Saints v West Ham made it to half time at 0-0, by the way.

Big team talk for Big Ange.

“G’Day Luke,” writes Chris Paraskevas.

“Hope you’re well and Merry Xmas. Already been one mention of the Bowyer-Dyer Fight Of The Century on the telecast - personality machine and Newcastle EPL / Newcastle ‘legend’ Michael Bridges is on comms and just had to mention it.

“A little nod to the reinvention of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn into a modern-day Nesta-Cannavaro. I mean there are some genuine moments of class creeping into BDBs game in particular.

“Nesta-Cannavaro is pushing it actually but it’s Xmas, and I even bought the neighbour’s dog a present (after yelling at it the other night and feeling guilty).”

Merry Christmas to you too, Chris.

“I can’t help but see Princess Diana every time I look at Antony Gordon,” writes Edan Tal. “Does anyone else see the resemblance too?”

“Luke,” emails Peter Crosby. (A fair opening gambit.)

“I came into footballing consciousness during the Ardiles era, so a chaotic front-heavy formation low on sophistication but high on entertainment was what appealed to me. As an eight-year-old.

“I have no doubt age and general football-weariness are counting against me now, but key absentees notwithstanding, the scintillating manner of the attacking play is so regularly undermined by defensive foolishness that it’s almost impossible to enjoy it as intended.”

“He just passes it through Diop’s legs,” says Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, on pundit duty for Amazon Prime Video, of Palmer’s goal. “Then it’s too late for the keeper. This is just well-calculated.”

Due to the injury to Fabianski, Southampton v West Ham is ongoing.

Premier League half-time scores

Frank Lampard 4-0 Wayne Rooney at half-time.

Coventry 4-0 Plymouth, that is.

Josh Eccles has scored two.

“Eccles is tucking in today like me with the pigs in blankets yesterday,” says the Sky reporter.

Get out.

“Liverpool v Leicester could be called off due to fog!” emails Mike. “Fixture pileup ahoy.”

I wonder when the match could be played? I haven’t the foggiest!

Wowzers. Just seen the Palmer goal for Chelsea. What a talent he is. Passes the ball nonchalantly, softly into the corner from just outside the box after turning smartly and beating a couple of defenders. The finish is also a nutmeg of an unsuspecting Issa Diop. Very, very good indeed.

Fabianski is in a neck brace as he is taken off. Best wishes to him.

At Southampton there is concerning news. Lukasz Fabianski, the West Ham goalie, has been down for several minutes receiving treatment after a clash with Nathan Wood. Let’s hope he is OK.

Red card for Aston Villa! Jhon Durán

Forest goal stands! It was Djed Spence that gave the ball away in midfield after which Hudson-Odoi set up Elanga.

Goal! Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham (Elanga)

Matz Sels saves from Brennan Johnson with Spurs having the better of it at the City Ground.

Southampton 0-0 West Ham is a latest score. As is Nottingham Forest 0-0 Tottenham and Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace.

Andy Flintoff (not that one) gets in touch:

“Manchester City got rid of Palmer because they didn’t need more than one left-footed young English inside forwards with dodgy haircuts, as they already had Foden.”

Lampard 2-0 Rooney in Coventry.

“That Cole Palmer - City could do with him,” writes Gary Naylor.

Goal! Chelsea 1-0 Fulham (Palmer)

Having witnessed Forest’s impressive defending at Brentford last weekend it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they turn Tottenham over today. And where would that leave Ange Postecoglou?

Tell me on email, Tottenham fans.

“I’d be shocked if this ends up 0-0. But it’s 0-0,” Paul Merson says on Sky Sports of Chelsea v Fulham.

“It shocks me there aren’t more Gunners out there scared about our Carabao Cup draw,” writes Kieran McKintosh. “Facing the likes of Isak, Gordon, Tonali et al hammering our defence again and again twice in a row does not fill me with confidence. Especially since our own answer to Isak is injured. Fingers crossed for the New Year – both with this and asking that girl in my lectures out.”

Good luck mate.

I’ve had to bin the Scottish Premiership essay I just wrote, having received this from Simon McMahon:

“Season’s greetings to you and all clockwatchers, Luke. Hibs have beaten Hearts 2-1 in the Edinburgh derby to move up to seventh in the table and leave Hearts in 10th, just two points above St. Johnstone at the bottom, having played a game more. Hearts fans will now be looking for a favour from Dundee United, who visit St. Johnstone today and could go fourth with a win if, as expected, Celtic take care of Motherwell at home…”

Frank Lampard’s Coventry have gone 1-0 up at home against Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle in the Supposedly Golden Generation Derby.

That’s the 17th Premier League goal Newcastle have scored since the start of December. In three matches before this one it was three, four and three. Golazo!

Goal! Newcastle 1-0 Aston Villa (Gordon 2)

First half kick-off!

Newcastle v Aston Villa: The Villans are unchanged after beating City. For the Magpies, Joelinton is back from suspension and Kieran Trippier also comes back in.

Bournemouth v Palace: Three changes for the hosts – Enes Unal returns after their 3-0 win against Manchester United. Captain Lewis Cook and Max Aarons are also back in.

Eberechi Eze, Daniel Munoz and Trevoh Chalobah return for Palace as Oliver Glasner also makes three changes.

Chelsea v Fulham: Enzo Maresca has restored Marc Cucurella to his team after suspension. Fulham’s Marco Silva, meanwhile, makes it five changes: Joachim Andersen, Sasa Lukic, Andreas Pereira, Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez all come in.

Southampton v West Ham: Ivan Juric takes charge of his first Southampton match. Lesley Ugochukwu and Paul Onuachu start in place of Joe Aribo and Tyler Dibling.

For the Hammers there are also two changes: Carlos Soler returns from a ban, and Guido Rodríguez starts.

Nottingham Forest v Tottenham: Big Ange Postecoglou restores Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson and Rodrigo Bentancur to his starting lineup. Bentancur has served his seven-game ban for a racial slur aimed at Heung-min Son. Pedro Porro, James Maddison and Yves Bissouma drop to the bench.

Forest, meanwhile, are boosted by the return of captain Ryan Yates in the middle of the park.

Full time: Manchester City 1-1 Everton.

Savinho has just committed a hilarious mis-kick for City against Everton when apparently attempting a cross. That’s all you need to know.

Sporting have appointed Rui Borges as head coach, after the Portuguese champions sacked Joao Pereira on Boxing Day. The new head coach has signed a contract until June 2026, with an option to extend a further year.

Crisis club Manchester City are drawing 1-1 with Everton here:

Five or so minutes to go …

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace teams

Newcastle v Aston Villa teams

Chelsea v Fulham teams

Southampton v West Ham teams

Nottingham Forest v Tottenham teams

Preamble