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Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane is unsure how long Eden Hazard will be sidelined, but said the attacker was "upset" after another injury setback.

Hazard, 29, is enduring a torrid run in Madrid, and is yet to make an appearance this season, with doubts now over whether he'll fit for El Clasico later this month.

The Belgium international was ready to return from an ankle problem, but suffered a muscle injury that saw him miss Wednesday's 1-0 La Liga victory over Real Valladolid.

Zidane is unsure how long Hazard, signed from Chelsea last year, will be unavailable.

"I can't tell you how long it'll be. He picked up a bit of a knock in training before the game," he told a news conference.

"It looked like a muscle spasm but in the end it turned out to be a bit more than that. It's something muscular. It's nothing to do with the injury he's had and these things happen.

"He's been out for a long time. I don't think this one will be long but I can't tell you exactly."

Hazard has struggled to impress since arriving at Madrid, where he scored one goal and provided three assists in 16 La Liga appearances last season.

Zidane said the former Lille star was disappointed after his latest injury but stressed the importance of keeping it in perspective.

"He's upset because he was all right. We talked about it at the press conference before the match, but he's had a setback and these things can happen," he said.

"He's not happy, he knows that it's not a big thing and we have to take it easy with him. It's a question of little time, I'm sure."

After earning seven points from their opening three La Liga games, Madrid visit Levante on Sunday.

Hazard's team-mate Thibaut Courtois sympathised with the Belgian star post-match and is hopeful he can bounce back quickly. 

"Hazard is a little sad, he was training very well, it's a little setback. It's not the ankle," Courtois said. "I hope he's back soon. Hazard was looking forward to playing again."

Former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher believes the club will find it tough to finish in the Premier League's top four without further recruitment. 

Ahead of the transfer window closing on October 5, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have been linked with a number of players including Jadon Sancho, Luka Jovic and most recently Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele.

Borussia Dortmund star Sancho has been a long-time target for the Red Devils but they have struggled to get a deal done. 

United have signed just one player so far this summer in the form of Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek and Fletcher is adamant more recruitment is needed if the club want to be competitive. 

"We know it's more difficult for Manchester United to sign players. The value goes up, the negotiations are difficult," Fletcher told Sky Sports.

"But at the same time they will be frustrated - Ole, the fans, everybody around the club - by the fact that Chelsea and other teams can do their business early, and that other teams have spent a lot of money already while Manchester United look like they are going to leave it last minute.

"For me, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, for the job he has done for the club, from where it was to what it is now, deserves the players he wants in. He's always got the best interests of the club at heart, I know that, but sometimes Ole has to look after himself as well, because he's going to be judged season on season.

"People don't look at the work you've done, they want the here and now, and for Manchester United to get to where they want, they need players. They need three, four, five players to get anywhere close to challenging Liverpool. If they don't recruit, they are going to find it tough to finish top four.

"I would hate all that pressure and criticism to go on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, because I feel he's done a fantastic job.

"The board have to back him. Ole will have identified targets and so will the club. They've got five or six days to get him some help and get him some players in."

After losing their first game of the season against Crystal Palace, Solskjaer's side have bounced back with consecutive wins over Brighton and next face Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday. 

Pep Lijnders has hit back at online critics of young defender Neco Williams, insisting those who abuse players cannot be considered Liverpool supporters. 

The Welsh international full-back was subjected to a raft of bizarre criticism on social media – largely from anonymous accounts, it should be pointed out - following the Reds’ win at Lincoln in the Carabao Cup last week, a reaction which prompted the 19-year-old to black out his Twitter account.

Williams was spoken to by manager Jurgen Klopp as well as a number of Liverpool’s senior players, with Lijnders praising the teenager’s response to the unwanted attention. 

And speaking at a press conference to preview Thursday’s fourth-round clash with Arsenal, the assistant manager had a message for those who seek to abuse players in such a manner. 

He said: “It's not for me to comment on social media. The only thing I can say is that abuse is wrong, whether it is on social media or on the street. It’s wrong. 

“Second, you are not a Liverpool supporter if you don’t support.”

The reaction to Williams’ performance - which came after a 7-2 victory, remember – is just the latest example of social media’s unique, and often ugly, way, where instant judgements are made on players young and old.

Williams’ rise at Liverpool continues, however. In 2020 alone he has made a dozen appearances, picking up a Premier League winners’ medal in the process. 

In August, he was rewarded with a new five-year contract, and three weeks later scored his first international goal for Wales, in only his second senior appearance.

“First of all - and this is the most important thing to understand - Neco is a doer,” said Lijnders. “And a doer makes mistakes.

“We don’t want safe play, we don’t want a player who doesn’t take risks. Our game is based on everyone taking initiative from each position. That’s what we want.

“One of the most important lessons for a young boy coming through, or any player, is that is a weakness if you get caught up with praise or criticism. 

“I think he dealt with it really well. We had players speaking with him, we had our manager speaking with him. It’s a phase he must go through, but getting caught up in praise or criticism, you cannot do. Neither will help you as a young player.”

Discussing the conversations between Williams, Klopp and his team-mates, Lijnders added: “It was important. If you say you are a family and that you are together, then the most important time to show that is in difficult times. People need to feel full faith. 

“What was much more important was that Trent [Alexander-Arnold] spoke with him, Virgil [Van Dijk] spoke with him, Robbo [Andy Robertson] spoke with him. 

“It’s not only Jurgen or me, it’s how we take care of each other, and that’s what makes us different.”

Williams is likely to start once more against Arsenal on Thursday. He made his senior Reds debut against the Gunners in the Carabao Cup last October, assisting a stoppage-time equaliser for Divock Origi on a night when Liverpool won on penalties following a madcap 5-5 draw.

Curtis Jones, another 19-year-old making huge strides, will start the game, while there will be opportunities for the likes of Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri, Takumi Minamino and reserve goalkeeper Adrian. 

Another teenager, Rhys Williams, could make his second appearance of the season at centre-back but new signing Kostas Tsimikas is ruled out with a thigh injury.

Patson Daka propelled RB Salzburg into the 2020-21 Uefa Champions League group stage with his brace in their 3-1 triumph over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Jesse Marsch's side secured a 5-2 aggregate win in Wednesday's playoff after securing a first-leg advantage with a 2-1 victory in Israel last week.

Daka broke the deadlock for the hosts with his opener in the 16th minute and he later sealed their win with his second effort of the night in the 68th minute.

The 21-year-old who is reportedly linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, has been in blistering goalscoring form this season with a tally of nine goals in six matches so far.

After scoring four goals in an Austrian Cup fixture earlier this month, the 21-year-old has scored a goal in each of his last three league outings.

Daka and his compatriot Enoch Mwepu were in action for 90 minute for Salzburg while Mali duo Mohamed Camara and Sekou Koita were replaced in the second half.

Cameroon defender Jerome Onguene was not involved as he watched his team's progress from the bench as an unused substitute.

Following Wednesday's result, Daka will shift his focus to Salzburg's next Bundesliga outing against Samson Tijani's Hartberg.

The Austrian champions are yet to lose a game this season and they will be aiming to extend their winning streak to seven games across all competitions.

Chelsea defender Matt Miazga is set to join Anderlecht on a season-long loan, which has finally been agreed after he overcame a pre-season injury.

The U.S. men's national team centre-back is fully fit once again and has chosen to move to the Belgian giants following conversations with Vincent Kompany, who moved to manage his former club following his retirement after a legendary career at Manchester City.

It will be the 25-year-old's fourth loan club after spells at Vitesse, where he spent two seasons between 2016 and 2018, Nantes and Reading, where he spent half of 2018-19 and all of last season.

Miazga originally signed for Chelsea from the New York Red Bulls in January 2016 after coming up through their academy and becoming a key member of the team.

At the international level, Miazga has earned 18 caps with the USMNT after making his debut for his country in November 2015.

Ross Barkley became the 20th Chelsea loanee when he joined Aston Villa on Wednesday, but the group is set to grow beyond 30 before the transfer window closes on October 5.

With Chelsea having brought in a number of new faces during the transfer window, the club is now looking to move players out as they clear room on their roster. 

Midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is another player who could depart, with the Frenchman in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a loan move ahead of the transfer deadline.

Antonio Rudiger could be an unlikely departure from Stamford Bridge after the Germany international quickly fell down the pecking order under Frank Lampard. Tottenham, PSG, Roma and Barcelona are all eyeing a move for the 27-year-old defender.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri are just a few of the other first-team players who have been linked with an exit from the club in recent weeks. 

Alonso's exit could be hastened after the Spanish left-back was lambasted by Lampard at half-time of the Blues' 3-3 draw with West Brom at the weekend. 

Alonso is understood to have watched the second half from the team bus after being substituted at the halfway mark with the Blues down 3-0. 

Juan Mata praised Donny van de Beek for his "very clever" assist in Manchester United's 3-0 win against Brighton and says he loves playing in the same side as his new team-mate.

Van de Beek, signed from Ajax earlier this month in a deal rising to £49 million (€54m/$63m), played in Mata for United's second goal in Wednesday's Carabao Cup last-16 tie with a delightful back-heeled pass.

Having also teed up Scott McTominay for the visitors' first-half opener at the Amex Stadium, Mata has now been directly involved in 13 goals in his last 15 starts for the club.

The Spaniard was named as the sponsors' man of the match but he was quick to praise Van de Beek for his part in what proved to be a routine victory for United.

"It was a very clever assist. He's a very clever player," Mata told Sky Sports. "I love playing with him because he finds pockets and spaces. 

"He understands football in a way that I like, which is playing one-twos, passing and moving, and the goal was like that."

United were fortunate to grab a late 3-2 Premier League win at the same venue four days ago but this victory was far more straightforward come full-time, with substitute Paul Pogba adding a third goal via a deflected free-kick.

Dean Henderson was called into action to keep out Leandro Trossard with a top-class save at 1-0, though Mata was pleased with his side's overall display on England's south coast.

"They have a great manager who tries to play attractive football. They also change the system in the game, so you have to be alert," he said. "Today I think we played really good. 

"We created chances in the second half, we had even more chances to kill the game. So we're happy today.

"We want to lift trophies for our fans. We want to do it again. We try to win every game. This is different this year with the early stage.

"I feel good physically and mentally and have a passion for the game. I have a lot of football left in my legs and my mind."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side next face Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday. 

Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno has insisted the club is "calm" over Luka Jovic's form after the striker missed multiple golden chances in a 1-0 win over Real Valladolid on Wednesday.

Jovic missed two great chances before half-time and a second-half header was well saved by Valladolid goalkeeper Roberto.

Vinicius Junior would eventually replace Jovic and go on to score the game's only goal in the 65th minute as Madrid won their second straight La Liga match. 

It was another frustrating evening for Jovic, who has struggled to show his best form since making a €70 million (£62m/$79m) move from Eintracht Frankfurt in June 2019.

The Serbian scored just twice last season and has not found the net in two La Liga starts this campaign. In 10 total starts with Madrid, Jovic is still looking for his first goal. 

However, Butragueno insisted after the game that he was happy with the 22-year-old's performance and said he is still confident Jovic will eventually come good for the Blancos.

"Jovic's header deserved a goal," Butragueno said. "He was very good. The goals will come. We are calm." 

Jovic has been linked with a move away from Madrid, with Manchester United, Roma, AC Milan and Inter all linked in recent weeks. 

Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has not ruled out the possibility that Jovic could leave and when asked about the striker earlier on Wednesday he said: "You have to take everything into account.

"Until the fifth [of October], the market is open. We will see. The players are fine and that's what interests me."

Madrid were dealt a blow on Wednesday when another one of last summer's big-money additions, Eden Hazard, suffered a setback with a muscle injury in his right leg.

Reports in Spain are suggesting that the ex-Chelsea star could be unavailable for the next 20 to 25 days, which means he may be forced to sit out the first Clasico of the 2020-21 campaign against Barcelona on October 25.

Though, like Jovic, Hazard also failed to live up to expectations in his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu, Butragueno recognised that the Belgian's injury was highly damaging to his side.

"Hazard’s injury is a big shame because he is fundamental,” he concluded.

Vinicius Junior felt his introduction alongside Marco Asensio turned Real Madrid's La Liga meeting with Real Valladolid in the champions' favour.

Brazilian Vinicius grabbed the only goal in Wednesday's 1-0 win after arriving from the bench in the 58th minute.

Madrid had dominated up to that stage, but Luka Jovic - the man Vinicius replaced - missed two big chances and had a third well saved by Roberto.

With Jovic continuing to toil amid reports of interest from Manchester United, Zinedine Zidane turned to his bench and made a triple change, with Dani Carvajal joining Vinicius and Asensio.

Although the pattern of the game did not vastly change, Vinicius found the net and later hailed Zidane's substitutions.

"We are all happy with the game," the 20-year-old said. "The first half was more complicated, but Zidane changed the system in the second.

"He brought Asensio and I on and we were able to change the game."

It was a second straight win for Madrid, although they were similarly made to work hard in a 3-2 success at Real Betis.

"It was a different game from Betis," Vinicius said. "[Valladolid] put a lot of people behind the ball, but the important thing is that we won both games."

Jovic's struggles were further evidence of a slow start for Madrid's attack this season, having drawn 0-0 at Real Sociedad in their La Liga opener.

But Vinicius is encouraged by the way the team's defence is performing to keep their misfiring team-mates in matches.

"It's the beginning of the season – we haven't play friendlies and we had little time to train," he said.

"We know that if we do not concede, we have many options in attack. We continue working with Zidane to improve up front. The system depends on the players and each opponent."

The La Liga champions have now drawn equal-first with Getafe on seven points on the La Liga table, but several teams have played less league fixtures to date.

Real will travel to Levante on Sunday for their last league fixture before the international break, with the team to play newly-promoted Cadiz and arch-rivals Barcelona after that period.

Pep Guardiola says that he believes Ruben Dias can be a key figure for Manchester City for "six or seven years" after sealing a deal for the Portuguese defender.

Manchester City completed a £62 million ($79m) move for the defender on Tuesday, with Dias signing a six-year deal with Guardiola's side.

Part of that cost was offset by a move for Nicolas Otamendi, who completed a move in the opposite direction to Benfica in a deal worth £14m ($17m).

Dias heads to Manchester having already won 19 caps for Portugal and emerging as a star as part of the Benfica set-up.

And Guardiola says that he believes that Dias can be a mainstay for City for years to come as the defender should jump right into matches with his new club.

"I have to thank Nicolas Otamendi, part of the incredible success we have had in recent years," Guardiola told Sky Sports. "The season we won the league with 100 points he was incredible.

"He played with a broken ankle, with 20 stitches, he had a great mentality so I wish him and his family all the best. He will be one of the things I will always remember about this club.

"We know Ruben Dias’s personality and I am sure he will be an incredible player for the next six or seven years.

"We’re very happy to have him. Our back four are now a young team. We start training tomorrow and get going as quick as possible."

Manchester City cruised past Burnley on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, winning 3-0 behind a brace from Raheem Sterling and a goal from summer signing Ferran Torres.

Guardiola was full of praise for the Spanish star, and his side in general, as City now look ahead to a must-watch clash with free-flowing Leeds this weekend.

"[It was] important we didn’t concede and the team was good in general. We are still far away from our best because we’re not training much. We have a lot of players out, six because of Covid and four injuries," Guardiola said.

"But step by step when we have all the squad we will get better. I hope we won’t be far away from the people up front but we are in the quarter-finals of this competition again so it’s good.

"When you lose a game the most important thing is the next one. Firstly, because if you lose in this competition, you’re out. Secondly because we have just two games before the international break and some players need to play, we didn’t have a pre-season so that’s important we have to give them minutes.

"Ferran Torres needs to improve some things, because we haven’t trained much or spoke much. He has the skills, he’s young, he’s aggressive he can play on both sides, he’s so clever it’s not cross to cross he is always watching what’s happening."

Pep Guardiola compared Manchester City's teenage midfielder Cole Palmer to Phil Foden after the 18-year-old made a strong debut in a 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Burnley.

Manchester-born playmaker Palmer, who has been at the club since joining City's Under-8's, slotted into Guardiola's midfield alongside Kevin De Bruyne and showed his creative abilities while attempting two shots of his own.

A Raheem Sterling brace and Ferran Torres' first goal for the club put City into the quarter-finals of the competition they have won in three straight years, but Guardiola picked out Palmer for praise, comparing his finishing prowess to that of first-team regular Foden.

"He started a little bit shy, but that's normal," Guardiola told the club's official website.

"He is an incredible young lad in the training sessions. Since two months ago he has showed us a lot of things. He has a good future in this club.

"He is a humble guy. He is a guy with incredible finishing, like Phil. He had his chance to score. His debut in this competition against a Premier League side, it will be good for his future.

"Again, thank you to the academy for these players. We get players from the academy's work."

Guardiola handed a second start to £20m (€22m/$25m) winger Torres at Turf Moor and the 20-year-old rewarded him with a well-taken goal.

The Spain international joined City from Valencia in August and has since featured twice in the Premier League.

Guardiola praised his performance at Burnley while offering constructive criticism, saying: "He is a young player and still needs a little bit of time to understand what we want to do.

"He's clever in the final third, with his passes. He doesn't cross to cross, he passes the ball."

On City's overall performance, which came after a 5-2 home defeat to Leicester City on Sunday, Guardiola said: "It was good. This competition is special for us.

"Two games, this one and Leeds before the international break. After our result [against Leicester] it was important to win."

Manchester City next face Leeds United on Saturday with Marcelo Bielsa's side currently seventh in the Premier League. 

Hansi Flick admitted Bayern Munich made life difficult for themselves in the DFL Super Cup win over Borussia Dortmund that completed a quintuple of trophy triumphs.

It took a late Joshua Kimmich goal to give Bayern a 3-2 victory at Allianz Arena as last season's Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal winners landed more silverware.

Bayern had already won a trophy this term after clinching the UEFA Super Cup, so Bayern now can point to owning five current titles.

But what at one stage looked like being a routine win turned into a testing contest for Germany's all-conquering side on Wednesday.

Dortmund were in trouble when Bayern surged 2-0 up in 32 minutes through goals from Corentin Tolisso and Thomas Muller, but Julian Brandt and Erling Haaland struck to bring the teams level heading into the final half-hour.

Kimmich pinched an 82nd-minute winner after robbing Thomas Delaney of possession and exchanging passes with Robert Lewandowski, finding the net at the second attempt with a desperate flick at the ball after his initial shot was blocked.

"We wanted to win the game, but it was really not so easy. We deserved to lead 2-0 and then made life difficult for ourselves," head coach Flick said.

"However, what counts for me is that we won the game and everything else is something that we'll want to do better on Sunday."

Bayern's Sunday assignment in the Bundesliga is a home game against Hertha Berlin.

Kimmich was relieved to get his hands on another trophy, after Dortmund threatened to take the win.

It took a fine save from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to deny Haaland a goal that would have put Lucien Favre's Dortmund side 3-2 ahead.

"In the end we have the trophy. That feels good," Kimmich said, quoted on Bayern's website. "We fought for the cup, even if it wasn't our best game."

Like his boss and the match-winner, Neuer recognised Bayern were not at their most impressive level.

Neuer said: "You know that you're playing against a strong team, so something can always happen and we saw that today. It was our fault that we let Dortmund back into the game."

"You can't always assume you're going to score three goals, but at the end Joshua Kimmich did well," captain Neuer added.

There was regret in the Dortmund camp over the chance of a trophy gone begging.

Goalscorer Brandt said: "I think we let in two annoying goals in the first half. Unfortunately, we didn't do well there. We then got the next goal and we then had chances that we couldn't take."

Thibaut Courtois admits Eden Hazard is a "little sad" after the Real Madrid star was once again ruled out of action with injury. 

The Belgium international was absent on Wednesday as Zinedine Zidane's side scraped to a 1-0 win over Real Valladolid in La Liga.

Hazard is yet to feature for Los Blancos this season after injury struggles across the 2019-20 campaign saw him score just one goal following his high-profile move from Chelsea. 

The 29-year-old's latest injury appears to be a muscle injury in his right leg with doubts now over whether he'll be fit in time for the first El Clasico of the season later this month. 

Courtois has plenty of sympathy for Hazard and is hopeful the attacker can bounce back strongly. 

"Hazard is a little sad, he was training very well, it's a little setback. It's not the ankle," Courtois said post-match. "I hope he's back soon. Hazard was looking forward to playing again."

Prior to Hazard's latest setback, Zidane had hinted that the Belgian was close to making a return to action. 

“He is prepared and training well with the team. The issue is that he hasn’t been able to train much until now, but now he is back training regularly. So, we’ll see what happens," Zidane said on Tuesday.

“What he wants is to play. He had a big problem that caused him issues for a long time, but now it seems like he is fine.

“The season is very long and he is a professional. What he wants is to be with his team-mates and to play.”

Real Madrid could certainly have used Hazard's creativity on Wednesday night as they struggled to break down a stubborn Valladolid outfit. 

Courtois was quite critical of his side's performance, stressing they need to be faster and more flexible on the pitch. 

"When we increase the pace like in second half, we've been better off. The formation doesn't matter, what needs to be done is to fulfill the plan of the coach," Courtois said. 

"If you don't move the ball fast, it's comfortable for them to defend. We lacked that speed. If we are flexible in tactics we can surprise the rest of the teams." 

Zidane's side next face Levante on Sunday and are currently equal second in La Liga. 

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti praised "on fire" Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the striker scored his second hat-trick in the space of four matches.

Calvert-Lewin made it eight goals from five games this term with his treble in Wednesday's 4-1 Carabao Cup last-16 victory over West Ham at Goodison Park.

The 23-year-old opened the scoring in the 11th minute and added two more late on after team-mate Richarlison had cancelled out Robert Snodgrass' equaliser.

Ancelotti suggested Calvert-Lewin is deserving of a first call-up to the England squad when Gareth Southgate names his side on Thursday.

"He's doing a fantastic job in the moment. He's really on fire and scoring a lot of goals," said Ancelotti of Calvert-Lewin, who also bagged a hat-trick against West Brom in the Premier League 11 days ago.

"He's in a very good moment. Whether he's the best [English striker] I don't know, but I don't care. For me, for us, he is."

Calvert-Lewin, who has scored more goals than any other Premier League player in all competitions this term, is hopeful that he has done enough to win over England boss Southgate.

"I've said many times before that it's my dream to play for England but I can't control that so I'm taking care of business at the moment to give myself the best chance to make the next step," he said.

"I'm enjoying my football, which is the main thing. You look at the chances being created and they are there for me so it's my job to put them in the back of the net and I'm obviously enjoying being able to do that at the moment."

Former Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez set up Richarlison for Everton's second goal and has now created 15 chances in four games since joining the club.

"We've got players who are capable of scoring from different areas of the pitch which is very important," Calvert-Lewin added. "When you've got that, it's a helping hand from everyone on the pitch. 

"A lot of my goals have been one-touch finishes so it's about getting in the right areas and being the man to put them in the back of the net."

Young Africans (Yanga SC) registered a 2-0 win over KMKM of Zanzibar in a friendly match at the Chamazi Sports Complex on Wednesday.

Mukoko Tonombe scored both goals in the first half as the Premier League club prepares for what is expected to be a tough four fixtures ahead.

Tonombe scored the first goal in the 10th minute from a corner that was delivered by a fellow new Yanga star Carlos Carlinhos. The Angolan’s corners have proved vital for the team as he is the one who assisted Lamine Moro score the previous two away goals in the same manner.

The former AS Vita star got the second for Yanga and his evening brace in the 29th minute was enough as they asserted dominance against KMKM all through the encounter.

Yanga have 10 points after securing nine from their three consecutive matches. The first away win came against Kagera Sugar at Kaitaba Stadium while the second one was registered against Mtibwa Sugar at Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro.

In both matches, Moro scored to give the Dar es Salaam side 1-0 victories.

Yanga Information Officer Hassan Bumbuli explained why the midweek friendly was seen as an important exercise.

“The friendly match was organised as advised by the technical bench so as to give a chance to the fringe players who do not get regular playtime,” Bumbuli told Daily News.

“After the game, we will have two days to correct the mistakes which will emerge before facing Coastal Union on Saturday.”

Bumbuli also revealed expectations Michael Sarpong could be available after a recent injury case.

“The team doctor has assured us that Sarpong is doing well and will be given some painkillers so that he could be ready by Saturday. He should be in good spirit to feature in the game,” he concluded.

Yanga will have four consecutive matches to be played in Dar es Salaam starting with the Saturday clash against Coastal Union before hosting Polisi Tanzania.

On October 18, the record champions will face their Kariakoo rivals Simba SC in what will be the first meeting of the biggest and most successful Tanzanian clubs in the season.

After facing Simba, Timu ya Wannachi will then entertain Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC FC) who have had a bright start in the campaign. Last season, KMC struggled and only evaded relegation after stabilising when some changes - including the sacking of coach Jackson Mayanja were done.

Everton are in pursuit of Norwich City's Ben Godfrey with the Championship club having received an official bid from the Toffees recently.

The Premier League side submitted a £20 million ($26m) offer for the 22-year-old centre-back with the bid also including a potential £6m ($8m) in add-ons.

Everton had previously been interested in Chelsea star Fikayo Tomori, who had been considering a loan spell that would bring the defender to Goodison Park for the season.

Godfrey has been with Norwich since 2015, having joined from York City after breaking in with 12 appearances in League Two.

He then featured for the club's U-23s and on loan with Shrewsbury Town, making 51 total appearances during his one-season spell in League One.

He broke through for Norwich in 2018-19 in the Championship, scoring four goals in 36 games as the Canaries earned promotion to the Premier League.

That stay lasted just one season, with Norwich suffering relegation last season, but Godfrey was one of several standouts that earned the attention of Premier League clubs.

The 22-year-old defender made 33 appearances last season and has already featured three times in the Championship this season.

Internationally, Godfrey has featured for England up to the U-21 level, having captained the side in the run-up to this summer's U-21 Euros.

Tomori, meanwhile, has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea due to the arrival of summer signing Thiago Silva.

He made 22 appearances for the Blues last campaign, but did not make an official appearance for the club from February through the end of the season as he fell out of Frank Lampard's plans.

Tomori has made three appearances for the Blues so far this season, with two coming in Chelsea's pair of Carabao Cup matches: a win over Barnsley and a loss to Tottenham in a penalty shootout.

Godfrey and Norwich are set to face Derby County on Saturday, while Tomori's Chelsea will host Crystal Palace that same day.

Everton, meanwhile, will host Brighton as they look to make it four wins from four to start the season.

Manchester City bounced back from their Premier League humbling by Leicester City with a 3-0 EFL Cup victory over Burnley, with Raheem Sterling scoring twice and Ferran Torres netting his first goal for the club.

A 5-2 home reverse on Sunday left Pep Guardiola's men in need of a result and a performance to steady their burgeoning season.

Sterling thrived on the industry of Kevin De Bruyne, Torres and teenage debutant Cole Palmer throughout a one-sided match and scored with neat finishes in either half at Turf Moor.

Guardiola, who is aiming to win the competition for a fourth successive time, saw his £20.9m (€22.1m) signing from Valencia make it 3-0 with a cool finish in the 65th minute as City reached the quarter-finals.

Burnley found themselves under pressure from the outset and Sterling volleyed a Torres cross narrowly wide from six yards out.

The Clarets had goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell to thank for keeping them in the game, the Northern Ireland international twice getting down quickly to save low shots from Sterling.

There was no stopping the England winger when Benjamin Mendy's low pass from the left found him 12 yards from goal and he slammed the ball into the corner of the net with no hesitation.

Sterling doubled City's lead three minutes into the second half, neatly turning Torres' cross into the bottom corner of the net from close range after De Bruyne's surging run carved Burnley open.

Less than 10 minutes later Riyad Mahrez's pass was touched on by Sterling into the path of Torres, who carried the ball into the box before rattling it low into the far corner of the net from 18 yards.

What it means? Reasons for Pep to be cheerful

On a night when his side recovered well from a shock defeat, Guardiola will have been pleased to see Aymeric Laporte make his return from injury and Zack Steffen keep his first clean sheet for the club.

De Bruyne keeps Sterling well fed

City mustered just five shots on target as they slipped to defeat at home to Leicester, but the quality of supply from De Bruyne, ably assisted by Palmer, ensured Sterling kept Peacock-Farrell busy.

Lowton endures torrid night with Torres

Much of City's best opportunities came via attacks down their left side, where Torres was given ample room in which to operate by sluggish Burnley full-back Matthew Lowton.

What's next?

Guardiola takes his side to Elland Road to face newly promoted Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday, while Burnley make the trip to Newcastle United.

Ghana sports minister Isaac Kwame Asiamah believes history backs Black Stars coach CK Akonnor to lead the team to Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) success.

The former Wolfsburg skipper was appointed Ghana coach in January with a task to guide the Black Stars to break a 38-year continental drought and inspire the team to make a return to the World Cup.

The next Afcon tournament is set for Cameroon in 2022, with Ghana currently in pole position to qualify for the gathering.

"We have won the Afcon four times and all the coaches who won the trophies for us were our own local coaches," Asiamah told Adom TV.

"President Akufo-Addo believes in the capacity of local coaches to deliver, so he says we should appoint a local coach.

"By God’s grace, CK Akonnor is a Ghanaian and we should all support him. I am convinced that CK Akonnor has the requisite qualities to lead the Black Stars.

"He [Akonnor] has demonstrated that he can deliver as a coach. I watched him at Kotoko and I am convinced he can do the job for the country.

"Let’s support him and I know he will not let the country down. I have no doubt Akonnor can lead us to win the Africa Cup of Nations. He has played at the highest level.

"He has captained the Black Stars and I believe with the necessary support, he can win the Afcon. I have no doubt about that."

Ghana have won Afcon on four occasions, the last time being in 1983.

The Black Stars won their first title on home soil in 1963, beating Sudan in the final.

Two years later in Tunisia, Ghana ruled the continent for the second time, this time accounting for the hosts after extra time in the climax.

CK Gyamfi coached the Black Stars to win the two titles. Back on home soil once again in 1978, Ghana handed Uganda a 2-0 defeat to win the cup under Fred Osam Duodu, four years before clinching their fourth, their last title being at Libya 1982 (guided by Gyamfi).

James Kwasi Appiah remains the last Ghanaian to lead the team to the Afcon, their quest in 2019 disappointingly ended at the Round of 16 stage.