The Guardian

A generous assessment of Everton’s efforts on an afternoon when Jordan Pickford accidentally turned into one of Tottenham’s most inventive players is that there was a brief period when they vaguely resembled a functioning team.

The only problem with trying to stay positive, though, was that they were already heading for another thrashing by the time they started to string a few passes together. The direction of travel was obvious after a first goal in Spurs colours for Yves Bissouma, who was on his best behaviour after being removed from the naughty step by Ange Postecoglou. Any sense of Everton fighting to repair an awful start had to be tempered by them not even picking up a booking despite being clobbered 4-0.

Where was the anger? The soul? Where was the resistance when Cristian Romero powered in a header in the second half? It was an abject surrender, typified by Pickford losing the ball before Son Heung-min’s first goal midway through the first half, and it is hard not to conclude Everton are destined for another grim battle for survival.

Reinforcements are required before the transfer window shuts even though money is tight, while more adventure in possession would not go amiss. Spurs, who often struggled in this kind of game last season, moved to an entirely different beat to their opponents. It must have felt like Everton’s longsuffering fans were watching a different sport when Micky van de Ven, embodying the fearlessness instilled in Postecoglou’s players, surged out of central defence, ran the length of the pitch and sent Son through to round off the scoring in the 77th minute.

“We can’t continue to make mistakes at this level,” Sean Dyche, the Everton manager, said. “Every time we build something, we let it go again. It is difficult here and we are stretched. But it’s a strange situation. In my 19 months we build something and go back down the hill again to remind ourselves of the challenge. What about playing when it’s 0-0?”

Bereft of ambition and ideas, Everton were pinned back from the start. A midfield with Bissouma sitting behind two No 8s, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, had underlined Postecoglou’s desire to play on the front foot and the tone was set by the manner in which Son, playing centrally in the absence of the injured striker Dominic Solanke, pressed Pickford.

Wilson Odobert, who started for the first time since joining from Burnley, bristled with positive intent against Roman Dixon, a 19-year-old debutant at right-back. Son and Maddison would also have efforts saved, while Brennan Johnson missed a free header.

It was no surprise when the opener arrived after Kulusevski found Bissouma, who used the inside of his right foot to crash a shot in from 20 yards. Postecoglou reflected on the midfielder responding well to being dropped for last Monday’s 1-1 draw with Leicester after footage on social media appeared to show him inhaling nitrous oxide. “Biss is a good footballer,” the Spurs manager said. “It’s about him being the best version of himself.”

There was a relentlessness to Spurs and it was encapsulated by their second goal. Son, whose movement tormented James Tarkowski and Michael Keane, had been told to disrupt Pickford’s distribution. Following orders, he was ready for another sharp burst when Tarkowski sent an innocuous pass to England’s No 1. Pickford could do little more than apologise after a heavy touch invited a tackle from Son, who sped off and tapped the ball into an empty net.

Everton had descended into a shambles, although they will hope to improve when their injuries ease in defence. Jarrad Branthwaite was badly missed and there was an improved spell before half-time. Jack Harrison had volleyed wide at 1-0 and Spurs dealt uneasily with a succession of set pieces.

Spurs grew complacent and they could have conceded after a stray pass from Odobert in the 58th minute. Guglielmo Vicario saved well from the substitute Jesper Lindstrøm.

Postecoglou reacted by stiffening his midfield with the introduction of Pape Matar Sarr. Romero, making his 100th appearance for Spurs, soon rose to head in Maddison’s corner.

Better was to come from Romero’s partner in central defence. When Van de Ven smothered another tame attack, strode forward and sent Son through, the South Korean completed Everton’s misery by drilling a low finish past Pickford.

Key events

Show key events only

Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Everton (Son 25)

Heung-min Son nicks the ball off Jordan Pickford’s toe, and it already looks like being a long afternoon for Everton. It already looks like being a long season.

Share

It’s hotting up at the Women’s Open at St Andrews, by the way. An early bogey for 36-hole leader Nelly Korda, an early birdie for last year’s runner-up Charley Hull, and suddenly the lead at the top is only one. The reigning champion Lilia Vu is hovering, too! Nothing to do with the Premier League football, admittedly, but I’ll be covering the final round live tomorrow afternoon, and I wanted to advertise that while I’ve got your attention. See you tomorrow, then! It’s a date!

-7: Korda (4)

-6: Hull (4)

-5: Shin (8), Vu (4)

Share

Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Everton. More from Mary Waltz, who is following events in north London from California. “I am settling in for a long tortuous Everton Match. Spurs have Jordan Pickford under siege. We were already parking the bus before the goal. I know Sean Dyche has few options, we have to play this way, but it is still so depressing. Sigh.”

Share

GOAL! Rangers 1-0 Ross County (Dessers 18). The Staggies had an early chance, but it’s the hosts who take the lead at Hampden.

Share

GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Leicester (Smith Rowe 18)

Emile Smith Rowe impressed at Old Trafford last week on debut; now he’s opened his account for his new club on his first outing at Craven Cottage. Speaking of fast starts, those three Manchester City goals came in a three-minute-and-11-second burst.

Share

GOAL! Manchester City 3-1 Ipswich Town (Haaland 16)

It couldn’t last all right. Erling Haaland already on a hat-trick. Ipswich shouldn’t have made them angry.

Share

GOAL! Manchester City 2-1 Ipswich Town (De Bruyne 14)

Nope, it couldn’t last. Arijanet Muric faffs around with the ball at his feet. Savinho strips him of possession and sets up another goal.

Share

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Everton (Bissouma 14)

It had been all Spurs in N17 from the get-go. Jordan Pickford had already made a couple of big saves. He can’t rescue the Toffees a third time. Yves Bissouma gives the hosts a deserved early lead.

Share

GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Ipswich Town (Haaland 12 pen)

It couldn’t last. Savinho nips past Leif Davis, who was given the runaround by Mohamed Salah last weekend, and now nicks his opponent on the heel. Penalty, and Erling Haaland slots it without fuss.

Share

Manchester City 0-1 Ipswich Town. Some full debut for the former Blackburn striker Sammie Szmodics, who rolls the ball home slowly, dramatically. He scored 33 goals last season for Rovers in the Championship, and doesn’t look like stopping in the Premier League.

Share

Updated at 16.26 CEST

GOAL! Manchester City 0-1 Ipswich Town (Szmodics 7)

Now then.

Share

FULL TIME: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Manchester United. “Scott, morning greetings from California.” Morning Mary Waltz. “United lost to Brighton. ‘Shocking’, the familiar reaction from pundits and outrage from the United fan base. Why is anyone surprised? This is how mid-table clubs perform. And this has been MU’s form for the last few years. Win some, lose some, not ‘shocking’ at all.”

The comments section under the match report is ticking over nicely, you’ll be unsurprised to hear.

Share

A couple of early goals in the Championship. Ebou Adams has given Derby a second-minute lead at Watford, while Christian Saydee has done the same thing for Portsmouth at Middlesbrough. But the most impressive second-minute goal of the day has been scored by Jack Turner for Queen’s Park at Airdrie, impressive because news of it came through just before the clock ticked over to 3.01pm. Some sort of time portal discovered in North Lanarkshire?

Share

It’s Saturday 3pm! Whistles ring out all across the land. Here we go, then.

Share

FULL TIME: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Manchester United. Jonathan Wilson was at the Amex this lunchtime to witness Brighton, who have now won five of their last six league meetings with United, get yet another slice of revenge for the 1983 FA Cup final. Here’s his verdict.

Share

Let us repair to Scotland, where Simon McMahon awaits. “Hello Scott! Hello Clockwatchers! Dundee United v St Johnstone at Tannadice today. United, with draws in their opening two league games, are unchanged after their victory over St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup last week, meaning another start in midfield for Kevin De Bruyne Holt. A win would see Jim Goodwin’s men leapfrog their visitors into the top six, and dreaming of Europe. Hey, it’s still August, so dreams are allowed, right? Today’s other SPL fixtures include Rangers v Ross County and Hibs v Dundee.”

It’s not the last we’ll hear of Simon today, I’ll be bound.

Share

There’s also an early batch of results in from the Championship …

Bristol City 1-1 Coventry City

Hull City 0-0 Millwall

QPR 1-1 Plymouth

… and League One …

Burton Albion 0-0 Stevenage

Stockport County 2-0 Bristol Rovers

… and finally League Two.

Crewe 0-0 Swindon

Tranmere 1-0 Walsall

That’s a decent draw for Plymouth, partly because they lost their last away fixture 4-0, at Sheffield Wednesday, but mainly because they ended today’s game at Loftus Road with just nine men on the pitch.

Share

FULL TIME: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Manchester United. The first Premier League result of the day is in. Joao Pedro’s injury-time winner makes it two out of two for Fabian Hürzeler. Brighton keep pulling managerial geniuses out of the hat.

Share

Team news: Spurs v Everton

Wilson Odobert, box fresh from Burnley, makes his Tottenham debut. Everton also have a debutant in their ranks, Roman Dixon (19) replacing the suspended Ashley Young (39) at the back.

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison, Johnson, Son, Odobert.

Subs: Forster, Dragusin, Richarlison, Gray, Bergvall, Werner, Spence, Sarr, Davies.

Everton: Pickford, Dixon, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Iroegbunam, Gueye, Harrison, Doucoure, McNeil, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Virginia, Holgate, Ndiaye, Beto, O’Brien, Maupay, Lindstrom, Metcalfe, Armstrong.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire).

Share

Updated at 15.10 CEST

Team news: Saints v Forest

Southampton are unchanged. Nikola Milenkovic and Elliot Anderson make their full debuts for Forest.

Southampton: McCarthy, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Sugawara, Smallbone, Downes, Aribo, Walker-Peters, Armstrong, Brereton Diaz.

Subs: Lumley, Bree, Fernandes, Archer, Taylor, Edozie, Ugochukwu, Amo-Ameyaw, Dibling.

Nottingham Forest: Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina, Sangare, Anderson, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.

Subs: Carlos Miguel, Awoniyi, Omobamidele, Toffolo, Moreira, Jota Silva, Yates, Boly, Dominguez.

Referee: Sam Barrott (West Yorkshire).

Share

Updated at 15.14 CEST

Team news: Man City v Ipswich

Ilkay Gundogan is back, and he’s on the City bench. Sammie Szmodics, who came on late against Liverpool last weekend, makes his full Ipswich debut.

Manchester City: Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis, Kovacic, Savio, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Doku, Haaland.

Subs: Ortega, Walker, Stones, Ake, Grealish, Gundogan, Matheus Luiz, Kabore, McAtee.

Ipswich Town: Muric, Johnson, Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Hutchinson, Morsy, Luongo, Szmodics, Delap.

Subs: Walton, Edmundson, Chaplin, Harness, Cajuste, Taylor, Burgess, Al Hamadi, Townsend.

Referee: Michael Salisbury (Lancashire).

Share

Updated at 15.12 CEST

Team news: Fulham v Leicester

Both teams are unchanged. New-signing news: Fulham set aside Sander Berge and Joachim Andersen for another day, but Leicester name Jordan Ayew on the bench.

Fulham: Leno, Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Andreas Pereira, Lukic, Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Rodrigo Muniz.

Subs: Benda, Reed, Jimenez, Wilson, Cairney, Cuenca, Castagne, Stansfield, Sessegnon.

Leicester City: Hermansen, Justin, Vestergaard, Faes, Kristiansen, Winks, Ndidi, Fatawu, Buonanotte, De Cordova-Reid, Vardy.

Subs: Ward, Okoli, Mavididi, Choudhury, Ayew, Ricardo Pereira, Skipp, Soumare, McAteer.

Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire).

Share

Updated at 15.10 CEST

Team news: Crystal Palace v West Ham

Chadi Riad makes his debut for Crystal Palace. West Ham start with the same XI that began the home defeat to Aston Villa.

Crystal Palace: Henderson, Richards, Guehi, Riad, Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell, Edouard, Eze, Mateta.

Subs: Johnstone, Ward, Holding, Sarr, Schlupp, Clyne, Kamada, Doucoure, Ahamada.

West Ham United: Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson Palmieri, Rodriguez, Bowen, Soucek, Lucas Paqueta, Kudus, Antonio.

Subs: Fabianski, Cresswell, Summerville, Ward-Prowse, Fullkrug, Ings, Alvarez, Todibo, Wan-Bissaka.

Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside).

Share

Updated at 15.11 CEST

Preamble

Welcome to our hopefully goal-littered coverage of today’s 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League. Four delicately poised games – Ipswich Town are 18s this afternoon – for your pleasure.

Crystal Palace v West Ham United

Fulham v Leicester City

Manchester City v Ipswich Town

Southampton v Nottingham Forest

Tottenham Hotspur v Everton

Team news coming right up!

Share

Ange Postecoglou is facing a striker headache against Everton on Saturday after Tottenham’s club-record signing, Dominic Solanke, was ruled out with an ankle injury picked up on debut.

Solanke played the entirety of the 1-1 draw against Leicester on Monday night but is now battling to return before September’s international break. Having struggled with injuries throughout the summer, Richarlison missed the whole of pre-season and only came off the bench for one minute against Leicester. Postecoglou confirmed the Brazilian is fit to start on Saturday but would not be able to last 90 minutes, presenting the manager with the dilemma of whether to instead opt for Dejan Kulusevksi or Son Heung-min in his team’s central striking role.

“It’s not serious enough to keep him out for five weeks,” said Postecoglou of Solanke, whom Spurs signed from Bournemouth for an initial £55m this month. “He’s still a chance for the Newcastle game [on 1 September]. It’s just about how quickly he recovers.

“Every story is written differently. They’re not all fairytales where you come, make your debut and score a hat-trick. He was very good for us at Leicester and we’re disappointed because it was really exciting to see that he is going to fit in really well with what we’re doing. I’ve no doubt about that. It’s just a small hiccup. He misses a game or two. It’s game one of 50-plus games.”

Asked whether the former Bournemouth man required picking up after suffering a blow so early in his Spurs career, Postecoglou joked: “Think of the poor old manager. Forget the player, what about me? I’ve just lost my key striker a week and a half after buying him – I need an arm around me.

“No, it’s all good. We didn’t sign Dom for one match and he knows that. He’s here hopefully for a long time to have a real impact at this club and bring success to it.”

Son was frequently deployed as Spurs’ central striker last season, while Kulusevski impressed there when filling in during pre-season. Postecoglou suggested the Swede “can do a job for us there, but I don’t think it’s his best position”.

Tottenham will also be without Rodrigo Bentancur for the Everton game as the Uruguayan recovers from the concussion he suffered against Leicester. Postecoglou confirmed Yves Bissouma is available for selection after the club imposed a one-match suspension when footage surfaced appearing to show him inhaling laughing gas. But the Australian admitted that the “bridge-building continues” after that incident.

“You know what it’s like when you punish your child and they do everything right for the next two days?” said Postecoglou. “[Bissouma] is first in the meetings, he’s doing everything right but there’s always temptation down the road, so we’ll see.

“I’ve always believed in opportunity for redemption and learning. We’re still in that space at the moment with Biss. But obviously that door closes after a while if there’s repeated [indiscretions].”

REGULATORS, MOUNT UP

Lace up those whalebone corsets and sound the Football Banter klaxon. And if you happen to be surreptitiously reading this while attending an event such as a funeral where the prevailing mood is one of extreme solemnity, then we suggest you unhand your phone and return it to your pocket right now. Because in discovering that a certain top flight football club has been named England’s best-run men’s football club in Fair Game Index, Football Daily immediately came up with an extremely funny gag that we’re pretty certain won’t have been thought up or cracked by any other journalist, broadcaster, random social media disgrace user or Gooner in the hours since the announcement was made. You see, the thing is that Tottenham Hotspur … a-ha-ha … what we’re trying to say is … hoo-hoo … Tottenham Hotspur have final … tee-hee … comedy thigh-slap … what we’re saying is that … splutter-cough-splutter … Tottenham Hotspur have finally won something after not winning anything for a very, very long time.

Honestly, sometimes they write themselves and given the advances in artificial intelligence it is surely only a matter of time before all of Football Daily literally writes itself and the usual gang of human no-marks tasked with putting it together and sending it slithering apologetically into your spam folders are relieved of their squad numbers and bombed out of the first team to train with the stiffs. In the meantime, it behoves us to bring you news of this rare triumph for Spurs, voted England’s best-run football club by Fair Game, an organisation renowned for its championing of an independent regulator that most, if not all clubs in the Premier Club really don’t want.

It goes without saying that Spurs’ suits are thrilled with the latest award. “This ranking further demonstrates the huge strides that are being made off the pitch, with our world-class stadium and innovative partnerships enabling sustainable, recurring investment into our football operations to ensure we remain competitive on the pitch and challenge for major honours”, roared Daniel Levy, with no hint of a smile.

The irony? Spurs have been recognised for the very financial prudence that has contributed to the 16 long trophy-less years that . In a nutshell, of all the clubs in the top seven divisions of the pyramid who are mocked for never winning anything, Tottenham have finally been officially recognised as being the most efficient when it comes to serial failure.

And while Spurs fans might not be delighted by this news, their chief suit was. “As a club that prides itself on good governance – with a key focus on sustainability, fan engagement and delivering for our local communities – we are delighted to have been recognised as England’s best-run club by the Fair Game Index,” continued Levy, upon being told that Fair Game’s report analysed data from clubs across the top seven divisions in English football and gave them a score out of 100 based on financial sustainability, good governance, fan engagement and equality standards. A combined, not massively impressive score of 68.2 out of 100 was enough for Spurs to take the prize, a bang average C+ that speaks volumes about just how badly that independent regulator is needed.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I used to hate going to football with him. No matter if I played good or I played bad, I’d get in the car and I’d be reduced to tears. He’d say I wouldn’t have done this right, I wouldn’t have done that right. He didn’t do it because he wanted to hurt me. He did it because he cared. Sometimes it was very, very tough to get in that car, my mum would be going ‘Michael, leave him alone he’s done well’. I could have scored three goals. But he would have said, ‘no, you should have scored six’. Only when I’ve got older in my career, he actually says ‘all right, well played son’. After a couple of years at City. I think he was then like ‘you know, he actually can play football’” – Kyle Walker, one of the world’s best right backs, says the tough love he received from his father, Michael, “made me the person and player that I am”.

RECOMMENDED LISTENING

The Football Weekly pod squad return to digest the latest Chelsea chaos and preview the weekend’s Premier League fixtures, including Arsenal’s tricky trip to Villa Park.

“Does the existence of a ‘FD Head Tech Boffin’ (yesterday’s Football Daily Letters) hint at the existence of other ‘Tech Boffin’s’ at work on our favourite daily harbinger of doom and gloom? No wonder it’s such a genuinely funny read every day” – David Bell.

“Rather than having a second team, the PFA should have given us an alternate first team of players not from Arsenal or Manchester City” — JJ Zucal.

“As a fully commited slacker, I was intrigued by Enzo Maresca’s comments about working with his favourite 21 squad players and seemingly not caring a jot for those on long contracts that are not in his immediate plans or line of sight. Todd Boehly might be the butt of jokes in your email but all I can say is where can I find a line manager like that?” – Colin Reed.

“Regarding your Dean Lewington comment, may I be the first of 1,057 pedants to point out that between 2013 and 2024, quite a lot of Franchise FC players have been double the age of the team they are playing for” – Phil Jones (and no others).

Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … Colin Reed. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.

BREAKOUT BIT

No sooner had Chelsea published a tweet reminding their supporters how much Conor Gallagher loved the club that had just turfed him out, than he was at Atlético’s Metropolitano enjoying a welcome to remind him just how well out of Stamford Bridge he is. Dressed up like a deckchair in his new team’s shirt, he was led into a darkened ground by a pair of Harley Davidson motorcycles, before a man in syoot and pumps announced him to the crowd and he addressed them in Spanish, equal parts mystified and delighted by the novel experience of not being mistreated by his employer.

NEWS, BITS AND BOBS

Jermaine Jenas, the host of Match of the Day 2 and the One Show, has been sacked by the BBC.

John Textor is considering two offers and has serious interest from four other investors for his 45% stake in Crystal Palace as he attempts to accelerate his efforts to buy Everton.

Enzo Maresca having a clearout isn’t everyone’s idea of news, but here we are: Raheem Sterling want a permanent move after being told he’s surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

Remember the excitement about Liverpool’s Bobby Clark, son of Newcastle and Sunderland’s Lee? Well they’ve just sold him to Pep Lijnders’ RB Salzburg for £10m.

Sander Berge has joined Fulham from Burnley for £25m but Everton are unlikely to sign anyone else. “The club seem steadfast with the business we have done,” growled Sean Dyche. England ‘left-back’ Kieran Trippier has been linked, as a player looking for first-team football beyond Newcastle.

STILL WANT MORE?

“Football is medication. For an hour and a half you forget you’ve got cancer.” Comedian Matt Forde gets his chat on with Dominic Booth.

Is the Bundesliga now more competitive than the Premier League? Well they had a new champion last season and Leverkusen are, says Andy Brassell, the team to beat – despite Bayern’s summer transfer splurge.

It’s Ed Aarons on Brighton and the importance of respecting your elders. Sort of.

The NWSL has abolished its draft system in order to attract the best players. Jessica Berman, the league’s commissioner, explains how it’s going to work in a wide-ranging and exclusive interview with Talia Barrington.

MEMORY LANE

There’ve not been many funner, more charismatic or personable footballers than Denis Law – not usually a concern of the nation’s favourite football email. But here he is around the old Joanna in 1960 with Gordon Low, a pal, and Mrs Ethel Sobey, his landlady, accompanied by Mr Bill Sobey and cigarette.

Tottenham have been named England’s best-run football club by a group championing better governance and sustainability within the game.

An analysis of the state of men’s football across England by Fair Game, which works with 34 EFL and non-league clubs, showed five Premier League teams to be among the top 10 best run in the country. Fair Game’s report analysed data from clubs across the top seven divisions in English football and gave them a score out of 100 based on financial sustainability, good governance, fan engagement and equality standards.

Spurs were ranked first in the Fair Game Index with a combined score of 68.2 out of 100, their position driven by a particularly high score in equality. Manchester United came second with a score of 65.4, their rank boosted by their scores in financial stability and good governance. Brentford, Fulham and Liverpool are the other Premier League teams to feature in the top 10.

“As a club that prides itself on good governance – with a key focus on sustainability, fan engagement and delivering for our local communities – we are delighted to have been recognised as England’s best-run club by the Fair Game Index,” said the Tottenham chair, Daniel Levy. “This ranking further demonstrates the huge strides that are being made off the pitch, with our world-class stadium and innovative partnerships enabling sustainable, recurring investment into our football operations to ensure we remain competitive on the pitch and challenge for major honours.

“We welcome Fair Game’s work in highlighting the important role we can all play in operating sustainably to ensure our clubs remain at the heart of our local communities and for fans to enjoy for many generations to come.”

Fair Game have strongly advocated for the introduction of an independent football regulator and aim to develop practical solutions to improve governance in football. “To deliver real and meaningful change we need to understand the problems,” said the Fair Game chief executive, Niall Couper. “We’ve designed the Fair Game Index to do exactly that and help reshape the game we love. It is the most comprehensive analysis yet of what it means to be a well-run club, and we’re calling on the authorities, the Football Regulator and football’s governing bodies to work with us.

“This year, several overall themes have emerged: financial sustainability goes hand in hand with good governance and fan engagement; football’s financial flow is undermining sustainability; and equality and ethical standards are on average treated as lip service. In short, football in England needs a truly independent regulator that can oversee good governance, reshape football’s financial flow, and ensure issues around equality and ethics get the support and respect they deserve.”

Fair Game’s report ranked Cambridge United as the best run club in the English Football League, third across England, with fellow League One side Exeter City also in the top 10. Norwich City and Swansea were the only Championship teams included in the list, while AFC Wimbledon were the only League Two side to make the cut.

James Maddison says he holds no grudge against Gareth Southgate for omitting him from England’s Euro 2024 squad. The Tottenham midfielder said he has used the disappointment from missing out as fuel to ensure he is back to his best this season. “I struggled to find the consistency second half of last season post injury,” he said.

“It’s always about how you deal with setbacks. I was devastated to miss out on the Euros but my network around me, my dad especially, he would never let me dwell on that and let it define me. I’m hungry this season to do well, to use it as motivation, to remind me that I can be at that level.”

The 27-year-old, who started in Tottenham’s opening 1-1 draw at his former club Leicester on Monday, told Sky Sports he had to accept Southgate’s decision. He said: “You have no choice. You can’t change it once it’s happened. I was disappointed. Gareth’s a great man though. He explained his reasons. It was never personal, we have a great relationship.

“I messaged him not long ago to congratulate him on his England managerial career and wished him well. There’s no hatred towards that. I knew it was a business decision, which he thought was best for the team, no doubt about that.

“I didn’t agree with him. I felt I could have brought something to the squad, but that’s all in the past now and my focus is to just have a good season.”

Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast and Stitcher, and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and email.

On the podcast today; Spurs have possibly the best 45 minutes of any side in the opening weekend of the Premier League and yet, in true Tottenham style, contrived to draw 1-1 thanks in no small part to the unfit, energy drink-swigging veteran Jamie Vardy.

Elsewhere, some surprising results to start the Serie A season, it’s too early to draw any proper conclusions but might Juventus be fun to watch, while Antonio Conte has gone full Antonio Conte already.

Plus: a Bundesliga preview, Barry’s boulangerie opens once again and José Mourinho complains about the footballing dark arts (no, really).

Support the Guardian here.

Ange Postecoglou warned Tottenham must discover a clinical edge in front of goal if his side are to bridge the gap to the best teams in the Premier League this season. Spurs had to settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw at Leicester despite dominating the game, with the 37-year-old Jamie Vardy equalising with the hosts’ first shot on target and only their second of the match.

Dominic Solanke, who made his Spurs debut following a £65m move from Bournemouth, was among those who squandered chances to double Tottenham’s lead after Pedro Porro opened the scoring with a header. “It was an issue we had last year as well, we need to keep working hard and be a bit more ruthless in front of goal,” Postecoglou said.

“At times we made poor decisions. When we are that dominant we should be out of sight. We do everything to score goals and we didn’t score. The dominance is great but if you don’t score it is meaningless.

“We have to be stronger in our mindset in the front third. To be that wasteful is disappointing. We just weren’t clinical. To get results you need to be a lot more ruthless in the final third. If we don’t, we won’t get the rewards our football should get. If we are going to get to the next level, it is an area we have to improve. We want to bridge the gap to the top teams. The performance of the players in general was very good but we need to turn good performances into outcomes.”

The Tottenham manager said he was encouraged by the fact that Rodrigo Bentancur was conscious and able to communicate after being carried off on a stretcher on 78 minutes. The Uruguay midfielder clashed heads with Abdul Fatawu and then landed heavily at a Tottenham corner. “I don’t have a lot of information but I do know he is fine to communicate,” Postecoglou said.

Vardy signed a new 12-month contract in the summer to extend his stay at Leicester into a 13th season. “I see it as just a number,” Vardy said. “As long as I keep looking after myself and my legs keep feeling great, then I will carry on for as long as is physically possible. I was as fit as a fiddle until I got to about 65 minutes … I have probably adapted [my game] a bit by dropping in but I think the main thing is I am looking after myself recovery-wise to the maximum.”

After Jamie Vardy stunned Tottenham by scoring an unlikely equaliser approaching the hour, he saluted the Leicester supporters, puffed out his chest and blew kisses to the crowd. But his animated exchange with the Spurs fans in a pocket of the stadium upon leaving the field with 11 minutes of normal time to play upstaged his celebration.

As Vardy was roundly jeered he pointed to the Premier League badge on the forearm of his blue Leicester shirt. Guglielmo Vicario went berserk as he forced a late corner after Lucas Bergvall cheaply surrendered possession. Ange Postecoglou, hands in pockets, must have wondered how things unravelled for his side after Pedro Porro’s opener and his mind will also have been occupied with Rodrigo Bentancur, who was carried off on a stretcher after five minutes of on-field treatment. For Steve Cooper, this was a deeply heartening first competitive match in charge of Leicester.

When Spurs took the lead in the 29th minute the only surprise was the goalscorer, with the right-back Porro wheeling away after glancing in James Maddison’s delightful cross. Maddison, facing his former club for the first time since his £40m move to Spurs last summer, started the move on halfway, pushing a pass into Son Heung-min with the outside of his boot. Maddison continued his run forward and waited for the return from Son. From there, with a single swish of the right foot, Maddison put in a wicked cross and an alert Porro rippled the net.

At that point Leicester had to be grateful they were not further behind; Spurs had more than 70% possession, had made twice as many passes and the shot count was seven to nil. Wilfred Ndidi made an acrobatic goalline clearance after Bentancur flicked on Maddison’s corner at the front post and the Spurs debutant Dominic Solanke sent a header straight at Mads Hermansen. Maddison later tried to locate Solanke after Spurs flipped the ball from front to back, via Bentancur and Pape Sarr, but the Leicester centre-back Wout Faes did enough.

Spurs went close to doubling their advantage four minutes after scoring. Maddison flighted a free-kick towards the back post where an unmarked Brennan Johnson volleyed narrowly wide. The £65m arrival of Solanke, who scored 19 league goals for Bournemouth last season and wore the same number on his shirt, allowed Son to occupy his favoured left flank, while Postecoglou preferred Johnson to Dejan Kulusevski on the right. Another new face, Archie Gray, the 18-year-old signed from Leeds, was on the bench. Yves Bissouma was absent altogether after Spurs decided to punish him for filming himself inhaling laughing gas with a one-match suspension.

It would be pushing it to say Leicester had to feed off scraps. The on-loan Facundo Buonanotte was their brightest spark in a first half in which they were thoroughly overwhelmed and outplayed. The smile on Bobby Decordova-Reid’s face after a wayward attempt at lobbing Vicario 10 minutes before the half-time whistle said everything. Aside from Jamie Vardy racing on to an early through ball with 50 seconds on the clock, only for Porro to race across and extinguish the danger, there was little by way of excitement for the hosts.

Before kick-off there was a rousing minute’s applause for the former Leicester assistant and manager Craig Shakespeare, who died this month aged 60. Maddison and Vardy laid wreaths pitchside, the players wore black armbands. Vardy, who captained Leicester, was a surprise inclusion given Cooper had suggested the 37-year-old would be unavailable. Buonanotte nutmegged Sarr on halfway and clipped a neat pass towards Decordova-Reid after twirling clear at a throw-in, but these were footnotes. Spurs bossed the game.

Or at least they did until the 57th minute when something unforeseen happened: Leicester mustered their first shot on target and only their second of the match, the other being Decordova-Reid’s Hollywood attempt. Victor Kristiansen, who spent last season on loan at Bologna, sent a cross zooming across the box and Abdul Fatawu collected the ball on the opposite flank. Fatawu spied Vardy, lurking behind Cristian Romero, and the striker nodded in unmarked. To the amazement of just about everyone inside the ground, Leicester were level.

A couple of minutes earlier Solanke stung the palms of Hermansen. Spurs had been enjoying themselves, Maddison toying with his former team, but suddenly they were susceptible. Maddison felled Buonanotte and Bentancur was booked when crudely halting a Leicester counteract after Maddison was guilty of overplaying on the edge of the Leicester box. Ndidi flashed a shot against the side netting. Buonanotte threaded Vardy through one on one with Vicario in the 70th minute but he could not beat the Spurs goalkeeper. Vardy booted thin air in frustration. Leicester probably should have taken the lead.

Spurs were readying a triple change before Bentancur went down in the box. Both sets of players looked distressed but after five minutes of treatment the Uruguay midfielder departed the pitch on a stretcher. Gray and Bergvall entered for their debuts, while Kulusevski replaced Maddison, who applauded all four sides of the stadium. It was mainly cheers as opposed to jeers. It is fair say to Vardy will not get the same reception at Tottenham in January.

Key events

Show key events only

Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature

Pre-season reading. Come get it before reality starts depleting your reserves of optimism.

Share

Ange Postecoglou’s turn for a chat with Sky. “It’s a little bit less chaotic than last year … Harry Kane left about 24 hours before the first game … so it’s fair to say we’re a little bit more settled … having said that we got off to a great start so maybe that doesn’t mean anything … whatever Spurs’ ambitions are are my ambitions … I’m certainly not here just to take part … it’s a big club … we know we haven’t had success for a long time … there’s only one way to change that … I’m really happy to get Dominic Solanke in … we were always a little bit short every week … it’s going to make an enormous difference … he’s a perfect fit for us … works hard … linking up … always in the box.”

Share

Steve Cooper talks to Sky Sports. “Jamie Vardy came to see me a couple of days ago … he feels good and was uncomfortable we didn’t have a fully fit striker … he made himself available … you have to trust his judgement … that’s what we’ve done … the lads did brilliantly last season … to win the Championship a lot of good things have to happen … so inside the training ground it’s been really positive … a really good spirit … it’s a massive step up to the Premier League … one thing that we can do is give everything and play well … show an identity … keep the good thing going … also tailor it to what’s coming … some things might have to look a little bit different … it’s about putting a plan together.”

Share

Jamie Vardy starts for Leicester City. Bobby Decordova-Reid and Facundo Buonanotte make their debuts. It’s too early for a sighting of former Spurs man Oliver Skipp.

Tottenham also have a debutant in their starting XI: £65m striker Dominic Solanke. Exciting new midfielders Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall are on the bench. James Maddison returns to his old club for the first time since leaving for Spurs last year.

Share

Updated at 20.20 CEST

The teams

Leicester City: Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen, Ndidi, Winks, Fatawu, Buonanotte, De Cordova-Reid, Vardy.

Subs: Ward, Okoli, Mavididi, Choudhury, Ricardo Pereira, Soumare, Nelson, Cannon, McAteer.

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison, Johnson, Solanke, Son.

Subs: Austin, Dragusin, Richarlison, Gray, Bergvall, Werner, Kulusevski, Spence, Davies.

Referee: Christopher Kavanagh (Lancashire).

Share

Updated at 20.14 CEST

Preamble / Harbinger

The very first time these two clubs met in this fixture, in the FA Cup in 1914, the game ended 5-5. Since then, Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur have met another 119 times, and there’s only been one goalless draw, at White Hart Lane in 1948. The last time the teams met, at the King Power in 2023, Leicester won 4-1, payback for the 6-2 thrashing Spurs gave them a few months earlier at their place. And in 34 Premier League meetings, these clubs have shared 128 goals at an average of 3.76 per game, the highest rate in the competition’s history. So tonight’s match comes with as close to a guarantee of goals as you’re ever going to get. Don’t disappoint us by cocking a snook to history, now, chaps. Kick-off is at 8pm BST. It’s on!

PARISH NOTICE: In the event of the first-ever 0-0 in this fixture, apologies for jinxing it will be made just after 10pm.

Share