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Ange reacts to beating City

Ange Postecoglou reacted to beating Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and suggested that his side lacked some creatively despite the 2-1 win.

He told Sky Sports: "It’s a cup tie played against a formidable opponent, I thought we did well for the most part.

"We didn’t allow too many clearcut chances, we could have put the game away but City are always going to push you."

Arteta happy with progression

Mikel Arteta insisted that he was pleased with the "enthusiasm" his players showed against Preston North End.

He said: "Very good.

"We talked about that, about playing with enthusiasm in this game, playing with the right attitude and commitment and they certainly showed that so I’m very happy to be in the quarter-finals."

Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the next round of the tournament.

Arteta hails Nwaneri

Mikel Arteta hailed Ethan Nwaneri following the youngsters brilliant goal against Preston North End in the Carabao Cup.

He said: "He did it yesterday in training so we’re used to that.

"He’s a big talent, he’s got the right attitude, he’s got the right players and context around him and we need to make sure that we put brick by brick in the right order but we have some player here.

"So much personality there, he wants every ball, he wants to make things happen.

"Outside and around he’s still a bit quiet as usual, he’s 17 years old, very respectful, his work ethic is tremendous and he loves what he does, you can tell that."

RVN hails United's goals

Interim Man United boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has hailed the quality of the goals his side scored to knock Leicester City out of the Carabao Cup.

He said: "We scored some great goals. The first one was an absolute beauty from Casemiro.

"I just enjoyed the moment, as it was in the top corner, and an amazing goal.

"He's an amazing person and player and it's fantastic to have him around.

"Garnacho's was a very good finish, from Diogo Dalot's cross. I think the crowd goes home after a nice night of football."

Spurs double injury update

Ange Postecoglou revealed that Micky van de Ven "felt" an issue in his hamstring against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.

The Aussie also insisted that he refused to take a "risk" on Christian Romero.

“Micky felt something in his hamstring.

“I haven't got the full update on him but he definitely felt something and we'll see how he is.

“Cuti was a bit tired.

“I contemplated changing him at half-time but after losing Micky as well I didn't want to lose another centre-half.

"He said he felt ok but my gut was telling me there's no point taking a risk as we had Benny who could come on.

"Timo hasn't played a lot so I felt it was more fatigue hopefully than anything else."

Tottenham to face Man Utd

Spurs overcame the Blue side of Manchester in the fourth-round and they will now face the Red side in the quarter-finals.

Tottenham vs Manchester United is certainly the standout tie from last night's draw.

Another highlight is Arsenal taking on London rivals Crystal Palace in a blockbuster clash at the Emirates.

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Tottenham are the final side to secure their spot in the hat for tonight's Carabao Cup quarter-final draw.

Spurs claimed a mammoth 2-1 win over Manchester City in the capital.

The draw is set to begin at around 10.40pm GMT.

FORMER Ballon d'Or winner George Weah has revealed which Premier League team he supports.

Weah, 58, was present at last night's Ballon d'Or ceremony having won the award himself in 1995.

The retired striker had a glittering career that saw him win the league at both AC Milan and PSG.

While he also ventured into the Premier League with spells at both Chelsea and Manchester City during the twilight of his playing days.

But despite representing two Prem sides, and even winning the FA Cup with Chelsea, Weah supports a completely different side in England's top flight.

The 75-time Liberia international revealed that he's actually a Tottenham Hotspur fan.

Weah told the crowd at the Ballon d'Or ceremony that he grew up supporting Spurs, and explained that Harry Kane is one of his favourite players these days thanks to his time in north London.

He said: "That's [Harry Kane] one of the players that I love. I'm a fan of Mr. Kane.

"Well, he played for my team. I'm a very big fan, because I believe that he's a very strong and very clever striker.

"And I support Tottenham, since I was a kid. And I love him."

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Weah's career never saw him make his way to Tottenham and represent his boyhood club, but it certainly was one that plenty of other players would be envious of.

Although his life after nine domestic trophies might be even more impressive than his football career.

Unbelievably, Weah went on to serve as the president of his home country of Liberia.

The retired pro was the 25th president of the African nation and served in office from January 2018 until January of this year.

Weah is also the father of Juventus and USA national team winger Timothy Weah.

CRYSTAL PALACE's winless run came to an end thanks to a dose of "Dr Tottenham".

The Eagles got their first three points of the season with Jean-Philippe Mateta's first-half opener separating the sides.

And fans say they were blessed with the visit from Dr Tottenham to cure their lack of victories.

One said: "Dr. Tottenham. Never fails to cure those in need."

Another added: "Imagine not thinking Dr Tottenham is a thing."

One swiped: "Death, taxes, and the Dr Tottenham cure."

Another said: "Never underestimate Dr. Tottenham."

Spurs fell to their fourth defeat in nine Premier League matches as manager Ange Postecoglou admitted fan frustration will be rife.

He said: "It was one of those games with a lot of stoppages and battles and they ended up winning a lot of them and coming out on top.

"There was a lot of disruption and it was hard to get any fluency. They did better than us.

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"It turned into a game they were thriving on and we should have dealt with it better.

"It was a poor goal to concede, it had nothing to do with playing out from the back. That can happen.

"I'd be very surprised if they were happy right now. Why would I be happy? If I'm unhappy then they'll be unhappy.

"If you're suggesting that our fans weren't happy with today then that's a fair assessment."

NICLAS FULLKRUG has travelled to Germany in a bid to end his injury troubles as West Ham face losing Mohammed Kudus to an extended ban.

German striker Fullkrug is yet to start a Premier League game or score for West Ham following his £27.5million move from Borussia Dortmund.

The 31-year-old has been sidelined since the September international break with a calf injury - which was initially expected to see him out for just three weeks.

But complications have continued and this week the Germany international has returned to his home country for injections to try and speed up his return.

While Sunday's visit of Manchester United is expected to come too soon, Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui will want his summer signing back quickly following Kudus' suspension.

The Ghana winger was sent off late in West Ham's 4-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday and is now facing an extended ban on top of his initial three-match suspension.

Kudus, along with both West Ham and Spurs, has been charged by the FA following the melee he sparked which left three opponents on the floor.

All three parties have until Thursday to respond.

After kicking out at and hitting Micky van de Ven in the face, Kudus knocked Richarlison down and shoved midfielder Pape Matar Sarr.

In a statement, The FA said: "Tottenham Hotspur allegedly failed to ensure that their players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 82nd minute.

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"West Ham United allegedly failed to ensure that their players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way at the same time.

"Mohammed Kudus allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used violent conduct after the offence that he was sent off for."

Speaking after the game, boss Lopetegui said: "It's not good for him, it's not good for the club, for the team."

West Ham will already be without the winger, who had two goals in two games before his red card, for matches against Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Everton.

TNT SPORTS host Becky Ives embodied Tottenham's "to dare is to do" motto by leaping off the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before Saturday's lunch-time kick-off.

The presenter pulled off a spectacular stunt to welcome viewers into TNT's coverage of Spurs' 4-1 battering of the Hammers.

Ives, 36, opened the broadcast stood atop the the 62,000-seat stadium and welcomed viewers in with a stunning view of North London.

But after telling fans what was to come she then turned away from the camera and took a huge leap of faith off the stadium.

Of course, she was strapped into a harness that kept her safe as she dangled off the side of the ground.

Ives screamed "to dare is to do" as she took the courageous step off the top of the stadium.

The phrase has long been used by Tottenham as their motto, meaning that if you put your mind to something then it can be achieved.

Fans couldn't believe what they were watching as Ives jumped off the huge arena and took to social media to react.

One wrote: "Wow! Are you not afraid?!"

Another added: "Must be mad!"

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A third joked: "New challenge unlocked".

And Ives herself took to X to joke: "FYI I do my own stunts..."

Unbelievably, it's something that fans can do, too - with Spurs offering supporters the chance to dangle from the side of the stadium in what they call "The Edge".

The offering allows fans to descend some 42 metres in a thrilling experience.

But it comes at a price with adults having to fork out around £65 to feel the thrill.

MADMAN Mohammed Kudus lost his head after West Ham lost the plot to hand Tottenham victory.

If the Hammers had shown as much fight as Kudus did in thrusting a hand into the faces of Micky van de Ven and Pape Matar Sarr, they would not have conceded three goals in seven second-half minutes as Spurs turned the game.

The Ghanaian winger heaped further embarrassment on his club with his antics in the 83rd minute.

And the humbling derby day defeat will only add to the pressure on West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui.

It looked like Spurs counterpart Ange Postecoglou might be the man under the cosh after Kudus gave the visitors an early lead.

But Dejan Kulusevski grabbed a first-half equaliser and was the inspiration behind what turned into a crushing derby day win.

Yves Bissouma put Spurs 2-1 up in the 52nd minute. And less than three minutes later Hammers defender Jean-Clair Todibo put through his own net, although Alphonse Areola was later - and harshly - credited with the blunder.

Tottenham captain Son Heung-Min, back from injury, grabbed a fourth before the hour mark and should have had another only seconds later.

The visitors were hoping for a penalty lifeline when Destiny Udogie blocked Kudus’ goalbound shot with an arm, but neither referee Andrew Madley nor the VAR team thought it deserved a spotkick.

Incredibly, Madley needed VAR help before deciding to send Kudus off after an incredible ruck in the dying minutes.

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And Spurs gratefully accepted the opportunity to bounce back from the debacle of losing 3-2 to Brighton after being 2-0 up.

Tottenham thoroughly deserved to be level at half time on the balance of play and chances.

But they could and probably should have been two down before Kulusevski struck and headed off the threat of boos ringing around the stadium at the break.

Brennan Johnson and Son fired shots wide in the opening 10 minutes.

But then Jarrod Bowen pulled the ball back from the byline to Kudus, with the goal gaping.

Yet the Ghanaian hit his right-foot shot too close to Guglielmo Vicario and the Spurs goalkeeper made a good save.

Tottenham didn’t learn, though. Eight minutes later Bowen beat Destiny Udogie way too easily and his deflected cross again found Kudus, who this time made no mistake.

The West Ham fans in one corner of the ground took great delight in taunting the posh Spurs supporters in the corporate boxes above them.

The home team dominated the remainder of the half but frustration was growing in the stands as a host of corners were wasted.

One came after Johnson failed to win a close-range header from an Udogie cross.

Dominic Solanke sent an overhead kick wide before Alphonse Areola finally had to make a save.

Pedro Porro’s shot took a wicked deflection but Areola kept it out and then quickly grasped the ball before Solanke could force home a follow-up.

The Hammers’ relief did not last long.

Spurs broke quickly, James Maddison fed Kulusevski and the super Swede cut inside.

Areola got a hand on the shot but succeeded only in pushing the ball on to his near post, before it ricocheted along the goal-line and went in off the far.

Both Spurs full backs sent in dangerous crosses before the break, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka cut out Porro’s then the Spaniard sent a shot wide from Udogie’s centre.

Maddison was hooked at half time in favour of Sarr as Spurs looked for more control and physicality in midfield.

Spurs remained on the front foot and Udogie had already seen one shot blocked behind for a corner when he set up Tottenham’s second.

Son found the full back with a lovely pass and the cutback for Bissouma was just as inviting.

The ball took a deflection on its way into the net but Areola was well beaten.

The West Ham keeper’s luck went from bad to worse less than two minutes later.

Again Kulusevski led the charge before playing a reverse pass to Son.

Areola stopped the Tottenham captain’s shot but the ball hit Todibo and Areola could not stop it trickling back and over the line.

Spurs smelt blood. Son cut inside on the break and Areola probably did not do enough to keep out the right-foot shot.

The West Ham goalkeeper was helpless soon afterwards, but Son managed to hit the post when most of the goal was at his mercy.

If the Hammers failed to realise it was not their day by then, they knew it when Kudus’ effort was blocked by Udogie’s arm.

Madley did not point to the spot and VAR decided that Udogie’s limb was within his bodyline.

Lopetegui made a triple substitution just after the fourth goal but little changed.

Surely even Spurs could not muck it up from three goals up?

Well, only four years ago this week they did let slip a 3-0 lead against the same opponents, when Manuel Lanzini grabbed a brilliant late equaliser.

Not this time, though, and Areola saved from Johnson.

Even Timo Werner threatened to get in on the act, but his cushioned header across the six-yard box went unconverted by a team-mate.

West Ham’s frustration finally boiled over in the 83rd minute. Kudus had two nibbles at Van De Ven and when the Spurs defender protested, he cuffed him in the face.

Richarlison also went down after clattering into the Hammers winger, who then shoved a hand into Sarr’s face.

Madley somehow decided the first offence was worth only a yellow card but VAR summoned him to think again.

Kudus was finally sent off and will surely be banned for more than three games, given what he did to Sarr as well.

Will Lopetegui still be West Ham boss by the time Kudus is available again? You wouldn’t bet on it.

MOHAMMED KUDUS went from hero to zero on a day to forget for West Ham.

The Hammers winger was sent off against Tottenham after a wild brawl in Saturday's London derby.

Kudus was given his marching orders after pushing Micky van de Ven in the face.

It came after the pair had tussled for the ball in midfield, with West Ham trailing 4-1.

The 24-year-old caught Richarlison with a flying arm during a wild melee, sending the Spurs striker to the floor.

Pape Matar Sarr also weighed in to try and calm proceedings and appeared to be caught in the face as Kudus lost his cool.

Van de Ven was booked for his part in the altercation.

Referee Andy Madley initially gave a yellow to Kudus, before reviewing the VAR screen.

He upgraded the decision to a straight red, sending the Ghanaian for an early bath.

TNT Sports pundit Ally McCoist disagreed with the decision, which came with just minutes remaining in North London.

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McCoist said: "I'm probably old school.

"But just book him and let's get on with the game."

But pitch-side reporter Peter Crouch disagreed, saying the West Ham star "had to go."

Following the game, disappointed Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui said: "This is the kind of action we have to avoid.

"We are losing and we have to avoid this kind of behaviour."

Kudus had earlier opened the scoring at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, before a stirring comeback from the hosts.

Dejan Kulusevski levelled things up before the break to settle the crowd's nerves.

JAMES MADDISON was hooked off at half-time in a bold tactical switch by Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham were drawing 1-1 with West Ham after the opening 45 minutes when the Spurs boss made the surprising decision.

TNT Sports claimed the move was tactical and commentator Ally McCoist said Maddison had a quiet first-half and the gaffer may have decided "enough is enough".

The substitution saw Dejan Kulusevski move higher up the pitch, with defensive midfielder Pape Sarr replacing the England star.

Maddison created five chances before the break - three more than the entire West Ham team managed - and he completed more passes than any other player.

He also got the assist for Kulusevski's goal before he was taken off.

Maddison reappeared and looked glum with his hood up as he sat on the bench.

But the sub proved to be a stroke of genius by Postecoglou as Spurs scored three in a second-half blitz.

They netted them in a rampant seven-minute span to go 4-1 up, as the match would finish.

Yves Bissoma put Tottenham ahead before Jean-Clair Todibo turned in an unfortunate own goal - although goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was later harshly credited with the blunder by the Premier League.

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Son Heung-min, on his return from injury, then grabbed the fourth.

Fans praised Postecoglou's game-changing sub, with one saying: "Full credit to the gaffer. Sarr on for Maddison has worked wonders."

Another added: "A genius substitution."

On taking off Maddison, Postecoglou explained: "West Ham asked certain questions in midfield areas. I just thought Sarr's running power would help."

As well as losing 4-1, West Ham now face the prospect of being without Mohammed Kudus for three matches.

The Hammer winger was sent off against Tottenham after a wild brawl in Saturday's London derby.

Kudus was given his marching orders after pushing Micky van de Ven in the face following a tussle for the ball in midfield.

The 24-year-old caught Richarlison with a flying arm during a wild melee, sending the Spurs striker to the floor.

Sarr also weighed in to try and calm proceedings and appeared to be caught in the face as Kudus lost his cool.

He now faces a three-match ban after his yellow card was upgraded to a straight red following a VAR check.

Live Blog

LONDON CALLING

Premier League LIVE SCORES: Tottenham vs West Ham latest as Kulusevski levels it for Spurs in crunch derby – updates

PREMIER LEAGUE action is back after a two-week international break - and several blockbuster matches are happening today!

A fierce London derby has kicked off proceedings with Tottenham hosting their bitter rivals West Ham on RIGHT NOW.

Then at 3pm BST, under-fire Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will be hoping he can survive another day by his side beating Brentford.

And we head to the Vitality Stadium for the final match of the day as title-chasing Arsenal take a trip down south to battling Bournemouth.

Kick-off times: 12:30pm/3pm/5:30pm BST

TV channels: TNT Sports 1/Sky Sports Main & Premier League

Live stream: discovery+/NOW TV

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KEEP up with all the scores and results from the Premier League with our live blog below...

Turned a corner?

A belter of a half in North London where the hosts stormed back after going behind.

Just look at that corner count for Spurs.

Leicester have forced just 16 ALL season.

From Dan King at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

If Dejan Kulusevski had not grabbed a good equaliser, things could have turned toxic in Tottenham.

The Swede was very much his home team's man of the half and they deserve at least to be level on the balance of play.

But their fans were already showing signs of frustration and if Kudus had finished both his chances, not just one, then there would have been some boos at the break.

And if you or any friends in Brazil had a flutter on Lucas Paqueta to get a 43rd-minute yellow card, congratulations.

HALF-TIME! Tottenham 1-1 West Ham

Almost a magical goal right before the break by Pedro Porro.

Think Paolo Di Canio against Wimbledon all those years ago, a front bicycle-kick volley.

Porro's outrageous effort flashes just over the bar, the final chance of a brilliant first 45 minutes.

Shot shy

Brennan Johnson is getting in all the right areas, he just can't get the ball over the line.

The Welsh star is looking to break a record set by Harry Kane today by netting in seven straight games.

Plenty of time left.

Spurs deserve their equaliser after a fine response to going behind.

Kulusevski cuts in from the right, lashing a left-footed effort towards the bottom corner.

Areola gets a strong hand on it, tipping the ball onto the post.

But it runs back along the line, hitting the other post and nestling in the net. Game on.

Latest score - Tottenham 0-1 West Ham

But he really should equalise, missing a header from six yards out which is blocked behind for a corner.

Speaking of which, it's been one for the corner counters so far.

We've had ELEVEN in just half an hour. Proper Pulis ball.

From Dan King at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

The West Ham fans were revolting before kick-off, but they're happy now.

Supporters of both sides were united in releasing black balloons to protest against their clubs withdrawing or reducing concessionary prices on season tickets.

Hammers fans put more heart into it, though. And their goal was coming.

Bowen has been a threat down the right and his deflected cross was the second time he had teed up Mohammed Kudus.

This time the Ghanaian beat Guglielmo Vicario. The away corner is now taunting the Tottenham boxes above.

Latest score - Tottenham 0-1 West Ham

"I'm going to be so bold and say we haven't seen the last of the scoring," declares Darren Fletcher on TNT.

Well, that's cursed it.

It's a defensive mess from Spurs.

Strong work from Bowen on the right, who muscles in a cross when he should be closed down.

Who is marking Kudus? Nobody, that's who.

The Ghanaian lashes a first-time scuffed shot into the top corner. Ange shakes his head on the sideline.

Latest score - Tottenham 0-0 West Ham

We almost have our first goal of the day in a madcap few minutes in North London.

Brennan Johnson almost makes it seven goals in seven games with a wicked volley at the far post, flashing it wide.

Back up the other end, Mohammed Kudus is denied by a fantastic reflex save from Vocario.

"It's really open, it's great to see," declares Ally McCoist on TNT comms. That man just loves the carnage.

Bright and early

Away from the London derby for a moment, Erik ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford earlier than expected this morning.

The under-fire Red Devils boss rocked up to the Theatre of Dreams around 10.30am, more than 4 hours before kick-off.

'Just in to empty out his desk," writes one fan on X. Ooof, you lot are mean.

Clear your lines

"What is he doing?" gasps Ally McCoist as Areola in the Hammers goal smashes an awkward clearance into Row Z.

Proper football, that. No nonsense. Almost a shock to see a keeper willing to put one into a car park instead of trying a Cruyff turn.

All Spurs in the early exchanges, still goalless.

KICK-OFF! Tottenham 0-0 West Ham

A shrill blast on the whistle from Andy Madley as a huge roar greets the player from the terraces. It's good to be back.

Weekend starts here

Finally, we have club football back in all its glory.

If you're just joining us, a quick reminder of how things are going down today in the top flight.

Look at that schedule. Will someone please think of the blog writers?! Could get fun later on.

Tottenham vs West Ham 12.30pm

Fulham vs Aston Villa 3pm

Ipswich vs Everton 3pm

Man Utd vs Brentford 3pm

Newcastle vs Brighton 3pm

Southampton vs Leicester 3pm

Bournemouth vs Arsenal 5.30pm

Final countdown

The early kick-off almost upon us.

A TNT Sports trio of Tottenham legend Les Ferdinand, Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle and ex-Tottenham player Peter Crouch seem confident of a Spurs win.

Hammer time

Whisper it, but a result today could set West Ham fair for a push up the table.

They have Man Utd next up at home, who let's face it, are a threat to nobody at the moment.

After that, a tough trip to Forest before a home tie with Everton.

Angry Ange

A candid interview from Ange Postecoglu, who reveals how he dealt with that calamitous loss to Brighton.

He told TNT: "It's the worst feeling.

"You kind of pray that you [go into the international break] on a good note.

"You've got to sit on it for ten days. So I took it out on the family and kids."

Beck and call

TNT's Becky Ives probably thought she was getting an easy assignment on her first day back.

Minutes into the coverage and they've already had her leap off the roof of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Prem football is back.

Mind games

Hammers boss Lopetegui was keen not to talk this up as a feisty derby pre-match, insisting: "I know about this derby but we have to put the focus on the football."

Fair enough. But Ange has other ideas.

In a rallying call, the Spurs chief said: " I was made very aware of it last year [how important the game is].

"I know what it means. An important game."

Derby days

West Ham are unbeaten on the road so far in the Prem this season.

Not that they've had to get out of Zone 4. Those Oyster cards have been busy.

The Hammers have made short trips across London to Fulham, Crystal Palace and Brentford.

On their last visit to Tottenham, goals from Bowen and Ward-Prowse sealed a 2-1 win, their first at Spurs since 2019.

West Ham team news

Nice and easy this one.

Julen Lopetegui opts for the same XI that gave Ipswich a thrashing before the international break.

Summerville, Ings and Coufal all have to watch on from the bench.

So Spurrsy

Not to take things down a negative path, but this is a great stat.

We all tease Spurs about being Spurrsy - and nothing was more Spurrsy than that 3-2 loss to Brighton last time out.

Cruising at 2-0 up, it looked like a sixth-straight win. Until it didn't.

Here's the kicker - Spurs are now the first Premier League team in history to lose 10 games after leading by at least two goals.

See, told you. Spurrsy.

Spurs team news

The headline stuff first - Son Heung-min is back for Spurs.

It's the South Korean's first start since the Europa League win over Qarabag on September 26.

Brennan Johnson features, in the middle of a spell where everything he hits seems to go in.

Oh, and Maddison and his hat also make the cut.

Magnificent seven

So many storylines set to play out today across the country.

All eyes will be on Old Trafford at 3pm, as Erik ten Hag tries once again to hold onto his job against early-goal specialists Brentford.

More on that later. For now, here's how things will pan out with the early team news from North London imminent.

Tottenham vs West Ham 12.30pm

Fulham vs Aston Villa 3pm

Ipswich vs Everton 3pm

Man Utd vs Brentford 3pm

Newcastle vs Brighton 3pm

Southampton vs Leicester 3pm

Bournemouth vs Arsenal 5.30pm

DARREN ANDERTON can think of nobody who is more fitting to steal his assist record for Spurs than selfless skipper Son Heung-min.

Former England midfielder Anderton tops Tottenham’s charts in the Premier League with a whopping 68.

But South Korean icon Son is creeping up behind on 64 and will surely surpass him at some point this term.

Son will target getting even closer to Anderton’s record at home to West Ham.

And Anderton, 52, told SunSport in association with freebets.com: “If anyone is going to break that record, I’m very happy it’s going to be Son because he’s a team player.

“I always considered myself to be that, and always put the team first.

“I’d get as much joy at creating opportunities and setting up goals as I did from scoring myself.”

Assists — providing the final ball to the player who scores the goal — were not as revered in Anderton’s 1990s heyday.

But the growing influence of stats-obsessed American sports and the rise of fantasy football have seen the goal-maker take almost as much credit as the goal-taker.

Put it this way: Anderton would be hailed far more for his playmaking ability if he were playing today rather than 30 years ago.

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Many of Anderton’s assists saw him tee up old mucker Teddy Sheringham.

In fact, their epic 27-goal combinations make the pair the fifth-most prolific duo in Premier League history.

Son is top of that particular list owing to his fruitful partnership with Harry Kane.

They hit a staggering 47-goal combinations before Kane was sold to Bayern Munich two summers ago.

California-based Anderton added: “We live in America now and all the sports over here are about the assists and the stats and everything.

“So I’ve always been aware of it. My American friends always used to say that it’s scandalous no one ever speaks about assists!

“Now they do, so that’s good, and I think they should. It’s a huge part of the game and it’s what happens in the final third that wins games.

“Your team can have all the possession in the world but it’s that final ball which is so, so important.

“I’m very proud of the record. It’s something that I was always aware of.

“When I first got in at Spurs I struggled, but then things really took off for me and my relationship with Teddy in terms of assists and scoring goals.

“When Harry and Sonny had their assist-goal relationship, I saw myself and Teddy’s names up in the top five Premier League goal-assist partnerships.

“Someone sent me something the other day about my record on social media when Son had two assists and I was like, ‘Oh, OK’.

“We were having dinner and I showed my daughter and wife and we were having a bit of a giggle about it.”

Son has missed Spurs’ last three games due to a hamstring issue picked up in the 3-0 home win over Qarabag in the Europa League group stages last month.

However, the South Korean expects to return to action today in the early kick-off.

The attacker, 32, is one of Spurs’ greatest modern-day players and is 21st in the all-time list of Premier League goalscorers on 122.

But he has only scored in one match this season — the 4-0 win over Everton on August 24 — and has not netted in his last five club appearances.

Anderton added: “He hasn’t played as well as he would like and against Manchester United, he wasn’t missed — that performance was incredible.

“But that’s all part of getting to that sort of age and things start to change. I left Spurs at 32, I thought I had a few more years in me, but that’s all part of the game that we all play.

“But everyone in football knows how good he is.

“He’s the perfect football player. He works his socks off, he creates opportunities, he scores goals.

“He has always produced and has been an unbelievable player for the club.”

But if Spurs are to beat their London neighbours today, Anderton believes the performance of £40million midfielder James Maddison will be key.

The playmaker has struggled for large parts of this year as he battles back to peak fitness after damaging ankle ligaments in November 2023.

But he has been in red-hot form in recent weeks, yet was overlooked again by England this month.

Anderton felt the 27-year-old deserved a recall and believes the North Londoners are at their best when Maddison is on top of his game.

Euro 96 star Anderton, who won 30 caps for his country, added: “When he plays well, we play well.

“He has that X Factor that when teams sit deep because we do dominate, you need that bit of magic to create things.

“Christian Eriksen used to do it and James Maddison is in that mould.

“After he had that injury last season, our form was never the same. He’s that important to the team.”