Ange Postecoglou said Mathys Tel is “100 per cent” committed to Tottenham after the French forward signed on loan despite reportedly rejecting a move to the club earlier in the January transfer window.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
Tottenham were busy in the final hours of Monday’s deadline day as they bolstered Postecoglou’s injury-ravaged squad, bringing in Tel and defender Kevin Danso.
Bayern Munich’s Tel, 19, was also linked with Manchester United and Arsenal before opting for Tottenham, who have an option to make the move permanent in the summer transfer window.
Postecoglou, whose team take a 1-0 lead into Thursday’s League Cup semi-final second-leg at Liverpool, told his pre-match press conference that Tel had been right to take his time over such a major decision.
“It’s not so much that he rejected us or rejected anyone else,” said the Spurs manager. “Rightly so he was getting as much information as possible.”
The Australian added: “I had a conversation with him and I guess mine was purely around the football and I think he’ll find a really great place here in terms of where he is in his career.
Kerr still out of strong Matildas squad | 03:28
“He obviously wants to play. We’ve already shown that irrespective of age, he’ll get an opportunity here, and the way we play will suit him.
“Certainly with what we have in the next few months and then more importantly what we’re building beyond, I thought he would be a perfect fit.”
When asked if he felt the France under-21 international was fully committed to Spurs, Postecoglou said: “Yes, 100 per cent. I am more than 100 per cent sure because he took so much time, was so diligent about finding out everything when he made a decision that it’s us.
“He obviously had options and that sort of gave me even more confidence that we are getting the right kind of mentality, the right kind of player.
“He is very ambitious. He’s got a great deal of self-belief and self-confidence. He feels he can reach the top of the game and he has chosen us, which is a great vindication of what we are doing.”
Tel and Danso will both be available for Thursday’s match at Anfield, but Micky van de Ven and fellow centre-back Cristian Romero are set to miss out, with Postecoglou taking a “conservative” approach after the duo’s injury absences.
Kerr officer challenged over motives | 01:50
Tottenham are one match away from a League Cup final at Wembley as they seek to end a trophy drought that stretches back to 2008.
Former Celtic boss Postecoglou, in his second season at Tottenham, put himself under pressure earlier in the campaign when he said he “always wins things in my second year”.
But he said Premier League leaders and League Cup holders Liverpool would also be feeling the pressure.
“I don’t think Liverpool will be any less anxious than us about the fixture,” he said. “You’re in a semi-final, particularly a second leg and it’s still very tight.
“It’s a big game for both clubs so you recognise that, you embrace that but ultimately if you want to be successful these are the games you want to be involved in.”
Ange Postecoglou’s job is on the line, there’s no two ways about it — but his role in securing the signature of Mathys Tel proves to be a pivotal moment in his Tottenham tenure.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
The 19-year-old was desperate for game time after playing limited minutes for Bayern Munich this season and it was Spurs, alongside Manchester United and Chelsea vying for his signature.
Tottenham officials agreed a $120m AUD fee to sign Tel, but after chairman Daniel Levy flew to Munich to pitch his vision to the young gun, he baulked and declined the move.
That’s where Postecoglou stepped in.
The Australian picked up the phone and called Tel, offering his own view of the path forward and exactly where he saw the rising star fitting in his side.
Suddenly, Tel had a change of heart. Moving quickly, he travelled to London to initially sign on loan before he was convinced to insert a $90m AUD buy option in his contract, for a potential six-year deal.
His conversation with the former Celtic boss was a clear turning point, and that sequence of events sums up the situation Postecoglou finds himself precariously placed in.
“Remember on Friday, Spurs agreed a permanent deal with Bayern Munich but the player said he didn’t want the move and preferred a move to Arsenal, Aston Villa or Manchester United,” Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth said.
“They didn’t peruse the move. But Ange Postecoglou got on the phone, spoke to Tel personally and convinced him Spurs were the place to be.”
Multiple reports over Postecoglou’s future in north London have not been able to produce a consensus, with some putting the Australian on the brink, and others saying he’s safe for the foreseeable future.
Postecoglou himself admitted in January “I reckon there is probably a fair chunk that will say no” when asked if he will be Tottenham manager beyond the next three weeks.
However, Spurs’ Tel saga — specifically the way it ended — is suggestive of a slightly more secure future for Postecoglou than some have predicted.
Levy turned to Postecoglou in an attempt to try and finish the job he was unable to complete, while also allowing him to sign other players during his stint as manager.
Premier League legend Gary Neville said that Tel had made a good decision to join Spurs, with Postecoglou’s philosophy part of the reason.
“Tottenham are a huge draw, the stadium and the training ground – and the manager with his style of football. It’s a thrilling style that creates chances,” Sky Sports’ Neville said.
“I’m glad Tel is going there after flirting with a couple of other clubs. Tel will improve Spurs.
“They have a big couple of weeks coming up. Sometimes players like the idea of playing for a club but the important thing is to play football. That’s what Tottenham can provide him.
“They are an amazing football club with an amazing fanbase and they have some great games coming up that he can contribute in.”
Postecoglou being handed the keys to the Tel transfer, and personally speaking to the young gun in a bid to change his mind, hints at a manager who’s been backed by the club for its next phase — not one who is being sacked imminently.
Even so, managing under the rule of Levy comes with an ominous history that Postecoglou will hope his new signings can help him defy.
Sam Kerr’s criminal trial gets underway | 01:34
Levy has been in charge at Tottenham since ENIC’s takeover in 2001, winning one League Cup in 2008 during his tenure as the longest current serving chairman.
During his 24 years, he’s sacked and hired 16 managers.
Postecoglou is just the latest in a long line of mentors who have failed to deliver without the significant financial investment to compete with the Premier League’s heavyweights.
Yet he was still able to convince one of the world’s brightest talents to join him in North London, and the chairman was not.
But should Spurs’ struggles continue to close out the 2024/25 season, it will be Postecoglou who is thrown out the door — not Levy, who refuses to listen to fan’s criticisms.
Levy watched on as Postecoglou struggled to field a starting eleven in recent weeks, with injuries tallying almost every game.
Fans have protested openly against the club’s ownership in recent weeks, even staging a mass event at the Tottenham club shop to try and enact change.
However, Levy has previously said that he doesn’t listen to criticism from the club’s faithful, with former Premier League striker Chris Sutton questioning the chairman.
“Daniel Levy is such a powerful figure – he wants to win trophies, but that’s not his primary objective, he wants to make money and that’s why Tottenham fans are angry,” he said on BBC.
“But, does Daniel Levy listen to anybody? He’s a stubborn so and so, we can talk as much as we like about it but he’s such a powerful figure – what is going to change?
“You can have your banners up, you can sing Levy out – but is he really going to listen to that?”
While Levy has been the focal point of fans’ woes, former Manchester United scout Mick Brown explained prior to deadline day that Postecoglou’s position was shaping as a familiar story.
“It’s mapping out at Tottenham as it often has done over the years,” he said to Football Insider.
Mathys Tel (R) will join Spurs.Source: Getty Images
“The manager of the time needs players, it gets to a point where the chairman is accused of keeping his hands in his pockets, he starts getting pressure from the fans, and he sacks the manager.
“He’s sacked 15 managers during his time there. It’s ‘watch this space’ at Tottenham at the moment.
“They’ve been down this road before.
“Chairmen, particularly Daniel Levy, don’t like pressure from the fans so they react and make a decision. That’s not my opinion, it’s a fact, it’s history.”
However, Tottenham’s pair of signings could be seen as a renewed show of faith in Postecoglou.
Last month, the club was in freefall with losses in the league piling up each week, while Levy’s pursestrings remained largely tightened.
But a pressure-relieving 0-2 away win over Brentford on the weekend, followed by two key coups late in the transfer window have offered new hope for Postecoglou’s future at the club.
Alongside Tel, Lens centre back Kevin Danso has also joined the club in a timely boost for the Australian’s injury-ravaged side.
Even so it wasn’t all good news in the market for Postecoglou, he was desperate to sign a second centre back, with Chelsea’s Axel Disasi snubbing Spurs in favour of Aston Villa.
AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori also rejected the club’s approach, while Crystal Palace declined a $140m AUD bid for England representative Marc Guehi.
The Guehi move in particular highlighted the difference between Spurs and other heavyweights, refusing to up their offer to secure a player who has been a proven Premier League performer.
Spurs still sit in 14th in the Premier League, losing four-straight games before breaking that streak against Brentford.
It is therefore likely that results in a trio of cup competitions, the Europe League, Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, will be pivotal in Postecoglou surviving the 2024/25 season.
Kerr’s alleged racial harassment shown | 00:50
Spurs have a 1-0 lead after the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi finals, with the second clash with Liverpool scheduled for Friday morning.
The recent return of Micky van de Ven proves crucial for Spurs, but the likes of Christian Romero, Dominic Solanke, James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario, among others, still sidelined.
Postecoglou will be desperate for Tel and Danso to hit the ground running in the hopes of helping Tottenham delve deeper into their cup campaigns.
The equation is simple for Postecoglou — win silverware and he will likely keep his job.
But the fact that he is still here to hold onto that hope represents an uptick in fortunes for a manager who, just last month, was struggling to field an XI in what some where billing as a relegation fight.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham needed extra time before seeing off non-league Tamworth 3-0 in their FA Cup clash on Monday morning (AEDT).
Tottenham, currently 12th in the Premier League, are 96 places above Tamworth, who sit 16th in the fifth-tier National League.
The supposed gap in quality was rarely apparent as Tottenham’s dismal display took them to the brink of a historic humiliation.
A part-time team whose players work day jobs alongside their football careers, Tamworth matched their highly-paid and supposedly superior opponents for long periods on the Lamb Ground’s sloping artificial pitch.
They should have caused one of the FA Cup’s greatest upsets in normal time but their missed chances proved crucial.
Nathan Tshikuna’s extra-time own goal and late strikes from Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson sent Tottenham into the fourth round.
Tottenham last won a major trophy in 2008, but the under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou boasts he always wins silverware in his second season at a club.
Having beaten Liverpool 1-0 in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday, Tottenham remain in contention for a domestic cup double despite a troubled season.
“They made it hard for us, with the surface it was about us staying calm and being persistent. In the end, we got the job done,” said Postecoglou, whose team travel to Aston Villa in the fourth round.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou gestures on the touchline during the English FA Cup third round football match between Tamworth and Tottenham Hotspur at The Lamb Ground in Tamworth, central England on January 12, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /Source: AFP
MAN UTD PROGRESS
Ten-man Manchester United beat Arsenal 5-3 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw in the FA Cup third round.
Defeated 2-0 by Arsenal in the Premier League in December, FA Cup holders United exacted revenge on their return to the Emirates Stadium to extend their revival after last weekend’s impressive draw at Liverpool.
Ruben Amorim’s troubled side took the lead through Bruno Fernandes, who smashed a superb strike into the far corner from the edge of the area in the 52nd minute.
United defender Diogo Dalot was sent off for a second booking after fouling Mikel Merino nine minutes later.
Gabriel Magalhaes grabbed Arsenal’s equaliser in the 63rd minute, the Brazilian defender swivelling to hit a low shot that took a hefty deflection off Matthijs de Ligt.
But Arsenal wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead when Harry Maguire’s soft challenge on Kai Havertz was ruled a penalty.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 12: Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, gestures during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Manchester United.Source: Getty Images
The furious United defender and teammate Manuel Ugarte were involved in a melee with several Arsenal players before Altay Bayindir saved Martin Odegaard’s spot-kick.
Havertz missed a host of chances to win it and the German was culpable again in the shootout as his effort was saved by Bayindir, setting up the much-maligned Joshua Zirkzee to stroke home the decisive kick.
“We deserved to pass through this round because we all suffered together and showed character,” said Amorim, whose side host Leicester in the fourth round.
“A few weeks ago Joshua was in a difficult moment, now he was a game-changer. Life has these beautiful things.” It was another painful result for Arsenal after Tuesday’s 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle in the League Cup semi-final first leg and last weekend’s damaging league draw at Brighton.
“In a thousand games like this you lose one,” said Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who hasn’t won a trophy since 2020.
“It’s unbelievable. We deserved to win the game by a mile. But the reality is we are out and the only thing that’s going to be judged is that.”
Liverpool powered seven points clear at the top of the Premier League as the title favourites survived a scare in their 3-1 win against Leicester, while Bruno Fernandes was sent off in Manchester United’s dismal 2-0 defeat at lowly Wolves.
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs copped another loss, 1-0 to Nottingham Forest.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
Erling Haaland missed a penalty as crisis-torn Manchester City failed to end their dismal run with a 1-1 draw against Everton, but it was United’s travails and Liverpool’s remarkable run that took centre-stage on Thursday.
Arne Slot’s side were shocked by Jordan Ayew’s early strike at Anfield, but the leaders recovered their composure to equalise just before the interval through Cody Gakpo.
England midfielder Jones marked his 100th top-flight appearance with the second goal soon after half-time.
Mohamed Salah’s 19th goal this term wrapped up Liverpool’s 11th win in their last 13 games in all competitions.
“We created enough, but because we went 1-0 down it was a game,” Liverpool manager Slot said.
Liverpool’s comeback lifted them well clear of second-placed Chelsea, who were defeated 2-1 by Fulham earlier in the day.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores his team’s third goal.Source: Getty Images
United suffered a third successive loss in all competitions to leave new boss Ruben Amorim with five defeats in his first 10 games.
Fernandes was dismissed two minutes into the second half at Molineux for a second bookable offence.
United’s 10 men cracked in the 58th minute when Matheus Cunha’s corner went straight in as goalkeeper Andre Onana flapped under pressure.
Hwang Hee-chan compounded Amorim’s misery when he tapped in with just seconds left.
Losing to fourth-bottom Wolves was another bitter blow for United, who endured a humiliating 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford last weekend after losing 4-3 in the League Cup at Tottenham.
With his team marooned in 14th place — just eight points above the relegation zone — Amorim’s woes might not be over, with United facing in-form Newcastle on Monday before travelling to Liverpool in their first game of 2025.
“It’s so tough to win games in this league with 11 men. With 10 men, it’s more difficult,” Amorim said.
Ruben Amorim has had a rough start at Manchester United.Source: Getty Images
Champions Manchester City have just one victory in their last 13 games in all competitions as their Christmas schedule started in disappointing fashion.
Bernardo Silva put City in front early on before Iliman Ndiaye salvaged a point for Everton.
Seven minutes into the second half, Haaland had the chance to end his longest goal drought at the Etihad but Jordan Pickford denied him.
City are languishing in seventh place and sit five points adrift of the top four, with their astonishing decline showing no sign of ending.
“Of course we need results and we didn’t get it. The team played really good again in all departments and unfortunately could not win,” said City boss Pep Guardiola.
Erling Haaland is challenged by Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton.Source: Getty Images
At Stamford Bridge, second-placed Chelsea were stunned by Fulham’s late fightback for a 2-1 win in a dramatic west London derby.
It was Chelsea’s first home defeat against Fulham since 1979. Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead after 16 minutes, the England forward drilling home from the edge of the area after weaving through the Fulham defence in dazzling style.
But Fulham levelled with eight minutes left when Antonee Robinson’s cross was headed down by Timothy Castagne and Harry Wilson nodded in from close range.
Chelsea were furious, claiming Alex Iwobi had fouled Pedro Neto in the build-up to the goal.
But there was worse to come for the Blues in stoppage-time when Rodrigo Muniz converted Sasa Lukic’s pass with a clinical strike.
Chelsea are four points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand and host Leicester later on Thursday.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is under mounting pressure.Source: AFP
Nottingham Forest climbed to third place after a 1-0 win against sputtering Tottenham at the City Ground.
Forest went ahead in the 28th minute when Anthony Elanga raced onto Morgan Gibbs-White’s pass and stroke a composed finish past Fraser Forster.
Forest’s fourth successive win was sweet revenge for boss Nuno Espirito Santo, whose former club Tottenham had Djed Spence sent off in the closing moments for a second booking.
Tottenham are stuck in 11th as the pressure mounts on boss Ange Postecoglou. Newcastle swatted aside 10-man Aston Villa 3-0, moving up to fifth place after winning three consecutive league games for the first time since 2023.
Jarrod Bowen’s 59th-minute goal gave West Ham a 1-0 win at bottom of the table Southampton after the visitors saw Guido Rodriguez’s red card overturned by VAR.
It was a frustrating start for new Saints boss Ivan Juric, who has replaced the sacked Russell Martin.
Bournemouth and Crystal Palace shared a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium.
Ange Postecoglou’s position as Spurs coach is under fire amid a string of poor results but a club legend has leapt to his defence, calling on Tottenham officials to ”stick with him”.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
Spurs currently sit in 10th in the Premier League, demolishing Southampton 5-0 in their latest outing. But before that came disappointing defeats to Chelsea and Bournemouth.
While Tottenham were also able to batter reigning champions Manchester City on November 24, their previous encounter was a 2-1 defeat to relegation candidates Ipswich Town.
Throw in Europe League draws against Rangers and Roma — and it’s fair to say it’s been a rollercoaster for Postecoglou and Spurs.
The Tottenham board will reportedly stick solid with Postecoglou for the remainder of the season, but if his side’s inconsistent performances continue the Australian’s tenure could come under the microscope.
Injuries and suspensions have also hampered Spurs, with Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Heung-Min Son, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven spending time sidelined in recent weeks.
All seven players have been regular fixtures in Postecoglou’s starting sides this year.
So with pressure mounting to turn his club’s fortunes around, former striker Teddy Sheringham has urged the board to put their faith in the former Celtic boss.
He pointed to the exciting style that Postecoglou employs, pressing opposition teams and creating a mountain of goalscoring opportunities with a direct attacking approach.
Only Chelsea have scored more Premier League goals this season, with Spurs netting 36 times. Meanwhile, Tottenham also have the equal second most ‘big chances created’.
“I’m here to back Ange this morning,” Sheringham said on Talk Sport.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou applauds the fans following the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, southern England on December 15, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP).Source: AFP
“I love what he’s given Tottenham this year. I think over the last four or five years you’ve seen Tottenham under [Jose] Mourinho and [Antonio] Conte make one maybe two chances a game.
“I go to watch Tottenham now and I see them making ten chances in the first 15 minutes.
“I think it’s exciting. I think any team would struggle without their two main centre halves and their main goalkeeper.
“I’m still excited and optimistic for Ange and the way he plays the game and I think they should stick with him.”
However, other pundits and Premier League legends haven’t been so kind, including former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
O’Hara specifically took aim at Tottenham’s defensive efforts against Rangers, saying his “patience was wearing thin”.
It’s important to note that Spurs were missing their best two centre backs, starting 18-year-old Archie Gray alongside Radu Drăgușin.
“Ange Postecoglou, mate. I’ve had enough,” O’Hara said.
“You know, we go on and like, oh yeah, the football’s great. Is it? Is it great?
Ange’s Spurs strike in under 37 seconds | 01:11
“I’m not watching Barcelona. I’m just watching a good team, you know, in moments, have some decent spells, but you know, every team plays good football.
“It’s not like I’m watching Barcelona play, but can’t defend, but when we’ve got the ball, it’s just, you know, it’s brilliant to watch.
“All I’m watching is a Tottenham team that I’ve watched a million times before. Boring. There’s nothing special.”
Carragher’s criticism came after Spurs’ 4-3 loss to Chelsea, with Postecoglou claiming his side “played well” despite departing their home stadium without a single point.
The former England international was of the belief Postecoglou needs to adapt his style of play — or else he faces the sack.
“Ange said how well they played. I can’t imagine any Liverpool manager I played for – and we conceded four in a game – would say in the interview we played well,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.
Epic free kick sees draw for Bournemouth | 00:53
“If you play this way you’ll get the result like at Manchester City but you’d also get results like this one where you’re 2-0 up.
“I’ve never got my head around managers saying we play a ‘certain way and we will never change’ – I think it started with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.
“This idea that wherever they play, they will play their way. But that was the best team I’ve ever seen. Pep Guardiola then had to change his Man City team who were winning the leagues every season, putting centre-backs at fullback. This idea that you can’t change is alien to me.
“The game-state dictates how you play, not all the time but if you go away to a tough away ground you shouldn’t play the same way as you do against a team at the bottom.
“There’s this idea of playing a pure game and the Tottenham fans singing ‘We’ve got our Tottenham back’ but you won’t win anything, you won’t challenge.”
On the day Spurs’ fiercest rivals’ title challenge took a significant hit, Ange Postecoglou showed his pragmatic hand to guide Tottenham to a big comeback win.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were victims of their own ill-discipline once again, although William Saliba wasn’t the only player to see red in a wild night of Premier League football.
Read about all that and more in our wrap of the overnight Premier League action!
Auckland FC start A League with win | 01:25
ANGE’S ‘EYE-RAISING’ SPURS GAMBLE PAYS OFF
Throughout this Tottenham career, Ange Postecoglou has come under fire often. At times the Australian has been perceived as lacking pragmatism, and the ‘Plan B’ so loved by English football.
Translation: Instead of taking the safe option, Ange goes for the jugular. He’d rather win 5-4 than 1-0.
And yet with his side level with West Ham at half-time Ange did something many thought unthinkable. He made a pragmatic substitution.
Off went attacking midfielder James Maddison, at times the creative jewel in Postecoglou’s Spurs crown. On came Pape Matar Sarr, a more conservative and traditional central midfielder.
Speaking on Optus Sports’ Matchday Live, Premier League legend Emannuel Petit described the move as “strange because he’s (Maddison) a really good player.”
“So I was quite surprised. It’s quite strange from the manager.”
Maddison hadn’t been poor by any stretch of the imagination. He’d created Dejan Kulusevski’s equaliser and had five key passes in the opening 45 minutes, but as Ange noted post-game he needed different profiles in midfield.
“I just felt West Ham ask you certain questions in midfield areas and I just felt Pape’s running power would help us in the second half,” he explained.
“They obviously worked hard in the first half and I thought he could give us some real energy.
“I thought he did really well and he gave us a platform to be really threatening every time we went forward and clinical in our football.”
Former Brighton striker Glenn Murray described it as an “eye-raiser” but conceded the decision ultimately worked.
“Hindsight proves it was the right decision,” Murray said.
As Murray noted, Ange’s gamble paid off. Spurs scored three times in eight minutes to win and climb to seventh on the ladder. Sarr too was strong, dispossessing Jarrod Bowen as he moved towards Tottenham’s goal and finding Heung-Min Son with a beautiful assist for his 60th minute goal.
Spurs could’ve scored more too. Son hit the post in the 61st minute while the free-flowing attack continued throughout the second half, forcing West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola into three saves.
“When they are good they are nearly irresistible, Tottenham,” Connor McNamara said on commentary.
Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood heralded the character Spurs showed during the win.
“To go behind and then come out with that character in the second half, after what happened at Brighton before the international break, I think not only the ability of his side, but the character of his side, really shone through,” he said.
Writing in The Guardian, Jacob Steinberg described Tottenham as ‘exhilarating,’ while noting ‘Ange Postecoglou was there to see another defensive implosion, but this time he would not be the coach who will have to deal with the fallout.’
Indeed the post-mortem will centralise on West Ham and new manager Julen Lopetegui, who has failed to inspire the tactical shifts expected of him in pre-season. Their second half capitulation means they sit 15th.
That game that overshadowed a five game winning streak and inspired further doubts about Postecoglou’s Premier League suitability.
For now at least those pressures are alleviated.
James Maddison’s half-time substitution was a turning point in Spurs’ 4-1 comeback win over West Ham.Source: AFP
ARSENAL’S CHARGE TAKES SIGNIFICANT HIT
At the end of the season if Arsenal fail to break their Premier League title drought, Mikel Arteta will reflect on this loss as the moment the title slipped through his side’s fingers.
Arsenal were unbeaten heading into the weekend, with their defence the envy of the Premier League and their attacking improving weekly.
Bournemouth are a good side, coached well by Andoni Iraola, but their start to the season had been indifferent.
Few would have predicted the game to unfold as it did.
Arteta, and Arsenal fans, will argue William Saliba’s controversial 30th minute red card, awarded after the Frenchman brought down Bournemouth striker Evanilson just beyond the halfway line.
There was no Arsenal defender between the Brazilian and goal, a factor that ultimately led VAR Jarred Gillett to instruct referee Rob Jones, who initially awarded a yellow card, to send the Arsenal defender off.
For the third time this season Arsenal would need to see out a game with a man down.
Raheem Sterling initially shifted to right back, with Ben White moving into the heart of defence in Saliba’s place. However, Antoine Semenyo breezed by the pair twice, prompting Arteta to introduce Jakub Kiwior and return White to right back.
Arsenal, who were without Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, their two most important creators, held Bournemouth scoreless until the 70th minute, when a lovely corner move resulted in Ryan Christie’s strike breaking the deadlock.
The Premier League’s set-piece masters were breached by a set-piece.
Seven minutes later Evanilson was again involved. Fouled by David Raya in the box the Brazilian won a penalty, converted by Justin Kluivert to secure a big win for Bournemouth, a monumental loss for Arsenal.
William Saliba was initially shown a yellow card against Bournemouth. VAR intervened and changed it to a red card, leaving Arsenal to play with 10 men for much of the match.Source: Getty Images
The Gunners were not without their chances. Gabriel Martinelli had a great chance to score moments before Bournemouth’s opener, but missed the target, while Mikel Merino pushed a shot wide earlier in the game.
Speaking post-game, Arteta described the task set for Arsenal following Saliba’s send off as “impossible.”
“We are very disappointed with the result and gutted because we had to play in that context again,” he said.
Discussing Saliba’s red card, the Spaniard conceded he’s not expecting it to be overturned during the week.
“It was a decision made on the pitch. The decision was changed. I don’t think it will change twice. The decision has been made,” he said.
Auckland FC start A League with win | 01:25
ETH SAFE FOR ANOTHER DAY
Boos rang around Old Trafford at halftime, though perhaps not the kind of boos some may have expected after the last fortnight at Manchester United.
Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock had just scored an injury time header from a corner to lift his side into the lead at the interval.
The strike didn’t come without controversy after United’s Dutch central defender Matthijs De Ligt was forced to leave the pitch and have some blood cleaned from his face.
Instead of waiting for De Ligt to return, referee Sam Barrott allowed play to continue, ultimately resulting in Brentford’s opener.
United’s bench erupted after the ball rifled into the back of the net. Erik Ten Hag, arguably the manager under the most pressure in world football, was booked for his protests of the decision to allow play to continue while De Ligt was sidelined.
Given the storm surrounding the future of the Dutchman’s managerial tenure, Ten Hag’s frustration was justified. In a must-win game his side entered the interval behind against a difficult to break down Brentford side.
Writing in The Athletic, Mark Critchley said Pinnock’s goal ‘felt like the end. The chances of a second half fightback appeared remote.’
At the break United, who were without six first team players, were yet to create a big chance. By full-time they’d created three, scoring two, to record a big win both in the context of their season and their manager’s future.
Alejandro Garnacho got the ball rolling in the 47th minute, meeting a sublime Marcus Rashford cross to score his first goal of the season, before a delightful Bruno Fernandes flick set Rasmus Hojlund up in the 62nd minute.
Even more impressive was the way United managed their lead in the dying stages of the contest, something Critchley noted.
‘Not only did (United) turn this game on its head, but once in front, they managed the final stages relatively well – something which has not often been said of this side in the past,’ he wrote.
Post-game Ten Hag insisted the victory “showed we are together.”
“We showed determination and scored two beautiful goals.”
Erik Ten Hag wasn’t happy with the decision to allow play to continue while Matthijs De Ligt was off the field receiving treatment.Source: AFP
Goals have been a major problem to United in what has been their worst-ever start to a Premier League season. Prior to their Brentford win they’d scored just five. That figure is now seven, two less than 19th placed Wolves.
Ten Hag will be hoping goals to Garnacho and Hojlund, as well as Rashford’s creative output, will kick his side into attacking gear as they look to kick their season into life.
“This team has the capacity to score very good goals,” he stated post-game.
“Today the two goals we scored were high quality and when you score and win you add confidence.
“At the start of the season we had some good performances but didn’t score enough, then everyone is negative.
“This result can help us, but it is only one win and we must build on it.”
LATE DRAMA SEALS FOXES COMEBACK
After half an hour Southampton were 2-0 up against Leicester, courtesy of goals to Cameron Archer and Joe Aribo, and seemingly on their way to a first win of the season.
Their lead remained after an hour, before Facundo Buoanotte’s fortunate strike found the back of the net, giving Leicester a way back into the game.
10 minutes later they were level, courtesy of a Jamie Vardy penalty that came after the striker’s shirt was pulled by Saints winger Ryan Fraser as he attempted to sweep the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Jordan Ayew’s late strike sealed Leicester’s comeback win over Southampton.Source: Getty Images
Fraser was sent off, the fifth player to see the red in the Premier League overnight, and Vardy converted the penalty, drawing the Foxes level with plenty of time to play.
Despite their man advantage, Leicester’s winner came with essentially the final kick of the game after Jordan Ayew swept the ball home from a corner in the 98th minute.
The win lifts Leicester to 14th, six points clear of the relegation zone – although both Palace and Wolves have a game in hand.
For Southampton, losing from such a winnable position has turned the pressure up on manager Russell Martin, who has constantly been accused of playing beautiful, possession-based football without getting results.
VILLA’S MARCH CONTINUES AS NEWCASTLE FALTER
Aston Villa’s towards the top of the Premier League table continued against Fulham overnight.
Unai Emery’s side fell behind to an early Raul Jimenez strike but scored three times before full-time to seal a crucial three points.
Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins both scored, continuing their fine seasons, before an Issa Diop own goal sealed the win after 70 minutes. Emi Martinez saved an Andreas Pereira penalty with the scores locked at 1-1.
Fulham lost central defender Joachim Andersen to a red card six minutes before Diop found the back of his own net.
The win leaves Villa fourth on 17 points, two clear of fifth-placed Brighton, who narrowly beat Newcastle overnight.
Danny Welbeck’s fifth goal of the season proved the difference between the two sides
Holders Manchester City will have to end their hoodoo at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to progress in the FA Cup fourth round as non-league Eastleigh could face Manchester United.
City have lost on all five previous visits since Spurs’ new stadium opened in 2019, without scoring a single goal.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, who progressed to the last 32 with a 1-0 win over Burnley on Friday, struck late to snatch a 3-3 draw when the sides last met in December at the Etihad.
The FA Cup could be Postecoglou’s best chance to claim silverware in his maiden season in the Premier League, but facing City is a brutal test – especially as early as the fourth round.
Manchester United are in action later on Monday away to League One Wigan. The winners will face either Eastleigh of the National League or League Two Newport County, who will face off in a third round replay on January 16.
Chelsea host Aston Villa in the other standout tie.
Maidstone, the only other non-league side still in the draw, travel to Championship high-flyers Ipswich.
Premier League leaders Liverpool will host Norwich or Bristol Rovers after beating Arsenal 2-0 in the pick of the third round ties.
Pedro Porro’s sublime strike fired Tottenham to a hard-fought 1-0 win over stubborn Burnley in the FA Cup third round on Friday.
Porro bagged his first goal this season with just 12 minutes left in north London to spare Tottenham the prospect of an unwanted trip to Turf Moor for a replay.
Tottenham’s progress to the fourth round made it five wins from their last six games in all competitions as they continue to bounce back from their autumn slump.
Coach Ange Postecoglou said this week that it is Tottenham’s ambition to win a trophy like the FA Cup “every year”.
Without a major triumph since winning the 2008 League Cup, Tottenham fans would gladly take any silverware at present, no matter the competition.
They won the last of their eight FA Cups in 1991 and Postecoglou would dearly love to mark his first season in charge by ending that long wait for a ninth.
The road to Wembley started for Tottenham without Son Heung-min, who is on Asian Cup duty with South Korea, and Pape Sarr, who has departed to play for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Postecoglou’s team were the dominant side even without Son and Sarr. Richarlison dragged his shot wide of the far post after slaloming through the Burnley defence in the early stages.
Porro scored a wonder goal for Tottenham to beat Burnley. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
Brennan Johnson’s curler was pushed away by Burnley keeper Arijanet Muric, who also saved well from Richarlison.
Giovani Lo Celso opened the second half with a long-range shot that was repelled by the overworked Muric.
Tottenham pushed hard in the closing stages, with Muric saving again from Johnson before the breakthrough finally arrived.
Muric had been in such good form that it was going to take something special to beat him and Porro duly delivered in the 78th minute.
After winning back possession in the Burnley half, the Spanish defender took aim from the right-hand side of the area and unfurled a ferocious shot that bent into the far corner as Muric stood rooted to the spot.
Burnley’s exit leaves Vincent Kompany’s second bottom side free to focus on their fight for Premier League survival.
Ten-man Wolves rescued a 1-1 draw at Brentford thanks to Tommy Doyle’s stunning strike.
Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes was sent off after just nine minutes for an ugly studs-up challenge on Christian Norgaard.
Tommy Doyle’s second half strike ensured Wolves would get a replay against Brentford. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Neal Maupay fired Brentford ahead when he rifled into the top corner after Wolves failed to clear a 41st minute free-kick.
But Doyle equalised for the four-time FA Cup winners in the 64th minute with a blistering drive from the edge of the area.
The draw ended Brentford’s run of five successive defeats and Wolves’ spell of three consecutive wins, which had included a 4-1 victory over the Bees in December.
Fulham ground out a 1-0 win against Championship strugglers Rotherham at Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers have a League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool on Wednesday, so Marco Silva prioritised the trip to Anfield as he made eight changes from the New Year’s Eve win over Arsenal.
Silva’s reserves were still strong enough to leave Rotherham without an away victory since November 2022 as Bobby De Cordova-Reid bagged the winner from the edge of the area in the 24th minute.
Ange Postecoglou has enjoyed a sensational first six months at Tottenham Hotspur, but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.
Injuries and suspensions have had devastating impact on Spurs in recent weeks, seeing the Australian’s side slide from the top of the Premier League after a five-game winless streak.
Spurs have since turned it around with back-to-back victories and are currently fifth, just one point off fourth spot. But to finish in the top four and secure Champions League qualification for next season, there’s no doubt that Ange Postecoglou will be desperately eyeing reinforcements in the January transfer window.
“I wrote my letter to Santa. Like my kids, now I’ve just got to see whether I’ve been naughty or nice and see what I get mate,” Postecoglou joked before the weekend.
A major transfer ‘risk’ taken at the start of the season has come back to bite Spurs, while a looming pair of major international tournaments will further weaken Postecoglou’s squad.
And with other teams also looking to poach some Spurs players, it could prove a very busy January for the Australian.
After taking over at White Hart Lane in June, Postecoglou made nine signings in his first transfer window (though two of those were turning two loan deals permanent). That reshaping of the squad was funded in large part by the sale of superstar striker Harry Kane to German giants Bayern Munich.
That included a new goalkeeper in Guglielmo Vicario, a proven playmaker in Leicester City’s James Maddison, and a host of young talents including midfielder Pape Matar Sarr (21), attacker Brennan Johnson (22), centre-back Micky van de Ven (22), and winger Manor Solomon (23).
Besides 26-year-old pair Vicario and Maddison, all of Spurs’ signings were aged 23 or younger – part of a clear long-term strategy to sign promising talents (that often come at a more affordable price point).
But while van de Ven slotted into the first-team immediately, the only other centre-back arrival was 18-year-old Ashley Phillips – viewed as one for the future, rather than being capable of taking on a regular starting role.
Davinson Sanchez left Tottenham for Galatasaray after the English transfer window ended – a ‘risk’ that backfired on Spurs.Source: AFP
And Spurs lost plenty of depth at the heart of defence. Clement Lenglet finished his loan deal and returned to Barcelona before being loaned to Aston Villa. Fringe player Joe Rodon, who had spent the last season on loan with French side Rennes, was sent out to Leeds United on another loan deal. Japhet Tanganga was loaned to FC Augsburg on deadline day (with a conditional purchase obligation next season) before Davinson Sanchez was allowed to leave to Turkish club Galatasaray after the English transfer window had closed.
That meant that Spurs did not have the ability to sign a replacement for the 207-appearance veteran, who had played twice under Postecoglou early in the season before his late departure.
Postecoglou had tried to sign another centre-back before the window closed. According to football.london, Perr Schuurs, Gleison Bremer and Tosin Adarabioyo were all centre-backs identified by Postecoglou – but a deal couldn’t be done.
So while Postecoglou needed to trim the bloated Spurs squad he inherited, selling Sanchez was a risk.
And when Spurs were cut down by a horrid smattering of injuries in the last couple of months, that risk backfired. Van de Ven was ruled out until January, Eric Dier and Ashley Phillips were also injured, and vice-captain Cristian Romero copped a three-game suspension.
Spurs were so short of centre-backs that they have been routinely forced to name a backline with four fullbacks.
GF rematch provides 6 goal thriller | 01:00
“When you think about it,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports this weekend, “we let Davinson Sanchez go after the window closed. We kind of knew we were taking a bit of a risk; we couldn’t get the extra centre-back that we were trying to get in, and for the early part of the year that was fine.
“But once we lost Micky [van de Ven], and Eric Dier’s had some issues as well, we don’t have another centre-back.
“Young Ash Phillips had just joined the club, so it’s fair to say that we can’t run the risk of that happening again, so that’s obviously a priority for us in January.
“But again, we’ve got to get the right person. It’s not just about bringing another body in, it’s about getting the right one in and hopefully that’ll happen.”
Van de Ven started the season in sensational fashion, making him an early contender for the league’s defensive signing of the season, before suffering an unfortunate hamstring injury. He is set to return in mid-January, but there’s no doubt that Spurs need more depth at the position.
“Ultimately, we still need to sign another centre-back because at the moment we are a little bit on tenterhooks because if something happens again we are short and we are already short,” Postecoglou said in a recent press conference.
As Postecoglou says, signing a centre-back is the ‘priority’ for Spurs this window.
The club could even look to land two centre-halves if Eric Dier is sold. Dier is entering the final six months of his contract and reportedly plans to depart at the end of the season. But The Mirror claims Tottenham boss Daniel Levy intends to sell him in January rather than lose him on a free transfer in six months’ time.
Micky van de Ven’s injury was a major blow to Spurs.Source: Getty Images
Football Insider claims that Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly, Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba are on the Tottenham shortlist, after Spurs were linked to all three in the off-season transfer window.
Tapsoba has recently signed a new long-term contract until June 2028 and would therefore be an expensive acquisition, but both Kelly and Adarabioyo are out of contract at the end of this season. That should make signing them easier, with those clubs likely open to selling rather than losing them for free at the end of the season.
Liverpool and Newcastle are both in the race for Kelly (rated at around 25 million pounds), but Bournemouth have reportedly handed the 25-year-old a club-record contract offer in an attempt to convince him to stay.
Spurs sent a scout to watch Benfica’s 3-1 Champions League win over RB Salzburg last week, reportedly to watch Brazilian centre-back Morato.
The Sun claims Spurs scouts have watched the Benfica star four times in a month and will be Spurs’ top target, though the North London club will be unwilling to pay the 22-year-old’s release clause of £68m (A$127m).
Galatasaray’s Victor Nelsson has also been linked to the club, as well as Genoa centre-back Ragu Dragsusin. Ben Godfrey of Everton is also reportedly on their shortlist.
Sky Sports claims that Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo are also defensive targets for Spurs.
All three are 23 or younger, meaning they fit into Spurs’ long-term squad-building approach.
Postecoglou told Sky Sports his focus is on signing and hungry players: “Yeah, because that’s what we’re trying to build at the moment.
“Even Vic [Guglielmo Vicario], he’s only 26 [which is young] for a goalkeeper, and the only one we’ve kind of signed who isn’t in that bracket but I still think he’s got the best in front of him is Madders [James Maddison], but all the rest are all young.
“Guys like Pape Sarr, Destiny [Udogie], Pedro [Porro] and [Dejan] Kulusevski – who both [Porro and Kulusevski] became permanent – they’re all in their early 20s, so we’re in the first phase of building something.
“I think when you’ve got young guys and you start building something and they grow together, I think it gives you more chance of having sustained success down the road.”
Ange Postecoglou speaks to young midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, who has become a regular contributor for Spurs this season.Source: AFP
THE KEY ISSUE THAT WILL FORCE SPURS TO ACT
While a centre-back is a clear priority, Postecoglou is also facing a significant hurdle in January that will almost certainly push him into the market for other signings.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and Asian Cup both take place in January – meaning three Spurs stars will be missing for lengthy periods. Midfielders Yves Bissouma (Mali) and Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) will be at AFCON which starts January 13, while captain Son Heung-Min (South Korea) will be in Qatar for the Asia Cup from January 12. Both tournaments last just under a month and players will likely depart a few days before the tournaments begin. If those three teams make a deep run in their respective competitions, Spurs could be significantly weakened. Senegal, as the reigning champions, are expected to again contend for the title.
Postecoglou said recently: “All of those three players will be a big loss to us but that’s kind of been the story of our season – we’ve had to cope without significant players so far and as I said that’s kind of what we’ve been dealt and we have to deal with it as we have.”
Bissouma on the weekend received his second red card of the season and will serve a four-game ban, which means he likely won’t be available to play until after AFCON and could miss up to ten fixtures!
Yves Bissouma was shown his second red card of the season. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
The absences of Bissouma and Sarr mean that Postecoglou could look to bolster his midfield stocks. Spurs came close to signing Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher in the off-season, and The Daily Mail reports that the Blues are now willing to sell the England international.
Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino appeared to hint that the club wouldn’t sell Gallagher, saying on the weekend: “At the moment, Conor should be an important player who is still with us so that is the feeling now between the club and the player.”
But Chelsea need to balance their books after a year of big spending, while Pochettino is desperate to clear funds to sign a striker.
Spurs star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has also been linked with an exit – Manchester United and Atletico Madrid were interested in the off-season – and the Telegraph claims that Manchester City’s virtually-in-exile star Kalvin Phillips will be on Spurs’ radar if Hojbjerg does depart. Meanwhile, reports out of Turkey in October said that Postecoglou personally recommended the signing of Fenerbahce defensive midfielder Ismail Yuksek.
A little further forward in the midfield, James Maddison’s injury has revived the Tottenham career of Giovani Lo Celso in recent weeks, with his creativity and playmaking filling a crucial gap in Postecoglou’s team. But Spurs will have to fend off offers for the technically-gifted Argentine, with recent reports that Barcelona are interested in bringing him to the Camp Nou.
But Spurs could look to Barcelona’s biggest rival for reinforcements. El Nacional in Spain claimed that Spurs are interested in signing Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid, with the former Arsenal loanee having tumbled down the pecking order and hardly being spotted in the team this season.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be sold.Source: Getty Images
Son’s absence could be the most damaging of the lot, given the South Korean is very much a talisman in the Tottenham attacking line. Spurs’ forward stocks have been savaged by injuries this campaign. According to multiple reports, Spurs are still looking for another number nine to replace Harry Kane, while a winger has also been touted.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano added weight to claims that Feyenoord’s 22-year-old Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez is Spurs’ number one target up front.
Romano told The Debrief: “For January a really interesting proposal is needed. I think it could be around €45m guaranteed package to Feyenoord, I’m not sure it will be easy at the moment.
“He is for sure a player monitored by Tottenham because they are following the Dutch League with big interest after they wanted Arne Slot last summer.
“The relationship with Tottenham and Feyenoord after what happened with Arne Slot last summer has some problems, some small issues, nothing big and serious, but that is also a point to consider.”
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have also been linked to the player, but TodoFichajes reports that Spurs are in advanced negotiations for his signature.
Postecoglou with Son.Source: AFP
And Sky Sports also claims that Juventus’s Samuel Iling-Junior is Tottenham’s primary target when it comes to a winger.
It could be a busy transfer window for Spurs – but it is always a tricky one, too, with clubs unwilling to lose important players midway through the season.
Postecoglou said it is a ‘challenge’, but he is hoping to bring players through the door as quickly as possible.
He said: “Obviously with where we’re at injury-wise, the players we’re going to miss, we’ve got some significant games in January and signing somebody late in January could mean they haven’t been able to make an impact in those other games.
“We’re pushing hard but you need all parties to agree to that … It is a challenge, I get that, but everyone at the club is working hard to get the best outcomes for us and we’ll see how it goes.”
Given Spurs still have eight players injured plus another two suspended, and with AFCON and the Asian Cup on the horizon, the transfer window can’t come soon enough.
The real question will be just how much Spurs’ thrifty hierarchy backs the Australian manager. After missing out on some key targets in the last transfer window, the Tottenham bigwigs have the chance to make amends – and it could make or break their top-four hopes in the second half of the season.
While Postecoglou has been a big success story in the Premier League this season and gained several new fans in the process, it seemed — at least on the surface — that The Guardian’s Jonathan Liew was not one of them.
While podcast host Max Rushden went on to describe Postecoglou as a “lovely man”, Liew was seemingly having none of it, specifically saying the Australians “comes across as a lovely man”.
“All of the people saying he’s great, saying he’s a great bloke — nobody knows him,” added Liew.
“All you know about him are the little 45 second clips that come from his press conferences or that turn up on your Twitter feed every week.”
Liew had plenty more to say at the time and copped lots of feedback from social media users as a result, although now the English journalist has suggested it was all part of a “bit”.
“Should I clarify this? I did a bit on the live show which was a bit,” Liew said on the most recent episode of The Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast.
“I take my writing — my full-time job as a sports writer — incredibly seriously.”
Gunners go top after United hold Reds | 02:46
As for talking, Liew said he takes that “not at all seriously”.
“The very opposite of seriously,” he added.
In fact, Liew proved that very point immediately after as he sarcastically quipped that host Rushden suggested after the joke’s success at the live show that he reproduce it on the podcast to be clipped out of context on the internet.
“So, I did a bit at the live show and then Max [Rushden] thought, ‘Oh that went down really well in front of actual people in a room, why don’t you say it to millions of people that will then cut and snip it and take it out of context and then post it in bad faith on the internet?’,” Liew said.
