News Headlines

Fletcher: I'm lucky to be playing

• Chronic bowel disease threatened to end midfielder's career • He admits lying to team-mates to keep his condition hidden Darren Fletcher has admitted he is lucky to be playing after chronic bowel disease threatened to end his career. The Manchester United midfielder was diagnosed with…

Barcelona 2-0 Real Sociedad | Copa del Rey semi-final first leg match report

Barcelona are on course to face Real Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey after both sides recorded convincing home wins in their semi-final first legs on Wednesday, with Barcelona beating Real Sociedad and Madrid defeating Atlético Madrid . At a half-empty Camp Nou, Barça had little…

Real Madrid's Marcelo racially abused by Atlético fans in Copa del Rey

• Marcelo targeted by monkey chants as he warmed down • Abusive chants aimed at defender with son at his side Real Madrid's Brazilian full-back Marcelo and his young son were subjected to horrific racist abuse by Atlético Madrid supporters after his side's 3-0 Copa del Rey…

Liverpool not Premier League title contenders - Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says his side are not contenders to win the Premier League this season.

Barca build Copa lead over Sociedad

Barcelona are on course to meet Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final after a 2-0 semi-final first-leg win over Real Sociedad.

Kenny Dalglish believes Liverpool are on course for top-four finish with glowing endorsement of club's twin strikers

Kenny Dalglish insists Anfield club proves that home-grown talent is in good suply as he launches new community awards        

Kieran Gibbs: An Arsenal win against Liverpool would deliver a big statement

Arsenal have spent more weeks at the top of the Premier League this season than all the other contenders combined. They head to Anfield on Saturday two points clear yet still some are not convinced they have the necessary attributes to last the course.

Brighton manager Oscar Garcia tops Swansea City's wish list to replace Michael Laudrup

Oscar Garcia, the Brighton manager, heads the shortlist to replace Michael Laudrup in charge of Swansea City.

Fulham give muddling Rene Meulensteen longer to deliver on his saviour act

It feels like a long time since the Fulham manager, Rene Meulensteen, was dishing out advice to David Moyes on how best to approach the task of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. He said that he told the former Everton manager that he had gone "from a yacht to a cruise ship" and…