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Swallows FC have officially announced the signing of Ruzaigh Gamildien from Chippa United. 

The club unveiled the well-travelled attacker on their social media platforms on Monday morning without disclosing details of his contract.

Gamildien becomes Swallows' third major signing ahead of the start of the 2020-21 PSL season. 

On Sunday, the Dube Birds acquired the signature of Musa Nyatama on a free transfer before completing the signing of Moeketsi Makhanya from JDR Stars. 

Gamildien is an experienced player having played for no less than nine clubs during his 10-year professional career. 

He made his professional debut with Milano United before Bloemfontein Celtic gave him the chance to showcase his talent in the elite league. 

He also played for AmaZulu and Ajax Cape Town, and his first stint at Chippa United wasn't as successful as he scored just once in 21 games before being offloaded to Steenburg United in the NFD. 

However, after scoring eight goals in 12 games during the first half of the previous season, the Chilli Boys brought him back to Port Elizabeth to try and help them in their fight for survival. 

Gamildien featured 13 times for the Chippa United upon his return to the club for a second stint as they were struggling in the bottom half of the table. 

He scored twice and provided a further two assists in his half-a-season with the Port Elizabeth-based outfit. 

The 31-year-old will be expected to hit the ground running as soon as he starts pre-season with Swallows under the tutelage of Brandon Truter. 

Gamildien will compete with the likes of Makhanya and Kagiso Malinga for a place in Truter's starting line-up next season. 

Makhanya and Malinga scored 12 goals each for their respective teams in the NFD - and finished the campaign as second joint-top goalscorers behind Ajax Cape Town marksman Abednego Mosiatlhaga who scored 18 league goals. 

Swallows' busy transfer dealings are a statement that they intend to stay in the PSL for years to come but for next season, the aim would certainly be to avoid returning to the NFD. 

Former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe is set to join Derby County on a free transfer.

The 24-year-old is to undergo a medical with the Championship club on Monday after agreeing terms on a two-year contract as he looks to get his career back on track.

Ibe was released by Bournemouth in June and had attracted interest from several clubs, including Swansea, Millwall and Turkish side Besiktas, but he has chosen Derby where he will play alongside former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney.

The hope is that a move to Pride Park, where he performed well during a loan spell in 2014, will help relaunch a career which promised so much as a teenager but has run off course in recent seasons.

Ibe was tipped as one of the hottest prospects in English football having burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old with Wycombe.

He earned a move to Liverpool, with the Reds paying an undisclosed fee, understood to be around £600,000 ($750,000) to sign him in December 2011.

Ibe made his senior debut for the Reds in a 1-0 win over QPR on the final day of the 2012-13 season and impressed during a loan spell at Birmingham the following campaign.  

He did the same at Derby in 2014-15, scoring five goals in 24 appearances before being recalled by manager Brendan Rodgers and promoted to Liverpool’s first team.

Back at Anfield, Ibe featured regularly for the Reds. He made a total of 58 appearances, scoring four times.  The last of those goals came in his final appearance, a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion in May 2016.

He was sold to Bournemouth in a £15 million ($19m) deal that summer, but his move to the south coast failed to take off. 

Ibe featured 64 times across his first two seasons with the Cherries but was unable to hold down a regular starting place thereafter. Last season, he made just two Premier League appearances – both as a substitute – with Bournemouth opting not to renew his contract.

There were off-the-field issues too. Ibe was banned from driving for 16 months after crashing his car into a coffee shop in Bromley, south east London and then fleeing the scene. 

At the court hearing, Ibe’s lawyer Frank Rogers claimed the winger had spent much of his life "cocooned in the artificial world of football", which had left him "not well-educated" and "ignorant of his duties.”

Ibe himself has since spoken of his battle with mental health issues and expressed a desire to get his career back on track.

He will now look to do that in the Championship, where Derby have made a poor start, losing their opening two games. Ibe could make his Rams debut against Blackburn next Saturday.

Ugandan Premier League (UPL) clubs have taken to social media to welcome the decision by the government to allow the return of football after six months in the cold.

On Sunday, during his address to the nation, President Yoweri Museveni reopened the sporting activities but without spectators, and also asked organisers to test players for Covid-19 72 hours before any match.

“Open-air activities of sports will be open, provided there are no spectators,” said Museveni from State House Entebbe. “We must learn to have games without spectators and players should be tested 72 hours before the games.”

Museveni added: “Players should learn to remain quarantined for the period of the games.”

Like many East African nations and across the world, Uganda moved to ban all its social gatherings and sporting activities immediately after the coronavirus pandemic struck the country in mid-March.

Football was not spared either as the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) was halted for some weeks before it was prematurely ended and the Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) moved to award the league title to Vipers SC, who were sitting top at the time the league was suspended.

Vipers and record league winners SC Villa have led Ugandan clubs to celebrate the news on social media.

Below is how several clubs reacted to the news.

The Indian football season is set to kick off from October 8 with the I-League qualifiers after a hiatus of more than six months. The Coronavirus pandemic forced all sporting activities to stop in mid-March and football was no exception. 

With football set to restart the AIFF (All India Football Federation) keeping no stone unturned in order to maintain a bio-bubble for the participating teams and officials.

Hence they have come up with a detailed SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) that the teams must follow during the course of the tournament. 

In fact, even before the teams touch down in Kolkata, the entire squad, staff and officials must get tested for Covid-19 twice. The first test should have been done between 15th to 18th September followed by another one between 22nd to 23rd September. Only those who have tested 'negative' in both the tests reports will be allowed to enter the hotel.

Two players from Bhowanipore FC (Akash Mondal and Sudipta Malakar) have already been tested positive.

The last date to submit both test reports is 24th September. 

Once the teams reach Kolkata, they will enter a 'bio-bubble'. Each team will be provided 15 rooms, starting from matchday minus 13 till the last matchday. In case a team requires extra room, it must be conveyed to the organisers at least a week before they reach the host city, i.e. 25th September. 

Upon arrival, the teams will quarantine themselves for five days and will not be allowed to train. 

Nobody belonging to the contingent will be allowed to go out of the bio-bubble during the entire duration of their stay except for training and matches. Gym sessions will be conducted using the facilities of the hotel. 

The federation will get everyone tested at least four times during the competition. Transport and training grounds are to be sanitised as well after each session. 

AIFF will also pay a travel subsidy of INR 2 Lakhs for the entire tournament to the outstation teams (Garhwal FC, ARA FC and Bengaluru United). 

The inaugural match of the tournament is set to take place between Bhowanipore FC and Bengaluru United at the Salt Lake Stadium. 

While now sometimes powerless to stop a perfectly timed finish in recent FIFA games, a strong goalkeeper remains a huge asset to any side. 

Ahead of FIFA 21's release, EA Sports has released the ratings for the best 20 shot-stoppers in the upcoming game with Atletico Madrid's number one Jan Oblak coming out on top. 

The Slovenia international is only just heading into his prime at 27 years of age but has been a consistent performed for Diego Simeone's side in both La Liga and European competitions. 

Oblak's one weakness in FIFA 21 is a kicking rating of 78, but 92-rated handling and 90-rated reflexes more than make up for any shortcomings with his boots.

Liverpool's Alisson has taken out second spot this year with his saves helping guide the Reds to the Premier League title across the 2019-20 season.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen then rounds out the podium, with the Barcelona shot-stopper one of the most well-rounded keepers in the game. 

The Premier League has seven representatives in the top 20 this year with Wolves' Rui Patricio the surprise packet and boasting an overall rating of 84.

Other lesser known names that could be worth scouting out on FIFA 21 include RB Leipzig's Peter Gulacsi and Torino's Salvatore Sirigu.

AC Milan prodigy Gianluigi Donnarumma remains the best young goalkeeper in the game and is an ideal long-term signing for any side. 

Ibrahima Niane’s double against Reims is his first ever as a professional footballer as he inspired Metz to a 2-1 win on Sunday.

The visitors came to the Stade Saint-Symphorien with the ambition of bagging their first win of the 2020-21 season, however, they were silenced by Vincent Hognon’s men.

It took the Senegal youth international 18 minutes to put his side ahead after heading past goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic a free-kick taken by Farid Boulaya.

Two minutes before the half-time break, the visitors earned a penalty after Boulaya upended Mathieu Cafaro who was goal-bound after controlling Valon Berisha’s cross – a foul that earned the Algerian a caution. Boulaye Dia converted the resulting kick after sending goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja the wrong way.

Five minutes into the second-half, Reims’ ambition of leaving Saint-Symphorien with at least a point suffered a setback following Marshall Munetsi’s dismissal. The 24-year-old Zimbabwe international was given the marching orders for pulling down Niane.

The Red and Whites kept scores even following their numerical disadvantage, nevertheless, they returned home with heads bowed low with Niane having the final say after drilling home a cross from compatriot Papa Ndiaga Yade.

The former Senegal U20 star’s double was the first of his professional career, and that earned Vincent Hognon’s men their first win of the 2020-21 campaign.

He was in action from start to finish alongside Oukidja, Tunisia’s Dylan Bronn, Ghana international John Boye, Boulaya and Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Habib Maiga. Senegal’s Opa Nguette was handed a starter’s role, but he was replaced in the 71st minute by Yade.

Mamadou Fofana (Mali), Boubacar Traore (Mali), Lamine Gueye (Senegal), Cheikh Sabaly (Senegal), Habib Diallo (Senegal), Boubakar Kouyate (Mali) and Vagner Goncalves (Cape Verde) played no part in the encounter.

Morocco's Yunis Abdelhamid was played all 90 minutes for Reims, while Guinea Bissau's Moreto Cassama was substituted for Dario Maresic after 52 minutes and Mali's El Bilal Toure coming off for Mathieu Cafaro 16 minutes later.

Cote d'Ivoire's Ghislain Konan, Cameroon's Tristan Dingome, Mali's Moussa Doumbia and Senegal's Dialy N'Diaye were not dressed for action.

Metz are guests of Olympique Marseille on Saturday while Reims welcome PSG to the Stade Auguste-Delaune on Sunday. Before then, they will try Fehervar for size in Thursday's Europa League game.

Indian Super League (ISL) champions ATK Mohun Bagan have completed the transfer of Bradden Inman from A-League outfit Brisbane Roar for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old midfielder spent the 2019-20 season with the Roar, making 25 appearances and scoring four goals in the process.

Inman is the seventh overseas player in the ATKMB squad and completes the club's foreign player recruitment. They already have fellow Aussie David Williams, Roy Krishna (Fiji), Carl McHugh (Ireland), Edu Garcia, Javi Hernandez and Tiri (all Spain).

Williams and Krishna also moved to ATKMB from the A-League.

Inman, who is known for his flair and creativity from midfield, started his professional career in England where he was part of Newcastle United's academy. He played for various clubs in England's lower tiers before moving back to Australia with Brisbane Roar.

Inman has represented Scotland at the youth levels but has been called up to the Australian national team squads, though he is yet to make an appearance for the Socceroos.

“I would like to say thank you to all the players and staff. It was a unique season – there were plenty of great moments as well as some tough ones, but we helped each other through it all and really enjoyed pulling on the orange kit every week,” Inman said after leaving Roar.

Inman adds even more skill to a technically proficient midfield that ATK has. Coach Antonio Habas will be counting on Inman as the club prepares to compete in the AFC Cup as well this season, the first time they are playing on the continent.

Former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor recently penned a one-year deal with Indian Super League (ISL) side Odisha FC.

The 34-year-old Brit has come to India after two successful seasons with A-League side Wellington Phoenix. He was also the club’s skipper last season.

Taylor will pair up with Australian defender Jacob Tratt in Odisha’s defence this season who also joined the club from A-League side Perth Glory.

The defender, who has represented England at the youth level, suggested that he had a fair idea about India and the ISL, courtesy a host of A-League players who had played before in the league.

“(ISL) It’s getting better every year with the top quality players that are coming to the ISL and of course, I’ve played with a lot of players who have played in the ISL. And speaking to them, they all loved playing out in India,” said Taylor to Goal.

Taylor had played alongside ATK Mohun Bagan strike duo Roy Krishna and David Williams at Wellington Phoenix during the 2018-19 season and suggested that both the players had endorsed the league.

“Yeah, they have been great. They've been telling me how much I would enjoy playing out here in India and how much they have loved it so far since signing out here.”

Since last season, there has been a huge influx of top quality players in the ISL from the Australian league. It started with Roy Krishna and David Williams to ATK and Bobo to Hyderabad FC.

The success of Krishna and Williams who played a crucial role in guiding the Kolkata club to their record third ISL title has prompted clubs like Odisha, Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters to bring in quite a few big names from down under.

The Englishman explained the reason why a host A-League footballers are keen to join ISL.

“I think with all the uncertainty going on with the A-League, a lot of players have seen how good the ISL is and want to experience and a new challenge.”

The former Newcastle defender spoke very highly of Odisha FC’s new coach Stuart Baxter and said that the coach convinced him to join the club.

“I spoke to Stuart a good few times and hearing his plans for the season and the club was exciting so it was a no brainer after speaking with him that I would be joining Odisha FC. You just have to look at his CV and seeing his experience for myself to learn from will be very good cause you're never too old to learn,” he said.

Taylor heaped praises on the young Indian talents Odisha have acquired this season and suggested that he is looking forward to having an exciting season with the club.

“They have a very young and exciting squad with ambitions to have an exciting season. There are a lot of up and coming new Indian talents, so it will be good to see them express themselves this season and for us to do something special,” said the British defender.

Shree Cement Limited, the new investors for East Bengal FC, registered a new company named 'Shree Cement East Bengal Foundation' with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in early September. 

Subsequently, the company picked up the bid papers issued by FSDL (Football Sports Private Limited) to play in the ISL (Indian Super League) and submitted the same on Monday, September 14, to the organisers. 

But the sporting rights of East Bengal Football Club are still held by the company 'East Bengal Club Private Limited'. To play in the ISL and to fulfill the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) licensing criteria it is mandatory that the sporting rights must be transferred to 'Shree Cement East Bengal Foundation' since it is the entity that has picked up the bid.

But first, the sporting rights must be given back to East Bengal Football Club by 'East Bengal Club Private Limited'. Thereafter, Shree Cement East Bengal Foundation will take possession of the sporting rights. 

It must be noted that a similar procedure was followed when Quess came on board as East Bengal investors in 2018. The sporting rights were transferred back the club before it was handed over to Quess East Bengal FC.

This is expected to take place in an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) that will be hosted by the club in the last week of September. 

An EGM is a shareholder meeting which is convened apart from the company’s scheduled Annual General Meeting (AGM). An EGM is also called a special general meeting or emergency general meeting.

Certain events may require shareholders to come together on short notice to deal with an urgent matter, often concerning company management. The EGM is used as a way to meet and deal with urgent matters that arise in between the AGMs.

An EGM is generally called to deal with any matter that can't wait until the next shareholders meeting. 

It is also likely that the shape of the new board of 'Shree Cement East Bengal Foundation' will take place that day. The two current directors of the company are Sunil Kumar Gupta and Sanjay Mehta.

Nigerian descent Marvin Olawale Akinlabi Park made his debut appearance for Real Madrid first-team in their goalless draw against Real Sociedad in their La Liga opening fixture on Sunday.

He replaced Rodrygo in the 70th minute of the encounter but could not inspire the defending champions to victory at the Reale Arena.

The 20-year-old was the second player who made his Real Madrid debut in La Liga on Sunday after Sergio Arribas came on for Vinicius Junior.

Marvin moved to the Spanish capital in 2016 and rose through the youth ranks at the Real Madrid after previous playing stints at Tranmere Rovers, Ciutat de Palma and Penya Arrabal.

He helped the Spanish giants lift the Uefa Youth League title last season with his contribution of a goal in seven matches, and he also scored three goals in 26 league appearances for Real Madrid Castilla.

Internationally, the youngster is eligible to play for three countries after he was born to a Nigerian father and a South Korean mother in Spain.

In January 2019, Marvin earned his maiden invitation to Spain U19 team and featured as a 62nd-minute substitute in their 3-0 defeat to Italy U19 in an international friendly.

After Sunday's outing, he will be eager to earn more first-team action with the Santiago Bernabeu outfit in the 2020-21 season.

Real Madrid will be hoping to secure their first win of the season when they visit Real Betis for their next La Liga game on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp reiterated his dislike for any unsportsmanlike behaviour after remonstrating with a member of the Liverpool staff for applauding a red card handed to Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen on Sunday. 

After VAR intervention, an initial yellow card for Christensen was upgraded to red for a poor challenge on Sadio Mane and Klopp was left fuming when someone on the Reds bench began applauding the decision. 

"Are you crazy? We never ever do that, ok?," Klopp could reportedly be heard shouting from the sidelines. 

The send off would prove decisive as Liverpool went on to claim a 2-0 win courtesy of a double from Mane.

Klopp clarified his stance on the red-card applause post-match and admitted the sending off did change the game. 

"It was not one of my subs but another member of staff and I told him already what I thought and he is good with that," Klopp said. "I am fine with that but in the moment it wasn't what I wanted to see.

"I saw the sending off only in the situation. I saw Christensen's arms around Sadio so I thought in the moment it is a sending off but I couldn't see it back since then so if you have seen it differently, then I respect that.

"Would we have won it [if Chelsea had XI]? Who knows that! I thought we were good in the first half so I thought we could win it but if we would, I don't know.

"We know that it was a different game in the second half but I liked our first half already. I liked the way we tried to find solutions with the way we played. I liked the way we took on a difficult game.

"That was already very good and I was ready for a very positive half-time talk with a few pictures on what we could have done differently, where we have to move quicker, pass quicker, easier and stuff like this. Then, the red card, yes and it changed the game."

The reigning Premier League champions have now won their first two games of the league season with Klopp content from what he's seen and eager to send a message to their future opponents. 

"I liked the performance, I liked it a lot and we are playing for two things - three points and to show people you need to be ready for us when we arrive," Klopp added.

"The next game is going to be difficult for their own reasons because Arsenal has been flying for a few months already and it is really tough but for ourselves, for the way we feel, play with patience and to improve to make us successful.

"Chelsea away will be for the next 500 years one of the most difficult games you ever play, it will become even more difficult now with Chelsea and all the things that are settled. For today, it was difficult but we did it and I am happy for that."

Jurgen Klopp lauded Fabinho for an "outstanding" performance at centre-back in Liverpool's 2-0 Premier League win over Chelsea on Sunday.

With Joe Gomez and Joel Matip injured, Fabinho moved into the centre of defence alongside Virgil van Dijk and produced a fine display at Stamford Bridge.

Sadio Mane's second-half brace lifted Liverpool to a second straight win to begin the Premier League season, with the attacker earlier brought down by Andreas Christensen that led to the defender being sent off.

Klopp praised Fabinho for his performance, although Liverpool needed a penalty save from Alisson to deny Jorginho to keep their clean sheet.

"If Sadio wouldn't have scored two goals, I think Fab would be a proper contender for man of the match," the Liverpool manager told a news conference.

"I loved his performance, he played outstanding. He helped us a lot with the ball and in defending as well, so yes, a proper performance."

Fabinho made a game-high four interceptions and gained possession 12 times, while completing 86 of his 89 passes.

In a further boost for Liverpool, Thiago Alcantara made his debut, replacing Jordan Henderson at half-time, and set a Premier League record in the space of just 45 minutes.

But Mane starred with his brace and Klopp said the attacker's second goal, when he dispossessed Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, highlighter Liverpool's hunger.

"It says everything about that and it says everything about the team as well. I love that because we have these situations quite a lot – that we chase the goalie," he said.

"I think in the first half Sadio was really close to blocking it there already but you just have to do it. I love it when we get the rewards for these kinds of situations.

"The first goal was a nice piece of football, everybody involved pretty much. [Roberto] Firmino cross and then Sadio comes in front of his man, so it's really difficult to defend. Good goal and gave the game the right direction. That's exactly what we have to show all the time, that's what we wanted to show today.

"I saw us today, I saw us playing football today and I'm completely fine with that. I loved it."

Liverpool face Lincoln City in the EFL Cup on Thursday before hosting Arsenal in the Premier League four days later.

Andy Delort was Montpellier’s hero having scored twice in their 4-1 victory over Angers in Sunday’s French topflight encounter.

The hosts came into the encounter on the back on consecutive victories over Nice and Olympique Lyon. Against the Black and Whites, they continued with their impressive start to the season with the Algerian star wreaking havoc.

Defender Arnaud Souquet gave the hosts an 18th minute lead thanks to his long-range low effort after a one-two pass with Gaetan Laborde.

Not willing to stoop so low, the visitors equalised seven minutes later through Stephane Bahoken. The Cameroonian fired past goalkeeper Jonas Omlin after receiving a well-timed cross from Angelo Fulgini.

Two minutes into the half-time break, Delort put Michel Der Zakarian’s team ahead – beating his marker to head home Laborde’s cheeky lob.

The Algeria international completed his brace on the hour mark to silence any ambition of Stephane Moulin’s men to launch a comeback. The 28-year-old headed home a cross from Junior Sambia.

Four minutes before full time, substitute Florent Mollet made things worse for Angers with a beautiful strike that was unstoppable by goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni.

After putting up a fine shift that evening, Delort was replaced with five minutes left to play by Stephy Mavididi. Cameroonian defender Ambroise Oyongo was introduced in the 68th minute for Nicolas Cozza, whie South Africa's Keagan Dolly was an unused substitute.

Cote d'Ivoire's duo of Ismael Traore and Abdoulaye Bamba were in action from start to finish for Angers, as Mali's Lassana Coulibaly who was handed a starter's place was substituted for Senegal's Sada Thioub after 63 minutes.

Thomas Toure of Cote d’Ivoire got replaced by Lois Diony in the closing stages of the encounter with Algeria's duo of Farid El Melali and Haithem Loucif were not dressed by manager Moulin.

With this win, Montpellier sit in third spot having garnered nine points from four games, while Angers occupy the 11th position with six points from same number of matches.

2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner Delort would be eyeing more goals when his club travel to Stade Gaston Gerard on Sunday to tackle Dijon.

Napoli head coach Gennaro Gattuso acknowledged Kalidou Koulibaly is likely to leave the Serie A club but he would be happy to keep the star defender.

Koulibaly has been strongly linked with Premier League giants Manchester City and Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain as Napoli look to raise funds following the club-record signing of Victor Osimhen.

The 29-year-old Koulibaly played as Napoli opened their 2020-21 Serie A season with a 2-0 win at Parma on Sunday and Gattuso hailed the in-demand centre-back, who has also reportedly attracted interest from Manchester United.

"I had no doubts, he is one of the strongest champions in the world in his role," Gattuso said via Sky Sport.

"He has always given me great availability and always trains well. I would be sorry to lose him, both for the man and for the player.

"But you know that numbers are important for clubs and at this moment something needs to be done for numbers, but I'd be happy to keep him."

Osimhen made his debut for Napoli, coming off the bench to inspire the visitors as Dries Mertens and captain Lorenzo Insigne scored against Parma.

When asked about the Nigeria star, Gattuso added: "It's not about numbers, but the principles of football. We know Osimhen is an added bonus, but we need to run before we have quality, because quality is not enough on its own.

"We must set out the team with the right concepts and protect the defence, but we knew that Osimhen could give us another gear in the final 20-25 minutes today.

"Osimhen is a lad who, in the 25 days I've been working with, I can tell doesn't forget where he started from, who made sacrifices, lost his family very young and has the head of a 40-year-old on 21-year-old shoulders.

"I am confident he won't change, as he has a great attitude and at this moment is a better player than he's so far shown on the pitch."

Osimhen scored six goals across his first two pre-season games for Napoli and will be hoping to find the back of the net in his club's next Serie A match against Genoa on Sunday. 

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho interrupted a post-match interview with Son Heung-Min to jokingly declare Harry Kane as his man of the match on Sunday. 

After losing 1-0 to Everton last weekend, Spurs bounced back in style to smash Southampton 5-2 with Son scoring four goals in clinical fashion. 

Kane claimed Tottenham's fifth goal from close range and also notably provided the assist for all of Son's strikes, with the South Korean converting each of his four shots at St Mary's Stadium. 

While Son was seen by many as the game's man of the match, Mourinho seemingly felt otherwise as he cut off the attacker's interview with BBC Sport to declare: "Man of the match, Harry Kane."

Son did his best to brush off the awkward moment, laughing and agreeing with his manager before praising his Spurs team-mate.

"I will say that Harry is man of the match because he scored one goal, gave four assists," he said.

"With Harry we have been working together for so long, this is the sixth season, we know each other, we want to have a good relationship on the pitch and even off the pitch.

"I think we work really hard to get a better relationship, even better than now, so obviously it's not perfect but we're aiming for a perfect relationship."

Son's four-goal haul was his biggest in the competition to date as he looks to improve on his 11 goals in the league last season. 

"I'm buzzing to score four goals in the Premier League for the first time," Son said in a message to Spurs fans on the club's Twitter account.

"But I'm really grateful to my team-mates who gave me the opportunity to score, especially to H. It was an amazing performance from Harry, amazing passing.

"To score my first hat-trick in the Premier League with Spurs is a big honour for me, I'm very proud and very grateful.

"The lads did a really good job, an incredible job – we completely deserved the win. We go again on Tuesday [against Leyton Orient] now." 

Mourinho would again single out Kane in his post-match press conference, praising the striker for his selfless link-up play. 

"In the second half Harry Kane, in my opinion, changed the game," Mourinho said.

"His movement was tremendous, his link play was absolutely incredible and he allowed Sonny to play in a different position on the pitch. 

"Gio [Lo Celso] and [Erik] Lamela, I just love when players come from the bench and add something to the team. The second half was a really strong performance for us."

Lionel Messi posted a message to departing Barcelona team-mate Arturo Vidal on Sunday as the midfielder prepared to join Inter.

Vidal is set to be confirmed as a Nerazzurri player on Monday after the buying club posted updates on his arrival in Italy this weekend.

The 33-year-old, who previously played in Serie A for Juventus, is set for a €1 million move after two years at Barca.

Vidal and Luis Suarez are close friends of Blaugrana captain Messi and were reportedly each told they could leave the club by new head coach Ronald Koeman.

Former Bayern Munich man Vidal has secured his exit, while Suarez's situation remains unclear, after Messi failed in his attempts to force through a transfer of his own.

In addition to Manchester City, Messi – who wanted to be released from his contract – was linked with Vidal's new employers Inter.

He wrote to the Chilean on Instagram on Sunday: "I only knew you from facing each other and you always seemed like a phenomenon to me, but later I was lucky to meet you personally and you surprised me even more.

"They were two years sharing many things and you made yourself noticed. The dressing room is going to miss you.

"I wish you all the best in this new stage at your new club. We will cross paths again, for sure."

Vidal commented: "Thanks alien! I am proud to have played with the greatest in history and thank you very much for your friendship. I miss you. See you soon."

Suarez also used Instagram to send a goodbye message to Vidal, with the pair having played together since the Chile international joined Barca in 2018.

“Having you as a rival was unbearable because of how great you are as a player, but having you as a team-mate, friend, and knowing you as a person is even bigger! A pleasure to have been with a star player like you. I wish you all the best.”

Vidal was part of the 2018-19 La Liga title-winning team at Camp Nou and scored 11 goals in 66 league games in total.

Andrea Pirlo has unleashed the shackles and given Juventus' players a lot more freedom to attack opponents, according to veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci.

Juve replaced Maurizio Sarri with first-time coach Pirlo last month and the legendary midfielder kicked off his tenure with a 3-0 win over Sampdoria in Juve's 2020-21 Serie A opener on Sunday.

Reigning champions Juve registered 20 shots at Allianz Stadium and scored from three of them, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Bonucci and debutant Dejan Kulusevski finding the back of the net.

And after a largely disappointing campaign last time out under Sarri, Bonucci believes that Pirlo has already made big changes during his short time in the dugout.

"We saw some new ideas proposed by the coach and his staff, a new way of interpreting the game, a lot of enthusiasm both in possession and off the ball," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"The big difference is the way we are attacking the game and taking the initiative, trying to bring home the result. Seeing the work of the last few weeks and this game, I think it is better.

"There are different movements, as with Sarri we moved far more as a group in defence, whereas with Pirlo we are more one-on-one, giving us more freedom to be aggressive and win back the ball more often.

"We have four central midfielders with the right characteristics to play like this. They are aggressive and also good at passing the ball. That way, we have more quality in possession, which I see as a difference from last season."

Sarri was reportedly sacked by Juventus after failing to win over the dressing room with his style of play, which won him plenty of admirers at Serie A rivals Napoli.

However, Bonucci insisted rumours that the club's old guard forced Sarri out of the door are wide of the mark.

"We accepted any changes made by the club," he said. "This season, the new coach is Pirlo, who changed the way of understanding football that we had last year. 

"It's early to say if it is right or not, but it is different, with a very precise mentality of being aggressive and not wanting to concede goals.

"We had that same attitude last year, because you don't win nine Scudetti in a row without it.

"We're old enough to behave like real professionals. Pirlo is now our coach and we have the utmost respect for all our coaches, just as we try to help all our coaches from within the locker room.

"Fortunately, this is a squad full of great men who are accustomed to working with great champions. That makes it easier for everyone concerned."

Asked if Pirlo reminded him more of Sarri or Massimiliano Allegri – another of his former bosses in Turin – Bonucci said: "Much more similar to Allegri, that is obvious. 

"Pirlo has much the same impact he had as a player - you knew that you could give him the ball and trust he wouldn't lose it. Now it's the same as a coach. There is that same trust."

Juventus head coach Andrea Pirlo has admitted Cristiano Ronaldo will be rested this season as the Portuguese superstar helped his team to an opening-night win in Serie A.

The Italian champions started their quest for a 10th consecutive title with a 3-0 victory against Sampdoria at Allianz Stadium in Pirlo's first competitive match in charge of the club.

New signing Dejan Kulusevski scored on his debut in the 13th minute before veterans Leonardo Bonucci and Ronaldo rounded out the victory in the second half.

When Pirlo was asked how he plans to use Ronaldo – who famously does not like to be on the bench – this season, Pirlo revealed the 35-year-old would be rested at select points during the campaign.

"We are thinking about [how to use Ronaldo] and talked it over," Pirlo said to Sky Sport Italia post-match.

"He’s not tired yet, as we just started, but when we come up to less important games, we’ll try to give him a rest.

"He’s a very intelligent guy who knows his body very well, so he is aware of when it’s time to rest or to step it up. When he will play depends on him."

Pirlo made some surprise selections in his first match as manager, with 20-year-old Kulusevski making his starting debut alongside Ronaldo in attack, while loan signing Weston McKennie was parachuted into midfield and Gianluca Frabotta made only his second Serie A appearance.

The Juve legend explained the reasons for his first XI choices, revealing that the team's limited preparation for the new season meant some players were better prepared to play than others.

"Frabotta had a good game - Alex Sandro picked up an injury, so I chose the Under-23 lad who is training with us very well," Pirlo said. "I didn’t consider it a risk at all to use him.

"The American (McKennie) arrived having started pre-season training in Germany, so was in better shape than some others. He made a few errors in his passing, but it was the first game, we can forgive him for that.

"It will take time to get all the various ways of playing together. I don’t want to just copy and paste anyone’s ideas, I have my own ideas, and want to adapt from the teams that inspired me.

"We haven’t had much time, as the pre-season started late and then they were away for international duty. We had only one friendly too, but it was a good debut and we’ll keep working on it."

Juventus' next fixture will come in Serie A against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on September 27.

Yves Bissouma has expressed his disappointment after he was sent off in Brighton and Hove Albion’s 3-0 victory over Newcastle United in Sunday’s Premier League game.

The 24-year-old was handed his second Premier League start in the 2020-21 season at St James' Park but did not live up to expectations, as he was shown a red card for the second time in his career.

Neal Maupay’s brace and a strike from Aaron Connolly ensured the Seagulls clinched all three points away from home.

Bissouma was given his marching orders in the 89th minute of the encounter by referee Kevin Friend, having been cautioned earlier.  

The Mali international attempted to flick the ball behind his head but missed, catching the face of Jamal Lewis with his boot.

Bissouma is displeased with his sending off but delighted the Seagulls managed to secure their first win of the season after losing their opening game against Chelsea.

“Very good teamwork, a little disappointed to go out on a red card but the main thing was the three points,” Bissouma posted on Instagram.

The Mali international has been with the Falmer Stadium outfit since the summer of 2018 when he teamed up with the side from French club Lille.

Bissouma has made more than 50 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls and last season he featured 22 times in the division to help his side avoid relegation.

The midfielder will be expected to miss Brighton next league outing against Manchester United on September 26.

The former AS Real Bamako midfielder has 16 caps for Mali national team since he made his debut in 2015.

He will be expected to play a significant role for the Eagles in their World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.