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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.

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

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'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

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'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.

'Not what Frank needs his captain to be doing'

Man Utd v Spurs (12:30 GMT)

Clinton Morrison

Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live Premier League Kick-Off

At the moment Frank is under huge pressure and this is not what he needs his captain to be doing. If he takes away the armband then how is that going to affect Romero?

He is still one of the best defenders that they have at the football club, especially his partnership with Van de Ven. You could give it to him, but then how does Romero feel about that?

'You want that team to know what the rules are'

Man Utd v Spurs (12:30 GMT)

David James

Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live Premier League Kick-Off

If Frank wants to show that he is the manager, then he takes the captaincy off Romero, gives it to whoever and tells the rest of the team that if anyone else wants to carry on then they are out of the picture.

Best player or not, you want that team to know what the rules are, rather than giving them the idea that they are allowed to do what they want while the manager is suffering.

Spurs 'dealt' with Romero situation internally

Man Utd v Spurs (12:30 GMT)

Spurs boss Thomas Frank was unsurprisingly asked about Cristian Romero's social media comments in the build-up to this game.

The Argentine said it was "disgraceful" Spurs had just 11 senior players available for last Sunday's draw with Manchester City.

"I think if you want to know what he meant you of course need to ask him. I think that is the right way to take that question," said Frank.

"Cuti is a very passionate character and player that wants to leave everything on the pitch. He is very ambitious and wants to win every single time - sometimes when you are like that, sometimes there can be an outburst, which happened this time.

"It is something we of course dealt with and dealt with internally.

"There are a lot of ways of doing things. Cuti has been very good for us this season and the past seasons and I think that is very important to be aware of. I would not have done it. That is my message."

Man Utd unchanged, Van de Ven return one of three Spurs changes

Man Utd v Spurs (12:30 GMT)

Simon Stone

BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at Old Trafford

Michael Carrick goes with an unchanged line-up as Manchester United look for a fourth win in a row since he was installed as Ruben Amorim's successor until the end of the season.

The only change to Carrick's entire matchday squad is on the bench, where Scotland Under-19 midfielder Tyler Fletcher gets the nod ahead of young forward Shea Lacey.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.

Subs: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Zirkzee, Malacia, Yoro, Ugarte, Heaven, Sesko, T Fletcher.

Thomas Frank makes three changes to the Tottenham side that fought back to draw at Manchester City last week.

Key defender Micky van de Ven is back from injury to partner skipper Cristian Romero in central defence.

Wilson Odebert and Pape Sarr replace Yves Bissouma and Randal Kolo Muani, who drop to the bench.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, João Palhinha, Romero, Van de Ven, Gray, Gallagher, Odebert, Udogie, Sarr, Simons, Solanke.

Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Bissouma, Tel, Kolo Muani, Souza, Olusesi, Byfield, Williams-Barnett.

'We hope to take that performance into this one'

Man Utd v Tottenham (12:20 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham midfielder Conor Gallagher speaking to TNT Sports: "The club is amazing and everyone is so nice, which made it really easy to settle in quickly. The important thing is what happens on the pitch and hopefully I can perform well today and help the team."

On facing Man Utd: "Everyone knows how big the club is, they have hit some form recently. We know it will be a tough game and we're really excited for it."

On building momentum from the 2-2 draw against Manchester City: "It was a really good second half and really important to have that performance and come back into the match. We hope to take that into this one."

Classy Casemiro back to his best

Man Utd v Spurs (12:30 GMT)

Chris Adams

BBC Sport journalist

With no arrivals in the winter transfer window, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro seem almost certain to continue as United's first-choice pairing at the base of midfield, as they have done in Carrick's three consecutive wins.

The Brazilian, who last month confirmed he will leave at the end of the season, has been in fine form recently, opening the scoring with a header in last week's dramatic 3-2 success against Fulham – since his debut in August 2022, no midfielder has scored more headers in the Premier League than Casemiro's seven.

The home side conceded twice when he was replaced by Manuel Ugarte in the second half of that game; astonishingly, they've let in more league goals this season with Ugarte on the pitch than with Casemiro, despite the Uruguayan playing less than half the number of minutes.

Michael Carrick will be looking to maintain his 100% record in his second spell in charge of Manchester United in the Saturday 12:30 GMT kick-off at the expense of his former club Tottenham Hotspur, who are winless in their last six league games.

In Roy Keane's retelling of a Sir Alex Ferguson team talk ahead of a game against Spurs, the Scot reportedly told his players: "Lads, it's Tottenham," and left it at that, such was his confidence. Recently though, things have been less straightforward for the Old Trafford outfit, who will mark the 68th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster before kick-off.

The Red Devils are winless in their past six league games against Spurs (drawn three, lost three), their joint-longest run without a league win against the north London side – and one that extends to eight games in all competitions.

Classy Casemiro back to his best

With no arrivals in the winter transfer window, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro seem almost certain to continue as United's first-choice pairing at the base of midfield, as they have done in Carrick's three consecutive wins.

The Brazilian, who last month confirmed he will leave at the end of the season, has been in fine form recently, opening the scoring with a header in last week's dramatic 3-2 success against Fulham – since his debut in August 2022, no midfielder has scored more headers in the Premier League than Casemiro's seven.

The home side conceded twice when he was replaced by Manuel Ugarte in the second half of that game; astonishingly, they've let in more league goals this season with Ugarte on the pitch than with Casemiro, despite the Uruguayan playing less than half the number of minutes.

A Frank assessment

Tottenham's second-half rally to earn a 2-2 draw against Manchester City last week provided a welcome fillip for head coach Thomas Frank, whose side haven't won in the league this calendar year.

"I think we can create something magic together - the players and the fans - when we are united like we were," Frank purred after that comeback. Spurs' Champions League form has arguably kept him in a job, although the Dane would quite rightly point to the club's ongoing injury crisis as a mitigating factor.

Dominic at the double

One man who is back off the treatment table is Dominic Solanke, who netted both goals to earn a point against City – even if his dubious first effort provoked the ire of Pep Guardiola, who insisted it was a foul.

Solanke has four goals in six games in all competitions since returning from an ankle injury that caused him to miss four months of the season, averaging a goal every 88 minutes. That's the best rate of any Spurs player this season, and notably he has notched five in his last five appearances against Manchester United.