EPL updates: Ranieri sacked by Fulham

Relegation-threatened Fulham sacked Claudio Ranieri as manager on Thursday and appointed Scott Parker as his caretaker replacement.

Ranieri, who guided Leicester City to an extraordinary 2016 Premier League title, was appointed in November after the dismissal of Slavisa Jokanovic but failed to work another miracle and lasted only 16 league games, winning three.

"I am obviously disappointed with the recent results and that we could not build on the good start we made following my appointment," said the 67-year-old.

"I would like to thank the Club, the players and the fans for the support they have given me during my time at the Club."

The Italian's departure came as no surprise, with Fulham 19th in the table and 10 points adrift of 17th placed Southampton in the final safety spot with only 10 games remaining.

Ranieri had recognised his future at the West London side was uncertain after Wednesday's stinging 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

"Following our discussion this afternoon, Claudio Ranieri agreed to my decision that a change was in the best interest of everyone," chairman Shahid Khan said in a statement on the Fulham website.

Khan said the Italian had been "a perfect gentleman, as always," but it had not worked out and he left Craven Cottage as a friend.

"Claudio’s tenure at Fulham didn’t produce the outcome we anticipated and needed when I appointed him as manager in November, but be assured he is not solely to blame for the position we are in today," added the chairman.

Khan acknowledged Ranieri had inherited a difficult situation, taking over with Fulham bottom of the league after just one win.

"He provided an immediate boost by leading our club to nine points in his first eight matches as manager. Though we were unable to maintain that pace thereafter, I am grateful for his effort."

Parker's brief was to "stabilise, grow and rediscover ourselves as a football club," said Khan.

"If Scott can answer that challenge, and our players respond to the opportunity, perhaps victories will follow in the months ahead.

"What’s most important at this moment, however, is to regroup in a smart and deliberate manner that will serve our long-term vision for sustainable success."

Former England midfielder Parker's first game in charge will be against local rivals Chelsea, another of his and Ranieri's former clubs, on Sunday.

Man City's Sterling says Liverpool felt fan pressure in 2014 failure

Former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling said their players were affected by pressure from fans during their failed Premier League title charge in 2014, but things are very different at his current club ManchesterCity.

Liverpool topped the table with three games to go five years ago as they chased their first league title since 1990, but the Merseyside club allowed City to overtake them and win the league by two points.

Sterling played one more season at Anfield before making a 49 million pounds ($64.96 million) move to City where the England international tasted league success for the first time under Pep Guardiola last year.

"When I was there (at Liverpool) I did feel a lot more pressure than when I'm here, with matchdays and the fans. I think that did get to us a little bit," Sterling told Sky Sports.

"We were in control and we had the opportunity to see it through but we didn't do that.

"Here we're completely focused on each game and trying to win each game as it comes. It's a complete different scenario from last year... we were a bit more comfortable towards this point of the season."

Liverpool find themselves in a similar situation to five years ago this season, leading City by one point with 10 games remaining of the current campaign. Sterling believes they can reel in Juergen Klopp's side.

"They've been playing some good football at times but we're confident in ourselves and we've got the belief," Sterling said.

"This year it's a complete turnaround and we're the ones who are chasing. It's really close at the moment but I have full belief in the squad."

City can provisionally move to the top of the table if they win or draw at Bournemouth on Saturday before Liverpool make the short trip to Everton for the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

Chelsea's Caballero backs Arrizabalaga to learn from Wembley error

Chelsea's Willy Caballero has backed fellow goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to learn from his mistake in the League Cup final and said the relationship between the duo was still strong.

Arrizabalaga had defied Sarri's orders to come off for Caballero at the end of extra time after appearing to be injured during Sunday's penalty shootout defeat by ManchesterCity, for which he was fined a week's wages.

"It was good to have a chat with him," Caballero told reporters after Wednesday's 2-0 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur, which the Argentine started.

"I think he learned lot from what happened, we learned a lot as a team and as a club. Sometimes these things push players apart, but in this case we are more together than ever."

Arrizabalaga was benched by Sarri for the Spurs game, which gave Caballero his first league start of the season, and the Italian boss said that it was the "right decision".

Caballero added there were no hard feelings between him and Arrizabalaga, who became the world's most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Chelsea for 80 million euros ($90.9 million) last year.

"Top players or experienced players make mistakes because we are human beings, we are people. That's it," Caballero said.

"The good result of this is we have found a lot of people near to him to help him. We trained very well the next day to prepare for the game.

"The boss decided to put me in the goal and he (Arrizabalaga) was supporting me in the warm-up, so I think we are in good harmony. As keepers we must support each other."