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Ademola Lookman has been vilified for his late panenka penalty miss on Saturday evening, as Fulham threw away a late chance to salvage a point against West Ham United and mantain their upturn in form.

While the youngster was criticised by manager Scott Parker, and ridiculed by supporters on social media, his arrival at Craven Cottage, and the impact of both he and fellow Nigerian Ola Aina, offers hope that the Londoners can beat the drop.

It only took until week seven, and has become easy to forget amids this weekend's drama, but Fulham finally secured a first league win of the campaign on Monday, beating fellow newly-promoted side West Bromwich Albion by two unanswered goals.

Within the context of their poor form up to that point, there was an added significance to the visit of the Baggies. Slaven Bilic's side have also had a dismal start to life back in the top flight and so, despite coming quite early in the season, it was a game that had the feel of the proverbial relegation six-pointer.

In the end, what ensued was a relatively comfortable, bloodless win for Parker's Cottagers. It was a result, and a performance, that further served to highlight the disparity between these two clubs with regard to player quality: Fulham have it; West Bromwich, starved of significant investment in the summer, do not.

The hosts went into the break with a two-goal lead, and never really looked like relinquishing it at any point.

Suddenly, things don't look so glum on the Thames anymore, even taking into account Saturday's narrow miss and Lookman's moment of madness.

Of course, that renewed optimism does not hinge solely on a result against a severely overmanned Baggies. That would be reactionary in the utmost. Instead (and in addition) there is a sense that the club's outlay in the transfer market is beginning to bear fruit.

Despite having what most observers believed to be the best squad in the Championship, Fulham have added even more quality upon promotion. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has returned from his loan in Spain; Ruben Loftus-Cheek arrived from Chelsea on loan; Kenny Tete, Antonee Robinson, Tosin Adarabioyo, Lookman and Aina have also been brought in to bolster the club's survival prospects.

The integration has been measured, a legacy of a severely shortened transfer window, but slowly the added quality is proving decisive.

Against Sheffield United in mid-October, Lookman produced an inspired finish to earn a well-deserved point, and on Monday it was Aina's turn to blast a rasping effort into the top corner with his 'weaker' left foot, practically ending the Albion's resistance for good.

That Fulham have been able to recruit players of this calibre is intriguing in itself.

Lookman and Aina have walked a similar path to this point in their careers: both were rated highly as youngsters at bigger clubs (Everton and Chelsea respectively), both have spent two years abroad (Germany and Italy) trying to prove themselves, and both have now returned to English shores on loan deals after their form and reputation floundered in their second season.

It is worth comparing the club's approach this time to the wasteful, scattergun supermarket sweep of two seasons ago.

Then, there were huge names arriving on big fees and even bigger wages; this time, there appears to be an emphasis on a different profile: the hungry players, and/or those with doubters to silence. Adarabioyo also falls into this category, having been let go by Manchester City for a modest fee despite impressing over the course of two loan spells with West Bromwich and Blackburn in the Championship.

There are, of course, no guarantees either way. As has been stated, on quality alone, Fulham were expected to overpower West Bromwich, but it was very much a matter of the blind wrestling the infirm. That result may not necessarily be indicative of a turnaround, although their performance against the Hammers was encouraging, despite the defeat.

There also remain doubts over the managerial ability of Parker, snappy dresser though he is.

Under him, Fulham have regularly appeared less than the sum of their parts: able to play some good stuff in their own half, and pressing reasonably well, but utterly incapable of constructing consistently coherent attacks. At least against his old club West Ham in Saturday's London derby, Fulham played with confidence and ambition, with Lookman arguably their brightest light...until the death, at least.

It seems increasingly likely that Fulham have just enough to keep their head above water, even if that is to be regardless of their manager.

Tales of their demise may have been greatly exaggerated. Certainly, if Lookman and Aina can spear efforts into the postage stamp every week, and if the former can improve his decision-making, it would do their chances no harm. That's what quality buys you.

With Zambo Anguissa running the middle of the pitch and Aleksandar Mitrovic poaching upfront, the key to survival for the Cottagers may be as simple as getting out their way and letting them play extempore.

Legendary former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Jabu Mahlangu had some scathing criticism for Amakhosi after they were booted out of the MTN8 by bitter rivals Orlando Pirates.

Pirates booked their place in the MTN8 final against Bloemfontein Celtic after a 3-0 home win last weekend and a 2-0 victory on Sunday against Amakhosi at the FNB Stadium, to make it a 5-0 aggregate scoreline in the two-legged semi-final.

"There is a lot of work to be done at Kaizer Chiefs," Mahlangu, who also once had a brief spell at Pirates, said during his post-match analysis for SuperSport TV.

"There is no motivation. There was no hunger to try and challenge Orlando Pirates pound for pound.”

Fellow analyst, Dikgang Mabalane, a former Pirates winger, echoed Mahlangu’s sentiments:

“Morale is not at the level where it's supposed to be, You can even see the body language of the players – [Lebogang] Manyama, [Khama] Billiat,” Mabalane said.

“They are trying yes, but again it's not showing in the game.”

Manyama and Billiat did indeed have quiet games on Sunday and neither player has scored yet this season.

In fact, Chiefs have only netted in two of their six matches so far. That includes a brace for defender Yagan Sasman in a 2-1 win over Maritzburg United and an own goal by Chippa United defender Gregory Damons.

Chiefs' problems were also compounded by an injury to Reeve Frosler and a red card for Eric Mathoho on Sunday.

But probably of greater concern to head coach Gavin Hunt and his technical team is the overall mind-set and lack of morale in the Amakhosi camp.

Ahead of Sunday’s match, Chiefs have been in shaky form this season and the only really convincing performance they’ve enjoyed is the 1-0 win over Chippa United in the league.

Confidence in front of goal, and all-round morale are just two of the challenges facing the Glamour Boys as club football makes way for the international break.

After that, Chiefs have an away date with Golden Arrows on November 21.

Uganda striker Uche Ikpeazu’s Wycombe Wanderers assistant manager Richard Dobson has claimed they had a good outing against Nottingham Forest despite going down 2-0 on Saturday.

Lyle Taylor’s brace was enough to bring to an end Wycombe’s three-match unbeaten run. The home victory – on the other hand - was a second straight win for Nottingham Forest.

 Although Ikpeazu was not involved, Wycombe came into the 11th Championship match unbeaten in three, including two wins.

“I thought ironically it's probably the best we have handled the ball in the last three or four games,” Dobson told BBC Sport. “Some of our interplays was bright, we got people into one v one situations, got crosses into the box and created chances.

“It was fairly even overall in terms of chances, the difference was the quality of Taylor's finishing.”

The boss praised Ikpeazu’s teammate Garath McCleary for the energy he brought to the team after he was introduced.

“McCleary was hugely positive, we like him a lot and think he's going to be a really good player for our club,” he continued.

“When you are performing well you don't want the break to come but there's time to review and try to build on the little bit of momentum that we've gathered.”

On his part, Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton praised how the goals were scored.

“It was a really good cross I thought for the first goal and of course the second goal was all his,” Hughton said.

“It was a fabulous finish and when you're a striker you want to score goals and that builds your confidence.

“It was a crucial goal because we were up against a team that was pushing and pushing, really hard. Until you get a second goal, the game does not open up as much as you would like.”

Ikpeazu is among the forwards who were called up by Uganda head coach Johnathan McKinstry for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Sudan.

The other strikers are Fahad Bayo of Ashdod FC, Edrisa Lubega of Paide Linnameeskond, Smouha SC’s Derrick Nsibambi, Alexis Bbakka of Umea FC, and KCCA FC’s Brian Aheebwa.

Ikpeazu is also among the players who have completed club duties ahead of the qualifiers. Farouk Miya, Timothy Awany, Fahad Bayo, Elvis Bwomono, Ronald Mukiibi, Edrisa Lubega, Kizito Luwagga, Joseph Ochaya and Nicholas Wadada are also expected in camp soon after completing professional duties.

Uganda will play the Bright Stars at home on November 12 and on November 16, they will away in Nairobi for the second qualifier.

Felipe Caicedo was Lazio's hero as his last-gasp strike cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo's goal in a 1-1 draw against Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

Lazio lacked bite in the absence of star striker Ciro Immobile, one of three players along with Lucas Leiva and Thomas Strakhosha absent after reportedly returning inconclusive coronavirus tests.

Ronaldo, who returned after his own isolation due to COVID-19 with a double against Spezia last week, scored a sixth Serie A goal of the campaign after 15 minutes and that looked by being enough to settle what had been a largely comfortable outing for the visitors.

But substitute Caicedo scored in the fifth minute of injury time to secure a point for Lazio in a result that leaves Juve three points off Serie A leaders Milan, who have a game in hand.

Juve probed a couple of times early on but Ronaldo sticking out a leg to divert home Juan Cuadrado's drilled cross, after great work down the right by the Colombian, was their first meaningful attack.

Lazio displayed hallmarks of a good side missing their best attacking weapon, though with a little more luck Vedat Muriqi would have got on the end of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's teasing header across the face of goal.

Fortune was on Lazio's side when Ronaldo smacked the right post and then forced Pepe Reina into a smart stop with a stinging free-kick.

Ronaldo and Adam Marusic exchanged efforts, while Adrien Rabiot tested Pepe Reina in a second half that struggled to ignite.

Pirlo withdrew Ronaldo with 14 minutes to go, a decision that appeared to surprise the star forward even though an ankle sprain was later confirmed.

Ronaldo's team-mates looked to have completed the job without him but Caicedo turned in the area and picked out the bottom-right corner after collecting Joaquin Correa's pass in a dramatic finale not befitting the rest of the game.

What does it mean? Ronaldo sub proves costly

Juve won just one of the four matches in all competitions that Ronaldo missed but appeared on track for a third win on the spin with their talisman back in the fold. But with just a slender 1-0 lead, the decision to take off their best forward may not have been the wisest one, even considering the fact he was nursing some ankle pain.

Ronaldo rocking and rolling despite Juve setback

Ronaldo became just the second Juve player, after Paulo Dybala, to score in his first four Serie A matches of a season in the three-points-for-a-win era. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had three shots on target from five attempts – another rattling the upright – while he completed 21 of 29 passes.

Super-sub Caicedo steps up

Immobile was also unavailable for the midweek 1-1 Champions League draw against Zenit and Lazio missed the cutting edge of a striker who scored 36 Serie A goals last term.

Muriqi was game enough but only one of his three efforts was on target and Simone Inzaghi replaced his striker with Felipe Caicedo after 54 minutes. What a substitution that proved to be.

Key Opta facts
- Juventus are unbeaten in their first seven league games for the eighth time in the past 10 Serie A seasons.
- Ronaldo has scored 27 goals in 2020, more than any other player in the top five European leagues.
- Since last season, Caicedo has scored five goals in the 90th minute or later - more than any other player in Serie A.
- Lazio have gained 33 points from losing positions since the start of last season, more than any other team in the top five European leagues.

What's next?

Juve are back in action in a little under a fortnight at home to Cagliari, while Lazio's first assignment after the international break is a trip to Crotone.

A Uganda national team made up of local-based played to 1-1 draw with Ugandan Premier League (UPL) side KCCA FC in a friendly match.

Coach Johnathan McKinstry was using the game to determine his team's preparedness ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against South Sudan.

In a match played at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo, it was the Cranes who opened the scoring courtesy of Brian Aheebwa, but the 10-time league champions levelled matters courtesy of Julius Poloto.

Neither of the sides could get a winner despite creating several chances, especially in the second half.

McKinstry has since whittled down his squad of local-based players as the team prepares for their qualifiers against South Sudan.  

The Northern Irish tactician had initially summoned a squad of 20 players from local clubs in the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) but after six days of training, he has trimmed the squad down to seven, who will now link up with the foreign-based players.  

Some of the players who have been left out are the experienced trio of Tonny Mawejje, Denis Iguma, and Murushid Jjuuko, who were handed a recall to the national team despite staying out of action for almost a year each. 

Iguma had just returned from injury, while Mawejje has not played active football since leaving Al-Arabi last year, and Juuko only signed for Express FC two weeks ago after a year out without action. 

The players who made the final cut are goalkeeper Charles Lukwago, defenders Halid Lwaliwa, Disan Galiwango, and Patrick Mbowa as well as midfielders Shafik Kagimu, Karim Watambala, and forward Brian Aheebwa. 

Uganda will host South Sudan in the first meeting on November 12 at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende before they face off again four days later in Kenya.

The seven local-based players selected will join the foreign-based players for next week's assignment.

Foreign-based players

Goalkeepers: Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Magoola Jamal Salim (Al Hilal Omdruman, Sudan) 

Defenders: Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds FK, Sweden), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam FC, Tanzania), Timothy Denis Awany (Sport Club Ironi Ashdod, Israel), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, Democratic Republic of Congo), Alex Kakuba (CD Cova Piedade, Portugal), Elvis Bwomono (Southend United, England)

Midfielders: Michael Azira (Chicago Fire, USA), Khalid Aucho (Misr Lel Makasa, Egypt), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Allan Okello (Paradou, Algeria)

Forwards: Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Ittihad Alexandria, Egypt), Alexis Bbakka (UMEA, Sweden), Fahad Bayo (Ironi Ashdod, Israel), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), William Kizito Luwagga (Hapoel, Israel), Uche Ikpeazu (Wycombe Wanderers, England), Edirisa Lubega (Paide Linnameeskond, Estonia)     

Yannick Bolasie and Oumar Niasse are two of Ademola Lookman’s former Everton team-mates who have stuck up for the Fulham star after he missed a penalty on Saturday.

With Lookman’s Fulham side, who lie 17th in the Premier League, having conceded the opening goal of the game to Tomas Soucek in stoppage-time, the Cottagers were awarded a spot kick that seemed destined to allow them to square the game.

Lookman was charged with the responsibility of taking it, but saw his effort stopped by home goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

It was not that he was denied that riled fans, however, it was the manner in which he took the kick. Rather than electing for a safety-first approach, the 20-year-old tried to execute a Panenka and lob the ball down the centre of the goal. He got it horribly wrong, however, and afforded the goalkeeper the easiest of saves.

The outcry over his apparently nonchalant attitude was immediate, but former team-mates Niasse and Bolasie have stepped up to defend the player.

"Top, top player," Bolasie wrote on his Instagram stories. "Sometimes we learn the hard way." Meanwhile, free agent Niasse added: “Just a lesson and you move on.”

Manager Scott Parker said in the aftermath of the game that he was “angry” with the style of penalty that his player elected.

"The boy has made a mistake, that's clear," he said. "You can miss a penalty, but you can't miss a penalty like that. He knows that. When you're young you have to learn quick.

"He's disappointed and rightly so. Everyone can miss penalties of course but in a certain way. This is football, growing as an individual and we'll learn from this.

"I'm not going to shirk away from the penalty miss, I'm angry, and he [Lookman] is as well. You just can't miss a penalty like that. If you take one like that, you have to score."

The attacker will have two weeks to stew over his miss because of the international break, with Fulham slated to play his former club Everton when play resumes on November 21.

Lookman is on loan at Fulham from RB Leipzig, scoring once in five Premier League appearances this season.

Harry Kane scored his 150th Premier League goal to snatch a 1-0 victory for Tottenham at West Brom on Sunday.

Despite starting with Kane, Son Heung-min and Gareth Bale in attack, Jose Mourinho's side delivered a largely flat attacking performance against the Baggies.

Indeed, they needed a good Hugo Lloris save and the intervention of the left-hand post in the second half to prevent Slaven Bilic's men taking the lead in the second half.

However, Kane secured a fourth win in a row away from home in the top flight when he headed Matt Doherty's delivery beyond Sam Johnstone.

The best of the early chances fell to Son, who had lots of time and space in the penalty area but eventually saw a shot blocked over by Semi Ajayi.

West Brom twice came close to a breakthrough, Karlan Grant nodding a good Darnell Furlong cross wide and Eric Dier heading well off the line with Grant lurking.

It took until the hour mark for Spurs to register a shot on target, Sergio Reguilon stinging the palms of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone with a speculative strike from outside the box.

Giovani Lo Celso, on for the injured Tanguy Ndombele, had a great chance to make a swift impact but hooked his shot wide from barely 10 yards out.

Conor Gallagher clipped the post from the edge of the box and Lloris reacted superbly to tip away a Grant header following a corner, as West Brom's best chances went begging.

Johnstone thought he had secured a share of the spoils, saving well low to his right to keep out a strike from Carlos Vinicius, but his indecision as Doherty swung in a high ball allowed Kane to head in the winner.

What does it mean? Kane milestone goal sends Spurs top

Mourinho's side jumped to the top of the table and knew they would stay there for the international break if Leicester City and Liverpool failed to win later on Sunday. Regardless of that outcome, their unbeaten run in the league now stands at seven, while West Brom remain winless and on just three points from eight matches.

Kane, who reached 200 goals in all competitions for Spurs this week, is on 150 in the top flight in only 218 appearances. Only Alan Shearer (212 games) and Sergio Aguero (217) reached that tally quicker.

Ajayi a giant for Baggies

Bilic was deeply unhappy when West Brom offloaded Ahmed Hegazi, but Ajayi has since found some fine form. The Nigeria centre-back was outstanding against Kane, Son and Bale, with a team-high five tackles, four interceptions, three blocks and 11 possessional gains.

Bale anonymous

Bale scored the winner against Brighton and Hove Albion last week, but he offered little in his first league start since rejoining Spurs, mustering just two shots and attempting only 21 passes, the fewest of any of Spurs' starting XI.

Key Opta stats

- Tottenham have won each of their opening four away games of a league season for just the fourth time in their history (also 1949-50, 1960-61 and 2017-18).
- West Brom have failed to win any of their first eight games of a league season for only the second time, having last done so in 1985-86, when they would go on to be relegated from the top-flight.
- Tottenham have kept a clean sheet in back-to-back away league games for the first time since October 2018.
- West Brom have failed to score in back-to-back home Premier League matches for the first time since a run of four games in a row from April to May 2017.
- Kane has been directly involved in 27 goals in his last 14 starts for Tottenham in all competitions, scoring 17 and assisting 10.

What's next?

Spurs face the tough prospect of a home game against Manchester City on November 21. West Brom resume duties after the international break at Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho has demonstrated he is the manager to take Tottenham to a trophy-winning level, with his "very direct" method of dealing with players earning praise from Michel Vorm.

Former Spurs goalkeeper Vorm, who has retired since leaving the club at the end of last season, believes Mourinho's blunt approach can be a positive, alongside his hunger for silverware.

The Dutchman indicated Mourinho's team may not have the verve of the sides previously managed by Mauricio Pochettino, but they may be better set up for success.

Vorm told Voetbal International: "Five or six years ago you couldn't have imagined that he would become a Tottenham coach.

"He has a certain way of working and playing and that takes time. Now you can see his style more clearly at Tottenham. Now you can start judging him a bit more. Mourinho really insists on winning a prize.

"I get along very well with him. Look, people also have a certain image of Louis van Gaal. I also worked very well with him at Oranje [the Dutch national team].

"I also think Van Gaal is a nice man and I see similarities with Mourinho. Of course I had a certain image of him. But when you work with him, it is different. I like a clear way of communicating and Mourinho is very direct. Take it or leave it."

There may be casualties along the way as Mourinho decides which players he can trust, with Dele Alli having notably struggled to win over the Portuguese of late.

Vorm said Tottenham took "real strides" over the past five years and admitted it was "a pity that wasn't rewarded with a prize".

The north London side sat fifth in the Premier League heading into Sunday's match at West Bromwich Albion, having only lost once in seven top-flight games this season and boasting the opportunity to go top with a win.

"That is one of the reasons that Mourinho is now there," Vorm added. "In terms of football it may not be as spectacular as under Pochettino, but with him they hope to take the next step."

Simba SC midfielder Clatous Chama has maintained the draw against rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League derby was a fair result for both teams.

Chama, who was doubtful for the Kariakoo derby was drafted to start after a late fitness test and marshalled the midfield well though they found themselves trailing in the 31st-minute when Ghanaian striker Michael Sarpong converted from the penalty spot.

However, Simba never gave up, as they battled hard and levelled the score with four minutes left to the final whistle when Kenya defender Joash Onyango scored from a glancing header after a well-delivered corner-kick.

The ‘Mwamba wa Lusaka' has now said they are satisfied to have picked up a point from the derby but warned their journey to win a record fourth title is still on despite the dropped points.

“A point apiece, in the end,” the Zambian player wrote on his social media pages. “A draw is never enough but the journey is not over yet. We’ll keep pushing until we claim what we rightfully own.”

In an earlier interview, Yanga coach Cedric Kaze blamed the team’s display in the second half for the 1-1 draw.

The Burundian tactician, who was overseeing his first Kariakoo Derby since taking over the team from fired Serbian Zlatko Krmpotic, acknowledged his team’s performance dropped significantly in the second period, which allowed their rivals to snatch a draw at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

“In the first half my players played very well, we controlled the game, the passing was accurate though we missed a couple of scoring chances, we deserved to take the lead at the break,” Kaze told reporters after the match.

“However, in the second half, our style of play dropped at the highest speed and we allowed them back into the game, we made our work difficult for ourselves, and it was the reason we conceded the goal.

“You must admit we were playing against a very organised team, a team which has been together for a very long time, and I even told my players to make sure that they should be alert throughout the 90 minutes, but all in all I have to congratulate for the point earned, it was a very good derby.”

Yanga will remain in second position in the 18-team league table heading into the international break with 24 points, while Azam FC are top on 25 points and Simba are third on 20 points.

Felipe Caicedo was Lazio's hero as his last-gasp strike cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo's goal in a 1-1 draw against Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

Lazio lacked bite in the absence of star striker Ciro Immobile, one of three players along with Lucas Leiva and Thomas Strakhosha absent after reportedly returning inconclusive coronavirus tests.

Ronaldo, who returned after his own isolation due to COVID-19 with a double against Spezia last week, scored a sixth Serie A goal of the campaign after 15 minutes and that looked by being enough to settle what had been a largely comfortable outing for the visitors.

But substitute Caicedo scored in the fifth minute of injury time to secure a point for Lazio in a result that leaves Juve three points off Serie A leaders Milan, who have a game in hand.

Juve probed a couple of times early on but Ronaldo sticking out a leg to divert home Juan Cuadrado's drilled cross, after great work down the right by the Colombian, was their first meaningful attack.

Lazio displayed hallmarks of a good side missing their best attacking weapon, though with a little more luck Vedat Muriqi would have got on the end of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's teasing header across the face of goal.

Fortune was on Lazio's side when Ronaldo smacked the right post and then forced Pepe Reina into a smart stop with a stinging free-kick.

Ronaldo and Adam Marusic exchanged efforts, while Adrien Rabiot tested Pepe Reina in a second half that struggled to ignite.

Pirlo withdrew Ronaldo with 14 minutes to go, a decision that appeared to surprise the star forward even though an ankle sprain was later confirmed.

Ronaldo's team-mates looked to have completed the job without him but Caicedo turned in the area and picked out the bottom-right corner after collecting Joaquin Correa's pass in a dramatic finale not befitting the rest of the game.

What does it mean? Ronaldo sub proves costly

Juve won just one of the four matches in all competitions that Ronaldo missed but appeared on track for a third win on the spin with their talisman back in the fold. But with just a slender 1-0 lead, the decision to take off their best forward may not have been the wisest one, even considering the fact he was nursing some ankle pain.

Ronaldo rocking and rolling despite Juve setback

Ronaldo became just the second Juve player, after Paulo Dybala, to score in his first four Serie A matches of a season in the three-points-for-a-win era. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had three shots on target from five attempts – another rattling the upright – while he completed 21 of 29 passes.

Super-sub Caicedo steps up

Immobile was also unavailable for the midweek 1-1 Champions League draw against Zenit and Lazio missed the cutting edge of a striker who scored 36 Serie A goals last term.

Muriqi was game enough but only one of his three efforts was on target and Simone Inzaghi replaced his striker with Felipe Caicedo after 54 minutes. What a substitution that proved to be.

Key Opta facts
- Juventus are unbeaten in their first seven league games for the eighth time in the past 10 Serie A seasons.
- Ronaldo has scored 27 goals in 2020, more than any other player in the top five European leagues.
- Since last season, Caicedo has scored five goals in the 90th minute or later - more than any other player in Serie A.
- Lazio have gained 33 points from losing positions since the start of last season, more than any other team in the top five European leagues.

What's next?

Juve are back in action in a little under a fortnight at home to Cagliari, while Lazio's first assignment after the international break is a trip to Crotone.

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has stated his charges prepared well for a win over Yanga SC in the Kariakoo Derby played on Saturday.

The two teams shared the spoils and the Belgian says there is no option but to take the point and focus on the forthcoming appointments. 

"We had prepared well for the game despite missing the services of some of our key players like Meddie Kagere and Chris Mugalu," Vandenbroeck told reporters. 

"As a team, we accept everything that has happened and we will rectify the mistakes made ahead of our next assignment. It was not our plan to get a draw against Yanga, we wanted a win and were psychologically prepared."

Earlier on, defender Joash Onyango also stated the 21-time champions had come into the derby with a plan to get a win.

"It was a tough game for either team, owing to its magnitude and none wanted to lose. Yanga played well, but we also played well. I thank my teammates for playing according to the plan," the Kenya international told reporters. 

"We were prepared to get a win, however, it did not go according to plan and we ended up sharing spoils. A point is better than none, it is football and in some instances, it does not happen as wished." 

In that match that ended 1-1, it was Yanga who scored first.

Wananchi won a penalty in the 35th minute and Sarpong did justice to his hardworking teammates by converting from the spot and tilt the scoreline in their favour.  

Tuisila Kisinda’s great surge towards Simba’s box was responsible for the most open opportunity, that resulted in the penalty. Onyango tripped the Ghanaian centre-forward and the referee pointed to the spot with Simba players protesting – as they felt Kisinda was fouled outside the 18-yard area – head coach Sven Vandenbroeck stood stunned on the touchline.  

Sarpong scored to make his goals from the spot three since joining Timu ya Wananchi from Rayon Sports. As Sarpong enjoyed a good moment in his maiden Kariakoo Derby, it was the exact opposite to Onyango who was signed from Gor Mahia.  

Onyango scored in the 86th minute to ensure the two teams picked a point each from the tense encounter in Dar es Salaam.

Simba won a corner that was delivered by Luis Miquisosne and Onyango rose quite high to head the ball past Metacha Mnata.

Harry Kane scored his 150th Premier League goal to snatch a 1-0 victory for Tottenham at West Brom on Sunday.

Despite starting with Kane, Son Heung-min and Gareth Bale in attack, Jose Mourinho's side delivered a largely flat attacking performance against the Baggies.

Indeed, they needed a good Hugo Lloris save and the intervention of the left-hand post in the second half to prevent Slaven Bilic's men taking the lead in the second half.

However, Kane secured a fourth win in a row away from home in the top flight when he headed Matt Doherty's delivery beyond Sam Johnstone.

The best of the early chances fell to Son, who had lots of time and space in the penalty area but eventually saw a shot blocked over by Semi Ajayi.

West Brom twice came close to a breakthrough, Karlan Grant nodding a good Darnell Furlong cross wide and Eric Dier heading well off the line with Grant lurking.

It took until the hour mark for Spurs to register a shot on target, Sergio Reguilon stinging the palms of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone with a speculative strike from outside the box.

Giovani Lo Celso, on for the injured Tanguy Ndombele, had a great chance to make a swift impact but hooked his shot wide from barely 10 yards out.

Conor Gallagher clipped the post from the edge of the box and Lloris reacted superbly to tip away a Grant header following a corner, as West Brom's best chances went begging.

Johnstone thought he had secured a share of the spoils, saving well low to his right to keep out a strike from Carlos Vinicius, but his indecision as Doherty swung in a high ball allowed Kane to head in the winner.

What does it mean? Kane milestone goal sends Spurs top

Mourinho's side jumped to the top of the table and knew they would stay there for the international break if Leicester City and Liverpool failed to win later on Sunday. Regardless of that outcome, their unbeaten run in the league now stands at seven, while West Brom remain winless and on just three points from eight matches.

Kane, who reached 200 goals in all competitions for Spurs this week, is on 150 in the top flight in only 218 appearances. Only Alan Shearer (212 games) and Sergio Aguero (217) reached that tally quicker.

Ajayi a giant for Baggies

Bilic was deeply unhappy when West Brom offloaded Ahmed Hegazi, but Ajayi has since found some fine form. The Nigeria centre-back was outstanding against Kane, Son and Bale, with a team-high five tackles, four interceptions, three blocks and 11 possessional gains.

Bale anonymous

Bale scored the winner against Brighton and Hove Albion last week, but he offered little in his first league start since rejoining Spurs, mustering just two shots and attempting only 21 passes, the fewest of any of Spurs' starting XI.

Key Opta stats

- Tottenham have won each of their opening four away games of a league season for just the fourth time in their history (also 1949-50, 1960-61 and 2017-18).
- West Brom have failed to win any of their first eight games of a league season for only the second time, having last done so in 1985-86, when they would go on to be relegated from the top-flight.
- Tottenham have kept a clean sheet in back-to-back away league games for the first time since October 2018.
- West Brom have failed to score in back-to-back home Premier League matches for the first time since a run of four games in a row from April to May 2017.
- Kane has been directly involved in 27 goals in his last 14 starts for Tottenham in all competitions, scoring 17 and assisting 10.

What's next?

Spurs face the tough prospect of a home game against Manchester City on November 21. West Brom resume duties after the international break at Manchester United.

Things are back on the up again at Manchester United following Saturday’s 3-1 victory against Everton at Goodison Park, as they bounced back from a goal down to put a miserable week behind them.

The Red Devils headed into this one on the back of consecutive defeats—against Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir—with two performances to match the underwhelming scorelines.

Against Everton, at least early on, it looked like it would be a similar story, before Bruno Fernandes turned on the class and Edinson Cavani netted a late third to alleviate the pressure—for now at least—on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Cavani’s strike will fuel optimism at Old Trafford, but it also threatens to shunt Odion Ighalo further into obscurity at the club.

The Nigeria international moved to United at the start of the year, on a loan move from China, where he’d enjoyed an enviable scoring record after departing Watford.

He may not have been United’s first choice, and he wasn’t the kind of glamour signing to get the pulses racing, but as short-term fixes go—particularly with the club’s injury concerns at the time and the Red Devils competing on multiple fronts—it was a move that made sense.

Initially, things worked out well, with Ighalo engendering much goodwill when he revealed—seemingly with striking authenticity—that United had been close to his heart since his youth.

Easing the pressure on the side as they competed on multiple fronts, Ighalo became the go-to man for the cup competitions; he scored at will in both the FA Cup and the Europa League.

He even equalled a United record that had stood for 95 years when he bagged against Norwich City following the resumption of action after the coronavirus suspension, becoming the first player since Jimmy Hanson in 1925 to score in his first four competitive starts for the club.

It almost didn’t matter that he was barely playing in the Premier League, and not scoring when he did.

Will we look back on that goal in the future and say that that was as good as it ever got for Ighalo at Old Trafford?

Certainly, while United responded strongly during Project Restart, the Covid-19 delay and subsequent resuming of action didn’t work in his favour.

First of all, Marcus Rashford returned from injury, then Mason Greenwood proved that he could be a difference-maker in the Premier League, United were knocked out of the FA Cup, and the decision was taken to play the Europa League after the conclusion of the Prem season.

Suddenly, almost all of the reasons why Ighalo was brought to the North-West had disappeared. He was way down the pecking order already before Cavani was recruited on a free transfer before the transfer window closed.

Here was another veteran—older than Ighalo no less—with a greater pedigree in the game; more success, more silverware, and destined for more playing time at Old Trafford than his new teammate.

Since October 24, Cavani has played 93 minutes across all competitions for United, Ighalo has played zero during that period, and not taken to the field for the heavyweights since the 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup in September.

While Ighalo, on one hand, has something of a track record in English football—an advantage he holds over Cavani—any concerns about the South American’s ability to cut it in the Prem were dispelled when he netted late against Everton.

He’d previously gone close against Chelsea, and when he scored against Everton became the oldest player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic—also once of this parish—to bag his first top flight goal.

Cavani may have endured a tough season in Ligue 1 in 2019-20, as he scored just four, but he bagged 100 league goals alone across the previous four seasons, and is clearly a quality addition to the squad.

But where does his arrival leave Ighalo?

Having extended his loan deal at Old Trafford until the start of 2021, the Nigeria forward isn’t set to leave any time soon, even though there were some feint rumours of an exit during the offseason.

Instead, barring injury to one—or even two—of his striking rivals, the attacker appears primed to sit out the remainder of his United career on the substitutes bench (at best).

It’s set to be a disappointing conclusion to Ighalo’s time at Old Trafford, as while things didn’t begin particularly auspiciously, he overcame the initial scepticism with his goals and attitude, and has certainly deserved more opportunity to build on his encouraging goals-to-minutes ratio.

Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi has left Finland top-flight side HIFK Fotboll.

Origi, who joined the Scandinavian club in March 2019 after a deal to the Premier League side Crystal Palace did not materialise in the last minutes, leaves after more than a year with them.

“HIFK thanks Arnold Origi for two memorable seasons, all the great victories, numerous top defences, singing the pride chant of 'IFK Stad' after the game with the winners, and above all the great moments during our joint journey,” HIFK Fotboll said in a statement.

In the just-ended season, the Kenya goalkeeper kept seven clean sheets as HIFK Fottboll finished the campaign eighth with 28 points. Overall, Origi started in 33 games for the Finnish club and received a red card which led to a bitter social media reaction from journalist Pekka Holopainen.

Holopainen had claimed the goalkeeper was involved in a match-fixing incident when he was red-carded as HIFK Fotboll played and lost 3-2 to Inter Turku on August 14, 2020.

The red card incident, consequent reaction from the Finnish writer and the armistice between the parties would go down as Origi’s most remembered moment in the country

“It was important for me to meet Pekka Holopainen face to face. When I heard the news of what he had said, I was very disappointed and angry,” Origi said in a statement then.

“There are many people who just make an apology without really meaning it, because it belongs and because you should not lose face in public.

“We have all made mistakes and said stupid things, which you later regret. He regretted his mistake and thus I could forgive him.

“There is a lot in our society today that is about spreading false rumours and hanging out with other people on social media after they have made a mistake.

“I do not want to be a part of this and have even made mistakes myself several times. If someone disappears, but then is genuinely remorseful and apologises, you can talk through the situation together and then move on to the next chapter.

“Holopainen and I have met, said what we have to say to each other, and now we can forget what happened and move on.”

His exit means there is only one Kenyan remaining at the club - Sydney Lokale, who was signed from Kariobangi Sharks.

The former Mathare United and Tusker goalkeeper has also played for Kongsvinger, Sandnes Ulf, Ullensaker Kisa IL, Fredkistad, Moss and Lillestrom.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt has confirmed that right-back Reeve Frosler is back from injury and is available for selection for Sunday’s MTN8 semi-final, second leg clash against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium.

The defender returns after missing the 3-0 first-leg loss to Pirates as well as last Wednesday’s 0-0 Premier Soccer League draw against TSG Galaxy.

In Frosler’s absence, Hunt first played Ramahlwe Mphahlele at right-back against Pirates, before Kgotso Moleko stepped into that position against TS Galaxy.

“Yes, Reeve trained well on Friday and will be available for selection,” Hunt told the Kaizer Chiefs official website. “We must limit talking much and do our talking on the pitch.”

Chiefs face what appears to be an insurmountable task of overturning the 3-0 first-leg defeat by Pirates.

Hunt’s men need to beat Pirates convincingly and Hunt believes that it is possible to stage a successful comeback.

The Amakhosi coach states that they have to score first and avoid conceding which would further place Pirates in an advantageous position with an away goal.

“The most important thing on Sunday afternoon is to win the match,” said Hunt.

“There is no question, we are starting the match trailing 0-3 against a side that is capable of beating any team in the league. The first aim going into the match is to win the contest.

“For them, it will be a matter of resuming the match from 0-0. We cannot afford to concede a goal. If we concede it will be a tall order to recover. I do not look much at what happened during the midweek games, I plan for the next match.

“I have heard a lot of talk that they did not play their full strength, but I do not buy into that. They have a squad of good enough players to play at any time.”

Chiefs go into Sunday’s match having struggled to win in their last two matches.

While Frosler is available to play, it is not yet clear if 17-year-old midfielder Keletso Sifama is back from injury as well but striker Samir Nurkovic is yet to return.

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has admitted that if he had been awarded a penalty in Saturday’s 3-1 win against Everton, it would have been a “soft” decision.

During the second half, the defender collided with Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford when attempting to win a loose ball following a free kick.

Pickford has found himself in an unwanted spotlight in recent weeks, having been the antagonist in a collision that saw Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk ruled out for the rest of the season because of a serious knee injury.

On this occasion he was cleared after a VAR check from referee Michael Oliver, and Maguire feels that on balance that was probably the correct call.

“I just explained this in there, I personally don’t think it was [a penalty],” he told the club’s official website. “I think maybe I fouled Jordan first. I did put a hand into his chest when he went to catch the ball and I did feel contact on my knee.

“I felt like I probably pushed Jordan before and I know everyone’s probably trying to jump on him dropping the ball but I did feel like I pushed him. I’d say [a penalty] would have been a little bit soft.”

Maguire felt it was important that United got back on track after a disappointing week, in which they had not impressed in a 1-0 home loss to Arsenal or in a 2-1 away defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League.

“Sometimes it’s difficult for the lads but today we reacted really well to two poor results,” he said. “We felt like we let ourselves down against Arsenal.

“On another day, Arsenal could have been a different result. It was a tight, edgy game, but we don’t want it to be tight and edgy when we’re playing at Old Trafford. We want to dominate the game. We gave them a soft goal and they went on to win the game.

“In the week, we again gave them a soft goal to take the lead and we found it hard to create chances to come back. We knew it was an important game to come here and get three points. The boys reacted really well but as we know it’s only a start.”

Manchester United will return to action against West Bromwich Albion on November 21, following the international break.