High-flying Chelsea were stunned by neighbours Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, going down 2-1 to a 95th-minute winner from substitute Rodrigo Muniz in the Premier League on Thursday.

It was Fulham’s first win at Stamford Bridge since 1979 and put a dent in second-placed Chelsea’s title hopes as the hosts stay on 35 points, four points off the pace having played two games more than leaders Liverpool who host Leicester City later.

Chelsea took the lead after 16 minutes when Cole Palmer danced past two defenders and slid the ball through Issa Diop’s legs into the bottom corner to score a classy goal.

Chelsea looked in control. Palmer had another two shots on target and Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno was called into action with a sharp save from a diving header by Marc Cucurella.

He also tipped over a rocket from captain Enzo Fernandez early in the second half.

But Fulham, who last scored in the league at Stamford Bridge in 2011, showed renewed energy and determination as Chelsea sat back to defend their lead.

It paid off in the 82nd minute when Harry Wilson headed home from close range.

Muniz clinched all three points when he swept home a pass from Sasa Lukic in the dying moments of the match to take Fulham up to eighth with 28 points from 18 games.

Final statistics showed they deserved the win, with 26 touches in the opposition box to Chelsea’s 20, more than 52% possession and 14 shots to the home side’s 12.

It was Chelsea’s first league loss since a 2-1 defeat on Oct. 20 by Liverpool and they risk being overtaken by Arsenal, two points behind, who play lowly Ipswich Town on Friday.

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, the winner of the Africa Player of the Year award at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco.

Lookman was the biggest winner at a star-studded 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, as Africa’s best performers for the year were honoured.

Ademola Lookman reflects on a pivotal moment in his life as a Nigerian growing up in the UK.

According to him,”During my childhood in the UK, I often found myself indulging in convenient junk food. It was quick and easy, but not exactly nourishing.

“One day, when I was around ten years old, my mum came to watch me play soccer with my friends. After the game, she noticed that I was frequently knocked down by the other kids when we battled for the ball.

With a concerned look, she said to me, ‘Ademola, my son, I’m not pleased with how easily you fall during the game. You’re a Nigerian, and you should possess the stamina that comes with that heritage.’

The very next day, my mother introduced me to Fufu (Nigeria Food). At first, I was put off by its strong smell, but when paired with ewedu soup, I began to appreciate it. Before long, I noticed a remarkable boost in my stamina.

Looking back, I can’t help but wonder how I would have made it this far without embracing Fufu. I will always carry the pride of representing Nigeria,”he said.

Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has undergone a successful surgery in Belgium after several delays. The procedure had been postponed multiple times due to his busy schedule with the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers campaign.

Eguavoen played a key role in leading the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in November. However, health issues kept him away from the 2024 CHAN qualifiers against Ghana. In his absence, assistant coach Daniel Ogunmodede has taken over responsibilities, guiding the home-based Super Eagles.

In the first leg of the CHAN qualifier in Accra, the Eagles secured a goalless draw, setting up a decisive second leg. The team returned to Nigeria on Tuesday and arrived in Uyo, where they are preparing to host the Black Galaxies at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday, December 28.

Assistant coach Ogunmodede expressed optimism about the upcoming match, emphasizing the importance of a win to secure the team’s place in CHAN 2024. Preparations began immediately upon their arrival, with the squad scheduled for their first training session at the stadium’s practice pitch on Tuesday night, December 24.

The Super Eagles aim to leverage home advantage to achieve victory in this crucial encounter.