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Said Benrahma continued from where he left off before the enforced Covid-19 hiatus with a strike and assist for Brentford in their 2-0 win over Fulham in the Championship on Saturday.

The English second tier marked its return on Saturday after a 104-day hiatus with fixtures taking place behind closed doors. 

Thomas Frank’s men left it till late with goals from Benrahma and Emiliano Marcondes to move the fourth-placed Bees to within a point of third-placed Fulham.

Benrahma finished from close-range in the 88th minute for his 11th goal of the campaign before returning in injury time to set up Marcondes to seal the win. 

The 24-year-old took his goal contributions tally to 20 – 11 goals and nine assists – for the season in 35 matches as he continues to make headlines with his scintillating form. 

The Algerian's form has been a key part of the West Londoners' promotion hopes and his form has not gone unnoticed as he continues to be linked with several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Leicester City.

Apart from the Gunners and Foxes, recent reports suggested that Chelsea’s Frank Lampard is also keen to make the former Nice man part of a signing spree that has already seen him sign Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner.

Kamohelo Mokotjo - who recently signed a short term with the Bees - watched from the bench and was an unused substitute. 

The South African returned to the matchday squad for the first time since January following an injury.

Antonio Conte has backed Christian Eriksen to prove his star quality for Inter during the Serie A title run-in.

Former Tottenham midfielder Eriksen experienced a stuttering start to his Inter career after moving to San Siro in January.

The Denmark international's performances came in for close scrutiny and he faced criticism as his arrival coincided with a dip in the team's form.

After looking set for a serious title challenge, Inter fell away before the coronavirus pandemic put the season on hold for three months.

They return to league action against Claudio Ranieri's Sampdoria on Sunday, with Conte bullish about Inter's prospects for their 13-game rush of upcoming matches.

Head coach Conte said Inter have been fine-tuning the tactics he believes can bring success to the Nerazzurri.

"I think he's now found his feet and fully settled here," Conte said of Eriksen. "We are always trying and working on solutions to get the best out of the qualities of the players in the squad.

"I am pleased with how we have worked over this period."

Inter will be without Marcelo Brozovic due to a strain in his left leg and his fellow midfielder Stefano Sensi must sit out the game after a thigh pull.

Both are recent setbacks, but Conte is taking an optimistic view of Inter's prospects for the remainder of the campaign.

The Sampdoria fixture is a game in hand for Inter over leaders Juventus and second-placed Lazio.

"Should we win, we would cut the gap to the top to six points. Then, there are 12 league games to play. Personally, I don't think the gap is that massive," Conte added.

"I have positive feelings. But naturally I need to see the response in matches. We want to give our all in this end of season run-in.

"We are not ruling anything out. There are no limits to what we can achieve. I think the side has improved in all areas. I am very confident."

Conte has great respect for Ranieri, a Premier League champion four years ago with Leicester City.

Since joining Sampdoria in October, Ranieri has lifted the Genoa club off the foot of the table and up to 16th.

"Claudio Ranieri is an excellent coach," Conte said.

"He achieved something extraordinary at Leicester. But he's also a wonderful person. I've been lucky to get to know him and we meet up with our families

"I wish him all the best at Sampdoria, but only after they have played us."

Neal Maupay was a controversial hero as relegation-threatened Brighton and Hove Albion came from behind to earn a 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Amex Stadium.

Maupay was at the centre of a grim first-half incident, where a coming together with Bernd Leno resulted in the Arsenal goalkeeper suffering a serious-looking knee injury.

Arsenal hit the front through a sumptuous Nicolas Pepe strike in the 68th minute but lackadaisical defending from a short corner worked by Solly March and Yves Bissouma allowed Lewis Dunk to equalise seven minutes later.

In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Maupay dummied and darted on to a clever flicked pass from substitute Aaron Connolly to produce a similarly classy finish – moving Albion five points clear of the bottom three and leaving the Gunners' Champions League hopes in tatters.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was unable to hook an early cross from the recalled Pepe on target before Bukayo Saka fired a rasping 20-yarder against the crossbar amid a lively start from the visitors.

Dunk produced a last-ditch tackle to thwart Alexandre Lacazette – who would be similarly denied by Aaron Webster before half-time – and the France striker drew an excellent 31st-minute save from Mat Ryan, with Saka the provider for his improvised diving header.

All concerns were soon with Ryan's opposite number Leno, who was furious with Maupay as he left the field on a stretcher.

Replacement goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was alert to beat away a close-range Maupay strike at his near post before Ryan continued to enjoy supremacy in his duel with Aubameyang.

The Australia international had no chance when Pepe thrillingly came to the party, but after Dunk capitalised on Arsenal's mindless defending, Ryan kept out a fiercely swerving Aubameyang attempt.

And there was a sting in the tail as Alexis Mac Allister linked in slick fashion with Connolly and Maupay did the rest, before finding himself at the centre of an incensed Arsenal melee that showed scant regard for social distancing at the final whistle.

What does it mean? Arsenal's Champions League return will have to wait

Last week Arteta worried aloud over how his club's Champions League absence will do more damage the longer it goes on. They could be 11 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with eight games remaining at the end of the weekend. The dream is fading fast.

Saka in tune with Arteta's vision

Wednesday's sound 3-0 beating at Manchester City similarly indicated the tall task facing Arteta at Arsenal. In Saka, though, he has an adaptable and accomplished performer ready to play a prominent role in whatever the future holds. The 18-year-old has been deployed on the wing and at left-back and he excelled on the left of a midfield three here, consistently proving to be the Gunners' most reliable creative outlet before laying on Pepe's opener. While he thrives, other players should be looking at themselves.

Match-winner Maupay takes brunt of Leno's anger

At first glance, there appeared to be nothing malicious in Maupay's fateful challenge on Leno and we should be wary of how much worse slow-motion replays can make these incidents look. But whether it was innocent, petulant or an outright cheap shot, an action that the Brighton forward did not need to make looks like leaving Leno with a long, hard road back to fitness.

Key Opta Facts

- Brighton and Hove Albion secured their first league victory of 2020 (the last Premier League side to do so), while this was also the first time they have done the league double against Arsenal.

- At 94 minutes and 26 seconds, Neal Maupay's winner is the latest Premier League goal Brighton have ever scored.

- Brighton earned their 100th victory in all competitions at the Amex Stadium since moving to the ground in 2011.

- Excluding penalties, only Aston Villa (15) have conceded more goals from set-piece situations than Arsenal this season (13), with Brighton's leveller coming from a corner.

What's next?

Arsenal travel to Southampton on Thursday, with Ralph Hasenhuttl's side buoyed by a 3-0 win over bottom club Norwich City. Two days earlier, Brighton face another tough assignment in their survival battle at Leicester City.

Neal Maupay accused Arsenal of "lacking humility" and believed they got what they deserved in their 2-1 defeat at Brighton, with the Seagulls striker insisting he was not to blame for Bernd Leno's injury.

Leno was furious with Maupay after he landed awkwardly following a collision between the pair during the first half and was seen shouting at the Frenchman as he was carried off the field on a stretcher.

Replays showed the Brighton forward had barged into Leno while he was in the air, which meant he was off-balance when he planted his right leg into the turf and suffered what appears a serious injury.

To add insult to Arsenal's injury, Maupay would go on and score the winner in stoppage time, with a number of Gunners players then seen remonstrating with the Frenchman at the full-time whistle.

Speaking after the game, the former Brentford forward revealed he went to the Arsenal dressing room at the break to apologise for the incident involving Leno, which he stressed was accidental.

He was, however, left less than impressed with the Gunners' behaviour on the pitch. He told BT Sport: "At half-time I went to the manager Mikel Arteta to apologise. I never meant to injure the keeper. I jumped for the ball.

"I apologise to the team and to him (Leno) as well. I have been through a bad injury, it is hard.

"Arsenal players maybe need to learn humility sometimes. They were talking a lot. They got what they deserved.

"I just went to get the ball really. When he landed he twisted his knee. It is football, there is contact. I never meant to hurt him. I apologise again and wish him a speedy recovery."

Arsenal's frustrations were in sharp contrast to the jubilant Brighton players, who celebrated their first Premier League win of 2020 - a result that has given their survival hopes a real boost.

"I am so happy because it our first win this new year. The team has worked really had the last few months," added Maupay.

"We have been training really, really hard. The team kept working. The whole club - managers and staff - did a very good job to have us in a good place.

"It is just a win, we have eight games to go - some very big games. Anything can happen and we need to stay focused. It is a good start, we are really happy but we need to get straight back in tomorrow to focus on the next game."

Adam Mouktar Mohammed reveals his administration has aided the growth of football in the Federal Capital Territory which has rubbed off positively on Nigeria.

Before his election into office in 2019, football in the FCT was plunging – however, the arrival of the Nigeria Football Federation member ushered in a breath of fresh air.

One of his biggest highlights was facilitating the coming of ex-Brazil striker and Bayern Munich great Giovane Elber to Abuja for an intensive coaching programme.

Saturday marks a year since he had passed the mantle of leadership, and the veteran administrator tells Goal what he has achieved and what the future holds.

“It has been fantastic because we achieved a lot in the last 12 months. We’ve changed the face of football,” said Mohammed.

“We brought a lot of initiatives, developments and we’ve touched a lot of areas. So, it has really been special.

“We have run an all-inclusive system where all the six area councils have been part and parcel of. We included them in all the competitions and its organisation.

“I paid for all-expense training for 21 coaches (male and female) drawn from these councils at the National Institute for Sports (NIS). We did the Bayern Munich programme, so, in terms of grassroots, we have done a lot not just for the coaches but for the referees and all the players.

“So, I will say confidently that we touched every area in terms of grassroots without leaving any stone untouched.

“We introduced Teqball – which is football played on tables. For the first time in Abuja, we had the beach soccer competition as well as renovate several football pitches.

“We have done a lot and we have a lot planned. For the future, we want to bring in a lot of innovations to football – particularly developing talents while ensuring that every area of the council has a new facility.”

It would be recalled that Mohammed at the beginning of the year voiced his discontent with Nigeria’s ill preparations for the upcoming age-grade competitions.

Before the coronavirus pandemic up to date, the country’s not started any form of training as they remain without a team or a technical crew for the assignments ahead.

“There is cause for alarm because naturally, you would see that the most successful countries in the world are the most stable in terms of their setup, technical crew and so on,” he told Goal.

“As I have always said, we need a template to grow our football, we need a style, a culture and need to build from the technical department so that all our national teams are synergised and play the same way.

“So, when you pick a player from the U17s, it is easy to assimilate up until the Super Eagles. We are in sort of darkness at the moment but I think we will get it right.”

Edinson Cavani and Thomas Meunier will not stay on to see out Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League campaign and will leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of June. 

Cavani and Meunier are among several PSG players whose contracts expire on June 30, as well as defensive pair Thiago Silva and Layvin Kurzawa. 

But while Kurzawa and Silva look set to accept the offer to stay until the culmination of the Champions League,  Goal  can confirm that the French champions will lose two key players as they prepare to compete for continental honours. 

PSG are one of four teams that clinched their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition prior to its interruption due to the coronavirus epidemic, alongside Atalanta, Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig. 

This week the club learned that the Champions League will be completed inside August at Benfica's Estadio da Luz home in Lisbon, with the last eight, semis and final set to be decided over a single match while the remaining last-16 fixtures will be completed over two legs. 

As the only remaining participant currently not involved in league football, due to Ligue 1's decision to end the 2019-20 season early, PSG will not face any competitive action before lining up for their quarter-final clash, while the absences of Meunier and Cavani will also be keenly felt despite the club's enviable squad depth. 

The Uruguayan had been at Parc des Princes since moving from Napoli in the summer of 2013, scoring 200 goals in 301 matches in all competitions and winning Ligue 1 in six of his seven seasons with the club. 

Belgium international Meunier, meanwhile, joined from Club Brugge in 2016 and made more than 100 appearances for PSG, playing at both right-back and in midfield during his time in the French capital. 

PSG have also learned that Under-16 captain Gloire Bunga will not pursue his career at Parc des Princes. 

The talented teenager will sign a three-year deal with Freiburg after failing to come to terms with his current club, a decision similar to that taken by France U-18 international Tanguy Kouassi who has turned down a new contract in order to join Bayern Munich.

There was some positive news between the posts, as PSG reached an agreement to extend the loan deal of Sergio Rico until the end of the Champions League. 

The Sevilla goalkeeper has acted as Keylor Navas' deputy for most of the 2019-20 season, making just eight appearances in all competitions. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set an unwanted personal Premier League record on Saturday afternoon, as Arsenal were defeated 2-1 by Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Gunners took the lead through Nicolas Pepe, but the Seagulls battled back in controversial fashion, with Lewis Dunk bundling over the line and Neal Maupay netting a late winner.

The French striker had earlier been at the heart of the fixture’s flashpoint, as his collision with Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno led to the German stopper being stretchered off with an apparent knee injury.

Aubameyang endured a frustrating afternoon, unable to open the scoring for the Gunners before Pepe’s 68th-minute goal, and subsequently failing to take several chances to extend the Londoners’ advantage.

In total, the Gabon striker took seven shots against Brighton, but failed to find the net with any; for context, this is the most attempts on goal he’s taken in a match for Arsenal without scoring.

Of the forward’s seven shots, only three were on target, although he did see much more of the ball than he’d managed in Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester City on Wednesday.

His toil epitomised a testing week for Mikel Arteta’s side, in which they’ve lost both of their matches since the resumption of play following the coronavirus-enforced suspension, and endured a series of injury problems in the process.

Despite not scoring, Aubameyang, who has been linked with the exit door at the Emirates Stadium this summer, did create one goalscoring chance for his teammates, and linked up well with the likes of Pepe and Bukayo Saka on occasion.

The loss means Arteta’s side remain in ninth, two behind their bitter London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in eighth following Spurs’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Friday evening.

The Gunners remain six points behind the Red Devils in fifth, and with eight games to play, have their work cut out if they’re to end the campaign with Champions League qualification.

It remains to be seen whether Auba will remain in North London beyond the end of the current season, having entered the final year of his contract with the Gunners.

The striker has been linked with a move to both Barcelona and Real Madrid, and at 31, still has something to offer at the highest level.

The reigning Golden Boot winner has scored 17 goals in 28 league appearances so far this term, having previously netted 49 top flight goals during his time with Arsenal since signing from Borussia Dortmund.

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has lauded his players for producing a tactical game that helped them to a 3-0 win against Mwadui FC in a Mainland Premier League match played on Saturday.

The champions were keen to bounce back to winning ways after they were denied a win in their first restart in the post coronavirus era, only managing to snatch a 1-1 draw against Ruvu Shooting.

Strikes from Hassan Dilunga and John Bocco coupled with an own goal from Augustino Samson secured maximum points for the hosts.

The Belgian coach has now praised his players for their mental composure and playing according to instructions and urged them to keep fighting as they closed in on a third straight title.

“Especially after a week of hard work, it is always good to win and I think the guys did a very good job tactical, in three days we changed a bit how we play, a bit typical for Simba and I have to give my players a compliment for their mental ability to give us the three points,” Vandenbroeck told Goal after the match.

“We fly out on Monday morning to Mbeya and let’s see how the circumstances are those side, I hear it is cold over there than here but let us reach there first and the first thing to do is make sure we adapt well.

“But I have only one message, for my players. Keep fighting, keep pushing yourself physically and mentally to your limit so we get fully fit and as quick as possible because you know in the end is when trophies are given not at the beginning of the season.

“We have two matches, tricky matches in Mbeya and I know we can come back with maximum points if we play like we did today [Saturday].”

Simba assistant coach Selemani Matola praised his charges for playing according to instructions and erasing the shock result they picked up against Ruvu Shooting.

“I want to thank the players because they played according to our plans, we came into the match after the shock draw, but they played as per what the technical bench had asked them to do and it was easy for us to get the three points,” Matola told Goal.

“We now head to Mbeya knowing we have two matches and our aim is to make sure we seal the trophy in Mbeya [against Tanzania Prison and Mbeya City] by winning the two matches, it is possible I know we can do it and the players are confident they can do it.”

On his part, captain Bocco, who was on the scoresheet, also praised his teammates for putting up a good show to see off Mwadui.

“We thank God we have three points in the bag, and also thank my players for putting up a good show for the three points and our aim now is to go to Mbeya and win the two matches.”

Simba will next face Tanzania Prison and Mbeya City in Mbeya town.

Jamal Musiala became Bayern Munich’s youngest-ever player when he came off the bench in the closing stages of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Freiburg at the age of 17 years and 115 days.

The forward, who has represented both Germany and England at youth level, replaced Thomas Muller with two minutes remaining at the Allianz Arena.

In doing so he broke the record previously held by Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who was aged 17 years and 251 days when he made his debut for Bayern in April 2013.

The three points were already wrapped up by the time Musiala made it onto the pitch, with two goals from Robert Lewandowski either side of a Joshua Kimmich strike sealing a club-record 15th successive Bundesliga victory for the Bavarian giants.

Hansi Flick’s side had already secured an eighth straight title with victory at Werder Bremen on Tuesday but showed little signs of easing up, with the win also extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 23 matches stretching back to December.

On a day of tumbling records, Lewandowski eclipsed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s record for most Bundesliga goals in a season by a foreign player, with his two goals taking his tally to 33.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund secured second place with a 2-0 victory at RB Leipzig, setting a club record for most goals scored in a Bundesliga season in the process. Erling Haaland continued his fine form since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in January with both goals to take his side's tally for the season to 84.

Borussia Monchengladbach, meanwhile, maintained their grip on the final Champions League place with a 3-1 win at bottom club Paderborn, though they are just two points ahead of fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen going into the final round of matches.

At the bottom, Werder Bremen face relegation for the first time in 40 years after a 3-1 loss at Mainz left them two points adrift in 17th place.

Florian Kohfeldt’s side have to beat Cologne next weekend and hope Fortuna Dusseldorf fail to beat Union Berlin to move out of the final relegation spot, though even then they would still face a relegation playoff against the third-placed side in 2. Bundesliga.

Mikel Arteta has hit back at Neal Maupay’s claim that Arsenal’s players need to learn humility following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton.

Maupay infuriated the visitors when he clashed with Bernd Leno during the first half at the Amex Stadium, a clash that resulted with the Gunners keeper being stretched off with a serious knee injury.

The Seagulls frontman then rubbed salt into Arsenal’s wounds when he scored an injury-time winner to condemn Arteta’s side to a second defeat in three days and all but ended their hopes of securing Champions League football next season.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang angrily pointed his finger at Maupay moments after the goal and then a scuffle broke out following the final whistle, with Matteo Guendouzi grabbing the striker by the throat before being dragged off the pitch.

Speaking after the game, Maupay told the BBC : "Some of their [Arsenal] players need to learn what is humility - especially one of them." In a separate interview he said Arsenal "got what they deserved" followng the 2-1 loss.

But Arteta, who refused to blame the Brighton forward for Leno’s injury, was quick to hit back at those claims.

"He can say whatever he wants," said Arsenal’s head coach. "I know my players and one aspect that they do not miss for sure is humility."

Speaking about the incident which resulted in Leno’s injury, Arteta added: "I believe that no player has an intention to hurt anybody and I believe in this case it’s exactly the same. It was unfortunate. 

"Benrd’s injury doesn’t look good, we have to assess it tomorrow to know what’s happening.

"We don’t know [if it’s a cruciate injury], he is still in some pain. We will have to wait until tomorrow at least to see how bad the damage is."

Arteta will now be without at least eight senior players for Thursday night’s trip to Southampton, with Leno joining Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares, Sokratis and Calum Chambers in the treatment room.

David Luiz is suspended following his sending off against Manchester City and when asked if he feared a possible ban for Guendouzi due to his spat with Maupay, Arteta said: "I don’t know. I haven’t seen the actions. 

"I have seen a lot of players just talking and getting together, but I didn’t know what happened.

"There is frustration at the end because we threw the game away. That is probably a reaction that can happen. But I always believe a player has no intention to get somebody else injured."

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says he was not given a chance to fulfil the vision he had as South Africa coach and his plea to Safa to stay on was ignored.

Mosimane served as South Africa coach between 2010 and 2012, having previously been assistant to Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira and Joel Santana for a combined four years.

But following a failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, his time at the helm of the Bafana Bafana was up, shattering his bigger target of guiding the team to the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

“I begged Safa not to fire me, but they did. They were determined to get rid of me after that qualifier against Ethiopia. I said to them, ‘we still have five matches to go, I can get the team to Brazil [for the 2014 World Cup],’ Mosimane told Sowetan Live.

“Safa had invested so much in me. They sent me to go to courses abroad. I was the interim coach and then assistant coach to Parreira for the World Cup [2010]. But they didn't believe in my vision.

“We were drawing games against top nations like Ghana, Ivory Coast and Zambia, but Safa were swayed by some in the media. I admit I could have handled some matters better.”

Mosimane was succeeded by Gordon Igesund who endured an unimpressive spell as their bid to book a ticket for the 2014 Fifa World Cup ended at the second round of qualification.

Bafana’s group appeared easy on paper but Ethiopia claimed top spot with two points ahead of second-placed South Africa who were above Botswana and the Central African Republic.

Mosimane says he translated his national team experience to club football after he was appointed Sundowns coach in December 2012.

Sundowns appeared patient with the coach who led them to a 10th-place finish during his first season with them after inheriting a team that was second from bottom.

The following season, Mosimane guided the Brazilians to the first of four Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles under him, before they claimed the 2016 Caf Champions League crown which is the major highlight of his Downs tenure.

He dismisses the notion that his success at Sundowns has been fuelled by the big money of the club’s billionaire owner Patrice Motsepe.

“I have always had a vision,” said Mosimane.

“When I was at SuperSport United [from 2001 to 2007], I took the team to the CAF Champions League group stages. We made six Cup finals in a row. Where were those millions of Rand then? People talk of the millions today, and not of the fact that when I took over SuperSport they were in the relegation zone.

“I've got the experience, first with SuperSport, then Bafana. I was at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ted Dumitru [in 2006] and with Parreira in 2008. I was involved in the World Cup. Sundowns are benefiting from that experience. No, please, it has nothing to do with [Motsepe's] money.”

The Downs coach could add another PSL title if the current season resumes as his side are just four points behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs and have a game in hand with nine matches remaining before they complete their season.

Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez admitted that he was "devastated" by the injury to Bernd Leno that threw the Argentine into the action against Brighton on Saturday.

Leno was forced off 40 minutes into the Premier League clash after landing heavily on his right leg under pressure from Neal Maupay. 

Clearly incensed by Maupay's actions, the keeper continued to berate his opponent even after being placed on a stretcher as Martinez was sent on in his stead. 

Nicolas Pepe went on to put Arsenal in the lead, only for Brighton to surge back and claim all three points with Maupay's last-gasp winner. 

Martinez is now in line for a rare run of first-team action, and while he bemoaned his colleague's injury he believes he is ready to step up for the Gunners. 

"In the goalkeepers' union, you don't want the other goalies to get injured because it can happen to anyone," Martinez told Arsenal's official website after the final whistle.

"We train every day together, we support each other, we're really close, we even have a WhatsApp group for just me, Bernd and Matt [Macey] - it is devastating to be honest.

"I wish him a speedy recovery and if he needs the rest of the season, me and Matt will try to do a good job in the Premier League and try to cover him as much possible.

"The last time [I played] in the Premier League was three years ago. But I wasn't thinking about it when I just came on.

"I made a save straight afterwards. I am so disappointed for the result, I thought we deserved to be 2-0 or 3-0 up. But you just take it and learn from it."

Saturday's defeat put a serious dent in Arsenal's slim Champions League hopes, and the keeper admits that they paid the price for a lack of concentration.

The former Independiente trainee added to BBC Sport: "We switched off and when you switch off in the Premier League you get punished.

"I spoke to [Leno] at half-time and he felt he twisted his knee. As a goalkeeper you do not want him to get injured. It is a big loss to the team.

"I don't think [Neal Maupay] tried to injure him. He went for the ball like any striker would do and this is football. It can happen.

"You train hard and have to wait for your chance. I am more than ready."

Dodi Lukebakio scored a goal and also provided an assist as Hertha Berlin claimed a comfortable 2-0 home win over Bayer Leverkusen in the penultimate round of Bundesliga fixtures.

The victory was the first for the German capital outfit who were on a three-game losing streak prior to the match while Die Werkself, they have fallen out of the top four which guarantees Champions League qualification next season and have been overtaken by Borussia Monchengladbach who dispatched the already-relegated Paderborn away from home.

Hertha had resumed the Bundesliga in May with a four-game winning run, three of them being victories over Hoffenheim away, city rivals Union Berlin at home and also a home win against Augsburg, while they earned a draw at RB Leipzig.

The walls of Bruno Labbadia’s men then began to crumble with consecutive defeats against Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt and Freiburg.

Lukebakio changed the narrative this time after his cutback pass from a swift attacking build-up found Matheus Cunha who did the rest with a powerful shot.

The 22-year old then got his name on the scoresheet in the 54th minute after former AC Milan striker Krzysztof Piatek beat Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, leaving an empty net from close range for Lukebakio to tap in.

The Anderlecht academy graduate was taken off in the 69th minute and contributed 34 touches, 14 accurate passes at 82.4%, two key passes, one accurate cross and two successful long balls. He also won five of nine ground duels and made three tackles before Alexander Esswein replaced him.

Lukebakio has now had a hand in 14 Bundesliga goals (seven goals, seven assists) in 29 outings since arriving from Watford last summer.

He failed to establish himself at Vicarage Road after he was purchased from Anderlecht in January 2018 and spent the 2018-19 season with Fortuna Dusseldorf, scoring 14 goals and providing five assists in 34 competitive outings as they finished an incredible 10th having gained promotion from Bundesliga 2.

Hertha are also safe as they remain in 10th spot with 41 points after winning 11, drawing eight and losing 14 games.

Leverkusen will be counting on Hertha to do them a favour of winning when they conclude their season at Monchengladbach next Saturday, while the pharmaceutical-run club needs to beat Mainz if they hope to seal fourth spot.

Gor Mahia's defender Philemon Otieno has revealed reception of numerous offers but he could not take them due to an injury.

Otieno, who has been out for about seven months due to the knee injury, says he is grateful for Gor Mahia to renew his contract for another year despite his situation.

Otieno got injured while turning out for Harambee Stars against Tanzania in an African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier last August. He says the setback denied him a chance to join a different club.

“I had received a lot of offers from different clubs but everything changed after I suffered the injury. It would have been difficult for me to sign for another club while injured,” Otieno told the club's portal.

“But I am grateful to the Gor Mahia management for showing trust in me and giving me a chance to revive my career. My contract was running out, but they considered my situation and offered me a new deal.

“This was a great decision for me because it will be easier for me to regain my form in a familiar environment. These are people I have known for a while and we understand each other better.”

When Otieno got injured his club and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) tussled over who was responsible for his medical bills and the full-back explains how he was affected generally.

“Honestly, that was the toughest period ever in my career,” he stated.

“It was challenging. I was drained financially, physically and mentally, but I’m grateful I overcame the situation. My body has been responding well since I resumed training in February. I can’t wait to get back to action again.”

Meanwhile, Boniface Oluoch has revealed he started his career as a midfielder before later evolving into a goalkeeper. Oluoch has gone on to help K'Ogalo win four league titles since his 2015 arrival.

“It is true I started out as a midfielder before falling in love with the gloves. It began as a joke and I still remember that day,” the former Tusker goalkeeper told the club's website.

“There is a day my hood team failed to raise a quorum for a match and they asked me to fill the number by playing upfront.

“That’s exactly how I had my first experience as an outfield player. But in the next incident, our goalkeeper failed to turn up for a match and this time around I was given the responsibility of guarding the posts. I think all this happened in the early 2000s.”

The experienced custodian also revealed the source of his confidence on the pitch.

“That strong background developed both my confidence and ball-handling skills that’s why I’m never afraid to dribble the ball past an opponent," he concluded.

“It also happened at a time when my late brother [George Odhiambo] was a goalkeeper at Gor Mahia. He used to train and impart more goalkeeping skills on me.” 

Oluoch won two league titles with Tusker in 2011 and 2012.

Orlando Pirates legend Steve Lekoelea strongly believes Thulani Hlatshwayo can challenge Happy Jele for the captain's armband at the club. 

Hlatshwayo is leaving Bidvest Wits ahead of next season following the management's decision to sell its PSL status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzvhandila owner Masala Mulaudzi. 

And the 30-year-old utility defender has been linked with both the Sea Robbers and Mamelodi Sundowns with the former reportedly in pole position to land his signature. 

"Tyson can challenge Jele for the captain's armband at Pirates [if he decides to join Bucs]," Lekoelea told Isolezwe.  

While Lekoelea admits Jele has done a tremendous job since taking over the captain's armband from Oupa Manyisa and later Thabo Matlaba, he feels Hlatshwayo's arrival would really help the team grow and further help solve their defensive woes. 

"Let me make it clear that has done a wonderful job all these years. I like both of them (Jele and Hlatshwayo) but the arrival of Hlatshwayo could signal the growth of the team and the problem of a leaky defence would be solid," he said.   

"Pirates are playing beautiful football of late. The only problem is when they have to defend because they are giving away cheap goals." 

What Lekoelea likes about Hlatshwayo is his ability to read the game, his strength and the fact that he's a no-nonsense defender, and this would rub off the Pirates team.   

"In Hlatshwayo, they would get someone who knows how to read the game very well, who's strong and doesn't take nonsense. Even his teammates will learn a lot from him," continued the former Maritzburg United and Moroka Swallows winger. 

Lekoelea has an advice for the Soweto-born defender - to always be on top of his game or be prepared to face the wrath of the Pirates fans. 

"My advice to him is that he shouldn't forget that Pirates are a big team. He must always bring his A-game otherwise he would always be criticised."

The South Africa international has been with the Students for six years and he remains one of their most influential players with 171 matches under his belt. 

Despite being a defender, Hlatshwayo has directly been involved in 27 goals - 20 goals and seven assists since his arrival from Ajax Cape Town in 2014.

Neymar is determined to "make history" for Paris Saint-Germain when the Champions League returns in August. 

The world's most expensive player has been unable to lead the Ligue 1 champions to European glory up to now, with him having completed a €222 million (£201m/$248m) move from Barcelona in 2017. 

Neymar scored twice in the 3-2 aggregate victory over Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 before the 2019-20 competition was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

UEFA plans to stage this season's quarter-finals onwards in a 'mini-tournament' format in Portugal, by which time PSG will not have played for nearly six months, with the Ligue 1 season having been concluded early on a points-per-game basis. 

Having won the French title for the third time, Neymar now wants to deliver the Champions League to the capital. 

"This period was atypical, but the main focus was to keep safe, with steady body and mind," the Brazil star said via his official website. 

"I am ready and excited to return, thinking a lot about the Champions League, of course. We have a strong group, conquered a historical qualification, with the same intensity and dedication, but I miss the heat of the game. I can barely wait to enter the pitch and to, if it's God's will, make history." 

Neymar's fitness coach Ricardo Rosa has been impressed with the player's dedication to keeping in shape during months of inactivity. 

"The main emphasis was Neymar's dedication, effort and performance he had, his focus," Rosa said. 

"I've never had the possibility of being three months straight with him and he demonstrated dedication and commitment, excited to do his job, showcasing trust and respect for my work." 

The statements from Neymar emphasising his commitment to the PSG cause come a day after it was revealed that the Brazilian has been ordered to pay €6.7m (£6.1m/$7.5m) to former club Barcelona.

The Catalans, who have been keen on re-signing the forward but now look unlikely to do so given the financial issues of the coronavirus pandemic, saw a judge rule in their favour over a signing-on bonus dispute with their former player.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek says playing behind closed doors will prove a mental challenge for Premier League players, but one which Chelsea are ready to rise to.

Frank Lampard’s side resume their league season with a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday, before their first game back at Stamford Bridge against Manchester City on Thursday.

With the signings of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech confirmed since play was stopped, there is a positive feeling around the club, and Chelsea are hoping that will translate to the pitch.

Loftus-Cheek hasn’t played yet this season due to a serious Achilles injury, but he says he is now raring to go.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Loftus-Cheek told Chelsea’s official website.

“Playing in front of an empty stadium will feel really, really weird, because we’re used to loud noises and not even being able to hear the bench shout at you.

“Now we’re going to hear everything and it’s going to have that kind of hollow feeling, which is a good mental test for us. I’m definitely looking forward to playing football again, no matter the circumstances.

“I don’t think it’ll be a problem for us, because as soon as you start playing, everything else kind of zones out anyway.

“You’re so focused on the game when you’re playing that sometimes you don’t even notice the crowd when they are there.

“I think this will be the same thing once it starts – you won’t even notice because you’ll be so focused on playing football.”

Loftus-Cheek also spoke about Chelsea’s experience of going into lockdown. The Blues were one of the first football clubs to do so after Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for Covid-19.

“You never think this kind of thing will happen, and we went into quarantine earlier than others because Callum had symptoms,” he said. “We didn’t know it was going to stay like that for so long!

“Once everyone knew this was not going to be over in a week, the fitness guys at the club came up with a plan for us to follow to keep us ready, and keep us ticking over until we came back.

“We’ve done some Zoom sessions online with the whole squad, doing some strength work, which was fun. Just to keep the morale there and chat to everyone was good.

“We ended up doing those group sessions twice a week, and there was a lot of banter flying about, which was good – and we obviously got the work done!

“It was just good to talk to the boys and see them. We were all logged into a fitness app too, so we could see what everyone else was doing, running-wise, and that was good to keep the competition up and keep pushing each other.”