Spain squad are an “example for the country”, says De la Fuente

Manchester City moved two points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 7-2 thrashing of Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Manchester United s 0-0 draw with Liverpool had temporarily lifted them to the summit but City took full advantage of their rivals dropped points with a rampant display against a dismal Stoke side.

Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and David Silva had them 3-0 up in less than half an hour as a ragged visiting defence made life easy for Pep Guardiola s front three.

Stoke did threaten a comeback either side of half-time, with Mame Diouf firing home before his header deflected in off Kyle Walker to make it 3-2, but hope of a shock result did not last long.

Jesus scored his second and Leroy Sane his first from two exceptio…

Lee Cattermole has signed a new five-year contract extension at Sunderland, .

The 27 year old moved to the Stadium of Light from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2009, while he began his career in the north east with Middlesbrough.

In six years with the Black Cats, Cattermole has racked up almost one hundred and fifty appearances in all competitions, scoring twice while he was part of the squad that lost to Manchester City in the 2013/14 League Cup final.

He has been sent of six times for Sunderland, and only Patrick Vieira, Richard Dunne and Duncan Ferguson have been dismissed more times in England’s top flight.

Internationally, he has been capped sixteen times for England’s U21s but is yet to receive a call-up to the senior squad.

Sund…

Rafael Benitez will look to continue his impressive start to life at Real Madrid when they face the tough trip to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.

While some questioned Benitez s appointment at Santiago Bernabeu, he has enjoyed one of the best starts at the club in recent years, matching the records of Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho

Madrid have won three and drawn one of Benitez s opening four league matches in charge and are yet to concede a goal, a record only bettered in recent times by Manuel Pellegrini s four wins from four at the start of 2009-10.

A trip to San Mames is a real test, though, with Athletic having won the corresponding fixture 1-0 last season.

Benitez faces an anxious wait on the fitness of Sergio Ramos (shoulder) ahead of Wednesday…

Manchester United have put Brighton and Hove Albion midfielders Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister on their transfer shortlist ahead of the summer window, according to .

Both players were heavily linked with departure from the Amex Stadium in January, particularly Caicedo, who was reportedly targeted by Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. Meanwhile, Mac Allister attracted a lot of attention with brilliant displays for Argentina as his nation won the 2022 World Cup. But having been resigned to parting ways with rebel Leandro Trossard, Brighton refused to sell any other important players for any money as they target a strong finish to the season. Trossard went to Arsenal and Chelsea paid a Premier League record fee for Enzo Fernandez.

Caicedo and Mac Allister stayed put, …

Jurgen Klopp confirmed teenage forward Rhian Brewster would be part of Liverpool s squad for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona.

Brewster, 19, is set to make his debut as Liverpool try to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit without injured stars Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

Klopp said the England youth international, who arrived at the club from Chelsea in 2014, was ready for senior football.

He s ready, he said.

The situations are always like this. In an ideal world, in a season you always have much more players than you can involve in a squad.

Rhian has now arrived with us after being heavily injured. Day by day, he has got better and better.

Join us LIVE from Anfield. 

Jürgen Klopp provides fi…

The Football Association is seeking observations from Luton over chants heard at their match against Liverpool on Sunday which indirectly referenced the Hillsborough disaster.

The taunts were sung by some home fans during the second half of the 1-1 Premier League draw at Kenilworth Road, and the FA says it is now looking for information from Luton as well as further detail from the police.

“We strongly condemn chanting of this nature and will continue to work closely with our stakeholders across the game, including the clubs, leagues, fan groups and the relevant authorities to proactively address this issue,” an FA statement said.

— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson)

Ninety-seven football fans died as a result of a crush at an FA Cup semi-f…

Manchester United’s Champions League hopes received a huge blow as Erik ten Hag’s side twice blew a lead following Marcus Rashford’s red card before super sub Roony Bardghji sealed a bonkers 4-3 win for Copenhagen.

A fortnight on from injecting hope into a faltering continent campaign by narrowly beating the Danish champions, Parken witnessed a scarcely believable comeback that leaves the Red Devils bottom of Group A.

Rasmus Hojlund’s brace had put United in control against his former club, but Rashford’s red card sparked an incredible turnaround as Copenhagen’s pre-match tifo reading “your theatre of nightmares” proved prescient.

This first half was as dramatic as it was action-packed. Hojlund’s third minute opener at the end of a fine team mov…

Pep Guardiola heaped praise on England s incredible Lionesses as he suggested their Euro 2022 triumph has put more pressure on Gareth Southgate s team ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

Sarina Wiegman s side ended 56 years of major tournament hurt for England with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Germany in last month s Wembley final, going one better than the Three Lions did in their Euro 2020 penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy on the same ground.

The Lionesses sparkled throughout the tournament on home soil, scoring a remarkable 22 goals in six matches on their way to the title.

According to Manchester City boss Guardiola, their achievements should serve not only as an inspiration to women across the country, but also as a marker for their male counterparts.

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Next question. That was Luis Enrique s response when the Barcelona coach was quizzed on his playing past with arch-rivals Real Madrid.

As Barcelona prepare to do battle with Sampdoria in Wednesday s Joan Gamper Trophy clash, a rematch of the 1992 European Cup final, Luis Enrique refused to answer a question about the club s Wembley triumph 24 years ago.

Luis Enrique was playing for Madrid at the time, before he eventually joined Barca on a free transfer in 1996.

Asked about his memories of Barca s 1-0 win in London, the 46-year-old replied: I don t remember and it s almost better that I don t remember.

You all already know where I was at a professional level at that time, so next question.

I don t recognise myself, not even on the football sti…

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has questioned the tactics employed by undercover reporters in the sting operation that has placed Sam Allardyce s position as England boss in jeopardy.

The Football Association is investigating allegations that Allardyce used his position to negotiate a £400,000 deal and offer advice on how to circumvent rules on transfers after the Telegraph published hidden camera footage claiming to be from a meeting between the 61-year-old and two undercover reporters purporting to be part of a Far East firm.

In the video, Allardyce explains to the two men how they might get round rules regarding third-party ownership of players, which was banned by FIFA last year and has been outlawed in England s top flight since 2008.

But Rodgers, who b…