Rafa Benitez has been appointed as Newcastle manager on a three-year deal, saying he has “committed to a legendary English club”. Benitez, who arrived on Tyneside early on Friday afternoon, was announced just three hours after Steve McClaren’s sacking on Friday morning. After a brief meeting at St James’ Park, Benitez left for Newcastle’s Darsley Park training ground to meet with club staff – the players have been given the day off. It is thought Benitez will take training on both Saturday and Sunday and could be in the dugout for Newcastle’s Monday Night Football clash at Premier League leaders Leicester City. Benitez is understood to have an opt-out clause in his contract if the club is relegated.

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Newcastle United have sacked head coach Steve McClaren. The former England boss won just six of 28 Premier League games in charge of the Magpies, who are just one place off the foot of the table. McClaren and his team were booed off following Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Bournemouth at St James’ Park – their third successive league defeat. Former Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss Rafael Benitez has been tipped to take over. McClaren’s future has been a source of almost constant speculation since the defeat to the Cherries.  Continue reading →

Championship strugglers Bristol City have signed striker Peter Odemwingie on loan from Stoke City for the rest of the season. The Nigerian, 34, moves to Ashton Gate having not made a single start in the Premier League for the Potters this season. “I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring someone of Peter’s quality in; he’ll provide us with experience and hopefully goals in one form or another,” City head coach Lee Johnson told the club website. “I’m looking forward to working with him and he’ll be available for us at Fulham tomorrow.” Odemwingie’s arrival comes after Robins centre-back Aden Flint was named February’s Championship Player of the Month earlier today. The Robins are 20th in the second tier, two points above the relegation zone, with 10 games of the season remaining.

Mauricio Pochettino has been named the Premier League Manager of the Month for February after leading Tottenham to four successive victories. Spurs enjoyed a superb month on the pitch and maintained their push for a first league title since 1961, with Pochettino masterminding victories over Norwich, Watford, Manchester City and Swansea. Nigeria’s Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, Brazil’s Ronaldinho and Argentina’s Pochettino were teammates at French club, Paris Saint Germaine.

Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster has picked up the February’s Premier League Player of the Month award. Forster made his return after 10 months out with a cruciate knee ligament injury in mid-January and has since been in great form for the Saints.

Thursday 10 March, 2016:

Borussia Dortmund 3 – 0 Tottenham

Basel 0 – 0 Sevilla

Fenerbahce 1 – 0 Sporting Braga

Shakhtar Donetsk 3 – 1 Anderlecht

Athletico Bilbao 1 – 0 Valencia

Liverpool 2 – 0 Manchester United

Sparta Prague 1 – 1 Lazio

Villarreal 2 – 0 Bayer Leverkusen