Tottenham Hotspur

Already assured of a place in the top eight and a home tie in the end-of-season play-offs before the game, Wayne Burnett’s side largely dominated proceedings at the Wham Stadium, home of Accrington Stanley, with goals either side of the break from the returning Max McFadden and Tynan Thompson – celebrating his 18th birthday – getting the job done.

Only a six-goal winning margin would have seen us move from eighth spot, with the final outcome leaving us on 35 points from our 20 games. Leicester City now await as we move into the knockout stage of the campaign.

More to follow.

Familiar faces

During his two-year tenure, Roberto De Zerbi guided Brighton to a best-ever top-flight finish (sixth), an FA Cup semi-final, a first European campaign and eventual Europa League elimination to Roma in the Round of 16. From that tie, Pascal Gross, who re-joined in January from Dortmund, anchored midfield while Danny Welbeck, Brighton’s 13-goal top scorer this season, led the line. “I’ve been lucky enough to play under some great managers - he is definitely a special manager,” explained the former Manchester United and Arsenal striker, at the time. Bart Verbruggen has since consolidated his status as the club’s number one goalkeeper, while Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk remain first-choice centre-backs. Carlos Baleba, Jack Hinshelwood and Kaoru Mitoma are amongst those familiar with the Italian’s methods too, but it’s worth noting Dunk is suspended– a notable loss for Brighton at the back.

How are Brighton getting on?

The Seagulls coped without Dunk last weekend, beating Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor - a fifth win in six to stay within touching distance of Europe. Fabian Hürzeler rarely deviates from their 4-2-3-1 formation, and there’s some tactical overlap with De Zerbi’s style too. Van Hecke stays patient on the ball, able to bait attackers to press him before playing a pass into midfield. Versatile academy product Hinshelwood is enjoying a number 10 role at the moment, while Diego Gomez, scorer at Spurs last season, is into double figures this term, often deployed on the right side of attack – with the ability to play central too. The trend of using midfielders at full-back has continued too, to great effect, with Mats Wieffer scoring both goals last weekend from the right side of defence.

How will Spurs approach this game?

De Zerbi stressed pre-Sunderland: “I don't want to give too many principles, too many instructions on the pitch,” highlighting after the game it’s the mental side of things his team need to improve upon. Regardless, there were glimpses of his preferred style last Sunday. In the opening two minutes, as Spurs built from Toni Kinsky, rolling the ball under his studs, before Cristian Romero punched a pass into the frontline to start a swift attack nearly finished by Lucas Bergvall. As the game wore on, Sunderland pressed more effectively, stopping Spurs from playing out as much as De Zerbi would like – so will the extra time at Hotspur Way this week help iron out the approach further? The loss of Romero is big, for many reasons, including his ability to play line-breaking passes.

Shaping the front line

There were notable tweaks to De Zerbi’s preferred tactical set up against Sunderland last weekend. At Brighton and Marseille, he’d often want his two strikers (or striker and 10) to both drop deep when the team has possession to get on the ball. This would force opposition centre-backs to make a decision. Either follow them into the opposition half and vacate space behind, leaving space for wingers to burst into centrally, or hold their position on the halfway line and allow an overload in midfield. However, Dominic Solanke stayed high as the number nine against Sunderland, with only Bergvall, the number 10, coming short for the ball. Will Spurs go for a similar approach – and could Mathys Tel, wanted by De Zerbi at Marseille, or Xavi Simons, earn a start?

Last week, injury to Mo Kudus, now Romero out for the season – how disappointing is that?

Roberto: "Romero, I'm very sorry for him, for his injury. First of all, Romero loves Tottenham, people have to know he's suffering for this injury, suffering because he can't play for us again this season. He's a great captain for us. We have to be positive. We have Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso, they are able to play, to play well, to give us the quality with the ball and to be strong in the defensive space so we can win. We want to win."

How has training been this week?

Roberto: “I have to get to know my players better and better every week, it's much better. Anyway, we have no time, we have no time to lose, we have no time to understand the problems we have spent this season and we have to be focused just on the next game and to transfer confidence to… I can bring myself, I can bring my philosophy of football, but also I'm working to create a good atmosphere, a good relationship with the players. I think in this moment, especially for Tottenham in this season, but in this moment of football, the qualities of the players are important but the spirit, the relationship between the players, the love the players put for their club are more important, for sure.”

I hear you took the players out for dinner?

Roberto: “Yes, I don't know if we win the game for dinner. I know we eat very well, the food was amazing, and if we win I'm ready to pay every week - one dinner.”

Did you see an uplift in the spirits of your players after that dinner? What did you make of how they reacted to just having some time away from the training pitch?

Roberto: “I believe in the people. I believe in the human relationship. I believe in the spirit. I believe in the soul of the players, before speaking about tactical dispositions, style of play, defensive play, with the ball, without the ball, set pieces… these things are important but, first of all, I work with people, with their problems. There are a lot of players and we have to build or rebuild or find in these last weeks the best relationship we can find. I want to see on the pitch players help their team-mates and push everybody for one target and to achieve our big, big target for us, because if we don't achieve our target, everyone loses something in their career.”

Do you have any players coming back for this game tomorrow?

Roberto: "Bentancur is available to play, I don't know if he starts the game or not. Bissouma is available 100% more than Sunderland game (where Yves was an unused substitute) but Vicario, no. Vicario is another top guy. I'm looking forward to work with him. Kinsky played very well against Sunderland, but Vicario is another important player for us - big experience, big character and personality.”

What do you think of the work that Fabian Hurzeler has done at Brighton and the way they play?

Roberto: “Fabian is a great coach, he's doing very well. I love Brighton. I love my former players. I'm grateful with Tony Bloom, with Paul Barber, with all players, all people working in this club. There are a lot of very good players, but Fabian is working very well and it's credit for what they are doing.”

With Romero out, who will be your captain tomorrow?

"I have to decide, I didn't decide yet because I have had other, more important problems to find a solution. I would like all players to feel to be a captain, especially in this moment. It's not important if you play in the first XI, if you play 30 minutes or 90 minutes, you can't play anyway, we have to feel everyone the responsibility of this situation and we can't cry, otherwise we have to push and to be stronger to come out of this situation, because we are able to do that.”

James Maddison is a leader, a character and back in training – could he play a part before the end of the season?

Roberto: "There are a lot of different types of leader. The leader who talks inside of the dressing room, the leader with the ball, the leader in the tough moment, the leader because he helps the team-mates. I think to be a stronger team we need many many leaders, for sure Maddison is different, Maddison is a top player on the pitch with the ball but also as a personality, as a character, as a mentality on the pitch. I would like to reach this level for Micky van der Ven, for example. Betancur is a leader, Palhinha is another leader. I would like to push with Solanke, because Solanke is one of the best strikers in Premier League and I want him stronger as a personality, as a character on the pitch. Also, Xavi Simons is very young, but he's a leader with the ball because he has personality, has the right character to receive the ball when the ball is hot, because it's not so easy to play in this moment for us, but we need players with personality and character, otherwise they don't play with me."

With Maddison, when do you think he will be able to play some minutes?

Roberto: "I don't know yet. I don't want to push too much. I'm used to waiting for the players when they are available, totally available to play and to restart the training, because it's better to lose one game more than to take a risk for another new injury."

The situation in the table is even worse than when you joined last week - how much of what you're trying to build is in terms of mentality?

Roberto: “I'm positive. I'm ready to fight. I believe to keep the Premier League, I believe in my words, what I said the last week was the focus is to win one game. I don't know if tomorrow we are able to win, I hope and I think we have the quality enough to win a game, but anyway we have to be stronger because the qualities of the player are bigger than all difficult we are spending in this moment.”

Do you think this might be a situation in which you just need to win one game and then everything can change?

Roberto: “Yes, I think it's crucial to win a game, not just for the table, okay, one part for the table for sure, but because we have to feel again what is nice to win a game and what they can do, because I have no doubt about the qualities of the players. When I watch the list of the squad – Bentancur, Bissouma, Palhinha, Xavi Simons, Kolo Muani, Richarlison, Micky van der Ven and I'm lucky for that. Okay, now is a tough moment, but to achieve the great target you have to pass through difficult times.“

When you reflect on your time with Brighton, how much have you evolved in your career?

Roberto: “Brighton is a special place for me, like Marseille, because Marseille is finishing in a different way but anyway, Brighton and Marseille for me are very close as emotions, as memories it was a magic place for me, it was a magic atmosphere with the players, relationship with the players. They are a lot like my children, because the relationship is so close - Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross, Jason Steele, Webster, Veltman, Lewis Dunk… a lot of great memories, but I want to win tomorrow, for sure.”

Our new Head Coach confirmed at his pre-Brighton press conference on Friday that skipper Cuti will miss the rest of the season with the knee injury he suffered at Sunderland last weekend - better news sees Rodri Bentancur return.

Asked who might wear the armband against Brighton, Roberto replied: "I have to decide. I didn't decide yet because I have had other, more important, problems to find a solution.

"I would like all players to be a captain, especially in this moment. It's not important if you play in the first XI, if you play 30 minutes or 90 minutes, or you can't play anyway, we have to feel the responsibility of this situation and we can't cry, otherwise we have to push and to be stronger to come out of this situation, because we are able to do that."

It was then put to Roberto that James Maddison is a character, leader and back in training as he recovers from a serious knee injury - and if he could play a part before the end of the season.

"There are a lot of different types of leader," said Roberto. "The leader who talks inside of the dressing room, the leader with the ball, the leader in the tough moment, the leader because he helps his team-mates. I think to be a stronger team we need many many leaders.

"For sure, Maddison is different. Maddison is a top player on the pitch with the ball but also as a personality, as a character, as a mentality on the pitch.

"I would like to reach this level for Micky van der Ven, for example. Bentancur is a leader, Palhinha is another leader. I would like to push with Solanke, because Solanke is one of the best strikers in Premier League and I want him stronger as a personality, as a character on the pitch.

"Also, Xavi Simons is very young, but he's a leader with the ball because he has personality, has the right character to receive the ball when the ball is hot, because it's not so easy to play in this moment for us. We need players with personality and character, otherwise they don't play with me."

Asked further about Maddison's potential availability, Roberto added: "I don't know yet. I don't want to push too much. I'm used to waiting for the players when they are available, totally available to play and to restart the training, because it's better to lose one game more than to take a risk for another new injury."

The latest updates ahead of Brighton clash

Predict the score | Spurs vs Brighton

Women’s Academy player Holly-Mae Elmes is relishing the opportunity to test herself against a promotion-winning Fulham side on Sunday (19 April) as our Under-19s compete in the semi-final of the Capital Senior Cup.

Alongside facing fellow Professional Game Academy sides week in, week out, our youngsters have been competing against senior teams in cup competitions – the FA Women’s National League Cup at the beginning of the campaign and, most recently, the Capital Senior Cup which has been an enjoyable journey so far for our youngsters.

Overcoming Dulwich Hamlet in the first round of competition, a 2-1 victory away from home, Sabiha Jamal’s side then went on to record an emphatic 5-2 win over London Bees in the quarter-final to secure their spot in the last four, where they will now take on the Cottagers this weekend at Motspur Park – available for supporters to attend in west London.

However, this will arguably be one of the toughest challenges of the season so far, facing a Fulham side who have just won the FA Women’s National League Division One South East title and secured promotion to the third tier of Women’s pyramid.

Part of the Under-16s players that stepped up to the Under-19s in the summer, Holly hasn’t been fazed about the experience to date in her first year at this level and is ready to come up against one of the best senior sides in the FA Women’s National League pyramid this weekend.

“We're all really excited as a team. We've worked so hard to get to this moment,” Holly said, looking ahead to Sunday’s semi-final tie. “I think our performances in the last two rounds have really proved why we should be here and cemented how well we are working as a team and the growth that we've made since the start of the season.

“Fulham are on a high at the moment, but if we just stick to what we know, what we can do and play the way we have in recent weeks, I think we can be successful against a really strong team.”

Asked about the differences she has seen when competing against more experienced players, she added: “Something that's different is the physical strength of the Women's oppositions and it's so much tougher mentally as well. It's obviously something every player needs, having the ability to go up against people that are stronger than you and can test you as a footballer.

“If you can find something that you're better at than them and keep on doing it, then I think you play to my strengths. My weakness may be that I'm not as strong as a senior player but I'm quicker than her.”

As expected for an Under-16 player making the step up to a new age group, there is always going to be bumps in the road, adjusting to a new environment and a highly competitive league, but Holly has flourished in recent months - and she puts it down to a positional change.

Known for her composure on the ball and her ability to pick out passes, whether short or long, the versatile young player has made the switch to centre-back in the second half of the season, building a strong partnership with Grace Breen, and has racked up an impressive 28 appearances in total so far, 20 of those starting in a competitive Under-19s side.

“At the start of the season I really struggled with confidence but, as the season has gone on, I think I've grown relationships with the people around me, with friends, my family helping as well, and then coaches,” she added, reflecting on her first year with the Under-19s so far.

“They're just a massive support network. They have pushed me to become more confident and to try things in training and I think the positional change has been beneficial for me.

“When I was in midfield, obviously pressure comes from all angles but when you're in defence, you can just sit back and you see the whole pitch – and I think my skillset suits it better. You can see everything in front of you, so you can just get your head up and look for them passes which I feel I’m good at doing.”

Watch | Highlights from our win over London Bees

The Uruguay international midfielder has been out since early January after undergoing surgery on his hamstring. In that time, he's missed 16 matches in all competitions.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi reported: "Bentancur is available to play, I don't know if he starts the game or not. Bissouma is available 100% more than Sunderland game (where Yves was an unused substitute) but Vicario, no."

Goalkeeper 'Vic' missed last week's loss at Sunderland as he recovers from hernia surgery. Roberto added: "Vicario is another top guy. I'm looking forward to work with him. Kinsky played very well against Sunderland, but Vicario is another important player for us - big experience, big character and personality."

The latest ahead of Brighton clash

Predict the score | Spurs vs Brighton

Our skipper and centre-back suffered a knee injury in last weekend's 1-0 loss in the Premier League at Sunderland.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's clash against Brighton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (5.30pm UK), Roberto said: "Romero, I'm very sorry for him, for his injury.

"First of all, Romero loves Tottenham, people have to know he's suffering for this injury, suffering because he can't play for us again this season. He's a great captain for us.

"We have to be positive. We have Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso, they are able to play, to play well, to give us the quality with the ball and to be strong in the defensive space so we can win. We want to win."

The latest ahead of our clash with Brighton

Predict the score | Spurs vs Brighton

Lenna Gunning-Williams helps England to WU23 European Competition final glory!

The Young Lionesses triumphed 3-0 against Sweden Under-23s to claim the trophy for the 2025/25 edition, just the second final to be held in the competition.

Having provided an assist for her nation’s winning goal in the semi-final victory over the Netherlands, our Academy graduate played another pivotal role in the showpiece event to help England to the trophy in Spain.

Starting on the right of their forward, Lenna showed good footwork just on the edge of the box to advance inside, beating two players in the process, before squaring the ball across to Olivia McLoughlin who converted from close range.

That extended the Young Lionesses’ scoreline to three in the second half after Isobel Goodwin and Hannah Silcock were on the scoresheet in the first period to give them a healthy advantage.

The young forward played around 60 minutes before making way for Lexi Lloyd-Smith.

Following the full-time whistle, Lenna proudly stepped up with her team-mates to lift the trophy at the end of the game.

It was disappointment for Matilda Nilden, Hanna Wijk and Sweden though. Our Swedish duo started, but Hanna was forced off just before the break while Matilda completed 72 minutes.

The popular winger twice overcame serious injury to make 257 appearances and score 37 goals in all competitions for us between 2013-2021. Erik will relive some wonderful Spurs memories when he speaks to Paul Coyte before kick-off at 5.10pm - including scoring two 'rabona' goals!

Lamela joined us from AS Roma in August, 2013. His early days at Spurs were hit by a back issue, but he recovered to show exactly what he could do - making 90 appearances in Mauricio Pochettino's first two seasons in charge and becoming a key member of Mauricio's squad.

His first 'rabona' arrived against Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League in October, 2014. Erik delivered as we challenged for the title in 2015/16, scoring 11 goals in 44 games including his first hat-trick for us against Monaco in December, 2015.

Unfortunately, injury struck again in 2016/17, restricting him to 14 appearances, but he was a model of consistency after that, making 33, 33, 35 and 35 appearances in his next four seasons before departing for Sevilla in 2021. Erik featured in nine of our matches in our run to the Champions League Final in 2019 and was awarded FIFA's Puskas Award for his second rabona, this time against Arsenal in the north London derby in 2021.

Erik helped Sevilla lift the UEFA Europa League in 2023 and he then scored the Goal of the Season in his only season with AEK Athens in Super League 1 in Greece. Capped 25 times by Argentina, Erik announced his retirement from playing last year and is now part of Sevilla's coaching staff.

We are appalled that players continue to suffer racist abuse in stadiums and online, and we are continuing to witness abhorrent, hateful social posts related to religious and cultural festivals that the Club and its fans observe. We will do everything in our power to stop it, wherever it happens.

The Club has a long-standing, zero tolerance approach to all forms of discrimination and we will not hesitate in taking the strongest possible action against racist abuse. We work with specialist third parties dedicated to monitoring online abuse 24/7, investigating incidents and identifying perpetrators.

Abusers could face custodial sentences, football banning orders, criminal records, fines, community orders or police-mandated educational programmes. This season, we have successfully secured criminal convictions following abuse of our staff and players, including individuals based overseas, and have also issued indefinite Club bans.

We continue to promote an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment for everyone at our Club, working closely with our dedicated supporters’ associations – Spurs REACH, Proud Lilywhites, SpursAbility and Women of the Lane.

Since 2021, more than 4,000 cases have been investigated by the Premier League, with legal action brought against abusers across three continents.

At Saturday’s home match with Brighton, No Room for Racism visuals will be seen throughout the stadium, alongside promotion of our matchday text reporting service. We urge anyone who witnesses racist abuse to report it - find the nearest steward or police officer, or text RACISM to 07537404821 along with the Block, Row and Seat number where the offence has taken place.

Online abuse can be reported directly to the site or platform where it was posted or you can email supporterservices@tottenhamhotspur.com.