Yamal strikes as Barcelona punish 10-man Villarreal
Barcelona secured a composed 2-0 LaLiga victory at Villarreal on Sunday thanks to goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in a match that tilted firmly in the visitors’ favor when the hosts were reduced to 10 men just before the break, Reuters reported.
Barcelona moved on to 46 points, ensuring they head into the new year top of the standings, four points ahead of Real Madrid.
Villarreal are fourth on 35.
It took just 12 ‌minutes for Barcelona ‌to take the lead from ‌the penalty spot ‌after Santi Comesana blocked Raphinha with his back as the winger tried to break through and the Brazilian calmly converted the spot-kick, according to Reuters.
Superb Rogers double gives Aston Villa 2-1 win over Manchester United
Morgan Rogers struck two superb goals for Aston Villa as they beat Manchester United 2-1 at home on Sunday to record their seventh straight Premier League victory and 10th in a row in all competitions, Reuters reported.
Rogers gave the home side the lead with a brilliant solo goal in the 45th minute, bringing a difficult ball down and keeping it in play before cutting into the box and curling a superb shot past keeper Senne Lammens and into the top corner.
United managed to level before the break when Matty Cash was robbed to the right of the Villa penalty area and Matheus Cunha blasted the loose ball past Emiliano Martinez, but their joy was short-lived as captain Bruno Fernandes had to be replaced at halftime due to injury, according to Reuters.
Bayern ease past Heidenheim 4-0 to take nine-point lead into winter break
Undefeated Bayern Munich cruised past hosts Heidenheim 4-0 on Sunday to go into the winter break with a nine-point advantage at the top of the Bundesliga standings, Reuters reported.
The Bavarians, who have gone through 2025 without an away league loss, are on 41 points, with Borussia Dortmund second on 32 following Friday's 2-0 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach. StrugglING Heidenheim are in 17th place on 11.
It was one-way traffic from the start for Vincent Kompany's team, despite missing injured Joshua Kimmich, Manuel Neuer and suspended Konrad Laimer among others, and they took a 15th-minute lead through a close-range Josip Stanisic header at the far post after Heidenheim keeper Diant Ramaj failed to clear a Jonathan Tah header, according to Reuters.
Haaland propels Man City to top with double against West Ham
Manchester City climbed to the top of the table with a ruthless 3-0 dismantling of West Ham United on Saturday, as Erling Haaland bagged a double to top Cristiano Ronaldo's Premier League goals tally in less than half the time, Reuters reported.
Pep Guardiola's men have 37 points after 17 games, while Arsenal, with 36 points, could reclaim top spot when they play at Everton later on Saturday. West Ham remain in the danger zone in 18th on 13 points.
City stamped their authority early on, and Haaland struck in the fifth minute when his first shot from Phil Foden's cross was parried by Alphonse Areola. He made no mistake with his second chance, firing home past the goalkeeper, according to Reuters.



