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Mikel Arteta has defended his choice to push an injured Thomas Partey back onto the pitch during Arsenal's north London derby defeat to Tottenham, explaining he did so in an attempt to prevent Harry Kane's successful strike on the stroke of half-time.

Goals for Son Heung-min and the England skipper proved the difference at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Jose Mourinho outfoxed the Gunners to take the spoils and local bragging rights in their Premier League clash.

Both strikes spawned from impressive breaks and deliveries by the Spurs pair, with the Korea international curling in an absolute beauty and the Three Lions captain rifling home a close-range effort.

During the build-up to the latter finish Ghana international Partey hobbled to the sideline, nursing a knock that would ultimately force his substitution.

As Tottenham broke forward, Arteta pushed the ex-Atletico Madrid man back onto the pitch in a vain attempt to cut short the attack.

Speaking after the match Arteta was quick to defend his actions, indicating that he attempted to push Partey on to prevent Spurs from scoring, while stressing that his side enjoyed a statistical superiority that they failed to convert.

"He has to stay on the pitch," he told BBC Sport. "I applaud their first goal, it is world class, but the second goal we are a man down, we leave a massive gap and they take advantage.

"After that we dominated, they didn't have any chances, but they win the game. I don't know what else we can do. If we can't score goals we cannot improve our situation."

Arteta further elaborated on the Partey incident in his post-game press conference, saying: "I was trying to push him. I didn’t think he realised the gravity of the situation when he left his position. But probably that was because he was in a lot of pain. There’s nothing we can do at the moment to resolve that.

"I think it was a four-against-three situation for us and suddenly they are coming to us and Thomas was walking to me. I tried to push him. I haven’t spoken to him. I don’t know exactly how it happened, but he felt something really serious."

Doubling down on his side's technical domination - Arsenal enjoyed 70 per cent of possession throughout and almost double the number of shots as Spurs - the ex-Manchester City assistant professed his pride in his side's overall performance.

"I saw a team full of passion, dominating the team and creating chances but in the end it is about the end product and that is why they are top of the table," Arteta added to Sky Sports. "I think we had 44 crosses.

"The fight and the spirit and the way they played in this stadium is to be applauded but it is not enough to win football matches because we are not scoring goals."

Chidera Ejuke provided an assist and Brian Idowu featured as CSKA Moscow played out a 2-2 draw against Khimki in Sunday’s Russian Premier League game.

Ejuke has been delivering dazzling performances with his impressive dribbling skills for Viktor Goncharenko’s men since teaming up with the side in the summer.

The winger was handed his 12th league appearance which afforded him the opportunity to face his compatriot Idowu, who also started for Khimki.

The game started with both clubs aiming for the opening goal but it did not come until the 40th minute when Nikola Vlasic hit the back of the net with his strike.

Ilya Kukharchuk levelled proceedings shortly after the half-time break and Reziuan Mirzov gave Khimki the lead for the first time in the encounter in the 51st minute.

Ilya Shkurin then scored an important equalising goal for CSKA Moscow three minutes later after receiving a sumptuous pass from Ejuke.

The Nigeria winger struck two shots, made five key passes, had a 100 per cent successful pass rate and made 48 touches on the ball before he was replaced by Fedor Chalov in the 62nd minute.

Idowu also gave a good account of himself in the encounter as he made two tackles, won one aerial contest and made three clearances during his 90 minutes of action.

Ejuke has now made 17 appearances across all competitions for CSKA Moscow, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

Idowu, meanwhile, has featured in 17 games, including 16 in the Russian Premier League since teaming up with the side from Lokomotiv Moscow in the summer.

The Nigeria internationals will hope to continue their consistent performances for their respective clubs in their next league outings.

CSKA Moscow will take on Dinamo Zagreb while Khimki will square off against Arsenal Tula, on December 10 and 11, respectively.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho said Arsenal made it difficult for his side as they won 2-0 in the north London derby on Sunday, and congratulated Gunners counterpart Mikel Arteta after the match.

Spurs took the lead just 13 minutes into the Premier League clash when Son Heung-min smashed home from outside the box.

Harry Kane doubled his side's lead when he ran onto a pass from Son and put it past Bernd Leno in first-half stoppage time.

The win sees Tottenham return to the top of the table and Mourinho says it was no easy feat for his team.

"It was a big game in every sense, not just because it was Tottenham-Arsenal," Mourinho told Sky Sports.

"I want to give words, congratulations to Mikel Arteta because he gave us a very difficult game. Tactically they were very good, very organised. They gave us problems, problems we were able to resolve. They have a good tactical courage and incredible spirit. They are a good team and he is a good coach.

"We were reading the game and making the changes to win it because 2-0 was in our hands against a great and difficult opponent but my boys did well today.

"I am very happy with the result and the performance, but of course I want the team in the second half to play in a different way. In reality you don't always do what you want to do because your opponent forces you in a different direction.

"You are winning 2-0, why would you expose your defensive block if you don't have to? It was a very difficult game.

"I can imagine tomorrow the headlines will be about them not being in a good position in the table, but I believe with these players and Mikel it will be Arsenal vs Tottenham again."

Tottenham have taken seven points from their last three matches in the league, beating Manchester City and drawing with Chelsea in the build-up to Sunday's derby.

"We grew up. I can imagine lots of people can imagine three matches in a row - against Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal - would be a moment for us to drop points and go back to 'normality' but we didn't go back to 'normality'. We are there," Mourinho added.

"I believe one more week at the top of the table unless Liverpool win by many [against Wolves]."

While Son and Kane netted the crucial goals, Mourinho praised his star attackers for the work they do outside of the box, too.

"Harry Kane clearing balls in the box, Sonny for the first 60 minutes as a winger and then a second striker - it is not just about scoring goals and being world class players," he said.

"It is about being great guys and doing your best for the team."

Enyimba survived a Rahimo scare to progress 2-1 on aggregate after Sunday’s 1-1 draw in the Caf Champions League preliminary round second leg match.

Captain Austin Oladapo gave Enyimba the lead on the hour mark before the visitors drew level on the night through Pape Ware with 15 minutes to go.

The Aba giants came into this encounter having recorded a 1-0 away victory in the first-leg played at Stade du 4 Aout, Ouagadougou, with Victor Mbaoma’s 75th-minute goal making the difference.

Knowing that anything short of victory would see them crash out of the competition, the Burkinabe Premier League team came to Nigeria with the ambition of shocking the two-time African champions.

As expected, Rahimo matched Fatai Osho’s men strength for strength, but could not beat goalkeeper Olufemi Thomas.

In the opening 24 minutes, four corner kicks tumbled for the hosts at the Enyimba International Stadium, however, none resulted in a goal.

After a fruitless first 45 minutes, Enyimba returned for the second half with all guns blazing. They almost took the lead in the 50th minute but Tosin Omoyele failed to convert Anayo Iwuala’s cross.

Despite the introduction of Mbaoma for Omoyele, the Nigerians struggled to take the initiative largely to their inability to convert their chances in front of goal.

On the hour mark, Oladapo gave Osho’s men a well-deserved lead after volleying home a poor clearance by the visiting side.

That strike was what woke Rahimo from their slumber as they attacked their hosts in their numbers with 19-year-old Boubacar Guira forcing a brilliant save from goalkeeper Kayode in the 64th minute.

Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute as Ware found a sumptuous moment to score the leveller.

Needing one more goal to progress to the next round of the competition, the visitors swarmed the Peoples’ Elephant’s backline but were unable to get the important strike.

In the closing stages of the tension-soaked encounter, Enyimba were reduced to ten men as Imo Obot was given his marching orders by the referee for dangerous play, but that did not halt their progression.

Osho’s team would be hoping to go far in the Champions League, but first, they must negotiate their way past Al Merrikh. The Sudanese giants defeated Congo’s AS Otoho 3-1 on aggregate to qualify.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was forced off injured during first-half stoppage time of his side's Premier League defeat against Tottenham.

Partey returned from injury to make his first appearance for the Gunners in over a month when he was named in the starting XI for the north London derby on Sunday.

He walked over to the touchline during the build-up to Harry Kane's goal that put Spurs two goals up and was replaced by Dani Ceballos immediately after and just seconds before half-time. Spurs would go on to win the derby 2-0, returning to first place in the Premier League. 

After the match Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed Party would have an MRI, saying he appeared to aggravate his previous injury.

"I applaud their first goal, it is world class, but the second goal we are a man down, we leave a massive gap and they take advantage," Arteta told the BBC.

"He [Thomas Partey] has to stay on the pitch. It looks like the same injury he has already had, he will have an MRI."

Partey had been out of action since he was taken off in his side's 3-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on November 8 and subsequently missed Premier League matches against Leeds and Wolves as well as the Europa League encounters against Molde and Rapid Vienna. 

The Ghana international only returned to Arsenal training during the week and Arteta said after his side's win against Rapid Vienna that the summer signing could feature against their city rivals.

Ahead of the game on Sunday, Arteta was asked about the 27-year-old's inclusion in his starting XI.

He told Sky Sports: "We didn't expect him to be fit for the game but he has been training well and [is] ready to play."

Arsenal fell behind just 13 minutes into the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Son Heung-min led Spurs' charge forward, combining with striker Kane before lashing past Bernd Leno from outside the box.

Son then turned provider as he passed to Kane who then fired in to double the home side's advantage, which would be the game's final goal.

Former Orlando Pirates centre forward Tokelo 'TK' Rantie will soon find a new home at Swazi giants Mbabane Highlanders.

The experienced player has been a free agent since he parted ways with PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns during the January 2020 transfer window after a failed spell with the club.

Rantie has been a wanted man in Eswatini with Manzini Wanderers and Mbabane Swallows also been linked with the player, who was reportedly released by Sundowns due to off-field distractions.

His agent, France Mpedi, has now set the record straight as he made it clear that the former Cape Town City player will be joining record 13-time Swazi champions Highlanders. 

“We were alerted of the reports in Swaziland [Eswatini] about Rantie by a friend based there," Mpedi told Times of Swaziland.

"We read that he was linked with Manzini Wanderers and then Mbabane Swallows, but I want to clarify that now.

"As I speak, we have just agreed with Mbabane Highlanders’ boss that his next destination is Swaziland [Eswatini] and he’s coming to join Highlanders.

“We must state it clearly that we’ve never had any engagement with Wanderers or Swallows. Rantie is coming there but for Highlanders."

Rantie, who had an unsuccessful and brief spell with Cape Town City in 2018, was also linked with Kenyan champions Gor Mahia in recent times, but he looks set to join the Mbabane giants.

Highlanders club director Chief Ally Kgomongwe also confirmed that indeed the well-travelled player will be part of their squad in their 2020/21 squad. 

“We worked on this all night and we’ve finally reached an agreement with Rantie and his agent. He is coming to join us,” Kgomongwe said when speaking to the same publication. 

The foreign quota in the Swazi Premier League is five players per team and Highlanders have reportedly already signed three South African players ahead of the new season. 

Ex-Pirates midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni, former Baroka FC forward Mandisa Gadla, and Sphamandla Mlilo, who played for the now-defunct Platinum Stars, are said to have joined the Black Bull.

Asked about the foreign quota issue, Kgomongwe, who hails from South Africa, said: “When I come, I will talk to the coaches, but Rantie is coming and I want us to sign the best of the best we can."

The last time Rantie played a competitive match was in October 2017 when he helped Genclerbirligi secure a 2-1 victory over Besiktas in a Turkish Super Lig match - grabbing an assist in the process. 

Young Africans (Yanga SC) moved eight points clear on top of the Tanzania Mainland League table after defeating Ruvu Shooting 2-1 on Sunday night.

Timu ya Wananchi got their goals through Michael Sarpong and Cassian Ponera, who scored an own goal, while the visitors got the equaliser courtesy of David Richard. 

The 27-time champions came into the match aiming at extending their unbeaten run against their inconsistent visitors. They had numerous chances early on the match but poor finishing let the team down and piled more pressure on the players.

In the 30th minute, it all changed as Wananchi finally got their opening goal. 

The administrative side conceded a free-kick in a dangerous area and it was floated into the box. The defenders failed to get the ball out of the dangerous area and it fell to Sarpong, who struck from close range to give the home team a lead.

It proved to be the only goal in the first half but it could have been more if Wananchi had capitalized on their chances.

In the 58th minute, Young Africans had a chance to double their advantage when Ruvu conceded a penalty. Captain Deus Kaseke stepped up but he failed to make the most of that chance.

The missed chance came back to haunt the home team as Richard punished them two minutes later. He got the better of the defenders before cooly slotting the ball home to put the teams on level terms.

Yanga upped their tempo after conceding the goal in search of the winning goal. Their pressure paid off when Tuisila Kisinda's cross was turned into the net by Ponera.

It was the goal that won the former champions maximum points and extended their unbeaten run in Tanzanian top-flight football.

After 14 games, Yanga are enjoying an eight-point gap on top of the table since they are on 34 points, while Azam FC are second with 26. The Ice-cream Makers will be playing Gwambina FC on Monday hoping to get maximum points and close the gap.

Reigning champions Simba SC are third on the log with 23 points after 11 games. They have not been involved this weekend owing to their participation in the Caf Champions League.

Harry Kane became the leading scorer in north London derby history and reached 250 career goals as he helped Tottenham to a 2-0 victory over Arsenal.

Jose Mourinho's side returned to the Premier League summit in style on Sunday, with Kane's strike in first-half stoppage time putting them two goals ahead at the culmination of a superb counter-attack.

Son Heung-min teed up Kane's landmark goal – the England captain's 11th against Arsenal – with the South Korea star having opened the scoring with a sensational 13th-minute effort.

Arsenal dominated after the break, but the damage was already done, and Hugo Lloris ultimately only had two saves to make, both from Alexandre Lacazette headers, as Mikel Arteta's team slumped to a third league defeat from four games.

A vociferous, socially-distanced crowd of 2,000 Tottenham fans had early cause for cheer when Arsenal's Thomas Partey, returning from a month-long injury lay-off, lashed wide, and they were sent into raptures moments later.

Having evaded a group of red and white shirts, Kane played in Son, who cut in from the left and curled a sublime long-range shot into the top-right corner.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg tried his luck from distance with a thumping strike which Bernd Leno kept out, but it was 2-0 on the stroke of half-time.

With the injured Partey off the pitch, Spurs caught Arsenal on the counter – Giovani Lo Celso finding Son, who teed up Kane to drill in a record-setting goal in off the bar from a tight angle.

Lacazette's header from Bukayo Saka's free-kick forced Lloris into his first save, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang nodded over.

Having replaced Partey, Dani Ceballos helped Arsenal wrest control in midfield, with the Gunners controlling well over 70 per cent of possession in the second half.

Lloris made another smart stop to deny Lacazette, yet Arsenal's attack – which has mustered just 10 league goals this season – was once again found lacking as their comeback efforts proved fruitless.

What does it mean? Mourinho masterclass leaves Arteta reeling

Mourinho's major positive from last week's draw with Chelsea – who briefly leapfrogged Spurs at the top thanks to a win over Leeds United on Saturday – was that his side were disappointed to only take a point from Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese masterminded another clinical counter-attacking display on Sunday as Tottenham showed the grit which was missing at the end of Mauricio Pochettino's tenure.

Having won his first north London derby in July, Mourinho joins Jimmy Anderson as the only Spurs boss in history to win both of their first two games against Arsenal, whose manager Arteta is the first Gunners chief since Bertie Mee, in the 1966-67 season, to lose his first two games against Tottenham.

Unstoppable Son and Kane combine again

Kane's assist for Son's stunning opener was his 10th in the Premier League this season, from just 11 games. No player has ever reached 10 assists in fewer appearances from the start of a campaign in the competition – Kane pulled level with current Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil's 2015-16 feat in that regard.

Son, whose last two goals have come from outside the area after his previous 20 were netted from inside the box, then returned the favour, and he and Kane have now combined for 31 Premier League goals, the second most of any duo after Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard (36).

Kane the king in north London

After his 100th home goal for Tottenham across all competitions, Kane is now the outright top goalscorer in all-time north London derbies with 11 goals, having overtaken Emmanuel Adebayor – who played for both clubs – and Spurs great Bobby Smith.

It also brought up his 250th goal for club and country, with 202 coming for Spurs, 32 for England, and a further 16 coming across loan spells with Millwall, Leyton Orient and Leicester City. 

What's next?

Already through to the knockout stage, Spurs face Antwerp in the Europa League on Thursday, before returning to Premier League action against Crystal Palace. Arsenal face Dundalk, and then Burnley.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has revealed that Tanguy Ndombele's late withdrawal ahead of Sunday's north London derby was down to a "problem he couldn't recover from", adding that the France international chose to rule himself out amid fitness fears.

The midfielder, who played over an hour in midweek for Spurs in their Europa League game against LASK, was expected to feature for the hosts as they welcomed the Gunners - and crowds - to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time this season.

Goals for Son Heung-min and Harry Kane in the first half placed the hosts in the driving seat, further cementing the duo's incredible partnership this season as they helped records tumble.

But Tottenham were shorn of one of their most creative assets after Ndombele elected to sit the match out, requiring some late changes to Mourinho's matchday plans.

The Portuguese confirmed that the playmaker was absent for fitness reasons rather than personal ones, and stressed that the decision had been made by the player with his best interests at heart.

"[It was] a problem he couldn't recover from," he told Sky Sports News ahead of the game. "We were positive and expecting until the last moment but this morning he decided he was not ready."

Mourinho was quick to hail the return of supporters to matches though, with a select band of 2,000 fans allowed back into venues in Tier 2 regions, with London falling under that category. 

"It is football, that is the joy of football," he added, "They are [showing passionate support] in their houses, in front of televisions, so if they have the chance to come to the stadium they have to enjoy [it]."

While Tottenham have enjoyed a superb start to the 2020-21 campaign, neighbours Arsenal have faltered under Mikel Arteta this term, posting hit-and-miss results in recent weeks to leave them off the pace of the top four.

Mourinho though was quick to dismiss them as easy pickings, adding on their form: "It means nothing to me.

"I told the players it is very dangerous if they look at the table and forget what Arsenal can be, what Arsenal are and what Arsenal were. They can come for the big matches. Arsenal will be a very hard opponent."

Maritzburg United player Kwanda Mngonyama has revealed what his coach Ernst Middendorp instructed him to do on Saturday night in the 1-1 league draw at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

The point was the first of the season for the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) side in what was their sixth match.

It came via Mngonyama’s expertly taken header on the hour mark, following a Dan Morgan corner kick.

Sundowns had taken the lead on 31 minutes through Themba Zwane and had also enjoyed several other good opportunities to score.

Mngonyama was named Man-of-the-Match after a storming display up and down the right flank for the Team of Choice on a rainy night in the  KZN capital city.

His high energy approach was designed to take advantage of Sundowns left-back Lyle Lakay's preference for pushing forward.

"I would like to thank my coach and I would like to thank my team-mates, because you could see we've got a plan from the start, we're structured. Coach gave us instructions on how to approach the match," Mngonyama told SuperSport TV after the game.

"We knew that they are going to come at us, and their wings, they are always pushing high. So they are going to be always leaving space on the side. So I was ready and prepared to run on the their left, because Lakay, we knew he's going to push high."

Mngonyama has worked with Middendorp before at Maritzburg and is pleased to be working with him again, following the departure of previous coach Eric Tinkler two weeks ago.

"When the coach gives you a chance, you have to grab it, take it. I really appreciate the opportunity, he always wants us to work hard, to push each and every training session," Mngonyama explained.

"So it's not a new thing for me, I've worked with him before. I know what he expects from me. You can see progress, the self-belief is back. So we are looking forward to keep on going."

Kerala Blasters continued their winless run as they were thrashed 1-3 by FC Goa in the Indian Super League 2020-21 clash at the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday.

By the virtue of the loss, Kerala Blasters are placed at the ninth spot with two draws and two losses. 

Igor Angulo (30', 90+3') scored a brace for FC Goa and Jorge Ortiz (52') scored once. Vicente Gomez scored the consolation for Kerala Blasters in the 90th minute. Blasters head coach Kibu Vicuna said he is most concerened by the final results since the start of the season more than anything else. 

Sergio Cidoncha has been the key midfielder for Kerala Blasters in the ongoing season. He did not start in the match against FC Goa due to injury. Vicuna highlighted that his absence was a major blow for the side as their morale was effected. 

"The results (are the major concern). I think we are in a process. Sergio was injured. That effected the morale of the team. But we have to keep going. We have different matches (coming up). We are confident that we are going to play well," Kibu Vicuna said after the game.  

Vicuna applauded the dominant display from the Gaurs and said that they had better players upfront. He also mentioned that the match saw moments where both teams fought for the ball but FC Goa were better in certain areas. 

"I think they played better, both teams had chances.. They have very good players upfront. I think it was a fight for the ball. I think they were better in both the areas," Vicuna said. 

"They pressed well, we commited mistakes," he added.

Joachim Low has been backed to reverse his fortunes as Germany coach by Jurgen Klopp, with the Liverpool manager professing his belief that the veteran manager can take the nation far at Euro 2020.

The 60-year-old succeeded Jurgen Klinsmann in the top role in the wake of the 2006 World Cup and is closing in on a decade and a half at the helm next summer.

During his tenure, Low has overseen Germany's transformation into one of the pre-eminent sides in world football, with a string of top-four finishes at major tournaments culminating in a famed World Cup triumph in Brazil in 2014.

Since then however, the former Freiburg man has overseen a dramatic reversal of fortunes, slipping to a group-stage exit as defending World Cup champions in Russia and enduring two difficult Nations League campaigns since 2018.

Fears have already been stoked that Germany could be in for a rough time in 2021 during next year's rearranged Euro 2020 tournament, with Low's decision to axe long-term senior squad members in favour of younger talents having backfired significantly.

Despite the pressure however, the country's governing body have stood by their man, indicating he will still be in charge after the new year.

Reds boss Klopp - widely viewed in some quarters as a potential successor to Low down the line - has offered his backing to the beleaguered coach, stating that he feels his pedigree proves he has the capacity to bounce back.

"There is a huge chance that he will just turn things around," the 53-year-old told Welt am Sonntag. "Next year is the European Championship. Maybe he will win, maybe he will go far.

"Nobody is perfect. [But] most of us are good and Jogi is one of them. I have zero per cent criticism. The bigger effect [of certain selections] can be seen later. I trust him that he has planned it exactly that way.

"People always think that the next coach will do it better immediately., but [the coach] is not always the only reason when things go well.

"But they are not the only reason when things don't go quite so well. Jogi Low has been extremely successful for many years."

Alex Morgan scored her first goal for Tottenham Women on Sunday.

The 31-year-old striker converted a penalty late in the game to put the north London side 3-1 up against Brighton in their first game since Rehanne Skinner took over as coach last week.

Morgan was substituted and replaced by Rachel Williams shortly after her goal. 

The United States international's strike helped Spurs secure their first win of the season in the Women's Super League.

It is also her first goal in any competition since she found the net in the USWNT's 2-1 win against England in the 2019 World Cup semi-final. Morgan announced she was pregnant last fall and gave birth to her first child in May.

Morgan joined the English club from Orlando Pride in September. The two-time World Cup winner was forced to wait for her first appearance, however, after suffering an injury setback.

Morgan played her first game in over a year when she came off the bench in the league match against Reading a month ago and spoke of her delight at being back on the field.

Meanwhile, Tottenham's new coach has already said she hopes to get the American's future at the club sorted "as soon as possible".

"We will assess where we are with Alex, look at the future and see what that looks like for her with the club moving forward," Skinner added.

“She is obviously a fantastic character to have in the environment with her experience and she is definitely moving in the right direction now."

She added: “In the coming weeks we are hoping to increase minutes and get her into the form she is accustomed to being in, but it has been a long break that we have to manage and be aware of.

“She is definitely heading in the right direction and has looked good in training this week."

Sunday's victory lifts Tottenham up to ninth in the league with six points from eight matches. Next week they host Aston Villa at the hive with a trip to Kingsmeadow Stadium for a match against Chelsea to follow on December 20.

Ange N'Guessan scored her first goal of the season as Raissa Feudjio made her return to action from a year-long knee injury in Tenerife's 3-1 win over Real Betis in a Spanish Primera Iberdrola game on Sunday.

The Cote d'Ivoire international, who could not score in the opening nine matches, ended her goal drought with the opener on her fifth start of the season to inspire her side's seventh win of the campaign, at home.

On the part of Feudjio, she made her competitive return to the pitch for Tenerife this term since she suffered a serious knee injury last season, surprisingly against Betis on November 24.

The hosts went into the tie on the heels of a recent 2-2 draw at Athletic Club as they aimed to return to winning ways, and the 30-year-old Ivorian opened the scoring for the hosts after 32 minutes.

After the half-time break, Patri Gavira doubled the lead for Francis Diaz six minutes into the second half of the match at Estadio La Palmera.

In the 64th minute, Serbian star Allegra Poljak netted off Natalia Ramos' assist to open a three-goal advantage for Tenerife.

Betis, however, looked set to stage a fightback in the final moments when Mari Paz Vilas set up Rosa Otermin to pull one back in the 76th minute but the hosts held for the three points.

Ivorian star N'Guessan featured for 60 minutes before she was taken off for Aleksandra Zaremba, while Cameroon's Feudjio played the last five minute of the game after replacing Clare Pleuler.

On the other hand, Dorine Chuigoue was involved for the duration of the game but could not save Betis from a seventh defeat this term.

The result means Tenerife moved two points clear at the top of the log with 23 points from 10 matches and will hope to maintain their winning form at Santa Teresa next Sunday.

FC Goa beat Kerala Blasters 3-1 to pick up their first win of the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season on Sunday at the Fatorda Stadium.

Igor Angulo (30', 90+3') and Jorge Ortiz (52') were on target for Goa while Vicente Gomez scored the consolation goal (90') for Kerala Blasters. 

Juan Ferrando made just two changes to the FC Goa lineup which drew 1-1 against NorthEast United in their last match. James Donachie and Alexander returned to the starting eleven replacing Aibanbha Dohling and Alberto Noguera.

Kibu Vicuna, on the other hand, made three changes tp Kerala Blasters lineup as Jessel Carneiro, Vicente Gomez and Rahul KP replaced Denechamdram Meitei, Sergio Cidoncha and Seityasen Singh.

Jorge Ortiz came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute but his long range effort struck the crossbar.

In the 16th minute, Igor Angulo picked up Rohit Kumar's misplaced pass, entered the box and tried to slot the ball in but the upright once again stood in Goa's way.

The Gaurs finally found the back of the net in the 30th minute thanks to Igor Angulo's strike. Saviour Gama lobbed the ball into the box and Angulo chipped the ball over Albino Gomes to break the deadlock. 

Goa were more dominant in the first half and were unlucky not to have a bigger lead after the first 45 minutes of play.

The home team doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when Jorge Ortiz put the ball into the back of the net from Brandon Fernandes' pass. The Goan forwarded a pinpoint through ball for the Spaniard who found space in between Kone and Costa and slotted the ball home. 

Blasters could have pulled one back in the 66th minute when Vicente Gomez unleashed a shot from the edge of the box but it hit the crossbar.

Gomez did however get one back in the 90th minute when he headed the ball into the net from Nishu Kumar's cross from the right flank. The Spaniard's header hit the crossbar before it went in.

A howler from Albino Gomes right at the end allowed Goa to pile misery on Blasters. Gomes collected the ball and then kept it on the ground to pass it to a teammate completely oblivious of Angulo's presence in the box. The Spaniard punished Gomes' mistake as he snatched the ball away from the custodian and placed it into the net.