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A trio of thundering headers gave England a thumping victory over their oldest foes as Scotland put up a fight before being swept aside 3-0 in Friday&#39;s World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

Daniel Sturridge&#39;s bullet header in the first half and equally impressive efforts after the break from Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill ensured England emerged from international football&#39;s oldest fixture having consolidated their lead at the top of Group F.

While it was not the one-sided romp the scoreline suggests and England only pulled clear in the second half having survived some nervy moments, the result will have strengthened interim boss Gareth Southgate&#39;s chances of claiming the role on a permanent basis.

With his side having moved onto 10 points from four matches, two clear of nearest rivals Slovenia, Southgate now looks almost certain to be appointed the permanent replacement to Sam Allardyce.

&quot;Tonight is down to the players they have shown what they are capable of,&quot; he told reporters -- although he was equally keen to stress his side had almost been the architects of their own downfall when Scotland put them under pressure in the second half.

For his counterpart Gordon Strachan, though, the future looks increasingly bleak, his side sitting second bottom in the standings with four points.

However, he was adamant, that he would not be rushed into decisions about his role.

&quot;If you think I&#39;m thinking about myself now, or worrying about myself, you don&#39;t know me,&quot; was his response to questions about his future.

Strachan had made sweeping changes to the side that lost to Slovakia in their previous qualifier and had clearly set his team up to make England uncomfortable and it was a game plan that worked to perfection until 24th minute.

A sprawling Scottish defender blocked Raheem Sterling&#39;s shot, but the ball fell kindly for Kyle Walker whose driven cross was angled superbly into the net by a stooping Sturridge.

Having broken the visitors&#39; resistance, England conspired to hand them a route back into the match two minutes later and would have been pegged back had Scotland defender Grant Hanley not headed hopelessly over the bar when completely unmarked.

That was the first of a series of let-offs for England, who survived two heart-in-mouth moments at the start of the second half when James Forrest pulled a shot hideously wide from 10 metres and Robert Snodgrass had one blocked from a similar range.

Within moments, however, England put the encounter to bed showing the sort of quality in front of goal Scotland had lacked, as Danny Rose&#39;s cross from the left found Lallana on the penalty spot to head powerfully past Craig Gordon.

England&#39;s third arrived on 60 minutes as Wayne Rooney&#39;s corner found Cahill, who flashed his near-post header past Gordon and into the far corner.

The defeat was already ensured, but England should have rubbed further salt into Scotland&#39;s wounds but Sterling somehow scooped his finish over from almost under the cross bar.

(Reuters)

Sturridge's bullet header in the first half and equally impressive headers from Lallana and Cahill handed England a 3-0 win

A trio of thundering headers gave England a thumping victory over their oldest foes as Scotland put up a fight before being swept aside 3-0 in Friday's World Cup qualifier at Wembley. Daniel Sturridge's bullet header in the first half and equally impressive efforts after the break from Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill ensured England emerged from international football's oldest fixture having consolidated their lead at the top of Group F. While it was not the one-sided romp the scoreline suggests and England only pulled clear in the second half having survived some nervy moments, the result will have strengthened interim boss Gareth Southgate's chances of claiming the role on a permanent basis. With his side having moved onto 10 points from four matches, two clear of nearest rivals Slovenia, Southgate now looks almost certain to be appointed the permanent replacement to Sam Allardyce. "Tonight is down to the players they have shown what they are capable of," he told reporters -- although he was equally keen to stress his side had almost been the architects of their own downfall when Scotland put them under pressure in the second half. For his counterpart Gordon Strachan, though, the future looks increasingly bleak, his side sitting second bottom in the standings with four points. However, he was adamant, that he would not be rushed into decisions about his role. "If you think I'm thinking about myself now, or worrying about myself, you don't know me," was his response to questions about his future. Strachan had made sweeping changes to the side that lost to Slovakia in their previous qualifier and had clearly set his team up to make England uncomfortable and it was a game plan that worked to perfection until 24th minute. A sprawling Scottish defender blocked Raheem Sterling's shot, but the ball fell kindly for Kyle Walker whose driven cross was angled superbly into the net by a stooping Sturridge. Having broken the visitors' resistance, England conspired to hand them a route back into the match two minutes later and would have been pegged back had Scotland defender Grant Hanley not headed hopelessly over the bar when completely unmarked. That was the first of a series of let-offs for England, who survived two heart-in-mouth moments at the start of the second half when James Forrest pulled a shot hideously wide from 10 metres and Robert Snodgrass had one blocked from a similar range. Within moments, however, England put the encounter to bed showing the sort of quality in front of goal Scotland had lacked, as Danny Rose's cross from the left found Lallana on the penalty spot to head powerfully past Craig Gordon. England's third arrived on 60 minutes as Wayne Rooney's corner found Cahill, who flashed his near-post header past Gordon and into the far corner. The defeat was already ensured, but England should have rubbed further salt into Scotland's wounds but Sterling somehow scooped his finish over from almost under the cross bar. (Reuters)

World Cup qualifier: England record a heady win against Scotland

Argentine coach Edgardo Bauza was unbowed after a 3-0 World Cup qualifying loss to Brazil and a fourth game without a win on Thursday but promised his misfiring team still have qualification for the 2018 finals in Russia in their own hands.

&quot;We still have a lot to do before the qualifiers end,&quot; he said after Brazil&#39;s easy victory in Belo Horizonte. &quot;We know that classification still depends on what we do.

&quot;The game against Colombia will be different,&quot; he said of their match against the third-placed side next week.

Argentina are sixth in the 10-team South American group on 16 points after 11 games, with only the top four automatically qualifying for Russia while the fifth-placed side faces a play-off with the Oceania winners.

Bauza is likely to be heavily scrutinised after recording just one win in his five games in charge while his players will also face questions after they were outshone by Brazil&#39;s three goalscorers Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho.

Lionel Messi returned from three games out injured but was largely anonymous and there was little of note from strikers Gonzalo Higuain or Angel Di Maria.

Sergio Aguero replaced Enzo Perez at half time but with Brazil dominant in the second period he had little chance to change the game.

&quot;When they hit us hard we struggled to recover,&quot; Messi said.

&quot;We are more than aware that we have to change a lot. Of all the bad points, the good one is that we depend on ourselves but we can&#39;t be giving away any more points.&quot;

Argentine sports newspaper Ole called the performance a &quot;catastrophe&quot; and in a headline classed the side&#39;s current predicament as &quot;Russian Roulette.&quot;

Argentina have won the World Cup twice and reached the final of their last three major tournaments but not won a senior title since the 1990s.

Their next two games are against Colombia on Tuesday and then next March against Copa America champions Chile, who are fifth on the table on 17 points.

(Reuters)

The Argentines are currently sixth in the 10-team South American qualifying group, only the top 4 qualify automatically for Russia 2018

Argentine coach Edgardo Bauza was unbowed after a 3-0 World Cup qualifying loss to Brazil and a fourth game without a win on Thursday but promised his misfiring team still have qualification for the 2018 finals in Russia in their own hands. "We still have a lot to do before the qualifiers end," he said after Brazil's easy victory in Belo Horizonte. "We know that classification still depends on what we do. "The game against Colombia will be different," he said of their match against the third-placed side next week. Argentina are sixth in the 10-team South American group on 16 points after 11 games, with only the top four automatically qualifying for Russia while the fifth-placed side faces a play-off with the Oceania winners. Bauza is likely to be heavily scrutinised after recording just one win in his five games in charge while his players will also face questions after they were outshone by Brazil's three goalscorers Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho. Lionel Messi returned from three games out injured but was largely anonymous and there was little of note from strikers Gonzalo Higuain or Angel Di Maria. Sergio Aguero replaced Enzo Perez at half time but with Brazil dominant in the second period he had little chance to change the game. "When they hit us hard we struggled to recover," Messi said. "We are more than aware that we have to change a lot. Of all the bad points, the good one is that we depend on ourselves but we can't be giving away any more points." Argentine sports newspaper Ole called the performance a "catastrophe" and in a headline classed the side's current predicament as "Russian Roulette." Argentina have won the World Cup twice and reached the final of their last three major tournaments but not won a senior title since the 1990s. Their next two games are against Colombia on Tuesday and then next March against Copa America champions Chile, who are fifth on the table on 17 points. (Reuters)

Argentina avoid crisis talk but slump worries players and coach

Brazil dealt Argentina&#39;s hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup finals a serious blow on Thursday with a resounding 3-0 win that dropped the world&#39;s top ranked side into sixth place in the 10-team South American qualifying group.

First half goals from Philippe Coutinho and Neymar were followed by a third from Paulinho after 58 minutes to sink the Argentines and extend their winless run to four games.

The result means Brazil remain top of the group with 24 points from 11 games.

Argentina are sixth on 16 points, with the top four teams qualifying automatically for the finals in Russia and the fifth-placed side going into a play-off with the Oceania winners.

&quot;Today we imposed ourselves, the fans helped from the first minute and we leave here very happy,&quot; Coutinho said in a pitchside interview.

Argentina&#39;s Lionel Messi, who returned to the side after three games out injured, was anonymous in a match lit up by brilliant moments from the home side.

Brazil took the lead after 24 minutes when Neymar slipped the ball to Philippe Coutinho on the left with the deftest of touches and the Liverpool midfielder hammered an unstoppable drive into the top corner of the net.

The Barcelona striker was lucky not to concede a penalty after he handled in the box 12 minutes later but he was always dangerous at the other end and he doubled Brazil&#39;s lead just seconds before half time when he coolly slotted home after taking a defence-splitting pass from Gabriel Jesus.

Paulinho sealed it 13 minutes into the second period when the midfielder charged into the box between defenders and poked home a cross from Renato Augusto.

Brazil were dominant in a rampant second half and could have scored more with Neymar and substitute Robero Firmino both coming close.

In the evening&#39;s other games, Peru got four goals in the second half to beat Paraguay 4-1 away in Asuncion, while Josef Martinez became the first Venezuelan to score a hat trick in World Cup qualifiers in the 5-0 win over Bolivia.

Earlier, Colombia drew 0-0 at home to Chile and stay in third, while Uruguay beat Ecuador 2-1 to remain second, a point behind Brazil.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

Argentina are now winless in four games and sixth in the 10-team South American qualifying group

Brazil dealt Argentina's hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup finals a serious blow on Thursday with a resounding 3-0 win that dropped the world's top ranked side into sixth place in the 10-team South American qualifying group. First half goals from Philippe Coutinho and Neymar were followed by a third from Paulinho after 58 minutes to sink the Argentines and extend their winless run to four games. The result means Brazil remain top of the group with 24 points from 11 games. Argentina are sixth on 16 points, with the top four teams qualifying automatically for the finals in Russia and the fifth-placed side going into a play-off with the Oceania winners. "Today we imposed ourselves, the fans helped from the first minute and we leave here very happy," Coutinho said in a pitchside interview. Argentina's Lionel Messi, who returned to the side after three games out injured, was anonymous in a match lit up by brilliant moments from the home side. Brazil took the lead after 24 minutes when Neymar slipped the ball to Philippe Coutinho on the left with the deftest of touches and the Liverpool midfielder hammered an unstoppable drive into the top corner of the net. The Barcelona striker was lucky not to concede a penalty after he handled in the box 12 minutes later but he was always dangerous at the other end and he doubled Brazil's lead just seconds before half time when he coolly slotted home after taking a defence-splitting pass from Gabriel Jesus. Paulinho sealed it 13 minutes into the second period when the midfielder charged into the box between defenders and poked home a cross from Renato Augusto. Brazil were dominant in a rampant second half and could have scored more with Neymar and substitute Robero Firmino both coming close. In the evening's other games, Peru got four goals in the second half to beat Paraguay 4-1 away in Asuncion, while Josef Martinez became the first Venezuelan to score a hat trick in World Cup qualifiers in the 5-0 win over Bolivia. Earlier, Colombia drew 0-0 at home to Chile and stay in third, while Uruguay beat Ecuador 2-1 to remain second, a point behind Brazil. (Reuters)

Football: Brazil blitz Argentina 3-0 in World Cup qualifier

The Professional Footballers&#39; Association has voiced concerns over Jose Mourinho&#39;s criticism of Manchester United defenders Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw, urging the manager to show more empathy towards players with &quot;personal problems&quot;.

Mourinho condemned Shaw and Smalling over the pair&#39;s apparent unwillingness to play through the pain barrier in Sunday&#39;s Premier League win over Swansea City, saying they were not &quot;brave&quot; enough to feature.

&quot;I was disappointed by that because, knowing the individuals, they are both highly thought of. They&#39;ve got personal problems which I don&#39;t need to relay,&quot; PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor told Sky Sports.

&quot;Sometimes a manager needs to be a psychologist as well, and also to be a counsellor because you can&#39;t treat everybody in the team (the same), every manager must know that. Every player in a team is different.&quot;

Smalling has missed several United matches with a foot injury but took a pain-killing injection to play against Chelsea last month, according to British media reports.

Shaw, who recently returned following a 10-month injury layoff, has had a mixed start to the campaign and lost his place in the starting line-up after Mourinho publicly criticised the 21-year-old following United&#39;s loss at Watford in September.

&quot;It&#39;s a short-term career and we&#39;re all human beings. I think that&#39;s what management these days has to be,&quot; Taylor added.

&quot;I&#39;m not talking about being soft, I&#39;m talking about being understanding because to even get to the top in football you have got to succeed as not so many actually make it in the game.&quot;

(Reuters)

PFA urged Manchester United's manager to show more empathy towards players with 'personal problems'

The Professional Footballers' Association has voiced concerns over Jose Mourinho's criticism of Manchester United defenders Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw, urging the manager to show more empathy towards players with "personal problems". Mourinho condemned Shaw and Smalling over the pair's apparent unwillingness to play through the pain barrier in Sunday's Premier League win over Swansea City, saying they were not "brave" enough to feature. "I was disappointed by that because, knowing the individuals, they are both highly thought of. They've got personal problems which I don't need to relay," PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor told Sky Sports. "Sometimes a manager needs to be a psychologist as well, and also to be a counsellor because you can't treat everybody in the team (the same), every manager must know that. Every player in a team is different." Smalling has missed several United matches with a foot injury but took a pain-killing injection to play against Chelsea last month, according to British media reports. Shaw, who recently returned following a 10-month injury layoff, has had a mixed start to the campaign and lost his place in the starting line-up after Mourinho publicly criticised the 21-year-old following United's loss at Watford in September. "It's a short-term career and we're all human beings. I think that's what management these days has to be," Taylor added. "I'm not talking about being soft, I'm talking about being understanding because to even get to the top in football you have got to succeed as not so many actually make it in the game." (Reuters)

PFA chief Gordon Taylor voices concern over Mourinho's criticism of players

Northern Ireland&#39;s players will not wear the black armbands with poppies to pay tribute on Armstice Day in their World Cup qualifier, the Irish Football Association said, news agency AFP reported.

England and Scotland&#39;s football&#39;s associations decided to wear the poppy despite a sanction threat from the world governing body FIFA. Britain remembers its war dead on November 11, which happens to be the day England play Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

FIFA bans political, religious and commercial symbols on team uniforms while playing a match.&nbsp;

Northern Ireland&#39;s players will wear plain black armbands for their Armistice Day game in Belfast.

&quot;We asked FIFA if permission could be granted for the Northern Ireland team to wear a poppy on the shirt or on an armband,&quot; IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson said in a statement on Tuesday, AFP reported.

&quot;FIFA advised that they could give no guarantee that there would not be disciplinary proceedings if the Northern Ireland team was to wear a symbol of remembrance on the playing shirt.&quot;

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane said that wearing the poppies would make him &quot;happy&quot;.

&quot;As long as we&#39;re wearing the poppy, we&#39;re happy,&quot; Kane told a press conference at the St George&#39;s Park football centre in Burton-on-Trent, central England. &quot;We all wanted to wear it. Being on the top or the sleeve, it doesn&#39;t matter too much. As long as we&#39;re wearing it, it&#39;s a big positive.&quot;

British Prime Minister Theresa May has described FIFA&#39;s stance on the matter as &quot;utterly outrageous&quot;.

(With inputs from AFP)

Northern Ireland's players will wear plain black armbands for their Armistice Day game in Belfast

Northern Ireland's players will not wear the black armbands with poppies to pay tribute on Armstice Day in their World Cup qualifier, the Irish Football Association said, news agency AFP reported. England and Scotland's football's associations decided to wear the poppy despite a sanction threat from the world governing body FIFA. Britain remembers its war dead on November 11, which happens to be the day England play Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley. FIFA bans political, religious and commercial symbols on team uniforms while playing a match. Northern Ireland's players will wear plain black armbands for their Armistice Day game in Belfast. "We asked FIFA if permission could be granted for the Northern Ireland team to wear a poppy on the shirt or on an armband," IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson said in a statement on Tuesday, AFP reported. "FIFA advised that they could give no guarantee that there would not be disciplinary proceedings if the Northern Ireland team was to wear a symbol of remembrance on the playing shirt." Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane said that wearing the poppies would make him "happy". "As long as we're wearing the poppy, we're happy," Kane told a press conference at the St George's Park football centre in Burton-on-Trent, central England. "We all wanted to wear it. Being on the top or the sleeve, it doesn't matter too much. As long as we're wearing it, it's a big positive." British Prime Minister Theresa May has described FIFA's stance on the matter as "utterly outrageous". (With inputs from AFP)

Football: North Ireland decide against wearing poppies

Football competitions under the purview of Confederation of African Football (CAF) will see an increased prize money.

The announcement comes months after French oil-gas company Total inked an eight-year sponsorship deal with CAF.

In July,&nbsp;Total announced it will support CAF&rsquo;s ten principal competitions, starting with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The cash boost means that winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, which is held every two years, will now receive $4 million as against $1.5 million received by Ivory Coast, who won the continental competition in 2015.

CAF Champion League winners will also receive more prize money. They will now get $2.5 million, up from $1.5 million the previous champion received.

Prize money for the winners of the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup will be nearly doubled from $660,000 to $1.25 million.

Both the Champions League and Confederation Cup group phases -- where &nbsp;prize money kicks in -- will expand next year from eight to 16 clubs.

Winners of the annual CAF Super Cup match between Champions League and Confederation Cup title-holders pocket $100,000, a 33.3 per cent rise.

The biennial African Nations Championship for home-based footballers is another competition to get a cash boost with first prize climbing by $500,000 to $1.25 million.

Travel costs are a huge challenge for African teams with flights from one country to another often involving lengthy stop-overs in the Middle East and Europe to trim expenses.&nbsp;

Clubs like Sundowns are better placed because the Pretoria-based outfit is owned by mining magnate Patrice Motsepe.

But in poorer African countries, teams rely on government financial assistance to play in CAF and FIFA competitions.

(AFP)

Confederation of African Football's announcement comes months after they signed an eight-year deal with oil-gas company Total

Football competitions under the purview of Confederation of African Football (CAF) will see an increased prize money. The announcement comes months after French oil-gas company Total inked an eight-year sponsorship deal with CAF. In July, Total announced it will support CAF’s ten principal competitions, starting with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The cash boost means that winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, which is held every two years, will now receive $4 million as against $1.5 million received by Ivory Coast, who won the continental competition in 2015. CAF Champion League winners will also receive more prize money. They will now get $2.5 million, up from $1.5 million the previous champion received. Prize money for the winners of the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup will be nearly doubled from $660,000 to $1.25 million. Both the Champions League and Confederation Cup group phases -- where prize money kicks in -- will expand next year from eight to 16 clubs. Winners of the annual CAF Super Cup match between Champions League and Confederation Cup title-holders pocket $100,000, a 33.3 per cent rise. The biennial African Nations Championship for home-based footballers is another competition to get a cash boost with first prize climbing by $500,000 to $1.25 million. Travel costs are a huge challenge for African teams with flights from one country to another often involving lengthy stop-overs in the Middle East and Europe to trim expenses. Clubs like Sundowns are better placed because the Pretoria-based outfit is owned by mining magnate Patrice Motsepe. But in poorer African countries, teams rely on government financial assistance to play in CAF and FIFA competitions. (AFP)

Prize money for African football competitions to increase: CAF

Arsenal midfielder Alexis Sanchez has been ruled out of Chile&#39;s World Cup qualifier against Colombia after he suffered a muscle injury, the Chilean Football Federation said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The federation said in a short statement that the player will remain in Santiago for treatment and is under evaluation for Chile&#39;s match against Uruguay.

Chile, who sit fifth in the 10-team South American qualifying competition for Russia 2018, are scheduled to play Colombia - the team directly above them in the standings - in Barranquilla on Thursday.

Chile have won the last two Copa Americas but have struggled in the World Cup qualifying campaign, winning four of their 10 games on the pitch.&nbsp;

They were awarded a fifth victory when FIFA ruled that opponents Bolivia had fielded an ineligible player during their 0-0 draw last month.

(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The midfielder was ruled out of the qualifier against Colombia and will remain in Santiago to undergo treatment for his muscle injury

Arsenal midfielder Alexis Sanchez has been ruled out of Chile's World Cup qualifier against Colombia after he suffered a muscle injury, the Chilean Football Federation said on Tuesday. The federation said in a short statement that the player will remain in Santiago for treatment and is under evaluation for Chile's match against Uruguay. Chile, who sit fifth in the 10-team South American qualifying competition for Russia 2018, are scheduled to play Colombia - the team directly above them in the standings - in Barranquilla on Thursday. Chile have won the last two Copa Americas but have struggled in the World Cup qualifying campaign, winning four of their 10 games on the pitch. They were awarded a fifth victory when FIFA ruled that opponents Bolivia had fielded an ineligible player during their 0-0 draw last month. (Reuters)

Arsenal's Sanchez out of Chile qualifier with muscle strain

Eden Hazard scored twice as Chelsea exploited a slip-up by Manchester City to claim top spot in the Premier League by stylishly crushing Everton 5-0 on Saturday.

Marten de Roon&#39;s stoppage-time equaliser earned Middlesbrough a 1-1 draw at City and Antonio Conte&#39;s Chelsea took advantage to move a point clear of Pep Guardiola&#39;s side at the summit.

&quot;When you win in this way it&#39;s fantastic because we played good football with good intensity,&quot; Conte told BT Sport.

&quot;All the players played in the right way with and without the ball. We created many chances to score and also it&#39;s the fifth clean sheet in a row, which is fantastic.

&quot;It is fantastic to be top of the league.&quot;

Arsenal and Liverpool could also surpass City before the weekend is out, the former tackling Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday&#39;s North London derby and the latter entertaining Watford.

Elsewhere, bottom club Sunderland ended their wait for a first win of the season at the 11th attempt by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Bournemouth despite having Steven Pienaar sent off.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea produced one of their most scintillating performances in recent memory as the 2014-15 champions made it five straight wins without conceding a goal.

Hazard opened the scoring in the 19th minute, drifting in from the left to drill a shot into the bottom-right corner, and a minute later Pedro Rodriguez teed up Marcos Alonso for the hosts&#39; second.

Diego Costa made it 3-0 three minutes before half-time, slamming home at the back post after Nemanja Matic flicked on Hazard&#39;s corner to bring up his ninth goal of the campaign.

Chelsea&#39;s fourth goal was a jewel, Pedro returning Hazard&#39;s pass with a sweet back-heel and the Belgian dancing into the box from the right before lashing home with his left foot.

Pedro volleyed in the fifth, in the 65th minute, after Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg parried a shot from Hazard.

City went into their game on the back of a stirring 3-1 Champions League win over Barcelona and Boro&#39;s former Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes looked determined to restore Catalan pride at the Etihad Stadium.

He saved brilliantly from Sergio Aguero and David Silva, only for Aguero to put the hosts ahead in the 43rd minute by converting Kevin De Bruyne&#39;s sumptuous cross for his 150th goal in 223 City appearances.

Barnes late show&nbsp;

Boro showed more attacking intent in the second half, former City striker Alvaro Negredo almost catching out Claudio Bravo with an audacious lob from his own half before Bravo saved smartly from Adam Forshaw.

After Aguero had squandered a late chance, Dutch midfielder De Roon met George Friend&#39;s deep cross with a thumping header to earn Boro a dramatic point.

&quot;We did absolutely everything to win the game. It is a pity,&quot; said Guardiola, whose side have drawn their last three home league games 1-1 following previous stalemates against Everton and Southampton.

&quot;It is a miss because we have dropped six points in the last three home games, but we are still there. We have to move forward.&quot;

Sunderland remain bottom, below Swansea City on goal difference, but manager David Moyes belatedly has a victory to his name following a hard-fought success at Bournemouth&#39;s Vitality Stadium.

After Adam Smith had teed up Dan Gosling to bundle in an 11th-minute opener for Bournemouth, Victor Anichebe equalised with his first Sunderland goal.

Pienaar was sent off just before the hour after receiving a second yellow card for a lunge on Junior Stanislas, but Jermain Defoe netted a 74th-minute winner from the spot after Smith felled Anichebe.

&quot;It is a big relief,&quot; Moyes told Sky Sports. &quot;We owed the supporters the victory. They have kept with us.

&quot;We needed a win, but it is only one. We need a few more.&quot;

There was late drama at Turf Moor as Burnley withstood a Crystal Palace fightback to prevail 3-2 courtesy of Ashley Barnes&#39;s 94th-minute strike.

Sam Vokes and Johann Berg Gundmundsson put Burnley 2-0 up, only for Palace to hit back through second-half goals by substitute Connor Wickham and Christian Benteke.

But in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Gudmundsson crossed for Barnes to fire home and condemn Palace -- who later hit the post through Andros Townsend -- to a fourth straight defeat.

Stoke City drew 1-1 at West Ham United, Bojan Krkic exploiting an error by home goalkeeper Adrian to equalise in the 75th minute after a Glenn Whelan own goal had put the hosts ahead.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Man City slipped up, drawing 1-1 with Middlesbrough

Eden Hazard scored twice as Chelsea exploited a slip-up by Manchester City to claim top spot in the Premier League by stylishly crushing Everton 5-0 on Saturday. Marten de Roon's stoppage-time equaliser earned Middlesbrough a 1-1 draw at City and Antonio Conte's Chelsea took advantage to move a point clear of Pep Guardiola's side at the summit. "When you win in this way it's fantastic because we played good football with good intensity," Conte told BT Sport. "All the players played in the right way with and without the ball. We created many chances to score and also it's the fifth clean sheet in a row, which is fantastic. "It is fantastic to be top of the league." Arsenal and Liverpool could also surpass City before the weekend is out, the former tackling Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's North London derby and the latter entertaining Watford. Elsewhere, bottom club Sunderland ended their wait for a first win of the season at the 11th attempt by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Bournemouth despite having Steven Pienaar sent off. At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea produced one of their most scintillating performances in recent memory as the 2014-15 champions made it five straight wins without conceding a goal. Hazard opened the scoring in the 19th minute, drifting in from the left to drill a shot into the bottom-right corner, and a minute later Pedro Rodriguez teed up Marcos Alonso for the hosts' second. Diego Costa made it 3-0 three minutes before half-time, slamming home at the back post after Nemanja Matic flicked on Hazard's corner to bring up his ninth goal of the campaign. Chelsea's fourth goal was a jewel, Pedro returning Hazard's pass with a sweet back-heel and the Belgian dancing into the box from the right before lashing home with his left foot. Pedro volleyed in the fifth, in the 65th minute, after Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg parried a shot from Hazard. City went into their game on the back of a stirring 3-1 Champions League win over Barcelona and Boro's former Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes looked determined to restore Catalan pride at the Etihad Stadium. He saved brilliantly from Sergio Aguero and David Silva, only for Aguero to put the hosts ahead in the 43rd minute by converting Kevin De Bruyne's sumptuous cross for his 150th goal in 223 City appearances. Barnes late show Boro showed more attacking intent in the second half, former City striker Alvaro Negredo almost catching out Claudio Bravo with an audacious lob from his own half before Bravo saved smartly from Adam Forshaw. After Aguero had squandered a late chance, Dutch midfielder De Roon met George Friend's deep cross with a thumping header to earn Boro a dramatic point. "We did absolutely everything to win the game. It is a pity," said Guardiola, whose side have drawn their last three home league games 1-1 following previous stalemates against Everton and Southampton. "It is a miss because we have dropped six points in the last three home games, but we are still there. We have to move forward." Sunderland remain bottom, below Swansea City on goal difference, but manager David Moyes belatedly has a victory to his name following a hard-fought success at Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium. After Adam Smith had teed up Dan Gosling to bundle in an 11th-minute opener for Bournemouth, Victor Anichebe equalised with his first Sunderland goal. Pienaar was sent off just before the hour after receiving a second yellow card for a lunge on Junior Stanislas, but Jermain Defoe netted a 74th-minute winner from the spot after Smith felled Anichebe. "It is a big relief," Moyes told Sky Sports. "We owed the supporters the victory. They have kept with us. "We needed a win, but it is only one. We need a few more." There was late drama at Turf Moor as Burnley withstood a Crystal Palace fightback to prevail 3-2 courtesy of Ashley Barnes's 94th-minute strike. Sam Vokes and Johann Berg Gundmundsson put Burnley 2-0 up, only for Palace to hit back through second-half goals by substitute Connor Wickham and Christian Benteke. But in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Gudmundsson crossed for Barnes to fire home and condemn Palace -- who later hit the post through Andros Townsend -- to a fourth straight defeat. Stoke City drew 1-1 at West Ham United, Bojan Krkic exploiting an error by home goalkeeper Adrian to equalise in the 75th minute after a Glenn Whelan own goal had put the hosts ahead. (AFP)

EPL: Chelsea crush Everton 5-0, storm to top of league standings

Ireland midfielder James McCarthy withdrew from the squad for Saturday&#39;s 2018 World Cup qualifier with Austria ending a fiery debate between national coach Martin O&#39;Neill and his Everton manager Ronald Koeman over his fitness.

Koeman blamed O&#39;Neill for giving 25-year-old McCarthy too much game time in two 2018 World Cup qualifiers last month as he had just returned from a groin operation.

O&#39;Neill said the Dutchman&#39;s claim was rubbish and accused him of &#39;bleating&#39; even though McCarthy, who has over 40 caps to his name, has only played just over an hour for Everton since the qualifiers.

However, on Monday the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) issued a statement saying he would not feature and had been joined on the sidelines by three other players.&nbsp;

&quot;Injury has ruled out Cyrus Christie, Stephen Ward, James McCarthy and Stephen Quinn from the provisional squad, while some players will be assessed by the FAI medical staff,&quot; read the statement.

Experienced defender John O&#39;Shea is one of the players being assessed and O&#39;Neill will hope he is fit as he has been hit prior to Monday by the loss of leading striker Shane Long.

Daryl Murphy, who scored the equaliser in the 2-2 draw in their opening qualifier against Serbia, is also a non-starter. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Ireland, whom O&#39;Neill guided to the last 16 of Euro 2016, are presently level on seven points with table-topping Serbia as the Irish bid to reach their first World Cup finals since 2002.

(AFP)

It ended a fiery debate between national coach Martin O'Neill and his Everton manager Ronald Koeman over McCarthy's fitness

Ireland midfielder James McCarthy withdrew from the squad for Saturday's 2018 World Cup qualifier with Austria ending a fiery debate between national coach Martin O'Neill and his Everton manager Ronald Koeman over his fitness. Koeman blamed O'Neill for giving 25-year-old McCarthy too much game time in two 2018 World Cup qualifiers last month as he had just returned from a groin operation. O'Neill said the Dutchman's claim was rubbish and accused him of 'bleating' even though McCarthy, who has over 40 caps to his name, has only played just over an hour for Everton since the qualifiers. However, on Monday the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) issued a statement saying he would not feature and had been joined on the sidelines by three other players. "Injury has ruled out Cyrus Christie, Stephen Ward, James McCarthy and Stephen Quinn from the provisional squad, while some players will be assessed by the FAI medical staff," read the statement. Experienced defender John O'Shea is one of the players being assessed and O'Neill will hope he is fit as he has been hit prior to Monday by the loss of leading striker Shane Long. Daryl Murphy, who scored the equaliser in the 2-2 draw in their opening qualifier against Serbia, is also a non-starter. Ireland, whom O'Neill guided to the last 16 of Euro 2016, are presently level on seven points with table-topping Serbia as the Irish bid to reach their first World Cup finals since 2002. (AFP)

Midfielder James McCarthy pulls out of Irish World Cup qualifier

Jose Mourinho has taken a swipe at the Manchester United players he fears might not have the right attitude to guide his side back into the Premier League title race.

Mourinho saw first half goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba help United to only a second league victory in eight games as his side cruised to a 3-1 success at Swansea on Sunday.

However, in the wake of the win, Mourinho spoke openly about the need for players to play through the injury pain barrier.

&quot;We have players with problems, but we also have players on the pitch who have problems,&quot; he said.

&quot;And that is what I mean, because in every sport, and I know that because I have friends from other sports, playing at the highest level. How many times do they play when they are not 100 per cent?

&quot;I have a friend who is a big tennis player and he tells me that he remembers more times when he has played with pain than the times he has played without any pain. To compete, you have to work to the limits.

&quot;It is a cultural thing, for some. That&#39;s not my culture.&quot;

Asked if players needed to change to play for him, Mourinho said; &quot;Exactly, but more than me, Man United. More than me, Man United.&quot;

Despite Mourinho&#39;s blast, he could have no complaints about the overall United performance on Sunday.

&quot;After the draw against Burnley we needed points,&quot; he said.

&quot;We put in a great performance against Burnley, but only came away with one point. We needed three points today, more than the performance. But we got both.

&quot;Zlatan does not lack confidence. I used to say that a striker who doesn&#39;t score goals and does nothing else, means you have one player less.

&quot;A striker who doesn&#39;t score goals, but does everything else, is a very important player for the team. When Zlatan was not scoring goals, he was doing everything else. He was working defensively, he was working in the build up, he was giving assists and he was contributing towards the fact that the goalkeepers who played against us were the man of the match.

&quot;So, he was doing so many things that I was not worried. Today we needed goals to win and we got them.&quot;

Calling the tune

While Ibrahimovic was calling the tune in the final third, it was veteran Michael Carrick who was dictating the pace of the game in front of his back four.&nbsp;

Mourinho added; &quot;I would love Michael to play every game, but that is not possible.&nbsp;

&quot;He can&#39;t play in every game for the same reason I can no longer go to the gym every day. But he started today and he played very, very well.&quot;

Not even a 69th minute headed goal from Mike van der Hoorn could bring a smile to the face of Swansea manager Bob Bradley, whose side are stuck in the relegation zone.

&quot;We are in a tough spot, there is no two ways about that. We understand very clearly where we are and there is no hiding from that. But we understand all the areas where we need to be better,&quot; Bradley said.

&quot;We kept giving the ball back too quickly. I don&#39;t think we showed enough commitment to close people down. We cannot take solace from playing a little better in the second half.

&quot;There is only one way to win the support of the fans and that is to play well and to win games.

&quot;We need to focus on the only part we control and that is how we play. If the fans are angry, I understand that.&nbsp;

&quot;We didn&#39;t do enough to win them over. They had every right to be angry.&quot;

(AFP)

Mourinho spoke openly about the need for players to play through the injury pain barrier

Jose Mourinho has taken a swipe at the Manchester United players he fears might not have the right attitude to guide his side back into the Premier League title race. Mourinho saw first half goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba help United to only a second league victory in eight games as his side cruised to a 3-1 success at Swansea on Sunday. However, in the wake of the win, Mourinho spoke openly about the need for players to play through the injury pain barrier. "We have players with problems, but we also have players on the pitch who have problems," he said. "And that is what I mean, because in every sport, and I know that because I have friends from other sports, playing at the highest level. How many times do they play when they are not 100 per cent? "I have a friend who is a big tennis player and he tells me that he remembers more times when he has played with pain than the times he has played without any pain. To compete, you have to work to the limits. "It is a cultural thing, for some. That's not my culture." Asked if players needed to change to play for him, Mourinho said; "Exactly, but more than me, Man United. More than me, Man United." Despite Mourinho's blast, he could have no complaints about the overall United performance on Sunday. "After the draw against Burnley we needed points," he said. "We put in a great performance against Burnley, but only came away with one point. We needed three points today, more than the performance. But we got both. "Zlatan does not lack confidence. I used to say that a striker who doesn't score goals and does nothing else, means you have one player less. "A striker who doesn't score goals, but does everything else, is a very important player for the team. When Zlatan was not scoring goals, he was doing everything else. He was working defensively, he was working in the build up, he was giving assists and he was contributing towards the fact that the goalkeepers who played against us were the man of the match. "So, he was doing so many things that I was not worried. Today we needed goals to win and we got them." Calling the tune While Ibrahimovic was calling the tune in the final third, it was veteran Michael Carrick who was dictating the pace of the game in front of his back four. Mourinho added; "I would love Michael to play every game, but that is not possible. "He can't play in every game for the same reason I can no longer go to the gym every day. But he started today and he played very, very well." Not even a 69th minute headed goal from Mike van der Hoorn could bring a smile to the face of Swansea manager Bob Bradley, whose side are stuck in the relegation zone. "We are in a tough spot, there is no two ways about that. We understand very clearly where we are and there is no hiding from that. But we understand all the areas where we need to be better," Bradley said. "We kept giving the ball back too quickly. I don't think we showed enough commitment to close people down. We cannot take solace from playing a little better in the second half. "There is only one way to win the support of the fans and that is to play well and to win games. "We need to focus on the only part we control and that is how we play. If the fans are angry, I understand that. "We didn't do enough to win them over. They had every right to be angry." (AFP)

Football: Mourinho hits out at United 'problem players'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has urged his players to &ldquo;be cool&rdquo; after his side went top of the Premier League for the first time since he arrived at Anfield.

Klopp watched Liverpool produce one of their most emphatic displays of the season as they thrashed Watford 6-1.

Sadio Mane scored twice while Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum also got their names on the scoresheet as Liverpool produced the kind of performance that will further fuel title talk.

However, Klopp was keen to urge caution despite the fervour whipped up by the red half of Merseyside, who have not seen Liverpool win the league title since 1990.

&ldquo;If somebody thinks being one point ahead after 11 matchdays is a big sign for the rest of the season, I can&#39;t help this person, so sorry,&rdquo; Klopp said.

&ldquo;We stay cool, it&#39;s the best position I can imagine, nothing else happened. We didn&#39;t speak one word that Arsenal drew against Tottenham, not one word about the possibility of being top of the table.

&ldquo;The only thing you can do is work and stay concentrated, because a lot of different things could happen in the next few weeks and months. No matter how positive they are is up to us, actually.&rdquo;

Klopp insisted that the extra scrutiny on his side as they head into the international break top of the pile for the first time since May 2014 will not affect them.

&nbsp;No pressure&nbsp; 
He added &ldquo;There is no pressure after 11 matchdays. Chelsea played yesterday, quite impressive. We saw Manchester City play Barcelona, quite impressive.

&ldquo;Never write Manchester United off. Tottenham, good side. I&#39;m not sure if I&#39;ve forgotten anybody but there&#39;s a lot of really good teams around.

&ldquo;You can play a really good season and when they are better what&#39;s possible is you could be fifth or sixth and no one would be really happy.&nbsp;

&quot;Stay cool, take the things like they are, play your best football and win football games. That&#39;s the only thing you can do.

&ldquo;When I came here I asked for time, patience, belief, a lot of things. Now after 11 matchdays everybody is asking for guarantees and they are not there, there&#39;s no guarantees.&nbsp;

&quot;The only thing we obviously have is a pretty good football team, let&#39;s try to use it.&rdquo;

While Klopp was keen to take the sting out of any title talk, Watford manager Walter Mazzarri was happy to rank Liverpool as his favourites.

Watford have played Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United this season but Mazzarri was adamant where Liverpool are in the pecking order for Premier League title challengers.

&ldquo;From the teams we have played against, there is no doubt they are the team I am most impressed with,&rdquo; said the Italian.

&ldquo;If they continue like this, they are number one in my list for winning the Premier League.

&ldquo;I am very very impressed, not only tactically but on their running, their pressing, they are really a great team.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Watford lost goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes to an injury in the 33rd minute of the game and the Brazilian left Anfield his knee heavily strapped up, although Mazzarri does not know the extent of the blow.

&ldquo;He had a very big knock on the knee,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;But we need to check in the next days if the knee twisted and we will know in the next days.&rdquo; 
&nbsp;

(AFP)

Talk has begun of a title challenge; the Reds last won the league in 1990

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has urged his players to “be cool” after his side went top of the Premier League for the first time since he arrived at Anfield. Klopp watched Liverpool produce one of their most emphatic displays of the season as they thrashed Watford 6-1. Sadio Mane scored twice while Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum also got their names on the scoresheet as Liverpool produced the kind of performance that will further fuel title talk. However, Klopp was keen to urge caution despite the fervour whipped up by the red half of Merseyside, who have not seen Liverpool win the league title since 1990. “If somebody thinks being one point ahead after 11 matchdays is a big sign for the rest of the season, I can't help this person, so sorry,” Klopp said. “We stay cool, it's the best position I can imagine, nothing else happened. We didn't speak one word that Arsenal drew against Tottenham, not one word about the possibility of being top of the table. “The only thing you can do is work and stay concentrated, because a lot of different things could happen in the next few weeks and months. No matter how positive they are is up to us, actually.” Klopp insisted that the extra scrutiny on his side as they head into the international break top of the pile for the first time since May 2014 will not affect them. No pressure He added “There is no pressure after 11 matchdays. Chelsea played yesterday, quite impressive. We saw Manchester City play Barcelona, quite impressive. “Never write Manchester United off. Tottenham, good side. I'm not sure if I've forgotten anybody but there's a lot of really good teams around. “You can play a really good season and when they are better what's possible is you could be fifth or sixth and no one would be really happy. "Stay cool, take the things like they are, play your best football and win football games. That's the only thing you can do. “When I came here I asked for time, patience, belief, a lot of things. Now after 11 matchdays everybody is asking for guarantees and they are not there, there's no guarantees. "The only thing we obviously have is a pretty good football team, let's try to use it.” While Klopp was keen to take the sting out of any title talk, Watford manager Walter Mazzarri was happy to rank Liverpool as his favourites. Watford have played Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United this season but Mazzarri was adamant where Liverpool are in the pecking order for Premier League title challengers. “From the teams we have played against, there is no doubt they are the team I am most impressed with,” said the Italian. “If they continue like this, they are number one in my list for winning the Premier League. “I am very very impressed, not only tactically but on their running, their pressing, they are really a great team.” Watford lost goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes to an injury in the 33rd minute of the game and the Brazilian left Anfield his knee heavily strapped up, although Mazzarri does not know the extent of the blow. “He had a very big knock on the knee,” he added. “But we need to check in the next days if the knee twisted and we will know in the next days.” (AFP)

'Be cool', Liverpool's Klopp says after they go top of table

FC Barcelona women's team beat city rivals Espanyol 6-1, taking them to the top of the table. The match saw a stunning goal from Barbara Latorre, which was strangely reminiscent of Messi's effort against Getafe in 2007.

Barbara Latorre pulls off a 'Messi' goal

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane returned from injury to earn his side a 1-1 draw in the north London derby and deny&nbsp;Arsenal&nbsp;leadership of the Premier League on Sunday.

Kane equalised from the penalty spot shortly after halftime after defender Kevin Wimmer&#39;s own goal had given&nbsp;Arsenal&nbsp;the lead shortly before the interval.

Tottenham remain unbeaten in the Premier League, although winless is seven games, while Arsenal&nbsp;are unbeaten in all competitions since the opening day of the season.

Both sides struck the woodwork, Theo Walcott for&nbsp;Arsenal&nbsp;before halftime and Christian Eriksen late on for Spurs.

Arsenal&nbsp;remain third with 24 points, one behind leaders Chelsea. Tottenham are fifth on 21.

(Reuters)

Tottenham remain unbeaten in the Premier League while Arsenal?are unbeaten in all competitions since the opening day of the season

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane returned from injury to earn his side a 1-1 draw in the north London derby and deny Arsenal leadership of the Premier League on Sunday. Kane equalised from the penalty spot shortly after halftime after defender Kevin Wimmer's own goal had given Arsenal the lead shortly before the interval. Tottenham remain unbeaten in the Premier League, although winless is seven games, while Arsenal are unbeaten in all competitions since the opening day of the season. Both sides struck the woodwork, Theo Walcott for Arsenal before halftime and Christian Eriksen late on for Spurs. Arsenal remain third with 24 points, one behind leaders Chelsea. Tottenham are fifth on 21. (Reuters)

Kane penalty helps Tottenham draw at Arsenal

Manchester&nbsp;United&#39;s woes deepened as stunning goals by Moussa Sow and Jeremain Lens gave&nbsp;Fenerbahce&nbsp;a 2-1 Europa League win on Thursday that left Jose Mourinho&#39;s side facing a battle to reach the knockout stages.

Without a victory in four Premier League games,&nbsp;United&nbsp;desperately needed a morale-lifting result in Turkey but were undone by a brilliant second-minute overhead kick from Sow and a superb curling set piece by Lens before Wayne Rooney smashed home a consolation.

While Mourinho&#39;s men are third in Group A, Zenit St Petersburg have made it look easy in Group D and reached the knockout stages with two games to spare after a 2-1 win over Irish side Dundalk maintained their perfect record.

Athletic Bilbao&#39;s Aritz Aduriz became the first player to score five times in a Europa League match, his haul comprising three penalties in a 5-3 triumph over Racing Genk in Group F.

Anderlecht were also on the goal trail in Group C as Nicolae Stanciu and Lukasz Teodorczyk netted twice for the Belgians who brushed aside Mainz 05 6-1.

AS Roma&#39;s Edin Dzeko bagged a double as they moved top of Group E after a 4-2 win at Austria Vienna.

A gloomy pall has descended over Mourinho&#39;s reign at Old Trafford with the manager under scrutiny for his team&#39;s poor start and the disciplinary problems that have earned him a domestic one-match touch line ban.

After victories in their last two group games, Europe&#39;s second-tier competition had supplied United&nbsp;with some relief from their league struggles but they were sliced apart by&nbsp;Fenerbahce who exposed some glaring defensive weaknesses.

The two spectacular goals they conceded, however, were almost unstoppable.

The match had barely begun when Sow flung himself on the edge of the box into an overhead volley from a floated cross, smashing the ball past&nbsp;United&nbsp;keeper David De Gea and into the top corner.

Fenerbahce&nbsp;then took a stranglehold on the tie when Lens stepped up to nonchalantly curl a free kick around the wall and into the corner 14 minutes after the restart, leaving De Gea rooted to the spot as the ball bulged the net.

It should have got a lot worse for&nbsp;United&nbsp;when second-half substitute Emmanuel Emenike threatened three times to extend the lead before Rooney drove the ball home from 25 metres to set up a nervy finish.

United, who suffered an injury blow when the world&#39;s most expensive player Paul Pogba was forced off in the first half, are now a point behind group leaders Feyenoord and&nbsp;Fenerbahce&nbsp;with two games remaining.

(AFP)

United manager Jose Mourinho accused his side of playing with the intensity of a 'summer friendly'

Manchester United's woes deepened as stunning goals by Moussa Sow and Jeremain Lens gave Fenerbahce a 2-1 Europa League win on Thursday that left Jose Mourinho's side facing a battle to reach the knockout stages. Without a victory in four Premier League games, United desperately needed a morale-lifting result in Turkey but were undone by a brilliant second-minute overhead kick from Sow and a superb curling set piece by Lens before Wayne Rooney smashed home a consolation. While Mourinho's men are third in Group A, Zenit St Petersburg have made it look easy in Group D and reached the knockout stages with two games to spare after a 2-1 win over Irish side Dundalk maintained their perfect record. Athletic Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz became the first player to score five times in a Europa League match, his haul comprising three penalties in a 5-3 triumph over Racing Genk in Group F. Anderlecht were also on the goal trail in Group C as Nicolae Stanciu and Lukasz Teodorczyk netted twice for the Belgians who brushed aside Mainz 05 6-1. AS Roma's Edin Dzeko bagged a double as they moved top of Group E after a 4-2 win at Austria Vienna. A gloomy pall has descended over Mourinho's reign at Old Trafford with the manager under scrutiny for his team's poor start and the disciplinary problems that have earned him a domestic one-match touch line ban. After victories in their last two group games, Europe's second-tier competition had supplied United with some relief from their league struggles but they were sliced apart by Fenerbahce who exposed some glaring defensive weaknesses. The two spectacular goals they conceded, however, were almost unstoppable. The match had barely begun when Sow flung himself on the edge of the box into an overhead volley from a floated cross, smashing the ball past United keeper David De Gea and into the top corner. Fenerbahce then took a stranglehold on the tie when Lens stepped up to nonchalantly curl a free kick around the wall and into the corner 14 minutes after the restart, leaving De Gea rooted to the spot as the ball bulged the net. It should have got a lot worse for United when second-half substitute Emmanuel Emenike threatened three times to extend the lead before Rooney drove the ball home from 25 metres to set up a nervy finish. United, who suffered an injury blow when the world's most expensive player Paul Pogba was forced off in the first half, are now a point behind group leaders Feyenoord and Fenerbahce with two games remaining. (AFP)

Europa League: Fenerbahce beat Manchester United to heap misery on Mourinho

Leicester City missed the chance to book an early spot in the Champions League&#39;s knockout stages as they survived some nervy moments to secure a goalless draw with FC Copenhagen in Group G on Wednesday.

&nbsp;

Having won their previous three group games, the Premier League champions stood on the brink of reaching the last 16, but Copenhagen denied them the victory they needed, while improving their own qualification hopes.

&nbsp;

The Danish side&#39;s only previous loss in 27 competitive games was a 1-0 reverse to Leicester in their Champions League clash two weeks ago, and on several occasions they threatened to take all three points on home turf.

&nbsp;

Their best chance came in the 70th minute when Leicester defender Christian Fuchs cleared Benjamin Verbic&#39;s effort off the line as the home side pressed forward while the visitors&#39; keeper Kasper Schmeichel made a smart save from Andreas Cornelius in the dying minutes.

&nbsp;

Riyad Mahrez was once again the most influential creative presence in Claudio Ranieri&#39;s side, but the Foxes had to settle for a draw on a chilly night in Copenhagen.

&nbsp;

With the top two qualifying for the knockouts and two rounds of group matches remaining, Leicester top the standings with 10 points from four games, while Copenhagen are third on five, two behind Porto, who beat Club Bruges 1-0.

&nbsp;

&quot;If you win you are more satisfied, but you have to respect the opponent,&quot; said Ranieri, before adding that his side were still in a very good position at the top of the group.

&nbsp;

Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken rued several missed chances that left his team with just one point from two tight games against Leicester.

&nbsp;

&quot;After 180 minutes the only thing I am left with is that we didn&#39;t put it in the net. Leicester created two or three chances over 180 minutes,&quot; Solbakken told reporters.

&nbsp;

The Danes started well, playing at a high tempo and forcing a succession of free kicks and corners in the first half to keep Leicester on the back foot, but the final delivery into the box was often poor.

&nbsp;

Leicester were not much better in attack and as both defences flung themselves into the path of the ball to block shots, neither goalkeeper had much to deal with.

&nbsp;

Mahrez and Danny Drinkwater combined to create an excellent chance for Leicester in the 58th minute but there was nobody on hand to steer the ball home as the latter rifled it across the face of goal.

&nbsp;

The Danish champions almost stole the win late on as striker Cornelius rose highest to send a downward header into the bottom left corner.

&nbsp;

Yet Schmeichel, playing his first competitive club game in the city of his birth, reacted quickly, pushing the ball away smartly to maintain Leicester&#39;s unbeaten record and secure a fourth straight clean sheet in the competition.

&nbsp;

(Reuters)&nbsp;

The Premier League champions stood on the brink of reaching the last 16 but Copenhagen denied them the victory

Leicester City missed the chance to book an early spot in the Champions League's knockout stages as they survived some nervy moments to secure a goalless draw with FC Copenhagen in Group G on Wednesday. Having won their previous three group games, the Premier League champions stood on the brink of reaching the last 16, but Copenhagen denied them the victory they needed, while improving their own qualification hopes. The Danish side's only previous loss in 27 competitive games was a 1-0 reverse to Leicester in their Champions League clash two weeks ago, and on several occasions they threatened to take all three points on home turf. Their best chance came in the 70th minute when Leicester defender Christian Fuchs cleared Benjamin Verbic's effort off the line as the home side pressed forward while the visitors' keeper Kasper Schmeichel made a smart save from Andreas Cornelius in the dying minutes. Riyad Mahrez was once again the most influential creative presence in Claudio Ranieri's side, but the Foxes had to settle for a draw on a chilly night in Copenhagen. With the top two qualifying for the knockouts and two rounds of group matches remaining, Leicester top the standings with 10 points from four games, while Copenhagen are third on five, two behind Porto, who beat Club Bruges 1-0. "If you win you are more satisfied, but you have to respect the opponent," said Ranieri, before adding that his side were still in a very good position at the top of the group. Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken rued several missed chances that left his team with just one point from two tight games against Leicester. "After 180 minutes the only thing I am left with is that we didn't put it in the net. Leicester created two or three chances over 180 minutes," Solbakken told reporters. The Danes started well, playing at a high tempo and forcing a succession of free kicks and corners in the first half to keep Leicester on the back foot, but the final delivery into the box was often poor. Leicester were not much better in attack and as both defences flung themselves into the path of the ball to block shots, neither goalkeeper had much to deal with. Mahrez and Danny Drinkwater combined to create an excellent chance for Leicester in the 58th minute but there was nobody on hand to steer the ball home as the latter rifled it across the face of goal. The Danish champions almost stole the win late on as striker Cornelius rose highest to send a downward header into the bottom left corner. Yet Schmeichel, playing his first competitive club game in the city of his birth, reacted quickly, pushing the ball away smartly to maintain Leicester's unbeaten record and secure a fourth straight clean sheet in the competition. (Reuters)

Champions League: FC Copenhagen 0-0 Leicester City

Mateo Kovacic&#39;s late strike avoided embarrassment for Real Madrid as the European champions surrendered a two-goal lead before drawing 3-3 with Legia Warsaw in an enthralling Champions League game played amid an empty stadium on Wednesday.

&nbsp;

Croatia midfielder Kovacic capped a fine individual display by rifling in the equaliser in the 85th minute after Legia had come from behind in the Group F encounter to take the lead in the 83rd through Thibault Moulin&#39;s powerful finish.

&nbsp;

UEFA had ordered the game to be played behind closed doors after crowd trouble overshadowed Legia&#39;s opener against Dortmund, meaning only several hundred visiting Real supporters witnessed the thriller that featured a historic start.

&nbsp;

Gareth Bale gave Real the lead in the Polish Army Stadium in just 57 seconds with a thunderous strike from outside the area to record the fastest ever goal scored by Real in a Champions League match.

&nbsp;

Karim Benzema doubled their advantage in the 35th, taking advantage of a Bale cutback to sidefoot home.

&nbsp;

Yet Legia hit back with a brilliant piece of skill and finish from Vadis Odjidja five minutes before halftime, while Miroslav Radovic completed a shock comeback by the hosts with an arrowed toe poke into the bottom corner in the 58th.

&nbsp;

Real are second in Group F on eight points, two behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, who qualified by beating Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on Wednesday.

&nbsp;

Real travel to Sporting on Nov. 22, where a point will also see them through. Legia are out but can still challenge Sporting for third place to reach the Europa League last 32 after taking their first point in the competition for 21 years.

&nbsp;

Bale, who signed a new five-year contract with the European champions in midweek, got the game off to a flying start by swiveling to hook the ball into the top corner.

&nbsp;

The Wales international teed up Benzema later in the half with the help of Kovacic and Real looked set to cruise towards a victory that would have qualified them for the last 16, but Legia hit back before the break with Odjidja&#39;s wonderful goal.

&nbsp;

Radovic then took advantage of slack Real defending to drive at the defence and let fly from the edge of the box, sending the ball under Keylor Navas.

&nbsp;

Aleksandar Prijovic hit straight at Navas but barely a minute later made amends by laying the ball off to Moulin to crash the ball in off the post.

&nbsp;

Real&#39;s blushes were saved barely two minutes later though by Kovacic, who has taken on new importance in the absence of compatriot Luka Modric.

&nbsp;

(Reuters)&nbsp;

Mateo Kovacic's late strike avoided embarrassment for Real Madrid as the European champions surrendered a two-goal lead before the draw

Mateo Kovacic's late strike avoided embarrassment for Real Madrid as the European champions surrendered a two-goal lead before drawing 3-3 with Legia Warsaw in an enthralling Champions League game played amid an empty stadium on Wednesday. Croatia midfielder Kovacic capped a fine individual display by rifling in the equaliser in the 85th minute after Legia had come from behind in the Group F encounter to take the lead in the 83rd through Thibault Moulin's powerful finish. UEFA had ordered the game to be played behind closed doors after crowd trouble overshadowed Legia's opener against Dortmund, meaning only several hundred visiting Real supporters witnessed the thriller that featured a historic start. Gareth Bale gave Real the lead in the Polish Army Stadium in just 57 seconds with a thunderous strike from outside the area to record the fastest ever goal scored by Real in a Champions League match. Karim Benzema doubled their advantage in the 35th, taking advantage of a Bale cutback to sidefoot home. Yet Legia hit back with a brilliant piece of skill and finish from Vadis Odjidja five minutes before halftime, while Miroslav Radovic completed a shock comeback by the hosts with an arrowed toe poke into the bottom corner in the 58th. Real are second in Group F on eight points, two behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, who qualified by beating Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on Wednesday. Real travel to Sporting on Nov. 22, where a point will also see them through. Legia are out but can still challenge Sporting for third place to reach the Europa League last 32 after taking their first point in the competition for 21 years. Bale, who signed a new five-year contract with the European champions in midweek, got the game off to a flying start by swiveling to hook the ball into the top corner. The Wales international teed up Benzema later in the half with the help of Kovacic and Real looked set to cruise towards a victory that would have qualified them for the last 16, but Legia hit back before the break with Odjidja's wonderful goal. Radovic then took advantage of slack Real defending to drive at the defence and let fly from the edge of the box, sending the ball under Keylor Navas. Aleksandar Prijovic hit straight at Navas but barely a minute later made amends by laying the ball off to Moulin to crash the ball in off the post. Real's blushes were saved barely two minutes later though by Kovacic, who has taken on new importance in the absence of compatriot Luka Modric. (Reuters)

Champions League: Real Madrid held to 3-3 draw against Legia Warsaw

Gonzalo Higuain converted an early penalty for Juventus and then missed a sitter before Olympique Lyonnais hit back late in the game to grab a 1-1 draw in their Champions League match on Wednesday.

Corentin Tolisso&#39;s 85th-minute header, the first goal that the Italian champions have conceded in four games in Group H, kept alive the French side&#39;s slim hopes of reaching the last 16 and kept Juve waiting for at least one more game to book their spot.

Juventus are second with eight points, two behind leaders Sevilla, and should still progress, while Lyon have four.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was angry with his team for trying to grab a late winner instead of settling for the draw.

&quot;We ran too many risks towards the end and we could have undermined our whole campaign in the Champions League,&quot; he said. &quot;You go to war when there&#39;s a chance of winning; you don&#39;t go to war when there&#39;s a chance of losing.&quot;

Juve were gifted an early lead when Higuain burst down the left and found Stefano Sturaro who was clumsily pushed over by Mouctar Diakhaby.

The Argentine stepped up and sent Anthony Lopes the wrong way from the spot.

However, Higuain turned villain shortly before halftime when he scooped the ball over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy after Mario Mandzukic had won possession off a defender and set him up with a glorious opportunity.

In between, Claudio Marchisio sent a low drive agonisingly wide from just outside the penalty area.

Juventus, who won 1-0 in Lyon two weeks ago, appeared to sit back after halftime and the visitors enjoyed plenty of possession although they struggled to turn it into genuine chances.

Already missing Giorgio Chiellini from their so-called &#39;BBC&#39; defence, Juventus also saw Leonardo Bonucci limp off in the 67th minute when he had to be replaced by Mehdi Benatia.

The revamped defence were caught out with five minutes left when Rachid Ghezzal delivered a superb free kick into the Juve area which was attacked by three players, with Tolisso getting there first to head past Gianluigi Buffon.

Juventus threw themselves forward in search of a late winner and Lyon threatened to snatch the points when Alexandre Lacazette ran on to a through ball but Buffon did well to narrow the angle.

&nbsp;

(Reuters)

Higuain converted an early penalty but?missed a sitter before the match with Olympique Lyonnais game ended in a 1-1 draw

Gonzalo Higuain converted an early penalty for Juventus and then missed a sitter before Olympique Lyonnais hit back late in the game to grab a 1-1 draw in their Champions League match on Wednesday. Corentin Tolisso's 85th-minute header, the first goal that the Italian champions have conceded in four games in Group H, kept alive the French side's slim hopes of reaching the last 16 and kept Juve waiting for at least one more game to book their spot. Juventus are second with eight points, two behind leaders Sevilla, and should still progress, while Lyon have four. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was angry with his team for trying to grab a late winner instead of settling for the draw. "We ran too many risks towards the end and we could have undermined our whole campaign in the Champions League," he said. "You go to war when there's a chance of winning; you don't go to war when there's a chance of losing." Juve were gifted an early lead when Higuain burst down the left and found Stefano Sturaro who was clumsily pushed over by Mouctar Diakhaby. The Argentine stepped up and sent Anthony Lopes the wrong way from the spot. However, Higuain turned villain shortly before halftime when he scooped the ball over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy after Mario Mandzukic had won possession off a defender and set him up with a glorious opportunity. In between, Claudio Marchisio sent a low drive agonisingly wide from just outside the penalty area. Juventus, who won 1-0 in Lyon two weeks ago, appeared to sit back after halftime and the visitors enjoyed plenty of possession although they struggled to turn it into genuine chances. Already missing Giorgio Chiellini from their so-called 'BBC' defence, Juventus also saw Leonardo Bonucci limp off in the 67th minute when he had to be replaced by Mehdi Benatia. The revamped defence were caught out with five minutes left when Rachid Ghezzal delivered a superb free kick into the Juve area which was attacked by three players, with Tolisso getting there first to head past Gianluigi Buffon. Juventus threw themselves forward in search of a late winner and Lyon threatened to snatch the points when Alexandre Lacazette ran on to a through ball but Buffon did well to narrow the angle. (Reuters)

Champions League: Higuain hero and villain as Juve blow early lead

Tottenham Hotspur stumbled at their adopted Wembley home again as Kevin&nbsp;Kampl&#39;s second-half goal gave Bayer Leverkusen a 1-0 victory that put the Bundesliga side on course for the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.

&nbsp;

Slovenian international&nbsp;Kampl&#39;s close-range effort after 65 minutes gave Leverkusen a deserved victory &mdash;&nbsp;their first on English soil in 10 attempts &mdash;&nbsp;to move them above Tottenham into second place in Group E.

&nbsp;

Tottenham, now without a win in six matches in all competitions, never settled and there was precious little for the majority of the record 85,512 crowd to get excited about.

&nbsp;

Eric Dier came close to an equaliser when his free kick thumped against the crossbar with eight minutes left but Tottenham left the field to boos after a repeat of their opening 2-1 defeat by Monaco.

&nbsp;

With two matches left, Monaco lead the group on eight points after beating CSKA Moscow 3-0. Leverkusen have six and Tottenham have it all to do with four.

&nbsp;

&quot;If we don&#39;t win in Monaco and then against CSKA it&#39;s goodbye to the Champions League,&quot; Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose side face north London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, told reporters.

&nbsp;

&quot;Two games at Wembley we have been very poor.&quot;

&nbsp;

Tottenham&#39;s season has hit a wall since an impressive win over Manchester City last month and they began in edgy fashion against a Leverkusen side who sensed their hosts&#39; unease.

&nbsp;

With their White Hart Lane ground affected by building work on a new stadium, Tottenham opted to play their home Champions League games at Wembley. But the grandeur of the venue has not had the desired effect on their form.

&nbsp;

Pochettino looked far from happy as his side continually gave the ball away in dangerous areas in the first half.

&nbsp;

Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez buzzed around dangerously and should have punished a Kyle Walker error shortly before halftime but his shot was deflected wide.

&nbsp;

Tottenham took half an hour to register a worthwhile effort on goal, Christian Eriksen&#39;s powerful shot beaten away by Bernd Leno.

&nbsp;

Dele Alli did have the ball in the net on the stroke of halftime after substitute Vincent Jansen&#39;s shot was saved by Leno, but Jansen had been penalised for pulling.

&nbsp;

Alli had a strong penalty appeal turned down when tumbling over Leverkusen skipper Omer Toprak&#39;s dangled foot early in the second half and Walker sliced through the Leverkusen defence and fired a shot agonisingly wide.

&nbsp;

Moments later, more shoddy Tottenham defending let in Hernandez whose first shot was blocked and as the ball came back to him he forced Hugo Lloris into a smart save.

&nbsp;

Tottenham failed to heed the warnings, however, and fell behind in the 65th minute. Charles Aranguiz&#39;s shot deflected into the path of&nbsp;Kampl&nbsp;who slotted past Lloris from six yards out.

&nbsp;

Leverkusen cleverly kept Tottenham at arm&#39;s length thereafter although they did enjoy a let off when Dier&#39;s free kick rocked the crossbar and the ball was scrambled clear.

&nbsp;

&quot;We were courageous and bold,&quot; Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt, whose side had drawn their previous three matches in the group, said.

&nbsp;

&quot;Tottenham are unbeaten in the Premier League so that makes it more special.&quot;

&nbsp;

(Reuters)&nbsp;

Tottenham Hotspur stumbled at their adopted Wembley home as Leverkusen claimed their first victory on English soil in 10 attempts

Tottenham Hotspur stumbled at their adopted Wembley home again as Kevin Kampl's second-half goal gave Bayer Leverkusen a 1-0 victory that put the Bundesliga side on course for the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday. Slovenian international Kampl's close-range effort after 65 minutes gave Leverkusen a deserved victory — their first on English soil in 10 attempts — to move them above Tottenham into second place in Group E. Tottenham, now without a win in six matches in all competitions, never settled and there was precious little for the majority of the record 85,512 crowd to get excited about. Eric Dier came close to an equaliser when his free kick thumped against the crossbar with eight minutes left but Tottenham left the field to boos after a repeat of their opening 2-1 defeat by Monaco. With two matches left, Monaco lead the group on eight points after beating CSKA Moscow 3-0. Leverkusen have six and Tottenham have it all to do with four. "If we don't win in Monaco and then against CSKA it's goodbye to the Champions League," Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose side face north London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, told reporters. "Two games at Wembley we have been very poor." Tottenham's season has hit a wall since an impressive win over Manchester City last month and they began in edgy fashion against a Leverkusen side who sensed their hosts' unease. With their White Hart Lane ground affected by building work on a new stadium, Tottenham opted to play their home Champions League games at Wembley. But the grandeur of the venue has not had the desired effect on their form. Pochettino looked far from happy as his side continually gave the ball away in dangerous areas in the first half. Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez buzzed around dangerously and should have punished a Kyle Walker error shortly before halftime but his shot was deflected wide. Tottenham took half an hour to register a worthwhile effort on goal, Christian Eriksen's powerful shot beaten away by Bernd Leno. Dele Alli did have the ball in the net on the stroke of halftime after substitute Vincent Jansen's shot was saved by Leno, but Jansen had been penalised for pulling. Alli had a strong penalty appeal turned down when tumbling over Leverkusen skipper Omer Toprak's dangled foot early in the second half and Walker sliced through the Leverkusen defence and fired a shot agonisingly wide. Moments later, more shoddy Tottenham defending let in Hernandez whose first shot was blocked and as the ball came back to him he forced Hugo Lloris into a smart save. Tottenham failed to heed the warnings, however, and fell behind in the 65th minute. Charles Aranguiz's shot deflected into the path of Kampl who slotted past Lloris from six yards out. Leverkusen cleverly kept Tottenham at arm's length thereafter although they did enjoy a let off when Dier's free kick rocked the crossbar and the ball was scrambled clear. "We were courageous and bold," Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt, whose side had drawn their previous three matches in the group, said. "Tottenham are unbeaten in the Premier League so that makes it more special." (Reuters)

Champions League: Kampl's second-half goal gives Leverkusen 1-0 victory at Tottenham

Despite a sanction threat from the world governing body FIFA, England and Scotland&#39;s players will wear black armbands with a&nbsp;red poppy in a World Cup qualifier on Armistice Day.

FIFA bans political, religious and commercial symbols on team uniforms while playing a match. The English and Scottish football associations have been arguing with the governing body to let players wear the bands.

The wearing of a poppy represents an &quot;appropriate tribute&quot; to Britain&#39;s war dead, the FA insisted.

&quot;The poppy is an important symbol of remembrance and we do not believe it represents a political, religious or commercial message, nor does it relate to any one historical event,&quot; said an FA statement, reported news agency AFP. &quot;The FA intend to pay appropriate tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by having the England team wear black armbands bearing poppies in our fixture on Armistice Day.&quot;

Britain remembers its war dead on November 11, which happens to be the day England play Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

The Scottish FA issued a statement saying the wearing of a poppy was &quot;an appropriate tribute&quot;.

&quot;The Scotland national team (will) wear black armbands bearing poppies in our fixture against England on Armistice Day,&quot; said the Scottish body, reported AFP

British Prime Minister Theresa May expressed outrage at FIFA&#39;s opposition to the tribute.

&quot;It is utterly outrageous,&quot; May said.&nbsp;

Earlier Wednesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May branded as &quot;outrageous&quot; FIFA&#39;s opposition to the gesture. &quot;Our football players want to recognise those who gave their lives for our security.

&quot;It is absolutely right that they should be able to do so. A clear message is going from this house before they (FIFA) start telling us what to do they jolly well ought to sort their own house out.&quot;

The governing body restated its stance in a statement on Wednesday. It said the body &quot;respected the significance&quot; of Remembrance Day on November 11.

&quot;The laws of the game are overseen by the International Football Association Board (composed of the four British FAs and FIFA) and applicable to all 211 member associations.

&quot;The relevant Law 4, para. 4, clearly states that the players equipment should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages. The laws are applied uniformly in the event of similar requests by any member association to commemorate similar historical events.&quot;

However, FA chairman Greg Clarke told ITV that &quot;we should wear poppies&quot;. &quot;We are commemorating millions of people who gave their lives in wars over the last hundred years and they deserve that. The people who lost relatives deserve that. That&rsquo;s our plan. We&#39;ll be wearing poppies at Wembley,&quot; Clarke said.

In 2011, FIFA agreed to let England wear a poppy symbol on black armbands when they played Spain in a friendly on November 11.

(With inputs from AFP)

The Football Association insisted that the wearing of a poppy represents an 'appropriate tribute' to Britain's war dead

Despite a sanction threat from the world governing body FIFA, England and Scotland's players will wear black armbands with a red poppy in a World Cup qualifier on Armistice Day. FIFA bans political, religious and commercial symbols on team uniforms while playing a match. The English and Scottish football associations have been arguing with the governing body to let players wear the bands. The wearing of a poppy represents an "appropriate tribute" to Britain's war dead, the FA insisted. "The poppy is an important symbol of remembrance and we do not believe it represents a political, religious or commercial message, nor does it relate to any one historical event," said an FA statement, reported news agency AFP. "The FA intend to pay appropriate tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by having the England team wear black armbands bearing poppies in our fixture on Armistice Day." Britain remembers its war dead on November 11, which happens to be the day England play Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley. The Scottish FA issued a statement saying the wearing of a poppy was "an appropriate tribute". "The Scotland national team (will) wear black armbands bearing poppies in our fixture against England on Armistice Day," said the Scottish body, reported AFP British Prime Minister Theresa May expressed outrage at FIFA's opposition to the tribute. "It is utterly outrageous," May said. Earlier Wednesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May branded as "outrageous" FIFA's opposition to the gesture. "Our football players want to recognise those who gave their lives for our security. "It is absolutely right that they should be able to do so. A clear message is going from this house before they (FIFA) start telling us what to do they jolly well ought to sort their own house out." The governing body restated its stance in a statement on Wednesday. It said the body "respected the significance" of Remembrance Day on November 11. "The laws of the game are overseen by the International Football Association Board (composed of the four British FAs and FIFA) and applicable to all 211 member associations. "The relevant Law 4, para. 4, clearly states that the players equipment should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages. The laws are applied uniformly in the event of similar requests by any member association to commemorate similar historical events." However, FA chairman Greg Clarke told ITV that "we should wear poppies". "We are commemorating millions of people who gave their lives in wars over the last hundred years and they deserve that. The people who lost relatives deserve that. That’s our plan. We'll be wearing poppies at Wembley," Clarke said. In 2011, FIFA agreed to let England wear a poppy symbol on black armbands when they played Spain in a friendly on November 11. (With inputs from AFP)

Football: England, Scotland to defy FIFA ban by wearing poppies

Borussia Moenchengladbach have accused Bundesliga bosses of favouritism towards Bayern Munich as they face a successive Friday night match, three days after a mid-week game in Europe.

Gladbach were held to a 1-1 draw home to Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday and play Hertha Berlin away in a key Bundesliga match on Friday.

It is the second time in quick succession Gladbach have been given a short turn-around by the German Football League (DFL) after they drew 0-0 with Frankfurt last Friday, three days after a German Cup win home to Stuttgart.

Borussia, 11th in Germany&#39;s top flight, are struggling for form and are winless in their last four German league games.

&quot;I have to say, what were the league thinking giving a Champions League side a game directly on a Friday?&quot; Max Eberl, Gladbach&#39;s director of sport, asked magazine Kicker.

&quot;That would never happen to Bayern Munich. I have never heard of Bayern playing on a Friday after a Champions League game.

&quot;They always play on Saturdays and Sundays. Borussia Moenchengladbach must now run out at Hertha Berlin. I find that extremely unfortunate.&quot;

Following their Champions League draw Gladbach remain third in Group C, three points behind Manchester City, who they host in three weeks&#39; time in a must-win clash.

Eberl is realistic about his side&#39;s chances of progressing to the knock-out stages with Pep Guardiola&#39;s City and Barcelona in pole position to reach the last 16.

But the Germans are still mathematically in contention and third at least carries automatic qualification for the Europa League, if it comes to that.

&quot;We still have matters in our own hands and can go into the winter break (in January) in the Europa League,&quot; said Eberl.

&quot;Bold fans have dreamt of &#39;a final&#39; against Manchester City, but that was not in our heads against Celtic.&quot;

(AFP)

Gladbach were held to a 1-1 draw home to Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday and play Hertha Berlin on Friday

Borussia Moenchengladbach have accused Bundesliga bosses of favouritism towards Bayern Munich as they face a successive Friday night match, three days after a mid-week game in Europe. Gladbach were held to a 1-1 draw home to Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday and play Hertha Berlin away in a key Bundesliga match on Friday. It is the second time in quick succession Gladbach have been given a short turn-around by the German Football League (DFL) after they drew 0-0 with Frankfurt last Friday, three days after a German Cup win home to Stuttgart. Borussia, 11th in Germany's top flight, are struggling for form and are winless in their last four German league games. "I have to say, what were the league thinking giving a Champions League side a game directly on a Friday?" Max Eberl, Gladbach's director of sport, asked magazine Kicker. "That would never happen to Bayern Munich. I have never heard of Bayern playing on a Friday after a Champions League game. "They always play on Saturdays and Sundays. Borussia Moenchengladbach must now run out at Hertha Berlin. I find that extremely unfortunate." Following their Champions League draw Gladbach remain third in Group C, three points behind Manchester City, who they host in three weeks' time in a must-win clash. Eberl is realistic about his side's chances of progressing to the knock-out stages with Pep Guardiola's City and Barcelona in pole position to reach the last 16. But the Germans are still mathematically in contention and third at least carries automatic qualification for the Europa League, if it comes to that. "We still have matters in our own hands and can go into the winter break (in January) in the Europa League," said Eberl. "Bold fans have dreamt of 'a final' against Manchester City, but that was not in our heads against Celtic." (AFP)

'Wouldn't happen to Bayern', fumes Gladbach boss

Mateo Kovacic&#39;s late strike avoided embarrassment for Real Madrid as the European champions surrendered a two-goal lead before drawing 3-3 with Legia Warsaw in an enthralling Champions League game played amid an empty stadium on Wednesday.

Croatia midfielder Kovacic capped a fine individual display by rifling in the equaliser in the 85th minute after Legia had come from behind in the Group F encounter to take the lead in the 83rd through Thibault Moulin&#39;s powerful finish.

UEFA had ordered the game to be played behind closed doors after crowd trouble overshadowed Legia&#39;s opener against Dortmund, meaning only several hundred visiting Real supporters witnessed the thriller that featured a&nbsp;historic start.

Gareth Bale gave Real the lead in the Polish Army Stadium in just 57 seconds with a thunderous strike from outside the area to record the fastest-ever goal scored by Real in a Champions League match.

Karim Benzema doubled their advantage in the 35th, taking advantage of a Bale cutback to sidefoot home.

Yet Legia hit back with a brilliant piece of skill and finish from Vadis Odjidja five minutes before halftime, while Miroslav Radovic completed a shock comeback by the hosts with an arrowed toe poke into the bottom corner in the 58th.

Real are second in Group F on eight points, two behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, who qualified by beating Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on Wednesday.

Real travel to Sporting on Nov. 22, where a point will also see them through. Legia are out but can still challenge Sporting for third place to reach the Europa League last 32 after taking their first point in the competition for 21 years.

Bale, who signed a new five-year contract with the European champions in midweek, got the game off to a flying start by swivelling to hook the ball into the top corner.

The Wales international teed up Benzema later in the half with the help of Kovacic and Real looked set to cruise towards a victory that would have qualified them for the last 16, but Legia hit back before the break with Odjidja&#39;s wonderful goal.

Radovic then took advantage of slack Real defending to drive at the defence and let fly from the edge of the box, sending the ball under Keylor Navas.

Aleksandar Prijovic hit straight at Navas but barely a minute later made amends by laying the ball off to Moulin to crash the ball in off the post.

Real&#39;s blushes were saved barely two minutes later though by Kovacic, who has taken on new importance in the absence of compatriot Luka Modric.

(Reuters)

Mateo Kovacic's late strike avoided embarrassment for Real Madrid as the European champions surrendered a two-goal lead before drawing 3-3

Mateo Kovacic's late strike avoided embarrassment for Real Madrid as the European champions surrendered a two-goal lead before drawing 3-3 with Legia Warsaw in an enthralling Champions League game played amid an empty stadium on Wednesday. Croatia midfielder Kovacic capped a fine individual display by rifling in the equaliser in the 85th minute after Legia had come from behind in the Group F encounter to take the lead in the 83rd through Thibault Moulin's powerful finish. UEFA had ordered the game to be played behind closed doors after crowd trouble overshadowed Legia's opener against Dortmund, meaning only several hundred visiting Real supporters witnessed the thriller that featured a historic start. Gareth Bale gave Real the lead in the Polish Army Stadium in just 57 seconds with a thunderous strike from outside the area to record the fastest-ever goal scored by Real in a Champions League match. Karim Benzema doubled their advantage in the 35th, taking advantage of a Bale cutback to sidefoot home. Yet Legia hit back with a brilliant piece of skill and finish from Vadis Odjidja five minutes before halftime, while Miroslav Radovic completed a shock comeback by the hosts with an arrowed toe poke into the bottom corner in the 58th. Real are second in Group F on eight points, two behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, who qualified by beating Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on Wednesday. Real travel to Sporting on Nov. 22, where a point will also see them through. Legia are out but can still challenge Sporting for third place to reach the Europa League last 32 after taking their first point in the competition for 21 years. Bale, who signed a new five-year contract with the European champions in midweek, got the game off to a flying start by swivelling to hook the ball into the top corner. The Wales international teed up Benzema later in the half with the help of Kovacic and Real looked set to cruise towards a victory that would have qualified them for the last 16, but Legia hit back before the break with Odjidja's wonderful goal. Radovic then took advantage of slack Real defending to drive at the defence and let fly from the edge of the box, sending the ball under Keylor Navas. Aleksandar Prijovic hit straight at Navas but barely a minute later made amends by laying the ball off to Moulin to crash the ball in off the post. Real's blushes were saved barely two minutes later though by Kovacic, who has taken on new importance in the absence of compatriot Luka Modric. (Reuters)

Champions League: Real Madrid 3-3 Legia Warsaw

Coach Pep Guardiola was left thrilled after Manchester City revived their Champions League bid by beating his old club Barcelona 3-1 in a gloriously open Group C encounter at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Ilkay Guendogan scored twice and Kevin De Bruyne netted a superb free kick in a magnificent display from the home side that ended Barcelona&#39;s 100 per cent record and made handsome amends for City&#39;s 4-0 drubbing at the Nou Camp two weeks ago.

Guardiola&#39;s men now have seven points from four matches, two behind leaders Barca. Borussia Moenchengladbach are on four points after drawing 1-1 with bottom club Celtic.

City&#39;s victory looked unlikely when Lionel Messi followed up his hat-trick in the game at the Nou Camp with a dazzling opener on the counter-attack in the 21st minute and Barca were in control before Guendogan cashed in on a Sergi Roberto mistake.

In a game peppered with fine attacking and dubious defending, City then ran Barca ragged as the exceptional De Bruyne netted in the 51st minute before helping set up Guendogan&#39;s second after 74.

City&#39;s best Champions League night left Barca frustrated as they failed to gain the win that would have sealed their place in the knockout stages for a 13th successive season.

The home side&#39;s big night started brightly as Raheem Sterling appeared to be brought down in the box by Samuel Umtiti only to be booked, harshly perhaps, for diving.

Then, in a devastating counter-attack initiated by Javier Mascherano when he broke up a City thrust in his own box, Messi found Neymar on the left before marauding down the field to latch on to the Brazilian&#39;s pass and claim his 90th Champions League goal.

Barca looked poised to take over, threatening a second goal until Sergi Roberto stroked a pass carelessly across his own defensive line, allowing Sergio Aguero to intercept and feed Sterling who crossed for Guendogan to tap the ball in.

A poor touch from Sterling stopped him putting City ahead at the start of the second half but they did not have to wait long to go ahead as De Bruyne&#39;s free-kick dipped over the wall and beat the despairing dive of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

De Bruyne came close to adding to the lead as the hosts flooded forward.

Barca should have equalised when a stray back pass from John Stones led to Andre Gomes hitting the bar when it seemed easier to score.

City, though, earned reward for their domination and some wayward defending by the visitors when De Bruyne&#39;s pass cut them apart and set up Jesus Navas to whip in the cross that eventually fell to Germany midfielder Guendogan who hammered his fourth goal in two games.

(Reuters)

Coach Pep Guardiola's men now have seven points from four matches, two behind leaders Barca

Coach Pep Guardiola was left thrilled after Manchester City revived their Champions League bid by beating his old club Barcelona 3-1 in a gloriously open Group C encounter at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. Ilkay Guendogan scored twice and Kevin De Bruyne netted a superb free kick in a magnificent display from the home side that ended Barcelona's 100 per cent record and made handsome amends for City's 4-0 drubbing at the Nou Camp two weeks ago. Guardiola's men now have seven points from four matches, two behind leaders Barca. Borussia Moenchengladbach are on four points after drawing 1-1 with bottom club Celtic. City's victory looked unlikely when Lionel Messi followed up his hat-trick in the game at the Nou Camp with a dazzling opener on the counter-attack in the 21st minute and Barca were in control before Guendogan cashed in on a Sergi Roberto mistake. In a game peppered with fine attacking and dubious defending, City then ran Barca ragged as the exceptional De Bruyne netted in the 51st minute before helping set up Guendogan's second after 74. City's best Champions League night left Barca frustrated as they failed to gain the win that would have sealed their place in the knockout stages for a 13th successive season. The home side's big night started brightly as Raheem Sterling appeared to be brought down in the box by Samuel Umtiti only to be booked, harshly perhaps, for diving. Then, in a devastating counter-attack initiated by Javier Mascherano when he broke up a City thrust in his own box, Messi found Neymar on the left before marauding down the field to latch on to the Brazilian's pass and claim his 90th Champions League goal. Barca looked poised to take over, threatening a second goal until Sergi Roberto stroked a pass carelessly across his own defensive line, allowing Sergio Aguero to intercept and feed Sterling who crossed for Guendogan to tap the ball in. A poor touch from Sterling stopped him putting City ahead at the start of the second half but they did not have to wait long to go ahead as De Bruyne's free-kick dipped over the wall and beat the despairing dive of Marc-Andre ter Stegen. De Bruyne came close to adding to the lead as the hosts flooded forward. Barca should have equalised when a stray back pass from John Stones led to Andre Gomes hitting the bar when it seemed easier to score. City, though, earned reward for their domination and some wayward defending by the visitors when De Bruyne's pass cut them apart and set up Jesus Navas to whip in the cross that eventually fell to Germany midfielder Guendogan who hammered his fourth goal in two games. (Reuters)

Champions League: Manchester City beat Barcelona 3-1

Manchester City must play &quot;perfectly&quot; to beat Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, according to manager&nbsp;Pep&nbsp;Guardiola whose side suffered a 4-0 thrashing in the Nou Camp this month.

City won for the first time in seven games in all competitions on Saturday, crushing West Bromwich Albion 4-0 in the Premier League, but Guardiola knows his former club represent a far greater challenge.

&quot;I have never thought that we can&#39;t win a football match and I never will. Even when we lost 4-0,&quot; Guardiola told a news conference on Monday.

&quot;It&#39;s difficult and we know we need to play almost perfectly to win - and if not, we will congratulate them and move on.

&quot;Winning the last game helped a lot but the Champions League is much different. Tomorrow we have another chance against the best.&quot;

While Barcelona can secure progress to the knockout phase at the Etihad on Tuesday, City are in a battle with Borussia Moenchengladbach for second spot in Group C.

Another loss to the Catalans would leave their progress in real jeopardy.

&quot;For them it&#39;s not a final, for us it is like a final,&quot; said Guardiola, who is yet to taste defeat at home since taking over at Man City, said.

&quot;There is just three games left. We dropped points in Glasgow (Celtic) and we have to recover those points.&quot;

City&#39;s cause is not helped by injuries with the right back area particularly worrying.

Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta are both unavailable, meaning Guardiola has to choose between Fernando, who played there for the first time against West Brom, and 19-year-old Pablo Maffeo.

&quot;We have to think we&#39;ve not got right backs,&quot; Guardiola said. &quot;We have one who recently played there and one who is 19.&quot;

Striker Sergio Aguero will start, however, after being surprisingly left out of the away clash.

The Argentine scored twice against West Brom and looked close to being back to his best.

&quot;When he is happy of course all the team is happy,&quot; Guardiola said.

A loss to the blaugrana team tonight would jeopardise City's chances of progressing to the next round of the Champions League

Manchester City must play "perfectly" to beat Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, according to manager Pep Guardiola whose side suffered a 4-0 thrashing in the Nou Camp this month. City won for the first time in seven games in all competitions on Saturday, crushing West Bromwich Albion 4-0 in the Premier League, but Guardiola knows his former club represent a far greater challenge. "I have never thought that we can't win a football match and I never will. Even when we lost 4-0," Guardiola told a news conference on Monday. "It's difficult and we know we need to play almost perfectly to win - and if not, we will congratulate them and move on. "Winning the last game helped a lot but the Champions League is much different. Tomorrow we have another chance against the best." While Barcelona can secure progress to the knockout phase at the Etihad on Tuesday, City are in a battle with Borussia Moenchengladbach for second spot in Group C. Another loss to the Catalans would leave their progress in real jeopardy. "For them it's not a final, for us it is like a final," said Guardiola, who is yet to taste defeat at home since taking over at Man City, said. "There is just three games left. We dropped points in Glasgow (Celtic) and we have to recover those points." City's cause is not helped by injuries with the right back area particularly worrying. Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta are both unavailable, meaning Guardiola has to choose between Fernando, who played there for the first time against West Brom, and 19-year-old Pablo Maffeo. "We have to think we've not got right backs," Guardiola said. "We have one who recently played there and one who is 19." Striker Sergio Aguero will start, however, after being surprisingly left out of the away clash. The Argentine scored twice against West Brom and looked close to being back to his best. "When he is happy of course all the team is happy," Guardiola said.

Manchester City needs to play 'perfect' football to beat Barcelona: Guardiola

Inter Milan fired Dutchman Frank&nbsp;de&nbsp;Boer&nbsp;as coach on Tuesday after less than three months in charge during which the former European champions lost seven of their 14 competitive games.

Inter, who dropped to 12th in the Serie A table following Sunday&#39;s 1-0 loss to Sampdoria, said youth team coach Stefano Vecchi would be in charge of the team for Thursday&#39;s Europa League match at Southampton.

&quot;The club thanks Frank and his staff for the work they have undertaken at the and wish them the best for the future,&quot; Inter, who have lost four of their last five league games, said in a statement.

Inter, traditionally one of Italy&#39;s three biggest clubs alongside&nbsp;Juventus and city rivals AC Milan, appointed the 46-year-old&nbsp;De&nbsp;Boer&nbsp;on Aug. 9, two weeks before the start of the season, after Robert Mancini left by mutual consent.

The club said that an announcement on&nbsp;De&nbsp;Boer&#39;s replacement would be made&nbsp;later. Italian media reported that Stefano Pioli, the former Lazio coach, was the favourite.

De&nbsp;Boer&nbsp;was Inter&#39;s eighth coach since Jose Mourinho left in 2010 after winning the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia treble.

The others were Rafael Benitez, Leonardo, Gian Piero Gasperini, Claudio Ranieri, Andrea Stramaccioni, Walter Mazzarri and Mancini. Gasperini&#39;s reign was even shorter than&nbsp;De&nbsp;Boer&#39;s, lasting five matches.

Inter are enduring their fifth successive season without Champions League football and have won one trophy since Mourinho&#39;s&nbsp;departure, the Coppa Italia in 2011.

Former Netherlands&nbsp;defender&nbsp;De&nbsp;Boer&nbsp;had no previous experience of playing or coaching in Italy. He had previously been in charge of Dutch side&nbsp;Ajax Amsterdam for six years during which he won four league titles.

His overall record of five wins, two draws and seven&nbsp;defeats included shock losses to Hapoel Beer Sheva and Sparta Prague in the Europa League and at home to Cagliari in Serie A.

Inter were sold to a consortium led by Indonesian business tycoon Erick Thohir in October 2013 by Massimo Moratti, who had owned the club since 1995.

In June, Chinese electronics retailer Suning Commerce Group Co Ltd bought nearly 70 percent of Inter for 270 million euros, although Thohir stayed on as club president.

(Reuters)

The Dutchman was sacked on the back of a string of poor results which left the club languishing at 12th spot

Inter Milan fired Dutchman Frank de Boer as coach on Tuesday after less than three months in charge during which the former European champions lost seven of their 14 competitive games. Inter, who dropped to 12th in the Serie A table following Sunday's 1-0 loss to Sampdoria, said youth team coach Stefano Vecchi would be in charge of the team for Thursday's Europa League match at Southampton. "The club thanks Frank and his staff for the work they have undertaken at the and wish them the best for the future," Inter, who have lost four of their last five league games, said in a statement. Inter, traditionally one of Italy's three biggest clubs alongside Juventus and city rivals AC Milan, appointed the 46-year-old De Boer on Aug. 9, two weeks before the start of the season, after Robert Mancini left by mutual consent. The club said that an announcement on De Boer's replacement would be made later. Italian media reported that Stefano Pioli, the former Lazio coach, was the favourite. De Boer was Inter's eighth coach since Jose Mourinho left in 2010 after winning the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia treble. The others were Rafael Benitez, Leonardo, Gian Piero Gasperini, Claudio Ranieri, Andrea Stramaccioni, Walter Mazzarri and Mancini. Gasperini's reign was even shorter than De Boer's, lasting five matches. Inter are enduring their fifth successive season without Champions League football and have won one trophy since Mourinho's departure, the Coppa Italia in 2011. Former Netherlands defender De Boer had no previous experience of playing or coaching in Italy. He had previously been in charge of Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam for six years during which he won four league titles. His overall record of five wins, two draws and seven defeats included shock losses to Hapoel Beer Sheva and Sparta Prague in the Europa League and at home to Cagliari in Serie A. Inter were sold to a consortium led by Indonesian business tycoon Erick Thohir in October 2013 by Massimo Moratti, who had owned the club since 1995. In June, Chinese electronics retailer Suning Commerce Group Co Ltd bought nearly 70 percent of Inter for 270 million euros, although Thohir stayed on as club president. (Reuters)

Inter Milan fires De Boer after 14 games

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been charged with misconduct for comments made to the referee during last weeekend&#39;s Premier League match against Burnley, the FA said on Tuesday.

Mourinho was sent to the stands by referee Mark Clattenburg for the second half of the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Saturday after reportedly complaining about a penalty decision that did not go United&#39;s way.

&quot;It is alleged that in or around the tunnel area at halftime he used abusive and/or insulting words towards a Match Official,&quot; the FA said.

Mourinho was also charged with misconduct by the FA last week for comments he made about referee Anthony Taylor ahead of United&#39;s Premier League game against Liverpool.

(Reuters)

Mourinho was sent to the stands by referee Mark Clattenburg for the second half of the match between United and Burnley

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been charged with misconduct for comments made to the referee during last weeekend's Premier League match against Burnley, the FA said on Tuesday. Mourinho was sent to the stands by referee Mark Clattenburg for the second half of the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Saturday after reportedly complaining about a penalty decision that did not go United's way. "It is alleged that in or around the tunnel area at halftime he used abusive and/or insulting words towards a Match Official," the FA said. Mourinho was also charged with misconduct by the FA last week for comments he made about referee Anthony Taylor ahead of United's Premier League game against Liverpool. (Reuters)

Man United boss Mourinho slapped with second misconduct charge

Former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger&#39;s exile came to an end on Monday as he returned to first-team training.

Pictures posted on the club&#39;s social media accounts featured the 32-year-old training with team-mates ahead of Thursday&#39;s match at Fenerbahce.

Since United manager Jose Mourinho&#39;s arrival Schweinsteiger has not played and was also left out from United&#39;s Europe League squad.

&quot;It&#39;s great to see him back,&quot; United left-back Luke Shaw told AFP at United&#39;s training complex.

&quot;We found out the news a couple of days ago and it&#39;s so great to have him back. He&#39;s a big influence in the dressing room and obviously on the pitch, especially for the young players like myself. It&#39;s a great boost for us, the experience and the quality that he brings.&quot;

Former United captain Bryan Robon also hailed Schweinsteiger&#39;s return.

&quot;Bastian&#39;s a great lad, speaks perfect English, has got great quality and vast experience,&quot; Robson said at the launch of a United deal with Chinese mattress firm Mlily.

&quot;For me he could definitely help the group, on the confidence side and just the know-how on how to play the game in that central role. I still think he could be valuable to the squad.&quot;

Mourinho had criticised Shaw after United lost 3-1 at Watford last month and was left out of the squad for their recent 4-0 loss to Chelsea.

Shaw said that although he was &quot;unhappy&quot; to miss the game against Chelsea but there were no issues between him and the manager.&nbsp;

&quot;I really wanted to play that game,&quot; said Shaw. &quot;But at the end of the day it&#39;s the manager&#39;s decision. After the game I spoke with him about it and I 100 percent agreed with what he said and why I wasn&#39;t involved. Obviously we&#39;ll keep that between us two. But it&#39;s been really good the last couple of games. I&#39;ve felt fitter and stronger.&quot;

(With inputs from AFP)

Pictures posted on the club's social media accounts featured the 32-year-old training with team-mates

Former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger's exile came to an end on Monday as he returned to first-team training. Pictures posted on the club's social media accounts featured the 32-year-old training with team-mates ahead of Thursday's match at Fenerbahce. Since United manager Jose Mourinho's arrival Schweinsteiger has not played and was also left out from United's Europe League squad. "It's great to see him back," United left-back Luke Shaw told AFP at United's training complex. "We found out the news a couple of days ago and it's so great to have him back. He's a big influence in the dressing room and obviously on the pitch, especially for the young players like myself. It's a great boost for us, the experience and the quality that he brings." Former United captain Bryan Robon also hailed Schweinsteiger's return. "Bastian's a great lad, speaks perfect English, has got great quality and vast experience," Robson said at the launch of a United deal with Chinese mattress firm Mlily. "For me he could definitely help the group, on the confidence side and just the know-how on how to play the game in that central role. I still think he could be valuable to the squad." Mourinho had criticised Shaw after United lost 3-1 at Watford last month and was left out of the squad for their recent 4-0 loss to Chelsea. Shaw said that although he was "unhappy" to miss the game against Chelsea but there were no issues between him and the manager. "I really wanted to play that game," said Shaw. "But at the end of the day it's the manager's decision. After the game I spoke with him about it and I 100 percent agreed with what he said and why I wasn't involved. Obviously we'll keep that between us two. But it's been really good the last couple of games. I've felt fitter and stronger." (With inputs from AFP)

Football: Schweinsteiger's exile ends, rejoins Man Utd training

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