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Andrew Cesare Richardson

There is always some football on. But when it comes to December, you really don’t have to look very far.
The festive period is traditionally the busiest of the year and that’s no different this time around – even with the already packed 2024/25 calendar.
And as the games come thick and fast, let’s take a look at what happened while you were sleeping.
Off the mark
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City tenure got off to the perfect start with a 3-1 victory over West Ham at the King Power.

Jamie Vardy, who incidentally broke his manager’s record for goals in consecutive matches during the fairy tale 2015/16 campaign, opening the scoring after just two minutes.
The impressive Bilal El Khannouss added a second before Patson Daka appeared to make the points safe in the final minutes, only for Niclas Fullkrug to then pull a goal back.
The Foxes move up to 15th with the victory, two points behind the Hammers.
But how much longer does Julen Lopetegui have at the London Stadium?
Meanwhile, in the English Premier League’s other Tuesday night match, Crystal Palace got their first away win of the campaign as Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal at Portman Road. Victory sees the Eagles soar to 16th.
Ipswich, meanwhile, remain 19th and are still seeking their first home win of the campaign.
Football round-up

Bayern Munich were knocked out of the DFB Pokal – the German Cup – in the round of 16 as they lost the heavyweight clash with Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 at the Allianz Arena.
Nigeria international Nathan Tella scored the game’s only goal as the hosts had goalkeeper Manuel Neuer sent off after 17 minutes.
In Spain, Barcelona well and truly got over their recent dip in form with a 5-1 victory at Mallorca.
The win moves them four points clear of Real Madrid, who have two games in hand.
Meanwhile, in Italy, Milan scored six in the Coppa Italia as they overcame Sassuolo.
Olympian’s horror crash

Double Olympic road cycling champion Remco Evenepoel broke a hand, ribs and shoulder blade when he collided with the open door of a postal van in Brussels during an off-season training ride.
“Following an incident while training today, Remco Evenepoel was taken to hospital where it was revealed that he has sustained fractures to his rib, right shoulder blade and his right hand,” the 24-year-old’s team Soudal Quick-Step said in a statement.
Later Quick-Step issued an update on Evenepoel, who will be off the bike for at least the next fortnight.
“Examinations have also revealed contusions on both lungs and a luxation of the clavicle,” they said.
“The clavicle will be operated on this evening, which if successful, should allow Remco to leave hospital tomorrow.
“There will then be a two-week period of immobilisation required following this, after which a plan for his return to training can be made.”
Muq-ing in

Pakistan wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem starred in a series-clinching 10-wicket Twenty20 international rout of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
The 25-year-old took five consecutive wickets for the loss of only three runs as Zimbabwe crumbled to 57 all out in 12.4 overs after making a promising start.
“We have a young side full of quality players and the way they are performing is very heartening for me,” Pakistan captain Salman Agha said.
Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza said his team were “all hurting and in a pretty bad place at the moment.
“My biggest concern is whether we are learning our lessons when we suffer defeats because we seem to be making the same mistakes match after match.”
Easy, Tiger

Tiger Woods said the “fire still burns to compete” as he plans his comeback for 2025.
Woods has not played since July and he underwent surgery for nerve impingement on his lower back in September.
“As far as the recovery process of going out there and doing it again and again and again and doing it consistently at a high level, I can’t, for some reason the body just won’t recover like it used to,” he said.
“That’s part of age and part of an athlete’s journey.”
A little extra …
Lisa Aitken’s long-awaited return to squash after two years out with a career-threatening knee injury ended after just two matches – but her enforced time off the court has given her a new awareness of the game.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong footballer Leung Kwun-chung said the women’s game was poised to overtake the men’s for popularity in the city.
And finally, Arne Slot joked that Mohamed Salah must have inside knowledge of Manchester City’s fate over alleged breaches of English Premier League financial rules after the forward suggested he had played his final game at Anfield against the champions.


Manchester United win dramatic ‘crisis derby’, Chelsea are challengers, Saints sack boss

Liverpool, Arsenal drop points, Bayern Munich beaten and Taiwan golfer earns LIV spot

Kho still in running for LIV spot, new boss Tuchel promises England players a clean slate

Tottenham snatch late draw against Rangers, wins for Manchester United, Chelsea in Europe

While you were sleeping

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s winning start, Palace’s rare victory, Tiger Woods eyes comeback

Ruud van Nistelrooy enjoyed the perfect start to life as Leicester City manager with a 3-1 victory over West Ham United. Photo: Reuters

Ruud van Nistelrooy embraces Jamie Vardy during his debut victory as manager of Leicester City. Photo: Reuters

Bayern Munich players show their disappointment after being eliminated at home in the German Cup. Photo: EPA

Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel competing here in the road cycling individual time trial at the Paris Olympics. Photo: AFP

Pakistan’s Sufiyan Muqeem celebrates a wicket during the second T20 international with Zimbabwe. Photo: AP

Tiger Woods is eager to overcome his injuries and get back to competing in the new year. Photo: AFP

Arne Slot jokes Mohamed Salah knows Manchester City’s fate after ‘last game’ comment

Liverpool manager Arne Slot (right) has become an expert in side-stepping questions on Mohamed Salah’s expiring contract. Photo: dpa

Mohamed Salah scores from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 against Manchester City on Sunday. Photo: AP

Slot says Liverpool have had to work very hard in every match, including against the likes of Wolves. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong women tipped to beat men to Fifa World Cup qualification by city football star

Citizen forward Ho Mui-mei battles for possession during Hong Kong’s victory over Indonesia in July. Photo: Edmond So

Midfielder Sharon Fung runs after the ball in Hong Kong’s 4-1 win over Indonesia. Photo: Edmond So

Jacky Leung (second right) was unable to answer a Hong Kong call in October. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Leung Kwun-chung in training following a Hong Kong recall back in 2021. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Sport

Football

Golf

Leicester overcame troubled West Ham in Dutchman’s first match in charge, while US golf icon determined to overcome injuries


Leicester overcame troubled West Ham in Dutchman’s first match in charge, while US golf icon determined to overcome injuries.


English Premier League