Manchester City 5 Leicester City 1: De Bruyne inspires as Aguero scores four

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 …

Camavinga may leave Rennes this window, says French club´s president

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…

Arsenal reinvigorated by Arteta´s young Gunners in win over Chelsea

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…

Lokomotiv Moscow 1 Porto 3: Conceicao´s side power past Russian champions

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…

Chelsea sanctions lifted after Boehly takeover, UK government confirm

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…

Paul Pogba yet to respond to Manchester United offer

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…

Kewell would love to manage Liverpool

Harry Kewell revealed he is doing his coaching badges this year with the long-term goal of returning to Anfield as manager of Liverpool.

Kewell regarded as one of Australia s greatest-ever players has been focusing on developing junior footballers through his academy (the Harry Kewell Academy) since retiring from professional football in 2014.

The 36-year-old open to a gig in Australia s A-League will undergo his coaching exams to fast-track his aspirations of managing in the Premier League, namely with Liverpool , where he spent five years as a player between 2003-2008.

If there s a possibility of getting an A-League job, I don t know, Kewell told Fox Sports.

For me, I reach for the heights; I d love to manage a [English] Premiership team.

[I …

Luis Enrique offers Liverpool Thiago hope as Fati and Asensio return for Spain

Spain boss Luis Enrique gave Liverpool fans hope for the Champions League final by describing Thiago Alcantara s injury as not serious , while it was confirmed Ansu Fait and Marco Asensio have been recalled to the national team.

Thiago was injured in the Reds Premier League season-finale 3-1 win over Wolves on Sunday, with Liverpool unable to pip Manchester City to the title despite taking the three points.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said Thiago was limping and it was not the best sign ahead of Saturday s European showpiece against Real Madrid in Paris.

But Luis Enrique offered some encouragement to the club s supporters, who are hoping to see their team add to the EFL Cup and FA Cup trophies they have already won this term.

We have spoken with the play…

´Proud´ Messi recognises impact of team-mates after reaching 400 LaLiga goals

Lionel Messi paid tribute to team-mates past and present after reaching 400 LaLiga goals for Barcelona in Sunday s 3-0 win over Eibar.

The 31-year-old is the league s all-time top goalscorer by some distance, having surpassed the previous record of 251 – held for 59 years by Athletic Bilbao great Telmo Zarra – in November 2014.

His latest landmark goal doubled Barca s lead over Eibar at Camp Nou, producing a typically clinical finish with his left foot in the 53rd minute.

The Argentina international is now 89 goals ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who left for Juventus in July, and the only other active LaLiga players in the division s top 30 all-time leading scorers are Aritz Aduriz and Karim Benzema.

With 17 already, Messi is well on track to score 25 o…

Prediction: Flamengo vs America Mineiro

Best odds: 4/9

Bookmaker:

Despite things being completely quiet in most leagues around Europe, not counting transfer activities of course, the season is in full flow across the Atlantic. In the Brazilian Serie A, Flamengo will be doing battle for points with America Mineiro at the famous Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday evening, within the 14th round of the campaign.

Flamengo

Having finished second to Atletico Mineiro in 2021, Flamengo will be feeling extremely disappointed with the way this season has been unfolding for them. At the moment, they sit in 14th place with 15 points from 13 matches. Even that can perhaps be described as lucky in relative terms, given that the two teams directly below have the same tally and Goias in 17th, topping the …