Sports

Falcao's hopes of playing at the World Cup finals hung by a thread on Thursday after his Ligue 1 club Monaco announced he required surgery on a left knee injury.

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson will be out for an indefinite period, adding to the club's injury woes at a crucial period of the season.

Messi marked his 400th game for Barcelona by setting up four goals to give Cristian Tello a hat-trick in first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final.

City completed a resounding demolition of West Ham by winning the second leg of their League Cup semi-final 3-0 and book a place in the final 9-0 on aggregate.

City steamed through the 100 barrier as goals continued to rain down at The Etihad Stadium in a 4-2 Premier League win over Cardiff City.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opening goal as 10-man Real Madrid beat Osasuna 2-0 to qualify for the King's Cup quarters 4-0 on aggregate.

Back in Spain and celebrating his Ballon d'Or triumph with his Real Madrid team-mates, Cristiano Ronaldo is already being asked to do better.

Suarez has scored 22 goals in 16 EPL games since returning in September from a 10-match ban for biting the arm of Chelsea's Ivanovic.

A club member presented the lawsuit demanding clarification over where the remaining money went after Santos received only 17 million euros.

Jupp Heynckes, now retired, was named coach of the year by FIFA after leading Bayern Munich to an unprecedented treble last season.

Rodgers says captain Steven Gerrard could continue in a deeper midfielder position as the 33-year-old enters the twilight of his career.

Nineteen-year-old forward Domenico Berardi scored four quickfire goals to give Sassuolo a 4-3 win over AC Milan.

Everton strengthened their claims for a top-four finish in the Premier League by beating Norwich 2-0 thanks to goals by Gareth Barry and Kevin Mirallas.

Mourinho is adamant Hazard will not be leaving Stamford Bridge any time soon but believes Kevin De Bruyne could move in the January transfer window.

The 50-year-old, one of the most respected coaches in La Liga, will be supported by Downing and his number two Dean Kiely.

Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel are in the running for the African player of the year award.