There aren't many referees that can defuse a situation with a piercing stare, but then again, there aren't many referees like Pierluigi Collina. Collina is instantly recognisable, and 14 years after hanging up his boots and whistle, the former referee still gets asked for photos and autographs on the street. The 61-year-old was one of the most respected referees on the planet, and he officiate...Full Story »

Xavi Hernandez is back at Barcelona as head coach and is looking to overhaul his playing squad in an attempt to turn the club's fortunes around on the pitch. The January transfer window is set to be a busy one for the Azulgrana and Xavi is reportedly looking at a potential raid of Premier League side Chelsea. The Barcelona legend is looking to secure some loan deals and has identified three ...Full Story »

Chelsea have reportedly bid £34million for Real Madrid centre back Eder Militao as Thomas Tuchel plans to build a new-look defence. The Blues currently have the best defence in the Premier League, having conceded just four times in 11 matches so far this season, but manager Tuchel is planning a change. The German is understood to be planning on permanently moving to a three-man defence in...Full Story »

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has offered a passionate defence of Irish football following comments from Luxembourg counterpart Luc Holtz.In the run-up to Ireland’s 3-0 World Cup qualifier victory at the Stade de Luxembourg on Sunday, Kenny had been unhappy with Holtz’s description of his team’s style of play as “British” and the same as they had adopted...Full Story »

Stephen Kenny’s hopes of earning a contract extension were handed a major boost as the Republic of Ireland romped to a 3-0 win over Luxembourg in their final World Cup qualifier.Goals from Shane Duffy, Chiedozie Ogbene and Callum Robinson inside the final 22 minutes clinched victory – just Ireland’s second in a competitive fixture in 15 attempts – and third place in Group...Full Story »

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly lost the dressing room as senior players 'agree' that the Norwegian has completed a sackable offence. Manchester United still remain sixth in the Premier League table, but they are only three points ahead of 13th placed Southampton. And the Red Devils have been played off the park by bitter rivals Manchester City and Liverpool in recent weeks. United's Ch...Full Story »

Roma great Francesco Totti has rejected criticism of coach Jose Mourinho. Roma have hit a form slump after a bright start under Mourinho. "I think that if we are talking about Mourinho as the problem, then we've got it all wrong. He is not the problem here," said Totti. "If you put together all the other coaches currently in Serie A, they still won't have won as much as Mourinho. You can on...Full Story »

Borussia Dortmund aren't giving up on keeping Erling Haaland. The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away BVB in 2022 with the striker boasting a £64million release clause in his contract. Manchester United and Chelsea are just two Premier League clubs known to be interested in the Norway international. And Manchester City are also understood to be keeping tabs on the ex-R...Full Story »

Real Madrid remain interested in Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. The 28-year-old suffered a thigh injury in training with France on Monday that could keep him out for the rest of 2021, with his current Red Devils deal running out in June next year. Marca says Real are 'remaining attentive' over the next few months ahead of a possible approach. He is said to have also attracted inte...Full Story »

Wales coasted to a 5-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Belarus on a night when Gareth Bale celebrated his 100th cap.Neco Williams, Ben Davies and Connor Roberts added to an Aaron Ramsey brace as Wales climbed above the Czech Republic into second place and boosted their goal difference into the bargain.Wales were already guaranteed a World Cup play-off place through their Nations League results...Full Story »

Joey Barton singled out versatile Josh Grant for praise after his second-half goal helped Bristol Rovers hit back to beat Northampton.The visitors went in front through Sam Hoskins’ 39th-minute penalty following a foul by Connor Taylor on Paul Lewis.But 23-year-old Grant, a product of Chelsea’s academy, equalised after 53 minutes with a powerful far-post header and six minutes later ...Full Story »

Matt Gray said he is “delighted” with Sutton’s progress in the English Football League after a 1-0 win away at Tranmere boosted their promotion ambitions.United grew into the fixture, with Will Randall striking a post at the end of the first half, and their momentum was not halted by the interval as Coby Rowe nearly broke the deadlock if not for Peter Clarke’s vital goal-...Full Story »

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough believes his side deserved the luck that helped them to their first away win of the League Two season after a 2-1 triumph at Stevenage.The Stags had Birmingham loanee Ryan Stirk to thank after he struck the winner in the 65th minute, 10 minutes after Boro skipper Scott Cuthbert had equalised following John-Joe O’Toole’s first-half opener.But Clough’s...Full Story »

Kabongo Tshimanga hit a hat-trick as Chesterfield soared to the top of the Vanarama National League with a 4-0 thrashing of 10-man Weymouth.The Spireites took advantage of slip-ups by their rivals to ascend to the summit and extend their unbeaten league record to six games.Coming into the game off the back of two straight wins, the visitors’ hopes were effectively dashed when Ollie Harfiel...Full Story »

Kenny Jackett admitted to feeling disappointed as his Leyton Orient side were denied a place among the League Two play-off places as Rochdale scored at the death to snatch a 2-2 draw.Orient had fallen behind inside 30 seconds after Alex Newby headed home from close range, but Aaron Drinan slotted home an equaliser after 24 minutes following a neat through pass from Dan Kemp.And the visitors took...Full Story »

Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore said his side lacked “ruthlessness” in their 1-1 home draw with Gillingham.Vadaine Oliver scored in the 22nd minute to put Gillingham ahead, producing a clinical finish from the centre of the box which went into the bottom right corner.Wednesday went close as Theo Corbeanu embarked on a surging run down the right flank and got a shot off which fo...Full Story »

Exeter manager Matt Taylor was a proud man after creating history with a record-breaking 2-1 victory over spirited Oldham in Sky Bet League Two.Goals from Matt Jay and Jevani Brown made it a new club record of 14 league games undefeated for Taylor’s side, who are also 18 unbeaten in all competitions – a record extended following this win.Jamie Bowden’s long-range screamer gave ...Full Story »

Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley is confident better times are ahead for his team after they ground out a 1-0 victory at Wycombe to record their first away win since the opening day of the season.Pompey endured a rough start to their autumn, going seven League One games without a win at one point to fall well off the pace being set by the teams at the top of the table.However, they are now up to ...Full Story »

Ryan Lowe celebrated his 100th league game in charge of Plymouth with a 4-1 League One victory away to Accrington that sent them to the top of the table.The win extended Argyle’s unbeaten league run to 16 games as they overtook fellow high-fliers Wigan – whose match at Morecambe was postponed due to international call-ups – in pole position.The visitors took the lead via an own...Full Story »

Angelo Balanta hit a hat-trick as Dagenham and Redbridge thumped struggling Maidenhead 4-1.Ibby Akanbi created all three goals as well as completing the scoring with one of his own as Dagenham claimed their first away points since September 11.Maidenhead started brightly but fell behind in the 28th minute when Akanbi sent over a fine cross which Balanta headed into the top corner.Mauro Vilhete t...Full Story »