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The topsy-turvy nature of Real Madrid’s season continued on Thursday evening.Only a week on from a demolition job at Anfield, defeating Liverpool 5-2, they were humbled in the first leg of their Copa del Rey El Clasico with Barcelona.The final scoreline of 1-0 may not suggest they were too out of the game but the fact of the matter is that Barca were far the better team.Leading LaLiga by six points and now ahead in the tie, it is Xavi’s men who are undoubtedly having the better season.Even if they are out of the Champions League and indeed the Europa League, few would have bet they’d be ahead of their famous rivals at any stage of the campaign last summer.Embroiled in financial trouble and a mess behind the scenes, few gave the Catalan giants any hope of achieving success this term. Yet, they have defied the doubters and made another statement on Thursday.

Who was Real Madrid’s worst player v Barcelona?

There were a few candidates for Carlo Ancelotti’s worst player on the night with Eder Militao the unfortunate scorer of an own goal, Nacho dragged off shortly after the hour mark and Karim Benzema a lonely presence in attack.

However, the Frenchman’s lack of impact on the game was arguably because of Vinicius Jr.

The Brazilian has been the main creative presence of Los Blancos this term, scoring 18 times and registering eight assists, but had no such joy this time out.

Indeed, he was “eaten” up by titanic defender Ronald Araujo in the words of one Barcelona source on Twitter, while The Mirror’s Colin Millar stated that the 22-year-old was “totally locked down” on the night.

That clearly shone through in the stats with Vinicius losing possession a catastrophic 24 times throughout the encounter, completing just two out of his six crosses and ending with a pass success rate of 69% as a marker of his wastefulness in the final third.

With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise that Benzema failed to exert much influence on the game with his usual partner in crime being bullied by Araujo and co.

In truth, the tone for Vinicius’ tricky evening began early on when a WWE-style scrap appeared to break out between the youngster and Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

The pair grappled each other for possession of the ball before the former was shown a yellow card, his ninth of the campaign.

That caution means that no other forward has received more yellows across La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España this season than the £222m-rated talent.

For all of the incredible trickery he can provide, that ill-discipline needs to be ironed out sooner rather than later.

It is hard to criticise the 5 foot 9 ace for much this term but in a colossal game, he undoubtedly let Ancelotti and his teammates down as they lost for the first time at the Santiago Bernabeu in 11 months.

It’s a night, therefore, that Madrid and indeed Vinicius will need to move on from swiftly.

BBC pundit Glenn Murray has shared one caveat from Tottenham Hotspur’s crucial 1-0 victory over Man City on Sunday.

The Lowdown: Spurs beat Man City…

Even despite Antonio Conte being absent due to gallbladder removal surgery, Spurs secured a vital win over the Premier League champions to move within one point of the Champions League qualification places.

Assistant manager Cristian Stellini took charge after Conte’s operation and it was the dream outcome, with star striker Harry Kane grabbing Tottenham’s only goal of the game to claim all three points.

The England international surpassed Jimmy Greaves to become the club’s all-time record scorer with 267, putting the icing on the cake of Spurs’ hard-fought result.

The Latest: BBC pundit highlights one caveat…

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live (via BBC Sport), however, Murray highlighted one caveat from a memorable afternoon.

The former Crystal Palace striker reminded supporters that Spurs’ win hugely benefits north London arch-rivals Arsenal, who maintain their five-point lead over City at the summit of the Premier League with a game in hand.

Murray claimed: “I’m not sure Spurs fans will be happy how much this result benefits Arsenal.”

The Verdict: Conte joy…

Tottenham supporters may be slightly miffed at their neighbours seemingly putting one hand on the title after Sunday’s result. However, the win could be a crucial one for Spurs and Conte given their own push for a second successive top-four finish.

There will be little denying Conte’s joy at the result, not to mention the confidence that it could instil in a Spurs squad who are beginning to plug their previously leaky defence.

Tottenham have now shut out the opposition in three of their last five league games, having conceded 25 in 17 before that, and managing to tame the division’s most prolific team is arguably most impressive of them all.

The north Londoners will now be looking to build upon this result and ensure a dream end to the 2022/23 season.

Premier League side Brentford are reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ with Tottenham Hotspur to sign Burnley-linked star Djed Spence.

The Lowdown: Spurs willing to loan Spence

Tottenham are willing to let the player go out on loan this month according to 90Min.com.

Vincent Kompany’s Burnley have been linked with the right-back per the same report, as well as his former club and fellow Championship side Middlesbrough.

Spence joined Spurs last summer for £20 million from Nottingham Forest, he’s played six games in all competitions with four of those appearances coming in the Premier League.

The Latest: Brentford in ‘advanced talks’

According to Football Insider, the Bees appear to be in the best position to land Spence, the reported deal would appear to be a loan-to-buy. The likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Southampton are all Premier League sides who are competing for his signature.

However, the Saints are likely out of the running for the 22-year-old as they’ve recently agreed to sign James Bree from Luton Town on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

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The Verdict: A blow for Burnley

We believe that Spence has a lot to offer and has been unlucky at Spurs with his lack of minutes so far, he could be a useful hand to a number of teams.

TalkSport man Jamie O’Hara believes that considering the money that Tottenham paid for him, Spence deserved a chance to play in the starting eleven. Speaking to TalkSport Edge he stated, “Djed Spence, what did we pay for him, £15m? Get him in the team.”

The right-back certainly proved last season that he’s one of the best in the Championship, as he earnt himself a place in the division’s PFA Team of the Year last season.

With that in mind, he could’ve been a real asset for the Clarets and played a significant role in their push to finish at the top of the table this season.

Burnley do have Connor Roberts and Vitinho in their squad who can play in that position, both have played over 20 times in the league during the 2022/23 campaign.

It is a blow for Kompany’s from the perspective of missing out on a potential additional option to the squad. The Clarets have 18 league games remaining and with a number of fixtures in such a short time, it means Kompany has less time to rest either of his current right-backs and one less option should Roberts or Vitinho pick up a long-term injury.

After Patrick Vieira ruled out a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, Crystal Palace should reignite their interest in Eintracht Frankfurt star Djibril Sow.

The Eagles had been linked with re-signing Gallagher but when asked about the possibility of bringing the England international back to Selhurst Park this month, Vieira simply replied: “No.”

The French manager is clearly in need of another midfielder to support Cheick Doucoure in the middle of the park, with Will Hughes and Luka Milivojevic having both struggled for regular game time so far this campaign, making just three Premier League starts between them.

Vieira has often preferred Jeffrey Schlupp in the middle as an unorthodox midfielder, while Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise have both dropped into a deeper position on occasion.

Therefore another natural in midfield should be a priority for CEO Steve Parish in this month’s transfer window and it would perhaps not be a surprise to see the Eagles reignite their interest in Sow, after failing with a late move for the Switzerland international in the summer.

The Athletic claimed at the time that Palace could return for the 25-year-old this month when there was more chance of completing a deal with a fee of around €25m (£22m) likely to be enough to get the deal done.

This season has seen Sow make 15 appearances in the Bundesliga, in which he has contributed two goals and no assists, averaging a solid 6.71 rating from WhoScored for his performances, with the website also suggesting that he excels at interceptions, long shots and passing, which suggests that he can be an all-round midfielder in Vieira’s squad.

He also played every game Oliver Glasner’s side as they progressed through to the Champions League knockout stages, which emphasises the top-level experience he could add at Selhurst Park.

Express sports reporter Sam Smith was full of praise for the Swiss midfielder in late 2022, writing:

“First time properly watching Djibril Sow in this first half & been impressed. Progressive on the ball and combative.”

Therefore, while Palace fans will be disappointed that a move for Gallagher seemingly isn’t on the cards this month, the Eagles must put that behind them and bring in a midfielder such as Sow to help boost Vieira’s chances of a positive finish in the Premier League this season.

Chelsea have recently been dealt a rather detrimental transfer blow, with touted winter target Enzo Fernandez looking increasingly likely to remain at Benfica for the remainder of the season following a stumble in negotiations.

With the deal going astray, Blues manager Graham Potter might be inclined to turn his head and reassess previous targets, with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia one such prospect who could emerge from the situation in Chelsea colours.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed in September that the Blues had attempted to bring the Belgian starlet to Stamford Bridge in the summer by offering £50m, despite the Saints having signed him from Manchester City just a couple of months prior.

Any audacious efforts to ensnare their target were indeed rebuffed by the south coast club, but Chelsea’s intrigue in the player’s services has stretched into the winter months, and a move might just be forthcoming following the recent developments in the Fernandez transfer saga.

Conversing with talkSPORT, Alex Crook stated that he believes Chelsea could return for previous targets now that the Fernandez deal is fading, and Lavia could be at the centre of the forthcoming attention.

Crook said: “For Chelsea it’s back to the drawing board. I do have a potential alternative target as it’s pretty clear they’re looking to strengthen that midfield area.

“Romeo Lavia was a player at Southampton they came in for late in the last transfer window despite the fact Southampton only signed him last summer.

“I was told yesterday that interest could well be reignited. Southampton on their part would be loathed to sell Lavia, but certainly keep your eye on Chelsea potentially testing their resolve with a big-money bid.”

The 19-year-old has made ten appearances for the Saints since arriving in the summer in a £14m move from City, scoring one goal – ironically against Chelsea – and captivating supporters with his maturity and confidence from the middle of the park.

As per Sofascore, he has recorded an impressive rating of 6.81 in the Premier League despite his tender age and inexperience within professional competitive football and has completed 88% of his passes, also making 1.7 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game.

Southampton correspondent Alfie House has waxed lyrical about Lavia, calling him a player who “sets the tempo”; and with Chelsea in dire need of midfield reinforcements, sitting tenth in the league table and with established central figures N’Golo Kante and Jorginho both set to depart when their current deals expire at the end of the term, Potter can quickly move on from Fernandez by pouncing for the Belgian teenager instead.

West Ham United return to Premier League action on Friday night to face Brentford at the London Stadium, with victory imperative following a dreadful campaign thus far.

The Hammers have been beset by a stark decline in form this season, sitting 16th, and the threat of relegation now stands a more realistic prospect than a third successive European-clinching term.

Indeed, having finished in the continental field at the upper end of the Premier League table for the past two seasons under the tutelage of David Moyes, optimism was brimming from east London with hopes of attaining that coveted qualification to the Champions League, especially after a lucrative summer spending spree that saw the club part with roughly £161m.

It has not been the case, and cohesion and fluidity have been washed away by the relentless pace of the current season, but against Brentford, the Irons have a golden opportunity to rectify the wrongs and start the ascension toward greener pastures.

Last time out, Moyes’ squad lost 3-1 to high-flying table-toppers Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the first match back since the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, putting in a gallant performance and taking the lead via Said Benrahma’s driven penalty before the Gunners displayed their title credentials with a blistering second-half showing. 

There were positives to be picked from the defeat, one being the Algerian Benrahma snatching his fifth goal of the term from 22 appearances, with two assists to complement his tally. 

His form and fitness at the business end of the Premier League year might prove the difference between thriving or floundering, with his flair and guile capable of unlocking even the tightest of defences – Brentford B coach Sam Saunders once proclaimed that he could “nutmeg a mermaid”, such is his innate ball-playing ability. 

The 27-year-old arrived at the London Stadium in October 2020, converting his loan move to a £20m permanent deal in January 2021, signing from Brentford – who played in the EFL Championship at the time.

Against his former outfit, Benrahma can stake his claim as an offensive focal point for West Ham and leave his mark in a fixture with a sprinkling of added meaning for him.

Last season, the dynamic flanker netted 11 goals and six assists throughout a mammoth campaign for Moyes’ team, a drastic improvement on the meagre three strikes scored during his debut season the year before.

He certainly has a knack for making an impact, with the Athletic’s West Ham correspondent Roshane Thomas lauding him for a “promising cameo” in October.

And with FBref ranking him within the top 17% of attacking midfielders and wingers for total shots and the top 14% for dribbles completed, he clearly possesses a forward-thinking, direct approach that can prove invaluable for the Hammers’ travails across the next phase of this crucial year for the club.

Chelsea have made a pre-January move for USA international Yunus Musah in the form of contact with his representatives, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Potter set for backing…

American business tycoon Todd Boehly, after his takeover of the Premier League giants, has already backed his new club to the hilt and displayed real ambition in the transfer market.

£241 million was spent in the summer window, yet after the sacking of former boss Thomas Tuchel, it appears current manager Graham Potter may now be handed a seismic transfer kitty of his own.

Indeed, reports have even suggested that the Blues are currently in pole position to sign RB Leipzig ace Josko Gvardiol and they’re also in the race for Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham.

The Latest: Chelsea make Musah contact…

As per 90min, Potter’s side have now made contact with the entourage of Valencia star Musah after his impressive World Cup campaign for the USA.

There is apparently growing interest in the 20-year-old as Chelsea make a pre-January approach – alongside Liverpool.

Arsenal have also been tracking his development for quite some time but it appears Chelsea are now well and truly in the mix for Musah’s signature.

The Verdict: Exciting talent…

The midfielder’s current deal runs until 2026 and contains a seismic €100 million release clause (£86m), yet it remains to be seen if Boehly will have to pay such a huge amount.

Musah, though, is emerging as a very exciting talent and has been a crucial asset to his national team – especially during their impressive 2022 World Cup run to the Last 16.

ESPN commentator Eugênio Leal has certainly been impressed, calling Musah one of USA’s ‘sensational’ midfield trio in Qatar.

Today marks Leeds United’s final game before the World Cup break commences and the Whites have been handed a tough draw as they travel to face Tottenham Hotspur.

Although on paper it seems like a tough fixture, Jesse Marsch’s side have cause for optimism as they have won two of their last three games including a dramatic victory at Anfield to beat Liverpool.

Admittedly, a lot of the success had this season has been against tougher opposition, with a win against Chelsea also under their belt, and an impressive display in their narrow loss to Arsenal too.

However, the Yorkshire outfit still remains just three points from the relegation zone despite sitting in a seemingly comfortable 12th.

Meanwhile, having also been dumped out of the cup in midweek, Spurs have lost three of their last four, with two of the defeats at home.

Despite overseeing a big overhaul in the summer, Marsch did leave certain positions rather bare despite earning a combined £100m fee from the sales of Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips.

One area of concern that remains is at the heart of defence, where Robin Koch has continued to occupy despite his less-than-impressive performances, leading to his omission from Germany’s World Cup squad.

If they are to snatch victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Marsch must surely drop the German, in favour of someone who has shown form of being less culpable for making mistakes.

Having featured 13 times this season, he has been an ever-present feature in a defence that has conceded 22 goals, the fifth most in the division.

Signed for £11.5m, there was a belief that the hulking defender would transform a team renowned for leaking goals.

However, over the last season and a half, he has only contributed to the problem.

During their relegation-threatened campaign last year he endured a torrid run of form which saw him handed a 6.51 average SofaScore rating for the season.

It has not been that much better this season, at just 6.70, with his own goal against Leicester City a microcosm of his recent showings.

Even when they were playing well, during the 2020/21 season, the £46k-per-week ace drew criticism from pundit David Thompson who highlighted the “terrible game” he had.  

Having lost six times whilst he has played this season, perhaps introducing someone like Diego Llorente might be a better option as it is clear that are worse off when Koch features.

Tottenham Hotspur have endured a strange campaign so far in 2022/23, as, from the outside looking in, Antonio Conte’s side sitting third in the Premier League standings and qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League would appear to represent fantastic progress made by the north London outfit.

However, with Spurs making a habit of starting games in extremely slow fashion – having fallen 2-0 behind to AFC Bournemouth and 1-0 down to Olympique de Marseille in their last two fixtures, before staging second-half comebacks – as well as lacking a truly creative influence in the middle of the park, there are still question marks regarding the quality of the team.

And, while Tottenham’s sluggish starts are something that Conte will undoubtedly be looking to address in training at Hotspur Way, the 53-year-old Italian could well already possess a quick fix to his lack of midfield creativity – in the shape of 18-year-old academy starlet Alfie Devine.

After recovering from a hamstring injury towards the start of October, the playmaker has since been in a remarkable vein of form for Spurs’ youth sides, particularly in the UEFA Youth League.

Indeed, despite the eventual 3-2 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt U19s last month, Devine ran the show for Tottenham in the middle of the park, finishing the match with two goals to his name – with Alasdair Gold stating of the youngster’s first:

“Alfie Devine scores a superb goal. Lovely play from Spurs as they work the ball up the pitch and Jamie Donley plays it through perfectly to Devine, who rounds the keeper and strokes it home.”

The £1.1m-rated talent – who Spurs supporter Lee Barratt claimed is “such a baller” – also impressed in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory over Marseille’s U19s, hitting the back of the net with a “good finish with his right foot” – making him Spurs’ top goalscorer in the UEFA Youth League this season.

However, these returns in the final third are not out of the ordinary for the England U19s international, with Devine scoring a total of 18 goals and providing five assists over his 56 appearances for Tottenham’s various youth sides – averaging a direct goal contribution every 201 minutes of football played – as well as bagging one goal in one appearance for the Spurs first team.

As such, while Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg have both popped up with match-winning goals for Tottenham in their last two fixtures, should Conte wish to inject more long-term creativity into the heart of his side, the 53-year-old should unleash the 18-year-old Devine – as the “future looks bright” for the Lilywhites’ teenage sensation.

West Ham are reportedly eyeing up former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as David Moyes’ replacement, should he be sacked in the near future.

The Lowdown: Moyes under huge pressure

The Hammers were humbled away to Brighton on Saturday afternoon, losing 4-0 on the south coast and being comprehensively outplayed throughout.

It was a result that left West Ham sitting 16th in the Premier League at the end of the weekend action, with Moyes finding himself under increasing pressure.

Rumours have already emerged regarding the east Londoners looking at a new manager to bring in and now a fresh update has emerged.

The Latest: Mourinho offer made

According to LaRoma24.it [via Sport Witness], West Ham have ‘delivered a remarkable offer’ to Mourinho, as they look to entice him away from Roma.

It is believed that the 60-year-old is flattered by the ‘rich contract’ coming his way but is currently happy at the Serie A club.

The Verdict: Could be a great appointment

Acquiring Mourinho’s signature certainly looks like it could be difficult for West Ham but he is someone who could be a magnificent appointment if they get it done.

Granted, the Portuguese’s powers may have waned a little since his Chelsea days, when he won three league titles and was considered arguably Europe’s best manager, but he is a born winner and remains a force, clinching UEFA Conference League glory last season.

Mourinho would surely have the experience and talent to steer the Hammers away from the relegation zone, before then building towards better things this summer and beyond.

For now, his appointment may have to feel like nothing more than a pipe dream for West Ham supporters, but if something changes, it could be a masterstroke by the club.