Luciano Spalletti praised Napoli's supporters for helping his side lift their levels after they cruised to a 3-0 win over Cremonese in Serie A.

Goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Victor Osimhen and Eljif Elmas saw the league leaders extend their advantage to 16 points at the summit.

After losing to their rock-bottom visitors in the Coppa Italia last month, the hosts were able to take their revenge at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

But it came after something of a loose start, with Spalletti praising encouragement from supporters as key to helping his team focus in the second half.

"Our city, our fans, they care about what we are doing here," he told DAZN. "[They understand] the possibility that we can do important things.

"Everyone could see, perhaps too much, that we weren't as calm as we usually are in the first half. We got a little nervous, and it was more difficult.

"Cremonese played wide and we lost energy having to defend the balls they put into our penalty area. But it was much better in the second half.

"I applauded [the crowd] because that's what they do for our team. Our players are ready to destroy themselves on the pitch for a result."

A 17th goal of the league season for Nigeria international Osimhen saw the attacker further build his lead in the goalscorer charts this term.

Spalletti spoke positively about his player afterwards, and was keen to highlight how the striker is less vocal in his protests on the pitch.

"There are some things that shouldn't interest us on the pitch, which concerns different stuff than what should draw our attention," he added.

"Tonight there was an incident where we could have had a different reaction. Instead, it all remained orderly. The match must be managed as we did."

Pedri's first-half strike earned Barcelona a 1-0 win at Villarreal and moved the LaLiga leaders 11 points clear at the summit.

With closest challengers Real Madrid away on Club World Cup duty – which they won with victory over Al Hilal in Saturday's final – Barca took full advantage at El Madrigal.

Pedri struck with 18 minutes played after linking up with Robert Lewandowski, who had a couple of attempts saved by Villarreal goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

Villarreal had the ball in the net late on but Samuel Chukwueze's strike was ruled out as Barca opened up a double-figures lead on Madrid, who have a game in hand to play.

Reina denied Lewandowski from a one-on-one inside the first three minutes, but the Poland striker played a big part in Barca's breakthrough goal.

Pedri played a quick one-two with Lewandowski, controlled the return pass when it arrived to him in front of goal and calmly tucked the ball away from Reina.

Lewandowski was again thwarted by Reina when going for goal himself, but Villarreal gave Barca a scare as Jose Luis Morales raced through and fired into the side-netting.

Both sides continued to create the occasional opening, with Raphinha sending an effort across the face of goal and Alex Baena flashing wide from further out at the other end.

Villarreal edged the second period and thought they had levelled through Chukwueze, but Yeremy was flagged for offside as Barca kept a fifth clean sheet in six league games.

Victor Osimhen extended his lead atop the goal charts as he helped Serie A leaders Napoli to a 3-0 win against rock-bottom Cremonese.

The Nigeria international prodded home a close-range finish in the second half to add to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's earlier effort at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Eljif Elmas added a late third, making sure.

For home coach Luciano Spalletti, the three points came with a side order of revenge after his side were knocked out of the Coppa Italia last month by their visitors, and they go 16 points clear for now.

But for Cremonese boss Davide Ballardini, the fight to seal top-flight survival is growing dimmer by each matchday, despite a spirited performance from his team.

Taking to the field in the Valentine's Day strip they debuted against the same opponents in their earlier cup clash, Napoli dominated matters across the first quarter.

It was little surprise when they opened the scoring in the 21st minute, with Kvaratskhelia seizing on a poor clearance to dance his way back into the box for a low finish.

Both teams fluffed further good chances, including a missed header for Osimhen, while the hosts also had a penalty appeal waved away just before the break.

Hirving Lozano went close to adding a second Napoli goal seven minutes into the second half, when he forced Marco Carnesecchi into an acrobatic save.

There was no denying Osimhen in the 65th minute, as he flicked Kim Min-jae's header over the line following a corner kick that was parried by the goalkeeper.

That gave Osimhen a 17th league goal of the season in just his 18th appearance, with his haul putting him five clear of Ademola Lookman and Lautaro Martinez in joint-second.

With a two-goal cushion, Napoli could have cruised to the finish line, but Elmas fired in with just over 10 minutes to go to ensure it would be an even more comfortable conclusion.

France's record goalscorer Olivier Giroud has decided against retiring from international football and hopes that is music to the ears of Didier Deschamps.

The 36-year-old Milan striker was toying with halting his career with Les Bleus following their defeat on penalties to Argentina in the December 18 World Cup final.

However, Giroud feels he has still plenty to give his country in an active role, and the man who has netted 53 goals in 120 games will aim to be a part of the group heading into the upcoming European Championship campaign.

It may help Giroud's cause that Real Madrid's Karim Benzema has retired from France duty, having missed the Qatar 2022 finals due to injury.

Speaking to French broadcaster France 2, Giroud said: "No, no, it's not over. Emotions, I hope there will still be some to come.

"I'm not ready to hang up [my boots], to take off this blue jersey which is close to my heart.

"I have the motivation to continue and the physique too, I feel good. For the moment I am still selectable and a player of the France team "

Head coach Deschamps, who was retained after deciding he too was not ready to step away from Les Bleus, saw Giroud score four goals during France's World Cup run.

They came up just short of a successful title defence, with Giroud grabbing a vital quarter-final winner against England among his contribution.

Giroud overtook Thierry Henry to become France's top scorer during the World Cup campaign, surpassing the former Arsenal and Barcelona striker's haul of 51 national team goals.

Captain Hugo Lloris, along with fellow goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and defender Raphael Varane, retired from France duty after the World Cup.

France begin their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with Group B games against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland in March.

Ghana have appointed Chris Hughton as their new head coach following Otto Addo's exit.

Addo led the Black Stars to the 2022 World Cup, where they just fell short of progression from Group H due to defeats to Portugal and Uruguay either side of a thrilling win over South Korea.

Following their elimination, Addo confirmed his time in charge was to end immediately.

His replacement should be a familiar face to many in the Ghana setup, however.

London-born Hughton, whose father was Ghanaian, became the Black Stars' technical advisor in February last year, with his chief responsibility being to provide Addo and his coaching staff with additional expertise ahead of – and during – the World Cup.

Hughton was also said to have been behind Ghana's attempts to persuade the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Eddie Nketiah and Tariq Lamptey to represent the Black Stars – only the latter has been enticed.

The 64-year-old – who has managed Newcastle United, Norwich City and Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League – now assumes control of the team, though the Ghanaian Football Association has not confirmed the length of his contract.

Hughton's attention will now turn to Africa Cup of Nations qualification next month, with a double-header coming up against Angola.

After two games, Ghana top of Group E with four points, ahead of Angola on goal difference.

Adrien Rabiot's header was enough to earn Juventus a 1-0 win over Fiorentina that lifted them into the top half of the Serie A table despite some late controversy.

Rabiot scored the winner in the first half of a typically feisty affair between two long-standing rivals at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday, moving the beleaguered Bianconeri up to ninth.

Juve's former Fiorentina pair Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa started alongside Angel Di Maria for the first time, and the World Cup winner outshone them by teeing up Rabiot's goal in a bright display.

Vlahovic saw an effort chalked off for offside following a VAR review, but Juve will feel that decision was evened out when Gaetano Castrovilli saw a stunning late volley disallowed following a similar intervention.

Chances were at a premium during a heated start, before Filip Kostic squandered a couple of decent openings.

Juve made their superiority count after 34 minutes, however.

A teasing ball from Di Maria was met with a firm header by Rabiot, which Pietro Terracciano could not claw away as goal-line technology confirmed it crept in. 

Vlahovic thought he had scored against Fiorentina for the first time since his acrimonious departure last year when he lobbed Terracciano from Kostic's pass, only to be called offside by the tightest of margins.

Vlahovic's replacement Moise Kean was then thwarted by Terracciano soon after entering the fray, before Luka Jovic almost levelled with a glancing header.

Fiorentina were then denied in contentious circumstances one minute from time, a VAR review deeming Luca Ranieri to have been offside before Castrovilli found the bottom-left corner with a thumping volley from range.

Long-serving Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke set a new record for the most league appearances of any player for the club in Sunday's meeting with Celta Vigo.

The 31-year-old featured in Atletico colours for 402nd time in LaLiga to overtake fellow Atleti icon Adelardo Rodriguez outright.

Koke is also the club's record appearance maker in all competitions, a record he set in October when appearing for the 554th time.

Spain international Koke emerged through Los Rojiblancos' youth ranks and made his first outing for the senior side in a 5-2 loss at Barcelona in September 2009.

Across his 13 years with Atletico, Koke has won eight major trophies, including LaLiga in 2014 and 2021, while also reaching two Champions League finals.

Valencia head coach Salvador Gonzalez 'Voro' has pleaded with the struggling club's fans to express their "Valencianism" to help the team.

Thousands of supporters staged a protest prior to Saturday's home game with Athletic Bilbao aimed at owner Peter Lim, with Valencia in the LaLiga relegation zone.

A 2-1 defeat to Athletic meant Los Che have now picked up just one point from their past seven league games and lost four in a row.

Despite the defeat, Voro was pleased with the performance of his side, who took the lead through Samu Castillejo, only for goals from Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet to turn things around at the Mestalla.

Voro said: "The team has been closer to being able to win and has been focused except on some detail that Athletic has taken advantage of.

"The attitude has been very good and it's unfair, but football is like that. It's a sad day, but improvements have been seen and you have to compete equally to be able to win games."

When asked about the fan protests, Voro added: "The situation is very complicated from a sporting perspective. 

"We understand that the public may be upset, I respect that everyone expresses their Valencianism in the way they consider, but we need the people.

"We are in a very difficult situation, and I think that today there are green shoots. It has not given us a win, but we have lost due to specific actions, football has these things."

Valencia striker Hugo Duro understands the fans' frustration.

"It is normal for the fans to be this demanding when they are in this situation, I would be too," he said after the Athletic game. "We've had 37,000 people come out here tonight and we cannot ask for more.

"They support however they can and the rest is down to us."

Highly rated Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Bundesliga club until 2027.

The Ecuador international has impressed since his move from Argentinian side Talleres ahead of the 2021-22 season and was linked with a move to Premier League outfit Tottenham in the January transfer window.

He has 24 senior international caps for Ecuador under his belt, playing every minute of his country's three group stage fixtures at the Qatar World Cup.

Leverkusen are keen to hold onto the player and have extended his existing deal by a year to ward off any potential suitors.

Hincapie said: "They didn't promise me too much here, but as a young player at the highest level they gave me the playing time I wanted.

"I was able to establish myself here and also consolidate my position in the national team.

"It's a huge motivation for me to confirm my achievements in the coming years and to aim for titles with Bayer Leverkusen."

Toni Kroos is yet to decide whether he will renew his contract with Real Madrid, but the midfielder remains "calm" concerning his talks with Los Blancos.

Kroos started as Madrid wrapped up a record-extending fifth Club World Cup title on Saturday, Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde both scoring twice in a thrilling 5-3 win over Al Hilal.

While Kroos remains a key player for Madrid, appearing in 17 of their 20 games in LaLiga this term, he is yet to extend his contact at the Santiago Bernabeu, which expires at the end of the season.

Reports in December suggested Kroos would decide whether to pen a one-year extension in February, but the former Germany international is still pondering his future.

"There are different things that you have to think about if you want to continue or not," Kroos said after Saturday's win. "I'm thinking about it. 

"It won't take many more months, but there still isn't a decision.

"We are very calm and there is a relationship between the club and myself that nobody does nonsense. I am very calm." 

Kroos has featured in all five of Madrid's Club World Cup triumphs, and he says the manner in which Los Blancos qualified – winning a series of dramatic knockout ties en route to last term's Champions League success – sweetens the achievement.

"To get here you have to win the Champions League and that is what we are going to try to do again, although it is difficult," he said. "The road is very long. 

"Also, remembering how we suffered in the Champions League in the knockout games and in the final, getting here is a prize. 

"Here the rivals may not have the quality of the Champions League, but it's the game of their lives and you have to play a serious game."

Liverpool supporters can be forgiven for already thinking ahead to next season after what has been a terrible 2022-23 campaign to date.

Out of both domestic cup competitions and down in 10th in the Premier League, only a Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid is keeping the Reds' season alive.

While questions have been asked of manager Jurgen Klopp's future, the German looks set to stay on at Anfield after reportedly being given the necessary funds to rebuild the squad. 

With several key players such as Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk all in or approaching their 30s, a major overhaul may well be required.

TOP STORY – KLOPP TO STAY ON AT ANFIELD

According to The Telegraph, Liverpool's owners will provide Klopp with "significant funds" to freshen up the Reds' ageing squad ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

That could mean a number of established stars being moved on to make room for the likes of Jude Bellingham and Matheus Nunes, who are both high on Klopp's wanted list.

The report also suggests Liverpool are close to bringing in a successor to head of research Ian Graham, who helped identify Salah, Sadio Mane and Andrew Robertson as previous targets.

Klopp is said to be happy with the assurances received from his bosses as he plans ahead for what would be his ninth season in charge at Anfield.

ROUND-UP

- Real Madrid are interested in signing Kingsley Coman, but Bayern Munich will not sell for anything less than €100million, according to Sky Germany. Coman still has four and a half years to run on the contract he signed in January 2022.

- Should Coman depart, the same report indicates Bundesliga leaders Bayern may turn their focus to Borussia Monchengladbach's Randal Kolo Muani, who is valued at the same figure.

- According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, Madrid turned down a big-money offer from Paris Saint-Germain to sign Vinicius Junior last year. French champions PSG are said to have offered as much as €135m, which Los Blancos president Florentino Perez shot down.

- Chelsea chiefs are resigned to losing Mason Mount at the end of the season, per The Telegraph. Academy product Mount is due to be out of contract next year and has been unable to agree fresh terms with the Blues.

- Fabrizio Romano claims Reiss Nelson's future remains undecided as talks over a new deal with Arsenal are not at an advanced stage. The 23-year-old, who has been restricted to just two substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, is set to become a free agent in July as things stand.

Carlo Ancelotti joked he is grateful he does not have to retire at the end of the season after Federico Valverde struck his 10th goal of the campaign in Real Madrid's Club World Cup final win.

Valverde netted twice at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco as Madrid defeated Saudi Arabian champions Al Hilal 5-3 to win the competition for a record-extending fifth time.

Ancelotti said in September, when Valverde had three goals to his name, that he would rip up his coaching licence if the versatile right-sided attacker failed to reach double figures in a single campaign for the first time in his career.

That milestone was reached on Saturday in emphatic style, with the pair embracing on the sidelines after Valverde's second goal of the game.

"I'm grateful because I don't want to retire," quipped Ancelotti, who has now won the competition three times, in his post-match press conference.

"He has gone through a very difficult period. Valverde offers us a lot playing on the right."

Vinicius Junior also scored twice for Madrid, while there was a welcome goal for Karim Benzema on his return from an injury lay-off.

Brazil winger Vinicius was also on the scoresheet in the semi-final win over Al Ahly and won the Golden Ball, awarded to the best player of the tournament.

Vinicius has faced appalling racist abuse in Spain this season, but he once again let his football do the talking on the pitch in Rabat.

"We are delighted for him because we can see he's still improving," Ancelotti said. "He's much more effective now. He scores and makes a difference in every game we play.

"He was hurt by our loss against Real Mallorca last week but was ready to play in this tournament. We'll now go back to Madrid hoping the way he's played in this tournament will give him a boost.

"We know he won't play on Wednesday [against Elche] because he's suspended, so I'll give him a couple of days off which will do him good, even though he isn't showing any signs of fatigue. The opposite is true."

Presnel Kimpembe pleaded to Paris Saint-Germain supporters through a megaphone following Saturday's 3-1 loss at Monaco.

The 27-year-old played the final 10 minutes at Stade Louis II as PSG's disappointing run of form continued against Les Monegasques, who moved into second place.

Christophe Galtier's side have now lost three of their seven league games in 2023, as many as in their previous 45 games in the competition.

PSG were also eliminated from the Coupe de France by fierce rivals Marseille in midweek and have a big Champions League last-16 first-leg tie with Bayern Munich up next.

As tensions boiled over in the away section, no visiting player initially went across at the full-time whistle, but Kimpembe soon took matters into his own hands.

The centre-back was handed a megaphone and, with supporters still jeering, said: "We're going to need you guys. We need you; we need everyone.

"The only thing I can say is thank you for coming. We will regroup in the dressing room and do things properly. We know we'll get moving again on Tuesday."

Asked in the mixed zone shortly after about his reaction, Kimpembe told reporters: "It was necessary. It's difficult for them. 

"We know that they support us. They make the trips like us. They also pay for it. It's the least we can do to go and see them."

PSG were without Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe against Monaco, while Fabian Ruiz was a surprise absentee as the reigning champions were hampered by injury and illness.

Aleksandr Golovin struck early for Monaco and Wissam Ben Yedder doubled the lead before half-time, punishing an error from 17-year-old El Chadaille Bitshiabu.

Sixteen-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery briefly put the visitors back in contention at 2-1, but Ben Yedder struck again as PSG suffered successive defeats in all competitions for the first time since last March.

PSG's three league defeats in 2023 is their highest tally after seven games of a calendar year since 2010 when losing five times, but Kimpembe denied his side are in a crisis.

"It's not a crisis. The season is still long, it's not over," he said. "We know that these are not the results we had hoped for. That's how it is, it's football.

"It's up to us to wake up, to do what we need to do to be able to put in a series of good performances."

Asked to define PSG's current form, Kimpembe said: "It's a bad patch. As we know, wearing the PSG shirt is hard, it's heavy. 

"You have to know how to have the right responsibilities and do what you have to do on the field."

Next week's visit of Bayern now brings even more pressure, with the German champions boasting six wins from six in this season's Champions League.

"There's no reason to be worried," Kimpembe added. "We've had six important months with nothing but wins. We shouldn't throw that away, even if it's true it's a difficult period. 

"We are all aware of it. We have to stop talking, we have to act."

Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid won the Club World Cup for a fifth time by beating Al Hilal 5-3 in Saturday's chaotic final.

The Brazilian winger, who has faced appalling racist abuse in Spain this season, let his football do the talking in Rabat as Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid lifted the trophy.

Federico Valverde also hit a double and there was a welcome goal for Karim Benzema on his return from a minor injury, with Madrid never seriously troubled by the champions of Saudi Arabia.

Al Hilal beat Flamengo in the semi-finals, but taking down the UEFA Champions League holders was a step too far, although they rattled Madrid at times.

Vinicius put Madrid ahead in the 13th minute when Benzema played him through to the left of goal. The Brazilian's right-footed strike was not the most convincing of finishes but sneaked through the defences of goalkeeper Abdullah Al Muaiouf.

Argentinian Luciano Vietto almost levelled barely a minute later when his low strike from 20 yards went inches wide of the left post. Yet Madrid moved 2-0 up in the 18th minute after a soft goal for Al Hilal to concede.

Luka Modric's whipped cross from the right was too hot for Al Muaiouf, with the ball bouncing out to Valverde whose 15-yard skidding volley went through defender Ali Al Bulayhi and the goalkeeper. Al Muaiouf did better moments later when repelling a strike by Benzema.

Any thought Los Blancos might be on easy street evaporated when Moussa Marega dashed through to fire past Andriy Lunin in the 26th minute, with Benzema missing a good chance late in the half to restore the two-goal cushion.

Benzema made no such mistake in the 54th minute, meeting a cross from Vinicius on the left with a powerful close-range finish. The ball from Vinicius, struck with the outside of his right boot, was read perfectly by Benzema whose sharp movement left three markers standing.

Dani Carvajal and Valverde combined expertly down the Madrid right in the 58th minute, working a path into the Al Hilal penalty area, with Valverde clipping in his second goal of the game.

Five minutes later, Antonio Rudiger was caught asleep on the job as Vietto sprinted behind him before chipping past Lunin to cut Madrid's lead to 4-2, but Vinicius soon restored the three-goal cushion with a sweeping finish into the right corner.

Vietto scored again in the 79th minute, but Madrid avoided any more costly defensive wobbles to get their hands on the trophy.

Christophe Galtier was enraged by Paris Saint-Germain's "catastrophic" start after the Ligue 1 leaders were hampered by injury and illness in a 3-1 defeat at Monaco.

Hamstring issues had already left PSG without Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe at the Stade Louis II, while Fabian Ruiz was surprisingly absent and Achraf Hakimi and Sergio Ramos began on the bench.

PSG were torn apart in the first half as Wissam Ben Yedder scored twice after Aleksandr Golovin's opener, capitalising on an error from 17-year-old defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu for his first.

The visitors were unable to build on Warren Zaire-Emery's response and have now suffered three defeats in their last seven league games, as many as in their previous 45.

While selection issues plagued PSG on their trip to the principality, Galtier viewed their slow start as unacceptable.

"I am furious because the start is catastrophic," he told Amazon Prime Video. "We had hope with the goal, and we concede a third on a transition. Going back to 3-1 is more complicated. 

"There is anger. There were absentees, a virus. It's a difficult time for everyone, the players and the fans. 

"We have a big meeting on Tuesday [against Bayern Munich] and we need to regain energy, confidence and available players. We've conceded a lot of goals since the restart. We have to find balance. 

"In the second half, there were zero shots and no reaction. It is insufficient. After three minutes, the plan fell through."

PSG's tally of three league defeats in 2023 is their most after seven games at the start of a calendar year since their 2011 takeover by Qatar Sports Investments, last enduring a worse start when they lost five of their first seven Ligue 1 matches in 2010.

Having exited the Coupe de France against Marseille in midweek, PSG face a huge Champions League last-16 meeting with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, and captain Marquinhos knows the importance of responding to Saturday's setback.

"After a disappointment, we know that we have to bounce back quickly," he said. "We have to talk to each other, let everyone look at each other to see what they can do better. 

"You must not let go. We lost the cup, we have the Champions League, we are first in the championship... why would we give up now? 

"We are going through a difficult moment, but we have to go hard; it's a key moment of the season."