Wigan came from behind to take a point away from Oakwell in a 1-1 draw with Barnsley.

Devante Cole opened the scoring for the hosts with his 14th of the season before substitute Jonny Smith equalised late on with a spectacular effort.

The Latics should have broken the deadlock in the 18th minute when Martial Godo passed to Jordan Jones inside the box, but his effort flew over the crossbar.

Neill Collins’ outfit took the lead in the opening minute of first-half stoppage time. Good pressure from John McAtee released Adam Phillips in the right side of the box to find Cole, who tapped home.

Wigan wasted a clear-cut chance in the 52nd minute when a defensive error from Jordan Williams gave Josh Magennis a free shot on goal from 10 yards out, but the Latics captain fired wide of the goal.

The visitors equalised in the 87th minute when a short free-kick was passed to Smith on the edge of the box, who curled his effort into the top-left corner.

Reading moved out of the League One relegation places for the first time since early September with a hard-earned 3-2 home win over fellow strugglers Exeter.

Top scorer Harvey Knibbs gave Reading an early lead but Exeter defender Zak Jules soon levelled with a fierce long-range effort.

Royals regained the lead in the second minute of first-half stoppage time when Alex Hartridge clumsily nodded into his own net.

Though Dion Rankine made it 2-2 in an ebb-and-flow second half, Femi Azeez rifled in the Reading winner with 13 minutes left.

Reading went ahead in the ninth minute, with Sam Smith supplying the pass for Knibbs to run on to and lob past keeper Vili Sinisalo.

It was Knibbs’ 11th goal of the season in all competitions.

But City equalised in the 18th minute when former Royals youngster Jules latched on to a loose ball and thundered home from 20 yards for his first goal for the club.

With the break only seconds away, Knibbs capitalised on loose Exeter defending to cross, only for Hartridge – under pressure from Smith – to head past team-mate Sinisalo.

City responded to draw level again, in the 68th minute, when Rankine poked home after a frantic scramble in the home area.

But Reading hit back nine minutes later, Azeez beating Sinisalo with a well-struck low drive, to stretch their unbeaten run to six matches.

CJ Hamilton sealed a valuable 2-0 win for Blackpool over Lincoln after Oliver Casey had set them on their way at Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders have picked up 29 points at home in the 2023-24 season, more than any other team in Sky Bet League One so far this season.

The best chance early in the game fell to Lincoln’s Alex Mitchell, but he volleyed well over.

Casey headed Blackpool in front after 28 minutes following Karamoko Dembele whipped in a free-kick.

The goal put the hosts firmly in the ascendancy. Owen Dale cut inside and saw an effort deflect over and James Husband’s header hit the top of the crossbar.

Blackpool came out firing in the second half looking to close the game. Both Callum Connolly and Dale saw efforts well saved by Luke Jensen, and Dembele blazed one over after breaking clear with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Lincoln probed late on, but failed to create any real chances as Blackpool’s defence held firm before Hamilton wrapped up the points in stoppage time.

Coventry’s climb towards the Sky Bet Championship play-off places continued as they claimed a 3-1 win at Middlesbrough.

The Sky Blues beat Boro in last season’s play-off semi-finals, and they enjoyed another successful day at the Riverside thanks to a double from the in-form Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and a close-range finish from Haji Wright.

Josh Coburn opened the scoring for Middlesbrough in the first half, but the hosts were unable to make the most of their early superiority as Coventry stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Middlesbrough went into the game on the back of a morale-boosting win at Huddersfield on Friday night, and Michael Carrick’s side dominated the early exchanges, carving out a succession of good chances.

Isaiah Jones must have thought he had scored when he raced on to Morgan Rogers’ fourth-minute through ball and rounded goalkeeper Brad Collins, but while his shot from an acute angle was heading in, back-tracking centre-half Bobby Thomas produced a superb flicked clearance as he raced towards his own goalline.

Jones had another decent effort blocked by Jake Bidwell a few minutes later, before Collins denied Sam Greenwood with a scrambled save down to his left. The ball broke to Rogers, but his follow-up effort was blocked by a combination of the Coventry goalkeeper and Luis Binks.

It felt like only a matter of time before Boro scored, and the deadlock was duly broken in the 31st minute.

Jones crossed from the right-hand side, and having been restored to the starting line-up after scoring as a substitute at Huddersfield, Coburn made it two goals in four days with a powerful header.

Coventry had not threatened at all at that stage, but just four minutes after falling behind, the visitors struck back to equalise.

Thomas’ header from a corner was saved by Tom Glover, but Lukas Engel’s clearance only found Sakamoto, and the Japanese winger threaded a fine low finish through a crowded box.

Collins made good saves from Greenwood and Engel to keep the scores level at the break, and Coventry should have claimed the lead when Ellis Simms hooked over from the edge of the six-yard box in the early stages of the second half.

A minute later, however, and the Sky Blues were celebrating making it 2-1. Simms’ shot from Callum O’Hare’s cross was saved by Glover, but when the ball rebounded to the striker, he slipped a square pass to Wright, who was left with the simple task of tapping home from close range.

Coventry were much the better side in the second half, and they added a third goal in the 69th minute.

Bidwell crossed from close to the byline, and Sakamoto stole in at the back post to net his second goal of the game with a close-range header.

Sakamoto almost claimed a hat-trick with 10 minutes remaining, but his low shot from inside the area cannoned against the base of the post.

Leyton Orient completed an excellent Christmas period with a 2-0 League One victory at Cambridge.

The visitors enjoyed the better of the first half, going close after 15 minutes when Theo Archibald’s corner was flicked wide by Tom James.

Archibald found space to fire a shot from distance which came back off the crossbar with Jack Stevens beaten, before Daniel Agyei broke through and was denied by Stevens at his near post.

The closest Cambridge came was when a corner was cleared to Danny Andrew, who curled an effort off target on his weaker foot.

Orient’s pressure paid off nine minutes after half-time when Jubril Okedina made a mess of clearing a Max Sanders corner and the ball fell to the unmarked Jordan Brown, who slotted home from a central position.

That lead was doubled only three minutes later when Agyei dispossessed Okedina and ran clear before firing in through the legs of Stevens to score his first goal for the club and make it seven points from the O’s three unbeaten festive fixtures.

Celtic have seen two players called up to Japan’s Asian Cup squad but not top goalscorer Kyogo Furuhashi.

Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate have both been included in the squad.

Hatate has not played since suffering a hamstring injury on October 25 but was back on the bench for Celtic’s win over Rangers on Saturday.

Japan open their Qatar campaign against Vietnam on January 14 and finish the group stage on January 24. Sixteen teams go into the knockout stages ahead of the final on February 10.

South Korea pair Oh Hyeon-gyu and Yang Hyun-jun are also going to the tournament.

Dundee have confirmed that Liverpool have recalled 21-year-old left-back Owen Beck from his loan with the Tayside club.

The Wales Under-21 international scored two goals in 20 appearances during a hugely impressive spell in the cinch Premiership.

Beck won a call-up to the full Wales squad and Liverpool have exercised a recall option amid injuries to Andy Robertson and other left-backs.

A statement on Dundee’s website read: “Owen will be greatly missed by everyone at Dundee FC as he has been outstanding both on and off the field.”

Dundee are looking to finish off a promising first half of the season before the winter break with a victory over Tayside rivals St Johnstone.

Dundee are seventh in the table, two points behind Hibernian following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock.

Manager Tony Docherty told DeeTV: “We need to make sure we look after the squad, manage the squad. I have the luxury that I can bring in players and maybe freshen things up a wee bit if needed.

“We will analyse the Kilmarnock game first and if need be, hopefully freshen it up and maintain the quality we have got.”

Captain Joe Shaughnessy wants Dundee to finish off the pre-winter break period with a victory over Tayside rivals St Johnstone before reflecting on a more than decent season so far.

The 31-year-old Irish defender scored a dramatic last-gasp equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday, having scored twice late on to beat Livingston in October before his stoppage-time strike against Ross County last month brought another three points back to Dens Park.

Dundee, who returned to the top flight this season, are seventh in the table, two points behind Hibernian.

Ahead of the visit of the Saints, former McDiarmid Park defender Shaughnessy told DeeTV: “We have to get ready for another game and go again. There will be full focus on that.

“We will play the game first, hopefully get back to winning ways and then we can have a break and maybe regroup.”

Manager Tony Docherty was delighted with his side’s energy-sapping determination and spirit to leave Ayrshire with a share of the spoils and he will look to freshen his squad up for the game against St Johnstone if appropriate.

He said: “We need to make sure we look after the squad, manage the squad.

“I have the luxury that I can bring in players and maybe freshen things up a wee bit if needed.

“We will analyse the Kilmarnock game first and if need be, hopefully freshen it up and maintain the quality we have got.”

Brazil Under-20 defender Lucas Beraldo has joined Paris St Germain from Sao Paulo after agreeing a five-year deal with the French champions.

Beraldo has completed a move for a reported £17.36million after enjoying a breakthrough year in 2023 that saw him make 52 appearances for Sao Paulo.

The 20-year-old joined the club in 2020, starting out for the under-17s before making his first-team debut two years later.

“I’m really happy to be joining a club as ambitious as Paris St Germain,” Beraldo said on the PSG website.

“This is an important step in my career and one that will help me to move forward. I can’t wait to get to know my new team-mates and to take my first steps in this shirt.”

PSG currently top the Ligue 1 table, sitting five points above Nice, as they chase a third successive title.

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek has joined Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt on loan until the end of the season.

The 26-year-old Netherlands international has made just six Premier League starts for United since moving from Ajax for a reported £35million in 2020.

His only top-flight appearance this term came as an 88th-minute substitute in a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace at the end of September.

United boss Erik ten Hag recently said countryman Van de Beek needed a move to revive his career.

Frankfurt sports director Markus Krosche told his club’s website: “Donny van de Beek fits our game idea perfectly and is an important piece of the puzzle for our team.

“He brings a wealth of international experience that our young players will benefit from. Donny exudes a goalscoring threat and, above all, should put our attackers in promising positions.”

Van de Beek has made 62 appearances for United in all competitions, scoring two goals.

He spent the second half of the 2021-22 campaign with divisional rivals Everton but was restricted to seven outings during that loan spell.

What the papers say

Former Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel could make a return to the Premier League during this month’s transfer window. The 37-year-old Denmark international, currently with Anderlecht, is an option for Sheffield United who want to sign a goalkeeper, according to the Sun.

Manchester United have opted not to exercise the 12-month extension option on Raphael Varane’s contract, reports the Daily Mail. It enables the France defender, 30, to hold talks with overseas clubs over a free transfer in the summer.

Former Everton winger Ademola Lookman is catching the eye of several Premier League teams at Atalanta, according to the Daily Mail. Juventus and Nice are also said to be interested in the 26-year-old.

Nottingham Forest are reportedly looking for a double January swoop. The Daily Mirror claims Forest hope to complete an early deal for Brazilian defender Nino, 26, from Fluminense and are in talks with Monaco over Portugal winger Gelson Martins, 28.

Social media round-upPlayers to watch

Said Benrahma: Lyon are keen on West Ham’s Algeria winger, 28, reports the Sun.

Assane Diao: Brentford have made a £21.6million bid to Real Betis’ for the Spain Under-21 winger, 18, reports Mundo Deportivo in Spain.

Manchester City are planning a warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi during the upcoming winter break, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

A trip has not yet been finalised but it is possible as the champions have no fixture on the weekend of January 21-22, their designated free date during the Premier League’s staggered winter pause.

Guardiola took a group of players not involved in the latter stages of the World Cup to the United Arab Emirates, home of owner Sheikh Mansour, last season and wants to do similar with the whole squad.

The City boss feels it will be an ideal way to prepare for the second half of the season as the club look to defend their domestic and European titles.

Guardiola said: “After Newcastle, if it’s possible, we go to Abu Dhabi again, all together.

“Last season we were there in the World Cup and it had an incredible impact for the staff and everyone. The five titles (we won) prove it.

“We go there to train in better weather, to be together – training, training and training to prepare for the second part of the season. That is the plan but maybe we’ll change it, I don’t know yet.”

City will begin the new year with their FA Cup third-round tie against Championship Huddersfield next Sunday.

The game could see the return to action of Kevin De Bruyne after the playmaker, who has not featured since August, was an unused substitute for Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Sheffield United.

Guardiola said: “He is almost close. We asked each other to come to the bench, to start to be in the locker room. It’s been three months, a lot of time he’s been out.

“He’s training good and he’ll start to get minutes to get his best. It’s incredible news.

“We’re also waiting on Jeremy (Doku), Erling (Haaland) and John Stones. The second part of the season is already here and we’ll need everyone.”

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany has expressed his “immense joy” at seeing Lyle Foster back in action and enjoying the game.

The Clarets released a statement in November that said forward Foster was receiving specialist care for his mental health.

After an absence of eight matches in all competitions, the 23-year-old South Africa international made a comeback appearance on December 16 against Everton, and Saturday saw him score for the first time since that return, in the 3-2 loss at Aston Villa.

Kompany told a press conference: “(My feeling is) immense joy very specifically for Lyle Foster’s situation.

“We were dealing with a human tragedy really…such a good lad as well.

“To see him get back up, and just enjoying the game, not even the goal, just enjoying the game, being out there on the pitch with his team-mates, smiling after the game – for me I can go away from being a manager, just as a human being, I’m really happy to be part of this moment.”

He added: “We were in a really dark space. It’s mental health…severe, severe depression.

“We did everything we could to help him, support him. We put his case first and all the other interests last, just worried about him.

“So when you go through this at a club as human beings and you see him come the other end of it, all I hope is he is going to stay like this. That’s all I want. I can take a lot of joy out of witnessing it.”

The finish by Foster – who had earlier had an effort disallowed for offside – that made it 2-2 in the 71st minute at Villa Park took him to four Premier League goals for the season.

Eddie Howe has not given up hope of dragging Newcastle back into the race for a second successive top-four finish.

Howe, with the help of sizeable investment from the club’s Saudi-backed owners, transformed the club from Premier League strugglers to Champions League gatecrashers last season as they muscled aside usual suspects Liverpool – their opponents on Monday – Tottenham and Chelsea to secure a return to European football’s big time.

Their stay proved to be fleeting – defeat by AC Milan earlier this month ended their hopes of a place in the last 16 amid a poor run of form which has left them sitting in ninth place in the Premier League table.

However, asked if the top four was still a target for the current campaign, Howe said: “If that’s possible, then we will go for it. We haven’t written anything off.

“We’re frustrated with the last two results in particular because if we’d won those, we’d be right back in the mix. I see that as a missed opportunity and I know the players feel the same way.

“But we can’t look back, we can only look forward. It’s a challenging and busy month, but one that we need to embrace.”

Back-to-back league losses by lowly Luton and Nottingham Forest – their fifth and sixth defeats in seven games in all competitions – send the Magpies into an intensely difficult January under extreme pressure if they are to achieve their aims for the season.

They begin the new year with a trip to leaders Liverpool and after an FA Cup third-round trip to bitter rivals Sunderland, face club world champions Manchester City at St James’ Park.

Nevertheless, Howe remains undeterred amid the first, and to date relatively muted, rumblings of discontent since he was appointed in November 2021.

Asked about the club’s minimum expectation, he said: “The intention is to finish as high as we can and of course, European football will always be a target for us. I can’t speak on behalf of other people in terms of a minimum expectation.

“My minimum expectation is to achieve the best that we can, and we’ll work towards that on a daily basis.”

Howe has significant credit in the bank as a result of the progress he has made since taking over the reins relinquished by Steve Bruce, and he retains the support of the club’s owners, who accept that last season’s success represented a significant over-achievement in terms of their blueprint for lasting success.

The 46-year-old steered clear of much of the external praise which came his way then, and he intends to use the criticism currently circulating around him to fuel his quest to dispel it.

He said: “I block it out, but of course you know the narrative. I’m not stupid, you know the questions being asked and I think that does fuel me, of course it does.”

Manchester City star Jack Grealish has spoken of his devastation and the “traumatic experience” of burglars targeting his home.

Raiders struck at the England midfielder’s Cheshire mansion during City’s Premier League clash against Everton on Wednesday.

Members of Grealish’s family and his fiancee Sasha Atwood were watching the televised match at the property when they heard a disturbance, The Sun newspaper reported.

An alarm was raised and an emergency response was launched with a helicopter, police dogs and a number of officers sent to the property near Knutsford, but no suspects were detected.

The newspaper said the thieves made off with £1million worth of jewellery and watches.

Writing on Instagram, Grealish said: “I can’t begin to explain how devastated I am over the burglary that took place at my home a few days ago.

“My family mean the world to me and nothing is more important than ensuring their safety. This has been a traumatic experience for all of us, I am just so grateful that nobody was hurt.

“I have had so many amazing experiences and achievements over the last 12 months, but to be honest the best year of my life in football now doesn’t feel like something I can celebrate.

“The people that commit these terrible crimes have no idea of the damage they cause to peoples lives. I hope they are found and brought to justice so no other family has to go through what we have.

“I appreciate the messages from everyone and the support from my friends, team-mates and the club.

“On a more positive note, I’d like to thank everyone for their support throughout this past year, I wish you and your family a happy 2024.”

Grealish’s England team-mate James Maddison was one of the first to reply to the post with: “Love ya brother”.

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Constabulary said on Friday: “At around 9.50pm on Wednesday 27 December police were called to reports of a burglary.

“The caller reported that a number of items had been stolen.

“Officers, supported by the police dogs and NPAS (National Police Air Service), were deployed and searches were conducted in the local area, but there was no trace of the suspects.

“No arrests have been made at this time and enquiries are ongoing.”