Kick Off: Maresca was dismissed; Manchester City trail Arsenal by 4 points

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

OFFICIAL: Maresca departs role as Chelsea head coach after 18 months in charge

OFFICIAL: Enzo Maresca is SACKED by Chelsea after New Year's crunch talks just days before mammoth clash with Man City.

Sunderland 0-0 Man City: Pep's team miss the chance to go on top

Manchester City missed the chance to move back within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, following a goalless draw with Sunderland.

Match Report

Brentford 0-0 Tottenham: A neil-neil game as Frank return to former club

Thomas Frank failed to get one over his former side on his return to the Gtech Community Stadium as Tottenham drew 0-0 with Brentford.

Liverpool 0-0 Leeds United: Lewin's goal disallowed as both sides take 1pt

Liverpool missed the chance to gain some distance over their fellow Premier League top-four hopefuls after being held to a 0-0 draw by Leeds United.

Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham: Cairney's late goal brings the Cottagers a draw

Tom Cairney came off the bench to rescue a point for Fulham in a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.

These Things Happen

Sudan is the only team in AFCON history to qualify without scoring a single goal

The matchups for the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 have been determined, with Sudan advancing as the best third-placed team in their group, despite failing to score a single goal in the group stage.

SPORT: Ter Stegen would rather be a substitute at Barcelona than go to Girona

According to a report by SPORT on January 1st local time, Ter Stegen still hopes to stay at Barcelona and has never considered transferring to Girona.

Hotspurs & Man Utd are interested in Diomande; Leipzig ask for €100 million

According to talkSPORT, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are interested in Diomande, while RB Leipzig have set a price tag of €100 million.

Christopher Nolan watched an Arsenal match, wearing a red and white scarf

Photos taken by fans at the scene show director Christopher Nolan watching an Arsenal match at the Emirates Stadium, wearing a red and white scarf.

L'Équipe: Fire at Swiss bar kills approximately 40 people

According to L'Équipe, the fire at the Swiss bar has claimed approximately 40 lives, and a young player from Metz suffered severe burns all over his body.

The 12 wonderkids in 2026: From 'the next William Saliba' to Italian hotshot

This is the year you'll learn more than you ever thought possible about players you never realised existed.

OLIVER HOLT: Here's how Behdad and the suits cause the real damage at Chelsea

A few minutes after the final whistle of each game at Stamford Bridge, a familiar scene unfolds. From the far side of the pitch, a gaggle of sharp-dressed men march with expressions of injured and aggrieved entitlement towards the tunnel and, thence, to the home dressing room.

Al-Hilal star Cancelo contacted by three former clubs

The Portugal wing-back is ready to leave Al-Hilal this month and is fielding interest from major European clubs.

Roma plot ambitious move to re-sign Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah

Salah, 33, left Roma to join Liverpool back in 2017 and has gone on to become a Bonafide legend for the reigning Premier League champions.

David Ornstein: Strasbourg’s Rosenior the leading candidate for Chelsea

According to David Ornstein, Strasbourg’s Liam Rosenior the leading candidate for Chelsea job after Maresca exit.

Leao available for Milan as Nkunku misses trip to Cagliari

Rafael Leao will be available for AC Milan's trip to Cagliari on Friday, head coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed.

Here we go! Romano: Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace with £33.5m

Brennan Johnson is going to Crystal Palace, as Fabrizio Romano says.

Ben Jacobs: If Amorim stay after the Christmas, he could finish this season

According to reporter Ben Jacobs, Amorim's career at MU is extending.

Here we go! Romano: Luis Guilherme from West Ham to Sporting

According to Fabrizio Romano, West Ham United's Luis Guilherme will go to Sporting CP.

OFFICIAL: Aston Villa have signed 19-year-old Brazilian Alysson

Aston Villa have officially announced that they sign 19-year-old Brazilian Alysson from Grêmio.

Gabon government bans Aubameyang, suspends national team after AFCON

Following Gabon's group stage exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has suspended the national team.

Elliott January transfer decision looms as Liverpool weigh up Aston Villa recall

Liverpool attacker Harvey Elliott has struggled for game time on loan at Aston Villa this season, making just seven appearances with none since October

Juventus revive plans for Liverpool attacker Chiesa

Juve are weighing up moving to re-sign Chiesa 18 months after he left for the Reds.

What They Say

'We could not score in the six-yard box' – Guardiola bemoans Man City profligacy

Pep Guardiola rued Manchester City's failure to "score in the six-yard box" during their goalless draw with Sunderland.

Frank rues Tottenham's lack of clinical edge again in Brentford return

Thomas Frank cited a lack of creativity within his Tottenham side as the key to their goalless draw with Brentford on his return to Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday. 

Liverpool cannot dwell on 'frustrating' Leeds draw, says Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk described Liverpool's goalless draw with Leeds United as "frustrating" but urged his team-mates to bounce back in their next Premier League match with Fulham.

Cucurella thanks Maresca for the memories after Chelsea exit

Marc Cucurella was one of several Chelsea players to express their gratitude to former boss Enzo Maresca after he left the club on Thursday. 

Kane will not break Lewandowski's Bundesliga scoring record, claims Hamann

Harry Kane will not break Robert Lewandowski's Bundesliga record and will only score seven more goals for Bayern Munich this season, predicts Dietmar Hamann.

'I played alongside Ronaldo - I only saw one manager make him cry', says Modric

Luka Modric enjoyed a glittering spell alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid but the Portuguese forward was reduced to tears in the dressing room by one former manager.

Spain boss De la Fuente has 'clear conscience' after Yamal row with Barcelona

Luis de la Fuente insists he has "a clear conscience" after Lamine Yamal's injury while on Spain duty sparked conflict with Barcelona boss Hansi Flick.

Fixtures of the day

Saudi PL

Al-Ahli SFC VS Al Nassr FC 2026/1/2 17:30 UTC

Serie A

Cagliari VS Milan 2026/1/2 19:45 UTC