AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to be ruled out for up to three weeks with a left thigh injury, meaning he will miss the Europa League tie against former side Manchester United.

The 39-year-old, who scored 29 goals in 53 games for United, was substituted in the 56th minute of Milan’s 2-1 win over Roma on Sunday.

The two legs of the last-16 tie are due to be played on 11 and 18 March.

The Swede has scored 16 goals in 21 games this campaign.

AC Milan are second in Serie A, four points behind rivals Inter Milan.

Novak Djokovic has equalled Roger Federer’s record of 310 weeks ranked as world number one.

The 33-year-old Serbian is guaranteed to break the mark next week.

Djokovic won his 18th Grand Slam title and his ninth Australian Open crown in Melbourne last month.

“After achieving the historic number one for the longest weeks at number one, it’s going to be a relief for me because I’m going to focus all my attention on slams mostly,” he said.

His victory in Melbourne takes him to two wins behind the joint holders of the men’s Grand Slam record, Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic has been helped by temporary changes to the ranking system because of the coronavirus pandemic which means players can currently count tournaments from two years instead of one.

However, he is still the in-form player on the men’s tour, beginning 2021 by winning nine consecutive matches while last year he did not lose a completed match until the French Open final in October.

Djokovic’s fifth spell at the top of the rankings began on 3 February last and he has been number one for all but 32 weeks since Federer hit 310 weeks in June 2018.

His longest stint as number one was 122 weeks between July 2014 and November 2016.

Djokovic sits on 12,030 points – more than 2,000 clear of Rafael Nadal, with Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem the only other players with more than 7,000 points.

However, he still trails the women’s number one record holder Steffi Graf who held top spot for 377 weeks, while Martina Navratilova (332) and Serena Williams (319) have also had longer spells at number one than Djokovic.

Juventus were held to a draw by mid-table Verona and now sit seven points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

Andrea Pirlo’s side led when Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home with a first-time finish from Federico Chiesa’s pass, his 19th league goal of the season.

But Juve were poor and Verona equalised through Antonin Barak’s header from Darko Lazovic’s cross.

The defending Italian champions were hanging on at the end and Wojciech Szczesny denied Lazovic a winner.

Inter will go 10 points clear of Juve – who have won the past nine titles – if they beat Genoa on Sunday.

Lionel Messi scored and created the other as Barcelona beat in-form Sevilla and went within two points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Messi fed Ousmane Dembele to slot home the opener before team-mate Sergino Dest hit the post.

Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet had a header disallowed for offside – and then Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri also had one ruled out for offside.

Messi scrambled home a late second to clinch the game.

The Barca captain had a shot saved by Sevilla keeper Bono, with a lucky ricochet taking Messi past the keeper to score into an empty net.

That was his 38th goal against Sevilla, six more than he has managed against any other side.

He has now netted in eight La Liga games in a row – 12 goals in total during those matches – his best streak in two years.

Barca’s winner took them within one result of Atleti, although Diego Simeone’s leaders have two games in hand. Sevilla’s defeat brings to an end a 10-game winning run in domestic competitions.

Both sides meet again on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg. Sevilla won the first leg 2-0.

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona beat Elche to move within five points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

The Argentina forward found the bottom corner to open the scoring from Martin Braithwaite’s backheel after the break.

The 33-year-old then doubled the lead 20 minutes later, finishing smartly after a wonderful solo run and pass from Dutchman Frenkie de Jong.

Jordi Alba wrapped up the win at the Camp Nou shortly after when he converted from Braithwaite’s header.

Messi’s double takes him top of the La Liga scoring chart with 18 goals, two more than Luis Suarez.

Barcelona are third in the table behind Atletico and Real Madrid, albeit having played a game more than the leaders.

Sevilla can also move back above them if they win their game in hand.

Many people have been killed and scores injured on Tuesday when Boko Haram fighters launched multiple attacks on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Nine boys were killed while playing football at Gwange, near the house of the late General Mamman Shuwa, when rockets landed in the area, witnesses said.

“Four people have been confirmed dead in our area, known as Adam Kolo,” said a Maiduguri based journalists, Ali Chiroma.

“The explosive fell a few metres from our house. All the people that sustained injuries have been rushed to the UMTH for treatment,” he said.

Adults including men and women as well as children were among the fatalities, with sources saying some of the victims have lost their limbs.

The areas worst affected are Kalere, behind the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH); Gwange; Adam Kolo, not far from the Shehu of Borno’s Palace and adjoining densely populated areas.

Residents and security sources said following the first set of bombs launched at densely populated areas of the city, the terrorists made attempts to use the opportunity to go into the town but were repelled.

It was the first major and audacious assault on Maiduguri in years, heightening fears among residents that the terrorists might be lurking around, observers said.

A top security source said the terrorists deployed mortar bombs and rocket launchers from the outskirt of Maiduguri and targeted the civilian population, killing many and inflicting serious injuries in others.

It was learnt that the terrorists fired the first assault around 6.04 pm and sustained the attacks for over 30 minutes, prompting thunderous sound that caused a scare as people scampered for safety.

Some of the victims were rushed to UMTH while others were taken to the Specialists Hospital around the Post Office area.

Governor Babagana Zulum was at the UMTH where he sympathized with the injured.

All efforts to reach out to the military in Maiduguri; NEMA and SEMA, for official comments were not successful.

Victims soaked in blood in hospitals

At the UMTH along Bama Road, humanitarian workers, family of victims and acquaintances rushed their injured loved ones for treatment.

There was high traffic at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital with relatives struggling to get the attention of health workers to treat the injured.

“We would most likely stabilise some of the injured but the case of some of them is bad,” a doctor said, asking for anonymity.

“Some of the victims would require surgery and others would need blood transfusion. There are some who lost their limbs…” he said.

Another source at the hospital confirmed that they have 9 dead bodies brought to the facility following the multiple blasts in Maiduguri.

“It is an overwhelming situation; we have many injured persons currently receiving treatment now,” he said.

It was learnt that in other areas that similar attacks were launched, families of people that sustained serious injuries were treated at private clinics and taken back home long before the arrival of humanitarian workers.

Pandemonium in Maiduguri on Tuesday after Boko Haram fighters fired mortar bombs into the state capital

A security source said dozens of terrorists mobilised towards Maiduguri with some of them taking cover in the bush, while those with lethal weapons advanced and took a cover in trenches.

A resident, Modu Lawal, said: “I was at a friend’s house located near the UMTH when I heard the violent explosions. I saw people running to places of safety and I had to stay at my friend’s.”

Lawal said his brother later told him on the phone that another device fired by the attackers injured people at the Gwange area.

Fighter jets and helicopter gunships were deployed and hovered in the sky, forcing the attackers to retreat.

The surprising attack came barely two hours after the military claimed to have recaptured Marte town and three other communities seized by the insurgents a week ago.

“I am sure the terrorists took time and planned the multiple attacks and targeted the city towards the evening,” a Maiduguri resident, Malam Umaru, said.

He said the terrorists deployed many mortar bombs and rocket launchers that fell on houses in areas populated by locals.

A mortar is an artillery weapon that fires explosive shells. Another source said it was the dry broad ditch (moat) dug years ago around Maiduguri that saved the day.

“The terrorists would have infiltrated the city centre if not for the ditch and considering that soldiers have been deployed to many entry points of Maiduguri. The attackers were left with no option but to use rocket launchers and mortars,” he said.

Abubakar Mohammed, a resident of Maiduguri, said, “What happened today is unfortunate, especially at a time when people around Maiduguri were happy.

“Maiduguri had enjoyed relative peace in recent times but people in the city have been weakened today following multiple assaults on the city.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces need to change their operational tactics and information flow, a lot need to be done to sustain public confidence,” he said.

In his reaction, the Chairman of the Network Civil Society Organisation, Borno State, Ambassador Ahmed Shehu, said the attack revealed the vulnerability of surrounding communities despite the security plans on ground.

nchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he is surprised by his side’s imperious run of form “when everyone is suffering in this world” as they extended their winning run to 18 games with victory at Arsenal.

The Premier League leaders have not dropped a point since 15 December and have taken control of the title race as they sit 10 points clear at the top of the table with 13 games remaining.

Like other teams, they have had to deal with a congested fixture list as well Covid-19 cases within the club as the world continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

Guardiola said: “I’m surprised and impressed and so when everyone is suffering in this world, all the teams in the league are dropping points, we were consistent over the past two months and I did not expect [that].

“People talk and talk about the record and the victories but to do this you have to win these types of games many, many times.

“It is not always about winning by three or four because that is not possible.”

City looked confident right from the outset at Arsenal, taking the lead with just two minutes on the clock as Raheem Sterling somehow managed to outjump Rob Holding to head in Riyad Mahrez’s cross.

The visitors had four shots to Arsenal’s none in the opening quarter of an hour and it looked as if the Gunners were in danger of being on the end of a heavy defeat as Guardiola’s side poured forward at every opportunity.

To Arsenal’s credit, they weathered that early storm and grew into the game as Kieran Tierney tested Ederson with a strong effort from distance, while there were glimpses of a threat on the break through the pace of Bukayo Saka.

City failed to kick on after the break although still looked the most likely to add to their lead as Kevin de Bruyne – making his first start in more than a month – lifted an effort just wide while Ilkay Gundogan saw a shot saved by Bernd Leno before Joao Cancelo clipped a lovely strike inches past the post late on.

In the end, a second goal was not needed as City took the three points to ensure they stay in control at the top of the standings.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are 10th and six points off the top six.

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Pep Guardiola says results like their 1-0 win at Arsenal are sometimes more important

City have been back to their free-scoring best this season and had bagged 18 goals in their six previous Premier League games going into this fixture.

It looked like another high-scoring game was on the cards when they took a very early lead through Sterling, with Guardiola and his former assistant coach Mikel Arteta having barely finished exchanging pleasantries on the touchline when the ball was being picked out of the Arsenal net.

But the additional goals failed to materialise as City were uncharacteristically not at their best in the final third, with Gabriel Jesus launching well over late on after a quick counter, while Gundogan and De Bruyne could arguably have done better with their opportunities.

While it was a narrow win in the end, it was one that never really looked in doubt, with Ederson making just the one save all game.

This was City’s 23rd clean sheet of the season, more than any other team in the top five European leagues or top four divisions in England, while they have not been behind in any of their past 17 Premier League games.

The victory also equalled a club record 11 successive away wins in all competitions. Impressive statistics for City, worrying ones for any side hoping to somehow deny them a third league title in four seasons.

Arsenal had gone into this game having lost in their past seven league meetings with City, so a victory against Guardiola’s in-form side always looked a tall order.

Their dreadful start, when they were completely overpowered by their opponents, suggested this was not just going to be another defeat, but also a hefty one.

While Ederson was never really troubled in the City goal, Arsenal had their moments with Saka once again particularly lively.

The 19-year-old’s pace on the counter meant City could never truly relax and perhaps accounted for why the visitors failed to go on and win by a bigger margin.

Saka was lining up on the left, despite having got more goals and assists on the right this season, so could arguably have provided even more of a threat if he had started this game in that position.

Regardless, while Arteta will be unhappy that his side did not threaten Ederson’s goal more, he can be happy that they did not at least crumble after their poor start.

“When we conceded the first goal it put us in a difficult situation,” Arteta said.

“It was tough. With the formation and the players they use they are really comfortable.

“We got something wrong. We didn’t do it in the first 10 minutes. It’s a cross and Raheem Sterling cannot head a ball there.”

Towards the end of the game, Arsenal used a concussion substitute for the first time in the Premier League when Holding went off after he had collided with Cancelo. He was replaced by David Luiz.

Monaco condemned Mauricio Pochettino to his second defeat as Paris St-Germain head coach with a shock win at Parc des Princes in Ligue 1.

Sofiane Diop opened the scoring for the visitors in the sixth minute, heading home Ruben Aguilar’s header back across goal from Kevin Volland’s cross.

And Guillermo Maripan doubled the lead with a second-half side-footed finish after Ander Herrera failed to clear.

The hosts had just one shot on target as Monaco cantered to all three points.

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In their first game since their impressive 4-1 win at Barcelona in the Champions League, PSG struggled to create clear-cut chances after Monaco’s early opener.

Niko Kovac’s side should have been 3-0 up on the hour mark as Volland headed wide when unmarked inside the six-yard box.

Despite dominating possession the champions tasted defeat for the fifth time in the league this season.

And the loss means they stay third, four points behind leaders Lille, who thrashed Lorient 4-1 on Sunday.

Kovac’s Monaco are fourth, now just two points behind Pochettino’s side.

Marcus Rashford played a key role in a win over struggling Newcastle as Manchester United returned to second place in the Premier League.

The England striker helped the hosts overcome a stuttering start when he lashed in an 18th goal of the season by beating Karl Darlow at the near post after 30 minutes.

Allan Saint-Maximin then scored a deserved equaliser with his first goal since coming back from a two-month absence caused by coronavirus symptoms, slamming in after Harry Maguire failed to clear.

The Newcastle winger then threatened again early in the second half, but the game turned after 57 minutes when Daniel James re-established the lead.

That led to the visitors’ confidence draining away, with Rashford then earning a penalty as he drew a foul from Joe Willock before Bruno Fernandes knocked in his 22nd goal of the season.

Defeat for Steve Bruce’s side was a seventh in 10 Premier League games, leaving them three points above the drop zone – and a relegation scrap with Fulham is now set to ensue.

For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, it was only a second win in six league matches, and a welcome victory after a draw at West Brom last weekend.

But they remain 10 points behind leaders Manchester City, who beat Arsenal earlier on Sunday.

On the face of it, this looked as if it would be a routine win for the hosts over a team fighting for Premier League survival.

But although Solskjaer insisted that his team had “found themselves a little bit” after the 4-0 win over Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday, there were still signs here of the concerns that have plagued his team for much of the season.

Manchester United were slow to start and jittery in defence. David de Gea was called into action early on and almost gifted Newcastle a goal with a poor backpass. Fernandes, normally their talisman, was quiet for much of the game before a trademark penalty.

But in contrast to Newcastle, Solskjaer’s side have matchwinners all over the pitch. When they went ahead, it was from their first proper chance.

Rashford skipped past Emil Krafth on the touchline, before cutting inside and unleashing a fierce shot, although Darlow should have stopped his near-post effort.

The lead only lasted six minutes, however, as a short corner was played to Willock and his cross was half-headed away by Maguire, allowing Saint-Maximin to fire in.

The home side – missing the injured Scott McTominay – also started the second period quietly, with Solskjaer’s concern evident on the touchline, before James gave them breathing space.

The Welsh winger, who scored in midweek, was rewarded with his first Premier League start since 26 December and lashed past Darlow at his near post again. As Newcastle retreated, the hosts moved up the gears before Fernandes sealed victory.

It was not a vintage display, but it did not need to be as Solskjaer’s side finally found their rhythm, allowing them to hand a debut to 17-year-old Shola Shoretire as they extended their run to one defeat in 19 Premier League games.

Lautaro Martinez’s two goals helped Inter Milan to an impressive derby win against AC Milan as they opened up a four-point gap at the top of Serie A.

The striker’s early header laid the platform for a confident Inter display.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic twice went close to equalising for Milan but the hosts were then caught out chasing the game.

A fine team move saw Martinez tap in his second then Romelu Lukaku finished another incisive counter attack with a low drive into the bottom corner.

While the normal raucous atmosphere that usually greets this fixture will have to wait until fans return to stadiums, supporters of both clubs lined the route to the ground, underlining the significance of the match.

This was the first time the sides had met while occupying the top two positions in Serie A since April 2011.

On that occasion AC Milan went on to win the Scudetto after a 3-0 win and having emulated that scoreline Antonio Conte will feel his Inter side are well placed to lift their first title since 2009-10.

It was an unhappy way for Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to mark his 200th Serie A appearance.

The 21-year-old, who is the youngest player to reach the milestone, beat the previous record set by legendary keeper Gianluigi Buffon by more than two years.

While his opposite number Samir Handanovic made important stops to prevent both Ibrahimovic and Sandro Tonali from equalising as Milan poured forward after the break, Donnarumma stood no chance with any of the goals.

Champions Juventus are 11 points behind Inter, although they have two games in hand on Conte’s side.

Everton produced an outstanding Merseyside derby performance to beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time since 1999.

In a landmark result for both sides, Everton earned their first derby win anywhere since 2010, while Liverpool have now lost four successive home matches for the first time since 1923.

Everton finally rid themselves of their Anfield bogey with a brilliantly drilled performance in which goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane were excellent, while Richarlison led the line tirelessly.

Richarlison put Everton in front after three minutes when he latched on to a superb pass from James Rodriguez to beat Allison.

Liverpool responded and Pickford saved well from Jordan Henderson, who went off injured in the first half, while Everton captain Seamus Coleman should have added to Richarlison’s strike only to head straight at Alisson from six yards.

Sadio Mane wasted two headed chances for Liverpool in the second half while Pickford saved superbly from Salah, leaving Everton to wrap up their first derby win in 24 attempts when substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson scored from the spot with seven minutes left after Dominic Calvert-Lewin tangled with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti was all smiles at the final whistle but this was more abject Anfield misery for his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp, as his team’s flimsy Premier League title defence crumbles.

• Reaction to Everton’s win at Liverpool, plus the rest of Saturday’s action

Everton finally end the hoodoo

This Anfield means more than just three points for Everton. It means the end of a miserable sequence stretching back to 27 September, 1999 when Kevin Campbell gave Walter Smith’s side a 1-0 win.

Since then, Everton and their fans have endured unrelenting gloom when crossing Stanley Park – so it was no surprise this win was greeted with such joy by manager Ancelotti and his team.

This will be a huge psychological lift for Everton, who have now won eight of their past 12 away games and demonstrated here exactly why they are so good on their travels.

Ancelotti’s smart game plan worked to perfection as he achieved the feat that eluded David Moyes in 11 years in charge as well as his successors, Roberto Martinez, Ronald Koeman, Sam Allardyce and Marco Silva.

Everton struck early, then defended magnificently while always carrying a threat on the break, although it took heroics from keeper Pickford, the villain when Virgil van Dijk was injured in the derby at Goodison Park last October, in the vital moments to keep listless Liverpool at bay.

Keane and Ben Godfrey were faultless in defence and once they had blunted Liverpool, Ancelotti’s Everton added the second goal that ended the contest.

Ancelotti beamed as he embraced his players on the Anfield turf after the final whistle – and no-one can begrudge them their deserved celebrations.

Liverpool hit a new low

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gathered his players in a huddle at the start of the second half to try to galvanise a title defence that has fallen apart – and rescue a league season that is now about finding a way into the top four.

Klopp’s frustrated body language on the touchline as Everton went ahead and then defended with calm organisation and resilience, while still posing a threat, was symbolic of a Liverpool team who have lost their way.

If it was intended to inspire, it did not work as Liverpool failed to breach Everton and were beaten at Anfield once again.

It is almost unfathomable how Liverpool have declined to such an extent that after Burnley ended a 68-game unbeaten league run at Anfield, three more teams – Brighton, Manchester City and now Everton – have all arrived and gone home with the points.

And to make matters worse, Henderson appears to be facing a lengthy lay-off with an injury that forced Klopp to employ his 18th central defensive pairing of the season in Ozan Kabak and Nat Phillips.

Liverpool impressed with a 2-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig in Budapest last Tuesday, as they did in away victories at Tottenham and West Ham in late January, but at Anfield they looked lost and for all their possession Everton were never truly shaken out of their stride.

Klopp’s side are now in sixth place, three points off the top four, with Everton level on points in seventh but having played a game fewer.

This is as close to a crisis that Klopp has had to deal with since becoming Liverpool manager and it will hurt even more that arch-rivals Everton have inflicted the latest blow.

‘We have to improve our finishing’ – what they said

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, speaking to BBC Sport: “It is [tough to take] but we conceded this early goal which was completely unnecessary and have to defend it better.

“We had to chase the game and did it well creative-wise. We created some chances in the first half and even more in the second half but we did not finish our situations off.

“We made one mistake in the first half and they used it.

“I don’t like to talk today about the good stuff because we lose the game and we feel that deeply. I have to use it tomorrow and it is our lifeline to keep going.

“We have to improve on the finishing stuff and then we will win football games.”

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, speaking to BBC Sport: “We are really happy, really pleased. After a long time Everton are able to win at Anfield, it is a good gift for our supporters. The performance was good. We were focused, worked hard and when we had the opportunities we were clinical.

“We have three points. The derby is a special game as we said before but we have to catch three points at home too. It [our form] is not good enough at home.”

Atletico Madrid’s grip of the lead at the top of La Liga loosened after a surprise home defeat by Levante.

Their second meeting against the Valencian side in a week was decided by Jose Luis Morales’ 30th-minute deflected strike and Jorge de Frutos’ stoppage-time effort.

Atletico, who created 28 efforts on goal, were thwarted by goalkeeper Dani Cardenas on several occasions.

Real Madrid will close the gap to three points if they beat Valladolid.

That match kicks off at 20:00 GMT. Third place Barcelona, nine points adrift of Atletico, play Cadiz on Sunday at 13:00 GMT.

Levante’s 23-year-old keeper was in superb form, notably stopping Joao Felix’s strike from point-blank range before blocking a thumping half-volley from the Portuguese forward. He also scrambled across his goal to keep out a late low drive from Renan Lodi.

When Cardenas was beaten the post saved him, with Luis Suarez’s brilliant 30-yard free-kick thundering off the woodwork.

Levante were a threat during counter-attacks, especially in the first-half. Morales had missed a golden chance before he converted his second with a low strike that came off the leg of defender Felipe.

With seconds remaining, Levante scored their second. Atletico keeper Jan Oblak joined his team-mates for a corner, but was stranded when the visitors broke away with De Frutos finding the empty goal with a superb finish.

This was Levante’s first win at Atletico in the league, and it was also the first home league defeat for Diego Simeone’s side since December 2019.