Brentford v Spurs LIVE - Premier League latest as Brentford have goal ruled out for offside; Richarlison closest for Spurs on Thomas Frank's return
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank will return to his former club, Brentford, on New Year's Day for the first time since leaving in the summer to join Spurs. Ahead of that match, he spoke to the media and answered questions about the winter transfer window. Despite saying the club will be active, Frank would not be drawn on the future of Brennan Johnson, who has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has refused to comment on the future of Brennan Johnson, following reports that the club have agreed a deal with Crystal Palace for the sale of the Wales international.
According to The Athletic, a £35 million agreement has reportedly been settled on by Spurs and Palace ahead of the winter transfer window opening on New Year’s Day.
Asked for clarification of Johnson’s situation during his pre-match press conference ahead of their Premier League game against Brentford, Frank said: "Again, this is the third time I think I get that question, so there's rumours out there. In general, I'm not commenting on that.
"No matter if we want to sign or sell a player or get a staff member in or out, I have no interest in commenting either way."
Johnson has only made six Premier League starts since Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou as manager in the summer.
The 24-year-old - who arrived at Spurs from Nottingham Forest in 2023 - has not found the net in the league since their win at Manchester City in August.
Johnson did, however, score in their UEFA Champions League win against FC Copenhagen in November, before being sent off in the same match.
Asked if Johnson would be part of the squad for their first match of 2026 against Brentford on New Year’s Day, Frank said: "He contributed to a very good and important win against Crystal Palace.
"He trained very well today. I expect him fully to be available and able to play against Brentford."
Johnson was Tottenham’s leading scorer in all competitions last season with 18 goals.
That included arguably the biggest goal of his career, as he got the winner in the UEFA Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao.
Despite remaining coy about Johnson’s future, Frank did open up about his desire to be active in the transfer window.
"We will be in the market," Frank said. "We are definitely interested in, if we can, strengthening the squad. We will do that.
"I've said it a few times before that things are important. Of course, different types you can add to a squad, but the main bit is the ones we add need to be ones that we really think can improve the team.
"And then, like normal, there can be outgoings if you want to try to make a share of the squad."
Brentford return not 'business as usual' for Frank
Tottenham will kick off 2026 with a trip to Brentford, as Frank returns to his former club for the first time since switching west London for north in the summer.
Frank started life at Brentford as an assistant to Dean Smith, before taking over in the top job following Smith’s sacking in 2018.
He then guided the club to promotion to the Premier League - at the second time of asking - via the Championship play-offs in 2021, before establishing them as a top-flight outfit until his departure for Spurs in the summer of 2025.
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Looking ahead to his return to the club, Frank said: "That one cannot be business as usual. That is special.
"I don't think I have thought that much about a game when it's coming back to me. And I'm actually happy that I have those emotions, because that means it meant something to me. The nine years I spent at Brentford, almost seven as a head coach.
"Brentford Football Club, the fans and especially the people I work closely with, have a special place in my heart.
"That's the longest time I've ever been at a club, and we achieved incredible things together. So that is very, very special."
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Alexander Isak is set for a spell on the sidelines as Liverpool announced he has undergone surgery on an ankle injury. It is the latest setback for Isak at Anfield after his British-record £125 million move from Newcastle United, and particularly ill-timed given he had netted just his second Premier League goal for The Reds moments before suffering the injury.
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has undergone surgery on an ankle injury he suffered after scoring in his side’s 2-1 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Isak netted his third goal for Liverpool following his controversial British-record £125m summer move to Anfield from Newcastle, but was tackled by Micky van de Ven in the process and stayed down for several minutes before being helped off the pitch by medical staff.
"Alexander Isak today successfully underwent surgery on the injury he sustained on Saturday," read a club statement released on Tuesday evening.
"The Liverpool striker was injured in a challenge in the process of scoring the opening goal against Tottenham Hotspur and had to be substituted.
"After diagnosis, an operation was completed today on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.
"Isak's rehabilitation will now continue at the AXA Training Centre, with no timeframe yet placed on his return."
Of the two lower leg bones, the fibula is generally smaller than the tibia, located on the outer side.
While the club gave no indication of recovery time, surgery on fibula fractures is thought to lead to months, rather than weeks, before full rehabilitation.
With Liverpool already missing Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations, it is the latest setback in Isak’s nascent Anfield career.
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Having missed out on pre-season training due to his protracted exit from Newcastle, Isak scored on his debut in the Carabao Cup against Championship side Southampton, but had to wait until the last day of November at West Ham to open his Premier League account. Having looked more like his old self against Spurs, he is now set for a spell on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Sweden fans will hope the injury will not jeopardise their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Sweden face Ukraine in their play-off semi-final on March 26, with the final against either Poland or Albania scheduled for March 31.
In the immediate aftermath of Liverpool's victory over Tottenham, manager Arne Slot said he had a "gut feeling" that Isak's injury was "not good".
"I don't have any news on him but if a player scores, gets injured and doesn't come back on the pitch or doesn't try to come back, which Conor Bradley, for example did, but I had to take him off and couldn't come on," said Slot.
"But if a player doesn't try to come back it is usually not a good thing but I cannot say anything more than that. That is just a gut feeling and nothing more than that, nothing medical to say about it.
"I haven't spoken to him about it yet but it's a good thing he scored, a good goal assisted by Florian Wirtz. I said players are getting better, the team is getting better. It wasn't perfect today, especially the last 10 minutes but we pick up points and are developing in a way I want to see."
Liverpool next play Wolves on December 27.
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TNT Sports and discovery+ is set to host a feast of Premier League matches in February, including a full round of fixtures between February 10 and 12. First up, we head to Old Trafford for Manchester United v Tottenham on February 7. Among the midweek matches to be shown are Chelsea v Leeds United and Brentford v Arsenal, with Manchester City v Newcastle also live later in the month.
A feast of Premier League football is coming to TNT Sports and discovery+ in February, with Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea v Leeds United and Manchester City v Newcastle among the games shown live.
A full set of fixtures will be shown live on your screens between February 10 and 12, including Brentford v Arsenal.
As the business end of the season approaches, there is plenty at stake and the results of these matches should shape how the table looks come May.
First up, we head to Old Trafford for Manchester United v Tottenham on February 7, a reversal of the fixture we showed in November, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
There should be plenty of drama, as both sides hope to strengthen their claim for a European spot.
We will then turn our focus to a football bonanza, with all 20 clubs featuring on TNT Sports between February 10 and 12.
Premier League table
Premier League fixtures and results
There will be three matches played simultaneously on Tuesday, February 10 at 19:30: Spurs v Newcastle, Chelsea v Leeds and Everton v Bournemouth. West Ham v Man Utd will follow at the slightly later time of 20:15.
The following night brings five games, with four kicking off at 19:30: Aston Villa v Brighton, Man City v Fulham, Crystal Palace v Burnley and Nottingham Forest v Wolves. Sunderland v Liverpool follows at 20:15.
All eyes will turn to the Gtech Stadium on Thursday, February 12, where Brentford will entertain Premier League challengers Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta's side are determined to end their 22-year wait for a Premier League trophy and this London derby could prove crucial in their quest to do so.
Hot on their heels are Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, and the TNT Sports cameras will be at the Etihad to see whether The Citizens can get the better of Newcastle on Saturday, February 21.
An exciting month wraps up on February 28 when Bournemouth host high-flying Sunderland, who are defying the odds in their first season back in the Premier League since 2017.
Which Premier League matches are on TNT Sports?
The following games will be shown live on TNT Sports:
SAT, DEC 20NEWCASTLE UNITED v CHELSEA12:30SAT, DEC 27NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MANCHESTER CITY12:30SUN, JAN 4LEEDS UNITED v MANCHESTER UNITED12:30SAT, JAN 17NOTTINGHAM FOREST v ARSENAL17:30SAT, JAN 24WEST HAM UNITED v SUNDERLAND12:30SAT, JAN 31LIVERPOOL v NEWCASTLE UNITED20:00SAT FEB 7MANCHESTER UNITED v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR12:30TUES FEB 10TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v NEWCASTLE19:30TUES FEB 10CHELSEA v LEEDS UNITED19:30TUES FEB 10EVERTON v BOURNEMOUTH19:30TUES FEB 10WEST HAM UNITED v MANCHESTER UNITED20:15WED FEB 11ASTON VILLA v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION19:30WED FEB 11MANCHESTER CITY v FULHAM19:30WED FEB 11CRYSTAL PALACE v BURNLEY19:30WED FEB 11NOTTINGHAM FOREST v WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS19:30WED FEB 11SUNDERLAND v LIVERPOOL20:15THURS FEB 12BRENTFORD v ARSENAL*20:00SAT FEB 21MANCHESTER CITY v NEWCASTLE UNITED**12:30SAT FEB 28BOURNEMOUTH v SUNDERLAND12:30
*This match will revert to Wednesday, February 11, 20:15 should either club reach the FA Cup fourth round, and be drawn against a club scheduled to play in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off round the following Tuesday.
**This match will move to 20:00 should either club be involved in an away Champions League knockout phase play-off round match the preceding Wednesday.
What channels does TNT Sports offer and on which platforms?
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, EE TV, Sky and Virgin Media.
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'It's burning' - Thomas Frank bemoans Tottenham Hotspur performance in 'very disappointing' defeat to Nottingham Forest
Tottenham Hotspur were left languishing in mid-table after a heavy loss to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon. Manager Thomas Frank did not mince his words in response to a humbling result, admitting the performance was "hugely disappointing". Spurs are 11th with 22 points from 16 games after falling to a sixth Premier League defeat of the season.
Thomas Frank admitted the pain of his Tottenham Hotspur side's 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League was "burning".
A brace from Callum Hudson-Odoi and an Ibrahim Sangare goal gave the hosts an emphatic victory at the City Ground.
Spurs have now won just one of their last seven in the Premier League, and Frank admitted the performance was unacceptable.
"It was hugely disappointing," he told Sky Sports. "It's burning, annoying. That was a bad performance, especially first half.
"Overall, we looked disjointed. We didn't win enough duels, and then we couldn't hit each other. It seemed like we gave the ball away every time we won it back.
"Of course, the first two goals are two mistakes, that happens. We need to work to be more consistent. It's two steps forward and a step back today.
"That's down to individuals. We are in it together, we win together and lose together. It's hugely irritating that we perform like this today. Simple passing, I think we lose the ball 20 times, simple passes."
Hudson-Odoi's opener came from a mistake at the back as Spurs attempted to play out.
"It's a clear one, you see it in the Premier League every week, Serie A, La Liga all over the world," Frank said when asked about the error. "In, bounce it out with your first touch.
"On paper, black and white, we lost 3-0 here. The better team won today. When things are going against us, we need to keep doing the right thing and keep our cool heads."
On anger from Tottenham's travelling fans at the final whistle, Frank added: "Like I've said before, if you don't perform, that's more than fair enough their frustration."
Spurs right-back Pedro Porro, meanwhile, claimed the club's supporters deserved better.
"The away fans don't deserve this," he said. "Today this was a bad game from us. Now we're focusing on the next game.
"Every game is difficult in the Premier League. We can play on Tuesday and win in the Champions League, but in the Premier League it is different.
"Maybe more intensity, I don't know. But I feel especially sorry for the fans. The fans don't deserve this today."
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It was a contrasting assessment from Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche, who praised his side's discipline as they moved five points clear of the relegation zone.
"I thought the lads were outstanding from start to finish," he said. "Our shape was good, the pressing was good. So much we see as coaches.
"We want to give the players a base to work from. I trust their judgement. If it's a bad ball, go and press, if it's a good ball, hold your shape. We were fantastic at that.
"The players are looking fitter, sharper and also the quality, I know we have quality here, it was on show today. It's often about building the basics. The players are doing it brilliantly, all of them. We're building that squad mentality. It's a work in progress, a constant work in progress.
"When I got in here it needed some sort of correcting. We've done what we can, but the players deserve the credit, they're the ones out there. I think they've been fantastic. One game like that doesn't solve everything, but there are clear signs."
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Thomas Frank says Tottenham Hotspur form 'completely natural' after 17th-placed finish in Premier League but needs to be 'so much better'
Thomas Frank believes Tottenham Hotspur's inconsistent form is "completely natural" after the club finished 17th in the Premier League in 2024/25. But the Spurs head coach also insisted that his side "need to be so much better" as they prepare to face Slavia Prague in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Tottenham currently sit 16th in the league phase.
Thomas Frank is happy that he has built a "solid foundation" at Tottenham Hotspur, but the head coach believes that there is "so much" room for improvement.
Spurs' UEFA Champions League clash at home to Slavia Prague on Tuesday evening, shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+, offers the north Londoners a chance to win consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since mid-September.
A five-match winless streak heading into the festive period had cranked up the pressure on Frank, but a comfortable 2-0 victory over Brentford in their latest outing offered the Dane green shoots of progress.
"I think I will say it like this: there is space for improvements," Frank told TNT Sports. "But I think we've found an okay, solid foundation, but I would like to add so much more.
"But I actually think it is completely natural with a squad and a team that finished 17th last year, and of course won the Europa League, fantastic. Now we want to finish much higher, plus we want to compete in the Champions League, which is at a higher level.
"So to be able to balance everything, we still maybe don't have all the players available that we'd like to. So that's a balancing act. But that's no complaint; that's just the way it is.
"I like the signs of improvement, but I know we need to be so much better."
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Slavia are yet to pick up a victory in Europe's premier competition this season, but the Czech champions have held Bodo/Glimt, Atalanta and Athletic Club to draws.
So Frank is unlikely to take the visitors to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium lightly, even after a comprehensive win over Brentford last time out.
"I've got this 24-hour rule. So after wins, for example after Brentford, I'm allowing myself the joy and the happiness of a win, because you need to do that because it's so relentless," said Frank.
"But then you can't be too happy or too satisfied for too long because you need to be on it for the next game. The other way around, if you lose a game, you can't be disappointed too long. You need to move on because the next game is ahead of you.
"So that's how I try to deal with it. And also, never be too high or too low. It's normally never as bad or as good as you think."
Kudus 'not surprised at all' by Simons display
Xavi Simons was on the scoresheet for the first time in Tottenham white at the weekend, sealing his side's 2-0 win in the 43rd minute.
The summer signing also assisted Richarlison's opener, took four shots and completed 84% of his passes.
And fellow new recruit Mohammed Kudus was "not surprised at all" by the Dutchman's display, calling it "just the beginning" for the 22-year-old.
"Every player is different. Some need more time, some don't," said Kudus. "But Xavi has been training well, good mentality, giving his all. Even though he's not been starting in the past games, he's still sharp and ready for his opportunity.
"But how he played on Saturday, I'm not surprised at all, because his mentality and his focus, his energy is going to help the team a lot and definitely it's just the beginning.
"I know he has a lot more to do, to show. But I'm really, really happy that he was able to get his first goal and perform like that on Saturday.
"Hopefully we can build on that and all the new players, the better we can do to help each other settle in, the more we can connect with each other. I and him and all the other team-mates will help a lot because he has a lot more to offer to us."
Stream the Premier League and UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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FA Cup third round draw: Holders Crystal Palace host non-league Macclesfield, Tottenham take on Aston Villa, Manchester United welcome Brighton
The Emirates FA Cup 2025/26 third-round draw threw up some mouth-watering ties, including Aston Villa v Tottenham and Macclesfield v Crystal Palace. All 64 clubs, including entrants from the Premier League and Championship, learned their fate as TNT Sports broadcast the draw live from St James Park, home of Brackley Town. The 32 third-round clashes will be played on the weekend of January 10.
The draw for the third round of the Emirates FA Cup has been made and all 64 remaining clubs have learned their fates.
Of the 32 ties, all to be shown on the weekend of January 10, 2026, four will see Premier League clubs facing off against each other.
Tottenham Hotspur welcome Aston Villa, Everton host Sunderland, Eddie Howe's Newcastle United entertain Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion will travel to Manchester United in a replay of the 1983 final.
"That [Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa] is a brilliant tie. That is the one that stands out more than anything," commented Ally McCoist on TNT Sports immediately after the draw.
At the other end of the English pyramid, a trip to fifth-tier Boreham Wood is the prize for Burton Albion, who knocked out non-league Brackley Town on Monday evening, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The lowest-ranked side left in the competition, Macclesfield, have been gifted a home tie against holders Crystal Palace, while fellow sixth-tier club Weston-super-Mare travel to League Two Grimsby Town.
"The one that jumps out for me there is Macclesfield v Crystal Palace," said Darren Fletcher. "When you think about the journey Macclesfield have been on under Robbie Savage for a period of time, now it's John Rooney, they get the holders.
"You look at this from the lower team's perspective, but [Palace manager] Oliver Glasner is going to know that he's got it all on in that game."
Elsewhere, Manchester City have been handed home advantage in their clash with Exeter City, and Liverpool will host Barnsley, who will hope to repeat their heroics from 2008 when they knocked out The Reds at Anfield in the fifth round.
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There are London derbies for Charlton Athletic and Chelsea, as well as for West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers.
And record 14-time winners Arsenal will make the journey to the south coast to face Portsmouth.
All third-round games played outside of the 15:00 Saturday blackout window will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Third round draw
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Shrewsbury Town
Doncaster Rovers v Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
Port Vale v Fleetwood Town
Preston North End v Wigan Athletic
Ipswich Town v Blackpool
Wrexham v Nottingham Forest
Charlton Athletic v Chelsea
Manchester City v Exeter City
West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers
Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford
Fulham v Middlesbrough
Everton v Sunderland
Liverpool v Barnsley
Burnley v Millwall
Norwich City v Walsall
Portsmouth v Arsenal
Derby County v Leeds United
Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
Salford City v Swindon Town
Boreham Wood v Burton Albion
Grimsby Town v Weston-super-Mare
Hull City v Blackburn Rovers
Newcastle United v Bournemouth
MK Dons v Oxford United
Cheltenham Town v Leicester City
Cambridge United v Birmingham City
Bristol City v Watford
Stoke City v Coventry City
Macclesfield v Crystal Palace
Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion
Sheffield United v Mansfield Town
Watch the 2025/26 Emirates FA Cup on TNT Sports and discovery+
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