Shaun Wright-Phillips has backed Manchester City to turn their form around and refused to rule them out of the Premier League title race.

City were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah getting the goals for the rampant Reds.

Pep Guardiola's team are winless in seven games in all competitions and have now lost their last five league matches.

Sunday's defeat left them 11 points behind Liverpool after 13 games, and their title hopes are dangling by a thread. Indeed, the Opta supercomputer gives City just a 4.3% chance of retaining the title.

But former City winger Wright-Phillips thinks his old club are still in with a chance, if they rediscover their "addiction to winning".

He told Stats Perform: "I'm very confident [in Man City]. I've been lucky enough to have been around the pre-season camps over the last two years and seen the mentality of not only the players but the manager, the coaching staff, and even the staff behind the scenes.

"They've set such high standards for themselves in terms of what they've achieved over the last four years that any dip feels like something is really wrong. But a lot of the players, like some in other teams, didn't have a full pre-season and are still trying to get minutes under their belts and get fit.

"Pep rarely makes excuses. He deals with the hand he's got and tries to find solutions. But with players coming back into the fold, like Kevin De Bruyne getting minutes and Jeremy Doku coming on to liven up the game, you can see the threats are still there.

"Chances will come. And with a man like Erling Haaland up front, I don't think they’ll have much of a problem.

"It's just about getting that first win, regaining that feeling, hunger, and addiction to winning. Once they do, I think they'll be fine."

Guardiola faced chants of "getting sacked in the morning" from the Liverpool fans on Sunday, though smiled his way through it before holding up six fingers, representing his six Premier League titles.

He also did the same towards the travelling City fans at the end of the match.

"I think it's brilliant," said Wright-Phillips. "Things like that are good for the game. It's not him being arrogant, and it's not Liverpool fans being a nuisance.

"I've played at Anfield, and it's a daunting ground to go to, but I've always had a laugh with the fans about what they say.

"If I was on the bench, I'd turn around and just laugh at it. They have good banter, and as soon as Pep responded, they laughed, and it kind of went away.

"It shows there's mutual respect. There's not much more they could have sung about Pep apart from something funny because what he’s achieved within the game — period, not just in the Premier League — is phenomenal."

City host Nottingham Forest in their next Premier League game on Wednesday.

Chloe Kelly and Fran Kirby will miss England's friendly with Switzerland on Tuesday, manager Sarina Wiegman has confirmed.

Forward Kelly will be absent due to concussion protocols, while midfielder Kirby is absent with a calf problem.

Both players were brought on as substitutes in England's goalless draw with the United States at Wembley on Saturday.

Speaking ahead of the showdown with Switzerland at Bramall Lane, Wiegman revealed she intends to rotate her side.

Millie Bright, an unused substitute last time out, is one of those who will get game time in Sheffield.

"It was a hard decision," Wiegman told BBC Sport on her decision not to use Brighton against USA. 

"We've played four defenders the most in the last period so I chose to balance it out against USA.

"Of course, that's very hard for Millie. Against Switzerland she will play and I'm happy that she is fit and can take that opportunity."

Last time the #Lionesses played at Bramall Lane!

Sealing our spot in the #WEURO2022 FINAL pic.twitter.com/ZWf0OX4ykl

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) December 2, 2024

England are unbeaten in 11 previous meetings with Switzerland, winning all but one of those.

The Lionesses have only faced Finland (13 times) and Northern Ireland (12 times) more often without ever losing in their history.

However, Wiegman is expecting a difficult contest against a side ranked 25th in the world – some 23 places below England.

"I think they will be hard to break down," Wiegman said. "They play in a really compact way but are not scared to get in behind quickly. We have warned about those situations."

This will be England's fourth game at Bramall Lane, having won each of the previous three by an aggregate score of 11-0.

Arsenal have drawn Manchester United at home in the third round of the FA Cup.

Record 14-time winners Arsenal were paired with holders – and 13-time winners – United in the pick of the ties in Monday's draw.

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City will host Salford City, who are owned by Man United's famed 'Class of 92'.

Elsewhere, Liverpool and fellow Premier League big boys Chelsea will host fourth-tier sides Accrington Stanley and Morecambe respectively.

The draw for the #EmiratesFACup third round is complete

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 2, 2024

One of the pick of the third-round ties, due to be played over the weekend of 11 January, will see Tamworth welcome Tottenham.

The only other non-league side still remaining, Dagenham & Redbridge, will go to Championship club Millwall.

League Two strugglers Bromley have a plum away tie at Newcastle United, meanwhile, and Premier League high-flyers Brighton and Hove Albion travel to Norwich City.

Aston Villa versus West Ham is the only other all-Premier League tie aside from Arsenal against Man United.

Milan must keep their guard up when they host impressive Serie B leaders Sassuolo in a Coppa Italia last-16 clash on Tuesday, coach Paulo Fonseca has said.

Milan start their cup campaign against a Sassuolo team who are in good form after being relegated from Serie A last term, ending 11 consecutive seasons in the top flight.

"For me they are not a Serie B team, they have a lot of players who are on a Serie A level," Fonseca said in an interview for Milan TV on Monday.

"There is not only [striker Domenico] Berardi, who has shone in Serie A. They beat Lecce 2-0 in the previous round, who are a Serie A side. They're top of the table, they're a strong team.

"We've analysed them well. I told the players to expect a difficult match against a team that, for me, should be in Serie A."

Sassuolo, who are three points clear of second-placed Pisa after 15 matches in Serie B, have only lost at home to Cremonese this season and have gone unbeaten in 11 games since.

Milan, meanwhile, sit seventh in Serie A, 10 points off leaders Napoli with a game in hand.

Paulo Fonseca on...

Bove
Sassuolo
Team selection #MilanSassuolo #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/WQ2UK8lBLE

— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 2, 2024

"Milan haven't won the cup in a while. We need to have a clear ambition in this competition," Fonseca said.

"But we don't look too far ahead. If we are to have aspirations of making it to the final, which must be our goal, we have to win tomorrow."

Five-times Coppa Italia winners Milan last lifted the trophy more than 20 years ago in 2003.

The Portuguese coach said there will be changes to the starting lineup for the game after Milan's 3-0 home win over Empoli in Serie A on Saturday, and ahead of their next league fixture at second-placed Atalanta on Friday.

"We played two days ago. If we don't manage the team and the players well we could have physical problems, and we don't want that," he said.

"I have faith in all the players. But obviously, there will be some changes but always with the aim of winning the match."

Some of the changes are due to health issues.

"Mike Maignan will not be there due to dental surgery. Theo [Hernandez] will also not be there due to a foot issue. The others are all ready to play," Fonseca added.

Mohamed Salah clearly does not want to leave Liverpool despite recent comments made in public, according to Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The Egypt international is due to be out of contract at the end of the season and confirmed last week a new deal has yet to be offered.

Liverpool great Jamie Carragher called Salah "selfish" for speaking out on his future, but Wright-Phillips does not believe he did anything wrong.

"Personally, I think if you're doing an interview, and you're asked a question and you feel like answering it, there's nothing wrong with that," he told Stats Perform. 

"For me, this is on Liverpool. Why would you wait so long to address one of the greatest players we've seen in the Premier League? Why wouldn't you make it clear that you want him to stay?

"I think Salah is trying to nudge them into action, to let them know he's ready and waiting. He wants clarity on his future because it's open right now."

Salah assisted Cody Gakpo's opener and converted a penalty in Sunday's 2-0 win over City, meaning he has now scored and assisted in 36 different Premier League games – the joint-most by a player in the competition's history, equalling Wayne Rooney's record.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Salah again implied he expects this to be the last of his eight seasons at Anfield.

"I saw something on social media where he said something like, 'I played as if this was my last game at Anfield against Manchester City'," Wright-Phillips said.

"He's telling them they have do something about it. Clearly, he doesn't want to leave. If he did, he had the chance already, and he stayed. So, for me, he's well within his right to speak out."

GET IN THEREEE!!!!! #LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/NEhKA1wIhb

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 1, 2024

Salah now has 224 goals in 369 games for Liverpool, a club-record 166 of those coming in the Premier League, while his 75 assists in the competition is the ninth most of any player for a single club.

Wright-Phillips believes Salah is only getting better with age, making it even more important a resolution is found between the player and club.

"It's hard to say 'give him what he wants' [in terms of his contract demands] because I don't know Liverpool's rules or wage structures," he said. 

"But one thing I can say is if you have a player like that, regardless of his age, the amount he runs, the end product he delivers – not just scoring goals but also creating them over the last two years – has been phenomenal.

"He's getting better and better as an all-round player. I think he's someone they 100% need to find a way to keep. Whatever they have to do, for me, they should keep him there. 

"He's up there with the greatest players Liverpool has ever had, and they've had some unbelievable players. Salah stands toe-to-toe with them and doesn't seem to be slowing down. 

"If anything, he's getting better. He hasn't lost any pace, and his hunger and desire to achieve personal and team goals at Liverpool just keep growing. I'd try my hardest to keep him."

8 - Mohamed Salah has scored or assisted in each of his last eight Premier League starts against Manchester City (six goals, four assists in total). Relentless.#LFC #MCFC pic.twitter.com/tI4UIVcjta

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 2, 2024

Salah is one of three first-team stars at Liverpool due to become a free agent in six months' time, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk put in a Man of the Match display in the win over City, which moved Liverpool nine points clear at the Premier League summit, and Wright-Phillips says it is equally important Liverpool convince him to stay.

"I'd say 1,000%. You don't find defenders like him very often," Wright-Phillips, a Premier League title winner with Chelsea in 2005-06, said. "The elegance he plays with – you rarely see him sprint, and yet he seems to be back to his best. 

"He's perfect for the younger players, like [Jarell] Quansah, coming through. You need someone like him around the club.

"Of course, if Virgil wants to keep playing at a high level and Liverpool don't want to use him as much, then that's a different conversation. But from what I see, he's fit as a fiddle, raring to go, and focused. He wants this title this year.

"You have to keep players like that. It's what makes a club a bigger club – keeping those players who’ve been through the highs and lows with you. 

"Van Dijk has been there for everything: the battles with City, the title races, the dips, and the comebacks. Players like him bring invaluable experience and knowledge to the club. You can't replace that."

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner refused to term his side's meeting with fellow strugglers Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Tuesday as a relegation six-pointer. 

Palace and Ipswich are tied on nine points with an identical record of one win and six draws from 13 matches as they head into the clash at Portman Road.

However, Glasner said every match is of equal importance.

"I don't think it's a six-pointer, but it's an important game. Every single game is important," Glasner said ahead of the game. 

Palace, in 17th place, have not won in four matches and face an Ipswich side, who beat Tottenham 2-1 and held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw last month. 

"They have a home game, and they will want to take the three points. I think that is how they will enter the game and we will do the same. And then let's see what happens," the Austrian manager said.

"We are not pleased with the points we have. But I think we had some better performances than we had at the end of last season."

Ipswich, meanwhile, have not won at home this season but will have two chances in six days to change that, with them also hosting Bournemouth on Sunday. 

Their run of three unbeaten games was snapped by Nottingham Forest on Saturday and Kieran McKenna is hopeful his side will bounce back in front of their home support. 

"We always made a big thing of trying to attack back-to-back home games in League One and the Championship. This is our first chance to do that in the Premier League, and we only get one more after Christmas," said McKenna. 

“We want to make the most of it. We’ll have to get an awful lot of things right and not a lot wrong to get a win in either game, but that’s what we’re going to try and do." 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ipswich Town - Liam Delap

Liam Delap is the top scorer for Ipswich with six goals in 13 appearances this season, with five of those goals coming in his last eight matches. 

The 21-year-old was the standout star of the Tractor Boys by bagging a goal and creating an assist as they defeated Tottenham 2-1 last month. 

Crystal Palace - Jean-Philippe Mateta

Jean-Philippe Mateta has bagged three goals and an assist for Crystal Palace this season as he looks to guide the Eagles into safety. 

The 23-year-old French striker has scored for Palace in each of his last three league appearances against newly promoted clubs and will be hoping to match Andrew Johnson's club record from 2004-05 by getting on the scoresheet at Portman Road.  

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Palace have a fine record against Ipswich in the Premier League; they are unbeaten in all four meetings between them (W3 D1). The first of those meetings ended in a 2-0 win for the south Londoners at Portman Road in February 1995.

Indeed, Palace have lost just one of their last 11 league meetings with promoted sides (W6 D4), with their only defeat in that period coming against Luton Town last season.

Ipswich, meanwhile, are winless in their last six Premier League matches at Portman Road (D4 L2). They last endured a longer run without a home win in 2019 when they were in the Championship (eight games).

However, with Palace only winning just two of their last 19 away league matches (D8 L9), Ipswich will fancy their chances of getting out of the bottom three.

LIVE WIN PROBABILITY 

Crystal Palace win - 38.5%
Ipswich Town win - 35.1%
Draw - 26.4% 

Ruud Van Nistelrooy said that he has already started making changes at Leicester City as he prepares for his first game in charge against West Ham.

The former striker joined the Foxes only days after leaving his interim role at Manchester United and replaced Steve Cooper, who was in charge of only 15 matches in all competitions. 

Leicester go into Van Nistelrooy's first game sitting 16th with 10 points from 13 matches, after a 4-1 defeat to Brentford under caretaker boss Ben Dawson on Saturday. 

"In two days it's difficult to make a lot of changes, but we have started to make changes in the style of play, training sessions, structure, little by little, starting to build a foundation of a highly motivated team who can compete in this league," the new Leicester boss said. 

"I had a meeting with the players, and it was the first thing to address - the situation we're in, the challenge that we face, and what's necessary to get out of that situation." 

West Ham, in 14th place, also find themselves in a spot of bother after a 5-2 defeat to second-placed Arsenal last time and Julen Lopetegui will be hoping to collect some valuable points off Leicester, who are two berths below them.

But the under-pressure Spanish tactician is aware that a new manager will provide a spring in Leicester's step at the King Power Stadium. 

"I think that Ruud is a very good manager. He has shown this before in the teams he has worked in, and he has experience in the Premier League,” Lopetegui said.

“We have to be ready, because I am sure the challenge is going to be very tough and demanding. That extra step and energy which happens when a new coach arrives is always important," the Hammers boss said. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Leicester - Facundo Buonanotte

No player has been involved in more goals for Leicester in the Premier League this season than 19-year-old Facundo Buonanotte, who is tied with captain Jamie Vardy on four goals and two assists. 

The Argentine netted in both of Leicester's wins this season and was also on the scoresheet in the defeat to Brentford on Saturday. 

West Ham - Jarrod Bowen 

With eight goals and seven assists, Jarrod Bowen has been involved in 15 goals in his last 18 league appearances against promoted sides. 

The West Ham captain has also had a hand in five goals in five league starts against Leicester (three goals and two assists). The 27-year-old already has three goals and three assists in the league this season. 

MATCH PREDICTION: WEST HAM WIN

West Ham will be favourites as they make the trip to the King Power Stadium to face a Leicester side, who are only one point clear of safety and are the risk of dropping straight back into the Championship. 

The Hammers are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League games against promoted sides (W10 D2) with a 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest in 2022 their last defeat against a newcomer. 

The visitors will also be boosted by the ending of a run of four away league games without a win (D2 L2) with a 2-0 victory against Newcastle United at St James' Park on 25 November.  

They also did not lose any of their five midweek league fixtures last season (W2 D3), with both those wins coming in away matches.

Leicester, meanwhile, have kept just one clean sheet in their last 19 home league games and have conceded the opening goal in 17 of those 19 games (W4 D4 L11). 

LIVE WIN PROBABILITY 

West Ham win - 45.8%
Leicester win - 29.5%
Draw - 24.7% 

Barcelona must rediscover their golden touch in front of goal if they are to push on and win LaLiga, says Hansi Flick.

The Blaugrana are winless in three league matches and have seen their lead at the top of the standings cut to just one point.

Defeats against Real Sociedad and Las Palmas cut Barcelona's have come either side of a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo, in which they gave up a 2-0 lead.

With second-placed Real Madrid just a point behind and with a game in hand, Flick knows Barca cannot afford any slip-ups against Mallorca on Tuesday.

And Flick put Barca's recent run down to wasting chances.

"For me, the good news is that November is over and we are in December," Flick told reporters.

"The team has given a lot in those games, in the midfield we have had a lot of intensity and we have been very disciplined. We created chances but we have to finish better.

"It may seem like I'm making excuses, but we lost. We have to be focused in attack. We can't afford to have two or three chances and do not score them. In football it's the goals that count."

Across their past three fixtures in LaLiga, Barca have scored just three goals, underperforming their 4.7 expected goals (xG).

In that time, only Real Valladolid (4.76%) and Rayo Vallecano (6.25%) have a lower shot conversion rate than Barca (6.38%).

Flick says his team just need to show more focus on the details.

"We are a young team that have to learn and fight for victories," Flick said.

"At the back, we need to stop conceding goals and for that we have to defend as a unit. In attack, we also have to be united. We have to score with the chances we get.

"We had long possessions and a lot of chances, but in the end it's a fight to win the duels. When I see (Pau) Cubarsi or Inigo Martinez and how well they defend.

"Pedri runs a lot in midfield... so do the others. There is a long way to go, we want to win the league title and for that everyone has to fight." 

Xabi Alonso is viewing Bayer Leverkusen's DFB-Pokal clash with Bayern Munich as "a final".

Holders Leverkusen, who also won the Bundesliga last season, visit Bayern in the last 16 on Tuesday.

Leverkusen have been unable to sustain the immaculate form they showed domestically last term, though they have only lost one league match.

They sit seven points behind leaders Bayern, who drew 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, with Jamal Musiala scoring a late equaliser.

"The cup is one game and anything can happen," Alonso said on Monday.

"Tomorrow is like a final for us. There is no tougher game than a game at the Allianz Arena.

"Normally if Bayern play at the Allianz Arena in the Bundesliga, the Champions League or the DFB-Pokal they are always the favourites.

"It is the biggest challenge. Almost a final."

Leverkusen will be without key striker Victor Boniface just as Bayern are missing top scorer Harry Kane.

But Alonso said he was happy to have forward Patrik Schick firing on all cylinders, with the Czech having netted the winner versus Union Berlin on Saturday after his hat-trick against Heidenheim a week earlier.

Schick had also scored in Leverkusen's midweek 5-0 demolition of Salzburg in the Champions League.

"Patrik is in a top moment," Alonso said.

"He not only scores, but does a lot of other things right, also against Union Berlin in an intense game against a tough defence. I am happy he is having this good feeling."

Wayne Rooney has been left "embarrassed" by Plymouth Argyle's recent performances on the back of conceding 10 goals in the space of two games.

Plymouth are winless in four Championship matches, with that run having seen them drop to just one place above the relegation zone.

Their goal difference has taken a huge hit in the past week, however, following a 6-1 loss to Norwich City and a 4-0 defeat to Bristol City.

Rooney, who was appointed as head coach in May, is reportedly under pressure, and Manchester United's record goalscorer knows matters must improve swiftly.

"I've been criticised since I was a 16-year-old boy, my whole career," Rooney said, as reported by BBC Sport.

"What you always want is weapons to fight back with – at the minute we've got none.

"So we have to take it on the chin and hope that we get through this, because the last two games arguably have been the toughest and hardest week of my managerial career.

"So I need to find a way to get through it, but also get that message through to the players to make sure I lift them.

"It's at a point now where the players need to understand that they need to give more and they need to show more character, more fight, more desire.

"It was very difficult walking over [to the fans] and not feel embarrassed."

Plymouth have the lowest expected goals (xG) in the Championship this season, having accumulated only 12.7. However, they have netted 18 times.

It is a bad mix for Rooney, though, as Argyle have the highest xG against, with their 35.8 xGA five clear of next-worst Stoke City (30.8), while Plymouth have also conceded the most goals (38) and shots (324, 40 more than any other side).

"Ultimately it's my responsibility – I take full responsibility for the results, I pick the team, I pick the tactics," Rooney added.

"But I think the players are at a stage now where they need to hear, not just in the dressing room, but they need to hear it from outside as well, that they have to show more.

"We've got a duty to this football club to show a pride, a respect, a passion, a fight for this club and the last two games I feel it hasn't been there."

Jamie Carragher said that Liverpool are "not built on giving people what they want" after Mohamed Salah reiterated the uncertainty over his future following Sunday's 2-0 win over Manchester City. 

Salah bagged the assist for Cody Gakpo's opening goal and then netted the second to seal the win over City at Anfield and send his side nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. 

Despite continuing his sensational form for the Reds, Salah's contract is set to run out at the end of the season, with the Egyptian revealing last week that Liverpool are yet to offer him a new deal. 

Reacting to the situation on Sky Sports, former Liverpool defender Carragher said: "We know Liverpool as a club are run by data. It's a moneyball situation and we're delighted that's back but on the other hand, say give someone what they want, you can't do that."

"These two, [Virgil] Van Dijk and Salah, if Liverpool do have a rule such as only giving players over 30 a certain length contract, you have to move the data for players like that."

After his display against Pep Guardiola's champions, 32-year-old Salah has now scored and assisted in 36 Premier League games, the joint-most by a player in the competition's history, equalling Wayne Rooney's record.

The Liverpool attacker has also scored or assisted in eight consecutive Premier League matches against City, with six goals and four assists. 

"I'm not saying he shouldn't get a two-year deal, I'm not saying he shouldn't be on big money - he's on big money now and rightly so - but this idea and this saying of 'give him what he wants', this club is not built on giving people what they want, that's why there is success at the club," Carragher said. 

"Being ahead of the game, buying Mo Salah for £40m when nobody else in the Premier League looked at him, because Liverpool were ahead of the game."

Salah signed for Liverpool from Roma in 2017, having previously played for Basel and Chelsea, among others. 

His assist for Gakpo was the 75th of his Liverpool career in the Premier League and saw him overtake Arsenal's Thierry Henry on the list of most assists for a single club in the English to -flight.

After the game, Salah talked about his contract situation: "Honestly, it's in my head. Right now, this is the last City game I will play for Liverpool [at Anfield], so I was just going to enjoy it."

Liverpool will face Newcastle United in their next match on Wednesday. 

Mount Pleasant FA delivered a commanding performance on Sunday, defeating Molynes United 4-0 at Drax Hall to reclaim the top spot in the Jamaica Premier League standings. The victory, their third in succession, extended Mount Pleasant's unbeaten streak.

Substitute Shaqueil Bradford starred with a second-half double, breaking the resistance of a Molynes team that had come into the match on a two-game winning run. The win puts Mount Pleasant on 25 points from 12 games, while Molynes remain in 12th place with 10 points, precariously just one point above the relegation zone.

Mount Pleasant could have taken the lead earlier, but Daniel Green missed a penalty in the 35th minute. However, the home side eventually found the breakthrough in the 56th minute when Raheem Edwards slotted home. Bradford then took over, scoring twice in quick succession in the 66th and 74th minutes, before Nicholas Nelson rounded off the victory with an 83rd-minute goal.

Tivoli Gardens secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season, edging Chapelton Maroons 3-2 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. Goals from Nickalia Fuller (11') and Kavan Wilson (34') gave Tivoli an early 2-0 lead, but Leaughn Williams (38') and Jahvon James (60') brought Chapelton level. With the game finely poised, Shaquille Jones scored the decisive goal in the 78th minute, lifting Tivoli to eighth place with 13 points.

Dunbeholden United staged a dramatic comeback at home, scoring twice late to earn a 3-3 draw against Portmore United. The visitors appeared to be cruising, leading 3-1 after goals from Tarick Ximines (18'), Nickoy Gayle (49'), and Emilio Rosseau (72'). Dunbeholden, however, refused to go quietly. Chantamoi Taylor (61') gave them a lifeline, followed by strikes from Shakeen Powell (75') and Chevoy Watkin (90+1'), rescuing a point in added time.

At the Ferdie Neita Sports Complex, Racing United and Humble Lion played to a 1-1 draw. Nickyle Ellis opened the scoring for Racing United in the 47th minute, but Roshane Sharpe equalized in the 58th minute, ensuring both teams shared the spoils.

Mount Pleasant’s dominant display and unbeaten streak keep them in pole position as the league heats up. With more exciting fixtures ahead, the race for the Jamaica Premier League title continues to intensify.

Bayern Munich have enough talented players to replace the injured Harry Kane, so says Vincent Kompany.

The England captain, who has netted 20 goals across all competitions this season, suffered a thigh injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund.

Kane is expected to be out for a couple of weeks but Kompany is hopeful the England captain could still return to action before the winter break.

Bayern are top of the Bundesliga with a four-point lead over Eintracht Frankfurt.

"It is difficult to say at this moment but there is a chance for him to still play this year," Kompany told reporters ahead of Bayern's DFB-Pokal clash with holders and reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

"But he will miss several games and to replace him, you know you cannot replace the goals or the player one-for-one. That's why he is a top player."

Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, Michael Olise and Leroy Sane have enough experience to fill the gap, according to Kompany.

"We have talent in the team and need to solve it differently. We won't be lacking talent tomorrow but it will look different," Kompany explained.

"We have many options. Thomas Muller, Mathys Tel, Gnabry, Olise, Leroy. I now named almost everyone. Obviously, Harry has scored 20 goals, but we have dangerous players in attack."

Bayern last won the DFB-Pokal in 2020 and have failed to get past the quarter-finals since, losing in the second round in three of the past four seasons.

"We play the holders. One of the top two or three games in Germany, and I hope our performance will match the importance of the game," Kompany said. 

"We have played against almost every team in the league now. Leverkusen's squad is one of the best.

"They defend very deep and did the same against us in our first meeting this season. I don't know if they will approach things in a similar way. I hope that we will build on our strengths and concentrate on ourselves, no matter how Leverkusen play."

Liverpool are now nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, after claiming a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield.

It is fair to say the Reds, who accumulated 3.3 expected goals and had 18 shots, were more than worthy of their victory on Sunday, as City lost a fourth straight league match.

But was that the case across the board this weekend? Which teams were unlucky, and which sides got lucky, when comparing the underlying metrics to their actual results?

Here, we use Opta data to find out.

Unlucky losers: Everton

The away end at Old Trafford was mostly empty by the time full-time rolled around on Sunday, as Manchester United claimed their first league win under new boss Ruben Amorim in style, beating Everton 4-0.

But it's fair to say that Sean Dyche's team had started brightly, albeit without offering too much in the way of a threat. United's opening two goals came via a deflection and then a mistake from Jarrad Branthwaite, who was heavily linked with a move to the Red Devils in the summer.

While Everton cannot be considered unfortunate to lose, the metrics do suggest United were far more clinical than would have been anticipated based on the chances that came their way, as Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford both netted doubles. 

United created just 1.0 xG, while having 11 shots, just three more than the Toffees. Amorim's side took all three of their big chances (defined as an opportunity from which a player would reasonably be expected to score). Everton had only 13 touches in United's box, though, as for all their bright play in the opening 30 minutes, they failed to make any real inroads.

Lucky winners: Newcastle United

Newcastle did not get all three points against Crystal Palace on Saturday, though they were just moments away from doing so. Daniel Munoz headed home late on after connecting with a cross from Marc Guehi, who had bundled in an own goal to give the Magpies the lead.

Yet Newcastle should really consider themselves fortunate to come away with even a point, considering the match metrics.

Eddie Howe claimed his team were in control, yet they failed to have a single shot on target, had only one attempt throughout the entire match and finished with 0.04 xG - by some distance the lowest of any Premier League team this weekend.

Palace's 1.8 xG was the fifth-highest total, on the other hand. The Eagles had 16 attempts, meaning their per-shot xG of 0.11 was higher than Newcastle's entire xG across the match.

Unlucky losers: Brighton

Brighton were left to rue some missed opportunities as they drew 1-1 with Southampton in Friday's south coast derby.

The Seagulls accumulated 1.7 xG and had 22 shots, which is at least four more than any other team in the division across the weekend's matches, while their 44 touches in the opposition box was also a league-high.

Yet they could not build on Kaoru Mitoma's opener, and were ultimately punished when Flynn Downes netted just before the hour.

Southampton created 1.0 xG, so it is not as though they were unworthy of at least a goal, but Fabian Hurzeler will no doubt believe his team should have been out of sight.

Juventus boss Thiago Motta has said that his side should improve collectively and individually after they were held to a late 1-1 draw by Lecce in Serie A. 

The result was his side's third consecutive draw across all competitions, following on two goalless draws against Milan in the league and Aston Villa in the Champions League. 

The Old Lady set a new club record for most Serie A draws in a single calendar year with their 18th stalemate of 2024 - surpassing the 17 they recorded in 1956.

"It's important to understand the moments in the matches," Motta told DAZN after the game.

"After taking the lead, we can improve certain aspects of the game, both collectively and individually."

Substitute Ante Rebic scored for Lecce in the 93rd minute, cancelling out an Andrea Cambiaso goal from earlier in the half. 

Juventus, who are one of three teams still unbeaten in the big five European leagues with six wins and eight draws, are also the side that have drawn the most matches in those leagues. 

"So far, in the league, we have got what we have deserved," Motta said. 

"Sometimes we have played better than the opponent, other times the games have been more balanced. We are where we need to be."

Juventus' season has been hampered by injuries to key players, including Dusan Vlahovic, who has scored six goals this season, Nicolo Savona and Weston McKennie.

"We saw in the second half that the team was running out of steam, and we knew that was a possibility," the manager said.

"In the first half, Lecce was waiting for our mistakes, and we made few of them. In the second half, we opened up too much, despite being ahead. We need to improve in reading these moments.

"We’ve got to improve, learn certain things and keep thinking positive. We need to prepare for the next match both physically and mentally."

Though undefeated in their last 22 games in the Serie A, Juventus will hope to convert those draws to wins more often, starting with their next match against Bologna on Saturday. 

They sit sixth in the table with 26 points from 14 matches and trail leaders Napoli by six points.