Summary

  • Nottingham Forest news conference after Nuno appointment

  • Nuno confirmed as Forest boss after sacking Steve Cooper

  • Liverpool host West Ham in Carabao Cup quarter-final at 20:00 GMT

  • Man City beat Japanese side Urawa to reach Club World Cup final

  • England goalkeeper Mary Earps wins Sports Personality of Year

  • Wins for Chelsea and Fulham to reach EFL Cup semis

  • Get involved: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:45 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    I keep reading about Nuno getting the Forest job despite previously being a failure. Did a phenomenal job at Wolves, only given a dozen games at Spurs, then won the league and Super Cup in Saudi. The modern fan is depressingly judgemental.

    Stan in Gamlingay

  2. News conferences coming uppublished at 13:40 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Right, fans of Brighton, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.

    Stay tuned to this page over the next hour or so because we'll have the best quotes from the news conferences from your managers previewing their upcoming Premier League fixtures.

    Brighton visit Palace on Thursday night, while Sheffield United head to Villa Park on Friday evening, hoping to climb off the foot of the table - and stop Aston Villa ascending to the summit.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:35 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Istanbulspor need to be docked points, it's getting ridiculous. You cannot be allowed to get away with stopping a game because you didn't get a penalty.

    Jamie in Leyton.

  4. Turkish troubles continuepublished at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Yesterday's abandonment was the latest crisis point in Turkish football.

    Last week, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca was arrested after he ran on to the pitch and struck referee Halil Umut Meler following a 1-1 draw with Caykur Rizespor.

    The incident, which attracted worldwide attention and was widely condemned, saw the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) suspend all leagues in the country for a week.

    Koca has been given a permanent ban by the TFF.

    As fixtures resumed on Tuesday, children wearing T-shirts that said "respect" presented flowers to the referees before Basaksehir's match with Sivasspor.

    Media caption,

    Attack on referee described as 'inhumane' by Turkish FA chairman

  5. Turkish top-flight team leave pitch in protestpublished at 13:24 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Istanbulspor A-A Trabzonspor

    Istanbulspor president Ecmel Faik Sarıalioglu was unhappy his side were not awarded a penalty straight before Trabzonspor went 2-1 upImage source, Getty Images

    A Turkish top-flight game was suspended after Istanbulspor's president withdrew his team from the pitch in protest at a refereeing decision in their match against Trabzonspor.

    The incident came on the day Turkish football resumed, a week after it was suspended when a referee was punched.

    Trabzonspor were leading 2-1 after Paul Onuachu's header in the 68th minute.

    But Istanbulspor claimed they should have had a penalty prior to their opponents' second goal being scored.

    President Ecmel Faik Sarıalioglu went down to the pitch and withdrew his players in protest in the 73rd minute.

    Some Istanbulspor players tried to persuade the president to reconsider his decision, with Ivory Coast defender Simon Deli pictured kneeling in front of him.

    "It is a sad day for football... We will wait for the football federation's decision from now on," Trabzonspor coach Abdullah Avci said.

  6. Inter progressing stadium planspublished at 13:18 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Inter Milan are pushing ahead with their plans for a new stadium on the outskirts of the city.

    Their desire to remain as joint tenants of the iconic San Siro, with AC Milan, have been dealt a huge blow because of a protection order that has been put on the stadium which will prevent it from being modernised in a manner both clubs feel is essential.

    The clubs are waiting to discover whether the protection order will be lifted.

    In the meantime, Inter have drawn up plans for a 70,000-capacity stadium in the municipality of Rozzano.

    The design has been created by the Populous stadium experts.

    Declan Sharkey, senior principal and general manager of Populous Italy said: "We are proud to be working with Inter on this incredible project and we share a joint aim of creating a state-of-the-art, sustainable stadium that the club and its fans will be proud to call home."

    ....Image source, Inter Milan
    Image caption,

    Inter

  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:14 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    In response to Lawrence (12:51) - Cooper didn't win a treble, but he took a club from rock bottom of the Championship to the promised land, the first to do it for 23 years. He engaged fans and the wider city more than any manager since Cloughie. And there's been many to try in those 23 years!

    Mark, Notts

  8. Check out Deeney's Football Firsts podcastpublished at 13:10 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    BBC Sounds

    Speaking of Troy Deeney, he's part of BBC Sport football podcast Defoe & Deeney's Football Firsts.

    In their latest episode, Deeney and pal Jermain Defoe discuss the first time they travelled abroad to play.

    They recall the best foreign stadiums, the worst trips they had, and what they did to quell the boredom of long pre-season tours in random towns and cities around the world.

    The pair look back on the films they watched to kill time, laugh about how David Moyes ordered Jermain back onto a plane that had suffered engine failure, and Troy is amazed to discover that the rapper Drake called Jermain when he joined Toronto FC.

    Check it out here.

  9. Forest Green appoint Deeney as new bosspublished at 13:04 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Troy DeeneyImage source, Getty Images

    Hang on, first, some breaking news from closer to home...

    Former Watford striker Troy Deeney has been named the new head coach of League Two strugglers Forest Green Rovers

    Deeney joined FGR as player-coach this summer and succeeds David Horseman, who has departed the club by mutual consent.

    “One thing I can assure everyone is that we will work our very hardest to bring this wonderful club back to success," Deeney said.

    Rovers chairman Dale Vince added: "Troy came to us to begin his career in coaching and take the next step of his career – this is happening sooner than expected but he’s built strong relationships already with our staff, squad and fans - and is well placed for the challenge.

    "We’ll strengthen our squad in the coming transfer window as well, to give ourselves the best chance of first securing our place in L2 before looking upward once more, toward L1 and beyond.”

    Read more here.

  10. Postpublished at 12:58 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Right, there's one more Carabao Cup quarter-final at Anfield tonight, of course.

    We will be previewing West Ham's trip to Liverpool shortly but firstly let's take in a few bits of news from the continent...

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:51 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Steve Cooper got Forest promoted, he did not win a double or treble. If Luton's last game had finished and they had won, those dead certs for relegation would have been just two points behind Forest. Of course he had to go.

    Lawrence. Sparta

  12. 'Silva's most impressive season as boss'published at 12:44 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Everton 1-1 Fulham (6-7 on pens)

    Fulham

    Dan Cooke from the Fulhamish podcast on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast:

    "This is potentially Marco Silva's most impressive season so far as Fulham manager - his first two, he was operating in the Championship with a fantastic squad and we won it a canter, then last season we signed well and he performed well with that team.

    "Whereas this season we lost our top goalscorer and we maybe didn't sign as well as we hoped in the summer transfer window - so the work he has done with this team is fantastic, especially over the past month or two, to bring us success in both the league and the cup is amazing.

    "And what he has done for Fulham over the past three years is putting him in real high esteem among the fans."

    Listen to BBC 5 Live Breakfast on BBC Sounds

  13. 'We wanted to make history'published at 12:37 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Everton 1-1 Fulham (6-7 on pens)

    Fulham

    marco silvaImage source, Getty Images

    Marco Silva on Fulham reaching the EFL Cup semi-final on the Football Daily podcast: "It's incredible what these players have been doing, always with our support and management. We wanted to make history at this football club, first time in the semi-final. Of course, since the first day we have been serious in our approach to this competition, not just tonight, even if we did change four or five players from the last game or three or four but they have been pushing really seriously.

    "Tonight, we knew was going to be really tough. Everton is in a very good moment. A really physical team, direct game, first and second ball, a lot of pressure, we knew before the game that we'll face high pressure."

    Listen to Football Daily on BBC Sounds

  14. 'He is a special player for us'published at 12:30 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Everton 1-1 Fulham (6-7 on pens)

    Fulham

    Tosin Adarabioyo of Fulham celebrates during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Everton and Fulham at Goodison Park on December 19, 2023 in Liverpool, England.Image source, Getty Images

    Marco Silva hailed "special player" Tosin Adarabioyo after the defender scored the winning spot-kick as Fulham beat Everton on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the first time.

    "He is a key player for us, one of the leaders in our dressing room and we need them to step in," said Fulham boss Silva.

    "He didn't play the first three months of the season, but he is a special player for us. He can defend the box and on the ball he builds the way I want him to.

    "He is getting better and better and a great performance tonight. To be able to take the decisive penalty, he deserves all the credit."

  15. 'Everyone has a style of penalty which they think can score'published at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Everton 1-1 Fulham (6-7 on pens)

    Everton

    Fulham's German goalkeeper #17 Bernd Leno saves from Everton's Senegalese-born Belgian midfielder #08 Amadou Onana during a penalty shoot-out in the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Everton and Fulham at Goodison ParkImage source, Getty Images

    Sean Dyche praised his players for wanting to take penalties despite their Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat by Fulham.

    After Amadou Onana's weak effort was saved by Bernd Leno and Idrissa Gueye struck the post in sudden death, Dyche was more concerned with the mentality of his players than their penalty technique.

    "Everyone has a style of penalty which they think can score," he said. "His [Onana's] record has been very strong in all the rounds and when we've practised them. That's his style.

    "If you are brave enough to get up there and take one then you have to be brave enough for the consequences.

    "The first question is always who doesn't want to take one. Simple as that, because you need to want to take one. I'm pleased to say the whole group said they would take one.

    "It is the moment of truth: the ball's there, you have to put it in the net."

  16. 'All good runs come to an end'published at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Everton 1-1 Fulham (6-7 on pens)

    Everton

    Everton fan Peter MacFarlane from Blue Room podcast to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast:

    "It didn't seem to click at all last night which is massively disappointing but we've got to keep our eyes on the bigger picture and appreciate that the players have taken such a knock over the past month given the points deduction.

    "The way we've fought back and the way we've won those points back so quickly, I think we've got to stick by the players and be proud of what they've done.

    "Last night was probably a bit of a step too far for us, all good runs come to an end and unfortunately for us it turned at the wrong time but all credit and congratulations to Fulham and it's a big thing for them to get through to a semi-final."

  17. 'We didn't find the true moments of quality' - Dychepublished at 12:13 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Everton 1-1 Fulham (6-7 on pens)

    Everton

    Sean DycheImage source, Getty Images

    Sean Dyche says Everton were not clinical enough to make the most of a dominant performance as they lost to Fulham on penalties in the EFL Cup quarter-final at Goodison Park.

    Everton have been in impressive form in the Premier League, winning their last four games to climb up the table, so this exit will be seen as a missed opportunity to end their long wait for silverware which stretches back to lifting the FA Cup back in 1995.

    Dyche said: "It is one of them things, penalties have to be decided some way. I thought the performance was another strong one but we didn't find the true moments of quality in the very end of lots of good moves and getting into good positions.

    "If you are brave enough to get up there and take one, you are brave enough to take the consequences. We practise them, they practise them, [coach] Steve Stone did a good job getting it all organised so you do everything you can.

    "It is a cup competition. We took the game on, tried everything to take the game. Similar to how we played them in the league, dominated and couldn't find the killer moments. The stadium was great, the fans and everyone took the knocks and got on with it."

  18. Silva 'really delighted' as Fulham make historypublished at 12:08 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Everton 1-1 Fulham (6-7 on pens)

    Fulham

    Fulham manager Marco SilvaImage source, Getty Images

    Marco Silva said "we are really delighted for the moment we are living" after Fulham beat Everton on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the first time.

    Defender Tosin Adarabioyo scored the winning spotkick in sudden death after Everton's after Idrissa Gueye struck the post. Earlier in the shootout, Amadou Onana had the opportunity to win it for the Toffees but Bernd Leno saved his tame effort.

    "We are all delighted, no doubt about it," said Silva. "It was a huge moment from Bernd when he kept us in the game with the fifth penalty from Onana.

    "I am really delighted because it is not easy to keep the composure and quality in the penalty shootout.

    "We achieved something the club had never done in the past. We want more but we are really delighted for this evening and the moment we are living.

    "We are going to play the semi-finals with the dream to play at Wembley."

  19. Fulham sink Everton on penalties to reach semispublished at 12:03 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Everton 1-1 Fulham (6-7 on pens)

    Fulham players celebrate penalty shootout win over Everton in EFL Cup quarter-finalImage source, Getty Images

    Tosin Adarabioyo was the hero, converting the winning spot-kick in the shootout, as Fulham beat Everton on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

    Centre-back Tosin stepped up in sudden death, after Idrissa Gueye struck the post, and rolled home to send the Cottagers through to a first domestic semi-final in 22 seasons.

    Marco Silva's men were triumphant here in the opening game of the campaign courtesy of a smash-and-grab victory and they went home to London victorious once again.

    The opener came four minutes before half-time via Michael Keane's own goal, with the Everton defender diverting the ball into his own net from Antonee Robinson's cross.

    Everton searched for the equaliser in the second period and Jack Harrison fizzed a long-range drive just wide before substitute Beto headed in from close range with nine minutes remaining.

    The game went to penalties with Bobby De Cordova-Reid seeing his effort saved by Jordan Pickford and Amadou Onana's weak effort was kept out by Bernd Leno, before Tosin sent the travelling fans into raptures.

    Read more here.

  20. 'The boys are doing so well'published at 11:58 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Port Vale 0-3 Middlesbrough

    Middlesbrough

    Middlesbrough’s Michael CarrickImage source, Getty Images

    Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick on the Football Daily podcast: "It's more about the players and the staff and then seeing the supporters. I try to and guide them, trying to help them, seeing the joy and sense of achievement so far from everyone is fantastic.

    "It's a build up to the semi-final and whoever we get but for me it's seeing the boys playing how they're capable and what they're capable of doing for starters. I love seeing that and the supporters enjoying themselves, what's better than that?

    "I think if we go about it in the right way and the attitude, the confidence in the group, if you've got that, you've got a chance. The boys are doing so so well."