Cartilage Free Captain

Tottenham nearly had their perfect result. After a cagey and scoreless first half at home against Leeds United, Spurs went ahead thanks to an absolute rocket of a shot into the top corner from Mathys Tel in the second half. However, it was not to be. Tel, who was the Main Character™ of this match, later attempted an overhead clearance inside his own penalty box when Ethan Ampadu leaped in to try and head to ball towards goal. Tel, who couldn’t see Ampadu, unintentionally clipped him in the head, and after a six minute VAR review and a visit to the monitor, the match official called a penalty kick, which Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored to level the match.

Spurs had plenty of opportunities to put this one to bed, but were wasteful with their chances, with poor games from Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison, who had multiple opportunities to score. Deep into stoppage time, Tottenham thought they had their first penalty of the match when substitute James Maddison, playing his first minutes of the season as a late sub, was bundled over in the box. But the match official declined to make the call and Spurs ended up with a disappointing 1-1 draw.

The result isn’t disastrous for Tottenham — they’re still two points ahead of West Ham with two matches to play — but it’s not a comfortable lead and means that Spurs need to match or better West Ham’s result away at Newcastle. Spurs play away at Samford Bridge next week, a place where they have won just once in the league since 1990.

Ugh. What a dispiriting result. Here are my match reactions.

Match Reactions

Final xG: 1.32 - 1.26

Unchanged lineup from the match against Villa, which, y’know, makes sense. That was probably one of Spurs’ best matches of the season (the bar is very low) so why not try it again?

Any suggestion that Leeds might be on the beach for this one were put to bed inside 10 minutes. They’re a well-organized side that has hit their stride at the right time. This was never going to be an easy match.

Frustrating moment from Richy early on — a great ball into space behind the lines by Pedro Porro which Richy easily ran onto, only to be squandered by a heavy touch. But encouraging that they got that kind of ball in behind at all, really.

Incredible save by Kinsky midway through the first half. No idea how that didn’t cross the line but he got there and saved Spurs from conceding first.

A penalty corner! I haven’t seen one given this season since week one when one was called against Tottenham. I thought those were the annual “point of emphasis” rule change that gets enforced one week out of each season and then never called again.

Spurs had a BUNCH of good chances in that first half and somehow wasn’t able to put it in the ol’ onion bag, which was both encouraging and also hugely frustrating. But it was also notable how little of those chances came about from passing through central midfield (lather, rinse, repeat)

Spurs are probably lucky VAR confirmed offside on Leeds’ late chance in the first half because otherwise I think it’s pretty likely they would have also confirmed a penalty against Danso.

Hey, Spurs didn’t concede in stoppage time!

WHAT A HIT MATHYS TEL!! Exquisitely placed in the top corner. That’s the kind of shot that he tries to do all the time and it never seems to come off for him. This time it did, and I’m so happy for him!

Joao Palhinha nearly slide-tackled a ball into the back of the net and if it had gone in I would’ve died a happy man because that would’ve ruled so hard.

Another frustrating game for Randy Kolo Muani, though he did have that one lovely touch for Richarlison that Pombo skied over the bar.

Speaking of Richy, not his best of outings either. Just incredibly profligate with his chances, though he tries so hard and presses like a maniac and clearly loves Spurs so much.

The Tel penalty was unfortunate, but the right call. Intent doesn’t really matter — Tel doesn’t see the Leeds player, but — bad decision to try an overhead kick clearance in the box and he caught him in the head. It’s a clear penalty and VAR made the right decision. The REAL argument is whether that call would’ve been made if it were Gabriel making the overhead kick.

JAMES MADDISON SUBSTITUTE! God, doesn’t matter how rusty he is or whether he made an impact or not, it was just so good to have him back. And honestly, he looked pretty good all things considered.

I have no idea how the official came up with 13 minutes of stoppage time, just like I have no idea how he called a handball against Micky after he got fouled and grabbed the ball expecting a call. But I’ll take it.

WHAT A SAVE BY KINSKY from Longstaff’s rocket! That saved Spurs’ season, no question.

I am FURIOUS that the Maddison tackle wasn’t ruled a penalty, that was stone cold nailed on, and I have no idea apart from a Tottenham conspiracy that it wasn’t given. Unreal.

Honestly, Spurs didn’t play poorly today, it’s just last week vs. Villa ball went goal, and this week vs. Leeds ball not go goal. That’s about it.

A draw isn’t a BAD result for Spurs, it just isn’t the ideal one. Tottenham are still two points ahead of West Ham with two to play and have a very healthy goal differential advantage in the event of a tie. The nightmare scenario is that Spurs get pumped at Stamford Bridge next week and West Ham somehow wins at Newcastle. But as long as Spurs match West Ham’s results, it’s fine. This is FINE. It’s all fine. I am okay with the events that are unfolding currently. It’s okay, it’s all going to be okay.

Tottenham Hotspur are in the driver’s seat.

After relegation looked all but assured, a late resurgence from Spurs combined with some other results going their way have conspired to create a one-point gap between the Lilywhites in 17th and West Ham United in 18th.

Today, that solitary point can become four - if Spurs can get past Leeds United. Leeds now have their safety assured after West Ham’s loss to Arsenal, so will likely be on the beach… which just sounds like too good of an opportunity for Dr Tottenham to visit!

Hopefully, though, he takes his leave today and Spurs’ destiny remains firmly in their grasp.

COYS!

Lineups

Live Blog

How to Watch

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Leeds United

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK

Monday, May 11, 2026

Time: 3:00 p.m. ET, 8:00 p.m. UK

TV: USA Network, Sky Sports Premier League (UK). Check international listings at livesoccertv.com

Streaming: Unavailable

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.

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Have fun, and COYS!

There is plenty of work left to do, but the tenor has changed significantly for Tottenham Hotspur. It always felt like earning a singular win could finally turn the tides, and Roberto De Zerbi has now claimed two straight victories at the most crucial of moments. Yes, a lame duck Wolves side and a heavily rotated/demotivated Villa are not the strongest of opponents, but plenty of other lower sides have been too difficult for Spurs this season.

De Zerbi cannot let Leeds United fall into that bucket. An impressive run of form has removed Leeds from the relegation battle, but they could have a substantial impact on the race with contests remaining against both Tottenham and West Ham. This was the fixture circled weeks ago that absolutely must result in three points; anything less would (again) drain the goodwill from the past two weekends.

Match Details

Date: Monday, May 11

Time: 3:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm UK

Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

TV: USA Network (US), Sky Sports Premier League (UK)

Knock on wood, but this is the opponent Spurs have arguably fared best against over the past six seasons. After a split in 2020/21, Tottenham swept the fixtures in each of the next two campaigns before Leeds were sent down. The reverse fixture this season saw the visitors win 2-1 at Elland Road, with Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus the goalscorers back in October.

Bring the effort

Leeds are unbeaten in six, outscoring their past four opponents 10-4. Spurs do not need to get into a firefight, as the available attackers are unlikely to open the floodgates and put up a gaudy number. What those players can do, however, is lead from the front with intensity, bringing the pressure that frustrated Villa and force turnovers through an impressive work rate.

This fits right into the current ethos of the squad. Without prolific scorers or essentially any creative options, De Zerbi must win through physicality, perhaps not his default preference. Tottenham seems up for the task, specifically in the midfield, where Rodrigo Bentancur, Joao Palhinha, and Conor Gallagher have looked ready to do whatever it takes, contributing goals of their own and breaking up countless attacks coming their way.

Monday will be a good test against a Leeds side that is no slouch in the middle of the park. The visitors will cede possession and force Spurs to find a way through, while being more than capable of springing counters when the moment allows. De Zerbi does not have a ton of alternatives, but I assume he rolls with what has worked the past two contests; the fate of the season might rest in his squad’s ability to turn industriousness into some sort of production.

Weekly Intangibles Update

Sunday brought mixed results for Tottenham supporters as Arsenal inches towards finally winning a title, but West Ham slumped further. The aforementioned contest against Leeds should be conservatively considered a win, but next weekend’s trip to Newcastle — which again happens before Spurs take the pitch — could now be the difference.

Anything other than a win at St James’ Park would cap West Ham at 40 points. That means Spurs could theoretically only need three more points to lock this thing up, though that of course would not be known until next Sunday. That should not impact how the team treats this contest against Leeds, but dropping points Monday could be devastating in hindsight.

Predicting the future is foolish, but with just three matches left it is pointless to do anything other than stare at the table and play through all the scenarios. It is quite possible that a Spurs win against Leeds would mean that a draw against Chelsea secures safety. It is also possible no points at all would be needed, which seemed impossible a couple weeks ago. For either of those scenarios to happen, Tottenham must take all three points Monday — the rest may work itself out.

Rochdale have done it!

In dramatic fashion, Rochdale have returned to the Football League for the first time in three years. All it took was a chaotic season in the National League and a remarkable final.

For those unaware, Rochdale were not given an automatic promotion even after ending the season on 106 points which is insanity. So they had to do it the hard way. And, boy, did they.

Rochdale were down 0-2 to Boreham Wood at Wembley on Sunday. After gaining one back, they were still one goal shy seven minutes into stoppage time. Then comes the madness:

And so, after an additional 30 minutes, it went to penalties.

And then, it was Rochdale back in the Football League.

The National League represents the two largest extremes of football: anguish and ecstasy.

For Boreham Wood it was anguish. To surrender two goals very late into the final, and then be denied promotion, only to pick up the boulder and attempt the ascent next season.

For Rochdale it was a moment of ecstasy. A return to the league. to escape the fifth circle of hell.

The thing is it could have easily been different. Were it not for that incredible spot kick play in the 90+7th minute, I would’ve swapped the two. That’s how thin the margin is between anguish and ecstasy, and how easy it is to cross that line.

Fitzie’s Track of the Day: Black Throated Wind, by the Grateful Dead

And now for your links:

Alasdair Gold: “Roberto De Zerbi delivers Dejan Kulusevski return update after text exchange and makes Vicario claim”

Jay Harris ($$): “De Zerbi is right, for Archie Gray to flourish at Spurs he has to settle in one position”

BBC: “Biggest VAR call ever? Four chaotic minutes that may define the season”

The Guardian: “Rochdale return to Football League in shootout after Boreham Wood thriller”

Happy weekend, sports fans! It’s another weekend without a Tottenham Hotspur match (they play Monday afternoon/evening), and weirdly none of today’s matches directly impact Spurs in their bid to avoid relegation. The highlight of today is probably the early match — Liverpool vs. Chelsea, even though Chelsea are currently on a six match losing streak during which they’ve only scored one goal. The longer that streak goes, the more I’m convinced we’re going to lose at Stamford Bridge next weekend, because that’s exactly how this season seems to have gone.

Anyway, all the important non-Spurs matches — West Ham vs. Arsenal, Forest vs. Newcatle — are tomorrow. This is your open thread. Huzzah!

Liverpool vs. Chelsea

TV: NBCSN (USA), TNT Sports 1 (UK)

Streaming: Peacock

Brighton vs. Wolves

TV: not televised

Stream: Peacock

Sunderland vs. Manchester United

TV: NBCSN (USA), not televised (UK)

Stream: Peacock

Fulham vs. Bournemouth

TV: USA Network (USA), not televised (UK)

Stream: nbcsports.com

Manchester City vs. Brentford

TV: NBC (USA), Sky Sports (UK)

Stream: Peacock

This isn’t much of a story, but there also isn’t much news so here you go: According to the Edinburgh News (£), Tottenham Hotspur have decided NOT to trigger the purchase option for 19-year-old Scottish striker James Wilson, who joined the club in January from Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premier League.

You might remember Spurs acquired Wilson on February 2 on deadline day, a decision that apparently gazumped Arsenal who were also looking to bring him in. According to the information at the time, Spurs were bringing in Wilson to play for Spurs’ U21s on loan with a purchase OBLIGATION this summer. Turns out, the obligation was just an option, and Wilson hasn’t done enough to warrant signing him permanently. He’ll return to Hearts at the end of the season.

Wilson has made 8 appearances for Spurs in the Premier League 2, scoring four goals, but helping Spurs’ U21s reach the semifinals of the PL2 playoff. He’ll return to Edinburgh at the end of the season, but won’t be available to help Hearts potentially win the SPL title for the first time since 1960, and the first non-Celtic/Rangers club to win since 1983. Returning to a potential Scottish champion club this summer feels like a better move than hanging out in Spurs’ developmental squad.

Yeah yeah, it’s a story about a teenage Scottish kid whom nobody has thought about since February, but hey — it’s a slow news day.

More good news from Tottenham Hotspur Women! The Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) announced their Manager of the Year candidates, and Spurs head coach Martin Ho has made the three-person shortlist!

Ho is nominated for the award alongside WSL Champions Manchester City head coach Andrée Jeglertz and Arsenal manager Renée Slegers.

Ho has absolutely transformed Spurs Women in his one season at the club after formerly managing Norwegian side Brann and serving as an assistant coach at Manchester United Women. Under Ho’s leadership Spurs went from near relegation last season to fifth in the WSL (behind the usual Big Four), effectively cementing their status as “Best of the Rest.” That’s just the beginning, according to Ho, who has made no secret of his ambition to gatecrash the Big Four and make a push for not only Champions League qualification, but also WSL titles.

Jeglertz’ nomination is no surprise as City has usurped Chelsea’s streak of six consecutive WSL titles (and eight in the last nine years). City hadn’t won the WSL since 2016. Honestly I’m a little surprised that the WSL didn’t nominate Brighton manager Dario Vidosic; Brighton have hit their stride in the past couple of months, including beating Arsenal in the FA Cup quarterfinals, beating Manchester City at home, and drawing Arsenal and United in consecutive weeks, enough for sixth in the table. But whatever, sure, give it to the Arsenal head coach, whatever.

There’s more good news — Spurs Women midfielder Olivia Holdt has also been nominated for WSL Player of the Season.

We’ve joked on here about how Holdt is not only Spurs’ most impactful player but the best player in world woso. That’s overstating it a bit, but Holdt has been a shining star for Spurs this season, scoring seven goals and notching three assists out of attacking midfield, making her at present Spurs’ joint top goal scorer alongside the outgoing Beth England.

But this is very much a “just happy to be nominated” nomination, as it’s pretty hard to imagine the goal going to anyone but Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who has a league-high 19 goals this season for City and who has been a dominant force in the WSL this season.

WSL end of season awards are based in part on fan voting, and you can vote for Ho and Holdt at the WSL website. Congratulations to Martin and Olivia!

“My time as managing director of the women’s team has been by far the most rewarding and inspiring – personally and professionally – of all my 24 years at this fantastic club. I have loved working with an incredible group of staff and players, both past and present, who have been my life for the past three-and-a-half years,” he said.

”I am so proud of the incredible staffing group that we’ve constructed. The growth and progress we have shown is down to them and I sincerely believe we have created the foundations for them to continue to learn, develop and carry the ambition of the Club as high as I know it can reach.”

Good morning hoddlers -

Today marks the beginning of some very exciting football matches. Tottenham don’t play again until Monday, which means there is a lot of lower-league football to watch.

The Championship, League One and League Two all begin their playoffs this weekend, while the National League hosts its playoff final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Let’s take a quick look at all the action —

EFL Championship

(6) Hull vs (3) Millwall, 8 and 11 May: Either Hull City or Millwall will be playing at Wembley for a chance to gain promotion to the Premier League. That’s insane, especially if you thought Hull would be closer to the relegation zone this season. Millwall enter the playoffs with some pretty good form (3-2-0) and a good disparity in goal-scorers. They have been so solid that it’s difficult to see how they might stumble, especially with Alex Neil in charge. Here’s the strange thing, though: Hull were 4-0-2 against the other three playoff teams during the regular season.

Fitzie’s prediction: Millwall advance

(5) Middlesbrough vs (4) Southampton, 9 and 12 May: Southampton come into the playoffs in roaring form, while Boro have maintained their top-six status even after Rob Edwards dumped them for Wolves.

Fitzie’s prediction: Southampton advance

League One:

(6) Stevenage vs (3) Stockport, 9 and 13 May: Wouldn’t it be fun to see Stevenage in the Championship next season? I don’t know much about either club to make any sort of prediction but I’m goingto do it anyway.

Fitzie’s prediction: Stockport advance

(5) Bolton vs (4) Bradford City, 9 and 14 May: Just as much as I want to see Stevenage gain promotion to the next level, I want that more for Bradford City, which I feel a strangely placed admiration for. What concerns me is their inconsistency this season,which doesn’t give me a tonne of faith that they can pull enough strong results together.

Fitzie’s prediction: Bolton advance

League Two:

(7) Grimsby Town vs (4) Salford City, 10 and 15 May: It feels like Salford should be a stronger league than they are in right now. Perhaps that’s because of all the investment talk these last few years. They barely missed out on the automatics and enter this as the favourites.

Fitzie’s prediction: Salford advance

(6) Chesterfield vs (5) Notts County, 10 and 15 May: Going off the league table alone, Chesterfield have the advantage.

Fitzie’s prediction: Chesterfield advance

National League:

(2) Rochdale vs (4) Boreham Wood, 10 May: The playoff final to join League football next season. It’s cruel that Rochdale didn’t get the one automatic spot, and they held their nerve against Scunthorpe in the semifinal. Wembley is a different beast. Can they hold their nerve?

Fitzie’s prediction: Rochdale win promotion

Fitzie’s track of the day: Twin Stars of Thence, by Sun Ra

And now for your links:

The Athletic ($$): “The Roberto De Zerbi tweaks that have given Spurs a lifeline in their relegation battle”

The Guardian: “De Zerbi dismisses claim that Spurs’ victory was down to weakened Villa side”

PA via ESPN: “Middlesbrough complain over unauthorized Southampton filming”

BBC: “From wild card to underdog - who will win Championship play-offs?”

The Telegraph: “Real Madrid in chaos after Valverde suffers ‘brain injury’ during training-ground row”

“I’m happy because we are working well with all players. Another very important week. We have no problems.

“No, Vicario is not ready yet. I don’t know what will be the plan but he’s suffering because he would like to help his teammates but he’s not available yet.

“Im thinking about James Madison because I’m watching a top, top player. Maybe he’s not ready yet to play, but as a physical condition, not for the rhythm, for the intensity of the game. We are playing in the Premier League, the most difficult league in terms of intensity and rhythm.

“But as a player, it’s great, as a coach, watching one player like this. Especially for me, because I was number 10. And I’m sensitive in number 10 players like Xavi Simons, Maddison, Kulusevski, Kudus. We have a lot of number 10, but I want to see.

“About Solanke, he’s improving very quickly. I don’t know, for this game, I don’t know if he can be available. We hope for the next game in Stamford Bridge.”

“100% [I’d like to sign Palhinha]. We have to start from this type of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure, but as a guy. I want to see the player with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit, the same personality, and we are lucky to have with us Palhinha.

“I’m happy because I think from the perspective of Conor, he came in January in a difficult situation. He had some problems at the beginning, his physical condition, his environment. To understand the different club, different style of play, different dressing room. But he’s an important player, the first level of the players.

“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.”

“First of all, we’re going to play against one of the best teams in this moment because in the last five, six games they won against Man United. They drew in Bournemouth, playing well. They won at home two times, Wolves and Burnley. For that, we have a big respect. We can’t think in a different way. We have to keep this mentality.

“We must remain humble. Nothing changes. We have to prepare an important game. The same way we are playing. We didn’t play so well in Wolves, but in the first 30 minutes, we played okay. Against Brighton at home, we played 90 minutes and extra time very well. We have to stay focused on this type of performance. This type of attitude. This type of spirit and showing the quality of the players.

“Their style is very clear. They have a great organisation on the pitch, with the ball and without the ball. They have good players, Calvin-Lewin, Okafor, Tanaka, I think, and Ampadu are all very good players. Not to fight against relegation, but higher level. But the focus is on us. Not because we become arrogant, but because we have the quality. The quality is enough if we play like we know, like we can, to win the game, for sure.”