JACK GAUGHAN: Manchester City’s imposing revamp of the Etihad Stadium will be complete for next season, with Pep Guardiola’s side afforded a new state-of-the-art circular dressing room. The huge project, taking place under the Colin Bell Stand, incorporates a glass players’ tunnel designed for some supporters to see some of the world’s best lining up before matches. City have released striking images of the development, which will see those paying for the privilege able to dine in new executive lounges with a full view of both teams emerging from the dressing rooms.
Ronaldo wins the Ballon d'Or: Real Madrid star crowned football's king for the fourth time ahead of rival Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo capped a brilliant year by being crowned winner of the Ballon d'Or for a fourth time in Paris on Monday night. The Portuguese superstar beat out the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and perennial rival Lionel Messi to take home France Football magazine's coveted award. Ronaldo, who moves within one of Messi's record of five Ballon d'Or, was the overwhelming favourite after a stellar 12 months in which he won Euro 2016, the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.
How dirty Diego has cleaned up his act: Costa's gone from the striker Conte didn't rate to Chelsea's most important player
MATT BARLOW: When Antonio Conte secured the Chelsea job and glanced at the players he would inherit he was far from convinced about Diego Costa. Conte told Roman Abramovich he wanted to compete with his old club Juventus to sign Gonzalo Higuain, who eventually cost £75million from Napoli, or to prise Edinson Cavani from Paris Saint-Germain, until it became clear that was impossible. He liked the idea of a centre forward with more technical polish and, from afar, Costa seemed to be a troubled soul, dangerously combustible and pining for a return to Atletico Madrid.
Guardiola is wrong... tackles win titles: defending greats Lawrenson and Harris hit back after rant by City boss
DOMINIC KING: Whatever Pep Guardiola might achieve during his first season in England, he is seemingly guaranteed one award: the best quote. He will not be changing for the crash, bang and wallop of the Premier League. 'I'm not a coach for the tackles,' he said. 'So I don't train for tackles. What I want is to try to play well and score goals. What's tackles?'
Bayern again... really?! It's Groundhog Day for Arsenal in Champions League, while Leicester's next stop is Seville
- VERDICT: Arsenal should not fear a team beaten by Rostov last month
- REACTION: Twitter users have a field day...
Arsenal have been handed a daunting Champions League last-16 tie with German giants and familiar foes Bayern Munich despite topping their group.
'When you come to New York you have the Statue of Liberty, when you come to Sweden you have the Statue of Zlatan': Ibrahimovic checks on progress of his 2.7m monument
Zlatan Ibrahimovic paid a visit to see the progress of the statue being erected in his honour in Stockholm. Ibrahimovic posted a photo to Instagram of himself with the figure, and gave his approval it in his usual manner.
Atletico Madrid slip to SIXTH in La Liga after being brushed aside by Villarreal
VILLARREAL 3-0 ATLETICO MADRID: Atletico Madrid's stuttering domestic form continued as they were easily beaten by Villareal after two first half individual errors. Manu Trigueros put the impressive hosts in front with a low finish after experienced midfielder Tiago gave the ball away, before Jonathan Dos Santos made it 2-0 by pouncing on a spill by keeper Jan Oblak. Both Tiago and Oblak were substituted off straight after their mistakes - Tiago for tactical reasons, but Oblak looked to have hurt his shoulder in the build up to the second, and the club confirmed via their website that he was taken to hospital.
Szczesny goes from villain to hero as Nainggolan strike sees Roma squeeze past Milan to keep pressure on Juve
ROMA 1-0 AC MILAN: Roma narrowed the gap on Serie A leaders Juventus to four points ahead of their trip to Turin on Saturday. Wojciech Szczesny handed the visitors a great chance to open the scoring by bringing down Gianluca Lapadula in the penalty box. The goalkeeper, on loan from Arsenal, made up for the rash decision by diving to his left to save the effort from M'Baye Niang. Radja Nainggolan broke the deadlock with a fierce strike in the 62nd minute.
'A natural champion with a touch like silk': Shergar's jockey Swinburn dies at 55
MARCUS TOWNEND: Walter Swinburn, three-time Derby winner and one of the most talented jockeys of his generation has died. Swinburn, 55, who has been suffering from epilepsy, passed away peacefully at his London home. The former jockey, who also had a brief career as a trainer, will be forever linked with the great Shergar, the 1981 Derny winner.
Lucky 13! UK now boasts more world champions than any other country after Joshua retains title and Yafai triumphs
Yafai joins the likes of fellow 2008 Beijing Olympics fighters James DeGale and Billy Joe Saunders on the list, as the UK overtook USA and their 12 title holders at the top of the table. In winning his first ever world title and becoming the first person from Birmingham to claim such a prize, he also became the first Brit to secure a super-flyweight belt, the only one of 17 weight categories that Britain had previously never boasted a belt holder.
Matchwinner Mkhitaryan leaves hotel in £250,000 Lamborghini (but did he offer a lift to training to his boss Mourinho?)
Manchester United ace Henrikh Mkhitaryan left the Lowry Hotel in a flash Lamborghini Aventador this morning, fresh off the back of his heroics against Tottenham at Old Trafford. The Armenian ace has finally found his stride at Old Trafford and struck the only goal as Jose Mourinho's side registered a vital three points. And Mkhitaryan is driving a car befitting of his recent dazzling performances, leaving Manchester's Lowry Hotel in a £250,000 white Lamborghini Aventador.
Coutinho hoping to return for New Year's Eve clash against City as he bonds with Reds 'family'
Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho is targeting a return to action against Manchester City on New Year's Eve. Coutinho has been sidelined with an ankle injury that he picked up in the 2-0 win over Sunderland last month. He wasn't expected to return to first-team action until next year but his recovery has accelerated and he has penciled in City's trip to Anfield on December 31.
Ronaldo even sells in his sleep... CR7 markets branded blankets with snoozing pics as Real prepare for Club World Cup
Real Madrid are heavy favourites to win the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup, with only the jet lag likely to stand in their way of winning the tournament in Japan. But while Real's biggest star Cristiano Ronaldo may have been sleeping off the hours of time difference between the Far East and Spain in real life, he also took time to post an ad for branded CR7 blankets, while he took a snooze - topless, of course. Ronaldo, expected to win his fourth Ballon D'Or while away at the traditional year end competition having won Euro 2016 and the Champions League this year, also met hoards of his Japanese fans, all armed with shirts and balls for him to sign, and relaxed in the hotel pool, according to his social media.
You inking what I'm inking? Ramos shows off incredible group of tattoos on just one hand as he adds symbolic numbers
30-year-old Spanish international Sergio Ramos, known for his body art, took to Instagram on Sunday evening to post a photo of his new ink work. In the photo, the Spanish international showed off the numbers 35, 90+, 32 and 19, with the caption: 'The numbers of my life in the purest colour. Guess what they mean?'
'My half a milli motor': McGregor and pals 'stuffed' in a super Rolls Royce
In recent days the Irish UFC star has been sharing insights into his high-rolling lifestyle. McGregor chartered a private jet to eat chicken in Texas, been snapped posing in club VIP areas and shown off his stacks of cash. Now McGregor has unveiled his newest millionaire's play-thing: a Rolls Royce.
Gone in 33 minutes: Sloppy England crash to defeat and surrender series
PAUL NEWMAN IN MUMBAI: England's embarrassment was complete when they were hurried to 195 all out by India's brilliant spinners who have shown up England's to be far inferior in conditions that should suit them down to the ground. And it is a defeat that, with England 3-0 down with one to play, leaves question marks over the captaincy of Alastair Cook, who will now face questions over whether this is the right time for him to end his four-year reign.
Root is ready to become England captain, admits Cook as he questions his future after India humbling
I'm not dead and for those of you who wish I was, better luck next time! Haskell alive and well after false reports of steroid overdose
England flanker James Haskell has reassured fans he is alive after rumours surfaced on the internet that he had died of a steroid overdose. Other claims to have emerged stated that Haskell had been selling drugs and had quit the sport, but the Wasps back row posted a video on YouTube in which he described the fake stories as 'click-bait'.
Wenger wants Oxlade-Chamberlain to stay at Arsenal as stars get ready for latest title test against Everton
Sportsmail reported that Arsenal are yet to open talks over a new contract with the 23-year-old England international, who has 18 months to run on his current deal at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are locked in negotiations to extend the deals for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil who have similar terms remaining on their existing deals, but Arsene Wenger is adamant Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is integral to his plans as well.
STARS OF SPORT
- Ibrahimovic: 'When you come to New York you have the Statue of Liberty, when you come to Sweden you have the Statue of Zlatan' He's not too modest...
- Coutinho enjoys evening with Liverpool pals as injured star plans New Year return There could be fireworks from Philippe Coutinho against Manchester City
- Ronaldo on top of the world again! Cristiano wins fourth Ballon d'Or ahead of Messi and Co Cristiano Ronaldo was all smiles after capping his brilliant year
- It's Pogba vs Pogba! United's £89m man to take on his brother in Europa League after they are paired with St Etienne Family affair
- United star Mkhitaryan leaves the Lowry in flash Lamborghini Aventador following his heroics against Tottenham Catch him if you can
MORE STARS OF SPORT
- McGregor and pals 'stuffed' in a Rolls Royce as UFC star takes 'half a milli' motor for a spin Enjoying the VIP lifestyle after latest win
- Handy player! Ramos shows off symbolic numbers inked on his hand as Real Madrid star prepares for FIFA Club World Cup opener Tatt's amazing
- Ronaldo, Benzema, Ramos and Co receive hero's welcome as they touch down in Japan for FIFA Club World Cup Real Madrid face Club America in Yokohama
- Beer we go! Costa celebrates winning goal against West Brom with bottle of Singha Chelsea striker deserved a drink after sending his side top of the league
- Tevez escorted from the pitch by riot police after scoring twice in Superclasico against fierce rivals River Plate Boca Juniors came from behind to earn a 4-2 win
- Cristiano Clattenburg? Referee 'looks like he's about to take the best free kick of the season' after posing like Real Madrid star Ronaldo during Anfield clash
- Valencia named United Player of the Month... but was his award really a trophy worth £14.99? Prize appears to be the same as those available at trophycentre.com
- McGregor enjoys the high life in his PJs on a private jet... but can you spot what is wrong with his picture? The Notorious has got plenty of people talking
- Legends Pirlo and Lampard watch on as Chelsea climb back to the top of the Premier League with another win They saw Diego Costa strike to beat West Brom
- Klitschko, Depay and Deeney ringside for Joshua vs Molina clash Sports stars flocked to the Manchester Arena to see a blistering night of boxing action
- Holloway wants unification bout with Aldo after Pettis win Max 'Blessed' Holloway took no more than three rounds to finish Anthony Pettis on Saturday night
- Vardy is having a party again as Leicester striker breaks 91-day goal drought After 16 games he broke duck with first-ever Leicester City hat-trick
- Bamba shoves Cardiff boss Warnock and turns on his own physio after seeing red at Ipswich Bamba exploded following a strong tackle by Jonathan Douglas
- Beckham poses with former Manchester United team-mates in Barcelona shirt He played for Real Madrid but his loyalties lay elsewhere
- Gabriel Jesus back home for Christmas Jesus stars in Brazil charity match ahead of imminent move to City as they pay tribute to Chapocoense
- Atletico Nacional arrive in Japan as Colombia side prepare to honour Chapecoense at Club World Cup They will pay tribute to fallen players
- Frampton pays tribute to former opponent Gonzalez Jr after boxer's sudden death The 23-year-old was Carl Frampton's first opponent in America
- From Villains to heroes - Rudy the striker (not the reindeer!) joins Villa team-mates in soup kitchen joy spreading Helped the homeless
- That's a long way for some fried chicken! McGregor takes a 'private jet' to get Texas dinner with pals Conor McGregor does things lavishly
- Neymar shares picture of signed Odell Beckham shirt on Instagram with caption 'JRs are the best' Two of the biggest sports stars linked up
- INTERVIEW: How Arsenal are cashing in on Mustafi's David Moyes debt RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: Everton may regret letting Shkodran Mustafi go
- It's a celebration.. Barcelona stars enjoy training as Messi nears new deal with Enrique delighted at talks Lionel Messi and Co looked in high spirits
- A Chelsea treble! Costa, Conte and Pedro show off awards for player, manager and goal of the month prizes Domination for the Premier League leaders
- Liverpool keeper Karius hits back at his critics: 'I messed up but I don't care what Gary Neville says... ' EXCLUSIVE BY IAN LADYMAN
- Jesus banned from Coke! Guardiola tells new boy to ditch the pop... so did this bottle worry the boss? City boss is laying down the law again
- Tottenham stars get rowdy in training with game of DODGEBALL But did they remember the five D's: 'Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge'?
- Meet the 'golf scientist' with the bizarre new putting technique... where he stands FACING the hole Bryson DeChambeau unveiled his latest trick
- 'The master': Pirlo meets starstruck Chelsea players Andrea Pirlo watched a session at Chelsea's Cobham training base to set tongues wagging
- Atletico Madrid reveal new stadium will be called 'Wanda Metropolitano' as well as new badge Bidding farewell to the Vicente Calderon
- Manchester United sleep easy as they fly home... with club-branded neck pillows! Yes, the club even has an official mattress and pillow partner...
- Mourinho's tender moment with Europa League mascots in tunnel before Zorya win Manager made the mascots' day by sigining their football boots
- Eubank Jnr heading home from Dubai... but only after partying with bikini-clad ladies! Chris Eubank Jnr is on his way back to the UK after three months away
- From CFC to UFC! Chelsea legend Drogba lands easy punch Drogba took to Twitter to post photos of himself joking around with Georges St-Pierre
- Chapecoense add two stars in badge redesign to mark plane tragedy Seventy-one people, including 19 players, were killed in crash
- The kids are alright! England coach oversees coaching clinic at Twickenham Jones was coaching the next generation of England talent
- De-lighted! City star Kevin gets engaged to girlfriend Michele Lacroix in Paris Kevin De Bruyne and his bride-to-be showed off huge engagement ring
- Cool Runnings II? The women set to become Nigeria BOBSLED team as they look for spot at Winter Olympics Trio are trying to raise cash to compete
- That's not cricket! Former England ace Kieswetter hopes to earn place on European Tour after horror injury Hoping to make best of his forced retirement
- 'My husband': Sterling receives special birthday greeting from girlfriend Paige Milian The City and England star looked happy with his lot as he turned 22
- Firmino's fairytale: Liverpool ace dons matching outfit with wife at Disney-themed bash for their daughter Brazil forward showed off his idyllic family life
- Button picks up an honorary degree from University of Bath after retiring from F1 He was given degree in Engineering after his feats in motor sport
- Lewandowski announces wife Anna is expecting with 'pregant belly' goal celebration Mrs Lewandowski is expecting, so her hubbie let the world know
- 'It's a dream come true': Jennings revels in his superb century on debut as England uncover a new hero Keaton is the new toast of English cricket
- Horror moment as umpire is hit on head by fielder's throw and taken to hospital Paul Reiffel went to ground suddenly in dramatic scenes
- England kid Hameed returns to India with broken finger to support team-mates England's boy wonder watched from the stands at the Wankhede
- Sunderland defender gives thumbs up from his hospital bed as he begins the road to recovery after surgery Paddy McNair had knee ligaments repaired
- Akinfeev's 10-year wait for Champions League clean sheet goes on Igor Akinfeev last kept out his opponent in a 0-0 draw with Arsenal on November 1, 2006
- Beaming Rosberg and Podolski pose for 'selfie of champions' Two world champions. Two men who have called it quits at the top of their respective sports
- Cazorla gives the thumbs up after 'perfect surgery' on achilles Santi Cazorla has given his fans a huge boost after undergoing the 'perfect surgery'
- You well-read devil: Fosu-Mensah takes Zlatan's autobiography on flight to face Zorya Manchester United kid was reading up on his illustrious team-mate
- Scared, Tony? Ripped Haye in Miami gym as he prepares for training camp for Bellew fight David Haye has begun his preparations for the heavyweight showdown
- No birthday Blues for Terry as Chelsea legend celebrates turning 36 with cake in bed Wife Toni and his two children gave John Terry a birthday treat
- Shaq the sheriff! Basketball legend O'Neal is sworn in as a (very, very tall) county deputy Clayton County, Georgia is a safer place tonight....
- Ronaldo perfectly flips water bottle in video to reignite Wade rivalry Dwyane Wade originally challenged the Real Madrid star to battle of skills earlier this year
- Upton Park starts to disappear as dramatic pictures reveal ruthless demolition The Hammers left their old home in May to move into the Olympic Stadium
- 'You a*******, you destroyed our dreams': Besiktas rage at Scottish ref Thomson over penalty award Beskitas players had to be restrained
- Water idiot! Strootman handed two-game ban after sparking brawl by spraying water and conning referee into sending off opponent Rome derby turned sour
- Meet the Lions: Borthwick, Farrell and Howley land coaching roles for 2017 tour Lions boss Warren Gatland will now add 'specialist' coaches too
- Lucas shows off phone cover... of himself! Liverpool midfielder showed off his not-so-modest personalised mobile phone while at the Nou Camp
- Puyol shares 'tight hug' with Seedorf as Milan legend looks to bounce back from Shenzen Former Barcelona and Real Madrid stars met up
LATEST MATCH REPORTS
- Roma 1-0 Milan: Radja Nainggolan strikes after Wojciech Szczesny saves penalty to keep up pressure on leaders Juventus
- Villarreal 3-0 Atletico Madrid: Woe for Diego Simeone's men as they fall to sixth in La Liga after poor defeat
- Liverpool 2-2 West Ham: Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio earn draw as Hammers survive Reds' onslaught to move out of relegation zone
- Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham: Henrikh Mkhitaryan scores his first Old Trafford goal before being taken off on a stretcher with an ankle injury
- Southampton 1-0 Middlesbrough: Record signing Sofiane Boufal's screamer settles clash as Saints recover from European hangover
- Chelsea 1-0 West Brom: Diego Costa's thunderbolt strike wins it for Antonio Conte's side as they finally break down dogged West Brom to return to the top of the Premier League table
- Real Madrid 3-2 Deportivo la Coruna: Sergio Ramos rescues stoppage time win again as La Liga leaders set club record of going 35 games unbeaten
- Leicester City 4-2 Manchester City: Jamie Vardy's first hat-trick for Foxes as Premier League champions burst into life
- Bayern Munich 5-0 Wolfsburg: Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller all on target as Carlo Ancelotti's men return to the top
- Rangers 2-0 Hearts: Rob Kiernan and Barrie McKay hand new Jambos boss Ian Cathro debut defeat
- Burnley 3-2 Bournemouth: Jeff Hendrick smashes sensational half-volley from range as Sean Dyche's side triumph at Turf Moor
- Hull 3-3 Crystal Palace: Fraizer Campbell saves a point for the Eagles with last-gasp equaliser
FOOTBALL NEWS
Ranieri excited to face Sevilla in Champions League as Leicester return to training
Claudio Ranieri has welcomed Leicester's Champions League draw against Sevilla as their debut campaign continues to the knockout stage. Having stunningly won the Premier League last season and then topped Group G ahead of Porto, FC Copenhagen and Club Brugge, Ranieri acknowledged his side represented a favourable draw for any of the group runners-up. But having avoided the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to land the team who have won the Europa League for three straight years, he too was happy with the outcome in Nyon on Monday.
Arsenal face Bayern Munich AGAIN and Twitter users have a field day... the best reactions to draw
Arsenal will be making an all too familiar trip to Germany for the next round of the Champions League, after being drawn against Bavarian giants Bayern Munich yet again. Arsene Wenger's men look to have pulled the short straw in this season's final 16 and will face the side who so ruthlessly put them to the sword to the tune of 5-1 last season at the Allianz Arena. Despite winning their group in comfortable fashion Arsenal will not be rewarded for the endeavours and have been pencilled in to face Carlo Ancelotti's men in mid-February.
Mahrez wins BBC African Player of the Year ahead of Liverpool star Mane after inspiring Leicester's fairytale
Riyad Mahrez has been named BBC African Player of the Year after an incredible 12 months which included winning the Premier League. Leicester City and Algeria winger Mahrez was announced as the winner on Monday evening, beating competition which included fellow Premier League players including Sadio Mane, Yaya Toure and Andre Ayew. Mahrez played a pivotal role in helping Leicester stun football by winning the Premier League last season.
Chelsea star Costa celebrates his match-winning heroics with a dressing room beer
Chelsea striker Diego Costa was the man of the moment yet again for the Blues and, after propelling his side to an all important victory over West Brom, celebrated with a dressing room beer. The Brazilian star is back to his best for Antonio Conte's side and grabbed the game's only goal as the Blues swept aside West Brom and increased their lead at the Premier League summit. And following the full-time whistle the lethal forward decided to enjoy his heroics with a Singha beer in the dressing room, as the team wound down and music played.
Valencia named Man United Player of the Month... but was his prize really a trophy worth £14.99?
Antonio Valencia is fast staking his claim as one of the Premier League's foremost full-backs after claiming Manchester United's Player of the Month award for November. The Ecuadorian saw off Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Michael Carrick to collect the award after scooping 39 percent of the votes. Carrick came second with 32 percent while Ibrahimovic was close behind on 29 percent. However, it appears as though Manchester United have been cutting costs in the trophy department with Valencia's prize bearing a striking resemblance to one that can be purchased online for just £12.99.
Barcelona fly out to Doha for glamour friendly just days before derby clash with Espanyol
As Real Madrid prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final in Japan, Barcelona have flown to Doha for a friendly against Al-Ahli Saudi on the day they also announced the extension of a commercial tie.
CHILD SEX ABUSE SCANDAL ROCKS FOOTBALL
Chelsea face huge damages bill: Fears for a generation of kids as six come forward to say scout abused them
The number of alleged abuse victims of former Chelsea scout Eddie Heath has doubled in a week from three to six, with fears growing that many players from a generation in the Seventies were affected. It seems increasingly likely that Chelsea could face a multi-million-pound claim for damages from a group action of victims. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that one youngster, viewed in his teens as a great future hope of Stamford Bridge, had his career derailed by Heath's abuse.
OTHER SPORTS NEWS
Sick jokes about Madeleine McCann and paedophile Johnson shown on big screen at England vs India match
England cricket fans have sparked controversy by hijacking a stadium scoreboard in India to post tasteless messages about Adam Johnson, Madeleine McCann and Josef Fritzl. Those watching the fourth Test match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai were invited to send messages of support for their team that were then displayed on the giant screen. But soon sick jokes began to appear that were visible to thousands of spectators inside the stadium.
Joshua reveals secret to his success as British star relaxes after defending world heavyweight title
Anthony Joshua has taken to the swimming pool to relax after defending his world heavyweight title in emphatic fashion on Saturday night — and he has revealed his secret to longevity. Eric Molina was the unfortunate man in the world champion's path at the weekend, with Joshua forcing a stoppage in the third round at the Manchester Arena. And the 27-year-old boxer has revealed to his fans how he keeps in shape after securing the 18th victory of his professional career.
RACING
THE BEST WRITING IN SPORT
FLASHBACK: Why Man United's last match with Europa League opponents St Etienne in 1977 was moved all the way to Plymouth!
Crowd trouble at the first leg of the European Cup Winners' Cup tie in France on 14 September 1977 meant United were banned from hosting the return at Old Trafford and forced to find a temporary home from home. UEFA ruled that United supporters were to blame for the violence that marred the 1-1 draw at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, where riot police had to intervene. As a result United, who were managed by Dave Sexton at the time, were originally kicked out of the competition, only to be given a reprieve two days later and ordered to play their home leg at least 200 miles away from their home.