Roy Hodgson interested in talking to Leicester City about manager's job - Sky sources

Former England manager Roy Hodgson is interested in talking to Leicester City about the vacant manager's job, Sky sources understand, but it is unclear whether they consider Hodgson a candidate.

Claudio Ranieri was sacked on Thursday despite the Italian guiding them to a shock title win last season, after the Foxes were drawn into a relegation scrap following a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats.

Guti: I hope Barcelona eliminate PSG

Despite being a Real Madrid great, Guti hopes Barcelona get past Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Real Madrid great Guti revealed he wanted Barcelona to stage a remarkable comeback to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Luis Enrique's men are on the verge of a last-16 exit, trailing 4-0 on aggregate ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou on March 8.
But Guti, a Madrid great who won

Tottenham 4-0 Stoke City: Hat-trick hero Kane sends Spurs second

The striker is now the joint-top goalscorer in the Premier League as he helped his side bounce back from Europa League heartache in midweek

A first-half Harry Kane hat-trick inspired Tottenham to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Stoke City in the Premier League on Sunday.
The England international scored his fourth treble for the club and turned provider for Dele Alli to send Mauricio Pochettino's side into second in the table.
Spurs endured a tough match at Wembley this week as they exited the Europa League at the hands of Gent, but there was to be no hangover from their European travails as they dispatched a dreadful Stoke side in the first half.

Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona: Messi's late strike secures victory for Barca

Barcelona left it late but secured a 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid on Sunday, with Lionel Messi again decisive at the death.

Lionel Messi struck another late winner to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 and secure Barcelona a potentially vital triumph in La Liga's engrossing title race.
Diego Godin had seemingly salvaged Atletico a draw 20 minutes from the end, but Messi broke the hosts' hearts with a late goal to make Diego Simeone's men rue their missed opportunities and put Barca top of the table ahead of Real Madrid's trip to Villarreal.
Atletico boss: We're trying to sign Messi!
Things should have been far better for Atletico, though, as they looked as fluid as they have all season during the first half and carved out a series of strong chances, with Yannick Carrasco, Godin and Antoine Griezmann all going close.

'My dream died' - Ranieri speaks for first time after Leicester sacking

The Italian has released a statement following his dismissal this week, less than 10 months after guiding the Foxes to the Premier League title

Claudio Ranieri has spoken for the first time since being sacked as Leicester City boss, claiming the club will forever hold a place in his heart.
Rumours: Mancini to Leicester?
The Italian was sacked on Thursday, less than 10 months after guiding the Foxes to a historic Premier League title, with the club's board expressing their concern at the possibility of relegation from the top-flight.
Ranieri initially remained quiet on his dismissal, though released a statement on Friday evening stating that his "dream had died", and thanked those that helped him achieve the impossible last season.
“Yesterday my dream died,” the statement read. "After the euphoria of last season and being crowned Premier League Champions all I dreamt of was staying with Leicester City, the club I love, for always"I wish to thank my wife Rosanna and all my family for their never ending support during my time at Leicester.

A one-man show - Where would Man Utd be without Zlatan?

The Swede stepped up when his side needed him to net twice in the 3-2 EFL Cup win over Southampton

---

It was a cup final with absolutely everything. There was controversy, drama, a stirring comeback, a fabulous capacity crowd, and a succession of errors helping to make for wide open, heart-stopping football. But every big match needs a hero and, when the time came, Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped up once again for Manchester United. And boy, did they need him.
WATCH: Man Utd target Dembele’s double
Southampton will curse their rotten luck having been the better side on the day and seeing a stick-on opening goal cancelled out by poor officiating but it was ultimately their inability to deal with Ibrahimovic which settled the EFL Cup final in United’s favour.

Verratti: The PSG fans inspired me against Barcelona

In his latest exclusive column for Goal, the Paris Saint-Germain star talks about passion and its importance ahead of the OM-PSG match-up

What better thing to talk about before an OM-PSG game than the fans. For the first time, we had the visit of Collectif Ultras Paris at Camp des Loges on Friday during training.
Much has changed at this level since my arrival at PSG. The first year, when we were champions, we celebrated in Paris. It was an incredible atmosphere, there were supporters everywhere. But I also know that there were more difficult times that day. Despite this, it was the first time I had seen that there was a wonderful fervour around this club. Then there was a period when the atmosphere was not exceptional at the Parc des Princes. Meanwhile, as players, we were watching videos of the 1990s when it was fire. It was difficult to come to the Parc des Princes at that time.

Cesc Fabregas has a role at Chelsea: His quality still makes a difference

Cesc Fabregas scored one and set up another in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Swansea. While the midfielder could yet find himself back on the bench at West Ham next time out, it is clear that he still has a role under Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge. Adam Bate looks at why…

Pedro's goal inside the final 20 minutes was the crucial one against Swansea. It came from distance and owed plenty to Lukasz Fabianski's shoddy work in goal. But it was also Premier League assist number 102 for Cesc Fabregas in his 300th appearance in the competition.The pass that did it was not his most spectacular but it did offer a glimpse of why he has delivered so many of them, now second to Ryan Giggs in Premier League history. Pushing the ball between the lines, the midfielder took out two players in progressing the attack.
There had been two such passes to Diego Costa inside the first three minutes. Early in the second half, he put Eden Hazard through on goal. More significantly, he also scored the opener, arriving late into the box for his third of the season. He later hit the crossbar too.

Cantona: Ibrahimovic is like me

The Red Devils hero has hailed the Swedish striker for the way he has taken the club's promising youngsters under his wing

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has praised Zlatan Ibrahimovic for helping nurture the young talent at Old Trafford.
Ibrahimovic has developed quickly into a key figure at United following his move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer and leads the club's goalscoring charts with 15 goals in 24 Premier League outings.

Mahrez branded 'a snake' over Ranieri tribute
The 35-year-old has also been instrumental off the pitch, receiving plenty of plaudits for the way he has helped those younger than him, a quality Cantona thinks he too possessed during his spell at the club"There are two kinds of older players, the ones that do not like the young ones because they want to play and they can destroy them, and the others who will help," Cantona told the club's official website.

Chelsea 3-1 Swansea: Blues move 11 points clear at top

Chelsea took advantage of their Premier League pursuers' idle Saturday to open an 11-point lead with a 3-1 defeat of Swansea at Stamford Bridge

Cesc Fabregas' strike on his 300th league appearance (19) set the leaders on their way, although it took late goals from Pedro and Diego Costa to get the job done after Fernando Llorente headed an equaliser in first-half stoppage time.
Swansea may point - with some justification - to an unpunished Cesar Azpilicueta handball in his own penalty box with the score at 1-1, referee Neil Swarbrick apparently ruling the close-quarters contact accidentalBut Chelsea were good value for a welcome win after twice dropping points in their past three matches, and they might have won by more as Fabregas alone came close to a hat-trick during a rare 90 minutes under Antonio Conte.

Zidane hopes potential France return will boost Benzema

The Real Madrid manager hopes an international comeback will help to reinvigorate his fellow countryman, while he has also backed Keylor Navas

The Real Madrid manager hopes an international comeback will help to reinvigorate his fellow countryman, while he has also backed Keylor Navas

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane believes Karim Benzema's potential return to France's national team will prove to be a boost for the attacker.
Benzema has been in international exile since being placed under formal investigation by French police in November 2015 over an alleged blackmail plot involving fellow international player Mathieu Valbuena.
Zidane: Team raise game against Real
However, French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet stated on Friday that the 29-year-old is available for selection by Didier Deschamps and Zidane thinks Benzema will relish the prospect of a France comeback.
Zidane said at a news conference: "Karim has

Ibrahimovic better than ever and could play until he turns 40, says Man Utd boss Mourinho

The Red Devils boss continues to be impressed by the enigmatic Swede and sees no reason why he should head into retirement any time soon

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has backed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to keep playing at the highest level until he turns 40 and believes the former Sweden star is even better than when he first worked with him at Inter.
Ibrahimovic has been in impressive form since joining United from Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 24 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions, and Mourinho is hugely impressed with the 35-year-old's performances.
Valencia: Utd pushing for PL title
"I think he is even better than when I worked with him at Inter," Mourinho told Sky Sports.
"He is more collected, more intelligent and understands the game even better. He is not just a finisher, but is also important when it comes to creating goals.
"He is a leader. He has a special feeling, a special care with the younger guys

The Spain international has no intention of leaving the Premier League leaders, who are eight points clear atop the table, despite links to the CSL

Cesc Fabregas has committed his future to Chelsea, insisting he is "100 per cent" staying at Stamford Bridge next season.

Fabregas has found himself out of Chelsea's starting XI this season, struggling to win over head coach Antonio Conte amid uncertainty over his future.
Conte focused on PL title, not contract
The 29-year-old Spain international midfielder - linked with moves to the Chinese Super League and MLS - has only started five Premier League matches in 2016-17.
However, Fabregas does not plan on leaving the Premier League leaders, who are eight points clear atop the table.
"100 per cent. I am not thinking about anything else than challenging myself here. The situation from six months ago to now has changed massively," Fabregas told Sky Sports when asked if he sees himself at Chelsea in 2017-18From the beginning it has been a big challenge and there are always rumours, you cannot stop that, but I don't even care what people say. Not for one second did I want to

Valencia 2-1 Real Madrid: Simone Zaza stars as La Liga leaders lose

Real Madrid missed the chance to go four points clear at the top of La Liga as they slipped to a surprise 2-1 defeat at Valencia on Wednesday

Former West Ham striker Simone Zaza brilliantly opened the scoring at the Mestalla before Fabian Orellana added a second as the hosts raced into a two-goal lead inside nine minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 700th club appearance with a powerful header on the stroke of half-time but Real could not force an equaliser despite late pressure.
The result means Zinedine Zidane's side remain one point clear of second-place Barcelona having played a game less.
Meanwhile, Valencia's second straight win eases their relegation worries, moving them 10 points clear of the drop zone.
Gareth Bale, who made a goalscoring return in the 2-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday, started from the bench as Zidane made seven changes

Sevilla 2-1 Leicester: Jamie Vardy scores away goal for Foxes

Leicester were beaten 2-1 by Sevilla in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash on Wednesday, but were given hope by Jamie Vardy's away goal.


Pablo Sarabia gave the home side a deserved lead in the 25th minute when he powered a header in off the far post, before Joaquin Correa doubled the advantage in the 62nd minute.
Correa also saw a penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel in a one-sided first half, while Vitolo and Adil Rami both hit the woodwork after the breakBut Vardy pulled one back for the visitors with their first real foray into the opposition box 17 minutes from time after Danny Drinkwater's superb assist, as Leicester managed to survive an onslaught and escape with only a one-goal deficit.The goal - Vardy's first in the Champions League - gives the Foxes a lifeline ahead of the return leg at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday, March 14.
The Foxes, who are currently one point above

Huddersfield strike late to beat Reading

Feb 21 (Reuters) - Huddersfield Town kept up the pressure on the top two teams in the Championship with a 1-0 win over fellow promotion hopefuls Reading thanks to a late goal by Philip Billing on Tuesday.

Billing struck from close range with eight minutes left to take third-placed Huddersfield back within four points of Brighton & Hove Albion, who trail leaders Newcastle United by a point.

Newcastle beat Aston Villa 2-0 on Monday to reach 69 points while Brighton won 2-0 at Barnsley on Saturday. Huddersfield's win gives them 64 points, ahead of fourth-placed Reading on 60.

Huddersfield lead the teams in the playoff places. Sheffield Wednesday, who occupy the final spot, lost 2-1 at home to Brentford and stay level on 58 points with Leeds United.

The top three all have a game in hand over their immediate rivals in England's second-tier Championship. (Writing by Ken Ferris; Editing by Clare Fallon)

Bayer Leverkusen 2-4 Atletico Madrid: Atleti hold first-leg advantage

Atletico Madrid have the advantage after beating Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash at the BayArena on Tuesday night.



The visitors led 2-0 at the break after goals from Saul Niguez (17) and Antoine Griezmann (25), who became his club's record European Cup goalscorer in the process, only for Leverkusen to reduce the deficit through Karim Bellarabi three minutes into the second half.
However, the home side's joy was short-lived as Kevin Gameiro's penalty restored Atleti's two-goal lead and despite Stefan Savic's own goal giving Leverkusen hope of another comeback, substitute Fernando Torres scored late on to leave Diego Simeone's team holding all the aces.

Manchester City 5-3 Monaco: Sergio Aguero hits double in eight-goal thriller

Sergio Aguero scored twice as Man City battled back to beat Monaco 5-3 in a remarkable Champions League last-16 first-leg on Tuesday. 

Sergio Aguero scored twice as Man City battled back to beat Monaco 5-3 in a remarkable Champions League last-16 first-leg on Tuesday.

Radamel Falcao and Kylian Mbappe cancelled out Raheem Sterling's opener to put Monaco on top at half-time at the Etihad after a breathless opening 45 minutes.
The pace didn't ease up after the break as Aguero equalised and Falcao made amends after his second-half penalty was saved, brilliantly chipping Willy Caballero to put Monaco 3-2 ahead.

Jorge Sampaoli the perfect choice to replace Luis Enrique at Barcelona, says Guillem Balague

Is Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli the natural successor to Luis Enrique at Barcelona? 

The Barcelona board have drawn up a shortlist of candidates to replace Luis Enrique should he leave at the end of the season, with Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli the ideal man to take over from him, according to Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

The Catalans suffered a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

Harry Winks: Tottenham midfielder signs new White Hart Lane deal

Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks has signed a new contract that will keep him at White Hart Lane until 2022
.
Winks, 21, has made 13 Premier League appearances and scored against West Ham on his full debut in November.
The England Under 21 international is the latest player to sign a long-term contract at the club.
Striker Harry Kane, midfielder and England team-mate Dele Alli and France keeper Hugo Lloris have also committed their future to Spurs.

Tottenham's Europa League hopes have been dealt a blow after Jeremy Perbet's goal gave Gent a surprise victory in their last-32 first-leg meeting.

Gent's goalscorer Jeremy Perbet had a year with Villarreal three seasons ago

French striker Perbet controlled and slotted into the corner from Danijel Milicevic's pull-back on the hour.
A strong Spurs line-up were poor for most of the evening, although Harry Kane clipped the post after half-time.
Gent, eighth in the Belgian league, almost added a second as Milicevic's shot was tipped on to the post

Harry Redknapp: Tottenham to win title within four years, says former Spurs boss

Tottenham Hotspur will win the Premier League within the next four years, says former manager Harry Redknapp.

Spurs made the Champions League for the first time during Redknapp's four-year tenure at the club, reaching the quarter-finals in 2011.
The 69-year-old says he would not swap manager Mauricio Pochettino's starting XI for any other side in the division.
"They have been fantastic under Pochettino," Redknapp told BBC Radio 5 live's Friday Football Social.

Gabriel Jesus: Manchester City forward 'may be out for season'

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says forward Gabriel Jesus may not play again this season after breaking a metatarsal bone in his foot.

Jesus, 19, had surgery in Barcelona on Thursday after being taken off after 15 minutes of Monday's 2-0 Premier League win at Bournemouth.
"He comes back at the end of the season or next season. People say between two and three months," said Guardiola.
The Brazil international completed a £27m move from Palmeiras in January.

Gareth Bale set for Real Madrid return after ankle injury

Gareth Bale is set to make his return from an ankle injury when Real Madrid host Espanyol on Saturday.                                                                     
 The Wales international has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on the ankle tendon damage he suffered during a Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon in November.
Real manager Zinedine Zidane said last week that he hoped to have Bale available again before the Champions League last 16, second leg against Napoli on March 7, but the 27-year-old forward has already returned to full training and is now set to be involved against Espanyol.

Arsene Wenger says he will manage next year - at Arsenal or elsewhere

Arsene Wenger says he will not retire this summer, even if it means managing a club other than Arsenal

Wenger's deal is up in the summer and the manner of Wednesday's defeat at Bayern Munich left growing numbers of supporters and ex-players predicting his departure after a record 20 years and nine major trophies.

The Gunners boss' weekly press conference, nominally to publicise Monday's FA Cup trip to Sutton, was dominated by questions on his future and the Frenchman stuck to his customary line that nothing is yet decided.

But there was a flat denial when it was put to Wenger that his midweek body language suggested a manager on the verge of calling it a day for good.

Who should Arsenal keep or let go this summer? Have your say...

The January transfer window was something of a non-event for Arsenal but, with the top-six clubs tending to favour summer transfers, there could be plenty of activity once the window re-opens

Even at this early stage, the Gunners will be drawing up their summer transfer wishlist - but what does the future hold for those already at the club?

Arsenal's 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich became a nightmare, admits Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger's post-match press conference was cut short in Munich on Wednesday night as he struggled to explain a "nightmare" 5-1 defeat to Bayern in the Champions League

do you need odd to stake on(football only).....CLICK HERE