Football365

Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham would have beaten Newcastle United on Saturday without the injury problems impacting his team selection.

The Australian head coach was forced to put Brandon Austin in goal for his Spurs debut against the Magpies with Fraser Forster unwell and first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario still out with a serious ankle injury.

This added to Postecoglou’s long list of absentees, with injuries to centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven seeing teenage midfielder Archie Gray again partner Radu Dragusin in defence.

Left-back Destiny Udogie is also out for six weeks and Newcastle took advantage of Spurs’ injury problems by winning 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Magpies should have been out of sight in the first half and ultimately came under serious pressure in the last 30 minutes.

Spurs boss Postecoglou believes his side should have won the match and says they would have done so if things were more “equal and balanced”.

He said: “I’m hugely proud of my players. We were outstanding considering the situation we are in.

“We deserved to win that game. I don’t feel hard done by – that’s the way they do things. The last thing I want is an explanation [from the match officials].

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“At half-time, full-time, I’m hugely proud of my players.

“We are are disappointed because all things being equal we’d have won. You can only do things that you can control, and there were things there today that were out of our control that took the game away from us.”

Postecoglou added: “On the balance of play, any balance you want with all things being equal, we would have won today.

“Outstanding. I couldn’t be prouder of the players. I couldn’t ask any more. It’s a game we would have won if all things were equal.

“If all things were equal and balanced we would have won today. Things weren’t equal and balanced.

“You can talk about whatever you want. You want my opionion – if all things were equal and balanced we would have won.

“We had plenty of chances. Our football was outstanding considering everything we’re going through.

“If it was an even playing field we’d have won.”

On ‘keeper Austin, the former Celtic boss added: “Really good. The moments we are going through putting big tasks on players and they’re rising to occasion.

“The performance deserved a victory.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe says “confidence has definitely shifted” with his side now on a six-match winning run domestically, leaving them fifth in the Premier League and top of the form table.

“We had to dig deep today,” he said. “It was a tough win but a massive one.

“There’s no denying the ball hit Joe’s [Joelinton] hand or arm but I’m not sure of the rules.

“Confidence has definitely shifted, it natutrally does when you win games. It was something we were building to.

“Performances were good. We’re a very good team with good players. I’d like to think we can keep it going.”

On match-winner Alexander Isak, who scored in a seventh consecutive Premier League, Howe said: “He was in the right place at the right time. That’s an art.

“Another good cross from Jacob [Murphy]. He’s be disappointed with the one he didn’t take. He’s on a hot streak, long may that continue.”

Another defeat leaves Tottenham 12th in the Premier League with 10 defeats from their opening 20 games.

Dominic Solanke gave Spurs the lead inside three minutes and Newcastle’s comeback has propelled them to second in the table when conceding first. Character.

Tottenham were even more depleted and Newcastle United took full advantage, though their victory in north London should have been more convincing.

Illness to Fraser Forster meant a first-team debut for Brandon Austin, who joined Spurs in 2007. He didn’t do anything hilariously awful against Newcastle, so he appears to be an upgrade and should probably start over Forster moving forward.

The game pretty much went just how we expected it would. Spurs had the occasional bright spark but were largely outclassed and lost. It should have been more but Newcastle sat back in the last half-hour and were happy to see their hosts struggle to create any clear-cut chances.

Spurs surprisingly started perfectly, scoring after 200 seconds when Dominic Solanke converted a beautiful header from an even more succulent Pedro Porro cross.

The England international was too savvy for the returning Sven Botman, who looked exactly like a player who has missed a year through injury. Botman looked dodgy in the first half but that was to be expected. He was slow on the half-turn, got caught out for Solanke’s goal and was unconvincing in possession. Another contributing factor was that he played as the right centre-back next to Dan Burn, rather than on the left as his preferred spot.

Newcastle instantly responded through Anthony Gordon, who bagged himself a rare away goal with a tidy left-footed finish past debutant Austin. Spurs wanted handball against Joelinton in the build-up and while it did hit the Brazilian’s hand, there wasn’t much he could have done to avoid doing so.

Eddie Howe’s side were actually really sloppy in possession as Tino Livramento and Jacob Murphy lacked chemistry on the right, but the latter threatened with a couple of low crosses across the six-yard box and one came off for him in the 38th minute. With the help of a Radu Dragusin touch, Alexander Isak scored for the seventh Premier League game in a row.

Somehow, that was all she wrote in terms of goals.

Newcastle remained hungry for a third but after an hour they sat back significantly more, looking to hit their opposition’s frail defence on the counter with the pace of Gordon and Isak. Spurs are not the best at breaking down teams, meaning it is not the worst approach, but you felt the visitors really could have gone for three, four or even five goals, especially after Radu Dragusin came off for Sergio Reguilon at the break. This meant Postecoglou had zero natural centre-backs on the pitch and a back four consisting of two right-backs, a left-back and a teenage midfielder.

The introduction of James Maddison, Heung-min Son and Yves Bissouma shortly after the hour mark must have shaken Newcastle a bit for them to change their approach. Going into the match it was never about Spurs’ attack and midfield issues, but their issues and lack of depth at the back and in goal. They actually became more feeble and there for the taking after the half-time change.

Newcastle were nowhere near their best at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but they didn’t need to be. Against a Spurs team without some of their best players, they only needed to reach second gear and we aren’t even sure they got there.

Questions will be asked of Postecoglou and we do feel some sympathy for him considering the absurd injury crisis he is experiencing right now. Injuries are part of the game, though, and seeing such a timid, uninspired first-half display was alarming. Those are the words you can associate with Spurs under Postecoglou over the last six months when that is the opposite of what the big Aussie stands for.

There is no confidence in that squad right now and there is only so much Dejan Kulusevski and Dom Solanke can do. Ange still has his best attackers available yet there is no free-flowing attacking play whatsoever. Son needs chances put on a plate for him these days and Maddison is wildly inconsistent. The midfield battle against the brilliant Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes was lost from the first minute, with Joelinton providing very little proving not to be a problem for the visitors.

Champions League qualification will only come via the Europa League and that involves winning an actual trophy, which Spurs are allergic to. A top-five finish in the Premier League is not happening. We don’t care if it’s only matchday 20. They have ten league defeats. Only the bottom four have hit double digits. At least fellow banter club Manchester United will join them on Sunday.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have won their last five in the Premier League and six in all competitions. They are on fire and won at Man United and Tottenham in the same week, which is huge for their Champions League aspirations, even if both of their opponents are miserably awful.

They go to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday with a very strong chance of getting a positive result. 2025 could be a huge year for the Magpies and going four points ahead of Manchester City and equalling Chelsea’s goal tally is a perfect start.

Spurs also have a Carabao semi coming up. The less said about that the better.

Ange Postecoglou has responded after Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison was criticised by a supporter for attending the World Darts Championship.

Postecoglou is one of the favourites to be the next Premier League manager sacked as he’s come under fire amid Tottenham‘s inconsistent start to the 2024/25 campaign.

Spurs are one of the Premier League’s worst sides in terms of form as they sit eleventh in the table after 19 matches.

The North London outfit have won just two of their previous ten matches in all competitions. Last time out, they conceded a late goal as they were held to a 2-2 home draw against relegation candidates Wolves.

Against Wolves, Maddison was not at full fitness as he was restricted to a 26-minute cameo appearance off the bench.

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Despite this, Maddison and Spurs teammate Brennan Johnson attended the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace a few hours after the draw to Wolves.

This did not sit well with certain supporters. Commenting on Maddison’s Instagram post, a fan wrote: “You taking the p*ss? The form we’re in and you go to the darts? Unacceptable.”

To which, Maddison responded: “Shut up u wally [with laughing face emoji].”

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Unsurprisingly, Postecoglou has sided with Maddison as he had “no issue” with Maddison’s decision to attend the darts.

“I’ve got no problem with the players having lives. It’s a lot different trying to play a game of football and living a life. I don’t see any problem with that and I don’t think it hurt him,” Postecoglou said.

“He wasn’t 100% and it was a game where we needed someone to be 100%. He was still well enough to play. If he was bed-ridden, didn’t turn up to the game and then still went to the darts, there may be an issue there. But I had no issue with that.”

Spurs were always likely to be active this month and a report from Fabrizio Romano claims they have ‘agreed’ to sign Slavia Prague goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky for around £10m.

Romano said: “Tottenham are on the verge of signing Slavia Prague GK Antonín Kinsky, he’s in London today for medical to follow — as

@infotbal reveals.

“Verbal agreement done between all parties involved including player side, Kinski should undergo medical after today’s game.”

He added: “Tottenham will spend over £10m for Antonin Kinsky as new goalkeeper, long term deal also agreed.

“Slavia Prague and Spurs will sign all the formal documents today after the game. Permanent move.”

According to reports, Tottenham Hotspur are ‘on the verge’ of completing their first January signing as they have reached a ‘verbal agreement’.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is under pressure as one of the favourites to be the next Premier League manager sacked as his side have made an inconsistent start to the 2024/25 campaign.

After 19 games, Tottenham are eleventh in the Premier League and seven points adrift of fifth-placed Newcastle United.

Tottenham have been ravaged by injuries this season and they are currently without No.1 Guglielmo Vicario, who is out for months after undergoing surgery to repair his ankle.

In November, Postecoglou insisted Spurs would not sign a replacement in January as he did not feel a “free agent” would “help” them.

“That’s not going to happen – I don’t think signing a free agent now is going to help us,” Postecoglou said when asked about bringing in another ‘keeper.

“Fraser, I’ve known for a long time. He’s such a strong character in the group and always ready to play.”

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Veteran Fraser Forster has filled in for Vicario and his poor form has tempted Spurs to change their transfer plans.

Earlier this week, a report claimed Tottenham were ‘eyeing up’ a raid for a goalkeeper from a rival Premier League side, but it’s since emerged that they are ‘on the verge of signing’ Slavia Prague goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

The 21-year-old joined Slavia Prague in 2021 and has made 29 appearances for the Czech side across all competitions this season.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano backed a report from Infotbal in the Czech Republic, saying a ‘verbal agreement is done’.

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Romano said: “Tottenham are on the verge of signing Slavia Prague GK Antonín Kinsky, he’s in London today for medical to follow — as

@infotbal reveals.

“Verbal agreement done between all parties involved including player side, Kinski should undergo medical after today’s game.”

He added: “Tottenham will spend over £10m for Antonin Kinsky as new goalkeeper, long term deal also agreed.

“Slavia Prague and Spurs will sign all the formal documents today after the game. Permanent move.”

The initial report revealed this ‘bombshell’ transfer ‘no one expected’.

‘According to information from inFotbal.cz, Slavia has agreed with Tottenham Hotspur to transfer goalkeeper Antonín Kinsky (21)! He should be in London now, where he will undergo a medical examination.

‘The details of the transfer are still a secret, but at first glance it is one of the best addresses for the young goalkeeper. Why? He will not go to Tottenham as a second choice. He will most likely go straight to goal, because the “Spurs” are troubled by injuries.’

According to reports, Manchester City have identified a “special talent” as their top transfer target as Pep Guardiola looks to ‘salvage their season’.

In recent months, Man City have gone through a major crisis as they have only won two of their previous 14 matches in all competitions.

This dire form has seen their Premier League title hopes end as they are 15 points adrift of table-toppers Liverpool, who have a game in hand. They are also at risk of being eliminated from the Champions League.

Towards the end of 2024, Guardiola committed his future to Man City by signing a new contract. He may already be regretting this decision as a huge rebuild is required at the Etihad and he may not have the required energy to see out this project.

Guardiola has admitted that they need reinforcements this month, but also noted that they can’t make signings “for the sake of it”.

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He said: “I don’t know right now. It’s not easy and it won’t be easy.

“The club has to be wise, don’t do it for the sake of doing it. For the situation we have, for the perspective of the players who are injured, of course, the club have to do it but I don’t know if it is possible they will do it.”

Man City – who need upgrades in various positions – are linked with several potential signings, with Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov among the players on their radar.

The 20-year-old centre-back – who has earned 18 caps for Uzbekistan – is enjoying a breakout season in Ligue Un as he’s already made 16 appearances for Lens this term.

A report from The Telegraph claims Man City are ‘eyeing Khusanov to salvage their season’.

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The report explains:

‘Manchester City have joined the race for Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov as they assess January transfer-window targets to bolster Pep Guardiola’s squad.

‘Khusanov has been a breakout star of French football in the last year and Telegraph Sport last month revealed Tottenham and Newcastle looking at the 20-year-old, who arrived in Ligue 1 from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU Minsk just 18 months ago.

‘But City are understood to also have Khusanov in their sights ahead of a mid-season window where Guardiola will look at reinforcements after a dramatic dip in results for the Premier League champions. While a deal is by no means a formality, he is a player admired at the Etihad Stadium.’

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano goes further, saying the “special talent” is a “serious option” for Man City in January.

“Keep an eye on Khusanov. He’s a centre-back playing for Lens in Ligue 1 doing very well,” Romano said.

“He’s a special talent. But it’s not only Manchester City who want him. My understanding, is that Pep Guardiola, have this player Khusanov as one of the big names for the January transfer window. Some contacts have already started.

“Lens know that Man City are interested but there are others around Europe – top, top clubs – also interested in the player. So we’ll see how City will move but they consider Khusanov as a serious option for January.”

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou will turn to Brandon Austin against Newcastle United with first and second-choice goalkeepers Guglielmo Vicario and Fraser Forster unavailable.

Postecoglou has to deal with several injuries to key players, such as centre-back pairing Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, ahead of the Premier League match against Newcastle on Saturday.

The club’s injury crisis has been worsened by a reported sickness bug, with back-up goalkeeper Forster one of many to fall ill this week.

Richarlison, Mikey Moore, Ben Davies, Van de Ven and Romero are all yet to recover from their injuries and Postecoglou has confirmed Destiny Udogie is out for six weeks, while there are several other players reportedly unwell.

First-choice goalkeeper Vicario is out until March after undergoing ankle surgery and with Forster also unwell, it looks like Postecoglou will have to turn to Austin.

Austin, 25, joined Spurs in 2007 after spells with Watford and Chelsea but is yet to make his first-team debut for the north Londoners.

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He spent the second half of 2019/20 on loan at Danish outfit Viborg FF and played for Orlando City in MLS between January and June 2021.

Austin has been on the bench 15 times this season and could make his ‘long-awaited debut’ against Newcastle on Saturday, according to talkSPORT.

The report confirms that Forster has a ‘sickness bug’ along with several Spurs team-mates, which means the 25-year-old is set to be drafted in for the Premier League clash.

This is a superb opportunity for Austin to prove himself to Postecoglou, with Forster failing to impress in Vicario’s absence.

Should he show ability with the ball at his feet against Newcastle’s high press and not make any catastrophic goalkeeping errors, there will be no reason for the Australian to bring Forster back in.

Spurs go into Saturday’s fixture in horrid form, winning only one of their last seven league matches, leaving them 11th in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are absolutely flying and on the back of a comfortable 2-0 victory away to Manchester United.

With so many Spurs players unavailable, it could be an absolute bloodbath, with Eddie Howe’s side in a strong position for a statement win.

Tottenham are interested in signing Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone as cover for the injured Guglielmo Vicario, according to reports.

Johnstone moved to Wolves from Crystal Palace for £10million in the summer transfer window but has failed to become a regular starter ahead of Jose Sa.

The 31-year-old made his debut on matchday three against Nottingham Forest and after a 1-1 draw at the City Ground, could not prevent his new team from losing four Premier League games in a row.

He did not start again until December 9 after being an unused substitute three times and not being included in a matchday squad on four occasions.

Wolves then lost two out of two with Johnstone in goal, with his most recent appearance coming in the 2-1 defeat at home to Ipswich Town, which was Gary O’Neil’s final match before being sacked.

Sa has started the last three matches with Wolves unbeaten under new head coach Vitor Pereira, keeping two clean sheets in the process, the club’s only two clean sheets in the Premier League this season.

Having failed to become a regular starter at Molineux after going through a similar experience at Palace, Johnstone could leave in the winter transfer window.

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Tottenham have emerged as a serious option for Johnstone with first-choice goalkeeper Vicario out with an ankle injury.

The Italian underwent ankle surgery after suffering an injury in the 4-0 win at Manchester City on November 23 and is expected to be out for at least three months.

After Vicario’s injury was discovered, Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou said he would not delve into the free agent market and has full faith in Fraser Forster.

“That’s not going to happen – I don’t think signing a free agent now is going to help us,” he said. “Fraser, I’ve known for a long time. He’s such a strong character in the group and always ready to play.”

Now the transfer window is open, Postecoglou could sign a goalkeeper from another club following several major errors from Forster.

Tottenham identify ‘candidate’ to fill Vicario’s gloves

According to Football London, Spurs are ‘eyeing up’ Johnstone as ‘potential cover’ for Vicario.

As Pereira appears to have settled on Sa as his No. 1, the four-cap Englishman has become ‘one of the candidates that Spurs are looking at to provide cover during Vicario’s absence’.

The report adds:

What kind of deal Wolves would allow for a player they signed for £10million just five months ago remains to be seen though.

With Forster’s contract coming to an end this summer, along with academy product Alfie Whiteman’s, Johnson could potentially provide longer term cover alongside Brandon Austin, who was handed a new five-year contract last year.

Tottenham have previously looked into signing Johnstone in the past and perhaps this time a move will materialise.

James Maddison has told a fan to “shut up” after the Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder was accused of “taking the p*ss”.

Maddison and his Tottenham teammates have been criticised for their performances in certain matches this season as Ange Postecoglou‘s side have insisted on taking two steps back after one step forward.

Last month, Tottenham’s emphatic 4-0 win against Man City at the Etihad was mooted as a turning point for the North London outfit, but they have reverted to type after this match.

Since this victory, Spurs have only won two of their last ten matches in all competitions. They are winless in three Premier League games and gave up their lead late on against Wolves in a 2-2 draw on Sunday.

Maddison has eight goals and five assists in his 26 appearances this season but he’s been given a rest in recent matches as he’s made cameo appearances off the bench against Nottingham Forest and Wolves.

READ: Seven random players brought in from the cold by panicking Premier League clubs during Twixmas

Tottenham’s poor form has made Postecoglou the favourite to be the next Premier League manager sacked. Despite this, Maddison and teammate Brennan Johnson dared to attend the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace a few hours after the draw to Wolves.

Naturally, this did not sit well with some empty-headed Spurs supporters who are against players having a social life amidst a poor run.

Commenting on Maddison’s Instagram post, a fan wrote: “You taking the p*ss? The form we’re in and you go to the darts? Unacceptable.”

To which, Maddison responded: “Shut up u wally [with laughing face emoji].”

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Speaking after the 2-2 draw against Wolves, Postecoglou suggested fatigue was a reason for the “disappointing outcome” for Spurs.

“It’s a disappointing outcome. Obviously we went a goal down but after that I felt we controlled the game. It wasn’t easy always to get openings but we did look pretty threatening every time we did get forward,” Postecoglou admitted.

“We scored a couple of goals, we obviously missed the penalty and then second half, I just thought we had some really big moments to kill the game off.

“They weren’t really creating much, I mean I think Fraser had one save to make with his feet, that was about it. You felt we kind of needed that third goal and obviously they score at the end and you’re kind of left with a disappointing outcome, but it’s not through the want of trying.

“It’s obvious, you know, the lads are fairly fatigued, especially in that front third, we’re not as sharp as we can be, which is understandable because we’re asking a lot of a sort of small core group of players and, as I said, it’s not for the want of trying and they’re trying to get the outcomes for us.”

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou was “disappointed” and partially blamed fatigue for Spurs throwing away a lead in the closing stages of their 2-2 draw against Wolves on Sunday.

That result means it is just three wins in 13 matches in all competitions for Tottenham with pressure building on Postecoglou as he refuses to change his style of play.

Hwang Hee-Chan opened the scoring for Wolves on Sunday before Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson put Tottenham back in front before half-time.

But Jorgen Strand Larsen struck with three minutes left in the second half to give Wolves a point on the road as Tottenham’s poor run of form under Postecoglou continues.

Speaking on the result, Spurs boss Postecoglou told a post-match press conference: “It’s a disappointing outcome. Obviously we went a goal down but after that I felt we controlled the game. It wasn’t easy always to get openings but we did look pretty threatening every time we did get forward.

“We scored a couple of goals, we obviously missed the penalty and then second half, I just thought we had some really big moments to kill the game off.

“They weren’t really creating much, I mean I think Fraser had one save to make with his feet, that was about it. You felt we kind of needed that third goal and obviously they score at the end and you’re kind of left with a disappointing outcome, but it’s not through the want of trying.

“It’s obvious, you know, the lads are fairly fatigued, especially in that front third, we’re not as sharp as we can be, which is understandable because we’re asking a lot of a sort of small core group of players and, as I said, it’s not for the want of trying and they’re trying to get the outcomes for us.”

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On an injury to Destiny Udogie, Postecoglou added: “Yeah, I think it was a hamstring. Again like I said, we’ve been relying on a core group of players because we just haven’t had the ability to rotate so at some point it was going to catch up with us. Unfortunately it caught up with Destiny.”

When asked about Radu Dragusin playing, Postecoglou replied: “Well we had no choice, if Radu doesn’t play, I don’t know who plays. He wasn’t 100%, but he felt he could get through with his ankle and again, I think the players are all giving everything they can at the moment.

“It’s just unfortunately we can’t give them what they really need and that is some recovery and rest because we’ve got so many players out, but Radu wanted to play today and you know while he wasn’t 100%, we had no choice to put him out there.

“There’s no choice, but it’s not a risk. I mean it’s it’s a judgment call, you know. It’s not like it’s a muscle injury, it’s a knock on his ankle, but yeah, we’re making decisions. We’ve got no choice unless I throw another 18 or 17-year-old out there, well, that’s the only fit players we have at the moment.”

The packed schedule over the festive period calls for creative solutions, like calling on £30m Chelsea loanees or pretending Sergio Reguilon has a contract.

It feels like a uniquely Twixmas thing to make up the numbers with fringe squad players and the first games since Boxing Day have not disappointed so far. Here are the most random called up to feature having barely done so all season.

James Hill

Andoni Iraola suggested back in March that Hill would be “valuable” to Bournemouth, but only recently has it really been possible to properly measure his worth to the Cherries.

A £1m signing from Fleetwood in January 2022, versatile defender Hill had loans with Hearts and Blackburn before making his Premier League debut two years later. Since a chastening first top-flight start in a comprehensive win for Liverpool in the same month, only the latest of substitute cameos were made available for a player on the periphery.

But with Iraola’s squad stretched – their bench against Fulham contained the most Bournemouth names possible in Max Aarons, Will Dennis, Mark Travers, Archie Harris and Max Kinsey – the honour of replacing Adam Smith was bestowed upon 22-year-old Hill.

The opportunity was maximised with a delightful assist for Evanilson, although Antonee Robinson did do Antonee Robinson things down his flank for one of Fulham’s goals.

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Ben Winterburn

Another member of that brilliantly Bournemouth bench. The midfielder turned 20 in September, only made his first Premier League matchday squad on November 30 and spent last season in the sixth tier’s mid-table with Weymouth. His father might also be called Nigel. No idea.

Willy Boly

Not nearly as random a name but perhaps as unexpected an appearance. Boly started for Forest on the opening weekend played only two of their subsequent 17 Premier League games, both as a substitute in stoppage-time to shore up the defence in single-goal wins.

There was no realistic hope of Boly breaking the Milenkovic-Murillo partnership himself and even when the latter was withdrawn from the starting line-up against Everton with an injury in the warm-up, Ramon Sosa was promoted into the side instead.

Boly replaced the Paraguayan in the 69th minute, was immediately booked for time-wasting, helped consolidate a two-goal lead and increased his chances of being eligible for a Premier League winner’s medal by the end of the season in the process.

Ramon Sosa

“He has to work really hard to get in the team,” said Nuno Espirito Santo upon the £11m signing of an obviously talented but inexperienced winger. Sosa was given a start in the Carabao defeat to Newcastle but was otherwise a perennial Premier League substitute, making his first 11 appearances in the competition from the bench.

There is little doubt Sosa worked hard but his big break came with the injury to Murillo and Nuno’s pre-match switch in formation. The 25-year-old should have repaid that faith with a goal in the first half but contributed plenty to the Everton win.

Sergio Reguilon

Back in October, Ange Postecoglou explained that “we need 20 players for training” when Spurs supporters were stunned to spot Reguilon during a session before a Europa League game, a competition for which he is not eligible having not been named in their squad.

Before the turn of the year, the incredible Spurs injury epidemic of 2024 reached the point where Reguilon was forced to make his first appearance for Spurs in the Premier League since April 2022, facing Matt Doherty in a situation seemingly designed to give Antonio Conte as many anger-inducing flashbacks as that late Wolves goal.

James McAtee

There was not a great deal for Manchester City to cling to in their second win since October 26 but even just a decent cameo from McAtee showed the power of fresh ideas and relatively new faces when things have gone awfully stale.

McAtee’s first five Premier League appearances for Manchester City totalled 21 minutes; his sixth came to 24 and was genuinely crucial in finally putting Leicester down at the King Power.

It won’t have been enough to dissuade Pep Guardiola from pushing for the January recruitment drive he feels necessary to rescue this season, but McAtee cannot be accused of wasting his chance.

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Armando Broja

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has his critics but there can be fingers pointed at a one-striker system which succeeds in specifically stifling that one striker.

He has started 16 of a possible 18 Premier League games this season; Beto and Broja were given the nod in the others, a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United and 2-0 reverse against Nottingham Forest respectively, in which Calvert-Lewin was brought on in either the 67th or 68th minute.

There aren’t many tougher tasks than leading a solitary line against this Forest defence, not least as a 23-year-old who has suffered from a long-term injury and substantial recent upheaval at club level. Three off-target shots and three fouls almost certainly equal an imminent Calvert-Lewin recall.