Reuters

LONDON, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Struggling Tottenham Hotspur had to settle for a 2-2 home draw against a revived Wolverhampton Wanderers side after a late strike by Norwegian substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen in an entertaining Premier League clash on Sunday.

Having suffered four defeats in their previous five league games, injury-hit Spurs were aiming for a convincing performance to take the pressure off manager Ange Postecoglou but it was the visitors under new boss Vitor Pereira who came away the happier.

Wolves had taken the lead after seven minutes through Hwang Hee-Chan who fired a low shot that went in off the post after a short free kick, but Spurs equalised five minutes later when Rodrigo Bentancur's header beat keeper Jose Sa from a corner.

Tottenham spurned the chance to go in front when Son Heung-Min's spot kick was saved but they did go in ahead at the break after Brennan Johnson struck from close range. The second half was an end-to-end affair with Strand Larsen scoring in the 87th.

The result left Spurs languishing in 11th with 24 points from 19 games - the first time they will finish the year lower than seventh since the 2008-09 season. Wolves are 17th on 16 points and stand two points above the relegation zone.

Wolves started brightly and stunned the home supporters when a short free kick was played to South Korean Hwang on the edge of the box and he fired a low shot into the far corner that beat the diving Fraser Forster and went in off the post.

Spurs levelled soon after when Bentancur rose above the defence to send a powerful header past Sa from a Pedro Porro corner on the right much to the relief of Postecoglou.

SON MISSES PENALTY

Tottenham had the chance to take the lead just before halftime when they were awarded a penalty after Andre bundled Johnson over in the area but captain Son's spot kick was brilliantly saved by Portuguese Sa down to his right.

Spurs did go in front in added time at the end of the first half though when Johnson struck from close range after clever footwork inside the area by Dejan Kulusevski who cut the ball back from the right for the Welshman to finish smartly.

Wolves took off the injured Matheus Cunha, who was their most creative player in the opening period, and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde at the break, and brought on Strand Larsen and Goncalo Guedes as they looked dangerous chasing an equaliser.

Spurs soon made a change themselves as Destiny Udogie hobbled off and was replaced by Sergio Reguilon at left back, bringing more defensive woes for a side hit by injuries, with their first-choice centre backs both missing.

Another Tottenham substitute Timo Werner was soon in the thick of the action and burst down the left before sending over a low cross that Dominic Solanke just failed to connect with.

Spurs continued to press and Kulusevski was played through by Solanke 10 minutes from time, but although his tame effort got past Sa it was cleared by Santiago Bueno.

Wolves also looked dangerous though and snatched a point when Rayan Ait-Nouri played the ball down the left and Strand Larsen turned inside the box before firing a rising shot into the net past the stranded Forster to delight the away fans.

The Midlands side have now taken seven points from their last three games to boost their chances of avoiding the drop.

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NOTTINGHAM, England, Dec 26 (Reuters) - Nottingham Forest continued their challenge for a Premier League top-four spot as Anthony Elanga's first-half goal secured a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur to put them third on Thursday.

Elanga completed a superb Forest counter-attack in the 28th minute to settle a contest that Tottenham ended with 10 men after former Forest player Djed Spence was sent off.

The result moved Forest provisionally up to third with 34 points, while Tottenham's fourth defeat in five Premier League games left them in 11th with 23 points after 18 games.

Tottenham had edged the opening exchanges with former Forest winger Brennan Johnson going close for the visitors but the hosts struck in devastating fashion.

When Tottenham lost possession on the edge of the Forest area, the ball was played to Morgan Gibbs-White who split the visiting defence with a superb pass and Elanga beat goalkeeper Fraser Forster with a deft finish.

It was enough for Forest to win a fourth successive top-flight game for the first time since 1995 and was especially sweet for manager Nuno Espirito Santo who was sacked by Tottenham three years ago.

Under the Portuguese coach, Forest have been transformed from a side battling to retain their top-flight status, to one that now seems capable of bringing European football back to the City Ground. They now have more points already this season than they finished up with last season in coming 17th.

"It's beautiful for us to go out in the city and enjoy this moment," Espirito-Santo said. "The belief is here but the belief doesn't hide the reality.

"The reality says we haven't achieved nothing yet and we have two days to recover and rest and compete against Everton. This is the reality. We believe we can compete as long as everybody understands every player in the squad is huge for us."

Tottenham are now 11 points behind Forest and pressure is sure to mount on manager Ange Postecoglou whose post-match press conference lasted barely two minutes.

"I still thought we had a fair chunk of (the game) where we could have got something out of the game, but it was always going to be a tight game here," the Australian said.

His side had chances before the break with Matz Sels twice denying Johnson and Son Heung-min hitting the side-netting with a free kick shortly before the interval.

Tottenham had 70% possession but were toothless after the break and their frustration was summed up when Spence was shown a second yellow card deep in stoppage time.

He will now be ruled out of Tottenham's home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend.

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LONDON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Liverpool strengthened their hold on the Premier League top spot with an extraordinary 6-3 victory at battered Tottenham Hotspur after second-placed Chelsea were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw away to Everton on Sunday.

Mohamed Salah scored twice, as did Luis Diaz, while Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were also on target at bamboozled Spurs for Dutchman Arne Slot's Liverpool side who head into Christmas four points clear.

Chelsea could have gone into first place before Liverpool's clash in north London but failed to make it nine straight wins in all competitions as Everton dug deep to earn a point at Goodison Park.

Liverpool have 39 points from 16 games with Chelsea on 35 having played a game more. Arsenal, who won 5-1 at Crystal Palace on Saturday, have 33 points from 17 games.

Bottom club Southampton's 0-0 draw at Fulham on Sunday means reigning champions Manchester City are now the worst performing Premier League team since the start of November after a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday left them down in seventh.

Manchester United suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth on Sunday as the south coast club moved up to fifth, while Wolverhampton Wanderers won 3-0 at Leicester City in Vitor Pereira's first game in charge.

RAINING GOALS

Tottenham's last three home games in all competitions have now provided 23 goals as their wide-open style was ruthlessly punished by a razor-sharp Liverpool.

Diaz met Trent Alexander-Arnold's beautiful cross with a diving header to open the scoring before Alexis Mac Allister nodded home from close range to double Liverpool's lead.

James Maddison pulled one back for Spurs in the 41st minute but Dominik Szoboszlai restored the visitors' two-goal lead before the break as he slotted past Fraser Forster following a counter-attack.

Salah's double came in seven second-half minutes to take his league tally this season to 15 before Tottenham hit back with Dejan Kulusevski's volley and Dominic Solanke's effort in the 83rd that threatened to set up a frantic finale. But Diaz settled any Liverpool jitters with his second goal of the game.

Liverpool's emphatic win means only one of the weekend's Premier League games ended in a home victory.

"We expected that (a chaotic game), the way they play, they open the game, they enjoy their football, physically tough and mentally we always have to be in the game," Salah, whose two assists took his total for the season to 11, told Sky Sports.

Salah is the first player to reach double figures for both goals and assists before Christmas in a Premier League season.

MARESCA HAPPY

The closest Chelsea came to piercing Everton's armour was a Nicolas Jackson shot against the post in the first half but while it proved a frustrating day for Enzo Maresca's side the Italian remained upbeat.

"That was a real game," he said. "I'm very happy because the performance of the boys was fantastic. Sometimes you have to play a different game and we're learning to play a different game. Everton are one of the best teams in Europe in terms of clean sheets."

The Toffees kept a fifth clean sheet in six games.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said "nothing bad lasts forever" after his side's 3-0 drubbing at Old Trafford, a defeat that came three days after they were beaten 4-3 at Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup quarter-finals.

"We just need to work on the way we play, that's all," the Portuguese, whose side are in 13th place, said. "Focus on the job in the moment, not what you feel in the stadium."

Goals by Dean Huijsen, Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo put high-flying Bournemouth into the Europa League qualifying spot and means United will spend Christmas in the bottom half of the table for the first time in Premier League history.

Wolves moved up a place to 18th, two points short of the safety zone, with Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha all on target against Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester -- the perfect start for Pereira.

"I believe that we will stay in the Premier League and we will play at a better level than we saw today. Today I am happy as the team showed spirit and the spirit that Wolves supporters want to see," said the Portuguese, who replaced Gary O'Neil.

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Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris

Dec 16 (Reuters) - South Korean winger Yang Min-hyeok departed Seoul for London on Monday to join Tottenham Hotspur mid-season, where he will link up with fellow international Son Heung-min.

Spurs signed Yang from Gangwon FC in July on a contract valid through 2030. The 18-year-old was initially set to join Ange Postecoglou's side in January but is now arriving a month earlier than planned.

Yang conceded he felt anxious before his 14-hour flight but shared his anticipation at the chance to play alongside Tottenham captain Son, the most popular sports figure in his home country and 14 years his senior.

Struggling to sleep, he spent the early hours watching Spurs' dominant 5-0 Premier League victory over Southampton, which kicked off at 4 a.m. Monday in South Korea.

"I am excited to be joining the club. It would be an honour to play with Son and I would be grateful for that opportunity," Yang told reporters at Incheon International Airport in Seoul.

"I have pictured myself in that situation. I can't wait to get there and show people what I am capable of, and have a chance to play next to him in the same match."

Yang and Son have briefly crossed paths before. In July, Yang faced Tottenham in a friendly while representing a K League All-Star team. By September, he had joined Son on the South Korean national team after earning his senior call-up for World Cup qualifiers. However, he has yet to earn a cap.

Yang scored 12 goals and registered six assists in 38 matches for Gangwon this season. In March, he became the youngest-ever goal scorer in K League 1, just before his 18th birthday.

He will be a welcome addition to a Spurs side ravaged by injury.

"I'd like to get into a match before the season ends, and hopefully score a goal or get an assist," Yang said. "Because I am joining the team in mid-season, I've been focusing on rest and recovery, so that I will stay healthy going forward.

"Personally, I feel that I am ready (for his Premier League debut). I'll put on a good performance there and I hope fans will continue to support me," he added.

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Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru Editing by Christian Radnedge

Dec 15 (Reuters) - Southampton sacked manager Russell Martin shortly after his side's 5-0 drubbing at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday left them rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.

The humiliating defeat, in which Spurs scored five times in the first half, left Southampton on five points from 16 matches.

Martin was the second Premier League manager sacked on Sunday after second-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers parted company with Gary O'Neil .

"The reality of our situation is clear. The board have supported Russell and his staff and been open and transparent regarding our expectations," a club statement read.

"We have all been on the same page in recognising the urgency of needing results to improve.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank Russell and his staff for all the hard work and dedication they have given the club on and off the pitch over the last 18 months."

The 38-year-old Martin was booed during his side's capitulation against Tottenham and missed the fifth goal as he had already gone to the changing rooms.

Martin was appointed in June 2023 and guided Southampton to promotion via the playoffs last season, earning plaudits for his side's attractive style of football.

This season, however, they have been brutally exposed in the top flight, losing 13 of their opening 16 games and seemingly on course for a quick return to the second tier.

Only one team in Premier League history has had fewer points after 16 games of the season.

After the defeat by Spurs, defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis said the players should take the blame.

"(The fans) want to see the team win, so it's normal. The booing should be on us players and not the manager. He's not creating the mistakes," Harwood-Bellis said.

"It is us on the pitch. But they just want to see the team win. Credit to them, they stuck with us after a first half that wasn't acceptable."

Four Premier League managers have been sacked this season with Steve Cooper leaving Leicester City and Dutchman Erik ten Hag being dismissed by Manchester United.

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Reporting by Martyn Herman and Toby Davis; Editing by Ken Ferris

LONDON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Southampton manager Russell Martin said he did not recognise his side after they conceded five first-half goals in a 5-0 home drubbing against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The humiliating loss left Southampton bottom of the Premier League with five points from 16 games.

The hosts fell apart after James Maddison's opener after 36 seconds and by the time Maddison made it 5-0 on the stroke of halftime swathes of fans had already headed home.

Some of those who stayed called for Martin to be sacked but the manager was defiant afterwards.

"It's most disappointing because we had worked on a plan. We had a week's training and the players have been part of that process. But we did not carry out anywhere near the intensity or aggression we needed," Martin said.

"I didn't recognise our team in the first half. But I am pleased they stuck out in the second half. At this point, it is about pride and showing some care for each other."

Martin guided Southampton to promotion last season playing an eye-catching style that earned him plaudits.

But his refusal to bend from his tactics has seen his side become far too easy to beat in the top flight.

Asked about the boos at the end, he said: "(The fans) were amazing in the second half. Really good.

"As a person (the boos don't hurt). Because I understand that it's not personal. But as a manager, yes. It hurts me as well as the team. But I also understand it.

"We have no choice but to keep working and fighting. It's what I have been doing in this job and I will continue doing it until I am told not to."

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SOUTHAMPTON, England, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur scored five goals in the opening half of a Premier League game for the first time in their history as they thrashed bottom club Southampton 5-0 away on Sunday.

James Maddison scored twice, his first after 36 seconds and his second on the stroke of halftime, while Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Pape Matar Sarr were also on target.

As Southampton imploded, many of their fans left well before the interval, although those that stayed at least watched their team recover a modicum of pride in the second half.

Victory was a welcome boost for Spurs who had managed only one point from their last three league games. They moved up to 10th with 23 points from 16 games.

Southampton's 13th league loss of the season left them on five points and they look destined for a rapid return to the Championship as they languish nine points from the safety zone.

Some supporters voiced their disapproval at manager Russell Martin with one fan's banner calling for him to be sacked.

"I'm hurt at the first half. We just don't respond very well to setbacks as a group," Martin said. "I didn't recognise our team in the first half. It's a tough night.

"We have no choice but to work and fight, it's all I've done since I've been in this job."

CONFIDENT SPURS

Injury-hit Tottenham have looked fragile in recent weeks, winning only once in eight games in all competitions, and Southampton may have sensed an opportunity.

But from the moment Djed Spence's sublime pass sent Maddison clear to fire the opener past Alex McCarthy the confidence flooded back, although they were helped by a shocking first-half display by Saints.

Son thumped in the second after 12 minutes as Southampton failed to cut out a cross and a couple of minutes later the South Korean's pass into the area fell to the feet of Kulusevski to score from close range.

Sarr showed great footwork after controlling Son's pass to slot home Tottenham's fourth goal by which time the St Mary's stands were rapidly emptying.

Maddison netted his second in first-half stoppage time, latching onto Son's pass and scoring from a tight angle into the opposite top corner.

Spurs took their foot off the gas after the break and ended the game with four teenagers on the pitch as manager Ange Postecoglou rung the changes ahead of a League Cup quarter-final at home to Manchester United on Thursday.

"We had 10 first-team players unavailable tonight and for the lads to come out with that much energy was great."

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Nov 11 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou took responsibility for his side's inconsistency this season after they fell to a shock 2-1 home loss to promoted Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday.

Having eliminated Manchester City in the League Cup before beating Aston Villa 4-1 in the Premier League last weekend, Spurs were stunned by Galatasaray 3-2 in the Europa League on Thursday.

On Sunday, boos rang out from Spurs fans at the final whistle as Ipswich claimed their first Premier League victory since April 2002.

The defeat left Spurs in 10th place with 16 points from 11 matches.

"The inconsistency we're having this year, ultimately it comes down to me and my approach and something I need to try and fix and see if I can help the players in that area," Postecoglou told reporters.

The Australian did not think Spurs' Thursday-Sunday run of fixtures was the reason for their struggles.

"If we were seeing that we'd probably feel it more at the end of games and we're not feeling it at the end of games," he added.

Midfielder Pape Matar Sarr and striker Dominic Solanke both left Sunday's game due to injury but Postecoglou thought both players had avoided serious problems.

"I think Pape is all right. He just got a bit of a knock," he added. "Dom jarred his knee, it was pretty sore but he wanted to continue. Hopefully it is nothing serious."

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Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford

Nov 8 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur are doing their best to carefully build up captain Son Heung-min's fitness by managing his minutes on the pitch, manager Ange Postecoglou said on Friday ahead of their Premier League clash against Ipswich Town.

Son missed games for Spurs and South Korea earlier in the season due to a hamstring injury, before playing in a 4-1 win over West Ham United last month, an appearance which exacerbated the winger's injury and kept him out of the next three matches.

"He had the injury, we brought him back and in the first game back he had a relapse," Postecoglou told reporters ahead of Sunday's home game against Ipswich.

"We don't want to put him into that cycle, it's very easy to fall into it by pushing players particularly when they're coming back from injury. We're managing his minutes and building him up.

"It's about making sure we get him back and keep him back. We can't afford more injuries in that position. We've already got Wilson (Odobert) with a long-term injury, (Richarlison) with a long-term injury, Mikey (Moore) out now."

Spurs, seventh in the league with 16 points from 10 matches, have struggled to put together a winning streak in the league, with two wins and two defeats in their last four matches.

The North London club trail league leaders Liverpool by nine points, but Postecoglou said it was futile to focus on the standings this early in the season.

"We still have a hell of a long way to go. What's important for us is to keep progressing in the way we have been. Our football for the large part has been pretty consistent, pretty good," the Australian added.

"We've had a couple of stumbles along the way but within that context, I still think we're making progress. There's no point looking at the table now because ultimately it's where you are at the end of the season that's going to count."

Spurs will fancy their chances against 18th-placed Ipswich who are yet to win a match, but Postecoglou urged caution, adding: "Every league game has the potential to hurt you if you're not at your best.

"Ipswich will be no different. They were close last week (to winning) and they've been close in a number of games. Kieran McKenna has done an unbelievable job since he's been there and they continue to grow."

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Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru Editing by Christian Radnedge

LONDON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Two second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and a sublime James Maddison free kick helped Tottenham Hotspur come from behind to overwhelm Aston Villa 4-1 on Sunday and end the visitors' seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Spurs climbed to seventh in the table on 16 points, two points behind Villa who stayed fifth.

Unai Emery's Villa led at halftime through Morgan Rogers, but Spurs were level soon after the break when Brennan Johnson tapped in at the far post.

Solanke's two goals in four minutes, including a flowing team move finished off with a delightful dink over Emiliano Martinez, secured the win, before Maddison curled in a free kick in stoppage time.

Villa’s goal punctuated a drab first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Rogers poking home from a yard out after Lucas Digne’s corner was flicked on into the six-yard box.

Spurs skipper Son Heung-min provided an assist on his return from injury, whipping an excellent outswinging ball across the goal for Johnson to slot home at the back post shortly after halftime.

Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs had struggled to break Villa down in the first half, largely resorting to shots from distance, but they upped their intensity in the second period and two quick goals from Solanke sealed the win.

His first was a flowing one-touch team move, with Solanke latching onto Dejan Kulusevski’s cute pass and chipping the ball over the onrushing Martinez.

A mistake by Villa defender Pau Torres set Spurs charging forward again with second-half substitute Richarlison squaring for Solanke to grab his second.

Maddison put the gloss on a fine display late on, caressing the ball around the Villa wall from 20 yards out and into the top corner past a helpless Martinez.

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Reporting by Alexander Marrow, editing by Ed Osmond