Espanyol have confirmed the signing of their former player David Lopez, who rejoins the club from Napoli.
Midfielder Lopez started his career at Espanyol and had loan spells at Leganes and Huesca before moving to Napoli in 2014.
After two years at Napoli, Espanyol have sealed the return of the 26-year-old, who has signed a four-year deal, with an option for an extra season.
Lopez becomes the eighth signing of the transfer window for Espanyol, who face Malaga in LaLiga on Friday.
Son Heung-min grabbed his 12th goal of the season to help Tottenham to an entertaining 3-1 home victory over Bournemouth.
It earned Spurs a fourth win in five Premier League matches, but this was far from comfortable against Andoni Iraola’s in-form side.
Pape Sarr opened the scoring for Tottenham in the ninth minute, but left the pitch in tears with an injury to put his Africa Cup of Nations participation in doubt and Ange Postecoglou’s men had to wait until the 71st minute for a second.
Son doubled the hosts’ advantage ahead of Asian Cup duty with South Korea next month and Richarlison scored his fifth goal in as many matches before Alex Scott hit a late consolation for the Cherries.
This result coupled with Arsenal’s loss at Fulham means fifth-p…
Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at the assistant referee after Clint Dempsey s late equaliser saw Manchester United held to a 1-1 draw at Tottenham.
The Red Devils had led through Robin van Persie s first-half header, but were pegged back by the American s stoppage-time strike, meaning United s lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League was cut to five points this weekend.
Ferguson was furious with the performance of the referee s assistant, Simon Beck, believing his side should have had a throw-in in the build-up to the goal and for failing to award Wayne Rooney a second-half penalty.
The United boss even recalled how the same assistant had cost United a key game against Chelsea back in 2010.
I think we should have had a throw-in down our…
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Begining life without Frank Lampard in midweek, Chelsea will welcome Wolves to an empty Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.
Chelsea
Starting with the hosts, while Chelsea might have booked their spot in the fifth-round of this year s FA Cup thanks to a 3-1 win over Luton on Sunday lunchtime, that result was not enough to save Frank Lampard s job. With it announced that their former skipper is now replaced by recently departed PSG Thomas Tuchel this week, the Blues are a side who are really seeking some top-flight stability. Opening the midweek fixtures already sat way down in ninth and in an uphill battle to secure another campaign of Champions League football this year, the former Premier League champions have managed to win just …
Celtic can increase their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League when they face Aberdeen on Saturday with midfielder Barry Robson predicting the champions have the iron will to retain their title.
Rivals Rangers closed the gap last weekend to just one point as they defeated Motherwell while Celtic were held to a hard-fought draw by Hearts.
However, the Hoops take on Aberdeen at Parkhead 23 hours before the Gers run out at Easter Road for their game against Hibernian and know a win could pile extra pressure on their Old Firm foes.
With just six games left, the league could go to the wire as it did last season when Celtic clinched their third championship on the trot with a final day win against Dundee United.
Robson said: It s nervous every day at…
Seville-based newspaper that Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic is set to be rewarded with a new contract at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Following numerous departures this summer, the Croatia international has established himself as a real leader of the team, with his performances remaining at a very high level.
Given that the midfielder s current deal is due to expire in June 2015, los Rojiblancos are looking to extend his contract for another two or three years.
In spite of the heavy interest from abroad, the 25-year-old is perfectly happy at Sevilla and is prepared to sign a contract extension.
Ivan Rakitic has largely impressed since joining los Rojiblancos from Schalke in January 2011 and has since scored 17 goals in 91 La Liga matches.
Sevilla ar…
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says it is like Liverpool s Champions League success did not happen as the team are so hungry for more trophies.
Jurgen Klopp s side triumphed against Premier League rivals Tottenham to be crowned kings of Europe for the sixth time in the club s glittering history.
Oxlade-Chamberlain missed the vast majority of the 2018-19 season due to a serious knee injury but he signed a new long-term deal, reported to run to 2023, on Thursday.
The England midfielder feels the desire for further silverware is fuelling Liverpool, who have won their opening two Premier League fixtures as well as clinching UEFA Super Cup glory against Chelsea.
I think it is obvious to see the team is progressing. Even when we re not playing well, we still manage t…
Russian champions Rubin Kazan caused one of the biggest shocks of recent times by beating European champions Barcelona at the Nou Camp. The 2-1 victory over the Spanish giants truly announced Rubin’s arrival on the European stage. Their rise has been incredible from zeros to heroes in a few short years.
Incredible rise
It’s more incredible due to the fact that Rubin were only promoted to the Russian Premier League for the first time in 2003. In their first season in the top flight they managed a superb third place but failed to make much more of an impact until clinching their first league title last season. They are currently favourites to retain their league crown this season but are in a five horse race for the title.
Rubin K…
Michael Carrick was disappointed as Manchester United s 17-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 loss at Hull City on Thursday, although his side moved into the EFL Cup final.
United will face Southampton at Wembley on February 26 after winning the semi-final 3-2 on aggregate, with first-leg goals by Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini proving decisive.
Tom Huddlestone gave Hull the lead from the penalty spot, only for Paul Pogba to settle the tie with the equaliser, but Oumar Niasse s late goal gave Hull victory on the night.
And Carrick accepted United did not perform well enough despite Jose Mourinho naming a strong starting lineup featuring Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
I wouldn t say we feel relief, Carrick told Sky Sports. We re disappointed wi…
Arsenal’s fading Premier League titles hopes are all but over after second-half goals by Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan earned Brighton a stunning 3-0 win at the Emirates.
The result means Manchester City only need one more victory from their final three games to defend their crown and they could be confirmed as champions as early as Saturday night if Mikel Arteta’s side lose at Nottingham Forest.
Arteta admitted pre-match it was must-win for Arsenal but they tasted defeat after a promising first-half showing thanks to Enciso’s 51st-minute header and late efforts by Undav and Estupinan.
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It keeps alive the faint top-four hopes…
Serie A champions Juventus have completed the signing of Palermo forward Paulo Dybala for a fee that could rise to €40million.
The Argentine striker, who will join for the 2015-16 campaign, was linked with a switch to the Premier League with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal said to be interested, while Juve s Serie A rivals Inter were also thought to be contemplating a move.
And the highly sought-after 21-year-old has opted to stay in Italy, penning a five-year deal with Massimiliano Allegri s side, who have already completed a league and Coppa Italia double as well as reaching the UEFA Champions League final.
Dybala has been a star turn in a Palermo side who finished 11th this season, scoring 13 times in 34 Serie A appearances.
He made t…