Sunday's Update: Tottenham Secures Crucial Victory as Arne Slot Laments Liverpool's Injuries
Tottenham secured a vital victory that eased the pressure on manager Thomas Frank, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin continued his impressive form with his seventh goal in six matches for Leeds. The weekend saw several key developments across the Premier League, with players and managers making their mark on the pitch.
Gray secures crucial win for Frank
Archie Gray’s first career goal proved to be the difference as Tottenham defeated Crystal Palace 1-0, ending a challenging 2025 with a much-needed win. This result provided relief for Frank, who had faced growing scrutiny after a run of five defeats in eight games left the team in 14th place at Christmas.
Although there were no internal indications that Frank’s position was under immediate threat, the club needed a return to winning form. Gray’s 42nd-minute header settled the contest between the current FA Cup and Europa League holders, offering a much-needed boost to the squad and fans alike.
Calvert-Lewin continues scoring streak
Dominic Calvert-Lewin extended his remarkable scoring run by netting for the sixth consecutive game, helping Leeds maintain their unbeaten streak with a 1-1 draw against Sunderland. Simon Adingra opened the scoring for the Black Cats, but Leeds equalised two minutes into the second half when Calvert-Lewin calmly converted a well-worked team move.
This performance further solidified Calvert-Lewin’s status as one of the league’s most consistent strikers, with his goals proving crucial for Leeds’ campaign.
Odegaard hails versatile Rice
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard praised Declan Rice for his exceptional performance as an emergency right-back in a recent match against Brighton. Rice stepped into the role for the Gunners’ 2-1 victory, which restored their two-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table.
Odegaard described Rice’s effort as “unbelievable,” noting that it was likely the first time he had played in that position. “To play right-back, probably the first time in his life, and then do it the way he did was unbelievable,” Odegaard said. He added that this demonstrated the team’s willingness to do whatever it takes to win the title.
Injuries to new signings frustrate Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed frustration over the impact of injuries on the club’s recent spending spree. New signings such as Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong have struggled to make an impact due to various injury issues.
Isak, the British record signing, arrived without match fitness and has since been ruled out for at least two months with a broken leg. Leoni suffered a season-ending knee injury in his debut, while Frimpong has made just five starts in 11 games due to a persistent hamstring problem. Together, these three players cost nearly £200 million, almost half of the club’s summer investment.
Slot acknowledged the challenges: “I think a lot has been said by so many people about the amount of money we’ve spent. But unfortunately not all of the money we’ve spent we have used and that has to do with the injuries of these players.”
What’s on today?
The holiday football schedule is in full swing, with a full set of fixtures across the EFL. The focus will be on two high-stakes matches in the Sky Bet Championship. Leaders Coventry will host third-placed Ipswich, while Middlesbrough, currently in second place, take on Hull, who are in fourth. These games promise to be pivotal in shaping the league's narrative.
