The staff at Southampton are trying to help restore the confidence of the players after such a difficult start, says boss Russell Martin.

Saints sit bottom of the Premier League table on five points, which Martin called "incredibly hurtful and embarrassing".

"The biggest job is to eliminate the external noise - but it is so difficult," said Martin. "Maybe at times we are the only voices telling them that they are good enough.

"Even family members will question them. I have been there as a player. Agents, supporters obviously, media pundits - everyone questions if you are good enough or not good enough.

"It is about being able to switch that off and zoom in and focus on what is really important.

"We are trying to do as well as we can with our lads."

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has revealed they requested to get this game moved away from this slot.

The unusual kick-off time was announced in October because of Chelsea's trip to face Astana on Thursday.

But Brentford face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday - and then Nottingham Forest next Saturday in the Premier League.

"I think 7pm is a bit odd. In general, I don't care if we play 11am or 10am - we do what we do when it is the TV people who pay our mortgages," said Frank.

"We asked for it because of the Carabao Cup quarter-final away to Newcastle on Wednesday and then we asked if we could move the Nottingham Forest game to the Sunday."

That Forest game has not been moved either.

"We are proud of being in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and we know the European sides are playing more games," continued Frank.

"It's just how we make it fair for all clubs in the EFL Cup to have the same amount of days to rest and recover. How are the Premier League and EFL wanting us to prioritise the EFL Cup, which we want to, when they are making these sorts of decisions?"

Brentford midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard talks to BBC Sport's Glenn Murray about life at the Bees, which team he supported as a child and his football IQ.

Southampton manager Russell Martin has provided an update on contract negotiations with teenager Tyler Dibling.

The 18-year-old winger has been one of Saints' star performers in the Premier League this season.

Martin said: "There is an option that we can extend and I don't think we want to do that because we want to reward Tyler for his performances [by offering new terms].

"I've spoken to Tyler's mum and dad about it, and I've spoken to Tyler, but then I'm not involved in any negotiations. It's down to Phil [Parsons, Southampton chief executive], the owners and Tyler's agent, and I think that's where it gets tricky.

"We have offered what I believe is a very good contract for someone of his age, but at the moment I don't think his agent agrees, so that's where we're at.

"Tyler wants it done, his parents want it done, so we'll see how long that takes."

Some media reports have linked Dibling with a move away from St Mary's, but Martin said: "I was told about some rumours of Manchester United wanting to bid £21m. I'm not sure they'd get his left foot for that."

At the other end of the table Southampton really have to start winning games soon. They are already nine points off safety.

A big chance for Chelsea to close the gap on leaders Liverpool to two points here.

LIverpool and Arsenal drew their games yesterday, while Manchester City lost 2-1 to Manchester United a few minutes ago.

Gael Clichy
Former Manchester City and Arsenal defender on Planet Premier League

Now Chelsea are second and the questions are starting: 'Are you a title contender?' and I've seen the coach saying: 'We're not there yet'.

Well, my friend, if you're not there after £1bn spent over the past two years, nobody is a title contender.

Your ambitions are just matched by the money you spend - and if you look at the money they're spending, of course they have to win it. Anything other than winning the title would be a failure in my opinion.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was very complimentary about Brentford and manager Thomas Frank in the build-up to this game.

The Bees are 10th in the table and only a win away from the European places.

"I don’t know him personally but I've known about him and his team for many years," said Maresca.

"He is doing a fantastic job, the way they achieve points, the way they play, the style they have, it is top, fantastic.

"The good thing about Brentford is they can play in many different styles, they don’t have one way to play.

"They can play with a back four, a back five, or a back four making a back five with one of the wingers. So it’s quite complicated and we will have to try to do our best."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Cole Palmer has started an image rights company and put a trademark application in place as he ascends to superstardom in English football.

The 22-year-old attacker is now widely recognised as one of the best players in English football - if not globally.

Palmer has scored 25 goals and registered 13 assists in 2024.

He is chasing down Harry Kane's record of 46 goal contributions in a calendar year, with four Premier League games left to play before 2025.

That exceptional form has increased his profile, with those close to him explaining his life has changed, as he becomes the face of Chelsea and increasingly one of the most recognisable faces in English football.

There is also the professional acclaim of being shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or, the award for the world's best footballer.

Amid this backdrop, Palmer's entourage have enlisted the specialist sports legal firm, Mills and Reeve, to set up a structure to handle his earnings, after sponsorship deals with Burberry and Boohoo fashion brands.

Palmer's application to the government's Intellectual Property Office includes a video of his celebration.

And his private 'Palmer Management Limited' company listed assets of £2,149,409 at the end of October 2024 - compared to £563,475 a year earlier - including £1,698,821 in the bank.

It is all part of Palmer's ascent to stardom as he continues to perform on the pitch.

Chelsea are "maybe the best team in the Premier League right now", says Brentford manager Thomas Frank.

Enzo Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino in June, has led the Blues to six straight wins in all competitions.

Four successive league wins have taken Chelsea second in the table, four points behind leaders Liverpool.

"They are maybe even more in-form than Liverpool, even though they are top of the league," said Frank.

"They are playing incredible football and are well-coached. Maresca has done a top job so far with his coaching staff and they look extremely dangerous.

"They have so many threats going forward and have top-quality players all over the pitch. I expect an unbelievably difficult game.

"They are massive favourites but, of course, we believe that we can compete against anyone and we believe we can win."

Fara Williams
BBC Sport columnist

Chelsea have to be considered as being in the Premier League title race given their league position and the amount of points they have on the board.

They remain the closest side to league leaders Liverpool and are in the fight.

Some of Enzo Maresca's players were at the club last year and they proved to be inconsistent, but this season they are showing they can perform consistently week to week. They seem to have found their rhythm in and out of possession and that comes down to understanding what Maresca wants from them.

Looking around him, Maresca will see that Manchester City have tonnes of experience, Liverpool won the title in the 2019-20 season and Arsenal have come close in the last few years.

Those teams know what is needed throughout the season to keep up with the challenge. Chelsea have not been in this position for a long time. Therefore, I understand why Maresca is playing down talk of the title race because he has a very young squad and he is trying to take away some of the pressure on them.

But they should still believe they are in the fight because Arsenal fans still do. Liverpool could still drop a number of points and we have seen it from them before.

The only difference is that the Reds seem to playing better and are more consistent in their performances.

Chelsea have the bonus of playing almost a second team in the Conference League and their squad depth could be an advantage when the upcoming festive schedule is congested.

For those competing in the Champions League it will be harder to rotate their squads because it is a more difficult competition. Arsenal, Liverpool and City are basically playing the same squad in the Premier League and Europe.

I can see why the talk of Chelsea winning trophies is growing.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot said on Friday that Chelsea were the only team that have been better than them in a game this season.

The Reds beat the Blues 2-1 at Anfield in October.

"It was one of the games, maybe the only game, where I felt the other team was better than us," said Slot.

"That's not to say for the long term they are better than us but during the game they had more ball possession than us and were threatening us more than any other team until now.

"I'm not there to judge which position they will end in the league table. I have to focus on my own team but Chelsea have been impressive this season so far, that's for sure."

Penalties flying in all over the gaff.

Bruno Fernandes has just levelled for United in the Manchester derby from the spot.

And Celtic have beaten Rangers on penalties to win the Scottish League Cup.

Final Score's Ellen White and Glenn Murray discussed the title race yesterday after Liverpool and Arsenal both dropped points.

"Chelsea are big, big contenders now," said ex-England striker White.

This will be Djed Spence's first Premier League start for Tottenham since his move from Middlesbrough in August 2022.

It is only 18-year-old Archie Gray's second league start for the club as Ange Postecoglou makes a statement with his team selection.

Usual right-back Pedro Porro begins on a Spurs bench that also features five teenagers, including Maeson King, 16.

We don't have our Christmas tree up yet. Too late to bother getting one?

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

There's a festive feel at Stamford Bridge as the Christmas trees and lights have gone up around the stadium.

And there's a good feeling around the club following six consecutive wins in all competitions.

But Chelsea's bench is a little thinner than usual with three academy players - Josh Acheampong, Samuel Rak-Sakyi and Tyrique George - among the substitutes.

Of the three, the situation around Acheampong is the most interesting as he was previously frozen out of not just the first team but also Under-21 squad.

However, contract talks are once again alive and, according to manager Enzo Maresca, he is "close" to signing a new deal despite speculation linking him with Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

For anyone who likes a big penalty shootout, the Scottish League Cup final between Celtic and Rangers has gone to spot-kicks.

The game ended 3-3.

Follow that one here - and then come back to me...

Phil Jones
Former Manchester United defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don't think there was anything wrong with [Ange Postecolgou's comments about Timo Werner].

He's made his point. He is frustrated and angry. He wants to win and be successful. People might think it may have been a bit harsh and shouldn't have called him out. But they asked him a question and he has answered the question.

He wants winners and players who can run through a wall for him. He want people who will suffer in the game. These are the types of situations where he will want players to get through and suffer.

They need to find a way through it and they won't do that if players like Werner do not show up. He is an international player and will know what is expected of him and he hasn't reached the level.

Image source, Rex Features

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said Timo Werner's performance in the 1-1 draw at Rangers was "not acceptable" as he hauled the German off at half-time.

Unsurprisingly he was asked a few questions about it at the news conference before this game.

"It wasn't criticism - it was an assessment of his performance. On a really challenging night for us, which we knew going into it, he needs to be better," said the Australian.

"Collectively, we're in a fight here. I'm not going to go around worrying about people's bruised egos.

"We're down to the bare bones in players. If there's somebody in that dressing room who is fit and able to contribute that feels like he needs something extra at this moment, he's probably not the right type.

"We've got 15 fit players, so I'm not going to go around trying to get extra out of people. If they don't give extra right now, it kind of gives me an indication of where they're at.

"I get that everything's about Timo, but Timo's not where our season is at. It's not about Timo - it's about who we are and the situation we're in right now. If somebody else doesn't perform to their levels in the situation we're in, we're going to suffer for it because we've only got a certain amount of players.

"It's not about bringing somebody down or blaming someone. We've got a limited amount of players, we're really stretched, we've got big games that can set up our season and it's a great challenge. I want people who are up for that challenge and relishing the opportunity to be out there. This is not a time for us to be worried about people's mindset."

The former Germany international is on the bench today.