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Spurs came back from one down to emerge 2-1 victors over Watford on Wednesday night thanks to goals from the returning Heung-min Son and Fernando Llorente, after the Hornets took the lead before half-time through Craig Cathcart.

Llorente had blocked Adrian Mariappa’s effort and the resulting corner was whipped in by Jose Holebas, missed by Spurs ‘keeper Lloris and duly nodded home as the visitors capitalised on what was far from the Frenchman’s first mistake between the sticks.

He may be a World Cup winner but Lloris’ decision making and positional sense can be questionable and the 32-year-old should count himself lucky that the Lilywhites attack was on song to secure the three points in the end.

Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may be out for the season but it’s given him a chance to show off his new accesory. Check out the video above to see for yourself…

Despite the occasional mistake, Lloris’ ownership of the number 1 shirt has hardly been challenged since his arrival at White Hart Lane in 2012, although, in his compatriot Paulo Gazzaniga, Mauricio Pochettino now has a viable replacement for the captain should he continue to mess up.

Former Southampton man Gazzaniga has impressed in Lloris’ stead – mostly in cup clashes – and it may not be too long before the 27-year-old snatches the gloves.

Here’s how Spurs fans reacted to Lloris’ performance on Twitter…

A transfer expert has revealed that Thomas Strakosha now ‘wants’ a move to Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Too many goals conceded

Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Brentford at St James’ Park meant that the Magpies have now conceded no fewer than 27 goals in their first 12 Premier League games, the joint-worst record with Norwich City, as they sit bottom of the table (Premier League).

Karl Darlow was guilty of a bad mistake for Ivan Toney’s equalising goal to make it 1-1, as he let the ball slip through his fingers, suggesting that either he needs to be dropped, or the Tynesiders need to bring in a new first-choice goalkeeper in the January transfer window.

Newcastle have recently been linked with a move for Barcelona and Germany shot-stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but given that they currently find themselves in a relegation battle, it could be very difficult to lure him away from the La Liga giants.

The Latest: Strakosha ‘wants’ move

As per journalist and transfer expert Ekrem Konur, Strakosha now ‘wants’ to move to the Magpies from Lazio.

He is out of contract in the summer and therefore can leave on a free transfer, but the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium may want to explore a potential cut-price deal in January.

The Verdict: Not a priority

As Eddie Howe already has Darlow, Martin Dubravka and Freddie Woodman already in his squad, signing another ‘keeper should not be a priority for now.

However, if they can offload a couple of those, then signing Strakosha – potentially on the cheap – would represent good business.

Once dubbed a ‘phenomenon’ by former Lazio goalkeeper Silvio Proto, the Albania international is playing at a high level in the Europa League, while he has also featured in the Champions League and Serie A (Transfermarkt).

His 6 foot 4 frame makes him a colossus, and possibly imposing to Premier League strikers, while he is only 26 years of age as well and will likely get better as he matures in between the posts.

Nonetheless, other clubs will surely be interested in an established ‘keeper who can leave for free in just a few months’ time, so the Magpies would need to pounce fast if they want Strakosha.

In other news, these were Newcastle’s three worst performers against Brentford

Many Everton fans have been reacting to a revelation which has emerged involving Salomon Rondon.

As per The Daily Mail, the former Newcastle United and West Brom striker has now thrown himself into a hard-hitting new training regime which includes boxing, spinning and extra cardio work.

The coaching staff have been left so impressed by him that they’ve had to warn him that he needs to take days off to recover.

Rondon admitted that he does not feel he is at the level that he would like to be, so he has implemented this regime in order to try and win over the Goodison Park faithful, many of whom have slated him in recent weeks.

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The Venezuela international has struggled since signing for the Merseyside club, with no goals in nine games across all competitions so far this season, and some Toffees supporters seem to think that his new regime will not change much.

Everton fans on Rondon revelation

These Everton fans gave their reactions to Rondon’s revelation as it was shared on Twitter:

“Try running on a match day please pal.”

Credit: @PG3640

“Good laugh”

Credit: @bigrobbogolf

“Just kicking the ball would be a start.”

Credit: @PaddyWeathers4

“No thanks….Dobbin please”

Credit: @Vicaz22

“Leave the club, that will make us all happy”

Credit: @MyloOnceMore

“Wow so insightful”

Credit: @paulsteenalbo

In other news, find out what injury news before today’s clash with Brentford had many Evertonians buzzing

After not playing for a couple of weeks over the Christmas period, Leeds United are finally back in action when they take on Burnley at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side’s last Premier League outing came when they were beaten comprehensively by Arsenal in mid-December, and they face a Clarets outfit who are also in a perilous position near the bottom of the table.

The Whites were handed a significant boost ahead of the game, though, with Bielsa confirming that centre-back Diego Llorente is fit and available again for selection. If he comes through any late fitness checks, he surely must start against Sean Dyche’s side.

The “imperious” Spaniard became a regular in Leeds’ defence in the final few weeks of the 2020/21 season, starting 13 of the last 14 games in the top flight and coming up with some impressive performances, not least netting a late equaliser against Liverpool.

He earned a WhoScored match rating of 6.90 for that campaign, which marked him out as the Whites’ second-best centre-back after Cooper, who was also the only player at the club to win more headers per game than Llorente’s 2.2.

Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan raved: “He looked every bit that leader and that quality centre-half that we were all expecting when he signed for the football club. There was great excitement about him it took a long time to get to see him consistently.

“But when we did, we saw him grow and grow and grow. We saw him get stronger and better as the games went on. If you ask any Leeds United fan who watched him in that second part of the season and ask them who would be the first centre-half on the team sheet, they would say Llorente.”

With the Whites shipping an abysmal 11 goals in their past two Premier League games – albeit against Manchester City and Arsenal – having Llorente back could go a long way to restoring a bit of calm and composure in defence.

The £16.2m-rated ace could well be the game-changing return in defence which swings things back in Leeds’ favour heading into tomorrow’s clash against Burnley.

Meanwhile, this Championship ace “would jump” at the chance to join Leeds…

West Bromwich Albion secured the permanent signing of striker Daryl Dike on New Years Day, with the 21-year-old making his Baggies debut against QPR on Saturday.

Although the USA international’s first game for the West Midlands outfit didn’t go to plan, with Albion losing 1-0, there will be plenty of excitement regarding what the former-Orlando City man can do based on his previous spell in the Championship on loan at Barnsley last season.

Under current West Brom manager Valerien Ismael, Dike scored nine goals in 22 appearances for the South Yorkshire outfit, helping them to secure a play-off place.

The 21-year-old returned to the MLS outfit, where former Manchester United star Nani had played, with the Portuguese labelling Dike “a special boy.”

Now at The Hawthorns, the £9m-rated striker will be looking to go one better than last season and secure promotion to the Premier League. What is for sure is that if the American can replicate similar form to that of last term, the Baggies’ bid for promotion will certainly be boosted.

Ismael’s side are currently fifth in the Championship, seven points off of the automatic promotion places and in need of an extra goal source.

The Black Country club are the league’s best defenders, having conceded just 20 goals. However, they’re the second-tier’s joint-tenth top scorers with 31 goals. First place Fulham have scored more than double with 64 in one game less.

It’s a major issue that needs to be resolved immediately. In fact, the Baggies haven’t particularly had a recognised goal scorer they could rely on for a handful of seasons now, with former loanee Romelu Lukaku enjoying the most fruitful campaign since the Belgian made the temporary move to The Hawthorns from Chelsea.

The striker scored 17 goals in the 2012/13 campaign, helping Albion to an eighth-placed finish. Similarities can certainly be drawn between the two strikers.

After all, his former teammate Jordan Williams once said: “Daryl has got a rocket of a right foot. I think he’s similar to Lukaku. He hasn’t scored as many goals yet, but he can hit a ball just as hard.”

Stood at 6 foot 2, Dike is only four centimetres shorter than the Belgian, with the use of their respective physicality a major part of both players’ games.

Of course, if Dike was to evolve into a world-class talisman-like Lukaku, Albion fans would be delighted. However, it is certainly realistic to expect the American to score double digits by the end of the season.

If so, the Baggies may have an improved shot at an instant return to the Premier League.

AND in other news, West Brom eye swoop for “dominant” £5.4m-rated beast, he’s miles better than Hugill…

Everton could discover their new Wayne Rooney in the upcoming January transfer window after they were linked with a move for Derby County midfielder Jason Knight.

What’s the story?

According to Football League World, the Toffees are set to target the 20-year-old over the coming months as new manager Rafa Benitez looks to bolster his engine room options.

However, Everton will have extensive competition for Knight’s signature, with up to seven Premier League sides believed to be interested in his services.

The report states that: “Knight has emerged as a target for a host of Premier League clubs, with FLW sources indicating that Everton, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Leeds, Burnley, and Newcastle are all keen.

“ExWHUemployee has now revealed that West Ham are also in the race for the Republic of Ireland international, who has one and a half years left on his current deal at Pride Park.”

Everton could discover their new Wayne Rooney

Despite his tender years, Knight has already made 94 appearances for the Rams in all competitions and made an instant impression on current boss Rooney.

After the Everton academy graduate joined Derby on an initial player-coach deal, he showered the Republic of Ireland international in praise, even comparing him to a younger version of himself.

“I’ve been really impressed with the way they’ve trained, particularly Knighty,” revealed Rooney. “His energy, his attitude. He almost reminds me of myself when I was younger in terms of no fear.

“And he’s got an aggression about him, not in terms of how he’s tackling, but in terms of how he runs, how he gets about the pitch. I’m looking forward to seeing how they do as I feel he can give us a lot of energy and a lot of creativity.”

His current teammate Graeme Shinnie has also been impressed with the form of his youthful colleague as the pair continue to strike up a healthy partnership in the Derby County engine room.

“He has a massive expectation of himself and he demands a lot which is really good as a young player, and his attitude is first class, so it shows a lot about him,” said Shinnie. “He works very hard, as well, which is extremely good, especially for a young player.”

With the Midlands outfit in need of a cash injection following their ongoing financial woes, Knight could be available in a cut-price deal during January, and Everton may well be able to pick up their next talisman for a bargain fee.

He might not quite represent the impeccable offensive threat that Rooney was during his time in Merseyside – bagging 28 strikes – but he’s certainly a young man with swagger, aggression and exuberance to his game; three areas the now Rams manager typified at times.

And, in other news…”Understand” – Patrick Boyland delivers Digne update that’ll leave Everton fans fuming

Tottenham Hotspur chief Fabio Paratici could get the club rocking again with an audacious move this January transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato (via FourFourTwo), the north Londoners want to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus as the eye him to be Antonio Conte’s first statement signing at Spurs.

Despite costing the Serie A giants around £63m in the summer of 2019, the Dutch international has struggled to make much of an impact at the Allianz Stadium.

The 22-year-old penned a five-year £200k-per-week deal at the time, in which a £125m release clause was included. However, his current value sits around the £63m mark, per Transfermarkt.

De Ligt remedy

This could be quite the statement of intent for the Conte era indeed as de Ligt is widely considered to be one of Europe’s best young talents in his position. That much should be evident from the sizeable investment the Turin outfit made for his signature over two years ago.

Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez, in reality, aren’t reliable enough to be trusted for the long-term and both played their own roles in Spurs having a quite error-prone backline last season.

Meanwhile, it’s clear to see that Italian does not think either Joe Rodon or Japhet Tanganga are ready as he’s utilised left-back Ben Davies in a three-man defence instead.

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And then there is Cristian Romero’s persistent injury problems. He may have picked up yet another knock this international break, so there’s no denying that the new Lilywhites boss could do with an additional centre-back in January.

Spurs have the worst goal difference of any side ranked 14th or above and they have slipped all the way down to ninth in the standings. They could do with a massive spark in 2022 and this signing could do exactly that.

De Ligt currently rates out as Massimiliano Allegri’s fourth-best performer in the Italian top-flight this season, managing a better average WhoScored rating (6.81) than the legendary duo of Giorgio Chiellini (6.73) and Leonardo Bonucci (6.59).

It’s no wonder he has been dubbed an “absolute monster” by European football expert Carlo Garganese as recently as last year.

Meanwhile, his agent Mino Raiola, described his young client as an “oil tanker,” adding: “You can’t expect him to suddenly turn 90 degrees. He goes steadily. But, once he’s on course, he can’t be stopped.”

Also capped 31 times by Holland, the 6 foot 2 colossus would be a signing that Conte would absolutely love to have at the club. His ‘very strong’ ball-playing ability and defensive qualities make him a sure-fire fit to his Italian-based system.

Paratici and co must secure a sensational swoop for de Ligt this January, he could give the whole club a boost with just how huge of a statement it would be.

AND in other news, Kessie and Vlahovic signed? Conte’s terrifying predicted Spurs XI after January masterclass…

Leeds United are progressing with their transfer plans, according to a very reliable source…

What’s the word?

Yorkshire Evening Post chief football writer Graham Smyth delivered a fresh claim to supporters on Twitter after being asked about new signings.

“They’re active. Things are ‘progressing’ we’re told,” he responded.

The only business that the Yorkshire giants seem likely to complete any time soon is the contract extension to first-team regular Adam Forshaw following his return from injury

But with around 20 days left to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s playing squad, it seems as if the club’s recruitment team are well on the way to getting something done.

Signs of encouragement

This week was another devastating sign that Leeds do not have enough strength in depth to compete for the remainder of the current campaign. After beating Burnley in a huge encounter, a win which moved them eight points clear of the drop, they were then defeated by West Ham in the FA Cup.

Bielsa was dealt another cruel sucker punch as young forward Sam Greenwood picked up an injury, adding to Patrick Bamford’s latest setback. As a result, the Argentine could have as many as 11 players missing for another clash against the Irons next weekend.

Without Bamford, Greenwood and the also injured duo of Tyler Roberts and Joe Gelhardt, Leeds are without a striker option, meaning one of the wingers will have to play there once again.

Elsewhere, a central midfielder sits highly on their priority list, with Kalvin Phillips another frustrating absentee.

Of course, the Yorkshiremen cannot afford to wait around all month and make a few desperate additions late on – that’s never been on their agenda anyway – but it is certainly a hugely positive sign that they are trying behind the scenes.

For now, supporters around Elland Road will surely be buzzing by Smyth’s latest transfer update.

AND in other news, Alan Nixon issues big Leeds United transfer update, Bielsa will be buzzing…

Rangers have had the pleasure of enjoying the talents of some greats of the game over the years at Ibrox, as they have been able to watch a selection of quality players in Glasgow.

The likes of Rino Gattuso, Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup all represented the Gers throughout their careers, to varying degrees of success, but what about the players who almost joined the club?

One player who came close to arriving at Ibrox in 1997 was legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario, with Rangers one of three clubs attempting to sign him.

He had established himself as a hugely prolific scorer by that point, scoring 54 goals in 57 matches for PSV Eindhoven and 47 times in 49 outings for Barcelona.

His agent Giovanni Branchini confirmed the three teams who were interested in the forward, saying: “The clause in his contract was a novelty at the time and it scared a lot of clubs off. The three who were really interested were Inter, Lazio and Glasgow Rangers, who followed negotiations all the way.”

The Gers had a nightmare as they failed to convince the then-Barcelona attacker to make the switch to Scotland. He signed for Italian giants Inter Milan for a fee of £23.8m (Transfermarkt) and went on to win the Ballon d’Or later that year.

This was the first time he received the accolade as he was crowned the best player in Europe, with his manager Fabio Capello dubbing him a “phenomenon”.

After moving to Italy, he found the back of the net 59 times in 99 appearances for Inter before Real Madrid snapped him up in the summer of 2002.

In his debut campaign for the Spanish giants, he scored 29 goals in 42 games across La Liga and the Champions League. This led to him winning the second Ballon d’Or of his career as he became Real’s main man at the top end of the pitch.

He ended his time at the Bernabeu with 103 goals and 34 assists in 177 matches – a stunning return for the injury-ravaged centre-forward.

Ronaldo had spells at AC Milan and Corinthians before calling time on his playing days. He ended his career with a whopping 362 goals for club and country, with 67 goals in 104 caps for the Brazil national team/Olympic squad.

These statistics illustrate why Rangers had a nightmare in 1997 as they missed out on the chance to enjoy watching one of the best players in the world lead the line for the club. He was deemed to be the best player in Europe on two occasions and the Gers fans could have been watching him in blue.

One that got away…

AND in other news, Insider drops worrying behind-the-scenes Ibrox claim, it’s very bad news for Rangers…

Liverpool are weighing up a possible move for Porto midfielder Otavio in the summer, according to a transfer rumour which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Otavio laying on assists

The 27-year-old has once again flourished for Porto this season, registering 11 assists in 25 Primeira Liga starts, also chipping in with three goals.

Otavio was team-mates with Luis Diaz prior to the Colombian’s move to Liverpool in January, and he came up against the Reds in the Champions League earlier this season.

Speculation is now surrounding his future ahead of the summer transfer window, and it could be that Liverpool once again look to snap up a gem from Porto after Julian Ward’s move for the Colombia winger.

The Latest: Liverpool keen on summer move for Otavio

According to A Bola [via Sport Witness], new transfer guru Ward is not done ‘shopping at the Dragons’ after Diaz and has ‘referenced’ Otavio regarding a potential move. His characteristics as a player are thought to ‘please’ FSG.

Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on signing the attacking midfielder, whose current deal expires in the summer of 2025 and, according to A Bola [via Daily Mail], contains a release clause of €60m (£50m).

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The Verdict: Strong midfield target

While Liverpool’s squad looks as good as it has been in the Premier League era, midfield appears to be the main area to focus upon this summer.

James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago are all at the veteran stages of their career, while there is no guarantee that the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita will be at Anfield beyond the expiry of their contracts in 2023.

Otavio could bring a sprinkling of magic to Liverpool’s midfield, as highlighted by his assists tally – he has set up 61 goals for Porto overall – coming in at peak age and hitting the ground running immediately.

He can play centrally or out wide, often being deployed on the right-hand side this season, so he could also act as a strong backup to Mohamed Salah in that position in Jurgen Klopp’s attack.

In other news, a key Liverpool transfer update has emerged. Read more here.