Diego Costa has been dropped from the squad of Premier League leaders Chelsea for the match at champions Leicester City after a row over his fitness, according to media reports on Friday.

Manchester United have a golden opportunity to haul themselves into the Premier League title race at the expense of bitter rivals Liverpool this weekend, while leaders Chelsea will look to steady their nerves at Leicester.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Manchester United remain in the hunt for the Premier League title but will first focus on closing the gap to the top four, starting with Sunday's clash against arch rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp admitted he was at a loss to explain his side's lacklustre performance during a 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said he, his players and even the club's supporters will need to raise their game when arch rivals Liverpool visit Old Trafford this weekend.

Manager Pep Guardiola is pleased with the recent improvement in Manchester City defence but believes there is plenty of work to be done in the second half of the season.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has dismissed all the transfer talks linking Philippe Coutinho to top La Liga clubs, indicating the club has no plans to sell the midfielder.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said his club may appeal against the red card shown to John Terry during the Premier League leaders' 4-1 FA Cup defeat of Peterborough United.

Mesut Ozil is ready to sign a new contract with Arsenal but the attacking midfielder wants to know if manager Arsene Wenger is staying at the club beyond this season.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has pledged to bring out the heavy artillery for Tuesday's League Cup semi-final first leg at home to Premier League basement club Hull City.

Arsenal were again indebted to Olivier Giroud after the Frenchman's 89th-minute strike secured a 2-1 victory at second-tier Preston North End in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela has returned to former club Roma for treatment after becoming frustrated by the progress of a hip injury, manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed on Friday.

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney spoke of his pride after equalling the great Bobby Charlton's club scoring record on Saturday with his 249th United goal.

Riyad Mahrez, who inspired Leicester City to an extraordinary Premier League title triumph last season, was named African Footballer of the Year on Thursday.

Yaya Toure has challenged Manchester City to put a smile back on Pep Guardiola's face with a dominant display in Friday's FA Cup third-round clash at West Ham.

In-form midfielder Dele Alli scored two near-identical headers as Tottenham Hotspur beat Chelsea 2-0 on Wednesday to torpedo the Premier League leaders' hopes of a record 14th consecutive victory.

Manchester City may need a decade of consistent performances in the Champions League to establish themselves among Europe's biggest clubs, manager Pep Guardiola has said.

A draw at Sunderland was not the end of the world for Liverpool as they attempt to chase down Chelsea for the Premier League title with key fixtures in January against Manchester City and the leaders on the horizon, according to defender Dejan Lovren.

Antonio Conte has dismissed complaints of his rival managers over Chelsea getting a longer rest during the festive period and said they are angered by his side's position at the top of the Premier League table.

Olivier Giroud's stoppage-time header earned Arsenal an unlikely 3-3 draw at Bournemouth after they had looked down and out when trailing 3-0 after 70 minutes of a rivetting Premier League clash on the south coast on Tuesday.