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Liverpool extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table as they secure their top spot ahead of Christmas. An emphatic 7-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park has sent their title rivals a huge message as they defend their league title.

It was a day full of statements as Roberto Firmino scored for his second consecutive game, impressing the boss with two goals and an assist. Another man who was difficult to ignore this afternoon was Takumi Minamino, who earned a rare start ahead of Mohamed Salah.

Minamino masterclass

It took Liverpool just three minutes before they were on the front foot against Palace. Little did they know, it would open up the floodgates for a demolishing.

It was Minamino, who earns £75,000-a-week, who found the back of the net first, latching onto a ball from Sadio Mane to give the Reds an early lead. The former Red Bull Salzburg man slotted perfectly into the lineup, despite being limited to his time on the pitch this season.

According to Sofascore, the 25-year-old completed 100% of his dribbles and won three of his six attempted ground duels. He also missed a big chance to score his second goal of the game in the second half, which just highlights further how much of a problem he was for Roy Hodgson’s defence.

Despite being an underrated member of the team, his colleagues are more than aware of his attacking threat. Joe Gomez recently described him as an “unbelievable addition” to the Merseyside outfit.

Since the arrival of Diogo Jota in the summer, Liverpool are heavily stacked with their attacking options. Many are fighting for their spot in the starting lineup and Minamino ensured he did not waste this rare opportunity. His performance in such an influential win will have pricked up Jurgen Klopp’s ears and the Japanese international will be hoping that he has done enough to warrant more starts in the Premier League this campaign.

In other news, Liverpool should cash in on Divock Origi amidst Wolves interest…

According to The Athletic’s Gregg Evans, Aston Villa won’t be pursuing a move for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard in the January transfer window.

Johan Lange won’t pay up

Reports over the summer suggested that the Frenchman was a potential target for Dean Smith’s side, with Celtic boss Neil Lennon admitting that he was hopeful he would stay at Parkhead.

In the end, Edouard stayed put, and Evans now claims that Villa won’t be reigniting their interest in the centre-forward when the January transfer window opens in just over a week’s time.

Although it’s claimed that Villa will look to be proactive, they “are not expected to spend the sort of money that would be required to sign” Edouard, and that’s a major mistake from Johan Lange.

Smith must be fuming

Given the incredible start Villa have enjoyed to the Premier League season, Smith will surely feel he’s done more than enough to see the club’s owners and sporting director to release some of the club’s transfer warchest.

The Midlands club currently find themselves in ninth place, but were they to win both their games in hand on those sides above them in the table, would be just three points off leaders Liverpool.

Ollie Watkins has proven to be a masterstroke of a signing since his arrival from Brentford, bagging eight goals in 15 games. And whilst the Englishman has led the line superbly, bringing in Edouard in January would strengthen Villa’s firepower up top no end.

He’s fired in nine goals in 19 matches for Celtic, and the man described as a “special talent” would significantly boost Villa’s chances of breaking up the Premier League’s big six and finishing in a European place this season.

If it comes to the end of the season, and Villa miss out because they didn’t strengthen up front, then Smith would understandably be furious with those in charge at the club.

Meanwhile, Villa must desperately sell this £40k-p/w flop, Dean Smith has “seen enough”.

Some Everton fans have been lauding a transfer update involving a potential swoop for West Ham United star Felipe Anderson.

As per TEAMtalk, the Goodison Park faithful are considering a move for the Brazil international as Carlo Ancelotti is looking for a possible replacement for Bernard, of whom the Italian boss is preparing for his exit from the Merseyside club to AS Roma.

While he has fallen out of favour at the Hammers, having been shipped off on loan to FC Porto for the 2020/21 term, he could still be a good signing for the Toffees.

The 27-year-old has a vast amount of experience playing in the Premier League, scoring 10 goals and making a further eight assists in 63 games over the last three consecutive terms (Transfermarkt).

If Bernard were to go, the winger could be his ideal replacement.

Everton fan reaction to Anderson link

These Toffees supporters lauded the transfer update on Twitter:

“If he’s not on mad wages then yes! Could be an exceptional signing if Carlo can get him to his best”

Credit: @rimmerefc

“You know what, I’d take that, I still rate him”

Credit: @RyanG78_

“If it’s a straight choice between him and Bernard then I’d take him. New challenge/motivation may be the move he needs. Bernard is just woeful”

Credit: @AlexOBr82171506

“Be a great signing!”

Credit: @Tomwalk62023010

“If this actually means Bernard leaves the club, get the deal done asap”

Credit: @johngale_

“It’s a yes from me”

Credit: @Paul1878W

In other news, find out who some Blues want to keep after news emerged here!

David Sullivan must sanction a West Ham United swoop to sign Olympique de Marseille midfielder Morgan Sanson, and deliver David Moyes a dream heir to Mark Noble in the January transfer window.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun, the Hammers are ready to discuss a potential swap deal that will see Manuel Lanzini join the Ligue 1 side in hopes of adding Sanson this month.

Marseille are said to value the 26-year-old at £25m but they could use interest from Newcastle United and Aston Villa in attempts to drive up their asking price.

Sanson has previously turned down opportunities to join West Ham, where Moyes is keen to sign a new midfielder as Noble’s playing days are seen to be nearing their end.

Newcastle would prefer to wait until the summer before making a move to sign Sanson, though Aston Villa have been closely monitoring the £48,000-per-week beast for several months and are preparing to make a formal offer this winter, per TF1’s Julien Maynard.

West Ham hope the inclusion of Lanzini, who they value at £15m, will better place the east London outfit in any bidding war for Sanson, who Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed he is willing to let go.

“The transfer window is open. He is highly rated in England. He interests English football, by its characteristics. It is possible that something is happening”, the former Chelsea and Tottenham coach said, via quotes by RMC Sport. “Officially [Marseille have] received no offer.”

Dream Noble heir

Sullivan sanctioning a swoop for Sanson in the January transfer window could see West Ham deliver Moyes a dream Noble heir, as the Frenchman has proven to be a box-to-box menace in Ligue 1 for a number of years.

Sanson has already offered two goals and three assists in 11 Ligue 1 games this term, to continue his record of scoring in every season and providing an assist in all bar one of his nine campaigns as a senior player for either Montpellier or Marseille.

The former France U21 international has also scored five goals in each of his last two full campaigns, which Tomas Soucek has provided in the Premier League this season after West Ham only saw from Robert Snodgrass deliver five or more among their central midfielders last term and Noble in the 2018/19 campaign.

Sanson is additionally offering Villas-Boas 0.6 shots and 1.1 key passes a game in the French top-flight this term, which would see him rank marginally behind Declan Rice for shots (0.7) and first for key passes (Rice is first currently with 1) among Moyes’ current central midfielders in the Premier League, per SofaScore.

Sanson is further offering far more successful dribbles per game (0.7) than Moyes is seeing from Soucek (0.3) and Rice (0.2), as well as matching Rice for successful tackles (1.9), showing the step up in level the Scottish coach could make his engine room if a deal can be done.

AND in other news, a £4.5m-rated brute was West Ham’s true star of the show vs Burnley.

Celtic’s last two draws with Hibernian and Livingston may not have been managed by Neil Lennon, but it’s becoming increasingly apparent that change is needed.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that majority shareholder Dermot Desmond was planning an upheaval behind the scenes, and that simply has to start with the sacking of the Irishman.

Of course, stand-in boss Gavin Strachan has led the team in their last two games but the fact of the matter is that Celtic have won just seven of their last 21 matches in all competitions.

It’s a diabolical record and something simply has to be done. Lennon has achieved a great deal with Celtic – winning the last two league titles and Scottish Cups – but his time is up. The higher-ups simply have to get rid of him.

The Bhoys are 20 points behind Rangers before the Gers play on Sunday and were dumped unceremoniously out of both the Champions League and Europa League.

Of course, Celtic have won the last nine titles, but it’s time for the hierarchy to be ruthless. However, who could replace him?

Well, former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe would be a good option. It was reported in late November that the 43-year-old’s representatives had been contacted and now is the time to put all their eggs in one basket and bring him to Glasgow.

Howe is well thought of on English shores and despite being relegated with the Cherries last term, has plenty of pedigree. He’s been tipped to manage England in the future and he was the man who initially got Bournemouth into the top-flight.

The south-coast team were in disarray when he took over, struggling in League Two. However, he took them up through the leagues and in the process of being named the EFL Manager of the Decade in 2015, reached the Premier League.

It was a story that embodied that of the video game Football Manager, but this time, it happened in real life.

His accomplishments with Bournemouth almost defy belief and if anyone can get a team out of a crisis, it’s Howe.

Though, there are other positives, particularly in terms of his coaching. Simon Ferry revealed in November that Lennon was still using similar methods on the training ground to Brendan Rodgers.

He said: “I know they still do Brendan Rodgers training, which worries me. If you’re the manager, you can’t be doing someone else’s thing, you need to do what you want to do.”

Fortunately, Howe has a very different approach to training, a method that could revive their season.

Former Bournemouth player Brett Pitman previously said: “It wouldn’t just be ‘do you want to do a session’ and a coach would be there. He [Howe] would be the one taking it, with all his staff – that is special. People might think that is a norm in football but it really isn’t. It is what makes him different.”

Meanwhile, Simon Francis, another of Howe’s ex-players once noted: “He is meticulous. He does not leave any stone unturned. And he instils that work ethic into the players. Because you know that he is buying into it.”

For Celtic, hiring someone like this would be a no-brainer. Lennon doesn’t do much coaching on the training ground so Howe’s appointment has the potential to be game-changing.

As Pitman says, he is special. Desmond simply has to bring him to Parkhead.

AND in other news, Lennon could finally axe Celtic stalwart by signing £300-p/w gem “on top of the world”…

According to Sky Sports, Celtic have reached an agreement with Preston to sign Ben Davies in the summer.

What’s the story?

The 6 foot 1 centre-back is out of contract come the end of the season, and he was also reported to be of interest to Neil Lennon’s side last summer.

Now, Sky Sports claim that the Hoops look set to finally land their man, and that they will be fending off interest from the likes of Sheffield United to bring Davies to Celtic Park.

Bye-bye Duffy

With Shane Duffy enduring a nightmare spell whilst on loan from Brighton – reports in recent weeks have even suggested that Nottingham Forest have made an approach to the Seagulls to take him away from Celtic Park for the rest of the campaign – it’s no surprise that the Hoops are after a new centre-back.

And in Davies, Peter Lawwell could deliver his parting gift to Celtic following confirmation that he is set to retire in the summer.

Davies has been a virtual ever-present for Preston this season, making 18 appearances in the Championship this season, and only missing some games mid-way through the campaign due to a hamstring injury.

His boss at Preston, Alex Neill, said: “Once I had looked at Ben, assessed the whole squad and seen him for a couple of weeks I thought to myself that we have a really good player on our hands.

“Ben has got a good left foot and he should really have more confidence in it than he actually has. He is better with it than he gives himself credit for. The lad has really good pace, which for a centre-back is rare. He reads the game well and has the determination to get better.”

Celtic could wave goodbye to Duffy and bring Davies in as his replacement, and that could be Lawwell’s final major piece of business before he calls it a day.

Meanwhile, Celtic could sign their Kieran Tierney successor in this starlet…

Steve Bruce can discover the new Michael Carrick by urging Mike Ashley to see that Newcastle United sign Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock on loan.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the Toon are pushing through efforts to convince Mikel Arteta to sanction a half-season deal for Willock to see out the remainder of the term at St. James’ Park.

The 21-year-old has spent the first part of the campaign used as a substitute at the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners have reservations over the Magpies’ interest due to discussions to allow Ainsley Maitland-Niles to join either West Brom or Southampton on loan.

Willock is thought to be at the top of Bruce’s shortlist heading into Deadline Day, but has also shown an interest in Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury and Celtic’s Olivier Ntcham.

Willock is eager to play regular first-team football after starting only two of his seven Premier League appearances this term, while playing just 14 minutes in 2021 after being left an unused substitute of Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United.

The £14.5m-rated gem had been a regular of Arteta’s plans in the Europa League Group Stage, scoring three and assisting three goals in the UEFA contest, and featured for 66 minutes against Newcastle in the FA Cup third-round tie but played no part of their fourth round defeat to Southampton.

Should Newcastle sign Willock?

Bruce has been pushing for a new box-to-box midfielder to join Newcastle all winter, and will be loath to end Deadline Day without the Toon welcoming an energetic dynamo to St. James’ Park who he feels can bring a driving force to the engine room.

Willock could be just who Bruce is after, as long as Ashley and Managing Director Lee Charnley are able to convince Arteta to part with the 21-year-old he lauds for his “very special” qualities.

The England U21 international has shown in the Europa League this season, and in almost every season since making his senior Arsenal debut, that he can score and assist goals from midfield, but offers far more beyond just his end product.

Trevor Sinclair has likened Willock to former Manchester United midfielder and serial title-winner Michael Carrick for his ability on the ball, having been thrown into the deep end in north London but come out swimming at the other end.

“I think Joe Willock, at Arsenal, has done well and he could be another one for Euro 2021,” Sinclair told talkSPORT, via quotes by The Boot Room. “He’s been thrown in at the deep end, but he’s done well. He’s neat and tidy and good on the ball. He reminds me a bit of Michael Carrick.”

Not only has Willock been thrown in at the deep end, but also thrown in almost anywhere and everywhere for the Gunners. The 21-year-old has featured in the holding midfield role, as the box-to-box option, on the wing or in an attacking midfield capacity, showing how he can more than comfortably deliver Bruce what he is looking for.

He’s certainly not afraid to drive forward with the ball at his feet, too, with Willock recording 0.8 successful dribbles with a 44% success rate in the Europa League this term and providing 0.8 accurate crosses once at the top of the pitch, per SofaScore.

Only Jonjo Shelvey (1.15) and Miguel Almiron (0.89) push up the pitch with the ball at their feet in Premier League fixtures more often than Willock has in Europe this season, among Bruce’s current central midfield group. Shelvey is also the only one to offer a higher average number of crosses (0.92).

So, if Ashley and Charnley can convince Arsenal and Arteta to sanction a deal, Bruce would stand to sign an upgrade and one who could prove unquestionably to be the new Carrick with a regular run in the side.

AND in other news – Exclusive: Rob Lee slams “laughable” Newcastle and Steve Bruce decision…

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as the Merseyside club’s official Twitter page announced that they will play Manchester City at home in the FA Cup.

Given that no supporters will be allowed to attend the game, playing at Goodison Park does not hold too much of an advantage for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, as they could be in for a very difficult match.

Pep Guardiola’s men are currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table and have recently broken a top-flight record by becoming the first team to win 15 games in a row across all competitions in English football history (Sky Sports).

In order to increase their chances of progressing to the semi-finals, there would have been other sides the Toffees would have liked to have been drawn against. However, they will now have to beat a red-hot City team in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Everton fan reaction to Manchester City draw

These Blues fumed upon learning who their opponents were going to be on Twitter, with one EFC supporter even going as far as to call it ‘typical’:

“I’m going to break my monitor I swear”

Credit: @james_stainsby

“Haha! No. Seriously. Who did we actually get?”

Credit: @toffeejones

“Our luck summed up”

Credit: @ollietramineee

“We are cursed man I swear”

Credit: @This_Is_Ako

“Called it didn’t I… typical”

Credit: @ZakWadders18

“I’d like to report a crime”

Credit: @lauriehdgs

In other news, find out what worrying injury update Everton fans have been reacting to here!

After falling to a disappointing defeat at home to Leicester last week, Aston Villa bounced back to winning ways with an impressive 1-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday.

Dean Smith’s side sealed all three points thanks to a first-half strike from Anwar El Ghazi, with a strong rearguard performance ensuring that the Whites didn’t find a way back into the game.

But arguably the most impressive performer for Villa, was 19-year-old Jacob Ramsey. With Jack Grealish out injured once again, and Ross Barkley out-of-form, Smith decided to give the club’s teenage talent a rare chance to start from the off – the last time that happened in the Premier League was against Wolves back in mid-December.

And while El Ghazi struck the match-winner, it was Ramsey’s performance that really stood out. For someone so young, the midfielder looked so composed on the ball, always looking to pass and move and bring a bit of energy into that engine room for Villa.

He completed 75% of his passes, which was only bettered by John McGinn out of Villa’s starters, while he also provided one key pass – one of only three players to do so.

Speaking on the 1874 podcast, Dan Bardell spoke about how Ramsey just “glides with the ball”, and that was all too clear to see on Saturday. The 19-year-old completed 100% of his dribbles, and his decision-making about when to try and beat a man and when to pass it off was impeccable.

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece lauded Ramsey’s performance, tweeting: “Incredible shift from Jacob Ramsey as he’s replaced by Sanson with 10 to go. He’d have got a standing ovation had the Villa faithful been here. A class act which was summed up brilliantly as he powered away from Klich in the second half. Smith rates this kid. Bright future.”

With Sheffield United next up for Villa in mid-week, Ramsey did everything on Saturday to ensure he should absolutely be kept in the starting line-up.

Liverpool are continuing to be linked with a move for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus, and he could be the man to help unleash Thiago in the Reds midfield if he were to join.

According to Sport BILD journalist Christian Falk (via Express), the 23-year-old is willing to join the Reds in the summer, and they are now the number one contenders to sign the German, due to Dortmund-bound manager Marco Rose not wanting to sign any of his current players from Monchengladbach when he makes the switch, whilst Bayern Munich are low on funds after their signing of Dayot Upamecano.

Neuhaus has established himself as a top prospect in Europe with his performances in recent seasons, contributing four goals and two assists in 30 Bundesliga appearances last season, resulting in an excellent 6.96 average rating.

The midfielder looks well on track to surpass these statistics this season, having already managed four goals and four assists in 22 appearances in the German top-flight.

Neuhaus would likely arrive as a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who looks set to depart Anfield in the summer when his contract expires, and he arguably could be better-suited to this Liverpool midfield than the Dutch international, as his style of play would suit Thiago.

The German is taller than Wijnaldum and would provide more of a physical presence in midfield, which may take some of the pressure off Thiago to defend and try and win the ball back, which doesn’t really suit his skill set.

The Reds need an all-round midfielder with an excellent work rate such as Neuhaus, who averages 13.44 pressures per 90 minutes, as this would allow Thiago to conserve his energy and make himself available for when Liverpool win the ball back with their press, rather than doing all of the chasing himself.

Neuhaus has earned a lot of plaudits with his performances for Monchengladbach, with teammate Marcus Thuram labelling him an “outstanding” player last year, and with Die Fohlen languishing in mid-table in the Bundesliga, he deserves a move to a side that can challenge for trophies next season.

Certainly, his all-round style of play in midfield would definitely compliment Thiago and allow him to get back to his best, as so far, he has failed to reproduce the level of performances he showed in his time with Bayern Munich.

Michael Edwards will be aware of Neuhaus’ quality and availability, sanctioning a move for the Monchengladbach ace could prove to be a masterstroke.

And, in other news… Edwards should swoop for £63m beast who silenced Messi at 19