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Takumi Minamino has aired his relief at “finally” breaking his Premier League goal duck at the 18th attempt, with the Liverpool forward adamant that there is more to come from him.

The Japan international was snapped up by Jurgen Klopp during the January transfer window of 2020.

His energy and versatility in the final third brought him to the Reds’ attention, with a bargain £7.25 million ($10m) deal pushed through with Red Bull Salzburg.

Minamino was always going to find it tough to see regular game time on Merseyside, with his path blocked by star-studded performers when it comes to midfield and attacking berths.

He has taken in 29 appearances across all competitions, claiming a title winners’ medal along the way, but there is a sense that he is yet to produce his best in English football.

Opening his account in top-flight action should aid that cause, with Minamino unlocking the floodgates for Liverpool – after being handed a starting berth – in their 7-0 win over Crystal Palace.

On that effort, which came after 125 seconds, the 25-year-old told the Reds’ official website: “It was instinctive.

“When Sadio [Mane] passed the ball to me, I sensed that an opponent was coming to block me. But from there, I had no time to think, but just trusted my feeling and shot.

“A goal in the Premier League was what I really wanted to achieve. Rather than feeling happy about it, I think it took longer than I wished. But I am happy that I could contribute to the team’s victory.

“I wouldn’t say that I was disappointed with myself [for not scoring in the Premier League previously], but I always wanted to score as soon as possible. I also felt some pressure about it.

“I am happy that I finally scored, but I have only scored once, so I will work hard to score more.”

Minamino is convinced that he can take his game to even greater heights as he continues to find his feet at Liverpool.

Impressive victories, such as that secured over Palace, will help him in that quest, with the defending champions sitting top of the table at Christmas for a third successive year.

“I haven’t experienced such a big win since I became professional. So I am happy to contribute to such a special win,” Minamino added.

“Because we could win that match by 7-0, I think our attacking [play] worked very well, and I myself was feeling it. Personally, throughout the game, [not] everything I did was working. I know there is a space for improvement.

“I need to work hard to improve myself, and I know I can improve myself.”

Minamino will be looking for more minutes when Liverpool return to action on Sunday in a home date with struggling West Brom.

Mutiu Adepoju has expressed his displeasure with the manner young players are put under pressure by calling them the next Lionel Messi or Jay-Jay Okocha.

The likes of Rabiu Ibrahim, Kelechi Nwakali, Joel Obi and Alex Iwobi have been praised as players who could follow in the footpath of Okocha.

Napoli centre-forward has also recently been hailed as a successor to former Nigeria international and highest goalscorer Rashidi Yekini.

Adepoju believes such praises derail the development of young players as they end up not reaching their potential.

"I believe calling young players in the youth teams as next Messi or Jay-Jay Okocha is unfair and unnecessary," Adepoju told BBC Sport Africa .

"Indulging in this comparison is setting them up for failure because the weight of expectations will definitely affect these players mentally.

"It's the main reason some players refused to work hard and be themselves because they easily get carried away by what the press was writing about them.

"We've seen in the past decade that we have talented players all over the field who can make our team tick again

"Nigeria continue to dominate the youth events and there are positive signs of better days to come. We just need to nurture these players properly and do away with the hype and noise.

"But if these players are allowed to play their own game and shine, they can be a success both at the club and national team level.

"Victor Agali was widely regarded as the next Rashidi Yekini, but he fought extra hard to establish himself and sometimes people expected too much from him.

"He is an example of someone who saw the burden of that label yet worked hard to establish his own name."

Okocha has made a similar opinion in the past when he revealed the Super Eagles need a creative midfielder but the pressure the current players are battling with by comparing them to the 1994 squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations, was limiting them to reach their potentials.

“What the Eagles need now are natural midfielders who can create chances and change the course of a game,” Okocha told Brila FM.

“We need midfielders who can run at defenders and a pick their teammates with good passes,” Okocha said during a radio programme.

“We have good midfielders but not in at that level at the moment. Some of them are just scared and the fact that they are being compared to the 1994 Eagles brings a bit of pressure on them.”

Cesar Azpilicueta has warned Reece James that he intends to nail down a place as Chelsea’s right-back after ending a two-month exile from Premier League competition.

The Blues’ club captain returned to Frank Lampard’s side for a 3-0 victory over London neighbours West Ham.

James sat out that contest with a knee complaint and is yet to be ruled into contention for another derby clash with Arsenal on Boxing Day.

It could be that Azpilicueta is included from the off again in a meeting with the Gunners, with the experienced Spaniard not about to give up his spot without a fight.

His outing against the Hammers was a first in English top-flight competition since a 0-0 draw at Manchester United on October 24, with the 31-year-old having had to make do with Champions League minutes since then.

He is now looking to become a mainstay once more, with Azpilicueta telling Chelsea’s official website: “It was good to be back.

“I’ve been playing more in the Champions League but it’s true that in the Premier League, I haven’t been involved since Old Trafford.

“It has been a while but my job is to work hard to improve every day and, whenever the manager needs me to step up, do the best job I can. To win was important and we did well.”

Victory over West Ham has helped to keep Chelsea in title contention, as they sit fifth in the table, with Azpilicueta taking plenty of positives from a convincing success.

He added: “The way they play, they put you under pressure. At only 1-0, the game was open and we had to suffer.

“When you come from two defeats, you have to recover that spirit of winning and we did that.

“We know we can improve our game but from the mental point of view, and how we defended all together the crossing of balls and the set-play settings, we did well altogether because they are one of the best teams in England on that.”

Chelsea are expecting another tough test from Arsenal, despite the Gunners’ struggles for form this season, with Lampard’s men looking to exact revenge for the FA Cup final defeat they suffered to Mikel Arteta’s side in August.

“We were obviously disappointed with that result but now we’re four months later, it’s a different competition and a new game,” added Azpilicueta.

“They are not in their best form but we know their qualities and that they have dangerous players so we have to cope with that.

“We respect them and we know it’s going to be tough but we need points so hopefully we can go there and play our game. We have the confidence and belief to do that and obviously we will try to get the points.”

Bandari FC caretaker coach Twahir Muhiddin feels his charges dropped two vital points in the 1-1 draw against Posta Rangers in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League game played on Wednesday.

As the first half tempo was being set into motion, the Dockers forward Yema Mwana managed to knock down the Mailmen’s defense and bag a goal before the sound of the halftime whistle. After the break, Posta Rangers got back in the game after Jackson Dwang put in an equalizer, to close the scores at 1-1. 

Both teams had a chance to get the winning goal but they were wasteful in front of the goal.

"This is a game I feel we dropped two points because we had chances to score and win but we did not take them," Muhiddin told Goal.

"We now need to go work harder, and the main thing is to build confidence especially in the danger zone. We lacked composure and self-belief and that is why we could not take the clear chances we created.  

"We have quality players who I do not expect to miss such clear chances. At least they could have scored about two or three goals."  

Bandari have collected five points from as many matches and they are placed fifth on the table. They have won one game, drawn two and lost as many games. The Dockers have scored three goals and conceded five.

In an initial interview, Posta Rangers coach Sammy Omollo had also conceded his team needs to be sharpened in the attacking department.

"It has never been easy when Posta Rangers and Bandari meet, and it became even tougher when they scored against us because we had to double our efforts to get an equalizer," Omollo told Goal.

"I was impressed with my players' reaction after we conceded. They fought and ensured we scored.

"But it is a game that could have gone either way. Bandari had their chances especially from set-pieces, we also had our chances from set-pieces but none took them.

"It is something I will have to work on with my players, especially finishing on those set-pieces. But a point is not a bad result for us."

The tactician is hopeful his team is on the right track and will soon start getting wins consistently. 

"We have been playing tough games with good teams and I have to be content with the one point we get," Omollo added.

"It is also a challenge for us to up our game to stand a better chance of getting a win in our forthcoming game. A win will come, and once we get one, others will follow."

AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has addressed the speculation surrounding the future of Manchester United linked-midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.

Calhanoglu has established himself as one of the top playmakers in Serie A since joining Milan for an initial fee of €20 million (£18m/$24m) from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2017.

The Turkey international has scored 29 goals in 149 games for the Rossoneri, while also laying on 45 assists, attracting plenty of admirers from afar in the process.

United are reportedly weighing up a January move for the 26-year-old, who will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any potential suitors when the transfer market reopens.

Calhanoglu will drop into the free agency pool next summer unless Milan can tie him down to fresh terms, with Italian champions Juventus also thought to be keeping a close eye on his situation.     

However, Pioli is confident that the former Leverkusen star will extend his stay at San Siro, as he told DAZN after watching him score in the Rossoneri's 3-2 home win over Lazio on Wednesday night.

"Calha is fantastic, he is intelligent, he can move well, he knows how to attack and he knows how to connect the game. He sacrifices himself," said the Italian head coach.

"I want him at this level, he is a top player. I don't think there are problems. Calha is with us and with the club. I'm sure that his will is to stay, there is a negotiation.

"The club, technical area, the player and I want the same thing, he has reached important levels and can still grow. He's a player to bet on."

Calhanoglu's latest strike came from the penalty spot either side of goals from Ante Rebic and Theo Hernandez against Lazio, with Milan's 10th victory of the season ensuring that they are still the only unbeaten side in Europe's top five leagues heading into 2021.

Pioli's men are sitting one point clear of local rivals Inter at the summit after 14 fixtures, with Juve nine points further back in sixth after a stuttering start to their latest title defence.

The Milan head coach is happy with how far his team have come over past 12 months, but still believes there is plenty of room for improvement in the second half of the campaign.

“The club deserves the praise for 2020," Pioli added. "They are helping us to work in the best possible way. They gave me strong and young footballers.

“They are all aware of their qualities and I expect to see the same things in 2021. We are not perfect. There are many things we need to solve.

"We can’t always dominate games, it’s normal, when we don’t do it, we must be compact and suffer.

“We played many games, I hope injured players will return soon. It was difficult to rotate players but these guys have a soul.

"The fans welcomed us at the stadium today, they are giving us so much.”

Liverpool will not be “held to ransom” in contract talks with Georginio Wijnaldum, says John Barnes, with the Reds only interested in players who “want to play for the badge”.

The Netherlands international midfielder is yet to commit to fresh terms at Anfield and is due to hit free agency in the summer of 2021.

He will be free to speak to suitors outside of England from January, with reports of interest from La Liga giants Barcelona refusing to go away.

Barnes would like to see Liverpool do a deal with Wijnaldum when another transfer window opens, as they explore other recruitment options in the new year, but is not convinced that they should be bowing to pressure when it comes to salary demands.

The Reds legend told BonusCodeBets: “Georginio Wijnaldum is a great player, I’m not sure if it would be Liverpool’s best piece of business in the window, but you want a player who is happy to stay.

“It would be great if both the player and club could come to an agreement in this window for a new deal, but I don’t feel as though Liverpool will be held to ransom and give him a four-year deal on high wages.

“The good thing about Liverpool is all of the players at the club want to play for the badge, they will all give 100 per cent and try to help Liverpool to win the league, which is all that can be asked for by a squad of players. I hope he stays.”

While hoping to see the services of Wijnaldum retained, Barnes believes Liverpool have enough talent in a star-studded squad to counter any departures.

The Reds certainly boast the firepower to keep themselves competitive, with Brazil international striker Roberto Firmino among those to have enjoyed a welcome return to form of late.

Barnes said of the South American, who has netted three times across impressive victories over Tottenham and Crystal Palace: “For me, Roberto Firmino was always one of the most important players in the Liverpool team.

“When you look at the front three, he is equally as important as both Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in my opinion.

“I never thought his position in the front three was ever under threat, he is far more important than just a striker that scores goals.

“He creates chances for the team and is largely the reason why Salah and Mane score as many goals as they do. He works hard and Jurgen Klopp knows what a valuable asset he is to the Liverpool team.

“It’s great to see him get on the scoresheet again, but I don’t feel his position would ever be under threat for a lack of goals as he brings so much more with his game. Having said that, I’m happy to see him scoring again.”

Liverpool, who sit top of the Premier League table at Christmas, will be back in action on Sunday when they play host to West Brom.  

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have promised to investigate the alleged racism claims being levelled against Nairobi City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic.

On Wednesday, Vihiga United coach Sammy Okoth confirmed to Goal his players were subjected to racist language after the Bosnian coach was alleged to call Vihiga players ‘black monkeys.’

The visiting team then threatened to boycott the FKF Premier League match which was being played at Utalii grounds before they were prevailed upon by the match officials to continue after they were promised the allegations had been captured in the match report.

While City Stars have also launched their own investigations into the matter and promised to punish the coach if found guilty, FKF President Nick Mwendwa has told Goal they will pick up the matter when it reaches their office.

“Vihiga United should report those allegations immediately,” Mwendwa told Goal on Thursday. “Then as FKF we can pick it up from there, for now we are waiting for the report to come.

“We have to follow the necessary process because this is a very sensitive matter but we will look at it and give an appropriate decision.”

While FKF have promised to look at the issue, Goal can now report coach Alagic has already left the country for Bosnia.

According to a source, who did not want to be named, the coach, who helped City Stars to earn promotion to the top-flight, was already booked to travel to his native country, as the league is taking a break for Christmas and New Year holidays.

“[Alagic] left the country last night [Wednesday], just after the game against Vihiga United,” the source told Goal. “He had already booked a flight to travel because City Stars were playing their last match before the league break and so he left immediately after the game.”

City Stars have already promised to investigate the matter by stating: “The allegations are grave, to say the least, and as a club, we have launched immediate investigations on the same,” the club communicated via their official portal.

“To get us to the bottom of the matter, we have asked for the footage of the recorded game and would urge anyone who was close by to share any videos and audios that can provide evidence on the same," the statement continued.

“Should there be any evidence we will take immediate action as our club policy does not condone any form or kind of racism as we believe in respect and dignity to all.”

Vihiga United have maintained their players were racially abused by the coach and have promised to lodge a complaint with FKF.

“When the ball went out and my players went for it, that is when [Sanjin] called them 'you black monkeys,” Yakhama told Goal on Wednesday.

“My players cannot be crazy and start accusing you of what you have not done. My players became furious saying 'this guy has just called us black monkeys,' and we had to calm them down.

“Maybe it was just a slip of tongue, but he cannot say he did not abuse my players.”

43-year-old Alagic was appointed City Stars coach last year and oversaw their promotion back to the top flight after a four-year absence. The Sarajevo-born coach, who holds a Uefa Pro License, held the reins for Bosnia's U21 team until 2019, having also worked at club sides in his homeland, as well as in Slovakian football, and in the Middle East.

Simba wa Nairobi are now fifth in the FKF Premier League on eight points after five matches, having scored five and conceded two goals.

Uganda striker Ben Ocen has promised to help the team perform well in the African Nations Championship (Chan) if he makes the final squad.

The Police FC forward is among the 28 provisional players who are preparing for the biennial competition that will be held in January 2021 in Cameroon. The attacker has further stated the training is going on well and he is learning to ensure he helps the East Africa nation in the forthcoming assignment.

"I am so happy again to be recalled on the national team, the training is going on well and we are learning a lot from our coaches," Ocen said.

"Looking at Chan as a player, I feel, if given the opportunity to go express my talent according to what I have learned and what am still learning from our coaches, it will help me be a greater player and help my team to perform very well as we go for Chan games."

Meanwhile, Cranes are sweating over the fitness of striker Muhamad Shaban who limped off from training on Wednesday.

The Vipers SC striker reportedly sustained a hamstring injury but will be assessed further.

The attacker had just made a return to football after a knee injury kept him out of action for 18 months.

The Johnathan Mckinstry-led charges will leave the country for West Africa where they will take part in a pre-Chan tournament that will also involve hosts Cameroon, Niger and Zambia. The competition will be played between January 1-7.

In the Chan competition, Uganda is in Group be alongside defending champions Morocco, Rwanda and Togo.

Uganda Cranes provisional squad

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

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

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

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

Zaidu Sanusi and Chancel Mbemba were in action as FC Porto beat Benfica 2-0 on Wednesday night to lift the Portuguese Super Cup title.

Sanusi was afforded his 15th appearance in the encounter after teaming up with the Blue and Whites from Santa Clara in the summer.

The Nigeria international started the game and formed part of a four-man defence along with the Democratic Republic of the Congo international Mbemba, Pepe and Wilson Manafa.

The full-back impressed in the encounter to help the Blue and Whites secure a record 22 Portuguese Super Cup title in their history.

Sergio Oliveira opened the scoring in the 25th minute of the game, converting his effort from the penalty spot.

Luis Diaz then sealed the victory in the 90th minute to ensure Porto continue their domination of the Super Cup.

Sanus featured for the duration of the match while Mbemba, who made his 17th appearance this season for Jorge Jesus’ men, was on parade for 76 minutes before he was replaced by Diogo Leite.

The African stars will be expected to continue their impressive performances when Porto take on Vitoria Guimaraes in their next league game on December 29.

Porto currently lie third on the table with 22 points from 10 games and will hope to close the four-point gap to league leaders Sporting to challenge for the league title.

Sanusi has previously featured for Gil Vicente, Mirandela before joining Santa Clara in 2019, where he made 24 league appearances during his one-year stay.

The full-back has three appearances for the Nigeria national team since he was afforded his debut against Algeria in October.

The 23-year-old left-back will hope to continue his fine form for Porto to enjoy more call-ups to the Super Eagles.

 Wakiso Giants coach Douglas Bamweyana has admitted he is disappointed with how the team started their campaign in the 2020-21 Ugandan Premier League (UPL).

The Purple Sharks are yet to win a match from the first five played, managing to secure five draws in the process to lie 10th on the 16-team table as the league takes a break for Christmas.

“I'm very disappointed with our returns so far,” Bamweyana said as quoted by the club’s official website . “Our performances certainly deserved a lot more than what we have - but that's football if your forwards are not as clinical as they should.”

On the team conceding in each match, Bamweyana said: “It's certainly the manner - which is clearly avoidable - that is the other concern. Lapses in concentration levels and refined speed of thought - as causes, but these are elements we can correct fast.”

Bamweyana also talked about the team’s blunt striking force saying they have to solve the issue before the league resumes in February.

“Now this right here is our biggest problem. We have a lot of creative players but truly lack genuine finishers,” Bwameyana continued.

“They get in many scoring positions and almost always make the wrong decisions to take an extra touch or dodge when shooting would be the ideal or easiest decision. We've emphasized this enough but don't see significant improvements. We will have to look out for a solution in this case and fast.”

On whether he is happy with the league taking a long break, Bamweyana explained: “I personally feel the break is unwelcome. First, we needed the next game fast to seek our first win - but also feel very unfortunate to only have drawn in games we feel we truly deserved to win and all of them for this matter! If only we were clinical in front of goal.”

On new signings arriving in the January window, the coach said: “We had full trust in our squad coming into the season - but feel disappointed with the attacking department. They certainly should have done more justice to the opportunities and moments that they enjoyed & nearly all are guilty of missing some easy chances... but Rome wasn't built in a day.

“We will assess the market seeking one or two finishers. On condition that the environment permits - it's a difficult window!”

UPDF top the table on 12 points from five matches while Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC) are second on 11 points, Police FC are third on 10 points, Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA FC) are fourth on nine points while champions Vipers SC are placed in position eight with seven points but from three matches played.

Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire are "irreplaceable", according to Gary Neville, who says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can't afford to rest the Manchester United duo.

Fernandes has built on an impressive start to life in Manchester by establishing himself as the team's driving force in the final third at the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

The Portuguese, who moved to Old Trafford from Sporting CP in a €55 million (£49m/$67m) deal back in January, has contributed 13 goals and seven assists to United's cause in his first 20 appearances this term.

His performances have helped Solskjaer's side rise to third in the Premier League standings, and he was in the starting line-up for a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Everton on Wednesday night.

Fernandes played the full 90 minutes of the Red Devils' 2-0 victory at Goodison Park, as did club captain Maguire, who did an admirable job of keeping in-form Toffees striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin quiet.

Maguire faced some criticism in the early stages of the season after a string of sub-par displays, but has gradually got back to his best level, and Neville thinks his continued presence will be vital to United's chances of success in 2021.

A member of the fabled Class of '92 squad thinks the England international is equally as important to Solskjaer's set-up as Fernandes, with the Norwegian head coach considered to be in a tough spot when it comes to rotating the two players heading into a crucial period.

Neville, who enjoyed an illustrious career at Old Trafford spanning 19 years, said on his Sky Sports Podcast: "They are the two players who I think are irreplaceable. Fernandes is irreplaceable, they are a way off without him. He’s a vital piece of the jigsaw.

"Maguire, I think, you’d know if he was missing. My gut feeling is that they would miss him enormously.

"I know some people say he’s not the best defender in the league, that he’s not done brilliantly since he came for £80m, but he’s a big presence in the heart of the defence.

"He’s good on the ball, he’s composed and he’s good in the air. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, sometimes he gets caught but he’s a good centre-back, a really good centre-back and a big presence in that team.

"Him and Fernandes, I’m not sure they can [rest them] at this moment in time because Ole hasn’t got the luxury to lose a game, unfortunately."

Fernandes and Maguire will both be back in action when the Red Devils take in a trip to Leicester City on Boxing Day.

Chippa United owner Siviwe Mpengesi says he will “embarrass” Safa’s bid to block Luc Eymael from working in South Africa while the coach’s lawyer Antoine Semeria has told the football governing body that it has “no authority to interfere” with his client’s freedom of movement.

This comes after Chippa sacked Lehlohonolo Seema on Tuesday and replaced him with Eymael who left his last job at Tanzanian giants Young Africans under a cloud after he was alleged to have referred to Young Africans supporters as monkeys and dogs.

The racism allegations have left Safa expressing “dismay” at “unrepentant racist” Eymael being appointed the Chilli Boys coach.

Safa also said they intend to petition the Minister of Home Affairs objecting the granting of a work permit to the Belgian and also report him to Fifa and charge him for “his despicable conduct.”

But Mpengesi has struck back, saying he is “not afraid of” Safa and is prepared to contest any action against Eymael.

“Those are allegations. We don’t look at the colour of the people, we don’t look at other people’s opinion. I asked him and the answer he gave me satisfied me,” Mpengesi told Marawa Sport Worldwide on Radio 2000 .

“As far as I know, he cleared his name with that club and we accepted him. Of course they were mentioning that he is a racist. It was their way of looking at things. Of course these were allegations and were not tested in any court of law, they were not tested before Fifa statutes so I am not going to entertain that.

“Even Safa cannot block him because he has not been found guilty. If they do that I will challenge them. Safa have a lot of things they are supposed to be focusing on where they are not doing right. They must not interfere in our private business.

“They must do things according to rules so they must come with the facts. We will also go to the Minister if they go to the Minister. I’m not afraid of them. But one thing I’m warning them about, Safa and Danny Jordaan, they must focus on their mandate to develop football because our kids are suffering out there.

“We will embarrass them. I’m going to defend the coach I have appointed until Fifa tell me otherwise. Safa must leave my coach alone and my team. We want this team to do well.”

Eymael has previously coached in the Premier Soccer League, taking charge of Polokwane City, Black Leopards and Free State Stars whom he guided to the 2018 Nedbank Cup triumph.

The coach’s lawyer has also hit back at Safa, telling them, “stop your practices.”

“You seem to be ignoring the principle of presumption of innocence. You have no authority to interfere with my client’s freedom of movement or his freedom to work. I therefore solemnly ask you to stop your practices and leave Mr Eymael free to join the club of his choice,” Semeria wrote in a letter also copied to the Fifa Ethics Committee.

Eymael is expected to arrive in South Africa before the end of the year.

There is no escaping the fact that Arsenal are in a Premier League relegation battle, says Nigel Winterburn, with the situation considered to have become “very, very worrying”.

Mikel Arteta’s side have become stuck in a serious rut this season, with the Gunners making their worst start to a campaign since 1974-75.

Dreams of European qualification are already starting to fade, with the north London heavyweights currently more concerned with events at the opposite end of the table.

Just four points separate Arsenal from the drop zone after 14 games, with Winterburn admitting that no team is too good to go down and that improvement is imperative at Emirates Stadium.

The former Gunners defender told The Sun of a team that has also crashed out of the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage: “When I left Arsenal and went to West Ham in my last season we had a fantastic team, but we got relegated.

“We couldn’t win a game of football. You go out with all good intentions, you might play well to start with, and you can’t score and boost that confidence.

“All of a sudden you get an individual error or you get a player sent off and your backs are against the wall, and you go on to not win the game.

“That’s exactly what happened at West Ham for a long period of time. I see similar things happening at Arsenal.

“They have got to get two back-to-back victories, very, very quickly. It’s no good saying ‘We’re only 14 games in, there’s time’.

“You can see the confidence is ebbing away from this team.

"They’re tentative, it’s almost as if they’re waiting for something to happen to react to, something against them rather than dictate the play.

“It’s very, very worrying because they’re not scoring many goals. If [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang doesn’t score, I don’t know who is.”

Winterburn added: “You can’t hide away from the fact we’re looking at the teams below us, rather than focusing on the teams above.

“It’s been such a strange season already in terms of results and up to a couple of weeks ago we were sitting in a similar position.

“I was thinking if we get a couple of wins in the next couple of games, we’d be sitting eighth or ninth in the league, a few points behind the top four teams.

“Then all of a sudden you lose those games and now you’re thinking the points difference is starting to get quite large to the European places.

“Then you look below you and see you’re only four points and a couple of teams above the relegation places, and it starts to make you feel really nervous.

“This team has got to get two back-to-back victories quickly and with that you get confidence. You get belief and you can try and get the season up and running.

“I’ve got to say, at the moment, it’s desperate. I’ve worked on most of the games this season, and it's quite a hard watch.

“I’m willing the team to be brave and go out and get on the front foot, even if it’s just a lucky goal when they’re on top in games. It’s not happening for them. You can’t hide from the fact it’s poor.”

Arsenal, who have gone seven games without a Premier League win stretching back to November 1, will return to top-flight action on Boxing Day when they play host to London rivals Chelsea.

John Barnes is not convinced that Mohamed Salah will be pushing for a move away from Liverpool, or that Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe would want a switch to Anfield if an attacking role did open up.

Speculation regarding possible comings and goings on Merseyside has been sparked again following a surprise admission from an Egyptian star.

Salah is tied to a contract with the reigning Premier League champions through to 2023, but he has left the door open for La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid to table bids for him at some stage.

Some have suggested that the 28-year-old is ready to take on a new challenge, which would leave Liverpool in need of another superstar forward to join their attacking ranks.

Dortmund striker Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain frontman Mbappe are said to be on the Reds’ recruitment radar, but Barnes is reluctant to be drawn into a debate based on rumours.

The Liverpool legend told BonusCodeBets: “Who said that either Kylian Mbappé or Haaland would want to come to Liverpool?

“This is the thing, just because one player goes, it doesn’t mean that one of these other superstars, in this case, Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe, are likely to sign as his replacement.

“These players will have to want to come to Liverpool to make it happen, and we haven’t seen anything concrete to say whether this is the case for these players.

“If Real Madrid also went in for Mbappe the same time that Liverpool did, who knows who he would choose?

“It’s a case of if Salah goes, who and when they could get someone. But to speculate who Liverpool can get when someone might be leaving doesn’t make sense at all.”

Barnes believes that Salah can be kept at Liverpool for the foreseeable future, with the former England international suggesting that too much has been made of supposed flirting with Spanish heavyweights.

He added: “Mohamed Salah is not necessarily paving the way for a move somewhere else with these comments.

“We know he’s happy at Liverpool, he’s playing well, and we are the European and League champions, which is also something to consider.

"People are always going to speculate and say, ‘would he be open to a move?’. Players will say yes, that doesn’t mean he isn’t happy at Liverpool.

“A move away might be something he is considering for further on in his career, but I wouldn’t read too much into his comments at all.

“Players will never say no to anything, if he said ‘I don’t want to go and play for Juventus or Real Madrid’ the fans of those clubs then see that as a negative thing, it could come back to bite him negatively if he was to sign for one of these teams in the future.

Posta Rangers head coach Sammy Omollo has promised to work on his team's finishing to stand a better chance of getting a win in forthcoming league assignments.

The Mailmen have not won any of their five games played in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League. They have lost once and drawn the remaining four, the latest one being a 1-1 draw against Bandari FC at Utalii Grounds on Wednesday.

"It has never been easy when Posta Rangers and Bandari meet, and it became even tougher when they scored against us because we had to double our efforts to get an equalizer," Omollo told Goal.

"I was impressed with my players' reaction after we conceded. They fought and ensured we scored.

"But it is a game that could have gone either way. Bandari had their chances especially from set-pieces, we also had our chances from set-pieces but none took them.

"It is something I will have to work on with my players, especially finishing on those set-pieces. But a point is not a bad result for us."

The tactician is hopeful his team is on the right track and will soon start getting wins consistently. 

"We have been playing tough games with good teams and I have to be content with the one point we get," Omollo added.

"It is also a challenge for us to up our game to stand a better chance of getting a win in our forthcoming game. A win will come, and once we get one, others will follow."

On Wednesday at Utalii Grounds, as the first half tempo was being set into motion Bandari forward Yema Mwana managed to knock down the postmen’s defense and bag a goal.

After the break, Posta Rangers got back in the game after Jackson Dwang put in an equalizer, to close the scores at 1-1.  

The Mailmen are now placed in the 11th position with four points. They have managed to score three goals and conceded six.

On their part, Bandari have collected five points from as many matches and they are placed fifth on the table. They have won one game, drawn two and lost as many games.

The Dockers have scored three goals and conceded five.

Nemanja Matic is feeling “very confident” ahead of Manchester United’s Carabao Cup derby date with arch-rivals City, with the Serbian midfielder of the opinion that the Red Devils are stronger than they were 12 months ago.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side reached three semi-finals in 2019-20, only to fall at that hurdle on each occasion.

Positive progress is being made in knockout competition once again, with another place in the last four of the League Cup secured this season.

Everton were sent packing at the quarter-final stage on Wednesday, with a late rally from United seeing them to a 2-0 victory at Goodison Park.

The draw has paired them with City once again, who edged them out 3-2 on aggregate over two legs in January 2020, and Matic is feeling optimistic regarding the Red Devils’ chances of exacting revenge.

He told MUTV after helping to down Everton: “This time I hope we will use our chance; we will do our best.

“I think that we are now in a better condition, a better moment. We play better football than last year, in my opinion. I'm very confident.”

United have rediscovered a spark in 2020-21, as they look to force their way into the Premier League title picture, with a midweek victory on Merseyside seeing them preserve a faultless away record in domestic competition.

Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial got the goals against Everton, with Matic saying of another morale-boosting success: “I'm very happy with our performance.

“I think that everyone who supports Manchester United is happy, because to come here to Goodison Park, it's not easy to control 90 minutes, and I think we did it.

“It was everything about us. We didn't allow them to create a lot of chances. So I think that we absolutely deserve to be in the semi-finals, and with some fantastic football also. We scored two goals, we created a lot of chances. I'm happy with everything that we saw in our team.”

He added, with United breaking the deadlock in the 88th minute: “Was it frustrating we hadn't scored before half-time? Yes, especially after the first 10-15 minutes.

“We had a lot of chances. We hit the post, some the keeper saved, but that's football. Sometimes you score, sometimes not, but the most important thing was that we kept that level of football for 90 minutes. We controlled the game and, at the end, the most important thing is [that we are in the] semi-finals.

“Everyone did a great job. I'm happy with everyone who played. Let's keep this momentum and this level of football.”

The Red Devils will be back in action on Boxing Day when they take in a trip to fellow title hopefuls Leicester.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt feels that his side “played very well again” and could have "comfortably" romped to victory had they not been let down by some poor finishing which saw them being held to a 0-0 draw by Primeiro de Agosto in Wednesday’s Caf Champions League first round, first leg clash.

It has been a similar story for Chiefs week in, week out as Hunt regularly bemoans his side’s lack of potency upfront.

At FNB Stadium on Wednesday, Amakhosi were up against the 2018 Champions League semi-finalists who have also established their name on the continent in recent seasons.

“I thought we played very well again, probably we should have won. If anybody watched the game, we should have won comfortably,” Hunt told Chiefs’ media.

“I am very disappointed but we certainly played very well over the 90 minutes. [Agosto are] are resilient, strong, good experience, they are a good team. But I thought we were really the better team. We have to score the chances we get.

“It was good play from us, good movement and we created some very good chances today.”

Chiefs now switch focus to the second leg away in Luanda on January 6 in what will be their first match of 2021.

A scoring draw would be enough for Amakhosi to reach the Champions League group stage and the coach believes they are poised for an away victory.

“They [Agosto] will be a totally different team there but we saw our team creating some chances. We will have a good chance to win there,” said Hunt.

Progressing the group stage would likely boost Chiefs’ confidence as they are curently struggling on the domestic front.

Since the beginning of the season, the Soweto giants have played 14 matches across all competitions and they were facing an Agosto side that had last been involved in competitive action in March.

Hunt and his men are now taking a brief festive season break but will return to training before the end of the year in preparation for the trip to Luanda.

“We are off for a couple of days and then we will be back in training again before the end of the year. So that’s pretty much the plan going forward,” Hunt said as he also revealed midfielder Philani Zulu picked up hamstring injury on Wednesday.

“Zulu’s hamstring was a problem but it’s part and parcel of the game,” said Hunt.

Chennaiyin FC coach Csaba László doesn’t believe that his side are the favourites going into the tie against East Bengal on Saturday evening.

The Red and Golds are searching for their first win while Chennaiyin FC are looking to establish themselves in the top half of the Indian Super League (ISL) table with a few consecutive victories.

They registered a 2-1 win over FC Goa in their last game, a match which they should have won by a bigger margin given the number of goal scoring opportunities they created.

“There is always pressure. If you get two victories in a row you get very close to the top four. And two defeats will see you go down very quickly. Even yesterday (FC Goa versus Jamshedpur), it was a very up and down game. Everyone is looking to win games and (it’s) not very tactical. It will be a tough game for us. They are a new team but they have adapted well. We have to concentrate very well and remain focussed,” said László.

They will miss the services of right-back Reagan Singh due to accumulation of four yellow cards. Edwin Vanspaul and Aimol Reamsochung are the two options Lazslo has to replace the suspended Singh.

“In football this is normal. I have a different solution to this problem. We will be able to replace him. He has surprised me very much with his performances. He has done a very good job. But we can definitely replace him,” said the former Uganda national team coach.

Chennaiyin FC have used Deepak Tangri in every game this season and the defensive midfielder has put in a consistent shift in each of the six matches. Rahim Ali too has been impressive from the bench and the former Indian Arrows forward scored the winner in the last match.

“At the beginning of the season, he was new for me. Ali and Deepak are two talented players. I had a target to give them more minutes and get them more involved. Deepak is interesting as he is a central defensive player but he can play as a number six.

“Ali didn't really understand what I was asking from him in the beginning. But after the injury, he is a changed player and he is understanding my needs. He is trying very much to show how good he is. We have to lead them the right way,” explained the former Dundee United coach.

Esmaël Gonçalves, known as Isma, picked up a hamstring injury against Mumbai City FC and the Chennaiyin FC coach was asked whether the former Pakhtakor Tashkent forward would be fit to start.

“I don't think so. He can play for 10-to-15 minutes. Maybe (start) for the next game (against ATK Mohun Bagan). But for this game, it will be better to rest him,” he replied.

He also spoke on the importance of rotating the squad in order to keep the players fresh as games come in thick and fast this season in the ISL.

“Rotation is good but we had some injuries. Rafa (Rafael Crivellaro) was tired (in one of the games) and we replaced him. I will see who is 100 per cent and then take a call. The yellow card issue is also there. When Isma gets back, we will have more options. But generally, rotation is good and we have been doing so,” signed off the experienced coach.

Ajax Amsterdam boss Erik ten Hag believes the club's fortunes in the Champions League could have been different had the likes of Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus maintained fitness during the campaign.

The Dutch giants have been dumped out of the elite European inter-club championship after finishing third in Group D behind Liverpool and Italian outfit Atalanta.

A summer signing, Kudus was substituted after just six minutes on his Champions League debut when Ajax hosted Liverpool on match day one of the competition in October.

"If everything had gone well, we could have qualified for the knockout phase. That was just not our expectations. We've lost core players for seven years in two years," ten Hag said, as reported by AD.

"The reality is that we don't have a Champions League side at the moment. We have to build on that again.

"Players like [David] Neres and Kudus, like [Ryan] Gravenberch, could have made a great move in their development had they been fit. Then it might have been possible [to qualify to the knockout stage]."

Ajax signed Kudus from Danish fold Nordsjaelland in a five-year deal in July. He was just beginning to find his feet in Amsterdam when he suffered the injury setback.

The 20-year-old has, however, resumed training after two months in the treatment room.

"A certain, broad core is needed, especially now that a lot of matches are coming up," ten Hag explained.

"All we can do is make sure we take action and have a wide selection so that we can accommodate it. It is not so important what our competitors are doing.

"What matters is what we do. Conditionally we are good. Hopefully a number of players will reconnect soon. If we have to play with this group in January, it will be tough. If you look back this year, we have had immense problems.

"The injuries of [Hakim] Ziyech, [Daley] Blind, Kudus and Neres. All strongholds who can make a difference. But we were able to absorb it all in terms of football."

Kudus is expected to complete his injury return when Ajax face rivals PSV after the Christmas break in January.