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'Logical' that fatigued Spurs are faltering - Postecoglou

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Spurs sit 11th in the Premier League after their ninth defeat in 18 games this season. Postecoglou's men have fared better in other competitions as they have progressed to the League Cup semi-finals and are well on course to reach the Europa League knockout stage.

But those extra fixtures are putting a strain on a Spurs squad missing first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and centre-backs Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies. Anthony Elanga's first-half goal was enough to lift Forest into third under former Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Tottenham enjoyed over 70 percent possession but failed to make it count at the City Ground. "We are asking a lot of this group of players, a lot of these guys are playing every three days," said Postecoglou.

"It's only logical they are not going to be at their sharpest, but they are trying. A disappointing goal we conceded, but aside from that the boys worked hard and we tried to generate as many opportunities as we could considering the context of the game and how Forest play. We just couldn't get over the line."

Postecoglou's defensive options for Sunday's clash against Wolves were further depleted when Djed Spence was sent off in stoppage time. And the club's only fit natural centre-back Radu Dragusin limped off late on.

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OFFICIAL: Tottenham goalie Vicario has ankle surgery

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On Monday, Tottenham Hotspur confirmed that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario underwent successful surgery following "a fracture to his right ankle". The Italian international sustained the injury during Spurs' emphatic 4-0 victory over Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Italian was seen limping as he left the Etihad Stadium, with Spurs confirming a fracture that required an operation. Despite initial treatment on the pitch, further scans revealed the extent of the damage, prompting immediate medical intervention. "Guglielmo will be assessed by our medical staff to determine when he can return to training," the English side wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The goalkeeper has revealed in an Instagram post that he played for 60 minutes with a broken ankle to help his team, admitting that he gave his all for his side and that the surgery went well.

Tottenham have yet to provide a timeline for the 27-year-old’s recovery, but his absence leaves Ange Postecoglou with a major decision as he evaluates replacement options in the January transfer window.

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Spurs thrash Man City 4-0 to end 52-match unbeaten home run

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James Maddison struck twice in seven first-half minutes before Pedro Porro rubbed salt in the wounds of his former club and Brennan Johnson completed the rout.

City's first defeat on home soil from open play since the eve of the 2022 World Cup leaves them still five points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who play their game in hand at bottom-of-the-table Southampton on Sunday. A great day for Tottenham eases the pressure on Ange Postecoglou as they climb into the top six.

City boss Pep Guardiola has committed himself to turning around the poorest run of his managerial career after extending his contract till 2027 this week. But hopes his new deal could revitalise a City side, that has won an unprecedented four consecutive Premier League titles, proved short-lived.

Rodri paraded his Ballon d'Or trophy to the home fans before kick-off as his name was lit up across the Etihad pitch by firelight in an ostentatious show of support for the Spanish midfielder. The 28-year-old is not expected to play again this season after suffering knee ligament damage in September and his absence has been at the heart of City's demise.

Guardiola's men did start strongly as Guglielmo Vicario denied Erling Haaland and the Norwegian had another shot deflected wide. But the momentum of the match completely swung on Tottenham's first serious attack after 13 minutes.

Dejan Kulusevski's teasing cross picked out Maddison who applied a cool first-time finish. Maddison had found himself frozen out of Postecoglou's starting line-up in recent weeks and was keen to prove a point to his manager.

Son Heung-min's inventive pass freed the England international inside the box and he dinked the ball over the advancing Ederson to double Spurs' lead. Inconsistency has been the scourge of Tottenham's season so far.

A 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich before the international break saw Postecoglou's men slip to 10th in the table. But they have now twice won comprehensively in Manchester after a 3-0 win over United at Old Trafford.

Dominic Solanke was denied by a fine Ederson save with the chance to make it 3-0 before half-time. Spurs, though, were not to be denied seven minutes into the second period.

The excellent Kulusevski crossed for Solanke and he patiently laid the ball back for Porro to blast home from close range. Haaland clipped the bar from an almost impossible angle as City laboured to find a response.

Instead, they were hit with one final sucker punch as Timo Werner eased past Kyle Walker and crossed for Johnson to tap home at the far post. The one glimmer of hope for City may be the return of Kevin De Bruyne after a two-month injury absence as a late substitute.

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