Tranmere Rovers 0 Tottenham 7: Llorente hat-trick crowns Spurs rout

Fernando Llorente was Tottenham s hat-trick hero as they hammered League Two Tranmere Rovers 7-0 in the third round of the FA Cup. 

As on their previous trip to Merseyside before Christmas – a 6-2 rout of Everton – Mauricio Pochettino s side were in a clinical mood, although they had to wait until five minutes before half-time for Serge Aurier to spectacularly open the scoring. 

The resistance Tranmere mustered before the interval dissipated afterwards as Spurs ran riot, with Llorente opening his account before Aurier completed an unlikely brace in the 55th minute. 

Son Heung-min made it seven in his past six outings and two goals in as many minutes completed a treble for Llorente, whose replacement Harry Kane then got in on the act.

2 Fernando…

Mason Mount completes Manchester United move on five-year contract

Manchester United have completed the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea on a contract to 2028 with the option of a further year, the club have announced.

The PA news agency understands the fee agreed for the 24-year-old England midfielder is an initial £55million.

It s official.

Welcome to Manchester United, Mason Mount!

— Manchester United (@ManUtd)

Mount – who came through the ranks at Chelsea and made 129 Premier League appearances for them, scoring 27 goals and providing 22 assists – said in a statement from United: “It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up, but Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career.

“Having competed against them, I know just how strong a squ…

Cristiano is just incredible – Solskjaer hails Man Utd´s Ronaldo after latest Champions League heroi

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised the incredible influence of Cristiano Ronaldo after the superstar forward struck twice – including another late goal – to once again rescue Manchester United in the Champions League.

Ronaldo cancelled out strikes from Josip Ilicic and then Duvan Zapata in added time at the end of each half as United twice recovered from behind to draw 2-2 with Atalanta on Tuesday.

The first goal rounded off a slick passing move that also involved substitute Mason Greenwood and Bruno Fernandes, while the second was a perfectly executed volley from range that flew away from Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso.

Ronaldo has now scored in all four of United s Group F fixtures, having also netted a 95th-minute winner against Villarreal and an 81st-minute wi…

MLS: Red Bulls and Atlanta miss chance to clinch play-off spots, Timbers secure berth

New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United missed the chance to secure their places in the MLS Cup play-offs after the teams played out a goalless on Wednesday.

A win for either side would have sealed their play-off fate, but the Red Bulls and Atlanta must wait until Sunday s Decision Day following the midweek stalemate.

Red Bulls forward Patryk Klimala came closest for either side, with his 48th-minute effort hitting the crossbar from Caden Clark s cross.

Four minutes later, Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan denied Klimala from a one-on-one opportunity, while Clark had a goal disallowed for offside nine minutes into the second half.

In the Eastern Conference, the seventh-placed Red Bulls go to third-placed Nashville on Sunday, while Atlanta – fifth in the stand…

Higuain calls for Real calm

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain has called on his team-mates to remain calm in their goal of taking the La Liga title from Barcelona.

Los Blancos sit a point clear of Barca in the table after 10 games and the 23-year-old has urged his colleagues to stay grounded, despite their early form setting the pace to wrench the league trophy away from the Catalans for the first time since 2009.

This is when we have to be more relaxed than ever. We are first as a result of our hard work, but there s a long way to go. We have to continue with humility, perseverance and a cool head, he said, according to Marca.

The Argentine, who has scored 10 La Liga goals this season, added that his return from a career-threatening back injury put his work into perspective.

I…

Newcastle rename St James´ Park

Newcastle United have renamed St James Park as the Sports Direct Arena after announcing they are looking to sell naming rights to the stadium.

In 2009, Newcastle invited interest for sponsors to use their name for St James Park in a bid to boost their commercial revenue in order to keep up with clubs competing for European places in the Premier League.

While the Magpies remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season and currently sit in third place, the move albeit on a temporary basis may add to the animosity felt towards owner Mike Ashley from the club s fan base.

In a statement, managing director Derek Llambias, said: Our aim for Newcastle United is to continue to deliver success for the fans and everyone associated with the club. We must make this club fi…

Championship Preview: Derby´s Hendrick pumped up for Forest derby clash

High-flying Derby County take on fierce rivals Nottingham Forest in the Championship this weekend, while Bournemouth host Rotherham United.

Jeff Hendrick insists Championship high-flyers Derby County need no motivation for Saturday s clash with fierce rivals Nottingham Forest.

Derby returned to the automatic play-off places last weekend with a 1-0 victory at Ipswich Town, who were previously second.

Manager Steve McClaren, who had a brief spell in charge at The City Ground in 2011, now prepares his Derby side to welcome neighbours Forest to Pride Park on Saturday.

The reverse fixture finished 1-1 in September, but Derby have fond memories of battering Forest 5-0 in last season s corresponding match.

Midfielder Hendrick insists that encounter mea…

Juventus 1-3 Roma: Perotti double ends champions´ home run ahead of crucial Lyon tie

Diego Perotti scored twice and set up another as Roma ended Juventus long unbeaten home Serie A run with a 3-1 win just six days before the Bianconeri s crucial Champions League tie with Lyon.

Gonzalo Higuain had put Juve in front in Saturday s Serie A finale but Perotti set up Nikola Kalinic s equaliser and put Roma ahead from the penalty spot before half-time at the Allianz Stadium.

The winger gave fifth-placed Roma a cushion early in the second half as Juventus succumbed to a first home Serie A defeat since a 1-0 reverse to Napoli in April 2018 – a run of 39 games.

It means champions Juve, who rested several players including Cristiano Ronaldo, finish the campaign with back-to-back losses before aiming to overturn a last-16 deficit against Ligue 1 Lyon.

Laporte signs new Athletic Bilbao deal

Aymeric Laporte has signed a new four-year contract with Athletic Bilbao that significantly increases his release clause.

The 22-year-old centre-back is now under contract with Athletic until June 2020, with his fresh deal including a buy-out fee of €65 million for the first two years of the deal, rising to €70m in 2018.

Laporte s previous deal had only been signed in June 2015 and was due to expire in 2019, with a release clause of €50m. 

The new agreement should bring an end to reports linking the centre-back with Barcelona and Manchester City.

Aymeric s contract renewal Congrats !

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en)

Laporte has been with Athletic s first-team since making his debut in November 2012, but has not featured since M…

Ange Postecoglou ‘not relaxed’ by uncertainty over Harry Kane’s Tottenham future

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou admits he is “not relaxed” by the uncertainty over the future of Harry Kane and wants the issue sorted as soon as possible.

England captain Kane has emerged as a prime transfer target for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich this summer.

The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but, while Bayern continue to push to secure his services and have reportedly lodged two bids for the forward, Spurs’ stance remains the same, they have no intention of selling Kane.

Tottenham’s record goalscorer has also been offered a new contract that is a significant increase on his current £200,000-a-week terms, the PA news agency understands, although reports claimKane will not sign a fresh deal this summer.

Post…