Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the departure of head coach Thomas Frank with immediate effect.

The 52-year-old Dane joined Spurs last summer after a successful seven-year spell with Brentford. His appointment on 12 June 2025 followed the departure of Ange Postecoglou.

Frank made an encouraging start, winning three of his first four Premier League matches and overseeing a narrow defeat to UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup.

However, Spurs' form has dipped since, with Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat by Newcastle United proving to be the Dane's last match in charge. That result leaves Spurs 16th in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Frank leaves having overseen 13 wins, 11 draws and 14 losses in his 38 games in charge.

What did the club say?

A Spurs statement read: "The club has taken the decision to make a change in the men’s head coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today.

"Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together.

"However, results and performances have led the board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary."

Why Frank was dismissed

The Newcastle defeat in midweek ensured Spurs remain winless in the Premier League in 2026 after eight matches.

Spurs have won four points this year, a tally only superior to 19th-placed Burnley (three).

However, disappointing results set in before the turn of the year. Spurs have won just two of their last 17 league matches, with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on 28 December 2025 their most recent.

Frank speaks after Newcastle defeat

That run of form has seen Spurs slip into relegation contention, with only five points separating them from West Ham United in 18th.

Spurs also suffered early exits from the domestic cup competitions, losing 2-0 to Newcastle in the fourth round of the EFL Cup and 2-1 against Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup.

Home form worsened

Poor home form throughout the campaign also marked Frank's reign.

Spurs won only two of their 13 home Premier League matches under Frank - against Burnley on the opening day of the season in August and against Frank's former club Brentford in December.

Spurs are 18th in the "home" table, having taken 10 points in total, above only the bottom two, Burnley (also 10) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (five).

Overall, Frank's win ratio of 26.9 per cent is the worst among Spurs bosses who have managed at least 10 Premier League matches.

PL win ratios of selected permanent Spurs managers in PL era

Manager Matches PL win ratio Antonio Conte 56 57.1% Mauricio Pochettino 202 55.9% Andre Villas-Boas 54 53.7% Harry Redknapp 144 49.3% Jose Mourinho 58 46.6% Martin Jol 113 41.6% Ange Postecoglou 76 40.8% Glenn Hoddle 89 36.0% Juande Ramos 35 28.6% Thomas Frank 26 26.9%

*Minimum 25 matches in charge

Injuries impacting Spurs

An unfortunate injury crisis undoubtedly made Frank's job harder.

Neither James Maddison nor Dejan Kulusevski played a single competitive minute for Frank, with both sidelined with long-term knee injuries.

Dominic Solanke, another key player as a forward, only featured in 11 of Frank's matches in charge due to injury.

Spurs had 11 players unavailable for Tuesday's match against Newcastle, including their suspended captain Cristian Romero, while Wilson Odobert was forced off through injury in the first half.

Champions League pinnacle of Frank's reign

In contrast to domestic form, Spurs have enjoyed an exceptional European campaign thus far.

Frank steered the team to a fourth-placed finish in the UEFA Champions League group stage, winning all four of their home games, as well as away against Eintracht Frankfurt to secure a top-eight finish.

Spurs lost just one of their eight fixtures, against reigning Champions League holders PSG in Paris.

As a result, Spurs progressed directly to the round of 16 without needing to navigate a playoff.

Who could succeed Frank?

There has already been much speculation over who could succeed Frank.

Former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, who took the club to a second-placed Premier League finish in 2016/17 and a Champions League final in 2018/19, is one possible candidate, although he will lead the United States Men's National Team in the upcoming FIFA World Cup this summer.

Former Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi has been mooted after leaving Marseille, as has ex-Spurs forward Robbie Keane, now coaching at Ferencvaros in Hungary, and former Barcelona head coach Xavi.

Who do you think should become next Spurs manager? Vote in the poll to have your say.

What are Spurs' next fixtures?

Spurs' next head coach, either permanent or interim, will oversee a north London derby in their first match in charge, with league leaders Arsenal visiting Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 22 February.

Spurs then face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday 1 March before hosting Crystal Palace on Thursday 5 March.

They will then play the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against one of Galatasaray, Juventus, Club Brugge or Atletico Madrid.

In the league, Spurs still have to travel to Anfield, Villa Park, the Stadium of Light and Stamford Bridge before the season is out.

Spurs' remaining fixtures

Date Opposition Competition 22 Feb Arsenal (H) PL 1 Mar Fulham (A) PL 5 Mar Crystal Palace (H) PL 10/11 Mar TBC UCL (R16) 15 Mar Liverpool (A) PL 17/18 Mar TBC UCL (R16) 22 Mar Nott'm Forest (H) PL 11 Apr Sunderland (A) PL 18 Apr Brighton (H) PL 25 Apr Wolves (A) PL 2 May Aston Villa (A) PL 9 May Leeds (H) PL 17 May Chelsea (A) PL 24 May Everton (H) PL

*Fixture dates in April and May are subject to change

Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United | 2025/2026 | Premier League | Overview  Premier League

Jacob Ramsey's first goal for Newcastle United was decisive as they claimed a much-needed 2-1 away win over Tottenham Hotspur.

As well as easing the pressure on head coach Eddie Howe after three straight Premier League defeats, the result increases the scrutiny facing Spurs boss Thomas Frank, who is still yet to oversee a domestic victory in 2026.

Newcastle dominated the first half and went into the break a goal to the good, with Malick Thiaw prodding home after Joe Willock had an effort disallowed for offside.

After the interval, Spurs got level through Archie Gray in the 64th minute, only for Ramsey to sweep a first-time finish beyond Guglielmo Vicario just four minutes later.

The win lifts Newcastle into the top half and within three points of Liverpool in sixth, while Spurs drop one place to 16th, with Leeds United overtaking them.

How the match unfolded

Starting without a recognised striker, there was a fluid look to Newcastle's attacking play early on, with Willock's drive just fading away from the far post.

Spurs received a major reprieve in the 44th minute, when Willock curled into the bottom-right corner only to be ruled offside following a VAR review.

But Newcastle would not be denied in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, as Thiaw reacted quickest after seeing his initial header parried by Vicario.

Spurs improved at the start of the second half, with Mathys Tel wasting a glorious chance before Pape Matar Sarr knocked Xavi Simons' corner down for Gray to equalise.

But parity did not last long, with Anthony Gordon's driving run into the penalty area teeing up a clever left-footed finish from Ramsey.

Newcastle dropped deep after re-establishing their lead, but Spurs' clearest chance to salvage a point saw Micky van de Ven blaze over three minutes into stoppage time.

Spurs' slide continues

Spurs' woes were deepened by Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Man United, which left them six points above the relegation zone and without captain Cristian Romero for four games, following his second red card of the campaign.

With the sodden weather at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium accurately reflecting the mood around Frank's team, the last thing the home fans wanted to see here was a passive start.

But that is exactly what they got, with Frank's decision to drop Joao Palhinha to the bench backfiring as Newcastle outmatched the hosts physically in the first half.

Spurs were opened up all too easily for Willock's disallowed strike and were on their heels collectively for Thiaw's goal.

After surviving a couple of goalmouth scrambles, Spurs finally started to carve out chances, and when Gray made it 1-1, the momentum seemed to have turned in their favour.

However, rather than step on the gas, Spurs went back into their shell, with Conor Gallagher and Gray both guilty of backing off Gordon in the build-up to Ramsey's winner.

While Howe passionately punched the air in front of Newcastle's travelling fans at the full-time whistle, Frank was subjected to another round of jeers. Things do not get any easier for the Dane, either, with a north London derby against Arsenal next up on 22 February.

Howe rewarded for bold attacking selection

Following Saturday's damaging 3-2 defeat at home to Brentford, Howe admitted he had not met expectations in his fourth full season in charge of Newcastle, while reiterating his belief that he could reverse their fortunes.

And his decision to forgo starting a recognised centre-forward for this game, benching big-money signings Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, in favour of Gordon, proved inspired.

Gordon's willingness to drop deep, coupled with Willock's supporting runs and Anthony Elanga's ability to stretch the play, allowed Newcastle to establish early control over proceedings.

They thought they had a deserved lead when Willock raced on to Ramsey's pass to finish into the far corner, but after he was ruled offside by the finest of margins, Thiaw showed the predatory instincts of a striker when Vicario failed to push his header away from trouble.

Newcastle reacted quickly to another setback in the second half, having been punished for some weak set-piece defending by Gray. Gordon's positioning again caused Spurs problems, and he drove into the area before nudging the ball into the path of Ramsey, who did the rest.

Newcastle's recent history of dropping points from winning positions must have been on their minds as they nervously defended their 2-1 advantage, but the three points should be a major boost to their confidence ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Aston Villa.

Club reports

Spurs report | Newcastle report

What the managers said

Thomas Frank: "I think that the players gave everything out there. Newcastle were better than us in the first half but we came back in the second half and equalised. After that, there was a missed pass and then they go the other way, we defend bad and went down 2-1. We didn't have enough to come back into the game.

"It's fair to say we're a little bit hit by injuries. It's not a full team in confidence and flow and everything. Newcastle is a more well built squad over the last years. We had an opportunity to get something out of the game but we didn't take it."

Eddie Howe: "It was a good performance from us tonight. It was a really strange game. Tottenham score against the run of play but credit to the lads because we responded well.

"We've played really well today, we had a number of shots and chances. We dominated the first half. The lads kept going and had to do it the hard way. That's credit to the mentality and feeling in the group."

Next PL fixtures

Key facts

Spurs are winless in eight Premier League games (D4 L4), their longest run since going nine without victory from May to October 2008 under Juande Ramos.

In his 357th Premier League game, Newcastle’s Howe earned his 136th win (D80 L141), moving level with Roy Hodgson; the only English managers with more wins in the competition’s history are Harry Redknapp (236) and Sam Allardyce (178).

Tottenham Hotspur have scored 13 goals from corners in the Premier League this season (only Arsenal have more, with 14) – their joint-most in a single campaign in the competition (also 13 in 2022/23).

No defender has scored more Premier League goals this season than Newcastle's Thiaw (four, level with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven).

Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United | 2025/2026 | Premier League | Commentary  Premier League

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur | 2025/2026 | Premier League | Overview  Premier League

Manchester United made it four wins from four Premier League games since Michael Carrick’s return as head coach by overcoming 10-man Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Old Trafford.

Spurs captain Cristian Romero was shown a straight red card for serious foul play in the 29th minute following a reckless challenge on Casemiro, and Man Utd took full advantage.

Bryan Mbeumo slotted home from a wonderful set-piece routine in the 38th minute, after the home side had already gone close to scoring on several occasions.

Amad and Matheus Cunha then had goals disallowed in the second half, but Man Utd finally doubled their lead nine minutes from time, when Bruno Fernandes popped up with an instinctive back-post finish.

Man Utd stay fourth in the table, though the victory takes them within three points of second-placed Manchester City, who visit Liverpool on Sunday. Spurs remain down in 14th place.

How the match unfolded

The hosts started positively, with Casemiro's 30-yard piledriver testing Guglielmo Vicario and Cunha curling another audacious long-range effort past the top-right corner.

Fernandes then scuffed a shot wide from Amad's cutback, and Spurs came under even more pressure after being reduced to 10 men, with Romero catching Casemiro's ankle with his upturned studs.

Man Utd did not need long to make their numerical advantage count, as Fernandes played a corner down the byline to Kobbie Mainoo, whose lay-off towards the edge of the area was stroked in by the onrushing Mbeumo.

Vicario tipped Casemiro's header over the crossbar to keep Spurs within one goal by half-time, and the offside flag came to their rescue when Amad tapped home in the 49th minute.

Xavi Simons fired a warning shot wide for Spurs, though Man Utd remained in the ascendancy with long-range efforts from Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot working Vicario.

Fernandes was then flagged offside in the build-up to Cunha tapping home, but any nerves among the home fans were calmed when the Man Utd captain latched onto Dalot's cross to divert the ball back across Vicario and in.

Carrick still perfect as Man Utd maintain momentum

Carrick said before Saturday's game that Man Utd cannot afford to make a "knee-jerk" decision about the identity of their next permanent head coach.

But the longer the current winning run continues, the stronger the case becomes for their former midfielder to keep the job beyond the end of this season.

Romero’s rash challenge may have given Man Utd a helping hand, but their intensity was already causing Spurs problems when the game was 11 versus 11. Mbeumo fired wide of Vicario's near post after 34 seconds, and Cunha was a fraction away from scoring one of the goals of the season.

Spurs boss Frank was famed for his set-piece prowess while in charge of Brentford, but Man Utd gave him a taste of his own medicine with a routine that came straight off the training ground, with Mbeumo totally free as he tucked into the bottom-right corner.

Having seen his team squander a 2-0 lead against Fulham last week before winning 3-2, Carrick would have been desperate for the security of a second goal, which came via Fernandes' improvised finish. Man Utd could even have had a third in stoppage time, had Benjamin Sesko taken a touch rather than heading tamely at Vicario.

This win means Man Utd have already surpassed their total of 42 points from last season with 13 matches still to play, starting with a trip to West Ham United on Tuesday.

Romero sees red again as Spurs' winless 2026 continues

Spurs are now winless in seven Premier League matches since the turn of the year, and depending on other results, they could find themselves only six points clear of the relegation zone by the end of this weekend.

The visitors enjoyed one bright spell in the first half, when Conor Gallagher failed to make proper contact from a good position and Djed Spence's threatening cross got caught under Dominic Solanke's feet.

But ultimately, Frank will look back upon Romero's red card as the costly moment, and the Argentine will now serve a four-match ban after becoming the first player to receive multiple red cards in the Premier League this season.

Frank had leapt to Romero's defence in his pre-match press conference, following a social media post in which the centre-back said Spurs' lack of available players for last week's 2-2 draw with Man City was "disgraceful".

But there was no defending Romero's tackle on Casemiro, and though Spurs had a couple of forays forward after being reduced to 10 men – most notably when Simons' strike whistled past Senne Lammens' post – they were always major underdogs from that moment on.

Things do not get much easier for Spurs, either, with Newcastle United and Arsenal visiting the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in their next two matches and the threat of a relegation battle – which was unthinkable at the start of the season – becoming more real.

What the managers said

Michael Carrick: " When it goes to 10 men, it is a always tricky situation. I thought it was quite an open game in the first half at times, we looked dangerous right from the start which was pleasing.

"We Had a few issues where I thought Tottenham played some really good football first half. Going up against 10 men in the second half, I thought we managed it really well.

"Largely in control, always wanting the second goal to come along. When it did, that put is in a really good position. It was nice and it was nice to get players on the pitch, young Tyler coming on for his first game. All in all, it was really positive. "

Thomas Frank: "I think the first 30 minutes were a good away performance at a difficult place, against a team with confidence in them and flow. Then after the red card, I am very proud of the players.

"For the resilience, staying-in-the-game mentality, and still being a threat at times, trying to create something, I'm very proud of [my players]. Then, of course we just made the three offensive substitutions and then we conceded the second goal.

"I think in the last 60/70 minutes, we were playing with 10 men. They put everything into it. I'm very proud of the fans. You could hear them loud throughout the game."

Club reports

Man Utd report | Spurs report

Next PL fixtures

Key facts

Fernandes registered his 200th goal involvement for Man Utd in all competitions (104 goals, 96 assists), doing so in his 314th game, with only Wayne Rooney (295) having taken fewer matches to reach that landmark for the club in the Premier League era.

Man Utd have won four Premier League games in a row for the first time since February 2024 under Erik ten Hag and are now unbeaten in their last eight (W5 D3), their longest run since January-February 2022, under Ralf Rangnick (W4 D4).

Spurs are now winless across their last seven Premier League games (D4 L3), their third such run since the start of the 2024/25 season; previously, they hadn’t gone as many matches without a win since May-October 2008 (a run of nine).

Romero became the first player to be sent off twice in the Premier League this season. His red card today was his fourth in the Premier League since he joined Spurs in 2021, the most of any player during this period and the joint-most of anyone for Spurs in the competition overall (also Younes Kaboul).

Manchester United made it four wins from four Premier League games since Michael Carrick’s return as head coach by overcoming 10-man Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Old Trafford.

Spurs captain Cristian Romero was shown a straight red card for serious foul play in the 29th minute following a reckless challenge on Casemiro, and Man Utd took full advantage.

Bryan Mbeumo slotted home from a wonderful set-piece routine in the 38th minute, after the home side had already gone close to scoring on several occasions.

Amad and Matheus Cunha then had goals disallowed in the second half, but Man Utd finally doubled their lead nine minutes from time, when Bruno Fernandes popped up with an instinctive back-post finish.

Man Utd stay fourth in the table, though the victory takes them within three points of second-placed Manchester City, who visit Liverpool on Sunday. Spurs remain down in 14th place.

How the match unfolded

The hosts started positively, with Casemiro's 30-yard piledriver testing Guglielmo Vicario and Cunha curling another audacious long-range effort past the top-right corner.

Fernandes then scuffed a shot wide from Amad's cutback, and Spurs came under even more pressure after being reduced to 10 men, with Romero catching Casemiro's ankle with his upturned studs.

Man Utd did not need long to make their numerical advantage count, as Fernandes played a corner down the byline to Kobbie Mainoo, whose lay-off towards the edge of the area was stroked in by the onrushing Mbeumo.

Vicario tipped Casemiro's header over the crossbar to keep Spurs within one goal by half-time, and the offside flag came to their rescue when Amad tapped home in the 49th minute.

Xavi Simons fired a warning shot wide for Spurs, though Man Utd remained in the ascendancy with long-range efforts from Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot working Vicario.

Fernandes was then flagged offside in the build-up to Cunha tapping home, but any nerves among the home fans were calmed when the Man Utd captain latched onto Dalot's cross to divert the ball back across Vicario and in.

Carrick still perfect as Man Utd maintain momentum

Carrick said before Saturday's game that Man Utd cannot afford to make a "knee-jerk" decision about the identity of their next permanent head coach.

But the longer the current winning run continues, the stronger the case becomes for their former midfielder to keep the job beyond the end of this season.

Romero’s rash challenge may have given Man Utd a helping hand, but their intensity was already causing Spurs problems when the game was 11 versus 11. Mbeumo fired wide of Vicario's near post after 34 seconds, and Cunha was a fraction away from scoring one of the goals of the season.

Spurs boss Frank was famed for his set-piece prowess while in charge of Brentford, but Man Utd gave him a taste of his own medicine with a routine that came straight off the training ground, with Mbeumo totally free as he tucked into the bottom-right corner.

Having seen his team squander a 2-0 lead against Fulham last week before winning 3-2, Carrick would have been desperate for the security of a second goal, which came via Fernandes' improvised finish. Man Utd could even have had a third in stoppage time, had Benjamin Sesko taken a touch rather than heading tamely at Vicario.

This win means Man Utd have already surpassed their total of 42 points from last season with 13 matches still to play, starting with a trip to West Ham United on Tuesday.

Romero sees red again as Spurs' winless 2026 continues

Spurs are now winless in seven Premier League matches since the turn of the year, and depending on other results, they could find themselves only six points clear of the relegation zone by the end of this weekend.

The visitors enjoyed one bright spell in the first half, when Conor Gallagher failed to make proper contact from a good position and Djed Spence's threatening cross got caught under Dominic Solanke's feet.

But ultimately, Frank will look back upon Romero's red card as the costly moment, and the Argentine will now serve a four-match ban after becoming the first player to receive multiple red cards in the Premier League this season.

Frank had leapt to Romero's defence in his pre-match press conference, following a social media post in which the centre-back said Spurs' lack of available players for last week's 2-2 draw with Man City was "disgraceful".

But there was no defending Romero's tackle on Casemiro, and though Spurs had a couple of forays forward after being reduced to 10 men – most notably when Simons' strike whistled past Senne Lammens' post – they were always major underdogs from that moment on.

Things do not get much easier for Spurs, either, with Newcastle United and Arsenal visiting the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in their next two matches and the threat of a relegation battle – which was unthinkable at the start of the season – becoming more real.

What the managers said

Thomas Frank: "I think the first 30 minutes were a good away performance at a difficult place, against a team with confidence in them and flow. Then after the red card, I am very proud of the players.

"For the resilience, staying-in-the-game mentality, and still being a threat at times, trying to create something, I'm very proud of [my players]. Then, of course we just made the three offensive substitutions and then we conceded the second goal.

"I think in the last 60/70 minutes, we were playing with 10 men. They put everything into it. I'm very proud of the fans. You could hear them loud throughout the game."

Club reports

Man Utd report |

Next PL fixtures

Key facts

Fernandes registered his 200th goal involvement for Man Utd in all competitions (104 goals, 96 assists), doing so in his 314th game, with only Wayne Rooney (295) having taken fewer matches to reach that landmark for the club in the Premier League era.

Man Utd have won four Premier League games in a row for the first time since February 2024 under Erik ten Hag and are now unbeaten in their last eight (W5 D3), their longest run since January-February 2022, under Ralf Rangnick (W4 D4).

Spurs are now winless across their last seven Premier League games (D4 L3), their third such run since the start of the 2024/25 season; previously, they hadn’t gone as many matches without a win since May-October 2008 (a run of nine).

Romero became the first player to be sent off twice in the Premier League this season. His red card today was his fourth in the Premier League since he joined Spurs in 2021, the most of any player during this period and the joint-most of anyone for Spurs in the competition overall (also Younes Kaboul).

Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 25.

Player analysis: Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) v Conor Gallagher (Tottenham Hotspur)

A potentially decisive central midfield duel between England hopefuls Mainoo and Gallagher will be one of the highlights of Man Utd's 12:30 GMT kick off at home to Spurs.

World Cup incentive for England hopefuls

With World Cup places up for grabs, there is plenty of incentive for Mainoo and Gallagher to win over Thomas Tuchel’s affection between now and the end of the season.

Both men are also driven by a desire to impress their respective head coaches too.

Mainoo, 20, has been brought in from the cold by United head coach Michael Carrick, and looks hungry to make a positive difference in their push for a top four spot.

For Gallagher, after 18 months in Spain with Atletico Madrid, the 26-year-old is determined to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders.

Joining Spurs during a testing period for the club, his leadership skills are going to be crucial over the next few months.

How Mainoo is helping Casemiro and Fernandes thrive

Starting all three wins under Carrick, United’s academy graduate has been outstanding alongside the Player of the Matchweek 24 winner, Casemiro in midfield.

His inclusion has pushed Bruno Fernandes into the No 10 role, and that switch has helped both players thrive.

Mainoo’s athleticism has been a key factor in improving results.

While Ruben Amorim did not see the youngster as anything but an attacking midfielder, Carrick has given him a chance to show he can cover plenty of ground in a deeper position and he’s taken that opportunity.

Averaging an astonishing 12.9km per 90 minutes this season, Mainoo’s running power has been on a different level to his United team-mates.

Mainoo's distance covered and pressures compared to teammates

Player Games started Minutes played Distance (km) Kobbie Mainoo 3 498 12.9 Manuel Ugarte 7 751 12.0 Joshua Zirkzee 4 483 11.4 Benjamin Sesko 11 1066 11.2 Patrick Dorgu 14 1333 11.0

Player Games started Minutes played High-intensity pressures Joshua Zirkzee 4 483 62.3 Kobbie Mainoo 3 498 59.8 Manuel Ugarte 7 751 57.6 Benjamin Sesko 11 1066 48.8 Bruno Fernandes 21 1809 45.8

There has been a real intensity to his off the ball endeavour too.

Getting around the pitch to apply pressure and force turnovers, the player who was not trusted as an orthodox central midfielder under the previous manager, has proved he can stabilise a unit that was labouring.

The Casemiro-Mainoo-Fernandes axis is purring.

Unfazed and unflustered

After playing well in their 3-2 success at home to Fulham, Carrick was full of praise for Mainoo.

“Without the ball he was terrific. And then with the ball, the ability to cope, he’s not fazed by it. He just plays his game and understands what is needed. The moments of quality, it’s what we expect of him,” he said in his post-match press conference.

This cool-headed nature has been a real asset.

It was Mainoo who looked after the ball cleverly in a tight area, before slipping an incisive pass to Matheus Cunha for the winner at Arsenal.

Watch ALL THE GOALS from Arsenal 2-3 Man Utd

Last time out against Fulham, a day when he completed 32 of 35 passes, the 20-year-old’s distribution was measured and effective.

Happy to take an extra touch when necessary, Mainoo is excellent at waiting for the right time to release well-weighted forward passes, such as these two that set up promising attacks.

There is no question Mainoo’s unflustered style of play, is helping those around him.

Gallagher’s infectious drive is lifting teammates

Dominic Solanke’s brilliant ‘scorpion kick’ strike against Manchester City last Sunday, would not have been possible without a great contribution from a re-energised Gallagher.

Watch: Solanke's brilliant scorpion kick

Showing fierce determination to latch onto a second ball, the former Chelsea man won his duel before driving forward at speed (below).

Then, from the right wing, a whipped in cross was converted in style by the in-form Solanke (below).

From three starts and 265 minutes of action, Gallagher’s engine has immediately stood out.

His 11.8km per 90 minutes of distance covered, places him second only to Lucas Bergvall at Spurs this season.

Charging around the middle third, Gallagher’s desire is lifting those around him.

In that remarkable 2-2 comeback draw with City, Gallagher won two tackles, made three interceptions and won a team-high eight ball recoveries.

His presence on the pitch at Old Trafford has potential to disrupt United’s flow.

Gallagher – Defensive chalkboard v Man City*

*Tackles won, interceptions, ball recoveries

While it remains a small sample size, Gallagher’s numbers are right up there among the division’s best.

Bringing steel, determination and ball-winning quality to Thomas Frank’s starting XI, he looks a very sound addition.

Premier League midfielders defensive stats compared*

Ball recoveries per 90 Interceptions per 90 Anderson (NFO) 8.5 Cook (BOU) 2.57 Rodri (MCI) 7.21 Caicedo (CHE) 2.42 Gallagher (TOT) 6.79 Janelt (BRE) 2.36 Ramsey (NEW) 6.63 Santos (CHE) 2.12 Andre (WOL) 6.62 Gallagher (TOT) 2.04

*Minimum three starts

An intriguing box-to-box battle awaits

These are two excellent central midfielders who have reinforced the middle third for their respective clubs.

Both can play higher up the pitch as No 10 types – and each has a decent goalscoring record - but right now their wide-ranging skill sets mean they are perfect for box-to-box roles.

In terms of their attributes, there is not a lot to differentiate between these two England contenders.

Gallagher is the better ball-winner, leading for duels won, tackles won, interceptions and ball recoveries.

Yet Mainoo (who has had 498 minutes of action compared to Gallagher’s 265) is perhaps the more impactful on the ball, creating nine chances to Gallagher's three.

His also averaging more successful passes inside the opposition half and final third.

Can Gallagher's pressing unsettle Mainoo?

Tactically, it will be fascinating to see if Frank ditches three at the back to revert to the 4-3-3 which worked so well during the second half against City.

His players were asked to go man-for-man in an aggressive manner during that much-improved 45 minutes, with Gallagher at the forefront of their press.

When he gets tight to Mainoo it will be interesting to see how the young midfielder copes with the pressure.

The 20-year-old is very cool in possession and one of the most press-resistant players around, but Gallagher’s tenacious style will test his composure on the ball.

In front of the watching Tuchel this promises to be a spellbinding head-to-head.

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City | 2025/2026 | Premier League | Overview  Premier League

Dominic Solanke scored a sensational 'scorpion-kick' equaliser as he inspired Tottenham Hotspur to fight back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s side appeared to be in cruise control after goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo put them in command at half-time, before the game was turned on its head.

After reducing the visitors' advantage eight minutes into the second half, Solanke brilliantly flicked Conor Gallagher’s cross beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma to complete the comeback.

Solanke's brace paved the way for a back-and-forth finale at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Xavi Simons’ curling attempt, which was tipped over by Donnarumma, the closest either came to snatching a winner.

A potentially pivotal result for Thomas Frank moves Spurs into 14th place. Man City, meanwhile, stay second, but are now six points behind leaders Arsenal.

How the match unfolded

Man City took the lead on 11 minutes when Cherki’s low drive found the bottom-left corner after Yves Bissouma cheaply lost possession.

Erling Haaland, who assisted Cherki’s opener, then came close to ending his goal drought in the top flight soon after, but the Norway international lofted his finish over the crossbar after surging on to a ball played over the top of Spurs’ high line.

But Man City’s dominance was rewarded in the 44th minute. Rodri cut out Radu Dragusin’s poor clearance and fed Bernardo Silva, who set up Semenyo to coolly dispatch with a neat first-time finish.

Spurs came out swinging after the break, though, and the deficit was halved when Solanke shrugged off Abdukodir Khusanov and managed to find the net, despite the best efforts of Marc Guehi.

And Solanke completed the comeback with his stunning 70th-minute effort, getting the back of his heel to Gallagher’s cross and sending the ball looping in over Donnarumma.

Man City’s goalkeeper thwarted Wilson Odobert before denying Simons, with Man City failing to capitalise on a goalmouth scramble at the other end as the spoils were shared.

Injury-hit Spurs dig deep

Frank has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks, and while Spurs’ winless Premier League run was extended to six matches, this will be a performance that he can look back on with pride.

A lot has been made about Spurs’ attacking play under the Dane, and those frustrations were on show once again in a tepid first half for the hosts, with Simons’ free-kick in first-half stoppage time representing their only shot on target.

That being said, they were also all at sea defensively, and they were probably fortunate to go into half-time only 2-0 down.

One could feel sorry for Spurs, given they have only 11 senior players at their disposal, while five of those named on the bench had never kicked a ball in the Premier League.

Those issues were not helped when Pape Matar Sarr replaced captain Cristian Romero at the break, but that seemed to improve the hosts as Destiny Udogie's shot stung the palms of Donnarumma shortly after the interval, setting the tone for a much-improved second-half performance.

Solanke’s first strike then breathed new life into the home supporters, but his second goal will take all the headlines for its ingenuity and execution.

Spurs, whose struggles at home this season are well documented, are back on the road next week when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

More Man City mistakes hand Arsenal further impetus

Fresh from sealing their spot in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, Man City arrived in north London with the wind in their sails and appeared to have strolled into an unassailable advantage, given how poor Spurs were in the first half.

But more errors caused Guardiola’s team to drop two points in their pursuit of Arsenal, who put the onus on their rivals by hammering Leeds United 4-0 on Saturday.

Haaland squandered a glorious opportunity to put his team further in front after Cherki’s opener, and though Semenyo’s fine goal was thoroughly deserved, the visitors appeared to believe the job was done and they wilted after the break.

Solanke’s double was no more than what Spurs merited for their improved display, and Donnarumma had to be alert to Odobert’s near-post attempt before tipping Simons’ curling shot over the bar to stop the hosts scoring a winner.

That being said, Man City had chances to win the match late on, too.

Tijjani Reijnders twice headed wide of the mark before Haaland scooped over, and Guardiola will surely look back at this game as two points dropped rather than one point gained.

Man City’s focus now turns to getting the job done in the EFL Cup against Newcastle United – they have a 2-0 aggregate lead in that semi-final tie – before they make the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool next weekend.

Club reports

Spurs report | Man City report

Next five PL fixtures

Key facts

Thomas Frank has taken four points from games versus Manchester City in the Premier League this season (W1 D1); the most by a Spurs manager in a single campaign since Mauricio Pochettino in 2016/17 (also W1 D1).

This was the first time Manchester City had led by 2+ goals at half time in a game and failed to win since April 2018 (3-2 defeat to Manchester United). Coming into today, the Citizens had won on each of the last 115 occasions when leading by 2+ goals at the break (all competitions).

Antoine Semenyo has scored 14 goals in 26 appearances this season (all competitions); his most in a single campaign in his career, overtaking his 13 in 42 games for Bournemouth in 2024/25.