Europe

Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu can only think of two people, ever, who he'd like to have dinner with. Can you guess which two?

In a Q&A with The Times, Deulofeu gifted us with this delightful exchange"

Question: Which three people would you like to have round for dinner?

It might not be Baseball, but there is little denying numbers play a prominent role in soccer today. Sunday’s clash between Tottenham and Manchester City at White Hart Lane will be one of those matches where numbers go a long way in explaining what the outcome might be.

The Premier League-leading goal machine that is Manchester City’s attack will have to find a way to breach the wall Mauricio Pochettino set up so far in Tottenham’s defense. 

Standing at 6’3’’ and built like brick s***houses, Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku both share a distinct ability to absolutely boss center-backs. Both are charged with doing as much for their club sides, Everton and Crystal Palace.

On Friday night, the two players went head to head in a match surely watched by Belgium manager Roberto Martinez and his assistant Thierry Henry. While the two strikers share some qualities, they’re incredibly different in their approach play.

All aboard the Mario Balotelli redemption tour 2016 bandwagon. Don't be shy, there's plenty of room.

Balotelli scored again Thursday in Nice's Europa League loss to Krasnodar, giving the Italian five goals in four matches so far this season.

That's FIVE goals in four games now for Mario Balotelli... pic.twitter.com/TBPrmHiubX

— Sportlobster (@sportlobster) September 30, 2016

You hear it all the time — soccer is full of violence. There are nutters in the stands, fanatics and ultras that just want to light flares, sing songs and attack each other. There’s a bunch of madmen out on the pitch, raking each others shins and accumulating yellow and red cards for violent conduct.

It’s a gentleman’s game played by hooligans.

Nowhere is this stereotype better served than in this video depicting a sickening level of violence between Wurzburger and Dynamo Dresden in the German second division.

Mauro Zarate made an emotional return to Fiorentina on Thursday for their Europa League group stage encounter with Qarabag. Zarate had been given leave by the club to return to Argentina to be with his wife, Natalie Weber, through the beginning of the season. 

Weber was diagnosed with breast cancer, a tragic development following the announcement of a miscarriage earlier this year. Zarate and Weber are a beloved high-profile, celebrity couple in Argentina.

Francesco Totti celebrated with 40th birthday on Tuesday, a milestone that encapsulates 25 seasons at one club, AS Roma. Totti has been as effective as ever for the Giallorossi, scoring two goals and registering two assists in just 192 minutes of Serie A action this season.

His league play was rewarded with a start and rare 90 minutes of action in Thursday’s Europa League encounter with Romanian opposition Astra Giurgiu. The Roman delighted supporters at the Stadio Olimpico with another vintage performance.