Football expert and columnist Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool's 6-3 win against Tottenham on Sunday was not only a statement in the Premier League title race, but also a performance of champions. The win, combined with Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Everton, has now given Liverpool a four-point lead at the top of the table heading into Christmas. Carragher praises the team's dominant away performance and believes it sends a clear message to their title contenders.
Aston Villa shocked the Premier League champions with a 2-1 win, thanks in part to Morgan Rogers' excellent performance. The young midfielder dazzled with a goal and an assist, leaving Villa manager Unai Emery singing his praises. Meanwhile, Manchester City struggled with their possession game and ultimately succumbed to Villa's attack. Another standout player for Villa was Youri Tielemans, who emphasized the importance of bravery and risk-taking in securing the win.
In a shocking turn of events, Aston Villa proves to be the kryptonite for reigning champions Manchester City as they suffer a 2-0 defeat at Villa Park. Morgan Rogers leads the way for Villa with the second goal of the game, solidifying their victory and ending City's winning streak. This loss casts doubt on City's dominance in the league, sparking discussions on their potential decline.
Manchester City's Phil Foden, who has been having a rough season, shared an update on his training ahead of their important match against Aston Villa. The defending champions have been struggling in both the Premier League and the Champions League, and a win against Villa is crucial for their hopes to retain their title. With a favorable run of fixtures after this game, Foden and his team are determined to break out of their poor run of form and turn their season around. In other news, there has been an update on Man City's signing of Jeremie Frimpong.
Pep Guardiola's troubled season with Manchester City took another hit as his team suffered their 6th defeat in their last 8 league matches, losing to Aston Villa 2-1. The defending champions, who have now conceded 27 goals in their last 12 games, were unable to secure a victory despite a late goal by Phil Foden. With this result, Villa leapfrogged over City to 5th place and City have now fallen to 6th with a 9-point gap from league leaders Liverpool. This defeat is another blow for City, who also confirmed the absence of defender Ruben Dias for four weeks due to a muscle injury suffered in their last match against Manchester United.
The upcoming edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will see Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi make his debut for the defending champions Fortune Barishal. The franchise confirmed that Afridi was signed as a direct recruit and will be available for the first five matches of the tournament. Other direct signings for Fortune include Kyle Mayers, Dawid Malan, Mohammad Nabi, and more, while they also boast a strong roster of local talent. The BPL will run from December 30 to February 7.
The highly anticipated 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League T20 is set to begin on December 30th, and reigning champions Fortune Barishal have made a powerful addition to their already star-studded lineup. Pakistan's star pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, will take the field for Barishal as a direct signing, marking his maiden appearance in the tournament. However, due to his commitments to the Pakistan Cricket Board, Afridi will only be available for the opening five games of the tournament. Barishal will have a formidable lineup, with the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and other local stars, as they aim to defend their title.
Brazilian football player Vini Jr. has been named FIFA's The Best Men's Player for 2024. The Real Madrid forward had a remarkable season, winning the Champions League, LaLiga, and the Spanish Super Cup. Vini Jr. also played a crucial role in his team's successes, scoring 24 goals including a strike in the Champions League final and a hat-trick in the Spanish Super Cup. The award is a result of votes by international panel members, including coaches, captains, journalists, and fans, and takes into account not only sporting performance, but also conduct on and off the pitch.
Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid secured the FIFA men's player of the year award, beating out competition from Manchester City's Rodri and Real teammate Jude Bellingham. On the women's side, Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati took home the prize for the second year in a row. Both players were recognized for their impressive performances, with Vinicius helping Real Madrid to a LaLiga and Champions League double and Bonmati contributing to Barcelona's success in the Women's Champions League.
La Liga leader Barcelona suffered a shocking 1-0 loss at home against Leganes, with defender Sergio Gonzalez's early header proving to be the winning goal. This was Barcelona's second consecutive loss in the league, highlighting their recent struggles in domestic competition. Despite a strong performance in the Champions League, the club has faced several setbacks in the league in the past month, winning only one game out of their last six.