Attacking absences do not excuse Mourinho’s lament.

Daniel Storey gives his Premier League review.

With the 2019/20 Premier League now just past its halfway point and a busy Christmas programme almost done, it’s time to hand out some imaginary mid-season awards.

It was all sweetness and light between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp at the Football Writers’ Awards dinner in Manchester last Sunday.

In days gone by, a winger wasn’t a winger unless the soles of his boots were covered in white paint from spending so much time standing on the touchline; and that’s a tradition which might be making a return in 2019-20.

The Southampton striker exploded into form this April, scoring four goals in five games to help the Saints' secure Premier League survival.

There has been plenty of talk of Liverpool ‘bottling’ this title race, largely from those who wish ill upon them. But we can put that to one side for now. Facing Chelsea at Anfield, five years after Steven Gerrard’s fateful slip and on the eve of the 30th anniversary of Hillsborough, created a pressure that would make many teams crumble. But not them.

Scott Hogan has seen enough clean slates to roof a housing estate but the Aston Villa striker is hopeful of a few more as he looks to kickstart a career that has been starved of momentum at club level and with the Republic of Ireland.

It's back!

The vagaries of the group stage format at a Fifa World Cup were laid bare in the final round of fixtures as England’s reserves laboured to a 1-0 defeat against Belgium, safe in the knowledge that finishing second in Group G probably opens up a better route to the final.

Today: Ozil could be the fall guy again for Germans.

There will be 100 Premier League players in action at the World Cup, spread across 25 international teams.

Premier League clubs can launch their summer spending sprees in earnest when the transfer window opens today.

Gareth Southgate has decided against selecting Joe Hart or Jack Wilshere.

Christian Eriksen was credited with a brace as Harry Kane was denied a crucial goal in the Golden Boot race in Tottenham's 2-1 win over Stoke.

Sheffield Wednesday fan Jamie Vardy put the Blades to the sword as Leicester knocked Sheffield United out of the FA Cup.

Daniel Storey breaks down the weekend’s big talking points...

Sergio Aguero scored four times as Premier League leaders Manchester City showed Riyad Mahrez what he is missing in a 5-1 thrashing of Leicester.

Anthony Martial’s goal early in the second half proved enough to give Manchester United a battling 1-0 win at Burnley and close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Antonio Conte has no intention of quitting Chelsea and says it is up to the club whether he stays on as head coach.

Manchester United are looking to bolster their strike force in the January transfer window and are reported to have made inquiries about signing Jamie Vardy from Leicester City and Javier Hernandez from West Ham, according to the Telegraph.

League One Fleetwood Town welcome the live television cameras and Leicester City to their Highbury Stadium for today’s lunchtime FA Cup third round tie. 

Leicester boss Claude Puel admits today’s clash with Huddersfield is “crucial” for his Foxes as they look to end their winless run, writes Phil Medlicott

Two goals in the final five minutes gave Carlos Carvalhal a dramatic debut victory as Swansea boss.

Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United have been “really punished” by the fixture scheduling this Christmas.

Leicester 1 Manchester City 1 (Manchester City win 4-3 on penalties AET): Claudio Bravo was Manchester City’s penalty hero as they kept their hopes of a dream quadruple alive to beat Leicester and reach the Carabao Cup semi finals.

Leicester continue to impress under Claude Puel and the Foxes moved into the top 10 in the Premier League with a 2-1 home win against Tottenham.

West Ham secured their first point under David Moyes as Cheikhou Kouyate's header earned a draw with Leicester.

Manchester City maintained their magnificent start to the season against Leicester but the win at the King Power Stadium came at a cost with an injury that could keep John Stones out for six weeks.

If you were merely bored during the international break, you were one of the lucky ones.

Leicester were unable to end their home hoodoo against West Brom at the King Power Stadium.

High-profile injuries and squad rotation have plagued FPL managers this season.

Police chiefs in the UK have warned eyewitnesses to flee the scene of a terrorist attack rather than getting their smartphones out to take photos or record video.

Jamie Vardy says he will step up to take Leicester's next penalty despite seeing his latest spot-kick cost his side a battling point.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp felt "sick" due to his side's defending in Tuesday night's Carabao Cup loss at Leicester.

Philippe Coutinho scored his first goal of the season as Liverpool held on to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory at Leicester in the late game.

Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as Manchester City stormed to the top of the Premier League with a 6-0 rout of Watford at Vicarage Road.

IFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Dele Alli over his gesture during England's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.

Jamie Vardy believes he has been proven right to turn down Arsenal but would still consider leaving Leicester if it meant winning more major trophies.

Alexis Sanchez, Diego Costa and Philippe Coutinho could all seal big-money moves on what promises to be a dramatic final day of the Premier League transfer window.

Man Utd 2 Leicester 0

Substitutes Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini scored to maintain Manchester United's 100% start and spare Romelu Lukaku's blushes against Leicester.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could face a considerable battle for a starting spot when fit again but Jose Mourinho has stressed how important it will be for Manchester United to have the option of a striker he still regards as one of the world’s finest.

Captain Wes Morgan and striker Jamie Vardy could both be back in Leicester's starting line-up against Manchester United at Old Trafford.