Enock Mwepu is "undergoing precautionary checks" after being taken to hospital in his native Zambia, Brighton and Hove Albion announced.

The 25-year-old was forced to retire from playing in October after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.

Reports emerged on Sunday that Mwepu, who has taken on a role as an academy coach at Brighton, had been rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Albion released a statement in response, but did not go into detail on the former Zambia captain's condition.

"The club can provide the following update on Enock Mwepu, in response to media reports," the statement read. "Enock was taken unwell in Zambia and is currently undergoing precautionary checks. Our medical team is in communication with the hospital to assist if required.

"The club would like to thank the many well-wishers for their messages and support. The club nor Enock wish to provide any further comment at this stage."

Mwepu joined Brighton from Salzburg in a reported £18million (€21m) deal in July 2021 and made 27 appearances for the Premier League side in all competitions.

He played in six of Albion's opening eight top-flight matches in this campaign, including the 2-1 win over Manchester United on the opening weekend, starting two of those.

When announcing his retirement three months ago, Brighton said Mwepu was at an "extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event" if he continued playing.

Antonio Conte was disappointed but conceded Arsenal deserved to be leading the Premier League after a commanding 2-0 victory at Tottenham.

Arsenal moved eight points clear at the Premier League summit after their first win at their north London rivals since 2014, with Hugo Lloris' inexplicable own goal and Martin Odegaard's strike the difference.

Spurs had their own chances against the league-leading Gunners, with Aaron Ramsdale making fine stops to deny Son Heung-min and Harry Kane amid his seven saves in the match.

Tottenham have conceded at least two goals in five consecutive home league games for the first time since August 1992, but Conte refused to criticise his players after another disappointing showing.

"We wanted to deliver and get a result for our fans because we know how important this type of game is for them," the Spurs head coach told BBC's Match of the Day. 

"This game was also important for us and to improve the table. I am disappointed with the result. We started well and started in a strong way and then we conceded a goal.

"Football is strange and sometimes a situation happens, it is very difficult to explain. We had a good chance to equalise with Sonny but the Arsenal keeper made a fantastic save.

"The second goal could kill everybody. I have to be happy with the reaction. They stayed there with their head and mind, and I asked for that.

"In this sort of game you can lose the mind and concede many goals but instead we created chances. We continued to have a good balance and didn't concede great chances.

"We have to be disappointed and for our fans. Arsenal deserve to stay top of the table and fight to win the Premier League. They and Manchester City are the two title contenders."

Tottenham have lost four home Premier League games this season, Conte's joint-highest tally of such defeats in a single league campaign (also 2017-18 with Chelsea and 2007-08 with Bari).

That turgid run of home form, coupled with some underwhelming away performances, has left Spurs five points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United, who have played a game fewer.

Fulham, Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford are all within four points of Tottenham, and Conte knows a tough challenge awaits in the bid for European football.

He told Sky Sports: "We have to continue to work really hard and we will see our position at the end of the season. Be it the Champions League or Europa League.

"Teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle, also Brighton and Brentford. It is really difficult because every team can spend money and even the middle or lower teams have international players."

The clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was somewhat marred by a fan kicking Ramsdale, who had just been confronted by Richarlison, after the full-time whistle.

"I didn't see it. I only see a big confusion and you are telling me now what happened," Conte added.

"If it happened, it is not good. We always have to show respect for an opponent and the players. I don't like it."

The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) said "violence towards players is completely unacceptable" after a fan appeared to aim a kick at Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale following their derby win over Tottenham.

Following the Gunners' 2-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a spectator climbed over the hoardings and aimed a kick towards the England international.

The PFA has stated such problems are a "priority issue" in response, calling for players to be protected.

"Violence towards players is completely unacceptable. These types of incidents are occurring too often," a statement read.

"Players have a right to be safe in their place of work. When a player is attacked we expect the laws and regulations that are in place to protect them to be properly enforced.

"As the players' union we treat this as a priority issue. We will be continuing to work with the authorities to demand that players and staff are better protected in their place of work."

Mikel Arteta felt Arsenal "went another step" after a crucial derby victory over Tottenham moved the Gunners eight points clear of Manchester City.

Hugo Lloris inexplicably turned into his own net before Martin Odegaard powered into the bottom-right corner as Arsenal's first-half dominance propelled them to a 2-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

That left Arsenal with an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League, their biggest advantage in the top-flight table when playing the same number of games as the side below since the final day of the 2003-04 season, when they won the title by 11 points.

Having completed their first league double over Tottenham and first victory at their fierce rivals since the 2013-14 season, Arteta believes his side displayed their title credentials with a pivotal performance.

The Arsenal manager told Sky Sports: "I loved the way we played and the courage we showed to come here and play.

"Doing our job we can make a lot of people happy, and I'm sure we've made Arsenal fans very happy. Everything we ask, they are so willing to try and do.

"They are a terrific group of players. I think today we went another step. We won last season in big stadiums, but the way we won today was really pleasing to watch.

"It shows not only determination and courage but you have to have the belief and quality to do it against this team. That is absolutely down to the players.

"We were really aggressive. We were really intense against the high press. We won so many balls and duels. They created some openings, they are a dangerous team, but we did a lot of good work."

Erik ten Hag's in-form Manchester United, who are nine points behind the leaders, follow on January 22 at Emirates Stadium in what could prove to be a decisive clash in the title race.

Arsenal may have hoped to have Mykhaylo Mudryk to call upon for that game but the Ukraine international instead opted to join Chelsea, who reportedly paid £89million (€100m) to sign the 22-year-old from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Arteta, though, preferred to focus on the quality at his disposal.

"I am very proud to have the players we have. We always want to try to improve the squad," he said. "The club are the first to try and improve the players we have.

"We have to have some discipline and be consistent in the targets we have. We can make the players better – let's focus on that.

"We had some injuries, long-term injuries and it's not helpful but we can focus on tomorrow. Train better, train better and review the game. We will try to improve the team.

"There are always a few parties involved. The club are willing and they have my support and I have their support."

Hungry and humble. That was how Mikel Arteta described Arsenal after October's north London derby victory at Emirates Stadium.

Tottenham have been less humble, more humbled, by their meetings with the Gunners this season, and Sunday's 2-0 home defeat made Spurs the victims of a first Gunners double in the north London derby since 2013-14.

With Arteta, Arsenal have a manager who understands his players, who draws the very best from them, and who might be just about halfway to a remarkable Premier League title.

In return, Arsenal's players get all the praise under the sun, but they are asked to stay focused, and duly they obey their Spanish leader.

When Arteta and captain Martin Odegaard demanded the players walk away from a post-match disturbance, away they went, to celebrate in front of their own supporters at the other end of the pitch.

This was Arsenal's first victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, they lead the Premier League by eight points after 18 games, and they have an awful lot to celebrate before putting on their next game face.

A fan in a Tottenham section appeared to aim a kick at Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale seconds after the full-time whistle, climbing on pitchside railings to do so before scampering away pathetically, oblivious to the existence of television cameras.

That buffoon will doubtless get his comeuppance and Spurs themselves may face FA sanctions. It was a sorry and needless way for the game to end from a Tottenham perspective, and it had already been plenty grim enough.

Ramsdale played his own brilliant role in a fine Arsenal victory, while opposite number Hugo Lloris had a nightmare, with his own goal setting the visitors on their way.

Arsenal won 3-1 at home in October to consolidate their early hold on top spot, when a fumble from Lloris in the first game allowed Gabriel Jesus to put the hosts 2-1 ahead.

Arteta said after that game: "It is a really hungry and humble team, believe me. We know where we are. There is nothing that we have done yet, and there are still a lot of things to improve, and that's the direction that we are taking."

His message still stands. The title is a long way off, but Arsenal do not look like a team about to implode.

Here, Arsenal nudged their way ahead in the 14th minute, with Bukayo Saka's cross from the right taking an inconvenient nick off Ryan Sessegnon before former France captain Lloris juggled it over the line in shambolic fashion.

Son Heung-min probably should have put Spurs level three minutes later, but Ramsdale made himself big to block the South Korean's shot after Sessegnon's clever pass.

A stunning volley from Thomas Partey left the right post shaking in the 25th minute as Arsenal moved in for the kill, and Odegaard was lethal from 25 yards in the 36th minute, sending a scorching low shot inside the right post as Lloris – him again – failed to get across to the skidding ball.

Arsenal looked light years ahead of their hosts in terms of their use of the ball, slowly strangling all life out of Tottenham.

Grant Xhaka completed all 32 passes he played in the first half. Often simple, each time those passes kept Tottenham off the ball.

Curiously, Tottenham's 43.82 per cent share of the ball in the first half was their highest in a Premier League home game this season, but they were rarely hurting Arsenal.

Odegaard's goal took him to eight for the season, making the Norwegian midfielder the team's leading scorer. He is fulfilling the captain's brief to lead by example quite marvellously.

Ramsdale saved well from Harry Kane's header just before the break, with Kane one away from matching Jimmy Greaves' Tottenham goals record.

Kane will have to wait for that moment. He would have recognised Arsenal's superiority here, and it would have hurt him as much as anyone. Will Kane ever win a trophy at Spurs? It feels increasingly doubtful.

If there was any consolation in their bleak position at half-time, Tottenham may have been aware 16 of their last 17 Premier League goals had been scored in the second half of games, including their last night.

So what did they have left?

The early signs were bright. Dejan Kulusevski, coming in off the left, whipped a shot just over the bar, before Ramsdale saved brilliantly from Sessegnon as the former Fulham player looked sure to score.

But this was a tale of two keepers, and Ramsdale was rock solid.

For Arsenal, Xhaka thrashed a free-kick over, while Nketiah was twice denied by Lloris.

Then at the other end, Spurs substitute Richarlison fluffed a late chance as he allowed Ramsdale to make a comfortable claim.

Tottenham's eight-game home unbeaten streak against Arsenal in the league is over. Though they sit fifth in the table, they are five points behind fourth spot, and 14 points now adrift of Arsenal, having played one more game than Arteta's team.

London life is proving sweet for the men in red, with this a seventh win in seven capital city derbies this season, and a fourth away clean sheet out of four.

Arsenal had not won seven consecutive London derbies since the 2007-08 season. They have not been champions of England since 2003-04.

This is a season of change. A championship beckons. Such is their position of strength, we are getting close to the point where they would have to blow it. But this team are hungry and humble, guided by great leaders. Tottenham, and Antonio Conte, must feel pig sick.

Diego Simeone was left to rue two dropped points in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Almeria, but backed his Atletico Madrid players to soon regain their goalscoring touch.

Atleti took the lead at Estadio Mediterraneo through Angel Correa's 18th-minute strike, only for El Bilal Toure to level up before half-time and earn the mid-table hosts a point.

Los Colchoneros' return of 28 points after 17 LaLiga games is their worst tally at this stage since 2011-12 (20 points) – also the last time they failed to finish in the top four.

Simeone's side failed to convert three further Opta-defined big chances, with substitute Alvaro Morata missing two of those and Correa the other.

Having scored more than once in a single game just three times in their past nine league outings, Simeone accepts that area of the game is letting his side down.

"We have to understand that the only way to find the goal is what happened in the first 25 minutes here," Simeone told reporters.

"We had chances and those who came on helped us, but their keeper had a brilliant game. Therefore, come the end of the game, we have the feeling of having lost two points.

"We have to keep working and keep looking to play the way we are doing. The goals will come. They often come in waves.

"We were not so fortunate in front of goal today, but we did get shots on goal. They will end up coming later."

Atleti, who had substitute Sergio Reguilon sent off late on for two yellow cards, are fourth in LaLiga – as close to Girona in 11th as they are Real Sociedad in third in terms of points.

Simeone's side have now had a player sent off in each of their past three LaLiga matches for the first time in just under 13 years.

It capped another frustrating day for inconsistent Atleti as they finished with an expected goals (xG) return of 1.17 compared to Almeria's 0.42.

"It is true that when goals are not scored it is difficult to win," Atletico defender Mario Hermoso told Movistar. "We've done well in our last two matches in terms of chances.

"Football can be this way, and as long as we have opportunities then goals will materialise. When that happens we'll enjoy ourselves a lot more."

Atleti, who have now won just one of their past six league games, switch focus to Copa del Rey action on Wednesday with a last-16 tie against Levante.

Aaron Ramsdale was left with a "sour taste" after being kicked by a Tottenham fan but insisted Arsenal will celebrate a memorable 2-0 victory on Sunday.

A costly Hugo Lloris own goal and Martin Odegaard's fizzing first-half strike sent Arsenal eight points clear at the Premier League summit after their first victory at Tottenham since 2014.

The win was somewhat marred by unsavoury scenes after the full-time whistle when Ramsdale – who had just been confronted by Richarlison – was kicked by a fan standing on the hoardings behind the goal.

The Arsenal goalkeeper acknowledged he was involved in some light-hearted exchanges with some Spurs fans but labelled the post-match incident as a "shame" after the bizarre incident.

He told Sky Sports: "The Spurs fans gave me some throughout the game. I was giving some back. The people I did give it to greeted it sportsmanlike but one fan tried to give me a little punch on the back.

"It is a shame as it is just a game of football at the end of the day. Both sets of players tried to bring me away but thankfully nothing too drastic happened.

"It is a sour taste but I'm sure we will enjoy it when we go back into the dressing room."

Tottenham defender Eric Dier echoed Ramsdale's sentiment, telling Sky Sports: "I didn't see it but obviously it is unacceptable and it shouldn't have happened. There's nothing more I can say."

Arsenal dominated throughout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, though Ramsdale still made seven saves, including two fine stops either side of half-time against Son Heung-min and Harry Kane.

"We deserved the two-goal lead and maybe deserved more. We played the way we wanted to play in the first half and got the deserved lead," Ramsdale added.

"That's what I'm there to do. The manager also mentioned that in the last few north London derbies we haven't kept a clean sheet, so that spurred me on a bit."

Mikel Arteta's side completed their first league double over their fierce rivals since the 2013-14 season and ended Spurs' eight-game Premier League unbeaten run at home against Arsenal.

Asked about halting Tottenham's impressive derby record, Odegaard told Sky Sports: "It is about time. It felt amazing. We remembered what happened here last time.

"We wanted to play a better game and show a different side to us. We enjoyed the game."

Arsenal host in-form Manchester United on January 22, with Erik ten Hag's side trailing the leaders by nine points after derby victory over City on Saturday.

"We are in a good position, there is no doubt about that. We've got to stay humble and keep working hard," Odegaard continued.

"You saw the difference in the first and second half today so we have things to improve. We have to keep going."

Arsenal moved eight points clear at the Premier League summit after a commanding 2-0 victory at rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

Manchester City fell to a 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday and Arsenal capitalised to extend their lead to eight points with their first away win in the north London derby since 2014.

Hugo Lloris' incomprehensible own goal and Martin Odegaard's sublime first-half strike proved the difference at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where a fan seemingly kicked out at Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at full time.

Antonio Conte's side improved after the interval but a largely uninspiring performance leaves Spurs five points off fourth-placed United, who have played a game fewer.

Lloris handed Arsenal the lead as he inexplicably parried into his own net after Bukayo Saka's tame right-wing cross-shot deflected off Ryan Sessegnon towards goal.

Tottenham's goalkeeper atoned somewhat by keeping out Odegaard's fizzing drive, while Thomas Partey struck the right-hand post with a thunderous volley.

Yet those warnings were not heeded by Spurs, who were 2-0 down when Odegaard was again offered room outside the area. This time, he picked out the bottom-right corner.

Ramsdale denied Harry Kane's header on the stroke of half-time before thwarting the Spurs striker and Sessegnon after the interval with impressive stops in quick succession.

Eddie Nketiah wastefully fired against the onrushing Lloris shortly after, though that mattered for little as Arsenal – despite a late flurry of Spurs pressure – eased to a potentially pivotal victory.

Tempers threatened to boil over at the end, when a Tottenham supporter kicked out at Ramsdale after a confrontation with Richarlison, though Mikel Arteta rushed across to drag his team away from a potential flashpoint. 

What does it mean? Gunners end Spurs away hoodoo in vital win

January was labelled by some as defining month for Arsenal's title challenge, with the Gunners having to face Champions League contenders Newcastle United, Tottenham and United.

Arteta's side were far from their best in a goalless draw with Newcastle but improved to dominate this time out.

Victory ended an eight-game Premier League unbeaten run for Spurs at home to Arsenal, who will look to build on their first league double over their rivals since the 2013-14 season as they seek their first top-flight title since 2004.

Odegaard stars again

Odegaard has been pivotal to Arsenal's upturn in fortunes this season, with the Norway international repeatedly providing creative masterclasses for the resurgent Gunners.

The 24-year-old playmaker has eight goals and five assists after 23 games in all competitions this term, surpassing last season's tallies of seven goals and 12 goal involvements.

Arsenal might have lost out on Mykhaylo Mudryk to London rivals Chelsea, but they have one of the league's outstanding attacking talents in Odegaard.

Lloris at fault again

No player in the Premier League has committed more errors leading to goals this season than the three of Lloris, though those Opta-defined stats do not include own goals.

His calamity marked his first own goal in the competition in his 354th appearance, while Chris Armstrong (in 2000) and Kevin Wimmer (in 2016) are the only others to turn into their own net in the history of this fixture in the Premier League.

What's next?

Arsenal are at home to in-form United on January 22, while Tottenham visit City three days earlier.

Shakhtar Donetsk president Rinat Akhmetov was left with "mixed feelings" after Mykhaylo Mudryk joined Chelsea for a record transfer fee on Sunday.

Chelsea beat off competition from Premier League leaders and London rivals Arsenal to sign Mudryk for reported fee that could reach £89million (€100m).

That fee is the highest received by a Ukrainian club, with the 22-year-old signing an eight-and-a-half-year deal at Chelsea.

The Ukraine international is considered to be one of the hottest prospects in world football and Akhmetov was sorry to see him go, but is looking forward to seeing Mudryk thrive at Stamford Bridge – where he watched the Blues beat Crystal Palace 1-0 on Sunday.

Akhmetov told the club's official website: "I have mixed feelings: in order to win European trophies, I should invite such footballers as Mudryk to our club, to our Ukrainian league and not send them to the best championships and the best clubs in the world.

"However, I am sure that Mykhaylo will win respect, sympathy and love of all connoisseurs of world football with his speed, his technique, his impressive and beautiful play.

"Mykhaylo Mudryk is a Shakhtar graduate. The player joined the Academy of the Miners in 2016 and debuted with the senior team in the autumn of 2018 at age 17. 

"Mudryk became the Ukrainian Super Cup winner (2021) together with the team. Fans recognised Mykhaylo Mudryk as Shakhtar Player of the Year twice (2021, 2022).

"FC Shakhtar thanks Mykhaylo for impressive play, good and important goals, and significant contribution to the team's victories. We wish you success in the strongest league in the world, many trophies and personal awards, great career achievements and constant enjoyment of football."

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe claimed his side were given the spur they needed to beat Fulham by Aleksandar Mitrovic's calamitous double-touch penalty.

Alexander Isak came off the bench to head an 89th-minute winner, with a 1-0 victory sending the Magpies third in the Premier League, after former Newcastle striker Mitrovic failed to capitalise from the spot.

In bizarre scenes, the Serbia international slipped as he took his attempt, illegally hitting the ball twice as he sent his effort into the net, with the goal disallowed and Newcastle given a free-kick as a result.

"The double touch I couldn't see, but I was really pleased to see it go that way," Howe said.

His high-flying team were lifted, and Howe said: "These moments can sometimes do that. Something happens, a flash point, we didn't concede. The crowd were really good for us from that moment on."

Fulham were awarded their penalty in the 66th minute after a challenge by Kieran Trippier on Bobby De Cordova-Reid, with Fulham already demanding a spot-kick after Andreas Pereira was, to their mind, fouled moments earlier.

"I thought the first challenge could have been a penalty. That wasn't given. The second one I didn't think was but was bizarrely given," Howe told Sky Sports.

Newcastle's victory puts them third in the Premier League, level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United who have a game in hand against Crystal Palace to play in midweek.

Fulham head coach Marco Silva felt the match officials gave his team very little "from the first minute" of the game at St James' Park.

"So many things to say about the ref's performance. But first I will say that I am really proud of the players and my team," Silva told Sky Sports.

"We had ambition, quality, desire and showed why we are doing so well this season."

Pointing to the first incident for which Fulham wanted a penalty, as Dan Burn seemed to impede Pereira, Silva said: "It is a clear penalty, red card for the player and the game would be completely different. The fourth official gave it, but the referee made his decision."

Silva added: "Credit to Newcastle, they are a really strong side as well. We missed a penalty, and we should have attacked more. Credit to them for not giving us more chances.

"We knew that we could not press for the full 90 minutes. We were very unlucky this afternoon. Very unlucky the way we lost this game. It went against us."

Graham Potter believes Chelsea fans are in for a treat with Mykhaylo Mudryk's direct approach.

The Blues announced the signing of Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk during the first half of their 1-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, and paraded the Ukraine international at Stamford Bridge during half-time.

That victory came courtesy of Kai Havertz's second-half header and ended a run of three straight defeats across all competitions for the Blues. 

Mudryk had looked set to join Premier League rivals Arsenal, but Chelsea swooped in to secure his signature, reportedly paying £89million (€100m) to sign the 22-year-old.

Potter is confident he will be a hit with Chelsea's supporters, telling reporters: "You're never surprised in the transfer window. Things happen when you don't expect them to happen.

"He's a player with a big future, one versus one he's very direct, and he attacks the backline. I think our supporters will really like him."

Eyebrows have been raised at Chelsea's decision to hand the 22-year-old an eight-and-a-half-year contract, but Potter sees no problem.

"I'm the head coach and as you know, I've had enough to worry about and what is right for the club," he added. "If I'm here for the length of his contract, I'll be happy."

Mudryk is Chelsea's fifth signing of a busy January transfer window, and one of those additions made their debut against Palace, with Benoit Badiashile, signed from Monaco, featuring in defence.

The 21-year-old impressed, making a game-high nine clearances and playing more successful passes (71) than anyone on the pitch.

"I thought Benoit did well, really well," Potter added.

"It was a good game for him. [Kalidou] Koulibaly has had a lot of football and the turnaround from Thursday was a consideration.

"He passes the ball well and when he needed to head the ball out he did. He has to adapt to the Premier League. It will take him some time, but it was very positive."

With Chelsea dealing with a long injury list, as well as the suspension of on-loan Joao Felix, Havertz came good at the other end.

Since the start of last season, only Harry Kane (11) has scored more headed goals in the Premier League than the Germany international (six), who acknowledged it has been a difficult spell for the Blues.

"The last few weeks were tough," he said. "For everyone at the club, it is not easy under these circumstances. A lot of things changed this year.

"We have so many injuries, 10-12 injured players. Today we had five young players in the starting XI and they are doing a really good job at the moment.

"I think I was in a good spot. I play in the number nine position and I take the responsibility to score more goals. As a team need to score more goals. I will do my best to help the team."

Lothar Matthaus has urged Julian Nagelsmann to think again and ditch the idea of veteran Thomas Muller playing as a striker for Bayern Munich.

Muller featured as Bayern's furthest man forward in a 4-4 friendly draw against Salzburg on Friday, as the German champions prepare for the resumption of the Bundesliga season.

It remains to be seen who leads the line when Bayern return to competitive action against RB Leipzig on Friday, but Muller is an option for that role.

According to Matthaus, Germany's most-capped player and a long-standing former Bayern player, Muller simply is not suited to the role.

He has mostly operated in midfield, on the flanks, or behind a striker, proving to be an accomplished support act to the Robert Lewandowski goals show in recent seasons.

Now that Lewandowski has departed for Barcelona, and with injuries affecting Nagelsmann's options, Muller might have to fill the stop-gap role.

Yet Matthaus told German magazine Kicker: "You're not doing Thomas any favours, he's in the wrong place up front.

"Let him play where he has his strengths. Thomas belongs behind the striker, like in the past with Robert Lewandowski."

Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane is among the Bayern forwards sidelined by injury at present, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting another option as a starting striker for Bayern in the second half of the season.

Muller has just three goals in 15 games for Bayern this term, having hit 14, 15 and most recently 13 in the past three seasons. His shot conversion rate is also down, compared to those seasons, at a disappointing 12 per cent.

Muller, who has 121 caps for Germany, has elected to remain available to his country in the wake of their miserable World Cup group-stage exit.

He is 29 caps behind Matthaus' caps record, and the man in possession of that mark thinks 33-year-old Muller should only stay involved if he is going to play a significant role for national coach Hansi Flick.

Pointing to a case from recent history, Matthaus said: "I don't want to see him in the role of Lukas Podolski: to be there and play as a joker for the statistics in the 90th minute."

Atletico Madrid failed to make up any significant ground on LaLiga's top three as their struggles continued with a 1-1 draw at Almeria.

Diego Simeone's side have often struggled in this part of Andalusia and so that proved again on Sunday, despite Angel Correa's 18th-minute opener.

Atleti would have been two in front if not for Geoffrey Kondogbia, who got a touch to Marcos Llorente's goal-bound effort for the strike to be ruled out for offside.

El Bilal Toure headed in soon after and Almeria saw out a draw that leaves fourth-placed Atleti, who had Sergio Reguilon sent off late on, 13 points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Atleti took the lead after Antoine Griezmann dummied Kondogbia's pass for Correa to collect and tuck through the legs of Fernando Martinez.

Llorente's shot 14 minutes later appeared to be heading for the net without the need for any intervention, but Kondogbia turned it in from an offside position.

Kondogbia's misjudgement proved costly in the 37th minute when Toure powered a diving header past Jan Oblak after meeting Lucas Robertone's right-sided cross.

Correa and Alvaro Morata should have done better with efforts that were kept out by Martinez, with the latter also heading wide from a glorious position.

Atleti substitute Reguilon was sent off in the closing stages after receiving two yellow cards in the space of four minutes, as Atleti's disappointing run of form stretched to just one win in six league matches.