The South Korea worldwide leads the workforce with eight Premier League objectives this season with sixth-place Tottenham difficult for a Champions League spot.

Son had a scan after feeling “a little bit of ache in his muscle” the morning after Tottenham’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea in a League Cup match on Wednesday, Conte stated.

The supervisor stated Son received’t prepare earlier than the worldwide window within the final week of January.

Tottenham hosts third-tier Morecambe on Sunday within the third spherical of the FA Cup. That’s adopted by the second leg of the League Cup semifinal towards Chelsea subsequent week.

“The FA Cup is a vital competitors and we wish to attempt to go to the following step.”

Antonio previews Morecambe.

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 7, 2022

Conte’s workforce then performs three Premier League video games — Arsenal, Leicester and Chelsea — earlier than the worldwide break.

Son’s absence might improve strain on Tottenham to bolster its squad within the present switch window.

𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀
𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁

Our December @PremierLeague Participant of the Month nominee. pic.twitter.com/Ufx2AXQoRA

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 7, 2022

“Now we have two methods to enhance the state of affairs, no? One is to enhance the gamers that we’ve got in our squad. One other alternative could possibly be to enhance the standard of the squad however as you recognize very nicely, January is just not simple for anybody,” stated Conte, who was employed in early November.

The crew’s main scorer this season was injured in a 1-0 win over Liverpool final week and was initially anticipated to return this month.

“We’re taking a look at as much as eight weeks,” Rodgers mentioned. “His is the upper finish of his hamstring. You’re looking into March for Jamie. He doesn’t want an operation and that was the one excellent news from it.”

The information was worse for centre-back Jonny Evans, who wanted surgical procedure on his injured hamstring. The Northern Eire worldwide will likely be side-lined till April, Rodgers mentioned. Evans was injured throughout the 4-0 win over Newcastle on Dec. 12.

“Jamie will likely be out for a variety of weeks. It’s been unlucky for him, however we’re taking a look at as much as eight weeks, so he will likely be out for a time frame.”

Supervisor Brendan Rodgers spoke about Jamie Vardy’s harm and the supply in his squad pre-#LeiWat

— Leicester Metropolis (@LCFC) January 7, 2022

Vardy has scored 9 objectives, third-most within the Premier League this season. His absence leaves Leicester with a striker scarcity, as Patson Daka continues to be recovering from an harm and Kelechi Iheanacho is with Nigeria on the African Cup of Nations.

Rodgers had earlier attributed Vardy’s harm to the packed festive schedule and the additional calls for positioned on gamers attributable to COVID-19.

FA Cup champion Leicester hosts Watford on Saturday within the third spherical of the competitors.

The acquisition of Trippier highlights the extent of participant Newcastle can appeal to now that it is likely one of the richest golf equipment on this planet, although Barcelona’s buy of Coutinho from Liverpool in January 2018 may function a cautionary story about overspending.

Trippier, who began for England within the European Championship ultimate in July, has swapped the Spanish champion for a workforce struggling towards relegation within the Premier League in a transfer that’s reportedly costing Newcastle 12 million kilos ($16.25 million).

I’m so completely happy to be becoming a member of Newcastle. Everybody is aware of the followers are unbelievably passionate and I’ll give my absolute all for them. I can’t wait to get to work

Thanks to everybody at @nufc & the followers for the very heat welcome I’ve acquired to this point pic.twitter.com/6d0raRrpnv

— Kieran Trippier (@trippier2) January 7, 2022

“It is an honour for me to be right here.”

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 7, 2022

Newcastle is in next-to-last place within the league after successful simply one in all its 19 video games to this point. Its probabilities of escaping relegation may hinge on how profitable its January switch window proves.

The assets accessible to the membership are considerably better than its relegation rivals following Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund’s buy of Newcastle in October, and extra high-profile signings may observe this month.

pic.twitter.com/AsikAMHCtS

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 7, 2022

Trippier returns to the Premier League 2½ years after leaving Tottenham to affix Atletico. He was beforehand at Burnley below supervisor Eddie Howe, who’s at present in cost at Newcastle.

“I actually loved my time in Madrid, however after I grew to become conscious of curiosity from Newcastle United, and having labored with Eddie Howe earlier than, I knew this was the place I needed to be,” Trippier stated. “I’m conscious there’s a number of work forward of us however I do know the calls for of Premier League effectively and I do know what a tremendous membership that is with very proficient gamers.”

Welcome, Philippe Coutinho!

Aston Villa and FC Barcelona have agreed phrases for Philippe Coutinho to spend the remainder of this season on mortgage at Villa Park.

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 7, 2022

Villa has Coutinho on mortgage for the remainder of the season with an possibility to purchase the Brazil midfielder.

The transfer reunites the 29-year-old Coutinho with Villa supervisor Steven Gerrard. They have been teammates at Liverpool.

“I do not assume you get a nickname as a 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻 for those who’re not a particular footballer.”

Steven Gerrard on Philippe Coutinho, who has agreed phrases to spend the remainder of this season on mortgage at Villa Park, with an possibility to purchase. pic.twitter.com/BFbxhGLxkR

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 7, 2022

Coutinho grew to become one of the costly gamers in soccer historical past when Barcelona paid Liverpool a switch payment of $192 million, however the playmaker usually struggled at Camp Nou and spent the 2019-20 season on mortgage at Bayern Munich.

Romelu Lukaku has apologized for going public along with his unhappiness at Chelsea and is promising to wash up the “mess” he created, supervisor Thomas Tuchel stated on Tuesday.

The Belgium striker stated in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky he was “not pleased with the state of affairs” at Chelsea and indicated he had points with Tuchel’s fashion of play.

Tuchel reacted by leaving Lukaku, Chelsea’s document signing, out of the 2-2 draw with Liverpool within the English Premier League on Sunday.

The participant held talks with Tuchel on Monday and can return to coaching, placing him in rivalry to play in Wednesday’s first-leg sport in opposition to Tottenham within the English League Cup semifinals.

Tuchel: “Romelu Lukaku apologized and he is again within the squad. For me was necessary to grasp that it [the interview] was not intentional from Romelu. This isn’t as huge as folks need it to be – it is not small however we will keep calm and settle for his apologies”. #CFC pic.twitter.com/veyLDvsJO7

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 4, 2022

“Now we have had sufficient time to clear the air and transfer on,” Tuchel stated.

“He’s very conscious,” he added of Lukaku, “of what occurred and what he created and he feels the accountability to wash the mess up. Possibly we may have a little bit of odor nonetheless from it, after all. He can deal with it. He has no different alternative.”

Tuchel stated he believes Lukaku can regain the belief of the membership, his teammates and the followers, and have a long-term future at a membership the place he arrived within the offseason from Inter Milan for $135 million on a five-year deal for a second spell.

“Earlier than the interview, I by no means had the slightest doubt he’s not dedicated as a result of his actions on the pitch, off the pitch and in his non-public life all go in the identical route,” Tuchel stated. “He’s an emotional man. He doesn’t maintain again along with his opinions and typically he carries his coronary heart on his tongue.”

“Does this replicate the general temper and angle that he reveals? Completely clear no. Was the intention to create hassle? Was the intention to depart the membership? Was the intention to place stress on the coach? Completely no. I can not see it. After all he ought to have identified higher. That’s what now we have to wash and clear the air collectively.”

Thomas Tuchel is talking to the media forward of #CheTot tomorrow evening. https://t.co/zzmUitCpYT

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 4, 2022

If Lukaku does return to the crew in opposition to Tottenham, he’ll tackle an opponent managed by Antonio Conte, who bought one of the best out of the striker throughout their time collectively at Inter.

After opening his second stint with Chelsea with 4 objectives in his first 4 video games, Lukaku needed to wait practically three months for his subsequent purpose, by which interval he had six weeks out injured and in addition contracted the coronavirus.

Lukaku had, although, scored in three of his final 4 video games earlier than getting dropped in opposition to Liverpool.

“It’s about adaption — adaption to the league, adaption to a unique crew, to completely different teammates, after which comes damage and COVID,” Tuchel stated.

“We’re in a completely regular place with him. And he’s prepared to be taught, to adapt. He involves essentially the most intense league on this planet and it takes time. He was within the newest video games very decisive and now we have no doubts he will likely be a giant affect and have a huge impact.”

Ralf Rangnick is starting to know simply how huge a job he has taken on at Manchester United.

His gamers are already changing into dispirited, too.

Rangnick fell to his first loss as United supervisor after Joao Moutinho’s 82nd-minute strike earned Wolverhampton a 1-0 win within the English Premier League on Monday, and his crew’s first victory at Outdated Trafford since 1980.

Outplayed for a lot of the sport, United’s gamers seemed like they might survive for a degree till Moutinho met a defensive headed clearance by controlling the ball on the fringe of the realm and driving in a volley that rolled simply contained in the put up.

This was the hardest take a look at of Rangnick’s opening six matches in cost and United at instances couldn’t get close to Wolves, whose passing and motion was sharper in its first sport in two weeks following COVID-19 points within the squad. Wolves had 19 photographs in complete, with the 15 within the first half probably the most by a visiting crew at Outdated Trafford because the league’s statistic provider, Opta, started recording stats in 2003.

There have been murmurings of discontent from the house followers, too, with some jeering Rangnick’s resolution to substitute Mason Greenwood simply earlier than the hour.

“I didn’t really feel once I was on the pitch that we have been all there collectively,” mentioned United left again Luke Shaw, who complained of a scarcity of choices on the ball and aggression off it.

Shaw went on to color a bleak image of life in a squad that features world-renowned gamers Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, the latter of whom began on the bench.

“You have a look at our crew, the gamers we now have, we now have unbelievable high quality,” Shaw mentioned. “Typically high quality isn’t sufficient. We have to deliver the depth, be extra aggressive, and produce extra motivation.

“Perhaps from the surface it didn’t appear like we had any of them three.”

United stayed in seventh place, 22 factors off chief Manchester Metropolis and 4 off the highest 4 after probably the most worrying show but below Rangnick.

“We didn’t play properly in any respect, individually or collectively,” mentioned the German, including: “The sport confirmed we nonetheless have a variety of work to do.”

Rangnick has had a benign begin on paper after arriving as a substitute for the fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with three of his 4 earlier league opponents being the underside three of Norwich, Newcastle and Burnley. Wolves was the primary crew from the highest half to play Rangnick’s United and there was a gulf at school and crew form.

United’s new coach was imagined to deliver a greater urgent sport to the crew, however that isn’t obvious but.

“We didn’t press in any respect,” Rangnick mentioned. “We weren’t capable of get in urgent conditions … that is the massive situation.”

A optimistic for United was a primary begin in practically two years in all competitions for Phil Jones, a former England middle again who has struggled with a longstanding proper knee harm. He was given a rousing ovation when he made his first clearance and he barely put a foot improper.

Jones couldn’t mark his return with a clear sheet, although, and it was his clearance that was pounced on by Moutinho for the objective, which made him the oldest visiting participant at 35 to attain a winner within the Premier League at Outdated Trafford.

Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa preserved his shutout with a diving save to his proper to maintain out Bruno Fernandes’ free kick with one of many final acts of the sport.

“We got here right here with a giant character,” Wolves supervisor Bruno Lage mentioned. “Credit score for my crew. We got here right here with a giant ambition.”

Fernandes had been the participant to come back on for Greenwood and, inside minutes, struck the crossbar with United’s greatest probability. Cristiano Ronaldo, making his 1,one hundredth senior profession look, additionally had a objective for United disallowed for offside.

“We have now time to refocus again,” Shaw mentioned, referring to the hole to United’s subsequent sport _ at dwelling to Aston Villa within the FA Cup subsequent Monday. “We’ve acquired a protracted coaching week. And possibly the supervisor can deliver some extra concepts that he needs on the pitch.”

The one winner Sunday was Manchester Metropolis. And Romelu Lukaku definitely misplaced out.

What a pulsating, entertaining encounter for Lukaku to overlook — not out of his personal selecting — as Chelsea recovered to attract 2-2 with Liverpool with out the briefly exiled striker.

It left Metropolis 10 factors clear from Chelsea on the prime of the Premier League with Liverpool an extra level again.

The sky blue ribbons appear like remaining on the trophy for one more yr because of the fading problem from the chasing pack.

That’s even earlier than Liverpool is the toughest hit by gamers heading to the African Cup of Nations. Earlier than leaving for what might be greater than a month away, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah did contribute Liverpool’s targets.

An prompt #PL basic at Stamford Bridge!

#CHELIV pic.twitter.com/XGeMFy4FGa

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 2, 2022

Liverpool appeared to be coasting however was stung twice on the finish of the primary half with Mateo Kovacic’s volley and Christian Pulisic’s strike pulling Chelsea degree.

It was an engrossing and wild sport that was solely tempered after the break by the goalkeeping of Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy denying Salah and Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher’s reflexes thwarting Pulisic’s pursuit of a winner.

Mateo Kovacic objective

What successful #CHELIV
Chelsea 1-2 Liverpoolpic.twitter.com/xUCSMnehB7

— BirdieFootball (@birdiefootball) January 2, 2022

Flip away and you could possibly miss one other wondrous second. It was a sport to maintain followers on their toes — which they might do legally in components of a Premier League stadium for the primary time in 28 years as a part of standing trials.

There was no standing, or seat, although for Chelsea record-signing Lukaku who was dropped by supervisor Thomas Tuchel for an outburst questioning his restricted position within the group.

Solely 15 seconds into the sport, it appeared like Mane may additionally have had no additional position within the sport.

Elbowing César Azpilicueta within the face whereas making an attempt to beat the Chelsea captain, Mane instantly confronted motion from the referee. However he escaped with solely a reserving — the earliest recorded in a Premier League match.

It meant Mane was nonetheless on the pitch to attain the opener within the ninth minute.

Trevoh Chalobah’s weak headed clearance created the opening for Mane to spherical Mendy and place the ball within the internet previous the helpless Azpilicueta.

GOAL Pulisic!!! #CHELIV
Chelsea 2-2 Liverpoolpic.twitter.com/dCBNvzTFm5

— WFGOAL (@WFTV16) January 2, 2022

Chelsea had wilted and appeared rattled. Particularly when Salah’s brilliance prolonged Liverpool’s benefit within the twenty sixth minute.

Mohamed Salah Aim !

Chelsea 0: 2 Liverpool #RIP Chelsea pic.twitter.com/X4EFqKYphs

— Brook Williams (@ssozigeorge1) January 2, 2022

The highest scorer was concerned within the buildup earlier than receiving the ball again from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross and controlling it previous the befuddled Marcos Alonso and squeezing a shot previous Mendy at his close to publish.

It was simply the newest second of awe from a striker having fun with one other standout season that’s seen him hit 23 targets, together with 16 within the league.

Liverpool was cruising. Quickly it was cursing.

Sadio Mane Aim Liverpool Vs Chelsea 1_0 pic.twitter.com/cXYjAQGcTi

— Sooner Aim | أهداف كرة القدم (@zineb_zizo_1) January 2, 2022

The sport swung round inside three minutes on the finish of the primary half.

A free kick from the correct was punched clear by Kelleher however solely to the sting of the penalty space. Unbalanced however nonetheless capable of make a clear first-time connection, Mateo Kovacic volleyed impressively into the highest nook off the within of the publish.

Chelsea’s anxiousness that the objective might be dominated out for an offside quickly subsided for recent celebrations. And Chelsea was celebrating once more shortly once more in stoppage time when Pulisic leveled after being launched by N’Golo Kante and lifting the shot over Kelleher.

The third objective from Pulisic in 11 league appearances this season rescued some extent for Chelsea that had appeared to be out of attain.

Chelsea dropped Romelu Lukaku from the squad for Sunday’s sport in opposition to Liverpool after the membership’s record-signing expressed frustration about his function within the staff.

The interview was performed earlier than he scored final Sunday and once more on Wednesday within the Premier League however it was solely aired later by broadcaster Sky in Italy. The striker mentioned he was “not pleased with the scenario” at Chelsea and indicated he didn’t like supervisor Thomas Tuchel’s type of play.

Tuchel on Romelu Lukaku out: “The factor obtained too large, too noisy, so near the match, so I made a decision to guard the preparation for the match”, he informed @SkySports. #CFC

“After all we’ve spoken, twice to the primary gamers – however after that we needed to realise it’s too large”. pic.twitter.com/qm3AJnDjPS

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 2, 2022

ICYMI: Thomas Tuchel’s pre-match response to Romelu Lukaku’s interview.pic.twitter.com/klwOQTKuA1

— Squawka Information (@SquawkaNews) January 2, 2022

Lukaku first joined Chelsea in 2011 however spent two years on mortgage earlier than being bought to Everton in 2014. He returned to Chelsea this previous offseason in a deal price almost 100 million kilos (then round $140 million). after he netted 24 Serie A targets to assist Inter win the Italian league title for the primary time since 2010.

Lukaku: “I’m not pleased with the scenario and that’s solely pure. The pinnacle coach has determined to play a distinct system and I mustn’t let up, I have to hold working laborious and be skilled. I’m not pleased with the scenario however I’m a grafter and I mustn’t let up” pic.twitter.com/xamRI8DcGV

— Patrick Kendrick (@patrickendrick) December 30, 2021

However Lukaku has had a irritating first season again in London the place he was out injured for a month and missed time in December after contracting the coronavirus.

The most popular-ever New Yr’s Day in London noticed Arsenal followers get heated after a meltdown in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.

Arsenal followers hurled plastic bottles and bathroom rolls at Metropolis’s celebrating gamers after Rodri scored a stoppage-time winner on the Emirates Stadium on Saturday as temperatures reached 16.2 levels Celsius (61.16 levels Fahrenheit) within the capital.

Metropolis’s comeback to win 2-1 and safe an eleventh straight Premier League victory was accomplished within the third minute of stoppage time, prompting Rodri to tear off his jersey and slide throughout the sector proper in entrance of the house assist.

| Timed at 92:28, Rodri’s winner in opposition to Arsenal is Manchester Metropolis’s newest profitable purpose in a Premier League sport since Might 2018.

Through: @OptaJoe pic.twitter.com/vHQ2KDjkhV

— Soccer Zone (@FTBLZone_) January 1, 2022

“We struggled just a little bit within the first half, the second half we performed extra of our sport,” Rodri stated. “They did an excellent sport however fortuitously we confirmed our champions character.”

As Metropolis moved 11 factors in entrance of second-place Chelsea on the prime of the standings, fourth-place Arsenal was left dwelling on its collapse.

Bathroom rolls and bottles thrown by Arsenal followers as Rodri leads Metropolis celebrations in entrance of them after what may very well be an damage time winner

Metropolis turned it round to guide 2-1 #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/SSXtfsOSYG

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) January 1, 2022

Metropolis had been trailing via Bukayo Saka’s purpose throughout an electrifying first-half show from Arsenal.

Man Metropolis snatch victory within the ultimate moments because of Rodri’s late end#ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/hcjqf64i7B

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 1, 2022

However the sport shifted in Metropolis’s favor throughout a two-minute spell after the break.

Granit Xhaka conceded a penalty for bringing down Bernardo Silva with a trailing leg and Riyad Mahrez leveled from the spot within the 57th minute.

What proved as pricey for Arsenal was Gabriel getting booked for attempting to scuff the penalty spot earlier than Mahrez’s kick.

Inside a minute, Arsenal had a right away probability to regain the lead. However Nathan Ake’s hooked, scrambling goal-line clearance prevented an personal purpose from Aymeric Laporte after he headed over goalkeeper Ederson.

Then Gabriel was booked once more within the 59th and noticed pink for fouling Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal’s makes an attempt to cling on to the purpose have been thwarted by Laporte’s deflected shot reaching Rodri to attain.

“We’re very pissed off with the result should you play a sport like this in opposition to top-of-the-line groups on the earth,” stated Arsenal assistant supervisor Albert Stuivenberg, who was on the touchline whereas supervisor Mikel Arteta isolates with COVID-19. “On the finish to have zero factors is irritating as a result of we must always have gained the sport.”

Arsenal was pissed off within the first half to not be awarded a penalty earlier than Saka struck with a first-time connection from Kieran Tierney’s well-placed go, Metropolis goalkeeper Ederson having escaped motion for bringing down Martin Odegaard.

“I’m in search of consistency,” Stuivenberg stated. “We’ve VAR in place so why not verify your self as a referee? That didn’t occur so it’s disappointing.”

Sanchez’s late purpose offers Tottenham 1-0 win in opposition to Watford

Davinson Sanchez’s stoppage-time purpose secured Tottenham a 1-0 victory over Watford on Saturday to boost its pursuit of Champions League qualification.

The Colombia defender headed a free kick from Heung-min Son previous goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann within the sixth minute of added time at hand Watford a sixth successive loss.

Spurs depart it late to take all three factors at Vicarage Street#WATTOT pic.twitter.com/iNS3LcGA9j

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 1, 2022

The match had been briefly halted for a couple of minutes within the closing phases when a supporter in a stand turned in poor health.

Tottenham moved two factors behind fourth-place Arsenal, which misplaced 2-1 to Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League earlier Saturday, and Antonio Conte’s aspect has two video games in hand on its north London rival.

Watford is 2 factors above the drop zone having performed two extra video games than Burnley within the ultimate relegation place.

Liverpool supervisor Jürgen Klopp will miss the Premier League match at Chelsea on Sunday after what the membership known as a suspected constructive coronavirus check.

Klopp has delicate signs and is now isolating, Liverpool stated Saturday. Assistant supervisor Pepijn Lijnders shall be on the touchline main the crew at Stamford Bridge however three different members of the backroom workers have additionally reported suspected COVID-19 infections.

Klopp introduced Friday that three unnamed gamers had examined constructive.

Jürgen Klopp will miss our assembly with Chelsea on Sunday after returning a suspected constructive COVID-19 check outcome.

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2022

FRANCE

Seven Monaco gamers have examined constructive for the coronavirus, the membership stated Saturday on the eve of its French Cup recreation.

The match at second-tier Quevilly-Rouen remains to be set to go forward on Sunday.

Monaco stated not one of the seven gamers present any worrying indicators and are isolating.

There are 12 different French Cup video games scheduled for Sunday, with title-holder Paris Saint-Germain in motion on Monday evening at third-tier Vannes.

A seamless coronavirus outbreak at Newcastle has led to Sunday’s sport at Southampton being postponed, the Premier League stated on Friday.

Newcastle’s earlier sport towards Everton scheduled for Thursday had additionally been referred to as off.

𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗢𝗙𝗙 #NUFC‘s fixture towards Southampton at St. Mary’s on Sunday has been postponed attributable to ongoing Covid-19 circumstances and accidents amongst the Magpies’ first staff squad.

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 31, 2021

The Premier League stated a mixture of Covid-19 circumstances and accidents meant Nineteenth-place Newcastle doesn’t have the required 13 outfield gamers and one goalkeeper obtainable to face Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.

The league stated in a press release that it “was capable of make its choice prematurely of the fixture to provide readability to the affected golf equipment and their followers.” It brings the whole to 18 Premier League video games postponed prior to now three weeks, together with last-place Norwich’s journey to Leicester on Saturday.

FRANCE

The French league postponed the sport between Angers and Saint-Etienne on January 9 due to a excessive variety of coronavirus circumstances within the Angers squad.

Angers requested for the postponement on Thursday, saying there have been 19 confirmed circumstances amongst its squad of 30 gamers and that greater than 10 aren’t approved to play once more till January 10. Angers added {that a} additional 5 workers members have the virus.

Angers had 5 gamers out with Covid-19 when it misplaced 4-1 at Montpellier on December 22 earlier than the winter break.