Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, speaking to Amazon Prime “It was quiet without a family because they are enjoying their Christmas in Portugal, finishing things to come to Manchester. I was working because there are a lot of games and a lot of things to improve, it was busy.

On what needs to improve: "Everything. We lost some identity in the last game maybe because we had two big games in the week. We lost some focus and after the set-piece we lost control but if you saw the game we had a lot of opportunities to score. If you see the stats it is a different game but in the end it is the result that counts and today we have to be better and take advantage of the opportunities. We have to be better on set-pieces because they sometimes change the game and the momentum.

"And we have to be clear in our identity and no matter the score we have to play our game as a team and not try to do everything alone. We have a clear identity we have to follow no matter what.

"I am understanding better the players and trying to give them more time to build some connection. Without training we try to build a strong team. There is a lot of games against strong teams. Every team can beat the other, so it is really hard to manage everything at this moment but we have a clear idea of how to play and we have to follow that."

Mark Ogden
Senior writer for ESPN on BBC Radio 5 Live

Ruben Amorim has brought a crisis on himself by making certain decisions including dropping Marcus Rashford for the derby. That was justified but it made him strong.

Since then, they haven't won their last two games.

He has to know he is going to get backed to make these big decisions.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter at Molineux

That is the fourth time Marcus Rashford has been left out of the Manchester United squad.

When Ruben Amorim kept him out for the EFL Cup tie at Tottenham, in made sense given United had just beaten Manchester City.

But they lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth on Sunday and still Rashford remains out in the cold.

Amorim insists the decision is his and is under no pressure from the executives above him.

This is starting to feel permanent.

Wolves

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to Amazon Prime: "Yesterday we trained in the more and then in the afternoon we had a lunch with my staff because they are also here without family. It was in British style to celebrate Christmas.

"I believe that we have quality, individual quality and I believe in our work. It is just a question of believing in ourselves and having confidence to play our game.

"Rayan Ait-Nouri is a talent and can help us a lot. It is a pleasure to be here and it will be a good game with a fantastic atmosphere."

Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe: "I love Alexander Isak, he has unbelievable quality. He's the right age, has the right athletic profile, I signed him and love him. I wouldn't swap him for anyone.

"Tonight? I will go back and watch the game again and see where we can improve. We go to Manchester United on Monday with real quality and confidence."

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Unai Emery didn't look happy at all, but he shouldn't worry about his team.

The game wasn't going to go any other way as Newcastle were great and they didn't take their foot off the gas.

Aston Villa

Image source, PA Media

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa: "We conceded early and that's demoralising. And then the red card happens and that's tough. At times we defended well as a team but when you are defending for most of the game chances will come. We have to learn from this.

"From where I was it looked like Jhon Duran couldn't move but we can't change it now. It killed the game, especially as he's been in good form. We have to move on."

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

On Jhon Duran's red card...

I thought it was slightly harsh.

When you're travelling at that much speed how can you be certain that he's got nowhere else to put his foot.

Once the referee has given the red there was no way they were going to overturn it.

Nottingham Forest

More from Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson speaking to the Premier League on whether the team have thought about hopes for the season: "No, not really to be honest. There's so many games at the minute. We've got a game on Sunday again which we've got to focus on and try and get another three points. I think we're just looking at each game and trying to go from there."

On whether he has looked at the league table: "There's no harm in looking and seeing how well you are doing. I've been keeping an eye on it and I'll check probably again there but you have to stay level-headed and keep your feet on the ground."

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson speaking to Premier League: "I think we're doing really well at the minute. The lads are buzzing in there, as you can hear, it's a great win."

On team spirit: "It's massive. Team spirit is very, very good. Everyone is buzzing. I think we work so hard and it is paying off. It is good."

On Anthony Elanga's form: "I think everyone knew he is always at it. You've just got to believe in him and know that he can bring these moments. He's flying at the minute and hopefully, it continues. "

On whether Nottingham Forest targeted counter attacks against Tottenham: "Definitely. We've got pace on the wings as you can see, especially with Ant. We tend to go down that way, hold it deep and try and find Ant and Cal (Hudson-Odoi). It works, so it is perfect."

John: RIP Chelsea Title Challenge Nov '24 - Dec '24. We hardly knew ye

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Schwarzer
Former Chelsea & Fulham goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

On Fulham's winning goal...

Robert Sanchez looked to hit a massive diagonal and he doesn't hit it properly.

That enabled Fulham to hit them on the counter and players were caught out of position - the goalkeeper has to look at himself, it was a poor clearance.

This is only Fulham's third win at Chelsea ever. They won here 2-1 in the top flight on 7 March 1964 and 2-0 in the second tier on 27 October 1979.

Newcastle United

Image source, Reuters

Alexander Isak is the sixth Newcastle player to score in five or more consecutive Premier League appearances after Alan Shearer (3 times), Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand, Papiss Cissé and Joe Willock.

Nottingham Forest have already won more Premier League games in 2024-25 (10) than they did in the whole of the last two PL campaigns (nine in both 2022-23 and 2023-24).

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter at Molineux

Wolves could not have made a better start to life under new boss Vitor Pereira.

The Portuguese masterminded a 3-0 win at Leicester in his first game in charge.

Now he is looking to follow up by heaping more misery on Manchester United, who were getting hammered 3-0 at home by Bournemouth at virtually the same time.

United do have an excellent record here - not losing since 2019 - but I don't think even the most ardent fan will be placing that much faith in past performances given what the current ones have been like.

Image source, BBC Sport

Southampton's task looks bigger than ever while at the other end there were great wins for Forest and Newcastle. Manchester United are closer to the drop zone than the top four.

The day's winners again could be Liverpool though, who might well end Boxing Day seven points clear at the top.

It's four games unbeaten for West Ham, is there a bit of a revival here?

For Ivan Juric, his first game in the Premier League ends in defeat as Southampton remain planted to the bottom of the table.

Southampton threaten again as Tyler Dibling delivers a curling ball into the box and Paul Onuachu heads wide for the thousandth time today.

Patch, New York: As a Chelsea fan, you know that one goal is never enough to get the three points.

DW: Not sure why Enzo Maresca didn’t make substitutions- he had options to bolster but chose not to. Clearly there was a lot of tired legs after Christmas.