Juventus’ Stephan Lichtsteiner tussles with Gary Hooper

Lennon was angry with Spanish official who controversially chose to ignore the endless series of shirt-pulling and grappling

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Clint Dempsey of Tottenham Hotspur scored the winning goal when the sides met earlier this season

Premier League: Tottenham v Manchester United match preview

A look ahead to this Saturday’s Premier League match at White Hart Lane

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan

Premier League: Sunderland v West Ham match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Stadium of Light

Dominant City are left to rue badly-timed injury to quick-witted Aguero

In the words of the T-shirt that Edin Dzeko displayed to the crowd, it was a happy New Year at Eastlands. There was a brass band playing on the concourse. Timothy Dalton and David Hasselhoff were holding court in the directors' box and Stoke were the visitors.

Fifa rejects Drogba bid to return to the Bridge

Didier Drogba's hopes of an emotional return to Chelsea were yesterday blocked by Fifa. International football's governing body held firm on its rule that no player can move outside of the transfer window.

<b>Long, long shot </b><br/>
There have been Chinese whispers of a return to the Premier League for <b>Didier Drogba</b>, and despite the unpredictability of the Ivorian power-house, we give it a 0.01% chance of happening. The rumours surfaced as Shanghai Shenhua Chairman Zhu Jun supposedly threatened to put a lid on his cash-flow into the club, with the futures of Drogba and former Chelsea team-mate Nicholas Anelka looking edgy.

Didier Drogba denied possible Chelsea return: Fifa
rule out special permission for loan move

Fifa  informed Drogba that he won't be exempted from international transfer rules

Drogba's season with Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua finished this month

Drogba linked to Chelsea return: Striker asks Fifa for permission to make loan move

Didier Drogba was being linked with a sensational return to Chelsea today after Fifa confirmed the Shanghai Shenhua striker had asked their permission to join another club on loan outside the transfer window.

Midfielder Steven Pienaar

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar announces international retirement

South Africa captain Steven Pienaar has retired from international football, to the disappointment of manager Gordon Igesund.

DEMBA BA: The Newcastle striker has scored 16 Premier League goals this season

Demba Ba plays down Newcastle exit talk, saying 'rumours are rumours'

Newcastle United fans will be comforted after hearing Demba Ba’s latest statement regarding his future at the club.

Yekini celebrates Nigeria’s first World Cup goal, against Bulgaria in 1994

Mata: Torres turned down chance to take penalty

Juan Mata yesterday revealed that Fernando Torres had turned down a chance to end his long search for a Chelsea goal against Birmingham City on Tuesday because he wasn't "first on the list" to take penalties.

The sporting week ahead (12/02/12)

Today

Senegal striker Papiss Cissé is set to join Newcastle for £8m

Newcastle sign £8m Cisse... and will keep Ba

St James' Park to see an all-Senegalese strikeforce as new arrival inherits Carroll's old No 9 shirt

Thierry Henry is currently training with Arsenal

Henry on the brink of sealing Arsenal return

Arsenal were moving closer last night to securing the return of Thierry Henry on a two-month loan deal.

Robin van Persie fires a volley into the Everton net after escaping his marker for his 34th goal of the calendar year, one shy of Thierry Henry's record

Wenger: I'll bring in striking support

Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has admitted that he could be tempted into the January sales if "an opportunity turns up".

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The great war photographer was not one person but two. Their pictures of Spain's civil war, lost for decades, tell a heroic tale
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Think comedy’s a man's world? You must be stuck in the 1980s, says Holly Williams
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Before you stuff your luggage with this year's Man Booker longlist titles, the case for some varied poolside reading alternatives
What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

Rupert Cornwell: What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

The CIA whistleblower struck a blow for us all, but his 1970s predecessor showed how to win
'A man walks into a bar': Comedian Seann Walsh on the dangers of mixing alcohol and stand-up

Comedian Seann Walsh on alcohol and stand-up

Comedy and booze go together, says Walsh. The trouble is stopping at just the one. So when do the hangovers stop being funny?
From Edinburgh to Hollywood (via the Home Counties): 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Edinburgh to Hollywood: 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Hugh Montgomery profiles the faces to watch, from the sitcom star to the surrealist
'Hello. I have cancer': When comedian Tig Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on

Comedian Tig Notaro: 'Hello. I have cancer'

When Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on
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Our chef made his name cooking eggs, but he’s never stopped looking for new ways to serve them
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Briefings are off the record leading to transfer speculation which is merely a means to an end