Despite a clatter of unhelpful developments around Manchester City, it had at least looked like a useful couple of days for Bernardo Silva.

The Portugal international, City s player of the year when they won an unprecedented domestic treble in 2018-19, suffered a strangely underwhelming season last time around especially for a player who seems so in tune with Pep Guardiola s vision and demands.

Lionel Messi arriving in Manchester would have probably blocked Bernardo s route back to a place on the right of City s front three. But the six-time Ballon d Or winner announced he would remain at Barcelona against his will.

Among Silva s other rivals for the spot, two men who appeared to usurp him in the pecking order last season. But Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden returned…

Roberto Mancini has set his sights on World Cup glory with Italy, though his first aim may well be to push for enlarged squads at Euro 2020.

Italy made it three wins from three to start their World Cup 2022 qualification campaign by seeing off Lithuania by the now familiar scoreline of 2-0. 

Goals from Stefano Sensi and Ciro Immobile bookended the second half on Wednesday, as Italy took a three-point lead in Group C.

The Azzurri have won their last five matches 2-0, and are unbeaten in 25 games under Mancini, which brings him level with Marcelo Lippi s best haul – only Vittorio Pozzo (30) has managed a better such streak.

Lippi guided Italy to a 2006 World Cup success, and Mancini did not shy away from wanting to emulate one of his predecessors.

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Vincenzo Italiano says Fiorentina really believed we could have a different ending , after La Viola suffered Europa Conference League final heartbreak for the second year running.

Italiano s side were beaten by West Ham in last year s showpiece, with Jarrod Bowen snatching a last-gasp winner in Prague.

Fiorentina suffered a similar fate 12 months later, as Ayoub El Kaabi struck four minutes before the end of extra time to give Olympiacos their first title in a major European competition.

La Viola embarked on a club record 13-match unbeaten run to reach their second successive Europa Conference League final.

But Italiano, who will depart the club at the end of the season, admitted it counted for nothing, with his side once again left to wonder what might h…

Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has included Danny Welbeck and Glen Johnson in England s final Euro 2012 squad despite the injury concerns surrounding the duo.

Welbeck picked up an ankle injury in the Manchester derby on 30 April 2012 following a speculative challenge from City midfielder Nigel de Jong.

The Dutch defensive midfielder has become notorious for his reckless play on the pitch. In 2010, the former Ajax star broke the legs of Stuart Holden and Hatem Ben Arfa.

Throw in the Dutchman s karate kick on Xabi Alonso in the 2010 World Cup final and you ve summed up De Jong s game in a nutshell.

Welbeck enjoyed his best season in professional football for the Red Devils in 2011-12, bagging nine goals and four assists in 30 English Premier League …

Control on his left thigh to bring the ball under his spell, a cushioned left-footed touch that meant there was no need to break stride before arrowing in a precise right-footed finish.

With the sort of brilliance he effortlessly makes look routine, Lionel Messi had belatedly come to the party by opening the scoring for Argentina against Nigeria in St Petersburg. About time.

This World Cup group stage – the most exciting and dramatic in living memory – ensured a raucous footballing celebration across Russia over the past 15 days. It was only right one of the most distinguished guests finally got his round in.

It began with the much-mocked and derided hosts instantly turning up the volume. Russia showed little courtesy to their opening-night guests Saudi Arabi…

Nuno Espirito Santo chose not to dwell on his time with Wolves, with full focus on maintaining Nottingham Forest’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season when his former side visits the City Ground on Saturday.

Espirito Santo spent four years at the helm in the West Midlands, helping them win promotion to the Premier League during the 2017-18 season.

But full focus for the Forest head coach turns to league action following their EFL Cup exit to Newcastle United on penalties in midweek after their 1-0 win over Southampton five days ago.

However, with the transfer window slamming shut ahead this weekend’s round of action, Espirito Santo said he is keen to bolster his squad, but would not be doing so without careful consideration.

There s a lot of …

Brazil has withdrawn its bid to host the 2023 Women s World Cup ahead of this month s vote.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced the decision in a statement on Monday, with the vote to decide the hosts to be held on June 25.

It leaves three bids remaining – Australia and New Zealand, Japan and Colombia.

Brazil said the current economic situation, fuelled by the coronavirus pandemic, was one of the reasons for its withdrawal.

It added that it would also be unfavoured due to hosting several big events in recent years, including the 2014 World Cup, 2016 Olympics and 2019 Copa America.

Thus, CBF decided to withdraw the Brazilian candidacy and support Colombia in the dispute for the host of the FIFA Women s World Cup 2023, the state…

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been one of the signings of 2014

With 2014 set to draw to a close it is a time to reflect on what has gone before in the Premier League, especially the players that have made a big impact at new clubs.

Here is a list of who I think have been the best signings of 2014.

Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)

Chelsea were strong last season and Fabregas’ arrival only made the Blues midfield even stronger.

Fabregas was linked with a return to former-club Arsenal, but it was Jose Mourinho’s club who signed the Spaniard.

It has turned out to be a masterstroke from Mourinho. The former-Barcelona ace has scored twice and produced an outstanding 13 assists this season in the Premier League.

The Spaniard has create…

England’s calendar year ended with a mundane 1-1 draw in North Macedonia on Monday night.

It was a lacklustre close to 2023 for Gareth Southgate’s side but during the past 12 months they won in Italy for the first time in 62 years and secured Euro 2024 qualification with two games to spare.

Here, the PA news agency goes back over the 10 games played to give collated ratings for players who appeared in at least three fixtures.

JORDAN PICKFORD: 7 (out of 10)Appearances: 8, Clean sheets: 4

Undoubtedly remains Southgate’s first-choice goalkeeper and started all of the Euro 2024 qualifiers – has an interesting end to the Premier League season after Everton were deducted 10 points.

MARC GUEHI: 7Appearances: 7, Clean sheets: 3, Goals: 0The Crysta…

The Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens clash in a pivotal Week 17 matchup on Sunday afternoon. The Rams have clinched a playoff spot but are still battling for home-field advantage while the Ravens are essentially in a must-win situation if they want to see the postseason.

NFL betting lines have the Rams installed as 3.5-point road favorites with the Over/Under at 46.5. Here are our best free betting picks and predictions for Rams vs. Ravens on Sunday, January 2, with kickoff at 1:00 p.m. ET. 

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