The 2018 World Cup in Russia has already seen more penalties awarded than at the last tournament, with the impact of VAR clear.
South Korea s Jang Hyun-soo conceded a spot-kick for handball against Mexico on Saturday, with Carlos Vela tucking away from 12 yards.
It was the 14th penalty given by referees at Russia 2018, one more than the total amount during the whole of Brazil 2014.
With VAR in place for the first time at the World Cup, a new record for spot-kicks awarded appears inevitable with the second round of group-stage games not yet complete.
14 Carlos Vela s penalty was the 14th taken at the 2018 World Cup; already one more than in the entirety of the 2014 tournament (13). Spotted.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
Since Opta began rec…
Portugal heavyweights Sporting CP have been linked with a move for the Saint-Etienne defender Leo Lacroix, according to the Portuguese press.
The 25-year-old Swiss international only joined French side last year but is already linked with a move away from France after a season during which he made 21 Ligue 1 appearances.
Sporting CP are actively searching for reinforcement in the defensive department following the departures of Ruben Semedo and Paulo Oliveira. And with centre-back Douglas also heading towards the exit doors, Jorge Jesus is desperate to add to the backline begore the transfer window closes.
Portuguese giants are thought to have already contacted the French outfit in regard to the transfer of Leo Lacroix. Saint-Etienne are keen to do business but …
West Ham stormed to a 3-1 win over an abject Manchester United to pile further pressure on Jose Mourinho.
The United manager selected Paul Pogba from the off following a week-long soap opera at Old Trafford but Felipe Anderson gave West Ham an early lead with his first Premier League goal.
Things rarely picked up after that setback as Victor Lindelof deflected in Andriy Yarmolenko s shot to double the advantage for Manuel Pellegrini s team two minutes before half-time.
Marko Arnautovic sealed the points after Marcus Rashford briefly gave the visitors hope, although more uncomfortable questions await Mourinho, who omitted Alexis Sanchez, Jesse Lingard and captain Antonio Valencia from his matchday squad.
A United line-up that looked cautious on paper start…
The Mail Online understand that Manchester City are ready to make a move for Leicester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez when the transfer window reopens in January.
Chelsea and Arsenal have also been monitoring the Algeria international’s situation over the past few months and are likely to battle with the Premier League leaders in an attempt to secure his services.
Pep Guardiola is hardly short of talent in midfield but is keen to further strengthen his squad as he looks to wrap up the title, while the twenty-six year old would also be eligible to play in Europe with the Foxes having struggled to hit the heights of the 2015/16 campaign last time around.
Mahrez signed for Leicester in January 2013 and has since racked up one hundred and fifty-one appearances fo…
Lionel Messi is the best in football history and LaLiga president Javier Tebas is open to naming a trophy for the competition s best player in his honour.
Barcelona superstar Messi, a five-time Ballon d Or winner, is LaLiga s all-time leading goalscorer on 390 and has lifted the title on nine occasions.
The Spanish top-flight s end-of-season awards have not been handed out since the 2015-16 campaign due to a desire to reformat, and Tebas would be keen to show recognition for the 31-year-old in the same way daily sports newspaper Marca have named accolades after Telmo Zarra, Rafael Pichichi Moreno and Ricardo Zamora.
Asked about dedicating a trophy to Messi, Tebas told Omnisport: I like that idea, we would have to think about.
I think Messi will be the be…
Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen is aware of interest from Barcelona, head coach Peter Bosz has confirmed.
A report in the Netherlands on Friday claimed that the Spanish champions have lodged a bid of close to €12million for the keeper, as they attempt to land a replacement for Claudio Bravo, who is wanted by Manchester City.
Cillessen came in for criticism after the 1-1 Champions League play-off draw with Rostov, after he was wrong-footed by Christian Noboa s free-kick early in the first half.
Though he denied Barca distractions were to blame for the goal, Bosz admits that the 27-year-old is struggling to ignore the speculation, though he remains hopeful that he will stay at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Jasper is a very great goalkeeper and I hope that h…
Chelsea prospect Billy Gilmour has joined newly promoted Norwich City on a season-long loan.
Gilmour joined Chelsea from Rangers aged 16 and made his first-team debut two years later under Frank Lampard in August 2019.
The midfielder quickly impressed but has struggled to hold down a regular starting role.
Thomas Tuchel, who replaced Lampard earlier this year, can also call on N Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic in that position and oversaw a Champions League final triumph against Manchester City.
Chelsea have therefore agreed to send Gilmour to Norwich in order to gain experience of top-flight football.
EXCITED TO BE HERE
I m very excited to be here, Gilmour said. I can t wait for the season ahead.
I ve been looking forwa…
Chelsea remain eager to exact revenge on Tottenham for the football lesson they received in the Premier League last month, according to Gianfranco Zola.
The two clubs will meet in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup in January after coming through tricky last-eight ties on Wednesday.
Eden Hazard s late winner gave the Blues a hard-earned 1-0 win over Bournemouth and set up a London derby date with Spurs, while Manchester City will meet minnows Burton Albion in the other tie.
Tottenham ended Maurizio Sarri s unbeaten start in English football back in November, storming to a dominant 3-1 victory at Wembley Stadium, and Chelsea s assistant coach revealed that result remains a source of frustration.
We re happy because some time ago they gave us a foo…
Massimiliano Allegri revealed he turned down Real Madrid in favour of a second spell with Juventus.
Allegri was appointed as Bianconeri boss in May after Andrea Pirio was relieved of his duties following a poor season, ending with the club only fourth in Serie A.
The experienced Allegri led the Turin giants to five consecutive Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia triumphs and two Champions League finals during his previous tenure.
Allegri, 53, on Tuesday revealed he could have taken over at Madrid before Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as head coach.
I have to thank Real Madrid and the president for the opportunity he gave me [to coach Real Madrid]. Then I thought about it and chose Juventus, Allegri said during his presentation news conference.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain appeared to suffer another injury blow as he hobbled out of Liverpool s Club World Cup final with Flamengo on Saturday.
The England international was out of action for almost a year after damaging multiple knee ligaments against Roma in the 2017-18 Champions League semi-finals.
Oxlade-Chamberlain missed much of last season as Liverpool became European champions and pushed Manchester City to the final day in the Premier League title race.
But the former Arsenal midfielder has been able to feature regularly this season, starting against Flamengo as the Reds sought to become world champions for the first time.
However, with the game still goalless with 15 minutes remaining, Oxlade-Chamberlain appeared to land awkwardly on his right a…