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Paul Pogba is “getting better and better”, according to Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskaer.

The France midfielder has come under fire for much of his second spell with the Red Devils, though particularly in recent months, during which he has suffered from injury and illness.

He was beset by Covid-19 earlier in the year and Solskjaer believes that it is perhaps only now that the former Juventus star is getting back to his best.

Certainly, he was one of the outstanding players on display as United moved level on points with Liverpool at the head of the Premier League thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

“He’s getting better and better, fitter and fitter,” Solskjaer commented to Sky Sports. “He played well today. They’re a physical side. Paul’s one of these boys who can hold players off and get hold of the ball for us.”

More broadly, he admitted to being more than satisfied with the content of the performance his team produced.

“You are always delighted with three points. The performance was good and we created chances. We had a good save at the end and Eric Bailly made a fantastic block so that probably saved two points for us,” he said.

“It was maybe a little too open and we wasted chances. We tried to play the Hollywood pass instead of securing the first one and using the space that was there.”

Meanwhile, Solskjaer was pleased to move joint top of the league.

"Of course we are happy with what we are doing. We have shown we have improved a lot in a year. We lost to Arsenal away last New Year’s Day. We have improved immensely. We are getting fitter and fitter and stronger and stronger,” he told BBC Sport.

"These players have a great age. They are learning and are hungry to learn which is important. They come in every day with a hunger and desire to be the best on match day. They have been focused."

Up next for United is a Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City on January 6, with a home FA Cup tie against Watford to follow.

Frank Lampard thinks that it is partly up to Timo Werner's team-mates to help end the striker's 11-game Chelsea goal drought by providing the right service at the right time.

Werner's lack of goals has coincided with a more general loss of form for the Blues, who have failed to win four of their last five matches.

Chelsea next face Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, which will see two of the most possession-hungry teams face off in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola's style of play may allow Werner to thrive on the counterattack, but Lampard thinks that the Germany international can be effective against deeper defences.

“City will be a different game but we are a possession-based team too,” Lampard told reporters. “We generally will have the lion’s share of possession and we have generally found some low block teams against us in the last period, which we have not broken down well enough.

“I think Timo’s attributes can be very powerful on the counterattack but there are lots of things that we need in the game against City, on and off the ball, so we will see.

“He is always a huge weapon on [the counterattack] and I think he will become a huge weapon against low blocks as well. It's not that he can’t play against that. He's sharp, he can finish. Sometimes the onus is on us also to get the ball in the right areas.”

When Chelsea hosted Aston Villa, Werner found himself left out of the starting line-up for a league game for the first time this season, while he was also taken off at half-time away at Arsenal on Boxing Day.

However, Lampard is confident Werner will become a key player again by training well behind the scenes.

“Every player goes through tough times in front of goal,” he added. “The beauty is that he has been getting chances, that is definitely a positive, we know that. 

“I found work on the training ground to be the only way to turn that, simple work on the training ground and repetition of finishing, which Timo is doing now.

“When you work like that, it's a matter of time because his natural attributes will get him in front of goal and get him away from defenders and will get him those chances again. If his confidence comes down from missing a couple, that is only natural.

“It's my job to help him with his confidence and be positive and push in a positive direction. The goals will come."

Lampard is regarded as a Chelsea legend but he also had one successful season with City before moving to New York City FC in MLS.

That season saw him line up alongside City legend Sergio Aguero, who will likely start at Stamford Bridge, with Gabriel Jesus being one of five players who have tested positive for coronavirus.

Lampard says the 32-year-old is one of the best players he worked with but doesn't use him as an example for Werner to follow.

“He’s an incredible player,” he added. “One of the best players I played with. He certainly showed up on the pitch in my year at City and has done it throughout his career there.

"Everyone has a different way, but I don’t see a direct correlation with Timo on that front and I wouldn’t want to start comparing.”

Bruno Fernandes' penalty sent Manchester United level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League as they edged Aston Villa 2-1 at Old Trafford.

A Villa side looking to move third in the table always promised to pose a tricky test for United and so it proved in an open encounter.

The visitors appeared to be in the ascendancy after Bertrand Traore's 58th-minute effort cancelled out Anthony Martial's first-half opener.

However, United's lead was re-established through Fernandes' ninth Premier League penalty since the start of February 2020 - his tally in that time two more than any other player.

And it was enough for United to further boost their title hopes, with only goal difference keeping Liverpool top of the pile.

Goalkeepers Emiliano Martinez and David de Gea were each forced into important early saves from Martial and John McGinn respectively, but the better opportunities came United's way, with Fred and Paul Pogba spurning presentable chances.

Fernandes bent wide but United's first goal of the new year came from Martial, who rounded off a neat move with a stooping header from Aaron Wan-Bissaka's right-wing cross.

Only the tremendous reflexes of De Gea prevented Ollie Watkins from levelling the contest, the Spain international producing heroics to turn Watkins' header from Jack Grealish over the crossbar.

Anwar El Ghazi then lashed a volley narrowly wide of the near post before Villa got the goal their second-half efforts deserved, a quick free-kick ending with Grealish's low cross finding Traore at the far post to tuck home.

But parity lasted little under four minutes as Fernandes powered his penalty into the bottom-left corner after Douglas Luiz had clipped Pogba following a throw-in.

Martial stung the palms of Martinez who, after Pogba produced an errant finish from close range, tipped a marvellous Fernandes effort onto the crossbar.

Tyrone Mings let a gilt-edged chance go begging late on, ensuring United's inability to double their lead was not punished, though they will need to be more clinical if they are to narrow the eight-goal gap between themselves and Liverpool.
 

What does it mean? Spot-kicks remain key for Solskjaer's men

Liverpool's stalemate at Newcastle United handed United the opportunity to eradicate their lead at the top, but a combination of wasteful finishing and some inspired saves by Martinez meant they were again reliant on a penalty to get the job done.

The 27 Premier League penalties for United since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game in charge are seven more than any other team.

Martial an everyday goalscorer

Martial's goal saw him become the fifth United player to score a Premier League goal on all seven days of the week, joining Ryan Giggs, Andrew Cole, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney in achieving that feat.

It also took him to 117 goal involvements in all competitions since his United debut in September 2015 (76 goals, 41 assists), more than any other player for the club in that time.

Douglas Luiz loses composure

Douglas Luiz covered 10.61 kilometres in the game, more than any other Villa player, but his and his team-mates' efforts were undone by a needless foul from the Brazilian, from which Fernandes restored United's led.

Key Opta Facts

- United are unbeaten in their past 16 Premier League matches against Villa (W12 D4).
- Villa have lost 13 of their past 15 away Premier League games against United at Old Trafford (W1 D1).
- In Premier League history, the only player to be directly involved in more goals in their first 30 appearances in the competition than Fernandes (33 - 19 goals, 14 assists) is Andrew Cole (37 - 28 goals, 9 assists).
- Martial ended a run of seven Premier League appearances at Old Trafford without a goal, netting his first home goal since scoring against Southampton in July.
- Only Tottenham's Harry Kane (10) has assisted more Premier League goals this season than Grealish (seven), while the last Villa player to assist more than seven Premier League goals in a season was Ashley Young in 2010-11 (10).

What's next?

United face neighbours Manchester City in the EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday before a clash with Watford in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. Villa host Liverpool in the same competition a day earlier.

Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has urged authorities to let common sense and safety concerns dictate any future decision-making regarding the coronavirus pandemic's impact on English football.

Much of the UK is once again under tough restrictions due to a second wave of Covid-19.

This has started to affect elite football, with Manchester City's scheduled match against Everton earlier this week postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak in the former's playing staff, while the Premier League confirmed on Tuesday that a record 18 positives had been tallied in the most recent round of testing.

Some have called for the Premier League to halt once again as it did in March 2020, with West Brom boss Sam Allardyce particularly vocal in this regard .

Chelsea's next match sees them face City on Sunday, and while Lampard is not aware of the game being at risk of postponement, he confirmed two members of the Blues' staff have contracted the virus this week.

"I've not been given the chances of it being postponed, I'm just aware of the situation and at the moment the game is on," Lampard told reporters on Friday.

"We know Man City had some positives within their training ground, we have had a couple ourselves but not on the playing staff, and that's the current situation.

"Generally, we feel probably as safe as the public because of the new surge in numbers we are seeing, so I think we feel the same. But we are in a more protected environment, certainly in the workplace.

"I know some people are working from home or staying at home, but we are now being tested twice a week, I think that's really important. I don't really understand why we went down to once a week.

"It seems to me the situation is we go game by game in terms of the games being called off due to positives around that game itself. I understand that, let's just see how it goes as it is uncertain times."

But when asked whether football continuing regardless was important for "national morale", Lampard was dubious.

"I'm not sure on that one - I understand it, I certainly love football and if you do, you love watching the amount of games on at home, but I think safety has to be paramount," he said.

"The fact I said we have a couple of staff positive means there are lots of people working within our bubble who have babies, parents, friends, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and they come here and to work, then go home and are obviously in the environment where we're in another surge of Covid-19 that seems to be more contagious.

"So, safety and security is paramount, as opposed to keeping the nation's spirits up. It might not be a nice thing to say but these are tough times for everybody. We enjoy watching our football, but safety and health have to come first."

Lampard was then pushed on whether he would back another pause, adding: "I would have no choice, would I? We had that in March then it [the infection rate] came down.

"I have to say, the Premier League and clubs themselves have done everything they can to make the environment as safe as possible, but as we are finding, that's not always easy to do when people go home, leave the building.

"Numbers are going up, particularly in London where we are, so I think it would have to be up to the authorities - the government, the Premier League - to be clear that it would be beneficial to stop with a circuit-breaker or whatever, but that's something I don't know. If you're told to stop, you stop."

Jamie Carragher has questioned whether it was wise for Chelsea to sign Kai Havertz in the summer, arguing that they did so without really knowing where he was going to play.

The attacking midfielder arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial fee of £62 million ($83m) but has struggled to settle at Stamford Bridge.

The 21-year-old Germany international has featured for the Blues on 14 occasions in the Premier League but has just one goal and one assist to his name – and not a single decisive action since October.

While his statistics improve to four goals and four decisive passes from 20 outings in all competitions, Carragher believes that Frank Lampard may actually have too many options amidst his ranks and that Havertz was a luxury addition who was not necessary.

“'I look at Kai Havertz and wonder if Chelsea really needed to sign him last summer? He is obviously a player of great potential, but it never works buying a player because he is so highly rated, unless you have a predetermined idea where he will fit into the side,” the former England man wrote in The Telegraph.

“I am starting to wonder if Frank Lampard has too many options and that is why he is yet to settle on the right formula.”

While Carragher believes that the wealth of options at Stamford Bridge is formidable, he appears to agree with the Chelsea boss that they will not win the Premier League this season.

“After an inconsistent run, Frank Lampard has been playing down the idea Chelsea were ever title contenders,” he said.

“Maybe this season was too soon, but although he may not have the best starting XI in England, Frank certainly has one of the strongest squads.”

Chelsea currently find themselves sixth in the Premier League, three points behind the Champions League spots.

They are in the midst of an inconsistent run of form domestically. Since losing 1-0 at Everton, they have also suffered defeats at Wolves and Arsenal, while they drew at home to Aston Villa on Monday. Their only victory amid this gloom was a 3-0 success over West Ham on December 21.

Their festive schedule concludes on Sunday, when they play hosts to Manchester City.

Crystal Palace star Jeffrey Schlupp has revealed the importance of mental strength to his preparations for different roles in Roy Hodgson's set-up this season.

Largely a left winger or left midfielder, the Ghana international has also been deployed on the right wing in recent games, having also previously had spells at left-back and centre-midfield in past seasons.

He has made 14 appearances for Palace in the Premier League so far this campaign, starting 11 of the matches and scoring one goal.

"If you’re playing in defence against a tricky winger and then playing further up the pitch, up front against centre-halves, it’s almost roles reversed. Mentally you’ve got to get it right," Schlupp said, as reported by his club's official website.

"Normally leading up to the games, I’ll have a chat with the gaffer if he’s about to put me in somewhere else, so I’ve got enough time to get my head around it and prepare well for whatever position I’m playing.

"You’ve got to look at the positive in everything regarding football otherwise it could get really tough," he added. "You’ve always got to take the positive out of anything.

"In football there are so many highs and lows. The lows you take in your stride, but being positive is the main thing."

Schlupp's only goal this season came as a crucial equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last month.

"I don’t know about the most versatile [player I've managed] but he’s up there [among the best], of course," manager Hodgson said about the Ghanaian last month.  "We’ve never really seen him as an out and out defender.

"I know he had a couple of spells before I came as a full-back and even once or twice during my time as a full-back, but we’ve never thought of him long term as a defender. We regard him as an attacking player which means he plays across the midfield, which he’s more than capable of doing.

"I’m just pleased for him after spells of injury… he seems to be in a good place. He’s not injured, he’s certainly in good form and all the skill of Jeffrey Schupp is still there."

Schlupp, 28, joined Palace in 2017 after helping Leicester City win the Premier League in 2016. 

Uganda started their pre-African Nations Championship competition with a 1-1 draw with Cameroon at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo on Friday.

Abouri Basile opened the scoring for the hosts before Milton Karisa equalized for the East African heavyweights.  

The Indomitable Lions started the game on a high as the players who were afforded a chance gave their best hoping to impress the technical bench ahead of the Chan competition.

The Cranes crumbled in light of early pressure, and Police FC striker Ben Ocen was dismissed after just 12 minutes. It gave the Central Africa nation an excellent chance to open the scoring a minute later courtesy of Basile.

A tactical change was needed by Uganda coach Johnathan McKinstry to stop their hosts, who were hungry for more goals.

In the 28th minute, winger Joseph Ssemuju was substituted and his place was taken by Karim Watambala. The change provided much-needed stability for the Cranes.

Despite the chances created by both teams, neither managed to take them, and the first 45 minutes ended with Indomitable Lions 1-0 up.

The East Africans started the second half better and at some point, it was hard to tell they were playing with a man less. 

Their zeal paid dividends in the 70th minute when Karisa managed to get an equalizer.

It got worse for Cameroon when Basile was sent off late in the game. However, neither of the pair could get another goal.

Uganda will now focus on the Chipolopolo of Zambia in their next game scheduled for Monday with their final game to be played on Thursday.

Uganda squad in Cameroon; 

Goalkeepers: Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume), Nafian Alionzi (URA), and Tom Ikara (Police).

Defenders: Eric Ssenjobe (Police), Aziz Kayondo (Vipers), Derrick Ndahiro (SC Villa), Paul Willa (Vipers), Ashraf Mandela (URA), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Mustafa Mujjuzi (Kyetume), Patrick Mbowa (URA), Murushid Juuko (Express), Muhamood Hassan (Police).

Midfielders: Shafiq Kagimu (URA), Tonny Mawejje (Police), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers), Karim Watambala (Vipers), Saidi Kyeyune (URA), Hassan Ssenyonjo (Wakiso Giants).

Forwards: Ben Ocen (Police), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers), Vianne Ssekajjugo (Wakiso Giants), Joseph Ssemujju (BUL), Joakim Ojera (URA), Milton Karisa (Vipers), Stephen Mukwala (URA), Mohamed Shaban (Vipers), and Ivan Bogere (Proline).

Former England international Karen Carney has deleted her Twitter account after she received a barrage of criticism for her comments about Leeds United.

Carney was working as a TV pundit during Amazon Prime's coverage of Leeds' impressive 5-0 win at West Brom on Tuesday when she suggested the Whites "got promoted because of Covid", benefitting from the coronavirus-induced Championship shutdown in March before claiming the title after the restart.

Carney also suggested that the team "might blow up at the end of season” because of the high-octane style employed by boss Marcelo Bielsa.

Leeds responded with a sarcastic tweet from the club’s official Twitter account alongside a clip of Carney’s comments, which was seen by some as encouraging social media trolls to abuse the 33-year-old.

A storm of online abuse did follow, but despite the criticism Leeds did not delete the tweet. Whites owner Andrea Radrizzani instead doubled down, saying he took responsibility for the tweet and again criticised Carney for her comments.

The criticism of the tweet continued, with the Women in Football Group labelling it "inciteful and inappropriate” and “not a good look now, or at any time.”

Leeds then released a statement on Wednesday condemning the abuse Carney received.

"Everyone at our club respects Karen greatly for all she has achieved in the game, as well as her work in the media and the charity work she undertakes,” it read.

Radrizzani added: "I'm very sorry Karen was abused on social media. I wanted to defend my club and our players from a comment which I felt was harsh from Karen on air. Our tweet wasn't offensive - simply stating that we won the league by 10 points.

"We honestly didn't expect such a reaction and we are sorry she experienced that. I respect her as a person and a pundit and I hope she understands that we just want to defend our club, we are a family.

"I hope the abuse stops and we can move forward and I hope Karen will be our guest at Elland Road soon - I'd like to meet personally with her."

Simba SC head coach Sven Vandenbroeck has revealed he is not troubled by the absence of midfielder Jonas Mkude ahead of their Caf Champions League bout against Platinum FC.

The Tanzania international had to be frozen out of the first-team due to unspecified disciplinary issues but Vandenbroeck believes he has enough players to replace Mkude, who had established himself as a key star in the team over the season.

“I can liken his absence to one brought about by a red card, an injury or any other cause that might force a player to sit out,” Vandenbroeck told Mwanaspoti. “I am confident the remaining midfielders are ready to give us good performance in order to help us win games.”

Mkude’s issues arose after Wekundu wa Msimbazi had already signed Uganda international Taddeo Lwanga to reinforce the midfield department. Lwanga is yet to feature for the Tanzanian giants and the tactician stated why he is yet to kick a ball since his early December arrival.

“If Lwanga is going to be in a good state and participate in the training sessions properly, I am planning to use him for our game against Platinum FC," the Belgian tactician concluded. "I had also envisaged to play him against Ihefu FC."

Simba defeated the league’s new boys 4-0 before hosting the Zimbabwean champions on January 6.

Meanwhile, former Simba and Yanga SC star Amri Kiemba has said Mkude should have been relegated to the junior sides where he would have been kept busy and fit instead of freezing him out completely.

“Mkude should have been allowed to train with the junior team in order to maintain his fitness level as the indiscipline matters are dealt with at the administration level,” Kiemba told the same publication.

“This could have helped big so that, when Simba need him, he would be ready and fit to play. His absence is going to be a big miss, especially from the technical point of view.”

It is not clear when Simba will complete their investigation and render judgement following the allegations levelled against the star. The ongoing disciplinary matter also made Tanzania head coach Etienne Ndayiragije opt not to pick the deep-lying midfielder for the upcoming African Nations Championship tournament in Cameroon.

Taifa Stars will face DR Congo in two friendlies ahead of the continental competition in January.

Roy Hodgson says he is not concerned about the future of Wilfried Zaha despite a fresh round of transfer rumours regarding the Crystal Palace forward.

Hodgson has grown used to dealing with speculation about the Ivory Coast frontman, who is linked with a move away from Selhurst Park seemingly every transfer window.

Arsenal and Everton reportedly came close to landing Zaha in the summer of 2019, but he ultimately remained in south London.

With the January window now open a fresh round of speculation is linking Zaha with a move away from the club. That has been fuelled by his fine form this campaign which sees him top the Eagles’ scoring charts with eight goals in 14 appearances, already double his tally from the whole of the 2019-20 season.

AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are the latest clubs to be linked with a move for the 28-year-old this month. The experienced Hodgson, however, would not be drawn on the rumours and is confident they will not negatively impact the player’s form.

“These days I tend to let those concerns just disappear, as they often do,” the former England manager told reporters.

“Wilf’s good, there is no doubt about that. It does not surprise me that there would be clubs out there that would like to sign him, but a lot of things have to be in place before a player leaves a club and joins a new one.

“I’m just happy at the moment that Wilf is playing as he is, showing the discipline, concentration and passion for football and the club that’s he been showing.

“And I just work on the basis that until I’m given a reason otherwise I should expect that to keep going.”

Next up for Crystal Palace is a home clash with bottom side Sheffield United on Saturday. They go into the game without a win in five games, one of those being a 7-0 thrashing by champions Liverpool.

They then face three successive away matches, against Wolves in the FA Cup before Premier League trips to Arsenal and Manchester City.

Roy Hodgson is not moved by speculation linking Wilfried Zaha with a move away from Crystal Palace after his impressive start to the season.

Only seven players have scored more than the Cote d’Ivoire international’s eight Premier League goals so far, with Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan reportedly joining his list of suitors.

However, such rumours do not bother the former Fulham, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion handler, who instead sees them as a compliment to his winger, whose current contract expires at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

"There has been so much speculation regarding Wilf over the years that I tend to let those concerns disappear, as they often do,” Hodgson told Sky Sports ahead of Saturday’s game versus Sheffield United. "Wilf's good and it doesn't surprise me that there's clubs out there who would like to sign him, but a lot of things have to be put in place before a player leaves a club.

"I'm just happy at the moment that Wilf is playing as he is, displaying his discipline and concentration and his passion for football and the club, and unless I'm given a reason to think otherwise, I expect that to keep going."

In the summer window of 2019, the former Manchester United player appeared as thought he would secure a dream move to Arsenal, however, the North Londoners ended up snapping up Zaha’s international teammate Nicolas Pepe following their inability to thrash out a deal with the Eagles.

“It was nice. Supporting them and having them wanting you at the same time, leaves you thinking: 'this is amazing,” he told Rio Ferdinand’s Locker Room show on YouTube of the Gunners’ interest, "but things never worked out so you just have to move on as quick as possible.

"I was thinking this may happen, but my whole family was watching and it just didn't work out.”

Palace sit 15th in the English top flight table after accruing 19 points from 16 matches – eight points above the relegation waters.

Victory over Chris Wilder’s Blades – who sit at the base of the log – would see them steer clear away from the dropzone.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is now free to discuss terms with any clubs, as his current contract at Camp Nou expires on June 30.

With less than six months left on his existing deal, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s future is up for grabs, with Manchester City, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain thought to be among the leading contenders to sign the 33-year-old.

Although Messi has been associated with Barcelona since he joined them in 2001 as a youth, his future hangs in the balance after he came close to departing the Catalan side in the summer of 2020.

Ultimately, Messi was unwilling to go to court over Barca’s refusal to part company with him and would eventually stay put, but with his deal concluding in June, the Argentina star may find himself playing senior football for another club for the first time come August.

Messi has been unhappy with Barcelona's lack of competitiveness in recent months. The club relinquished the Primera Division title to Real Madrid in the summer and have failed to fire under new boss Ronald Koeman.

The Blaugrana find themselves sixth in La Liga, an alarming 10 points back from leaders Atletico Madrid having played a game more.

Having habitually challenged for the title since Messi debuted for the club in 2004, to simply be fighting just to make the Champions League next season represents quite a comedown.

Goal confirmed that neither the player nor his father, Jorge, have been in touch with any club. There has not been a single meeting or any contact with any other side, be it informal or casual, due to the sporting law that prohibits it.

Now, Messi is no longer bound by such a rule and can begin negotiations with any side he wishes.

It is not expected that he will decide before Barca’s presidential election on January 24, with all the candidates indicating the importance of retaining Messi at Camp Nou.

However, with Barca in need of slashing their wage bill and lacking competitiveness at the highest level, the Catalan club faces a major challenge to retain his services.

The Football Kenya Federation have released the new Premier League fixtures after Mathare United and Zoo FC were reinstated by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT).

The two top tier sides had been expelled after they objected to the StarTimes broadcasting deal, but after Zoo moved to SDT, the FKF expulsion notice was stayed by the tribunal’s chair John Ohaga and the federation ordered to allow the clubs to participate in the league.

Mathare United will consequently begin their campaign against Gor Mahia on January 14. As Mathare will be starting their season, the rest of the teams would have played six games already and the Slum Boys will have to try and catch up, as most of their fixtures have been congested into a two-week period.

Four days after the clash against the Green Army, Mathare United will play Zoo FC before hosting Bandari on January 22nd. The Slum Boys will then travel to Nakuru and face Ulinzi Stars on January 27th before concluding the month’s duties with a game against Tusker on January 31st.

On the other hand, Zoo will open the season with a match against Bandari FC at Afraha Stadium on January 9. They will then face Posta Rangers at the same venue on January 13 as FKF has not given a reason why the matches will not be hosted at the Kericho Green Stadium.

After being hosted by the 2008 champions on January 18 at the Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani, Zoo will be on duty once again six days later against Tusker FC in Nakuru.

The Kericho-based side has already launched their home, away and the third kit for the 2020/21 campaign.

The Premier League will resume on January 2, with six matches lined up across the country after taking a break for the Christmas and the New Year festivities.

Kakamega Homeboyz will start the round of fixtures with a home game against Nzoia Sugar at Bukhungu Stadium, while unbeaten Kariobangi Sharks will come up against Ulinzi Stars at Kasarani Stadium.

On January 3, Wazito FC will face Nairobi City Stars at Utalii grounds, Tusker tackle Sofapaka at Kasarani, Vihiga United entertain Bidco United at Mumias Complex Stadium while Bandari will take on Western Stima at the Mbaraki ground.

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti said Alex Iwobi was dropped from their matchday squad for Friday's Premier League encounter against West Ham United due to an injury problem he suffered in training.

Iwobi has been a regular fixture in the Toffees' set-up since November, and he started their last eight matches across all competitions.

Aside from the versatility he has shown in Carlo Ancelotti's team, the presence of the Super Eagles midfielder in the starting XI helped Everton lose just one game in their last seven league matches.

In Iwobi's absence, Ancelotti went with the selection of Tom Davies, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Gylfi Sigurdsson in the midfield while Richarlison and Bernard join Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack.

As per Everton's Twitter handle, the Italian manager confirmed the severity of the injury but they avoided taking risk.

"Iwobi had a little problem during the training, we didn't want to take the risk," Ancelotti said.

Iwobi has contributed two assists and two goals so far in 17 appearances for Everton across all competitions this campaign.

The Toffees are fourth in the Premier League table with 29 points from 15 matches. 

DR Congo's Arthur Masuaku is another African star who misses Friday's encounter at Goodison Park as he continues to recover from a knee surgery. 

West Ham, however, have Ivory Coast's Sebastien Haller and Algeria's Said Benrahma in their attack for the match.

Board member for sport Hasan Salihamidzic says Bayern Munich are capable of “defining an era” as the German giants look to build on their Champions League success of last season.

Hansi Flick’s side overcame Paris Saint-Germain in August to win the trophy for a sixth time and secure the treble having lifted the Bundesliga titles and DFB-Pokal earlier in the campaign.

For former Bayern striker Salihamidzic it was the perfect start to life in a new role, having stepped up to the club's board in July after three years as sporting director.

Despite that early success, Salihamidzic says this should just be the start of a sustained period of dominance.

“This team is capable of defining an era,” he told the club’s website. “Our task is to support them and do everything we can to play attractive, successful football.”

The coronavirus pandemic has made its presence felt across the world, with football no exception. Salihamidzic says it has been a challenge to adapt and cope with the pandemic but is grateful that sport has been able to continue.

“There’s hardly been any breathers since March,” he added. “But there are no breathers for anyone in society at the moment.

“The workload for players and coaches, physios and doctors, is already huge. But we have to think differently about a lot of things right now and be grateful that we can play our sport.

“In terms of structure, we’re planning quite normally. We scout, we analyse, we discuss positions and players. Regardless of coronavirus, we as Bayern have to be early with our ideas and think very creatively.”

The sporting shutdown in response to the pandemic at the start of spring resulted in a extremely busy second half to the year, with little time for players to rest and recuperate.

One positive to emerge from such a situation is increased opportunities for young players. Jamal Musiala, Bright Arrey-Mbi and Chris Richards are among a number of Bayern academy graduates given a chance to impress this season, although Salihamidzic insists the promotion of youth has always been one of the club’s main priorities.

“Youth work is very important for Bayern, that has nothing to do with coronavirus,” he said. “If a young player has the talent to play for the first team, he has it, regardless of coronavirus or not.

“We see their development with joy and confidence, with Jamal Musiala, with Chris Richards, with Bright, but also with Angelo Stiller. And then we’ve got Alphonso Davies, who’s still young, and also Tanguy Nianzou, who’s only 18.

“Something is growing there and we have to do everything at all levels to ensure that as many of those named as possible make it to the first team.”

Premier League side Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF FC) have released five players ahead of the resumption of the season.

Goalkeeper Tony Kyamera, winger Juma Ssebaduka and defenders Najib Gwaidu Tusaba, Fred Okot and Ronnie Kisekka are the players who have been let go by the league’s new boys.

According to UPDF’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ashraf Miiro the five stars were released after a general review of their performance at the end of 2020.

“We decided to release five players that include Kyamera, Ssebaduka, Tusaba, Okot and Kisekka after review of their commitment to serve the club via-a-vis the current demands and pressure at the club,” Miiro told Kawowo Sports. “Therefore varying factors for their release ranging from professional conduct, performance to commitment at work.”

The released players were signed before the season began, with Kyamera arriving from Express FC after the club felt it was not tenable to keep him when he was facing challenges in getting valid national identity documents.

Competition from Yusuf Wasswa and Douglas Kisembo did not make things any better for him as he failed to make his way into the first-team on regular basis.

Ssebadduka, signed from Bright Stars, also had issues with his national identity card as well as the passport.

According to the outlet, Okot and Kisekka were shown the exit door due to allegedly poor commitment and suspected unprofessional conduct that affected their dedication at work on numerous occasions.

Miiro further stated the five stars will not be compensated following their release and that the club has communicated the same to them.

“Definitely, we shall seek replacements for the players released. We need to strengthen our club before the league resumes in February 2021,” added the former national referee.

UPDF are the current leaders after clinching four wins out of five they have played in the season. The wins came against Busoga United, who they dispatched 3-0 before registering a 5-1 victory against Kitara FC.

They picked six points from BUL FC and Police FC after getting 2-1 wins from both games. The army outfit only lost points when Kyetume FC condemned them to a 1-0 loss.

The league will resume on February 13 after going on a break that will last over a month in order to give the national team favourable space to compete in the African Nations Championship (Chan) in Cameroon.

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has indicated that he believes the Bundesliga side will “improve significantly” during the second half of the season.

Dortmund find themselves fifth in the Bundesliga, having sacked head coach Lucien Favre following a 5-1 home thumping by Stuttgart on December 12.

Edin Terzic, who was Favre’s right-hand man, is now in charge and the 38-year-old has posted a couple of wins in his first three matches in charge. It is this kind of form that Zorc believes will continue.

"I expect the team to improve significantly. No one here at Borussia Dortmund is satisfied with fifth in the table. Champions League qualification is always our goal and we have to achieve that at the end of the season," he told the club’s official website.

Nevertheless, Terzic oversaw a loss to Union Berlin which frustrated Zorc, who subsequently told the players to remember their responsibilities towards the club.

“After the Union Berlin game, I was especially annoyed because we’d lost two games in relatively quick succession from four corners,” he said.

“It’s a bit of an exaggeration, but four corners cost us six points, and a team with the quality we haven’t to have can’t let that happen.

“Ok, we were caught out by Cologne, but you can’t let that happen again three or four weeks later, especially when everyone knows Union Berlin are strong from set pieces.

“Overall, we aren’t happy with how we’ve been doing in the Bundesliga over the last few months. I think we’ve done well in the Champions League, and we deserved to get through to the next stage as group winners. We’ve done our job in the cup, but we’re not doing our job in the league, including the targets set by the players before the season.”

Dortmund return to action on Sunday with a home encounter against Wolfsburg, while they travel to face RB Leipzig a week later.

With those opponents both challenging Dortmund for a top-four finish, those fixtures are likely to be pivotal in the direction of the club's season.

Dortmund also have a Champions League knock-out tie to prepare for, after they were drawn against Sevilla in the round of 16.