Papiss Demba Cisse announced his arrival in English football with a stunning debut goal as Newcastle United secured a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa to keep their challenge for a surprise top-four finish in the on track.

Injury-hit Ajax slipped further out of the Eredivisie title reckoning as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to FC Utrecht.

Rangers plunged deeper into crisis after crashing out of the Scottish Cup as goals from Gavin Gunning and Johnny Russell secured a 2-0 win for Dundee United at Ibrox.

Adam Johnson insists he did not take a dive to set up Manchester City's latest Premier League triumph.

Newcastle 2-1 Aston Villa: Cisse's dream debut

Mark Hughes believes QPR now have the firepower to stave off relegation this season.

Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu has dismissed claims the club have made contact over the signing of Arsenal captain Robin van Persie.

Fulham manager Martin Jol has revealed he took the advice of fellow Dutchmen Guus Hiddink and Dick Advocaat before signing striker Pavel Pogrebnyak from Stuttgart.

Former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman has welcomed the decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy while he is facing allegations of racist abuse, insisting it is the same sanction any other public figure would face.

Owner Craig Whyte says Rangers could be about to face the toughest few weeks in the club's history.

Thomas Muller feels Bayern Munich's 1-1 draw with Hamburg was simply not good enough for a club of their stature.

Derby County's Championship match with local rivals Nottingham Forest has been postponed on safety grounds.

Carlos Tevez was present for Martin Palermo's testimonial match but did not play in the encounter.

Newcastle Jets dealt a blow to Sydney FC's finals ambitions with a 5-2 victory at the SFS.

Leaders Real Madrid did just enough to earn a sixth consecutive Primera Liga win, as defender Sergio Ramos returned from injury to secure a 1-0 victory at city rivals Getafe.

Borussia Dortmund remain two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach were both held to draws on Saturday.

Paris St Germain maintained their three-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 and their 100% record under Carlo Ancelotti but were made to work hard by Evian for the second time this season.

Sergio Aguero shrugged off recent signs of tiredness to turn in a man-of-the-match display as Manchester City defeated Fulham to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Arsenal turned up the heat on Chelsea ahead of the Blues' forthcoming encounter with Manchester United, moving within two points of their London rivals with a thumping 7-1 victory over Blackburn on Saturday.

Stoke 0-1 S'derland