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Cristian Romero appears to aim dig at club chiefs in damning comments after Chelsea defeat

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Tottenham defender Cristian Romero appears to have taken a thinly-veiled swipe at club chairman Daniel Levy.

Romero returned to the Tottenham line-up for Sunday's 4-3 loss to Chelsea after he'd missed the last four matches with a toe injury.

However, the Argentinian was forced off in the 15th minute when, according to Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, he 'felt something in his quad' in a 'hugely disappointing' blow.

Two minutes after Romero went off, Chelsea winger Jadon Sancho scored to make it 2-1.

Enzo Maresca's side would score three more goals before Tottenham skipper Heung-min Son's consolation in second-half stoppage time.

With Tottenham now winless in their last four across all competitions and with one victory from their last seven, the heat is cranked up on Postecoglou.

However, Romero believes the pressure should be intensified on those working above the Australian, especially when considering the levels of investment from the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

When asked if Tottenham had fallen behind their top six rivals in terms of investment and squad strength to compete for titles, Romero told Telemundo Deportes: "The truth is, I would say no comment, but... Manchester City competes every year, you see how Liverpool strengthens its squad, Chelsea strengthens their squad, doesn't do well, strengthens again, and now they're seeing results.

"Those are the things to imitate. You have to realise that something is going wrong, hopefully, they realise it.

"The last few years, it’s always the same: first, the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it's always the same people responsible.

"Hopefully, they realise who the true responsible ones are, and we move forward because it’s a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title every year."

Since Postecoglou arrived in July 2023, Tottenham have spent £348million on transfers.

Only three players signed by Postecoglou - Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson - featured in Tottenham's starting line-up against Chelsea.

It is worth noting all five players who came off the bench for Tottenham - Radu Dragusin, James Maddison, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Timo Werner - were also signed under Postecoglou.

Despite the expenditure with Postecoglou at the helm, it has yet to translate into material success.

However, the same could be said for just about every manager who has sat in the dugout since Levy became a member of the Tottenham board in December 2000.

In that time, Tottenham have won a solitary trophy: the League Cup in 2008.

It took until the 2009/10 season for Tottenham to qualify for the Champions League.

Tottenham have also failed to finish higher than 4th since the 2018/19 campaign, which proved to be Mauricio Pochettino's final full season in charge.

Given the stature of the club and their membership in the so-called 'Big Six', more is expected of Tottenham.

It appears Postecoglou will be given the opportunity to turn things around, as talkSPORT understands the Australian is not under immediate threat of being sacked.

The loss to Chelsea dropped the north London outfit into the bottom half of the table, which has sparked supporters' fury.

But Levy is understood to be more content to stick rather than twist and is aware Postecoglou has been hit with injuries to several key players.

Postecoglou and Tottenham have the chance to break the winless streak when they travel to Ibrox for a Europa League clash against Rangers on Thursday.

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Ange Postecoglou safe for now at Tottenham with Daniel Levy willing to give him more time

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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is NOT under immediate threat of the sack, talkSPORT understands.

Spurs have dropped into the bottom half of the Premier League table after losing seven of their 15 Premier League games this season.

Their latest setback came at the hands of London rivals Chelsea on Sunday when they lost 4-3 despite going 2-0 up after 11 minutes.

Chairman Daniel Levy is aware Spurs have been hit by injuries to key players and willing to give Postecoglou more time to turn their fortunes around.

The Australian would also like funds in the January transfer window to strengthen the squad.

Spurs have just one win to their name in their past seven matches in all competitions which was their 4-0 thumping of Manchester City.

Draws have come against Roma and Fulham since then, with defeat at home to Chelsea sealing back-to-back losses.

It came three days after they were beaten 1-0 away at Bournemouth and fan tensions began to boil over at full-time.

Postecoglou was booed when he went towards the travelling supporters, with two stewards standing between him and the crowd.

"They're disappointed and I got some pretty direct feedback, which is always healthy mate," he told talkSPORT afterwards.

Spurs surrendered a 2-0 lead and lost in a Premier League match for the 11th time in their history on Sunday against Chelsea.

It's the second time they have done so this season, with the first occasions coming away at Brighton when they ultimately lost 3-2.

Postecoglou opted to name Cristian Romero and Mickey van de Ven in his starting XI against Chelsea following their recent absences.

However, Romero was withdrawn after just 15 minutes of play and Van de Ven also went off with an injury later in the match.

Guglielmo Vicario, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore are already notable absentees in north London.

Postecoglou has the opportunity to return to winning form when they face Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday, live on talkSPORT.

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Simon Jordan sends warning to Tottenham fans over Daniel Levy out calls

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Simon Jordan believes Tottenham's recent woes have 'nothing to do with the owner'.

Sunday's capitulation against Chelsea followed another loss after leading 2-0 against Brighton back in October.

The result leaves Spurs 11th in the Premier League after winning just one of their last seven matches in all competitions.

Meanwhile, some fans have called for Daniel Levy to leave the club after 23 years.

He is currently the longest-serving chairman in the league, having been in the role since 2001.

Jordan has now given his thoughts on the calls for a change at the club.

The talksSPORT co-host told White & Jordan: "Who's going to buy Tottenham and pay four billion quid that Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy will want?

"How does it work when you get someone in the door? Because it's working really well at the moment with Manchester United and Jim Ratcliffe, this new intellectual capital that's coming in.

"Just what happened on the field against Chelsea and Brighton has nothing to do with the owner. That's to do with the manager and what he decides to do in the game.

"Now, I do agree that in order for Tottenham to be more competitive, and you go back to the seasons when they'd lost the Champions League final, the argument is, why didn't they back it then?

"People came out, David Pleat sat in the studio and said it was nothing to do with Levy.

"It was to do with Mauricio Pochettino didn't want any new players. Pochettino sings a different song.

"The bottom line is, is if you don't win anything and you're commercially a very successful football club and you built a wonderful stadium, you're going to be sat in a situation where people like Jamie Carragher or anybody else, or even the Tottenham fans that have their moments with Daniel Levy, are going to sit there and say, time for a change."

Levy has overseen Spurs' move to a new training ground and stadium during his tenure.

The club have also won the League Cup and qualified for the Champions League six times since his arrival.

However, doubts remain over the conveyor belt of managers to have failed to end the 16-year trophy drought dating back to 2008.

Current boss Ange Postecoglou is the 12th manager appointed by Levy in the last 23 years.

The Australian is also under pressure after his side's recent poor form.

Following the home defeat to Chelsea, Postecoglou admitted he cannot ask for patience amid their downturn in results.

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Cole Palmer embodies many things desperately Tottenham lack and Chelsea's title bid is real

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'Don’t worry about a thing' read the small placard held up by a Chelsea fan to Cole Palmer and his celebrating teammates after the final whistle.

Why worry when you have Palmer, second only to Mohamed Salah as the best player in the Premier League?

Why worry when you’re playing a team as inconsistent and brittle as Tottenham Hotspur, who you’ve beaten in five of your last seven visits? Lads, it’s Spurs.

Why worry when Tottenham send on teenagers in Archie Gray (however promising) and Lucas Bergvall and you send on LaLiga champions (in Joao Felix)?

Why worry when the Spurs head coach, Ange Postecoglou, is gambling on the fitness of his best two centre-backs, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romeo, who fail to finish the game?

Why worry when you have your own coach in Enzo Maresca who has the strength of personality and tactical nous to keep a collection of big names happy?

Why worry when you have a winning culture that Spurs lack, a culture embodied by Palmer?

Chelsea’s No.20 was the calmest person within this magnificent stadium, a symbol of all the control and sustained excellence lacking in Spurs.

He made light of Yves Bissouma’s attempt to shackle him. He scored twice, both nerveless penalties, the second a majestic Panenka that floated mockingly into the net as Fraser Forster dived into thin air.

Palmer delivered an assist, reaching 50 goal involvements in his 48 Premier League games for Chelsea (33 goals, 17 assists).

He's an entertainer, a team player, and above all a winner.

He’s leading the Chelsea chase of Liverpool. Palmer and Maresca may play down Chelsea’s title chances but they are very real.

If Chelsea had a better goalkeeper than Robert Sanchez, another elite-level centre-back and a fit Reece James, they could challenge Liverpool more closely.

Liverpool are rightly favourites but Chelsea have Maresca juggling his talented squad well; Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho as diligent out of possession as they are in, they have Enzo Fernandez rediscovering form, and they have Palmer.

Even when Spurs took a two-goal lead within 11 minutes, Palmer never panicked. He kept his nerve just as his teammate Marc Cucurella failed to keep his footing.

Chelsea’s left-back was wearing the wrong length studs, and slipped as Brennan Johnson sped down the right and crossed for Dom Solanke to get across Levi Colwill to score. Cucurella slipped again and Dejan Kulusevski slalomed through to score.

Cucurella changed his boots and promptly sent Sancho weaving in from the left to pull a goal back. Palmer was already gracing the game with his elegant touches and swift movement and the tide turned.

Anthony Taylor’s desire to let a derby flow was commendable but he really should have taken action for Moises Caicedo’s studs-up challenge on Pape Sarr and then Kulesevski’s glancing elbow on Romeo Lavia, who’d earlier been booked for fouling the Swede.

There was so much entertainment that it was also tempting to laugh at the Premier League match centre posting: “VAR checked for a potential red card following a challenge by Caicedo on Sarr and confirmed the referee’s call of no serious foul play”.

Nonsense. Caicedo deserved red. So did Kulusevski. Neither received even yellow.

Howard Webb’s next ‘Match Officials mic’d up' show should be interesting. Actions that risk injuring an opponent have to be stopped.

Lavia did not appear for the second half, nursing a hamstring, and Malo Gusto came on at right-back with Caicedo moving into midfield.

Caicedo raced into the box and was brought down, almost comically, by Bissouma in one of those challenges best described as 'got there as quickly as he could'.

Palmer duly sent Forster the wrong way. Palmer then dribbled past Destiny Udogie, Van de Ven, Pape Sarr and Bissouma before the ball deflected to Fernandez, who had ghosted past Kulusevski into the area.

Fernandez caught the ball on the half-volley and gave Forster no chance. Spurs players looked around in frustration. Kulusevski looked at his boots, picking out some loose blades of grass.

And why worry when Spurs’ marking and challenging is poor? Palmer was dribbling away from goal when caught by Pape Sarr. The penalty was clear, and all that remained was for Palmer to dink it past Forster. Son Heung-Min scored a very late consolation third for Spurs but Chelsea were deserved winners.

There was no dissent towards Postecoglou at the final whistle, mainly because so many Spurs fans had left.

Postecoglou says he 'can’t rotate', and keeps relying on a small group of players who then become vulnerable to fatigue or injury.

That’s partly down to the club’s recruitment, spending so much on the long-term promise of youth, rather than battle-ready 26-year-olds.

But it’s also a question of mentality, and Postecoglou observed there was a 'sense of desperation' about his team when the game started to slide.

They need more fighters and leaders (and more like the excellent Pedro Porro).

Postecoglou will bear the brunt of the criticism but it's a problem of culture at Spurs. They lack Chelsea’s fortitude.

And, unlike Chelsea, they should worry.

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'I'd rather take the blame' - Son issues demand to Tottenham fans in emotional interview

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Heung-min Son has called for Tottenham teammates and fans to pull together after yet another disappointing game for them.

Spurs surrendered a two-goal lead on their way to being beaten 4-3 at home on Sunday afternoon.

Despite Son's late goal, Ange Postecoglou's side were unable to salvage a point as their poor form continued.

The defeat means Spurs have now won just one of their last seven Premier League matches.

As a result, they have slipped to 11th in the table and are seven points adrift of the top four.

Speaking after the match, Son gave an emotional interview as he called for togetherness from all those associated with the club.

The Spurs captain told Sky Sports: "It's very disappointing. I don't know what to say at the moment.

"We conceded very sloppy goals. It feels like we lost because of these small details. On such a big stage, you need to step up and score in these moments.

"I feel like I let the team down and I feel very sorry for the team."

He continued: "We can't concede goals like this. We can't dive into this situation. I can stay here all day talking about the mistakes but I'd rather blame me with the chance and I'd rather take the blame.

"I had a bit of a different thinking when I was running to the ball. I'm also human and I miss. I feel the pain because it's such an important moment of the game. The team tried.

"We got to stick together in such difficult moments, it's very important and it's why we need big support.

"The players are very young and they need support more than before and more than we had. The fans were always supporting amazingly but I think it's time the players also need to step up.

"We need some big support and big cheering up."

Son had scored his third league goal of the season to provide some late hope after four unanswered goals from the visitors.

However, the Blues held on to close the gap to leaders Liverpool to four points.

Spurs will be hoping for a response away to Scottish giants Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, their next league match is a trip to Southampton on Sunday.

Son's call for support at home will have to wait over a week, though, with Spurs hosting Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on December 19.

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Chelsea fans love what Jadon Sancho did to Tottenham corner flag in unseen moment

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Jadon Sancho has emerged as a Chelsea fan favourite following his antics in their 4-3 win at Tottenham.

The winger scored the Blues' first goal of the evening as they came from behind to win all three points in a hectic London derby.

Sancho fired in with a stunning strike and, although it helped spark Chelsea back into life, fans have loved what he did later in the match.

After Enzo Fernandez put them 3-2 ahead with a fine finish, Sancho ran over to the away end to celebrate with the travelling fans.

He the picked up the corner flag, which has the Spurs badge printed on it, in front of him and threw it onto the ground with a grin.

It's a moment that many may have missed amid the celebrations but Chelsea fans on social media delighted in Sancho's actions.

It's a moment that many may have missed amid the celebrations but Chelsea fans on social media delighted in Sancho's actions.

Taking to X, one happy supporter said: "Oh I love him so much,"

"Sanch been propa Chelsea since day 1," added a second.

A third said: "Sancho man of the match for me."

"Sancho throwing away the Spurs corner flag, he's a real Chels," added a fourth.

Sancho's goal was his second for Chelsea since signing on loan from Manchester United in the summer.

It came just four days after he netted his first in their 5-1 thrashing of Southampton, although this one proved more crucial.

Chelsea fell behind after five minutes when their former striker Dominic Solanke scored following a Marc Cucurella slip.

Dejan Kulusevski doubled Spurs' lead moments later with a low and slow strike that nestled into the bottom corner.

Sancho responded in the 17th minute with an excellent finish from outside the area ahead of Chelsea's second half turnaround.

Cole Palmer equalised with a penalty after a rash Yves Bissouma foul on Moises Caicedo on the approach to the hour mark.

Enzo Fernandez fired the Blues ahead for the first time shortly after, doing so with a well-executed half-volley.

Palmer sealed all three points with an exquisite Panenka penalty that Spurs goalkeeper Fraser Forster could only watch as it went in.

The hosts scored a consolation through Heung-min Son in stoppage time as Chelsea ran out as winners in north London.

Spurs will also have to deal with injuries to Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, who both returned to the line-up after recent absences.

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PGMOL release statement after Chelsea star Moises Caicedo avoids red card at Tottenham

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The PGMOL says Moises Caicedo's high challenge on Pape Matar Sarr was not 'serious foul play'.

Shortly after the half-hour mark of Chelsea's 4-3 win, the Blues midfielder went into a strong challenge against Tottenham man Sarr.

Replays showed that Caicedo's foot went above the ankle of his opponent, a type of challenge that has previously been punished with a red card.

Cristiano Romero was sent off for Spurs for a similar tackle on Enzo Fernandez during their 4-1 defeat to Chelsea last season.

However, VAR swiftly checked the incident and did not choose to call Anthony Taylor over to check the monitor.

Shortly after, the Premier League took to their match centre account on X to reveal why Caicedo was not dismissed for his tackle.

The statement read: "VAR checked for a potential red card following a challenge by Caicedo on Sarr and confirmed the referee’s call of no serious foul play."

Spurs scored two early goals before Chelsea came back to make it 2-1 in an entertaining first half.

Dominic Solanke opened the scoring against his former club with just five minutes played following a slip from Marc Cucurella.

Just moments later, Dejan Kulusevski struck low into the bottom corner as Spurs looked comfortable on home turf.

However, Chelsea reduced the deficit in the 17th minute thanks to an excellent strike from Jadon Sancho.

Caicedo's tackle on Sarr followed later on in the half, with Kulusevski also seemingly avoiding a card for an apparent elbow on Romeo Lavia.

Lavia was substituted at the start of the second half, with Malo Gusto coming on as his replacement and swapping with Caicedo at right-back.

Cole Palmer then equalised with a penalty following Yves Bissouma's late challenge on Caicedo.

Chelsea completed the turnaround on 73 minutes as Fernandez fired in following a stunning run from Palmer.

The Blues then extended their lead in the final ten minutes when Palmer scored an excellent panenka penalty.

Son Heung-min scored late on for Spurs but it proved to be in vein as the full-time whistle quickly followed and sealed their defeat.

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'Schoolboy stuff' - Marc Cucurella changes boots after nightmare start at Spurs as Jamie Carragher labels Chelsea star 'embarrassing'

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Marc Cucurella ran to the sidelines to change his boots after slipping over TWICE to gift Tottenham two goals against Chelsea.

Dominic Solanke's opener in the fifth minute came after Chelsea lost possession near the halfway line due to Cucurella's slip.

Spurs' second came on 12 minutes when Chelsea's left-back slipped over at the key moment again as he tried to clear the ball in his own half.

Dejan Kulusevski stole the ball off the Spain international and charged through Chelsea's defence before getting his shot away.

The ball squeezed into the bottom right hand corner, putting Spurs 2-0 up.

As Spurs celebrated, cameras showed Cucurella racing to his side's bench to change his boots.

He gestured to the bench, appearing to signal that his boots hadn't stopped him from skidding over before the goal.

The Spain international sat on the floor and quickly put his new boots on before the restart.

Co-commentator for the game, ex-Liverpool star Jamie Carragher, had no sympathy for the Euro 2024 winner.

"Cucurella's coming to the bench, don't blame anyone else - it's your own fault son!" Carragher said, live on Sky Sports.

"Absolute schoolboy stuff. Embarrassing.

"He slips again. Look at him shrugging his shoulders. Did he not do a warm-up?"

Cucurella was able to get a better grip of the turf in his new boots after changing them.

Chelsea soon got one back through Jadon Sancho to settle the travelling side's nerves, too.

The ex-Borussia Dortmund winger cut inside and superbly fired into the back of the net with some help from the inside of the post in the 18th minute to half the deficit.

It was an exhausting first half in north London, which was partly disrupted by a section of Tottenham fans throwing what appeared to be paper onto the pitch.

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Chelsea forced me to sign for Tottenham but I dislike Spurs as much now as I did then

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Tottenham vs Chelsea is a rivalry of epic proportions and one man who has played for both didn't pull any punches about where his allegiances lie.

talkSPORT host Jason Cundy played for both during his Premier League career - but his colours are firmly nailed to the mast.

And that's despite being forced to sign for Spurs while being a lifelong Blues supporter.

Ahead of the huge London derby, Cundy was ribbed about his Tottenham past on talkSPORT's YouTube show Inside Chelsea.

"Well, it was terrible," he laughed.

"I mean, I don't even want to talk, move on please. I can't talk about it.

"I've got no love for Spurs at all," he continued. "I dislike Spurs as much now as I did before I joined them."

Cundy was part of Chelsea's academy but left Stamford Bridge in 1992 after 41 league appearances and two goals.

He joined Tottenham on loan initial but then left permanently for White Hart Lane in the same year.

The defender spent four years on the books with the north London club but only managed 18 league appearances, before leaving for Ipswich in 1996.

Asked how challenging the transfer was for him, he added: "It was a very odd scenario because I just signed a four and a half year contract in the November, and by the time March came around, Chelsea accepted a bid.

"I had a phone call from Ian Porterfield saying to me, 'We've accepted a bid and Terry Venables is going to phone you this afternoon'.

"It was very different back then because, if the club wanted you gone, you went.

"And now the players got far more power. If the club want you out, they want you out. And they wanted the money more than me. Chelsea made their choices.

"They made their decisions. And unfortunately, I had no choice but to make mine. But look, it's part of my life. It happened.

"And, you know, I'm very lucky now. I went away, but I've come back."

The clash between the two sides is set to be fiery coming just over one year after Chelsea beat nine-man Tottenham 4-1.

The game saw Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie sent off, while James Maddison and Micky van der Ven were forced off through injury.

Battles between the two sides have historically been explosive too.

And asked if that fire was always there, he added: "Even the youth team. It was ingrained in you in the youth team what this game meant.

"But as a Chelsea fan, I didn't need to be told because it was very much there that. The game will crackle.

And there's certain games, and this is why I love football, because there's certain games at certain stadiums where you know you're at something big.

"I know that Brentford are a west London rival. Brentford under the lights or Spurs under the lights. Let me tell you, you can't compare the two.

"There is nothing compared. And whoever's going to be at the stadium at the weekend, Chelsea fans, right? They'll be in. That will be like a proper, proper battle."

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