Mexico v Sweden: Osorio´s rehabilitation relieves Ochoa

Guillermo Ochoa feels it is only right that Mexico fans are finally backing Juan Carlos Osorio ahead of the match against Sweden in Ekaterinburg on Wednesday.

Supporters had often voiced their considerable displeasure with the head coach amid a series of inconsistent performances during his tenure, including a humiliating 7-0 Copa America defeat to Chile in 2016, followed by the shock 1-0 loss to Jamaica in the semi-finals of last year s Gold Cup. 

That fraught relationship has been transformed into a love affair in Russia, where Mexico stunned World Cup holders Germany and then dispatched South Korea 2-1 to close in on a place in the round of 16.

It is very deserved that the fans recognised the coach, goalkeeper Ochoa told a news conference at the team s train…

Manchester United 3 Sunderland 1: Mkhitaryan magic seals unhappy Moyes return

A first Premier League goal in more than a year from Daley Blind and late strikes from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were enough to give Manchester United a 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Monday.

The Netherlands international struck his first top-flight goal since September 2015 before two more in the final eight minutes secured a fourth league win in a row for the home side and ensure that David Moyes return to Old Trafford was a disappointing one.

United, who were without captain Wayne Rooney due to a knock sustained in training, have begun to build some momentum under Jose Mourinho, but were sluggish and short on inspiration in a tepid opening half-hour.

Indeed, it was Victor Anichebe who missed the best chance of the half when he mishit a shot fr…

Roma 1-1 Milan: Saelemaekers´ late strike keeps Rossoneri in top four

A 97th-minute Alexis Saelamaekers equaliser stunned Roma and earned Milan a point at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday to maintain their place in the Serie A Champions League places.

Milan headed into the game above the Giallorossi on just goal difference, and it appeared it would remain that way as a quiet affair was moments away from finishing goalless.

But in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Abraham fired into the bottom corner to send the home fans into raptures and seemingly lift Jose Mourinho s men above the visitors.

However, Saelemaekers stuck in the dying seconds to nick a draw for Milan and extend their unbeaten Serie A streak against Roma to seven matches.

Lots of late drama and it ends all square.

— AC Milan (@acmilan)

The f…

Lyon, Bordeaux count cost of Europe football exploits

French first division front-runners Bordeaux and Lyon were both left to count the cost of victory in the Champions League ahead of this weekend s matches in Ligue 1.

League leaders and reigning champions Bordeaux lost talismanic playmaker Yoann Gourcuff to a thigh problem during their hard-earned 1-0 victory over Maccabi Haifa, while Lyon s injury-plagued squad was further stretched during their 4-0 victory at Hungarian champions Debrecen.

Gourcuff overcame a different thigh injury to feature in Bordeaux s 1-0 home victory over Rennes last weekend but came off at half-time during the game against Maccabi and will miss the trip to struggling Saint-Etienne on Saturday.

He has a muscle strain behind his left thigh, said Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc, whose side are…

Shaw eager to earn Mourinho´s trust at United

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw is determined to prove his worth to manager Jose Mourinho as he looks to cement his spot in the starting XI.

Shaw has endured plenty of highs and lows following his move from Southampton to United in 2014, evident by his indifferent start to life under Mourinho this season.

Injuries have hampered Shaw at Old Trafford but the 21-year-old England international looked set to make the position his own after impressing in pre-season until his mistake in the 3-1 loss to Watford in September, drawing public criticism from Mourinho.

After missing the 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea, despite being fit, Shaw returned to the line-up for United s 1-0 win over arch-rivals Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday due to an injury to Eric Bailly…

Prediction: Arsenal vs Tottenham

Verdict: Both teams to score – yes

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Arsenal and Tottenham lock horns on Sunday in a much awaited North London Derby which should be another cracking contest between two fierce rivals, who face each other in contrasting form at the Emirates.

Arsenal

The Gunners are enjoying supreme form this season, which saw them embark on a 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions following the 4-3 opening day defeat to Liverpool. Arsene Wenger’s men have been undefeated in their last nine Premier League games and have also won seven of those which makes them firm favourites to emerge victorious from their Sunday’s encounter. The Gunners will most certainly be looking to extend their formidable stretch of results as they at the sa…

France injury woes worsen as Digne withdraws

France continue to be blighted by injury setbacks after Lucas Digne became the latest player to withdraw from their squad for this week s Nations League matches with Austria and Denmark.

Coach Didier Deschamps was already having to cope without Paul Pogba, N Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Lucas Hernandez and Kingsley Coman before Hugo Lloris and Theo Hernandez joined them on the sidelines on Monday.

Now Digne, who was drafted in as Theo Hernandez s replacement, has been ruled out after the Aston Villa defender suffered an ankle problem.

Rennes  Adrien Truffert has been called up in his place with a view to earning his first cap.

France have posted two draws and two defeats in their opening four Group A1 matches and are battling relegation from the top tie…

No Champions League games set to go outside Europe, says UEFA president Cerefin

UEFA president Aleksander Cerefin has shut down rumours the governing body could take Champions League games out of Europe.

Media reports emerged this week suggesting UEFA s executive committee were exploring options to stage marquee group stage encounters in neutral territory, such as the United States, China and the Middle East.

These proposals would come on the back of a dramatic revamp of the competition from 2024 onwards, which would see the group stage replaced by a league format.

But plans to take matches further afield are hokum, according to Cerefin, who shot down such suggestions when asked during a press conference on Wednesday.

With all due respect to the media, it is impossible to imagine what kind of news can get out there, he stated. We…

Liverpool and Tottenham battle for Kalou; Milan bid for Ever Banega

Liverpool and Tottenham battle for Kalou

that Liverpool and Tottenham are prepared to offer Lille forward Salomon Kalou a chance to return to English Premier League.

The Ivorian left Chelsea on a free transfer to join les Dogues in the summer of 2011, and has since impressed in French Ligue 1.

Kalou went on to score 20 goals in 47 league outings, but he has admitted a return to English Premier League would appeal to him.

And Daily Mirror has suggested that Liverpool and Tottenham are showing interest in the 28-year-old footballer.

Both sides are pretty short of options up front and they believe the Ivorian would be a good addition to the squad.

Prior to joining Lille, Kalou had spent six years at Stamford Bridge, scoring 37 goals in 155 …

Manchester City striker Nmecha joins Preston on loan

England Under-21s striker Lukas Nmecha has joined Preston North End on loan after scoring 15 goals for Manchester City Under-23s in 2017-18.

The 19-year-old made two Premier League appearances for the champions last season and is highly rated at the club but he said North End manager Alex Neil played a key role in convincing him to spend a season at Deepdale.

The German-born attacker, who has spent more than a decade moving up through the youth ranks at Eastlands, could feature for Preston when they play Swansea City on Saturday.

He told Preston s official website: Alex Neil has been a big part of my decision to sign.

He is very passionate about the game and I am excited by the style of play that the club have been playing.

This season we can go…