Kick Off: Arsenal get 5th consecutive EPL victory; Barça win the Catalan derby

Welcome to All Football's Kick Off, we bring you all important news in the past 24 hours. Make sure you do not miss out.

Top Headlines

Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal: Rice & Gabriel score to help Gunners seal comeback

Declan Rice's second-half double proved crucial to put Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League table via a 3-2 win over Bournemouth, despite multiple scares on the south coast.

Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona: Late goals from Olmo & Lewy seal derby win, Garcia stars

Barcelona moved seven points clear at the top of La Liga after Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski struck late against Espanyol.

Match Report

Mali 1-1 Tunisia (3-2 on pens): 10-man Mali qualify through a dramatic game

Ten-man Mali showed remarkable resilience and composure to eliminate Tunisia in a dramatic AFCON 2025 Round of 16 encounter, battling to a 1–1 draw after extra time before edging a rain-soaked penalty shootout 3–2 in Casablanca.

Senegal 3-1 Sudan: Gueye's brace sends Teranga Lions into quarter-finals

Pape Gueye scored a brace as Senegal came from a goal down to avoid a surprise last 16 exit and beat Sudan 3-1 at the African Cup of Nations.

Wolves 3-0 West Ham: Wolves seal first league win with 3 goals in first-half

Wolves finally ended their wait for a first Premier League win this season as a 3-0 thrashing of West Ham placed pressure on former boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest: Villa 2nd temporarily, Watkins & McGinn net

One of these clubs is looking at Champions League football and probably want their manager to sign a 10-year contract. In the opposite dugout, Sean Dyche might be lucky to last 10 more games if he cannot halt Nottingham Forest’s worrying slide.

Juventus 1-1 Lecce: David misses penalty as hosts' winning streak ends

Jonathan David saw a penalty saved as Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw by Lecce at the Allianz Stadium.

Atalanta 1-0 Roma: Scalvini nets early winner as Scamacca's goal disallowed

Roma had won only two of the previous 15 meetings with Atalanta, yet they were gifted an ideal opportunity to improve that record seven minutes in when Paulo Dybala pounced upon Ederson’s underhit backpass and set up Evan Ferguson, whose initial effort was saved by Marco Carnesecchi, before his chipped rebound was headed off the line by the backtracking Berat Djimsiti.

These Things Happen

The EPL teams' performance this season formed a cycle after Wolves' victory

On 3 January, in the 20th round of the Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers defeated West Ham United 3-0 at home, securing their first Premier League victory of the season. With Wolves' victory over West Ham, the Premier League this season has now formed a perfect cycle where any team can defeat any other team.

Barça score in 39 straight La Liga games, Europe's top 5 leagues' longest run

In the 18th round of La Liga, Barcelona defeated Espanyol 2-0 away from home. This marks Barcelona's 39th consecutive La Liga match in which they have scored, the longest streak currently held in the top five European leagues.

Chelsea players expect Rosenior arrival as Slaven Bilic waits in West Ham wings

Chelsea players expect Liam Rosenior to be named their new head coach after being given indications he is the favourite to succeed Enzo Maresca.

Metz youth player risked his life to save his girlfriend in Swiss nightclub fire

FC Metz youth player Tahirys Dos Santos (19) has sustained severe injuries and second degree burns in the deadly New Year’s Eve fire that claimed the lives of 40 people in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. 

Ottolini named Juventus sporting director

Ottolini has built up a solid background in international club football over several years.

Ex Utd star who won 5 Prem titles blew entire fortune & was declared bankrupt

A key member of Manchester United's Champions League-winning team of 2008 filed for bankruptcy after retirement.

Dortmund make decision over Jobe Bellingham's future after difficult start

Borussia Dortmund are expected to offer their full backing to Jobe Bellingham despite his difficult start to life in Germany following his summer move.

MU 'explore January move' for Baleba while looking at 2 teenage midfield talents

Manchester United are 'exploring a January move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba'.

What They Say

Flick: We don't deserve this result; I want to say "thank you" to Joan

After leading his team to a 2-0 victory in the Catalan derby, securing a winning start to the new year, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick thanked goalkeeper Joan Garcia in an interview for his numerous crucial saves in the match.

PSG boss Luis Enrique ready to embrace 'special' derby against Paris FC

Luis Enrique is relishing Paris Saint-Germain's "special" derby against local rivals Paris FC at Parc des Princes on Sunday.

McFarlane relishing Man City clash after 'whirlwind' start at Chelsea

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said it has been a "whirlwind" 24 hours since he was named as Enzo Maresca's temporary successor. 

Napoli lucky to have Conte as leader, says club management

Napoli are fortunate to have Antonio Conte as their head coach, according to the club's head of first-team management, Lele Oriali.

Arteta says Rice among world's best and nearly missed Bournemouth win

Mikel Arteta believes Declan Rice deserves his place among the world's best midfielders after his double helped Arsenal to a 3-2 win over Bournemouth - a match the midfielder nearly missed through injury.

'Differences are minimal' in Serie A title race, says Inter boss Chivu

Inter boss Cristian Chivu feels "the differences are minimal" between the sides involved in this season's race for the Scudetto.

Alonso urges Madrid to find solutions without Mbappe for Betis visit

Xabi Alonso called on Real Madrid to find a way to win without injured star Kylian Mbappe when Real Betis visit for Sunday's LaLiga clash.

Como coach Cesc responds to Chelsea rumours

The former Blues midfielder has been mentioned as a candidate for the manager's job at Chelsea after Enzo Maresca's departure on Thursday.

Villa building something special, says captain McGinn

Aston Villa captain John McGinn believes the club are “building something special” after their 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

Jeremie Frimpong insists 'this is just the start' for Florian Wirtz

Liverpool new boy Jeremie Frimpong insists he knows how good Florian Wirtz can be and reckons the German will soon start repaying his £116million price tag.

Ivory Coast coach Faé admits: ‘Not easy to defend crown’

Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé has acknowledged the intense competition his side faces as they attempt to defend their AFCON title in Morocco.

Pep Guardiola addresses rumours Enzo Maresca could replace him at Man City...

Pep Guardiola says that HE will decide when he leaves Manchester City, after claims the club have spoken to Enzo Maresca.

Fixtures of the day

EPL

Leeds United VS Manchester United 2026/1/4 12:30 UTC

Fulham VS Liverpool 2026/1/4 15:00 UTC

Newcastle United VS Crystal Palace 2026/1/4 15:00 UTC

Tottenham Hotspur VS Sunderland 2026/1/4 15:00 UTC

Manchester City VS Chelsea 2026/1/4 17:30 UTC

Serie A

Lazio VS Napoli 2026/1/4 11:30 UTC

Internazionale VS Bologna 2026/1/4 19:45 UTC

La Liga

Real Madrid VS Real Betis 2026/1/4 15:15 UTC

Real Sociedad VS Atletico Madrid 2026/1/4 20:00 UTC

Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain VS Paris FC 2026/1/4 19:45 UTC

Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco VS Tanzania 2026/1/4 16:00 UTC

South Africa VS Cameroon 2026/1/4 19:00 UTC