Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe said it is pointless scoring 50 goals if the French giants do not win Ligue 1 or the Champions League.

Mbappe scored 42 goals across all competitions last season, but PSG were dethroned by Lille in Ligue 1, while the capital club lost in the Champions League semi-finals.

PSG – who have never won the Champions League – are preparing for a quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid as they sit 13 points clear atop the Ligue 1 standings.

"Last year was good for me, I scored 40 goals, but we didn't win the league or the Champions League," Mbappe, who has 13 goals this term, told PSG's television station.

"In the end I wonder, what is the use of scoring 50 goals if we don't win? I would prefer to score less and win the league and Champions League.

"It was a good season but you don't enjoy it, the aim is to win titles, they are the most important things."

Mbappe – who has tallied nine goals and 14 assists in the league this term – became the youngest player in Ligue 1 history to score 100 goals for a single team with his second of the game for PSG against former club Monaco last week.

Aged just 22 years and 357 days, Mbappe is the youngest player to achieve the feat for one club in French top-flight history since Opta began recording data back in 1950-51.

"I need to feel the pressure, to seek challenges, I've always wanted to have the responsibility on my shoulders," France international Mbappe said.

"I want to be under pressure even if sometimes it ends in disappointment, it's a learning process, I never hide and it is part of the adrenaline rush.

"This is because we like to play high-pressure games, games that everyone watches, I see pressure as something positive."

PSG will face Feignies in the Coupe de France on Sunday before visiting Lorient in Ligue 1 action on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi has been involved in 43 shot-ending sequences in his last five appearances in Ligue 1, at least 14 more than any other player over that period. He has initiated nine of those sequences, also the highest tally in the top-flight.

Messi joined PSG from Barcelona at the start of the season and amid uncertainty of his own future, Madrid target Mbappe said: "It benefits you to have great players around you, I play in a team today with players who help me: Neymar, Messi, [Angel] Di Maria... it's easier."

Dallas Cowboys star Dak Prescott said he is healthy but admitted "I'm not playing my best ball" amid criticism regarding his form.

Prescott has thrown 24 touchdowns this season, though the Dallas quarterback has tallied 10 interceptions in 12 appearances – the most since 2019.

Since returning from a calf strain, Prescott has eight touchdown passes and six interceptions in six games.

Prescott addressed the criticism ahead of Sunday's NFL clash with the New York Giants, telling reporters: "I'm fully healthy, 100 per cent healthy. Thank you, though."

Prescott added: "I do realise I'm not playing my best ball, haven't been playing it, have made some poor decisions, you could say.

"That's kind of part of it. I wouldn't say it's slump material, but I'm definitely not up to my standards or expectations, and when you play at a high level, that's what you create. So I'm glad people have the same expectations for my game as I do for myself."

Prescott lost both of his starts against the Giants as a rookie in 2016, but he is 8-0 in his starts against them since then.

According to Stats Perform, Prescott is the first QB to win eight or more consecutive starts against the Giants since Ron Jaworksi won nine in a row from 1977 to 1981.

"I've been doubted my whole life, said I can't do this or can't do that, so in a sense I'm kind of glad it's actually come back," Prescott said.

"I'm glad that's the way people feel and there's a lot of that being said right now."

The Cowboys' 44-20 home win over the Giants in Week 5 was their largest margin of victory against the New York franchise since 1998, when they won 31-7 at Giants Stadium in Week 3.

Dallas had 515 net yards in that Week 5 win, their second-highest yardage total ever in a game against the Giants.

The Cowboys (9-4) have two players with 600 or more rushing yards this season – Ezekiel Elliott (810) and Tony Pollard (602). The Denver Broncos are the only other NFL team with two such players this season (Javonte Williams 743, Melvin Gordon 716).

"I think it's the right time for us to turn it on," Prescott said. "I had that talk with the skill position players in the signal-caller's meeting is we'd much rather be going through what you're through this time that we did than two weeks from now.

"Now that we've addressed it, we've held ourselves accountable for it, we can move forward and peak at the right time heading into the playoffs."

Los Angeles Lakers duo Russell Westbrook and Avery Bradley have entered the NBA's health and safety protocols.

The Lakers cancelled practice on Tuesday after guard Talen Horton-Tucker was put into the league's coronavirus protocols.

It was revealed two days later that Westbrook and Bradley have joined Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard and Malik Monk in entering the protocols.

With Westbrook and Bradley unable to travel for Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center, it has been reported the Lakers are set to sign Isaiah Thomas.

Two-time All-Star Thomas is to sign a 10-day contract to join a depleted Los Angeles roster under the hardship exemption, according to NBA insider Marc Stein and The Athletic's Shams Charania.

The 32-year-old point guard joined the New Orleans Pelicans on a 10-day contract last season, averaging 7.7 points in his three games.

Jurgen Klopp praised Newcastle United for making "life hard" for Liverpool in a 3-1 win for the Reds, while explaining his decision to remove Mohamed Salah in the second half.

Jonjo Shelvey silenced the Anfield crowd on Thursday with his opener, but Diogo Jota equalised soon after – Liverpool finding the net for a club-record 32nd game across all competitions.

Salah then put Klopp's side into the ascendancy, matching Jamie Vardy's Premier League record of scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive games, before Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed victory with a ferocious strike.

With the win, the Reds became the first side to 2,000 victories in the English top flight, while they moved within a point of leaders Manchester City and three points clear of third-placed Chelsea.

It could have been very different after Shelvey's opener, though, even if Klopp expected a tough task.

"We used in preparations more Bournemouth than Newcastle for analysis," Klopp told BT Sport. "We won 2-1 last time Eddie Howe was here with Bournemouth after they scored another goal. We expected similar things. They made life hard for us.

"Being 1-0 down changed the mood a bit. We were rushing in moments. We scored really good goals. I'm really pleased in this period of the year when you just have to get through games."

On Salah's recent form and the decision to remove the Egypt international with 16 minutes of normal time remaining, he added: "That's quite amazing. His assists are as important [as the goals]. 

"Today was right to take him off a bit earlier. We play in three days again."

Klopp also revealed he had not anticipated rivals Everton's welcome draw at Chelsea, while he praised Liverpool's fighting spirit to come from behind and win.

"I didn't expect Chelsea would drop points, it is pretty rare. I don't know five or six players of the Everton line up, so to get a point at Chelsea is massive," Klopp told BBC's Match of the Day.

"You have to react [to the goal]. I am really pleased, but I expect it as well; it is not that we celebrate we came back. We worked hard, not only brilliant football – of course, some good football – we were very dominant, it is not so easy to play against such a deep block.

"We have already a few games in our legs, I love how the boys dug in really deep and got a very deserved result."

Liverpool travel to face Tottenham on Sunday having been without Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones against Newcastle after the trio returned suspected positive coronavirus tests.

COVID-19 has prompted the postponement of several other fixtures, meaning Klopp is uncertain of what the future holds.

"It's a really tricky situation," he said. "Nobody knows exactly how we'll be tomorrow.

"We will go to the training centre until people tell us otherwise. I've never had three players on matchday [have to pull out]. 

"The most important thing is because the boys are vaccinated they will not feel it really. That's good. We have to wait for them.

"If we should stop the league, I have no real answer for it. If you stop it for two weeks and we come back, I really don't know what to do. I saw the Everton line-up today, I don't know half of the players."

Thomas Tuchel was left to rue Chelsea's missed opportunities in their Premier League stalemate with Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea squandered the opportunity to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City as their injury-hit opponents held out for a hard-earned 1-1 draw on Thursday.

Tuchel's Chelsea registered 80.3 per cent of the possession and 23 shots, but could only convert one courtesy of Mason Mount's fourth in as many games.

And the hosts were made to pay for their failure to capitalise while in the ascendancy; Jarrad Branthwaite equalising when he turned home Anthony Gordon's free-kick to secure a share of the spoils for the Toffees.

It also marked the third time in six games that Tuchel's side had dropped points from a winning position – and they are now four behind leaders and defending champions City.

"We gave away another lead. If we see in a match like this the effort we need to score one goal and the effort the opponent needs to score an equaliser, it’s hard to swallow," he told BT Sport.

"I think we missed big chances in the first half to get the result. In the second half, we did not find the rhythm consistently and tried to bring on some energy from the bench, but it was a bit hard. 

"We had the lead and gave it away with one free-kick.

"In football, there isn't a game where you can have one reason why things go this way. One big reason, for sure, is the chances we missed today; we could have been two or 3-0 up and playing with fire.

"We had enough chances and quality to win the game, and did not."

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 27 Premier League home games against Everton (W15 D12), equalling their longest ever unbeaten home run against an opponent in their league history (27 against Tottenham between 1990 and 2016).

At (22years 340days), Mount is the youngest player to score in four consecutive Premier League appearances for Chelsea – the England international has scored seven times in the Premier League this season; his joint-best tally alongside 2019-20.

Tournament organisers and the Cameroon government on Thursday stated the Africa Cup of Nations "must take place" as they revealed only fans who are fully vaccinated can enter stadiums.

There have been increasing concerns the competition may be called off due to the emergence of the Omicron strain of COVID-19.

The tournament was due to be staged in January and February this year but was postponed due to the pandemic.

Just over three weeks before the opening ceremony at the Complexe Sportif d'Olembe, the government, Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT) released a statement vowing that the rearranged AFCON 2021 will go ahead.

The statement said: "In Cameroon, as has been the case elsewhere, effective and reliable measures have been taken as part of a coherent and tried-and-tested approach to counter the pandemic.

"The government has set up a special health protocol to combat COVID-19 that applies to the AFCON.

"In less than 25 days, the best 24 African football teams will participate in the AFCON 2021 and special measures must be taken in connection with this important and prestigious event.

"As is widely known, organised football plays an important role in fostering integration and peace, as well as bringing people together.

"It is also a catalyst of hope, a vehicle for shared values and a conduit for joie de vivre, making it possible to transcend difficulties and see beyond our differences. Therefore, despite the additional challenge posed by the pandemic, the AFCON must take place."

The statement also made clear that supporters will not be allowed into venues unless they are fully vaccinated, while they must also show a negative PCR test result that is no older than 72 hours or a negative antigen test result no older than 24 hours.

CAF will use an independent, internationally recognised laboratory to test players and their delegations.

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold labelled Mohamed Salah the best player in the world as he highlighted the forward's desire to break every record possible this season.

Salah matched Jamie Vardy's Premier League mark of scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive games after Diogo Jota had cancelled out Jonjo Shelvey's strike for Newcastle United on Thursday.

Indeed, Liverpool achieved a club-record 32nd game in a row across all competitions in which they have scored with Jota's first-half equaliser, while they also became the first side to 2,000 top-flight wins in English football after Alexander-Arnold's stunner ensured a 3-1 victory at Anfield.

Much of Alexander-Arnold's praise was directed towards Salah after the game, as he outlined the Egypt international's determination to make history.

"That's exactly how you can describe it, it's mad," he told BT Sport of Salah's 15 consecutive top-flight games including a goal involvement.

"He's the best player in the world right now, it goes without saying. He's scoring and creating, doing everything – game in, game out.

"He's having an incredible season, I think that's on his mind he wants to break every record in the book and go and put his name in the history books; he's done that from the first season he came in.

"He hasn't taken his foot off the pedal from then on, and he'll be looking to break every record he can again."

Salah has 24 Premier League goal involvements to his name so far this season (15 goals, nine assists); only former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has bettered that figure before Christmas in the competition, doing so for Blackburn Rovers in 1994-95 (25 – 16 goals, nine assists).

While Salah achieved another landmark, Liverpool were perhaps fortunate to be level as Jota's equaliser came with Isaac Hayden down holding his head inside the area, although Alexander-Arnold does not think his side were at fault for playing on.

"When you're playing, when you're in and around their box, you're not really looking at who's down on the ground and who's up," he continued.

"You're looking for your team-mates and finding them for who's trying to score, you're not focusing on the ground, but if it's a head injury it's down to the referee to stop it.

"At the end of the day, he hasn't done that – we've played to the whistle, and we went and scored, that's all you can really do. We haven't cheated the game, we haven't done anything unsportsmanlike, we've played to the whistle and scored from it."

On his goal, Alexander-Arnold added: "I've been waiting for that [type of goal] for five years. I've had a few ones from the edge of box and dragged them. I've caught that one sweet and it nestled in the top corner, a sweet strike and put the game to bed."

Max Verstappen says he sees no reason why Lewis Hamilton would walk away from Formula One after the Dutchman controversially dethroned him in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton looked destined to win a record eighth F1 title as he dominated the decisive season-ending race at the Yas Marina Circuit last Sunday, having made a great start to pass pole-sitter Verstappen.

There was a dramatic late twist, though, as the safety car was deployed after Nicholas Latifi crashed and Red Bull called Verstappen in for fresh tyres in one final throw of the dice.

Race director Michael Masi then made a contentious call to let the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen – running first and second but separated by a series of lapped rivals – pass the safety car and allow one lap of racing, opening the door for the Dutchman to snatch his maiden title.

Mercedes launched a double protest of the outcome, which was dismissed, and then lodged an intention to appeal against the stewards' decision, before finally accepting Verstappen's triumph on Thursday.

Silver Arrows team principal Toto Wolff said Hamilton was disillusioned after being "robbed" of victory and the Brit will never get over what happened in Abu Dhabi, stating that there were no guarantees the 36-year-old would be back to try to regain the title next year.

Yet Verstappen would be surprised if Hamilton decides to call time on his incredible career.

He said: "I can understand the first few days after a race like that you're not happy.

"But you should also understand this is racing and these things can happen. He should just look back at what he has achieved already.

"That should give him a lot of comfort, and it should also be that drive to keep on going because he is still trying to challenge for that eighth title and for sure he can do that next year, so I don't see any reason to give up just now."

Verstappen added: "I don't feel sorry [for Hamilton] but I can understand that it can be very painful. But at the end of the day, he also won a championship like that."

Liverpool became the first side in history to win 2,000 English top-flight games after defeating Newcastle United 3-1 at Anfield on Thursday.

Jonjo Shelvey silenced the home crowd on his return to his former club as he rifled in after seven minutes, but Diogo Jota soon levelled things up - Liverpool scoring in a club-record 32 consecutive games across all competitions.

Mohamed Salah put Jurgen Klopp's side into the ascendancy four minutes later, the forward matching Jamie Vardy's record of scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive Premier League games, before Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a magnificent long-range effort to seal victory.

Indeed, Salah has 24 goal involvements in the league this season (15 goals, nine assists), only former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer in 1994-95 has registered more before Christmas in the competition (16 goals, nine assists).

The Reds have now won 2,000 of their 4,227 top-flight fixtures (D1047 L1180), a win ratio of 47.3 per cent.

Liverpool have lifted the English top-flight title on 19 occasions, the first coming in the 1900-01 season, while their most recent was in the 2019-20 campaign and their first of the Premier League era.

With victory over Eddie Howe's side, Liverpool also extended their unbeaten top-flight run over Newcastle at Anfield to 26 games (D5 L21) and moved back within a point of leaders Manchester City, while going three clear of third-placed Chelsea.

Klopp's side next travel to Tottenham on Sunday as they aim to keep the pace with City and Chelsea at the top of the league.

Liverpool became the first side in history to win 2,000 English top-flight games after defeating Newcastle United 3-1 at Anfield on Thursday.

Jonjo Shelvey silenced the home crowd on his return to his former club as he rifled in after seven minutes, but Diogo Jota soon levelled things up - Liverpool scoring in a club-record 32 consecutive games across all competitions.

Mohamed Salah put Jurgen Klopp's side into the ascendancy four minutes later, the forward matching Jamie Vardy's record of scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive Premier League games, before Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a magnificent long-range effort to seal victory.

Indeed, Salah has 24 goal involvements in the league this season (15 goals, nine assists), only former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer in 1994-95 has registered more before Christmas in the competition (16 goals, nine assists).

The Reds have now won 2,000 of their 4,227 top-flight fixtures (D1047 L1180), a win ratio of 47.3 per cent.

Liverpool have lifted the English top-flight title on 19 occasions, the first coming in the 1900-01 season, while their most recent was in the 2019-20 campaign and their first of the Premier League era.

With victory over Eddie Howe's side, Liverpool also extended their unbeaten top-flight run over Newcastle at Anfield to 26 games (D5 L21) and moved back within a point of leaders Manchester City, while going three clear of third-placed Chelsea.

Klopp's side next travel to Tottenham on Sunday as they aim to keep the pace with City and Chelsea at the top of the league.

Mohamed Salah scored to equal another Premier League record as Liverpool became the first team to 2,000 top-flight wins in English football with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United.

Jonjo Shelvey opened the scoring after seven minutes at Anfield on Thursday, but Diogo Jota soon restored parity – Liverpool finding the net for a club-record 32nd game in a row across all competitions.

Salah then nudged Jurgen Klopp's side ahead four minutes later, matching Jamie Vardy's record for scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive Premier League games, before Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a stunning strike in the second half to confirm victory.

Liverpool, who achieved the 2,000-win landmark in 4,227 games, moved three points clear of third-placed Chelsea – held by Everton – and within one of leaders Manchester City, leaving Newcastle still three adrift of safety.

Jota was thwarted by Martin Dubravka in a positive start by Liverpool, but a defence missing Virgil van Dijk following a suspected positive COVID-19 test conceded first when Shelvey whipped into the bottom-left corner from range.

Jota equalised in contentious fashion as he smashed in a close-range rebound to his own header with Isaac Hayden down inside the box, before Salah rifled Liverpool ahead after Dubravka had denied Sadio Mane.

Salah almost doubled his account in the first half but uncharacteristically dragged wide.

Dubravka was called upon again after the break to stop Mane's header, while Jacob Murphy drilled narrowly off target with a rare Newcastle opportunity.

Shelvey then curled a free-kick just wide of Alisson's goal, but Alexander-Arnold sealed victory when he arrowed into the top-left corner from outside the area in the closing stages.

Chelsea missed the chance to pressurise Premier League leaders Manchester City as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton.

Amid a dominant display at Stamford Bridge, Mason Mount put the hosts in front 20 minutes from time with his seventh goal of the season.

But despite missing several key players, Everton responded just four minutes later with Jarrad Branthwaite's maiden Premier League strike earning a share of the spoils.

Thomas Tuchel's men now trail City by four points, as they spurned the opportunity to close the gap.

Chelsea were unbeaten in their previous 26 home Premier League matches against Everton and dominated the first half with a staggering 81.1 per cent of the possession.

But they struggled to convert that control into goals.

Reece James shot wide after latching onto Jorginho's precise throughball, while the in-form Mount and Christian Pulisic also went close for the hosts, who had 13 shots to Everton's two before the break.

Fresh from scoring three goals in as many league games, Mount created another great opportunity in the 36th minute and forced Jordan Pickford into a reflex save from close range.

But there was no denying Mount as Chelsea finally made the breakthrough; the midfielder latching onto James' pass before slotting past Pickford.

Nevertheless, Everton did not trail for long as Branthwaite met Anthony Gordon's deep free-kick with an outstretched leg to divert past Edouard Mendy.

Chelsea almost regained the lead when Thiago Silva's header was saved well by Pickford, but they were forced to settle for a point.

Chelsea missed the chance to pressurise Premier League leaders Manchester City as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton.

Amid a dominant display at Stamford Bridge, Mason Mount put the hosts in front 20 minutes from time with his seventh goal of the season.

But despite missing several key players, Everton responded just four minutes later with Jarrad Branthwaite's maiden Premier League strike earning a share of the spoils.

Thomas Tuchel's men now trail City by four points, as they spurned the opportunity to close the gap.

Chelsea were unbeaten in their previous 26 home Premier League matches against Everton and dominated the first half with a staggering 81.1 per cent of the possession.

But they struggled to convert that control into goals.

Reece James shot wide after latching onto Jorginho's precise throughball, while the in-form Mount and Christian Pulisic also went close for the hosts, who had 13 shots to Everton's two before the break.

Fresh from scoring three goals in as many league games, Mount created another great opportunity in the 36th minute and forced Jordan Pickford into a reflex save from close range.

But there was no denying Mount as Chelsea finally made the breakthrough; the midfielder latching onto James' pass before slotting past Pickford.

Nevertheless, Everton did not trail for long as Branthwaite met Anthony Gordon's deep free-kick with an outstretched leg to divert past Edouard Mendy.

Chelsea almost regained the lead when Thiago Silva's header was saved well by Pickford, but they were forced to settle for a point.

What does it mean? A chance missed for Chelsea

The Blues have now won just one of their past four league games at Stamford Bridge, and will be disappointed not to have capitalised on their dominance in possession.

Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez will be thrilled with the character of his injury-hit side, who ended a run of four straight defeats on the road.

History for Mount

Despite Chelsea's disappointment, Mount continued his impressive run of form in front of goal.

Indeed, the England international found the net for a fourth successive Premier League match, becoming the youngest Blues player to do so.

He also registered game-high tallies of six shots and four on target.

Pickford to the rescue

Chelsea were only able to convert one of their 10 shots on target during the contest, thanks to the heroics of Pickford.

Everton's busiest player throughout the 90 minutes with 49 touches and 34 passes – both the highest tallies of any visiting player – the England goalkeeper made nine saves to keep the hosts at bay.

What's next?

Chelsea will look to respond and get back to winning ways on Sunday, when they travel to Molineux to face Wolves. Following the postponement of Everton's clash with Leicester City, the Toffees are back in action away to Burnley on Boxing Day.