Tottenham and Newcastle are considering a January swoop for defender Fikayo Tomori, talkSPORT understands.
West Ham and Brentford are also keen on the former Chelsea centre-back amid his recent struggles at AC Milan.
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Milan centre-back Tomori could make a return to England after four years awayCredit: Getty
Tomori was a regular for the Italian giants after signing in January 2021, initially on loan from the Blues before a permanent move was completed.
However, he has made only six starts in Serie A this season and has made just three substitute appearances since October 6.
In the last ten Serie A matches, Tomori has managed just 13 minutes on the field.
Spurs have experienced major shortages in defence in recent weeks with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven both out injured.
It’s meant young midfielder Archie Gray has had to deputise at centre-back in the last five Premier League games which has seen Spurs ship 13 goals.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is also said to be eyeing a move for Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
A move to Spurs would see him compete for a starting spot with Guglielmo Vicario, who’s currently sidelined with an ankle injury.
The experienced Fraser Forster has played in his absence, but has conceded 15 goals in seven league outings.
Newcastle have been on the lookout for a new centre-back in recent windows having tried to sign Crystal Palace and England star Marc Guehi in the summer.
The Magpies had their advances rebuffed by Palace despite putting in a club-record £65million bid in for Guehi.
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Tomori graduated from Chelsea’s famed Cobham academy, making his first-team debut aged 19 in May 2015Credit: Getty – Contributor
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Tomori has struggled for game time at the San Siro in recent monthsCredit: Getty
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He has started just six matches in the Italian top-flight this term
It’s also been reported that Newcastle were looking to bring Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah to St James’ Park in exchange for Anthony Gordon, however talks broke down.
Tomori could represent a more likely for Newcastle, although the player is contracted at Milan until June 2027.
Meanwhile, West Ham and Brentford are in the market to bolster their backline having both conceded 35 goals from their 19 Premier League outings this term.
Tomori rose through the ranks at Chelsea’s esteemed Cobham academy and made his senior debut in 2016.
The 27-year-old featured 27 times in total for the west London club before he left for Milan, with whom he won the Serie A title in 2022.
The Canada-born defender has five senior England caps to his name – his last coming in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta in November 2023.
Suspended Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran risks further punishment following a charge from the Football Association.
The striker was controversially shown a straight red card in Villa’s 3-0 defeat against Newcastle on Boxing Day for violent conduct.
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Duran was sent off for violent conduct against NewcastleCredit: Getty
Duran appeared to stamp on the back of Fabian Schar, although some fans believed the decision was harsh given the forward was off-balance.
Villa‘s appeal was dismissed and Duran is currently serving a three-match ban.
However, salt has been rubbed into the wounds after the FA announced he has been charged for his behaviour following the red card.
Duran was seen kicking a water bottle in frustration on the touchline before being dragged down the tunnel by a member of staff.
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“Jhon Duran has been charged following the Premier League fixture between Newcastle United and Aston Villa on Thursday 26 December 2024,” a statement read.
“It’s alleged that the Aston Villa forward acted in an improper manner in the 32nd minute of the fixture, after being sent off.
“Jhon Duran has until Friday 3 January 2025 to provide a response.”
Moments after the Duran red card, Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall clashed with the Villa bench in an incident which is still being investigated.
Villa boss Unai Emery gave his assessment of Duran’s incident after when he said: “His reaction after with the player over him was, ‘Sorry, sorry’.
“Then we can try to analyse if he kicked him or not. I think he didn’t kick him on purpose.”
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Duran lost his cool after the red cardCredit: Getty
Duran’s first match out through suspension came on Monday night in Villa’s 2-2 draw against Brighton.
His charge comes after Matheus Cunha was handed a two-match ban for misconduct in Wolves’ defeat to Ipswich Town on December 14.
The striker was involved in a physical altercation with an Ipswich member of staff at full-time.
“The forward was charged with misconduct and it was alleged that he acted in an improper manner after the final whistle,” the FA said.
“He admitted the charge and the sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission.
“Full written reasons for this case will be published in due course.”
Ruben Amorim doesn’t appear to be ruling out relegation and says it’s a ‘fact’ that his Manchester United side can’t play the way he wants them to.
Old Trafford witnessed a dismal 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Monday night that sees the Premier League giants lie 14th in the table.
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United were beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle to end 2024 on a sour noteCredit: Getty
United have suffered nine defeats in the Premier League this season and have lost in their last four outings across all competitions.
Just seven points separates them and the bottom three, with rivals Liverpool a whopping 23 points ahead of them at the top.
The prospect of relegation, despite how unlikely it may be for a club of United’s stature, has slowly become a talking point in the past week.
History shows that their current Premier League standing could be the downfall of the 13-time winners this season.
READ MORE ON MANCHESTER UNITED
Four teams in English top flight history who have sat 14th in the table at the turn of a new year have then been relegated.
Newcastle were the first side to do so in the 2008/09 season before Burnley followed suit a year later.
Norwich suffered the same fate in the 2013/14 campaign, with Leeds the latest club following their relegation in 2023.
United could therefore be staring down the barrel of Championship football next season, although they have another 19 matches to improve.
It’s a situation that head coach Amorim is certainly aware of as he told talkSPORT: “I’m really concerned.
“If you see the league, it’s really tough, every team has the possibility to win games, so we have to be really honest with our supporters.
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Amorim hasn’t shied away from a potential relegation scrapCredit: Getty
“And especially with our players, we will fight for our lives, we have to continue.”
He added: “A really tough moment. One of the most difficult moments, I think, in the history of Manchester United. And we lost again at home. So that is a fact.
“And you have to continue to believe and to work. That is the only way to improve.”
When asked if his playing system which favours three at the back is working, Amorim said: “I think that is a fact and that is true [that it’s not working].
“But I cannot change my idea in one day because they will lose so much more now.
“So I will try to do the way that I am trying to do. I adapt for every game, the positioning, the way you press.
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“I’m trying to cope with all that without training. So it’s really hard on them. But I will maintain my idea that I want to play a certain way until the end, because I think if I change everything now, we are going to lose everything.”
United conceded the first goal of the night just four minutes into the match when Alexander Isak was allowed to head in unmarked.
Joelinton scored Newcastle’s second in the 19th minute to only add to the tension from the home fans inside Old Trafford.
Joshua Zirkzee was substituted ahead of half-time for Kobbie Mainoo and met with sarcastic cheers from United supporters.
Club legend Gary Neville called it ‘brutal’ before boos rang out at the end of the first half following a dismal performance.
United improved in the second half but could only see out the match with a two-goal disadvantage and therefore lose again.
Why Man United and INEOS refused to hire Ruben Amorim in the summer
Their opening matches of 2025 are anything but easy as Liverpool host them at Anfield before a trip to Arsenal in the FA Cup.
It looks set to be a testing few months for United, who have ended 2024 with a whimper.
It leaves United sitting 14th in the table and closer to the relegation zone than a place in the Champions League spots.
A win is a must, but Newcastle are not a team you want to face at the moment, with Eddie Howe‘s side winning their last three with ease.
Man United vs Newcastle: Predicted line-ups
The home side will be missing their captain Bruno Fernandes for this game after he was sent off against Wolves.
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Fernandes is serving a one-match suspension after being given his marching orders at Molineux having picked up two yellow cards.
On top of that, Manuel Ugarte, who has started every league game since the start of December is also banned.
He’s picked up five yellow cards before the threshold changes next week, so he has to sit out at Old Trafford.
It means Amorim is going to have to change his midfield for this game, with Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho potentially coming in.
Casemiro seems the likely replacement for Ugarte in midfield while Garnacho should slot in next to Amad Diallo.
They will be behind Rasmus Hojlund, as Christian Eriksen takes Kobbie Mainoo’s place in a deeper role.
Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot are expected to be at wing-back again, but Leny Yoro could lose his place at centre-back.
The teenager was hooked after an hour against Wolves and Matthijs De Ligt may come in next to Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire.
Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are out injured while Marcus Rashford remains out of Amorim’s plans.
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United skipper Bruno Fernandes was sent off at Molineux to make it a match to forgetCredit: PA
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Amorim will be forced into two unwanted changes
As for Newcastle, there’s not much Howe will want to change.
His side have won their last three Premier League games 4-0, 4-0 and 3-0, and they’re showing no signs of stopping.
Martin Dubravka has covered superbly for the injured Nick Pope while a back four of Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall and Valentino Livramento have been brilliant.
Livramento was ill last time out and couldn’t feature, but there will be hopes that he’s back for this game on Monday.
A midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton should keep their place ahead of Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff.
And in front of them, the in-form Jacob Murphy will be on the right with Anthony Gordon on the left.
Alexander Isak is, of course, going to lead the line after scoring seven in his last five league games.
Harvey Barnes will be waiting for a start on the bench, while Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are out injured.
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Newcastle have hit top form over the festive period
No team has lost more Premier League games since the start of December than Manchester United (4). They last lost more league games in a single calendar month back in September 1962 (5).
Newcastle have won their last three Premier League games by an aggregate score of 11-0. They last won four in a row in March/April 2023 (5), while they last did so without conceding in April 2012.
Manchester United have lost four of their last five Premier League games, going down 3-0 against Bournemouth and 2-0 against Wolves in their last two. The Red Devils haven’t lost three consecutive league games without scoring since May 2015.
Man United vs Newcastle: What has been said?
Amad has shown his dedication to success at Man United by telling Amorim he will play in goal if he has to.
The Ivorian has been deployed in multiple positions this season and he’s willing to step into any place for the team.
He told MUTV: “In football, this can happen. Don’t be focused on only one position.
“Sometimes you can play as a defender, sometimes as a striker. Wherever the manager puts me I’m ready to fight for the team.”
“I just want to play, right wing, number 10, anywhere.
“I say to the manager if you need me as a ‘keeper I’m ready to do my best, I will fight for the team and for my team-mates.
“I want to make history for this club.”
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Amad is willing to play anywhere for his teamCredit: Getty
Alexander Isak has scored in each of his last five Premier League games, with Joe Willock the last Newcastle player to score in six in a row (a run of seven ending in May 2021). Isak has also scored 24 Premier League goals in 2024, with only Alan Shearer netting more in a calendar year for the Magpies (27 in 2002).
Manchester United have lost just one of their last 39 home league games against Newcastle (W28 D10), going down 1-0 in December 2013 under David Moyes.
Newcastle have won two of their last three Premier League games against Manchester United (L1), as many as they had in their previous 16 against them (D4 L10).
Man United vs Newcastle: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Monday, December 30.
Kick-off at Old Trafford is scheduled for 8pm.
talkSPORT will have EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the game presented by Adrian Durham.
Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former England midfielder Danny Murphy.
Nuno Espirito Santo will rival Arne Slot to win the Premier League’s Manager of the Year award.
That’s the view of ex-Chelsea defender Jason Cundy, who has waxed lyrical over the 50-year-old with Nottingham Forest to spend Christmas in the top four.
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Santo has guided Forest to fourth in the table after 17 Premier League matchesCredit: Getty
Refusing to go away, the Reds, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, are fourth in the table following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brentford.
The City Ground outfit now sit five points behind leaders Liverpool having won nine out of their 17 top-flight matches.
As for Newcastle, it’s now three wins in a week as they eased to a 4-0 win over struggling Ipswich – with Alexander Isak grabbing a hat-trick.
The striker’s treble has seen him become the first Swedish star since Arsenal icon Freddie Ljungberg in 2003 to score a top-flight hat-trick.
But Portsmouth forward Callum Lang went one better in Pompey’s 4- 1 victory over Frank Lampard’s Coventry.
The 26-year-old scored all four of his side’s goals at Fratton Park to send John Mousinho’s side up to 20th in the Championship.
And it proved to be another horror match for Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team.
The Citizens lost 2-1 away at Aston Villa to drop down into sixth spot having lost nine out of their last 12 in all competitions.
Like City, Ipswich have been used to defeats of late as they remain in the bottom three, while a certain fan’s astonishing claim shocked talkSPORT co-hosts Cundy and Jamie O’Hara.
Here, talkSPORT duo Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy reveal their winners and losers from Saturday’s action on the Game-Day Phone-In.
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Guardiola’s City are a far cry from what they have been in recent seasonsCredit: Getty
Winners
Callum Lang
Portsmouth have struggled all season in England’s second-tier, but have Lang to thank for why they are not in the bottom three.
The 26-year-old, who is on nine goals for the season, has banged in five times in his last three outings – helping his side scoop six points out of nine.
And his masterclass on Saturday left Cundy and former Tottenham midfielder O’Hara almost speechless.
Cundy said: “Callum Lang scores four goals for Pompey, they were 1-0 down, he gets all four, they win 4-1.
“We don’t often dip our toes down in the Championship, but four goals!”
Meanwhile O’Hara simply stated: “Fair play.”
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Lang was the star of the show for Mourinho’s Portsmouth against CoventryCredit: PA
Alexander Isak
The 25-year-old continues to show why he is regarded as one of Europe’s best strikers on current form.
Isak, linked with moves to Arsenal and Chelsea in 2025, has ten Premier League goals from 15 fixtures this term.
He has found the back of the net in each of his last four top-flight outings, with his display against Ipswich one of the performances of the campaign so far.
Cundy said of his display: “Isak, he got himself a hat-trick, he got his first goal inside 25 seconds. It was punishing for Ipswich.”
Interjecting, O’Hara quipped: “Was you playing centre-half?”
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Isak has been directly involved in 14 league goals from 15 matches this campaign
Nuno Espirito Santo
From being sacked at Tottenham in 2021 after just 17 games to guiding Forest away from relegation and into an unlikely title race, Nuno Espirito Santo take a bow.
His rampant Reds side inflicted a first home defeat on Brentford this season – and now sit just two points behind third-placed Arsenal.
And Cundy believes that if Forest can continue their form into 2025, then Santo could be named as the Manager of the Season.
O’Hara said of Santo: “He’s doing an unbelievable job Nuno.”
Cundy meanwhile remarked: “Nuno Espirito Santo, you talk about managers of the year.
“You’re going to be talking about [Enzo] Maresca, Nuno and [Arne] Slot right now, all of those are in the conversation.
“So well done him.”
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Forest sit fourth in the table at Christmas – just months after avoiding relegationCredit: Getty
Losers
Pep Guardiola
Things just aren’t going right for City at the moment, who are looking a far cry of the side that have won four league titles in a row.
It’s now three consecutive defeats following losses to Manchester United and Juventus, while City have won just one out of their last eight league games.
And City’s form is music to the ears of Cundy and O’Hara, who have watched the Etihad outfit destroy their beloved Chelsea and Spurs teams in recent years.
Cundy said: “Pep Guardiola has got a season ticket at the moment, he’s there every week, he turns up on the losers [list].
“Pep, every week he’s in the losers, every week!”
O’Hara then joked: “Nine losses out of 12, that’s worse than my record at Billericay!”
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Guardiola’s City side sit nine points behind Liverpool, who have two games in hand over themCredit: Getty
Every manager is sackable! Jason Cundy insists Pep Guardiola could be sacked by Man City!
Ipswich fans
It’s been a difficult season so far for Ipswich who are competing in their first Premier League season in 22 years.
While they have impressed many with their style of play, they have won just two matches, and have scored just 16 goals – the third lowest in the division.
And to the surprise of Cundy and O’Hara, Portman Road was getting more empty by the minute as Newcastle romped to victory in Suffolk.
Cundy said: “Ipswich Town fans, they’re a good bunch down there, but they were disappointing. There were lots of empty seats.”
O’Hara then added: “They’ve been waiting over 20 years, then they’re getting pumped, and they’re leaving? Come on lads.”
Cundy then stated: “We know how ruthless the Premier League is, and they’re finding out.”
Having the final say, O’Hara then said: “You couldn’t get a ticket at the start of the season! It’s not good enough.”
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Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has overseen just two Premier League wins from 17 matchesCredit: Getty
talkSPORT caller Gareth (Derby County fan)
If there’s one thing you don’t do as a football fans, it’s cheer on your arch-rivals.
But that’s not the case for Derby fan Gareth, who phoned up talkSPORT to state he is hoping that Forest will finish the season as champions.
It’s safe to say his view had Cundy and O’Hara shaking their heads in disbelief – earning him a place in talkSPORT’s losers list.
Cundy of the supporter: “And finally, it’s Gareth, the caller, the Derby County/Nottingham Forest fan.
“Wanting Forest to win the Premier League – phoned up – he’s got nothing better to do on a Saturday than to phone up (and praise Forest).”
O’Hara then quipped: “Disgrace. And he was with his wife! I think we put Claire in there as well, just for being a part of it.”
Premier League results – December 21
Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City
West Ham 1-1 Brighton
Ipswich 0-4 Newcastle
Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal
In the Premier League’s two other fixtures, West Ham were held to a 1-1 draw with Brighton at the London Stadium.
Meanwhile Arsenal got back to winning ways against Crystal Palace following draws with Fulham and Everton.
The Gunners ran riot at Selhurst Park as they eased to a 5-1 victory, but it came at a price, with Bukayo Saka going off with a hamstring injury in the first half.
And there are five games taking place on Sunday, with Everton hosting Chelsea, Manchester United at home against Bournemouth, Fulham to welcome Southampton to Craven Cottage and Wolves travelling to Leicester.
Liverpool then pit their wits against Tottenham at Anfield knowing anything but a win could see Chelsea leapfrog them in the table.
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This is how the Premier League table looks heading into Sunday’s fixtures
Another batch of Premier League madness featuring late winners, a red card and title race drama was on display on Saturday.
Five matches up and down the country produced a total of 14 goals, with the hectic festive schedule now well underway.
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Newcastle were the top scorers in the Premier League on SaturdayCredit: Getty
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Liverpool could only extend their lead at the top of the table by a pointCredit: Getty
Arsenal failed to overtake Chelsea as they drew 0-0 with Everton and ten-man Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham.
Newcastle United thrashed Leicester City 4-0 whilst Ipswich Town won their second game of the season with a stoppage-time winner at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The evening kick-off was arguably the best of the lot as Nottingham Forest came from behind and beat Aston Villa 2-1.
With huge results occurring at both the top and bottom of the table, talkSPORT duo Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy reveal their winners and losers from Saturday’s matches on the GameDay Phone-In…
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Winners
Antonee Robinson
Robinson was one of the stars in a Fulham side that took the lead on two occasions against Liverpool at Anfield.
The left-back was tasked with a battle against one of the best players so far this season in Mohamed Salah and emerged as the victor.
Cundy said: “Antonee Robinson, left-back for Fulham. He’s an up and downer with quality…
“He had two assists today, but his all-round performance up against arguably, I mean probably, the best right-hand sided player in the Premier League for many a year, if not the very, very best.”
He added: “I’m talking about the very best right now, Salah, kept him very quiet. I know they go down to ten men, Liverpool, made it that much trickier, but take nothing away from his performance, I thought he was the best player on the pitch.”
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Robinson performed excellently for Fulham against SalahCredit: Getty
Jacob Murphy and Eddie Howe
Newcastle returned to St. James’ Park in desperate need of three points following a winless run of four matches in the Premier League.
The Magpies excelled against Leicester with their highest score of the season, with Murphy their first and fourth goals of the afternoon.
“Jacob Murphy gets two goals,” Cundy said, before heaping praise on the Newcastle boss. “Eddie Howe, his post-match presser there, he was talking about performances, how they need to be a bit more like that.
“Been a bit frustrating this season for Newcastle but they dispatched a side like Leicester where you should be doing that.
“That doesn’t always happen like that in football, but four flattered Leicester, I mean [Alexander] Isak missed a great one v one by the way, it was a poor finish by his standards.
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Newcastle inflicted a heavy defeat on Leicester with four goalsCredit: Getty
“It could have been five, could have been six, could have been more, but well done Newcastle, they’re in that clutch in behind the top four at the moment.”
Jack Taylor
Ipswich have taken a huge step towards climbing out of the Premier League relegation zone with a precious win away at Wolves.
A Matt Doherty own-goal put them ahead in the first half before an unmarked header from Taylor in stoppage-time sealed the deal.
Cundy explained: “Finally, Jack Taylor. Late, late, late, late goal which secures Ipswich [the win], massive.
“All the Tractor Boys heading back down to Suffolk right now will be… It’s one of those games, you know, that’s why you follow football, late winners like that.”
Furious Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri carried off the pitch by teammate Craig Dawson after another full-time fight
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Ipswich beat fellow strugglers Wolves in dramatic fashionCredit: Getty
“It’s a free header, it’s a poor defensively conceded goal,” he added. “Take nothing away from Taylor. He’s there, right place, right time, well done Ipswich.”
Losers
Andy Robertson and Tony Harrington
Liverpool went down to ten men after just 16 minutes against Fulham after Robertson was dismissed for his tackle on Wilson.
He was adjudged to have denied a goalscoring opportunity, but Cundy believes referee Harrington is also worthy of being a loser this week.
“He’s in there, but [put] Tony Harrington in there mate as well, the ref, mate,” he said.
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Robertson’s dismissal meant Liverpool had one less player for most of the matchCredit: Getty
“So Robertson’s out?” asked O’Hara, and Cundy replied: “I don’t know about that mate. I’d like to hear a conversation in a quiet, dark room between the pair of them. Andy Robertson’s gone in there because…
“He got himself in a right mess by the way, it’s a poor tackle from him. Positionally, he’s given the referee a decision to make. [Harry] Wilson does well… I don’t think it’s a red card.
“When you give the ref a decision to make, they sometimes make decisions you don’t want them to make so he’s in but half in, him and Harrington can share it.”
Gary O’Neil
Wolves boss O’Neil has come under increasing pressure of late as his side have won only twice all season.
Defeat at home to Ipswich leaves them four points adrift of safety and talkSPORT’s GameDay Phone-In hosts have expressed concern over his position as head coach.
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O’Neil oversaw yet another defeat as Wolves crumbled late onCredit: Getty
“Oh Gaz, Gaz. That’s a terrible result for them, even 1-1 would have been great, a decision will have to be made very soon about that.
“Look, Gary’s been in football all his life, he knows the story, he’s not stupid, he knows what position he’s in, I fear for the safety of him moving forward because they look like they’re doomed at the moment.”
O’Hara said: “I think it might be time just to make a change, and it ain’t because he’s a bad manager…
“I think he’s a brilliant young manager,” Cundy then insisted. “I think he’ll go on to be brilliant. I think we’ll see him in the Premier League for many years to come.”
Mikel Arteta
Arsenal had to settle for a sixth league draw of the season as they were unable to find a way past the struggling Everton at home.
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Arsenal and Arteta dropped further points at the top end of the tableCredit: Getty
Set piece goals have worked wonders for them of late but did not make a recurrence on Saturday, with one of Arteta’s substitutions being questioned.
“Got to go in there, bottled it!” former Tottenham man O’Hara shouted.
“People are talking about taking off Rice and [Odegaard], Odegaard’s the one,” said Cundy.
“I get Rice, Jorginho comes on, Jorginho’s a different type of midfielder than Rice, I get that, he’s a bit more creative than Rice.
“The Odegaard thing, the only thing I can think about with Odegaard is that he’s come back from injury about the last month. He’s played a lot of football, he’s been brilliant for them, really, really good, but when you need a goal, you want your top dog.
“Unless there’s a knock, unless we’re doing him a disservice, unless there is a niggle, which it didn’t appear to be the way he came off, I thought that was a very odd decision.”
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Arsenal and Arteta dropped further points at the top end of the tableCredit: Getty
There’s still plenty more action to come this weekend, including the derby between Manchester City and Manchester United on Sunday.
Brighton host Crystal Palace before Chelsea face Brentford and Southampton are at home to Tottenham, with Bournemouth vs West Ham coming on Monday night, live on talkSPORT.
Sandro Tonali’s time at Newcastle could up due to a lack of game time following his return from suspension.
Tonali missed a large part of his first season at St. James’ Park after being handed a ten-month ban for breaching betting regulations.
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Sandro Tonali has started 6 Premier League games this seasonCredit: Getty
His offence predated his time on Tyneside with Newcastle bosses spending most of their summer budget to bring him in from the San Siro.
He has lacked consistent game time since his return from suspension, leading to rumours about his future at the club.
Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport reports that his troubles at Newcastle mean he wants to leave his ‘beloved AC Milan.’
He has made 13 appearances in the Premier League this season, starting from the bench seven times, totalling just 650 minutes.
Speaking earlier this year, the former Milan man opened up about his difficult debut season in England.
He said: “Last year was a very hard, but very productive journey. I will always carry with me the memory of the year I spent off the field because it is right not to forget it.
“I think when a player trains all week without his ultimate goal, which is the game, he finds a sense of emptiness within himself.
“It wasn’t easy to be away from home for the first year without playing an official game, but just trying to maintain fitness. That was the challenge I had to take as seriously as possible.”
The 24-year-old has recently been used as a defensive midfielder, a move that has produced some stronger performances from him.
Tonali’s rumoured appetite for a move away from the Premier League has ‘caught the attention’ of AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, the report adds.
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Sandro has struggled for form this season so far
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Newcastle signed Tonali for £55m, making him the most expensive Italian player of all timeCredit: Getty
However, his salary could prove problematic for some, at £9million per season, a figure that is off the radar for some Italian clubs.
Tonali returned to the San Siro last month for Italy’s 3-1 defeat to France and was welcomed by the home fans.
This warm reception could just be the invitation he was after, with rumours now suggesting he could make a permanent switch as Newcastle look to find ways to free up financial wiggle room.
Newcastle are braced for a January bid from Manchester City for star midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
While City are not usually big spenders in the winter window, they are expected to back manager Pep Guardiola after he committed his future to the Etihad Stadium last month.
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Isak and Guimaraes could also be on their way outCredit: Getty
Replacing the injured Rodri is seen by Guardiola as key to getting the champions’ stuttering season back on track and Guimaraes featured prominently on their list of summer targets.
talkSPORT has been told Newcastle remain under pressure to sell players to avoid breaching Premier League spending rules with Guimaraes and Alexander Isak are their two most lucrative assets.
Some fans may welcome seeing the back of Tonali, but selling the more beloved Guimaraes and Isak will not go down well with the Newcastle faithful.
Newcastle’s next game is against Leicester on Saturday at St James’ Park.
The Toon currently sit in 12th place in the Premier League table with 20 points after 15 matches played.
Simon Jordan and Martin Keown clash over whether Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali’s ban should be longer after FA Charges
Manchester United could be tempted to cash-in on defender Lisandro Martinez if Real Madrid step up their interest in the World Cup winner.
Martinez is one of a number of Premier League stars being tracked by the Spanish giants, along with top summer target and Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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Martinez is yet to play in Spain in his careerCredit: Getty
While Martinez is seen as a fan favourite in the eyes of many United followers and viewed as one of the few success stories from recent transfer windows, talkSPORT understands the Argentine is not considered off limits for any potential buyer.
The Red Devils are keen to keep young stars Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, and Alejandro Garnacho, but are open to offers for virtually every other player to help stay on the right side of PSR rules.
This includes England forward Marcus Rashford, who has previously been linked with PSG.
While it’s unlikely a deal of that magnitude can be done in January, the Red Devils are willing to consider selling their £300,000-a-week academy poster boy after several months of poor performances and concerns over his off-field lifestyle.
Los Blancos have also identified Martinez’s Old Trafford teammate Diogo Dalot and Tottenham’s Pedro Porro as a potential Trent Alexander-Arnold alternative. They also have a long-standing interest in Spurs star Cristian Romero.
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Ancelotti and co have their eyes on the Premier League defendersCredit: Getty
We do talk about Bruno
Newcastle are braced for a January bid from Manchester City for star midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
While City are not usually big spenders in the winter window, they are expected to back manager Pep Guardiola after he committed his future to the Etihad Stadium last month.
Replacing the injured Rodri is seen by Guardiola as key to getting the champions’ stuttering season back on track and Guimaraes featured prominently on their list of summer targets.
talkSPORT has been told Newcastle remain under pressure to sell players to avoid breaching Premier League spending rules and Guimaraes and Alexander Isak are their two most lucrative assets.
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The Brazilian is a fan favourite at St. James’ ParkCredit: Getty
Patient Potter
Graham Potter remains on standby to make his managerial return at West Ham, with Julen Lopetegui still on thin ice even after Monday’s much-needed win over Wolves.
Lopetegui would almost certainly have been fired had the Hammers failed to come out on top in a game dubbed ‘El Sackico’ with both Lopetegui and Wolves counterpart Gary O’Neil under immense pressure.
While the Hammers’ Jarrod Bowen-inspired win should earn Lopetegui a stay of execution, several board members are unconvinced by the Spaniard, who faces a crunch run of games between now and the end of the month against Bournemouth, Brighton, Southampton and Liverpool.
talkSPORT understands a deal for Potter to replace Lopetegui initially until the end of the season will stay on the table, with the ex-Brighton boss keen to get back to work 20 months after being axed by Chelsea.
Lopetegui has had several dressing room fallouts with players since replacing David Moyes in the summer.
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Potter has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023Credit: Getty
¡Bienvenido!
Brighton’s latest South American star has jetted into the UK to complete his £14m move from David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
Both clubs have confirmed a deal for midfielder Diego Gomez to swap playing alongside Lionel Messi to join the Seagulls, in a switch set up in the summer to be completed in January.
The 21-year-old is a key part of the Paraguay side that are on the cusp of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and looks another smart piece of business by Brighton owner Tony Bloom.
Brighton already have Gomez’s Paraguay teammate Julio Enciso on their books, as well as Argentine Facundo Buonanotte and Brazilians Igor and Joao Pedro and Colombian Pervis Estupinan – giving the dressing room at the Amex Stadium a distinctly Latino feel.
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Gomez made 28 appearances for Miami last seasonCredit: GETTY
Fulham boss Marco Silva has recalled Andreas Pereira to the matchday squad for tonight’s clash against Brighton.
Brazilian Pereira found himself in hot water with Cottagers fans after an interview regarding his potential summer exit surfaced earlier this week.
The former Manchester United star apologised for ‘his unprofessional conduct’ and he was subsequently axed from the 1-1 draw with Tottenham.
Silva described that move as a ‘technical decision’ and insisted it wasn’t to do with his interview, but he remained pre-match.
He told Amazon: “There is not just Andreas [on the bench tonight]. There are eight more players also on the bench.”.
Silva has made three changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Tottenham.
He added: “The games are coming thick and fast, after tonight we have not even 72 hours to recover for the next game. December is always like that. You have to manage the load of some players. So that and the suspensions and the strategy we want to play to be at our best level means that we made some changes.”
Rodrigo Muniz replaces Raul Jimenez up front, while there are also starts for Timothy Castagne and Harry Wilson.
Castagne starts for Fulham on his 29th birthday – the oldest player to appear on his birthday in the Premier League for the Cottagers since Steve Sidwell v Everton in December 2013 (31st).
Wilson is making his 50th Premier League start tonight – just 200 shy of the number Brighton captain Lewis Dunk will bring in.
However, Danny Welbeck, who captained the Seagulls last Friday in Dunk’s absence, has not been included in the matchday squad.
