Lecce: Serie A basement sitters Lecce yesterday fired coach Eusebio Di Francesco and replaced him with Serse Cosmi. Di Francesco, who had only been hired at the start of the season, became the eighth coaching casualty of the Serie A season. Cosmi last coached in February and March when he had a four-game spell at Palermo, beating Milan but losing three out of four matches.
Del Piero: Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero needed eight stitches after being kicked in the face during yesterday’s 2-0 win over Cesena. Del Piero had to be carried from the field on a stretcher with blood streaming from his face just eight minutes after coming on as a substitute. He had been accidentally kicked in the head by Cesena’s Marco Rossi.
Celtic: Celtic moved within four points of Premier League leaders Rangers after Gary Hooper’s sixth goal in six matches clinched a 1-0 win at Dundee United. Neil Lennon’s side had been trailing well behind their Glasgow rivals just a few weeks ago, but Rangers have stumbled while Celtic are now putting together a decent run. Hooper’s first-half strike was enough to see off United at Tannadice.
Eriksson: Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson believes England can be crowned European champions next summer. Asked about England’s prospects, Eriksson told BBC: “I think they have a big possibility to be in the semi-final or final. Why not win it? With a little bit of luck, not a lot of injuries and the players not too tired, they have a chance, absolutely.”
Taylor: Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is set to miss the rest of the season after learning he needs surgery on his injured Achilles. Taylor, 25, limped off during the closing stages of Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat by Chelsea and Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admitted after the match that he expected the centre-back to be out for a long period.
Corinthians: Corinthians, former club of Brazil midfield legend Socrates, who died yesterday, honoured his memory by winning their fifth national league championship after a goalless draw against Sao Paulo rivals Palmeiras. A full house of 39,000 saw the game at the Pacaembu, where Corinthians held on to claim top spot as second-placed Vasco da Gama drew 1-1 with Flamengo in Rio.