Ivory Coast seal defending Champions Algeria elimination from AFCON (Watch Highlights on Video)

Defending champions Algeria crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 defeat against Ivory Coast in Douala.

Needing a win to stay alive, Algeria trailed by two goals at the break after Franke Kessie capped off a fine move and Ibrahim Sangare headed home.

Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe put the Ivorians 3-0 up before Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez hit a penalty against the post.

Algeria, for whom Sofiane Bendebka scored a late consolation, exit bottom of Group E after a torrid campaign.

Djamel Belmadi’s men are the third holders to exit at the first hurdle in the past five Nations Cup finals.

Their departure from the competition is in marked contrast to their entry, travelling to Cameroon on a 34-match unbeaten run and looking to surpass Italy’s all-time record of 37.

The Algerians had drawn 0-0 with Sierra Leone before a 1-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea, and leave with just one point from three games – but did at least finally get on the scoresheet in Cameroon when substitute Bendebka’s late goal inspired a brief rally.

Ivory Coast’s Elephants topped the group to line up a mouth-watering last-16 match with Egypt, scheduled for Douala on Wednesday, 26 January.

The poor pitch in the Japoma Stadium was a major talking point before the game as two recent former champions – with Ivory Coast last winning in 2015 – met in a final group tie that had the feel of the big occasion.

Algeria coach Belmadi had been baffled by his team’s lack of goals and when Ismael Bennacer clipped the post after 22 minutes, only for the Ivorians to score a minute later, he must have sensed the worst.

A sweeping move ended in Max-Alain Gradel cutting the ball back for Kessie to side-foot home, sparking huge celebrations as all 12 Ivorian substitutes charged off to celebrate with the AC Milan star and leaving goal-shy Algeria needing two goals to win.

The North Africans look shell-shocked and matters swiftly deteriorated as the Elephants converted good pressure to double their lead as Sangare was inexplicably left alone at the far post to powerfully head home a fine cross from the impressive Serge Aurier.

Belmadi knew his half-time talk was key but instead it was the West Africans who charged forward, forcing two good openings before Pepe delivered a trademark goal when cutting in from the right flank to stylishly curl home with his left.

Any thoughts that it was not Algeria’s day were confirmed when Mahrez, so good from 12 yards recently for Manchester City, smacked a 60th-minute penalty against the right-hand post after Youcef Belaili had been felled.

As an army of orange-clad Ivorian fans roared their deafening approval, Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle started to rest players by making changes before Bendebka finally restored some respect for a team that lifted the trophy in Cairo three years ago.

Ajax striker Sebastien Haller thought he had added a fourth, and his second of the tournament, when heading home another Aurier cross late on, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

In confident form, showing real belief as well as excellent strength and purpose, Ivory Coast fully deserved a win which left Algeria’s despairing players sitting on the floor, staring into the distance in disbelief at the manner of their exit.

They became the 12th Nations Cup champions to exit the competition in the first round when defending the trophy.

Photo Credit: CAF_Online/Twitter

Fears raised over “ticking timebomb” Romelu Lukaku

Jamie Carragher is concerned Romelu Lukaku is a ticking timebomb and Chelsea could soon lose patience with the star man.

The Sky Sports pundit believes the striker, 28, does not really fit in at Chelsea – just like he didn’t at Manchester United.

He wrote in The Telegraph: “When Romelu Lukaku signed for Chelsea, the consensus was that he was a different player to that which left Manchester United.

“Six months later, there is only one valid observation to make about his return to Stamford Bridge. He isnโ€™t.

“All the talk about how a couple of years working with this weekendโ€™s opponent, Antonio Conte, have elevated Lukakuโ€™s game tactically has proven premature.

“Thomas Tuchel is managing the same striker who prompted Manchester United to run out of patience and sell him to Inter Milan.

Wayne Rooney confirms Chelsea move for his key player, says “We’ve agreed a fee… I couldn’t stand in the way of his opportunity”

Derby County boss Wayne Rooney has revealed that Chelsea are poised to snap up his club’s left-back Dylan Williams in a dream move for the young Ram.

The Stamford Bridge club are finalising a fee with the crisis clubโ€™s administrators that will see the 18-year old move for an initial sum plus extras.

According to The Sun, Williams has played for the Derby first team eight times this season but has been unable to sign a professional contract during their time in admin.

Derby faced losing Williams on a free at the end of the season which means they would have faced a long wait for a tribunal to settle the compensation.

Rooney has also spoken to Williams to discuss the move and all parties have decided it is best he leaves now.

The Rams boss said of the move: “We’ve agreed a fee with a Premier League club for Dylan Williams – I couldn’t stand in the way of his opportunity.”

Derby have also received offers for midfielder Louis Sibley this month.

But the club’s administrators have prevented him from leaving, stating they are keen to maintain the current playing squad.

And although Derby are under a transfer embargo, that could be about to change.

Carlisle Capital have made a bid to buy the club that meets the administrator’s asking price.

Williams could become Chelsea’s first signing of the January transfer window though the Blues are also said to be keen on Mathijs de Ligt.

Photo Credit: COBHAMrpt247/Twitter

Arsenal handed free-scoring Serie A striker’s blow, identify alternative goal poacher

There are reports that Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic.

Juventus have offered ยฃ58m for the striker, as well as Dejan Kulusevski, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Get Football News Italy.

And the report also suggest the 21-year-old favours a move to Juventus.

Kulusevski has been linked with a move away from Juve in recent weeks, with the club now looking to use him in part-exchange to sign Vlahovic.

Arsenal could reportedly look to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin, should their attempts to capture Dusan Vlahovic fail.

The Gunners are continuing to monitor the Everton striker, who they have been linked with in the past, according to talkSPORT.

Time is running out to seal a deal for Vlahovic, and the club may be forced into looking elsewhere if progress cannot be made.

That could be in the form of Calvert-Lewin, who has scored three goals in five Prem games this campaign.

The striker has been hampered by injury this season, but has been linked with the Gunners in recent months.

And interest could resurface if a negotiations for Vlahovic reach an impasse.

Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa set to join France veteran at Serie A club

Salernitana are reportedly making a bid for Diego Costa, so could combine him with Franck Ribery after Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic vetoed a transfer.

The 33-year-old is a free agent after terminating his contract with Atletico Mineiro by mutual consent.

Formerly of Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Braga among others, the centre-forward has been linked with Newcastle United, Arsenal and Corinthians.

An intriguing option could be his first Serie A experience with Salernitana, especially as itโ€™d give him the chance to play alongside fellow veteran Ribery.

Salernitana are currently rock bottom of Serie A, but have been taken over by a new owner who is eager to revitalise the squad.

According to Radio Kiss Kiss and Sportitalia, Salernitana have approached Costa via new director of sport Walter Sabatini.

He was the man who had already brokered a deal with Costa to sign him for Bologna last summer, but it didnโ€™t happen because coach Mihajlovic vetoed the move.