#thomas-frank

#thomas-frank

The absence of the wantaway Lucas Paqueta has given Mateus Fernandes a chance to take on more responsibility for West Ham. Paqueta, who is said to be nursing a minor back problem, was unavailable again for last week's win against Spurs but Nuno Espirito Santo's struggling side coped without the Flamengo target. They called on Fernandes to dictate the flow in midfield and the diligent Portuguese did not disappoint.

Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers scored first-half goals as Aston Villa ensured their name was in the hat for the FA Cup Fourth Round draw with a 2-1 win over Tottenham in London. After boos rang out from sections of the home fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the end of the first 45, a much-improved Spurs team launched a valiant comeback, reducing the deficit through Wilson Odobert.

It's fair to say that not winning every single football match, it would be absolutely stupid of me to take a cup with Arsenal on it. Anyone thinking I've done that or the staff has done it ...

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was unhappy with the way Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven tackled Alexander Isak as the Swedish striker scored the Reds' second goal on Saturday in North London, believing it was reckless - to be fair, it did result in Isak's leg getting broken. However, Spurs boss Thomas Frank obviously doesn't see it that way and believes every "true defender" makes that tackle.