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Tottenham's Christmas list is long and demanding.

Even the Big Man himself may struggle to make everyone happy.

Top of the list is the return of some attacking players – Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski in particular. They would make a huge difference.

Sadly not even a Christmas miracle would bring James Maddison back any time soon. He is, and will remain, desperately missed.

There has been lots of speculation that the new people running the club will inject some much-needed resources into the playing squad in January.

The past 18 months have shown that this team as currently constituted is not good enough to challenge at the upper echelons of the Premier League. This is not just about injured attacking players - Spurs need more and better defenders and midfielders as well.

As if these were not daunting enough challenges, Tottenham have to do something about their poor home form too.

Fans will not put up with paying through the nose to savour victories against the likes of Doncaster, Slavia Prague and Brentford.

If Spurs fans get what they want for Christmas, it will do something to ease the mood around the club and give Thomas Frank the time to do the job he was tasked with in the summer.

However if those big-ticket items do not make it down the chimney, Spurs fans will continue to feel this season slipping away from them.

The upcoming January transfer window is the first without Daniel Levy and presents our owners with an important opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the on-pitch success we all crave.

Blockbuster signings are not necessarily required, as spending big does not always guarantee success.

However, with the Lewis family prepared to make substantial funds available, it is crucial that our recruitment team spends wisely.

We can all agree we need a striker. Rumours range from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Jonathan David, to Igor Thiago and Samu Aghehowa, to name just a few.

Purchasing Mateta could result in a swap deal with Brennan Johnson. It is difficult not to feel sentimental about Johnson for obvious reasons, but I think it could be a good time for both parties to go their separate ways.

With Antoine Semenyo unlikely to join us, if Manchester City secure him instead, this could allow us to finally agree a deal with Savinho. Either way, we need a left winger.

We could also do with reinforcements at left-back, with 17-year-old Honest Ahanor among the players who have caught the attention of our scouts.

Another goalkeeper could be useful, not as a replacement for Guglielmo Vicario, but as a better training partner and genuine competition for the number one spot.

Who we sell or send on loan is just as interesting as who we acquire, as this also offers an insight into Thomas Frank's vision for the future.

Despite Richarlison's goal contributions this season, now is the time to offload the Brazilian. Sell him while he is performing and before he gets injured, again.

We need to release Yves Bissouma and Manor Solomon, although obviously the latter is currently on loan.

That is a substantial wish list. Let's hope we start the year as we mean to go on.

That’s all for today - thanks for joining us

That brings our Premier League news conference coverage to a close ahead of a packed festive schedule.

There was plenty for managers to navigate, from Thomas Frank pushing back on Arne Slot’s comments over Micky van de Ven’s challenge on Alexander Isak – with Slot confirming the Newcastle forward faces a couple of months out with a broken leg due to a 'reckless' challenge – to Andoni Iraola acknowledging the “noise” surrounding Antoine Semenyo amid reported interest from Chelsea.

Team news also came thick and fast, with updates across the league including Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Brighton and Everton, while several managers offered early thoughts on how they expect to approach a January transfer window that is already beginning to loom.

Thanks for joining us today. We’ll be back with you soon as attention turns from the press rooms to the pitch.

'No chance for Longstaff and James'

Sunderland v Leeds (Sun, 14:00 GMT)

Leeds United

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke delivered team news ahead of their fixture against Sunderland: "No chance for Sean [Longstaff] and also for Daniel James.

"There is a small chance for Lukas Nmecha to be involved. There is some progress. I hope I have him available at some point this week, back in team training, and if he comes through the sessions, then he could be a topic for the squad and travel with us.

"But he is more or less the only one out of the long-term injuries that could perhaps feature in this game."

Best of Frank news conference

Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media with his side facing Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.

Here are the best bits from the news conference.

Frank "disagrees with Slot's assessment of Van de Ven's challenge

Also says Van de Ven and Isak "have sorted it out"

Team news before facing Palace

'I would like to appeal' Simons red card

Suspended Romero a 'passionate' player

'We are trying to improve at 100mph'

'I'm not speaking about that' - Frank on Paratici exit rumours

'When someone leaves, others must step up - Frank on former assistant Wells

Before we wrap up, we'll take a look at the team news from a resurgent Leeds United.

'We are trying to improve when at 100mph'

Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on if this is his most difficult spell as a manager: "I think I see a lot similarities to first head coach job. Although different scale. This is one of biggest clubs in the world so makes it bigger and different challenge.

"First job I tried to build something over time and with a lot good people. Where this makes it extra challenging is we also play Champions League and Premier League at same time. We are trying to improve when at 100mph.

"I have seen lots of things we improve on but most important thing is how we can create consistent performances day in and day out."

'If I need to hold hand of players, then we've a big problem'

Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on Christmas break: "First full week we have had since August. This is welcome. This week we handle same way as any other week, even Christmas we still do the same.

"We are off 25th, then two days so perfectly fits Christmas family schedule. I'm a big believer in having top professional and I believe the players are, but also they are grown up individuals. If I need to hold hands the whole time then we have big problem.

"I believe in why we train extra set pieces today, I expect them to be bang on it, we have extra sharp training tomorrow so everyone can get out of here.

"Then need to be back being professional after Christmas. Only slight difference we do is to start later on boxing day."

'I'm not speaking about that' - Frank on Paratici exit rumours

Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on co-sporting director Fabio Paratici who has been linked with an exit after only re-joining the club in October: "It is not the first rumour I need to speak about.

"If it is staff, director or player, in general, I am not speaking about that. I just try to focus on the Crystal Palace game. It is probably also something for someone high up in the club."

'When someone leaves, others must step up'

Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on assistant Matt Wells who has left the club to join Colorado Rapids as head coach: I’m very happy for Matt. It’s a great opportunity for him. I think he’s a very talented coach and I think he’s got a good potential to be a good head coach.”

“It’s different when you stand out there on your own. But I think he has all the abilities to do well.

"When someone leaves, others needs to step up and take more responsibilities. That will be down to Cameron [Campbell], Justin [Cochrane] and Andreas [Georgson] to take a step more forward.

"Of course Justin already has taken big responsibility, Andreas as well. When someone is leaving there will just be a little bit more to fill in for them. But I’m confident they are capable to do that. Back in the day, it was only one assistant you had so I’m pretty sure we’ll survive."

Romero a 'passionate' player

Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on Cristian Romero role as captain and setting example: "Many times [I have spoken to him]. Of course after this game, not just him, the players in general.

"That label as captain, you can't have only one leader on pitch. We are talking about a passionate player. At the top he carries the team on his back, like Europa League final, like Newcastle away. When very passionate you sometimes have few moments. Something he is working on.

"You have player for me where second goal is clear, clear foul. I've not played highest level but those who have know it is a foul. He felt it was foul.

"f you don’t get the first yellow then don't get second yellow. Obviously second was a mistake. He was passionate in first duel and too much in second. But when you have a passionate player you have to accept that."

Isak and Van de Ven 'have sorted it out'

Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on Arne Slot calling Micky van de Ven's challenge on Alexander Isak "reckless": “Obviously I am disagreeing.

"In many ways, we are talking about a defender that will do everything to avoid [conceding] the goal. It’s a transition so he is sprinting back in. There’s a ball slid down in the side and he does everything he can to block that shot.

"Unfortunately, Isak has planted his foot straight there which makes it look worse than it is. That would be a natural reaction for any defender.

"Or, put it this way, if my defender doesn’t do that, I don’t think they are true defenders. I don’t see that at all. I think reckless challenges, normally, you haven’t seen any from Micky, as I remember it. I see him as a very fair and competitive player. That’s one thing. I also know the two players have sorted it out so that’s a good sign."

Frank 'obviously disagrees' with Slot on 'reckless' tackle

Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank says he "obviously disagrees" with Arne Slot, who said earlier today that Micky van de Ven's challenge on Alexander Isak was "reckless."

He says Isak planted his foot and if his defender doesn't make the tackle he wouldn't be a defender. He also went on to say that Van de Ven and Isak have "sorted it out."

We will have the full quotes from Frank coming up shortly.

Post

Brentford v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Brentford

Brentford boss Keith Andrews on the question of pushing for European qualification spots in the new year: "The league is very condensed. Not sure what it'll be this year in terms of placing. It's so tight, two or three points and you're potentially in those positions.

"We're content, to a point, with where we are now. We'll keep pushing and we'll see what happens."

'We have to keep looking to improve'

Brentford v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Brentford

Brentford boss Keith Andrews on whether they can start looking up instead of behind at the relegation zone: "I always look up. It's the way I'm wired. It's the way the football club is built. It's a progressive mindset. Very respectful of each and every game. And that doesn't put us in a place where we can become complacent in any way.

"We have to keep looking to improve, and strive to be better and better. If we can do that, there's only one way we can go and that's up."

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven had rushed over in a desperate attempt to block a shot from Alexander Isak.

The Liverpool striker was too quick, firing into the corner to open the scoring at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

While Isak came away with a goal, he also faces an extended period on the sidelines after being injured in the process.

Was it an inevitable collision between striker and defender? Or was there a case for a red card to Van de Ven?

Rightly or wrongly, defenders are rarely penalised for their challenges after a shot is struck by an attacker. These are tackles which you would expect to be punished if they happened elsewhere on the pitch.

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel voted 3-2 that Manchester City should have been awarded a penalty at Newcastle last month.

Fabian Schar had kicked through the boot of Phil Foden after he had taken a shot, but there was no VAR intervention.

As Isak scored there is obviously no case for a penalty. But could the VAR have deemed it a red card for serious foul play?

Opinions may be influenced by the injury to Isak but it does not have to be the result of foul play - it can simply be an unfortunate consequence.

It is important to look at how Van de Ven makes the challenge, and also how Isak comes to sustain the injury.

As Isak releases the shot, Van de Ven slides in to try to make a block.

Crucially, it is Isak's shooting foot that gets injured after he plants it.

The foot lands between Van de Ven's legs, and that is how the Sweden striker's injury appears to happen.

Had Van de Ven gone through Isak's standing foot or tackled his opponent directly this would have been a different discussion.

But Van de Ven goes to make a block into the space in front of Isak. It was a genuine challenge and should not be seen as a red card.

That does not mean a defender cannot be sent off if they try to stop a shot and clatter into an attacker.

We can look at the double leg fracture sustained by Manchester United's Luke Shaw in a Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven in 2015.

Shaw had burst into the area to take a shot when Hector Moreno crashed into him, taking his standing foot away in a scissors tackle.

It came in the days before VAR, so Moreno did not even concede a penalty let alone get a red card. But it is exactly the kind of blocking tackle which should see a player sent off now.

Van de Ven's challenge, however, appears to be an accidental collision as part of a normal defensive action.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was not happy with several decisions which went against his side in Saturday's 2-1 home loss.

Xavi Simons was sent off after catching Virgil van Dijk on the back of the calf as he closed down the Liverpool defender.

Referee John Brooks had only shown a yellow card, but was sent to the pitchside monitor by the VAR Stuart Attwell.

Frank said "the game is gone if that's a red card". Yet the consensus among former players was it was the right decision.

On Match of the Day, Joe Hart said: "That is such a dangerous tackle, he's caught him on the back of the Achilles, it's absolutely a red card."

Referees' chief Howard Webb last season made it clear this kind of challenge should lead to a VAR review.

His comments came after Leicester City's Wilfred Ndidi was not sent off after raking his studs down the calf of Chelsea's Cole Palmer in an incident which was similar to Simons on Van Dijk.

Webb said of Ndidi's foul: "We've looked at this collectively, among the officials, talked about this, and we would prefer this to be dealt with with a red card. We have to protect player safety."

But what about a possible red card for Alejandro Garnacho earlier in the day? The Chelsea forward only received a caution for his foul on Newcastle's Jacob Ramsey.

The decision of referee Andy Madley was supported by the VAR Peter Bankes.

There are some important differences to consider.

The ball was in playing distance when Garnacho started the challenge. While he did then lead into Ramsey with his studs there was no force or intensity - and only a small amount of contact.

If a player is stepping into a tackle and mistimes it slightly a caution is seen as an acceptable disciplinary outcome, even if initial contact is above the boot.

Challenges from behind, as with Simons, where there is no possibility of getting to the ball are far more likely to result in a red card.

If Frank was annoyed about the Simons red, he was even more angry about Liverpool's second goal.

Jeremie Frimpong's cross took a slight deflection, and Huge Ekitike rose above Cristian Romero to head home.

"There is a massive mistake by John [Brooks] on the pitch. Two hands on the back by Ekitike," Frank said.

"Luckily we have VAR so they will bail you out when you need it, which they didn't."

Ekitike's hands were on Romero, but there did not appear to be any force applied to foul the defender. It looked like a strong, powerful header.

Earlier this season Manchester United scored at Fulham when Leny Yoro had two hands on the back of Calvin Bassey. The goal stood after a VAR check.

The KMI panel voted 3-2 that it should have been ruled out on the field, but 4-1 that it had not reached the threshold for the VAR to intervene.

Yoro had pushed slightly forward on the back of Bassey, but there was no such action from Ekitike on Romero.

It is very unlikely the panel would see the Ekitike goal as an error by either the referee or the VAR.

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given agreed on Match of the Day: "I think John Brooks has got it right."

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Spurs fans

Steve: Yet another chaotic and self inflicted loss to add to all of the others. I was becoming a fan of Romero as captain but he can't hide his dark side for long and for that reason now is the right time for him to go. Simons is so poor at Premier League level and won't take us to the next level, but he is not alone in the team. We need to be ruthless and replace the lightweights before the end of the season and rebuild.

Neil: One dimensional, lacking in flair or spark and shocking ill discipline. Utterly woeful. I've been a Spurs fan for 45 years and I expect a relegation battle after this debacle.

Nicki: I was actually disgusted by Spurs' total lack of sportsmanship today. The two red cards were more than deserved. Total disregard for the game. I would actually have given more reds to them.

Liverpool fans

Carl: Very poor display from Liverpool. We have all these attacking players but the manager cannot seem to fit them together. They were down to nine and we got worse. Very frustrating. All in all, not good enough from the payers and the manager.

Dave: Liverpool were kicked off the pitch by one of the most 'physical' (dirty) Spurs performances ever. Isak fouled twice without punishment. Late fouls everywhere. Lucky for Spurs it was just the two reds. Well done Liverpool. Not easy to play against that.

Wayne Rooney thinks players are better when they play with an edge but feels Tottenham felt the frustrations of emotion overflowing in Saturday's defeat by Liverpool.

Spurs lost Xavi Simons to a straight red card against in the 2-1 defeat when he was dismissed for a foul on Virgil van Dijk in the 33rd minute following a VAR review. Simons scraped his studs down the calf of his Netherland's team-mate and captain, with referee John Brooks upgrading his original yellow card to red.

Spurs' own captain, Cristian Romero, lost his cool late in the game when he kicked out at Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate after a tangle to receive a second yellow having already picked one up earlier for dissent.

"I thought it [Simon's] was a strange red card because obviously Van Dijk is captain for Holland as well, and so I wouldn't think that he's meant to do it. I think it's just probably a rush of blood to his head," he told The Wayne Rooney Show podcast.

"I think sometimes it's better, and in the big games as well, playing on that edge and having that little bit of hunger in a weird way.

"It's quite difficult to explain, but playing on that edge in the big games is better, but then you're at risk of overflowing a little bit and I think with the two red cards that happened.

"The second red card, the Romero one, I think is soft. I think Konate's played on it a little bit, but I think playing on that edge you're at danger of getting a red card or something silly happening. However, the outcomes can be much better when you're playing on that edge. I think that's what people want to see as well."

Tottenham have not had an approach from Fiorentina, despite strong reports in Italy claiming Fabio Paratici is poised to accept a five-year deal to become theSerie Aclub's director of football. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column

Match of the Day's Joe Hart criticises Tottenham's ill-discipline in their 2-0 defeat at home to Liverpool, saying Spurs "lost control" in going down to nine men.

Watch Match of the Day on iPlayer.

Cristian Romero would not have been sent off in Tottenham's 2-1 Premier League loss to Liverpool if referee John Brooks "did his job" properly, says Spurs manager Thomas Frank.

Tottenham were reduced to 10 men in the first half after a VAR intervention when Xavi Simons was dismissed for a foul on Virgil van Dijk.

However, the hosts fought back and reduced the deficit late on through substitute Richarlison.

Despite being a man down, Tottenham were well on top in stoppage time and chasing an equaliser when their captain Romero received a second yellow card for a petulant kick out at Ibrahima Konate.

Romero's first booking came for dissent in the aftermath of Liverpool's second goal, with the Argentine feeling Hugo Ekitike had pushed him in the back as he headed in.

"There is a massive mistake by John [Brooks] on the pitch. Two hands on the back by Ekitike," said Frank.

"I don't understand how he didn't see it. OK. Luckily we have VAR so they will bail you out when you need it, which they didn't. That was the second mistake.

"I think if you go back to that [second Liverpool goal] and the referee did his job, then I think it would not have been a first yellow [for Romero]. Is that fair to say?

"I have a player that is extremely passionate, and if you have a passionate player then you need to go to the line sometimes."

In a post on X, the Premier League match centre,, external said: "The referee's call of goal for Liverpool was checked and confirmed by VAR - with it deemed there was normal contact for an aerial challenge between Ekitike and Romero."

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given agreed on Match of the Day: "I think John Brooks has got it right."

Spurs can take a number of positives from fighting back with a numerical disadvantage against last term's champions, however the result leaves Frank's side 13th in the table.

Tottenham's 11 home league defeats in 2025 are also their most in a calendar year - and the fact five of those have come under the Dane, who took over from Ange Postecoglou in the summer, will place further scrutiny over his reign.

However, there are also likely to be question marks over Romero's suitability as the club's captain.

The Argentine, who was appointed as Tottenham skipper by Frank in the summer after the departure of Son Heung-min to Los Angeles FC, has a chequered disciplinary record.

In 114 Premier League appearances the former Atalanta defender has collected 34 yellow cards and three red cards.

Tottenham, alongside Bournemouth, have the most yellow cards in the top flight this season with 42 - and 21% of those (nine) can be attributed to Romero.

He was also one of the players to be given their marching orders when Spurs were last reduced to nine players in a league match, against Chelsea in 2023.

And the context of his second yellow card against the Reds left former Tottenham and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp bewildered.

"I think Hugo Ekitike's goal is a foul. I can't believe it's not given, A consequence of that is Cristian Romero runs after the referee and gets himself a yellow card which has an impact at the end of the game," Redknapp said on Sky Sports.

"What Romero did is what Romero does. To get involved right in front of the referee and kick out at someone right in front of the referee. If my four-year-old did that I would say 'what are you doing?'

"Konate leaves a bit on Romero first which is actually quite cute because he knows he is not going to get caught. But he [Romero] can't do that. It's ridiculous."

And former Tottenham goalkeeper Joe Hart called some of Spurs' behaviour in the defeat "wild".

"They put up a really good fight but there was so much ill discipline," he told Match of the Day. "You can't have that, you make it difficult for yourself.

"Xavi Simons has not gone out of his way to nail his fellow countryman but it is something so dangerous to do, absolutely a red card.

"They are fighting and scrapping for their lives, but from the moment Romero got that yellow card I felt another would come.

"Konate has just baited him and it is right in front of John Brooks - he has to give him a second yellow card.

"They just totally lost control. Richarlison after the game still not giving up, it all looked a bit wild out there."

In a post on Instagram, external, Simons apologised for his earlier attempted tackle on his Netherlands captain Van Dijk.

He wrote: "Mistakes happen. Virg is my captain, I would never intentionally hurt him or anyone. To my Spurs team-mates, my manager and the fans, I take responsibility, I'm really sorry."

While Frank conceded he had seen similar challenges to the one made by the attacking midfielder receive the same punishment, he suggested it was not worthy of a sending off.

"I don't like this [Simons' challenge] as a red card. I think the game is probably too big to say gone, but for me it's not reckless and it's not exceptional force," Frank added.

"He is chasing Van Dijk. He is trying to put pressure and then he changes direction. Unfortunately his foot is on Achilles.

"You can say 'ah, you need to be smarter, don't do it and all that' - but are we not allowed to have physical contact any more?

"The next thing on that is if he gets three games, which I don't understand, how can he get three games for something which is not reckless? That is absolutely wrong and we probably can't appeal it."

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