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Ange welcomes more games

Ange Postecoglou has bucked the trend by saying he’s excited to have a fuller fixture schedule this season.

Tottenham are back in Europe and face their opening Europa League game against Qarabag tonight.

Postecoglou: "I am really pleased to be back there and excited to be back in it.

“I spoke about it last year that it was a real gap in our calendar and didn't help us at certain times of the year not having regular football, that challenge of playing different types of opposition and exposing our whole squad to some meaningful game-time.

“And the worst thing was sitting around watching other teams play in it. It didn't sit right with me so being back in a European competition is important."

On Qarabag, Postecoglou said: "We've had a very good look at them. We had someone fly out at the weekend and watch them play.

“They are a very good team, they dominate the local competition, but just as importantly in Europe they've always made an impact.

“We had a good look at their two games against Bayer Leverkusen (in the Europa League Round of 16 last season), they did very well and pushed Leverkusen all the way. We all know how good Leverkusen were last year, so it's not about individuals, it's about understanding and making sure we reach the level of performance we do against a very good, experienced European opponent.

“I think experience in Europe counts and Qarabag have been consistent whether it's Champions League or Europa League and always made an impact. We'll be ready for that."

Jordan takes aim

Simon Jordan says Manchester United’s draw with FC Twente will do nothing to negate the negativity surrounding Erik ten Hag.

He told talkSPORT: “This is the business end, this is it, this is what you qualify into Europe for.

“Now, it’s one game, there's plenty more to go, but that's not a great start. Manchester United need momentum, Ten Hag needs momentum.

“He needs belief, he needs to be able to put it beyond reproach the question that he only survived the axe in the summer because there was no one else.

“So [he needs a] situation where the players are on board, the results are coming and the momentum is building, then the argument about when he's going to get the bullet would go away.”

Jordan added: “You have a responsibility to represent the football club at the highest level. It's a privilege, an honour to play for one of the biggest clubs in world football.

“You should appreciate that by recognising it in your performance, knowing that the opposition arrive at Old Trafford with the legacy of people in the past, not you lot, people in the past.

“You have a responsibility to those that walked before you and the fans that you represent.

“They should be winning games like FC Twente and there's no real mitigation for it.”

‘They wanted it more’

Erik ten Hag and Christian Eriksen both admitted it was unacceptable that FC Twente showed more desire than Manchester United in last night’s Europa League draw.

Goalscorer Eriksen said: "Mostly disappointed as a team. Obviously we wanted more but in the end it was far from good enough.

"Like it just has been said also in the changing room, I think they looked like they wanted it more than us and that can't be right."

Those comments were put to Ten Hag in the post-match press conference.

"Yes, you saw it," the United boss said. "Twente, it was the game of their life and they fought for every yard. And, yeah, we didn't - 99 per cent is not enough.

"You have to give 100 per cent. You have to kill the game, you have to finish it off.

"We bring the game until the end, but you have to go for the second goal then you kill the game."

Put to Ten Hag that players should be up for a game like this, he said: "Definitely, especially as we are very ambitious.

"When you have ambition, then you have to perform, then you have to prove that point.

"Today, especially in the second half, I think we were too easy-going, too complacent. We didn't bring it over the line and, as a team, you have to deliver this."

'They looked like they wanted it more than us'

Christian Eriksen has revealed what Manchester United have been discussing in the changing room post-match.

And Red Devils fans may not be happy with what has been said...

"We're mostly disappointed as a team," he told TNT Sports.

"Obviously, we wanted more but it was far from good enough.

"It's being said also in the changing room, I think they looked like they wanted it more than us and that can't be right.

"Personally, I think you score a goal and then after you think it's going to be the match-winner but it's gone the other way."

Eriksen continued: "Everyone is looking at themselves.

"Everyone is a professional football and know what to do and know what can happen in a game like today.

"Obviously, we don't lose but it feels like a loss and that's something at home that can't happen."

'An absolute shocker'

It's a shock result for Manchester United tonight.

They should have had this game wrapped up but they let Twente into it and could have lost in the end.

And talkSPORT's Micky Gray has labelled Erik ten Hag's side's second-half performances as 'unacceptable'.

"It was an absolute shocker," Gray said on commentary.

"Twente showed determination in the second half, Man United just switched off thinking we're going to breeze through this game.

"We've seen the best of United tonight, but we've definitely seen the worst.

"They played as individuals in that second half and clearly that wasn't good enough."

He continued: "Erik ten Hag's body language in the technical area is as bad as I've seen.

"It's just shocking it really is. That was just unacceptable what we just watched. It was as bad as it gets."

Stop that, Marcus

Marcus Rashford managed to pull off a flip-flap nutmeg on Twente captain Ricky van Wolfswinkel in the first half.

He has been at the top of his game at Old Trafford, pulling off an incredible skill that shows just how good he can be.

And talkSPORT's Micky Gray is loving Rashford's performance.

Gray said live on commentary: "It's fantastic wing play.

"Remember the Brazilian Ronaldo, it was his trick, putting it through the legs and sending in a great cross.

"All you have to do is look at the body language from Marcus, it's completely different to last season."

Speaking at half time, he then continued: “It was class, this is why we get frustrated with players like Marcus Rashford.

“I bet last season you couldn’t count on two hands how many times he ran at a defender, but tonight he’s getting at them.

“He’s confident, his shoulders are back, he’s running at players.

“I’m loving what I’m seeing and it’s only going to get better.”

Rashford starts well

Marcus Rashford has been a constant threat since Man United survived that early scare from Sam Lammers.

The winger, who was left out of the starting XI by Erik ten Hag at the weekend, is taking on Bart van Rooj at every opportunity.

And he's winning every battle, causing Twente all sorts of problems.

Micky Gray live on talkSPORT: "He looks very bright, he's had a sharp start to the game and looks like he's enjoying himself.

"I love to see him get the ball down and run at a defender. We've not seen it for a season.

"He might be saying to the manager: 'That's why you can't leave me out at the weekend'.

"He needs to be playing week-in-week-out."

Back in Europe

Tottenham are preparing for their first game back in Europe tomorrow night after a year away.

Spurs failed to qualify for any competition in Antonio Conte's final year, meaning Ange Postecoglou was without continental fixtures.

But after finishing fifth in the Premier League in his first season, Postecolgou has his side back in the Europa League.

And he's delighted to have led the club there, saying at his pre-Qarabag press conference: "We're pleased to be back there and excited to be back in it.

"I spoke about it last year how it was a bit of a gap in our calendar that didn't help us at certain times in the year not having that regular football.

"And also having different types of challenges and exposing our whole squad to some meaningful time on the pitch.

"I think sitting around and watching other teams play, it didn't sit well with me either.

"So to be back in a European competition is important."

Team news

Marcus Rashford was benched against Crystal Palace as part of Erik ten Hag’s rotation but he’s likely to be back in the team tonight.

Rasmus Hojlund returned to the bench at the weekend and could return to the starting line-up at Old Trafford too.

Left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are both getting closer to a return from injury, but this game is too soon for them.

Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof remain out while Mason Mount is fit and Manuel Ugarte could make his first start for the Red Devils.

As for Twente, they will likely have former Rangers striker Sam Lammers leading the line.

And Sem Steijn will be a major threat with Ricky van Wolfswinkel a name many will recognise expected to come off the bench.

Official team news will be announced in just over an hour...

Tottenham Hotspur are seeking a third consecutive win in a third different competition.

⚡Quick Tottenham Hotspur vs Qarabag betting tips

Tottenham to win and both teams to score - 6/4 with bet365

Over 3.5 goals - 4/5 with bet365

Dominic Solanke to score first - 3/1 with bet365

Tottenham Hotspur vs Qarabag top offer

Tottenham Hotspur vs Qarabag odds

Find the latest match odds for Tottenham Hotspur vs Qarabag. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football bookmakers. Odds are subject to change.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Qarabag predictions

Tottenham Hotspur fans must have been fearing the worst after their side went 1-0 down to Brentford within seconds of kick-off at the weekend.

More dropped points would have led to more questions being asked of Ange Postecoglou, who did not escape criticism despite Spurs’ slender 2-1 success against Coventry City in the EFL Cup a few days prior.

Thankfully, Tottenham bounced back from that early setback and turned in perhaps their best performance of the season so far.

Goals from Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson and James Maddison gave Postecoglou’s side a 3-1 win, moving them up to 10th place in the table.

A crunch clash with Manchester United awaits this weekend, but Tottenham have a date with Qarabag in the Europa League before then.

Postecoglou has not shied away from his ambition to win a trophy this season. In a fiery interview with Sky Sports after the recent north London derby, he told a reporter: “I'll correct myself - I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year [at a club].”

The Europa League is one of the trophies he will be eyeing. Tottenham are the favourites with the bookmakers to go all the way, narrowly ahead of Manchester United.

The competition has undergone the same revamp as the Champions League. There is no more group stage, with the Europa League instead beginning with a league phase in which all 36 teams are ranked in the same table.

After eight rounds of fixtures, the top eight in the standings will go straight through to the round of 16, while those that finish between ninth and 24th will advance to the knockout phase play-offs.

Finishing outside the top eight would be a disappointment for Spurs, who will face Qarabag, Ferencvaros, AZ, Galatasaray, Roma, Rangers, Hoffenheim and Elfsborg between now and the end of January.

On Thursday night Postecoglou’s side have the chance to make it three victories on the bounce as they look to belatedly kick-start their campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Qarabag betting tips

Tottenham Hotspur host Qarabag in the first round of the 2024/25 Europa League league phase.

Tottenham to win and both teams to score

Qarabag won the Azerbaijani title for a third season on the bounce last term, while they also reached the round of 16 of the Europa League.

A narrow 5-4 aggregate loss to Bayer Leverkusen at that stage of the tournament shows that Qarabag are no pushovers.

They head into this match on the back of a three-game winning streak domestically, although their last European outing was a 2-0 defeat by Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League qualifiers.

Nevertheless, Qarabag are capable of breaching the Tottenham backline on Thursday. Postecoglou’s preference for a high defensive line has advantages, but it can be exploited by opponents who turn over the ball and break forward quickly.

Having said that, Tottenham should have enough about them to emerge triumphant on matchday one of the Europa League.

⚽ Tip Tottenham Hotspur to win and both teams to score at 6/4 with bet365 ⚽

Over 3.5 goals

There is no doubt that Tottenham are an entertaining team to watch, for better or worse.

Postecoglou wants his team to try and dominate every match they contest. That is why, for instance, they continued to defend high and push forward even when down to nine men at home to Chelsea last term.

On the plus side, that means Spurs almost invariably carry a threat in attack. This was notably not the case against Arsenal earlier this month, but then again few teams can defend as well as Mikel Arteta’s team.

The downside is that Tottenham tend to concede bigger chances than most teams, even when they give away relatively few shots.

Those are two reasons why we could be in store for an enjoyable encounter with plenty of goals in north London.

⚽ Back over 3.5 goals at 4/5 with bet365 ⚽

Dominic Solanke to score first

An injury issue meant Solanke had a stop-start first few weeks of the season, but he opened his account for Tottenham with the equaliser against Brentford on Saturday.

That will have been a weight off the former Bournemouth striker’s shoulders and Thursday’s game gives him a chance to increase his tally further.

Solanke is a good all-round centre-forward whose movement, physicality and hold-up play are all important.

But the England international was brought to north London to score goals first and foremost, and he will be desperate to do just that against Qarabag.

There is a chance that Postecoglou rests one or two players for this one, but Solanke is unlikely to be among them.

⚽ Choose Dominic Solanke to score first at 3/1 with bet365 ⚽

📺 How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Qarabag

Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England.

Date and time: Thursday 26th September, 8pm.

How to watch: TNT Sports 1.

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Tottenham will host Manchester City in the standout Carabao Cup fourth round tie.

The last 16 draw took place on Wednesday night following the conclusion of Liverpool and Arsenal's wins over West Ham and Bolton respectively.

Man City progressed thanks to a 2-1 win over Watford on Tuesday night with Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes getting the goals to send them through.

Meanwhile, Spurs secured their spot in the fourth round with a 2-1 win over Coventry last week.

Now Premier Legaue champions City and Spurs will meet in north London, with a quarter-final place at stake.

Arsenal, who beat Bolton 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium, will travel to face Preston in the fourth round while Brighton host holders Liverpool at the AMEX Stadium.

Arne Slot's side progressed thanks to a 5-1 victory over West Ham at Anfield with Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo grabbing two goals each.

Manchester United have been drawn against Leicester City at home following the 7-0 hammering of Barnsley and the Foxes' dramatic penalty shootout win over Walsall.

It was that clash with the League Two side that saw a fan try to confront Steve Cooper before being tackled by a Walsall player.

The winners of AFC Wimbledon and Newcastle will face Chelsea in the next round, with the rearranged third round tie set to take place at St James' Park following the flooded pitch at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

AFC Wimbledon's vice president Ivor Heller has told talkSPORT the club could spend around £1million on repairing their pitch.

A fan-led JustGiving page has been set up to raise funds to fix the pitch and has already raised £111,000 at the time of writing.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa host Crystal Palace, Southampton welcome Stoke City and Brentford take on Sheffield Wednesday.

talkSPORT co-hosts Jason Cundy and Jamie O'Harahad their say on the Carabao Cup draw, with some fantastic fixtures to look forward to.

Speaking on The Sports Bar, ex-Chelsea defender Cundy said: "There's a couple of tasty ones, Brighton vs Liverpool is a tasty one.

"And obviously your boys [Tottenham] against Man City, that catches the eye.

"Villa vs Palace... you expect Arsenal to go through."

Left dejected by Tottenham's opponents, former Spurs midfielder O'Hara stated: "Is there any danger of us just getting an easy route to a final? Come on."

To which Cundy quipped: "You're never going to win anyway even if you've got an easy route, you'll still lose in the final."

He continued: "You expect Newcastle to beat Wimbledon and that'll be a tough game for Chelsea, it'll be a tough game for both to be honest.

"It's amazing this competition, because you win two games [round three and four] and then you're staring the quarters in the face."

Ties will be played the week commencing October 28th.

Tottenham will be without key defender Cristian Romero for the start of their Europa League campaign, live on talkSPORT 2 this week.

The Argentine has played every minute for Spurs in the Premier League so far this season but will be unavailable against Qarabag.

Ange Postecoglou will oversee European football at the club for the first time since becoming manager.

The Australian guided the Lilywhites back into continental competition this term following a one-year absence.

It is Tottenham’s first foray into the Europa League since 2020/21 - with Romero in Champions League action for Atalanta that season.

The 26-year-old has never played in UEFA's secondary tournament, but a unique ruling will mean he's forced to wait until he can.

Why is Romero banned against Qarabag?

Tottenham's World Cup-winning vice-captain is serving a retroactive ban that has not been served yet from the last time the club were in Europe.

Romero was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the second leg of the 1-0 aggregate Champions League defeat to AC Milan.

Under Antonio Conte, Spurs were looking to overturn a one-goal deficit to the Serie A side in the round of 16 in March 2023.

However, their task was made exponentially harder after Romero was shown a red card in 77th minute for a late lunge on Theo Hernandez - having been walking a tightrope since his initial caution 17 minutes in.

Tottenham ultimately only managed a goalless draw to confirm their elimination, before their lowly league finish meant rivals Arsenal have been north London's only representative in Europe since.

As a result, Romero's ban has lingered, and it carries across UEFA competitions if it cannot be served in the one it was gained in.

The one-match suspension has not expired from his record despite the time delay, and so will be active in Thursday's clash instead.

Romero won't get the chance to make his Europa League debut until matchday two, having played in each of the other two UEFA competitions both above and below across his tenures at Tottenham and Atalanta.

His Champions League red card, which was his second sending-off during the 2022-23 season, saw him dubbed a 'liability' by talkSPORT's Jamie O'Hara.

He has since worked on his discipline issues, having then had to serve a three-match ban after his high challenge on Argentina teammate Enzo Fernandez in a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea eight months later.

Romero picked up just one yellow card in Tottenham's final six Premier League games last season.

He wasn't booked at all during his country's Copa America triumph this summer and is also waiting on his first caution of this season.

His Europa League suspension will be a major blow to Postecoglou's plans, with Romero's only absence so far coming when he was rested for the Carabao Cup win over Coventry City.

Radu Dragusin deputised for the defender in the 2-1 third-round victory and is likely to do so again against Qarabag.

Coverage of which will be available on talkSPORT 2, with commentary from Ian Danter and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

Tottenham will begin their Europa League campaign this Thursday night when they welcome Qarabag to London, live on talkSPORT 2.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have not made a great start to the new season, but after a 3-1 win against Brentford at the weekend, they will want to build some momentum.

Spurs venture into this competition for the first time since 2021 in search of a trophy that would end their long, long wait for some silverware.

They have been handed a tough set of games in UEFA’s new format, with ties against Roma, Rangers and Galatasaray to come.

But Qarabag are their first opponents and the Azerbaijani side are returning to the Europa League after their best-ever campaign last year.

They reached the round of 16, winning four of their games which is the most they have ever won in major European competitions.

Tottenham vs Qarabag: Back in Europe

Tottenham are back in Europe after a year away.

In Postecoglou’s first season, he was able to secure qualification to the Europa League with Spurs finishing fifth in the Premier League.

It meant they would be making a return to continental football for the first time since their Champions League last 16 defeat to AC Milan in March last year.

Under Antonio Conte, Tottenham were booed off the pitch following as they failed to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg.

And after finishing eighth in the league, they didn’t qualify to play in Europe last season.

But Postecoglou has them back as they prepare for their first Europa League campaign since Dinamo Zagreb knocked them out in the round of 16.

This is the third meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Qarabag in major European competition, with Spurs winning both previous meetings in the 2015/16 group stage of the UEFA Europa League (3-1 & 1-0).

Qarabag have lost all six of their meetings with English sides in all competitions – twice vs Spurs (2015-16), twice vs Chelsea (2017-18) and twice vs Arsenal (2018-19).

Tottenham vs Qarabag: Team news

Dominic Solanke scored his first Tottenham goal at the weekend and he’ll likely keep his place up front as he aims for more.

That’s because Richarlison remains sidelined alongside summer signing Wilson Odobert.

Postecoglou is expected to rotate his team slightly though, with Radu Dragusin, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray vying for starting spots.

Timo Werner could also get some extended minutes and Djed Spence may come in to allow some rest for Destiny Udogie.

Brennan Johnson will hope to continue his turnaround in form by getting on the scoresheet on his European debut.

As for Qarabag, Juninho Vieira will look to add to his goal last time out while Yassin Benzia will be a creative hub for the side from Azerbaijan.

Tottenham have lost just one of their last eight matches in the UEFA Europa League (W6 D1), although this defeat did come in their most recent such match – 0-3 against Dinamo Zagreb in March 2021.

Qarabag’s Juninho has been involved in five goals in his last six appearances in major European competition (4 goals, 1 assist), netting in both round of 16 matches against Bayer 04 Leverkusen last season.

Tottenham vs Qarabag: What has been said?

After scoring against Brentford, James Maddison hit back at criticism he has received since the start of the season.

Maddison’s performances have left some unimpressed, but after his first goal of the campaign last time out, he’ll now be looking to build on it.

Speaking on Saturday, the midfielder said: “The team is always the most important. I would have been happy with my performance and how I played regardless of whether I got the goal.

“It [the goal] kind of shuts up a few people in the background who think the goals and assists do matter more than what they probably do.

“I am an attacking player who has always scored goals and always got assists, that’s my job.

“So when you are not doing that and even if you feel like you are playing well personally, helping the team, the gaffer is happy with what I’m doing, for some games you have it where I feel like I play really well in the build-up and help the team progress but you don’t get a goal or assist to show for that.

“And then people start questioning the numbers, so sometimes you have to take the outside noise with a pinch of salt, but on the other hand I love scoring goals and it was a nice feeling.”

Qarabag reached the round of 16 in last season’s UEFA Europa League, the furthest they’ve advanced in a major European competition. Their four wins were also their most in a single such campaign.

Tottenham vs Qarabag: talkSPORT coverage

This Europa League clash will take place on Thursday, September 26.

Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is scheduled for 8pm.

talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage of all the action this week.

Commentary of the game will come from Ian Danter and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

The game will also be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1.

Everton’s proposed takeover by Daniel Friedkin is set to hand under-pressure Sean Dyche a stay of execution - at least in the short term.

Dyche could be forgiven for fearing the sack after current owner Farhad Moshiri agreed on Monday to sell his shares to Friedkin after the American brutally axed Roma legend Daniele De Rossi.

The Italian's termination at the Stadio Olimpico comes just four games into the season, prompting fierce criticism from former players including Paolo Di Canio.

But talkSPORT understands Friedkin intends to follow the example of Sir Jim Ractliffe by conducting a thorough performance review of the Toffees.

This includes manager Dyche with Friedkin keen to not rush into any knee-jerk decisions following Everton’s poor start to the season.

If Dyche fails to convince he can turn their fortunes around after taking just one point from their first five games, ex-Everton boss David Moyes is expected to be considered for a return to the Toffees hot-seat.

The Scot is keen to get back to work after leaving West Ham

at the end of last season.

Ex-Chelsea and Brighton chief Graham Potter and recently-departed England boss Gareth Southgate are other potential targets.

He's our Man

Manchester United are ready to step up their interest in Sunderland whiz-kid Chris Rigg.

United are among a number of Premier League clubs who have been following the progress of the 17-year-old, who is widely considered as the best youngster to emerge in the Championship since Jude Bellingham.

The Tyneside-born midfielder only enhanced that reputation by scoring a stunning solo goal in Saturday’s derby win over Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light.

Sources close to Rigg have told talkSPORT that United could make their move for Rigg as early as the January transfer window to fend off competition from rivals including Newcastle.

He perfectly fits the profile of young player INEOS want to build their Old Trafford revamp around.

In your Face

Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface went viral after an outrageous double nutmeg followed by a no-look pass helped set up a goal in Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League thrashing of Feyenoord last week.

The Nigerian could have been showing those silky skills in a Tottenham shirt had this summer’s transfer window worked out differently.

talkSPORT understands Spurs approached Leverkusen over Boniface’s availability, before signing Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth for a club-record £65million fee.

If the 23-year-old keeps pulling off pieces of magic like we witnessed in Rotterdam, then Tottenham won’t be the only Premier League club on his trail, particularly with the global dearth of forwards.

Leverkusen are braced for interest and value Boniface around the £50m mark.

Stuck in the Mud

Mykhailo Mudryk is determined to battle for his Chelsea future.

The 23-year-old is in danger of becoming the Blues’ forgotten man following the summer signings of Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Jadon Sancho.

But the Ukrainian, who has started just one Premier League game under new manager Enzo Maresca, still believes he can be a success at Stamford Bridge.

talkSPORT has been told Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali is desperate for Mudryk to come good after leading the charge to sign him from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth up to £88.5m.

Tottenham are hoping to put their previous Europa League nightmare fully behind them when they return to the competition on Thursday.

Spurs face Azerbaijan outfit Qarabag in Europe's second-tier tournament in north London on Thursday night - live on talkSPORT 2.

Having spent last season out of Europe following a dismal eighth-placed finish in the 2022/23 season, Ange Postecoglou helped guide his side to a respectable fifth-placed finish last term.

And just three years on from their last appearance in the Europa League in March 2021, their squad is almost unrecognisable.

Just one player remains from the starting XI that suffered a shock 3-0 defeat away at Dinamo Zagreb in the last 16 second leg.

Spurs seemed destined to reach the quarter-finals following a 2-0 first leg victory, with Harry Kane helping himself to a double.

But he drew a blank in the return fixture away at the Croatian side, having been denied twice by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

His misses proved costly, with a hat-trick from Mislav Orsic compounding Spurs to an embarrassing exit from what was expected to be a comfortable win.

Their performance left then-boss Jose Mourinho to issue a heartfelt apology to the club's supporters, while also lamenting the attitude from his men.

Meanwhile former skipper Hugo Lloris hit out at his teammates, as he said: "I think we are more than disappointed, it is a disgrace. I hope everyone in the changing room feels responsible."

Before adding: "We have a lack of basics, fundamentals, our performances are just in relation of that. Mentally we should be stronger, more competitive."

Here talkSPORT.com takes a look at Spurs' starting XI from that fateful night in Croatia, with ten of those players no longer on their books.

Goalkeeper

A club icon, Lloris made 447 appearances for Spurs during his 12-year stay in north London.

But mistakes soon began to creep into his game during the end of his time, which led to the Frenchman being frozen out of the squad following Postecoglou's appointment last year.

He is currently plying his trade in America with Los Angeles FC.

Defenders

Left-back Ben Davies is the only player still on Spurs' books from their clash against Zagreb.

However the Welshman is no longer a key player, with the 31-year-old yet to feature in any of the club's Premier League matches this season.

Serge Aurier started as Tottenham's right-back, but the Ivorian joining Villarreal shortly after the Zagreb loss following inconsistent performances.

A centre-back pairing consisted of Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez, both of whom were shipped out by Postecoglou.

Dier was allowed to join Bayern Munich in the 2024 winter transfer window, while Sanchez was sold to Galatasaray last summer.

Midfielders

A double pivot saw Harry Winks partner Moussa Sissoko in the heart of the midfield.

Just two years earlier, they had also started in Spurs' Champions League final defeat to Liverpool.

Dele Alli then featured in the No.10 role, but failed to impress on what was one of Spurs' most humiliating nights in Europe.

Winks left Spurs last year to join Leicester having been deemed as surplus to requirements.

Meanwhile, Sissoko joined Watford following the 2020/21 season, with Alli, who is currently unemployed, making the move to Everton in 2022.

Forwards

Featuring on the right wing was Erik Lamela, who scored an incredible rabona goal away at Arsenal just days before the clash with Zagreb.

Having never reached his full potential for Spurs, he was offloaded to Sevilla in 2021.

As for left winger Lucas Moura, he was released just before Postecoglou took over after five-and-a-half-years at the club.

Meanwhile Kane, who would go on to become Spurs' all-time top scorer, departed last year for Bayern Munich in his quest for silverware.

That has so far eluded him in Germany, though his goalscoring exploits has seen him regarded as one of the world's top centre-forwards.

Tottenham Hotspur Women star Amanda Nilden has been left with a black eye after their 4-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Spurs won their first Women's Super League game of the season with ease against the newly-promoted Eagles.

Head coach Robert Vilahamn was forced into a number of signings of the summer with high-profile stars Grace Clinton and Celin Bizet both leaving.

England international Clinton was a key player last season but was on loan from Manchester United so returned to her former club, while Bizet, who formed a close bond with the midfielder, then signed for the Red Devils.

However, that blow was swiftly remedied with Bizet's replacement, Hayley Raso, putting in a brilliant showing on debut against Crystal Palace at Brisbane Road.

She got the Tottenham opener with a low drive across goal, before Jess Naz, Drew Spence and Olga Ahtinen, with a rocket, made it a comprehensive win for the hosts.

The Eagles, embarking on their first ever WSL season definitely made an impact though.

And Spurs' Swedish left-back Amanda Nilden can certainly attest to it.

After just eight minutes gone in the clash, Palace star Josie Green went for a high ball along with Nilden while leading with her elbow.

The collision, prior to the ball getting to the pair, left the Swede laid out on the floor but referee Amy Fearn allowed play to go on before realising the extent of the injury.

Treatment lasted for three minutes, but Nilden managed to complete 87 minutes before being substituted, with Charli Grant replacing her.

However, after the match, Nilden showcased the results of the incident.

On Instagram, she posted a picture of herself with black eye and a blood-soaked plaster where it appears a stitch or two has been administered.

On the story, she wrote: "3 points and a black eye (celebration emoji) Great start to the season (four white heart emojis)."

After the game, Vilahamn was delighted with the win but admits, despite netting four, his team will be working on their finishing.

He said: "I think I've learned that we shouldn't be stressed in half-time if the press doesn't work or if we don't really get the goals.

"If you keep going and keep going for 90 minutes, we are that good that we can create chances against the opponent.

"But also perhaps we also need to practice how to finish even more clearly because the goalkeeper was amazing. But we can actually be a little bit better there.

"But on the other hand, first game, next game is Aston Villa away. It's going to be a really tough one. So we cannot be too happy about this.

"We need to analyse this and make sure we have a good performance next week."

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Ivan Toney sent a clear message to his doubters after scoring twice for Al Ahli - his first goals for his new club.

The England striker was making his third appearance for the Saudi Pro League side and grabbed a brace and an assist in a 4-2 win over Damac.

Toney showed that he was more than just a goalscorer inside 15 minutes when he drifted to the right wing before playing a perfect pass to Gabri Veiga who gave Al Ahli the lead.

Damac drew the game level in first half stoppage time, but Toney didn't have to wait long to find the net himself.

Almost immediately after kick-off in the second half, Veiga turned provider as he found the 28-year-old in the box.

Toney showed his poaching qualities as he prodded the ball home to make it 2-1 with his first goal for the club.

He then celebrated by putting his hand over his mouth and putting his finger in his ear.

The striker was denied the chance to open his account earlier this week when Riyad Mahrez claimed a penalty against Persepolis in the AFC Champions League. - only to miss from 12 yards.

Damac drew the game level, before ex-Liverpool star Roberto Firmino put Al Ahli back in front in injury time.

Amazingly, 15 minutes into added on time, Toney got his second of the game after VAR ruled that he was not offside for his poacher's effort that wrapped up the win.

The result means that Al Ahli now have seven points from four games, putting them closely behind Saudi's elite.

Toney's stunning goalscoring bow came on the same day that Ange Postecoglou spoke out on Tottenham's pursuit of the player.

Spurs were heavily linked with a move for the Brentford forward, but ultimately decided to pay £65million to sign Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth instead.

Explaining Tottenham's decision not to sign Toney, Ange Postecoglou said in his press conference: "We looked at him, but the reality was that Dom [Solanke] is the one that I wanted.

“It took the whole summer to get him in, but he was the one that fitted the profile that we wanted.”

Solanke is currently without a goal in three appearances for Tottenham, but his move to north London paved the way for Toney to complete his £40million move to Al Ahli.

After the same number of games for his new club, Toney now has a goal and an assist to his name.

Based on his performances so far, it feels like Toney is going to be very popular indeed in Saudi Arabia.