Sunday's Update: Tottenham Secures Vital Victory as Arne Slot Laments Liverpool's Injuries

Archie Gray Secures Crucial Win for Frank

Archie Gray’s first career goal ensured Tottenham ended a rollercoaster 2025 with a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, easing the pressure on manager Thomas Frank. The victory came at a crucial time for the club, as fans had started to turn against the Dane following a run of five defeats in eight games, leaving them in 14th place in the Premier League at Christmas.

While there were no internal suggestions that Frank’s job was under immediate threat, Spurs needed to return to winning ways, and Gray’s 42nd-minute header settled the contest between the current FA Cup and Europa League holders. The result marked a turning point for the team and provided a much-needed boost for Frank’s tenure.

Calvert-Lewin Continues Scoring Streak

Dominic Calvert-Lewin continued his impressive form by scoring for the sixth game in a row, extending Leeds’ unbeaten run to five games after a 1-1 draw at Sunderland. Simon Adingra grabbed his first goal since arriving on Wearside to put the Black Cats in front, but Leeds levelled two minutes after the break when Calvert-Lewin neatly finished off a fine team move.

This performance further solidified Calvert-Lewin’s status as one of the league’s most consistent scorers, with his seventh goal in six outings highlighting his importance to the Leeds attack.

Odegaard Hails Versatile Rice

Martin Odegaard believes Declan Rice’s “unbelievable” performance as an emergency right-back demonstrates that Arsenal are “ready to do whatever it takes” to win the title. Rice successfully stepped into the position for Saturday’s nervy 2-1 victory over Brighton, which restored the Gunners’ two-point advantage over Manchester City at the top of the table.

Rice filled in for Jurrien Timber and Ben White, and his performance was praised by Odegaard, who said: “It was an unbelievable performance from him. To play right-back, probably the first time in his life, and then do it the way he did was unbelievable. And that’s just our team. Everyone is ready to do whatever it takes.”

Injuries to New Signings Frustrate Slot

Liverpool have yet to get full value from their huge summer spending spree because of the injuries they have suffered, according to head coach Arne Slot. British record signing Alexander Isak arrived lacking match fitness, struggled with niggles, and has now been ruled out for at least two months with a broken leg.

Centre-back Giovanni Leoni sustained a season-ending knee injury in his first appearance while Jeremie Frimpong has made just five starts in 11 games due to a persistent hamstring issue. That trio cost close to £200 million, almost half of the club’s close-season outlay.

“I think a lot has been said by so many people about the amount of money we’ve spent,” said Slot. “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 programme continues with a full set of fixtures in the EFL, headlined by two top-of-the-table clashes in the Sky Bet Championship. Leaders Coventry host third-placed Ipswich while Middlesbrough, who are currently second, take on the side in the fourth spot, Hull. These matches promise to be highly competitive and could have significant implications for the league standings.