Right, that’s all we’ve time for today – on our final Friday football blog before Christmas. The festive schedule is very much upon us, so feast on the footie and the food of course, be merry and all that jazz. Thanks for joining us.

A reminder that live coverage of Manchester City 2-0 Fluminense is available here, but I’ll leave you with Niall McVeigh’s piece on Erling Haaland’s new-found status as greatest player in the world*.

*According to us.

Christian Eriksen looks likely to return to Manchester United’s first team when they face West Ham tomorrrow, in the 12.30pm kick off. Erik ten Hag has spoken about Eriksen’s recovery from injury, which is a rare glimmer of light amid a very doomy picture for United – particularly where injuries are concerned.

“We have some returns that are very useful,” said Ten Hag.

“The one we are pleased to have is the return of Christian Eriksen in the squad. We also have doubts; we had some illness in the week, so we will have to see how they recover tomorrow.

“But one thing is sure, we will put a good line-up on the pitch and we have to win the game.”

The teams are in for the Club World Cup final – and you can now follow all the build-up with our very own John Brewin.

Reports are suggesting Erling Haaland will not start, after all, this evening in Saudi Arabia. Julian Alvarez looks set to continue up front, with Rico Lewis to partner Rodri in midfield against Fluminense.

Unai Emery has no intention of allowing loanee Clément Lenglet back to Barcelona, despite suggestions that the centre-back could join AC Milan on another loan, after limited game time at Aston Villa.

The former Spurs defender has played just five times for Villa – all those appearances coming in the Conference League, but could make his league debut against Sheffield United tonight.

“I am very happy with him,” Emery said yesterday. “His commitment in every training session is amazing. He is a very good professional and always ready to play. The last matches he was sick. He was with us in Zrinjski.

“He was better at Brentford but still a little bit sick. Other players maybe wouldn’t be with the squad if they were feeling like he was.

“[On Friday] if everything is going well, I think he is going to play. I am wishing to see him and am really very excited about how he will help us in the next matches.”

Ivan Toney is available for selection from 17 January – and his Brentford manager Thomas Frank has been looking ahead to the striker’s return; although it won’t come without a flurry of transfer speculation.

“Ivan Toney is looking good and it’s very good to have him getting closer,” Frank said today. “We’re all looking forward to having him in the team again and he’s looking forward to it.

“He is a Brentford player right now and I expect him to be a Brentford player in the spring.”

Is this tweet from Erling Haaland to be interpreted as an early team news ‘hint’ for tonight’s Club World Cup final? The Manchester City hitman is nearing a return to full fitness, but playing in bare feet is probably inadvisable.

Time to get your Premier League preview on.

More from Mauricio Pochettino here, as the Chelsea head coach expressed his frustration at apparently feeling pressured into rushing players back from injury – including a thinly-veiled dig at the entourage of forward Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman was out for a long time after signing for Chelsea in the summer.

I want to make clear with the players [who have had] a big period off, they are desperate to be involved. They can be involved – but in which way? In which form? At what level? It’s easy to say, ‘I want to play’, but we are competing. This is a serious competition.

After six months off like Nkunku and Lavia, they need to understand they must train really, really hard every day to be involved. They need to make an impact every time they go to the pitch.

Sometimes the professionals feel so disappointed because they want to play. It’s difficult to understand. The environment of the player, also, they [the representatives] say they are disappointed because Nkunku didn’t play against Sheffield United.

I am disappointed to have a player that should be an important player for us [who] is not helping the team. If he doesn’t play, it is not because we don’t believe in him. It is because there are many other players fit and training in six months and at that moment maybe we need to decide.

Well that’s something, I suppose. Chelsea and Wolves fans will be wondering why it couldn’t have happened in 2023.

Thanks Luke, good to be back. Here’s Andy Hunter on Everton’s blue Christmas.

And that concludes my contribution to today’s festive football blog: Dom is here to take it home. Merry Christmas to all.

What do you mean, you missed our La Liga roundup from last night?

Real Madrid, the European Super League panto villains, went top thanks to a late winner from Lucas Vázquez against Alavés:

A further smattering of Klopp after the furore, or semi-furore, following his comments about home fans at Anfield during the week and how he was disappointed with the atmosphere in the Carabao Cup win against West Ham.

“It was my feeling, directly after the game … we missed a chance, and I turned around and people were sitting there, flat,” Klopp said.

“I enjoyed 99.7% of each second in that stadium … I didn’t know everyone takes me word for word, but maybe after all the years, I should be used to that.

“If people wanted to understand me right, I think it was possible … we need Anfield tomorrow. That’s 100% true. I can’t wait for the first whistle to be honest.”

You can’t beat a nice, polished social media graphic to mark cup final day. The Club World Cup final, Manchester City v Fluminense, kicks off in exactly three hours.

If you missed Jürgen Klopp complaining about the atmosphere at Anfield a couple of days ago, here’s the video:

“It’s been a very good month … But we want to have a better Christmas,” says Fulham’s Marco Silva before the home game with Burnley tomorrow and the Boxing Day meeting away at Bournemouth.

“Christmas hasn’t arrived yet and for us to have a really good Christmas, we have a game tomorrow to win, and that is our aim really, our vision.

“Of course we are going to train on Christmas Day. We are going to prepare, we are going to be together.”

As for meeting Burnley, Silva added: “It’s a really dangerous game, I don’t have doubts about it … When we analyse a team we analyse their strengths, their weaknesses and their organisation, and what I can tell you is that, even without the best results, they are a really well organised team.

Tottenham’s Postecoglou was also asked about their disciplinary record: 46 yellow cards and four reds thus far.

“It’s obviously something that is not great for us, because it’s costing us during games, post games,” Postecoglou said. “The players are well aware of the impact that those kinds of things have and I’m sure they’ll learn from those experiences.

“My experience in football is that the best remedy for those kinds of things is the players feeling like they’re missing out on something. It brings them back into line pretty quickly. Hopefully we keep winning and the guys that miss out learn their lesson that way.”

Fulham’s Marco Silva will be talking soon.

A bit more from Ten Hag now, on Rasmus Højlund, and Manchester United’s recent lack of goals, and why injuries are partly to blame: “His mentality is great. He’s a very good performer under stress. He deals with that. But it’s not just about Rasmus Højlund. It’s also about Marcus Rashford, about Garnacho, about Antony, it’s also about Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay … don’t forget our full-backs, who have to be a big part in that. I’m sure we will work on that fact [goal scoring] as a group … I’m sure we will be improving. If our squad is full, complete, is better balanced … we should create more chances.”

How did our panel of 218 judges vote for the top 100 men’s footballers of 2023?

Marcus Christenson explains all:

I agree with Claire about Gallagher’s qualities. At a club frequently hampered by bizarre decision-making, potentially selling such a quality midfielder to a direct rival might top the lot.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was asked about Conor Gallagher’s future and gave a distinctly non-commital, “I just work here” kind of answer.

“It’s between the club and the player … he’s doing well, he’s doing fantastic for the team,” Pochettino said. “But in another side, talking about the future is more about the club, and the player, and to see what they decide to do.”

Thanks to Chelsea supporter, Claire McConnell, for an email about the prospect of Conor Gallagher leaving Chelsea for Tottenham:

“It would be an unmitigated disaster,” writes Claire. “He knows Chelsea, he’s one of our own. He’s captained the team many times, so Poch has faith in him, and rates him highly. He works oh so hard and provides energy and passion lacking in others. Ok yes I understand FFP, but to fix our spending problems on the back of one of our best players would suggest utter myopia by the ownership, and signify where their interests really lie - please let us keep our Conor.”

Thanks Dom. Enjoy your sandwich.

Right, what’s occurring? Mikel Arteta is on my telly but that was literally five hours ago. Let’s have a look for something else.

I’m off to grab a sandwich, so here’s Luke McLaughlin to see you through the next bit. There’s more pressers aplenty, as well as buildup to that big Club World Cup final, coming up.

Quite, John. Quite.

Jürgen Klopp adds to Liverpool’s statement on the European Super League, speaking at today’s press conference:

Another good read here. Hannah Jane Parkinson on a refereeing milestone.

The Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has been speaking today about the ordeal the club went through last weekend, with the collapse of their captain Tom Lockyer due to a cardiac arrest in their game against Bournemouth. Edwards has revealed the unity in his squad and the desire to ‘do it for Locks’ as they take on Newcastle at Kenilworth Road tomorrow.

I’ve been really careful not for anything to seem like we’re using it. It’s about ‘what would Locks want?’

I think that’s the most important thing now, and what does this group of people want? We’re a really tight-knit group, a family, and we’ve got to look after each other now.

It’s about really coming together even more than we already are. And we do want to do it for Locks, but that’s coming from the right place as well. It can’t be selfish, and I’ve been really keen to stress that.

It was a really scary moment, the scariest moment I think I’ve ever had in football. I was emotional on Saturday. It scared me, but everyone rallied. The medical guys were incredible, in such a scary, pressurised situation with the world watching them as well.

They made every decision bang on. I’m so proud of them. They saved him. They’re real heroes.

Reece James is such a terrific footballer who’s had rotten luck with injuries. This latest one is another big blow for the Chelsea star, with Mauricio Pochettino hopeful 2024 will bring better fortune.

An email from Liverpool fan Madge Stapleton on the club’s European Super League flip-flop in April 2021:

I think you’ll find that Liverpool fans, including [supporters’ trust] Spirit of Shankly, were vehemently opposed to the Super League, as were the players. John Henry was forced to apologise for his underhand behaviour. I think we all remember his hilarious sackcloth-and-ashes demeanour at the time. It shows the importance of fan solidarity and groups like the SoS.

Absolutely right, Madge. It was just a shame owners didn’t bother consulting fans before airing their ill-fated plans.

Speaking of Manchester United, here’s Erik ten Hag, speaking about his defensive injury malaise …

The revered Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth has been linked with a possible move to Ineos’ Manchester United project in recent days, with Eddie Howe addressing such speculation in today’s press conference.

Ashworth, formerly of the FA and Brighton, is well respected in the game and apparently on United’s list of would-be DOFs, but Howe says he’s committed to St James’ Park.

“Of course I’ve spoken to Dan, but not necessarily about that,” Howe said on the United links. “It’s very difficult to comment on speculation, whether that be a player or someone in Dan’s position. I’ve got no doubt that Dan is here for the long-term, but it’s probably a question for Dan rather than me.

“He’s done a really good job in helping us in loads of different ways – building departments, the training ground, he’s connected with everything that goes on in terms of the decision making at the football club.

“He’s hugely important and has been a really calming influence behind the scenes, his vast experience has really helped.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in smiling at journalist shock.

The endless borefest that is the Manchester United takeover saga may soon have an end in sight, with various reports and murmurs today suggesting Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s whopping 25% stake may be ratified before Christmas. Which, er, means by the end of today, given most executives and money-men will be merry on sherry by 6pm this evening

‘Fresh impetus around negotiations’ is the phrase doing the rounds today, with Ratcliffe’s Ineos group purchasing £1.25bn from the Glazers in return for sporting control and, perhaps, the vague hope of turning United back into a football team of some repute. Well, Christmas is a time for making futile gestures, after all.

I’ll start by bringing your attention to this excellent read, on Mary Earps’ SPOTY success and those who have railed against it, from the always excellent Marina Hyde.

Thanks Luke. Plenty for me to get my teeth into this Friday lunchtime.

Things can only get better, though, on which note – Dominic Booth is here to guide you through the next bit.

My favourite moment so far today was Arteta being asked if it was “nice to be top of the table.”

“It’s always nice to be in the highest position,” replied the Arsenal head coach.

Ah, the indescribable magic of Friday press conferences in the Premier League. Truly scintillating stuff.

Andoni Iraola is hoping Alex Scott has returned to fitness at the right time to help Bournemouth during the festive period. The 20-year-old moved to the Vitality Stadium from Bristol City in the summer for a reported fee of £25m, and made four appearances before a knee injury in the 6-1 thrashing at Manchester City last month.

Scott is back in training and was an unused substitute last weekend at Luton, where the game was abandoned after the Hatters skipper Tom Lockyer collapsed due to a cardiac arrest.

“I think the other day was very difficult. He could play, he started training,” said Iraola. “I think he has a lot of good energy. I think his spirit is good for the team. I like to have him involved and it has been another good week for him. “I hope he gets closer to having the rhythm of his teammates. I think he can help us these games.”

Scott’s return also comes at a time when Bournemouth have a number of players on the sidelines - but Iraola is hoping some of the injured could return at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

“We have some knocks, some small issues,” he added. “There are two or three situations that we still have to wait. The ones that are close to returning. We have a couple of knocks that I hope there is nothing important there.” (PA Media)

The Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, welcomed the European Court of Justice ruling on the Super League project, saying Uefa and Fifa do not understand the business of the sport and the need to grow club revenues.

Europe’s top court said the ruling bodies had contravened EU law by stopping the formation of a Super League, but clubs and leagues came together to denounce the project, committing to playing in competitions run by Uefa.

Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona are the only clubs still supporting the Super League project and De Laurentiis said he had discussed the situation with Real President Florentino Pérez.

“The Super League was a wrong move (in 2021), which however brought about this change. Now we need to do some serious thinking,” De Laurentiis told Corriere dello Sport. “I spoke with Florentino Pérez and we agree to put some real entrepreneurs around the table, not just nominal presidents. Because today football is administered by elderly people, but above all they are without vision.”

Napoli, the Italian champions, were not among the 12 clubs behind the original plan for the breakaway league in 2021. The three Serie A teams involved were Juventus, AC Milan and Internazionale.

Milan and Inter pulled out within 48 hours after an outcry from fans and the threat of sanctions. Juve opted to withdraw earlier this year after the club’s board changed.
The EU’s top court said Fifa and Uefa had abused their dominant position by forbidding clubs to compete in a European Super League.

“The dominant position of Uefa and Fifa, which Europe today censures, has served to bestow bonuses in exchange for consent,” De Laurentiis added. “Those who have governed up to now as monopolists have not understood that football is a business and needs growing revenues.

“If I invest hundreds of millions to participate in a circus that distributes peanuts, makes no profit and forces me to play more and more to keep an unproductive bandwagon going, the game is not worth it.” (Reuters)

Chris Wilder, Sheffield United manager, has spoken about the challenge of going to Villa Park tonight: “What is it, 15 wins out of 15? They’re on a fabulous run,” Wilder said.

“They are a well-coached team with outstanding individuals. It’s a chance for them to go top of the division. A lot of issues we’ve got to solve on the night … but as we’ve talked about, there’s no point getting on the bus if you don’t believe, if you haven’t got confidence in your ability, and your team’s ability, to go and get a result.”

In the Women’s Champions League, Brann pulled off a sensational result against Lyon last night with a 2-2 draw. Sarah Rendell was live-blogging it:

The Women’s Super League is now in hibernation until 20 January, but here for good measure is the Guardian Women’s Football Weekly from earlier this week:

Manchester City v Fluminense, the Club World Cup final, kicks off at 6pm UK time.

It’s available to watch for free on Fifa.com, and we’ll have a minute-by-minute report here too, of course.

Nick Ames is our man in Saudi Arabia. Read his preview:

As for the story below about Sky Sports innovations’ for the Edinburgh derby … mic-ing up the coach sounds like a good idea, but a bodycam on one of the coaching staff “to give a first-person perspective of the team on the pitch from the dugout” sounds potentially rubbish.

If you have been feasting your eyes on our top 100 male footballers in 2023, here is how we ranked them, courtesy of Marcus Christenson:

The Hibernian head coach, Nick Montgomery, will wear a microphone as part of Sky Sports’ live coverage of Wednesday’s Edinburgh derby. The move is aimed at enabling fans watching at home to hear the coaching and tactics from the sideline, while a member of the Hibs coaching staff will wear a bodycam to give a first-person perspective of the team on the pitch from the dugout.

Sky Sports will also be given access to the Hearts team hotel for a pre-match meal, and a bodycam will be strapped to a Jambos player during the warm-up. The enhancements for the Easter Road showdown follows Sky Sports’ EFL ‘Innovation Game’ last season, which included behind-the-scenes access for the broadcast of the Wycombe vs Portsmouth match in League One.

The Scottish Professional Football League chief executive, Neil Doncaster, said: “We’re really pleased to have been able to work with both clubs and Sky Sports to showcase their latest broadcasting innovations, helping put supporters right at the heart of the action in the Edinburgh derby. “It promises to be a cracking game and we’re excited to see how the technology brings the match experience even closer for viewing fans.” (PA Media)

Good Manchester City stattage from the commentator, Ian Darke, over on Twitter.

Note: he means within the past five games – they beat Luton 2-1 away on 10 December. But they have indeed registered 4-4, 3-3, 2-2 and 1-1 draws in their past five Premier League matches.

Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe have already had a chat with the media this morning. Much more coming up: Jürgen Klopp, Erik ten Hag, the lot.

“In life and football there’s always some kind of risk, isn’t there?” Martí Cifuentes says. The Queens Park Rangers manager is thinking about his unusual journey and remembers the difficult early days at AAB Aalborg. “When I went to Denmark it took six official games for me to win,” the 41-year-old continues. “The headline in the main sport newspaper was ‘The worst coach ever in the history of the Superliga’.”

The barbs washed over Cifuentes. “I am very used to being inexperienced, too young, whatever,” the Catalan says. “I’m just a very optimistic person. I don’t have any magical recipe.”

Here’s a slightly longer version of what Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager, said earlier regarding the fresh prospect of a European Super League:

“I’d probably say I’m against it if you want a clear decision because I like the structure as it is,” Howe said. “I think the big thing in England was our supporters of football let their feelings be known the previous time that this was mentioned, and really I think ultimately it’s their call which way they want this to go.”

Tonight brings a significant clash in the Premier League: on-form Aston Villa host Sheffield United looking to hit the top of the pile.

The Villans full-back Matty Cash, speaking to Sky Sports, says the atmosphere is “special” at Villa Park this season.

“It’s amazing. We know they’re behind us. The fans have been amazing this year, as they have done in many years,” Cash says. “But this year at Villa Park it’s different, it’s special.

“Everywhere we go now [around Birmingham], people say: ‘Are you gonna win the league?’ It’s a good position to be in. We’d rather be there than anywhere else.

“The manager is good at keeping us balanced and level-headed. You can’t get too excited in times like this,” Cash says of Unai Emery. “There’s so many highs and lows … he’s got a lot of experience of this. Tucking into the turkey top would be great … but there’s no point having a great achievement at Christmas.

“It’s great where we are but we are focused on the long goal. We’re playing against a tough team against Sheffield United.”

Here is a clip via the Premier League of Lewis Cook throwing a snowball at Wilfred Ndidi. Great festive banter.

Often when managers arrive at a struggling club the immediate response is a complete overhaul in a desperate attempt to turn things around, but in Unai Emery’s 14 months at Aston Villa he has transformed them from relegation candidates to Champions League hopefuls without any such tear-up.

When the Spaniard arrived from Villarreal Aston Villa were 16th in the Premier League and a point above the relegation zone. On Friday night he has a chance to take them top when they host Sheffield United, a match they will be expected to win.

In November 2021, Florentino Pérez stood before the members’ assembly and, to a standing ovation, declared that someone should remind Uefa who Real Madrid are, vowing they would not give in on their fight for the Super League. They would go it alone if they had to.

Two years on, he stood before the club’s 14 European Cups, a show of strength even though he stood alone, and said “freedom” had triumphed. So had football, according to Pérez. “Our destiny is in our own hands,” he said. The ruling from the European court of justice, he continued, represented a “before and after”.

Cheerful Roy Hodgson was asked after the 1-1 draw against Brighton if he felt under pressur given Palace’s poor run: “What are you actually coming with there? Feel the pressure in what respect?” he responded.

“Well, I suppose that’s football … if that’s the suggestion, that every time a team slides down the table, the manager should feel under pressure, then I suppose I should feel under pressure.

“But I don’t believe the players could be doing much more than they are at the moment. If that is pressure then I don’t feel it, no, not at all.”

A tremendous header by Danny Welbeck earned a point for Brighton against Palace last night.

Ed Aarons was on the scene for us:

The Wolves head coach, Gary O’Neil, has called on his side to learn from last weekend’s defeat at West Ham and “try to put things right” against Chelsea on Sunday.

“Three counterattack goals gave us no chance to take anything from the game, but they were really easy fixes that we’ve been over with the lads to ensure that we understand,” O’Neil said.

“The first one from a corner, the second one a slight misunderstanding in the structure and the third one, still disappointing, but we’re pushing at that point. It’s my job to analyse the game without emotion and when you do, loads of the stuff in it was really good.

“Numbers were good in terms of final-third entries, penalty-box entries, shots, so lots of stuff in there is positive, but when you lose 3-0 no-one is interested in that, so we need to fix the bits that need fixing and get back onto a home game this weekend and try to put things right.”

Wolves have been boosted by Pedro Neto’s return to training this week, having been out with a hamstring injury since October. The Portugal international provided seven assists in 10 Premier League games before his injury, but O’Neil insisted the club will “protect him” and make sure he is ready before returning. (PA Media)

Newcastle are off to Luton in the Premier League tomorrow and their gaffer, Eddie Howe, has been speaking to journalists before the match.

On Antony Gordon’s fitness following a heavy challenge by Moises Caicedo in the Carabao Cup loss at Chelsea: “Horrible challenge on him I thought … really disappointed with the tackle,” Howe says. “We’ll see how he is today.

“Emile [Krafth] had a nasty cut on his shin … he’s quite sore as well … Alexander Isak is 50-50 at this moment.”

Howe is asked about Luton’s captain Tom Lockyer, who suffered a cardiac arrest last weekend: “Watching the game as I did, it was a really difficult moment for everyone connected with Luton,” Howe says.

“Tom’s the most important thing … it puts football into perspective … we want to send him our best wishes, from everyone connected with Newcastle.”

On playing at Luton tomorrow: “Very difficult place to go. I’ve been there many times as a player … their games at home have been interesting … they ran Manchester City very close. Couldn’t have run Arsenal much closer … they had a good draw against Liverpool … they are physically good and committed to how they play … We’re going to have to be absolutely at our best to win this game.”

“It will be an emotionally charged game … Luton fans will be thinking of Tom. For us, we have to focus on our performance.”

Howe adds he was happy with the performance at Chelsea if not the result: “There’s a lot to take from it. I couldn’t ask any more of the players … we have to analyse that properly and move forward positively.”

And finally, a journalist mentions if he can ask about the European Super League. “It’s probably best you don’t,” Howe says dismissively. “It came out of the blue for me … supporters of football let their feelings be known last time this was mentioned … and ultimately it’s their decision on how they want this to go.”