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Crystal Palace 0-0 Aston Villa: Palace hold firm as Villa fail to find breakthrough at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa played out a tense but ultimately goalless draw at Selhurst Park, a result that continued Palace’s recent stranglehold over Unai Emery’s side while leaving both teams feeling they could have taken more from the contest.

The stalemate extended Palace’s unbeaten run against Villa to seven matches, a sequence that has increasingly frustrated the Midlands club. For the Eagles, however, the point came with mixed emotions, as it also stretched their own winless streak to eight games in all competitions.

Villa started the brighter of the two teams and enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening period. They moved the ball confidently through midfield and found space between the lines, but clear chances were limited. Ollie Watkins came closest, forcing Dean Henderson into a sharp save before later glancing a header narrowly wide.

Palace, missing a host of first-team players, gradually grew into the match. Brennan Johnson nearly marked his home debut with a goal, only to be denied by a fingertip save from Emiliano Martínez after a quick break caught Villa momentarily off guard.

The second half followed a similar pattern, though with roles slightly reversed. Villa’s early control faded, and Palace began to apply more pressure, pushing higher up the pitch and asking questions from wide areas. Despite that shift, neither side could produce the decisive moment, with defensive organisation largely outweighing attacking quality.

Tempers flared late on, particularly from the Villa bench. Unai Emery was visibly frustrated after a late corner appeared to present a potential penalty opportunity, feeling his side were denied a closer look from the officials. That moment summed up a night where Villa felt marginal calls went against them, even if their own attacking edge dulled as the match wore on.

From Palace’s perspective, the performance carried quiet encouragement. With a depleted squad, Oliver Glasner saw his side remain disciplined, resilient and organised, particularly in the face of Villa’s technical midfield. Captain Marc Guéhiled by example at the back, helping limit Watkins’ influence and ensuring Palace remained difficult to break down.

Villa arguably finished stronger, pushing for a late winner, but the lack of precision in the final third told. For a team with ambitions near the top of the table, it felt like a missed opportunity, especially given the chance to gain ground on rivals.

In the end, the draw reflected a contest of fine margins rather than flowing football. Palace will take pride in the clean sheet and the spirit shown despite their absences, while Villa leave south London knowing they controlled spells but failed to convert promise into points.

Brentford 3-0 Sunderland: Thiago Double as European Dream Gathers Pace

Brentford produced one of their most complete performances of the season to brush aside Sunderland 3–0 at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Igor Thiago once again stealing the spotlight as the Bees tightened their grip on the European places.

The Brazilian forward arrived in the fixture in red-hot form and showed no signs of slowing down. After opening the scoring midway through the first half, he added a second shortly after the break to underline his growing influence in west London and to continue a remarkable scoring run that has propelled Brentford into the league’s top five.

From the outset, Brentford looked sharper and more aggressive. Their pressing forced errors, their movement stretched Sunderland’s back line, and it felt only a matter of time before the pressure told. The breakthrough came when Thiago timed his run perfectly, collected a clever pass from Vitaly Janelt, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly rolled the ball into an empty net.

Sunderland attempted to reset after the interval and were handed a lifeline when Brian Brobbey was brought down in the area. But that moment quickly turned into a costly missed opportunity. Enzo Le Fée’s attempted panenka penalty lacked conviction, allowing Caoimhín Kelleher to stand firm and make a straightforward save.

That miss proved decisive.

Barely minutes later, Brentford struck again. Kevin Schade crashed an effort against the woodwork, and when the ball was recycled, he turned provider, floating a cross that Thiago met with authority to head home his second of the afternoon.

Any remaining resistance from Sunderland disappeared soon after. Yehor Yarmoliuk capped the performance with his first senior goal for the club, smashing a close-range finish into the roof of the net to complete a dominant display and send the home crowd into celebration.

Beyond the result, Thiago’s night carried historic significance. His brace took him to 16 league goals for the season — the highest total ever achieved by a Brazilian player in a single Premier League campaign — a remarkable achievement given it is still only January.

Brentford head coach Keith Andrews was glowing in his praise afterwards, describing Thiago as irreplaceable and highlighting not just his finishing, but his work rate, movement, aerial threat and selfless approach. Andrews also stressed how quickly the striker has adapted to the league after early injury setbacks, calling his development “ahead of schedule”.

On the other side, Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris defended Le Fée following the missed penalty, emphasising collective responsibility and the importance of learning from moments of risk rather than retreating into caution.

For Brentford, the bigger picture is becoming increasingly exciting. Having already navigated major changes in recent seasons, they now find themselves firmly in the conversation for European qualification — something that once seemed a distant ambition. For Sunderland, the defeat halts momentum and drops them into mid-table, though the season remains firmly in their control.

With Thiago in this form, Brentford’s ceiling continues to rise.

Bournemouth 3-2 Tottenham: Semenyo’s Last-Gasp Goodbye Sinks Spurs on the South Coast

Antoine Semenyo delivered a farewell straight out of a script, firing Bournemouth to a dramatic 3–2 victory over Tottenham with a stoppage-time strike that may prove to be his final act for the club. The winger, widely expected to complete a move to Manchester City, struck in the 95th minute to end Bournemouth’s long wait for a win and deepen the sense of crisis surrounding Spurs boss Thomas Frank.

Tottenham had started brightly on the south coast and took an early lead when Mathys Tel drove forward and saw his effort deflect beyond the goalkeeper. It was a rare moment of attacking fluency for Spurs, marking their first goal from open play in several weeks and briefly easing the pressure.

That calm did not last long.

Bournemouth grew into the contest and turned the game around before the interval, with Marcus Tavernier at the heart of everything. His first delivery was met by Evanilson, who powered a header into the net to level the score. Moments later, another Tavernier cross caused chaos in the box, with Eli Kroupi Junior reacting quickest to convert from close range and send the hosts in ahead at half-time.

The second half was chaotic, dramatic and full of turning points. Spurs thought they had been handed a lifeline when Micky van de Ven went down in the area under pressure from two Bournemouth defenders, but a lengthy review overturned the on-field decision and the penalty was rescinded.

Tottenham continued to press. Richarlison came agonisingly close with a header that crashed against the post, while Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic produced an outstanding save to deny van de Ven from point-blank range.

Eventually, Spurs found a way back. From a corner that Bournemouth failed to clear, Joao Palhinha executed a stunning overhead kick to restore parity and set up a frantic finish.

Just as the match appeared to be drifting toward a draw, Bournemouth delivered one final punch. In the dying seconds, the ball broke kindly to Semenyo on the edge of the area. With his last meaningful touch in a Bournemouth shirt, he smashed a low, driven effort past the keeper to spark wild celebrations inside the Vitality Stadium.

The goal not only secured Bournemouth’s first league win in 11 matches but also capped a memorable send-off for Semenyo. Head coach Andoni Iraola later admitted it was likely the winger’s final appearance, praising his commitment and impact right up to the final whistle.

For Tottenham Hotspur, the defeat added to a grim run of form. Despite scoring first once again, they failed to protect their advantage and left the pitch facing vocal frustration from their travelling supporters. Players Micky van de Ven and Joao Palhinha were seen speaking directly to fans after full-time, acknowledging their anger and urging unity during a difficult spell.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, climb with renewed belief, buoyed by a result that felt long overdue and a moment of magic that will live long in club folklore.

Title pace meets top-four pressure under the Emirates lights

A heavyweight Premier League night awaits at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday 8 January (8pm), with the league leaders facing the reigning champions in a fixture that rarely needs extra spice. The table does that job anyway. Arsenal come into the game top on 48 points from 20 matches, while Liverpool are fourth on 34 from 20, leaving a 14-point gap that underlines how different the first half of the season has been for two sides who went toe-to-toe in the title race last term.

Momentum is firmly with the hosts in league terms. A dramatic 3–2 win away at Bournemouth on Saturday 3 Januaryextended their excellent run and kept the Emirates as one of the division’s toughest visits, with seven straight home league victories in the bank. Liverpool’s most recent outing offered a more mixed feeling: a 2–2 draw at Fulham on Sunday 4 January that contained quality and response, but also dropped points in a contest where control swung back and forth. Before that, there was a 0–0 at home to Leeds on 1 January, a reminder that the current version can be made to look blunt when rhythm is disrupted.

Selection and availability could be decisive, and it’s a match shaped by what each manager can and can’t call on. Arsenal have confirmed defensive absences with Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori ruled out, while Kai Havertz has trained in the build-up and is in contention to be involved as he continues his return. Liverpool’s list is longer and includes a major January factor: Mohamed Salah is away at AFCON. Wataru Endo remains out with an ankle issue, while Alexander Isak is sidelined for the foreseeable, and long-term injuries include Giovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns. A key attacking note ahead of kick-off is Hugo Ekitiké, who has been carrying a hamstring issue and will be assessed.

Beyond the headlines, this also brings together two sides whose strengths look different right now. Arsenal’s campaign has been built on consistency, a strong defensive base and an ability to win at home even when performances aren’t perfect; David Raya’s nine league clean sheets tell their own story. Goals have been shared rather than funnelled into one name, with Viktor Gyökeres and Leandro Trossard leading the league scoring for the club on five each, and support arriving from the likes of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. Liverpool’s output has leaned more heavily on a smaller group, with Ekitiké the top league scorer on eight when available, and creativity coming from a midfield that can still produce moments of high class — illustrated at Craven Cottage when Florian Wirtz found the net during the comeback effort.

The tactical picture feels familiar but still fascinating. Expect Arsenal to lean on their usual control, pressing with purpose and trying to pin Liverpool in while protecting against the counter. For the visitors, the challenge is balancing aggression with stability, especially with midfield options stretched and a key forward away on international duty. That could place greater emphasis on transitions, set-plays and the kind of decisive actions that have often defined this rivalry.

There’s also recent history to frame it. Liverpool won the reverse league fixture at Anfield earlier this season thanks to a spectacular free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai, and Arsenal have repeatedly stressed the need to “prove it” against top opponents when the stakes are highest. With a title lead to protect and a Champions League place to reinforce, Thursday night has the feel of a match where one moment — a dead-ball, a press win, a single lapse — could echo well beyond 90 minutes.

Mayor of London Launches New Development Corporation for Oxford Street

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has convened the first meeting of the newly formed Oxford Street Development Corporation Board, marking a significant step in plans to transform one of the capital’s most famous streets.

The Mayor’s vision aims to create a world-class destination for shopping, leisure, and outdoor events, with a focus on pedestrianisation and revitalising the high street. Around seven in ten Londoners have expressed support for the wider regeneration plans, while two-thirds back the idea of making Oxford Street largely car-free.

A public consultation on the detailed pedestrianisation proposals is open until 16 January 2026. Meanwhile, retailers are moving quickly to secure space ahead of the redevelopment, with Savills predicting a record number of new openings on Oxford Street by the end of the year.

The OSDC Board brings together a wide range of expertise from retail, property, leisure, fashion, music, theatre, media, law, and politics. Board members include Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford, a prominent lawyer and diversity advocate, and Es Devlin, an acclaimed stage and set designer known for large-scale theatrical and musical projects.

Keith Edelman, a business executive and former managing director of Arsenal Football Club, joins the board alongside Emir Feisal, a specialist in transformational change, magistrate, and Family Court judge.

The board also includes Asma Khan, the celebrated restaurateur behind London’s Darjeeling Express, Caroline Rush, former chief executive of the British Fashion Council, and Kate Willard, chair and CEO of the Thames Estuary Growth Board.

Representatives of local authorities include Richard Olszewski for Camden and Adam Hug for Westminster. Howard Dawber, the Mayor’s Deputy for Business and chair of London & Partners, and Dee Corsi, chief executive of the New West End Company, have also been appointed to advisory roles.

Retail veteran Scott Parsons has been named chair of the board. Parsons has extensive experience managing major London projects, including Westfield and Landsec developments, and has supported businesses through the challenges of Covid-19.

Nabeel Khan, formerly director of Growth and Environment at Lambeth Council, has been appointed chief executive of the OSDC. Khan brings experience in urban planning, economic development, and mixed-use regeneration, including the creation of the UK’s first multi-storey light-industrial workspace.

The board’s inaugural meeting, held at City Hall, focused on shaping a shared vision for Oxford Street and setting key priorities for the transformation. The next board meeting is scheduled for February 2026.

Sadiq Khan said the meeting represented a “major milestone” in efforts to revitalise the nation’s high street. He emphasised that the board’s expertise would help unlock Oxford Street’s full potential, creating a safer, more welcoming, and commercially thriving destination.

Nabeel Khan described the opportunity as “once-in-a-generation,” highlighting the importance of balancing commercial success with public access and cultural vibrancy.

Dee Corsi said the corporation acknowledged Oxford Street’s vital economic and community role, adding that long-term strategic change was now the priority.

Scott Parsons said the project presented an opportunity to “put a world-famous icon back on the map” and expressed his excitement at working with the Mayor, Khan, and the board to deliver a transformative plan for Oxford Street.

Bexley’s Hall Place & Gardens Hosts Music and Light Installations to Start 2026

The London Borough of Bexley is set to welcome 2026 with a vibrant day of culture at Hall Place & Gardens on Saturday 10 January. As part of Bexley’s Night Visions programme, supported by Arts Council England, the event combines world-class musical theatre with interactive community art, celebrating light, creativity, and well-being.

The afternoon begins at 2pm in the historic Great Hall with Birdsong, the acclaimed choral group from Bird College. Known for their passion and precision in musical theatre, the students will bring the hall to life with an uplifting showcase. Tickets are £16.26 and include refreshments at the interval, offering a unique chance to enjoy high-quality music in a striking historic setting.

Alongside the concert, the Centrepieces Mental Health Arts Project will host a free Community Connection Day from 12pm to 5pm at the Lodge and East Lawn. Visitors of all ages can take part in creating three light-themed installations:

The Light We Share: a mural symbolising hope.
The Shifting Spectrum: a dynamic, illuminated sculpture reflecting the mental health spectrum.
The Dual Self Box: a reflective space for anonymous thoughts of light and dark.

As dusk falls, the artworks will be illuminated in “The Illumination”, transforming the gardens into a glowing sanctuary. Concert-goers can step from the Great Hall straight onto the East Lawn to experience the finished installations.

Whether you are seeking a sophisticated afternoon of song or a hands-on creative experience with family, Hall Place promises a memorable way to lift the January blues.

Night Visions is part of #CelebratingBexley, a year-long programme marking local milestones, including 60 years of the London Borough of Bexley, 500 years since the closure of Lesnes Abbey, and 160 years of Crossness Engines. The festival has been made possible through £100,000 of investment from Arts Council England and the Bexley Culture Network.

Croydon Council Employee Convicted for Holding Two Full-Time Jobs

A housing employee at Croydon Council has been convicted after it was discovered that she held a second full-time job with another London local authority. Sally Bodom, who was employed by Croydon Council’s housing department since July 2016, was dismissed after it emerged she had also been working full-time for Barnet Council.

Bodom was able to maintain “hybrid” working arrangements for two years, convincing managers at both councils that she was giving her full attention to her role while working remotely. During this period, she received paychecks from both Croydon and Barnet, despite contracts at both councils prohibiting undeclared secondary employment.

A Croydon Council spokesperson said: “We will not tolerate staff taking on secondary employment which has not been approved by the council. We take a proactive approach on detecting possible signs of dual working.” However, the council did not provide details on the measures used to detect such activity.

The fraud was uncovered after Barnet Council discovered multiple paychecks and launched an investigation. Bodom’s conduct was described in court as “polygamous working,” the act of holding multiple full-time positions simultaneously.

She pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation and one count of fraud by failure to disclose at Willesden Magistrates’ Court. Bodom was sentenced to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete unpaid work, rehabilitation activities, and pay £10,000 in fines to Barnet Council. Croydon Council will not receive any financial restitution.

Barnet Council stated that Bodom’s salary during her employment there exceeded £60,000. Her contract, like Croydon’s, prohibited undeclared additional employment that could interfere with her duties.

Barry Rawlings, Labour leader of Barnet Council, commented: “This prosecution highlights the seriousness of this modern-day fraud of polygamous working and will serve as a strong deterrent.”

VibePay Weekly Cashback Rewards to Launch as Platform Evolves

London-based VibePay has confirmed a significant change to its platform, outlining plans to introduce weekly cashback rewards while placing peer to peer payments on hold from March 2026.

The payments firm said the update marks a shift towards a rewards first payments model built on Open Banking. From March 2026, users will be able to access weekly cashback opportunities on eligible payments, regardless of where they choose to spend.

Central to the update is the launch of VibePay Friday, a new in app feature that will run every week. The feature will allow users to select one of their recent payments for a chance to receive the full transaction amount back as cashback.

According to VibePay, the weekly cashback rewards will be bank agnostic and work across all major UK banks. The experience will be credit free and fee free, using Open Banking rather than traditional card based systems, and will apply to everyday spending rather than selected retailers only.

“This is about rewarding real spending,” said Chris Franklin, CMO of VibePay. “From March 2026, every eligible payment becomes a chance to get something back, regardless of bank or merchant. At the same time, we’re making a deliberate shift to focus on cashback and merchant payments, where Open Banking delivers the greatest value for both consumers and businesses.”

Alongside the introduction of weekly cashback rewards, VibePay said it will pause peer to peer payments from March 2026. The company said the move is intended to sharpen its focus on two priorities. These are building a leading cashback experience and rolling out VibePay Checkout, its Pay by Bank checkout product for merchants.

“Pausing P2P allows us to double down on what matters most,” Franklin said. “We’re building a rewards layer that sits on top of every UK bank and connects consumers and merchants in real time. This is a focused step forward, not a reduction in ambition.”

VibePay Checkout will enable consumers to pay merchants directly from their bank accounts. Every purchase made using the service will automatically qualify for the weekly cashback rewards and unlock personalised offers, according to the company.

VibePay said its approach differs from traditional card based reward schemes. The Open Banking model is designed to work across all UK banks, without credit checks, interest charges or hidden fees.

By bringing payments, rewards and merchant engagement together within a single Open Banking ecosystem, VibePay said it aims to create a payments experience that consumers actively choose to use, rather than one they rely on by default.

New Westminster Retrofit First policy plan announced

Westminster City Council has unveiled its City Plan Partial Review, introducing new policies to tackle climate change, boost affordable housing, and guide future development across the city. The updated plan comes after three years of consultation with residents, businesses, developers, and local stakeholders.

At the heart of the review is the council’s new Retrofit First policy, which requires developers to explore all reasonable options for retrofitting and adapting existing buildings before considering demolition. While not every building can be retrofitted, the policy prioritises refurbishment over redevelopment wherever feasible, placing Westminster among local authorities leading on climate action.

The urgency of the approach is evident: Westminster’s built environment accounts for 90% of its total CO₂ emissions, compared with roughly 40% for a typical council area. In the first half of 2025, the council’s Sustainability Team monitored 19 planning schemes, covering over 143,000 sqm of office, hotel, and retail space. Working closely with developers, the council achieved a 24% reduction in construction-related carbon emissions compared with average emissions recorded when the policy launched in 2023. This represents a saving of 27,500 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to the annual energy use of almost 3,700 homes.

The City Plan Partial Review also strengthens requirements for affordable housing. The split in new developments will now shift to 70% social rent and 30% intermediate homes, up from 40% and 60% respectively. For the first time, even sites with fewer than 10 homes will be expected to contribute to affordable housing delivery.

Four new strategic sites have also been identified for mixed-use development: St Mary’s Hospital, Westbourne Park Bus Garage, land adjacent to Royal Oak, and Grosvenor Sidings. These allocations provide clarity for developers and landowners, supporting the creation of new homes, modern workspaces, improved public spaces, and a new state-of-the-art St Mary’s Hospital.

Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, said:

“The City Plan Partial Review focuses our efforts on the most important challenges facing Westminster: tackling the climate crisis and delivering more genuinely affordable homes.

“Our Retrofit First policy sets a new benchmark for local authorities. It will help reduce carbon emissions from today’s buildings and has the potential to be the biggest single emissions-reduction initiative undertaken by any council in the country.

“We are also strengthening our commitment to affordable housing by increasing the proportion of social rent homes in new developments and ensuring smaller sites also play their part.

“Taken together, these policies create a roadmap to a fairer, healthier and more welcoming Westminster – one that works for today’s residents and for generations to come.”

A Youtube video exploring the plan is available here.