The fact that Dean Smith's dad, a former Aston Villa steward, doesn't know his son is the head coach of the club he supports due to dementia has me a little choked up this morning. Such a cruel illness
Ben White to Arsenal is a deal that suits all parties I think. Brighton get a massive £50m fee for a player playing in L2 three years ago. Arsenal get one of the best prospects in English football. White gets a chance to help bring the good times back to a great club
A section of the Brentford fans sing 'You let your country down' in the direction of Harry Kane. Sparks boos from travelling Spurs supporters, who sing 'He's one of our own' and then take aim at Ivan Toney with 'Toney, what's the odds?' and 'You're getting sacked in the morning'
After his press conference today, Chris Hughton came up to me to ask how the birth of my son had gone. Had no idea he knew and was very touched that he thought to ask. We all know what a gentleman he is but still, that was very classy of him so I thought I would share it
Tariq Lamptey has asked to be left out of the England Under-21 squad after being approached by Ghana to switch allegiances, Young Lions boss Lee Carsley has revealed. Full story on
@TheSunFootball
soon
Understand Aaron Ramsdale is "gutted" about his move to Arsenal breaking down. Sheffield United's asking fee proving too much for Arsenal who have informed the player they are now moving onto other targets
Impressive win from Newcastle. Signings have obviously been vital (what a player Guimaraes is) but the way Howe has transformed likes of Schar, Longstaff, Joelinton and, most notably, Almiron is stunning.
Roy Hodgson - spent £6m this summer. £9.5m last summer. Now up to fourth for what has been an amazing 2019, points wise. The man is a master at managing Premier League sides on shoestring budgets and doesn't get enough credit
#cpfc
On the Tino Livramento deal to Southampton, understand the buy-back clause for Chelsea is more than £25m. Sell-on clause too, set to join for around £5m, 5-year deal. Hat tip to
@AdrianJKajumba
for first reporting the story
Tariq Lamptey has received his first call-up to the England Under-21s squad. Eberechi Eze and Reece James have pulled out for upcoming qualifiers in Kosovo and Austria
Tottenham will put up a picture of Harry Pitman, the 16-year-old boy and Spurs fan tragically stabbed to death on NYE, on their big screens during the 16th minute of Friday's FA Cup game v Burnley, with the family's blessing, during a planned, fan-led minute's applause
Have now seen all
@SkyBetChamp
sides live this season - so here's how I think the league would be if it was solely down to how entertaining each side is to watch. NB: not all about possession and messing about with it at the back is a personal pet peeve.
Harry Kane applauds and waves to the crowd at the end of the game, after scoring four in Spurs' 5-1 win.
If this is to be his last game, would be quite fitting: scoring bucketfuls with his adoring fans singing his name to the rafters
England Under-21s were fabulous last night in front of the watching Gareth Southgate, with Emile Smith Rowe finally having something to smile about after his difficult year.
Report from Kutaisi plus boss Lee Carsley claims his side can still go up a gear
#afc
#under21euros
🏴
Ten years ago today,
#mufc
were reigning PL and CL champions.
#afcb
were on minus three points in League Two. On Saturday, Bournemouth host Man Utd two places above them in the Premier League
#howedidhedodit
On his wing-backs, with Emerson Royal suspended, Conte said: “I think Matthew played a good game (vs Brighton), he’s recovering good form and I’m really pleased about this. Djed Spence is improving and starting to understand which is the demands to stay at Tottenham.”
Looks like Hillsborough was literally bouncing again last night during that win against Newcastle. Still the best atmosphere I've experienced in English football was Wednesday's play-off semi-final v Brighton a few years ago
Ben White has been terrific this season, particularly the turn of the year (like the whole of the Brighton backline). Still confused how Lewis Dunk has been completely overlooked but good to see White recognised. I'd probably start him alongside Stones
Sheffield United away fans have been chanting their team's name for the last few minutes. Decent following again, just as it was at Reading in sub-zero temperatures. Both Sheffield clubs two of the best supported on the road in the Champ 👏🏻
FT: 2-0. Ten home wins in a row in all comps for Spurs now. Eight in the league. Three more in the PL out of their remaining five before the World Cup. Four of table-topping Arsenal's five are away. Not inconceivable Spurs could top the league by the time Qatar rolls around
Understand Crystal Palace are looking to turn Jean-Philippe Mateta's loan from Mainz permanent. The deal is not done yet but he seems to have won Patrick Vieira over in the last month or so with his performances
Aston Villa fans singing 'We're taking the p*ss" as they lead 2-0 against effectively Brighton's Under-21s. That Michael Owen, 'Well done, he's 13', video comes to mind
Crystal Palace pushing to sign Donny van de Beek on loan, as per
@FabrizioRomano
. Patrick Vieira has been wanting more experience brought in during this window. DVB the son-in-law of Vieira's old Arsenal team-mate Dennis Bergkamp
Understand Southampton have begun to chat to Ralph Hasenhuttl about a new 3-yr deal. Formal talks won't begin til survival is ensured - but I'm led to believe RH is keen to commit as he's bought in massively to the project at
#saintsfc
One player I wouldn't rule out from making a late charge to the England World Cup squad is Marc Guehi. Getting better with every game, impressing at Crystal Palace, well-liked within the system and now captain of the Under-21s.
Joel Veltman's move to Brighton didn't come with a lot of fanfare. But in Tariq Lamptey's absence, I think the Dutchman has been excellent. Savvy player who knows how to defend but also has a good delivery on him too
Neil Warnock would have been a shoo-in for manager of the season had he kept up Cardiff anyway due to their lack of resources. But given the tragic circumstances he's had to deal with, if he does it now it'll be one of the finest achievements in Premier League history
Aston Villa keen on Josh King, as per
@JPercyTelegraph
, but Bournemouth yet to receive a bid.
#afcb
open to letting King go for the right price as he only has 1yr left on his deal. Club don't want a repeat of the Ryan Fraser situation with a key player running down their contract
Great to see Aleksandar Mitrovic finally showing what he can do in the Premier League with a manager who really believes in him. Marco Silva quietly emerging as one of the managers of the season
So great to see Fulham finally get a win. They've deserved so much more this season than they've got, Parker has put together an exciting, hungry young side that just can't put the ball in the net - until now. If Josh Maja can follow this up against Burnley on Wednesday...
If the PL need a reminder as to why it's in their best interests £-wise to help the EFL during their darkest hour with no fans, look at Dean Henderson, who made his Man Utd debut last night. He's worth, what, £50m now? Largely cos of EFL loans to Grimsby, Shrewsbury & Sheff Utd
Antonio Conte is enjoying how "nasty" Richarlison is - and reveals he could play all four of the Brazilian, Kane, Son and Kulusevski from the start of some games this season
#thfc
FT
#bhafc
0-1
#twitterblades
. Sheffield United still yet to lose away from home since Jan 19 (haven't lost away in England in 13 months!) and could be one point off Champions League places come Christmas. Chris Wilder, the man can do no wrong
Hudson-Odoi looks electric. Obviously a different level to the PL but this is what we want to see, him taking on players, having the confidence to try things. Meanwhile, you might not know who Lee Buchanan is right now but can't imagine that will last long the way he's playing
Graham Potter has to take credit for Robert Sanchez's Spain call-up. How many other Premier League managers would have given the gloves to a goalkeeper with no top-flight experience during a relegation fight?
This is a beautiful tribute and one for which QPR deserve great credit. In the age of Sports Direct Arenas & Bet365s, though I know clubs are businesses not charities, it makes a welcome change to see one name their stadium in a way that can have a real positive impact on society
Understand Southampton do like and are monitoring Chelsea's Tino Anjorin, as per
@NizaarKinsella
and
@AdamNewson
, but a move in this window is unlikely. More a possible one for the summer (like most of Saints' targets at the moment)
Wilfried Zaha has been involved in all FIVE of Palace's goals. Cross for 1st, no-look pass in build-up for 2nd, run that led to og, one-two pass for 4th and amazing run for the 5th. "He's just to good for you" chant
#cpfc
fans. If this is to be his last game, what a way to go out
They may have lost but what an effort from
#htafc
and amazing support at the John Smith's. Was like that all last season, and why I loved covering matches there. So good to see them taking it up to the big league
What a mad stat this is: Newcastle have exactly the same record in the Premier League as they did last season at this point - even down to goals scored and conceded 🤯
#nufc
Conor Gallagher has been recalled by Chelsea from Charlton and is training with the Blues first team today. Discussions over his next loan move set to take place today or tomorrow
Dejan Kulusevski still seems to be finding his feet in Ange Postecoglou's system, but you can't say he's not working hard enough. The Swede has outrun every other Premier League player so far this season, clocking up a cumulative 47.07km
A smiling Son Heung-min on the front of our Goals supplement. The first Spurs player to score a Premier League hat-trick coming off the bench and the perfect response to being benched for the first time in two years for a league game when fully fit
If Steven Gerrard is watching, surely he will like what he's seeing from Jacob Ramsey. The Villa midfielder has been excellent tonight. Super passing, great drive from midfield and ability to nick possession
Re Dan Burn and Newcastle, I'm told he's quite relaxed about the situation. He'd be interested in going back to the NE but he's also settled on the South Coast. Bid rejected on Weds was around £8m, probably take around £12-15m to get him. Down to
#nufc
now, could go to the wire
Roger East has made three shocking decisions regarding penalties today. No1) Moutinho looked to get the ball but pen given. 2) Mepham handball but pen not given. 3) Fraser fouled outside the box but pen given.
Barring Peru v Denmark in Saransk at the WC (Peru fans were off the scale), this is the best atmosphere I've ever encountered at a match. Ground was rocking
Bolton out of the relegation zone - what a staggering achievement that is from Phil Parkinson and his players. Think we'd all pretty much written them off after 8-game losing run without a goal. Amazing given the summer financial restraints. Henry signing inspired
#bwfc
Graham Potter takes charge of his 100th game as Brighton manager this weekend. I thought sacking Chris Hughton at the time was harsh (still do) but Potter has been a big success, changing the style and giving young players a chance, many of whom are now serious assets to the club