Kevin De Bruyne claimed he is baffled by the current interpretation of the handball rule after Manchester City once again fell foul of VAR against Tottenham.
Spurs dug in for a 2-0 win thanks to goals in each half from Son Heung-min and substitute Giovani Lo Celso, moving them to the top of the Premier League table after a performance which delighted boss Jose Mourinho.
By contrast, Mourinho s old rival Pep Guardiola finds his side languishing in 10th with 12 points from eight matches, although they were entitled to be frustrated when a marginal handball call went against Gabriel Jesus when he set up Aymeric Laporte for what briefly looked to be a first-half equaliser.
Referee Mike Dean consulted the pitchside monitor, with the replay showing the ball brushed …
Jack Fitzwater thanked Livingston for giving him a platform to shine as he prepares to end his three-year stint with the Lions in Sunday’s cinch Premiership fixture away to St Johnstone.
The 25-year-old centre-back joined the club from West Brom in 2020 and has been a mainstay in David Martindale’s defence throughout his time in West Lothian.
However, Fitzwater has decided not to renew his contract with the Lions and will leave the club in search of a new challenge after this weekend’s match.
“It’s been a massive positive from the first minute I walked through the door,” said the Englishman, reflecting on his time with the Lions.
“I wasn’t really sure what Scottish football would be like but, since coming up here, it’s given me a platfor…
Domenico Tedesco has been appointed as RB Leipzig s new head coach, replacing Jesse Marsch.
Former Schalke boss Tedesco comes in less than a week after Marsch left the club following a third successive Bundesliga defeat.
Marsch joined Leipzig from sister club Salzburg in the off-season, but the task of replacing Julian Nagelsmann proved too great for the American.
A defeat to Union Berlin on Saturday has left them 11th in the table, though Leipzig responded under Achim Beierlorzer by beating Manchester City 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
That victory ensured Leipzig drop into a two-legged play-off for a place in the Europa League last 16.
Tedesco has now been handed the reins, signing a contract until June 2023. Leipzig also confirmed as…
Manchester City 6-3 Leicester City: Premier League leaders move six points clear after Foxes thrille
Manchester City survived a spirited Leicester City fightback to prevail 6-3 winners in a thrilling Boxing Day encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
Though pegged back to 4-3 from 4-0 up, Pep Guardiola s men moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League following a ninth successive victory, with second-placed Liverpool having played a game less.
Kevin De Bruyne scored the first of four goals for the hosts inside the opening 25 minutes, while a pair of penalties from Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling sandwiched Ilkay Gundogan s strike.
The Foxes came roaring back after the break as James Maddison, Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho threatened the most unlikely comeback, but Aymeric Laporte and Sterling got the Citizens back on track and secured the points.<…
Ange Postecoglou defended his “tired” Tottenham team after they were blown away in a six-goal thriller at Brighton.
Joao Pedro struck a brace of penalties while Jack Hinshelwood and Pervis Estupinan produced fine strikes in a well deserved 4-2 victory for Roberto De Zerbi’s men.
While Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies scored in the final 10 minutes, Spurs were second best for much of the night and suffered a fifth Premier League defeat of the campaign.
Both clubs have faced numerous injuries during recent months, with Brighton without eight players for this contest and Tottenham nine, which led to Postecoglou taking a philosophical view.
Postecoglou said: “Fair to say we were looking a bit tired and lacked our usual sharpness, especially at the start of …
Aston Villa manager Carla Ward has signed a new two-year deal with the Women’s Super League club.
Ward, 39, who signed a contract extension until the end of the 2023-24 season in January after joining Villa in 2021, has now agreed a deal until the end of the 2024-25 campaign, with an option to extend for another year.
Villa’s head of women’s football Lee Billiard said: “This is tremendous news for Carla and the club.
The boss. has put pen to paper on an extended contract!
— Aston Villa Women (@AVWFCOfficial)
“We have continued to see substantial improvement in the team under her leadership, both individually and collectively, and this contract extension will allow her to continue progressing and building on our strategy to try to de…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not alone in facing a conundrum as he decides on who will play in goal for Manchester United against Tottenham.
Fantasy football players across the globe may also be wondering who to back between the sticks this weekend. Well, we might just be able to settle the debate.
As the Premier League season enters its decisive final weeks, we ve got a handful of suggestions to give you the edge when it comes to your fantasy leagues, and one or two may just surprise you.
Without further ado, here are our picks for matchday 31, based on Opta data.
DEAN HENDERSON
Since taking over the number one spot with United while David de Gea was on parenting duties, Henderson has given little reason to suggest he should be dropped.
Birmingham’s Juninho Bacuna has alleged he was racially abused at West Brom as boss Tony Mowbray called for stronger punishments.
The midfielder raised an incident with the fourth official Tom Nield in injury time of the 1-0 defeat at The Hawthorns.
Bacuna was seen pointing at the crowd at full-time, having also spoken to referee David Webb, while West Midlands Police are expected to launch an investigation.
“You have to have a deterrent for the guy who’s had a few drinks, he comes to the match and there’s an opportunity in his mind to shout some racial abuse,” said Mowbray, after Andreas Weimann’s late winner for Albion. “He has to think: ‘Hang on a minute’.
“You make decisions and there has to be a consequence, he shouts this thing a…
Rangers striker Kemar Roofe is set for another spell on the sidelines with a groin injury which requires a scan.
The 30-year-old came off at half-time in the 4-0 Viaplay Cup win over Livingston at Ibrox on Wednesday night.
Roofe has been bedevilled by injuries since signing for the Light Blues from Anderlecht in 2020 and ahead of the visit of Aberdeen in the cinch Premiership on Saturday, Gers boss Michael Beale confirmed the former Leeds forward would miss that game at least.
Beale said: “He is away for a scan so no news on that one at the minute. He didn’t train today with the rest of the team.
“Until we get the news back from the scan, we don’t really know what we are dealing with. It is not an area which has ever been an issue before.
…
Ramos leaves Real Madrid: Over 200 clean sheets, 98 goals and 22 trophies – Sergio exits a Los Blanc
Sergio Ramos is leaving Real Madrid, the Spanish giants confirming on Wednesday that the 35-year-old defender will hold a farewell event on Thursday.
Ramos joined Madrid from Sevilla in 2005 and went on to cement his name as a legend at Santiago Bernabeu.
During his 16-year stint with Los Blancos, Ramos has won LaLiga five times and helped Madrid to four Champions League titles.
Diminishing returns last season, mainly due to injury, mean he does not quite go out on a high, but he will nevertheless be considered as one of the club greats.
BRILLIANT IN BOTH BOXES
It is not often that a defender is known for his goalscoring exploits, but Ramos certainly bucks the trend.
Indeed, he is the only defender to score 100 goals while playing in on…