Spurs Odyssey

PREMIER LEAGUE

SUNDAY 19TH OCTOBER, 2025

(2pm)

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(1) ASTON VILLA 2(1)

Spurs scorer:-

Bentancur, 5

Villa scorers:-

Rogers, 37

Buendia, 77

Attendance:- 61,291

Referee:- Simon Hooper

Assistants:- Adrian Holmes, Simon Long

Fourth official:- Anthony Taylor

VAR:- Paul Tierney

Assistant VAR:- Lee Betts

Teams:-

Spurs (4-2-3-1):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro, 4. Danso, 37. Van de Ven (Capt.), 24. Spence (sub 22. Johnson, 86); 6. Palhinha, 30. Bentancur (sub 29. Sarr, 86); 20. Kudus , 7. Xavi Simons (sub 15. Bergvall, 79), 28. Odobert (sub 39. Kolo Muani, 79); 11. Tel (sub 9. Richarlison, 60)

Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky; 67. Byfield; 14. Gray

Booked:- Van de Ven (foul on Rogers), Danso (foul on Digne)

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1):- 23. Martinez; 2. Cash, 4. Konsa, 14. Pau Torres, 12. Digne (sub 22. Maatsen, 82); 24. Onana (sub 6. Barkley, 82); 29. Guessand (sub 10. Buendia, 61), 27. Rogers, 7. McGinn (Capt.); 17. Malen (sub 11. Watkins, 61)

Subs not used:- 40. Bizot; 3. Lindelof, 26. Bogarde; 9. Elliott, 19. Sancho

No bookings

Frank and Spurs setting new worrying trends

Before the international break, Spurs finally ended the depressing run of losing their games preceding such occasions when beating Leeds at Elland Road. Perhaps they are now starting a new run of defeats after the international break.

Maybe that Leeds result influenced Frank in his original team selection, as it featured just one change (Spence for Udogie). Sadly "Cuti" Romero was injured in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Kevin Danso. He did a pretty good job of covering, but his persistent long throw tactic became more and more wearing throughout the game. They brought no reward and the time taken in preparation (use of a towel in the pouring rain) led to Spurs wasting their own time.

Thomas Frank has now faced Unai Emery's Villa side six times (five of those were as Brentford coach) and failed to win. Villa have now won five of their last seven Premier League games against Spurs and nine of their last eleven games after the international break.

Perhaps the most worrying statistic for Spurs home fans is our home record in recent Premier League games. We won our first against Burnley this season, then lost at home to Bournemouth (a match also refereed by today's official Simon Hooper), before being thankful for Palhinha's late equaliser against Wolves.

Since beating Villa 4-1 here last November, Spurs have won just three of eighteen home league games since. No wonder Spurs were booed off the pitch. Our next visitors will be Chelsea in two weeks' time. We all know the difficulty of beating that opposition.

It had all started so well today. After the pre-match ritual of "Can't Smile" and the trumpet-led "Oh when the Spurs," centre-forward Matthys Tel won a corner through high pressing and determination. Following that corner, Kudus crossed deep from the left, Palhinha headed the ball back into the middle from beyond the far post, and Bentancur finished off with a powerful right-footed strike that was deflected past Martinez.

Thereafter, there was little goalmouth action of note. Spurs were being marked tightly in the middle. Kudus excited with his runs, but was more often than not double marked, as Digne struggled on his own. Spurs favoured attacking down the flanks and Odobert got one or two decent crosses into the middle.

Villa seemed to have more control on the ball, and too often too much space. Their equaliser came out of the blue, but Spurs had been threatened more often than they worried Martinez.

Spurs desperately miss their creative players. Xavi did not see enough of the ball. We missed Bergvall, whose flowing running play can be so influential. When he did get on in, late in the second half, it came after about ten minutes of hesitation and late briefing on the touchline. Football is too technical sometimes. I remember when Harry Redknapp told Pavlyuchenko to "...run about a bit!"

It looked as if Kudus had given us an early 2-0 lead after he challenged and won the ball before beating Martinez, but he had been flagged offside.

Inevitably, Matty Cash was booed with every touch and jeered when anything went wrong for him.

Odobert tried to reach a curving cross by Pedro Porro, but the ball went out of play for a goal kick. Spence won a corner in a battle with Digne, but Martinez claimed Kudus's ball with ease.

Micky van de Ven was shown one of two yellow cards for his foul on England international Morgan Rogers. Danso showed he has the pace and defensive ability of his partner at the back when Villa broke out. Odobert received a good ball from Pedro Porro, but his cross/shot was not held by Martinez but cleared with Tel threatening. Vicario parried a Villa cross in similar fashion and Spurs cleared.

However, Spurs conceded an equaliser when Guessand passed inside from the right. Xavi was on Rogers, but after getting a rebound the Villa player beat Vicario with a dipping shot from 25 yards. Spurs had been trying to play out, and I feel perhaps Vicario had been expecting Spurs to clear, and perhaps lost concentration.

My neighbour in the stadium suggested that there had been widespread newspaper publicity suggesting that Spurs would be looking for a new keeper in January. I see a lot of newspaper reports plus other sources and have heard nothing of the sort.

The closest we came to scoring before the break was after a free kick on the right and a ball to Odobert, who crossed into the area where Van de Ven headed over.

Spurs kicked off the second half, playing towards the south wall. Danso made a great tackle on Digne in the box and Digne went down screaming, receiving lengthy treatment before moaning when the referee insisted he went off behind the goal-line and was made to walk all the way around the pitch. He was able to run back his position.

Pedro Porro threaded a good ball inside Digne for Kudus to race forward and cross, after which Palhinha's shot from the edge of the box was tipped wide by Martinez. After a short corner and a cross, Bentancur's downward header was saved, but ultimately Spurs were flagged offside.

Donyell Malen, who scored both Villa's goals in their win over Burnley two weeks ago, hit the side netting with a left footed shot after taking McGinn's pass. Palhinha hit a poor shot wide after taking a pass from Xavi. Spurs had been threatening a little but lacked the end product. Richarlison replaced Tel but fared no better.

Danso was shown the only other yellow card of the day after a foul on Digne. Spurs fell behind to another sucker punch goal, which was only Villa's second shot on target. Villa had had a corner on the right, taken by Digne who was still on that side when the ball came back to him in too much space. He passed inside to substitute Buendia, who hit a low shot through the area beating Vicario to his right. Buendia - once of Norwich - missed the entire 23/24 season with an ACL injury and has scored in three of his last four games.

Pedro Porro threaded a good ball down the right channel for Bergvall, who got to the bye-line before crossing. This led to excitement in the box, but Bergvall had been offside.

There were seven minutes of added time. Spurs' best chances came after another good ball by Pedro Porro and a cross by Kudus. Palhinha fed Kolo Muani, but he missed his kick. Another chance fell to another substitute Johnson after Kudus crossed again, but Brennan's shot was high and wide.

This game had been the "hors d'oeuvre" to Liverpool's home game against Manchester United. Nobody expected a United win and Liverpool have now lost four consecutive games for the first time in eleven years and are only one point ahead of us. What is depressing is that the team from the other end of Seven Sisters Road are three points clear at the top.

Next up for Spurs is a midweek Champions League trip to Monaco.

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. All the Spurs Stats you could hope for here!

U.E.F.A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

MATCHDAY 2

TUESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2025

(8PM - BST)

BODO/GLIMT 2(0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(0)

Bodo/Glimt scorer:-

Hauge 53, 66

Spurs scorer(s):-

Van de Ven, 68

Gundersen (o.g.), 89

Attendance:- 7,988

Referee:- Ivan Kruzliak SVK

Assistants:- Branislav Hancko & Jan Pozor SVK

Fourth official:- Peter Kralovic SVK

VAR:- Bram Van Driessche BEL

Assistant VAR: Bert Put BEL

Teams:-

Bodo/Glimt (4-3-3):- 12. Haikin; 20. Sjovold, 4. Bjortuft, 5. Aleesami (sub 22. Klynge, 90+7, 15. Bjorkan; 26. Evjen (sub 6. Gundersen, 87), 7. Berg (Capt.), 19. Brunstad Fet; 8. Auklend (sub 11. Blomberg, 80), 9. Hogh (sub 21. Helmersen, 80), 10. Hauge

Subs not used:- 1. Fave Lund, 45. Sjong; 2. Nielsen, 25. Maatta; 23. Riisnaes; 30. Jorgensen, 77. Hansen

Booked:- Berg (foul on Pedro Porro), Auklend (foul on Spence)

Spurs (4-3-3):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro, 4. Danso, 37. Van de Ven (Capt.), 24. Spence (sub 13. Udogie, 82); 15. Bergvall (sub 20. Kudus, 60), 30. Bentancur (sub 14. Gray, 82), 29. Sarr (sub 6. Palhinha, 69); 22. Johnson (sub 7. Simons, 60), 9. Richarlison, 28. Odobert

Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky, 40. Austin; 33. Davies, 66. Hardy; 52. Olusesi; 44. Scarlett

Booked:- Van de Ven (foul on Auklend), Pedro Porro (dissent after foul)

Spurs on the rack, but make another comeback

Thanks to Eugene Gasper for this picture

For the third time in four games, Spurs came back to clutch draw from the jaws of defeat. Until last night, Spurs had been the only team to stop the home team from scoring in 17 games in their Aspmyra stadium in this calendar year, but not this time.

Jens Hauge scored two cracking goals to give Bodo/Glimt a seemingly unassailable lead, but Spurs made a fighting comeback to grab a vital (and respectable) Champions League point.

Most fans would have been exhilarated by an entertaining game in which Bodo/Glimt's ace striker Kasper Hogh failed from the penalty spot in his team's second Champions League game. He had also missed in Prague two weeks ago in another 2-2 draw.

VAR denied Spurs an early second half goal, which would have been an equaliser to Hauge's first goal, and both sides hit the woodwork. Spurs had to endure an agonisingly long VAR review before their 89th minute leveller was finally confirmed.

This was Bodo/Glimt's very first Champions League (group/league phase) game in their own stadium, so history was made with their first such goals at home and most of the near 8,000 fans will consider themselves royally entertained in the Arctic north.

Thomas Frank had chosen not to train on the artificial surface, and also not to take club captain Cristian Romero, who was one of those who did play in our 2-0 second leg Europa League semi-final here in May. The head coach also chose to start with Johnson and Odobert rather than Kudus and Simons, both of whom were influential when they did join the second half action. Micky van de Ven captained Spurs for the first time.

No doubt the surface had something to do with Spurs' lack-lustre performance over the first hour, but they also lacked the energy and movement of the home side, struggling to string two or three passes together. Richarlison made his 100th Spurs appearance but had few touches. The absences through injury of Solanke and Kolo-Muani meant a lack of options for Frank, who left Tel out of the Champions League squad completely.

Thanks to Eugene Gasper for this picture

Thanks to Stuart Gibson for this picture

A fireworks display preceded the game and the home side kicked off. Spurs were playing away from their hardy band of loyal supporters. Richarlison was fouled early on, but Pedro Porro's free kick was too deep. Even Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak slipped over on the strange surface!

Bodo/Glimt responded well after a free kick and their captain Patrick Berg (a third generation member of his family to play here) forced Vicario to push over his 25-yard shot for a corner.

Bergvall made a good run after winning the ball at the halfway line, hitting a good cross into the 6-yard zone where Richarlison just could not get his feet right to shoot effectively. It was a golden chance to score.

Spurs were now on the back foot for too much of the game. Evjen flicked on a ball that had been crossed from the right, but Hogh's shot was blocked. Spurs were failing with their midfield passes and Evjen had a shot blocked. Kevin Danso blocked another Hogh effort. Vicario held Bjortuft's header following a corner.

Odobert won a corner on the left which was taken by Pedro Porro. Brennan Johnson skied his shot when the ball fell to his feet. Bergvall put pressure on the goalkeeper after another Pedro Porro cross, but the ball was cleared.

After 32 minutes Rodrigo Bentancur was over-eager when tackling Bjorkan just inside the right edge of our penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot. Rodri protested his innocence, supported by his captain, but VAR confirmed the decision. Hogh took his time over the spot-kick, perhaps put off by Vicario's antics, and skied his kick. That was a lucky escape for Spurs.

Hauge had one shot blocked after a Berg cross and hit another shot into the side netting soon afterwards. Fet skied another effort after another Berg cross. Pape Sarr's long distance effort just before the break did not trouble goalkeeper Haikin. Spurs had done well to go in with a 0-0 scoreline.

That didn't last long after we kicked off the second half. Hauge beat Vicario with a super right-footed shot from the left of the area. He took Evjen's pass and cut back inside before hitting his shot beyond the goalkeeper's left hand.

Spurs thought they had made an immediate response when Pedro Porro's cross hit the back post and went out to Johnson who returned the ball into the danger zone. Bentancur flicked in, but VAR called the referee to the monitor, and the "goal" was disallowed because of Van de Ven tugging on a defender's shirt before Bentancur's flick. In his frustration, Van de Ven was soon booked for a foul on Auklend in the Spurs half.

Spurs were put under more pressure and a shot by Auklend was blocked by his own player. It was time for Frank to insert both Simons and Kudus. Simons was soon fouled, but Pedro Porro's free kick was cleared.

Kudus won a corner on the right, which came to nought. Bodo/Glimt got forward and Spurs lost the ball on their left side. There had been errors by Simons, Vicario, and Spence in this play. Evjen got the assist again before Hauge scored, this time with a strong left-footed shot.

Spurs quickly reduced the deficit when Van de Ven headed in from an excellent cross by Pedro Porro. Fet shot wide on the stretch after Hauge's pass.

Spurs fans were getting behind the team as they pressed for an equaliser. Udogie and Gray added energy to our efforts. Udogie crossed from the right and Odobert's header hit the bar. Helmersen, who had replaced Hogh, hit the top of the bar with a shot after Hauge crossed from the left.

Finally, Spurs did get an equaliser, although VAR took an age to ratify the goal. Archie Gray got deep into the box on the right and crossed. The goalkeeper parried the ball, and it looked as if "Richie" had scored with an involuntary touch, but it turned out to be an own goal. VAR's considerations were to ascertain whether or not Richarlison had been offside. We were able to celebrate twice.

Seven minutes of added time had been indicated and that turned into about ten. Blomberg had a shot go wide, but Spurs were the ones pressing for a winner, which, in the scheme of things, would hardly have been deserved.

Despite their early deficiencies, most pundits gave Spurs credit for another comeback and the character shown in making such an achievement. Even Liverpool lost away (to Galatasaray), so Spurs are ahead of them in the early league standings.

. Champions League standings

Follow @spursodyssey

. Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers

. Read the preview for this game.

. All the Spurs Stats you could hope for here!

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. All the Spurs Stats you could hope for here!

Spurs' record in Europe:- U.E.F.A Champions League P W D L F - A 54 23 12 19 91 - 75 (Finalists 2019) European Super Cup Finalists 2025 European Cup P W D L F - A 8 4 1 3 21 - 13 (Semi-Finalists 1962) European Cup Winners Cup P W D L F - A 33 20 5 8 65 - 34 (Winners 1963) UEFA Cup/Europa League P W D L F - A 168 98 40 30 343-147 (Winners 1972, 1984, 2025 Finalists 1974) Europa Conference League P W D L F - A 7 3 1 3 14 - 9 + Forfeited one game due to Covid - 09/12/21) Total P W D L F - A 270 148 59 63 532-278 . Champions League standings

Off to The Arctic again!

Thanks to Eugene Gasper for this picture

Less than five months after our first visit to Bodo/Glimt's Aspmyra Stadion, Spurs are off to the Arctic to play this Norwegian side for the third time this year, having never met them previously. They were our semi-final opponents on our winning path to the Europa League Final.

When we met Bodo/Glimt in May, they had already qualified for this season's Champions League play-off round by virtue of being their domestic league's 2024 champions. The Norwegian "Eliteserien" is completed between March and November in the same calendar year, so our opponents are still competing in the same league season as they were in May. They are currently one point behind table leaders Viking with a game in hand and 8 games to play, so they are well placed to compete for Champions League football again next season.

In May, Bodo/Glimt did not have a domestic game between our two meetings, and they haven't played since 21st September, and will be fresh to meet Spurs.

Last year the Norwegians lost to Crvena Zvedza (Red Star Belgrade) in the Champions League play-off. This year they beat Austrian side Sturm Graz 6-2 on aggregate, having won 5-0 on their artificial pitch at home.

Thus Bodo/Glimt are making their debut in the group/league phase of the Champions League. They became the northernmost team to play in the competition.

Readers may find the following items of interest:-

Bodo/Glimt drew their first league phase game 2-2 away to Slavia Prague (who we will host in December) with goals scored by midfielder Daniel Bassi and forward Sondre Fet. Their top league scorer is Danish striker Kasper Hogh, who has 16 league goals to his name, but hasn't scored since August in those games against Sturm Graz.

Since our win in May Bodo/Glimt have lost two of ten home games played, both to domestic opponents. Their last home defeat was in June.

In a poll on the Champions League site 76% of voters say Spurs will win. Despite the potential trickiness of the artificial surface, I see no reason to argue and will go for a 2-0 win. Dominic Solanke scored at home and away in our Europa League semi-final, but is not likely to be ready, or indeed to be risked in this game. There are plenty in our squad who did play in the away game in May, and will therefore be equipped to play on the surface. The game kicks off at 8pm (BST) and will be televised here by TNT/DISCOVERY.

Match referee Ivan Kruzliak and his on-field officials are from Slovakia. Mr Kruzliak is refereeing Spurs for the third time. In October 2014, Mr Kruzliak sent off Hugo Lloris late in our home game against Asteras Tripolis and Harry Kane, who had already scored his first Spurs hat-trick, stepped up to wear the goalkeeper's shirt. We won that Europa League game 5-1.

In November 2018, the same referee was in charge of a 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven. Kane scored both our goals in that game too. We were of course on our way to the 2019 Champions League final.

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NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 525

Submitted by Norman Giller

Wednesday's Carabao Cup assignment with Doncaster Rovers reminds me of something dear Bill Nicholson said to me years ago: "Winning one trophy is the spark that can ignite another. Get one cup in the cabinet, and suddenly the squad believes."

Thomas Frank should take these words on board as he prepares for the visit from a Doncaster side that, on paper, has no chance. But on the pitch we all know it could be another story that does not bear contemplating.

This is why Thomas Frank should take this competition and Wednesday's match seriously. We want our Spurs squad to be hungry for trophies. Last season's Europa Cup triumph has whetted Tottenham appetites, and EVERY COMPETITION MATTERS.

No more Ange-style eggs-all-in-one-basket approach, even though it finally proved successful for him at the cost of failure in other trophy hunts. And, let's be honest, this one-eyed approach cost him his job.

Of course, balance is key. Frank will want to rotate, to give minutes to the eager understudies and perhaps a glimpse of the academy's next hopefuls. Doncaster will treat the game as a cup final; they will fly into tackles and chase lost causes. Tottenham cannot afford to be half-hearted. Victory must be the unashamed aim.

Let's not prevaricate: This is the classic banana skin. A League Two side with nothing to lose, a big travelling contingent determined to make a racket, and Spurs expected to swat them aside. These are the evenings when complacency lurks like a thief in the shadows.

The Carabao Cup - or League Cup, for those of us of a certain vintage - is not always taken seriously by Premier League managers. Fixture congestion, fitness concerns, rotation policies: all get cited as reasons to field half-strength sides. But we have a good history with the League Cup and must decide to go all out to win it again.

Saturday's 2-2 draw at the Amex - recorded HERE by my Spurs Odyssey team-mate Declan Mulcahy - showed us that this Thomas Frank squad has character, but it also underlined areas where reinforcements are needed. Spurs must defend more securely, must eradicate the sloppy concessions. A clean sheet along with a victory against Doncaster would be worth more than the scoreline alone; it would restore belief in the basics.

Beyond tactics and line-ups, there is also the message Frank sends to his players. If he dismisses the League Cup as a distraction, the hunger diminishes. If he embraces it, insists that every game is an opportunity to build momentum, then Spurs can ride that wave into sterner challenges. We supporters, with the taste of the Europa trophy still on our lips, will settle for nothing less.

With the Champions League to lift us to the heavens this season, we MUST be on our toes in all our matches. Complacency must have no place in the Thomas Frank vocabulary.

So Wednesday evening at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is not just a routine fixture against lower-league opposition. It is a chance to reaffirm ambition, to remind everybody that Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is about competing, about winning, about chasing glory rather than making excuses.

Since Daniel Levy's surprise retreat from the trenches, the moaners and the groaners have no obvious target for their hatred. That means they are looking around for their next victim. I would hate that to become Thomas or any of his players. Tottenham need the killer instinct.

I think back to Tottenham's great sides under Bill Nick, and while they were all easy on the eye they also had a will to win that was drummed into them by their quietly ambitious manager.

We all know that Doncaster will arrive with dreams of a giant-killing, to give a black eye to we Southern softies. Spurs must go into the game with a statement: no more slip-ups, no more softness, no more shrugging shoulders. Saturday's fightback at Brighton showed resilience. Now, against Doncaster, Spurs must show ruthlessness.

The League Cup might not shimmer like the Premier League or Champions League, but for Tottenham it could be another step back to the glory-glory days. Remember those wise words of Bill Nick: Winning one trophy is the spark that can ignite another.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters will still be feeling the mixed emotions from Saturday's breathless 2-2 draw down at Brighton. It was the sort of contest that tests the blood pressure, threatens the fingernails, and leaves you muttering "same old Spurs" one minute and "this might just be different" the next.

Two goals down inside half an hour at the Amex, Spurs were staring down the barrel. Errors, hesitations, and a certain lack of defensive authority had handed the Seagulls a platform. We've seen that movie before, too many times: Tottenham concede early, heads drop, the game drifts away. But this time, something remarkable happened.

Rather than collapse, Spurs regrouped. Richarlison bundled in a goal before the break, his finish less about grace and more about guts. And in the second half, wave after wave of pressure eventually forced Jan Paul van Hecke into steering a cross past his own goalkeeper. Suddenly it was 2-2, and - trying hard not to be biased - by the final whistle it was Tottenham that looked the team more likely to win it.

Spurs, long accused of fragility during last season's miserable League form under Ange, showed some steel. Now (as Trump haters might say) Time to dump Donny!

COYS

Still time to submit your dream Spurs team for publication in my SPURS SELECT book. Send your selection to me by email to normangiller@gmail.com, plus a maximum 50 words. Two things to remember, you must have seen the players you pick in live action, plus they need to be British or Northern Ireland born. I look forward to seeing YOUR line-up.

Here we go with the sixth week of our quiz that tests your knowledge of Tottenham players and the club's history...

Who won 23 caps for England, collected a League championship, two FA Cup and a European Cup Winners' Cup medals with Tottenham, and from which League club did he join Spurs?

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 6. Deadline: midnight this Friday. I will do my best to respond to all who take part.

The rules are the same as in the previous 11 seasons. I ask a two-pronged question with three points at stake - two for identifying the player and one for the supplementary question. In the closing weeks of the competition I break the logjam of all-knowing Spurs-history experts with a real stinker of a tie-breaking poser that is based on opinion rather than fact. This is when I lose what few friends I have.

This season's main prize will be a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2026, plus three signed books to be revealed at a later date.

Last week I asked: Who has won 12 caps for his country, played v. England at Wembley in 2023 and against which club did he score his first Premier League goal for Tottenham in a 4-1 victory?

Answer: Destiny Udogie/Newcastle United

See you back here on Monday.

COYS!

Follow @spursodyssey

Many thanks to Declan Mulcahy for this report:-

Saturday 20 September 2025, 3:00pm

Premier League

Brighton and Hove Albion (2) 2 Tottenham Hotspur (1) 2

Brighton scorers:-

Minteh, 8

Ayari, 31

Spurs scorers:-

Richarlison, 43 van Hecke, 82 (o.g.)

Brighton & Hove Albion (4-2-3-1): Fabian Hurzeler

Subs not used: 23 J Steele (gk), 21 O Boscagli, 9 S Tzimas, 14 T Watson

Booked: D Gomez (73 foul on Bergvall)

Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-3):

Subs not used: 31 A. Kinsky (gk), 4 K Danso, 29 P Sarr, 11 M Tel, 44 D Scarlett

Booked: Kudus (46 foul on Gomez), Romero (88 foul on Mitoma)

American Express Stadium, Attendance: 31,488

Referee:- Chris Kavanagh Assistants:- Dan Cook, Ian Hussin Fourth Official:- Tom Nield VAR:- Neil Davies Assistant VAR:- Robert Jones

Spurs overturn two-goal deficit to gain a well-earned point.

Thanks to Eugene Gasper for the picture.

An entertaining match at the American Express Stadium saw Brighton take a 2-0 lead after half an hour. Importantly for Spurs they reduced the deficit to one before the interval. The equalising goal came in the last ten minutes when Brighton under pressure conceded an own goal. Spurs showed character and determination in recovering from two goals behind. The last time that Spurs recovered from a 2-0 deficit in an away Premier League game to take any points was on Boxing Day in December 2022 away to Brentford when they came back to draw 2-2 (ironically against Thomas Frank). Since then there have been fifteen occasions when they were two down and lost all of these games. Two occurred under Conte, three in the post Conte interim period and ten matches under Postecoglou.

There were three changes from the Spurs team which beat Villareal on Wednesday night in the Champions league with Destiny Udogie, Joao Palhinha and Wilson Odobert replacing Djed Spence, Pape Sarr and Xavi Simons. Udogie and Odobert were making their first starts of the season. It had been expected that Randal Kolo-Muani would play a part in this game but he was absent due to a dead leg. So Dane Scarlett was among the substitutes for a Premier League game for the first time this season.

Brighton made four changes after losing lost 2-1 to Bournemouth last weekend. Maxim De Cuyper and Jack Hinshelwood were injured and replaced by Ferdi Kadioglu and Yasin Ayari. Carlos Baleba and Brajan Gruda came in for James Milner and Danny Welbeck. Hinshelwood was responsible for three goals that Brighton scored against Spurs during the last two seasons and so was a significant absentee.

Spurs applied some early pressure. They won an early corner. As the corner was being taken Bergvall cheekily left the pitch at the right post and ran behind the Brighton goal returning on the left side to try and gain an advantage. Referee Chris Kavanagh immediately stopped the game and warned him not do it again.

Udogie then got into the Brighton box but his effort came to nothing.

Against the run of play Brighton scored from a turn-over. Rutter in his own half passed the ball to Minteh who was just across the half-way line level with Romero. He broke down the right wing pursued by Romero. He ran into the box, rounded Vicario and scored into the empty net. It was a fine individual goal. Semi-automated VAR indicated that he was just on-side by millimetres, truly a goal of fine margins.

Bergvall was very prominent for Spurs making himself available in various positions and trying to create chances.

Both sides created opportunities during the next twenty minutes. Odobert sent a couple of crosses into the box and had a shot that went wide. Porro had a cross blocked and from his own half set up Richarlison whose shot hit the side netting.

Udogie stopped a run by Minteh. A long range shot by Ayari hit Vicario and rebounded. An effort by Gruda went over the bar.

Spurs had possession of the ball just outside their box on the right. Bergvall attempted to move the ball further up the pitch but his pass was intercepted by Ayari. He hit a powerful shot from outside the box towards the top right corner of the goal. Vicario did manage to touch the ball but couldn't keep it out. He should have done better.

With two minutes of normal time remaining before the interval Richarlison scored with a shot after some good work by Kudus. It was a timely effort as Spurs went in at the interval just a goal down - a smaller mountain to climb.

The only change for the second half saw Diego Gomez replace Carlos Baleba, the second time this season that Fabian Hurzeler has replaced him at this point. Within a minute Kudus received a yellow card for a foul on Gomez.

The early pattern of the second half saw Spurs applying pressure while Brighton withdrew most of their players to their own half to soak up the pressure.

A Spurs free kick caught Verbruggen off his line but van Hecke rescued the situation by conceding a corner. Odobert crossed the ball for Bergvall in the box but Dunk intercepted.

Ten minutes into the half Brighton were awarded a free-kick on the half way line. Dunk noticed that Vicario was quite far out of his goal. He launched a high ball towards the Spurs goal. Vicario went scurrying back and fortunately the ball landed on the top of the net. If the effort had been on target, it could have been a close-run thing.

Frank made the first change after an hour with Simons replacing Bentancur.

Soon afterward James Milner came on for Brighton. This is his 24th season in the Premier League and it was his 642th appearance. He needs twelve more appearances to overtake Gareth Barry as the player who has played in the most Premier League matches. He is 39 years old and seven years older than his manager Fabian Hurzeler. Fifteen players in the Brighton squad hadn't been born when he made his Premier League debut.

Simons was getting into the game. A ball broke to him on the edge of the box but his effort was wide. Kudus created a chance for him from the right but he shot wide of the far post when it would have been easier to score.

Brighton had a few chances. A long-range effort from Gomez was wide. A dangerous situation arose when Mitoma ran into the box but Romero dispossessed him with a great challenge. Mitoma also set up Kadioglu but his shot was off target.

Richarlison had a shot saved by Verbruggen. Kudus then crossed from the right and van Hecke under pressure from Palhinha headed the ball into his own net. Given the amount of pressure Spurs had applied in the second half it was a deserved goal.

Brighton had more possession in the final minutes but couldn't come close to a winning goal.

Spurs showed character today after going two goals down and were worthy of a share of the points. Overall Spurs were slightly the better team but Brighton threatened on a number of occasions when they counter-attacked. Bergvall was the best Spurs player covering lots of ground, making good passes and making himself available to receive the ball. Udogie on his first start of the season was prominent in both defending and attacking situations. Kudus and Romero also played well.

The last two seasons saw Brighton gain ascendancy over Spurs. Two seasons ago at the Amex Spurs were 4-0 down before coming back to 4-2. Last season Spurs were 2-0 up the interval before being totally outplayed in the second half and losing 2-3. The last game of last season saw a horrible 4-1 defeat at home for Spurs. In coming back today from 2-0 down Spurs served notice that they will no longer be easy opponents for Brighton.

The Spurs starting XI today contained no British players. Two seasons ago Spurs fielded a team with no English players on occasion but it did have a Welsh component in Johnson or Davies. This is the first occasion I'm aware of where there were no British players.

The team is still a work in progress. Notwithstanding today's two goals, the team is generally defensively solid. The attacking players need time to gel. Kudus did a have pre-season but Simons and Kolo-Muani joined since the start of the season. Kulusevski, Solanke and Maddison are yet to play a competitive game between them. Given time to integrate the different options Spurs should become a productive attacking team.

There are grounds for optimism. Spurs sit second in the table tonight but may drop a couple of positions lower depending on the outcome of Sunday's matches. Ten points from five games represents a satisfactory start to the Premier League campaign.

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. Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers

. Read the preview for this game.

. All the Spurs Stats you could hope for here!

. See the current injury list for all Premier League Teams

. All the Spurs Stats you could hope for here!

Spurs' record in Europe:- U.E.F.A Champions League P W D L F - A 53 22 12 19 90 - 75 (Finalists 2019) European Super Cup Finalists 2025 European Cup P W D L F - A 8 4 1 3 21 - 13 (Semi-Finalists 1962) European Cup Winners Cup P W D L F - A 33 20 5 8 65 - 34 (Winners 1963) UEFA Cup/Europa League P W D L F - A 168 98 40 30 343-147 (Winners 1972, 1984, 2025 Finalists 1974) Europa Conference League P W D L F - A 7 3 1 3 14 - 9 + Forfeited one game due to Covid - 09/12/21) Total P W D L F - A 269 147 59 63 531-278

A meeting of Europa League winners

This first match in the Champions League 8-game league phase (tomorrow night 8pm - AMAZON PRIME) sees the current holders of the Europa League meet the 2020-21 winners (of the Europa League) for the first time in competition. The two teams have something in common, having both beaten Manchester United in their finals. In the case of Villarreal, then managed by Unai Emery, the victory came after a 11-10 penalty shoot-out. It was Villarreal's first major European trophy, but Emery's fourth Europa League success, having won it three times with Sevilla.

Villarreal, like Spurs, lost their European Super Cup Final on penalties. Villarreal's conquerors were Chelsea. At that time, two former Spurs players played for "The Yellow Submarine" - Juan Foyth and Etienne Capoue. Foyth is now 27 and is in his seventh season with the club, having been initially loaned by Tottenham. Capoue retired at the end of the 23/24 season.

Villarreal are coached by Marcelino Garcia, aged 60 - a veteran of management in Spain - who is in his second spell at the club. The club finished fifth in last season's Primera Division to gain entry to the Champions League. They won two of their first three games, then lost 2-0 away to Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Villarreal's current squad includes two former Arsenal players - Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pepe. Having finished his contract with Arsenal this summer, Partey's signature on a one-year contract was viewed as controversial due to his ongoing court case here in England after being charged with five counts of rape and one sexual assault. He was next due to appear at The Old Bailey today (Monday 15th September). Partey started Saturday's game, but was substituted after 64 minutes. That was his first club start of the season.

Pepe was a £72 million signing for Arsenal in August 2019, but his form faded after two years and after a loan spell with Nice and one season with Turkish club Trabzonspor, he signed for Villarreal in August 2024. Pepe is a regular starter for the Spanish club.

Juan Foyth has also started all league games this season, and has made three appearances for Argentina since June, bringing his tally to 21 international caps since 2018. Eight of his last nine international appearances have been made off the bench. Foyth signed for Spurs during Mauricio Pochettino's tenure and made nine 90-minute appearances in the 2017/18 season, none of which were in the league. Juan scored one Spurs goal in an away win against Crystal Palace in November 2018.

Villarreal ended last season with six consecutive wins and added two more this season before a draw away to Celta Vigo and to Atletico on Saturday. Saturday's defeat was the first time in 9 games that they failed to score.

One anomaly of this competition is that Spurs loanee Manor Solomon is eligible to play against us, and has been named in Villarreal's squad for the competition. Solomon was unused on the bench on Saturday and has yet to make his Villarreal debut.

Another familiar member of the Villarreal squad is Ayoze Perez, formerly of Newcastle and Leicester. Perez scored 19 goals in 30 League appearances last season, but made his first appearance of the season off the bench on Saturday.

Canadian midfielder Tajon Buchanan is top scorer so far this season with three goals that were scored in one game against Girona in August.

One of Villarreal's big signings was 24-year-old forward Georges Mikautadze who shone for Georgia at Euro 2024. Mikautadze was signed from Lyon for £26.8 million and scored 18 club goals last season. He made his club debut on Saturday, but did not score. A departing player was 22-year-old Yeremy Pino, who made his Crystal Palace debut on Saturday.

It's too early for team news, but Richarlison will surely start. The team might otherwise be very similar to that which started at The London Stadium, although Thomas Frank might have a dilemma regarding the choice of two out of Bergvall, Palhinha and Bentancur playing. We will have to wait and see. Of course I hope for a winning opening match of our campaign and predict a 2-0 home win.

Referee Rade Obrenovic and his on-field officials are from Slovenia. Mr. Obrenovic has previously refereed us, in March, when we lost 1-0 away to AZ Alkmaar. We won the home leg of that tie 3-1 on our way to Europa League success. It appears that this official is not shy with his cards having issued 11 reds over the last calendar year. 7 of those cards were second yellows.

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NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 524

Submitted by Norman Giller

Who'd believe that I would be writing my first post-Daniel Levy blog with Spurs sitting within shooting distance of the top of the table and the Yellow Submarine waiting to be sunk?

Nobody saw the Levy exit coming, and despite all he achieved in building a club for the 21st century it seemed a breath of fresh air blew through N17 when news broke of his shock removal from a position of power.

I was happy to lead the applause for his services in turning Tottenham Hotspur into a footballing financial powerhouse, but the majority were clapping that the Joe Lewis offspring (majority shareholders) had forced him to give up his stranglehold on the club.

There were wild celebrations at West Ham on Saturday, and not only because of the dismantling of a shockingly inferior Hammers side. Many of the fans who had been on Levy's back were shouting with joy that their Nemesis had been shunted sideways.

I am reminded of that ages-old saying: careful what you wish for. The oil-rich Arabs are gathering in the background for a takeover. Then what are the committed 'Yid Army' fans going to chant?

Our Spurs Odyssey guru Paul H. Smith gives his account of the walloping of West Ham HERE, and quite rightly spotlights the man-of-the-match brilliance of Lucas Bergvall. This blonde teenager is certain to develop into a club legend. He has skill, energy, enthusiasm and an in-born instinct of how to be in the right place at the right time.

On top of Bergvall's inspired performance there was much to admire in the Spurs debut of Xavi Simons. He looks tailor-made for that Lilywhite shirt. But we need to see him in action against stronger opposition than West Ham mustered, even before they were reduced to ten men following a reckless tackle that could have broken Joao Palhinha's leg.

If I live to be 100 (not long to go, folks!) I will never understand how Cuti Romero's headed goal was ruled out, but Spurs did not let it interrupt their domination of the match, and their 3-0 victory flattered flattened West Ham.

The Yellow Submarine? That's been the proud nickname of Villareal since back in the 1960s when The Beatles - with Ringo Starr on vocals - had a hit with a song that perfectly suited the Spanish team with their canary-yellow shirts. Let's hope they are torpedoed tomorrow when Thomas Frank's Tottenham have their first taste of Champions' League football.

Victory would be a fitting farewell to Daniel Levy, who is moving out of the boardroom spotlight but retaining nearly a third of the club shares. He revolutionised N17 with his vision and drive, but could not win the popularity of the fans because of his apparent coldness and miserly approach to transfers.

His name will always figure large in Tottenham history, and I for one salute his service and, yes, his stubbornness. He did not roll over for anybody. Thank you, Danny Boy.

COYS.

Spurs select - A Tottenham team to play for my life

Introducing Spurs Select - The Ultimate Fan's Choice! Every Spurs fan has their dream XI. Now it's time to decide, once and for all.

Who makes YOUR Spurs Select team?

Pick your best ever XI (any formation you like). Two golden rules: You must have seen the players in action, and they must be born in Britain or Northern Ireland.

Send your line-up and a maximum 50 words to me at normangiller@gmail.com. Your choice could be featured in my upcoming book 'Spurs Select'! Oh, and tell me when you first saw Tottenham play.

This is a book written with the fans, for the fans. Have your say and help shape Spurs history.

Ends commercial.

COYS.

Here we go with the fifth week of our quiz that tests your knowledge of Tottenham players and the club's history...

Who has won 12 caps for his country, played v. England at Wembley in 2023 and against which club did he score his first Premier League goal for Tottenham in a 4-1 victory?

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 5. Deadline: midnight this Friday. I will do my best to respond to all who take part.

The rules are the same as in the previous 11 seasons. I ask a two-pronged question with three points at stake - two for identifying the player and one for the supplementary question. In the closing weeks of the competition I break the logjam of all-knowing Spurs-history experts with a real stinker of a tie-breaking poser that is based on opinion rather than fact. This is when I lose what few friends I have.

This season's main prize will be a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2026, plus three signed books to be revealed at a later date.

Last week I asked: Who played 51 times for England, started his career with Millwall and from which club did he join Spurs for the first time in 1992

Answer: Teddy Sheringham/Nottingham Forest

See you back here on Monday..

COYS!

Follow @spursodyssey

PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 13th SEPTEMBER, 2025

WEST HAM UNITED 0(0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3(0)

Spurs scorers:-

Sarr, 47

Bergvall, 57

Van de Ven, 64

Attendance:- 62,459

Referee:- Jarred Gillett

Assistants:- Neil Davies, Steve Meredith

Fourth official:- Rob Jones

VAR:- John Brooks

Assistant VAR:- Natalie Aspinall

Teams:-

West Ham (4-2-3-1):- 1. Hermansen; 2. Walker-Peters, 15. Mavropanos, 3. Kilman, 12. Diouf; 8. Ward-Prowse (sub 39. Irving, 90+2), 28. Soucek; 18. Fernandes (sub 27. Magassa, 61), 10. Paqueta (sub 9. Wilson, 68), 7. Summerville (sub 17. Guilherme, 61); 20. Bowen (Capt.)

Subs not used:- 23. Areola, 22. Fabianski; 5. Igor; 32. Potts; 11. Fullkrug

No bookings

Sent off:- Soucek (54) - high and dangerous tackle on Palhinha

Spurs (4-2-3-1):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro, 17. Romero (Capt.), 37. Van de Ven (sub 4. Danso, 80), 24. Spence (sub 13. Udogie, 71); 15. Bergvall (sub 22. Johnson, 80), 6. Palhinha; 20. Kudus, 29. Sarr, 7. Simons (sub 9. Richarlison, 71); 11. Tel (sub 28. Odobert, 79)

Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky; 33. Davies; 30. Bentancur, 39. Kolo-Muani

Booked:- Spence (foul on Bowen)

Spurs had fun and won three-none!

Thanks to Andy Park for the picture

Thomas Frank's Spurs inflicted more pain upon Graham Potter's West Ham who have now lost their two home Premier League games 1-8 on aggregate. West Ham have still not won a home game since February. The mass exodus of home fans began soon after man of the match Lucas Bergvall put us two up with a superb goal - his first in the Premier League.

Spurs hadn't won at The London Stadium since Jose Mourinho's first game in charge in November 2019. Frank became only the third Spurs manager to win his first two away Premier League games - after Ossie Ardiles and Tim Sherwood. We had fun and won three-none, which is our biggest away win against "The Hammers" since a 6-1 in August 1962.

Let's just pause to reflect that Bill Nicholson's 60-61 double side won their first 11 league games, which included 6 away from home.

Graham Potter was a little short of resources. Substitute Wan-Bissaka had to withdraw at the last minute, and Lukasz Fabianski (who re-signed only this week) was a second substitute goalkeeper.

Frank made three changes to the team which started against Bournemouth. He gave a debut to Xavi Simons, who replaced Brennan Johnson on the left midfield. Lucas Bergvall replaced Bentancur and Mathys Tel was our "number nine" with Richarlison on the bench. Deadline day arrival Randal Kolo-Muani was an unused substitute.

Spurs kicked off and were in the West Ham half within 30 seconds, utilising Bergvall to take a long throw. Inevitably Mohammed Kudus was booed at every touch. "Hammers" fans label him "Judus" (sic). Kudus had a good game and soon settled down to enjoy his first return to his former home. Inswinging corners by Kudus from the right and Simons from the other side were very effective weapons against a West Ham side who have a major weakness in such situations. The corner count was 13-2 in Spurs' favour.

Spurs' early strategy was to try to spring attacks with long passes into their opponents' half, but they lacked an effective line-leader.

West Ham managed to threaten after 6 minutes when former Spur Kyle Walker-Peters broke out. In truth, whilst neither goalkeeper was tested sorely, West Ham had a couple of decent first half chances, and their play was giving the home fans some hope. Unfortunately, like those famous bubbles, West Ham's dreams faded and died! They really must find another song!

Paqueta had West Ham's best chance after Bowen passed inside, but the recently exonerated Brazilian pulled a left-footed shot wide. Paqueta was being deployed as a "false" nine, but that idea changed later in the game. Summerville and Diouf gave Spurs right-side defence one or two problems, but they faded too.

Romero found Simons with an excellent trademark pass. Simons cut inside and his shot was deflected for a corner. This was taken by Kudus and headed cleanly into the net by Romero. Spurs celebrated, but unfortunately Australian-born referee Jarred Gillett disallowed the goal, because of an alleged push by Van de Ven on Walker-Peters. Mr. Gillett's decision was (of course) supported by VAR John Brooks and Spurs had a perfectly good goal rubbed out. Van de Ven had in fact been pushed by Fernandes, who had to be advised soon after by the referee regarding more shenanigans at corners. West Ham seem to lack height and strength in these situations. Walker-Peters had the task of marking Romero, who brushed him off like a fly.

West Ham soon had a corner, taken by Ward-Prowse. Ultimately, Soucek's header was a cinch for Vicario to hold.

Tel was hobbling midway through the half but was able to continue. Spurs now began to dominate proceedings. A good attack came when Bergvall overlapped Spence. Lucas's cross led to a shot by Pedro Porro which passed wide. Bergvall had been offside anyway.

Kudus took a short corner after 37 minutes. Porro crossed and Sarr's header was deflected out of play by former Wolves man Max Kilman. At the other end a deflected Bowen cross/shot led to confusion between Van de Ven and Vicario, but Spurs cleared.

West Ham keeper Hermansen patted out a Spurs corner from the left and Kudus's return led to a scrambled clearance. In first half added time Spence was fouled by Paqueta just outside the area, but nothing came of the free kick.

Thanks to Cassim Patel for the picture, which shows the view for unfortunate away fans in the distant upper tier

An early second half shot by Bowen passed wide, before Spurs won a corner through more good play by Bergvall and Spence. That was curled in by Simons and there could be no argument when Pape Sarr headed powerfully into the top of the net. Sarr scored in both his games for Senegal over the international break. West Ham left back El-Hadji Diouf was Sarr's team-mate in those games. This was Sarr's first league goal of the season. He had a great pre-season and his fine form continues.

Vicario had to make his best save of the match following a poor pass out of defence. Vicario dived to his right to push Bowen's shot out for a corner. Spence was (perhaps harshly) booked for a foul on Bowen. Ward-Prowse took the free kick and Kilman headed over the target.

After 54 minutes Tomas Soucek was shown a straight red card for a high lunging tackle on Joao Palhinha, whose sock was torn. Palhinha recovered having suffered no lasting injury and there was no argument by Soucek. "The Hammers" have only two more games this month (Spurs have five!) and they'll miss Soucek until after the next international break.

That foul had been just inside the West Ham half and after the free kick and a pass to our captain, "Cuti" launched a fine ball towards the area where Bergvall met the ball perfectly to head over the keeper and into the net in front of the ecstatic travelling fans.

Potter made a couple of changes, but his team would remain ineffective. Spurs extended their lead. Following a cross from the left and follow-up play on the right, Tel passed forward to Bergvall inside the box on the right. Bergvall's cut-back wasn't too strong, but Micky van de Ven was there to hammer the ball home. Who needs strikers eh?!

Thanks to Andy Park for the picture, which shows celebrations after the third goal

The mass exodus of home fans began, and well before the end of the game the home section resembled a Covid lockdown attendance.

Thanks to Andy Park for the picture

Frank used all his subs and Spurs managed the remainder of the game with the cheers and "Oles!" by the away fans drowning out the ever decreasing jeers for Kudus, who played the full 90+ minutes. He nearly scored when his shot after Pedro Porro's cross was parried by Hermansen, who then saved substitute Johnson's follow-up. Johnson had been offside, but the keeper was not to know. Another late effort by Kudus was blocked.

This was a fine result and performance from a team missing key players such as Kulusevski, Maddison and Solanke. Despite those absences Spurs look in good shape for Tuesday's home game against Villarreal and can travel to Brighton next Saturday in a positive frame of mind. After all, they did finish the day in second place behind Arsenal by a goal difference of one!

. Spurs record in London Derby League matches since 1997

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PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 30th AUGUST, 2025

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0(0) BOURNEMOUTH 1(1)

Bournemouth scorer:-

Evanilson, 5

Attendance:- 61.250

Referee:- Simon Hooper

Assistants:- Adrian Holmes, Simon Long

Fourth official:- Tom Bramall

VAR:- John Brooks Assistant VAR:- Richard West

Teams:-

Spurs (4-3-3):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro (sub 13. Udogie, 71), 17. Romero (Capt.), 37. Van de Ven, 24. Spence; 30. Bentancur, 6. Palhinha (sub 15. Bergvall, 54), 29. Sarr (sub 11. Tel, 76); 20. Kudus, 9. Richarlison, 22. Johnson (sub 28. Odobert, 54)

Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky; 4. Danso, 33. Davies; 14. Gray; 27. Solomon

Booked:- Van de Ven (foul on Brooks), Spence (foul on Adli)

Bournemouth (4-4-2):- 1. Petrovic; 15. Smith (Capt.) (sub 23. Hill, 25), 18. Diakite, 5. Senesi, 3. Truffert; 7. Brooks (sub 17. Adli, 64), 12. Adams, 8. Scott (sub 10. Christie, 64), 24. Semenyo; 9. Evanilson (sub 22. Kroupi, 81), 16. Tavernier (sub 19. Kluivert, 81)

(Armband to Brooks then Tavernier)

Subs not used:- 40. Dennis; 20. Soler; 21. Faivre; 111. Gannon-Doak

Booked:- Semenyo (delaying free kick), Petrovic (time), Adams (time), Hill (foul on Udogie)

This was "Spursy" Mr. Frank

The wave of optimism that preceded this game in which we sought a third consecutive win was soon dissipated when Evanilson scored in the fifth minute. Latest signing Xavi Simons was presented before the game and will have realised that his services will be very much required.

Spurs had an opening within half a minute of Bournemouth kicking off, when Kudus fed the ball to Johnson, Sarr overlapped, but his low cross was parried, and the ball was cleared. Thereafter Spurs failed to muster even a shot on target until second half substitute Lucas Bergvall forced Petrovic into a save. That shot was greeted by ironic cheers from the home crowd.

Bournemouth have an exciting and capable coach in Andoni Iraola, and his game plan of pressing Spurs kept us on the back foot for too long. They have athleticism, speed, and plenty of skill, and despite their loss of key defenders in the transfer window, nobody can afford to underestimate them.

Semenyo gave Pedro Porro a torrid time. Pedro even produced a couple of foul throws, which to my mind is a disgrace for a professional footballer. Kudus was well policed by new left back Truffert, usually backed up by one other, sometimes Semenyo. Richarlison too was neutralised and rarely managed to develop any long balls sent his way. Johnson either overhit or under hit his passes and just wasn't producing the goods.

The drop in standard after our last three games was distressing to see, and our quality was as dire as the worse football we saw last season. Thomas Frank has had an early introduction to our old friend "Spursy" and will have much to think about over the international break.

Evanilson's goal followed a cross by Senise. The Brazilian struck a powerful left-footed shot which took a deflection but hit the net to the left of Vicario. He had several other chances to score too, thankfully spurned. His next effort came from 20 yards out but passed wide.

Richarlison did manage to hold up a ball after 8 minutes, feeding it to Sarr, who played an attacking midfield role. Sarr passed to Johnson, who then hit the intended pass for Spence too hard. Brooks hit an audacious cross with the outside of his foot, but Semenyo headed over.

For all their skill, and quite frankly domination, Bournemouth did their best to take time out of the game whenever possible. Some injuries were not as serious as that which necessitated former Spur Adam Smith to be substituted midway through the first half.

Referee Simon Hooper drew the ire of the home crowd with inconsistent decision making. Van de Ven was surely shown a card too early. Similar challenges by the visitors were not punished in the same way.

Evanilson headed over a Semenyo cross. Brooks took a quick free kick, parried by Vicario. The same player headed onto the net from the corner. Bournemouth often had six or seven men in our half. We made passing difficult, and often slow, with not enough running off the ball. Van de Ven made a precious block of a Tavernier shot.

Spence crossed after a Johnson pass. Diakite blocked and Johnson failed with his attempt to follow up on the move. Evanilson was off target with another header after another Semenyo cross. More defending was needed after more Bournemouth pressure.

Spurs kicked off the second half, at the start of which, perhaps surprisingly, there were no changes by our coach. In no time, Semenyo pounced on a flick by Evanilson and hit a powerful deflected shot, well saved by our goalkeeper. More pressure followed when I thought an obvious offside should have been given. Vicario saved from Evanilson, then got a touch to Brooks' rising shot which hit the top of the bar. We were being outplayed and overrun.

It was time for change and Odobert replaced Johnson while Bergvall took on the attacking midfield role, with Sarr dropping back. After a poor clearance by Vicario, Evanilson just missed Christie's cross, and Tavernier hit the side netting. Tavernier hit another shot over from distance.

That shot by Bergvall followed a successful Porro cross, controlled by Richarlison. Bergvall was the one player who looked like making something happen today.

Pedro Porro was replaced by Udogie, but Spence switched to right back. Vicario was needed to parry a shot by Tyler Adams, following a corner.

Udogie and Odobert mustered a decent move down the left, but Odobert's shot was over the target. Spurs did now manage to put the Bournemouth defence under a little pressure including a move when Bergvall and Kudus combined down the right channel. Tel (who had replaced Sarr) hit a good half-volleyed shot just wide of the far post after Spence crossed.

There were seven minutes of added time, but I suspect Spurs wouldn't have scored if allowed twice that time. More skill by Bergvall led to Kudus hitting a cross, but Petrovic held the ball.

Let there be no doubt that Bournemouth deserved this win. Our next game is away to struggling West Ham before we host Villarreal in our first Champions League game. We need to play far better than seen today.

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PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 23rd AUGUST, 2025

MANCHESTER CITY 0(0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(2)

Spurs scorers:-

Johnson, 35

Joao Palhinha, 45+2

Attendance:- TBC

Referee:- Peter Bankes

Assistants:- Eddie Smart, Blake Antrobus

Fourth official:- Andrew Kitchen

VAR:- Andy Madley

Assistant VAR:- Sian Massey-Ellis

Teams:-

Man City (4-2-3-1):- 1. Trafford; 82. Lewis, 5. Stones, 3. Dias (Capt.), 21. Ait-Nouri (sub 6. Ake, 23); 4. Reijnders, 14. Gonzalez (sub 16. Rodri, 75); 52. Bobb (sub 47. Foden, 75), 10. Cherki (sub 20. Bernardo Silva, 54), 7. Marmoush (sub 11. Doku, 54); 9. Haaland

Subs not used:- 31. Ederson; 33. O'Reilly, 45. Khusanov; 27. Nunes

Booked:- Gonzalez (unsporting conduct)

Spurs (4-3-3):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro, 17. Romero (Capt.), 37. Van de Ven, 24. Spence; 29. Sarr, 6. Palhinha (sub 4. Danso, 90+1), 30. Bentancur; 20. Kudus (sub 15. Bergvall, 86), 9. Richarlison (sub 19. Solanke, 78), 22. Johnson (sub 28. Odobert, 78)

Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky; 16. Vuskovic, 33. Davies; 14. Gray

Booked:- Johnson (kicked ball away), Romero (dissent after foul on Bobb), Richarlison (unsporting conduct), Pedro Porro (time)

Thomas Frank has joined an exclusive club!

Thanks to Cassim Patel for this picture.

Thomas Frank led his former side Brentford to a 2-1 victory at the Etihad in November 2022 and today became just the third manager to defeat Pep Guardiola in an away league match with two different clubs. Jose Mourinho was the first with Real Madrid in 2012 and Manchester United six years later, and he was followed by Antonio Conte at Chelsea in 2016 and Spurs in 2022.

As you can see, the other two managers in that club also achieved the feat with Spurs, which is a pretty exclusive club too!

This third win over City in our last five away games was utterly deserved, with super performances again from every member of the team. It's our second consecutive away win against City (both with clean sheets!). The last time we did this was in May 2010. You'll remember that auspicious occasion when Peter Crouch's goal gave us our first Champions League entry. We truly are City's bogey side, pre- and post-Guardiola's arrival.

Both managers made two team changes. Pep started with Cherki and Marmoush in stead of Bernardo Silva and Doku. Rodri was not fit enough to start and made only a late cameo, when he looked a little short of fitness. Thomas Frank played the experienced Palhinha and Bentancur for the youth of Gray and Bergvall.

I anticipated a PSG-style 5-3-2 formation, but Frank proved flexible yet again and went toe-to-toe with his adversary, playing a 4-3-3. It was Palhinha's first Premier League start for his new club.

Spurs kicked off playing away from their fans. City sought to dominate and spent most of the first couple of minutes occupying our half, before Frank could be seen on the touchline urging his men to get forward. Thereafter, Spurs did press high, in numbers and gave City plenty to think about in their own half.

A pass from Cherki reached Haaland who was well blocked and was kept quiet most of the afternoon, missing the target with the few chances he mustered. In the City half Richarlison won the ball off Gonzalez, who then fouled our number nine. Pedro Porro's free kick from the left side was hit beyond the back post and cleared.

Haaland soon fouled Richie outside the City area. Pedro Porro's free kick was firstly blocked before he hit a second effort into the back of the side netting. At the other end Pedro hit a weak back-header and City's main dangerman Marmoush hit a shot across goal just in front of the goal line with Vicario beaten.

Richarlison pressurised Trafford and Kudus hit a cross/shot wide of the back post. Vicario cleared from Marmoush after the Egyptian had beaten Pedro Porro.

One of City's summer signings left back Ait-Nouri required treatment and the first rendition of "We want Levy out" could be heard. The fans are frustrated of course regarding Arsenal's hijacking of the Eze move, but as Thomas Frank has said, he only wants players who truly want to play at our club. Ait-Nouri tried but failed to continue and had to be replaced by Nathan Ake.

In the meantime, Oscar Bobb had passed to Marmoush, whose right-footed shot was very well saved by Vicario. Spurs broke forward down the left flank and Djed Spence fed the ball inside to Johnson, who sadly over-hit his first touch. Criticisms of Brennan in the Spurs crowd would soon be silenced!

Vicario had to save again from Marmoush who had been put through by Haaland's clever ball and was clear of the defence. One of City's stars at Molineux last week, another new signing Tijjani Reijnders, failed with his effort on goal after a (rare) poor example of play-out football by Spurs.

Spurs shocked the home side, and the crowd with a good break down the right side as Sarr sent Richarlison away. Richie crossed and Johnson was in the middle to score a second consecutive goal in our two Premier League games. Brennan has scored 23 goals in the last calendar year for club and country and also scored in our 4-0 win here last November.

The referee's assistant flagged offside (I think against Johnson), but VAR found that neither he nor his provider had been offside. The goal stood and we celebrated twice!

Richarlison had a chance blocked after the excellent Sarr pressurised the City keeper. Pedro Porro seemed to have been fouled just outside the box, as had Kudus by Trafford, but no foul was given. VAR could not intervene here. Kudus won a corner on the right after more Spurs pressure.

Seven minutes of added time were announced and in the second of those, we went two up! James Trafford was culpable here for a poor pass to Stones inside his area. Sarr pounced; the ball ran to Richarlison whose touch was blocked then Palhinha swept up to score his first Spurs goal with a powerful deflected shot.

Spurs fans chanted "Champions of Europe..." Their team had some stout defending to do as City desperately sought to reduce the deficit. Haaland headed over from Cherki's cross. It was a brilliant half-time scoreline!

Sticker spotted in City's away end toilets!

Thanks to Cassim Patel for this picture.

City were slow coming out for the second half. Spurs initially attacked down the left wing, but then Kudus lost possession in his own half and Palhinha blocked Ake's shot with strength. Haaland actually managed to bead the ball away from goal after a cross from the right. Spurs escaped what could have been a disastrous play-out when referee Peter Bankes adjudged Van de Ven to have been fouled.

Pep now introduced Doku and Bernardo Silva for Marmoush and Cherki. Spurs not only defended but also continued to press for another goal. Richarlison's challenge for a Pedro Porro ball was blocked. Bentancur led another break-out attack down the left channel, but Johnson's final effort was off target.

Palhinha won a midfield challenge. Richarlison took the ball on and tried to feed Johnson, but his first touch was overhit again. Richie headed over a Pedro Porro free kick, and also a left-footed cross by Kudus.

Spence was strong in defence against Bobb and won us a goal kick. Kudus had excelled in the City half, but he also defended brilliantly when chasing back to assist Pedro Porro and to surprise Doku by stealing the ball.

A free kick by Bernardo Silova was deflected out by Bentancur, but Spurs defended two consecutive corners. There was some sort of contretemps between Richarlison and Gonzalez and both were booked.

Trafford was in no-man's land outside his area when trying to clear a Pedro Porro cross, but the ball also evaded Pape Sarr. More City changes followed including Rodri's introduction. Rodri's first touch was to head a corner by his fellow substitute Phil Foden, but Vicario held that attempt.

Micky van de Ven made a fantastic goal-saving tackle to deny Foden after good play by Doku. Bernardo Silva headed onto the top of the Spurs net after Ake's cross.

Spurs threatened again when Pedro Porro passed to late substitute Bergvall. He passed to Odobert, whose right-footed shot was wide.

Four minutes of added time was announced. Spurs fans chanted "It's happened again" and "Top of the League" (which we are at this early juncture). The exodus of City fans had already begun. The "Oles" rang out for a spell of Spurs passing. Trafford even had to make a double save from Solanke's right-footed shot and Odobert's follow-up header.

I just want to point out that after just two games, we are six points ahead of West Ham with a better goal difference by 12! We host Bournemouth next Saturday, but that game at the London Stadium on 13th September should be spicy, especially with Kudus playing for us!

Here are a few more stats for you:-

When it comes to maiden top-flight away trips, we haven't tasted defeat in any of the last ten seasons (W5 D5).

Manchester City have won just four of their last 12 Premier League games against Tottenham Hotspur (D2 L6).

The last five Premier League meetings between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad have produced 23 goals (9 for City, 14 for Spurs), with the away side netting at least twice in all five.

The last side to score 2+ goals in five consecutive top-flight away games against Man City were Sunderland between 1980 and 2000.

Tottenham Hotspur have won their first two Premier League games in a season for the first time since 2021-22, which was also the last time a manager won his first two league games with Spurs (Nuno Espirito Santo then).

In all competitions, Pep Guardiola has lost ten games against Tottenham Hotspur in his managerial career, also losing ten against Liverpool.

Spurs are also one of three teams he's faced 10 or more times and won fewer than half of his games against (11/24, 45.8%), along with Liverpool (6/24, 25%) and Real Madrid (13/27, 48%).

Enjoy the glow of this victory Spurs fans. I'm sure those grins will last us all week!

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. Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers

. Read the preview for this game.

. All the Spurs Stats you could hope for here!