Unbeaten French leaders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a 4-2 win against Monaco in a Wednesday league match, but the victors’ Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma left the field after suffering a horrifying facial injury.

PSG’s French star Ousmane Dembele scored twice for the visitors at Monaco’s Stade Louis II. Eliesse Ben Seghir and Breel Embolo scored for the hosts in the matchday 16.

In addition to Dembele’s double, Desire Doue and Goncalo Ramos were the other PSG players to score goals.

During the match, Donnarumma took a knock after a reckless challenge by Monaco defender Wilfried Singo.

Donnarumma had to be subbed off as Singo caught the PSG goalkeeper in the face with his football studs to cause a serious injury.

The Italian international received staples for cuts so that his facial wounds were closed temporarily.

Donnarumma has “multiple cuts” on his face and will return to Paris with the team, PSG said in a statement.

“He will undergo medical examinations tomorrow and will have to rest for several days,” it added.

Singo did not get a red card after his tackle.

Following the away win, Luis Enrique’s men increased their points to 40 on top of Ligue 1 as PSG opened up a 10-point gap against their nearest opponents Olympique Marseille and Monaco.

Second-place Olympique Marseille have a game in hand.

Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 and reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The Gunners made a disastrous start in north London, as Jakub Kiwior failed to deal with a long ball forward and Jean-Philippe Mateta charged through on goal to finish past David Raya in the opening minutes.

Palace still held the lead at half-time, forcing Mikel Arteta into changes as Martin Odegaard and William Saliba were introduced, but it was Jesus who took centre stage.

It had been more than a year since his last goal at the Emirates Stadium but he managed three in 27 minutes here to send Arsenal into the last-four.

Odegaard played Jesus in on goal for the first, with the Brazilian producing a wonderful dinked finish over Dean Henderson, before he relied on pure power to beat the goalkeeper for a second time when picked out by Bukayo Saka, another second-half substitute.

That put Arsenal in front and the result appeared to be sealed with just under ten minutes remaining. Jesus was completely free on the halfway line, Odegaard picked him out and he had the Palace half to himself as he strolled through and again found the bottom corner to secure the match ball.

But Palace were given late hope when Eddie Nketiah headed in against his former club, setting up a grandstand finish as Palace pushed to send the tie to a penalty shootout.

The Gunners held firm, though, to book their place in the last-four, with the draw to take place on Thursday night.

Seven-time Europa League winners, Sevilla FC, are reportedly planning to offload Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho during the January 2024-25 transfer window, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian international joined Sevilla last summer following the expiration of his contract at Leicester City, marking the end of a seven-year stint with the Foxes.

However, Iheanacho has endured a disappointing start to life in Spain, failing to score in all nine of his La Liga appearances for the one-time Spanish champions.

According to a report from Football Espana, Sevilla’s Sporting Director, Victor Orta, is actively seeking a new striker, and Iheanacho could be sold to facilitate the club’s attacking overhaul.

Iheanacho’s Struggles in Five Months
After finishing 14th in La Liga during the 2023-24 season, Sevilla brought in Iheanacho with hopes that he would contribute significantly to the team’s success.

So far, the Nigerian forward has underperformed, failing to score in the league and registering only three goals in the Copa del Rey.

This lack of output has left Sevilla struggling offensively, with the team managing just 18 goals in total this season. Neither Iheanacho nor Isaac Romero—who has scored only once—have been able to provide the goals Sevilla desperately need.
Pimienta Backs Iheanacho
Despite his struggles, Sevilla head coach Francisco Javier Garcia Pimienta offered his backing to Iheanacho ahead of a match against Real Valladolid in September.

“Everyone, whoever plays up front tomorrow, has to do well. Kelechi is a proven player. The other day he had a difficult game because he came on without warming up,” Pimienta said via the club’s official website. “Just like the rest, he has to take a step forward because he has the quality to do it at Sevilla.”

Although Iheanacho played 62 minutes in that match without a goal or assist, his Nigerian compatriot Chidera Ejuke stepped up with a late winner.

Afterward, Pimienta continued to defend Iheanacho, attributing his lack of form to a difficult adjustment period caused by his absence during preseason.
“The boy is training very well. I know it seems like an excuse, but he didn’t do the pre-season with the team,” Pimienta said on La Jugada de Canal Sur Radio, as cited by Estadio Deportivo.

“The team already had our concepts; we had been training together for almost two months. It was hard for him to adapt. He has a player in front of him, Isaac, who is clear about it, who gives us a lot of things and is doing very well.”

West Bromwich Offers Iheanacho a Lifeline
Recent reports suggest Iheanacho could be set for a return to England, with EFL Championship side West Bromwich Albion showing interest in signing the Nigerian striker.

However, West Brom would likely need to sell their current star forward—fellow Nigerian Josh Maja—to fund the move. If the transfer materialises, Iheanacho could reunite with his Super Eagles teammate, Semi Ajayi, at the Midlands club.

While moving from La Liga to England’s second division might not be ideal for Iheanacho, it could serve as an opportunity for him to rebuild his confidence and form.

Before his move to Sevilla, Iheanacho was linked with several top Turkish clubs. A loan move during the January transfer window could be a fresh start and a step in the right direction for the struggling forward.