Sports
Phil Foden and Cole Palmer Take Top Honors at PFA Awards
Manchester City’s Phil Foden has been crowned the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Men’s Player of the Year, while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has earned the Young Player of the Year accolade. This marks the first time since the 2009-10 season that both awards have gone to English players, with Wayne Rooney and James Milner previously achieving this feat.
Foden, who scored 19 goals in 35 Premier League appearances during the 2023-24 season, played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s historic fourth successive Premier League title win. At just 23 years old, he became the youngest player to secure six league titles. This recognition as PFA Player of the Year is the first of its kind for Foden, who had previously been honored as the PFA Young Player of the Year twice. In addition to this latest accolade, Foden also won the Premier League Player of the Season and was named the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year for the 2023-24 campaign.
Expressing his gratitude, Foden said, “To win this award is something very special, and it is one that I am very proud of and grateful for. To be recognized this way by your fellow professionals means everything, and I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. Last season was another very special one for everyone at the club, but now all our focus is concentrated on trying to achieve more success this term.”
Foden edged out tough competition, including his Manchester City teammates Erling Haaland (last year’s winner) and Rodri, as well as Chelsea’s Palmer, Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard, and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Meanwhile, Cole Palmer, who recently moved from Manchester City to Chelsea, was named the PFA Young Player of the Year, further highlighting his rising star status in English football.
Sports
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.
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.
Sports
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.
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.
Sports
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.
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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