Cartilage Free Captain

I wasn’t expecting to do a Harry Kane hoddle a day after Tottenham defeated Manchester United, but here we are.

You have Menno to thank for that, who alerted your hoddler-in-chief to this song by a band called Oslo Oscillator.

There’s a lot I’d like to know. Like: Who is Oslo Oscillator? How the heck did Menno come across this song?

Those questions can wait for now because this is a lovely song and tribute to Tottenham’s greatest goalscorer.

And it’s got a nice little chorus:

Harry Kane

Is a legend of the lane

Harry Kane

A win against United and a Harry Kane song? It’s hard to find a much better start to the week than that.

Fitzie’s track of the day: Harry Kane, by Oslo Oscillator

And now for your links:

The Athletic ($$): “Tottenham’s James Maddison revels in match-winning role in response to ‘outside noise’”

Dan KP: “Tottenham fans turn on Daniel Levy as thousands gather for biggest protest yet against owners”

Football London: “Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison Tottenham truth clear as Daniel Levy sent important message”

BBC: “Maddison does ‘talking on the pitch’ in response to critics”

Matt Law: “James Maddison hits back at Roy Keane criticism with pointed celebration”

My goodness, Tottenham Hotspur have a bonafide Premier League winning streak going after today’s 1-0 home win over Manchester United. James Maddison had the match’s only goal in the 13th minute and Spurs held on against an injury-strapped (lol) Manchester United that had numerous opportunities to score. But Spurs finally looked like a cromulent team with actual options on the bench to bring on. God, it’s been a while, huh?

It’s time to rate the players.

Rate the players from 1⁄2 to 5 stars. If the player doesn’t deserve a rating due to minutes played, DO NOT RANK. I will round the stars up/down to the nearest half-star for the player ratings later this week.

Filed under:

Tottenham Hotspur Match Reports

Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester Utd.: Spurs snap one goal losing streak with their third win over United

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Tottenham Hotspur have two previous wins over United this season — once at Old Trafford and once in the League Cup. This match today at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was tighter than either of the previous two ties, but it was another Spurs win. James Maddison scored in the 13th minute and held on for a 1-0 win over United, a win that propelled them up to 12th in the table.

Remember that injury crisis? Well a lot changed with just a week of rest. Spurs welcomed back five players to the matchday squad and two in the starting lineup, with Guglielmo Vicario donning the gloves in goal for the first time since November, and James Maddison returning to the midfield. Meanwhile, Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson and even (gasp) Wilson Odobert started the match on the bench, giving Ange Postecoglou with some real options in reserve for the first time in what feels like months. Lucas Bergvall also started in place of Yves Bissouma, while Ben Davies slotted into the back line beside Kevin Danso, giving Archie Gray a much needed rest.

Here are my match notes.

Match Notes

You mean when Tottenham have a few key players back from injury and a real bench then can bring on in reserve then they play better? Remarkable!

Remember what it feels like to play well and win deservedly? Yeah, it’s been a while, but Spurs did and also did.

In Spurs’ last match I thought Mathys Tel looked a little off kilter playing on the wing. Today, Ange started him centrally with Son left and he looked a lot more comfortable. Made some nice runs into space (most of which were not found) and had a couple of good shots. Seemed to have the yips in the second half but I liked what I saw.

Boy it’s nice to see Googly Elmo back between the sticks. Two early stops and an overall solid performance. As much as we bigged up Kinsky early, I think Vicario is still our clear No. 1 keeper.

Djed Spence had a MONSTER game, keeping Mazraoui in check and also gliding into space behind United’s lines. Just a really, really good match. He might be our best fullback, full stop.

That Spurs goal was just a nicely worked offensive set. A good cross to the back post by Porro, a blocked shot by Son, a Bergvall follow-up that forced a save, and a well-timed run to the back post for Maddison to tuck the ball home. Spurs looked like an actual team! It was neat!

The difference between the two teams’ midfields was striking today. Putting a (good) Rodrigo Bentancur and a mobile Lucas Bergvall against the shambling corpse of Casemiro was always likely to favor the Swede, but Bergvall and Bentancur together just passed and moved straight through the center of the pitch. I’ve bagged on Bentancur quite a bit for a few weeks now but gotta say he played well today.

Kevin Danso has some wheels. I was surprised at his speed, particularly against Zirkzee. It makes me feel better about Tottenham’s needs in the summer, regardless of what happens with Cuti Romero.

Spurs played well but United had their moments. There were extended stretches in both halves where their situational press gave Spurs some trouble, and United were able to hang onto possession and give Tottenham things to think about. It made the second half a lot nervier than you would’ve thought at halftime.

The substitution of Sarr for Maddison and Johnson for Bergvall was probably about both managing minutes of the starters and also getting BJ some time on the pitch. I worried about Spurs’ midfield passing, but shifting Deki back central helped.

Need to give some credit to Spurs’ subs — Sarr really opened things up with his running, and Odobert had some really nice moves in a limited cameo appearance. Johnson had a couple of nice runs and Bissouma filled in capably for an exhausted Bentancur.

This win was Tottenham’s first win in a match decided by one goal this season, snapping an 0-12 streak. Yes, we’d like it to have been more comfortable, but it’s nice to have THAT monkey off our backs.

The win puts Tottenham up to 12th, level on points with Crystal Palace and Everton. That feels better than 15th, doesn’t it?

And... breathe.

Feel that?

That’s what a week of rest feels like. And boy, did Tottenham Hotspur need it. It’s full steam ahead from here, though, and with some reinforcements due for Ange Postecoglou’s men thanks to recoveries from injury, he will be hoping this match can signal a renewed push for results in the tail end of the season.

Ruben Amorim will have similar hopes, with his Manchester United side floundering just above Spurs on the table. He has his own injury struggles as well, with reports emerging that he is struggling with midfield options due to multiple training injuries in midweek.

You merely adopted the dark; I was born in it, molded by it.

Will this be the new dawn of the Ange Postecoglou era we are hoping for?

COYS!

Lineups

Live Blog

How to Watch

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Time: 11:30 a.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. UK

TV: Not televised in US, Sky Sports Premier League (UK). Check international listings at livesoccertv.com

Streaming: Peacock

Match thread rules

The match thread rules are the same as always. To any visitors coming here for the first time, welcome! We’re glad you’re here! Wipe your feet, mind the gap, and be sure to check out the other pages at this outstanding site. While you’re here, though, we have a few rules and regulations:

Absolutely no links to illegal streams. They’re bad and they get us in trouble. Violators will be warned or banned.

We have rules against “relentless negativity.” Nobody likes a Negative Nancy. Don’t knee-jerk and post outlandish or hurtful things just because you’re frustrated.

Along those lines, outright abuse of players or match officials is also not allowed. It’s fine to say “wow, that was a really bad call,” but it’s NOT okay to direct copious amounts of abuse in the direction of said official over a call you did not like.

Treat other people in the match thread the way you would want someone else to treat your grandmother. Be nice. This is a community of fans, not an un-moderated message board.

NO SPIDERS!

Finally, while we don’t have a rule against profanity, please try and keep the naughty words in check. Also, language that is sexist, racist, transphobic, or homophobic in nature will be swiftly deleted and you will be immediately banned. This is an open, supportive community.

Have fun, and COYS!

A loss to Liverpool in the League Cup surprised no one, and an FA Cup trophy was still several rounds away, but there is no way to sugarcoat it: last week was a tough one for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur. As the Europa League Playoff Round continues on, the focus must now shift to the league, where Spurs remain closer to the relegation zone than the European places.

Sunday welcomes another struggling giant, Manchester United. The sides have already faced twice this season, in which Tottenham secured two of its best performances. A third victory would be highly welcomed, as the negativity surrounding North London grows louder, and three points are certainly attainable. A win this weekend may not solve everything, but a loss would add on to the frustration.

Tottenham Hotspur (14th, 27pts) vs. Manchester United (13th, 29pts)

Date: Sunday, February 16

Time: 11:30 am ET, 4:30 pm UK

Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

TV: Peacock (US), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)

After Spurs knocked them out of the League Cup, United have found success in the FA Cup, taking down Arsenal and getting past Leicester to secure a spot in the Fifth Round, and in the Europa League, finishing third in the League Phase (one point ahead of Tottenham). The Premier League, however, has been less kind, with inconsistent results; the last four matches have produced two wins and two losses.

The first league encounter saw Spurs run riot at Old Trafford, winning 3-0 with 4.4 xG against Erik ten Hag’s side. Ruben Amorim took over soon after, but his team also lost to Tottenham, this time in the League Cup Quarterfinal — a wild fixture that saw the home side nearly blow a three-goal lead before Heung-Min Son’s Olimpico proved enough to keep the trophy hopes alive at that time.

A tasty recipe

It may feel strange to say for a club that has won just one of its last eight league fixtures and is coming off two poor performances, but this does feel like a prime opportunity this weekend. United are equally struggling, and Spurs have already shown they can beat this opponent. With few meaningful matches remaining domestically, Postecoglou’s side should be motivated to take on a big six club, regardless of form.

Even away from home, do not expect Amorim to take on an overly conservative approach, as has been the case against many lower-table sides Tottenham has struggled with. Both teams will likely go for it, potentially leading to another chaotic affair like the cup tie in December. All signs point to a winnable match for Spurs, who have a chance to win consecutive league games for the first time since September (against Brentford and United, coincidentally).

Reinforced

Another reason for optimism is the likely return of several key players. Djed Spence has been a revelation, but having Destiny Udogie available, even as an option, is a huge boost. A similar sentiment applies to Guglielmo Vicario, despite solid performances from Antonin Kinsky. Perhaps most crucial are the potential returns of James Maddison and Brennan Johnson, who would provide much-needed depth to a depleted and struggling attacking corps.

United are near the bottom of the league in goals scored, but with Micky van de Ven out and ongoing defensive issues, no one is expecting a flawless defensive performance from Spurs. However, the adding in some key attacking players could be enough to secure a couple of goals, and something like a 2-1 victory feels reasonable. Neither club is having a season to remember (at least in the league), but beating United is always satisfying.

It’s been an eternity since Tottenham Hotspur last played a football match. Well, ok, it hasn’t been but it’s FELT like it. But that’s what it feels like when you play 2-3 matches a week for three months then suddenly have a “normal” match week with only one match. Tottenham host Manchester United on Sunday after a blissful week’s rest and recuperation, and thanks to a press release from the club we know that they’re set to welcome three players back to the matchday squad.

Tottenham reports that Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario, and James Maddison are all available to play against United. Three more players are close behind — Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson, and Wilson Odobert are all training on grass but weren’t deemed ready to play this week.

Head coach Ange Postecoglou gave an update on his returning players.

“Some of the lads who have been out for quite a while look like they’re in a good place now. Vic is probably the one who has come back ahead of schedule.

“He’s been training really well away from the team for two weeks. In the last 10 days he’s integrated back into the team and is fully into training, so he’s in a good place and that means he becomes available for us.”

There are still several players on the injury list including Micky van de Ven, Cuti Romero, Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, and, of course, Radu Dragusin, who is out for the rest of the season.

Tottenham kick off against Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 11:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. UK on Sunday.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame released its list of nominees this week. And the list is questionable.

Now, let me get this out of the way: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is pointless. Its opinions matter less. And whoever gets inducted is no greater than whoever is excluded. The RRHOF does some good work through its community programmes and archives, but its status as the arbiter of which artists reigns supreme is questionable at best.

Now, with that out of the way, let’s get to the nominees. It’s a smaller pool this year, reflecting how diluted the talent field is. Yet there are still no Monkees or Warren Zevon.

Longshots: Mana, Chubby Checker, Soundgarden

Two of these three make no sense. Those two are the Mexican group Mana (which I don’t think ever had a presence outside Latin America) and Chubby Checker (who only had one song, The Twist). I have no idea why these artists are here. They might get some consolation prize.

Then there’s Soundgarden, who keep getting nominated but never included. That continues this year.

Outside looking in: Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Joy Division/New Order, Phish

Lots of classic rock acts here. But who gets in? Joe Cocker, who’s become synonymous with Woodstock? Safe rock act Bad Company? Phish, who’ve never had a hit? Or synth-poppers Joy Division/New Order?

History tells us we should expect Bad Company to get in given the previous inductions of Foreigner, The Foo Fighters, The Doobie Brothers and Def Leppard. But all those bands had a far greater catalogue and influence than Bad Company.

Joy Division are the most exciting group for me here, but I don’t think they’ll get recognition.

Solid chance: Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey, Black Crowes

Cyndi Lauper and Mariah Carey have been nominated before. And, considering the Hall’s efforts in recent years to induct more women, I can see them both getting in.

The Black Crowes features a solid rock act (the induction is a concert after all).

But what about Billy Idol? He’s probably known more for his name and image than his music. Is that enough?

Shoo-ins: The White Stripes, Outkast, Oasis

The White Stripes and Oasis should’ve gotten in on their first nominations. It’s criminal they weren’t, and they should be in this year.

That leaves Outkast, which is ironically the outcast here. But the Hall has made an effort to include more hip-hop acts lately. Outkast are a decent addition.

Fitzie’s predictions: The Rock Hall in recent years has added between five and seven artists to be inducted via the “Performers” category. I’m going to take the middle this time and go with six additions: The Black Crowes, Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey, The White Stripes, Oasis, Outkast.

But at the end of the day, this whole excericse is stupid and we shouldn’t take it seriously.

Fitzie’s track of the day: Lotta Love, by Courtney Barnett

And now for your links:

Alasdair Gold: “Tottenham submit plans to improve medical facilities at training ground amid injury crisis”

Dan KP: “Daniel Levy’s risk-averse strategy threatens Tottenham’s place among a new Premier League elite”

The Telegraph: “Anatomy of Merseyside derby mayhem: Tarkowski’s goal, agonising VAR check and four red cards”

Welcome to another edition of Fitzie’s Film and TV reviews, where your hoddler-in-chief reviews some things he’s recently seen at home and in the cinema.

The Teacher’s Lounge: This drama set inside a German school focuses on who in the school (is it pupil? a teacher?) responsible for thefts around the property. The thrilling 90-minute film is shot almost entirely in one location, giving the viewer little room to breathe. The second half fizzles a little bit, but it’s still a very good watch with some open-ended questions to be answered.

The Righteous Gemstones, season 3: Danny McBride’s evangelical comedy is back and packs far more punches than its frustrating second season. McBride, Edi Patterson and Adam DeVine are hilariou as three sociopathic siblings who try to take over the reins of their father’s (John Goodman) church. Of course, Gemstones delivers so much more of that. Excited to see what season four - its final - brings.

Call Me By Your Name: Given his campaign to be the next Best Male Actor in a Leading Cateogry, now seems as good a time as any to watch Timothee Chalamet’s breakout film.

It’s beautifully shot and directed. It’s only the third film I’ve seen him in (Lady Bird, Beautiful Boy). I entered this one wanting to think he was better in Beautiful Boy (considering my contrarian streak) but it’s easy to see why this was his breakout given the depth he was able to achieve playing his character.

This film was one of two Best Picture noms Chalamet was part of in 2018 (along with Lady Bird). They both lost out to The Shape of Water.

Fitzie’s track of the day: Minor Inconveniences, by Bebe Stockwell

And now for your links:

The Athletic ($$): “How much of a problem is Tottenham’s wage bill?”

Alasdair Gold: “The unusual thing that will happen in Tottenham training on Wednesday for Ange Postecoglou”

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium welcomed a special guest to the stadium on Wednesday as His Majesty King Charles III visited to “celebrate the positive socio-economic impact of the Club on its local area.”

Making the visit to the stadium with the impact that the club is making in the local area for the regeneration of deprived areas, King Charles was greeted by Tottenham Hotspur Chairman Daniel Levy, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation Chair of Trustees, Donna-Maria Cullen, and MP for Tottenham, David Lammy, and had a chat with men’s captain Heung-Min Son and women’s captain Bethany England.

The clip that went viral this afternoon showed King Charles asking who Sonny and the boys were playing this weekend. After saying United, King Charles followed up by asking how the team was doing. Sonny pointed out that the team is in a difficult moment but is working to get out of it.

Going onto the pitch and seeing the overall impact Spurs have had in N17 with The Huddle.

King Charles was given a gift from the club and the NFL, with His Majesty receiving a golden cockerel and a football from the NFL London Games that he played around with.

Another Tottenham Hotspur player has sustained a significant hamstring injury. Thankfully, this one isn’t Ange Postecoglou’s fault. (OR IS IT?????)

According to Alasdair Gold in Football.London, Alfie Devine will miss the next 4-6 weeks after injuring his hamstring while playing on loan for Westerlo in Belgium.

Alfie’s currently playing for the same club as future Tottenham central defense legend Luka Vuskovich, and Devine’s playing well there. He’s been a regular starter for Westerlo as both a defensive and attacking midfielder and has been getting plenty of opportunities to play and improve. Gold says he pulled up in the 21st minute of Westerlo’s most recent match against Standard Liege.

The joke is that Ange Postecoglou’s hamstring menace strikes again, and his reach is so great that his tactics are now injuring young players on loan in a different European country. The truth, of course, is that injuries just happen, and hamstring injuries in particular are on the rise all across football. It’s a bummer for poor Alfie who was starting to find form on loan, but at least it’s not a serious enough issue that it requires surgery.

But still — this just proves nobody is safe from the Tottenham Hotpsur injury curse! Hide your kids, hide your partners! And no matter what, don’t tell anyone you play for Spurs!