Alex Ferguson Returns - Manchester United

Incredible Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, will be available to control Ole Gunnar Solskjaer through his time at Old Trafford as interval manager.

Solskjaer has been acquired to supplant Jose Mourinho, who was sacked by official bad habit director Ed Woodward, at the club's preparation ground last Tuesday.

The previous United striker got off to the ideal begin, by directing the group to a 5-1 triumph over Cardiff City on Saturday.

Solskjaer has just conceded that he bases a ton of his administrative style on what he realized while playing under Ferguson.

Also, as per The UK Sun, the Norwegian will be in "normal contact" with Ferguson, after Woodward chose to bring back the Scot as a specialist.

Premier league rival set to sign Victor Moses

Chelsea winger, Victor Moses is set to leave Stamford Bridge to join Premier League side, Crystal Palace for £12million when the move window opens in January 2019.

As per The Sun, Chelsea are prepared to capitalize on the 28-year-old one month from now as the Blues manager, Maurizio Sarri hopes to reinforce his group for the second 50% of the season.

Moses has dropped out of support at Chelsea since Sarri assumed control from individual Italian comrade, Antonio Conte early this season.

The ex-Nigerian universal has scarcely included for Sarri's side so far this crusade.

The winger has neglected to awe Sarri at the West London club and that has prompted theory about his future at Stamford Bridge.

Moses will would like to play for Chelsea when they handle Watford on Boxing Day.

Chelsea make a beeline for the diversion following a 1-0 annihilation to Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.

Ozil reactions to Arsenal victory against Burnley

Arsenal playmaker, Mesut Ozil, has talked on his side's 3-1 triumph over Burnley on Saturday in the Premier League.

Two objectives from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and an objective from Alex Iwobi guaranteed triumph for Unai Emery's men at Emirates.

Be that as it may, Ashley Barnes scored for the guests.

Ozil, who did not highlight in Arsenal's 2-0 thrashing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, said he was happy to enable his group to crush Burnley.

"#YaGunners, truly significant 3 points won! Happy I could help the group today," Ozil tweeted.

Arsenal presently sit in fifth position on the Premier League table with 37 points from 18 diversions.

The North London club will handle Brighton on Wednesday in their next Premier League apparatus

TRANSFER LATEST! Chelsea To Splash £70 Million To Sign Real Madrid Star

Previous Premier League champions, Chelsea have at long last chosen to offer £70 million to Real Madrid in an offer to sign their midfielder, Isco when the move window opens in January.

As per The Sun, the Blues will give Isco a four-and-a-half-year bargain worth £250,000 per week.

Isco has not been an ordinary starter at Madrid since Santiago Solari supplanted Julen Lopetegui as supervisor in October.

The Spain worldwide has tumbled down the pecking request in Solari's squad this battle.

The ex-Malaga star, who just begun one match under Solari, has shown up as a substitute this term.

Isco was booed by Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu in Los Blancos' 3-0 crush by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

The 26-year-old's present contract in Madrid will end in 2022.

The midfielder will want to include for Real Madrid when they handle Villarreal in their next La Liga fixture

We don't need Jose mouriho: Real Madrid board decide

Previous La Liga champions, Real Madrid have at long last chosen not to re-sign previous Manchester United administrator, Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho has been connected with an arrival to the Los Blancos after he was sacked on Tuesday by Manchester United.

Madrid are said to at present be in the market for another administrator with current mentor, Santiago Solari known to be just a transient arrangement.

In any case, Spanish outlet, Marca, is presently revealing that the Champions League holders don't need the Portuguese gaffer back at the Santiago Bernabeu regardless of his unique association with Madrid president, Florentino Perez and executive, Jose Angel Sanchez.

The report likewise guaranteed that Perez and Sanchez both concurred that the entryway at Madrid is "shut" for Mourinho's arrival.

Mourinho won one La Liga title amid his three years at Real Madrid

Real Madrid Win Third consecutive Club World Cup Title

Real Madrid facilitated to a third straight Club World Cup title as Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos scored in a 4-1 last triumph over home group Al Ain in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

The European heroes have battled on occasion this season yet had little inconvenience in neglecting Al Ain, whose unexpected hurried to the last incorporated a rebound from 3-0 down against Team Wellington and a stun last-four win over River Plate.

The Spanish mammoths have now won a record four Club World Cup titles, pulling one clear of most despised opponents Barcelona, who were in La Liga activity on Saturday.

"These players merit it. They're here subsequent to buckling down and winning numerous trophies," said Real mentor Santiago Solari.

"Today they included a completing touch with the third sequential Club World Cup, which I believe is an extraordinary accomplishment for the club, obviously for Real Madrid and this gathering of players specifically."

Solari, who has needed to manage bits of gossip encompassing his future after previous Los Blancos mentor Jose Mourinho's sacking by Manchester United not long ago, named a solid side including Modric, Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale.

Ballon d'Or luka Modric gave Real a fourteenth moment lead, and Marcos Llorente's awesome volley multiplied the lead on the hour check before Sergio Ramos' late third and Tsukasa Shiotani's comfort.

Pogba returns for United in Solskjaer squad

Paul Pogba came back to the Manchester United beginning line-up without precedent for four Premier League diversions as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rolled out four improvements for Saturday's outing to Cardiff from Jose Mourinho's last amusement in control.

Mourinho was sacked on Tuesday after a 3-1 annihilation to Liverpool a weekend ago that left United 19 off the highest point of the table and 11 hapless of the main four.

Pogba was left on the seat for the full a hour and a half at Anfield, yet returns alongside Phil Jones, Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial with Eric Bailly, Diogo Dalot, Matteo Darmian and Romelu Lukaku left out.

Man City staggered by Crystal Palace, Arsenal jump on Chelsea defeat

Manchester City drooped to a second thrashing in three Premier League recreations to hand Liverpool an early Christmas present in the title race as Crystal Palace stunned the Etihad with a 3-2 win on Saturday. 

Chelsea were additionally dazed at home by Jamie Vardy's champ for Leicester in a 1-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge to enable Arsenal to move level on focuses with their London matches in fourth after a 3-1 prevail upon Burnley. 

Triumph for Watford at West Ham pushed Manchester United down to seventh in front of their first excursion since Jose Mourinho was sacked as supervisor in midweek with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reviewing Paul Pogba for his first amusement in control against Cardiff. 

Liverpool opened up a noteworthy lead at the best with an exceptionally great 2-0 succeed at Wolves on Friday to stretch out their unbeaten begin to the battle. 

What's more, City neglected to cut the hole as they dropped focuses at home out of the blue this season notwithstanding proceeding through Ilkay Gundogan's header. 

Jeffrey Schlupp leveled for Palace against the pursue of play only the half-hour check and after two minutes Andros Townsend pounded a shocking volley into the best corner from well outside the territory. 

Kick Guardiola gathered Sergio Aguero from the seat not long after the break, however City had a mountain to ascend when Kyle Walker cleaved down Max Meyer and Luka Milivojevic dispatched the subsequent punishment. 

Kevin De Bruyne was additionally tossed on to attempt and turn the diversion around and his planned check that flew in off the post brought City once more into the amusement a short ways from time. 

In any case, in spite of ceaseless weight, the victors couldn't discover an equalizer to hand Liverpool a colossal lift in front of their outing to City on January 3. 

– Aubameyang at the twofold – 

Chelsea were additionally beaten at Stamford Bridge out of the blue under Maurizio Sarri as Vardy terminated home James Maddison's go to give the Foxes their first triumph in five amusements. 

Thrashing for the Blues enabled Arsenal to close on a main four complete as two objectives from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang beat Burnley 3-1 of every a terrible tempered conflict.

Hazard Sends Warning To Liverpool & Man City After Chelsea’s Win Against Brighton

Chelsea ace, Eden Hazard has issued out warning to Manchester City and Liverpool following his side’s 2-1 victory over Brighton in the Premier League encounter played on Sunday.

Goals from Pedro and Eden Hazard ensured victory for Maurizio Sarri’s side against Brighton.

However, a goal from Solomon March was not enough to give the hosts a point against the Blues.

Hazard warned Pep Guardiola’s men and Jurgen Klopp’s side that Chelsea are determined to finish top on the Premier League table this term.

“We want to be top of the league at the end of the season,” Hazard was quoted by Metro UK as saying after the match.

“We know Man City and Liverpool are good teams – we don’t want the gap to be big.”

Hazard added:

“I like to score, but it’s not important for me. “The most important thing is to win games. I just enjoy my football and that’s why I’’m on the pitch.

“We knew before the game that we need to score a third goal. When it’s 3-0 it’s harder for teams to get back. But we didn’t and conceded – you feel the pressure. “But we managed the game well.”

Chelsea are fourth place on the Premier League table with 37 points from 17 games

Liverpool currently top the Premier League table with 45 points from 17 games, while Man City are second place with 44 points from the same number of games.

EPL: Sarri slams Chelsea players after 2-1 win over Brighton

Maurizio Sarri has warned Chelsea to avoid becoming “dangerous to ourselves” after they withstood a late barrage to secure a 2-1 victory over Brighton.

Chelsea were dominant for an hour at the Amex Stadium, with first-half goals from Pedro and Eden Hazard putting them in control before Solly March’s 66th-minute strike gave Brighton renewed hope.

The result moved Chelsea clear of Arsenal — beaten 3-2 at Southampton — in fourth place in the Premier League, but Sarri was keen to stress areas for improvement.

“I think we could have won better because we played very well for 60 minutes,” he said.

“We conceded a goal in a moment in which we were in full control of the match, and so, in my mind, it was clear in that moment that we have to suffer in the last five minutes with the long balls into the box.

“We are not a physical team. With the substitutions, I tried to have a more physical impact for the last five minutes, but it was clear it was really very difficult in the last five minutes. We could have won better.

“I think that when we have the feeling of being in full control of the match, we are dangerous for ourselves. Suddenly the level of application and attention is lowered.

“The feeling when we are in confidence, when we are sure of being in control of the match, is dangerous for us.”

Sarri stuck with the same XI that defeated Manchester City last weekend, deploying Hazard as a false No. 9 with Olivier Giroud among the substitutes and Alvaro Morata sidelined by a knee injury

Hazard speaks on goal target, gives update on his ankle injury

Chelsea star man, Eden Hazard has insisted he is more focused on securing wins for Chelsea than getting personal achievements with the Blues.

Hazard set up Pedro for the first goal before scoring also, as Chelsea beat Brighton 2-1 at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.

The win helped Chelsea retain fourth place in the Premier League.

The Belgian international now boasts a combined total of 17 goals and assists in 16 league matches this term, already more than the 16 he accrued in 34 appearances last season.

He now has 98 goals for Chelsea, but admitted he is not focusing on those individual achievements.

Asked if he has a special celebration in mind for his 100th Chelsea goal, Hazard told Chelsea TV, “I don’t know!

“I know it’s close to 100 goals for Chelsea, but that’s not in my mind, I just want to win games for Chelsea, that’s important.”

On an ankle knock he picked up late on in Sunday’s clash, the 27-year-old said he feels confident that it will not hold him back for long.

“I think it’s not too bad, I’ll chat with the doctor, but not too bad.

“I just twisted it a bit.

“It’s a long season. We want to close the gap with the teams above us so we need to win games, and step by step try to be the best team in England.

“I always enjoy my football. We have good players in the team, we understand each other more now than we did at the beginning of the season, so we just want to be on the pitch and create something,” he said.

Jose Mourinho Finally Reveals Why He Benched Pogba For Man United Loss Against Liverpool

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has explained why he dropped midfielder, Paul Pogba from his side’s Premier League 3-1 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday.

Goals from Sadio Mane (1), Xherdan Shaqiri (2) gave Jurgen Klopp’s men all three points against United.

However, Jesse Lingard did score for Jose Mourinho’s men.

Mourinho said his decision not to feature Pogba against Liverpool was because he wanted to bring more aggressiveness and intensity in midfield.

When asked why Pogba did not feature against Liverpool, Mourinho told Sky Sports:

“I made many decisions. I made many decisions with starting with 11 players and leaving others on the bench.

“I always try to choose what I think is best for the team. I think the team lately with [Ander] Herrera, [Nemanja] Matic and [Jesse] Lingard lost some qualities.

“But at the same time we become more aggressive, more simple, more intense without the ball and that’s what I think we need to play against such a fast team like Liverpool.”

City will not sacrifice League Cup for title race: Guardiola

Holders Manchester City will take Tuesday’s League Cup quarter-final with Leicester City seriously, says manager Pep Guardiola, even though they are in a tight duel with Liverpool for the Premier League title.

Guardiola — whose Premier League champions trail Liverpool by a point — says it is only by winning trophies the club can get better, even if the League Cup is viewed as the third most important domestic trophy in English football.

The 47-year-old Spaniard concedes Liverpool may benefit from no longer being involved in the League Cup — their next match is against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday — and if City progress they will face a two-legged semi-final in January.

“We could say yes,” said Guardiola, answering a question at his press conference over whether Liverpool had an advantage in having a lighter fixture list.

“But I’d prefer to be in the League Cup than not.

“I cannot imagine going into a game thinking, ‘Oh, it will be better to lose because then we’ll have more time to rest’. I have never thought in that way.

“That is the only way a club like Manchester City — who 10 years ago were not in this position — can grow up, and get better and better. And that’s what we have to do.”

Guardiola said that those players who had played on Saturday in the 3-1 win over Everton would probably have to shoulder the responsibility of backing up against Leicester due to a growing injury list.

Belgian star Kevin de Bruyne returned against Everton and should play again whilst record goalscorer Argentinian Sergio Aguero could start after a four week absence through injury.

“We don’t have many players,” said Guardiola.

“We have a lot of injured players. Some players that played Saturday and in the last games have to play.

“But it is a chance to reach a semi-final and since I’ve been here my teams have never dropped one game, not even a friendly game.

“It is a competition, it must be respected, like we did it last season. We are going to try and win the game.”

De Bruyne Names The Team That Can Stop Man City From Winning The Premier League (Guess Who??)

Manchester City play maker, Kevin De Bruyne has named Liverpool as the club that can stop Pep Guardiola’s men from retaining the Premier League title this season.

City won the English topflight league title last season with a record 100 points from 38 games.

But De Bruyne believes Jurgen Klopp’s men will fight City ‘to the end’ in the title race this term.

The Belgium international stated this following City’s 3-1 victory over Everton in the Premier League encounter over the weekend.

The midfielder played his first Premier League match of the season as a second-half substitute against Everton after recovering from a knee injury he sustained some months ago.

Speaking on the club that can stop City from retaining the Premier League title, ESPN quoted De Bruyne as saying:

“I don’t know why they [Liverpool] can’t sustain it. I think Liverpool will go on to the end.

“To be fair, I’m not too worried about them. They will do what they do and we’ll have to try to win our games and go forward.

“They’ll try to keep pace with us and vice-versa. But it’s still early. There’s no pressure — we need to do what we do.”

De Bruyne will hope to lead Guardiola’s men to victory when they tackle Leicester City on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup

BREAKING! Man United Board Finally Takes Decision On Sacking Mourinho After Liverpool Loss

Manchester United board have decided not to sack manager, Jose Mourinho, despite the Red Devils’ 3-1 defeat by Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

Goals from Sadio Mane (1), Xherdan Shaqiri (2) gave Jurgen Klopp’s men all three points against United.

However, Jesse Lingard did score for Jose Mourinho’s men.

Mourinho is under intense pressure at United following his side’s poor form of run so far this campaign.

According to The Guardian, United’s hierarchy have decided that Mourinho’s future at Old Trafford is not under immediate threat following Sunday’s defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s men.

The report claimed that United’s chiefs are willing to give the Portuguese time to improve his side’s performances and turn things around for good so as to save his job.

Mourinho’s men will now tackle Cardiff City in their next Premier League fixture on Saturday.

Man United currently sit in sixth position on the Premier League table with 26 points from 17 games.

What Klopp told me before I scored two goals against Man United – Liverpool’s Shaqiri

Liverpool forward, Xherdan Shaqiri has disclosed what manager, Jurgen Klopp told him before he came on and scored a brace in the Reds’ Premier League 3-1 win over Manchester United on Saturday.

Goals from Sadio Mane (1), Xherdan Shaqiri (2) gave Jurgen Klopp’s men all three points against United.

However, Jesse Lingard did score for Jose Mourinho’s men.

According to Shaqiri, Klopp told him to be in the game directly before he came on.

The Swiss international also said that he watched the match from outside and there were a lot of spaces between the lines.

“He [Klopp] said to me he wanted me to be in the game directly. I tried to be direct in the game and you can see also I prepared myself very well,” Shaqiri was quoted by Metro UK as saying.

“I watched the game from outside also, so you can see the spaces and there were a lot of spaces between the lines.

“I am very good between the lines and try to stay there and pick the ball up to have an impact and stay in the game.

“In the end I scored two goals and we won the game, that’s a perfect day for us.”

Shaqiri added: “Obviously I’d be lying if I said you are not disappointed when you are on the bench – every player is disappointed when he’s on the bench,’ he said after the final whistle.

“But I always stay positive and try to help the team when I come on and you saw today when I came on I tried to help the team and to have an impact.”

Europa League Round of 32: Arsenal, Chelsea Get Easy Draws

File Photo

Premier League sides Arsenal and Chelsea have been added easy opponents in the Round of 32 fixtures of the Europa Leagues.

Arsenal play Bate Borisov of Belarus, while Chelsea – who won the competition in 2013 – take on Swedish side Malmo.

Most of the two-legged ties will be played on the 14 and 21 February 2019.

Arsenal’s home second leg will be on Wednesday, 20 February at 17:00 GMT.

The Gunners and Chelsea were both seeded for the draw, meaning they host their second legs and teams from the same city cannot play at home on the same night.

The timing of the fixture is to avoid a clash with the Champions League games taking place later on that Wednesday.

Arsenal and Chelsea both finished top of their respective groups, each winning five and drawing one of their six matches.

The Gunners are facing the same opponent they met in the group stage of last season’s competition, winning twice – 4-2 in Belarus and 6-0 in London.

Europa League last-32 draw in full

Viktoria Plzen v Dinamo Zagreb

Club Brugge v Red Bull Salzburg

Rapid Vienna v Inter Milan

Slavia Prague v Genk

Krasnodar v Bayer Leverkusen

FC Zurich v Napoli

Malmo v Chelsea

Shakhtar Donetsk v Eintracht Frankfurt

Celtic v Valencia

Rennes v Real Betis

Olympiakos v Dinamo Kiev

Lazio v Sevilla

Fenerbache v Zenit St Petersburg

Sporting Lisbon v Villarreal

Bate Borisov v Arsenal

Galatasaray v Benfica

Cristiano Ronaldo sets new record for Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo took no time to make a mark in his new club and Serie A record champions Juventus as he became the fastest player to score 10 goals across all competitions. The Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo set the new record for Juventus while making his 16th appearance for the club on Saturday in a league match against SPAL. Ronaldo slotted home Miralem Pjanic's free-kick after 29 minutes in Turin to join Genoa's Krzysztof Piatek at the top of the Serie A scoring charts with nine goals.

Later Mario Mandzukic sealed the three points on the hour mark in a simple warm up for Tuesday's crucial Champions League visit of Valencia.

The pair also scored both in Juventus' 2-0 win over AC Milan before the international break, and Ronaldo's strike was his seventh in eight games in all competitions for his new club, for a total of 10 goals this season.

"Cristiano does things that catch opponents off guard and that's exactly what we need," said coach Massimiliano Allegri.

"Sometimes we play one pass too many and the moment is lost.

"Cristiano moves and thinks so quickly, he saw Douglas Costa coming out the corner of his eye and pulled the pass back. We need to all improve in that sense, being able to

EPL: Manchester United’s squad to face Liverpool revealed

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has named his provisional squad for Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool.

Mourinho will have the dilemma as to whether or not to bring Paul Pogba back into his starting line-up at Anfield.

David De Gea and Nemanja Matic will return after being rested midweek against Valencia.

Those who did not make the trip to the Mestalla (Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, Matteo Darmian and Chris Smalling), will be checked on before the short trip to Merseyside.

Mason Greenwood and James Garner, both 17, have joined the group while Mourinho will still have to make do without Victor Lindelof (groin) and Alexis Sanchez (hamstring).

Provisional squad Romero, Grant, Young, Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Rojo, Fred, Pereira, Herrera, McTominay, Garner, Pogba, Lingard, Fellaini, Mata, Lukaku, Rashford, Greenwood

Liverpool vs Manchester United: Mourinho worried about Salah’s threat

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, is worried about the “nuclear threat” that Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah carries, ahead of their Premier League clash on Sunday.

Salah played under Mourinho at Chelsea, but his initial spell in the Premier League failed to catch fire and the former Basel man moved to Serie A.

He returned last season, joining Liverpool for £36.9million following spells with Fiorentina and Roma.

“He has developed incredibly well at every level.

“Physically, an amazing development. He was a fast, fragile boy and now he is a fast, strong man.

“He was psychologically not adapted, coming directly from a small club in Switzerland [Basel] to a big club in the Premier League.

“It was too much. I remember I played him at White Hart Lane and at the Etihad and it was too much for him.

“Now he plays everywhere against any team – he can go to Barcelona, can go to Madrid and he plays like, ‘I am Mo-Mo Salah and I am afraid of no one and nobody’.

“He is a fantastic player, completely different from the potential player we bought from Basel to Chelsea. He was a projective player and now he is one of the best players in the world.

“I think the fact that I know him does not help me because I knew the projective player and now he is a top player,” Mourinho said according to Goal.

Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires Spurs

Manchester City swept back to the top of the Premier League as Gabriel Jesus struck twice in the champions’ 3-1 win over Everton, while Christian Eriksen kept Tottenham in the title hunt in a last-gasp 1-0 victory against Burnley on Saturday. Jesus hadn’t scored a Premier League goal since August, but the Brazil forward ended that drought to put Everton to the sword at the Etihad Stadium. The 21-year-old’s goals and a strike from Raheem Sterling put City two points ahead of second-placed Liverpool, but Jurgen Klopp’s team can regain top spot if they beat bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday. Coach Pep Guardiola, whose team had surrendered pole position with their loss at Chelsea last weekend, was pleased to see Jesus get back on track with his seventh and eighth goals of the season. “It is so important for him, strikers need to score goals,” said Guardiola. “What he has done today, he has done in other games but the difference is he has scored goals. “He has done it in a fantastic way. It was so valuable, his performance.” Jesus opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a cool finish from a tight angle after Leroy Sane’s pass opened up the Everton defence. Pep Guardiola’s side had to wait just five minutes after the break to make it 2-0, when patient build-up found Sane on the left and the German’s cross was met by a bullet header from Jesus. Everton got back into the game in the 65th minute when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header from a high-hanging Digne cross flicking off Fabian Delph and past the helpless Ederson. But Raheem Sterling came off the bench to end the contest four minutes later when the City winger met Fernandinho’s cross with a firm header. City were also cheered by the return of playmaker Kevin De Bruyne as a 75th minute substitute after a six-week lay-off with his second knee injury of the season. – Late show for Spurs – At Wembley, Tottenham left it until stoppage-time before finally breaking Burnley’s stubborn resistance as the north London club moved within five points of the leaders. Mauricio Pochettino’s third-placed side featured a first league start for 18-year-old midfielder Oliver Skipp, with Eriksen and Son Heung-Min on the bench. Joe Hart kept fourth-from-bottom Burnley level when the former England keeper plunged low to his right to save Erik Lamela’s low shot. But Denmark playmaker Eriksen came on in the second half and he provided the match-winning moment with a clipped finish after Fernando Llorente and Harry Kane battered down the Burnley barricades in the 90th minute. Eriksen’s winner capped a fine few days for Tottenham, who qualified for the Champions League last 16 in midweek after drawing 1-1 at Barcelona. “It is a very good week for us, a fantastic win for us today, it is so important to be focused and try to keep our energy,” Pochettino said. “After the Barcelona game it is difficult to find the way to perform like this.” Watford caught the eye in a stylish 3-2 win over Cardiff at Vicarage Road that left Neil Warnock’s side just four points above the relegation zone. Javi Gracia’s team took the lead in the 16th minute thanks to a superb solo strike from former Barcelona forward Gerard Deulofeu. Jose Holebas was next to impress, netting with a blistering 20-yard drive in the 52nd minute before teenager Domingos Quina bagged his first Premier League goal with a fine effort in the 68th minute. Cardiff got one back through Junior Hoilett in the 80th minute before Bobby Reid’s 82nd minute strike set up a tense finish. Luka Milivojevic lifted Crystal Palace five points away from the bottom three as the Serbia midfielder’s superb strike clinched a 1-0 victory against Leicester. Newcastle won for the first time in four matches to ease their relegation worries as Salomon Rondon’s 55th minute goal earned a 1-0 victory at third bottom Huddersfield. Wolves are up to seventh place as Raul Jimenez’s 12th minute goal and Ivan Cavaleiro’s 90th minute effort wrapped up a 2-0 win at Molineux that condemned Bournemouth to a sixth defeat in their last seven games.

EPL: Manchester United players told to ignore Mourinho’s instructions

Former Arsenal defender, Martin Keown, has told Manchester United players to ignore instructions from manager Jose Mourinho and take matters into their own hands. The Red Devils travel to Anfield on Sunday to take on title-chasing Liverpool, 16 points behind their bitter rivals. A much-changed United side slipped to another demoralising defeat against Valencia in midweek and Keown believes Mourinho’s men are turning in the worst performances he has seen in 25 years. “These performances are some of the worst we’ve seen from United in 25 years,” Keown told Football Focus. “They are there for the taking – these United players almost need to stop listening to their manager now. “If this is how they’re being told to play, the players are on their own – I don’t know the identity of this United team. “They’re almost dreading games. Whether they change the manager is another thing but every game feels like a crisis now. “Mourinho has an incredible job there but the ‘special one’ has become the ‘lonely one’. “He’s almost enjoying the process of it coming to an end.”

Champions League draw guide: Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester to face who in knockout stages?

Who can Premier League sides face in last-16? Manchester City Potential opponents: Atletico Madrid, Schalke, Ajax, Roma Best scenario: Schalke Worst scenario: Atletico Madrid (Pix Sterling, Pix Griezmann) Manchester United Potential opponents: Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, PSG, Porto, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid Best scenario: Porto Worst scenario: Barcelona (Pix Courtinho, Pix Lukaku) Liverpool Potential opponents: Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Porto, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus Best scenario: Porto Worst scenario: Juventus (Pix Ronaldo Pix Mane) Tottenham Potential opponents: Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Porto, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus Best scenario: Porto Worst scenario: PSG When is the Champions League draw? The draw will take place on December 17 in Nyon, Switzerland. It will start at 12 noon and the draw will be streamed on the UEFA website. We will bring you all the action when it takes place. Who is in the Champions League draw? .Borussia Dortmund (seeded) .Atletico Madrid (unseeded) .Barcelona (seeded) .Tottenham (unseeded) .PSG (seeded) .Liverpool (unseeded) .Porto (seeded) .Schalke (unseeded) .Bayern Munich (seeded) .Ajax (unseeded) .Manchester City (seeded) .Lyon (unseeded) .Real Madrid (seeded) .Roma (unseeded) .Juventus (seeded) .Manchester United (unseeded) How does the Champions League draw work? Quite simply, the eight group winners are seeded while the runners-up are not. Teams from the same group or country cannot be drawn together meaning City, United, Liverpool and Tottenham will not face each other. When are the Champions League last-16 games? The ties will take place on February 12/13 or February 19/20, with the second legs being played on March 5/6 or 12/13.

Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been voted BBC African Footballer of the Year for the second time in a row.

The 26-year-old beat Medhi Benatia, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane and Thomas Partey to the prize. The Premier League’s player of the year scored 44 goals in 52 games for Liverpool last season. “It’s a great feeling to win again. I’m happy and I would like to win it also next year!” said Salah. As well as inspiring his club to the Champions League final, Salah scored twice for Egypt at this year’s World Cup, having netted both goals in the match which took his country to the tournament for the first time since 1990. “There have been many good moments in 2018,” he added. “The game against Roma at Anfield [Champions League semi-final first leg] was unbelievable. I’m scoring goals and helping the team to get the points to be top of the league. That’s always a great feeling.” Salah said his aim for 2019 is “to win something with the club so everyone is excited”.

Can Klopp’s wrecking ball finally defeat United at the Anfield

Facts only: Liverpool have not defeated Manchester United in five games Klopp’s army is a wrecking ball, the army of locusts that consumes all before them. Admittedly, they are an exhilarating watch, right from their goalkeeper to Klopp himself. Manchester United on the other hand, are at best enigmatic. At least, for the conflicting soundbites, conspiracy theories, Paul Pogba and yeah, Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese manager has tried against all odds to get Manchester United to 6th, 24 points behind Liverpool after 16 games. The team is fighting to finish in the top four. The contrast is made starker by their form over the last five games, Liverpool with five wins and United with a lone win and four draws. Liverpool are riding the crest of a wave, clinching Champions League knock out stage qualification, overtaking Manchester City at the top of the log and mute celebrating Mo Salah. Southampton vs Arsenal Facts only: Southampton could set a club record of 13 Premier League games without a win. Their longest streak since 1989 Here’s another fact: in Arsenal’s defence, Rob Holding is out; Shkodran Mustafi is out, Sokratis Papastathopoulos is suspended, Dinos Mavroapnos is out. Three out of the four defenders who have featured heavily at the heart of the Arsenal defence. However, Unai Emery shouldn’t have much of a worry because of the state of Southampton’s attack. They have the joint-second worst attack in the Premier League with only 13 goals scored in their last 16 matches; a perfect game to ease Laurent Koscielny back into the side as the Gunners head into a testy and packed schedule in the festive season. Manchester City vs Everton Facts only: Manchester City vs Everton has produced a draw in three of their last four meetings After Chelsea ended the City’s unbeaten run, Pep Guardiola’s men will look to bounce back from the disappointing defeat. Though Everton are by no means mincemeat, they possess one of the best defence in the league only behind City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Watford. The Merseyside team are capable of springing a surprise with their fast-paced attackers, especially Richarlison who has been deployed as a central striker by Marco Silva. Sergio Aguero, who has just returned from injury could play a cameo in the game as City hope to return to the league summit after dropping off last week.

EPL: Owen predicts results of Liverpool vs Man United, Chelsea vs Brighton, Arsenal vs Southampton, others

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker, Michael Owen has tipped Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to defeat Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United on Sunday evening in the Premier League fixture at Anfield. He also predicted Chelsea to beat Brighton in Sunday’s Premier League fixture. According to him, Tottenham will defeat Burnley on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League fixture. Owen, however, tipped Arsenal to defeat Southampton on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League fixture. “I was surprised to see that Liverpool are without a win in their last eight Premier League games against United, but I think the hosts will keep all three points at Anfield in the game of the weekend,” Owen told BetVictor. “The last couple of league games between the clubs at Anfield have finished goalless, but United have struggled to keep clean sheets in the Premier League so far this term and I would be surprised if Jose Mourinho’s side were able to keep Liverpool at arm’s length. “That said, Liverpool’s much-vaunted attacking trio of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have yet to score, or indeed assist, a goal against United in a combined total of 855 minutes in the EPL. “I expect the Reds front-three to buck that trend at Anfield in what promises to be a fiercely-fought game between these two great clubs.” Commenting on the Arsenal vs Southampton game, Owen said: “Arsenal have scored at least twice in their last seven away games in the Premier League and I expect to see goals at St Mary’s with Unai Emery’s side coming out on top of an entertaining game. “The Gunners have lost just two of their last 17 games against Southampton in all competitions and the hosts are currently on a barren run of 14 games. These are difficult and worrying times for the Saints and I can’t see them getting anything against an in-form Arsenal.” On the Chelsea vs Brighton game, Owen said: “Chelsea have lost their last couple of Premier League games on the road, but they are a quality outfit and are taken to take the points back to the capital even though Brighton have only lost one of their last ten home Premier League games. “Chelsea have won all six games between the clubs in top-flight English football and the last time Brighton beat the Blues in any competition was a 1933 3rd Round FA Cup tie! “Eden Hazard has provided an assist in his last three Premier League games and the Belgian international has been back to his brilliant best of late. “He might be the difference between the sides at the Amex.” Commenting on the Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley, Owen added: “Burnley picked up a valuable three points at home to Brighton last weekend, but they continue to struggle away from Turf Moor, having picked up just six points from their last ten away league games. “Spurs’ confidence will be sky-high as a result of their 1-1 draw in Barcelona in midweek, a result which ensured all four Premier League sides would be in Monday’s draw for the last 16 of the Champions League. A comfortable home win for me.”

Liverpool 6 years without a throphy.... Klopp vs mouriho criticism

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, has responded to Manchester United manager, Jurgen Klopp’s comment on Reds’ lack of trophy. Klopp said he was not concerned by his lack of silverware at Liverpool after Jose Mourinho said that ‘trophies mattered.’ The Reds welcome Mourinho’s Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool are sitting top of the Premier League table. Klopp has lost all three of the cup finals he has appeared in as Liverpool boss, while the club has not won any silverware for six years. During his press conference on Friday, Mourinho suggested trophies were important, but dismissed the idea Klopp should be solely judged on his silverware record at Liverpool. Klopp, while addressing his pre-game press conference at Ansfield, agreed with his rival manager. He said, “Do I have to? Do I have to win it?’ he said. “If people say the Champions League campaign last season was not a success because we didn’t win the final, then I cannot change that. Was it the successful finish? No, but the ride was brilliant. “I enjoyed it a lot. Going to the final was fantastic but in life – in all departments of life including your job – if only the best counts and effort doesn’t count then life is s***. “You can do whatever you want but if I’m not as smart as Einstein or whatever, I can’t try a little bit? “I will never be him. I love the challenge. Make the best of it. That is how I understand life, I learned it a little bit in football. In the end other people have to judge that.”