The game ended dramatically, with Jack Taylor scoring a last-gasp goal to secure a vital victory for Ipswich in their battle against relegation rivals Wolves. Tensions boiled over following the final whistle, and Cunha was reportedly involved in a heated altercation with a member of Ipswich’s staff. The FA has charged the Brazilian forward with acting “in an improper manner”, and he has been given until Thursday, December 19, to formally respond to the charge.

The 25-year-old has been one of Wolves’ standout performers this season, contributing eight goals and three assists in the Premier League despite the team’s struggles. Wolves currently sit second from bottom in the table, having won just two of their 16 league matches so far, leaving them five points adrift of safety.

The ill-tempered conclusion to the match also saw Cunha’s team-mate Rayan Aït-Nouri sent off after receiving a second yellow card following the whistle. Aït-Nouri had to be physically removed down the tunnel after clashing with Ipswich’s Wes Burns, further underscoring the fiery nature of the post-match scenes.

The defeat ultimately marked the end of Gary O’Neil’s tenure as Wolves manager, with the club announcing his dismissal early on Sunday morning. Wolves now find themselves in a precarious position, both on and off the pitch, as they prepare to navigate the challenges ahead.

Southampton are considering West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan as a potential candidate to fill their managerial vacancy, alongside former Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand and at least one other foreign coach.

Despite early speculation linking Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl to the position, there has been no contact with the former Southampton assistant, who worked under Ralph Hasenhüttl at St Mary’s two years ago. Rohl had initially been viewed as the frontrunner for the role but does not appear to be part of the club’s current plans. Another manager of interest, ex-Roma boss Daniele De Rossi, was also discussed but Southampton are not expected to pursue the Italian coach further at this stage.

The Saints remain in the preliminary stages of their search for a replacement for Russell Martin, who was sacked on Sunday following an emergency board meeting in the aftermath of their heavy 5-0 defeat to Tottenham at home. The result left Southampton firmly rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, nine points adrift of safety.

While Carlos Corberan has emerged as a leading candidate, any move to secure the West Brom manager may prove challenging. It is understood that Corberan has a significant release clause in his contract—believed to exceed £2 million—and the Spaniard would require substantial persuasion to leave a team currently just two points off the Championship play-off spots for a club in deep relegation trouble. Southampton’s task will be to convince Corberan that the move represents a logical and ambitious next step in his career.

The club is expected to continue their evaluation process in the coming days as they aim to identify the right candidate to steer them out of their current struggles.

Chelsea produced an impressive comeback to defeat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Spanish capital, securing top spot in their Women’s Champions League group with a flawless record of six wins from six games. Two second-half penalties from Catarina Macario proved decisive as the Women’s Super League leaders capped off their group-stage campaign in style.

Just as in their recent WSL draw against Leicester, Chelsea had to fight back from an early setback. Real Madrid, knowing only a win would see them challenge for first place in Group B, made the ideal start. After just eight minutes, a speculative shot from Caroline Weir caused problems for Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who was making her first Champions League appearance of the season. Hampton failed to deal with the effort properly, and the ball deflected awkwardly behind her and over the line, giving the hosts an early lead.

Both teams had opportunities to add to the scoreline before the break. Chelsea’s Guro Reiten forced a superb save from Real Madrid goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez, while Madrid captain Olga Carmona narrowly missed with a dragged shot that went just wide of the post.

However, Carmona’s night took a disastrous turn early in the second half. Within the first ten minutes after the restart, the Real Madrid skipper conceded two penalties that would ultimately decide the match. The first came when she tripped Chelsea substitute Catarina Macario inside the box. Macario stepped up confidently and dispatched the penalty high into the net in the 51st minute, sending Rodriguez the wrong way.

Moments later, Carmona was penalised again—this time for a controversial handball. With no VAR available in the Women’s Champions League group stages, the decision stood despite Madrid’s protests. Macario, once again showing her composure, converted the spot-kick in almost identical fashion in the 56th minute to give Chelsea the lead.

Real Madrid pushed for an equaliser and created several chances, the best of which fell to Naomie Feller, who flashed a powerful effort past the far post. Despite their persistence and attacking intent, the hosts were unable to find the goals needed to reclaim top spot.

The victory ensures Chelsea finish as Group B winners with a maximum 18 points, maintaining a perfect record throughout their European campaign. Real Madrid, despite their strong showing, finish second on 12 points. The Blues sign off 2024 on a high note, with their comeback victory a testament to their resilience and quality.

Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended by the Football Association after testing positive for a banned substance during a routine drugs test. The substance in question is meldonium, a prohibited performance-enhancing drug, and the test reportedly took place while Mudryk was outside the country and not involved with Chelsea.

The incident occurred last month, during Ukraine’s fixtures in Albania and Georgia. Under FA regulations, Mudryk could face a suspension of up to four years if found guilty. In response to the allegations, the 23-year-old issued a statement expressing his shock, firmly maintaining his innocence and insisting that he has “not done anything wrong.”

Mudryk is currently not participating in team training at Chelsea’s Cobham facility and is instead following an individual fitness programme at home. Sources close to the player suggest he is devastated by the situation, which he believes may have been caused by a contaminated sample. Mudryk reportedly has not altered his diet or routine since passing a UK Anti-Doping Agency test in August.

Chelsea have launched their own internal investigation and are standing by the player, reiterating his insistence that he “has never knowingly used any banned substances.” In a club statement, Chelsea confirmed the FA’s contact with Mudryk and underscored their commitment to anti-doping protocols.

The statement read: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test. Both the club and Mykhailo fully support The FA’s testing programme and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested. Mykhailo has confirmed categorically that he has never knowingly used any banned substances. Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding. The club will not be commenting any further.”

Mudryk’s case is expected to be closely monitored in the coming weeks as further investigations unfold.

Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has been crowned African Player of the Year at the prestigious 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards. The announcement was made during a star-studded ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, which honored the finest talents across African football.

Lookman, who plays for Serie A side Atalanta, enjoyed a remarkable year, wowing fans with his extraordinary skill, blistering pace, and clinical finishing. His contributions were pivotal to both Atalanta’s success in Italy’s top flight and Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 26-year-old’s impressive performances were not confined to the domestic stage. Lookman shone in European competition, delivering crucial goals in the UEFA Europa League, including a historic hat-trick in the final. His standout display came in May when Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, ending the Bundesliga champions’ 51-game unbeaten streak and securing Atalanta’s first European trophy.

Lookman faced stiff competition for the award, edging out Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s prolific striker Serhou Guirassy, and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to claim the top honor. His consistency, determination, and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments solidified his place as one of Africa’s brightest stars.

Speaking at the event, Lookman expressed gratitude to those who supported him along the way. “This award is for my teammates, my family, and the incredible fans who have always believed in me,” he said.

The 2024 CAF Awards highlighted a defining year for Lookman, cementing his status as one of the continent’s most influential players and a role model for aspiring footballers across Africa.

In a pulsating Week 16 clash of the Turkish Süper Lig, Galatasaray edged out Trabzonspor 4-3 in a thrilling encounter at RAMS Park, sealed by a dramatic last-minute own goal. The match delivered excitement from start to finish, showcasing end-to-end football and numerous twists that left fans on the edge of their seats.

Galatasaray started brightly, with Dries Mertens opening the scoring in the 8th minute after a well-worked team move. The home side doubled their lead in the 29th minute when Yunus Akgün slotted home, putting Okan Buruk’s team in control. However, Trabzonspor showed their resilience, pulling one back in the 17th minute through Ozan Tufan, who later found the net again in the 55th minute, completing his brace and leveling the match at 2-2.

Trabzonspor briefly took the lead in the 51st minute when Simon Banza headed home, turning the game on its head. Yet Galatasaray quickly responded as Michy Batshuayi converted a penalty in the 63rd minute, restoring parity in this topsy-turvy affair.

The game appeared destined for a draw until deep into stoppage time. In the 90+8th minute, Trabzonspor defender Ali Şahin Yılmaz accidentally turned the ball into his own net while trying to clear under pressure, gifting Galatasaray the win in the dying moments.

The victory was a crucial one for Galatasaray, propelling them to 41 points and solidifying their position as title contenders. Trabzonspor, under the guidance of Şenol Güneş, remained stuck at 16 points, with much work to do in the remainder of the season.

Next up for Galatasaray is a clash with Bellona Kayserispor, while Trabzonspor will aim to bounce back when they host Sipay Bodrum FK. The match will be remembered as a Süper Lig classic, highlighting both teams’ attacking prowess and the unpredictability of football.

Wolves are working to finalize a deal for Vítor Pereira to become their new head coach within the next 24 to 48 hours. Sky Sports News reports that the club has reached a broad agreement with Al Shabab regarding a compensation package, paving the way for Pereira’s move to England.

Discussions are ongoing in Saudi Arabia, but Wolves have already made arrangements to fly Pereira to England by midweek. The plan is for the Portuguese manager to take charge of training and prepare the team for their crucial clash against Leicester City this weekend. The appointment aligns with Wolves’ recent trend of hiring Portuguese managers, with Pereira set to follow in the footsteps of Bruno Lage and Nuno Espírito Santo.

Wolves’ owners, Fosun, maintain close ties with influential Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes, although it is unclear whether Mendes was involved in Pereira’s recruitment. Despite having no prior experience managing in the Premier League, Pereira is held in high regard by the Wolves hierarchy, thanks to his success in securing league titles in three different countries. The 55-year-old was previously on the verge of taking over at Everton in 2022, before the club ultimately chose Frank Lampard.

The decision to pursue Pereira comes shortly after Gary O’Neil’s dismissal following a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town at Molineux on Saturday. The match, which left Wolves 19th in the Premier League and five points from safety, ended in further controversy when a scuffle broke out involving Rayan Aït-Nouri, who had to be removed from the pitch.

In a statement on Sunday, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi expressed gratitude for O’Neil’s efforts, saying: “We’re very grateful to Gary for all of his effort, dedication, and hard work during his time at the club, and we wish him and his team the best of luck for the future.”

Wolves had been considering multiple candidates in their search for a new manager, including West Brom’s Carlos Corberán and Blackburn’s John Eustace. However, with Premier League survival the club’s top priority, they have decided to put their faith in Pereira to steer the team out of danger.

Defending champions England will face Wales in the group stage of the Women’s Euro 2025 following a challenging draw that also pits both teams against France and the Netherlands. Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses, fresh off their 2022 triumph, will close their group stage campaign against tournament debutants Wales on July 13.

The draw promises an electrifying set of fixtures for England, with Wiegman set to reunite with her former team, the Netherlands, whom she guided to European glory in 2017. That highly anticipated clash is scheduled for July 9, while France awaits the Lionesses in their opening match on July 5, ensuring the team faces a stern test right from the start.

Reflecting on the draw, Wiegman described it as both “a tough draw and a very exciting group.” She added, “I always say these are the facts, and we have to get ready and be ready for July 5. Of course, it’s going to be difficult, but things are never easy. We’ve faced tough groups in the Nations League, and now it’s the same at the Euros.”

The England boss emphasized the competitive nature of the group, saying, “Every game in this group will be tough, challenging, and exciting.” England’s path to defending their title promises plenty of drama as they prepare to take on some of Europe’s strongest teams.

Marcus Rashford is facing mounting pressure to secure his Manchester United future, with the club prepared to part ways with the forward if he fails to raise his standards both on and off the pitch. The 27-year-old’s relationship with the club has been strained since January, when he clashed with the INEOS leadership over their strict “clean culture” philosophy following his third breach of former manager Erik ten Hag’s rules.

Under new manager Ruben Amorim, Rashford’s struggles have continued. Amorim has been disappointed with the forward’s effort during training sessions and his overall attitude, which resulted in Rashford being left out of the squad for Sunday’s Manchester derby. Amorim has taken a firm stance, making it clear that a lack of commitment will not be tolerated. Meanwhile, the club appears more patient with younger talents, such as the 20-year-old who has not yet exhausted his opportunities like Rashford, who has been available for transfer since January.

The lingering issue, however, is that no clubs have shown interest in signing Rashford, largely due to concerns about his poor form, off-field behavior, and substantial wages. This lack of a transfer market has left Manchester United with limited options, forcing Amorim to experiment with various approaches to motivate the player. Reflecting on the challenge, Amorim said, “For so long, with someone like Rash, you try something and it doesn’t work. So do you just keep doing the same thing? Or try something different?”

The clock is ticking for Rashford, as the club grows increasingly uncertain about his role in their future plans.

Southampton endured another heavy Premier League defeat, this time a 5-0 thrashing by Tottenham at St Mary’s, as the bottom club’s struggles continued. The Saints were booed off the pitch after suffering their fifth loss in the last six matches, leaving them stuck in 20th place, already nine points adrift of safety.

Manager Russell Martin had urged fans to “keep believing” despite the club’s difficult position, but his words quickly lost any effect as the team were torn apart. Tottenham wasted no time taking control of the game, with James Maddison scoring just 36 seconds in after Djed Spence surged forward and set him up. This was the quickest Southampton had conceded in the Premier League since November 2013.

By the 14th minute, it was 2-0, as Heung-Min Son slotted home after a poor header from Jan Bednarek. Moments later, Son turned provider for Dejan Kulusevski, who tapped in a third. The Saints’ defensive frailties were exposed again, and fans’ frustrations began to boil over, directing anger towards Martin and his players.

The situation grew worse as Pape Sarr made it 4-0 in the 25th minute, thanks to more dreadful defending. This prompted a mass exodus from St Mary’s, marking the earliest point in Premier League history that Tottenham had led by four goals. Martin, unable to stem the tide, walked off down the tunnel before halftime, missing both the boos that greeted the whistle and Maddison’s second goal from a tight angle.

The second half was largely uneventful, as Spurs eased off with one eye on their upcoming Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, managing only one shot on target after the break. Southampton did show some fight, with Tyler Dibling looking their most dangerous, but their efforts were in vain. Mateus Fernandes’ late header was ruled offside, and the home side could do nothing to diminish Tottenham’s dominance. The result left Southampton with little to show and their survival hopes looking increasingly bleak.