Villarreal boss Unai Emery was publicly courted by Newcastle United in October and early November and now the Basque manager has spoken about just how close he was to joining Newcastle United. As it was, Emery decided to continue with Villarreal having guided them to their first major trophy the previous season. Villarreal defeated Manchester United on penalties in the Europa League final in ...Full Story »

Darwin Nunez proved against Liverpool on Tuesday why the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in signing him. Nunez showed his clinical nature in front of goal, scoring with his first chance in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie. The Uruguay international capitalised on a mistake from Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, placing the ball past Alisson with ap...Full Story »

Former UEFA president Michel Platini has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino. A statement on behalf of Platini, who during his time as president was Infantino's boss, was released Tuesday. Platini's lawyers said they filed the complaint in France alleging Infantino peddled influence and that Marco Villiger, FIFA's legal director until 2018, was complicit. Plat...Full Story »

Fleetwood manager Stephen Crainey says he is “really confident” his side can stave off relegation from League One after they made it three matches unbeaten with a 1-1 draw against Lincoln.Dan Batty marked his first start for Fleetwood since February with the opening goal, producing a stunning strike from 25 yards just after the half-hour mark.Lincoln fought back in the second half an...Full Story »

Morecambe manager Derek Adams praised goalkeeper Trevor Carson after a string of superb second-half saves helped his side beat play-off chasing Oxford 2-1 and move out of the League One relegation zone.The Shrimps went down to an early goal from Matty Taylor but hit back with strikes from Aaron Wildig and Cole Stockton before Carson proved to be the hero to secure a second consecutive win.Carson...Full Story »

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom was delighted with a “big win” over QPR which boosted their Championship play-off hopes.Oliver Norwood struck the winner in a 1-0 victory, moving the Blades up to fifth in the table.Heckingbottom said: “It’s a big win and I’m pleased with lots of things I saw there.“Any win when you’re playing someone around yo...Full Story »

Pep Guardiola hailed the brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden after the pair combined to give Manchester City the edge in their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid.Foden came off the bench to tee up De Bruyne for a 70th-minute winner in a tense and tight quarter-final first leg at the Etihad Stadium.The strike ensured City would carry a 1-0 advantage into next week’s retur...Full Story »

Kieran Sadlier’s penalty equaliser earned Bolton a 1-1 draw against Portsmouth, a result neither side needed in their outside chase for the Sky Bet League One play-offs.Sadlier’s 72nd-minute spot-kick came after Hayden Carter’s trip on substitute Elias Kachunga.Until then Pompey were good value for the lead given to them by 10-goal Aiden O’Brien after 50 minutes.Despite a...Full Story »

Luton manager Nathan Jones was frustrated his team could not see the game out, following their 1-1 draw at Peterborough.The Hatters were off-colour at London Road, but still led the Sky Bet Championship’s bottom club for most of the second half through Danny Hylton’s opener, only to be pegged back in the closing stages by Jonson Clarke-Harris’ header.It meant Luton stayed fourt...Full Story »

Rob Edwards revealed Forest Green FaceTimed injured striker Matty Stevens after his side made a giant stride towards promotion.Josh March’s strike tightened Forest Green’s grip on automatic promotion against a Mansfield side reduced to 10 men after George Lapslie’s second-half red card.March pounced on 15 minutes with a clinical finish, with his team-mates holding up Stevens&rs...Full Story »

Kevin De Bruyne struck 20 minutes from time as Manchester City grabbed a slender advantage in their Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid.The Belgian playmaker fired home from a tight angle after Phil Foden came off the bench to stunning effect in a tense and tight first leg at the Etihad Stadium.Atletico were their usual dogged, defensive selves for most of the game and frustra...Full Story »

Wealdstone and Maidenhead were forced to share the spoils as they drew 0-0.The point moves the Stones up to 17th in the National League table while the Magpies remain 19th.Maidenhead had a chance to find the opener 10 minutes in but George Wickens made a good save to deny Shaun Donnellan before Kane Ferdinand fired the rebound over the bar.Wealdstone came close just after the half-hour mark but ...Full Story »

Wrexham’s promotion push continued as they put in a dominant performance to beat Barnet 6-0.The result sees the Red Dragons move up to second in the National League table, while Barnet remain in 16th.Ollie Palmer put Wrexham ahead in the 15th minute, finding the bottom corner and they then doubled their lead 13 minutes later through Paul Mullin, who smashed the ball home from close range.J...Full Story »

Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder could retain the starting line-up that thrashed Peterborough for Wednesday’s clash against Sky Bet Championship leaders Fulham.With the exception of midfielder Martin Payero, who is close to returning from an ankle injury, Wilder effectively has a fully fit squad at his disposal.Possible options include a recall for Wales international Neil Taylor, who did n...Full Story »

IVAN RAKITIC gave away his Sevilla kit to Barcelona fans at the Nou Camp on Sunday. The midfielder made his first return to a fan-filled Nou Camp in Sevilla's 1-0 defeat to Xavi's side. Ivan Rakitic removed his shirt to give to an adoring Barcelona fan Rakitic also dished out his shorts as a token of appreciation for the support he received during his time at Barcelona Rakitic won 13 trophie...Full Story »

Liverpool have been handed a boost in their bid to keep Mohamed Salah at Anfield long term. The Egyptian forward still hasn't penned new terms with the Reds ahead of his current contract expiring in 2023. That has Liverpool fans feeling a little nervous, though the Mirror have been reporting that the two parties may now be close to agreeing a new deal. In a double boost, it now seems as tho...Full Story »

Rooney: Pogba should leave Man Utd Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has said that it is probably time for Paul Pogba to find a new club. The Red Devils' record signing returned to Old Trafford to much fanfare in 2016, but has thus far failed to live up to his lofty price tag with inconsistent displays. And with the France international's contract set to run out in the summer, Rooney feel...Full Story »

Crystal Palace blew Arsenal away with a comprehensive 3-0 Premier League victory at Selhurst Park to dent the visitors’ top-four hopes and continue their own momentum under boss Patrick Vieira.Results over the weekend had seen the Gunners leapfrogged by rivals Tottenham in the race for Champions League qualification and they were unable to respond on a night to forget for Mikel Arteta&rsqu...Full Story »

Declan John is a doubt for Bolton as they prepare to face Portsmouth.The defender suffered a back injury and was absent for the Trotters’ 1-1 draw with Wigan at the weekend.Kieran Lee is edging closer to a return following heel surgery but the Pompey game could come too soon.Kyle Dempsey and Oladapo Afolayan are also doubts after picking up knocks against Latics.Michael Jacobs could push f...Full Story »

Reading will be without Andy Rinomhota and Yakou Meite for their clash with Stoke.Rinomhota is out with a knee injury and Meite is sidelined with an ankle problem.John Swift started in their absence at Oakwell and could line-up again against the Potters.Stoke loanee Tom Ince will also be unavailable for the Royals.Lewis Baker could feature for Stoke ahead of the trip to Berkshire.Assistant manag...Full Story »