Ruben Amorim intends to stay as Sporting CP head coach after being linked with a move to Tottenham.

It appears likely Antonio Conte will end his short tenure at Spurs at the end of the season, when his contract expires.

Conte will have spent less than two years at the helm of the north London side, leading them into the Champions League but proving unable to deliver a trophy.

Nottingham Forest's Steve Cooper and Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi have also played down links to Tottenham.

Amorim has attracted attention as one of Europe's brightest young coaches, impressing at Braga before joining Sporting in March 2020 and winning a Primeira Liga title in his first full season in charge.

Sporting were runners-up to Porto last season and are only fourth this term, but 38-year-old Amorim remains widely admired.

Asked about reports of Tottenham interest at a press conference on Saturday, Amorim said: "My objective is that I have a contract with Sporting for another three years and in my head is to be champion at least once more in those three years.

"If we win two championships in that time it's a step forward. I'm interested in showing results and not what is said abroad."

The coach, whose team play Boavista on Sunday, last week chalked up his 100th win in charge of Sporting as they beat Portimonense 1-0 on league duty.

Sporting allowed defender Pedro Porro to join Tottenham in January, but Amorim may be more difficult to prise away from Lisbon.

Amorim was quoted in Portuguese media on Saturday as saying: "I've always been treated well in Portugal, they follow my day to day; abroad they watch European games and titles, not the daily context.

"I've always felt recognised. When I'm good, I'm the greatest. My goal is to get back to being very good."

Jurgen Klopp believes there was "no reason" for the BBC to tell Gary Lineker to step aside from hosting Match of the Day after the presenter became involved in a political row on social media.

The BBC announced on Friday that Lineker would not be involved in this week's edition of the hugely popular British football show after the former striker criticised the UK government's new asylum policy on Twitter.

Lineker compared the language being used by current politicians to that expressed in Germany in the 1930s.

In the aftermath of the BBC's announcement, several big-name pundits including Ian Wright and Alan Shearer said they would not appear on the show out of solidarity with Lineker, forcing the BBC to air Saturday's episode without a studio team.

Asked about the row after Liverpool's 1-0 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday, Klopp outlined his view that Lineker's message was an acceptable one. 

"How I understand it, I am not a native... but I cannot see any reason why you would ask someone to step back for saying that. I can't," Klopp said.

"I'm not sure if it's a language issue or not, but I can't find it. But that's the world we are living in. Everybody is so concerned about doing things in the right manner, saying the right stuff to everybody.

"If you don't do that, you create a s***storm, which we didn't have when we were young. It's a really difficult world to live in.

"If I understand it right, then this is a message or opinion about human rights, and that should be possible to say. 

"I don't understand the social media part of it, but I'm probably too old for that. But apart from that, no. If I got it right, there's no reason, for me." 

In response to the government's asylum policy, Lineker had posted: "There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I'm out of order?"

Harry Kane scored a brace as Tottenham returned to winning ways with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.

The England captain struck twice in the first half to put the hosts in control at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, ultimately ending a three-match winless streak in all competitions.

Kane's well-taken header and routine penalty were added to in the second half, Son Heung-min ensuring there was no comeback from Forest despite Joe Worrall's consolation and a late saved spot-kick.

The result, coupled with Liverpool's surprise defeat to Bournemouth earlier on Saturday, moves Spurs six points clear in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

Spurs thought they had the lead inside five minutes as Richarlison latched onto Oliver Skipp's lofted throughball to lash a fierce effort beyond Keylor Navas, but it was disallowed for offside against the Brazilian.

That did not deter the hosts, though, Kane rising to head Pedro Porro's cross into the right corner of the net after 19 minutes.

Kane doubled his tally before the break with his first penalty since missing against France in the World Cup quarter-finals, converting after Forest captain Worrall fouled Richarlison.

Spurs' assault on the Forest goal continued in the second half, Son receiving a cross from Richarlison and drilling into the bottom-left corner.

Worrall was able to pull one back, heading Felipe's corner past Fraser Forster.

But that was as good as it got for Forest, with Andre Ayew seeing his late penalty saved by Forster down to his right after a Dejan Kulusevski handball.

Chelsea capped an excellent week in style with an entertaining 3-1 Premier League win at Leicester City, who ended the game with 10 men.

The Blues' midweek win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League served to greatly ease the pressure on Graham Potter, and he was given more reason to cheer at the King Power Stadium.

Former Leicester full-back Ben Chilwell gave Chelsea the lead in the 11th minute, and although Patson Daka levelled for the hosts, Kai Havertz's superb sixth league goal of the season restored the advantage.

Mateo Kovacic made sure of the points with a stunning third, providing further evidence a Chelsea team who added several players in January may finally be starting to click. 

Chilwell broke the deadlock with his second league goal of the season, beating Danny Ward at his near post with a well-struck half-volley.

Leicester almost responded instantly, Daniel Amartey somehow diverting James Maddison's cross wide from point-blank range with the goal at his mercy.

Joao Felix would have put Chelsea in command had his effort not bounced off the right-hand post, but the visitors were then grateful for the woodwork as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's deflected long-range effort cannoned off the crossbar.

There was further frustration for Joao Felix when he saw a goal disallowed for offside, and he was then guilty of losing possession just outside his own area as Daka levelled in style, bending a vicious effort just inside the right-hand post.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had no answer to that strike but was crucially equal to shots from James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho to prevent Leicester completing the turnaround.

There was another twist in added time of an engrossing first half when Chelsea retook the lead, Havertz deftly flicking beyond Ward from Enzo Fernandez’s exquisite ball over the Leicester defence.

Joao Felix was withdrawn by Graham Potter for the second half, but Chelsea continued to create chances, Wesley Fofana seeing a header kept out by Ward, who produced heroics to prevent Havertz doubling his tally shortly after Mykhailo Mudryk had blocked a goal-bound Harry Souttar effort.

After Mudryk saw a goal disallowed, Kovacic had the final say to put the game to bed 12 minutes from time, beating Ward with an acrobatic volley. Wout Faes was then shown a second yellow card for a bad tackle on Carney Chukwuemeka.

Carlo Ancelotti credited Real Madrid's powers of recovery after Saturday's 3-1 win over Espanyol, as Los Blancos prepare to enter a decisive week with a spring in their step.

Madrid appeared in danger of losing more ground on LaLiga leaders Barcelona when Joselu put Espanyol ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the champions responded well to cut the gap to six points.

Vinicius Junior arced a fine strike into the bottom-right corner to level, before Eder Militao's header put Madrid on top and Marco Asensio made the points safe at the death.

Madrid have now claimed 10 points from losing positions in LaLiga this campaign – a tally only bettered by Girona (12).

With the second leg of their Champions League tie against Liverpool and a huge meeting with Clasico rivals Barcelona to come in the next eight days, Ancelotti knows Madrid had no margin for error.

"The matches are all difficult, whoever the rival is," he told Movistar. "We needed the three points, a very important week begins now with the Champions League and the Clasico. 

"The beginning was not very spectacular, then we came back, we controlled it well, it was a good game. We needed to win, we won, and now we go for the next one.

"We arrive in a good mood, hopefully we can prepare well for Wednesday's game [against Liverpool], which has many traps, and they must be avoided."

Madrid hold a handsome 5-2 advantage over Liverpool at the halfway point of their last-16 tie, having become the first visiting team to score five goals in a European game at Anfield last month.

While the European champions are heavy favourites to reach the last eight, Ancelotti says last year's quarter-final tie against Chelsea – in which Madrid squandered a 3-1 first-leg lead before triumphing 5-4 on aggregate – should serve as a warning.

"I think we had an experience last year with Chelsea where it was very difficult for us to get through despite the advantage," he said at his post-match press conference.

"The fact is that we have an advantage, we are favourites, but we have to play 90 minutes with the same attitude as the first leg and with our best performance. 

"We cannot hide the advantage, hopefully we will take advantage of it with a match at the top level. We can't think about managing the result, the minutes... You have be at your best, like at Anfield."

The build-up to Saturday's game was overshadowed by the revelation that Madrid's board would discuss "suspicions of corruption" regarding Barcelona at an urgent meeting on Sunday.

Spanish prosecutors have filed a complaint against Barcelona over alleged historic payments to former refereeing official Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, but Ancelotti would not be drawn on the controversy.  

"Tomorrow I know there is a board meeting. I refer to the club on this issue," Ancelotti said. "It's important, but I prefer to focus on the next game."

Benjamin Pavard helped himself to a first-half double and Joao Cancelo scored his first Bayern Munich goal as the Bundesliga leaders beat Augsburg 5-3 in a thriller.

Mergim Berisha's early goal stirred Bayern into life at the Allianz Arena, where they were out of sight at half-time.

Cancelo equalised before Pavard struck twice in his 150th competitive game for the club and Leroy Sane made it 4-1 at the interval.

Berisha pulled one back with a penalty, but Alphonso Davies restored Bayern's three-goal advantage.

Irvin Cardona then struck in stoppage time for Augsburg, but Bayern had already done enough to move three points clear of Borussia Dortmund ahead of their rivals' Revierderby against Schalke later on Saturday.

Berisha stunned the champions by opening the scoring in the second minute, taking one touch to turn Cancelo too easily before firing home from inside the box.

Cancelo made amends by rifling into the far corner of the net with his right foot after turning Mads Pedersen inside out and Pavard put Bayern in front with a close-range volley four minutes later after Sadio Mane, making his first start since November, set him up with an overhead kick.

Pavard struck again with a spectacular finish, propelling himself up with his left foot and firing in with his right 10 minutes before the break.

Sane got in on the act on the stroke of half-time by heading into an empty net after Mane's cross had struck Maximilian Bauer and goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz before looping into his path.

Berisha reduced the deficit from the spot after Matthijs de Ligt was adjudged to have upended Cardona on the hour-mark.

Ruthless Bayern remained in command, though, and Davies finished clinically at the back post after Cancelo picked him out with a brilliant cross.

Cardona capitalised on slack Bayern defending to turn in a Ruben Vargas cross right at the end, but a thrilling contest had long since been settled.

A decision to ban Eintracht Frankfurt supporters from attending the second leg of their Champions League tie against Napoli on Wednesday has been declared illegal by an Italian court.

Last month's first leg – a 2-0 win for Napoli – was marred by clashes between the two sets of supporters.

The Italian Ministry of the Interior subsequently issued an injunction to prevent the Serie A leaders from selling tickets to visiting supporters for Wednesday's meeting at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Eintracht vowed to fight against that measure and have now had it overturned, though the Italian authorities are expected to lodge an appeal of their own.

An Eintracht statement issued on Saturday read: "The competent administrative court granted Eintracht Frankfurt's application for a temporary injunction this Saturday afternoon. 

"Accordingly, the ban on the sale of tickets to people residing in Germany, which was imposed on SSC Napoli for the second leg of the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday, March 15, has been declared illegal. 

"For the time being, the leaders of Serie A will be required to provide Eintracht Frankfurt with a total of 2,700 guest tickets.

"Nevertheless, it is to be expected that the Prefecture of Naples will appeal against this decision of the administrative court, which will be decided on Monday or Tuesday of the coming week."

Eintracht board member Philipp Reschke told the club's website: "This is a great satisfaction, a milestone, which was also unexpected for our Italian lawyers. 

"We have to reorganise everything that we and many others had to cancel in the past few days, so the game goes on."

Jurgen Klopp conceded Bournemouth deserved their 1-0 win against Liverpool after the Reds missed the chance to move into the Premier League's top four.

Philip Billing's first-half effort was enough to down the Merseyside outfit at the Vitality Stadium, with three points taking the Cherries out of the relegation zone.

Mohamed Salah, fresh from a brace in last Sunday's 7-0 hammering of Manchester United that saw the Egypt international become Liverpool's all-time top scorer in the Premier League, missed a second-half penalty to leave the visitors licking their wounds.

Klopp believes that could have been the turning point in the game, though he felt Bournemouth, who gave leaders Arsenal a scare last time out, were long overdue a victory.

"The last penalty we got in the league was long ago and it's completely hypothetical but if we score there, the game could turn," he told BT Sport.

"It doesn't make the performance better but could change the result at least. He scores goals, he scores a lot of goals, but he missed the penalty, that's life.

"It was clear from the first second that we come here, Bournemouth are fighting to stay in the league, wonderful club, wonderful city, they want to stay in and they do really well.

"Results were not going in the right direction in the last few months, but the performances look different, and so they deserve the three points today, that's it."

Bournemouth's Adam Smith, who saw the penalty decision go against him for handball, felt justice was served from Salah's miss and revealed even some of the Liverpool players were confused by the penalty.

"Even some of the Liverpool lads said it was a bit harsh," he said.

"I was jumping, I couldn't see the ball, I don't know how I meant to stop that. I jump with my hands, I think my arms were down, so maybe it was a little bit of justice that they missed it."

Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed Paul Pogba is part of his plans for Sunday's Serie A match against Sampdoria after being dropped in midweek for disciplinary reasons.

Pogba was left out of Juve's squad for their 1-0 Europa League last-16 first-leg win over Freiburg on Thursday after turning up late for a team meeting on the eve of the game.

However, having served his punishment, the 29-year-old will be back involved against Samp as Juve seek a return to winning ways in the league after losing 1-0 to Roma.

"Paul is available," Allegri said at Saturday's pre-match press conference. "Because he was late once, it doesn't mean we must keep punishing him."

Pogba has suffered multiple injury issues since rejoining Juve from Manchester United last July, restricting him to just 34 minutes on the field across two substitute appearances.

Asked if the France international is in line for his long-awaited second full debut for the Bianconeri on Sunday, Allegri gave little away.

"I haven't decided on the formation yet. There are only two players I know are definitely playing: [Mattia] Perin and [Dusan] Vlahovic."

Vlahovic has failed to find the net in his past four Serie A games, all as a starter – never before has he gone five in a row without scoring in the competition as a starter.

The Serbia international has also spent a prolonged period on the sidelines this season, but Allegri considers the forward back to full fitness.

"Dusan has completely recovered," Allegri said. "I know he's our only striker for tomorrow. I'm happy with his performance [against Freiburg] and now he's physically much better.

"I'm confident in him. All players go through moments like this in their career, especially strikers who are judged on goals."

Juve's loss to Roma last time out ended a four-game winning run in the Italian top flight, but a home match against bottom side Sampdoria provides a chance to respond.

The Bianconeri have won their past seven home league meetings against Sampdoria, who have won just two of their 25 Serie A matches this season.

"To many it may seem like an easy game, but going by Sampdoria's recent results, that can be deceiving," Allegri said. "They lost late on against Lazio and drew with Salernitana.

"It's important the team understands the importance of the match and that it must be faced with our full attention."

Real Madrid came from behind to cut Barcelona's lead at the top of LaLiga to six points, with Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao and Marco Asensio scoring in a 3-1 win over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid entered Saturday's game having gone three matches without a win, and they threatened to lose further ground in the title race when Joselu's early strike put Espanyol ahead.

However, a solo effort from Vinicius Junior swiftly levelled things up, before Militao nodded home at the back post to put the hosts on top before half-time.

Asensio escaped in behind to net a third late on, ensuring Madrid went six points behind Barcelona ahead of the Blaugrana's trip to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, with the Clasico rivals due to face off in a huge clash next week. 

Espanyol stunned the Bernabeu with their first real attack eight minutes in, Joselu guiding a side-footed finish into the top-right corner after Ruben Sanchez broke beyond Eduardo Camavinga to cross.

Madrid almost went 2-0 down when Vinicius Souza's header forced Thibaut Courtois into action, but they were level after 22 minutes as Vinicius Junior skipped inside to bend a terrific finish into the bottom-right corner.

With Espanyol coming under intolerable pressure, Militao gave Madrid the lead six minutes before the break, heading Aurelien Tchouameni's delicate delivery in off the crossbar.

A last-ditch clearance from Vinicius Souza denied Rodrygo as Madrid continued to press after the interval, before Leandro Cabrera scuffed an effort wide at the other end.

Rodrygo then rattled the crossbar with a fine free-kick as Espanyol faded, before substitute Asensio applied a calm one-on-one finish to make the points safe in stoppage time.

Bournemouth were able to get the job done this time as they held on for a crucial 1-0 win over Liverpool at Vitality Stadium.

A week after Bournemouth had thrown away a two-goal lead at Arsenal, Philip Billing's first-half strike secured an advantage they protected admirably on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah missed a penalty for Jurgen Klopp's men in the second half as a team who put seven past Manchester United only six days prior failed to break down their lowly hosts.

Defeat is a blow to Liverpool's top-four hopes, but the win sees Gary O'Neil's side climb out of the relegation zone in the Premier League.

Liverpool went close to taking the lead in the sixth minute when Virgil van Dijk headed a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner goalwards, only for Jefferson Lerma to clear off the line.

Soon after it was Dango Ouattara who had a glorious opportunity at the other end when he was sent through on goal, but the Burkina Faso international could only find the side-netting after rounding Alisson.

Cody Gakpo had a goal ruled out for offside, yet it was the Cherries who took the lead in the 28th minute when Ouattara latched onto a long ball and cut a cross back to Billing to finish.

Klopp brought Diogo Jota on for Harvey Elliott at half-time, and the Portuguese forward forced a fine save from Neto to his left within four minutes of the restart.

Liverpool were awarded a penalty in the 68th minute when Adam Smith's outstretched arm blocked a Jota header, but Salah fired wide, and Bournemouth this time saw out the late pressure to seal the win.

Xavi hopes to stay at Barcelona for "many years" but insists his main focus is on winning trophies, rather than extending his contract at Camp Nou.

The Blaugrana are on track for a treble this season. Nine points clear at the LaLiga summit, Xavi has already secured Supercopa de Espana glory, while Barca are also 1-0 to the good in their two-legged Copa del Rey semi-final tie with Real Madrid.

The former midfielder has one year remaining on his existing contract, although club president Joan Laporta revealed negotiations over a new deal were ongoing.

Xavi is hopeful those talks are successful and he can enjoy a lengthy reign at Barca, similar to that of Alex Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues during his 27-year tenure with Manchester United.

But that is not the 43-year-old's primary objective.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of Barcelona's trip to Athletic Bilbao, he told reporters: "It's difficult to be Ferguson in Barcelona. I love to be here. I suffer many days, but I am thankful to the president.

"He's really happy. It's great to have his support. He is a loyal man and hopefully I will stay here many years. But it will depend on all our results. Now is not the moment to talk about my contract.

"Of course, we are talking about this situation. We've been talking about a contract extension, but we need to be calm and focus on winning trophies.

"I still have one more year. We are close to winning trophies, and that's the most important thing – not my contract, we need to win trophies."

Barca will be eager to maintain their momentum ahead of next week's blockbuster showdown with title rivals Real Madrid at Camp Nou, and Xavi has urged his players to retain their concentration levels.

"We are just focused on tomorrow's game to keep the advantage of nine points," he added. "With Real Madrid, that is crucial. Then, we will have the following week to focus on El Clasico.

"We need to keep this good advantage before the visit of Real Madrid, but [Athletic is] going to be a really tough game for sure.

"We are now in the most important part of the season. We need to play well, compete and win those games. These two weeks before the international break are crucial."

Xavi has compared Robert Lewandowski with former Barcelona legends Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi ahead of the striker's return from injury.

LaLiga's top scorer with 15 goals this season, Lewandowski has missed the Blaugrana's last two games after sustaining a hamstring strain.

But the Poland captain is back in the squad for the trip to Athletic Bilbao, where leaders Barca will be aiming to maintain their nine-point lead at the top of the table. 

"Robert has been training with the group since Thursday after some days off, and he's ready," head coach Xavi said during his pre-match press conference. "He's feeling well and always wants to play.

"We are really happy to have him here with us. I will compare him with people like Ronaldinho and Messi. He's changed the mentality of the team. He's our leader and all our players are growing with him.

"We won without him, but we missed him. We attack better with Lewandowski. He presses high up front; he's a crucial player for us."

Barca will be without the injured Pedri and Ousmane Dembele at San Mames, while Ronald Araujo misses out through suspension.

That could see Eric Garcia start in the heart of defence, with Xavi paying tribute to the Spain international.

"He's a great professional," he added. "He doesn't participate as much as he deserves. But he has competition at a big club like Barca.

"He is a player of present and future. I'm counting on him. He always plays well when he's on the field. He's an example in the locker room."

Real Madrid have called an urgent meeting of their board of directors for Sunday to discuss what the club describes as "well-founded suspicions of corruption" into rivals Barcelona.

Last month, broadcaster SER Catalunya alleged Barca had paid €1.6million to the company of Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira – the former vice-president of Spain's Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) – between 2016 and 2018.

Newspaper El Pais claimed Negreira's company – DASNIL 95 SL – produced written reports and DVD assessments of referees prior to games.

The public prosecutor's office said on Friday that Spanish prosecutors had filed a complaint against Barca and two of their ex-presidents over the alleged payments.

Madrid released a statement on Saturday to announce their intention to hold a board meeting to discuss the matter.

"Given the seriousness of the accusations made by the Barcelona prosecutor's office against FC Barcelona and two of its presidents for well-founded suspicions of corruption and their relations with whoever was the vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the president has convened urgently to the board of directors tomorrow, Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 12:00 p.m., in order to decide on the actions that Real Madrid deems appropriate in relation to this matter," the statement read.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta last week strenuously denied the accusations, suggesting the team being top of LaLiga had led to people wanting to damage the club.

"Let me be clear, Barca have never bought referees nor had the intention to buy referees. Absolutely never," he said.

"The forcefulness of the facts contradicts those who try to change the story. We are doing well again, nothing is accidental... There is a campaign to harm the interests of Barca.

"It is a campaign aimed at controlling the club. LaLiga does not accept that Barca did not sign the contract with CVC."

David Brooks was named on the bench for Bournemouth for their Premier League clash against Liverpool on Saturday, the first time he has been in a matchday squad since recovering from cancer treatment.

The Wales international has not featured since being diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin's lymphoma in October 2021.

Brooks was given the all-clear in May and returned to a modified training programme, before signing a new deal with Bournemouth until 2026.

Cherries head coach Gary O'Neil named the 25-year-old among his substitutes for the game against Liverpool at Vitality Stadium, also making three changes to the team that started the agonising last-minute 3-2 defeat at Arsenal.

Lloyd Kelly, Jefferson Lerma and Jaidon Anthony came in for Chris Mepham, Jordan Zemura and Antoine Semenyo.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made just one change to the team that thrashed Manchester United 7-0 last time out, with Stefan Bajcetic coming in for Jordan Henderson.

Bournemouth were looking to avenge the 9-0 defeat they suffered at Anfield in August.