Chelsea v Fulham, Newcastle v Aston Villa and more: football clockwatch - live

1m ago 11.38 EST On the subject of resemblances,” writes Bill, “I note that Chris Paraskevas makes the common mistake of seeing Lee Bowyer in the clash with Kieron Dyer, when in fact it was post-Beverley Hills Cop Jonathan Banks. Such was Bowyer’s reputation at Toon that the team were never allowed formal buffet events.” Beverley Hills Cop Love it, Bill. “Is this the gentleman who ruined the buffet at the Harrow club this morning?” Share

3m ago 11.36 EST “Now I know you are not John Kettley (he’s a weatherman) but there is talk of fog spoiling the Anfield game,” writes Ian. “Do you have the latest skinny?” My sources tell me Liverpool v Leicester (8pm KO) is ON. Share

6m ago 11.33 EST Sels has made three good saves from Brennan Johnson, the former Forest man, says Michael Dawson on Sky. But he adds that Forest look comfortable. Share

6m ago 11.32 EST That means Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace is the sole remaining goalless encounter of the five 3pm kick-offs. Share

8m ago 11.31 EST Goal! Southampton 0-1 West Ham (Bowen 59) The Hammers lead! That match has been significantly delayed by the first-half injury to Fabianski. 🫲 SKIPPER 🫱 pic.twitter.com/JGo3QURqoi — West Ham United (@WestHam) December 26, 2024 Share Updated at 11.31 EST

10m ago 11.28 EST Forget all this Spurs chat. Forest are going third (again) if they close out this win! Sheer 1995-95 vibes. View image in fullscreen Bryan Roy. Photograph: Allsport/Getty Images On MOTD last week, Gary Lineker said Forest’s style under Nuno reminds him of Leicester’s Premier League title-winning side of 2015-16. They couldn’t, could they? No. Surely not. Share Updated at 11.29 EST

12m ago 11.26 EST In the Championship, Wazza’s Plymouth have steadied the ship, but still they trail Lampsy’s Cov by four goals to nil. View image in fullscreen Frank Lampard. Loving life. Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PA Share

15m ago 11.24 EST Nearly 3-0 for Newcastle. Did Isak have the ball in the net? I think he did but he’s offside. Share

18m ago 11.20 EST Goal! Newcastle 2-0 Aston Villa (Isak 59) Newcastle really are back. Weren’t they rubbish just the other week? Ten-man Villa are going down away from home again. View image in fullscreen Alexander Isak beats Martinez to double Toon’s lead! Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Share Updated at 11.24 EST

21m ago 11.17 EST Marcus Rashford is not in the Manchester United squad for their visit to Wolves (5.30 KO). View image in fullscreen Empty hook alert! Photograph: Ash Donelon/MUFC/Getty Images Share Updated at 11.22 EST

22m ago 11.17 EST LATEST SCORES! Toon 1-0 Villa

Forest 1-0 Spurs

Bournemouth 0-0 Palace

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

Saints 0-0 West Ham Share

23m ago 11.16 EST “I noticed Edan Tal can’t help but see a resemblance between Princess Diana and Antony Gordon,” writes Cathleen Gorman. “But in the US, all I can see is Nellie Olsen from Little House on the Prairie.” I can’t find a pic so you’ll just have to find one yourselves. Share

25m ago 11.13 EST “Long-time Plymouth Argyle supporter here,” writes Reg Gorczynski. “How many more weeks will we have to put up with this insufferable manager? If he still calls himself that. “He has doomed three clubs already to ignominy … and we are becoming the fourth and biggest laughing stock of all. Merry Christmas!!!” And you, Reg. Share

27m ago 11.11 EST “I reached out last year asking how long before Tottenham fans would get sick of Ange doing a late period Wenger tribute act,” emails Sean. “I’d just like to apologise for insulting Wenger’s legacy. At least his teams played up to their wage bill.” Share

28m ago 11.10 EST “On Anthony Gordon and Lady Di,” writes Harvey. “For me, AG is in the middle of a Micky Van de Venn diagram, between Lady Di and Clare Balding.” Fascinating! Share

30m ago 11.09 EST Adam Hazell writes in: “Am I the only one convinced Pep’s boys are purposely tanking this season so as to avoid punishment for financial misgivings, only to come back next year with all monetary guns blazing? Seems a more logical idea than the teams suddenly turning bad, no?” Well I don’t know about that. But thank you anyway. Share

31m ago 11.07 EST The second-halves in the top flight have begun, mostly. “Hi Luke, Merry Christmas and all that,” writes Jeremy Boyce. So far, so good. “Already some fun fun going on in the Prem, but stern stuff in the Championship, with four of the top five playing each other today. Red Hot Blackburn currently besting Second-half Sunderland, and Scottie’s Burrrrrnleh taking a shock lead at fortress Bramall. Wilder will be seething, Burrrrnleh have a miserly defence. Meanwhile Farke’s boys [Leeds] will be waiting nervously for their 66% possession 2-1 defeat at Stoke [8pm kick-off]. It’s tight as a duck’s what not ...” Share

36m ago 11.03 EST Saints v West Ham made it to half time at 0-0, by the way. Share

38m ago 11.01 EST “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. View image in fullscreen Lee Bowyer (left) after scrapping with Kieron Dyer. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Share

41m ago 10.57 EST “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?” View image in fullscreen Diana, Princess Of Wales. Photograph: David Levenson/Getty Images Share

42m ago 10.56 EST “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.” View image in fullscreen Tottenham’s defence. Leaky. Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images Share

44m ago 10.54 EST “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.” Share

47m ago 10.51 EST Due to the injury to Fabianski, Southampton v West Ham is ongoing. Share

48m ago 10.51 EST Premier League half-time scores Newcastle 1-0 Aston Villa

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham

Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham Share

49m ago 10.49 EST 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. Share

51m ago 10.48 EST “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! View image in fullscreen Fog in Liverpool (in 2021) Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Share Updated at 10.48 EST

1h ago 10.40 EST 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. View image in fullscreen “Cold” Cole Palmer. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Getty Images Share Updated at 10.44 EST

1h ago 10.37 EST Fabianski is in a neck brace as he is taken off. Best wishes to him. Share

1h ago 10.36 EST 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. Share

1h ago 10.34 EST Red card for Aston Villa! Jhon Durán Villa are losing 1-0 already at Newcastle and now Durán has been given his marching orders. He appeared to stand on Fabian Schar’s back! Durán is not happy but he has to go. View image in fullscreen I say, that’s not on. Photograph: AVFC/Getty Images Share Updated at 10.42 EST

1h ago 10.31 EST Forest goal stands! It was Djed Spence that gave the ball away in midfield after which Hudson-Odoi set up Elanga. Share

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