The Ligue 1 game between Metz and Lyon at Stade Saint-Symphorien was abandoned after firecrackers exploded in the first half near visiting goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, who fell to the ground and was later taken to hospital.

Born in Burgundy, Antoine Griezmann left his home country to try and make his career in Spain at just 13, and is now returning, having shot to world prominence as the attacking star of Atletico Madrid’s Champions League campaign.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is to undergo a scan to determine the severity of the injury he suffered against Barcelona on Tuesday night.

Bosnia has been here before, and so has Miralem Pjanic.

Racing Metro 92 11 Saracens 12: Marcelo Bosch basked in the gratitude of his team-mates after kicking Saracens into the semi-finals of the Champions Cup in dramatic scenes in north Paris.

European round-up: Paul Pogba scored one goal and created another as leaders Juventus beat Chievo 2-0.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure will join his brother Manchester City’s Yaya in the Ivory Coast squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been left counting the cost of the international break as both striker Diafra Sakho and midfielder Stewart Downing are doubts for the Barclays Premier League trip to Everton.

Diafra Sakho’s seventh goal in as many Barclays Premier League starts gave West Ham a 2-1 victory over champions Manchester City at Upton Park.

Burnley 1 West Ham 3

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is having to remain patient as he waits for the club to land their summer transfer targets.

Do you know three teenage girls who found a camera on the DART?

Nice beat Lyon 1-0 after extra-time in the only all-Ligue 1 tie of today’s Coupe de France last-32 action.

IT might have been just a slip of the pen, but Arsene Wenger’s programme notes on Saturday delivered cast-iron proof of how confidence is now coursing through Arsenal’s veins.

Metz are awaiting news from Blackburn after striker Babacar Gueye joined Rovers for a trial, according to the French club’s sporting director Joel Muller.

Lyon captain Cris has admitted he is unlikely to be fit in time to face Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

THERE is no such thing as a lucky genius.

French champions Lyon take a four-point lead into the Christmas break after they were held to a 1-1 draw by closest challengers Nancy.

Lyon moved clear at the top of Ligue 1 today following a 3-1 win against Monaco.

SEVILLA showed they are in fine shape ahead of Wednesday’s tough Champions League match against Arsenal with an impressive 4-1 home win over Recreativo Huelva last night.

ITALY midfielder Daniele De Rossi scored a second-half penalty as Roma beat Internazionale to win the Supercoppa at the San Siro last night.

Reigning Ligue 1 champions Lyon enjoyed a convincing start to the defence of their title on today with a comfortable win over Auxerre.

Newcastle were tonight working to tie up their loan swoop for United States defender Oguchi Onyewu after he arrived on Tyneside for a medical.

Lyon may be five-times French champions but they were on the receiving end of a 4-0 thrashing at Lille.

Blackburn expect Korean striker Ahn Jung-Hwan to arrive for a trial tomorrow despite the player failing to turn up yesterday.

Lyon continue to dominate French football with a 4-0 win at bottom club Metz keeping them seven points clear of second-placed Paris St Germain.

Liverpool’s Champions League final hero Jerzy Dudek has been ruled out for three months after dislocating his right elbow in training.

MICHAEL OWEN was among the scorers as Real Madrid continued their recent La Liga resurgence with a 3-1 win over Zaragoza at the Bernabeu last night.

Lille failed to reduce the lead of champions and Ligue 1 leaders Lyon when they were held 0-0 at Ajaccio on Saturday evening.

Paris St Germain coach Vahid Halilhodzic has expressed an interest in signing Manchester United striker Louis Saha on loan in the January transfer window.

Ligue 1 leaders Lyon slipped up as they were held 0-0 by strugglers Istres.

Pat Fenlon was pinning his hopes on Shelbourne’s determination to get past French hot-shots Lille in the UEFA Cup tonight.

MARSEILLE president Christophe Bouchet has thanked the French football federation (FFF) for refusing to deliver a letter of release for Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini.

Marseille president Christophe Bouchet has thanked the French football federation (FFF) for refusing to deliver a letter of release for Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini.

METZ have appealed to FIFA for help to reclaim money they say they are owed by Fulham from the sale of Louis Saha to Manchester United.

Metz have appealed to FIFA for help in reclaiming money they claim is owed to them by Fulham over the sale of Louis Saha to Manchester United.

Marseille boss Jose Anigo admits his club’s entire season rests on the outcome of their UEFA Cup semi-final second leg with Newcastle.

Manchester United 2 Charlton Athletic 0

RUUD van Nistelrooy claims it is impossible to compare him with Barclaycard Premiership rival Thierry Henry because they are such different players.

Wes Brown believes a repeat show of defiance from Manchester United at Villa Park next weekend will be enough to earn them an FA Cup final berth.

LOUIS SAHA may have finally landed his dream move to Old Trafford, but the French striker admits he is not entirely at ease with the methods he used to engineer his exit.

Louis Saha says he "understands absolutely" why Fulham manager Chris Coleman was determined not to let him make his dream move to Manchester United.