December 2023 – Football Flame

31Dec

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Arsenal lose at Fulham and miss chance to go top

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is challenged by Antonee Robinson of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 31, 2023 in London, England.Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League at new year after a disappointing defeat at Fulham.Bukayo Saka put the Gunners ahead inside five minutes but Raul Jimenez equalised on his return from suspension, before Bobby Decordova-Reid scrambled home the winner on the hour.The loss left Arsenal fourth and two points behind leaders Liverpool, who host Newcastle on New Year's Day.Fulham are 13th after ending a run of three straight defeats.Arsenal made the perfect start with a fifth-minute opener following a quick break from the back. Gabriel Martinelli's curling shot from the left was palmed...

31Dec

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Spurs see off wasteful Bournemouth

Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates alongside teammate Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 31, 2023 in London, England.Tottenham finished 2023 on a high with victory over an energetic Bournemouth in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Pape Sarr opened the scoring when Rodrigo Bentancur latched on to Neto's casual pass out from the back and it broke for Sarr, who drilled it into the far corner.Smarting from a 4-2 loss to Brighton in midweek, an injury-hit Spurs watched as Bournemouth enjoyed plenty of chances and looked likely to level.But the visitors lacked a clinical edge in the final third and Son Heung-mi...

31Dec

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SERIE A

AC Milan pip Sassuolo 1-0 as Pulisic delivers the winner

Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A TIM match between AC Milan and US Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 30, 2023 in Milan, Italy. AC Milan miraculously close out 2023 with a victory over Sassuolo at the San Siro. The Rossoneri claimed a slim 1-0 victory to end a terrible run of form against the Neroverdi at home where the last win came in 2019. Stefano Pioli’s side managed to gain a small advantage on Napoli and Bologna as well as slightly closed the gap to Inter Milan at the top.Christian Pulisic scored the winner as he made a brilliant run into the box and collected Ismael Bennacer’s sublime line breaking pass before chipping over the keeper. The Rossoneri also scored two offside goals which were chalked ...

30Dec

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City ends historic year on high and just two points off EPL lead

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, interacts with Jack Grealish of Manchester City as he is substituted off during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Sheffield United at Etihad Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Manchester, England. After the greatest year in Manchester City's history, Pep Guardiola's players look hungry for another.The defending English Premier League champion ended a trophy-laden 2023 with a 2-0 win against Sheffield United on Saturday.City moved up to third, just two points behind leader Liverpool. That's not bad considering Guardiola's team has struggled to hit the heights of last season's treble-winning campaign and has been without the talismanic Kevin De Bruyne since August.The Belgium international is on his way back from a hamstri...

30Dec

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SERIE A

Toothless Napoli draw with Monza, Inter held to draw

Juan Jesus of SSC Napoli and Lorenzo Colombo of AC Monza compete for the ball during the serie A Tim match between SSC Napoli and AC Monza at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 29, 2023 in Naples, Italy.Napoli have failed to score for the fifth time in their last seven games as the defending Serie A champions laboured at home to a goalless draw with Monza, while leaders Inter Milan were held to a draw.Matteo Pessina missed a penalty for Monza midway through the second half and teammate Mirko Maric was sent off in stoppage time for kicking the ball away. Both coaches also received red cards in a chaotic last few minutes.Monza's lack of goals is a problem for a club already punching above their weight.They have performed admirably in their one and a half seasons in the top tier ...

29Dec

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Pedro’s penalties help Brighton beat Tottenham

Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion scores their team's fourth goal from a penalty kick during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur at American Express Community Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Brighton, England.A superb display saw Brighton overcome Tottenham in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium.Spurs dominated the early possession but the hosts took control when teenager Jack Hinshelwood fired into the roof of the net after Joao Pedro was allowed to drift across the length of the 18-yard line.Pedro doubled the Seagulls' lead from the penalty spot after Dejan Kulusevski had pulled back Danny Welbeck in the area.Brighton continued to press, with James Milner hitting the post and Facundo Buonanotte having a goal disallowed for off...

29Dec

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal miss chance to go top as West Ham win at Emirates

Tomas Soucek of West Ham United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 28, 2023 in London, England. West Ham stunned Arsenal to record a third successive Premier League victory, denting the Gunners' title challenge in the process.It was a ruthless display by West Ham, who converted two of their three shots on target, while Arsenal squandered a host of opportunities as they missed the chance to move top of the league.Tomas Soucek fired in Jarrod Bowen's cutback and, while the ball had potentially gone out of play in the build-up, there was not enough evidence for the video assistant referee to overturn the goal.That gave West Ham a first-half lead which was doubled when former Arse...

27Dec

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SERIE A

Bremer agrees new contract with Juventus

Gleison Bremer of Juventus during a training session at JTC on December 18, 2023 in Turin, Italy. Gleison Bremer has reportedly agreed to extend his contract with Juventus and is now expected to put pen to paper in the coming days.The 26-year-old Brazilian centre back has been a key figure in Massimiliano Allegri’s squad since his arrival from rivals Torino last year. This season, he’s seen over 1500 minutes of action across 17 matches, playing almost every available minute.Juventus, who are still in the early stages of their shift to sustainability, have been working to renew the contracts of various stars in their squad in recent months, negotiating with the agents of players like Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa.As reported by Calciomercato.com, Bremer has agreed to sign a ...

27Dec

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool go top after hard-fought win at Burnley

Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Liverpool FC at Turf Moor on December 26, 2023 in Burnley, England. Liverpool signalled their title ambitions by going top of the Premier League thanks to a hard-fought victory at relegation-threatened Burnley.Jurgen Klopp's side have only been beaten once so far this season and went two points clear of Arsenal at the summit despite some wastefulness in front of goal.The Reds got the perfect start by netting after just six minutes as Darwin Nunez guided in a lovely finish from the edge of the box to end a run of 12 club games without a goal.The impressive James Trafford was kept busy in the Burnley goal and had already smothered Harvey Elliott's low drive before m...

27Dec

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Hojlund fires Man Utd to comeback win over Villa

Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United celebrates scoring the third and winning goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on December 26, 2023 in Manchester, England. Rasmus Hojlund scored his first Premier League goal as Manchester United fought back from two goals down to record a sensational victory in a thrilling Boxing Day encounter with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.In United's first game since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25% purchase of the club, and with future director and current Ineos head of sport Sir Dave Brailsford in the directors' box, Erik ten Hag's side produced one of those 'back-from-the-dead' endings for which they are so famed.After John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker had given Villa a deserved half-time advantage, Uni...