QPR lifted themselves off the bottom of the Premier League after pick up their first win of the season against Fulham at Loftus Road.
Two goals from Adel Taarabt scored twice for the R’s to hand Harry Redknapp his maiden victory since taking over from Mark Hughes, ending their record winless run and giving supporters hope that the club will now mount a serious bid to beat the drop.
Early dreams of Europe have subsided for the Cottagers after a run of one win in their last nine games, which came on Monday against Newcastle, left them marooned in mid-table heading into Christmas.
Performances have visibly improved since Redknapp’s arrival and it was the hosts that started on the front foot and Mark Schwarzer had to be on his toes to gather a scuffed Djibril Cisse effort following a glorious pass from Taarabt.
John Arne Riise then saw a blind back pass go unpunished when Jamie Mackie shot wide from six-yards as the away side struggled to break out of their first half slumber.
A free kick was then wasted Cisse and Taarabt just before the break before the latter handed QPR a deserved lead seven minutes after the restart with his shot trickling past a despairing Schwarzer after flicking off Brede Hangeland.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Taarabt continued to exert his influence over proceedings and would make certain of all three points in the 68th minute with a stunning goal. The Moroccan international brushed off the attentions of Hangeland before driving the ball home with the outside of his boot from just outside the penalty area.
Fulham had failed to pose an attacking threat all afternoon but bagged a consolation through Mladen Petric’s strike that looped off the boot of Alejandro Faurlin and over Robert Green.
Gio van Bronckhorst’s Rangers sealed their place in the last eight of the Europa League in spite of their 2-1 loss on Thursday night.
The Gers failed to react from a short corner as Glen Kamara allowed his man to bring the ball down 10 yards out and fire it past Allan McGregor after Alfredo Morelos missed the initial header.
Ryan Kent made the score on the night 1-1 and 4-1 overall as he raced away on the counter-attack and saw his deflected effort nestle in the back of the net early on in the second half.
Allan McGregor was forced to make a string of superb saves to keep Red Star Belgrade at bay but he could do little about a stoppage-time penalty – given away by Kamara – winning the game for the Serbian outfit on the night.
Forget Kamara
Whilst Kamara will be disappointed in his part in both of Red Star’s goals, another player almost cost van Bronckhorst Europa League qualification – Joe Aribo.
The ex-Charlton man endured a rough evening as he struggled throughout the match and he was lucky not to cost the Gers their three-goal lead.
He was consistently losing physical duels and failing to do his job defensively, leading to a number of chances for Red Star that McGregor was forced to brilliantly save time and again.
Off the ball, he left plenty to be desired. As per SofaScore, he lost a whopping 16 individual battles out of the 22 he contested in 68 minutes on the pitch. This shows that the lightweight was abysmal out of possession as he was constantly bullied by the opposition and that allowed them to dominate his side and continually create openings in the final third.
On the ball, he made little impact. Via SofaScore, he completed just 58% of his passes and failed 100% of his attempted dribbles. He also ended the game without a single key pass or successful cross, which shows that he was unable to stamp his mark in the final third.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Therefore, he let van Bronckhorst down badly on the night and should consider himself thankful that McGregor saved him from being the villain of the piece alongside Kamara.
Hopefully, he will be able to shake off this performance and return back to his best against Dundee FC at the weekend and for whoever the Gers draw in the quarter-finals of the competition.
AND in other news, Sold at £4m, then became the “best forward ever”: Rangers had a howler on 274-goal gem…
Alasdair Gold has delivered a transfer update on a potential Tottenham swoop for Juventus star Paulo Dybala this summer.
What’s the story?
The Argentina international’s contract with the Turin club comes to an end at the climax of this season, and speculation has unsurprisingly arisen about where his future destination could be.
During a Q&A for football.london, Gold revealed: “The whole Dybala thing is an interesting one. It feels very 2019! The fact that he’s expected to be a free agent means you can’t rule anything out, but it feels like a slightly more awkward fit for Spurs in this moment than it did three years ago.
“There’s no doubting he’s talented and still scores goals, with 13 this season from 29 matches – eight in Serie A – but I’m not sure Fabio Paratici is as desperate to sign him as is being reported in some quarters.
“If Spurs do end up moving for him, it might well be because Antonio Conte has requested them to, although I’m not entirely whether Conte’s physical demands during and around matches will suit Dybala either with his last couple of years’ worth of injury problems.”
A statement from Spurs
While Dybala’s injury history is certainly worrisome, that doesn’t detract from the fact that, when he’s fit and on form, he remains an enviable talent who would certainly walk into most teams in Europe.
With 113 goals and 48 assists in 283 games for Juventus, the Argentine has performed at the very highest stage for a number of years, delivering multiple league titles and also competing for the Champions League.
Indeed, Gold himself has said that signing Dybala would be an “eye-catching” signing for the north Londoners, but questioned whether the 28-year-old would be the right fit for Conte’s tactical demands.
On a free transfer, though, it’s difficult to argue against certainly exploring a potential move for the Argentina international, and maybe it could help him rediscover his form and fitness away from Turin.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Whatever the case, it would certainly be a very intriguing and exciting move for Spurs to make.
AND in other news – Left in 2019, now worth £50m: Levy suffered shocking Spurs howler over “insane” star
For much of the summer, it was all about Alexander Isak at Liverpool. Then, as the deadline approached, the next saga ramped up regarding Marc Guehi.
The England centre-back, having agonisingly missed out on a last-gasp Anfield switch, might still get his wish in 2026, although attention has shifted to yet another high-profile Premier League target of late.
With Mohamed Salah’s much-debated outburst having thrown his Liverpool future into doubt, the suggestion is that Arne Slot and co could turn to Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo in the New Year, with there an argument that the Ghanaian is needed even if the Egyptian genius doesn’t depart next month.
The word on the street is that Semenyo – who has a £65m release clause – has decided that he wants to make the move to Merseyside, be it in January or next summer.
Regardless of if or when the 25-year-old does arrive, such a deal appears a necessity, with every senior winger under threat right now back at Anfield.
Why Semenyo is now the 'best winger in the country'
It wasn’t too long ago that Liverpool’s wide men looked to be the envy of everyone, with Slot overseeing arguably Salah’s best season last time out, after the 33-year-old racked up 57 goals and assists across all competitions.
The nailed-on starter on the right flank, the Dutchman also conjured up consistency from both Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz off the left – albeit while operating centrally too – with the pair scoring 18 and 17 goals apiece in all, respectively.
With Diaz allowed to depart for Bayern Munich, and Salah having fallen from favour, however, the flanks have become a real problem in 2025/26, with Semenyo now taking on the mantle as arguably the “best winger in the country”, in the view of ex-England international, Chris Waddle.
That status is certainly justified considering that the ex-Bristol City man is currently the joint third-highest scorer in the top-flight right now, beaten by only two players, both out-and-out strikers, in the form of Igor Thiago (11) and Erling Haaland (17).
When throwing assists into the mix too, the Cherries star also ranks fourth for total goal involvements, again only edged out by Thiago, Haaland and Manchester United midfielder, Bruno Fernandes.
Lethal from either flank and on either foot, having scored four with his right and three with his left this season, as per Sofascore, the £65m man looks like the complete package, thus representing a real upgrade on Slot’s current options.
Liverpool star could be the casualty of Semenyo's signing
Following an almost £450m spend in the summer, albeit after a muted 2024, it remains to be seen whether the Reds will be able to invest significantly heading into 2026, not least with other areas of the pitch also in need of reinforcement.
Of course, funds could be made available if Salah were to depart, although those days of a potential £200m bid arriving appear to be long gone, amid suggestions the ageing star could even wish to see his contract terminated by mutual agreement.
With £13m signing Federico Chiesa also unlikely to fetch a significant sum, having started just one league game for the club to date, it might be Gakpo whom FSG opt to cash in on, should it come to that.
Now, as already stated, the Netherlands international was central to last season’s title charge, although his tally of 15 goals and assists in the league was actually still bettered by Semenyo, who chalked up 16.
Equally, while the latter man has kicked on with seven goals and four assists in 2025/26, Gakpo – now hampered by injury – appears to have regressed somewhat, registering just four goals and three assists.
With just one goal and one assist in his last seven league games, the 26-year-old is yet to prove he can truly hit those real heights at Premier League level, with last season the only time he has reached double figures for league goals since joining back in January 2023.
Subscribe to the newsletter for expert transfer insight Want deeper context on transfer stories and squad strategy? Subscribing to the newsletter unlocks focused analysis of moves like Semenyo-to-Liverpool speculation, player profiles and how signings reshape team options — essential reading for transfer-savvy fans. Subscribe to the newsletter for expert transfer insight Want deeper context on transfer stories and squad strategy? Subscribing to the newsletter unlocks focused analysis of moves like Semenyo-to-Liverpool speculation, player profiles and how signings reshape team options — essential reading for transfer-savvy fans.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Even from the start, there has been concern over his lack of blistering pace and physicality, with club legend Jamie Carragher left “baffled” by what he viewed as “not a typical Klopp signing”.
Gakpo’s Premier League record
Season
Games
Goals (Assists)
25/26
15
4 (3)
24/25
35
10 (5)
23/24
35
8 (5)
22/23
21
7 (3)
Total
106
29 (16)
Stats via Transfermarkt
Such fears have been somewhat eased since then, although there is the sense that Semenyo would fit the Liverpool mould more suitably, considering his blistering pace both in and out of possession.
Despite Gakpo having recently signed a new deal at Anfield, there were claims made over the summer that FSG would consider a sale if a suitable offer were to arrive, amid interest from Bayern.
Perhaps, should such interest be revived again in the new year, the Reds might this time decide to cash in on the £61m-rated dud, thus helping Slot to transition toward an even more exciting style, spearheaded by the electric Semenyo.
Dream Guehi alternative: Liverpool "in the market" to sign £50m "beast"
Liverpool are desperate to strengthen their flagging backline in the January transfer market.
Tottenham Hotspur have made an offer for Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo, according to Naples-based radio station Radio CRC, as reported in Gonfialarete.
What’s the story?
The 22-year-old was a member of Barcelona’s famous youth academy before he was signed by Benfica in 2016.
The young Spaniard has quickly established himself as a key player for the Portuguese club, making 28 starts in the Primeira Liga last season, scoring one goal and assisting four.
Who do you think will win the World Cup? Tell us here and win any World Cup shirt of your choice.
His form has attracted interest abroad, and according to the report, Spurs are in the driving seat to sign the hot prospect after making a bid, with Napoli and Borussia Dortmund waiting in the wings for the youngster who is valued at £18million on Transfermarkt.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255896″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Tottenham’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]
An exciting prospect
It’s unclear yet whether Tottenham are considering Grimaldo as a potential replacement for Danny Rose or as another option at left-back.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
What is for sure is that he plays exactly in the Tottenham way under Pochettino, as a very pacy and attacking full-back who is great on the ball.
If Rose does indeed leave Spurs this summer, Grimaldo would be a great option, but if not, perhaps there are other areas of the team that need more immediate attention than full-backs where they are particularly strong.
The date is 19 January 2022 at the King Power Stadium and the scene is set on a blisteringly cold night in the Midlands for the revival of one of Tottenham’s largely forgotten men.
Steven Bergwijn was slid through deliciously by Harry Kane after Youri Tielemans was robbed of possession and through he went, rounding Kasper Schmeichel before finding the net via the post.
It was a dramatic late goal as Spurs defeated Leicester 3-2 in the early weeks of the new year and it looked like a new beginning for the Dutchman too.
However, since penning terms with the north Londoners back in January 2020, the forward has failed to elevate his career with moments like his last gasp strike against Brendan Rodgers’ men coming few and far between.
We have only seen rare glimpses of the Netherlands international’s dangerous qualities and on that evidence, it is hard to argue that he has ever been worth the money.
Daniel Levy shipped out a seismic £27m for his services two years ago and in the 109 weeks he has been in English football, all you can say is that Bergwijn has been draining the owner’s bank account for a considerable period of time.
When you consider his weekly salary of £73k and his annual wages of £3.8m, he has set Levy back around £35m, a staggering amount of money for a player who hasn’t provided Tottenham with much on the field of play.
The 24-year-old is still young and possesses clear potential but he has found the net on just seven occasions in Spurs colours, meaning he’s cost them £5m per goal. Furthermore, his tally of only ten assists since signing means he has cost the Lilywhites £3.5m per assist.
Those numbers make for some pretty grim reading and with that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise that he’s attracted some negative critics.
Only a few months ago, club insider John Wenham blasted the Dutch attacker for being “terrible all season.” What makes things even worse is that the current manager doesn’t rate him either.
Journalist Mike Verweij claimed on De Telegraaf’s football podcast (via Sport Witness): “Conte is also the one who opposed Bergwijn’s transfer from PSV to Italy. Inter were an interested club at the time, but Conte did not need him. Conte has only said two words to Bergwijn in two weeks at Tottenham Hotspur.”
That is a damning indictment of the player’s ability and attitude, meaning that this is a transfer that will only get worse with time.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Of course, Conte’s desperate situation at the club could hand Bergwijn a lifeline if the boss does pack his bags and leave Spurs, but it would be a surprise if any new manager could extract more than the likes of Jose Mourinho and their current Italian head coach.
To put it simply; this is a transfer that hasn’t panned out well.
AND in other news, Spurs still paying price for Levy’s 2017 blunder over £53m “animal”, Conte isn’t happy…
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has now dropped his verdict on the rumours linking Newcastle United with a shock move for PSG superstar Neymar.
The Lowdown: Neymar reports
As per reports from Spain, the St. James’ Park faithful are one of three clubs who want to sign Neymar in the summer, along with both Manchester City and FC Barcelona.
PSG are reportedly open to letting him go, following their exit from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid, and there are very few clubs who could handle the financial burden of such a move.
The Latest: O’Rourke reveal
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist O’Rourke has revealed that Neymar would consider a move to the North East club, but only once the project ‘gets off the ground’:
“Neymar, it’s a bit of a pipe dream that one.
“I don’t think Newcastle will be looking to do that one, or that Neymar would be considering wanting to join Newcastle.
“He’d wait on the project to get off the ground really [before considering it].”
The Verdict: Exciting
The fact that the Tyneside outfit are even being linked with a player like Neymar is exciting in itself.
Yes, it may take a few years before the long-term project starts to really kick in, but the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still performing well into their 30s, and there is no reason why the Brazilian superstar cannot do the same.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
He has already had such a decorated career, and may now want to test himself in the Premier League, should the Champions League trophy ultimately desert him in France.
Nonetheless, even if not this summer, this is a deal that the ambitious new owners could one day have in the pipeline.
In other news, find out which ‘explosive’ 6 ft 4 ‘phenomenon’ NUFC now ‘would like’ to sign here!
Leeds United must make a ruthless call on Tyler Roberts this summer amid Gabby Agbonlahor’s verdict on the forward.
What’s the story?
Amid The Athletic’s Phil Hay revealing that the Wales international will be out for the rest of the season through injury, former Premier League striker Agbonlahor has now claimed that it could be the end for his career at Elland Road.
He said: “First of all, it’s a shame with his injury. But he’s not a Premier League player. Sometimes when you come to the big league you find your level and the Premier League is not his level. I’m sure next season he’ll be in the Championship.”
Radrizzani won’t be happy
Towards the end of the January transfer window, Hay mooted the possibility of a loan move, suggesting that it would take him “out of the firing line”.
It was telling that towards the end of Marcelo Bielsa’s reignat the club, the £7.2m-rated Roberts saw his game-time for the Yorkshire club become increasingly limited, playing just over 100 minutes of Premier League football in the past seven top-flight games.
Earning a reported £45k-a-week, the forward just hasn’t shown anywhere near the kind of form that would justify the Whites paying him that sort of money.
To put that into context, Joe Gelhardt earns less than half that amount but has proven in the little game-time he’s been given that he can be a real threat for Leeds going forward.
With just nine goals and ten assists in a whopping 108 games of football for the club, Roberts’ record is dismal to say the least.
Dubbed as “shocking” by Agbonlahor, it’s high-time the Whites moved on from the under-par Welshman.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Given Andrea Radrizzani will be keeping an even closer eye on the finances this summer depending on whether Leeds stay in the Premier League or not, getting rid of Roberts’ contract would save some a decent chunk of money.
Keeping someone as poor as the 23-year-old at Elland Road surely won’t keep him happy.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have been handed a boost in their chase for this star…
Given that he is currently rated at £7.2m, and is an established England international, only missing out of Gareth Southgate’s latest Three Lions squad through injury, whichever club is able to sign him would be getting a real bargain on their hands.
The Latest: Tottenham looking
As per The Daily Telegraph, Spurs are among a number of teams that are now looking at signing Johnstone on a free transfer.
Pierluigi Gollini is not expected to stay in the North London after his loan spell from Atalanta ends, and so it is likely that the hierarchy will be looking to sign another goalkeeper this summer.
The Verdict: Sign
If the Lilywhites can get Johnstone on a free, then it is surely a deal worth doing.
Dubbed ‘world class’ by Wolves legend Steve Bull, and ‘unreal’ by former Premier League ‘keeper Paddy Kenny, he has certainly received rave reviews, and the fact that he gets picked by England from the second tier shows his credentials.
Assuming that Gollini does leave, Johnstone would be a very capable understudy to captain Hugo Lloris, should he choose to accept that position, and could even surpass the 35-year-old as the number one in the future.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Interestingly, the six-foot-four colossus shares the same agent as Ryan Sessegnon, and so he could help him secure the move.
In other news, find out who THFC are now fighting Arsenal to sign here!
Crystal Palace have the chance to progress through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup tonight if they manage to beat Championship side Stoke City at Selhurst Park.
In terms of which players Eagles boss Patrick Vieira will have at his disposal for the match, the Frenchman revealed in his pre-match press conference that right-back Joel Ward will still not be available to play after missing their three previous league games through injury.
With that in mind, here’s how we feel Palace will line up tonight, with five changes anticipated from the team which started against Burnley on Saturday.
After recovering from an injury and being an unused substitute for the 1-1 draw against Burnley, we think Vicente Guaita will start in goal, with Jack Butland dropping out.
In defence, we think the only change Vieira will make from the back four which started against Sean Dyche’s side will see Martin Kelly come in to replace Nathaniel Clyne at right-back, after the 31-year-old made his only senior appearance this season in their previous FA Cup game against Hartlepool United last month.
In midfield, we expect a couple of changes taking place. Will Hughes and Cheikhou Kouyate coming in for Luka Milivojevic – who is currently picking up £80k-per-week according to Salary Sport but lasted only an hour on Saturday before being substituted – and James McArthur. That leaves Conor Gallagher as the only midfielder to keep his place in the team from the weekend.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
For the front three, we can see Eberechi Eze getting a chance to show what he can do after being in the starting XI for both of Palace’s previous FA Cup games in the hope that he can get his first goal or assist of the season. He replaces Jeffrey Schlupp on the left, with Michael Olise starting on the right and Wilfried Zaha through the middle.
In other news: Palace dealt injury setback ahead of Stoke clash, Vieira will be gutted