Today in Football: The Bits You Blinked and Missed

Football never clocks off — not for a minute. If you blink, you miss a storyline. So here’s your brisk tour of the last 24 hours (and a bit) — the quirks, the needle, the moments that make this game pure theatre. For more from us — and the latest on best betting sites — keep this page pinned.

January 3: Brennan Johnson’s brisk goodbye sparks a Spurs debate

First big move of the winter window: Brennan Johnson swaps Tottenham for Crystal Palace in a £35m switch. The farewell? A curt five-word sign-off — “Been a ride. Thank you.” Cue the online inquest. Some Spurs supporters wanted a longer love letter; others pointed out he’d copped plenty of stick during his stint and even stepped back from socials at one stage. There was a video montage attached, too — hardly a disappearing act. In truth, this is modern football: emotions high, timelines quick, and everyone with a take.

December 22: Ronaldo’s Red Sea retreat — two new villas, jaw-dropping price tag

Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired not one but two villas on a private island resort off Saudi Arabia’s coast, said to be designed by Lord Norman Foster. Price? Around £3.5m each, roughly £7m combined, per reports. Only reachable by boat or seaplane — perfect for some quiet away from Riyadh. He’s over the moon about the spot, calling it exceptional and serene. When your career’s been played at full volume, a little silence probably sounds like gold.

December 22: Chiesa’s instant compassion as Isak goes down vs Spurs

Federico Chiesa, warming up on the touchline, clocked Alexander Isak in clear distress after scoring and sprinted on to check his team-mate. A tiny moment that said plenty. Liverpool supporters lapped it up online, praising Chiesa’s character as loudly as his skillset. Football’s about more than numbers; gestures like that stick with crowds.

December 21: Villa cook United — then serve up a spicy tweet

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa beat Manchester United 2-1, thanks to a Morgan Rogers brace that bookended a Matheus Cunha leveller. Ten in a row for Villa — that’s proper form — and the social media team couldn’t resist a cheeky jab, riffing on a United fan’s “no haircut until five straight wins” vow. The replies? Half roasting, half applauding. It’s all part of the theatre — win matches, win the timeline.

December 19: McTominay and Tomori square up in Supercoppa flashpoint

Late on in Napoli’s 2-0 win over AC Milan, a foul, a follow-through, and Fikayo Tomori pinging the ball back sparked a dust-up with Scott McTominay. Teammates piled in, tempers flared, and the referee flashed matching yellows. No great harm done, but a reminder that even with the game sewn up, competitive edge never sleeps. Napoli march on to face Bologna or Inter in the final.

December 13: Anfield embraces Salah on his return

Mohamed Salah, back in the Liverpool squad against Brighton, got a rousing welcome from the Kop. On early after Joe Gomez’s injury, the 33-year-old’s entrance was wrapped in warmth — a timely show of unity after a turbulent few days off the pitch. Players feel that energy; it matters.

December 13: Vin Diesel pens a Fast role for Cristiano Ronaldo

Hollywood meets the high press: Vin Diesel says a role has been written for Cristiano Ronaldo in a future Fast & Furious instalment, with the next film slated as the 11th of the series. Ronaldo’s long teased a post-football dip into acting — this could be his cue. If he hits the screen like he hits free-kicks, buckle up.

December 12: Mourinho tips his cap to a cracking tactical question

Pressers can be a slog, but one journalist in Portugal earned Jose Mourinho’s applause by digging into Benfica’s build-up tweaks after a 2-0 win over Napoli — specifically, the CDM drifting wide and the opposite-sided movement to open channels. Mourinho called it a great question, then spelled out how that positioning stretched a two-man midfield and gifted time on the ball. Smart questions, smarter answers.

December 8: Bruno’s “how has that gone in?” special vs Wolves

Manchester United’s opener at Wolves was pure slapstick: a turnover, Bruno Fernandes slipping, getting up, and still steering it past Sam Johnstone. The internet christened it a shocker of a goal — the sort that makes coaches wince and rivals howl. Still counts, mind. They all look the same on the scoreboard.

November 29: Vicario’s moment to forget for Spurs

Guglielmo Vicario endured a hairy spell against Fulham — early concession, then a rush out of goal followed by a hesitation that gifted possession and left his net gaping for Harry Wilson to curl in. For a keeper, those seconds feel like hours. The only cure is the next clean sheet.

That’s the lot for now. New day, fresh drama incoming. Stick around — football’s soap opera never cuts to credits.