Willian marked his 300th appearance for Chelsea with the winner as Frank Lampard s side dug deep to beat Lille 2-1 and get off the mark in the Champions League.
The Brazilian had a mostly quiet game but produced a rare moment of quality in the second half, cracking a powerful volley beyond Mike Maignan in the 77th minute to secure three points.
Tammy Abraham had earlier marked his 22nd birthday with his first Champions League goal, but Victor Osimhen headed Lille level by half-time.
The first half had been vibrant, but the level of both sides dipped in the second 45 minutes. Chelsea were happy to take the spoils by any means, however, having lost their opening Group H match to Valencia at Stamford Bridge.
Lille, meanwhile, have suffered back-to-back def…
Richarlison fired Tottenham to a first win since October 27 with a brace to inspire a 4-1 victory over Newcastle.
Spurs were Premier League leaders at the beginning of November, but had endured a barren run since after a succession of injuries and failed to win any of their last five matches despite taking the lead in each fixture.
It was a different story this time with Ange Postecoglou’s team selection paying dividends with the recalled Richarlison scoring twice after Destiny Udogie had broke the deadlock in the 26th minute.
Back to winning ways |
— Premier League (@premierleague)
Son Heung-min set up two of those goals after being moved back to the left wing and grabbed his 10th goal of the campaign with five minutes left from the penal…
Memphis Depay hopes Barcelona keep faith with Ronald Koeman as president Joan Laporta scours for a superior alternative.
It appeared certain, until recent developments, that Depay and former Netherlands boss Koeman would be reunited at Barcelona in the coming weeks, but now it is unclear whether either will start the season with the Catalan giants.
Depay has looked destined to arrive as a free agent after deciding to leave Lyon, while Koeman was chasing a LaLiga and Copa del Rey double until Barcelona s league form deserted them in the closing weeks of the season.
Now Laporta is assessing whether there is a better coaching option available to Barcelona for the new campaign, at the same time as keeping Koeman on in the event he cannot find a more accomplished bo…
The Portland Timbers won the MLS is Back Tournament after a 2-1 victory over Orlando City in the final on Tuesday.
Larrys Mabiala s headed opener for Portland was cancelled out by Mauricio Pereyra before half-time at the Walt Disney World Resort.
But Dario Zuparic scored what proved to be the winner for the Timbers in the 66th minute.
It marked a first trophy for the Timbers since 2015 as Portland secured a place in next year s CONCACAF Champions League.
Portland took the lead in the 27th minute, Mabiala heading in a lovely set-piece from Diego Valeri.
What a ball. Great finish. open the scoring in the Tournament Final! 1-0.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS)
But Orlando drew level six minutes before half-time after some nice work b…
Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone will not be put off signing Sergio Reguilon as a replacement for Renan Lodi, despite the defender s affiliation with Real Madrid.
Spain international Reguilon is out of favour under Antonio Conte at Tottenham, and is seeking a move away prior to next Thursday s transfer deadline.
Atletico are reportedly eager to bring in the 25-year-old on an initial loan with a view to making the deal permanent at the end of the season.
Reguilon spent 15 years of his career on the books of Atletico s fierce rivals Real, where he emerged through the youth system and made 22 first-team appearances.
But as Atletico look to sign a full-back to replace Nottingham Forest-bound Lodi, Simeone pointed out his side have had success when re…
Ecuador s place at the World Cup in Qatar is secure after FIFA rejected Chile s bid to have their South American rivals excluded from the tournament.
A spot in Group A, including the opening fixture of the tournament against Qatar on November 20, was under threat due to the eligibility of Byron Castillo – who played eight times during qualifying.
Chile presented evidence that Castillo was born in Colombia and were seeking action that would have seen them replace Ecuador in the tournament.
However, the FIFA Appeal Committee has closed proceedings initiated against the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF).
Having analysed the submissions of all parties and after a hearing had been conducted, the Appeal Committee confirmed the decision of the Disciplina…
Jurgen Klopp has revealed he considered ignoring the phone call that led to him joining Liverpool.
The manager who has led Liverpool to Champions League and Premier League title glory since moving to Anfield was appointed by the Reds on October 8, 2015.
On the fifth anniversary of taking the job, Klopp has recalled how he was having a restful break in Lisbon when a call came in from his agent.
But because he was on a family holiday with wife Ulla and their two children, Klopp was unsure whether he should interrupt that break to talk business.
Yet the German will always be glad he took that call from agent Marc Kosicke, because it was the first step towards being confirmed as Liverpool s next boss.
Klopp told the cub s website: I cannot forget the…
Gareth Bale does not believe he has any added responsibility on his shoulders ahead of Wales showdown with England, who Rob Page has described as a beatable opponent.
Wales face an early exit from their first World Cup since 1958 as they require victory against England and for the United States and Iran to draw in Tuesday s other Group B match.
The Dragons, who followed up a 1-1 draw against the USA with a 2-0 loss to Iran, will also advance to the knockout stage with an improbable 4-0 victory over their fierce rivals.
Bale played a major role in Wales ending their long wait to play on the world stage, as he did in their successful campaigns in qualifying for Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
Ahead of what could be his final appearance for Wales at a tournament, t…
“His comeback is very impressive. I notice the difference in his condition. Our whole recovery and physio department and he can be proud.
“I’m almost proud of the fact he’s come back. It’s all far more than a given. I’m very confident he’ll quickly reach his top form.”
Tuchel told a press conference: “I don’t feel he’s tensed up. I think he’ll show everyone again, but there’s some joy in him that he’s done it.
“I see a whole new level in goalkeeper training. He’s in his own league. He should see it as a gift for his work. We trust his experience and intuition.
“He has been match fit for a few weeks, now he is going to get playing time, but he can compensate for it all with his experience.”
Neuer will also have a…
Sadio Mane says he will never forget his time with Liverpool having made a move to Bayern Munich in the recent transfer window.
Mane joined the Reds from Southampton in 2016 and spent six successful years at the club, winning both the Premier League and the Champions League.
And while the 30-year-old now plies his trade in the Bundesliga, he says he will always have fond memories of playing for Liverpool.
Honestly, I will never forget my time there, Mane told UEFA.com.
I learned a lot – as a man and as a football player. The supporters were amazing, the people from the city were amazing. It is a club that will stay in my heart forever.
It is also a legendary club – they have won everything. And also, it is the club that had all the best Cha…