Jason Le Miere

Ahead of their Copa del Rey encounter with Osasuna, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has backed Angel di Maria’s explanation for his alleged offensive gesture.

Lionel Messi scored twice on his return from injury in the first leg of Barcelona’s last-16 tie against Getafe at the Camp Nou.

Alvaro Negredo hit a hat-trick as Manchester City beat West Ham United 6-0 in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semifinal at the Etihad.

Following the blow of Theo Walcott’s injury, Arsenal have received a welcome fitness boost.

Arsenal have reportedly launched fresh moves to bring in a striker following Theo Walcott’s injury.

Lionel Messi returns to the Barcelona squad to take on Getafe in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 tie.

The future of Chelsea target Fredy Guarin remains in doubt, as the Blues continue to be linked with signings in the January transfer window.

A second-half penalty from Fabio Borini gave Sunderland a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the first leg of their League Cup semifinal.

Liverpool continue to be linked with players to bolster the attacking talent at Brendan Rodgers’ disposal in the January transfer window.

David Moyes is expected to have big money to spend at Manchester United in January, although he has again dampened expectations about potential signings.

The extent of Theo Walcott’s injury looks set to increase the urgency of Arsenal’s hunt for a forward in this month’s transfer window.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Real Madrid to a 3-0 victory over Celta Vigo in their first outing of 2014.

The pressure is rightly beginning to build on David Moyes after Manchester United’s FA Cup exit to Swansea City on Sunday.

Gareth Bale will be back in the Real Madrid squad for their first competitive outing of 2014, at home to Celta Vigo.

A late goal from Wilfried Bony gave Swansea City a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup third round at Old Trafford.

Iago Aspas scored his first goal for Liverpool as the Premier League side beat Oldham Athletic 2-0 in the FA Cup third round.

Alexis Sanchez netted a hat-trick as a superb Barcelona beat Elche 4-0 in La Liga action at the Camp Nou.

David Moyes is set to rotate his Manchester United side for the visit of Swansea City in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

Lionel Messi has returned to training for Barcelona ahead of their first match of 2014, at home to Elche on Sunday.

Liverpool will be looking to avenge their defeat to Oldham in last season’s FA Cup, when the two sides meet again in Sunday’s third round tie.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is relishing returning to FA Cup action when his side visit Derby County in the third round on Sunday.

Goals from Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky saw Arsenal beat Tottenham 2-0 in the FA Cup third round at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keen to avenge last season’s FA Cup defeat to Blackburn, as his side prepare to take on Tottenham in Saturday’s third round.

Chelsea have reportedly made a massive offer to try and bring Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain to Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool are working hard to improve their squad further in the January transfer window.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have significant injury concerns ahead of their FA Cup third round tie.

Defeat to Tottenham has reinforced the need for Manchester United to add to their squad in the January transfer window.

Nicklas Bendtner’s injury has renewed speculation that Arsenal will sign a striker in the January transfer window.

Goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Christian Eriksen saw Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford.