BBC

Romero 'needs to learn' from red cards

Tottenham v Newcastle (Tue, 19:30 GMT)

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank on the disciplinary record of captain Christian Romero, who picked up his second red card of the season in Saturday's defeat at Manchester United, which means he will miss four games, including the north London derby against Arsenal on 22 February:

"For me, I think he is a leader. He is a young leader. He's learning every day. I've said I used the example when I was 30 years old I thought I was on top of the world, but I was no way near the level I am today in terms of leadership and understanding things.

"And then when you have a player that's playing with so much passion and aggression, things like that can happen.

"That's not to say he shouldn't learn from it, of course he needs learn from it, going forward."

Udogie to miss up to five weeks

Tottenham v Newcastle (Tues, 19:30 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur

Right, over to Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, who has confirmed Destiny Udogie will miss the next month with a hamstring injury:

"Unfortunately, Destiny has a hamstring injury and is out for the next four to five weeks.

"[Other than Udogie and Romero], the squad from Saturday, is available."

NB. It's the fourth injury Udogie has had this season and he's already missed 13 matches (according to Transfermarkt)

Silva - 'City are back'

Man City v Fulham (Wed, 19:30 GMT)

Fulham

Marco Silva could have a big say in the title race. His Fulham side face Manchester City on Wednesday - and defeat will put Pep Guardiola's side three points behind Arsenal.

Fulham have a rather dismal record against Manchester City; losing 19 (yes, NINETEEN) games in a row against them in all competitions.

On being a bogey team, Silva said: "It is what it is, it's the reality. Sometimes, you have teams that you perform [against] and get results constantly and other times it doesn't happen. It is what it is and you have to face it.

"The numbers are there. The facts are there and you have to embrace the challenge."

How much does it bother you?: "[It doesn't], because I could mention to you some very good records against other clubs. That is football. Football is like that. Just what is my focus? It is to prepare the players and my team well to face City in the best way we can, in a tough game.

On their opponents: "As [City] proved yesterday, they are back. They want to fight until the end and of course you see the way they reacted, the way they celebrated in the end, it showed how much they want to keep fighting until the end of the Premier League.

"But we want to fight and of course it is going to be a game that will demand very high standards from ourselves."

Mount & De Ligt out - but could be back for Everton match

West Ham v Man Utd (Tue, 20:15 GMT)

Manchester United

Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has provided an update on the injuries to Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt before their trip to West Ham.

He said that both won't be available but could be involved against Everton on Ferbuary 23:

"Mason will be probably not for Tuesday, probably after, but definitely going into the Everton game, yeah, he'll be back.

"Matthijs, we'll see how he develops over the Everton game, which feels like a long time away at the moment, so we'll see how he develops. He's positive, he's moving in the right direction, but Mason's a little bit closer than him."

Calvert-Lewin & Gruev 'available', but Struijk out

Chelsea v Leeds (Tue, 19:30 GMT)

Leeds United

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke was asked about teams news, starting with the latest on Dominic Calvert-Lewin's illness and Ilia Gruev, who took a knock in Friday's win over Nottingham Forest: "At the moment both seem to be available. Dominic was struggling a little bit with illness but I hope it's not too bad and I hope he’s available. Ilia is tough.

"Bad news for Pascal Struijk, he will definitely miss this game. He's got some problems after the game with his hip flexor and the turnaround is a bit too quick so he will definitely miss this game.

"Anton Stach will also be back soon, probably just for the Villa game [on 21 February]. So they will both miss the game, apart from this I hope to have everyone available."

Why Tottenham are being pulled into relegation battle

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham finished 17th last season, leading to the dismissal of manager Ange Postecoglou, but were never in any serious danger of actually going down.

Despite suffering some disappointing results this season, points picked up early in the campaign and the comparative poor form of sides in the bottom three have meant Thomas Frank's side have always had a decent buffer between themselves and the relegation zone.

However, an upturn in results for third-bottom West Ham, which began with a win at Spurs in January, has pulled them closer to the relegation places.

And their current run of form - without a league win in 2026 - coupled with a difficult run of fixtures is not helping.

Spurs' upcoming fixtures:

Spurs will 'definitely be looking over their shoulders' - Rooney

Opta may only be giving them a 2.29% chance of going down, but Tottenham are in a relegation battle, according to former England captain Wayne Rooney.

A 2-0 defeat by Manchester United stretched their winless Premier League run to seven games to leave Thomas Frank's side 15th in the table and only six points above the relegation zone.

"You'd have to say they are [in a relegation battle] with their current form," said the ex-United striker on The Wayne Rooney Show.

"West Ham have been in form, Nottingham Forest pick up results here and there.

"You can't think that they're not in a relegation battle where they are. I think they'll definitely be looking over their shoulders."

Tottenham Hotspur are in a relegation battle, says former England captain Wayne Rooney.

A 2-0 defeat by Manchester United stretched their winless Premier League run to seven games to leave Thomas Frank's side 15th in the table and only six points above the relegation zone.

Spurs finished 17th last season - leading to the dismissal of manager Ange Postecoglou, even after winning the Europa League.

"You'd have to say they are [in a relegation battle] with their current form," said the ex-United striker on The Wayne Rooney Show.

"West Ham have been in form, Nottingham Forest pick up results here and there.

"You can't think that they're not in a relegation battle where they are. I think they'll definitely be looking over their shoulders."

Captain Cristian Romero was sent off in the first half at Old Trafford for a late lunge on Casemiro, his sixth dismissal in a Spurs shirt.

"I can see why it's been given but I think it's a little bit harsh," said Rooney.

"Sometimes you lose your head at times. And I think he's done that throughout his time at Tottenham."

It came days after Romero's social media post which seemed to criticise the people who run the club - when he said it was "disgraceful" they only had 11 fit players for a 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

"What doesn't help is comments in the week before about the lack of players Tottenham have," added Rooney.

"He clearly speaks his mind as well. But unfortunately, you've got to go and back that up with performances when you're vocal like that - and I don't think he's done that. All that's going to do is bring more pressure on Thomas Frank."

Rooney has sympathy for Frank, who managed Brentford for seven years before moving across London last summer to replace Postecoglou.

"I feel for Thomas Frank because he looks tired, he looks like he's aged 10 years," he said.

"That's what that Tottenham job has done to him in a short period of time. I hope they stick with him because he's fantastic manager, but I think it's going be very difficult for them to do that.

"And you don't need your captain going out getting sent off on a regular basis or being as vocal as he was this week."

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea: Women's Super League stats & head-to-head  BBC

Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes help Manchester United to a 2-0 win over 10-man Tottenham, who saw captain Cristian Romero sent off for the second time this season in the Premier League.

MATCH REPORT: Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank called it the "perfect storm".

Other assessments are available of Cristian Romero's lunge at Manchester United midfielder Casemiro half an hour into their Premier League game at Old Trafford.

At the end of a week during which Romero has been at the centre of attention after he publicly condemned the Spurs hierarchy for their failure to invest in the squad, the Argentina defender once again left Frank to defend him

According to the Premier League Match Centre, Romero's challenge met the threshold for serious foul play because it was "made with excessive force and endangered an opponent".

Former Premier League official Darren Cann agreed with the decision.

"Romero makes a forceful challenge on Casemiro which is, in law, undoubtedly a serious foul play tackle," Cann told BBC Sport.

"It was a really excellent decision from referee Michael Oliver, who was brilliantly positioned."

Not even Frank could argue Oliver was wrong to send Romero off.

"The red card is a red card," he said. "But I have watched it back five times, he clearly tried to go for the ball."

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also defended his team-mate on TNT Sports.

"He's our captain and today he made a mistake," he said. "But we know the player he is.

"He's going to come back stronger, for sure, and he'll help us throughout the rest of the season."

But Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy was clear Romero "let his team-mates down", adding: "It is irresponsible, especially after a week where he's been talking about recruitment and a lack of players.

"He's the captain, the leader - he needs to do better."

Frank has made it clear Romero will still be captain when he returns for that Liverpool game, which will split two Champions League last-16 ties, when Juventus and Atletico Madrid are two of the four opponents they could meet.

In the meantime, he must hope for more level heads because Romero's dismissal led to another defeat. And, with local rivals West Ham starting to pick up points, the spectre of relegation is far too close for comfort.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank called it the "perfect storm".

Other assessments are available of Cristian Romero's lunge at Manchester United midfielder Casemiro half an hour into their Premier League game at Old Trafford.

At the end of a week during which Romero has been at the centre of attention after he publicly condemned the Spurs hierarchy for their failure to invest in the squad, the Argentina defender once again left Frank to defend him.

The match, which was goalless when he was shown a straight red card for the foul on Casemiro, ended in a 2-0 defeat for Spurs.

"He apologised to his team-mates in the dressing room," said Frank afterwards, having argued on Friday that too much attention had been paid to Romero's social media outburst and defended the "passion" of his captain.

The facts were quite simple at Old Trafford.

Romero overhit the ball slightly, so was going to be marginally late as he went to play a pass. The ball flicked up off Casemiro's left foot, which meant Romero struck his opponent's right with full force on the shin, before he played the ball.

There was little time - but those are the fine margins that exist in the Premier League.

According to the Premier League Match Centre, Romero's challenge met the threshold for serious foul play because it was "made with excessive force and endangered an opponent".

Former Premier League official Darren Cann agreed with the decision.

"Romero makes a forceful challenge on Casemiro which is, in law, undoubtedly a serious foul play tackle," Cann told BBC Sport.

"It was a really excellent decision from referee Michael Oliver, who was brilliantly positioned."

Not even Frank could argue Oliver was wrong to send Romero off.

"The red card is a red card," he said. "But I have watched it back five times, he clearly tried to go for the ball."

As Romero had already been sent off once this season, against Liverpool in December, he will now miss Tottenham's next four Premier League games through suspension. He will not feature again domestically until the rematch with Arne Slot's side on 15 March.

But there are more damning statistics than that.

Twice - in different games against Brentford - the Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel concluded he got away with tackles he should have been sent off for.

Nonetheless, Romero has still become the first player to be red carded twice in the Premier League this season. He now has four in the league since he joined Tottenham in 2021, the most of any player during this period, and the joint-most for anyone from the club in the competition overall.

He has six Spurs red cards in total.

"I didn't know that," admitted Frank when informed of Romero's unhappy record in response to a previous answer.

Unsurprisingly, Frank was asked about the wisdom of having Romero as his captain. In terms of leading by example, it was a very bad look.

"No, there is not," said the Dane in response to whether there is any regret about Romero's status.

"I think it is fair to say he doesn't have any intention to get a red card after 28 minutes. He is sorry for the incident. He apologised to his team-mates in the dressing room. He is one of the most important players."

Frank's answer to whether he would consider taking the armband off Romero was predictable.

"No," he said.

It was the same succinct manner he used later to a point that Romero was not helping a team that were already without 10 senior players at kick-off, and subsequently also lost full-back Destiny Udogie to injury.

"No, it doesn't," he said.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also defended his team-mate on TNT Sports.

"He's our captain and today he made a mistake," he said. "But we know the player he is.

"He's going to come back stronger, for sure, and he'll help us throughout the rest of the season."

But Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy was clear Romero "let his team-mates down", adding: "It is irresponsible, especially after a week where he's been talking about recruitment and a lack of players.

"He's the captain, the leader - he needs to do better."

Murphy wasn't the only pundit critical of Romero.

"You just know he's got that switch," Joe Hart, who played for Tottenham among others, told TNT Sports. "He doesn't need to do that. He just smashes him.

"Is he a good leader? I don't know. He must be from what we don't see because Thomas Frank seems to stand by him no matter what."

Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves was similarly unimpressed.

"When he looks at it back he'll think 'why did I do that?'," he said.

"He's club captain. He needs to be leading by example - but that's not the example he needs to be setting."

Frank has made it clear Romero will still be captain when he returns for that Liverpool game, which will split two Champions League last-16 ties, when Juventus and Atletico Madrid are two of the four opponents they could meet.

In the meantime, he must hope for more level heads because Romero's dismissal led to another defeat. And, with local rivals West Ham starting to pick up points, the spectre of relegation is far too close for comfort.

Up Next. 'He's done a lot of things right' - Frank on Romero's social media post. Video, 00:01:47'He's done a lot of things right' - Frank on Romero's social media post

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Will Frank and Glasner see the season out? Video, 00:02:49Will Frank and Glasner see the season out?

'Why would you do that?' - Sutton on Spurs fans booing. Video, 00:02:31'Why would you do that?' - Sutton on Spurs fans booing

'Why be normal, when you can be the best?' - Zlatan opens Winter Olympics. Video, 00:02:30'Why be normal, when you can be the best?' - Zlatan opens Winter Olympics

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'I want to push my body to the limits' - Prescod ready for Enhanced Games. Video, 00:02:34'I want to push my body to the limits' - Prescod ready for Enhanced Games

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Why time is running out for Milan's iconic San Siro. Video, 00:06:36Why time is running out for Milan's iconic San Siro

'Text me a proof of life!' - Chris Hughes' bobsleigh run with Team GB. Video, 00:04:59'Text me a proof of life!' - Chris Hughes' bobsleigh run with Team GB

'Stronger, quicker, better, smarter than everyone' Video, 00:02:37'Stronger, quicker, better, smarter than everyone'

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Up Next. Romero cost Tottenham, not the manager - Sutton. Video, 00:03:07Romero cost Tottenham, not the manager - Sutton

'Spurs want to stick with Frank but may have no choice' Video, 00:01:50'Spurs want to stick with Frank but may have no choice'

'Everything Spurs do ends up feeling like disappointment' Video, 00:02:18'Everything Spurs do ends up feeling like disappointment'

'We had a good conversation' - Frank on Tottenham board support. Video, 00:01:14'We had a good conversation' - Frank on Tottenham board support

'Why be normal, when you can be the best?' - Zlatan opens Winter Olympics. Video, 00:02:30'Why be normal, when you can be the best?' - Zlatan opens Winter Olympics

I will never forget what he did for me - Xhaka on Arteta. Video, 00:02:47I will never forget what he did for me - Xhaka on Arteta

'I want to push my body to the limits' - Prescod ready for Enhanced Games. Video, 00:02:34'I want to push my body to the limits' - Prescod ready for Enhanced Games

King and Walcott on pressure of breaking into first-team football. Video, 00:03:31King and Walcott on pressure of breaking into first-team football

Why time is running out for Milan's iconic San Siro. Video, 00:06:36Why time is running out for Milan's iconic San Siro

'Text me a proof of life!' - Chris Hughes' bobsleigh run with Team GB. Video, 00:04:59'Text me a proof of life!' - Chris Hughes' bobsleigh run with Team GB

'Stronger, quicker, better, smarter than everyone' Video, 00:02:37'Stronger, quicker, better, smarter than everyone'

Team GB's Mouat on his LGBTQ journey in elite sport. Video, 00:02:07Team GB's Mouat on his LGBTQ journey in elite sport

'Bring the noise' - Slegers

Arsenal v Man City (12:00 GMT)

Alex Brotherton

BBC Sport journalist at Emirates Stadium

After beating Chelsea in their last league outing before lifting the Fifa Champions Cup on home turf, Arsenal boss Renee Slegers has called on the home fans to help the team build momentum.

"Our team is always delighted to play at Emirates Stadium, but these games against top teams have that added edge," Slegers wrote in her match programme notes.

"The atmopshere you created away from home against Chelsea was remarkable. We can't wait to feed off even more of that energy today.

"So bring the noise. Bring the love and the passion you have for this club. And we'll bring the performance to be proud of."

Arsenal Champions Cup win shows 'special level' of WSL - Jeglertz

Arsenal v Man City (12:00 GMT)

Manchester City boss Andree Jeglertz says Arsenal's victory in Fifa's inaugural Champions Cup last weekend shows how "special" the Women's Super League is at the moment.

Arsenal saw off Brazilian side Corinthians in extra time to take the trophy at Emirates Stadium and arguably lay claim to the title of best club side in world football.

However, if City beat Arsenal this afternoon they will be 16 points ahead of Renee Slegers' side in the WSL table.

"Congratulations to them - of course they should claim that [best in the world]," said Jeglertz when asked about the victory in his pre-match press conference.

"It is a great achievement for them, but also for our league. It shows it is on a special level that they are there, but there are a couple of teams ahead of them at the moment."

The City boss added: "There are a lot of things I admire about them. They are a benchmark and we can learn a lot from what they are doing."

Table talk

Heading into matchday 15 of the campaign the title race looks like it's Man City's to lose. A win today at the Emirates would take them 11 points clear at the summit.

It's all to play for elsewhere though, with five points separating Manchester United in second and Tottenham in fifth in the fight for the Champions League qualification places.

It's even tighter at the bottom of the pile after Leicester's defeat on Saturday. Liverpool and West Ham could catch or even leapfrog them in the relegation battle if they secure wins today.

Team news - Geyoro starts for London City, Everton unchanged

London City Lionesses v Everton (12:00 GMT)

There are three changes to the London City Lionesses side who beat Brighton 2-1 last time out.

Alanna Kennedy comes in for Elena Linari at the back.

Saki Kumagai and Grace Geyoro start in midfield with Maria Perez and Julia Roddar dropping to the bench.

London City Lionesses XI: Lete, Fernandez, Sangare, Kennedy, Pattinson, Kumagai, Geyoro, Godfrey, Goodwin, Corrales, Asllani.

Subs: Poor, Goldie, Perez, Van de Donk, Linari, Franssi, Roddar, Parris, Imuran.

Everton are unchanged from the side who beat Aston Villa 2-1 in their first home win at Goodison Park before sacking manager Brian Sorensen.

Under-18s coach Scott Phelan, 37, will take charge of the women's team for the rest of the season.

Everton XI: Brosnan, Blundell, Mace, Fernandez, Kitagawa, Hayashi, Gabarro, van Gool, Wheeler, Momiki, Vignola.

Subs: Ramsey, Ishikawa, Hobson, Harbert, Kramzar, Galli, Pacheco.

Team news - First West Ham starts for Hansen and Zelem

West Ham v Brighton (12:00 GMT)

West Ham manager Rita Guarino makes three changes to the side that were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham last week.

Tuva Hansen and Katie Zelem make their full debuts for the Hammers while goalkeeper Kinga Szemik returns to the starting line-up after an injury to replace Megan Walsh.

West Ham XI: Szemik, Hansen, Nystrom, Cascarino, Hanshaw, Siren, Zelem, Wandeler, Ueki, Asseyi, Martinez.

Subs: Walsh, Endo, Belloumou, Tennebo, Brasero, Gorry, Morgan, Houssein, Piubel.

Still under interim head coach Chris Roberts in Dario Vidosic's absence, Brighton stick with the same starting line-up from the 2-1 defeat by London City Lionesses last weekend.

Kiko Seike, who has been directly involved in four of the Seagulls' last five league goals (three goals and two assists), is among the starters but Fran Kirby remains sidelined with an injury.

Brighton XI: Nnadozie, Vanegas, Minami, Kafaji, Symonds, Cankovic, Seike, Noordam, Olislagers, Haley, Rule.

Subs: Baggaley, Rayner, Hayes, Tvedten, Camacho, McLauchlan, Tsunoda, McEwen, Poulter.

Team news - Foord replaces Blackstenius, City unchanged

Arsenal v Man City (12:00 GMT)

Alex Brotherton

BBC Sport journalist at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers makes two changes to the side that beat Corinthians in the final of the Fifa Champions Cup last weekend.

After scoring the extra-time winner in that game, Caitlin Foord comes in for Stina Blackstenius, who is not in the matchday squad. Daphne van Domselaar replaces the injured Anneke Borbe in goal.

Arsenal XI: Van Domselaar, Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe, Caldentey, Little (c), Mead, Foord, Smith, Russo.

Subs: Votikova, Williams, Codina, Williamson, Maanum, Kelly, Pelova, Holmberg, Harwood.

Andree Jeglertz names an unchanged XI after Manchester City beat Chelsea 5-1 a week ago.

Club record signing Sam Coffey awaits her first start since her £600,000 move from Portland Thorns last month.

Mary Fowler, who came off the bench last weekend to make her long-awaited return from an ACL injury, is not in the matchday squad.

Man City XI: Yamashita, Casparij, Rose, Knaak, Greenwood (c), Blindkilde Brown, Hasegawa, Kerolin, Miedema, Hemp, Shaw.

Subs: Keating, Clinton, Coombs, Ouahabi, Coffey, Lohmann, Beney, Prior, Murphy.

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Hello there

Rise and shine it's time for another bumper Sunday afternoon of Women's Super League action.

We've got leaders Man City visiting European champions Arsenal, struggling Liverpool and West Ham looking to climb out of trouble against Aston Villa and Brighton, and an intriguing match up between London City Lionesses and Everton.

Oh and don't forget fallen champions Chelsea, who will be aiming to right the ship against London neighbours Spurs later on.

Let's started, shall we?

Spurs have lost five of their last seven Premier League games against Newcastle (W1 D1), just one fewer defeat than they’d suffered in their previous 23 against the Magpies (W13 D4 L6).

Against no team have Newcastle won more Premier League games overall (27, level with Aston Villa) or away from home (12, level with West Ham) than they have against Spurs.

Newcastle v Tottenham Hotspur is the most played Premier League fixture never to finish 0-0 (61 times), while it’s the fourth highest scoring fixture in the competition’s history (196 goals) after Liverpool v Spurs (209), Arsenal v Liverpool (199) and Liverpool v Newcastle (198).

Tottenham are winless in their last 11 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games (D3 L8), their longest run in the competition’s history. Their last victory was against Brentford in January 2024 (3-2).

Newcastle have won six of their last eight midweek (Tues, Weds, Thurs) Premier League games (D1 L1), netting 22 goals in total in these matches (2.8 per game).

Since winning four of their first five home Premier League matches in the 2024-25 season, Tottenham have won just four out of 26 games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (D7 L15).

Newcastle United have won just two of their last 15 Premier League away games (D5 L8) and have lost their last three in London since a 1-0 win at West Ham in March last season.

Against no side has Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon been involved in more Premier League goals than he has against Spurs (5 – 3 goals, 2 assists), with these all coming in his last four appearances against them.

Dominic Solanke has scored 13 goals in his last 19 home Premier League starts (4 in 6 for Bournemouth, 9 in 13 for Spurs), while he has netted in each of his last three appearances against Newcastle (4 goals).

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has won six of his nine Premier League meetings with Spurs’ Thomas Frank (D2 L1), with his 2.22 points-per-game against the Dane his best against any manager he has faced more than five times.