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Jose Mourinho is now without a win in his last six matches against his former clubs after Tottenham could only draw 1-1 against Manchester Unite d on their return to Premier League action.

A late penalty from Bruno Fernandes cancelled out Steven Bergwijn’s first-half opener at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday evening to deny Mourinho victory against the side he left 18 months ago.

It means the Portuguese has now lost four and drawn two of his last six matches against his former clubs in all competitions, taking just one point from four Premier League games against Chelsea and Manchester United this season.

To add to Mourinho’s frustration, the draw extends what was already the worst winless run of his managerial career. The north London club are now without a victory in seven games in all competitions, losing four and drawing three, their worst run for nearly four years.

That poor run includes a Champions League defeat by RB Leipzig and penalty shootout loss to Norwich in the FA Cup immediately prior to the coronavirus shutdown in March, ending any hopes of lifting silverware for this season.

They also face a battle to qualify for the Champions League next campaign, with Friday’s draw leaving them in down eighth place in the Premier League, six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea who travel to Aston Villa on Sunday.

That stuttering run of form is in sharp contrast to their opponents Manchester United, who are now without defeat in 12 matches, winning eight and drawing four. They have scored 30 goals in that time while conceding just three.

It is the club’s best run of form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, eclipsing the 11-match unbeaten run at the start of his Red Devils tenure in December 2018.

That form has raised hopes of securing a place in the Champions League next season, with the club now just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

They also remain in the Europa League, where they hold a 5-0 lead first-leg over LASK in the last-16, and the FA Cup, where they take on Norwich in the rearranged quarter-final on June 27.

Jose Mourinho bemoaned the lack of options available to him in the wake of Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Manchester United , saying that he has "no bench to react" to Friday's Premier League return.

Spurs were playing their first match since the coronavirus outbreak, facing off with fellow top-four hopefuls Manchester United in a match that saw the two teams split points behind goals from Steven Bergwijn and Bruno Fernandes.

As a result of the extended break, several key Tottenham players returned to health, with Harry Kane and Heung-min Son returning to the lineup after injuries early this season.

However, Mourinho was left without Dele Alli and Lucas Moura on the day, with the former suspended while the latter missed out due to an injury suffered in training.

Without the duo, Mourinho turned to the likes of Gedson Fernandes and Giovani Lo Celso, only using two of the five substitutes permitted as part of the Premier League's return.

"Happy with things and unhappy with others," Mourinho told Sky Sports following the draw. "What did I like? I liked the team attitude, organisation, control, being solid. Giving to United what they don't like.

"Unhappy with the fact that the way I was reading the game I had no bench to react to it. When they became more dominant we were tired up front and could not press."

He added: "The players did fantastic work defensively - they had two dangerous shots that Hugo Lloris saved and nothing else. Everything else was under control. For 70 minutes, when we had the energy, we were strong with the ball and we knew what we wanted to do.

"I have to admit for the last 15 minutes I would love to have had Lucas Moura here, Dele Alli here. The last 15 minutes were difficult for us.

"Lucas and Dele are players we need and we could feel that today. When you look to their bench and then to ours the difference in attacking options. Hopefully, they will be back for West Ham because in this moment it is very, very important to change players."

Mourinho pointed to the wealth of options on Manchester United's bench, with his counterpart, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, turning to Paul Pogba, Odion Ighalo, Mason Greenwood, Nemanja Matic and Eric Bailly, with Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard among the unused substitutes.

"It was not just Paul," he said. "They had Ighalo, they had Jesse, which is a guy who can change a game, Juan. That's what the five changes can do when you have options."

Spurs will be back in action on Tuesday as they play host to West Ham, while Manchester United are at home to Sheffield United on Wednesday. 

Jean-Pierre Nsame scored a hat-trick as Young Boys defeated FC Zurich 3-2 to move to the top of the Swiss Super League table.

The Swiss top-flight resumed on Friday after a four-month suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic since February.

Seven minutes after Nigeria's Tosin Aiyegun broke the deadlock at the Stade de Suisse in the 25th minute, the Cameroon international drew the hosts level but Benjamin Kololli restored FC Zurich's lead in the 38th minute as they went into the break ahead.

The visitors preserved their lead after the restart until the final 10 minutes of the encounter when Nsame scored two quick-fire goals to turn the game around in favour of Gerardo Seoane’s side.

The 27-year-old equalised for Young Boys in the 81st minute and scored the match-winning goal four minutes later.

The hat-trick stretched Nsame’s tally to 21 goals after 22 games in the Swiss Super League this season, making him the league’s top scorer and two goals short of his personal goalscoring record in a single season.

It was also the second time the Indomitable Lions forward scored three goals in a league game this campaign, having previously scored three against Sion back in November.

The victory shot Young Boys to the summit of the league table with 48 points after 24 matches, three points above second-placed St. Gallen who have an outstanding fixture.

Nsame was in action alongside his compatriot Moumi Ngamaleu who was later replaced in the 66th minute.

Young Boys will be aiming to build on Friday’s win when they visit bottom-placed Thun for their next league fixture on Tuesday.

After developing his game in French Ligue 1 club Angers, Nsame moved to Swiss second division side Servette in 2016 where he spent a season before teaming up with the Boys a year later.

Internationally, the Douala-born attacker has made two appearances for the Indomitable Lions so far since his debut call-up in 2017.

He made his Cameroon debut against Nigeria during the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in 2017, and he featured in an international friendly against Zambia two years later in Majadahonda before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has played down a late penalty overturned by VAR in his side’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Friday.

In the Red Devils’ first match back after the coronavirus break, they made a slow start and fell behind in the opening period to a Steven Bergwijn strike.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side mounted a comeback in the second half, drawing level when their January addition from Sporting CP converted from the penalty spot, but they were denied an opportunity to beat Hugo Lloris in identical fashion late in the game.

Initially, they had been awarded a spot-kick after Fernandes went down under pressure under a challenge from Eric Dier, who had been the guilty party when substitute Paul Pogba was felled in similar circumstances earlier in the half. However, the call went to VAR and was overturned when it became evident that there had been no foul.

Fernandes was circumspect over the incident, however.

"At the end, I kicked the ball and then found his foot. The VAR is here to help, if it says no penalty we have to accept," he told Sky Sports .

Meanwhile, he indicated that he felt Man Utd had done a strong evening’s work at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where there were no fans in attendance owing to measures designed to stop the spread of the virus.

"We did very well. It was a difficult game. They scored on the counter but we were in the game. We had a lot of chances,” the playmaker commented.

"We want to win every game bit a good result. After a long stop, we did very well. We have to think about qualifying for the Champions League.”

Since arriving in January, it was the first time he enjoyed competitive pitch time with Paul Pogba, and he says that there is already a connection between the two players.

"When we train in groups, I train with Pogba. I found a good connection with everyone, though,” he said. “Paul won the penalty and I kicked it.”

Man Utd have moved up to fifth in the Premier League standings after Friday’s fixture.

Kenneth Omeruo and Chidozie Awaziem featured as Leganes secured a 1-1 draw against Mallorca in Friday’s La Liga game at Visit Mallorca Estadi.

Since the resumption of the Spanish top-flight after the coronavirus break, the Cucumber Growers clinched their first point against the Vermilions.

The Estadio Municipal de Butarque outfit have lost their previous two games against Real Valladolid and league leaders Barcelona.

In an effort to return to winning ways and keep a clean sheet, manager Javier Aguirre paired Omeruo and Awaziem along with Unai Bustinza at the heart of the defence.

It was, however, their hosts that opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Salva Sevilla but they battled to equalize and avoid a third consecutive defeat, with the Super Eagles stars starring.

Omeruo won five aerial contests in the encounter and had a 75% successful pass rate while his compatriot Awaziem played two shots and made one tackle.

Oscar Rodriguez scored the equalizing goal with three minutes left to play to help Leganes pick their 24th point in 30 games this season.

Omeruo featured for the duration of the game while his compatriot Awaziem was on parade for 81 minutes before making way for Javier Aviles.

Cameroonian midfielder Ibrahim Amadou played for 62 minutes before he was replaced by Miguel Angel Guerrero while Ivory Coast international Roger Assale featured for 81 minutes.

The African stars will hope to help Leganes return to winning ways when they face Granada, who will be expected to feature Nigeria’s Ramon Azeez, on June 22.

Omeruo and Awaziem have made 21 league appearances for the Cucumber Growers this campaign and will hope to continue their consistent performances.

The duo are key member of the Super Eagles and were part of the side that won a bronze medal at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Frank Lampard has no qualms about picking Willian or Pedro this weekend despite their contracts expiring just nine days after the away trip to Aston Villa.

Chelsea are currently locked in talks with the pair about temporary extensions to their contracts so they can finish the season in west London.

However, Pedro has reached a pre-contract arrangement with Italian giants Roma, which is leaving doubts about his availability for the upcoming matches.

Willian hasn't agreed on a move away from Chelsea but he has yet to agree on an extension until the end of the season after his request for a new three-year contract was rejected.

Having seen Ryan Fraser look to leave Bournemouth before the end of the season, Lampard is hoping that his two forwards don't opt to do the same.

Instead, he hopes that they stay on and help his side qualify for \d Champions League football next season.

"We want them to extend their stay and make sure they can see out the season," Lampard told reporters via a Zoom conference call. "I see both sides. I see the individual player because I was one, and I respect that they have both been great servants to the club.

"I’ve had nothing but open conversations with them. We’re just trying to make that extension happen. The players have to be happy. We have to be happy. Hopefully, we can get there before the 23rd of June, next week, because that’s the day we have to get it done by.

"Anyone around us knows that. So we will keep talking and hopefully they stay on."

There are concerns that players negotiating free transfers away from their clubs will be cautious about lining up due to the risk of getting injured in the final weeks of the season ahead of a lucrative move.

Lampard has refuted suggestions that Pedro has told him that he is unwilling to play and he knows he can rely on his two elder statesmen.

"Pedro is certainly available," he continued. "He actually had a bit of a bang on his ankle last week but he’s fit and wanting to train. He’s going to get some painkillers. It’s one of those impact kind of injuries that hang around a bit but he’s training well.

"So is Willian. I have got absolutely no worries about motivation. They are both top class professionals and have been great servants to the club. They’ve trained really well in this last three-and-a-half week period, which has been a tough physical period for them.

"I’ve got no issues at all with their motivation. Every time they put on a Chelsea shirt, as they have done for years, they will give everything."

Indeed, their absences could have left Lampard with problems as Callum Hudson-Odoi missed both their pre-restart friendlies due to a minor ankle knock.

It came after the 19-year-old broke the United Kingdom lockdown to meet a woman who accused him of rape, which is a charge that has since been dropped by the Metropolitan Police.

After keeping in contact with Hudson-Odoi throughout the ordeal, Lampard wants his academy graduate to put it behind him and deliver on the pitch.

"I’m very happy that in the eyes of the law it’s been sorted out," he concluded. "That was my main concern at first. So that’s positive for us. I’m very sympathetic to the idea that we’re not angels or saints and we make mistakes, particularly at a young age.

"I will never be one to come down too harshly, albeit we have had conversations, myself and Callum. The big conversations with Callum now is to make sure he learns his lesson from what happened. He broke lockdown and that wasn’t good enough.

"He has admitted that and we move on. The next thing is to train consistently at a really high level to work hard in training every day. He came back from lockdown and got injured early in this period so now he has to work hard to get fit again.

"As much as the pitfalls off the pitch I want to see how he can work on the training pitch and get into this team, and perform to levels we all believe he can. It doesn’t come easy. That’s the big thing I say to Callum a lot and something he really has to take on board now."

Mikel Arteta has confirmed he wants to sign Pablo Mari on a permanent basis this summer despite the defender's season-ending injury.

The Spanish defender arrived from Brazilian side Flamengo on loan in January and has made just three appearances for the Gunners.

He was injured during Wednesday night’s defeat at Manchester City and is now expected to miss the remainder of the campaign with ankle ligament damage.

But Arteta says the injury will not change his plans for the summer and that securing Mari permanently remains a priority.

“Yes,” said Arsenal’s head coach, when asked directly if we wants to complete a permanent move for the 26-year-old.

“This cannot be affected just because a player gets injured doing his job and defending our club.”

Arsenal paid Flamengo an initial loan fee of £4.25 million ($5.5m) to take the 26-year-old in January, it was a deal that included an option to make the move permanent for a further figure of £8m ($9.9m) paid in several installments.

Flamengo vice president Marcos Braz said on Friday that a permanent deal was already agreed, something that has since been denied by sources at Arsenal - but Arteta is hoping the Gunners hierarchy take up the option despite the financial uncertainity that is currently surrounding the club.

With William Saliba arriving this summer following his season-long loan at Saint-Etienne, he and Mari could form a new look partnership in the heart of Arsenal’s defence next season.

Meanwhile, Arteta has praised Ainsley Maitland-Niles for the way he has responded to the challenge issued to him just before football was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The young midfielder had struggled for game time under Arteta, making just three brief substitute appearances in two months before lockdown.

And speaking after the FA Cup win at Portsmouth in March, Arteta publicly challenged the 22-year-old to prove to him he wanted to succeed at his boyhood club.

“Ainsley needs to put his head down and work hard and show me every day in training that he wants it more than anyone else, he wants to play for this club and fight for his place,” said Arsenal’s head coach.

It appears those words had the desired impact, with Maitland-Niles coming off the bench midway through the second half of Wednesday night’s 3-0 defeat at City.

And, ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brighton in the Premier League, Arteta admits he is much happier with the youngster’s commitment levels and attitude.

“Much better,” said the Spaniard. “We discussed that during the lockdown and he has changed a lot of things, a lot of positive things.

“He is a really honest kid. We know him from the academy and the way he has developed here and he has all the attributes and qualities to become a really important player, it’s up to him.”

Steven Bergwijn wrote himself into the Tottenham history books after his strike against Manchester United on Friday ensured he continued his flying start to life in north London.

Bergwijn skipped past two Red Devils defenders before powering a shot past David De Gea to put Tottenham ahead in the 27th minute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It was the Netherlands forward’s third goal for Tottenham in three home Premier League appearances since his £25 million ($33m) move from PSV in January, following strikes in the victory over Manchester City and defeat to Wolves.

In doing so Bergwijn became just the second player to score in each of their first three Premier League home games for the club after his compatriot Rafael van der Vaart, who notched in games against Wolves, Aston Villa and Everton in the autumn of 2010 following his summer move from Real Madrid.

Van der Vaart would go on to score 15 goals in 35 appearances in his debut season in north London, with the club finishing fifth in the Premier League and reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The assist was credited to Serge Aurier, his eighth of the season. Only Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has more assists in all competitions among Premier League defenders than the Ivorian with 14.

The goal was not enough to earn Tottenham all three points, however. Bruno Fernandes, who like Bergwijn moved to the Premier League in January, converted a penalty with nine minutes remaining after substitute Paul Pogba had been fouled by Eric Dier in the area to earn Manchester United a point.

It was Fernandes’ fourth goal in 11 appearances for the Red Devils since his move from Sporting during the winter window.

The Portuguese thought he had the chance to double his tally and secure all three points when referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot again after the midfielder went down under a challenge by Dier. But replays showed there was no contact between the two players, with the VAR official overuling the decision.

The draw meant Manchester United missed the chance to overtake Chelsea and move into fourth place. Tottenham meanwhile stay eighth and are now without a win in six games in all competitions.

Bruno Fernandes converted a late penalty won by Paul Pogba to secure Manchester United a 1-1 draw away at top-four rivals Tottenham on Friday.

Steve Bergwijn's 27th-minute opener appeared set to give Jose Mourinho a much-needed victory over his former employers, with Spurs aiming to make a late charge to qualify for next season's Champions League.

However, United were rewarded for an improved second-half display with a deserved equaliser, Pogba - on as a substitute as he returned after a long injury lay-off - producing a burst into the box that tempted a rash challenge from Eric Dier.

Fernandes showed excellent composure to fire home from 12 yards out, sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way, as the visitors extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 games. 

It appeared the Portuguese would have the chance to score again from the spot when referee Jonathan Moss adjudged he had been fouled by Dier in the 90th minute, but a VAR check reversed the on-field call.

Still, United's equaliser denied their old boss from closing the gap in the Premier League table, meaning the fifth-placed Red Devils remain four points clear of Spurs. 

Marcus Rashford – who had raised his right fist skywards as he took a knee along with the rest of the players in support of the Black Lives Matter movement prior to kick-off – was denied a goal on his comeback during a tepid first half following the coronavirus-enforced break, his snap shot kept out by Lloris' left foot. 

Not long after the reprieve, Spurs opened the scoring at the other end thanks to a player of their own back in action again. 

Bergwijn – unavailable prior to the break due to an ankle injury - glided beyond Harry Maguire before unleashing a firm right-footed shot that David de Gea failed to keep out, the ball striking the goalkeeper and going up into the net. 

De Gea did better when turning Son Heung-min's header over before the break yet was largely a spectator for the rest of proceedings, a tiring Spurs team pinned back as they attempted to preserve their narrow lead.

Lloris spectacularly denied fellow Frenchman Anthony Martial but was finally beaten in the 81st minute, Fernandes tucking away the opportunity to secure a point.

What does it mean? Drawing the positives

Knocked out of the FA Cup and the Champions League prior to the interruption in the campaign, Spurs have now gone seven games without a win, albeit this was an improved display. 

Mourinho appeared set for the kind of grind-it-out success he built his reputation on. Instead, United's strength in depth made a difference to the outcome, with a point apiece good news for fourth-placed Chelsea, who travel to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Fernandes shows his class again 

Rashford was the player in focus, having already enjoyed a high-profile success off the field when successfully lobbying for the extension of the food voucher scheme offered to vulnerable school children. However, Fernandes again caught the eye. He has now been involved in six goals, scoring three, in the Premier League since his arrival in January.

Dave saves? Perhaps not 

De Gea's failure to deal with Bergwijn's right-footed drive led to a stinging assessment from Roy Keane. Summarising for Sky Sports, the former United skipper said of the Spaniard: "He is the most overrated goalkeeper I have seen in a long time." His position as number one at the club will no doubt come into question again, particularly with Dean Henderson impressing while on loan at Sheffield United. 

Key Opta facts

- Spurs are winless in seven games in all competitions (D3 L4), their worst run since November 2016 (also seven without a win). 
- Manchester United are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions (W8 D4), scoring 30 goals and conceding just three in that run. 
- Steven Bergwijn became only the second player to score in his first three home Premier League appearances for Spurs, after Rafael van der Vaart in 2010. 
- Since the start of last season, Manchester United have both taken (23) and scored (16) more penalties than any other Premier League side.  
- Jose Mourinho has won none of his last six matches against his former clubs in all competitions (D2 L4), taking just one point from four Premier League matches against Chelsea and United this season (D1 L3). 

What's next?  

Spurs have home advantage again on Tuesday when they welcome West Ham. As for United, they are in action the following day, hosting another team with top-four hopes in Sheffield United.

Jennifer Cudjoe has signed for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) side Sky Blue, the American club has confirmed.

The Ghana international joined Freya Coombe's team on a six-month deal from Women's Premier Soccer League side Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves after her excellent outing last season.

Cudjoe will be joining Sky Blue with a wealth of international experience after she had represented Ghana at the U17 and U20 Women’s World Cups and now starring for the Black Queens

At club level, the 26-year-old launched her career in the US at Northeastern State University, where she earned the NJCAA Player of the Year award in 2014 with WPSL side Asheville City SC.

The Black Queens midfielder was signed along with midfielder Nicole Baxter and defender Cassidy Benintente for this year's NWSL Challenge Cup which commences on June 27.

Commenting on her signing, head coach Freya Coombe expressed his delight, while extolling the qualities of the Ghanaian midfielder. 

"Jennifer was a surprise coming out of open tryouts and is a great addition, bringing a different dimension to our offense as well as adding quality on both sides of the ball,” Coombe told the  club website .

Having completed her move, the Northeastern State University graduate will be the second African at the club after Cameroon international Estella Johnson, who arrived in January 2019.

Cudjoe will be hoping for an impactful outing on her first professional campaign when the Sky Blue take the field in the 2020 season as they start their season against OL Reigns on June 30.

It’s fair to say that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United did not get off to the best of starts after the coronavirus break.

While the Red Devils seemed to approach their opening fixture after a three-month absence in buoyant mood – aided in no small part to Marcus Rashford’s admirable efforts for charity – they were rapidly brought back down to earth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as they fell behind to a goal from Steven Bergwijn.

From a defensive perspective, it was a disappointing goal to concede, with the Dutchman allowed to gather possession around 40 yards from goal and cut a path easily through the defence before blasting a shot through David de Gea.

It was the latest mistake from the keeper, who was once considered one of the best in the world in his position but who has struggled to find his best form for several months. 

While the Spain international should have done more than palm the opening goal into the roof of the net, it was a move that should have been stopped closer to source as Harry Maguire was much too easily beaten by the exciting attacker, as the world’s most expensive defender was slow on the turn.

Unsurprisingly, the reaction to the goal on social media was brutal.

Roy Keane’s passionate rant about the goalkeeper’s shortcomings also inspired numerous posts as well. 

Roy Keane has launched an extraordinary attack on David De Gea, saying he wanted to punch the Manchester United goalkeeper for his first-half performance against Tottenham on Friday.

Keane did not hold back when assessing United’s performance in the opening 45 minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with De Gea bearing the brunt of his ire.

The former United skipper felt De Gea should have done much better for Steven Bergwijn’s opener, with defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw also coming in for stinging criticism for their failure to stop the Netherlands forward’s darting run into the penalty area.

“I’m shocked at that goal,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve watched a lot of football over the years, but to give away that goal, I’m fuming here watching this game of football.

“I am sick to death of this goalkeeper. I would be fighting him at half time. There’s no getting away from it, I would be swinging punches. It's a standard save for an established international goalkeeper. I am flabbergasted.

“I can’t believe Shaw is heading the ball up in the air and running forward. I’m staggered at Maguire, that an international player, you can’t get done like this.

"If I were Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer, I would] make some stages, get some lads off the pitch. Players are going through the motions a little bit. Not that United have been bad, but you’ve got to flex your muscles and impose your personality on the game.

"Spurs have done OK, they have been compact, but United?

“Maguire and De Gea, I wouldn’t even let them on the bus after the match. Let them get a taxi back up to Manchester.

“These are international players, we can analyse the game until to the cows come home. You do your job, we’re trying to get onto the top four, God forbid about winning trophies.

“I’m disgusted. Maguire, De Dea, hang your heads in shame. You're playing for Manchester United and you're letting players run past you? Get close to people, move your feet. 

"De Gea. The most over-rated goalkeeper I’ve seen in a long, long time.”

The goalkeeper has played 32 matches for Manchester United, including 29 in the Premier League.

Samuel Chukwueze helped Villarreal chinch a 1-0 victory against Ramon Azeez’s Granada in Friday’s La Liga game at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.

The Yellow Submarine have won all their games since the Spanish top-flight resumed after its suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak in Spain and across the world.

Villarreal started with a 1-0 win against Celta Vigo at Abanca-Balaidos before recording the same scoreline against Mallorca on Tuesday, with Chukwueze playing a key role in the outings.

Against Granada, the Nigeria international started from the bench along with his compatriot Azeez, who plies his trade for the Nazaries.

The Yellow Submarine hit the ground running with Gerard Moreno opening the scoring as early as the 11th-minute after he was set up by Ruben Pena, which proved to be the decisive goal in the encounter.

In an effort to ensure his side secures a comfortable lead, manager Javier Calleja brought on Chukwueze for Javier Ontiveros in the 65th minute.

The Super Eagles winger had a 67% successful pass rate, won one aerial contest in the encounter and made one tackle in an effort to help his side maintain their lead.

He was, however, shown a yellow card after he tackled his compatriot Azeez, who was introduced in the 61st-minute, from behind.

Azeez, on the other hand, had a 77% successful pass rate in the game and had two shots, with one hitting the target, but his effort was not enough to help his side avoid defeat at home.

With the result, Villarreal are seventh on the league table with 47 points from 30 games while Granada are ninth with 42 points from the same number of matches.

While Chukwueze will hope to help his side continue their winning form when they face Sevilla, Azeez will look forward to playing a key role as Granada aim to bounce back against Leganes, who will be expected to parade two Super Eagles stars in Kenneth Omeruo and Awaziem Chidozie on June 22.

Chukwueze has been a key member of the Nigeria national team since making his debut for the West Africans in 2019.

The forward, who has 13 caps for the Super Eagles, was part of Gernot Rohr’s team that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Azeez, meanwhile, only recently returned to the national team after a five-year absence and has six caps for the side.

The duo will hope to keep on with their consistent performances in the Spanish top-flight in order to continue playing key roles for the Super Eagles.

Former Hearts of Oak attacker Kofi Abanga wants the club and arch-rivals Asante Kotoko to stop priding themselves in past glories.

The two sides are the biggest clubs in Ghana, sharing a combined 42 Premier League titles between them.

Hearts last lifted the trophy in 2009 while Kotoko's last success came in 2014.

“Football has changed. There’s been a lot of additions, so it's about time these two clubs put behind things like 'we’ve won a cup 11 years or 10 years ago,” Abanga told Ghanasportspage.

“We have to assume we’ve not won any cup. If we continue to pride ourselves in those assertions that we’ve won the cup 11 or 10 years ago, I think it will go against the clubs.

“It’s time the two teams sit and reflect on how they can move forward to win new trophies and stop those archaic things. We have to put those things behind and focus on how the team can win a cup, that’s the most important thing.

“If you look at a player like Samuel Affum, he was promoted from Hearts of Oak’s youth team to the senior team and he was super.

“It’s about time the two clubs paid attention to their youth sides and also hire some of their old players who have knowledge in the game to help with scouting and to occupy some coaching positions.

"This can help them build a winsome side and to maintain the clubs' identity."

Hearts have won the Premier League on 19 occasions, four titles fewer than rivals Kotoko.

The Phobians have also won the FA Cup 10 times, the last success coming as far back as 2000.

Kotoko, meanwhile, have lifted the cup nine times, the last in 2017.

The Phobians won the last of their two Ghana Super Cup titles in 1998 while Kotoko clinched their last of three golds in 2014.

At continental level, Hearts conquered Africa as they grabbed the Caf Champions League in 2000, a year before winning the Super Cup. In 2004, the Accra-based side won the Caf Confederation Cup. 

Kotoko were African champions in 1970 and 1983.

The Tshwane giants have decided against extending the 27-year-old's contract which will expire at the end of this month.

Tembo indicated Mnyamane was not part of his plans anymore and that it was best for him to move to a club where he will get some game time.

“We need to start thinking forward and see where we want to go because those are top players," Tembo told The Citizen.

"You would rather have them playing rather than have them sitting on the bench. It gets frustrating because they want to be on the pitch and they are getting older.

"The only way we can try and give them that opportunity is to maybe allow them to go somewhere and play.”

Mnyamane played just three PSL matches and hit the back of the net once for SuperSport this season, which has been suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic since March.

The former University of Pretoria marksman has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and he ended up falling out of favour under Tembo.

However, Tembo still has all the confidence in Mnyamane, who helped Matsatsantsa clinch three major trophies, two MTN8 trophies and one Nedbank Cup.

“No one can doubt Mnyamane’s quality. He is an intelligent player who has got goals in him," he said.

"I think for the past three seasons he has not played much because of injuries and sometimes in football it might be because of the environment.

"But we also tried to get him to full fitness but he has been very unlucky with the injuries and I think he is one player who has got age on his side.

"If he can grow past injuries, I think he can still play."

Mnyamane, who scored on his Bafana Bafana debut against Eswatini in a friendly match in 2015, has been linked with a move to Stellenbosch FC in recent weeks.

The left-footer played his best football under current Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker, who mentored him at the University of Pretoria between 2013 and 2015.

Former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has found a new job in the Indian Super League (ISL). 

Baxter signed a two-year deal with Odisha FC ahead of the seventh edition of the ISL. 

Odisha took to their social media platforms to announce the deal after weeks of being linked with the veteran manager. 

Baxter had been without a job for almost a year after resigning as head coach of South Africa in 2019. 

His agent, Steve Kapeluschnick, hinted his client would like to return to the PSL but it looks like it will take some time before he could come back. 

He was previously linked with a possible return to Chiefs but he confirmed being approached just once by the Soweto giants - and that was in 2018 when the club was in search of Steve Komphela's replacement. 

On joining the club, the experienced coach told the Indian media: "I'm pleased to say that Odisha FC and I have reached an agreement for the upcoming ISL season. The vision of the Sharma family for the club representing the sporting state of Odisha is an exciting one with development, teamwork and cooperation with our stakeholders serving as cornerstones for the task ahead.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of Indian football and the opportunity to develop players and coaches in India. I'd like to wish all the supporters, players and staff good health during these testing times. Together we will bring joy and success to the region."

Baxter enjoyed huge success with both Chiefs and SuperSport United before accepting the offer to coach Bafana Bafana. 

At Amakhosi, Baxter won four major trophies, including two league titles in 2013 and 2015. 

He won back-to-back Nedbank Cup trophies with Matsatsantsa in 2016 and 2017. 

Baxter's second stint with Bafana was met with criticism but he did fairly well during his two-year stint. 

His biggest challenge was helping South Africa qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup - something that Bafana Bafana failed to do under Baxter's stewardship. 

Baxter would redeem himself by qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals where the 1996 champions exited the tournament at the quarter-final stage.

However, a section of football fans in the country wasn't impressed at all with Baxter's tactics and team selection - and called for his sacking.  

The South African Football Association (Safa) did not heed to calls for Baxter's head and actually wanted the coach to continue until after the 2022 Fifa World Cup finals. 

But the coach felt the pressure was too much and he therefore resigned and went back to Sweden.   

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reiterated his belief that Paul Pogba is one of the best players in the world and insists he will get his chance back in the Manchester United side in the coming weeks.

Pogba was only named among the substitutes in United’s first match back after the coronavirus shutdown against Tottenham on Friday.

The France international has not featured for the Red Devils since Boxing Day because of persistent foot and ankle injuries that have restricted him to just eight appearances all season. But the unexpected break because of the coronavirus pandemic has given the midfielder extra time to full recover, and he is now ready to play a full part in the remaining weeks of the season.

When he has made it on the pitch the 27-year-old has struggled for consistency in a red shirt, with speculation over a potential transfer never far away.

His situation was complicated still further because of the increasingly fractious relationship between the club’s hierarchy and his agent Mino Raiola, who publicly criticised Solskjaer earlier this season.

Real Madrid and former club Juventus have been regularly linked with a move for the midfielder and his exclusion on Friday did little to quell those who feel Pogba’s future lays away from Old Trafford.

Solskjaer, though, was keen to play down such assertions and insists Pogba will soon get his chance.

“Paul Pogba is one of the best players in the world and he has been training hard, training well but I need to make sure I look after everyone,” the Norwegian told Sky Sports. “We have the Europa League, FA Cup and Paul will gradually play more and a vital part."

Solskjaer also praised striker Marcus Rashford, who made news away from football this week after his lobbying of the United Kingdom government led to a U-turn as a food voucher scheme for vulnerable school children was extended beyond term time.

"When you are happy outside football, you will be happy on the pitch,” added Solskjaer.

"Marcus Rashford is a fine human being, a fine young man and he has been looking good in training. We will see the best from him.”

Odion Ighalo is among the nine substitutes Manchester United have selected for their Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

The 31-year-old is yet to start a Premier League match for the Red Devils since his January signing from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua with four substitute appearances in the English top-flight.

With Ighalo on the bench, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial lead Manchester United's attack as they aim for their 13th league win of the season.

During the suspension of football in England, the former Super Eagles striker signed an extended temporary deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until January 2021.

The former Watford striker has managed an impressive goalscoring return in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team with a tally of four goals after eight matches across all competitions.

Ivory Coast’s Eric Bailly is another African star on United’s bench and he will be aiming to make his third Premier League appearance of the season on Friday.

His compatriot Serge Aurier earned his spot in Tottenham Hotspur’s starting XI – his 25th appearance in the English top-flight this term.

Jose Mourinho's side are eighth on the league table 41 points after 29 matches, four points behind fifth-placed Manchester United.

Harambee Stars and Zesco United goalkeeper Ian Otieno has stated he grew into a better player while at AFC Leopards.

Otieno, who joined Zesco United in the last transfer window, detailed how his career started at amateur teams and how he ended up at two Kenyan Premier League (KPL) sides - Posta Rangers and AFC Leopards.

“My love for football came at a very young age,” said the Kenyan keeper.

“The day I started kicking whatever I could kick when growing up in Ruiru Nairobi and football was all I loved.

“I started off as a number seven. Then one day we were playing in Ruiru when our goalkeeper conceded a nutmeg in response he gave up and left the field, I gave it a try and actually never looked back.

“At the age of 12, I joined Ujuzi Soka Academy, from Ujuzi I went to school where I perfected the art of goalkeeping, played school football for four years and then I joined Strathmore University FC.

“Then Amiral FC signed me in Coastal Kenya, played there for two years and joined Posta Rangers because they offered me a job. From there AFC Leopards came calling and I could not resist.

“I became a better player at AFC Leopards, mentally and emotionally.”

Otieno left for Zambia after two seasons with AFC Leopards, landed at Red Arrows and showed good performances which prompted Zesco United to pursue his services.

“I then got an opportunity to come and try it in Zambia at Red Arrows, where I spent two fantastic years and moved on to Zesco United where I am now,” added the goalkeeper.

“My time in Zambia has been wonderful, at first it was not easy coming to a different country, the language, the culture and the food all new to me.”

Once the Faz Super League resumes, Otieno hopes to help Team Ya Ziko defend the title and crown it with victory in the domestic tournament.

“I can’t understate the eagerness to get back to action, and help Zesco United win the double; the league and the Absa Cup,” he concluded.

Otieno joined the Ndola side to replace experienced Jacob Banda, and has featured in seven games, managed to keep two clean sheets and has conceded just six goals so far.