Khaled Mahmoud

Liam Rosenior was "impressed" by Pedro Neto’s decision to issue a heartfelt apology after pushing a ball boy during the Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. While UEFA has opened an investigation for "unsporting behaviour", Rosenior praised the winger's accountability, noting that his desire to apologise showed a genuine commitment to learn from the mistake.

Chelsea have been handed a massive boost by captain Reece James signing a new deal until 2032. Manager Liam Rosenior hailed his captain following the announcement, labelling the academy graduate as "the best in the world" in his position.

Chelsea’s Pedro Neto has been hit with a one-game ban and a £70,000 fine following his red card against Arsenal. The FA confirmed the extra penalty after the winger "acted in an improper manner by failing to leave the pitch promptly and/or using abusive words towards the match official/s". He will now miss Saturday’s crucial clash against Newcastle.

Everton boss David Moyes has defended Mikel Arteta against criticism of Arsenal's tactics. Despite leading the Premier League, a number of rivals and pundits have hit out at the Gunners' reliance on set-pieces. Moyes, who signed ex-midfielder Arteta for the Toffees, finds this baffling - insisting that not every team can play "the beautiful game" and that dead-ball efficiency is a vital strength for any title contender, not a flaw as many critics have suggested.

Lyon snatched a vital 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo in their Europa League round of 16 first leg. The breakthrough came in the final minutes when Real Madrid loanee Endrick fired a left-footed strike that slipped through goalkeeper Ionut Radu’s grasp in a shocking blunder. The goal was also a big boost for Endrick, who had gone four games without finding the net.

Real Betis winger Antony has demanded a period of intense self-criticism following the team's 1-0 defeat to ten-man Panathinaikos in the first leg of their round of 16 Europa League tie. After seeing a late penalty sink the La Liga side, the Manchester United flop sent a strong "we have to change" message to his team-mates.

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has pleaded with Caoimhin Kelleher not to join Chelsea, insisting the Irishman still has a future at Anfield. While discussing the Brentford goalkeeper's path, Aldridge also admitted he would love to see Jurgen Klopp return to the club as manager if Arne Slot ever departs.

Manchester United’s academy continues to produce exciting talent, but few generate as much buzz as 15-year-old JJ Gabriel. Integrating into first-team sessions under Michael Carrick, the teenager’s meteoric rise has earned glowing praise from Bryan Mbeumo. His team-mates already view him as a future superstar after his standout Under-18 performances.

Jon Obi Mikel has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal, claiming the Premier League leaders are "trying to cheat their way" to a first title in decades. The Nigerian, who won two league crowns at Chelsea, branded the Gunners' reliance on physical set-pieces as "illegal" and "ugly" to watch, despite Mikel Arteta's side currently sitting top of the table.

Thibaut Courtois has strongly denied claims that Real Madrid's senior stars orchestrated the dismissal of Xabi Alonso. The former Blancos midfielder left his post in January following a difficult start to the season, leading to speculation that key figures in the dressing room were unhappy with his tactical approach and training methods.

At Corinthians, Jesse Lingard has been reunited with former Manchester United team-mate Memphis Depay, who he has now revealed played a key role in encouraging him to join the São Paulo-based outfit. This reunion follows Lingard's two-year stint in South Korea at FC Seoul, marking a bold new adventure in South America as he signs with the Brazilian giants as a high-profile free agent.

Tottenham legend Jurgen Klinsmann has refused to rule out returning to the club as manager, with current interim boss Igor Tudor facing immense pressure. The German icon expressed his enduring affection for the club in a new interview after seeing them fall to a dismal 5-2 loss against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Erling Haaland's agent Rafaela Pimenta has responded to Victor Font's claim that Barcelona are "working on" a potential transfer deal for the Manchester City striker. Font, who is currently running against Joan Laporta for the Barcelona presidency, has suggested that Haaland could be lured away from the Etihad Stadium, but Pimenta has sought to quash any speculation over his future.

The Premier League's quest to secure a fifth Champions League qualification spot again for next season was dealt a hammer blow this week following a string of disastrous results on Europe's elite stage. UEFA’s European Performance Spots (EPS) are awarded to the two nations whose clubs perform best across all three major European competitions, but the English top flight is suddenly looking over its shoulder.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa showered Fede Valverde with immense praise following a commanding 3-0 win over Manchester City, describing the midfielder as the ultimate "benchmark" for the club. Arbeloa emphasised that Valverde embodies every quality a Real Madrid player should possess and remains the definitive standard-bearer for the modern era after his Champions League masterclass.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand blasted the controversial late penalty that allowed Arsenal to escape with a 1-1 draw in their Champions League round of 16 first leg. While the Dane praised his side's disciplined display against the Gunners at the BayArena, he expressed disbelief over the officiating, describing the last-minute setback as a bitter pill to swallow in the tie's opening game.

Kai Havertz proved to be the protagonist on his emotional return to the BayArena, converting a late, controversial penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw for Arsenal against Bayer Leverkusen. The German international came off the bench to deny his former side a famous victory in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. While he stepped up to secure the result, Havertz admitted feeling a sense of sorrow for his former teammates after his decisive strike.

Bayer Leverkusen managed to surprise Arsenal using the London side's own special weapon, scoring from a corner kick in the match held Wednesday evening. The header prompted Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand to share a notable moment with Arsenal’s set-piece coach as the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 ended in a 1-1 draw at the BayArena.