Blasphemy! A wee club in the north-east threaten sir Alex Ferguson's dominance!

FIFA Club World Cup

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Sunday 13th December 2026


Third Place Playoff
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Chivas - Okayama FC 1-0
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Thursday 10th December 2026
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Newcastle - Santos 2-0
Rush (33), Priestley (45)
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Newcastle win the Club World Championship 2026/27 to complete a magnificent treble!!!

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English Title Contenders European Watch

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First Knockout Round Draw

PSV - Roma

Inter - Olympique de Marseille

Juventus - Borussia Dortmund

Paris Saint-Germain - Newcastle

Milan - Blackburn

Bayern - Chelsea

Rubin - Atlético Madrid

Basel - Leeds​
 
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Premier League
Round 18

Saturday 19th December 2026:

Derby County - Chelsea 2-2
Mauro (66), Bond (78); Viviano (2), Palmer (45)
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Leeds - Manchester City 3-0
Ponti o.g. (37), Pöyry (53), Shea (66)
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Liverpool - Stoke City 3-1
Bruma (32), van Bremen (pen 45), Mork (51); Coelho (63)
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Newcastle - Middlesbrough 4-0
Dong Dexin (16), Priestley (38, 61), Escudero (83)
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Sunday 20th December 2026:

Manchester United - Oxford 4-0
Shoretire (4), Blasi (32, 67, 89)
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Blackburn - Everton 4-1
Lee Seung-Jin o.g. (13), Boccaccini (20, 30), Aguilar (53); Peric (60)
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League Table:

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Magpies shrug off Tyne-Tees derby to keep bigger rivalry going

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Rob Lee
Published at 7:18PM, December 20 2026

Newcastle had to face an early Chinese scare when Dong Dexin fell to injury after opening the score but managed to see off a lackluster Middlesbrough team in a convincing manner. Boro didn't take advantage of the situation and never really threatened. Newcastle held firm control over midfield possession and mounted consistent pressure on their opponents with goals bound to come.

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Desperate Boro unable to hold​

Premier League leading scorer Jim Priestley took full advantage to bag a brace and with just 60 minutes gone the game was as good as over. There was enough time left for flamboyant winger Diego Escudero to complete the rout with a rare goal. The final whistle saw Newcastle reclaim top spot but it only lasted 24 hours with Blackburn also registering a convincing 4-0 win in their Sunday game. Magpies still have a game in hand to the contenders though.

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Geordies celebrate 24hour lead​

Dong Dexin missed a sting of games to international duty. He is still an important member to the first team and Hristov was undoubtedly relieved to hear he should be fit within a week. The Chinese striker has managed 11 goals in 10 starts and 3 sub appearances so far and will be eager to add to his tally.
 
Leeds United: Champions League place top priority this season - Matteo
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by Dominic Matteo
It has been long since Leeds United last won the title. In fact we never managed to conquer the Premier League. It is a genuine pleasure to see us in the mix after all the club and the supporters had to go through and no one can argue we have the best team this generation has seen. With Champions League football for the third season running a choir of voices is suggesting we should look to the title now.

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Keeping in touch with values​

They have a point but we must respect what brought us here. The Premier League is not the same as we remember it before relegation. It is much more challenging and competitive. Patience and stability are key for continued success and we cannot afford to take anything for granted. This is why I believe we must look to cement a place in top 4 before anything else. Yes, we have the honour of keeping pretty much the same squad and letting it grow as a team over the past years but twice in the last three seasons we had to fight to the end to grant a fourth place - how many of our stars would we have kept if we failed on those occasions?

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Massive win against Citizens​

This is why the lads and fans should celebrate the emphatic victory over Manchester City this weekend. City aren't challenging for the title but they have shown surprising appetite for top 4 and opening a 9 point gap will let us breathe a little bit easier. And let's remember that those who decided this game in our favour could have been long gone if it wasn't for our long-term stability. Flamboyant midfielder Mikko Pöyry is in his 8th year with us and veteran Brian Shea in his third. Both of them are approaching the final stages of their careers and have declared themselves proud to pull on the Leeds United shirt. We as fans should be proud with them, too.
 
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Premier League
Round 19

Tuesday 22nd December 2026:

Stoke City - Newcastle 0-2
Villalobos (pen 4), Lampi (83)
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Chelsea - West Ham 4-1
Viviano (3), Murat Erdil (24), Butron o.g. (37), Simon (61); Cattani sent off (68), Nardone (85)
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Wednesday 23rd December 2026:

Birmingham - Manchester United 0-3
Traoré (15, 59), El Alagui (90)
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Oxford - Liverpool 0-1
Castro o.g. (28)
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Sunderland - Blackburn 0-3
Obi (25, 69), Boccaccini (33)
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Everton - Leeds 0-1
Herrera (pen 80)
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League Table:

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PUBLISHED: 23:50 GMT, 23 December 2026 | UPDATED: 23:51 GMT, 23 December 2026

Injury nightmare haunts Liverpool

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An important win away to Oxford was shadowed by yet another heavy injury. Daniël van Bremen lasted only 3 minutes on the pitch before shocked away fans had to see him taken off the pitch on a stretcher. It is a thorn calf muscle this time and van Bremen will not return to action until late March. Considering his problems this season the manager will not want to rush him and it is increasingly likely the forward will have little opportunity to influence Liverpool's season.

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van Bremen on stretcher AGAIN​

It is the second major injury Daniël picks in the space of just three months after an unlucky fractured wrist back in the end of September. Anfield faithful are concerned with the Dutchman's fitness as he is quickly developing the reputation of a gifted but injury prone player. I hope the scouting crew have done their job properly because looking back in van Bremen's career it is the fifth time in less than two years he is forced to a month or longer spell on the sidelines.

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Professional attitude required​

Míchel moved quickly to disperse rumours his cultured midfielder has poor attitude towards his fitness and a fond preference for night life in Liverpool. It is true van Bremen has been spotted in different clubs on a number of occasions but he is just 22 years old and we can hardly expect him to go straight home after training. The jury is still on him but if he doesn't show improved desire or signs of settling in and keeps picking up weird injuries the board might need to cash in on him after the season.
 
Fine display sees Devils keep top 4 position at the expense of noisy neighbours

Gary Neville
Published at 11:56PM, December 23 2026

There is one thing Old Trafford tolerates less than watching United sit outside the top 4 - sitting outside the top 4 and behind City. And this is a sight we have had to endure for nearly half a season as the neighbours have been above us in the league table ever since the third week. Thankfully we hit form at the right time to overtake them and throw them out of Champions League position to rub salt in the wound.

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And the season looks interesting again!​

And really, this surge in performances couldn't have come at a better time. I am glad to see black thoughts of another indifferent season dispersing with the lads in pole position to challenge for Champions League football next year. Let's be realistic - despite the vast array of talent the team needs time to blend and the youngsters simply have to grow in experience. This season is a little too early to go head to head with Newcastle and Blackburn. But we still have it all to play for and to be honest beating City to it would be enough to put a smile on my face.
 
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Premier League
Round 20

Saturday 26th December 2026:

Oxford - Newcastle 0-3
Priestley (18), Lampi (63), van der Vaart (90+2)
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Birmingham - Liverpool 1-3
Polo (56); Wilson (9), Mork (pen 12, 17)
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Q.P.R. - Manchester United 1-1
Giddens (8); Traoré (14)
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Sunderland - Leeds 1-2
Maher (23),Belle sent off (27); Le Gac (40), Messina (81)
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Tottenham - Blackburn 0-2
Boccaccini (25, 86)
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Sunday 27th December 2026:

Crystal Palace - Chelsea 2-2
Nirvana (45+1, 57); Viviano (20), Palmer (81)
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League Table:

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Boxing day gifts more inconsistent form as Chelsea fail to reach Nirvana
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Tony Cascarino Commentary
Last updated at 11:52PM, December 27 2026

Chelsea fans rushed on a short trip to South Norwood in good mood after opening their Boxing day presents. Most of them were expecting further gifts from their favourite players and perhaps such wishes were justified considering hosts Crystal Palace were struggling at the bottom. They were left wondering what they did wrong to get on Santa Claus' naughty list on their way back home.

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Santa turns his back on Blues​

The unpredictable nature of a London derby is never to be underestimated but not even Palace fans would have expected to get anything from a game the bookmakers favoured Chelsea to win. Heavily. And it took a late equalizer from Palmer to spare the Blues a shock defeat after a brace from Nirvana had Crystal Palace ahead with 10 minutes to go. The final whistle came without a winner to separate the sides and left Chelsea adrift of their own Nirvana.

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Board to make up with late Boxing day gifts?​

Although is the 2-2 draw so shocking indeed or was it bound to come? A lot has been said about Chelsea needing one good result to turn things around but in all honesty the 4-1 win against West Ham merely covered the cracks temporarily. Looking at team form Chelsea have won just 1 from the last 5 league games, picking only 5 points in the process. The league table for that period sees the Blues in tenth position - far below expectations. They remain in contention for top 4 only thanks to Manchester United taking 8 points in the same timeframe. Although the Devils are visibly on the up and there is a realistic danger they might extend the gap further. Chelsea fans will be relieved January is knocking on the door and hope the board makes up with a late Boxing day gift or two.
 
Rovers meet Christmas top of the League!
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By Kevin Gallacher.....................11:58 PM Sunday 27th December 2026 in Sport
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I never expected to see us top of the league table after Christmas. Don't get me wrong, I certainly hoped for it, perhaps it would be fair to say I dreamed of it. We are truly performing above expectations and that's such a wonderful gift for all the fans!

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Record fan shop sales this December​

Let me remind you few of the pundits predicted us to keep a perfect record at this time of the season. In fact most suggested we'd lose ground and fall behind Newcastle. Up their mouth! We are making Newcastle play for the skin of their teeth and they should show us more respect now. And I really expect a change of tune soon with the crowd realizing we stand a chance in this race. All the other contenders are falling behind and if anyone is to stop Newcastle's dominance it's bound to be us. I think the neutrals will play a role and they will not back the North East.

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White Hard Lane applauding the lads​

You could say that when 36 thousand at White Hart Lane sent the lads off the pitch with standing ovation. And it was a game that could have easily gone to the hosts with chances equal for both sides. It took a magical brace from Luca Boccaccini again and while it was a tight contest until his second in the 86th minute, from then on even the home fans expressed support and appreciation for what we are doing this season. Proud days to be a Rover!
 
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Premier League
Round 21

Tuesday 29th December 2026:

Q.P.R. - Newcastle 0-1
Escudero (89)
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Stoke City - Blackburn 4-5
Luque (39), Allesandri (52), Bikwani (66), Papadopoulos (77);
Ismail Hakan Tosun (5, 8), Espinoza (25), Boccaccini (54), Obi (64)
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Middlesbrough - Leeds 1-1
Camps (87); Shea (35)
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Wednesday 30th December 2026:

Manchester United - Liverpool 4-2
López (28), Traoré (44, 56), El Alagui (88); Mork (71, 86)
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Everton - Chelsea 1-4
Peric (87); Palmer (35, 80), Cvetanovski (63), Gutiérrez (84)
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League Table:

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Newcastle and Blackburn simply refuse to drop points in a mad end of the year!

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Rob Lee
Published at 9:58PM, December 30 2026

What a way to welcome 2027!

89th minute and Newcastle still couldn't find a way past a resilient Queens Park defense in a game Rangers failed to produce a single shot. Supersub Diego Escudero came to the rescue with a late strike and the traveling Geordies erupted!

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Geordies in disbelief before Escudero winner​

In the meantime Blackburn Rovers went to Britannia in what should have been a relatively easy match but needed to dig in in the final minutes as Stoke City pulled two back from 2-5 and pushed for an equalizer. Blackburn carried heavy fatigue from the hectic schedule but somehow managed to protect their lead.

This amazing turn of events sees the rivals head in the new year with nothing but a single point between them. We still have the advantage of a game in hand but conceding a loss to Rovers earlier in the season means they finish the year on the top spot. It is undoubtedly the most thrilling season Hristov's Newcastle remembers as they never finished the year second to any of the contenders!

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2027 - arena for gladiator fight​

Can anyone else threaten the title? It looks on the boundary of impossible now not just because Leeds are 6 points behind and have played more games. With Blackburn and Newcastle mounting gladiator runs of form it will take something extraterrestrial to catch up. Manchester United and Chelsea are too far behind and will have to settle fighting for top 4. It all looks set for a mammoth clash between the gladiators - whoever wins it we are guaranteed a real spectacle!
 
Leeds United: Still time to attack the title - Matteo
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by Dominic Matteo
I think many pundits are underestimating our achievement this year. It is easy to do so with Blackburn and Newcastle expressing their title ambitions so spectacularly and I think it could do us a favour. We have the excellent opportunity to play without pressure. If we don't get it, it won't be a big deal.

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Fans have role to play​

But we are really well positioned and the lads and Redknapp deserve credit for their work. After all we are only six points behind Blackburn and five behind Newcastle and they are the big deal, right? A couple freak results and it would look very, very different. It requires some luck but how many times have we seen them get away with lucky wins through a needle's eye? Surely destiny has a lot to ask back from them, not us.

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Wilkinson last Leeds manager to hold the trophy​

I cannot help but remember the last time we won the title. It took Manchester United making a last-gasp mistake to see that Howard Wilkinson side lift the trophy. After all those years we will need more of the same to see it happen again. All it takes is belief. And I believe.

Don't you?
 
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World Annual Awards

2026 World Golden Ball:
Santiago Bernal (Newcastle)
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2026 World Player of the Year:
Santiago Bernal (Newcastle)
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2026 European Golden Boy:
Felipe Malagón (Real Valladolid)
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2026 World Team of the Year:
GK. Jáider Vallejo (Newcastle)
DR. Luo Hán (Blackburn)
DL. Gerardo Soriano (Newcastle)
DC. Phillip Foose (Leeds)
DC. Santiago Bernal (Newcastle)
MC. Mikkel Diskerud (Milan)
MC. Scotty Walden (Newcastle)
AMR. Christopher Butler (OM)
AML. Mickaël van der Vaart (Newcastle)
AMC. Shola Shoretire (Manchester United)
ST. Jim Priestley (Newcastle)
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December Watch

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Premier League Table

The Contenders:

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Blackburn (1st; 55pts; +37) exceptional Rovers take advantage of a hectic schedule and despite playing one more game than rivals Newcastle picked all points on offer to rise to first place!
0 Current first team injuries.

Newcastle (2nd; 54pts; +55) another perfect month from the Magpies and while there is nothing they could have done better Blackburn managed to pip them to the top.
0 Current first team injuries.

Leeds (3rd; 49pts; +28) excellent string of performances sees Leeds collect 16 from 18 points and they sit comfortable at third in a good position to challenge those above.
1 Current first team injury:
Rémi Rivière (MRC) 2-7 days (sprained ankle)

Manchester United (4th; 42pts; +20) amazing month for the Devils and they work their way in the top 4. They did well to put an embarrassing 5-0 loss to Arsenal behind and look set to bring Champions League football back to Old Trafford next season.
0 Current first team injuries.

Chelsea (5th; 38pts; +13) another inconsistent month means the Blues find themselves at the same spot like before. They are still in position to attack the top four but need to do better.
2 Current first team injuries:
Wayne Lockwood (DRC) 8-14 days (fractured ribs)
Willis Davis (DC) 10-14 days (twisted knee)

Liverpool (7th; 36pts; +4) better late than never for Liverpool as they hit form to claim 15 points in December. Anfield faithful will bite their nails and hope the awful start of the season doesn't hamper their bid for European football next year.
4 Current first team injuries:
Alejandro Ramírez (D/WBR) 2 weeks (groin strain)
Daniël van Bremen (M/AMC/ST) 3-4 months (torn calf muscle)
Stefano Denswil (DLC) 9-14 days (sports hernia)
John Schofield (MC) 5-7 weeks (dislocated shoulder)

Other teams to watch:​

Manchester City (6th) are losing pace and need to win their game in hand to keep in touch with rivals Manchester United in the battle for fourth place.

Arsenal (8th) finally pulled their act together to move away from relegation danger. In fact their form is so good the Gunners might have an outside chance for Europe.

Everton (10th) dropped further down the table and their European dream is now over.

Crystal Palace (17th) managed to scrape a few points and overcome Stoke. Four points margin to the drop zone means Palace can breathe a little easier.

Stoke, Birmingham and Derby occupy the bottom three and need wins desperately with Crystal Palace and West Ham building a gap in the final safe places.

December Player of the Month:
Luca Boccaccini (Blackburn)
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December Young Player of the Month:
Tommy Morrison (Derby County)
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December Manager of the Month:
Dimiter Hristov (Newcastle)
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Leading Goalscorers:
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Newcastle announce Riquelme as first January signing

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Rob Lee
Published at 7:11PM, January 1 2027

Newcastle once again kept faithful to their transfer policy of quick moves as soon as the window opens. The Geordie fans welcome a new acquisition with a mouthwatering name: Alexis Riquelme. Just like the world famous Roman, Alexis plays as central midfielder. He joins from Universidad de Chile in a £3m deal.

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Alexis Riquelme​

The Chronicle understands issues with work permit require the player to spend the next two seasons on loan in feeder clubs in Croatia to apply for European citizenship. We wish him luck and may he live up to his heavy name.
 
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