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By Timothy Akintola

Read latest on Ademola Lookman, Vince Carter, Barcelona and PL results.

Ademola Lookman the hero as Atalanta stuns Serie A leaders, Napoli.

In-form Nigerian forward, Ademola Lookman’s first-half brace led Atalanta to a stunning 3-0 victory over Serie A leaders Napoli on Sunday, lifting them to second place in the standings. Lookman, who recently placed 14th in the Ballon d’Or voting, opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a close-range volley set up by Charles De Ketelaere. He struck again just past the half-hour, firing a long-range effort from another De Ketelaere assist after Scott McTominay hit the post for Napoli. Substitute Mateo Retegui sealed the win in stoppage time, finishing Raoul Bellanova’s cross. The victory extends Atalanta’s winning streak to five games. Napoli, who had previously won all five home games under new coach Conte, saw their unbeaten streak end at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Atalanta, now just three points behind Napoli, sit a point above Inter and Juventus.

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Vince Carter’s no.15 becomes the first jersey retired by the Toronto Raptors.

On Saturday, Vince Carter became the first player in Toronto Raptors history to have his jersey retired, with his No. 15 raised to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena during halftime against the Sacramento Kings. The former UNC standout was visibly emotional as the banner, showcasing an iconic dunk, ascended. Carter, the only NBA player to compete across four decades, spent over six years of his record-breaking 22-season career with the Raptors. Initially drafted fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors in 1998, he was traded to Toronto in exchange for UNC teammate, Antawn Jamison, the fourth overall pick. Carter quickly made an impact, winning Rookie of the Year in 1999 and leading Toronto to its first-ever playoff appearance. A franchise icon, he helped popularize basketball in Canada. His legacy continues as the Brooklyn Nets plan to retire his jersey on January 25, 2025.


Olmo scores a brace as Barcelona go nine points clear after the derby win.

Barcelona extended their La Liga lead to nine points with a dominant 3-1 victory over Espanyol in Sunday’s derby at Estadi Olimpic Lluís Companys. Following Real Madrid’s postponed match against Valencia due to severe flooding, a win for Barcelona widened the gap over the reigning champions. The hosts were unstoppable in the first half, with Dani Olmo scoring twice and Raphinha adding another, establishing a 3-0 lead by halftime. Olmo’s opener came from a precise Lamine Yamal assist, while Raphinha’s chip over Espanyol’s goalkeeper showcased Casadó’s clever setup. Olmo struck again from outside the box in the 31st minute. Despite Espanyol only holding 23% possession, they managed to score in the 63rd minute through Javi Puado’s finish from a Carlos Romero cross. However, Barcelona’s first-half performance secured their sixth consecutive win across all competitions, highlighting their title ambitions.

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Solanke’s brace drives Tottenham to a 4-1 comeback win over Aston Villa.

Tottenham Hotspur overcame Aston Villa with a strong second-half performance, winning 4-1 and ending Villa’s seven-match unbeaten Premier League run on Sunday. Villa initially took the lead through Morgan Rogers, who capitalized on a defensive lapse from a corner in the first half. However, Spurs quickly responded, with Brennan Johnson leveling the score just four minutes into the second half. Manager Ange Postecoglou made the bold call to substitute Heung-min Son before the hour mark, and the decision paid off as Dominic Solanke scored twice in four minutes, securing the lead. James Maddison sealed the victory with a superb free kick in the final moments. Spurs moved within two points of the top four, while Villa suffered their first away loss this season. Next, Villa will face Club Brugge in the Champions League, while Spurs visit Galatasaray in the Europa League.


Chelsea salvages a draw at Old Trafford, thanks to Caicedo’s stunning volley.

Moisés Caicedo’s powerful second-half strike earned Chelsea a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday, spoiling the Red Devils’ first Premier League game since sacking manager Erik ten Hag. Chelsea now sit fourth in the standings with 18 points, while United, managed by interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, are 13th with 12 points after 10 games. United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, opened the scoring with a penalty in the 70th minute after Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sánchez clipped Rasmus Højlund’s foot in a challenge. Fernandes calmly sent Sánchez the wrong way, sparking celebrations from Van Nistelrooy. However, just four minutes later, Caicedo struck a low volley past André Onana after a partial clearance by Casemiro. United pressed for a late winner but couldn’t convert their chances. The game marked Van Nistelrooy’s Premier League managerial debut following a 5-2 League Cup win over Leicester.

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