Liverpool can open up a seven point lead at the top of the Premier League table if they beat Leicester tonight. Manchester City lost at Newcastle yesterday and the Reds will be eager to capitalise on their title rival’s slip-up. Leicester have lost four of their last five games and Claude Puel’s future at the club continues to be called into question. Liverpool won the last time the two sides met with Roberto Firmino netting the winner in a 2-1 victory at the King Power Stadium. Liverpool vs Leicester: Team news Liverpool star Virgil Van Dijk is fit to face Leicester after overcoming illness. The influential centre-back returned to training…

Aleksandar Mitrovic bagged a heroic brace as Fulham came from two goals down to breathe life into their relegation battle with a 4-2 win over Brighton. The Cottagers, who had lost all four matches in 2019, were staring down the barrel of another defeat after two first-half goals from Glenn Murray. But Calum Chambers pulled one back with his first Fulham goal before two trademark Mitrovic headers put the hosts in front, and Luciano Vietto opened his account with the fourth to wrap up the victory. Manager Claudio Ranieri had urged his players to “continue to fight” after the narrow defeat by Tottenham nine days ago. It was a message…

West Ham have reportedly asked Chelsea about Olivier Giroud’s availability. The Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following Gonzalo Higuain’s arrival. Giroud, who only joined the Blues 12 months ago, has never been a regular starter under boss Maurizio Sarri. And the Daily Mail claim clubs, including West Ham, have enquired about the former Arsenal striker. Giroud, 32, has reportedly rejected the chance to join Chinese club Dalian Yifang. It is understood Sarri wants to keep the target man to provide competition for Higuain. West Ham are keen to strengthen their attacking options after Marko Arnautovic suffered a foot injury in their 3-0 defeat at Wolves…

Millwall have released a statement confirming they will work with authorities to identify supporters who were involved in alleged racial chanting during Saturday’s FA Cup defeat of Everton. The memorable 3-2 win was marred by a group of supporters who are alleged to have claimed they would ‘rather be a P*** than a Scouse’ in chants aimed at the visiting fans. Footage of the incident has been widely shared on social media. Other clips from the match show the same set of supporters, sat in the Dockers Stand, chanting ‘you’re mum’s a slag’ and ‘your dad’s a nonce’. “Millwall Football Club is aware of, and extremely disappointed by, a video circulating…

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has revealed his frustration at Wilfried Zaha’s treatment in the 1-1 draw with Southampton. Zaha had given Palace the lead in the 41st minute with his first goal since September, but was then sent off with three minutes remaining. He was dismissed for sarcastically clapping referee Andre Marriner, moments after being cautioned for tangling with Southampton goal-scorer James Ward-Prowse. Hodgson bemoaned the decision and will now be without his talisman for the Saturday’s home clash with Fulham. “It’s disappointing that a player who perhaps provided the most entertainment throughout the game was consistently fouled,” said Hodgson. “That he wasn’t able to contain his frustration with…

Rangers have signed goalkeeper Andy Firth from Barrow, the Scottish Premiership club have confirmed. Firth, 22, has linked up with Gers just six months after joining the National League side from Liverpool, ending a lengthy association with the Anfield club having joined as an Under-11. He has penned an 18-month deal with Rangers having undergone a medical on Thursday. “Rangers Football Club can today confirm the signing of goalkeeper Andy Firth on an 18-month deal, subject to international clearance,” a statement read. Firth said: “It’s been a long couple of days while it’s all been in the pipeline, but I’m just delighted to join a club of this stature. It…

Wolves have installed various safe-standing options at Molineux, making them the first Premier League club to do so at their current stadium. A mix of rail seats and seats with separate barriers have been installed in a currently unused block of the Billy Wright Stand to show fans and the local Safety Advisory Group how they would work when the law banning persistent standing is dropped. Wolves are also putting in two further options – barriers in front of existing seats – later this week in order to demonstrate five solutions in total, the Black Country club have announced. In a statement, managing director Laurie Dalrymple said: “As a club…

Liverpool and Arsenal look set to miss out on wonderkid Emerson as Real Betis swoop for the youngster in a deal involving Barcelona, according to Marca. The quartet were among almost 20 clubs reportedly interested in landing the player, currently with Atletico Mineiro in his homeland. But it appears LaLiga side Real Betis are about to win the race with the Spanish publication revealing a deal involving league leaders Barca is in it’s ‘final stages’. It’s thought Betis will land the right-back, 20, and be brought through into their first-team with their divisional rivals paying part of the transfer fee and retaining a percentage of the player’s rights and first-option of…

Newcastle United are hoping to finalise a club-record deal for Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron on deadline day. The Paraguay international underwent a medical in Tyneside on Wednesday after the Magpies had an offer of around $27million (£20.6million) accepted by the Major League Soccer club. The fee for Almiron, 24, will surpass the £16m Newcastle paid for Michael Owen in 2005. Almiron joined Atlanta from Argentinian side Lanus two years ago and played a key role in their MLS title success last year. He has scored 21 goals in 62 games for Atlanta, and has been capped 13 times by Paraguay. Rafa Benitez has been looking for a number ten…

The FA is investigating claims that Sol Campbell was subjected to homophobic abuse during Macclesfield’s trip to Cheltenham on Saturday. Several Cheltenham fans wrote on social media about the chants directed towards the Macclesfield manager and director Dave Beesley confirmed to Gloucestershire Live he had received “a few emails from fans” complaining of homophobia at the game. Campbell has spoken out about the alleged abuse that was directed to him during the match. He told the BBC he was surprised by a “really sad underbelly of abuse in football that has been left for far too long. “I’m not even playing anymore. I’m a manager. It’s not like I’ve got…