CBF sends R$80.9 million to club after blunder costs them promotion

    CBF sends R$80.9 million to club after blunder costs them promotionAfter much struggle and a long wait, Icasa has received part of the compensation for not being promoted to the 2014 Brasileirão Série A – see the details below. The CBF made a deposit of R$ 80.9 million into a court-linked account for the club from Juazeiro do Norte, which is currently playing in the Ceará second division. The deposit was made into this account so that all of Icasa’s deb
  • 🤯 CBF sends R$80.9 million to club after blunder costs them promotion

    🤯 CBF sends R$80.9 million to club after blunder costs them promotionAfter much struggle and a long wait, Icasa received part of the compensation for not being promoted to the Série A of the Brasileirão in 2014 - understand the case below. The CBF made a deposit of R$ 80.9 million into a judicial account linked to the club from Juazeiro do Norte, which is currently in the second division of Ceará. The deposit was made into this account so that all debts tha
  • Vanoli: ‘Fiorentina will move on from those who don’t want to fight’

    Vanoli: ‘Fiorentina will move on from those who don’t want to fight’Paolo Vanoli admits Fiorentina are in free-fall after their Conference League loss to Lausanne-Sport. ‘If the players don’t react, we’ll look into the eyes of those who don’t want to fight, and move on.’The Viola crisis seems to know no end, because this was yet another defeat that showed practically no fight, barely any shots on target, and some incredibly weak defending.They knew
  • 👊Verón hits back at Toviggino: If you’re brave enough to tweet…

    👊Verón hits back at Toviggino: If you’re brave enough to tweet…The crowning of Estudiantes de La Plata as champions of the 2025 Torneo Clausura failed to extinguish the war of words between its president, Juan Sebastián Verón, and the leadership of the AFA. In a recent interview with Cielo Sports, the "Brujita" launched harsh criticism against the treasurer of the governing body, Pablo Toviggino, after months of clashes on social media.Verón, who
  • Mandragora reacts to Fiorentina armband controversy: ‘Understand fans are angry’

    Mandragora reacts to Fiorentina armband controversy: ‘Understand fans are angry’Rolando Mandragora dismantles controversy after Fiorentina fans suggested he threw down the captain’s armband during a defeat to Lausanne-Sport. ‘I understand people are angry.’The Viola tumbled to yet another dismal result this evening, this time in the Conference League, where they were beaten 1-0 in Switzerland by a Gabriel Sigua free header.Coach Paolo Vanoli threw on several big nam
  • Man Utd plot Semenyo move in January - Friday's gossip

    Manchester United target Antoine Semenyo in January transfer, Ruben Neves wants Premier League return, Bruno Fernandes' release clause revealed and Bukayo Saka on the verge of signing 'record-breaking' Arsenal contract. Manchester United will go all-out to sign Bournemouth and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo in January and hope the uncertainty over Pep Guardiola's future at Manchester City could boost their chances of landing the 25-year-old. (Telegraph - subscription required)Portugal internation
  • Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to Watch

    Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to WatchTottenham vs Liverpool preview before Christmas showdownFor the second season running, Tottenham and Liverpool find themselves paired just before Christmas, a fixture that rarely passes quietly. The timing matters. The table matters too. Liverpool arrive in north London sitting seventh, two points shy of Chelsea in fourth, while Tottenham are lodged in the bottom half, uneasy and uncertain as winter deepens.This is n
  • Superb Uche strike not enough for Crystal Palace as they settle for Conference League play-offs

    Crystal Palace will enter the UEFA Conference League play-offs after a 2-2 draw against Finnish champions KuPS at Selhurst Park denied them direct qualification to the round of 16.Oliver Glasner’s side initially took the lead through a superb strike from Christantus Uche, but KuPS responded with goals from Piotr Parzyszek and Ibrahim Cisse, overturning Palace’s advantage. Justin Devenny found an equaliser for the Eagles in the 77th minute, shortly after KuPS’s Clinton Antwi was
  • Napoli beat AC Milan to reach Super Cup final

    Italian Super CupNapoli 2 - 0 AC Milan FTRasmus Hojlund scored Napoli's second goal [Getty Images]Rasmus Hojlund scored as Napoli progressed to the final of the Italian Super Cup with victory over AC Milan in Riyadh.David Neres opened the scoring six minutes before the break, bundling home after Hojlund's cut-back was parried into his path.Former Manchester United striker Hojlund then doubled Napoli's lead with a low, powerful strike on 63 minutes.The Serie A champions will meet the winner of Fr
  • Let Nancy 'cook' and judge at end of season - Henry

    Wilfried Nancy's first managerial job was at CF Montreal in 2021 [Getty Images]Thierry Henry says former assistant Wilfried Nancy should be given more time at Celtic, and the club must "let him cook" before judging their new manager at the end of the season. Nancy, who served as an assistant coach to Henry at CF Montreal before taking over the side from the former Arsenal and France striker in 2021, has had a bruising first 15 days in Glasgow. Four defeats in as many matches since replacing inte
  • Palace forced Into Conference League play-offs after surrendering lead to ten-man KuPS

    Palace forced Into Conference League play-offs after surrendering lead to ten-man KuPSCrystal Palace surrendered an early advantage and a commanding position in the Conference League table as they were held to a 2-2 draw by ten-man KuPS Kuopio, a result that condemned them to a knockout-phase play-off.Oliver Glasner rotated heavily with domestic commitments in mind, naming a youthful side for Palace’s 27th match of an increasingly congested season.The decision appeared justified early on a
  • Manchester City star wants January move to Girona

    Manchester City star wants January move to GironaIn the summer, Girona signed Manchester City defender Vitor Reis on loan, and now another player from the Premier League side could soon be heading to Montilivi. Michel Sanchez’s squad needs additions during the winter transfer window, and one of those could arrive in attack.Back in July, it had appeared likely that Reis and Claudio Echeverri would have swapped Manchester for Girona, but in the end, the latter joined Bundesliga side Bayer Le
  • Analysis: Palace face two extra games

    [Reuters]Crystal Palace's fixture calendar has already reached comical levels.No sooner had the referee blown the final whistle to signal a 2-2 draw against KuPS in the Conference League on Thursday, Oliver Glasner's attention switched to Saturday's Premier League match at Leeds United.Two first-team matches in 48 hours swiftly followed by a League Cup quarter-final at Arsenal next Tuesday.And now Palace face negotiating two additional games after failing to claim an automatic place in the last
  • Hojlund on Lukaku hug and Di Lorenzo eager for more Napoli trophies

    Hojlund on Lukaku hug and Di Lorenzo eager for more Napoli trophiesRasmus Hojlund reveals why he hugged Romelu Lukaku after scoring to beat AC Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana and hopes Napoli can ‘win a trophy’ on Monday, while Giovanni Di Lorenzo hails the team spirit.The Partenopei booked their place in the Supercoppa Italiana Final thanks to the 2-0 victory over Milan, with Hojlund named Man of the Match.It was somewhat inevitable, as his angled drive was palmed into the path of

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