Sport

Sports journalists from across the world voted to award Ronaldo his fourth Ballon d'Or in recognition of his remarkable achievements for Real Madrid and Portugal this year.

Sportsmail columnist Chris Sutton waded into the debate over Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius on Monday night and suggested the goalkeeper should be praised for being open and honest.

FOOTBALL EDITOR: Sometimes it is easier to criticise a footballer than stand up for one. Especially when he is making mistakes. Liverpool's Loris Karius is certainly making mistakes.

It concerns me if Pep Guardiola does not respect tackling. It is one of the joys of the game and if he wants to win the league, tackling is something he must embrace.

CHARLES SALE - SPORTS AGENDA: The attempt by five former heads of English football to bring about FA governance reform has angered the FA, Premier League and Government.

Only Alastair Cook will know if he's still got the hunger and appetite to carry on as England captain, and the energy to drive the team forward.

Manchester United's Europa League adventure will continue with a round of 32 tie with St Etienne, a match up that Paul Pogba will relish as it sees him taking on his brother Florentin.

Jurgen Klopp stepped up his defence of Loris Karius by launching a withering attack on the Neville brothers. The Liverpool keeper has been under fire following a shaky start to his Anfield career.

Marouane Fellaini is thought to have been consoled in the dressing room after thousands of supporters were heard jeering his introduction as a late substitute during the 1-0 win over Tottenham.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been congratulated by his former clubs, Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United, after winning his fourth Ballon d'Or at an awards ceremony in Paris on Monday night.

Former AC Milan star Kevin-Prince Boateng has opened up on a dark time in his career, when he squandered money on cars, nightclubs and people pretending to be his friends. 

Leicester have taken a step closer to finalising the £15million transfer of Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi from Genk after he underwent a medical on Monday.

Coventry City are to hold discussions with Hasselbaink over their manager's job. Caretaker Mark Venus, who replaced Tony Mowbray, is poised to move into a football director role.

JEFF POWELL: In the five years since Chunky was adjudged a loser to the Saint the clamour for a rematch has ebbed and flowed. Now the door has reopened, with a stadium fight more than likely.

Vettel  remains firmly in Mercedes’ thoughts as their next driver but one. Mercedes are intent on bringing in Williams’s Finnish racer Bottas as an immediate replacement for retiring Nico Rosberg.

Max Verstappen earned widespread acclaim for his exciting driving style this F1 season. The 19-year-old was heralded for an aggressive approach and one statistic appears to back up his supporters.

Diego Costa is reborn this season and Chelsea team-mate Gary Cahill believes he is reaping the rewards of his newly discovered patience and ability to control his emotions.

CRAIG HOPE: David Moyes has banned a boozy boys night out for his Sunderland players this Christmas - and instead wants them to involve their wives and girlfriends.

Crewe Alexandra director Dario Gradi responded to his FA suspension, claiming he has done nothing wrong and thanking those who have supported him.

Mark Hughes has criticised the calls to get Charlie Adam banned for a alleged stamp on Alexis Sanchez, claiming Arsenal’s large social media presence created a ‘witch-hunt’. 

Phil Jones is enjoying a longest run of games for two years but knows critics are lurking. The central defender had not played since the start of January before returning from injury last month.

Ahead of a busy week in the Barclays Premier League, with all 20 teams in action, Sportsmail brings you the latest squad news, odds and stats on every top flight fixture as it breaks.

LAWRENCE BOOTH IN MUMBAI: Alastair Cook admitted he has started to ‘have questions’ about his future as England’s Test captain — and backed Joe Root to succeed him if he steps down.

England slipped to defeat in India as they were beaten by an innings-and-36-runs on the final day of the fourth Test in Mumbai. Sportsmail's NASSER HUSSAIN gives his ratings.

Cricket Australia published the fixture list for the tour on Monday and confirmed that the second Test at the Adelaide Oval which starts on December 2 will be played partly under lights.

His abundant energy is one of the key reasons why Liverpool are challenging for the title this season - but even by Adam Lallana's standards, this weekend was impressive.

There are now fresh calls for Jurgen Klopp to reinstate Simon Mignolet after Loris Karius faced further criticism for his display against West Ham. Sportsmail compares the two goalkeepers

MailOnline Sport has teamed up with EA SPORTS, the Lead Partner of the Premier League, to offer you the chance to win a pair of tickets  to Everton vs Liverpool on Monday, December 19 (8pm).

Devis was reprimanded by a refereeing committee for his conduct in the tunnel by the home changing rooms where, a report said, he had been talking to Barcelona players before the game.

Mark Warburton’s men have already avenged away losses to Aberdeen and Hearts by beating both teams in Govan. Now Kenny Miller is determined to complete a hat-trick by defeating their city rivals

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has allowed Sergio Aguero extended time off, with the Argentine forward expected to return later this week.

Alan Shearer believes there is a very good reason why Chelsea and Arsenal are currently occupying first and second place and why Liverpool and Manchester City are struggling to keep up.

The former Scotland international defender impressed at a second Hampden interview last week and the governing body now hope to bring the process to a conclusion later this week.

DOMINIC KING: Everton manager Ronald Koeman's frustration at his team's dismal form boiled over as he questioned his squad’s physical and mental strength.

Anthony Joshua teamed back up with former amateur mentor Rob McCracken on a full-time basis ahead of Saturday's successful defence of his IBF heavyweight title against Eric Molina.

England coach Eddie Jones has warned Maro Itoje about the dangers of thinking he’s made it and told the lock sensation to prepare for his toughest year yet in 2017.