Recent
News
Performance
Cute
My Place
Slider
Racing
Videos
LONDON: Chelsea midfielder Kai Havertz was left out of their Champions League squad for the match against French side Stade Rennais after testing positive for COVID-19, manager Frank Lampard said before Wednesday's match.
The 21-year-old German, who joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in the close season for a reported 71 million pounds, is self-isolating.
Havertz has scored four goals in 10 games for the London club in all competitions this season.
Source: Skysports8888
News
News
Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot inside five minutes and Gerard Pique headed home to secure an unconvincing victory.
News
Youri Tielemans struck twice as Leicester recorded an emphatic win at Leeds to move to within a point of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Jamie Vardy was involved in the Foxes' first three goals - teeing up Harvey Barnes within two minutes for the opener after a costly mistake by Robin Koch.
Tielemans netted Leicester's second - pouncing on a rebound from Vardy's diving header - before Stuart Dallas' cross flew all the way into the net for Leeds after half-time.
But Leeds' response in the second half was stumped as Vardy netted a third for Leicester before Tielemans scored from the spot in stoppage time.
Marcelo Bielsa's side - without record-signing Rodrigo, forced to self-isolate after coming into contact with somebody who tested positive for coronavirus - were made to pay for a sloppy first half.
Patrick Bamford had headed it tamely into Kasper Schmeichel's arms seconds before Barnes' early opener and Pablo Hernandez struck the post in the second half.
But the Foxes killed off the game late on to pick up their fourth win in a row.
Leicester started last season in blistering form and they are doing the same in 2020-21.
There was an intensity to their start in this match too - Barnes hurrying Koch into the early mistake, as the defender's pass back was picked up by Vardy, who selflessly laid it on a plate for his team-mate.
Vardy and Barnes combined throughout the first half and the striker's presence alone seemed to cause anxiety among the Leeds defenders.
It was only a matter of time before Vardy - whose diving header rebounded kindly for Tielemans to make it 2-0 - got on the scoresheet himself. He did so in the 76th minute, just as Leeds threatened to get back into the game.
Leicester's aggressive pressing in the first half saw possession overturned on countless occasions and the hosts were unable to deal with transitions on the counter-attack.
Their first-half dominance set the foundations and Brendan Rodgers was then smart to react as Leeds gained momentum in the second half - the Leicester manager bringing on James Maddison and Cengiz Under, who contributed to the third and fourth goals.
Maddison's through ball picked out Under, who smartly chipped it into Vardy's path for the third. Mateusz Klich was then penalised for a foul just inside the box on Maddison - referee Andre Marriner confirming the decision only after reviewing the incident on the VAR pitchside screen.
Leicester maintained a sense of maturity and never looked like throwing away the win, thanks largely to Vardy's consistent threat. It was a display that offered a reminder as to why the Foxes were top-four contenders last season - and a statement that they intend to be in the fight again.
Bamford went into this match having scored six times in Leeds' opening six Premier League matches, a run that included a hat-trick at Aston Villa.
But when the striker headed tamely into Schmeichel's arms from an unmarked position a few yards out within two minutes, it set the tone for the first half.
Leicester were sharp, ruthless and clinical, whereas Leeds looked shaky in possession and indecisive off the ball.
Koch's mistake, seconds after Bamford's missed chance, was a gift for Barnes, and Leeds struggled to settle afterwards.
Skipper Liam Cooper misjudged the bounce of the ball under pressure from Vardy in the minutes that followed, while goalkeeper Illan Meslier almost fumbled a cross inside his near post and Helder Costa turned into trouble in the build-up to a chance for Luke Thomas later on.
Bamford's poor touch when he was played through on goal towards the end of the half summed things up but Bielsa's team talk at the break seemed to spur Leeds on.
They were fortunate when Dallas' cross flew over everybody in the box and into Schmeichel's net - but Hernandez's curling effort, which struck the post, could have changed the game.
Leeds were more urgent - Dallas picking up a yellow card for an overly aggressive tackle on Marc Albrighton, while the coaching staff encouraged quick throw-ins to keep the intensity up.
But Leeds failed to deal with the runs in behind from Vardy and when Maddison came on, he had a big impact in midfield - regaining control and creating opportunities with his direct passing.
The result leaves Leeds 12th - yet only three points outside the top four - going into matches against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Everton, which will give a clearer indication as to where their season is heading.
News
News
News
The 35-year-old, who missed four games, slotted in to make it 2-1 three minutes after coming on in the second half.
His second was a cheeky Panenka penalty after Adrien Rabiot's cool finish had given Juve a two-goal advantage.
Alvaro Morata gave the visitors the lead with a low angled strike before Tommaso Pobega equalised for Spezia.
The Turin club move up to second in the table with 12 points, four behind leaders AC Milan.
Ronaldo, who tested positive on 13 October, expressed his frustration on social media after failing to produce a negative result on the eve of his side's Champions League match against Barcelona on Wednesday.
After finally being cleared to play on Friday, the former Real Madrid forward was named as a substitute by coach Andrea Pirlo, who brought him on in the 56th minute. Three minutes later, Ronaldo scored when he took the ball around goalkeeper Ivan Provedel.
His second, and Juve's fourth, came 14 minutes from time after Federico Chiesa had been fouled in the area.
News
News
News
The Premier League and other elite sport can continue behind closed doors during a new four-week national lockdown in England.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced new restrictions for the country that will start on Thursday and run until 2 December to combat coronavirus and avoid the NHS being overwhelmed.
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden tweeted that "travel to a place of work will be permitted" for "elite sport played behind closed doors".
During a news conference to announce the measures, Johnson gave a thumbs up and said "Yes to the Premier League" when asked if top-flight football will continue.
The Premier League was halted in March before the first national lockdown and has been played without fans since it restarted in June. Players are tested weekly for the virus.
The English Football League says it has been told by the government that its competitions can continue in England and Wales.
"We acknowledge the government's national efforts in tackling this outbreak and would hope that during this next phase of the crisis, our national sport, negatively affected by Covid-19 like many other industries, can continue to provide some form of welcome distraction and give people in our communities up and down the country a sense of normality in very challenging times," the EFL said in a statement.
Confusion over grassroot sports and FA Cup ties
It is not clear how grassroots and amateur sport will be affected, but guidance is being drawn up.
However sources have indicated to BBC Sport that is unlikely that grassroots team sport will be permitted to continue.
Nine of the 40 FA Cup first round ties due to be played over 6-9 November involve teams from "non-elite" leagues.
The Football Association says it is "awaiting further information before we can confirm how this may affect non-elite football across England".
Leisure centre, gyms and golf courses to close
Under the new restrictions:
People are being told to stay at home unless they have a specific reason to leave, such as work which cannot be done from home and education.
People are allowed to exercise outdoors alone, with their household or with one other person.
The government has confirmed leisure centres and gyms will close, as will other indoor and outdoor leisure facilities including:
- sports facilities including swimming pools,
- golf courses and driving ranges,
- bowling alleys,
- dance studios,
- stables and riding centres,
- climbing walls and climbing centres,
- archery and shooting ranges.
News
Portugal and Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from coronavirus, testing negative after self-isolating.
Ronaldo, 35, tested positive on 13 October and missed Juventus' 2-0 Champions League defeat by Barcelona on Wednesday following another positive test on Tuesday.
During his absence he missed two Serie A games, plus the Italian champions' first two European matches.
Ronaldo last featured against France in the Nations League on 11 October.
Prior to his positive test, Ronaldo had scored three goals in Juventus' first two league games.
The Champions League group-stage draw had set up the possibility of Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi - with 11 Ballon d'Or awards between them - being reunited on the same pitch for the first time in two years.
Their next opportunity to do so will be in the reverse fixture on Tuesday, 8 December at the Nou Camp.
News
Pep Guardiola hopes to remain at Manchester City beyond this season despite Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font saying he wants him to return.
Font, who is the frontrunner to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu following his resignation earlier this week, said he wants to bring Guardiola back to the Nou Camp while also holding onto Lionel Messi.
Guardiola is in the final year of his contract with City but hopes to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
"I am incredibly happy here," said Guardiola. "I'm delighted to be in Manchester and I hope I can do a good job this season to stay longer."
Guardiola has had to deal with a host of injuries in the early part of the season, a problem he feels has been exacerbated by the shortened summer break and the intensity of the pandemic-affected calendar.
Other clubs have also been affected and Guardiola has urged the Premier League to consider reverting to allowing five substitutes, as they did in the closing stages of last season after lockdown.
"Definitely they should, 100 per cent," said the City boss. "It is not only about one club.
News
How the unbeaten Royals were toppled in the Midlands
While Coventry's return to the Championship had been difficult in terms of results, Mark Robins' side have displayed a good level of confidence in making the step up to the second tier, which was apparent from the first whistle at St Andrew's.
Setting aside a wayward pass from Fankaty Dabo that almost gifted Sone Aluko a goal inside three minutes, it was a competitive start and one that the Sky Blues took advantage of when they became the first team this season to take the lead against the division's leaders.
It was a goal born out of excellent team work. Ryan Giles raced down the left and fed Godden, who turned and laid the ball off to Hamer, who calmly guided home his first goal since a summer move from Dutch side PEC Zwolle.
News
News
Virgil van Dijk is expected to miss the majority of the season after undergoing knee surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament damage he suffered against Everton in the Merseyside derby, while Joel Matip has not featured since the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park after having a scan on a muscle problem.
Rhys Williams replaced Fabinho against Midtjylland and could make his Premier League debut against West Ham, while Sepp van den Berg and Nathaniel Phillips are other options in central defence.
News
Virgil van Dijk has undergone "successful" knee surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament damage he sustained in the Merseyside derby, Liverpool have confirmed.
The Dutch centre-back suffered the injury in a challenge with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on October 17.
"The Liverpool defender's planned operation took place in London and was conducted successfully," read a club statement.
"Van Dijk will now immediately focus on the beginning of his rehabilitation with the support of the Reds' medical department.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is pleased the operation was a success but has warned Van Dijk has a long road to recovery.
News
News
News
Barcelona put their El Clasico defeat and off-field dramas behind them with an impressive 2-0 win at Juventus in the Champions League.
While Cristiano Ronaldo's positive coronavirus test meant there was no showdown between the Juventus star and his great rival Lionel Messi, the Argentina ace still delivered a masterclass and capped the victory with a late penalty after Ousmane Dembele's deflected opener.
Barcelona had been beaten 3-1 at home by Real Madrid on Saturday and seen president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the entire board resign on Tuesday, but there were no signs of those distractions during a dominant display in Turin.
It was a frustrating night for the second-best hosts, who saw Alvaro Morata put the ball in the net three times and be denied by an offside call on each occasion, and they had Merih Demiral sent off with 10 minutes to play for a second yellow card.
The result puts Barcelona in control of Group G with two wins from two, with Juventus in second spot after Dynamo Kiev and Ferencvaros drew 2-2.
How Barca won in Turin
Barcelona had the better of the early exchanges and hit the post just three minutes in through Antoine Griezmann. They took the lead in fortuitous circumstances, though, when Dembele latched onto a marvellous Messi pass and then saw his drive loop up off Federico Chiesa and give Wojciech Szczesny no chance.
Juventus thought they had come up with an immediate response when Morata followed up a fine save from Neto to bundle the ball home, but he was offside earlier in the move.
News
Donny van de Beek's role at the club came under intense scrutiny in the build-up to this game, much to Solskjaer's bemusement. The £40m signing from Ajax is still waiting for his first Premier League start but the season is only five games old and he was given his opportunity here.
The Dutchman's inclusion in a diamond formation not only proved that it is possible to find a role for him but might even point the way forward for United under Solskjaer.
Mason Greenwood's opening goal highlighted that perfectly. Fred won the ball back in midfield before Paul Pogba, floating on the left side of midfield, drove forward before threading a pass in behind the Leipzig backline. Greenwood, operating in a more central role as part of a front two, made the run from in to out and finished with his left foot.
Recent Comments