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Sammy Omollo has lauded Gor Mahia despite falling 6-0 in the first leg of the second preliminary round of their Caf Champions League game away to CR Belouizdad.

The Great Chabab scored their goals through Amir Sayoud, who scored a hat-trick, Hamza Bellahouel, Larbi Tabti, and Maecky Ngombo during a thoroughly one-sided display at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 on Saturday, December 26. 

Despite struggling away, the tactician, who came in as a stand-in coach for the Kenyan champions, has explained why K'Ogalo players deserve respect notwithstanding the humiliating loss.

"If it was any other team, believe me, they could have suffered more goals," Omollo told Goal on Thursday.

"These players are very strong; they came into the match and struggled to get into the match. They had not trained at all and were really under difficult circumstances coming into the game.

"They gave their best against a very good and organised team and their fight on the pitch was evident. They deserve respect."

The Kenyan champions looked shaky at the back and struggled to stop the attacks by their hosts. The Posta Rangers coach has refused to blame his defenders for the goals conceded.

"If you look keenly on the way we conceded the goals, it was from individual mistakes," Omollo continued.

"Those are the kind of mistakes that can only be rectified when the team trains together. With proper guidance before the game, Michael Apudo and Geoffrey Ochieng would have played better, but we did not have that chance.

"So let us encourage the boys, and motivate them. This is a lesson which should be taken in well."

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

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) released the fixtures which will resume the Premier League in the New Year. Gor Mahia's game against AFC Leopards in the derby is the only affected match. 

According to the new list of fixtures obtained by Goal, the Mashemeji derby, which was due to be played on January 3 at Nyayo Stadium, has been postponed but no new date was given for the clash.

This move is to allow K'Ogalo to prepare for the second leg game against the Great Chabab scheduled for Wednesday, January 6 at Nyayo Stadium.

Manchester United are a “concern” for Liverpool, says Steve Nicol, with the defending champions aware that arch-rivals are now breathing down their neck in the Premier League title race.

The latest round of top-flight fixtures, which were the last of 2020, delivered contrasting fortunes for two old adversaries.

United ensured that they rounded off the calendar year in style, with a dramatic late winner from Marcus Rashford seeing them edge out Wolves.

Liverpool were unable to replicate that hard-fought success when taking in a cagey contest of their own at Newcastle.

Jurgen Klopp’s side fluffed their lines at St James’ Park, with a 0-0 draw all they could muster on Tyneside.

That result was enough to keep them three points clear at the top of the table, but United now sit second and boast a game in hand on the defending champions.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have been finding a way to get the job done this season, without always being at their best, and Nicol believes that will have those at Anfield glancing anxiously over their shoulder.

The former Reds defender told ESPN FC: “You look at Liverpool’s result and Man Utd’s result, the performance from one team that dominated the game, should have won very, very comfortably but yet end up with one point and then you’ve got a team in United coming up on the rails who pretty much didn’t deserve anything.

“There’s no way they deserve to win this game [against Wolves] but they end up winning and getting three points. So that has to be a concern.

“At the end of the day, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp will be looking at themselves, try not to look elsewhere, and just get the job done. But you have to be concerned with United because regardless of how they play right now, they’re getting victories.”

Liverpool’s superior goal difference means that they will not be knocked from top spot on New Year’s Day, when United take in a home date with Aston Villa, but their lead at the summit could disappear.

Klopp’s side will not be action again until Monday, when they make the long journey south to face Southampton at St Mary’s.

Head coach of the Nigeria women's team Randy Waldrum says he is 'extremely excited' over the Nigeria Football Federation's approval of his side's participation in the 2021 Turkish Women's Cup.

His reaction is coming hours after the endorsement of the Super Falcons' tour of Turkey in February and two friendlies against Morocco days later by the NFF executive board on Tuesday.

Before Waldrum's appointment in October, the African champions have not played a match in 14 months, with their last the 1-1 draw against Cote d'Ivoire in the 2020 Olympic qualifier in Lagos.

On receiving news of the approved tours, the American tactician thanked the Amaju Pinnick-led board, while stressing that the year 2021 would be crucial in the team's quest for success.

"I’m extremely excited about this news and very happy for our players," Waldrum told Goal. 

"I’m very appreciative of the NFF and Executive Committee for approving these vitally important events. I think this calendar year 2021 is vital to our development before qualification begins." 

The Turkish invitational which enters its fourth edition in 2021 will feature Nigeria for the first time after a late withdrawal in 2018.

Despite the possibility of meeting low-profile women's teams, the 64-year-old insisted keeping his team active is of utmost importance for him to build a formidable side. 

"I haven’t seen who is at the Turkish tournament so I can’t say," he continued. 

"We need to be active with games and camps this year as it takes time to develop an understanding of how we want to play and playing together as a unit." 

The camps are likely to see the return of some top players, including Desire Oparanozie and Rita Chikwelu to the team's fold since their appearances at the 2019 Women's World Cup in France.

On what his roster could look like ahead of February's tours, the former Trinidad and Tobago coach provided insight into his plans, while craving for more camping opportunities during the year.

"I certainly want to see the Women's World Cup players but also want to see some fresh local-based players as well," Waldrum disclosed. 

"It's also great to know the Nigerian league is on. I surely can’t wait to watch and see the level of the women's league!

"That’s why it’s important to have as many camps as possible. We need to use those times to evaluate. It's absolutely great opportunities for those players in the domestic league and others. 

"I expect the players to come in with a good fitness level and that’s why I sent them a program I prepared. 

"Those playing internationally will most likely be at a pretty good level but those that have not been active needs to do the programs provided."

Waldrum is tasked to lead the Super Falcons through two major campaigns, the 2022 African Women's Cup of Nations which double as the qualifying event for the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Another day, another late winner from Igor Angulo. The in-form forward sealed three points for FC Goa as they end 2020 on a high, sneaking into the top-four in Indian Super League (ISL).

Just like in the previous game against Jamshedpur FC, the Gaurs once again kept it late but in the end, made sure the job was done thanks to goals from 'super-sub' Ishan Pandita, who scored seconds after coming on to the pitch as a substitute and then Igor Angulo who was too hot to handle for the Hyderabad backline.

The reigning ISL league shield winners did not have the best of starts to their campaign this season but with each passing match, the Gaurs slowly improving. With the mass exodus of foreign as well as Indian players in the summer, new coach Juan Ferrando had a tough job in hand to regroup the side but the young Spanish coach has so far done a commendable job.

FC Goa deserve a bit of credit for replacing talismanic striker Ferran Corominas, who left the club after three seasons this summer, with a worthy successor in Igor Angulo. The veteran striker has a vast experience of playing at the top division of Spain and has done a splendid job in his debut season in India. He has already scored nine goals in as many games and is leading the chart of top scorers in the ISL.

With the support from Jorge Ortiz and Brandon Fernandes, Angulo has scored crucial goals to ensure Gaurs remain in the top-four mix. 

But Ferrando still has to sort out a few issues. Goa have not been able to take a game by the scruff of its neck despite dominating possession. Often, after conceding goals, they are forced to go all out in attack and eke a result out. This has worked for them in the last couple of games but it cannot be the norm throughout the season. 

The coach himself acknowledged this after the Hyderabad game and expects more character from his team.

"It is important to be calm because in the last two games we won 2-1 in the last minute. We have to grow up during the games. It is necessary to start the games with more personality and more character and not react only after going down by a goal."

While the Gaurs end the year on a high, the Nizams conceded their third defeat on the trot this season. After a strong start to their campaign where they remained unbeaten in their first five matches, Hyderabad's form graph have suddenly gone downhill and they are now languishing at the bottom half of the league table.

Unfortunately, Manuel Marquez is yet to get a fully fit squad at his disposal. Hyderabad have played with only three foreigners for the majority of the first phase and have done a fairly decent job. 

Good news for them though is the three injured foreigners (Fran Sandaza, Joel Chianese and Lluis Sastre) have recovered from their injuries and are slowly regaining fitness. They have also signed Dutch midfielder Roland Alberg as their seventh overseas signing and he will join the team as soon as his quarantine period is over.

This Hyderabad side has shown a lot of promise so far in the league with limited resources and Manuel Marquez will hope that he gets a fully fit squad in the remaining matches of the league. 

Ghana winger Tariqe Fosu was on target as Brentford secured a 2-1 home win over Bournemouth in the Championship on Wednesday.

The attacker's goal crucially proved the match-winner, helping his side to three points in the matchday 22 fixture at London's Brentford Community Stadium.

The win sees The Bees second on the league table, firmly on course for a Premier League promotion slot.

It was visiting Bournemouth who struck first on the day through Dominic Solanke who planted the ball at the back of the net on a Lloyd Kelly assist in the 25th minute.

Henrik Dalsgaards then hit back for The Bees with a header in the 37th minute after Mathias Jensen delivered a cross towards the near post.

Substituted on in the 65th minute, Fosu made his presence felt 14 minutes later as he headed home Bryan Mbeumo's cross at the far post.

The goal was his first strike of the season, having made 15 appearances so far involving five starts.

Last season, he made 11 league appearances involving two starts for Thomas Frank's side in their run to the Championship play-off final.

The attacker joined The Bees from Oxford United in January, having previously also played for Charlton Athletic, Colchester United, Accrington Stanley, Fleetwood Town and Reading where he developed through their youth ranks.

Fosu will hope to continue to impress for Brentford to improve his chances of earning a third straight Ghana call-up when the team assembles for a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying double-header against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in March next year.

Born to Ghanaian parents in London, the 25-year-old, who was previously involved with England at U18 level, switched allegiance to represent the country of his parents at senior level.

He made his debut for the Black Stars in a friendly fixture against Mali in October, few days before scoring against Qatar in a second friendly.

His fine October performances convinced Ghana coach CK Akonnor for another call-up for back-to-back games against Sudan in the Afcon qualifiers in November. 

Iwobi, by and large, had an underwhelming 2020, but it’s come to an encouraging finish with events in the last month and a bit.

Criticised for his end product, the former Arsenal playmaker has come on in leaps and bounds to energise Carlo Ancelotti’s team in the last few weeks to play a solid part in James Rodriguez’s absence.

In that time, Everton have risen to top four hopefuls in a tight season laden with crazy results across the Premier League, and this offers hope for to an ambitious Toffees in 2021.

Iwobi: The story of 2020

The Nigeria playmaker had a slow start to the year, mostly playing catch-up following Ancelotti’s arrival in December 2019, due to an unfortunate layoff after the experienced manager's arrival on Merseyside.

While Iwobi returned before the lockdown, there was a feeling the ex-Gunner wasn’t quite right then and after the sport returned in June and he largely epitomised an Everton side that petered out in the final gameweeks of 2019/20.

One goal contribution throughout a tumultuous maiden campaign led to old doubts creep up about the Arsenal academy graduate, who many believe can produce a lot more in the final third.

The marquee arrival of Rodriguez for the new season, as well as acquisitions of Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure from Napoli and Watford respectively gave the Merseyside club a boost in quality but the upshot of those arrivals put Iwobi’s place under threat.

Even though missing out on the squad in the opening weeks of the campaign didn’t bode well, the West African’s quality has shone through, making him a useful member of the team.

It hasn’t been by design, however, neither has it sat well with observers with injuries to Everton’s full-backs seeing the Nigerian deployed at wing-back and even at right-back against Burnley.

It was far from ideal for the attacking midfielder but he’s shown great versatility and impetus in possession to suggest Ancelotti can trust him in that position if need be in future.

Rodriguez, Richarlison and Seamus Coleman (the club’s primary right-back) are expected to return to full fitness in the New Year, meaning Iwobi’s run of starts may be halted as the principal starters return.

However, the consistency and tenacity shown in the last few weeks of 2020 — which prompted effusive praise from his manager — suggest the Super Eagle won’t be on the periphery of this side in 2021.

Iwobi: Any transfer rumours?

If the year ended three months ago, the Nigeria star may have been one of the few players to be considered for a sale to raise funds to improve the side.

Proving he can be relied upon and stepping up in unfamiliar positions, though, mean Iwobi is going nowhere...unless something really drastic happens in January or the second half of the 20/21 season.

Iwobi: One big ambition for 2021

Given the first XI attacking quality Ancelotti has at his disposal, it’s safe to say getting into the Everton front three won’t be easy for the 24-year-old when everyone’s fit.

Be that as it may, a role in the midfield three could offer Iwobi consistent first-team action in a position that actually suits his skill set, in theory at least.

In the middle of the park, his ball-carrying and link-up know-how come to the fore, while the pressure for raw numbers in goals and assists will be lessened, too.

Not playing regularly or performing consistently enough to actually cement a place at Arsenal and now Everton has hindered the Nigerian’s development, making midfield a sensible option to do just that.

If the Toffees make Europe at the end of it all, even better!

Iwobi: One big fear for 2021

Lack of match action which suggests the Nigerian could remain a bit-part player in Ancelotti’s team.

Not making the top six or winning a trophy may even lead to a sale if Everton need to balance the books after heavy investment in summer 2019.

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has called for patience after Eden Hazard made his return from injury against Elche on Wednesday. 

Hazard's time at Madrid has been blighted by injuries and he suffered his latest setback on November 28, as he was pulled from his side's match against Alaves with a thigh strain.

The Belgian missed a month of action and was an unused substitute in his return to Madrid's matchday squad last week against Granada. 

Hazard did see the field on Wednesday, coming on for the final 13 minutes of his side's 1-1 draw. 

In his post-game press conference Zidane addressed the status of Hazard as well as Martin Odegaard, who was an unused substitute against Elche and hasn't seen the field since December 1 due to a combination of injuries and his coach's decision.

“We made three changes tonight and Martin wasn't involved, but there's no issue there," Zidane said of the Norway international. 

"Hazard returned tonight, but he needs time and games under his belt. It's a case of taking it step by step," he added.

Luka Modric opened the scoring on 20 minutes against Elche, but Madrid were pegged back early in the second half through a Fidel penalty. 

Zidane felt the key to the match was his side's failure to find a second goal in the first half, as Madrid's five-game winning streak in La Liga came to a halt. 

“We created a number of chances in the first half to have got that second goal, which would have allowed us to be more relaxed, but when they got the equaliser, everything became that bit more difficult for us," Zidane said.

"They dropped deeper and we struggled in the second half. That's just the way things go in football and we've got to keep going. If you look at the first half, it's a case of two points dropped, but we have to keep on working hard.

“Everyone's going to end up dropping points. This is a very tough league. We had produced a number of good performances coming into tonight’s match and we've dropped two points here, but we have to keep on doing what we’re doing because it's a very long league season and there’s a long way to go."

The draw saw Madrid fall two points behind Atletico Madrid, who won earlier on Wednesday to extend their lead atop the La Liga table. Diego Simeone's side also have two games in hand over their city rivals. 

Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has confirmed defender Joel Matip is set to miss three weeks with a groin injury. 

Matip went down with the injury in the club's 1-1 draw against West Brom on Sunday, furthering Liverpool's problems in defence.

Already without centre-back duo Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez with long-term injuries, Matip's absence will stretch Liverpool further during a busy period of fixtures.

Nat Phillips and Fabinho started in defence for Liverpool on Wednesday as the club drew Newcastle 0-0 at St James' Park. In his post-game press conference, Klopp confirmed the extent of Matip's injury. 

"The normal situation with this kind of injury is around about three weeks," Klopp said of the Cameroon defender.

Klopp however was encouraged by his side's injury situation as midfielder Thiago Alcantara made his first appearance in more than two months and the Reds suffered no new injury concerns. 

"Thiago is a super player," Klopp said. "From the 20 minutes he played, 12 were brilliant and then he felt the intensity, which is normal. He trained only twice around the team, so there is still some physical work to do, still some rhythm to get.

"The best news is that the boys are back, and as far as I know in the moment, nobody got injured tonight which is very important. Probably, we can go with the same squad to Southampton."

Liverpool had several clear-cut chances against the Magpies, but were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Despite failing to pick up all three points, Klopp said he was happy with the way his side performed on the evening.

"Everybody knows if we win 1-0 then everybody is over the moon, and we should have won the game at least 1-0," Klopp added. "We didn’t, and we have to accept that, but I can work with this performance, I can work with the things we saw tonight. We can build on that, we don’t have to change in the next three or four days as if everything is going wrong."

Liverpool return to action on Monday when they face Southampton at St Mary's. 

Diego Simeone has been taking his Atletico Madrid tenure "game by game" for nine years and now, 500 games in, is keen to ensure standards do not slip in 2021.

Atletico head coach Simeone oversaw a 1-0 La Liga win over Getafe on Wednesday to mark his 500th match in charge of the club in all competitions.

Luis Suarez's eighth league goal for Atletico secured maximum points in midweek, which ensured Simeone's high-flying side would head into the new year top of the table.

Reflecting on his approach when returning to Atleti as coach in December 2011, Simeone explained he has rarely looked beyond the next game – now Deportivo Alaves on Sunday.

"Since I arrived when I got together with Miguel [Angel Gil Marin, CEO] and Enrique [Cerezo, president], I told them let's go game by game," the 50-year-old said. "That is my feeling, playing each game as if it were the last until situations lead me to leave Atletico or not."

As well as leading La Liga at the end of December, Atleti have completed a calendar year without losing at home in the league for the first time since 1998, winning 14 and drawing the other four of their 18 matches - but Simeone is not interested in their 2020 achievements, preferring to focus on the campaign as a whole.

"We cannot consider the years as a year but as a season," he explained. "Last season we achieved our goal of reaching the Champions League and we managed to settle in that place that allows us to continue growing.

"The Copa del Rey went very badly, where we were eliminated in the first round. In the Champions League, we were excited after the game against Liverpool, but then we fell in the quarter-finals.

"So we started over. We started well, as we have been playing since the pandemic ended, with the team very motivated. Now we have to continue."

Asked what his wish might be for the coming 12 months, though, Simeone highlighted the public health situation rather than his team's title tilt.

"It would be too selfish if, in the moment we are living, we think about football," Simeone said amid the coronavirus pandemic. "Hopefully we can hug a friend again, be able to celebrate a birthday again, get back to normal. Health - above all, I ask for health."

Atleti's latest win continued a remarkable record against Getafe under Simeone, playing 18 matches without conceding - 16 wins, two goalless draws - but Simeone guarded against complacency, adding: "These are situations.

"Atletico spent 14 years without beating Real Madrid. It has been quite a few games since we beat Barcelona. But that was until one day. We face each game with the same passion."

Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow says he would be "silly" to not admit he is thinking about a potential England call-up, although he believes he still has to do more to earn it.

Darlow was the star of the show against Liverpool on Wednesday, as he kept a clean sheet in a scoreless draw.

The goalkeeper made four saves on Wednesday night, and now has the second-highest number in the Premier League behind only Sam Johnstone of West Brom.

Darlow has shone for Newcastle this season, having started 13 games after previously serving as Martin Dubravka's back-up.

Having taken his chance following an injury to Dubravka, the 30-year-old goalkeeper is hopeful that he could make the step up to international level as he hopes for an England call-up.

"[It would be] silly for me to not admit I'm aware of it, I know what's going on and hopefully I can just keep performing well and it might put me in contention," he told Amazon Prime. "I've just got to try and keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully it might happen."

Dubravka was named in the matchday squad for the first time since July, having been out of action with an ankle injury.

With Dubravka's return, manager Steve Bruce will have a decision to make in goal, as the Slovakian has been one of Newcastle's best performers of recent seasons.

"He's had to wait patiently for his chance," Bruce said of Darlow. "Certainly with the way he's trained - Martin Dubravka is now back fit but we needed our second goalkeeper to step up and at the moment the jersey's his because of his performances. We've had to call on him a bit too much at times but there's no denying he has been terrific all season."

Darlow told BBC: "I can only concentrate on what I am doing. It has been brilliant to have him [Dubravka] back to be honest and to work with him again. It is good to be under pressure.”

With the draw, Newcastle currently sit 14th in the Premier League and will now look ahead to a clash with Leicester on Sunday.

Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp was impressed with the quality Thiago Alcantara displayed on his return from injury against Newcastle. 

The Spain international came on in the 73rd minute against the Magpies, making his first appearance since sustaining a knee injury at Everton on October 17.

Thiago sprayed several impressive long balls around the pitch, looking no worse for the lengthy absence on just his third appearance for the Reds. 

Liverpool, however, were unable to find a finishing touch as they drew 0-0 at St James' Park.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Klopp said he was impressed with how the 29-year-old performed in his first action since October.

"We could see a lot of moments how good a footballer he is," Klopp said of Thiago. "Now we have to see how he reacts and all that stuff. We have another game in four days. James Milner played a super game in midfield after an injury break. Nat Phillips did his job, really strong against 100 per cent strikers."

Despite the draw, his side's second in a row, Klopp said he was happy with his team's performance on a night they had several clear-cut chances and could have scored if not for the heroics of Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

"The Premier League is only good teams. We had big chances," Klopp added. "The opposition is good and that happens all the time. You might not think I have to tip my hat to my team but I like the performance. It was really good.

"Can we play better football? Yes, but in this game we did more than enough to win it.

"I think we had four 100% chances. We have won against Newcastle before with fewer chances. Tonight we didn't but we accept that. I am happy with the things I saw tonight and I can really work with that. The boys are frustrated and rightly so but not about the performance. It is a basis to build on for the next few days, weeks, months."

Liverpool remain in first place after the draw, but Manchester United can draw level on points if they defeat Aston Villa on Friday. Klopp, however, said he isn't too concerned about his side's position in the table at present. 

"The last thing I’m thinking about is our position in the table at the moment," Klopp told Amazon Prime. "It’s nice but it doesn’t mean anything.

"We drew tonight and we are still top of the table so that just shows how difficult the season is for everybody.

"When life gives you lemons make lemonade. We have to keep going, next game, Southampton, Aston Villa, Man United and that’s good we know about our responsibility. We didn’t get the result we wanted but it’s not the worst thing in the world, there are worse things happening."

Real Madrid's lost ground on LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid as their five-game winning streak in the competition came grinding to a halt in a 1-1 draw with Elche.

Luka Modric scored his third league goal of the season to give Zinedine Zidane's men the lead after 20 minutes as Madrid attacked freely while leaving some dangerous gaps at the back.

Elche created numerous good chances before equalising from the penalty spot, Fidel converting after Dani Carvajal's blatant foul on Antonio Barragan.

The result put a dampener on the feel-good factor Zidane had managed to generate around his club after bouncing back from a slow start to the season, with Atletico two points clear at the summit having beaten Getafe 1-0 earlier on Wednesday.

Toni Kroos headed narrowly wide from 10 yards in the third minute as Madrid started brightly but it was not long before Thibaut Courtois – making his 100th appearance for the club – had to get down smartly to parry Emiliano Rigoni's fierce drive away from the corner of his net.

Play swung from end to end and Marcelo shook the crossbar with a rasping half-volley from the edge of the Elche box in the 13th minute.

Moments later Modric gave Madrid the lead, sending a header into the top-right corner after Edgar Badia palmed Marco Asensio's thunderous shot onto the crossbar.

Madrid were awarded a penalty only for VAR to show that the ball hit Ivan Marcone's leg and not his hand, and six minutes into the second half Elche won a spot-kick of their own when Carvajal pulled down Barragan.

Fidel buried the penalty into the bottom-left corner of the net and 10 minutes later Lucas Boye grazed the outside of the post with a low shot from the edge of the Madrid box.

Boye fired high and wide when he burst through the ranks of Madrid defenders again and Carvajal missed a chance to atone for his error when Badia saved his close-range effort on the counter.

The returning Eden Hazard missed the only opening that came his way and Carvajal conceded a stoppage-time free-kick from which Gonzalo Verdu drew a fine save from Courtois, who parried away the last kick of the game to ensure the points were shared.

What does it mean? No more room for complacency at Madrid

Victories over Sevilla, Atletico, Athletic Bilbao, Eibar and Granada put a spring back in Zidane's step going into this game, but sloppy defending suggested his players underestimated Elche.

Jorge Almiron's side, who could climb as high as ninth if they win their game in hand, may be winless in their past nine LaLiga games, but this was the first time in nine top-flight meetings with Madrid that they managed to avoid defeat.

Modric makes Madrid tick

The return of Modric restored a fluency to Madrid's attacking play, and he contributed two efforts on goal – including the one that went in – as well as making the third most touches of any player.

Calamitous Carvajal

Aside from conceding the penalty in clumsy fashion, Carvajal struggled to deal with the threat of Fidel and Boye, conceding possession 18 times – more than any other player on the pitch.

What's next?

Elche's first game of 2021 sees them travel to Athletic on Sunday, while Madrid are in action at home against Celta Vigo a day earlier.

Liverpool will end 2020 three points clear at the top of the Premier League but were left frustrated after a goalless draw with Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Jurgen Klopp's side monopolised possession and carved out the best opportunities at St James' Park, but against a spirited Newcastle side a winner eluded them.

Liverpool's front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane all had chances, only to find Karl Darlow in inspired form in the Newcastle goal.

It was the first 0-0 between the sides since 1974 and left Liverpool three points ahead of second-placed Manchester United having played a game more.

Newcastle began brightly as Callum Wilson glanced an early header wide and then outpaced Nathaniel Phillips but saw his goalbound shot from a tight angle blocked by Fabinho.

The Reds slowly found their rhythm and Salah beat the Newcastle offside trap, yet Darlow was sharp off his line to narrow the angle and superbly push the ball wide.

The in-form Darlow produced another brilliant diving save to keep out Firmino's header on the stroke of half-time.

Mane's near-post header clipped the side netting moments after the interval, while Salah shot wide from a good position after he was released by Firmino shortly after the hour.

Klopp introduced fit-again midfielder Thiago Alcantara in the 73rd minute, but Liverpool needed goalkeeper Alisson to make a fine stretching save to claw away Ciaran Clark's header from Matt Ritchie's free-kick.

The Reds looked most likely to fine a winner late on and Fabian Schar hooked the ball off the line with Mane lurking with 10 minutes left.

However, Steve Bruce's side rolled up their sleeves and Darlow made another late stop from Firmino to end a run of five consecutive defeats against Liverpool.
 

What does it mean? Reds face title scrap

Liverpool ended 2019 with a 13-point lead at the top after 19 games, but their advantage this time around - albeit having played four fewer matches - is much more slender.

The Reds ran away with the title last season, yet results such as these emphasise the challenge they face this term.

Newcastle clearly relish playing the champions at St James' Park and are now unbeaten in their past five home Premier League games against reigning title holders (won two, drawn three).

Defiant Darlow denies Reds

Newcastle had failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their past 11 Premier League home games before this encounter. 

That they managed to shut out the Premier League champions owed much to the performance of Darlow, who made four excellent saves and was a calming presence throughout.

Sadio struggles in the Toon

Mane had been directly involved in seven goals in his previous eight away top-flight matches (six goals, one assist) but was below his best here. 

The Senegal forward failed to register a single shot on target and struggled to find his team-mates often enough, with his pass completion of 75.6 per cent the second-worst among all Liverpool players.

Key Opta Facts

- The Magpies have gained their first point against Liverpool in the Premier League since October 2017 (1-1), ending a run of five consecutive defeats.
- Newcastle and Liverpool have played out a goalless draw for the first time in 74 matches in all competitions, last doing so in a top-flight game in February 1974.
- Liverpool have failed to win their final league game of a calendar year for the first time in seven years, winning each of their previous six since a 1-2 defeat to Chelsea in 2013.
- The Reds have failed to score in a Premier League game for the first time in 22 matches; they are the final side to do so in 2020-21.
- Fabinho is the sixth Brazilian player to reach 100 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions (also Alisson, Aurelio, Lucas Leiva, Coutinho and Firmino). 
- Liverpool's sole shot on target in the second half came in the 88th minute. They have now managed just one attempt on target after half-time in their last two games.

What's next?

Liverpool begin 2021 with a trip to Southampton next Monday, while Newcastle play the day before when Leicester City are the visitors to St James' Park.

William Troost-Ekong has been nominated for the Watford Player of the Month award for December.

The Nigeria international will compete with November’s winner Kiko Femenia and captain Troy Deeney for the monthly gong.

Troost-Ekong, was in fine form for Xisco Munoz’s men in the month under review.

He played in all Hornets’ six games as they recorded two wins, two defeats and two draws as Watford climbed to fifth in the English Championship log.

“Captain Deeney scored in three successive games against Rotherham United, Birmingham City and Brentford, taking his tally to four for the season,” a statement on Watford website read.

“An assured Troost-Ekong cemented a place in the side with five consecutive appearances before picking up a hamstring injury.

“Femenia followed up winning the November award by going unbeaten individually during December, with Watford winning three times and drawing twice when the full-back played.”

Voting for the award will close on Thursday afternoon before the winner is announced.

In the 2020-21 campaign, Troost-Ekong has featured in 12 English second tier games with one goal to his credit in the 3-2 defeat of Coventry City.

He was handed a starter’s role in his club’s 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield Town, albeit, he got replaced in the 30th minute by Francisco Sierralta.

The 27-year-old joined the Vicarage Road side on a five-year deal from Serie A side Udinese in September – attributing the move to his ambition of playing in the Premier League.

"I believe in the project for Watford to get back into the Premier League," he told BBC Sport Africa.

"It's always been my dream to play in the Premier League and Watford has given me the platform now to get there. Looking at the squad, I believe we have the quality to do it.

"I've always made tactical decisions for my career and this felt like the right step now for me and my family.

"As for my international future, I have shown what I can add to the Super Eagles. I have consistently contributed to the team's success in the last five years and have had the pleasure of captaining the team."

The Premier League has insisted that it is not considering pausing the season despite issues created by a recent uptick in coronavirus cases.

A pair of matches have been postponed this week as the increase of Covid-19 cases across England has impacted the footballing schedule.

Everton's clash with Manchester City was postponed on Monday after the latter experienced several positive tests while a series of cases at Fulham led to the postponement of their match with Tottenham on Wednesday. 

Additionally, Aston Villa's meeting with Newcastle was postponed earlier this month due to an outbreak involving the latter.

In a statement confirming Wednesday's scheduling decision, the Premier League said that those in charge have "full confidence" the season will continue amid the coronavirus outbreak.

That statement came after several coaches, including Sam Allardyce and Nuno Espirito Santo, called for a potential pause to the season due to the surge in cases.

Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, aimed a dig at the league on Wednesday as he complained about the uncertainty his side faced as a result of Fulham's positive tests.

But, on Wednesday, the Premier League doubled down on its stance that the season will go on as planned with the league saying it will continue to follow government protocols.

"The Premier League has not discussed pausing the season and has no plans to do so," the league said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The League continues to have confidence in its Covid-19 protocols to enable fixtures to be played as scheduled, and these protocols continue to have the full backing of Government.

"With the health of players and staff the priority, the League is also fully supportive of how clubs are implementing the protocols and rules."

Fans will not be allowed at any Premier League matches for the time being after Liverpool was placed in Tier 3 of the national coronavirus restrictions, having previously been the only city with fans allowed in the stadium.

Wednesday concludes Matchday 16 in the Premier League, with Liverpool currently sitting atop the table after claiming the Premier League title last season. 

The busy festive period will resume on Friday, though, as Everton host West Ham and Aston Villa head to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on New Year's Day. 

Following the end of Matchday 17 on Monday, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup will resume, further adding to the fixture crunch.

Luis Suarez has matched Radamel Falcao's mark for the best goalscoring start to life with Atletico Madrid in La Liga this century. 

Suarez scored in the 20th minute against Getafe on Wednesday, glancing in Yannick Carrasco's delivery for a strike that would prove to be the game's only goal in a 1-0 victory for Atletico. 

The Uruguayan's goal ensured Diego Simeone's 500th game in charge of Atletico would be victorious, with the capital club extending their lead on top of La Liga over city rivals Real Madrid.  

For Suarez, it was his eighth league goal in 11 matches since joining Atletico from Barcelona this summer, equalling the mark set by Falcao in 2011 after the Colombia striker joined the club from Porto.

He could have easily had a ninth in the first half against Getafe, guiding the ball over the bar from 15 yards soon after scoring the opener.

Suarez has managed his fast start at Atletico despite having missed a month of the season due to Covid-19, making his return in early December after being forced to miss much of November.

The 33-year-old left Camp Nou after he was somewhat surprisingly deemed surplus to requirements by new Barca manager Ronald Koeman this summer.

Suarez's exit still bothers his longtime team-mate and friend Lionel Messi, who has spoken out against the move in the past and did so again in an interview with La Sexta on Sunday.

"I had thought about it before Luis Suarez [left], but that was crazy," Messi said. "I didn't like the way he left. I didn't think he deserved to leave like that. He went for free to a team that is fighting for the same things as us."

Atletico will be back in action on Sunday when they face Alaves in La Liga. Simeone's men are chasing their first league title since 2013-14 as they look to end six straight years of dominance by rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. 

Simeone's side have also reached the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face Chelsea in a two-leg tie in February and March. 

Ismaila Soro scored his first goal for Celtic in Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat of Dundee United in a Scottish Premiership encounter.

Since joining the Bhoys on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Israeli Premier League side Bnei Yehuda on January 27, 2020, the Ivorian midfielder has failed to find the net, although his first season was marred by the outbreak of Covid-19.

Against the Terrors, however, he ended his wait as Neil Lennon’s team strolled past the visitors at the Celtic Park.

With both teams playing fluid football in the opening stages, Soro gave the Hoops a 23rd minute lead courtesy of a sublime 30-yard strike after collecting a pass from Callum McGregor – with the effort sailing past goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist.

Five minutes before the half-time break, he turned provider for David Turnbull as the hosts took a two-goal advantage into the locker room.  Soro played the Scotland youth international from 30 yards from goal, moved towards the inside-right then sent a low effort past Siegrist.

15 minutes from full-time, Odsonne Edouard sealed the triumph after profiting from an assist from Leigh Griffiths. Edouard snuck in behind the Dundee’s backline and lofted a deft lob over the goalie.

After an impressive shift, the African was replaced in the 80th minute by captain Scott Brown.

For Micky Mellon's team, Cameroon's Jeando Fuchs was an unused substitute.

Thanks to this result, the quadruple treble kings extended their winning streak to six from six across all tournaments. They are second in the log having accrued 43 points from 18 outings - 16 short of leaders Rangers who have played three games more.

Born in Yakasse-Me, Cote d’Ivoire, Soro began his career at local side Moossou before heading to Moldova’s Saxan. After impressing in the 2016-17 campaign, he was snapped up by Belarusian side Gomel before moving to Israel seven months later.

In the 2018-19 season, he played a prominent role as the Bloomfield Stadium giants defeated Maccabi Netanya on penalties at Haifa's Sammy Ofer Stadium to emerge as champions of the Israel State Cup.  

He will be aiming to add to his goal tally when Celtic visit Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo’s Rangers on January 2, 2021.