Pep Guardiola got a winning start in the Premier League as Manchester City sealed a 2-1 win over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium.
Jermain Defoe cancelled out an early Sergio Aguero penalty, but David Moyes side were denied a share of the spoils as debutant Paddy McNair turned into his own net with just three minutes to play.
Guardiola, in his first competitive match in charge, had just four minutes to wait for the opening goal, as Aguero converted a penalty following Patrick van Aanholt s rash challenge on Raheem Sterling.
City, who handed debuts to Nolito and John Stones, enjoyed close to 75 per cent possession in the first half but were unable to capitalise on their dominance, and only a smart save from Willy Caballero starting ahead of Joe Hart denied Def…
Roma head coach Rudi Garcia has confirmed that Roma are at an advanced stage to sign Al Ain winger Michel Bastos.
Bastos had been strongly linked with a move to Serie A rivals Napoli, but the capital club now appear favourites to sign the 30-year-old.
Roma have already added Radja Nainggolan to their ranks after agreeing a deal to sign the midfielder on loan from Cagliari, with a view to a permanent deal.
Garcia previously managed Bastos at Lille and admitted he had been keen to work with the forward ever since he left for Lyon in 2009.
It’s not done yet (the deal), but negotiations are at an advanced stage, Garcia said after Roma s 3-0 win over Livorno.
He is a versatile player, which is what interests me. He can play on the right or left, has a strong s…
Lionel Messi is seemingly in no rush to extend his Barcelona contract.
Messi s future is regularly talked about after it was revealed earlier this year the superstar can leave the LaLiga giants for free at the end of any season.
The five-time Ballon d Or winner is contracted at Barcelona until 2021, though it remains to be seen if he wants to stay on beyond his current deal.
TOP STORY – MESSI IN NO RUSH OVER BARCELONA CONTRACT
Messi has no intention of discussing a contract extension at Barcelona until next season, according to Marca.
The 32-year-old plans to be at the club next season, the report says, but will not open talks regarding a new deal.
Messi has been at Barcelona during his entire professional career, winning 10 …
LA Galaxy could be set to offer a deal to former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue, according to the Mirror.
The thirty-five-year-old hasn’t played a professional match since 2014 and faced struggles of the pitch, being banned for a year by FIFA after failing to pay his agent.
After three seasons with Galatasaray, where he played over a hundred times and won multiple trophies he joined Sunderland but was unable to play due to his suspension.
In six-and-a-half years with Arsenal he racked up two hundred and fourteen appearances in all competitions – one of which coming in the 2006 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.
Internationally, he was capped seventy-nine times for the Ivory Coast, scoring three goals and was part of the squads that atte…
A three-day rest clearly did the trick for Manchester City, as they thrashed Leicester City 5-1 thanks to four goals from Sergio Aguero and a treble of Kevin De Bruyne assists to go 16 points clear at the Premier League summit.
Much of the build-up was dominated by Riyad Mahrez s return to Leicester s squad after missing 10 days of training in response to not securing a move to the hosts, but he was benched as City – who were afforded a few days off beforehand – ultimately cruised, with De Bruyne and Aguero stealing the show.
Although City enjoyed an electric start, going ahead in the third minute thanks to Raheem Sterling s 15th league goal of the season, they appeared to lack a little sharpness in the first half.
And a Nicolas Otamendi error 24 minutes in …
Eduardo Camavinga s future at Rennes hangs in the balance as the French club s president suggested the midfielder may be sold if a new deal cannot be agreed.
The 18-year-old made his debut for boyhood club Rennes in April 2019 and has emerged as one of football s most sought-after talents.
Camavinga, who has less than 12 months to run on his contract at Roazhon Park, is a rumoured target for the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Arsenal.
With a number of high-profile suitors monitoring the youngster, Rennes chief Nicolas Holveck is not ruling out a transfer during the current window.
One of our priorities is to reduce the workforce. We have eight or nine players to leave, Holveck told RMC Sport.
As for…
On Boxing Day 2019, there was an undeniable sense of optimism around Arsenal – the Mikel Arteta era was beginning and simultaneously the club looked to be trying to implement a long-term plan based on entertaining football.
While Arteta s very first match was by no means outstanding, a 1-1 draw away to a Bournemouth side that went on to be relegated, there were certainly signs of promise during the early months.
Much of that positivity seemed to have vanished in the last few weeks, their 1-0 win at Manchester United on November 1 followed by a chastening run of five defeats and no wins in seven Premier League matches.
So bad have Arsenal been at times that Arteta s future had been put in doubt, with many supporters becoming convinced his appointment was nothing…
Porto maintained their position at the summit of Champions League Group D after a 3-1 win over 10-man Lokomotiv Moscow at RZD Arena on Wednesday.
Iker Casillas – the competition s record appearance holder – laid the foundations for their victory with an early penalty save from Manuel Fernandes before Moussa Marega s successful spot-kick at the other end handed Sergio Conceicao s side the lead.
Hector Herrera doubled their advantage with a powerful header, but Lokomotiv s first goal of the campaign through Anton Miranchuk seven minutes before the interval offered them hope of reining in the Portuguese champions.
Jesus Manuel Corona put the result beyond doubt after 47 minutes, though, as Porto moved onto seven points after back-to-back Champions League wins, w…
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed Chelsea are no longer subject to UK government sanctions following the club s sale to a consortium led by Todd Boehly.
The government has also announced it has received assurances the takeover will not financially benefit Roman Abramovich or any other individual targeted by sanctions in the aftermath of Russia s invasion of Ukraine.
On Monday, the Blues announced the conclusion of the long-running takeover saga surrounding the club, with a group led by Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Boehly and involving Clearlake Capital acquiring the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Chelsea were originally granted a special licence to allow them to finish the 2021-22 season after measures against Abramovich were announced in M…
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has yet to accept the club’s offer of a new contract, according to . The France international midfielder is out of contract at United at the end of next season, and no new deal is in place. The Red Devils have offered him more than the £290,000 per week as salary.
However, Pogba has yet to response to that offer. French giants Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested in the 2018 World Cup winner with France. The 28-year-old has yet to make a decision on his future.
It is clear that Pogba is now in control. United cannot force the Frenchman into signing a new deal. The Frenchman could just run down his contract and then leave on a free transfer next summer. Pogba would be able to command a much higher wage then as a free tr…