4 h. ago ‘We should have pulled the Big Sam ripcord’: Premier League fans assess the season so far

The Guardian’s fans’ network on 2025-26 at the halfway stage: best games, worst setbacks, and their January window wish listsStory so far It would be pretty churlish to be anything other than super-chuffed, with those displays over Bayern Munich and our neighbours among the highlights. But, as we know, there are no prizes for being top at Christmas. Our success so far has largely been due to our defensive resilience; it’s the most talented squad we’ve had in many a moon but we’ve only shone going forward in fits and spurts. Find that spark on a consistent basis and we really will be firing.Bernard Azulay onlinegooner.com; @GoonerN5 Continue reading...

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12 h. ago Energetic Manchester City have lifted last season’s fog, says Pep Guardiola

City second after six straight Premier League wins‘We have to improve but this mindset is better’Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City have regained the energy that eluded them last season and lifted the “fog” that clouded a disappointing campaign. City finished without a major trophy for the first time since 2016-17, Guardiola’s first in charge, but are hunting a seventh Premier League title under him after six straight wins.Rayan Cherki struck late on at Nottingham Forest on Saturday to maintain City’s impressive winning run, which extends to eight in all competitions. Second-placed City are two points behind leaders Arsenal, who host third-placed Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. City do not return to action until Thursday, when they face high-flying Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Continue reading...

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12 h. ago Ivory Coast v Cameroon live: Freak own goal denies reigning champions victory in battle of Afcon heavyweights

Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon: A fortunate own goal from Ghislain Konan cancelled out Amad’s superb opener to give both sides a point in Marrakesh

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13 h. ago Ivory Coast v Cameroon live: Freak goal cancels out Amad opener in battle of Afcon heavyweights

The defending Africa Cup of Nations champions face fellow contenders Cameroon

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14 h. ago Ivory Coast v Cameroon live: Mbeumo and Amad clash in battle of Afcon heavyweights

The defending Africa Cup of Nations champions face fellow contenders Cameroon

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15 h. ago Ivory Coast v Cameroon live: Confirmed team news ahead of battle of Afcon heavyweights

The defending Africa Cup of Nations champions face fellow contenders Cameroon

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15 h. ago Manchester United set to sign Germany striker Lea Schüller from Bayern Munich

United close in on 28-year-old forwardMiyazawa extends contract with clubManchester United are set to complete the signing of the Germany striker Lea Schüller on a permanent transfer from Bayern Munich.Schüller, who has six months left on her contract, has been a prolific goalscorer for club and country, scoring more than 100 goals for Bayern and 54 times in 82 games for her country, and she will be seen as a marquee signing for the Women’s Super League side. Continue reading...

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16 h. ago Archie Gray heads Spurs to victory at Crystal Palace to ease pressure on Frank

Eighteen months can be a very long time in football – especially if you are still a teenager. After a mixed start to life in north London, Archie Gray could not have picked a better occasion to score his first Tottenham goal since joining from Leeds in the summer of 2024 than his 60th appearance. With Thomas Frank already showing signs of not being the first Spurs manager to have been overwhelmed by expectations after a run of just one win in their previous eight Premier League matches, Gray’s scrappy header in the first half ensured that a topsy-turvy year ended with a victory that lifts his side to within one point of Crystal Palace in the table.Of the 20 goals that Oliver Glasner’s side have conceded this season in the league, 12 have come from set-pieces and Palace have now failed to win any of their last five matches as a packed schedule has finally caught up with them. But this was all about Gray as the 19-year-old midfielder who left the pitch to a standing ovation and big hu...

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20 h. ago Serie A roundup: Christopher Nkunku at the double to send Milan to summit

Forward scores twice in 3-0 win over VeronaInter can return to top on Sunday eveningMilan beat Hellas Verona 3-0 on Sunday to leapfrog leaders Inter and provisionally move top of the Serie A standings thanks to a brace from Christopher Nkunku.Milan struggled to break down a disciplined Verona side in the first half but made the breakthrough from a corner in added time when Christian Pulisic volleyed home near the far post.This story will be updated Continue reading...

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23 h. ago Premier League and Afcon buildup, plus latest news – matchday live

News, discussion and buildup to the day’s actionGet in touch! Email us with your thoughts hereWissa needs more time to get over knee injuryYoane Wissa is still not ready to make regular starts for Newcastle but Eddie Howe is keen to find the Congolese striker more opportunities in the coming weeks.I think with Yoane, we’ve got to look after him, he’s still relatively early in his return. He did really well in his one start against Fulham, I was really pleased with him that day and there’ll be other opportunities.The problem for us is with our schedule playing every three, four days, I don’t think he’s in a condition where he could start regularly at the moment. Hopefully we can manage him to that point at some stage. Continue reading...

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25 h. ago Most mispronounced words of 2025 – from labubu dolls to iconic footballers

The most mispronounced names of 2025 have been revealed as list includes the names of rising political stars and footballers plush collectible, and even the most famous museum in the world

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36 h. ago Afcon 2025: Nigeria hold off Tunisia fightback to secure last

Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia | Tanzania 1-1 UgandaSenegal 1-1 DR Congo | Benin knock out BotswanaNigeria put on an impressive display of attacking prowess but had to hang on in the end for a narrow 3-2 win against Tunisia, becoming the second team to make sure of a place in the last 16.Victor Osimhen netted the opener a minute before half-time, and Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman scored after the break. But Tunisia staged a late comeback with goals from the defenders Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi that set up a frenetic finish. Continue reading...

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36 h. ago Nigeria v Tunisia live: Super Eagles survive tense finale to reach Afcon 2025 knockout stages

The top two in Group C at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations met in a showdown in Fez

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37 h. ago Aston Villa lodge complaint after bottle thrown at their bench at end of Chelsea win

Chelsea intend to cooperate with the investigationEmery plays down title talk after 11th consecutive winAston Villa lodged a complaint to Chelsea after a bottle of water was thrown at their bench at the end of their 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.There were jubilant scenes at full time after a stunning comeback moved Villa three points off Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. However, the celebrations also featured the away dugout being showered with water when the final whistle was blown. It was not clear if the bottle was thrown by someone from the Chelsea bench or whether it came from the crowd. Chelsea intend to cooperate with the investigation. Continue reading...

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37 h. ago Nigeria v Tunisia live: Lookman and Osimhen combine for Super Eagles in Afcon 2025 clash

The top two in Group C at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations meet in a showdown in Fez

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38 h. ago Monolithic belief of Guardiolismo has fractured in new era for tactics | Jonathan Wilson

The old ways are over and nobody is entirely sure what is to follow but football revolutions once experienced are never forgottenIf you want a picture of the future, imagine Michael Kayode winding up to take a long throw – forever. Or at least that was how it seemed in October. Already, though, the picture has begun to change. This was the year of the backlash, and then a bit of a backlash to the backlash.For almost two decades football had accepted the guardiolista consensus. Football was about possession, about the press, but most of all about position, about the careful manipulation of space. Much-improved pitches meant first touches could be taken for granted: players receiving the ball didn’t have to focus on getting it under control but could instead be parsing their options. The game had become chess with a ball, a matter of strategy more than physicality. Continue reading...

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39 h. ago Ollie Watkins’ double off the bench gives Aston Villa comeback victory at Chelsea

Unai Emery had to tear up the plan. Aston Villa had started this game in a compact 4-2-2-2 formation but they were desperate for much of the first hour. Their passing was lethargic, they had no width, they were 1-0 down to a dominant Chelsea and it seemed the story was going to centre on Emery’s decision not to start Ollie Watkins up front.Yet few managers are as effective as Emery when it comes to altering the flow with a few smart tweaks. The Spaniard never stops plotting, never stops hunting for weaknesses in his opponents, and perhaps it was not a surprise when Villa’s tactical mastermind found a way to ensure that the travelling fans were belting out songs about winning the league at full time. Continue reading...

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39 h. ago Slot applauds Liverpool and Wolves fans for ‘special’ Anfield tribute to Diogo Jota

Jota’s two young sons were mascots for 2-1 home winSlot: ‘The football world again showed how to behave’Arne Slot praised Liverpool and Wolves fans for “showing the football world how to behave” as Diogo Jota’s two English clubs came together to pay tribute to the late striker at Anfield.Jota’s two young sons, Dinis and Duarte, were mascots for the first game between the clubs since the Portugal international died in July. Liverpool supporters applauded when Wolves’ fans sang their song for Jota in the 18th minute and vice versa when Anfield acclaimed the late striker in the 20th minute, based on his squad numbers at the two clubs. The entire Wolves squad had visited the memorial to Jota outside Anfield to pay their respects the night before Liverpool’s 2-1 win. Continue reading...

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39 h. ago Nigeria v Tunisia live: Iwobi, Osimhen and Lookman start for Super Eagles in Afcon 2025 clash

The top two in Group C at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations meet in a showdown in Fez

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40 h. ago Nigeria v Tunisia live: Team news as Super Eagles continue Afcon 2025 with tough test in Morocco

The top two in Group C at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations meet in a showdown in Fez

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