Nantes came from behind to win at Strasbourg for a third straight league victory.

I write these words from France while covering the presidential primary fight between Sarkozy, Fillon and Juppé, and am reminded of the local maxim “jamais deux sans trois” — “never two without the third”.

Sad thing about Bournemouth is; after you’ve seen one of the greatest games of your life a few days beforehand, it’s impossible to get excited about them.

Decisions on religious symbols and dress code by the European Court of Human Rights appear to treat Christians and Muslims in a different light, writes Dr Claire Hogan.

Arsenal have signed full-back Calum Chambers from Southampton for an undisclosed fee, the London club have announced.

Premier League champions Manchester City have kicked off their summer recruitment with the signing of Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna.

A British Airways employee who claimed she suffered discrimination at work because of her faith has won a landmark legal battle at the European Court of Human Rights.

IF you haven’t yet seen Joseph Ndo, you at least have to see his back heel.

Wigan have signed 19-year-old winger Nouha Dicko on a three-year deal after a successful trial.

EX-FORMULA one boss Max Mosley has launched an appeal against his failed bid to force a change in Britain’s privacy laws.

READERS will be familiar with ‘white -coat hypertension’, a rise in blood pressure triggered by the sight and smell of the doctor’s surgery.

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’S been 18 years since the Irish Supreme Court declared that abortion should be considered legal in all cases where the woman’s life might be put in jeopardy by a continued pregnancy — including threats to commit suicide. Since then the implication of that ruling has been ignored with a steely determination by all governments.

Juventus coach Luigi Del Neri wants his side to focus fully on Manchester City tonight in the Europa League.

Veteran midfielder Patrick Vieira intends to push himself to the limit in a bid to win a regular place in the Manchester City side.

Full-back Leighton Baines has signed a new five-year contract at Everton.

Arsenal are one of a number of European clubs to have made an offer for Marseille playmaker Samir Nasri, the player’s agent has confirmed.

Everton are considering a move for Brazilian striker Jo, but have no immediate plans to formally announce a new contract for boss David Moyes.

Paris St Germain forward Amara Diane admits he would jump at the chance to join Newcastle if the two clubs were to reach an agreement on his transfer.

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.

SEVILLA may have started their Primera Liga campaign with a convincing win, but the health of stricken Spanish international wing-back Antonio Puerta is the only thing the Andalucian club are concerned about at present.

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

AN internet campaign to swing support behind withdrawing the European Parliament from Strasbourg and relocating it permanently in Brussels has attracted more than one million signatures.

Inter Milan have signed former Leeds and Everton midfielder Olivier Dacourt.

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

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren was relieved to avoid the “big guns” after the UEFA Cup draw opened up a route to the final.

Middlesbrough will face Basle in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals after the draw in Eindhoven today.

An unlikely double from former Manchester City defender Daniel van Buyten was enough to take Hamburg past FC Thun and into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup.

Bolton will have to endure a nervy trip to Marseille next week following a goalless and bad tempered first-leg draw at the Reebok in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Middlesbrough striker Szilard Nemeth has completed his move to French top-flight club Strasbourg.

Middlesbrough defender Ugo Ehiogu will not be allowed to join West Brom on loan.

Sunderland are without the recognised central defensive partnership of skipper Gary Breen and Scotland international Steve Caldwell for Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at home to non-league Northwich Victoria.

MIDDLESBROUGH meet Stuttgart in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Sunderland are strengthened by the return from injury of full-back Stephen Wright (knee ligament) and Christian Bassila (hamstring) for a crucial relegation clash with Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light.

Besiktas 1 Bolton 1

MIDDLESBROUGH will face last season’s UEFA Cup semi-finalists AZ Alkmaar in Group D of this season’s competition.

The teams taking part in the group stages of the UEFA Cup have been grouped as follows:

Sunderland have signed former Strasbourg midfielder Christian Bassila on a two-year contract.

Sunderland have agreed to sign the Strasbourg midfielder Christian Bassila on a two-year contract.

Chelsea have been warned they have until the end of the weekend to sign Lyon’s Michael Essien.

West Ham managing director Paul Aldridge has appealed for patience from supporters as he revealed that the club are “in talks with a number of potential new signings“.

Two British environmental campaigners who took on hamburger chain McDonald’s, and lost, today won their claim that the libel trial was unfair.

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

Dermot Weld believes Distinction stands a good chance of making history at Flemington on Tuesday by becoming the first British-trained horse to win the Emirates Melbourne Cup.