Lists

Clubs are currently working hard to achieve their goal in the second half of the season. It explains why the tacticians are under pressure to deliver, with those failing to deliver getting replaced by the management. Most South African top-tier teams are competing in both top-flight games and the Nedbank Cup.

Laura Woods has fired back at former Lionesses star Eni Aluko after seeing the ex-England international suggest that “the women’s game should be by women, for women”. Aluko has previously taken issue with Ian Wright enjoying a prominent role in coverage of women’s football, claiming the Arsenal great is “dragging women’s punditry backwards”. TV presenter Woods, who regularly hosts men’s and women’s games, has picked holes in Aluko’s arguments.

Chelsea are being backed to win the transfer race for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. The World Cup-winning Argentina international left English football when severing ties with Manchester City in 2024. A return to familiar surroundings is being speculated on, with it suggested that Stamford Bridge could be the South American’s next port of call.

Wayne Rooney has compared the chaotic VAR drama during Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City to a Winter Olympics event. The former England captain admitted that while officials followed the rules to disallow Rayan Cherki’s late strike, the intervention "ruined" a classic moment as City ran out 2-1 winners in the Premier League clash at Anfield.

Bruno Fernandes may be buttering Cole Palmer up for a future transfer to Manchester United, with the Red Devils captain sending a special message to the Chelsea playmaker on social media. Palmer netted a hat-trick for his current employers against Wolves, leading Fernandes - who has seen the England international linked with a move to Old Trafford - to give him the biggest of billings.

After the Buccaneers were praised for their depth in central defence and midfield, another department has now emerged as equally well-stocked. The growing strength in this area highlights the squad’s balance and it follows the coach’s decision to assign new responsibilities to a Bafana Bafana midfielder.

Wayne Rooney has delivered a scathing assessment of Tottenham’s current plight, warning that the London side are firmly embroiled in a relegation battle. Following a demoralising 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, Rooney suggested that Thomas Frank’s side are looking over their shoulders. However, the former England captain also offered a surprising defence of Cristian Romero after his dismissal.

Cristiano Ronaldo is generating transfer talk at Al-Nassr, having gone on strike in the Saudi Pro League, with a return to Europe for the Portuguese GOAT being speculated on. It has been suggested that the 41-year-old frontman could be targeted by Manchester United for a third spell at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils’ stance on a stunning deal has been revealed.

Amakhosi grabbed top spot in Group D with a 2-1 win over Al Masry at Peter Mokaba Stadium, but their legendary former keeper was not happy with the way their coach ignored the need for a two-goal margin of victory to ensure automatic qualification for the knockout rounds of the competition.

Pep Guardiola called on his Manchester City stars to "have a coffee" to find more composure in front of goal after a breathless 2-1 comeback win at Anfield. Despite securing a vital victory that cuts Arsenal’s lead at the summit to six points, the City boss was critical of his side's frantic nature in both boxes. Erling Haaland’s late penalty eventually sealed a dramatic turnaround against the reigning champions.

Roberto De Zerbi questioned the mindset of Mason Greenwood and Co after seeing Marseille suffer a humiliating defeat in their Classique clash with arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain. The reigning Ligue 1 champions put in a dominant display at Parc des Prince, running out 5-0 victors, with some difficult discussions being planned at Stade Velodrome.

Cole Palmer has revealed the shocking extent of his injury struggles after firing Chelsea to victory against Wolves. The England star netted a stunning hat-trick but admitted afterwards that he has been playing through pain all season. He insists there is even more to come once he finally reaches 100 per cent fitness under new boss Liam Rosenior.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot was left raging at a “clear” red card for Manchester City defender Marc Guehi after seeing the Reds suffer a dramatic defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side at Anfield. Dominik Szoboszlai was dismissed during a chaotic end to that contest, but Slot is of the opinion that City should have been reduced to 10 men when Mohamed Salah was denied a “100 out of 100 scoring ball”.

The 28-year-old last featured in competitive action in September 2024, with persistent fitness issues playing a major role in his lengthy absence. Even after returning from injury, he struggled for game time amid stiff competition in the Buccaneers’ central defence. He eventually left the club in search of regular playing opportunities elsewhere.

Ousmane Dembele sent an ominous warning to Paris Saint-Germain's domestic and European rivals after scoring another Puskas Award contender against Marseille on Sunday night. The 2025 Ballon d'Or winner hit a brace as PSG romped to a 5-0 victory in Le Classique, which saw them return to the top of Ligue 1 ahead of Lens.

Amakhosi's sporting director admits it would've been ideal to wrap up qualification with a game to spare, but he's delighted they still hold their destiny in their own hands ahead of a crunch trip to Egypt where a point will ensure qualification for the knockout rounds.

Roy Keane has slammed Manchester City's "disrespectful" behaviour following their 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield. The Manchester United icon was left fuming after City players blared loud music from their dressing room, disrupting Arne Slot’s post-match interview. Keane labelled the scenes "ridiculous" and urged Pep Guardiola’s side to show more class after a highly controversial and dramatic encounter.

Just when you thought Manchester City were dropping out of this Premier League title race for good, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland pulled them back in, leaving Liverpool shell-shocked and Arsenal nervously checking over their shoulders. City have never enjoyed playing at Anfield, but Sunday's was a performance like no other, and with an outcome not seen since all the way back in 2003.

Kylian Mbappe is “on track” to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, claims Los Blancos boss Alvaro Arbeloa, with the French superstar being backed to chase down a record-breaking tally of goals at the Bernabeu. Mbappe was on target in his latest appearance - a 2-0 victory over Valencia - and has reached 82 efforts in total for the Spanish heavyweights.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including another goal from McKennie and Weah suffering a tough outing against PSG.

Former Manchester United winger Antony continued his strong form for Real Betis as the 25-year-old whipped home a sumptuous left-footed strike from the edge of the box for the only goal of the game in a 1-0 La Liga win at Atletico Madrid. Antony brought out Cristiano Ronaldo's famous 'calma' celebration after the goal, his tenth of the season, which earned his side all three points.

Alvaro Carreras scored a memorable goal and Kylian Mbappe added a late second to carry an otherwise mixed Real Madrid past Valencia, 2-0. Los Blancos were well short of their best in a tricky Sunday night fixture, but a duo of second half goals spared any blushes, and ensured that they are very much in the title race after a winter slump.

Manchester City match-winner Erling Haaland has spoken out against the decision to disallow Rayan Cherki's goal against Liverpool deep in stoppage time, with Dominik Szoboszlai instead sent off for a foul in the build-up. With Haaland running through on goal, the Norwegian and Szoboszlai each took turns in pulling each other back and the City striker criticised the Premier League ruling that meant the goal was not allowed to stand, following a VAR check.

Eni Aluko has renewed her public criticism of the choice of male pundits in women's football, aiming a dig towards Ian Wright and Nedum Onuoha for their TV roles covering the Lionesses' Euro 2025 final at ITV and the BBC, respectively. This is not the first time that Aluko has called out a perceived lack of opportunities for female pundits, criticising Wright in the past for his prominent place within the women's game before issuing a public apology for her words.

Manchester United are reportedly readying a summer transfer swoop for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali. The Red Devils will be bidding farewell to Brazilian veteran Casemiro when he hits free agency, meaning that reinforcements in the Old Trafford engine room will be sought. It is claimed that Italy international Tonali will come with a £100 million ($136m) price tag.

Luis Diaz struck a devastating hat-trick and Harry Kane scored twice from the penalty spot as Bayern Munich swept aside high-flying Hoffenheim in a 5-1 Bundesliga victory at the Allianz Arena. The visitors were given a challenging task when Kevin Akpoguma was sent off early on, but levelled through Andrej Kramaric, before Kane and Diaz took the game away from them for a comfortable victory in the end.

Manchester City are still fighting for this Premier League title. Seemingly down and out after Dominik Szoboszlai's incredible free-kick, Pep Guardiola's side pulled off a frantic comeback against Liverpool to snatch a 2-1 win and record their first victory in front of an Anfield crowd in 23 years. Erling Haaland set up the equaliser for Bernardo Silva and then sealed the win from the penalty spot to end his own poor run at the home of the Reds.

The Soweto giants scored more than once in a match for the first time in 2026, marking what on paper looks like an attacking breakthrough. However, one of their goals has been strongly contested by their Egyptian visitors. The strike came from a controversial penalty decision that has sparked some debate.

Liverpool threw away victory in the final 10 minutes against Manchester City as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat on Sunday. Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick put the Reds in front in the second half, but late goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland turned the game on its head as the Reds lost ground to Manchester United and Chelsea in the top-four race.