"Messi better than Pele, Maradona"

Lionel Messi will go down as the greatest player in history - better even than Diego Maradona and Pele, according to Ossie Ardiles.

The former Argentina midfielder claims Messi is similar to their fellow countryman Maradona - except better.
Former Tottenham star Ardiles, who helped nurture Maradona for the national side, said: "I think there is only one player you can compare with Messi, and that is Maradona, and in many ways they are very similar.
"But for some time I have thought that Diego could never be surpassed, and nor could Pele, but no longer. I would now say that Lionel Messi will go down in history as the number one player of all time, the best that there ever was.

Derby victory takes Barca to the brink

Barcelona moved to within a whisker of their third successive La Liga title as they beat Espanyol 2-0 in Sunday's Catalan derby at the Nou Camp.

Andres Iniesta gave Pep Guardiola's side the lead just short of the 30-minute mark and Gerard Pique headed a second three minutes into the second period to give Barca a routine win over their local rivals and see them move to within reach of another title.

With Real Madrid thrashing Sevilla 6-2 at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday, Barca were unable to clinch the title in this match but the win saw Guardiola's side stay eight points clear with only nine left to play for - while they also boast a superior head-to-head record in the games against Mourinho's men.