Football never sleeps. During any of the 86400 seconds in a 24-hour day, somewhere in the world someone is doing something related to the beautiful game, whether that’s scoring a last-minute winner in a high-profile match, posting their expert take on social media or simply booting a ball against a wall with their mates.
It’s therefore impossible for any human being to keep up with everything that’s going on in the game, and it’s often those little yet most intriguing moments, like a fan’s alternative viewpoint of a penalty save, or a three-second yet incredibly telling interaction between two arch-rivals, or thread on X explaining why N’Golo Kante is the nicest man in professional sport, which make football so great.
GIVEMESPORT have created our live blog to help solve that problem, providing the best social media has to offer and the greatest football mini-stories from the last 24 hours.
26th January: Fans Spot Heartwarming Nicolas Jackson Gesture to Abdukodir Khusanov
The young defender struggled on his Man City debut but fans have praised Jackson for his support
https://x.com/ErlingRoIe/status/1883509901802287267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1883509901802287267%7Ctwgr%5E4169b129e7afaa2a295eb0a2bfe726ba738bdfbe%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2Ftoday-in-football-things-you-may-have-missed%2F
Fans have sung the praises of Nicolas Jackson after spotting what the Chelsea striker did following Abdukodir Khusanov’s horror start to his Manchester City debut. The young defender is a new addition at the Etihad and was thrown straight into the starting XI as Pep Guardiola’s side hosted the Blues on Saturday.
Unfortunately for Khusanov, he couldn’t have asked for a worse start as he made a mistake that led directly to the visitors opening the scoring before being booked moments later for a rash challenge on Cole Palmer after giving away possession. The 20-year-old continued to struggle before being taken off early in the second half.
The youngster appeared emotional on the pitch after his early errors, but Jackson was on hand to lend some support as he was seen tapping the defender in encouragement after his ropey start. The Senegalese knows exactly what it is like to face backlash in English football, having had to prove critics wrong from the moment he arrived at Stamford Bridge, but his act of solidarity with his opponent has received nothing but love online.
26th January: Jamie Vardy Trolls Tottenham With Brutal Goal Celebration
The Leicester icon scored in front of the home fans and instantly caused havoc with his mockery
Jamie Vardy was at it once again after equalising for Leicester City in their all-important Premier League contest against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Richarlison had given the hosts the lead, but Vardy’s goal right after half-time was followed by another from Bilal El Khannouss to give the Foxes the lead in North London and apply even more pressure onto Ange Postecoglou.
Scoring wasn’t enough for the veteran striker though, as he made sure to add more salt in the wounds by reminding the Spurs fans just how many Premier League titles their side had won by pointing to the badge on his shirt and gesturing that he had one to his name. The pair were infamously embroiled in a heated title battle back in the 2015-16 season, where Leicester defied 5000-1 odds to be crowned champions.
This isn’t the first time Vardy has mocked the North London club either, as the 38-year-old was seen making the same gesture in reverse fixture at the King Power Stadium during the first weekend of the season.
26th January: Leandro Trossard’s Comments to Joao Gomes About Michael Oliver
‘He has done it to me’
https://x.com/10akhil/status/1883470505409454212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1883470505409454212%7Ctwgr%5Ecbc7bf940aa53d6b06bd9fe7017efd3533609b23%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2Ftoday-in-football-things-you-may-have-missed%2F
Not for the first time this season, Michael Oliver was at the centre of attention during an Arsenal match. The referee controversially sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly, sparking much outrage from fans and pundits alike.
Less controversially, in the same game, he also sent off Wolves’ Joao Gomes for two bookable offences. The second challenge was undoubtedly worthy of a yellow, but the midfielder strongly argued against his first card. Oliver punished Gomes for kicking the ball away.
While it might have seemed a little harsh in the eyes of the Brazilian midfielder, Leandro Trossard was quick to remind him that he had suffered the same punishment at the hands of Oliver. Earlier on in the season, the Arsenal winger was sent off vs Man City after kicking the ball away. With that in mind, the Belgian appeared to say to Gomes: ‘He has done it to me’
25th January: Why Kids in Saint Kitts Love Cole Palmer
Chelsea star’s family come from the Caribbean island
Kids in the Caribbean island Saint Kitts are absolutely in love with Chelsea star Cole Palmer. Speaking to some local children, BBC Sport captured the young fans expressing just how highly they rate the England international.
One said: “He’s the best footballer in the world, because his left foot is better than [Lionel] Messi.” Another added, “He’s the next GOAT,” before another shot back: ‘He ain’t the next GOAT – he’s already the GOAT.”
It might seem strange that supporters would have such loyalty to the Manchester-born Three Lions ace but there is a good reason behind it. Indeed, Palmer’s father has family from the nation – specifically his grandfather, Sterry Cole – and he even wears the Saint Kitts flag on his boots.
He once explained: “We would do that every single day whatever the weather — and my dad’s family is from St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. He hates going out in the cold. But he’d do it for me anyway. That’s why I got the St Kitts flag on my boots, as a little tribute to him and his family.”
23rd January: Jack Butland’s Comical Own Goal Against Man United
It’s one of the howlers of the season
For much of Manchester United’s performance against Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night, Ruben Amorim’s side showed the sort of energy and enthusiasm you’d expect from a good old-fashioned game of sleeping lions. It looked set to be a game of fine margins at Old Trafford and, in the end, they had to rely on opposition goalkeeper Jack Butland to give them a favour.
As Christian Eriksen whipped a corner into the box just nine minutes into the second half, the former Premier League shot-stopper somehow managed to punch the ball into his own net. It came just as their Scottish visitors were beginning to get comfortable in the match – but his moment of madness completely undid their good work.
23rd January: Thierry Henry’s Gold Reaction to Shirt Brest Sent Micah Richards
Henry couldn’t believe his eyes
Champions League outfit Brest wanted to thank CBS Sports pundits Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher for the attention they have given them in the Champions League this season, and so decided to send the duo a shirt each. The pair were given the shirts on Wednesday evening, with Henry getting his name and iconic number 14 on the back.
Richards, however, was not given his name on the back of his shirt. Instead, he unveiled a jersey which had ‘brest lover’ and the number two on the back. Henry, upon glancing across and seeing his colleague’s shirt, could not believe his eyes. The Frenchman had to get up and walk away from set when Richards asked later on in the segment: ‘What happens when Brest play Nice?’
23rd January: Clip of Bernardo Silva Watching Ousmane Dembele in Tunnel Goes Viral
Dembele later embarrassed Silva on the pitch with a nutmeg
Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has gone viral for his amusing reaction to spotting Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele in the tunnel at half-time. With the score poised at 0-0 and all three points up for grabs at the Parc des Princes, Silva couldn’t help but to quickly look round the corner at Dembele jogging on the spot to keep warm as he prepared to come on for the second 45 minutes of action.
He popped his head round the corner before swiftly returning to the away dressing room – perhaps to inform Pep Guardiola and his team of the Frenchman’s impending introduction. Two quick goals from the away side saw them gain control of the affair but Dembele, who also produced a mesmeric nutmeg on the City midfielder in the second half, kick-started his side’s comeback just three minutes later.
Goals from Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos compiled further misery on Guardiola’s Champions League hopes as the Ligue 1 outfit ran out 4–2 victors in the end. Per FotMob, the seasoned 30-year-old Silva accrued a rating of 4.7 – the worst of all 22 players who began the encounter. Elsewhere, the tricky wide man earned himself a rating of 8.6.
23rd January: Thierry Henry’s Gold Reaction to Shirt Brest Sent Micah Richards
Henry couldn’t believe his eyes
https://x.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1882209470958219274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1882209470958219274%7Ctwgr%5Ecbc7bf940aa53d6b06bd9fe7017efd3533609b23%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2Ftoday-in-football-things-you-may-have-missed%2F
Champions League outfit Brest wanted to thank CBS Sports pundits Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher for the attention they have given them in the Champions League this season, and so decided to send the duo a shirt each. The pair were given the shirts on Wednesday evening, with Henry getting his name and iconic number 14 on the back.
Richards, however, was not given his name on the back of his shirt. Instead, he unveiled a jersey which had ‘brest lover’ and the number two on the back. Henry, upon glancing across and seeing his colleague’s shirt, could not believe his eyes. The Frenchman had to get up and walk away from set when Richards asked later on in the segment: ‘What happens when Brest play Nice?’
23rd January: Clip of Bernardo Silva Watching Ousmane Dembele in Tunnel Goes Viral
Dembele later embarrassed Silva on the pitch with a nutmeg
https://x.com/LeFootMeTue/status/1882172718721990966?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1882172718721990966%7Ctwgr%5Ecbc7bf940aa53d6b06bd9fe7017efd3533609b23%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2Ftoday-in-football-things-you-may-have-missed%2F
Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has gone viral for his amusing reaction to spotting Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele in the tunnel at half-time. With the score poised at 0-0 and all three points up for grabs at the Parc des Princes, Silva couldn’t help but to quickly look round the corner at Dembele jogging on the spot to keep warm as he prepared to come on for the second 45 minutes of action.
He popped his head round the corner before swiftly returning to the away dressing room – perhaps to inform Pep Guardiola and his team of the Frenchman’s impending introduction. Two quick goals from the away side saw them gain control of the affair but Dembele, who also produced a mesmeric nutmeg on the City midfielder in the second half, kick-started his side’s comeback just three minutes later.
Goals from Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos compiled further misery on Guardiola’s Champions League hopes as the Ligue 1 outfit ran out 4–2 victors in the end. Per FotMob, the seasoned 30-year-old Silva accrued a rating of 4.7 – the worst of all 22 players who began the encounter. Elsewhere, the tricky wide man earned himself a rating of 8.6.
21st January: Barcelona’s Raphinha Scores One of the Strangest Goals of All Time
The TNT Sports commentators were caught off guard
https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1881817518496428407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1881817518496428407%7Ctwgr%5Ecbc7bf940aa53d6b06bd9fe7017efd3533609b23%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2Ftoday-in-football-things-you-may-have-missed%2F
Barcelona’s Raphinha scored yet another goal for Hansi Flick’s men against Benfica but, in truth, the winger knew very little about it. The Portuguese side earned a commanding two-goal cushion in what had a chance of being one of the shocks of Tuesday evening, but a moment of madness offered the Spaniards a glimmer of hope after a monumental gaffe from Benfica goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin.
With the score poised 3-1 to the home side at Estadio da Luz, Trubin opted to go long from a goal kick but failed to clear further than the eventual goalscorer. The Ukrainian’s under hit pass strangely hit the head of Raphinha, who was as confused as the rest of us, as the ball hit the back of the net. It was so surprising that TNT Sports’ commentators were late to comment on what had just happened.
Benfica soon went 4-2 up through a Ronald Araujo own goal – but Barcelona’s all-action approach failed to wane and their effort finally paid dividends. Robert Lewandowski dispatched from the spot to grab his second of the affair before Eric Garcia drew his side level with a header. Raphinha, who is one of the most in-form players in Europe, scored in the 96th minute to cap off a dramatic night in Portugal.
20th January: Tottenham Fans Slammed for Son Heung-min Treatment After 3-2 Loss to Everton
‘Horrible way to treat a LEGEND of Tottenham’
https://x.com/mitch_fretton/status/1881096261996335596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1881096261996335596%7Ctwgr%5Ecbc7bf940aa53d6b06bd9fe7017efd3533609b23%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2Ftoday-in-football-things-you-may-have-missed%2F
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur slumped to a new low on Sunday afternoon by losing 3-2 to Premier League strugglers Everton – and the away fans in attendance at Goodison Park have been lambasted for their treatment of skipper Son Heung-min.
The South Korea international, in the wake of their away loss, trundled over to the away fans and was relentlessly booed and jeered for the capital club’s poor performance. Fans have jumped to the defence of their club ‘legend’ on X (formerly Twitter).
Tottenham. Been a servant, through ALL the crap with us, doubled down and stayed. Yes, he’s not been good enough this season but he doesn’t deserve this.”
Another supporter wrote that seeing their captain, who has played 435 outings in the white of Tottenham since moving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2015, so distraught on the back of the animosity is uncomfortable to watch : “Very sad to see him like this… I feel sorry for him.”
20th January: Baleba’s Celebrations in Old Trafford Tunnel Go Viral
The midfielder griddied past Man Utd skipper Bruno Fernandes with joy
https://x.com/Football__Tweet/status/1881028579007627461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1881028579007627461%7Ctwgr%5Ecbc7bf940aa53d6b06bd9fe7017efd3533609b23%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2Ftoday-in-football-things-you-may-have-missed%2F
Manchester United slumped to 13th place in the Premier League table following their 3-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion – and to add further salt to the wounds, the latter’s midfield maestro Carlos Baleba – who is being courted by plenty of top teams in Europe – was spotted celebrating by ‘griddying’ down the Old Trafford tunnel in jubilation.
Posted on Brighton’s X (formerly Twitter) account, a ‘very upset’ Bruno Fernandes, in the wake of a new low, walked straight past the jubilation but Baleba, who luckily escaped a red card in the first half, was enjoying every moment of his first full 90-minute display over the Red Devils since joining from French side Lille in the summer of 2023.
