TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-1 BAYER LEVERKUSEN - MATT BARLOW AT WEMBLEY: After the grid-iron, the gridlock and another example of Wembley’s imposing presence stifling the flow of the round-ball game. It often seems to happen. England can be turgid when underneath the arch and 85,000 pairs of eyes, and Tottenham again found it heavy going on a pitch still bearing evidence of the logos from Sunday’s NFL extravaganza. In fairness to the national stadium, Spurs have not been much more fluent at White Hart Lane recently. Or anywhere else, for that matter. They are not at the level they were last season and Bayer Leverkusen deserved their win.
Vardy doesn't strike me as a natural finisher... his goalscoring feats rely a lot on luck, says Owen as drought goes on
Former England striker Michael Owen has doubted Jamie Vardy's goalscoring ability after claiming Leicester's struggling forward doesn't strike him 'as a natural finisher'. Vardy was a shining light in the Foxes' Premier League title triumph last term, netting an incredible 24 goals as they clinched an historic crown. But the goals have dried up for the 29-year-old this season and he has now gone 11 games without scoring after firing a blank in their goalless draw at Copenhagen.
Click through today in pictures
Real Madrid snatch a point at Legia Warsaw having thrown away two-goal lead after Bale's first-minute wonderstrike
LEGIA WARSAW 3-3 REAL MADRID - PETE JENSON AT THE POLISH ARMY STADIUM: Real Madrid threw away a two-goal lead against Legia Warsaw but needed a late Mateo Kovacic equaliser to avoid defeat. Gareth Bale scored the 11-time champions' fastest ever goal in the competition with a first-time piledriver into the top corner after only 57 seconds, before Karim Benzema doubled their advantage after 35 minutes.
Remember me? Falcao fires double as Monaco stay top of Spurs' Champions League group
MONACO 3-0 CSKA MOSCOW: Radamel Falcao scored twice to take his tally to 42 goals from 46 games in Europe as Monaco boosted their hopes of reaching the last-16 in the Champions League. Valere Germain put Monaco ahead in the 13th minute when a defensive mix up allowed the forward to bundle the ball past the goalkeeper. Former Manchester United and Chelsea striker Falcao doubled his side's advantage in the 29th minute when he was left unmarked at the far post to fire home after a cross from Mendy. Germain then combined with Falcao for the third goal in the 41st minute
No Aubameyang, no problem: Ramos strike sinks Sporting Lisbon to move Dortmund two points clear of Real Madrid
BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-0 SPORTING LISBON: Thomas Tuchel's side managed to get the better of Jorge Jesus' as Borussia Dortmund beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0 in a Champions League Group F tie on Wednesday night. Adrian Ramos scored in the 12th minute to give the home side the lead at Signal Iduna Park and Dortmund never looked back.
Juve held at home by Lyon as Tolisso's late strike cancels out Higuain's penalty
JUVENTUS 1-1 LYON: Juventus failed to secure qualification for the Champions League last-16 after Corentin Tolisso took advantage of a rare lapse of concentration at the back in the closing minutes in Turin. The home side had taken the lead after Adama Diakhaby brought down Stefano Sturaro inside the box to give away a penalty in the 13th minute. Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain fired the resultant spot-kick into the bottom-left corner, sending Anthony Lopes the wrong way. The Old Lady had looked impregnable until the 84th minute when Rachid Ghezzal's free-kick made its way to Tolisso who converted from close range.
Mkhitaryan put through his paces as United train in Turkey ahead of Fenerbahce clash
Henrikh Mkhitaryan's bid to play for Manchester United for the first time in over a month took a step closer on Wednesday evening. The 27-year-old was present as United trained at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Turkey ahead of their Europa League clash there against Fenerbahce 24 hours later. The Armenian playmaker looked in a relaxed mood as he was put through his paces alongside team-mates Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Co.
Mourinho says Schweinsteiger is making up the numbers in training... but doesn't close the door on Manchester United return
CHRIS WHEELER IN ISTANBUL: Jose Mourinho has not ruled out Bastian Schweinsteiger playing for Manchester United again after restoring the German to first-team training. Schweinsteiger had been frozen out by Mourinho since the Portuguese took over at Old Trafford in the summer but was handed back his peg in the first-team dressing room at the club's Carrington training ground recently.
Can you spot 'Santa' Cazorla? Arsenal get into festive spirit with Christmas jumpers
Arsenal might not shift too many replicas of this particular strip in the club superstore, but at least the squad are helping a good cause while losing their dignity! The Gunners — including manager Arsene Wenger — pulled on the festive sweaters to publicise Save the Children’s annual Christmas Jumper Day, which takes place on December 16.
Inter won the Champions League under Mourinho just six years ago... but now they're in chaos with boardroom turmoil, mediocre players and dwindling crowds
SAM CUNNINGHAM: If winning the treble six years ago under Jose Mourinho was reaching the summit for Inter Milan, right now they are buried beneath an avalanche close to the base.
Joshua reveals what motivates him most as he prepares to defend his world title
Anthony Joshua has almost single-handedly resurrected the heavyweight division from its ten-year slumber - and he has now set his sights on cementing his position at the top level of world boxing. Since claiming Olympic gold at London 2012, Joshua has seen his career accelerate forward at a rate more commonly associated with the latest young football prospect, rather than a boxer working his way up the professional ranks.
Easy tiger! Hamilton celebrates Mexico GP victory by playing with a very big cat
Formula One drivers live life on the edge by racing around tracks at over 200mph but Lewis Hamilton has gone one further by celebrating his recent triumph in an unfamiliar way.
Messi 'stood outside City changing room demanding player who was taunting him to come outside' - forcing Aguero to play peacemaker in aftermath of defeat
Lionel Messi shouted 'stupid, stupid, come here!' outside the City dressing room as someone inside mocked him, prior to Aguero's intervention. Aguero, however, suggested it was a heat-of-the-moment incident after Barcelona's defeat in the Champions League and played down its significance. 'Whenever you lose you're not very happy,' the City forward said.
Pacquiao reveals how chance glimpse of Brook vs Golovkin fight on TV inspired his return to the ring
JEFF POWELL IN LAS VEGAS: This will be of scant consolation to Kell Brook but boxing owes the return of the great Manny Pacquiao to the beating inflicted on Sheffield’s Special K by Gennady Golovkin. The Pacman’s decision to come out of retirement was clinched as he watched the fearsome Golovkin batter Brook into fifth round submission.
Now that's a clubhouse! Golfers including 'Beef' Johnston tee off from the ROOF of a home... because course is too short
The 16th hole Regnum Carya Golf Course in Antalya, Turkey has an unusual twist. The back tee at the 16th hole this week has been positioned on the roof of one of the villas at the resort. The likes of Andrew 'Beef Johnston', Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington have been enjoying the unusual addition to the course during their practice rounds. The hole sees them scale a flight of stairs up to the roof and drive over a swimming pool on to the fairway.
STARS OF SPORT
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Spot 'Santa' Cazorla
The Gunners pulled on their festive sweaters for a good cause, to publicise Save the
Children's annual Christmas Jumper - Wembley woe puts Tottenham on the brink After the gridiron, the gridlock as Wembley's imposing presence somehow stifled the flow of the round ball game
- Don't tinker, Claudio! Leicester did not, after all, qualify for the knockout stage in the manner traditionally belonging to the likes of Real Madrid and Co
- Joshua on how he breaks opponents Anthony Joshua says he tries to be like a sniper in the ring. 'Bang. Bang. Bang. Break them down, shot by shot,' he says
- Aubameyang suspended from Borussia Dortmund for 'internal reasons' The striker was mysteriously dropped from Dortmund's squad
MORE STARS OF SPORT
- Mkhitaryan put through his paces as United train Henrikh Mkhitaryan's bid to play for the first time in over a month looks to have taken significant strides forward
- 'It's a professional decision to bring him back': Mourinho leaves door open to Schweinsteiger playing for Man United again Sensational return?
- Messi 'stood outside City changing room demanding player who was taunting him to come outside' Aguero calmed compatriot down
- Easy tiger! Hamilton celebrates Mexico GP victory by playing with big cat Formula One drivers live life on the edge but he's gone one step further
- Why are golf stars Andrew 'Beef' Johnston, Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington teeing off from a roof? The 16th tee at Carya is built on top of a villa!
- Sinckler turns heads taking dip wearing budgie smugglers Team-mates hit the beach in Portugal in custom-issue swim shorts... but not Sinkler!
- Which sports star has a games room adorned with shirts of Arsenal legends? This man showed off his plush new games room and love for Ian Wright and Dennis Bergkamp
- Er, why are you training in the dark, Jordan? Liverpool prepare to face Watford with night-time session Jurgen Klopp took the unusual step of running evening training
- The Chelsea supper club: Stars enjoy midweek time off as they dine out Courtois, Hazard, Azpilicueta, Matic and Batshuayi were spotted out having fun
- Thumbs up from Schweinsteiger as he thanks fans for 'kind messages' after shock recall by Mourinho Bastian Schweinsteiger had a beaming smile at United's training complex
- Federer drops in on PSG stars... after they beat his favourite team! Tennis legend Roger Federer again proved that he is one of sport's Mr Nice Guys after a defeat for Basle
- 13 year-old Dembele makes international bow Karamoko Dembele made his Scotland Under 16s debut coming on as a sub in the Victory Shield draw with Wales
- Top Gun! City in wonderland after Ilkay batters Barca At the sixth time of asking in the Champions League, Manchester City defeated Barcelona
- Magic Mezut's sublime strike saves Arsenal Mesut Ozil lobbed the keeper, collected it on the other side, dummied and shimmied his way past two defenders
- Spooky likeness! Bouchard dresses as Kim Kardashian as stars celebrate Halloween Of course Floyd Mayweather was 'Money Man', the scamp
- Who donned menacing skeleton costume for trick-or-treating? The well-known star fully embraced the spirit of Halloween as he took his children outside
- Martial attends charity gala event with new girlfriend following split from wife Love rat posed with French reality star Melanie Da Cruz
- Ronaldo, Bale and Co touch down in Poland ahead of Real's behind- closed-doors game Real Madrid have arrived in Poland ahead of their Champions League tie
- Leicester jet out to Copenhagen on luxury plane as they bid to continue magical start in Champions League Flying Foxes have a 100 per cent record
- Joshua takes on the rowing machine in the gym as he prepares for December 10 fight Anthony Joshua continues work up to his return to the ring
- Messi through the years: As the Barcelona superstar prepares to take the field on English soil again, a look back at his career of success Man and boy
- England prepare for South Africa test in Portugal sunshine as new coach Ryles begins challenge of creating a 'brutal' defence for Jones Ran the rule over stars
- Suarez fires up Neymar by kicking a ball away to leave him off-balance as Barcelona stars prepare for City Visitors seem comfortable enough for some playful pranks
- That's generous, Jose! United boss donates £16,000 watch at charity auction as players are joined by WAGs for glamorous night Poor form but good night
- Djokovic turns to spiritual guru in battle to defend his world No 1 status Pepe Imaz - a journeyman tennis player himself - is helping the Serbian
- Schweinsteiger enjoys lunch with Ivanovic as United midfielder returns from exile The German and his tennis star wife went out in Hale Village
- Conte imports favourite sweets from Italy after yelling himself hoarse The Chelsea boss has a habit of making himself heard on the sidelines
- Barca ace Suarez shows off impressive ball control Suarez took centre stage, controlling a ball dead after it was dropped from a crane from 35 metres.
- Former United footballer Mulryne to become a Catholic priest after being ordained in Belfast The Northern Irishman earned 27 caps
- Beware the Pogbunny! United star Pogba embraces Halloween with bizarre video on Instagram Posted a freaky video of him doing the 'Dab' in disguise
- Cibulkova's debut delight as she defeats Angelique Kerber to win the WTA Finals at the first attempt Slovakian star got her hands on the silverware at first attempt
- Still the leader! Terry takes charge of warm-down after being left on the bench for Chelsea's victory over Southampton Influential whatever he does
- United boss Mourinho appears to stop Bailly from taking his photo in the stands Appeared to show his annoyance during Burnley draw
- Mayweather and Instagram personality Dan Bilzerian flash cash while surrounded by bikini-clad women at Las Vegas pool party Spending their vast fortunes
- Big-time Bale! Star tells of his happiness over new long-term deal with Real and is open to finishing his career at the Bernabeu New six-year contract worth £346,000-a-week
- Arsenal star Iwobi enjoys night out near London Bridge with girlfriend following victory against Sunderland Plenty to smile about
- Giroud dines out at Michelin star Pied a Terre restaurant with wife Jennifer as Arsenal striker celebrates brace against Sunderland Stylish night out
- My, how you've grown! Rashford's brother posts picture of Manchester United star as he turns 19 Manchester United wonderkid
- Manchester United defender Valencia vows to 'come back stronger' after having surgery on broken arm Antonio Valencia missed 0-0 draw with Burnley
- Mkhitaryan trains alone after being left out of Burnley draw Henrikh Mkhitaryan was pictured leaving Manchester United's training ground
- Fright Hart Lane! Spurs stars fight off Zombies ahead of Halloween Three first-team stars took on a spooky task earlier this week
- Are you Cantona in disguise? Argentinian forward attacks rival supporter Sebastian Pol could be prosecuted after his shocking kick
- Legless but still fielding! England cricketer loses artificial leg against Pakistan Liam Thomas kept going after his mishap on Sunday afternoon
LATEST MATCH REPORTS
- Wembley woe puts Tottenham on the brink: Kevin Kampl condemns Mauricio Pochettino to Champions League defeat as Bayer Leverkusen seal 1-0 win
- Leicester edge closer to historic Champions League last-16 qualification with 0-0 draw at Copenhagen
- Real Madrid throw away two-goal lead: Champions League holders held to 3-3 thriller away at Legia Warsaw despite Gareth Bale wonderstrike
- Monaco 3-0 CSKA: Radamel Falcao fires first-half double as French side stay top of Group E in the Champions League
- Sevilla 4-0 Dinamo Zagreb: Luciano Vietto starts the rout as Jorge Sampaoli's side secure their place in the last-16 of the Champions League
- Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Sporting Lisbon: Adrian Ramos' goal proves crucial at Signal Iduna Park
- Juventus 1-1 Lyon: Corentin Tolisso pounces late to cancel out Gonzalo Higuain's spot-kick
- Porto 1-0 Bruges: Andre Silva winner helps Portuguese side stop the rot
- Man City in wonderland: Kevin De Bruyne free-kick and Ilkay Gundogan double helps Pep Guardiola's team brush aside Barcelona 3-1 with brilliant display
- Arsenal come from behind against Ludogorets to reach the last 16 of the Champions League as Mesut Ozil nets brilliant late winner in 3-2 victory
- PSV 1-2 Bayern Munich: Robert Lewandowski inspires comeback with brace as Carlo Ancelotti's side cruise into Champions League last 16
- Borussia Monchengladbach 1-1 Celtic: Moussa Dembele's late penalty not enough to salvage victory in Germany after Lars Stindl's opener
- Basle 1-2 PSG: Thomas Meunier's last-gasp wonderstrike keeps Parisians on par with Arsenal
- Atletico Madrid 2-1 FC Rostov: Antoine Griezmann grabs a last-gasp winner as Diego Simeone's side book their place in the knockout stages
- Besiktas 1-1 Napoli: Marek Hamsik scores stunning equaliser to rule out Ricardo Quaresma's penalty and keep Italian side top of Group B
- Stoke 3-1 Swansea: Wilfried Bony comes back to haunt his former side as Ivorian striker hits brace in comfortable victory for Mark Hughes' men
FOOTBALL NEWS
Chelsea stars enjoy midweek time off due to lack of European action as they dine out
Usually at this time of the season the Blues would be knee deep in their Champions League campaign but their 10th place finish last season means they missed out on European football this time around. The Blues form in recent weeks suggests the extra time on the training pitch is paying off but it also seems to have its benefits away from Cobham too.
Sampaoli's in-form Sevilla thrash Dinamo Zagreb to reach Champions League last-16
Sevilla cruised through to the last-16 of the Champions League with an emphatic 4-0 victory over ten-man Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night.
Schmeichel is fantastic and a big champion - he's had two perfect seasons, hails Ranieri after another clean sheet
LAURIE WHITWELL AT THE PARKEN STADIUM: Claudio Ranieri lauded Kasper Schmeichel for making a 'very important save' that earned Leicester a Champions League point on a 'horrible' pitch in Copenhagen. Danish No 1 Schmeichel, who has a house two minutes from the Parken Stadium, sprung to stop a close-range header from Andreas Cornelius in the 90th minute and maintain Leicester's unbeaten record in the competition.
Yeovil 'sign' inspirational leukaemia survivor Daryl Allinson as teenager recovers from life-saving treatment
Diagnosed with Leukaemia Atypical CML Monomonasomie 7 and GATA 2 in April 2015, the youngster underwent a bone marrow transplant from his brother Brad, but later suffered a relapse. After funding for a second procedure on the NHS was turned down, Allinson's family sought to raise up to £100,000 for a private operation and on-going treatment.
Gundogan is becoming City's key man… and at £4m less than the AGENT'S FEE for Pogba's deal he's this season's bargain
CRAIG HOPE: He arrived on crutches but is now the crutch around which Pep Guardiola is building his Manchester City side. Ilkay Gundogan was the difference as City beat Barcelona at the sixth time of asking on Tuesday night. Yaya who?
Which sports star has adorned his plush games room with Arsenal shirts?
The England star showed off his plush new games room and love for Arsenal by posting a picture of the luxurious set-up on Instagram. The sportsman chose not to adorn the wall of his games room with memorabilia from his own sport, opting instead for shirts of Arsenal legends Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright.
OTHER SPORTS NEWS
Billings ready to answer England's call if he is needed against India's spin doctors
INTERVIEW BY KIERAN GILL: Sam Billings has told England he is prepared to board a plane if they want him to help deal with India's spin doctors in their daunting five-Test series. There have been calls for the uncapped right-hander to be brought in and for Gary Ballance to be dropped after his display in the disappointing 1-1 draw with Bangladesh last month. Ballance scored only 24 runs in four innings in Chittagong and Dhaka and former England captain Michael Vaughan warned a 5-0 whitewash could occur in India if changes are not made.
Willett admits his game has been 'average for a couple of months' as he targets top spot in Race to Dubai ahead of Turkish Open
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: There is a certain irony to Danny Willett arriving at a tournament sponsored by an airline in the kind of tailspin that threatens to round off a ground-breaking season with a dreadful anti-climax.
England stars cool off as preparations for South Africa heat up... but why is Sinckler the only one wearing budgie smugglers?
With temperatures topping 23C in Vilamoura on Wednesday, and Eddie Jones known to be a ruthless task-master on the training pitch, it was little surprise that the England squad opted to cool off in the sea at the first opportunity during a recovery session. As you would expect from a top international sports team, the players were decked out in matching, branded swim shorts. With one exception.
RACING
THE BEST WRITING IN SPORT
As Klose retires from football, a look at the 'quiet superstar' who became the World Cup's top scorer and a legend in Germany
KIT HOLDEN: There are plenty of footballers who have made the somersault their trademark celebration. Miroslav Klose must be the only one who managed to somersault with humility. The 38-year-old German striker has announced the end of his active playing career. He did so to thunderous applause. His countrymen love him. They love him for his goals, for his contributions to a fine era for German football. But perhaps most of all, they love him for his humility.