Maresca’s Chelsea defy expectations

Chelsea face Tottenham having emerged as unexpected title contenders, while West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui and Wolves manager Gary O’Neil battle to avoid the sack.

Liverpool face Merseyside derby cauldron

Premier League leaders Liverpool will expect more magic from Mohamed Salah when they meet Everton in an emotional Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Watch: Iwobi nets brace to move Fulham up to 6th

Fulham beat Brighton 3-1 on Thursday to climb to sixth place in the Premier League, one point behind Brighton following Iwobi’s stellar man-of-the-match performance.

Watch: Thabo Matlaba recalls iconic CAF goal v Al Ahly

Ahead of Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League matchup with Egyptian powerhouse on Saturday, former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabo Matlaba recalls his stunning equaliser against AL Ahly in the 2013 CAF Champions League final.

Messi to kick off new Club World Cup

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will kick off FIFA’s new 32-team Club World Cup when the Major League Soccer side take on Egypt’s Al Ahly in the June 15 opener, the draw for the tournament revealed on Thursday.

Napoli knocked out of Italian Cup by Lazio

Napoli were knocked out of the Italian Cup by Lazio on Thursday after Tijjani Noslin fired a hat-trick to hand the Serie A leaders a 3-1 last-16 defeat in Rome.

Watch: Kai Havertz – ‘We’re ready for the fight’

Despite his emphasis on Arsenal’s charge for the title race, Kai Havertz has called his move from Chelsea to Arsenal the best decision of his career following the Gunner’s 2-0 victory over Man United.

Watch: Spurs suffer devastating loss at bournemouth

Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen sentenced struggling Tottenham to a shocking 1-0 loss that further hurt their chances of placing them in the top four of the Premier League

Spurs rocked as Huijsen seals Bournemouth’s shock win

Bournemouth’s teenage defender Dean Huijsen condemned spluttering Tottenham to a shock 1-0 defeat that dealt another blow to their hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four on Thursday.

Neuer banned for two DFB Pokal games after first career red

Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer was on Thursday hit with a two-game ban in the German Cup after receiving the first red card in his 866-game career.