Weekend roundup: Frank defends Spurs indiscipline, Gunners hold on to summit for Xmas, Eagles flop, QPR soar

Picture: @capitalfootball

Thomas Frank has refused to condemn the lack of self-control that saw two Spurs players sent off in Saturday night's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Xavi Simons was red carded after 30 minutes for recklessly raking the calf of Virgil van Dijk and skipper Cristian Romero once again showed that he can be a liability at times when he petulantly kicked out at Ibrahima Konate to earn a second yellow.

It was not a great night for the Argentinian defender, who also gifted the opening goal for Alexander Isak with a stray pass and failed to persuade ref John Brooks that he had been fouled by Hugo Ekitike for the second goal when he appeared to be pushed by the Reds striker.

"I'm proud of the players and how they responded to setbacks through the game," Spurs boss Frank said. "It's what the best sides do. I thought there was great character and personality in the team.

"The first red, I've seen them given before, but I don't like to see this as a red card. I think the game is too big to say 'it's gone' but for me it's not reckless, it's not excessive force. I know people say you should be smarter, but we aren't allowed to have physical contact anymore? He then gets three games [ban] and that's absolutely wrong.

"The second goal was a clear hands on the back and I think that was a big mistake. For the second red, there's probably a reason the whole team react as they do for the first yellow - an indicator that something is wrong. For the second yellow I see two big boys competing and Konate absolutely smashing through [Romero]. He then reacts. I think it can be given, but also I guess it can be not given.

"Any player needs to control their emotions and be cool headed. It's not only because you are captain you need to be cool headed. We are talking about a very passionate player who's been good for this club."

While Spurs were once more struggling on home soil - as they have done all year - rivals Arsenal made sure they are top at Christmas. A first half penalty from Viktor Gyokeres was enough to give them a 1-0 win at Everton in a tricky Saturday night encounter. They are two points ahead of Man City, who briefly went top after beating West Ham 3-0 earlier in the day.

Two Erling Haaland goals did for them - and he usually scores against the Irons, who remain in the bottom three after the reverse, along with Burnley and Wolves. They are now five points from safety.

Crystal Place boss Oliver Glasner bemoaned his side's failure to deal with set pieces as they slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Leeds. All the home side's goals came from set plays. A Justin Devenny penalty in injury time was the only bright spot for the well-beaten Eagles.

Brentford celebrated only a second away win of the campaign, with Keane Lewis-Potter enjoying a memorable afternoon - scoring both goals in a 2-0 win at Wolves.

A superb Reece James free-kick and an excellent solo effort from Joao Pedro ensured Chelsea recovered from a 2-0 half-time deficit to draw 2-2 at Newcastle.

It was a superb day for QPR, who swept Leicester City aside 4-1 at Loftus Road to move up to seventh in the Championship table. The Foxes, now managed by former boss Marti Cifuentes, had no answer to the hosts potency. Koki Saito netted after just two minutes and there were further goals for Richard Kone, Karamoko Dembele and Amadou Mbengue before the first half was over.

They are now just a point behind Millwall, who currently occupy the final play-off place. The Lions were beaten 2-0 at Blackburn Rovers after a lacklustre display.

Luca Kjerrumgaard's eighth goal of the season in the second half was enough to give Watford a 1-0 win at home to Stoke City and a late Charlie Kelman strike was also enough for Charlton at home to Oxford. Watford are 10th, two points behind QPR. Charlton lie 17th.

In League One, Orient bounced back from a goal down to beat Bradford City 2-1, with Dom Ballard the two-goal hero. AFC Wimbledon were beaten 3-1 at Northampton on Friday night. Marcus Browne was the lone Dons scorer.

In League Two, Will Hondermarck's double lifts Bromley up to second after a 2-0 win over Grimsby but Barnet lost ground in the chase for the play-offs as they slipped to a 3-1 home defeat to Salford. Oliver Hawkins' late header was no more than a consolation for the Bees, who are now seven points off the play-off pace.