Chelsea have made an initial enquiry about signing Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo in January. Full story from @david-ornstein.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...

Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa are all playing with 'wide players' — or are they? The leading Premier League teams are getting narrower — as @zonal-marking.bsky.social explains... 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

Arne Slot is confident that Alexander Isak will be able to play again this season after the Sweden international underwent surgery on a fractured fibula. More from @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social ⤵️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

Dominic Calvert-Lewis has scored six goals from a tiny part of the pitch — the smallest goalscoring area of any player in Europe this season. @thom-harris.bsky.social breaks down why he is so effective at creating chances there. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

🟣 Can Aston Villa defy the data? ⚪️ Leeds' strong summer research pays off 🐝 Kelleher's phenomenal penalty record @markcarey93.bsky.social & @conor-oneill.bsky.social bring you five tactical trends to look out for over Christmas 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

West Ham United striker Niclas Fullkrug has been given permission to undergo a medical with Milan as part of a proposed loan transfer to the Serie A side. Milan have entered the market for a No 9 after Santiago Gimenez required surgery for an ankle injury.

Mohamed Salah scores the winner in added time for Egypt against Zimbabwe. The seven-time African champions went down 1-0 in the first half after Prince Dube opened the scoring. But goals from Omar Marmoush, and then Liverpool's Salah, won the game for Egypt.

Egypt finally get the better of Washington Arubi. Zimbabwe had managed to keep the Egyptians at bay, but Manchester City's Omar Marmoush finds an equaliser.

Liverpool have confirmed that striker Alexander Isak underwent surgery today on the fractured leg he suffered in Saturday’s win over Tottenham Hotspur. There is no set timescale for his recovery but he’s expected to be sidelined for a few months. More from @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social

A frustrating half for Egypt. Not only have they failed to score from their 17 shots, but they are 1-0 down after conceding to Zimbabwe's Prince Dube.

Zimbabwe take the lead against Egypt. The seven-time African champions have had a few half-chances, but it's Prince Dube who gives Zimbabwe the advantage.

For the first time in 21 years, South Africa win their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations. Burnley's Lyle Foster scored the winner for Bafana Bafana against Angola.

For every neutral fan criticising Cristian Romero, there will be countless Tottenham fans defending him. But even his most ardent advocates would find it hard to defend his latest moment of petulance. 📝 @eliasburke.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

Plans to stage a Serie A game between Milan and Como in Perth, Australia have been abandoned, the league’s president and the government of Western Australia said in a joint statement on Monday. More from @adamcrafton.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...

Patson Daka equalised in the second minute of added time to give Zambia a point against Mali. The celebration for the Leicester City striker did not go to plan though...

Despite being 2-0 down at half-time to Newcastle United, Enzo Maresca stuck to his game plan — because he knew the hosts would eventually tire out... 🎙️ @jonmackenzie.bsky.social

Hosts Morocco get off to a winning start at AFCON, beating Comoros 2-0 in Rabat. Ayoub El Kaabi scored a magnificent overhead kick for Morocco's second, a very early contender for goal of the tournament.

AFCON is underway in Morocco and the hosts had a golden opportunity to take an early lead against Comoros from the penalty spot. Soufiane Rahimi stepped up, but his effort was saved by Yannick Pandor.

Two outstanding goals from Morgan Rogers secure all three points for Aston Villa against Manchester United. Unai Emery's side record 10 consecutive wins in all competitions and are three points off Premier League leaders Arsenal.

"𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑛 𝑅𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑣𝑠. 𝑀𝑎𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑... 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔." Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers is having quite a game vs. Manchester United and quite the season so far.

Morgan Rogers has been involved in nine goals in his last 12 Premier League appearances. His latest strike was an absolute peach — giving Aston Villa the lead against Manchester United. Unfortunately for Unai Emery's side, Matheus Cunha equalised for the visitors minutes later.

Relief. After losing his first four games in charge of Celtic, Wilfried Nancy has his first victory. Benjamin Nygren, Kieran Tierney & James Forrest scored the goals in a 3-1 win over Aberdeen.

Chelsea put nine past Liverpool in the Women's League Cup. Sonia Bompastor's side were 4-0 up at half-time, with Sam Kerr getting a brace, and added another five in the second half, including a hat-trick from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. They will face Manchester City in the semi-finals.

A goal down, and now a player down. Villarreal's Renato Veiga, who joined from Chelsea in the summer, is shown a straight red for this foul on Lamine Yamal. Raphinha gave Barcelona the lead after 12 minutes.

Kobbie Mainoo will miss Manchester United’s trip to Aston Villa due to a calf injury.

🚨 Liverpool fear Alexander Isak suffered significant injury in challenge while scoring in Saturday’s victory at Tottenham Hotspur. #LFC concern relates to 26yo Sweden striker’s lower left leg & intend to confirm once MRI scan results arrive @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

🚨 Liverpool fear striker Alexander Isak suffered a significant leg injury in their win over Tottenham Hotspur. Isak has yet to undergo an MRI scan but Liverpool are concerned at the extent of the damage caused to the forward’s lower leg. More from @david-ornstein.bsky.social

🚨 West Ham express interest about signing Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves in January. #WHUFC looking at permanent move for 25yo amid talks for Niclas Fullkrug loan to AC Milan; but early stages + other clubs also considering #WWFC striker 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

West Ham United have expressed an interest in signing Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves in January. More from @david-ornstein.bsky.social

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored six goals in his last five games for Leeds United, taking his tally up to seven in the Premier League this season. And his goal map is quite the sight.

Liverpool’s recent results have silenced Arne Slot’s sceptics. But a crazy finale at Tottenham proved they still have significant work to ensure a turbulent season has a happy ending. 📝 @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

Fiorentina have approached Tottenham Hotspur’s co-sporting director Fabio Paratici about a surprise return to Italy. Fiorentina are currently rock bottom of Serie A, winless in 15 games and eight points shy of 17th place. More from @jameshorncastle.bsky.social & @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social

It has been another long and difficult week at Celtic. It's Aberdeen at home on Sunday, when a possible fifth consecutive loss under Wilfried Nancy would pile on the distress. A report from Jock Stein's statue. www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

Arsenal will be top at Christmas, but — and this is not the Grinch speaking — they cannot dwell on that. Mikel Arteta will be encouraged by the fact that there is room for his team still to grow, and the experience they have gleaned from having been here before. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

A well-known executive from a Premier League club is being investigated by the police for non-recent sex offences. The man is still working in England’s top division while the case is investigated by London’s Metropolitan police. More from @dtathletic.bsky.social

At a press conference, CAF president Patrice Motsepe announced that, after 2028, future AFCONs will be held every four years, rather than every two. But is this change actually good for African football? 📝 @simonhughes1983.bsky.social

Kylian Mbappe equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for goals by a Real Madrid player in a calendar year during his side's 2-0 win over Sevilla. Mbappe scored his 59th goal of 2025 with an 86th minute penalty to draw level with the tally set by Ronaldo in 2013. www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

An impressive result and performance by Leeds United, who brushed Crystal Palace aside at Elland Road thanks to goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin (x2), Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach. Eight points from four games means they are six points clear of 18th.

Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Everton takes them back to the top of the table. They have led the Premier League at Christmas four times previously — on each occasion, they have not gone on to win the title. Will 2025-26 be different?

Dominic Calvert-Lewin becomes just the fourth different Leeds United player to score in five consecutive Premier League appearances after Mark Viduka (2003 x2), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (1998) & Rod Wallace (1993). His two goals vs. Crystal Palace takes his tally to seven in 14 games against them.

What is Jake O'Brien thinking there? The Everton defender gives away a needless penalty against Arsenal, which Viktor Gyokeres duly converts.

Liverpool hold on against nine-man Tottenham Hotspur to take all three points back to Merseyside. Three goals, two red cards, injuries, two substitutes subbed... A chaotic Premier League match.

Alexander Isak opened the scoring for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur, but picked up an injury in the process. The striker was unable to celebrate and required treatment before being substituted. Hugo Ekitike made it 2-0 shortly after with a looping header.

Tottenham are down to 10. Xavi Simons has been sent off for a studs-up challenge on Virgil van Dijk after a VAR check. Thomas Frank isn't happy with the decision. Was it clumsy rather than malicious?

Manchester City return to the top of the Premier League table following their 3-0 win over West Ham United. Arsenal - who face Everton this evening - find themselves off the top for the first time since October.

Armando Broja scored a 90th minute equaliser to snatch a point for Burnley against Bournemouth, who will be kicking themselves after dominating for much of the afternoon. One shot on target for each, one goal each and a point apiece as Burnley stop their run of seven straight defeats.

Erling Haaland has his second of the afternoon against West Ham United, giving Pep Guardiola’s side a 3-0 lead. It means the Norway international has scored more league goals against West Ham than any other side.

Wolves' half-time scorelines under Rob Edwards: Wolves 0-0 Crystal Palace Aston Villa 0-0 Wolves Wolves 0-0 Nottingham Forest Wolves 1-1 Manchester United Arsenal 0-0 Wolves Wolves 0-0 Brentford The Premier League’s bottom side have gone on to lose all five matches under Edwards.

Newcastle United make it ten games in a row unbeaten at home, but will feel disappointed after letting a two-goal lead slip in their 2-2 draw against Chelsea. In a game not without its controversy, Enzo Maresca’s side put a dramatic week behind them with a resilient showing.

Newcastle United scored twice in a home game for the eighth successive match. In fact, according to Opta, the St James’ Park outfit are averaging exactly two goals every home Premier League game under Eddie Howe, scoring 160 goals in 80 matches.