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The Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City has been postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak.

The Toffees were due to play host to Pep Guardiola's team at Goodison Park on Monday night.

However, the contest has now been called off due to a number of positive Covid-19 tests in the City camp. The match will be rescheduled, but it has not yet been decided when it will go ahead.

"Manchester City FC can confirm that this evening’s Premier League fixture at Everton has been postponed," a statement on City's website read.

"After the latest round of Covid-19 testing, the club returned a number of positive cases, in addition to the four already reported on Christmas Day. 

"With the security of the bubble compromised, there posed a risk that the virus could spread further amongst the squad, the staff and potentially beyond.

"Based on strong medical advice the Premier League, in consultation with both clubs, have decided to postpone the fixture.

"All positive cases involving players and staff will observe a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. The first team training ground at City Football Academy will close for an indeterminate period, with the squad and associated bubble undergoing testing before any decision is made for training to resume."

The Premier League confirmed the news with a post on its website, which added: "This rise [in Covid-19 cases] has created uncertainty and the Premier League Board received medical advice that the match should be postponed.

"The Board agreed to rearrange the game as a precaution, and further testing will now take place tomorrow.

"The decision has been taken with the health of players and staff the priority.

"The Premier League continues to have full confidence in its protocols and rules, and the way in which all clubs are implementing them."

Everton are second in the top-flight after 15 matches and sit three points behind leaders Liverpool. City, meanwhile, are sixth having played 14 times and six adrift of the Reds.

Anderlecht coach Vincent Kompany has dropped the biggest hint yet that Percy Tau could be set to return to parent club Brighton and Hove Albion in January.

Tau is on loan at Anderlecht from the Premier League strugglers, who have confirmed plans to bring the attacking midfielder back for the second half of the season.

As the Seagulls are currently flirting with relegation, manager Graham Potter sees Tau as a potential answer to their troubles, and Kompany appears resigned to losing one of the key performers in his Anderlecht squad next month.

“Yes, he could leave, and it will be up to the remaining players, and others, to make up for that departure,” said Kompany, as per Walfoot.

“Am I leaving the door open for him to stay?" the ex-Belgium centre-back laughed. "Even if there is a one percent chance that he will not leave, yes I will leave the door open.

"Anything can happen with the Covid, especially administratively, we know."

Kompany also moved to praise the forward's commitment despite the ongoing rumours surrounding his future.

"I did not hesitate for a second to start him," he continued, "because I know very well that he always gives everything." 

If Brighton recall Tau, it would be the former Mamelodi Sundowns star’s first time to play in the Premier League after previous loan stints at Union Saint-Gilloise and Club Brugge.

The 26-year-old has already demonstrated that he deserves a run at the Seagulls after impressive outings during the three loan stints in Belgium.

He's scored four goals and weighed in with an assist in 14 league appearances so far.

His only assist came in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Beerschot, leaving Kompany lauding the Bafana Bafana man, who lasted for 84 minutes.

“Percy gave everything and worked well, I saw a good relationship between the attacking players," Kompany said. "Ok, he didn't score today, that's how it is."

Since Steven Pienaar left Sunderland in 2017, South Africa has had no interntional turning out for a Premier League side.

Mikel Arteta says he felt responsible for Arsenal's "draining, frustrating and painful" poor form, admitting he questioned himself every day during their recent winless run. 

Arsenal beat London rivals Chelsea 3-1 on Saturday to ease some of the growing pressure on Arteta, who recently celebrated a full year in charge. 

That followed a streak of seven Premier League games without a victory, with the Gunners' return of 14 points from 14 games their worst return at that stage of a season since 1974-75 when converted to three points for a win. 

Arteta's side still sit just six points above the relegation zone and the Spaniard has opened up on the mental anguish of going eight weeks between league victories. 

"Since I arrived here, first of all I had to analyse really well what was happening, what we can and cannot do. Obviously, results-wise, in the last few weeks we have all been suffering, I have been suffering. I feel very responsible for that," he told the media ahead of Arsenal's trip to Brighton on Tuesday.

"The worst feeling is because I want to do so well for this football club and at the moment we are in, I want to bring all my passion, the knowledge that I have, the right intentions to move as quickly as we possibly can as a football club. 

"In order to do that we need to win football matches, to be stable and win some time. When I don't, I feel like I am letting the club down and the people that work for us, and obviously our fans." 

Arsenal picked up just five points between the start of November and their weekend win over Chelsea, a run that included four successive defeats at Emirates Stadium. 

That equalled the north London side's worst top-flight run at home since 1959 and Arteta is grateful for the support he received during the concerning dip. 

"It is draining, it is frustrating and it is painful," he said. "At the same time, I know we have to fight our way back.  

"In difficult moments is when you see the right people, they give me a lot of encouragement because I see people that are willing to fight with me, with the people that we have here. It gives me energy every day to carry on doing it. 

"It is a 24/7 job. As well a lot of things externally, very challenging. A lot of issues and then when results hit you like that you can sometimes not find the right reasons to understand why we are losing football matches, when we produce what we produce. 

"It is a big headache. But as well it is the beauty of this game, to find ways of doing things in a different way. 

"My responsibility is to motivate the players as much as possible, to keep them united, to keep the team spirit alive, even when you are not winning matches.

"When you are frustrated and sad, you have to find all the time somewhere to do that.  

"My way has been my family and all the people that are here with me at the club, the board, [technical director] Edu, they have all been super supportive and that has helped me a lot." 

Arteta won seven club trophies during his playing days, including the FA Cup twice with Arsenal, before moving into coaching alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in 2016. 

The 38-year-old was appointed as Unai Emery's successor in December 2019, winning the FA Cup at the end of his first season in charge and the Community Shield at the start of the 2020-21 campaign. 

Asked whether he has found management more tiring than being a player, Arteta said: "The simple answer is managing. 

"Because you have a lot of people around you that you have to take care of. I always say you have 70 hearts in the training ground and stadium that you have to look after every day. 

"Every decision you make has an impact on their lives, their mood and the next day. So you are very aware of that and you get attached emotionally to them and I’m attached emotionally to this football club."

Frank Lampard has credited John Terry for his role in Aston Villa's "big uplift" in form as the ex-Chelsea team-mates prepare to meet in the Premier League.

Villa have emerged as surprise contenders for a spot in Europe after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. Dean Smith's side have won eight of their 13 matches at the start of the 2020-21 campaign, and currently sit seven points behind first-placed Liverpool with two games in hand.

Their next test will see them take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with Lampard set for a reunion with Terry, who has served as Smith's assistant coach since October 2018.

The former Blues duo won three Premier League titles and the Champions League together as players, while also forming part of England's 'Golden Generation' at international level.

Lampard is certain that Terry's experience at the highest level has rubbed off on Villa's squad in recent months, and told Chelsea's official website: "I am sure John has an influence because he is in my opinion one of the greatest centre-backs to have played in the Premier League and for England, and in the world for a long period of time.

"He has an absolute wealth of knowledge of the game so his input will be invaluable to Dean Smith and all the staff. Their team are working hard and you have seen a real big uplift in them, and I am sure there is a lot work behind the scenes through John and all the staff there."

The 42-year-old tactician added on the threat Villa will pose his Chelsea team on Monday night: "They obviously added to their squad in a very good way in the off season.

"They have a good manager, good coaches and a good team with very good individual players who are playing well. They are in a really good time at the moment and I am not completely surprised by it, and it will be a tough match."

The Blues slipped to eighth in the top-flight standings after losing 3-1 against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium last time out but could move back into the Champions League places if they pick up a much-needed victory over Villa.

Lampard will start preparing his side for another top of the table clash afterwards, with Manchester City set to arrive at Stamford Bridge on January 3.

India’s Union Minister for External Affairs, Shri Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, visited the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar - a 2022 World Cup venue built by an Indian firm - on Monday evening. He was accompanied by Dr. Deepak Mittal, the Indian Ambassador in Qatar. 

His Excellency Hassan Al Thawadi and Nasser Al Khater, Chairman and CEO respectively of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC met the ministerial delegation at the stadium and took them through a full tour of the facilities including the pitch, competition areas and VVIP seating areas. 

Dr. Jaishankar is on a two-day official visit to the Middle-East nation. 

The high-ranking Qatari officials discussed with the Indian minister the sustainability features of the stadium and the working of the Advanced Cooling System which controls the ambient temperatures inside venue. 

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium was inaugurated recently on December 18, 2020, when it hosted the Amir Cup final between Al Sadd and Al Arabi in a high profile event on Qatar National Day attended by several dignitaries including FIFA President Gianni Infantino and All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel.

The 40,000-capacity stadium will host seven matches till the Round of 16 stage during the 2022 World Cup and will function as the home of Qatar Stars League (QSL) outfit Al Rayyan. 

The stadium’s façade is glowing and is composed of patterns that symbolise different aspects of Qatar - the importance of family, the beauty of the desert, native flora and fauna, and local and international trade. 

Interestingly, Qatar has a significant Indian expatriate presence with almost 25 per cent of the Middle-East nation’s population being Indians. 

“We were extremely pleased to host the Minister for External Affairs of the Government of India, H.E. Subrahmanyam Jaishanker at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan,” His Excellency Hassan Al Thawadi, who is also the Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), said after Dr. Jaishankar’s visit. 

“As with all FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadium projects, the launch of the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is a shining example of how we are continuing to deliver our vision for the tournament, through sustainability, health and safety, creating new economic opportunities for Qatari companies by forging global partnerships, and ultimately uniting Asia around the second FIFA World Cup™️ hosted on the continent.”

It must also be noted that SC, the organisation responsible for the delivery of the World Cup, had entrusted the task of building the Ahmad Bin Ali stadium to a Qatari-Indian Joint Venture between Qatar's Al Balagh Trading & Contracting, and India's biggest construction firm - Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T). 

This was the first time ever that an Indian firm has been involved in any capacity whatsoever when it comes to building infrastructure for a FIFA World Cup. 

“Qatar and India have shared a close relationship for centuries, through trade, culture, and people-to-people ties, and the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, built by Larsen & Toubro, is a symbol of this relationship and our shared history,” Al Thawadi further stated. 

“The stadium is also a representation of modern, cosmopolitan Qatar, where the Indian community is the single largest resident expatriate group and is an important contributor toward Qatar’s rapid economic development.”

Kai Havertz has "huge potential" according to Mateo Kovacic, who insists he has "no fear" for the "elegant" midfielder despite the struggles he has endured at the start of his Chelsea career.

Chelsea invested £70 million ($95m) in Havertz's talents during the summer transfer window. The Germany international committed to a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge after leaving Bayer Leverkusen where he had established himself as one of the most exciting young playmakers in Europe.

The 21-year-old has been unable to build on that reputation in the first half of the 2020-21 campaign. Havertz has only recorded four goals and four assists in his 19 apperances for the Blues to date and was dropped to the bench for the club's last two Premier League fixtures.

Kovacic started ahead of the ex-Leverkusen star during Chelsea's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal over the weekend with Frank Lampard now facing another selection dilemma ahead of a tough home fixture against Aston Villa on Monday.

Havertz is in line for a recall with Lampard set to ring the changes in the wake of his side's fourth defeat of the season, and Kovacic has backed his new team-mate to prove his doubters wrong once he adjusts to the demands of English football.

"I like Kai Havertz a lot," the Croatian midfielder told Chelsea's official website. "He is such a talented player. He is a great signing for Chelsea. He will be a huge player for Chelsea and for world football, I’m sure of that. 

"He has huge potential. He is such an elegant player. He just needs to learn to play in the Premier League, that’s all. It’s a difficult league with a huge tempo, and he will get used to it. Game by game he is getting better so I have no fear for Kai."

Kovacic also reserved special praise for Mason Mount, who has become one of the most important members of Lampard's squad during his first 18 months in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Mount and Havertz are both five years younger than Kovacic but he says he is eager to learn from the Chelsea duo as he seeks to advance his own career.

"Mason has a great desire to work, his attitude is great and he is very talented," he added. "It’s a normal thing he is doing so good because I saw last year his talent.  We like to talk. They can give me tips as well. They are both better goalscorers than me so I can look to them.

"It’s not about the age. Every player has his attributes. We talk and we can learn off each other. For me, I want to become better every game. I can still improve and be better in some parts of games which I’m trying to do. I can improve a lot and I’m sure I will be even better as the season goes on."

Ronald Koeman has claimed it will make no difference to Lionel Messi's Barcelona future whether Mauricio Pochettino takes over at Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou ever since he expressed a desire to leave the club in August 2020, only to exclusively reveal to Goal that he had decided to stay until at least the end of this season when his contract expires having been unable to force a transfer.

In a recent interview with Spanish television channel La Sexta, the Argentina forward said he "did not know" what he was going to do but suggested he would like to play in the United States at some point.

With former Tottenham boss and compatriot Pochettino heavily tipped to become the new coach at PSG, it has been suggested Messi and the Ligue 1 club could be a good fit, particularly with Neymar keen to reunite with his old team-mate, but Barcelona head coach Koeman does not think there is an automatic correlation between the two.

"I do not know if it is true about Pochettino to PSG," Koeman told a media conference on Monday. "If Messi decides his future, it will not depend on a coach.

"I did not see the [Messi] interview live, but I have seen it. I have always been calm with Messi and I will not be calmer because he said that he will decide at the end of the season.

"We'll see what can happen. I appreciate Messi's words because he is a very important player for the club and for football. Anyone likes to speak well of oneself. I'm still the same. I try to move the team forward, it is a year of transition and Messi is key to this process."

Barca are enduring a difficult season in La Liga and are in fifth spot, eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

Messi will miss his side's Liga clash with Eibar on Tuesday while he completes treatment on an ankle injury but Koeman expects him to return from a Christmas break as planned before they face Huesca on January 3.

"Leo had ankle discomfort, that's why we have given him two more days of vacation," Koeman explained. "The doctor has said that after a week without training he will be fine. Not having a Messi is big loss due to his quality and effectiveness. We lose a great player."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Manchester United will likely trigger the one year extension option on Edinson Cavani's contract and didn't rule out the striker staying on beyond the end of his current deal. 

Cavani signed a one-year deal with the option for a further 12 months on the final day of the summer transfer window, but Solskjaer thinks the 33-year-old has longer left in him.

“At the moment it looks like he has a few years left in him so I wouldn’t say anything else,” Solskjaer said. “He has made a great impact when he has come here. Let’s focus on improving everyone but he has a few years left in him.”

The arrival of the former Paris Saint-Germain striker was questioned by some but he has had a positive impact and was influential off the bench as United drew with Leicester at the King Power on Boxing Day.

Despite his performances, the Uruguayan has only started three games across all competitions, but Solskjaer is adamant his time as a regular starter will come.

“He is definitely a starter. You don’t classify a player of that quality as anything else. We have plenty of starters, more than 11. That is the thing when you are at Man United,” Solskjaer explained.

“You should believe and trust in yourself. I trust him. We have good competition for places. He will probably start more games than he will not start.

“When you think of the history of his career and the experience he has had, his personality from the chat I had with him and when I watched him before, it wasn’t in doubt that he could handle the No 7 shirt.

"He is so meticulous and professional, his habits and everything about him, shows why he has had the career he has. Even at the age he is now he is one of the fittest players we have got.”

With fixtures coming thick and fast Cavani could get his next start sooner rather than later as Solskjaer looks to tweak his starting XI to keep his side fresh over the coming weeks.

“It is good for the players to know we trust them to play in big games,” Solskjaer said about using 20 players over the last two games.

“They are here for a reason. They are here to contribute and over this period, they will all have to do that this season because it is going to be relentless. I hope that will stand us in good stead, yes.”

Ronald Koeman is relaxed about Lionel Messi being a “bit banged up in his ankle” as he expects the Barcelona superstar to be fit for the first game of 2021 against Huesca.

Barcelona issued an injury update about their Argentina superstar on Sunday, saying he would miss the game with Eibar on Tuesday on account of his ankle problem.

Doctors informed Koeman that a week away from training would be enough for Messi to return to the fold against Huesca on January 3.

“First he was a bit banged up in his ankle and that’s why he hasn’t trained and why he’s not ready to play tomorrow’s match,” Koeman said at his press conference on Monday. “That’s why we gave him two extra days off on vacation. 

“He will be back after the Eibar match. The doctors said a week without training would make him fit for a return after the match.”

While not having Messi available will be a blow to Koeman, he is expected to be able to call on Ousmane Dembele.

The France international has been beset by hamstring problems since making the move to Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund, and the injury flared up again at the start of December. He has not featured since the loss to Cadiz on December 5, but has been training freely and is expected to be in the squad for the home clash with Eibar.

"The squad list we will give tomorrow after the training session, but he has been training with the team for the last several days," Koeman said of Dembele. "He was training well before the match with Valladolid, so in principal yes he will be in the squad tomorrow.”

Looking ahead to the game with Eibar, Koeman said: “They are a competitive team. They try to create pressure and go on the counter and we have to be playing well like we did in our last game.

“We have to be able to find space when the opposition creates pressure. We will have to play well otherwise it will be a very difficult match.”

Barcelona head into the game with Eibar eight points adrift of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at the top of the table.

John Stones has hailed Ruben Dias following his return to form at Manchester City, saying he loves playing alongside the Portuguese centre-back.

Dias has had an immediate impact at City since completing his £62 million ($84m) move to Etihad Stadium from Benfica in September. The 23-year-old has featured in 20 matches across all competitions for the Blues already this season, scoring once with his latest stellar display coming in the 2-0 home win over Newcastle on Saturday .

Pep Guardiola's side currently boast the best defensive record in the Premier League, and Stones has also played a key role in helping them rack up the clean sheets over the past few months.

The 26-year-old has worked his way back into City's starting line-up after a frustrating 2019-20 campaign, with Dias proving to be the perfect foil for the England international at the back.

Speaking ahead of the Blues' trip to Everton on Monday night, Stones talked up the partnership he has struck up with the former Benfica star while stressing the importance of sharing attacking and defensive responsibilities across the entire team.

Asked if he has enjoyed working with Dias, Stones told the club's official website: "Yeah, I absolutely love playing with him.

"We’ve still got room to improve. Everyone has got different qualities which is great. The consistency is key and us keeping clean sheets has been massive.

"I’ve said it numerous times now but to keep those clean sheets and have that platform for the lads to go and win the game is massive and it’s our job at the end of the day.

"I was thinking the other day that its not all on us – its not all in the defenders to get the clean sheets or that when someone scores its solely on the guys who scores."

City will move level on points with second-placed Everton with a game in hand if they pick up a win at Goodison Park. Guardiola will then start preparing his players for another top-of-the-table encounter against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on January 3, with only a point separating the two sides in the table at present.

Ebere Orji has signed for Swedish Elitettan side Kalmar as a free agent from Linkopings on a two-year deal, Goal can exclusively report.

The Nigerian striker would be hoping to continue her fine professional career in the European country, having seen out her one-year deal with Linkopings in the 2020 Damallsvenskan season. 

During her time under Olof Unogard's watch, Orji, who joined from Umea in February 2020, hit six goals for the Linkoping Arena outfit and was named the Damallsvenskan Player of the Month in July.

Having left Linkopings, the 28-year-old has now teamed up with an Elitettan side for the third time following spells at Mallbacken before helping Umea to top-flight promotion in 2019 in her second stint.

With Kalmar eyeing a Damallsvenskan spot, the Nigerian's acquisition will boost Frank Berntzen's attacking line as they bid to improve on their last season's fourth-place finish.

Before moving to Sweden in 2017, the striker previously played for three years at Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros, where she won three titles, including Noi Magyar Kupa twice and Noi NB I once. 

At international level, she featured for Nigeria at the U17 Women's World Cup in 2008, at U20 level in 2010, the senior event in 2011 and won the African Women's Cup of Nations in 2010.

Orji's switch to Kalmar means only seven Nigerians will be campaigning for their respective clubs in the Swedish top flight next season.

Those left are Chinaza Uchendu and Uchenna Kanu (Linkopings), Faith Michael and Anam Imo (Pitea), Ngozi Okobi and Halimatu Ayinde (Eskilstuna United), and Goteborg's Evelyn Ijeh.

At Kalmar, Orji will hope to gain more regular playing time under the tutelage of Berntzen when the new Elitettan season gets underway next year.

Diego Costa has informed Atletico Madrid of his desire to leave the club ahead of the January transfer window and to have his contract with the club terminated, Goal can confirm.

The Spain international has had a tough time since returning to Atletico from Chelsea in 2018, with his appearances and productivity limited amid injuries.

Costa has made only seven appearances in La Liga this season, with two goals to his name.

AS reported that he had sought out club officials to inform them of his desire to move on and have his deal terminated, ahead of the expiry of his contract in the summer of 2021.

Goal can confirm that Diego Simeone’s side are open to the prospect of letting the 32-year-old striker move on, provided suitable replacement cover can be found in the January transfer window.

Simeone is reluctant to go into the second half of the season - with Atletico battling for honours on three fronts - with Luis Suarez as his sole attacking option.

Suarez has made a good start to his Atletico career following his transfer from Barcelona, but he is 33 and has had injury problems of his own this term. The Uruguay forward missed a month of the season due to injury and ended a lengthy goalless run in the 3-1 win over Elche on December 19.

Atletico are in excellent shape to challenge for the Liga title, level on points at the top of the table with Real Madrid with two games in hand.

Should Costa’s wish to move on be granted - and he is not currently training with the club - his final goal for the Atletico could be the penalty he scored in the same game as Suarez netted a brace against Elche.

Costa was a force of nature during his first spell at Atletico, as his powerful presence and eye for goal helped them secure the Liga title in the 2013-14 campaign.

He earned a move to Chelsea on the back of his exploits for Atletico and won two Premier League crowns at Stamford Bridge before returning to Atletico in 2018.

The highlight of his second spell at the club was Europa League glory in 2018.

Arsenal are unlikely to get back into Europe this season, but Mikel Arteta should be given time to turn the club's fortunes around, says Nigel Winterburn.

Arteta's first year in charge at Emirates Stadium has been a tubulent one with success in the FA Cup and Community Shield undermined by a woeful start to the 2020-21 campaign.

The Spaniard was expected to mastermind a return to the Champions League for Arsenal after delivering two domestic trophies, but instead finds himself trying to steer the club away from the relegation zone.

The Gunners have slipped to 15th in the Premier League standings, having lost eight of their opening 15 fixtures.

The north London outfit managed to bring a seven-match winless run to an end by beating Chelsea 3-1 on Saturday, but Arteta is still under pressure heading into the new year.

Arsenal are 15 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool and ten behind fourth placed Manchester United having played a game more, with another must-win fixture up next away at Brighton on Tuesday night.

Winterburn acknowledges Arteta could lose his job if the Gunners fail to string a run of positive results together over the next few weeks, but hopes the board will be patient with the Spaniard as he seeks to complete a long-term project at the Emirates.

"I never like to discuss the possibility of managers being sacked and who should replace them, but it does happen, of course it does," the Arsenal legend said at the launch of free-to-play fantasy football jackpot game Fantasy5.

"From everything I've heard since the day Mikel Arteta walked into the club, I've just heard good things. It would be wrong of me to say, 'I'd like to see this guy come in' if Arteta loses his job.

"You can bring a manager in who has won a Champions League, he's won league titles - but the only thing we're interested in is, can he do it when he comes to Arsenal? We shouldn't care about his past. His past really doesn't matter.

"I haven't thought about Arteta going as I didn't see it as an option that it could happen. I'd still like to see what Mikel Arteta can do and I'd like to see him given that time.

"However, results are everything and once someone squeezes, puts the pressure on and one of the board members starts to panic then I wouldn't be surprised if it did happen."

Asked if he thinks Arteta can salvage any silverware in the second half of the season, Winterburn responded: "You can't predict Arsenal winning anything in the form we're in - that's just ridiculous. You just can't do that. They would have to have some sensational form in the league from now until the end of the season to even get back into Europe.

"We need to talk about current form with the manager and the players who have got to turn it around quickly. Back-to-back victories will help them build confidence and belief within the team.

"There's lots of games still to come. People keep talking about the run in the Europa League - I expected Arsenal to win those games. When talking about the Premier League though, it's ruthless.

"You're coming up against strong opponents every single week."

The former Gunners defender went on to claim that only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka would get into the teams he played for under George Graham and Arsene Wenger, and he doesn't believe the duo would have been regular starters.

"Who would I put him [Aubameyang] in for? Would I put him in instead of Ian Wright? Would I put him in instead of Thierry Henry? I don't think many people would take that hit," Winterburn added.

"I'd have him in the squad. I'd have Bukayo Saka in the squad, for sure. There's probably a couple more."

Azam FC assistant coach Vivier Bahati is hopeful the team will register positive results in the second round to go back on top of the Tanzanian Premier League table.

After a good start to the 2020/21 league campaign, the Chamazi-based charges' form dipped and they failed to win any of their last six games. They managed to collect four draws and lost the remaining two games.

Romanian coach Aristica Cioaba was fired and Zambian George Lwandamina took his place in the team.

"For us coaches, our target remains the same, to help the team get to the summit of the league table; and we will strive to achieve it in the second round," Bahati told reporters.

"It is a fact, we struggled to get results especially in recent league games. Definitely, it was a disappointment to the fans because no fan enjoys seeing his team struggling but soon it will be a thing of the past.  

"Our responsibility as coaches is to ensure the team performs and gives fans something to smile about. We have to make the fans proud and make them happy just the way we started the season."

In the ongoing transfer windown, the Ice-cream Makers have so far signed Congolese striker Mpiana Monzinzi to bolster the attacking department.

"We need about three players capable of adding extra energy to the squad for us to bounce back and consistently post good results in forthcoming assignments," Bahati concluded.

Lwandamina's side managed to qualify for the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 2-0 win over Magereza FC.

The 2019/20 best defender Nicholas Wadada, Ayoub Lyanga, Mudathir Yahya, Obrey Chirwa, Never Tigere, and Idd Seleman were the usual first-teamers who were deployed against Magereza.

Although it largely looked a defensive approach by the Ice Cream Makers, the former cup champions looked comfortable in launching direct attacks as well as strikes from the wings. They duly opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.

Chirwa headed home from a corner kick that was delivered by Tigere, and the opener rejuvenated the home side, who would have gone into the break with a bigger margin had the visitors not denied them on three occasions.

Tigere then found the back of the net in the 65th minute when his fierce shot from inside the 18-yard area gave the 2013/14 Premier League champions a deserved second goal.

ATK Mohun Bagan are in a rich vein of form as they head into the fixture against Chennaiyin on Tuesday evening.

Antonio Habas' men beat FC Goa and Bengaluru recently and are currently level on points with league leaders Mumbai City. And the coach has shrugged off suggestions that his players may get complacent. 

"We are never complacent. We are improving but we have a long way to go. We have a good squad but we are looking forward to a difficult match against Chennaiyin," stated the manager. 

The two-time ISL winner rates Chennaiyin very highly and feels that it will be an exciting encounter. He also mentioned that the result of the ISL 2019-20 final is likely to have no effect on Tuesday's match.

"Chennaiyin are fighting for the title. They were the finalists last season. They are playing well this season. I have seen their matches and they are playing at a very high level. We respect them very much.

"It is a new season with new players. I know they will create problems for us. Both teams will want to win. The side who will be more lethal will get the three points," he reasoned. 

Habas informed that he has the entire squad at his disposal barring Michael Soosairaj who is out with a long-term injury. 

Bagan played high-pressing football and took the initiative against Bengaluru which saw them reap rewards. But the coach did not want to divulge whether he would stick to the same gameplan against Chennaiyin. 

"Bengaluru have one type of characteristic whereas Chennaiyin have another. You can prepare a match plan thinking about one thing and then the opponent can do another thing. The important thing is to have ideas very very clear and then you can adapt to the opponent."

Australian forward David Williams believes that his team can get the three points against the Marina Machans if they stick to their gameplan. He scored against Bengaluru and would like to start from where he stopped.

"We have to stick to our gameplan. They are a good team but they also have their weaknesses. We have done our homework and each team has their ways of playing and are dangerous. Every striker wants to score. I would like to score again but if we keep winning and get the three points I am happy with it. We are well-rested. We watched Chennaiyin the other night and we feel fresh," said the 32-year-old. 

Ghana target Tariq Lamptey is set to miss a second consecutive Premier League game for Brighton and Hove Albion, the club have confirmed.

The 20-year-old sat out Sunday's 2-2 draw with West Ham United due to a hamstring problem and has been confirmed as unavailable for Tuesday's matchday 16 clash with Arsenal at the American Express Community Stadium.

It will be his fifth missed game of the season, having made 11 appearances so far.

"Graham Potter provided an update on Tariq Lamptey when he spoke to the media after Sunday's game with West Ham United," Brighton wrote in their team news on their official website on Monday.

"The boss confirmed that the defender would miss the match because of a hamstring injury and would also likely remain absent for the match with Wolves on Saturday.

"Adam Lallana came off with a groin problem at half-time and his fitness will be assessed ahead of the match."

Lamptey joined Brighton from Chelsea in January after struggling for first team opportunities at Stamford Bridge where he developed through the youth ranks.

“It [injury] is not serious, it's just a slight problem with his hamstring," Potter said ahead of Sunday's game.

"The nature of how he plays, you have to be careful because you don't want him to be out for a number of weeks. So I am expecting him to be back pretty soon. He's recovering well.

“We haven't got a like-for-like replacement for Tariq, so you have to adjust as a team for another person coming into the team.

"The player that comes in for him will have different attributes and qualities. It's then up to us as a team to understand that and play to those."

Among the breakout stars of the season, Lamptey has been linked to Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.

The latest reports on Monday say the full-back has interested Arsenal who are planning a swoop should Hector Bellerin leave for Barcelona as highly speculated.

The Hillingdon-born has also gained the attention of Ghana football officials who are keen to see the defender represent the country of his parents at international level.

He currently plays for England at U21 level.

Possible future international teammate Thomas Partey, who plays for Arsenal, will also miss Tuesday's Premier League game due to injury. 

Tottenham’s alarming failure to see out games reared its head again against Wolves.

Spurs led early on through Tanguy Ndombele on Sunday but failed to press home their advantage, and were pegged back when Romain Saiss headed home four minutes from time.

Saiss’ effort meant Tottenham had to settle for a point, and continued a worrying trend for Jose Mourinho’s side.

According to Opta, Spurs have dropped nine points in 2020-21 with goals conceded in the last 10 minutes of matches, the most of any side in the Premier League.

The 1-1 draw with Wolves left Tottenham down in fifth in the table, six points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

Commenting on the performance to the club’s official website, Mourinho was satisfied with everything apart from their failure to kill off the game  which left them open to a late blow.

“We’re frustrated with the result,” Mourinho said. “We had control of the game.

“I think it was a solid performance from the defensive point of view. To play against Wolves, I don’t remember Hugo [Lloris] making an important save that meant a lot, but when you score in the first minute you have 89 minutes to score more goals, we didn’t, and we weren’t even close to scoring many more goals.

"I must give some credit to Wolves, of course, as by losing they put some pressure on us, pressure that we coped quite well with, controlling the game very, very well, but we didn't have that ambition and desire to go for more."

Spurs lost their lengthy unbeaten run on the domestic front against Liverpool on December 16, with Roberto Firmino popping up with a goal in the final minute to seal a 2-1 win for the champions.

Prior to that, a goal from Jeffrey Schlupp on 81 minutes saw Spurs drop two points against Crystal Palace, while in October Mourinho's charges inexplicably conceded three times in the final 10 minutes to surrender a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with West Ham.

Against Newcastle in September, a Callum Wilson penalty in the 90th minute denied Tottenham a win.

Tottenham have taken only two points from their last four games and are in danger of losing touch with the Reds.

Spurs now have back-to-back home games against Fulham and Leeds - on December 30 and January 2 respectively - and Mourinho will want to see his side demonstrate greater attacking thrust.

Following the games with Fulham and Leeds, Spurs can turn their attentions away from the league as they have a Carabao Cup semi-final with Brentford followed by an FA Cup third-round clash with Marine.