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CHELSEA have beaten Luton 3-2 at Kenilworth Road to sign off 2023 with a vital win.The Blues took the lead through Cole Palmer’s emphatic finish after pouncing on a defensive error from the Hatters.
Chelsea doubled their lead on 37 minutes through Noni Madueke’s thunderous strike.
Palmer got his second of the afternoon in the second half after beating Thomas Kaminski with superb skill before scoring Chelsea’s third.
Former Blue Ross Barkley converted from a late Luton corner to make it 3-1 before Elijah Adebayo tapped in for 3-2 to set up a grandstand finish, but it wasn’t to be for the Hatters.

Match result: Luton 2-3 Chelsea
Luton team: Kaminski, Doughty, Mengi, Osho, Bell, Kabore, Lokonga, Barkley, Townsend, Adebayo, Brown
Chelsea team: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Jackson; Broja

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Cold-Palmer seals win for Blues
At just 21-years-old, Cole Palmer has the head on him of a player much more mature in his game.
Named player of the match for his two goals today, the calmness under pressure to slot home his second goal was impressive.
Nothing seems to phase him and he has added some real quality in the final third for Chelsea.
Credit: Getty
Credit: Getty
Chelsea make huge step towards top
Victory today at Kenilworth Road cements tenth place for The Blues but also leaves them only a point behind Newcastle.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are now only three points behind Man Utd in seventh place.
The Argentine manager will see the two wins this week as a step in the right direction for his team.
Barkley comes back to haunt old friends
The goal by Ross Barkley ignited the comeback from Luton which almost saw them come from three goals down to draw.
Sadly for Rob Edwards’ side, they just could not find that third goal.
Barkley was integral to everything Luton Town did well today and is starting to shine in the heart of this side.

FT: Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
Luton had their first shot on target in the 77th minute and then in the remaining time they had six shots on target, hit the crossbar twice and had a goal disallowed.
Chelsea can count themselves lucky to hold on for the win in the end.
Rob Edwards’ side turned the screw in the final moments and came so close to scoring an equaliser.

FT: Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
The referee brings this titanic battle to an end at Kenilworth Road.
Chelsea hang on for a vital three points.
For Luton, they will feel they could have got something out of this.
Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
90+4. Gusto is shown a yellow card for delaying the throw in for too much time.
Chong turns away from Gallagher and is fouled once again.
Luton are hoping that they can create one more chance now.
Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
90+2. Chelsea have brought Gilchrist on for Cole and switched to five at the back now.
Chong whips another dangerous ball in but Ogbene cannot control it at the back post.
Rob Edwards punches the air in anger that they could not turn it in.
Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
90. Moments ago Chelsea fans were singing about how their team was the best in the world.
It’s highly debatable if they are the best team in Kenilworth Road right now.
Chong gets to the byline and whips the ball in and Thiago Silva clears the ball from his own goal line.
We are going to have an additional six minutes added.
Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
88. We have a game on our hands now.
As the cross comes in from Ogbene as it is fired towards goal, Petrovic makes a save but the ball loops up in the air.
Adebayo is on the back post to volley home and send Kenilworth Road into raptures.
Credit: AFP
Goal – Elijah Adebayo (Luton Town)
Luton Town 1-3 Chelsea
86. Gallagher goes into the back of Chong, giving away a foul.
Doughty stands over the free kick.
He finds Morris at the back post and his header comes crashing off the crossbar.
The replay shows that Petrovic got a fingertip to it, great save.
Luton Town 1-3 Chelsea
84. Ogbene gets another good delivery into the box.
Chelsea fail to deal with the cross and Doughty keeps it in play.
Morris gets his head to it but Petrovic makes the save.
Luton Town 1-3 Chelsea
82. As the corner comes in from Luton, Barkley meets it at the near post with a header to finally put the ball into the back of the net for Rob Edwards’ side.
They had their first shot on target in the 77th minute and now they have their goal.
Another one for the hosts would make for an interesting end to this game.
Goal – Ross Barkley (Luton Town)
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
80. What a miss for the hosts.
Ogbene crosses from the right and Adebayo thunders his header against the crossbar from two yards out.
Petrovic didn’t move, he had to score.
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
78. Chelsea fans are starting to enjoy their day out here.
With time running out, you cannot see them losing this now.
Barkley looks to place a shot from outside the box but it is straight at Petrovic.
Credit: Getty
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
76. For a moment there, Luton thought they had a chance to get back into this game.
As the replay shows, Adebayo was coming back from on offside position in the build up.
He finished well as the cross came in, heading into the bottom corner, but it was to be ruled out.
Goal disallowed – Offside
VAR check in progress
Goal – Elijah Adebayo (Luton Town)
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
74. It seems a bizarre decision by Man City to let Palmer leave.
He has so much to offer and is only going to get better.
The player seems to rarely be injured also, which is key to any side.
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
72. Palmer has been the difference between these two sides.
The quality and skill of the Chelsea youngster has just been too much for Luton to cope with.
That said, Kabore got the ball rolling when he passed the ball to Palmer to gift him his first goal.
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
70. That is surely game over now.
Palmer makes a run and is slotted in, he skips around Kaminski and dummies a shot so the defender commits himself.
He uses that to slide the ball into an empty net.
Goal – Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Luton Town 0-2 Chelsea
68. Madueke plays a short corner to Palmer.
He checks onto his left and looks to fire a shot away.
Chong does well to block and bring the ball out for Luton.
Credit: Getty More

IN-FORM Wolves welcome Everton to Molineux for their final game of 2023. Wolves have enjoyed themselves over the Christmas period, beating Chelsea and Brentford to climb the table, while Everton have lost to Spurs and Man City.

Kick-off time: 3pm GMT
Stream/TV: Not televised in UK

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ASTON VILLA will be looking to end their Christmas funk with a win over Burnley.Aston Villa have picked up just one point in the last week – drawing with Sheffield United and throwing away a two-goal lead to lose at Manchester United – while Burnley lost to Liverpool after a key win over Fulham.

Kick-off time: 3pm GMT
Stream/TV: Not televised in UK

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MANCHESTER CITY host relegation-threatened Sheffield United in the Premier League this weekend. City are coming off the back of a 3-1 win over Everton while the Blades will want to bounce back from their damaging home defeat against Luton.

Kick-off time: 3pm
TV/Stream: Not televised in UK

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CRYSTAL PALACE host Brentford in a London derby this weekend in the Premier League. The Bees were easily beaten 4-1 by Wolves on Wednesday night while Palace lost 2-1 in a close encounter with Chelsea.

Kick-off time: 3pm GMT
Stream/TV: Not televised in UK

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PERVIS ESTUPINAN has had a long, old wait to get back to the game he loves… but with goals like this, perhaps it was worth it.The Ecuadorian full-back had been out since September with a thigh problem – save for a 12-minute appearance against Ajax in November which ended up setting him back – before last night’s stellar showing against Spurs.
Joao Pedro celebrates for BrightonCredit: Getty
Pervis Estupinan performs a knee slide after his thunderboltCredit: Reuters
Dejan Kulusevski will miss Spurs’ next game after being bookedCredit: Rex

His comeback probably happened even sooner than expected as he came on at half-time for Igor Julio due to a suspected injury.
But the rampaging full-back and fantasy football darling was not about to let the opportunity pass him by, even with Brighton already 2-0 up thanks to Jack Hinshelwood’s blast and a Joao Pedro penalty.
And on 63 minutes, he gave the Amex crowd something to remember as he took aim from 25 yards and guided an explosive missile of a shot into the top corner.
Helpless Spurs stopper Guglielmo Vicario was left clutching the same thin air into which his boss Ange Postecoglou had seen his side’s last remaining hope for this game evaporate.
When Pedro struck his second spot-kick of the game after Gio Lo Celso’s silly tackle on Evan Ferguson, Postecoglou was staring down his worst defeat as Spurs boss.
Prior to that it had been the 4-1 home implosion against Chelsea, but unlike that day, the Aussie could not blame two red cards for his side’s failings.
In the end his team did beat that scoreline when Ben Davies headed home, after sub Alejo Veliz had grabbed one back late on for his first goal for the club.
But the young Argentine’s personal joy did not mask what was a horror show for his side as a whole – save for a late rally – and one that dented their top-four hopes.
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Both teams had nine players injured and while that was very noticeable with slack-looking Spurs, you would never have known it with Brighton given how fresh they seemed.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side completely dominated their opponents for 81 minutes that resembled the Seagulls at their fast-paced, one-touch best during the Italian’s reign.
It was only the rock-solid presence of Vicario that prevented the opener coming quicker than it did.
The Italy international, whose £16million fee from his summer transfer from Empoli is looking more of a snip with each passing game, denied Danny Welbeck twice in quick succession from close range.
Yet there was nothing Hugo Lloris’ successor could do about the thunderous strike that broke the deadlock.
It came from the foot of young Hinshelwood, who had been picked out by Pedro on the right-side of the box and crashed the ball into the roof of the net.
On 20 minutes, Jan Paul van Hecke headed against Pascal Gross’ corner against the post as the pressure grew.
In the aftermath all of Brighton’s attacking players were screaming for a penalty for Dejan Kulusevski’s tug-back on Welbeck as the Albion striker went to volley the loose ball.

Jack Hinshelwood fires Brighton in frontCredit: Rex
Estupinan’s strike cannoned past Guglielmo VicarioCredit: Reuters
Referee Jarred Gillett played on but when eventually there was a pause in play, VAR told him to go to his pitchside monitor to have another look.
Pedro was so confident the spot-kick would be given that he stood on the penalty spot, clutching the ball, waiting for the inevitable decision which promptly came.
The Brazil striker was even cooler as he sent Vicario the wrong way for number two.
While Kulusevski received his fifth yellow of the season for the initial offence, meaning he will be suspended for the New Years’ Eve hosting of Bournemouth.
Even James Milner, who turns 38 next week, was getting in on the attacking action as he curled against the post from distance, leaving a full-stretch Vicario well-beaten.
The fabulous football kept on coming from the hosts who had the ball in the net again thanks to a tasty half-volley from Facundo Buonanotte – but he was offside.
Tottenham’s disastrous half threatened to get worse when Pedro Porro’s sloppy backpass was pounced on by namesake Pedro, though Vicario managed to flick his chip just wide.
Spurs knew they could not get much worse and returned after the break hoping to show a new face, with Kulusevski seemingly showing his intent by ditching the mask protecting his broken nose.
Richarlison had two goals chalked off for offside in a brief revival which was extinguished when the returning Estupinan took centre stage with his howitzer from range.
Three became four when Lo Celso took out fellow sub Ferguson from behind and Pedro did the honours.
Yet Postecoglou is not a man for giving up and there was the faintest, microscopic glimmer of hope when Veliz squirmed the ball home with nine minutes to go.
That turned into a genuine belief when Davies headed home Porro’s cross four minutes later.
The Amex grew nervous as nine minutes of injury time were awarded and Pedro roared the crowd to power his team home in the dying minutes.
Amazingly, there was still time for Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg to fire against a post.
Porro came in for the rebound but was repelled by a block from who else but Estupinan, not to be denied his well-earned day.
Alejo Veliz netted his first goal for TottenhamCredit: Reuters
Ben Davies headed home late onCredit: PA
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ARSENAL are up against West Ham in the Premier League tonight – and they’re behind. Tomas Soucek opened the scoring for the Hammers, who had to wait for a VAR check before being awarded the game’s first goal.

Kick-off time: 8.15pm GMT
Stream/TV: Amazon Prime Video
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Ødegaard, Trossard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
West Ham XI: Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Ogbonna, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Kudus, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta; Bowen

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Arsenal’s title credentials brought into doubt
Many have asked whether The Gunners can one step further than they did last season.
After spending over £200m in the summer on transfers, this game left more questions than answers.
Arteta’s side showed no penetration and were all possession but could not make it count for anything.
The lack of quality he had to bring off the bench to try and change the game told its own story.
Credit: AFP
Moyes gets first win at Arsenal
This was David Moyes’ first win away against Arsenal as a manager.
He knew what threat he was facing today and he set his side out perfectly to cope with Mikel Arteta’s side.
Despite dominating possession and having a number of shots at goal, mostly blocked by West Ham players, the visitors full deserved their win at The Emirates this evening.
Credit: AFP
FT: Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
Kudus has been a great signing for David Moyes’ side.
He works up and down the flank and is not afraid to defend.
Linking well with Bowen and Paqueta, he is proving to be a real star for The Hammers.

FT: Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
Arsenal just could not get the better of West Ham tonight.
Once the visitors took the lead, they had the upper hand and never looked like giving it up.
West Ham are now on 33 points, their highest ever return at the halfway stage of a Premier League season.

FT: Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
The referee brings the game to a close.
Declan Rice gave away a late penalty but Benrahma’s strike was well saved by Raya.
It won’t matter to David Moyes’ side, this is a huge win.
Penalty missed – Said Benrahma (West Ham)
Penalty to West Ham
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
90+4. Kudus comes away with the ball for West Ham and draws a throw in to run the clock down further.
Time is running out for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Bowen picks it up on the halfway line and feeds it to Emerson.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
90+2. You can guarantee Arteta will have a whinge about his side being robbed again by a goal when the ball was clearly out.
The bottom line is that it was anything but clear, which is why VAR could not overrule the onfield decision of a goal.
Arsenal launch a series of crosses into the box but West Ham deal with them well.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
90. A corner is half cleared by West Ham.
Nketiah tries and overhead kick but it is an easy save for Areola.
Bold effort by the Arsenal striker.
Odegaard shoots from distance and catches it well but Areola tips it around the post.
We are going to have an additional five minutes.
Credit: Getty
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
88. Time is running out for Arsenal now.
Credit where it is due, David Moyes has got his tactics spot on tonight.
Odegaard tries a shot from the edge of the box but it is blocked with a sliding challenge and runs through to Areola.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
86. The ball breaks to Smith-Rowe on the edge of the box.
He tries an effort at goal but Areola makes a routine save.
Arsenal fans leave in their droves, as they always do, never showing confidence in their team when the chips are down.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
84. VAR reviewed and incident and agrees it is not penalty.
In those instances, they should be allowed to instruct the referee to show them a yellow card for diving.
It certainly would stop Saka doing it for the rest of this game.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
82. Saka cuts in from the right and runs into the box and goes down looking for a penalty.
The referee decides that it is not a penalty.
It is a blatant dive by ‘the boy who cries wolf’ and he should be booked for that.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
80. Trossard comes off for Smith-Rowe.
One thing is for sure, the former Brighton man is definitely not a centre midfielder.
He has been more like an anarchist hacker tonight…..anonymous.
Credit: Reuters
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
78. Nketiah is coming deep looking for the ball often.
The problem is with this, he is nowhere near the goal to cause any problems for the visitors.
It looks like Emile Smith-Rowe is about to join the action.
Saka gets a shot away but it is an easy save for Areola.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
76. Odegaard gets the ball out from his feet to let fly at goal from outside the box.
He does not catch it well and it goes well wide of the goal.
The expression on his face says it all.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
74. Nelson feeds the ball into Nketiah through on goal.
West Ham get a great tackle in to stop him in his tracks.
Odegaard plays it to Trossard with a sight of goal but his shot is blocked for a corner.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
72. Nelson is booked for a foul on Soucek.
Benrahma gets down the right and bundles his way into the box.
The ball breaks to him and he looks to get a shot off at goal but it is well blocked.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
70. Jesus wins the ball in the corner and as he touches the ball away, Kudus takes his standing leg away.
It gives the hosts to get a ball into the box to test West Ham.
The centre backs pile forward but Nelson’s delivery is terrible and it goes straight out for a goal kick.
Arsenal’s fans start to boo their own team, stay classy North London.
Credit: Reuters
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
68. Gabriel Jesus seems to have his eyes closed when he heads it.
That would answer a lot of questions about his poor finishing.
Two massive chances for the Arsenal attacker wasted in as many minutes.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
66. Brilliant inswinging cross by Bukayo Saka.
He picks out Jesus in the middle of the goal and the Brazilian can only head straight at Areola.
You have to be scoring from there.
Arsenal come forward once again and White lifts one up to the back post.
It finds Jesus again who heads over.
Terrible.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
64. Odegaard plays the ball to Saka out wide.
He looks to cross but it takes a huge deflection off the defender.
Areola manages to gather to prevent the corner.
Martinelli and Zinchenko are replaced by Nelson and Nketiah.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
62. The fans are getting frustrated by the lack of urgency in Mikel Arteta’s side.
Saka eats turf once again but no foul.
Fair play, The Gunners’ winger spends more time on the grass than most rabbits.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
60. The last time West Ham scored two goals at The Emirates was when the last won here in 2016.
Rice gives the ball away to Kudus who looks for Coufal.
Martinelli gets back to challenge at the expense of a throw in.
Credit: Reuters More