Irish Examiner

Since Spurs shelled out €10m for the Swede, beating off competition from Barcelona, and he’s become the club second-youngest Premier League scorer as well as helping them win the Europa League.

There is no guarantee of the Londoners having a similar fast-tracking plan for their Irish import when he joins on January 1 but he could be heading to England with a second FAI Cup winners’ medal by the age of 18.

Melia celebrated reaching adulthood on Monday by bagging a brace in the 4-0 cakewalk over Cork City. It broadened his season tally to 14, with five leagues games and potentially two Cup ties left to usurp Pádraig Amond for the Golden Boot.

Saints meet Cork City again at Turner’s Cross on Friday week for a place in the national decider against either Shamrock Rovers or Kerry on November 10.

Melia was just 16 when he came on at Lansdowne Road in Pats' 2023 final success over Bohemians before a record crowd of 43,881.

When considering the array of suitors seeking his signature for his next move, the Wicklow native surveyed which could provide scope for first-team progression.

Harry Kane – after loans at four clubs – is their standout home-grown graduate but the strides Bergvall has leapt to become a regular by 19 caught their recruit’s eye.

“You have to think about all that stuff before you even sign for a club,” Melia said about the sight of fellow teens being part of Thomas Frank’s set-up.

“There's obviously reasons why I'm going to Tottenham. It’s where I feel most comfortable.

“Tottenham is a big club but I have to work hard to get to his (Bergvall’s) level.

“I don't watch Spurs all the time, to be honest because I’m busy myself but I keep tabs on them.”

Spurs, and the concept of a packed 62,850-capacity stadium on Champions League nights, must wait until he completes his home duties.

A brace for Ireland’s U21s completed a comeback win over Moldova in the recent opening Euro qualifiers.

There’s Lee Carsley’s champions England awaiting at St Andrew’s on November 14 in the same competition but he’ll hope to have another Cup medal around his neck that week.

Having already banked St Pat’s a couple of million, boosting their earnings by retaining European football in 2026 would be an ideal parting gift.

His uncle, former Ireland defender Clive Clarke, acts as his agent too, ensuring laser sight on the jobs at hand.

“They got the deal with Spurs done just before this season even so I’ve been fully focussed on Pats,” he explained.

“I can't be thinking of moving to Tottenham while I’m still here.

“Look, I think I come from a good family that keeps me going, keeps me humble. My friends are the same and I’ve good support around the club.”

His lull of action approaching Christmas will afford scope to properly enjoy a delayed 18th birthday celebration.

Monday’s visit of City shaped his big day.

“It was just quiet,” he said with a smile. “On Sunday, I just had family at my nanny’s for dinner. I couldn't do much on the day before, you know what I mean? It was an early night but this is the life I chose and I'm happy."

Navigating that hurdle of obtaining his driver’s license will also smooth his move to London.

“I got it ASAP when I was 17,” he explained about curbing the ritual of his mother Pamela driving him across the M50 daily to training.

“She was saying it’s the best thing that ever happened to her but it's the best thing I've ever done too. I have that bit of freedom.”

West Ham are in a right old ’two-and-eight’ as they say in the East End, and their fans want change, from boardroom to bootroom. Supporters groups are calling for protests at the next home game, against Crystal Palace, and fans have been voting with their feet already, walking out in droves long before the end of this defeat and the 5-1 thrashing by Chelsea three weeks ago.

The London Stadium is a soulless place at times like these, so there is a sense of “there but for the grace of God...” among Tottenham supporters who protested vehemently when Levy proposed moving the club out of their traditional home to the Stratford site, as well as demolishing the iconic stadium that was host for the 2012 London Olympics in order build a state-of-the-art football stadium for Spurs in its place.

Fortunately for Spurs fans, Levy's plans were scuppered by a combination of politicians and the police, and the club ended up building one of the best stadiums in world football on the site of White Hart Lane, which will be hosting Champions League football again when Villareal visit on Tuesday night.

When West Ham left Upton Park in similarly controversial fashion a decade ago, Karren Brady, the club's vice-chair, promised supporters a bright new future with a world-class stadium hosting a world-class team, but has failed to deliver either.

Few fans in football have any love for the stadium, save those away supporters who enjoy taking home the points. This latest defeat, completed in a 20 minute spell after half-time when Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Micky Van de Ven scored and West Ham were reduced to 10 men because of Tomas Soucek’s studs-up lunge on Joao Palhinha, was the seventh successive game West Ham have failed to win at home, and fans have to go back to February to recall seeing a home victory, over relegated Leicester City.

Graham Potter has lost 13 of his 24 games since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January, and looked crestfallen after his side caved in again. It would have been worse if referee Jarred Gillett had not harshly ruled out Cristian Romero's first half header, or if Thomas Frank's side had decided to go for the kill rather than ease up in the final 25 minutes, mindful of their upcoming Champions League clash.

Frank is able to rotate his side now that he has a stronger squad than the one that Ange Postecoglou led to Europa League success in May. The Aussie, now back with Nottingham Forest was sacked for failing in the league, as Spurs finished in 17th, three places below West Ham.

Yet now it is the Hammers who look set for a relegation battle, and perhaps Potter will be the next fall guy. Their supporters are calling for Brady and chairman David Sullivan to step down, having overseen years of underachievement and poor recruitment, with just one trophy in return, the UEFA Conference League in 2023. The club was valued at around €130m when they and the late David Gold bought it in 2010, while various valuations north of €1 billion are bandied around now. As 'preferred bidders' ahead of Tottenham for the London Stadium, they negotiated a bargain deal that costs them less than €3m a year on a 99-year lease, making the club highly profitable, yet progress on the pitch has been negligible.

Manchester City also took over a municipal stadium after the 2002 Commonwealth Games, and with smart investment by the Abu Dhabi Union Group after they took over in 2008, have become one of the world's most successful clubs.

West Ham fans can only dream of such success, and for most of them a change of ownership would be a good start.

It was a similar situation at Spurs in recent years, with fans wanting Levy out long before he went less than a fortnight ago. But it was boardroom politics rather than fan pressure that did for him. The family of Joe Lewis, an East Ender by birth but resident in the Bahamas, decided Levy's time was up and axed him dramatically, and suggest they are now looking to build Tottenham into a powerhouse of European football.

That appears to be an increasingly distant dream for unhappy Hammers fans, and there are bound to be more protests to come.

WEST HAM (4-3-3): Hermansen 6; Walker-Peters 6, Kilman 6, Mavropanos 5, Diouf 5; Ward-Prowse 5, Soucek 4, Fernandes 5; Bowen 7, Paqueta 5, Summerville 6.

TOTTENHAM (4-3-3): Vicario 6; Porro 6, Romero 7, Van de Ven 8 (Danso 79), Spence 7 (Udogie 71); Sarr 7, Palhinha 7, Bergvall 8 (Johnson 79); Kudus 6, Tel 6 (Odobert 79), Simons 7 (Richarlison 71)

Referee: Jarred Gillett 7

The Argentine only moved to Serie A side Como last summer, joining from Real Madrid, and the Italian outfit are hellbent on retaining the youngster’s services.

Spurs actually enquired for Paz earlier in the window but were rebuffed in their efforts to sign the 20-year-old as Como understandably set a high asking price for their star man.

While the north London side previously scoffed at a reported €70m valuation, their want, nay, need for a number 10 in the dying embers of the transfer window means they need to stump up the cash for a player Lionel Messi once deemed ‘incredible’.

Paz enjoyed a fine debut Serie A season having completed more dribbles (69) than any other player in the division.

The youngster also managed eight assists and six goals for Como, the former coming from 54 chances created, that the 12th most in Italy’s top tier. Adept at finding space between the lines and prying apart defences, Paz’s career is only on the rise.

In addition, Paz won possession in the attacking third the third most times (23) in the 2024/25 Serie A campaign, with his hard work off the ball a desirable trait in a Thomas Frank side.

Incredibly press resistant, too, on paper, Paz is the perfect fit as an Eze alternative.

Maghnes Akliouche - Monaco

Monaco kicked off their domestic campaign with a 3-1 home win over Le Havre.

The visitors looked primed to mount a comeback midway through the second half before Maghnes Akliouche put the result beyond doubt. That may have been just his sixth league goal since the start of last season, but the Frenchman has his admirers, and it easy to see why.

Despite starting 28 of 35 league matches since the start of the 2024/25 campaign, only two players have provided more assists than Akliouche (10) in Ligue 1, all of which have come from open play.

For a Spurs side that has Pedro Porro, Mohammed Kudus and, when available, Maddison on set piece duty, this ability to pick a pass without the need for free kicks or corners is a huge bonus.

And like Paz, Akliouche isn’t afraid to get stuck in to help his side in attack. Indeed, he has won possession in the attacking third more times (36) than any other player since the start of the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season.

Frank wants his attacking players to press high in order to force opposition turnovers, and Akliouche fits the bill.

There are minor concerns over the 23-year-old’s languid style yet he’s a player who has the tools to carry out the relevant number 10 duties for Spurs.

Morgan Rogers - Aston Villa

Jacob Ramsey’s move to Newcastle eases Aston Villa’s PSR concerns as we enter the final knockings of the summer window.

Even so, Villa are not quite out of the woods just yet and may need to make further sales to remain in line with the Premier League’s guidelines.

The most sellable asset on the books is Morgan Rogers, yet luring him away from Villa Park will take some doing.

Rogers has enjoyed a stunning rise following his arrival from Middlesbrough 18 months’ ago, and he’s now one of the first names on the Unai Emery’s team sheet.

It’s easy to see why, too. Rogers is a powerhouse runner when he gets up a head of steam, evident in that he ranks sixth for successful dribbles (68) in the Premier League since the start of last season.

Whereas Paz and Akliouche are more in keeping with the fee Spurs were willing to pay for Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White, the Villans will be looking for closer to £100m, such is his importance to Emery’s side.

As an England international, there is the English premium that comes with a player of his calibre and scope for development.

Destined to become a regular on the international stage before long, Rogers feels more like a pipe dream at this point. What Spurs wouldn’t give to make it a reality.

Alex Scott - Bournemouth

Another plucked from the EFL who doesn’t look out of place in the Premier League, Alex Scott is a bit of a wildcard pick as an Eze alternative, but one Spurs should be considering no less. As a Spurs fan himself, Scott would relish the opportunity to turn out for his boyhood club.

Injury restricted the 22-year-old to just eight league starts last season, and with Andoni Iraola settling on an XI in his absence, Scott found it increasingly difficult to force his way back into the Bournemouth side.

He’s a different profile to the aforementioned trio in that he won’t boast the same dribbling qualities as Paz or Rogers, yet Scott’s tenacity is one that’ll fit well with Frank’s hard-working demands.

Of course, there are concerns about Scott’s output, and rightly so. During his time with Bournemouth, the midfielder has just one goal and one assist to his name and has committed more fouls (38) than he has created chances (34) in his Premier League career.

More of an 8 than a 10, Spurs have a similar profile in the squad in Pape Sarr, so whether they need to add a midfielder of Scott’s style remains to be seen.

That’s not to say he wouldn’t be a handy option over a long campaign, but if Spurs are rightly prioritising a 10, then their efforts should be focussed on the above trio rather than the Bournemouth star.

All clubs miss out on transfers from time to time. My pessimism sprang from somewhere else, somewhere darker and more psychologically deep-rooted.

Supporting Tottenham Hotspur so often means imagining the most ludicrous, embarrassing thing that could possibly befall the club and then knowing, with crystal clarity, that it’s going to happen. Fans of other clubs – Wimbledon, Bury or Morecambe – have had it much worse, but no other club so expertly combines the slapstick and the high-profile. At Tottenham we wait until everyone is watching, then we slip on the banana skin.

Think missing out on the Champions League because of a dodgy lasagne, or blowing a 2-0 lead in a European tie to a team whose manager is in prison. Think the famous “Lads, it’s Tottenham” game, which warped my expectations of football - and indeed life - as an 18-year-old in the stands in growing horror. Far from breaking the curse, the Europa League triumph seems merely to have angered the footballing gods, who swiftly set about restoring the karmic balance via the Morgan Gibbs-White debacle, the heartbreaking injury to James Maddison, and now this.

Missing out on Eze is a worthy addition to the pantheon of pratfalls, although not necessarily because of the player himself. A fine footballer he may be, but Eze isn’t necessarily the right fit for the gap left by Maddison’s injury. Right now, Spurs badly lack passing ability and there are better candidates who are younger, cheaper and have a higher ceiling than Eze. No, there are two reasons this one will stick in the collective psyche of Spurs fans. The first, of course, is that we’ve been done over by that lot up the road, who appear to have been stealthily plotting for weeks, even as details of our haggling over add-ons and chairman-to-chairman talks played out in public.

Arsenal fans won’t tire of reminding us about this all season; in the office, the pub and in the ground. More than that though, this episode encapsulates the reign of Daniel Levy in microcosm. While rivals act decisively, we dither in the hope of a better deal, then miss out entirely. We spend but not quite enough, unwisely, or at the wrong time. We are all mouth – Levy says he wants to win the Premier League and Champions League – and no trousers. When it comes to transfers, the failure of Levy-era Tottenham to match his supposed ambition does not even have in it, to paraphrase the great Bill Nicholson, an echo of glory. Rather it is an echo of incompetence.

Nobody can argue with what Levy has achieved, delivering state-of-the-art facilities, a world-leading stadium and a regular place – albeit a fragile one – at football’s top table. For all the vitriol that is aimed at Levy, many of us are grateful for what he has done. But Levy is like a man who spends thousands of pounds tricking out a car that he never takes out of the garage because of the price of petrol. What was the point if you’re not going to test what it can do?

There remain many reasons to be optimistic about this season. Tottenham have a tactically-astute new manager, taking charge of a squad that is both young and under-rated after last year’s freakshow. The scouting set-up and club administration have been professionalised, putting Tottenham on a good footing for the future.

Yet, as long as the clownish blunders continue, the calls will grow louder for Levy to step aside, to find a new steward for Spurs, one who refuses to allow the club and its fans to be the butt of every joke. The game, after all, is supposed to be about glory.

The Guardian

Yet by 5pm, after Thomas Frank's era as Tottenham's new manager had got off to a winning start with a 3-0 victory over Burnley, there was precious little moaning from the majority of fans.

A comfortable win, a clean sheet, two excellent goals from Richarlison with assists by new signing Mohammed Kudus, and a tactical flexibility from Frank that was missing under his predecessor Ange Postecoglou – what's not to like?

The biggest gripe from protest organisers Change for Tottenham is that the club's owners Enic, embodied by Levy, have no clear transfer strategy nor a willingness to invest in players.

Yet the evidence on the pitch and on the balance sheet tells another story. In the past five years, Tottenham have a net transfer spend of almost €600m, fourth in the league behind Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, all of whom have spent considerably more. Spurs have a net spend that is considerably higher than Manchester City and Liverpool, the two dominant clubs of the past five years and the only two to win the Premier League in that period.

So is Tottenham's lack of league success down to a lack of investment, or poor management and recruitment? Levy has tried to address the former with five managers in five years, the last of which –Postecoglou – finally won a trophy but finished 17th.

Frank proved at Brentford he is a great motivator, man-manager and is more pragmatic, tweaking his tactics according to the opposition. Last Wednesday in the UEFA Super Cup he played five at the back to counter the threat of Paris St Germain's all-star attack, and only lost on penalties, having held the European Champions to a 2-2 draw.

Against newly-promoted Burnley, he swtiched to 4-3-3, rotated his midfield to give two teenagers a chance, and came up trumps. When Spurs travel to Manchester City next weekend, more changes to personnel and tactics are expected.

In terms of recruitment, sometimes it takes time for signings to show their value. Kudus has hit the ground running since his €64m transfer from West Ham. He set up Richarlison's first goal after winning the ball wide on the right and delivering a clever cross from which the Brazilian hooked in a smart finish. Kudus was also the provider on the hour when Richarlison scored what Frank described later as “the goal of the season”, as the Brazilian produced an acrobatic scissor kick from 12 yards.

Frank was full of praise for the Brazilian maverick, whose time at Tottenham has been beset by an injury-wracked body that the club's new medical staff are managing with kid gloves.

“I'm so happy on his behalf and for the performance and medical departments, who did a top job to build him. That will be continuous and something we need to look at throughout the season. There is a long way to go but very positive with him.

“It is fantastic that he is scoring. I have a striker that takes those two chances and helps us win the game. He was very good against PSG and today he was exceptional, with his work-rate, driving the team, link-up play, hold-up play, just dominating and then the two finishes.”

Richarlison was replaced late on by Dominic Solanke, still the club's record signing at €65m although that could be challenged if Eberechi Eze is tempted away from Crystal Palace. Solanke was first-choice centre-forward last season, but he and Richarlison could swap places more if the Brazilian stays fit.

Frank added: “The dream scenario is to have two good strikers. We need that. We're hopefully playing more than 60 games this season, and for that you need two in every position.”

Scott Parker got Burnley promoted on the back of a defence that conceded only 16 goals, but knows they face a massive challenge, even with former Spurs and Manchester City star Kyle Walker in their ranks. “Kyle was magnificent today, but it's so clinical in the Premier League. Tottenham produced an outstanding, world-class finish to see the game away from us. But I saw a lot of positives today.”

TOTTENHAM (4-3-3): Vicario 6; Porro 7, Romero 6, Van de Ven 7, Spence 7; Sarr 7, Gray 7 (Bentancur 71), Bergvall 7 (Palhinha 80); Kudus 7 (Tel 85), Richarlison 8 (Solanke 71), Johnson 7 (Odobert 80)

BURNLEY (5-3-2): Dubravka 6; Sonne 5 (Tchaouna 74), Walker 7, Ekdal 5, Esteve 5, Hartman 6; Cullen 6, Anthony 7 (Edwards 85) Laurent 6 (Ugochukwu 63); Hannibal 6 (Bruun Larsen 63) Foster 6 (Flemming 74)

Ref: Michael Oliver 8

Son Heung-min, Tottenham

Son Heung-Min was always going to leave Tottenham as a legend, even more so now that he has lifted the club’s first trophy since 2008. Spurs extended his contract in January, tying him to the club until the summer of 2026, but that may have been to protect his value. Son has been linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia and, after a difficult season in which he has only scored seven goals in 30 league games and was not picked to start the Europa League final, the club may want to get their highest earner off the books. Supporters would be sad to see the captain go, but this summer feels like the right time for both parties to part ways. There won’t be a better way to bow out.

Emiliano Martínez, Aston Villa

Aston Villa may be forced to sell more players this summer to comply with profitability and sustainability rules. One of those reportedly set to go is Emiliano Martínez, who could be replaced by the Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García. The World Cup winner was visibly upset during the players’ lap of honour after their final home game of the season on Friday night. The 32-year-old soaked up the atmosphere after the 2-0 win against Tottenham, prompting more rumours that a switch to Barcelona, Atlético Madrid or Saudi Arabia may be on the cards.

Darwin Núñez, Liverpool

Liverpool’s fringe players were given their chance to impress after the club wrapped up the title with a few games to spare. Few of them have covered themselves in glory. Darwin Núñez is expected to depart in the summer, having struggled to convince Arne Slot he can lead the line. Núñez did contribute to Liverpool’s success this season, coming off the bench to score two injury-time goals in a win at Brentford in January, but Slot will want an upgrade on a striker who has more yellow cards (eight) than goals (five) in the league this season.

Andrew Robertson, Liverpool

Liverpool’s pursuit of full-backs has kicked up a notch since they clinched the title. They are close to signing Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for €35m and are pushing forward with a move for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, which may mean that Andrew Robertson is deemed surplus to requirements. Liverpool won the league convincingly, and have the second best defensive record behind Arsenal, but the 31-year-old has not been as effective as in previous campaigns. It may be the right time for a refresh.

Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne’s 10-year stay at Manchester City ends this summer. The Belgian said goodbye at the Etihad earlier this week and will leave the club with 16 winners’ medals. Even at 33 years of age, he will have no shortage of suitors. He may want to stay in the Premier League and prove that City were wrong to let him go, but a switch to MLS has been rumoured, as has a move to Serie A, with Napoli a possible destination.

Ederson, Manchester City

Ederson may follow De Bruyne out the door at the Etihad, with Manchester City linked with Porto’s penalty-saving machine Diogo Costa. Ederson’s distribution and impressive work with his feet have made him ideal for Pep Guardiola’s style, but his shotstopping capabilities have let the team down. The 31-year-old could be on his way to the Saudi Pro League this summer.

Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea

Christopher Nkunku moved to Chelsea in 2023 with high expectations. However the Frenchman has started just 11 Premier League games in two years, with injuries and a lack of form holding him back forward. Reports in January suggested that Chelsea were prepared to swap Nkunku for Mathys Tel prior to the latter’s switch to Tottenham. A return to Germany, where the 27-year-old shone for RB Leipzig, is not out of the question, with the versatile forward’s time at Stamford Bridge likely drawing to a close.

Mohammed Kudus, West Ham

West Ham pulled off quite the coup when they signed Mohammed Kudus from Ajax in 2023. He hasn’t been the most prolific forward – the Ghana international has scored just 12 league goals for the club – but he still has a legion of admirers. Kudus does his best work when given the chance to run at opponents; only Jérémy Doku (107) has completed more dribbles than the 24-year-old (91) in the league this season. If he goes, a move to Saudi Arabia may suit Kudos and West Ham.

Alejandro Garnacho, Manchester United

“Until we reached the final, I played every round. And I played 20 minutes today. I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens next,” said Alejandro Garnacho after Manchester United’s defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final. The Argentinian was dropped in favour of Mason Mount, a decision that hasn’t gone down well with the young forward. A summer departure looks increasingly likely after his thinly veiled dig at manager Ruben Amorim. While a move to Chelsea has been reported, he could go abroad, with Napoli previously linked with the 20-year-old.

Spurs' domestic struggles mean the Australian has presided over the club's worst ever Premier League campaign with a record tally of 21 defeats, but he also stands on the brink of the holy grail - eagerly-awaited silverware.

The embattled head coach conducted a fiery press conference at San Mames ahead of the showdown with Manchester United.

Asked about the fine line between "infamy" and "legendary status", Postecoglou, referencing a newspaper article which said he was "teetering between hero and clown" depending on the outcome against United, snapped: "I'll tell you one thing, irrespective of what happens tomorrow, I'm not a clown and I never will be.

"I'm really disappointed that you would use such terminology about a person who for 26 years without any favours from anyone has worked his way to a position where he's leading out a club in a European major competition (final)."

With Tottenham down in 17th in the Premier League, Postecoglou admitted last month the "general sentiment" was he would leave, even if he ended the club's 17-year trophy drought, but he felt his work in north London was far from finished.

"I don't think my job is done here," Postecoglou said.

"I really feel like we are building something and what a trophy does is hopefully accelerate that. So I still think there is work to be done.

"It is quite obvious with the challenges we've had this year, which I think are well chronicled,. There is some reasoning in the context of that, but also there has been some growth I would like to see through.

"Whether that happens or not is not that important right now, but far from it is this job finished. I certainly feel there is some growth there that we can take this club to where it needs to be.

"I've been in this position before where the big game was the last game I managed. It's not unusual territory for me.

"I have always navigated it pretty well because, for me, nothing is more important than my responsibility for this football club and its fans that tomorrow me, the players, our mind is only on one thing and that is to create something special."

Postecoglou played down Lucas Bergvall's chances of being fit to face United after an ankle injury, with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski (both knee) also sidelined, but Pape Sarr is available.

The big choice for the Australian ahead of his 100th game in charge of Spurs is who will provide creativity in a three-man midfield alongside Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Wilson Odobert was used in the attacking midfield role at Aston Villa, but another alternative is to drop Dominic Solanke slightly deeper.

Despite continuous discourse over his future, Postecoglou will not lose focus on Tottenham's chance to taste European success for the first time since their 1984 UEFA Cup victory.

"Whatever happens beyond tomorrow is kind of irrelevant when you think about the opportunity that exists right now," Postecoglou said.

"That opportunity is to provide something special for the football club, for the supporters and for everyone who has worked so hard.

"Not just this year, but for the 15, 16 years, however long it has been without a trophy and also the 41 years without a European trophy.

"I'm pretty good at just making sure all my focus is on giving this football club the best opportunity that it's had for a while to do something special."

Meanwhile Brennan Johnson played down Tottenham's past wins over United but is confident they will formulate a new plan to secure Europa League glory.

Spurs have defeated United three times this season and twice since Ruben Amorim took over from Erik ten Hag in November.

A 3-0 win for Tottenham at Old Trafford in September pushed Ten Hag towards the exit door before Amorim watched his new team go down 4-3 in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in December, while the most recent battle in February finished 1-0 to the north London club.

But Johnson insisted: "I think we know, going into the final, we can't rely on the fact that we've beaten them a few times this season.

"I think it's about now coming up with a plan because each time we've beaten them has been down to different reasons.

"I feel like we've done good work preparing for Man United so now it's about coming up with how we want to win, things we want to do, things we want to stop them from doing so it's a new opportunity.

"We want to prepare and be as confident as we can. When times have been tough and we've had to go to some tough places in Europe and got some really good results, it brings the squad together a massive amount.

"The quarter-final, the semi-final, these games have been massive for us. Unbelievable victories, real togetherness and yeah, it just make us stronger and more together."

Just three points now separate the five clubs jostling for the three qualification slots still available but Forest, who ended a two-game losing streak, once more top that mini-league thanks to first-half goals from Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood.

Spurs, who saw Richarlison pull one back late on, could also be in the Champions League next term of course, by winning the Europa League. Astonishingly so given that this was their 18th Premier League defeat this season and they lie 16th in the table.

Postecoglou rested regular picks with next month's semi-final with Norwegian dark horses Bodo/Glimt in mind and although Spurs could claim to be superior overall and especially in the second half, the result won't have made the embattled Australian any new friends among an already-divided fanbase.

There is no doubt though that Forest fans love Nuno Espirito Santo, the man Spurs sacked after just four months in 2021 for the crime of being ninth.

And on Sunday last term's relegation escapees can enjoy another unexpected bonus in the shape of a Wembley FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

Forest had occupied third spot from December 29 until six days ago but wins for Newcastle, City and Chelsea saw them kicked down to sixth before kick-off.

The game's first chance saw Gugliemo Vicario bat away Morgan Gibbs-White's long-ranger - and Forest used the corner to take a fifth-minute lead.

It took two Spurs men to clear to where Anderson was lurking just outside the box and though hit powerfully his drive required a deflection off Rodrigo Bentancur to outfox Vicario with a bounce right in front of the goalkeeper.

Another shot went through the Italian five minutes later but a sliver of shoulder belonging to 'scorer' Wood was labelled offside by VAR.

Wood's reply was to nod home Anthony Elanga's cross in the 17th minute and again Vicario was culpable, by coming for a punch and failing to connect. It was the striker's first Forest goal in seven games and certainly one of the easiest of his 19 for them so far this season.

Spurs had chances to reduce the arrears but Mathys Tel blazed wide and Richarlison was off target with two headers. Inevitably the half-time whistle was met with home boos.

Postecoglou subbed centre-back pairing Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero at the break, the latter so he couldn't be sent off having assaulted Anderson three times in the first half.

Gibbs-White, sent clear by Wood, slashed an opportunity for 3-0 wide before Harry Toffolo, making his first Premier League appearance of 2025, hooked away Dejan Kulusevski's glancing header from Pedro Porro's corner just as it was crossing the line.

Matz Sels made two good saves to deny Richarlison before the Brazilian finally found the net in the 87th minute by heading home Pedro Porro's cross. Forest held out however.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-3-3): Vicario 5; Porro 6, Romero 5 (Danso 46, 6), Van de Ven 6 (Davies 46, 6), Spence 6; Kulusevski 6 (Solanke 67, 5), Bentancur 6, Sarr 6 (Bergvall 81); Odobert 5 (Johnson 67, 4), Richarlison 7, Tel 5.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-3-3): Sels 7; Williams 7, Murillo 7, Milenkovic 7, Toffolo 7; Dominguez 6 (Yates 58, 5), Anderson 7, Danilo 6 (Hudson-Odoi 58, 5); Elanga 6 (Morato 46. 5), Wood 7 (Awoniyi, 75), Gibbs-White 7 (Sosa 90).

Referee: Peter Bankes 6

The German side took the lead through hotshot Hugo Ekitike after five minutes to threaten more misery for Ange Postecoglou and his men, but Spurs show great spirit to equalise through Pedro Porro and dominate the game. If it had not been for some wasteful finishing and an exceptional performance from Eintrach's stand-in goalkeeper Kaua Santos, the home side could have taken a healthy lead to Frankfurt next week.

Instead they will have to hope they can avoid sloppy mistakes, show the same spirit and find their finishing boots if they are to reach the semi-finals.

Shortly before kickoff, the big screens around the stadium showed an impressive montage of Tottenham's glory years in Europe, winning three trophies in 22 years, and the club's trumpeter led a rousing version of 'When the Spurs go marching in'. The stadium announcer asked supporters to make themselves heard for the club's biggest game of the season, and there was a sense of all or nothing for Ange Postecoglou and his men.

Barely five minutes in, the mood among Tottenham's fans was punctured as Etikite, Eintracht's outstanding forward, put them 1-0 ahead. James Maddison was caught in possession midway inside the Frankfurt half and Ellyes Skhiri set Ekitike away down the left wing. The French striker cut inside Porro, advanced towards the penalty area unchallenged and placed a low shot in the far corner of goal. It was stunningly simple and symptomatic of how defensively fragile Tottenham are.

Frankfurt's large and noisy band of fans, who hardly let up with their songs and drumbeats throughout the game, went into overdrive, while home supporters were stunned.

But Tottenham got themselves back into the game by being patient and persistent. Porro hit a long crossfield pass to Heung Min Son, who took the ball down perfectly but hit his ensuing cross into the arms of Santos.

Dominic Solanke had a glancing header saved, and later chipped in a cross that was headed over his own bar by Arthur Theate. Solanke's more significant contribution came in the 26th minute when he chased down a hopeful forward punt and laid the ball into Maddison's path. The England midfielder jinked to the byline and cut the ball back for Porro to divert it over the line with a cheeky backheel.

Spurs came out fired up for the second half and could have scored three times inside 15 minutes. Lucas Bergvall crashed a shot against the crossbar from 30 yards, Santos made a superb save to keep out Son's curling shot, and then Rodrigo Bentancur headed against the bar from the ensuing corner.

Bentancur had another header saved and Solanke spooned a shot high over the bar, before failing to find Johnson wih a low cross in front of goal. Both Postecoglou and Dino Toppmoller made a rash of substitutions in the closing stages to protect their positions, and there was still time for Santos to deny Tottenham once again, tipping Micky Van de Ven's header over the bar in stoppage time.

Spurs still have a chance of progressing, but they will need to make the most of their chances in Germany next week.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: 4-3-3 Vicario7; Porro 6, Romero 6, van de Ven 7, Udogie 6 (Spence 79); Bergvall 8, Bentancur 7, Maddison 7 (Sarr 79); Johnson 6, Solanke 6 (Richarlison 87), Son 6 (Tel 79).

FRANKFURT: 4-2-3-1 Santos 8; Kristensen 6, Koch 6, Theate 6, Brown 6; Skhiri 6, Tuta 6; Gotze 4, Larsson 6, Bahoya 6 (Chaibi 70); Ekitike 7 (Wahi 89) Ref: Szymon Marciniak (Poland) 5/10

Southampton can no longer catch Wolves in 17th place, and this return to the Championship after just one season back in the Premier League is no surprise. One might have expected a show of defiance and at least a little energy in an effort to put off the inevitable relegation, but they were poor once again, and a late strike from Mateus Fernandes came from one of their few shots on goal.

Spurs, by contrast ,could have won by more, but once Brennan Johnson had put them 2-0 ahead well before half-time, Ange Postecoglou's men were content to play within themselves, conscious the game on Thursday is so important if they are to salvage something from a poor season.

At least they can go into the game with confidence, with Johnson's return to goalscoring form and a stoppage time penalty from Mathys Tel, on as a late substitute.

Spurs were comfortably in control on a sunny afternoon punctuated with chants of protest by some fans against Daniel Levy.

Cristian Romero powered in bullet headers twice inside the opening half-hour and was denied each time by Aaron Ramsdale, the goalkeeper stopping the ball with his face the second time and requiring treatment. Tottenham fans showed little sympathy for the former Arsenal keeper.

Spurs were ahead by this stage, with a goal straight from the training pitch. Having received a pass from defence in the centre-circle, James Maddison worked it out to Heung Min Son on the left. The overlapping Djed Spence took it on and his cutback was met by Johnson, who fired high past Ramsdale.

Johnson was to score again before half-time, but in between came yet another interminable delay while VAR agonised over whether Lucas Bergvall's 33rd minute strike should be allowed to stand. The Swede volleyed home after Romero headed back across goal, but it took the VAR team five minutes of line-drawing to suggest Romero had been fractionally offside. Clear and obvious it was not, irritating it certainly was.

Johnson scored his and Tottenham's second goal in the 42nd minute. Maddison was the provider with a dinked header forward, and Johnson nipped in behind the napping defenders to flick the ball past Ramsdale with the outside of his right boot.

The second half was an exercise in Tottenham Fernandes gave the travelling Saints fans hope with a goal in the final minute f normal time, taking down a cross from the left before swivelling and shooting through the legs of Spence and past Guglielmo Vicario.

But minutes later Wellington brought down Johnson and Tel converted the penalty to make it 3-1.

TOTTENHAM (4-3-3): Vicario 7, Porro 6, Romero 7, Davies 6, Spence 7; Bergvall 8 (Bissouma 80), Bentancur 8 (Sarr 57), Maddison 7 (Gray 80); Johnson 8, Solanke 7 (Tel 87), Son 6 (Odobert 57).

SOUTHAMPTON (4-3-3): Ramsdale 6; Walker-Peters 6, Bednarek 5, Harwood-Bellis 6, Manning 5 (Wellington 64); Dibling 6 (Sugawara 73), Aribo 5 (Smallbon e 64), Ugochukwu 5 (Stewart 83); Fernandes 6, Archer 5 (Onuachu 73), Sulemana 7

Referee: Michael Salisbury