Ndoro ends Saudi nightmare…joins Ajax Cape Town

Ndoro ends Saudi nightmare…joins Ajax Cape Town
Sport – The Standard
Ndoro ends Saudi nightmare…joins Ajax Cape Town

ZIMBABWE international forward Tendai Ndoro ended a disastrous short spell in Saudi Arabia after completing a two-year deal with South Africa’s Absa Premiership side Ajax Cape Town for an undisclosed […]

The post Ndoro ends Saudi nightmare…joins Ajax Cape Town appeared first on The Standard.

Diego Costa Will Officially Eligible to Play for Atletico Madrid From New Year's Day

Diego Costa Will Officially Eligible to Play for Atletico Madrid From New Year's Day
All the latest breaking football news, transfer rumours, analysis, and match reports - 90min
Diego Costa Will Officially Eligible to Play for Atletico Madrid From New Year's Day
Diego Costa will be available to play for Atletico Madrid play from New Year's Day after his official presentation on Sunday. ​The Spanish forward thanked Atletico Madrid for bringing him back to the club, having sealed his return from Chelsea. And he made clear his delight at the opportunity to once again play for the club where he made his name before a switch to Stamford Bridge in 2014. 🔴⚪🔴 WELCOME HOME 😃🏧😃We’ve missed that smile, @DiegoCosta. #AúpaAtleti #BienvenidoDiegoCosta...

Crystal Palace 2-3 Arsenal: Sanchez Double Edges Gunners Past Defiant Eagles

Crystal Palace 2-3 Arsenal: Sanchez Double Edges Gunners Past Defiant Eagles
All the latest breaking football news, transfer rumours, analysis, and match reports - 90min
Crystal Palace 2-3 Arsenal: Sanchez Double Edges Gunners Past Defiant Eagles
Alexis Sanchez scored twice in five minutes as Arsenal moved level on points with fifth placed ​Tottenham with just their third win away from home in the Premier League this season, as they beat ​Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Andros Townsend had equalised for Palace early in the second half after Shkodran Mustafi's 25th minute opener, before Sanchez's brace just after the hour mark secured the points for the Gunners. The visitors were then made to sweat by James Tomkins' late header, on a...

Sterling 'bringing goals to the party' as Manchester City march on

Sterling 'bringing goals to the party' as Manchester City march on
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Sterling 'bringing goals to the party' as Manchester City march on
Sterling 'bringing goals to the party' as Manchester City march on
Raheem Sterling believes sacrificing flair for efficiency is paying dividends as his superb scoring run for Manchester City continues. Sterling netted the only goal of the game as Pep Guardiola's runaway Premier League leaders made it 18 top-flight wins in a row at Newcastle United on Wednesday. In a line-up flushed with attacking talent such as Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne, England winger Sterling is City's top scorer this season with 17 in all competitions. It is already the most prolific campaign of the 23-year-old's career and four of his 13 Premier League strikes have proved to be winning goals. "Most definitely, in terms of goals [this is my best season]," Sterling told City's official website after extending their gap over rivals Manchester United at the summit to 15 points. Great performance boys. #MCFC pic.twitter.com/WW1hDhm9dB — Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) December 28, 2017 "I've probably had better seasons dribbling and stuff like that, but this is the most efficient I've been. "That's exactly what I want to do. There's no point dribbling if you're not helping the team. "Who wouldn't enjoy [scoring goals]? It's something that I always want to do, always want to improve upon. "I'm happy to bring that to the party and hopefully that will carry on." City are back in action at Crystal Palace on Saturday, where victory would move their winning run level with the European record of 19 games established by Guardiola during his time at Bayern Munich. "I don't think everyone's too focused on that. The most important thing is the three points," Sterling added. "Once you win the game and the stats come up, that's all well and good. We can't be thinking about that. "We have to have a single focus on getting the job done and if it [the European record] happens, it happens."

Chelsea ace Morata hails their Spanish contingent: So easy to settle here

Chelsea ace Morata hails their Spanish contingent: So easy to settle here
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
Chelsea ace Morata hails their Spanish contingent: So easy to settle here
Chelsea ace Morata hails their Spanish contingent: So easy to settle here

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata appreciates the club's Spanish contingent for helping him settle.

Both Morata and countryman Marcos Alonso scored in yesterday's 2-0 win over Brighton.

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Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Revived Bayern look unstoppable as the Autumn Champions

Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Revived Bayern look unstoppable as the Autumn Champions
News – World Soccer
Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Revived Bayern look unstoppable as the Autumn Champions

The champions go into the winter break 11 points clear of the Bundesliga's chasing pack

Timo Baumgartl of Stuttgart and Corentin Tolisso of Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Bayern Muenchen at Mercedes-Benz Arena on December 16, 2017 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo: TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images)The champions go into the winter break 11 points clear of the Bundesliga's chasing pack

Guardiola plays down City 'fatigue' concerns

Guardiola plays down City 'fatigue' concerns
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Guardiola plays down City 'fatigue' concerns
Guardiola plays down City 'fatigue' concerns
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola dismissed concerns tiredness could prove to be the undoing of his high-flying side. City have charged 13 points clear atop the Premier League after winning 18 of 19 games while scoring 60 goals. While their high-energy, attacking style has impressed this season, it may have an impact – including during the busy Christmas period – but Guardiola has no concerns. "Fatigue, I don't think so. It may happen but we've a good enough squad," the Spaniard told UK newspapers. "Gabriel [Jesus] didn't play against Bournemouth – he played 120 minutes against Leicester and he's the biggest fighter in high pressing I've seen in my life. He helps us a lot with our intensity. "Danilo, Bernardo [Silva], [Ilkay] Gundogan all helped us against Bournemouth. We have Yaya [Toure]. Last game, [Oleksandr] Zinchenko was man of the match and he was not in the squad against Bournemouth. "Of course we will rotate in this period. We have a game every four days. Everyone that has played in the past is going to play in the future." Guardiola, whose team visit Newcastle United on Wednesday, said he had a squad capable of continuing their incredible form. "That's a quality of the players I had in Barcelona, Bayern Munich and now here," he said. "We're able to convince them how good it is going forward, be aggressive, without the ball, because after that we're quick and take decisions with the ball."

Courtois offers Chelsea fans hope over his future after reaching landmark

Courtois offers Chelsea fans hope over his future after reaching landmark
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
Courtois offers Chelsea fans hope over his future after reaching landmark
Courtois offers Chelsea fans hope over his future after reaching landmark

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois drew one positive from Saturday's 0-0 draw at Everton.

Everton failed to muster a single shot on target in a home game for the first time in six years as Courtois recorded his 50th clean sheet with Chelsea.

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Jury still out for returning Sunday Chidzambwa

Jury still out for returning Sunday Chidzambwa
Sport – The Standard
Jury still out for returning Sunday Chidzambwa

SUNDAY “Mhofu” Chidzambwa is by far Zimbabwe’s most successful coach, but the one-year performance-based contract he has been handed on his return to the Warriors hints at the persisting doubts […]

The post Jury still out for returning Sunday Chidzambwa appeared first on The Standard.

Juventus 1-0 AS Roma: Former Defender Haunts Romans at Highly Anticipated Reunion in Turin

Juventus 1-0 AS Roma: Former Defender Haunts Romans at Highly Anticipated Reunion in Turin
All the latest breaking football news, transfer rumours, analysis, and match reports - 90min
Juventus 1-0 AS Roma: Former Defender Haunts Romans at Highly Anticipated Reunion in Turin
Juventus closed the gap on SSC Napoli at the top of the Serie A table with a thrilling 1-0 victory over high-flying AS Roma. One goal from Medhi Benatia proved too much for the travelling Giallorossi, extending Roma's winless run against Juventus in Turin. Edin Džeko had Roma's first sighter of goal, getting on the end of a Stephan El Shaarawy cross to test the reactions of Juve's defence.  Minutes later, Sami Khedira, Mario Mandžukić and Gonzalo Higuaín could have broken the deadlock for the...

Espanyol 1-0 Atletico Madrid: Late Sergio Garcia Strike Defeats Uninspiring Atleti

Espanyol 1-0 Atletico Madrid: Late Sergio Garcia Strike Defeats Uninspiring Atleti
All the latest breaking football news, transfer rumours, analysis, and match reports - 90min
Espanyol 1-0 Atletico Madrid: Late Sergio Garcia Strike Defeats Uninspiring Atleti
​Diego Simone's lacklustre Atletico Madrid finally surrendered their unbeaten league record to a well taken Sergio Garcia strike late in the game, in a contest that was short on quality throughout.  Each side came into the fixture in contrasting form. Atletico had won five of their last six Primera Division games, winning the last four and looking the most likely team to challenge Barcelona's supremacy at the summit of the league. The hosts have had a season of struggle so far, languishing in...

Chelsea Plan to Make Courtois Best Paid Goalkeeper in the World to Ward Off Real Madrid

Chelsea Plan to Make Courtois Best Paid Goalkeeper in the World to Ward Off Real Madrid
All the latest breaking football news, transfer rumours, analysis, and match reports - 90min
Chelsea Plan to Make Courtois Best Paid Goalkeeper in the World to Ward Off Real Madrid
​Chelsea have reportedly offered Thibaut Courtois a bumper new contract that will make him the highest paid goalkeeper in the world as the reigning Premier League champions look to tie down the giant Belgian's long-term Stamford Bridge future. As of next week, Courtois will have just 18 months left on his current Chelsea contract and manager Antonio Conte recently expressed a desire to have a new deal signed before the World Cup. Courtois has been heavily linked with Real Madrid in recent...

OnScene: ESPN FC's updates from Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

OnScene: ESPN FC's updates from Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
ESPN FC News
OnScene: ESPN FC's updates from Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
Alejandro Moreno explains why Lionel Messi will be the X-factor in El Clasico after a difficult match against Deportivo. ESPN FC is "OnScene" at the world's biggest club football game: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona, which kicks off on Dec. 23 at 12 p.m. GMT / 7 a.m. ET. Barcelona go into this weekend's Clasico with a six-point lead at the top of the La Liga and an 11 point lead over Madrid, albeit having played a game more... But a Madrid win (after their success at the Club World Cup) would open up the title race again.  Here's all the latest buildup from the ESPN team and our correspondents Sam Marsden (Barcelona)...

Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Dortmund turn to Stoger as Bosz replacement

Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Dortmund turn to Stoger as Bosz replacement
News – World Soccer
Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Dortmund turn to Stoger as Bosz replacement

Former Cologne boss was the surprise choice to replace Dutchman Bosz

Manager Peter Stoeger is presented as the new head coach of Dortmund during the press conference at Signal Iduna Park on December 10, 2017 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo: Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images)Former Cologne boss was the surprise choice to replace Dutchman Bosz

Klopp pushes Liverpool to try again for Monaco winger Lemar

Klopp pushes Liverpool to try again for Monaco winger Lemar
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
Klopp pushes Liverpool to try again for Monaco winger Lemar
Klopp pushes Liverpool to try again for Monaco winger Lemar

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is ready to try again for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar in January.

The Liverpool Echo says the Reds could be set to revive their interest in Lemar when the transfer window re-opens at the end of the month.

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Valverde demands Barcelona sign Goretzka - for Chelsea showdown

Valverde demands Barcelona sign Goretzka - for Chelsea showdown
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
Valverde demands Barcelona sign Goretzka - for Chelsea showdown
Valverde demands Barcelona sign Goretzka - for Chelsea showdown

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde wants club chiefs to bring forward plans for Leon Goretzka.

Off contract in June, the Schalke midfielder is a confirmed Bosman target for Barca, where top scout Ariedo Braida has been watching him regularly this season.

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Arsenal boss Wenger discredits Giroud exit rumours; promises more playing time

Arsenal boss Wenger discredits Giroud exit rumours; promises more playing time
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
Arsenal boss Wenger discredits Giroud exit rumours; promises more playing time
Arsenal boss Wenger discredits Giroud exit rumours; promises more playing time

Olivier Giroud will not be leaving Arsenal in January, insists Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman scored in the 88th minute to rescue a point for Arsenal in their 1-1 draw with Southampton on Sunday.

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Sell Courtois and buy Butland? Why Chelsea will be better off long-term

Sell Courtois and buy Butland? Why Chelsea will be better off long-term
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
Sell Courtois and buy Butland? Why Chelsea will be better off long-term
Sell Courtois and buy Butland? Why Chelsea will be better off long-term

COMMENT: Thibaut Courtois. Why invite it? The speculation. The doubt. Why voluntarily drive a wedge between yourself and Chelsea's support?

He was at it again last week. Talking up a return to Madrid. Not three months after Diego Costa finally had his return to Atletico Madrid rubberstamped. There he was again, conceding his future lay beyond Stamford Bridge.

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Melbourne City 1 Central Coast Mariners 0: McCormack eases Cahill blues

Melbourne City 1 Central Coast Mariners 0: McCormack eases Cahill blues
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Melbourne City 1 Central Coast Mariners 0: McCormack eases Cahill blues
Melbourne City 1 Central Coast Mariners 0: McCormack eases Cahill blues
Melbourne City began life after Tim Cahill with a 1-0 home A-League win over Central Coast Mariners. Australia great Cahill parted company with City earlier this week amid concerns over a lack of game time ahead of the 2018 World Cup and reports of a falling out with head coach Warren Joyce. The goal burden should not weigh too heavily for Joyce's men, with on-loan Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack continuing a rich run of scoring form to make it back-to-back wins for the third-placed side. The 31-year-old made it seven goals in nine appearances for City just before the hour when he slid a low finish into the net from Luke Brattan's pass, crowning a fine move launched by goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis. 59' | GOALL CITYY!!! Bouzanis>Brattan>Fitzgerald>Brattan>McCormack>1-0!!! #MCYvCCM pic.twitter.com/jwkpQtGQ10 — Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) December 10, 2017 It was McCormack's first A-League goal from open play following three penalties and free-kicks apiece. City faded during the closing stages and needed a brave block during stoppage time from midfielder Stefan Mauk to deny Connor Pain, as the visitors remained fifth in the table.

Conte accepts title 'impossible' for Chelsea after West Ham loss

Conte accepts title 'impossible' for Chelsea after West Ham loss
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Conte accepts title 'impossible' for Chelsea after West Ham loss
Conte accepts title 'impossible' for Chelsea after West Ham loss
Antonio Conte accepted that retaining the Premier League title is "impossible" after West Ham inflicted Chelsea's fourth defeat in 16 matches this season. Marko Arnautovic gave the Hammers the lead after just six minutes and that proved to be the crucial goal, as David Moyes' men held on for a 1-0 London derby win. Chelsea were afforded a lot of the ball throughout and put their hosts under significant pressure, but they struggled to find a way through West Ham's packed defence. And that result leaves them 11 points behind pacesetters Manchester City, a figure which could be increased after Sunday's Manchester derby. Conte says after a fourth defeat in 16 games is it 'impossible to think you are in the title race'. #WHUCHE — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 9, 2017 "To talk about the title race after a defeat I think is a bit strange," Conte told reporters in his post-match news conference. "Especially as this is the fourth defeat this season in 16 games. When you have this task, it is impossible to think that you are in the title race. "It is impossible. My experience is this, if you want to stay in the race for the title, in the first part of the season you can lose once, twice." For Conte, there was no doubt about what Chelsea's problems were, ruing their wastefulness after starting "badly". He said: "We lost the game against West Ham, it was very because we started badly and conceded this goal and it was difficult to come back. I saw the same game against Manchester City, where Manchester City attacked for the whole game against the whole team behind the ball.  "But City found a way to score. Instead we created the chances but didn't take them. Now we are talking about the defeat. Many players were tired. It is normal when you play in a few days. We started our pre-season with the same players, a lot are playing almost always, and for sure you have to pay something for this."

Bayern Munich and Spartak Moscow both fined for UCL crowd disturbances

Bayern Munich and Spartak Moscow both fined for UCL crowd disturbances
ESPN FC News
Bayern Munich and Spartak Moscow both fined for UCL crowd disturbances
Bayern Munich have been fined €20,000 and Spartak Moscow €3,000 following crowd disturbances during Champions League matches. The Germans were charged by UEFA with two incidents -- the throwing of objects and displaying an illicit banner -- during the Group B match against Anderlecht in Belgium on Nov. 22. Spartak, meanwhile, had been charged by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body over the setting off of fireworks during the Group E fixture against Maribor in Moscow on Nov....

​Benitez desperate for Newcastle to reach 40 points

​Benitez desperate for Newcastle to reach 40 points
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
​Benitez desperate for Newcastle to reach 40 points
​Benitez desperate for Newcastle to reach 40 points

Rafael Benitez claims his misfiring side are only interested in surviving in the Premier League and reaching the 40-point mark.

Newcastle head into Saturday's game with Leicester on a six-match winless streak consisting of five defeats.

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​Silva: Premiership survival still Watford's aim

​Silva: Premiership survival still Watford's aim
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
​Silva: Premiership survival still Watford's aim
​Silva: Premiership survival still Watford's aim

Watford boss Marco Silva is remaining realistic about expectations for the season despite the Hornets sitting a comfortable eighth in the Premier League.

"We have a lot of games to play. It's important to start well, but this is a new game, a new fight.

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Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Nagelsmann’s stock in still high despite Hoffenheim’s struggles

Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Nagelsmann’s stock in still high despite Hoffenheim’s struggles
News – World Soccer
Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Nagelsmann’s stock in still high despite Hoffenheim’s struggles

The Golden Boy of German coaching is still tipped for a top Bundesliga job

Julian Nagelsmann HoffenheimHoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann has made an impressive start to his coaching career. The Golden Boy of German coaching is still tipped for a top Bundesliga job

​Ex-Reds star Owen: Liverpool's 2013/14 attack better than Klopp's

​Ex-Reds star Owen: Liverpool's 2013/14 attack better than Klopp's
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
​Ex-Reds star Owen: Liverpool's 2013/14 attack better than Klopp's
​Ex-Reds star Owen: Liverpool's 2013/14 attack better than Klopp's

Many Liverpool fans are claiming the club's current strike force is the best the club has boasted in quite some time.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are lighting up games, with the Reds smashing in goals in most games they play.

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Really? Newcastle boss Benitez: What Chelsea jeers?

Really? Newcastle boss Benitez: What Chelsea jeers?
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
Really? Newcastle boss Benitez: What Chelsea jeers?
Really? Newcastle boss Benitez: What Chelsea jeers?

Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez insists he didn't hear any jeers from Chelsea fans yesterday.

Benitez, who won the Europa League as Chelsea manager, was back at Stamford Bridge for defeat with Newcastle.

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Ronaldo will win Ballon d'Or, declares Perez

Ronaldo will win Ballon d'Or, declares Perez
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Ronaldo will win Ballon d'Or, declares Perez
Ronaldo will win Ballon d'Or, declares Perez
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has declared Cristiano Ronaldo will win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi. The Portugal star, who won The Best FIFA Men's Player award for the second time last month, is one of the clear favourites for France Football's prize after firing Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory this year. There had been rumours Barcelona forward Messi will be named the winner on December 7 after images claiming to show him with the trophy on the front cover of the magazine circulated on social media. However, reports in Spain this weekend suggest Ronaldo has been informed he will win the trophy for a fifth time and has been congratulated by Messi on his achievement. And Perez appears to have no doubt the 32-year-old will be successful when the outcome of the vote is announced. "Ronaldo is one of our great symbols," he told an assembly of Madrid members. "He is the leading goalscorer in our history. A few days ago, he won his second 'The Best' and this week he is going to win his fifth Ballon d'Or." Delighted to win The Best FIFA award. Wouldn't be possible without my teammates, coaches and you who support me every day. Thanks everyone! pic.twitter.com/1E1VkaYbTu — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) January 9, 2017 Ronaldo has struggled for form in LaLiga this season, scoring just twice in nine appearances, and was frustrated again on Saturday as the champions were held to a 0-0 draw away to Athletic Bilbao. The result saw Madrid fail to capitalise on Barcelona's 2-2 home draw with Celta Vigo and means they remain eight points behind the leaders in fourth place in the table. But Perez insists head coach Zinedine Zidane is the right man to deliver more success to the club, having guided them to two Champions League wins in a row as well as the domestic title last season. "We achieved the impossible, regaining the Champions League and winning three in four years. The last one was the best in our history," said Perez. "We have a team to keep dreaming, with an amazing coach. He is one of our great symbols and icons. He's the best leader for this team."