Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham were all left scrambling forforwards on what was a damp squib of a transfer deadline day as last-minute panic left United desperately trying to seal a deal for random target Odion Ighalo.

England and the Czech Republic both qualified for the Euro 2020 finals with wins over Montenegro and Kosovo respectively to take the top two spots in Group A.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 700th career goal as Portugal fell to a 2-1 defeat to Ukraine, who became the fifth team to qualify for Euro 2020.

Daniel Storey looks back at the opening weekend of Premier League action.

Eden Hazard, who admitted afterwards it is time for goodbye, crowned his seven-year career with Chelsea by scoring twice in a 4-1 demolition of Arsenal in the Europa League Final in Baku in what was an emotional but glorious farewell.

Eden Hazard stole the show in what is likely to prove his last game for Chelsea before his expected move to Real Madrid this summer.

Hendrick’s sweet volley handed Burnley the lead against the run of play, Chelsea failing to clear a corner.

Maurizio Sarri believes the Champions League is overhyped.

There has been plenty of talk of Liverpool ‘bottling’ this title race, largely from those who wish ill upon them. But we can put that to one side for now. Facing Chelsea at Anfield, five years after Steven Gerrard’s fateful slip and on the eve of the 30th anniversary of Hillsborough, created a pressure that would make many teams crumble. But not them.

Chelsea’s match against Brighton may have seemed like something of a sideshow compared to the festival going on up the road at Tottenham’s new ground, but their 3-0 victory could prove to be just as important in the race for the top four and for the future of their manager Maurizio Sarri.

Solskjaer has brought Manchester United up off their knees

Between defeat at Chelsea in their first away game under Emery and mid-December, Arsenal took 14 of a possible 18 points on the road, but face trips to Brighton and Liverpool having been haunted by the ghost of seasons past against Southampton at St Mary’s.

Chelsea slipped 10 points behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race after a shock defeat at feisty Wolves.

In Giroud’s absence, Morata floundered again.

Daniel Storey takes a look back at all the biggest talking point from the Premier League

Hundreds of thousands of ecstatic French fans celebrated the return of their World Cup winning football team yesterday, jumping and chanting “We are the champions” as their bus paraded down the Champs Elysees before a special presidential reception.

France took the lead six minutes into the second half when Samuel Umtiti got to Antoine Griezmann's corner ahead of Marouane Fellaini and saw his header clip the Belgium midfielder on its way into the net.

If you have had enough of the World Cup, fear not. Here I am, as always, to help you out. Or to sharpen your dress sense, at least.

Chris Hatherall looks ahead to today’s World Cup action as eight teams go into Day 13 looking to finish the group stage on a high.

A day after being put under investigation by Fifa for complaining about the refereeing of their 2-1 World Cup loss to Switzerland and misbehaviour by fans, Serbia’s football association has filed an official complaint with the sport’s governing body alleging “biased officiating” by referee Feliz Brych.

There will be 100 Premier League players in action at the World Cup, spread across 25 international teams.

France 2 Rep Ireland 0

Fantasy Premier League managers everywhere are strapping in for the wild ride that is Gameweek 38 - especially those for whom disaster struck last Friday.

Chelsea have beaten Southampton 2-0 in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Chelsea have beaten Southampton 2-0 in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Substitute Olivier Giroud inspired Chelsea to a 3-2 comeback triumph at St Mary's which dealt a big blow to Southampton's Premier League survival hopes.

Chelsea produced the kind of attacking performance in Europe that Manchester United fans were screaming for 24 hours earlier, but found centurion Lionel Messi was still too good for them, as they lost 3-0 in the Nou Camp in what was the harshest of Champions League lessons.

Willian says Chelsea must play the “perfect” game to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of Barcelona this evening.

The fortunes of Manchester City and Chelsea have followed vaguely parallel paths for much of the last five decades, but on the evidence of this match at the Etihad, the two clubs are heading in different directions right now.

Chelsea 1 Barcelona 1 

Olivier Giroud hasn’t put a foot wrong since joining Chelsea from Arsenal. Will he get the nod ahead of Alvaro Morata for the Barcelona clash this week? writes Daniel Storey

Willian dispatched two inch-perfect finishes as Chelsea cruised past Hull 4-0 and into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Chelsea feel a three-day break will help allow the players to return to training refreshed and ready tackle the challenges ahead under manager Antonio Conte.

Chelsea are unlikely to sack manager Antonio Conte following the 4-1 defeat at Watford last night.

Watford 4 Chelsea 1: Antonio Conte’s future as Chelsea boss was cast into further doubt as his 10 men were thrashed 4-1 by Watford last night.

Antonio Conte's future as Chelsea boss was cast into further doubt as his 10-men were thrashed 4-1 by Watford in the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger has called on Mesut Ozil to be the leader of his new Arsenal generation.

There wasn't too much in the midweek games to get Fantasy Premier League managers excited - all the best action was off the field.

Antonio Conte has admitted that there is a real danger Chelsea will be without Champions League football next season following their humiliating home defeat against Bournemouth.

The January transfer window is often a let-down. 

Olivier Giroud’s presence on the sidelines provided confirmation Antonio Conte had got the new striker he wanted during the January transfer window.

Chelsea have signed Olivier Giroud from Arsenal, with Michy Batshuayi leaving Stamford Bridge to join Borussia Dortmund on loan.