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Mateus Fernandes scored what he described as the best goal of his career just three minutes into his Tottenham debut, as they beat MK Dons 1-0 in a friendly on Wednesday.

Roberto De Zerbi's side kicked off their pre-season campaign with a behind-closed-doors meeting with the League One side at Hotspur Way.

And Fernandes – an £85m signing from relegated West Ham – only needed a few minutes to make an impact as he met a half-cleared corner with a brilliant volley from the edge of the area, which flew into the top-right corner.

Fernandes partnered Sandro Tonali, who quickly succeeded him as Spurs' record signing when he joined from Newcastle United in a deal that could rise to £100m, in midfield throughout the first half.

Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel and Dominic Solanke were also part of Spurs' first-half team, though De Zerbi made 11 changes at the break and they were unable to add any further goals.

Speaking to the club's website afterwards, Fernandes said: "After I scored, I got a similar ball again and thought, 'I can't do it again, because if I miss, they'll think I was lucky!'

"It was great. It was my favourite goal of my career. By a mile!

"I need to do this more and more, to shoot from outside the box. I know that I can do it. This just gives me confidence for the rest of the games."

Despite West Ham's relegation to the Championship, Fernandes impressed last term, scoring five goals and registering four assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.

He won more tackles (73) and duels (214) than any other West Ham player in 2025-26, while only Jarrod Bowen (53) created more chances than Fernandes' 42.

Spurs will now embark on a tour of New Zealand and Australia, facing Auckland FC, Sydney FC and Chelsea before returning to London to face Getafe and Hoffenheim.

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Enzo Fernandez let rip with a dipping shot that goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky could not get close to in the 18th minute and turned provider for Chelsea's second in 67th, cushioning a high ball into the feet of Santos who scored from close range.

Richarlison got one back for Spurs in the 74th minute but the defeat means the North Londoners remain two points above West Ham United in the last unresolved relegation spot. However, Spurs have a much better goal difference, meaning a draw at home to Everton on Sunday would all but guarantee their survival.

Chelsea, who on Sunday announced former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso as their next manager after a limp 2025/26 campaign, climbed to eighth place, which offers a berth in the UEFA Conference League next season, one point behind Brighton & Hove Albion in the last of the Europa League spots.

Tottenham Hotspur remain in deep trouble after a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, leaving them in the relegation zone of the Premier League, two points from safety with six matches remaining.

The London side are enduring a difficult run, now with 14 consecutive games without a win, having failed to secure a victory throughout 2026.

The match was decided in the second half when Nordi Mukiele scored the only goal, lifting Sunderland to tenth place in the standings.

Tottenham’s problems were compounded by the injury to Cristian “Cuti” Romero, who left the pitch in tears after a collision and with visible knee pain.

The defeat came in the debut of Roberto De Zerbi, the club’s third manager of the season, as Tottenham continue to struggle to reverse their form.

They now sit in 18th place, with survival slipping further away following other results in the round.

Tottenham is in a historic crisis that threatens to take them to the dreaded relegation. After the 0-3 defeat against Nottingham Forest at home. At this moment, the English club is struggling and is in 17th place in the Premier League. By just one point, it positions itself above West Ham and closer to relegation. Nottingham Forest gained a lot in this match after securing the 3 points and swapping places with Tottenham Hotspur.

One of the most important matches of the season due to the team's critical status this season, although it ended in disaster. The team led by Igor Tudor was crushed and has not known victory so far in 2026. The only good news for the London team is that, due to Aston Villa's victory over West Ham, Tottenham has not yet fallen into the relegation zone.

The team's statistics are not good; they have gone 13 matches without a win, with 5 draws and 8 losses, which already matches their worst streak in history, in 1912. If they don't manage to react before that, they could match the bad streak of 1935. Moreover, they have only managed 2 wins out of 16 home games and four consecutive losses in front of their fans. They have only managed to get 30 points in 31 matches, which is concerning for one of the 'Big Six' English clubs.

Despite suffering four consecutive defeats, including a heavy Champions League loss to Atlético de Madrid, Igor Tudor will remain in charge of Tottenham Hotspur for this weekend’s Premier League clash against Liverpool.

The Lilywhites are going through an evident crisis. The team has now lost six straight matches in all competitions, a streak that has pushed them to the brink of elimination in the Champions League and left them in a very difficult position in the English league. With nine matches remaining, the London side is fighting to avoid relegation.

The club confirmed that the Croatian coach will be on the bench at Anfield this Sunday. However, another defeat could ultimately seal his fate and lead to his departure from the club.

For now, the board does not want to make another managerial change or create further internal turmoil. They believe another coaching switch could further destabilize a squad already trying to cope with an extremely delicate situation..

The visit to Merseyside will be especially complicated. Tottenham Hotspur have not won at Anfield since the 2010/2011 season. Historically, the stadium of Liverpool has never been an easy venue for the London side. They have recorded only eight victories there in their entire history, which increases the pressure on both Igor Tudor and his players.

The situation becomes even more concerning considering the team has gone eleven matches without a win in the Premier League, and in nine of those games they have conceded at least two goals.

Tottenham Hotspur is also facing difficult moments off the pitch. In September, Daniel Levy, the club’s president for 25 years, resigned, creating significant institutional instability in an organization that had won the Europa League just last season.

Igor Tudor now has one last opportunity. The opponent is a top-level challenge, and a draw in Merseyside could give him some breathing room to try to guide the team to safety before the season ends. However, a defeat at Anfield would likely confirm his dismissal.