Jagielka re-signs with Everton

BUFFON ON… CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Losing on penalties in 2003 was very painful, but since I was only 25, I was fairly calm because I was convinced I d win many more. That s the exuberance of youth. I was so close to winning it on that occasion; they missed three penalties in that final I saved two of them. Strange things happen. It wasn t meant to be and we weren t good enough. In sport and life, those who deserve it more probably end up getting their rewards.

BUFFON ON… MANAGEMENT

The pitch is the most beautiful part of the game; it gives you emotions which bring meaning to life. So I wouldn t like a role as [a club] coach, with the day-to-day nature of it. I wouldn t rule out a role as national coach; you d still get the emotion of the pitch but with the time …

Referee Cuneyt Cakir claims he has no regrets over sending off Nani in Machester United s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.

The Turkish official has been under fire following his decision to show a red card to the Portugal international in the second leg of the crucial European encounter, for what seemed like an honest attempt to bring down the ball.

United, leading 1-0 when Nani was sent off, went on to lose the second leg 2-1, bowing out of the round of 16 3-2 on aggregate.

Despite the controversy surrounding his influence on the outcome, Cakir has stood by his interpretation of the situation.

I feel well and I don t doubt about my decisions. The red card to Nani was right. People will realise about it, he told Spanish newspaper AS.

Cakir…

Wigan attacker Shaun Maloney hailed his side s 2-1 win over Newcastle as a massive three points on Sunday.

Arouna Kone scored an injury-time winner for the home side after Davide Santon cancelled out Jean Beasejour s first-half strike at DW Stadium.

The win means Wigan stay in 18th position, but are only three points behind Aston Villa with a game in hand.

Although Roberto Martinez s side are disappointed to be battling relegation again, they can get themselves out of it according to Maloney.

It was just a huge effort from us to try and go and get the winner and we were a bit fortunate in the end, but that s a massive three points for us, Maloney told Sky Sports.

Wigan left it late to survive relegation in 2011 with a win at Stoke City on the las…

Is Lionel Messi s future close to being resolved?

Messi is out of contract at Barcelona and the six-time Ballon d Or winner has been linked with a move away.

But, if reports are to be believed, the superstar is on the verge of extending his Barca contract.

TOP STORY – MESSI SET TO RENEW AT CAMP NOU

Lionel Messi will renew his contract with Barcelona until 2023, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Messi is out of contract at Camp Nou and the superstar captain has been linked with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

But Messi is poised to re-sign, with an official deal reportedly only a matter of time.

Lionel Messi will extend his contract with Barcelona until June 2023, all parties involved have no doubt but there are s…

Pep Guardiola has praised John Stones for his impressive recent form and made it clear all members of his Manchester City squad must be ready to play when required.

Stones has started three Premier League games in a row alongside Ruben Dias in the heart of the City defence, all of which have resulted in clean sheets.

The England international has seized his chance since earning a recall he played in the 3-1 win over Wolves to open the league campaign, but had not featured in the competition prior to starting the 5-0 victory over Burnley on November 28.

His form has seen him keep Aymeric Laporte out of the line-up, though Guardiola is not interested in any complaints about a lack of minutes from within his squad, considering the crowded schedule City face in …

Competition: Europa League
Market: West Ham to win against Domzale
Odds:

Premier League side West Ham United travel to face Slovenian Prva Liga outfit NK Domzale at the Stožice Stadium in the first leg of the third round of tonight’s Europa League qualifier.

The Londoners are favourites to come away with a win given the gulf in class between the two sides, coupled with West Ham’s outstanding form on the road in the last 12 months.

Slovenian side NK Domzale reached this summer’s Europa League qualifiers after finishing third in the Prva Liga last season, but their achilles heel was surprisingly with their home form (18 games, 4 wins) so they could struggle in their own backyard against a travel-happy West Ham outfit.

West Ham United are…

Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has challenged his team-mates to achieve the country s best-ever performance at a European Championship by reaching the quarter-finals.

The 23-year-old warned that his side must not underestimate Group A opponents Albania and Romania, as they look to reach the knock-out stages of the tournament for the first time.

Switzerland must also play tournament hosts France, and Xhaka told UEFA.com: I agree with those who say France are the favourites, but we cannot underestimate Albania and Romania either.

They made a lot of progress last year. Albania are taking part for the first time, while Romania are very good defensively and have not lost in years. It s an interesting group.

Our first priority is definitely to make it th…

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored twice as the Merseysiders ended 2008 on top of the Premier League with a 5-1 win away to Newcastle at St James Park in Sunday s early kick-off match.

Victory left Liverpool four points in front of second-placed Chelsea.

But the Blues had a chance to again cut the gap to just a point by winning away to Fulham in the west London derby later in the day.

England midfielder Gerrard opened the scoring from close range just after the half-hour mark.

Five minutes later Sami Hyypia made it 2-0 with a header from a corner.

But slack marking by Liverpool saw Newcastle, who before kick-off found out that owner Mike Ashley had reversed his decision to sell the club, pull a goal back on the stroke of half-time when …

Bojan Krkic is thrilled with his imminent transfer from Roma to AC Milan, with the move set to be completed on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old former Barcelona man is determined to prove his worth at the 2010/11 Serie A champions.

It is an honour to wear the Milan shirt. I promise that I will give my everything for this club, Bojan told reporters.

All the sales that Milan have made? Milan are still a strong team, and I want to make the most out of this opportunity.

The forward was also linked with a move to ambitious Liga side Malaga in his homeland, but he is pleased to have joined Milan instead.

Malaga? I have heard true and false things in the media, but I can only say that I am happy to be at Milan, he said.

Bojan could make his Milan …

Gianluigi Buffon has lavished praise on the  incredible  Adrien Rabiot, claiming the midfielder is a combination of Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio.

Goalkeeper Buffon saw at close quarters what Rabiot is capable of during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain, though the latter was frozen out since mid-December after failing to agree a new contract.

With his deal set to expire, the France international confirmed earlier this month that he has held talks with Juventus over a move to Italy.

Buffon believes the Serie A champions would be getting a player who offers similar traits to some famous former Juve midfielders, including Rabiot s compatriot Pogba.

He is a fantastic mix, he has the physical strength of Pogba, who is like …