Football

Wenger insists Arsenal are ready to challenge for the title and believes they will be crowned English Premier League (EPL) champions within three years.

Gerrard has been offered a new contract but because he is now 34, the midfielder might not play in as many matches as he has done in the past, manager Rodgers said.

Busquets blasted in a rebound to secure the victory at Mestalla Stadium that kept Barcelona two points behind leader Real Madrid.

Second-half goals from Yaya Toure, Frank Lampard and Gael Clichy gave 10-man Manchester City a 3-0 victory against Southampton.

Diego Costa will miss Chelsea's midweek derby clash with Tottenham Hotspur after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season on Saturday.

Retired English soccer star David Beckham and his teenage son Brooklyn were involved in a car crash outside Arsenal's training ground in Hertfordshire.

Keane has stepped down as assistant manager of Villa after six months in the role to focus on his duties with the Ireland national team, the Premier League club said.

Colaco was handed the ban for "accepting a payment in the context of the elections" for Mohamed bin Hammam's FIFA executive committee seat in 2009.

Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen also clinched berths in the final 16 after Wednesday results.

Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said his side would learn from the mistakes that led to a 3-2 loss against City - their first defeat since August.

Vincent hailed Aguero as Manchester City's "special player" after the Argentine's hat-trick earned a rousing 3-2 comeback win over Bayern in the Champions League.

Chelsea, top on eight points, will advance with a win or even a draw in which they score two goals or more.

Manager Brendan Rodgers acknowledged his job could be under threat after Liverpool slipped to a third consecutive Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace.

Udinese forward Di Natale scored his 200th Serie A goal in the 1-1 draw against Chievo on Sunday, becoming only the seventh player to reach the milestone.

Chennaiyin FC maintain their top spot in the league table as they went past Mumbai City FC at a canter with a comprehensive 3-0 victory.

Fernandes had given FC Goa an early lead against FC Pune City but Slepicka's late strike ensured three points for the hosts in the Hero Indian Super League.