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Sarthak Golui hails his father's contribution behind his rise as a professional footballer. The Mumbai City FC defender has played in top clubs like Mohun Bagan, FC Pune City and has also donned the national team jersey on four occassions. 

The defender is one of the sought-after young talents in Indian football, thanks to his versatiity. He came into national conscience after impressing under Ranko Popovic at FC Pune City.

"I started playing football for my father. He has always been supportive of me because this is his dream too and he has been an inspiration for me. He still helps me because he was also a defender during his playing time. He wanted me to play as a centre-back so he could help me. “After every game, he calls me to point out each of my mistakes. He has been my biggest supporter and critique," stated Golui during an online chat session with the Indian Super League (ISL). 

When the Indian Super League (ISL) commenced back in 2014, most teams spent heavily on the foreign contingent and brought some high profile, top quality players. Borja Fernandes, the central midfielder, was amongst the most impressive players in the first few years as he helped ATK win two league titles during his time with the Kolkata outfit. He rates Fernandes very highly amongst the overseas players who have featured in the ISL.

He also spoke of his footballing idols, namely Deepak Mondal and Mahesh Gawli.

“Borja Fernandes is my favourite player to have played in the ISL. As a defender, John Terry is my favourite player of all time. In Indian football, I have always looked up to Mahesh Gawli and Deepak Mondal. Mahesh helped me a lot during my academy days. When I was going through a hard time, he offered me suggestions and motivated me a lot."

The former Mohun Bagan defender was asked to share his thoughts on who he thinks is the best striker he has come across in the Indian Super League (ISL). Interestingly, Golui named former FC Goa centre-forward Ferran Corominas, who is the top scorer in the competition with 48 goals from 57 matches in his three years at the club. Whereas, in European football Robert Lewandowski is his favourite hitman, who has scored 51 goals in this campaign across all competitions.

"Coro is the best striker in the ISL. Internationally, I like Robert Lewandowski," concluded the defender. 

Vinit Rai, a self-confessed Manchester United, admitted that he was too shy to speak to former United legend Steve Coppell about his time at the club when the duo were at Kerala Blasters.

Coppell has played in 322 competitive games for Manchester United and scored 53 goals. The Englishman was the head coach of the Indian Super League (ISL) franchise from Kerala in the 2016-17 season when they reached the finals only to lose to ATK on penalties in Kochi.

“When I was at Kerala Blasters, I was fortunate to work under Coppell. I learned so many things from him, he is a top guy and a very (nice) human being.

“I was just a kid that time, I did not have the guts to talk to him personally and ask things about Manchester United. I was struggling to get minutes so I was just trying to work hard so that I can prove myself. I never really asked him anything about Manchester United,” said Rai who played two games under Coppell’s tutelage at Blasters when he was still in his teens.

The 22-year-old from Manipur stated that he began following Manchester United since the days of Cristiano Ronaldo back in the summer of 2003.

“I used to watch Man Utd a lot when Cristiano Ronaldo was there. I still follow their games. Manchester United have a history of getting comeback wins, that is the most important thing I like about them, they never give up. I support Real Madrid too but I follow the Premier League,” said Rai in a chat with Manchester United Delhi fans.

Rai was asked to choose between Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri to which he favoured the latter but also explained his reasons for the same.

“Both Bhutia and Chhetri are true legends. I will go with Chhetri because I have played with him and have learned a lot from him. He will come and talk to me, give me tips. The way he eats, his hard work and dedication, I follow him,” opined Rai.

Mumbai City FC centre-back Sarthak Golui is optimistic about the immediate future of Mumbai City and Indian football as a whole, after the takeover of the Islanders by the City Football Group.

A self-confessed Manchester United pointed at how rivals Manchester City have benefited after CFG took over. They became Premier League champions four times, FA Cup winners twice and won several other titles in the last nine years.

Sarthak is hoping that Mumbai City will experience something similar. However, he is more interested in the long-term positives that could emerge out of this deal. Better facilities and improvements at the grassroots level will show that the CFG is interested in the long-term development of the sport in the financial capital of the country.

“I am excited to be a part of this team. With CFG, I hope that Mumbai football is benefited heavily in the long run. I am sure that they gave it enough thought before completing the takeover and are well aware of the potential of football in Mumbai,” he said.

“I hope that this takeover proves effective not just for Mumbai but for Indian football as well. We can see how the seven teams (Manchester City, New York City, Melbourne City, Yokohama Marinos, Sichuan Jiuniu, Girona and Montevideo City Torque) that were taken under the umbrella before us have developed very well. Manchester City has been a different team after the takeover. I hope that we will experience the same.

“I also hope that they have a long-term goal with the club and will bring about transformations in the academies, facilities and grass-root level development of the sport.

The centre-back who is also capable of playing as a right-back also voiced his welcome to ATK-Mohun Bagan. Sarthak spent two of his formative years at Mohun Bagan and is excited at the prospect of playing against his former club in the Indian Super League (ISL) in the upcoming season.

He said - “I want to wish (ATK-Mohun Bagan) a successful journey. I know the fans very well, having been part of the club for two years. I know that the emotion and passion for the game there is off the charts.

“This merger is great for Kolkata and Indian football. I am excited to go back to Kolkata – where I belong – and play against my former club, which is the biggest club in the country. Both are champions and the merged entity will be difficult to beat.

At just 22, Sarthak is very mature and has shown that he could be the face of the national team’s defence in a few years. He is thankful to Stephen Constantine and Igor Stimac for providing him with the opportunity to display his prowess and is hoping to become a regular in the international stage.

“Stephen Constantine gave me the opportunity to join the senior players after I played with the U23s. Playing at the SAFF Championship helped me a lot. Igor Stimac has been supportive since day one. And he was a centre-back too and likes to share his experiences. This really helps me and the other defenders,” he said.

“In five years from now, I see myself playing for the national team on a regular basis. I hope that dream comes true."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he was proud of Raheem Sterling for the way the forward has fought against racial injustice.

Sterling has enjoyed another fine season on the pitch, but the England international is also helping the fight against racism amid movements around the world.

The forward scored a hat-trick in City's 5-0 Premier League thrashing of Brighton on Saturday, moving onto 27 goals this season – the most he has netted in a single campaign.

While Guardiola has praised Sterling's performances, he also lauded the 25-year-old for his work off the field.

"People forget that behind the shirt they are human beings," he told reporters.

"I've said many times to my players, 'I know for a long time you've been told you're special, but you're not. All you can do is play football, but you are not an architect, you are not a politician, you are not a doctor, you are not a thousand, million things you can do. You can just play football'. That doesn't make us special.

"But we are human beings at the same time like all the architects, politicians, doctors, journalists. They have feelings and they defend the humanitarian issues in the best possible way.

"I like it because when you have a commitment to society to make a better society for yourself and for your kids, this commitment helps to become a better player. The big athletes always make a commitment, a compromise for society.

"I think Raheem and many, many of our players, a lot of people are trying to make a better world.

"It's difficult, in the world we're living, but I'm proud. I'm really proud of what he is doing and he knows, as a club, myself as a person, we support him 100 per cent."

After back-to-back 5-0 wins, City host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Guardiola also singled Sterling out for praise after seeing his winger bag a clinical hat-trick against Brighton. 

"All credit to hime. Not just for the three goals, it's important for what we have ahead of us," Guardiola told a news conference on Saturday.

"His development as a player is because he wants to improve and we are so delighted with his performance. Raheem himself knows exactly what he has to do. He's a huge competitor and is self-confident, aggressive, he loves to score goals.

"We have wingers with the mentality to score goals which is so important."

Jose Mourinho wants to lead Tottenham into the Europa League, but compared playing in the competition to Lewis Hamilton winning Formula Two.

Spurs recorded a 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal in the north London derby on Sunday, climbing into eighth in the table and boosting their chances of qualifying for European competition.

Mourinho is eager to qualify for the Europa League, even though the Spurs head coach compared it to Formula One world champion Hamilton racing at a lower level.

"The Europa League is not the biggest competition in Europe," he told a news conference.

"But it's the second and when a club wins the Champions League or when a player wins it or a manager does, well, if you ask Lewis Hamilton if he wants to win Formula Two or 3000 or whatever you call it, I don't think it will be a great deal for him.

"But it's a competition and I prefer to play Europa League than not to. I think it's a title Tottenham would like to get. Of course at [Manchester] United, it's a club with a dimension that thinks about the Champions League, but we played in the Europa League and we won it.

"I think we should do everything to play in the Europa League next season and we should fight for that."

Mourinho led United to the Europa League title in 2017, 14 years after winning the UEFA Cup with Porto.

With a decision over Manchester City's European ban set to be made on Monday, Spurs sit three points behind sixth-placed Wolves and two adrift of Sheffield United with three games remaining.

Mourinho believes he could have led Tottenham to a top-four finish if he had been in charge for the entire season, having replaced Mauricio Pochettino in November last year.

"I know that I could even look to the situation in a selfish point of view and say since I arrived if the championship arrived in that moment there, even with all of the problems after that, I think we would be fourth or fifth," he said. 

"I don't want to be selfish and only look at it as a fan, hypothetically, not yet, finishing above Arsenal. I would love to play in the Europa League. It's not a competition that I'm in love with or like very, very much to play, but when you cannot play Champions League, you play Europa League. 

"Because in my career I only played Europa League twice and I won it twice, it wouldn't be bad to play a third time and win a third time. We have to fight until the end to try to try to finish in a Europa League position."

Pablo Hernandez fired Leeds United to the brink of a return to the Premier League as his late goal at Swansea City earned a priceless 1-0 win. 

The former Swansea player came off the bench for the second half and scored in the 89th minute, sparking delight in the visitors' ranks. 

Spanish midfielder Hernandez found the bottom left corner after Luke Ayling cut the ball back, just as Leeds looked like being frustrated. 

Now they sit three points clear of second-placed West Brom and six ahead of in-form Brentford, who occupy third spot, and only three rounds of games remain. 

Leeds have been absent from the top flight of English football since their relegation in 2004, which came just three years after a run to the Champions League semi-finals. 

Veteran manager Marcelo Bielsa was persuaded to stay for this season, having gone agonisingly close last term to the elusive promotion. 

Now, though, Leeds look ready to end their long wait, with games against Barnsley, Derby County and Charlton Athletic to come and a maximum of four points required. 

The latest step on the road back to the elite came a day after the death was announced of one of their greatest players, England World Cup winner Jack Charlton, who spent his entire club career with Leeds. 

While their win against Swansea could prove crucial in ending Leeds' time in the Championship, Bielsa stressed he isn't celebrating just yet. 

“What we feel is we are more relaxed, more light, because we are giving the steps that we had to," he said post-match. “Of course, when you score at the end of the match it’s a higher feeling, emotion.

“When the match progressed our possibilities were growing and in the last 30 minutes I think we deserved to impose to score and get the difference we got at the end.

“I cannot enjoy this, what you feel is that you are giving a step forward. The only thing I can enjoy is the last objective if we get it.”

Bielsa's side next face Barnsley on Thursday night at Elland Road before backing up a few days later with an away game against Derby. 

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel expects a tough Champions League clash against Atalanta, but his focus is elsewhere for now.

Around 5,000 fans were in attendance as PSG thrashed Le Havre 9-0 in a friendly on Sunday.

PSG have been drawn to face Atalanta in the Champions League quarter-finals, but have a Coupe de France final against Saint-Etienne and Coupe de la Ligue decider against Lyon prior to that.

Tuchel said he knew PSG would be tested by Atalanta in Lisbon in August, but he is focused on domestic matters.

"It will be difficult but it's not a surprise because we will play a quarter-final. There are eight teams that want to win this competition. Every team can win their three games," the PSG coach said.

"It will be a very difficult game [against Atalanta], it will be very tough. They have many qualities. We have seen that when they played against Juventus [on Saturday]. It is a balanced and offensive team. It is a very physical team. But now, we can't think about that.

"Our challenge is to arrive in Lisbon with two titles. Now we are going to prepare our game against Saint-Etienne. It's the only game that is in my head right now. Then, we will think about Lyon. Then I think we will have 12 days to get ready for our game against Atalanta. We have to go step by step. The first step will be our game against Saint-Etienne."

PSG will be without Edinson Cavani (free agent), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund) and Tanguy Kouassi (Bayern Munich) for the remainder of the Champions League after the trio departed.

Tuchel said it made life harder for PSG, but he urged his players to push on.

"I am sad that we have lost three key players for this competition – Tanguy, Edi and Thomas Meunier," he said.

"That makes things harder for us. PSG need qualities and a great squad. But all the players did good [against Le Havre] and we have to keep going.

"We all have good relationships. We are ready to continue. Today was a good start."

Neymar, Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia scored braces against Le Havre, while Kylian Mbappe, Idrissa Gueye and Arnaud Muinga were also on the scoresheet.

Jurgen Klopp has told his Liverpool youngsters they could have "beautiful" futures if they continue improving.

The likes of Curtis Jones, 19, and Neco Williams, 19, have been given chances in recent matches for the champions, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley on Saturday, while 17-year-old Harvey Elliott has made two Premier League appearances this season.

Liverpool need three wins from their final three games to break Manchester City's record of 100 points in a single Premier League season.

Klopp, whose team are away to Arsenal on Wednesday, said the club's youngsters had plenty of time to grow.

"I'm not sure it's about how high the stakes are, it's about how ready are the boys?" the Liverpool manager told UK media, via the Mirror.

"There are no old and young players, there are only good and not so good players and I hope we have only good players, exceptional players.

"The problem, not just for young players, but all players not now in the first line-up – this team is really good. It is difficult to play 40 games in a row.

"But young players have so much time on their hands that they really can improve and don't have the pressure, especially not from us. If they use the time, then the future is beautiful for them."

After visiting Arsenal, Liverpool will host Chelsea before a trip to Newcastle United.

Former Liverpool player Steve McManaman recently said that he is delighted that he is not seeing much of the club’s academy players because it is evidence that they are thriving in the first-team.

“When I see some of the players who are excelling at the Academy, there's nothing better than not seeing them again,” he told LFCTV’s ‘The Academy’ show.

“I mean that in the nicest way because they move up to Melwood, and I love it when I don't see them again because it means they're at Melwood and they're excelling at Melwood. 

“There's nothing better for these younger players with talent to play with better players, to play with players who are at the top of the game. 

“I love the fact that Leighton and Jake are there, Neco Williams is there and Curtis Jones has, of course, been there a while, like a number of the older ones. But whenever they disappear to Melwood and hold their own, that means they're improving, that means they're getting better.”  

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has admitted Xavi will become the club's manager "sooner or later" but revealed the club is ready to back Quique Setien for next season. 

The Catalans have struggled to impress under Setien and are currently second in La Liga with Real Madrid in pole position to claim the league title. 

That situation, combined with Barcelona's lacklustre displays, has led to speculation Setien could be replaced at season's end with Xavi himself preparing for a return to Camp Nou as a manager. 

But while Bartomeu has confirmed Xavi is a future Barcelona coach, the club president has thrown his immediate support behind Setien, with the pair already discussing plans for next season. 

"Xavi will be Barca's coach, sooner or later. But right now we are not looking for a coach, we are with Quique," Bartomeu told TV3. 

“Quique Setien will coach the team in the Champions League and these last two Liga games that are left.

"We have had a very atypical season, we will play in August and he will be the coach. If we overcome Napoli, we will be in Lisbon.

"Our will is to fulfil contracts and Setien has one. We went to Setien's house to speak about the future, the plans for next season. He will probably be there and I am very interested to hear what he thinks.

"He has a lot of time for Riqui Puig and Ansu [Fati]. We have seen Pedri and [Francisco] Trincao in form, there is hope.”

While Setien may be safe for now, Xavi is readying himself for the chance takeover at Barca when the right opportunity presents itself.

"The biggest hope I have now is to be Barca coach and get Barca back to winning ways," Xavi told Sport in June.

"Not me but these players and Barca triumphing. And as a consequence, our technical staff, who are preparing for it a lot and it makes us really excited.

"I'm a club man. I would like to return at the right moment to start a project from zero. I've said it a lot of times but I want to take footballing decisions at Barcelona.

"It's clear that after the elections the stage would be set, of course. I'm not ruling anything out.

"They came for me in January, we were speaking. I told them the circumstances and timing weren't right."

Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood are the toast of the town at Old Trafford right now, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plans to give the prodigious trio all the freedom to match the exploits of another famous Manchester United attacking line. 

The young forwards - Martial is the eldest at 24, while Greenwood is still three months shy of his 19th birthday - have caused a storm at United since the Premier League resumed in June following the interruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Ably assisted by the likes of Bruno Fernandes and a fit-again Paul Pogba further back, between them the three have scored nine goals in five league outings to inspire the new-look Red Devils, who have netted 15 in the same time-frame to record four wins and a draw to strengthen their top-four push. 

Stellar forward lines are nothing new at the club, from 1960s legends George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law to the more recent partnership forged between Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez which helped deliver Champions League glory in 2007-8. 

And Solskjaer believes that like those illustrious predecessors, United's new goal-getters must temper freedom with discipline in order to keep taking the world by storm. 

“It’s not new for United,” the Norwegian said when asked by reporters if the likes of Barcelona's famed MSN trident served as inspiration for his young stars. 

“Did you not watch Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez when they were playing, when Sir Alex Ferguson gave them some freedom but within a framework and structure?

"So we do work a lot on patterns and positions and where we want the players to be.

“But within that we understand that you might pop up on the right or the left, or be in different positions, but we have to fill different positions.

“There has been too much, last year, sometimes this year, players who want to gravitate over to the left, and go on there and play tippy-tappy football.

“That’s something we wanted to get rid of and we’ve been more progressive and more disciplined in our positions.”

Greenwood in particular has stood out in the weeks following the Premier League's restart, scoring four times in his last three starts to make himself an automatic choice for Solskjaer. 

The manager is in no doubt with regards to his potential, and called on him to keep working hard in order to add to his already impressive goal tally. 

“I’ve said it many times, he can go as far as he wants,” he added. “He has the talent to go so far and is creating chances himself.

“Our job is to get him into positions where he can finish, because he does hit the target.

“He’ll make the goalkeeper have to work, so keep on giving him chances and he’s got a chance to score more.”

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says that the club has spoken with Inter regarding a deal for Lautaro Martinez, but there is nothing imminent as the Catalan side remains focused on their goals for the current season.

Martinez has been heavily linked with Barcelona for months, with the La Liga side reportedly keen to bring in the Argentine this summer.

The Inter forward is seen as an eventual replacement for Luis Suarez, who, at age 33, has missed portions of this season due to injury.

Barcelona have no intention of activating the €111 million (£100m/$125m) release clause that is currently in the Inter star's contract, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta, meanwhile recently told DAZN that the club "does not want to sell its champions" unless the player demands a move.

And, with Martinez remaining coy over his future, it appears that Barcelona will wait before making a real push to sign the forward, with Bartomeu saying that the club is prepared to wait until the transfer market becomes clearer.

“The coming market will be very different. The big clubs will be limited by economic problems, but Barca are always a market-mover," Bartomeu told TV3. 

"In Lautaro's case the negotiation is halted right now. We spoke to Inter a few weeks ago. We are in an assessment phase.

"We have spoken with Inter about Lautaro, but not recently. We will wait to finish the season and re-assess everything."

In order to finance a move for the striker, Barca will likely need to sell to raise funds. One player that appears likely to leave is Philippe Coutinho, who has been on loan with Bayern Munich.

However, Bayern have made it clear that they will not be buying the Brazilian star, whose future remains uncertain.

“The result of our transfer business has not been the one we wanted," Bartomeu said. "Coutinho has not had a big star's luck, he has never quite worked out.”

Barcelona currently sit second in La Liga, one point behind Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.

Up next for Barca is a match against Osasuna, the club's penultimate game of La Liga's campaign.

Barcelona president Jose Maria Bartomeu has reiterated the likelihood that Lionel Messi will end his career at the club. 

The 33-year-old is currently contracted until the end of next season with Barcelona holding talks with the Argentina attacker about an extension. 

While there's been speculation suggesting Messi is unhappy with Bartomeu and the club's leadership, all signs point towards him remaining at Camp Nou for the foreseeable future. 

Bartomeu confirming that initial talks between player and club are positive with the Barcelona president confident a renewal will be secured soon. 

"We've spoken, we are speaking and we will continue to speak with Messi," Bartomeu told TV3 via Marca. 

"He wants to finish his career here, we will definitely renew with him, I am in no doubt that he will stay here." 

Messi has enjoyed a stellar season to date and became the first player in La Liga history to score 20 and assist 20 goals or more in the same season when he assisted Barcelona's winning goal against Real Valladolid on Saturday.

Quique Setien admitted after that match that the Barcelona star needs a rest but the club couldn't afford to substitute him in the tight game with their La Liga titles hopes hanging by a thread. 

In all competitions this season, Messi has scored 27 goals and contributed a further 25 assists as he once again proves just how invaluable he is at Camp Nou. 

With Messi continuing to set records at the age of 33, Luis Garcia recently backed the Argentine star to continue playing until at least 2025. 

"Why not? The way he is playing, adapting his style to the game is impressive," Garcia told La Liga.

"Every year he shows us something different but keeps up the same amount of goals, of assists. Even getting more every year!

"He's adapting, he doesn't spend so much time up front because he knows it's harder, so he drops a little more.  He shows why he's so intelligent. He adapts his game to what the team needs in every game. 

"I could see him playing in 2025, easily!"

Youssef En-Nesyri was on the scoresheet to help Sevilla extend their unbeaten run to 15 games following their 2-0 victory over Mallorca in Sunday’s La Liga game.

The 26-year-old joined the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan outfit in January from Spanish rivals Leganes on the back of his fine performances for the Cucumber Growers. 

En-Nesyri signed a five-year deal of around €25 million with the Nervionenses and has since been living up to expectations. 

The forward came off the bench to make his 16th league appearance and made a significant contribution to ensure his side claimed all three points in the match.

The Nervionenses last tasted defeat in February against Celta Vigo and they aimed to extend the impressive form by hitting the ground running at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

After earlier missing a number of scoring chances, Lucas Ocampos opened the scoring from the penalty spot for Julen Lopetegui’s men in the 41st minute.

Moments after the hour mark, En-Nesyri was introduced for Oliver Torres and the forward made an almost immediate impact.

The Morocco international found the back of the net from his compatriot Yassine Bounou’s assist 19 minutes after he was brought on.

Bounou was in goal throughout the game for Sevilla, Benin’s Jules Kounde also on parade for the entirety of the match while Ghana international Idrissu Baba made a second-half appearance for Mallorca.

With the victory, their 18th this season, the Nervionense maintain their fourth place on the league table after 66 points from 36 games.

En-Nesyri has now made 20 appearances across all competitions for the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan outfit and scored five goals.

The 23-year-old forward will hope to continue his brilliant performance when Sevilla take on Real Sociedad in their next league game on Thursday.

Dominic Solanke is happy to have helped Bournemouth end their nine-game winless run in Premier League with a brace in their 4-1 comeback victory against Leicester City.

The former Liverpool striker scored his first two league goals for Eddie Howe's side in the 67th and 87 minutes as the hosts grabbed their first win since February 1 at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Despite the crucial win, Bournemouth still find themselves placed 18th spot in the league table but Solanke believes the result would give them confidence for their final three matches of the season.

The Cherries are scheduled to play Manchester City, Southampton and Everton in the coming days.

“We know it's going to be a really tough game and Leicester are a top team,” Solanke told Sky Sports.

“We know the last few weeks have been difficult for us and in the last game, we showed a lot of fire but couldn't get the win. But today, we went all out and managed to get a good result.

“I'm just happy it came at a time like this when we need to get goals, something we did not manage to get in the last few games and today, the boys were on fire and we were ready to go.

“I just think we did not have anything to lose and when we were one nil down, we knew today was a must-win game to fight for the next few games, to get a result to stay in the Premier League and we went a bit more of attacking and it worked.

“It's a massive boost, as I said the last game against Tottenham we didn't get to win but today we did and we can take the confidence to the last three games.”

The Cherries boss Eddie Howe also reserved praise for the 22-year-old after his heroics in the second half.

"He deserves great credit. I've always believed that Dom's an outstanding player,” Howe said.

“He's got a lot of expectation on his shoulders and rightly so because he's an outstanding player, technically very good, he's very intelligent and I do think there are a lot of goals in him.

“I think he's proved that today because it was two really good finishes, both totally different, but he's a player we totally believe in."

A disappointed Brendan Rodgers believes Leicester City will 'finish where they deserve' after their top four hopes took a hit in a 4-1 thrashing at Bournemouth on Sunday.

The Foxes remain in fourth position despite the defeat, but will drop to fifth if Manchester United defeat Southampton on Monday evening.

Rodgers was surprised at the heavy loss suffered by his players at the Vitality Stadium and implored them to focus on their form instead of worrying about the dream of finishing in the top four.

The former Liverpool boss also had no complaints about the red card suffered by defender Caglar Soyuncu, who kicked out petulantly at Callum Wilson.

"I didn't see that coming but we are not good enough to get too comfortable," the Leicester manager said. "We were in control of the game, Bournemouth changed their shape and you expect a 10-minute spell when you are up against it.

"We let them into the game with a penalty and I was very disappointed with how we played from there. It's not like us, we are a team that is strong mentally and we don't concede many goals.

"It's a red card. We should defend the goal better but [Soyuncu] he's lashed out. You offer the referee the opportunity to send you off. It's massive to lose him for the next three games.

"I've always said it's a dream for us to finish in the top four but we have to worry about playing well. At the moment, since we came back we have been playing for 45 minutes in games and that's not enough. We will finish where we deserve to.

"If you think about what is at stake you have lost your focus."

Leicester had looked on course for only a second league win since last month's resumption after Jamie Vardy's 23rd-minute opener, but they fell apart in the second half.

A Kasper Schmeichel error just past the hour led to Wilfred Ndidi conceding a penalty, which Junior Stanislas converted, and 101 seconds later Dominic Solanke ended a 39-match wait for his first top-flight goal for the club.

Soyuncu then received his marching orders in the 67th minute for the altercation with Wilson, straight after the Foxes had gone from leading the match to trailing in a two-minute period.

A Jonny Evans own goal in the 83rd minute effectively secured the win, before Solanke's second rounded it off – the victory moving Bournemouth back to within three points of safety ahead of their final three games,.

Leicester have a tough finish to their league campaign with Sheffield United (home), Tottenham (away) and Manchester United (home) to come.

Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has explained what it feels like to be an Arsenal fan their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Frimpong who played for the Gunners between 2011 and 2014 after developing through their youth ranks, bemoaned the defensive blunder made by David Luiz and Sead Kolasinac which paved way for Spurs’ equaliser on Sunday.

Alexandre Lacazette's stunning strike broke the deadlock at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the 16th minute but the lead was cut short after Luiz failed to clear a back pass from Kolasinac 137 seconds later.

Son Heung-Min pounced on their mistake and drew Spurs level as both teams were tied until the final 10 minutes of the encounter.

The blunder which led to the equaliser got Frimpong disappointed, and he tagged it as 'shocking defending' between Luiz and Kolasinac.

“What the hell. What’ going on? This is what I was telling you before,” Frimpong was quoted as saying by HITC.

“The defending is shocking. Shocking defending. Shocking defending for professional footballers.

“Shocking, David Luiz and Kolasinac. Shocking. I mean this is what it feels like to be an Arsenal fan. One minute you are happy and the next minute you are sad. It is what it is.”

Toby Alderweireld completed the turnaround for Jose Mourinho’s side with his header off Son’s corner-kick in the 81st minute which secured their 2-1 victory.

The result was Arsenal’s loss in their last six games in all competitions and it was a setback in their race for European football qualification.

Frimpong retired from football at the age of 27 in March 2019 after struggling with recurring knee problems.

The former Black Stars midfielder made six Premier League appearances for Arsenal before leaving for Championship outfit Barnsley in 2014.

The 28-year-old who was born in Kumasi, played for England U16 and U17 teams before pledging his allegiance to Ghana in 2011.

He made his only appearance for the Black Stars against Sudan during a Fifa World Cup qualifying match in 2013.

Pep Guardiola is feeling "confident" as Manchester City prepare to learn their fate when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rules on the club's appeal against a two-year UEFA competition ban. 

European football's governing body announced the sanction in February, along with a €30million (£26.8m) fine, after finding City had committed "serious breaches" of Financial Fair Play regulations.

City swiftly announced their intention to appeal to CAS and their case was heard in June via video conference.

Pep Guardiola's team have already secured a top-four place in the Premier League this season, while they could add the FA Cup and the Champions League to the already retained Carabao Cup.

Monday's verdict is likely to have far-reaching ramifications for the club's short and medium-term future, but Guardiola is optimistic over the outcome.

When asked if he would be able to sleep ahead of the ruling, Guardiola told reporters: "I'm going to sleep because I can't do anything [about the verdict]. I would love to do something but I can't.

"I'm confident in the club, I know the defence and their argument. We have to wait, I know there are many clubs in the Premier League waiting too, but we are going to wait.

"It was issued a long time ago, maybe 90 per cent of the people on the pitch and backroom staff were not there [at the club], but we will see and respect the decisions.

"I feel fully confident in what the club has done and allowed us to play in the Champions League next season." 

Those Premier League clubs chasing European places will take a great interest in the announcement too, as an extra spot will open up if the ban is either upheld or reduced to cover just the 2020-21 season.  

But Guardiola had nothing to say to those teams, instead focusing again on City and his belief they will be proven to have committed no offences.  

"We wait until Monday and after Monday, what UEFA says, the club will make a statement, and in my press conference I will give my answers, but now I cannot say anything else," he said.  

"We have been second [in the Premier League] again, for six or seven years in a row we are in the Champions League, it's a joy to watch our team, I love my guys, and we are ready for the rest of this season to do our best and I'm confident.  

"I don't know anything about this [the decision of CAS], just a feeling, I'm confident because I know what the club has done and will allow us to play the Champions League next season, and not just the Champions League, but to be recognised by everyone that nothing wrong happened."  

Similarly, Guardiola seemed unconcerned about what it would mean for him personally if City's appeal proved unsuccessful.  

"We wait until Monday, I think [City] will clarify everything in the next month in terms of the short-term future of the club and that's all," he added. "I have the feeling the club support me and that's the most important thing.  

"I have friends being above me in the hierarchy in higher positions than me, and we are incredibly honest. If we can do it, we can do it, if we can't, we can't.  

"I know they try to do the best for the club and that's why we can maintain the standards we achieved in the past, being in the Champions League again, and that's a great news for us."

Franck Kessie's penalty earned Milan a 2-2 Serie A draw against Napoli, but they had to ride out a tense finale with 10 men at the San Paolo on Sunday. 

Milan claimed a stunning victory over Juventus last time out and took the lead through Theo Hernandez in the first half, but goals either side of the interval from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Dries Mertens put Napoli in control. 

After Gianluigi Donnarumma let the second goal slip through his legs, Kessie spared his blushes by converting from the spot in the 73rd minute after Nikola Maksimovic felled substitute Giacomo Bonaventura. 

Napoli pushed for a winner after Alexis Saelemaekers picked up two bookings in as many minutes, but Milan avoided a blow to their hopes of European qualification and the difference between the sides remains at two points. 

Stefano Pioli's side owed a debt to Donnarumma for stopping them from falling behind in the early exchanges, as he thwarted Mertens before diving on Jose Callejon's scuffed effort from six yards in the 19th minute. 

Milan took full advantage by going straight up the other end and taking the lead, Hernandez volleying home at the back post after Ante Rebic showed great awareness to pick him out. 

However, Napoli got back on level terms when Donnarumma failed to deal with a whipped free-kick from Lorenzo Insigne and Di Lorenzo stuck the loose ball into the open goal. 

Milan started the second half positively but fell behind when Callejon cut the ball back to Mertens, his low drive finding a way through Donnarumma as it squirmed over the line. 

Pioli responded by sending on Bonaventura and he won the spot-kick that Kessie coolly converted into the bottom-left corner. 

Substitute Saelemaekers chopped down Di Lorenzo and Eljif Elmas in quick succession to leave Milan a man light for the final three minutes of normal time, though the visitors stood firm. 

What does it mean? Gattuso held by former club 

Gennaro Gattuso won the Scudetto and the Champions League twice each with Milan during his playing career, but his tenure as coach was far less successful. 

He already has a Coppa Italia trophy to his name during his time in the dugout at Napoli and, in his first match against his old team, he almost claimed a victory over the Rossoneri. 

While he will be disappointed to have been denied all three points, he at least extended Napoli's unbeaten league run against Milan to 11 games. 

Magical Mertens not enough 

After being denied by Donnarumma following a lovely dribble in the first half, Mertens got the better of the goalkeeper on the hour mark. He linked the play well and also created two chances for his team-mates.

Saelemaekers sees red 

Saelemaekers replaced the disappointing Lucas Paqueta at half-time but added little for Milan before leaving them under unnecessary late pressure with a pair of needless rash challenges. 

What's next? 

Milan host Parma at San Siro on Wednesday, while Napoli are away to Bologna on the same day. 

Frank Lampard insists that the signings of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner and Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech shouldn't unsettle Chelsea's current group after seeing his side suffer another setback away at Sheffield United.

The Blues lost 3-0 at Bramall Lane on the same day that Ziyech was pictured in Chelsea's training kit at Cobham Training Centre as excitement grows over the west London club's transfer activity.

Along with the two signings already completed the Blues look set to do further business, with £90m-rated ($114m) Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz and Leicester City Ben Chilwell in their sights.

Still, Lampard is clear that his current squad has work to do as their latest defeat leaves their Champions League qualification fate in doubt, with Manchester United and Leicester City piling on the pressure.

"If you want to be a Chelsea player and be in the Chelsea team and squad and fight for the Premier League, to fight in Europe and to fight for trophies you have to focus on yourself," Lampard said in his post-match Zoom chat with journalists.

"At the moment, going into this season were 30-odd points off the top two last season. If you want that gap to close, you have to focus on yourself. If players come in, that should be the nature of the beast playing for Chelsea. It shouldn’t be a problem for anyone.

"I feel today a huge inquest is not needed because of where we are at. The games are coming thick and fast, we’re nearly at the end of the season. I will analyse the game myself certainly but for the players, the biggest thing is that they have to be positive and look to the next one.

"I know the feeling as a player. It was a horrible game for the players and none of the players played well. When you do that at a place like Sheffield United when they are playing well, it is a very difficult place to get anything out of it. I won’t dwell on it this time and I will concentrate on the games ahead and the players will too."

Chelsea's defeat on Saturday meant that they have now conceded more goals than anyone in the top 10 with 49, while the reverse was the club's second-worst defeat of the league season after their opening day 4-0 loss to Manchester United.

While attention has turned to the Blues' exciting new attacking signings, it is the defence that has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, and Lampard admits he keeps changing personnel due to individual mistakes being made during matches.

"It was certainly one of our worst days of the season in terms of performance and you get what you deserve on that front," Lampard added. "Defensively, we have to absolutely focused on the games ahead.

"I would love to have consistency in the back four, or back two or three or whatever you want to call it. That is what you strive for. Unfortunately this season we have made mistakes and individual errors where you end up striving for it.

"That is the position we are in. The only way out of it is hard work with the individuals involved to get through this season as we’re still in a good position considering the expectations at the start of the season, then we’ll look forward.

"Amongst other things. You don’t want to concede that amount of goals. There are many reasons for those goals when we look through the season. Sometimes I bemoan the fact we don’t score enough, that gives you the feeling of comfort in games and nervousness can create problems that lead to goals.

"We know we have made too many errors in terms of giving goals away and it is something that we have to address."

In trying to get to grip with Chris Wilder's unique system which sees his centre-backs overlapping his full-backs while also providing plenty of bodies behind the ball when they lose it, Lampard switched formation three times on Saturday evening.

The manager has rarely opted to play with two strikers this season but opted to bring on Olivier Giroud for Tammy Abraham to create a 4-2-4 formation in the final minutes. Chelsea created a few late chances and the system is well suited to new signing Werner, but Lampard was reluctant to say that he would use it again in future.

"I am not sure. We felt the game needed something slightly different from us; we were struggling to play through because we were too slow," he concluded. "So we decided to go a bit more direct at times. I felt the game called for it. It made us more dangerous but not enough. We’ll see going forward."

Chelsea will look to get back to winning ways on Tuesday against bottom of the table Norwich City, who were relegated back to the Championship this weekend following a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of West Ham.