Tottenham Hotspur

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou cut a downbeat figure after the north London derby defeat at home to Arsenal.

Postecoglou bemoaned the fine details but the inability of his side to defend corners against opponents who specialise in them, suggested they had not worked enough on those small margins.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's own goal and another goal from a criminally unmarked Kai Havertz on corners, gave Arsenal a 3-0 half-time lead that proved too much for Spurs.

Another disappointment for Postecoglou was that Spurs did threaten on the attack throughout, but their recovery to make it 3-2 in the closing minutes just came too late.

It now leaves Spurs scrambling to secure a top four place - which has looked to be very much within their grasp all season - and it will be painful if they cannot achieve it.

Postecoglou's first season at Spurs has brought much optimism, promise and entertainment so the Australian will be determined not to let it fizzle out as they currently lie in fifth place, seven points behind Aston Villa with two games in hand.

Spurs, however, must overcome some testing fixtures if they are to reach that top four target, with games at Chelsea and Liverpool to come as well as a home game against title-chasing Manchester City on their agenda.

There is still a chance but the concern will be that, rather like in this north London derby, Spurs might just have left it too late and come up short.

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the defeat: "We could have come back after 3-2. I think we had a good chance and a good opportunity.

"Especially in those games, if you concede goals like that it is difficult and painful.

"They were clinical and strong in the air. We had a lot of opportunities, hitting the post and having a disallowed goal. As I said before, when you concede goals like this you have to be strong."

On conceding twice from set pieces: "As I said before, it was a big game and we had to be strong on set pieces.

"Obviously they are good but I think everyone has to step up. Now we have to work on set pieces, stay strong and go again."

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to Sky Sports following the defeat: "We allowed them way too easy access to our goal in the first half. It is not acceptable at this level and we paid the price.

"We couldn't come out here in the second half and not give our supporters a little bit of hope, but it is still very disappointing.

"We are still not as resilient as we can be, especially in the transition moments or set pieces. We allow them far too easy access to our goal.

"They are a good side and they will punish you if you do not show that steel protecting your goal.

"There are a lot of areas of concern, so if you try to fix one thing - that is not where we're at - we have to fix a lot of things.

"Today was not great, we need to get punished and then we are a lot better in the second half. Sometimes you have to feel the pain to realise you have to do things differently next time."

Here are the key facts and figures following Sunday’s game between Tottenham and Arsenal in the Premier League.

• Arsenal have won consecutive top-flight away games against Tottenham for the first time since September 1988 (a run of three under George Graham). Prior to winning at Spurs in the past two seasons, they had only won two of their previous 17 away games against their rivals in the Premier League (D6 L9).

• Tottenham are the 16th different team to concede more than 50 Premier League goals this term (52) - this is now the most sides to concede more than 50 goals in an English top-flight season, consisting of 20 clubs, since 1909-10 (17).

• Arsenal have scored 16 goals from corners in the Premier League this season, the most by any team in a single campaign since West Bromwich Albion under Tony Pulis in 2016-17 (16 goals).

• Bukayo Saka has scored 15 goals for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, which is his most in a single campaign. With his goal today, he also became the first English player to score home and away for Arsenal against Spurs in a league campaign since Ian Wright in 1993-94.

• Son Heung-Min has netted seven goals in the North London derby in the Premier League, taking him level with Robert Pires (7). Only Harry Kane (14) and Emmanuel Adebayor (8) have now scored more in this fixture in the competition than the Spurs forward.

Arsenal overcame the hurdle of a north London derby, and an anxious finale, to maintain momentum in the Premier League title pursuit with a vital victory at Tottenham.

The Gunners' meeting with their bitter rivals was seen as arguably the most treacherous of their remaining fixtures, but they took ruthless advantage of Spurs' defensive flaws to establish a three-goal lead by half-time.

Arsenal were then thrown off course when a dreadful clearance by goalkeeper David Raya presented Cristian Romero with a goal.

The nerves really started jangling when Son Heung-min scored from the spot three minutes before the end of normal time though, after Declan Rice fouled Ben Davies.

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Three matches make up Sunday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

Follow live text updates here

Listen to all three games on BBC Sounds:

• Bournemouth v Brighton - from 14:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Tottenham v Arsenal - from 14:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester City - from 16:30 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Andy Bell and Steve Queralt from Ride, who support Arsenal and Tottenham.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Arsenal bounced back superbly from their defeat by Aston Villa with wins over Wolves and Chelsea and I am expecting more of the same here.

They should win this because of the way they are playing and also because I just don't think Tottenham have been at their best in their past few games, even the ones they have won.

It will still be really keenly contested, but the Gunners have a great balance in attack and defence and that might give them the edge.

If Arsenal do come out on top, it would be an enormous win for them in the title race and keep the heat on Manchester City.

I have no doubt Mikel Arteta's side will win their final three games too - Bournemouth (home), Manchester United (away) and Everton (home) - but it will not be enough if City keep winning too.

Andy's prediction: 2-5

I am going for a score close to my heart, based on when I've watched these games previously.

Steve's prediction: 4-1

You could argue that, certainly two weeks ago, Arsenal were the best team in the league. It pains me to say it but they look sharp, they look strong and they score lots of goals. Also, lots of players score the goals for them - they don't rely on any one player. So, it is going to be a very tough afternoon for Tottenham and Arsenal will definitely score - butI am going for us to win.

Read the rest of their predictions here

What is it like to play in a north London Derby when there's a title up for grabs for your rivals?

Michael Brown has been in that environment.

Take a look at a clip below or watch Michael on The Football News Show here.

Former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke speaks to The Football News Show about his former club's professionalism ahead of a huge north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.

He says the Gunners need to "block out the noise" if they are going to be successful at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Here is a selection of the key facts and figures before Tottenham host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, 14:00 BST.

• Tottenham have won just one of their past six Premier League games against Arsenal, with their four defeats in this run as many as they had suffered in their previous 16 against the Gunners.

• Arsenal won this exact fixture 2-0 last season, last winning consecutive away league games against Spurs between 1987 and 1988 (a run of three).

• Up to the end of the 2015-16 season, Arsenal v Tottenham was the most drawn fixture in Premier League history, with 20 of the 48 meetings between the sides ending level (42%). Since then, just four of the 15 north London derby matches have finished in a draw (27%).

• Tottenham have not kept a clean sheet in any of their past 12 Premier League games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - their longest run without a home shutout since September 2003 (15). In fact, only Burnley and Sheffield United (one each) have kept fewer clean sheets at home than Spurs this term (two).

• Bukayo Saka scored from the penalty spot in the reverse fixture – he could become the first English player to score home and away for Arsenal against Spurs in a league campaign since Ian Wright in 1993-94.

Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Tottenham host north London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• His players have embraced the "unusual" two-week break but are itching to play again after a heavy defeat last time out at Newcastle: "You prefer games, absolutely, especially at this time of year and particularly when a lot of football is happening and you are not involved. But we have tried to use the time as well as possible, trained hard and now we are looking forward to having a game."

• He is not concerned the "really disappointing" performance at Newcastle will have a negative impact on this game: "It is not a reference point for Arsenal. The players have learned a hell of lot out of it but when playing such a big game, a derby, what has happened previously in the immediate past or further back is irrelevant."

• On the injury to Destiny Udogie: "It is a disappointing one for Destiny and for ourselves as well. He has been a big part of our year. It was an unfortunate incident in training but the op has gone well so hopefully that gives him pre-season to get back into it."

• However, Pedro Porro and Richarlison have both "trained all week" and will be available for selection.

• Postecoglou is looking forward to a test against their title-challenging neighbours and then in subsequent games with Chelsea and Liverpool: "Every time you are out there, it is a chance to measure yourself. I have a fair idea of where we are at, the progress we have made and what we need to make."

• He is relishing the chance to host a big game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: "This time of year you want to be playing for something. The games we are in will have something on them so I am looking forward to it. It is a chance to measure ourselves against teams we want to be challenging on a more consistent basis."

• On whether this is the biggest game he has had as Spurs boss: "I take every game seriously and that is one thing I try to impress on this group. Always feel the next game is the biggest game, but I understand the context of the north London derby and what it means for supporters. It will be a tough game, it will have a bit of an edge and will be played in a great atmosphere."

• He praised Arsenal and their boss Mikel Arteta: "He has done an outstanding job. He was recognised by the club as the man to lead them forward and they have supported him ever since. They have been disciplined in building a side for sustained success and they have been challenging now for the past two to three years to do that."

Follow Friday's Premier League news conferences

Listen to full commentary of Tottenham v Arsenal from 14:00 BST on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

In recent weeks, Ange Postecoglou seems to have started doubting the work ethic and desire of his team to get over the line. What has just crept in is him questioning a little bit of their mentality. They have got some difficult fixtures coming up for their run-in as well.

They have the north London derby at the weekend and Manchester City have to go there too.

It is a tough one. Can they make the Champions League? Yes they can, but they are going to have to perform away from home especially because their home games look really difficult.

That is one aspect where they have not been great and that has got to improve massively going forward.

They still look quite fragile defensively at times in how they play and it is clear this is not yet Postecoglou's ideal team.

He will want desperately to get over that line and go again in the transfer market this summer to prepare for next season.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min says their young side will "test ourselves against one of the biggest teams in Europe" when they face Arsenal.

The rivals meet on Sunday in a key fixture in Arsenal's chase of the title and Spurs' push for a Champions League spot.

"Obviously we're very young and we're still a little bit inexperienced because we're building a young team with new experiences," the forward said.

"Some of the players are in their first season in the Premier League. So look, we can test ourselves against one of the biggest teams in Europe and the Premier League, but also in the world.

"I think it's very important the way we play. Stick to our play, stick to our game. I think it's a very, very good test. As I said, it's against one of the best teams in the world so it's perfect (for us). You want to always have good competition and you always want to face the best teams in the world."

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur will head to Japan as part of their preparations for the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.

The squad will travel to Tokyo to play reigning J1 League champions Vissel Kobe at the Japan National Stadium on Saturday, 27 July.

There are also plans to meet the three official Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Clubs in Japan: Japan Spurs, Osaka Spurs and Kobe Spurs.

It will be the club's first visit to Japan in 33 years.

"As is club tradition, players and staff will be engaging with our fans, supporting good causes, and celebrating local culture throughout our time in Tokyo," a club statement said, external.

Head coach Ange Postecoglou said he is "delighted" to be taking Tottenham Hotspur to Japan, a country he is familiar with from winning J1 League title with Yokohama F. Marinos in 2019.

"Japan is a country I know well from my time managing there," he said. "It is full of passionate football fans.

"I'm looking forward to the players not only sampling the atmosphere of the Japan National Stadium, but also experiencing some local culture and supporting good causes while we are there."

Tottenham could make a £45m move for 28-year-old Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney, if there is a lack of competition for his signature. (GiveMeSport), external

Spurs are also well-placed to sign 24-year-old England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea this summer, despite interest from Newcastle United. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, Tottenham could offer Genoa the chance to sign on-loan English defender Djed Spence permanently, in exchange for the Italian side's 26-year-old Iceland striker Albert Gudmundsson. (Calcio Mercato - in Italian), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

It is, perhaps, appropriate that Tottenham have had time to pause and think before they launch into the next three games.

Having been thoroughly trounced at Newcastle United, it would have been perilous to embark on preparations for games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool straight away.

Spurs have tension, history and unresolved issues with all three of the teams they face next.

Ange Postecoglu has been desperate to shed so much of the baggage that the side has been weighed down with in the past.

His studious avoidance of questions about Champions League qualification is the most obvious attempt to draw the sting out of many of the jabs that have ground down Tottenham's spirits in times gone by.

So much of what has been surprising and joyous about Spurs this season has been their refusal to obey many of the football laws of gravity that have applied in north London for too long.

In covering Tottenham for two decades, I have always noted that there is usually a week, in the final third of the season, that defines a campaign.

In the past it has been in the latter stages of cup competitions or tricky ties in Europe. This time, it is all about the Premier League against familiar, haunting opponents.

The 'old Tottenham' may well be dead. In which case, the 'new Tottenham' that is still emerging will need to approach the next few days as fascinating challenges, rather than dark reminders of limitations of the past.

Dutch club Feyenoord are interested in Tottenham's 23-year-old Spanish winger Bryan Gil, who is expected to leave Spurs in the summer. (Standard), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's gossip column