SOCCER

It was the first brace for the 26-year-old Fabregas since the Catalans 5-0 win over Mallorca in June, when he notched a hat trick and came off after 64 minutes.

Juventus beat Napoli 3-0 in Serie A action in Turin, courtesy of goals from Fernando Llorente, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba.

Robin van Persie scored the only goal of the game as Manchester United beat his former club Arsenal in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

Rumors are still insisting Carlo Ancelotti’s side has their sights firmly set on snatching blistering striker Luis Suarez from Liverpool for a £50 million fee.

Ahead of Barcelona’s away clash with Real Betis, midfielder Xavi has insisted that the Blaugrana has not changed its philosophy under Gerardo Martino.

Manchester United and Arsenal are hopeful of having key players back from injury for their key Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 5-1 in La Liga action at the Bernabeu, helped by a hat-trick by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Chelsea rescued a 2-2 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion, courtesy of a controversial injury-time penalty scored by Eden Hazard.

Liverpool produced a comfortable 4-0 victory over Fulham at Anfield, helped by two goals from striker Luis Suarez.

Ahead of the meeting with Real Sociedad, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti concedes that his side are still searching for continuity.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is targeting a win over Fulham, on Saturday to remain on target for the Champions League.

Eden Hazard will return to Chelsea’s squad when Chelsea take on West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Arsenal could make a powerful statement against Manchester United at Old Trafford, with a win taking them 11 points clear of the Premier League champions.

In the wake of the Ballon d’Or nominations and ahead of next year’s World Cup, a rundown of the world’s 10 best forwards.

Erik Lamela and Jermain Defoe were on target as Tottenham beat Sheriff Tiraspol 2-1 to move into the Europa League knockout phase.

Already having made a sensational start to the season, Arsenal are set to soon be boosted further by the return to fitness of several key players.

Liverpool are believed to be looking to bolster their squad in January, with Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye one of the names linked.

The Houston Dynamo edged the New York Red Bulls 2-1 after extra time in the second leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinals to progress 4-3 on aggregate.

Two goals from Samuel Eto’o helped Chelsea to a 3-0 victory over Schalke at Stamford Bridge and put them in command of Champions League Group E.

Barcelona secured their place in the Champions League knockout phase with a 3-1 victory over Milan at the Camp Nou.

Aaron Ramsey’s header secured Arsenal a potentially vital 1-0 win against Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalensdtadion in Group F of the Champions League.

Following defeat to Newcastle, Jose Mourinho is ready to ring the changes for Chelsea’s Champions League meeting with Schalke,

Gerardo Martino has sarcastically gibed that his Barcelona side are as much in a state of crisis as their Champions League opponents on Wednesday, Milan.

Arsenal will be looking to reverse their 2-1 home defeat when they take on Borussia Dortmund once more in a key clash at the Westfalenstadion.

Chelsea will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle when they take on Schalke O4 in the Champions League.

Manchester City booked their place in the Champions League knockout phase for the first time with a 5-2 victory over CSKA Moscow at the Etihad.

Real Madrid are all-but through to the last 16 of the Champions League after a 2-2 draw with Juventus in Turin that leaves the Italian side at the bottom of Group B.

Struggling Milan will hope to upset the form book once more against Barcelona when the sides face off in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Manchester United are looking to close in on qualification for the Champions League knockout phase as they travel to San Sebastian to take on Real Sociedad.