Premier League

After Tottenham Hotspur completed the loan signing of forward Mathys Tel, football writer James Eastham explores the Frenchman's journey to the Premier League via the academy at Ligue 1 side Rennes and Bayern Munich.

Spurs' new signing Mathys Tel could not have wished for a better place to begin his professional career. By joining Rennes' academy at the age of 15, he was increasing his chances of making it in the game he loves.

Rennes’ long list of well-known graduates is testament to the fine work that scouts, coaches and educators have been doing in this particular corner of north-west France for a long time.

Six years before Tel’s 2022 move to Bayern Munich, France winger Ousmane Dembele - arguably Rennes’ most famous academy graduate - embarked on his own journey to Germany, in his case joining Borussia Dortmund.

In August 2021, when Tel became the youngest player ever to appear in a professional match for Rennes, aged just 16 years and 110 days old, breaking the record set by Eduardo Camavinga, who had joined Rennes at the age of 11. Now at Real Madrid, Camavinga made more than 70 first-team appearances for Rennes before moving to Spain.

When Tel captained France to victory at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2022, there were two fellow members of the Rennes academy alongside him in the starting line-up in their 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the final - defender Jeanuel Belocian, now at Bayer Leverkusen, and attacking midfielder Desire Doue, who joined Paris Saint-Germain last year.

The club's influence was evident in the Premier League well before Tel’s Deadline Day move to Spurs. Players including Brighton & Hove Albion’s Georginio Rutter, Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure and Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu, currently on loan at Southampton, all entered the professional game via the Brittany-based academy.

Who is Mathys Tel?

Tel was born in Sarcelles, in the northern suburbs of Paris. Before moving to Rennes in 2020, he spent time at several smaller clubs in the French capital - Villiers-le-Bel, Paris FC, Aubervilliers, Montrouge - plus the prestigious INF Clairefontaine academy, the base for the region’s most talented youngsters.

In that sense, Tel’s journey was typical of elite youngsters. Where he differed from many others was in the absence of unanimity over his best position on the pitch.

As a boy, he often played as a defender. Reda Bekhti, one of his coaches at Paris FC, explained to daily sports newspaper L’Equipe: “If you put him up front, with his running and shooting power, it was easy for him to score. He needed to work on his technical skills. By playing in a deeper position, he gained a different perspective on the game, and was able adapt to different situations.”

Defender turned striker

Tel was operating as a defender when Rennes identified him as a player to follow, and even after arriving in Brittany, there was debate about what his best position would be.

“You could tell he had tremendous levels of self-motivation," Mathieu Le Scornet, a senior figure in the Rennes academy, told L’Equipe.

"When he was 13 or 14 years old, though, it was hard to imagine him playing up front. I saw him more as a No 8, replacing Eduardo Camavinga.”

Such was his talent, Tel made his France Under-21s debut aged 18; he has netted three times in eight appearances in that age category now, scoring at an impressive rate of a goal every 102 minutes.

'It's a great move for both parties'

Former Spurs striker Harry Kane, who has been a team-mate of Tel's at Bayern over the last 18 months, believes the talented youngster can flourish during his time in north London.

"It's a great move for both parties. Mathys is a great guy and really hardworking," Kane told Spurs' official club website.

"Obviously, for his potential it’s important for him to get some minutes under his belt and some regular game time and hopefully develop, keep improving and hopefully fulfil all the potential that he has.

"It’s great for Tottenham to have a young hungry player with loads of talent to hopefully score some goals and help push Tottenham as far as possible.

"I’m wishing him all the best. I hope he has a fantastic time there. I know he will and I’m sure all the fans will make him feel really welcome as well."

Tel is available to make his Spurs debut on Thursday night, when they take a 1-0 lead into their EFL Cup semi-final second leg at Liverpool.

Having achieved so much before turning 20 in April, Spurs have signed a player of formidable potential, meaning there is much, much more to come.

Mathys Tel has signed for Tottenham Hotspur on loan for the rest of the 2024/25 season with an option to sign permanently in the summer subject to international clearance and a work permit.

The 19-year-old Bayern Munich forward will wear the No 11 shirt and is Spurs' fourth new arrival in this winter transfer window, following goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, winger Yang Min-Hyeok - whose move was agreed last summer - and defender Kevin Danso.

Who is Mathys Tel?

Born in Sarcelles, France on 27 April 2005, Tel began his professional career with Stade Rennais. He became their youngest player to feature in a competitive match, beating the record set by Eduardo Camavinga, when he made his debut against Brest in August 2021 at the age of 16 years and 110 days.

Despite making only 10 senior appearances for Stade Rennais, Tel attracted the attention of Bayern, who signed him in July 2022 - the month after he captained France to glory in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

Then aged 17, Tel swiftly set all-time records with the German giants; he is the club's youngest goalscorer in any competition - after netting in their DFB-Pokal win over Cologne - and in the Bundesliga, for his September 2022 strike against Stuttgart.

Tel's first UEFA Champions League goal also came in that month, against Manchester United, as he joined Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry, and Harry Kane on the scoresheet in Bayern's 4-3 victory at the Allianz Arena.

The Frenchman arrives at Spurs with 83 appearances and 16 goals under his belt at Bayern. He has scored three goals in eight matches for France Under-21s.

When could Tel feature for Spurs?

Spurs supporters could get their first look of Tel this Sunday when his new club travel to Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

His Premier League debut could come at home to Manchester United on Sunday 16 February.

Tottenham Hotspur have signed defender Kevin Danso on loan from Ligue 1 side RC Lens, subject to international clearance and work permit.

The Austria international, 26, has joined on loan until the end of the season, with an obligation to make the deal permanent in the summer. He will wear the No 4 shirt.

The addition of centre-back Danso is a boost for Ange Postecoglou, who has seen his squad decimated by injuries, with centre-back Radu Dragusin the latest addition to a lengthy injury list after damaging his knee in Thursday night's 3-0 UEFA Europa League win over IF Elfsborg.

Dragusin joins goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, defenders Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, midfielder James Maddison and forwards Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert and Timo Werner of Spurs players currently sidelined.

Who is Kevin Danso?

Born in Voitsberg, Austria, Danso's family moved to England when he was six, beginning his early career at Reading and MK Dons before returning to Germany in 2014 to continue his development with FC Augsburg.

After progressing through FC Augsburg’s youth system, he went on to make 44 senior appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit, scoring three times.

In August 2019 Danso joined Southampton on a season-long loan, making 10 appearances in all competitions across that campaign.

Following a further loan spell at Fortuna Dusseldorf he joined Lens in August, 2021, helping the French side to a second-place finish in his second season with the French club, which saw them claim a spot in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage.

Danso made 128 appearances for the club in all competitions during his time in France, finding the net on four occasions.

He has featured for Austria across numerous age categories and earned his senior debut in September, 2017. Danso has gone on to earn 24 caps for his country to date and represented Austria at Euro 2024.

With both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur both progressing to the last 16 of this season’s UEFA Europa League, football writer Adrian Clarke looks at how they fared in their final match of the league phase and who they could face next.

A dream night for Spurs prospects

Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Elfsborg

Three of Spurs' academy graduates scored their first goals for the club in quick succession to steer Ange Postecoglou’s side into the last 16.

A stunning spell in the last 25 minutes made this a night to remember for the hosts, who had been labouring against an obdurate Elfsborg outfit. Sat back in a 5-4-1 formation, the Swedes allowed Spurs to have 81.3 per cent of possession.

Dane Scarlett, recalled from a loan spell at Championship side Oxford United, stooped to head home his first Spurs goal from Dejan Kulusevski's inviting, inswinging cross.

Just three minutes and 39 seconds after coming off the bench for his first-team debut, 19-year-old Damola Ajayi lit up the stadium with a brilliant strike.

The teenager drilled a fierce left-footed finish into the bottom corner after cutting in from the right before exchanging a 1-2 with Scarlett.

Mikey Moore then got in on the act, deep into stoppage time, carrying the ball 30 yards before despatching a terrific shot into the bottom corner - his first senior goal for Spurs.

Just 17 years and 172 days old, Moore became England’s youngest ever scorer in major European competition, breaking a record set by Spurs legend Jimmy Greaves back in 1957.

On an evening when records tumbled, Spurs also became the first Premier League team to register three goalscorers under the age of 21 in the same European match since Arsenal did it in 2007 against Slavia Prague (Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, Cesc Fabregas).

Those outstanding contributions from Postecoglou’s youngsters elevated spirits on a night when they lost another defender to injury, Radu Dragusin leaving the pitch with a knee problem. On the plus side, key centre-back Micky van de Ven was eased back into action with an effortless runout for the first 45 minutes.

Son Heung-min was also replaced at half-time, having produced a sensational first-half performance. The South Korean completed 10 of his 12 dribbles as he ripped Elfsborg to shreds down the left wing.

That was the most by an individual in the first 45 minutes of any match in Europa League history.

In truth, Son’s achievement was just a footnote, on an evening that belonged to the next generation of Spurs players.

Thanks to their late exploits, Scarlett, Ajayi, and Moore are three names that are now etched in the folklore of this north London club.

Mainoo shines in new role as United cruise through

FCSB 0-2 Manchester United

Kobbie Mainoo was Ruben Amorim’s main man in Bucharest, delivering a stellar display to help Man Utd progress to the last 16.

The 19-year-old was deployed in a new attacking midfield role and became the first United player to score and assist on his first major European start since Wayne Rooney on his debut against Fenerbahce in September 2004.

On the hour mark, Mainoo flashed a low cross along the six-yard box for Diogo Dalot to convert at the far post, before inflicting a telling blow of his own eight minutes later.

After being teed up by substitute Alejandro Garnacho, Mainoo calmly stroked home a finish that sealed victory.

After a relatively ponderous first-half performance, it was a smart tactical half-time switch from Amorim which unlocked his side's potential.

Amad came off the bench to provide the spark as a right wing-back, while Garnacho took up a position as their left-sided No 10, in a shape that morphed into a 3-4-3 diamond formation.

With Toby Collyer and Tyrell Malacia making way, and Christian Eriksen dropping into a deeper role, Amorim moved Mainoo from the left to become a right-sided No 10, with Bruno Fernandes adopting a more offensive central-midfield role.

Mainoo flourished on the right side and linked superbly with Amad throughout a dominant second half.

With a greater proportion of attackers on the field, more powerful running, and the passing much crisper, Man Utd were able to get into dangerous areas on a regular basis.

That is now four straight wins for Amorim in the Europa League, three in all competitions, and he is making a habit of improving his side after the interval.

Remarkably, 19 of Man Utd’s last 20 goals in all competitions have come in the second half.

Who will they face in the next round?

Man Utd and Spurs have qualified in the top eight, meaning they automatically progress to the last 16.

The Red Devils finished unbeaten on 18 points, earning them a third-place finish in the table. That is one point and one position ahead of Postecoglou's side, who ended up fourth.

This means both clubs will be twinned in the draw for the last 16, with each of them facing one of the four teams who enter the playoffs having finished in 13th, 14th, 19th and 20th place.

These are the teams Man Utd and Spurs can be drawn against: Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar and FC Midtjylland.

The draw for the playoffs takes place today (Friday 31 January); the last-16 draw will be held on Friday 21 February.

Lazio and Athletic Club finished as the top two during the league phase, which means that neither English side can now meet them until at least the semi-final stage.

Leicester City ended their seven-match losing run and moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 turnaround win to pile on the pressure for Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's strugglers knew a defeat in north London would see them equal their worst-ever streak in league action, and they fell behind to a first-half header from returning striker Richarlison.

However, two goals in the first five minutes of the second half turned the match on its head, with Jamie Vardy levelling just 57 seconds after the restart.

Bilal El Khannouss then put Leicester ahead with a curler from just outside the penalty area, and the Foxes clung on to leapfrog Wolverhampton Wanderers and go 17th in the table.

Leicester are one point clear of the bottom three and seven behind 15th-placed Spurs.

How the match unfolded

Jakub Stolarczyk was again busy in the Leicester goal early on, parrying Pedro Porro's strike before making a wonderful save to prevent Son Heung-min from finding the bottom corner.

Van Nistelrooy's side were then fortunate to see a Son cross clip the crossbar, but they had no such luck when Spurs went ahead in the 33rd minute.

Porro whipped an inviting cross in from the right, with Richarlison escaping Wout Faes and James Justin to head home from close range.

However, the home fans were stunned into silence by two quickfire goals to start the second half - Vardy firstly equalising with a tap-in after goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky failed to gather Bobby De Cordova-Reid's cross.

El Khannouss put Leicester ahead with a pinpoint finish into the bottom-right corner, after De Cordova-Reid pounced on some sloppy play from Rodrigo Bentancur.

Watch El Khannouss' winner

Porro saw a free-kick rattle the crossbar after a wicked deflection off Vardy, but that was as close as Spurs came before the final whistle.

Postecoglou's problems mount

Postecoglou said in the build-up to Sunday's match that injuries were solely responsible for Spurs' poor form.

With Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, Timo Werner and James Maddison among their absentees, it is fair to say the Australian has been working with his hands tied.

He did receive one major boost as Richarlison was fit to make his first Premier League start this season, and the Brazilian was in the right place with his stooping header to put Spurs ahead.

However, by the time Richarlison was withdrawn in the 54th minute, the contest had been flipped entirely.

Porro was the only member of Spurs' first-choice back four to start, but coincidentally, both Leicester goals came from his flank. He was nowhere to be seen as De Cordova-Reid crossed for Vardy's leveller, then his ill-advised pass saw Bentancur lose possession for the second.

While Spurs remain easy on the eye going forward, such mistakes have become far too commonplace, with 13 defeats in 23 league matches a poor return for a team once tipped for the top four.

Postecoglou will hope to have players such as Maddison available for next Saturday, when they face a trip to Brentford.

Leicester avoid unwanted history

Spurs were not the only side desperately needing a result on Sunday, with things looking bleak for Leicester following a 2-0 loss at home to Fulham last time out.

Supporters at King Power Stadium voiced their frustrations at the end of that defeat, with the Foxes threatening to equal their worst-ever losing run in the league - a streak of eight defeats between March and April 2001.

Van Nistelrooy's team have seen their goal peppered with shots in recent matches, and only the efforts of Stolarczyk prevented Spurs from taking a more handsome lead into half-time.

However, the Dutchman's words at the break clearly had the desired effect, and the industry of De Cordova-Reid proved crucial. The former Fulham man unsettled Spurs' backline by leading the Leicester press, also showing composure in the final third to record two assists.

El Khannouss, meanwhile, gave another glimpse of his Premier League qualities by bending a wonderful finish just inside the post from 20 yards out, scoring his first goal since Leicester's most recent win, a 3-1 triumph over West Ham United on 3 December - Van Nistelrooy's first match in charge.

The league's bottom four teams have threatened to be cut adrift in recent weeks, but Leicester will now hope to drag 16th-placed Everton into the relegation fight when they visit Goodison Park next Saturday.

Club reports

Spurs report | Leicester report

What the managers said

Ange Postecoglou: "It is a disappointing result, but at the same time I can't ask any more from this group of players. They are trying their hardest and things just aren't falling for us. We certainly had opportunities to kill the game off and we didn't take them. It wasn't for the want of trying, the players gave everything but we fell short.

"The reality is that two or three players weren't at 100 per cent to play today and that is the reality that we're in. The supporters and club should, and I think they do, acknowledge that you can't ask any more of this group of players. They are giving everything they can and it is not for a want of trying."

Ruud van Nistelrooy: "The effort, the dedication, the blocks and the clearances, the tactics we made it was a joy to watch. It got us a massive three points away from home.

"The players also feel we are improving. They feel the way we want to play suits them. We will keep pushing to do these things. The players are buying into it. I can only be very proud of this team."

Next PL fixtures

Key facts

Spurs have failed to win any of their last seven Premier League matches (D1 L6), their longest winless run in the top flight since a nine-match spell between May and October 2008.

This was Leicester's first Premier League win at the eighth attempt in London (D2 L5), since a 1-0 victory over West Ham United in November 2022. The Foxes had conceded 2+ goals in each of their last six visits to the capital in the top-flight.

Spurs conceded two goals in the opening five minutes of the second half in this match, the first time that they have suffered that fate since November 1997 against Liverpool.

Richarlison has scored 10 goals across his last 12 Premier League starts, whilst he has now netted more competition goals against Leicester (six) than any other side during his career. Five of those six goals overall have put his side in the lead.

Ange Postecoglou says everyone at Tottenham Hotspur is "united" in what he and his coaching staff are trying to do despite the club being in their worst run of form for 17 years - saying "something special" can happen when Spurs' raft of injured players return to action.

Spurs surrendered a one-goal half-time lead to lose 2-1 at home to Leicester City on Sunday. They have now lost six of their last seven Premier League matches, drawing the other, meaning they are on their longest winless league run since May 2008.

Spurs' last seven PL matches

Sunday's match was the first time since 1912 that Spurs had lost at home against a side on a seven-match losing streak. They lost it because of conceding two goals in the opening five minutes of the second half, the first time Spurs had done so since 1997.

Spurs have now won only five points from the last 33 available in the Premier League, with only bottom-club Southampton winning fewer in that period. Furthermore, they are the only team to lose at home this season to both Leicester AND Ipswich.

They've also lost 18 of their last 30 Premier League matches, with Wolverhampton Wanderers (20 losses) the only ever-present side to lose more in that time.

Pressure is now mounting on Postecoglou, whose side are 15th in the Premier League table, just eight points above the relegation zone. But the Australian says the Spurs board and his players believe in what he is trying to achieve amidst an injury crisis that left 10 senior players unavailable on Sunday.

"It hurts. It hurts a lot," Postecoglou told Sky Sports.

"The players are giving everything they can. That is all we can ask for as a football club and as a manager. They are trying their hardest and that is all anyone can ask for.

"When you're in this situation, they are trying as hard as they can and sometimes that doesn't give you the clarity in decision-making. I know it will turn. We'll get some players back, we were short again today but in the next couple of weeks there's some really important players coming back that I know will help this group."

In his post-match press conference, Postecoglou added: “The players are committed to what we’re doing. That’s important to me. I believe in it. This is as low as we’ve been this year but in the next three months we can do something really special. The players believe that. Right now it’s hard to visualise that with our circumstances. Just look at the absences but they will be back. All these things aren’t allowing us to get any momentum. When those things change we can make an impact."

When asked if he feels he deserves more time at Spurs, he replied: "Who knows? A fair chunk will say no.

"When you are a manager of a football club, you can feel vulnerable and isolated, I don’t feel that. The players are giving everything. I focus on that and try and support the players.

"When I took the role I wanted to unify the club, focusing on the one thing. It hasn’t worked out that way. It’s understandable the fans aren’t happy with the situation. It’s a difficult one to navigate. We need the fans right now to create an atmosphere. We did that versus Liverpool – it was a great night. The players are giving everything – that needs to be acknowledged by everyone.

"We've not hit a ceiling. We've been going like this for two months. They [the players] put in an enormous performance on Thursday to make sure we're OK in Europe and they had to back it up today but there were probably at least two or three players that weren't at 100 per cent.

"I'm a football manager and I get judged on results, that is the way of the world.

“I don’t speak regularly to him [Daniel Levy, chairman]. Players and staff are united in what we’re trying to do. I’m not trying to convince people about where we’re heading. That’s where I get the solace to say we can believe. I believe in this group of players. Even today, some of the performances were outstanding. That’s all positive but ultimately we’ve lost the focus is on that.

"The players are giving everything they can. Two players shouldn’t have been out there but they are desperate to turn our fortunes around. In the next 10 days we should get some significant players back which will help. We still have fantastic opportunities to make an impact – I’m sure that will happen."

Postecoglou: Even available players are injured

Postecoglou revealed that midfielder Pape Sarr was one of the players not at 100 per cent and playing through the pain against Leicester, while James Maddison missed out with muscle soreness following Thursday's UEFA Europa League win at Hoffenheim.

He also said that Richarlison has a groin problem and that was why he took the striker off - a substitution that was met with boos at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs' injured players

Player Injury Latest Update Cristian Romero Muscle Details Destiny Udogie Hamstring Details Micky van de Ven Hamstring Details Guglielmo Vicario Ankle Details Wilson Odobert Hamstring Details Timo Werner Hamstring Details Brennan Johnson Muscle Details Dominic Solanke Knee Details Djed Spence Knock Details James Maddison Knock Details Richarlison Groin -

But when asked if January signings are on the way to help alleviate Spurs' injury crisis, Postecoglou said he is unaware of any imminent incomings ahead of the winter transfer window closing on 3 February.

"The players need help. The club is working hard to alleviate those problems. Pape Sarr shouldn’t have played today – he wasn’t fit. The players are giving everything - we can’t call off games, we have another one in three days' time. The players are having to front up. The injury situation will ease, that will help. One more player coming in in the short term would help us to navigate us through the next two weeks. It’s been a hard slog for the players."

Sherwood: Spurs' season can still be a success

Spurs' Premier League form has been poor, but they take a 1-0 first-leg lead to Liverpool in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup next month, while they also remain in the FA Cup - facing Aston Villa in the fourth round. Furthermore, if they beat Swedish side Elfsborg at home on Thursday, they will qualify for the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League.

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood, a former manager of Spurs, says Postecoglou is not the problem at the club and believes the head coach needs more support with quality signings.

"The pressure's mounting because of the losses," Sherwood said. "But they're in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup semi-finals, taking a lead to Liverpool. And they're favourites to win the Europa League.

"What's the point of changing the manager? Who are they going to get? They've had the trophy managers, the Jose Mourinhos, the Antonio Contes. The glaring problem for me is the recruitment. It's where the money is being spent. Give Ange some help. Changing the manager will do nothing.

"They could win the Europa League end up in the Champions League [qualifying for next season because of winning the Europa League] and it's the best season ever. I really feel for him. I admire that he takes it on the chin and doesn't look for excuses."

Spurs' next five PL matches

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has confirmed striker Dominic Solanke has a knee injury and will be sidelined for a few weeks.

Solanke was not named in the squad for Sunday's Premier League trip to Everton after rumours emerged on Saturday that he had suffered an injury in training.

After Spurs' 3-2 loss at Goodison Park, Postecoglou confirmed the Spurs striker will miss out matches over the next few weeks as Spurs continue to battle an ongoing injury crisis.

Postecoglou was asked about the incident where Solanke sustained the injury: "It was just one of those things. He told the clubs official website.

"It wasn't like it was even a challenge. It was just him trying to shoot and twisting his knee. It's just one of those things that, unfortunately, we're going through at the moment.

"We'll get the full extent of it. We're hoping that it is not too serious, but it will certainly keep him out for a few weeks."

It means Spurs now have 10 senior players out injured in Solanke, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, defenders Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie, midfielders Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur and forwards Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert and Timo Werner.

Postecoglou also revealed Johnson and Bissouma, two recent additions to Spurs' injury list, picked up knocks in the 2-1 derby defeat to Arsenal, with Johnson's being the more significant injury of the two.

You can see a comprehensive list of all clubs' injured players, below.

Spurs striker Richarlison has recently returned from an injury that has kept him to just six Premier League appearances this season, although the Brazilian is not yet match-fit and is on the substitutes' bench against Everton.

One boost for Spurs is that versatile defender Ben Davies is fit again after a hamstring strain and starts against Everton, making his first appearance since 5 December and also allowing 18-year-old Archie Gray to move out of central defence and into his favoured central-midfield position.

Spurs' injured players

Player Injury Latest Update Rodrigo Bentancur Head Details Cristian Romero Muscle Details Destiny Udogie Hamstring Details Micky van de Ven - Details Guglielmo Vicario Ankle Details Wilson Odobert Hamstring Details Timo Werner Hamstring Details Yves Bissouma - Details Brennan Johnson - Details Dominic Solanke Knee Details

Solanke has scored seven goals and assisted a further three in 18 Premier League appearances this season following his summer transfer to Spurs from AFC Bournemouth.

Spurs' ongoing injury crisis has meant he has played 1,601 minutes in the Premier League, the third-most at the club, after Pedro Porro (1,716) and Dejan Kulusevski (1,681). He has also played six times in the UEFA Europa League, four times in the EFL Cup and once in the FA Cup.

It is Solanke's second injury of the season, after an ankle problem that kept him out for three weeks from August to September. Prior to joining Spurs this season, he had suffered only one injury since March 2021, according to Transfermarkt.

What it means for Spurs

This latest blow means Spurs are lacking experience, with their starting XI at Goodison Park consisting of Antonin Kinsky (21 years of age), Radu Dragusin (22), Porro (25), Djed Spence (24), Davies (31), Gray (18), Lucas Bergvall (18), Pape Sarr (22), James Maddison (28), Kulusevski (24) and Son Heung-min (32).

Their substitutes' bench consists of Brandon Austin (26), Sergio Reguilon (28), Malachi Hardy (16), Callum Olusesi (17), Richarlison (27), Yang Min-hyeok (18), Will Lankshear (19), Mikey Moore (17) and Damola Ajayi (19).

Spurs are 15th in the Premier League table, closer to the bottom three (eight points) than to Fulham in ninth (nine points).

They are winless in five league matches and have won only two of their last 11 matches, with pressure being put on Postecoglou, despite the club being in the EFL Cup semi-finals and the fourth round of the FA Cup, as well as sitting ninth in the Europa League with two matches remaining.

Spurs' next league fixtures

What the pundits say

Jermain Defoe: "It's a nightmare for a manager when you've got key players out for long periods. Solanke's started well, he scores goals and he's got energy. When you have this many injuries, can you change? The young players have come in and done well but can you protect them a little bit, instead of playing the same way you would when you've got your strongest XI out?"

Manager David Moyes oversaw the first victory of his second Everton spell, as the Toffees held on for a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Iliman Ndiaye were on target for the hosts, who ended a six-match winless streak in the Premier League.

Moyes’ side struck twice inside the opening 30 minutes, with Calvert-Lewin netting his first goal in 16 league games before Ndiaye’s fine individual effort doubled their lead.

An Archie Gray own-goal made it 3-0 before the break, but Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison netted late on to ensure a nervy finish for Everton, who held on for victory.

The Toffees remain in 16th place but move four points clear of the relegation zone – the same margin that now separates them from 15th-place Spurs, who are without a win in six league outings.

More to follow...

Next PL fixtures

Key facts

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal was his first in the Premier League since September 2024 (v Aston Villa), putting an end to a 16-match run without one in the competition. His goal was also his 57th in the Premier League overall, moving him above Tim Cahill (56) and into third for Everton, with only Romelu Lukaku (68) and Duncan Ferguson (60) scoring more in the competition for the Toffees than him.

Everton led by 3+ goals at half-time in a Premier League match at Goodison Park for the first time since going in at the break 3-0 up vs Bournemouth in February 2017 under Ronald Koeman.

Tottenham Hotspur have lost each of their first three Premier League matches of a calendar year for the first time since a run of seven in 1994.

This was Spurs' 12th defeat in the Premier League this season, making it only the sixth season that Spurs have lost as many 12 games from their first 22 matches of a league season, and the first since 1997/98 (also 12 defeats).

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the first Everton player to score a Premier League goal under David Moyes since Steven Naismith netted 11 years and 245 days ago for the Toffees vs Chelsea (May 2013).

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are aiming to strengthen their forward line in the January transfer window after losing Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus to injury.

The Gunners beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in Wednesday's London derby but lacked a killer edge, their goals coming from a set-piece and a shot from Leandro Trossard which goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky would perhaps have expected to save.

Asked if the club are looking for reinforcements up front, Arteta told TNT Sports: "Yes for sure because we lost two big players - Bukayo, who could be out for up to three months, and then Gabby who will be out for a long, long, long time.

"We are going to try [in this window] for sure. We are actively looking. We will try. Let's see what we can get."

Pundits say goalscoring remains an issue

Former striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who played for both Arsenal and Spurs, believes goalscoring remains a major problem for the Gunners, who had 14 shots in Wednesday's derby but got only four on target.

"I still think they need to work much better on their finishing because they created so many chances today" said Adebayor. "The game ended 2-1. It could've been 5-1, 7-1.

"For a team that wants to win the league, if they keep on playing like this I don't think it's going to be possible."

Another former Arsenal player, Aaron Ramsey, also feels there is a weak spot up front for a team who only scored two goals across their previous two matches in all competitions, with centre-back Gabriel netting one of them.

"There were chances there again [against Spurs] and that's sort of been a recurring theme over the last few weeks, where they haven't managed to capitalise on decent chances, and that's something they are going to have to address," said Ramsey.

"They can't keep relying on a set-piece. That can take you so far, but they do need to start converting these chances that they're making."

Former Spurs midfielder and manager Tim Sherwood agrees Arsenal should be looking for a striker but feels that search could prove difficult.

"Their problems are in front of goal and they were still there today, but they haven't been punished for that because Tottenham haven't threatened enough," he said.

"How is [Arteta] going to address it, with the personnel he has? It's very difficult without Saka getting fit. But I'm not sure the player that they need in front of goal is going to out there in the January market. I think they'll be looking for it, perhaps on a loan to bring someone in.

"They're probably ruing the fact that Eddie Nketiah's left. I'm not saying he's the answer but he would've been someone who would move in there now who's a sniffer in and around the box, he can score goals.

"Chances like that tonight, you would see Nketiah taking them, even with the bit-part he played for Arsenal. Now he's gone, is there someone else out there they can possibly bring up from the academy? They're good at that. [Ethan] Nwaneri's come in and he's been outstanding.

"Everyone's looking for the same players around the league, especially at the top. It's very difficult to improve on the players they already have, and [for] that man to go in and score 10 goals between now and the end of the season, it's almost impossible to find."

Arsenal earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby to cut the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points.

A header from Gabriel Magalhaes forced a Dominic Solanke own goal from a 40th-minute corner to get Arsenal level after Son Heung-min had opened the scoring 15 minutes earlier.

Leandro Trossard’s strike four minutes after the equaliser proved the difference between the two sides as the Gunners did the double over Spurs, having won the reverse fixture 1-0 in September.

Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard all passed up chances to increase the home side’s lead in the second half, meaning they had to survive a nervy finish to secure the victory.

Arsenal reclaim second place from Nottingham Forest following the victory, while Spurs are 13th.

How the match unfolded

The Gunners were dominant early on, but Spurs scored against the run of play in the 25th minute when captain Son’s side-footed effort from the edge of the box nestled in the back of the net after taking a deflection off William Saliba.

Arsenal found a way back through a Rice corner, as Gabriel’s run towards the far post put Radu Dragusin under pressure, with the Arsenal defender's header going in off Solanke in the 40th minute.

Trossard then put Mikel Arteta’s side ahead four minutes later as his powerful low drive beat Antonin Kinsky at the end of a quick break.

Arsenal’s set-pieces continued to create problems for Spurs, with Havertz heading inches wide in the 53rd minute, while Rice produced a good save from Kinsky later on.

With Odegaard also dragging a shot wide from close range with six minutes left, the visitors had a chance to make them pay for their missed opportunities. That nearly came to pass when Pedro Porro’s effort in the fourth minute of stoppage time rattled the woodwork, but the hosts held on.

Arsenal get statement win

Arteta and Arsenal were desperate for a victory against Spurs, coming into the derby on the back of consecutive cup defeats to Newcastle United and Manchester United.

With high-flying Forest holding Liverpool to a draw on Tuesday, it was also an opportunity for the Gunners to cut the gap to the leaders and underline their title credentials.

Gabriel Jesus became the latest attacker to join Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri on Arsenal’s injury list this week and his team-mates paid tribute to the Brazilian with their pre-match shirts.

But the hosts made light of their issues with incessant attacks from the off, pushing Spurs onto the back foot with a string of free-kicks and corners.

It was a test of Arsenal’s character after they went behind but Arteta’s side were in the lead by half-time.

If anything, it was their finishing that let them down in the second period and denied them a far more comfortable victory.

They will now host Aston Villa on Saturday and will hope to pounce if Liverpool, who have a game in hand at the top, slip up again when the Reds visit Brentford earlier in the day.

Spurs stumble again

Ange Postecoglou’s side were made to suffer in the early stages at Emirates Stadium, with Archie Gray making a couple of important defensive interventions to keep the score level, including heading a deflected Trossard strike off the line in the 13th minute.

Kinsky also had some nervy moments in the Spurs goal and did just enough to recover after Havertz robbed him of the ball inside the box four minutes later.

It took Spurs 22 minutes to register their first shot as Dejan Kulusevski was denied by a good save from David Raya, before they stunned the hosts by taking the lead through Son.

However, that proved to be their final shot on target and their high point of the derby

Postecoglou responded by introducing James Maddison and Brennan Johnson in place of Bissouma and Pape Sarr for the second half but his side failed to create enough and were second-best for most of the evening.

They now go into their away game against Everton on Sunday having taken just one point from their five-game winless run in the league.

Club reports

Arsenal report | Spurs report

What the managers said

Mikel Arteta: "Outstanding today. From the first minute we were really at it, really intense. We played with a real purpose to hurt them. We created an unbelievable atmosphere. We know how important the game is. It's a gift we can make the supporters very happy.

"The attitude we played with, not feeling sorry for ourselves, was phenomenal. We played 120 minutes three days ago. We had some big chances and big situations. At the end we had to suffer more than we wanted.

"When you have opportunities [to close the gap] you have to take them. We are on a really consistent run in the Premier League. It's about recovery tomorrow and Aston Villa on Saturday, going and going."

Ange Postecoglou: "Yeah we could have got something but that is kind of irrelevant to the point that we were nowhere near the levels we needed to be at today.

"In the first half, we were way too passive and let Arsenal get into a rhythm. We hung in there, we hung in there the whole game really. The second half was a bit better but nowhere near the level it needed to be."

Next PL fixtures

Match facts

Arsenal have done the Premier League double over Spurs for a fifth time (twice under Mikel Arteta and three times under Arsene Wenger). Indeed, they’ve now achieved the double four more times than their rivals Spurs in the competition, who’ve only ever done so in the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93.

Spurs have lost 11 games in the Premier League this season; their joint-most at this stage of a single campaign in the competition (also 11 in 1997/98, 2003/04 and 2008/09). The only sides who’ve lost more this season are the three teams currently in the relegation zone (Wolves, Leicester and Southampton).

This was the 11th time the team scoring first in the north London derby in the Premier League have gone on to lose, with seven of those being by Spurs. Only against Newcastle (seven) have Spurs lost as many games in the competition after opening the scoring.