Bayer Leverkusen fires coach Roger Schmidt after dismal run

In this March 4, 2017 file photo Leverkusen Coach Roger Schmidt attends the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen in the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany. Bayer Leverkusen has sacked Roger Schmidt as coach as the side labors in its worst Bundesliga season for 14 years.

Freiburg condemns Frankfurt to 4th straight Bundesliga loss

Frankfurt’s Michael Hector, center, and Freiburg’s Florian Niederlechner, right, challenge for the ball during the Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and SC Freiburg at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt Germany, Sunday, March 5, 2017. Frankfurt’s team celebrates the opening goal Branimir Hrgota, second left, during the Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and SC Freiburg at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, March 5, 2017.

Premier League: Harry Kane’s brace helps Tottenham Hotspur to win against Everton

Harry Kane’s superb scoring streak continued as Tottenham Hotspur survived some late nerves to beat Everton 3-2 at White Hart Lane on Sunday and cut Chelsea’s lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points. Kane went to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with a goal in each half to take his tally for the season to 19 — one more than Everton’s Romelu Lukaku whose 80th-minute goal sparked a lively finale.

Sport24.co.za | Aguero on target as City sink Sunderland

Sergio Aguero’s 23rd goal of the season helped Manchester City reclaim third place in the Premier League thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win at struggling Sunderland on Sunday. A fifth goal in three games from the in-form Argentina international, whose future at the club has been clouded by the recent impact of the now injured Gabriel Jesus, paved the way for City’s seventh victory in eight unbeaten games.

Siem de Jong: I hope Newcastle give me a chance in Premier League

The midfielder was unlucky in his first two seasons with the English side, but he is finding form again at PSV and hopes to prove himself again Siem De Jong hopes he still has a future at Newcastle United as he continues his return to form at PSV. The Dutch midfielder joined the Magpies in 2014 after winning four Eredivisie titles with Ajax.

Bellew reveals concern for Haye: ‘I told him to stop’

As David Haye shipped heavy punishment and grappled with an injured ankle, Tony Bellew was keen for their grudge match to come to a close. Tony Bellew showed compassion towards fallen foe David Haye after a huge upset victory in Saturday’s thrilling heavyweight showdown at the O2 Arena.

Bayern great Lahm cool on coaching future

The defender also says “anything is possible” for his club this season with Carlo Ancelotti’s side still in the hunt for three titles Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm does not envisage moving into coaching when he ends his playing career at the end of this season. The 2014 World Cup winner made the surprise decision to hang up his boots last month and will take a sabbatical after Bayern’s quest for trophies on three fronts has run its course.

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Let’s call it a brief hiatus. Last year it was my sad duty to write that while sports like basketball, baseball, football and tennis were the topic of conversations and panel discussions at the largest gathering of sports analysts, golf was nowhere to be found.

Top-ranked Murray to face Verdasco in Dubai final

Top-ranked Andy Murray reached his second final of the season with a dominant 7-5, 6-1 win over seventh-seeded Lucas Pouille at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Friday. Murray, who lost the Qatar Open final to Novak Djokovic in January, should feel confident of a 45th career title when he faces the unseeded Fernando Verdasco in Saturday’s final.

Boss: We can’t afford bad individual performances

JA1 4rgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool will struggle to win Premier League games if individual performances such as those seen at Leicester City on Monday are reproduced regularly. But the Reds boss is confident his players can build on the success of their last Anfield outing – a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur – when they return to familiar surroundings on Saturday to take on Arsenal.

Mourinho expecting Ibrahimovic to stay at Man Utd

The 35-year-old Swede has enjoyed a brilliant maiden season in England under Jose Mourinho and is now set to continue to play at Old Trafford In 38 appearances in all competitions Ibrahimovic has scored 26 goals, the 35-year-old dominating in England as he has in so many other countries, including Italy and Spain. Reports had suggested that Ibrahimovic could leave at the end of the season, but Mourinho has now appeared to confirm that the veteran striker is to stay at the club.

Zidane: The word ‘crisis’ does not exist to me

Real Madrid have lost top spot in La Liga to Barcelona but their coach is not feeling pressure despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s likely absence at Eibar Zinedine Zidane has dismissed talk of a crisis at Real Madrid, saying he is calm over the club’s title run-in despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s likely absence alongside Gareth Bale against Eibar on Saturday. Madrid still have a game in hand on their title rivals but ceded top spot in La Liga to Barcelona when they were forced to battle back to a 3-3 draw at home to Las Palmas in midweek after Bale was sent off.

The stats that show just how much Arsenal and Wenger have underperformed over the last 10 years

Opta stats show that Arsenal have underachieved under Arsene Wenger for many of the seasons since their big-money move to Emirates Stadium in 2006 Speak to most Arsenal fans about their views on the past decade under Arsene Wenger and you’ll likely gauge a mixed response. The Frenchman divides opinion due to his lack of a major trophy since 2003-04, but Opta’s Expected Goals model reveals just how much the Gunners have underperformed over the last 10 years.

‘Tottenham one of the biggest clubs’ – Pochettino not flattered by Barcelona links

The Argentine has been linked with the Catalans as Luis Enrique’s successor, but he has shot down rumours and insisted he is happy at White Hart Lane Mauricio Pochettino has swatted aside rumours linking him with a switch from Tottenham to Barcelona, saying he is not even proud of being on the longlist of coaches to succeed Luis Enrique. Pochettino started his coaching career at Espanyol – Barca’s city rivals – before forging an impressive reputation at Southampton and Spurs.

Chelsea team news: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs West Ham

Everything you need to know ahead of Monday’s Premier League match at the London Stadium as the Blues travel to face the Hammers. Antonio Conte will face off against his friend Slaven Bilic for the third time this season in Monday night’s match at the London Stadium – with both managers having each notched a 2-1 win against each other this season.

Guardiola blasts Ballon d’Or chasers: It’s ridiculous

The Manchester City boss and two of his players are up for the Premier League’s monthly individual awards, but he says it makes no difference Guardiola has been nominated for the Premier League’s manager of the month award for February, although he puts that down to having good players at his disposal at Manchester City. Gabriel Jesus and David Silva have also been nominated for the player of the month award, but the Catalan is not concerned with such recognition and believes players and coaches should focus on winning titles.

Man City news: Pep shoots down Sergio Aguero questions

Pep Guardiola declined to comment further on Sergio Aguero’s future at Manchester City but insisted the striker is happy at the club. Aguero revealed that he was yet to speak to the manager about remaining at the Etihad Stadium after his starring role in City’s 5-1 FA Cup thumping of Huddersfield on Wednesday.

The General’s Budget Picks for Gameweek 27

Stoke were mauled by a rampant Tottenham Hotspur last weekend who had the game won by half time. The Potters face very different opposition this weekend in the form of Middlesbrough – the league’s lowest goal scorers with just nineteen.

Preview: Sunderland v Manchester City

Article written by VMC member Skoorb. After two consecutive five goal feasts at the Etihad Pep and his merry men once again head over the Pennines but this time they are headed for the North East, the Stadium of Light and the team managed by the man formerly known as ‘The Chosen One’ by the ‘faithful’ at the Swamp.

Alan Hutton At Aston Villa For Another Year/Contra

Looks like Alan Hutton has another year, it doesn`t stipulate in Gregg Evans post whether this is an automatic extension or a clause that Hutton has to agree to take up. Alan Hutton has triggered an appearance-related clause in his contract which entitles him to another year at #avfc Bruce: ‘He deserves it’ Must admit, he might lack at times in skill but he never lacks in effort and desire.

Amrabat Looking For Palace Return

Moroccan Nordin Amrabat has been speaking about his injury situation and the player is confident he can return to contention for the Crystal Palace clash. The 29 year old has been sidelined since the turn of the year with an ankle ligament strain that he picked up in the game against Tottenham Hotspur, but with two months out, he knows he’s nearly ready for a full return.

The Stoke City Walking Wounded – Injury List

Our weekly update looking at the injury table for Stoke City FC and also comparing with all our competitors in the Premier League. So 26 games into the Premier League season how do our injuries look? A bit of a mixed bag, I guess it`s to be expected at this time of the season? And a look at all the Premiership teams to see how we compare injury wise.

RUFC – Warney ‘Things Have Changed This Season’

Rotherham United Manager Paul Warne told Radio Sheffield that he thinks the club has changed behind the scenes significantly this season. ‘We’ve gone from having a Chief Scout with a few casual staff working underneath him to having a Head of Recruitment and a couple of full time scouts plus scouts underneath them.

Andy Murray through to Dubai semi-finals after major scare

Andy Murray survived a major scare before seeing off Philipp Kohlschreiber in a gruelling quarter-final of the Dubai Duty Free Championships. The world number one lost his first set of the tournament and saved seven match points in the second set before recovering to see off the German 6-7 7-6 6-1 in little under three hours.

Dubai Open: Robin Haase first player to enter semis of the tournament

Dubai, March 2: Robin Haase, ranked 57th in the ATP rankings, advanced to the semi-finals of the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships after beating Damir Dzumhur from Bosnia Herzegovina in three sets 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the first quarter-final of the men’s singles event here on Thursday. “I started well and balanced, but in the second set, Dzumhur made less mistakes, while I became less focused,” the 1.91 meter-tall Haase said after the match which lasted an hour and 51 minutes, reports Xinhua news agency.