Summary

  • Follow reaction to Thursday's two Premier League games

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live coverage at top of page

  • FT: Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham - Huijsen header earns Cherries deserved win

  • FT: Fulham 3-1 Brighton - Iwobi scores twice to give Cottagers victory

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. 'Ain’t nobody like Tom Cairney'published at 18:39 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Fulham v Brighton (19:30 GMT)

    Fan voice banner FULImage source, BBC Sport
    Cairney runs to celebrate his goal at SpursImage source, Getty Images

    Drew Heatley, Fulhamish, externalI’ve tipped my cap to Marco Silva before for turning Tom Cairney into an impact player, managing his minutes and transforming a player who, though universally loved, was starting to spend more time on the treatment table than in the matchday squad.

    On Saturday he came off the bench and promptly rolled back the years, finishing with aplomb after picking up a ball from Alex Iwobi.

    That should have been that - Captain Fantastic helping us to a hard-fought point and putting the Wolves defeat firmly in the rear view. But 16 minutes later he saw red. It was clumsy make no mistake, but not malicious - Cairney’s the epitome of “not that kind of player”.

    Luckily for Tom, the outcome was the same. The boys held on for the remaining seven minutes of the game plus seven more of added time. Given our penchant for late capitulations, that feels like a win. And with Arsenal then Liverpool in our next two games, getting any points on the board this weekend was vital.

    All things considered, an easy misdemeanour to forgive, then, and another opportunity to give flowers to a man who really is Mr Fulham.

    Drink it in, for we are not going to be treated to many more of his magic moments. As the song goes, there really “Ain’t nobody like Tom Cairney”.

    Read the full column

  2. 'The continuing Achilles' heel'published at 18:36 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Fulham v Brighton (19:30 GMT)

    Fan voice banner BRIImage source, BBC Sport
    Brighton players react to their home draw with SouthamptonImage source, Getty Images

    Scott McCarthy, We Are Brighton, external

    For six seasons now, under three managers, hosting struggling teams has been Brighton's Achilles' heel. Graham Potter had a terrible record in such fixtures and Roberto de Zerbi fared only slightly better.

    As for Fabian Hurzeler? Despite beating the above teams, he has dropped points against Ipswich, Wolves and now Southampton.

    Any title talk is as far fetched as me learning to ride a horse and partnering it to win the Grand National in April. Following the near-£200m summer spending spree and the start Brighton have made to the season, a return to Europe should be seen as an achievable target though.

    To lead Brighton to the top six, Hurzeler needs to turnaround the Albion's poor home record facing sides below them in the table. With the next four weeks packed with such fixtures, it makes December a real test.

    Forget hastening Erik ten Hag's departure, leaving Ange Postecoglu looking glum and having Pep Guardiola tearing his hair out. If Brighton are still in the mix for the top six when 2025 arrives having put sides fighting for their lives to the sword, then it might be time to get excited.

    Read the full column

  3. Postpublished at 18:33 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Bournemouth v Tottenham (20:15 GMT)

    At the weekend Justin Kluivert became the first top-flight player in 67 years to score a hat-trick of penalties at Wolves.

    Still one off Cameron Brannagan's league record of four penalties for Oxford at Gillingham in 2022 though.

  4. 'Kluivert already feels like a real bargain'published at 18:30 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Bournemouth v Tottenham (20:15 GMT)

    Fan voice banner BOUImage source, BBC Sport
    Justin Kluivert celebrates his hat-trick v Wolves with the match ballImage source, Getty Images

    Sam Davis, Back of the Net, external

    In today’s market you would find it a challenge to recruit a player who regularly delivers offensive numbers for less than £10m, but it looks as if Bournemouth have.

    At just £9m, Justin Kluivert is a vital part of Andoni Iraola's Cherries, delivering exactly what the coach wants from his number 10 position and backing it up with impressive numbers.

    History was made at the weekend when he became the first player to score a hat-trick of penalties in a Premier League fixture, a treble that he took with ease from the spot. The calm and composed nature of Kluivert's penalties epitomised the Dutchman - a real fans favourite whose dedication to his specific role under Andoni Iraola often goes under the radar.

    The fact all three goals were from the spot also took many Cherries fans back to what now seems a sliding doors moment. With our previous penalty taker Dom Solanke no longer at the club, we had no idea who would step up when we won our first of the season at home to Chelsea. Solanke's replacement Evanilson took the responsibility, but unfortunately saw his penalty saved, meaning we would have to think again when the next spot kick was awarded in our favour. That moment came against Arsenal, where Kluivert stepped up and coolly slotted home. Since then, we have never looked back.

    In general there are many things to love about how Kluivert goes about his business. Currently walking that suspension tight rope on four yellows is evidence to the nature of his aggressive pressing, something that Iraola instils in his players.

    There is definitely more to come, but at £9m, he already feels like a real bargain.

  5. 'Ange’s stubbornness might get the better of him'published at 18:27 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Bournemouth v Tottenham (20:15 GMT)

    Fan voice banner TOTImage source, BBC Sport
    Ange Postecoglou puts his hands to his headImage source, Getty Images

    Ali Speechly, Women Of The Lane, external

    I fear that Ange’s stubbornness might get the better of him before too long – if it has not done so already. Granted, Spurs fans love watching this style of play when it works, but many are growing increasingly tired of watching us struggle against teams we should arguably be beating.

    Ange has made it clear he wants to win, but it seems he would rather his team play entertaining football at all costs. I want to see this football too, but I am equally happy to watch us scrap for three points every now and then when needed.

    Recent injuries, illnesses and suspensions aside, what is the more substantial issue that is causing such inconsistency? Is it an inability to pick the lock of a low block? Is it an arrogance and complacency towards ‘inferior’ opposition? Is it a blind faith in a system that has been drilled into them by a manager who is either unwilling or incapable of adapting?

    Whatever it is that is troubling Spurs right now, one thing is clear: the only way to survive Angeball is to accept you cannot change it.

    Buckle up, Spurs fans. This rollercoaster has a lot of track left to run.

    Read the full column

  6. The scene is setpublished at 18:23 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Craven Cottage gates with a board showing the next home gameImage source, Reuters

    Thursday night under the lights.

    Vitality Stadium general view through one of the goal netsImage source, Getty Images
  7. Team news: Muniz up front for Fulham, no Welbeck for Brightonpublished at 18:19 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Fulham v Brighton (19:30 GMT)

    Fulham

    Fulham make three changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Tottenham with the main change seeing Rodrigo Muniz come in for Raul Jimenez up front, while there are also starts for Timothy Castagne and Harry Wilson.

    Fulham XI: Leno, Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Wilson, Nelson, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Muniz.

    Subs: Benda, Tete, Cuenca, Sessegnon, Traore, Pereira, King, Jimenez, Vinicius.

    Brighton

    Four changes from the Brighton side that began the 1-1 draw against Southampton. Danny Welbeck, who captained the Seagulls last Friday, misses out altogether, with the returning Lewis Dunk regaining the armband. Simon Adingra, Carlos Baleba and Mats Wieffer also play, while Evan Ferguson is only among the substitutes.

    Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Julio, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan, Baleba, Wieffer, O'Riley, Mitoma, Adingra, Pedro.

    Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Moder, Ayari, McConville, Gruda, Minteh, Rutter, Ferguson.

  8. Club World Cup draw coveragepublished at 18:18 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    If the Club World Cup is your thing then head over to our live text as Manchester City and Chelsea await their fate in the draw.

    You've got to come back here after, though!

  9. Team news is comingpublished at 18:14 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Fulham v Brighton (19:30 GMT)

    For all of you Fantasy Premier League managers out there or just those of you who like to be in the know, we've got Fulham and Brighton team news coming your way imminently.

    Joao PedroImage source, Getty Images
  10. As it standspublished at 18:10 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Happy with what you're seeing?

    Full PL tableImage source, Getty Images
  11. Goals galore last nightpublished at 18:06 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Last night was great, wasn't it? Plenty of goals and drama, what more could you ask for?

    How about that Newcastle v Liverpool game? What a cracker that was!

    Results graphicImage source, BBC Sport
  12. What's in store for you tonight?published at 18:03 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Here's what we've got coming your way this evening to cap off a brilliant round of midweek football. It might just be my nose but I smell some goals.

    • Fulham v Brighton (19:30 GMT)
    • Bournemouth v Tottenham (20:15 GMT)
    Tom Cairney celebrating for FulhamImage source, Getty Images
  13. We're back again!published at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December

    Thursday night football. What's not to love?

    Hello once again and welcome back to our live coverage of two more Premier League games this evening.

    We've seen some thrills and spills over the last two evenings so why not have more tonight?

    Buckle up, let's get going.

    Dwight McNeil and James TarkowskiImage source, Getty Images