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Spurs are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and, having also been eliminated from the League Cup just three days ago, the side now only has the Europa League left to play for.
The side’s 2024/25 campaign has been tortured by an unusually brutal injury toll that has regularly sat in the double digits, with many of those players first-team regulars.
With the pressure mounting on his position, Postecoglou said in a lengthy monologue that he didn’t mind facing scrutiny personally, but was fed-up with criticism of the team given how weakened it has been.
He also strongly suggested that there has been a double standard in the coverage of Spurs’ season compared to other big clubs.
“I’m not talking about me. People can judge me. They can say I’ve done a bad job, I’m not up to it or whatever,” he said. “That’s fine. What I’m saying is you can’t be critical of players or players’ performances at this time.
“Because if you do, then do that with everyone else. Be as critical of other clubs when they’ve got nine or 10 or 11 players out. And none of them have. And have to play every week. And not for one game.”
“How did Liverpool go today?” he added, referencing the giant’s shock 1-0 loss to Plymouth Argyle, which sits bottom of the Championship table.
“And they just did that for one game. Do that for two and a half months. Any team. Do that for two and a half months in multiple competitions.”
Tottenham have lost five of their last eight games in all competitions, dealing a huge blow to Postecoglou’s boast earlier this season that he always wins a trophy in his second campaign.
He said he can wear the criticism, but continued to defend his players while suggesting that there is an “agenda” against his team.
“There’s got to be a better appreciation for what a very small group of players have been doing for the last two and a half months,” he said.
“It can’t be that people think that’s an excuse. That’s just not anywhere near close to objective analysis. That’s just agenda-driven stuff.
Plymouth defeats Liverpool in huge upset | 01:21
“If it’s to get rid of me that’s fine. Good on ya. Go for it a million times.
“But in terms of this group of players, what they’ve given over the past two and half months has been outstanding, it’s a credit to them, I can’t speak highly enough of them.”
Spurs are through to the Europa League last 16, but whether Postecoglou will still be in charge when they return to European action remains to be seen.
Denied the services of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, James Maddison and Brennan Johnson among others due to injury, the former Celtic boss is adamant his players still back him.
“They’ll get the chance to reset now and finish the season strong,” he said.
“Europe is still very important to us, we’re still in a great spot there, and we’ll hope to get some players back over the next two weeks.”
Nottingham Forest’s fairytale Premier League season took another big step on Tuesday when the former European champions secured a draw over league leaders Liverpool at home.
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Liverpool dominated the night at the City Ground but was still forced to come from behind to settle for a draw after New Zealand striker Chris Wood put Forest in front after eight minutes.
His strike came against the run of play and took his remarkable season tally to 13 goals in 21 games.
Forest still dreamt of clinching a miraculous win well into the second half, until Diogo Jota — who had been on the field for just 22 seconds — nodded home for Liverpool from a corner.
Jota continued to make an impact, and Liverpool kept Forest under siege, but the underdogs escaped with a point to delight the home crowd.
Liverpool remains six points clear of anyone on the Premier League table.
The result also keeps Forest in second-place after 21 games, one point ahead of Arsenal, and three ahead of Chelsea, who needed a 95th minute goal from Reece James to save a draw at home to Bournemouth.
Title rivals Manchester City, meanwhile, missed the major opportunity to close the gap by coughing up a 2-0 lead to Brentford, who stunned the champions late with 82nd and 92nd goals from Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard.
‘Calamitous’ Perth Glory own goal | 01:06
The biggest result of the night, however, belonged to Forest whose redemption in England’s top flight continues to gather steam.
Their fairytale run has been spearheaded by a career year from striker Wood, the 33-year-old Kiwi who has been among the Premier League’s most prolific goal scorers this season.
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson noted that the City Ground “erupted” when Wood scored against the run of play.
“Forest hadn’t been out of their half in the first eight minutes. I cannot believe they are 1-0 up. They had been ripped to shreds,” he noted.
Clinton Morrison, former Republic of Ireland striker, said on the BBC: “This is why Forest are good. You don’t see them for the first five minutes and then they hit.”
Forest’s remarkable run of six successive league wins prior to Liverpool’s visit had sparked claims they could emulate Leicester’s fairytale title triumph in 2016.
This impressive performance suggested that dream should not be completely discounted, even if Liverpool remain firm favourites.
Earlier this month, Forest marked the 50th anniversary of Brian Clough’s appointment, which triggered the club’s incredible rise from the second tier to English champions in 1978 and European Cup winners in 1979 and 1980.
– Inspired Sels –
Back then, Forest and Liverpool were England’s pre-eminent forces, jousting for domestic and continental silverware on a regular basis.
For the first time since 1979, Liverpool and Forest were meeting with both teams in the top three and the retro feel was palpable on the banks of the River Trent.
Forest fans, red and white scarves twirling in the raucous atmosphere, had barely finished a stirring pre-match rendition of Mull of Kintyre before their team delivered a statement of intent that could easily have come from the Clough era.
Forest have proved lethal on the counter-attack this season and they caught Liverpool with a punishing sucker-punch from their first attack in the eighth minute.
Anthony Elanga’s pin-point pass caught Virgil van Dijk flat-footed as Wood ran in behind the Liverpool defender.
Keeping his composure, Wood slotted a clinical finish under Alisson Becker. Slot’s men dominated possession after that but struggled to break down a resolute Forest defence well marshalled by Serbian centre-back Nikola Milenkovic.
Milenkovic and Murillo had stopped Liverpool mustering a shot on target in the first half as Mohamed Salah was held in check.
Forest and Liverpool battled to a 1-1 draw.Source: AFP
Liverpool drew level after a rare slip from Nuno’s defence in the 66th minute. Kostas Tsimikas’s corner looped into penalty area and Jota, one of the smallest players on the pitch, was given space to glance his header past Sels from five yards.
It was an inspired substitution from Slot, who had sent on Jota and Tsimikas just 22 seconds earlier.
Jota almost struck again, weaving through the Forest defence before Sels made a fine save to deny the Portugal forward.
Sels produced an even better stop moments later, throwing himself in front of Jota’s powerful close-range strike.
In a frantic finale, Dominik Szoboszlai’s blast forced another good save from Sels, while Salah’s curler was tipped over by the inspired Forest keeper.
There was nearly a dramatic winner for Liverpool but Salah’s shot was cleared off the line by Ola Aina before Sels clawed Cody Gakpo’s shot to safety.
MAN CITY BLOW LATE LEAD AT BRENTFORD, CHELSEA HELD BY BOURNEMOUTH
Manchester City’s upturn came undone as Brentford hit back to draw 2-2 on Tuesday, while Chelsea were also held by the same scoreline at home by Bournemouth.
Phil Foden’s double had City on course for a fourth consecutive win after a run of just one victory in 13 games.
However, the English champions’ defending was not convincing all night and they were punished as Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard struck in the final 10 minutes to earn Brentford a point.
Foden’s return to the form that saw him crowned Premier League player of the year last season was the one positive for City.
But Pep Guardiola will reflect on a missed opportunity to make up ground on the top four.
A point leaves City still down in sixth.
Manchester City’s upturn came undone as Brentford hit back to draw 2-2 on Tuesday.Source: Getty Images
Erling Haaland and Savinho struck the woodwork for City either side of half-time.
However, Brentford were a constant threat on the counter-attack and only a brilliant last ditch tackle from Josko Gvardiol denied Wissa the opener for the home side.
Moments later, Foden produced a brilliant deft touch from Kevin De Bruyne’s inviting delivery to score for just the third time in the Premier League this season.
Brentford then saw a host of chances to level come and go before City punished them with a sucker punch.
Savinho’s powerful effort was parried by Mark Flekken into the path of Foden, who smashed in his fourth goal in five league games.
Brentford did finally get some reward for their attacking endeavour when Wissa slotted in from Mads Roerslev’s cross to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League.
And they completed the comeback in stoppage time when Norgaard’s header had too much power for Stefan Ortega.
– Reece rescues Chelsea –
Chelsea’s miserable run extended to five league games without a win but they were grateful for captain Reece James’ stoppage-time equaliser salvaging a point for them against the Cherries.
Cole Palmer’s cool finish from Nicolas Jackson’s through ball had given Chelsea the perfect start.
But Bournemouth hit back despite losing both their strikers Evanilson and Enes Unal to long-term injuries.
Chelsea’s miserable run extended to five league games without a win but they were grateful for captain Reece James’ stoppage-time equaliser.Source: Getty Images
Justin Kluivert levelled from the penalty spot, before Antoine Semenyo’s blistering near-post effort put the visitors in front.
James has endured another injury-hit season but showed the quality he possesses by curling home a free-kick at the death.
West Ham boss Graham Potter enjoyed a winning home debut as Fulham were beaten 3-2 at the London Stadium.
The Hammers shrugged off an injury crisis in attacking areas to score twice in two first-half minutes.
Carlos Soler pounced on a wayward pass by Andreas Pereira to sweep in the opener before Tomas Soucek fired in from Aaron Wan Bissaka’s cross.
Alex Iwobi’s intended cross evaded everyone on its way in at the start of the second half to give Fulham hope.
Lucas Paqueta restored West Ham’s two-goal cushion to take Potter’s men above Manchester United and Tottenham into 12th.
Iwobi pulled another goal back for Fulham, but defeat leaves them still in ninth.
Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge was dealt another seismic blow as Joao Pedro’s penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Brighton on Saturday to leave the Gunners five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand.
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Mikel Arteta’s attacking options were limited by illness and injury but 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri took his chance to shine with a composed finish to put the visitors in front.
However, Arsenal saw two vital points slip away when William Saliba was harshly punished for a clash of heads with Joao Pedro and the Brazilian slotted home the resulting spot-kick.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright was insenced over the decision, claiming double standards after a hefty clash between Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski and Newcastle midfielder Anthony Gordon did not end in a penalty earlier in the day.
“It’s pathetic,” Wright said.
“He’s just tried to head the ball here — I don’t know what to believe anymore. C’mon man, it’s ridiculous.
“I can’t believe what I’ve just seen.”
Liverpool can now further extend their lead at the top and close in on a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title when they host struggling Manchester United on Sunday.
Already shorn of talisman Bukayo Saka for the next two months with a hamstring injury, Arsenal’s attacking options were further depleted by illness.
Kai Havertz failed to even make the matchday squad for the second consecutive game, while captain Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli were only fit enough for appearances as second-half substitutes.
Nwaneri was the beneficiary with a second consecutive start and showed why he is one of the Premier League’s rising stars with a clinical finish for the opening goal.
The teenager still had plenty to do as he raced onto Mikel Merino’s ball over the top but his pace took him beyond the Brighton defence before firing low into the far corner on 16 minutes.
Arsenal went on to control the remainder of the first half but lacked any penetration without their quartet of attacking stars to build on their lead.
Merino had the one big opportunity to double the Gunners’ advantage early in the second period when he skewed wide from Declan Rice’s free-kick.
Moments later the visitors were rocked by a controversial call that could have huge ramifications for the title race.
There was the slightest touch from Saliba’s head onto Joao Pedro’s but the Brighton forward went down clutching his face and got the reward of a spot-kick.
The Seagulls captain for the day, in the absence of Lewis Dunk, confidently stroked home the penalty to level.
Arteta responded immediately by summoning Odegaard from the bench, while Martinelli had replaced Nwaneri at the break.
However, it was Brighton who looked the most likely winners in the closing stages.
Yakuba Minteh wasted a great chance to end their now eight-game winless run when his shot across goal evaded both Yasin Ayari and Kaoru Mitoma and slid wide of the far post.
But a point is enough to edge Brighton back into 10th.
Spurs to target January transfer window | 01:10
HAALAND DOUBLES UP IN MAN CITY STROLL AS SPURS FUME
Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City pummelled West Ham 4-1 in the Premier League on Saturday while in-form Newcastle inflicted another painful defeat on Ange Postecoglou’s struggling Tottenham.
Chelsea’s recent woes continued with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, meaning they have taken just two points from four games over the festive period.
Defending champions City beat Leicester last week for just their second win in 14 games but they have now won successive matches for the first time since October and Pep Guardiola will hope they have turned the corner.
The home side took the lead in the 10th minute when West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal deflected City winger Savinho’s cross past goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
City tightened their grip three minutes before the break when Haaland headed home at the back post from Savinho’s deep cross.
The Norwegian claimed his second 10 minutes after the interval, dinking the ball over Areola after a fine pass from Savinho, to take his league haul to 16 goals, one behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Phil Foden made it 4-0 before Niclas Fuellkrug grabbed a consolation for Julen Lopetegui’s men, who suffered a 5-0 mauling by Premier League leaders Liverpool last week.
Despite their shocking run of results, sixth-placed City are just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
But Guardiola said his team were still not back in the groove. “We have struggled with results recently but the last two victories are good and we did not lose for three,” he told the BBC.
“I would say a month and half (of poor form) compared with eight years is not bad.”
Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City pummelled West Ham 4-1.Source: Getty Images
– ‘Angriest in career’ –
In the early kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Newcastle came from behind to clinch a fifth straight Premier League win and heap more misery on injury-hit Spurs.
The home side went ahead in the fourth minute through Dominic Solanke.
Newcastle levelled two minutes later when Antony Gordon arrowed an effort into the bottom corner but Postecoglou stood in disbelief on the touchline looking at referee Andrew Madley after Joelinton intercepted Lucas Bergvall’s pass with his hand in the build-up.
VAR deemed Joelinton’s arm to be in a natural position and the contact to be accidental, which provoked a furious reaction from Tottenham’s bench and they were up in arms midway through the first half when the already-booked Dan Burn avoided a second yellow card for handball by the centre circle.
In-form Alexander Isak scored what turned out to be the winner towards the end of the first period.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea were breathing down Liverpool’s necks just two weeks ago but are now nine points behind the Reds, having played two games more.
The Italian, who has always insisted his team are not in the title race, made six changes for the match at Selhurst Park.
Chelsea took the lead when Jadon Sancho drove down the left and found Cole Palmer, who calmly finished in the corner.
The visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession but they could not capitalise and Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled in the 82nd minute.
Aston Villa beat relegation-threatened Leicester 2-1 at home, with goals from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey.
Brentford recorded their first league win on the road, smashing bottom side Southampton 5-0, and Bournemouth beat Everton 1-0.
A Hakan Calhanoglu penalty gave Inter Milan a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, while a 93rd-minute winner ensured Atletico Madrid left Paris with all three points.
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The Italian champions remain undefeated in the competition this season and sit fifth on 10 points at the midway point of the new league phase format.
“I think we played a great game against a strong side who play with great intensity,” said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.
Arsenal, on the other hand, experienced defeat for the first time in Europe this season and lie three points and seven places behind their opponents.
The match at the San Siro looked set to go into the break goalless until a penalty was signalled against Mikel Merino after Mehdi Taremi’s flick deviated the ball into the Arsenal player’s raised hand from close range.
Earlier in the first half, Merino felt he was denied a penalty when Sommer connected with his head as he punched clear Gabriel Martinelli’s cross, but VAR did not see enough to overturn the on-field decision.
“We were very harshly done by,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports.
“There is no deflection, nothing you can do in the box, so can he get away from it?”
Arteta continued in the post-match press conference: “We were told at the start of the season that wasn’t a penalty. That was clear. Today it was a different story. But OK. They decide that is a penalty.
“But if that is a penalty then the one on Mikel Merino where he punches him in the head has to be a penalty, 1,000 per cent. These are the margins in this game and it’s very, very difficult to accept.”
Inter Milan’s Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer makes a save in front of Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino. Photo by Gabriel BOUYS / AFPSource: AFP
Calhanoglu stroked home the resulting spot-kick three minutes into first-half injury time.
Yann Sommer and Denzel Dumfries combined on the line to deny Gabriel Magalhaes a leveller shortly before the hour.
Arsenal cranked up the pressure in the second half but were unable to break down Inter’s solid defensive block as the Premier League side fell to a second defeat in four days.
Barcelona beat Red Star Belgrade 5-2 in Serbia to claim sixth spot in the standings.
The Catalans took the lead on 13 minutes via a stooping header by defender Inigo Martinez.
But Red Star struck back just prior to the half-hour when Silas Mvumpa sprang the Barca offside trap and lifted the ball past Inaki Pena.
Robert Lewandowski effectively ensured Barca stayed in the automatic qualification spots with a quick-fire double either side of the break.
Raphinha and Fermin Lopez then netted, before Felicio Milson curled in a late consolation for the hosts.
Atletico stunned PSG 2-1 in the French capital as Angel Correa’s stoppage-time winner gave the Spaniards a second Champions League win this term.
“Paris played very well, they attacked the whole match, but we were confident, we worked hard in defence and as a team, and we got our goal at the end to claim victory,” Correa said to Movistar.
The loss means the French champions sit in the elimination zone with one win and a draw from four, with matches against Manchester City and Bayern Munich to come.
Warren Zaire-Emery sent PSG ahead with a dinked finish past Jan Oblak on 14 minutes, before Nahuel Molina drilled in an equaliser four minutes later.
The home team pressed as the match wore on but left themselves exposed as Oblak’s throw found Antoine Griezmann on the break and the Frenchman’s pinpoint pass landed at the feet of Correa, who cut in and finished past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Jamal Musiala struck in the 67th minute to get Bayern Munich’s stuttering campaign back on course with a 1-0 win at home to Benfica.
The six-time winners’ record of two wins and two defeats leaves them mid-table with four matches remaining.
After making his debut in the competition in just his second match back after a long injury lay-off, the England centre-half gifted Brugge a penalty in the 51st minute after he picked up a short goal kick taken by Emiliano Martinez.
Hans Vanaken stroked home from 12 yards to drop Villa to eighth. Brest continued their excellent start to life at European football’s top table, a 2-1 win at Sparta Prague taking them to fourth place.
Second-half strikes by Ademola Lookman and Nicolo Zaniolo gave Europa League champions Atalanta a 2-0 win at Stuttgart.
RB Leipzig picked up their first points of the campaign with a 3-1 victory in the Netherlands against 10-man Feyenoord.
Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine defeated Young Boys 2-1, condemning the Swiss side to a fourth consecutive defeat in the competition.
UEFA Champions League results
Club Brugge 1 (Vanaken 52-pen) defeated Aston Villa 0
Shakhtar Donetsk 2 (Zubkov 31, Sudakov 41) defeated Young Boys 1 (Imeri 27)
Bayern Munich 1 (Musiala 67) defeated Benfica 0
Feyenoord 1 (Hadj Moussa 81) lost to Salzburg 3 (Konate 45+2, 58, Guindo 86)
Inter Milan 1 (Calhanoglu 45+3-pen) defeated Arsenal 0
Paris Saint-Germain 1 (Zaire-Emery 14) lost to Atletico Madrid 2 (Molina 18, Correa 90+3)
Red Star Belgrade 2 (Silas 27, Milson 84) lost to Barcelona 5 (Martinez 13, Lewandowski 43, 53, Raphinha 55, Lopez 76)
Sparta Prague 1 (Olatunji 90+2) lost to Brest 2 (Fernandes 37, Kairinen 80-og)
Stuttgart 0 lost to Atalanta 2 (Lookman 51, Zaniolo 88)
Leaked WhatsApp messages suggest Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally controlled the state sovereign wealth fund’s takeover of Newcastle United, according to a bombshell report from The Telegraph UK.
A Saudi-led consortium completed its $559 million takeover of Premier League club Newcastle United in October 2021 despite warnings from Amnesty International that the deal represented “sportswashing” of the Gulf kingdom’s human rights record.
According to a CIA report, the Crown Prince was responsible for ordering the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
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The consortium, which now owns 80 per cent of the club, featured the Saudi Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben.
The Premier League initially blocked the sale over concerns Newcastle United would be commanded by the Saudi state, but the league received “legally binding assurances” that the Saudi Arabian government would not control the club.
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Source: Getty Images
However, The Telegraph UK published a series of WhatsApp messages from former Newcastle United minority co-owner Amanda Staveley, who brokered the club’s sale, that suggested the Saudi Crown Prince signed off key decisions in the controversial deal.
The messages, which implied Bin Salman heavily influenced in the deal, shed new light on the extent of political involvement in the takeover.
“The Crown Prince is losing patience – I need to assure him we will get there,” Staveley messaged the camp of former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley in March 2020.
Another message referred to attempts being made to “convince the Crown Prince not to pull out” of the deal.
According to Staveley’s lawyers, she was referring to the Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, in the context of his role as chairman of the Public Investment Fund.
Staveley stepped down from Newcastle’s board in July after selling her shares.
The Newcastle United club badge. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
In response to the report, a PIF spokesman said in a statement: “In October 2021, following a lengthy investigation, the Premier League announced that the sale of Newcastle United had completed following the receipt of assurances that the government of Saudi Arabia would not control the club. The facts and circumstances that underpin those assurances, as confirmed at the time to the Premier League, remain unchanged.”
The South East Melbourne Phoenix have parted ways with coach Mike Kelly, effective immediately, after just 33 games.
Kelly, Phoenix general manager of basketball operations Simon Mitchell and CEO Tommy Greer came to the decision at a meeting on Sunday after the team’s fifth-straight loss to start the 2024/25 NBL season at the hands of the Brisbane Bullets.
Assistant Sam Mackinnon will take over as the team’s interim head coach.
The South East Melbourne Phoenix have reportedly parted ways with coach Mike Kelly (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“While it hasn’t worked out the way I would’ve liked, I’m thankful to the players, fans, sponsors and the Phoenix for the opportunity,” Kelly said.
“I truly believe in the playing group and wish them all the best moving forward.”
Kelly was in his second season at the helm, with the Phoenix finishing 10th last campaign with an NBL-worst 10-18 record.
“The team’s on-court performance is not meeting the club’s standards and expectations,” Mitchell said..
“While we deeply respect, appreciate, and thank Mike for his hard work and dedication, we believe a change is necessary to move the team forward and deliver the success our fans, sponsors, and stakeholders deserve.”
The Phoenix’s next game is a Round 5 matchup with Melbourne United next Sunday at John Cain Arena.
A 3-0 loss to Tottenham at Old Trafford has sparked a brutal, public shaming of Manchester United and manager Erik ten Hag, who is now “running out of time” to save his job according to UK experts.
Manchester United now sits 13th on the Premier League standings with two wins in six games.
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The club’s new football leadership team handed ten Hag an extension to his contract less than three months ago, but the Dutchman is under extreme, and increasingly mounting, pressure to hold his position.
“(Ten Hag) is only one bad defeat away from a crisis and unforgiving scrutiny,” BBC reporter Phil McNulty claimed. “The 54-year-old is running out of time after a United performance that was as shambolic, incompetent and indisciplined as any he has presided over in his tenure.
“This is a manager who is looking increasingly out of his depth … this felt very much like the end – if not now, then very soon.”
Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
But while a large portion of the blame has landed squarely at the feet of ten Hag, Arsenal legend Martin Keown floated a stunning theory that could rock the boat at Old Trafford.
Keown, a long-time nemesis of Manchester United in the 1990s and early 2000s, singled out assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy, questioning whether he’s doing enough to support ten Hag.
Keown, who famously sparred with van Nistelrooy in a bitter rivalry during their Premier League careers, said on TalkSport: “Is he giving everything to this manager? This manager looks very lonely on the sideline.
“Is Van Nistelrooy waiting to take over? Because it looks as if there’s going to be change taking place there.
“Is everyone adding to the group? I’m not seeing that from Van Nistelrooy. Ten Hag is just sitting there, nothing going on, no conversation. Pep [Guardiola] goes back and speaks to the gurus next to him. Is everybody looking in the mirror at themselves giving their best?
“It doesn’t look like the players are committed, it doesn’t look like the staff are particularly committed. It’s a lone man in the dugout.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s defence also came under heavy scrutiny following the loss to Tottenham.
“United were a shambles – a rabble,” McNulty continued. “From the first whistle, Spurs were all over United like a rash.
“There was no shape to United. They lacked direction and leadership … at times they looked out of control.”
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith claimed the team’s defence was “as leaky as the roof at Old Trafford”, also criticising ten Hag’s off-season signings.
“They have shelled out over £600m on signings for Erik ten Hag, and the head coach can’t escape the fact that Sunday’s squad was very much the team he had built,” Smith wrote.
The Guardian’s Jonathan Wilson continued: “If the first-half performance against Tottenham on Sunday wasn’t the worst under Ten Hag, it’s only because there are so many other candidates.
“They were shapeless, demotivated, petulant and apparently entirely devoid of confidence.”
Manchester United’s Dutch manager Erik ten Hag. Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFPSource: AFP
Chief among those to be called out for the defensive efforts has been Matthijs de Ligt, ten Hag’s countryman who was signed for £43m (A$83m).
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher grilled de Ligt, saying that he was “completely out of position all the time” against Spurs.
“I’ve noticed this a little bit with De Ligt and a lot of centre-backs,” Carragher said in analysing the goals on Sky Sports.
“I don’t understand why they don’t fill the space and come over – I see this so much.”
Nonetheless, it’s ten Hag who has ultimately copped the majority of the heat in the UK press since Sunday’s loss.
ESPN’s Mark Ogden lashed ten Hag’s tendency to cast the blame elsewhere whenever Manchester United suffers defeat.
“Erik ten Hag is out of excuses,” Ogden penned.
“Selective memory is becoming a theme of Ten Hag’s increasingly predictable defence of his record as United manager. He has blamed injuries for a lack of consistency and bad results – every team suffers from injuries – and pointed to the two trophies he has won in two seasons … but that overlooks guiding the club to their worst-ever Premier League finish in 2023/24 and overseeing an array of humiliating defeats.
“There is now a real possibility that Ten Hag is entering the final days of his reign as United manager.”
Manchester United will next face Aston Villa away on Sunday.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has labelled his former side as an “absolute disgrace” following their 3-0 thumping by Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham in their Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Brennan Johnson scored in the third minute before goals from Dejan Kulusevski (47th minute) and Dominic Solanke (77th minute) piled on the pain after Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a dangerous challenge with James Maddison – his first club red card.
Neville – who was speaking on commentary – focused his displeasure on Erik Ten Hag side’s underwhelming first half which set the tone for the match.
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“It’s not as bad as I initially thought but it sums up United in the first half who have been an absolute disgrace,” he said.
“Probably one of the worst halves I’ve seen under Ten Hag and that’s saying something.
“[Ten Hag] can’t believe what he’s watching. I can’t believe what I’m watching, it’s awful. It really is bad.
“I’m not even talking about scoring goals; I’m talking about the basics. They look shot to pieces, the lot of them.”
The former England and Manchester United right-back then paused and took some more time to gather his thoughts before unleashing a further scathing assessment of his former club.
“I suspect there were better Sunday league teams this morning than what we’ve seen from United this first half. Pub football,” Neville said.
EPL Wrap: Palmer’s record first-half! | 02:39
The result puts Tottenham in eighth in the Premier League standings with ten points from six matches.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou was himself under pressure just over a week ago. But Spurs have won four games in 12 days and turned in arguably their best performance of the Australian’s reign.
“Outstanding,” said Postecoglou. “I thought we showed real belief and conviction.
“We were aggressive with and without the ball. A fantastic all-round performance.”
Meanwhile, United sits at a lowly 12th on seven points from the same number of games.
The fans have unleashed their fury on social media and Sky Sports football pundit, and former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp, believes Ten Hag may be on his last legs.
“I’ve been doing this job a long time and watched a lot of performances where managers subsequently lose their jobs and that’s the sort of performance – I’m seeing performances at the moment that get the manager sacked too often,” Redknapp said.
“I do feel slightly sorry for the manager. I do feel like he’s out of his depth. He looks a little bit lost and what I mean by that is at the start of the year when your club are actively looking for another manager to come in and take your place, I think you are in a massively untenable position.
“You are naked in that dressing room as soon as you get that contract again because the players know you’re not really the man.”
Manchester United was linked with the likes of England manager Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel – who departed Bayern Munich earlier this year – to take over as manager at the end of last season.
They ultimately stuck with Ten Hag however and Redknapp believes the instability that situation created has bled onto the pitch.
“When I see the team right now, they’re playing like they’re lost. I don’t see anyone taking the game by the scruff of the neck,” he said.
“The players that he’s brought in don’t look right. They are playing with no confidence. They are a team looking like – you can talk about the press all you like – but this club, more than probably any, has a DNA of attacking.
10-man Spurs start strong in Europa | 00:53
“They attack, they get after teams. When they’re winning, they stomp on teams’ throats – make sure they go two or three nil up. That’s a lot to do with the press not being quite on it. I see too many players looking like – it’s not like they don’t care but just not putting that extra effort in.
“Their club is not built like that. They want to see the players having a go.
“I just don’t see how he can keep his job with these performances.
“I feel like he looks completely lost. I don’t know how he can turn it around. The money that he’s spent is too much to say, ‘it’s okay, give him time’. I think he’s already had enough time.
“I know they won two trophies last year – with a lot of luck – and I will give it to them against Manchester City they were fantastic in the FA Cup (final). I just don’t see how he’s the man to take it forward.
“The only problem is I don’t know who is. It’s such a difficult job right now.”
– FERNANDES SEES RED –
Tottenham were without injured captain Son Heung-min and missed the South Korean’s clinical finishing as they tried to kill the game off.
Andre Onana saved one-on-ones from James Maddison and Timo Werner, while Johnson smashed another effort off the post.
At the other end, Joshua Zirzkee had United’s best chance to equalise when he was denied by a brilliant low save from Guglielmo Vicario.
Any hope of a United fightback was killed off by a moment of madness from their skipper.
Fernandes slipped as he slid into a challenge with Maddison but raised his studs to catch the England international.
Ten Hag responded by sacrificing his only striker in Zirkzee for the much-criticised Casemiro at half-time.
The Brazilian was one of those at fault for the second Tottenham goal. Solanke outmuscled Casemiro to send Johnson tearing down the right and his deflected cross was cleverly flicked beyond Onana by Kulusevski.
Thereafter the 10 men showed plenty of fight and Casemiro came close to halving United’s deficit.
But more calamitous defending allowed Solanke to slide in Tottenham’s third from a corner.
Solanke should have rubbed salt into United wounds when Onana saved another one-on-one in stoppage time.
The travelling support taunted Ten Hag with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” during the second half.
United’s new football leadership team handed the Dutchman an extension to his contract less than three months ago.
How quickly they backtrack on that decision now appears a matter of time.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was once City manager Pep Guardiola’s assistant and the respect between the two men has previously softened the battle for supremacy between the two sides.
But after finishing second to City in each of the past two seasons, the Gunners were keen to make their mark on the champions.
Kai Havertz barrelled into Rodri within seconds at the Etihad to set the tone for a bad-tempered tussle between the title favourites.
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Arsenal felt harshly treated when Leandro Trossard was sent off at the end of the first half for kicking the ball away, receiving a second yellow card.
But as the visitors dug deep, tensions flared between the benches.
Arsenal’s attempts to waste time drew the ire of City players, coaches and fans.
Erling Haaland responded by throwing the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes’s head in celebration of City’s late equaliser — meaning they have still not been beaten at home since 2022.
Haaland also sparked fiery post-game scenes with his post game remarks to Arteta, telling the coach to “stay humble, eh” before having heated words with Gabriel Jesus who he told to “get the f*** away” from him.
“What you talking about? Get the f*** away from me you f***ing clown,” Haaland said before Arteta eventually difused the situation by pulling his players away.
Haaland won’t face retrospective punishment for throwing the ball into the back of Gabriel’s head, although he is still under fire.
“You know what really boiled me up properly? Haaland’s coward move – throwing the ball at Gabi’s head when he’s not looking, when his back is turned to him,” Arsenal legend Ian Wright wrote on Instagram.
“It’s a coward’s move. Gabi would look you in the eye.
“That’s what bothered me more than anything else. I thought you [Haaland] were bigger than that.”
Erling Haaland sparked fiery post game scenes.Source: FOX SPORTS
MAN CITY’S RODRI ‘OUT FOR SEASON’ AFTER ACL INJURY: REPORTS
Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri could miss the rest of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, according to reports in Spain on Monday.
The 28-year-old limped off during City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday after going down holding his right knee.
ESPN and Spanish sports daily Marca reported that tests on Monday have confirmed an ACL tear.
Rodri’s loss would be a huge blow to City’s hopes of winning a fifth consecutive Premier League title and ambitions of reclaiming the Champions League.
The former Atletico Madrid player has lost just one of his last 84 games for club and country.
He has been touted as a potential Ballon d’Or winner this year after his influential role in City’s latest Premier League title and Spain’s success at Euro 2024.
“Rodri is strong. He leaves the pitch in this action because he felt something, otherwise Rodri stays there,” City boss Pep Guardiola said after the Arsenal match.
“He’s the best holding midfielder in the world, he is a potential Ballon d’Or winner. I would love for him to win (the Ballon d’Or).”
City were already light in cover for Rodri and his absence leaves a gaping hole in the middle of Guardiola’s midfield.
Mateo Kovacic has deputised in the holding midfield role early in the season as Rodri was bedded in slowly after his exertions in winning player of the tournament at Euro 2024.
Just last week Rodri had warned leading players could go on strike over an ever-expanding schedule.
He played over 5,000 minutes in 63 games for City and Spain last season. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer,” he said on the increasing physical and mental demands placed on players.
“Someone has to take care of us because we are the main characters of this, let’s say, sport, or business, whatever you want to call it.
City face Watford in the League Cup on Tuesday, little over 48 hours after the Arsenal match.
Rodri could miss the rest of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.Source: Getty Images
ANGE ‘GETTING NARKIER BY THE GAME’
Ange Postecoglou eased some pressure on his position at Tottenham after Spurs beat Brentford 3-1 following last week’s loss to bitter rivals Arsenal.
Rumblings have been growing around the Australian’s job due to a poor start to the season, which has seen Spurs win just two of their opening five games, while they only snatched a late win over Championship side Coventry in the EFL Cup.
Heading into the weekend, Postecoglou insisted it would take time to leave a successful mark on Tottenham, telling fans to “embrace the struggle”.
Beating Brentford did little to lighten the mood of Postecoglou who cut an irritated figure postmatch as he was forced to take questions about goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario getting away with handling the ball outside the penalty area.
EPL Wrap: Ange’s Spurs bounce back | 02:28
“Okay, look I guess we were lucky to get the result,” a clearly irritated Postecoglou said in a sarcastic tone.
There’s little doubt Postecoglou would’ve preferred the press conference to focus around Tottenham’s improved performance, and the scintillating football the club is capable of under his mentorship.
Instead, he appears to be growing increasingly frustrated, drawing criticism from the Daily Mail’s Matt Barlow.
“If points were handed out for irritability Tottenham would not be wallowing in midtable. Not with Ange Postecoglou setting the tone,” he wrote.
“Getting narkier by the game, in a hurry to take umbrage, seemingly aghast there have not been more gushing reviews about his team’s performances.”
Beating Brentford did little to lighten the mood of Postecoglou who cut an irritated figure postmatch.Source: AFP
MAN UTD STADIUM REGENERATION COULD ADD £7.3BN TO BRITISH ECONOMY
A proposed regeneration of the area around Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium could generate £7.3 billion ($14.3 billion) annually to the British economy, according to an economic feasibility study commissioned by the club.
However, mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said on Monday no public money would go towards the project.
United are considering whether to pursue a £2 billion plan for a brand new 100,000-seater stadium or redevelop the existing 74,000 capacity Old Trafford.
Burnham has backed the ambitions to redevelop the stadium alongside a “mixed use” neighbourhood featuring apartment blocks, shopping centres and new public transport stations.
Global advisory firm Oxford Economics revealed the regeneration project could deliver 92,000 new jobs, more than 17,000 new homes and an extra 1.8million visitors per year to the area.
“This could be the biggest regeneration scheme I’ve ever seen in this country,” said Burnham.
“We hope it’s the best football stadium in the world, which brings benefits to residents around it.”
The project is being spearheaded by United co-owner, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, who bought a minority stake in the club earlier this year.
Although Ratcliffe initially hinted he could pursue government assistance in order to fund a “Wembley of the north”, that appears now to have been ruled out.
Last week United appointed globally renowned architects Foster + Partners to work on the plans.
Fans are being asked for their views on the redevelopment, with former United captain Gary Neville, part of an Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, urging supporters to take part.
A model of a new Old Trafford Stadium is seen on The Old Trafford Regeneration Stand on the first full day of the annual Labour Party conference in Liverpool, north-west England, on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
US-BASED GROUP REACH DEAL TO BUY EVERTON
Everton announced on Monday that the US-based Friedkin Group has reached an agreement to buy Farhad Moshiri’s majority stake in the struggling Premier League club.
The deal is subject to regulatory approval from the Premier League, the Football Association and the Financial Conduct Authority.
The group, led by American billionaire Dan Friedkin, had entered a period of exclusivity to negotiate a possible purchase in June, before Everton announced the following month that no deal would be struck between the parties.
American investment firm 777 Partners were unable to complete a deal earlier this year.
John Textor, who has a 45 per cent share in Crystal Palace, had appeared to be in the frame, but Everton’s statement on Monday confirmed an agreement had been reached with Friedkin.
“Blue Heaven Holdings and the Friedkin Group confirm that they have reached agreement over the terms of the sale of Blue Heaven Holdings’ majority stake in Everton Football Club,” the club said.
A spokesman for The Friedkin Group said: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement to become custodians of this iconic football club.
“We are focused on securing the necessary approvals to complete the transaction. We look forward to providing stability to the club, and sharing our vision for its future, including the completion of the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.” The club are putting the finishing touches to a new stadium and are preparing to leave Goodison Park, which has been the club’s home since 1892.
Friedkin, who also owns Serie A side Roma, has a net worth of $7.6 billion, according to Forbes.
“The potential addition of Everton to our portfolio does not alter our focus on AS Roma. If anything, the multi-club symbiosis will only help Roma,” Friedkin said in a statement published on the Roma website.
Sean Dyche’s side are second from bottom of the Premier League after four defeats in their opening five matches.
Everton have remained in the English top flight for the last 70 years but have survived a number of battles to avoid relegation in recent seasons.
Last season they were docked a total of eight points for breaching Premier League financial rules.
The Liverpool-based club posted losses of just under £400 million ($534 million) for the four years between 2019 and 2023.
British-Iranian businessman Moshiri first bought a 49.9 per cent stake in Everton in 2016, before increasing his holding to 94.1 per cent in 2022.
Despite their recent struggles, Everton are one of England’s most historic clubs. Only Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City have won more top-flight titles than their total of nine.
But the last of those came in the 1986/1987 season and the club have not won a trophy since 1995.
Premier League clubs are calling for Manchester City’s hearing for 115 alleged rule breaches to be held publicly.
Dubbed the ‘trial of the century’, City’s hearing is being played out behind closed doors in accordance with Section W of the league’s rules, with the location even being kept public in addition to the three-person commission hearing the case.
The specific charges against Manchester City, who have won eight of the last 13 Premier League titles, are not publicly known with just the rules that each alleged breach relates to as well as what season they occurred released publicly.
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The alleged rule breaches occurred between 2009 and 2023 and if found guilty of the charges, City could potentially be kicked out of the Premier League, however it’s much more likely they cop punishments ranging from warnings, fines or a deduction of premiership points.
While clubs are perturbed about how private the City case has been so far, the current process is how the rule book states it should be. Based on the magnitude of the case though, other clubs believe there needs to be greater transparency.
“Justice does not just need to be done – it needs to be seen to be done,” said a lawyer of a rival Premier League club.
“There is no reason, in principle, why it is not being held in public. It would ensure it is covered accurately in the media and that the actual detail of any case – what exactly has been alleged and how it is being defended – is picked over and known to the fans.
“That in itself acts as a control over clubs and owners – who generally care very much about their image – to abide by the rules but is also a protection to help ensure a fair hearing.”
Manchester City’s Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brentford at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
If the rules surrounding secrecy in these types of cases are to be changed, at least 14 clubs would have to vote for open hearings.
Due to several clubs recently facing investigations for various rule breaches, such as Everton and Leicester City, winning the majority to change these rules could prove difficult.
Manchester City have denied all charges.
The case, which has only just got underway, will be heard over the next two to three months with a decision to be handed down before the end of the current league season.
