Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino believes a top-10 finish is within the promoted club's grasp. Many had written off Saints on their return to the top flight and one win in their opening 11 matches did nothing to quieten the naysayers. However, Southampton soon picked up under Nigel Adkins and have kicked on again under his successor, Pochettino. Saints are in the midst of a five-match u...Full Story »

DEAL ME IN ... Adam Lallana ADAM LALLANA has signed a new five-year contract at Southampton. The Saints skipper, who has been with the club since he was 12, has penned a deal until 2018. The creative midfielder follows Kelvin Davis, Rickie Lambert, Morgan Schneiderlin and Jason Puncheon in agreeing fresh terms this season. Lallana, 24, said: “I’ve been at the club since I was ...Full Story »

The Saints skipper follows Kelvin Davis, Rickie Lambert, Morgan Schneiderlin, Jason Puncheon and Luke Shaw in committing his long-term future to the Premier League new-boys Adam Lallana has signed a new five-year contract with Southampton, the club have confirmed. Lallana, who turns 25 in May, has impressed since being made Saints captain in the summer for the club's first campaign back in t...Full Story »

MADRID, March 17 (Reuters) - Diego Costa scored twice as Atletico Madrid battled to a 2-0 victory at Osasuna that kept them hot on the heels of second-placed Real Madrid in La Liga on Sunday. The combative striker, who has been called up to Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil squad for their friendlies against Italy and Russia, finished off a counter-attack at the second attempt in the 35th minute. J...Full Story »

Atletico Madrid failed to fully capitalise on Saturday's Clasico defeat for La Liga leaders Barcelona as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Malaga on Sunday. Los Rojiblancos could have cut the gap to single figures, following Barca's 2-1 reverse at Real Madrid, had they managed to overcome Malaga. But the fourth-placed hosts proved tricky opposition and just about held their own to claim a poin...Full Story »

Second-placed Atletico Madrid failed to fully capitalise on Saturday's Clasico defeat for Primera Division leaders Barcelona as they were held to a goalless draw at Malaga on Sunday evening. Los Rojiblancos could have cut the gap to single figures, following Barca's 2-1 reverse at Real Madrid, had they managed to overcome Malaga. But the fourth-placed hosts proved tricky opposition and just ab...Full Story »

Diego Costa repaid the faith of his coach as he found the target on his return to the side in Atletico Madrid's morale-boosting 3-0 victory at Real Valladolid. Brazilian forward Costa was suspended for Atletico's last two games, against both Rayo Vallecano in the Primera Division and Rubin Kazan in the Europa League, both of which ended in defeat. Atletico boss Diego Simeone backed Costa to he...Full Story »

Atletico Madrid cut the gap to Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division to nine points as Diego Costa's second-half header was enough to hand them a 1-0 win against Real Betis. Arda Turan had a hat-trick of early chances but failed to find the net as Atleti started brightly, but the game descended into a scrappy affair with both defences on top until Betis goalkeeper Adrian flapped at a cor...Full Story »

Atletico Madrid claimed a 2-1 victory over Sevilla in an incident-packed Copa del Rey semi-final first leg that produced three penalties and three red cards. Two spot-kicks from home striker Diego Costa sandwiched a penalty from Sevilla hitman Alvaro Negredo as Atletico earned a narrow lead to take to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for next month's second leg. The men to see red were Sevilla duo ...Full Story »

Adam Lallana is Southampton's only absentee for the Barclays Premier League match with Sunderland. The Saints captain suffered a knee injury in the defeat of Reading and, while coy on the severity of the complaint, manager Nigel Adkins confirmed he will not be available at St Mary's. The south coast club can, though, welcome back goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga from a shoulder injury, while Frazer ...Full Story »