Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba kick-started the New Year s Eve celebrations for Manchester United with late strikes as Jose Mourinho s men saw off a spirited Middlesbrough 2-1 at Old Trafford.
United were well worth a victory that they looked to have been denied for long parts of the game by poor refereeing, dogged Middlesbrough defending and Grant Leadbitter s goal.
However, Mourinho eventually came out on top in the battle with his former Real Madrid assistant Aitor Karanka with a late comeback straight out of the playbook of Sir Alex Ferguson, celebrating his 75th birthday in the stands.
Mourinho may well have been readying himself for a post-match whinge after referee Lee Mason controversially denied Zlatan Ibrahimovic a first-half goal before Leadbitter …
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised his side as they scored two early goals to down Wolves and open up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
With closest challengers and reigning champions Manchester City not in action until Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s side took full advantage as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard struck in the opening 16 minutes before a nervy ending brought about by Matheus Cunha’s strike.
The Gunners ultimately ran out 2-1 winners on an afternoon where their early goals were the peak of a performance that promised more than it provided.
Having thrashed Lens here 6-0 on Wednesday to ensure safe passage into the last 16 of the Champions League, Wolves proved they were made of sterner stuff and stayed in the contest until the last.
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Gareth Southgate says he will not outstay his welcome as England manager as he once again hit back at criticism over his team selections.
England reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018, the final four of the Nations League in 2019 and were runners-up at last year s Euro 2020.
Yet despite that, there have been continued calls for Southgate to adopt a more attacking approach by fielding the likes of Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold more often.
Speaking ahead of Saturday s Nations League clash with Italy at a behind-closed-doors Molineux, however, Southgate refuted the idea that he is not gung-ho enough.
I ve got to find a balance because I don t want to sit and be defensive, but some people have managed teams and others haven t, he sai…
Joshua Zirkzee is not feeling any pressure as he looks to make his mark at Manchester United.
Having come on from the bench to make his United debut, Zirkzee scored in the 87th minute to seal a 1-0 win over Fulham on Friday in the first Premier League match of the 2024-25 season.
Zirkzee joined United from Serie A club Bologna in July, and with Rasmus Hojlund injured, swiftly made an impact at Old Trafford.
And the former Bayern Munich attacker knows it is about as good a start as he could have asked for.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: It s the perfect one, no? In front of the Stretford End. And a win as well, it couldn t be any better.
It s been very good [since I arrived]. The group have been amazing, I feel very comfortable and at home here. …
Tottenham and Newcastle United are both keeping a close eye on forward Nicolo Zaniolo despite a mediocre stretch of form with Roma.
The 23-year-old has 11 Italy caps to his name, but he has struggled to show his quality this season.
From 13 Serie A appearances this term, including 12 starts, Zaniolo has only scored one goal with zero assists, after a 2021-22 season where he contributed only two goals in 28 league games.
Despite his disappointing goal tally, Zaniolo is reportedly demanding a significant pay increase to re-sign in Italy s capital, forcing Roma into a difficult decision.
TOP STORY – PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS CIRCLE FOR ZANIOLO
According to Calciomercato, Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte is a fan of Zaniolo, while the increasingly ambi…
Erik ten Hag s first experience of European football as manager of Manchester United will see the Red Devils face off with the likes of Real Sociedad and Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League group stage.
Ten Hag enjoyed a successful spell as Ajax boss before making the move to Old Trafford, perhaps best exemplified in the 2018-19 campaign where he led the Dutch side to their first Champions League semi-final since 1997.
They should have gone on to the final that year too, but let a 3-0 aggregate lead slip at home to Tottenham as a 96th minute Lucas Moura goal to complete his second-half hat-trick won the tie for the Londoners on away goals, breaking Ajax hearts.
Ten Hag will therefore be desperate for a good showing in Europe this season to dispel those dem…
Cole Palmer scooped the PFA s Young Player of the Year on Tuesday but emphasised that helping Chelsea win trophies is more important than individual accolades.
Palmer, who scored 22 goals in 34 Premier League appearances in his debut season at Stamford Bridge, beat off competition from Bukayo Saka and Kobbie Mainoo to claim the award.
The 22-year-old is the third Chelsea player to win the award after Scott Parker and Eden Hazard, signing a contract extension last month that will keep him at the club until 2033.
Palmer recorded the most goal contributions in the league last season (33), while also converting all nine of his penalties for the Blues.
And despite missing out on the PFA Player of the Year crown to former team-mate Phil Foden, Palmer was hap…
World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez faces competition from Thibaut Courtois and Yassine Bounou to land The Best FIFA Men s Goalkeeper Award.
Five goalkeepers were originally nominated for the award, which recognises the most outstanding goalkeeping performance in men s football during the period between August 8, 2021 and December 18, 2022, when Martinez helped Argentina win the World Cup for a third time.
Brazil s Premier League duo Alisson and Ederson missed out on the final shortlist following a vote held among the coaches and captains of international teams, as well as journalists and fans.
Martinez s immense contribution to Argentina s World Cup final win against France put him among the frontrunners for the prize, which will be handed out at a FIFA award cer…
Premier League officials are seeking an explanation from refereeing body PGMOL after controversial VAR decisions to disallow goals by West Ham and Newcastle United.
The operating of the video assistant referee system faced stiff criticism on Saturday, with West Ham boss David Moyes saying the ruling that denied Maxwel Cornet a 90th-minute equaliser at Chelsea was scandalous and absolutely rotten .
West Ham lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, while Newcastle were held 0-0 by Crystal Palace at St James Park but were convinced an own goal from Tyrick Mitchell should have been allowed to stand.
That’s up there with one of the worst VAR decisions made since it’s come into the game. Shambles
— Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice)
Andy Madley was the referee…
Cristiano Ronaldo won his fifth Ballon d Or on Thursday to go level with Barcelona rival Lionel Messi and claw back another milestone in their ongoing tug-of-war.
The pair are now two clear of legends Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten, who all won three between the late 1970s and early 90s.
Ronaldo and Messi have been even more dominant since the Portugal forward won his first in 2008, with Kaka the last player to claim Europe s top individual honour.
They have enjoyed an immense rivalry over the years which has arguably helped to drive them both on to become the incredible performers that they are.
Ronaldo and Messi: a decade of domination
2008 Ronaldo
2009 Messi
2010 Messi
2011 Messi
2012 Messi
2013 Ronaldo
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