Richards Injury Update

Defender a Doubt for New Year's Day Match

Chris Richards faces an uncertain timeline for his return to Crystal Palace action following a foot injury sustained in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal defeat to Arsenal. The U.S. international defender required stitches after being stamped on during the match and was subsequently forced to watch from the stands as Palace lost 1-0 to Tottenham on Sunday.

Palace manager Oliver Glasner provided an update on the 25-year-old's condition ahead of Wednesday's clash with Fulham, but couldn't guarantee his availability. "His foot got stitched, but it's still swollen," Glasner explained. "You have to wear a boot and kick a ball, and with the wound right there, it's very, very painful."

Despite the setback, Richards remained upbeat on social media, telling supporters: "Thanks everybody for the messages, won't be long till I'm back." His absence represents a significant blow for Palace, as he had started all 17 Premier League matches this season before the injury, establishing himself as a crucial component of their defense during a demanding fixture schedule.

Mixed Bag for Agyemang

 Forward Scored on Friday in a Draw, But Struggled for Involvement in Monday's Defeat

Patrick Agyemang's prolific form continued on Boxing Day as the U.S. international striker netted his sixth goal of the season in Derby County's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City. The 25-year-old, who joined the Rams from Charlotte FC in a deal reportedly worth $8 million, has now found the net four times in his last six appearances, cementing his status as a key attacking threat for the Championship side.

Agyemang's header in the 27th minute came from excellent work by Rhian Brewster, whose lofted cross picked out the unmarked forward for a close-range finish. The goal showcased the developing partnership between the two strikers, something Agyemang was keen to highlight after the match. "We communicate on and off the pitch a lot," he explained to Sky Sports, emphasizing their understanding of each other's strengths.

The draw became more impressive given Derby's circumstances, as they played over half the contest with 10 men following Joe Ward's dismissal before halftime. Agyemang praised his teammates' resilience, saying, "It shows the character of the team. We stayed defensively strong and as a family unit."

However, Agyemang's performance dipped in Monday's 2-1 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The striker managed just 26 touches—the fewest of any outfield player completing the full 90 minutes. While he showed glimpses of his pace when running at Leicester's defense and forced a save with a deflected effort, his overall impact was limited. He completed only 70% of his passes and failed to complete any of his four dribble attempts, struggling to replicate his earlier influence as Derby fell to defeat despite Brewster's equalizer.

Pulisic's Eventful Weekend

Winger Addressed Rumors and Scored Against Verona

Christian Pulisic made headlines both on and off the pitch this weekend, scoring in AC Milan's commanding 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona while publicly addressing false rumors about his personal life.

The United States Men's National Team captain opened the scoring at San Siro on Sunday, converting Adrien Rabiot's flick-on from close range just before halftime. Positioned at the far post during a corner, Pulisic turned the ball into the roof of the net for his 10th goal of the season across all competitions. Christopher Nkunku added a second-half brace to seal the victory, helping Milan maintain second place in the Serie A standings.

The goal represented a significant milestone for the 27-year-old American, marking his 50th direct goal contribution in Serie A since joining Milan in 2023. With 31 goals and 19 assists across 80 league appearances, Pulisic trails only Inter captain Lautaro Martinez (54) for most goal contributions in Italy's top flight over the past three seasons. The pair also lead Serie A's scoring charts this campaign, with Lautaro netting nine times and Pulisic eight.

Despite his on-field success, Pulisic felt compelled to address baseless speculation linking him romantically to actress Sydney Sweeney. Taking to Instagram Stories, he wrote: "Please stop with the made up stories about my personal life. Need to hold sources accountable, it can affect people's lives." He called the reports "a silly rumor" and emphasized they were "fake news."

Pulisic is actually in a relationship with professional golfer Alexa Melton, who made their romance public on social media in July 2024 with photos from Turks and Caicos. Meanwhile, Sweeney has been linked to music manager Scooter Braun since September. Milan's victory keeps them firmly in the title race, sitting just one point behind city rivals Inter.

Aaronson's MOTM Performance

Midfielder Provided an Assist in Leeds' Draw With Sunderland

Brenden Aaronson delivered a standout performance in Leeds United's 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland, earning man-of-the-match honors, following an all-action display that demonstrated his growing importance to Daniel Farke's system.

After Simon Adingra put Sunderland ahead in the 28th minute with a well-taken finish from Granit Xhaka's clever pass, Leeds emerged from halftime with renewed determination. Just two minutes into the second half, Aaronson proved decisive, finding space and delivering a perfectly weighted assist for Calvert-Lewin, who finished clinically to restore parity in the 47th minute.

The assist marked Aaronson's third in his last seven Premier League appearances—matching his total from his first 46 matches with the club—highlighting a remarkable upturn in his creative output. His influence extended far beyond that single moment, as he led all players with five chances created, including two big opportunities, while completing 31-of-37 passes across his 55 touches.

Aaronson's statistical achievement was particularly noteworthy. He recorded 15 touches inside the opposition penalty area, becoming only the second player this season to combine that many box touches with five chances created in a single match. More impressively, he became the first player since Opta began tracking this data in 2008-09 to accomplish this feat for a newly promoted side.

The performance represents back-to-back impressive outings for Aaronson, who has now earned two man-of-the-match awards this campaign. Speaking to LUTV, he emphasized the importance of momentum, stating: "I think rhythm's a huge thing and momentum's a huge thing in this league."

The draw extended Leeds' unbeaten run to five matches and moved them seven points clear of the relegation zone, with Aaronson's resurgence proving vital to their Premier League survival hopes.

McKennie's Almost Assist

Midfielder Had an Eventful Week, Leading Juventus to a Win Over Pisa

Weston McKennie continues to prove his worth to Juventus despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding his contract situation. The American midfielder played a crucial role in the Bianconeri's 2-0 Serie A victory over Pisa on Saturday, providing the cross that led to the opening goal in the 73rd minute.

Operating from his wingback position in Luciano Spalletti's 3-4-2-1 system, McKennie delivered a dangerous ball into the box that, after a deflection, resulted in a goal for Pierre Kalulu. While the assist didn't officially register in the statistics, the 27-year-old's contribution proved decisive in breaking the deadlock. Kenan Yildiz sealed the victory with a late stoppage-time strike, pushing Juventus up to third place in the league standings.

McKennie's performance extended beyond his attacking involvement. He completed the full 90 minutes and topped the match statistics in several defensive categories, winning eight duels—more than any other player—and completing five tackles. He also contributed four clearances and drew a foul, demonstrating the versatility that has made him indispensable to Spalletti since the manager's arrival in late October.

However, McKennie's impressive form comes amid contractual uncertainty. With his deal expiring in six months and negotiations stalling after Damien Comolli replaced Cristiano Giuntoli as Football Director, speculation about his future intensifies. Reports suggest Juventus may consider selling him in January rather than losing him on a free transfer.

The situation appears to be out of McKennie's hands, as he recently stated: "I hope to stay at Juventus. But I leave it all in my agent's hands." His recent performances—this marks his 23rd appearance across all competitions this season—strengthen his case for remaining in Turin. Juventus face Lecce on January 3rd, seeking a fifth consecutive victory, with McKennie likely to continue his influential role.

Robinson Shines Since Return

Full Back Continues Fine Form in Fulham's Win Over West Ham

Antonee Robinson's return from a three-month injury layoff has sparked a remarkable transformation in Fulham's fortunes. The American left-back has been instrumental in the Cottagers' recent surge, with the team securing three victories in their last four matches since his comeback.

His performance against West Ham on Saturday showcased exactly why he's so valued at Craven Cottage. Robinson demonstrated his exceptional two-way abilities throughout the match, making it difficult to determine whether his attacking or defensive contributions were more impressive. His relentless energy earned him comparisons to the cartoon roadrunner, as he tirelessly patrolled the left flank for the full ninety minutes.

The statistics from the London Stadium encounter tell a compelling story. Robinson registered 93 touches—second-most in the match—while maintaining an exceptional 94% pass accuracy. His creative output was particularly noteworthy, as he generated four chances, more than any other player on the pitch. His delivery was precise, completing all three of his long balls and four of seven crosses. Defensively, he contributed four tackles and three interceptions while helping Fulham secure a clean sheet.

His partnership with Emile Smith Rowe proved especially effective, with the duo combining well down the left side. Despite facing West Ham's primary threat, Jarrod Bowen, Robinson held firm defensively while providing constant attacking width. Fulham's 1-0 victory, secured by Raul Jimenez's late header, lifted them into the top half of the Premier League table. His performances have proven that when healthy, he remains one of the league's most complete full-backs, capable of influencing matches at both ends of the pitch.