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Uche Features As Crystal Palace Fall To Leeds United
Super Eagles midfielder Christantus Uche was in action as Crystal Palace lost 4-1 to Leeds United in Saturday’s Premier League game.
The Nigerian international, who was making his seventh appearance, is yet to register a goal this ongoing season for Crystal Palace.
Uche came on as a substitute in the second half for Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 77th minute of the game.
Read Also:Bundesliga: Tella Bags Assist As Bayer Leverkusen Edge RB Leipzig
Leeds’ Pascal Struijk had the first real chance of the first half from a corner just before the half-hour mark, and his side’s pressure in the opening 45 minutes paid off when Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored following chaos from a throw in.
Calvert-Lewin doubled his side’s advantage shortly before the half-time interval, with the striker benefitting from yet another throw in from Ethan Ampadu.
Ampadu managed to net himself on the hour mark when Palace failed to clear a corner, poking past goalkeeper Dean Henderson while unmarked in the box.
Justin Devenny converted a late penalty in stoppage time for the visitors, but midfielder Anton Stach restored the hosts’ three-goal lead in the 11th minute of injury time with a free kick.
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Hosts Morocco will officially kickstart the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Comoros inside the iconic Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat today from 8pm local time.
It is the first time that Morocco will be returning to host the continental football showpiece since 1988 when Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions defeated the Super Eagles in a controversial manner to pick the trophy. The Atlas Lions have only won the trophy once and that was as hosts in 1976 when they defeated Guinea in the final to win their only AFCON title to date. The closest that they have come to winning the trophy was in 2004 when they finished as runners up. They have just one bronze also.
Of course, the Moroccans have moved on to become the first country in Africa to reach the semi final of the World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions have not hidden their intentions to host and win this tournament. They showed this determination when they breezed through the AFCON 2025 qualifiers without dropping a point. They won all six matches. They are now unbeaten since August, and that includes winning the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar last Thursday. The Atlas Lions have not been beaten on home soil since 2009!
However, will Morocco be able to emulate last hosts Côte d’Ivoire who ended the jinx of past hosts or co-hosts not winning the trophy since Egypt 2006?
Undoubtedly, tonight’s opponents Comoros pose no threat to the hosts. Comoros are enjoying their trip to Morocco for their second appearance at the AFCON. They lost in the Round of 16 in the 2021 edition. The Coelacanths are definitely going to struggle against a more compact Moroccan side brimming with experience and skill. Comoros will be more than fulfilled, defeated by a slim margin by the hosts.
Before the first whistle is blown today, Morocco will set the mood of what to expect at this edition of AFCON with a musical concert last night.
Nigeria’s Music Icon, David Adeleke (aka Davido) took the centre stage when Morocco opened the AFCON festivities with a major concert at the OLM Souissi Fan Zone in Rabat. Davido was in company with French Montana and a star-studded cast of African and international artistes. According to CAF, TotalErnegies and Moroccan officials, it was designed to transform the buildup to AFCON 2025 into a celebration of African culture, creativity and youth. Davido’s presence provided a strong Nigerian and Afrobeats signature.
Alexander Isak came off the bench to score for Liverpool but then went off injured as Arne Slot’s side beat nine-man Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Isak broke the deadlock in the 56th minute but was injured in the act of scoring, before Hugo Ekitike doubled Liverpool’s lead 10 minutes later.
Richarlison came off the bench to pull a goal back for Spurs but the visitors held on to inflict further pain on Thomas Frank, whose side had Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero sent off and have now won just one of their past eight league games.
After a cagey start, Simons was sent off for a foul on Virgil van Dijk in the 33rd minute following a VAR review.
Referee John Brooks was sent to the pitchside monitor and ruled it was “serious foul play” after Simons raked his studs down the calf of Van Dijk – his captain for the Netherlands.
With the game there for the taking, Slot sent Isak on at half-time after Conor Bradley suffered a knock – and the £125m British record signing finished coolly past Guglielmo Vicario after being fed by Florian Wirtz for his first Premier League assist.
However, as Isak got his shot away he was floored by Micky van de Ven and was unable to celebrate his goal.
The Sweden forward looked in serious pain and he was replaced by Jeremie Frimpong just 15 minutes after coming on.
Spurs came close to equalising when Randal Kolo Muani’s deflected effort hit the bar, but Liverpool doubled their advantage in the 66th minute.
Frimpong’s deflected cross was met by France forward Ekitike, who headed in his fifth goal in his past three league games.
Spurs were furious that the goal was allowed to stand, claiming Ekitike had fouled Romero – with the Tottenham captain subsequently booked for his protests.
Frank introduced Richarlison for Kolo Muani in the 80th minute and three minutes later, the Brazil attacker was on hand to finish past Alisson in a crowded penalty box after Liverpool failed to clear their lines.
The visitors looked nervy as 10-man Tottenham hunted for an equaliser late on, but the hosts had another player sent off when Romero was given a second yellow card in injury time for lashing out at Ibrahima Konate after Spurs won a free-kick.
Liverpool managed to hold on for a victory which moves them up to fifth in the league – and they are now unbeaten in their past six after a run of nine defeats in 12.
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Ashes LIVE: England are just four wickets away from losing the series – but rain strikes in Adelaide
Super Eagles winger Nathan Tella bagged his third assist of the season as Bayer Leverkusen defeated RB Leipzig 3-1 in Saturday’s Bundesliga game.
The Nigerian international, who was making his eighth appearance of the season, set up Patrik Schick in the 44th minute for Leverkusen’s second goal.
The host had initially taken the lead in the 35th minute through Schlager before Terrier leveled parity for Bayer Leverkusen in the 40th minute.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: Moroccans Back Super Eagles To Do Well
Tella was substituted in the 77th minute of the game for Tape after a beautiful display.
The visitor put the game to bed in the 97th minute thanks to a brilliant goal from Culbreath to end any hope of a late equalizer from RB Leipzig.
The win means Leverkusen move third on 29 points, while Leipzig sit fourth on 29 points on the league table.
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Everton vs Arsenal – Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates as the Gunners look to seal top spot for Christmas plus updates from Leeds vs Crystal Palace
Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Everton welcome Arsenal to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the Premier League, with Ian Herbert and Isaan Khan reporting from the grounds.
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Everton vs Arsenal – Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates as the Gunners look to seal top spot for Christmas plus updates from Leeds vs Crystal Palace
Erling Haaland led from the front as Manchester City climbed to the summit of the Premier League with a comfortable home win over West Ham United.
At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City made it five league wins on the bounce with a 3-0 victory over a struggling West Ham United side that never truly recovered from an early setback. Haaland struck inside five minutes, reacting quickest after his first effort was kept out by Alphonse Areola.
The Norwegian forward could have added to his tally almost immediately but headed wide from close range, while City’s dominance continued with Tijjani Reijnders testing Areola before making it 2-0 shortly before the break, smashing home after latching onto Haaland’s pass.
West Ham showed more intent after the interval, with Jarrod Bowen going closest, but Haaland had the final word with his second goal to seal a bleak afternoon for the Hammers, who remain rooted in the relegation zone. The win moves City one point clear of Arsenal, who can reclaim top spot later in the day against Everton.
At Molineux, the misery deepened for Wolverhampton Wanderers as a second-half double from Keane Lewis-Potter handed Brentford a 2-0 win.
Lewis-Potter opened the scoring after Wolves failed to deal with a hopeful ball into the box from Vitaly Janelt, then wrapped up the points with a composed finish late on.
Wolves’ woes were compounded when Caoimhin Kelleher saved a late penalty from Jorgen Strand Larsen. The defeat stretches Wolves’ club-record losing run to 10 top-flight matches and leaves them 14 points adrift of safety, with relegation fears growing by the week.
There was little to warm the mood on the south coast as Brighton & Hove Albion were held to a 0-0 draw by Sunderland in the first Premier League meeting between the sides.
Sunderland threatened more in the first half, while Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen produced a fine save after the break to deny Omar Alderete. The Seagulls’ winless December run leaves them ninth, while Regis Le Bris’ promoted side climb to fifth.
Drama unfolded at the Vitality Stadium where Burnley halted a seven-game losing streak thanks to a late header from Armando Broja, earning a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.
Antoine Semenyo had earlier given the hosts the lead with a curling effort, his eighth league goal of the campaign, but Burnley’s late rally denied Bournemouth a much-needed win.
On Tyneside, Chelsea showed their resilience with a rousing comeback to draw 2-2 at Newcastle United. Newcastle looked in control at half-time after a brace from Nick Woltemade, but the mood shifted when Chelsea captain Reece James curled in a superb free-kick early in the second half.
Tensions rose when Newcastle were denied a penalty, and Chelsea took full advantage as Joao Pedro, making his return to St James’ Park, capitalised on a defensive slip to slot past Aaron Ramsdale. A late chance fell to Harvey Barnes, but he fired wide, leaving Eddie Howe frustrated on the touchline.
Chelsea remain fourth, six points clear of Newcastle.
Kwara United have received a timely injury boost ahead of their Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, Matchday 18 fixture against Bayelsa United.
The Harmony Boys will welcome back a quartet of players — Olarewaju Abdulrahman, Issa Gata, Aule Johnmark, and Obiora Kingsley — for the game.
The players have returned to training in preparation for the clash against Bayelsa United.
The return of the four players is a major motivation for Suleiman Ashifat’s side as they aim to get back to winning ways following their recent defeat to Enyimba.
Kwara United will face Bayelsa United at the Rashidi Yekini Mainbowl Stadium in Ilorin on Sunday.
Both teams will be seeking to secure maximum points from the encounter.
Manchester City cruised to a 3-0 victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The defeat piled more misery on West Ham United head coach Nuno Espirito Santo with his side now guaranteed to spend Christmas in the relegation zone.
Erling Haaland opened scoring for City after five minutes with Phil Foden providing the assist .
Read Also:EPL: João Pedro Salvages Draw For Chelsea At Newcastle
The Citizens doubled their lead through Tijjani Reijnders in the 38th minute.
Haaland made sure of victory with his 19th strike of the campaign.
City moved to top position on the table with 37 points from 17 matches.
West Ham remain in 17th position with 13 points from same number of matches.
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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.