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Even in the knowledge that title celebrations were likely to dull Liverpool's instincts, there was something surreal about the manner in which Manchester City went about dismantling the Reds on Thursday night.

For Jurgen Klopp and his men, all that is left to play for is the points’ record. The defeat of the Premier League champions at the Etihad may have been brutal, but at least Liverpool still have 18 points to play for. It is not often that such a comprehensive rout in a meeting between first and second in the league feels so hollow.

Doubly disappointing is the fact that we were deprived of the opportunity to observe Riyad Mahrez's growing influence at Manchester City.

The Algeria international had featured in all four matches for the club since the return of football to English shores, but started on the bench here, only coming on for the final half hour. he generally put himself about, showcasing some neat touches and finishing smartly in stoppage time to momentarily make it 5-0 before the intervention of VAR. 

While his extensive involvement since the restart is a nod to his physical conditioning and professionalism, it is also indicative of the fact that, for the first time since joining in 2018, he looks like more just than an interesting option for Guardiola.

There were always concerns over his fit for the highly mechanized, structured style of football which the Catalan espouses. His best football had come as the sole creative outlet for a functional Leicester City side far removed from Brendan Rodgers' current iteration, and so his improvisation was not only required, but encouraged.

That free-spirited style was, of course, inherently inefficient, but that was a necessary trade-off.

In Manchester, within an orchestra already in tune, Mahrez’s extempore strummings seemed to jar, and so he spent much of his first season lashed to the bench, behind Raheem Sterling (and even Bernardo Silva) in the pecking order.

Having started in 12 of City’s first 24 matches, he only got two more 90s in as the club put together a 14-game winning run to clinch the title in 2019. The implication was clear: he had not yet earned the manager’s trust.

Things have begun to look up, however. Already this season, he has started three more games than he managed in the entirety of last term. Aside Guardiola’s rather droll assessment that the 29-year-old has “no muscles” in his legs (and so is less injury-prone), there are some important factors that have contributed to his establishment within the side.

The first is perhaps the more underrated one. In the summer of 2019, Mahrez captained his country to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt for the first time in 29 years. This historic achievement saw him nominated for the Fifa Ballon D’Or, and in Guardiola’s eyes seemed to take his level up a notch. “He started incredibly well after the African Cup of Nations,” the City boss noted in December.

Just as crucial (for Mahrez, but not so much for the Citizens) was Leroy Sane damaging his knee ligaments against Liverpool in the Community Shield at the start of the season. It was a piece of misfortune that effectively forced Guardiola’s hand; shorn of perhaps his most direct, dynamic wide forward, it became necessary to trust his Algerian maestro a little more. For all his guile, Bernardo Silva, who had often deputized on the right, lacks the same explosive quality.

“[Mahrez] has played more minutes than last year and understands much better,” Guardiola noted.

“I’m satisfied with his performance and with the absence of Leroy there is more space to use the wingers and upfront.”

With Sane agreeing a move to Bayern Munich this summer, Mahrez’s influence can only increase.

He will no doubt be keen to prove himself worthy of the opportunity. His brace against Burnley was a start, but he is only too aware that Manchester City have the resources (and also the will, thanks to Liverpool beating them to the post so comprehensively) to go into the market and replace Sane directly. In order to stave off that possibility, he will need to have a properly transformative impact.

On that front, he could do worse than mirroring Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, both of whom have effectively come to define and embody Liverpool’s attacking play. They were far from their rapier-sharp best on Thursday night, but already their tapestry for the season is woven.

When the Reds sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January 2018 without signing a direct replacement, it seemed misguided and hubristic to the utmost. However, Klopp’s side came out of it even stronger by leveraging what was already there and leaning even more strongly into their superstar forwards.

There is a lesson there for Guardiola, but perhaps even more so for Mahrez himself. With Sergio Aguero continuing to creak physically, and Gabriel Jesus again failing to convince when handed a start against the league champions, there is yet another window of opportunity, but the Algerian will have to give Pep something to think about first.

Seizing his chances for the rest of the season would be the strongest audition yet for the chance to lead the City attack as they seek to wrest back supremacy in the league next season.

Former Ghana right-back John Paintsil claims that the Africa Cup of Nations is a tougher competition than the World Cup for African teams.

The ex-Fulham man represented the Black Stars at both the Afcon and the World Cup, and was part of the squad that reached the quarter-final with the West African giants in 2010.

Looking back over his career, and comparing his experiences in both competitions, Paintsil has explained why he believes the Nations Cup is the more challenging competition.

“I think the Africa Cup of Nations is stronger than the World Cup,” he told Goal, “because Africans, we know ourselves, and the competition is very high.

“I’m not going to talk about the officiating side [of things], because the officiating is fantastic, but when we’re playing African countries against each other, we call it a derby, a local derby, and it’s very different—it pushes us.”

Paintsil, who amassed 89 caps for Ghana, represented the Black Stars at five Afcon tournaments as the West Africans sought to end their wait for continental gold.

He was a semi-finalist on three occasions, in 2008, 2012 and 2013, but missed out on reaching the final each time.

He was also present for Ghana’s first two World Cup campaigns, helping the Stars reach the Last 16 in 2006 and the quarter-finals four years later.

“[The Afcon] gives us more strength to work and to prepare for the World Cup, but for me, the Afcon is always tougher than the World Cup itself,” he added.

“It gives the players experience, and an idea of competing in these tournaments,” the former wideman concluded, “so for [Ghana], the Nations Cup pushed us to where we got to in the World Cup.”

By the early 80s, Ghana were arguably Africa’s most successful footballing nation, having won four Afcon titles including back-to-back successes in 1963 and 1965.

However, after subsequent victories in 1978 and 1982, the West Africans embarked on a near-four-decade wait for the title that shows no sign of ending.

As well as being defeated finalists in 1968 and 1970, they lost in the showpiece match in 1992, 2010—months before their outstanding World Cup showing—and in 2015.

Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho said he is prepared to break social-distancing rules just so he can hug Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Mourinho's struggling Tottenham will welcome Ancelotti and Everton to London for Monday's Premier League clash.

Spurs boss Mourinho heaped praise on counterpart Ancelotti ahead of the showdown – pitting ninth against 11th in the table – with the Portuguese willing to break coronavirus protocol for his love of the Everton coach.

"I think everyone in football admires Carlo [Ancelotti] as a coach and as a person," Mourinho told reporters.

"If you don't know him as a person at least you know him as a coach. I like him so much as a person that I'm going to say the obvious, which is that he is one of the top managers in the world in the last two decades and of course now.

"I think it's a privilege for the Premier League to have Carlo back. It's a privilege for Everton to have him as their manager or head coach, whatever you want to call him.

"As a person, I've had the privilege of knowing him for a few years, to stay and be with him a few times, at UEFA meetings or other different occasions and I just love Carlo.

"I think he is a fantastic guy so I think I am going to break the rule of one-metre distancing and I'm going to hug him because I like Carlo very much."

Tottenham have only won one of their past nine games across all competitions following Thursday's 3-1 defeat to Sheffield United.

Spurs – Champions League runners-up under former manager Mauricio Pochettino last season – are 12 points adrift of the top four with six matches remaining.

"I believe, but it is also possible that does not happen - and if that does not happen it is not the end of the world. If that does not happen, it is probably the beginning of a new world because things change," Mourinho added.

"Change for you, change for other clubs. The squads they change. The motivations they change, the group dynamic changes. The group that possibly was strong 10 years is ago is not strong anymore. A player that was in the maximum of his motivation is not anymore and vice-versa.

"It is also possible that we don't get into a top-six position. And if that happens of course we have to look at it not smiling, but we have to look at it with optimism and look at it with a professional profile of next season has to be different.

"Because if you analyse Tottenham for example last year, how many matches did Tottenham win away from home? When I arrived I think it was almost a year without an away victory. If it happens [finishing outside of the top six], it happens but we don't want it to happen and we are going to fight for it not to happen."

Simba SC striker Meddie Kagere has hit out at those who claim he is too old to play in the Mainland Premier League, instead saying they keep inspiring him to do even better.

The Rwandan striker arrived at the Wekundu Wa Mzimbazi from Kenyan champions Gor Mahia in 2018 and went ahead to finish as the top scorer in his first season with 24 goals, and is currently leading the scoring chart with 19 goals with six matches left to the end of the season.

Kagere has also helped Simba to win back-to-back league titles, as they were crowned champions for the 2019-20 campaign after securing a 0-0 draw against Tanzania Prisons in Mbeya City last Sunday.

The 33-year-old has now talked of what inspires Simba to dominate the local scene and at the same time told off his critics, who have always labelled him as “an old player who should retire”, saying they always make him stronger to continue working hard in his football profession.

“People say I am aged but I don't care about what they say provided I am able to do my job well and help my team to succeed,” Kagere is quoted by Daily News.

“If you have the ability to play, then age does not matter.

“I love my job and I have another one year to play for Simba which is the club I like. I know that Simba fans like me and I like them too."

On why Simba were crowned champions again, Kagere - a father of four children - said: “When money is available, there is always a big possibility for the club to do well.

“For example, whenever we go to play very far, we always take a flight but there are other teams in the league which travel long distances on the road.

"That alone makes players have fatigue before the match has been played because they think about the long trip to and from their intended destination.”

Simba, who have 79 points, will take on Ndanda FC on Sunday, seeking to continue with their fine run in the top-flight.

After Ndanda, they will take a flight to Ruangwa, Lindi, where they will take on Namungo FC at Majaliwa Stadium on July 8.

The new champions will be presented with the trophy after the Namungo match.

Manchester United should have pushed harder to sign Erling Haaland in January, according to Paul Scholes, who says the Borussia Dortmund star is "the real deal".

Haaland became one of the hottest properties in European football after a tremendous goalscoring run at Red Bull Salzburg in the first half of the season.

The 19-year-old hit 28 goals in 22 matches across all competitions for the Austrian outfit, including eight in the Champions League, and United were reportedly lining up a winter bid for his services.

The likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool were also linked with Haaland, but it was suggested that Old Trafford was a more likely next destination given his previous dealings with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The teenager worked under Solskjaer at Molde earlier in his career, and his fellow countryman had been tipped to lure the in-form forward to Manchester for a reunion.

However, Dortmund ultimately ended up winning the race for Haaland's signature, as they met the €22.5 million (£20m/$25m) release clause in his Salzburg contract.

Scholes thinks United missed a huge opportunity to sign "an out-and-out goalscorer", and would like to see the Red Devils revive their interest in the Norwegian at some point in the future.

Asked if his old club should have gone all out for Haaland, the United legend told BBC 5 Live: "Yes. Do you know what, when all the talk was about, I hadn’t seen a lot of him, but then once the German football came back and I watched him properly, I thought: 'Why did Manchester United not just pay whatever anybody wanted for him?'

"He looks that good, he’s still young, and he’s an out-and-out goalscorer. He’s quick as well, he’s got real pace. He’s a big lad, he’s a presence, and he scores goals – and that’s priceless.

"Looking back – and do you know what, he still might be available, who knows, in time – but United are going to have to pay big, big money for him. But so what? He looks the real deal."

Haaland has scored 16 goals in his first 18 outings for Dortmund, who finished second in the 2019-20 Bundesliga standings behind Bayern Munich, and he is contracted to remain at Westfalenstadion until 2024.

Following the expiration of his contract last week, the South African Football Association (Safa) says it is no hurry to replace technical director Neil Tovey.

The former Bafana Bafana skipper saw his contract coming to an end last month and the football governing body’s CEO Tebogo Motlanthe says they have started the process of identifying the legend’s successor.

‘Mokoko’ led the national side to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 1996 on home soil but the cash-strapped governing body could take time to replace him as the national teams are not in action because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“As the CEO, I’m working on that position to be filled,” said Motlanthe as quoted by the DailySun.

“Once we are fine, we’ll make an announcement. Sadly we can’t rush now because we don’t have any activities internationally.

“If I appoint someone now, I’ll appoint that person and do what? To come and be in the office? It will not make sense. But it is a process and we have started it.”

The Bafana legend had also opened up about his imminent departure from the Nasrec-based organization, saying the governing body had to cut its expenditure and that parting ways with Safa was a mutual agreement.

The 58-year-old had been serving as the Safa technical director for the last five years and his contract came to an end at the end of June.

Although Safa’s financial struggles are well documented, Motlanthe’s sentiments suggest they are looking to fill the void left by the former Kaizer Chiefs skipper.

Meanwhile, in January 2020, Safa parted ways with American sportswear giants Nike, who was their technical sponsor and media reports suggest they have agreed on a new sponsorship deal with Le Coq Sportif.

Looking at the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach's record, Tovey led former coach Clive Barker’s troops to the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations title as the national team captain and he played 52 international matches for South Africa.

While media reports also surfaced that the governing body has already started with a retrenchment processes because of the ravaging pandemic, Motlanthe could not offer insight on their progress so far.  

Growing up in Calangute, little did young Yolanda D'Souza Kammermeier know that she was going to be part of a historic era in Indian women's football in the late 70s and early 80s.

In what was a stellar career, Yolanda was conferred with the Bakshi Bahaddar Jivbadada Kerkar Award by the Government of Goa in 1979 before being voted "Player of the Decade" by the Women's Football Federation of India (WFFI) in 1980. She was also the first woman to score an international hat-trick for India against Swedish club BET in 1976.

A few years ago, she got back her number 10 jersey, which she had exchanged with the Swedish side's vice captain Mona Wahlgren after that match, by a stroke of luck.

"Mona Wahlgren came to Goa because they were writing about their team (BET) and the nice surprise was that she brought me my number 10 shirt with which I had scored the hat-trick. It was really very nice of her to do. I was really surprised," Yolanda told Goal.

Looking back at how it all started, Yolanda recalled how she came to take up football. She would often play with her brother Francisco and some of it had to go with the fact that girls from neighbouring villages - Candolim and Parra - usually played inter-village football tournaments.

"I used to like football, so wherever he (Francisco) went to play I used to go along with him. I used to join the boys to play," she said.

She scored in what is now called 'Adam vs Eves' match, in Panjim in 1973, where the women triumphed against men 3-1.

She added, "It was more inter-village (football for women) that was happening. Candolim had a side, Parra had a side. I think it (women's football) was more in the North Goa (initially). 

"So when these two teams came up, I said 'If Candolim is playing so well, why can't we?' Calangute had many athletes - most of them coming from my school. So I caught hold of some of my friends and I showed them how to play the game on the beach. Some of the boys asked us to come to the ground and so we started playing with the boys."

The title of 'Hat-trick Queen' was befitting her record of scoring a hat-trick in each of her debuts - for Calangute Village against Candolim in 1975, for Goa at the 1976 Nationals at Sultanpur and for India vs Swedish club BET in her international debut match at Lakhimpur in 1976.

Yolanda says the 'Adam vs Eve' match in Panjim in 1973 was the first ever recorded women's match.

"We had a friendly against Candolim. It basically became the first recorded (women's football) match. And then other villages started playing and we started playing friendlies before we started getting support from the GFA (Goa Football Association)," she claimed.

"There must have been at least 12-13 villages playing against each other but not in a league. The first league in Goa, called the Parkot trophy was organised by the Vasco Sports Club with about 14-15 village teams participating and later on it came under the aegis of GFA."

Yolanda not only dabbled in football but she was also successful in badminton and hockey as well. 

"In those days, whatever game we played, we played out of passion and for the fact that you could represent your country or state. We would be happy with the trophies that we won. No game was so very professional at the time I played from 1975 to 1981.

"I was a state player in badminton and hockey also."

However, Yolanda opened up on how she came to focus on football.

"Before I could represent India in hockey, I shifted to football because the backing that we got for football wasn't the same that we got for hockey. In fact, we were very good in hockey and I was selected for the India team but unfortunately that year we did not go to Russia because of some reason and immediately after that, I joined football," she recalled.

In 1976, Goa participated in the Nationals that was played at Sultanpur and Yolanda made her appearance on the big stage with a bang. She scored 15 goals which included three hat-tricks.

However, Goa had to wait until the next Nationals that was hosted at the Bandodkar stadium in Campal to defeat Bengal (now West Bengal) to lift the trophy, but there was a reason why Yolanda believes they didn't win outside Goa.

"The thing is, we always lost against Bengal outside (of Goa)," she admitted. "The only time we won was when it happened in Goa and I would think it was because of the coach. It makes a difference when the guy who is coaching you is there along with you. Even at the first nationals (1976), we were the better team.

"Joao de Mello was the Sesa coach and because in those days, men's football was also being played very expansively with everyone being interested, he couldn't leave his job and come with us. We had backing of the crowd everywhere we went. I think it was more like a push that you need to have from the coach to tell you the right thing at the right time."

While Goa defeated Bengal 3-0 in the final in 1977 nationals, Yolanda fondly remembers the tournament.

"The fact remains that I was the top scorer in three of the four tournaments. In the first one that was in Sultanpur, I scored more than the whole Bengal team. In Goa, I was the second highest top scorer (18) because my team-mate Succorinha (Pereira) was the top scorer (19) but I have one very good memory of that tournament because I scored in every single match of the tournament.

She continued, "And in a match (against Madhya Pradesh), (I scored) 11 (goals) but I wouldn't take much credit for that because the team I was playing against were novices. We were feeling so stupid to keep on scoring. In fact, I remember Succorinha turning to me and asking me, 'should I score?'. We didn't want to be near their goal but we couldn't help it, you know."

In the 1979 Nationals held in Calicut (now Kozhikode), Yolanda scored 13 goals that involved two hat-tricks and repeated the same feet in the 1980 Nationals in Lucknow. She was declared Player of the Tournament on all the three occasions she topped the scorers chart.

Yolanda found herself making her international debut in 1976 against the visiting Swedish side BET wherein the Indian team recorded seven wins. She also became the first woman to score an international hat-trick. In 1978, India also won the series against Tiverton Ladies Club from England, with Yolanda playing a significant part.

She was also a silver medalist at the 1979 Women's Asian Cup that was held in Calicut, where Yolanda scored against the likes of Hong Kong twice (group stage and semi-final) before India lost to Chinese Taipei in the final. 

Her reason for quitting football, after the 1981 World Cup, then referred to as the Women's World Invitational Tournament, was an injury and a penchant for art. In the tournament, India finished third in their group, after two draws against Haiti and Bergisch Gladbach and a loss (5-0) against HJK Helsinki.

"It was a second injury of the same type and I didn't have the patience to go through the entire process again. I had to catch up with my passion for art also." 

She was the only Goan and the vice captain of the Indian women's team at the two tournaments.

In fact, much for the struggles that may be recalled with the absence of professionalism, Yolanda pursued her passion despite the challenges.

"When I played football, I was also studying arts. In fact, on many occasions I wanted to leave (football) because art is something I wanted to do till I die but football is something that has a timeline. You cannot go on playing (football) forever. I tried more than once getting out of the Arts college because I wasn't getting the time to play football or practice. The Arts college was a full-day affair.

"But my principal at the time was nice. He said, 'You are not going to leave because you are not going to mess up your (Arts) career for a few years of soccer'. So he gave me the freedom to play football. So I spent more time out of college than in college during those days.

"So I decided that once I stopped playing football, it must be Arts because you cannot serve two masters at one time. Art was also my passion and it takes as much time as football. Even if I wanted to be a coach, it had to be your whole self."

Perhaps it was this challenge that prevented Yolanda from living up to her dream of football at her best.

"Even when I started working, I wanted to leave football but my director was kind enough to let me play. But it was taking a toll on my game because I couldn't practice as much as I would need to."

Despite all that, Yolanda remains a legend of the women's game in India and her goalscoring exploits remain unparalleled.

Simone Inzaghi acknowledged Lazio's Serie A title chances have been dealt a blow after losing 3-0 to AC Milan but insisted the Scudetto hopefuls will not give up.

Lazio were comprehensively beaten by visiting Milan in Rome on Saturday as Inzaghi's men fell seven points adrift of leaders and defending champions Juventus.

Without leading goalscorer Ciro Immobile and Felipe Caicedo due to suspension, Lazio's Scudetto dream was derailed by Hakan Calhanoglu, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ante Rebic at Stadio Olimpico – AC Milan leading 2-0 at half-time.

Lazio – eyeing their first league crown since 2000 – face an uphill battle overhauling Juve with eight matches remaining in 2019-20, while Inter could move within a point of second spot by beating Bologna on Sunday.

"This defeat weighs on us in the table, but we knew that there were some objective difficulties today," Lazio head coach Inzaghi told DAZN.

"We weren't very fortunate either, as we conceded a goal with a deflection, another on a penalty that Thomas Strakosha almost saved.

"Then we had two chances to get it back on track, only to concede the third goal. Unfortunately, I can't rotate the squad right now, so playing four games in under two weeks becomes difficult.

"We've got to look forward and prepare for the next match. We know the journey we have taken and have no intention of letting go. We'll probably lose [Joaquin] Correa to injury for the next one, we must try to rotate a little, because these lads are now very tired.

"Correa has been struggling with a calf problem for a few weeks. If Caicedo and Immobile weren't suspended, he wouldn't have played today. Lucas Leiva had his first appearance today after just 25 minutes of training. We only made the decision after a fitness test this morning.

"Bobby Adekanye hadn't played for 25 days either, [Sergej] Milinkovic-Savic and Correa told me they weren't feeling right. It was difficult against Milan in these circumstances. Even then I have to think we could’ve got back into it at 2-1.

"Initially, Luis Alberto was meant to be in support of Correa, but we were lacking a physical presence and hadn't really used this tactic without Immobile. If we'd had Adekanye in training during the week, I probably would've started him, as he is at least a centre-forward."

It was a return to form for AC Milan, who faced defeat before rallying to earn a 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened SPAL last time out.

Milan – with Ibrahimovic back in the line-up – dominated against Lazio as they stayed on track to qualify for the Europa League next season.

"We work really well at Milanello, I always said that I had a group of responsible players who are aware of the importance of the shirt they are wearing," said AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli, who is tipped to be replaced by Ralf Rangnick at the end of the campaign.

"I don't know what will happen with our future, with my future, but we are too concentrated on fighting to the end so we can at least get Milan back into the Europa League.

"We won't get the Champions League now, but Milan are a prestigious club and have to be in European competition.

"The players are continuing to give 110 per cent, even those who signed contracts to the end of the season and probably won't remain here after that. They are determined to prove they are still strong players at this level and to give their best for Milan."

Ibrahimovic, who has recovered from a calf injury, converted a first-half penalty to take his tally to five goals since returning to Milan from LA Galaxy in January.

"Ibra has allowed us to grow in terms of mentality, quality, technique, it's a real pleasure to work with him and see how he deals with his team-mates," added Pioli, whose side host Juventus on Tuesday.

"Now we've got a month left and can continue pushing all the way."

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has included Jeje Lalpekhlua in the list of recommendations for the famed Arjuna Award, Goal has learnt. 

His name was added later to the initial list which comprised of Sandesh Jhingan and Bala Devi. 

The India international has 56 caps for the Blue Tigers and has 23 strikes to his name. Jeje made his debut for the senior India national football team in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification against Chinese Taipei and scored a goal. 

He won the Best Young Player at the Football Players Association of India’s (FPAI) Indian Football Awards in 2011 and in 2016, he was honoured with the Indian Player of the Year title.

In that season, he scored three goals in as many matches and played a crucial role in India clinching the SAFF Championship. He is the second-highest Indian goalscorer ever in ISL.

Jeje has also won the Indian Super League (ISL) twice with Chennaiyin FC (in 2015 and 2018). He was the Emerging Player of the Year in ISL in the 2015 season. The Mizo Sniper was named the AIFF Emerging Player of the Year in 2013. 

He has also won the I-League title in 2014-15 with Mohun Bagan, with whom he also won the Federation Cup in 2015-16. 

In the 2019-20 season, the forward did not make any appearance as he was nursing an injury. He was undergoing rehabilitation alongside fellow nominee Sandesh Jhingan in Italy last season. 

Previously in 2017 & 2019, the Mizo sniper was also nominated but Bem Bem Devi and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu pipped him to the gong on those two occasions. It remains to be seen whether he makes the cut in his third attempt. 

Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick is hoping to convince Thiago Alcantara to remain with the German champions amid growing links to Liverpool.

Thiago is contracted until the end of 2020-21 but the Spain international is reportedly on the verge of leaving for Premier League champions Liverpool as Bayern brace for his exit.

The 29-year-old came off the bench with three minutes remaining in Bayern's 4-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Saturday's DFB-Pokal final.

However, Flick has not given up on keeping star Thiago – who arrived from Barcelona in 2013 and has since won seven successive Bundesliga crowns among other honours.

"The thing is, I always have hope. I'm actually always very positive about things," Flick told reporters following the Berlin triumph.

"I also know, of course, that when you're at a certain age and you've already played in the Spanish league with Barcelona and in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, you feel the need to experience another big league. That is quite normal and that is also human.

"I'm trying my best to make sure Thiago stays here and that you can convince him to stay. But that's one thing that time will show.

"We still have the Champions League ahead of us now and we have a lot of plans, also together with him."

Flick was also asked about Bayern's transfer plans after prising Germany international Leroy Sane from Manchester City.

Bayern have been linked to Leverkusen star Kai Havertz, who scored a late consolidation goal on Saturday, but Flick seemed to suggest the German giants won't be rushing back into the transfer market. 

"We all know that of course the time with coronavirus has changed a lot," Flick added. "This means that many clubs, including FC Bayern Munich, can no longer spend money so easily. That's why we have to proceed cautiously.

"For now, Leroy Sane's commitment was important for the club and also for the team, which are taking the next step. Hasan Salihamidzic did a very good job of staying on the ball. I think a lot is developing and we have to see that we are a bit more broadly based."

Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard wants his players to embrace the pressure of trying to qualify for the Champions League in their Premier League battle with in-form Manchester United.

Lampard's Chelsea moved back into the top four with a 3-0 win over Watford after United had briefly leapfrogged them following a 5-2 thrashing of Bournemouth earlier on Saturday.

Chelsea are fourth in the table, two points clear of United with five matches remaining in the Premier League, as the top-four race goes down to the wire.

And Lampard told his players to ignore United, who have gone 16 matches without defeat across all competitions, after bouncing back from Wednesday's shock 3-2 loss at West Ham.

"I think every game is going to be pressure now," Lampard told reporters. "West Ham was pressure because we knew we could go third. It's a different kind of pressure but it's still the same in how you focus on the game and job at hand.

"You cannot get too caught up in what everyone does at the moment. We did that tonight. There was no nonsense. The mentality was right. We started brightly and we carried on and got the small details of the game right at both ends of the pitch, which I was happy with."

"It is not a comparison to get too caught up in," Lampard said of Manchester United. "They are a very good team; we know that. The individuals that they have, the squad, the coaches that they have. We can only respect that.

"I watched their game early and with the individual quality when you look across their frontline you see two players on 20 goals and Mason Greenwood doing what he is doing scoring regularly.

"[Bruno] Fernandes and [Paul] Pogba in midfield, the signing of Harry Maguire. They are a really strong outfit. We know that and the fact we are two points ahead we have to be happy about.

"We know it is going to be contested right until the end of the season with the form that they are in. With respect to Manchester United and the teams around us, we have to focus on ourselves and try to keep picking up results. That will be the main importance to us."

Olivier Giroud, Willian and Ross Barkley were on target for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. However, midfielder N'Golo Kante suffered a hamstring injury in the win after he was withdrawn with 12 minutes remaining in London.

Lampard, who insisted Jorginho remains part of his plans despite finding himself out of the line-up, added: "N'Golo has got a small hamstring [injury] which we'll have to scan tomorrow [Sunday] and see how bad it is.

"We hope it's small, that's what I've been told so far. After the scan we'll know but I'm guessing it'll be a problem for [Crystal] Palace on Tuesday."

Lampard also heaped praise on goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has been linked with a return to La Liga, after the former Athletic Club star produced an agile save to thwart Danny Welbeck.

"I am pleased for him and the back four in front of him as well because I thought we defended pretty well when we needed to," Lampard said. "But the moment when we slipped and they got in; he made a really good save.

"That's what you want from your goalkeeper, you want them to make those saves and stay alert. It will be good for his confidence along with the clean sheet as well."

Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick said Robert Lewandowski can win the Ballon d'Or after taking his season tally to 51 goals after the German champions won the DFB-Pokal title.

Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern eased past Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 on Saturday to retain their DFB-Pokal crown and wrap up a domestic double for the second successive season.

After David Alaba and Serge Gnabry put Bayern ahead, Lewandowski took centre stage in the second half with goals in the 59th and 89th minutes behind closed doors in Berlin.

It continued Lewandowski's red-hot form in 2019-20 after the Poland international star exceeded half a century of goals across all competitions this term.

Lewandowski topped the Bundesliga charts with 34 goals to lead Bayern to an eighth consecutive title, while he has netted 11 in the Champions League as Europe's premier club competition prepares to return next month.

And Flick backed Lewandowski for Ballon d'Or glory post-match, telling reporters: "Fifty-one goals are already very strong. The first goal Lewy scored, the third goal we scored, was already excellent.

"The way he takes the ball down there and the way he locks up. Of course, he's had a bit of luck with that as well. But that's what distinguishes him, that he has this confidence in his quality.

"If I measure for goals now and I see that he has scored 34 goals in the Bundesliga this year, then you can think about how a player from the Bundesliga can become the Ballon d'Or winner. So why not? He has laid all the groundwork with this achievement this year and I would wish him well."

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or in 2019, edging Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo.The last Bayern player to receive the individual honour was Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.

Lewandowski's season isn't yet over either with the Polish striker set to be in action again in August when the Champions League resumes. 

Bayern beat Chelsea 3-0 in the first leg of their last-16 clash in February and are in the box seat to progress to the quarter-finals. 

Mason Greenwood took his Premier League tally to eight goals with a brace on Saturday and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has tipped the Manchester United youngster for a future England call-up. 

The 18-year-old produced clinical finishes in either half as United thrashed Bournemouth 5-2 to briefly move into the Premier League's top four. 

Only Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Robbie Fowler have scored more Premier League goals in a season while aged 18 or younger and that trio all went on to feature for England on multiple occasions. 

Bradford-born Greenwood has represented his country at various youth levels, debuting for England Under-21s last September, and Solskjaer believes he is on track to make the step up to Gareth Southgate's senior side. 

Asked if he was "a future England striker", Norwegian Solskjaer told BBC Radio 5 live: "Definitely, if he keeps on developing. 

"We'll do our best to develop him. I'm just worried about him playing for Man United, not England. 

"There might be some Norwegian blood in there, I don't know! I don't think so." 

Solskjaer added of Greenwood: "[He's a] great talent, great finisher and he's learning more and more, growing more and more, [making] better and better decisions on and off the pitch. 

"He's an exceptional finisher, he can score right foot, left foot. If he can learn how to head a ball he'll be the complete striker." 

United are now unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions, a streak that dates back to a home loss to Burnley on January 22. 

This latest victory saw United temporarily displace Chelsea in fourth only for the Blues to beat Watford later on to reclaim their spot with Solskjaer insisting there is still a long way to go in the race for Champions League qualification. 

"I don't think anyone worries or cares about that now, we've got so many games left," he said. 

"Five games left - we know we have to focus on every single one of them at one time because you can only beat the team you're playing against. 

"The next one is [Aston] Villa, we'll have a good look at them tomorrow and recover and prepare for that one." 

Frank Lampard was full of praise for Christian Pulisic after Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 victory over Watford to regain fourth place in the Premier League. 

Big-money signing Pulisic has taken his game to another level since the season resumed last month and caused the Hornets all sorts of problems at Stamford Bridge. 

Goals from Olivier Giroud, Willian and Ross Barkley moved the Blues back into the top four after Manchester United had briefly leapfrogged them with a 5-2 thrashing of Bournemouth earlier on Saturday. 

Lampard was not keen on comparing Pulisic to former Chelsea forward Hazard but is delighted with the progress the United States international is making after overcoming the injury issues that blighted him earlier in the campaign. 

Asked by Sky Sports about Pulisic and his similarities to Hazard, Lampard replied: "They can both go by players and are great to watch. Eden did it here and was sensational. 

"I don't want to quite get on that comparison, but at the same stage I don't want to take anything away from Christian. What he's showing is a real natural ability, a balance, speed to dribble with the ball. 

"The next step for him is a better end product, more goals, more assists. But since the restart, he's already shown that, which is great. 

"He’s had injury problems this season but he’s a good one, a really good one. I'm very happy with him." 

Pulisic himself was wary of comparisons to Hazard post-game, stressing he's just trying to be his own player. 

Lampard was impressed with the way his players responded to a 3-2 London derby loss at West Ham in midweek. 

"We have to accept that pressure. Before West Ham we could have gone third and we let ourselves down," said the former Derby County boss. 

"Today there was a bit of pressure to get back into fourth and we produced. We have to get used to that pressure, whatever way it looks, because it's going to be tough all the way through." 

Chelsea next face Crystal Palace on Tuesday before tackling Sheffield United on Saturday. 

Yakou Meite is delighted with his impressive display in Reading’s 5-0 demolition of Luton Town in Saturday’s Championship game.

The forward scored four goals in the encounter for the first time in his career to help Mark Bowen’s men secure all three points.

The Ivory Coast international completed his hat-trick just before the half-time break and then sealed the comprehensive win in the 62nd minute.

The victory inspired Reading to winning ways after two consecutive defeats against Derby County and Brentford.

Following the feat, Boga has taken to social media to express his excitement and appreciate the club for their confidence in him.

 “What a day! Four goals for me today, the first time in my career. Thanks to everyone who always believe in me and Reading. I love you all,” Meite tweeted.

Meite has now scored 16 goals and provided two assists in 30 appearances across all competitions for the Royals in this campaign.

The forward started his career with the youth team of Paris Saint-Germain before he was promoted to the senior side and made his debut in Ligue 1 against Guingamp in 2016.

The 24-year-old winger joined Reading in the summer of 2016 and has been delivering spectacular performances for the side.

The forward has so far scored 25 league goals in 86 appearances for the Madejski Stadium outfit, a performance that earned him a call-up to Ivory Coast national team.

He made his debut for the Elephants in a friendly against Togo in 2018 and now has two appearances for the West Africans.

The winger will hope to be consistent with his performances for Reading for a chance to get more playing time with Ivory Coast.

Meite will be expected to lead the Royals’ attack when they take on Huddersfield Town in their next league game on Tuesday evening.

Eden Hazard will sit out Real Madrid's La Liga match with Athletic Bilbao as he is not fully fit, head coach Zinedine Zidane said on Saturday. 

The Belgium international sustained a heavy knock in the 1-0 win over Espanyol and missed the victory against Getafe on Thursday. 

Madrid could stretch their lead over Barcelona at the top of LaLiga to seven points if they win at Athletic on Sunday before the Catalans face Villarreal, but Zidane is not prepared to take any unnecessary risks with Hazard that could jeopardise his chances of finishing the season. 

"Eden's having a hard time these days and we don't want to risk anything, and he's the first [to agree]," Zidane said. "Hopefully, it's a small thing and we can see him again before the end of the league [season]. 

"He's been away for three or four days and I hope he'll get over it quickly. It's day to day; we don't know anything more than it's a strong blow. There are those who know, the doctors and the medics... they are very competent people. It was a blow against Espanyol and it's a matter of days." 

Hazard's first season at Madrid since his €100 million move from Chelsea has been blighted by injuries, with the 29-year-old having only started 13 league games in 2019-20. 

"The Hazard thing is the sort of thing we don't want to happen, that's the worst thing for me," Zidane said. "It's not just me, there's a lot of people here to help the player. 

"For Eden, it's his first year and he wants to help the team. And when he can't do that, he's not happy. 

"I don't think he's afraid [of injuries]; what he wants is to be good enough to play. If he doesn't look 100 per cent, it's a problem for him and for everyone, because we love him to the max. 

"What I hope is that we'll soon get out of it." 

Los Blancos last won the title in 2016-17, during Zidane's previous spell in charge, and the head coach is taking nothing for granted despite their advantage at the summit.

"The players know that it is a complicated, difficult, long competition, and that those who did it before show that they want to go for everything," he added.

"There is no euphoria here because we have not won anything.

"There is work and commitment to do it well and try to win matches."

Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes believes the club still need signings in two key areas in order to catch up with runaway champions Liverpool. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's charges have been in fine form since the season restarted in June following three months out due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Three wins and a draw in the Premier League have seen the Reds consolidate their position inside the Champions League qualification spots, while they also progressed to the semi-finals of the FA Cup thanks to victory over Norwich City last week. 

Saturday saw one of United's finest performances of the season so far as Bournemouth were dispatched in a 5-2 thrashing at Old Trafford, with two-goal hero Mason Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial all finding themselves on the score sheet. 

But they still face the possibility of finishing 30 points or more behind their arch-rivals from Merseyside, an issue that Scholes believes can only be resolved in the transfer market. 

"There is a big gap to close, there’s no doubt about that," Scholes explained to BBC Radio Five Live.

"The points difference is ridiculous and the quality of Man City obviously is there for everyone to see.

"I really don’t think they are a million miles away. I know we spoke about four or five players but I think it’s two or three now.

"I think you are looking at a centre-forward, a really classy goal scorer and possibly a centre-half to play next to [Harry] Maguire.

"I think [Victor] Lindelof has done alright but I just think Maguire with his lack of pace at times [can get caught].

"If he’s got a really dominant centre-half next to him like a Rio Ferdinand or Jaap Stam, who bullies centre-forwards, I think that would be a big help to the team."

United are back in action on Thursday, when they travel to Villa Park to face relegation-threatened Aston Villa. 

The Reds' weekend victory helped them pull three points clear of sixth-placed Wolves, who went down at home to Arsenal to lose ground in the race for the final Champions League berth.

Maurizio Sarri said the only suitable way to hail Gianluigi Buffon is with applause after the veteran goalkeeper set a new Serie A record on Saturday.

Buffon made his 648th appearance in Italy's top flight as Juve cruised to a 4-1 victory over Torino in the Turin derby, breaking the record previously set by his former Italy team-mate Paolo Maldini.

Juve's victory and Lazio's subsequent defeat to AC Milan means Sarri's side are now seven points clear at the top of Serie A with eight matches remaining.

But when asked to describe Buffon, who signed a one-year extension with Juve in June, Sarri said the 42-year-old can only be applauded, with his legendary status already assured.

"Everyone can just congratulate with Buffon for what he did during his career," Sarri said in a news conference.

"He's a legend. No words needed, just applause. That's how we welcomed him in the changing room today, no words needed. Look at his numbers, he is a legend."

One player who will be leaving Juve at the end of the season is Miralem Pjanic, the midfielder heading to Barcelona with Artur coming the other way.

Pjanic was taken off shortly after half-time in the derby, but Sarri insisted it was not to do with his performance, but instead related to a booking the playmaker had received towards the end of the first half, with Torino then pulling one back to make it 2-1 in stoppage time.

"Pjanic received the yellow card and he was one I was the most nervous on the pitch because the penalty given to Torino," Sarri added.

"That's why I decided to change him, I didn't want to risk [a sending off]."

Juventus, who have now won seven straight Serie A games, are next in action against AC Milan on Tuesday. 

Sarri's side have scored an impressive 13 goals across their past four league games and have conceded just twice in the process as they close in on another Serie A title.