The Sun

SON HEUNG-MIN is heading back to Tottenham – just FOUR MONTHS after his exit for LAFC.

The Spurs legend and Europa League winning captain will return to his old stomping ground for the first time since his MLS exit next week.

The attacker will be in attendance at the Champions League clash with SK Slavia Praha and will take to the pitch before the two teams emerge ahead of the 8pm kick-off on Tuesday, December 9.

He will then have the chance to address the fans who have adored him over the years in what is bound to be an emotional occasion for the South Korea legend.

Not only that, but working alongside the Fan Advisory Board, work is underway on a street mural on Tottenham High Road to further celebrate the legacy of the club hero.

That is due to be completed in time for his appearance in North London with the design chosen by Sonny himself.

He said: “When I announced my difficult decision to leave Spurs in the summer, it was in Korea and I never got a proper chance to say goodbye to fans at the stadium.

“Now I am so happy because I am going to come back to London on 9th December, for the Champions League match, and be able to tell the Spurs fans in person just how much their support and love over 10 years has meant to me and my family.

“It will be emotional, but it’s important for me and the club that this happens.”

A Tottenham statement reads: “Heung-Min Son will return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time since leaving the club to bid farewell to our home fans at our UEFA Champions League fixture with SK Slavia Praha on Tuesday 9 December.

“Our legendary former captain, who led the side to Europa League glory in Bilbao in May, announced his departure in August during our summer tour in his home nation of South Korea, playing his final game in a Spurs shirt in front of a sold-out Seoul World Cup stadium in front of his adoring Korean following.

“Having then made the move straight to Los Angeles FC in the MLS – where he scored an impressive nine goals in 10 games before exiting the competition at the play-off stage in defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps on 23 November – Sonny has chosen the Slavia fixture as his opportunity to return to London and say his goodbyes to the Spurs faithful.

“Sonny will take to the pitch before the team walk-outs ahead of the 20:00 kick-off against the Czech champions.

“He will then have the opportunity to personally address the supporters that took him into their hearts following his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and treasured him for the next 10 years – it is sure to be an emotional occasion in N17.”

GUGLIELMO VICARIO is reportedly considering a move away from Tottenham after falling out of favour with fans.

The 29-year-old has continued to underwhelm in a struggling team this season.

And his campaign hit a low point on Saturday when Spurs suffered a 2-1 defeat to Fulham at home.

The goalkeeper came out of his box to clear the ball but instead passed it to Joshua King who assisted Harry Wilson for what was ultimately the winner.

Tottenham went on to lose and Vicario was booed by his own fans.

In the wake of the incident, the goalkeeper is now being linked with a move away from north London.

Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport has claimed that Vicario is seriously questioning his future at Tottenham and considering a move back to Italy.

Inter Milan are reportedly considering a swoop for him along with some other Serie A clubs.

The Italian currently has two-and-a-half years left on his deal, meaning Spurs would likely entertain a significant fee.

He signed for Spurs in the summer of 2023 following a £16million transfer from Empoli.

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The goalkeeper has since made 94 first team appearances and helped the club win their first trophy in decades last term.

He started for Spurs in the Europa League final as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at San Mames Stadium in May.

Antonin Kinsky currently plays back-up to Vicario for Tottenham, with Brandon Austin the third-choice keeper.

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CRISTIAN ROMERO’S spectacular bicycle kick rescued Tottenham and lifted the pressure on Thomas Frank.

The Argentinian grabbed a 95th-minute equaliser to earn a draw at Toon – just after it looked like Rodrigo Bentancur’s stupidity had cost them.

Spurs looked set for a point after Romero levelled Bruno Guimaraes’ strike.

But Bentancur’s wrestling match with Dan Burn looked to have left Spurs empty-handed after Anthony Gordon slotted home the penalty.

Yet he, and Frank, were saved at the death by the spectacular Romero.

Newcastle, sensing the vulnerability of the visitors early on, attempted to steam straight into them.

Lewis Hall nicked it off Pape Matar Sarr and dragged a shot wide before Nick Woltemade got his first sniff, heading wide from Jacob Murphy’s cross.

Despite the troubles within the camp, Spurs were not here to roll over. And Toon had Hall to thank as he denied Mohammed Kudus a tap in from Brennan Johnson’s dart forward and low cross.

Whatever you want to say about Tottenham and Thomas Frank, they were definitely up for the fight here, matching the Mags’ physicality at every opportunity in the first half.

The already under-pressure Dane stood barking orders on the touchline throughout. Though, just like Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven after the Chelsea defeat, his men were barely acknowledging him.

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And he had his head in his hands when Kudus’ decision to play keepie-up in his own half gifted the hosts another opportunity.

The impressive Hall aggressively stole it off the Ghanian, feeding it to Woltemade down the left of the box, but Murphy fired high and wide.

Another man with the spotlight on him was Guglielmo Vicario. Frank slammed fans for booing him following his gaffe against Fulham.

But he got down low to his left in his first call to action here, stopping Lewis Miley’s 20-yarder after Barnes outpowered Bergvall.

Still, despite the Mags enjoying most of the play, aggressive Spurs were battling hard – especially against Toon’s own midfield hardman Joelinton.

The Brazilian appeared to be the No1 target for the away side, with Cristian Romero going into the book for a foul midway through before the 29-year-old was bundled over by Rodrigo Bentancur

Vicario must have been relieved. His team-mates were doing everything to protect him, though it was the woodwork that came to his rescue on 35 minutes.

Joelinton slipped in down the right and his low strike went right across the Italian only to agonisingly bounce back off the inside of the post.

Still, Spurs offered their hardy travelling fans up in the heavens of the Leazes End hope when Bergvall’s backheeled flick from Kudus just flopped over the bar.

The locals, meanwhile, were restless, and they vented their fury at Vicario when the game was stopped just before the break as he appeared to complain that he had been struck by something thrown from the crowd.

Whether that was from the Spurs fans high up above him or the Toon Army, who knows, but more jeers met the half time whistle.

Rather than head straight in to hear from Frank, the Tottenham players gathered for a brief huddle in the centre circle before heading into the changing room.

They had ridden the storm, matched the aggression, and looked set to continue disrupting the rhythm of Eddie Howe’s side.

But it did not last. Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, a surprise omission for the second straight game, replaced Sandro Tonali and suddenly Toon had more bite.

Barnes powered through the defence and had a shot saved by Vicario, Woltemade headed the rebound towards goal but Kevin Danso was there to clear off the line.

Then it was Johnson’s turn to be the saviour, blocking Tino Livramento’s fierce 25-yard half-volley a yard out.

Maybe, just maybe, Tottenham are learning after failing to get anyone on the line to deny either of Fulham’s goals at the weekend.

Toon’s momentum was building, and suddenly Howe smelt blood. On came Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon and within minutes the latter made an impact.

He broke down the left and pulled it inside for 6ft 6in Woltemade to lay it off for Guimaraes to fire a brilliant effort through three defenders and into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

Frank responded by throwing caution to the wind, bringing on Richarlison, Mathys Tel and Xavi Simons.

And they were rewarded instantly as they equalised with their first effort on target.

Kudus crossed from the right, and Romero got ahead of Burn to head home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Frank jumped for joy. They were 12 minutes away from earning a hard-earned point until disaster struck. And it left the Spurs boss fuming.

Bentancur wrestled giant Burn to the ground from a corner, and after a VAR check, Newcastle had a lifeline.

And Gordon made no mistake from the spot – sending Vicario the wrong way for his first goal contribution since January 25.

But his joy was short-lived as Ramsdale punched out a late corner, and it fell perfectly for Romero to hit a bicycle kick through a sea of bodies and into the net to silence St. James’.

FANS are up in arms after Newcastle were awarded a controversial penalty against Tottenham.

Rodrigo Bentancur was judged to have manhandled Dan Burn in the box and a late spot-kick was awarded following a VAR review.

Anthony Gordon dispatched from 12 yards to put Newcastle back in front and leave some fans scratching their heads.

Many supporters felt there was not enough contact between the two players to warrant a foul.

Burn appeared to run into Bentancur and then fell over the Spurs midfielder, who did not have his arms around the England star.

Fans shared their shock at the decision with one saying: “Daylight robbery at St James Park. How is that a penalty? I hate Spurs but that’s a horrendous VAR call. Cheats!”

Another added: “This is NEVER a penalty. Tottenham were robbed.”

A third wrote: “That’s the worst decision I’ve ever seen in football that is vile Spurs have been robbed so badly.”

And another commented: “Never in a million years is that a pen.”

Rio Ferdinand agreed with fans’ sentiment, tweeting: “Disgraceful decision to reward #NUFC penalty… whoever controlling the VAR should be ashamed and the ref then reviews and should be also. Well done Newcastle.”

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Tottenham rallied despite the grievance with Cristian Romero netting a 95th-minute overhead kick.

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TOTTENHAM players are growing frustrated with Thomas Frank’s tinkering tactics.

Sources close to the Spurs dressing room say there is increasing confusion as to what roles players are being tasked with as plans are thrown out or changed either close to kick-off or alarmingly early during games.

Frank yesterday claimed he has the support of the board after Saturday’s sloppy home defeat by Fulham but he’s under pressure going into Tuesday’s trip to Newcastle.

Some stars are said to be left uncertain as to what their role is during certain games, with last week’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain cited as one occasion where a late change was made to plans.

Spurs twice took the lead against the European champions but ended up conceding five and leaving the French capital with nothing.

While some players are enjoying working with Frank, there are fears the Dane could lose the majority of the dressing room if results do not improve.

Tottenham, who visit a resurgent Newcastle this week, sit 12th in the Premier League and have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions.

Frank’s side have also shipped 11 goals in their last three games, conceding twice within the opening six minutes at home to Fulham on Saturday night.

The former Brentford manager, 52, hit out at the “unacceptable” booing of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario following his mistake which led to Fulham’s second goal at the weekend as the rift between the squad and fans continues to grow.

He labelled those booing as “not true Tottenham fans” during the rant, but was less absolute when looking back on his comments ahead of Tuesday’s trip north.

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He said: “I completely understand the frustration. If we don’t win, there will always be a frustration, so that is normal.

“We are nothing without the fans. No club is anything without the fans. Tottenham Hotspur, we are nothing without our fantastic fans. Nothing.

“We need each other. There is nothing we want more than making them happy in every way.

“My point was during matches that’s where we need each other. After, fair with the booing, but during, that is when I want to create a fortress.

“If any club wants to be successful, you need to create a fortress. If you want to create a fortress, it can only be together. Fans and team.”

Full-back Pedro Porro released a pointed Instagram post after the game that was addressed “to the true Spurs fans.”

He added in his caption: “What I will not tolerate is hearing disrespect from the fans to my team-mates, hence my frustration at the end of the game.”

But Frank waved any concerns surrounding the post away when he told press: “The players, they are individual people that can have their own opinions.

“I think what he put out there was fair in every aspect.”

THE designers of Wembley, Tottenham’s new stadium and The Sphere in Las Vegas have been appointed to design a League One club’s new stadium.

Populous are the world-leading sports and entertainment architects with more than 3,500 projects around the globe.

And Leyton Orient enlisted their expertise for a new ground.

The O’s have played at their 9,000-capacity Brisbane Road home in East London since 1937.

But in October, they confirmed a planning process with the local council was underway to regenerate the area.

And now another major update sees the hiring of Populous to oversee the epic project.

The firm will lead the design of a “world-class” new stadium aimed at matching and driving the club’s on-pitch ambitions.

Consultation sessions with fans will be staged in the coming months while Orient and the London Borough of Waltham Forest council hope to identify a suitable site.

The new stadium will be the home of both the men’s and women’s Leyton Orient teams.

As well as the stadium, a multi-sport campus is also part of the plans plus a public hub with retail, hospitality and leisure facilities to benefit the local community.

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Currently 12th in League One, Leyton Orient want to establish themselves as a Championship club – even though they have not competed in the second tier since 1982.

Leyton Orient majority shareholder David Gandler said: “Appointing Populous is a major milestone and a clear statement of our ambition.

“We’re building a world-class, multi-sport campus that honours Leyton Orient’s heritage while creating a vibrant, affordable, technology-driven destination for our fans and our community.

“This will be a home that inspires not just for today, but for generations.”

Populous will now begin a feasibility and master planning phase, assisting Orient consult with fans, residents, planning authorities and other stakeholders.

They will also present emerging designs as and when they are ready to be shared.

Declan Sharkey, Senior Principal and Global Director at Populous, said: “We are honoured to partner with Leyton Orient at such a defining moment in their journey.

“Our vision is to design a unique stadium and mixed-use development that celebrates the club’s heritage while embracing the future, blending world-class sporting architecture and digital innovation with a vibrant, community-driven neighbourhood.

“Together, we will create a new landmark for East London and beyond.”

Populous – who are planning the world’s biggest football stadium – recently redeveloped Strasbourg’s Stade de la Meinau for £160million.

Three of the stands were significantly updated while a brand-new 11,712-seater South Stand opened this season.

In a piece of never-seen-before, world-first architectural genius, Populous incorporated 30 decommissioned Airbus A340 aeroplane fuselages – split into 196 aluminium segments – on to the exterior facade to act as a sun shield.

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THOMAS FRANK blasted his own supporters for turning on Guglielmo Vicario — and claimed: “They can’t be true Tottenham fans.”

Keeper Vicario’s blunder near the touchline allowed Harry Wilson to fire into an open net and put Fulham 2-0 up inside just six minutes.

Boss Frank has lost four of his seven Prem home matches with Spurs.

Slating the boo-boys, he said: “I didn’t like that our fans booed Vic straight after and a few times when he touched the ball.

“They can’t be true Tottenham, everyone supports each other when they’re on the pitch and does everything we can to perform.

“After [the game] if fans want to boo, no problem. But not during, that’s unacceptable.

“When you’re down 2-0 after six minutes, there is a mountain to climb.

“When you’re in a bad spell, everything seems to go against you as well – the first was a deflected shot, the second is a mistake from Vic.

“After that, we rushed the first half in many ways. We wanted to come back into the game but couldn’t do it in the first half, but we got much better in the second half.

“We got a bit of momentum, created more chances and opportunities, but couldn’t get the second goal.”

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But Frank was happier with his side’s response in the second half.

He said: “It was an emotional performance in the second half, and I think that’s quite normal.

“We know that we badly want to win at home, so when it’s not going your way, it is hard.

“That’s why you need to stick to the plan, be cool and not stress. It is easier said than done.”