• Michael Lynch

Diving culture? What diving culture? If you want to see top level diving and simulation, don't look at the A-League - look to Spain for players making hilarious efforts to con referees and gain an advantage.

• Jason Burt

Leicester City performed the greatest, most extraordinary triumph in the history of English soccer by winning the English Premier League last season, but currently sit 15th, in a "relegation scrap". Why?

The man who was leading FIFA's fight against match-fixing has left his post, soccer's world governing body has announced.

Sydney FC fans can thank Chris Martin for stealing their club's home ground on one of the biggest nights of their A-League season.

• Oliver Brown

Even as a peripheral influence in this Clasico, Cristiano Ronaldo still managed to seize star billing.

• Michael Lynch

It's all ended in tears for Ernie Merrick in New Zealand.

• Jim White

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has a list of personal endorsements longer than Bastian Schweinsteiger's shorts. But his response to the events at Everton suggest he may be after a commercial tie-in with Specsavers.

• Ian Chadband

Not for the first time this season, Jose Mourinho was left in a wretched mood after watching his Manchester United side control a Premier League match only to end up missing out on victory.

Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold has declined to confirm marquees Bobo and Filip Holosko will play FFA Cup final conquerors Melbourne City, instead appearing to issue the pair a challenge to lift their game.

Leighton Baines' late penalty has caught Manchester United cold as Everton secured a morale-boosting 1-1 draw from a match punctuated by controversy.

• Michael Lynch

Nothing is as ugly as when friends fall out. Confidences held, secrets shared, dreams forged together and ambitions held in unison suddenly all seem worthless when friendship turns to indifference at best, or enmity at worst.

• Emma Kemp

Sydney FC have corrected a slight wobble in their A-League season with a 2-0 defeat of depleted battlers Newcastle.

• Michael Cockerill

Big events equals FIFA tournaments. That's what Australian football badly needs to re-engage with the world, but just as importantly to revitalise a domestic market which requires more than just the A-League and the occasional Socceroos blockbuster to embrace.

ADELAIDE, Dec 4 AAP - Adelaide United recruit Henrique scored two screamers as the Reds climbed from the bottom of the A-League table with a 2-0 win against Wellington.

Socceroos star Tom Rogic's stocks continue to soar after he scored another blistering match-winner.

Defending champions Melbourne City have secured their position at the top of the W-League ladder with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brisbane at AJ Kelly Field.

• Michael Lynch

Melbourne City have come through the biggest week of their six-year history having earned their first ever trophy and in second spot on the A-League ladder, but coach John van 't Schip knows there will be no resting on their laurels.

• Dominic Bossi

Nico Martinez was frustrated by the work-rate required of him on the training ground when he arrived at Western Sydney. Today he credits that as the reason why he's lighting up the A-League.

Sergio Ramos stepped up once more for Real Madrid in a major match, scoring in the 90th minute to secure a 1-1 draw in the Clasico at Camp Nou on Saturday.

Chelsea came from behind to secure a 3-1 win at Manchester City and forge further clear at the top of the Premier League.

• Michael Lynch

The war of words between Melbourne City coach John van 't Schip and his Brisbane Roar counterpart John Aloisi erupted following their 1-1 draw.

• Dominic Bossi

Western Sydney Wanderers move back into the finals bracket after sealing a 4-1 rout of Central Coast Mariners despite playing the final third with 10 men.

• Chris Dutton

Canberra United launched a late charge to beat Adelaide on Saturday night, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw in their W-League clash.

• Michael Lynch

Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar is fast becoming one of the biggest grudge matches in the A-League, and Saturday night's edgy, ill-tempered draw between the teams added another chapter in a rivalry that is becoming characterised by its niggle and spite.

• Michael Lynch

Bruno Fornaroli, the Melbourne City skipper, and Besart Berisha, the Melbourne Victory talisman, are both lauded, particularly in the Victorian capital, for their striking prowess.

• Larissa Nicholson

It's not called the silly season for nothing, and here's how silly it can get: Everton manager Ronald Koeman this week had to redecorate his Christmas tree after fans complained he had dressed it in too much Liverpool red.

• Dominic Bossi

Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan is poised to leave Spanish giants Valencia in the upcoming January transfer window after being reportedly offered a loan deal to join La Liga club Osasuna for the remainder of the season.

• Michael Lynch

It's not all doom and gloom, despite what some of their more vociferous fans may think.

• Dominic Bossi

Sydney FC star Milos Ninkovic turned down an opportunity to make a shock return to the Serbian national team, choosing to focus on his club career in the A-League instead of reaching another World Cup.