Tottenham Hotspur

A second-half fightback fell short as we suffered another Premier League defeat with Fulham taking the points on Sunday afternoon.

In what was Igor Tudor’s first away game as our new Head Coach, the home side took control of the contest with first-half goals from Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi. The Cottagers should have been out of sight as they missed a number of good chances, allowing us to get a foothold in the match when Richarlison came off the bench to pull a goal back mid-way through the second period.

We battled for a much-needed equaliser but couldn’t find the goal we craved to suffer a third straight defeat at Craven Cottage, while the result means we haven’t won in 10 Premier League games now. Defeats this weekend for all the teams around us towards the bottom of the table mean we remain four points outside of the relegation zone.

We made two changes from last weekend as Pedro Porro returned from injury and came in for Djed Spence – his first start since Burnley on 24 January – with Dominic Solanke replacing Pape Matar Sarr. A lively start saw a dangerous Xavi Simons cross cut out to prevent Randal Kolo Muani converting at the far post, while it was the visitors who took the lead in the seventh minute. There looked to be a bit of a push by Raul Jimenez on Radu Dragusin as the ball came into the box, with Wilson hammering home the loose ball from 10 yards out. VAR had a look, but gave the goal.

We tried to respond quickly, with Joao Palhinha’s effort from the edge of the box deflected for a corner and Pedro Porro firing over as the set-piece was cleared to him in the 16th minute, before Kenny Tete hit one just a yard wide at the other end. It was an even game for a while and we had some good attacking moments without quite finding that final pass, however we fell further behind to a wonder goal from Iwobi with 34 minutes on the clock. The Fulham forward played the ball in to Wilson and then hit the return pass first time from 25 yards out, an arrow of a low shot that beat Guglielmo Vicario and went in off the far post.

As the half drew to a close, we created a number of good chances – Yves Bissouma with an effort blocked by Issa Diop, Dragusin volleying over from a Xavi corner and Calvin Bassey blocking Palhinha’s 20-yard drive. But Bassey almost made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time, only to volley over from close range following a corner.

Six minutes into the second half, Fulham again nearly added a third when Oscar Bobb released Emile Smith Rowe down the left and his angled drive drifted just past Vicario’s far post. Chances were coming thick and fast in that period, Conor Gallagher creating another as he won the ball inside the Fulham box but couldn’t pick out anyone with his low pass across the six-yard area, before Micky van de Ven produced an excellent block to deny Jimenez from close range.

We made a triple change just before the hour with Richarlison, Mathys Tel and Sarr coming on for Kolo Muani, Xavi and Gallagher but needed a big save from Vicario a few minutes later to stay in the game, the keeper rushing out quickly to deny Smith Rowe who was in acres of space. It proved to be a key moment as in the 66th minute we pulled one back. Tel did really well down the left flank up against Tete before laying off for Archie Gray to clip a wonderful deep cross which Richarlison headed home to give us renewed hope.

Both sides were continuing to fashion opportunities, Fulham substitute Tom Cairney dragging wide from 20 yards out and Iwobi high and wide this time with another chance after good work from Samuel Chukwueze. Vicario then made a comfortable save from Ricardo Muniz while we had a good chance when Tel and Souza combined down the left, Sarr nicked the ball inside the area but could only fire into the side-netting. Then, with the very last action of the game, Pedro Porro’s free-kick eventually fell to Palhinha 15 yards out and an equaliser looked on the cards but his effort couldn’t find a way through a packed area and Fulham cleared with the final whistle sounding as they did.

There was late disappointment for our Under-21s as they fell 4-2 to Liverpool in the final few minutes of our Premier League 2 encounter on Sunday afternoon.

Having taken the lead at Liverpool's Academy early on through James Wilson, the Reds had turned the game on its head by the hour mark with goals either side of half-time - Kieran Morrison levelling on 25 minutes before Prince Cisse headed them in front on 57 minutes.

We responded well though and were level within four minutes of going behind as Reiss Russell-Denny struck in a very competitive fixture.

However, there was to be heartbreak late on as, despite our valiant efforts, Liverpool scored twice in the final few minutes of the game to take all three points. Firstly, Will Wright reasserted their lead with four minutes to play before Morrison wrapped up the win with a further effort in added time.

More to follow...

We can confirm the team line-ups and substitutes for today’s match at Fulham (2pm UK).

We’ve made two changes from last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal.

Pedro Porro is back from injury and straight into the starting line-up in place of Djed Spence, while Dominic Solanke is restored to the team in place of Pape Matar Sarr.

Here’s our team in full...

Starting XI: Vicario, Dragusin, Palhinha, Xavi, Bissouma, Gray, Solanke, Gallagher, Pedro Porro, van de Ven (c), Kolo Muani.

Substitutes: Kinsky, Austin, Rowswell, Danso, Souza, Sarr, Olusesi, Tel, Richarlison.

Hosts Fulham, meanwhile, line up as follows...

Starting XI: Leno (c), Tete, Diop, Bassey, Sessegnon, Berge, Iwobi, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Bobb, Raul.

Substitutes: Lecomte, Cuenca, Castagne, Robinson, Reed, Cairney, King, Chukwueze, Muniz.

Clare Hunt’s Australia got off to an ideal start to their Women’s Asian Cup campaign as they defeated Philippines 1-0 in their group stage opener.

Hosting the prestigious tournament for the first time since 2006, Clare was named in the starting XI, making her first appearance in the tournament, and completed the full match as she helped the Matildas to a clean sheet against the Philippines.

Australia found the breakthrough inside the opening quarter-of-the-game as Sam Kerr headed home from close range and that in turned, it proved to be enough for the host nation to earn a valuable three points in Group A.

Next up for Clare’s nation is a clash with Iran on Thursday (5 March) – kick-off at 9am UK.

Toko Koga’s and Maika Hamano’s Japan kick off their tournament on Wednesday (4 March) against Chinese Taipei.

On-loan pair Will Lankshear and Jamie Donley helped Oxford United to a vital home win over fellow Championship strugglers West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Striker Will headed in the hosts’ decisive second goal in what turned out to be a 2-1 victory, while attacking midfielder Jamie provided the assist for United’s first – scored by Stanley Mills.

The win represented Oxford’s first in seven Championship outings and moved them to within three points of the visitors in 21st – the last place outside the drop zone.

Will and Jamie, who were team-mates in our successful Under-18 and Under-21 sides a couple of years ago and who reunited at the Kassam Stadium following the latter’s loan switch in January, both started the game.

Jamie saw an early effort deflected wide before delivering the 14th-minute corner from which Mills headed them in front.

Will made it 2-0 just 12 minutes later, also with a header, before Oliver Bostock’s deflected strike reduced the Baggies’ arrears on 33 minutes.

That’s how it stayed, with Will being withdrawn on 64 minutes and Jamie following suit five minutes from time.

The U’s travel to face Preston North End where another of our youngsters, Alfie Devine, is on loan next Friday evening (8pm UK).

Our Under-21s make the trip to the north-west to face Liverpool in the Premier League 2 on Sunday afternoon (2pm UK).

We go into the game at the Reds’ training ground having scored four goals against both Birmingham City and Norwich City to secure back-to-back home wins in our last two fixtures at this level.

Liverpool are sixth in the standings on 29 points while we’re three points behind in ninth, having played two fewer matches.

Supporters will be able to watch Sunday’s match live on SPURSPLAY – tune in just before kick-off at 2pm to enjoy all the action.

Live text updates will also be provided on our Match Centre, with the usual post-match coverage available across club channels following the full-time whistle.

Highlights | Under-21s secure victory over Norwich last time out

"Last weekend, Fulham became just the second team to win at Sunderland this season. It was a top result from a side that have been strong at home too, while Igor Tudor has been outlining how he’s set to approach his second game in charge."

Rob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit

Who starts on the wing for Fulham?

Marco Silva has confirmed winger Kevin will miss the match with an injury picked up at the Stadium of Light. “A big blow for us,” explained Fulham’s manager in the week, “(We’re starting) to see the reason he was brought in - the quality was becoming more difficult for opponents to control." However, they have suitable replacements out on the left side. Samuel Chukwueze, on loan from AC Milan, could be fit to feature and was a perpetual threat playing the position at Spurs earlier in the season. Another option is Oscar Bobb, who came on for Kevin at Sunderland, hoping for a first start following his £27m move from Manchester City. Harry Wilson hasn’t always been a regular starter for Fulham since his 2021 move from Liverpool, but at the moment he’s a certainty to play down the right on Sunday. A superbly weighted pass into Alex Iwobi (more on him later) to score on Wearside last week was his 13th goal contribution in the league this season (8 goals, 5 assists).

How will Igor Tudor approach this game?

Having sat down with Igor Tudor this week, it’s clear he may have to tailor his style to get Spurs the points they need, saying 'now is not the time for footballing philosophy'. “I need to be smart to understand deeper the moment and (sic) how to take the points, even not looking to the style now in this moment,” he further outlined in his press conference. His teams are known for their high-intensity pressing but the Croatian spoke of how the team’s injury crisis makes that difficult, given the demands being put upon the fit players in the squad. “It's fantastic to go to press up and that's when I speak about style. That's also one part of the style, how you want to be without the ball, but then if you have too many problems back, then you need to think about the style - it's the right style.”

Could we see Spurs change formation?

All of this leaves the door open to a potential to switch of formation too, with Tudor refusing to confirm whether he’d move from his preferred 3 at the back to 4 at Craven Cottage. “We will see, all options are there," he said. With 13 fit players for the north London derby, including Dominic Solanke and Richarlison only on the bench after illness and injury respectively, Spurs went 3-5-2 with Joao Palhinha in defence and Archie Gray at wing-back. Crucially, the return of Kevin Danso and Pedro Porro gives greater options for a similar set up again, but Spurs' Head Coach says he and his staff having been working to think of various ways of setting up to get results.

Can Palhinha shut down Fulham's midfield runner?

Alex Iwobi’s deployment in a deeper midfield role has been a real find for Fulham. Having come through as a winger at Arsenal, the Nigerian international has shown for club and country how effective he can be working centrally. With Emile Smith-Rowe or Josh King operating in the 10 position, Iwobi is playing in the double pivot, given the licence to drive in possession and break forward as he did to score his smart goal at Sunderland last week. Former Fulham favourite Joao Palhinha may be tasked with shutting him down – a player Tudor has called 'a big leader'. “Important for the dressing room, all his skills, not just as a player, also as a human being, you know… you believe in that moments are the best for the team, and in this particular moment, some of us need to play in the role that he's not the best position.” Let’s see if those two go head-to-head in midfield.

Women’s Academy player Eloise Summers-Mee made her debut for Scotland Under-19s in a 1-1 draw with Belgium on Saturday afternoon.

The young forward, who is competing at Under-19s level for the first time this season and has made 17 appearances so far for our young side this term, this month earned her maiden international call-up and went straight into the starting XI for the first of a double-header against Belgium.

Eloise completed just over an hour before being substituted as part of a number of changes in the second period for the young Scots.

Next up for Scotland Under-19s and Eloise is another friendly with Belgium on Tuesday morning (10am UK).

Another huge challenge awaits our Women’s Under-19s this weekend against Dulwich Hamlet, but midfielder Rania Oukriss is her usual self - not fazed by the task at hand and more relishing the chance to shine on a senior stage.

Battling through injury in the first half of the season, Rania is now certainly stamping her mark on Sabiha Jamal’s side in her second year as an Under-19 player, registering seven goal contributions (one goal and six assists) in 14 appearances across all competitions.

One of the more senior players in our group in recent weeks, which has featured a number of Under-16s stepping up, the exciting midfielder is now tasked to lead our young squad to go toe-to-toe with senior opposition this weekend - facing Dulwich in the first round of the Capital Cup on Sunday (kick-off 2pm at Champion Hill).

It’s a familiar opponent for our youngsters, where we put in a spirited performance against Dulwich in the semi-final stage last season but fell narrowly short, and while Rania wasn’t involved in the matchday squad for that fixture, she is now relishing the opportunity to face them this weekend.

“I expect it to be a tough game,” she told us, looking ahead to the cup clash. “Of course, we played them last season, I wasn't there but we narrowly lost, and I just expect the team to have maybe learnt from that experience, bring a bit more fire, having known we've lost to them before. I expect the team to come with the belief that we can win it this time.

“From the feedback by the girls, they said it was quite tough, they said as well as it's a physical battle, the crowd also brings a mental battle, but I think it's something I can thrive off. It's just a thing where you have to hyperfocus on your goal, which is just to go there and win.

“They're very much more about asserting their dominance in a game through strength, physicality and senior opposition games are important to me because facing that helps you then unlock something as a player that we maybe haven’t had the chance to unlock yet.”

Having taken on captaincy duties for our Under-19s in recent weeks, Rania reflected on the importance of not dwelling on any injury setbacks earlier this season and how much she has learned leading the side.

“It's quite key to just not let any injuries set you back really, to make sure that the second you do come back, to pick up where you left off and if not, go further than that. I think being able to be captain just shows a bit more maturity from me, maybe a bit more values of leadership. I really enjoy it, it's quite fun, being able to help the team out, and I'm pretty sure they appreciate it.

“It's just really important to be consistent, to have a good game but make sure it's every game, and that's what I've been trying to do. I'm glad that the work is being recognised.”

F1 Academy champion and motorsport driver Abbi Pulling on the challenges she faced on the growth of Women’s involvement in sport and her journey to being a Spurs fan.

Having had the opportunity to meet the Women’s First Team squad last year, the 22-year-old was in attendance for our Women’s Super League London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

One of the brightest female motorsport drivers in the world, Abbi certainly made a name for herself on the biggest stage of all, winning the F1 Academy Championship in 2024 after a stellar second season in the competition, having previously competed in the W-Series.

She is now getting prepared for her second season in the GB3 Championship, which is scheduled to start in April, with Rodin Motorsport, where she finished in tenth out of 35 drivers, and became the first female podium finisher in GB3 at Brands Hatch in round six.

Speaking to us ahead of her visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the WSL London derby earlier this month, Abbi told us her Spurs story…

First of all Abbi, why Spurs?

Abbi: “My family have supported Spurs since I was little, but I didn't really get into football until I moved out. My housemate is also a massive Spurs fan, so it always was on the TV and I started to enjoy football more, and watching other sports in general, as I just normally used to watch motorsport. Last year, I got to meet the Women’s squad in person and it was a whole different experience. I came down to a training session, Bethany England came over to me and we had a bit of a conversation. It was nice to be seen and for them to appreciate what I do as much as I was watching them do their job and appreciate what they do. Whenever there's an opportunity I always come down to London, I always try to get down to watch the game.”

How did it feel to be at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to see our Women’s First Team take on Chelsea?

Abbi: “It was incredible to go pitchside, get up and close with everyone. It’s always a pleasure to come back here, at the stadium, especially for such a big game and they were very unfortunate to not come away with anything but it was amazing to see the thousands of supporters in attendance and cheering on the team.”

What are your earliest football memories?

Abbi: “I got taken to a game, the men’s north London derby in the 2021/22 season, and we won 3-0. It was the first time I'd ever been to a football game and it hasn’t been the last. It was just a different atmosphere that I'd never experienced before and, since then, I've been hooked and I've got all my shirts hanging up.”

Have you been following our Women’s season so far?

Abbi: “I've been keeping up to date. I've not been able to watch every single game, I have to admit, due to my schedule, but they have been doing fantastic this season. We’re obviously sitting fifth in the table, while today’s game against Chelsea is looking exciting – if there’s any game you want to win, it’s this one.”

When you are around the paddock or on the racing track, which player do you feel you resemble the most?

Abbi: “I like Bethany England and Lenna Gunning-Williams for two different reasons. I think Bethany is such a great leader and she really champions the girls; she tries to push the team forward. On a more personal level, I relate more to Lenna as she's quite a character, quite a lot of banter and always a smile on her face. I always say when I'm happy, I always drive the best and I feel like I see a bit of that in Lenna as well. When she's enjoying herself, she looks like she's just having a great game.”

How did you get involved in motorsport?

Abbi: “I got involved through my dad as he used to race on motorbikes. My whole childhood was spent at the racetrack and, at around the age of eight, I ended up having a go myself - not on two wheels, on four wheels as I don't think I'd be trusted and have the concentration for that – and the love just stemmed from there. He then got me my own kart and that was kind of the snowball effect for everything. He took me every weekend in my own go-kart. He loved it just as much as I did, which was quite a beautiful thing.”

What were the challenges you faced in motorsport as a young female?

Abbi: “It would be the dads, of a different generation, telling their sons, ‘don't let her beat you’, ‘you can't let a girl overtake you’, and so on. It was kind of frustrating but also lit a fire in my belly. My dad would just say, ‘you've got to prove them wrong’ and I felt like most of my career, I've just been trying to prove people wrong and the stereotypes and stigmas around Women in sport as a whole, not just motor sport. As a youngster, I was just living a blissful, ignorance life, that I was just loving the sport but I heard things here and there, but it didn't really get to me - maybe as much as it would have now. Sometimes I've got to remember to be the eight-year-old Abbi again, to put the blinders on and just focus on myself, have fun and not let the noise get to me. It can be quite intimidating at times, but I've got to be the one that pushes on through and tries to achieve great things because I'm one of the people that's inspiring the next generation of female racers. A lot of us are pioneering our way through single seaters and, I think, I'm the highest-level single-seated female driver at the moment, so that's quite cool. I also want to do it justice, go further and prove to not just other females, but to the world that we're here to stay, we're here to win.”

Have you seen the growth of Women in motorsport – similar to how we have seen the growth of Women’s football over the last few years?

Abbi: “We were very fortunate that, before all the buzz around the Lionesses’ success in football, there were motorsport championships like W Series that was all-female championship, which had never been done to that level before. Then, obviously, the Lionesses did what they did and have enjoyed enormous success in their last two Euros, and it's changed the landscape fully for us. Women in sport is becoming much more of a norm and much more respected. We now see Women's games on TV regularly - and it's just those small things that shouldn't be a shock, but it is. It's improving and, with that, also the landscape and perception in motorsport is changing.”

How did it feel winning the F1 Academy in 2024?

Abbi: “It was phenomenal. I came into the championship as a dark horse because, in my rookie season in the series, I don't think people expected much of me. I think everyone has their own stories, their own things going on, and it just wasn't my year. So, going into 2024, my second year, I knew what I was capable of and I made sure to remember to champion myself, big myself up. It was an unforgettable year, on the podium for every race, 10 pole positions and nine race wins in 14 races throughout the year. It was absolutely insane and, to do it on the F1 package, where there's so many people watching and so many eyes, not letting that pressure get to you and still performing weekend in, weekend out, it was a really special year, and I learned a lot from that year.”