This is a great read, and I maintain hope that Will is somehow going to end up on the bench, and then on the Elland Road turf for penalties, tomorrow night.

A couple of notable transfers on the continent today: firstly, Sevilla have strengthened their attacking options with a move for Swiss winger Rubén Vargas, who has spent the last five years at Augsburg. Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, Leipzig have signed attacking full-back Ridle Baku as cover for the injured Benjamin Henrichs. Baku, who was out of contract this summer, cost a cut-price €4.5m.

Marcus Rashford has been linked with a loan move to Milan, but their manager, Sérgio Conceição, wasn’t giving much away when asked about a possible deal today. “Rashford is a good player like many others, let’s see what happens,” he told a press conference before Saturday’s Serie A game with Cagliari.

Conceição has only been in charge for 11 days but already has a trophy – and viral celebration – under his belt after steering his team to Italian Super Cup glory, but the former Porto boss wants to see a lot more. “I think that those who think that winning a Super Cup is enough cannot work at Milan,” he said.

“It’s true, we enjoyed it and deserved it, but we are 17 points off the top of the table. A club that has won 19 titles and seven Champions Leagues cannot have their belly full with the Super Cup. So let’s focus on tomorrow, we have to win and convince. The Super Cup is over.”

Vitor Pereira has a relegation battle to try and win with Wolves, but he insists he’ll treat the FA Cup game at Bristol City the same as any Premier League game. I’ll level with you: I don’t believe him.

“This is a game that we need to face as a Premier League game, because this team [Bristol City] has a lot of tactical quality, individual quality and they play at home. After a defeat, you need to look for the next game and the next game is the Bristol City game. It’s important for us, if we want to move on in the competition – and if you want to get the positive energy again – this is a very important match for us.”

Matt Burtz has a different view on Sean Dyche’s Everton departure: “I thank Sean Dyche for keeping Everton up the past two seasons, but that doesn’t mean he’s earned the right to lead them for the rest of this one. Everton have the worst xG in the league at 18.1. That’s less than Southampton, who have six points, and don’t even try to tell me that Southampton have more attacking talent.” I won’t, don’t worry.

“Everton have scored 15 goals in 19 league games – take out games against Wolves, Palace and Ipswich and that drops to seven goals in 16 games. I don’t know how rational people can expect any team to stay up scoring so few goals. You have to score goals to win football games, it could not be more simple. You cannot 0-0 your way to 34 points for survival. For all their defensive strength, Dyche was not interested in Everton scoring goals. Perhaps his replacement will actually attempt to do both.”

Want to feel old? No? Well, too bad. This was released 20 years ago today, just after an FA Cup third-round weekend that included Manchester City losing at Oldham, non-league Exeter holding Manchester United at Old Trafford … and Djimi Traoré.

Southampton manager Ivan Juric isn’t planning on resting many players for their home tie against Swansea. Rest them for what exactly, you might ask, with the Saints 10 points from safety and showing no immediate signs of improvement.

“For us it [the FA Cup] is really important – we need the joy of playing good games. I don’t want to rest [players]. I have 17, 18 players, maybe more, who are competitive. I just want to win the game and then after the game I’ll think about Manchester [United] and Nottingham [Forest].”

Ten things to look out for in the FA Cup this weekend, and a bonus aerial shot of the outskirts of Tamworth. Is the SnowDome still open?

Ipswich are also in Women’s FA Cup action this weekend, facing a daunting trip to face Manchester City. Town were beaten 10-0 by City in the FA Cup back in 2020, but have since climbed from the fourth tier to the third, where they currently lead the Women’s National League Southern Premier division.

City are without Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp and Khadija Shaw but Vivianne Miedema, out since a knee injury in October, will feature in some capacity.

“We have Viv back which is a real positive,” said the City manager, Gareth Taylor. “We will see her [against Ipswich] and that’s really good. She has that talent and gives so much time and space to other players, as well as being quality herself. It’s good to have her back.”

One player linked with Everton this month was Jaden Philogene, but it seemed like the Aston Villa winger would be heading to Ipswich Town instead. Kieran McKenna has said today that a £22m deal for Philogene was not done yet.

“There is nothing to say, really,” McKenna told a press conference. “He is an Aston Villa player first and foremost and there is no deal or completion, as far as I am aware at the moment. Until that changes, or if that changes, I am sure the club will announce.”

McKenna added that new loan recruit Ben Godfrey is likely to feature against Bristol Rovers at Portman Road on Sunday. Fun fact: Rovers are managed by former Brighton stalwart Iñigo Calderón, who replaced Matt Taylor on Boxing Day.

“Did Dyche provide ugly, soulless football? Yes. But he kept us from relegation,” writes Mary Waltz. “But Moyes, or any other new manager, will face the same problem. An extreme shortage of striking, scoring talent. Dyche has a great keeper, an oft-injured ageing striker, and a collection of attacking players who try their best but can’t finish. Any manager who installs an expansive style of football will be disappointed. Hope is lovely. Reality often crushes hope.”

Would David Moyes to Everton be the least exciting gamble in football history? That (by me!) and more in today’s Football Daily …

More from Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s injuries and “limitations”, possible January spending and adapting to another new (gold) ball against Manchester United:

Back to Manchester City, and Pep Guardiola is keeping Salford guessing over whether Erling Haaland will feature in Saturday’s Cup tie. City are expected to rotate their side but Guardiola has not decided if Haaland – his most-used player this season – will get a rest.

“You will see tomorrow,” said the City manager. “But he feels good. He’s had some niggles but we’ve had seven days from West Ham to Salford and he’s recovered well. With the situation that we have, we need everyone ready.” If Pep is to go with a different striker, it would probably be a youth player: either Will Dickson or Divin Mubama, who joined from West Ham in the summer.

The Bundesliga is back from its winter break tonight, with quite the opening fixture in Dortmund v Leverkusen.

“It’s a super opener for us. To play the first game of the year in Dortmund is a huge motivation,” said Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, who resumes their title defence four points behind Bayern Munich. “At home, [Dortmund] are very strong. We need our best game. We need a good mentality and stability. We need almost a perfect performance.”

The Dortmund manager, Nuri Sahin, played alongside Alonso at Real Madrid and is aiming to follow his former teammate by shaking up the hierarchy in Germany. This season, his injury-hit team are sixth, hampered by poor away form. “Leverkusen have made it where we want to be,” Sahin admitted, before adding: “And where we will be – we just need some time.”

Bayern resume their campaign against Mönchengladbach on Saturday evening, third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt go to St Pauli in the afternoon, and RB Leipzig (fourth) host Werder Bremen (seventh) on Sunday.

As for Pep Guardiola, he’s seeking a third straight win to ease Manchester City out of their shocking winter slump. “[Salford] in the last six games, six victories, so huge respect for what they do ... and hopefully we can do a good game and make a third victory in a row. A long time, this has not happened.”

“I’ve lived in Salford for the last eight years. So we will play against my own neighbourhood, not hometown but it’s my home, it’s my town,” Guardiola said, before adding he has no plan to move into football club ownership in future. I’m not good at that. I’m sometimes a good manager, but as a businessman I’m not good. The generation of players [who own Salford] won a lot of titles and made a lot of money. But they are smart people.”

Guardiola confirmed that defenders Ruben Días and John Stones are not ready to feature against Salford, but goalkeeper Ederson might play on Saturday and Oscar Bobb – out since the start of the season – is back in first-team training.

Salford City are aiming to cause a shock on Saturday evening at Manchester City and, let’s be honest, there have been worse seasons to land Pep Guardiola’s side in the third round. This is the League Two side’s first-ever trip to the third round, and Karl Robinson’s side couldn’t be in better form – they’ve won their last six games without conceding a goal.

Although he’s a lifelong Liverpool fan, Robinson is flourishing under the leadership of Manchester United’s ‘Class of 92’ at Salford. “To have players of that calibre in and around you every day, it’s brilliant, and they care, they really do,” he said. “So as much as we’re really looking up to the team that are playing at the weekend, we’re also owned by some of the greatest footballers we’ve ever seen.”

Robinson has also been joined in the dugout by Ryan Giggs in recent weeks. “We just felt that the dynamics worked and he’s really enjoyed it himself,” Robinson said. “Don’t forget this is somebody that’s managed Manchester United and Wales. I think I’d be a little bit stupid if I didn’t say, ‘Oh yeah, please stay’.”

And with that I’m off to raid the fridge. Niall McVeigh will take you through the rest of the afternoon from here. Ta-ra!

PA Media have spoken to Ian Rush about milk, obviously, ahead of Liverpool’s Cup tie against Accrington Stanley.

When the advert came out, everyone liked it but it took us by surprise because I think it won advert of the year,” Rush, who will have a pint of milk waiting for him in one of the Anfield lounges instead of his pre-match champagne, said.

No-one had heard of Accrington Stanley so it’s amazing now they get a chance to play at Anfield. It’s something I’m proud of. I know all the words and it’s very Scouse the way they say ‘Accrington Stanley’ and ‘Exactly’. The younger generation probably have never heard of me - I’m Liverpool’s record goalscorer but I’m more known by them for the milk advert than for being a top goalscorer.

That advert in full:

Brentford’s Thomas Frank has confirmed that Rico Henry will end a 16-month injury nightmare by starting tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Plymouth. “Rico will be involved in the game tomorrow; not only will he be involved, he will start,” Frank said. “That’s a big boost for him, us and the fans. He has been good in training; very aggressive as he always is. He played an in-house game and also a friendly with the B team. In general, he’s looked good and ready to start. If he wasn’t good enough, we wouldn’t start him.”

Oliver Glasner has provided an update on the state of the Crystal Palace squad, and it isn’t a good one:

We had many ill players this week. Until today JP [Mateta] didn’t play. Tyrick Mitchell. Maxence Lacroix, Caleb [Kporha] trained the first time today. Dean Henderson went home today being ill. It can be that one or two come back tomorrow but of course not available for starting if you’re laying in bed with fever almost the whole week. So many question marks.

But on the other hand: “We had one of our best training weeks for months now, even if it was a small number. This gives me a good feeling for this three-game week that is coming.”

In transfer news, Glasner says Palace are “working on two transfers”, both of which he expects will be completed this month.

Postecoglou on playing Tamworth: “[As an underdog] you’re always hoping the team you’re playing underestimates you. Well, we won’t be doing that.”

He’s asked if this is a good opportunity to give some kids and back-up players a run-out: “No. It gives me an opportunity to pick a team that I think will win a game of football for us.”

Ange Postecoglou has held his press conference ahead of Tottenham’s Cup tie against Tamworth. He’s asked if he’s glad there’s no VAR at this stage of the competition. “Yes,” he says. He’s then asked how glad he is. And then how narked he’s been about VAR.

I’m mindful, and I think sometimes I’ve overstepped the mark, I talk as an individual, a person who loves the game. I’m also a representative of this football club and I think I have to be mindful. I’m much rather talk about the football.

QUIZ! Test the, er, uptodateness of your sporting knowledge with this handy quiz of the week:

Amorim confirms that Altay Bayindir will start Sunday’s game at Arsenal in goal. Otherwise he expects to name his “strongest team”. Asked if Marcus Rashford has a future at the club under his management, Amorim says: “We will see.”

Will Unwin has been training with Harrogate Town ahead of their Cup tie against Leeds United:

“Patrick Bamford! Joël Piroe! Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink!” are screamed at me as shots are thrashed towards the net, testing my reflexes. Somehow I have become the fourth goalkeeper at one of Harrogate Town’s final training sessions before facing the Championship leaders, Leeds, in the third round of the FA Cup, one of the most significant games in the club’s 106-year existence.

It is too cold on this freezing morning for it to be a fever dream. There are four days to go before the League Two strugglers take on the Premier League wannabes and the pitches at Rothwell Juniors where Harrogate train on the outskirts of Leeds are rock solid.

Much more here:

Mansfield Town’s tie at home to Wigan Athletic has also fallen foul of the weather, and has also been rescheduled for Tuesday evening. “Frost covers have been on the playing surface all week in an attempt to protect the pitch,” the club said. “However, with temperatures reaching as low as -7°C in the early hours of this morning and not forecast to rise above freezing within the next 24 hours, an early decision has been made to postpone the game.” Mansfield were due to be playing Exeter City in League One on Tuesday, and that match will now be played on a date still to be decided.

Preston North End’s FA Cup tie against Charlton Athletic has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. But fans won’t have to wait long for it to be played: it has been rearranged for next Tuesday, 14 January, kicking off at 7.45pm. All match tickets will remain valid for the new fixture.

Mikel Arteta has held his press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Manchester United. Here’s what he said about whether the club are considering new signings this month. To summarise, he’s giving nothing away:

We always have discussions about how we can improve the team. Always, whether the market is open or closed. Those discussions are always open. It’s always a possibility, if we believe it’s somebody who’s going to make us much better.

Here’s Ange Postecoglou’s update on Bentancur:

And all good. He is back home. He is fine. He is feeling good. We’ll obviously follow the protocols now. I think it is a couple of weeks where you have to make sure everything is okay.

It’s fair to say that much worse was feared when Bentancur was stretchered off during Wednesday’s 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Liverpool.

Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola is holding his press conference ahead of tomorrow’s game against West Brom, and he’s bemoaning the injuries suffered by both Evanilson, who fractured a metatarsal last week, and Enes Ünal, who has torn an ACL in training and is out for some months:

This situation changes everything because it’s two very important players, the play in the same position, we don’t have any other player. It’s a very difficult situation. It’s something a lot of teams are experiencing. Probably this week has been the worst because of the specific position of the players injured, but I hope we can continue performing.

Alexander Isak’s goal against Liverpool has been named December’s Premier League goal of the month.

Union Berlin have appealed a decision to award Bochum victory in last month’s league game, claiming it “opens the door to fraud and dirty tricks”. Here’s the Associated Press report:

Union Berlin is appealing a decision by the German soccer federation’s sports court to award Bochum a 2-0 victory after Bochum’s goalkeeper was struck with a lighter during their Bundesliga match in December.

“It’s bad enough that people repeatedly throw objects onto stages, into indoor areas or onto the pitch at concerts or sporting events. Unfortunately, there’s nothing that any event organiser can do to prevent it,” Union president Dirk Zingler said late Thursday.

Earlier, the sports court had awarded Bochum a victory over Union instead of the 1-1 draw that the teams played out. That game was nearly over when Bochum goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was struck by the object thrown from the crowd in added time. Referee Martin Petersen suspended the game and led both teams off the field after Drewes sat down and received medical treatment.

Bochum did not want to restart the game, but it resumed nearly half an hour later, with striker Philipp Hofmann replacing Drewes for the remaining three minutes. Both teams agreed not to try and score – which was also an issue for the court.

“Such agreements contradict the basic principles of sporting competition,” court chairman Stephan Oberholz said.

Oberholz said Union was responsible for “a weakening of the Bochum team” as the item had been thrown by a Union supporter. But Zingler feels otherwise.

“The actual unsportsmanlike scandal took place on the pitch and in court today,” Zingler said, suggesting Bochum had made more of the incident than warranted.

“Whether there is an impairment or weakening for one side, whether the game is abandoned or continued, must always be the sole decision of the referee,” Zingler said. “If the beneficiary party can declare themselves as weakened, we no longer need impartial referees and the door is open to fraud or even dirty tricks. The disadvantaged parties will never be able to prove the opposite.”

Hello world! Let’s crack on with it, shall we? News has filtered in from Tottenham that Rodrigo Bentancur will miss just a couple of weeks with concussion. That would rule the midfielder out of four games: this weekend’s FA Cup tie at Tamworth, Wednesday’s derby at Arsenal, and trips to Everton in the Premier League and Hoffenheim in the Europa League.

And with that, it’s time to hand over to Simon Burnton who will take you through the next part of the afternoon.

Major League Shame.

Eddie Howe has not given up hope of keeping in-form goalkeeper Martin Dubravka at Newcastle beyond the end of this month.

The 35-year-old Slovakia international has been heavily linked with a January move to Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab as he enters the final six months of his contract on Tyneside. However, the speculation comes at a time when Dubravka has has conceded just two goals in seven games in all competitions – all of them victories – while deputising for the injured Nick Pope to help the Magpies place one foot firmly in the Carabao Cup final and climb into the Premier League’s top five.

Asked if Dubravka wanted to stay, head coach Howe – who confirmed talks were ongoing – replied: “Martin’s been in a difficult situation. Like any player that is coming out of contract in the summer, with every player that I’ve ever worked with, there’s always that feeling of doubt.

“He will naturally want some conclusion to his future, whether that’s a new contract with us, whatever the outcome. But he’s certainly played very well and I’ve been really pleased with him. He’s more than played his part in our recent run of fixtures. Again against Arsenal, I thought he was very, very good, so hopefully we can come to some sort of agreement with him.”

While a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia may appeal to a man who celebrates his 36th birthday next week, the emotional pull of staying at St James’ Park remains strong, and his tears during an extended stay on the pitch after Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory at Arsenal was viewed by many as a goodbye.

Howe, who faces a decision over whether or not to rest Dubravka for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round clash with League Two Bromley, said: “I know how much Newcastle means to him and you can see that emotionally, he’s very invested. Of course, all those things will be playing a part in his decision-making and our decision-making and hopefully there’s a successful outcome at the end.”

Intriguingly, Howe declined to enter into discussion over whether or not Pope, who is back in training but not yet ready to play, remains his number one. He said: “It’s always in a state of flux. It’s always changing and moving because that’s down to the player’s performances.” (PA news agency)

Arsenal’s interim head coach, Renée Slegers, is among the candidates in the final round of interviews to find a permanent successor to Jonas Eidevall. And rightfully so after 10 wins in 11 since stepping in. Full story here.

FA Cup-third round shocks. Another from the archives. Oh Djimi. Still, a Champions League winners’ medal was a decent way to finish off the season.

Burnley 1-0 Liverpool - 18 January 2005

It was Reds boss Rafa Benitez’s first taste of the competition in his maiden season at Anfield, and when he rested a number of his first-choice players, Steve Cotterill’s Clarets were given all the encouragement they needed.

The game was won in the second half, when a low cross from Richard Chaplow prompted Traore to attempt a 360-degree drag back at the far post but unfortunately for the Frenchman he miscued it completely before ending up wrapped in the netting along with the ball. (Source: thefa.com)

Everton fan Matt Hobbs writes in about Sean Dyche’s time at Everton.

“It’s entirely fair to say that Everton have lost four games in 16 in all competitions and that they have kept five clean sheets. It’s also fair to say they won eight games in total in the entirety of 2024 and scored 30 open-play goals fewer than any other ever-present Premier League club since the start of last season.

“As ever with numbers, context is everything: Everton haven’t lost all that often because they don’t try to win. They collect clean sheets because they don’t attempt to score. Dyche deserves huge credit for steering Everton through the murkiest of waters, particularly amid the multiple points deductions of last season, but as a result he refused to deal whatsoever in the most valuable commodity of any football supporter: hope.

“Belief starts with the manager and it has become increasingly apparent that Dyche simply doesn’t believe that this squad is capable of more. Only time will tell if he was right but the football is so utterly joyless that this Everton fan in particular believes it’s worth trying to find out.”

We have ourselves a beer debate. More Xb than Xg perhaps.

Bill Preston writes: “I don’t want to be that person, but are you sure on your calculations? Assuming you are correct that the average man drinks 850 pints a year that’s almost two and a half a day. There’s 46million over 18s in the country. Assuming half are men; that’s 23 million multiplied by 850pints which is 19.5 billion pints. The UK made only 6 billion pints between 20022 and 2023 (statista). Do we really import the balance?”

FA Cup third-round shocks. Probably best not mention this to David Moyes, now a 1/7 favourite with the bookies to return to Everton.

Shrewsbury 2-1 Everton – 4 January, 2003

The Shrews were battling it out at the bottom of the Football League when they faced an upwardly-mobile Everton team challenging for Europe and boasting a young Wayne Rooney in their ranks. But David Moyes’ side were dealt a shock as the Toffees came unstuck thanks to a brace from Nigel Jemson on the banks of the River Severn.

His first was a measured free-kick in the first half, and after Niclas Alexandersson had levelled things up, it looked like a replay at Goodison Park was on the cards. And with just a minute left on the clock, Jemson glanced home a header to seal a fourth round tie with Chelsea. (From thefa.com)

Talking of that Man Utd v West Brom tie, some team news from Tom Garry.

Ella Toone is back in the Manchester United squad after injury for their Women’s FA Cup game against West Brom on Saturday and Marc Skinner says she should be fit to play for about half an hour.

In the men’s FA Cup third round we had a father-son story; in the women’s FA Cup fourth round there’s a tale of two sisters. It’s told by Suzanne Wrack here.

Here’s an offer: Pitchers Sports Bar in Tamworth are offering free beers for life to any Tamworth player who bags the winner in their FA Cup tie against Tottenham on Saturday.

Bar general manager Jason Pegg said: “We’re huge supporters of Tamworth FC, and this weekend’s FA Cup match against Spurs is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the club and the community. What better way to show our backing than with a little fun? A winning goal means more than just a place in the record books - it’s the stuff of legends. We want to be part of that excitement, and what better way than offering free beer for life to the player who delivers the magic moment?”

Would Ange be in the mood to accept an invite from the Tamworth hero?

By the way, I’ve crunched the numbers. The average price for a pint of beer in Tamworth is £4.50. The average bloke gets through 850 pints a year. If the Tamworth hero sticks to that – ignoring the NHS recommendation of 14 units per week and his manager telling him not to turn up to training pissed – and necks free beers for the next 50 years he’ll have saved himself 50 x 850 x £14.50 = £191,250. My god. Have Pitchers thought this through?

Here’s the bottom of the final Premier League table last season…

• 17th Nottingham Forest

• 18th Luton

Fast forward to the current day and Forest are third in the Premier League table and Luton 20th in the Championship. That’s quite the contrast and too much for Luton’s owners, who parted with boss Rob Edwards yesterday.

That Liverpool tie is featured in our double digit lowdown of the weekend’s FA Cup ties. Read all about them here.

Liverpool host Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup on Saturday (12.15pm) and, guess what, Arne Slot is aware of that advert.

“I don’t know that much as I am only here half a year but I do know about the milk advert! There was a clip about it. I know people from this area also play for this club. And I know a lot about the team which today I’ll know even more about it.”

Accrington are currently 19th in League Two if you were wondering although they’ve won their last two games.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot didn’t exactly fuel the Kavratskhelia rumours in his press conference earlier this morning.

Talking about the Georgian star, the Reds manager said: “When you said they are linked with clubs, we are all linked! Kavratskhelia, it is January, and I said after West Ham, don’t disappoint me with links. That is what is happening now 99/100 at the end of the window. Almost all of these stories are untrue, so what can I comment about? The rumours keep going but no comments from my side.”

Napoli have placed an $82m price tag on the winger apparently.

It’s January. It’s time to gossip. Plenty of transfer links flying around here, courtesy of Simon Burnton.

Back to Everton’s game last night and the father v son storyline never emerged as Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson refused to bring on Tyler Young to play against Dad Ashley. Keeping it in the family, surely the explanation would have got a nod of approval from Darren’s old man.

“It was very difficult to leave Tyler on the bench but I’ve got to do what I think is best for the team,” the Peterborough boss explained. “As much as I wanted Tyler to get on, if the game had been 2-0 at that point I would’ve put him on, but at 1-0, I had to get a forward on. I’ve got to try and get something out of the game and do what is best for my team. One of their players had a pop at me which was bang out of order. We are not a charity case.”

Jonathan Wilson reflects on Sean Dyche’s Everton exit. The numbers are surprising and perhaps currency for Dyche when he seeks future employment. But the style of football was, let’s be honest, utterly abysmal.

• Everton have lost only four of their past 16 games in all competitions.

• Everton have kept five clean sheets in their past eight games and in the past month held Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City to draws.

So what now for Everton? It looks like David Moyes is coming back. José Mourinho is not under consideration despite rumours. More here from the busy Andy Hunter.

Let’s start with Thursday night’s FA Cup third-round results.

Everton 2-0 Peterborough
Fulham 4-1 Watford
Sheffield United 0-1 Cardiff

Andy Hunter was at Goodison Park where fans had plenty to digest after Sean Dyche was shown the door marked Do One just hours before kick off.