Summary

  • Use audio icon at the top of page to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

  • FT: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal - Gabriel heads early opener before brilliant Salah leveller

  • FT: Tottenham 2-1 Everton - Richarlison with early opener, before Son scores second and Gomes pulls one back

  • FT: Luton 1-0 Newcastle - Townsend open scoring and holds up Lockyer shirt

  • FT: Nottingham Forest 2-3 Bournemouth - Boly dismissed for hosts as Solanke scores treble

  • FT: Fulham 0-2 Burnley - Odobert and Berge for bottom club

  • Welch becomes first woman to referee Premier League match

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

  1. Postpublished at 14:54 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Luton v Newcastle (15:00 GMT)

    "Oh Tommy, Tommy" sing the Luton fans at Kenilworth Road. There has been great support shown for their captain before kick-off.

    Visiting Newcastle fans have also revealed a banner saying "get well soon, Tom. NUFC."

  2. 'We expect them to be competing at the top of the league'published at 14:53 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Luton v Newcastle (15:00 GMT)

    Leon Osman
    Former Everton midfielder on Final Score

    Newcastle's away form has been surprising, and if you factor in that 8-0 win at Sheffield United, they would not have won a game otherwise.

    It is a real problem for Eddie Howe now. Yes the side have had a lot of injuries, but it is a team we expect to see challenging at the top of the table again, for Champions League.

    We expect that they will be able to go and win away from home but they have lost the ability to do that. This is a big game for them today.

  3. Sweet toffees at Christmaspublished at 14:52 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Tottenham v Everton (15:00 GMT)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Everton are a team on a high!

    They have won four successive Premier League matches and could win five away games in a row for the first time since April 1970.

    That season, they won the First Division title thanks to a run which included a 1-0 win against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

    Sean Dyche's side have been hard to beat and only Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have conceded fewer league goals this season.

    They don't need to have much of the ball either. Everton's eight wins have all come despite having less than 50% possession.

    If they keep another clean sheet today, it would be a fifth consecutive one - the first time that would have happened since January 2009.

  4. 'We want to be in the top six, minimum'published at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    FT: West Ham 2-0 Man Utd

    West Ham United

    West Ham's Jarrod Bowen, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was never going to be a walk in the park. Manchester United are a really top side in this league. Second half we kept at it, kept plugging away, and got the goal. Then more importantly we got the second goal quite soon after and then made it more comfortable for us going into the last 10 minutes.

    "Lucas Paqueta: We knew it would be a difficult game, first half we caused them a few problems but they had a few chances as well. The game was just needed a first goal whether it was us or them, thankfully for us we got it. Held on for a really good clean sheet and a really good 2-0 victory."

    On whether playing through the middle has helped him to score more goals like he did today: "People might say it was luck. When I scored that goal I was playing off the right and I think that's the flexibility that me, Mo and Lucas have got, interchanging positions. I received it, played it to Lucas, then it was a lovely ball over the top and just up to me to keep my nerve and it fell to me put away. If it's us three, we're really interchangeable and not predictable for the opposition to mark us out of the game."

    On needing to improve after Wednesday's loss to Liverpool: "We want to forget that as soon as possible. We have to face up to it, we went out there and put out a poor performance. We knew going into Christmas what it would do for us in the league going into the next two really big games as well. We knew we wanted to win this game, we've won this game, and it's pushed us back up the table again."

    On whether West Ham are a 'top six' side; "I think it's hard to say, we want to be, but I think you look at the top 10 and it's probably the most open it's ever been with teams coming in. Aston Villa, even they're in the top four, Brighton and Chelsea are top sides. All we can do is win our games but we want to be in that top six minimum, for sure."

  5. 'Nuno will look to dwindle down numbers'published at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (15:00 GMT)

    Leon Osman
    Former Everton midfielder on Football Focus

    Nuno Espirito Santo essentially will have two squads to choose from at Forest, a situation he is not used to.

    I expect that over the next few weeks he will try to dwindle that down into smaller, more manageable numbers. You will hear murmurings from players who are upset that they won't be involved.

    But Forest are looking to take that next step. Steve Cooper delivered promotion after so many years of waiting, and now they want stability and to secure themselves in mid table.

  6. 'I think Forest were going to be fine'published at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (15:00 GMT)

    Michael Brown
    Former Tottenham midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The shame for me was that we could have seen a manager who had grown with the club and we wanted that longevity.

    The gap to the teams below, I thought they were going to be fine.

  7. 'It's not just Solanke for Bournemouth'published at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (15:00 GMT)

    Dion Dublin
    Former Manchester United striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Dominic Solanke is scoring, but the others are all chipping in too. Antoine Semenyo, Marcus Tavernier, and others are scoring. It just eases the load.

  8. 'Lockyer everywhere you look'published at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Luton v Newcastle (15:00 GMT)

    Chris Latchem
    BBC Match of the Day commentator

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Captain Tom Lockyer isn't at Kenilworth Road today. But he's everywhere you look. His face is on the programme, his name is on the warm up T-shirt worn by his Luton teammates and the fans have laid a banner in his honour behind the goal.

    Bound to be highly charged, emotional day for all at Luton Town. But the club's Chief Exec Gary Sweet told Football Focus earlier Tom is happy at home, and playing Call of Duty on the sofa.

    .Image source, BBC Sport
  9. 'It's been one very big challenge'published at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Luton v Newcastle (15:00 GMT)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    It is just seven days since Tom Lockyer's collapse at Bournemouth so fans will be keen to show their support at Kenilworth Road today.

    Supporters sang his name and applauded Lockyer as he was taken off on a stretcher after suffering a cardiac arrest last Saturday.

    Medical staff at the scene received praise from manager Rob Edwards, as well as Luton chief executive Gary Sweet, who says the club have been dealing with the shock of the incident this week.

    "We've never done this before. It's all learning for us," said Sweet.

    "It's thrown so many challenges our way and it's been one very big challenge this week. This has all been about team spirit and gathering around Tom.

    "The fact he was being taken home by people we know and was in safe hands gave us a sense of relief."

  10. 'Think of how many people Welch can inspire'published at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Fulham v Burnley (15:00 GMT)

    Nedum Onuoha
    Former Manchester City defender on Football Focus

    For me if you are qualified to do a job then gender shouldn't matter.

    For Rebecca Welch to be the first woman to officiate in the Premier League that does matter in the sense that you hope she is the first of many. I've seen her referee in the WSL and she is brilliant, and for her to be out there today you think of how many people she can inspire.

    Hopefully she has a great game today and gets the respect she deserves.

  11. A long time ago...published at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Luton v Newcastle (15:00 GMT)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has faced Luton Town once before in a league match as manager.

    It was a 1-1 draw in League Two in January 2009, when he was Bournemouth boss in only his fourth ever league game in charge.

    At that time, Bournemouth were 23rd in League Two and Luton were 24th. How times have changed...

  12. 'Forest fans will be forever grateful to Cooper'published at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (15:00 GMT)

    Clinton Morrison
    Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC's Football Daily podcast

    These things happen in football at the end of the day. You thought it was going to happen a few months ago. You thought it was going to happen last season then he signed a new deal.

    Forest fans will be forever grateful for where Steve Cooper has taken them. When he took over, they were second-bottom in the Championship and he took them to the Premier League where they are competing.

    There was pressure on him and evidently, if you lose that many matches as a manager you lose your job. It's disappointing but I'm not worried about Steve Cooper. He will get another job - he is a very good manager.

    But it is a big job for Nuno.

  13. Welch ready to make historypublished at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Fulham v Burnley (15:00 GMT)

    Chris Wise
    BBC Radio 5 Live commentator at Craven Cottage

    Referee Rebecca Welch holding a ball at Craven CottageImage source, Getty Images

    Referee Rebecca Welch, who will make history today when she becomes the first woman to take charge of a Premier League game, has been warming up at Craven Cottage.

    Some Fulham fans in front of me have just applauded her as she ran past. A little smile from Rebecca to acknowledge them. Nice moment.

  14. 'Moyes bounces back as he always does'published at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    FT: West Ham 2-0 Man Utd

    Leon Osman
    Former Everton midfielder on Final Score

    A brilliant win for David Moyes who came under a little bit of criticism for the side's performance in midweek at Anfield. He continues to bounce back, as he always does.

    They have found a way of playing, on the counter attack. You can see the stats, they don't mind not having the ball, they allowed Man Utd to come on to them and hit back by finding their weak points.

  15. 'A new chance for everybody'published at 14:43 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (15:00 GMT)

    Media caption,

    Nottingham Forest: New manager Nuno Espirito Santo says this is a new chance for everybody

    New Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo was quick to praise the work of his predecessor Steve Cooper during his pre-match press conference.

    Cooper ended Forest's 23-year top-flight absence and kept them up last season.

    Nuno says his tenure is a "new chance for everybody" and spoke about the challenges of managing a 30-player squad.

  16. 'Encouraging to see Foster back'published at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Fulham v Burnley (15:00 GMT)

    Chris Wise
    BBC Radio 5 Live commentator

    It’s really encouraging to see Lyle Foster back in a Burnley starting line-up again.

    He and the Clarets have been very open in addressing the support he’s been receiving for his mental health in recent weeks.

    His story - like so many others - could play such an important role in helping others to speak up when they’re struggling. As Vincent Kompany said this week: ‘playing makes him happy.’

  17. New manager bounce for Forest?published at 14:41 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (15:00 GMT)

    Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito SantoImage source, Getty Images

    It has been quite a week of change at the City Ground after their 2-0 reverse by Tottenham last Friday night.

    Steve Cooper, who was much revered by the fans, has been sacked and former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is now in charge.

    Nuno is tasked with arresting a slide that has been Forest lose five of their past six games and only win one of their past 13.

    It is a pretty tough start for him, with Bournemouth having picked up 13 points from their past five completed games.

    Nuno then has a trip to Newcastle on Boxing Day, before they host Man Utd on 30 December.

    A tricky start on paper but we all know about the new manager bounce.

  18. 'This is the perfect day'published at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    FT: West Ham 2-0 Man Utd

    West Ham United

    Mohammed KudusImage source, Getty Images

    West Ham goalscorer Mohammed Kudus speaking to TNT Sports: "As an attacker that's what I'm here to do, to put the ball into the back of the net. Most importantly we got the three points. This is the perfect day for the fans and we wish them a happy Christmas."

    On Lucas Paqueta: "His vision and passing ability, when he gets the ball I just need to run and he'll find me. I admire a lot from him."

    On what his celebration means: "It doesn't mean anything. I'm sitting down to get a deep breath! I'm tired."

  19. Can Newcastle get something on the road?published at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Luton v Newcastle (15:00 GMT)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Newcastle travel to Kenilworth Road today looking to improve their away form and keep tabs on the league's top five.

    They are in danger of losing four successive away matches in the Premier League, having won just one of their last 10.

    Eddie Howe's side have only won one away game in the league this season - the 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United in September.

    They have also kept only one clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League away matches.

    Could today be the day they get a win and a clean sheet against a side sitting in the bottom three?

  20. Hatters want 'special day' for Lockspublished at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Luton v Newcastle (15:00 GMT)

    Luton Town

    Jacob Brown of Luton Town warms up alongside teammates whilst wearing a warm up shirt in support of teammate Tom Lockyer prior to the Premier League match between Luton Town and Newcastle UnitedImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Players warmed up in shirts with Lockyer's number on

    Luton boss Rob Edwards on absent captain Tom Lockyer, recovering from a cardiac arrest suffered during last weekend's abandoned game at Bournemouth:

    "The main thing is Tom and his family now and it's about what he would want - he's texted me today to say let's get those three points! So we are going to be doing everything we can for him.

    "But our motivation is already really, really high anyway for this game - it has been a difficult week and there are a lot of 'thank yous' to say to people from how they acted last week right the way through the support we've had.

    "And we've needed it - we don't know how we will react today. We will see. But we will give it absolutely everything.

    "I think the supporters will want to show their love for Tom - the lads do as well, they will be wearing T-shirts for him and there will be various things going on.

    "And rightly so - he's a hugely influential and important figure for this football club. He's one of our most important players that the club has had in many, many, many years and I'm sure we'll make it a special day."

    Fans pose for a photo whilst holding a banner displaying the message "Tom Lockyer get well soon" prior to the Premier League match between Luton Town and Newcastle UnitedImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Fans have brought banners to show their support