Yorkshire Post

It was a tough weekend for many of the divison’s relegation-threatened clubs.

Leeds hosted Manchester City at Elland Road and despite battling valiantly, fell to a 1-0 defeat.

The blow was softened by results elsewhere, with West Ham among those who lost. The Hammers visited Anfield and were beaten 5-2 by Liverpool.

Burnley played out a thriller with Brentford but it was the Bees who emerged as 4-3 winners at Turf Moor. Tottenham Hotspur continued their decline with a 2-1 reverse at Fulham and Nottingham Forest were edged out by Brighton & Hove Albion.

Further up the table, Arsenal got the better of the Chelsea and Manchester United squeezed past Crystal Palace.

Everton overcame Newcastle United and the spoils were shared between AFC Bournemouth and Sunderland at the Vitality Stadium.

Following the latest results, here is how Opta believe the final Premier League table will look.

Leeds United-linked Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford is reportedly set to be a top target for Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

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Two years after selling him to Burnley, Manchester City activated a buy-back clause to get Trafford back in their squad last summer.

He had developed at a swift pace during his time at Turf Moor, starring for England Under-21s and knocking on the door of the senior side.

However, his return to the Etihad Stadium has not worked out as planned. His comeback was followed by the capture of Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma, who leapfrogged Trafford in the pecking order.

Leeds are among those who have been linked with a summer swoop for the 23-year-old, who needs regular football to realise his ambition of becoming England’s number one.

However, the Whites could face stern competition from Spurs if they do make a move for Trafford.

James Trafford linked with Tottenham Hotspur

Speaking to Football Insider, former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers scout Mick Brown said: “Tottenham are looking at a few new goalkeepers. One who I think is going to be high up on their list is James Trafford, the Man City goalkeeper, because it looks like he might be available.

“He’s not happy at Man City and he’s made that pretty clear, he doesn’t want to be a number two, so a move to Tottenham could be a good opportunity.

“Trafford is still very highly rated, whenever you hear people speaking about him they always have good things to say, and he showed what he can do at Burnley.

“He’s an England international and he’s still only young as well, so it’s more of a long-term investment.

“It might depend on his future at Man City, if they are willing to let him go then he’s going to be a top target for Tottenham, but it’s still in their hands.”

Leeds United’s goalkeeping dilemma

Leeds made a high-profile addition to their goalkeeper department last summer, paying a reported £15.6m to Lyon for the services of Lucas Perri.

However, after a string of shaky performances, Perri was dislodged by the experienced Karl Darlow last month.

If Perri cannot reclaim his spot before the season ends, he may look to move on from Elland Road.

November ended with pressure mounting on Whites boss Daniel Farke, but the German has since overseen a remarkable turnaround.

Leeds have given themselves breathing space in the battle for survival and sit 15th, six points above the drop zone. They visited the Midlands at the weekend, sharing the spoils with Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw.

The bottom three is currently occupied by West Ham, Burnley and Wolves, with Nottingham Forest hovering precariously in 17th.

Over the weekend, West Ham drew with AFC Bournemouth, Burnley picked up a point at Chelses and Wolves lost to Crystal Palace. Forest, meanwhile, were edged out by liverpool.

Tottenham have even been dragged into the battle and were thumped by their North London rivals Arsenal on home turf.

Elsewhere, Fulham emerged from their battle with Sunderland as 3-1 victors and Brighton & Hove Albion defeated Brentford. Manchester City squeezed past Newcastle United and the weekend was rounded off by a win for Manchester United over Everton.

Following the latest results, Opta have rebooted their supercomputer to predict how the final Premier League table will look.

Tottenham Hotspur are the latest club to have been credited with interest in Leeds United-linked playmaker Pavel Šulc.

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The 25-year-old currently plies his trade in France with Lyon, who only signed him from Viktoria Plzeň in August.

A senior Czech Republic international, Šulc has gone from strength to strength in Ligue 1 and registered 10 goals across 21 appearances.

Leeds have been linked with the attacking midfielder, who is also thought to have attracted admiring glances from the likes of Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Fulham.

Tottenham Hotsur credited with interest in Leeds United ‘target’

Mail Online have now thrown Spurs into the mix, claiming the struggling Premier League club are among his potential suitors.

Atletico Madrid have also been linked with Šulc, who lyon reportedly want a staggering £43m for.

The report has, however, claimed there is hope that price can be negotiated down.

Leeds United focused on Premier League survival

Šulc would undeniably be a significant coup for Leeds, who will need to continue investing in their squad if Premier League safety is secured this season.

A number of shrewd signings were made by the Whites this summer and the calibre of the squad will need to rise again.

Premier League status will be key in convincing talent to make the move to Elland Road and Whites boss Daniel Farke believes his side have a “great chance” of staying up.

After his side’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at the weekend, he said: “I think we deserve to be rewarded a bit more often with three points but to earn survival as a promoted side is not easy so I don’t want to be too greedy.

“It’s quite normal that you have to go until the end and dig in. If we show performances like we have on the road and at home, we have a great chance to achieve our goals.”

Leeds United have again been linked with Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss.

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The 21-year-old was strongly linked with the Whites in the last summer window having been relegated to the Championship with Leicester.

Newcastle United and Sunderland were also among those credited with interest in the Morocco international, who ended up venturing overseas.

He sealed a season-long loan move to Stuttgart, who reportedly have an obligation to buy him for a fee in the region of €20m (£17.4m).

However, it seems there could be an attempt to ensure his time as a permanent Stuttgart player is short-lived.

Leeds United link resurfaces

According to SportsBoom, Leeds have continued to track the progress of the attacking midfielder in Germany.

Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace have also been named as admirers, suggesting there could be a battle for his services.

He has made 27 appearances for Stuttgart in all competitions, registering eight goals and four assists.

Leeds United’s hunt for creativity

Leeds were seemingly intent on signing an attacking midfielder last summer, but had to wait until the winter window to secure the loan signing of Facundo Buonannotte from Brighton & Hove Albion.

He made the move to Elland Road on a regular loan basis, meaning there is no option or obligation to make his move permanent.

Regardless of whether or not Buonannotte proves to be a hit at Elland Road, Leeds could find themselves in the market for some flair in the summer.

El Khannouss would fit the bill and like Buonannotte, has impressed in the Premier League at Leicester.

However, the former Genk star is not the only playmaker being linked with a move to Elland Road.

It has been suggested Leeds are on the trail of Lyon star Pavel Šulc, who has registered 10 goals and three assists in Ligue 1 this season.

However, the Whites are believed to be just one of many Premier League clubs eyeing up the highly-rated Czech Republic international.

The battle for Premier League survival is shaping up to be a tense one but Leeds have given themselves some breathing room.

Daniel Farke’s men have risen to 15th in the table, above the declining Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs are currently occupying 16th, just two points above 17th-placed Forest and five points clear of 18th-placed West Ham. The Hammers are in the bottom three along with Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the latter sat on a paltry points tally of nine.

At the top end of the table, Arsenal are sitting top of the tree on 57 points. Hot on their heels are Manchester City, who have a four-point gap they need to close. Aston Villa and Manchester United complete the top four, with Chelsea and Liverpool sat fifth and sixth respectively.

Opta have deployed their supercomputer to predict how the final Premier League table will look - and this is what it came up with.

Leeds United are reportedly planning an ambitious summer swoop for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney.

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An all-action midfielder, Hackney is widely considered to be among the biggest talents in the Championship.

He has blossomed again this season, helping Middlesbrough ascend to the Championship summit.

However, transfer speculation has continued to swirl around the highly-rated 23-year-old.

Leeds United linked with Middlesbrough star

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were linked last month and there has also been talk of interest from Porto, Newcastle United and Ipswich Town.

According to reporter Alan Nixon via his Patreon page, Leeds are among the admirers of the former England Under-21s star.

It has been suggested the Whites have marked Hackney down as a priority target for the summer if they retain their Premier League status.

However, a move would reportedly hinge on Middlesbrough failing to clinch promotion to the top flight.

The report has claimed Leeds could jump to the front of the queue and that they have the finances to make a deal happen.

‘Outstanding’ Hayden Hackney

Hackney would arguably be a huge coup for the West Yorkshire club, who would add his blend of class and grit to the Leeds midfield.

Talk of a potential move for Hackney will only make Middlesbrough more determined to go up, as the loss of such a talent would be a bitter blow.

After his excellent display in Middlesbrough’s win over Sheffield United last week, Hackney was lauded as an “outstanding” midfielder by Blades boss Chris Wilder.

He said: “Hayden was in and around the group while I was there and really got his opportunity and blossomed into the player that he is. As I said, he's an outstanding midfield player.

“When we look at standout midfield players and overall standout players in the division, for me there's nobody better than Hayden.”

Thomas Frank only took the reins in North London over the summer, ending a seven-year tenure as Brentford boss to do so.

However, he has overseen an alarming plummet down the Premier League table and into a battle for survival.

After a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United last night (February 10), Spurs dropped below Leeds and into 16th in the table.

Frank has now been relieved of his duties, with the board having decided a change was necessary.

In a statement, the club said: “The club has taken the decision to make a change in the men’s head coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today.

“Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together. However, results and performances have led the Board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary.

“Throughout his time at the club, Thomas has conducted himself with unwavering commitment, giving everything in his efforts to move the club forward. We would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him every success in the future.”

Here are the early BetVictor favourites to succeed Frank as Spurs head coach.

Leeds United’s Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly axed Thomas Frank as their head coach.

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Frank only took charge of Spurs in the summer, making the move to North London after seven years at the Brentford helm.

He was tasked with breathing life into the club after their lowly Premier League finish last term but has overseen a concerning plummet towards the relegation battle.

After their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United last night (February 10), Spurs slipped below Leeds and into 16th.

Tottenham Hotspur decision

According to The Athletic, Tottenham’s board have taken action in an attempt to arrest the club’s struggles.

Frank is said to have been relieved of his duties, with the club now thought to be exploring a number of contingencies.

Given the club are just five points above 18th-placed West Ham United, the need for a shrewd appointment is clear.

Final words

When asked last night if he would be in post for Tottenham’s upcoming derby clash with Arsenal, Frank said: “Yeah, I am convinced I will be. I understand the question. It is easy to point on me but it is never only the head coach, ownership, players or staff. It is everyone.

“Everyone knows what position we are in and what we need to improve on. That is what we are working hard on."

Fans were hostile towards Frank as his side were beaten by Newcastle and the 52-year-old said he understood their frustration.

He said: “I understand the fans' frustration. It's a position they don't want to be in. We are working day and night to try and change. It's a position the club have been in the last two years. The pattern is that the club are struggling to compete in Europe and the Premier League.

"Part of that is to eliminate injuries and suspensions. We face a Newcastle team that has struggled a little bit lately. But I think they were more on top first half and then we came back into it well. The second goal is a bit symbolic of our season."

Leeds United are reportedly monitoring Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford ahead of the summer.

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After Illan Meslier’s stock plummeted, Leeds moved to recruit a new first-choice goalkeeper during the last summer window.

Lucas Perri arrived from Lyon for a reported £15.6m, arriving on British shores with impressive pedigree.

However, it has been far from straightforward for the Brazilian at Elland Road. Having struggled with injury earlier on in the campaign, he has now been dislodged by Karl Darlow.

His replacement’s recent blunder against Arsenal underlined how it is currently a problem position for the Whites, who are now said to be eyeing a change at the end of the season.

Leeds United linked with Manchester City goalkeeper

TEAMtalk have claimed Leeds are admirers of Trafford, who is currently the understudy to Gianluigi Donnarumma at Manchester City.

The recruitment of a new goalkeeper is supposedly a top priority, with Leeds reportedly viewing a reliable stopper as crucial for their long-term safety in the Premier League.

However, prising Trafford from the Etihad Stadium may not be easy to do. Firstly, the Premier League giants only re-signed the 23-year-old from Burnley last year and he is well thought of at the club.

Secondly, the report has also credited Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur with interest in the former England youth international. Newcastle United, meanwhile, could reportedly revive interest having previously had the stopper in their sights.

Pep Guardiola’s praise

Trafford may not have seen much action in the Premier League this term but recently helped Manchester City progress into the Carabao Cup final.

He delivered a strong display in the second leg of the semi-final against Newcastle, drawing praise from manager Pep Guardiola.

The Manchester City boss said: "I said from the beginning he is a top 'keeper. He has an incredible future ahead of him. He is going to play in the first Carabao Cup final for him.

"At 1-0 he made that first save, he is incredible. Today in modern football you have to have two exceptional 'keepers in the team because you never know what will happen. The 'keeper is a special position. He is an incredible guy, exceptional. I am so happy for him."