Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling is the latest winner of the prestigious European Golden Boy accolade, awarded each year to a young player considered to have performed to the highest level.

All nominees must be under the age of 21 and play in the top league of a European country.

Wayne Rooney, of Manchester United, is the only other English player to win the prize, founded by influential Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport in 2003.

Newspapers that now participate in voting include Bild, Blick, A Bola, l’Equipe, France Football, Marca, Mundo Deportivo, Ta Nea, Sport Express, De Telegraaf and The Times.

Voters are allowed to nominate five players with 10 points awarded to their first preference, 7 for second, 5 third, 3 fourth, and 1 point for fifth most impressive.

Past winners
2003 − Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax).
2004 – Wayne Rooney (Everton).
2005 − Lionel Messi (Barcelona).
2006 − Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal).
2007 − Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid).
2008 − Anderson (Manchester United).
2009 − Alexandre Pato (Milan).
2010 − Mario Balotelli (Manchester City).
2011 − Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund).
2012 − Isco (Malaga).
2013 − Paul Pogba (Juventus).
2014 – Raheem Sterling.

Other football news items for December:

• Non-League Blyth Spartans win 2-1 at Hartlepool in the second round of the FA Cup.

• After a run of 14 Premier League matches undefeated from the start of the season, Chelsea meet their waterloo as their record is spoiled by Newcastle – 1-2 at St James’s Park.

• Three of the four English teams in Europe qualify for the knock-out stage of the Cham-pions League, leaving Liverpool behind to compete in the Europa League.

Matchday Six: Liverpool-Basel 1-1, Galatasaray-Arsenal 1-4, Roma-Manchester City 0-2, Chelsea-Sporting Lisbon 3-1.

• Manchester City open a new £200m training complex, which project has been funded by the owners in partnership with the City council. Patrick Vieira, on the City board, thinks the training facilities will help to attract the best young football players in the world.

• Tommy Craig exits as St Mirren manager after 19 games. Coach Garry Teale takes charge of the team on an interim basis.

• All three UK teams in the Europa League advance to the knock-out stage.

The final outcomes: D. Zagreb-Celtic 4-3, Everton-Krasnodar0-1, Besiktas-Tottenham 1-0.

• Chelsea have become the first fully professional football club in England − accredited employers paying a living wage to all their staff.

• The monthly awards for November go to manager Alan Pardew, of Newcastle, and Sergio Aguero, of Manchester City.

• In Scotland, Motherwell appoint Ian Baraclough as their new manager.

• Thierry Henry, 37 announces retirement from football, returning to London to take up a role in the media.

• Championship side Reading dismiss Nigel Adkins and appoint Steve Clark.

• At Bramall Lane, League One side Sheffield United knock Southampton out of the FA Cup second round.

• Sami Hyypia quits from his managerial role at Champion-ship club Brighton.

• Crystal Palace sack Neil Warnock.

• Double winning former Tottenham and England defender Ron Henry dies ages 80.

• West Bromwich Albion dismiss manager Alan Irvine.

• Alan Pardew to take over at Crystal Palace. John Carver and Steve Stone are appointed on caretaker basis at St James’ Park.

• Chris Hughton has taken over Championship side Brighton.

Average attendances
1. Manchester United - 75,336
2. Arsenal - 59,997
3. Newcastle United - 51,021
4. Manchester City - 45,521
5. Liverpool - 44,673
6. Sunderland - 42,795
7. Chelsea - 41,547
8. Everton - 38,421
9. Tottenham - 35,846
10. West Ham - 34,838
11. Leicester City - 31,716
12. Aston Villa - 32,725
13. Southampton - 30,947
14. Stoke City - 27,126
15. West Bromwich - 24,816
16. Crystal Palace - 24,134
17. Hull City - 23,204
18. Swansea City - 20,444
19. Burnley - 19,548
20. QPR - 17,703