Image source, Getty Images

Here's a nice story for a Friday morning.

You might have heard about Michael Noonan, who last night made history when scoring on his debut for Shamrock Rovers.

The teenager scored the only goal in his side's 1-0 defeat of Molde in the first leg of their Conference League knockout phase match, becoming the second youngest scorer in UEFA club competition history aged 16 years and 197 days old.

It's back to reality today though... this morning Noonan's mum shared to X a photo of him making his way to school.

Next week Noonan and his team-mates will look to finish the job at home and reach the last 16 of the Conference League.

Do you think elite footballers are playing too much?

You can have your say in the poll at the top of this page.

Chris Collinson
BBC football statistician

Liverpool are the eighth team in Premier League history to have 57 points after 24 games – of the previous seven, four of them went on to win the title, while three did not.

Image source, BBC Sport

A bit more 50-50 than you expected, Liverpool fans? It isn’t quite as precarious as it sounds…

Man Utd and Arsenal both had 57 points at this stage in 2007-08 so obviously only one of those could’ve gone on to win the title.

Arsenal had the same number of points as Arne Slot’s side at this stage three years ago but had a smaller lead and were being chased by a peak – and fully-functioning – Man City side.

The only team to have 57 points and a bigger lead at this stage and not the win the title was Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle in 1995-96.

The Magpies took 12 more points than any other side from the first 24 games but famously fell away and finished runners-up to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd.

Arsenal had the same number of points as Arne Slot’s side at this stage two years ago but had a smaller lead and were being chased by a peak – and fully-functioning – Man City side.

But similar to Arsenal two years ago, they had just a five-point lead and were being hunted down by one of Pep Guardiola’s greatest-ever Man City sides, who went on to win the title with a whopping 98 points to Liverpool’s 97.

Chris Sutton
BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton

It seems Kai Havertz has turned into Pele in the eyes of Arsenal fans since he has been sidelined by a hamstring injury.

All of a sudden Havertz is a world-beater, that they cannot cope without, when in reality he has been panned by them for his inconsistent finishing since he joined.

But, with Gabriel Jesus already out injured for the season, Havertz's absence will give Arsenal fans an excuse if they end up not winning anything this campaign, and there will be a pile-on to ask why they did not sign another striker.

Still, even with Havertz out, and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both injured too, I think Arsenal will have enough to beat Leicester. Leandro Trossard will probably lead their attack, although Raheem Sterling can also play up there.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Image source, Getty Images

With Kai Havertz joining Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli on the injury table, Arteta left open the possibility of a free agent signing by saying that Arsenal will "explore every possible situation".

So, who are the strikers currently looking for a new club?

Wissam Ben Yedder, 34, scored 16 goals in Ligue 1 for Monaco last season, but has been without a club since his contract expired last summer.

Mexican attacker Carlos Vela, 35, has been linked with a return to Arsenal 13 years after he left the club. He recently left LAFC after a short-lived second spell with the MLS franchise.

Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa would represent a blockbuster signing, though at 36 he is well past his best. The two-time Premier League winner spent the 2022-23 Premier League season with Wolves, but scored just once in 23 league outings.

At 28 Maxi Gomez is one of the younger strikers looking for a club after leaving Trabzonspor last summer. He failed to score in 31 La Liga outings while on loan at Cadiz last season.

We've got a little break from press conferences now. Next up is Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola - he is expected around 12:30 GMT.

So far today we've heard from:

• Liverpool boss Arne Slot who said "emotions got the better of me" in his post-match red card against Everton
• Arsenal's Mikel Arteta has been speaking about Kai Havertz's season-ending injury and says he will "explore every possible situation" when asked about free agents.
• Newcastle boss Eddie Howe still believes Manchester City are the benchmark ahead of their trip to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Everton

Everton manager David Moyes on using academy players: "I am fortunate to have Leighton Baines, who has been working with the Under-21s and Under-18s and knows most of the younger players. We have to bring younger players up because we are struggling to fill our bench. We've seen bits of them in training. If I think they are needed, they will play. That is why they are here. This club has had to sell some of our best young players due to the financial problems, so I hope they can step up when needed."

On recalling Harrison Armstrong from his Derby County loan: "No. I've not discussed it at the moment, that is for sure."

Get more on Everton here

Everton

Everton manager David Moyes on red card to Abdoulaye Doucoure and the racist abuse he received: "He is fine. I was disappointed he got sent off. The club will look at the situation. It was an emotional night and a game where everybody was involved. We were playing against a really good Liverpool team, probably the best in Europe, and we had to do as good a job as we could.

"I feel a bit for Arne Slot too because it is the sort of thing I was always getting involved in when I was a younger manager. It tells me that he cares a lot about his club and is fighting for his players.

"I was disappointed in Doucoure because he played so well in the game and did a great job for the team. He wouldn't have probably done what he did [if he had the chance again]. But it still doesn't mean that people are allowed to abuse you. If that's the case, it's completely wrong."

Everton

Everton manager David Moyes provides update on Iliman Ndiaye's injury: "He has got a medial ligament injury. It's not looking great at the moment. But probably not sure about how long it is going to be. It's certainly going to be a few weeks anyway."

On Beto who has three goals in past two games: "The people who have played as a striker will tell you they need some time to settle in. They live off their goals as well because they judge on them as well. Beto is doing that at the moment. He has come in and he's got goals. He was a difficult opponent for Liverpool and he has started very well for us. I hope he keeps it up."

On Jack Harrison who came on as a substitute against Liverpool: "I think he also played really well in the Bournemouth game. He was needing a bit of a confidence - the same with Jesper Lindstrom. Both of them are beginning to show a lot more. Hopefully, Jack is getting that confidence back like a lot of players have been."

Get more on Everton here

Everton

Everton manager David Moyes speaking ahead of Crystal Palace game, on holding Liverpool 2-2 in Merseyside derby: "We are smiling. We were smiling with a minute to go in the game. We took a point from the game but not three. But we are also realistic that we got something from a game that was difficult to get anything at all. That made it a little bit more special and it has given us a good feeling."

On where the game against Liverpool ranked in his career: "I get asked these sort of questions quite a lot and I've been fortunate recently to play a European semi-final and final. At the moment, it's a different situation for me here. Every game you play as a manager is your biggest game. It always is because you could be fighting for you job, to stay up, a league title or European places. It's difficult to decide which game is bigger than the other.

"At the moment, it feels like a really big game. When you are a new manager, you hope to make a good start. You want get the crowd on your side and I think we have done that."

We're rattling through the Premier League managers.

That is Eddie Howe done - now it is time for David Moyes.

Everton taken 10 points from a possible 15 since the Scot returned to Goodison Park.

Newcastle United

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Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on strikers Alexander Isak and Man City's Erling Haaland: "You look at Haaland's consistency over a long period of time, there's no doubt in that and Alex is certainly doing the same. Since he's come to this club, I think he's been been absolutely sensational for us.

"So we're looking to try and get him in the game as much as we can and I always say the same thing, we need to provide the foundation for him to perform at his best levels.

"Alex has to perform as well, but you know, in these types of games, he's maybe not gonna get the loads of chances but we need to try and get him in the right areas and try and get him the ball in the key areas."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Manchester City: "I don't think you necessarily look at it over that period of time. I think you have to look at it over a much longer period of time.

"I think they've been sensational, and so consistent, for so many seasons, which is so difficult to do at this level because of the standard of the teams. I think that's what we've seen really, the standards of the Premier League, congesting in its force, really.

"Every team is very difficult to play against. We've found out recently in a couple of home games, if you drop by 1%, you can get beaten. Every game is very difficult, nothing's given to you.

"I think it's been great for the Premier Leagues like that because you never know what what's gonna happen when you go to a stadium now, any stadium. And I think it's producing a really entertaining Premier League this year, but Manchester City are still a very, very good team, I think statistically at home they've still been very strong.

"So for me they're still the benchmark and we have to try and produce our best performance to try and get something for this match."

FA Cup

Friday, 28 February

Aston Villa v Cardiff City (20:00 GMT) - ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player

Saturday, 1 March

Crystal Palace v Millwall (12:15 GMT) - BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Preston North End v Burnley (12:15 GMT) - BBC iPlayer

AFC Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers (15:00 GMT)

Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle (17:45 GMT) - ITV4 and ITVX

Sunday, 2 March

Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion (13:45 GMT) - ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player

Manchester United v Fulham (16:30 GMT) - BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Monday, 3 March

Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town (19:30 GMT) - ITV4 and ITVX

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on the importance of the next few weeks in the Premier League: "I think it's going to be a great few weeks for us, in terms of trying to evaluate our strengths and see where we are, how competitive we are in the league.

We've been pretty solid this season in that respect, we've given every ream good games. This will be a pivotal part of the Premier League season. A defining few weeks for us."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on team news: "Anthony [Gordon] should be fine, he has trained this week, no problems. It was a thigh problem, but he responded well to treatment over the weekend and has trained well.

"It’s good news on [Sven Botman] scan, we don't think there's any long-term issue there. Short term there's still a bit of pain for him, we think he will miss this weekend. Hopefully won't be far away for the following games.

"The initial look on Dan [Burn] wasn't positive but, he had a scan which was good, he has improved a lot very quickly, so he could be close this weekend."