Mike Dean admits he was “wrong” to award West Brom penalty against Arsenal

Referees’ chief, Mike Riley, has revealed that Mike Dean has admitted his decision to award West Brom an 89th-minute penalty in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal on December 31, was “wrong”.


Dean gave the penalty for handball against Arsenal’s Calum Chambers and Jay Rodriguez equalized from the spot.

Riley says it would have been overturned by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.

“I know Mike would have overturned it.

“He messages people, and he’s a very honest guy, and he goes, ‘I got it wrong’. He knows he did,” Riley said, quoted by the Daily Express.

Kieran Gibbs’ cross hit the wrist of Chambers at close range, while the defender’s arm was in front of his chest.

“You award the penalty because what you have seen on the pitch is the arm coming towards the ball.

“But immediately there is evidence from another camera angle which shows actually the opposite happened. That is the safety net of the VAR.

“I think Chambers would have been overturned. The question you ask is, is it an act of deliberate handball? And the reverse angle shows him trying to bring his arm out of the way of the ball, rather than the reverse,” Riley added.

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, is currently serving a three-match ban for his protests. The Frenchman was also fined £40,000.

VAR will be used in the Carabao Cup final next month and both legs of the Chelsea v Arsenal semi-final.

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Conte backs Barkley for England World Cup role

(FILES) This file photo taken on April 23, 2016 shows Everton's English midfielder Ross Barkley reacting after the final whistle of the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Everton and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London on April 23, 2016. Ross Barkley has completed his widely anticipated move from Everton to Chelsea, the reigning Premier League Champions announced on January 5, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL /

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants to help new signing Ross Barkley claim a place in England's World Cup squad even though he has not played since May due to a hamstring injury.

Barkley signed for Chelsea from Everton on Friday for a cut-price fee in the region of £15 million ($20 million, 17 million euros) as his Toffees contract was due to expire this summer.

Conte does not know when the 24-year-old -- who needed surgery -- will return, but Chelsea's Italian manager hopes the midfielder can make Gareth Southgate's Russia 2018 squad.

"We have five months to show he deserves a call with the national team for the World Cup," Conte said. "I hope (he gets one), because it means he will do very well with us."

Barkley trained at Chelsea's Cobham base this weekend and is due to meet with Conte for the first time on Monday.

The Blues boss is reluctant to put a timescale on when Barkley will be available before first assessing him.

"It's important for me to see him, to understand his physical condition," Conte added. "My hope is to have this player (available) very quickly."

Conte spoke of Barkley's versatility, but said it was important the Everton academy graduate understands his role tactically before he is selected.

"He can play in midfield, if we play with three midfielders, or number 10 if we play 3-4-3," Conte added.

"Before playing we must be sure that he is into our idea of football. Otherwise it's a problem for him and it's a problem for the rest of the team."

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City need trophies to be 'big club' - Guardiola

Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling (L) and Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (R) celebrate at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on December 10, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF 

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City must match Manchester United and Liverpool by winning trophies in order to become one of the game's giants -- and dazzling football is not enough.

The runaway Premier League leaders maintained their relentless charge in four competitions by sweeping into the FA Cup fourth round at Burnley's expense on Saturday.

They are now eyeing a place in the League Cup final as they host Championship side Bristol City in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday.

"A win helps to win more, then we are there, going to go to London to play the final," said the City manager.

"It's important (to win trophies). To become a big club like the teams I have faced, or teams like (Manchester) United or Liverpool, with a really big history, you have to win.

"Nobody can take away what we have lifted so far -- the pleasures from this team of the last three or four months, they belong to us. In the process, when you live in good moments, I say to the players, 'Enjoy it'. It is so complicated it may not happen again.

"But after, of course, to give real value to what we have done so far, what we are going to do in the future, you have to lift the titles. Without that, it's OK, it's good, but not enough."

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was pleased to see Leroy Sane back on the scoresheet in the 4-1 victory against Burnley.

The winger has been one of several standout City performers this season but the strike was the 21-year-old's first since October and Guardiola feels he still has much to do to reach his full potential.

"He has a special talent," said Guardiola. "Of course it was important to score another goal. We need his goals, but also his assists, crosses, how he defends backwards.

"He made a lot of very good things but at 21, 22 years old -- I met only one player in my life at that age who knew absolutely everything and he could do absolutely everything. The other guys have many, many things to improve, and Leroy especially."

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Barcelona win as Coutinho waits, Real Madrid held

Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (R) celebrates a goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Levante UD at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on January 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Josep LAGO

Lionel Messi marked his 400th appearance in La Liga with the opening goal in Barcelona's 3-0 win over struggling Levante at the Camp Nou on Sunday as the Catalans prepare to unveil Philippe Coutinho.

Messi's 365th goal in Spain's top flight was followed by strikes from Luis Suarez and Paulinho as Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of the table back to nine points over Atletico Madrid.

They are also now a massive 16 points clear of defending champions Real Madrid, who were held to a 2-2 draw away at Celta Vigo despite a brace from Gareth Bale, and remain fourth.

Barcelona are still unbeaten in La Liga this season and on Monday will officially unveil Coutinho following the Brazilian's 160 million-euro ($192 million) move from Liverpool.

With all the talk about Coutinho, coach Ernesto Valverde was eager for his side to keep their focus on winning their first league outing since beating Real Madrid 3-0 in the Clasico on December 23.

"Levante had not lost away since September. We were very good in the first half, but the rhythm was not the same in the second half," said Valverde.

Barcelona's previous record recruit Ousmane Dembele -- a 105 million-euro buy from Borussia Dortmund in the summer -- was included in the line-up for the first time since tearing his hamstring nearly four months ago.

He came close to scoring on a couple of occasions, including from one 20-yard strike that was beaten away by Levante goalkeeper Oier Olazabal.

"I think he has to bring something to the team, and he also has to face up to the competition for places and for the tackles he will face on the pitch, from opponents who don't want to let him past," said Valverde.

"It is a process, but I thought he looked good and we still hope he can improve."

It was Messi who broke the deadlock with a fine first-time finish in off the post from a Jordi Alba assist for his 16th league goal of the campaign in the 12th minute.

The second goal arrived seven minutes before the interval, as Suarez controlled Sergi Roberto's fine ball into the box before firing home.

It was the Uruguayan's 400th professional goal, his 131st for Barca putting him seventh on the club's all-time list of leading scorers.

Barca rounded out the victory in the third minute of added time as Messi's low ball across goal at the end of a jinking run was turned in by Paulinho.

- Celta deserve draw -
Madrid were without the injured Sergio Ramos and the suspended Dani Carvajal in Vigo and their makeshift defence was exposed when Daniel Wass put the hosts ahead in the 33rd minute.

The Dane was afforded acres of space although his chipped finish over Keylor Navas from the edge of the box was still a delight.

With Karim Benzema injured, Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo started together for the first time since late September.

And it was Bale who quickly turned the game around, slotting home from a fine weighted pass by Toni Kroos in the 36th minute and then beating the offside trap to prod in an Isco pass two minutes later.

However, Celta fought back after the break to claim a deserved point.

Iago Aspas saw a 72nd-minute penalty saved by Navas after he had been fouled by the Costa Rican goalkeeper, but Maxi Gomez rose unmarked to head in a Wass cross eight minutes from time.

Zinedine Zidane's side do still have a game in hand on the sides above them but they are now only one point further away from the relegation zone than they are from Barcelona.

"We made too many mistakes and lost the ball too often, especially in the second half," said Zidane.

However, he insisted he isn't looking for reinforcements in the January transfer window.

"We'll see what happens but at the moment I am happy with my squad."

Second-placed Atletico beat Getafe 2-0 on Saturday, with Diego Costa scoring and then being sent off in his first league appearance since returning to the club from Chelsea.

Valencia are 11 points behind Barcelona in third after coming from behind to beat Girona 2-1 at Mestalla on Saturday.

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Bolt for trial in Dortmund to earn deal with United

Jamaica's Usain Bolt / AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN

Sprint star Usain Bolt will undergo a trial with Borussia Dortmund in a bid to earn a professional contract at Manchester United.

The Jamaican, an all-time athletics legend after winning eight Olympic gold, retired after damaging his hamstring in his last ever race at the World Championships in London last year.

After recovering from that injury, the 31-year-old has reiterated his desire to switch sports, claiming he has held talks with the club’s legendary former manager Alex Ferguson over a possible United deal, while his long mooted Dortmund trial is still on the cards.

“The injury is now fine and I’m back fully fit,” Bolt, the 100 metres world-record holder, told the Express.

“In March we’re going to do trials with Dortmund and that will determine what I do with that career, which way it goes. If they say I’m good, and that I need a bit of training, I’ll do it.

“It makes me nervous. I don’t get nervous but this is different, this is football now. It’ll take time to adjust but once I play a few times I’ll get used to it. It was the same when I started track and field.

“I was nervous for a while until I started getting used to the crowd, people and everyone around and it falls into place.

“One of my biggest dreams is to sign for Manchester United. If Dortmund say I’m good enough, I’ll crack on and train hard. I’ve spoken to Alex Ferguson and I told him he needs to put in a good word. He told me if I get fit and ready, he will see what he can do.”

Bolt, who won 11 World Championship gold medals in a glittering sprinting career, indicated he has sought advice from Paul Pogba over a potential football career.

“I do think I have a chance,” Bolt added. “I watch a lot of football, I understand it, I play it. With training, I could be good.

“Me and Pogba talk a lot. I watch and ask him a lot of questions. I want to play but it has to be in the top league. I’m not content to be average.

“It’s going to be hard because my career has been so great but if I could win a Champions League or something, it’ll be close to anything I achieved in athletics.

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Coutinho in $192m move to Barcelona

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring their fifth goal and completing his hattrick during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between Liverpool and Spartak Moscow at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on December 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS

Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho was in Barcelona yesterday to tie up a 160-million-euro ($192 million) move from Liverpool, the third-richest deal of all time.

“Bem-vindo! Welcome! Benvingut! ¡Bienvenido!” Barca tweeted to Coutinho along with a waving hand sign and a video showing a shirt bearing his name in a locker.

Spanish league leaders Barca host Levante yesterday at Camp Nou, but Coutinho will not be in the stands.

“He will not be attending the match,” a club source told AFP.

According to Catalan daily Sport, current La Liga leaders Barca want attention turned solely on the Levante match and not their new recruit, who should be officially presented to media today.

The swoop for the 25-year-old attacking midfielder – which contains a 400-million-euro release clause – is the third biggest transfer in football.

It is outranked only by Paris Saint-Germain’s world record 222m-euro signing of Neymar from Barcelona last year, and PSG’s capture of French striker Kylian Mbappe for a deal that will eventually be worth 180 million euros.

Rio-born Coutinho arrived at Liverpool from Inter Milan for a mere £8.5 million in January 2013 and scored 54 goals for the club in all competitions, although he won no silverware during his five-year stay at Anfield.

Barcelona had tried to sign him in the summer and his departure now is a blow to Liverpool as the playmaker has just returned to top form after an injury-hit start to the season, scoring six goals in the last seven games of 2017 to put his side firmly in the Champions League places.

“It is with great reluctance that we -– as a team and club –- prepare to say farewell to a good friend, a wonderful person and a fantastic player in Philippe Coutinho,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“It is no secret that Philippe has wanted this move to happen since July, when Barcelona first made their interest known.

“Philippe was insistent with me, the owners and even his teammates this was a move he was desperate to make happen.”

For Barcelona, Coutinho’s signing will allow the club to move on from the bitter experience of losing his Brazil teammate Neymar to Qatar-backed PSG last summer.

Coutinho’s age is highly attractive to Barca, whose three main stars, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta are all in their thirties. Iniesta, at 33, has shown signs of fatigue this season.

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Russia 2018: We can’t surprise Argentina again – Rohr

Nigeria’s manager, Gernot Rohr has admitted that the June 26 match with Argentina at Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg will be a difficult one.


The Nigeria coach told an Argentine publication, Olé that he anticipates that the encounter will be a classification match. The publication reported that Rohr spoke with Argentine radio station, Radio Rivadavia.

Rohr reportedly remarked that the match will determine who follows who. In essence, he is projecting that both Argentina and Nigeria will emerge from the Group D and the last match will only determine the group leader and the runners-up.

The runners-up face a potentially difficult Round of 16 match with projected Group C leader, France. The French side eliminated Nigeria at that stage four years ago. Rohr has a link with the French, even though he was born a German.

A substantial part of his adult life has been in France; hence he is often described as Franco-German. His dream may be to be the Group leader as Nigeria did in 1994 in a group that also had Argentina. On the South Americans, Rohr reportedly remarked: “You know how we play, so we cannot surprise them like the last time”, referring to the 4-2 defeat Nigeria inflicted on Argentina two months ago.

He acknowledged that this time it will be more difficult to beat the Sampaoli as they did in the friendly at Krasnodar Stadium, Russia. “It will be more difficult this time than in the friendly because they know how we play, so we cannot surprise them like the last time.”

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Dembele in first LaLiga start for Catalans since September

Tottenham Hotspur's Belgian midfielder Mousa Dembele shoots but doesn't score during the English FA Cup third round football match between Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Wimbledon at Wembley Stadium in London, on January 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO

Ousmane Dembele made his first start since September after being named in the Barcelona team to face Levante in LaLiga yesterday.

Head coach Ernesto Valverde indicated after Dembele made a 20-minute cameo in the Copa del Rey against Celta Vigo on Thursday that the club-record signing was not ready to start.

But having recovered from a torn hamstring sustained against Getafe in his third appearance after his €105million August arrival from Borussia Dortmund, the winger features in a front three alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez against Levante.

Gerard Pique is named among the substitutes, with Javier Mascherano coming into the Barcelona defence to partner Thomas Vermaelen, while Sergio Busquets misses out due to suspension.

Jose Arnaiz is on the bench after scoring against Celta on Thursday, with Paco Alcacer, Samuel Umtiti and Arda Turan not in the squad due to injury, while Rafinha, Gerard Deulofeu and Aleix Vidal have been left out by Valverde.

Barcelona, who announced a deal to sign Philippe Coutinho on Saturday, have a six-point lead from Atletico Madrid at the top of LaLiga and a win over Levante will stretch their advantage to 17 points over champions Real Madrid, who are in action at Celta later.

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Nottngham Forest dumps Arsenal out of FA Cup

Nottingham Forest's US defender Eric Lichaj (2L) heads the first goal past Arsenal's Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina during the English FA Cup third round football match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on January 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO

Arsene Wenger was condemned to his first FA Cup third-round exit as managerless Championship side Nottingham Forest stunned holders Arsenal at the City Ground.

The hosts took the lead when Eric Lichaj headed in from close range, although the advantage lasted just three minutes as Per Mertesacker followed up after Rob Holding’s header had struck the post.

Lichaj reclaimed the lead for a Forest side led by caretaker boss Gary Brazil, the American defender scoring a spectacular dipping volley from the edge of the area a minute before half-time.

Forest pulled further clear in the second half when Ben Brereton sent David Ospina the wrong way from the penalty spot after Holding upended Matty Cash.

Danny Welbeck reduced the deficit for Wenger’s much-changed side after Forest goalkeeper Jordan Smith failed to hold a through-ball.

But Arsenal’s first FA Cup third-round defeat since January 1996 - in a replay against Sheffield United - was confirmed courtesy of Kieran Dowell’s 85th-minute penalty, before Forest’s Joe Worrall was shown a straight red card in the closing stages for a late tackle.

Wenger has not held back in his criticism of referees in recent weeks, so much so the Frenchman was forced to watch this tie from the stands as he served the first of a three-match touchline ban handed down by the Football Association.

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Matuidi alleges racist abuse in Serie A game

Juventus's midfielder from France Blaise Matuidi celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match Bologna vs Juventus on December 17, 2017 at Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna. / AFP PHOTO

Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi says he was the victim of racist abuse during his side’s 1-0 victory over Cagliari on Saturday.

The France international revealed in a post on his official Facebook page that he was the subject of racist taunts by unspecified individuals.

“Today I experienced racism during the match,” he wrote. “Weak people try to intimidate with hate. I am not a hater and can only be sorry for those who set bad examples.

“Football is a way to spread equality, passion and inspiration and this is what I am here for. Peace.”

It is reported that the specific incident occurred shortly before half-time, when a furious Matuidi was seen looking towards the stands at the Sardegna Arena.

It is the second time Matuidi has endured such abuse in the last 10 days.

Verona were hit with a €20,000 fine and a partial stadium ban, suspended for a year, for racist chants by their fans towards Matuidi in Juve’s 3-1 win on December 30.

The champions, whose 1-0 win on Saturday came courtesy of Federico Bernardeschi’s second-half goal, are a point behind leaders Napoli in the Serie A standings.

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Stoke City sacks Mark Hughes

during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Newcastle United at Bet365 Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Stoke on Trent, England.

Mark Hughes was sacked as Stoke manager just hours after his struggling side’s shock FA Cup third round defeat at minnows Coventry on Saturday.

Hughes was already on the brink of being dismissed prior to the 2-1 loss at fourth-tier Coventry following a miserable run that left the team languishing in the Premier League relegation zone.

The limp nature of Stoke’s FA Cup exit proved the final straw as Hughes was axed three hours after the final whistle at the Ricoh Arena.

“Stoke City can confirm that the contract of manager Mark Hughes has been terminated with immediate effect,” a statement on the club’s Twitter account read.

“We would like to thank Mark for all he has achieved for the club over the last four and a half years, notably in guiding us to three successive ninth places finishes in the Premier League, and we wish him every success for the future.

“The club will look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible and will be making no further comment at this time.”

Hughes’ 200th game in charge of Stoke proved to be his last after Jack Grimmer’s second half strike gave Coventry the biggest upset of the third round so far.

Charlie Adam had equalised with a 54th-minute penalty after Jordan Willis opened the scoring for Coventry.

Speaking immediately after the match, former Manchester City manager Hughes was hopeful he would be given more time to lift Stoke out of the relegation zone.

“The fact we’ve gone out, even if it’s a little bit raw at the moment, might help us,” he said.

“Has it changed anything (his future) markedly from this afternoon? Is it any different from the situation after the Newcastle game? I don’t think it is. It just highlights we need to do better.

“But in the long term, certainly until the end of the season, it might be a blessing for us.”

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Dybala diagnosed with thigh muscle strain

Juventus' Argentinian forward Paulo Dybala celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A football match Sassuolo versus Juventus on September 17, 2017 at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia. MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP

Juventus star Paulo Dybala has been diagnosed with a mild to medium thigh muscle strain, the club have confirmed.

The forward was forced off in the second half of his side’s 1-0 win at Cagliari on Saturday in clear distress, with head coach Massimiliano Allegri later admitting they were unsure about the severity of the problem.

Tests carried out early on Sunday have shown Dybala has damaged a flexor muscle in his right thigh, with Juve unwilling to estimate his recovery time until at least next week.

“Paulo Dybala underwent an MRI this morning which showed a mild to medium strain to his right thigh flexor,” the Serie A champions said in a statement.

“He will immediately start rehabilitation with the prognosis for return better evaluated in the coming days.”

There was more encouraging news for midfielder Sami Khedira, who will require no further treatment after suffering a blow to the head, while Giorgio Chiellini is recovering well after receiving eight stitches for a wound.

Juve’s win took them back to within a point of league leaders Napoli ahead of a two-week break in Italy’s top flight.

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PICTURES: Phillippe Coutinho Unveiled at Camp Nou

Philippe Coutinho has been presented as a Barcelona player for the first time.




The Catalan giants are reported to have agreed a deal worth up to £142million with Liverpool to bring the Brazilian playmaker to Camp Nou, after a series of bids failed in August.

Coutinho will be formally unveiled on Monday, with a photo shoot on the Camp Nou pitch to be followed by a press conference.

But Barca offered a glimpse of Coutinho in Barcelona colours in a video posted to the club’s official Twitter account after Sunday’s home win against Levante.

Coutinho is shown walking out on stage and posing for the cameras, waving to the photographers and offering a double thumbs-up for the flashbulbs.

The 25-year-old then sent a message to his new club’s fans ahead of Monday’s formalities.

“Hi Barcelona fans, I’m already here,” Coutinho said. “It’s a dream come true and I hope to see you tomorrow.”

Without Coutinho, Barca beat Levante 3-0 to stretch their cushion at the top of the LaLiga table to nine points, with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Paulinho on the scoresheet.

Picture Credits: Reuters

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Didier Drogba’s Phone Stolen in Ghana’s State House

Ivorian football Legend and host of 2017 Aiteo/CAF Awards Didier Drogba has had his phone stolen.
The African football legend Drogba co-hosted CAF Award gala night with South African broadcaster, Carol Tshabalala at the State House Banquet Hall in Accra, Ghana.According to abidjantv.net the former Chelsea player was focused on his task when he realized his “mobile phone had disappeared”.



“Sadly, the icon had to return to his base without his phone,” the report stated

In somewhat similar circumstances Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lost his luggage in transit to Abuja for the 2016 CAF Awards.

He wrote this on his Instagram page afterwards:

“When you arrive for the ceremony…. and they lost our baggage!! So that’s how we dress tonight. Thanks Lufthansa,” he wrote on Instagram.

CAF’s spokesman Junior Binyam added: “Aubameyang only arrived at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja an hour before the event without his bags, as they were missing in transit. That was why he dressed that way.”

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Usain Bolt set to undergo trial with Borussia Dortmund

Sprint star Usain Bolt will undergo a trial with Borussia Dortmund in a bid to earn a professional contract at Manchester United.



The Jamaican, an all-time athletics legend after winning eight Olympic golds, retired after damaging his hamstring in his last ever race at the World Championships in London last year.

After recovering from that injury, the 31-year-old has reiterated his desire to switch sports, claiming he has held talks with the club’s legendary former manager Alex Ferguson over a possible United deal, while his long mooted Dortmund trial is still on the cards.

“The injury is now fine and I’m back fully fit,” Bolt, the 100 metres world-record holder, told the Express.

“In March we’re going to do trials with Dortmund and that will determine what I do with that career, which way it goes. If they say I’m good, and that I need a bit of training, I’ll do it.

“It makes me nervous. I don’t get nervous but this is different, this is football now. It’ll take time to adjust but once I play a few times I’ll get used to it. It was the same when I started track and field.

“I was nervous for a while until I started getting used to the crowd, people and everyone around and it falls into place.

“One of my biggest dreams is to sign for Manchester United. If Dortmund say I’m good enough, I’ll crack on and train hard. I’ve spoken to Alex Ferguson and I told him he needs to put in a good word. He told me if I get fit and ready, he will see what he can do.”

Bolt, who won 11 World Championship gold medals in a glittering sprinting career, indicated he has sought advice from Paul Pogba over a potential football career.

“I do think I have a chance,” Bolt added. “I watch a lot of football, I understand it, I play it. With training, I could be good.

“Me and Pogba talk a lot. I watch and ask him a lot of questions. I want to play but it has to be in the top league. I’m not content to be average.

“It’s going to be hard because my career has been so great but if I could win a Champions League or something, it’ll be close to anything I achieved in athletics.

“But I have to be more than average. It has to be in the top league because we have a lot of teams that have offered us deals, just random clubs. I want to be the best.

“I personally want to play on the wing but I know, listening to everybody and talking to footballers, that I will be put up top.

“I strive to be the best and if I get a chance to play for a team like Manchester United it will be a massive deal. I don’t miss the sprint training. I miss the competition, and getting out on the track in front of the crowd, but not the training.

“I will definitely want to get up and go train and be excited just to play at Old Trafford.”

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Defending champions, Arsenal dumped out of the FA cup

FA Cup holders Arsenal were sensationally dumped out of the competition by Nottingham Forest on Sunday, joining Leeds United as big-name casualties on a day of shocks.


Elsewhere, West Ham stayed alive with a goalless draw at Shrewsbury and Tottenham scored three goals in just eight second-half minutes to see off the challenge of League One side AFC Wimbledon.

Championship side Forest revived memories of their glory years under Brian Clough, putting 13-times winners Arsenal to the sword in an incident-packed win at the City Ground. Eric Lichaj opened the scoring for the home side but Per Mertesacker equalised just three minutes later. However, Forest continued to probe an inexperienced Arsenal line-up and got their reward just before half-time when Lichaj volleyed in spectacularly from the edge of the box. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, serving a touchline ban, was forced to watch powerless from the stands as Rob Holding conceded a penalty that Ben Brereton converted to stretch home side’s lead to 3-1.

Danny Welbeck gave Arsenal hope with just over 10 minutes to go but Kieran Dowell netted from the penalty spot again to seal a 4-2 win for the second-tier side over the Premier League visitors. In the early kick-off, on-loan forward Shawn McCoulsky headed in a dramatic 89th-minute winner for Welsh club Newport to seal a 2-1 victory against 1972 Cup winners Leeds. Leeds had taken an early lead at Rodney Parade when Gaetano Berardi’s deflected long-range shot found the net. But Newport, currently 11th in League Two — the fourth tier of the English game — levelled 14 minutes from time when Leeds defender Conor Shaughnessy sliced into his own net.

Infused with fresh belief in front of a passionate Welsh crowd, Newport pressed for a winner, and with a minute to go on-loan substitute McCoulsky rose highest at a corner to head in the decisive goal and send the stadium into raptures. Much-changed Leeds were then reduced to 10 men when substitute Samuel Saiz was immediately sent off over an off-the-ball incident. “This is much better beating Championship teams like Leeds,” said Newport manager Michael Flynn.

“I don’t want to be winning relegation battles, I want to be winning FA Cup ties and climbing the table.” It is another miserable result in the FA Cup for Leeds, who crashed out in the fourth round last year to non-league Sutton United. – Hart saves – West Ham had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank for keeping them in the Cup with a 0-0 draw after an uninspired performance against Shrewsbury Town of the third tier. The England goalkeeper, returning to the club where he started his career, was handed a cap from the crowd as he battled against the slanting winter sun. He made a fine save from Mat Sadler with about 10 minutes to go until the interval and repeated the trick against Alex Rodman to keep the score at 0-0. The League One high-fliers continued to take the game to David Moyes’s team in the second half but there were few clear-cut opportunities for either side.

Shrewsbury’s Jon Nolan had a golden chance to seal a dramatic victory in the dying minutes of normal time but blazed over and the two sides will meet again at the London Stadium. “The players are a little bit deflated almost,” said Shrewsbury Town manager Paul Hurst. “But we have a replay to look forward to,” he added.

“We know it will be tough. They will be at home, more comfortable in their own stadium.” At Wembley, Harry Kane broke the deadlock against AFC Wimbledon with just under half an hour to go before Kane again and Jan Vertonghen made it 3-0 to put the game beyond the reach of the visitors. On Saturday, League Two Coventry City sent Premier League side Stoke City crashing out, prompting the sacking of Mark Hughes.

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Newport stun Leeds, West Ham survive FA Cup test

Shrewsbury Town's English midfielder Jon Nolan (L) reacts after missing a shot during the English FA Cup third round football match between Shrewsbury Town and West Ham United at New Meadow stadium in Shrewsbury, western England, on January 7, 2018. PAUL ELLIS / AFP

Lowly Newport County came from behind to send Championship side Leeds United crashing out of the FA Cup on Sunday but Premier League West Ham stayed alive with a goalless draw at Shrewsbury.

On-loan forward Shawn McCoulsky headed in a dramatic 89th-minute winner for Welsh club Newport to seal a 2-1 victory against the 1972 Cup winners and send the crowd at Rodney Parade wild.

Leeds had earlier taken an early lead in the third-round tie when Gaetano Berardi's deflected long-range shot found the net.

But Newport, currently 11th in League Two -- the fourth tier of the English game -- levelled 14 minutes from time when Leeds defender Conor Shaughnessy sliced into his own net.

Infused with fresh belief in front of a passionate Welsh crowd, Newport pressed for a winner, and with a minute to go on-loan substitute McCoulsky rose highest at a corner to head in the decisive goal and send the stadium into raptures.

Leeds were then reduced to 10 men when substitute Samuel Saiz was immediately sent off over an off-the-ball incident.

"This is much better beating Championship teams like Leeds," said Newport manager Michael Flynn. "I don't want to be winning relegation battles, I want to be winning FA Cup ties and climbing the table.

"I thought we were the better team in the first half, the goal was unfortunate, but we had chances and kept going. I told them we don't have to win the game in the first 10 minutes of the second half and we got crosses into the box.

"It was an outstanding header. He has 11 goals for us this season and he has been superb for us. He was hungry and wanted it and I am delighted."

The Championship visitors had made nine changes from the side held by Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day, and manager Thomas Christiansen's decision backfired in a frenzied finale.

It is another miserable result in the FA Cup for Leeds, who crashed out in the fourth round last year to non-league Sutton United.

Hart saves
West Ham had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank for keeping them in the Cup with a 0-0 draw after an uninspired performance against Shrewsbury Town of the third tier.

The England goalkeeper, returning to the club where he started his career, was handed a cap from the crowd as he battled against the slanting winter sun.

He made a fine save from Mat Sadler with about 10 minutes to go until the interval and repeated the trick against Alex Rodman to keep the score at 0-0.

The League One high-fliers continued to take the game to David Moyes's team in the second half but there were few clear-cut opportunities for either side.

Shrewsbury's Jon Nolan had a golden chance to seal a dramatic victory in the dying minutes of normal time but blazed over and the two sides will meet again at the London Stadium.

On Saturday, League Two Coventry City sent Premier League side Stoke City crashing out, prompting the sacking of Mark Hughes.

In Sunday's later games, Tottenham host AFC Wimbledon while north London rivals Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest, seeking to join the two Manchester clubs and Liverpool in the fourth-round draw.

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PSG want answers as Pastore and Cavani miss Cup tie

Javier Pastore

Crack marksman Edinson Cavani and gifted midfielder Javier Pastore will need to provide answers to their tardy returns from Latin America with both men absent from the Paris Saint-Germain squad to face Rennes in the French Cup Sunday.

Sources close to the club say both men face heavy sanctions with Cavani returning two days late Friday and Pastore yet to return.

Cavani said he'd wanted to spend the New Year with his family and had complications booking flights back, and as the club's key striker PSG will be happy he's at least back in Paris.

Pastore told Yahoo sports from Argentina he had personal issues to settle, and adamantly insists the no show has nothing to do with a desire to quit PSG.

"I love Paris and I love PSG," said Pastore, who is said to enjoy the favour of the club's Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi.

"I have some personal issues to settle," said the Argentine international.

"I was the first one to believe in the project," he insisted in reference to his arrival for a fee of 40 million euros in 2011, which opened the floodgates to a host of talent that followed him into the club.

"Believe me I'll always be loyal to this club."

After playing a key role in his first four seasons Pastore played less over the past two seasons before e return to form under Basque coach Unai Emery this season.

"I speak to him a huge amount. When his head is right he's a massive player for us," Emery told AFP on Friday.

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Liverpool must act quickly to replace Coutinho, says Aldridge

John Aldridge

Liverpool legend John Aldridge on Sunday urged the club to move quickly to replace playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who has swapped the Premier League giants for Barcelona.

The 25-year-old Brazil international headed to Spain on Saturday after Liverpool accepted a British record bid of 160 million euros ($192 million) from the Catalan club -- the third biggest deal in football history.

"I am not surprised but disappointed he (Coutinho) is leaving because he is a fantastic player to watch," Aldridge told BBC Radio 5 Live. "£140 million is a lot of money and Liverpool have to spend it wisely.

"They have spent £75 million of it wisely on Virgil van Dijk -- a player we have needed for some time in a leader at the back -- but he (Coutinho) needs replacing and we have got to do it" as soon as possible.

Leicester's Riyad Mahrez, a key player for the Foxes when they won the Premier League in 2016, has been linked to the club.

And Aldridge believes the Algeria international must be considered.

"If you look at the way Coutinho plays, he (Mahrez) is very similar," Aldridge added. "He is older, he has played in the Premier League for some years and everybody has seen the ability he has got, so he ticks a lot of boxes.

"You need that type of player similar to Coutinho who sees that pass, can do something extraordinary outside the box, can bend it in the top corner and is good on free-kicks as well."

Rio-born Coutinho arrived at Anfield from Inter Milan for £8.5 million ($11.5 million, 9.5 million euros) in January 2013 and scored 54 goals for the club in all competitions, although he won no silverware during his five-year stay.

Barcelona had tried to sign him in the summer -- his departure is a blow to Liverpool as the playmaker has just returned to top form after an injury-hit start to the season.

Capturing Coutinho allows Barcelona to move on from the bitter experience of losing his Brazil teammate Neymar last summer to Paris Saint-Germain.

Coutinho is expected to watch his new team host Levante on Sunday at Camp Nou.

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Coutinho in Barcelona to tie up third-richest transfer

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 26, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS /

Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho is expected in Barcelona Sunday to tie up a 160-million-euro ($192 million) move from Liverpool, the third-richest deal of all time.

"Bem-vindo! Welcome! Benvingut! ¡Bienvenido!" Barca tweeted to Coutinho along with a waving hand sign and a video showing a shirt bearing his name in a locker.

Spanish league leaders Barca host Levante on Sunday at Camp Nou, with Coutinho expected to be in the stands.

The swoop for the 25-year-old attacking midfielder -- which contains a 400-million-euro release clause -- is the third biggest transfer in football.

It is outranked only by Paris Saint-Germain's world record 222m-euro signing of Neymar from Barcelona last year, and PSG's capture of French striker Kylian Mbappe for a deal that will eventually be worth 180 million euros.

Rio-born Coutinho arrived at Liverpool from Inter Milan for a mere £8.5 million in January 2013 and scored 54 goals for the club in all competitions, although he won no silverware during his five-year stay at Anfield.

Barcelona had tried to sign him in the summer and his departure now is a blow to Liverpool as the playmaker has just returned to top form after an injury-hit start to the season, scoring six goals in the last seven games of 2017 to put his side firmly in the Champions League places.

"It is with great reluctance that we -– as a team and club –- prepare to say farewell to a good friend, a wonderful person and a fantastic player in Philippe Coutinho," said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

"It is no secret that Philippe has wanted this move to happen since July, when Barcelona first made their interest known.

"Philippe was insistent with me, the owners and even his teammates this was a move he was desperate to make happen."

For Barcelona, Coutinho's signing will allow the club to move on from the bitter experience of losing his Brazil teammate Neymar to Qatar-backed PSG last summer.

Coutinho's age is highly attractive to Barca, whose three main stars, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta are all in their thirties. Iniesta, at 33, has shown signs of fatigue this season.

'What will he gain?'
French media group beIN Sports reported late Saturday that Liverpool will immediately spend 55 million euros of their windfall on Leicester striker Riyad Mahrez.

They claimed Mahrez will have a medical at Liverpool on Sunday before penning a four-year contract.

Reports in England though said Liverpool's main target to replace Coutinho is Monaco forward Thomas Lemar, who Arsenal tried to sign before the season.

Coutinho played no role in Liverpool's 2-1 victory over city rivals Everton in the FA Cup on Friday. Liverpool's winning goal was scored by Virgil Van Dijk, the Dutch defender they signed last week from Southampton for £75 million, one of the biggest deals in history.

Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson said his old club had probably got the better deal and questioned Coutinho's decision to join Barca now because he will not be able to play in the Champions League for them this season having already appeared for Liverpool. Both clubs are in the last 16 of the competition.

"It's hard to get my head around what Philippe is going to gain because he can't play Champions League football for them, they are running away with the league, and he's got the World Cup at the end of the season," Thompson said on Sky Sports.

"Will he play regularly every week at Barcelona? I'm not too sure. Philippe could have carried on (at Liverpool). He could have been playing in the Champions League."

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