football talk, video, fixtures and results

Judging by widespread reports over the last six months, it seems increasingly likely that  Manchester United  will launch a bid to sign Antoine Griezmann from  Atletico Madrid  this summer. The 25-year-old Frenchman has an £85 million release clause in his contract with  los Conchoneros  and the Red Devils are supposedly willing to fork out such a figure to secure their primary transfer target. Griezmann’s qualities are unquestionable, and his form over the last two years puts him among the best players in the world. There are, however, reasons why signing the forward might not be the no-brainer it initially seems – most of which stem from doubts over whether he and Paul Pogba can both thrive in the same team. Pogba is set to lose something this summer, anyway – and that's according to his own manager. “I think next summer will bring a few surprises at this level and probably Paul will lose his status as the world’...

One week after toppling  Big Show and decimating  Roman Reigns , Braun Strowman  demanded that Raw General Manager  Mick Foley organize a contract signing to render their Fastlane bout ironclad and prevent Reigns from backing out. Though Foley, who’d been demeaned by Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon  all night, briefly got the better of Strowman in a verbal confrontation, The Monster Among Men was, once again, the night’s big winner when things turned physical. Reigns resurfaced to take the fight to his monstrous opponent, and briefly seemed to come out on top — though it took a fight through the crowd and a Spear that took out Strowman, the barricade  and   a security guy to do it. Strowman ultimately rose from the ruins and got the last word, driving Reigns so hard into the turnbuckle that the whole top row of ropes snapped off the ring. His work done, The Gift of Destruction departed the ring, but Reigns still managed to grab ho...

Jamie Vardy scored twice as Leicester City climbed out of the relegation zone. Leicester striker Vardy struck in each half as the fallen champions finally decided to turn up with a much-needed performance just four days after Claudio Ranieri had been sacked. Danny Drinkwater also scored a spectacular first half effort as Leicester overwhelmed Liverpool as the King Power Stadium came alive again. Leicester fans chanted Ranieri’s name, held banners and even organised a march through the city centre while the players forgot all about him to produce a victory reminiscent of last season’s title success. Philippe Coutinho grabbed a late consolation for Liverpool but it was Leicester’s night with only their second win of 2017.

David Haye has vowed to end Tony Bellew’s career when the pair meet at The O2 on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office. After weeks of tense build-up, the pair faced off at a heated press conference in Liverpool on Monday during which Haye (28-2-26KO) received a raucous welcome from the largely pro-Bellew crowd in attendance. That reception served to further heighten a growing sense of irritation in Haye and he has vowed to take his frustrations out on WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew (28-2-1-18KO) this weekend. The fact that he chased me around and the fact that he jumped out of the ring after the BJ Flores fight and tried to attack me - that is stuff people don't normally do to me. "It has definitely generated the interest and got the fight here but I don't know what he is going to do to survive the first couple of rounds. "I am hoping and praying he does so it is a good fight for the fans, but I don't know what he can do. Maybe tuck up really tig...

In case there weren’t already enough reasons to be jealous of Cristiano Ronaldo, the soccer superstar even gets to drive absurd supercars before everyone else. The goal-scoring, supermodel-dating, abs of steel-possessing, Ronaldo became one of the first people in the world to drive the  about-to-drop Bugatti Chiron recently, causing envy levels to spike considerably among anyone who loves cars. While news of the Chiron has been circulating since one was  spied in the wild  two years ago, the select few who received the privilege of spending $2 plus million on the new Bugatti are only now preparing to take delivery of the car. As Andy Wallace, Bugatti test driver (how sweet of a job is that?) explains, “Before we hand the Chiron over to our customers, it should be tested and approved by a champion.” That’s where Ronaldo comes in. As you can see from his garage at the beginning of the this video, the Real Madrid and Portugese national team star already has a fleet of imp...

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the late hero as Manchester United edged Southampton 3-2 in a thrilling EFL Cup final at Wembley. Ibrahimovic gave the Red Devils the lead with a trademark precision free-kick, while Jese Lingard doubled the advantage with a composed finish. However, Manolo Gabbiadini’s goal just before the break livened the tie up, and he levelled proceedings early in the second half. With less than five minutes on the clock, Ibrahimovic popped up again, heading home unmarked from close range to win the cup for Jose Mourinho’s men. Wembley bore witness to a superb encounter as expectant United faced a Saints side looking to win just the second major trophy in their history, the first having come 41 years ago when the sides met in the FA Cup final. Manolo Gabbiadini’s brace had Southampton dreaming as Ibrahimovic and Jesse Lingard strikes were cancelled out, only for Ibrahimovic to head home three minutes time to clinch a hard-fought 3-2 win. Europa Le...

Rafinha gave Barca the lead when Luis Suarez - who had an effort ruled out - took a shot which ricocheted off two defenders to land at his feet. Diego Godin levelled when he headed home Koke's free-kick. But Messi pounced in the 86th minute to win the game for the champions after his initial effort was blocked by defender Stefan Savic. Real Madrid, who have two games in hand, will go back to the top if they beat Villarreal at 19:45 GMT. Messi is Barca's saviour again Barca were far from their best again, but they have now followed their 4-0 Champions League humbling by Paris St-Germain with two 2-1 victories in La Liga - with Messi scoring a late winner in each of them. Atletico dominated the first half, with Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen making a multitude of saves. The visitors improved after the break but looked destined to be held until Messi's late intervention. The Argentine, who had earlier forced a brilliant Jan Oblak save from a free-ki...