Mitrovic: I don’t think I’ve played a better derby

• “Everton Football Club has today lodged with the chair of the Premier League’s judicial panel its appeal,” Everton said
• “An appeal board will now be appointed to hear the case”

• The Australian has drawn criticism for his refusal to adopt a more conservative style
• Guardiola said: “I think he makes football a better place, people like Ange”

• Hilal cannot play at home because of the armed conflict in Sudan
• After playing a qualifier in Morocco, Hilal moved to Tanzania for the group phase

• The coach said the club has asked for clarity about a controversial late penalty decision against PSG that cost them 2 Champions League points
• But he refused to be drawn on Mbappe’s post-match assertion that the Magpies ‘have nothing,’ which many considered disrespectful

• Messi: I’m not thinking about the World Cup and I’m not saying 100 percent that I won’t be there because anything can happen. Because of my age, the most normal thing is that I won’t be there. Then we’ll see.

Two-goal hero Aleksandar Mitrovic was full of praise for the Al-Hilal fans after they generated an electric atmosphere in the 3-0 Riyadh derby victory over title rivals Al-Nassr.

Mitrovic snatched a late brace for Al Hilal on Friday, adding to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s opener to put Luis Castro’s side to the sword at the King Fahd Stadium. The victory extends their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League to seven points.

And Mitrovic, who played in the West London derby for Fulham, Tyne-Wear derby for Newcastle and Belgrade derby for Partizan, claimed that Friday’s clash between Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr was the pick of them.

“[It was] amazing, really amazing,” Mitrovic said after the match. “I played derbies in many countries but for sure this is of not the best, for sure top, top of the list.

“The pressure before the game, the build-up with fans before the game really, really amazing something special. To be honest I don’t think I ever played a better derby.”

Mitrovic has quickly become a fan favourite at Al-Hilal, helped by his 20 goals in 20 games across all competitions for the Riyadh heavyweights. The double against Al-Nassr meant the supporters were serenading their Serbian striker again.  

“I’m lucky that everywhere I play I always have a great relationship, but with these fans it’s amazing,” Mitrovic said. “Since the first day I arrive. Even when I didn’t come here yet, there was speculation I get so many messages and support and everything.

“And since I arrived form the first moment, we had a really special connection. They make me happy, I hope I will continue making them happy. It’s a happy marriage.”

Both sides had opportunities in the game but it was the league leaders who were eventually more ruthless in front of goal, despite spurning some earlier chances.

“It was a very open game,” Mitrovic added. “From the beginning of the first half we were better, we dominated; we had probably three, four clean chances to score goals but we didn’t. We knew that of course they have quality, a lot of experience.

“We knew that if we want to win the game we had to keep a clean sheet. I think we scored the first goal on time and we defended really, really, well as a team.

“[With the] second goal we killed the game, the third goal as well. I could even have scored a hat-trick today with a little bit of luck. But overall it was a great performance, a great game from us and very big win for us and our fans.”