Tottenham Hotspur

Ben Davies became only the fourth player to reach a century of caps for Wales when he led his country out against Belgium on Monday evening.

Our longest-serving player follows in the footsteps of two former Spurs players - Gareth Bale and Chris Gunter - and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to hit three figures. Bale tops the list on 111, Gunter and Hennessey reached 109.

Ben joined us on 23 July, 2014 from Swansea. He progressed through Swansea's Academy to make 85 appearances in all competitions, including lifting the League Cup in 2013. He'd earned 10 caps on joining us.

Ben has completed 11 full seasons as a Spurs player. He made his debut for us in Europe - the Europa League play-off, first leg against AEL Limassol in Cyprus on 21 August, 2014.

Ben is one of only 29 players to make over 350 appearances for us since we joined the Football League in 1908. He's currently level on 358 with Darren Anderton. He has a couple of former team-mates in his sights - Eric Dier (365) and Aaron Lennon (367).

Appearances in all competitions

Ben is currently 10th in our all-time Premier League appearance list on 242, a list topped by his former team-mates Hugo Lloris, Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane.

Premier League appearances

Ben is just three appearances away from joining and four from overtaking Harry Kane at the top of our all-time European appearances list. Harry made 76 between his debut against Hearts in the Europa League in 2011 and departing in 2023. Ben moved up into second last season.

European appearances

Ben Davies proudly led Wales out as he earned his 100th cap against Belgium - but the night ended in disappointment for the defender.

First capped in 2012, Ben became only the fourth player to reach a century for Wales after Gareth Bale (111), Chris Gunter and Wayne Hennessey (both 109) as he wore the armband for an important FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Everything looked to be going to plan when Ben's former Spurs team-mate Joe Rodon headed Wales into the lead after eight minutes at Cardiff City Stadium.

Unfortunately, that was the high point. Belgium levelled 10 minutes later through Kevin de Bruyne from the penalty spot after a handball against Ethan Ampadu and went ahead through Thomas Meunier on 24 minutes.

Wales fought back in terms of possession and territory at the start of the second half but then a huge blow as Ben was forced off after 71 minutes. De Bruyne soon added Belgium's third - another handball, another penalty - and any hopes of a comeback when Nathan Broadhead struck in the 89th minute were ended by Leandro Trossard's quick reply for 4-2 a minute later.

Brennan Johnson came off the bench on 58 minutes.

The result leaves Wales third in WCQ Group J with their final two matches next month against bottom side Liechtenstein (played six, lost six) on 15 November and then a crucial final game against North Macedonia, currently second, three points ahead but having played a game more, on 18 November. If, as expected, Wales beat Liechtenstein, then they will be level on points with North Macedonia going into that final group fixture.

Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert led the way for free-scoring France Under-21s as they hit their opponents for six for the second time in this international window in UEFA U21 Championship qualifying.

After contributing a goal each in Friday's 6-0 win against Faroe Islands, plus an assist for Wilson, they went one better with three goals and an assist each in a 6-1 win against Estonia in Grenoble - eight goal contributions in four days!

Mathys opened the scoring from Wilson's assist on nine minutes and soon laid into the path for Djaoui Cisse to fire home for 2-0. Mathys was involved in the build up as Wilson finished at the far post for 4-1 in the second half and Wilson then drilled home from 20 yards for 5-1 on 79 minutes and was inches away from a hat-trick as another curler clipped the post.

Mathys was withdrawn on 83 minutes, Wilson completed the full shift.

Alejo Veliz's fine goalscoring run for loan side Rosario Central continued on Sunday.

In a league clash with Velez Sarsfield, Alejo, who is spending the on loan with his former side Central until the summer of 2026, found the back of the net once more as Rosario ran out 2-1 winners in Buenos Aires.

Having joined them midway through what is their 2025 season, the forward has now scored three goals in his last four games and four goals in his last seven.

His fine form has helped Central continue their impeccable form in the 2025 campaign.

Having finished top of the Torneo Aperatura (the first league table of the campaign), losing just once in the league phase before falling in the knockouts stages to Huracan, they are now unbeaten in Torneo Clausura following the arrival of the now 22-year-old.

Already 11 games into the season, they have won five and drawn six times so far, which sees them nestled in the top four, just two points off top and with a game in hand.

In the overall table, consisting of results from both Torneo Aperatura and Torneo Clausura, they sit top, six points clear of Boca Juniors and seven points clear of their rivals River Plate.

It was a resilient performance at Chelsea in the Women’s Super League on Sunday and, although it ended in a 1-0 defeat to the current league leaders, Amanda Nildén was full of praise for the side’s defensive display.

There’s no hiding that the Blues, who went into the London derby on a 27-game unbeaten run, forced us to defend for most of the contest but an impressive, determined performance at the back limited them to few clearcut opportunities.

Goalless at the hour-mark at Kingsmeadow, it took a long-range stunner from Kiera Walsh to break the deadlock on 61 minutes and that ultimately inflicted just our second loss in the WSL this term.

Despite the defeat, Amanda, who was named your Player of the Match, commended our resolute defensive display and highlighted the ‘big improvements’ made already this campaign.

“It was a really good defensive shift from us,” she told us, reflecting on the game with SPURSPLAY. “I’m proud of our performance. Unfortunately, we conceded one goal, but I’m proud of how we defended the game and how we put our bodies on the line.

“In the first half, the number of blocks we made showed our determination and they only had one shot on target while we had two. That shows how much we were willing to put our bodies on the line to keep Chelsea back.

“We have more to work on in attack, keeping the ball when we’re tired and creating more chances against these teams, but we take it step by step. I think we’re making big improvements this season.”

Next up is the visit of Birmingham City in the second game of the Subway Women’s League Cup group phase – tickets available to buy – and the Sweden international highlights the importance of the cup game at Brisbane Road.

“That’s also important for us - both the league and the cup. We want to go as far as we can - that’s our goal. So, it’s an important game for us to top the group and get through,” she added.

“If you look at how many points we’ve taken and our performances in games, it’s a big difference. We have a lot more to come, so I’m really excited for the next games.”

How time flies...

It doesn't seem like yesterday that Anson Boon strolled out at Tottenham Hotspur with Hollywood royalty, Susan Sarandon, and announced to the wider world that he was a Spurs fan. It was the opening day of the season, Villa at home, a couple of goals from Harry Kane and debut strike from Tanguy Ndombele sending us all home happy.

That was over six years ago.

Since then, Anson has seen his beloved Spurs win the UEFA Europa League (he had planned to be there in Bilbao - more on that later) and, away from N17, seen his acting career go from strength to strength - a role in Sam Mendes' blockbuster 1917, playing Sex Pistols' front man Johnny Rotten in Danny Boyles' Pistol and now, playing Eddie Harrigan in huge hit show MobLand alongside the likes of Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, Paddy Considine and Dame Helen Mirren. Next up, the film Good Boy, where he stars alongside British great, Stephen Graham. He's on the film's premiere circuit now...

We caught up with Anson as he filmed our Champions League promotional video (above) at the famous old Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley...

The obvious starting point - can you believe it's six years since you walked out at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Susan Sarandon?

Anson: "That's crazy, isn't it? Six years ago. I remember how excited she was to see the stadium because she'd heard all about it from me! The whole time we'd been filming Blackbird together I was going on about it. She was excited to be here in England and I said, 'you have to experience a football match and you have to come to the Spurs stadium', which was really new at that point. I remember taking her and the wonder on her face when she stepped out onto the pitch. I still get that as well, particularly on Champions League nights, the way it's lit up. There's something special about the stadium at night, every time I walk out and get into my seat, I still feel that same sense of wonder because it is a remarkable stadium."

Six years... if we just take Spurs out of the equation, just look what's happened to you in those six years...

Anson: "Well, we've had a pandemic and an actor's strike, which stunted work, slightly, but things are picking up again, which is great. And yeah, I've had some incredible experiences."

Some huge roles - Johnny Rotten in Pistol, for example...

Anson: "I mean, that's an iconic role to play - despite the fact he's an Arsenal fan! To play an icon like Johnny Rotten, that was absolutely incredible. To do it for a director like Danny Boyle, who really is a national treasure, yes, that was really special. Going from working with Danny Boyle to Guy Ritchie (MobLand) was unbelievable as well, another top, top director, and Sam Mendes, I filmed 1917 in between."

It feels like your career has been building, building, building and then MobLand comes along... is that the game changer?

Anson: "I think so, yeah. MobLand has just exploded in a way that I don't think any of us were prepared for, which is great. People seem to be loving it. I had so much fun playing that naughty character (Eddie Harrigan). Also just working for Guy Ritchie, I'd always admired all of his films, particularly Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, two of my favourite films. To then actually step into his world and be in something that he's making was everything I ever wanted it to be. The best way I can describe working on a Guy Ritchie set is it is a little bit like being down the pub, in the best way! He takes all these people onto his jobs, such a mixture of interesting characters, people with really good stories and it's a great working environment."

Do you find as you get older, more experienced, you're more comfortable on set with the likes of Pierce Brosnan, Dame Helen Mirren, Tom Hardy..?

Anson: "I am from a normal family. No-one in my family works in the industry, so I'm doing everything for the first time. I didn't grow up around this. I do genuinely still feel excited when I step onto set with people like that, people that I grew up watching in films. I don't really want that feeling to ever go, because it's what keeps my work so exciting. I feel so lucky to be... the fact that I can sit here and say to you that in four weeks' time we're going to start filming MobLand series two, and I'm going to be back on set with Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan, Tom Hardy, Paddy Considine, all these great actors. I still feel so grateful and excited by it. I don't want that to wear off."

Has Mobland changed your life?

Anson: "Yeah, when I did Pistol, people who were real fans of the band, or music fans and stuff like that, or fans of Danny Boyle, would come over and chat to me. MobLand has just reached such a wide audience and the most amazing thing is the diversity of people that come up to me. I get people in their teens, I get people in their 80s and it really is cool and quite special to me that the show has reached such a big demographic. I love it. If people have enjoyed something that you're in as an actor, there's nothing better than someone coming to tell you that. So, yes, things have changed, but it's exciting. It's nice that people are watching my work."

So, back to Spurs - how are you managing to balance work and being able to watch Spurs? I know how much Spurs mean to you - but there's a natural shift here that work is going to have to come first...

Anson: "Football is football and no matter what changes in my life, nothing's ever going to change that. My love for Spurs, that's the constant. I still have the same Season Ticket I had before I did any of these roles. I still sit in the same seat. So, now people want to come and chat at half-time, chat about my work, chat about the game, it's nice. I still go in all the same pubs."

There's no better grounding, right? You might be in a series with Tom Hardy, but once you get around your mates at Spurs...

Anson: "Exactly, exactly. Do you know what? It's something that is really important to me as an actor - maintaining the 'normality' of life. That's me. That's how you meet people, and that's what you can bring, as an actor, to a role. Everything that you experience in life is unique to you and something that another actor couldn't bring to a role. All these things that go on in life, that's what makes you right for a role. So, yeah, I definitely still enjoy meeting all the characters I do down the Coach & Horses on a matchday or down the Antwerp Arms."

Okay, tell everyone your Bilbao story...

Anson: "I had my flights booked. I had my ticket... and then I couldn't make it in the end, for a number of reasons. I was devastated. But we won. That's the important part."

Where did you end up watching the final?

Anson: "I was in Spain, on the southern tip of Spain. The irony! I know, can you believe it? I watched it, obviously. I was with my family."

How were the emotions when the final whistle went?

Anson: "We'd been there before, just a few years ago (Champions League Final, 2019) hadn't we? You know, that really exciting build up to a big final. Obviously, that ended in a bit of disappointment so, this time around, I did feel really, really wary. I knew we could do it and it felt written in the stars in a way, didn't it? But you don't want to admit it or jinx it. And then when it finally actually happened, I think it took me a few days to actually come round and believe it, because it just didn't feel real. But how amazing. And I think it's the perfect fuel to send us into this Champions League campaign."

How excited are you for that?

"I missed the first one against Villarreal, but I'll be there for the rest. I'm really excited, particularly because of our new manager, Thomas Frank, I think he's the real deal. We've got great players and I really feel this is a good time to get stuck into the Champions League. I'm really excited about some of the young players that are coming into Spurs. I look at Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray and I think, 'they are the future of our club'. We had the likes of Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembele, Dele in Mauricio Pochettino's squad. Wow, that's 10 years ago! How crazy is that? We had all these great midfielders and now I feel like we're raising a new generation that are going to fill that slot, you know? I think it's a really exciting time for Spurs, particularly with Thomas Frank coming in and all these younger players coming through."

Anson's latest film, Good Boy, is in cinemas now - follow him on Instagram - @ansonboon

Mohammed Kudus scored the only goal of the game as Ghana defeated Comoros 1-0 at home on Sunday evening to book their place at next summer’s World Cup finals.

Needing just a point to rubber-stamp their spot at the tournament, Ghana took the game to the visitors but had to wait until the 47th minute to break the deadlock.

After a goalmouth scramble, Mo converted from close range to put his side in front – and that’s how it stayed, as Ghana topped Group I in the African section of qualifying, six points clear of second-placed Madagascar.

It means Ghana will make their fifth appearance at the World Cup finals next year.

Mo was substituted on 76 minutes.

Elsewhere on Sunday night, Yves Bissouma made his first appearance of the season after injury as he came on for Mali against Madagascar, but sadly it was a short-lived one. He entered the action on 66 minutes with his side 3-0 up at home, but had to be withdrawn again just six minutes later. Mali went on to win 4-1 in what was their final World Cup qualifier – they finished third in Group I, one point behind the visitors.

Meanwhile, Kevin Danso watched on as an unused substitute for Austria as their World Cup qualification hopes were dented by a 1-0 loss away to Romania. The hosts scored in the 95th minute to keep their own hopes of reaching the tournament alive – Austria are now two points clear of second-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina at the top of Group H in the European section with two games remaining. Romania are third, five points off the leaders.

On-loan defender Luka Vuskovic wasn’t involved for Croatia, whose 3-0 home win over Gibraltar means they’re all-but assured of qualifying as winners of Group L. With a heavily-favourable goal difference, they need just a point from their remaining two games to be mathematically certain, although whatever happens they’re assured of at least a play-off berth.

Xavi Simons stepped off the bench to set up the Netherlands’ fourth goal in their 4-0 home win over Finland in World Cup qualifying on Sunday.

The attacking midfielder replaced Donyell Malen in the 79th minute and just five minutes later, his pass led to Cody Gakpo lashing in from outside the box to complete the scoring.

Micky van de Ven enjoyed a clean sheet at the other end – he started the game before being replaced by Nathan Ake 19 minutes from time.

Malen, Virgil van Dijk and a Memphis Depay penalty, all in the first half, had put the Netherlands in command.

The result strengthens the home side’s position at the top of Group G – only second-placed Poland can mathematically catch them.

Earlier on Sunday, young defender Harry Byrne started and played 66 minutes for Republic of Ireland Under-19s in their 2-2 draw away to Albania in a friendly.

Our trio on duty for England Under-18s were also involved in a 2-2 friendly draw as their meeting with France ended all square at St George’s Park. Winger Tynan Thompson and defender Elijah Upson started – they were withdrawn after 63 and 75 minutes respectively – with the latter replaced by Spurs team-mate Jun’ai Byfield.

Martin Ho said ‘he couldn’t have asked for more’ from his players as our resilient performance was undone by Keira Walsh’s stunning second half strike to earn Chelsea a 1-0 win in the Women’s Super League.

Facing the league leaders in the WSL, who are currently on a 28-game unbeaten run in the competition, we were defensively resolute in the first half and restricted the Blues to just one shot on target – compared to our two, and we arguably had the best chance in the first period when Cathinka Tandberg’s effort was deflected narrowly wide.

We continued to withstand the home side’s relentless pressure going forward in the early parts of the second half but, on the hour mark, Keira Walsh produced a moment of quality to break the deadlock with a low strike from distance.

Our determined performance continued after going behind, staying in the game until the very end but we were unable to find a leveller - although there will be many positives to take from the strong defensive display in west London.

“We were resilient, we limited them to not many clear-cut chances - a lot of half chances,” Martin told us, speaking to SPURSPLAY after the game.

“I couldn’t have asked for any more from the players in terms of effort, commitment and desire. We had a few moments with the ball and we need more of that but, in games like this, it’s hard when you’re defending your goal for so long.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to get a foothold. But that performance defensively will give us a lot of confidence moving forward.

“In the first half, they had a lot of half chances but not many clear-cut ones. Amanda [Nilden] did really well one-v-one out wide, and the back line as well as the midfield got in front of the ball, put in some big blocks, and stopped some really good opportunities on goal. In the second half, as the game opened up a bit more, Keira Walsh got half a yard on the edge of the box — and she’s a world-class player and she took that chance.”

Although it ended in defeat for us, with Martin’s impressive start now reading four wins in six WSL matches, our Head Coach feels we can take plenty of confidence from the performance into the rest of the campaign.

“From game to game, we’ve taken big steps and this is another one - against a top-quality team, the champions, unbeaten in nearly 30 games,” he explained.

“When you can put in defensive performances like that, it sets you up for success moving forward. If you get the foundation right, you become hard to beat. And with the quality and class we have going forward, we’ll get our moments.

“I couldn’t have asked for any more from the players - they gave me absolutely everything, and that’s the most important thing.”

A determined, resolute defensive display was punctured once at Kingsmeadow - and that was enough for Chelsea to take the Women's Super League points on Sunday.

The bare facts of Chelsea's 27 efforts at goal and 67 touches in our box don't really tell the story as Lize Kop was rarely seriously threatened. That was down to our defensive structure and willingness for players to throw themselves in front of the ball - of those 27 efforts, only four hit the target.

In the end, a moment of magic from midfielder Keira Walsh made the difference. In a yard of space 30 yards out, Walsh switched onto her right foot and drilled beyond Kop into the far corner, extending the WSL title holders unbeaten run to 26 matches.

Meanwhile, our impressive start under Martin Ho in the WSL now reads four wins in six matches.

Both teams made changes going into the derby. Martin Ho made two with Olga Ahtinen and Matilda Vinberg in for Drew Spence and Olivia Holdt. Molly Bartrip was on the bench for the first time this season after injury. Sonia Bompastore switched it up for Chelsea with seven changes - Hannah Hampton, Nathalie Bjorn, Keira Walsh, Erin Cuthbert, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Wieke Kaptein and Niamh Charles all back in.

Chelsea dominated possession and territory in the first half - 45 touches in our box, 13 corners, a WSL high - but we held firm - and the interesting stat at the end of the first half was that we had two shots on target to Chelsea's one.

Those efforts came from Tinka Tandberg, her shot blocked after Vinberg's drive forward and Eveliina Summanen, a 20-yard free-kick straight at Hannah Hampton.

Chelsea had 15 efforts, yet failed to seriously trouble Lize Kop. Her best save was a brave dive at the feet of Aggy Beever-Jones on 23 minutes and a clean take from Millie Bright's free-kick on 38. Otherwise, the lively Alyssa Thompson curled wide, Bright's goalbound header from one of the 13 corners was blocked and Chelsea's best chance, Rytting Kaneryd missing a header in front of goal from Ellie Carpenter's cross in added time.

The second half followed a similar pattern with us defending doggedly as Chelsea piled on the pressure. Now, though, the home side started to create better chances - Bright nudged Erin Cuthbert's corner just over and Kop parried away Thompson's curler diving to her left. Thompson was denied by Ashleigh Neville's block and Kop clawed away Bright's header - but then Chelsea broke the deadlock...

After all the possession in and around the box, it took something special to beat Kop, provided by Walsh's fierce low drive into the corner beyond the goalkeeper from 30 yards.

We had a glimpse of goal 10 minutes later when Vinberg chased a ball over the top and blocked Hampton's clearance with the goalkeeper way out of her area. Bright bundled Vinberg over and was booked. Vinberg struck the free-kick into the wall.

Sam Kerr nodded Cuthbert's free-kick just wide with five minutes remaining and that was that for the chances.