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Tusker goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure has revealed his main priority in his third season in the Football Kenyan Federation Premier League.

The Rwandan star said winning the league remains his primary ambition in the 2020/21 season after missing out in the last two campaigns.

Mvuyekure was part of the Tusker squad that missed out on the title to Gor Mahia on those two occasions despite being viewed as pre-season favourites by some.

“My first season was quite tough and that is because I had not fully adapted to the terrain of the Kenyan league but for now I feel that I am a Kenyan and ready,” Mvuyekure said as was quoted by Tusker’s Facebook page.

“This is now home. I have played for two seasons and I have not won the league title but in the third season, I feel I must win the league title.”

Apart from revealing his dream, the custodian gave an update on their readiness ahead of league action against Sofapaka at Kasarani on Sunday.

“Sofapaka are a big team that we cannot afford to underrate. Although they have lost a number of games in the season, we respect them as one of the biggest teams,” he added.

“The Sunday game will be very difficult but given how we have prepared in the training sessions I believe we are going to score goals.

“Let me admit that our pre-season was not that good but we have since got enough time to prepare and we are in good shape than we were in the previous games. We are in very good shape especially after the week-long sessions we have had on the training ground.

“We started badly but that was because our pre-season was not that good but as the days have gone by, we have continued to improve. We lost the first game, drew in the second one before we went on to pick three consecutive wins.

“We are simply very ready for the Sunday game.”

Meanwhile, Sofapaka will welcome back Michael Bodo for the Tusker clash but David Simiyu, Isaac Mitima, and Stephen Okola will miss the encounter given they are far from full recovery from various injuries.

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal can play with freedom now they have turned the corner on their dismal run of form.

The Gunners made it three Premier League wins in the space of eight days with a 4-0 triumph against struggling West Bromwich Albion at a snow-covered Hawthorns.

Alexandre Lacazette hit a second-half double in the space of four minutes to send Arsenal 11th in the table, after Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka had opened up a half-time lead.

The three-win streak puts an end to a run of seven matches without a victory and Arteta hopes he has seen the back of his team's miserable stretch of results.

"I hope so, at least the energy and the convincing momentum that you get from everybody that is involved, it's much more positive," Arteta said.

"At the end of the day, I wasn't that concerned with the performances.

"I think we lost games when we were really unlucky and most of them it was our own fault because we made some errors and we lack some discipline in certain moments.

"But you need to win football matches and now this brings a different momentum, a different energy, and now the players get the handbrake off and you can see that they are more free to play."

Arsenal did not only come up against Sam Allardyce's compact five-man defence in the West Midlands but also some adverse weather, with the snowfall getting heavier as the second half progressed.

Arteta believes his side flourished despite the wintery conditions and reveals his players are closing on the level of performance he expects from them.

"They were we dominating in a really convincing way against this really difficult weather, I am really pleased," the Spaniard added.

"It's three in a row in the last week. We talked about the importance of this week for us and to be able to win the three of them is really important.

"There were moments that I think we were really good, both defensively and offensively.

"We had moments when it's exactly what I want, exactly what we're trying to do.

"In other moments we became a little bit sloppy and we thought the game was won, which is something that we have to improve.

"In general, it's close to what we want."

Gor Mahia treasurer Dolfina Odhiambo has apologised to coach Sammy Omollo for her misguided rant against him.

The official had stated the coach was naive as far as Caf Champions League matches are concerned and it was the reason why he was rigid in changing his tactics in the 6-0 loss to CR Belouizdad.

He further hit out at the Posta Rangers coach for saying K'Ogalo were not ready for their game since they had not trained.

"I am very sorry [my opinion] came out badly," Odhiambo apologised to Omollo via a text seen by Goal.

"It was my opinion and I did not stop to think that it would end up being turned into a circus and I believe I apologized and accepted the correction right in the studio.

"I am sorry 'Pamzo', as a matter of fact, from now henceforth I will never attend any technical meeting again. Let me focus on money matters, please forgive me."

This has happened while the K'Ogalo players are at home after refusing to train for the second leg of the game against the Algerian team until their dues are settled.

The players reluctantly agreed to play in the first leg and Dolfina revealed she had given them an option before the team left for Algeria on December 24 for the game that was played two days later.

She claimed it would have been prudent for the club to pay the players instead of honouring the Caf Champions League match against CR Belouizdad.

The official stated she engaged the players on whether they were in a good state to face the Algerian side, and through the assistant captain Philemon Otieno, they affirmed they were prepared.

"'Are we really ready to go and play?' That is what I asked the players and through the [assistant] captain Otieno they affirmed readiness,” Odhiambo said on Saturday.

"Yes, we had the money but I would have wished that we did not honour the game and use the money, where we had to pay Ksh4 million for the flight alone, to pay the players."

The treasurer also said that stand-in head coach Omollo should not in any way blame financial issues at the club as the main reason that led to the embarrassing defeat.

"So, that should not be the main reason why Omollo would say made us be defeated," she continued.

"Empty pockets on the part of the players might have contributed to poor results but not at the level the coach is trying to put it. That is my honest opinion.

"The boys were ready for it and were certainly upbeat. They were happy that I brought them to a nice place in Algeria and not a River Road Hotel [a sub-standard hotel in the Kenyan context]."

Timo Werner and Kai Havertz's struggles at Chelsea are "normal", according to Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan, who has backed the Blues duo to come good at Stamford Bridge after a tough start to life in England.

Chelsea forked out a combined total of £117.5 million ($161m) to bring Werner and Havertz to west London in the summer transfer window.

Werner had terrorised defences in both the Bundesliga and Champions League at RB Leipzig, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young strikers in Europe in the process.

Havertz, meanwhile, stood out in a mediocre Bayer Leverkusen team due to his outstanding passing range, dribbling skills and eye for goal - with his performances ultimately inspiring Peter Bosz's outfit to a fifth-placed league finish and the DFB Cup final last season.

Unfortunately, two men who play alongside each other regularly at international level with Germany have so far failed to reach the same heights in west London, with Frank Lampard left scratching his head over how best to unlock their considerable potential.

Gundogan, who is also part of the current Germany squad, has not been surprised by Werner and Havertz's slow adaptation to the Premier League, and expects them both to prove their doubters wrong as they settle into their new surroundings.

"They have two new German players who have tried to adapt as well as possible," The City midfielder told Sky Sports.

"In general, I think it's not easy to adapt quickly to the Premier League when you come from a different country and now with the situation going on I think it's just even harder.

"So I think it's quite normal that they are struggling a little bit, but they both have incredible talent and I'm sure they will both be able to prove it in this league."

Gundogan was speaking ahead of City's trip to the Bridge on Sunday, which could end up having a significant bearing on the top-flight standings.

Pep Guardiola's men are level with sixth-placed Chelsea on 26 points, but they still have two games in hand over the Blues and the rest of the top five, with Liverpool currently leading the way on 33 points.

Gundogan is relishing the prospect of a closely contested title race, and he feels Lampard's side will be right up there come May despite their recent dip in form.

"There's not one team that is dominating, not just in England but across Europe," he added.

"All leagues in the world they seem very open at the moment and it's quite exciting I think. In the Premier League it is exciting for all of the clubs, the fans, so let's see what is going to happen.

"Obviously you want to win games and you want to get back to that first spot but everyone is challenging and competing with everything that they have. That's what makes this Premier League season so special.

"Like every year Chelsea have a great squad with incredible players, they are a great team and they have a really ambitious manager so I feel like they will really challenge us. Not just at the weekend but also generally in the league.

"They got some really talented, young recruits in the summer, spent a lot of money and got some really good players so I think they will do well. They've done well, of course they are also a team that struggles like everyone does but they have a lot of quality and it's going to be a great game on Sunday."

Sports Club Villa striker Isaac Ogwang has pointed out his biggest achievement in 2020 despite the emergence of the coronavirus scourge.

The pandemic forced a number of leagues to be cancelled, including Uganda’s, but the forward has said the year will remain his best one as he joined a top-tier club.

“The pandemic has had impacts on my football career but it is in 2020 that I joined top-flight football in Uganda, it is a progress in my career,” Ogwang told the club’s website.

He also explained how he adapted to the team and why, to him, it was not a tough process.

“I didn’t take a lot of time to adapt because most of the faces I found at Villa Park were familiar,” he added.

“I had earlier played with them in junior setups and non-league football.”

He made his SC Villa debut against BUL FC and scored two goals against Mbarara City during his home debut, and was consequently named the man of the match.

 “It is the day I will never forget in my life because it is the day I made my first appearance in Uganda’s top division. And on top of that, the team managed to salvage a draw after going a man and a goal down," he continued.

“It was an amazing moment for me as a striker to be on the scoresheet.

“I was also very happy for collective hard work from the team to help me to score and win the man of the match award.

“I hope to build on that and score more goals for my team. I cannot point out any challenges because as a professional player, I go out and play as the coaches instruct me.

“If the goals do not come that’s unfortunate but even my coaches always offer a word of encouragement that I will constantly be on the score sheet soon.”

The forward revealed how he always feel whenever he is substituted: “That one goes to the coaches because they have their game plans,” he concluded.

“My work is to play which I do whenever given the opportunity.”

The Ugandan league took a break in order to accord the selected players to represent the country in the upcoming African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament.

Tusker coach Robert Matano has confirmed their readiness to take on Sofapaka in an FKF Premier League match on Sunday.

The two clubs will face off at Kasarani in the round six match but Matano, who has also handled Batoto ba Mungu in the top-flight before, believes they will come up against a well-drilled side that signed top quality players in the past transfer window.

“The squad is good and everybody is around and we have no injuries so far and all the players are responding well to training and are raring to go,” Matano told the club’s TV ahead of the clash.

“I think the morale and the spirit in camp is very high so we are waiting for the game today [Sunday] to play and win.

“The morale is high because we have won three matches in a row and we still want to do more, three wins in a row is not enough, the league is far from done, and we should at least pray the team keeps the consistency of winning matches going.

“I am insisting on consistency so that we can keep on fighting hard, work hard, and work smart so that with the support from the management, I think we can achieve our targets.”

Asked on what to expect from Sofapaka, Matano said: “It will be a tough match, as usual, Sofapaka have recruited well, good plyers, big names but also in football we have been together for long, now it is one year we have been together as a team so I think we should not think more about Sofapaka, but think on how we are going to play as a team.

“Also we should work on our composure, how our players are committed, how they are responding in training, this is the most important part, and that self-motivation is also good for us because everyone wants to perform.”

It will be the first match for new Sofapaka coach Ken Odhiambo, who replaced fired John Baraza, after leaving Bandari.

In the last five meetings between the two sides, Tusker, who are on 10 points, have managed three wins, with one match ending in a draw and Sofapaka winning the other.

Chennaiyin FC have been amongst the most creative teams this season in the Indian Super League (ISL). Except for the game against NorthEast United, they have dominated every opposition and have been let down by poor finishing, bad refereeing and not being able to defend set-piece situations.

They have created goalscoring opportunities aplenty and have been one of the entertaining teams to watch this term.

However, coach Csaba László pointed that while his team are doing the difficult part easily – which is to create chances, they haven’t been able to convert the same.

“We are working on it, especially with players who have scored goals or taken the shots, like [Lallianzuala] Chhangte or even Jakub Sylvestr. Hopefully, we can create the same amount of chances and score even more goals than until now. 

"I think, in football, it's more difficult to create chances than to score. I want to play in the same way that we have until now and I am really confident. I know the boys will score (more) goals. Let's say that the confidence must be there in a player,” said the former Uganda national team coach.

László mentioned that being in a bio-secure bubble has helped his cause as he has been able to spend more time with his players and explain the finer intricacies better. He also called for players from different positions to score as that would ease the burden on just the strikers.

“Maybe the bubble helped because I have more time to talk and show videos and explain what we can do better but motivation is always [done] individually. Sometimes with people telling that if you score one goal, it will be easier to score the next. I hope this is true and Jakub will score more and more. 

“On the other hand, I want that our goals come from different positions. We are not so far but for this you need some more time and quality. Generally, I am pleased with the way the players are responding in training,” said the 56-year-old.

Chennaiyin FC could possibly be without their talismanic skipper Rafael Crivellaro, who picked up an injury after being hacked down by Pronay Halder in their last match against ATK Mohun Bagan. However, the good news is that Esma Goncalves, better known as Isma, is back to full fitness.

“The medical staff are working with him. He has a diagnostic test tomorrow (Monday) after which we will be sure what injury he has. Isma is back and that’s good news. Germanpreet (Singh) is also more or less fit, maybe not game fit,” he said.

The former Lithuania national team coach highlighted the importance of being mentally strong, an important aspect which is often ignored. He also spoke on how players who haven’t played in the ISL need more time to adapt and be comfortable, and the time frame to achieve it depends on player-to-player.

“We kick the ball with the leg, we don't touch the ball, but generally football is also a mental game. You always ask your body how strong you are mentally, not just physically because both aspects are very important. 

“After you also change players tactically in the eleven, some new players come in who have not played in the ISL. So, these players also have some pressure. Generally, if you put everything together, I can tell you that this will take a little more time but how long? I hope in the next game we can score three goals from 15 chances, I am already satisfied,” he mentioned.

Chennaiyin FC have been guilty of giving away cheap goals from set-piece situations despite the presence of several players who are strong aerially in their starting eleven.

“We are working on it. We conceded all together seven goals, five from set-pieces. The last game was a clean-sheet and we have to continue in this way. We have good players who can defend,” he spoke in defence of his players.

With clubs looking to strengthen or offload players in January to further streamline their squads, the Chennaiyin FC coach isn’t excited with the new possibilities and explained his reasons for the same.

“Unfortunately, this season, even if you wish to sign some players, it's not very easy because we are playing in a bubble. All these circumstances don't give you the chance to pick the right player. Also, after two weeks quarantine and then to adapt to the actual situation, it's not easy for anybody. I don't just want to bring in a player but the right player to fit in my system,” he stated.

Hyderabad FC suffered a 2-1 loss to FC Goa in their last match, a game in which they dominated but eventually conceded two late goals to drop three points. László shared his thoughts on Manuel Marquez’s side and believes that with the return of their injured foreign players, their head coach will have more options to choose which will help improve the overall quality in the team.

“You saw the last two games [of Hyderabad]. They play really compact. They were very unlucky in the loss against Goa but I also think that every team must be careful to play against them. Now they have the foreigners back after their injury problems which also gives the coach more choice and quality in their game,” pointed László.

Danny Murphy believes Manchester United are Liverpool's main rivals for the Premier League, insisting it is "good for the game" for the 13-time winners to be back "in the mix".

United have endured eight years of hurt since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all moving above them in English football's pecking order.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho all failed to turn the Red Devils back into genuine contenders for the domestic crown, but signs of promise have been shown since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment in December 2018.

The Norwegian boss delivered a third-place top-flight finish last season and his players have kicked on from there, rising to second in the standings at the half-way stage of the 2020-21 campaign.

United are only behind reigning champions Liverpool on goal difference at the moment, with their 2-1 home win over Aston Villa last time out putting extra pressure on Jurgen Klopp's men ahead of their trip to Southampton on Monday night.

Murphy is pleased to see the two clubs going "toe to toe" at the top of the table again, and has praised Solskjaer for the job he has done at Old Trafford over the past two years.

"My natural instinct isn't to wish Manchester United well but I have to appreciate that seeing them in the title mix, currently joint-top with Liverpool, is good for the game," the former Reds midfielder told the Daily Mail.

"The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City has been enthralling in recent years but nothing can compare with seeing the biggest two clubs in the country — Liverpool and United — going toe to toe.

"United's revival under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is an example that patience can be the best policy towards a manager. There have been many times when Solskjaer has been written off or needed a result to secure his job and he's always found a way.

"That is a credit to him and perhaps a lesson to trigger-happy chairmen that you sometimes have to give managers a proper chance, particularly when they are trying to instigate long-term change."

Murphy doesn't think United will succeed in wrestling the title back from Liverpool come May, but he feels Solskjaer has a similar personality to Klopp, and would not be unhappy to see his hard work rewarded with tangible success in the form of trophies.

"I think Solskjaer has conducted himself remarkably well over the past couple of years," he added. "He is hard to dislike. I think they will fall just short this season, over 38 games Liverpool and City are still stronger, but he's made United competitive again.

"If the worst happens and United end up champions, Solskjaer is the one person you wouldn't mind winning because he would remain humble and take it the right way, as Jurgen Klopp did at Liverpool. If Jose Mourinho had won the league with United, it would have been something different!"

When Kerala Blasters usually put up a fight in the second half of one of their games, the story and the discussions surrounding their performance are nearly always about a fightback. 

But when it keeps happening, it is time to talk about why they end up in such situations in the first place. 

On Saturday, Blasters got off to a disastrous start against Mumbai City who were second on the league table before the game had kicked off. Adam Le Fondre dispatched a penalty conceded by Costa Nhamoinesu in the third minute before Hugo Boumous waltzed past the defence to latch onto a free-kick from his own half by Ahmed Jahouh and slot home in style eight minutes later. 

Within the first 15 minutes, the Yellow Army were two goals down and they looked clueless about getting back into the game. Sergio Lobera's Mumbai City, who have comfortably dominated possession in all their games this season, needed no invite to stamp their authority in the game. There were a few delightful touches on display for the viewers, but mostly from the men in blue. 

Blasters were really bad in the first half. There are no excuses for anybody involved to start a football match in the manner they did. No amount of spirit or fight that the team showed in the second half will undo the serious damage that was already done in the first 45 minutes. 

Sergio Lobera enjoys an excellent win record against Blasters during his time with Goa and the Yellows' last win against Mumbai came over two years ago. As a result, there were no huge expectations for an easy win, especially this season wherein the City Football Group-owned team is stacked with quality and are doing well. 

However, the defending for the two goals was comical. Vicuna reinstated skipper Costa in the centre of the defence but altered his preferred foreign center-back partnership to give Sandeep Singh a start. Costa brought down Boumous within minutes after kick-off and the striker Adam le Fondre who was on five goals for the season accepted a special invitation to add one more to his tally.

The entire backline switched off when Ahmed Jahouh fed Boumous in behind the defence for the second goal. There was no one tracking the midfielder's - one of the best players in the team - run into the box nor anyone close to the player to challenge him for the ball. Boumous made it look so easy when he caressed the ball past a hapless Albino Gomes to open his account for the season, 

Although the short pre-season and the pandemic have forced teams to rotate their squads more often this season, a quick analysis of Vicuna's starting lineups tells you that he is yet to figure out his best lineup. Annoying niggles picked up by players at times over the last two months have also contributed in hampering the implementation of the coach's tried and tested philosophy into the squad. 

It was an improved display from Vicuna's men after the break but that is the intensity that is expected of them right from the off. Also, it was also a case of Mumbai taking their feet off the gas after taking a two-goal lead.

The referee's decisions were debatable at times, Sahal threatened to score more than once, Jordan Murray looked a much more useful striker than Gary Hooper for the second game in a row and Albino Gomes once again proved that he can be trusted with spot-kicks and reflex saves. 

From the supporters' point of view, it makes sense to celebrate these positive takeaways from the game. However, as a club aiming for the playoffs and hungry for silverware, Kerala Blasters require fewer 'spirited fightbacks' and more 'easy wins'. It is about time they demanded more and stop settling for less. 

Arsenal claimed a stylish 4-0 win over West Brom at a snow-covered Hawthorns to continue their Premier League resurgence on Saturday.

After a seven-match winless run in the top flight prior to Christmas, the Gunners defeated Chelsea at home and Brighton and Hove Albion away and were full of confidence against Sam Allardyce's struggling side.

Fine first-half goals five minutes apart from Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka - the first a sublime solo strike, the second a flowing team move - made a mockery of tricky conditions and moved Arsenal out of sight.

Alexandre Lacazette added a comical clincher and later doubled his tally as a third straight victory boosted Mikel Arteta's men up to 11th, now suddenly looking up the table rather than back towards the relegation scrap in which West Brom remain mired.

Arsenal had quickly assumed control in the falling snow, although Matt Phillips might have done better than shoot straight at Bernd Leno from a rare West Brom opening.

The visitors heeded that warning and soon led when Tierney pushed the ball past Darnell Furlong on the left flank, then checked back inside to beat his opponent again and finally beat Sam Johnstone with a curling right-footed effort.

The swift second was equally impressive, albeit an entirely different kind of goal as Emile Smith Rowe moved the ball on to Saka and continued his run while Lacazette took possession and fed a pass back into his path. Through on goal, Smith Rowe unselfishly squared to find Saka once more for a simple finish.

A flag denied West Brom an early second-half response as Matheus Pereira ran offside before his drive against the post landed back at the feet of Callum Robinson with the goal gaping.

Instead, a bizarre third went Arsenal's way when Semi Ajayi awkwardly volleyed against his own post and recovered to block Smith Rowe's follow-up but watched Lacazette lash in the rebound - the Frenchman netting in a fourth consecutive match in all competitions.

He had another four minutes later, kneeing in Tierney's drilled cross, with West Brom ultimately fortunate to escape further punishment.

What does it mean? Arteta's Arsenal back on track

Despite winning the FA Cup, the previous calendar year was a tough one for Arsenal and their rookie boss. Now 12 points clear of the bottom three and only six shy of the top four, the narrative has quickly turned in the London giants' favour.

There were no shortage of impressive performers, led by Tierney, Smith Rowe, Lacazette and, of course, Saka.

Saka going from strength to strength

Saka was the subject of much post-match discussion at Brighton after a superb assist for Lacazette but this time profited from the fine work of his team-mates to score himself. It was no less than the winger deserved, however.

Although only one of his seven crosses found a team-mate, technically creating just a single chance, two sensational early centres were begging for a telling touch at the far post as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to convert, while another delivery prompted the chaos that preceded the third.

Poor stopper Sam left so exposed

It is difficult to understand how the same team that held Manchester City and Liverpool on the road could have conceded 12 times across Allardyce's first three home matches in charge.

Johnstone had already blocked from Hector Bellerin before the opener flew in and then three times denied Lacazette before the forward finally got his goals. The goalkeeper finished with eight saves, attempting to stem the flow of goals almost singlehandedly behind a desperate defensive display.

Key Opta facts:

- Arsenal have won three successive Premier League games, after winning just two of their previous 12 in the competition (W2 D2 L8).

- West Brom are the first side to lose consecutive home Premier League games by at least four goals in each defeat since Wigan Athletic in August 2010.

- With no club has Allardyce won fewer points (one – level with Crystal. Palace) or conceded more goals (13) after his first four Premier League games in charge than he has with West Brom.

-  Arsenal have scored in all 25 of their Premier League meetings with West Brom, the best 100 per cent scoring record by one side against an opponent in the competition's history.

- There were 20 passes in the build up to Arsenal's first goal - since Arteta's first game in charge on Boxing Day 2019, the Gunners have scored more goals following a sequence of 20+ passes than any other Premier League side (three).

- Since the start of last season, Saka has been directly involved in 22 goals in all competitions (seven goals, 15 assists) - the second most by a teenager currently playing for a Premier League side after Manchester United's Mason Greenwood (25). 

What's next?

Arsenal can turn their attention to their FA Cup defence, approaching Saturday's third-round meeting with Newcastle United in high spirits. A trip to Blackpool is on the agenda for a West Brom side in dire need of some respite.

Real Madrid went top of LaLiga for the first time since October after a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday thanks to goals from Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio.

Vazquez headed Madrid in front six minutes into the game and Asensio added a second after the break with a fine finish.

Celta rarely threatened Thibaut Courtois' goal as their six-game unbeaten run came to an end.

The result helped Zinedine Zidane's side move a point clear of city rivals Atletico Madrid, who will have the chance to return to the summit when they face Deportivo Alaves on Sunday.

Celta almost stole an early lead when Iago Aspas chased a ball behind the defence and chipped an effort over Courtois as he raced off his line, but Nacho chased back to hook it away.

From the resulting counterattack, Madrid went ahead when Asensio broke down the left and his cross picked out Vazquez, who headed in at the back post.

Celta's players claimed for a penalty after Jeison Murillo's volleyed effort struck Ferland Mendy, but the referee dismissed the visitors' appeals.

Madrid went close shortly before the break as Dani Carvajal saw an audacious volley from the edge of the box fly just past the post.

Zidane's side ruthlessly punished some sloppy Celta play soon after half-time, which allowed Vazquez to slide in Asensio to clinically fire past goalkeeper Ruben Blanco.

Fine play by Toni Kroos opened up the Celta defence again on the hour but Madrid captain Karim Benzema lost his footing at the critical moment and flashed his shot past the upright.

Madrid brought on Eden Hazard with 16 minutes left as the Belgian forward continued to build up his match fitness following a long-term injury.

Benzema squandered another late chance when he lifted a shot over the crossbar, while former Los Blancos youngster Miguel Baeza was denied at the death as Madrid saw the game out without conceding.

What does it mean? Home comforts Madrid

Madrid have scored in each of their last 29 home LaLiga games against Celta (76 goals in total), their current longest scoring run at home against a single team in the competition.

They have also won 13 of their last 15 home LaLiga games (lost two), with 14 of them played at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano inside their training ground, which is proving a handy home away from the Santiago Bernabeu.

Atletico still have three games in hand on Madrid, but if Zidane's side can continue to churn out these types of results on home turf then they will be the main challengers for the title.

Toni in Kroos control

Kroos has scored six goals in 12 LaLiga appearances against Celta, and although he did not find the net on this occasion, he was at the heart of everything Madrid did well. The German midfielder made 64 passes – more than any other player – with a pass completion of 94 per cent, while his two key passes was bettered by only Vazquez among those in white.

Aspas fluffs his chance

Aspas has been involved in five of Celta's eight goals away from home in LaLiga this season (four goals and one assist), but he managed just one shot on target before he was substituted six minutes into the second half. Had the Spain striker been able to score from that early chance, it might have given Celta a foothold in the game. Thereafter they hardly worried Courtois at all.

Key Opta facts

- Vazquez has scored and assisted in a single LaLiga game for Real Madrid for the first time since February 2018 against Leganes.
- Asensio has been involved in three goals in his last three games for Madrid (one goal, two assists), just one fewer than in his previous 31 matches for them in all competitions (three goals, one assist).
- Asensio scored and assisted in a single game for Los Blancos for the third time in all competitions, the second in LaLiga after doing so in June 2020 against Valencia (the other one was versus Melilla in the Copa del Rey in December 2018).
- Madrid had their smallest share of the possession in a single home match in all competitions under Zinedine Zidane on Saturday (41 per cent).
- Madrid have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four LaLiga home games after doing only once in their previous five at the Alfredo Di Stefano in the competition.

What's next?

Madrid travel to Pamplona to face Osasuna in LaLiga next Saturday, while Celta go to Ibiza in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday, before hosting Villarreal in LaLiga three days later.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi was left to rue his side's missed chances even though they secured a win over Orlando Pirates on Saturday afternoon. 

Brian Mandela Onyango's first-half goal inspired Masandawana to a 1-0 win over the Buccaneers in a PSL match which was played in Tshwane. 

Mngqithi explained that the game turned out to be just the way they had expected along with his lieutenants Rhulani Mokwena and Steve Komphela. 

"I think it went the way we planned yet. I still think we were a bit in Christmas mode. I think we could have scored a lot of goals in this match," Mngqithi told SuperSport TV. 

"We could have been more composed and clinical in our moments. Because we knew they have a very high line. There were times when their keeper was left alone with [Thulani] Hlatshwayo, but we never really exploited those moments.

"Once again we should complement the work done by everyone around the team. I believe the group is working very hard, the technical staff, support staff and players."

Masandawana stars Themba Zwane, Hlompho Kekana and Gaston Sirino were missing and Mngqithi is pleased to see his side cope without such influential players. 

"When you want to win a championship, it's very important to have depth. We've had moments where already this year we lost maybe eight or nine players," he said. "The game against Arrows, for example.

"However, we still managed to come back with something and people thought we are saving players for the Champions League.

"It was not the case because players were just not available for many other reasons, but we went onto Botswana with a team that was again short of ten or 11 players," he added, "and once again the group worked very hard and we managed to come back with the result." 

Mngqithi praised the club's management for ensuring that players and staff get tested for the coronavirus regularly. 

"In essence, we've not really had our best eleven in the last five matches because of injuries, medical stuff and things like that...and also Covid," he continued.  "We must also say that Covid is there and alive.

"Fortunately, our management is working very hard to make sure that we do the test as much as possible to make sure that we don't transfer it to other people, and I must commend the president of the club [Patrice Motsepe] for allowing us to test as many times as we can," he revealed. "If I can speak myself, I've tested three times.

"From the time we opened on the 28 because we want to make sure we keep it safe and that everyone is available, and those who are playing are not in a better position to infect others. That for me is a very big initiative."

Sundowns will now take on Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy in the Caf Champions League first-round second-leg match in Tshwane on January 5, with Masandawana leading 2-0 on aggregate. 

Frank Lampard admits that Kai Havertz isn't at his physical best having suffered from 'severe' symptoms of coronavirus in November.

Chelsea signed the 21-year-old former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder for £70 million ($94m) in the summer but he has found himself on the bench in the last three games.

Indeed, he has only shown flashes of the talent that attracted the Blues to sign him in the first place.

Lampard has stressed that there needs to be understanding around his poor form and the physical toll Covid-19 is still having on his playmaker.

"Just as Kai was just coming to terms with the Premier League and he had some really good performances with us he got Covid and he had Covid quite severely as I think people are really starting to open up about now," Lampard told reporters ahead of a home match with Manchester City on Sunday.

"I have read a few things recently about how much people can suffer with it now. Some people are asymptomatic. He definitely has had a bit of a fallout with that physically and I speak with him a lot and we know that. It is something we are trying to help him to deal with.

"Yeah, the expectation around him you have to put context into the story. Kai’s talent is undoubted. I see that every day. Giving him the time to adapt to the Premier League and to our team is crucial.

"We have seen players come here in the past, didn’t really adapt, went elsewhere and come back to the Premier League and absolutely lit it up to unbelievable levels. I am not trying to compare Kai directly with that but there are so many stories across the Premier League, not just Chelsea.

"I have full belief in him. We need to give him that time, particularly because of the Covid situation, that is a problem. That is not a non-issue; it is an issue that is related beyond his illness."

Havertz may be a full international but moving from the Bundesliga to one of the Premier League's biggest sides represents a step up in level for him.

Lampard made that same big step to Chelsea in an £11m move from West Ham in 2001 and it took him a year to adapt before he showed the form that would lead him to become the club's record goalscorer.

As a result of his own playing career, Lampard is aware that adapting quickly isn't something that should be taken for granted.

"Transferring leagues to a game that is fast and physical week in week out, every three days is a big ask and not something that should be expected just because we paid this amount for you or you are an international or your age or how many goals and assists you made," he said.

"You can’t take anything as a given in that sense. I thought that with Kai anyway and I was there to help him, I am there to help him when he came. I was excited to take on that challenge with him of how this league is going to be different.

"Let’s see how you can adapt because your talents are going to be different in a really positive way and help us. The one thing I certainly know as a coach is that I can rely on is my personal experience when it mirrors up slightly.

"I know I had to do extra work myself. Kai is different to me. Particularly with the knockback of Covid now we have to give him time to do the extra work now and it will make him stronger in the end. And remember he is a young player and he needs time."

Morocco midfielder Karim Loukili has recorded his first hat-trick for club and country after striking three times in Helmond Sport’s 5-2 decimation of Dordrecht on Saturday evening.

The visitors had taken a two-goal lead at the SolarUnie Stadion, nevertheless, they were blown aside by the hosts, with the 23-year-old leading the rout.

Fuelled by defeats in their last outings, Dordrecht came into the game with aim of ending their poor run. They took the lead in the first minute as Kevin Jansen’s effort from 40 yards beat goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel.

Like a house on fire, they doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute through Nikolas Agrafiotis who took advantage of a poor defending by the hosts.

Notwithstanding, Loukili reduced the deficit for Helmond on the stroke of half-time – tucking home a well-taken cross from Boyd Reith.

Wil Boessen’s men approached the second-half in aggressive fashion and they levelled matters in the 49th minute, with Reith assisting the Moroccan midfielder again.

For the first time in the game, they took the lead as Sander Vereijken beat goalkeeper Anthony Swolfs from an assist from Turkish defender Berk Cetin.

The harvest of goals continued in the 64th minute as Loukili turned provider for Maxime De Bie. With 20 minutes left from full time, he completed his treble after making a good use of De Bie’s near-perfect cross.

After putting up an incredible shift in the seven-goal thriller, Loukili was replaced by Jessy Hendrikx with eight minutes left to play.

For the visitors, Robin Polley, the Ghanaian defender who is on loan from ADO Den Haag was not dressed for action by manager Jan Zoutman.

Courtesy of this resounding victory, Helmond Sport now occupy the 14th spot in the Eerste Divisie log with 20 points from 18 games played so far in the 2020-21 campaign, while Dordrecht sit at the base of the table with just 11 points from the same number of games.

Loukili, who has now scored six goals in Netherlands’ second tier, will be aiming to continue with this rich scoring form against against Ajax II at the Sportpark De Toekomst on January 9.

Eberechi Eze has revealed that his wonder strike against Sheffield United on Saturday could be his finest Crystal Palace moment yet.

The 22-year-old made an instant impression for Roy Hodgson’s men five minutes after replacing injured Ghana international Jeffrey Schlupp.

Getting a pass from James McArthur, Eze unleashed a sublime long-range strike into the bottom right corner of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale's net after ghosting past his markers.

That effort guaranteed maximum points for the Eagles, and when asked if that was his top moment for the Selhurst Park giants, the England youth international replied in the affirmative.

“Potentially. I know it’s a good goal,” Eze told Sky Sports during his post-match interview per Crystal Palace website. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to come on, and to take my chance which was great.

“You want to come on and make an impact and be effective," he added. "We have to be ready on the bench, and take our chance when it comes.”

His latest strike mean that all his goals in the English elite division have now come from outside the box. That ranks him next to Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse who has scored more goals than any other players outside the goal area in the 2020-21.

Also, Eze becomes the fourth Crystal Palace player to score each of their first two Premier League goals for the club from outside the box, and the first since Ricky Newman in 1994 (also Gareth Southgate and Simon Rodger).

“I thought I may as well take the chance and see if I can beat someone,” he continued. “When I got into shooting range I was thinking ‘I’ll try my luck and see what happens’, and thankfully it went in.”

The performance of the former Queens Park Rangers man was also lauded by Cote d’Ivoire international Wilfried Zaha, who was in action from start to finish against Chris Wilder’s Blades.

With this result, the Eagles moved to the 12th position in the Premier League table with 22 points from 17 matches. They are guests of Wolverhampton Wanderers in a FA Cup encounter on January 8. 

Mikel Arteta feels confidence is running through his Arsenal squad and is one of the keys to their upturn in form.

The Gunners have had an excellent festive period, as wins over Chelsea and Brighton eased talk of a relegation battle and they made it three victories on the spin with a 4-0 mauling of West Brom.

There were concerns that the match could be called off due to heavy snow at the Hawthorns, but it eased to allow the game to take place and it was Arsenal who adapted best.

Kieren Tierney set the Gunners on their way with an excellent solo strike on 23 minutes, with Bukayo Saka doubling the lead five minutes later following an excellent team move.

Alexandre Lacazette scored twice in quick succession just after the hour mark to secure the win, with his goals ensuring Arsenal scored four times away from home in the league for the first time in two years.

“It was a convincing win,” Arteta told BT Sport. “To win three on the spin over Christmas in the Premier League is not easy. 

“In phases when the weather was better and the conditions were a little easier, I felt we played some excellent football. 

“At the end we had to manage some moments and the conditions.

“The first two goals, the first action with Kieran was terrific, the second one with the combination play was fantastic as well.

“The clean sheet, that’s two in a row now, and that gives us a platform to win games. 

“We look more of a threat, and more creative and our attacking play was much better today.”

Arsenal are now within six points of third place, despite being in 11th, and Arteta is thrilled with how his side are playing.

“I am so happy that we were able to achieve the target we had,” Arteta said. “The table looks completely different.

“The energy around the place is much better. Wins bring a lot of confidence and you can see that in the way the team played.”

Tierney led from the front for the Gunners, scoring one goal and providing an assist for Lacazette.

The Scotland international is starting to fulfil his huge potential and Arteta was delighted with the left-back’s performance.

“He has been fantastic since I've been here,” Arteta said. “Since he got back from his shoulder injury he’s been fantastic.

“He is a lad that gives you everything. He is improving, is willing to do better and better and brings a real energy and quality to the team.”

Martin Keown has heaped praise on Kieran Tierney, saying the full-back is going to set the standards for Arsenal in the future.

Tierney arrived at Arsenal from Celtic in 2019, but his start to life at the club was disrupted by injury.

Since shaking off the shoulder problem, Tierney has produced consistent excellence for the Gunners.

He scored one goal and assisted another in a buccaneering display in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over West Brom on Saturday.

Tierney’s goal, a curling shot with his weaker right foot following a good run, was worthy of the enthusiastic celebration that followed, and Keown felt it summed up the player’s character.

“Look at the anger,” Keown told BT Sport of the goal celebration. “He wants to make something happen, that’s what I like.

“Your football career is a short period in your life and you want to make a mark. 

“That young man has come down from Scotland and he does not want to waste any time.

“He is going to set the standard for the future for Arsenal.

“The end product now is coming into his game; it is improving all the time.

“It does not matter who is playing on that left side, [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang or [Gabriel] Martinelli, as long as Tierney is playing you get that effectiveness down the left.”

Arsenal’s uptick in form has coincided with the injection of youth in the shape of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka into the side.

The pair combined for a brilliant second goal and Keown felt it was a throwback to the years of Thiery Henry and Robert Pires.

"It was like a throwback to the Pires years, the Henry movement,” Keown said. “They would have been brought through with this in the academy, that’s the specialness about it.

“Smith Rowe with a give and go and keeps his run going. Saka knows he will find him, he just rolls it in. 

“I have been immensely impressed with Smith Rowe since he came into the team.

"It’s the type of role everyone thought [Mesut] Ozil was going to fill. So the manager wants that type of player and he wants youth and exuberance and he is getting it with these two.”