Full time: Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo – Bifouma’s late goal ensures tournament opens with a draw.
And on that note, I’m off for a rest. Thanks for your emails and tweets, let’s do it again soon. Byeeeee!
We’re into injury time in Equatorial Guinea and it looks like stalemate in the opener. It’s been decent fare, though – a game packed full of neat flicks and tricks which bodes well for the tournament.
The scorers today, Nsue and Bifouma, are the only two players involved in this game to have played in England.
— Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) January 17, 2015
Goal! Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo (Bifouma)
Oh, such drama. Congo have equalised with three minutes to go through Thievy Bifouma, who races into the box and from a tight angle slips the ball between Ovono’s legs.
Into the final 10 minutes at the Estadio de Bata and Equatorial Guinea remain in front against Congo courtesy of Emilio Nsue’s tasty opener.
Aston Villa’s Paul Lambert on the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool: “We peppered their goal, dominated the game but their second really took the sting out of the tail. The only thing lacking was that goal but their keeper had a really good game.” He was still greeted by a chorus of boos from the Villa fans at full-time having failed to score in their past five games. “The performance: I couldn’t ask for any more. It’s important the lads don’t get their heads down. We’ll go again on Monday.”
O, Louis!
LVG starts his presser by ordering coffee: "Milk and sugar." How many sugars, the guy asks. "Depends how big the coffee is."
— Joshua Robinson (@JoshRobinson23) January 17, 2015
.@AnAbnos UPDATE: "It's a big cup," van Gaal says. "So, how many?"
— Joshua Robinson (@JoshRobinson23) January 17, 2015
It remains 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea in the Afcon opener against Congo, by the way.
Managers are starting to talk … “5-0 is unexpected for us but everything went in our direction,” José Mourinho tells Sky Sports News.
“It was excellent, really pleased with the performance … the workrate was first class,” Harry Redknapp tells the same channel about QPR’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United. “We didn’t deserve that,” he adds about James Wilson’s injury time deal-sealer for the visitors. And he finishes emphatically by saying: “QPR will not go down”
And three more Premier League reports for you to enjoy (depending on your side’s result, of course)
And let’s not forget the dramatic lunchtime kick-off in the Championship
Some on the whistle match reports for you to get your teeth into
Updated
Scenes of celebration …
The Palace away fans celebrate at the final whistle. 3 hard earned points in the bag! #cpfc https://t.co/tXRzCdeUxD
— Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) January 17, 2015
And a shot of despair …
I’m going to hang around for another hour or so to bring you updates from the Afcon and the early pieces of reaction from around the grounds but if you’re looking for Newcastle v Southampton action, the boy Ian McCourt will sort you out.
Half time: Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Congo
Updated
PREMIER LEAGUE FULL-TIMES
Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
Burnley 2-3 Palace
Leicester 0-1 Stoke
QPR 0-2 Man Utd
Swansea 0-5 Chelsea
Tottenham 2-1 Sunderland
And for the rest of the scores from around the world, do click here.
Full time: QPR 0-2 Manchester United – subs make the difference
Full time: Tottenham 2-1 Sunderland – oh so predictable scoreline
Full time: Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool – more boos as barren run continues for Villa
GOAL! QPR 0-2 Man United (Wilson)
The substitute scores late to sink QPR’s slim hopes.
Full time: Leicester 0-1 Stoke – Bojan goal keeps Leicester bottom
Full time: Burnley 2-3 Crystal Palace – Gayle and Puncheon spark comeback
Updated
Full time: Swansea 0-5 Chelsea – easy win for the league leaders
Updated
Aston Villa stats bomb from the one and only Richard Keys
Three points from 21 if Villa lost today. 2 wins in 18. Eight and 3/4 hours without a goal
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) January 17, 2015
Goal! Tottenham 2-1 Sunderland (Eriksen)
Shock! Horror! Spurs score late to go 2-1 up. Christian Eriksen is the man this time, two minutes from the end to spark wild celebrations at White Hart Lane. That’s Eriksen’s eighth of the campaign.
Goal! Burnley 2-3 Crystal Palace (Gayle)
Comeback complete. The Pardew Effect in full force as Palace take the lead late on through Dwight Gayle – that’s his 10th of the campaign.
Email of the day so far from Mark Puttick
Dear Alan,
Mourinho is football’s Henry VIII: handsome, renowned throughout Europe, increasingly bad tempered, power-mad, crazy on defence, and today, is treating a Monk with ruthlessness.
Only one wife though.
Chance for Sunderland’s Danny Graham but, on his left eight yards out, he puts it straight into the arms of Hugo Lloris. Remains all square at White Hart Lane.
Goal! Swansea 0-5 Chelsea (Schürrle)
Poor Swansea. They have been beaten today by a team at the very top of their game. Some of the one-touch moves have been a joy to watch. André Schürrle, on as a sub, scores their fifth.
Goal! Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool (Lambert)
Villa have been on the front foot, chasing the game, but Rickie Lambert looks to have earned the points for the visitors with a tidy effort.
Updated
As it stands in the Premier League there are two draws and four away sides winning. Bad day to be at home, especially for Swansea. Diego Costa won’t be making it a double of hat-tricks against Monk’s men though as he is taken off for Loïc Rémy having scored just the two today. No goal for Jermain Defoe either, who has been replaced by Graham.
Updated
Adel Taarabt is on the pitch at Loftus Road (for Leroy Fer) – can he be an unlikely hero? At Swansea, the game has died. Villa debutant Carles Gil is causing some problems for Liverpool’s defence but still no goal for Paul Lambert’s team and Sunderland are sitting back and soaking up lots of Spurs pressure.
Goal! Leicester 0-1 Stoke (Krkic)
Bojan Krkic is fed by Jon Walters and the former Barça player finishes delightfully, low past Ben Hamer, to break the deadlock at the Kingpower.
Updated
Goal! Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Congo (Nsue)
Emilio Nsue scores the opener with a striker across goal following an outrageous piece of buildup including flicks and a nutmeg.
More on Adebayor …
Adebayor on for Soldado, who gets big round of applause. His replacement, not so much. Some boos.
— Barry Glendenning (@bglendenning) January 17, 2015
As for dry trains, Charles Antaki poses some questions
I’m curious about enforcing these dry trains for Sunderland supporters. Will bags be checked? Will there be a roving can-monitor patrolling the carriages? What if someone is slurping from a straw poking up out of a paper bag – can they be made to say whether it’s cola or an illicit bottle of absinthe? I sense a good day for the Mackem legal fraternity.
Villa show signs of threatening through Christian Benteke but he’s denied by a fine stop from Simon Mignolet. Adebayor is on for Spurs to a mixed reception – can he produce a moment to give Spurs the points?
Goal! QPR 0-1 Manchester United (Fellaini)
And just as I type that, Marouane Fellaini, on as a substitute at half-time, scores to hit only United’s second goal in six hours of football. Van Gaal leaps up in celebration – no doubt he’ll claim his change at the interval was a moment of genius.
Updated
It’s been a very, very quiet to the second halves in the Premier League apart from Palace’s equaliser. Falcao is threatening for United at QPR, Villa can’t muster anything of note, Leicester v Stoke is dull and Chelsea remain in control at Swansea.
Gordon Inglis, a Scot in England, may be getting a little too excited here via email … Though Neil is doing very, very well at Carrow Road.
The new Mourinho? Chelsea are dominating but so are Norwich. Ex-Hamilton Accies manager Alex Neil is working wonders already. Let’s hope he can keep it up!
Sunderland fans, you’ve been warned! Having seen a few hundred of them enjoying themselves at King’s Cross earlier this morning, those in charge will have some job keeping those trains dry
Sunderland fans travelling back on the train tonight, all trains are dry from King X. Don't waste cash on carry outs! @SunderlandAFC
— MPS Football Unit (@MPSFootballUnit) January 17, 2015
Goal! Burnley 2-2 Crystal Palace (Puncheon)
And Alan Pardew’s team are level! Two goals down, they have achieved parity through Jason Puncheon three minutes into the second half.
Updated
The Africa Cup of Nations is about to get underway: Equatorial Guinea and Congo about to kickoff in Group A! Guardian regular Nick Ames says “it’s very loud” inside the ground.
As for United, Gary Naylor and Paul McMillan have been in touch on Twitter.
@alansmith90 So the United fans didn't like Moyes and now they don't like Van Gaal. Does Sir Alex have a son? Ah... I see the flaw in that.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) January 17, 2015
@alansmith90 I'm beginning to the think that Louis Van Gaal is just David Moyes in a Butthead fancy dress costume.
— Paul McMillan (@paulomcmillan) January 17, 2015
Updated
Simon McMahon has checked back in via email with a Scotland update
Struggling Dundee have ended Aberdeen’s run of league clean sheets at eight. And having got one, they’ve now got another and lead 2-1. Expect a second half collapse and a 3-2 win for the Dons. Elsewhere, St. Mirren lead Ross County 1-0 in a (cliche alert) crucial relegation six-pointer, but are down to ten men. Hibs and Falkirk both lead as they try to close the gap on runaway leaders Hearts in the Scottish Championship.
At Loftus Road it seems the patience of United fans is being tested … understandably when Di María is up front and Rooney is in midfield.
Mutiny in the United end? Chants of "4-4-2" towards the end of that half.
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) January 17, 2015
Half-times!
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
Burnley 2-1 Palace
Leicester 0-0 Stoke
QPR 0-0 Man Utd
Swansea 0-4 Chelsea
Tottenham 1-1 Sunderland
And for the rest of leagues, click here
We’ve gone 10 minutes without a Premier League goal but Willian has hit the crossbar after Costa set him up in another Playstation-like move for Chelsea at Swansea, while Phil Jones continues to take corner-kicks for United at QPR, where Juan Mata has been booked for taking down Joey Barton.
Wondering what’s happening at Loftus Road? Not a lot …
40 mins in Utd have had 7 touches in QPR's box.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) January 17, 2015
Goal! Swansea 0-4 Chelsea (Oscar)
Oh wow, and a minute later Chelsea make it four. Costa sets up Oscar and he sends a bullet into the top right corner.
Updated
Goal! Swansea 0-3 Chelsea (Costa)
The most unsurprising goal update of the day as Diego! Diego! Diego! scores again. Game over, let’s all go home before things threaten to get ugly for Swansea.
Goal! Tottenham 1-1 Sunderland ( Defoe. Larsson)
What a beauty! Seb Larsson levels it up at the Lane after half an hour with a stunning free-kick which leaves Hugo Lloris with no chance. Defoe had won the foul and Larsson curled it home.
Updated
Goal! Burnley 2-1 Crystal Palace (Gayle)
It’s on! Palace score with their first shot on target. Zaha crosses, Gayle finishes.
Roberto Soldado has just made a lovely run past the Sunderland defence but, predictably, he fumbles and Pantilimon capitalises on a poor first touch. Meanwhile Phil Jones has taken a corner for Manchester United at QPR. In the Championship, Watford and Norwich have both doubled their lead.
Goal! Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool (Borini)
Yes, you’ve read that right. Fabio Borini scores for Liverpool, capitalising on dreadful Villa defending to put Brendan Rodgers’s team in front.
Updated
Stat!
4 - Diego Costa's goal was his fourth against Swansea in only his 92nd minute of football against the Swans. Boots.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 17, 2015
Edit … Stat two!
Diego Costa: Has scored more goals (16) in his 19 PL apps this season than any Chelsea player managed in the whole of last season #cfc
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 17, 2015
Updated
Goal! Swansea 0-2 Chelsea (Costa)
Diego! Diego! Diego! scores his 16th of the season (his fourth against Swansea) to put Mourinho’s conspiracy targeted league leaders two up after 20 minutes.
Updated
Alberto Moreno has the ball in the net for Liverpool at Villa Park but it’s ruled out for offside and it remains scoreless.
Championship update: Corry Evans has put Blackburn up at Wigan, Gary Hooper has put Norwich in front at home to Cardiff, Craig Cathcart has Watford in front thanks to a volley into the roof of the net at Charlton and at the Den, the Hunts combine as Stephen sets Noel up for his first double in four years to put Ipswich 2-0 up against Millwall.
Goal! Burnley 2-0 Crystal Palace (Ings)
Danny Ings scores in his third straight game thanks to another assist from Arfield.
Updated
Simon McMahon sums up what’s going on in Scotland via email …
Afternoon Alan. Table toppers Aberdeen have taken an early lead at home to struggling Dundee, as have St. Johnstone against Partick. Game of the day in Scotland though is, eh, off due to a frozen pitch at Tannadice where Dundee United were due to face Inverness. This despite the undersoil heating being on since Thursday. That’s how cold it is up here. The whisky’s helping, though. Cheers.
Keep sipping, Simon
Goal! Burnley 1-0 Crystal Palace (Mee)
Scott Arfield’s corner evades Julian Speroni’s poorly timed flap and Ben Mee finds the empty net at the back post.
Updated
Manchester United have done what they failed to do last weekend and manage a shot on target, but Michael Carrick’s effort is easily saved by Rob Green. Progress for Van Gaal.
In the Championship, Ipswich lead at lowly Millwall thanks to Noel Hunt, who is playing alongside his brother Stephen for Mick McCarthy’s promotion challengers. Pointless stat: this was Hunt’s second goal for Ipswich after coming off the bench to score a last-minute winner at the other south London Championship hotbed, Charlton. Meanwhile Leeds, two points off the relegation places, have given away a penalty, which Paul Caddis has scored to put Birmingham in front.
Goal! Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland ( Defoe. Vertonghen)
Spurs are in front thanks to Jan Vertonghen after three minutes. A minute later Vertonghen takes out Defoe inside the area and they are denied what appears to be a stonewall penalty.
Updated
Goal! Swansea 0-1 Chelsea (Oscar)
It’s only taken a minute for the leaders to take the lead. Sigurdsson gives the ball away when trying to find Carroll and Oscar nips in and finishes neatly.
Updated
Teams are making their way out across the land … as Spanish-speaking Premier League players might say: brace yourselves mates.
Despite calls for fans to stay outside for eight minutes, the Holte End looks busy-ish 15 minutes before kick-off
Volte End update... pic.twitter.com/oAMhpy2Wo7
— Martin Laurence (@martinlaurence7) January 17, 2015
So Jermain Defoe starts for Sunderland at White Hart Lane. It’s going to happen, isn’t it? He always scores on his debut. And when it does inevitably happen, will we see one of the great non-celebration celebrations?
These are curious times for Tottenham. They are three points off fourth but this is the second of three games in eight days after coming from two down to beat Burnley 4-2 in an FA Cup replay last Wednesday, while they face giantkilling specialists Sheffield United in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final this coming Wednesday. Champions League is the priority but lying one step away from Wembley, Mauricio Pochettino may have been tempted to fiddle with his starting XI today. No matter, the big names are back having been rested against Burnley.
Elsewhere, can Aston Villa score a first goal in five games against Liverpool’s back three? A bunch of fans will stay outside the ground until eight minutes in – one for each year Randy Lerner has been in charge – so expect them to start well and be 2-0 up by the time the Holte End turnstiles are clicking.
Falcao is back for Manchester United at QPR, who are strong at home but awful away and badly need a win to ease the pressure on Harry Redknapp. Victory for Rangers, who haven’t beaten United since football began (sorry, since the Premier League started) would also see pressure increase on Louis van Gaal.
Burnley and Crystal Palace may not be one for the neutral but it’s a big game for both sides, while bottom-placed Leicester are looking to continue their resurgence at home to Stoke. Victory for Nigel Pearson’s side could see them climb out of the bottom three depending on results elsewhere.
And what about the league leaders? Chelsea have struggled at Swansea previously – can the Welsh side start life without Wilfried Bony with a surprise win?
Updated
Team news!
Aston Villa v Liverpool
Aston Villa: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Baker, Cissokho; Sanchez, Westwood, Delph, Cleverley; Agbonlahor, Benteke
Liverpool: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Markovic, Henderson, Lucas, Moreno; Sterling, Borini, Coutinho
Burnley v Crystal Palace
Burnley: Heaton; Trippier, Shackell (c), Keane, Mee; Boyd, Marney, Jones, Arfield; Barnes, Ings.
Crystal Palace: Speroni; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Kelly; Puncheon, McArthur, Ledley, Zaha; Sanogo, Gayle
Leicester v Stoke
Leicester: Hamer; Simpson, Morgan, Wasilewski, Konchesky; Knockaert, Drinkwater, King, Schlupp; Nugent, Vardy
Stoke: Begovic; Bardsley, Wilson, Wollscheid, Muniesa; Whelan, Nzonzi; Arnautovic, Bojan, Moses; Walters
QPR v Manchester United
QPR: Green; Isla, Onuoha, Dunne, Hill; Vargas, Barton, Henry, Fer; Austin, Zamora
Manchester United: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Rojo; Valencia, Carrick, Mata, Blind, Rooney; Di María, Falcao
Swansea v Chelsea
Swansea: Fabianski; Tiendalli, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Sigurdsson, Carroll; Dyer, Nelson Oliveira, Routledge; Gomis
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis; Matic, Fàbregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa
Tottenham v Sunderland
Tottenham: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele, Stambouli; Chadli, Kane, Eriksen; Soldado
Sunderland: Pantilimon; Jones, O’Shea, Brown, Van Aanholt; Vergini, Larsson, Rodwell, Johnson; Fletcher and a certain Mr Defoe
Updated
Big, big news from Loftus Road where QPR host Manchester United in one of the six 3pm kick-offs
Exclusive photo of people taking photos of Manchester United's arrival at Loftus Road. pic.twitter.com/gmoIZPzG9p
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) January 17, 2015
Hello, digital witnesses!
All well? Apologies for the late arrival, I was distracted by a feature on Sky about Tony Pulis’s West Brom which kept repeating, with hypnotic effects, because the Sky studio was evacuated and the fire brigade were called to make sure everything was OK. Fear not, Jeff and the lads are well.
As for Pulis, it’s a real pity we have to wait until Monday before finding out whether he’s rocking a pair of boxfresh white creps on the sideline. The baseball cap, we can now declare, is soooooo last year.
Anyway, enough chit-chat – stay tuned for all the team news from across the Premier League, the pick of the Football League, perhaps a snippet of non-league and, for one week only, a little bit of Africa Cup of Nations.
Drop me a line – alan.smith@theguardian.com – or a tweet @alansmith90 with any thoughts or moans …
Alan will be here from around 1.30pm.
In the meantime, you can...
