Tottenham Hotspur

Roberto De Zerbi has explained how ‘football gave me everything’ as the countdown continues to his first game as our Head Coach at Sunderland on Sunday (2pm UK).

It’s the first of seven crucial games remaining in the Premier League as we look to climb the table between now and the end of the season.

Roberto, who signed a long-term deal last week, gave us his thoughts on how he believes in the squad here and how we have to take the run-in game by game in his first interview last week.

He also laid out just what football means to him. “Many times, I said that football is my life and my life is football, but it's true, because football is my work,” he said.

“I respect football because football gave me everything. For me, it's not a real work, it's a passion. If I stay at home, I watch football. If I work, I watch football and nothing changes - stay at home or be a coach.

“For me, Tottenham, especially in this moment, is maybe the most important challenge in my career. I'm ready to start this challenge and I want to work with my characteristics, with my passion, with my vision of football and with my technologies as well.”

First interview | Roberto De Zerbi

A blistering start with three goals in the opening 10 minutes proved enough for our Under-18s to claim a vital win at West Browmich Albion on Tuesday afternoon.

Sitting top of the table by a solitary point ahead of kick-off and with title rivals Chelsea also in action, we knew maximum points in the West Midlands would be needed to stay in the hunt – and Jamie Carr’s side delivered once again thanks to an early salvo from Ronny Moncur, Tye Hall and Miracle Adewole, although it was a closer end to the game than what we’d have liked after beginning so well.

Indeed, the Baggies pulled it back to 3-2 via Harry French with six minutes of normal time still to play after Justin Seven-Seven had got them off the mark mere moments after we’d gone 3-0 up, but we weathered their late pressure to ensure we escaped with the required victory, Chelsea’s 4-0 home win over Arsenal ensuring it’s as you were at the top, although the Blues now have a superior goal difference.

West Brom were left shellshocked by our rampant start at their training ground, Moncur planting inside the near post from Oliver Boast’s right-sided delivery after only three minutes before Adewole teed up skipper Hall to fire home his trademark goal from the edge of the box in the wake of a short corner just three minutes later, goalkeeper William Rutter getting his hands to the ball but unable to keep it out. Reiss Elliott-Parris fizzed a shot just off-target before Adewole notched up number three with only 10 minutes on the watch, planting a precise shot low inside the near post after a long ball out from the back.

Unfortunately, West Brom responded almost straight away, Seven-Seven converting from a tight angle on the left on 12 minutes after we lost possession at the back and that derailed our momentum somewhat, although we still produced some good passages of play at times without really troubling Rutter.

Frazer Billings and Elliott-Parris were off-target at either end during the remainder of the first half but while Moncur, George Feeney and Harry Byrne all went close after the restart, we struggled to recapture our dominance of the opening spell and West Brom’s Cole Dexter squandered a big chance when he skipped over a couple of challenges to get through into the box, only to fire wide with just Dylan Thompson to beat.

If that was a let-off, we had no such luck when French planted a low shot into the far corner on 84 minutes, making it 3-2 and giving the Baggies a real chance of completing what had earlier seemed an unlikely comeback. Adewole scampered through one-on-one with Rutter but was thwarted by the advancing stopper as we sought to put the game to bed, but West Brom continued to threaten, Reece Bastafield unable to keep his footing at the back post when well placed to score and Dexter’s rising shot sharply held by Thompson, who later conceded a cheap corner after being adjudged to have held onto the ball for too long. Thankfully, we escaped and the final whistle confirmed three more welcome points as our unbeaten league run at this level extended into a 12th game.

‘Overall feeling is a bit of relief’

Under-18s Coach Jamie was delighted to see his players get over the line, having started the game so well: “The overall feeling when you’re coming off of a game where you concede late and you’re having to defend your goal in the last 10 minutes under pressure is a bit of relief, so I’d say that’s the overriding emotion at the moment, but when you think about the bigger picture there were lots of pleasing bits during the game, particularly in the first half,” he reflected.

“We started really well, scored some good goals and played some good football. There was then a bit of a period in the second half where we just started to lose a bit of control, we made some changes but didn’t quite ever gain control back and that’s where we managed to give away a second goal, which made a game of it.”

On the players’ character and desire to see out the win after West Brom’s second goal, Jamie added: “I guess it’s a bit of a byproduct of being in a good position in the league where we’ve got a moment in a game towards the back end of the season where there’s a bit of pressure on it, and I think you could see that the lads placed the right importance on the game. You could sense that was evident in the final minutes and people like Dylan Thompson rose to the challenge and claimed some important balls from set-plays towards the back end of the game, which was really pleasing.”

Chelsea, who still have a match in hand, play twice before our next game, which is at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 18 March (11.30am UK, live on SPURSPLAY).

When Ella Morris stepped onto the pitch at Kingsmeadow, it signalled her return from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury – a moment she described as 'a long time coming'.

Just under a year ago, in May, 2025, the young defender received a maiden call-up to the England senior squad after her impressive performances at the backend of the 2024/25 campaign but suffered the serious injury in training on day one of the camp that would keep her out for a long spell.

Sustaining a second ACL injury of her career, the 23-year-old knew the mental and physical battle in her rehabilitation but, with the support of staff and the team-mates around her throughout the journey, she progressed through every step.

Then, 331 days after her injury with the Lionesses, Ella was back on the pitch in Lilywhite as she came on for the final 20 minutes of our Women’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea on Monday.

“Really exciting for me,” Ella replied, as she reflected on the special moment. “It's been something that's felt like a long time coming, so I’m just delighted to get back out there with the girls.

“I wasn't necessarily expecting to get any minutes, so to hear my name being called was good, especially with the state of the game, so I was excited to get on to try and push for a win for us. Unfortunately, it fell short but delighted for me. But now it's about pushing on with the girls and getting more results and pushing on, developing as we are.”

Talking about her support in her journey, she told us: “I have to give huge credit to Ben [Sheath], Ellie [Jewiss], Jodie [Southby] and then A’Ameer [Kstantin] as well, who left us. All four of them have been fantastic throughout my rehab and I wouldn't have got through it without those four, especially. I've got an amazing staff group here and honestly, they've been incredible, so thanks to them."

Being involved in her very first matchday squad this season, every time her name was called out on the tannoy at Kingsmeadow, it was met by a loud cheer from our away end – something that the full-back recognised from the very first minute.

“It was really nice, even in the warm-up when I came over or at half-time when I walked past and just hearing that, it was really nice,” she added.

“I appreciate all their support and some of the people have given me some really nice messages of support as well. So, big shout out to them and thanks for supporting the team, but also me today.”

Alfie Whiteman – our former Academy graduate who spent 16 years at the club – will, aptly, launch his debut art exhibition and accompanying photo book at the stadium’s OOF Gallery from 1 May.

Alfie’s is an incredible story – born and raised in Tottenham, the goalkeeper was a mascot at the Lane aged just six, joined the Academy at 10 and eventually made his senior debut at 22 in the Europa League in 2020.

Capped at England youth level, Alfie recovered from a broken ankle to be part of our Europa League squad in 2024/25. On the bench in the latter stages of the league phase and knockout rounds, Alfie was part of the matchday squad for our final triumph in Bilbao last May. He announced his retirement in October.

Now to the next phase of his life and a new direction...

Always interested in the arts, Alfie's first exhibition of photographs and accompanying book - Alfie Whiteman: ‘A Loan’ – will be housed at the OOF Gallery, part of the Tottenham Experience at the stadium, from 1 May-27 September.

'A Loan’ is a project which captures life on loan during Alfie’s time in Sweden at Degerfors, where he made 34 appearances across his 18-month spell in the Allsvenskan from August, 2021. It features a wide selection of photographs from the project, as well as a full-size replica of the lakeside sauna where he spent so much of his time.

The exhibition, supported by Salomon, is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated photobook, filled with images and diary entries from his time in Sweden. The book is published by OOF and Somesuch Editions.

Information | Alfie Whiteman: ‘A Loan’

Exhibition runs 1 May to 27 September at OOF Gallery, N17. The gallery will be closed from 21 June to 14 August inclusive. The accompanying book, Alfie Whiteman: ‘A Loan’, is published by OOF and Somesuch Editions, available to pre-order now at www.oofgallery.com.

Admission is free. Use entrance for the Tottenham Experience at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Open Monday, Thursday, Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 12-4pm. Closed Tuesday, Wednesday. Opening hours are subject to change on stadium event days.

OOF Gallery, Warmington House, 744 High Road, London N17 0AP.

Chelsea Women vs Spurs Women | Extended Highlights | 2025/26  Tottenham Hotspur

Eveliina Summanen painted a disappointment figure following our 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Monday afternoon as that brought an end to our Adobe Women’s FA Cup journey at the quarter-final stage – but acknowledged the much-improved second half performance.

Finding ourselves one goal down at the break, after Sam Kerr headed home for the hosts five minutes before half time, we knew a response was needed in the second period and, for a third consecutive match, we got one at Kingsmeadow.

The Finland international was at the heart of it. Her in-swinging free-kick from the far left-hand side looping over everyone inside the box, including Hannah Hampton, and finding the top corner to get us back on level terms seven minutes after the restart.

Both sides had opportunities for the rest of the half, where we pushed the Blues all the way, but four minutes from time, Veerle Buurman unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner to send Chelsea through to the final four of the competition.

“Obviously disappointed,” Eveliina Summanen told us, reflecting on the outcome. “I think, in the second half, we did good things and we were really on top of the game and had a good momentum, but Chelsea is a good team, they had a couple of good chances and deserved the win at the end of the day, but obviously disappointed.

“We came into the second half with way more confidence than in first half, where we stayed quite a lot in our defensive block, which was ok still and we're willing to do that - that's how we want to be and if we have to do that, then we do it.

“But, second half, we forced Chelsea to play some longer balls and give us the possession and we enjoyed the ball a little bit. Then, at the same time, we need to utilise a little bit more on those situations.”

Although that stretched our winless run to four games in all competitions, there were positives to take from the clash with the Blues and with just three matches left to play in the campaign, Eveliina wants to make sure we ‘bounce back’ from the difficult results in recent weeks and give something back to the fans.

“It's been tough,” the midfielder added. “We've also played good teams, but we have high ambitions and we need to perform better as well if we want to reach the gap between us and the top teams. I think you need to take every single game as a part of the journey and we're still doing the right things.

“We're still playing the way I like, exciting football, and we want to improve all the time. Like today, it could have gone either way at the end of the day and I think that's what's exciting for the future as well.

“We want to bounce back from these tough couple of weeks and just end the season on a high. Just give a little bit to our fans as well because they've shown a great support for the past few weeks and we obviously want to give back a little bit as well.”

Our Under-18s travel to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday lunchtime on what could be a key day in the Under-18 Premier League title race.

As it stands, our youngsters lead the table by one point from Chelsea, who closed the gap with a 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace on Saturday and still have a game in hand.

On Tuesday, as we take on the Baggies in the West Midlands in what will be our first competitive game at this level for two-and-a-half weeks (kick-off 12pm), the Blues will host Arsenal at the same time, offering the potential for either side to take the upper hand in what has thus far been a gripping battle for the chance to top the pile at the end of the season.

The most recent league outing for Jamie Carr’s side was a 3-0 victory at Leicester City on 21 March, with a handful of players having been away on international duty in the intervening time.

Martin Ho felt that the group had given him ‘absolutely everything’ as we suffered late heartbreak in our Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at Chelsea, with Veerle Buurman securing a 2-1 win at Kingsmeadow.

The Chelsea defender struck a wicked but precise left-footed strike into the top corner to earn the Blues a spot in the semi-final of the competition, having done superbly in the early stages of the second period to get us back on level terms.

Eveliina Summanen’s wonderful free-kick from the far left-hand side looping over Hannah Hampton to cancel out Sam Kerr’s opener in the final five minutes of the first half – and we had chances to take the lead through the second 45 minutes, but we were unable to breakthrough once again.

However, it is Chelsea that will progress in the prestigious cup competition but, despite the narrow defeat, our Head Coach was pleased with certain aspects from the performance – highlighting a need for a clinical edge in the final third.

“I thought it was good for large parts,” Martin told us, reflecting on the game with SPURSPLAY. “We frustrated them in large parts in terms of how we set up, when we engaged and when we didn't. With the ball, we had some moments where we could have been a little bit tighter and a little bit cleaner with some of the link-up play and some of the detail in terms of when we were trying to get the ball down and play.

“Then, just in the attack and play, being a bit more ruthless but what I can't do is I can't ask anymore. They gave me everything and they've built on the performance as we had last. They've made it really difficult for Chelsea today and it takes a wonder strike from one of their players to win the game.”

Reflecting on the character to fightback in the second half after the late goal in the first half, he added: “We went behind and we won't be happy with that. It comes from us turning the ball over and then we get punished.

“Then we come out in the second half and there was a response. We were more precise and more effective with our play, Eve puts a wonderful ball in from the free-kick and that gets you back on terms. I thought we had momentum then for another 10-15 minutes.

“We really pushed them back and kept them in their half, maybe some learnings of when we go in the box with the ball, that final action as we cross and we try to link and finish. But I couldn't have asked any more. I'm gutted for the group. They've given absolutely everything today.”

With three games left of the campaign to play once the international break is over, Martin was asked what he wants to see from his side in the closing stages. He told us: “I want to see the same intent, the same fight, whether there's competition in terms of the Cup to play for, there are still three games that we need to win. We need to go into those games because the way we finish the season will be the way we start the next one. We need to build on that momentum.

"This really shows the character in the group and the kind of professionalism of us as a team on how we approach these next three games because the season is not finished until the middle of May and we can't just sit back now because we're not in these cup competitions.”

It was late heartbreak for us against Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Women's FA Cup at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.

Having fought our way back into the tie and levelled via Eveliina Summanen's free-kick, Chelsea substitute Veerle Buurman lashed home the winner five minutes from time.

There was still a chance to level, but Oliva Holdt dragged across goal from 16 yards in the first minute of added time - and that was that.

On a positive note, Ella Morris returned to action for the first time since May, 2025 after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Martin Ho made three changes - Julie Blakstad and Eveliina Summanen came in for Molly Bartrip and Maika Hamano (ineligible) while skipper Bethany England was back up front for Olivia Holdt. As mentioned, Ella Morris returned to the matchday squad for the first time this season.

We had to weather early pressure from the home side. Lize Kop got her angles right to deny Alyssa Thompson on five minutes and then had to be alert as Lauren James' cross evaded everyone and was creeping in before she touched wide.

James pulled the strings for Chelsea - Amanda Nilden threw herself in for a key block on 19 minutes and the England international fired a yard over from the edge of the box five minutes later.

We grew into the game and had the next chances of note. A lovely build up ended with Bethany England playing a one-two with Cathinka Tandberg, only for Niamh Charles to block. Next up, Signe Gaupset left fly from 20 yards, her shot taking a slight deflection but straight at Hannah Hampton.

Chelsea broke the deadlock on 40 minutes. Keira Walsh got to the left byline and found a cross that just evaded Kop, allowing Kerr to climb highest and angle home a header off the post from close range.

We started positively in the second half - possession 74% in our favour in the first 15 minutes - and levelled during that spell. Maltilda Vinberg was bundled over by Kadeisha Buchanan on the left touchline - Summanen's free-kick deceived Hampton and floated home at the far post.

It turned into a basketball game, end-to-end for the next 10 minutes. Kop denied Kerr one-on-one, James went close again, Toko Kogo cleared Hanna Wijk's header off the line, Kop denied James again and Ellie Carpenter headed wide from six yards.

At the other end - all in this 10-minute spell - Hampton spilled Amanda Nilden's 30-yarder wide, Julie Blakstad headed wide and Tandberg almost capitalised on hesitation between Hampton and Buchanan.

We continued to defend well and looked to get forward. Chelsea had the next chance when Kop flew to her left to tip away Sandy Baltimore's shot on 78 minutes. However, Kop could do nothing about what turned out to be the decisive moment on 86 minutes. For once, we failed to clear our lines cleanly and when the loose ball fell to Buurman, she took a step forward before hitting a rocket into the top corner.

There was one last chance as Holdt drove forward from deep to the edge of the Chelsea box, rolled the ball right to Tandberg who fired across Hampton but wide of the target.

We can now confirm the starting XI and substitutes for this afternoon’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-final tie against Chelsea at Kingsmeadow (1.30pm UK).

Martin Ho has made three changes to the side that started last weekend’s north London derby against Arsenal in the Women’s Super League.

Julie Blakstad comes back in for Molly Bartrip while Eveliina Summanen returns to the midfield in place of Maika Hamano, who is ineligible to face her parent club as part of the loan agreement.

Captain Bethany England comes into the attack in place of Olivia Holdt, who is named amongst our substitutes alongside Molly.

Ella Morris is in the matchday squad for the first time this season after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in May, 2025. Fellow defender Charlotte Grant also returns to the substitutes bench after missing the fixture against the Gunners.

Starting XI: Kop, A. Nilden, Gaupset, England (c), Vinberg, Tandberg, Wijk, Spence, Summanen, Koga, Blakstad.

Substitutes: Heeps, Grant, Morris, Bartrip, Holdt, Rybrink, M. Nilden, Gunning-Williams, Ahtinen.