West Ham have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui after less than eight months in charge. The Hammers sit 14th in the Premier League 7 points above the relegation zone but there has been growing discontent with performances at the London Stadium considering the high transfer fees paid in the summer. Former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter is set to take charge with a deal reported to gave been struck.
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Alexander Isak’s rich goalscoring form continued as Newcastle United took control of their Carabao Cup semi-final with a superb first-leg win against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. Newcastle have never won the competition but will make their second final in three seasons if they avoid defeat, or only lose by a one-goal margin, in the second leg at St James’ Park on 5 February.
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Former Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane has been appointed manager of Hungarian powerhouse Ferencvaros. Keane, the Republic of Ireland’s record cap holder and goalscorer, left Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv last June after a year in charge. Ferencvaros are second in the Hungarian league and 16th in the Europa League table.
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Amad Diallo’s late goal earned Manchester United a deserved point as they defied recent form to draw 2-2 against leaders Liverpool in a thriller at Anfield. Lisandro Martinez had blasted United into a second-half lead but Cody Gakpo’s leveller was followed by a Mohamed Salah penalty that briefly looked to have earned the victory that would have sent Arne Slot’s side eight points clear.
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Joao Pedro scored a second-half penalty to dent Arsenal’s title hopes as the Gunners were held to a draw by Brighton. Arsenal went ahead in the 16th minute through Ethan Nwaneri, who was starting just his second match in the Premier League. However the penalty was awarded for an unusual incident when Pedro flicked the ball up and William Saliba made contact with the head of the Brazilian forward who went to ground.
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