Chelsea's hopes of catching leaders Arsenal suffered a setback after a 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa in the premier league.
Rediff.com presents a factbox Antonio Conte who will take over from Guus Hiddink after Euro 2016.
The English city's unheralded football club is on the brink of becoming league champions for the first time in their 132-year history, with just three defeats all season.
Hasselbaink came on to score three times in the last 15 minutes in a 5-2 rout over Wolverhampton Wanderers.\n\n
Luis Suarez played a part in all three of Barcelona's goals in a scrappy 3-1 victory at Granada.
The English champions-elect, 4-2 up from the first leg, went through 6-5 on aggregate in the Champions League.
Tottenham Hotspur climbed to third with a 3-1 win over Southampton while Chelsea hung on to fourth spot, above Arsenal on goal difference, despite a 2-1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Luis Suarez grabbed a hat-trick and Lionel Messi bagged two goals as Barcelona began their quest for a third straight La Liga title with a 6-2 rout of Real Betis on Saturday. Arda Turan, whose two goals against Sevilla helped Barca lift the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday, gave them an early lead at the Nou Camp before Ruben Castro equalised in the 21st minute. Barca went back in front thanks to a trademark 37th-minute goal from Messi before Suarez, La Liga's top scorer last season, made it 3-1 before halftime.
As we prepare to cruise into the New Year, Rediff.com gives you a glance back, through photos, into all the sporting moments that made the last 12 months memorable.
IMAGES from the English Premier League matches played on Sunday
Claudio Ranieri says he takes full responsibility for his failure to get the best out of the Spanish champions.
Leicester City's win over Newcastle on Monday not only sent them five points clear of Tottenham Hotspur at the top of the Premier League, it effectively ended the challenge of Manchester City and Arsenal.
The Blues suffered a 4-2 battering at London rivals Charlton Athletic.
The defeat was especially costly for Claudio Ranieri's expensively assembled team who began the day in joint second place with title rivals Arsenal.
An Argentine first division goalkeeper said he wanted to leave the country after supporters threatened to kidnap his son.
Jose Mourinho has dropped a heavy hint that Paul Pogba's protracted transfer from Juventus to Manchester United is close to completion.
Lightning struck twice when Uruguay suffered another surprise World Cup qualifying defeat at home, losing 3-1 to Peru on Tuesday.
Barcelona closed to within a point of La Liga leaders Real Madrid when Lionel Messi scored one goal, created two and conceded a penalty in a 3-1 win at home to champions Atletico Madrid on Sunday that eased pressure on under-fire coach Luis Enrique.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Long-serving defender John Terry will remain Chelsea's captain in the coming season, new manager Antonio Conte said on Thursday at his first news conference since joining the Premier League club. Terry, 35, signed a new one-year contract at Stamford Bridge in May to end speculation that he was going to leave the London club after more than 700 appearances. He remains a firm favourite with the club's fans. "John Terry is captain of this team. He is a great player with a great personality and charisma. He knows the club. We take all decisions together with the club and I am very happy John signed," Conte said.
The game was heading for extra time when Dutch striker Roy Makaay raced into the box and past a defender to hit the winner seconds before the final whistle.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Ronaldo's replacement Dybala scored in the 77th minute with a goal the Portuguese would have been proud of. After a quick exchange of passes, the Argentine twisted past Alessio Romagnoli and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma with a right foot shot.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp is a fan of Leicester's playing style.
New York City coach Patrick Vieira saluted Frank Lampard after the former England and Chelsea midfielder announced on Monday he will be leaving the Major League Soccer team when his contract expires next month.
The Chelsea striker could be sidelined for up to six weeks with a calf injury, according to manager Claudio Ranieri.
While their nearest chasers lost, Olympique Lyonnais succumbing 2-1 at home to struggling Lille and Monaco falling 1-0 at Nantes after a last-gasp Lucas Lima thunderbolt, PSG marched on without ever hitting top gear.
Sergio Aguero and other Argentina players could follow the lead of captain Lionel Messi and retire from international football after losing the final of the Copa America on penalties to Chile for the second straight year.
The Chelsea coach said his side's win over Besiktas had been a great test of character in the face of a hostile crowd.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances