Manchester City 3-0 West Ham: Haaland Double Keeps City On Top And Piles Pressure On Arsenal

Manchester City’s relentless march continued as they dismantled West Ham, a performance that keeps them firmly on course to sit top of the table on Christmas Day should Arsenal stumble at Everton. Even if the Gunners collect maximum points, City’s ruthless efficiency sends a familiar warning to a title rival still chasing a first crown after three straight second-place finishes. Erling Haaland struck twice, with Tijjani Reijnders also on target, as City extended their dominance over West Ham, beating them for a seventh successive time and once again scoring at least three goals. The champions barely needed to break stride in the opening period, overwhelming opponents who have not beaten them since September 2015. City’s intent was clear almost immediately. Their suffocating possession game drained West Ham’s resistance, and inside five minutes Haaland had opened the scoring. A neat exchange between Phil Foden and Nico González on the left released the striker, whose initial effort was parried by Alphonse Areola, only for Haaland to pounce and smash in the rebound. Moments later, the damage nearly doubled when Rayan Cherki floated a cross onto Haaland’s head, though the Norwegian unusually failed to convert. West Ham were reduced to chasing shadows, hoping fleeting counterattacks might bring relief. One such attempt, a quick Lucas Paquetá free-kick aimed at Jarrod Bowen, went astray but at least hinted at the right idea. City kept probing. Cherki’s clever footwork carved open space for Reijnders, whose powerful shot forced a sharp save from Areola. The French winger then played a decisive role in City’s second, wriggling past defenders before sliding the ball into Haaland, who laid it off perfectly for Reijnders to hammer high into the net. The tempo dipped after the interval and City briefly lost their grip, allowing West Ham a rare sniff. Mateus Fernandes blazed over from distance and Bowen twice came close, rounding Gianluigi Donnarumma before hitting the side-netting, then narrowly missing from another angle. Sensing the lull, Pep Guardiola acted decisively. A triple substitution just past the hour — introducing Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Savinho — instantly revived City’s edge. The move paid off almost at once. Savinho combined with Lewis, whose pass found Haaland after a defensive mix-up, and the striker rifled home his second to put the contest beyond doubt. West Ham mustered little response beyond a Crysencio Summerville effort that Donnarumma comfortably handled. Haaland even had a late chance to complete his hat-trick, dragging just wide, as City closed out another dominant display. The final whistle confirmed a third straight league clean sheet and another emphatic statement. With players like González seamlessly filling in for Rodri, Foden shining regularly, Cherki brimming with invention and Haaland as lethal as ever, City once again look like a side built to wear rivals down — and, quite possibly, deny Arsenal yet again.

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CAF Confirms AFCON Shift To Four-Year Format With African Nations League Introduction

The Africa Cup of Nations will move to a four-year cycle following a scheduled 2028 edition, ending its long-standing biennial format, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe announced on Saturday. The change forms part of a wider reorganisation of Africa’s international football calendar, designed to reduce fixture congestion and better align with global competitions. Although hosting AFCON every two years has traditionally been a key revenue stream for African national associations, Motsepe said the financial impact would be offset by the introduction of a new African Nations League. “Our focus now is on this AFCON but in 2027 we will be going to Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, and the AFCON after that will be in 2028,” Motsepe told reporters in Rabat on Saturday, ahead of the opening match of the Morocco-hosted tournament. “Then after the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029 we will have the first African Nations League… with more prize money, more resources, more competition. “As part of this arrangement, the AFCON now will take place once every four years.” The African Nations League, expected to mirror UEFA’s competition, will be staged annually and is intended to generate increased funding while maintaining competitive opportunities for national teams. AFCON has been held largely every two years since its first edition in 1957, but calendar clashes have become more frequent over the past 15 years as international and club competitions have expanded. The ongoing tournament in Morocco is the eighth edition since the 2012 finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, reflecting a period marked by repeated scheduling challenges for Africa’s flagship football competition.

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Chelsea Fight Back From Two Goals Down To Rescue 2-2 Draw Against Newcastle

Chelsea rescued a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park on Saturday, sparing Enzo Maresca from a potentially uncomfortable post-match discussion after trailing by two goals to Newcastle. Nick Woltemade put the Magpies in control with a first-half brace, threatening to deepen Chelsea’s recent struggles. But the Blues responded after the break, with Reece James curling a stunning free-kick into the net and Joao Pedro producing a smart solo finish to earn a point. The draw keeps Chelsea in fourth place, though their recent form—just one win in five Premier League matches—remains a concern. For Maresca, the comeback was a timely boost following a turbulent week that sparked speculation over his long-term role at the club. On Friday, Maresca dismissed reports linking him to Manchester City as “100 percent speculation,” despite City reportedly considering him as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola should the Spaniard depart at season’s end. The rumours emerged after Maresca hinted at a lack of backing from Chelsea’s hierarchy, calling the 48 hours following last weekend’s victory over Everton the worst of his time at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s rotation policy has drawn criticism this season, often leaving the team disjointed. After making 11 changes for Tuesday’s League Cup quarter-final win at Cardiff, Maresca returned to his senior squad, only for them to struggle against Newcastle’s high-intensity start. Woltemade, eager to atone for his own goal in last weekend’s defeat to Sunderland, opened the scoring within four minutes. A Jacob Murphy cross found Anthony Gordon, whose shot was parried by Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez, leaving Woltemade to tap in from close range. Chelsea’s defence looked vulnerable again in the 20th minute as Gordon’s precise cross allowed Woltemade to score his second, confirmed onside after a VAR review. Chelsea’s struggles continued until the interval, though Woltemade missed a clear chance just before half-time. Maresca’s halftime instructions appeared to have an immediate effect. James struck a brilliant free-kick in the 49th minute, cutting Newcastle’s lead, while a controversial non-awarded penalty for a challenge on Gordon went Newcastle’s way. With injuries depleting Newcastle’s defence—including Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Sven Botman, and Tino Livramento—Chelsea began to press, with Pedro Neto forcing a smart save from Ramsdale. Their persistence paid off in the 66th minute when Joao Pedro cleverly headed Sanchez’s long kick past Malick Thiaw and finished clinically inside the box, earning Chelsea a vital equaliser. Maresca’s relief was evident as he celebrated with an animated jig on the touchline.

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Joshua Dominates Jake Paul With Sixth-Round Knockout In Miami

Anthony Joshua Knocks Out Jake Paul in ‘Embarrassing’ Fight

Anthony Joshua delivered a commanding display in Miami on Saturday morning, halting Jake Paul with a sixth-round knockout in their heavyweight showdown. Paul surprised some observers by surviving the early exchanges, but Joshua’s experience and raw power steadily took control of the fight. The turning point came in the fifth round, when the former world champion sent Paul to the canvas twice during a frantic sequence that left the American visibly shaken. Joshua closed the show in the following round, pressing forward and unleashing a barrage of heavy punches. Paul was unable to defend himself, forcing the referee to step in and bring the contest to an end. After the bout, Joshua shifted focus to his long-running rivalry with Tyson Fury, issuing a direct challenge. “Put down (your) Twitter fingers and put on some gloves and come and fight me.” Paul later confirmed he suffered a broken jaw in the fight. He avoided discussing his next move in the ring, instead saying he plans to take a break from boxing after the defeat, which is only the second loss of his professional career. Despite the result, Paul remains the WBA’s No. 14-ranked cruiserweight and has recorded notable wins in recent outings. He dominated a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a bout streamed on Netflix in November 2024 and followed it up by outpointing 39-year-old Julio Cesar Chávez Jr. in June.

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Morocco 2025: Super Eagles Target Fourth Crown as Biggest AFCON Kicks Off

Nigeria’s arrival in Fés on Thursday evening, aboard a chartered flight from their final training camp in Cairo, signalled the reality of a stout challenge for a fourth continental title as the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals commence in the Kingdom of Morocco on Sunday. Winners at home in 1980, and in Tunisia in 1994 and South Africa in 2013, the Super Eagles will launch their onslaught for another title against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars on Tuesday in the historical city of Fés, with the added impetus of wanting to appease their teeming fans at home and in the diaspora over failure to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals in the Far West. The retirement of William Troost-Ekong, on the margin of the team’s departure to Cairo for their final training camp, has opened the door for midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi to take the captain’s armband, with veterans Simon Moses and Alex Iwobi, and prolific forward Victor Osimhen as possible assistants. The much-anticipated opening ceremony on Sunday, featuring among others, Nigeria’s globally-acclaimed singer Davido at the iconic Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, will be followed by the opening match between hosts Morocco and Comoros, with the Atlas Lions hoping for a great start to continue their incredible run of glory in international football. Nigeria, who won their first AFCON title on home soil 45 years ago after defeating Tanzania in their first match, will strive for a huge win in order to be in good stead and retain a winning mentality ahead of clashes with difficult customers Tunisia (on Saturday, 27 December) and Uganda (on Tuesday, 30 December). Coach Eric Chelle opened a window on his frame of mind going into the tournament when he spoke to CAFOnline.com last month. “When you coach Nigeria, you have to win everything.” It is the reality that he faces and has to deal with especially after the World Cup miss. Tanzania, coached by Nigeria legend Emmanuel Amuneke (a 1994 AFCON winner) to qualify and participate at the 2019 finals in Egypt, will be making only their fourth appearance at the competition, and a second consecutive appearance following their outing in Cote d’Ivoire. They have played 9 matches overall, drawing three and losing six, without a single win. Tunisia have 21 previous appearances at the championship (one more than Nigeria), and consistency is their middle name, Morocco 2025 being their 17th consecutive appearance. Their only previous triumph was on home soil in 2004, when they edged Morocco’s Atlas Lions in a tension-soaked Final in Rades. The Carthage Eagles have played a total of 83 matches at the AFCON, winning 25, losing 28 and drawing 30. Among their previous losses were a 2-4 reverse to co-hosts Nigeria in 2000, and a lone-goal defeat by the Eagles in the third-place match of the 2019 finals in Egypt. There was another contentious third-place match, in Ghana in 1978, that was awarded to Nigeria after the Carthage Eagles walked off the pitch following a goal by Baba Otu Mohammed. Tunisia eliminated Nigeria in the Round of 16 in Cameroon four years ago. Uganda’s Cranes have always proved difficult customers for the Super Eagles in any qualifying campaign or championship. Philip Omondi scored both goals to eliminate Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 1978 championship in Ghana, and since then, even with star-studded squads, the Eagles would always struggle against the Cranes. Their clash in Fes on Tuesday, 30th December is something to look forward to. Uganda will be heading to their eighth participation in the AFCON, though they missed out in the last two finals in Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire. The Cranes have played a total of 23 matches at the finals, winning only 4, drawing 3 and losing 16. Their runner-up position in Ghana in 1978, when they were crushed by Opoku Afriye-led Black Stars in a festive Final in Accra, remains their best result till date. On the balance, the Super Eagles, who have played a total of 104 matches across their 20 previous outings, are expected to safely negotiate their way through the group stage in Fes, and then take it one-game-at-a-time in the knockout rounds in Morocco. President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON) expressed his belief in the team to deliver in the North African kingdom. “We have prepared the team with the objective of lifting the trophy. The FIFA World Cup miss still bites, but if we are able to win the Africa Cup of Nations, it will go a long way to assuaging the feelings of our fans at home and in the diaspora, and it will also be good for the present generation of Super Eagles as they will have at least one major triumph to their name.” Gusau’s administration has done remarkably well to maintain the very best standards in travel, accommodation and other logistics for the team, despite challenging times and downturn in the global economy. “It has not been easy, but we have to continue to appreciate and show that we value the contributions of the players and officials at all times. They have to travel and lodge in convenience, and that is something we must always find a way to work out despite the challenges that the Federation faces. “I have confidence in the coaches and the players that we have to turn the present gloom around and make Nigeria proud in Morocco.”

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Wilfred Ndidi Appointed New Captain of Super Eagles

Wilfred Ndidi has been appointed the new captain of the Super Eagles The midfielder succeeds William Troost-Ekong, who recently retired from international football, marking a fresh leadership chapter for the Nigerian national team. The announcement was made on the Super Eagles’ official X account on Friday. Ndidi, who plays for Besiktas, stressed the importance of unity and collaboration in his new role. “It’s a huge responsibility, but with the support of the players, everything will go smoothly,” he said. “I’ve spoken with several teammates to share our vision and seek their backing. The staff are also part of this—everyone is in it together. We discussed the tasks ahead, and it’s essential that we all remain on the same page.”

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Davido, French Montana To Headline AFCON 2025 Opening Concert In Morocco

Grammy-nominated Nigerian singer Davido, born David Adeleke, is set to headline the opening concert of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Rabat, Morocco. The concert, scheduled for Saturday, comes a day before the tournament officially kicks off, launching the month-long continental football competition. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Thursday that Davido will lead a star-studded lineup, which also includes Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui, French-Moroccan hitmaker Lartiste, rising act Says’z, and global hip-hop star French Montana. “Global hip-hop star French Montana and Nigerian Afrobeats icon Davido will lead an exciting international lineup, joined by Moroccan sensation Douaa Lahyaoui, French-Moroccan hitmaker Lartiste, and rising artist Says’z,” CAF said in a statement. “The diverse selection reflects AFCON’s celebration of African culture, music, and global influence.” The opening concert aims to blend football and music, creating a festive atmosphere ahead of the tournament. “The show will take place a day before the tournament kicks off, setting the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable AFCON in Morocco,” CAF added. Davido, one of Africa’s most influential music exports, is known for his electrifying performances on international stages. His participation highlights the growing synergy between African football and entertainment. French Montana, a Moroccan-American rapper with multiple global hits, is expected to draw an international audience, enhancing AFCON’s global appeal. AFCON 2025 will feature Africa’s top national teams competing for continental glory, with organizers promising a full cultural showcase celebrating African music, creativity, and identity. Fans in Rabat and across the continent are eagerly anticipating a night where music and football come together, according to CAF. Davido’s selection adds to his history of major global performances. In 2022, he became the first Nigerian artist to perform at a FIFA World Cup ceremony, delivering the official anthem Hayya Hayya alongside Aisha and Trinidad Cardona at the Qatar closing ceremony.

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Ecuadorian Footballer Mario Pineida Shot and Killed in Guayaquil

Ecuadorian footballer Mario Pineida has been shot and killed in the port city of Guayaquil, his club confirmed on Wednesday. Pineida, 33, was a member of Ecuador’s national team for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and played for Fluminense in 2022. In a post on X, his club, Barcelona SC, expressed deep sorrow, stating it “regrets to inform, with deep sorrow, that it has been officially notified of the death of our player Mario Pineida, an event that occurred following an attack against him” in Guayaquil. The Interior Ministry also confirmed Pineida’s death and said a special police unit has been assigned to investigate the case. Reports indicate that Pineida was attacked by two individuals on motorcycles, who opened fire on him, his mother, and another woman. Guayaquil has become a hotspot for gang violence linked to drug trafficking, and several footballers in Ecuador have been targeted in recent months. In September, three players from Ecuador’s second division were killed, one reportedly connected to sports betting, while local footballer Bryan Angula was wounded in a shooting a month later.

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