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Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted that he did not expect his side to be second at this point in the season but, now that the Toffees are, he expects them to push on for a strong finish.

With Saturday's 1-0 win over Sheffield United, the Merseyside outfit moved up to second in the table for the time being, behind only local rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.

Everton have earned points from each of their last five matches, having only dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Burnley on December 5.

That run has seen them make a push up the table, although they have played one more match than Manchester United and Manchester City, the latter of whom they will face on Monday.

Since 2010-11, only half-a-dozen sides have managed to break the monopoly of the big six, including Everton's 2012-13 and 2013-14 under David Moyes and Roberto Martinez respectively.

And Ancelotti, in his first full season as Toffees manager, is hoping to make that breakthrough himself even if it may come sooner than he previously anticipated.

"We were patient," the Italian told his post-match press conference after taking down Sheffield United. "We were in the game and stayed in the game most times, we defended pretty well and we found the right opportunity to score a goal.

"Every game is really difficult, complicated. Sheffield United are a good team, we are really pleased to be second. We didn't expect that at the start of the season but we are there and we want to stay there.

"The squad we have is good. We have a lot of important players out. With these players back we can still have a really good season, we don't have to think about the transfer window in January.

"We are there, we are pleased to be there but we don't have a lot of time to think about it. We have another game in two days, we push."

Everton were lifted by a late goal from Gylfi Sigurdsson, who fired an 80th-minute winner to seal all three points for the visitors.

Deployed in a more defensive role, Sigurdsson admitted that he was surprised to get the goal, although he was thrilled with his contribution.

"The gaffer moved me to defensive midfielder so I'm not sure what I was doing in the box for the goal," Sigurdsson said.

"We needed to get three points, we knew it would be tough coming here. I think they have been quite unlucky this season, they have been in a lot of games where they have lost by the one goal so they are not a bad team.

"It is still early on, things change very quickly in this league. We had a fantastic start and then had a few games where we dropped off but we've picked back up now. Hopefully, we can continue through January now."

Pep Guardiola has professed his satisfaction after Manchester City came through as comfortable winners against Newcastle United - but acknolwedged that there is no plain sailing this term as he chases a top-four berth.

Goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Ferran Torres handed the Blues a relatively routine result against Steve Bruce's Magpies to deliver a late Boxing Day present of three points at the Etihad Stadium, in miserable conditions crafted by Storm Bella.

The result delivered back-to-back top-flight wins for only the second time this season for City, who - so used to starting their campaigns with an imperious run of results - have only just found their footing after a surprisingly difficult opening stretch.

Victory has now moved them up to fifth however, just a point off fourth-place Manchester United and three off Everton in second - with both Mancunian clubs also blessed with a game in hand to improve their standing.

Now restored to their familiar position of top-four favourites in the table however, Guardiola is refusing to get carried away, pointing to his side's hectic schedule, condensed further by their Carabao Cup and Champions League success, as keeping their focus on the immediate future.

"[It was ] a tough game, [with the weather conditions and [an] opponent who we have struggled to score against," the Spaniard told his post-match press conference.

"That is the tempo we need to play. Today our positional game was perfect, unfortunately we could not score more goals but it is a good result and three more points.

"We cannot think much, the schedule is a game every three days. The players are committed and focused.

"We are far away from the top, last week we were 10th in the table, all the season is up and down. There are weird results for everyone, this season you have to be calm in the good and the bad moments.

"We played really well, the tempo we have to play football is this tempo.  Today was the best game of the season for players being in the position they have to be in."

Guardiola also offered resigned criticism of the FA's festive fixture logjam amid the coronavirus pandemic, with City facing a 48-hour turnaround before they face Everton on December 28.

"Tomorrow the players have to regenerate and prepare in one day," he added. "This pandemic puts us in an extreme situation, but that's how England [and the FA] likes it so we accept it."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed James Milner is the club's number one penalty taker with Mohamed Salah the back-up option. 

Milner, 34, has scored 19 times from the spot for the Reds and has only failed to convert on two occasions for the club with his last miss dating back to November 2017.

The veteran midfielder most recently struck from the spot for Liverpool on Boxing Day last year in a 4-0 win over Leicester City with Salah stepping up to the spot for Klopp's side in recent times.

Though not too fussed on who takes on the responsibility, Klopp has made it clear that he sees Milner as the club's go-to man when they are handed a penalty.

"James Milner is No.1 penalty taker, but when James is not playing then it’s Mo. When Millie is on the pitch then he can decide," Klopp said on Saturday. 

"How it is always, sometimes you don’t feel 1,000 per cent or you think, ‘He’s scored two already’ and this kind of stuff. That didn’t change, we didn’t speak about it for a long, long time.

"Most the time, probably Millie was not on the pitch but I think I remember at least once when Millie was on the pitch and gave it to Mo.

"For me, it is only important that the ball is in the back of the net after whichever player from my team shot the ball.

"Millie gave us a pretty impressive number of penalties he finished off and Mo as well. So, that’s for me both fine and that’s how it is in the moment, that’s how the decision is." 

Liverpool and Everton are currently the only two Premier League clubs that are allowed to have a limited number of fans in their stadiums as the coronavirus pandemic rages on in England. 

While Klopp is thankful to have some support at Anfield, he feels it's not a massive advantage ahead of Sunday's home game against West Brom. 

"As a club, we have nothing to do with it. It’s not that we have any hand in the decision. It says something nice about the Liverpool people, probably. We had early mass testing four or five weeks ago, maybe longer than that. I am not a specialist, so I don’t know exactly how influential that was," Klopp said. 

"How I said, I wish everybody could experience it. I don’t see it as a massive advantage, but it’s just nicer. I understand that everybody else wants to have in the best possible way and if we have 2,000 and nobody else has 100 or whatever then, yes, I can imagine people will talk about that.

"From my point of view, long may it continue that we can keep people in the stadium but with the new tier system, it doesn’t look very likely. There are still bigger problems out there and as long as the deciders allow us to bring people in, I think that’s a really good sign." 

Gor Mahia's chances of making it to the group stages of the Caf Champions League are as good as over after suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat against CR Belouizdad in the first leg of the second preliminary round game played at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 on Saturday night.

The Great Chabab scored their goals through Amir Sayoud, who scored a hat-trick, Hamza Bellahouel, Larbi Tabti, and Maecky Ngombo during a thoroughly one-sided display.

K'Ogalo came into the match without the services of their influential captain Kenneth Muguna, midfielder Bernard Ondiek and Nicholas Kipkirui. The first two were nursing injuries while the former Zoo FC man had family issues. 

It took the hosts just seven minutes to get the ball in the back of the net. Geoffrey Ochieng' conceded a free kick in a good area, giving the Algerians a chance to bring the ball into the danger zone.

Poor positioning by goalkeeper Gad Mathews allowed Sayoud to break the deadlock.

The hosts looked hungry and in search of more goals, while K'Ogalo looked like a lower division team playing against the best in the continent.

In the 12th minute, the Kenyan champions were beaten in a swift counter-attack. The ball was passed to Marcellin Koukpo who squared the ball to the advancing Bellahouel, who duly tapped the ball home beyond Mathews.

It was becoming worse for the East Africans, and in the 18th minute, Joachim Oluoch conceded a penalty after bringing down an opponent in the danger zone. Sayoud rose for the occasion, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to complete his brace.

The North Africans exploited K'Ogalo's full-backs relentlessly, although while the likes of Philemon Otieno, Michael Apudo and Oluoch appeared out of their depth, Charles Momanyi put in a strong shift at the back, ensuring the visitors didn't lose by a greater margin.

Apudo was at fault for the fourth goal scored in the 43rd minute. He tried to be too clever with the ball in the danger zone as he attempted to dribble past the CR Belouizdad players.

He was eventually dispossessed and after a scramble in the danger zone, the ball eventually fell to Tabti who finished emphatically.

K'Ogalo must have celebrated in silence when the half-time whistle came to their rescue, and only managed their first shot on target in the 52nd minute when Jules Ulimwengu's header was claimed by the hosts' goalkeeper.

A minute later, the Great Chabab scored their fifth when K'Ogalo failed to track a great run by Sayoud, who initiated a move and went on to finish it after some fine interplay to complete his hat-trick.

The North Africans scored their sixth goal in the 67th minute; Ngombo tapped into an empty net after substitute Kelvin Wesonga had missed out to his opposite number and Belouizdad had capitalised on the error.

Manchester City eased to a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Ferran Torres to move within five points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Gundogan gave City the lead in a low-key game on Saturday with a close-range finish following a well-worked move from Pep Guardiola's side.

Torres netted his seventh goal of the season 10 minutes after half-time after some error-strewn defensive play by Newcastle.

Newcastle's chances at the other end were fleeting as they succumbed to their 12th consecutive Etihad defeat.

City quickly found their rhythm and a slick move saw Joao Cancelo find Raheem Sterling with a superb pass, and he skilfully cut the ball back for Gundogan to fire home.

The goal was Gundogan's second in Premier League this season, which is as many as he got in 31 games last season.

Kevin De Bruyne had Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow scrambling back to palm the ball away moments later when a mis-hit cross into the box looked to be dipping under the crossbar.

De Bruyne broke clear of the Newcastle defence just after the half hour but the alert Darlow rushed off his line to narrow the angle and saved well.

Newcastle rarely threatened at the other end and, despite finishing the first half positively, they still failed to register a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.

A Jacob Murphy angled shot just after the break forced Ederson to make his first meaningful save before City added a second.

Newcastle twice failed to clear their lines, with Miguel Almiron and Federico Fernandez both guilty of sloppy play, and the ball dropped for Torres to confidently strike it past Darlow.

The brilliant Darlow denied substitute Sergio Aguero the chance to put the gloss on the result with a fine save from close range late on after another sweeping City attacking move.

What does it mean? City stay in touch

City have won each of their last 12 Premier League home games against Newcastle, scoring 42 goals and conceding just seven in return.

It is their longest winning home run against an opponent in their top-flight history and the victory against such generous opposition helped them to stay in touch with the chasing pack behind table-topping Liverpool.

Newcastle remain in 12th spot in the table on 18 points - seven above the relegation zone.

Sterling only too willing to assist

With six assists Sterling has now registered more in 21 appearances in all competitions this season than he managed in 52 games last season (five) as his fine form continued against Newcastle.

He now has 150 goal involvements in all competitions under Guardiola, as he became the first player to reach that total for City since the former Barcelona boss took over (96 goals, 54 assists)

Joelinton fails to make an impact

As the rain pelted down in Manchester this was a night when the Brazilian was perhaps not quite the man for the gritty challenge of holding the ball up and bringing his team-mates into play as boss Steve Bruce might have wanted.

Joelinton's pass completion in the attacking half of the pitch was just 44.4 per cent and with only scraps to feed on he managed just two touches inside the City penalty area.

Key Opta Facts

- City have kept 13 clean sheets in all competitions this season, more than any other team in the top five European leagues.
- Newcastle have lost more Boxing Day games than any other side in Premier League history (15), and have now lost each of their last six league games in a row on this date.
- Gundogan has scored two goals in nine Premier League games this season, as many as he netted in 31 appearances in the competition last season.
- City have won all seven games in all competitions in which Torres has scored for them, with five of his seven strikes coming at the Etihad.

What's next?

City face Everton at Goodison Park in the Premier League next Monday while Newcastle host leaders Liverpool on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta has issued a fresh update over the news that Gabriel is isolating due to the coronavirus, with the Arsenal manager confirming that the case has not spawned from the Gunners' Carabao Cup exit to Manchester City in midweek.

The north London outfit sealed a much-needed return to winning ways with a first domestic victory for almost two months against Chelsea in a Boxing Day derby victory without the near-ever-present Brazilian.

News broke shortly before kick-off that the 23-year-old had been in close contact with an individual who had tested positive for Covid-19 and that he would miss the club's next three games, including the immediate visit of the Blues.

Gabriel is also set to miss games with Brighton on December 29 and West Brom on January 2, though he will hopefully be able to return for their FA Cup clash with Newcastle on January 9.

Speaking after his side picked up a much-needed three points to ease concerns of a relegation battle however, Arteta was able to shed some further light on the matter, revealing that while there is no confirmation the player himself has tested positive, precautions must be followed.

"Well, we have to follow the guidelines and protocols," he stated. "The doctor is on top of that, for how long still it’s not 100 per cent.

"But he was in contact with somebody who has tested positive, so he needs to stay away for a few games."

The Spaniard however confirmed that the case did not spawn from the Gunners' game with Pep Guardiola's side on Tuesday, adding: "No, it wasn’t with another player in the Premier League. He was with someone in his bubble."

Victory against Frank Lampard's high-flying Blues - who missed the chance to go second in defeat against their rivals - represented a much-needed boost for the under-fire Arteta, who has seen his position at the Emirates Stadium become increasingly precarious in recent weeks.

Their upcoming games with the Seagulls and the Baggies - two other teams embroiled either on the edge or in the heart of a relegation battle like Arsenal themselves - will hand the club a golden chance to add six points to their haul and put some daylight between them and the bottom three.

Anglo-Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman and Cameroon midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa were in fine form as Fulham secured a goalless draw at home against Southampton on Boxing Day.

Lookman was a dominant force in the Cottagers' attack and he was involved in half of the 10 shots they registered at Craven Cottage.

The former Everton striker had two attempts at goal and he also created three more opportunities for his teammates but they could not find the back of the net.

He has returned two goals and two assists in 12 Premier League appearances since he returned to England on a season-long loan from RB Leipzig in September.

Zambo Anguissa was another African star who was outstanding in London, making both defensive and attacking contributions in the middle of the park.

The Indomitable Lions midfielder won the most tackles at Craven Cottage (10), completed the most dribbles (six) and he also had the joint-highest shots on target with Lookman (two).

The 25-year-old is currently ranked as the second-best tackler in the league this campaign with 47 completed tackles, four behind Southampton's Oriol Romeu.

Saturday's result meant back-to-back draws for Fulham at home and their fourth straight draw in the Premier League.

Zambo Anguissa was in action for the entire duration alongside Nigeria's Ola Aina and Tosin Adarabioyo, while Lookman was replaced on the stroke of full-time by DR Congo's Neeskens Kebano.

Southampton, on the other hand, had Mali's Moussa Djenepo in action but Ghana's Mohammed Salisu was an unused substitute as he continues to wait for his debut appearance since his summer signing from Real Valladolid.

Fulham remain 18th in the Premier League table with 11 points from 15 games while Southampton dropped to eighth with 25 points.

Next up for Scott Parker's side is a trip to Tottenham Hotspur on December 30 and they will be targeting their first Premier League win since they defeated Leicester City 2-1 a month ago. 

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard conceded Timo Werner didn't offer his side enough with or without the ball during a 3-1 loss against Arsenal on Saturday. 

Werner, who has now gone 10 games without a goal in all competitions for the Blues, was replaced at half-time by Callum Hudson-Odoi with Lampard's side trailing 2-0. 

The change would fail to turn the tide however with Bukayo Saka adding the Gunners' third in the 56th minute before Tammy Abraham bagged a consolation goal five minutes before full-time. 

Currently experiencing his longest goal drought at club level since 2016, Werner is seemingly struggling after an encouraging start to life at Stamford Bridge with Lampard desperate to get more out of the German international. 

"Certainly the goals not going in is always something an attacking player will get judged on," Lampard said when asked about Werner in his post-match press conference.

"The subs, I could have made more. But I felt I had to make the subs in those two areas to inject energy.

"For today, TImo wasn't giving us enough with or without the ball. Some of it we have to give him time. I keep saying the same thing because it's a different league but we also have to get there quickly.

"We'll see about the tiredness - I'll have a conversation with him. But I felt I had to make changes to change the course of the match." 

Something else Lampard will have to give some thought to over the coming days is who will take the Blues' spot-kicks moving forward with Jorginho having his injury-time effort saved at the Emirates. 

The Italian midfielder had netted his first eight penalties for Chelsea but has now failed to convert three of his past six with Werner and Abraham waiting in the wings to step up if called upon. 

"We'll see. I won't comment on that one at the minute. Jorginho's performance, he added a lot to the team in the second half so we'll deal with the penalties going forward," Lampard said. 

Chelsea have a short turnaround before facing high-flying Aston Villa at home on Monday with Dean Smith's side currently one place ahead of Lampard's men in sixth and with two games in hand. 

Football enthusiasts in Nigeria have taken to social media to celebrate Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Chelsea in a Premier League encounter on Saturday.

Goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka propelled the hosts to a comfortable win at the Emirates Stadium, which ended their seven-game winless streak in the English top flight.

Arsenal's triumph over Frank Lampard's men was their first league win since November 1 when they defeated Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford.

The result has generated considerable reaction among supporters in the Gunners-man West African country, with Nigerian fans describing the triumph as a 'good Boxing Day present' for Arsenal fans.

Despite the victory, the Gunners are still 14th in the Premier League table, sitting eight points behind sixth-placed Chelsea.

Campeonato Brasileirao Serie A is the top level of soccer in Brazil and has been the breeding ground for some of the world's greatest players including Pele and Neymar.

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

As a result, football fans and scouts from all over the world watch the Brasileirao to see some of tomorrow's stars today, as well as some of the most exciting and entertaining games on television, filled with amazing technical ability and plenty of goals.

The 2020 Serie A season was due to begin on May 3 and end in December but, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the tournament calendar was paused before eventually starting in August. It will now continue until February 24, 2021, barring any further delays.

How to watch Fluminense vs Sao Paulo US TV

Sao Paulo are the overwhelming favourites for their first Serie A title since 2008 as they visit Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. 

The Tricolor suffered huge disappointment at continental level this year, bombing out of both the Libertadores and Sudamericana in quick succession. 

But those exits have allowed them to focus on the Brasileirao, and in recent weeks they have left the opposition trailing with five wins in their last six games.

Should they down Fluminense and both Flamengo and Atletico Mineiro lose, Sao Paulo will be sitting pretty eight points clear of their rivals with 11 games remaining of the season. 

But their hosts, who need points themselves to strengthen their bid to return to the Libertadores next year with a top-seven finish, will be no easy prospect.

Fluminense vs Sao Paulo is available to stream in the US on Fanatiz , where you can sign up for a 7-day free trial.

Brasileirao 2020 is exclusive to Fanatiz outside Brazil and the Balkans.

Live Stream: Fanatiz English ( stream now )

Fluminense vs Sao Paulo team news and preview

Marcao should be without injury or suspension worries for Fluminense in their clash against the current league leaders.

Having gambled on several young faces for Wednesday's Copa do Brasil clash with Gremio, Sao Paulo boss Fernando Diniz is likely to be at full-strength in Serie A as the Tricolor look to further bolster their title challenge.

Watch all this weekend's Brasileirao matches on Fanatiz in the US  with a 7-day free trial.

What other Brasileirao matches are available on Fanatiz?

Watch the Brasileirao live on Fanatiz.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says that he hopes that the Gunners' Boxing Day win over Chelsea provides a lift to the club's supporters, who he admits have been "suffering" throughout the club's dismal Premier League run.

Entering a clash with their London rivals, Arsenal had been winless in seven Premier League matches, having also suffered Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of Manchester City earlier in the week.

But the Gunners ended that skid in impressive fashion on Saturday, cruising past Chelsea 3-1 following goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka.

The win was Arsenal's first Premier League triumph since November 1 and their first at the Emirates since a 2-1 win over Sheffield United back in October.

Having seen his job called into question in recent weeks, Arteta needed a big performance from his players, and he got it as the Gunners scored three consecutive goals to all but seal the victory before the 60th minute.

And Arteta is now hoping that the Gunners can use the win as a springboard in the league and with the fans as the club look to regain some goodwill after an extended disastrous run.

"The result is the main thing today, we really needed that win. We have been unlucky and frustrated with our results in the last eight weeks so this was a big day for us," he told BBC Sport.

"From the first whistle, you could see the team had the energy and willingness to come out and win the game.

"The spirit before the game was really positive, they really wanted it. I am pleased for the players and for the supporters. We have let them down for many weeks so it was a good day to give them something to cheer about.

"When we gave the penalty away I couldn't believe it - it's the magnificent game called football. It can always surprise you."

Arteta's Arsenal now sit 14th in the Premier League as they remain 10 points adrift of the top four.

But the Gunners boss is hopeful that this victory can be a "turning point" as the team have proven they can take down a rival and a top-four contender.

"It's a really big win for us. We were really disappointed with the results - not so much the performances. Our players were suffering, our fans were suffering," Arteta told Sky Sports.

"It doesn't get any better than winning a London derby against Chelsea on Boxing Day. Hopefully, this is a turning point. I know they can play at this level. We know how good Chelsea are but in big moments in the game we were the better team.

"The injuries, the Covid, playing 10 men...you start to think what do we need to win a match.

"It's nice to give something back to fans because I can imagine they have been really disappointed. We started well and we were dominant. That gives the team confidence.

"Let's carry on. We still have big things to improve on."

Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka has revealed that his wonder goal against Chelsea was an intentional finish as opposed to a mishit cross, while revelling in his side's return to winning ways.

The teenager helped to cap an impressive performance for the under-fire Gunners when he stretched their lead after half-time in their eventual 3-1 derby victory against the Blues on Boxing Day.

Having headed into the half-time break with a comfortable lead thanks to goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka, the hosts further cemented their hold just before the hour mark when Saka struck.

The 19-year-old, who turned in an impressive performance at the Emirates Stadium, appeared to float an ambitious cross from the right edge of the penalty area, looking for support near the left post.

Instead, the ball beat Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy and nestled itself firmly into the far-top corner, seemingly catching both Saka and his team-mates off-guard before they wheeled away in celebration.

Speaking after the match, however, Saka claimed that his strike was intentional, and that his finish was an attempt to catch the Senegal international off his line rather than a happy freak occurrence.

"I saw him off his line so I thought I could chip him!" the England international told BBC Sport.

Saka, who made his Three Lions debut against Wales in October and has won four caps to date under Gareth Southgate, acknowledged that a first domestic win since November 1 was just the tonic needed for the beleaguered hosts and boss Mikel Arteta.

"We feel that we are a good team who have been unlucky with results and red cards but this is a big one for our confidence," he added.

"It's been tricky, tough, but we have come out of it and we are trying our best. We grew up with each other, the young players all want to play and have the passion for this club. We want to make the fans happy."

Arsenal will next face a trip to fellow lower-table dwellers Brighton on December 29, before they start the new year against another relegation-threatened side in the shape of West Brom.

Kieran Tierney is hopeful Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Chelsea can be a springboard to climbing the table.

The Gunners came into the game on the back of a winless run in the league dating back to the start of November.

Coach Mikel Arteta was forced into a reshuffle due to illness and a coronavirus scare , and the changes paid off for the Spanish coach as his side looked far more hungry than Chelsea.

Alexandre Lacazette's penalty following a foul by Reece James on Tierney set them on their way on 34 minutes.

A brilliant free kick from Granit Xhaka on the stroke of half-time doubled the advantage, and Bukayo Saka's cross-cum-shot over Edouard Mendy secured the three points despite Tammy Abraham netting a late goal for Chelsea.

The win does little for Arsenal’s position in the table, as they only moved up one place to 14th, but it puts further points between themselves and the relegation spots.

Tierney is hopeful the first win in eight league games can help lift the gloom around the club.

“It is a start,” Tierney told Sky Sports . “We needed that today. 

“We needed to give the fans something to be positive about. We have had a few bad results this season so it is a start.

“We started better. We did not wait until we went 1-0 down to start playing and creating chances. 

“We started on the front foot. That has been the message the last few weeks in training.

"It is a start and something to build on. We wanted to get that win, to get three points and slowly but surely climb up that table.

"Chelsea are a good team, they are higher up the table than us, so to come out with three points is important.”

Youngsters Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and Saka were handed starts and did not let their manager down.

Tierney felt the trio performed well and were fully deserving of their places in the side.

“All the youngsters here are hungry to play,” the Scotland defender said. “They have got the platform to play. They came in and were brilliant.”

Goalkeeper Bernd Leno repelled a penalty from Jorginho with the score at 3-1 heading into injury time, and Tierney heaped praise on the German.

“Leno has dug us out of a hole there as it would have been a long five minutes if that penalty had gone in,” he said. “Leno is an outstanding keeper and he saved us today.”

Real Madrid have confirmed forward Rodrygo damaged a hamstring against Granada, and reports suggest he could be sidelined for three months.

The winger was stretchered off in Wednesday's La Liga encounter, with Los Blancos saying he would be assessed by their medical staff in the coming days.

The Spanish champions have now provided an update, with the club confirming damage to a tendon in his hamstring.

"Following tests carried out on our player Rodrygo by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscular injury affecting the tendon in his right biceps femoris hamstring muscle,” the statement on the club’s official website read.

Madrid did not provide any update on timeframe, but reports in Spain suggest that it is a serious injury that will rule him out for the bulk of the remainder of the season.

AS  claims that the 19-year-old is not expected to return before the end of March, meaning he will only be available for the final weeks of the season.

Rodrygo posted a Chritsmas message to his followers on Instagram , with the picture showing him walking with the aid of crutches.

The news will be a huge blow to manager Zinedine Zidane, as his side start to find a run of decent form.

Madrid have won six on the spin in all competitions, and Zidane will hope the rest of the squad can make up for the absence of the forward.

“I'm thrilled for the players because it's not at all easy to win six games in a row,” Zidane said . “We deserved the win following our second-half performance.

“We have to be pleased because winning six in a row is no mean feat. So I'm extremely grateful to the players.”

Marco Asensio replaced Rodrygo against Granada, while Eden Hazard is also an option for Zidane as the Belgian works his way back to full fitness.

“We're going to rest a bit and then Eden will gradually come back into the team," Zidane said following the win over Granada.

Real face Elche in La Liga on Wednesday and Hazard will hope to play some part as the team look to keep pace with Atletico who they are level on points with at the top of the table.

Arsenal survived a late scare to end their winless run in the Premier League as Mikel Arteta's much-maligned side claimed a thoroughly deserved 3-1 victory over Chelsea.

The Gunners headed into the Boxing Day clash at Emirates Stadium having lost five of their last seven Premier League matches, yet were worthy winners against Frank Lampard's hapless team to mark the one-year anniversary of Arteta's first game in charge in style.

Alexandre Lacazette's penalty put Arsenal ahead in a league game for the first time since a win over Manchester United on November 1, and a stunning Granit Xhaka free-kick doubled their tally.

Bukayo Saka then embarrassed Edouard Mendy early in the second half though, after Tammy Abraham's VAR-awarded goal, Arsenal ultimately had to rely on Bernd Leno's save from Jorginho's penalty to prevent a nervy finish.

That meant Chelsea were condemned to a third defeat in four league games.

Saka set the tone early on, getting in behind and crossing for Gabriel Martinelli, who volleyed wide.

Chelsea seemed to have asserted authority when Mason Mount's free-kick clipped the post, yet Arsenal were ahead in the 34th minute, as Lacazette sent Mendy the wrong way from the spot after Reece James was adjudged to have fouled Kieran Tierney.

While Lacazette became Arsenal's leading scorer, the Gunners' second came from an unlikely source – Xhaka curling in a sublime 25-yard free-kick on the stroke of half-time.

Lampard introduced Callum Hudson-Odoi and Jorginho at half-time, but it was Arsenal who struck again 11 minutes after the restart.

Having cut into the area, Saka spotted Mendy off his line, and floated in an audacious – perhaps accidental – effort in off the left-hand upright.

Three key saves from Mendy denied Arsenal a fourth, before Mohamed Elneny struck the bar.

Chelsea made their fortune count when Abraham chested in Hudson-Odoi's cross, and Arsenal’s nerves were fraught when Pablo Mari felled Mount in the box.

Yet Jorginho, who has now missed two of his last four penalties, failed to tee up a grandstand finish – Leno diving to his left to hold onto a weak shot.

What does it mean? Belated Christmas cheer for Arteta

With Gabriel isolating due to a close COVID-19 contact, David Luiz and Willian both ill – though the duo tested negative for coronavirus – and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not deemed fit enough to start, Arteta was almost forced to rely on inexperience on Saturday.

It paid off in comprehensive fashion – Saka and Martinelli were supreme down both flanks, while Smith Rowe created two chances, including the assist for Arsenal's third goal, in a free role off Lacazette. The Gunners are now up a place to 14th, while Chelsea sit sixth.

Arsenal gunning for the Blues from distance

With his superb effort, Xhaka became the first Arsenal player to score a direct free-kick versus Chelsea in the Premier League since Thierry Henry in December 2004.

Arsenal have also scored 13 Premier League goals from outside the box against Chelsea – against no side have they netted more in the competition (also 13 v Southampton).

As for Xhaka, no Arsenal player had more pass attempts (44), completed passes (34), passes in the Chelsea half (26) or touches (55) than him.

Werner's struggles compounded by early exit

Lampard has consistently stood by Timo Werner, despite the Germany international's recent struggles in front of goal. However, after an insipid first-half display in which he managed two attempts on goal – neither finding the target – and played one key pass, the forward was taken off at the break.

Werner has now failed to score in his last 10 games in all competitions, his longest drought since a run of 12 matches between March and September 2016 across spells at Stuttgart and RB Leipzig.

Key Opta Stats: 

- Arsenal have now won each of their last 10 home Premier League matches on Boxing Day, the second-best run in the competition's history after Manchester United won 12 in a row between 1997 and 2016.
- The Gunners recorded their first win in eight Premier League matches, and their first at the Emirates since a 2-1 win over Sheffield United back in October (D1 L4).
- Chelsea have lost each of their last three away games in the Premier League, their worst run since February 2019.
- Arsenal netted more than once during the first half of a Premier League game for the first time this season, leading by at least two goals at the interval for the first time since a 3-2 victory over Watford in July.
- Since the start of last season, Abraham (21) has scored more than twice as many Premier League goals for Chelsea than any of his team-mates (Giroud, Pulisic, 10).
- Of all Arsenal players to score at least five Premier League goals, Xhaka has scored the highest ratio from outside the box (78 per cent: 7/9).

What's next?

Arsenal go up against fellow strugglers Brighton and Hove Albion in three days' time, while Chelsea will look to bounce back when they host in-form Aston Villa on Monday.

Azam FC picked up an inspiring 2-0 win over Magereza FC in the third round showdown of the Shield Cup on Saturday at the Chamazi Sports Complex.

In a bid to get a much-needed victory, George Lwandamina mixed regulars and non-regulars in the starting team against the lower division side. In goal, David Mapigano – who has become a regular first-teamer since arrival, was not in the squad as Wilbol Maseke was preferred instead.

The 2019/20 best defender Nicholas Wadada, Ayoub Lyanga, Mudathir Yahya, Obrey Chirwa, Never Tigere, and Idd Seleman were the usual first-teamers who were deployed against Magereza.

Although it largely looked a defensive approach by the Ice Makers, the former Shield Cup champions looked comfortable in launching direct attacks as well as strikes from the wings. They duly opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.

Chirwa headed home from a corner kick that was delivered by Tigere, and the opener rejuvenated the home side, who would have gone into the break with a bigger margin had the visitors not denied them on three major occasions.

Tigere found the back of the net in the 65th minute when his fierce shot from inside the 18-yard area gave the 2013/14 Premier League champions a deserved lead.

Although Azam camped in Magereza’s half for the better part of the second half, they did not manage to increase the scoreline due to a combination of their own failure to convert the opportunities created and the opponents’ resilience to deal with the attacks.

The win should be an encouraging result for Lwandamina and his team, who had begun the Premier League season on a high before they started faltering from matchday eight.

Coach Aristica Cioaba had to leave the club after a 1-0 loss to Yanga SC but since then – despite the appointment of the experienced Lwandamina – the results have not been convincing.

In nine league games, Azam have picked just eight points from a possible 27 as their title ambitions continue to fade.

On Sunday, Namungo will entertain the Green Warriors in their respective Shield Cup games as they fight to progress and perhaps surpass the achievement made in the last tournament, when they sailed all the way before falling to Simba in the final.

They did earn a first ever continental slot, which represented some consolation.

Another Premier League side that will be in action is Mtibwa Sugar as they will face off with the Division Two side Geita Gold on Sunday.

Simba, the reigning champions, will be up at home against Maji Maji FC. It will be the first domestic duty for the Wekundu wa Msimbazi since taking part in the Caf Champions League first round against Platinum FC of Zimbabwe, where they were defeated 1-0 in Harare.

Erling Haaland has said his dream is to win silverware with Borussia Dortmund.

The Norwegian forward only joined Dortmund from RB Salzburg in January, but such has been his form in the Bundesliga that he is already being linked with a move, with Manchester City just one of the sides credited with an interest.

It is almost certain that Haaland will move on from Dortmund at some stage, but he is looking to help the club win trophies first.

“My biggest dream right now is to achieve something with Dortmund and that’s what I am working for,” he told DAZN. “To try to give this to the club and to the fans because everyone in this club deserves this. I will do the best every time I can.

“The club bought me for a lot of money and the fans can expect me to give 100 per cent. Borussia Dortmund is just the big dream I’m living. Achieving something with BVB is what I’m working for.”

Haaland, who is fighting his way back to fitness following a hamstring injury picked up in training, scored four goals in a game against Hertha Berlin in November. 

It is a notable feat for any striker, but Haaland is aiming to go even better in the future.

“I always want more and more,” the 20-year-old former Molde forward said. “Yeah I scored four goals, but imagine if I scored six? How much nicer would that be? That’s also what I want.”

Dortmund are currently on their winter break, with their next game being against Wolfsburg on January 3.

It is a match Haaland is hoping to be fit for, but when he returns to the team things will be different to his last game prior to injury in November.

Since entering the treatment room, Haaland has seen Dortmund fire coach Lucien Favre and replace him with Edin Terzic.

Dortmund are fifth in the Bundesliga table, eight points behind leaders Bayern Munich, and are on a run of only one win from their last five games in the league.

It will be hoped that the return of their free-scoring striker will provide Dortmund with a boost in the second half of the season.

Mohammed Salisu's wait for a first Premier League outing continues as he was snubbed in preference for Jack Stephens in Southampton’s 0-0 draw with Fulham on Saturday.

With first-choice left-centre-back Jannik Vestergaard out injured, opportunity opened for the 21-year-old who had been a consistent face on the Saints’ bench in their last four matches prior to Saturday.

In his pre-match press conference, Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl hinted a possible starting deployment of Salisu in the absence of Vestergaard amid competition from Stephens.

In the end, it was the Englishman who got the nod, leaving the Ghanaian on the bench once again, as the Saints and the Cottagers shared the spoils at Craven Cottage.

The result sees Southampton occupy the eight spot on the Premier League table after 15 rounds of matches.

"I think we have seen the team at the top of the league [Liverpool] play for two months without [influential captain and first-choice centre-back] Virgil van Dijk and everybody said this was not possible, that you could not play without him. They are not really less successful than before, so everything is possible," Hasenhuttl said ahead of Saturday’s encounter.

"Maybe the game will change slightly because Jannik with the ball has fantastic passes and solutions but we must adapt our game always to ever circumstance that is there - but we must trust in the other ones.

"Salisu is a completely different player. He is left-footed so a left-footed one makes it on the left a little different with the angle of how you play the ball, but we have Jack Stephens who is a very similar ball-player to Jannik. I have not decided yet what I will do.

"We must have a look. We will not be able to make a one to one change as this is not possible."

Salisu joined Southampton in a four-year deal from Spanish outfit Real Valladolid in August after impressing in La Liga.

An injury, however, saw him join his new club's pre-season training in the week of commencement of the championship.

He made his first entry into the Saints' matchday squad in a 2-1 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this month, taking a place on the bench.