Premier League rings in New Year with goal drought as Man City lose ground in title race
The Premier League's festive feast turned stale on Thursday as the New Year's Day programme served up three 0-0 draws, most significantly Manchester City's stalemate at Sunderland which left them four points adrift of leaders Arsenal, Reuters reported.
Second-placed City would have reduced Arsenal's advantage to two points but instead were frustrated as their winning streak in all competitions was halted at eight.
Liverpool's attack was also found wanting as they drew 0-0 at home to Leeds United while there were no goals at Brentford as they ground out a draw with Tottenham Hotspur, according to Reuters.
Draw with Tunisia sends Tanzania into Cup of Nations last 16
Tanzania grabbed a second-half equaliser to hold Tunisia to a 1-1 draw in their last Group C game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday and book a place in the last 16, Reuters reported.
Tanzania's second point of the tournament proved enough for them to advance as one of the four best third-placed finishers.
Feisal Salum's powerful shot three minutes into the second half secured the draw after Tunisia had gone ahead through a 43rd-minute penalty converted by Ismael Gharbi, according to Reuters.
Espanyol ban Barcelona symbols at stadium as Garcia return raises derby tensions
Espanyol have banned Barcelona fans from wearing their team's shirt and stepped up security ahead of Saturday's LaLiga Catalan derby at the RCDE Stadium, with tensions running high as Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia prepares to return to his former club, Reuters reported.
Espanyol have also installed protective netting behind both goals "to ensure the safety of all attendees and help the event run smoothly", with Garcia, who made a summer move to their bitter rivals, set to face his old team for the first time since leaving.
“Access to the RCDE Stadium with any type of garment, scarf or identifying symbol of FC Barcelona is strictly prohibited,” Espanyol said in a statement on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Arsenal thrash Villa 4-1 while Chelsea and Man Utd both held
Arsenal closed out 2025 in emphatic fashion, smashing third-placed Aston Villa 4-1 on Tuesday to surge five points clear at the top of the Premier League, Reuters reported.
Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers, who collected their third point of the season, while Bournemouth grabbed a point at stuttering Chelsea, forcing a 2-2 draw after a frantic first-half display.
Man United are sixth, level on 30 points with fifth-placed Chelsea, according to Reuters.
