A number of the Championship’s top sides are reportedly keen on signing rising Scottish talent Jake Hastie in the summer. The 19-year-old is a product of the Motherwell academy and has been catching the eye in the Scottish Premiership. The Daily Record report that Leeds United, Norwich City and West Brom all had scouts at their match against St Mirren on Wednesday – when he scored a spectacular goal in the 2-1 win. Swansea and Sunderland also had representatives at the game to get a look at Hastie. The midfielder spent the first half of the season on loan at Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Championship where he made 19…

Ex-Liverpool captain Sami Hyypia is confident about Liverpool’s chances of overcoming Bayern Munich ahead of their Champions League tie. The first leg at Anfield is on Tuesday night, with Jurgen Klopp having a somewhat depleted line-up in defence with Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez injured, while Virgil van Dijk is suspended. How Liverpool could line up against Bayern Munich However, the former defender, who managed Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen between 2009 and 2011 believes Bayern’s main weakness is defending counter-attacks. Speaking to The Liverpool ECHO, Hyypia said: “Bayern haven’t done that well in their domestic league this season but they are still dangerous. “We cannot afford to underestimate them. We…

The Barcelona ace and the Real Madrid superstar have been locked in a fierce battle for supremacy for the past decade – and their numbers are stunning STATS Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? It is the debate that has dominated football for the past decade. Luis Figo once mused, “It’s like choosing between white truffle and caviar.” And the former Barcelona and Real Madrid winger was right. It really is a question of taste because, as their respective records show, there is so little to choose between the two. Maradona: I wish Ronaldo was Argentine Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win…

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa plans to spend time exploring the Yorkshire countryside during a rare break from the relentless Championship schedule. The Argentine watched his side regain their place at the top of the league with a 2-1 victory over Swansea on Wednesday night, and they do not play again until Bolton travel to Elland Road on February 23. The Whites then face 14 season-defining games which will determine whether or not they seal a long-awaited return to the Premier League, but first, ‘El Loco’ will draw a breath and take in the North’s more peaceful spots. “I’ll take advantage of these days to rest,” he said. “I like to…

Click:wordvice评价 The Uruguayan picked up a second yellow card following an aerial challenge with Koke in the 90th minute of Barca’s 1-1 second-leg draw Luis Suarez slammed the decision to send him off in a tense cup tie after Barcelona held off Atletico Madrid to qualify for the Copa del Rey final. After opening the scoring at Camp Nou on Tuesday, Suarez picked up a second yellow card following an aerial challenge with Atletico’s Koke in the 90th minute of Barca’s 1-1 second-leg draw. The result ensured Barca reached the final 3-2 on aggregate, but Suarez will miss the May 27 showpiece, though the Uruguay international hopes the two-time defending champions appeal.…

Copa del Rey defeat to Celta Vigo left Los Blancos feeling “annoyed” and their coach feeling they are short of their best but refusing to panic Zinedine Zidane conceded Real Madrid are experiencing a “bad moment” after Celta Vigo condemned them to back-to-back defeats. What unbeaten run? Madrid & Ronaldo caught cold Iago Aspas and Jonny were on target either side of Marcelo’s equaliser at the Santiago Bernabeu as Eduardo Berizzo’s men secured a 2-1 first-leg advantage in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final. Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a…

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists he never doubted Hugo Lloris following his spectacular performance in the 3-1 victory over Leicester. The Spurs shot-stopper saved Jamie Vardy’s second-half penalty in what proved to be a game-changing moment. Davinson Sanchez had given Spurs the lead and, after Vardy’s miss from the spot, Christian Eriksen soon doubled their advantage. Vardy, who was brought on specifically to take the spot-kick, atoned by pulling one back, before Heung-min Son put the result beyond doubt in injury time. It was an uncomfortable afternoon at times for Spurs and they needed the France captain at his very best as the Foxes created a host of chances. And,…

Ipswich boss Paul Lambert claims he has no regrets despite being given a red card in the East Anglian derby at Norwich at Carrow Road. The Canaries ran out 3-0 winners thanks to Onel Hernandez’s early strike and a Teemu Pukki brace, putting them back on top of the Championship. Lambert was dismissed in first-half stoppage time, along with City’s head of performance Chris Domogalla, after an angry confrontation between players and staff in front of the dugouts following a bad tackle by Jon Nolan on Max Aarons. The Ipswich player was shown a yellow card by the referee but Peter Bankes brandished a red to Lambert, who had to…

The attacking midfielder had the pick of the litter after three seasons with Werder Bremen, but felt Juventus was the best choice Brazil international Diego Ribas has revealed that he was in negotiations to join Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in 2009. The attacking midfielder, currently plying his trade with Flamengo, had lit up the Bundesliga with 38 goals across three seasons with Werder Bremen, making a name for himself as one of the most creative attacking midfield players in Europe along the way. Bayern 8/5 to beat PSG Article continues below Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre…

Eden Hazard has given Chelsea fans fresh hope by hinting he will stay at the club after claiming he and manager Maurizio Sarri “think the same” about football. The Belgian, who is the Blues’ star man has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid over the past couple of transfer windows. Hazard, 28, said he has “made a decision” regarding his future at Stamford Bridge, sparking fear among Chelsea fans he’s on his way out. But in an interview with The Times, Hazard was full of praise for Sarri, claiming he and his boss think alike on how football should be played. Hazard said: “The manager likes possession!…