Goal.com

Tottenham players have been assigned small three-digit numbers, which are printed on the back of their shirts. The numbers are unique to each player and they have been sporting them since 2023. After finishing 17th in the Premier League in a dismal 2024-25 campaign, Spurs have made a strong start to the new season, sitting third in the table after five matches.

It took Tottenham only four minutes to take the lead, though it came through fortuitous circumstances. Lucas Bergvall's low cross into Richarlison was easily cut out by Luiz Junior, but somehow the Villarreal goalkeeper fumbled the ball backwards over the goal line.

Spurs wanted a penalty towards the end of the first half when Richarlison was felled by Pape Gueye, though their appeals were dismissed and a lengthy VAR check proved inconclusive. Gueye got away with another VAR call when the ball ricocheted up onto his arm inside the 18-yard box soon after.

An incredibly dull second half almost sparked into life near its end when Micky van de Ven brought down Georges Mikautadze right on the edge of the penalty area as he bore down on goal. VAR confirmed a free-kick as the offence happened just outside the box, but - bizarrely - no red card for the Dutchman despite the hefty last-man challenge.

Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe flashed the resulting set-piece narrowly wide and that was as close as Villarreal came to finding an equaliser, with Spurs holding on to secure a fourth clean sheet from their opening six matches in all competitions this season.

Tottenham defender Cristian Romero has insisted that he never said he wanted to leave the club in the summer ahead of signing a new contract at the club. The World Cup winner was heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid but instead committed his future, whilst also being appointed club captain.

Thomas Frank has confirmed that Randal Kolo Muani could make his Tottenham debut against Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday. The forward joined the club on loan from Juventus on deadline day and is currently awaiting his debut. Now, Frank has confirmed that the France international is fit, although he has questioned his ability to play with intensity.

Mohammed Kudus has been reunited with the wooden elephant that he used as part of goal celebrations during his time in the Premier League with West Ham. The Hammers have returned said item to the Ghana international winger after seeing him complete a controversial £55 million ($75m) switch to London rivals Tottenham in the summer transfer window of 2025.

Lord Alan Sugar has accused Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp of being a "double barrel idiot". The Apprentice star took umbrage with the former Spurs midfielder's suggestion that the club under Lord sugar's leadership was in a "right mess". Redknapp made the comments while discussing Daniel Levy's exit from Tottenham ahead of the club's 3-0 victory over West Ham.

Lucas Bergvall announced himself in dazzling fashion as Tottenham Hotspur crushed West Ham 3-0 in a fiery London derby. The Swedish prodigy, just 19 years and 223 days old, became the second-youngest Spurs player ever to both score and assist in a single Premier League match. Only Nick Barmby (18 years, 321 days), who achieved the feat back in 1992, stands ahead of him in the record books.

Injured Spurs star James Maddison took to social media to vent his frustration at the quality of refereeing in his side's London derby against rivals West Ham. The attacking midfielder was reacting to the decision to rule out Cristian Romero's goal for a foul by Micky van de Ven. Maddison also took aim at the officials for their start to the new season.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has admitted that even he was taken aback by the sudden departure of Daniel Levy as Spurs chairman. Levy, who had been in the role for nearly a quarter of a century, was asked to step down last week by ENIC, the Lewis family-owned group that controls the club.

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Graham Roberts has revealed he is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. The 66-year-old, who wore Spurs colours with distinction throughout the 1980s, confirmed the news in a heartfelt message shared on social media.