Tottenham Hotspur

A second-half goal from James Rowswell wasn’t enough as our Under-21s suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough on Friday night.

Unable to fashion much in the attacking areas during the first period in the face of an aggressive, physical challenge from the visitors, we fell behind shortly before the interval when Layton Campbell headed home from close range.

Jack Daley also nodded in at the back post from a corner to double the visitors’ lead just prior to the hour mark and although Rowswell pulled one back with a header of his own soon afterwards, we couldn’t mount a comeback and instead it was Boro who continued to push, Rio Patterson-Powell having a penalty saved by Carey Bloedorn before our former Academy defender Archie Baptiste blasted into the top corner from distance to seal the win for his side.

Middlesbrough were on the front foot from the get-go with Campbell seeing an effort sail fractionally wide just seconds after kick-off, Brayden Johnson later firing a low shot at Bloedorn and Dan James flicking a near-post header from a corner off-target as most of the early exchanges took place in our half.

Rowswell delivered a superb cross from the right that neither James Wilson nor Leo Black could take advantage of while Callum Olusesi fired wide as we probed for a way through, but after Bloedorn blocked James’ effort at his near post, it was Boro who broke the deadlock three minutes before the break, Frankie Coulson afforded enough space on the right to deliver a cross for Campbell to head home from a central position.

Pele Arganese-McDermott saw an up-and-under header in the wake of a corner cleared off the line while Reiss Russell-Denny’s run and shot ended with the ball being deflected wide for a corner in the opening stages of the second half, but we suffered a big blow on 59 minutes when Daley squeezed in a header at the back stick from Coulson’s corner, leaving us with it all to do.

Rowswell handed us a lifeline on 64 minutes when he nodded Rio Kyerematen’s cross in off the base of the post after Russell-Denny’s corner wasn’t fully cleared but five minutes later a big moment went against us when Bloedorn was harshly adjudged to have brought down Patterson-Powell in the box – thankfully, though, the keeper made a confident low save from the latter’s powerful penalty to keep us in the game at 2-1.

Johnson and Campbell fired wide for Boro, while arguably our best chance to draw level came and went on 82 minutes when Matthew Craig showed tremendous strength and determination in midfield to spring us forward, but Russell-Denny’s eventual shot was straight at goalkeeper Owen Foster. However, Baptiste, who joined Boro after leaving our Academy last summer, made sure of the win for his side with seven minutes left, getting the better of substitute Elisha Sowunmi after Bloedorn had punched cleared Oliver Samuels’ left-wing cross to unleash a rocket into the top corner from distance. Dante Cassanova sent a late free-kick just over the bar at the other end, but it proved to be a disappointing night as we suffered a second consecutive Premier League 2 defeat.

Lenna Gunning-Williams netted her first goal for England Under-23s as they played out a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in an international friendly on Friday evening.

With her six previous caps for the Young Lionesses all coming from the substitute’s bench, our Academy graduate was handed her first start for the Under-23s and it took just 10 minutes into the contest at Meadow Lane for her to make her mark on the international stage.

With Jess Simpson sending in a cross from the left, Lenna rose the highest inside the box and perfectly guided a header into the bottom corner via the inside of the post, opening her account for the Young Lionesses.

However, there was late frustrations for England as, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Eve Oude Eleberink drilled home a late equaliser for the Dutch to earn a draw for her nation.

A lively outlet down the right-hand side, our number 18 went on to complete the full match as her early goal in Shrewsbury turned out to be enough for Lauren Smith’s side on the evening.

Lenna was the second of our players to get on the scoresheet for their nation on Friday as Matilda Nilden netted the fifth goal in Sweden Under-23s in their 5-1 victory over Romania this afternoon.

Earlier on in the day, Academy goalkeeper Sophie Jackson was an unused substitute for England Under-20s as they ran out 3-1 winners over Mexico in Spain.

Dominic Solanke knows we cannot dwell on past results. Now is the time to take responsibility, improve and fight for every result.

As he spoke to SPURSPLAY in the aftermath of Thursday night's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, the striker could not hide his sheer disappointment at the events of the evening but is well aware that we must look forward if we are to turn around our current difficult run of form.

The meeting with Palace was one that was looked to with such hope however a damaging end to the first half gave us a mountain to climb and it was not one we could overcome.

Dom was our goalscorer, getting the opener on 34 minutes to give us a much-needed lift - it was the first time we had taken the lead in a home league game since the start of January - but the following 18 minutes flipped the evening on its head as, after Micky van de Ven saw red, goals from Ismaila Sarr either side of a Jorgen Strand Larsen strike took the game away from us.

A turnaround is needed from us but Dom knows that the team's actions will speak louder than words in that regard. And that is where their focus is.

“It's another difficult one to take. Before the game, we looked at the game thinking that we definitely needed to win, but it's another game that's passed now and we need to realise that the position that we're in and keep fighting,” he told SPURSPLAY.

“We’ve had a little chat between us (players). We need to understand that we need to improve and we need to improve now. It's difficult, and obviously hard to say just with words. We need to show it on the pitch and that's something that we need to do as soon as possible."

"We obviously need to realise the position that we're in. We know it's been so difficult this season with the injuries etc, but we can't change that now. So, us players on the pitch have to take the responsibility and ultimately change that as soon as possible."

“It's difficult, just speaking, but we need to realise the position we're in, we need to fight every game, fight for every result, we haven't got many games left now."

“We need to see what's going wrong on the pitch, debrief that and see what we can change. We’re not in a position to dwell on anything right now, we need to make sure that in the next game we're going to be at it, seeing how we can improve."

Watch - Dom opens up to SPURSPLAY

Supporters travelling to Spain for our UEFA Champions League fixture against Atlético Madrid should take note of the following important travel information…

Kick-off in Madrid is set for 9pm local time (8pm GMT).

Madrid

It is recommended that supporters familiarise themselves with the government’s travel advice for Spain. If needing to contact the British Consulate, fans should head to GOV.UK - Do you need emergency help?, or should call 0034 91 714 6300.

British nationals do not need a visa to travel to Spain, however, a valid passport will be required for the duration of the intended stay. Passports must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of entry (check the ‘date of issue’) and be valid for at least three months after the day of departure (check the ‘expiry date’).

In the event of an emergency travel document being required, head to https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document/how-to-apply

The Club’s Travel Line - 07917 880445 - will be available throughout the day and evening of the match for any supporters experiencing problems. The official currency of Spain is the Euro.

The local emergency services contact number in Spain is 112.

Stay up to date - Spurs matchday info on WhatsApp

Travelling fans are strongly encouraged to join the Spurs Matchday Info channel on WhatsApp.

As well as supplying key information for all fixtures, the channel will also provide important real-time updates and information for fans to be aware of whilst in Madrid.

Simply CLICK HERE or search for Spurs Matchday Info in your WhatsApp Updates section.

Getting to the stadium

Address: Metropolitano Stadium, Av. de Luis Aragonés, 4, 28022 Madrid

The recommended way for supporters to reach Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium is via the Madrid Metro.

There is no designated away fanzone in Madrid. However, supporters may wish to gather at Plaza Mayor in the city centre, where there is a wide range of bars and restaurants and which is often popular with visiting supporters.

Supporters travelling from the city centre to the stadium should take the metro to Estadio Metropolitano station on Line 7 (orange line). From the station, it is approximately a 10-minute, slightly up-hill, walk to the away turnstiles.

Atlético Madrid have also recommended that away supporters gather at Plaza de Cefiro on matchday, where there are a number of bars nearby. From this location, an escort to the stadium will depart at 6.30pm. The walk to the stadium from Plaza de Cefiro will take approximately 25 minutes, via a steep hill. The closest metro station to the plaza is Canillejas on line 5 (green line).

Please note that walking sticks or crutches are not permitted within the stadium.

Spurs supporters will be located in the north end of the stadium. Supporters arriving by metro should approach the stadium via the east side, and should avoid attempting to walk around the south or west of the stadium.

There will be no public parking facilities available at or near the stadium for private cars, coaches, motorbikes, mopeds, bicycles or scooters.

Areas to avoid

Supporters should ensure to avoid the south-west corner of the stadium, accessed via Calle de 1903 & Avenue del Atletico Aviacion, as this area will be heavily populated by home supporters.

At Riyadh Air Metropolitano

The stadium will be open from 7pm local time.

PDF tickets will be sent to supporters by email in advance of the game. These tickets can be scanned using a mobile device. Supporters will have tickets checked and be subject to a body search upon arrival.

The visitors’ section is split across two tiers within the upper section of the north stand. Supporters should enter via Entrance 24. Please note, this entrance is situated at the opposite end of the stadium to the Estadio Metropolitano Metro station, where it is expected that the majority of fans will alight.

Tottenham Hotspur stewards will be present at the entrance and inside the stadium, designated as Visiting Fan Support.

Please note there are no safe standing facilities available throughout the stand, and safety netting is in place throughout the visitor’s section.

We would like to remind fans to avoid standing in the vomitories in front of seated areas, and to be respectful of their fellow supporters to allow everyone to enjoy the game safely.

Supporters with Category 1 tickets

Category 1 tickets are located in Blocks 105 - 107. Supporters with Category 1 tickets are advised to arrive at gates nine and 11 to enter.

In line with UEFA requirements, Category 1 tickets are located in the home section of the stadium. For safety and security reasons, supporters should not wear Tottenham Hotspur colours when sitting in the Category 1 area.

Accessibility

Supporters located in Blocks 218 or 221 will be situated in the home end and should enter the stadium via Entrance 27, which is directly adjacent to general access turnstiles. Those with tickets in Block 313 will be in the away section and should enter via Entrance 24.

Those travelling by metro should be advised that the journey from the Estadio Metropolitano metro station to the stadium is step free - but slightly uphill and takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

More information on the metro for those with reduced mobility can be found here. This website includes a live chat where live status updates and access information is available.

Taxis can bring supporters to a drop-off location located on C. del 26 de abril – nearby visiting supporter turnstiles.

Two accessible toilets will be available within the area, as well as lowered counters at food/drink concessions.

Tottenham Hotspur staff will be available within the access area should assistance be required.

Alcohol

Alcohol will not be sold, nor can it be consumed within the stadium.

Medical exemptions

Any supporters requiring a medical exemption to the bag policy, or any prohibited items are strongly advised to contact the Club in advance of travel at access@tottenhamhotspur.com.

Flags

Flags, no larger than 3x2m, will be permitted into the stadium.

All flags will be checked outside of the turnstiles by staff prior to entering the stadium. Supporters with flags are advised to speak with a member of Spurs staff on arrival at the stadium.

To make this process as easy as possible for staff and supporters, we ask fans to submit the following to supporterservices@tottenhamhotspur.com by 9am on Monday 9 March:

Image of your flag

Size/dimensions of your flag

Confirmation that it is fire-retardant (image of the fire certificate)

The Club has always considered that a football match is a time to show allegiance to a football team first and foremost. A football match is not an appropriate arena to display flags of any political or religious affiliation or anything that could possibly be considered inflammatory - this can include national flags during times of political conflicts, campaigns or issues.

Please note, as at other stadia in the UK and Europe, flags with religious / sectarian / political / inflammatory or offensive messages will not be permitted and may be confiscated.

Supporters are also reminded of the Club’s own Flags and Banners Policy which is in effect at away matches.

Payments

The Riyadh Air Metropolitano is a cashless stadium. Card or mobile payments must be used for purchases.

Prohibited items

The following will not be allowed into the stadium:

Bags and rucksacks bigger than A4 in size

Large umbrellas

Brought-in food and drink

Professional cameras

Power banks

Items weighing over 500g that can be used as missiles

All drugs and alcohol

Symbols inciting violence or terrorism

All types of face coverings

Leaving the stadium

Supporters could be held back for a minimum of 30 minutes post-match. During this time, all concourse facilities will be available.

Spurs Respects

We are justly proud of our superb and loyal support at home and away. We all have a responsibility to act as ambassadors of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and act as considerate visitors to those who live and work in the cities and countries we visit. We also ask supporters to respect local customs and traditions by not placing flags or banners on local statues or monuments.

We recognise that most supporters want to watch a football match and not to listen to abusive or indecent language from the stands. The Club stands firmly against all forms of discrimination, and any incidents of discriminatory behaviour should be reported as soon as possible to a steward.

The Club and our supporters were issued with sanctions by UEFA following the abhorrent conduct of a small number of individuals at our recent Champions League away match in Frankfurt, and we have issued indefinite bans to three individuals under the Club's Sanctions and Banning policy. The Club will always take the strongest possible action against any individual found engaging in discriminatory, abusive or offensive behaviour, which includes shouting, chanting or actions of a racist, sectarian, homophobic, sexist or anti-disability nature.

Unauthorised use of tickets

Supporters are reminded that the unauthorised reselling or passing on of tickets is strictly prohibited. In line with the Club's Sanctions & Banning Policy, supporters found to have purchased tickets and subsequently sold or passed them on to other supporters, or offered for sale, will be subject to sanctions.

Matilda Nilden helped Sweden Under-23s round off their international camp with a big 5-1 win over Romania in an international friendly on Friday afternoon.

Our young Swede stepped off the bench in the final quarter of the contest and, in the third minute of stoppage time, she completed the scoring for her nation to secure an emphatic win in Romania.

Sweden enjoyed a perfect start to the contest as Svea Rehnberg opened the scoring after just two minutes before Klara Svensson Senelius doubled their lead nine minutes ahead of the break.

Rehnberg grabbed her second of the game on 75 minutes to extend Sweden’s advantage and, despite the home side pulling a goal back three minutes from time, Ellen Wangerheim reinstated their three-goal advantage before Matilda completed the scoring deep in stoppage time.

Our number 14 was introduced on 77 minutes, replacing goalscorer Rehnberg, to earn herself some additional minutes in the final game of the international window.

Our Under-21s are back in action this evening (Friday 6 March, 7pm UK) with a home match against Middlesbrough – and you’ll be able to watch the action live on SPURSPLAY.

Wayne Burnett’s side have scored four goals in each of their last two home games in the Premier League 2, defeating Birmingham City and Norwich City, but suffered a 4-2 loss at Liverpool on Sunday.

Visitors Boro slipped to a 4-1 home defeat to Birmingham on Monday night and arrive sitting 18th in the table. We’re currently perched in ninth spot.

Tonight’s match takes place at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium – tickets are available online in advance via Stevenage’s ticketing website or at the turnstiles at the ground this evening.

Rio Kyerematen has been shortlisted for February’s Premier League 2 Player of the Month award.

The 20-year-old midfielder has been in fine form for our Under-21s and was particularly influential in the forward areas throughout last month.

He was involved in all four goals as Wayne Burnett’s side secured a 4-0 home win over Birmingham City on 8 February – scoring two and assisting the other two – before firing in a long-range thunderbolt to help us on the way to a 4-1 home victory against Norwich City on 20 February.

With the club since the age of eight, Rio has been named on the bench for the first team four times this season, including in Thursday night’s defeat to Crystal Palace.

It’s the second time this season and third time in his career to date that he has been nominated for the monthly Premier League 2 prize, having also made the shortlist in September, 2025, and April, 2024.

Also in the running for the award this time are Manchester United’s Chido Obi, the Manchester City duo of Matty Warhurst and Kian Noble, the West Ham pairing of Joshua Ajala and Reyan Clayton, plus Brayden Clarke and Tommy Setford of Arsenal.

The nominees were selected by the Premier League Football Development Panel, who will also decide the winner.

Highlights | Under-21s win 4-0 against Birmingham

Joel Vidal-Philbert joined our Academy from Chelsea in February, 2026.

The winger, with the Blues since his Under-15 year, made his Under-18 Premier League debut during the 2024/25 season while still a schoolboy.

He scored his first goal at that level against Brighton & Hove Albion in January, 2025.

An England Under-16 international, he went full-time at Chelsea in the summer of 2025.

Conall Glancy joined our Academy from Celtic in August, 2025.

Born in Glasgow, the forward was with the Hoops since the age of six and formerly attended St Ninian’s High School in Kirkintilloch.

Son of former Inverness Caledonian Thistle player Martin Glancy, Conall can operate off the right wing or in the central areas.

He scored 15 goals for Celtic’s treble-winning Under-16 side in 2024/25.

Igor Tudor spoke to the media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after our 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Thursday night.

Here's what he had to say...

That game did not turn out how you would have wanted...

Igor: "We are disappointed to lose the game. We started good and we had 1-0 and then the red card changed the game. It was a totally different game after. Unfortunately, we wanted in the second half to push it but we didn’t make it."

What did you make of the fans leaving early?

Igor: "Of course I understand the fans. It’s a normal thing that happens in football. They are disappointed. They wanted more. We are aware of that. We also wanted to give more. Unfortunately, this is the moment that we pay everything. One red card changed everything. I will tell you now, maybe it will sound strange, but I believe more after this game than I believed before. I saw something. I need to choose the right guys because the boat is going in the direction that I want to go and needs to go and who is in the boat can stay. Otherwise, they can leave the boat. So, when the other players will come back, I’m sure we will have a good team and the victories will come back. It’s not easy to accept the moment where we are now but it is how it is."

Is this an impossible club to manage at the moment?

Igor: "I want to be positive. I cannot tell the guys nothing in the end after this game. They gave everything. Unfortunately, we pay every detail. We pay every detail. If we can say that red card is a detail, there is always something to say. With all the problems we have now, missing the defenders today, missing the full-backs, these are the problems we already know. I don't want to speak about that, but we need to stay together now. I always repeat the same things, but it is how it is. Believing and growing. Do not make mistakes. This is the key in the end of football. Stay there, don't make mistakes. One goal, you always score. Two goals, you can score, but it's important to not make mistakes in football. Unfortunately, now, in this moment, we pay everything, but in return, I believe, we change everything. Still nine games to play. Still nine games to play."

You sound like you're determined to keep fighting, to carry on - will you be allowed to?

Igor: "I don't think in that direction. I have my job to do and that's all."

Will we see you in that seat again?

Igor: "What?"

Will we see you in that seat again, do you think?

Igor: "No comment on that question."

Did Micky van de Ven say anything to the team?

Igor: "That's a private thing in the dressing room."

How difficult is it to be suddenly thrust in amongst this?

Igor: "What do you think? How difficult? It's very difficult. What you can do, we need to keep working. Keep working, believe, working on everything, try to help these guys, because I understand, you know. I see them every day, they care. They care. They want to do, they try to do, but it's moments like that. So, what I said, stay calm, keep working and it will turn off. It will change the situation."

Is it a discipline issue?

Igor: "There is no discipline issue at all - opposite."