Sports
League Cup: Tottenham beat Chelsea on penalties
Mason Mount missed the final spot-kick as Tottenham beat Chelsea 5-4 on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the League Cup after a 1-1 draw.
Timo Werner’s first goal for Chelsea put Frank Lampard’s men in command against a much-changed Tottenham team playing the second of four games in eight days.
But Erik Lamela deservedly levelled for Spurs seven minutes from time and new Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was unable to stop Eric Dier, Lamela, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Lucas Moura and Harry Kane scoring from the spot.
Tammy Abraham, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho and Emerson also converted their penalties as the first nine of the shootout were successful.
But Mount’s effort clipped the post to the delight of the watching Gareth Bale, who could be fit to feature in the last eight with the quarter-finals not till late December.
Mourinho claimed the fixture pile up gave him no choice but to prioritise Thursday’s Europa League tie against Maccabi Haifa given the financial incentive on offer for the club.
But despite making nine changes, he named a strong side, including captain Hugo Lloris, club record signing Tanguy Ndombele and new signing Sergio Reguilon on his debut.
Chelsea also handed a debut to Mendy and the early signs from the Frenchman were encouraging that he can solve the Blues’ problem position.
Lampard made eight changes, but Werner was one of those retained from the 3-3 draw at West Brom on Saturday and he took the opportunity to get his first goal for the club after a big money move from RB Leipzig.
Reguilon was twice at fault in the build up as he gifted possession to Azpilicueta and then dived in trying to block the Spaniard’s cross, which allowed the Chelsea captain to pick out Werner at the edge of the box to arrow a shot into the bottom corner.
Tottenham responded well to going behind as only a last-ditch intervention from Kurt Zouma denied Gedson Fernandes an equaliser.
Lampard had won his previous three meetings against his former manager Mourinho and the tensions between the two flared during the first-half as they exchanged angry words on the touchline.
On the field, Spurs were the better side as Mendy made important saves from Lamela and Reguilon either side of half-time.
Mourinho showed his intent by introducing Harry Kane from the bench with 20 minutes to go.
Moments later the Portuguese was marching down the tunnel after Dier as the defender made a dash to the dressing room before quickly returning.
Chelsea did not make the most of a brief period with an extra man as Callum Hudson-Odoi fired over and Werner’s fierce effort was saved by Lloris.
And the visitors were punished seven minutes from time when Lamela slotted home at the far post from Reguilon’s cross to send the game to a shootout and ultimately Spurs into the last eight
Sports
De Ligt’s late strike earns Manchester United dramatic draw at Tottenham
De Ligt’s late strike earns Manchester United dramatic draw at Tottenham
Manchester United snatched a dramatic 2–2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from defender Matthijs de Ligt deep into stoppage time.
In a pulsating Premier League encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, United looked set to return to winning ways after Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half header gave them control. The winger met Amad Diallo’s precise cross to nod past Spurs goalkeeper and silence the home crowd.
United goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a string of fine saves to keep out efforts from Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, as Tottenham pushed hard after the break.
The hosts eventually levelled six minutes from time when substitute Mathys Tel, who was earlier booed upon his introduction for Xavi Simons, turned sharply inside the box and fired past Lammens to make it 1–1.
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Moments later, the stadium erupted again when Richarlison flicked in Wilson Odobert’s long-range effort to give Tottenham a 2–1 lead, seemingly sealing a comeback victory.
However, in the final minute of added time, United threw everyone forward for a corner — including goalkeeper Lammens. The ball fell kindly to De Ligt, who fired home from a tight angle to secure a valuable point for Ruben Amorim’s men.
The dramatic equaliser left both sets of players stunned. Richarlison was visibly distraught, having thought his late strike would deliver victory, while Amorim expressed relief after seeing his side salvage something from a game they nearly lost control of.
The result denied Tottenham their first home win in three games and extended United’s unbeaten run under Amorim, in what was one of the most thrilling finishes of the Premier League season so far.
De Ligt’s late strike earns Manchester United dramatic draw at Tottenham
Sports
Super Falcons star Chiamaka Nnadozie nominated for 2025 FIFA best goalkeeper award
Super Falcons star Chiamaka Nnadozie nominated for 2025 FIFA best goalkeeper award
Zurich — Nigeria’s Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has been shortlisted for the 2025 Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Award, following an outstanding season for both club and country.
FIFA announced the nominees on Thursday while opening the global voting process for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025. Fans worldwide can now cast their votes via the official FIFA app to decide the winners in various categories, including Best Player, Coach, and Goalkeeper.
Nnadozie joins a competitive shortlist that includes Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Cata Coll (Spain), Christiane Endler (Chile), Hannah Hampton (England), Anna Moorhouse (England), and Phallon Tullis-Joyce (USA).
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The 24-year-old earned her place among the elite after an exceptional 2024/25 campaign, during which she captained her former club Paris FC to victory in the Coupe de France Féminine — the club’s first major title in nearly two decades.
Nnadozie also played a crucial role in Nigeria’s 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) triumph in Morocco earlier this year, where she was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
Since joining Brighton & Hove Albion Women in England, the shot-stopper has maintained top form, further earning recognition with a fourth-place finish in the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy rankings at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
She is also among the leading contenders for the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, which would mark her third continental title in that category.
Voting for The Best FIFA Football Awards closes on November 28, with the winners set to be unveiled during an official ceremony early next year.
Super Falcons star Chiamaka Nnadozie nominated for 2025 FIFA best goalkeeper award
Sports
Gabon unveils 27-man squad ahead of crucial World Cup playoff against Nigeria
Gabon unveils 27-man squad ahead of crucial World Cup playoff against Nigeria
With anticipation building ahead of their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff clash against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Gabon’s national team, the Panthers, have announced a formidable 27-man squad.
Head coach Thierry Mouyouma revealed the roster at a press conference in Libreville on Thursday, confirming the team that will face Nigeria on November 13, 2025, at the C.S. Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The winner of the encounter will advance to face either Cameroon or DR Congo in the next round of the playoffs.
Leading the Gabonese side is veteran forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, currently with Marseille. The 36-year-old former Arsenal and Barcelona star will be joined by key players including the Lemina brothers—Mario (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Noha (Yverdon Sport FC)—as well as Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC, who topped Gabon’s scoring chart in the qualifiers with eight goals.
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Despite a strong qualifying campaign, Gabon narrowly missed automatic qualification, finishing second in Group E with 25 points—just one behind group leaders Côte d’Ivoire.
Full Squad List:
- Goalkeepers: Jean-Noël Amonome (AS Arta/Solar7, Djibouti), Donald Nzé (AS Mangasport), Anthony Mfa Mezui (FC Rodange, Luxembourg)
- Defenders: Bruno Ecuele Manga (Chamois Niortais, France), Lloyd Palun (RWD Molenbeek, Belgium), Aaron Appindangoye (Free Agent), Johann Obiang (Stade Lavallois, France), David Sambissa (Pau FC, France), Sidney Obissa (Olympiakos Nicosia, Cyprus)
- Midfielders: Mario Lemina (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Guélor Kanga (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Jim Allevinah (Clermont Foot, France), Louis Ameka Autchanga (Sabah FC, Azerbaijan), Noha Lemina (Yverdon Sport FC, Switzerland), Yoann Wachter (US Saint-Malo, France)
- Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille, France), Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC, USA), Axel Meye (CR Belouizdad, Algeria), Aaron Boupendza (Al-Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Ulrick Eneme Ella (Angers SCO, France)
With a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talents, Gabon will be aiming to overcome Nigeria and keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Gabon unveils 27-man squad ahead of crucial World Cup playoff against Nigeria
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