a 2–1 win at Brisbane Road. 11 December 1996 – John Scales turns his back on Leeds United after looking set to return to the club where he began his career over a decade ago, and leaves Liverpool for Tottenham Hotspur in a £2.6 million deal. 14 December 1996 – Robbie Fowler scores four goals for Liverpool as they beat Middlesbrough 5–1 in the league at Anfield. 19 December 1996 – Frank Clark steps down after three-and-a-half years as manager of Nottingham Forest, with 34-year-old defender Stuart Pearce being appointed player-manager on a temporary basis. 20 December 1996 – Middlesbrough cancel their Premier League fixture at Blackburn Rovers tomorrow, after manager Bryan Robson insisted he could not field a team, as 23 of his playing staff have been hit by a virus. 22 December 1996 – Stuart Pearce brings former Nottingham Forest striker Nigel Clough back to the City Ground on loan from Manchester City, more than three years after he left the club for Liverpool. 23 December 1996 – Division Two strugglers Notts County sack joint managers Steve Thompson and Colin Murphy. 24 December 1996 – Middlesbrough are charged with bringing the game into disrepute over their cancelled fixture. 26 December 1996 – The key Boxing Day drama sees Gianfranco Zola score both of Chelsea's goals in a 2–0 away win over Aston Villa, Gordon Strachan lead Coventry City to a 3–1 away win over his old club Leeds United, and Manchester United boost their title hopes and deepen their opposition's relegation worries with a 4–0 win at Nottingham Forest. 28 December 1996 – Wimbledon continue to defy the odds and challenge for a place in Europe with a 3–1 away win over Everton. Newcastle United continue to push for the title with a 7–1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur. 29 December 1996 – – 11 days after leaving Nottingham Forest, Frank Clark is named as manager of Manchester City. – Liverpool remain top of the Premier League with a 1–0 win at Southampton, with a late goal from John Barnes ensuring that they top a division which they were last champions of in 1990. 31 December 1996 – 1996 draws to a close with Liverpool now leading the Premier League, while a mere five points separate the next six highest clubs – Manchester United, Arsenal, Wimbledon, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Chelsea. Nottingham Forest are still bottom with