Guardiola calms Kompany fears as Stones nears return

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expects to have Vincent Kompany and John Stones available soon, as he seeks to keep the runaway Premier League leaders focused on short-term objectives.

Fears were raised of a recurrence of Kompany s chronic injury problems when he was forced off after just 11 minutes of the 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Guardiola, though, speaking ahead of City s trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday, assured supporters the club captain will be back soon.   

It s not as bad as we thought, he said.

He will be ready for the next fixtures. We will know exactly tomorrow. 

[It s] not a big issue, fortunately he can soon be ready to help us.

Good news from the boss

— Manchester City (@ManCity)

Chelsea v West Brom: Leaders out to maintain perfect home record

West Brom came agonisingly close to winning at Chelsea last season but it would be a surprise if they were to take even a point on Saturday.

Eden Hazard s controversial last-gasp penalty won by Ramires ensured Jose Mourinho s side salvaged a 2-2 Premier League draw against Albion at Stamford Bridge just over a year ago.

Referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot in stoppage time after the Brazilian midfielder had gone down following a collision with Steven Reid, a decision which then Albion head coach Steve Clarke described as galling .

The West Midlands club also secured a 1-1 home draw with Chelsea in the 2013-14 campaign, but Mourinho s side are a different proposition this season as they have surged into a four-point lead at the top of the table.

Chel…

Monaco confirm Ranieri departure

Monaco have confirmed that they have parted company with coach Claudio Ranieri.

Ranieri took over the Principality club in May 2012, guiding them to promotion in his first season in charge.

Monaco spent heavily ahead of their return to Ligue 1, with the likes of Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho all making big-money moves to the Stade Louis II.

It did not take long for Monaco s new additions to gel and mount what looked to be a significant challenge to defending champions Paris Saint-Germain for the title.

However, Falcao suffered a season-ending knee injury in January, and Monaco were unable to keep pace with PSG minus the services of the Colombian striker.

Monaco finished the season in second place, nine points adrift of PSG, securing a pl…