Baby steps but significant ones. That was Mick McCarthy’s assessment after witnessing James McCarthy’s first appearance in a Crystal Palace shirt.

The squad for the Euro 2020 qualifier against Switzerland will be announced on Friday.

Stephen Kelly, who played under Roy Hodgson at Fulham, believes the former England manager is just the man to get the best out of James McCarthy at Crystal Palace and help the midfielder refloat his international career.

There are two definitions of ‘charisma’ in the dictionary - and while Jose Mourinho may prefer the description as a ‘divinely conferred power or talent’, we're sticking to the more traditional understanding of the word - a ‘compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others’.

John Bull has always divided opinion. To our neighbours, he came to symbolise the best of British: A jovial, chubby, but solid and honest character of rural stock. For others (ie pretty much everyone else), this representation came to be viewed in very different terms. Just how different was apparent in a New York Times piece from 1861.

Not long ago, the cult of the manager was under threat. Sure, the gaffer was never more important or regarded.

Tottenham’s final season at White Hart Lane brought them 18 wins from 19 games, and their first time back on the same site, albeit refurbished to the tune of more than a billion euros, brought another victory, their first in six league games, and a return to third place in the Premier League.

Mick McCarthy has never had much truck with spin.

The Reds put aside their recent anxieties as they lifted themselves three points above champions Manchester City with goals from Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah.

Mauricio Pochettino maintains Tottenham’s priorities lie elsewhere but after suffering a second cup exit in four days, and weighed down by injuries to key players, the manager must confront mounting concerns the north London club’s season is in danger of unravelling.

Daniel Storey takes a look back at all the biggest talking point from the Premier League

John Giles would not only welcome Declan Rice back into the fold but would put him straight into the Irish team.

Despite four consecutive league defeats to begin his tenure, there have been changes at West Ham under Manuel Pellegrini.

The Anyone-But-England brigade will be up bright and early tomorrow, whistling a merry tune and flexing the brims of their Panama hats.

England 6 Panama 1

The Anyone-But-England brigade will be up bright and early tomorrow, whistling a merry tune and flexing the brims of their Panama hats.

Damien Delaney said the lure of Europe and Champions League football helped seal the deal as he made the move from England’s Premier League back to his hometown club Cork City.

Cork City are closing in on a possible deal to bring Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney back to his native city, Examiner Sport understands.

We’ll start, given the week that’s in it, with a nod to the Leaving Cert.

If there is one lesson to be taken from the football season almost gone, it’s that plans are not just for workshy scholars, writes Tommy Martin.

Our man inside the game on the managerial survivors postponing football’s future.

Jurgen Klopp believed the manner of Liverpool’s come-from-behind victory over Crystal Palace is the perfect way to approach Wednesday’s mouth-watering Champions League clash with Manchester City.

A brutal comeback!

Nemanja Matic struck in stoppage time as Manchester United came from two goals down to secure a vital 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace.

Jose Mourinho has dismissed concerns over Marcus Rashford’s lack of game-time as the World Cup approaches, putting the ball in Gareth Southgate’s court by saying the forward will be selected if the England manager trusts him.

Crystal Palace 0 - Tottenham 1: Harry Kane headed a late winner and Dele Alli found himself at the centre of another diving controversy. There was a distinct sense it was business as usual for Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park as Mauricio Pochettino’s side moved into the top four.

Roy Hodgson revealed Sam Allardyce has never apologised to him for mocking the way he speaks — and says it is too late now.

Mark Noble's penalty cancelled out a rare Christian Benteke goal as injury-hit West Ham battled to a 1-1 Premier League draw with Crystal Palace at the London Stadium.

Arsenal 4 - Crystal Palace 1: An emphatic first win of the New Year does not definitively prove there is a bright future for Arsenal without Alexis Sanchez but manager Arsene Wenger confirmed his players had been destabilised by the uncertainty over the Chilean’s transfer to Manchester United.

Stoke left with a difficult decision

Shane Long’s first goal in 325 days was undermined by Crystal Palace once again coming from behind to secure three vital points in a 2-1 victory at Southampton.

Pep Guardiola expects Manchester City to lose before the conclusion of the Premier League season.

Two dropped points may mean little in the context of Manchester City’s yawning 14-point lead at the head of the table, but the chasing pack can at least draw comfort from the knowledge that Pep Guardiola’s side are fallible after all, writes Ian Winrow

Pep Guardiola has hailed defender Nicolas Otamendi as Manchester City’s ‘Superman’.

The January transfer window has not yet opened and already a huge deal has been agreed, with Virgil van Dijk heading from Southampton to Liverpool for what is understood to be £75million, the highest price ever paid for a defender.

Arsene Wenger reiterated Arsenal's plans to discuss a contract extension with Jack Wilshere after the midfielder again excelled in their 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace.

Paul Clement became the sixth Premier League manager sacked this season when bottom club Swansea City ended his one-year tenure on Wednesday but any upswing in results the Swans enjoy will be largely down to luck, according to a leading analyst.

Christian Benteke put his penalty misery behind him to inspire resurgent Crystal Palace to their first away win of the season as 10-man Leicester were beaten 3-0.

Our man inside the game says English football is upside down when it comes to hiring managers.