By JOEY SAMUEL
In a match where both teams needed three points, London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea each had to settle for one as they played to a 1-1 draw. Emmanuel Adebayor scored to put Spurs up in the 8th minute, only for Chelsea to equalize through Daniel Sturridge fifteen minutes later.
Each team were left feeling they should have won, however, as Didier Drogba hit the post on one occasion and Adebayor let numerous chances go in the closing minutes.
The game was marked by the outstanding play of Chelsea defender John Terry, who had just learned he would be charged for recent racist remarks. Terry was solid throughout, and even cleared a late Adebayor shot off the line to preserve a point for his team.
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GALAXY SIGN THIRD HOMEGROWN PLAYER
The Los Angeles Galaxy added depth to an ever-changing midfield on Thursday, signing their third-ever Homegrown Player in 18-year-old Jose Villarreal.
With Juninho not returning in 2012 and the David Beckham situation still up in the air, the Galaxy pulled the trigger on the talented young midfielder, who has experience with U.S. youth national teams. Villarreal was a part of the U-23 camp held in Germany in November, and he played for the U-18s in the Milk Cup in July.
Villarreal joins Jack McBean as Homegrown Players on the Galaxy roster. Los Angeles was the first-ever team to sign a team directly from their academy when they signed Tristan Bowen in 2008.
BARCELONA DROPS NINE IN COPA DEL REY ROUT
When Barcelona drew L'Hospitalet in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey, there weren't many people who put the result in doubt. But few could have predicted what the third-division minnows would be subjected to on Thursday.
Barcelona, with a team made up largely of youth-team players, picked apart L'Hospitalet en route to a 9-0 final score. Pedro, Iniesta, and Xavi each got their names on the score sheet, while Thiago, Cristian Tello, and Isaac Cuenca each added braces. Lowly L'Hospitalet, who hail from a suburb of Barcelona, were defeated 10-0 on aggregate.
The win didn't come without a price for Barcelona, as Iniesta picked up a knock that could keep him out for two weeks.
Also held Thursday was the draw for the remaining rounds of the Copa del Rey. Barcelona drew Osasuna, while rivals Real Madrid drew Malaga. If each team wins that matchup, the eternal rivals would face off in the quarterfinals.
TOURE NAMED AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Yaya Toure was awarded for his outstanding play in 2011 on Thursday as he was named the CAF African Player of the Year. Chosen by coaches of the continent's national teams, Toure edged Barcelona's Seydou Keita and Marseille's Andre Ayew for the award.
Toure joined Manchester City from Barcelona in 2010 and has since flourished, helping the Citizens capture the FA Cup earlier this year. City are also atop the Premier League table this season. Toure will look to translate that success into a good showing for his native Ivory Coast, who will take part in the African Cup of Nations early next year.