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talkSPORT.com is here to keep you up to date with all the latest Premier League news over the festive period.
The top-flight's festive fixtures are all live on talkSPORT.
Arsenal will look to close the gap to Liverpool this evening when Ipswich visit the Emirates.
Festive fixtures
Thursday, December 26
Manchester City 1-1 Everton - FTSouthampton 0-1 West Ham - FTNottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham - FTNewcastle 3-0 Aston Villa - FTChelsea 1-2 Fulham - FTBournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace - FTWolves 2-0 Manchester United - FTLiverpool 3-1 Leicester - FT
Friday, December 27
Brighton 0-0 BrentfordArsenal vs Ipswich - 8:15pm - live on talkSPORT
2 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham
This has been an electric start from the home side, and they could have two goals already.
First, Mark Flekken gifts possession to Carlos Baleba.
He feeds a pass in for Joao Pedro, who cleverly lays a pass to Julio Enciso, and he bends a shot off the post.
Flekken then redeems himself with a strong stop to deny a low Baleba strike.
No goalkeeper in the Premier League has now made more saves this season than Flekken's 82.
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5 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham
There is one name on the Brighton bench who we haven't seen in a long time, Solly March.
The winger is a huge fans' favourite at the Amex and has endured over a year of injury hell.
But after 434 days since his last match, he's back on the bench for the first time this evening.
And the supporters immediately make it clear that they are excited to have him back.
Chants of 'Solly, Solly March' echo around the stadium in the early exchanges.
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11 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham
The visitors get us underway on the south coast.
Brentford are yet to win away from home in the Premier League this season, while Brighton haven't won in their last five.
This included a 3-1 defeat to bitter rivals Crystal Palace here earlier in December.
But these are two exciting teams, and this should be a great game.
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21 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham
And onto our final offering of the festive period, as Arsenal host Ipswich.
This match is live on talkSPORT, with Hugh Woozencroft serving as your host.
Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew.
Of course, there is no Bukayo Saka for the Gunners, who has suffered a nasty hamstring injury.
He is set for several weeks on the sidelines.
In his place, Leandro Trossard comes into the team, and Declan Rice replaces Thomas Partey.
For Ipswich, Kieran McKenna is without his captain Sam Morsy, who is suspended.
Kalvin Phillips gets the chance to stake his claim, but in better news, Liam Delap is back.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Trossard, Martinelli, Jesus
Subs: Neto, Tierney, Partey, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Merino, Calafiori, Nwaneri
Ipswich: Muric, Johnson, O'Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Szmodics, Cajuste, Phillips, Hutchinson, Delap
Subs: Walton, H Clarke, J Clarke, Burns, Chaplin, Taylor, Al-Hamadi, Townsend, Broadhead
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48 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham
We have two live offerings for you this evening on the talkSPORT network.
First up on talkSPORT 2 with Alex Crook an former West Ham striker Dean Ashton, we have Brighton taking on Brentford at the Amex.
That one is set to kick-off in under an hour, and we have the team news.
Brighton have made two changes from the team that drew West Ham 1-1.
Matt O'Riley replaces Mats Wieffer in midfield, while Georginio also misses out for Julio Enciso.
Meanwhile, the Bees are still looking for their first away win of the season and have been forced into one change from the 2-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Kristoffer Ajer is injured, so Mads Roerslev comes in at right-back.
Brighton: Verbruggen, Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan, Baleba, O'Riley, Gruda, Enciso, Mitoma, Pedro
Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Igor, March, Adingra, Georginio, Moder, Minteh, Ayari
Brentford: Flekken, Roerslev, Collins, Mee, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard, Mbeumo, Schade, Wissa
Subs: Valdimarsson, Carvalho, Yarmoliuk, Meghoma, Konak, Maghoma, Kim, Yogane, Arthur
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Today, 17:20By Jack Cunningham
talkSPORT understands that Wolves forward Matheus Cunha will find out his FA punishment later on today.
The Brazilian forward was charged with improper conduct following the Old Gold's 2-1 defeat to Ipswich earlier this month.
That proved to be Gary O'Neil's final game as the board pulled the trigger and dismissed him.
But Cunha got involved in some ugly scenes at the end of the game, which saw him remove the glasses of an Ipswich backroom staff and also throw an elbow at the same person.
Cunha wasn't sent off, which has allowed him to play in the Old Gold's wins over Leicester and Man United.
The Brazilian played a huge role in both wins, but he's set for a ban.
It was reported earlier today that he was set to miss five matches, but the account proved to be fake.
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 16:51By Ciaran Wiseman
Manchester City could struggle to keep hold of James McAtee in January.
The midfielder has been left frustrated by his lack of playing time this season.
Despite City's poor form, McAtee has played just two minutes in the Premier League.
According to The Telegraph, the 22-year-old now favours an exit from the Etihad Stadium next month.
Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Brentford and Crystal Palace are all said to be interested in McAtee.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Fiorentina and Bologna are also potential suitors.
McAtee previously spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United.
He currently has just over 18 months remaining on his City contract.
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Today, 16:39By Ciaran Wiseman
Manchester United are reportedly targeting a move for Belgium under-21 international Senne Lammens.
The goalkeeper is being seen as a viable long-term option to replace Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.
According to The Telegraph, United have sent scouts to watch the Antwerp stopper.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund are also amongst the clubs tracking the 22-year-old.
Goalkeeper has emerged as a position for United ahead of the upcoming transfer windows but it is not a January priority, the report adds.
Lammens joined Antwerp from Club Brugge last summer on a deal until 2027.
He has since established himself as the club's first choice between the sticks.
So far this season, Lammens has conceded just 21 goals in 20 Pro League appearances, keeping five clean sheets.
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 15:53By Ciaran Wiseman
Juventus have reportedly turned down the chance to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.
Instead, the Italian giants are keen on signing one of his Old Trafford team-mates.
The Sun report that Juve have been offered the chance to sign Rashford in January.
However, the Old Lady are not interested and would prefer to sign Zirkzee instead.
The 23-year-old Dutchman previously starred for Juve boss Thiago Motta at Bologna prior to joining United.
He has scored just three goals in 18 Premier League appearances since his £36million move in the summer, though.
Meanwhile, Rashford is expected to leave the club after admitting he needs a new challenge.
The academy graduate has not been included in the matchday squad for any of United's last four matches.
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Today, 14:57By Ciaran Wiseman
Bukayo Saka has revealed the three Arsenal stars he looked up to as a kid.
The Gunners star has made 250 first-team appearances since coming through the club's famed Hale End academy.
Explaining who he looked up to whilst coming through the ranks, Saka told the club website: "When I was in the academy all of us used to look at Alex Iwobi, Chuba Akpom and Jack Wilshere.
"They had come through the academy, were quite close to our age as well, and we got to go to a lot of games at Emirates Stadium so we got to see them play a lot.
"Obviously Jack at the time was really, really flying – he was a joy to watch.
They give us everything: a full stadium, they’re always supporting, clapping loss after loss.
"I just want to give something to the fans, not ask something of them."
United have lost their last three matches in all competitions, dating back to the Manchester derby.
Those results, which include back-to-back league defeats without scoring, leave the club 14th in the table after 18 matches.
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 13:57By Ciaran Wiseman
Ruben Amorim has been speaking to reporters ahead of Manchester United's clash with Newcastle.
The Red Devils were beaten by Wolves at Molineux on Boxing Day.
Asked about his job security, he said: "The manager of Manchester United can never, no matter what, be comfortable, and I know I know the reason that I'm that I’m in.
"I know that if we don't win, regardless, if they pay the buyout [for me] or not, I know that every manager is in danger and I like that I like that because that is the job, so I understand the question.
"You can argue that I have been here one month and I’ve had four training [sessions], but we are not winning.
Just use the rules to score goals."
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Today, 13:18By Ciaran Wiseman
Troy Deeney has provided a suggestion for how Arsenal can cope with Bukayo Saka's absence.
The winger is expected to be out for several weeks after picking up a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace.
Saka has missed just four of the Gunners' last 135 Premier League matches dating back to 2021.
He has also started 127 of those 131 appearances ahead of Friday's clash with Ipswich.
Asked what Arsenal will do differently, Deeney told Sam Matterface & Alex Crook: "It's all gonna have to run through (Martin) Odegaard all on his own today.
"I think they will, they'll have to go in a bit more pace than either side where they can to maybe (Gabriel) Martinelli and (Leandro) Trossard out on the wings and just tell them run, keep running him behind and allow Odegaard the space to do what he does.
"The worry for it all is he is so valuable both from set pieces and we've seen how many times down that right hand side.
"Within five minutes of the game he's gone past the defender two or three times and they just know it's a bad day."
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 13:07By Ciaran Wiseman
Ange Postecoglou has admitted he was being sarcastic when he compared his job to that of a Prime Minister.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Tottenham boss was asked about the comments he made two weeks ago.
Postecoglou had said the job of a football manager is more difficult than that of a prim minister.
The Spurs manager explained: "Can I say with that obviously sarcasm and irony is lost in this country because if people actually believe I was serious when I said that…
"There are far more difficult jobs than being a manager or even being a Prime Minister of a country."
Postecoglou saw his side lose 1-0 to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day amid their growing injury crisis.
His side are back in action on Sunday at home to Wolves as they look to climb back into the top half.
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 13:00By Ciaran Wiseman
Dani Olmo could become a free agent in January just five months after joining Barcelona.
The Spanish giants have had their appeal to register the midfielder rejected by a court in the city.
Barca now have until December 31 to register Olmo or he will become a free agent in January.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the club plan to present a new lawsuit to the court against La Liga on December 30.
Olmo signed for Barca from RB Leipzig in August after winning Euro 2024 with Spain.
He has since made 15 appearances, scoring six goals and providing one assist.
Several Premier League clubs have previously been linked with the 26-year-old, including Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham.
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 12:15By Ciaran Wiseman
Jamie O’Hara has named the Premier League manager he wants Tottenham to poach as Ange Postecoglou comes under increasing pressure.
Ex-Spurs man O’Hara was frustrated by the Australian’s stubbornness once again against Nottingham Forest and said he cannot last if his attitude does not change.
“We’ve actually fallen apart,” O’Hara told The Sports Bar on Boxing Day.
“Everyone is saying we’ve got injuries, and I get that, but if you look at our team today it’s not an injury-hit team.
It can’t continue.”
Credit: AFPCopied
Today, 12:08By Ciaran Wiseman
Fulham's social media team aimed a brutal dig at former star Tosin Adarabioyo following their Boxing Day win over Chelsea.
The Cottagers recorded a dramatic 2-1 victory over their London rivals at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of two late goals from Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz.
And the club's social media team were quick to mark the occasion, as they taunted their west London neighbours online after the match.
Following the win, the Whites took aim at former defender Adarabioyo, who left Craven Cottage for Chelsea in the summer, by uploading a series of snaps of him on their TikTok page.
One image shows the 27-year-old signing for the Blues, alongside his comments upon joining: "If you can't beat them, join them."
In a brutal post, Adarabioyo can then be seen looking on as his ex-teammate Wilson heads home Fulham's equaliser, followed by a picture of him at full-time alongside the final scoreline.
The savage dig drew plenty of attention online, with plenty of fans flocking to the comments section to share their thoughts.
One amused user wrote: "Fulham admin is probably the best admin."
Credit: AFPCopied
Today, 11:29By Ciaran Wiseman
Curtis Jones did not know he had made a landmark appearance for Liverpool on Boxing Day until he received a text from a familiar face.
The midfielder made his 100th Premier League appearance against Leicester at Anfield.
Following the 3-1 victory, Jones received a congratulatory message from the man who gave him his league debut.
Jurgen Klopp sent the England international a text after the match.
Jones told Match of the Day: "I came in then and normally text family and I saw a text off [Jurgen] Klopp saying 'congratulations on 100 games and here’s to 500'.
We're starting naming players, are we?"
He added: "Let's wait till after Christmas for that."
Godfrey joined Atalanta from Everton on a five-year deal in the summer.
However, the 26-year-old has been limited to just five appearances and 93 minutes of action so far this season.
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 10:00By Ciaran Wiseman
Manchester United fans appeared to be fed up with Rasmus Hojlund for losing his cool with a teammate during the defeat to Wolves.
Hojlund threw a tantrum with Amad Diallo when he failed to pass him the ball when he was just outside the penalty area at Molineux.
Diallo, who has been the bright spark of the fledgling Ruben Amorim era at United, instead chose to shoot.
The Red Devils went on to lose 2-0 to the Premier League strugglers, who themselves changed managers this month.
The incident with Hojlund summed up the frustration fans are feeling.
One supporter said on X: “He’s not even close to being good enough to do this.”
Another added: “He spends most of his time jumping around like a toddler.”
A third wrote: “Marked by two players within a foot of him and he wants to cry because he cannot make a run to save his life.”
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 09:21By Ciaran Wiseman
Wolves will resist any January raids for their star man Matheus Cunha, talkSPORT understands.
Arsenal are interested in the 26-year-old to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad amid injuries to Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka.
As talkSPORT reported in November, Wolves promised then manager Gary O’Neil that Cunha would not be sold in January.
New boss Vitor Pereira made similar statements following their 2-0 win over Man United on Boxing Day.
“In my opinion he’s a player who can reach high standards in this league,” Pereira told Amazon Prime.
When suggested that Cunha may step up at another club, Pereira said: “I hope not, I hope not because we need him.”
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 09:09By Ciaran Wiseman
There are two more festive Premier League fixtures coming up today as the football keeps coming.
Brighton host Brentford at 7.30pm, whilst Arsenal are at home to Ipswich with kick-off at 8.15pm.
Both the Seagulls and their opponents are hoping to keep up their European ambitions tonight.
Meanwhile, the Gunners can climb back into second place with a win following Chelsea's slip up on Boxing Day.
A win for Ipswich could lift them out of the bottom three, though, but only if they win by six goals or more.
As for team news, Mats Wieffer is being assessed after suffering with a thigh problem against West Ham, but Jan Paul van Hecke is available.
Brentford are without Kristoffer Ajer, Sepp van den Berg, Mathias Jensen and Ethan Pinnock.
The key concern for Arsenal is Bukayo Saka's hamstring injury, which will keep him out for 'many weeks'.
Their opponents are without captain Sam Morsy due to suspension but Liam Delap returns from a ban of his own.
Credit: GettyCopied
Today, 08:17By Josh Fordham
Ruben Amorim says misfiring Manchester United must find a way to 'survive' a 'tough moment' that he expects to continue well beyond the bruising Boxing Day defeat at Vitor Pereira's Wolves.
After last week's chaotic Carabao Cup quarter-final exit at Tottenham was compounded by an Old Trafford humbling at the hands of Bournemouth, things went further awry as they fell to a third straight loss.
United captain Bruno Fernandes's red card for a second booking changed the dynamics of the match shortly after half-time, with Matheus Cunha scoring direct from a corner at a rocking Molineux.
Wolves' star man teed up substitute Hwang Hee-chan to wrap up a 2-0 win deep in stoppage time as Amorim's 10th match in charge ended in a fifth defeat, leaving them 14th in the Premier League table.
"The idea needs time," United's head coach said.
We have to continue, and we have to fight these bad moments because this is part of football."
Put to Amorim that he cannot think of European qualification right now, he said: "No, no, no, no.
"We have to work on a lot of things in our club - inside the pitch, outside the pitch - so let's focus on each game, each time and use every minute of training and game to improve the team."
Man United continue to struggle under AmorimCredit: GettyCopied
Today, 08:16By Josh Fordham
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot continued to play down the significance of their place at the top of the Premier League despite it being strengthened by their 3-1 win over Leicester.
Chelsea's surprise defeat by Fulham meant victory over the Foxes stretched their lead to seven points, with a match in hand and the halfway point of the campaign fast approaching.
But Slot is maintaining his level-headed approach despite the clamour growing around their chances of adding another title to the one won in 2020.
"If you are in this game for a long time like the players and I am then 20 games before the end you don't look at it as there are so many challenges ahead of you," he said after Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah scored to turn around an early deficit following Jordan Ayew's strike.
"Injuries and a bit of bad luck can happen to any team, it is far too early to be already celebrating - but it is nice for us to be where we are.
"I don't think there was any easy win for us in any of these games; it could have been an easy win against Tottenham but we conceded two and it was then 5-2 - that tells you how difficult it is to win even when you have all your players available.
"That is why we have to take it one game at a time.
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