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EPL: Alan Shearer names stand-out player during Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Everton
Newcastle United legend, Alan Shearer has named defender, Malo Gusto as the stand-out player during Chelsea’s Premier League 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday.
Recall that Gusto gave an assist for teammate Cole Palmer’s first half goal and then got on the scoresheet himself in the second half.
The France international, who was brilliant, was deployed as an inverted full-back against the visitors at Stamford Bridge.
“Malo Gusto was the stand-out Chelsea player for me, not just in terms of the obvious with the goal and assist,” Shearer told the BBC.
“Also the questions he posed for Everton… linking up with Palmer and Neto down the right and moving into midfield alongside James to create the extra man when needed.”
Chelsea are now in the 4th position on the Premier League table after beating the Toffees at home.
The Blues will face Cardiff City in the EFL Cup on Tuesday in their next game.
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Awkward moment Trump butchers bizarre coin toss ahead of Army-Navy showdown: ‘Worst in the history of football’
Donald Trump left sports fans stunned with his attempt at a coin toss ahead of Navy’s victory against Army on Saturday.
The president attended the 126th installment of the Army-Navy football rivalry in Baltimore, where he received an emotional welcome in the wake of the ISIS attack that left three Americans dead in Syria.
The Commander-in-Chief strolled onto the field to a round of applause at M&T Bank Stadium and greeted the greeted captains before kickoff.
The 79-year-old was the handed the honor of the customary coin toss but left viewers baffled with his bizarre attempt.
Trump received the coin from the referee and placed it in his gloved palm and launched it into the air.
However, he did not flick the coin from between his thumb and forefinger, instead choosing to simply shove his hand upwards and send the coin flying.
Donald Trump left sports fans stunned with his attempt at a coin toss ahead of Army-Navy
The president launched the coin in the air instead of flicking it before it landed on the ground
Viewers were quick to notice that Trump’s abnormal technique meant that the coin didn’t rotate in the air at all and many branded it the ‘worst coin toss in the history of football.’
‘I know it’s just a coin toss, but that form was terrible. You flip it with your thumb. That looked like he was throwing a dead fish,’ one social media user wrote.
Another stunned viewer added: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen a president do that before….’
A third claimed that Trump was ‘making spectacle of the flip.’
‘I’ve never seen a coin toss like that. Zero rotation,’ wrote another, while one asked: ‘Who flips a coin like that?’
‘lol does it still count if it doesnt flip???’ questioned another. ‘Like if you throw it so stiffly and it lands the same way up as it was facing in the hand, does it count????’
The coin landed on tails, giving the call to Army’s team, which deferred to the second half.
Trump was joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who was joined by her husband Nicholas Riccio.
Many social media users were left baffled by the Commander-in-Chief’s bizarre technique
The No. 22-ranked Navy went on to rally to beat Army 17-16 in a tight contest in front of the president.
Blake Horvath threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Eli Heidenreich with 6:32 remaining on fourth-and-goal to seal Navy’s second-straight win over Army.
After an incompletion, Navy – down 16-10 – decided to go for it on fourth down, and Horvath found his top receiving threat over the middle in the end zone.
Army then had to punt, and on third-and-3 from the Army 43, the ball popped loose on a run by Horvath, but he was able to catch it out of the air and reach for the first down. It came loose again and Army recovered, but after a review, Horvath was ruled down before the second fumble – a yard short of the line to gain.
Alex Tecza then ran for the first down that enabled Navy to kneel out the clock. In what was at times a chippy game with some post-play shoving, there was a bit of a ruckus near midfield after the final kneel-down before things eventually calmed down for the traditional singing of the alma maters.
Saturday marked the sixth time Trump has attended an Army-Navy football game as either Commander in Chief or President-elect.
Although that tradition dates back to Theodore Roosevelt and later Harry S. Truman, Trump has made the 135-year-old rivalry a priority for the White House once again after predecessors Barack Obama and Joe Biden combined to attend just one Army-Navy game between their combined 12 years in office.
The 79-year-old strolled onto the field to a round of applause at M&T Bank Stadium
Saturday marked the sixth time Trump has attended an Army-Navy football game
Trump was well received at his previous six trips to the rivalry game in Philadelphia, West Point and Landover, Maryland. Not only has he handled pre-game coin toss ceremony honors, but he’s also made attempts to interact with the crowd by pumping his fists and waving at the students.
He was coming off a dramatic electoral victory over Kamala Harris when he attended the 2024 Army-Navy game with then-Vice President-elect JD Vance and Pete Hegseth, the latter of whom was facing a brutal confirmation process to become Secretary of Defense at the time.
Unlike 2024, POTUS was not joined by donor Elon Musk on Saturday amid the pair’s fallout over electric vehicle tax credits and the Tesla CEO’s attempts to implicate Trump in late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s notorious sex crimes.
As for his own rooting interest, Trump has never revealed any favoritism towards the Black Knights or Midshipmen and has no personal or familial connection to either branch of the military.
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has warned Premier League title rivals that his team is not playing at their very best yet.
Guardiola was speaking after a 3-0 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the first half with a powerful header, before Phil Foden made it 2-0 in the second half.
Haaland grabbed his second from the penalty spot with the match all but won.
The result ensures City are now only two points behind leaders Arsenal and one point ahead of third-placed Aston Villa.
“We’re not at our top yet… We see it in some moments during the season. But every time, we can be better and better,” Guardiola told reporters.
“We are not in an ideal position, we prefer to be 1st in the Premier League, but we are close to the top of the league.
“In the Champions League we are in a good position with the problems that we had.”
Gift Orban bagged a brace to help Hellas Verona defeat Fiorentina 2-1 away in the Serie A on Sunday.
Orban has now taken his tally in the Italian topflight to four goals, one assist in 11 appearances.
The Nigeria international opened the scoring in the 42nd minute before Fiorentina equalised following an own goal by Hellas Verona player Unai Nunez on 69 minutes.
With five minutes left Hellas Verona had a player sent off after a second bookable offence.
But in the 93rd minute Orban emerged the hero as he netted what proved to be the winner.
With the win, Hellas Verona moved from 19th place to 18th on 12 points in the league table.
In another Series A match Maduka Okoye was in goal for Udinese in their 1-0 home win against Napoli.
It was Okoye’s eight league appearances in the league this term.
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp got the only goal of the encounter in the 73rd minute.
Udinese move up to 10th spot on 21 points in the standing.
Okoye was not included in the Super Eagles’ final 28-man squad for the AFCON 2025.
He was one of five goalkeepers who initially made the provisional 55-man squad for the tournament.
By James Agberebi
SPORT
Sunderland vs Newcastle – Premier League LIVE: A disastrous Nick Woltemade own goal seals bragging rights for hosts, as City and Aston Villa win, while Spurs lose to Forest
Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates from the Sunday Premier League 2pm games featuring Sunderland vs Newcastle, Crystal Palace vs Manchester City, Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham and West Ham vs Aston Villa.
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Sunderland vs Newcastle – Premier League LIVE: A disastrous Nick Woltemade own goal seals bragging rights for hosts, as City and Aston Villa win, while Spurs lose to Forest
Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to undergo medicals ahead of a move to Ajax, according to BBC.
The Japanese defender became a free agent after his contract with Arsenal was terminated in the summer.
The Gunners brought in Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera, meaning Tomiyasu’s first team opportunities would be limited.
The 27-year-old has been completing a rehabilitation programme following knee surgery in February, but is now back training and poised to restart his career in Amsterdam, provided he passes a medical.
Tomiyasu will sign a short-term deal with the Eredivisie club until the end of the season.
Adams Akor registered a goal and two assists as Sevilla defeated Real Oviedo 4-0 in their LaLiga encounter on Sunday.
The forward’s international teammate, Chidera Ejuke was also on target for the hosts in the game.
Akor previously went eight games without scoring for the Rojiblancos.
The Nigerian opened scoring for the hosts in the fourth minute with Lucien Agoumé providing the assist.
Read Also:Wolves Boss Lauds Arokodare, Teammates Despite Defeat To Arsenal
Akor provided the assist for Djibril Sow’s second goal in the 22nd minute.
The former Montpellier star also teed up Batista Mendy’s third on 51 minutes.
The 25-year-old has so far scored three goals, and registered two assists in 13 league appearances for Sevilla this season.
Ejuke netted Sevilla’s fourth goal of the game one minute from time.
It was Ejuke’s first league goal of the campaign.
By Adeboye Amosu
SPORT
How Liverpool’s hardcore fans reacted to Mo Salah’s return: DOMINIC KING watched Egyptian King’s comeback on the Kop, this is what he heard
They have seen it all down the years in Block 109, one of the Kop’s most boisterous pockets, and they know when they have seen enough.
It is why the pre-match chatter, following one of the noisiest weeks Liverpool have experienced in modern times, was to the point.
Mohamed Salah is an icon and revered as much as any player to wear a red shirt but that doesn’t provide an exemption from admonishment.
‘Clive Myrie was talking about it on News at 10 last night,’ said one season-ticket holder, who has had a seat in this part of the stadium since 1995. ‘Mo Salah on BBC News at 10? Not BBC Sport, actual BBC News! Honest to God! It’s been unbelievable.
‘Look, I love him but here one thing matters: it’s the name on the front of the shirt, not the one on the back. This is Liverpool.’
But this is a Liverpool team caught in a maelstrom. They say loose lips sink ships and you clearly haven’t been watching if you don’t think Salah’s incendiary sermon at Elland Road hasn’t led water to gush into this particular hull; what a task it has been to stop it capsizing.
The Kop was in full voice but there were no real complaints when Salah started on the bench
Salah in full flight is still a sight to behold and his ‘Egyptian King’ song was heard again
Salah spent two minutes walking around the stands, acknowledging the support he received. It looked like he was contrite
When the equilibrium is threatened, the locals do not like it and the bewilderment Salah had caused was obvious, as those who meet up every other Saturday sifted through his words and dissected what it all meant.
‘Thrown under the bus for four hundred grand a week? I wish someone would throw me under a bus for four hundred grand a week!’ said one man, bursting with incredulity.
His mate offered a reasoned take, replying: ‘But it’s not like he hasn’t had a chance this season, is it? If he had been on the bench from the start, you could say, “all right, something is going on here”. But we all know he hadn’t been playing well.’
No, he hadn’t. So when he was brought back into the squad for Brighton’s visit, but not into the team, there wasn’t a murmur of discontent.
After a week in which he had led bulletins and back pages and been central to debates in bakers and barbers, it was time to focus on Liverpool.
Salah started on the bench again but there were no histrionics this time by the winger
There was no singing for the Egyptian as the game started with a bang, Hugo Ekitike getting the early goal that was so crucial to settling nerves. The young Frenchman was serenaded, as was Joe Gomez, who provided the assist.
Then came the unexpected turn of events. Gomez sank to his haunches, succumbing to another injury, and Arne Slot looked at the bench and summoned Salah to the fray.
It wouldn’t have been in his plans to do this but needs must and on he went, his first action almost leading to a second goal.
‘F*****g ’ell, ’as he turned over a new leaf?!’ came an exclamation from row 24. ‘Why has he passed? He’s never passed from there in his life!’
It was the kind of quick-witted remark that has been the bedrock of this place through time. They are sharp but they also know what good football looks like and they saw Salah play his most unselfish 64 minutes of the campaign, passing, running and pressing for a team that needed to win.
There would be an assist for Ekitike, too, and a significant one at that as it was his 277th goal involvement for Liverpool, the most for a single club in Premier League history, carrying him past Wayne Rooney.
No surprise, then, his name was sung from the rafters as it was again at the end when he spent two minutes walking around the stands, acknowledging the support he received. It looked like he was contrite, the vibe being more ‘see you soon’ than ‘goodbye’ but we’ll see how it all unfolds.
Back in the mixed zone, a little while later, Salah made another appearance. He couldn’t walk past without being asked if he wanted to share his thoughts for two minutes?
‘Oh God!’ he said, putting his hands to his head and chuckling, as microphones were pointed in his direction. ‘Two weeks in a row? Oh no!’
It was the correct decision. On the Kop, they wanted the noise Salah had caused to stop. This time, saying nothing was the right thing to do.
Liverpool legend, Michael Owen, has lamented the imminent absence of the likes of Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey from the Fulham team in the period they will be joining their national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.
He believes that Fulham will struggle without the trio as Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle opens the team’s camp iin Cairo on Sunday.
The trio, who have been so impressive for the English Premier league side this season, were pivotal in Fulham’s 3-2 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Iwobi has played all 16 games in the Premier League for Fulham this season, while Bassey has started 15.
Chukwueze has also become regular since joining from AC Milan on loan and Owen feels that their absence will leave Fulham navigating a congested fixture list with fewer options.
“It’s really interesting. Some teams are going to struggle more than others, or be more depleted than others,” Owen said on Premier League Productions.
“Obviously, Fulham are losing three players; that’s going to hit them hard, but there are worse-off teams in the league.”
Should Nigeria make it to the final of the competition this years, Chukwueze, Bassey and Iwobi will miss as much as eight games for Fulham.
Dutch coach Jo Bonfrere has exclusively told Completesports.com that the Super Eagles, as a team, are not bad but urgently need better coaching to stand a realistic chance of success at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off in Morocco on 21 December 2025.
Bonfrere spoke from his country home in the Netherlands on Saturday, 13 December, questioning the rationale behind Nigeria’s decision to appoint a coach from Mali.
Super Eagles Coaching Choice Questioned by Bonfrere
“I don’t hate Mali. I don’t look down on them as a nation. But football-wise, where is Mali?” Bonfrere queried rhetorically.
Also Read: Chelle’s Mandate Is To Reach AFCON 2025 Final; I Had No Say In Super Eagles Final 28-Man Squad –Gusau
“I remember when a Nigerian — the late Stephen Keshi — was coaching Mali. Now Nigeria goes down to hire a coach from Mali.”
Super Eagles: NFF Blamed for Wrong Appointment
According to the former Olympic gold medallist, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) must take responsibility for the Eagles’ struggles.
“It’s the fault of the Federation (Nigeria Football Federation, NFF). When you look for a coach, you look for quality and experience.
“That is why the Super Eagles will not go to the World Cup. The Federation caused it by hiring the wrong coach,” Bonfrere stated.
Super Eagles Have Africa’s Best Players — Bonfrere
Bonfrere insisted that the Nigeria possesses elite talent capable of dominating African football if properly managed.
“Look, the Super Eagles are good. They have the best players in Africa and some of the best in Europe, but they need better coaching to win the AFCON,” he submitted.
Eagles’ World Cup Absence ‘Too Painful’
The 79-year-old — who led Nigeria’s U23 side, the Dream Team, to gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games — lamented that the NFF’s poor coaching decision cost young Nigerian players the chance to shine on the world’s biggest stage.
Also Read: AFCON 2025: Chelle, Super Eagles Backroom Staff, Uzoho Arrive Egypt
“Now Victor Osimhen will not go to the World Cup. That is too bad. The world always looked forward to seeing Nigeria at the World Cup,” he said.
Super Eagles Must Improve Coaching Ahead of AFCON 2025
With AFCON 2025 fast approaching, Bonfrere stressed that coaching quality will determine Nigeria’s fate.
“Now AFCON is coming, and I say the players need good coaching to stand a chance. The players are good, but the coaching has to be better for the Super Eagles to win,” added the AFCON 2000 silver medallist.
By Sab Osuji
SPORT
Inside the lives of darts WAGs: Luke Littler’s beautician girlfriend, the glamour model and walk-on girl who is one star’s ‘rock’ and the British fan a five-time world champion ‘left his wife for’
It really is the most wonderful time of the year. The sleigh bells are ringing, Santa’s on his way – and the darts have arrived.
The festivities of the PDC World Darts Championship commenced on Thursday, and millions will be tuning to see whether Luke Littler can defend his title at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace over the coming weeks.
With crowds in fancy dress chanting about Yaya and Kolo Toure as the the 180s rain down to the sound of Planet Funk’s Chase the Sun, the tournament has become as much a part of Christmas as mince pies and mistletoe.
This year’s edition promises to be as exciting as ever, with stars such as Littler, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith stepping up to the oche into the New Year.
And cheering them on from the family corner of the crowd are the partners who share their lives with the stars away from the TV cameras and the carnival atmosphere.
From former walk-on girls to childhood sweethearts, Daily Mail Sport takes a closer look at the wives and girlfriends behind the players.
Luke Littler is defending his World Darts Championship after winning last year’s competition
One famous darts star is married to a former walk-on girl and has been with her since 2015
Luke Littler – Faith Millar
What better place to start than with the reigning world champion and his beautician girlfriend Faith Millar?
Despite initially insisting they were merely friends, the 18-year-old went public with the relationship in July this year and was spotted kissing Millar, 19, during the World Matchplay event in Blackpool.
And that seemed to work just the charm for Littler, who went on to become the youngest player to complete darts’ prestigious Triple Crown after beating James Wade in the final.
Not only has ‘The Nuke’ struck up a relationship with Millar in 2025, the world champion also passed his driving test at his first attempt in November – and his new girlfriend publicly took to social media to congratulate him.
‘Woooohoooo passenger princess now,’ Millar wrote, followed by a laughing face emoji.
Littler had previously been in a relationship with beauty consultant Eloise Milburn, who had cheered him on as he made his way in the sport, but reportedly ended the relationship in July last year due to his hectic schedule.
Reigning world champion Luke Littler is in a relationship with beautician girlfriend Faith Millar
Littler insisted they were just friends but was spotted kissing Millar in Blackpool this July
Littler is said to have broken up with his ex Eloise Milburn last year due to his hectic schedule
However, the darts sensation did venture back into love life with Millar and earlier this year admitted he had to warn her about trolls targeting their relationship.
Speaking on DartStream Live, he said: ‘Obviously, at the start of last year, I was always looking at the comments. And she’s been having a look [at the] negativity.
‘But I just said “They’re jealous. They wanna ruin us. Just don’t look at it and just focus on what we’ve got”.’
Luke Humphries – Kayley Jones
‘Cool Hand Luke’ may have lost his world championship title at last year’s event – but away from the darts board he remained as composed as ever as he proposed to his girlfriend Kayley Jones.
The Reading-born star had been in a long-term relationship with Jones and decided to pop the question in a ‘perfect moment’ overlooking the New York City skyline in May 2024.
The pair shared the news on Instagram at the time, posting several pictures of Humphries down on one knee, and several members of the sporting world took to the social media platform to congratulate the couple.
Kayley – unlike some of the other darts world WAGs – keeps a low profile on social media and largely uses the platform to showcase Luke’s achievements, trips abroad and the two children they raise together.
But she is expected to be in attendance throughout Humphries’ participation in the World Championship as the 30-year-old attempts to reclaim his title.
Former world champion Luke Humphries celebrated his engagement to Kayley Jones last May
The 30-year-old proposed to his long-term partner above the New York skyline last year
The pair spend family time together with Humphries’ step-daughter Grace, born in 2013, and their son Rowan Ellis, born on October 9, 2022.
When Rowan was born, Humphries posted on Facebook: ‘Absolutely overwhelmed to welcome mine and Kayley Marie’s son into the world last night at 10.09pm, weighing 7 pounds 9 and a half!
‘Absolutely in awe off how amazing Kayley was, going through it all. She was incredibly strong throughout labour and am so proud of her.’
Michael Smith – Dagmara Smith
Michael Smith is known as a family man and has enjoyed a blossoming love with his long-term partner, Dagmara Smith, who is three years younger than him.
Polish-born Dagmara married Smith, from St Helens, back in 2019, and along with their two kids, is often seen in attendance at his events.
She previously played darts at a regional level and was there for Smith’s famous victory over Van Gerwen where he hit a nine-dart finish in the 2023 final – but only after she insisted.
Smith, 35, who described Dagmara as his ‘personal chef’ in one Instagram post, told the Live Darts YouTube channel before that final: ‘They’ll (my family) be here. She’s already said she’s coming.
‘I said she’s not allowed and then she swore at me and said “I’m coming”. Just watching their faces, I know their faces will be even brighter and bigger if I do get that trophy.’
The ‘Bully Boy’ is one of several players who are extremely superstitious ahead of the World Championship, but Dagmara will be keen to support her husband every step of the way.
Michael Smith is known as a family man and has been married to wife Dagmara since 2019
Raymond van Barneveld – Julia Evans
Darts icon Raymond van Barneveld tied the knot with Julia Evans – who is 18 years his junior – in 2023, with the British woman becoming his second wife.
‘Barney’, 58, was previously married to Silvia for 25 years but they split in January 2019 amid marriage difficulties and the armed burglary of their family home in the Netherlands.
Reports claimed the five-time world champion broke up with Silvia to get with Julia, who is an avid fan of darts, with the couple meeting when the Dutchman was competing at a tournament in Southampton.
After previously working for Transport for London (TfL), Evans is now Van Barneveld’s assistant manager.
Her LinkedIn page highlights ‘organising meetings’ and ‘managing his calendar’ among the roles of her job.
Their wedding took place in Cyprus in September 2023 and they have now been together for six years.
Raymond van Barneveld is married to British woman Julia Evans, who is a huge darts fan
Van Barneveld and Evans married in 2023 and she now works as his assistant manager
Gerwyn Price – Bethan Price
There are few figures in darts quite as polarising as Gerwyn Price, but away from the fanfare he is loved-up with his childhood sweetheart, Bethan.
The pair have been together since they were 17, after meeting in the village of Markham, Wales, which had a population of just 1,495 people at the last census.
‘The Iceman’ is advised on the business side of his profession by his wife, who is a sports manager and helps to handle his day-to-day operations, endorsement deals and media relations.
The former rugby player, 40, married Bethan in 2018 and is regularly seen travelling to and from events with his partner, whom he shares two children with.
Gerwyn Price is married to childhood sweetheart Bethan after they met in their teenage years
Bethan advises him on business matters and they are often travelling to events together
Peter Wright – Joanne Wright
As far as partners go in playing an integral part in success, Peter Wright’s wife Joanne has a starring role to play as the former world champion’s hairdresser.
‘Snakebite’, 55, is one of the most-loved players on the circuit – most notably because of his crazy haircuts that have previously seen him appear as the Grinch at Ally Pally.
Joanne is the mastermind behind Wright’s iconic trims and each year she manages to successfully stun the crowd who adore his style.
The pair met when Wright was a pot washer in a Warner’s holiday camp kitchen at the age of 22, while Joanne was working as a waitress at the same venue.
It was there that their romance blossomed and Joanne supported her husband through his first year as a professional player, where he just £1,200 in prize money before going on to become one of the world’s best.
The two-time world champion will be showcasing a myriad of crazy hair creations at the tournament, while any winnings will also be managed by his wife who is responsible for their finances.
Peter Wright’s wife has a starring role to play as the former world champion’s hairdresser
Joanne and Peter are long-term partners after meeting when the darts star was just 22
James Wade – Sammi Marsh-Wade
James Wade has been competing in PDC events since 2004 – and while he has had less success in recent years, he is still widely regarded as one of the greatest darts players of all time.
Despite previously admitting that Christmas is a ‘s***’ time to play in the PDC’s biggest event, the 42-year-old will once again be given a hero’s welcome at the Ally Pally, such is his longevity in the game.
He married former walk-on girl and model Sammi Marsh-Wade in 2015 and the couple have two children together.
Wade, who has a reported net worth of more than £3million, has repeatedly faced accusations Sammi was only with him for the money.
However, he has always denied this and once said: ‘All the doubters had to shut up when they realised we were so strong – she is my rock.’
James Wade married former glamour model and walk-on girl Sammi Marsh-Wade in 2015
The couple have two young children together and Wade has described Sammi as his ‘rock’