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S P O R T S Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane tried to hide his disappointment at missing the chance to close to gap on rivals Barcelona at the top of La Liga to six points on Saturday. Madrid failed to capitalise on Barca’s 2-2 draw at home to Celta Vigo earlier in the day as they played out a 0-0 stalemate at Athletic Bilbao to drop points for the sixth time in 14 La Liga games so far this season. “For me, the most important thing is to keep thinking that we are going to have another opportunity throughout the course of the season to cut the gap,” said Zidane. That opportunity to cut the eight-point gap between the sides is most likely to come when Madrid host Barcelona in three weeks time. However, Real could go into that match down in fifth in the table as they currently lead Sevilla only on goal difference in fourth and trail Valencia and Atletico Madrid. Zidane’s men will also be depleted without captain Sergio Ramos, who saw his 24th career red card late on at Sam Mames, Dani Ca...

S P O R T S Manchester City’s unbeaten start to the season has left Pep Guardiola believing that his side are capable of beating anybody. A remarkable opening to the 2017-18 campaign has seen City surge to the top of the Premier League table, while also progressing in the Champions League and Carabao Cup. The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Napoli have been unable to derail the Blues bandwagon, with confidence now so high around the Etihad Stadium that there is feeling they can overcome any opponent, any time, any place. Guardiola told reporters ahead of a home date with struggling West Ham: “With the confidence, our players believe they can do it until the end. “Liverpool at home, winning at Stamford Bridge, at Napoli, against Shakhtar, gives you confidence. Of course, confidence on its own doesn’t work, but you have to see it, believe it, feel it. “We now have the feeling – wherever we go, whoever we play – that we are capable of winning. And that is the first step to arrive...

S P O R T S Former Nigeria goalkeeper Austin Ejide has agreed a season-long contract with Israeli second division side Hapoel Hadera. Experienced Ejide has equally started at his new club in the Leumit (equivalent of NNL) side with two clean-sheet performances at Lod FC which Hadera won 2-0 and a subsequent 1-0 home win on Friday against Kfar Saba. Next up for the one-time Nigeria No 1 and his Hadera FC teammates is a trip to Beitar Tel Aviv on Friday. It is Ejide’s third club in Israel since he moved to the European country from French side Bastia. After parting company with Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Ejide was unable to secure any club thereafter, thus remaining clubless all through the 2016 season. “It was a difficult moment for me”, Ejide said from his base in Israel. “Lots of setbacks during which time I lost my mother last year. “Well, I’ve put all that behind as I look forward to better things with Hapoel Hadera”