MLS: The Chicago Fire stormed to the top of the MLS Eastern Conference after Nemanja Nikolic’s first-half brace steered them towards a 4-0 thrashing of the Vancouver Whitecaps. The win was Chicago’s ninth from their last 10 matches as they put four past an opponent for the second time in a week, with three goals in the space of 12 first-half minutes proving Vancouver’s undoing.

Bowyer: Lee Bowyer has been appointed as Charlton’s assistant manager. The former England midfielder made his breakthrough as a player with the Addicks in the 1990s, before embarking on successful career that took in the likes of Leeds, Newcastle and West Ham. Now 40, Bowyer returned to Charlton on a temporary basis in January but boss Karl Robinson has moved to promote him to the position of his full-time assistant.

Gosling: Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling has signed a new four-year contract at the Premier League club. The 27-year-old, who joined the Cherries in May 2014, will remain at the south-coast outfit until at least the summer of 2021. Devon-born Gosling began his career at Plymouth before moving onto Everton and Newcastle.

Roma: Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez is once again on Roma’s radar and this time Director of Sport Monchi could swing a deal. The 27-year-old had already been a strong candidate for their back four last season, so La Gazzetta dello Sport and Marca expect another approach. His contract runs to June 2020 and the price-tag is at least €15m, but Monchi hopes to rely on the promise of regular first team football and their participation in the Champions League group stage.