Chelsea tightened their Premier League title push with a solid 2-0 victory over struggling Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Pedro Neto opened the scoring just before half-time, and Enzo Fernández sealed the win late on to move Enzo Maresca’s side within three points of league leaders Arsenal, who face Tottenham on Sunday.

The result lifts Chelsea into second place and extends their impressive run to eight wins in their last 10 matches across all competitions. It also marks Maresca’s 50th Premier League match in charge.

With crucial home games against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday and Arsenal in the league on November 30, the win provided the perfect momentum for the Blues heading into a decisive week.

Chelsea could drop back to third place if Manchester City avoid defeat against Newcastle later on Saturday, but their gritty performance in freezing Lancashire further strengthened their title credentials.

“It’s tough after the international break — 12:30 kick-off, Burnley away — it’s always a hard game,” Maresca said. “But the way we competed, I’m very happy. To come here and not concede is very difficult. It was important to keep the momentum from before the break.”

Burnley Struggle Continues

Burnley’s woes deepened as the defeat leaves them with five losses in their last seven league outings.

Chelsea were without Cole Palmer, who fractured his toe after stubbing it on a door, just as he was preparing to return from a two-month groin injury. Midfielder Moisés Caicedo was benched due to fatigue after returning late from international duty.

A mix-up early in the match between goalkeeper Robert Sánchez and Fernández — when Sánchez accidentally kicked the ball into the midfielder’s head — briefly halted play for a concussion check, but Fernández later recovered and finished the match strongly.

How the Match Unfolded

Chelsea gradually took control after a shaky start. Neto was lively, with early efforts testing the Burnley defence before ultimately delivering the breakthrough.

In the 37th minute, Marc Cucurella masterfully controlled a high ball in the Burnley box and played it back to Jamie Gittens, whose cross picked out Neto for a brilliant diving header into the far corner — his fourth goal of the season.

Chelsea pushed for more, with Neto hitting the post and Delap forcing Martin Dubravka into a strong save. Burnley’s best chance fell to Zian Flemming, who blazed over from inside the box.

The Blues wrapped up the points in the 88th minute when Fernández finished off a sweeping team move, slotting home Marc Guiu’s pass from close range.

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Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi has been crowned the 2025 CAF Men’s Player of the Year, becoming the first defender since 1973 to win Africa’s most prestigious individual football award. The Moroccan full-back finally clinched the honour after finishing as runner-up in the previous two editions.

Hakimi’s triumph ends Morocco’s long wait for a male winner since Mustapha Hadji claimed the award in 1998. His recognition comes after an extraordinary season in which he helped PSG secure a remarkable quintuple — the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions, and the UEFA Super Cup.

Beyond club success, Hakimi also played a pivotal role in Morocco’s landmark qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African nation to book their ticket to the tournament.

Despite sustaining an injury that left him arriving on a knee scooter, the 26-year-old attended the ceremony in person at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, drawing admiration from fans and dignitaries.

Morocco swept the night, reaffirming their rising dominance in African football ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which the nation will host.
• Ghizlane Chebbak won the Women’s Player of the Year award.
• Yassine Bounou secured the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year honour for the second time.
• The Moroccan U20 team was crowned National Team of the Year.

Hakimi’s historic win underscores the country’s football renaissance and cements his status as one of Africa’s greatest modern defenders.

 

 

 

 

 

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Nigeria take on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in a high-stakes showdown in the final of the African playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental playoffs in March.

The clash is being held at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00pm local time (19:00 GMT).

Nigeria enter the final with strong momentum after their dominant 4–1 semifinal victory over Gabon on Thursday. Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen was the hero on the night, scoring twice in extra time to push the Super Eagles through after a tense regulation period.

DR Congo booked their spot in the final with a dramatic 1–0 win over Cameroon, thanks to a late strike from captain Chancel Mbemba, who delivered when it mattered most.

Today’s CAF playoff decider is the last hurdle before the intercontinental playoffs—a mini-tournament scheduled for March in Mexico, featuring six teams battling for just two World Cup slots.
With everything on the line, both sides are expected to field their strongest lineups as they chase a pathway to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

More updates to follow LIVE.

Portugal sealed their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in emphatic fashion on Sunday, crushing Armenia 9–1 in their final European qualifier at Estádio do Dragão in Porto.

Bruno Fernandes delivered a man-of-the-match performance, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist in a game that showcased Portugal’s attacking firepower. Rising star João Neves also stole the spotlight with a brilliant hat-trick of his own, including a stunning free-kick that drew widespread praise online.

Although suspended for the match, captain Cristiano Ronaldo rallied his teammates with an Instagram message calling for unity and focus. His absence did little to slow the momentum, as fans on social media celebrated Portugal’s depth, balance, and emergence of new-generation talents.

The resounding victory secures Portugal’s seventh straight World Cup appearance, reinforcing their status as one of Europe’s most consistent footballing powers as they head toward the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their place in the African World Cup qualifying play-off final after defeating Gabon 4–1 in extra time on Thursday at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

Nigeria took an early lead through Akor Adams, who calmly finished a flowing move midway through the first half. However, Mario Lemina equalised late in the second half with a deflected strike that sent the game into extra time.

In the added period, substitute Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s lead before Victor Osimhen delivered a stunning brace to seal an emphatic victory for the three-time African champions.

Osimhen, who had missed a golden opportunity to win the game in stoppage time, redeemed himself with two clinical finishes that underlined his status as one of Africa’s top strikers.

The result sends Nigeria through to the final stage of the African play-offs, where they will face the winner of Cameroon vs DR Congo on Sunday. The victor of that encounter will advance to the intercontinental play-offs in March 2026, keeping hopes alive for a spot at the FIFA World Cup in North America.

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