The pressure on Ajax coach Marco van Basten moved up a notch this afternoon after his side were thrashed 4-1 at Vitesse Arnhem.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is expected to give a number of squad players a rare start in tomorrow’s FA Cup third round tie against Barrow at the Riverside Stadium.

FC Twente coach Steve McClaren has denied reports linking him to the vacant managerial position at Premier League side Sunderland.

PSV Eindhoven’s troubles show no sign of abating as a Luis Suarez brace earned Ajax a 4-1 win at the Amsterdam ArenA and sent them top of the Eredivisie table.

REAL MADRID striker Gonzalo Higuain hailed his side’s fighting spirit after Bernd Schuster’s side claimed an incredible Primera Liga victory over Malaga on Saturday.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate insists England winger Stewart Downing is “simply not for sale”.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate today made his first summer signing by clinching a £3.2m deal for Dutchman Marvin Emnes.

Middlesbrough target Didier Digard has been suspended by Paris St Germain after he accused them of holding up his move to England.

Middlesbrough are having to remain patient in their pursuit of Frenchman Didier Digard, after hitting a major snag.

PSV Eindhoven were knocked off the top of Holland’s Eredivisie after FC Groningen came from behind to condemn them to a 2-1 defeat today.

Henk ten Cate is expected to join Avram Grant’s coaching team at Chelsea if he can agree personal terms with the English club.

CHELSEA are refusing to confirm that Henk ten Cate will arrive at Stamford Bridge to join Avram Grant’s coaching team.

DAVID Bentley expects Blackburn to overturn their 2-0 deficit against Greece‘s Larissa at Ewood Park. “It was totally unacceptable with the way we performed over there,” he said. “But it is about how you react, how you respond. It is only the first half, it is 2-0 with 90 minutes to go, I don’t see 2-0 as a big deficit for us to overcome.

Marcus Bent goes straight into the Wigan squad for tomorrow’s Premier League game with Newcastle at St James’ Park after joining the Latics on a season-long loan from Charlton.

Wigan boss Chris Hutchings has completed the signing of Dutch winger Rachid Bouaouzan, who narrowly avoided a prison sentence during his time in the Eredivisie.

AZ Alkmaar moved into pole position in the race to win the Eredivisie today after defending champions PSV Eindhoven slipped up once more.

Ajax moved to within three points of Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven with a 3-0 win over struggling Heracles Almelo.

REAL Madrid coach Fabio Capello praised David Beckham after the former England captain marked his return with a goal in a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad.

DUTCH giants Ajax’s faltering title hopes were dealt another blow on Saturday but Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven got back on track for a third successive crown with three points against ADO Den Haag.

RONALDINHO scored a sensational overhead kick as Barcelona thrashed Villarreal 4-0 at the Nou Camp to stay at the top of La Liga.

Ajax returned to the Eredivisie summit on Sunday after a convincing 3-0 win at Heracles.

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY grabbed a sensational hat-trick as Real Madrid won 4-1 at newly-promoted Levante yesterday.

Danny Webber has been given the all clear to face Liverpool in Sheffield United’s Premiership opener later this month.

BARCELONA marched on to their 17th consecutive victory in all competitions on Sunday, coming from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at the Nou Camp in the Primera Liga.

Feyenoord claimed a valuable 3-1 win over struggling Willem II to close within a point of Eredivisie leaders and champions PSV Eindhoven.

Frank Rijkaard has resigned as the coach of Sparta Rotterdam, five days after the club was relegated to the Second Division.