Thomas Frank gone as Spurs manager, after unjustifiable form and performances Club have 11 days before next game www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Piece from West Ham 1-1 Man United - Sesko's rich promise - these are oddly the games that will really decide who next for United - a huge result for Spurs (!) - but the direction of travel only going one way - Nuno shows his nous www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

VAR check, looks like he knows he's off.

Casemiro equalises.

1-0 to West Ham, Soucek

A very uneventful half at West Ham.

In my newsletter - the circularity of VAR, and how Sunday summed up so much - as well as an unsolvable issue people have to just tolerate - far more relevant to game - and maybe much more, incl Villa - was Liverpool's earlier squad choices Sign up here www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

City looked good for 25 minutes and then not the same since It is striking how pronounced this pattern is now Right now, they look so tepid bsky.app/profile/did:...

Although maybe it makes much more sense if you accept the risk - as has been a pattern of the season - that City's pressing can only be intensely sustained in stages, and they wear out second half bsky.app/profile/did:...

Also, in a game where you're chasing a lot, Szoboszlai at right-back seems so wasted (I know it's due to right-back options) bsky.app/profile/migu...

Liverpool's starting formation really doesn't seem to make sense here. Two central midfielders, and then four attackers you can't even get the ball to. Surely play Wirtz as a false nine, have two wide attackers, and then have another midfielder instead of Salah/Gakpo?

The red card probably had a direct effect here but you could see what Mbuemo was going to do there way before it happens, and then Spurs let it roll in so casually.

January was the last window of PSR, so what will SCR bring? Organic buy-to-sell clubs like Brighton/Palace feel it will lock them out Research suggests it will lead to "big 6" getting reduced points... but possibly only to clubs with spend-happy owners www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Interview with Caoimhin Kelleher - those final minutes in Budapest - goalkeepers need physicality again - PL refs should punish blocking of keepers - what makes Brentford so distinctive www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Kelleher: "I find a bit difficult when I hear people speaking about the players at Liverpool and performances, because I don’t think this season is even important from a football aspect for them to be honest. It’s more about them personally and mentally" www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

In my Friday newsletter: - the parallels between City and Liverpool right now... and maybe a next manager target? - the "speculation" about Guardiola and whether it's final year - Merino World Cup prospects - Howe safe Sign up here: www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

In my Friday newsletter: - the parallels between City and Liverpool right now... and maybe a next manager target? - the "speculation" about Guardiola and whether it's final year - Merino World Cup prospects - Howe safe Sign up here: www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Kelleher: "I find a bit difficult when I hear people speaking about the players at Liverpool and performances, because I don’t think this season is even important from a football aspect for them to be honest. It’s more about them personally and mentally" www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Interview with Caoimhin Kelleher - those final minutes in Budapest - goalkeepers need physicality again - PL refs should punish blocking of keepers - what makes Brentford so distinctive www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Leicester City deducted six points for PSR breaches in 2023-24.

Leicester City deducted six points.

January was the last window of PSR, so what will SCR bring? Organic buy-to-sell clubs like Brighton/Palace feel it will lock them out Research suggests it will lead to "big 6" getting reduced points... but possibly only to clubs with spend-happy owners www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Quite striking that it's Saudi-owned Newcastle versus Abu Dhabi owned City on the same day that this piece is published in the New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/w...

Rosenior says "the psychological aspect of the tie" influenced his approach - "there was a feeling in the stadium the tie could turn - but we didn't do it"

Piece from Arsenal-Chelsea - a sign of how Havertz might be difference maker - a visual testament to too much football - an illustration of "coaching-led, fully systemised football" - Chelsea look like they play for a draw when they need a win... and lose www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arteta: "I knew they could change it at 45, 60 and 70, like they did in the last two games. We had to be smart and flexible."

60-second match report from Arsenal-Chelsea

Even this moment of tension elongated and held up by some sort of finicky technicalities.

Mateta now facing a race against time for his move - Milan looks off, as Juventus seeking to revive it www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arsenal have been surveying options given Merino injury but more likely they leave it, as there's an awareness Dowman can step up. They're conscious he has to be managed well at his age, but also looks ready for impact moments www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Spurs looking for a forward, but Monaco won't let Akliouche go without a replacement Diaby/Duran possibilities www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Club Brugge have rebuffed Crystal Palace interest in Joel Ordóñez, according to Belgian sources A few Premier League clubs are interested in him Brugge would want over €40m www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Bit of a colour clash on TV with this Villa-Brentford game.

Ekitike's second goal last night reminded of peak Torres.

@migueldelaney.bsky.social’s Inside Football reveals the power plays, clashes, and consequences shaping Premier League clubs – join now with our limited-time transfer window offer at just £1 for three months ⬇️ www.independent.co.uk/sport...

There have only been six wins by 4+ goals in the Premier League this season. Arsenal's matches against Leeds have accounted for two of those.

Does anyone want to finish fourth slash fifth etc etc

Odegaard doesn’t start, as anticipated in piece from yesterday bsky.app/profile/migu...

Video piece on Arsenal and “fear of failure”, how Arteta is tackling a bigger issue youtu.be/I1O8lhgLdMs?...

Am told Forest willing to beat any wage offer from Italian clubs to Mateta www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Video piece on Arsenal’s issues* and “fear of failure” * they’re four points clear and flying in other competitions - which is part of the point youtu.be/XSikg5aTf5M?...

There's also a sale on my subscriber newsletter, here: www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

What Arteta said to his players on Monday morning to try and break the "pressure bubble" But is Arteta's "intensity" and desire for control now something that needs to be tempered - especially in attack? Has he come to a realisation? www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arsenal, and the issue of trying to win a title "by process" when you sometimes need more end product - certain players now afraid of mistakes - Eze found himself out more after Villa mistake - Odegaard and duels - the Guardiola issue of "control" www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

In my newsletter today, as clubs now put years into title campaigns, and Arteta obsesses over every detail... can Villa actually be the story? Is that possible? Also: - Mourinho and a different Madrid reunion - a coach others love to beat Sign up here: www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

There's also a sale on my subscriber newsletter, here: www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

In my newsletter today, as clubs now put years into title campaigns, and Arteta obsesses over every detail... can Villa actually be the story? Is that possible? Also: - Mourinho and a different Madrid reunion - a coach others love to beat Sign up here: www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arsenal, and the issue of trying to win a title "by process" when you sometimes need more end product - certain players now afraid of mistakes - Eze found himself out more after Villa mistake - Odegaard and duels - the Guardiola issue of "control" www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Video piece on Arsenal’s issues* and “fear of failure” * they’re four points clear and flying in other competitions - which is part of the point youtu.be/XSikg5aTf5M?...

What Arteta said to his players on Monday morning to try and break the "pressure bubble" But is Arteta's "intensity" and desire for control now something that needs to be tempered - especially in attack? Has he come to a realisation? www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...