Chicago Fire extended their winning streak after holding off FC Dallas 2-1 in MLS on Thursday.
The league s top goalscorer Nemanja Nikolic and David Accam scored in the opening nine minutes as the Fire made it four successive victories.
Nikolic also missed a stoppage-time penalty but Bastian Schweinsteiger s Chicago are still enjoying their best winning run since September 2012.
The Fire made a dream start in front of their fans at Toyota Park when Nikolic opened the scoring in the third minute.
Well, that was fast.
Two minutes in and has his 11th of the year.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS)
Nikolic side-footed Brandon Vincent s cross beyond Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz – taking his tally to five goals in four games and 11 fo…
Everton are contemplating a £3m move for West Ham United defender Reece Oxford, according to Sky Sports.
The Hammers are willing to sell the teenager, who spent last season on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach but are holding out for a fee closer to £10m.
Oxford broke into the West Ham first teal under Slaven Bilic in the 2015/16 campaign, racking up twelve appearances in all competitions but played just twice the following season before being loaned to Reading.
Internationally he has been capped at every level for England from U16s to U20s.
The Toffees are on the lookout for reinforcements after sending fellow defender Ashley Williams out on loan to Stoke City, while club captain Phil Jagielka turns thirty-six this month.
Everton, who finis…
Marcelino has been sacked as Valencia head coach just three matches into the new LaLiga season.
The 54-year-old was dismissed on Wednesday following a reported falling out with club owner Peter Lim.
Former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder Albert Celades, who was an assistant coach to Julen Lopetegui at the Santiago Bernabeu last year, has been tipped to take over at Mestalla.
Marcelino was appointed as Valencia boss in May 2017 and led them to a fourth-place finish.
His position came under threat 12 months ago during a difficult start to 2018-19, but the club kept faith in the former Villarreal boss and were rewarded when they ended the season by winning the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona and clinching a Champions League spot.
Valencia h…
Market: Danny Ings to score anytime
Odds: 19/20 @
Simply looking to end their campaign with a flurry, Southampton will welcome a relegated Fulham to St. Mary s on Saturday afternoon.
Starting with the hosts, while Southampton might have continued on a woeful run since briefly topping the table back in November, The Saints did find a bounce earlier in the week. Coming from behind at home against Crystal Palace and eventually landing a 3-1 win on home soil, the South Coast outfit are hoping to land back-to-back Premier League wins since opening 2021. Managing to muster seven points from their last three contests at St. Mary s, there is no doubt that Ralph Hasenhüttl will be calling on the red-hot Danny Ings to spearhead their charge this weekend. Bagging a brace …
Ronald Koeman believes he was not afforded the same support successor Xavi has received from the Barcelona hierarchy and says he will not return to the club while Joan Laporta remains president.
In an interview with Dutch newspaper AD, Koeman also questioned why Lionel Messi had to leave Barca, only for the club to reinvest in new attackers under Xavi.
Koeman, who made 264 appearances for the Blaugrana as a player, was sacked as the club s head coach last October with the team sat ninth in LaLiga.
The former Netherlands boss has now opened up on his tenure in the Barca dugout, during which he battled with a dire financial situation and the departure of Camp Nou icon Messi, saying Laporta did not afford him the support he needed.
I just wasn t Laporta s t…
Competition: European Championships
Market: Memphis Depay to score anytime
Odds: 7/5 @
Desperate to get their European adventure off to a flying start on Sunday night, Holland will welcome Ukraine to the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam for their Group C opener.
Starting with the hosts, after being left disappointed to have only snatched a late 2-2 draw off of Scotland last week, Holland would have been glad to sign off their preparations with a much-needed victory. Eventually securing what was a routine 3-0 win against Georgia, Frank de Boer s side are desperate to mark their return to the major tournament stage with a flurry this weekend. Tipped as the early pick to land to spot in Group C, the one-time Crystal Palace boss will be calling on attacking…
England international defender Joleon Lescott has revealed he will be leaving Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Lescott, 31, joined City from Everton in a deal believed to be worth £22 million in August 2009.
The 31-year-old started in City s 2-0 FA Cup triumph over Chelsea on Saturday but has been gradually shifting to the bench in recent weeks, with manager Manuel Pellegrini favouring the likes of Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasić and Martín Demichelis.
It is always nice to play, said Lescott. They are not coming as frequently as I would like but when I called upon I like to think I can do a job.
Vinny is a massive player, a massive part of the club. He has got a massive future ahead of him at the club.…
England boss Sarina Wiegman’s return to the Netherlands ended in defeat as Dutch substitute Renate Jansen’s superb late strike saw the Lionesses beaten 2-1 in their second Nations League group game.
Jansen rifled past Mary Earps in the 90th minute in Utrecht after Lieke Martens’ contentious first-half opener, which would likely have been ruled out had VAR been in operation, was cancelled out by Alessia Russo’s 64th-minute finish.
Both teams hit the woodwork late in the first half, Rachel Daly for the visitors and Linda Beerensteyn for the hosts.
Defeat in Utrecht.
— Lionesses (@Lionesses)
Netherlands goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar then made an excellent save to deny Lauren Hemp before Russo brought things level, but it was Jansen who …
Michael Kightly is ready to commit himself to Burnley after admitting that his he unlikely to have a future at parent-club Stoke City, .
The 28 year old moved to the Clarets on a year-long loan back on last summer’s transfer deadline day, and he doubled his goal tally for the season over the Easter Weekend to help the side clinch promotion to the Premier League.
It is the second time the midfielder has achieved promotion from the Championship, having been part of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ league winning squad in 2009, and he is keen to help Burnley in the top flight next season.
Kightly, who began his playing career with non-league Basildon United, made just fourteen league starts for Stoke since joining them from Wolves in 2012, and while he is set to r…
Louis van Gaal is not surprised by the positive impact Danny Welbeck has made at Arsenal after he opted to sell the England striker.
Eyebrows were raised when Manchester United boss Van Gaal sanctioned the sale of Old Trafford academy graduate Welbeck to one of his club s main Premier League rivals on transfer deadline day.
Van Gaal felt there was no room for the 23-year-old in his squad due to the presence of stellar attacking talent such as Wayne Rooney, Radamel Falcao and ex-Arsenal captain Robin van Persie.
Welbeck struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular at United after making his Premier League debut in November 2008, but has quickly become an integral part of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger s plans.
And, speaking ahead of United s trip …