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Fearless Gareth

Gareth Southgate says his experience managing England means he would not fear any other job in world football.

The 53-year-old has spent seven years in charge of the Three Lions after taking the role on a permanent basis in November 2016.

Under Southgate's leadership, England have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup and the final of the European Championship, with the manager's current deal set to expire next December.

He told Sky Sports: "I knew nothing like what I know now. There isn't a job in world football that would intimidate or daunt you, having lived this one. 

"I remember talking to Jose [Mourinho] when he was at Manchester United and he said to me, 'When you've done the role you're in now you'll be able to do anything really'.

"I thought that was probably right, but seven years into it it's definitely right. I'm confident in this role and whatever might be in the future. 

"Of course I'm not going to be here for 20-30 years and I don’t know what the future will be. I'm very calm about that, but I'm not worried about what that might be."

They're used to it

Sean Dyche does not believe Manchester City's travels to the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia will aid Everton in tomorrow's Premier League fixture.

The Toffees host the champions at Goodison Park, just five days after their 4-0 win over Fluminense in Jeddah.

But Dyche does not think City's expedition to the Middle East will have an impact and is preparing for the game as normal.

The Everton boss said: "You think of the last five or six years under Pep and all the travelling they've done, all the things they've won, all the competitions. 

"I'm not saying they are used to everything and this is probably slightly different, but at the end of the day I don't think, I might be wrong, that they are travelling economy! 

"I think they'll be well looked after, so I won't over-egg the physical side of it and they have so many good players, I still think they will put out a side that is a very strong side.

"And if it does help, then great and we'll take all the help we can get but the main focus will be on us performing and not too much focus on them and what they have to do."

Off target

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted his players are falling well below the targets set for them in pre-season.

The Blues were beaten 2-1 by Wolves on Christmas Eve, their eighth defeat of the Premier League campaign ahead of tomorrow's match against Crystal Palace.

Pochettino said: "We're so far away [from the target]. Our target was to be on the top, even if no one believed us. But in the circumstances, we are fighting for different things.

"We are Chelsea, because our history demands us to be at the top. At the moment, being realistic, we need to increase the way that we compete if we want to win more games.

"We need to compete better than [against Wolves]. I think the performance from the beginning of the season has not been bad. We can say it's very good. But in terms of competing, we are in the bottom. 

"That's why we are not in a better position in the table."

VAR anger

Nottingham Forest defender Willy Boly says he does not understand the rules of VAR following his controversial dismissal against Bournemouth.

The 32-year-old picked up a second yellow card for a seemingly clean tackle on Adam Smith, which means he is suspended for today's match against Newcastle.

And the Forest centre-back believes the current VAR rules, which state the technology cannot get involved with second yellow card incidents, need to change.

He said: "Look, the referee made the wrong decision, it can happen, you get bad decisions sometimes.

"But where I think he struggles is when he says, 'What I saw was this'. It would be better for me if someone else could help him away from the pitch and study the video. 

"I don't understand why they can't say to him, 'We think you made the wrong decision, it is not a yellow card, go and take a look again'.

"It is a clear and obvious error. Everyone can make a mistake but the point is right now the rules are that even if they know he has made a mistake there is nothing they can do. This is the worst thing."

Too harsh

Andoni Iraola believes handing managers bans for picking up yellow cards is "too harsh".

The Bournemouth boss will not be on the touchline for today's Premier League match against Fulham after picking up a third caution of the season in last weekend's 3-2 win at Forest.

He said: "It's frustrating for me [the ban], it is too harsh to lose a game with just three yellows and they are not big complaints.

"You just ask something. The consequences are very deep. It is difficult to accept for me but I think Tommy [Elphick] and Shaun [Cooper] will be there, doing their job and we will be in touch.

"It is going to be tough. I will have to decide how to do it. I won't be able to complain and correct live things, maybe it is better and you can see the game and you can think better — I don't think it will happen.

"This is something that I cannot change."

Alexia's absence

Barcelona have confirmed that star playmaker Alexia Putellas will undergo knee surgery.

The two-time Ballon d'Or Feminin winner has enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign, scoring seven goals and registering one assist in 17 appearances across all competitions.

But the 29-year-old is set for another period on the sidelines having only recently recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which she suffered in July 2022 on international duty with Spain.

Barcelona have confirmed a statement will be provided in due course following an arthroscopy to review Putellas' left knee.