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Bloemfontein Celtic recorded a 2-0 victory over AS Maniema Union away in the 2020/21 Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round first-leg match at Stade Joseph Kabila Kabange on Sunday.

Harris Tchilimbou handed Phunya Sele Sele an early lead, before Menzi Ndwandwe doubled the visitors' advantage in the first-half and they were able to contain the Greens and Blacks thereafter.

Phunya Sele Sele were oozing with confidence after securing their maiden win of the season in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) when they edged out Black Leopards 1-0 in midweek.

Menzi Ndwandwe and Harris Tchilimbou were among the players who were recalled to the starting line-up by coach John Maduka as Celtic made their debut appearance in continental football.

On the other hand, the Green and Blacks were in good form having won their last three matches in the Congolese Linnafoot Super League against Dauphins Noirs, Rangers FC and Groupe Bazano.

Patsheli Pinoki and Pepito Bahoso started upfront for Daouda Lupembe's side with Maniema making their second successive appearance in Africa's secondary club football tournament.

Celtic caught the hosts by surprise as they grabbed two early goals to take a 2-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the encounter which was played in the Congolese city of Kindu. 

The deadlock was broken by Congo-Brazzaville international Tchilimbou, who beat Maniema goalkeeper Jackson Lunanga to make it 1-0 to Celtic just five minutes into the match.

Lunanga, who was part of the DR Congo squad which faced Angola in the 2022 Afcon qualifiers earlier this month, was beaten again four minutes later.

The 23-year-old shot-stopper failed to stop an effort from Ndwandwe as Celtic took a 2-0 lead with the in-form striker netting his third goal in five competitive matches for Phunya Sele Sele.

Maniema launched attacks as they looked to pull one back, but they were frustrated by the visitors' solid defence on the day and ultimately, Celtic secured a 2-0 victory.

Celtic will advance to the first round if they avoid a defeat against Maniema in the second-leg encounter which is set to be played in South Africa on December 5. 

The winner on aggregate between the two teams will face either Futuro Kings FC of Equatorial Guinea or Nigerian outfit Rivers United in the first round.

Ronald Koeman is hopeful that Clement Lenglet's injury is not serious after the defender was forced off during the 4-0 win against Osasuna on Sunday.

Lenglet had to be replaced midway through the second half when he sustained an ankle injury following an aerial challenge with Osasuna's Ruben Garcia.

Barca were already short in defensive options, with centre-backs Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Ronald Araujo ruled out with injuries, leaving Koeman with no option but to bring on Carles Alena to replace Lenglet.

Although Koeman is not sure if the 25-year-old will be able to feature against Ferencvaros in the Champions League in midweek, he does not expect to be without the France international for too long.

“I have spoken with the doctor and it seems we will have to wait for tomorrow for tests, but it does not seem that that serious," he told reporters. "I don’t know about Wednesday’s game but I hope it’s nothing major.”

Koeman called on 21-year-old defender Oscar Mingueza to partner Lenglet in the centre of the back line to cover for the injuries.

Minguez made his senior debut in the Champions League win against Dynamo Kyiv in midweek and Koeman was happy with his second display for the Blaugrana. 

“I told him that he played really well, but he lost the ball two times in areas where you cannot lose it," he added. "We spoke about that. One poor touch can lead to a chance for the opponent. You can have a good game, but two mistakes can cost you the match. He has to learn and improve.”

The result puts Barca in seventh place in La Liga with 14 points from nine matches. They are nine points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid and Koeman is aware they must climb their way up.

"Our situation in the table is still very complicated, we are quite a few points behind," he said. "We have six games, four at home, between now and the end of the year. We cannot lose more.

"If a team is not playing well it can be complicated, we saw that with Real Madrid yesterday. Atletico are very strong and at the moment they are not failing, but a lot can still happen."

Eden Hazard has been ruled out of Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on account of injury, but Karim Benzema is back in the fold.

Belgium international Hazard arrived at Real in the summer of 2019 to much acclaim, but has had a stop-start time in Madrid on account of injury.

Injury struck again at the weekend, as Hazard limped off against Alaves in La Liga.

He lasted only 30 minutes of the shock 2-1 loss at home, after which manager Zinedine Zidane gave an injury update.

"I think and hope it's just a knock," Zidane said at his post-game press conference. "I hope it's not muscular."

It may be that Zidane’s hopes are realised and the problem is only a knock, but with a mere three-day turnaround between the two games, Hazard has not been included in the 21-man squad for Tuesday's match.

Zidane expressed concern with his side’s form following the defeat to Alaves.

"I don't have an explanation," Zidane said. "Tonight we alternated good moments with bad moments. When they scored a goal after three minutes, things got very complicated for us.

"The other day in Milan we played a good game and today...It is reality, our reality today. What we have to do is keep working, recover players and change the dynamics. We don't have consistency."

Benzema could provide the French coach with that change in dynamics after being included for the trip to Ukraine.

The French forward has not featured for Real since scoring against Valencia on November 8 due to injury, but he has come through training and will travel with the squad for a game that will see them progress to the knockout stages with a win.

His presence at the head of the attack will be a welcome addition to Zidane.

Real trail Borussia Monchengladbach at the top of Champions League Group B, but two wins from their final pair of games - against Shakhtar and the German side - would guarantee their progression as pool winners.

However, a trip to Ukraine in winter is never a welcome one - especially for a side who have won only one of their previous four outings in all competitions.

Lionel Messi's goal and his celebration in honour of Diego Maradona were "great in every sense", according to Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman.

Messi scored in fine style to cap a 4-0 victory over Osasuna at Camp Nou on Sunday, a game that was preceded by a tribute to former Barca star Maradona, who died on Wednesday.

Having found the net, Messi removed his Barca shirt to reveal a Newell's Old Boys jersey bearing Maradona's famous No 10. The 1986 World Cup winner spent a season at the club, where Messi was later a youth player, towards the end of his career.

Koeman was impressed both with his captain's finish and with the way he chose to pay his respects to his Argentine compatriot.

"These are the things of a great player: first because of the play and the goal, and second because of the gesture towards Maradona. It was something really great in every sense," Koeman said. "I didn't know Leo was going to do that celebration."

Antoine Griezmann was arguably Barca's star performer against Osasuna, assisting Philippe Coutinho's goal after having scored a stunning volley three minutes before half-time.

The France international at last appears to be finding his feet for the Catalans, having been directly involved in six goals in his past six matches after contributing to just one in the previous 20.

"Antoine looked very good today," said Koeman. "From his position, he played with a lot of freedom, he gave an assist and scored a great goal. This is the player we want.

"I don't think he has changed. He always worked hard to have this opportunity, but he scored a great goal and now it seems he feels freer on the pitch and that's a positive."

The opening goal was scored by Martin Braithwaite, who has scored in consecutive matches for the first time since January for Leganes and has contributed three goals and one assist in his most recent four games.

"We needed more of a number nine today to fix the centre-backs and to be able to find more space behind a team that closes up at the back," Koeman said. "Martin is working very well. We know the team works well in defence, they played with five at the back, and we had to play with a high rhythm with the ball to look for goal."

Chelsea and Tottenham failed to fully capitalise on Liverpool's slip-up as Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho oversaw a tightly contested 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.

With Liverpool pegged back by Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, Spurs could have moved two points clear of the Reds at the top of the Premier League. Chelsea – playing the 1,000th game of the Roman Abramovich era – were also vying for pole position.

Yet despite a bright start in Sunday's London derby, with Timo Werner having a goal disallowed, neither side could make the breakthrough in what was an encounter short of clear chances.

Looking to score in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since September 2019, Tammy Abraham missed three presentable opportunities as Chelsea had the better of the second half, with Olivier Giroud also fluffing his lines late on as the points were shared.

Hakim Ziyech sent a half-volley into Hugo Lloris' gloves in the opening minutes, but Spurs showed their threat on the counter when Harry Kane slipped in Steven Bergwijn, who drilled over.

Chelsea mounted a swift break of their own two minutes later – Werner finishing in stunning fashion off the right-hand upright – but the offside flag spared Spurs.

Edouard Mendy then made a fine save from Tottenham full-back Serge Aurier, though that strike was the second of just two attempts on target in what became a cagey first half.

Chelsea got behind Spurs' line in the 48th minute, with Reece James aiming a brilliant cross towards Abraham, who failed to make solid contact with his header.

Abraham missed a near-identical chance moments later, before he failed to tuck in from Werner's pinpoint delivery.

Mason Mount saw a long-range strike kept out with nine minutes to go, though Abraham's replacement Giroud had the best chance of the closing stages, only to lob a tame effort straight to French compatriot Lloris.

What does it mean? Defences reign supreme

There were just 18 attempts between the sides on Sunday, with 13 going Chelsea’s way and the Blues managing three on target compared to Spurs' one.

It was a display which bucked the trend for two of the league's three leading scorers, who sit either side of second-placed Liverpool in the standings, with Tottenham top on goal difference.

Silva keeps Kane and company quiet

Kane has been involved in 16 Premier League goals this season (seven goals, nine assists), more than any other player. However, Tottenham's talisman and his sidekick Son Heung-min were kept under strict control by Chelsea captain Thiago Silva, who helped ensure that Spurs failed to have a single attempt during the second half of a Premier League game for the first time since December 2018.

Abraham fails to deliver

Chelsea forward Abraham has scored 18 Premier League goals since the start of last season, twice as many as any other player for the Blues, but on Sunday he squandered arguably the best three opportunities that Lampard's side managed to create.

Key Opta facts

- Chelsea and Spurs played out a goalless draw in the Premier League for the first time since November 2015, and for the first time in the league at Stamford Bridge since March 2012.
- Spurs have taken 13 points away from home in the Premier League this season (W4 D1), their most in their opening five away games of a league campaign since 1991-92 (also 13).
- Following Sunday’s draw, Spurs (9) and Chelsea (8) are the two teams on the longest current unbeaten runs in the Premier League.
- Spurs have kept a clean sheet in three consecutive away games in the Premier League for the first time since November 2013, when they had a run of three under Andre Villas-Boas.
- This was the first Premier League game in which neither Kane nor Son scored for Spurs since September's 1-1 draw with Newcastle, ending a run of six consecutive league games in which at least one of them netted.
- Chelsea’s Mendy has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season, with this being his fifth in six appearances in the competition.

What's next?

It is back to European action for both of these sides in midweek. Chelsea travel to play Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Spurs facing LASK a day later in the Europa League.

Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko held Mauritanian side Nouadhibou to a 1-1 away draw in their 2020-21 Caf Champions League opener on Sunday.

Osman Ibrahim opened the scoring for the Porcupine Warriors in the first half but Hemeya Tanjy hit back for the hosts in the preliminary round first leg fixture at Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya.

The two teams will come face to face again on December 6, with the aggregate winners progressing to the next round of the competition where a date with Al Hilal Club of Sudan or Ugandan outfit Vipers awaits.

In the absence of injury first-choice goalkeeper Felix Annan, Kotoko coach Maxwell Konadu picked Kwame Baah over Razak Abalora and Danlad Ibrahim for the No.1 spot.

Striker Kwame Opoku got the nod to lead the attack owing to his promising start to his Kotoko career, having scored in each of the club's two Ghana Premier League (GPL) games played thus far this season.

It took only five minutes for the visitors to break the deadlock as Ibrahim benefited from an Emmanuel Gyamfi assist to shoot past the goalkeeper.

After Baah was called into action for a save in the 17th minute, the goalkeeper faced a penalty five minutes later when Yussif Mubarik was adjudged by the referee to have handled the ball in the box.

Tanjy stepped up and coolly converted from 12 yards to draw the hosts level.

Eight minutes to half-time, Kotoko came close to restoring their lead but the goalkeeper rushed out promptly to collect the ball after Imoro Ibrahim put Godfred Asiamah one-on-one with the shot-stopper.

Back from recess, Gyamfi went close with a header after connecting to Evans Adomako's cross but the attempt went straight to the goalkeeper.

Both teams made further attempts to snatch a winner but failed to find the target as the referee brought the game to an end.

In the Caf Confederation Cup, Ashanti Gold could not make the most of their home advantage as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Salitas of Burkina Faso on Sunday.

The preliminary round first leg fixture took place at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi.

The Miners now have it all to do in the reverse fixture scheduled for Ouagadougou on December 5.

The winners after the two legs will face  El Amal of Sudan or KVZ FC of Zanzibar in the next stage of the championship.

Edinson Cavani may have been the hero for Manchester United against Southampton on Sunday, but Roy Keane was perplexed by the striker's delay in getting ready to come on in the 3-2 victory.

The 33-year-old striker was called on to replace Mason Greenwood at half-time with the Red Devils trailing 2-0 at St Mary's. He went on to orchestrate a tremendous comeback for the visitors, first setting Bruno Fernandes up to pull a goal back before firing in two of his own as they sealed the three points deep into stoppage time.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed the Uruguay international for his "great impact" on the game, while team-mate Harry Maguire says he is the best striker he has faced in training - but while the praise floods in for Cavani, former midfielder Keane was not impressed by his tardiness.

Although Solskjaer made the substitution during the break, the former Paris Saint-Germain star did not come on until a minute after the game resumed because he had to change his boots.

"He was slow getting onto the pitch, with them boots," Keane said on Sky Sports . "Just as well he did score because how the guy is not prepared and ready to go on is mind-boggling. Obviously he didn’t need the boots in the end, he scored with two headers.

"He had a great contribution when he came on, with that quality, hunger and desire."

Former United captain Keane says the attacker has shown that he still has the quality to impress in the Premier League, having now scored three goals from five substitute appearances.

"It was always a gamble when he came to the club," he added. "People were doubting why he came to the club, did he have the hunger and desire?

"We’ve seen clips of him in some other games and we thought: ‘Has he still got it?’, but we’ve seen proof of it today, he could turn out to be a huge signing for United. It’s worked out well today."

United's next game is against Cavani's former team, as they take on PSG in the Champions League in Wednesday.

Sami Khedira remains open to a Premier League transfer, and insisted he has never lost contact with Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

The Germany international seems set for a divorce from Juventus sooner rather than later, as he is completely out of favour at the Serie A club.

Khedira has no issue with Andrea Pirlo’s decision making, insisting it is a coach’s right to head in any direction they wish, but wants to be back on the field.

The 33-year-old has been linked with Everton and Tottenham, having worked under Toffees coach Ancelotti and Spurs boss Mourinho earlier in his career, and he says talks have taken place.

The Premier League is an attractive option for the midfielder, and is hopeful Juve can help ease his way out of Turin.

“If the opportunity arises to move to the Premier League, that's an option,” Khedira told ZDF. 

Commenting on his relationships with Mourinho and Ancelotti, Khedira said the lines of communication are open.

“There are talks and an exchange,” Khedira said when asked if he had been speaking to Mourinho and Ancelotti. “We never lost touch after our time together at Real Madrid.”

Khedira has given over five years’ excellent service to Juventus, and he remains committed to helping the club.

He does not want his current exile to sour his relationship with the club and their supporters, and insisted there has been no talk about a termination of his contract.

“If you can't do it on the pitch in games, you can do it in training and off the pitch," said Khedira. "When I go, I want Juve and their fans to remember me as a great player.

“There was no offer to terminate the contract. There was no talk of financial issues.”

Khedira last represented Germany in 2018, having been one of the players who disappointed at the World Cup - where they crashed out at the group stage in Russia. 

The national team was in focus during the international break on account of a thumping at the hands of Spain. 

Khedira was asked by ZDF if he had thought about a return to the national team, to which he replied: "[The top priority is] to be back on the pitch with a club, then it has always been my aim to strive for the highest. That is and will remain the national team.”

Kerala Blasters picked a point from their Sunday night clash against Chennaiyin at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim.

The result meant that Kibu Vicuna and his men are yet to register their first win in the Indian Super League 2020-21 after three games. 

Kerala Blasters didn't start the game well as Chennaiyin created plenty of chances in the first 30 minutes. The Marina Machans attacked with the likes of Esmael Goncalves, Rafael Crivellaro and Jakub Sylvestr as Kerala Blasters were continously forced to play inside their own half.

However, Vicuna was impressed with the way his team changed the tempo after 30 minutes and came back strongly. He also mentioned that both the teams played evenly-matched football in the second half of the match but his players were tired in the last 20 odd minutes due to crammed scheduling. 

"I think we play, we didn't start the match well but in the middle of the first half we started to play better. To have the ball, to give cross to the opponent half. In the second half it was very even, I think we were tired in the last 20-30 minutes because we played on Thursday. My feeling is that if we play in the same conditions as the opponents (playing their second game instead of third) we get the three points," Kibu Vicuna said in the post-match interview. 

Kerala Blasters' English striker Gary Hooper completed 14 passes with 67 per cent pass accuracy in his 84 minutes of play. He came in as a replacement for the club's all-time topscorer Bart Ogbeche but hasn't gotten off to a flying start. Vicuna backed his forward and said that he needs time to gel with the team.

"No, we expect from Gary that he's scoring goals. He needs time also to play with the team, to know the team. To know his teammates and for sure Gary is going to have a good season," Vicuna said. 

Vicuna also provided an update on the fitness status of Sahal Abdul Samad, Vicente Gomez and Sergio Cidoncha. Sahal is close to recovering and could have played against Chennaiyin if not for tired on-field players forcing the coach to change his plans. The coach also revealed that Gomez wasn't fully fit to start the game and that Cidoncha has suffered an ankle injury. 

Kenya U20 head coach Stanley Okumbi is upbeat ahead of the Cecafa Championship semi-final tie against Uganda on Monday.

The Rising Stars will face Uganda’s Hippos in the first semi-final in a day’s time and Okumbi believes his charges are well prepared for the encounter at Black Rhino Academy, in Arusha, Tanzania.

“We have a chance to make history,” the former Harambee Stars head coach told the Football Kenya Federation website.

“The boys are well prepared and motivated. It’s like a derby, we will give our best to get everything out of the match.

Festone Omoto and Benson Omalla scored the goals that sealed Kenya’s semi-final slot against Sudan on November 27.

The goal was the second for Omalla in the tournament after he got onto the scoresheet in the opener against Ethiopia where he also grabbed two assists.

The Rising Stars emerged from Group B as winners and were undefeated, and Uganda are expected to offer them the toughest challenge yet in the knockout stage.

“First of all I want to help the team to go all the way and win the competition, and qualify for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations as well,” Omalla stated as he revealed his expectations in the tournament in an earlier interview.

“Finally, I want to give my best for the team and get at least seven goals for the team."

South Sudan also qualified for the semi-finals and will clash with the host and reigning champions Tanzania in the second semi-final.

William Kundu, Phillip Biajo and Khamis Atari and Japhet Ntunzwenimana’s own goal handed South Sudan a 4-0 victory against Burundi for them to secure their place in the last four as the best runner-up.

The win was the biggest registered by the junior Bright Stars in the competition after they had frustrated Uganda in the opening game which ended in a 0-0 draw.

They finished with four points, the same as Uganda but with an inferior goal difference.

South Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will fight for the two positions that will guarantee nations the available slots in the 2022 U20 African Cup of Nations that will be held in Mauritania.

The Cecafa final and bronze medal match will be played on December 2.

Al Hilal captain Abd Al-Latif Saeed has revealed he was impressed by Vipers SC’s Abdulkarim Watambala, Ibrahim Orit and Disan Galiwango during the Caf Champions League preliminary round meeting at the St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.

Vipers went down 1-0 against the Sudanese side but Watambala and debutants Orit and Galiwango impressed despite the end result, according to Al Hilal’s skipper Saeed.

Walid El Shoala scored the goal that gave Al Hilal the first-leg advantage ahead of the return leg that will be played on December 5.

 “Three players caught my imagination. Shirt number 25 [Watambala], shirt number three [Galiwango] and the wide forward [Orit] who came on were brilliant,” Saeed said after the game as per Football256.

“I think they were good on the day for their side and caused a couple of problems for our backline. We have to take notice of them for the second leg.”

Vipers head coach Fred Kajoba stated some of his players underperformed and thus put them under pressure before the decisive second leg encounter.

“Poor first half, very good second half but now we have to go back to the drawing board and correct those small mistakes,” Kajoba said after the game.

“In the first half, we did not play good football. I felt some of the players were below par in the first half and I thought they were not at the level required to play at Vipers.

The Ugandan coach revealed what made them look a more solid side in the second half.

“I liked how we handled the game in the second half. I thought we were better, braver, and had purpose about our play," Kajoba continued.

“We shifted our shape to a back three, and that helped us have more men inside their half.

“That gives me a lot of confidence in the team that we can build on that and turn around this fixture. It is not entirely out of our hands and I am positive we can get the result in Sudan.”

Vipers returned to the continental football after they were declared champions when last season was cancelled in May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Polisi Tanzania have moved to the fifth position on the Tanzania Mainland League table despite drawing 1-1 with Coastal Union on Sunday afternoon.

Neither of the two sides could get a goal in the first 45 minutes as chances went begging.

After the break, the administrative side started the match on a high and were rewarded in the 50th minute. Tariq Seif was the main man as he capitalized on a defensive lapse to find the back of the net.

With 15 minutes to go, the hosts upped their tempo and managed to equalize courtesy of Raizin Hafidh.

Polisi have managed to get five wins, as many draws and three losses from the 13 games played. Their opponents are in the 11th position having collected 16 points from the same number of games. They have recorded four wins, as many draws and five losses.

In another top tier game played on Sunday, Tanzania Prisons took full advantage of home-ground advantage to defeat Mwadui FC 2-0 and collect a vital win that took them to the sixth position.

The home team opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Lambert Sabiyanka. It turned out to be the only goal in the first half.

It looked like the two teams would be separated by just a goal but it was not the case. Three minutes to the end of the game, Gaspar Mwaipasi doubled the advantage to ease the pressure on his team.

The win was the fifth for Prisons this season from the 13 games played. They have managed to get four draws and as many losses, and as a result they have managed to get 19 points.

The Shinyanga-based charges are down in the relegation zone with just 10 points from the 13 games played.

Despite winning three games and drawing one, Mwadui have managed to fall nine times.

Ruvu Shooting and Kagera Sugar battled to a goalless draw in another top-tier game played on Sunday.

The 27-time champions Young Africans (Yanga SC) lead the table with 31 points from the 13 matches played, and are followed by Azam who are on 25 points after playing 12 games.

Reigning champions Simba SC are third with 23 points from 11 games.

Bruno Fernandes propelled himself into some elite company when netting for the fifth time in a row on the road in the Premier League for Manchester United.

The Portuguese has rapidly become a key figure for the Old Trafford side and he sparked an unlikely comeback for United in the Premier League at Southampton on Sunday, as they trailed 2-0 at one stage before sealing a 3-2 victory at the death.

Fernandes collected a cross from the right from Edinson Cavani and swivelled before firing a low shot into the bottom corner.

The goal follows strikes on his travels at Leicester City - at the end of last season - Brighton, Newcastle and Everton.

He is in elite company by scoring five on the spin on the road in the league, as it is a feat achieved by Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for United.

As well as having a knack for goals, Fernandes also has a penchant for assists and he returned the favour for Cavani to draw United level.

Cavani wrote himself into the history books with his goal, as he became only the second United player - after Van Nistelrooy - to score and assist after coming on as a substitute in an away game for the Red Devils.

The Uruguay international capped a brilliant day by heading home in injury-time to seal a 3-2 win.

Fernandes’ goal and assist also reinforced his value to United, and shows the problem manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has with regard to managing the midfielder’s workload.

Solskjaer said earlier this week that he knows he must give his charge a breather at some stage.

"Bruno is not going to be able to play every single game, that's for sure,” Solskjaer said . “So when he only played one-and-a-half games with Portugal during the international break I was very happy."

However, following the win over Saints, United take on Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening.

United top Champions League Group G, but their passage to the knockout stages is far from guaranteed so it is unlikely Fernandes will be rested against PSG.

Following the visit of PSG to Old Trafford, the Red Devils face West Ham, RB Leipzig, Manchester City, Sheffield United, Leeds United and Everton before Christmas.

Edinson Cavani inspired a superb turnaround as Manchester United came from two behind to beat Southampton 3-2.

Jan Bednarek's header and a trademark free-kick from James Ward-Prowse had put Southampton in command at St Mary's Stadium.

But the introduction of Cavani for the second half proved a masterstroke by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that paid initial dividends in the 59th minute when he teed up Bruno Fernandes to halve the deficit.

He then met the midfielder's deflected shot with a diving header to equalise and had the crucial final say when he diverted Marcus Rashford's cross beyond Alex McCarthy in the 92nd minute, securing a record eighth successive Premier League away win for United.

United should have been ahead in the seventh minute when Alex Telles played Mason Greenwood through after poor defending from Jannik Vestergaard, however, the striker could only hit the side-netting after rounding McCarthy.

The visitors were in the ascendancy early on but went behind against the run of play as Bednarek glanced home an excellent corner to the near-post from Ward-Prowse.

Kyle Walker-Peters then saw an effort deflected onto the left-hand post before McCarthy atoned for his own error to prevent Fernandes from finding an equaliser.

Another pinpoint set-piece from Ward-Prowse punished United for their failure to take that chance to restore parity, his ninth goal from a direct free-kick in the Premier League squeaking inside the near-post despite David de Gea getting a hand to it.

De Gea then denied Moussa Djenepo after a quick break but received treatment having appeared to injure himself when he clattered into the post in a vain attempt to keep out Ward-Prowse's free-kick and was eventually replaced by Dean Henderson after half-time.

Cavani also entered the fray and had the desired impact as he picked out Fernandes to convert on the turn.

Fifteen minutes later Cavani levelled matters with a show of clinical finishing that he repeated in injury time as he stooped to head home Rashford's delivery and send United seventh in the table.

Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters played out a goalless draw in an Indian Super League (ISL) clash on Sunday at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim.

Jakub Sylvestr missed a penalty in the 77th minute as the Marina Machans dropped crucial points.

Kibu Vicuna made three changes to the Kerala Blasters line up which played put a 2-2 draw against NorthEast United in their previous match. Denechandram Meitei, Nongdamba Naorem and Facundo Pereyra came in place of Jessel Carneiro, Puitea and Vicente Gomez. Chennaiyin, on the other hand, were unchanged. 

End-to-end football was on display throughout the first half as there was very little to separate between the two teams. While Kerala Blasters had more possession of the ball, Chennaiyin created more chances. 

Rafael Crivellaro came close to breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute when Albino Gomes gave the ball away inside the box. The Chennaiyin skipper did well initially to snatch the ball away from the goalkeeper's legs but before he could compose himself and push the ball into an empty net, Bakary Kone tracked back and saved the day with a timely challenge. 

Sylvestr had found the back of the net in the 26th-minute from an inch-perfect cross into the box from Crivellaro but the forward was flagged offside. Nongdamba Naorem, at the other end, squandered Kerala's chance to break the deadlock when he failed to place his shot on target from close range. Costa Nhamoinesu's header, also from a few years from goal, was blocked by Crivellaro to keep the scoreline unchanged. 

The second half too witnessed a lot of intensity as both sides created goal-scoring opportunities but failed to convert the chances.

Chennaiyin were gifted a penalty in the 74th minute after Kerala Blasters skipper Sergio Cidoncha brought down Rafael Crivellaro inside the box but unfortunately, Sylvestr failed to convert the spot-kick as Albino pulled off a quality save.

The Marina champions moved up to the third position on the league table with four points from two matches while Kerala are placed on the seventh position with two points from their first three games.

Milan made light of Zlatan Ibrahimoivic's injury absence with an assured 2-0 win over Fiorentina to restore their five-point advantage at the top of Serie A.

Evergreen striker Ibrahimovic made it 10 goals in six top-flight matches this season when his brace inspired a 3-1 win at Napoli, although he limped off with a hamstring complaint in the closing stages.

Yet Stefano Pioli's side marched on without their talisman against struggling Fiorentina, with Franck Kessie netting one first-half penalty and missing a second after Alessio Romagnoli opened the scoring.

The result meant Milan were able to keep Inter at arm's length in what is shaping up to be an intriguing title battle, their city rivals having dispatched third-placed Sassuolo 3-0 on Saturday.

Fiorentina undid an encouraging start in the 17th minute when Milan captain Romagnoli was left unmarked at the back post to nod in Kessie's flick-on from Hakan Calhanoglu's right-wing corner.

Dusan Vlahovic thumped against Gianluigi Donnarumma's near post as Cesare Prandelli's men searched for an equaliser but they were left with a mountain to climb when German Pezzella clumsily brought down Alexis Saelemaekers in the area.

Kessie coolly sent Bartlomiej Dragowski the wrong way but the Fiorentina goalkeeper levelled their personal battle in the 40th minute – springing to his left to keep out a poorly struck spot-kick after Martin Caceres bundled into the marauding Theo Hernandez.

Calhanoglu fizzed a fabulous half-volley into the side netting before half-time and came even closer in the 53rd minute, hitting the base of the left post.

Franck Ribery almost reduced the arrears two minutes later but Donnarumma was equal to the veteran campaigner's dinked effort – a squandered chance which summed up a Fiorentina display littered with moments of self-sabotage.

What it means: San Siro big hitters going blow for blow

You have to go back to the 2010-11 season, the final campaign before Juventus' ongoing dominance began, for the last time the Milanese clubs finished first and second in Serie A. Milan, inspired by Ibrahimovic's goals, prevailed on that occasion. His supporting cast look in fine order a decade on.

Milan remain the only team alongside Atletico Madrid in Europe's top five leagues to be unbeaten since the coronavirus shutdown and scored for a 29th consecutive game – equalling their previous best run in Serie A set between 1972 and 1973.

Calhanoglu shows his class

The Turkey playmaker did everything but get on the scoresheet, although his five shots (including one blocked) showed it was not for want of trying. Calhanoglu was Milan's creative inspiration throughout, making five key passes, completing 83.3 per cent of his passes in the opposition half and four of seven crosses.

Pezzella punished

The Fiorentina captain's attempts to lead by example backfired horribly when he conceded the crucial first penalty. Pezzella – an Argentina international – won only four of his nine duels during the contest.

What's next?

Milan host Celtic in the Europa League on Thursday, while Fiorentina are back in action at home to Genoa next Monday – a day after the Rossoneri travel to Sampdoria.