Tottenham Hotspur

Signed from AS Roma in 2013, Erik actually made his debut in the north London derby at the Emirates on 1 September, 2013 - and is therefore Legacy Number 788.

The Argentine international scored 37 goals in 257 appearances for us between 2013-2021. Injury sidelined him for the best part of two seasons but for the other six, he was consistency personified - 46, 44, 33, 33, 35 and 35 appearances.

He featured in nine matches in our run to the UEFA Champions League Final in 2019 and was awarded FIFA's Puskas Award for his 'rabona' against Arsenal in 2021. He left for Sevilla in 2021 and won the UEFA Europa League in 2023. After a spell at AEK Athens, Erik has returned to Sevilla in an assistant coaching role.

Jimmy Holmes and Mark Stimson receive Legacy Number certificates

Jimmy Holmes and Mark Stimson were also recently presented with their Legacy Number certificates at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Republic of Ireland international Jimmy joined us from Coventry City in 1977 and made 92 appearances before switching to the NASL in America and Vancouver Whitecaps in 1982. He made his debut against West Brom in March, 1977. Capped 30 times by the Republic over 10 years, Jimmy had further league spells at Leicester, Brentford, Torquay and Peterborough United.

Mark joined us as a youngster in 1985 and progressed to make two senior appearances, making his debut against Everton in May, 1987. He moved to Newcastle United in 1989 and was a regular under Ossie Ardiles. He also had spells at Portsmouth and Southend before returning to Spurs as an Academy coach in 2000. Since then, he's had managerial spells at the likes of Stevenage Borough, Gillingham and Barnet. He's recently coached at Margate and Cray Wanderers.

The pair were back together in the midfield engine room for the first time since our UEFA Europa League Final triumph against Manchester United in Bilbao – 21 May last year.

Since then, we’ve played 48 competitive fixtures with both players suffering setbacks – Rodrigo’s return against Brighton marked his first appearance since a hamstring injury required surgery in early January.

Asked about Rodri’s return, Roberto told us: “He had a great game. Like Bissouma, both are very important for us as personalities, as experience. They know, they have a great connection between them.

“We have also Archie Gray, Joao Palhinha, Pape Sarr, Lucas Bergvall. Lucas played 10 minutes, but he changed the game. We have a lot of good players.”

Indeed, moments after coming off the bench, Lucas won possession high in Brighton’s half, Xavi Simons took over and rifled the ball home for 2-1. Unfortunately, Brighton hit back in the 95th minute to grab a share of the spoils.

Roberto added: “I would like all attackers to play like Solanke and Xavi today. They are not arrogant, but they believed in themselves and were clear. I have to work with Kolo Muani. He is a big talent. I want to help him not only to win a game, but just for him to show what he is able to do on the pitch.”

SPURSPLAY

The playmaker told us ‘I want to help the team to score and assist’ after doing just that in what turned out to be a gut-wrenching 2-2 draw against Brighton on Saturday.

Xavi was at his electric best, dictating play from his ’10’ role. He delivered the cross for Pedro Porro to open the scoring after 39 minutes and then drilled home one of the goals of the season from 20 yards to make it 2-1 on 77 minutes.

That sparked scenes of joy in the stadium but, alas, it wasn’t to be – after levelling for 1-1 in first half added time, Brighton left it even later to grab a draw, this time Georfinio Rutter firing into the roof of the net in the 95th minute.

That left Xavi and his team-mates crestfallen – the rollercoaster range of emotions on display in N17.

Here’s what Xavi made of it all...

Try to sum that up for us Xavi - how did you see it today?

Xavi: “Yeah, we started really good, the game, really aggressive as well. We wanted to play football, as the coach said, and enjoy the game, I would say.”

You can see the team wants to play, that you want to try and play the football that Roberto wants...

Xavi: “Yeah, of course. New coach coming in, new idea of playing football. It's a coach that really wants the ball, especially for me, it's something I really like and I think I can put my best game on it. Improving day by day with the ball is most important. Today we tried, and obviously, having that late goal in the last minute, yeah, it hurts.”

Your goal Xavi – you really want goals like that to win games – you went through all of the emotions today...

Xavi: “You know, it's so much hard work that maybe the people don't see. We're really working hard as a team. Me as well, as an individual player. What I said a couple of times to you guys, season didn't go as we wanted, but you know, this is life. You have to embrace it, you have to take it, and you have to work every day. So, that was kind of the moment in the last minutes, I had like… we worked so hard in the last minute, we conceded a goal, and it's just a shame.”

Tell us about your goal and the celebrations. You could see how much you meant to everyone in the stadium...

Xavi: “Yeah, I've been through a difficult journey, I would say, this season. It's life. I have to take it. I'm still young, I have to learn things. I'm really happy that the coach is here, for me especially. I want to play football, I want to help the team to score and assist. I want to help the team to go through this situation, together as a team is the most important thing, but yeah, these are the kind of games that I want to be on the pitch, and I want to show everyone that I can help the team.”

Roberto said he wanted to see goals and assists from you – anything different for you over this last couple of weeks, or is this just a case of you finding rhythm, finding confidence, getting the opportunities?

Xavi: “It's been tough for me. I'm not going to lie, it's been tough, mentally, but I'm lucky that I have a really good family that's always with me and we stay together. In these times as well, I know the people that are around me and the people that really support me day by day. I'm just putting the work into it, morning, afternoon, night, and I want to really help the team. That's the most important thing, especially today. I think the fans were fantastic, and we have to keep working because we have to get through this.”

Can you explain to the fans how you see the team moving forward? It feels like the team is moving in the right direction. Does it feel that way in and amongst the group?

Xavi: “You could see the atmosphere in the stadium from the first minute. We, as players, we feel that as well. What I can say is that we are really working hard to go through this situation. New manager has come in, so we have to adapt on things, but what I can say, we're going in the right direction and we're going to work hard for sure.”

Finally, give us some good news – the injury isn’t serious?

Xavi: “No, no, just cramp.”

The Dutch playmaker, who swapped Leipzig for north London in the summer, made his first league start since the beginning of March when Roberto De Zerbi drafted him in for the visit of our Head Coach's former side - and Xavi produced one his best displays in a Spurs shirt.

Playing just off the left but with the freedom to pop up in pockets across the pitch, the creative midfielder was everywhere for us and looked to make something happen every time he was on the ball.

It was no surprise that he ended up being involved in both of our goals - assisting the first with a delightful clipped ball over the top of the defence for Pedro Porro to head us in front in the first half, before he curled home from range to restore our lead in the second.

Our number seven could have even had another goal to his name in the first half had his precise effort shortly after the opener clipped the other side of the post.

Barely able to move come the end of the game as he tightened up with cramp, it was evident just how much he had given to the team across the 90 minutes.

So it was no surprise that he romped home with your votes for the Player of the Match crown in an exclusive poll ran on tottenhamhotspur.com and the our official app.

Taking 71 per cent of the vote, the Netherlands international stormed to the top of the chart, with Antonin Kinsky (eight per cent) and the returning Rodrigo Bentancur (seven per cent) his closest challengers.

In both scoring and assisting in the game, Xavi became our first player to complete that feat in multiple games in the Premier League this season.

Watch - Xavi's best moments against Brighton

Player of the Match | 2025/26

Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Spurs - Micky van de Ven

Spurs 3-0 Burnley - Richarlison

Manchester City 0-2 Spurs - Joao Palhinha

Spurs 0-1 AFC Bournemouth - Guglielmo Vicario

West Ham 0-3 Spurs - Lucas Bergvall

Spurs 1-0 Villarreal - Lucas Bergvall

Brighton 2-2 Spurs - Mohammed Kudus

Spurs 3-0 Doncaster Rovers - Joao Palhinha

Spurs 1-1 Wolves - Joao Palhinh

Bodo/Glimt 2-2 Spurs - Micky van de Ven

Leeds United 1-2 Spurs - Mohammed Kudus

Spurs 1-2 Aston Villa - Joao Palhinha & Mohammed Kudus

AS Monaco 0-0 Spurs - Guglielmo Vicario

Everton 0-3 Spurs - Micky van de Ven

Newcastle 2-0 Spurs - Brennan Johnson

Spurs 0-1 Chelsea - Guglielmo Vicario

Spurs 4-0 FC Copenhagen - Micky van de Ven

Spurs 2-2 Manchester United - Wilson Odobert

Arsenal 1-4 Spurs - Richarlison

PSG 5-3 Spurs - Randal Kolo Muani

Spurs 1-2 Fulham - Mohammed Kudus

Newcastle 2-2 Spurs - Cristian Romero

Spurs 2-0 Brentford - Xavi Simons

Spurs 3-0 Slavia Prague - Xavi Simons

Nottingham Forest 3-0 Spurs - Randal Kolo Muani

Spurs 1-2 Liverpool - Djed Spence

Crystal Palace 0-1 Spurs - Archie Gray

Brentford 0-0 Spurs - Micky van de Ven

Spurs 1-1 Sunderland - Ben Davies

Bournemouth 3-2 Spurs - Mathys Tel

Spurs 1-2 Aston Villa - Joao Palhinha

Spurs 1-2 West Ham - Cristian Romero

Spurs 2-0 Dortmund - Xavi Simons

Burnley 2-2 Spurs - Cristian Romero

Eintracht Frankfurt 0-2 Spurs - Xavi Simons

Spurs 2-2 Man City - Dominic Solanke

Manchester United 2-0 Spurs - Guglielmo Vicario

Spurs 1-2 Newcastle - Archie Gray

Spurs 1-4 Arsenal - Randal Kolo Muani

Fulham 2-1 Spurs - Richarlison

Spurs 1-3 Crystal Palace - Archie Gray

Atletico Madrid 5-2 Spurs - Pedro Porro

Liverpool 1-1 Spurs - Richarlison

Spurs 3-2 Atletico Madrid – Archie Gray

Spurs 0-3 Nottingham Forest – Archie Gray

Sunderland 1-0 Spurs – Antonin Kinsky

Spurs 2-2 Brighton – Xavi Simons

Player of the Match awards | 2025/26

The Dutch playmaker was central to what looked like being a crucial win in the Premier League until Brighton dug out a heartbreaking equaliser five minutes into the eight minutes of added time.

It was tough to take – not least for Xavi, who was at his best throughout, set up our opener for Pedro Porro on 39 minutes, hit the post and then fired home a beauty for 2-1 on 77 minutes, lifting the roof off in N17. Alas, it wasn’t to be as Georfinio Rutter provided the late, late show for Brighton to make it 2-2 on 95 minutes.

Speaking to us afterwards, Xavi said: “You could see the atmosphere in the stadium from the first minute. We, as players, we feel that as well.

“What I can say is that we are really working hard to get through this situation. New manager has come in, so we have to adapt on things, but what I can say, we're going in the right direction and we're going to work hard for sure. The fans were fantastic, and we have to keep working because we have to get through this.”

Reflecting further on the match, Xavi added: “We started really good, really aggressive as well. We wanted to play football, as the coach said, and enjoy the game.

“New coach coming in, new idea of playing football. It's a coach that really wants the ball, especially for me, it's something I really like and I think I can put my best game on it. Improving day by day with the ball is most important. Today we tried, and obviously, having that late goal... yeah, it hurts.”

The last 16 tie with the Foxes will take place at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium this Friday (24 April), kick-off 7pm UK.

As always, tickets are available in advance via Stevenage’s ticketing website or at the ground on the night, priced at £7 for adults, £5 for concessions and under-21s, and £2 for under-12s (when accompanied by an adult).

Should the scores be level after 90 minutes, extra time and then penalties if needed will take place to determine who advances to the quarter-finals.

Supporters unable to make it to Stevenage to attend the game in person will be able to watch the match live on SPURSPLAY.

We saw the best of the Dutch playmaker in our 2-2 draw against Brighton on Saturday.

Always looking to get on the ball and make things happen, Xavi provided the cross for Pedro Porro to open the scoring, hit the post moments later and then pinged home one of the goals of the season from 20 yards for a 2-1 lead, sparking scenes of jubilation in the stands. Unfortunately, maximum points were snatched away as Brighton levelled in the 95th minute.

Roberto had spells AC Milan and Napoli and won titles with CFR Cluj in Romania in his time as a professional before taking the first steps of his coaching career at Darfo Boario in Italy in 2013 and was delighted to see Xavi have such an influence in another vital game.

Speaking to SPURSPLAY afterwards, Roberto told us: “He’s lucky to work with me - not because I'm good, because I was number 10.

“What he thinks now, I thought 20 years ago. So, we have a special connection. I have a special connection with all number 10s I work with. I love a number 10. A number 10 has to understand that he has to score and he has to make assists, not just play to be nice to the people – goals and assists.”

Asked about Xavi’s performance in his post-match press conference, Roberto said: “He played very well, a great game. I think he can play better and better, because a player like this, he needs to feel confidence from the manager, and I stay here to transfer all the confidence he needs, because I was a player, I was number 10, and I think I know what he thinks, because I thought the same when I was a player. I think I'm lucky to have this player on my team, but also he's lucky because with number 10, I can understand better than other coaches."

We gave ourselves the worst possible start at Motspur Park as Kayleigh Stead fired the home side into the lead after just two minutes and in truth, we had to weather plenty of pressure for the remainder of the first period but remained defensively strong to keep them at bay.

With the deficit still at one heading into the second half, we needed a moment of quality to find the leveller and that came just before the hour mark, Ruby Gaitely’s excellent strike from distance finding the back of the net. However, with 12 minutes left to play, we were dealt a sucker-punch when Stella Gandee Morgan reinstated Fulham’s lead and ultimately earn her side a spot in the showpiece final against AFC Wimbledon.

While it wasn’t the result our young side wanted on the afternoon, there was plenty of positives to take from the competition, overcoming two senior opponents and going toe-to-toe with a soon-to-be tier three side in Fulham.

More details to follow...

The 20-year-old forward, who has spent the last few months back at his boyhood club after representing Doncaster Rovers during the first half of the campaign, saw his side cement an automatic promotion spot after Notts County’s defeat to Barnet on Saturday afternoon.

That result meant Bromley will play League One football for the first time in their history next season. Currently top of the fourth tier, they’ll secure the League Two title if they can hold onto that position for the remaining two matches of 2025/26.

Damola was a late substitute for the Ravens in their most recent game, a goalless home draw with Cambridge United on Thursday night. He’s made 11 appearances for Andy Woodman’s side so far.

Damola became the second of our on-loan players to see their side secure promotion this weekend after Yang Min-Hyeok’s Coventry City drew 1-1 at Blackburn Rovers on Friday evening to rubber-stamp their return to the Premier League. The Sky Blues currently lead the Championship standings and cannot mathematically finish any lower than second, meaning they’ll go up automatically after a 25-year absence from the top flight. Yang has made four appearances in all competitions for Frank Lampard’s side, but hasn’t featured for them since February.

Elsewhere, Yusuf Akhamrich scored for Bristol Rovers for the second game running to secure them maximum points at Tranmere Rovers in League Two on Saturday afternoon.

The attacking midfielder stepped off the bench in the 78th minute with the score at 1-1 at Prenton Park, and fired home six minutes later to ensure his side ran out 2-1 winners.

Yusuf has now scored six goals in 17 appearances for Bristol Rovers, who have won their last seven League Two matches in a row.