Premier League

Emiliano Buendia scored a superb winner as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on Sunday.

Buendia came off the bench to seal a hard-fought victory for Unai Emery’s team at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Morgan Rogers had cancelled out Rodrigo Bentancur’s earlier effort.

Bentancur broke the deadlock in the fifth minute with his first Premier League goal of 2025, but Rogers fired the visitors level before half-time with his maiden top-flight strike of the campaign.

The game appeared to be drifting towards a draw until the 77th minute, when Buendia curled in brilliantly from the edge of the box.

Brennan Johnson blazed over a chance for Spurs to equalise in stoppage time, as Villa held on to move up to 10th place on 12 points. They are now just two points behind Spurs, who are sixth.

How the match unfolded

Spurs came flying out of the blocks and hit the front after just five minutes. Joao Palhinha nodded Mohammed Kudus’ deep ball back across the area for Bentancur to finish, via a slight deflection off Amadou Onana.

Kudus thought he had doubled the lead moments later, but was quickly denied by the offside flag, while Emiliano Martinez just about gathered Wilson Odobert's fierce low drive.

However, Villa responded against the run of play in the 37th minute, Rogers jinking away from Xavi Simons before whipping a wonderful 20-yard effort beyond Guglielmo Vicario's despairing dive.

Spurs went close to regaining their lead early in the second half – Odobert seeing a shot blocked by Ezri Konsa and Martinez tipping Palhinha’s effort around the post.

But Villa snatched all three points when Lucas Digne took in Matty Cash’s brilliant pass and laid it off to Buendia, who curled a low strike past a flat-footed Vicario and into the bottom-left corner, with Johnson’s wild effort late on the closest Spurs came to a leveller.

Spurs’ home struggles continue

Spurs’ seven-match unbeaten streak in all competitions came to an end, as they suffered their 11th defeat in the space of 18 Premier League home games.

The hosts made a bright enough start. The loss of Cristian Romero, who was injured during the warm-up, initially did not appear to affect them, as they twice had the ball in the net inside the opening stages – albeit the latter effort was rightly ruled out for offside.

Spurs had won each of their four previous league games when scoring the opening goal this season. However, Rogers showed his quality when he left the helpless Vicario grasping at thin air for Villa’s equaliser.

Thomas Frank, who stuck with Mathys Tel up top to start with after the forward’s goal against Leeds United last time out, got a response from his players after the break but a lack of cutting edge in front of goal handed Villa the impetus they needed to claim a spirited victory.

Spurs, who also have matches against Monaco and Newcastle United coming up in the UEFA Champions League and EFL Cup respectively, are back at home in the top flight when they host Chelsea on 1 November, before then welcoming Manchester United to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a week later. Before that, though, they head to Everton next Sunday.

Three in a row for resurgent Villa

Villa have recovered from a slow start to their Premier League season, winning each of their last three matches to move into the top half of the table.

Martinez and Konsa were celebrating their 200th starts in the English top flight, but they were fishing the ball out of their own net in only the fifth minute after Spurs’ superb start, and Emery will have been hugely frustrated with his team’s marking in that instance.

The visitors took a while to find their rhythm but, when they did, their man back in form delivered the goods; Rogers demonstrating he is brimming with confidence after dancing around Simons and beating Vicario from distance, with the England international now looking sharp after a sluggish start to the campaign.

Villa’s defensive resolve was tested again early in the second half, but a combination of smart goalkeeping and important blocks kept Spurs at bay.

Buendia, though, was the matchwinner. He has now scored three goals in his last four games as Villa made it five straight wins in all competitions.

With Manchester City, Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth providing their next three league opponents before the November international window, Emery’s side will certainly head into those fixtures full of momentum and confidence.

Club reports

Spurs report | Aston Villa report

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Key facts

Since the start of last season, Spurs have dropped more points from winning positions at home in the Premier League (19) than any other side. They have lost five times after leading at home in the division in this period, also a league-high tally.

Villa enjoyed their first Premier League comeback win away from home for exactly one year (since 19 Oct 2024 v Fulham), having lost 10 of their previous 11 away league games in which they trailed before today (D1).

With just four points in four home league games this season (W1 D1 L2), this is Spurs' poorest home start to a league campaign since 2008/09, when they had one point from their opening four at home.

Since the start of 2023/24, Spurs have won just 23 per cent of their league games without Romero (6/26), compared to a 50 per cent league win rate when he has played in this period (29/58).

Football writer Alex Keble analyses where this weekend's fixtures could be won and lost, including:

- Can Man Utd cause a shock at Anfield?

- Will Premier League return with a bang at the City Ground?

- Can Arsenal overcome Fulham hoodoo?

- What does Villa’s four-match win streak really tell us?

- Will Newcastle end goalless run on the road?

- Can Nuno get off to winning start at London Stadium?

- How will Everton cope at Man City without Grealish?

- Will set-pieces help Sunderland see off winless Wolves?

- Can Burnley triumph in vital six-pointer at Turf Moor?

- Which Champions League outsider can keep momentum going?

Can Man Utd cause a shock at Anfield?

The headline fixture of the weekend is arguably the single biggest match of the 2025/26 Premier League season so far. This is a north-west derby loaded with meaning, the fallout almost certain to dominate the news for the week after.

Liverpool have spent the international break stewing on a run of three consecutive defeats in all competitions that culminated with a defeat at Stamford Bridge that knocked them off top spot.

Losing on Sunday is unthinkable. It could leave Liverpool as low as sixth in the Premier League table and, as questions mount over the balance of Arne Slot’s side, would put the Reds somewhere close to crisis point.

Manchester United have been lurking around that stage for some time now, it seems, but after beating Sunderland a fortnight ago, Ruben Amorim will be optimistic his team can get a huge statement win at the home of their rivals.

Beating Liverpool could be the catalyst for revival. Defeat will inevitably pile the pressure on again.

Man Utd tend to perform better when able to sit deeper and counter-attack, as in the 2-1 win at Manchester City last season, the last away match they played against the reigning champions.

Then again, Liverpool will be fired up for this one and nobody more so than the off-form Mohamed Salah, who has more goals (13) and goal involvements (19) against Man Utd than any other player in Premier League history.

Will Premier League return with a bang at the City Ground?

These two-week breaks always feel a lot longer than they are. The lunchtime fixture on Saturday is an exciting moment to bring us back to the action.

On this occasion, the Premier League should return with a bang.

Nottingham Forest have lost four of their last five Premier League matches and are yet to win any of Ange Postecoglou’s seven games in charge.

The turn towards ultra-expansive football has been a sharp one - only Man City have had more 10+ pass sequences in open play (122) and build-up attacks (41) in the Premier League than Forest (112 sequences, 29 build-up attacks).

But Postecoglou has had to play two matches a week since his appointment, limiting time on the training ground.

The international break was a chance to get his tactical ideas across, but that only puts more pressure on the performance of his Forest team this weekend.

Chelsea will feel they need to capitalise on their 2-1 victory against Liverpool a fortnight ago and build momentum.

If they cannot, then their hopes of challenging for the title will further fade.

Enzo Maresca’s side have won only three of their last 14 away Premier League matches (D4 L7), and across 2025, just 27 per cent of their points have come on the road (12/45), the lowest ratio of any ever-present side in the division.

A victory at the City Ground could begin the process of correcting that.

Can Arsenal overcome Fulham hoodoo?

Arsenal have only won one of their last four matches against Fulham and have failed to win their last two trips to Craven Cottage.

This is an important test, then, of the progress Arsenal are making; of the newfound consistency we appear to be seeing now that Mikel Arteta has a deep squad.

In 2024/25 they drew 1-1, at which point, in early December, Arsenal’s title bid was faltering.

The year before, Fulham’s 2-1 win followed immediately after Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham United, a blip that ultimately cost them the title, with Man City finishing two points above them in the table.

Arsenal might look better prepared for this year’s trip, but they catch Fulham in good home form.

Marco Silva’s side have won their last two home matches in the competition, although Leeds United and Brentford are clearly less challenging opponents and Fulham have lost their last two Premier League games, both away from Craven Cottage.

To outsiders, an Arsenal win on Saturday will seem predictable. But supporters will know it would signify a huge step forward.

What does Villa’s four-match win streak really tell us?

Aston Villa are back. That is the near-universal conclusion drawn from a four-match winning streak in which Unai Emery altered the tactical set-up successfully and Villa took charge of their UEFA Europa League campaign, reminding the squad of the prize on offer this season.

The comedown from missing out on the UEFA Champions League is finally over, it seems.

But we have to caveat Villa’s good form with the calibre of opponent they’ve faced; home wins against Fulham and Burnley isn’t necessarily a sign Villa are ready to push for a top-five finish.

Facing Tottenham Hotspur is a major test of Emery’s shift towards a slightly more direct and urgent style of football, and of Villa’s confidence, which might remain brittle despite the winning streak.

Spurs, just two points off the top, will almost certainly be Villa’s direct rivals for a Champions League place.

A win at Spurs would be huge, casting aside Villa’s poor start and moving them to within two points of Thomas Frank’s side.

It’s a big match for Spurs too, then. Interestingly they have scored 13 goals from an Expected Goals (xG) tally of 7.5 in the Premier League this season, the biggest over-performance of any side (+5.5).

For Spurs, a narrow win at Leeds before the break was followed by consecutive Premier League draws.

Defeat to Villa would be a body blow.

Will Newcastle end goalless run on the road?

This is never an easy fixture for Newcastle United, who took just a single point from their matches against Brighton & Hove Albion last season, but it could be exactly the kind of tactical battle Eddie Howe needs to end a troubling goalscoring record.

Newcastle have failed to score in each of their last four Premier League away matches and are looking to avoid a five-game streak for the first time since May 2015.

Just two clubs have scored fewer Premier League goals than Newcastle’s six, while only Forest (6.3 per cent) have a lower shot conversion rate than their 7.5 per cent.

Howe’s team love to burst forward on the break, enjoying best of all when opponents press hard and embrace end-to-end action. That’s a decent description of Brighton.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side have forced more high turnovers (56) and shot-ending high turnovers (13) than any side in the Premier League this season. This suits Newcastle.

Then again, Brighton haven’t been beaten in any of their eight Premier League home matches against Newcastle, and have only lost one of their last 11 home games in the competition.

Can Nuno get off to winning start at London Stadium?

Nuno Espirito Santo has had a tough start to life as West Ham head coach, travelling to Everton and Arsenal.

His first match at the London Stadium offers the chance to get his tenure up and running.

Nuno has already beaten Brentford this season, winning 3-1 with Nottingham Forest on the opening day, and he will be confident of doing so again, especially with Tomas Soucek back from suspension and ready to play under Nuno for the first time.

West Ham have lost all three of their Premier League home matches in 2025/26, doing so for only the second time in their history.

Coincidentally, each of those losses came against London clubs.

Fortunately for the hosts, Brentford have been beaten in their three away matches.

In other words, this is the perfect home debut for Nuno. He has to seize the opportunity.

How will Everton cope at Man City without Grealish?

David Moyes has lost his last eight Premier League away trips to Man City, a run that stretches back to his time in charge of Man Utd.

Even with Everton in good form, Pep Guardiola’s side are naturally big favourite for this one.

The chances of a home win are increased substantially by the absence of Jack Grealish, ineligible to play against his parent club.

Grealish has scored or assisted five of Everton’s nine Premier League goals this season and has created more chances (17) than any other team-mate.

That’s good news for Man City, who have collected 10 points from their last four Premier league matches and look to be quietly building momentum.

Will set-pieces help Sunderland see off winless Wolves?

A Sunderland victory would mean earning 10+ points from their first four home matches of a top-flight campaign (adjusting to three points for a win) for the first time since 1968/69 (10).

Sunderland have enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, built almost entirely on playing so many of their easiest Premier League fixtures first.

That’s why it’s essential they keep this going and take advantage of yet another winnable game at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are still without a victory this season and sit bottom of the Premier League with two points.

Sunderland won’t ever get a better chance to beat this team.

Set-pieces could be the difference.

Sunderland’s non-penalty xG total this season is 5.6, and 2.5 of that has been from set-pieces, the highest ratio (45 per cent) of any side in the Premier League.

Meanwhile Wolves have faced 37 per cent of their non-penalty Expected Goals Against (xGA) from set-pieces, the fourth highest in the division.

Can Burnley triumph in vital six-pointer at Turf Moor?

It doesn’t get anywhere near headline billing, but this is a six-pointer that could have huge ramifications for both clubs at the end of the season.

Much has been made of the good start by the promoted clubs this season, but it’s fair to say Sunderland are responsible for a high proportion of that.

Leeds and Burnley are in the bottom six, and neither team has won a match against a club that finished higher than 13th last season.

In fact, Burnley have only won once - and that was against fellow promoted team Sunderland.

Leeds beat Everton on the opening weekend, but since then have only managed to get three points against Wolves, who are bottom.

So, the six-pointers between the promoted clubs could go a long way to deciding who can avoid a relegation battle.

Both clubs are still in that Luton and Ipswich Town zone. They have made confident and competitive starts, but unless they can start climbing up the table they could soon lose momentum.

Which Champions League outsider can keep momentum going?

Such is the strength of the Premier League, with Newcastle and Villa back on the up recently and most of the "Big Six" flexing their muscles, it feels unlikely that both Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth – the two dark horses of this season – can challenge for a Champions League spot.

Their head-to-head this weekend could help determine which can maintain momentum and keep up an unlikely push to get into Europe’s elite competition.

The home team may hold the advantage.

Palace are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League matches at Selhurst Park, and although Bournemouth have won four of their last six, they have only won just two of their last nine fixtures away from home.

Want to win a shirt signed by one of the newest stars of the Premier League? Now is your chance.

Since signing for Tottenham Hotspur from RB Leipzig, Xavi Simons has made a strong start to life in north London, having assisted on his debut and featured in four Premier League matches.

To mark Xavi's good start to the season, we are giving you the chance to win a signed shirt from the man himself.

Enter above by 11:00 GMT on Monday 27 October for a chance to get your hands on a signed shirt from Xavi.

Watch: The BEST OF Xavi Simons so far this season

The December broadcast selections in the UK and matches moved because of European competitions in the month have been announced.

All kick-off times are 15:00 GMT unless otherwise mentioned.

Stay up to date on all the fixtures with the Premier League's digital calendar.

See here when the next fixture changes will be announced.

Tuesday 2 December

Wednesday 3 December

Thursday 4 December

Saturday 6 December

AFC Bournemouth v Chelsea

Everton v Nott'm Forest

Manchester City v Sunderland

Newcastle United v Burnley

Spurs v Brentford

Sunday 7 December

Monday 8 December

Saturday 13 December

Chelsea v Everton

Liverpool v Brighton

Sunday 14 December

*Moved due to participation of Palace, Forest and Villa in European competition on the preceding Thursday

Monday 15 December

Saturday 20 December

AFC Bournemouth v Burnley

Brighton v Sunderland

Manchester City v West Ham United

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brentford

Sunday 21 December

*Moved due to participation of Palace in European competition on the preceding Thursday

The Premier League returns from the international break with a bang this weekend and Liverpool host Manchester United in one of the standout fixtures. We take a look at some of the HUGE matches in the schedule over the next four weeks.

It has been a tough start to 2025/26 for Scott Parker's Burnley who, in their opening seven Premier League matches, have already conceded 15 goals — one fewer than the total scored against them in 46 Championship games last season. Only West Ham United (16) have conceded more.

The Clarets, who were pipped to the Championship title on goal difference by Leeds United on the final day of last season, are yet to beat the Yorkshire side in four previous Premier League encounters (L3 D1). Leeds are looking to win consecutive top-flight away games for the first time since April 2022 under Jesse Marsch.

Two of the surprise early season pacesetters meet at Selhurst Park with an opportunity to lay down a marker of intent.

Oliver Glasner was named September's Barclays Manager of the Month as Palace stretched their unbeaten run to a club record 19 matches before losing 2-1 at Everton last time out.

The sixth-placed Eagles host an AFC Bournemouth team two places and two points above them in the table, and who arguably boast the division's standout performer of the season so far, Antoine Semenyo, with six goals scored and a further three assisted already.

If you're looking for late drama, then Anfield is the place to be with Liverpool’s seven Premier League matches this season already producing four 90th-minute (or later) winning goals.

Arne Slot's side will be looking for a response after losing again - their second defeat on the bounce and top spot - when Estevao's stoppage-time winner secured a 2-1 win for Chelsea in Matchweek 7.

Manchester United have won only one of their last 14 Premier League meetings with Liverpool, a 2-1 success at Old Trafford in August 2022, but a first victory at Anfield since 2016 for the Red Devils would move Ruben Amorim's team to within two points of the champions.

West Ham have endured a difficult start to the campaign and are only one of two top-flight teams without a win at home so far. Head coach Graham Potter was replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo last month in a bid to change their fortunes.

The Portuguese has taken one point from a possible six so far, a 1-1 draw at Everton, and could secure a "double" over the Bees, having already beaten them 3-1 with former club Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend of the 2025/26 campaign.

It's been an impressive start for promoted Sunderland after collecting 11 points from their opening seven top-flight matches to sit just behind Chelsea on goal difference.

Regis Le Bris' side have navigated the early weeks of the season with supreme confidence, with the addition of former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka proving an inspired signing. Sunderland have not conceded a goal in their last two away matches, taking four points from Palace (0-0) and Forest (1-0), so will have no fear visiting Stamford Bridge.

Brighton & Hove Albion became only the second team to record three consecutive Premier League away wins at Old Trafford when they beat Man Utd 3-1 in January last season, following on from victories in 2022/23 (2-1) and 2023/24 (3-1).

Kaoru Mitoma wrote himself into the history books on his last visit to the Theatre of Dreams, becoming the highest-scoring Japanese player in Premier League history with 15 goals, moving one clear of former Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki.

Mitoma's goal v Man Utd

Man Utd have not won back-to-back home matches since Ruben Amorim took charge on 1 November 2024, could this be the time they put that right?

Arsenal's testing period continues with their second London derby either side of a titanic UEFA Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid.

Mikel Arteta's men will be in the middle of a run of six matches in 18 days that also includes tricky fixtures against Fulham, Brighton, Burnley and Slavia Prague.

Expect squad rotation at its fullest, but also Gunners midfield star Eberechi Eze to potentially face his former club Palace for the first time following his summer move from south to north London.

Think chaos. Think goals. Think epic comebacks. This London derby may be one of the fiercest, but it also has history as one of the most mouthwateringly mayhem-filled fixtures in recent history.

Chelsea have scored four goals on each of their last two visits to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with last season's seven goal see-saw classic settled by Cole Palmer’s Panenka penalty, their eighth win in the last 11 Premier League meetings between the two rivals.

Watch: Highlights of Chelsea's thrilling win at Spurs

It will be exactly a year to the day that Bournemouth ended the 32-match unbeaten run of then champions Manchester City with a 2-1 win at Vitality Stadium on 2 November 2024.

The defeat dropped Pep Guardiola's side, who had not lost in the league since a 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa on 6 December 2023, to second in the table behind Liverpool, and the rest of the 2024/25 season is history.

This fixture could prove a real litmus test of Bournemouth's European ambitions - that memorable victory last November was the only blemish on Man City's perfect Premier League record against the Cherries, having won all of their other 15 encounters, scoring 49 goals to Bournemouth's 10.

A rerun of last season's UEFA Europa League final will have a very different feel about it, not least because Thomas Frank is now in the Spurs' dugout having replaced former head coach Ange Postecoglou in the summer.

While Frank has made an instant impact at Spurs, moving away from Postecoglou's intense high-pressing tactics, he faces a Man Utd side drilled to perform in a 3-4-3 formation at all times.

Man Utd will have the benefit of a kinder schedule, this will be their fourth fixture after the Premier League's return this Saturday while Spurs face seven across the same period.

The Stadium of Light is proving a fortress for Sunderland and they will be targeting another three points to maintain their perfect home record against London clubs this season.

The Black Cats have already beaten Brentford 2-1 and West Ham 3-0, respectively, and star midfielder Xhaka will relish the opportunity to face his former Arsenal team-mates for the first time since leaving the club for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023.

Xhaka spent seven years at Emirates Stadium, winning two FA Cups and briefly captaining the side before moving to the Bundesliga.

Watch: Xhaka's best Premier League goals

It may not be classified as a typical local derby, but this is the one exception to the rule for London-based Palace and bitter Sussex rivals Brighton, separated by the M23 motorway.

There is little love lost between the teams - last season's Selhurst Park encounter finished with only 19 players on the pitch following red cards for Palace's Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah, plus Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke.

This fixture may come four days after 5 November, but history suggests there could be fireworks on the pitch once again!

The Premier League table will be really starting to take shape by the time title contenders Man City and Liverpool face each other at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 9 November.

Twelve months ago Liverpool finished Matchweek 11 five points clear of City, an advantage they never let slip as they went on to be crowned champions.

Liverpool head into this Etihad Stadium encounter straight off the back of a Champions League home tie against Real Madrid, a day before City host Borussia Dortmund in the same competition.

Last season the Reds won 2-0 both home and away in this fixture during a disjointed season for City during which they suffered an unprecedented amount of injuries to key players including Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and John Stones. They are unlikely to find it that easy this time around.

Watch 10 of the best goals from Man City v Liverpool

With three different leaders so far in the 2025/26 Premier League season — Manchester City, then Liverpool, and now Arsenal — and only five points separating the top nine clubs, this could prove to be one of the greatest title races of all time.

Although many pundits may tell you it will be a three-horse affair, featuring the aforementioned teams, a number of other sides have made a strong start to the campaign, including FIFA Club World Cup winners Chelsea, who beat the champions Liverpool in their most recent match.

FA Cup holders Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur under the new management of Thomas Frank, and AFC Bournemouth, who have coped admirably with losing most of last season's back four, are also in the top seven as the Premier League pauses for the current international break.

So what do you think? Will the title be won by one of last season's final top four in Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea? Or could the champions come from outside that quartet for the first time since Leicester City surprised everyone 10 years ago, in 2015/16?

Vote in our poll below to let us know. You may wish to view the full Premier League table first or read our analysis of the current state of play here.

Premier League table

Mohammed Kudus has made an electrifying start to life at Tottenham Hotspur, providing four goals and scoring once. Adrian Clarke analyses the Ghanaian’s contributions so far, including a stellar display at Leeds United last time out.

Is Kudus the best dribbler in European football?

Spurs fans are enjoying the sight of summer signing Mohammed Kudus running down their right flank, taking the ball past defenders with his quick feet and blistering speed.

Head coach Thomas Frank has encouraged Kudus to express himself, and the talented winger has certainly been fun to watch, showing good degrees of confidence.

Watch Kudus' best moments of 2025/26 so far

This is not something new. In 2024/25, his final campaign at West Ham United, only Barcelona's Lamine Yamal (161) and Jeremy Doku (107) of Manchester City made more successful dribbles than Kudus (92) across Europe’s top five leagues.

Kudus topped those rankings the year before, and right now, once again, he leads the race as the most effective dribblers in Europe.

The Spurs winger is producing special numbers and currently leads a list that also includes Yamal and Kylian Mbappe in the top four.

Most dribbles attempted/completed in Europe's top five leagues 25/26

Player Dribbles attempted Dribbles completed Mohammed Kudus (Spurs) 57 30 Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) 47 27 Ander Barrenetxea (Real Sociedad) 40 22 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) 44 21

In Premier League terms, Kudus' 30 successful dribbles put him 11 ahead of his nearest rival, Brighton & Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh (19).

And as shown on this graphic below, the bulk of those mesmerising runs have come down the right wing, where Kudus has teased a series of opposition left-backs.

No shortage of productivity

Kudus is currently the Premier League’s joint-leading assist maker, registering an impressive four in seven outings.

Three of those set up goals for striker Richarlison.

Kudus picked out the Brazilian with two crosses against Burnley, the second of which can be seen below.

The winger also made a crisp pass inside the box for Richarlison to score in a 2-2 draw at Brighton.

In the same match, although it did not count as an official assist, Kudus also swung a teasing left-footed cross into the box, a delivery that led to Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke putting the ball in his own net.

Kudus was also inspirational last time out, in a 2-1 success at Leeds United.

The 25-year-old released Mathys Tel with a precise through ball for Spurs' first goal, before scoring the winner himself from outside the box.

It was Kudus' quality that made the difference as he cut in from the right wing before unleashing a low left-footed strike into the bottom corner.

Watch Kudus' assist and goal against Leeds

Accurate deliveries

Kudus has already produced eight accurate crosses in open play, a figure that puts him on course to eclipsing the 21 he provided for West Ham in 2024/25.

Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Hugo Bueno (13) is the only player to have produced a higher number of accurate crosses this season.

When you factor in six accurate set-piece deliveries on top, it means Kudus is ranked second in the Premier League for successful crosses, behind only Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United.

Most successful crosses (inc. corners) 25/26

Player Total Bryan Mbeumo (MUN) 15 Mohammed Kudus (TOT) 14 Hugo Bueno (WOL) 13 Sasa Lukic (FUL) 13

So, while beating his man with skill is a super-strength, Kudus is also proving he can supply top-class service into the box.

It is little wonder he is ranked joint-fifth for chances created in the division, on 13.

How do Spurs use him?

Kudus' team-mates are always looking to play forward passes into his feet, chest, or head.

Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has successfully found him with several long goal-kicks, while defender Pedro Porro and midfielders Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur also look for Kudus on a regular basis.

Only three top-flight players have received more progressive passes than he has during the early phase of this campaign, with Frank keen to involve him in the game on direct attacks.

Finding Kudus early, before opposition defences have got set up in their shape, is the key to bringing the best out of their gifted wide man.

Most progressive passes received 25/26

Player Total Mohamed Salah (LIV) 76 Bryan Mbeumo (MUN) 64 Jack Grealish (EVE) 63 Mohammed Kudus (TOT) 62 Yankuba Minteh (BHA) 59

Battling for the team

Kudus is also a determined team player, who can make things happen by using his physicality.

He enjoys battling for duels, often chasing 50-50s with enthusiasm and throwing himself into contact situations.

No individual has been involved in more duels this season, and consequently, he is also the division’s leading duel winner.

Most duels Most duels won Kudus (TOT) 126 Kudus (TOT) 57 Semenyo (BOU) 114 Anderson (NFO) 55 Paqueta (WHU) 105 Dorgu (MUN) 50 Ndiaye (EVE) 104 Grealish (EVE) 50 Anderson (NFO) 94 Paqueta (WHU) 50

Being a second striker

Kudus also works hard to get himself into the penalty area when the ball is on the other wing.

He has scored once this season already and if he continues taking up those positions, Kudus is sure to get on the scoresheet more regularly.

No other Premier League winger makes as many off-the-ball runs into the penalty area when the ball is in a crossing position, so he is effectively operating as a second striker.

Most off-the-ball runs into penalty area from wide positions 25/26

Player Total Enzo Fernandez (CHE) 33 Joao Pedro (CHE) 33 Viktor Gyokeres (ARS) 31 Chris Wood (NFO) 30 Mohammed Kudus (TOT) 28

Spurs supporters will have been excited to see Kudus join them after impressing at West Ham - and seven matches in, they must be delighted with how positively he has impacted the side, making the right-wing position his own.

It feels like there are plenty more goals and assists to come from the continent’s most prolific dribbler.

Football writer Alex Keble highlights the hot topics and tactical lessons from Matchweek 7:

- Caicedo performance highlights what Liverpool are missing this season

- Arsenal’s "handbrake" critics are eating their words

- Emery’s use of two No 9s throws Burnley into confusion

- Early goals are the key to Man Utd improving under Amorim

- Wolves reveal familiar tactical issues that are holding Brighton back

- Spurs’ gritty win a sign of how much has changed under Frank

- Semenyo’s late blitz for Bournemouth has put him in the spotlight

- Everton have immediately made the Hill Dickinson feel like home

- Postecoglou’s strategy shift a worrying sign as Forest slip towards relegation zone

- Game of two halves shows the best, and the worst, way to combat Man City

Caicedo performance highlights what Liverpool are missing this season

Arne Slot has lost three games in a row in all competitions for the first time in his managerial career, and it has to be said Liverpool’s dip in form has been coming.

So far this season, Liverpool have been reliant on late goals to correct performances defined by looseness, an inability to control games, and an openness to opposition counter-attacks.

Chelsea’s late winner was familiar, being built around Liverpool’s right-back and scored at the far post, where the left-back should have been. This poses another question for Slot, on what to do with his current full-backs.

Watch Estevao Willian's late winner against Liverpool

But it was the imperious performance of Moises Caicedo that really hammered home what’s wrong at Liverpool in 2025/26.

Caicedo dominated central midfield. As well as scoring a brilliant opener, he was a metronomic presence in possession and the chief destroyer off it. On Saturday, he made more combined tackles and interceptions (five) than any other player on the pitch.

Caicedo's midfield performance v Liverpool

Liverpool tried to sign Caicedo two years ago. A year later, they reportedly tried again to find a No 6 but couldn’t get a deal for Martin Zubimendi over the line.

An elite No 6 would allow Liverpool to slow the game, stay in control, and screen against the fast breaks that have knocked them off the top of the Premier League.

Arsenal’s "handbrake" critics are eating their words

Arsenal are top of the Premier League table because they are able to control games and Liverpool are not.

A lot of pundits will be forced to eat their words after claiming Mikel Arteta has too often failed to take off the handbrake.

In reality he showed caution at appropriate moments. It made sense to play conservatively against Liverpool and Manchester City, and Arsenal were unlucky to only take one point from these matches.

Arsenal have not held back in any of their other five Premier League matches, including Saturday’s 2-0 victory over West Ham United, in which Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze started together in central midfield.

Watch highlights from Arsenal's 2-0 win against West Ham

What followed was a routine home win to leave Arsenal looking calm, measured, and in the right frame of mind to go one step further this season.

Emery’s use of two No 9 throws Burnley into confusion

Unai Emery came up with a novel way to beat Burnley’s back five, fielding Donyell Malen and Ollie Watkins together as No 9s in a 4-4-2 formation at Villa Park.

Marlen scored the goals and on both occasions he found space because he was one of two runners. With Axel Tuanzebe having to get tight to Morgan Rogers, Burnley’s remaining centre-backs were pulled apart by the splitting runs of Watkins and Malen:

This is positive for Aston Villa fans for two reasons. First, it was proof that Emery can still spring a tactical surprise and get it right, following an unnerving first two months of the season in which Villa’s football looked slow and predictable.

Second, it showed that Malen can have a big impact for Villa. He has struggled to fit in since his arrival in January, largely because Marcus Rashford was brought in on loan soon after, relegating Malen in the pecking order to the extent that he was left out of Villa’s UEFA Champions League squad.

Unlike Rashford – or Jhon Duran before him – Malen can drop deep and play between the lines, too, making him a much better fit to play alongside Watkins compared to Villa’s previous No 9s.

Malen and Watkins’ runs meant Villa, for once, were arriving in the final third at speed, in turn allowing Rogers to improve his form.

Early goals are the key to Man Utd improving under Amorim

Manchester United have been racing out of the blocks all season, but their dreadful conversion rate means it usually comes to nothing.

Mason Mount’s early strike at Old Trafford on Saturday allowed everyone to relax - fans included - and carry out the manager’s instructions. This is the template to follow.

Watch Mount's opener for Man Utd

Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 works best when Man Utd are able to fully control matches and dominate possession, which becomes a lot easier with early goals. It might also be considerably easier to do with Mount in the side.

Mount is an intelligent and hard-working player who looks perfect for one of the No 10 roles in Amorim’s 3-4-3. His goal in the eighth minute this weekend could be the catalyst that gets his Man Utd career up and running, following a difficult and injury-hit two years in Manchester.

Man Utd have now won four of their last eight Premier League games, as many as in their previous 21, and although five of their 10 wins under Amorim have come against promoted sides, that is nevertheless a sign of progress.

Scoring early is the secret to a spell of good form for Man Utd.

Wolves reveal familiar tactical issues that are holding Brighton back

It was a devastating end to the match for Wolverhampton Wanderers, whose wait for a Premier League win goes on after Jan Paul van Hecke scored a late equaliser from a set-piece, the 25th Wolves have conceded in the competition since the start of last season.

It’s pretty obvious where Wolves need to improve, then. The same can be said for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Brighton have taken two points from four games when holding more than 50 per cent possession and seven points from three matches when holding less than 50 per cent. That’s 0.5 points per game when controlling the ball and 2.3 points per game when playing on the counter.

Fabien Hurzeler had exactly the same problem last year.

Brighton's PL record with possession over/under 50 per cent, 24/25

Possession share Record Points per game Over 50% 5W 8D 9L 1.05 ppg 50% or less 10W 5D 0L 2.33ppg

Key: W=Wins, D=Draws; L=Losses.

Brighton need to find a way to break down a low block and score goals when in command of the ball. If they rely solely on fast breaks, they will hit a ceiling.

Spurs’ gritty win a sign of how much has changed under Frank

Plenty of teams this season will fall short at Elland Road, where a powerful and direct Leeds United will do everything they can to make life difficult for the visiting side.

Thomas Frank decided not to play Leeds at their own game. Instead, Tottenham Hotspur were conservative in their setup, happily dropping back and inviting the hosts onto them, a strategy that neutralised Leeds' own breaks and made the physical battle in midfield far less important.

There is no way an Ange Postecoglou team would have played like that; would have dug in, hit on the break, and come away with three points.

In fact, there is no "Big Six" team happy to be as reactive as Spurs have been under Frank. He represents a significant style change in the Premier League, although the Spurs manager was keen to point out that tactics are secondary to character.

"If you want to build any successful team, you need mentality, character, cohesion and togetherness no matter if you play like Inter or Barcelona," he said. "Whatever the style of play, you need that willingness to do everything to win and I think we’re building that more and more in the team."

Semenyo’s late blitz for Bournemouth has put him in the spotlight

In the rise of any Premier League player there is one explosive moment, usually televised, that finally gets neutrals to pay attention and anoint a new star.

Antoine Semenyo’s dazzling run and finish on Friday night, which he followed up with a further assist and goal to complete the turnaround, was the event that took his status to the next level.

Watch Semenyo's brilliant goal against Fulham

Semenyo has five goals and four assists in seven Premier League appearances this season. Only Erling Haaland (10) has more goal involvements to his name.

Most goal contributions in the PL 25/26

Player Total Haaland (MCI) 10 Semenyo (BOU) 9 Grealish (EVE), Joao Pedro (CHE), Anthony (BUR), Kudus (TOT) 5 Ekitike (LIV), Sarr (CRY), Richarlison (TOT), Gakpo (LIV) 4

Semenyo deserved more attention than he got for a strong 2024/25 campaign, in which he scored or assist 16 times in the Premier League, but with AFC Bournemouth now riding high in the table, the 25-year-old is finally getting love.

Andoni Iraola’s side ended Friday in second place – the club's highest ever position in the table – and are only two points behind current leaders Arsenal.

Thanks to Semenyo, dreams of playing in Europe for the first time look realistic.

Everton have immediately made the Hill Dickinson Stadium feel like home

Jack Grealish’s late winner sent the Hill Dickinson Stadium into delirium, the noise emulating Goodison Park at its best for the very first time.

Already, and thanks in no small part to moments like these, it feels like home.

Historically, Premier League teams have struggled with the move to a new stadium, but these Grealish-inspired performances and results (two wins and two draws so far at home) have made Everton’s transition look easy.

It helps that the stadium is superb, with great acoustics to capture the joy of late winners like Grealish’s goal on Sunday.

Watch as Everton end Crystal Palace's 19-match unbeaten run

And it helps that David Moyes has so quickly put this team together. Since his first game back in charge in January, only six teams have won more Premier League points than the 42 of Everton.

Ending Palace’s 19-game unbeaten run is no mean feat. The Toffees have a team, and a stadium, fit for European football.

Postecoglou’s strategy shift is worrying sign as Forest slip towards relegation zone

Nottingham Forest have lost five and drawn two of their first seven matches in all competitions under Ange Postecoglou, and although defeat at St James' Park is not necessarily a bad result – and certainly not as damaging as the 3-2 loss at home to FC Midtjylland on Thursday – there were some ominous signs.

Already, Postecoglou is approaching the point he reached after 18 months at Spurs, when the expansive attacking football is put to one side in favour of a fire-fighting approach.

Forest were defence-first at Newcastle, looking to frustrate in a quiet and conservative first half.

But even that did not help. Forest have lost six of their 10 matches in all competitions this season. It took 28 games of the 2024/25 season to hit that number.

Postecoglou’s personal record is even more painful. He has lost 30 of his last 49 Premier League matches.

Thankfully, the international break is a chance for Postecolgou to reset - and to teach his core principles to the Forest players.

Game of two halves shows the best, and the worst, way to combat Man City

Man City scored early at the Gtech Community Stadium and then breezed through the opening 45 minutes, playing with a composure and rhythm reminiscent of the height of Pep Guardiola’s side in 2017/18.

Watch Haaland's early goal at Brentford

It was a worrying sight for their title rivals and, maybe, an indication that Man City can return to the sort of form we haven’t seen in well over a year.

But in the second half, Brentford changed tactics, abandoning the low block and beginning to press high. They harassed the Man City central midfielders and created a more even game, with the subsequent throw-ins allowing Brentford to push the visitors back and apply some attacking pressure.

It was a case study in how to play against Man City, and how not to play against Guardiola's side.

The days of sitting deep and allowing Guardiola’s side to follow their prepared patterns of play are over. We now know that to combat Man City you have to bravely disrupt their passing, as Brentford eventually proved.

Then again, the hosts were helped by Rodri’s injury, after which Man City lost some of their composure.

Fans wait on news of his hamstring injury with bated breath. As we saw in 2024/25, Guardiola simply cannot afford to lose Rodri.

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

Tottenham Hotspur sealed a 2-1 win against Leeds United on Saturday, with Mohammed Kudus’s first goal for the club ending Daniel Farke’s side’s 23-game unbeaten league run at Elland Road.

Kudus picked out the bottom-right corner with a brilliant finish in the 57th minute, capping a fine individual display after assisting the game’s opening goal.

Spurs had taken the lead in the 23rd minute through Mathys Tel’s deflected shot, but were pegged back before the break thanks to Noah Okafor’s effort from close range.

The deciding moment came just before the hour, with Kudus getting the better of Gabriel Gudmundsson on the right before flashing a fierce shot past Karl Darlow.

The result lifts Spurs to second in the league, one point behind leaders Liverpool, while Leeds remain 12th after their third defeat of the Premier League season.

How the match unfolded

Having seen former Spurs defender Joe Rodon head against a post early on, Leeds found themselves behind when Sean Longstaff was dispossessed by Rodrigo Bentancur, with the ball finding its way to Tel, who beat Darlow with the aid of a deflection from Pascal Struijk.

However, the hosts hauled themselves level 11 minutes before half-time through Okafor, who tucked home from close range after Guglielmo Vicario had parried Brenden Aaronson’s initial shot into his path following neat build-up play from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Tel came close to doubling his and Spurs' tally in first-half stoppage time, but his brilliant header from Wilson Odobert’s cross into the box cannoned off the crossbar.

After weathering a spell of pressure, Gudmundsson was unable to deal with Pedro Porro’s ball down the line, allowing Kudus to pick up the pieces and seal the win with a fine finish. But, Spurs needed a brilliant save from Vicario to deny Joel Piroe in second-half stoppage time.

Elland Road run comes to an end

Leeds have been unbeaten at home in over a year, with a win over Coventry City in September 2024 marking the start of that run, having also beaten Everton and drawn with AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United in the Premier League.

But, they fell short here despite making a strong start in a tale of squandered opportunities.

Longstaff’s inviting free-kick in the seventh minute saw Vicario misjudge the flight of the ball, but Rodon could only head against the post, and they were made to pay soon after when Tel beat Darlow at his near post, with that moment allowing Spurs to settle.

Joao Palhinha fired over after Ethan Ampadu failed to deal with a cross into the box, before Darlow was on hand to repel Destiny Udogie’s strike from a tight angle, but Leeds had their moments at the other end.

Calvert-Lewin could have done better after Bentancur was dispossessed by Okafor, though the Switzerland international made no mistake when restoring parity with his effort in the 34th minute, despite an inflatable ball making its way on to the pitch, much to the annoyance of Vicario.

Leeds continued to threaten in the second half as Calvert-Lewin’s shot on the swivel was blocked by the feet of Vicario before Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka fired wide, with Piroe’s late attempt brilliantly saved by the Spurs goalkeeper.

They will look to pick themselves up after the October international break, with a trip to Turf Moor to take on fellow promoted team Burnley in their next Premier League outing.

Spurs weather late storm to get back to winning ways

Spurs left it late to secure a 2-2 draw with Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, and that display appeared to exert all of their energy in the opening exchanges, though their sluggish start went unpunished as Tel fired them into the lead.

It was Tel’s first Premier League goal since scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers in April, repaying the faith shown in him by Thomas Frank, as Spurs found a way to score without an established focal point at the top end of the pitch, with Richarlison on the bench and Dominic Solanke out injured.

Though they were susceptible to Leeds on the break, with Calvert-Lewin firing two warning shots either side of the break, Tel rattled the crossbar with a brilliant header in first-half stoppage time at the other end.

Spurs could have entered the break with a more comfortable advantage after Kudus had blazed over following Udogie’s unchallenged run, but the winger signed from West Ham United more than made up for that miss by striking the winning goal.

Frank introduced Kevin Danso and Pape Matar Sarr to shore things up at the back late on, but Leeds piled on the pressure and came close to an equaliser, only for Vicario to save Piroe’s close-range strike before Struijk's header was deflected wide late on.

It marks another excellent result in Frank’s early Spurs tenure, and he will be looking to build on that when they welcome Aston Villa to north London after the international break.

Club reports

Leeds report | Spurs report

What the managers said

Daniel Farke: "[We needed] to score more goals from our big chances. We had two big mistakes. Football is sometimes like this. That's the way it goes in the first half. Second half our player slipped and that was an invitation to Kudus.

"We had more than enough chances to win this game. Performance-wise I can just compliment the lads, we won every metric. We are disappointed but the lads should be pleased with their performance."

Thomas Frank: "We needed a win. The last three games were without [one]. That feeling to get over the line, to get three points, was big.

"But also the respect for Leeds and Elland Road. We knew very well the task ahead of us. We overcame that in a very good way. I thought we played overall a really good game. We should have got more out of the dangerous situations. I know they hit the post and the goal, and right at the end there was carnage, but for the rest of the game I thought we defended superbly."

Next PL fixtures

Key facts

Spurs have won three of their opening four away Premier League games this season (one draw), as many as in their final 13 away league games of last season under Ange Postecoglou (three wins, one draw, nine losses).

Leeds have lost eight of their last 10 Premier League games in which they’ve conceded first (one win, one draw), including three of their five so far in 2025/26.

Spurs have recorded their first Premier League win after a game in major European competition since February last season against Brentford (2-0), ending a run of eight matches without a victory (three draws, five losses).

Kudus completed all six of his dribbles, the best 100 per cent rate by a Spurs player in a Premier League game since Tanguy Ndombele against Villa in March 2021 (also six out of six).