The Sun

BRENNAN JOHNSON will be missed at Spurs – and it is “sod’s law” that Mohammed Kudus has picked up an injury two days after the Welshman’s exit.

That is the view of Ben Davies, who knows all about Johnson’s qualities as he plays with him for the Wales national team.

Winger Johnson was Tottenham’s top-scorer last term with 18 goals but was largely overlooked by Thomas Frank this season after the £55million summer capture of Kudus.

It led to Frank sanctioning Johnson’s £35m sale to Crystal Palace on Friday, only for Ghanaian Kudus to limp off with a left thigh issue against Sunderland on Sunday.

Davies, 32, said: “It’s sod’s law that when one guy leaves, Mo picks up something.

“Brennan is a great player, I’m lucky that I get to play with him on the national team as well as here.

“I think he’s going to be missed here but this is the business of football.

“When players aren’t playing, other suitors will come along and that’s what’s happened.”

Kudus will likely have a scan on Monday to assess the damage of his injury with Frank possibly giving an update in his pre-Bournemouth press conference.

Johnson only started six league games for Spurs this term, prompting his switch to Selhurst Park.

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But that is far more than veteran Davies has played, with this weekend’s 1-1 draw against the Black Cats the 32-year-old’s first start of the campaign.

He marked it with a goal by turning home from a first-half corner, taking Spurs’ tally of league strikes from flag-kicks this term to nine.

Spurs fans were left frustrated when Brian Brobbey snatched a point late in the second half, but Davies is seeing the positives of three games without defeat.

The ex-Swansea man added: “That’s the positive to look at but we’ve got a stretch now, I think it’s five games in 15 days where it’s intense.

“You can see at the end of that game that both sides were pretty flat out, it’s not really an excuse and we’ve got to go again in the next three days.

“To score was good, we’ve been working on set-pieces a lot and everyone has to do their job and I feel like I did mine.”

Davies has been linked in the French press to Nice during this window.

It comes as Spurs have big interest in Brazilian left-back Souza, 19, of Santos.

On the Nice talk, Davies added: “That one is out of my hands. When you’re in your 30s, you just want to play as much as you can and then go from there.

“But right now, I got a chance to play (against Sunderland) and I did my best.”

NEW year, same old Spurs.

Thomas Frank had been hoping for a fresh start in 2026 at home after the annus horribilis that was the last 12 months in the Premier League.

Yet once again Tottenham found a way to shoot themselves in the foot in N17 as Brian Brobbey’s belter earned Sunderland a point.

Spurs had rolled back the years earlier in the game as 32-year-old Ben Davies, signed from Swansea 12 years ago, gave them the lead on his 198th Premier League start for the club.

The Welshman poked in from a corner, taking Tottenham’s tally of Prem goals from that scenario to nine this term – two short of division-best Arsenal.

Yet Brobbey’s blast ensured three points once again evaded Spurs on their own turf, having won just four of their 18 home league games in 2025.

Mohammed Kudus limping off in the first half was also painfully reminiscent of Spurs last year, when injuries crippled their league ambitions.

It also came just two days on from Brennan Johnson’s sale to Crystal Palace, meaning there is no obvious cover at right wing.

Frank will no doubt be cursing his luck over that, and praying the damage is not too bad.

But there was little he could blame for his side squandering three points here as Spurs went into their shells and got what they deserved.

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Davies was not the only Spurs player to be afforded a rare start.

Mathys Tel made the line-up for the first time since October and looked like a man on a mission to impress Frank.

Whether or not the young Frenchman would have done that with an effort from range in the opening couple of minutes only the Dane could answer.

That is because shooting from outside the box has largely been outlawed under percentages-man Frank, who feels the old adage of ‘you can’t win the raffle if you don’t buy a ticket’ as statistically flawed.

Still, Tel’s early stinger was too hot for Robin Roefs to handle at the first attempt, with the Sunderland stopper having to gather the loose effort before a Spurs player reached it first.

Already without playmakers Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, Frank suffered more creative crock woe when Kudus fell down holding his thigh in the 16th minute.

Captain Cristian Romero instantly signalled to the bench that a substitution was required and off limped the Ghanaian, with Randal Kolo Muani sent on in his place.

Still, Spurs shook off the Kudus blow and took the lead on the half-hour and from yet another set-piece.

Sunderland can only have themselves to blame knowing that a) Frank’s Spurs are really rather good from dead-ball situations and b) so is Romero.

Yet they somehow gave the Argentine so much space at the far post that not only could he take Tel’s corner down with his chest but also lay it off for centre-back partner Micky van de Ven.

At first it looked as if Van de Ven had added his seventh goal of the season as his shot found its way into the net.

But instead it was only an assist as veteran Davies helped divert the ball past the unwitting Sunderland defenders.

It was Davies first goal since December 2023, when he struck a consolation in a 4-2 defeat at Brighton, the first really terrible performance of the Ange Postecoglou era.

And with this yet another goal from a corner, the ‘set-piece again ole ole’ chant – the tune for which has been sung so many times but with Johnson’s last name in it, on account of his Europa League winner – emerged from the South Stand.

Muani had handed Van de Ven a note when he came on from the coaching staff which the Dutchman intermittently looked at throughout the game, presumably with Sunderland’s set-piece instructions.

There was little Spurs needed to do to prevent one attempted corner delivery though from pantomime villain Granit Xhaka, booed throughout for his Arsenal allegiances.

The Swiss drew mocking cheers from the home fans when slipping over while attempting to take a corner and, in fairness to Xhaka, even he was laughing.

For a brief second we had not one but two Spurs academy graduates on the pitch.

Ironically, they were both for Sunderland as Romaine Mundle came on for Dennis Cirkin, underlining why Tottenham feel they need to get more out of their in-house production line.

It was around that time that Spurs started to lose control, dropping further back and giving their visitors confidence they could get something out of the game.

Enzo Le Fee very nearly put Sunderland on level terms when heading against a post.

Minutes later, it was 1-1 as Brobbey exchanged a clever one-two with Le Fee before smacking the ball into the top corner with his left foot.

The frustration at losing another three points seemed to get to Rodrigo Bentancur as the Uruguayan had some Argie-bargie with Lutsharel Geertruida and had to be split up – before resuming their heated debate after the final whistle.

Boos predictably rang out at full-time with angry Spurs fans upset of seeing more of the same so soon into the New Year.

A jam-packed day of Premier League fixtures lies ahead – with Liverpool and Tottenham among those in action at 3pm.

Arne Slot’s men are unbeaten in their last eight games and they travel to Fulham this afternoon.

Pressure is mounting on Thomas Frank at his Spurs side face Sunderland.

Plus, we will have the latest from Newcastle vs Crystal Palace and Everton vs Brentford.

Kick-off time: 3pm GMT

TV channel/live stream: Sky Sports/NOW

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THE January transfer window is officially OPEN and the rumours are hotting up.

Man Utd have reportedly looked into signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is supposedly a target for Juventus and Brighton have confirmed that Pascal Gross is returning to the club after two years away.

And the first major deal of the window is complete with Crystal Palace signing Spurs‘ Brennan Johnson for a club-record fee.

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Follow our live blog below for all the latest deals and rumours from the January transfer window…

FORMER Tottenham prodigy Souleymane Coulibaly is loving life at non-league side Pickering Town – after rejecting the chance to head to Italy.

The striker, 31, is in the ninth tier and has already notched 20 goals this season – meaning he is the joint-top scorer in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Coulibaly was in Tottenham’s reserves alongside current England captain Harry Kane and also trained with the likes of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric during his time in North London.

But the ex-Ivory Coast youth international failed to make a senior appearance for Spurs and has revealed that he snubbed the chance to complete moves to Italy and Iran to shine for Pickering.

He told The Athletic: “I’m trying to finish my career peacefully. I got a lot of offers from Italy and Iran, but I don’t want to go.

“I’ve been abroad for seven years. I bought a house in Hull, and I want to stay close to my children. I don’t need to prove to anybody who I am.

“My focus is to help the team get promoted, but the lower leagues in England are hard.

“A lot of clubs asked me to play for them, but I promised Pickering Town I would stay until the end of the season. I’m enjoying my football again.”

Coulibaly joined Tottenham from Italian side Siena after catching the eye with nine goals in four outings at the Under-17 World Cup in 2011.

That allowed him to win the Golden Boot – and Spurs beat future boss Jose Mourinho to his signature.

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Coulibaly added: “I told my agent I just wanted to play football. He took me to Real Madrid because Jose Mourinho wanted me and they showed me their stadium.

“I returned to Italy and Tottenham visited me. They showed me their [development] plan and the new training ground, which wasn’t finished yet.

“I moved in July 2011, and played for the youth teams. My managers were Tim Sherwood and Les Ferdinand. Chris Ramsey helped me a lot, too.

“We had a lot of good players in the reserves – Kane, John Bostock, Andros Townsend, Alex Pritchard, Tom Carroll. Kane worked very hard. Nobody can deny that. He’s a good lad.”

Coulibaly also counts the likes of Peterborough, Newport, Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle among his former clubs.

CRYSTAL PALACE have announced the signing of Brennan Johnson.

The attacker has been signed from Tottenham in a deal worth £35million.

The deal is a club record fee for the Eagles, while it is the fourth-highest sale in the history of Tottenham behind Gareth Bale, Harry Kane and Kyle Walker.

Johnson, 24, has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal.

A club statement confirmed he will wear the No11 shirt, the same number previously worn by the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Tom Ince, Clinton Morrison and Stan Collymore.

He could make his debut for Oliver Glasner’s side this weekend as Palace travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle on Sunday.

On the signing, Glasner, who has been vocal about Palace’s need for reinforcements for his paper-thin squad, said: “I’m really delighted that Brennan has joined the club.

“He arrives very early in the window, so credit to the club for making this happen so quickly.

“Brennan will give us options in our attacking play with his pace and goalscoring ability and with all the upcoming games he will be a valuable addition to the squad.”

Johnson has played 22 matches this season for Spurs, scoring four goals, but has been limited to only six starts in the league under Thomas Frank.

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He was the north London outfit’s top scorer with 18 goals last season.

On the move, the former Nottingham Forest star said: “I’m really excited and I’m really happy. Crystal Palace are such a great club, one that I’ve always admired.

“It’s a great time for me to be here and join the journey that this club is on – I’m super excited.”

Palace chairman Steve Parish added: “I’m delighted that Brennan has joined us at Crystal Palace – an exciting young talent with an excellent recent record in domestic, continental and international football.

“We feel we are the perfect place for Brennan to continue his already impressive journey, and his arrival bolsters our attacking options in what is proving our busiest season to date, competing on numerous fronts including, for the first time, in Europe.”

In their own statement confirming the deal, Spurs said: “We have reached agreement with Crystal Palace for the transfer of Brennan Johnson.

“The 24-year-old Wales international’s name will forever be etched into our history as the winning goalscorer in last season’s UEFA Europa League Final, his close-range effort proving to be the only goal of the game as we defeated Manchester United in Bilbao…

“We thank Brennan for his contribution and wish him well for the future.”

TOTTENHAM defender Kota Takai has joined German side Borussia Monchengladbach on loan for the remainder of the season.

Takai, 21, joined Spurs from Kawasaki Frontale last summer in a £5million deal.

The Japanese international has been plagued by injuries since moving to England and is yet to make his Tottenham debut.

He made the matchday squad for the first time last Sunday, remaining an unused substitute as the North Londoners beat Crystal Palace 1-0.

But Takai was absent as Thomas Frank‘s side drew 0-0 at Brentford last night, amid an imminent loan switch.

Upon completing the temporary swoop, Borussia Monchengladbach head of sports Rouven Schroder said: “Kota is a tall, physically strong centre-half who also has good pace.

“He’s got what it takes to help us in the immediate future. We’re delighted to welcome our new number 14.”

Takai played 81 times for former club Kawasaki Frontale.

The 6ft 4in defender’s form saw him earn a senior Japan debut in 2024, with the centre-back having earned four caps to date.

He is under contract at Spurs through to the summer of 2030.

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Takai is the second promising Tottenham defender to move on loan to the Bundesliga this term.

Croatian teenager Luka Vuskovic agreed a season-long loan deal with Hamburg in the summer, after impressing Spurs fans during pre-season.

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The 18-year-old has since made 15 appearances for the Bundesliga side.

And last month he was hailed a “hero” after acting quickly to ensure that opponent Rasmus Kristensen did not swallow his tongue following a nasty collision.

Spurs could be set for a busy January transfer window amid an underwhelming start to life under ex-Brentford boss Frank.

Last season’s Europa League final hero Brennan Johnson is set to complete a £35million switch to Crystal Palace.

While Radu Dragusin has attracted interest from Serie A.

Spurs are interested in signing a new left-back.

ANY fans here attempting dry January could be forgiven for instantly turning back to the booze come the end of this turgid Thomas Frank affair.

Because what Brentford and Tottenham – the Dane’s past and present sides – served up here was so bad that observers needed a stiff drink just to make it through it.

While supporters tuning in on telly will have wished they had watched the Traitors instead.

Frank’s Spurs had as much inspiration as a Kate Garraway theory at the round table, taking until the 93rd minute to muster a decent effort on goal.

Worryingly for the manager, it had the 1,723 travelling supporters singing “Boring, boring Tottenham” as well as songs of praise for their stars of yesteryear.

In no particular order, Ledley King, Dele Alli, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Jermain Defoe, Martin Jol, Danny Rose, Mousa Dembele, Christian Eriksen and Eric Dier all had ditties sung about them – as did John Terry.

It summed up just how unengaged with that was taking place out on the pitch, and who could blame them?

The highlight of a truly shocking first half was looking at fluorescent felt-tip pen colour boots – one pink, one lime green – on Djed Spence’s feet.

Jordan Henderson has extended a fabulous career with his move to Brentford but you would not exactly describe him as a playmaker.

Yet the England veteran looked to be the most creative player on the pitch.

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Kevin Schade did have the ball in the net within the first five minutes but even that incident lacked any jeopardy as the German was so obviously offside as he turned in a rebound.

Spurs’ only half-chances of an abysmal first 45 fell to Archie Gray, deployed at No10, but the teenager had both his efforts blocked.

What Brennan Johnson must have made of it all is anyone’s guess.

The Europa League hero would not have been watching as he was busy undergoing his medical ahead of a £35million switch to Crystal Palace.

Johnson, who was Tottenham’s top-scorer last term, has not seemed entirely sold on the move but with Frank deeming him expendable, has agreed to go to South London.

Yet when Spurs looked to have as little cutting edge going forward as they did here – and, in truth, have in many games this season – some fans may question the wisdom of selling a player who netted 18 times last term.

Especially those who sang the 24-year-old’s “Johnson again ole ole” song from that magical night in Bilbao in May.

Then again, those supporters may also be asking themselves how could they have expected more from their attack when Frank frequently had 11 men behind the ball at the Gtech?

It was not like Keith Andrews, the man who succeeded Frank when he went to Spurs in the summer, had his side playing scintillating stuff either.

The focus on long balls, high balls and Michael Kayode’s bullet throw went into overdrive here.

Gray thought for a second he could have had a penalty early in the second half when going down under Schade’s challenge but VAR upheld the decision of on-field ref Andrew Madley.

The nearest we came to a goal was when Vitaly Janelt had a header brilliantly saved by Guglielmo Vicario, who was also booked for time-wasting after just 69 minutes.

Tottenham finally had a half-chance in the third minute of stoppage when the ball fell back to Richarlison around the penalty area, but he could not beat Caoimhin Kelleher.

Frank went over to the few away fans who had not left already and was greeted with boos after such a sobering, insipid performance.

LIVERPOOL are looking to claim a fourth straight win in the top flight as they host in-form Leeds.

And Crystal Palace take on London rivals Fulham in the early fixtures.

Later, Manchester City face Sunderland and under-pressure Thomas Frank heads back to Brentford with Tottenham.

Kick off times: 5.30pm / 8pm GMT

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TOTTENHAM have agreed to sell Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace in a £35million deal.

Johnson, 24, joined Spurs from Nottingham Forest for around £47.5m in 2023 and has been a relative success in north London.

He scored five times from 34 appearances during his first season, before netting 18 in the 2024-25 campaign and ending the season as Tottenham’s top scorer.

And Johnson ensured he would go down in Tottenham folklore after netting the winner against Manchester United in the Europa League final.

But after losing his place in the team under Thomas Frank, an offer is on the table to start fresh with Palace.

It’s understood Bournemouth were also keen on signing Johnson when the January transfer window opened.

Their interest in the player could complicate any deal for Antoine Semenyo, who is a target for a number of clubs next month.

The winger looked set to join Manchester City in a £65m deal, but Spurs were also said to be eyeing up the player until the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal joined the race.

Should Semenyo end up joining City, it could clear the path for Spurs to return for Savinho after failing in a bid for the Brazilian in the summer.

Frank is likely to pursue a new left winger in January after experimenting with a number of options in the position, including Wilson Odobert, Kolo Randal Muani, Xavi Simons and Johnson himself.

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Johnson has only managed six starts in the Premier League this season, scoring twice, with a further ten appearances coming off the bench.

He has four goals in all competitions but not enjoyed the same amount of game time as he did under Ange Postecoglou in the last two seasons.

Johnson played the last five minutes of Tottenham’s win over Palace at Selhurst Park and Frank discussed his future after the game.

He insisted he wanted Johnson to stay put and called him a “very important player” in his squad.

Frank said: “I think Brennan is very important for us. Maybe he didn’t get many minutes, but unfortunately, we can only play 11 players.

“We spoke about it before with Mo (Kudus), he’s coming in and put his stamp on that right-winger position.

“Then [on] the left, we tried different solutions. [He has] still started quite a few games. I think Brennan is an important player for us.”

Tottenham are also being linked with out-of-favour Manchester City star Omar Marmoush in January.