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Famara Diedhiou scored while Tom Barkhuizen featured as Bristol City secured a 2-0 victory over Preston North End in Saturday’s Championship game.

The Robins came into the encounter on the back of their victory over Portsmouth in the FA Cup and continued their impressive performance at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City clinched their 11th win of the season in the encounter to condemn the Lilywhites to their third consecutive defeat.

Barkhuizen made his 17th league start for Preston North End this season but could not help Alex Neil’s men avoid defeat.

Senegal international Diedhiou played a vital role in his side’s victory, scoring his fourth Championship goal of the campaign.

Diedhiou opened the scoring for the Ashton Gate outfit as early as the eighth minute after receiving a timely assist from Tommy Rowe.

Bristol City continued their domination in the encounter and were rewarded for their efforts when Zak Vyner doubled their lead in the 77th minute.

Diedhiou featured for 79 minutes in his 24th appearance for the Robins across all competitions this season before he was replaced by Nahki Wells.

The 28-year-old has been delivering impressive performances for Bristol since teaming up with the side in the summer of 2017, having scored 41 league goals in 132 games for the club so far.

Barkhuizen, meanwhile, played for 67 minutes, had 67 touches on the ball and accomplished a 69 percent successful pass rate but could not help Preston avoid their 12th loss of the season.

 The South African has been delivering fine displays this season, having scored six goals and provided two assists in 23 appearances across all competitions.

With the victory, Bristol City moved to ninth spot on the Championship table after gathering 36 points from 23 games.

Preston North End, meanwhile, dropped to 13th place on the table after their inability to add to their 32 points.

Diedhiou will hope to continue his impressive performances for Bristol in their next outing against Norwich City.

Barkhuizen will be expected to help Preston North End return to winning ways when they take on Birmingham City on January 20.

AFC Leopards captain Robinson Kamura has stated their club’s stature does not allow them to lose two consecutive games.

After starting the campaign brightly, Ingwe lost the last Football Kenya Federation Premier League games to Western Stima and Wazito FC. To the captain, the players must now they are serving a big club that does not deserve to register such records.

“We really do not need motivation as the will to win must power us because AFC Leopards are not a team to lose two consecutive games,” the former Mathare United told the club’s Online TV. “Every player, let me repeat, knows the situation we have found ourselves in and it is us to get ourselves out of that situation.

“The coaches have given us everything that we may need from the psychological talk to the right exercises so we are motivated enough.

“We have had the best training session and the team spirit is high but we have not had anything to make us happy because we have lost two consecutive games.”

The centre-back stated the two losses came at a time they were not expecting it at all and said they must ensure they pick a win against KCB on Sunday.

“That [the defeats] were never in our plans and in our targets because we had planned to tackle the game after another but unfortunately we have not hit our targets after the first five games,” he added.

“We are planning to win and our fans should know just that. The losses have come but the coaches have dealt with every aspect from character to morale and we have had the right training session.”

The defender also warned his teammates of the danger that the Bankers are certainly going to present to them at Kasarani.

“Every player should know this is going to be a big game because they have not lost a single one and have conceded just one goal against Bandari,” he concluded. “That shows you it is the strongest team at the moment.

“They are the team to beat in the Premier League and that gives us the motivation to beat them. We have the quality and we are the biggest team that can overcome the situation we have found ourselves in.”

KCB remain unbeaten after picking 18 points from the six games they have played.

Ronald Koeman has confirmed that goalkeeper Neto has asked to leave the club in the January transfer window.

The 31-year-old joined Barcelona from Valencia in 2019 and has made just 14 appearances since, featuring nine times this season.

Reports emerged this week claiming the one-time Brazil international wants to depart Camp Nou and he has been linked with a move to Arsenal.

Barca have turned down the shot stopper's request to leave, however, claiming he is too important to let go. 

Koeman told reporters on Saturday: "It's true that his representative has asked the club for an exit and we have said no because he is an important goalkeeper for us and we want to be very well covered at each position."

The Blaugrana have been trying to sign Eric Garcia from Manchester City in recent transfer windows and were reportedly close to wrapping up the deal this month.

But the club are expected to wait until the summer transfer window, when he will be available on a free transfer.

Koeman has dismissed suggestions he is upset with the decision to wait, admitting they cannot afford to pay to sign him now.

"I've read I'm unhappy. I'm fine, I'm happy, I know perfectly well the limitations of the club," he added. "If it's not possible, it's not possible. We continue with what we have."

Barcelona will contest the Supercopa de Espana final on Sunday when they face Athletic Club, who beat Real Madrid in the semi-final in midweek.

Lionel Messi could miss the clash in Seville after playing no part in their final four win against Real Sociedad and Koeman says he will let the Argentina sensation decide if he can play the tournament decider.

"[On Friday], he trained on his own and today, we'll see how he is to start with," Koeman said.

"He'll have the final say. He knows his body. We have to wait and see how his niggles progress. We're hopeful that he'll play. If you have the best [players], you have a better chance of winning, and even more so if you have the best player in the world.

"The team is stronger with Leo in it, thanks to his creativity and efficiency - something that we sometimes lack. But if he's not there, another [player] will play and we'll play our game the same without him as with him.

"He has to be 100 per cent. It's not the final game of the season, though the decision is his."

Salomon Banga Bindjeme struck an acrobatic winner as African Nations Championship hosts Cameroon defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in their opening Chan 2021 fixture in Yaounde on Saturday.

The Indomitable Lions, playing in front of a buoyant—if reduced—crowd at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, struggled to break down their rugged opponents until the 72nd minute despite having the lion’s share of both possession and chances.

When the goal came, it was via a close-range bicycle kick from the impressive Banga, who reacted quickest when hitherto imperious Zimbabwe goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda failed to deal with a Serge Andoulo free-kick into his box amidst a melee of players.

The ball bounced up to Coton Sport’s Banda—who had been replaced as captain of the local Lions ahead of the tournament following Jacques Zoua’s decision to play for the home-based side—reacted quickest, and slammed a delightful overhead kick into an unguarded net.

Before his error, Sibanda had kept Zimbabwe in the contest with a series of fine saves, although credit must go to the Warriors backline who were resilient and organised, appearing to put behind them pre-match allegations of witchcraft from coach Zdravko Logarusic, who found a dead bat on the pitch before kick-off .

Cameroon, boosted by a vibrant crowd, set the tone early on with two corners inside the first eight minutes, however, they increasingly appeared jittery and snatched at chances through the contest as they sought desperately to find the opener.

Profligate Alfred Meyong of Stade Renard was the key culprit for Cameroon as they missed a hatful of chances.

In the 18th minute, Sibanda’s heroics began as he denied Meyong from range, the Highlands stopper kept his cool to dive low to his left and hold onto the ball.

Meyong against struck from distance three minutes later as Cameroon started to impose themselves, but Zimbabwe’s defensive resiliency denied them clearer opportunities.

After the break, Zoua—an Africa Cup of Nations winner with the Lions in 2017—cut in from the left flank and sent a right-footed effort wide of Zimbabwe’s goal, and this set the tone for a Lions onslaught during the second period.

Meyong again fired straight at Sibanda moments later, fired wide in the 63rd minute and then missed his best chance three minutes later when, arriving at the back post to meet a looping cross from the outstanding Martin Assomo, his angled header flew wide of the Warriors’ bar.

The visitors—without competitive football in their homeland for over nine months—predictably tired as the contest wore on, although their defensive diligence—notably tracking back en masse following a corner as Cameroon attempted to break—shone through.

Ultimately, they weren’t able to hold on until the end, as Banga’s delightful effort settled the contest, but Logarusic’s side can take confidence as they prepare for further Group A encounters with Mali and Burkina Faso, who meet later on Saturday.

Percy Tau was in action as Brighton & Hove Albion ended their nine-game Premier League winless run with a 1-0 win over Leeds United.

Neal Maupay's 17th-minute goal separated both teams as Graham Potter's side sealed their first league win since their 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa on November 21.

Tau started from the bench on Saturday, and he was later introduced for Leandro Trossard in the 73rd minute for his second outing in the English top-flight.

During the week, the Bafana Bafana forward made his Premier League debut as Brighton fell to a 1-0 loss against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The 26-year-old was recently recalled from his loan spell at Anderlecht having spent the last two-and-a-half years on loan in Belgium.

Mali's Yves Bissouma was another African star who featured at Elland Road as he returned to Potter's selection after he served his one-game suspension for the accumulation of five yellow cards on Wednesday.

Saturday's victory boosted Brighton & Hove Albion's survival chances and moved them to 16th in the Premier League table with 17 points from 19 games, five points adrift of the drop zone.

Next up for Tau and Brighton is an FA Cup fourth-round outing against Blackpool on January 23 before they host Fulham for a Premier League fixture at Amex Stadium four days later.

Zenatha Coleman was sent off in Sevilla's 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano in Saturday’s Spanish Primera Iberdrola showdown.

Before the encounter, the 27-year-old had scored twice and contributed an assist in 10 starts for Los Palanganas this season since her arrival from rivals Valencia this summer. 

The Namibia international was given her 11th start of the season by Cristian Toro as Sevilla eyed a third win in a row against Rayo.

The visitors, on the other hand, were seeking a return to winning ways after forcing Atletico Madrid to a late 1-1 draw last week.

At Jesus Navas Stadium, the hosts almost gained an early lead through Claudia Pina in the seventh minute but she missed narrowly. 

Before the half-hour mark, Coleman and Julia Karlernas came close for Sevilla but could not fire past goalkeeper Patricia Larque as she ensured Rayo forced a goalless draw at half-time.

After the break, the hosts continued from where they left off as Pina, Toni Payne and Coleman combined well to break the deadlock but the latter failed to beat Larque nine minutes after the restart.

In the 75th minute, the Namibian striker got her initial yellow for a poor challenge before being given her marching orders two minutes later by referee Beatriz Arregui Gamir.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Toro's ladies made a late effort to snatch a victory but eventually settled for just a point.

The red card was Coleman's first in her European career as she only lasted 78 minutes in her 15th appearance of the season for Sevilla as Nigeria's Payne was in action for the duration.

The result keeps Sevilla in seventh with 22 points from 14 matches this season and will hope to return to winning ways against Atletico Madrid on January 24. 

Hyderabad head coach Manuel Marquez took a heart from his team's goalless draw against league leaders Mumbai City in the Indian Super League clash at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Saturday. 

Marquez said he is happy with the draw as it was a fair result even though his team created more clear-cut chances in the game.

"I'm very satisfied with the team. I know that maybe we had more clear chances to win the game. The score was fair because they have a very good team. It was an interesting game," Marquez said. 

Marquez also hailed his players as they executed his gameplan well. The Spaniard admitted that he wanted his team to keep Mumbai City away from scoring and then capitalize on the situation. 

"I was joking with Jahouh that we played one player alongside him. Because in the first game his long balls damaged our team too much. My players understood the aim (my plan) for the game very well," he said. 

"I think our chances were more clear-cut than those of Mumbai. The most important thing is our supporters are proud of our players," he added.

Sharing his thoughts on attacking midfield Roland Alberg, who made his debut, Marquez said, "He is an attacking midfielder with a lot of quality. He will have an important impact in this team at the end of the competition".

If Lionel Messi decides to move on over the summer then Barcelona must “respect him and thank him for what he’s done”, says Emmanuel Amunike, with an all-time great having earned the right to dictate his own future.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner pushed for a move away from Camp Nou in 2020.

He saw exits blocked off in Catalunya and eventually vowed to honour his contract, but speculation continues to rage regarding his next move as he heads towards free agency.

Messi could enter into talks with interested parties if he wished to do so, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain sniffing around, but he intends to shelve any discussions until the end of the season.

Barca have not given up hope on tying their talismanic captain to fresh terms, allowing him to prolong a career-long association with the club, but uncertainty reigns for now.

Amunike is reluctant to speculate on what could happen from this point, with a 33-year-old icon allowed to take his time after taking in a record-breaking spell with the Blaugrana.

“You never know what's going to happen,” former Barca fromtman Amunike told Radio MARCA.

“The reality is that you have to thank Messi for everything he's given to Barcelona. But everything has its beginning and end. He's not as young as he was.

“But I'll remember what Messi has done for the club. If Messi leaves, you have to respect him and thank him for what he's done.”

Barca have rediscovered a spark of late, allowing them to climb La Liga and book a place in the Super Cup final, with Ronald Koeman overseeing a reversal in fortune.

Amunike moved to Camp Nou in 1996, shortly after a legendary Dutchman had departed, and he is pleased to see a man filling the most demanding of coaching posts starting to deliver on expectation.

The Nigerian added: “I'm happy for Koeman. It hasn't been so easy for him.

“Now they're in the final of the Supercopa de Espana and that will give the team more confidence.”

Barca will face Athletic Club in Seville on Sunday with major silverware on the line, with that contest offering Koeman an opportunity to open his trophy account as manager.

Olivier Giroud may be 34 years old, but the Chelsea striker claims to have lost none of his determination and believes he is capable of emulating Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s longevity.

An enigmatic Swedish frontman is still going strong at AC Milan despite counting down to his 40th birthday.

Fresh terms are being mooted for Ibrahimovic at San Siro, with a modern day great showing no sign of slowing down.

Cristiano Ronaldo is another being backed to play on into a fourth decade, with the five-time Ballon d’Or maintaining stunning standards at Juventus.

Giroud is ready to tread a similar path, with the World Cup-winning Frenchman not about to consider retirement any time soon.

He has played his way back into favour at Stamford Bridge this season, having seen a move elsewhere mooted, and claims he is ready to remain at the top of his game for some time yet.

The France international striker told Chelsea’s Mike’d Up Podcast on improving with age and staying ambitious: “It’s about your motivation, what you put into your training to always stay fit, looking after your sleep, what you eat, always wanting to help the team reach the target.

“I have no doubts [about scoring goals]. Obviously, you have some periods when you score more or less but the main thing is to keep the confidence high. When you are in a difficult moment, just keep working hard in training because you don’t lose your qualities.

Giroud added: “Nothing gets given. In life you always have to go for wins and trophies. Football is an everlasting new beginning, that is one of my favourite sentences. You always have to go again week after week.

“I’m still very hungry. I think I can still play at the highest level for a couple years at least and I have big expectations about what we can achieve with Chelsea and the national team.

“I believe it’s the same for these players who are 34, 35, 36, 38. Zlatan thought he still could bring something to European football and he’s shown it since the beginning of the season.

“I feel ready and have more determination than before. Obviously, when I am on the pitch I try to be efficient and it’s working well. I am on a good run and I want to keep it up.”

Giroud is only tied to terms in west London through to the end of the season but, having hit nine goals in the current campaign, could find himself in line for another short-term extension.

Juventus legend Michel Platini has compared Paulo Dybala to footballing greats such as Diego Maradona, Omar Sivori and Neymar, but admits that the Argentine might not have the same level of talent as the other iconic players.

Dybala has come in for some criticism during his six-year stay in Turin after transferring in from Palermo in 2015, with injuries and a lack of consistency leading to questions over whether he will ever fully live up to expectations.

An upturn in form of late has seen the pressure ease somewhat on the 27-year-old, however, with his link-up play with Cristiano Ronaldo providing positivity for a side who are chasing down AC Milan in a bid to retain the Serie A title.

Platini, who won a plethora of honours during his time with Juventus, has, however, always been a fan of Dybala and likened him to another left-footed Argentina international who starred during his time with Napoli.

“I like Paulo a lot. He's part of the category of players like Maradona, [Omar] Sivori, Neymar... he may have a little less talent, but let's see,” the former president of UEFA told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He's not Ronaldo, he's not Messi and he's not a regista, he's an offensive playmaker who plays as a striker.

“The Argentine's very good on the pitch and he's fresh-faced. He comes across as a likeable lad. It's interesting that he has matched me for goals and appearances in Serie A. Figures are one thing but we're different players.

“I always try to avoid comparisons, but I can say that he's definitely better than me in one thing: he's 40 years younger!

“He's also more of an attacker than I was, he's a forward. They can play him wherever they want but he's still a forward.

“He also scores enough goals. I was a midfielder who scored lots of goals, a team player who drove everyone else on, more than Dybala. It's not that he doesn't but he's an attacker.

“He's not Platini. He's more... Maradona-esque.”

Turning his attention to Sunday's highly-anticipated clash between his former club and Inter, Platini gave his prediction.

“How will it end? 1-0, with a goal from CR7,” the Frenchman said. “But it will be exciting. In terms of the Scudetto, keep an eye on AC Milan. They always achieve results, they are first and will not stop. This Serie A is a battle.”

Manchester United’s class of 2020-21 are seeking to emulate the efforts of legendary sides that claimed title glory under Sir Alex Ferguson, with John O’Shea admitting that an expensively-assembled squad may be the Red Devils’ best since they last landed the Premier League crown.

Ferguson headed into retirement back in 2013 after securing domestic dominance for the 13th time in his remarkable spell at Old Trafford.

Serious regression has been endured since then, with the likes of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho unable to replicate the success enjoyed by an iconic predecessor.

The managerial baton in Manchester has since been passed to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the 1999 Treble winner fully aware of the pressure he is working under in the most demanding of posts.

He has guided United back to the top of the table, allowing them to dream of bringing an eight-year barren run to a close, and O’Shea admits it is about time that considerable investment is rewarded with major silverware.

A man who took in five title triumphs during his playing days, told talkSPORT when asked if this is United’s best post-Ferguson side: “Possibly, it’s hard to know.

“You look at the squad Mourinho had and the success he had by winning some trophies… but it’s definitely up there.

“And it should be, too, because they’ve obviously spent a lot of money, so it should be one of the best, to be honest.

“There’s competition for places. You look at the whole squad, I can’t remember what game it was a couple of weeks ago but I saw the bench and thought, ‘wow they’re really in a good place in terms of the health of the squad’.

“They’re in a strong position.

“If they get the win on Sunday, to be six points clear of Liverpool would be incredible considering how everything was maybe six weeks ago.

“But United have put a fantastic run together, they’re in a great vein of form and obviously Liverpool are missing those few defensive players and have hit a dip in form.

“Liverpool have been so consistent, they’ve been incredible, but other teams are having to rise to the challenge now and United are doing that right now.

“As Ole has said, there’s nothing given out in January, but they’re in a good position.”

United will get a chance to put down a serious title marker when they face Liverpool at Anfield, with the defending champions having been knocked from the loftiest of perches as they try to manage their way through an injury crisis.

A hard-fought league encounter at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon ended in a 0-0 draw between SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Sundowns had bossed the first half in terms of ball possession and completed passes, but a cutting edge was lacking to their play and at times their intricate passing was probably overdone as they rarely threatened the opposition goal.

Downs also had six corners in the opening stanza and their best scoring chance came from one such set-piece when Mothobi Mvala sent a header wide from a sixth-minute Gaston Sirino delivery.

It was SuperSport who arguably had the best chance before the interval when some neat combination play saw the ball worked to Sipho Mbule on the edge of the area, but although his shot was well-struck, it kept on rising over the Sundowns bar.

There was a set-back for Matsatsantsa on the half-hour mark when an injury ended midfielder Teboho Mokoena’s afternoon, with Siyabonga Nhlapo taking his place.

While the Brazilians did well to keep SuperSport’s in-form strikers Bradley Grobler and Thamsanqa Gabuza quiet, there were a few chances for winger Kudakwashe Mahachi, but the Zimbabwean was denied by Denis Onyango on one occasion and skewed another effort wide.

Masandawana had a great chance to go ahead 10 minutes into the second half but from close range, albeit under some pressure from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Themba Zwane sent a volley flying over the bar.

At the other end, Onyango pulled off a fantastic reflex save to deny Grobler from heading home a Mbule corner in the 57th minute.

While SuperSport were stepping up their game in the second half, Downs also continued to press forward, which made for an open game and an absorbing watch.

The next chance fell to the team in yellow, but after being set up by Kermit Erasmus on the edge of the area, Zwane side-footed his parting shot wide with 20 minutes to go.

It wasn’t Zwane’s day as he also fired off target with three minutes to go; that aside though there were no clear-cut chances for either side in the closing minutes of a game which effectively saw the two teams cancelling each other out rather than making too much play of their own.

Lionel Messi will "do everything in his power" to stay at Barcelona as long as he receives a suitable offer, according to presidential candidate Joan Laporta.

Messi's future has been the subject of speculation and debate for many months, with the club captain attempting to force through a move away last August.

At the time, he was adamant a contractual clause that allowed him to leave for free was still active, but Barca refused to sanction an exit and Messi opted against dragging them through the courts.

Since then Messi has taken a few public jabs at the club, though the early resignation of previous president Josep Maria Bartomeu in October is thought to have been a positive development in Barca's bid to rebuild the relationship.

Messi's contract expires at the end of the season and he has assured fans he will not make any decisions until Barca's campaign has concluded.

Laporta, the overwhelming favourite to succeed Bartomeu when the presidential election is given the green light to go ahead in either February or March, is convinced Messi wants to stay with the Blaugrana.

"Messi is now totally focused on catching Atletico Madrid in La Liga and playing the Paris Saint-Germain tie in the Champions League," Laporta is quoted as saying by Sport.

"I do not know if he will be playing on Sunday [in the Supercopa de Espana final] but he will be on the bench and it is important that Leo encourage his team-mates.

"I see him more and more happy, he is enjoying it. I know that he wants to stay and I know that he will do everything in his power to stay as long as the club can offer him an offer that suits him."

One player who looks likely to arrive at Barca is Manchester City defender Eric Garcia, who has long been linked with a return to Camp Nou, where he began his career.

Laporta understands Garcia will not join this month but , assuming the new board agrees to his signing, he is being lined up for the end of the season once his contract at City runs out.

Barca's next game in the Spanish Super Cup final against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, with Messi doubtful due to a leg problem.

Umar Sadiq scored two goals as Almeria cruised into the next round of the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves on Saturday.

The 23-year-old fired the Segunda Division outfit ahead in the eighth minute, after benefitting from Jose Corpas' assist.

Some moments before half-time, Sadiq made it 3-0 for the hosts a few seconds after Ager Aketxe doubled their lead.

The former Roma youngster has now scored five goals in his last two matches for Jose Gomes' side after he grabbed a hat-trick against Ponferradina a fortnight ago.

Rodrigo Battaglia's own goal and Juan Villar's spot-kick later in the second half completed the rout for the Rojiblancos, who have now won their last three matches.

Sadiq was in action for 74 minutes, and he has been playing a crucial role in Almeria’s push for La Liga promotion with 11 goals in all competitions since he moved to Spain from Partizan Belgrade in October.

The Nigeria youth star is Almeria's leading scorer in the Segunda Division with nine goals in 18 league appearances so far this campaign.

Almeria, meanwhile, are third on the league table with 41 points from 20 games – four points adrift of leaders Espanyol and a point behind second-placed Mallorca.

Sadiq will be aiming to help the Rojiblancos extend their winning run when they host Sabadell at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos for their next league fixture on January 24.

He is two goals away from matching his personal goalscoring record in a league season, after he scored 11 goals in 18 Super Liga matches for Partizan Belgrade during the 2019-20 campaign.

Manchester United are not “direct competition” for Liverpool in the Premier League title race, claims John Barnes, with Manchester City considered to be the only club that can prevent the Reds from defending their crown.

Jurgen Klopp’s side surged to a record-breaking triumph in 2019-20, with domestic dominance secured in some style.

The playing field has started to level out this season, with the chasing pack closing in, and United have moved to the top of the table as they seek to bring an eight-year wait for English top-flight glory to a close.

Liverpool can, however, move back to the summit with victory over their old adversaries at Anfield on Sunday and Barnes is not convinced that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s rejuvenated Red Devils can last the pace.

The Reds legend told BonusCodeBets: “Liverpool are not in direct competition with Manchester United in my opinion. Liverpool are only in competition with Manchester City for the title.

“There is of course competition because it’s Liverpool versus Manchester United and all of the history that comes with it, they are the two biggest clubs in the Premier League.

“But in reality, in terms of the favourites to win the league, it is whoever finishes higher than Liverpool or Manchester City.

“It’s good for Manchester United that even after getting knocked out of the League Cup, by not progressing in the Champions League they’re actually managing some consistency in the league.

“But of course, that can change if they lose one or two matches because we still understand that the harmony of Manchester United isn’t completely right.

“There are question marks about [Paul] Pogba, is Ole the right manager for them? We still aren’t sure.

“If Manchester United really wanted to make a big push, they should all get behind the manager and support the cause, because they haven’t done that. Bad news stories have to stop coming out to Manchester United for them to maintain further consistency.”

Mind games have started ahead of United’s trip to Merseyside, with Klopp questioning the Red Devils’ penalty record and Solskjaer claiming success for the visitors would represent a shock, and there promises to be plenty of on-field fireworks when two arch-rivals lock horns.

Manchester City have announced the signing of Abby Dahlkemper from the North Carolina Courage, with the defender signing a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Dahlkemper won the Women’s World Cup with the United States in the summer of 2019 and is a three-time NWSL Championship winner, picking up two of those titles with the Courage.

The 27-year-old, who ranked at No.20 in last year’s Goal 50, joins USWNT team-mates Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis at Man City, with the pair having joined the Women’s Super League club last summer. She is the club’s first signing of the January transfer window.

“I am so excited to join Manchester City. It’s a world-class club full of incredible players and I can’t wait to get started," Dahlkemper, who will take the No.13 shirt for her new club, said.

"With all the talent in the WSL, I know that each game will present a new challenge and the opportunity to grow both as a player and as a person in England is going to be amazing, alongside having the chance to play Champions League football too.

“Sam and Rose have been saying nothing but brilliant things about the club and hearing them speak so highly about the facilities, the staff and the players as well as their experience of a new technical and tactical challenge is something that was really appealing to me.

“I just can’t wait to get over and help the team in whatever way I can and be successful on the field.”

Dahlkemper won the NWSL Shield three times with the Courage, as well as the Championship twice in 2018 and 2019, adding to the 2016 title she collected during her time with Western New York Flash.

The USWNT star has also been named in the last three NWSL Best XIs and was named the league’s Defender of the Year back in 2017.

She has won 62 caps for her country since making her debut in October 2016, winning two SheBelieves Cup titles, the Concacaf Women’s Championship and the World Cup in that time.

“We’re delighted to welcome Abby to Manchester City, another exciting addition to our squad," Gareth Taylor, City's head coach, said.

“She is a very talented defender who has been successful both domestically and internationally - with her desire and hunger for victory, we know she’ll fit into our team ethos perfectly.

"We're really looking forward to working with her over the coming seasons."

Man City are currently fourth in the WSL table and progressed to the last 16 of the Women’s Champions League with a victory over Swedish champions Goteborg in December.

The club also won the Women’s FA Cup earlier this season, with Dahlkemper’s compatriot Mewis scoring in the final at Wembley as they beat Everton 3-1 after extra-time.

Ousmane Dembele could stand to benefit from Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona, says Rivaldo, with the France international still boasting the potential that can see him become a key man at Camp Nou.

The World Cup-winning winger has struggled to live up to expectations on the back of a big-money move from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.

He was snapped up by Barca with the money raised from a record-breaking sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain, with those in Catalunya buying into the potential of an emerging talent.

Questions of form, fitness and focus have followed Dembele around throughout his time in La Liga, with just 91 appearances made in three-and-a-half years.

The 23-year-old has registered 24 goals across those outings, while conquering the world with his country, but more is demanded from a €105 million (£93m/$127m) asset.

Rivaldo believes that Dembele can take on a prominent role, with it possible that a summer departure for Messi – who continues to run his contract down towards free agency – will present members of a star-studded supporting cast with an opportunity to step out of the shadows.

“I already commented sometimes that Ousmane Dembele is an excellent player with great skills, so he simply needs to stop getting distracted and focus on football and Barcelona,” Blaugrana legend Rivaldo told Betfair.

“He played a good match against Sociedad, has the resources to make the difference regularly and could even benefit from a potential Lionel Messi exit this summer to finally firm his name as a star of the team.

“He has brilliant football resources, can play with both feet, and has great personality, so, he just needs to concentrate and impress everybody.”

Rivaldo also feels that Frenkie de Jong can take on more responsibility at Barca, with the Netherlands international midfielder another of those to have required longer than expected to play their way into form.

The Brazilian added on a Dutch playmaker: “Frenkie de Jong scored Barca's goal in the Super Cup semi-final and it seems that he can play better as an offensive midfielder. While Messi is still around, he would probably play few times in such position.

“But this is good news for Ronald Koeman who might think about this option going forward, as De Jong seems to have a good capacity to get in the box and score goals.

“He already proved to have qualities but is yet to solidify his performances on a regular basis, so we just have to wait for him to become more consistent and confirm the good signs of this match in the near future.”

Barca edged Real Sociedad on penalties in the Super Cup semi-finals and will be looking to get their hands on major silverware when they take on Athletic Club in Seville on Sunday.

Ten-man Bandari FC defeated Kakamega Homeboyz 4-3 to move fourth on the FKF-Premier League table following the match played at Mbaraki Stadium on Saturday.

The Dockers scored through Abdallah Hassan, who scored a brace, William Wadri, and Yemi Mwana while Moses Mudavadi scored a brace for the visitors with another goal coming from Aston Esiye.

The Coastal-based team just needed five minutes to open the scoring. Harambee Star Hassan managed to get past the defenders before firing home to send his technical bench and fellow players to early celebrations.

Three minutes later, the 2018/19 FKF Shield Cup champions doubled the advantage. Wadri used his pace well to reach a good pass from Danson Namasaka and composed himself to ensure the Dockers have a two-goal advantage.

It was Namasaka's fifth assist this season in the FKF-Premier League.

The visitors finally settled and tried to possess the ball more to slow down their hosts. It is a tactic that had an immediate impact and in the 22nd minute, Mudavadi scored in favour of the Western-based team.

That goal did little to demoralize the Dockers and in the 29th minute, they could have scored their third, when Wadri managed to pick out Mwana in a good area but the Congolese narrowly missed the target.

Ten minutes later, Homeboyz punished the Andre Casa Mungo team courtesy of Mudavadi. 

It got worse for the hosts five minutes to the break when Wadri was sent off after a reckless tackle on Thomas Wainaina. 

But with just seconds to the break, Mwana made up for his earlier miss with a clinical finish from a Namasaka pass.

Despite playing with a man less, the hosts managed to get their fourth goal in the 64th minute. Darius Msagha stepped up to take a free-kick which Homeboyz had conceded and it was deflected out for a corner, from which Hassan managed to complete his brace.

Esiye scored late into the game to set up a tense finale but Bandari held on to claim maximum points.

In another game played on Saturday, Nzoia Sugar defeated Sofapaka 2-1 to register their first win of the season.

Leonard Kasembeli opened the scoring for the Sugar Millers in the 13th minute. Nine minutes later, it was 2-0 in favour of the hosts with Erick Otieno the scorer.

Former Gor Mahia midfielder Juma then nodded in a good cross to half the deficit. It was his fourth goal in two matches after he had scored a hat-trick last weekend in the 4-2 win over Mathare United.

The scorer was later sent-off to reduce the chances of Batoto ba Mungu getting an equalizer.

Pepe has opened up on his time at Real Madrid, claiming he arrived to chaos and a club with no defensive cohesion.

The 37-year-old is in the dying embers of his career, and is back at Porto for a second spell at the club.

He left Porto for Madrid in 2007, and was warned that the environment was not an ideal one for an emerging central defender.

Early in his career at the club, he learned a harsh lesson in terms of the team’s commitment to the defensive side of the game.

"My first game was against Atletico Madrid." Pepe told Marca . "I was coming from a club that was organised tactically where, if the ball was on the left, you have to press there. If it was on the right, you pressed there - things like that, the basics.

"And what I came across at Real Madrid was chaos. In the 30th minute, our attack broke down and they came at us one against one and we ran backwards.

"I looked back to Fabio [Cannavaro] and said to him: 'Fabio! Fabio! Cover, cover!' And he said to me: 'No, no, we don't do that here. Each person has their own side'. And I was like: 'It's like that? F*ck me'.

"I was looking around and saw the full-backs high up, the defensive midfielder forward. I was thinking: 'What? There's 50 metres behind me and I'm in a one-on-one?'"

Cannavaro won the Ballon d’Or shortly after joining Madrid, but Pepe’s first interaction with the legendary Italian defender was a frosty one and he revealed that living in a dressing room full of superstars was not easy.

"In pre-season, I practically didn't talk - I only trained and watched, because I'm an observer," Pepe said of his first season at the club. "It was about work and more work.

"Then, we were on a plane to Austria and [Cannavaro] happened to sit in front of me. I caught him reading a magazine and, when I realised that he'd finished it and the plane was about to take off, I put on a brave face and asked him: 'Cannavaro, Cannavaro, can you give me the magazine?'

"And Cannavaro looked back and said to me: 'Cannavaro? My name is Fabio'. And he turned his back on me. I didn't know what to do. It seemed like an eternity before he gave me the magazine."

Pepe played alongside greats of the game such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas to name but three - and he says it was a highly-charged dressing room.

"It wasn't an easy dressing room," Pepe continued. "All the players were top internationals. As a result, everyone was important, not only the starters.

"But there's a brutal pressure: if you win, things are going well, you stay in the team and at the club. If you don't win, you're out, another player comes in and is ready. If you don't perform, you have others waiting that want to put pressure on your place, so you always have to be at your best."