English Clubs

LONDON — Chelsea has asked for Saturday's FA Cup quarterfinal game at Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors for "sporting integrity" because they are unable to sell tickets due to restrictions imposed by a British government licence.

Chelsea, who have made the request to the FA board, are dealing with government restrictions on their operations after sanctions were imposed on their Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

Middlesbrough ticket update.

The Women's FA Cup prize fund will increase to three million pounds ($3.92 million) from next season, England's Football Association said on Monday.

The FA did not specify how the new amount will be allocated but said a disproportionate part of it will be invested in the early rounds of the competition.

We can today announce a new landmark investment into the Vitality Women’s FA Cup that will see the competition’s prize fund receive a significant uplift to £3m per year.

More info:

Sam Kerr struck in stoppage time to keep alive Chelsea's Women's Super League title hopes as they snatched a 1-0 win on Sunday over a dogged Aston Villa side, but Arsenal remain top after a 3-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Kerr latched on to a long ball from keeper Zećira Mušović and fired home in the second minute of added time before wheeling away and taking off her shirt in celebration as second-placed Chelsea kept up the pressure on Arsenal.

LONDON - Ukrainian winger Andriy Yarmolenko and Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals scored a goal each as West Ham defeated Aston Villa 2-1 at home on Sunday, ending Steven Gerrard's side's run of three consecutive wins in the Premier League.

Yarmolenko had been granted compassionate leave after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last month and then fell ill, missing West Ham's 1-0 Europa League loss in Seville on Thursday.

LEEDS, England - Joe Gelhardt came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner for Leeds United as they snatched a thrilling 2-1 home victory over fellow strugglers Norwich City in a pulsating Premier League clash on Sunday.

Leeds looked to have thrown away three vital points in the battle for relegation when Kenny McLean fired home Teemu Pukki's pass in the 91st minute, but Gelhardt spared their blushes in a game the hosts should have won comfortably.

Chelsea played its first home match since owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government and disqualified by the Premier League — leaving the club in limbo and immediately needing a new owner — on Sunday, and it was fittingly against Newcastle, which has been steadily climbing the table since its own new owners flexed their financial might in the January window.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most enthralling players to ever grace the field. If you didn’t tune into Manchester United’s 3-2 victory vs. Tottenham on Saturday, you missed out on a Ronaldo masterclass. Even if you’re not a Red Devils fan you have to admire the brilliance of CR7. A Ronaldo hat trick vs Spurs got the job done for United.

Ronaldo Hat Trick vs Spurs

The Portuguese superstar scored the opening goal of the game in the 12th minute with a bullet shot that flew by the outstretched hands of Hugo Lloris.

Age is a myth for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar netted the 805th goal of his career on Saturday vs Tottenham. At 37 years old he’s still scoring goals that simply make your draw drop. This Ronaldo goal vs Tottenham in the 12th minute was no exception.