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Dr. Sujan Chakraborty, who is a Minister of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and also CPI(M) leader, urged the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to facilitate East Bengal's move to the Indian Super League (ISL) this season.

Chakraborty, an MLA from Kolkata’s Jadavpur constituency, has written a letter to the Chief Minister of West Bengal on 18th June, 2020. He also thanked Banerjee for having reached out to Praful Patel, who serves as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) president, for East Bengal's participation in the top division league. 

It must be noted that East Bengal's arch-rivals, namely Mohun Bagan would ply their trade in the ISL after merging with ATK.

"From recent news, I have come to know that you had called All India Football Federation (AIFF) president (Praful Patel) over East Bengal’s participation in the ISL. Despite tough times during the pandemic, you took this initiative and I thank you for that.

“East Bengal club, Mohun Bagan club and Mohammedan Sporting have a rich legacy and they are the pride of Bengal. Out of these three clubs, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are worthy enough to play in the ISL. Mohun Bagan have already merged with ATK and will play in the ISL and you have taken the right initiative to help East Bengal enter the ISL. It is indeed a great pleasure for the sports lovers in the state and I thank you for your initiative," wrote Chakraborty.

Meanwhile, he also cited the example of their neighbouring state, namely Odisha, who have gone out of their way in order support Odisha FC, a team which was earlier known as Delhi Dynamos in the ISL. Chakraborty believes that if the government of West Bengal follows suit, the possibility of East Bengal playing in the ISL could soon be a reality.

"The Odisha government has been actively aiding Odisha FC and are helping them to play in the ISL. We hope that the West Bengal government too will help the clubs from our state and also improve the sports infrastructure of the state.”

East Bengal are yet to finalise an exit plan from their joint venture with Quess Corp which was formed two years back. The Bengaluru-based business service provider have on multiple occasions in the past mentioned that they would have no liability in the joint venture post-May 31 2020. It was initially a three-year partnership but Quess reportedly decided to make an exit after just two years. 

It's an interesting move for a CPI(M) leader to request Banerjee, who is the head honcho of West Bengal and Trinamool Congress (TMC), in order to help East Bengal make it into the ISL this season.

Loris Karius is the only player that Jurgen Klopp has not improved at Liverpool, says Mark Lawrenson, with a Premier League title-winning coach considered to have been “Shankly-esque in everything that he’s done”.

The German tactician was appointed by those at Anfield in October 2015 in the hope that he could follow in the footsteps of some legendary bosses that went before him.

The shadow of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley continued to loom large on Merseyside, with Liverpool edging their way towards three decades without an English top-flight crown.

That barren run has been ended at the 30-year mark, with Klopp delivering on his initial remit.

He has also savoured Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup triumphs, with a star-studded squad assembled through clever recruitment.

Liverpool have seen big-money additions thrive, but those already on their books – such as captain Jordan Henderson – have also raised their games.

Lawrenson considers that to be the mark of a top manager, with German goalkeeper Karius – who endured a nightmare showing in the 2018 Champions League final before being sent out on loan – the only blot on Klopp’s copybook.

“It doesn’t feel like 30 years, and if 30 years ago when they won it you would have said to the football club that you’re not going to win that again for 30 years, the men in white coats would have come and taken you away. It’s fantastic,” Liverpool legend Lawrenson, who won five league titles in his playing days, told BBC Sport.

“When Jurgen Klopp came to the club, you felt this sea change. Within months you knew this was something completely different.

“I hate that thing when a player comes through and he’s small and he’s Argentinean and you say ‘he’s the next Lionel Messi’. He’s not, he’s just him.

“Klopp came and everyone went ‘he’s next the Shankly’. You know what, he’s been Shankly-esque in everything that he’s done.

“He gets the history of the club, he gets the supporters. Of all the players that he’s bought, I can’t remember him buying one that’s not made it.

“And all the players that he’s got, he’s made them better. Karius is the only one, but he’s made all of the rest better.

“Wherever you’re manager, if you make all of the players better – and they are already very, very good – you’re doing a heck of a job.

“And the way that they are playing as well. When he got here I said Liverpool would be everyone’s favourite second club and I got slaughtered, but I think they are because of the way they play.”

Klopp has been quick to play down the impact he has made on Merseyside, with there no desire on his part to see a statue erected in his honour, and Liverpool are being urged by those calling the shots to turn their attention towards the next challenge, which is to maintain their current standards and become serial winners of the biggest prizes on offer.

Nigerian nationals Anthony Ujah and Suleiman Abdullahi each found the back of the net after Union Berlin wrapped up their Bundesliga season with a 3-0 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Die Eisernen came into the game with their survival long secured while for Die Fortunen, they needed to secure a win to keep their hopes of survival alive by securing the relegation/promotion play-off spot.

Ujah got things off for Union in the 26th minute by tapping in Joshua Mees’ fierce shot from a corner which was hacked away but still able to cross the line.

The seven-time capped Nigeria international then turned provider for their second goal, playing the ball into the path of Christian Gentner who fired from outside the penalty box.

Ujah went off in the 62nd minute and in came Abdullahi who sealed the deal in the 90th minute with Gentner passing the ball to the former El Kanemi Warriors player and doing the rest from 12 yards, Dusseldorf goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier failed to stop his not-so-powerful shot.

While on the pitch, Ujah produced 20 touches and seven accurate passes. He was also strong in the air winning seven of 14 aerial duels. His goal was the third in the Bundesliga this term.

Ujah also scored in the 6-0 German Cup first-round victory over Germania Halberstadt and provided two assists in the next round which ended in a 3-1 win at Freiburg. Union Berlin ultimately reached the quarter-final, losing 3-1 to Bayer Leverkusen.

Abdullahi meanwhile scored his first-ever Bundesliga goal in what was just his sixth appearance of the season.

The 23-year-old missed a huge chunk of the season with fitness problems. He played 19 games while Union were in the second-tier last season, on loan from Eintracht Braunschweig.

He played a key role during the relegation/promotion play-off against Stuttgart, scoring in the first leg 2-2 draw which was enough to see Union Berlin promoted to the top-flight for the first time in their history via away goals.

After 11 wins and eight draws from 34 matches, Urs Fischer’s men finished in 11th position with 41 points, 11 points clear of the drop zone.

Fortuna have been relegated after Werder Bremen bagged a 6-1 win over Cologne to squeeze into the relegation/playoff spot.

Matteo Guendouzi needs a Patrick Vieira-type figure alongside him at Arsenal, admits Lee Dixon, with the “petulance” of youth getting the Frenchman into trouble as he lacks clear leadership.

That would not have been an issue for the Gunners in years gone by, with some iconic figures having graced the club’s books during the glory days of Arsene Wenger’s tenure.

Vieira was a talismanic presence to provide inspiration from the middle of the park, with Guendouzi among those charged with the task of following in the footsteps of an illustrious countryman.

His potential is clear for all to see, but questions are being asked of his attitude on a regular basis.

Mikel Arteta has gone as far as dropping the 21-year-old from his squad, with a line crossed when grabbing Brighton striker Neal Maupay by the throat at the end of a 2-1 defeat at the Amex.

Transfer talk has now been sparked around Guendouzi, with Dixon of the opinion that the right stance is being taken with a young player in need of greater guidance.

The Gunners great told PA Sport: “I completely agree with leaving him out. It wouldn’t have happened in my day – well, it might have happened once but it wouldn’t have happened again.

“Somebody needs to have a word with him and I’m sure Arteta has done – he wouldn’t have just left him out at Southampton and not said anything.

“There will have been a conversation and then it is about the ability of that player to take that message on board and see what he does with them.

“You don’t just do what the coach says, you listen and use your football intelligence to work out the good bits, the bad bits and what will get you to the next level.

“The next level for him is not being sat at home and watching the game on TV, it is about being in the team every week.”

The legendary former Arsenal defender added on Guenzous's outburst: “It is not the first time we have seen a bit of petulance from him.

“He is a talented boy but, unfortunately for him, he has got his chance in a team that has not really got a lot of leaders on the pitch.

“If you picked Guendouzi out of the team now and stuck him next to Patrick Vieira, he would be a totally different player because he would be led around the pitch and told where to go.

“He almost needs to be coached both tactically and behavioural-wise from within the team group and I don’t know if that is going to happen.

“That is the problem he has got, he needs someone to grab hold of him and give him a little socially-distanced hug – sit down with him and talk to him, analyse his game with him.”

Kenya's Ayub Timbe made a cameo appearance as Zimbabwe's Andy Rinomhota scored Reading's consolation goal in their 2-1 loss against Derby County.

Derby County got off to a flying start in Saturday’s Championship encounter with Thomas Lawrence and Wayne Rooney scoring the goals that put them 2-0 up at half-time.

After the restart, Rinomhota halved the deficit for the visitors with his maiden goal in the English second division but it was not enough to save them from defeat.

The Zimbabwean midfielder was on parade for the entire duration alongside Ivory Coast's Yakou Meite while Anglo-Nigerian Ovie Ejaria featured for 82 minutes before making way for Timbe's introduction.

It was Timbe's third league game for Reading since his loan signing from Chinese Super League club Beijing Renhe in January, and he is yet to start a match for the Madejski Stadium outfit.

Despite playing just 31 minutes of football in the Championship so far, the Royals on Friday confirmed ongoing talks with the 27-year-old’s parent club over the extension of his temporary contract until the end of July.

Reading are yet to win a game since the restart of the league from the coronavirus hiatus. Saturday's defeat moved them to 14th in the table with 49 points after 39 matches, seven points above the relegation zone.

They will be aiming to return to winning ways when they host high-flying Brentford at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday.

On the international scene, Rinomhota earned his first invitation to the Zimbabwe national team in May 2018 for the 2018 Cosafa Cup but he was unable to join the Warriors because he did not renounce his British citizenship to get a local passport as required by Zimbabwean law.

The 23-year-old joined Reading in 2015 and rose through the ranks before establishing himself in Mark Bowen’s team.

Rinomhota has made 30 league appearances for the Royals so far in this campaign.

With Liverpool having wrapped up the Premier League title, Joe Cole says the time has come for Jurgen Klopp to experiment with Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield role.

The 21-year-old Anfield academy graduate has helped his boyhood club to a first top-flight crown in 30 years.

Success arguably means more to Alexander-Arnold than many of those around him, with the home-grown star enjoying a meteoric rise to prominence.

He has already accrued 127 appearances for Liverpool since making his debut in October 2016, while also picking up nine senior caps for England.

Said recognition has been earned while filling a right-back berth, with the highly rated youngster considered to embody what modern-day defenders are all about.

His energy and creativity allows him to influence proceedings at both ends of the field, with 33 assists recorded across the last three seasons.

Many have already suggested that his future lies further up the field, allowing him to have an even greater impact on proceedings, and Cole feels the perfect opportunity has presented itself for that tweak to be made.

The former Liverpool and England playmaker told BT Sport: “Trent has won everything in the game he can win. He is 21 and I bet he doesn't even think about that.

“He goes onto the pitch and is free. If I was Jurgen Klopp now I would use this opportunity to have a look at him in the midfield.

“He is one of the best passers in the country anywhere. I would maybe even try him in the midfield for England.

“That range of passing, the set-pieces, he is just a fantastic talent and he is going to be having the time of his life.”

Cole’s comments echo those of Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who has previously claimed that Alexander-Arnold could become a Kevin De Bruyne-esque figure for the Reds.

He told Viasport in October 2019: “People talk about the future and could he come into midfield and be a Kevin De Bruyne type player and he has more quality now than Liverpool’s midfield players and you think about the crosses that De Bruyne puts in from the right midfield position and maybe that’s a position where Trent could play.”

Barcelona's hopes of winning LaLiga for a third successive season suffered a blow as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo – handing Real Madrid a huge boost in the title race. 

Luis Suarez scored a brace – both of his goals assisted by Lionel Messi – as Barca twice held the lead on the road on Saturday.

However, after Fedor Smolov had equalised earlier in the second half, Iago Aspas curled in an 88th-minute free-kick to bring Celta level again in a see-saw contest in Galicia.

The hosts missed a golden opportunity to snatch victory in the closing minutes too, Nolito shooting straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen after being set up Denis Suarez.

While the result is good enough to move Barca a point clear at the summit, Madrid – who hold the head-to-head edge over their rivals – can retake top spot so long as they avoid defeat at Espanyol on Sunday.

The dramatic late twist means Barca have now failed to win on their last five trips to Balaidos, while Messi remains stuck on 699 career goals after a third straight outing without scoring. 

The Argentinian opted to set up Suarez rather than have an attempt himself from a 20th-minute free-kick well within range, Celta's decision to put a player on each post allowing him to clip the ball into the six-yard box for an unmarked Suarez to nod in his first goal since January.  

Both teams hit the woodwork in the first half but Celta replied five minutes after the break, Okay Yokuslu breaching a high defensive line with a run from deep before squaring for Smolov to finish. 

Suarez reclaimed the lead when he swivelled impressively and fired a low, left-footed shot across goalkeeper Ruben Blanco, though Quique Setien's men were once again unable to hang on to their advantage. 

Substitute Rafinha, on loan from Barcelona of course, was fouled to give Aspas the opportunity to curl his set-piece attempt around the side of the wall and into the net.

What does it mean? Real trouble for reigning champions

Despite an improved display after drawing a blank at Sevilla and labouring past Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona missed the opportunity to put the pressure back on Madrid. 

Instead, they will now have to hope Zinedine Zidane's squad slip up somewhere in the run-in, or else the title is heading to the Spanish capital.

Impressive Puig seizes opportunity 

Who needs Miralem Pjanic when you have Riqui Puig? The 20-year-old impressed in his first league start of the season, completing 92.4 of his attempted passes before making way for Arthur, who is seemingly on his way to Juventus for next season. 

Pique caught out 

There was no VAR help to spare Pique and Barcelona with Celta's first equaliser. While centre-back partner Samuel Umtiti stepped up with the rest of the defence, the 33-year-old dropped back. His decision to do so allowed Yokuslu to break clear. 

Key Opta Facts:

- Lionel Messi has made his 250th assists for Barcelona in all competitions (179 in LaLiga).

- Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas is the second player to score a direct free-kick against Barcelona in LaLiga this season, after his team-mate Lucas Olaza in November 2019.

- Fedor Smolov is the second player to score against both Barcelona and Real Madrid in LaLiga this season, after Levante's Borja Mayoral.

- Barcelona's five game winless run at Balaidos is their longest ongoing streak without victory at any ground in LaLiga. Indeed, it is Celta's joint-longest unbeaten home record against Barcelona in the top-flight (five).

What's next?  

Barca have little time to recover ahead of another tough game on Tuesday, as they host Diego Simeone's in-form Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou. As for Celta, they travel to struggling Real Mallorca on the same day.

Azam FC surrendered second place to Yanga SC after drawing 1-1 against Bashara United on Saturday.

Yanga have been fighting hard to overtake their Mainland Premier League rivals and their dream have been achieved courtesy of their own 3-2 win against Ndanda FC and Azam's failure to pick up maximum points away from home.

Azam were indeed headed for a slim win when Frank Domayo scored in the second minute of the second half but conceded a goal in the fourth minute of added time. Gershon Kabeja scored to ensure Azam will go back home with only a point from the encounter.

Alliance FC were victors in their respective tie against Coastal Union. Martine Kiggi scored the all-important goal for the hosts in the 47th minute.

Kagera Sugar fought to share the points against Kinondoni Municipal Council FC in Bukoba. Abdul Hassan was KMC's scorer in the 22nd minute but the Sugar Millers fought to ensure they got a point at home when their top scorer, Yusuf Mhilu, struck five minutes before the end of the first half.

Another one 1-1 was registered from the Ruvu Shooting vs Namungo FC tie. Abeid Athuman scored for Namungo in the 16th minute before Ruvu Shooting equalized on the half-hour mark via William Patrick. 

The draw will see Namungo remain fourth with 56 points while Ruvu Shooting have 42 points, level with Tanzania Prisons, who will be in action against defending champions Simba SC in Mbeya on Sunday.

Mbeya City, who saw the government ban their fans from attending their home matches on Friday, emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline against JKT Tanzania.

Peter Mapunda broke the deadlock in the 37th minute before Patson Shigala added the second one in the second minute of added time.

Mbeya bounced back after they had been defeated at home by Simba in their previous mid-week clash at Sokoine Stadium.

Finally, Lipuli FC defeated bottom-placed Singida United 3-2. Daluesh Saliboko, via a penalty, broke the deadlock in favour of Lipuli in the 32nd minute and added the second goal a minute later.

Joseph Ntamack scored the third goal in the 57th minute as Stephen Sey's brace earned in the 35th and 41st minutes were not enough to secure at least a point for Singida United.

Andre Ayew and Swansea City’s first game at the Liberty Stadium since the resumption of the Championship ended on a sour note after they went down 1-0 to relegation-threatened Luton Town.

The South Wales club were in full swing last weekend when the English second-tier resumed with a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough, while Luton – who sit second from bottom in the standings - drew 1-1 with Preston North End at Kenilworth Road.

Ayew provided the assist for the opening goal from Liverpool loanee Rhian Brewster, while also adding his name to the scoresheet from the penalty spot.

It equalled their biggest win this season in the Championship and their biggest on the road.

On Saturday, the 30-year-old Ayew had the first chance of the game in the 14th minute for Swansea, but his effort from six yards out was saved by Luton goalie Simon Sluga. 

Franco-Congolese attacker Aldo Kalulu next drilled in a cross for Brewster 20 minutes later but last weekend’s hero sent his header wide.

The game remained goalless at half-time, and just after the restart Ayew was close to scoring his 14th Championship goal of the season, but again Sluga was very much equal to the task.

The Ghana international had two more scoring opportunities, in the 54th and 61st minute, but both went a-begging.

Swansea’s inefficiency in front of goal in their own backyard went on to hurt them after Luton opened the scoring in the 72nd minute via James Collins, who connected with Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown’s cross.

It went from bad to worse for Steve Copper’s men, who were reduced to 10 men eight minutes from full-time after Jordan Garrick was shown a straight red card for violent conduct from a scuffle that ensued between both sides.

Ayew’s overall contribution at the end of the 90 minutes included four total shots (two on target, two off target), 48 touches on the ball and 18 accurate passes from 24 at 75%.

Swansea have dropped to 10th place and are four points away from the final promotion spot which is presently occupied by their fierce rivals Cardiff City.

The Jack Army could fall further down to 12th position should Millwall and Bristol City get victories in their respective matches against Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday.

Mohamed Salah is a talent “on a completely different level”, says Peter Crouch, with the former Liverpool star of the opinion that the Egyptian should be a PFA Player of the Year contender as it is important not to become “immune to his greatness”.

Salah has claimed that prize on one previous occasion, with a memorable debut campaign on Merseyside in 2017-18 seeing him record 44 goals across all competitions.

Salah then secured a share of the Premier League Golden Boot for a second successive season last time out, while contributing a further 21 efforts to the Reds’ cause this term.

The 28-year-old has been so consistent that it is easy to overlook just how destructive he has been during a period of remarkable success for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Crouch believes Salah is deserving of more acclaim than he currently receives, with it difficult to maintain the stunning standards that he has set.

The ex-Liverpool striker believes a star frontman from the present would be a deserving winner of another PFA gong in 2020.

There are plenty of other contenders for that crown, including many from a Premier League title-winning squad on Merseyside, but Crouch feels Salah – who has topped legendary strikers such as Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez with his efforts for the Reds – should be drawing plenty of votes.

The ex-England international told the Daily Mail on the PFA race: “It’s got to be a Liverpool player.

“I love Kevin De Bruyne, but how could someone from Liverpool not win it after the season they have had?

“Jordan Henderson would have an outstanding chance and if he ended up being chosen, I wouldn’t argue.

“I remember when he signed for Liverpool, it felt as if he was lucky to be there. But now, really, they are lucky to have him. He took over the captaincy from a legend, did things his own way and now has the trophies to go with it.

“But my pick would be Mohamed Salah. It might sound boring but I look at it this way — he has now outstripped Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez, he scores in all the big games and he has been integral for Klopp.

“We shouldn’t be immune to his greatness. He is on a completely different level.”

Crouch has also been quick to pay tribute to the contribution of Klopp at Liverpool, with the German coach having ended 30 years of title pain at Anfield.

“There were some managers during my career who knew how to play the press,” said a man who spent three years at Liverpool.

“They would have a persona off camera that was nothing like the one they tried to portray in the media.

“But Jurgen looks to be the best manager you could play for — truthful and straight.

“I know Jamie Carragher once said Sir Alex Ferguson was worth 10-15 points a year to his Manchester United teams, but I couldn’t put a figure on what Klopp has given Liverpool.

“The best way to phrase it is that they have 86 points from a possible 93 and those numbers don’t flatter them.”

Thomas Muller made Bundesliga history as Bayern Munich capped off their triumphant campaign by defeating 10-man Wolfsburg 4-0 on Saturday.

Having clinched an eighth straight title 11 days earlier, Bayern finally got their hands on the trophy following a comfortable victory at the Volkswagen Arena on the final day of the season.

Muller laid on a record 21st assist of the season as Kingsley Coman got Bayern up and running, before Mickael Cuisance doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Josuha Guilavogui was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Cuisance and Robert Lewandowski scored the resultant penalty in the 72nd minute, with Muller adding Bayern's 100th Bundesliga goal of the season in the closing stages.

With second-placed Borussia Dortmund defeated at home by Hoffenheim, Bayern finished the season with a 13-point cushion and Wolfsburg slipped to seventh and missed out on automatic Europa League qualification.

Coman got the celebrations started in the fourth minute, latching onto a brilliant throughball from Muller and guiding a fine finish across Koen Casteels and into the bottom-left corner.

Manuel Neuer kept out Josip Brekalo, and Casteels made a good save from Serge Gnabry at the other end.

Lewandowski was denied by Casteels but there was nothing the Wolfsburg goalkeeper could do to stop Cuisance's left-footed, 20-yard curler from finding the top-left corner.

Casteels survived a VAR review of a potential handball outside the box, while the video assistant upheld the decision to rule out Daniel Ginczek's stoppage-time goal at the end of the first half for a foul on Alvaro Odriozola.

After being denied by Casteels again, Lewandowski finally hit the target in the 72nd minute. The Poland international scored his 34th league goal of the season after Guilavogui felled the impressive Cuisance.

Bayern made the most of their numerical advantage by scoring a fourth seven minutes later, Muller drilling home at the back post and the celebrations stepped up a gear after the final whistle.

What does it mean? Bayern maintain momentum

A treble is well and truly on the cards for the Bavarian giants, who extended their club-record winning run to 16 games.

However, after the DFB-Pokal final next weekend they face a month off before continuing their Champions League campaign with the second leg of their last-16 tie against Chelsea.

With teams from the Premier League, Serie A and LaLiga having far less time to rest before Europe's premier club competition returns, Bayern will hope to continue riding this wave during their break.

History for Muller

Hansi Flick has brought the best out of Muller since taking over at Bayern. The World Cup-winning attacking midfielder surpassed Kevin De Bruyne's Bundesliga record of 20 assists in a single season by setting up Coman for the opener.

Gnabry not on form

There was nothing riding on the game for Bayern, but it would have been a far more comfortable finale had Gnabry been able to finish the chances that came his way. He missed a pair of great openings in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

What's next?

Bayern will aim to seal the second part of a prospective treble when they face Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal final next Saturday.

Yanga SC have moved to the second position in the Tanzania Mainland League after defeating the visiting Ndanda FC 3-2 on Saturday evening.

The hosts scored their goals courtesy of Deus Kaseke, who scored a brace, and Mrisho Ngasa while the visitors got theirs through Abdul Hamisi and Omary Mponda.

The 27-time league champions were keen on completing a double over the Mtwara-based charges.

Timu ya Wananchi started the game on a high and within six minutes they had managed to get an opener.

Ditram Nchimbi received a precise pass on the left, managed to get past his marker and crossed the ball to Kaseke, who managed to head the ball past the helpless custodian.

However, the visitors kept their cool and put up a spirited performance to level the scores four minutes later. 

Defensive lapses allowed Abdul Hamisi into the danger zone and he unleashed a fierce shot past Kenya custodian Faruk Shikhalo to bring the teams on level terms.

The visitors took the lead on the 15-minute mark through a free-kick.

Kevin Yondani fouled Vitalis Mayanga about 25 yards from the goal and the referee did not hesitate to award Ndanda a free-kick. Mponda rose for the occasion, beating the wall and the goalkeeper to give his team a second goal.

Yanga were not ready to go into the break trailing and they upped their tempo in search for an equalizer.

A long ball found its way into the danger zone a few seconds to the half-time break. The defenders were reluctant in clearing the danger, giving Kaseke a chance to head the ball and complete his brace.

After the break, both teams came back guns blazing in search of a goal. The defenders, this time around, were not entertaining any dangerous balls at the back and cleared whenever they had a chance to do so.

Wananchi sensed their Mtwara visitors were targeting at least a point and this gave them a reason to push harder for a third goal. They were rewarded in the 73rd minute.

Haruna Niyonzima picked out the overlapping Juma Abdul Jafari who crossed the ball to a fellow substitute. The latter capitalized on poor communication between the defenders and the goalkeeper to score what turned out to be the winning goal.

The result took Yanga to the second position with 60 points, one more than third-placed Azam FC who were held to a one-all draw by Biashara United.

Arjen Robben has announced a stunning return to professional football with his first club, Groningen. 

The winger retired from the game in July 2019 after a brilliant career, which included spells with Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and more than 20 major title wins. 

Now, though, with his boyhood club reeling from the devastating effects of coronavirus, he is planning to return to the pitch to lend a helping hand at the age of 36. 

"I was 12 years old when I started playing in Groningen's youth academy, I made my home debut against Feyenoord when I was 16," Robben explained in a video released on the Eredivisie side's official Twitter account on Saturday. 

"After two years I made a transfer to PSV Eindhoven. After a wonderful adventure of 18 years we're coming home! Back to Groningen. 

"We're coming home during this difficult time of crisis, one that also hits FC Groningen. It's great to see how everyone is supporting the club, I've supported the club as well and it made me think about what else I could do for our club. 

"These past weeks I've had many conversations with club staff and maybe more than anything I've listened to the call of our supporters: Arjen, follow your heart!" 

The former Netherlands international went on to vow that, while there was no guarantee that he would regain enough match fitness to resume his playing career, he would do everything possible to make himself an asset to the Groningen squad ahead of what is bound to be a difficult 2020-21 season. 

"I want to make my comeback as a football player, a player of FC Groningen," he added.

"It started to itch and now it's my mission. I'm working on a comeback as a player, at FC.

"I don't know yet whether or not this will work, but I do know it will not depend on my commitment or motivation. It is my dream to wear the kit of FC Groningen again.

"It will be a tough physical challenge but I'm going for it! I am going to work hard and when everything feels right, I will join the team for the first training session of the new season. 

"I hope to see everyone as soon as possible because my dream is to play in an FC Groningen jersey. We're not there yet, but one can dream!" 

Andrej Kramaric netted four goals as Borussia Dortmund's campaign ended in a humiliating manner with a 4-0 thrashing by Hoffenheim.

It was the Croatian, rather than Dortmund forward Erling Haaland, who stole the show at Signal Iduna Park with a goal glut to ensure Hoffenheim finished sixth - good enough to qualify for the group stages of next season's Europa League.

BVB were already assured of a second-placed finish, and they left Achraf Hakimi and Jadon Sancho on the bench until half-time, but they suffered a heavy loss just two days after it was confirmed boss Lucien Favre will be back next season.

Former Leicester City striker Kramaric scored twice before the break and added another two within five minutes of the restart to take his tally for the season to 12.

Favre's men fell behind just eight minutes in as an unmarked Kramaric loitered at the edge of the box before curling home from Pavel Kaderabek's pull-back.

More lax Dortmund defending saw them fall 2-0 behind on the half-hour mark as Robert Skov's shot was turned in by Kramaric, who had been played onside by Lukasz Piszczek.

Favre called for Hakimi and Sancho at the break but it quickly went from bad to worse.

Mats Hummels twice failed to clear the ball and Piszczek had not accounted for Kramaric, who cut inside Dortmund's captain and rolled a finish through Roman Burki's legs for his hat-trick.

Moments later, Hoffenheim had a penalty, Hummels adjudged to have barged Munas Dabbur to the ground, with Kramaric squeezing a shot under Burki from the spot to give him a fourth of the afternoon.

Had it not been for Burki, the defeat could have been even heavier as he made smart stops to deny Dabbur, Skov and substitute Christoph Baumgartner.

For departing Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze - only in the stands because he had been unable to take the required coronavirus tests to allow him to play - this was a farewell he was probably glad not to be part of.

What does it mean? Embarrassing end for disappointing Dortmund campaign

This campaign had promised so much for Dortmund, particularly when Haaland arrived in January and hit the ground running, yet they have finished behind Bayern Munich again having lost three of their final four home games.

The absence of fans can perhaps explain that to a certain degree but, with Real Madrid loanee Hakimi seemingly not returning next term, and rumours persisting about Sancho's future too, you have to wonder if Dortmund will actually take a step back in 2020-21.

Goal glut for Kramaric

For the fourth successive season Kramaric reached double figures in the Bundesliga - a feat all the more impressive this term given his injury issues.

The 29-year-old, who has only made 14 starts this season, delivered a display of ruthless finishing, one that the much hyped Haaland would have admired.

Horror show for Hummels and Piszczek

Dortmund's two senior centre-backs were run ragged by Kramaric, failing to pick up runners and committing basic errors that you do not expect to see from players of their calibre.

BVB had kept three clean sheets in their past four games so we will put this one down to a bad day at the office.

What's next?

Dortmund's second-placed finish means they will be in the Champions League next term, while Hoffenheim will compete in the Europa League. 

Manchester United are only one Virgil van Dijk-esque signing away from being Premier League title challengers, claims Phil Neville.

The Red Devils have slipped a long way off the pace in recent years, with serious regression endured since Sir Alex Ferguson delivered the last of their record-setting 20 top-flight crowns in 2013.

Those at Old Trafford have seen their arch-rivals from across the North West secure domestic dominance this season, with Liverpool surging over the line in style.

Reacting to that success and closing a sizeable gap is the challenge now facing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Co.

Positive progress is considered to have been made in that quest over recent months, with much expected from January signing Bruno Fernandes and World Cup winner Paul Pogba.

United have also seen Anthony Martial find his shooting boots in a central striking role, while Harry Maguire is now club captain on the back of an £80 million ($99m) move in the summer of 2019.

Neville believes the England international centre-half could still do with somebody being brought in alongside him, with there defensive leaks for Solskjaer to plug.

Beyond that, though, a man who helped the Red Devils to six title triumphs in his playing days believes there is not a lot else to be done at the Theatre of Dreams, with the club already possessing plenty of potential to unlock in an exciting young squad.

Neville told Premier League Productions when quizzed on how far away United are from competing with the likes of Liverpool for the most prestigious of prizes: “I think one more signing.

“You think about Liverpool signing [Virgil] Van Dijk and Alisson in goal.

“One or two more signings or [Paul] Pogba and one more signing playing to their absolute best. I think United can get closer.”

Pressed further on the positions in which Solskjaer needs to add, Neville added: “Centre-back, you look at the impact Van Dijk had.

“Maguire has had a really strong impact but another real strong centre-back.

“They’ve still got to be defensively sound. One more signing and United can challenge.”

United have been linked with moves to bolster their ranks of centre-halves, with the Red Devils said to be among those mulling over a bid to prise Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly away from Napoli.

Eberechi Eze delivered an impressive performance although his efforts were not enough to save Queens Park Rangers from a 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic in Saturday’s Championship game.

The midfielder’s stock has continued to rise and at the Valley, he again delivered an eye-catching display after he was afforded his 28th league start and 31st appearance in the English second tier this season.

The 21-year-old played on the left-wing for QPR while his companion Bright Osayi-Samuel was deployed on the right-wing.

QPR’s six-game unbeaten run was halted last weekend by Barnsley and manager Mark Warburton made frantic effort to ensure his side bounced back to winning ways but it was not to be as Charlton secured all three points at the Valley.

Darren Pratley scored the only goal of the encounter in the 12th minutes after he was set up by Josh Cullen.

Every effort from Rangers to level proceedings was frustrated by Lee Bowyer’s men as Charlton held their nerve to secure a home win.

Eze, who has become the toast of the Championship fans with his dazzling skills, had an 88% successful pass rate, struck two shots and completed two dribbles in the game.

The midfielder featured for the entirety of the contest and has now played 40 matches in this campaign for QPR across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists.

His compatriot Osayi-Samuel played for 71 minutes before he was replaced by Nigerian forward Aramide Oteh.

Olamide Shodipo was introduced for Ilias Chair on the hour mark while Charlton’s Chuks Aneke replaced Tomer Hemed, and Adedeji Oshilaja made way for Ben Purrington.

With the result, QPR are 13th on the league table with 50 points from 39 games while the victory steered Charlton clear of the relegation zone as they moved to 17th position with 45 points from the same number of matches.

Eze, who has long been a target for the Super Eagles, will hope to continue his impressive performances along with Osayi-Samuel in their next league outing.

QPR will take on fourth-placed Fulham at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on June 30 and will look to return to winning ways in the match.

Dimitri Payet has signed a new deal with Marseille – and has taken an “unprecedented” pay cut in order to do so.

Having played a key role in Andre Villas-Boas’ side finishing second in Ligue 1, there was some doubt over his future at Stade Velodrome due to the club’s financial difficulties.

Payet still had two years to run on his deal but has elected instead to sign to fresh terms that contract him to OM until the end of the 2023-24 – by which time he will be 37.

But instead of these offering the player a boost in his salary, he has elected to take a substantial drop in his earnings to help the club.

“I’ve often said that I love this club and that my family feels good here,” the club's vice-captain explained. “The idea came into my head when the president said that the players should make an effort. And who better than me to lead by example?

“Saying you love the club is one thing, but showing it is better. I really want to be part of OM and help it grow.”

President Jacques-Henri Eyraud explained: “Dimitri came to me to tell me that he wanted to be, and I quote: ‘Marseillais for life.’

“He explained to me that he really wants to end his career here. And beyond finishing his career, pursue a real reconversion at the heart of the club he loves so much.

“He’s accepted to cut his salary for 30% for the 2021-22 season. In the two additional years, he has agreed that his basic salary will be cut between 40% and 60%. 

“He’s given up his qualification bonuses for European competitions and a very large part of his payment over the last two years of his deal will only be guaranteed if he is a starter. If he’s not in a position to speak on the park, then his wage will be dramatically reduced for a player of his experience and his quality.

“This unprecedented effort shows the attachment that Payet has to this club.”

During the 2019-20 season, which was aborted after 28 matches, Payet scored nine times and laid on a further four goals for OM.

Liverpool have no need to bring in “big signings” during the next transfer window, says John Barnes, with there a danger that high-profile additions will disrupt the “harmony” that has been established at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp has worked hard to bring the right amount of talent and character into his squad.

Considerable value has been found in both identifying and acquiring the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Mohamed Salah.

Further additions are being mooted, although Klopp has already resisted the urge to join the race for Timo Werner – who will now be linking up with Chelsea – and played down links to Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

Barnes believes any moves made from this point will be minor ones, with the Reds likely to only look into countering the loss of Adam Lallana as a free agent.

They are not expected to invest heavily in ensuring that they retain depth in the creative midfield department, with the record-breaking 2019-20 Premier League title winners having already shown that they have enough quality on their books to compete for the grandest of prizes.

Reds legend Barnes told BonusCodeBets: "If Liverpool were to make big signings but then suddenly, those signings cannot play, and they cannot get into the team because of Salah and [Roberto] Firmino, it damages the harmony of the club.

"How does that big signing feel when he’s always on the bench? I don’t think they need to do it at all.

"And I don’t feel this was the reason Manchester City didn’t win the title this season.

"Pep [Guardiola] and Klopp, the two most successful managers in world football, both feel like they don’t have to make big signings to compete.

"So, who are we to question that? They are successful every year."

Barnes added: "If you have players you can put in the squad like [Takumi] Minamino and [Divock] Origi, Liverpool still have a large squad with people that can make an impact from the bench.

"It is not an issue to go and sign someone. I don’t see why there is a necessity to sign big.

"They are 23 points better off than everybody else...

"Lallana is on his way so maybe they will replace him, but I can’t see Liverpool making big signings.

"If they do there is pressure on their reaction, and the harmony they bring to the team."

Manchester United cannot allow Liverpool to equal their league title record and “dominate again”, says Dimitar Berbatov, with the Red Devils urged to fight for the right to remain on their “perch”.

Sir Alex Ferguson lifted those at Old Trafford to the top of a domestic tree, with 13 Premier League crowns secured during his iconic reign.

That remarkable haul saw United edge above their arch-rivals from Anfield and onto a record-setting tally of 20 title wins.

Liverpool have closed back to within one triumph of the Red Devils with their dominant displays in 2019-20.

Many have suggested that another dynasty is being pieced together by Jurgen Klopp, with the potential there for many more successes to be savoured by the current kings of English football.

Berbatov, who helped United to two titles during his time at Old Trafford, hopes the men from Merseyside can be reined in, with it up to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the Red Devils to force their way back into contention for major honours.

“When I was a player at Old Trafford, we thought United's success would go on forever, Liverpool are now dangerously close to United's record, and I'm sure they'd love to equal that,” Berbatov told Betfair.

“I'm not at United anymore, I can't stop it from happening, but I hope the current players will see Liverpool getting closer and try to make sure it never happens.

“They suffered and waited for so long, the way they play now that the way they won it will give them more ambition to win more. Klopp can make them title contenders for years to come.

“The United lads shouldn't need a message from anyone to tell them, they can't let them equal the record and dominate again, if they do then we have a problem. 

“They will have seen Liverpool, they will know they are close to the record and they must do everything to stop this happening.

“You want to be on top yourself and not let anyone take over, so they need to up their intensity. The United players cannot let Liverpool knock them off the perch that we fought so hard to take as our own.”

United’s last Premier League crown was secured in 2013, as Ferguson prepared to head off into retirement.

They have found themselves a long way off the pace since then, but there are considered to have been signs of encouragement under Solskjaer as he continues to oversee a long-term rebuilding project at the Theatre of Dreams.