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TOTTENHAM’s clash with Fulham has been called off after a coronavirus outbreak at the West London side.
The decision was taken just four hours before kick-off, with Jose Mourinho taking aim at the Premier League on Instagram.

Follow all the latest with our blog below…

NEW DATE
Although tonight’s match is off, the Premier League’s statement confirmed that the game WILL be rearranged.
With a packed fixture list coming up in the New Year, it remains to be seen when that will take place.
Spurs are due to play Leeds on Saturday, before their EFL Cup semi-final with Brentford.
Fulham meanwhile got to Burnley on Sunday before visiting QPR for a West London derby in the FA Cup a week later.

COTTAGE STATEMENT
Fulham revealed earlier today their trip to Tottenham Stadium would be in jeopardy after a spate of coronavirus positives at the club.
They said in a statement: “The club can confirm that this evening’s away fixture at Tottenham Hotspur has been postponed. This follows a number of the club’s players and first team staff returning positive results from the most recent Covid-19 tests this week.
“This decision follows discussions with the Premier League and advice from Public Health England.
“Those players and staff who tested positive have been self-isolating in line with UK Government and Premier League guidance.
“We wish the players and staff who tested positive a safe and speedy recovery.”

STILL ON
The show still goes on in Newcastle tonight, despite the area being plunged into Tier 4 restrictions.
Toon welcome Liverpool having dealt with their own outbreak at the club this month, which left a number of players bed bound.
Steve Bruce had a warning for Man City after their positive tests last week – and revealed the crippling effect coronavirus has had on his team.
He said: “I am no scientist but I have seen Man City have got two players today. I hope, for their sake, they don’t go into double figures, and things like that.
“We are witnessing the after-effects still. Still we have got problems with it. It doesn’t just come and go over you. It has been a big factor over the last couple of weeks.”

TELL ME MOUR
Safe to say that the timing of the decision hasn’t gone down that well with a certain Jose Mourinho.
The Tottenham boss indicated the club wasn’t sure if the game was going ahead or not at 2pm, posting a video from the stadium.
And there was thinly veiled sarcasm in his caption: “Match at 6 pm… We still don’t know if we play. Best league in the world”

CLOSE CIRCUIT
Is the Premier League headed for a two-week circuit break after the latest postponement?
We’ll have more analysis soon, but from that Premier League statement and noises from the pundits, it still doesn’t look likely.
A certain Mr Neville is very keen that the show goes on..

Can we please get this two week circuit breaker thing off the table . The players would have to carry on mixing and training to be ready in 2 weeks for a match. They may get 4-5 days off. What is that going to do . Would have to be a long break to do anything meaningful!
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) December 30, 2020

PREM STATEMENT
“Fulham FC’s match at Tottenham Hotspur, due to be played at 6pm this evening, has been postponed following a Premier League Board meeting this afternoon.
“Fulham lodged a request with the Premier League Board to rearrange the fixture following a significant rise in positive COVID-19 cases, as well as a number of players showing symptoms today.
“The Premier League Board has consulted its medical advisors and the decision to postpone the game has been taken as a precaution and with the health of players and staff as the priority. The group will now be retested immediately.
“With low numbers of positive tests across the overwhelming majority of clubs, the Premier League continues to have full confidence in its COVID-19 protocols and being able to continue to play our fixtures as scheduled.
“The League wishes those with COVID-19 a safe and speedy recovery and will rearrange the postponed fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham in due course.”

GAME OFF
After a lengthy wait through the day, Fulham’s clash with Tottenham has been called off.
The game was in doubt as early as last night, with the West London side reporting a number of positive Covid tests in the Premier League weekly rounds.
A Tottenham statement read: “We can confirm that our Premier League home fixture against Fulham, scheduled to take place this evening (Wednesday 30 December), has been postponed.
“The Premier League informed us of the decision this afternoon, with Fulham having requested the postponement on the grounds of the number of COVID-19 positive cases among their players and staff.
“‘Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur sends their best wishes to Fulham for a safe and speedy recovery to all those who are affected. Details of a new date for the fixture will be confirmed in due course.”
But manager Jose Mourinho seems far from happy and has taken a swipe at the ‘best league in the world’ tag on his Instagram page.
Accompanying a video taken outside of the ground today, he wrote: “Match at 6pm… We still don’t know if we play. Best league in the world.”
After Man City’s game with Everton was postponed earlier in the week, we’ve the latest reaction as the Premier League potentially hurtles towards futher postponements – and maybe even an enforced break.

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ARSENAL made it two wins in a row for the first time since September with victory at Brighton.
Super-sub Alexandre Lacazette netted with his first touch after replacing Gabriel Martinelli on 66 minutes.

THAT’S ALL FOR TONIGHT!
Arsenal picked a valuable 1-0 win at Brighton as they look they get their season back on track, Alexandre Lacazette popped up with the winner after great work from Bukayo Saka.
The win moves the Gunners up to 13th, Brighton are now 17th, just two points above drop zone.
Join us on SunSport for more live blogs; the Manchester United v Wolves game can be found here :
Man Utd vs Wolves LIVE: Stream free, TV channel, score – Cavani and co struggle to break down Nuno’s men
Thanks for joining us and goodnight!!!

MORE FROM GRAHAM POTTER
“Our job is to try and create more chances and limit the opposition, I thought we did that quite well, regardless of where they are in the league they’ve got some good attacking players, they can turn defence to attack very quickly.
“We feel like we’ve performed consistently quite well, the Leicester game is the one game where we don’t feel we were ourselves apart from that we’ve been in the games, created chances and not conceded too many chances but some times in this league you have to suffer, when you do you have to stick together and take it and try to find a way out.”

REACTION FROM GRAHAM POTTER
“Chances wise I thought it was quiet even, we had some good ones in the first half, they had some better ones second half, a little moment of quality has undone us but I thought it was quite an even game perfromance wise we were ok.
“If you don’t score and they do that’s how it is, I though it was quiet an even game, there wasn’t too many chances for them or us, our work rate was really, really good, we’re suffering a bit but we need to deal with it and move forward.”

REACTION FROM ARTETA
“The fact we won against Chelsea was a big boost and to come here three days later and get another win for us is massively important. I’m proud of the boys and happy with the result.
“When you lose the amount of games that we did recently to maintain high spirts is a big challenge but we have managed to do that.
“The best medicine is wins, the picture looks much better at the moment, we just need to have that consistency go against West Brom now and try to win again.”

MORE FROM LACAZETTE
“We want to come back to the top of the table and we know we have to win games in a row, the win against Chelsea gave us a lot of confidence and we just want to win every game and come back to the top.”

REACTION FROM LACAZETTE
“I’m really happy, when you come off the bench you need to help the team, it’s good for me and for the team as well.
“Bukayo gave me a good pass, as I like and yeah it was good for me, he’s really good and with every game he improves, he shows his quality even though he’s young he’s still working hard for the team so everyone is happy with him.”

ARSENAL HEAT MAP

BRIGHTON HEAT MAP

AVERAGE POSITIONS OF BOTH TEAMS

ACTION AREAS

INSTANT IMPACT

ANOTHER IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE FROM SAKA

STAT ATTACK

LACA ON FORM AWAY FROM HOME

LACAZETTE WITH THE WINNER

FULL TIME

PEEEEEEEEP!!!!!!!!!
FULL TIME
BRIGHTON 0-1 ARSENAL

BRIGHTON 0-1 ARSENAL
92. Brighton still coming forward, pressing for an equaliser.
They lacked a cutting edge all night but need to find something in theses last couple minutes.

BRIGHTON 0-1 ARSENAL
90. Five minutes of added time.

BRIGHTON 0-1 ARSENAL
89. Sub for Arsenal Smith-Rowe is replaced by Maitland-Niles.
Arsenal just holding up the ball in the corner and seeing the game out well.

BRIGHTON 0-1 ARSENAL
86. Brighton still coming forward with Arsenal seemingly content to let them have posession.
The home side are struggling to create any clear cut chances though.

BRIGHTON 0-1 ARSENAL
83. Brighton having most of the ball but Arsenal have everyone back and they look solid.
The away side still carry a dangerous threat on the break.

BRIGHTON 0-1 ARSENAL
80. Brighton on the attack, Arsenal have everyone back and defending well.
Sub for Arsenal Saka is replaced by Ceballos.

BRIGHTON 0-1 ARSENAL
78. Saka is back on the pitch.

BRIGHTON 0-1 ARSENAL
76. Saka is down and looks like he might have to come off with an injury.

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ASTON VILLA comfortably held out for a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge to stay above Chelsea, who missed out on the chance to move into the top four.
The Blues took the lead through a well worked Olivier Giroud header but Anwar El Ghazi replied with a close range finish after half time.

THANKS FOR JOINING US
That’s all for tonight, as Chelsea and Aston Villa played out a 1-1 draw in both teams last game of 2020.
The Blues are meant to host Manchester City in their next game, but the postponement of City’s clash with Everton tonight due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the City camp means that game scheduled for January 3 is now in doubt.
Aston Villa meanwhile kick off the New Year with a trip to Old Trafford on New Year’s day.
That’s all for now though.
Thanks for joining us, it’s been a pleasure.

MATCH REPORT
Plenty to talk about from this evening’s game as Chelsea missed the chance to go above Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Anwar El Ghazi’s leveller early in the second half cancelled out Olivier Giroud’s first half header, meaning the points were shared at Stamford Bridge.
CLICK HERE TO READ OUR MATCH REPORT FROM THE GAME.

AS IT STANDS
Here’s what this evening’s result means for the Premier League table.
Aston Villa are now unbeaten in five games, and knocking on the door of the top four after finishing 2019 18th in the Premier League.
It’s been some season for the Villans.
Chelsea meanwhile have won just once in their last five but the Blues are still just a point off the top four, although teams above and below them have games in hand on Frank Lampard’s side.

FULL TIME SCENES
Players from both sides react to the spoils being shared.

Credit: EPA

OLD FRIENDS
John Terry and Frank Lampard react at the full time whistle.

Credit: AFP

SO CLOSE
Ben Chilwell is inches away from winning it at the death with this brilliant effort.

FRANK’S THOUGHTS
This is what Frank Lampard has to say on whether he saw a response today from his team:
“Yeah I did definitely in [the] performance.
“[We] started really well, Villa had some moments but [we] dealt with them in the second half and came through the first half pretty strongly, get our goal that we deserve.
“Second half conceded with our man on the floor, that’s kind of the run we’re on at the minute and then we pushed and we couldn’t break the deadlock in the end to get the win but attitude wise, effort wise, some of the play was really good against a good team.”

MCGINN’S ANALYSIS
Man of the match John McGinn has this to say at full time:
“I think it was a very even game.
“Chelsea are a good side, not many teams will come here and get a result so I think we showed today that we’re going to be a good team this season.
“Especially after the efforts of the last couple of days it’s a good result again.
“We’ve got great character in the squad this season, coupled with ability, grit, determination, everyone’s grafting until the last second of the game and we fought for every ball.
“Last season we might have come away losing a cheap goal near the end but we fought hard and deserved the point.”

SMITH SPEAKS
Here are the post match thoughts of Dean Smith on his side’s performance:
“It’s tough, turning it round, but I trust the players.
“You know I asked every one of them today whether they was ready to go again and they looked me in the eye and said they was.
“And I think it’s a big thing to have that trust with them and they’ve gone and proved that today.
“I mean it is tough, we’re not going to get away from that fact, and you know we’ve had to battle at times today.
“I thought there was spells of pressure from both teams, but great to get a point here.”

FULL TIME STATS
Here’s a look at the full time stats from Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea had the better of the possession, and had more efforts on target, but Anwar El Ghazi’s volley secured a well earned point for Aston Villa.

FULL TIME
The points are shared at Stamford Bridge in the last game of 2020 for both sides.
There wasn’t too much in it, with a apiece point probably a fair reflection of the game.

FULL TIME: CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
That’s full time!
A well earned point for Aston Villa in South-West London after an entertaining game between the two sides.
Olivier Giroud fired the Blues ahead in the first half, before Anwar El Ghazi equalised for the visitors.
Ben Chilwell had the chance to win it late on for the hosts, but volleyed just wide of the post, meaning the game ended level.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
94. Mendy is out to claim the corner, and that might well be that.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
94. Villa corner.
They couldn’t nick this one, could they?

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
93. CLOSE!
That would have been special!
Hudson-Odoi crosses the ball right onto the boot of Chilwell, who hits it on the volley with incredible technique.
It looks like it’s flying into the top corner, but goes inches past the post and Villa survive.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
91. Douglas Luiz goes down under a challenge from Mason Mount, and wins a free kick for his side which will eat away some seconds on the clock.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
90. Four minutes of added time are indicated by the fourth official.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
90. Another Chelsea corner.
Konsa again defends well to put a Pulisic cross behind for another corner.
Rudiger meets this one, but he’s off balance as he heads it, and it runs through to Martinez.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
89. Chelsea corner.
Kai Havertz forces a corner off the solid Ezri Konsa.
Konsa’s centre back partner Hause is up well to head the corner away from danger.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
87. Aston Villa substitution.
Keenan Davies is on to replace Bertand Traore.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
86. Mount looks up and tries his luck from range, but is met by a firm block from Ezri Konsa.
Aston Villa will take that if those are the only chances Chelsea get in the final five minutes.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
84. Mount crosses into the Villa box, and the ball is only partially cleared.
It drops to Werner on the edge of the box, who has time to take a touch and shoot.
His effort is blazed well over the bar though when he should be doing better.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
83. CLOSE!
What an introduction that would have been!
Ramsey’s first involvement is to curl an effort JUST wide of the goal, with Mendy scrambling to reach it.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
82. Aston Villa substitution.
Anwar El Ghazi is coming off, with Jacob Ramsey on in his place.

CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
81. Again Aston Villa deal with the corner comfortably.
Martinez comes off his line to claim well amongst a host of bodies.

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TOTTENHAM are without a win in four Premier League games as Wolves netted a late equaliser at Molineux.
Final score: Wolves 1-1 Tottenham
Follow all the latest with our live blog below…

THAT’S A WRAP
Thanks for joining us for the final festive fixture of the weekend.
Fill your boots with our match report, courtesy of Dave Kidd.

A HAPPY CHAPPY
On Tottenham not getting a shot on target after the 21st minute, Nuno added:- “We did well defensively, we were very aggressive and were always very close, filling the gaps.
“When you chase a result, chase a game, the aspect you need most is to be aggressive. “We have a squad of young players that we trust and there are lessons to learn.
“This is what we want, we want to make them grow and improve, when the chances are there to give the young boys chances to play then we should help them grow and build a good team.”It’s important to show patience and today we showed that the talent is there- the composure will come.” 

NUNO SPEAKS
Speaking after the game, Nuno Espirito Santo said: “I think we performed really well and played a very good game.
“We conceded very early in the game, but the team reacted and played well and aggressively, I’m happy.”
On conceding early, Nuno said: “It’s a learning process, sometimes you can’t explain what happens.”We demand focus and the team to be alert. I think we stayed in the game after the goal and performed well; we combined, we defended and had good chances.”

NO WAY JOSE
Jose Mourinho kept his cards close to his chest in his post-match interview.
The Tottenham boss refused to comment on what he would say to his players after that result.He added: “I am [frustrated]. One point against Wolves, normally wouldn’t be a bad result as they are a strong opponent.
“But scoring a goal in a first minute and controlling the game for the rest of it, 89 minutes to score goals, I feel frustrated.”
On not registering a shot on target after the 21st minute, Mourinho said: “I don’t want to say much about it.
“I know the way I prepare the team, I know what I ask of the players, I know all that.
“I give credit to Wolves, as they put pressure on us, we coped quite well with it and controlled the game, but we didn’t have enough ambition or desire to go for more.”

HOW’S STAT
To add insult to injury for Mourinho, Tottenham didn’t register a shot on target after the 21st minute.

📉 Tottenham have dropped 9 points in the last 10 minutes of games this season, more than any other team in PL:2️⃣ v Newcastle (H)2️⃣ v West Ham (H)2️⃣ v C. Palace (A)1️⃣ v Liverpool (A)2️⃣ v Wolves (A) pic.twitter.com/XSXhkoyAs2
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 27, 2020

SAISS SAYS
Speaking after the game, Romain Saiss says: “We can be disappointed today because we conceded a poor goal early and could have avoided that.
“It’s hard when you play a team like Tottenham to come back from that, but I think we controlled the game.
“Even with a draw I think we deserve more as we controlled the game and created a lot of chances.
“We have to avoid goals like the one we conceded as it’s hard to come back from.”We had a lot of chances, but we have to be more clinical and score more goals.
“Even though we are disappointed, there are lots of positives, we played well against one of the best teams this season.
“We should take these positives when we go to Manchester next.”

TABLE MANNERS
Tottenham miss out on the chance to break into the top four today.
Wolves face Manchester United next, who will be looking to edge closer to Liverpool with a game in hand.

POINT APIECE
Here’s the equaliser that ensured Wolves took a point from this festive fixture.

FT: WOLVES 1-1 TOTTENHAM

WOLVES 1-1 TOTTENHAM
95. CHANCE!
Neto sends a long ball over the top to pick out Silva, who’s found space behind Dier, but the youngster can’t head the ball with enough conviction to beat Lloris.

WOLVES 1-1 TOTTENHAM
94. Neto is away on the left and leaves Doherty in his dust.
He races towards the top of the box and tries to square the ball to Traore, but Lloris is off his line and intercepts the pass.

WOLVES 1-1 TOTTENHAM
93. Tottenham scored early and then took a back seat, but Wolves continued to knock at their door.
Eventually it was opened for them.

WOLVES 1-1 TOTTENHAM
Saiss beat Kane and Davies at the near post to bag the equaliser.

WOLVES 1-1 TOTTENHAM
90. Six minutes of added time.
Podence is replaced by Vitinha for the extra few minutes..

WOLVES 1-1 TOTTENHAM
88. Kane is one-on one with Saiss as he attempts to chest the ball down on the right of the goal.
The Spurs star falls to the ground and appeals for a pen- no contact at all and the ref plays on.

WOLVES 1-1 TOTTENHAM
86. Wolves equalise in the nick of time.
The ball is swung in from the corner to the near post, where Saiss makes a darting run to greet the ball.
Saiss beats Kane to the ball and glances it in to the far post.
Their persistence has finally paid off.

GOOOAL
FINALLY WOLVES EQUALISE

WOLVES 0-1 TOTTENHAM
85. Traore takes too long to make the decision to race against Davies on the right and in that time the Tottenham man gets down to block his eventual cross.
Corner to Wolves.

WOLVES 0-1 TOTTENHAM
83. Moutinho saw plenty of the ball, there just wasn’t enough sharpness in the business end of the pitch.
Wolves may need to make some movements in the January transfer window.

WOLVES 0-1 TOTTENHAM
82. Tottenham prepare to bring on Lamela for Son.
While Wolves make their second substitution; Moutinho is replaced by Otasowie.

WOLVES 0-1 TOTTENHAM
80. A free-kick from 35 yards out is hoofed into the Tottenham area but once again it’s sent out for a corner.
The subsequent corner is met by Kane in the centre of the six-yard area.

WOLVES 0-1 TOTTENHAM
78. Neves pulls the trigger from at least 25 yards out, as he picks up a loose ball.
It’s low and hard, but Lloris is there to stop the man who has bagged 12 goals from outside the area.

WOLVES 0-1 TOTTENHAM
77. The side with a reputation for scoring second half goals haven’t managed one yet.
We aren’t writing Wolves off though, they still have 13 minutes to bag an equaliser.

WOLVES 0-1 TOTTENHAM
75. Davies falls to the ground as he tries to stop Traore at the edge of the Spurs box.
Bizarrely Tottenham win a freekick, Traore is fuming, he didn’t touch him!

WOLVES 0-1 TOTTENHAM
75. Wolves substitution as Marcal is replaced by Ait-Nouri.

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LIVERPOOL were denied a third-straight Premier League with as West Brom salvaged a late point at Anfield.
Final score: Liverpool 1 West Brom 1
Follow all the latest reaction with our live blog below…

THANKS FOR JOINING US
That’s all for tonight, as Liverpool fail to move five clear points at the top of the table after Semi Ajayi’s header cancelled out Sadio Mane’s early opener.
The Reds round off 2020 with a trip to Newcastle on Wednesday, before travelling down to the south coast to visit Southampton for their first game of 2021.
West Brom meanwhile host Leeds and Arsenal in their next two.
That’s all for now though.
Thanks for joining us, it’s been a pleasure.

PREM TABLE
A valuable point for the Baggies, but they are still five points adrift of safety as it stands.

AS IT STANDS
Liverpool stay top of the table, but fail to extend their lead to five points.

MATCH REPORT
Plenty to talk about from this evening’s game, as Sam Allardyce remains four games unbeaten at Anfield in his last four games.
Liverpool took the lead early on through Sadio Mane, and had plenty of the ball, but couldn’t extend their lead.
West Brom were much improved after the break, and looked dangerous on the counter attack.
The equaliser came through a brilliant Semi Ajayi header as West Brom grabbed a vital point from the league leaders.
CLICK HERE TO READ OUR MATCH REPORT FROM TODAY’S GAME

MATCH STATS
Despite Liverpool’s dominance in possession, West Brom had more efforts on target than the home side.

SAM SPEAKS
Sam Allardyce thinks this was the key to taking a point from Anfield:
“I think really good organisation and a team trying their best to nullify the best team in this league on their own patch, and what a fantastic job they did of it.
“It’s all about staying in the game when you come here and not opening too much and just allowing Liverpool to breeze through you [and] win three, four or five nil.
“We kept that tight ship going for a long period of time which I thought was very good considering after we went a goal down so early on in the game.
“But the resilience of the side gave us an opportunity to create more in the second half, to get up the pitch better in the second half, to pass the ball better in the second half, which ultimately resulted in one fantastic chance for our centre forward, Karlan Grant, who unfortunately didn’t quite take it, and then big Semi came up and fired in a great header to get us a fantastic point here today.”

STUTTERING
Liverpool haven’t been the imperial force they were last season, but still find themselves top of the table.

6 – Liverpool have failed to win six of their 15 Premier League games this season (W9 D5 L1), as many as they did in the entirety of last season in the league (W32 D3 L3). Mortal. pic.twitter.com/RpAkpio5r9
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 27, 2020

JURGEN’S REACTION
Here is what Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has to say on this evening’s draw:
“Our own fault, I don’t think anybody can expect that a team plays like West Brom tonight in the first half, like a six-four [formation] or whatever it was.
“So I think we did ok to be honest, we scored the goal, didn’t give anything away, especially no set pieces and second half obviously we didn’t do exactly the same again.
“They had already in the first five minutes of the second half they had like three counter attacks, we gave them easy simple corners, I don’t think too many free kicks but corners, too many, and it was actually the only thing they wanted to have tonight and we gave it away so that’s our fault and that’s why it’s only one point instead of three.”

ANDY’S ANALYSIS
Here’s what Andy Robertson has to say at full time:
“Once you start getting slack you get what you deserve. West Brom came here with a game plan, they were happy with 1-0 at half time, and you know when you come up against a Sam Allardyce team that they want to stay in it as long as they can and take the one chance that they get, and they did that.
“So you know they got what they deserved and we got what we deserved because [the] first half was good.
“[In the] first half we dominated the ball, stopped counter attacks, counter pressed really good, created a lot of chances, and then second half it was like we didn’t want to do it again.
“[We] tried different things, which wasn’t working, we all went slack I think every one of us made a mistake in the second half which can’t happen, go and win the game 1-0, go and keep the clean sheet and go and get the three points so that’s something we’ve got to learn from and like you said credit to West Brom for the way they played the second half.”

“They got what they deserved and we got what we deserved.”Andy Robertson insists #LFC will learn from their draw at home to #WBA, admitting that the champions made too many mistakes in the second-half at Anfield. pic.twitter.com/LmT2CbchdG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 27, 2020

ON THE LATE SAVE
“It was a great save.
“To be honest I didn’t have that much to do in the game.
“It was close and thankfully I tipped it round the post and it was good to make that save and carry on and get the draw.”

SUPER SAM
These are the post match thoughts of West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone:
“Look it’s difficult to come to places like this, you know we dug in deep, we ran for 94 minutes.
“It was tough at times, especially in the first half, and we got an equaliser which is a great point away from home.
“Like you said it feels more like a win.”

INCREDIBLE
Sam Johnstone denies Roberto Firmino a late winner with a stunning save.

Credit: Reuters

Credit: AFP

EQUALISER
Here’s a look at Semi Ajayi’s goal that secured an unlikely point for the Baggies.

RESOLUTE BAGGIES
A point at the Etihad and a point at Anfield in West Brom’s last two away games.
Those are the kind of results that could prove vital come the end of the season.

FULL TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM
For some bizarre reason, Liverpool go short from the corner in the 95th minute, and unsurprisingly Kevin Friend blows his whistle for full time.
West Brom nick a point at Anfield!

LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM
94. Liverpool corner.
One last roll of the dice for Liverpool!

LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM
93. Robertson crosses this time, but there’s far too much on that it and sails out for a West Brom goal kick.
That might be that.

LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM
92. Henderson crosses into the box, but Johnstone will take that all day.
He drops to the floor as he catches it to eat away a few precious seconds for the Baggies.

LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM
90. Rhys Williams gets on the end of the corner, but it’s well over the bar.
Four added minutes are held up by the fourth official as Divock Origi replaces Roberto Firmino, and Branislav Ivanovic replaces Conor Gallagher.

LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM
89. WHAT. A. SAVE.
Oxlade Chamberlain picks out Firmino at the back post with a wonderful ball.
Firmino does everything right, heading the ball back across goal, but Johnstone leaps down to his left to tip it round the post for a corner.
That is an incredible save.

LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM
87. Furlong gets tight to Sadio Mane, stopping him from spinning in the box.
Mane goes down, appealing for a penalty, but Kevin Friend waves play on.

LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM
85. Alexander Arnold crosses in from the right.
It takes an awkward deflection on its way through to Johnstone, who has to backpedal and stretch to catch the ball and prevent it from bouncing over him and into the net.

LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM
84. Liverpool corner.
The home crowd urges their team forward as Pereira concedes a corner.
West Brom deal with it well though and the Reds have got six minutes left to find a winner.

LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM
83. Liverpool substitution.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on to replace Curtis Jones.

LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM
82. West Brom go short from the corner, before Pereira swings a ball into the box.
It’s an inch perfect cross, onto the head of Ajayi, who leaps above Fabinho and powers a header in off the post.
West Brom equalise at Anfield!

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LIVERPOOL face West Brom at Anfield this afternoon looking for a third-straight Premier League win.
Jurgen Klopp’s defending champions put seven past Crystal Palace last time out and the German has named a strong starting line-up on Merseyside, including Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
Start time: 4.30pm GMT
TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Main Event/NOW TV
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Jones, Mane, Salah, Firmino.
West Brom XI: Johnstone, Furlong, O’Shea, Ajayi, Gibbs, Phillips, Sawyers, Gallagher, Diangana, Robinson, Grant.

Follow all the latest action with our live blog below…

SUPER SALAH
Premier League top goalscorer Mohammed Salah warms up ahead of this afternoon’s clash.
The Egyptian has bagged thirteen goals in thirteen Premier League games this season.

Credit: AFP

WATCHING ON
Jurgen Klopp keeps a keen eye on the visitors warm up at Anfield.
Kick off is less than half an hour away!

Credit: Reuters

Credit: AFP

LAST MINUTE CHANGE
The Baggies have made a change to the bench with half an hour to go until kick off.
Kyle Edwards is replaced in the dugout by Cedric Kipre.

FANS IN
2000 Liverpool fans will be in attendance at Anfield this afternoon for the visit of West Brom.
Liverpool and Everton are the only two remaining Premier League teams allowed to have fans attending home games.

Credit: Reuters

BOBBY DAZZLER
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino has been involved in four goals in his last two Premier League games (3 goals, 1 assist), as many as in his first twelve appearances this season (2 goals, 2 assists).
His two goals and assist against Crystal Palace last time out made him the first Brazilian player to reach 100 goal involvements in Premier League history.

Credit: AFP

HUNDRED CLUB
Brazilian midfielder turned defender Fabinho makes his 100th Liverpool appearance this afternoon.
He’s done a remarkable job at the back for the Reds, filling in for the injured Virgil Van Dijk.

STARTING UP TOP
Callum Robinson is in from the start today for the Baggies.
The Irish international striker is West Brom’s joint top scorer in the league alongside Conor Gallagher, with the pair of them bagging two goals so far this campaign.

CHECKING IN
The Reds arriving at Anfield for their last home game of 2020.
Jurgen Klopp will be hoping his side can sign off from Anfield for this calendar year in style this afternoon.

BAGGIES BENCH
Matheus Pereira returns from suspension, but only makes the bench for the Baggies.
6 Harper, 25 Button, 15 Austin, 17 Krovinovic, 21 Edwards, 12 Pereira, 13 Grosicki, 22 Peltier, 20 Ivanovic

LIVERPOOL BENCH
James Milner and Xherdan Shaqiri return to the Liverpool squad this afternoon.
27 Divock Origi, 46 Williams, 47 Phillips, 7 Milner, 18 Minamino, 23 Shaqiri, 62 Kelleher, 15 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 76 Williams

WEST BROM STARTING XI
And this is how the visitors line up to face the champions
1 Johnstone, 2 Furlong, 27 O’Shea, 6 Ajayi, 3 Gibbs, 10 Phillips, 19 Sawyers, 18 Gallagher, 11 Diangana, 7 Robinson, 29 Grant

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI
Here’s how Jurgen Klopps lines up his side this afternoon.
1 Alisson, 66 Alexander-Arnold, 32 Matip, 3 Fabinho, 26 Robertson, 14 Henderson, 5 Wijnladum, 17 Jones, 10 Mane, 11 Salah, 9 Firmino

FIVE MINUTES UNTIL TEAMS
The line-ups will be released in five minutes time, and after that there’s just an hour to wait until kick off.
It’s first against nineteenth, and reigning champions Liverpool against newly promoted West Brom, but anything can happen in the Premier League.

UNBEATEN ALLARDYCE
West Brom manager Sam Allardyce is unbeaten in his last three Premier League away games against Liverpool (W1 D2).
Allardyce was also the last visiting manager to win a Premier League game at Anfield, doing so with Crystal Palace in April 2017.

Credit: Alamy Live News

TEAM NEWS
James Milner and Xherdan Shaqiri could return to the Reds squad for this afternoon’s game after being out of action since last month.
Thiago Alcantara is also back in training for the Champions but will not be risked today.
For the Baggies skipper Jake Livermore misses out through suspension, but Matheus Pereira will return after a suspension of his own.

BOGEY TEAM
After winning ten of their first eleven Premier League meetings with West Brom by an aggregate score of 28-2, Liverpool have won just four of their last 13 against the Baggies (D6 L3).
Is there potential for an upset at Anfield today?

BLEAK FOR THE BAGGIES
West Brom fans will be less pleased with the current standings.
The Baggies have won just one game so far this season, with those three points coming against bottom side Sheffield United.
There is some hope today though, after a battling point against Manchester City in the Baggies last away game.

AS IT STANDS
Liverpool fans will be loving the look of the Premier League table as it stands.
A win today would take the Reds five points clear at the top, despite an injury plagued campaign so far.

STAGE IS SET
The sun is shining and Anfield is ready to host Liverpool’s last home game of 2020.

GOOD AFTERNOON
Welcome to our live blog of Liverpool against West Brom in the Premier League. 
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have the chance to go five points clear at the top of the Premier League this afternoon, having spent a third consecutive Christmas Day at the top of the table. 
The Reds have lost just once in the league so far this season and put on a ruthless display last time out, hitting seven past Crystal Palace eight days ago. 
West Brom meanwhile have won just once so far this season, and face a tough test today at the home of the Champions. 
The Baggies lost 3-0 at home last time out to West Midlands rivals Aston Villa, in what was Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge. 
West Brom fans will take some hope into today’s game though, as Allardyce is the last away manager to win a league game at Anfield with Crystal Palace, all the way back in April 2017. 
The Baggies also took a point from Manchester City in their last away game, and Slaven Bilic’s last game in charge, and will be hoping for a similarly defensively sound performance today. 
Kick off is at 4.30pm and team news is coming up in half an hour. 

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PATRICK BAMFORD’S early penalty secured a 1-0 win for Leeds over Burnley at Elland Road.
The striker notched his 10th goal of the season with the fifth-minute spotkick as Leeds recovered from their 6-2 loss at Manchester United last week.

Follow ALL of the latest reaction below…

THAT’S ALL FROM LEEDS
And that’s it from Elland Road!
Leeds picked up an important 1-0 win over Burnley thanks to Patrick Bamford’s winner just five minutes after kick-off.
Bamford won a penalty kick after Nick Pope brought him down inside the box and converted from the spot.
The hosts dominated possession in the first half but were quite lucky not to concede before half-time.
Illan Meslier lunged onto Ben Mee as he tried to clear a high ball before Ashley Barnes gained possession and fired a shot behind the Whites’ net.
However, referee Robert Jones claimed Mee fouled Meslier in what went down as a controversial call.
That decision proved to be crucial as although Burnley controlled the tempo in the second half they still couldn’t score an equaliser.
Thank you for following the action with us and have a great day!

DYCHE REACTS
Burnley boss Sean Dyche claims the referee had a significant impact on the game and Ashley Barnes’ goal shouldn’t have been disallowed.
Dyche told Match of the Day: “Ben Mee clearly has eyes for the ball, not tried to look at their keeper – their keeper comes through, knees him in the back, if a centre-half does that he probably gets booked.
“Not only is it a penalty, we put it in the goal and he doesn’t give it one second to operate.
“Ironically, it’s been taking hours to make a decision and you get a really important decision and they can’t look at it. The referee played a big part, but we still have to focus on our part.
“The referee will tell you what didn’t happen, I have to remind them I have seen it 10 times. It doesn’t seem to make much difference.”

REDKNAPP ON DYCHE
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp sympathises with Burnley manager Sean Dyche as he also isn’t convinced Ashley Barnes’ goal was rightfully disallowed.
Redknapp said: “I don’t blame Dyche [for being frustrated]. I’d be so frustrated if I was a manager.
“The mistake Robert Jones makes is he blows the whistle too quickly. Sometimes you’ve got to let it breathe. The goalkeeper comes in and just takes him out. His left knee goes into the back of Mee.
“When we think about how much the game has become sanitised, we talk about players jumping with their arms up in the air, but for some reason, when a goalkeeper decides to come in and put a knee in the back of a player, we let that go.
“It’s a brilliant finish from Barnes as well, and, for me, it’s the other way around if anything. The goalkeeper has fouled Mee. The referee needs to let it go, and then make a decision.
“Robert Jones got it wrong. It’s very early into his Premier League career, but if he had his time again, he’d have just took a breath before making his decision because no doubt, it should’ve gone the other way.”

BIELSA ON BURNLEY PROTESTS
Burnley boss Sean Dyche is unhappy with the referee’s decision to disallow Ashkey Barnes’ equaliser.
But Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa says he hasn’t watched that incident back yet.
Bielsa said: “Sincerely, I haven’t formed an opinion because I haven’t watched the action back.
“It wouldn’t be correct to have an opinion without certainty.”

BIELSA REACTS
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa added: “We probably rook less risks near our own box it was difficult for us to take them into their own half.
“When the opponent finishes their attacks in our own box not only is it more difficult to defend and we never found them this disorganised when we had the ball and in that way it was more difficult for us to dominate the second half.
“The version in the game of the final part of the second half and perhaps in the whole second half, it was the game that they were proposing they wanted to play.
“We weren’t able to stop them playing how they wanted, to neutralise them and although we defended fiercely, the opponent had chances to score. And it was very difficult for us to position ourselves in their half.”

BIELSA REACTS
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted that his team’s performance in defence wasn’t as solid as it was in the first half.
Bielsa said: “In the first half we defended very well.
“This was helped as we finished our attacks in the opposing half.
“In the second half we had to defend closer to our own goal.”

FORD AWAKENS
Patrick Bamford scored Leeds’ winner from a penalty spot and claims he wasn’t nervous before the shot as he has taken a lot of spot-kicks in training.
Bamford told Sky Sports: “We had to turn them a bit, they closed the gaps in between the lines well.
“We knew if I made the runs in behind there would be space there, fortunately it worked.
“I practice penalties all the time. I took them last year until I missed.
“It’s a good achievement (10 goals) but I don’t stop now and it keeps me in touch with the top.”

BURNLEY MESLEE
Burnley managed to score in the first half when Ashley Barnes fired a shot behind Leeds’ net.
But the referee claimed there was a foul before the goal committed by Ben Mee.
More specifically, the official believed Mee fouled Illan Meslier in the build-up but the replay shows it could have gone either way…

PREM TABLE
Leeds have added some significant distance between themselves and the relegation zone after their win over Burnley.
As it stands, the Whites are now 11th with nine points away from the drop zone.
Burnley, on the other hand, find themselves in 16th place with only two points separating them from danger.

STATS
Leeds dominated over 60 per cent of possession in the first half but Burnley pulled it together in the second.
It turned into a rather even contest between the two sides with the hosts controlling a mere 52.4 per cent of possession.
The Clarets, though, created more chances with 14 shots, six of which were on target.
Leeds, on the other hand, produced 11 shots, four of which were on target

FT: LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
Leeds and Burnley’s first ever Premier League match ends with the Whites prevailing.
The hosts opened the scoring just five minutes after kick-off thanks to Patrick Bamford’s penalty kick.
Bamford earned the spot-kick after being brought down by Nick Pope inside the box.
Leeds dominated throughout the first half but were lucky to go back to the dressing room with a clean sheet.
Illan Meslier lunged onto Ben Mee in his bid to clear a high ball before Ashley Barnes gained possession and fired a shot behind the net.
But the referee claimed Mee fouled Meslier at the build-up, which was a rather controversial call.
Burnley then controlled tempo in the second half but failed to reach the equaliser.

GETTY IMAGES – GETTY

PEEEEEEEEEEPPPPP!
AND THAT’S FULL-TIME AT ELLAND ROAD!

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
90+3 CHANCE
Burnley fire a set piece from the left flank but Meslier clears again.
Pope was there again…

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
90+2 Burnley’s late corner-kick leads to nothing as Meslier clears the ball.
The visitors are so desperate for an equaliser that even Pope joined the action in Leeds’ box

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
90 And we got three minutes of added time.
Can Burnley score an equaliser?

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
90 YELLOW
Barnes gets a yellow card for protesting at the referee.
The Burnley ace fouled Hernandez a few moments earlier and that led to a break in play

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
87 WHAT A CHANCE
Barnes finds himself unmarked from Leeds’ slow defence and picks up the ball inside the box.
He fires a powerful shot and Meslier saves with a brilliant lunge to the left

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
85 Five minutes to go and Burnley have yet to reach an equaliser.
The visitors are pressing but Leeds are just holding up…

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
82 CHANCE
And Burnley respond almost immediately with Rodriguez who fires the ball wide from a close distance.
The ex-Southampton ace picked up the ball completely unmarked from a beautiful cross and should have done better there

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
80 CHANCE
Tarkwoski blocks a tap-in from Bamford following a good play by Leeds.
The Burnley defender was critical there…

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
79 YELLOW
Referee cautions Westwood after a rough challenge on Dallas.
Westwood objects that decision but the referee insists

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
78 Burnley are slowing down as we approach full-time.
But Leeds also appear to prefer sitting deep to protect their clean sheet.
Still time though…

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
75 We’re just 15 minutes away from full-time and Leeds are not inspiring confidence.
Their backline especially is significantly stretched as Burnley’s pressure is paying dividends.
But the hosts are still in front and the Clarets are running out of time

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
74 CHANCE
Barnes fires a powerful shot but it goes straight onto Meslier.
Can Burnley find an equaliser?

LEEDS 1-0 BURNLEY
74 SUBSTITUTION
Burnley boss Dyche decides to make a double save.
Stephens and Rodriguez come in for Pieters and Benson respectively

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