Live Commentary - Bournemouth vs Brighton
Sorry, this blog is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
Back to Home
Sorry, this blog is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
Back to Home
Dr Tottenham will see you now, Manchester City.
The Spurs surgery has already remedied Crystal Palace and Ipswich this season, gifting them their first league wins of the season.
And now Man City will hope for a cure from Dr Tottenham to end their four-game losing run on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Tottenham fixtures | Spurs latest news, rumours and gossip
Stream Man City vs Spurs and more with NOW
All you need to know - Streaming Sky Sports with NOW
Download the Sky Sports App | Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp
The irony is that Ange Postecoglou's side hurt City last month by beating them 2-1 in the Carabao Cup fourth round to start their malaise.
That defeat has seen City boss Pep Guardiola suffer the longest losing run in his managerial career.
Tottenham have long been a bogey side for the Spaniard too. Under Guardiola, City have lost more Premier League games (6) and conceded more Premier League goals (22) against Spurs than they have against any other opponent.
But even with the stats in Spurs' favour, a timely rehabilitation for City would be in keeping with this Dr Tottenham season.
The term Dr Tottenham is the idea that teams lacking in confidence, form and points will suddenly be healed with a positive result against Spurs.
The recent miracle cures of Palace and Ipswich has only given further credence to the phrase.
The Eagles ended their eight-game winless start to the season with a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park, while Ipswich celebrated their first Premier League victory in 22 years after a 2-1 win in north London.
But surely two winless sides earning their first victories of the season against Spurs has never happened before? Do not doubt the power of Dr Tottenham, because it has.
In 2010, Wigan were thumped in their opening two league games at home by an aggregate score of 10-0 following defeats to newly-promoted Blackpool (4-0) and reigning champions Chelsea (6-0). Yet Spurs somehow found a cure for Roberto Martinez's side, who won 1-0 at White Hart Lane.
A month later Dr Tottenham struck again, this time helping London rivals West Ham. The Hammers, who were bottom and had just one point from their opening five games, claimed a 1-0 victory at Upton Park.
Even in the 1990s, Dr Tottenham was healing.
The present-day losses to Palace and Ipswich are the first time that two teams have picked up their first win of the season against Spurs at least five games into the campaign since 1994, when Southampton (Matchday 5) and Leicester (Matchday 6) did so.
Thirty years on, the Spurs surgery remains fully open with a couple of sickly patients up next.
Saturday's opponents City have not won in November and are in desperate need of mending. Spurs go to the champions having won just two of their last 11 Premier League away games (D2 L7), while since the start of this spell in March, no side has lost more Premier League away games than them (7).
But if Postecgolou's side can avoid another Dr Tottenham moment and rejuvenate themselves after that Ipswich upset then they will have the hurdle of poorly Roma in the Europa League five days later.
The Italian side look ripe for a dose of Dr Tottenham.
They are bang out of form, having made their worst start to a Serie A season in two decades, while they sit 20th in the Europa League table (Spurs are in the top eight).
Roma are also set for a new manager bounce, having appointed ex-Leicester and Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri as their new head coach during the international break.
Roma and City feel like two typical Dr Tottenham revivals.
The Spurs surgery must be shut down by Postecoglou.
"I won't give up, that's for sure," said Pep Guardiola prior to his Manchester City side suffering their fourth defeat in a row against Brighton and Hove Albion before the international break.
It was a tone that has rarely been associated with the City boss since arriving in English football back in 2016, but this is new-found territory for him.
This run of four games is the longest stretch he has gone without a win across his managerial career - and it is not set to get any easier.
City's immediate fixture list in the Premier League is one of the hardest and it could not arrive at a worse time, as Guardiola's side continue to struggle with injuries and confidence.
Man City in a 'dark place' - but Pep Guardiola is ready for the challenge
Man City fixtures | Get Sky Sports
Stream the Premier League and more with NOW
City's run of fixtures
A defeat to Tottenham kick-started the hysteria, as goals from Timo Werner and Pape Matar Sarr caused City to crash out of the Carabao Cup.
They will now be tasked with addressing this slump against Ange Postecoglou's team, live on Sky Sports, once domestic action returns on November 23.
A blockbuster clash against league leaders Liverpool, also live on Sky Sports, will follow shortly after and Guardiola will hope to have the likes of Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and John Stones back for that game on December 1.
City will then host Nottingham Forest, who have been one of the stand-out storylines across the early stages of the season given their impressive start, at the Etihad Stadium on December 4.
A trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace three days later (December 7) looks the easiest fixture on paper, although the Eagles have caused City problems in recent years.
This of course includes the shock 2-0 victory away from home back in 2021, which will likely linger in the mind of the City boss if his side are in need of a win when the fixture arrives.
Finally, they will finish in dramatic fashion by hosting Ruben Amorim, who will have been in the job over a month by December 15, and Manchester United - live on Sky Sports.
Their rivals are currently an unknown entity but the fear of losing the derby will only mount more pressure on addressing their poor form before a fixture of this magnitude comes around.
The importance of this run laid bare
In terms of league position, City's run is only the eighth-hardest fixture list during the next five games.
However, this does not take into account the club also balancing Champions League matches against Feyenoord (November 26) and Juventus (December 11), as well as the added pressure that will compound with each fixture.
Tottenham, Feyenoord and Liverpool all carry huge importance for City and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that this losing streak extends to seven games before facing Forest.
Liverpool face Southampton in their first fixture after the break and if they go on to secure all three points and City lose their first game back, it would equal the largest points gap that has ever been overcome by Premier League champions after 11 games.
If that margin is stretched to 11 points after facing the Reds, the situation would be teetering on untenable.
Why are City struggling?
Injuries, injuries and injuries.
Winger Jeremy Doku has joined a growing list of key players currently sidelined.
Rodri is the biggest absence but in Grealish, Stones, Dias and Oscar Bobb, Guardiola is lacking crucial depth that he can call upon from the bench.
Only Everton have made less substitutions than City's tally of 35 so far this season, which could highlight why the squad are currently faltering given their lack of fresh legs.
Guardiola has begun to lean on young prospects more frequently, such as 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey who has started the last two games in the absence of his injured stars, and might need to do so regularly in the future.
Replacing Rodri
One player that will not be returning in the near future is Rodri.
"Now the seasons are getting longer and the [FIFA Club] World Cup ends on July 13, I have in mind to return this year, as a challenge," said Rodri, speaking on COPE.
"I've already started walking and I'm feeling better than I thought."
Despite the positive update, if City are to address their current issues, they need to find someone who can fill the void left by Rodri in midfield immediately.
Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan have been used in the holding role during the run of defeats and alternative candidates may now be considered.
Stones has previously been utilised in midfield and if he is fully fit, could be a viable option to add more protection to the back four.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been given a seven-match domestic ban by the Football Association for a racist remark made about team-mate Heung-Min Son in a TV interview.
Bentancur was charged by the FA on September 12 with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview, which emerged in June and showed Bentancur being asked by the host of Canal 10 to show the shirt of a Spurs player.
Former Juventus player Bentancur replied: "Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."
While an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming, due to this being an "aggravated breach", an independent regulatory commission panel were required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.
Tottenham fixtures | Spurs latest: 'Spurs to extend Son deal until 2026'
The independent regulatory commission panel upheld the charge and Bentancur is set to sit out Tottenham's next seven domestic fixtures, but will be able to feature for the club in upcoming Europa League matches with Roma and Rangers.
An FA spokesperson said: "An independent regulatory commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.
"It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.
"It was further alleged that this constitutes an "aggravated breach", which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference - whether express or implied - to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.
"Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing."
Son said he and Bentancur remained "brothers" and "nothing had changed" after the Uruguayan immediately apologised to him, admitting he had "made a mistake".
Tottenham travel to Manchester City next on Saturday November 23, live on Sky Sports.
Kick It Out statement on Bentancur
A spokesperson for Kick It Out, an organisation aiming to tackle discrimination in the sport, has commented on the decision to ban and fine Bentancur.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, they said: "We welcome today's decision to hold Rodrigo Bentancur accountable for using a racial slur.
"A significant number of reports were made to Kick It Out regarding the incident at the time, highlighting how abuse directed at players from East and Southeast Asian backgrounds not only impacts the individuals involved but also affects fans in the wider community."
Spurs' next seven domestic fixtures
November 23: Manchester City (a) - live on Sky Sports
December 1: Fulham (h)
December 5: Bournemouth (a)
December 8: Chelsea (h) - live on Sky Sports
December 15: Southampton (a)
December 19: Manchester United (h) - live on Sky Sports, Carabao Cup quarter-final
December 22: Liverpool (h) - live on Sky Sports
Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been given a seven-match domestic ban by the Football Association for an alleged racist remark made about team-mate Heung-Min Son in a TV interview.
Bentancur was charged by the FA on September 12 with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview, which emerged in June and showed Bentancur being asked by the host of Canal 10 to show the shirt of a Spurs player.
Former Juventus player Bentancur replied: "Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."
While an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming, due to this being an "aggravated breach", an independent regulatory commission panel were required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.
Tottenham fixtures | Spurs latest: 'Spurs to extend Son deal until 2026'
The independent regulatory commission panel upheld the charge and Bentancur is set to sit out Tottenham's next seven domestic fixtures, but will be able to feature for the club in upcoming Europa League matches with Roma and Rangers.
An FA spokesperson said: "An independent regulatory commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.
"It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.
"It was further alleged that this constitutes an "aggravated breach", which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference - whether express or implied - to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.
"Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing."
Son said he and Bentancur remained "brothers" and "nothing had changed" after the Uruguayan immediately apologised to him, admitting he had "made a mistake".
Tottenham travel to Manchester City next on Saturday November 23, live on Sky Sports.
Spurs' next seven domestic fixtures
November 23: Manchester City (a) - live on Sky Sports
December 1: Fulham (h)
December 5: Bournemouth (a)
December 8: Chelsea (h) - live on Sky Sports
December 15: Southampton (a)
December 19: Manchester United (h) - live on Sky Sports, Carabao Cup quarter-final
December 22: Liverpool (h) - live on Sky Sports
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Alessia Russo scored after 63 seconds to set Arsenal on their way to a 3-0 north London derby victory at Tottenham.
Russo's early finish - the Gunners' second-fastest goal in Women's Super League history - was added to by Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius to continue interim boss Renee Slegers' impressive short-term reign.
Slegers, who replaced Jonas Eidevall on a temporary basis following his resignation in October, led Arsenal to a notable 4-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday before another dominant showing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Mariona Caldentey was at her creative best with two assists, the first coming in the opening exchanges. Spurs had hardly managed a touch before a cute pass between the lines by the Spain international was smashed home first-time by Russo into the bottom-left corner.
Match stats | How the teams lined up
Live WSL table | Fixtures | Results | Get Sky Sports
The visitors, who went into the game unbeaten since defeat to champions Chelsea in October, continued their positive start and added a second before Tottenham had managed an attack of their own.
England skipper Leah Williamson threaded a ball to Kim Little in space, and after the Gunners captain picked out Maanum inside the area, the forward made no mistake to double her side's lead.
Arsenal began to turn the screw after the break. Spurs had been second-best all match and could not deal with Arsenal's intensity, with a third goal putting the match beyond reach.
Caldentey produced the pass of the match with a first-time clipped ball to send Blackstenius through one-vs-one with the goalkeeper and she poked her attempt in at the near post.
That goal summed up the gulf in class between the two clubs as Arsenal claimed a much-deserved three points over a Tottenham side who have now won once in their last seven in the league.
Brighton stay third after eventually seeing off West Ham
Brighton maintained third spot in the WSL thanks to a 3-2 victory over West Ham - although they needed Fran Kirby to eventually clinch the win after Hammers captain Katrina Gorry had hauled her side back into the game with two long-range strikes.
Rachel McLauchlan's classy opener lit up an otherwise low-key first half at the Amex, with the right-back latching onto Kirby's clever flick before bending a low left-foot shot into the bottom corner.
Match stats | How the teams lined up
All you need to know - Streaming Sky Sports with NOW
Watch free WSL highlights | WSL fixtures
When Kiko Seike scuffed in Brighton's second, moments after a shocking close-range miss from Seraina Piubel, it seemed like a routine win was on the cards.
But Gorry had other ideas. First she rattled the bar with a fierce shot from distance. Just seconds later she found her range, arrowing a 30-yard strike into the Brighton net. Goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley may have been unsighted by the defender in front of her and there may have been a slight deflection on the way through but she will have been frustrated not to have done better.
Baggaley was beaten from distance by Gorry again just five minutes later, though, with the Australian nicking possession before firing in from 25 yards.
But just as West Ham were on the rise, Gorry was forced out of the action, appearing to hurt her shoulder as she tried to regain the ball. That stalled the visitors' momentum and with eight minutes remaining Kirby took a sharp touch in the box to wrong-foot Oona Siren and then fire a low shot in off the post.