SPORTS
Boxing Day EPL: Luton Town, Bournemouth Grab Three Points
The Boxing Day Premier League fixtures are heating up, and some unlikely results are being recorded across the league.
Luton Town, who were initially looking like a team condemned to be relegated in their first season in the Premier League, seem to be bouncing back and are now set to step out of the relegation zone.
It was a chaotic evening at Bramall Lane as Sheffield United failed to contain Luton, who took the lead in the 17th minute. That lead lasted throughout the first half.
In the second half, Oli McBurnie brought the home side back into the game in the 61st minute. About eight minutes later, Anel Ahmedhodžić gave Sheffield United the lead for the first time in the game.
Interestingly, Sheffield United players, Jack Robinson and Anis Ben Slimane scored an own goal each to gift Luton Town a 3-2 win.
The win has pushed Luton to the 18th spot on the league table with 15 points in 18 games, a point away from the relegation zone. On the other hand, Sheffield United are sitting at the bottom of the table with 9 points in 19 games.
In the other game that took place simultaneously, Fulham couldn’t match up with in-form Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The home team scored the match opener through Justin Kluivert’s boots in the 44th minute of the first half.
Dominic Solanke doubled Bournmouth’s lead via the penalty spot in the 62nd minute. In injury time, Luis Sinisterra sealed the victory to push Bournemouth to the 10th spot with 22 points in 18 games. Fulham are now sitting in the 13th spot on the league table with 21 points in 19 games.
Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey is set to make a return from injury by the end of January.
Partey has made good progress in his rehabilitation work and will hand the Gunners a timely boost.
The Ghanaian has been plagued with different injuries throughout his time in England and picked up a groin problem at the beginning of the season.
He briefly returned to action in October, but picked up another long-term muscular injury.
Partey was then left out of Ghana’s final squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, The Mirror reports that the 30-year-old has shown progress in his rehabilitation work and could return to the first team ahead of their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on January 30.
Chelsea’s stance on sacking their manager, Mauricio Pochettino has been revealed.
Pochettino is under significant pressure as head coach at Stamford Bridge due to the club’s not too impressive display this season.
The Argentine recently watched as Middlesbrough defeated the Blues 1-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie.
His team currently sit in the 10th position on the Premier League table after 20 games this season.
However, according to The Telegraph, Pochettino’s job is safe for now despite their latest defeat to Middlesbrough.
The report added that his position at the west London club is not in jeopardy while Chelsea have a ‘realistic chance’ of qualifying for Europe.
Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has said his side can’t use the difficult weather condition in Abidjan as an excuse ahead of their opening game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The West Africans arrived Abidjan in buoyant mood on Wednesday morning despite losing 2-0 to Guinea in a friendly two days earlier.
The Eagles had a light training session after setting down at their base, the magnificent Pullman Hotel.
Peseiro stated that his team must focus on the task ahead and not allow any form of distraction.
“We cannot give excuses about the weather; we need to put in our focus, adapt well and do our best ahead of the first match, which is very important for us,” he told NFF TV.
The Super Eagles will open their campaign at the 2023 AFCON finals against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
They will also face hosts, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.
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