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Bertrand Traore improved on his notable English Premier League scoring form as Aston Villa secured a 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday evening.

The former Chelsea and Ajax man has now scored four goals in his last six games in the 2020-21 English topflight campaign.

The Burkina Faso ace lined up in attack alongside Ollie Watkins, Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley to halt the aspirations of Steve Bruce’s side towards picking all three points from Villa Park.

As it proved a rewarding evening for Dean Smith’s men, they took an early lead in the 13th minute courtesy of Watkins. Matt Targett worked a neat interchange with Grealish before bending a cross towards the front post, where Fabian Schar flicked the ball vulnerably into the path of striker who headed past goalkeeper Karl Darlow from close range.

For Watkins, that was his ninth strike of the season in all competitions and first since November 2020.

In the 42nd minute, Traore doubled the lead as the hosts went into the half-time break with a two-goal advantage. A clever pass from Grealish found the unmarked 25-year-old who fired past a stranded Darlow.

Apart from his notable goal run, Newcastle United became the opponent he has scored more than once against in the tournament. His first goal against the St. James’ Park giants was on February 13, 2016 as a Chelsea player.

After replacing Diego Costa on the hour mark, the Stallion was on target as Guus Hiddink’s Blues silenced Steve McClaren’s side 5-1 at Stamford Bridge.

He was substituted for Egypt’s Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ in the 80th minute, while Marvelous Nakamba was in action from start to finish. Whereas, Egypt’s Ahmed El Mohamady was an unused substitute.

This result ended Aston Villa’s worrisome run of four games without a win and that moved them up to eighth in the English top-flight log after garnering 29 points from 17 games. They will now shift their focus to their next tie versus Burnley on Wednesday.

On the other hand, Bruce’s Newcastle remain 16th having gone ten games without a win and they would be hoping to end their awful run against Leeds United next time out on January 26.

Under-fire Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has admitted his side have "lost some of the basics" as their difficult run of form continues.

Lampard has seen his position called into question amid Chelsea's slump, as the Blues have dropped to ninth in the Premier League table after losing five of their last eight league matches.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup match against Luton Town on Sunday, Lampard said that although his team's identity hasn't changed, the lack of results means they must get back to basics.

“It’s interesting, because when you’re playing well and winning, your identity is really clear and it’s something you want to shout from the rooftops," Lampard said.

“And when you’re not playing well, people question your identity, especially when you’re a relatively new manager.

“So it’s important that I am the one who holds that dear and says, ‘Hey, lads, the things that we were doing well, the identity we had that was winning games for us, it has not changed, but we have to go back to something because we have lost some of the basics.'"

Chelsea's most recent defeat came in a 2-0 defeat to Leicester City on Tuesday, and Lampard confessed he is hoping to instil the same attitude in his side as Leicester appear to have based on a post-game interview with star midfielder James Maddison.

“I thought it was a really important thing when I listened to James Maddison speaking after the Leicester game and he spoke about Brendan Rodgers, a coach I have a lot of admiration for," Lampard said.

“It was the message that, ‘If you don’t run, you don’t play.'

“If I want to start my identity, that’s how I start it. From the minute I came into this club it was, ‘Can we run and be really good and effective off the ball and on the ball? Can we have energy in the team?’

“That’s the first thing I want to see and it’s something we’ve definitely dropped off on, there’s no doubt about that.”

Though Lampard is in a difficult moment, he also took a chance to offer some perspective. As a high-paid coach of a massive football club, Lampard said he would never face the same struggles so many are experiencing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"It’s a very important point. I’ve mentioned before that I’m the manager of Chelsea and a Chelsea fan, and who wouldn’t get excited about that prospect?" Lampard said.

“So I’m doing that in these tough times and can come to work and put on this tracksuit and feel proud to wear it, whilst a lot of people are suffering up and down the country, around the world, people have been dying, daily the numbers go up.

“And when I see that and feel that, we all hopefully have compassion to look round clearly and see that people are losing their jobs. People are struggling with their livelihoods and that’s massive perspective to the so-called pressures or struggles.

“I genuinely mean that. I want to be a success, so when we go through a run of games and we don’t win, I look for the solutions and answers, and I’ll fight for them.

“And then I expect that from the players on the pitch. But that’s not the worst pressure, that’s a good pressure, I enjoy doing that with my life and the perspective of what is going on in the world is a huge one.”

Jurgen Klopp has played down suggestions that Mohamed Salah’s contractual situation could have a negative impact on Liverpool’s season.

The Egyptian has been in the spotlight ever since an interview he gave in Spain where he talked in glowing terms about Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Salah has two and a half years to run on his present contract, so there is no pressing need to find a fresh agreement, and Klopp is not concerned about the situation becoming a distraction.

"I don't think so," Klopp said when asked if Salah’s situation could impact the play of the team. “That's a normal thing as well in the world of football.

"It's not that we go out and talk about things we think are important, it's pretty rare. But we get asked questions and we answer and that's the story and [it looks like] we started the conversation.

"In most cases, it's not like that. No, I don't think it will disrupt the season."

Salah was a substitute for the Reds’ shock loss to Burnley at home on Thursday, but he is set to be restored to the starting XI for the FA Cup clash with Manchester United on Sunday.

“It makes it absolutely likely that Mo will start,” Klopp said. “I don't think that is a massive secret."

The Reds face United on the back of a run of only one win from their past six games in all competitions, and Klopp is hopeful his side have hit the bottom and can begin to bounce back.

"We lost that game and it was a really low point,” Klopp added. "When I think back I can't find a reason why we lost that game but we lost it. It happened and sometimes you need a really low point to change things properly and that's for sure [what] we will go for now.

"If we would have won in a bad game the world would have said, 'OK, it's not the football they usually play but they are back on the result path', but in the long term it would not help.

"It can be a real help if we use it. I can imagine what a lot of people think about us in the moment.

"But people don't change overnight. People sometimes face challenges they are not immediately ready for and sometimes you don't even know a challenge will come up.”

Manchester United head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that summer signing Donny van de Beek is unhappy at Old Trafford due to his lack of playing time. 

The 23-year-old came over from Ajax in the summer and was tipped to play a major role at Old Trafford, but has found regular minutes hard to come by in his first season in England.

Van de Beek has made 21 total appearances this season but has played just 10 times in the Premier League – only two of which have been starts.

United have surged to the top of the league table with the likes of Fred, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes playing a major role in central midfield.

That has left the Netherlands international as the odd man out, and his manager has admitted that lack of playing time hasn't gone down well. 

“I wouldn’t say that Donny is happy," Solskjaer said. "Of course, he wants to play more, but he gets about his job in the right manner.

"We are doing well and have got players who are playing really well in his position."

Solskjaer himself earned a reputation as a super sub during his playing days at Old Trafford, and as such he has plenty of empathy for his new signing.

“He reminds me a lot about myself, when I first came in, that he understands my difficulties and challenges," the Norwegian continued.

"I was the same with Sir Alex [Ferguson, former Man Utd head coach]. When he left me out I understood and I was happy for the team to win - and Donny is that type of guy.

“He knows he is important for us and knows he is going to play many games."

Ahead of Sunday's FA Cup match against Liverpool, Solskjaer revealed that Van de Beek would see the pitch at Old Trafford and backed him to make a major impact against Jurgen Klopp's struggling Reds side.

“He will definitely be involved in this game against Liverpool and he might be the deciding factor in the game," Solskjaer said.

“He trusts his own quality. He is a quietly confident guy who deep down knows he is good enough and is just waiting for his opportunity.”

Zinedine Zidane’s assistant David Bettoni has said Real Madrid need to be patient with Eden Hazard following his starring role against Alaves on Saturday.

The Belgium superstar has had a tough time at Real since making the move from Chelsea in 2019, with injuries limiting his impact for the Liga champions.

Hazard was handed a start in Real’s 4-1 win over Alaves on Saturday evening, and he produced an impressive display at the Mendizorrotza Stadium.

The forward scored one goal and assisted another for Karim Benzema, with his performance more in keeping with the brilliance he displayed on a regular basis for Chelsea.

Real and Hazard will be aware of the need to deliver on a regular basis, and Bettoni has said that patience will pay off for player and club.

“He is creative and spontaneous,” Bettoni said. “He’s had a tough year and a half with injuries. We need to have patience with him. 

“Of course, that’s tough at Real Madrid, but we’re happy with him. I think he’ll get better with each match.”

Benzema feels Hazard has a story to write at Madrid and has backed his fellow forward to come good.

"Eden Hazard has one story with Chelsea and another one to create here,” Benzema said. “He was good today and we need the best of him." 

Bettoni was in charge on the touchline on Saturday after Zidane tested positive for coronavirus on Friday and was forced into isolation.

The result will ease pressure on Zidane following the shock loss to Alcoyano in the Copa Del Rey on Wednesday.

Reflecting on the performance against Alaves, Bettoni said: “I’m very happy with the team’s effort. We prepared for the match really well and the players were phenomenal.”

Bettoni says he was quickly in contact with Zidane, who was happy with the performance.

“He was very happy with the attitude and play,” Bettoni said. “He told me to congratulate the players, like he would have done. Nothing special. We’re happy with the three points.”

The win moves Real to within four points of leaders Atletico Madrid, though they have played two games more than their city rivals.

Real have a run of five games between now and the restart of the Champions League on February 24.

How Real get on in games against Levante, Huesca, Getafe, Valencia and Valladolid will have a bearing on whether Zidane remains at the helm.

A fit and firing Hazard would be a huge boost to the Frenchman's cause.

Tanzania defeated Namibia 1-0 in their Group D African Nations Championship match played at the Omnisport Stadium in Limbe on Saturday night.

Farid Mussa scored for Taifa Stars in the second half after a goalkeeping error to boost the Taifa Stars' hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

Etienne Ndayiragije's charges came into the match without the services of the influential captain John Raphael Bocco, defender Erasto Nyoni, who failed a late fitness test, as well as Ibrahim Ame.

The Brave Warriors had to play without their captain Dynamo Fredericks who was injured as well.

Both teams were unsettled in the early exchanges owing to pressure to get an early goal.

With Guinea and Zambia playing to a 1-1 draw earlier on, it was vital for any of the two sides to get maximum points to stand a chance of making it to the quarter-finals.

The East Africans started the match on a high, hoping to get an early goal to destabilize their opponents. Ayub Lyanga and Charles Manyama had half-chances in the opening 10 minutes, but they did not manage to find the back of the net.

On the other hand, Marcel Papama had a good chance to put the ball in the back of the net when a good cross found Aishi Manula off guard, but the attacker missed the ball with the net at his mercy.

The best chance of the first half fell to Mussa in the 29th minute, but goalkeeper Kamaijanda Ndisiro pulled a fantastic save to deny him from point-blank range.

After the pause, the Brave Warriors came back stronger. Elmo Kambindu was fouled in about 30-yards from the goal. Papama used the opportunity to test Aishi Manula who did well to deal to clear the danger.

In the 63rd minute, Mussa managed to pass the ball to the unmarked Lyanga on the edge of the 18-yard area. The forward worked his way into the danger zone but his fierce shot was parried away by the goalkeeper for an unfruitful corner.

However, two minutes later, Stars managed to get the ball in the back of the net. Lyanga played a good ball into the box, and the goalkeeper missed it, allowing Feisal Salum to head it down for Mussa, who did not have a problem finding the back of the net.

Moments later, the match was stopped for 19 minutes owing to power problems as some floodlights went off.

The match eventually resumed, with Namibia pushing for an equalizer. 

In the 77th minute, Isaskar Gurirab was fed the ball in a promising position. He beat the defender, as well as the on-rushing Manula, but his attempt narrowly missed the target.

Guinea and Zambia are on four points each while Tanzania are on three, with Namibia eliminated from the competition.

Tanzania XI: Aishi Manula, Shomari Kapombe, Edward Manyama, Kalos Protus, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Said Hamis, Farid Mussa, Feisal Salum, Ditram Nchimbi, Deus Kaseke, Ayub Lyanga

Namibia XI: Kamaijanda Ndisiro, Emilio Martin, Charles Hambira, Ivan Kamberipa, Wesley Katjiteo, Aprocious Petrus, Alfeus Handura, Absalom Iimbondi, Marcell Papama, Deryl Goagoseb, Elmo Kambindu

Former Chelsea, Inter, Parma and Argentina star Hernan Crespo celebrated his first title as a coach on Saturday as he led Defensa y Justicia to victory in the Copa Sudamericana. 

The Florencio Varela, Buenos Aires outfit lined up against Lanus in the final in Cordoba in an all-Argentine decider. 

And they drew first blood in the Estadio Mario Kempes when centre-back Adonis Arias polished off a fine collective move from the edge of the area. 

Sudamericana top scorer Braian Romero subsequently doubled Defensa's advantage in the second half when he took advantage of an error at the back from Lanus to net his 10th of the competition and effectively put the final out of reach. 

Lanus pushed hard for a way back, but they failed to breach the Halcon's lines and Crespo's charges added another in the final minutes through substitute Washington Camacho for a 3-0 victory. 

As well as marking the ex-striker's maiden crown, it is also the first title in Defensa y Justicia's 85-year history. 

Crespo took over in Florencio Varela at the start of 2020 after a previous spell at fellow south Buenos Aires side Banfield. 

His first year in charge saw Defensa compete for the first time in the Copa Libertadores, a campaign that was interrupted for more than six months by the coronavirus pandemic. 

When the Libertadores finally resumed in September the Argentines missed out on qualification for the knock-out rounds, but secured third place in their group and passage to the secondary Sudamericana. 

There they disposed of Brazilian duo Vasco and Bahia as well as Paraguay's Sportivo Luqueno to reach the semi-final against Coquimbo, a tie which was initially delayed due to two false positive Covid tests among the Defensa squad ahead of the first leg. 

Coquimbo were subsequently dispatched 4-2 on aggregate to set up Saturday's final against Lanus, who had overcome Buenos Aires rivals Velez Sarsfield to progress from the last four. 

While Crespo was overjoyed with victory amid sweltering conditions in Cordoba, his future at Defensa remains unclear. 

Three of Argentina's traditional 'Grandes' (big clubs), Racing Club, San Lorenzo and Independiente, had shown interest in the ex-Argentina international's services, only to look elsewhere in January when it became clear he would not consider a move away until the end of the Sudamericana. 

“I am living in Defensa day-to-day,” he stated to TyC Sports in January.

"I intend to go to a big South American side or look for a European opportunity, I'm not going to hold out for a Real Madrid."

Oladapo Afolayan made a flying senior debut for West Ham United in Saturday’s 4-0 defeat of Doncaster Rovers in a fourth round FA Cup game.

The 23-year-old, who returned to the Hammers after completing loan moves to Oldham Athletic and Mansfield Town, was brought on for Tomas Soucek in the 70th minute and he did not disappoint – finding the net just eight minutes after his introduction.

Prior to this match, Afolayan had played for West Ham’s U23s against Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night. Against the Donny, he showed no signs of fatigue as he ran into the box to score a rebound from goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe’s save off Ryan Fredericks.

Pablo Fornals put David Moyes’ team ahead in the second minute with a fine finish after profiting from an assist from Fredericks.

In the 32nd minute, Andriy Yarmolenko doubled the advantage by stylishly finding the net after Algeria international Said Benrahma had taken over possession deep in Doncaster territory.

Things got worse for Darren Moore’s team in the 54th minute as Andrew Butler turned the ball into his own net while trying to intervene after Issa Diop flicked on a corner kick at the near post.

Doncaster did attempt to stem the tide of Hammers shots after Butler’s own goal, and nearly pulled one back in the 60th minute through Matt Smith, who took a touch to control a Jon Taylor cross at the far post, received the ball out of his feet and lash at goal, with the ball rattling the top of the crossbar on its way over.

Diop and Benrahma were on parade from start to finish by the hosts, while Jason Lokilo was handed a starter’s role before giving way for Angola international Elliot Simoes in the 64th minute.

Thanks to this result, West Ham United will face either Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool or Odion Ighalo’s Manchester United in the fifth round. Before then, the Hammers who have won their last five games across all competitions travel to the Selhurst Park for a date with Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace on January 26 before squaring up against Liverpool, Aston Villa and Fulham.

Bengaluru are as desperate for a win as Odisha, as the two teams face each other in a 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, on Sunday evening. Jamshedpur and Hyderabad will be in action earlier on the same day.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

 TEAM NEWS

Bengaluru Possible XI:   

Injured - Ashique Kuruniyan, Harmanjot Khabra
Absent - Dimas Delgado, Xisco
Suspended - None

Key Players - Sunil Chhetri, Cleiton Silva

Odisha Possible XI: 

Injured - None
Doubtful - Steven Taylor
Suspended - None   

Key Players - Diego Mauricio, Cole Alexander

A win for Jamshedpur can help them up to four places to fifth on the table and two within Hyderabad at fourth place when the two teams meet in Sunday's earlier kick-off at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

TEAM NEWS

Jamshedpur Possible XI:   

Injured - None
Doubtful - None  
Suspended - None

Key Players - Nerijus Valskis, Farukh Chaudhary    

Hyderabad Possible XI: 

Injured - Nikhil Poojari, Joao Victor, Subrata Paul
Absent - Souvik Chakrabarti 
Suspended - None

Key Players - Aridane Santana, Akash Mishra

Pep Guardiola has told Phil Foden to be himself and not attempt to replicate what Kevin De Bruyne does for Manchester City.

City were dealt a blow this week when it was confirmed that De Bruyne is facing between four and six weeks on the sidelines on account of a hamstring injury.

Should De Bruyne be out of action for the full six weeks, he would miss games against West Brom, Sheffield United, Burnley, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal, Borussia Monchengladbach and West Ham - with a potential return date being the Manchester derby on March 6.

De Bruyne is arguably irreplaceable in the City side, but Guardiola has a host of creative talents such as Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan to call on.

Foden brings creativity to the side, but he is also a dynamic figure and Guardiola wants the youngster to continue playing as he is at the moment as opposed to becoming a replacement for De Bruyne.

“We have the players,” Guardiola said. “Phil has to be Phil and not be Kevin De Bruyne because there is only one Kevin De Bruyne. 

“He needs to keep doing what he has been doing in terms of when we are in a bad moment or when we are losing in terms of what he gave to the game.”

The City squad will be required to chip in and fill in for De Bruyne, and it’s likely that Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and Joao Cancelo will have roles to play.

“The two young players who came off did really well,” Guardiola said. “But the quality of Gundo and Joao in the final third is really important. 

“Gundo is a player who can assist or has the sense to score a goal, and with Phil, Riyad and Joao they have the quality for the extra pass.”

City were made to work hard to beat Cheltenham 3-1 in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and Guardiola was happy with how his side faced up to the physical challenge of the League Two side.

“Every throw is more important than a corner or a free-kick and they have these moments, are taller, bigger and better than us in this aspect,” Guardiola said of a game that was temporarily halted by a fireworks display. “But we reacted well and in this competition, it is not the first time a Premier League team has suffered.

“It is about our response in 90 minutes. At 1-0, I didn’t have any regrets about the way we were playing or behaving and fortunately the talent from the cross from Joao, the exceptional finish from Gabriel and Phil – the goals were excellent.”

AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic warned his team-mates they could not afford to rest on their laurels after seeing the Serie A winter champions collapse to a 3-0 defeat at home to Atalanta on Saturday. 

The Rossoneri veteran knows more than most about what it takes to finish at the top of the pile. 

Ibrahimovic, a league champion in four different nations, is gunning for his 14th such title in 2020-21 with Stefano Pioli's side. 

But any celebrations at having reached the halfway stage of the season in first place were overshadowed by a miserable afternoon at San Siro, where Cristian Romero, Josip Ilicic and Duvan Zapata all struck for the visitors. 

Milan remain two points clear of nearest rivals Inter, but Ibrahimovic insists they cannot afford to play as poorly again if they wish to take the Scudetto. 

“A lot went wrong today. I don’t want to look to excuses, as in every game you must go out there looking to get the result. We didn’t manage that today,” Ibrahimovic told Sky Sport Italia after the final whistle.

“The important thing now is to recover our energies and focus on the next game. Fortunately, that is only a couple of days away, so we have the chance to make up for it.

“After 19 rounds in which we’ve lost only two games in Serie A, I think that’s not too bad. Unfortunately, when you are missing so many players and have some inexperienced ones to come on in their place, you can tell.

“That is not an excuse. We are working hard and making sacrifices. We are the winter champions, but that means nothing to me, other than I guess we’ve done well so far. The difficult part begins now.”

Saturday also saw Mario Mandzukic make his Milan debut off the bench after moving to San Siro during the January transfer window. 

Ibrahimovic is looking forward to working with the striker, although he admits that so far communication has proved rather difficult. 

“Mandzukic doesn’t say much. I tried to say hello to him in Slav, in Italian," he added.

"The coach asked him if he wanted to say a few words and he said no. He’s not a talker, but that’s fine, he is very concentrated.”

Andrea Okene was on target for Levante in a 3-2 victory over Almassora in a Spanish Reto Iberdrola encounter on Saturday.

The Nigerian-born Spanish striker had been training with the first team but could not earn her maiden senior appearance in their recent outings despite winning the Spanish Supercopa silver medal.

To announce her return, she continued her fine goalscoring form for the Granotes, scoring the opening goal in her side's home triumph.

With three straight matches without a win, Levante started the contest on a high as Okene broke the deadlock in the 39th minutes after benefiting from the hosts' defensive blunder.

One minute from half time break at J. Pesudo stadium, the visitors consolidated on their advantage when Fiamma Ianuzzi doubled the lead, with a fine strike. 

Almassora, however, staged a fightback in the second half when Iris Martí pulled one back just two minutes after the restart.

In a quick response, Levante did not allow the hosts' celebration to last as they grabbed the third through lanuzzi in the 50th minute.

Seven minutes later, the hosts continued on their push for a comeback and were gifted a chance from the spot, which Aida Correcher converted but could not save them from defeat.

Okene featured for the duration of the match and has now scored four goals in five appearances for Levante this season.

The result moves Levante to sixth, with 11 points from 11 games and will aim to build on the form against Tenerife on January 31.

Julian Nagelsmann admits he is flattered by reports linking him with the Real Madrid manager’s job.

Nagelsmann’s stock has been rising throughout the fledgling stages of his managerial career.

He impressed during three seasons at Hoffenheim to earn a move to RB Leipzig in 2019.

Nagelsmann’s brand of football is easy on the eye and there has been plenty of talk that he will be picked up by a European giant in the near future.

There are few if any bigger clubs in European football than Real Madrid, and they have been linked with a move to bring the 33-year-old to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Zinedine Zidane, who is currently out of action following a positive coronavirus test, is under pressure on the back of a run of one win from their last five games in all competitions.

They were sent crashing out of the Copa Del Rey by minnows Alcoyano on Wednesday, and the Spanish media went into overdrive on the back of the loss.

Marca went with a headline of “Zidane in Danger” following the loss to Alcoyano, and the pressure will only increase in light of Nagelsmann acknowledging the links in such a positive manner.

“There are definitely worse things to read,” Nagelsmann told Sky Sport Germany when asked for this thoughts on links with Real Madrid. “But I also know that things that are written in the newspapers are not always true.”

Nagelsmann is under contract to RB Leipzig until 2023, and the Bundesliga side are likely to drive a hard bargain should the Spanish champions come calling.

Much will depend on whether Zidane can turn things around in the Spanish capital.

The Frenchman cannot influence things from the touchline on Saturday as Real take on Alaves, and his positive coronavirus test will mean he also has to sit out the home game with Levante next week.

A pair of wins would ease the tension, but losing ground to Atletico Madrid in the title race would ramp up the pressure on the Frenchman.

Atletico lead La Liga by seven points and have played one game fewer than their city rivals.

Arsenal have been warned that Martin Odegaard could be another “embarrassment” like Denis Suarez, with Mikel Arteta being urged to do his “homework” before completing a loan deal with Real Madrid.

The Gunners are closing in on a short-term agreement that will bring the Norwegian midfielder onto their books.

It will not be the first loan to have been pushed through with La Liga heavyweights in recent times. Dani Ceballos, who is also contracted to Real, is taking in a second season at Emirates Stadium.

Prior to Ceballos, Spain international Suarez was snapped up from Barcelona in January 2019.

Suarez would take in just six appearances for the Gunners, with injury problems holding him back, and never truly convinced when given opportunities to impress.

Alan Smith hopes history is not about to repeat itself with Odegaard as the 22-year-old has struggled to fulfil his potential – especially in Madrid – since bursting onto the scene as a teenager.

The former Gunners striker told Stadium Astro when asked why Arteta is looking to bring in a creative playmaker: “To have another option perhaps. I don’t think he’d walk into the team by any stretch.

“He’s had his problems developing at Real Madrid and the last thing Arsenal want is to get somebody in who can’t offer anything.

“You think back to Denis Suarez who came to the club and physically he just wasn’t ready and then he picked up injuries.

“It was a bit of an embarrassment in the end, so hopefully they will do their homework on Odegaard.

“He’s a young player that went to Real Madrid, and so much is expected of him, and as so often happens it doesn’t quite materialise like that.

“But they’ve been looking for more creativity. [Emile] Smith Rowe has provided that. They were linked to Christian Eriksen as well the other day. So it’s that kind of player that can make the difference against a deep-lying defence that’s defending in numbers.

“I wouldn’t be expecting him to start many games, somebody that would just dip in and out perhaps.

“But Arsenal have almost got one hand tied behind their back because financially they can’t throw money at it so they’ve got to be fairly creative in getting these loans in. Ceballos has been brought in from Real Madrid, they’ve got that relationship.

“Ceballos has done well during his time at the Emirates I think so hopefully Odegaard could come and he’s got a point to prove and he could add something to what they’ve got.”

Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer was not totally satisfied with Orlando Pirates’ performance in their 1-0 win over Maritzburg United but did praise individuals.

Bucs had come into the game without having scored a goal in their last two matches – a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Black Leopards and a 0-0 stalemate against Golden Arrows.

With strikers Gabadinho Mhango, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Zakhele Lepasa all out injured, Zinnbauer started with attacking midfielders Thembinkosi Lorch and Vincent Pule upfront.

It was, however, winger Deon Hotto who got the only goal of the game at the Harry Gwala Stadium, converting Bongani Sam’s 41st-minute cross.

Talking to SuperSport TV after the game, Zinnbauer voiced concern that his side was not more ruthless and says he was concerned about Maritzburg grabbing an equaliser.

And in the end, it did take a couple of important saves from Pirates keeper Richard Ofori against his former team to ensure that Bucs took all three points back to Johannesburg.

“Tough game, I’m happy about the result, we won, which is important for the three points,” the German said.

“We know against a relegation team it is not easy as they fight for [their] life.

“In the first 10 or 15 minutes of the second half we had good chances to score a second goal, and I think it's finished (the result settled).

“But then the opponent play all or nothing, all in. We had counter-attacks but didn’t score and this is always the problem in the end of the game – you then have always the problem maybe there can be a free-kick or whatever they can do.

“Then we had Ofori who made a good game today, and we’re happy about the result.”

Zinnbauer also singled out two other players for praise. He mentioned left-back Bongani Sam’s role in Hotto’s goal and was also pleased with the contribution made by teenage midfielder Azola Tshobeni on his debut.

“All coaches are happy if the plan [is carried] out. Complements to Azola and to Sam, they make good games and Sam gave the assist.”

Desire Oparanozie provided two assists as Dijon edged Soyaux to a 3-2 victory in Saturday's French D1 Arkema encounter.

The Nigeria international could not find the chance to add to her two goals in the current season but made the most of the chance to help the Dijonnaises end their straight four-match winless run.

Oparanozie was handed her eighth league start since teaming up with Yannick Chandioux's side, while Morocco's Salma Amani was also afforded her 11th outing as a late second-half substitute.

In a bid to return to winning ways, Dijon started the game on an impressive note but only managed to gain the lead in the 45th minute when Sh'nia Gordon netted off Oparazonie's pass.

After the break, the visitors bounced back when Noemie Carage pulled down Kimberley Cazeau inside the area and Marie-Charlotte Leger converted the equaliser from the spot in the 61st minute.

Soyaux, went on to gain the lead when Siga Tandia and Ophelie Cuynet combined well in the build-up to set up Nina Stapelfeldt for their second, with her long-range strike five minutes later.

Dijon, however, did not allow the visitors' celebration to last for long when Gordon grabbed her second of the match, with a stunning strike from 30 metres to level matters in the 68th minute.

Five minutes from time, Oparanozie bagged her second assist of the match when she played through Lea Khelifi for the late winner.

Oparanozie, who has now gained two goals and four assists for Dijon, featured for the duration of the game, while Moroccan Amani lasted the final three minutes after replacing Gordon. 

The win saw Dijon move to seventh on the log, with 16 points from 12 matches this season. Oparanozie will be anxious to add to her tally when Dijon welcome Paris in the French Cup on January 31.

Liverpool’s weaknesses have been highlighted by Ray Houghton, with the former Reds star pointing out that Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have not been at their best of late while inspiration from the middle of the park has gone missing.

Jurgen Klopp’s once dominant side have seen lofty standards slip over recent weeks, with five Premier League games coming and going with no victories picked up.

Mohamed Salah and co have failed to find the target in four of those fixtures, with issues at both ends of the field hitting the Premier League champions hard.

Injuries have been a concern throughout the 2020-21 campaign, but uncharacteristic dips in form have also been posing plenty of problems to a side that have been unaccustomed to experiencing such struggles.

Full-backs Robertson and Alexander-Arnold have not been as productive as they were during a period of trophy collecting, while questions are being asked of the likes of Thiago Alcantara and a lack of impetus in the engine room.

Houghton, who won two titles with the Reds in his playing days, has told RTE Sport of Liverpool’s issues: “If you lose [Virgil] van Dijk and you lose [Joel] Matip and [Joe] Gomez, which is the heartbeat of the central defence, what you do then is you bring back Fabinho from central midfield to centre-back and likewise with Jordan Henderson and that might weaken the midfield slightly.

“And one of the areas where Liverpool aren’t quite doing as well is that they aren’t breaking from midfield into advanced positions. That’s something they were doing with the three forwards coming a little bit deeper, leaving the gaps to move into.

“Two of the full-backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, were two of the best going forward and producing opportunities. But their final ball isn’t of the best quality at the moment, hence the reason they aren't getting those clear-cut opportunities inside the 18-yard box.”

While picking faults in Liverpool’s class of 2020-21, Houghton believes one morale-boosting victory – potentially in an FA Cup fourth-round clash with Manchester United – will get a star-studded side back on track.

He added: “Based on what happened when I was at Liverpool, I remember going through seasons where in the first half you weren’t quite at it as much as you should have been and then you galvanise and you come together.

“I’ve heard James Milner and one or two of the other Liverpool players saying it’s time the players stood up, we’ve got to put it right on the pitch, and he’s absolutely right.

“This will test the Liverpool players because the last two-and-a-half seasons they’ve been fantastic, winning the Champions League, winning the league.

“I think there’s enough quality in this Liverpool side, once they start winning again and get that winning feeling back, they’ll go on a very good run.”