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Jamshedpur FC have a stiff test on their hands when they come up against league leaders ATK Mohun Bagan on Monday.

The Men of Steel are yet to win a game so far and after two consecutive draws on the trot, they will be desperate for a positive result against Antonio Habas' side. ATK Mohun Bagan have a very strong look about them, with several high-profile stars in their squad in Roy Krishna, Tiri, Edu Garcia, Javier Hernandez and more. 

Coyle is not daunted by the task of playing against a star-studded squad and claimed that his side will not be overawed by the challenge. He feels, his side are capable of stopping ATK Mohun Bagan's strong forward line, led by the impressive Krishna. 

"The same as everybody else, with good defending (stopping Krishna and co). ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai [City] are teams with huge budgets and all credit to them to have got very good players at their clubs, but so have we," Coyle said. 

"We got very good players. We are very respectful of everybody we play but we don't fear anybody. We know that they will concentrate on their game plan and we will play the way we want to play. We have certainly shown that we can cause teams problems and that's what we're going to do against ATK Mohun Bagan."

The former Chennaiyin FC manager felt that they need to start converting their draws into wins, having drawn two of their first three games. Against Odisha FC, they took a 2-0 lead before conceding two goals late on. Last time out against Hyderabad, Jamshedpur had to rally in the second half to score an equaliser. 

"The week has shown that every game is tight. [ATK] Mohun Bagan have started well in terms of achieving some good results but they have been very close games. So we're looking forward to the game. What we want to do is turn our draws into wins because obviously that moves you up the table. 

"I think when you look at our games, we could have easily had five, six, seven points. Against Odisha, we were two-nothing up. There are certainly points there that we dropped (2-2 draw). In the Hyderabad game, we were very strong in the second half. We scored a goal but it was disallowed and we kept going because of the spirit of the team."

Coyle explained that consistency is what is lacking in his team. 

"I think it's the consistency to put the whole performance together. There are certain areas we need to work on. We have to make sure that we are solidified and not give those chances that lead to goals against us. [The] first half against Odisha [was] outstanding, [as was the] second half against Hyderabad, but we have to put it together for the whole match."

Against Hyderabad, Jamshedpur were on the receiving end of several poor decisions and should have had a penalty, apart from having a goal incorrectly ruled out. 

"It's not about blaming the referees. I think it's about stating the facts of what happened. Ultimately, there is accountability and responsibility for performing well and in the end you'd want everyone to bring that consistently.

"If you have a group of boys that are working their socks off everyday and then decisions are changing the course of the match, it kills the spirit we have.

"All said and done, there's always going to be bad decisions. You always hope that you'll even yourselves out but knowing from my experience that's never the case. So we've been severely hampered by that, but we're not using that as an excuse. That's what happened but we still have to make sure that we see those teams through."

Coyle does have injury issues ahead of Monday's match. Joyner Lourenco, Narendar Gahlot and Davide Grande are out injured while central midfielder Alex Lima and winger Nick Fitzgerald are doubtful.

Juan Mata hopes if Lionel Messi comes to Manchester it's to United and not City, but he is not paying too much attention to the transfer rumours surrounding the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Messi is heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona as he approaches the final months of his current contract.

The 33-year-old tried to manufacture a way out of Camp Nou in the summer transfer window only to find his exit blocked by Blaugrana and La Liga officials.

The Argentine eventually announced he would be staying put for another season during an exclusive interview with Goal, but also admitted he no longer feels that Barca can compete for top trophies at the very highest level.

Messi has been proven right at the start of the 2020-21 La Liga campaign, which has been Barca's worst for 30 years, with Champions League group stage progress for Ronald Koeman's side doing little more than papering over the cracks.

Manchester City, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain have been tipped to try and lure the superstar away from Catalonia next year, with current Camp Nou interim president Carles Tusquets insisting the club would be better off financially without Messi.

City has been mooted as the most likely next destination for Messi because of Pep Guardiola's presence at Etihad Stadium, but Mata would much prefer to see a man regarded as one of the best players in history make his way to Old Trafford.

“Well I hope not – I hope not for the betterment of my club," the Manchester United midfielder said of rumours linking the Argentina international with City while speaking in his role as an ambassador for Laureus. “I don’t know what will happen, but I hope he doesn’t go there. If he comes to Manchester I hope it’s to my club and not the other.

“There were rumours, for example, that Cristiano Ronaldo might come back to Manchester in the future. One of the things that I realised in professional football is that you should focus on what you can control and forget about what you cannot.”

Messi played the full 90 minutes of Barca's shock 2-1 defeat away at Cadiz on Saturday, which leaves them 12 points behind current Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Mata, meanwhile, came on as a second-half substitute during United's 3-1 win at West Ham this weekend and provided an assist for Marcus Rashford to round off the scoring.

Millwall have issued a statement after seeing their supporters boo players for taking a knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Fans were granted access to The Den for the first time in almost nine months on Saturday for the Championship clash against Derby County, with stadiums in some areas across the country now cleared to open their doors to the public again with a reduced capacity amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Millwall lost the match 1-0 to slip down to 14th in the league standings, but the contest was overshadowed by the actions of the home crowd prior to kick-off.

Footballers have been showing their support for the global anti-racism campaign by dropping to one knee before matches since June, and both sets of players continued that trend at The Den this weekend, only to be met with a chorus of jeers from the stands.

Rams forward Colin Kazim-Richards stood and gave a raised-fist power salute while his colleagues took the knee, and Lions supporters reacted by booing loudly until the referee blew his whistle to signal the start of the game.

Millwall have expressed their disappointment in the fans responsible while promising to do everything they can to prevent a repeat of the incident in the future.

"Millwall Football Club was dismayed and saddened by events which marred Saturday’s game against Derby County at The Den," an official statement on the club's website read.

"The club has worked tirelessly in recent months to prepare for the return of supporters and what should have been a positive and exciting occasion was completely overshadowed, much to the immense disappointment and upset of those who have contributed to those efforts.

"The impact of such incidents is felt not just by the players and management, but by those who work throughout the club and in its academy and community trust, where so many staff and volunteers continue passionate endeavours to enhance Millwall’s reputation day after day, year after year. The club will not allow their fine work to be in vain.

"The players are continuing to use the biggest platform they have to support the drive for change, not just in football but in society generally.

"There is much work to be done and at Millwall everyone is committed to doing all that is possible, both individually and collectively, to be a force for good and to ensure that the club remains at the forefront of football’s anti-discrimination efforts.

"Over the coming days, club, academy and community trust staff will meet with Kick It Out and representatives from other appropriate bodies in an attempt to use Saturday’s events as a catalyst for more rapid solutions which have an impact both in the short and long-term. Further comment will be made once those meetings and discussions are concluded."

Arthur Masuaku has described West Ham United's 3-1 defeat against Manchester United in Saturday's Premier League fixture as a ‘deceptive result’ after they surrendered their lead in the second half.

The hosts took the early lead at the London Stadium after Tomas Soucek separated both teams within the 38th minute but Manchester United turned the encounter around with quick-fire goals after the restart.

Paul Pogba scored the equaliser for the visitors in the 65th minute and Mason Greenwood put them in front three minutes later. Second-half substitute Marcus Rashford completed the comeback for United with his 78th-minute goal - to set a new comeback record in Premier League history.

Saturday's result ended West Ham's three-match winning streak in the English top-flight and they fell to their second home defeat since their 2-0 loss to Newcastle United on the opening day.

DR Congo's Masuaku was in action for the entire duration and he assessed the Hammers after the setback which brought them down to seventh in the league table with 17 points from 11 matches.

The 27-year-old defender stated that they had a good start against the Red Devils but they did not do more to secure all three points in London.

“Deceptive result after a strong start from the team... We needed to do more today. Happy to see the fans back though, on to the next one," he tweeted.

Ivory Coast striker Sebastien Haller was also in action for 90 minutes for West Ham while Algeria's Said Benrahma came on in the 75th minute as he continues to wait for his first Premier League start since his loan signing from Brentford.

Masuaku has been a regular fixture in David Moyes' selection in this campaign, starting 10 of their 11 league matches so far in this campaign.

He will be focused on helping West Ham return to winning ways when they visit Leeds United for their next Premier League fixture on Friday.

Jordan Henderson was proud to see Liverpool youngsters Caoimhin Kelleher, Curtis Jones and Neco Williams impress in their Champions League win against Ajax on Tuesday.

The Reds secured first place in Group D with the 1-0 victory at Anfield, with 19-year-old Jones netting the decisive goal with an assist from Williams.

Goalkeeper Kelleher made his Champions League debut when he replaced the injured Alisson in the starting XI.

For Henderson, seeing the team's younger stars shine on the big stage was the highlight of the evening. 

"Any victory is always welcome, but even more so when it comes against a top European side and helps secure qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League," he wrote in Liverpool's matchday programme ahead of Sunday's Premier League match against Wolves.

"The best thing about it, though, was it was made possible by the performances of some of our younger players, all of whom deserve all the credit in the world for how they played. 

"Curtis Jones got the headlines and rightly so. He is a 19-year-old boy – and I use that word deliberately because in football terms he is still a kid – playing for his boyhood team with all of the pressures that come with that situation, but he doesn’t let it show.  

"He went out there, played his football, got the decisive goal and generally looked like he had been part of the team for years when the reality is he’s still a young lad with only a handful of appearances to his name.

"In goal we had Caoimhin Kelleher, a little bit older than Curtis but probably a little bit less experienced in terms of first-team exposure. Not only that, he was filling in for Alisson, who has been such an incredible presence for us over the last few seasons. 

"Imagine that: you’re making your European debut for Liverpool in a massive game in front of a global audience and you have to replace one of the best in the world in your position.

"Keeping a clean sheet in any circumstances is always an achievement, but in this particular situation it is an even bigger one and all of the accolades Caoimhin received afterwards were richly deserved." 

Henderson continued: "We are so fortunate to have a brilliant set of ’keepers, all of whom are entirely focused on delivering what’s best for the team.

"I can’t praise Adrian enough for how he conducts himself and the contribution he makes. He is a true leader in our dressing room and I’m sure Caoimhin would be the first to acknowledge that having a person and professional of Adrian’s quality supporting and guiding him made the evening more manageable for him. 

"The same goes for Neco Williams. Like Caoimhin, he had to stand in for a top-class player with Trent being unavailable through injury.

"I know the gaffer had a chat with Neco after the Brighton game and the outcome of that was that he went onto the pitch in a massive game and performed to the kind of level that we all know he is capable of."

Gor Mahia stand-in coach Sammy Omollo believes over-excitement was the reason why APR suffered two late goals in the 3-1 loss to their hosts in the second leg of the Caf Champions League played at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.

Jacques Tuyisenge lost a chance to put his team in front after nine minutes as his penalty was saved by Gad Mathews. Samuel Onyango then put K'Ogalo in front after 17 minutes from close range. In the 81st minute, Keddy Nsanzimfura equalized to give the Army hope of making it to the next round.

However, Sydney Ochieng' struck in the second minute of added time before Nicholas Kipkirui sealed the win with a few minutes to go and ensure the Kenyan champions advanced with a 4-3 aggregate.

"The problem with APR is that they over-celebrated when they equalized against us," Omollo told Goal on Sunday.

"They got overexcited and gave us a chance to get our goals. If they could have concentrated maybe they could have managed to get the result they needed to make it to the next round."

The tactician has also hailed his team for their performance and zeal that ensured they eliminated the Rwandan champions.

"Gor Mahia played well considering the fact that they have not been involved in competitive matches of late," Omollo added.

"Since March, most of the players here have not been involved in any game and I am really happy with the way they played.

"I was encouraged with the response after conceding late in the game. If it were any other team, maybe they could have given up, but K'Ogalo fought to the end and we were rewarded."

The tactician has also pointed out the impact made by the substitutes. 

"They knew what we wanted and they played a very big role in helping the team advance. Sydney, Kipkirui scored very important goals for us and they came in as substitutes.

"In general, I am happy with the overall performance, now we can prepare for the next round with a target of making it to the group stages of the competition."

Gor Mahia have never made it to the group stage of the Caf Champions League.

David Beckham has lauded Kylian Mbappe after his 100-goal feat for Paris Saint-Germain, admitting that playing with the French striker would have been a "dream" for him.

Mbappe became only the fifth player in PSG's history to reach a century of goals when he completed the scoring during a 3-1 victory away at Montpellier in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

The 21-year-old now has 100 goals in 137 games across all competitions to his name for reigning Ligue 1 champions since his big-money move to Parc des Princes from Monaco in 2017.

He had endured a three-match goal drought prior to the trip to Stade de la Mosson, but Thomas Tuchel is hopeful his star frontman will embark on another scoring run after entering PSG's history books.

Inter Miami owner Beckham says Mbappe would have been the ideal team-mate for him when he was at the peak of his powers, with the World Cup winner considered to be a master of getting in behind defences.

The former PSG winger told Telefoot of his admiration for the France international: "I would have loved to be still a player now, because playing with a forward like Kylian would have been a dream to me.

"You put the ball anywhere in front of him and he gets it."

Beckham added on Mbappe's unique qualities on and off the pitch: "What struck me the most, was to see how he was humble, he had his head on his shoulders.

"What made me love him even more, because I already appreciate him a lot; is his personality.

"[He is a] humble, talented and a special person. To see someone so young with so much talent reach a bar that high, it's very special, for him, for the club, for his family and also for the supporters."

The former Monaco talisman will be back in contention for a place in Tuchel's starting XI when PSG welcome Istanbul Basaksehir to Parc des Princes on Tuesday night.

The Parisian outfit will qualify for the Champions League knockout stages if they beat Okan Buruk's side, who narrowly lost a thrilling encounter against RB Leipzig on matchday five.

PSG will turn their attention back to Ligue 1 after their latest European outing, with a home fixture against Lyon scheduled to take place on December 13.

Tuchel has seen his side return to the top of the Ligue 1 standings in the early stages of the 2020-21 campaign, with nine wins, one draw and three defeats recorded through their opening 13 fixtures.

PSG are sitting four points clear of Lille at the summit, with Lyon currently a point further back in fifth with a game in hand.

Anton Ferdinand says he feared the reaction he would have received had he spoken out during his racism case against John Terry and feels he was "failed" by the authorities.

Then-Chelsea captain Terry was accused of racist abuse toward Ferdinand during a Premier League match against QPR in October 2011.

Terry denied the accusations and was acquitted in the resulting criminal court case, but a subsequent investigation by the Football Association judged the former England star to be guilty, suspended him for four matches and fined him £200,000.

Ferdinand has explained why he refused to comment on the situation publicly while the court case was going on, but regrets leaving it all up to others to decide.

"I didn't feel like I was the right representation of our community in terms in speaking out and I don't think that I could have at the time anyway," he said in an interview with Sky Sports. "I was scared to speak out and I see that now. I was scared of the whirlwind of what happened, the abuse on social media, I couldn't get away from it, it was always there.

"I felt like I just couldn't speak, not just because it would harm the court case, which was being drummed into me a lot at the time. I did something that I wish I hadn't done, which was I left it in the hands of the authorities and they failed me."

The former QPR and West Ham centre-back first discussed the incident in public in a recent BBC documentary, Anton Ferdinand: Football, Racism and Me.

The 35-year-old, who retired from the game in July 2019, now hopes to use his experience to help others.  

"I feel like I needed to understand my journey and how I felt so I could mentor others," he said. "Because you mentor from experience, that's the best way to do it.

"So I needed to understand how it had made me feel and how I dealt with it. I never thought it was going to be therapeutic but it ended up being one, it brought up a lot of emotions and things that hurt me."

Mumbai City beat Odisha 2-0 to record a third straight win in the 2020-21 Indian Super League on Sunday at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim. 

First half goals from Bartholomew Ogbeche and Rowllin Borges were enought for the Islanders to control the game and secure a win. 

The first 15 minutes of the game failed to produce clear-cut chances but Mumbai City were quick to announce their dominance. The midfield consisting of Rowllin Borges and Ahmed Jahouh dictated proceedings and nearly played their opponents out of the park. 

Diego Mauricio did go close with a free-kick from the edge of the box but aside from that, there was little joy in front of goal for the striker. 

Mumbai City kept knocking on the door and were finally rewarded at the half-hour mark. Vignesh Dakshinamurthy's attempted cross from the left flank struck the arm of Shubham Sarangi and the referee pointed to the spot. 

Bartholomew Ogbeche stepped up and coolly delivered the deadlock-breaker to put Mumbai City ahead in the 30th minute. 

There was controversy a few minutes later when Mourtada Fall climbed the highest inside the box to get to a cross before the opposition's goalkeeper Kamaljeet Singh. Fall's header found the net in and the keeper fell to the ground following the clash. The referee, however, awarded a free-kick to Odisha, deeming the incident to be a foul by Fall. 

Ousmane Dembele has emerged as a doubt for Barcelona's clash with Juventus after suffering a hamstring injury.

Dembele came on as a substitute during Barca's surprise 2-1 loss to Cadiz on Saturday, which left Ronald Koeman's side 12 points adrift of current Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

The French winger was introduced after the break with the Blaugrana already 1-0 down to an Alvaro Gimenez effort, and had a positive impact initially as the visitors pushed for an equaliser.

Koeman's men got the leveller their pressure deserved when Jordi Alba's cross was turned into his own net by Pedro Alcala, but calamitous defending allowed the hosts to regain the advantage moments later.

Alvaro Negredo successfully chased down a short backpass to Marc-Andre ter Stegen before tapping into an empty net, and Cadiz held on for a famous victory to move up to fifth in the table.

Dembele completed the match without any problems, but Barca have now revealed that he picked up a knock which could see him miss the Champions League group stage showdown against Juve at Camp Nou on Tuesday.

"Tests on Sunday morning, December 6, have shown that first-team player Ousmane Dembele has a hamstring elongation," a statement on the club's official website read. "He will therefore not be considered for selection and the evolution of the injury will determine his availability.

"Against Cadiz, the French winger, coming off the bench, participated in his 12th game of the year and had, to that point, scored four goals."

Persistent fitness issues have prevented Dembele from fulfilling his potential in a Barca shirt since his £117 million ($157m) move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017.

The 23-year-old missed the second half of the 2019-20 campaign after undergoing surgery on a more serious hamstring injury, but he has appeared in 12 matches for the Spanish giants since returning to action at the start of the new season.

Although Barca are safely through to the Champions League knockout stages already, they will be aiming to secure top spot in Group G when they play host to Juve later this week.

Patrice Evra hailed Paul Pogba for his stunning strike against West Ham, admitting that comparisons between his ex-Manchester United team-mate and Donny van de Beek make him "laugh".

United picked up a club-record extending ninth consecutive away win by beating West Ham 3-1 at the London Stadium on Saturday, thanks to second-half goals from Pogba, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford.

However, the Red Devils were very fortunate to head in at half-time only 1-0 down, with Jared Bowen and Sebastian Haller both guilty of missing clear chances either side of Tomas Soucek's opener in the 38th minute.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were being outfought and outrun in every department, but the Norwegian head coach recognised that changes needed to be made and brought on Rashford and Bruno Fernandes to start the second half, with Van de Beek and Edinson Cavani forced to make way.

The visitors emerged with fresh impetus in the second period, and with Fernandes driving the team forward from the middle of the park, the inevitable equaliser came just after the hour mark.

Fernandes raced onto a Dean Henderson clearance before teeing up Pogba 35 yards from goal, and the Frenchman unleashed an unstoppable curling effort which beat Lukasz Fabiański in the West Ham net all ends up.

Greenwood completed a stunning turnaround moments later with a trademark finish, before Rashford rounded off the scoring 12 minutes from time after being played through by Juan Mata.

Evra singled out Pogba for praise post-match, and also suggested that there is a gulf in class between his compatriot and Van de Beek, who joined United from Ajax for £35 million ($47m) in the summer transfer window.

"What a great goal from Paul. When people compare him to Van de Beek, it just makes me laugh. Look at that goal," the former Red Devils full-back told Sky Sports.

Evra went on to credit Solskjaer for his in-game management, but also conceded that there is still plenty of work to do for a United side who have developed a worrying habit of giving the opposition a headstart in matches.

"We should give credit to Ole," he added. "When we lose, people attack Ole, but what a great change. Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford running behind the defence, they make the difference, also Mata and Paul came alive.

"Cavani wasn’t having a good game. Van de Beek wasn’t having a good game, he made quick changes and we won.

"I don’t want this team to react, I want them to act, but after that awful first half, [getting] four consecutive wins it’s all positive for United - but when you always have to come back you know something is wrong."

AFC Leopards’ interim coach Anthony Kimani says he is ready to steer the team to great success following the sudden exit of Tomas Trucha.

The former Harambee Stars player was in charge of Ingwe for the better part of last season before the club moved to hire the Czech Republic national on a two-year deal ahead of the 2020-21 Kenyan domestic season.

However, after only overseeing one match, which Ingwe won 2-1 against Tusker, Trucha alleged his life was in danger and asked the club to terminate his contract, a move the club obliged.

A day later, Trucha was unveiled as the new coach of Penang FC in Malaysia, with his exit leaving AFC Leopards with no option but to turn to Kimani to handle the side again.

Ahead of his first match in charge against promoted side Bidco United at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, Kimani has now stated he is now ready to take up the job and further noted his main aim is to make sure the team reclaims their rightful place in Kenyan and African football.

“It’s always an honour to be granted the task of being on the wheel,” Kimani said as quoted by the club’s official website. “Our destination as a club is still the same, we want to try and reclaim our rightful place in Kenyan and African football.

“The mood is great and the boys are ready to put the past behind us and put their best foot forward, the goal is to forge forward, no room for living in the past.”

On the team’s win against Tusker in the season opener, Kimani said: “It was great to win our first match [against Tusker] after so many seasons. We are hoping to build on that good performance and hopefully get a positive result in our second match of the season.

“We do not have any injury concerns at the moment. We have everyone available for selection just like last weekend.”

On Bidco United, Kimani explained: “They are a very good and organised side and we will have to work very hard in order to get a positive result.”

Against Tusker, AFC Leopards scored through captain Robinson Kamura and striker Elvis Rupia.

Zanmbian Super League champions Nkana FC have sent head coach Manfred Chabinga on indefinite leave.

The club has not provided reasons why the tactician has been temporarily relieved of his duties but the development came just after a 0-0 draw at home against Bantu FC in the Caf Champions League on at home.

Bantu frustrated the Zambian champions, who looked disjointed on all fronts in an important game. Given that Nkana had pulled off a 1-0 away win on November 29, which assured them of a place in the first round of the continental tournament, but the Sunday performance was far from being impressive.

“Nkana Football Club coach Manfred Chabinga has been sent on an indefinite leave with immediate effect,” a statement by the club obtained by Goal read.

“Nkana FC will give more details on the matter to the public in due course.”

The Red Devils have had poor shows on the pitch in all competitions that they have featured in, in the last one month.

On October 31, Nkana were defeated by Forest Rangers 2-0 in a league encounter before they drew 0-0 against Lumwana Radiants on November 4.

The Lumwana Radiants stalemate was followed by a 1-0 win over Kabwe Warriors three days later before they were humbled 5-0 by Green Buffaloes on November 18.

They last engaged in a Super League game on November 22 where they were held to a 1-1 draw by Zanaco.

The defeat to Green Buffaloes irked Nkana’s fans and one of them invaded the pitch and engaged in a physical confrontation with Chabinga. The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) condemned the issue and promised to apply possible sanctions over the incidence.

“The Football Association of Zambia has noted with concern the events surrounding the FAZ/MTN week five fixture between Green Buffaloes and Nkana at Nkoloma Stadium,” FAZ said.

“An unidentified soccer fan breached all security protocols to attack Nkana coach Chabinga triggering a fightback from the Nkana bench.

“We fought so hard to get fans back into the stadia and will not allow hooliganism to ruin our desire to have spectators at stadia.”

Nkana fans are known to have a lot of influence on the decisions of management, especially on matters regarding poor results.

Before the current season began, the Red Devils saw two Kenyan players, Musa Mohamed and Duncan Otieno, leave as their contracts were not renewed.

The duo joined Lusaka Dynamos after winning the title in a tightly contested season.

Jose Mourinho has warned that Tottenham must be "patient and calm" in the Premier League title race ahead of this weekend's North London Derby.

Tottenham can return to the top of the table if they pick up a home win against arch-rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

Mourinho's men are a point behind leaders Chelsea having played a game less, and they currently boast the best defensive record in the division with only nine goals conceded in their opening ten fixtures.

Spurs haven't suffered a top-flight defeat since their opening weekend loss to Everton, with a run of six wins and three draws raising the levels of optimism among supporters.

Mourinho is being tipped to bring the club's long wait for silverware to an end after overseeing such an impressive start to the 2020-21 campaign, but the Portuguese is not getting carried away by his team's position in the early standings.

"If the talk outside is positive talk, we have to be patient and calm and not excited," the 57-year-old tactician told Sky Sports. "If the talk is negative and critical, we cannot be affected by that either.

"We have to be cool, we have to keep a balance and give everything we have, always, and at the end of the season we will see what happens."

Arsenal are eight points adrift of Spurs at the moment, but Mourinho says Mikel Arteta's men have proved they can compete with the very best teams over the past 11 months.

"To me, they are a very good team that had a big improvement last season," he said of the challenge the Gunners will pose his side.

"This season if you look at Manchester United versus Arsenal or if you look at Liverpool versus Arsenal - even though they lost - you realise they can beat anyone. They are quite versatile, they can play in different ways.

"Personally I think they will go back to what they were a few months ago, playing with a back five and being much more defensive because that was the way they beat Manchester City and Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final and final. They are going to be a difficult opponent."

Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi - who is the GOAT? It is the biggest conundrum in football since the 'Diego Maradona or Pele?' debate.

The question of who is better between the Portuguese phenomenon and the empyrean Argentine has dominated the minds of football fans everywhere for the past decade and will persist into the future.

Club and national loyalties can cloud judgement on the matter, while personalities also play a part in how good a player is perceived to be, and most people know who they'd pick.

So who really is the greatest of all time? Never mind who you prefer, Goal has taken a look at how the pair actually shape up head-to-head so you can be fully armed with facts in the eternal argument. 

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Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Club goals

Ronaldo has scored more club goals than Messi, but only just and it should be noted that the Juventus star benefits from having played two more seasons than his Argentine nemesis thus far.

Each of them has remarkably netted over 630 club goals in their career so far, with the five seasons between 2009-10 and 2014-15 proving particularly golden as they pushed each other to greater heights.

While Ronaldo currently has more goals overall, Messi has the edge in the scoring department, with a higher season average (40 to 35), having hit a high of 73 goals in 2011-12.

Ronaldo's highest season return was 61, which he achieved in 2014-15 and he surpassed the 50-goal mark every season for six years between 2010-11 and 2015-16.

Interestingly, while Ronaldo's seasonal totals have declined somewhat in recent years - he failed to break the 30-goal mark in 2018-19 during his first season at Juventus - Messi's have remained consistent.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Club assists

When it comes to assists, Messi is much superior to Ronaldo and that contrast has become increasingly stark as their respective roles evolve.

The fact that Messi creates so many goals as well as scoring them is a major consideration when deciding which player is the GOAT and, while Ronaldo chips in with his fair share, the difference in this particular realm is clear.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Champions League stats

*As of Champions League games played on Dec. 2, 2020

Ronaldo is the all-time leading goalscorer in the Champions League, having shone in the competition with Manchester United and Real Madrid in particular.

However, Messi isn't far behind and actually has a fractionally better goal-per-game ratio, so there is a good chance that he could overtake the Juventus man if he continues to sparkle in the competition .

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: World Cup stats

When it comes to World Cups, Ronaldo and Messi are considered underperformers and probably with good reason.

Portugal star Ronaldo has scored more goals at the tournament and in fewer appearances, but Messi can claim to have gone furthest, having reached the final with Argentina in 2014. The Barca attacker won the Golden Ball during that tournament, despite missing out on the ultimate glory at the hands of Germany.

The furthest Ronaldo reached with Portugal was the Selecao's run to the semi-final in 2006, when they were beaten by France before losing the third-place play-off against Germany.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: International stats

Ronaldo and Messi have similar records at international level, though Ronaldo boasts greater numbers, partly because his senior Portugal career kicked off two years before Messi's with Argentina.

Ronaldo is closing in on Ali Daei's record of 109 international goals and could conceivably become the top international goalscorer of all time before he hangs up his boots.

Messi is a long way behind Ronaldo in that respect, though he is by some distance Argentina's top goalscorer of all time, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta some years ago.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Titles

*National Cups refers to the main national cup competition in a country only, e.g. the FA Cup, Copa del Rey etc.

Messi and Ronaldo have very similar trophy hauls, but Messi edges things when it comes to league titles, having won La Liga 10 times with Barcelona. Ronaldo has seven league titles, but unlike Messi, he can claim to have won the league in three different countries (England, Spain and Italy) - something that increases his claim to the GOAT crown in the eyes of some.

Ronaldo has an edge over Messi in the Champions League, his love affair with the competition earning him the moniker 'Mr Champions League'. The former Manchester United star has also enjoyed notable success on the international stage, winning the European Championship and the UEFA Nations League.

Messi, on the other hand, has endured considerable heartache with Argentina, with four unsuccessful Copa America campaigns, three of which saw them lose in the final. While neither has won the World Cup, Messi has an Olympic gold medal.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Individual awards

The individual battle between Ronaldo and Messi has been the defining feature of modern football for the past decade and more.

Messi went ahead of Ronaldo in the Ballon d'Or stakes when he won his sixth in 2019 and it looks likely that he will stay ahead, with the 2020 award cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning the next chance Ronaldo has of winning is 2021, by which point he will be nearly 37.

Ronaldo does boast more of FIFA's new 'The Best' awards and has been crowned UEFA Player of the Year on more occasions, but Messi has won more league Player of the Year accolades. Of course, it must be said that Ronaldo has won the Player of the Year award in England, Spain and Italy.

Messi has got his hands on the European Golden Shoe a record six times, which is two more than Ronaldo, and is marginally ahead of his rival overall, but the fact that both have been on the FIFPro World XI 13 times is an illustration of how closely fought the battle has been.

The 2020-21 Champions League group stage draw saw Barcelona and Juventus placed in Group G - meaning a long-awaited reunion between former rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is on the cards.

Barca emerged victorious on October 28 after defeating Juve 2-0 in Turin and Messi got himself on the scoresheet, but the occasion was void of Ronaldo's presence.

However, fear not - because there is still another chance that they will come head-to-head again.

So when will they meet in the Champions League this season? Goal takes a look.

When will Messi and Ronaldo play against each other in the Champions League?

Messi and Ronaldo were due to face off twice in the group stage - once at Camp Nou, and once at Allianz Arena.

Ronaldo's positive Covid-19 test, however, meant that he missed the first leg at the Allianz on October 28.

He will have another chance to meet with Messi in the return game at Camp Nou on December 8.

The fun doesn't necessarily stop there either.

Barcelona and Juventus have topped Group G and will progress into the knockout stage, so it is possible that they will meet again in the later phases of the competition.

Barcelona vs Juventus 20-21 Champions League dates

Have Messi and Ronaldo faced off in the Champions League?

Messi and Ronaldo have played against each other five times in the Champions League, twice while Ronaldo was playing for Manchester United and three more times when he was a Real Madrid player.

The last time the two met in the Champions League, however, was in the 2010-11 season.

Barcelona knocked Real Madrid out in the semi-finals - with Messi scoring twice in the first leg at the Bernabeu - and were later crowned champions, defeating Manchester United at Wembley in the final.