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Taiwo Awoniyi found the net as Union Berlin played out a 2-2 draw with VfB Stuttgart in Tuesday’s Bundesliga outing.

The Iron Ones seem to be heading for a famous away win at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, but the hosts clawed back in the closing stages of the game to ensure the points were shared.

Still fresh from Saturday’s 1-1 draw versus reigning European champions Bayern Munich, Urs Fischer’s side got off to a flying start against red-hot Stuttgart by taking a fourth-minute lead.

Following a harsh tackle from Konstantinos Mavropanos on a Union Berlin player that attracted a caution from referee Sascha Stegemann, the visitors were awarded a free-kick which was taken by Christopher Trimmel and headed home by Marvin Friedrich.

Stuttgart came out stronger after the deficit, however, their major undoing was their failure to convert the goalscoring opportunities that they created.

However, their chances of picking all maximum points suffered a massive setback as Awoniyi put the visitors two goals ahead.

Left unmarked in the hosts’ goal area, the on-loan Liverpool forward scored from a difficult position as he leaped high to connect with a cross from Christopher Lenz to send the ball sailing inside the right of Gregor Kobel’s post.

With Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team looking dead and buried, they produced an unanticipated comeback.

Sasa Kalajdzic reduced the deficit for the hosts in the 85th minute – five minutes after replacing Marc-Oliver Kempf. The Austrian striker headed Philipp Klement’s corner-kick past goalkeeper Andreas Luthe.

The comeback was complete in the closing stages with Kalajdzic completing his double with a cool finish as Union Berlin's defenders fumbled Daniel Didavi’s cross.

Awoniyi was in action from start to finish for his side whereas his compatriot Anthony Ujah was not selected for the encounter.

For the hosts, DR Congo forward Silas Wamangituka saw every minute of action while Guinea striker Momo Cisse did not make manager Matarazzo’s cut for the tie.

The outcome of this game means that Stuttgart occupy the seventh spot in the Bundesliga after garnering 18 points from 12 outing in the 2020-21 campaign, while Union Berlin are sixth with the same number of points although with a superior goal difference.

Ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone said he and his team-mates "love" manager Slaven Bilic after his heroics earned West Brom their first point against Manchester City since 2011.

The 27-year-old put in a man-of-the-match performance in the 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, including two superb stops with his foot to deny headers from Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling.

Johnstone spoke about the two saves that effectively secured a crucial point for the Baggies and praised his team-mates for their work-rate in achieving the result.

"The boys dug in, we fought for 95 minutes. They had a lot of the ball but we knew that," Johnstone told Amazon.

"The lads ran their socks off but I was there to make a few saves when needed. The two headers were close and I just got a leg to them and kept them out. The quality of the balls they put in is unbelievable. The lads are buzzing with that result. It's a massive game coming here.

"We love the manager. We knew getting promoted it would be difficult, we're not hiding away from that."

Gundogan put Manchester City ahead on 30 minutes with his first goal in almost a year, but West Brom drew level just before half-time when Ruben Dias diverted Semi Ajayi's wayward strike into the net.

Despite being under heavy pressure to City for most of the second half, the Baggies held on, with Johnstone insisting the point they earned was deserved because of their endeavour.

"We're buzzing with that. We knew it would be tough. We rode our luck at times but we deserved that result," he told BBC Sport. "We've played well in a few games and not got the result. Today we kept digging in and when that whistle goes the lads are buzzing.

"We knew the quality they have and it wasn't going to be easy. We knew they would have a lot of the ball. We thought for the club, for the manager and for ourselves."

Despite securing an excellent result on the road, West Brom remain in the relegation with only one win and seven points from their first 12 matches. They are two points adrift from safety with Burnley currently sitting in 17th on nine points.

Real Madrid continued their resurgent form with a 3-1 win over 10-man Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga on Tuesday.

Karim Benzema scored twice in the second half at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, lifting Madrid to a fourth straight victory in all competitions.

Zinedine Zidane's men joined Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid on 26 points atop the table, but they struggled for large parts at home to Athletic.

Madrid played more than 75 minutes against 10 men following Raul Garcia's red card, but Toni Kroos' fine opener was cancelled out by Ander Capa.

But Benzema haunted Athletic once more to continue Madrid's winning run.

Athletic had made a decent start before Garcia's aggression proved costly, the midfielder's third foul inside 13 minutes – this one on Kroos – leading to his second yellow card.

Madrid struggled to create much of note despite their numerical advantage, although they improved late in the half as Vinicius Junior drew a good save from Unai Simon from close range and Federico Valverde poked wide.

The opener arrived on the stroke of half-time through Kroos, who produced a superb first-time finish from 20 yards after a Vinicius pass.

Athletic responded and made the dream start to the second half thanks to Capa.

Starting a run in his own half, Capa exchanged passes with Oscar de Marcos before keeping his composure to tuck away an equaliser after his initial effort was parried by Thibaut Courtois.

Athletic had done superbly to keep a lacklustre Madrid, who lacked ideas, at bay until Benzema struck in the 74th minute.

Dani Carvajal delivered a wonderful cross, Benzema getting on the end of it to head in his fifth LaLiga goal of the season.

Athletic went close to a stunning late equaliser, but Courtois stepped up with a huge stop to deny Mikel Vesga, with Madrid going down the other end and Benzema sealing the points after a pass from Luka Modric.

What does it mean? Madrid momentum keeps building

Madrid were under huge pressure to begin the month, facing Champions League elimination and struggling in LaLiga. Now, they have moved level on points with the leaders in the league, having already reached the last 16 in Europe's top club competition. With momentum building after a fourth straight win, silverware again looks in reach for Zidane and his men.

Benzema steps up again against Athletic

Kroos had dominated the encounter with Madrid playing against 10 men, but they still needed Benzema to step up late. The striker's header means he has been involved in 18 goals (13 goals and five assists) in 22 league games against Athletic, his joint-most against any opponent in LaLiga.

Garcia's moment of madness hurts Athletic

The midfielder had committed the game's only two fouls before adding a third and getting sent off. His red card was the fastest suffered by a Madrid opponent in LaLiga since March 2007, when Cesar Navas saw red for Gimnastic de Tarragona in the sixth minute. Already on a yellow, Garcia's challenge on Kroos, who was on the edge of his own area, was unnecessary and costly.

Key Opta Facts

- Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane has managed nine LaLiga games against Athletic Bilbao without a defeat (W6 D3), his joint-best total versus an opponent.
- Karim Benzema has scored 10 goals this season in all competitions, more than any other LaLiga player. 
- Toni Kroos has scored his seventh goal from outside the box for Real Madrid in LaLiga. Since joining Real Madrid for the 2014-15 season, only Cristiano Ronaldo (13) and James Rodriguez (11) have scored more from outside the box than Kroos for the club in this competition.
- Dani Carvajal has been involved in 50 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions (six goals, 44 assists).
- Raphael Varane has made his 200th appearance as a starter in LaLiga. Only Karim Benzema (118) has made more starts for Madrid in this competition than him under Zidane (116, level with Toni Kroos).

What's next?

Madrid will look to continue their run away to Eibar on Sunday, while Athletic – who are winless in four games – have a shorter turnaround, hosting Huesca on Friday

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has said fixture congestion is partly to blame after his side were unable to defeat relegation-threatened West Brom at home on Tuesday. 

Gundogan gave his side the lead with a 30th-minute strike, but the Baggies drew level before half-time through an own goal from Ruben Dias. 

Though City dominated for long stretches, they were unable to breach West Brom's defence again and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

It was a second straight league draw for City, who also tied local rivals Manchester United 0-0 on Saturday. With another game coming up at the weekend, Gundogan said the congested 2020-21 season is making it difficult for any European sides to put together a sustained run of form. 

"It's nearly impossible to have just one team that's on top and dominating anything, especially with the schedule coming up," Gundogan told BBC Sport.

"All teams in Europe are struggling to win games in a row. But we have responsibilities and we should win these kind of games, especially at home."

Man City had 76.9 per cent of possession and could have won late if not for two massive injury-time saves from Baggies goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. 

Gundogan felt that his side didn't put in their best performance, but still could have come up with three points on a different day.

"We are human beings, not machines, we struggle as well. We know we could have played better but it feels like it was in the details today," the Germany international added.

"We deserved better, we had the chances. I don't know what to say, it's disappointing to get one point, we must win these kind of games.

"It's not always easy in this period of the year, so many games, they defend so deep. They do it well, they play with all they have, they fight for every ball. It's not easy to create chances but we did - we just couldn't score more than one goal.

"We have played great football in the past, we set the level high. The expectation is not going down just up. When you win you need to prove yourselves again. You can see all over Europe the big teams are struggling. It is not going to get easier in the next few weeks."

Pep Guardiola was left lamenting Manchester City's wasted opportunities after they drew 1-1 with West Brom on Tuesday.

The home side took the lead 30 minutes into the Premier League encounter through Ilkay Gundogan, with the German midfielder sweeping home after a pass from Raheem Sterling.

Shortly before half time, the visitors pulled level when Semi Ajayi's shot bounced in off of Ruben Dias.

City were dominant in the second period and made 26 attempts on goal over the course of the game, although only seven were on target whereas West Brom registered five shots and got just one on target.

Guardiola was disappointed in his side's failure to see out the victory and says they cannot afford to drop points at home to teams like Slaven Bilic's if they are to compete for the Premier League title this season.

"We didn't create much in the first half, they had a lot of people back, we struggled to win the second balls," he told Amazon. "In the second half we did everything we just couldn't score.

"We created enough to win the game, 26 shots I think, you just have to put the ball in. We are struggling with that. We have to be optimistic.

"You don't have to be so clever to see the gap between this year and previous years [in our results].

"It's not confidence, Sergio Aguero was injured for four months, but we create chances, we are there we just can't score.

"It is not about the points [to the top of the league], you have to win games like this. We know it, we drop points. These are the ones you have to win.

"It's not far away to the top of the league but you have to beat West Brom at home. There are a lot of games left. This situation is weird for everyone. We deserved to win the game but we didn't win it."

City have won just two of their last five matches in the Premier League and Tuesday's result leaves them five points behind Tottenham and Liverpool, who face each other at Anfield on Wednesday.

Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool will face one of the world’s best counter-attacking teams when they take on Tottenham in their top-of-the-table clash.

The Reds head into Wednesday’s meeting knowing victory would take them to the top of the Premier League. 

But they will face a stern test against Jose Mourinho’s side, who are unbeaten in 11 league games and started this week at the summit of the table.

Klopp’s respect for Spurs was clear in his pre-match press conference. He described the north Londoners as “a complete package”, and warned his team they will need to be ready for one of the toughest games of the season.

“I don’t struggle with confidence before games,” Klopp told reporters. “I’m really positive about my boys. I don’t overestimate the last game or anything else, I know there is always a proper chance to win the next one.

“Tottenham has the quality of the top teams, and when they have the ball they show that. But on top of that they defend like a top team, and at the moment have probably the best counter-attacking movements out there. They have a lot of situations where they needed only three passes to be one-on-one with the goalie. 

“They are a proper package in the moment, and that’s what we know. But that doesn’t cost me confidence when I think about my team.”

Wednesday will mark exactly two years since Mourinho’s last visit to Anfield as a manager – a 3-1 defeat with Manchester United which saw him sacked two days later. 

It had been suggested at the time that the Portuguese’s time as an elite manager might have been over, but Spurs’ form this season suggests otherwise.

“I don’t think you can compare the last game of Man United with how his team plays now,” Klopp said. “From a confidence level, that’s completely different. 

“With the very long time Jose Mourinho has been successful in the football business, he played pretty much all different systems, and a lot of different styles. As a coach, you always have to adapt to the quality you have, and mix it up with the idea you have. That’s one of the best skills of Jose.

“In the end, it’s all about getting results – and maybe that’s the best skill of Jose! In the decisive moments, he’s not bothered about style, only about results, and that makes him one of the most successful, if not the most successful, managers around. 

“I respect that a lot. But did he reinvent himself? I don’t know. It looks a little bit like it when you see him on Instagram! But apart from that, he’s just so experienced and smart that he knows what he has to do.

“In the beginning he asked for time, and obviously it paid off.”

Klopp added: “We don’t play each other. It’s not one-on-one, Jose against Jurgen. All teams get our respect.

“It’s nothing to do with his legacy or the few things I won in my life. It’s two good teams, playing against each other. That’s my main focus. 

“I never saw Jose for a while, except on social media, so I am looking forward to that. Apart from that it’s business as usual.”

Arsenal 0-1 Burnley. Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse for Mikel Arteta’s men, they lose yet another game at the Emirates Stadium, their fourth on the trot in North London.

Losing to Leicester City, Aston Villa or Wolverhampton Wanderers — teams in the top half of the Premier League at the time — is one thing, falling to defeat by the Clarets — a side in the bottom three before kick-off and with a sole win before Sunday — was beyond depressing.

Speaking of disheartening; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired blanks, again. For anyone counting, it’s now 11 games on the spin since the Gunners captain netted from open play. His last goal of any kind was a penalty vs Manchester United in gameweek seven.

He appears low on confidence — which is telling for someone as assured and flamboyant as the Gabon star — amid the lack of goals and a general malaise of the team. Indeed, this has been obvious in the lack of conviction in front of goal.

This was somewhat evident by the Arsenal captain’s four shots against Burnley, which barely looked like scoring, as well as the blocked shot in the previous gameweek against Tottenham Hotspur. One late effort vs Spurs was blocked, and the former from Kieran Tierney’s pin-point cross could have been converted.

There’s an argument to be made that Auba’s headed effort would have been put away by a forward in form, but the breakdown of the forward’s Premier League strikes, by and large, suggests otherwise.

None of his goals in the second half of 2017/18 were headers; likewise, the following year, in which he won the Golden Boot, along with Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. Last season, however, saw a shift from the norm as the former Borussia Dortmund attacker scored three headed goals — against Chelsea, Newcastle United and Everton.

It’s not his forte, however, and, surprisingly, the Gunners have looked to cross constantly in the last few games and, indeed, this season.

“I think it’s the first time in the Premier League that we put in 33 crosses,” Mikel Arteta noted after the North London Derby defeat by Spurs. “I tell you if we do that more consistently, we are going to score more goals. It’s maths, pure maths and it will happen.”

The three-time PL champions put in 23 more against Burnley per Fbref, taking their total for the season so far to 187, the highest in the top flight. They are on pace to accumulate around 592, which will be significantly higher than their total last term (478) and 18/19 (466). In Arsene Wenger’s final season, the English giants put in 455 crosses

Strangely, if Arteta’s team continue to deliver balls into the box as frequently, their eventual tally will be lower in volume to Manchester City’s 605 in 18/19 and 617 last term. The Gunners are currently playing 15.6 crosses per game, which is lower than City’s average in the last two seasons respectively — 16.2 and 15.9.

Be that as it may, the issue with Arsenal’s recent penchant for sending balls into the mixer isn’t that act itself but the fact it appears to be Plan A, rather than the fall-back approach to events on the pitch. There’s also been a wider challenge with the timing of the crosses, quality of the deliveries and movement, or lack thereof, of the team’s forwards.

Liverpool, for instance, are a side whose full-backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, tend to deliver balls into the box with regularity, as do Man City with Kevin De Bruyne — majorly from his favoured inside-right channel — or Benjamin Mendy when he features at left-back.

Jurgen Klopp and Guardiola’s teams send a plethora of deliveries into the box, in fairness, but they form part of a well-rounded, varied approach, regardless. Right now, Arsenal’s style seems singularly reliant on them without the proper timing, excellence or appropriate runs from players in the box.

Their lack of height, however, can’t be an undisputed explanation for the paucity of goals from crossing due to how neither the defending league champions nor the Cityzens have towering frontmen in attack.

Aubameyang, for his part, scored a few goals from balls sent into the box at times last season, notably against Spurs at the Emirates and at West Ham United, where his off-the-ball run and standard of delivery made it easier to finish.

Arteta’s team notably sent in only 23 crosses against the Clarets on Sunday but whether this will be attributed to an alteration in approach remains to be seen.

A positive for Arsenal, though, was their encouraging display especially after half time before Granit Xhaka’s mindless sending off in the 56th minute.

The Gunners seemed to show life and intensity against Sean Dyche’s side and it told in their Expected Goals of 1.85 per Understat, their highest xG since...that opening day win at Fulham.

Maybe there’s light at the end of the tunnel for the side on a run of six defeats in their last eight league games, maybe there isn’t; however, the next few weeks will be revealing for Aubameyang and the North London side’s general approach as they look to arrest a worrying slump that's placed them closer to the relegation zone than Champions League contention.

Joe Cole has said Chelsea appeared to be hindered by fatigue in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Wolves.

The Blues went ahead early in the second half through a goal from Olivier Giroud but squandered their lead in the last 20 minutes of the match, as Daniel Podence's effort took a deflection before evading Edouard Mendy for the equaliser.

Pedro Neto then sealed the three points for the hosts when he latched onto a pass from substitute Vitinha before smashing into the bottom corner deep into stoppage time.

The defeat was the London side's second in a row in the league, having gone down 1-0 at Everton on Saturday.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard admitted that his side were showing signs of fatigue during Tuesday's game, but insisted that is no excuse for the result.

His former team-mate Cole also sensed a lack of energy towards the end of the game and believes they may need to make some changes ahead of their home match against West Ham next Monday. 

"I think Chelsea, when they analyse that second half, will kick themselves," the former Chelsea and England player said on BT Sport.

"Particularly Neto's goal because they've lost their shape in attack. The game was getting end to end and Wolves looked like they had the fitter, stronger, athletic team.

"You have to take into consideration [Chelsea] have had a fantastic Champions League campaign.

"I think Frank might have to look at this and take a view of some players who looked a bit leggy. 

"Everton was a bump in the road, I think this is a bigger bump in the road. I don't think it's one of those you worry too much, but maybe tweak a few players here and there. In this game they looked a bit jaded."

The Stamford Bridge side are fifth in the Premier League after 13 matches and trail leaders Tottenham and Liverpool by three points before those two sides face each other at Anfield on Wednesday evening.

After next week's clash against West Ham, Chelsea will visit London rivals Arsenal before hosting Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in their final game of 2020. 

Manchester City were held again in the Premier League as West Brom snatched a 1-1 draw thanks to Ruben Dias' own goal.

On the back of a lacklustre Manchester derby, City once again lacked the cutting edge they have so often shown under Pep Guardiola's tutelage. 

Ilkay Gundogan's 30th-minute strike – his first in the Premier League in almost a year – nosed City ahead on Tuesday, but they were pegged back when Dias turned in Semi Ajayi's wayward effort.

Though Sergio Aguero made his return late on, City failed to pick the lock, Sam Johnstone making two wonderful stoppage-time saves either side of Gundogan curling a free-kick inches wide as the Baggies held on for a hard-earned point.

Despite enjoying 63.2 per cent possession in the opening five minutes, City should have been behind when Grant found space in their area, only to curl a tame effort straight at Ederson.

Rodri sent a header over from Kevin De Bruyne's excellent corner in the 25th minute, yet City soon had the lead their dominance warranted.

Joao Cancelo fed Raheem Sterling, who rolled it back for Gundogan to sweep home his first Premier League goal in 359 days.

De Bruyne's set-piece skill opened up West Brom again in the 38th minute, with Cancelo volleying wide from a deep corner.

For all City's dominance, it was West Brom who struck next – Ajayi managing to get away a shot that diverted in off Dias to level the scores at half-time.

De Bruyne prodded wide from 18 yards shortly after the restart, before again turning provider with a corner, from which Gabriel Jesus headed over. 

Johnstone thwarted Jesus and De Bruyne as City kept up the pressure, with Guardiola turning to Aguero with 15 minutes remaining, but West Brom's goalkeeper again came up with the goods in injury time.

Having kept out a close-range header from Gundogan – who subsequently sent a free-kick into the side netting – Johnstone spread himself to deny Sterling a last-gasp winner and seal a deserved draw.

What does it mean? Little pre-festive cheer for City

While the draw takes West Brom six points clear of Sheffield United at the bottom, City, who are three points outside the top four, have risked losing further ground on the teams around and above them heading into a hectic Christmas period.

Guardiola's team had 76.9 per cent of the ball yet failed to take the chances that fell their way late on. Indeed, their tally of 18 goals after 12 league games is 17 less than they had managed at the same stage last season.

Johnstone stands tall to give Baggies a bounce

A former Manchester United goalkeeper, Johnstone did himself proud between the sticks as he pulled off a string of vital late saves.

He made six stops in total but saved the best for last. While both Gundogan and Sterling really should have directed their headers either side of West Brom's goalkeeper, Johnstone reacted with great speed and agility to claim a share of the spoils.

City's resurgent defence finally breached

Dias' own goal ended a run of 608 minutes without conceding for City, since Giovani Lo Celso put Tottenham 2-0 ahead on November 21.

Three different Portuguese players have now scored a Premier League own goal this season, matching the amount of players from Portugal who had put through their own net in the competition between 1992-93 and 2019-20.

Key Opta Facts

- This result ended a run of eight straight Premier League home wins against promoted sides for Manchester City, since a goalless draw against Huddersfield Town in May 2018.
- West Brom ended a 13-game losing streak against City in the Premier League, picking up their first point against them since a 0-0 draw in December 2011.
- City's haul of 26 shots was the most they have had in a Premier League home game without winning since August 2019 against Tottenham (30).
- Raheem Sterling has been involved in 148 goals in all competitions for City under manager Pep Guardiola (95 goals, 53 assists), more than any other player at the club since the Spaniard joined in 2016.
- Ilkay Gundogan's opener for City was his first Premier League goal in 22 games, since netting against Leicester City last December.

What's next?

A trip to high-flying Southampton follows for City on Saturday, while West Brom host Aston Villa in a west midlands derby.

NASARAWA AMAZONS VS BAYELSA QUEENS

Nasarawa Amazons will be seeking a return to winning ways when they host Bayelsa Queens at the Lafia City Stadium on Wednesday.

The Solid Miners had a disappointing start to their 2021 Nigerian campaign following a 1-0 defeat at home by FC Robo a week ago.

The defeat saw the Amazons hovering over the relegation zone in the 11th position, with no points from their first game, and are in dire need of the maximum points against the Restoration ladies.

Bayelsa Queens launched their season on a fine note as they put Sunshine Queens to the sword with a 2-1 victory in Yenagoa.

The victory at home took them fourth with three points

Having pipped Nasarawa 1-0 to the Flying Officer's Cup title last month, Bayelsa will aim for back-to-back triumphs over their opponents in Lafia. 

FC ROBO VS OSUN BABES                   

Robo won their first game of the season in Lafia against Nasarawa Amazons last week and will aim to build on their fine start with an important home match against Osun Babes on Wednesday.

The away win took Emmanuel Osahon's side to fifth with three points from their opening game, and they will be hoping to beat the Omoluabi ladies to boost their chances of going top of the table this midweek.

On the other hand, Osun Babes will aim to also continue their fine start to the season following a 1-0 win at Ibom Angels last week.

Besides the quest for back-to-back wins in Lagos, the Osogbo-based outfit will hope to avenge their home loss to Robo last season. Osun are sixth on the log with three points after one game.  

ROYAL QUEENS VS ABIA ANGELS

Royal Queens suffered a losing debut in their maiden Nigerian top flight appearance in Benin against Edo Queens last week, but they do not have much time to brood over that with their first ever home match against Abia Angels slated for Wednesday.

Royal's defeat at Edo left them at the foot of the table with no point from the opening game and they are under pressure to beat the Abia Angels to celebrate their first win of the season this midweek.

Abia Angels, for their part, enjoyed an impressive opening day after they thrashed seven-time champions Pelican Stars 2-0 in Umuahia. They will aim to dash the hopes of the top flight newcomers at Warri Township Stadium in the quest to improve on their third position.

RIVERS ANGELS VS DELTA QUEENS

It will be the battle of two South-South gladiators when Rivers Angels host Delta Queens in a league tie. Delta had outshone their regional rivals, claiming the Super Six title on three occasions at the expense of their Port Harcourt opponents, in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Defending champions Rivers fought back to hold Confluence Queens in a replay of last season's Super Four final to a 1-1 in Lokoja where they walked away with a point. However, Edwin Okon's ladies have recovered enough and will be hungry for victory against the visitors.

Delta had a contrasting start in the Nigerian league as they thrashed Dream Stars 4-1 at home to open their campaign on a high. To challenge for title success this term, they must surely be aiming for at least a point from the encounter fixed for Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt.

SUNSHINE QUEENS VS CONFLUENCE QUEENS

Sunshine Queens narrowly lost 2-1 against Bayelsa Queens in Yenagoa but they know that it is only the three points that can placate their fans against the Confluence Queens on Wednesday.

Goals from Joy Jerry and Precious Vincent condemned the Owena Babes to a losing season opener despite Seun Fakunle's effort, as the defeat away from home saw Sunshine sitting in ninth position.

Confluence Queens could not stun champions Rivers Angels at home but will now seek to pull off an upset in Akure after a 1-1 draw against Edwin Okon's side put them in the eighth position.

DREAM STARS VS EDO QUEENS

Anya Ugochi will hope for a winning start to life in her first home match as the head coach of Dream Tornadoes on Wednesday as they welcome Edo Queens at the Agege Stadium in Lagos.

Having watched her side make a false start in Agbor against Delta Queens, the Galacticas will eye a return to winning ways after finding themselves in the relegation zone due to a 4-1 opening loss. 

Edo Queens began the season among the teams to watch out for, and claimed a 4-1 win in the front of their state government officials at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

They win saw Rolandson Odeh's ladies secure the summit of the table as they push to challenge for their maiden domestic crown. 

ATK Mohun Bagan are unbeaten at 'home' in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) as they take on FC Goa at the Fatorda stadium in Goa, on Wednesday evening.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

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

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

TEAM NEWS

ATK Mohun Bagan Possible XI:   

Injured - None
Doubtful - Tiri, Javi Hernandez
Suspended - None  

Key Players - Roy Krishna, Carl McHugh     

FC Goa Possible XI: 

Injured - None
Doubtful - None
Suspended - None  

Key Players -  Igor Angulo, Brandon Fernandes       

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard believes his side are suffering from fatigue after they lost 2-1 at Wolves on Tuesday.

The Blues took the lead at Molineux through an Olivier Giroud goal, but Daniel Podence scored to pull the hosts level before Pedro Neto netted the winner deep in injury time.

The loss is Chelsea's second in a row, having gone down 1-0 at Everton on Saturday.

Lampard admitted his side may have been lacking some energy, but insisted that is no excuse for the defeat.

"There could be some fatigue. I hate to say it after a defeat because it could sound like an excuse but even the first 60 minutes when we were the better team we didn't have a zip about us," he said in a press conference after the match.

"We have travelled up to Everton, come back and up to Wolves but everyone is in the same boat on that front. At the moment we have a couple of injuries in areas that mean I can't make too many changes or rotations in certain areas of the team.

"So I understand that side of it but when you are 1-0 up and turn the result around I wouldn't say it was because of fatigue."

The former midfielder was asked if injured duo Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech are nearing a return to the team.

"Hakim and Callum will hopefully be training by the end of the week," he said. "Whether they are fit or not for West Ham, I'm not sure."

Lampard said his side were caught out by threat Wolves posed in counter attacks, but took some positives from their performance despite the loss.

"We didn’t play enough. It is pretty simple. The threat from Wolves is clearly the counter attack and it is a major threat from what they have got," he said. "It is the main one because they have speed and quality in forward areas. The players knew it before the game, the players knew it in game but we allowed some counter-attacks.

"If you are going to allow a team to play to their strengths then you may lose that game.

"The real positive things we've seen is that we're becoming more secure. We've been given a different kind of game in these last two games, particularly Everton making it difficult for us to break them down. We didn't really succeed in that.

"Wolves play very much with a counter attacking style and we didn't deal with that. The players have to feel that on the pitch. The message was clear: they counterattack. That's disappointing."

Aymen Barkok got a goal and an assist as Eintracht Frankfurt played to a thrilling 3-3 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday.

Adi Hutter’s men came into Tuesday’s game hoping to return to winning ways following Friday’s 2-1 defeat Wolfsburg, albeit, they could only settle for a draw in a game where they were reduced to ten men.

The visitors took the lead in the six-goal thriller through captain Lars Stindl after 14 minutes. As a result of Makoto Hasebe’s foul, Stindl curled in a mid-range free-kick past goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

Eight minutes later, the hosts levelled matters through Andre Silva who converted from the penalty mark after Stefan Lainer handled the ball inside the box.

While the celebration were still dying down, Silva put his team ahead two minutes later – firing past goalkeeper Yann Sommer after he was released by Barkok’s well-orchestrated pass from the midfield.

In a goal-laden first-half that produced four efforts, Morocco international Barkok gave his team a two-goal advantage with a cool finish following Silva’s assist.

Eintracht Frankfurt held sway in the second-half until things fell apart in the 81st minute when Argentine star David Abraham was given his marching orders by referee Benjamin Cortus for a second caution.

In the 90th minute, former Arsenal transfer target Barkok went from hero to villain having fouled substitute Breel Embolo in the goal area as Cortus awarded a penalty.

Stindl converted the ensuing kick before completing his treble during added time to help Marco Rose's team leave the Deutsche Bank Park with a point.

The Moroccan was replaced in the first minute of extra time by Danny da Costa, while Angola’s Jabez Makanda was not listed for action.

The visitors were without Algeria international Ramy Bensebaini while Guinea midfielder Ibrahima Traore came in as an 83rd-minute replacement for Oscar Wendt.

Thanks to this result, Borussia Monchengladbach are seventh in the German elite division log having accrued 18 points from 12 games, while Eintracht Frankfurt occupy the ninth position with points from nine matches.

Barkok will be hoping to add more to his goal tally for the 2020-21 campaign when his team travels to the WWK Arena for a date with 11th-placed Augsburg.

Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has taken aim at his players following their second straight Premier League defeat, suggesting they may have become complacent after a strong start to the campaign. 

The Blues fell 1-0 to Everton at the weekend and on Tuesday, they let a second-half lead slip away as Pedro Neto's injury-time goal gave Wolves a 2-1 comeback win over Lampard's side. 

Chelsea took the lead just after half-time through Olivier Giroud before Daniel Podence found an equaliser for the home side midway through the second half. 

As Chelsea pushed for a late winner, they were undone on the counterattack as Neto took advantage of space to beat Kurt Zouma and finish low past Edouard Mendy.

Lampard believes his side may have taken their foot off the gas following a strong run of form that saw them near the top of the table. 

"Performance is what gives you results, and we had a long run of good performances but maybe the lads think we’re playing well, and when you think you’re playing well this is what happens," Lampard told Amazon.

"Maybe it’s for the players to think about the game while they’re resting. Think about tonight, think about Everton. This is the Premier League and if you don’t perform, you lose games."

Lampard also lamented Chelsea's inability to get a result after they took a second-half lead, saying they left themselves too exposed as they chased more goals. 

"At 1-0 we should see the game out," he said. "If you’re not playing that well, which we weren’t tonight, hang on to 1-0. Control the game. Don’t allow counter-attacks, and we did."

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante also felt Chelsea were too open near the end of the match, as their pursuit of a late winner instead left them with no points at all. 

"Always disappointed [to lose]. The first half was not so great," Kante said. "We were a goal ahead and could have managed the game. When they scored, we tried to win. By trying to win the game we conceded a counterattack.

"What happened in the last two games is not what we want."

Pedro Neto was Wolves' hero in second-half stoppage time as the Portugal international sealed a 2-1 comeback win over Chelsea at Molineux on Tuesday.

Frank Lampard's men went into the match the possibility of going top temporarily, but Wolves showed admirable character to come from behind to secure a fine victory against the odds.

Kurt Zouma went closest to breaking the deadlock late in the first half as he hit the frame of the goal, before Olivier Giroud did convert his seventh goal in as many games with 49 minutes on the clock.

Wolves were unperturbed, however, as Daniel Podence – a nuisance to Chelsea throughout – got himself a deserved goal in the 66th minute to restore parity.

Chelsea had seemingly ensured a share of the spoils when Wolves had a penalty award overturned, Neto deemed to have simulated contact in the area, but the winger ultimately had the final say in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

A largely drab first half belied the drama that was to unfold in the second period, with the only moment of true excitement occurring right before the interval when Zouma sent a towering header onto the crossbar.

Wolves were not so lucky soon after the restart, however.

Ben Chilwell's low delivery from the left was met by Giroud at the near post and Rui Patricio could not quite keep an instinctive finish out of his bottom-right corner.

Fabio Silva then had what would have been his first Premier League goal disallowed for offside, though Wolves did draw level in the 66th minute.

Chelsea failed to deal with the tricky Podence, and his lovely effort took a slight deflection off a defender on its way into the back of the net.

The hosts then seemingly had the chance to clinch victory taken away from them when a VAR review corrected the referee's initial error of pointing to the spot when Neto went to ground under pressure from Reece James.

But all eyes were on the Wolves man for the right reasons at the end, as Neto latched onto Vitinha's pass on the counter, ran at Zouma and fired a pinpoint finish into the bottom-right corner.
 

What does it mean? Blues to lose ground at the top

Whatever happens for the rest of this midweek matchday, Chelsea will go into the weekend action further adrift of the top of the table as a consequence of this defeat.

With champions Liverpool and pacesetters Tottenham facing each other at Anfield on Wednesday, this was a chance to gain ground – a victory at Molineux would have taken Chelsea top.

But now, as many as four teams could move above the fifth-placed Blues, who are three without a win across all competitions. Heading into the hectic Christmas schedule without momentum could prove damaging.

Back of the Neto!

If we ignore his exhibition of the dark arts with respect to the penalty that was overturned, Neto was otherwise a standout here. His winner was a delight, but the forward had already troubled Edouard Mendy in the first half and he almost got a second goal in the dying seconds. Add to that a couple of key passes – bettered by no other Wolves player – and you have a fine individual display.

Werner's woes

While Neto impressed on Wolves' flanks, it is difficult to say the same about Timo Werner. None of his three shots found the target, and he missed the chance to get a shot away from close range in the second half as the ball squirmed under his foot at the crucial moment. His 44 touches of the ball were only more than two players in Chelsea's starting XI – Mendy and Giroud, the latter of whom was withdrawn in the 71st minute – and the German is now eight games without a goal.

What's next?

Chelsea return to action in a London derby against West Ham on Monday, while Wolves go to Burnley the same day.

Goals from Peter Shalulile and Themba Zwane ensured Mamelodi Sundowns defeated TS Galaxy 2-0 in an emotional Premier Soccer League clash on Tuesday evening.

Only two days after Sundowns defender Motjeka Madisha was understood to have been killed in a car crash – although the victims’ bodies have not yet been officially identified – the league leaders delivered a professional display to remain top of the table.

Shalulile opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and Zwane made sure of victory 14 minutes from time, although there was still time for Ebrahim Seedat to miss a late penalty following Brian Mandela’s handball in the box.

The win takes Downs up to 17 points after seven matches, two clear of second-placed Moroka Swallows, as their unbeaten run continues. Defeat leaves TS Galaxy in 10th, and they are still waiting for their first victory since defeating AmaZulu at home on October 28th.

The hosts started intensely, but struggled to adapt to Galaxy’s high line, and it was the visitors who had the first big attempt, when they caught Sundowns out on the counter and Stydom Wambi struck his effort against the crossbar.

Denis Onyango was twice forced to deny Felix Badenhorst—and Wambi again—before Shalulile opened the scoring when he was picked out by Zwane’s clever flick.

During the second period, Galaxy were forced to ride their luck as Sundowns enjoyed a monopoly over possession and sought to extend their lead.

Shalulile had gone close with a header from a corner early in the second half, and it was the outstanding Zwane who ultimately added the second—thumping home after sharp interplay with the inventive Lebohang Maboe to take the contest beyond Galaxy.

The goal was Zwane’s seventh goal in seven outings so far this season, as he continues to make a case to be considered the PSL’s outstanding individual.

The visitors had the opportunity to stage a late and unlikely comeback when Mandela handled in his own area, but Onyango went the right way to deny Seedat from the spot and keep the Brazilians’ clean sheet intact.

Next up for Sundowns, they face Golden Arrows away on Saturday, while Galaxy are away at Cape Town City FC.  

Aston Villa will be without inspirational winger Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ when Dean Smith’s men take on Burnley in Thursday night’s Premier League encounter.

Since his head injury during an English top flight game where the Claret and Blue Army stuttered to 2-1 defeat by West Ham United, the Egyptian is yet to feature for the Villa Park giants.

The 26-year-old went down under the challenge of Declan Rice while trying to connect to Douglas Luiz’s flick in the 71st minute.

That left him with a deep cut with the medical team rushing to the field to attend to his bleeding head. Subsequently, he was replaced by Netherlands international Anwar El Ghazi.

Although he recovered from that knock, he has returned to the sidelines having suffered a hamstring injury during training.

He will duly miss the fixture versus Sean Dyche’s team alongside the suspended duo of Douglas Luiz and Matty Cash.

“We’re going to have a look at Ross [Barkley] tomorrow [Wednesday] in training, he’s getting closer and closer, we’ll have a look and see how he is,” Smith told media via a virtual press conference on Tuesday.

Villa have confirmed, however, that they will be without suspended pair Douglas Luiz and Matty Cash. as well as Trezeguet, who misses out with a hamstring injury.

Trezeguet teamed up with Aston Villa on July 24, 2019 from Turkish Super Lig club Kasimpasa for a fee of £8.75 million.

Initially, he struggled to adapt to life in England but he went on to score six goals in 34 games, including his brace in their victory over Crystal Palace, and provided two assists as Villa escaped relegation to the English second tier.

In nine games played so far in the 2020-21 English top flight campaign, the former Al Ahly, Excel Mouscron and Anderlecht man has made significant contributions, helping his side secure six wins to sit 10th after accruing 18 points with two games in hand.

For the visiting Clarets who sit a place above the relegation zone after accruing nine points from 11 outings, they go into this game with full of high hopes thanks to their shocking 1-0 triumph over Arsenal on Sunday.