Nnamdi Onyeagwara

Ricardo Pepi said his stoppage time winner against Shakhtar Donetsk was the most important goal of his career after he and USMNT team-mate Malik Tillman played instrumental roles in PSV’s “crazy” 3-2 comeback victory in the Champions League. The Dutch side had trailed 2-0 in the latter stages at the Philips Stadium on Wednesday before Tillman, 22, scored two goals in the 87th and 90th minute of the game to level proceedings. Pepi, 21, who came on at half-time, scored in the 95th minute to complete a dramatic comeback and secure all three points for PSV. Game-winner Pepi...

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong “needs to be managed” according to head coach Hansi Flick. The 27-year-old, who returned from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for six months in October, has had to settle for limited minutes this campaign. The Netherlands international has made just two starts this season amid that injury. Pedri and Marc Casado have been Flick’s preferred starting midfield pivot, with De Jong regularly coming off the bench. Flick said: “De Jong has been through a long injury and he took a heavy blow in Belgrade (on November 6) that was very painful and...

Lindsey Horan and Trinity Rodman are among the contingent, while head coach Emma Hayes is also up for an award.

Raphinha says that there are “many things” that Barcelona are doing wrong following his side’s 2-1 home defeat to Las Palmas. The Brazil international’s goal, his 14th of the campaign, and player-of-the-match performance was not enough to prevent Barcelona from falling to a defeat. Goals from former Barcelona forward Sandro Ramirez and on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Fabio Silva secured a surprise victory for the away side. “We (Barcelona) have been doing poorly,” Raphinha said following the game. “We’re lowering the level of what we were doing. We have...

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta is set to be available to face Leicester City on Tuesday as the club no longer expect him to give evidence to the Brazilian parliament for an inquiry into sports betting. It was confirmed in August 2023 that Paqueta was being investigated by the Football Association over potential betting breaches, and in May 2024 he was charged with misconduct by the FA in relation to four alleged breaches. The 27-year-old was originally expected to miss the trip to the King Power Stadium as he was scheduled to give evidence in Sao Paolo to the Parliamentary...

Ruud van Nistelrooy says it hurt to leave Manchester United in November after an interim period in charge of the side. The 48-year-old, who replaced Steve Cooper as Leicester City manager last week, left Old Trafford last month after the appointment of Ruben Amorim. The Dutchman, who scored 150 goals in five years as a United player, returned as part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff in July, before taking charge of four games as interim manager. GO DEEPERInside the deal: Why Leicester wanted Ruud van Nistelrooy When asked about his United departure at his first press conference as Leicester...

Kylian Mbappe “can do better” manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted after the Real Madrid forward missed another penalty during his side’s loss to Athletic Club. Mbappe, 25, had a 69th-minute penalty saved by Julen Agirrezabala as Madrid went on to lose 2-1 at San Mames Stadium and lose ground in the La Liga title race. It is the second consecutive spot kick that Mbappe has missed after being denied by Caoimhin Kelleher during Madrid’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League last week. Ancelotti said on Mbappe: “I haven’t spoken to him (Mbappe). We missed the penalty, but I...

Phil Foden, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Nathan Ake are all set to miss Manchester City’s game against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Foden, 24, missed the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday due to an illness, and manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that “he is not ready” to return tomorrow while being unable to provide a timescale for his return. Ake was forced off in the final minute of normal time during Wednesday’s victory with Guardiola admitting that the 29-year-old’s injury “doesn’t look good.” The Netherlands international has already been...

Fulham winger Reiss Nelson is expected to be out for the next 10 weeks due to a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old, who is on a season-long loan from Arsenal, sustained the injury during Fulham’s 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on December 5. Fulham head coach Marco Silva confirmed the winger’s spell on the sidelines on Thursday. He said: “It is difficult to have precise timings in this situation (injuries). Reiss Nelson is going to be longer. He’ll probably be out for around ten weeks.” After a move to Ipswich Town failed to materialise, Nelson joined Fulham on loan...

Raheem Sterling was left out of Arsenal’s squad for their Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Saturday with an injury. The 30-year-old forward, who is on a season-long loan from Chelsea, was substituted after 70 minutes during his side’s 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over Palace on Wednesday. However, he was left out of Arsenal’s squad for their trip to Selhurst Park with manager Mikel Arteta confirming before the game that Sterling had sustained an issue in training on Friday. Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori have both been named on the bench for Saturday’s...