FC Barcelona’s end to 2022 was soured by referee Mateu Lahoz who awarded a quite bizarre penalty to Espanyol late on which handed them an equaliser. The 1-1 draw means Real Madrid end the year top of the table. The Blaugrana went into the match under pressure following Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Valladolid the night before, and knew they needed a victory to reclaim top spot.
Read more
Royal Antwerp sporting director Marc Overmars has been admitted to hospital after suffering what his club called “a mild stroke”. The 49-year-old former Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona winger became unwell on Thursday, the Belgian side said but he is now doing well in recovery.
Read more
The world of football is today mourning the loss of perhaps the sport’s greatest ever player, Pelé. The Brazilian passed away today aged 82 after a prolonged battle with colon cancer. The three time World Cup winner had an immeasurable impact on the growth of the beautiful game.
Read more
Liverpool have secured the signing of Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven. The Reds will pay between £35m and £45m for the 23-year-old, who scored three goals in five appearances at the World Cup in Qatar. Gakpo is understood to have agreed a deal until 2028.
Read more
Marcus Rashford scored one and created another as Manchester United overcame illness issues to beat Nottingham Forest and move to within a point of the top four. Rashford converted a superb opener after 19 minutes when he was picked out by Christian Eriksen in a pre-planned corner routine, allowing the striker to exploit Forest’s failure to track his run by sweeping a first-time shot past Wayne Hennessey.
Read more