The Sun

JAMES MADDISON and Brennan Johnson were spotted enjoying the darts at Ally Pally just hours after Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Wolves.

Ange Postecoglou's men conceded a late equaliser in North London, before the Australian coach confirmed his struggling stars were "hurting".

The Spurs players have been given Monday and Tuesday off to recover from a demanding Christmas period - which has seen them play 10 games since November 28.

And Maddison and Johnson - who scored Spurs' second goal against the relegation battlers - shrugged off their disappointment to head to the darts to watch the likes of Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright.

The pair could be seen smiling from their tables as they took in the raucous Ally Pally atmosphere.

Maddison, 28, is known as a big fan of the sport - and often mimes throwing a dart after scoring a goal.

But it has been a difficult time for Spurs following just one win in seven Premier League games.

After the match, Postecoglou said: "It hurts me because I'm responsible ultimately. I'm the person in charge. So of course it hurts.

"When I see how hard they are trying, it hurts even more because you want them to get a reward and I think today they deserved a reward for their efforts even though they were dipping into their reserves of energy, which I don't even know where they got from.

"I wanted them to get a reward for their efforts.

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"It hurts immensely. At the same time it's my responsibility for where we're at right now and it's my responsibility to try to get us out of it."

The Spurs boss also explained why he is giving the players two days off.

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He added: "It was always planned. We knew this is the first week where we don't have a midweek game, so I think the whole group probably needs a couple of days just to get away from everything and recover.

"It'll do them good to have a couple of days to themselves with their families and give them a chance to recover mentally as much as physically."

Spurs have now failed to win at home in their last five league games - an unwanted feat not managed since 2008.

While seven wins in 19 league games means they are a point nearer to the relegation zone than they are to the top four.

Yet Postecoglou still believes his side can achieve something in the league this season.

The Aussie, whose team are through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals and still in Europe, added: "I just feel that at some point we'll get a relatively healthy squad and when we do that we'll be able to perform at a high level consistently and we've already shown this year we can beat anyone.

"There's a chance there you can go on a run.

"But at the moment that's secondary to the first bit, we have to try to get some support for the players - both mentally and physically and in terms of numbers to give them the opportunity to play at their best."

Meanwhile, Rodrigo Bentancur is now banned for Saturday’s hosting of Newcastle after a needless foul in stoppage time on Rodrigo Gomes earned him his fifth yellow card of the season.

Had he waited a week, the cautions picked up in the first half of the campaign would have been wiped.

Postecoglou added: "It was an unfortunate moment, didn't really need to happen and I'd much rather he didn't make that tackle and was available for the next game.

"The players are obviously hurting, they want to turn this around and it's not for the want of trying."

TOTTENHAM pair Rodrigo Bentancur and Dominic Solanke left fans in stitches after colliding in the box as they lined up to shoot during their 2-2 draw with Wolves.

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou came into his side's clash with Wolves under huge pressure following back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

They kicked off in the bottom half of the Premier League table with nine defeats from 18 games.

And things got even bleaker for fans of the North London side when Hwang Hee-chan fired in to give the visitors the lead.

Bentancur levelled with a header from a corner, before the calamitous incident occurred between the Uruguayan and Solanke.

As the ball rolled across the box they both ran onto it and took each other out.

Fortunately, the flag went up for offside in the build-up.

But that did not stop fans from making fun of the hapless moment.

One said: "Solanke shoving Bentancur off the ball (or was it the other way around?) is the most Spursy thing I've ever seen."

Another added: "That Bentancur-Solanke collision in the box sums up our whole season lmao."

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A third replied: "If you could describe SPURS in a clip... Solanke and Bentancur going for the same ball 😂."

While a fourth responded: "The way Solanke and Bentancur tackled each other 😭😭😭 best comedy show on earth."

Spurs went in front through Brennan Johnson but then conceded late on through Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Postecoglou really needed a win here after a run of just one victory in six league games had left his injury-hit side languishing in mid-table.

He looked like he might have it after goals from Bentancur and Johnson before half-time overturned Hwang's opener.

But Strand Larsen came to the rescue to preserve Vitor Pereira’s unbeaten record since taking over.

And it left Postecoglou, whose side were booed at full-time, looking on shaky ground as chairman Daniel Levy watched from the stands.

Pereira has had such a quick impact at Wolves since succeeding Gary O’Neil just before Christmas that the away fans were singing his name before kick-off.

They were belting it out after seven minutes though when Hwang broke the deadlock.

The South Korean was starting his first league game since August as a reward for his killer strike against Manchester United on Boxing Day.

His strike showed no signs of rustiness though as Rayan Ait-Nouri rolled a free-kick off to the forward on the edge of the area and Hwang did the rest, curling beautifully in off the post.

Spurs were trying to claim a foul on Johnson from Santiago Bueno in the build-up but it looked an optimistic claim at best.

Matheus Cunha, who had won the set-piece in the first place, has been Wolves’ star man in a dreary campaign.

And the Brazilian showed just why he is being coveted by the likes of Arsenal with some Champions League-quality tricks and flicks throughout the first half.

Spurs hit back five minutes later though with a corner routine that had worked a charm against Ipswich last month, even if it was overlooked by Spurs losing that game.

Just as they did against the Tractor Boys, Pedro Porro sent in the delivery to the near post where Rodrigo Bentancur rose highest to crash home a header.

Spurs were not playing well and yet they were still creating chances.

Radu Dragusin probably should have levelled with a header from another Porro corner that whistled the wrong side of the post.

Yves Bissouma had a blast over the bar when Kulusevski neatly laid it off to him.

While there was a farcical moment when Solanke and Bentancur clattered into each other trying to latch onto the same cutback from Kulusevski, who was offside anyway.

Son Heung-min has looked out of sorts for some time now given the amazing service he has given Spurs over the last ten years.

He was anonymous here until out of nowhere, he was presented with a golden chance to put Spurs ahead.

Johnson had been needlessly tripped by Andre in the box as tried to latch onto Kulusevsi’s lock-picking pass.

Son picked up the ball as the penalty-taker but just like Erling Haaland against Everton last week, the master goal-scorer looked so short of confidence that you feared a miss was coming.

So it proved as his tame effort to Jose Sa’s right was repelled by the Wanderers stopper.

Postecoglou must have felt this is just how things are going for him right now.

But then Johnson offered him a reprieve in the third minute of first-half stoppage time.

The Welshman played a one-two with the excellent Kulusevski - who at times seemed to be carrying Spurs - and then smartly converted the return pass for 2-1.

Wolves were dealt a surprise blow when Cunha was part of a double-sub at half-time and was spotted soon after with ice under his left knee.

While Postecoglou surely could not believe his luck when Destiny Udogie went down with a hamstring injury, given how decimated his defence already was.

The Italian gingerly walked off to be replaced by the lesser-spotted Sergio Reguilon, who was making his first league appearance for Spurs since April 2022.

Since then he has been out on loan at Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Brentford.

The smart money is on him being shipped out permanently next month too, although Spurs may have to assess the damage to Udogie first.

Both sides looked tired and short of quality in a clunky second half.

Spurs were desperately trying to see it out but then on 87 minutes, Rayan Ait-Nouri slipped in sub Strand Larsen who belted the ball past Fraser Forster high into the roof of the net.

Spurs old-boy Matt Doherty almost nicked all three points too for the visitors but his header was repelled by Forster.

But Strand Larsen’s strike was enough of a hammer blow to Postecoglou - who also saw Bentancur pick up a fifth yellow of the season with a wild late tackle on Rodrigo Gomes, meaning he is now suspended for Newcastle.

When it rains, it pours.

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WOLVES have Sunderland No 1 Anthony Patterson on their radar again in case they lose one of their own keepers at Molineux.

Portugal ace Jose Sa is back in the Wanderers side under new boss Vitor Pereira, with previous first-pick Sam Johnstone shocked to be dumped to the bench.

That situation is unlikely to continue so the Midlands outfit have reopened their files on Black Cats’ Patterson, 24, who is also an option for Spurs.

Patterson, however, won't come cheap as he inked a new long-term deal at the Stadium of Light last September.

After putting pen to paper, he said: "You can see the trajectory the club is on and it's an exciting time to be here.

"It's obviously an absolute dream to come through the academy to where I am now.

"When you first join the club at the age of 10, you don't ever think too much about actually playing for Sunderland."

Black Cats Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman said of the academy graduate: "He's establishing himself as one of the best young English goalkeepers.

"We have confidence in him and his ability to further improve, and equally he has confidence in us, which I feel is important.

"As an academy graduate, we couldn't be happier for Anthony.

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"And his journey so far is a testament to the work undertaken by him and so many staff over a significant period of time."

Patterson has conceded only 14 league goals so far this season, keeping seven clean sheets for the Black Cats.

HE would never admit it, but Nuno Espirito Santo must have particularly enjoyed this one.

The tight-lipped Portuguese suffered a miserably short spell as Spurs boss back in 2021, getting the sack after just 17 games.

But it has been a wholly joyful experience at the City Ground for Nuno, whose victory here over his former side sent Nottingham Forest into third.

Current Tottenham incumbent Ange Postecoglou, in contrast, had to suffer chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” after a ninth league loss of the campaign.

That seems premature given both the Aussie’s crippling injury list - with Radu Dragusin forced off late in this defeat - and how his side are faring in the cups.

But many more of these, and you would start to fear for the 59-year-old, who saw Forest old-boy Djed Spence sent off in stoppage time.

Having said that, there is no shame in losing to Forest this term - even if Nuno being at the helm is an extra sickener for Spurs fans.

This is the only side to have beaten near-perfect Liverpool this season and who are now on a run of four straight wins in the league.

Champions League qualification is becoming less and less of a pipe dream with every passing victory for the former European Cup winners.

Few fans would be expecting it, of course.

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But they are certainly in the picture, and rightfully so on this evidence, having prevented the league’s top-scorers from netting and moving ELEVEN points above them in the process.

Forest looked every bit the hard-to-beat, organised outfit that Nuno has turned them into throughout the game.

They had bite in midfield - you always will with Ryan Yates - and a threat on the counter thanks to speed merchants Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga on the flanks.

It is a formula that is becoming increasingly reliable, similar to the one Nuno produced at Wolves.

As for Postecgolou’s box-of-chocolates Spurs, there really is no telling which version of them you are going to get from match to match.

One thing you can bank on though is that for all their exciting attacking play, they will always give up chances.

Particularly with the patched-up defence Postecoglou is having to put out over this festive period, including Spence starting his fourth game in a row, having waited two-and-a-half years to be included in a Spurs' starting line-up.

Tottenham signed the 24-year-old from Middlesbrough in 2022, but it was because of his stellar form on loan at Forest in their promotion-winning Championship campaign.

The home fans referenced that with a chant of “You used to play for a big club” as Spence waited to take an early throw.

While Brennan Johnson, who joined Spurs from the Tricky Trees last year for £47.5million and back starting here, suffered some pantomime-villain boos.

Spurs were by no means poor in the first 45 here, but were also nowhere near their swash-buckling best.

Son Heung-min should have teed up an open Johnson inside the first five minutes but instead weakly shot straight at Matz Sels.

Hardman Yates clattered into Son five minutes late and copped his fifth yellow of the season - a surprisingly low amount but one that will see him suspended for Sunday’s trip to Everton.

The two teams traded half-chances and long-rangers before Elanga broke the deadlock on 29 minutes.

It was Spence who lost the ball, allowing Forest to break through Morgan Gibbs-White, who carried the ball downfield and then played a defence-splitting ball through for Elanga.

The rapid Swede had the composure to match his pace as he slotted round the advancing Fraser Forster to complete a classic Nuno counter.

It prompted the sacking chants towards Postecoglou from the standing section of the Peter Taylor Stand, who also aimed a “You’re just a fat Aussie b***ard” taunt at the Spurs chief.

Postecoglou was facing up to a ninth league defeat before the New Year.

His side would have gone in level had Johnson managed to beat Sels just before the break, but once again the ex-Newcastle stopper produced a top stop.

That theme continued after the break when on 57 minutes, Johnson looked all the world as if he would score after ghosting in with a clever flick, but Sels proved his nemesis again.

Spurs had few other chances, truth be told, and then saw Spence go in injury time after a foul on sub Jota Silva earned him a second yellow.

Spurs had not lost on Boxing Day since 2003, when ‘Mad World’ by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules was top of the charts - a fitting theme to the crazy heights Nuno’s Forest are scaling this season.

ANGE POSTECOGLOU may be experiencing a wildly inconsistent season - but for Gus Poyet, things at Spurs are the same as they ever were.

Tottenham started off last week beating Southampton 5-0 and Manchester United 4-3 in the Carabao Cup - but then were trounced 6-3 at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

It means supporters never know what to expect from Postecoglou's side.

But Poyet sees no difference to how things were when he was playing for the club 20 years ago.

And the Uruguayan does not believe that will change until the club fundamentally switches at its core.

Poyet, who assisted Juande Ramos the last time Spurs won a trophy in 2008, told SunSport via Odds comparison: “It was like that when I played for them. I promise you, it was.

“We were there, we were able to beat the best team and then have the worst results. I remember being 3-0 up against Manchester United at home and we lost 5-3.

“How can you be so good in the first half and so bad in the second half?

“This year against Brighton was the same. Two-nil up at half-time and then they lost 3-2.

“Things, they don’t change, until there is something from inside, and I mean right from the core, that change.

“In Spurs, that core didn’t change over the years. It’s more or less the same.”

Some supporters believe that change would involve chairman Daniel Levy and owners ENIC departing the club.

There was a protest ahead of the Liverpool game, and some balloons were released in the 24th minute to signify 24 years of ENIC ownership.

But Poyet did not single out Levy or the way the club is run as the core switch that is needed - more a mentality shift akin to opponents Liverpool where everything is calmer.

The ex-midfielder, who scored 23 goals in 98 Spurs games between 2001-04, added: “It’s a situation with Spurs where every year is like this wish from everyone that it’s going to be the year that something will change.

“For whatever reason, I cannot explain, it’s unique, something always happens.

“A bad result, or a terrible second half, or an incredibly bad performance.

“The ups and downs are too dramatic. For a team to improve over the years, to be consistent, or to be there, you need to be more calm in the good and bad times.

“We can talk about Liverpool, being good for so many years, but because you are competing with someone like Man City who are so good as well, it doesn’t mean you are going to win.

“But you need to maintain it and not get frustrated for one bad result or one bad season.

“With Spurs, everything is a bit up and down.

“It has to come from inside, the consistency, from the core of the club. That’s something that will be important for Spurs if they want to achieve some stability.”

A driving factor for the frustration that has engulfed Spurs in recent years is their 17-year wait for silverware.

Postecoglou will hope to end that this term and is into the Carabao Cup semi-final, where they face Liverpool.

Poyet, who won the FA Cup as a Chelsea player, added: “If I was a Tottenham coach, I would not be thinking about anything else except winning a trophy.

“You’re not going to win the Premier League but can I win a cup? Yes. Winning a trophy makes players winners. When you become a winner, it becomes a habit.”

ANGE POSTECOGLOU hit back at fresh scrutiny over his attacking style — as Tottenham shipped six to Prem leaders Liverpool.

The fed-up Spurs boss argued with a TV reporter and was close to blowing his top following repeated questioning over tactics.

Spiky Postecoglou, whose dodgy defence has conceded 13 goals in the last three home games, snapped: “I’m just going to stop answering these questions.”

Postecoglou pointed to the injuries to keeper Guglielmo Vicario as well as centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.

Tottenham’s first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie also started on the bench as Arne Slot’s pace-setters ran riot in North London.

The Aussie added: “If people can’t see the obvious, I’m not going to point it out. Make of it what you want, yes, we’re conceding goals.

“If you want to discount the fact we’re missing a goalkeeper, two centre-backs and left-back . . .

“I don’t know what to say any more.”

Postecoglou was pushed over whether Spurs will benefit from his commitment to attacking football in the long term.

He said: “I have been really patient the last 18 months sitting up here answering the same questions over and over again.

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“If people want me to change my approach, it’s not going to change.

“We are doing it for a reason, we are doing it because we think it will help us to be successful.”

Postecoglou described this thumping defeat as “painful” which leaves Spurs 11th and eight points off the top four.

Yet they have scored more goals than anyone else in the top flight with 39 and are in a Carabao Cup semi-final.

Supporters even sang Postecoglou’s name at 5-2.

Asked about the fans’ reception, the Tottenham chief replied: “I thought the fans were good today, very good, given it was a difficult day.

“Maybe some of them understand the situation we’re in right now. It seems many don’t.

“I hope they see what we’re trying to build here as I really believe it’s going to be something that gives the club and fans what they want.”

Postecoglou said last month if his side were still tenth at Christmas then he would expect people not to be “happy”.

That was pre-injury crisis but this defeat left his side in the bottom half.

He added: “All I can do is navigate us through a difficult period.

“If you’re saying tenth means I’m not doing a good job and I should be uncomfortable, well that’s for others to judge.”

TOTTENHAM fans protested against chairman Daniel Levy ahead of their defeat to Liverpool.

Spurs were outclassed by the league leaders, who inflicted a 6-3 defeat to leave Ange Postecoglou's side in the bottom half at Christmas.

The Tottenham boss has copped his fair share of flack this season, and he confronted the angry travelling support after an insipid defeat to Bournemouth.

But ahead of the Liverpool match a small group of supporters marched against Levy.

Banners were held up calling for the long-term club chief to leave his post, with supporters carrying black balloons bearing the words: "L£VI OUT".

One banner read: "I don’t care about Levy and he don’t care about me."

While another took a broader aim at the owners, saying: "To dare is too dear. ENIC out."

Organisers planned to release the black balloons onto the pitch in the 24th minute, but few reached the grass.

Tottenham fans have put up with soaring prices since the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, yet results on the pitch have gone backwards.

They sit 11th going into Christmas having lost eight of their 17 Premier League games.

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Their saving grace this season is their cup form, having progressed to the Carabao Cup semi-final this week following a win over Manchester United.

TOTTENHAM have given Ange Postecoglou the green light to sign a goalkeeper from the EFL, according to reports.

Spurs have been without No1 Guglielmo Vicario since November when he was ruled out with an ankle injury.

Fraser Forster came into the side as his replacement but has made mistakes, including passing the ball to a Manchester United attacker in his own box in the Carabao Cup.

Tottenham are ready to bring in another keeper and have identified Burnley stoppe James Trafford as their first choice target, report The Mirror.

Postecoglou has reportedly been given the green light to make a move for Trafford, who could cost £20million.

Trafford received his first call-up to the England senior squad last month and boasts 19 Under-21 caps.

He joined Burnley in the summer of 2023 and made 28 Premier League appearances last season.

His performances attracted the attention of Newcastle but they were unable to agree a deal with Liverpool.

Vicario is expected to be out injured for a few more months, so Fraser will deputies unless a replacement is found.

Spurs have also looked at Sunderland's young keeper Anthony Patterson as well as Sheffield Wednesday rookie Pierce Charles.

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Postecoglou is happy enough with Forster in the mean time, despite his mistake against United.

He said: “He’s disappointed as well, because he was outstanding for us. He didn’t have a lot to do before then. And even the first half, I thought he was really good with his feet.

“The first one probably affected his confidence a little bit. He lost a bit of belief, and that second one just compounded it. But he’s a big boy and is another one that’s stood up for us big-time in this period. I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

THE Carabao Cup semi-final draw has been made with Tottenham Hotspur dealt a tricky tie against Liverpool.

Spurs will have to topple the league leaders, while north London neighbours Arsenal will face Newcastle in the other tie.

Arsenal will feel they have been given the kindest draw possible, while Spurs face a tough test against Liverpool.

The tie also means that there's a possibility of a North London derby final should both Arsenal and Spurs win their ties.

Spurs will certainly have their work cut out for them against a high-flying Liverpool side.

Arne Slot's team, the current Carabao Cup holders, booked their place in the last four with a tricky victory at Southampton last night.

Despite Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott's first-half goals, the Reds made it hard work for themselves in the second period, with manager-less Saints unlucky not to draw level after Cameron Archer pulled one back.

Arsenal dumped Crystal Palace out on Wednesday night, with a sublime Gabriel Jesus hat-trick completing an impressive turnaround in a 3-2 win.

Jean-Philippe Mateta had netted an early opener, but the Brazilian's treble ultimately proved decisive, even if a late Eddie Nketiah consolation did make for a nervy ending.

Newcastle, meanwhile, edged one step closer to their first domestic trophy in nearly 70 YEARS by dumping Brentford out.

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Sandro Tonali ran the show at St James' Park with a first-half double, but the Toon Army's celebrations were slightly overshadowed by concerns for Joelinton.

The Brazilian midfielder needed hospital treatment after being on the wrong end of a nasty challenge.

Bees star Nathan Collins struck Joelinton with an elbow, and caught the Newcastle man's head with his studs as he fell back to the ground.

Tottenham completed the semi-final line-up by comfortably dispatching of Man Utd in arguably the game of the round at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A Dominic Solanke brace either side of a Dejan Kulusevski goal set the wheels in motion, before those same wheels dramatically fell off.

Fraser Forster committed two goalkeeping howlers to gift Ruben Amorim's side a lifeline, before fellow understudy Altay Bayindir let Son Heung-min score directly from a corner.

Jonny Evans' late goal was not enough as Man Utd were sent home empty-handed.

The Carabao Cup semi-final first legs will take place in the week commencing January 6th 2025, with the second legs to follow in the week beginning February 3rd.

The final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday March 16th.