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Alejandro Gomez has promised to reveal the "truth" about his alleged bust-up with coach Gian Piero Gasperini to Atalanta fans amid reports of a potential January exit.

Gomez has not played for Atalanta since being hauled off at half-time during a 1-1 draw with FC Midtjylland in the Champions League on December 1.

After seeing his side fall 1-0 down in the first half, Gasperini asked the 32-year-old to move from his number 10 role onto the right-hand side of midfield, but he refused.

The Atalanta boss responded by replacing Gomez with Josip Ilicic, and the Argentine was subsequently left out of the team's final Group D win away at Ajax last week.

Gomez returned to Gasperini's squad for a Serie A clash against Fiorentina on Sunday, but ended up being an unused substitute as Atalanta ran out 3-0 winners.

With the experienced frontman's relationship with his manager now reported to be beyond repair, Atalanta have been tipped to sell the experienced frontman when the transfer window reopens.

Gomez claims he will divulge the true nature of recent events if he does indeed end up leaving, as he told his followers on Instagram: “Dear fans, I’m writing to you here because I have no other means to defend myself or talk to you.

“I just want to tell you that, when I leave, you will know the truth about everything.

“You know me well; you know who I am. I love you, your captain.”

However, Gasperini played down any suggestion of a rift with Gomez after Atalanta's win over Fiorentina, insisting he has been tinkering with his team in order to keep everyone fresh heading into a congested festive period.

“We had played nine Serie A games and six in the Champions League, I think Gomez was the only one to play in all of them. We’ve been more solid recently with this new system and so we are trying other alternatives,” he told reporters.

“I consider it essential to keep changing and evolving. I have always been at clubs for quite a long time, at least usually. Around five years for a coach is a long time, so it’s essential to seek other alternatives."

Asked if Atalanta will sanction Gomez's departure in January, Gasperini responded: “That is not the case. I think the club has to make strong choices on how to set targets for the team and coach in future.

"That’s not necessarily results, but how to behave and approach games. We have to look to the future, because when you stop and get stuck in your ways, it ends up being like going backwards.

“If the coach is not in sync with his club, then it becomes a problem, but we always exchange ideas, there’s no issue.”

The Italian added: “I think Gomez has been our most important player over these five years, I said it many times, he was hardly ever out of the team. There are some situations…

“For example, after two years, Papu’s role was difficult in some games for the team to handle, because the opponents can change and adapt to neutralise you.

“At the basis of everything, we need trust and being open to listening. I don’t know how the situation will be resolved. It’s disappointing for Josip Ilicic, as he got dragged into this whole situation in the media and had nothing to do with it.”

East Bengal will hope to end their winless streak in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season when they take on Hyderabad in their fifth match on Tuesday.

The Red and Golds registered their first point of the season in their last game against Jamshedpur despite going down to 10 men within the first 25 minutes of the match.

Coach Robbie Fowler hailed the fighting spirit of his team as they managed to salvage a point with a man down against the Men of Steel.

“The fight that our boys have shown in the last game is what we are known for all along. We are a team who have a great work ethic. The togetherness of this team is brilliant. When we went down to 10 men we needed to show this to everyone. Thankfully people now know that we have a team spirit and we are a team full of fighters,” said the East Bengal head coach.

The former England international forward promised the fans of the club that they will witness an improved East Bengal side going forward in the season.

“Our spirits are high anyway. The four games we have played, we have actually played okay. We have been outdone by unluckiness at times. Various things have happened on the football pitch like players getting sent off, players going off injured. The players are fitter now and we will start seeing a better East Bengal team,” said Fowler.

Goalkeeper Sankar Roy, who made his debut for the Red and Golds in the last match, had to leave the pitch in the second half with an injury and Fowler suggested that the custodian along with the other injured players are being monitored on a regular basis and will be back in action when they are fully fit.

“Like all injuries, we have assessed him and we will wait. It’s no good in me saying he is going to be back then. This includes all of them, Aaron Holloway, Danny Fox and Sankar Roy. Players will come back when they are ready. We are not keeping them away. If players are injured we have to consider what the physios say. When they are ready they will be ready.”

Even though East Bengal’s defence looked solid against Jamshedpur, their strikers are yet to fire as they are the only club in the league to not have scored in the ongoing season.

Coach Fowler though suggested that the team is always looking to find the goal as winning is their only aim in every game.

“In our second game against Mumbai, we lost one of our main players, our captain (Danny Fox) on the pitch and we had to adjust accordingly. Then again against Jamshedpur, we had a man sent off. But we still have to play to get points. It is important that we never lost. It needed us to be a little more defensive.

“We go into every game wanting to win, we don’t go into a game defensive because want to win the game. That is the attitude I am trying to instil in the players. We never go in there and not want to win. It was not a case of us being ultra defensive it was a case of us fighting together and let’s not get beat,” said the Liverpool legend.

The former Brisbane Roar manager considers the Hyderabad match as a challenge but he is banking on the unpredictability of the league this year and is hoping to change the club’s fortunes.

“Hyderabad have had a few good results, few gritty performances. But this is a new game for us. Our players are getting fitter. It is a huge challenge but Hyderabad manager will also say the same thing. They have got a challenge in their hands as well. What we have seen in this league is teams can beat each other. We saw a few unorthodox results which may have been different from last year and now it is up to us to get some results.”

Kieran Tierney says Arsenal’s players are letting Mikel Arteta down and must take the blame for the club’s ‘terrible’ form.

The Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Burnley on Sunday evening and sit just five points above the relegation zone in the Premier League.

They have now lost four successive home games in the league for the first time since 1959, a run of form which has led to many questioning whether Arteta remains the right man for the job.

But Tierney is adamant that the Spaniard is a ‘great manager’ who still has the full backing of his squad and says it’s the players who must take the blame for the crisis that is now engulfing Emirates Stadium.

“It’s not good enough,” said the left-back. “There is no way to disguise it. It’s terrible, to be honest. It’s not what we are, not where we are as a club.

“It’s not what the fans deserve, it’s not what the manager deserves, it’s not what the board deserve. It’s us players that need to take responsibility for this.

“We have got a great manager and we believe in him 100 per cent. The blame is on us, nobody else.”

Tierney added: “Everything is going wrong. We are working on the right things, we are doing the right things in training, we are working as hard as we can, but just things that can go wrong are going wrong.

“That happens in football. It is the lowest we have probably all felt in our careers and nobody is going to help us except ourselves.

“So we just need to keep believing, keep positive. I know it is hard. I know the fans deserve much better and all I can do is apologise to every single one of the supporters through these tough times.

“We just need to work hard. It is easy enough to say we want to do better, but we need to actually show we want to do better.”

Arsenal were well on top against Burnley on Sunday night and had been looking likely to break the deadlock before Granit Xhaka was sent off just before the hour mark.

The Switzerland international was dismissed for grabbing Ashley Westwood round the throat, an act Arteta later labelled as unacceptable.

Tierney admits going down to 10 men made things difficult, but the Scotland international says that should not be used as an excuse for the defeat.

“Red cards change games for and against you,” he said. “When you are a man down it is always going to be tougher, especially against a team like Burnley. They’re physical, they’re good at it, they play to their strengths and they did that tonight.

“But even if we do go down to 10 men we should be winning the game at that point. We should be taking chances. We are not scoring enough goals. 

“Confidence is massive in football with everyone. When everyone is out to get you of course confidence is going to be low, but we can’t let that affect us. We can’t use that as an excuse.

“We are Arsenal. We need to be better than this and we are not performing up to standard. We need to be better throughout the full game. We need to take chances, we need to score goals.

“It’s Arsenal. It’s just not good enough.”

Manchester United have been handed a tie against Real Sociedad in the Europa League round of 32, while Arsenal have landed Benfica and Tottenham will face Wolfsberger.

United will travel to the Anoeta to face current La Liga leaders Real Sociedad after dropping into Europe's second-tier competition following their Champions League exit.

The Red Devils made it through to the semi-finals last season only to be beaten by eventual winners Sevilla, and are among the favourites to win the trophy again come May, but Sociedad will likely provide a stern test of their credentials.

Arsenal have also been handed a tough draw against Portuguese giants Benfica, who are currently sitting second in the Primeira Liga. The Gunners will be protecting a 100 per cent record when they take on Jorge Jesus's side, having won all six of their matches in Group B.

Meanwhile, two-time Europa League winner Jose Mourinho's bid to deliver long-awaited silverware at Tottenham will continue at Wolfsberger, who have been one of the surprise packages of the tournament so far.

Europa League Round of 32 draw in full:

Wolfsburg vs Tottenham

Dynamo Kiev vs Club Brugge

Real Sociedad vs Manchester United

Benfica vs Arsenal

Crvena Zvezda vs AC Milan

Salzburg vs Villarreal

Braga vs Roma

Krasnodar vs Dinamo Zagreb 

Young Boys vs Leverkusen

Molde vs Hoffenheim

Granada vs Napoli 

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

Lille vs Ajax

Olympiacos vs PSV

The first legs of the round of 32 ties will be played on February 18, 2021, while the second legs are scheduled to take place seven days later.

Chelsea cannot be considered Premier League title favourites, regardless of what Jurgen Klopp might think, says Mario Melchiot, with the Blues lacking the “ingredients” of Liverpool and Manchester City.

Frank Lampard has sought to address that issue by investing heavily in fresh faces at Stamford Bridge.

Value in big-money deals has been found, but a new-look outfit are still looking for the kind of consistency that has allowed domestic rivals to become so dominant over recent years.

Lampard has been eager to point out that his rebuilding project will take time and that Chelsea are looking to enjoy long-term success, rather than reap immediate rewards.

Liverpool boss Klopp has entered into mind games there, with the reigning champions claiming to view foes from west London as the most obvious threat to their crown.

Melchiot is not buying that, with the Reds still very much the team to beat in 2020-21, with Chelsea still a work in progress when it comes to challenging for the most prestigious of prizes.

The former Blues defender told Stadium Astro when asked if Lampard’s side are favourites this season: “I don’t think so. I would love to say it. But if you look at Liverpool, they have the ingredients to win it again. I see them being up there to win it again, along with Manchester City.

“Do Chelsea want to be up there? Of course, but these [a 1-0 defeat at Everton] are the kind of games they have to win if they are going to compete.

“Do I expect them to be in top four? Yes, that’s normal – especially with the investment they have made and bringing so many talented players into the squad. But the important part is to take a bit of pressure off your team by saying others are great, so that’s clever from Klopp.”

Lampard reiterated after a narrow defeat at Everton for his side that he considers title talk around his team to be “ridiculous”.

Melchiot can see where the Blues boss is coming from, with it clear that the west London giants still need to learn a number of important lessons when it comes to competing with the very best.

The Dutchman added: “He [Lampard] said what exactly what I thought.

“You know there is a test, it comes down to the battle. That mentality is in Everton’s side. You have to be real men. It does not always come down to the tactical side, it is down to fighting spirit.

“That is what Lampard called the test, and they didn’t live up to it. He said they will be better, so he is talking about the future. They will get tested more – their next game is against Wolves away. They will get another one again.

“Chelsea have the players and the quality but it comes down now to the fact the players have to perform every time. There are a lot of new players that might not know the league, but the games are coming fast.

“The league is won in December and January. If you don’t do well in those two months, or if you starting dropping points, that is when it becomes tricky.”

Former Japan international and Vissel Kobe defender Gotoku Sakai has expressed his satisfaction at the kind of treatment he received during the 2020 AFC Champions League East Zone tournament held in Qatar.

The West Zone finals, also held in Qatar in September, was also organised under the supervision of a team of experts from Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, LOC’s Health and Safety department and the AFC. 

Sakai was interacting with the press after the East Zone final on Sunday where Vissel Kobe were beaten 2-1 by Ulsan Hyundai. Sakai, who had tested positive for Covid-19 in March, shared his experience as a telling attribute to the efforts put in to fight the virus. 

"We knew before we came here about the situation (bio-bubble) – that we would not be able to go out and that it was very important to stay in the hotel as per the rules and sometimes even be restricted to the room. The situation (being in the bio-bubble) was even helpful in that we were able to focus completely on the game and not be bothered about other things," he was quoted ahead of their tie against Ulsan.

"Everything was good in the hotel including the food. We were also served a lot of Japanese items. I am happy with the stay. That is the reason why we got good results," added the former VFB Stuggart and Hamburg player.

Ulsan Hyundai coach Kim Do-hoon also echoed Sakai's sentiments with regard to the Covid safety protocols put in place at the competition.

"We were tested for Coronavirus every time we played a game on the previous day – this made us feel safe and I thank the LOC and the AFC. The bubble system was implemented right through and we could not meet anyone from outside. Good quarantine infrastructure was also provided [for the three players who had joined the squad in Qatar after the national team friendlies in Austria where there was a COVID outbreak among six players]," informed the 50-year-old.

Ulsan are now set to face Perspolis in the AFC Champions League final on Saturday at the Al Janoub stadium in Doha. 

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa has now revealed the decision to remove ‘rebel’ clubs Mathare United and Zoo FC from the Premier League is final and a closed chapter.

Speaking to Goal on Monday, the FKF boss has further explained the federation will not replace the two teams, who were suspended after failing to endorse the broadcast deal involving FKF partners StarTimes, and that the league for the 2020-21 season will now have 16 teams.

“It is a closed chapter for Mathare United and Zoo,” Mwendwa told Goal on Monday. “We gave the two teams 48 hours to sign the deal and it elapsed last Friday with none of them endorsing the same, and the National Executive Committee (NEC) has passed to remove them from the league and that is final."

In this case, FKF suspended the two teams, and after the ban, they were removed from the fixtures, we now wait for the AGM congress to come and ratify the decision, but for now, the two clubs are removed, because the National Executive Committee (NEC) have powers to remove any club as they wait for the Special Congress to decide and that is what we have done, so we are waiting for the AGM in February.

“But for now the two clubs have already been removed and that is the end of the teams in the Kenyan top-flight, we will not rescind the decision, it is final and nothing will change.”

Mwendwa continued: “For now we have closed the chapter, we will have 16 teams, and they will not be replaced, and for the players, we have opened a 14-day transfer window so that they can secure other clubs to play for, the window opened on Friday at 5 pm and will run for the next 14 days.”

Asked what will happen if the clubs change their tough stand and endorse the deal now, Mwendwa said: “We gave the clubs a Friday deadline [of 48 hours] and it has already passed, what happens if the deadline has passed? We now have 16 teams and that is what we will have for the 2020-21 season.”

Mathare and Zoo had been given a 48-hour ultimatum to sign the deal but upon the period elapsing on Friday, FKF cited its constitution and an accompanying NEC decision that sealed the fate of the two sides.

Despite the decision being passed on Saturday, the two clubs are yet to communicate their next course of action.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena has paid a moving tribute to late defender Motjeka Madisha, who was tragically killed in a car accident on Sunday morning.

Madisha was only 25-years-old and had been a mainstay in the centre of the Sundowns defence while he was also in the process of becoming a regular for the national team, Bafana Bafana.

At his time of passing, he had 12 senior caps to his credit and had played 123 matches for Masandawana after joining them from Highlands Park in 2016.

Following the player's untimely death on Sunday, Mokwena penned an emotional farewell letter to Madisha on Twitter , in which he revealed the close relationship they had enjoyed.  

"In this life, I can say I was truly loved," Mokwena wrote. "I don’t know if I could ever love you the way you loved me...you called me daddy and even after the doctors banned hugs and handshakes at work, you refused my fist and demanded a hug. We spoke just yesterday when you checked up on me...

"You did that without fail... I was your biggest critic but also one of your biggest believers. I write this with tears in my eyes, head pounding because I’m in so much pain, my entire body feels like it’s carrying pieces of my broken heart with a piece of me torn abruptly out of my ribs. You were my son. My Ace. My Madisha. Rest In Peace my boy, daddy will always love you."

Sadly, Madisha has joined an ever-increasing list of Premier Soccer League (PSL) stars whose lives have been cut short by motor vehicle accidents over the past couple of decades.

At the time of his passing, Sundowns and the South African soccer fraternity were still reeling from the death of another former Bafana Bafana defender, Anele Ngcongca, who died in a car accident in KwaZulu-Natal on November 23. Ngcongca was 33-years old at the time of his passing.

Another former Sundowns star to die in this tragic manner was Gift Leremi, who like Madisha had a very bright future ahead of him. Leremi was only 22-years-old when he passed away in 2007.

Vipers SC coach Fred Kajoba says he is not focused on rivals KCCA FC who have made a good start in the league and his main objective is to help his team perform well in the league.

While the Kasasiro Boys have started the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) campaign on a high winning their opening three games, the reigning champions started with a 1-1 draw with Wakiso Giants. 

Disan Galiwango delivered a corner in the seventh minute which was met superbly by Muhammad Shaban's header for the opener.  

The teams headed into the half-time break with Vipers leading by a solitary goal, but it was the home team who looked more threatening on resumption as they sought to draw level. 

Their relentless efforts were rewarded in the 65th minute when Viane Sekajugo scored to make the score 1-1. 

"It is a bad start, but we can build on that, the league has just started but we need to start winning games and chasing the title," Kajoba stated after the draw.

"We are not focussing on KCCA FC or any team that has won three games, we need to collect as many points as we can and that means we have to win every game.  

"The objective is to win all your games. If you win, you give yourself a very good chance but if you do not, then you put yourself in a difficult position."  

The tactician also praised Muhammad Shaban who made a return to the team with a goal. The forward has been out for more than a year owing to a knee injury.

"Shaban is a striker of genuine quality," Kajoba continued.

"We all know how dangerous he is, he can score goals and will be important for us."

Kajoba did not have kind words for the opponent's pitch which he believes played a role in their draw. 

"You cannot come from a surface like the one we have at Kitende and then expect to play well at such a field. When we first came in, I looked at how drenched it was and knew we were going to struggle to impose ourselves in the game. I think the field was a hazard to us. 

"But we also have to learn how to take chances because if Orit had put away the chances he had, we should have been 3-0 up by the time they levelled."  

We at Goal.com have teamed up with the gaming series FIFA 21 to identify the top 11 players existing in the game today.

Join us in the poll sponsored by FIFA 21 and vote for your favorite right winger (off the five below) but before that here is a quick snippet on the players:

Lionel Messi: His name means a lot to football fans. Considered by many as the GOAT. Always ready to make the difference, whatever are the circumstances. Overal FIFA 21 Rating: 93

Mohamed Salah: Won the Premier League trophy. His season was outstanding and he is now considered as one of the best players in the world. Overal FIFA 21 Rating: 90

Riyad Mahrez: Riyad is again considered as one of the greatest players in England, especially after his move to Manchester City. Very talented, and with Guardiola, he is getting even better. Overal FIFA 20 Rating: 85

Serge Gnabry: The variety in his attack is frightening and compliments the likes of Lewandowski and Müller exceptionally, which in turn allows Hansi Flick’s team to play an attacking and fluid brand of football.. Overal FIFA 21 Rating: 85

Jadon Sancho: A winger has to possess many attributes to be considered as one of the best in the world. He has to be creative, to have a very good output to be able to create space by his movement, whether it is by his ball-carrying ability from deep or by his ability to run into depth beyond the defensive line. And Sancho is already close to it, hence why he is so effective. Overal FIFA 21 Rating: 87

Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Cedric Kaze has revealed the club will not rush to sign players during the mini-transfer window.

The Mainland Premier League mini-transfer window is set to open on December 16, Wednesday, and run to January 15, 2020.

With Yanga leading the 18-team table with an unbeaten run, the Burundian tactician has now said he will not move into panic buying during the window but will use the opportunity to sign players who will add some value with what they already have.

“If the opportunity [of signing players] will come, we will add some players but not for the sake of just signing but rather, we will be keen to see what extra skills he has to benefit the team,” Kaze said as quoted by Daily News.

The Burundian, who is yet to lose a match since joining the Jangwani giants as a replacement for fired Serbian Zlatko Krmpotic, has further said he will soon unveil a list of players who will be released to join other clubs on loan deals.

Yanga maintained their top spot at the 18-team league table after cruising past Mwadui FC 5-0 in a match played at CCM Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga on Saturday.

Winger Deus Kaseke scored the opener for Yanga in the first-half before they turned on the screw to score goals from Yacouba Songne (2), Tuisila Kisinda, and skipper Lamine Moro.

Kaze now feels the team should build their confidence from the result and keep winning their matches until the end of the season.

“The most important thing now is to make sure that the performance of the team is consistent and thereafter, goals will automatically come.

“For today [Saturday], we are grateful to pocket three points courtesy of five goals we scored and I believe that individual confidence of players will improve.

“Another three points that we came for, and I am glad we have managed to get them. The players showed their quality and it is true scoring goals increases the confidence of the team and players, individually, and it will help us to confidently approach forthcoming matches.”

Yanga have now amassed 37 points from 15 matches while second-placed Simba SC who beat Mbeya City 1-0 courtesy of John Bocco’s strike, have collected 29 points from 13 matches and Azam are third on 27 points from 14 outings.

Legendary Kaizer Chiefs founder Kaizer Motaung was awarded the GQ Men of the Year Award in the highest category - the Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilege Lifetime Achievement Award.

Motaung was given the accolade on Saturday night in Sandton. He was not there to receive it himself but was represented by his son, Kaizer Motaung Jnr.

“I wish to accept this award on behalf of my father and mentor, Mr Kaizer Motaung Snr. I’d like to say thank you to GQ South Africa for recognising the original glamour boy. He is a true leader and innovator. He is a king amongst kings to us,” Motaung Jnr said, as quoted by the Kaizer Chiefs website.

Managing Director of Moet Hennessy for Africa and the Middle East, Pascal Asin, elaborated on why the Kaizer Chiefs chairman was honoured:

“This year, Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilege presented the Lifetime Achievement award to Kaizer Motaung. The award recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to South African sport over the last 50 years and who continues to be dedicated to the progression of the industry.

"We are honoured to have been able to present this to Kaizer Motaung, an exceptional individual who continues to play a vital role in South African soccer.”

While Chiefs have struggled on the field in recent years, they remain South Africa's best supported and most popular club.

The 76-year-old Soweto-born Motaung began his own playing career with Orlando Pirates.

In 1968 he signed for Atlanta Chiefs in the United States and scored two goals on debut, against Manchester City in a friendly match.

On his return to South Africa in 1970, Motaung set up his own team, Kaizer Chiefs – the club is celebrating it’s 50th birthday this year.

While paying tribute to her father back in 2015, Motaung’s daughter Jessica previously elaborated on how his time in America influenced him.

“The States was a spiritual awaking for my father, attending Dr Martin Luther King’s church changed his life," she said.

“He too started having a dream fuelled by black consciousness, his love and passion for the game and yearning for his motherland South Africa. Deeply impressed with Atlanta Chiefs’ approach to the business of sport resonated well with my father and helped guide and grow his dream into a vision.”

Motaung was also instrumental, together with Orlando Pirates boss Irvin Khoza, in formulating the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 1996.

The other winners from Saturday night's GQ function were:

1. Entertainer of the Year: Elsa Majimbo
2. Musician of the Year: Master KG
3. Humanitarian of the Year: Ladles of Love
4. Man of Today: Kabelo Mabalane
5. Man of Today: Peteni Kuzwayo
6. Editor’s Award: Dr Esther Mahlangu
7. Designer of the Year: Thebe Magugu
8. Woman of the Year: Bonang Matheba
9. Innovator of the Year: Ahren Posthumus
10. Activist of the Year: The ManKind Project

Harry Kane is the only Tottenham star that would get into Liverpool's team, according to Graeme Souness, who says Spurs are "still a long way off" the Reds.

Tottenham are sitting top of the table after the first 12 rounds of fixtures at the start of the season.

Jose Mourinho's side are unbeaten since losing their opening game against Everton in August, with seven wins and four draws recorded.

Spurs dropped points away at Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, which gave Liverpool the chance to return to the summit by beating Fulham at Craven Cottage, but the reigning champions failed to seize their opportunity.

Jurgen Klopp's men were only able to match Tottenham's 1-1 draw, which means they are still trailing in second place on goal difference heading into a heavyweight midweek meeting.

Spurs will head to Anfield on Wednesday knowing they can lay down a marker of their title credentials by beating the Reds, but Souness still believes there is a clear gap in quality between the two sides.

The Liverpool legend has acknowledged the threat Kane will pose, but feels Tottenham are lagging behind his old club in terms of strength in depth - even as Klopp continues to deal with a defensive injury crisis.

“Liverpool are the real deal in every department and Spurs are still a long way off that," Souness told The Times.

“The only Spurs player who would get in Liverpool’s line-up is Kane, because Sadio Mane can do everything Son can, and will also go to war with you.

“I don’t see Liverpool getting mugged as easily as Arsenal did, though there is more chance of it happening without Virgil Van Dijk and Fabinho, their best defensive midfielder, in the back four.”

The former Reds midfielder did, however, admit that Mourinho has had a huge impact at Spurs since succeeding Mauricio Pochettino in the managerial hot seat last year.

Souness is not a fan of the Portuguese tactician's preferred style of play, but can see him delivering silverware in north London if he is backed in the transfer market.

"Mourinho deserves credit for how he has set up Spurs," he added.

“He had a look at what he’s got and said, ‘this is the way to get the best out of these players and get results’.

“Whether he gets the backing long-term and enjoys a bit of luck in the transfer market to evolve, as he did at Chelsea, time will tell.

“The word is out now on how they will play in the big games, sitting in. It’s going to be a difficult watch, but it will be accepted by the fans in the short term if it brings success.

“Two League Cups in 29 years is not enough for a big club.”

Manchester United lack “balance” in their side and “don’t look like they’re going to score goals”, says Paul Scholes.

The Red Devils opened the 2020-21 campaign with alarming leaks once again springing in their defensive unit.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has successfully sought to address those faults, with United conceding just four goals through their last five Premier League games.

They shut arch-rivals Manchester City out in their latest fixture, as a derby date at Old Trafford ended in a drab goalless draw, but firepower is now looking in short supply.

Solskjaer’s side created little when playing host to their neighbours on Saturday, with Scholes questioning a system that includes two holding midfield players.

For him, that approach reins in United’s attacking instincts, with it difficult for the likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood to make an impact when they lack the required support and service.

Scholes told Premier League Productions: “You go right back to that Tottenham game where they had a massive shock conceding six goals, they had to change the way they were playing.

“They had to play the two holding midfielders to protect the centre-halves because they were giving chances away all the time.

“I thought [Raheem] Sterling was poor, I thought [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka did well against him.

“Defensively, Wan-Bissaka throws himself into challenges, [Victor] Lindelof was as good as he probably has been and [Harry] Maguire was good.

“They had that protection, but it takes away from the attacking side then because you can’t really think of any chances United created.

“It’s compromising everything, they cannot get the balance right in the team. If they play one holding midfielder they look like they’re going to score goals but look like they’ll concede as well.”

Scholes added: “They look much more solid with the two holding midfield players but then they don’t look like they’re going to score goals.”

United’s inconsistency this season has them sat eighth in the English top-flight table.

They are, however, only five points off the leaders and boast a game in hand on all of those above them after making a delayed start to their 2020-21 campaign.

A meeting with rock-bottom Sheffield United is next up for the Red Devils, with Solskjaer’s side set to put their impressive away record on the line at Bramall Lane on Thursday.

Kakamega Homeboyz coach Nicholas Muyoti has conceded the team's plan was spoiled once KCB FC got their goal in the first half. 

Simon Abuko scored KCB’s opener in the 40th minute in the first half where they were clearly a dominant side as they were also flagged for offside on two occasions.  

The Bankers had to wait until the fourth minute of added time to get the second one. David Owino scored the winning goal that gave the home side another win in the campaign.  

The 44-year-old tactician believes his team had done well in maintaining their hosts until the time they got their goal.

"I appreciate KCB for their display against us," Muyoti told Goal.

"We had contained them well in the first half but they got their chance and used it. We were disappointed because our game plan was spoiled after they scored.  

"In the second half we tried to rectify things, it was much better but again they managed to get another goal in the latter stages of the game."

The former Kenya midfielder has now set his eyes on their next assignment hoping to make things right.

"It was a disappointing result from my boys, we will have to go to the drawing board once again to work and come up with tactics enabling us to win our next game."

The Bankers, the pre-season favourites, opened the campaign with an emphatic 3-0 win against Posta Rangers before they picked three points against Nairobi City Stars in an encounter that ended with a 1-0 result.

There was action on several pitches across the country on Sunday.

At Mumias Sports Complex, Vihiga United recorded their first season victory after beating Nzoia Sugar 2-1.

Norman Werunga scored the opening goal for the debutants in the second minute from the spot after Hilary Otieno had been fouled.

Gabriel Wandera equalised for the Sugar Millers in the 41st minute after Moses Mudavadi spotted him in a good goalscoring position with a neat pass.

Lesley Otieno restored the home side’s lead in the 46th minute and the goals were enough to condemn Nzoia Sugar to a second loss in the season.

The win for Vihiga United came before they face bigger tests ahead as Tusker, AFC Leopards and KCB are their three upcoming rivals respectively.

Finally, Wazito FC and Posta Rangers picked up a 0-0 draw at Utalii Ground in FKF Premier League action.

Former Orlando Pirates winger Dikgang Mabalane believes Deon Hotto is becoming increasingly influential for the Sea Robbers.

Mabalane was commenting in his capacity as a SuperSport TV analyst on Saturday evening, following the Buccaneers' 2-1 win over Bloemfontein Celtic in the 2020 MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Celtic had initially shocked Bucs by opening the scoring in the fourth minute through Siphelele Luthuli.

And while Thembinkosi Lorch, who came on as a 24th-minute substitute for Thabang Monare and was widely credited with changing the game, and also got the winner, Hotto played a crucial role as well.

It was his cool finish in the 32nd minute which got Bucs back on level terms.

"He (Hotto) also goes inside and tries to get into the box and into the danger areas and this is how he will start scoring goals in a team like Pirates," Mabalane pointed out.

"He used to stick too much on the line, more like an old fashioned winger. But now he's learning and changing his approach to the game, I think it will give him that element where he will add goals into his game."

The Namibian international is in his first season with Pirates, having signed from Bidvest Wits. He has tallied two assists and one goal in four MTN8 matches and also contributed two assists in six league appearances for the Buccaneers.

Fellow analyst and South African national U17 girls team coach Simphiwe Dludlu says she has been impressed by Hotto’s running lines.

“You hardly catch him offside, because he stays in a position where he says to a defender, ‘you see me now, you see me no more’.

“And that’s an incredible skill because you always want to go on the inside of defenders – they touch you and it's a penalty.”

The 30-year-old Hotto has been playing in South Africa since 2014, having signed for Golden Arrows from African Stars in Namibia. He also represented Bloemfontein Celtic before joining Wits and then Pirates.

In 154 Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches he has scored 15 goals and added 37 assists. In 27 cup games in South Africa he has four goals and six assists.

Timo Werner and Kai Havertz are still searching for a spark at Chelsea, with Tony Cascarino claiming struggles in their latest outing had the Blues “playing with nine men”.

Big money was invested in two Germany internationals over the summer.

Frank Lampard knew what he was buying into after seeing two proven performers thrive on a Bundesliga stage.

Werner and Havertz have already reached the top of the game, but still have plenty of potential to unlock at the ages of 24 and 21 respectively.

Chelsea are hoping to be the ones to benefit from undoubted ability, with Cascarino expecting expensive assets to come good in time.

Werner has shown flashes of the predatory instincts that have made him so prolific across his career to date, while Havertz has been held back by unfortunate spells on the sidelines.

Neither looked like bursting into life during a 1-0 defeat for the Blues at Everton, with their lack of contribution to the collective cause considered to have held Lampard’s side back.

Former Chelsea striker Cascarino told talkSPORT of two players scratching around for form: “Timo Werner struggled, he hasn’t scored for six games. I saw him against Rennes and I thought he was really poor.

“He’s devastatingly quick and he’s got a goal record, I expect him to get one at Chelsea too.

“He found it very difficult [at Goodison Park]. Kai Havertz, too, was absolutely on the fringe of the game – and he’s another very talented player.

“It felt like, at times, they were playing with nine men. They just didn’t make anything happen. [Olivier] Giroud didn’t get any service.

“Everton handled the game brilliant, [Carlo] Ancelotti showed his experience in the way he set up his team.

“Allan and [Abdoulaye] Doucoure were superb, they marshalled it well and they did a job.

“Chelsea are dangerous, they’ve shown how good they can be offensively. I thought [Christian] Pulisic would play, but for some reason he didn’t make the bench.

“Credit to Everton, I thought Alex Iwobi played really well, so did Mason Holgate.”

Chelsea need Werner and Co to start firing if they are to remain in Premier League title contention, with Lampard’s team set to return to action on Tuesday when taking in a trip to Wolves.