Summary

  1. 'A nice challenge to have'published at 14:15 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    West Ham v Bayer Leverkusen (0-2 agg, Thu, 20:00 BST)

    West Ham United

    Lukasz Fabianski on West Ham's bid to overcome a two-goal deficit at home to Bayer Leverkusen: "It is a nice challenge to have. As a player and as a team and a club we want to be in this position - playing in the quarter-finals of a European competition against a really strong side."

    Lukasz FabianskiImage source, Getty Images
  2. 'Special magical evenings'published at 14:12 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    West Ham v Bayer Leverkusen (0-2 agg, Thu, 20:00 BST)

    West Ham United

    More from West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski on facing pressure: "We have experienced already some games under pressure when it comes to European competitions - in the previous rounds and in the previous years. We have managed to create some special magical evenings so hopefully tomorrow will be a similar situation."

    Lukasz FabianskiImage source, Getty Images
  3. 'We have to believe'published at 14:09 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    West Ham v Bayer Leverkusen (0-2 agg, Thu, 20:00 BST)

    West Ham United

    West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski on their chances of beating newly crowned German champions Bayer Leverkusen: "It is a very daunting challenge but we have to believe - there is no other way to look at the situation. They [Bayer Leverkusen] are in a very strong position when it comes to the confidence of the team, with them being unbeaten in the league and already crowned German champions. They are a very good side they have proved that in the whole season but I would say we have to believe."

  4. Watch West Ham news conferencepublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    West Ham United

    West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is speaking to the media, with boss David Moyes to follow. You can watch the news conference by clicking the icon at the top of the page.

    We'll have the best of what they have to say here too...

  5. The giant test facing the Hammerspublished at 14:07 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    West Ham v Bayer Leverkusen (0-2 agg, Thurs, 20:00 BST)

    West Ham United

    West Ham have the opportunity to reach the semi-final of a European competition for a third straight season on Thursday night.

    Their chances of doing so, however, currently look unfavourable to them.

    They start tomorrow's second leg 2-0 down. To make matters worse, playmaker Lucas Paqueta and left-back Emerson's absences through suspension and a potential injury absence for Greek centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos make what is already a tricky challenge even more difficult.

    Bayer Leverkusen were crowned Bundesliga champions on Sunday courtesy of a 5-0 over Werder Bremen and have not lost in any of their 42 matches in all competitions this season.

    The potential return of Jarrod Bowen would be a boost to manager David Moyes, if he is fit, but it will be possibly the greatest European night the London Stadium has ever seen if the Hammers are able to defy the odds and progress into the final four.

    Granit XhakaImage source, Getty Images
  6. Early West Ham team newspublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    West Ham v Bayer Leverkusen (0-2 agg, Thurs, 20:00 BST)

    West Ham United

    Right, time to focus on West Ham United's uphill task in their Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg against Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

    The Hammers are 2-0 down after last Thursday's first leg in Germany.

    Forward Jarrod Bowen, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and midfielder Kalvin Phillips all missed that match through injury. However, they all trained earlier today, boosting their chances of featuring in the second leg at the London Stadium.

    David Moyes' side will also be boosted by the return of Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez, who missed the trip to Germany through suspension.

    However, midfielder Lucas Paqueta and left-back Emerson will miss the second leg through suspension and centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos also did not train today, having been forced off during the second half of Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Fulham through injury.

    Teenage midfielder George Earthy is also set to miss out having suffered a head injury minutes into his Premier League debut at the weekend.

    Edson Alvarez and Lucas PaquetaImage source, Getty Images
  7. League Two round-uppublished at 13:59 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    There were five games in League Two on Tuesday night, which had significant ramifications for both ends of the League Two table.

    Stockport County, who had already earned promotion, sealed the League Two title with a 5-2 win at Notts County.

    Mansfield Town clinched the final automatic promotion place with a 2-1 victory over Accrington Stanley.

    And Forest Green Rovers were relegated down to the National League as a result of Colchester United's 2-0 win over Grimsby Town.

    Stockport CountyImage source, Getty Images
  8. Rotherham reappoint Evans after Richardson exitpublished at 13:57 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Earlier today, we brought you the news that Rotherham United had sacked manager Leam Richardson following the Millers' relegation down to League One.

    The Millers have been quick to act in terms of sourcing their replacement, reappointing former manager Steve Evans, who leaves League One side Stevenage.

    Stevenage currently sit ninth in League One and have a slim chance that they could still reach the play-offs this season with two games to go.

    Read the full story on the manager switch at Rotherham here.

    Steve EvansImage source, Getty Images
  9. Pompey must be ready for 'brutal' financial nature of Championshippublished at 13:55 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Portsmouth 3-2 Barnsley

    Speaking of the Championship, Southampton's arch-rivals Portsmouth clinched a return to England's second tier last night with a late win over Barnsley at Fratton Park.

    Conor Shaughnessy's header clinched the title for John Mousinho's side in what is his first full season as a manager.

    However, Pompey and other clubs have been warned about the significant increase in budgets required to survive in the Championship.

    Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has stated that, on average, clubs in the Championship lose around £476,000 a week and that while Pompey's squad has a valuation of around £2m, others in the division are worth around £100m.

    Read more from Kieran Maguire on the financial challenges of the Championship, and what Pompey can expect, here.

    Portsmouth celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  10. Who will win Championship title & automatic promotion?published at 13:53 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    The top of the Championship is every bit as tight as the Premier League, with all the leading contenders for the title dropping points in recent weeks.

    Ipswich have a one-point lead over second-placed Leicester while Leeds are a point outside the automatic promotion places in third.

    Check out this feature for a full lowdown on the title race and whether fourth-placed Southampton could conceivably usurp them all with a late run.

    A graphic showing Che Adams of Southampton, Crysencio Summerville of Leeds, Kieran McKenna of Ipswich and Kieran Dewsbury-Hall of LeicesterImage source, BBC Sport
  11. In-form Saints cruise to win against Prestonpublished at 13:47 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Southampton 3-0 Preston

    Southampton continued their good run of form in the Championship with a 3-0 victory at home to Preston North End on Tuesday night.

    Che Adams struck twice to help Southampton narrow the gap to the top three - Ipswich, Leicester and Leeds - with Stuart Armstrong adding the third in the first half.

    It leaves Saints four points off the automatic promotion places with four matches remaining.

    Click here for the full match report..

    Che AdamsImage source, Getty Images
  12. Postpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    OK, we are going to have a quick dip into the EFL to round-up the main stories following Tuesday's football before returning to focus on Europe with the West Ham news conference at 14:00 BST.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:39 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

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    Phil Foden is not a winger in the England system and should be played with Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in midfield, behind Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon. Keep the service fast to the goalscorers.

    David

    Anthony Gordon in England training gearImage source, Getty Images
  14. Postpublished at 13:37 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Clearly, Gareth Southgate may confound us all and come up with another solution to unlock England's most attacking players.

    Cole Palmer is making a late run for a starting place following his goalscoring exploits for Chelsea, while David [coming up] believes Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham should form a midfield partnership with Declan Rice to give England further options in forward positions...

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:34 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

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    For me, Jude Bellingham has to be the 10. You play your best player in his best position. For tournament football, you have to be a bit more pragmatic. Suggestions of Bellingham playing deeper to make room for an extra attacking player just seems like shoehorning to me. The same mistake we made in the Golden Generation. Neither Phil Foden nor Cole Palmer have to start because we are more balanced with Bellingham and Saka in their preferred positions.

    Dom, Worthing

    Jude Bellingham playing for EnglandImage source, Getty Images
  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:29 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

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    As a Scotsman, it’s hard to say but England have an abundance of talent in the attacking areas. Phil Foden on the left of a front three with Harry Kane through the middle and Bukayo Saka on the right. My picks for midfield would be James Ward-Prowse for set pieces, Declan Rice to control everything and Jude Bellingham as the free attacking runner. The thought of an attack involving, Kane, Saka, Foden and Bellingham is terrifying. The right coaching and tactics and England certainly have a huge chance of winning a major competition.

    Anon

    Why so static? Jude Bellingham box-to-box next to Declan Rice then allow Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka & Cole Palmer to rotate in and around Harry Kane. The talent is there - unleash them. For debate - use Foden central, he doesn’t offer as much out wide. But the debate is silly as it will be stifled by Gareth Southgate.

    Charlie

  17. Foden v Bellingham - who should be England's number 10?published at 13:26 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    We asked you earlier for your thoughts on whether Gareth Southgate should pick Jude Bellingham or Phil Foden as England's number 10 at this summer's European Championships.

    A straw poll in the post currently shows Foden is a slight favourite to take that central attacking role, but it is very tight.

    Thankfully, the decision will lie with Southgate not us.

    A cross-section of your views is coming up...

    Phil FodenImage source, Getty Images
  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:19 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

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    Xavi must be deluded? Poor tackling cost his team dearly last night! Why not just try and focus on the positives over the two legs. He has some very talented youngsters in that team and he will leave the club in a better place, considering all the off-field drama at Barca! It's a big learning curve for them, and I'm pretty sure they will learn the lesson! Blaming the ref is something I would expect of a different sort of manager.

    Rob from Sutton

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:12 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

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    Meanwhile, back at the truth, anyone who actually saw the game knows Mbappe was rubbish!

    Sheffieldblue

    Kylian Mbappe open-mouthed after Paris St-Germain's win at BarcelonaImage source, Getty Images
  20. I feel very proud - Enriquepublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Barcelona 1-4 Paris St-Germain (4-6 agg)

    Paris St-Germain's victory over Barcelona was made all the more intriguing for the tactical battle raging on the touchline between two managers who know each other well.

    Current Barca boss Xavi was shown a red card for his protestations, while Paris St-Germain's Spanish manager Luis Enrique, who led Barca to the Champions League title in 2015, projected a satisfied air in his post-match news conference.

    "I feel very proud, the players showed a lot of character and desire," Enrique told Canal+.

    "We showed what we wanted to do here. We conceded a goal but we remained intact in mentality. We did everything to be better than Barca."

    Enrique won the treble in charge of Barcelona in 2015, a side that included Xavi in the heart of his midfield. As players, Enrique and Xavi also played 132 times together for club and country.

    Following victory over the side he used to manage and play for, Enrique was quick to praise striker Kylian Mbappe, who scored twice in the second half for the Parisian outfit.

    "Hats off to Kylian, look at how he pressed, that's how you lead a team," said Enrique, noting the striker's all-round contribution after leaving Mbappe on the bench for a number of games since his decision to join Real Madrid was announced. "When Kylian can give that we are much, much better."

    Luis Enrique at his post-match news conferenceImage source, Getty Images