Transfer news LIVE: Everton sack Frank Lampard, Chelsea want Fernandez and Kane could stay at Tottenham

Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s first half of the Premier League season as “extraordinary” following their last-gasp victory over Manchester United which moved them five points clear at the summit.

The Gunners ran out 3-2 winners following Eddie Nketiah’s late effort but, despite their lead at the top of the table, Arteta insists closest challengers Manchester City remain the standard bearers.

Marcus Rashford had put United ahead only for Nketiah to equalise and Bukayo Saka to put Arsenal ahead.

The visitors hit back through Lisandro Martinez’s first goal for the club before Nketiah flicked home a stray Martin Odegaard shot in the closing stages.

The win moved Arsenal on to 50 points from their opening 19 games of the campaign – a record for the club at this stage of the season – eclipsing even Arsene Wenger’s invincibles by five points.

Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing is generating interest from several clubs across Europe during in this transfer window with one of those being LaLiga side Valencia.

There have been no official bids or contact from any other club yet but a move for Billing may not be too long in the making. He has been a key part of Bournemouth this season having scored four goals in 21 appearances in the league and cup.

Another hat-trick for Haaland

The City striker netted his fourth hat-trick of the season in a 15-minute spell either side of half-time. The prolific Norway international took his goal tally for the season to 31 in all competitions and only Alan Shearer, with five, has scored more hat-tricks in a Premier League season.

Haaland’s current total of 25 goals would have won him the Golden Boot in more than half of the 30 seasons since 1992.

Gunners leave it late to beat Man Utd

Eddie Nketiah’s late instinctive finish decided a hugely entertaining game at home to Manchester United, whose recent bubble was burst at the Emirates Stadium.

Marcus Rashford’s early strike enhanced United’s aspirations of joining the title race only for Nketiah and a Bukayo Saka stunner to turn things around.

Lisandro Martinez’s header looked like earning a point before Nketiah turned home his second in the 90th minute.

Throw away your plastic clappers – there is no need for an artificial atmosphere at Arsenal these days. This is the Emirates and the sound you can hear is that of the Premier League leaders hitting the front, firmly now, as title favourites. At the end of an absorbing and dramatic win against Manchester United it was only the bitter chill that reminded you this was January and not April or May.

There was the sight of exhausted bodies strewn on the turf. After Eddie Nkietah and Oleksandr Zinchenko collapsed, Bukayo Saka wheeled away and roared, as Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka lapped the pitch.

Mikel Arteta’s side are pushing into new ground; this young team are responding to the pressures they are only just discovering. So, too, is the Emirates. Gone are the days of the crowd here living on the edge of doom; there is resilience to this side and while Arsenal’s season has been typified by fast, attacking starts, it has been so far matched by their collective ability to respond to adversity.

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There have been reports from the Italian media that Antonio Conte is set to leave Tottenham at the end of the current season and that the club are already looking for a replacement manager.

Thomas Tuchel is the early bookmakers’ favourite after leaving Chelsea a few months ago but TMW are reporting that initial talks have begun with Mauricio Pochettino over a sensational return to north London.

Liverpool have decided to recall defender Rhys Williams from his loan spell at Blackpool.

The 21-year-old will go back into Jurgen Klopp’s squad for the second half of the season after finding his game time reduced at the Championship club.

Williams made 17 league appearances for Blackpool but hasn’t featured in four of their last five matches. The Athletic reports that Williams’ return could have a second reason as it opens the door for Nat Phillips to leave the club.

Following Virgil van Dijk’s injury Phillips looked set to remain at the club as defensive cover but with Williams back at Anfield Liverpool are prepared to listen to both loan and permanent offers for Phillips.

Last summer, Benfica wanted to take Phillips on a season-long loan and there were also serious interest from Bournemouth, Burnley and Southampton.

Aston Villa defender Jan Bendarek will see his season-long loan to Aston Villa cut short and return to parent club Southampton, according to Polish outlet Meczyki.

The 26-year-old Poland centre-back only made four appearances for Villa and is heading back to St Mary’s to help in their relegation dogfight.

Antonio Conte hopes Tottenham’s second-half collapse at Manchester City can be a turning point in their season.

Spurs suffered a 4-2 Premier League defeat away to the champions on Thursday despite holding a half-time lead for the first time since October 12.

It continued Tottenham’s inconsistent form with three defeats in four league games this month, but Conte referenced a similar experience during his time in charge of Inter Milan as a catalyst for change.

Inter let slip a two-goal lead in similar fashion to lose 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund during the 2019-20 season and yet responded with a strong run where they suffered only one further defeat during the next three months.

Rumours have picked up in recent days that Frank Lampard is on the verge of being sacked by Everton. The Toffees are 19th in the table having earned just 15 points from their first 20 matches.

The 2-0 defeat to West Ham at the weekend compounding the issue as victory for the Hammers took them out of the relegation zone leaving Everton facing the prospect of dropping to the Championship.

Sky Sports News’ Vinny O’Connor spoke about Lampard’s future saying:

“We are hearing that at some point a decision will be made and the expectation is it will be announced that Frank Lampard will be leaving his post as Everton manager.

“It will be less than a year since he took over – he actually was appointed as manager on January 31st last year. And it’s been a year and seven days since Rafa Benitez was removed from his position as Everton.

“You can see why Everton are in this position once again. They are second from bottom in the Premier League, only above Southampton on goal difference. They have lost to Southampton and Wolves in recent weeks and if you saw the performance against West Ham, there were defensive mistakes and they are looking a bit toothless in attack once again. And that’s all added up to Everton’s problems and why there’s a fear once again that they are in a relegation battle.”