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De Zerbi has confirmed that he “100 per cent” wants to keep Palhinha at Tottenham next season. The Portuguese midfielder joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich last summer with a £26m buy option to buy at the end of this season, and his performances have convinced the Italian manager that Spurs should trigger that clause.

As per The Standard, De Zerbi left no doubt about his admiration for Palhinha, saying on Thursday when asked if he wants him to stay beyond the summer: "100 per cent. We have to start with those types of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure and as a guy. I want to see the player with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit, and the same personality, and we are lucky to have him."

The midfield partnership between Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Palhinha appears to be the blueprint for De Zerbi’s vision at the club. With Gallagher also adapting well to the physical and mental demands at the club after his January move from Atletico Madrid, the Spurs boss believes the team functions on a different level when his midfield is clicking.

“So I'm happy to watch him in this condition, in this confidence, with these performances. I think, and I said after the game, when Gallagher plays well, his team plays with one player more than the opponent,” De Zerbi added.

De Zerbi has confirmed that he “100 per cent” wants to keep Palhinha at Tottenham next season. The Portuguese midfielder joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich last summer with a £26m buy option to buy at the end of this season, and his performances have convinced the Italian manager that Spurs should trigger that clause.

As per The Standard, De Zerbi left no doubt about his admiration for Palhinha, saying on Thursday when asked if he wants him to stay beyond the summer: "100 per cent. We have to start with those types of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure and as a guy. I want to see the player with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit, and the same personality, and we are lucky to have him."

The midfield partnership between Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Palhinha appears to be the blueprint for De Zerbi’s vision at the club. With Gallagher also adapting well to the physical and mental demands at the club after his January move from Atletico Madrid, the Spurs boss believes the team functions on a different level when his midfield is clicking.

“So I'm happy to watch him in this condition, in this confidence, with these performances. I think, and I said after the game, when Gallagher plays well, his team plays with one player more than the opponent,” De Zerbi added.

Speaking on the Call It What You Want podcast on CBS Sports Golazo America, Marsch provided a blunt assessment of De Zerbi’s coaching methods. While praising Kone’s recent development in Serie A with Sassuolo, the Canada boss took aim at how the current Tottenham manager handled the young talent during their time in Ligue 1.

“You know, when I took over the team, I think Ismael was a raw, talented person,” Marsch said on the podcast. “And since then, I’ve talked to him a lot about discipline and concentration and everything from what that means in his daily life, in his nutrition, in his sleep habits, in the way he trains and the way he shows up every day, in the way he plays, in his overall intelligence. Going to Italy and playing for a team that was newly promoted, and having to fight through a situation like that in a very organised league, he’s played an incredibly important role in that team and had a great year.”

The tension between Kone and De Zerbi reportedly reached a breaking point during a training session at Marseille. After the midfielder failed to follow specific tactical instructions, De Zerbi allegedly humiliated the youngster in front of his team-mates, telling him to leave the pitch and "call your agent" to find a new club because he would not play for him again.

Marsch highlighted this period as a major hurdle for the 23-year-old, stating: “So I mean, it would probably be easy to say that Ismael is the one. Not just from what I’ve done with him and what the national team has done with him but also what he’s been able to achieve in his career, and the steps he’s been able to make through difficulty I might add. Because it wasn’t easy with De Zerbi and Marseille. De Zerbi was a real, real a**hole with him and he stayed strong. He never doubted himself. He found a new situation, and now look at him flourishing. Let me reiterate. De Zerbi was a real a**hole with him.”

Since escaping the difficult environment at Marseille, Kone has rebuilt his reputation in Italy. After joining Sassuolo on an initial loan that was eventually made permanent for €10m, the Canadian international has become a vital cog for the Serie A side, scoring six goals in 32 appearances this season. Marsch believes this resurgence proves the player's mental fortitude in the face of De Zerbi's hostility.

In contrast, De Zerbi has faced a turbulent time since moving to the Premier League. Currently at the helm of Tottenham Hotspur, the Italian tactician is struggling to find consistency in North London. Spurs have found themselves in an uncharacteristic battle at the wrong end of the table, with De Zerbi tasked with pulling the club away from a disastrous relegation scrap.

Kone has matured under Marsch’s tutelage, shedding his "raw" tag to become a standout starter for Canada. His consistent performances in Serie A with Sassuolo, who currently sit 10th in the table, serve as a direct response to his earlier struggles under De Zerbi. As he continues to flourish in Italy, the midfielder is now preparing for this summer’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, where he will lead his country in Group B against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland.

Spurs have claimed seven points from their first three games under the Italian coach, providing a significant boost to their Premier League survival hopes.

Following a crucial 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, midfielder Gallagher highlighted the manager's commitment to individual development as the driving force behind their improved form.

"The gaffer has been brilliant with us. He has brought the team together," the 26-year-old told reporters when discussing the atmosphere inside the dressing room.

"He is really worked on players individually with one-to-one meetings and one-to-one chats, trying to get that belief and confidence back in the players. He has done that with me and it has made a big difference. I know he has done that with a lot of the other lads."

Ex-Chelsea player Gallagher, who joined Spurs from Atletico Madrid in January, netting his first goal for the club at Villa Park, revealed that De Zerbi has been using his past successes to motivate him.

The Italian tactician specifically referenced Gallagher's peak years in West London to remind the player of his inherent quality during these high-pressure months.

"He just reminds me of when I was at my best. He said that second season at Chelsea, when I had a really good season, he just reminded me of that player," Gallagher explained. "He wants me to be like that again and to not forget how good I can be."

The tactical shift has been just as important as the mental one, with Gallagher noting that De Zerbi's meticulous nature on the training ground has ensured the entire squad is pulling in the same direction.

Consecutive wins against Wolves and Aston Villa suggest that the message is finally being received loud and clear by a group that had looked disjointed earlier in the campaign.

Reflecting on the collective progress, Gallagher stated: "As a team as well, all the work he has done on the training pitch and the meeting rooms, it has been fantastic and everyone is on the same page."

Despite the optimism surrounding the recent results, Gallagher is under no illusions regarding the challenges that lie ahead. Tottenham have managed to haul themselves out of the bottom three, but the gap remains narrow and the pressure remains high ahead of their next fixture against Leeds.

"There is a lot of work to do," the midfielder cautioned. "We are fully focused on the next game, hopefully do the same performance and another win."

Antonin Kinsky (6/10):

Virtually a spectator throughout as Villa barely entered his penalty area, although did flap at one cross. Stranded for the late goal.

Pedro Porro (6/10):

Inverted into midfield as often as he could but not actually as involved as he usually is going forward.

Kevin Danso (7/10):

Operated with a real calmness and helped to progress the play up the pitch, albeit had to be bailed out after one bad giveaway.

Micky van de Ven (7/10):

Some clever bits of defending, utilising his pace and strength - most notably in a last-ditch challenge on Tammy Abraham. Perhaps should have done better to stop Buendia heading home.

Destiny Udogie (6/10):

The Italian's underlapping runs were a real problem for Villa, although he was helped by the ineffective Jadon Sancho giving him an easy ride at the other end.

Joao Palhinha (7/10):

Denied an early goal by a miraculous Martinez save. A very tidy midfield performance with a sprinkling of his usual aggression in the tackle.

Rodrigo Bentancur (7/10):

Happy to do the dirty work with Gallagher given the freedom to play further forward, and picked up a booking on his team's behalf as a result.

Conor Gallagher (8/10):

Undoubtedly his best performance yet for Spurs. He led from the front, popping up everywhere and pressing relentlessly. His pinpoint early finish was the highlight of a tireless display - his first goal for the club.

Randal Kolo Muani (7/10):

Showed really good energy and industry on the right flank and was unlucky not to score. Ian Maatsen will be having nightmares about him tonight.

Richarlison (7/10):

Peripheral before popping up to make it 2-0 with a simple header. Didn't really do anything of note after that, either, but he won't really care.

Mathys Tel (7/10):

Like Kolo Muani, caused his marker plenty of problems, and his perfect cross made Richarlison's job easy.

Yves Bissouma (6/10):

Fresh legs in the middle of the park. Did what was expected.

Djed Spence (6/10):

Came on out of position on the right wing. Not particularly effective but helped see out the game.

Pape Matar Sarr (N/A):

Brought on in the dying embers to run down the clock.

Lucas Bergvall (N/A):

Same as Sarr, as he was introduced in the final minute of normal time.

Roberto De Zerbi (8/10):

The best performance yet of his dawning tenure. It was a display that boasted all the hallmarks of 'De Zerbi-ball' and suggests things might just be clicking at the perfect moment for Spurs in their bid to escape the drop.

Antonin Kinsky (6/10):

Virtually a spectator throughout as Villa barely entered his penalty area, although did flap at one cross. Stranded for the late goal.

Pedro Porro (6/10):

Inverted into midfield as often as he could but not actually as involved as he usually is going forward.

Kevin Danso (7/10):

Operated with a real calmness and helped to progress the play up the pitch, albeit had to be bailed out after one bad giveaway.

Micky van de Ven (7/10):

Some clever bits of defending, utilising his pace and strength - most notably in a last-ditch challenge on Tammy Abraham. Perhaps should have done better to stop Buendia heading home.

Destiny Udogie (6/10):

The Italian's underlapping runs were a real problem for Villa, although he was helped by the ineffective Jadon Sancho giving him an easy ride at the other end.

Joao Palhinha (7/10):

Denied an early goal by a miraculous Martinez save. A very tidy midfield performance with a sprinkling of his usual aggression in the tackle.

Rodrigo Bentancur (7/10):

Happy to do the dirty work with Gallagher given the freedom to play further forward, and picked up a booking on his team's behalf as a result.

Conor Gallagher (8/10):

Undoubtedly his best performance yet for Spurs. He led from the front, popping up everywhere and pressing relentlessly. His pinpoint early finish was the highlight of a tireless display - his first goal for the club.

Randal Kolo Muani (7/10):

Showed really good energy and industry on the right flank and was unlucky not to score. Ian Maatsen will be having nightmares about him tonight.

Richarlison (7/10):

Peripheral before popping up to make it 2-0 with a simple header. Didn't really do anything of note after that, either, but he won't really care.

Mathys Tel (7/10):

Like Kolo Muani, caused his marker plenty of problems, and his perfect cross made Richarlison's job easy.

Yves Bissouma (6/10):

Fresh legs in the middle of the park. Did what was expected.

Djed Spence (6/10):

Came on out of position on the right wing. Not particularly effective but helped see out the game.

Pape Matar Sarr (N/A):

Brought on in the dying embers to run down the clock.

Lucas Bergvall (N/A):

Same as Sarr, as he was introduced in the final minute of normal time.

Roberto De Zerbi (8/10):

The best performance yet of his dawning tenure. It was a display that boasted all the hallmarks of 'De Zerbi-ball' and suggests things might just be clicking at the perfect moment for Spurs in their bid to escape the drop.

Sheffield United capped off their campaign with a gritty 2-1 victory over Derby County, thanks to standout performances from Thomas Cannon and Sydie Peck. But the main talking point off the pitch was a viral video of the Sheffield United fans taunting Tottenham. With Spurs struggling in the Premier League and facing the prospect of a shock relegation, the Sheffield United faithful were filmed singing a brutal song about the north London club. The chants mocked Tottenham's fall from grace, with fans clearly relishing the prospect of facing the Premier League giants in the Championship next season. They were singing "We're going Tottenham, you're going, too!"

The result sees Sheffield United finish the season with 60 points, a tally that leaves them mid-table but hopeful for a more consistent promotion push next year. For Derby, missing out on the play-off spots after a strong season will be a bitter pill to swallow, especially as they surrendered a lead at home in the final fixture of the campaign.

Manager Chris Wilder and his players kept their celebrations relatively low-key on the pitch. "It was a sellout here today, and I said that to the players - 'they [fans] have followed you up and down the country, and if any group of supporters deserve that after an incredibly challenging season, it's them', Wilder said as quoted by BBC Sport.

"And we've got through it with a reasonable points tally of 60. We wanted to get off the bottom of the division [where the Blades were when Wilder was reappointed], and we did that, then we wanted to get the club up the table, and we did that."

Sheffield United finished the season in 13th place, a position that reflects a campaign of transition following Wilder’s return in September. While there were flashes of quality at Pride Park, particularly with goals from Cannon and Peck, the manager has already identified fitness and mentality as two key facets for the Blades to improve on during the upcoming break.

"I've known what we have to do, and we are well on our way to doing it. And we will be better for it and we will hopefully be playing in games like this towards the back end of next year as Derby County have today."

Today's game between Tottenham Hotspur Women and London City Lionesses will kick-off at 3 May 2026, 12:00.

The TV channel and live stream options for Tottenham Hotspur Women vs London City Lionesses are listed below. The match is available to watch via Sky Sports+, with coverage also available through the Sky Sports WSL YouTube channel and the official Barclays WSL YouTube channel.

Sky Sports+

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Sky Sports WSL YouTube

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WSL YouTube

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Tottenham Hotspur Women host London City Lionesses at BetWright Stadium in a WSL fixture that carries real weight for both sides as the season enters its final stretch.

Spurs arrive having drawn their most recent league outing 0-0 against Manchester United, but that result does little to mask a difficult run of form. Three heavy defeats in their previous four outings, including a 5-2 loss to Arsenal, have left the club fighting to consolidate fifth place in the table.

London City Lionesses come into this fixture with momentum behind them. Their 5-1 dismantling of Leicester City last weekend was a statement result, and Rob Gormley's side will be keen to build on a run that has seen them take points off Chelsea and West Ham in recent weeks.

The two clubs have met before this season, sharing a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup back in February, a game that underlined how tight this fixture can be regardless of league positions.

For Spurs, a home win would shore up their top-half standing and give the squad a confidence boost after a bruising month. For the Lionesses, three points would close the gap on their North London opponents and strengthen their own WSL footing.

With transfer speculation beginning to swirl around the Lionesses ahead of the summer window, there is plenty of intrigue surrounding this club beyond the pitch as well.

Here is everything you need to know about where to watch Tottenham Hotspur Women vs London City Lionesses, including TV channel, live stream details and kick-off time.

How to watch Tottenham Hotspur Women vs London City Lionesses with VPN

If you are travelling abroad or just want to access your usual streaming services from a different part of the world, you may run into geo-restrictions. This is where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) comes in handy.

A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure, encrypted connection online. By virtually changing your location to a country where the game is being broadcast, you can bypass blackout restrictions and watch your favourite team live. A step-by-step guide is described later in this article, or you can also check out our guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports.

Team news & squads

No confirmed team news is currently available for Tottenham Hotspur Women ahead of this fixture. There are no listed injuries or suspensions for the home side at this stage, and no projected starting XI has been confirmed. Updates will be added closer to kick-off as information becomes available.

The same applies to London City Lionesses, with no injury concerns, suspensions, or probable lineup confirmed for the away side at the time of writing. Check back for the latest squad news as the match approaches.

Form

Tottenham have found life difficult in recent weeks. They have managed just one point from their last five matches across all competitions, with their sole positive result being a goalless draw against Manchester United. The defeats on either side of that point tell a harder story: back-to-back 5-2 losses to Arsenal and Manchester City left Spurs shipping ten goals in two WSL outings, and a 2-1 FA Cup exit to Chelsea added further frustration. Across those five games, Spurs scored six goals and conceded fifteen.

London City Lionesses arrive in far better shape. They have collected five points from their last five matches, peaking with that dominant 5-1 win over Leicester. Two draws against West Ham and Chelsea, both 1-1, show a side capable of holding their own against stronger opposition, and their only defeat in that run came against Arsenal. They scored eight goals across the five games and conceded five, a record that reflects growing confidence in attack.

Head-to-Head Record

The most recent meeting between these two sides ended level, with London City Lionesses and Tottenham drawing 2-2 in an FA Cup tie at Brisbane Road in February 2026. Prior to that, the Lionesses beat Spurs 4-2 in a WSL fixture in November 2025, suggesting the away side have had the better of this matchup in recent times. Looking further back, Tottenham won heavily on both occasions the sides met in earlier seasons, including a 5-0 FA Cup win and a 4-0 WSL Cup victory, though the balance of power has clearly shifted since those results.

Standings

In the WSL table, Tottenham Hotspur Women currently sit fifth while London City Lionesses are seventh, meaning both clubs are competing in the middle tier of the division with points still to play for before the season concludes.

Step-by-step VPN guide to watch Tottenham Hotspur Women vs London City Lionesses today

NordVPN

Download & Install: Sign up to ExpressVPN or another reputable VPN service (check out GOAL's guide here) and download the app on your device.

Connect to a Server: Open the app and select a server location where the match is being shown (e.g. if you are in the UK but want to watch a US stream, connect to a US server).

Clear Cache: Sometimes your browser holds onto your old location. Clear your cookies or refresh your browser to ensure the change takes effect.

Start Streaming: Go to your broadcaster's website and app and enjoy the game.

How to watch on the Big Screen

Watching on your phone or laptop is fine, but live sports belongs on the big screen. Here is how to get the VPN working on your TV:

West Ham United’s Premier League status is hanging by a thread after a clinical Brentford side inflicted a damaging 3-0 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium. The Hammers could have moved five points clear of the drop zone with a win, but instead, they have left the door wide open for Tottenham to drag them back into the bottom three.

The result means West Ham's Premier League survival is no longer in their own hands, as London rivals Spurs now have the opportunity to move ahead of them if they manage to beat Aston Villa. For Brentford, the victory serves as a double celebration, ending a six-match winless run and moving them up to sixth in the table as they chase European qualification for the first time in their history.

Igor Thiago was the star of the show for Keith Andrews’ side, netting his 25th goal of a remarkable campaign. The Brazilian forward showed nerves of steel in the 52nd minute when Dango Ouatarra was hauled down in the box. Thiago stepped up and sent Mads Hermansen the wrong way to double the hosts' advantage.

That goal was Thiago's 22nd in the league this season and his eighth from the penalty spot, cementing his reputation as one of the most clinical finishers in the division. His contribution was part of a dominant performance that saw Brentford maintain their status as West Ham's bogey team, having now won eight of their last 10 Premier League encounters against their London rivals.

While the scoreline suggested a comfortable afternoon for the Bees, West Ham will look back on a series of missed opportunities and bad luck. Konstantinos Mavropanos had a rollercoaster afternoon, inadvertently turning the ball into his own net for the opener before seeing a headed equaliser chalked off by VAR for a marginal offside.

Taty Castellanos was particularly unfortunate, striking the woodwork twice during a frantic first half, while Crysencio Summerville also saw a curling effort rattle the crossbar. Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher played his part in preserving the clean sheet, notably tipping a thumping 30-yard effort from Castellanos over the bar to ensure the Hammers remained scoreless throughout the contest.

The match was put beyond doubt 10 minutes from time when Mikkel Damsgaard produced an exquisite finish to make it 3-0. After some neat interplay between Keane Lewis-Potter and Mathias Jensen, Damsgaard spun away from his marker on the edge of the area and passed the ball into the bottom corner. It was a fitting reward for the Danish midfielder, who had been a constant threat throughout the afternoon.

The closing stages also provided plenty of feel-good factors for the home support. Kaye Furo was introduced for his Premier League debut, but the biggest roar of the afternoon was reserved for Josh Dasilva. The midfielder came on for his first appearance in 822 days following a horrific injury layoff, helping the Bees see out their 10th clean sheet of the season and leaving West Ham to reflect on a potentially season-defining defeat.

Tottenham’s nightmarish season has taken another dark turn after Sherwood suggested the club’s institutional failings could lead them into League One. As they sit two points adrift of safety with a daunting run-in, the prospect of life in the Championship is becoming a reality that many fear is only the beginning of a larger collapse.

Speaking about the crisis, Sherwood told Boyle Sports: “It's a worry, it depends on who's in charge of recruitment and running of the club. For me to give an educated answer on if they will go back up, for the people who are running the club at the moment, there'll be no guarantees.”

The former midfielder, who represented the club as both a player and a manager, is adamant that the rot comes from the very top. Sherwood argued that the current hierarchy lacks the football expertise needed to navigate the treacherous waters of the EFL should the worst happen this May.

“If a football person went in and ran the club, then yes, they should have the resources and deserve to be in charge to bounce straight back,” Sherwood added. “But if you don't bounce straight back straight away, it becomes very difficult. There's giant clubs who have been down there and stayed down there for many, many years.”

Spurs need only look at the recent struggles of other established top-flight sides to understand the danger. Sherwood highlighted the fall of former champions Leicester City as a cautionary tale of how quickly a well-resourced club can spiral when recruitment and strategy fail.

The warning is supported by historical precedent, as the likes of Sunderland, Wolves, and Swindon Town have all suffered the ignominy of double relegations. Sherwood noted: “Leicester just shows you what can happen if your club's poorly run. Even though the club's poorly run, I look around their squad at the moment, they should never be in a relegation battle in the Championship. It's a real crying shame.”

With games against Leeds, Everton, Chelsea and Aston Villa still to play, Tottenham’s fate remains in their own hands, but the psychological weight of their current position is beginning to show. If they cannot find the results needed in the final four matches, they risk becoming the most high-profile casualty of the Premier League era.

Sherwood concluded with a glimmer of hope, provided the club acts now. “Tottenham will be back. They're not down yet. If they go down, they will be back. And it needs to be on the first attempt, in my opinion. And I think it's the club capable of doing that. But you need to change the decision makers to be able to do that.”