London  - Liverpool stayed ahead of Chelsea at the top of the English Premier League thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day.

Robbie Keane scored twice and Albert Riera the other as Liverpool won at home for the first time in seven weeks, keeping them one point ahead of Chelsea, who stayed on their heels with a 2-0 win over bottom side West Bromwich Albion.

Madrid  - Spanish giants Valencia announced Thursday evening that Nikola Zigic had been loaned to Racing Santander until the end of the season.

Santander president Francisco Pernia intends to present Zigic to the media on Monday.

The gigantic Serbian striker was a great success when playing for Santander in the 2006-2007 season, scoring 11 league goals. He was then sold to Valencia, where he has failed to hold down a regular first-team place.

Rio de Janeiro - Brazilian superstar Ronaldo received the perfect gift on Christmas eve. His fiancee Maria Beatriz Anthony gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday, local media reported.

Ronaldo was present when his daughter, Maria Sofia, was born and even cut the umbilical cord. The baby is healthy at 49.5 centimetres and weighs 2.98 kilograms.

This is Ronaldo's second child. He has a son, eight-year-old Ronald, with his former wife and model Milene Domingues.

Dec 25 : Liverpool has fired a confident warning to the rest of the Premier League clubs that they are determined to stay on the top.

The Reds are top of the group at Christmas for the first time since 1996 ahead of tomorrow's clash with Bolton at Anfield, The Daily Express reported.

Assistant manager Sammy Lee, who is in charge while Rafa Benitez recovers from a kidney stones operation, is confident the crown is heading back to Anfield for the first time in 19 years.

Bhaichung Bhutia, the outstanding striker of the Indian team, has been chosen as the `player of the year' (2008) by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Speaking on this, an elated Bhutia said, “I feel honoured, I feel humbled.”

“It was great leading India to the AFC Challenge Cup title. Overall it has been a very productive year,” Bhutia said.

Sunderland, England  - Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari broke his media silence on Tuesday to condemn referee Phil Dowd's decision to send off John Terry during Monday's 0-0 draw at Everton.

Terry was dismissed for serious foul play by referee Phil Dowd after a reckless lunge on Leon Osman.

Scolari refused to attend the usual post-match press-conference, something for which he explained his reasoning on Chelsea TV.