Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said his side are not good enough to challenge for the title based on their first-half performance at Anfield.

The title moves closer to Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could not hide his exasperation as the row of Joel Matip’s availability overshadowed his preparations for tonight’s clash with Plymouth.

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet believes the fact they are not reliant on one player means the club are better prepared for a title challenge than the last time they were in this situation.

Liverpool have withdrawn Joel Matip from the squad for their match against Manchester United at Old Trafford after FIFA failed to provide the necessary guarantees he was available for selection.

Sam Allardyce is still looking for his first victory as Crystal Palace manager after his side came off second best in an FA Cup third round goalless draw at former club Bolton.

Even Joey Barton could not inspire Burnley as they played out an FA Cup third round stalemate at Sunderland.

Southampton captain Jose Fonte has handed in a transfer request.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has already made plans to offset the loss of leading scorer Sadio Mane next month and is confident someone in his squad will step up to fill the void.

Ireland enhanced their reputation as the coming team in world men’s hockey by reaching a European championships semi-final for the first time yesterday.

Raheem Sterling will hope to justify the fuss as Manchester City begin their Barclays Premier League campaign at West Brom tonight.

Former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool defender Jim Beglin believes Raheem Sterling is doing the team a favour by missing training.

Liverpool lost their first European penalty shoot-out as Dejan Lovren was the only man to miss from the spot against Besiktas in Istanbul.

FIFA’s general secretary Jerome Valcke claimed Uefa and most of the confederations want December 23 as the date for the Qatar 2022 World Cup final — but no decision has been made and no compensation will be paid.

Fifa’s controversial choice of Qatar for the 2022 World Cup has sparked further uproar after a task force recommended playing the tournament in winter with the final being played close to Christmas.

Sergio Aguero has taken to Twitter to allay fears over his fitness after he was withdrawn late on during Manchester City's emphatic 4-1 win at Stoke on Wednesday night.

The team news for tonight's Premier League games.

Premier League

Premier League

An already difficult clash with West Ham has been made all the tougher for Southampton manager Ronald Koeman by a string of absentees.

"I don’t feel any pressure inside the club or outside.”

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard is set to make his return to action in Wednesday’s Barclays Premier League away clash with Chelsea.

Soccer: The Equatorial Guinea football federation has been fined $100,000 (€88 million) and ordered to pay for the treatment of Ghana supporters injured by flying missiles during Thursday’s African Nations Cup semi-final at the Estadio de Malabo.

All the team news from around the grounds ahead of Week 24 in the Premier League.

The Equatorial Guinea football federation has been fined $100,000 (€87,000) and ordered to pay for the treatment of Ghana supporters who were injured by flying missiles during

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Crowd trouble marred Ghana’s African Nations Cup semi-final win over hosts Equatorial Guinea in Malabo as Ghana fans were forced to flee the stands after being pelted with bottles.

Ghana 3 Equatorial Guinea 0

Dr Congo 1 Ivory Coast 3

Chelsea made the only big-money signing of a surprisingly low-key transfer deadline day as they brought in Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado for €30m; but in a sign that perhaps Financial Fair Play is beginning to bite, even they had to sell Andre Schurrle before signing the cheque.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists expectations still need to be handled carefully regarding Daniel Sturridge but he was delighted that the fit-again striker is back and scoring.

Hull 0 Newcastle 3