Southampton has 1-0 edge over Liverpool in League Cup semis

Liverpool endured more cup frustration when Southampton won the first leg of their League Cup semifinal 1-0 on Wednesday. Nathan Redmond capitalized on a mistake by Ragnar Klavan to score the only goal in the 20th minute and Southampton could rue not building a stronger lead to take to Anfield in two weeks’ time.

Nigeria’s Abiola Dauda joins Greek side Atromitos

Nigeria’s Abiola Dauda is now a player of Atromitos of Greece, having left Vitesse Arnhem as a free agent. While with the Dutch based outfit, the forward was on target nine times with four assists from 28 games – before he was loaned to Scottish side Heart of Midlothian.

Cohen Bramall rises from redundancy to complete ‘dream’ Arsenal move

Cohen Bramall admits it is “incredible” that he has gone from non-league football and redundancy to joining Arsenal – with the Gunners officially announcing his signing on Tuesday. The 20-year-old left-back had been on trial with Arsene Wenger’s side, with Arsenal having now paid a nominal fee to recruit the former factory worker from Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit Hednesford Town.

Bacary Sagna apologises for ’10 against 12′ Instagram comment…

Let’s make it nine in a row! Manchester United stars arrive at their pre-match hotel ahead of tonight’s cup semi World Cup madness: 48 countries, 16 groups and shoot-outs to decide ALL draws… FIFA chiefs vote for bloated new format 10 years of domination: Ronaldo vs Messi era goes on and on The ultimate football fairytale? Last month, this kid was made redundant at the Bentley factory in Crewe.

Barcelona hard at work for Athletic Bilbao clash after Lionel Messi & Co miss FIFA awards

Let’s make it nine in a row! Manchester United stars arrive at their pre-match hotel ahead of tonight’s cup semi World Cup madness: 48 countries, 16 groups and shoot-outs to decide ALL draws… FIFA chiefs vote for bloated new format 10 years of domination: Ronaldo vs Messi era goes on and on The ultimate football fairytale? Last month, this kid was made redundant at the Bentley factory in Crewe.

Germany midfielder on Liverpool rumours

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Julian Brandt insists he ‘would not be scared’ to turn down a move to Liverpool or Bayern Munich. The 20-year-old is reportedly being monitored by Liverpool scouts as Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his attacking options in wide areas.

Future Stars: The ones to watch at Blackburn Rovers in 2017…

The 19-year-old has been tipped as a star of the future for some time now, but with every promising performance for the Under-23s comes a clamour for more first-team inclusion. Mahoney, not 20 until next month, has become a more regular name in the matchday 18 in recent weeks, though his wait for a first-team outing goes on.

Oxford United net home FA Cup fourth round tie to Championship opposition

Kane Hemmings scored the winning goal for Oxford United in the third round tie at Rotherham United on Saturday Picture: Richard Parkes OXFORD United will be at home in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round later this month – but they must wait to discover their opponents. Michael Appleton’s side have been paired with the winners of the replay between Newcastle United and Birmingham City, which will be played next week.

Carlos Brathwaite borrowed shoes, bat, gloves for BBL debut

Before making his Big Bash debut West Indies import Carlos Brathwaite had to do a ring-around for some gear, but the borrowed items didn’t prevent him helping Sydney Thunder to a six-wicket win. The 193cm Barbados-born all-rounder was holidaying in Europe with his wife when he got an urgent call to replace injured star Andre Russell.

Ten-man Middlesbrough earn FA Cup progress with Sheffield Wednesday win

Skipper Grant Leadbitter struck for the second time in three games as 10-man Middlesbrough eased past Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 and into the FA Cup fourth round. Leadbitter’s 58th-minute free-kick finally ignited a previously dull encounter, although Boro defender Daniel Ayala was controversially dismissed for a professional foul on Fernando Forestieri within seconds to give Wednesday hope in front of a crowd of 23,661 at the Riverside Stadium.

Hearts set to land Hughes

Head coach Ian Cathro has promised new faces as he looks to reshape the Tynecastle squad and the veteran Northern Ireland international is poised to move to Edinburgh on an initial six-month deal. The 37-year-old defender is a free agent after seeing out his contract with the Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.

FA Cup live: Chelsea v Peterborough

GREAT CHANCE FOR THE POSH! Maddison pops up down the right-hand side now and cuts inside on his left foot before whipping an absolutely outstanding cross into the centre of the area. Lopes meets it, but not with a particularly good connection which allows Begovic to make the vital save! What an opportunity that was for the visitors.

Perisic gives revitalised Inter fourth successive league win

MILAN: Ivan Perisic scored at the end of each half as Inter Milan came from behind to beat Udinese 2-1 away on Sunday and notch their fourth successive Serie A win. Inter, who had not conceded a goal in their previous three outings, had an early let-off as goalkeeper Samir Handanovic sent a clearance straight to Jakub Jankto, who failed to take advantage.

Steve McClaren praises Derby performance after West Brom win

Tom Ince and Darren Bent struck inside four second-half minutes to record the Rams’ first FA Cup victory over a higher tier side since 1986 and seal a 2-1 win. They cancelled out Matt Phillips’ opener to surprise the Premier League club and secure Derby’s first triumph over a top-flight team for eight years.

Steve McClaren praises Derby performance after West Brom win

Tom Ince and Darren Bent struck inside four second-half minutes to record the Rams’ first FA Cup victory over a higher tier side since 1986 and seal a 2-1 win. They cancelled out Matt Phillips’ opener to surprise the Premier League club and secure Derby’s first triumph over a top-flight team for eight years.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger impressed by Olivier Giroud’s leadership skills

Arsene Wenger hailed Olivier Giroud’s leadership qualities after his captain for the night snatched a late FA Cup winner for Arsenal at Preston. Giroud continued his recent scoring streak by netting his fourth in four games since returning to the starting line-up, sinking the impressive Championship side with a deflected 89th-minute effort in the third-round tie at Deepdale.

Millwall manager Neil Harris inspired an impressive 3-0 defeat of Premier League Bournemouth

Millwall manager Neil Harris insisted his team could have beaten Bournemouth by a greater margin than their 3-0 scoreline – but revealed he would swap their FA Cup upset for victory over rivals Charlton next week. A convincing performance against Premier League opposition, with goals from Steve Morison, Shaun Cummings and Shane Ferguson, secured the League One side’s place in the competition’s fourth round.

Millwall manager Neil Harris inspired an impressive 3-0 defeat of Premier League Bournemouth

Millwall manager Neil Harris insisted his team could have beaten Bournemouth by a greater margin than their 3-0 scoreline – but revealed he would swap their FA Cup upset for victory over rivals Charlton next week. A convincing performance against Premier League opposition, with goals from Steve Morison, Shaun Cummings and Shane Ferguson, secured the League One side’s place in the competition’s fourth round.

‘Gomez like a new signing for Liverpool’

Former Reds defender, Phil Babb, sees no reason why Jurgen Klopp should spend in January with an ‘exceptional talent’ bolstering the ranks after injury Liverpool have been linked with several high-profile defenders over recent weeks, but Phil Babb believes the return of Joe Gomez from injury should keep Jurgen Klopp out of the transfer market. The Reds have struggled defensively at times this season, with no side in the Premier League’s top six having been breached on more occasions.

‘He has shown leadership qualities’ – Wenger says Giroud deserved captaincy

The Arsenal manager says the hard work and patience of his French striker made him an ideal candidate to inherit the armband against Preston Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his decision to make Olivier Giroud captain against Preston North End was a reward for the striker’s patience and hard work. Giroud continued his run of good form, scoring for the fourth straight game as he helped his side to a 2-1 victory on Saturday.

On-the-whistle report: Watford 2 – 0 Burton Albion, no cup upset as Brewers suffer injuries

Burton Albion’s attentions turn solely to the Championship as they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the third round by Premier League Watford, who ran out 2-0 winners at Vicarage Road. A much-changed Brewers line-up went a goal down after 21 minutes as Brandon Mason’s excellent low cross from the left across the box was met by Christian KABASELE , who was left with a simple finish from close range with Albion’s defence and goalkeeper scrambling.

Nigel Clough says he made mistake with Burton Albion formation in FA Cup loss at Watford

Nigel Clough says he set Burton Albion out with the wrong formation in the FA Cup third-round defeat to Watford on Saturday. The Brewers – who lost 2-0 after goals from Christian Kabasele and Jerome Sinclair – lined up in a 3-5-2 from kick-off at Vicarage Road, with John Brayford, Kyle McFadzean and Tom Flanagan the three central defenders and Marcus Harness and Lloyd Dyer taking up the two wing-back slots.

Real honour Cristiano Ronaldo’s record

Cristiano Ronaldo was honoured by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu yesterday in a ceremony to mark the Ballon d’Or award he earned last month for world player of the year – the fourth Golden Ball he has won. Cristiano Ronaldo then went on to help Real Madrid tie Barcelona’s Spanish record of 39 games unbeaten in all competitions by crushing Granada 5-0.