Tottenham 5 Southampton 2: Records tumble for inspirational hat-trick hero Kane

Record-breaking Harry Kane stole the show with a second hat-trick in as many games as Tottenham smashed Southampton 5-2 at Wembley, the striker setting a new record of 39 Premier League goals in a calendar year in the process.

The England star s treble against Burnley on December 23 moved him level on 36 with Alan Shearer and he never looked as though he was going to struggle with the expectation, beating the record, which had lasted for 22 years, in the 22nd minute as part of an immense performance.

Kane confirmed his spot in the Premier League history books with one of easiest goals he is ever likely to score, heading in from close range to end Saints fairly feeble early resistance.

But there was even more to come, as he doubled his tally for the day just befor…

A-League Grand Final: Brisbane Roar 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (AET)

An extra-time winner from Brazilian forward Henrique ensured Brisbane Roar beat Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 to claim the A-League title.

In an enthralling grand final at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane equalised in the 86th minute through Besart Berisha before going on to seal a third crown in four years.

Matthew Spiranovic had headed the Wanderers ahead from a corner 11 minutes after half-time, yet Tony Popovic s men were ultimately denied as Brisbane benefited from another dose of late drama.

Henrique was on target three years ago when the Roar came from two down in extra time before beating Central Coast Mariners on penalties, while the team s 2012 success came courtesy of a controversial late penalty from Berisha.

On this occasion, the pivotal moment arrived in th…

Messi claims fourth Ballon d´Or award

Lionel Messi has won the 2012 FIFA Ballon d Or ahead of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta.

The Argentine attacker becomes the first player in history to win the Ballon d Or four times in succession. He previously shared the record of three consecutive victories with Michel Platini, while Dutch duo Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten also won the prize three times.

Messi was unable to help Barcelona to the La Liga title in 2011-12 as Real Madrid emerged victorious, while they were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Champions League, yet Messi s brilliance was enough to help him to individual glory.

The recognition comes after a year in which the 25-year-old broke numerous records, including the most goals scored in a calend…

I had to keep going! Son opens up on remarkable solo goal in thumping Tottenham win

Son Heung-min said he had little choice but to go on a 90-yard solo run for his remarkable goal in Tottenham s thumping 5-0 win against Burnley.

Tottenham were two goals to the good when the South Korea international picked up the ball on the edge of his own area, carried it to the opposition box and slotted past Nick Pope.

Son had Dele Alli to his left and Lucas Moura to his right, but he elected to go it alone for one of the goals of the season.

When I got the ball, I tried to pass it to Dele but I couldn t find him, so I had to keep going, he told Sky Sports. I am happy to score this goal.

It was brilliant today. We created chances and were clinical. We deserved the three points. It was an unbelievable performance.

— Tottenham H…

Paris Saint-Germain v Bordeaux: Blanc insists champions are united

Laurent Blanc believes his Paris Saint-Germain players are behind him ahead of Wednesday s Coupe de France clash with out-of-sorts Bordeaux.

Laurent Blanc has denied talk that he has lost the Paris Saint-Germain dressing room ahead of Wednesday s Coupe de France round-of-32 clash with Bordeaux.

So far this season PSG have failed to recapture the form that saw them secure a Ligue 1 and Coupe de la Ligue double in the 2013/14 campaign.

The Parisian giants are third in Ligue 1 and trail leaders Lyon by four points after drawing eight and lost two of their 21 games in the French top flight.

PSG were able to move back above Saint-Etienne by coming from behind to beat struggling Evian 4-2 at Parc des Princes on Sunday.

That victory came on the bac…

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka funds shelters for Turkish families affected by earthquake

Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka has funded accommodation for Turkish families displaced by February’s earthquake.

The 21-year-old, who scored his first professional hat-trick as England thrashed North Macedonia 7-0 in a Euro 2024 qualifier at Old Trafford on Monday night, has been working with charity organisation Big Shoe to help people in need in Turkey.

Over 50,000 people were killed after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Turkey and Syria earlier this year, with over two million left homeless by the damage caused.

Saka has paid for accommodation for 26 families directly affected by the disaster, financing shelters in Hatay, Adiyaman, Kahramanmaras and Malatya, having also teamed up with Big Shoe to cover 120 surgeries for children in Nigeria last ye…

Figo demands time for under-pressure Real Madrid boss Zidane

Luis Figo believes some of the criticism levelled at Zinedine Zidane this season has been unfair, suggesting Real Madrid s detractors have forgotten his previous achievements too quickly.

Zidane enjoyed a brilliant start to his coaching career at the Santiago Bernabeu, leading Madrid to Champions League success within five months of replacing the sacked Rafael Benitez in January 2016.

He then guided Madrid to a Champions League and LaLiga double in his first full season in charge, helping the club become the first to win Europe s elite competition in its current guise for two straight years.

This term things have been somewhat more troublesome, with Madrid s transfer activity coming under criticism and they head in to Tuesday s away league clash with Espanyol 14 …

Inter keen on Jeremy Menez

Italian daily that Inter are planning a summer swoop for Paris Saint-Germain winger Jeremy Menez.

The Nerazzurri are desperate to add to their attacking options in the summer and they seem to have set their sights on the France international.

Inter officials have been keeping close tabs on the player since his spell with Roma and believe this is the right time to reignite their interest.

With more star players expected to arrive at Parc des Princes in the summer, Menez looks set to leave at the end of the season as he is eager to play on regular basis.

Free-spending Monaco have been linked with a move for the 25-year-old, but it appears they could face a stiff competition from Inter.

Jeremy Menez has scored 11 goals in 61 Ligue 1 appearances sinc…

Mexico draw blank in Gold Cup defence opener against T&T

Mexico have drawn a blank in the opening game of their CONCACAF Gold Cup title defence after a 0-0 draw with Trinidad Tobago in Arlington on Saturday.

El Tri were left frustrated by a stubborn Soca Warriors backline, led brilliantly by goalkeeper Marvin Phillip who made numerous strong saves and was named Man of the Match.

The holders thought they had found a winner in second-half stoppage-time when Rogelio Funes Mori tucked in Jesus Gallardo s low cutback but the latter was ruled marginally offside.

Mexico dominated proceedings, with 30 shots to four, including seven on target, along with 83 per cent possession yet they were unable to capitalise.

Hirving Lozano had to be replaced early in the first half with a suspected concussion and neck injury, befor…

Demirbay signs new Hoffenheim deal

Hoffenheim s Kerem Demirbay has signed a new deal to keep him at the German club until 2022, it has been confirmed .

The midfielder has been linked with a move to Liverpool as a potential replacement for Philippe Coutinho, as well as Arsenal with the future of Jack Wilshere still unresolved.

But the club and player have stepped in to dash all speculations as a new agreement has been set in place.

Since his move to Hoffenheim in 2016, Demirbay has steadily progressed, from a second-tier loanee to a key first-team player. He has so far made 43 Bundesliga appearances for the club and scored eight goals, and also earned two caps for Germany and scored one goal.

The 24-year-old sees something special going on at Hoffenheim. He is convinced there is a lot to y…