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Azam FC winger Salum Abubakar is the first winner of the club’s monthly awards which were introduced two days ago.

The Chamazi-based giants confirmed in a statement they will start honouring their best players every month, starting with October so as to boost their chances of winning the Mainland Premier League.

“We are pleased to announce the return of the best player award for every month in the top-flight,” Azam confirmed in a statement on their social media pages. “The winner of the award will be picked by votes from the fans and also a committee which will be set up.”

Before their league match against promoted Dodoma Jiji, Azam unveiled Abubakar as the first winner of the award after he beat strong opposition from Defender Allu Niyonzima and strikers Obrey Chirwa and Prince Dube.

“Winger Salum Abubakar 'Sure Boy' is the winner of the award for October after he beat Niyonzima, and strikers Obrey [Chirwa] and Prince [Dube],” the club confirmed on their social media pages.

In an earlier interview, Abubakar assured Azam have already set their sights on winning the title and nothing has changed.

“Nothing has changed yet, because our plan is to win the league title,” Abubakar is quoted by Sokaletu. “We all know the competition in the league is tough, but we have set our own plans, we are looking at what we want to achieve.

“We are confident the squad we have will achieve the targets we set before the season kicked off, we knew we can reach the targets and that is why we set them, we will continue to battle until we reach our goals at the end of the season.”

Against Dodoma, Azam won the contest 3-0 to reclaim the top position in the Tanzania Mainland League. Morris Aggrey Ambros, Ayoub Lyanga, and Hassan Kapona's own goal gave the 2014 champions maximum points at the Azam Complex.

Azam had dropped points in their previous two games; it started with a 1-0 loss to Mtibwa Sugar, their first and only loss this season, which was followed with a 1-1 draw with JKT Tanzania.

After Thursday's win, Azam are now on 25 points from the 10 matches they had played. The Chamazi-based side has won eight games, drawn once, and lost once.

Amakhosi narrowly missed out on winning the league title last season under coach Ernst Middendorp and subsequently replaced the German with Hunt.

It has, however, been a tough start for the four-time league winning coach as Chiefs have won only two of the five games he's been in charge of.

There have also been two heavy defeats - 3-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the DStv Premiership and 3-0 against Orlando Pirates in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-finals.

On top of that, Hunt has not been able to make any changes to the squad due to the club's Fifa transfer ban.

Under intense scrutiny from both the media and from the millions of Chiefs fans, its a tough job.

But Klate, who won the league title while playing under Hunt at Bidvest Wits, believes if anyone is up for the challenge, its the former Black Leopards, Moroka Swallows and SuperSport United coach.

“Chiefs are fortunate to have Gavin Hunt in this situation,” Klate told the Mail & Guardian.

“If there’s any coach who can handle the situation Chiefs find themselves in in terms of not signing any players, I think Hunt is the right man for the job. He can turn nothing into something.”

Amakhosi face Pirates in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-finals this Sunday at the FNB Stadium.

Although Bucs will be heavy favourites to go through to the final, Klate had some words of encouragement for the Chiefs contingent, in that he feels the Glamour Boys were not completely outplayed at the Orlando Stadium last weekend.

It was more a case of Bucs being ruthless when Chiefs made mistakes. A few key moments which changed the complexion of the game.

“I think it’s the application,” Klate said. “You know you look at the goals Pirates scored, a lack of communication at the back from the Chiefs defenders.

"Obviously, the quality that Pirates have in attack, they use chances. Chiefs have the quality as well but it was uncharacteristic for [Leonardo] Castro to miss the way that he did.

"That was probably the difference.”

Former Norwich City winger and new East Bengal recruit Anthony Pilkington will be playing outside England for the first time in his career and he is very excited to begin a new journey in India.

“It is a great opportunity,” said Pilkington during a chat with Goal. "I have never played outside of England. All my football has been there. It is an opportunity and experience that I am looking forward to.”

Pilkington has been training with his new team in Goa for a week now and has already loved the warmth shown by East Bengal fans on social media.

The Red and Golds begin their Indian Super League (ISL) sojourn on November 27 with the blockbuster Kolkata Derby and the former Republic of Ireland international has already understood the importance of facing ATK Mohun Bagan.

“I am really looking forward to playing for the club. I got a really warm welcome from the fans. They have been brilliant on social media. I have been speaking to the Indian players of our squad and they told me how big the club is not just in India but around the world with millions of fans.

“After the fixtures came out, we have been told about the derby and how big the derby is. So I really cannot wait to get the season going and it is going to be really exciting I am sure,” said the winger.

The former Canaries midfielder revealed that he had a fair idea of the league before the Red and Golds had approached him, though some of his friends and former teammates who have come to India this season.

“I had heard about the ISL before. I did know that few of my friends did sign for some other ISL teams just before I was contacted by East Bengal. I did know about the league.”

The 32-year-old footballer is eager to work with new East Bengal manager Robbie Fowler and suggested that the Liverpool legend played a huge role in convincing him to join the Kolkata side.

“Robbie Fowler is a massive star in England and across the world so having a chance to work with such a quality player that he was and learn from him is great because you never stop learning in football. He is a huge factor in me signing for East Bengal. I am really looking forward to working with him and learn a few new things under the gaffer and his staff,” said the Irish footballer.

The entire East Bengal squad started training together just three days ago and they play their first in three weeks’ time. But Pilkington is not worried about a short pre-season and suggested that every ISL team will have the same issue.

“For the pre-season, everyone is on the same boat. We see some of the teams where players are still arriving in the country and still under quarantine. All our players have ended their quarantine and have joined the training. There cannot be any excuses. We are really excited. We have had some good training sessions already and the lads are really getting to know each other, know the way each of them plays.

“We are getting used to the manager and his staff and there is a really good vibe around the team. We can’t wait to get the season started. We would have liked to start straight away but we have to wait till November 27.”

The Irish footballer has come to India with just one target that is to win as many games as possible and as he believes that without the hunger for success, football is pointless.

“I have come here to win football matches," said Pilkington. “There is no point playing football if you don’t want to win. I am a firm believer in that right from kids’ football all the way to senior football. You got to want to win. You got to enjoy your game as well. If you don’t enjoy your game, you might probably do something else.”

Manchester United's Ethan Galbraith has been compared to Barcelona legends Andres Iniesta and Xavi by Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough.

The 19-year-old has been called up to his nation's senior squad for the upcoming international break after impressing at youth level.

Galbraith, who recently re-signed with the Red Devils until 2023, made his senior Northern Ireland international debut in 2019 and looks set to feature again when they face Slovakia in a EURO qualifier next week. 

Baraclough has been keeping a close eye on the United youngster and clearly believes he's capable of having a big impact in years to come. 

“Ethan, over the last six months, we've seen a maturity in his play and the way he goes about his work day to day,” Baraclough said.

“He's excelled with the Under-21s and he's a different type of player to anyone we've got in the senior squad.

“Hopefully it’s the start of a long career for him. Hopefully, he relishes his time from the start in this squad, rather than coming in from the Under-21 squad. He has earned his right with the way he has gone about his play for the last six months.

“Not to put too much pressure on his shoulders, but he’s our little Iniesta or Xavi, someone who can get on the ball and manipulate the ball and find positive passes. Over the coming years, he will give us a different flavour to the squad.

“He’s been brought in a couple of times and made his debut against Luxembourg. For him to be picked outright, it’s a big moment for him, but he’s ready for it.

”He’s gone and signed a new deal with Man United and you can see there’s a real self-confidence about him. It’s great someone like that can be a shining light for the young players, knowing there are chances for them if they perform at their clubs.“

Galbraith one's senior appearance for the Red Devils to date came in a Europa League clash against Astana last year.

The teenager has made three appearances for United's U-23's side this season and scored the winning goal in their most recent clash against Everton. 

Dani Alves has offered new Barcelona defender Sergino Dest some simple advice, telling the U.S. men's national team star to simply pass the ball to Lionel Messi whenever he can.

Alves and Messi regularly linked up along the right flank during the Brazilian's time at the club, with Dest now operating in a similar role under Ronald Koeman. 

The former Ajax star is yet to be involved in any goals across his first nine appearances for Barcelona but has shown plenty of promise as an attacking fullback.

Alves, who chipped in with an impressive 101 assists while at Camp Nou, likes what he's seeing from Dest early on and told the American to make the most of his star Argentine team-mate. 

"If I have to give Dest advice, it's very simple: pass the ball to Messi," Alves told RAC 1. 

“Sergino Dest has a lot of quality and has a chance of succeeding at Barca, but I don't like to make comparisons. It happened to me with Cafu...they don't make sense."

Dest will no doubt take Alves' advice to heart with the USMNT defender recently revealing his affection for the current Sao Paulo right-back. 

"Dani Alves is my role model, he plays in the same position and I have seen many YouTube videos of him and I have learned a lot," Dest said in October. 

"His teammates are here, at Barcelona, ​​and I can ask them for advice. I want to be a player similar to him."

While Alves is clearly keeping a close eye on Dest, the Brazilian appears to be somewhat bitter that he wasn't given a chance to re-sign for the Catalans. 

"I offered myself to Barca to come back. I went to Juve to prove I was still at a good level," Alves told RAC 1. 

"I wanted to return to Barca and they needed me, but they didn't have the balls to admit that they were wrong with me. If they had treated me as I thought I deserved, today I would still continue playing for Barca. I love this club.

"I think that Barca only wants to be a commercial and business club...buy and sell players. When you do that, you lose your identity. I think that is the problem for Barcelona."

Kelechi Iheanacho believes Leicester City cannot afford to rest on their oars as they still have a long way to go in the Europa League.

The 24-year-old produced a man of the match performance in their 4-0 victory over Sporting Braga in the European competition on Thursday night.

Iheanacho, who was handed his second start in the tournament, scored twice and set up another to help his side secure their third consecutive win in the competition.

The victory ensured the King Power Stadium outfit strengthens their lead at the top of Group G with nine points from three games.

The Nigeria international has expressed his delight with his side’s current form but warned that much work still needs to be done to ensure their progress in the tournament.

“We’re in a great position in the group. We still have a long way to go, but it’s about keeping going, taking it game by game and let’s see,” Iheanacho told Europa League website.

“The first goal came from a rebound and I was maybe a little bit lucky with the second too. Thankfully they all count! I’m happy to score again.”

“It was a good win for us. We did well, scored some good goals and deserved to win in the end.”

Iheanacho has now scored three goals in the Europa League since he made his debut against Zorya Luhansk in October.

The centre-forward is hoping to continue his eye-catching performances for the Foxes in the 2020-21 campaign.

“I just need to keep working in training and doing my job. We have a great squad and everyone is doing his best,” he continued.

Leicester will take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in their next Premier League game on Sunday and Iheanacho is already looking forward to the match.

“This game is gone now. We enjoy it today but we focus on the Premier League now. I hope we can keep our winning run going," he added.

The Nigeria international has featured in seven games across all competitions for Leicester in the current campaign, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

The forward will be expected to replicate his scintillating performances for the Super Eagles in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Sierra Leone on November 13.

England boss Gareth Southgate has revealed details of a phone call he had with Jordan Pickford after seeing him collide with Virgil van Dijk in the Premier League.

Pickford escaped a red card after a flying late tackle on Van Dijk during Everton's 2-2 draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on October 17.

The Football Association also decided against taking any retrospective action against the 26-year-old for the dangerous challenge, which left the Reds' talismanic centre-back requiring surgery on a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Pickford's form between the sticks for the Toffees has been erratic since then, and he was dropped by head coach Carlo Ancelotti for the team's last outing at Newcastle, with Roma loanee Robin Olsen stepping in during the 2-1 defeat.

Despite a turbulent month on and off the pitch for the Everton No.1, he retained his spot in Southgate's England squad ahead of a friendly against Finland and UEFA Nations' League meetings with Belgium and Iceland over the upcoming international break.

The Three Lions head coach has insisted that Pickford remains unopposed as his first choice 'keeper, while offering an insight into a conversation he had with him after seeing the backlash he received following his clash with Van Dijk.

“It was after the Liverpool game. I was just checking in," Southgate told a press conference of how he has handled the Everton shot-stopper's recent struggles.

“I recognised that it had been a very high-profile situation and there had been a lot of collateral fallout in a very public way so I just felt it would be an appropriate call to make to see how he was and if I could help him in any way really.

“When people say I've been loyal to him I mean he's deserved that. His performances have been excellent for us, so that's not been a difficult decision for me.

"We have some competition for places but I'd have to say that there's nobody that I think is challenging seriously at the moment to push him out of that position.

“Of course this has been a very difficult period for him in terms of the spotlight on that particular challenge and because of the profile of the player involved in it as well but it is disappointing to see a player like that miss football.

“But we all know whenever we step over the line as a player, injuries can happen and it is an unfortunate situation but there is nothing Jordan can do about that now. He has to get on with playing.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on Nicolas Pepe to show greater consistency despite a solid performance in the club's 4-1 win over Molde in the Europa League on Thursday. 

Despite the Gunners going behind in the 22nd minute, Arteta's side rallied with Pepe scoring their third goal before setting up Joe Willock for their final effort late in the game. 

Pepe now has three goals from 11 appearances for Arsenal this season, and like in his debut campaign, has shown patches of brilliance. 

Asked what Pepe needs to do to start for the Gunners in the Premier League again, Arteta declared his star attacker needs to perform more solidly in every aspect of his game. 

"Consistency throughout the game, throughout 90 minutes in every ball, in every action and every time he is on the ball in the final third to make a difference and do it more and more and more," Arteta said in his post-match press conference. 

"The final product has to be better, not just from him, if we want to become a top, top team and score many more goals it’s something we have to put higher demands on at the moment.

"Today he scored a really good goal, another assist and he can do more. But I think he is on the right path." 

Arteta went on to stress he wants his entire side to show greater consistency in the final third with the Gunners boasting just one goal from their past three games in the Premier League.

"I’m talking generally. It’s not just Nico or Willy [Willian], in general consistency wise in the final third with the end product, with the quality that we have we have to finish more things better and we can improve a lot," Arteta said. 

"That goes for every single player. Nico has scored three goals, the aim has to be to score 10 and Willy the same, three assists, he needs 10. If we don’t have that mindset, we won’t become the top team we want to be."

Arsenal have now won three straight games in all competitions and currently sit top of their Europa League group after collecting maximum points. 

Dani Alves has revealed that he offered to return to Barcelona after his stint at Juventus but claims his old club "didn't have the balls" to re-sign him.

Alves contributed 21 goals and 101 assists to Barca's cause in 391 games between 2008 and 2016, establishing himself as arguably the world's best right-back in the process.

The Brazilian helped the Blaugrana win 23 trophies in total, including six La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns, the last of which was won after a 3-1 final victory over Juventus in 2015.

Alves was allowed to leave Barca as a free agent the following year, and was promptly snapped up by the Italian champions on a two-year contract.

The 37-year-old won a Serie A and Coppa Italia double in his only season in Turin, while also playing a key role in Juve's run to another Champions League final, only to be on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline against Real Madrid.

He left the Allianz Stadium by mutual consent in the summer of 2017 before joining Paris Saint-Germain, where he added even more domestic silverware to his impressive collection under both Unai Emery and Thomas Tuchel.

Alves made his way back to his homeland after two years in France, and is still going strong at Sao Paulo to this day despite advancing well into the latter stages of his career, but he has now opened up on a failed return to Catalonia which left a sour taste in his mouth.

"I offered myself to Barca to come back. I went to Juve to prove I was still at a good level," the veteran defender told RAC 1.

"I wanted to return to Barca and they needed me, but they didn't have the balls to admit that they were wrong with me. If they had treated me as I thought I deserved, today I would still continue playing for Barca. I love this club ”

Alves is the latest in a long line of players to hit out at the way Barcelona has been run at boardroom level in recent years, as the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar had all aimed public criticism at club president Josep Maria Bartomeu amid a lack of progress on and off the pitch.

Bartomeu resigned last month ahead of an imminent vote of no confidence, but a Camp Nou legend says it will take time for the club to rebuild after losing it's "identity".

"The style of Barca is changing. The club has lost its identity a bit and now has to go through a tough process to recover it," Alves added.

“I think that Barca only wants to be a commercial and business club...buy and sell players. When you do that, you lose your identity. I think that is the problem for Barcelona."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has stressed Joe Willock's chance to impress in the Premier League will come after the youngster once again impressed in the club's 4-1 win over Molde in the Europa League on Thursday. 

The 21-year-old helped the Gunners overturn an early deficit by forcing two own goals before rounding out the scoring in the 88th minute. 

Willock has featured in all three of Arsenal's Europa League games to date but is yet to make a Premier League appearance for Arteta's side this campaign.

The Gunners boss liked what he saw from the promising midfielder on Thursday, however, and hinted his chance to play on the domestic front again will come in time. 

"Joe Willock could have scored more, he created a goal and a good performance," Arteta told BT Sport post-match. "Keep doing what he is doing consistently and his chance will arrive [in the Premier League].

"I really like the approach that the younger players are having for each game, they want to make the difference, they are playing with a lot of personality.

"It was really important for us to win tonight and go top of the group. We had a convincing victory and the boys tried to go for them from the first minute. We went a goal behind but it was about the reaction, we created lot of chances.

"If they did not score the own goals, we had players there for the tap in. We could sustain attacks and we did not want to let them run on the counter because they are a threat."

Willock, who made 29 Premier League appearances last season, is happy to wait for his chance to impress and is ready to take any opportunity with both hands. 

"I'm just taking it game by game. It's part of my journey and I'm just a kid. I have to keep learning. I'm trying to work hard and when I get a chance in the Premier League, hopefully I can do the same thing," Willock told BT Sport.

On the Molde match and his goal, Willock added: "In the first half they started really sharp and we had to stick with it. We didn't get frustrated. I had a couple of chances earlier in the game but I wasn't making a mistake with that one."

James Maddison was disappointed not to be called up to the England squad by Gareth Southgate this week, saying international football is a childhood dream he has only had a taste of.

The 23-year-old helped Leicester continue their positive start to the season with a 4-0 Europa League win over Braga on Thursday.

Maddison registered his first assist since December 2019 – a run stretching 31 matches – as Kelechi Iheanacho opened the scoring, before capping the win with a late goal of his own.

England play Ireland, Belgium and Iceland during the November international break, but Maddison will play no part and apparently needs to do more to work his way back into Southgate’s plans.

Asked on BT Sport if he was disappointed to be left out, Maddison replied: “Yes, if I am being honest. I want to be in the England squad.

“It is dream since I was a kid and I have had a taste of it. I can't control the England squad, I can only focus on my form for Leicester and we are second in the Premier League and three out of three in the Europa League."

Leicester look a safe bet to qualify from Group G with nine points from their three games so far. Thursday’s beaten opponents Braga are in second place with six points; AEK Athens have three, and Zorya Luhansk have zero.

"I think we were good today. I think we were solid,” Maddison said. “The gaffer was not happy with a couple of things at half-time tactically.

"We worked so hard for this last season. It is nights like this we do that for and long may it continue.

"We have a good squad. We have a lot of quality in depth. If you look at the injury list, we have a few key players out. Some are on their way back and I think the manager is going to need to take a paracetamol with the headache he is going to have."

Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers didn’t quite agree with Maddison’s assessment, adding: "There are no selection headaches; the players that have come in have been absolutely outstanding. It is a long season and we need them all.

"James Maddison was excellent tonight. It was good for him to get 90 minutes as well."

Didier Deschamps has explained Ousmane Dembele's omission from his latest France squad, insisting It's up to the Barcelona star to "find his full potential".

Dembele returned to action with Barcelona last month after almost a year on the sidelines following surgery on a hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old has been dealt a number of serious fitness setbacks since moving to Camp Nou from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017, and has so far been unable to live up to his €105 million (£94m/$124m) price tag.

He was heavily linked with a move away from Catalonia in the last transfer window amid reported interest from Manchester United, but ended up staying put, and has since fought his way back into the Blaugrana's starting side.

Dembele has contributed two goals and one assist in seven outings for Ronald Koeman's side this season, sparking talk of a possible recall to the international stage.

However, Deschamps ultimately decided against including the Barca winger in his latest squad, with France set to play Finland in a friendly on November 11 before preparations begin for a Nations' League doubleheader against Portugal and Sweden.

The Les Bleus head coach has justified his final decision by stressing the need for patience when it comes to Dembele's development as he seeks to rediscover his best form.

“Does he still have a chance? Yes, of course, Dembele is coming back from a major injury. We must give him time,” Deschamps told a press conference on Thursday

“We must give him time. I know what he is capable of. He had physical problems, but now it is up to him to find his full potential.”

Dembele's next chance to shine could come when Barca welcome Real Betis to Camp Nou in a must-win La Liga clash on Saturday.

Koeman's men have slipped to 12th in the standings after six fixtures, nine points behind early leaders Real Sociedad, but they do still have two games in hand. 

Hoffenheim players showed their support for team-mate Ryan Sessegnon during their game against Slovan Liberec on Thursday after the on-loan Tottenham winger was racially abused during the week.

The 20-year-old Sessegnon, who has represented England at four youth levels, posted screenshots of abuse he had received on Instagram.

He wrote: "Honestly unbelievable. The craziest thing is I'm not even surprised anymore. Disgusting."

Sessegnon watched from the bench as his side ran out 5-0 winners in their Europa League game, and saw his team-mates unite to show their support for him.

After Mu'nas Dabbur opened the scoring, the team celebrated by raising their fists together in a show of unity.

Both Spurs and Hoffenheim denounced the abuse after Sessegnon posted the messages.

"Everyone at the club is with you @RyanSessegnon," the tweet from Tottenham's official account read.

"We are proud of the rich ethnic diversity that exists across our communities, fans, staff and players. We are driven by inclusion and equality for all and nobody should have to endure such repulsive abuse."

Loan club Hoffenheim, meanwhile, said: "Today, our player @RyanSessegnon was the target of horrific online racist abuse.

"#TSG stands for tolerance, integration and respect. We reject all forms of racism, discrimination and exclusion and say #NoToRacism!"

The incident has once again raised the issue of whether social media companies do enough to prevent discrimination and punish abusers who use their platforms.

Watford captain Troy Deeney has been a vocal critic of social media companies over the issue of racist abuse.

“If a high-profile black player such as Raheem Sterling is experiencing racial abuse then everyone piles in and that drives traffic, which increases their advertising and profits,” he recently wrote in the Sun.

“If I scroll down my Instagram replies, the tenth one down features a racist emoji — which is not unusual. I follow the protocol, which is to block the user and report the message under the category of ‘hate speech and symbols’.

“Then I am told that an emoji with a monkey and a banana is not considered racist. I’ve even reported being called a ‘black c***’ and been told that isn’t hate speech either.

“They need to change their algorithms to reflect what are obviously racist posts — but do they even want to?”

Kelechi Iheanacho scored twice and provided an assist as Leicester City secured a 4-0 victory over Sporting Braga in Thursday’s Europa League game.

The centre-forward was afforded his second start in the competition and made the most of the opportunity, helping the Foxes to clinch their third consecutive victory in the European tournament.

Iheanacho opened the scoring in the 21st minute of the encounter after he was set up by James Maddison.

The Nigeria international fired home his effort from close range beyond the reach of goalkeeper Matheus.

His effort ensured Leicester went into the break with a 1-0 lead and continued their domination after the restart with the Super Eagles attacker leading the onslaught.

The centre-forward doubled the Foxes’ lead with a well-taken strike, three minutes into the second half after receiving a timely assist from Cengiz Under.

Iheanacho then crowned his outstanding performances by setting up Dennis Praet in the 67th minute before Maddison sealed the victory for Brendan Rodgers’ men.

The forward has now been involved in five goals in two Europa League starts for the King Power Stadium outfit in the current campaign.

The 24-year-old attacker featured for 72 minutes in his third appearance in the competition before making ways for Ayoze Perez.

The victory helped Leicester strengthen their lead atop of Group G table with nine points from three games.

Iheanacho will hope to continue his eye-catching displays when the Foxes take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in their next outing.

The forward will be expected to replicate his scintillating performances for Nigeria in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Sierra Leone on November 13.

Lukas Julis scored a hat-trick as Sparta Prague earned a 4-1 win against Celtic that all but ends their opponents' hopes of qualifying from Europa League Group H.

Pressure was already on Celtic boss Neil Lennon following a run of one win in five games and his team were again below par against a Sparta side who were without a number of regulars due to coronavirus.

Julis opened his account in the 26th minute and doubled his tally on the brink of half-time with a curled finish, the goals coming either side of Mohamed Elyounoussi hitting the bar from a rare Celtic chance.

The hosts were given a route back into the game 25 minutes from time when substitute Leigh Griffiths made an instant impact, but Julis killed off the contest with his third and Ladislav Krejci added a late fourth to pile on the misery.

David Moberg Karlsson crashed an early shot against the woodwork and was denied with another effort by Scott Bain, who also kept out Julis with a brilliant reaction save.

However, Sparta's pressure told moments later as Julis lashed into the roof of the net after David Hancko's glanced header had come back off the frame of the goal.

Celtic orchestrated a chance 38 minutes in, Elyounoussi meeting Ryan Christie's pass and grazing the crossbar with his volley, but Sparta were soon two goals in front through Julis' fine finish into the bottom-right corner.

Michal Sacek was given space to fire a long-range shot against the post as Celtic came within inches of shipping a third, though that let-off acted as a turning point of sorts.

Florin Nita kept out Tom Rogic's shot but Griffiths was on hand to fire the rebound into an empty net against a Sparta side previously without a point to their name.

Just as Celtic had some momentum on their side, Karlsson got away from Shane Duffy and squared the ball for Julis to bundle in.

Substitute Krejci then got on the end of a Borek Dockal cross in the 90th minute to further the pain of Celtic, who have lost three home games in a row in the competition for the first time and sit bottom of their group.

Lennon was keen to take positives out of his side's 2-2 draw away to in-form Lille last week, but he will struggle to find much to be pleased about after this chastening defeat.

Celtic looked leggy and were far too passive up until the point Griffiths temporarily revived their hopes, collectively managing four attempts on target to their opponents' eight.

The Scottish champions are bottom of Group H at the halfway stage, two points behind Sparta and five adrift of Milan, who suffered a surprise 3-0 home loss to new leaders Lille.

Jubilant Julis

The Sparta striker had 35 touches of the ball - the fewest of any player to play the full 90 minutes - yet he managed to find the net from three of his five attempts.

Julis' opener was all about power as he drilled the ball high into the net, the second was more about precision and the third was a case of making himself free for a simple tap-in.

Leigh lifts Celtic

Lennon replaced Elyounoussi with Griffiths on the hour mark and the substitute striker needed just six minutes to do what Elyounoussi could not - find a way past Nita.

The departing Elyounoussi completed just 61 per cent of his 18 passes - the lowest passing accuracy rate of any Celtic starter - with the hosts' best spell coming when two players were fielded up top.

What's next?

Celtic take on Motherwell on Sunday in their final Scottish Premiership outing before the international break, while Sparta travel to Viktoria Plzen the same day.

Olanrewaju Kayode came off the bench to seal Sivasspor's 2-0 victory over Qarabag in Thursday's Uefa Europa League outing.

The Nigeria forward scored his third goal in the Europa League this season, two minutes from time after replacing Mali's Mustapha Yatabare in the 59th minute.

Hakan Arslan assisted Kayode to double the hosts' lead at the Sivas 4 Eylul Stadium, after Morocco's Faycal Fajr combined with Caner Osmanpasa to open the scoring in the 10th minute.

Although he is yet to open his goal account in the Turkish Super Lig this season, Kayode who is on a season-long loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, has played a crucial role for Sivasspor in the Europa League with at least a goal in a game so far this campaign.

Mali goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa was also in action for Sivasspor and he kept his first clean sheet having conceded seven goals in the first two matches.

Ivory Coast's Max Gradel was introduced as a 59th-minute substitute and Ghana's Isaac Cofie was thrown into the fray in the closing stages of the encounter.

Qarabag, on the other hand, had Ghana's Owusu Kwabena in action from start to finish but he could not stretch his goalscoring run having contributed a goal in each of his last two outings.

Thursday's result was Sivasspor's first win in Group I after suffering defeats against VIllarreal and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The Turkish top-flight club climbed to third in the standings with three points after three matches, and they travel to Azerbaijan for the return fixture against Qarabag after the international break on November 26.

Sivasspor will hope to build on their victory, which ended a four-game winless run across all competitions, when they host Galatasaray for their next league fixture on Sunday.

Joe Willock capped an impressive display with a late strike after two own goals helped Arsenal fight back to score a 4-1 win over Molde in the Europa League.

Martin Ellingsen's long-range strike gave the Norwegian champions a shock lead at Emirates Stadium on Thursday, but Kristoffer Haugen turned into his own net just before the break.

Substitute Sheriff Sinyan also scored at the wrong end before Nicolas Pepe drilled home, and Willock added a fourth late on as a much-changed Arsenal raised their game in the second half.

A third win out of three puts Mikel Arteta's team six three points clear of their opponents at the top of Group B and well on course to qualify for the knockout stages.

Martin Bjornbak was on hand to clear after Eddie Nketiah dinked an effort beyond Molde goalkeeper Andreas Linde early on, but Arsenal were lacklustre and they fell behind 22 minutes in.

Bernd Leno's casual kick was nodded to Magnus Wolff Eikrem, who picked out Ellingsen with an incisive first-time pass and the unmarked midfielder bent a clinical left-footed strike into the far corner from 25 yards.

Arsenal finally raised the tempo and Nketiah had a goal ruled out when it appeared to be Willock who was marginally offside, but the pair combined at the end of a brilliant rapid counter-attack just before half-time that resulted in Haugen putting the ball through his own net at full stretch.

Sead Kolasinac missed an open goal from close range early in the second half when Linde palmed a cross into his path, but two goals in the space of seven minutes put Arsenal in command.

Sinyan put through his own goal after the lively Willock played a one-two and knocked the ball across the six-yard box, before Pepe fired in first time from just inside the penalty area when Bukayo Saka picked him out.

Pepe then turned provider for Willock, who lashed home a deserved fourth clinically in the closing stage.

What does it mean? Gunners on a roll

That is three wins in a for now for Arteta's men and they look destined to advance from their group with ease.

Molde were well drilled in the first half as the Gunners lacked a spark, but the home side had that extra quality to turn it around in the second half.

With Leno and Willian the only two players staying in the starting line-up from the win at Manchester United last weekend, Arteta's decision to make nine changes did not backfire.

Where there's a Willock, there's a way

Willock has not made a Premier League appearance this season, but the midfielder caught the eye again in Europe, after he was on the scoresheet and provided an assist in a 3-0 win over Dundalk last week.

The 21-year-old was full of energy in the middle of the park and made some probing runs, setting up the third goal before drilling in a fourth that was richly deserved.

He only misplaced three of 41 passes, 28 of which were played in the Molde half. Willock also showed he can be a threat from wide areas, providing five crosses. His four tackles were also more than any other Arsenal player achieved.

Kolasinac left red-faced

It was not one of Kolasinac's better games for the London club and how he failed to score from inside the six-yard box in the second half he will never know. His final ball could also have been much better, with just one of his crosses finding the target.

Key Opta stats

- Arsenal have avoided defeat in 60 per cent of their matches when conceding first under manager Arteta, winning four and drawing two of 10 such games (L4).
- Arsenal have won 15 of their 21 Europa League group stage games (71 per cent - D4 L2), which is at least six more than any other side since the 2017/18 season.
- Norwegian teams have lost 21 of their 23 away games against English sides in all European competition (D2), netting 14 goals and conceding 104 in those games.
- Arsenal were boosted by two own goals in a single game for the first time since beating Swansea 4-0 in the Premier League in January 2017.
- Pepe has had a hand in eight goals in nine Europa League appearances since joining Arsenal (4 goals, 4 assists), scoring in back-to-back games in the competition for the first time.

What's next?

Aston Villa will be Arsenal's next opponents in the Premier League at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, while Molde take on Kristiansund, also on Sunday.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored twice as Leicester City moved clear at the top of their Europa League group with a 4-0 win over Braga.

Starting in place of Jamie Vardy up top, the Nigerian produced a fine individual performance, netting in either half and setting up substitute Dennis Praet for the third.

Another impressive performer, James Maddison, then rounded off a comfortable victory with a goal late in the second half.

Leicester now hold a three-point cushion at the summit of Group G and look well placed to make the knockout stages with just half of their fixtures completed.

In dipping temperatures at the King Power Stadium, both sides took time to warm up, leading to a scrappy opening quarter of an hour.

And the biting cold will only have enhanced the pain of the knee to the thigh Maddison received early on during a challenge with Ali Musrati.

The Englishman was seen limping as he attempted to run off that blow but looked to be moving well enough by the time he played a beautifully weighted one-two to release Iheanacho in behind.

The Foxes striker still had work to do from a tight angle, but bundled past Matheus with a degree of good fortune before tapping into an empty net.

Braga responded well, with Bruno Viana heading on target before a well-timed Hamza Choudhury slide stopped Abel Ruiz latching onto a delicious Ricardo Esgaio cross at the back post.

But the visitors' failure to capitalise on those chances was punished moments after the restart, Iheanacho grabbing his second with a deflected effort from range.

Leicester's lone striker turned provider with just over 20 minutes remaining, picking out an inch-perfect cross to give Praet a tap-in at the back post.

His reward for that contribution was an early withdrawal, with Brendan Rodgers making the most of generous substitution rules in Europe to give his tiring players a rest.

The hosts did not take their foot off the gas, however, Maddison grabbing a deserved goal 12 minutes from time, jinking through the Braga defence to poke home.

What does it mean? Foxes prove their pedigree

Top of their Europa League group, second in the Premier League, Leicester are making a mockery of suggestions that their poor finish to last season would lead to a hangover.

On this evidence, the Foxes are more than capable of a deep European run and another push for a top-four finish in the league.

Iheanacho shines in Vardy absence

Two goals and an assist are testament enough to the quality of Iheanacho's performance, but there was plenty more to admire.

The 24-year-old completed 100% of his passes, made three key passes, and took four shots in a perfect centre-forward's showing.

Game to forget for Ruiz

It was a different story at the other end of the pitch, where Braga forward Abel Ruiz struggled to influence matters. The Spaniard took just 24 touches, won none of his five duels, and only managed a single shot.

Key Opta Facts

- Leicester have won three consecutive matches in European competition for a second time, also doing so in October 2016 in the Champions League.
- Braga suffered their first Europa League group stage defeat in nine matches (won six, drawn two), with this their first since losing 2-1 to Istanbul Basaksehir in December 2017.
- Leicester scored four goals in a European match for the first time since their first ever match in Europe, when they won 4-1 against Glenavon in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1961.
- Iheanacho has scored in all three of his starts in the Europa League and Champions League, one with Manchester City in the Champions League in December 2016 and in both starts for Leicester this season.
- Maddison registered his first assist in 31 matches in all competitions, last doing so back in December 2019 against Aston Villa.

What's next?

Leicester return to Premier League action on Sunday when they host Wolves at the King Power. Braga, meanwhile, face a trip to second-placed Benfica in the Portuguese top-flight.

Milan's unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt after 11 games as Yusuf Yazici's hat-trick secured an emphatic 3-0 victory for Lille in the Europa League.

Inspired by the form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic – who already has eight goals to his name – Stefano Pioli's side have made a wonderful start to 2020-21.

But Ibrahimovic, who was subbed off in the 62nd minute, failed to lift the Rossoneri in a dismal showing at San Siro, with Yazici running the show.

The 23-year-old Turkey international opened the scoring from the spot 21 minutes in, before becoming the first player to score an away hat-trick against Milan in all competitions since Rivaldo in October 2000 with quickfire strikes early in the second half to move Lille one point clear at the top of Group H.

Ibrahimovic crafted the game's first chance, teeing up Theo Hernandez to shoot from a tight angle, with his effort deflected wide. 

Yet Lille had the lead two minutes later – Yazici drilling home from the penalty spot after drawing a clumsy foul from Alessio Romagnoli.

Along with former Lille forward Rafael Leao, Hakan Calhanoglu was introduced at the break, yet it was the latter's compatriot Yazici who delivered a second blow to Milan when Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to keep out his dipping effort.

Milan were all at sea and Lille took full advantage, Yazici curling in his third with a brilliant first-time finish at the culmination of a fast break.

Pioli made the surprising decision to take Ibrahimovic off moments later, though the change nearly paid dividends as his replacement Ante Rebic drew a smart stop from Mike Maignan.

Donnarumma made slight amends for his earlier mistake with a brilliant save to deny Yazici a fourth, but the damage was already done as Lille won consecutive away games in the Europa League for the first time.

What does it mean? Milan's European record tumbles

Thursday's clash provided something of a reality check for Milan, who had only let in three goals in a game on one previous occasion this season. 

It is the first time the Rossoneri have conceded three times at home in a single European game since November 2011, and they sit second in Group H, three points ahead of Sparta Prague, who thrashed bottom-placed Celtic.

Yazici finds his spark

Lille's hat-trick hero endured a difficult first season in France last term, starting just nine Ligue 1 matches, registering one goal and four assists from 18 appearances in total.

However, Yazici has been in scintillating form this term, and has now netted eight times across his last six appearances in all competitions. 

Ibrahimovic heads off early

Despite Milan needing their talisman, Ibrahimovic was taken off following Lille's third goal, much to the veteran campaigner's apparent dismay. He managed two attempts on goal – both on target – and created one chance, for Hernandez, but only two of his 15 touches came inside the area.

What's next?

Milan take on Hellas Verona in their next Serie A outing on Sunday, while Lille – who are second in Ligue 1 – are in action against Brest.