There is a long way to go in the Premier League title race, but the battle between Manchester and north London this weekend could prove pivotal.
Top plays third and fifth plays second as competition at the top hots up. Manchester City put their 100 per cent home record on the line when they take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, while cross-city rivals Manchester United travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal just hours later.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has been given a timely boost as tenacious midfielder Michael Essien took a huge step forward in his return from injury. The Ghanian star returned to reserves action yesterday, playing 75 minutes as Chelsea's reserves fell to defeat.

Essien exploded onto the Premier League scene when he arrived at Stamford Bridge, but a string of injuries in the past year has made him a forgotten figure.

Newcastle have asked the FA for help in sorting out exactly when their two African stars have to leave to join their countries for the African Cup of Nations. Demba Ba we need him for FAA Cup on Saturday The tournament comes around every couple of years smack bang in the middle of the European football season, and it seems [.

The Confederation of African Football has released its short list for 2011 CAF African Player of the year. The list includes usual suspects Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast, Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon and Seydou Keita of Mali.

Other players short listed for the prestigious award include: Asamoah Gyan, Yaya Toure, Kevin Prince-Boateng, Moussa Sow, Gervinho, Adel Taarabt and Andre Ayew.

By Chris Wright

African stars of yesteryear Jay Jay Okocha, Marcel Desailly, Rigobert Song and Kalusha Bwalya have filmed this little viral for the Guinness Football Challenge, which sees Okocha trump his pals with an almighty trickshot which may or may not (or definitely may) have been CGI assisted in some way.

PARIS, France — Lille kept up their unlikely charge for a first French title in over half a century on Saturday when African strike pair Moussa Sow and Gervinho scored in a 2-0 win at Nice. Lille, whose last league triumph came in 1954, stay a point clear of Paris Saint Germain who defeated Sochaux [.