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. 'Maybe there's something positive in Nuno'published at 10:05 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Forest appoint Nuno

    Nottingham Forest

    Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates promotion with WolvesImage source, Getty Images

    Rich Ferraro from 1865: The Nottingham Forest Podcast told BBC Radio 5 Live that a few Forest fans are "underwhelmed" by Nuno Espirito Santo, after former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui or ex-Eintracht Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner were both linked.

    "I'd argue that there's something to be optimistic about there because Wolves was quite a similar situation," said Ferraro, who highlighted the way Nuno moulded a strong squad at Molineux after the club brought in a number of players represented by agent Jorge Mendes.

    "They took a lot of Jorge Mendes signings. It seemed like a bunch of players signed for their names as much as what they could do together, but he really brought them together.

    "Players like Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez became real stars playing under Nuno. Maybe there's something positive there."

  2. Nuno in charge for Cherries visitpublished at 09:58 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Forest appoint Nuno

    Nottingham Forest

    Forest say that new boss Nuno Espirito Santo will take charge of his first training session this morning.

    The 49-year-old's first game in charge will be at home to Bournemouth on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

    The Portuguese ex-Wolves and Tottenham head coach inherits a Forest side sitting 17th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone after a run of one win in 13 games that led to the departure of his predecessor, promotion-winning boss Steve Cooper.

    Nuno most recently managed in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad.

    Nuno Espirito SantoImage source, Getty Images
  3. Forest confirm Nuno appointmentpublished at 09:52 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023
    Breaking

    Nottingham Forest have announced the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo as their new boss on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

    Read more here.

  4. 'Our turn to support Trippier' - Howepublished at 09:48 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Chelsea 1-1 Newcastlle (4-2 on pens)

    Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told BBC Match of the Day that out-of-form Kieran Trippier will get complete backing from the dressing room at St James' Park.

    "Trips is an incredibly strong character," Howe said.

    "As I’ve said many times, he’s a transformative signing, someone that’s taken the group on to a totally different level. He’s been the heartbeat of that.

    "So when he’s given us so much, now it’s our turn to support him and look after him, and that’s what we’ll do."

    Kieran Trippier and Eddie Howe share an embraceImage source, Getty Images
  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:43 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

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

    Not a Toon supporter but a big fan of Trippier and I totally agree with my namesake (see 08:57). I am sure Howe will be supportive of him and he deserves the same from the fans.

    Another Ben, via WhatsApp

    Imagine if Alexander Arnold had been involved in the run of mistakes that Trippier has had, the press would have had a field day.

    Matt, via WhatsApp

  6. 'It could be a sliding door moment for Chelsea'published at 09:38 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (4-2 on penalties)

    BBC Sounds

    Former Brighton striker Glenn Murray speaks about Chelsea's form on the Football Daily podcast: "We've just watched Chelsea do a lap of honour, winning in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup and the jubilation, honestly I'm a little bit surprised. The fans need something to get behind, something to cheer. I think it's mixed with a tinge of relief as well. They managed to get there, they weren't particularly good.

    "They had a lion's share of possession, almost 80% of possession without really creating something, it boiled down to the Kieran Trippier mistake. They got back into the game, they won from penalties. It could be a sliding door moment for Chelsea, for Mauricio Pochettino and this new group, new Chelsea project."

    Listen to the full Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

    chelsea players celebrate their win over NewcastleImage source, Getty Images
  7. 'We're going to build a very good team'published at 09:33 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (4-2 on pens)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea players after winning penalty shootout against NewcastleImage source, Getty Images

    Mauricio Pochettino says he is building a Chelsea team that "can compete" after they made it through to the EFL Cup semi-finals - but it will take time.

    Mykhailo Mudryk scored a stoppage time equaliser for Chelsea, who went on to beat Newcastle on penalties at Stamford Bridge.

    "When you see the whole squad, players that weren't involved or were injured, they wanted to share their happiness in the middle of the pitch," the Chelsea boss said.

    "We're a healthy group of players, but they need time. We create the platform for them to improve every day. We're going to build a very good team that can compete."

  8. Watch: 'Player safety a priority' - Howepublished at 09:26 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (4-2 on pens)

    Both managers were asked about the incident involving a Chelsea fan confronting Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

    Magpies boss Eddie Howe said more needs to be done to keep players - as well as managers and referees safe - while Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino said it the kind of incident he hopes not to see again.

    Click the play icon below to watch and listen to their responses in full.

    Media caption,

    Howe - on the need for better protection for all in football.

  9. Police investigating fan pitch encroachmentpublished at 09:21 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (4-2 on pens)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Chelsea and the Metropolitan Police are investigating an incident at Stamford Bridge last night when a fan confronted Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

    The fan ran onto the pitch in the aftermath of Chelsea’s injury-time equaliser and appeared to shove Dubravka as he celebrated.

    The fan was ushered away by stewards but the incident led to lengthy discussions between referee Jarrod Gillett and Chelsea security staff before the penalty shoot-out, which the home side eventually won.

    No arrests have been made as yet.

    Read more here.

  10. 'Challenge for Howe now is to lift his shattered players'published at 09:16 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (4-2 on pens)

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Newcastle United’s season took another disappointing turn as they were the architects of their own downfall in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at Chelsea.

    Callum Wilson's 16th-minute goal was being defended with real resilience by a well-organised Newcastle side as the game went deep into stoppage time, and the prospect of moving a step closer to Wembley and another cup final came within touching distance.

    It was then that Kieran Trippier, who looks physically and mentally jaded after the Magpies' heavy programme, suffered the lapse that let in Mykhailo Mudryk for the equaliser.

    Trippier’s pain increased when he missed his penalty as Chelsea won the shootout 4-2, leaving Newcastle regretting an exit from the EFL Cup after finishing bottom of their Champions League group a week ago.

    The chance to take another stride towards making amends for last season's Wembley loss to Manchester United at Wembley had gone.

    As always seems to be the case these days, Newcastle could not even leave Stamford Bridge without adding to their injury list after Anthony Gordon limped off in the second half.

    Newcastle have had taxing draws in the competition, beating Manchester City at home before winning comfortably at Old Trafford. The trip to Chelsea proved just a step too far.

    The challenge for manager Eddie Howe now is to lift his shattered players after two damaging defeats because the aim now – even with a depleted squad – must be to try to finish in the Premier League’s top four to once again to sample the Champions League experience next season.

  11. 'It hurts a lot' - Howepublished at 09:09 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (4-2 on pens)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie HoweImage source, Getty Images

    Eddie Howe said Newcastle's Carabao Cup defeat by Chelsea is a similar feeling to their Champions League loss against Paris St-Germain.

    Mykhailo Mudryk scored deep in stoppage time at Stamford Bridge to take Tuesday's quarter-final to penalties, which Mauricio Pochettino's side eventually won.

    It reminded Howe of PSG's 98th-minute equaliser that denied the Magpies a vital Champions League win at Parc des Princes last month.

    "It hurts a lot," said Howe. It's a very similar feeling to the end of the PSG game. The lads had committed so much, gave everything and we led for so long.

    "We'd defended really, really well but we didn't get over the line.

    "Whenever we concede, we concede collectively, not individually. I thought as a team defensively today we were excellent.

    "Our shape was so good and we denied them really clear-cut chances. We had to make some changes again due to injuries but I can't praise the players enough."

  12. 'We kept believing' - Pochettinopublished at 09:02 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (4-2 on pens)

    Chelsea

    Mauricio PochettinoImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino praised the belief of his side as they scored an injury-time equaliser before beating Newcastle on penalties.

    The Blues are now through to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup as they go in search of a first domestic trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2018.

    "To concede the way we conceded, when we didn't deserve to, it can affect any team," Pochettino said.

    "But we reacted really well. We dominated the game against a good team like Newcastle, kept pushing in the second half, made some changes and tried to provide the team some impact.

    "The most important [thing] in football is to believe to the end. We kept believing. We know penalties are a lottery, but of course talent and quality [matter]. Our objective before the game was to go through and now we're in the semi-final."

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:57 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

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

    Feel bad for Trippier, he's 33 and has played 70 club games since August 2022, not to mention the World Cup and internationals. Not many players could do it, I hope fans and press go easy on him.

    Ben

  14. Chelsea beat Newcastle on penalties to reach last fourpublished at 08:53 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (4-2 on pens)

    Djordje Petrovic of Chelsea celebrates their sides victory with team mates after saving a penalty taken by Matt Ritchie of Newcastle United (not pictured) following a penalty shoot out in the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 19, 2023 in London, EnglandImage source, Getty Images

    Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier endured a Stamford Bridge nightmare as Chelsea reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals after a penalty shootout.

    Callum Wilson's 16th-minute goal looked to be sending Newcastle into the last four until substitute Mykhailo Mudryk pounced on the veteran defender's error deep into stoppage time to send the game to spot-kicks.

    The 33-year-old, who has suffered a dip in form recently, then fired Newcastle's second penalty wide and once keeper Djordje Petrovic saved Matt Ritchie's spot-kick Chelsea had gone from the despair of contemplating defeat to the sheer elation of a place in the last four.

    Read more here.

  15. 'Formidable look to Pep's side'published at 08:46 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Urawa Red Diamonds 0-3 Man City

    Steve Sutcliffe
    BBC Sport

    After winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Uefa Super Cup, Pep Guardiola had spoken about the Club World Cup as an opportunity to "close the little circle and win all the trophies" possible.

    And his team will be undoubted favourites when they face their opponents from Rio de Janeiro later this week in a match being played at the King Abdullah Sports City, north of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

    Fluminense should, though, at least represent a step up in class from Urawa, who were defensively disciplined until they fell behind but struggled to build any sort of attacking momentum to chase the game.

    The gulf in class between the sides was underlined by Urawa boss Maciej Skorza summoning former Ross County forward Alex Schalk from his bench as his team chased the game.

    In contrast Guardiola had Julian Alvarez, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and the out-of-favour Kalvin Phillips in reserve, while Matheus Nunes, a £53m summer arrival from Wolves, cost City more than it took to assemble the entire Urawa squad.

    And even despite the continued absence of the prolific Erling Haaland and midfield playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, there was a formidable look to the Blues as they close in on a fifth trophy of the calendar year.

  16. 'Once in our lifetime opportunity' - Guardiolapublished at 08:39 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Urawa Red Diamonds 0-3 Man City

    Manchester City's players have a once "in-our-lifetime" opportunity when they face Brazil's Fluminense in the Club World Cup final, says manager Pep Guardiola.

    Guardiola's team swept past Urawa Red Diamonds in Tuesday's semi-final to set up a meeting with the South American champions on Friday in Saudi Arabia.

    City are looking to become the fourth English club to win the title after Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

    "The players know how important it is for the club," said Guardiola. "To be in this final, you have to do incredible things like win the Champions League. This may be the only time we play this in our lifetime.

    "We are there. We will try to win a title we don't have and finish the circle."

    Manchester City boss Pep GuardiolaImage source, Getty Images
  17. City cruise into Club World Cup finalpublished at 08:34 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Urawa Red Diamonds 0-3 Man City

    Pep Guardiola has previously won the Club World Cup twice while Barcelona boss and once during his three-year tenure at Bayern Munich.

    And the odds of him adding to that collection seem short given the manner in which his Manchester City side comfortably defeated the Asian champions Urawa.

    The Japanese club displayed plenty of defensive resilience until defender Marius Hoibraten turned Matheus Nunes' cross into his own net on the stroke of half time.

    However, after the break it was a different story, with Mateo Kovacic quickly adding City's second - running through the heart of an absent Urawa defence to latch on to Kyle Walker's pass and lift his effort past goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa.

    Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva added City's third before the hour mark, guiding a effort low into the bottom right corner after his international team-mate Nunes had a shot blocked by Nishikawa.

    In truth, City's margin of victory could and should have been more with Nunes, Jack Grealish and second-half substitutes Oscar Bobb and Julian Alvarez all failing to convert good opportunities when well placed.

    Mateo Kovacic celebrates a goal for Manchester CityImage source, Getty Images
  18. More silverware for Man Citypublished at 08:25 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Media caption,

    Sports Personality of the Year 2023: Kyle Walker accepts Man City's Team of the Year

    It was a busy night for Manchester City - not only were they reaching the Club World Cup final (more on that shortly) but they also won three Sports Personality of the Year awards.

    They were named BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year 2023, with head coach Pep Guardiola winning the Coach of the Year award.

    Guardiola guided City to the Treble - the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup - in the 2022-23 season.

    "To win the Treble and the Champions League was a special moment in all of our careers," City defender Kyle Walker said.

    Stiker Erling Haaland was named World Sport Star of the Year earlier in the Sports Personality ceremony.

    The Norwegian striker's 52 goals in all competitions last season helped City become only the second Premier League team to win the Treble - after Manchester United achieved the feat in 1998-99.

    Media caption,

    Sports Personality of the Year 2023: Man City's Pep Guardiola wins Coach of the Year

  19. 'Trying to make the most of everything'published at 08:17 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Earps wins SPOTY

    Mary Earps' journey to the top has not been a straightforward one - she was an outcast and on the brink of retirement before emerging as one of the most globally recognised goalkeepers in women's football.

    Having sat on the bench as England's third-choice goalkeeper at the 2019 World Cup, Earps was not included in Phil Neville's next Lionesses squad and would not represent her country until 2021.

    But she has turned her fortunes around, and is now England and United's undisputed number one.

    She has become a firm fan favourite, and the latest batch of replica Earps England goalkeeper shirts sold out within five minutes after kit supplier Nike faced a backlash having failed to produce any during the World Cup.

    "I feel like I always committed to myself that anything that came after that [tough] period would be a bonus," said Earps.

    "It hasn't stopped yet and I'm just trying to make the most of everything that comes my way because when it stops you miss it."

    Mary Earps at the 2019 Women's World CupImage source, Getty Images
  20. Watch: Earps wins 2023 Sports Personality awardpublished at 08:12 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    What a night it was for England goalkeeper Mary Earps.

    Watch the moment she was announced as the winner of the 2023 Sports Personality of the Year

    Media caption,

    Sports Personality of the Year 2023: Mary Earps wins 2023 award