Football latest: honours, VAR questions, transfer talk and key results

Honours and recognition across sport

The New Year Honours list has brought recognition to figures from across sport, including football. England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman has been made an honorary dame. In the same list, ice skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean become a dame and a knight.

Elsewhere, there are honours for football executives who helped save Celtic and Hearts. In a separate moment of recognition, Greenwood reflected on receiving an MBE in a short video message, saying he was “proud of the journey” he has been on.

VAR, officiating decisions and calls for clarity

Discussions around officiating and video review continue to be a prominent theme. Nottingham Forest have asked for VAR audio following their defeat by Manchester City, highlighting the ongoing interest in transparency around decision-making.

In Scotland, Motherwell have sought an answer from the SFA after a penalty was not awarded at Ibrox. The questions raised underline how pivotal individual incidents can be in shaping results and how clubs may pursue explanations when decisions go against them.

VAR is also part of the wider conversation in football culture, with a feature examining how fans in Sweden said “no” to VAR. Together, these strands show the topic remains active both in match-specific disputes and in broader debates about the role of technology in the game.

Premier League focus: tactics, creativity and the January window

In the Premier League, attention has turned to both tactical choices and squad planning. Manchester United’s Amorim has spoken about changing the team’s formation, saying the time is right to do so, and also stating the change is not because of pressure. He has also described Bruno Fernandes as “impossible to replace.”

Fernandes’ influence is reflected in a separate statistical focus, noting that throughout 2025 the Manchester United captain has been the Premier League leader for creative metrics. That kind of output naturally feeds into wider discussions about how teams build their attacking play and how difficult it can be to replicate the contribution of a single player.

Arsenal are reported to be “actively looking” at January signings, while the transfer window conversation continues more broadly, including analysis of who might move in January. The day’s gossip column also notes Bournemouth eyeing Johnson.

Beyond transfers, the league’s structure and scheduling have prompted curiosity too, with a piece asking why Premier League teams have not played every club yet, and another explaining why there is only one Premier League game on Sunday.

Predictions, analysis and recurring questions

Matchday coverage includes Sutton’s predictions, this time featuring singer-songwriter and Sunderland fan Tom A Smith. There is also analysis on specific club themes, including a look at an attacking flaw Nottingham Forest share with Everton, their opponents.

Elsewhere, Chelsea’s squad depth has been examined through the question of whether the substitutes are good enough, or whether Maresca should be blamed. These kinds of discussions reflect how quickly narratives can form around performance, selection and in-game management.

Domestic results and notable matches

A selection of results and match reports spans the leagues. Hull won at Middlesbrough to close the gap on the top two. Sheffield United beat Stoke to get back on track. Leicester held on for a much-needed win against Derby, while Birmingham and Southampton drew with a controversial Southampton leveller mentioned in reporting.

In another featured match, Wrexham beat Preston North End at Stok Cae Ras, with Nathan Broadhead and Ollie Rathbone scoring in either half and Alfie Devine netting a late consolation.

There are also moments that stand out for their speed and surprise, including a clip of Celtic’s McAneny scoring after just four seconds.

International football and tournament storylines

International football remains in focus with multiple tournament threads running at once. A set of World Cup 2026 storylines includes the note that a quartet of World Cup berths are up for grabs in 2026, while Fifa president Gianni Infantino has defended the cost of World Cup tickets following what was described as “absolutely crazy” demand from the public.

At the Africa Cup of Nations, hosts Morocco cruised into the last 16 as Hakimi returned. Another update notes Egypt drew without Salah as Angola were described as being on the brink of Afcon exit. In a separate match, Foster scored as South Africa beat Zimbabwe to advance.

Beyond results, there is also debate and reflection, including a video asking who the contenders are to win Afcon, and another exploring the best players who never won the tournament.

European football and cup competitions

Across European football, cup competitions and awards have provided headlines. Napoli beat AC Milan to reach the Super Cup final in Riyadh, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring as Napoli progressed. In another final-related update, Safonov saved four penalties as PSG won the Intercontinental Cup.

Elsewhere, Dembele won the Fifa Best men’s player of the year. Barcelona booked a last-16 Copa del Rey spot, with Rashford striking in that match report. There was also a disciplinary update noting Maccabi Tel Aviv were given a suspended one-match away fan ban.

For those following the Bundesliga, live games are available on Friday nights, adding another regular viewing option alongside domestic and international coverage.

Features: people, places and football’s wider stories

Several longer reads and features broaden the football agenda beyond match reports. One in-depth piece looks at the “great number nine decline” and why England lack centre-forward options behind Harry Kane, contrasting the current picture with previous eras.

There are also profile and storytelling features, including the Salah story described as a journey from farming village to Liverpool icon, and a look at Captain, player, manager, Mister, number one — Davids at Barnet. Other features range from the mentor who changed Chelsea to historical and cultural stories such as the air crash and the underdogs, and a look at wonderkids outside the big five leagues.

Football’s reach is also explored geographically. Features consider football in Greenland, described as the “toughest” championship in the world, and showcase stunning pitches in the Arctic Circle. Additional lighter cultural coverage includes a comparison of British football food as rated by European fans.

More headlines in brief

• Miura, 58, joins a new club with the message: “Let’s make history.”
• Ronaldo says he will not retire until he scores 1,000 goals.
• Lampard wants a “reaction” after Ipswich ended leaders Coventry’s home run.
• Spain are set to face Argentina in the Finalissima, with an explainer on what the competition is.
• Scottish Premiership coverage highlights Motherwell v Celtic, Djeidi Gassama’s form and pressure on David Martindale.

Across honours, controversy, tactical decisions and tournament progress, the day’s football coverage reflects the sport’s constant movement: on the pitch through results and performances, and off it through recognition, debate and planning for what comes next.