BBC

West Ham 4-0 Wolves: Hammers have fresh hope - but Tottenham in uncharted territory

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
West Ham have fresh hope - but Spurs now in uncharted territory - BBC
Description

After a season of turmoil, at last some light at the end of the tunnel for West Ham.

Friday's thumping 4-0 win over Wolves - their biggest of the season so far - lifted West Ham out of the Premier League relegation zone, and plunged London rivals Tottenham into it.

Just three points now separate four teams in the battle to avoid the third relegation spot, with Wolves and Burnley both cut further adrift.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo insisted there was still "a lot of work to do" - but enjoyed a "big step" towards safety after Taty Castellanos and Konstantinos Mavropanos both scored twice at London Stadium.

"We are happy, extremely happy," he told Sky Sports. "All of us deserve this kind of evening, especially our fans.

"The London Stadium today was amazing, bouncing with energy and helping us in the hard parts."

But while West Ham fans were bouncing, Tottenham supporters watching at home were likely slumping further into their armchairs as each goal went in.

Spurs, who face Sunderland on Sunday in new boss Roberto de Zerbi's first game in charge, are now in completely uncharted territory.

So what next?

While Spurs have flirted with the bottom three for the past two seasons - even during their run to Europa League glory 11 months ago, in the same campaign they finished 17th in the league - this is the first time they have actually occupied the relegation zone since 2015.

On that occasion, the league season was only one game old and Tottenham - then managed by Mauricio Pochettino - had lost their opener against Manchester United, but recovered to finish in third place.

To find the last time Spurs were in the relegation zone past the midway point of a campaign, you have to go back to February 1998 - when they sat 18th after 24 games.

But after 31 matches? That has never happened in the Premier League era. This is another new low.

What will worry Spurs fans even more is that across 31 Premier League seasons, a team occupying 18th place after 31 matches has been relegated on 21 occasions.

"When I look at the Tottenham team... where's your match-winner? Who's going to win you the game?" said ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports.

"When I look at Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, they have moments - that's the important thing.

"And that's now put almighty pressure on Tottenham Hotspur, who have to go and beat Sunderland in their next game. That's not an easy fixture.

"Anything can happen. There will still be twists and turns. West Ham have only got to lose their next game at Crystal Palace next week and they're right back in it.

"It's very difficult to predict. But you need calm heads and what West Ham did today - look a threat from set-pieces, a real threat from your best players - you give yourself a real chance."

After their trip to the Stadium of Light, four of Tottenham's six remaining games are against teams in the top half of the table. They still have to go to Aston Villa and Chelsea, both chasing Champions League football.

But while the stats suggest 18th position is not the place to be after 31 games, not all the data is doom and gloom for Spurs, who have only spent one season outside the top flight since 1950 - way back in 1977-78.

Of the 17 times a team has been on 30 points after 31 games (Tottenham's current tally), only six were relegated. It is something to cling on to.

There are sure to be plenty more twists and turns in the final weeks of the season.

But, after their hard-fought and well-deserved win against Wolves, West Ham's players can at least breathe a sigh of relief as attention turns to their relegation rivals - Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Spurs - for the rest of the weekend.

Up first are Forest, who host Champions League-chasing Aston Villa at 14:00 BST on Sunday, after a gruelling Europa League quarter-final first leg against Porto on Thursday.

Later in the day, Spurs, as mentioned, will have to inflict just a fourth home defeat of the season on an impressive Sunderland side if they are to move out of the relegation zone at the first time of asking.

Leeds - one point and two places above West Ham - round off the weekend's fixtures on Monday when they travel to Manchester United.

But it will not be easy against one of their fiercest rivals - Daniel Farke's men have not won at Old Trafford in the league since 1981.

A favourable weekend of fixtures for the Hammers then?

It is little wonder West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen admitted he would be keeping a close eye on the television over the weekend.

"I've got three kids to entertain but I will keep an eye on the games," added Bowen. "We have a bit of time before the game against Palace then go again.

"The spirit, the togetherness is so important in this situation. You can always have quality, but you need grit and desire and a will to win through the whole squad.

"The only thing we know as a club is to keep fighting and doing what we're doing and take it into the next six games."

While those above them continue to battle it out for Premier League survival, it looks almost certain that Wolves' race is run.

Fifteen points from safety with just 18 points left to play for, their relegation could be confirmed as early as next Saturday if results go against them.

They have been made to pay for a dreadful first half of the season, failing to win any of their opening 19 games and picking up just three points in the process.

Defender Ladislav Krejci apologised to the fans after their defeat at London Stadium - "not just for this game but the situation in the table".

But manager Rob Edwards would not be drawn on whether it was a result that killed any remaining hope.

"For us it is the same message," he told Sky Sports. We have to try to finish strong, respect every game and go for it.

"We are all under the microscope and we have to make sure we perform."

Source

Premier League LIVE: Build up to West Ham United vs Wolves: updates, scores, preview, team news, stats & head-to-head

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Premier League: Rampant West Ham 4-0 up against Wolves & set to move out of bottom three - BBC
Description

'We knew what was at stake'

FT: West Ham 4-0 Wolves

West Ham United

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen speaking to Sky Sports:

"A lot easier coming and speaking tonight on the end of a 4-0 win and out the relegation zone, we knew what was at stake before the game. It was a bit cagey the first half, a lot of nerves in the first half a game o this magnitude but there's highs and lows in games and it's about sticking together and showing our quality like we did in the second half.

"You play before everyone else around you plays. Everyone looks at results and your position. All you can do is focus on yourself. We're in a situation we don't want to be in but you have to face up to it and tonight was about facing up to it. We knew there would be difficult moments in the game but we're sat here now with a 4-0 win.

"I just try and put the ball in an area, he [Mavrapanos] has great timing. It wasn't pretty but as soon as I got half a yard I just wanted to put the ball in the box. The timing and leap he has got - the first goal always settles things.

"Games like this can be decided by set pieces. It's something we've been good at over the years and we have this season too.

"At half time I just said let's stay clam, there was a but of frustration, giving the ball away, a few mis-controls and it was a bit edgy, a bit nervy. Main message was to stick together as a team, we knew it will be a game where three points are vital, we're 45 mins from three points that would mean the world to us. We have to show our quality a bit more and we could've been better in the final third.

"There was opportunity to score more and really put a statement out there. But we've got a clean sheet as well and four goals."

'All of us deserve this kind of evening'

FT: West Ham 4-0 Wolves

West Ham United

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to Sky Sports: "We are happy, extremely happy. All of us deserve this kind of evening, especially our fans. London Stadium today was amazing, bouncing with energy and helping us in the hard parts. The first half was tough. We didn't find spaces, the game didn't flow, but we were there. Then after the break we really improved."

On the timing of the first goal: "It changes everything. It changes the dynamic of the half time talk. The players keept their calmness and understood and did an amazing second half. Much, much improved [in the second half], not only on the ball but off the ball. We stopped them from breaking us in the middle. It was positive."

On the front two: "We played many times in this shape before the injuries with these players, and it was too bad it did not follow on. I think we still have time to improve the way we want to do things in this shape. The hard work is more important sometimes, off the ball all the team was spot on."

On the Disasi-Mavropanos partnershp: "They know each other better, so the communication has improved a lot. The full-backs have also helped a lot, especially when they put the big striker and the balls into the box, but the team was ok."

On showing fight: "We spoke after the game and the way we did it tonight proved to ourselves that we cannot give up. That was the team spirit from the beginning. Never give up, we are in the fight. I realise we have a lot of work to do yet. We made a big step today, important for us, but nothing has changed."

'Two quick fire goals and the game is done'

FT: West Ham 4-0 Wolves

Wolves

Wolves boss Rob Edwards speaking to Sky Sports: "Yes it did come as a surprise. We're bitterly disappointed. I thought the performance in the first half was good and we started really well. Goign 1-0 down can happen, we talked about making sure we finish attacks better. Then two quick fire goals, they latched onto our mistakes and then the game is done. You give them credit but it is poor from us. So what started looking like it could be a positive night ended up being really difficult.

"It doesn't matter who makes the mistakes, we make them as a team. A couple of our best players have been robbed of the ball, it can happen, there is still a lot to do. It's a collective and they took advantage of those tonight.

"For us it is the same message. We have to try to finish strong, respect every game and go for it. We are all under the microscope and we have to make sure we perform. Tonight is strange because we did, and then we got punished in the second half. We've got to make sure that we respond now at Elland Road.

"I don't think it's helped 25 days not playing, but it's not an excuse. I won't make any excuses. In the end we got punished for our mistakes and West Ham won the game deservedly. Tonight we've got to lick our wounds, take the medicine, take the criticism, then come back and respond well."

'Unacceptable'

FT: West Ham 4-0 Wolves

Wolves

Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci speaking to Sky Sports:

"From the beginning I felt we were the better team. We had more space, we were better on the ball. From some moment in the first half we stopped moving and finding the right solution. We let them score and the second half from our mistakes we gave them the chances. It's unacceptable how many goals we conceded. From our side we apologise to the fans - not just for this game but this situation doesn't help us in the table. We could've got closer but we did not.

"The situation that we created, we gave them the chance to score - that's from our side. I don't want to point fingers because everybody was there. We cannot do it at this level."

Does this make survival impossible? "I don't know - my full focus and others in the club was that this game was the one which changed the whole thing. It didn't happen so let's meet next week again and try to find a solution if it's there."

'A perfect performance'

FT: West Ham 4-0 Wolves

West Ham United

West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "These kind of wins give us a big boost for the rest of the season because we have been working really hard. We got some really good results in the past games and today again we saw the great effort with our fans at home, clean sheet. I think it was a perfect performance.

"We said that we have to stay calm throughout the game because Wolves have some good players. We stuck together and scored the first goal and in the second half we saw more of our work and we scored more goals."

On two more goals for him: "I'm just happy to help the team to get results like that. With all the lads and the staff we have been working really hard to score from the set pieces. In the last games we got some really good goals through set pieces, so we are just happy to get these extra goals as well."

On showing spirit and character: "Yes exactly. With these fans and the effort that we showed we just have to keep the momentum and we will be fine."

Source

Tottenham Hotspur: Roberto De Zerbi compares himself to ex-Spurs coaches

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham Hotspur: Roberto De Zerbi compares himself to ex-Spurs coaches - BBC
Description

De Zerbi compares himself to Frank and Tudor. Video, 00:00:31De Zerbi compares himself to Frank and Tudor

Up Next. The 'unique style' De Zerbi hopes will save Spurs. Video, 00:02:50The 'unique style' De Zerbi hopes will save Spurs

Is Roberto de Zerbi the man to save Spurs? Video, 00:02:20Is Roberto de Zerbi the man to save Spurs?

Phantom v Price - can a Gladiator keep up with a world champion? Video, 00:05:12Phantom v Price - can a Gladiator keep up with a world champion?

This is our 100th fight, it will be one of the best - Wilder. Video, 00:02:57This is our 100th fight, it will be one of the best - Wilder

Source

Tottenham: Roberto de Zerbi says he is 'not better' than Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham: Roberto de Zerbi says he is 'not better' than Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor - BBC
Description

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi says he is "not better" than predecessors Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor as he prepares to take charge of his first game at the Premier League strugglers.

Sunderland will be Spurs' first opponents under the Italian, who was appointed on 31 March with the club one point outside the relegation zone with seven games remaining.

De Zerbi is Tottenham's third manager of the season after Frank and Tudor - the latter only lasting 44 days and seven matches in the role.

"I am proud and happy to be here and I have to say thank you to Vinai [Venkatesham] and Johan [Lange] because they showed me a big, big confidence," said De Zerbi on Friday.

"I'm sure about the level of the players because I was very, very close to bringing many of these players to my former teams in the past.

"I think I am not better than Frank or Tudor because I consider them very good coaches.

"I try to bring my style, my character, my personality and my strengths to achieve our target, which is the most important part now."

Tottenham have not won a domestic league game in 2026 and only two since 26 October 2025.

They were also knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Atletico Madrid 7-5 on aggregate.

Since 1950, Spurs have only spent one season outside the top flight, which was back in 1977-78.

"For me, it was a big opportunity because Tottenham are a very important club in the Premier League and the Premier League is the best league in the world," said De Zerbi, who previously managed Brighton between 2022 and 2024.

"I love the qualities of the players and the crucial part that there was 12 days before the first game and for me it was important to have more than one week. I thought it would be important to understand the problems.

"The message for my staff and players is that we have to deserve the support because the fans are suffering like us. But for the fans, there is just one club. The players can change but for the fans, their club is unique.

"We have to make them happy with the right spirit and the right behaviour on the pitch. Then it's easier to make points."

Source

Fury vs Makhmudov: Tyson Fury in high spirits as he takes aim at Oleksandr Usyk & Tottenham

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov: Briton in high spirits - BBC
Description

Briton Tyson Fury delivered typically theatrical monologue as he took aim at opponent Arslanbek Makhmudov, rival heavyweights and even a struggling Premier League club.

Heavyweight Fury will face the Russian at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday in his first fight for 15 months.

There was plenty of mutual respect when the two heavyweights faced the media, but Fury - boxing's consummate showman - eventually delivered the headline-grabbing moment the room had been waiting for.

"Sooner or later these so-called alphabetical world champions are going to have to fight me. They will be hunted and destroyed. Who will they face for money? I'm the money man," he said.

"Whoever has the belts will be on their knees begging me by the end of the year. This is my sixth stadium fight back-to-back. Who has done that before? ChatGPT said no one.

"I am going to make an example of him. He is a big six-foot-seven lump. I will knock his head right off his two shoulders. He is fighting the great Tyson Fury."

Fury, 37, briefly retired a month after his second defeat by Oleksandr Usyk, but announced his return earlier this year.

The two-time world champion has not fought in Britain since December 2022, when he stopped Derek Chisora at this weekend's fight venue to retain the WBC title.

"I've been out in Saudi Arabia but to come back to England and fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - let's hope I do better than Tottenham because they've been rubbish recently," he quipped.

One lingering question concerns Fury's training team. The Morecambe fighter has previously said he would train himself but long-time trainer SugarHill Steward was in attendance, although Fury insisted the American was there only for "moral support".

The grin on Fury's face suggested Steward is likely to appear in the corner on fight night.

The face-off ended in good spirits. Makhmudov even lifted Fury off the ground as a joke before the pair shared an embrace.

Those close to the negotiations say the fight is not the biggest payday of Fury's career - that honour remains his first bout with Ukranian Usyk - but the former heavyweight champion was keen to return to the ring for his own wellbeing.

Fury arrived wearing a custom suit branded with Netflix colours. The card is a significant moment for the streaming giant which - with its 325 million global subscribers - continues its move into boxing with its first show staged in the United Kingdom.

The platform has dipped into the sport through occasional blockbuster events rather than a regular schedule - most recently Anthony Joshua's victory over Jake Paul in Miami, but also including the controversial bout between Paul and Mike Tyson, the historic meetings between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, and the super-fight between Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Terence Crawford.

Fury's appearance also forms part of a wider entertainment offering that includes the second series of 'At Home With the Furys', which drops on Sunday and gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the heavyweight's life outside of the ring.

For Netflix, the bigger prize could be the long-awaited showdown between Fury and Joshua - a fight years in the making but still one of the sport's most lucrative possibilities.

Fury has said Joshua is the opponent he wants next, with Dublin's Croke Park being touted as a possible venue in September.

Source

Premier League return: How are Tottenham fans feeling?

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Premier League return: How are Tottenham fans feeling? - BBC
Description

The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.

Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.

So how are you feeling as a Spurs fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?

The league form reads: LLLLDL

The next three league fixtures are: Sunderland (a), Brighton (h) and Wolves (a)

Source

Premier League: How are you feeling about Spurs in the final weeks of the season? - Get involved

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Premier League: How are you feeling about Spurs in the final weeks of the season? - Get involved - BBC
Description

Seven games to go - how will De Zerbi try to save Spurs?

Maguire on his major lows and belief he is still one of world's best

Weekly sports quiz: How much does a javelin cost?

What do you think is the most beautiful F1 car of all time?

Liverpool still alive - but their season now hangs by a thread

Seve's dance to Tiger's triumph - the art of a great golf photo

Why La Liga teams will play in retro shirts this weekend

Fury unlikely to be world champion again - Wardley

Can you name every F1 constructors' champion?

I felt really alone after World Cup win - Kildunne

Source

Tottenham news: Kudus could miss rest of season

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham news: Kudus could miss rest of season - BBC
Description

Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus could miss the remainder of the Premier League season after suffering a setback in his recovery from a thigh injury.

The Ghana international has been out for over three months after limping out of Spurs' 1-1 draw with Sunderland on 4 January.

Spurs had initially hoped the former West Ham midfielder would return after this month's international break, making him available for the club's remaining seven matches of the campaign.

But sources have told BBC Sport that the Ghanaian is unlikely to feature again this season after a setback pushed back his return.

Roberto de Zerbi's side are 17th in the Premier League table, one point above the relegation zone.

Kudus, a £55m signing from West Ham last summer, faces a race against time to be fit for Ghana's World Cup squad.

The Black Stars open their World Cup campaign against Panama on 18 June, before facing England on 23 June and Croatia on 27 June.

Source

Roberto de Zerbi: What are his tactics as he tries to save Tottenham?

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Roberto de Zerbi: What are his tactics as he tries to save Tottenham? - BBC
Description

Clubs at risk of relegation tend to hire pragmatic coaches.

But that is not how you would describe new Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi.

The Italian is known for his attacking style of possession-based football, and has stayed true to his footballing ideas throughout his managerial career.

Three years after starting in management in Italy's fourth division, De Zerbi was in charge of Serie A side Palermo, where he struggled to showcase his initial potential. When he was sacked, newly promoted Benevento hired him, but relegation followed.

Despite that, De Zerbi's reputation was boosted - and he has enjoyed much success since.

The 46-year-old's quality is clear but his system relies on smart and technical players more than most tactical plans.

So what tactics will De Zerbi implement at Spurs, and will this relegation-threatened group of players be able to execute them?

Looking at De Zerbi's Brighton and Marseille sides, you soon notice how often they repeat certain patterns of play.

When building up, the idea is to draw opponents towards defenders on the ball before using quick passing routines to find free players facing forward. They are better positioned to play the ball up the pitch quickly into the attackers.

When it works, De Zerbi's sides turn possession in their own half into shots near the opposition's goal within a few seconds. It's an electrifying watch - but the level of potential attacking reward comes with great risk.

De Zerbi's approach requires defensive players to take responsibility with the ball - delaying actions until they have forced opponents to press them.

In a recent training clip,, external he was seen coaching his new players through concepts to make his tactics easier to implement. For central defenders under no pressure, the advice was to take many touches. De Zerbi's centre-backs often provoke opponents by placing their studs on top of the ball - a sort of psychological trick that causes a striker to leave their shape and engage.

Two central midfielders are usually in close proximity to the central defenders. The midfielders receiving passes are often tightly marked, and De Zerbi's advice for them this week was to take one or two touches.

The ball doesn't stay with these players long to minimise the risk of losing the ball in dangerous areas. They instead act as a wall to bounce the ball off to nearby team-mates, who have lost their marker and can play forward under less pressure.

De Zerbi echoed the sentiments of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta when he spoke to his team this week - highlighting the abundance of man-to-man defensive schemes in the Premier League.

His teams, like the rest of the league, will face tight pressure across the pitch and - through these choreographed passing routines - the aim is to accept that intense pressure is inevitable and look for solutions through it, rather than avoiding it.

It is the opposite approach to that of Thomas Frank, who was named Spurs boss in the summer but was sacked in February.

Frank's Spurs opted to build up almost exclusively down the sides of the pitch. Instead of playing four or five players close together in the middle, Spurs usually had two central defenders and one midfielder in the centre.

The flanks, meanwhile, were overloaded with three or four players and long balls were often played into the channel, where Spurs were more likely to win it.

Frank's wide build-up minimised the risk associated with playing through the centre.

Brighton under De Zerbi accepted that risk, conceding the second-most high turnovers that led to an opposition shot (48) during his first season.

Frank's approach results in fewer dangerous chances being created in open play, but it it is a risk De Zerbi is willing to accept for the quality of chances his sides can create when it works.

Comparing that Brighton squad with the current Spurs squad, we see fewer players capable of thriving technically under pressure in small spaces - but the likes of Lucas Bergvall, Xavi Simons and Archie Gray may relish the challenge.

And we should keep in mind that Ange Postecoglou - Frank's predecessor - will have drilled habits into his players that will be helpful under the new regime.

Like De Zerbi, Postecoglou opted for a risky short-passing game that looked to penetrate teams through central play. Goalkeepers have been key for both men's systems - commonly becoming a third defender in possession, looking to break lines and find midfielders down the middle of the pitch.

As Manchester United discovered with Ruben Amorim, it is a gamble to bring in a coach known for moulding teams to a system he has in mind rather than adapting his system to the players he has at his disposal. That is exacerbated when the team is in the midst of a relegation battle.

But of the managers available to Spurs at this moment, De Zerbi has arguably reached the highest peak in recent years - and Guardiola has called him "one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years".

The swinging pendulum of managerial styles Spurs have had over the past 12 months adds another thread of uncertainty, but by building on the attacking principles Spurs adopted under Postecoglou, and the defensive ideas Tudor tried but failed to implement, De Zerbi may not be starting from scratch.

For a fragile Spurs side seemingly out of ideas, perhaps his choreographed style of play can simplify the decision-making process for players, and help them pick up the points they desperately need to survive.

Source