Football - players.bio

PSG's Closest Challengers Nice, Monaco Beaten In Ligue 1

Rennes eased to a 2-0 victory over Nice on Saturday, condemning their opponents to a third defeat in five Ligue 1 games and handing Paris Saint-Germain the chance to go eight points clear at the top of the table. Second-placed Nice could have cut the gap to PSG to two points with a win, but instead the reigning champions can stretch further ahead when they visit last season's runners-up Lens on Sunday. Benjamin Bourigeaud put Rennes ahead just over half an hour in from the penalty spot, before Arnaud Kalimuendo made it four goals in his last three games after netting a double in last weekend's French Cup win at Guingamp.

Kevin De Bruyne Inspires Manchester City Comeback To Stun Newcastle, Close On Liverpool

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City showed the heart of champions to fight back to beat Newcastle 3-2 on Saturday thanks to a Kevin De Bruyne masterclass on his return to Premier League action. The Belgian came off the bench to score and set up Oscar Bobb's stoppage-time winner to announce his comeback from a five-month injury layoff in style. Victory takes City up to second in the table, two points behind Liverpool, and ominously poised to strike when they return from a two-week winter break, by which point Erling Haaland may be fit to join De Bruyne in terrorising opposition defences.

Leaders Bayer Leverkusen Grab Late Winner, Jadon Sancho Stars On Borussia Dortmund Return

Exequiel Palacios scored in the fourth minute of injury time to earn Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen a 1-0 win at Augsburg on Saturday, keeping them four points clear of reigning champions Bayern Munich, while Jadon Sancho created a goal on his Borussia Dortmund return. Bayern's 3-0 home victory over Hoffenheim on Friday turned up the heat on Leverkusen. The visitors looked set to drop points for just the fourth time this season, but Argentinian World Cup winner Palacios controlled Alex Grimaldo's cross and fired past home goalkeeper Finn Dahmen with only a minute of added time remaining.