Europa League

CELTIC were sent on a revenge mission in Prague but failed to regain any pride as their Europa League campaign was left dead and buried.
The Hoops were humiliated by a depleted Sparta Prague last time out at Parkhead – with Lukas Julis bagging a hat-trick in the 4-1 win.

Sparta Prague made it two successive 4-1 wins over CelticCredit: Reuters

The Hoops’ defence was left exposed once again with their Europa League campaign dead and buriedCredit: Reuters

And the striker came back to haunt the champions once again as his double ended Celtic’s qualifications hopes with two games still to play in another disastrous night.
Despite some early pressure from the hosts, Odsonne Edouard fired Celtic in front after 15 minutes.
The Hoops hit on the counter-attack through Callum McGregor, who picked out the Frenchman on the left-hand side.
And Edouard – who ended his five-game goal drought with a penalty against Hibs on Sunday – turned his man inside out before tucking the ball into the bottom right corner off the post.

It was the perfect start for the visitors. But their lead didn’t last long.
The Hoops were caught out at the corner as Christopher Jullien failed to clear the danger from the penalty area with a weak header.
Scott Brown couldn’t scramble the ball away and it fell to David Hancko to slot home from just yards out.
It was calamitous defending from Celtic, and there was more to come.

Celtic have conceded 21 goals in nine gamesCredit: Reuters

Odsonne Edouard gave Celtic an early leadCredit: Reuters

Seven minutes before half-time Sparta took the lead through a simple low cross into the box.
The ball drifted past Kristoffer Ajer and Scott Bain before Julis nipped in front of Jullien to poke home at the back post.
Seconds before the whistle it should have been THREE after Ladislav Krejci smashed a free header off the post from a free-kick.
It was a major let-off for Neil Lennon’s side, who started brighter in the second-half.
Edouard went close with a dipping free-kick, while Ryan Christie flashed a curling shot just wide of the post.
Celtic were piling heavy pressure on their Czech opponents, with Sparta pinned deep inside their own half.

Neil Lennon was taking charge of his 60th European gameCredit: AFP or licensors

Sparta Prague celebrated their win, putting eight goals past Celtic in their two meetingsCredit: AFP or licensors
Edouard had his head in his hands with 25 minutes left as he squandered a golden opportunity to hit the leveller.
Olivier Ntcham showed great skill on the left to play the ball across the box to his fellow Frenchman.
But Edouard – usually so ice-cool in big moments – lost his balance and passed the ball into Florin Nita’s hands.
Celtic deserved an equaliser but lacked a cutting edge.
And they were made to pay as Sparta made it 3-1 with a deadly counter-attack.
Julis made it FIVE goals in two games against Celtic as he got on the end of ex-Kilmarnock loanee David Karlsson’s cross.
And a mistake from Scott Bain completed another embarrassing night as Srđan Plavšić rounded the keeper to make it four with the final kick of the game.

Eddie Howe now odds on to replace Neil Lennon at Celtic More

NAPOLI paid a touching tribute to Diego Maradona ahead of their Europa League clash with Rijeka on Thursday.
The legendary former footballer died at the age of 60 on Wednesday from a suspected heart attack.

Napoli paid tribute to Diego Maradona ahead of their Europa League game with RijekaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The players all donned Maradona’s iconic No10 shirtCredit: Reuters

Maradona’s image was beamed onto the screen in the San PaoloCredit: AFP

Tributes were paid outside the San Paolo by fans tooCredit: Rex Features

Maradona led Napoli to two Serie A titles and one UEFA Cup during his seven seasons at the club, scoring 115 goals in 259 games.
And the Italians paid a fitting tribute to one of Naples’ best-loved sons, with fans marching through the street with flares.
Before kick-off, star Napoli player Lorenzo Insigne laid flowers outside the San Paolo stadium – which is set to be renamed after Maradona.
⚠️ Read our Diego Maradona death live blog for the latest news & updates

The icon’s picture was beamed onto giant screens inside the arena.
And the Napoli players all wore Maradona’s legendary No10 shirt as they held a minute of silence before kick-off.
Napoli also posted an emotional statement online, saying that the city will love Maradona ‘forever’.
It read: “Diego, Unique and Immense Love. If the world is mourning the greatest player of all time, Naples celebrates a son, a friend, a father and a brother tonight.

“Diego, Unique and Immense Love. The Champion, the Star Player, the Idol, The King, the unrepeatable Genius of the Blue Universe who gave us an Eternal Dream.

“Thank you for the emotions, for the happiness, for the splendour, for your huge heart that will never stop beating.
“You have risen once again from the Earth to enter the Legend.
“You beat death to consign yourself to the Myth. And now, Diego, take us back with you to Heaven.
“This is your city, this is your home, this is your people, this is your people.
“Diego, Unique and Immense Love . Naples will love you forever!”

Maradona won two Serie A titles during his time at NapoliCredit: AFP

The Argentine was loved by all in Naples as he also won a UEFA CupCredit: Reuters
Upon hearing the sad news yesterday, fans poured onto the streets of Naples in tears.
The Italian club now plans to rename its San Paolo stadium after Maradona.
President Aurelio De Laurentiis said: “We can consider the idea of calling our stadium San Paolo-Diego Armando Maradona.”
Naples Mayor Luigi De Magistris added: “We are already putting it together this morning, taking the first steps to dedicate Naples’ stadium to Maradona.
“It’s a process but it will be a quick process, because when there is such a strong desire there’s nothing that will hold us up.
“We’re hoping to make it coincide with the resumption of games with fans.”

Maradona sadly passed away on Wednesday at the age of 60Credit: AP:Associated Press

The City of Naples will never forget the superstar from ArgentinaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Former Napoli star and Chelsea vice-captain Jorginho added: “Maradona was a hero for all of us who love football.
“What he did on the pitch was unbelievable. It is something that no one can ever forget because he made the history of football.
“I was lucky to meet him once in Naples. I took a picture with him and I will never forget that day. I think those who met him will never forget, who saw what he did on the pitch will never forget.
“Today is a sad day because it is a big loss and I struggle to believe it happened. What he did for Naples, everyone just loves him so much for it, I felt that.
“I need to say thanks for what he did for football. He made us dream. Every kid who watched his skills and what he did on the pitch, every fan, everyone loved and will love him forever for what he did on the pitch.
“I am sad today about what happened, I have and I will always have a big respect for Maradona. Thank you Diego, rest in peace.”

Mourners visit Maradona’s coffin as it lays in state in Argentina More

NICOLAS PEPE answered Mikel Arteta’s call to arms to fire Arsenal into the last 32 of the Europa League with two games to spare.
The Gunners’ £72million record signing had been ordered to make amends for his weekend madness after being sent-off for butting Ezgjan Alioska during the goalless draw at Leeds.

Nicolas Pepe made up for his Leeds headbutt by scoring against MoldeCredit: Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB

Mikel Arteta wanted to see the best of Pepe and finally got it in NorwayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

And that was exactly what he did with the breakthrough goal to set Arteta’s team on their way to a fourth straight group win.
Pepe struck in the 50th minute when he curled a precise shot inside the far post after Molde defender Birk Risa made a complete mess of Reiss Nelson’s cross.
It came just seconds after he had seen another left-foot special strike the bar and bounce down onto the goal-line.
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

And Pepe’s fourth goal of the season opened the floodgates for an Arsenal team who have been struggling for goals in the Premier League but are a  completely different proposition in Europe.
The impressive Nelson doubled their lead when he got ahead of his marker to force Joe Willock’s 55th minute low cross over the line.
And Eddie Nketiah should have killed the game off three minutes later but headed over from another pinpoint cross from the lively Pepe.
But Arsenal were still not ready to put their feet up and claimed the third goal their efforts deserved when substitute Folarin Balogun scored within seconds of replacing Nketiah. 

The 19-year-old striker swivelled onto a low cross from fellow sub Emile Smith Rowe to hammer home the first goal of his Arsenal career.

Reiss Nelson also scored as Arsenal secured a big winCredit: Reuters

The Gunners can now look forward to playing in the knockout stage next yearCredit: Reuters

Yet it might just have been a very different story had Molde not squandered a glorious 15th minute opportunity to take the lead.
Eirik Helstad drilled the ball towards the back post where Sheriff Sinyan slid in and from a yard out rolled his shot right across the face of the empty goal into the arms of grateful keeper Alex Runarsson.
It was Sinyan who scored one of the two own-goals which set Arsenal on their way to a 4-1 win at the Emirates three weeks ago but this was even more of a gift for the Gunners.
But that was just about the only time Arteta was troubled all evening apart from the half-time substitution of David Luiz following an earlier clash of heads.

Folarin Balogun netted late on after coming off the benchCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Balogun’s teammates were delighted with his impactCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Jack Wilshere says that Mesut Ozil would walk into any Premier League team More

ARSENAL have confirmed they will welcome fans back to the Emirates for next week’s Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna.
The Gunners are putting 2,000 tickets up for sale for game on Thursday 3 December after the Government placed London in Tier 2 in their latest lockdown announcement.

Arsenal fans will be back at the Emirates next weekCredit: Rex Features

⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
But Gooners face a mad scramble to try and get their hands on a ticket.
The club announced that they will be sold on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
A club statement read: “It’s been almost nine long months since we had fans in attendance at Emirates Stadium and our matches have simply not been the same without you.

“While we appreciate that reduced capacity matches will be far from being ‘back to normal’, we can’t wait to welcome our fans back home for what will be a historic moment for the club.
“This follows the UK Government announcement that Emirates Stadium is located in a Tier 2 area under the latest Covid-19 guidelines.”
It continued: “We will not be running a ticketing ballot for the match against Rapid Vienna. 
“For this match only, we will be running a ‘first come, first served’ priority sale to Gold and Premium Members who made their Initial Payment and registered for the ballot in September. 

“This priority sale will open at 9am GMT on Saturday, November 28. 

“Only certain areas of the stadium will be open while we operate at such a significantly reduced capacity.  
“Tickets will be capped at four per booking and you must have a membership number for each ticket you purchase.
“We will not be running a ballot for this match for various reasons. The different restrictions and guidelines for Uefa matches, coupled with the short timeframe to provide and receive information from our fans, would have ultimately created too many complications and a risk of confusion and disappointment for supporters.”
Arsenal are selling tickets at £15 for the lower level and £45 at club level.
However, fans hoping to attend their next home clash against Burnley in the Premier League were offered a boost as the FA Cup holders revealed a ticketing ballot will be taking place for that one.
The statement added: “We will resume our plans to hold a ticketing ballot for our Premier League match at Emirates Stadium against Burnley, currently scheduled for the weekend of December 12/13 (exact date to be confirmed soon).

Who can go where under the new rules
“More information on the balloting process for this fixture, and for future 20/21 fixtures, will follow early next week.”
London clubs have been given the go-ahead to welcome fans back to stadiums from next week.
The Government’s new coronavirus lockdown tier system comes into place after December 2 with Manchester and Leeds among those facing the biggest restrictions.
On Thursday, each area of the country discovered which tier it was being designated.
London and Liverpool were among the areas in Tier 2, allowing 2,000 fans back into stadiums with social distancing.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed to Parliament that the mass testing regime on Merseyside has allowed Liverpool to move out of Tier 3.

The new rules
It means the champions will be allowed to finally open the Anfield turnstiles for next weekend’s game with Wolves.
Brighton’s local affair with Southampton, Chelsea’s clash with Leeds, the North London derby between Spurs and Arsenal and Manchester United’s trip to West Ham can all now take place with some fans inside.
Crystal Palace, Fulham, Southampton, Arsenal and Everton have the green light to host supporters the week after.
But Wolves, Leeds, Manchester clubs United and City, and Newcastle are among the teams which must keep their games behind closed doors.
Burnley, Aston Villa, West Brom, Leicester and Sheffield United complete the list of clubs in Tier 3.

Molde vs Arsenal FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time More