Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank faced questions about more than the result after his side lost at Bournemouth. Photographers captured Frank walking in the away stadium holding a cup that, for reasons unclear, carried Arsenal branding. That image became a focus on social channels and was raised during Frank’s post-match media duties.

Frank, the former Brentford manager, rejected the premise and said he would not have taken the cup if he had realised what was on it. “Definitely not noticed it. I think it’s fair to say that we’re not winning every single football match so it would be absolutely, completely stupid of me to take a cup with Arsenal ,” he said. “Is there anyone thinking I’ve done that? All the staff has done it.

“They’ve been in the changing room, the game before us. It’s normal to take a cup, give me an espresso, I do that before every game. I think actually it’s a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked a question about that.

“I think we’re definitely going in the wrong direction if we need to worry about me having a cup with another logo of another club, of course I’ll never do that. That’s extremely stupid.”

The evening’s frustrations extended beyond the cup. Bournemouth secured a dramatic late winner and tensions spilled over with players and sections of the travelling support. Palhinha and Tottenham centre back Micky van de Ven were involved in altercations with Spurs’ supporters after the final whistle. Those who had paid to follow the Europa League holders were clearly frustrated by the performance.

Tottenham’s captain Cristian Romero addressed followers on Instagram in a post that took aim at those he suggested should be speaking up. “Apologies to all fans of you who follow us everywhere, who are always there and will continue to be,” Romero posted on Instagram. “We are responsible, there’s no doubt about that. I am the first.

“But we will keep facing up to it and trying to turn the situation around, for ourselves and for the club.

“At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don’t—as has been happening for several years now. They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies.

“We’ll stay here, working, sticking together and giving our all to turn things around. Especially at times like this, keeping quiet, working harder and moving forward all together, is part of football.

“All together, it will be easier.”

Romero later edited the post to remove the “to tell a few lies” line, drew attention from his 5.1 million followers, saw teammates Pedro Porro and Richarlison post support, and the message was subsequently deleted by the Argentine.

Antoine Semenyo’s stoppage-time winner against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday looked, according to Bournemouth’s manager, like a final curtain for the winger at the club.

Andoni Iraola indicated the goal could be Semenyo’s parting gift after reports that Manchester City have finalised terms to sign him. The Athletic report that Semenyo will now head for a medical with City, who have negotiated themselves a deal which does not require them to trigger his release clause of £65 million ($87.6 million).

According to the report a 24-month payment plan has been agreed which will see City pay a guaranteed £62.5 million and £1.5 million in bonuses, while a promise of 10% of the profit of any future sale could see Bournemouth earn more than his initial release clause in the long run.

“If that is to be his last involvement for Bournemouth there is no better way for it to go,” teammate Marcus Tavernier told Sky Sports. “That was the type of stuff you write in movies and no man deserves it more than him.”

Iraola suggested the goal would be Semenyo’s parting gift, adding: “It’s not easy to do what he has done. Most players would have acted differently.

“He never found excuses. He was ready to give what we needed. We could keep him until the last second and it is fair that he leaves with the feeling he has at the end. With the reception of the supporters, and all this. I am very happy for him.”

City’s interest was reported as concrete towards the end of December and a move to the Etihad has been viewed as the most likely outcome, though suggestions of late interest from Liverpool have persisted. After the final whistle on Wednesday, Jamie Redknapp used his appearance on Sky Sports to further stoke the speculation with a claim of an 11th-hour approach from Liverpool.

“Everyone thinks it’s a foregone conclusion but I’m not so sure. I’m hearing Liverpool have come in,” Redknapp said. “I’m not saying it’s Sky Sports breaking news but I’ve heard tonight it might not be the foregone conclusion that everyone’s talking about, him having a medical at Man City … there might still be a little twist.”

Ultimately City have scheduled a medical for Semenyo, who is now heading up to Manchester to complete what will be among the most expensive deals of the January window.

Antoine Semenyo has elected to join Manchester City, turning down approaches from Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, a decision attributed to his wish to work under Pep Guardiola. Ironically, Arsenal were thought to be his preferred destination because of his childhood support, per The Athletic, but City emerged victorious in the race.

Reports note that there have been ‘zero doubts’ about the move since Christmas Eve. Guardiola’s reputation and record are presented as central to Semenyo’s choice. Across 15 full seasons in senior management, Guardiola has won the top flight 12 times. Manchester City’s 2024–25 campaign was widely derided as the worst of his career yet he still inspired a top-three finish and a run to the FA Cup final.

Questions remain over where Semenyo will fit into City’s forward group. The club’s most obvious first-choice frontline centres on Erling Haaland, most commonly flanked by Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki. Jérémy Doku is another potent option on the wing. Semenyo will also be competing with Savinho and Omar Marmoush, the latter returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

City’s squad issues have been more clearly identified at centre back, prompting reported interest in Marc Guéhi. Guardiola’s long-term position is also subject to speculation. His contract runs until the summer of 2027, yet there have been reports that City have prepared for his departure in six months, with multiple discussions held between the club and Enzo Maresca before he left Chelsea.

The structure of Semenyo’s release clause has influenced the timing of any move. Bournemouth set a £65 million trigger that had to be activated within the first 10 days of January, a mechanism that allowed the club time to seek replacements. Their first-choice target, Brennan Johnson, has already joined Crystal Palace.

Andoni Iraola has been clear about Semenyo’s availability during a busy spell of fixtures. “Antoine will play tomorrow, yes,” he declared. “I can give you my opinion, from my experience, but there is nothing signed with Antoine Semenyo.

“If you ask me personally, ‘what do you think?’ With all the noise, I think it could be the last game, but I cannot guarantee it. I understand the market, I understand the noise but right now there is nothing agreed, nothing signed, so for me he is our player and I hope he continues.

“But my understanding also, because I have been in the [transfer] market before with this club and others, there is a chance it is his last game also, yes.”