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Rafael Crivellaro, without doubt, has been one of the most creative midfielders in the Indian Super League (ISL) ever since he joined Chennaiyin FC last season. And the Brazilian once again proved how important he is to the team after scoring and assisting in Chennaiyin's 2- win over FC Goa on Saturday night. 

The Marina Machans came into the match without registering a win in their last four matches and were desperate for three points against FC Goa who were also coming into this game on the back of a loss. 

Crivellaro, who had sat out Chennaiyin's goalless draw against NorthEast United, brought a lot of creativity and guile to their midfield. If in the earlier few matches, Crivellaro seemed a bit out of sync with Jakub Sylvestr and Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev, that was not the case on Saturday. 

Even last season, it took Crivellaro about five or six matches before he gelled with his attacking teammates like Nerijus Valskis and Andre Schembri. 

He seemed to have found that wavelength on which his fellow forwards operated again and was finding them with his passes easily against Goa. Anirudh Thapa's energy in midfield also meant that Laszlo's tactics to stop Goa from playing out with constant pressing were very effective.

With the constant pressing upfront, the Gaurs could not pursue their natural gameplay. In many ways, this match should have been a lopsided one with Chennaiyin winning by a fair few goals, only for Chhangte and even Crivellaro to waste golden chances.

Against FC Goa, what was striking is that Csaba Lazslo’s team, looked very much or resembled the Chennaiyin FC of Owen Coyle from the second half of the last season.

They put pressure on the opposition defenders and midfielders, try to win ball high up the pitch and initiate quick attacks. They also look to close down the goalkeeper, who is looking to play from the back. It was apparent that Chennaiyin were targeting Mohammed Nawaz given his short stature and hence, the first goal from Rafael Crivellaro where he sent his corner-kick straight into the back of the net. In fact, he nearly got it right once again in the first half.

Of all the players who have left FC Goa from last season, the player they haven’t replaced and still are struggling in his absence is Ahmed Jahouh. The Moroccan would build-up play from the back and also double up as a destroyer with his tactical fouls. Ferrando has tasked Bedia with the same responsibility however, the Spaniard is more effective further up the field than when being asked to sit back and spray the ball around.

That absence of a fulcrum in midfield meant that while Goa tried to play out from the back, they would be unable to cope with Chennaiyin's pressing and pace, giving up the ball plenty of times in dangerous spaces. 

Chennaiyin's second goal was borne out of such a mistake with Crivellaro capitalising and finding Rahim Ali to tap in. 

It is not to say Goa were poor overall. Jorge Ortiz and Igor Angulo were brilliant going forward, especially Ortiz who seems to be a quality player on the ball. It was his determination and guile that saw FC Goa equalise in the first half. But apart from Ortiz and Angulo, the rest of the Goa side looked laboured. 

Maybe it was the fatigue, but the fact remains that Laszlo's Chennaiyin FC outsmarted FC Goa easily. It could be said that they did so against Mumbai City as well, only for individual errors to dig their own pits. 

After a win that they desperately needed, Chennaiyin FC will look to kick on and stitch a winning run together. For FC Goa, it's back to the drawing board after back-to-back defeats. 

Genk defeated K.V Kortrijk 2-0 in Saturday’s Belgian First Division A encounter with Theo Bongonda finding the net.

The 25-year-old’s effort guaranteed victory for John van den Brom’s men after Gerardo Arteaga had given them an early lead at the Luminus Arena.

Still hurt following their 1-0 defeat to Anderlecht on December 11, Genk started the game on a flying note – scoring just 45 seconds after kick-off through Arteaga.

The Mexican defender fired past goalkeeper Marko Ilic after receiving a backheel pass from Paul Onuachu.

That effort was a sign of better things to come for the hosts, albeit, they were unable to get more goals.

In the 25th minute, Onuachu came close to scoring after heading a rebound from Daniel Munoz’s initial effort against the crossbar.

The Nigeria international, who was eyeing his 15th goal of the season, came close again just before the hour mark, forcing a save from Ilic thanks to a cross from Bongonda.

Few chances came the way of Kortrijk, nevertheless, they were unable to get past the solid backline of the Smurfs while goalkeeper Danny Vukovic also put up a commendable showing.

Some 12 minutes from full-time, Bongonda guaranteed all three points for the hosts when he curled a beautiful freekick over the Guys’ wall that was unstoppable for Ilic.

With that strike, the former Belgium youth international has now scored 11 goals from his last 13 fixtures, which propelled Genk to the second position on the log after garnering 34 points from 17 games – two points below leaders Club Brugge who host Gent on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Bongonda alongside Onuachu and Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Eboue Kouassi were in action from start to finish, whereas, Cyriel Dessers was an unused substitute.

For the visitors, Comoros' Faiz Selemani, Ghanaian striker Eric Ocansey and Belgian striker of Congolese origin Ilombe Mboyo were involved for the duration with Senegalese star Pape Habib Gueye making way for Michiel Jonckheere in the 61st minute.

Mali's Sambou Sissoko was an unused substitute while Gambia's Muhammed Badamosi was not listed for the encounter.

Genk host Waasland-Beveren on December 27 while Kortrijk will be hoping to return to winning ways when they welcome Gent to the Guldensporenstadion a day earlier.

For Semi Ajayi, the past five days have witnessed an absolute whirlwind of activity.

On Tuesday, the towering defender scored his first ever Premier League goal, swivelling on the edge of the box and squeezing a finish beyond Ederson, to earn West Bromwich Albion a highly improbable draw against Manchester City at the Etihad. Barely 24 hours later, Ajayi had a new manager holding the whistle between pursed lips and cracking the whip in training.

Alright, alright...so, 'his' goal was ultimately given as an own-goal, his finish adjudged to have been skewing just wide before City defender Ruben Dias deflected it past his own goalkeeper.

So, there had already been rumblings of a possible sacking for Slaven Bilic, meaning the installation of Sam Allardyce on Wednesday would not have come as a great surprise.

Those caveats hardly detract from a potentially pivotal week, though.

To events at the Etihad first. Often, when Pep Guardiola’s men are held (especially by weaker opposition), their own output and application can be called into question. The story of Tuesday night was different, however: City were maxing out their creative bandwidth, fashioning openings and firing off shot after shot to no avail. In their way was a dogged rearguard action, marshalled by Ajayi who threw himself in the way of everything and repelled multiple deliveries into the box.

What little that did creep through found Sam Johnstone in inspired form.

It was a performances that emphatically answered the doubts around his aptitude at the highest level in the Premier League.

The Baggies have the worst defensive record in the division, and along the way Ajayi has had his fair share of iffy showings; from being given the runaround by Harvey Barnes on opening day, to getting turned with embarrassing ease by Richarlison, to getting caught out of position by Patrick Van Aanholt, to almost scoring past his own goalkeeper in defeat to Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.

This most recent showing against City also seemed to suggest that his failings may have had more to do with a team-wide dysfunction.

A greater emphasis on solidity resulted in arguably his finest outing of the season so far, and also bodes well for an Allardyce future.

The former England boss is, against his more vehement protestations, very much a relegation specialist, parachuting into perilous terrain and leading teams out of the brush by any means necessary. That often entails an emphasis on defensive shape and discipline, as well as maximising set-pieces. Minimum risk, just about enough reward to evade the drop.

Ajayi has now demonstrated his suitability within the sort of low-block that will come to define the Baggies’ escape bid, but at the other end, he could prove just as influential.

Last season, the Nigeria international scored five goals in the Championship for West Bromwich as they earned automatic promotion.

For the most part, these came about via set-pieces, Ajayi towering over opposing defences at the far post to devastating effect.

It is a facet of his game that has not translated to the Premier League so far, despite the fact the Throstles have scored three goals from set-pieces this term – more than seven other teams.

Under Allardyce, that may be set to change; this is, after all, the same manager who kept Sunderland up in 2015/16 by scoring more set-piece goals than any other side in the league, and made Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United fearsome prospects from dead balls.

Under the former England boss, the likes of Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye and Abdoulaye Meite have posed significant threats in opposing penalty areas, and Ajayi seems primed to join that club.

The 27-year-old will no doubt rue the departure of Bilic, as it was the Croatian manager who took a punt on him, signing him from relegated Rotherham United at the end of the 2018/19 Championship season. It is under Bilic that the former Arsenal youth prospect began to truly resemble a top performer, and the timing of his exit will have come as a surprise.

However, Ajayi will have little time to dwell on it: on Sunday, the Baggies welcome high-flying Aston Villa, precisely the sort of team Allardyce will relish frustrating. Another positive result would signal the dawn of new possibilities.

Bengaluru FC will seek to extend their unbeaten run in the Indian Super League (ISL) this season when they face ATK Mohun Bagan on Monday evening. The Blues bowed out of the competition last season in the play-offs with ATK progressing into the final and thereafter, winning their third league title.

Coach Carles Cuadrat believes that ATK Mohun Bagan are defensively solid and do not give a lot of space for the opposition to operate upon.

“I think it will be a very physical challenge. Their players are tough with big bodies and they play a high tempo game. You saw against Goa how they play as a compact team and try to take advantage of the open space. 

“We also, after five games in 21 days, are going to get some fresh legs. The team is playing well but I also think that we need to go in for some protection and play some players with less minutes, so that we can be tough from the first moment of the game,” said the Spaniard.

He opined that the game with ATK Mohun Bagan would be a tight affair with the two defences holding the key. He doesn’t expect a lot of goals but a game where little mistakes could make the difference in swinging the end result.

“It's always good (match) between two different clubs with very good squads and supporters. It's a kind of match that is very nice for Indian football. It's my fifth year in India and we have played them (Mohun Bagan) in the I-League, Federation Cup (and other tournaments).

“Normally, they are quite a tight opposition and if you saw last season, the penalty that they (ATK) got in the second leg of the play-offs was crucial. Before that also, it was 1-0 for them. So, it's going to be that kind of game with two compact teams and not a lot of things happening in attack because those kinds of games are normally controlled by the defenders and it will be little details that will decide the game.”

Ashique Kuruniyan suffered an injury in the last game against Odisha FC and could possibly miss out on the rest of the ISL season. Cuadrat admitted that he was concerned when Kuruniyan picked up an injury but mentioned that the player is being taken care of by the medical experts.

“There is a good mood in the dressing room. All of us were shocked when we saw the incident with Ashique and we were worried for him but he's in good hands. The club is controlling the situation,” said Cuadrat.

He once again pointed that ATK Mohun Bagan are defensively resolute and the challenge for his side will be to find openings and convert them.

“I think that every team in the league gives you a different challenge. All the teams have a specific behaviour. You have to prepare different games in a different way. We need to avoid their threats and create enough chances to score as they have conceded only a few goals. They have a serious defensive structure and we will try to beat them.”

In the absence of Ashique Kuruniyan, Cuadrat was asked if he would deploy Ajit Kumar, who is yet to feature for the club. The other options include deploying Rahul Bheke or Harmanjot Khabra as the two full-backs. It will be interesting to see if Cuadrat does decide to field Kumar in an important game against ATK Mohun Bagan or instead go for the experienced choice.

“Ashique was giving us a lot. If you see the statistics of the season, he has received 20 fouls because he was running from behind and been a threat for the other teams. So, it's a pity that we lost him because he was working very well for us but we will try to find a solution. 

“Until now Ajith (Kumar) has not been in the (matchday) squad because he had a little injury in the pre-season. Our way of playing with a high defensive line is also something that takes some time to understand. In defence, you are with a lot of compromise (responsibility) because one mistake can award the opposition team [with an opportunity].

“It was useful for him to play in the friendless against Goa and Kerala. He's understanding the situations and he's going to be on the list for the next game. We hope he can give something to the team in the next few weeks,” explained Cuadrat.

AFC Leopards coach Anthony Kimani has admitted a lack of concentration denied his team a point from their FKF Premier League match against Western Stima on Friday.

Ingwe went into the match against the Powermen on the back of winning their opening three matches and were headed to snatch a draw from the home fixture before the visitors scored two goals in added time to win 2-0 and end their unbeaten start to the season.

After managing to keep the marauding Ingwe at bay for the entire 90 minutes, the Kisumu-based side grabbed winning goals in the additional time courtesy of Joseph Mukisa and Villa Oruchum.

The former Harambee Stars captain has now explained the reason he thinks they suffered defeat, insisting his players lost concentration at a very vital moment of the game and it became difficult for them to bounce back.

“I think we had a good performance but not the result we expected, we started the game very well, created several chances but we were not able to utilise our chances and again we also lost concentration at a very vital moment of the game, we got punished and we were not able to pick ourselves from that particular point,” Kimani told AFC Leopards TV.

“We lacked the urgency that we wanted and we also were not able to be as mobile as we wanted to be, we were not able to run in the right spaces because they were playing very compact.

“We had also discussed about it and we knew which areas we were supposed to utilise but then again that final pass into those areas was not forthcoming and when it came to decision making, it was also a little bit slow so we gave them time to regroup and to get into a very good defensive position and that is why it was difficult to break them down.”

On why he pulled out new signing Fabrice Mugheni, Kimani said: “It was a tactical move, we knew that we had to get another striker if we were to get a goal and Hansel [Ochieng] has been doing very well in training and he deserves that opportunity but again I have said it was just one of those days when nothing seems to be going right for you and I believe the inclusion of [Hansel] was to help us move the ball forward.”

On what he intends to do to make sure the team bounces back to winning ways in their next league assignment, Kimani explained: “First of all is to ensure the boys don’t keep their heads down, it’s a disappointing performance but it is very important that we pick ourselves up as soon as possible, we still have some important matches coming up, this is just our fourth match of the season meaning there is a very long way to go.

“The first thing is to get the boys in the right frame of mind, to know that we still have another match where we can make amends and get a good result and also give a very good account of ourselves.”

On whether the defence was to blame for the two goals conceded against Western Stima, Kimani said: “Definitely it is something we have talked about, we knew we are going to get many opportunities to move forward but as you move forward, the danger that remains is how we defend if they counter-attack.

“The players were well briefed of what to expect but again like I said before we lost concentration at a very crucial moment of the game about a minute or two to go and it was very difficult for us to bounce back into the game.”

Before the defeat, AFC Leopards had won all their matches – 2-1 against Tusker, 2-0 against Bidco United, and 3-0 against Sofapaka – while Western Stima were winless before the Kasarani encounter given that they drew 0-0 with Bidco United, lost to Sofapaka 3-1 before they were humbled 5-2 at home by Tusker.

Kenya international Ayub Timbe has now hinted he will have a new club in the next 10 days.

The winger, who has remained clubless since he left Beijing Renhe in mid-October, has taken to his social media pages to hint that he will have a new team by the end of 10 days.

“Ten days…”, Timbe wrote on his Facebook page, a post that has left his fans guessing while others took their time to wish him well at the new club.

In a recent post, Timbe revealed he was planning to return to football soon but could not give a hint to which league or club he will be playing in.

“Can’t wait to get back at it [football action]. I know you are all waiting,” Timbe posted on his Facebook page.

Although the winger did not have a club, he was prominently used in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Comoros in November.

His performance when the Harambee Stars lost the away game saw him be the target of severe criticism, especially after squandering a clear chance that would have earned them a draw in Moroni.

The winger joined Beijing Renhe in February 2017 and managed to score eight goals in his first season to help the team win promotion to the Chinese Super League.

In the following season, he was loaned back to the second tier to play for Heilongjiang Lava Spring, though he scored seven goals in 14 games in the top-flight for Beijing Renhe, and on January 31, 2020 - transfer deadline day in England – he joined English Championship side Reading on loan until the end of the season.

However, his stay at the Berkshire-based club did not last more than six months after the club decided against pursuing a further deal.

Between 2014 and 2016, the winger was loaned by Genk to Lierse and he went ahead to make 42 appearances and scored eight goals for the Belgian side.

The performance saw Lierse make his move permanent and the player stayed with them for one year between 2016 and 2017.

From Belgium, the Harambee Star joined Renhe where he enjoyed a good outing in 2017 as he scored 17 goals in 48 matches.

In 2018, he was loaned for the second time in his career to Heilongjiang Lava Spring, a Division One side in China. He played six games and scored two goals for the lower tier side.

When Kenya will embark on the Afcon qualifiers in March 2021, many would be eager to see whether coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee will draft the winger into his team especially after the criticism that followed the performance against Comoros.

Hyderabad and Mumbai City will be involved in Sunday's early kick-off in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco. The Islanders were held by a 10-man Jamshedpur in their last outing.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

TEAM NEWS

Hyderabad FC Possible XI:   

Injured - Joel Chianese, Luis Sastre, Fran Sandaza
Doubtful - None     
Suspended - None  

Key Players - Aridane Santana, Liston Colaco      

Mumbai City Possible XI: 

Injured - None 
Doubtful - Mandar Rao Dessai
Suspended - None

Key Players - Adam le Fondre, Ahmed Jahouh        

Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford has everything necessary to become a legend at Old Trafford, according to his boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. 

Rashford is on track to record his best-ever season in senior football, having scored 12 goals in 22 games in all competitions in 2020-21, compared to 22 in 44 last term. 

Two of those came on Thursday to inspire United to a 3-2 comeback victory over Sheffield United, the club's fifth win in their last six Premier League outings. 

The 23-year-old England international has also received widespread plaudits for his off-field work with food poverty, and Solskjaer believes that his talent and humanity together are what will make him a club legend.

"As a human being, we have seen the true Marcus Rashford ever since he was a kid and his youth days," the United boss explained to reporters ahead of Sunday's clash with Leeds United.

"You always get influenced and your character is shaped through your family, the environment you work in and where you grow up. And you see Marcus really cares about people who have had a difficult time or aren’t as privileged as many are, or as he is now.

"He knows what they are going through. What he has done is exceptional, I have to say. Sometimes you think will this affect his football because he is such a young lad. I think he has taken on this responsibility in a fantastic way and balanced it really well with the football.

"He has a great team around him, his brother and people around him, so it’s not Marcus doing everything himself. He wants it to be organised by other people as well so he can balance the two most important things in his life.

"Marcus is talented enough and grounded enough and driven enough to be a legend at this club.

"I have to say his statistics already show his contribution. In and around the dressing room as well, he is a Man United boy through and through.

"I am absolutely delighted with his contribution and he knows what Man United is all about. He has the DNA.

"Of course, I try to look after him, try to protect him. You never know in a footballer’s career if you are lucky or unlucky with injuries. He had a back injury last year and it is mine and the staff’s job to make sure we protect him. Because with his talent, he is always going to be a target for the opposition.

"Then again the opposition players and supporters, of course they respect him. I think everyone really respects him for what he’s done. Some clubs, the response we have had from them and Marcus has had from them has been unbelievable."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is adamant his players are ''absolutely still fighting' after a 2-1 defeat to Everton on Saturday, which intensified the Gunners' on-field crisis. 

Arteta's men went to Goodison Park without a win in their previous six Premier League outings, a run which has seen them plummet down the standings. 

And there was to be no improvement on Merseyside as the Gunners went down once again. 

Everton took the lead after 22 minutes when Arsenal captain Rob Holding deflected the ball past Bernd Leno. 

And while Nicolas Pepe levelled from the penalty spot, Yerry Mina appeared on the stroke of half-time to restored the Toffees' lead, which despite Arsenal's best efforts they maintained until full-time. 

The north Londoners could now fall as low as 16th by the end of the weekend, while a win for Burnley on Monday would leave them perilously close to the relegation zone over Christmas. 

But despite this latest setback, Arteta insisted that his squad were showing the necessary commitment to end their run of bad results.

"Without conceding much we lost the game on two key moments," the manager explained to Sky Sports after the final whistle.

"We reacted really well. We dominated the game. We created enough chances at least to not lose. We hit the bar. We don’t have the luck.

"We are in a big fight. We lost against Burnley without them having a shot on target, and now we lose because of a couple of chances.

"It’s really difficult when you play a team who are defending low and wasting time. We make it difficult for ourselves conceding the first goal.

"I think we had 15 shots but only two on target. We need to improve our rate, that’s the reality.

"We need to generate more to win football matches. When it comes to small details, the other team wants it more.

"The boys are absolutely still fighting. They’re hurt right now."

Arsenal are back in action on Boxing Day, when they host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium before they face Brighton and then West Brom away from home during the festive period.

Brazilian football legend Pele has congratulated Lionel Messi for matching his record for goalscoring at a single club, which has stood for almost half a century. 

Messi netted his 643rd competitive goal in Barcelona colours on Saturday to level against Valencia at Camp Nou, after Mouctar Diakhaby had fired the visitors into an early lead. 

That figure matches Pele's record with Santos in official competition during his time at Vila Belmiro, although the Brazilian scored many more in friendlies and tours that are not included on the record books. 

The Argentine, who is by some distance Barca's all-time highest scorer, was unable to crown a memorable day with victory, as the Liga clash ultimately ended 2-2. 

But despite now having to share his record, which will surely fall in the days or weeks to come, Pele expressed his admiration that another superstar has shown the same loyalty and dedication that he demonstrated over almost two decades representing Santos.

"When your heart overflows with love, it is difficult to change your path," the 80-year-old former forward wrote on Instagram. 

"Like you, I know what it's like to love wearing the same shirt every day. Like you, I know that there is nothing better than the place we feel at home.

"Congratulations on your historic record, Lionel. But above all, congratulations on your beautiful career at Barcelona.

"Stories like ours, of loving the same club for so long, unfortunately will be increasingly rare in football. I admire you very much, @leomessi."

Messi now has six goals in the 2020-21 Liga season, as both he and Barcelona have struggled to show their best form under new coach Ronald Koeman, who took over from Quique Setien in the wake of August's 8-2 Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich. 

The Catalans sit in fifth place in the league, eight points shy of current leaders Atletico Madrid having played one game more than Diego Simeone's charges. 

They will return to action on Tuesday away to Valladolid in their final game before a mini-break for Christmas.

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Gavin Hunt feels his side is making progress after their encounter with Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday evening.

Amakhosi were held to a 1-1 draw by Phunya Sele Sele in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match which was played at FNB Stadium.

It was a game which saw Chiefs dominate the first-half, but they could only score once through Anthony Akumu and the result saw Amakhosi extend their winless run to six matches in the league.

"I thought good performance, first-half very good you know. We've had some great opportunities, if you make it 2-0, 3-0 then it's much easier," Hunt told SuperSport TV.

"The longer it stays at 1-0, they had one chance the whole game and they scored. That's pretty much what has been the story of our season so far.

"So disappointed but with what we have, you know we're making progress."

Celtic equalized in the second half through Tumelo Mangweni after the Chiefs defence was caught ball watching. 

Hunt felt that they should have won the game, but he explained that there are positives which he can take from the encounter. 

"They [Celtic] got pace, when you have pace in your team, a lot of movement they are always going to hurt you on a turnover," he continued. 

"But we also turned over a few times, we had some good opportunities you know. But obviously, you know upfront, it is what it is.

"The result should be better, we all know that but there are signs, there are certainly signs. But you're getting hurt with every little mistake it's a goal against you."

"I understand that in football but you have to work a little bit harder then," the experienced coach added. 

"We have to be a little bit compact and things like that, all in all certainly we should have got three points. I felt it, you know? But it is, what it is."

Chiefs have now turned their attention to the Caf Champions League where they will host Angolan side CD Primeiro de Agosto in the first-round first-leg match on December 23.

Borussia Monchengladbach coach Marco Rose has apologised on behalf of the club after Marcus Thuram was sent off for spitting in the face of Hoffenheim's Stefan Posch.

Thuram was shown a straight red card with 11 minutes remaining as Hoffenheim came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Gladbach in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The red card came after an intervention by VAR, as the initial action had not been spotted by the officials on the pitch.

Thuram’s red card came four minutes after Andrej Kramaric had levelled the scores for Hoffenheim, who went on the claim the win through Ryan Sessegnon, who is on loan at the club from Tottenham.

The France international forward - the son of 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram - had a good disciplinary record prior to the game, as it was his first red card for the club.

Rose fronted up to the media after the game and issued an apology, saying the only explanation was that Thuram “must have blown a fuse.”

Speaking after the game, Rose said: “On behalf of the club and personally as head coach, I would like to apologise for the red-card incident involving Marcus Thuram. 

“It is completely out of line and has no place on the football pitch. 

“Marcus is a good person, is self-reflecting and has been well raised. He must have blown a fuse in that moment - it’s the only explanation for his behaviour. I apologise for that. He has done his team a disservice.

“We’re conceding avoidable goals at the moment. It doesn’t feel good to come away with a defeat.” 

Rose’s Hoffenheim counterpart Sebastian Hoeness added: “I accept Marco Rose’s apology for Marcus Thuram’s action on behalf of the club - good on him for saying it publicly.”

Thuram followed his manager's lead and issued a statement on Twitter apologising for his actions, saying it was out of character and accidental.

"Today something took place that is not in my character and must never happen again,” he said. ”I reacted to an opponent in a wrong way and something occurred accidentally and not intentionally.

“I apologise to everyone, to Stefan Posch, to my opponents, to my team-mates, to my family and to all those who saw my reaction.

“Of course, I accept all of the consequences of my gesture.”

The defeat continued a poor run of form for Gladbach. It was their sixth game on the spin without a win, and they will hope for a pre-Christmas confidence boost when they face Elversberg in the German Cup on Tuesday.

Gladbach are still in the Champions League and will take on Manchester City in the round of 16 when the competition resumes in February.

Senegal's Opa Nguette and Algeria's Farid Boulaya found the back of the net as Metz sealed a 2-0 win over Lens in Saturday's Ligue 1 outing.

Boulaya helped Nguette open the scoring in the 30th minute and the Algerian forward later sealed maximum points for the hosts at the death of the match.

Their efforts made it back-to-back wins for Metz and their second straight clean sheet in the French top-flight.

A host of African stars were on parade at Stade Saint-Symphorien including Ghana's John Boye, Algeria goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja and Senegal's Papa Yade while Cameroon striker Ignatius Ganago, DR Congo's Gael Kakuta, Ivory Coast's Seko Fofana were in action for Lens.

Nguette and Boulaya have now returned three goals each in Ligue 1 in this campaign.

On the international scene, Nguette - who made his Senegal debut against Nigeria in 2017 - scored his second goal for the Teranga Lions last month during their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau while France-born Boulaya made his debut for Algeria in a friendly match against the Super Eagles in October where he played for 90 minutes in their 1-0 win.

Saturday's victory moved the Maroons to ninth in the league table with 23 points from 16 matches, a point behind Lens.

Metz travel to Rennes for their last league fixture on December 23 before the winter break while Franck Haise's side welcomes Brest to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on the same day.

Rob Holding has matched Bukayo Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s undesirable Arsenal exploit in the 2020-21 Premier League season following his own goal against Everton on Saturday.

Nigeria international Alex Iwobi had swayed a cross and Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed into the English defender who mistakenly diverted it into the net to give Carlo Ancelotti’s men a 22nd minute lead.

In the process, he becomes the third player from the North London outfit to turn the ball into his own net this season.

In a twist of irony, Holding is the first Arsenal player to score an own goal against Everton in the Premier League since Arteta himself did so in April 2014, in a 3-0 defeat at Goodison.

Saka put the ball past goalkeeper Bernd Leno as Mikel Arteta’s side succumbed 3-0 at home to Aston Villa on November 8. The England international of Nigerian descent gave the Claret and Blue Army a 25th minute lead after he inadvertently slid the ball into his own net.

It was Aubameyang’s turn on December 13 as that helped Burnley pick up a remarkable 1-0 result from the Emirates Stadium.

The Gabon international headed into his own net while trying to clear Ashley Westwood’s corner, to the dismay of 2,000 returning Gunners supporters.

Despite Nicolas Pepe saving Holding’s blushes with a 35th minute equaliser, Colombia international Yerry Mina had the final say with his 45th minute winner as Arsenal slipped to a characterless 2-1 defeat against the hosts at Goodison Park – adding to Arteta’s woes.

The Emirates Stadium giants, without injured captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, have now gone seven league games without a win.

Arsenal's 14 points from 14 games this season is their worst record at this stage of a season since the 1974-75 campaign (12 points, converted to three per win).

Both teams are in English Football League Cup quarter-final action, with the 13-time league winners facing Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Tuesday, a day before Alex Iwobi’s Everton host Odion Ighalo’s Manchester United.

Arsenal welcome high-flying Frank Lampard’s Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday – with the ambition of rescuing their crumpling season.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus took out their frustration on Parma as the Bianconeri swept to an ominous 4-0 win at the Ennio Tardini on Saturday.

After a midweek draw at home with Atalanta, in which Ronaldo missed a penalty, Juventus were out to make amends on their travels and did so resoundingly.

Ronaldo scored twice to take his tally to a league-high 12 from nine Serie A appearances, going two clear of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku.

His efforts followed an opener from Dejan Kulusevski, the winger who dazzled on loan with Parma last season but now belongs to the impressive array of Juve attacking options. Another from that forward line, Alvaro Morata, headed a late fourth.

The visitors' breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Alex Sandro's low ball from the left ran practically across the penalty spot, with the slightest touch off Morata, to find former Parma loanee Kulusevski. His finish low into the left corner was precise and the celebrations muted.

Ronaldo leapt supremely to head the second for Juventus three minutes later after Morata chipped a clever delivery into the heart of the penalty area, again from the left.

Juventus were dominant and almost had a third before the break when Leonardo Bonucci bundled wide after Weston McKennie headed Bentancur's corner towards goal.

Head coach Andrea Pirlo had said Juventus were "a bit angry" with the Atalanta result, and they were making sure there was no way back into this game for Parma.

Ronaldo struck again in the 48th minute, with Aaron Ramsey releasing him to drive low and left-footed beyond Luigi Sepe from 12 yards.

Juventus thought they had a fourth goal when Matthijs de Ligt tucked in from close range after McKennie's header was parried, but Bentancur's corner that preceded the chances had travelled out of play before curling back in.

Ronaldo nodded wide from a corner and held his head in his hands, knowing a hat-trick opportunity had passed him by.

Morata's late goal was a bonus for a Juventus side who remain unbeaten through the first 13 games of Pirlo's Serie A coaching career.

What does it mean? Don't get Juventus angry

Juventus were mainly frustrated with themselves at failing to get the better of Atalanta, and they soon closed the door here on Parma's hopes of escaping with any reward.

They dominated possession (62.4 per cent) and made it count, carving out 19 chances to Parma's 11, in a performance that will have been noted in Milan. Stefano Pioli's Milan and Antonio Conte's Inter are out to halt Juventus' nine-year streak of Scudetto triumphs, but on this showing that long reign might well continue.

Ronaldo the gift that keeps on giving

He turns 36 in February but Ronaldo could have years left at the top level based on this season's evidence.

He had five shots here and the two that found the target took the game away from Parma. The first was a trademark soaring header, and the second showed he still has that burst of pace that gives him a yard on any defender.

He gave the ball away 16 times - only Alex Sandro lost possession as many times - but with Ronaldo you take the rough with the smooth, and again the smooth here was something to behold.

Parma problems return

Fabio Liverani's team had gone four games unbeaten before this trouncing, and now they must regroup and tighten up. It was no surprise that right-back Simone Iacoponi was substituted on the hour mark, with much of Juventus' devastation having been wreaked down his flank. Parma have won just two of 13 games, and it could be a long, hard season ahead.

Key Opta Facts

- Ronaldo became the first player since Omar Sivori in 1961 to score 33 Serie A goals in a signle calendar year.
- Juventus star Ronaldo is one of only four players to have scored at least 33 goals in a single calendar year in Serie A history; only Gunnar Nordahl (36 goals in 1950) and Felice Borel (41 in 1933) were more prolific.
- The reigning champions have scored at least three goals in two consecutive Serie A away matches for the first time since December 2017.
- Juventus have kept a clean sheet away from home in Serie A for the first time since last June, ending a run of 11 games on the road without a shutout.

What's next?

Juventus face Fiorentina at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday, while Parma wrap up their pre-Christmas programme on the same day at Crotone.

Hansi Flick has revealed he was left with “no other option” than to take off Leroy Sane, 36 minutes after introducing him as a substitute during their 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Former Manchester City winger Sane, who is working his way back to full fitness, was brought on in the 32nd minute as a replacement for Kingsley Coman.

Bayern were trailing 1-0 at the time to a Patrik Schick goal, but drew level through Robert Lewandowski shortly before half-time.

Flick was not happy with his side’s efforts midway through the second half, and elected to bring on Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala. Corentin Tolisso gave way for Kimmich, and it was Sane who was hauled off for Musiala.

It was a decision that raised eyebrows, but Flick felt he was left with no other option based on the performances of his players on the pitch.

"When we make substitutions, we have to do it sensibly,” Flick said. "If you see the second half, Thomas Muller is indispensable, Serge Gnabry improved in the second half, that's why I substituted Leroy Sane. 

“We had to react like that because there was no other option."

Managers are judged on their decisions, and Flick’s paid off in the end as Lewandowski popped up deep into stoppage time to net the winner for Bayern - having been teed up by substitute Kimmich.

The win allowed Bayern to leapfrog Leverkusen and move to the top of the Bundesliga, two points ahead of their opponents and RB Leipzig.

For Sane, it is a setback he will need to pick himself up from. Last month, Flick called out the winger for his lack of quality against RB Salzburg in the Champions League.

"We are pleased with him, but it is important that when he starts a game, he gives a 100 per cent,” Flick said. “We are working on that.

“Like other players, he unnecessarily lost the ball a couple of times against Salzburg and in some instances, he didn't quite pursue one-on-ones. There are reasons for it, and we talked about that. He will try to do better next time.”

It would appear Flick did not see what he wanted from Sane on Saturday, but the winger now has a fortnight to set things right as Bayern are not in action again until they face Mainz on January 3.

Mikel Arteta has admitted he understands questions about his position at Arsenal following the team's latest setback, but is focused on turning their fortunes around.

The Gunnes fell to a 2-1 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday, to extend their winless run in the Premier League to seven games.

With Fulham securing a 1-1 draw at Newcastle later on Saturday, Arsenal are now only four points above the relegation places.

It is a far cry from the unbeaten start to the season - which followed FA Cup final glory last term - when there were suggestions that Arteta had unlocked the secret at the Emirates and was capable of masterminding a title push.

Title challenges are a distant memory and while it is too early to be suggesting Arsenal are in the relegation battle, Arteta is aware of the need to turn things around and can understand why some are questioning if he is the right man for the job.

“I understand that,” Arteta said in response to questions about whether his position is under threat. “My energy and my focus is only on getting the team out of that situation, maintaining the spirit on the team and the fight the boys showed every time they go on the pitch. You can see that, you cannot deny that. 

“Obviously, again, the results - there is no question about that, it's not good enough and it's not acceptable for the standards of this football club and this is the challenge and the fight that we are against.”

Arteta, who is without captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang due to a calf injury, is convinced his methods are correct, but knows the team need to turn their form around.

“It's a really complicated situation, but I am very encouraged from what I see from the players to continue doing what we are trying to do,” he said. “We think that of course we have to improve, but I think we've been very, very unlucky not to pick up many, many more points.”

Arteta feels fine margins are the difference between victory and defeat for his side at present. 

He said: "Again, when we analyse every game, the reasons why we are losing football matches, compared to other teams winning them, the margins are small. But we need those margins [to change] very quickly before the situation gets impossible to handle.”