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Manchester City vs West Ham – Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates as Erling Haaland scores after just six minutes with Pep Guardiola’s side leapfrogging Arsenal with a win – plus updates from all 3pm KOs
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Manchester City vs West Ham – Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates as Erling Haaland scores after just six minutes with Pep Guardiola’s side leapfrogging Arsenal with a win – plus updates from all 3pm KOs
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Tottenham vs Liverpool – Premier League LIVE: Latest score and updates as Spurs star is sent off for horror challenge after VAR check
Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Tottenham welcome Liverpool to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League, with Riath Al-Samarrai, Matt Barlow and Lewis Steele reporting from the grounds.
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Tottenham vs Liverpool – Premier League LIVE: Latest score and updates as Spurs star is sent off for horror challenge after VAR check
Newcastle United let a two-goal lead slip as Chelsea fought back to earn a 2-2 draw in an entertaining 2025/2026 Premier League clash at St James’ Park earlier today, December 20.
Nick Woltemade was the star of a dominant opening spell for Newcastle, striking twice inside the first 20 minutes to put the home side firmly in control.
The forward pounced on a loose ball in the fourth minute to open the scoring before doubling his tally with a composed finish after Chelsea failed to clear their lines.
The hosts thought they had extended their advantage midway through the first half, only for the goal to be ruled out, while Chelsea also saw Neto denied by a handball decision just before the interval.
Woltemade came close to completing his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time, but his effort drifted wide as Newcastle went in 2-0 ahead.
Chelsea emerged with renewed intent after the break and were rewarded four minutes into the second half when captain Reece James curled a superb free-kick from around 25 yards beyond Aaron Ramsdale to halve the deficit.
That goal changed the tone of the game, with Chelsea pushing higher up the pitch and forcing Newcastle onto the back foot. Ramsdale produced a fine save to deny Neto, while Newcastle survived a nervy moment when a potential penalty appeal was waved away.
The equaliser arrived in the 66th minute as João Pedro showed composure in a one-on-one situation, calmly finishing past Ramsdale to bring Chelsea level at 2-2.
Both sides had chances to snatch a winner late on. Harvey Barnes volleyed wide for Newcastle, while Chelsea continued to probe without finding a decisive breakthrough.
The draw leaves Chelsea fourth in the league standings, while Newcastle sit just outside the top half after another frustrating home performance.
Manchester City have now overtaken Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, following their 3-0 win over West Ham on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s men kept closing the gap between themselves and the Gunners.
City’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend ensured they were two points behind.
Against the Hammers, Erling Haaland fired City into the lead in the first half, before Tijjani Reijnders doubled their advantage ahead of half time.
Haaland grabbed one more goal in the second half, to take his team up to 37 points after 17 fixtures.
Arsenal will have the chance to go top again, when they travel to Everton in the last game on Saturday night.
Moroccans in Fes, the city where the Super Eagles will play their Group C matches at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, are backing the three times continental champions to do well at this year’s tournament.
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C with former champions Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.
Eric Chelle’s side will begin their campaign against Tanzania on Tuesday, 23 December before facing Uganda and Tunisia later in the group.
Ahead of the commencement of the tournament, Completesports.com’s James Agberebi, who is in Morocco, spoke with some of the locals in Fes to get their views about the Super Eagles and their chances.
Nabil, a student and who sells bracelets, tipped the Super Eagles to top the group.
“My prediction is Nigeria to top the group because I love the Nigerian team and I think Tunisia will be second then Uganda and Tanzania in that order and I think Tanzania will go out.”
On which players who will perform well for the Super Eagles, Nabil said:”I think the players that will do well for Nigeria are Victor Osimhen for sure and Ademola Lookman, who was African best player last year.”
He went on to predict Morocco and Nigeria to play in the final.
“Trust me Moroccans love Nigerians because they give us a lot of good players and we watch them a lot but for who will win the AFCON for sure it’s Morocco and we will beat Nigeria in the final.”
According to another local in Fes known as Mohar, he also believes the Super Eagles will place first in Group C.
“Nigeria will be the number one team in the group and for the AFCON I think Nigeria will finish third while Morocco will be the number one team, I’m from Morocco so it’s normal for me to support my team but good luck to Nigeria.”
For Mohammed Tanan, he predicted that the Super Eagles and Tunisia will go through from the group.
“I think Nigeria and Tunisia will qualify from the group because they have won the AFCON before and have more experience.”
Also Read: AFCON Now To Hold Every Four Years
Tanan also predicted that both Nigeria and Morocco will meet in the final.
“Nigeria always has good players but one player that I always like is (Austin) Okocha and I think Nigeria and Morocco will play in the final.”
Speaking with another local in Fes whose name is Youssef, he tipped the Super Eagles to reach the semi-finals.
“For the team that will go through from the group I will go for Tunisia and Nigeria and I believe Nigeria will reach the semi-finals.”
For Samad, he said the Super Eagles will not only top their group but also go all the way to the final.
“We are very happy to have our other African brothers in Morocco especially Nigeria and I think they will be the first in their group and remain till the end of the competition.”
He also reminisced on Nigeria’s 1996 Atlanta Olympic gold medal winning side.
“I remember the Nigerian team that participated in Atlanta with players like Okocha and Amokachi.”
By James Agberebi in Fes, Morocco
Anas Yusuf who currently plays for Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club, Nasarawa United, has been shortlisted for the Best Striker prize at the 2025 Nigerian Pitch Awards.
Yusuf will compete for the honour against Atalanta and Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman and Galatasaray hitman Victor Osimhen.
The Nasarawa United striker earned his nomination after an outstanding 2024-2025 NPFL campaign, where he scored 18 goals to finish as the league’s top marksman. He has carried that form into the current season, already finding the net six times for Nasarawa United.
Naija News reports that Lookman won the award last year and also went on to claim the 2024 African Best Player of the Year title.
Elsewhere in the league, Kun Khalifat FC have completed the signing of striker Obari Israel as they seek to revive their season. Israel arrives from non league outfit Acquire FC and is expected to bolster the Owerri based side’s attacking options.
In a statement released by the club, Kun Khalifat described the move as part of their ongoing effort to strengthen the squad with talented and promising players ahead of the mid season phase. Israel is expected to settle quickly as the club look to climb away from the lower reaches of the table.
Kun Khalifat currently sit 19th with 17 points and will face Wikki Tourists in their matchday 18 fixture this weekend.
In Kano, Rivers United head coach Yemi Olarewaju blamed fatigue for his side’s heavy 4-1 defeat to Barau FC at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Friday.
Rivers United took an early lead through Osimaga Duke before Usman Maidubji drew Barau FC level. Jimmy Ambrose then put the hosts ahead, while a brace from Kabir Abdullahi sealed an emphatic win for the Maliya Boys and ended Rivers United’s seven game unbeaten run away from home.
“We dominated majority of the game but the outcome wasn’t what we expected as it was due to fatigue,” Olarewaju told the club’s media.
“The league is a marathon we have to put the defeat behind us and concentrate on the next game.”
Barau FC technical adviser Ladan Bosso praised his players for their character and response, especially after a recent home loss to Shooting Stars.
“The last loss at home was a wake up call, as you all know Rivers United is a continental team which they showed it in the game,” Bosso told Barau FC media.
“The goal conceded was as a result of a careless mistake and I commend the players for their determination in getting the victory.”
Barau FC will turn their attention to Tuesday’s league fixture against Nasarawa United as the NPFL season continues to gather momentum.
The Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, will now take place every four years from 2028.
This was revealed by Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, on Saturday.
Since 1968, the tournament has been played every two years.
There was, however, a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions.
But after the 2027 edition in East Africa and the next one in 2028, it will switch to a four-year cycle.
“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said.
“I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”
Newcastle United and Chelsea battled to an exciting 2-2 draw at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
Nick Woltemade opened scoring for the hosts in the fourth minute following an error by Wes Fofana.
The Germany international doubled the advantage 16 minutes later.
The Magpies created more chances in the first half but were unable to increase their lead.
Read Also:Tottenham Vs Liverpool: Slot Seeks To Continue Impressive Run Over Spurs
Chelsea fought back in the second half with Recce James reducing the deficit from a free kick four minutes after the break.
James curled his effort over the wall and in off the inside of the post with Aaron Ramsdale, at full stretch, helpless.
Chelsea deservedly drew level midway through the second half courtesy of a fine finish from João Pedro.
The Blues remain in fourth, while Eddie Howe’s team move up to 11th ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games.
Jake Paul Faces 60-Day Ban
The fight was sanctioned by the Florida Athletic Commission (FAC), whose rules mandate:
Paul will therefore be sidelined and possibly longer.
Anthony Joshua Gets the Job Done in Miami
After four knockdowns, controversy, grit and a brutal finish, Anthony Joshua overcame a stubborn Jake Paul in Miami, sealing a sixth-round knockout and immediately turning his focus toward a long-awaited all-British blockbuster with Tyson Fury.
Following his victory, Joshua was openly critical of his own showing. Speaking immediately after the fight, the former two-time unified heavyweight champion said:
“First of all, I wanna give love to the crowd.
It wasn’t the best performance. The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down, hurt him that has been the request leading up.”
It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its destination.”
Joshua also praised Paul’s resolve before firing a warning shot toward Tyson Fury:
“Jake Paul has done really well tonight. I wanna give him his props, it takes a real man to do that.”
“He came up against a real fighter tonight, who’s had a 15-month lay-off.”
“I needed to give this guy a systematic breakdown, I said I’m going to see his soul leave his body round after round.”
“I said it, and that’s exactly what happened.”
On Fury, Joshua was blunt:
“Let’s see you in the ring and talk with our fists.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn later confirmed that Joshua vs Fury is now the priority.
Joshua Accepts Criticism: “I Deserve It”
In a candid interview with talkSPORT, Joshua acknowledged fans’ concerns:
“I deserve it [criticism].”
“Because we are elite fighters, if I put myself in the shoes of a coach, if my fighter did six rounds with Jake Paul…”
“I would get him back in the gym tomorrow, give him a bit of a beating and get straight back to work.”
“I’d be like ‘how are you letting this kid take you six rounds, are you crazy?’.
“But I can’t go back in time, but credit to him, he done well. I told him what would happen but it just took six rounds to do it.”
‘Falling Back in Love with Boxing’ – Anthony Joshua
Joshua also revealed the fight was deeply personal following his 15-month lay-off:
“It was a test for me to see if I want to continue or not.”
“This was a good eye opener for me.”
He added:
“I was trying to fall back in love with boxing.”
“My wife wasn’t happy, so I had to look at the decisions I was making. Make necessary changes to get my love back from the sport.”
“For me, this fight was a perfect plan, and I don’t want to lose my focus now.”
Joshua confirmed clarity on his future will come in the next few weeks, with Eddie Hearn already in discussions with Turki Alalshikh over his next mega-fight.
Joshua Calls Out Fury: “Put on Some Gloves”
Reports suggest Joshua vs Tyson Fury is close to being finalized for next summer — and Joshua made his intentions crystal clear:
“If Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is, and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves and come and fight one of the realest fighters out there that will take on any challenge, step into the ring with me next if you’re a real bad boy.”
“Don’t do all that talking, ‘AJ this, AJ that’. Let’s see you in the ring and talk with your fists.”
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Newcastle vs Chelsea – Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates as Enzo Maresca’s side strike back after horror first half with Reece James and Joao Pedro levelling scoreline after Nick Woltemade brace
Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Newcastle host Chelsea at St James’ Park in the Premier League.
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Newcastle vs Chelsea – Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates as Enzo Maresca’s side strike back after horror first half with Reece James and Joao Pedro levelling scoreline after Nick Woltemade brace
The Confederation of African Football has officially released the squad numbers for the Super Eagles of Nigeria ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Talismanic striker Victor Osimhen will retain his familiar number 9 shirt, while newly appointed captain Wilfred Ndidi continues with his customary number 4 jersey.
Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has been handed the iconic number 10. Meanwhile, regulars Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, and Frank Onyeka will keep numbers 7, 11, and 8 respectively.
New invitees Salim Fago, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Ryan Alebiosu, and Tochukwu Nnadi will wear numbers 25, 26, 27, and 28.
The Super Eagles are aiming for their fourth AFCON title and will kick off their campaign against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in Fès next Tuesday.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, defender Calvin Bassey expressed confidence in the team’s chances. “Yeah 100%. I think the last AFCON I was 23. I have matured and a lot of the team have matured and we have gained a lot of experience,” Bassey told Fulham TV.
Bassey, who was part of the squad that narrowly lost 2-1 to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the last edition, will represent Nigeria in a major tournament for the second time. With the retirement of former captain William Troost-Ekong, Bassey and Semi Ajayi are expected to form the backbone of Chelle’s defence.