Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has won December's Premier League manager of the month award for the third month in a row.

He is the first manager to do so in Premier League history.

Image source, Reuters

The last we told you of Dan Evans was that he was fighting back in the second set against Andrey Kuznetsov.

Well... 

From 4-3 the Russian reeled off two quick games to take the set 6-3 and level the match.

A win for Briton Evans would take him into his first ATP Tour final.

Image source, Rex Features

Slaven Bilic yesterday said midfielder Dimitri Payet no longer wants to play for the club and now Chelsea are lining up a move for him, according to the Sun, external.

The paper claims Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has turned to Payet after missing out on Bayern Munich Arturo Vidal.

But, the Times says, external a bid of between £35m and £40m would be required for West Ham to sell.

Dan Evans is bidding to reach his first ATP Tour final over in Sydney.

The British number three trailed 4-1 in the second set - having won the first - but has just broken his opponent Andrey Kuznetsov.

He still trails 4-3 but the second set is now back on serve.

Image source, Getty Images

On Friday the 13th we're asking for your sporting nightmares...

Toby T: The Mrs bought me a brand new pair of footy boots.. Broke my leg first game I wore them.. She's never buying another pair!

Woffy: It always seems to be around this time of year that Liverpool, Spurs & Arsenal buy all our best players. #thecurseofSaintsFC, external

Andrew Eeles: Romelu Lukaku. Always scores against West Ham, he's scored in his last nine games against us!  

Image source, Rex Features

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says Graham Taylor's death is a "great loss" for football.

The former England manager died aged 72 on Thursday.

"My first team that I ever watched was Watford," Howe said.

"Graham was probably the first manager that inspired me without really knowing it.

"Graham was an incredibly friendly guy, passionate about football. It's a great loss for the game."

Watch an obituary to Graham Taylor in the video below.

Image source, PA

Both Sunderland and Stoke - who play each other this weekend - have had their struggles defensively this season.

Sunderland have conceded 37 goals and Stoke 32 in the Premier League.

Looking ahead to the weekend's game, Stoke boss Mark Hughes said: "Sunderland have struggled defensively and we have threats that can hurt them. 

"We need to be solid though because we have been a little slow in our defensive work, in terms of defending from the front. 

"It is right across the board where we need to improve, not just the back line. 

"If we can be solid then we know we have quality players who can cause problems at the top end of the field."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Manchester United have rejected a bid from Lyon for forward Memphis Depay.

The bid is believed to have been lodged last week and fell well below United's expectations.

United agreed a £31m fee for Memphis when they signed him from PSV Eindhoven in 2015, although that is believed to have included significant add-ons.

Everton are amongst the other clubs thought to be keen on the 22-year-old.

Memphis 22, has played just eight times this season and only eight minutes since the end of October.

United manager Jose Mourinho has told the Netherlands international he can leave and that he will not be considered for selection until his future is resolved.

Image source, Getty Images

The superstitious among you will no doubt be aware that today is Friday 13th - oooh, spooky.

While we don't intend to turn Sportsday into a horror film (we'd get into a lot of trouble if we did), we would like your tales of sporting curses.

You know the thing - the opponents that have a curse on your side and cause recurring nightmares.

Tweet #bbcsportsday, text 81111 or head to the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Image source, Rex Features

After Johanna Konta's success in the Sydney International final earlier, it continues to go brilliantly for British tennis players in Australia. 

Dan Evans has just won the first set 6-2 against Russian Andrey Kuznetsov in the semi-final of the men's event.

If the 26-year-old goes on to win he will face Gilles Muller in Saturday's final.

It would also be Evans' first final on the ATP Tour. 

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has also been talking about the "disappointment" of Nathan Ake's recall from his season-long loan by Chelsea.

"He was improving with every game and was putting in consistent performances," Howe said.

"Chelsea have every right to recall him and we respect them for that. We hope the loan benefited all parties."  

There is no positive news for Arsenal fans regarding Theo Walcott - his calf problem is dragging on and he'll miss tomorrow's game and the home match against Burnley on 22 January. 

Wenger says he is "not concerned" that it will develop into a major issue.

Walcott last played in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester City on 18 December. 

Image source, Reuters

Pat Murphy
BBC Midlands football reporter

Aston Villa have loaned out their goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini to Italian club Atalanta on an 18 month deal. Gollini cost £4m last summer but has since lost his first team place to Sam Johnstone.

Image source, Rex Features

Despite reports suggesting otherwise,, external Stoke boss Mark Hughes says Spanish forward Bojan is unlikely to be leaving in this transfer window.

"As far as I am aware I don't anticipate Bojan to be leaving."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Stoke City striker Peter Crouch signed a contract extension until the summer of 2018 this week and Mark Hughes has been speaking about the deal.

"Irrespective of his age, he is 35, he is still a really good player. 

"We want his qualities on the field - the fact that everybody likes him and respects him is a bonus."

Image source, Reuters

Bournemouth travel to the Premier League's bottom club Hull this weekend on the back of a recent league win against fellow strugglers Swansea on New Year's Eve.

"Hull have had their difficulties, but we need to go into it like we did the Swansea game, with a good attitude and application," Cherries boss Eddie Howe said.

The Englishman also spoke of his Hull counterpart Marco Silva who took over last week.

"Marco Silva is obviously very capable, he's good a good CV. We've looked back to see the philosophy of his play."  

Image source, Getty Images

More from Stoke City manager Mark Hughes on his interest in West Brom's Saido Berahino.

"Nothing has moved forward from last week. We are still waiting for the player's club to give us an indication," Hughes said.

"I think we are looking at players who we feel can improve us, not only short term but long term too, and we have taken that into consideration with this deal. 

"It is out of our hands unfortunately, but we are ready to discuss the situation and see where it progresses.

"It has been long-winded, and some times you lose some enthusiasm when that happens, but I have learned over the years that you have to be patient."

Arsenal go to Swansea tomorrow and will have Mesut Ozil back available after illness ruled him out of the past three games.

Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin won't be available but Wenger says "they can make next week, they are not far". 

Wenger is asked about the possibility of right-back Carl Jenkinson going out on loan and says: "It is a possibility he will move, yes".

When asked if Crystal Palace is his likely destination, Wenger responds: "You look well informed."

Image source, PA

Stoke were knocked out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 home defeat against Wolves in their previous game and manager Mark Hughes says he is expecting a response.

"We didn't perform to the level that we needed to despite me picking a side that was more than capable of winning," Hughes said.

"I fully expect us to show a response at Sunderland tomorrow, although I acknowledge the difficulties facing us.

"There are frustrations within our building because of what happened last weekend. The guys are desperate to put those wrongs right."  

Image source, Getty Images

Arsene Wenger does his best Donald Trump impression when he is asked about Arsenal being linked with Torino striker Andrea Belotti:

"That is what you call today 'fake news'.