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Celtic Hold Firm to Earn Valuable Point in Goalless Draw Against Atalanta

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Celtic Hold Firm to Earn Valuable Point in Goalless Draw Against Atalanta

Celtic delivered a resolute defensive performance to secure a vital point in a 0-0 draw against last season’s Europa League champions, Atalanta, in Bergamo. The Scottish champions, who had lost all seven of their previous matches in Italy in the Champions League, defied history and immense pressure from the Serie A side to stay firmly in contention for the knockout stages.

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was instrumental in keeping Celtic in the game, making a string of crucial saves, while Atalanta squandered several clear chances. Despite dominating much of the play and bombarding Celtic’s defense with crosses, Atalanta struggled to break down the determined Scottish side.

Celtic’s result comes as a significant boost after their earlier group-stage experiences, where they enjoyed a 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava but were humiliated 7-1 by Borussia Dortmund. This draw marks only their second-ever away clean sheet in the competition, a testament to their improved defensive organization.

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Atalanta’s strategy to exploit Celtic’s vulnerability to crosses was clear, but the visitors held firm. Mario Pasalic came closest to scoring for the hosts, seeing his header rattle the crossbar in the first half, with Schmeichel beaten. Schmeichel also produced fine stops to deny Ademola Lookman and Mateo Retegui, particularly in a challenging spell before halftime.

Celtic, while primarily focused on defense, had a few notable moments going forward. Nicolas Kuhn broke into the box after outpacing the Atalanta defense, though he was eventually crowded out. Early in the second half, Alex Valle almost gave Celtic the lead with a deflected strike that required a save from Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi.

As the game progressed, Atalanta continued to apply pressure, with Marten de Roon’s powerful effort forcing another save from Schmeichel. Celtic substitute Kyogo Furuhashi had a late chance, but his lobbed effort landed just wide of the mark.

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Despite Atalanta’s dominance in possession, Celtic’s defensive resilience frustrated the Italian side, and the visitors held out for a well-earned point. The draw leaves Celtic with four points from three games and two upcoming home fixtures against RB Leipzig and Club Brugge, giving them a solid platform in their quest to reach the knockout stages.

Celtic’s traveling fans were full of praise at the final whistle, celebrating a determined and disciplined display that keeps their European hopes alive.

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Tottenham Crush Manchester City in Historic Etihad Triumph

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Tottenham Crush Manchester City in Historic Etihad Triumph

James Maddison inspired Tottenham Hotspur to a sensational 4-0 victory over Manchester City, ending the hosts’ incredible 52-match unbeaten streak at the Etihad Stadium. This marks City’s first five-game losing run since 2006 and their heaviest home defeat since 2003.

Maddison delivered a stellar performance, scoring twice to put City on the back foot. Pedro Porro added a third with a clinical finish, while Brennan Johnson sealed the emphatic win with a last-minute goal, capping an unforgettable night for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Despite missing key players and coming off a disappointing loss to Ipswich, Tottenham defied expectations with a disciplined and clinical display. Postecoglou’s team, featuring a youthful bench, rose to the occasion and moved up to sixth in the league, just four points behind City.

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The result leaves City in second place, vulnerable to an eight-point gap if league leaders Liverpool win at Southampton on Sunday. The loss will heighten pressure on Guardiola, who recently signed a two-year extension, as City looks to regroup after this alarming dip in form.

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Everton Held to Frustrating Draw Against 10-Man Brentford

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Everton Held to Frustrating Draw Against 10-Man Brentford

Everton endured a disappointing goalless draw against Brentford in the Premier League, failing to capitalize on a second-half numerical advantage after Christian Norgaard’s red card.

Sean Dyche’s side, with just two wins this season, remains three points above the relegation zone. Despite only one loss in their last eight matches, their inconsistent form continues to leave them precariously close to danger.

The Toffees started strongly at Goodison Park, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin testing Brentford’s goalkeeper, Mark Flekken. Flekken delivered a stunning save to deny Calvert-Lewin’s flicked header and later blocked another attempt at the near post.

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Brentford almost scored against the run of play through Yoane Wissa, but Everton’s Jordan Pickford made a crucial save with his outstretched leg. Momentum appeared to shift when Norgaard was sent off late in the first half for a dangerous knee-high tackle on Pickford. Referee Chris Kavanagh reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor before showing the red card.

Despite their one-man advantage, Everton struggled to break down a resolute Brentford defense in the second half. Idrissa Gueye’s long-range strike was expertly saved by Flekken, while Vitaliy Mykolenko squandered a golden opportunity from close range.

Brentford nearly stole a victory late on, but Keane Lewis-Potter’s effort was straight at Pickford. Thomas Frank’s side earned their first away point of the season, climbing to 10th in the table.

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Murray to coach Djokovic at Australian Open 2025

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Murray to coach Djokovic at Australian Open 2025

Andy Murray, Britain’s three-time Grand Slam champion, is set to coach Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Australian Open, marking a surprising and historic collaboration between two former rivals.

Murray, who retired in August after a stellar 19-year career, expressed excitement about his new role. “I’m looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change,” he said. This will be Murray’s debut as a coach since retiring from professional tennis.

The partnership begins during the off-season as they prepare for the Australian Open, scheduled for January 12–26, 2025. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner and 10-time Australian Open champion, has famously defeated Murray in four Melbourne finals.

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The announcement was accompanied by a playful video posted by Djokovic on X (formerly Twitter), captioned: “He never liked retirement anyway.” The video featured highlights of their legendary matches, underscoring the depth of their rivalry.

Reflecting on their journey, Djokovic said: “We played each other since we were boys—25 years of rivalry and pushing each other to our limits. I thought our story was over, but it turns out there’s one more chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner.”

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