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Ismaila Soro scored his first goal for Celtic in Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat of Dundee United in a Scottish Premiership encounter.

Since joining the Bhoys on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Israeli Premier League side Bnei Yehuda on January 27, 2020, the Ivorian midfielder has failed to find the net, although his first season was marred by the outbreak of Covid-19.

Against the Terrors, however, he ended his wait as Neil Lennon’s team strolled past the visitors at the Celtic Park.

With both teams playing fluid football in the opening stages, Soro gave the Hoops a 23rd minute lead courtesy of a sublime 30-yard strike after collecting a pass from Callum McGregor – with the effort sailing past goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist.

Five minutes before the half-time break, he turned provider for David Turnbull as the hosts took a two-goal advantage into the locker room.  Soro played the Scotland youth international from 30 yards from goal, moved towards the inside-right then sent a low effort past Siegrist.

15 minutes from full-time, Odsonne Edouard sealed the triumph after profiting from an assist from Leigh Griffiths. Edouard snuck in behind the Dundee’s backline and lofted a deft lob over the goalie.

After an impressive shift, the African was replaced in the 80th minute by captain Scott Brown.

For Micky Mellon's team, Cameroon's Jeando Fuchs was an unused substitute.

Thanks to this result, the quadruple treble kings extended their winning streak to six from six across all tournaments. They are second in the log having accrued 43 points from 18 outings - 16 short of leaders Rangers who have played three games more.

Born in Yakasse-Me, Cote d’Ivoire, Soro began his career at local side Moossou before heading to Moldova’s Saxan. After impressing in the 2016-17 campaign, he was snapped up by Belarusian side Gomel before moving to Israel seven months later.

In the 2018-19 season, he played a prominent role as the Bloomfield Stadium giants defeated Maccabi Netanya on penalties at Haifa's Sammy Ofer Stadium to emerge as champions of the Israel State Cup.  

He will be aiming to add to his goal tally when Celtic visit Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo’s Rangers on January 2, 2021.

Luis Suarez has matched Radamel Falcao's mark for the best goalscoring start to life with Atletico Madrid in La Liga this century. 

Suarez scored in the 20th minute against Getafe on Wednesday, glancing in Yannick Carrasco's delivery for a strike that would prove to be the game's only goal in a 1-0 victory for Atletico. 

The Uruguayan's goal ensured Diego Simeone's 500th game in charge of Atletico would be victorious, with the capital club extending their lead on top of La Liga over city rivals Real Madrid.  

For Suarez, it was his eighth league goal in 11 matches since joining Atletico from Barcelona this summer, equalling the mark set by Falcao in 2011 after the Colombia striker joined the club from Porto.

He could have easily had a ninth in the first half against Getafe, guiding the ball over the bar from 15 yards soon after scoring the opener.

Suarez has managed his fast start at Atletico despite having missed a month of the season due to Covid-19, making his return in early December after being forced to miss much of November.

The 33-year-old left Camp Nou after he was somewhat surprisingly deemed surplus to requirements by new Barca manager Ronald Koeman this summer.

Suarez's exit still bothers his longtime team-mate and friend Lionel Messi, who has spoken out against the move in the past and did so again in an interview with La Sexta on Sunday.

"I had thought about it before Luis Suarez [left], but that was crazy," Messi said. "I didn't like the way he left. I didn't think he deserved to leave like that. He went for free to a team that is fighting for the same things as us."

Atletico will be back in action on Sunday when they face Alaves in La Liga. Simeone's men are chasing their first league title since 2013-14 as they look to end six straight years of dominance by rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. 

Simeone's side have also reached the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face Chelsea in a two-leg tie in February and March. 

The Premier League has insisted that it is not considering pausing the season despite issues created by a recent uptick in coronavirus cases.

A pair of matches have been postponed this week as the increase of Covid-19 cases across England has impacted the footballing schedule.

Everton's clash with Manchester City was postponed on Monday after the latter experienced several positive tests while a series of cases at Fulham led to the postponement of their match with Tottenham on Wednesday. 

Additionally, Aston Villa's meeting with Newcastle was postponed earlier this month due to an outbreak involving the latter.

In a statement confirming Wednesday's scheduling decision, the Premier League said that those in charge have "full confidence" the season will continue amid the coronavirus outbreak.

That statement came after several coaches, including Sam Allardyce and Nuno Espirito Santo, called for a potential pause to the season due to the surge in cases.

Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, aimed a dig at the league on Wednesday as he complained about the uncertainty his side faced as a result of Fulham's positive tests.

But, on Wednesday, the Premier League doubled down on its stance that the season will go on as planned with the league saying it will continue to follow government protocols.

"The Premier League has not discussed pausing the season and has no plans to do so," the league said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The League continues to have confidence in its Covid-19 protocols to enable fixtures to be played as scheduled, and these protocols continue to have the full backing of Government.

"With the health of players and staff the priority, the League is also fully supportive of how clubs are implementing the protocols and rules."

Fans will not be allowed at any Premier League matches for the time being after Liverpool was placed in Tier 3 of the national coronavirus restrictions, having previously been the only city with fans allowed in the stadium.

Wednesday concludes Matchday 16 in the Premier League, with Liverpool currently sitting atop the table after claiming the Premier League title last season. 

The busy festive period will resume on Friday, though, as Everton host West Ham and Aston Villa head to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on New Year's Day. 

Following the end of Matchday 17 on Monday, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup will resume, further adding to the fixture crunch.

William Troost-Ekong has been nominated for the Watford Player of the Month award for December.

The Nigeria international will compete with November’s winner Kiko Femenia and captain Troy Deeney for the monthly gong.

Troost-Ekong, was in fine form for Xisco Munoz’s men in the month under review.

He played in all Hornets’ six games as they recorded two wins, two defeats and two draws as Watford climbed to fifth in the English Championship log.

“Captain Deeney scored in three successive games against Rotherham United, Birmingham City and Brentford, taking his tally to four for the season,” a statement on Watford website read.

“An assured Troost-Ekong cemented a place in the side with five consecutive appearances before picking up a hamstring injury.

“Femenia followed up winning the November award by going unbeaten individually during December, with Watford winning three times and drawing twice when the full-back played.”

Voting for the award will close on Thursday afternoon before the winner is announced.

In the 2020-21 campaign, Troost-Ekong has featured in 12 English second tier games with one goal to his credit in the 3-2 defeat of Coventry City.

He was handed a starter’s role in his club’s 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield Town, albeit, he got replaced in the 30th minute by Francisco Sierralta.

The 27-year-old joined the Vicarage Road side on a five-year deal from Serie A side Udinese in September – attributing the move to his ambition of playing in the Premier League.

"I believe in the project for Watford to get back into the Premier League," he told BBC Sport Africa.

"It's always been my dream to play in the Premier League and Watford has given me the platform now to get there. Looking at the squad, I believe we have the quality to do it.

"I've always made tactical decisions for my career and this felt like the right step now for me and my family.

"As for my international future, I have shown what I can add to the Super Eagles. I have consistently contributed to the team's success in the last five years and have had the pleasure of captaining the team."

Liverpool will end 2020 three points clear at the top of the Premier League but were left frustrated after a goalless draw with Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Jurgen Klopp's side monopolised possession and carved out the best opportunities at St James' Park, but against a spirited Newcastle side a winner eluded them.

Liverpool's front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane all had chances, only to find Karl Darlow in inspired form in the Newcastle goal.

It was the first 0-0 between the sides since 1974 and left Liverpool three points ahead of second-placed Manchester United having played a game more.

Newcastle began brightly as Callum Wilson glanced an early header wide and then outpaced Nathaniel Phillips but saw his goalbound shot from a tight angle blocked by Fabinho.

The Reds slowly found their rhythm and Salah beat the Newcastle offside trap, yet Darlow was sharp off his line to narrow the angle and superbly push the ball wide.

The in-form Darlow produced another brilliant diving save to keep out Firmino's header on the stroke of half-time.

Mane's near-post header clipped the side netting moments after the interval, while Salah shot wide from a good position after he was released by Firmino shortly after the hour.

Klopp introduced fit-again midfielder Thiago Alcantara in the 73rd minute, but Liverpool needed goalkeeper Alisson to make a fine stretching save to claw away Ciaran Clark's header from Matt Ritchie's free-kick.

The Reds looked most likely to fine a winner late on and Fabian Schar hooked the ball off the line with Mane lurking with 10 minutes left.

However, Steve Bruce's side rolled up their sleeves and Darlow made another late stop from Firmino to end a run of five consecutive defeats against Liverpool.
 

What does it mean? Reds face title scrap

Liverpool ended 2019 with a 13-point lead at the top after 19 games, but their advantage this time around - albeit having played four fewer matches - is much more slender.

The Reds ran away with the title last season, yet results such as these emphasise the challenge they face this term.

Newcastle clearly relish playing the champions at St James' Park and are now unbeaten in their past five home Premier League games against reigning title holders (won two, drawn three).

Defiant Darlow denies Reds

Newcastle had failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their past 11 Premier League home games before this encounter. 

That they managed to shut out the Premier League champions owed much to the performance of Darlow, who made four excellent saves and was a calming presence throughout.

Sadio struggles in the Toon

Mane had been directly involved in seven goals in his previous eight away top-flight matches (six goals, one assist) but was below his best here. 

The Senegal forward failed to register a single shot on target and struggled to find his team-mates often enough, with his pass completion of 75.6 per cent the second-worst among all Liverpool players.

Key Opta Facts

- The Magpies have gained their first point against Liverpool in the Premier League since October 2017 (1-1), ending a run of five consecutive defeats.
- Newcastle and Liverpool have played out a goalless draw for the first time in 74 matches in all competitions, last doing so in a top-flight game in February 1974.
- Liverpool have failed to win their final league game of a calendar year for the first time in seven years, winning each of their previous six since a 1-2 defeat to Chelsea in 2013.
- The Reds have failed to score in a Premier League game for the first time in 22 matches; they are the final side to do so in 2020-21.
- Fabinho is the sixth Brazilian player to reach 100 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions (also Alisson, Aurelio, Lucas Leiva, Coutinho and Firmino). 
- Liverpool's sole shot on target in the second half came in the 88th minute. They have now managed just one attempt on target after half-time in their last two games.

What's next?

Liverpool begin 2021 with a trip to Southampton next Monday, while Newcastle play the day before when Leicester City are the visitors to St James' Park.

Real Madrid's lost ground on LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid as their five-game winning streak in the competition came grinding to a halt in a 1-1 draw with Elche.

Luka Modric scored his third league goal of the season to give Zinedine Zidane's men the lead after 20 minutes as Madrid attacked freely while leaving some dangerous gaps at the back.

Elche created numerous good chances before equalising from the penalty spot, Fidel converting after Dani Carvajal's blatant foul on Antonio Barragan.

The result put a dampener on the feel-good factor Zidane had managed to generate around his club after bouncing back from a slow start to the season, with Atletico two points clear at the summit having beaten Getafe 1-0 earlier on Wednesday.

Toni Kroos headed narrowly wide from 10 yards in the third minute as Madrid started brightly but it was not long before Thibaut Courtois – making his 100th appearance for the club – had to get down smartly to parry Emiliano Rigoni's fierce drive away from the corner of his net.

Play swung from end to end and Marcelo shook the crossbar with a rasping half-volley from the edge of the Elche box in the 13th minute.

Moments later Modric gave Madrid the lead, sending a header into the top-right corner after Edgar Badia palmed Marco Asensio's thunderous shot onto the crossbar.

Madrid were awarded a penalty only for VAR to show that the ball hit Ivan Marcone's leg and not his hand, and six minutes into the second half Elche won a spot-kick of their own when Carvajal pulled down Barragan.

Fidel buried the penalty into the bottom-left corner of the net and 10 minutes later Lucas Boye grazed the outside of the post with a low shot from the edge of the Madrid box.

Boye fired high and wide when he burst through the ranks of Madrid defenders again and Carvajal missed a chance to atone for his error when Badia saved his close-range effort on the counter.

The returning Eden Hazard missed the only opening that came his way and Carvajal conceded a stoppage-time free-kick from which Gonzalo Verdu drew a fine save from Courtois, who parried away the last kick of the game to ensure the points were shared.

What does it mean? No more room for complacency at Madrid

Victories over Sevilla, Atletico, Athletic Bilbao, Eibar and Granada put a spring back in Zidane's step going into this game, but sloppy defending suggested his players underestimated Elche.

Jorge Almiron's side, who could climb as high as ninth if they win their game in hand, may be winless in their past nine LaLiga games, but this was the first time in nine top-flight meetings with Madrid that they managed to avoid defeat.

Modric makes Madrid tick

The return of Modric restored a fluency to Madrid's attacking play, and he contributed two efforts on goal – including the one that went in – as well as making the third most touches of any player.

Calamitous Carvajal

Aside from conceding the penalty in clumsy fashion, Carvajal struggled to deal with the threat of Fidel and Boye, conceding possession 18 times – more than any other player on the pitch.

What's next?

Elche's first game of 2021 sees them travel to Athletic on Sunday, while Madrid are in action at home against Celta Vigo a day earlier.

Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp was impressed with the quality Thiago Alcantara displayed on his return from injury against Newcastle. 

The Spain international came on in the 73rd minute against the Magpies, making his first appearance since sustaining a knee injury at Everton on October 17.

Thiago sprayed several impressive long balls around the pitch, looking no worse for the lengthy absence on just his third appearance for the Reds. 

Liverpool, however, were unable to find a finishing touch as they drew 0-0 at St James' Park.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Klopp said he was impressed with how the 29-year-old performed in his first action since October.

"We could see a lot of moments how good a footballer he is," Klopp said of Thiago. "Now we have to see how he reacts and all that stuff. We have another game in four days. James Milner played a super game in midfield after an injury break. Nat Phillips did his job, really strong against 100 per cent strikers."

Despite the draw, his side's second in a row, Klopp said he was happy with his team's performance on a night they had several clear-cut chances and could have scored if not for the heroics of Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

"The Premier League is only good teams. We had big chances," Klopp added. "The opposition is good and that happens all the time. You might not think I have to tip my hat to my team but I like the performance. It was really good.

"Can we play better football? Yes, but in this game we did more than enough to win it.

"I think we had four 100% chances. We have won against Newcastle before with fewer chances. Tonight we didn't but we accept that. I am happy with the things I saw tonight and I can really work with that. The boys are frustrated and rightly so but not about the performance. It is a basis to build on for the next few days, weeks, months."

Liverpool remain in first place after the draw, but Manchester United can draw level on points if they defeat Aston Villa on Friday. Klopp, however, said he isn't too concerned about his side's position in the table at present. 

"The last thing I’m thinking about is our position in the table at the moment," Klopp told Amazon Prime. "It’s nice but it doesn’t mean anything.

"We drew tonight and we are still top of the table so that just shows how difficult the season is for everybody.

"When life gives you lemons make lemonade. We have to keep going, next game, Southampton, Aston Villa, Man United and that’s good we know about our responsibility. We didn’t get the result we wanted but it’s not the worst thing in the world, there are worse things happening."

Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow says he would be "silly" to not admit he is thinking about a potential England call-up, although he believes he still has to do more to earn it.

Darlow was the star of the show against Liverpool on Wednesday, as he kept a clean sheet in a scoreless draw.

The goalkeeper made four saves on Wednesday night, and now has the second-highest number in the Premier League behind only Sam Johnstone of West Brom.

Darlow has shone for Newcastle this season, having started 13 games after previously serving as Martin Dubravka's back-up.

Having taken his chance following an injury to Dubravka, the 30-year-old goalkeeper is hopeful that he could make the step up to international level as he hopes for an England call-up.

"[It would be] silly for me to not admit I'm aware of it, I know what's going on and hopefully I can just keep performing well and it might put me in contention," he told Amazon Prime. "I've just got to try and keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully it might happen."

Dubravka was named in the matchday squad for the first time since July, having been out of action with an ankle injury.

With Dubravka's return, manager Steve Bruce will have a decision to make in goal, as the Slovakian has been one of Newcastle's best performers of recent seasons.

"He's had to wait patiently for his chance," Bruce said of Darlow. "Certainly with the way he's trained - Martin Dubravka is now back fit but we needed our second goalkeeper to step up and at the moment the jersey's his because of his performances. We've had to call on him a bit too much at times but there's no denying he has been terrific all season."

Darlow told BBC: "I can only concentrate on what I am doing. It has been brilliant to have him [Dubravka] back to be honest and to work with him again. It is good to be under pressure.”

With the draw, Newcastle currently sit 14th in the Premier League and will now look ahead to a clash with Leicester on Sunday.

Diego Simeone has been taking his Atletico Madrid tenure "game by game" for nine years and now, 500 games in, is keen to ensure standards do not slip in 2021.

Atletico head coach Simeone oversaw a 1-0 La Liga win over Getafe on Wednesday to mark his 500th match in charge of the club in all competitions.

Luis Suarez's eighth league goal for Atletico secured maximum points in midweek, which ensured Simeone's high-flying side would head into the new year top of the table.

Reflecting on his approach when returning to Atleti as coach in December 2011, Simeone explained he has rarely looked beyond the next game – now Deportivo Alaves on Sunday.

"Since I arrived when I got together with Miguel [Angel Gil Marin, CEO] and Enrique [Cerezo, president], I told them let's go game by game," the 50-year-old said. "That is my feeling, playing each game as if it were the last until situations lead me to leave Atletico or not."

As well as leading La Liga at the end of December, Atleti have completed a calendar year without losing at home in the league for the first time since 1998, winning 14 and drawing the other four of their 18 matches - but Simeone is not interested in their 2020 achievements, preferring to focus on the campaign as a whole.

"We cannot consider the years as a year but as a season," he explained. "Last season we achieved our goal of reaching the Champions League and we managed to settle in that place that allows us to continue growing.

"The Copa del Rey went very badly, where we were eliminated in the first round. In the Champions League, we were excited after the game against Liverpool, but then we fell in the quarter-finals.

"So we started over. We started well, as we have been playing since the pandemic ended, with the team very motivated. Now we have to continue."

Asked what his wish might be for the coming 12 months, though, Simeone highlighted the public health situation rather than his team's title tilt.

"It would be too selfish if, in the moment we are living, we think about football," Simeone said amid the coronavirus pandemic. "Hopefully we can hug a friend again, be able to celebrate a birthday again, get back to normal. Health - above all, I ask for health."

Atleti's latest win continued a remarkable record against Getafe under Simeone, playing 18 matches without conceding - 16 wins, two goalless draws - but Simeone guarded against complacency, adding: "These are situations.

"Atletico spent 14 years without beating Real Madrid. It has been quite a few games since we beat Barcelona. But that was until one day. We face each game with the same passion."

Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has confirmed defender Joel Matip is set to miss three weeks with a groin injury. 

Matip went down with the injury in the club's 1-1 draw against West Brom on Sunday, furthering Liverpool's problems in defence.

Already without centre-back duo Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez with long-term injuries, Matip's absence will stretch Liverpool further during a busy period of fixtures.

Nat Phillips and Fabinho started in defence for Liverpool on Wednesday as the club drew Newcastle 0-0 at St James' Park. In his post-game press conference, Klopp confirmed the extent of Matip's injury. 

"The normal situation with this kind of injury is around about three weeks," Klopp said of the Cameroon defender.

Klopp however was encouraged by his side's injury situation as midfielder Thiago Alcantara made his first appearance in more than two months and the Reds suffered no new injury concerns. 

"Thiago is a super player," Klopp said. "From the 20 minutes he played, 12 were brilliant and then he felt the intensity, which is normal. He trained only twice around the team, so there is still some physical work to do, still some rhythm to get.

"The best news is that the boys are back, and as far as I know in the moment, nobody got injured tonight which is very important. Probably, we can go with the same squad to Southampton."

Liverpool had several clear-cut chances against the Magpies, but were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Despite failing to pick up all three points, Klopp said he was happy with the way his side performed on the evening.

"Everybody knows if we win 1-0 then everybody is over the moon, and we should have won the game at least 1-0," Klopp added. "We didn’t, and we have to accept that, but I can work with this performance, I can work with the things we saw tonight. We can build on that, we don’t have to change in the next three or four days as if everything is going wrong."

Liverpool return to action on Monday when they face Southampton at St Mary's. 

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has called for patience after Eden Hazard made his return from injury against Elche on Wednesday. 

Hazard's time at Madrid has been blighted by injuries and he suffered his latest setback on November 28, as he was pulled from his side's match against Alaves with a thigh strain.

The Belgian missed a month of action and was an unused substitute in his return to Madrid's matchday squad last week against Granada. 

Hazard did see the field on Wednesday, coming on for the final 13 minutes of his side's 1-1 draw. 

In his post-game press conference Zidane addressed the status of Hazard as well as Martin Odegaard, who was an unused substitute against Elche and hasn't seen the field since December 1 due to a combination of injuries and his coach's decision.

“We made three changes tonight and Martin wasn't involved, but there's no issue there," Zidane said of the Norway international. 

"Hazard returned tonight, but he needs time and games under his belt. It's a case of taking it step by step," he added.

Luka Modric opened the scoring on 20 minutes against Elche, but Madrid were pegged back early in the second half through a Fidel penalty. 

Zidane felt the key to the match was his side's failure to find a second goal in the first half, as Madrid's five-game winning streak in La Liga came to a halt. 

“We created a number of chances in the first half to have got that second goal, which would have allowed us to be more relaxed, but when they got the equaliser, everything became that bit more difficult for us," Zidane said.

"They dropped deeper and we struggled in the second half. That's just the way things go in football and we've got to keep going. If you look at the first half, it's a case of two points dropped, but we have to keep on working hard.

“Everyone's going to end up dropping points. This is a very tough league. We had produced a number of good performances coming into tonight’s match and we've dropped two points here, but we have to keep on doing what we’re doing because it's a very long league season and there’s a long way to go."

The draw saw Madrid fall two points behind Atletico Madrid, who won earlier on Wednesday to extend their lead atop the La Liga table. Diego Simeone's side also have two games in hand over their city rivals. 

Evelyn Ijeh's Goteborg have been disbanded, just a few months after they won their first ever Swedish Damallsvenskan title.

Ijeh was part of her side's success story despite being an unused substitute when they defeated Linkopings 7-0 at home to celebrate the league title for the first time in their 50-year history in November.

However, the officials of the Gothenburg-based club announced the closure of the team on Tuesday, weeks after a Round of 32 elimination to Manchester City in the Women's Champions League.

Explaining the stunning development, the club revealed that the move was owed to its lack of resources to cope with 'large investments' to compete against top women's teams in Europe.

“Internationally, women's football has developed enormously in Europe in recent years," the club wrote on its website.

“Large men's clubs, such as Lyon, PSG, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona and Juventus, among others, have realised the value of women's football, make large investments and have given women's football resources that it is not possible for us to match.

“We have created a great interest in women's football in Gothenburg and shown that it is possible to establish oneself at the top and even win a Swedish Championship gold, as long as one has a clear goal that creates challenges and motivation. 

“The elite clubs in Gothenburg must now spin on this. If you do that, we are convinced that women's football in Gothenburg will quickly take new steps forward.

“Because the tradition-laden and reputable clubs, with their organizations and many supporters, create conditions for women's football in Gothenburg, we believe that our project is complete and therefore Kopparbergs / Göteborg FC will close down its elite team for the Allsvenskan season 2021.”

The 19-year-old had joined Mats Gren's team in January 2018 and featured 10 times for Goteborg in her opening two years, celebrating Swedish Cup title and Damallsvenskan runners-up twice.

In her third season, she made seven appearances for Gren's side, including in the Champions League, coming on from the bench on all occasions as her side claimed the maiden Swedish crown.

The development means Goteborg will not be competing in the Damallsvenskan next season and also currently leaves the Nigerian-born Swedish youth international without a club. 

Erling Haaland will become a Barcelona player if Emili Rousaud wins the club's presidential elections, according to the candidate's advisor.

Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland is among the world's top talents and has been linked with a move to top clubs in Spain, England and Italy.

The 20-year-old joined Dortmund from Salzburg in January 2020 and has three and a half years left on his contract with the Bundesliga club.

Norway international Haaland has scored an impressive 33 times in 32 games in all competitions for Dortmund.

Since his Bundesliga debut on January 18, Robert Lewandowski (32 goals in 26 games) is the only player to have scored more than Haaland's 23 in as many outings. It ranks him fourth across the top five European leagues, with only Ciro Immobile (25 in 29) and Cristiano Ronaldo (29 in 27) netting more in the same time frame.

Rousaud's aide Josep Maria Minguella suggested that an agreement with Haaland's agent Mino Raiola is already in place for a Camp Nou switch in the future.

"We know all the conditions and if we win, the following day I will call Mino Raiola and we will accept those conditions. I have already advised him of that," Minguella is quoted as saying by AS . "We have a world-class sports project that is not showing just now, but Emili Rousaud has a plan that will turn this unfortunate situation [at Barcelona] around."

Minguella also said former Barca vice-president Rousaud would ensure the Blaugrana are at the front of the queue to sign Kylian Mbappe should the Paris Saint-Germain striker become available.

Mbappe has been involved in 16 goals in Ligue 1 this season (12 scored, four assisted), which is more than any other player in the competition.

"It is a little more complicated because his [Mbappe's] contract ends the next year," Minguella added. "We are on top of the issue and movements have already been made. We are there."

The 2021 Barcelona presidential elections will take place on January 24 having been brought forward from June next year.

They are taking place following the resignation of the previous incumbent, Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Former Al Ahly honourary president Turki Al-Sheikh says he did not interfere in Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker Gaston Sirino’s failed transfer to the Egyptian champions. 

Sundowns issued a statement on Monday stating that they have terminated discussions with Al Ahly over the potential sale of the Uruguayan player, who is known to be keen to join the Red Devils.

There have been reports coming out of the North African country indicating that Al-Sheikh offered to help the Red Devils reach an agreement which would see Sirino join the African champions. 

However, Al-Sheikh, who used to be the owner of Egyptian Premier League outfit Pyramids FC from 2018 to 2019, has dismissed the rumours. 

"I support and love the Egyptian Al Ahly and I did not interfere in the Sirino deal. There are some people, who are fishing for trouble," Turki said on Cairo 24. "I am far from the sports scene in Egypt and refuse to interfere in anything related to football inside Egypt."

Al Ahly revoked Al-Sheikh's honorary president title in June 2020 after he was involved in a spat with the club's board member Mohamed Serag El-Din on social media.

The Saudi Arabian billionaire, who now owns Spanish Segunda Division club UD Almeria, indicated that he remains a fan of the Red Devils.

"If they ask me for something in the interest of Al Ahly, I will contribute to it, and I hope that the team will achieve good results in the Club World Cup," he added, "and if they ask me to intervene in any deal I will do so, but I will not intervene if they don't." 

Al Ahly qualified for the 2020 Fifa Club World Cup finals in Qatar after they clinched the 2019/20 Caf Champions League title under South African coach Pitso Mosimane. 

However, the global tournament was postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it will be played between 1 and 11 February 2021 in Qatar.

Al Ahly intensified their efforts to land Sirino after his former coach at Sundowns, Mosimane, joined the Cairo-based giants as the new head coach in October 2020.

Sundowns tied down Sirino to a new long-term deal in July 2020 as he signed a five-year contract extension which will expire in 2025.

Mario Balotelli made a flying start to life in Serie B with a debut strike after just four minutes for Monza against Salernitana.

Former AC Milan and Manchester City forward Balotelli signed for Monza - owned by ex-Rossoneri chief Silvio Berlusconi - earlier this month on a contract until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old made his second-tier bow on Wednesday, lining up alongside Kevin-Prince Boateng - another former Milan man - from the start at home to the league leaders.

Balotelli needed just three minutes and 53 seconds to get on the scoresheet, as he turned in Carlos Augusto's cross with the first shot of the match and his first touch for his new team.

Monza would go on to add two more goals as they won the match 3-0 at the Brianteo Stadium.

Balotelli has played in the top-flight in Italy, England and France but only in Ligue 1, with Nice in 2016, had he previously netted on his debut in a new league.

After Balotelli made the move to Monza, his agent Mino Raiola said that the veteran forward could be a major factor as the club aim to reach the top flight for the first time in their history. 

Raiola highlighted the influence of former AC Milan chairman Adriano Galliani, who is now at the helm at Monza. 

"[Balotelli] can be fundamental for Monza," Raiola said, speaking at this year's Golden Boy awards. "His potential is undisputed but he is behind in his preparations and we will do everything we can to get him in top condition.

"Having Balotelli sends out a signal that Monza do not want to play in Serie B for long. Galliani is a person I respect very much. Our friendship goes back to his time with Milan."

Wednesday's win was a major step forward in Monza's quest to secure Serie A football for the 2021-22 season. The club are now up to third in the Serie B table, moving to within two points of league leaders Salernitana.

Balotelli will hope to continue his strong start to life with Monza when his club take on Lecce in another league match on Monday.

The Ghana Football Association are currently in discussion with the national government over the possible return of fans at various Ghana Premier League match centres.

On orders of the Government of Ghana, all matches of the the 2020-21 top flight are being played behind closed doors since the league's commencement last month.

The directive has been part of safety protocols against the coronavirus disease.

"We have engaged the sector ministry and still we are speaking with the government to allow fans into the various stadia and we hope government will accept our proposal," GFA communications director Henry Asante Twum told Kessben FM.

“I have been to various venues this year and the number of people I see behind the gates is overwhelming, knowing very well there’s a ban by the government.

“What I’m saying is, nobody is happy playing the games behind closed doors, even economically and financially, it’s taking a lot from these clubs.

“Our industry is not so strong to do without gate revenues, our clubs rely heavily on the gate proceeds so playing behind closed doors is hectic for the clubs."

Some club officials recently criticised the Ghana Ministry for Sports on the continuous insistence on matches behind closed doors despite a drop in coronavirus case numbers in the country and recent active political campaigns despite Covid-19 restrictions on public gatherings.

“The Ghana Health Service is saying the rising cases are not only caused by political activities only but other factors are included," Ghana Ministry for Youth and Sports communication consultant Ahmed Osumanu Halid said, responding to the accusations, last month.

“When people go to the stadia to watch football games, they walk in groups, and we don't want that to happen and spread the Covid-19," he continued. "Remember what the President said 'we have what it takes to bring the economy back but we don't have what it takes to bring lives back'.

“The name of the Ministry is the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we are in charge of all football and sporting activities in Ghana. We do not have power over the political parties’ rallies and other activities."

The GPL is currently at the matchday seven stage. 

Ghana coach CK Akonnor believes Asante Kotoko realistically have only little chance of beating Sudanese side Al-Hilal to the group stage of the Caf Champions League. 

The Porcupine Warriors face a tall order to make it past the first phase after a disappointing 1-0 home loss to the Omdurman giants in the first leg fixture. 

The return tie is scheduled for Omdurman on January 6.

"If I’m being realistic, I can say that because Kotoko lost the home game, we don’t have a chance," Akonnor, who was in attendance at the Accra Sports Stadium for the first leg, told Kessben FM, "but there are miracles in football, and I strongly believe that once they are determined and prepared very well, they can go there and perform a miracle."

During the first leg fixture, Akonnor found his way to the dressing room at half-time to offer the team a talk.

“I went into the dressing room with one motive, and that was motivate the boys to play with their everything to get a good result before the second leg," the 49-year-old explained.

“You know I’m the national team coach so I thought my presence in the team’s dressing room would be a good thing for the boys to do more, because they know the Black Stars coach is around and a good performance would guarantee a call-up into the senior national team."

Asante Kotoko, who accounted for Mauritania club Nouadhibou in the last round, are looking to go all the way to the group stage of the competition for the first time since 2006.

"Asante Kotoko are disappointing. They lack quality and no creativity," former Ghana goalkeeper Abukari Damba told GTV Sports Plus on Kotoko's performance after the game. "I was surprised with the statistics at the end of the game but it is difficult to say but this Kotoko team has a long way to go.

"They are disappointing and if they continue like this, it will be a disaster," he continued. "They can go away and win there also but it's very difficult at the moment. They will have to play with more hunger and commitment in Omdurman.

"It's not an impossible task for Kotoko but they will have to work hard."

Last season, Kotoko were eliminated in the first round of the Champions League at the hands of Tunisian outfit Etoile du Sahel.

The club are looking to add on two previous titles won in 1970 and 1983.

Jordan Henderson has revealed that he nearly missed his Premier League debut, which would have earned him the wrath of his then-manager Roy Keane in the process.

At the time, the now-Liverpool captain was an up-and-comer at Sunderland having spent a decade in the club's academy.

In November 2008, Henderson was handed a Premier League debut with Keane selecting the young midfielder to enter in the second half of a 5-0 loss at Chelsea.

The Liverpool star has revealed that he nearly missed that match due to traffic, with team-mate David Meyler proving the hero that spared Henderson from finding himself on Keane's bad side.

"We used to fly from Newcastle airport, so you were allowed to drive to the airport," Henderson explained on the Premier League's YouTube channel.

"This time, David was driving me, we hit traffic and were running late. Now running late is a no-go in football anyway. but with Roy running late means the plane is taking off and you’re not getting on. That’s it, game over.

"Thanks to him [Meyler] we managed to get there and I managed to make my debut. Otherwise, I might not have got on!

"I can remember being 3-0 down at half-time and the gaffer telling us to get warmed up, that I’m going on in the second half. I just couldn’t wait to get on the pitch."

The midfielder's Premier League debut didn't exactly go to plan as Sunderland were battered by Chelsea - and that wasn't the only low point caused by the Blues during Henderson's spell on Wearside.

Henderson and Sunderland were also beaten 7-2 by Chelsea in 2010, with the Liverpool captain revealing that Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack taught him a real lesson on the day.

"Before the game, the gaffer [Steve Bruce] brought us into the showers and gave us a little pep talk," Henderson said. "You [Meyler] had Frank Lampard and I had Michael Ballack. It didn’t go down as well as we planned but we tried our best. It wasn't our finest moment for sure!"

Henderson has since established himself as a trophy-winning captain at Liverpool, having led the club to a Champions League title and a long-awaited Premier League triumph. The Reds currently sit atop the Premier League as they face off with Newcastle on Wednesday. 

DR Congo striker Idris Mbombo has revealed advanced talks with Young Africans with an aim of joining the Mainland Premier League giants in the December-January transfer window.

Currently at Zambian giants Nkana FC, Mbombo said the ball is now on Yanga’s court after he tabled his demands before putting pen to paper on a deal with Timu ya Wananchi.

The former Kabwe Warriors and Zesco United striker said the urge of joining the record Tanzanian league champions has been made even urgent by the need to venture outside Zambia.

“It is true that I am in talks with Yanga and there is the big boss [Hersi] Said who I am in direct talks with,” Mbombo told Mwananspoti. “For now, I cannot state what amount of money they have offered me, but I have given them my demands and I am waiting for them to reply.

“If they meet my demands, then I will join Yanga as fast as even early January. You know, Said is a man with an ability to sweet talk players, and one can even find he has signed with speed.

"I know what kind of job I will come to carry out at Yanga and the pressure that will be placed on my shoulders," he added, “but let them debate my offer and if they get back and we get into an agreement. 

"I will be ready to come and work. Personally, I think it is a good opportunity to get out of Zambia.”

Mbombo said he has been urged to join Yanga by his compatriots Mukoko Tonombe and Tuisila Kisinda. The duo was among the players signed in the last transfer window, and their arrival re-energised Yanga as they remain unbeaten in the season.

“I usually talk with Tonombe and Kisinda, but Kisinda is the man I converse with mostly, and all are asking when I will be joining Yanga,” he added. “If I join Yanga, I would be happy to achieve my dream of playing alongside Kisinda because he is a good winger.

“We talk a lot and have been telling me how things are good at Yanga and I have been also watching their matches, and surely I can say they have a good team. If the team has good wingers and midfielders like Kisinda, I can easily score 17 to 20 goals.

“We are going to bring a lethal player who is going to lead Yanga’s striking department,” Yanga’s official Said confirmed amid Mbombo’s imminent signing.

The 24-year-old striker joined the Red Devils in 2019 from Al-Hilal Club of Sudan where he had scored seven goals in 14 games.