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Charlton fans on Twitter were loving summer signing Lyle Taylor after he netted a hat-trick in the 5-0 win over Mansfield Town in the FA Cup first round replay on Tuesday evening.

Taylor opened the scoring after just 11 minutes as he raced across his man at the front post to get on the end of Nicky Ajose’s low cross. For the rest of the first half though Mansfield, who are currently fifth in League Two, put the Addicks under pressure and missed two gilt-edged chances as well as having a goal ruled out for offside.

Watch Playmaker FC’s Thogden react to England’s dramatic second-half comeback against Croatia in the video below…

However, in the second half Charlton came back to life and Taylor, who joined on a free transfer in the summer, doubled their lead with a low finish from another Ajose pull-back.

With just under 10 minutes to go, Mark Marshall tapped in a third for the home side at The Valley, before Taylor completed his hat-trick with a glorious chip from the edge of the box. Ajose finally got in on the act himself in added time to make the score 5-0, but it was fellow striker who deservedly took the plaudits.

Check out some of the best reaction to the 28-year-old striker’s performance below, as he took his tally for the season to 12 goals in just 18 games.

Sunderland pulled off a solid 4-2 win over fellow promotion contenders, Barnsley last night and now sit four points behind league leaders Portsmouth. 

Star striker, Josh Maja continued his rich reign of form as he scored yet again last night to take his season tally to 10 goals in the league this season.

Under Jack Ross, Sunderland are a completely changed side and after back to back relegations, look as though they will push Portsmouth for the title this season.

The Black Cats are on an 11-game unbeaten streak in the league at the moment and so far this season, it looks as though new owner Stewart Donald made some wise moves in the transfer market over the summer.

As we approach the crucial festive period, Ross will need all of his squad available as Sunderland will have to play a lot of games, including a potential title-deciding match against Portsmouth.

In what will come as great news for Ross, the forgotten man, Duncan Watmore played 57 minutes for the under-23s against Middlesbrough.

The Breakdown

The talented winger has struggled with knee injuries over the last two seasons and as a result of those injuries, he’s missed an estimated 91 games.

He won’t be back for selection anytime soon and with that in mind, Ross must be cautious with his return but if Sunderland can get him back to full fitness, he could prove to be an essential player for Ross going into the critical title run in next year and could help take them back to the Championship.

Sunderland fans, thoughts? Let us know!

Jurgen Klopp’s past with Borussia Dortmund means that the Liverpool manager is regular linked to players at his former club.

Christian Pulisic is one talent that has been rumoured as a possible target for the Reds for some time.

The 20-year-old USA international has been making a name for himself in Germany, and the lack of contract negotiations suggest that he could move on to pastures new in the future.

According to a recent report in The Mirror, the Merseyside outfit are considering selling Fabinho to raise the cash for a Pulisic bid.

The newspaper claims that the Dortmund star is valued at £70m, which in the current market could seem reasonable.

However, when we asked Liverpool fans for their thoughts, the majority of them believe that the figure is not a fair reflection.

Pulisic has been at Dortmund since 2015 when he joined the club’s academy and he has gone from strength to strength.

Playmaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

According to a recent report from The Times, Andre Gomes’ future appears far from certain heading into the January transfer window. The Portugal international currently plays his football at Spanish giants Barcelona but sealed a loan move to Everton back in the summer, where he has since impressed greatly to prompt speculation about a possible permanent move.

And reports suggest that Gomes isn’t sold on returning to the Nou Camp at the end of his temporary spell at Goodison Park, which suggests that the door is very much ajar for Toffees director of football Marcel Brands to strike what would be the biggest Everton coup of them all.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the Dutchman took over from Steve Walsh at Everton back in May and played his part in what many felt was a hugely successful summer transfer window for Marco Silva’s side, with Gomes one of several very shrewd additions.

The likes of Yerry Mina and Lucas Digne also made the move from Barcelona, both to great effect so far, while the big money signing of Richarlison is looking like a fantastic piece of business given how quickly he has hit the ground running on Merseyside – add in a loan move for the highly-rated Kurt Zouma, and Everton got it right during the summer.

And a temporary move for Gomes was another widely praised by many, and his early exertions at Goodison Park further underline that given the 25-year-old has made a centre midfield spot his own in recent weeks, starting their last six Premier League matches, in turn helping Silva’s side to three wins and a draw in that time.

And after a magnificent display in the Merseyside derby on Sunday, in which Gomes helped dominate the midfield area for Everton, it’s clear that Silva’s team are a much better one with the Portuguese ace in it – thus, a permanent move must be under serious consideration.

The midfield area has been something of a problem in recent times given the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and Tom Davies have failed to convince alongside Idrissa Gueye, while James McCarthy’s injury problems have left him on the sidelines for much of the last 12 months – Gomes has somewhat solved that issue though.

Yet Silva and his team will be hoping that it’s a long-term solution and not a short-term one, which is why reports that Gomes isn’t overly sold on returning to Barcelona is exactly what they wanted to hear – a permanent transfer could thus be in the offing.

And given just how brilliant he has already been, and how much better Everton are when he plays, it’s clear that landing the 25-year-old permanently would represent Brands’ biggest coup of the lot – it’s the sort of signing that would make the top six sit up and take note.

Thus, the door does appear to be ajar for Brands to strike a permanent agreement with Barca for Gomes, in what would represent the biggest coup of them all.

Everton fans… what do you think? Let us know!

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Celtic winger Jonny Hayes was handed just his third start of the season in his side’s 1-1 draw with Motherwell on Wednesday night, with Scott Sinclair coming on from the substitutes’ bench at half-time.

The Bhoys were looking to return to the top of the Scottish Premiership table and looked to have the ideal opportunity to do just that as arch-rivals Rangers slipped up at home to Aberdeen, but even though they led going into the closing stages they were eventually pegged back by Danny Johnson’s 88th-minute equaliser.

While Ryan Christie might be in form right now, the same certainly can’t be said of Hayes and Sinclair, who have five goals and six assists between them in 30 appearances.

On the chalkboard

When he is playing a 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 system, Rodgers needs his wide players to be making an impact if Celtic are to get the success that they need.

The Bhoys certainly haven’t been as prolific as usual in the final third this term with 31 goals in their 14 top-flight fixtures – six fewer than Rangers and only six more than eighth-placed Hibernian – and they have lacked that threat needed on the flanks.

Five goals in five Europa League group stage matches only further illustrates the point, and the Glasgow giants need more players that can ease the goalscoring and creative burden on the likes of Christie, Leigh Griffiths and Odsonne Edouard.

What happens next?

Rodgers’ January plan should now be crystal clear following the draw against Motherwell – he needs at least one new winger in the New Year, and possibly even two.

The injury suffered by Daniel Arzani, who could have been an important player for the club, has hardly helped matters, with little competition in wide areas.

The lack of pace shown by Hayes on Wednesday was noticemable and with Sinclair out of sorts and not being the same player he has been for them previously, the duo’s time at Parkhead is surely coming to a close with new blood needed at the turn of 2019.

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Rangers are reportedly set to re-sign Steven Davis from Southampton in January, but as well as the Northern Ireland international they should also look to bring Heerenveen’s Arber Zeneli to Ibrox.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Glasgow giants returned to the top of the Scottish Premiership table on Sunday following their narrow 1-0 win at home to Hamilton, but manager Steven Gerrard was, once again, left unimpressed with the creativity and cutting edge his team produced in the final third.

The Gers have sometimes struggled for goals this season with an overreliance on Alfredo Morelos – who was absent at the weekend – and it seems clear that the Liverpool legend will look to add some attacking threat to his team during the January transfer window.

Davis appears to be one midfielder capable of creating that is on his way north of the border, but he shouldn’t be the only new arrival in that area of the pitch.

Why should they sign Zeneli?

Eros Grezda has been something of a regular starter on the wing in recent weeks but as was the case against Hamilton, he has struggled to make a positive impression on a consistent basis.

Bringing the Kosovo international to the club from Heerenveen would certainly go some way to sorting that, with the 23-year-old in fine form for club and country so far this season.

The wide man has scored four goals and provided a further 10 assists in all competitions for the Eredivisie team, as per Transfermarkt, while he also has found the net on six occasions in just 15 caps for his nation.

Zeneli would bring a much-needed goal threat and some creativity, and given his contract runs out at the end of the season he could be available for a cut-price fee in January.

Marcel Brands can solve Marco Silva’s biggest dilemma by signing Neal Maupay, the 22-year-old striker tearing up Championship defences.

What’s the word?

Brentford may be having a poor season in the build up to Christmas, with just 25 points put on the board after 23 games, but they have a star in their clutches in Maupay.

The striker is offsetting a leaky defence, with 14 goals in his first 21 Championship outings of the season, while creating a further six openings for his teammates to bury.

Brands would have to work hard to complete a deal for the £4.5million rated star, with the striker key to keeping the Griffin Park outfit out of the relegation zone.

Maupay’s strikes accounted for 41% of the Bees’ total tally of 34, but his prowess in an attacking side would ensure he fits in well to what Silva is attempting to build at Goodison Park.

The Playmaker FC squad decided to wind-up some unsuspecting Brazil fans at the Emirates on Saturday night. Watch the hilarious results in the video below…

Solving Silva’s big selection dilemma

The dilemma to constantly wreak havoc for Silva is whether to start Richarlison as a striker or a winger, as the club’s transfer failing to acquire a proven goalscorer continues to haunt the blue half of Liverpool.

The Brazilian has shown he can lead the line for the Toffees, but his time spent centrally is not a long-term resolution to a growing problem brought about by Cenk Tosun’s lack of goals.

Maupay may be plying his trade at a struggling Championship outfit, but that should not prevent Everton’s director of football fielding calls to the Greater London club.

Taking talent straight out of the Championship and into the English top tier is no longer the concern it once was for Premier League sides, as the second division continues to produce exciting players who can make the step up.

James Maddison is one of the most recent examples of the second tier’s potential to develop great talents, as the attacking midfielder stars for the Foxes having joined Leicester from Norwich for £22.5million in July.

In his debut top-flight campaign, the 22-year-old netted five times and assisted a further three in the English youth international’s opening 17 games.

Would Maupay make a good striker at Everton? Let us know in the poll below…

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Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a jaw-dropping move to sign Real Madrid superstar Isco, and it would create the same sense of excitement that the capture of Mesut Ozil did back in 2013.

What’s the story?

According to The Independent, Arsenal “will investigate the possibility” of a swap deal involving Ozil and Isco.

The German international has fallen way down the pecking order for Unai Emery’s new-look Arsenal, and was left out of last week’s North London derby for “tactical reasons”.

Meanwhile, Isco is unhappy in Madrid, having started just five La Liga games this season, scoring once.

The 26 year-old is immensely talented though, and has the work rate to be everything Ozil was supposed to be in North London and so much more.

Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas with 442oons – Check out the video below….

The perfect upgrade?

In some ways, Isco is an almost identical player to Ozil, boasting exceptional dribbling and passing ability combined with simply incredible vision.

It is impossible to get the ball off the Spaniard when he is in full flow, and his acceleration, close control and durability should ensure this carries over into the rough and tumble of English football.

The 5 ft 9 in superstar has regressed slightly this season, but was absolutely crucial in Real Madrid’s epic Champions League three-peat, and will bring an elite, title-winning mentality to the Emirates.

The crafty 34-cap Spanish international has one major advantage over Ozil though, as Emery will not have to worry whether his star playmaker has the guts to get stuck in and help his team produce consistent results, rather than fleeting moments of brilliance.

The Gunners’ £42.5m deal for Ozil created mass hysteria amongst fans, but the German’s time has passed, and a swap deal for Isco might just go one better.

So, Arsenal fans, would you be happy with this? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…

Manchester United will no doubt be busy in the January transfer window, as the Red Devils look to back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the right sort of players to make sure they can challenge for a top four spot.

The Red Devils will be looking to bring in quality above anything else, and there should be plenty of movement, both in and out of the club.

We at the Tavern think United could do with adding some more attacking talent, talent which can deliver on the biggest stage, and with the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku continuing to struggle, the time could well be now to act.

And one man we think the club should look to give another chance is Lyon winger Memphis Depay, who since leaving Old Trafford has developed into one of the finest attacking players on the continent.

Valued at some £50m by Transfermarkt, the Dutchman can be one of the most dangerous players in world football when he is one his game.

Depay can bang in the goals, lay them on for teammates, and with a point to prove in England, he might well be keen to make a move back to the Premier League.

While many might be sceptical of United signing someone who has been at the club before and failed, there is plenty more to Depay’s game now than when he was at Old Trafford previously.

If United want someone who can make a big impact, then Depay could well prove to be the man for them come January.

United fans, what do you think? Would you take Depay back? Let us know in the comments!

According to The Daily Star, Everton are planning at £15m swoop for Southampton right-back Cédric Soares this month. 

Everton, of course, already have Séamus Coleman at the club as a right-back, but manager Marco Silva has said that he wants more competition in that position going forward.

Everton have found themselves stuck in the past few seasons when Coleman has picked up an injury, as The Toffees have been forced to field inexperienced 21-year-old Jonjoe Kenny instead. The 27-year-old Soares is an accomplished Premier League performer and will give Silva a selection dilemma that he would relish.

If Everton want to be taken seriously as Premier League contenders over the next few years, it is imperative that they stock up on players in certain positions and have much greater strength in depth. They currently look very sparse in certain positions and that will be a worry of the Portuguese manager.

If Everton look at all the top six teams in the league, most have a lot of competition for their fullbacks. In fact, the only team that does not are bitter rivals Liverpool, who are lacking behind right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and right-back Andy Robertson. This would be a case of Everton actually preparing and building for the future better than Liverpool have.

While Soares is not young, he is a few years younger than Coleman, who is 30. The Irishman will surely have a good few seasons left at Goodison Park, but it will also be handy for Silva to have a high-class replacement for when he does hang up his boots.

Everton need to start making transfers like this if they are going to rise to the next level.