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Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou says the club are in a stronger position than when he took charge 18 months ago, despite their poor form this season.

Spurs have won just one of their past 10 Premier League matches, which has seen the club drop to 15th in the table.

Injuries have blighted Spurs' campaign, with key players such as Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie missing large chunks of the season.

The Australian's training methods and style of play have come under question given the number of muscle injuries sustained at the club this term.

Asked why his second season in charge had been more difficult, Postecoglou said: "It's just injuries.

"I mean you can walk outside and say, 'Jeez it's really bright', and say to yourself maybe it's not the sun. But it is the sun, mate, we've just got injuries.

"Every decision that is made is from me.

"I am responsible for this. If you want a head on a stick, take mine, but I am absolutely 100% confident that we are in a better place as a football club today than when I started."

Postecoglou replaced Antonio Conte as Tottenham boss in June 2023, moving from Celtic.

He said he believes his changes since taking charge have made the club stronger "in all areas".

"My brief was to come in and change things," he said. "That is what I have done.

"I think the squad we have got together now, they are an exciting squad and when they are all fit, I think the club will benefit, not just this year but for many years to come.

"We have some outstanding people that have come into the club in all areas, in every facet that I think will contribute to this club being successful in the future. I firmly believe that.

"Now, the only evidence that most people want to look at is where we are right now in terms of our performances, particularly in the league. But from my perspective as somebody who walked into a club that wanted change and needed change, I have no doubt we are in a much better place for what the club needs for success."

Tottenham finished fifth in the Premier League during his first season in charge, missing out on Champions League football by two points.

Spurs beat German side Hoffenheim 3-2 on Thursday night to move into sixth in the Europa League table.

The top eight sides in the Europa League table after next Thursday's final round of games automatically qualify for the knockout stages.

There has not been a great deal for Tottenham fans to smile about this season.

Spurs have won just one of their past nine games in the Premier League, are closer to the relegation places than the top eight and have a lengthy injury list that would hurt most teams.

But despite all that, there is still a chance this season could prove, as some pundits say, to be a special one.

That is because they are in three cup competitions, with Thursday's 3-2 win at Hoffenheim putting them on the verge of reaching the knockout stage of the Europa League.

Their dreadful Premier League form means it will be hard for any Tottenham fan to link this season to the word success, but Spurs have not won a trophy of any sort since 2008, so securing some silverware would be a huge positive.

"It could be a remarkable season for Tottenham," former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves said on TNT Sports.

"They could win a couple of trophies."

As well as the Europa League, Tottenham are also in the FA Cup and have a 1-0 first-leg advantage over Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

The win at Hoffenheim means victory for Tottenham at home to Elfsborg next week will see them into the knockout stage.

That game comes before a huge couple of days for Spurs as they travel to Liverpool in the EFL Cup on 6 February before going to Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round three days later.

Around those they have important league fixtures against Leicester, Brentford and Manchester United as they look to avoid dropping lower than their current 15th place in the Premier League.

"It is a huge couple of weeks for the club," Hargreaves added.

"It defines their season, with the FA Cup and the second leg of the League Cup."

Former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch said: "They are one game away from a final.

"They are in the ascendency there. If they get to a final that is a good season."

Tottenham are now among the favourites to win the Europa League.

With finishing in the top four unlikely, success in Europe's second-tier competition is their best way of securing Champions League football next season.

"The Europa League they have to prioritise now," added Crouch.

"I look at the teams and they are capable of beating any of them."

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou claimed earlier in the current campaign that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club.

They are words he may well regret saying given how often they are used against him after a bad result, but while they may well turn out to be true, it does not excuse just how bad Spurs have been at times this season, particularly in the league:

Spurs have lost 12 games in the Premier League this season, making it only the sixth campaign in which they have lost as many as 12 from their first 22 league matches, and the first time since 1997-98 (also 12 defeats).

The only sides who have lost more in the league this season are Wolves, Leicester and Southampton.

Spurs have lost 18 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season - only Fulham (19) have lost more.

That final statistic has been particularly concerning, with Spurs often getting into decent positions only to capitulate.

It will have been on the minds of Tottenham fans watching Thursday's game against Hoffenheim as, after getting into a 2-0 lead, a poor second half almost proved costly.

With the Germans pressing high, Spurs retreated further and further back until Anton Stach made it 2-1.

Son Heung-min's second goal should have ensured a comfortable end to the game but Hoffenheim scored again through David Mokwa with two minutes to go.

"We looked a bit tired in the second half but hung on," Postecoglou told TNT Sports.

"Sonny scored a great goal to give us that extra buffer. We had the schoolboys out there in the end."

There is a sizeable caveat to Tottenham's struggles this season as they headed to Germany this week with 14 players out through injury.

News did not get any better after the game as Postecoglou confirmed striker Dominic Solanke will be out for six weeks. He missed the weekend loss to Everton after twisting his knee in training.

"No surgery but we're looking around six weeks," Postecoglou said. "It might be quicker but we'll see."

There could, however, be some good news around the corner with some of Tottenham's injured players expected to return by the end of the month.

They include defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, and midfielder Yves Bissouma.

"You would expect Tottenham to be back up there at the end of season when everyone is fit," Crouch added.

"We would forget this time if they go and win a trophy. There has been ridicule from other fans - they need to get that off their back and it has been far too long."

The pressure has certainly been mounting on Postecoglou following Tottenham's poor domestic form and that would likely have increased had they failed to beat Hoffenheim.

The Australian was in a positive mood after Thursday's win, saying: "I thought the senior boys all really stood up. You need your leaders to stand up and they did.

"I told the players to enjoy it. Winning away in Europe - it's a significant victory for us and gives us a good foothold to get into those top-eight spots which will give us a week off."

But that pressure will likely return unless Tottenham can go all the way in a cup competition.

"It has been proven. Nuno, Conte, Mourinho - they are not bad managers but none brought the success Tottenham crave," Crouch added.

"Ange is not a bad manager but delivering success seems to be the holy grail.

"Whoever delivers it will be loved at Tottenham for so long because it has been so long."

Hargreaves added: "Back the manager and this season could turn into something special."

Simon: As a Spurs fan I would take finishing 17th if we win a cup. Winning something is the priority, but only if we stay up.

Gareth: To be honest, I think the league is done for us this season. I'd rather we settled for a mid-table finish and instead focus on the cups. A cup win - any cup win - would make this season a success, especially with all the injuries we've had. For me, this is a transitional season. Things will get better next season… I hope.

Ben: Success this season depends on how quickly players return from injury. Currently getting into the Europa League play-offs and avoiding relegation would be good. If we get players back then it could become positive very quickly. I believe in Ange, anything is possible.

Tom: Let's be honest, Spurs' season has been totally ruined by injuries. From here, a trophy and a top-half finish would be exceptional, and something for Ange to build on.

Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke is set to be out for "around six weeks" with a knee injury, says head coach Ange Postecoglou, as the club's injury crisis deepens.

Solanke was one of 14 senior players absent from Spurs' 3-2 win at Hoffenheim in the Europa League on Thursday.

And afterwards, Postecoglou said he expected Solanke to be out until early March, meaning he will miss their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg meeting with Liverpool as well as several Premier League games.

"With Dom [Solanke], the information now is around the six-week mark with him," Postecoglou said.

"No surgery but we're looking around six weeks. It might be quicker but we'll see."

Solanke joins a lengthy injury list that includes fellow forwards Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson.

While some players, such as Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr and Cristian Romero, are close to a return, others are long-term absentees, including first-choice keeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou says his players are "giving everything in every game" and have a "fantastic opportunity" to enjoy a successful season.

Spurs have won just one of their past 10 Premier League games and are without a victory in the past six.

Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Everton was their third in succession and they sit 15th in the table, leading to questions over whether Postecoglou is the right man to take the club forward.

Despite their league struggles Tottenham remain active in three other competitions - the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League.

"We are still in three cup competitions and there's a fantastic opportunity for us there in the next couple of months," Postecoglou said.

"The players are giving everything in every game. The players aren't prioritising anything - they are trying their utmost."

Tottenham have lost 12 games in the Premier League this season, making it only the sixth campaign in which they have lost as many as 12 from their first 22 league matches, and the first time since 1997-98 (also 12 defeats).

Spurs' best chance of winning silverware could lie in the EFL Cup after winning the first leg of their semi-final 1-0 when hosting Liverpool.

They travel to Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup and are ninth in the Europa League standings - one place outside automatic qualification for the last 16, but they have two games to play.

Postecoglou believes injuries have played a major part in Tottenham's struggles and he has only 13 fit senior players available for Thursday's Europa League trip to Hoffenheim (17:45 GMT).

"You really need a really strong squad of players to compete in Europe and do well in cup competitions because it's not manageable when you play three games a week," Postecoglou added.

"The reality is we don't have a lot of choice [because of injuries]. You're always assessing why it's happening.

"Early part of the year there were some things that were repeatedly happening with injuries so we've worked hard to better that process. Recently it's accumulation and toll of fixtures."

There is silence from Tottenham on the future of manager Ange Postecoglou, but that's not unusual for the club and chairman Daniel Levy.

With an injury-ravaged squad – and with Levy also in the firing line from disgruntled fans - there is a big decision to make on backing Postecoglou in the January transfer window, which would speak more loudly than any 'vote of confidence'.

Spurs need reinforcements. Yet again they top the Premier League 'injury' table for the most players currently unavailable, with 11, after Dominic Solanke, Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson joined the raft of defenders already missing.

Postecoglou - who will at least be in charge for Thursday's Europa League trip to Hoffenheim - said after Sunday's defeat to Everton that there "will be urgency" in the transfer market. He added: "These players need help... the club are trying hard."

But why do Spurs get so many injuries? Is it down to Postecoglou's style of play? And what is he like to work for?

BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club spoke to sports scientist Anton McElhone, who worked for Postecoglou at Celtic and for Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino.

McElhone was the head of sports science at Celtic between 2021 and 2023 while Postecoglou was manager.

"Ange is very clear 'This is how I do it at each club.'

"The players will adapt to it over the months. It was a collaboration. He wanted us delivering the philosophy of 'football first' - everything must start and end with the ball.

"Ange is very good at giving players time off, time to reflect. The training volume is good.

"Ange has been noted for his tactical style, and he's a very strong leader on how he gets things on to the pitch. How he does it at different clubs without the same staff is incredible."

McElhone was a fitness coach at Tottenham between 2011 and 2017.

"We know the Premier League is the most dynamic league in the world," he said. "It has 20 teams at all the same level and physicality - it's the best league in the world for that.

"Mauricio Pochettino brought in front-foot football at Spurs. But to get that style, it probably took six to 12 months. The intensity was through the roof.

"It's survival of the fittest for players. You need to be young, you need to be healthy, you need to have a certain physicality about you, and a mentality to get through that.

"To get that in the Premier League, you do have to train quite extensively for it. But you need the right tools, by that I mean the right players. They need to be robust enough, and I don't know at the moment at Tottenham if they've got these players. They've got a very young squad behind the senior squad as well.

"With Ange, what we saw last year, that was against the grain. That's normally season two, that peak. I think that's the difficulty they're having at Tottenham. They've had so many non-contact injuries [and] it can be very difficult."

Some Spurs fans have criticised Postecoglou for not resting players and came under scrutiny when first choice centre-backs Christian Romero and Micky Van de Ven both started against Chelsea on 9 December, returning earlier than anticipated from injury. Both players were substituted – and remain injured - with Romero coming off after 20 minutes of the 4-3 defeat.

"Ange is all about the numbers, [he'll say] 'Give me the facts'. Top managers will make the decisions," said McElhone. "It's not up to us to dictate, our job is to support, give the information.

"In year one at Celtic, Kyogo Furuhashi was injured going into the Scottish Cup final: a grade 2B hamstring injury. The manager asked 'Can we get the player available for the game? Is it a big risk?'

"The player wanted to play, we took the risk, we did the right strategies to try and get the player there, but it was the manager's choice.

"Ange is his own man, he's an exceptional leader and very strong and understanding, and has a good background in sports science and education from Australia."

PremierInjuries.com ranked Tottenham as having the third highest volume of separate injuries (21) up to 15 January, with the second highest days lost to injury (655) this season. Brighton were first with 23 injuries costing 914 days.

"At Celtic after six months Postecoglou could rotate the front five at 65 or 65 minutes to keep the freshness for the 60-game season," reflected McElhone.

"At Tottenham he's probably found that a lot more difficult because I don't think the strength in depth is the same as other Premier League clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea.

"Look at the evolution at Celtic under Postecoglou, we had a three-month period of sustaining injuries every week, mostly hamstring injuries. We had to get to the winter break to reset."

"As the players adapted to the demands of the system, the game fluctuation changed rather than that constant 'basketball' up and down the pitch, the team was able to control one half of the pitch more. So that stopped the centre-backs having to run in behind as often.

"As the game model and philosophy settled, that reduced injuries.

"At the moment, that is the problem at Tottenham. He has not got the squad.

"They have had a change of medical staff in the background in the last year as well, on top of all the other issues."

"What's really interesting about Ange is everyone that works with him realises this is a very strong manager. And I don't mean this in a critical way, but he's his own guy," said McElhone. "He has a Sir Alex Ferguson type mentality: this is how I do it, this is how I work. He doesn't have a network of staff.

"Every club that he has been to, he does produce. But again, it's never an easy ride. So he will always predict that there is going to be real rough patches in it.

"I think he has the resiliency, understanding and experience to overcome these things. He is a very relentless and preserving manager; very strong mentally. Probably one of the best I've worked with.

"He's not going to worry about the outside noise. He's going to focus on how do we win, how to we play our style, our way of doing it. He will be focused on that in one way only."

Georges-Kevin Nkoudou says advice from England captain Harry Kane has helped him unlock the best goalscoring form of his career.

The Cameroon winger has struck 23 times since joining Saudi Pro League side Damac in August 2023, including 15 goals last season.

Nkoudou was at Tottenham Hotspur alongside Kane between 2016 and 2019, and often thinks about what the Bayern Munich striker told him during their time together in north London.

"I learn a lot from watching Harry because, as a goalscorer, I have never seen anyone like him," the 29-year-old told BBC Sport Africa.

"I know I can get myself in good positions. [But] some goals I have scored with Damac are because I think about Kane.

"He is such a clever guy in front of goal."

Nkoudou has certainly improved his strike rate since his move to the Middle East, given his previous best goal return in a single season had been eight efforts for Turkish club Besiktas.

"He (Kane) always told me 'You need to be calm'," Nkoudou added.

"I'm a winger, so I wasn't used to being in front of goal. Now I'm more calm, more confident, because I remember this advice."

Nkoudou moved to Spurs aged 21, but things did not work out how he hoped during his three years with the Premier League club.

He made just 27 appearances in all competitions and spent time on loan at Burnley and Monaco, but insists he has no regrets about his move from Marseille to London.

"When I got the chance to go to England, I didn't even hesitate as this is what I had always wanted," Nkoudou recalled.

"Of course, I was so young, but I trusted myself and I knew my quality. When you go to such a big team and you're young, you go there first of all to learn - because they have so many great players."

Nkoudou says he "grew up as a man" and boosted his knowledge of the game during what was a "tough" stint in London under then-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

"I needed to adapt to a new country - its culture and language," he explained.

"I used to go to the gym all the time [at Tottenham]. In France it was more technical with the ball. I made myself stronger and I improved from training with the players.

"It is the part of my life when I learned a lot about football, even if I didn't play a lot.

"I always tried to do my best and when I left I texted Pochettino to say thank you."

It was while at Besiktas, in 2022, that Nkoudou made his international debut for Cameroon.

Having been born in Versailles and featured up to Under-21 level for France, Nkoudou initially had designs on representing the two-time Fifa World Cup winners at senior level.

But when then-Indomitable Lions coach Rigobert Song came calling, Nkoudou opted to play for his mother's homeland.

"Since I was young my family wanted me to play for Cameroon, but I grew up French," he explained.

"However, when I spoke to my family and friends, I knew it was going to be a big honour for me. It was an easy decision."

His national team highlight, so far, has been appearing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he made two substitute appearances.

"Honestly, nothing is like the World Cup," he said.

"As an African team it is a little bit different because you're not the favourite but you need to give everything for your shirt and for your country."

Nkoudou generally found international minutes difficult to come by under Song, although he did feature in all four matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

It was a similar story after Belgian Marc Brys took charge last April.

However, in his most recent outing - an Afcon 2025 qualifier against Zimbabwe in November - Nkoudou was man of the match, scoring one goal and setting up the other in a 2-1 win.

"I'm a quieter guy in the dressing room and don't always show myself so much, but when a new coach comes, at the beginning you need to prove yourself," he said.

"I know what I can do and I think football never lies. If you keep working then opportunities come.

"I like competition and I like a challenge. I know when I play I can do great things for a team."

Nkoudou now hopes to earn a place in Cameroon's starting XI before the Afcon 2025 finals begin in December.

He believes the five-time continental champions should be considered among the favourites for the tournament in Morocco, and has praised Brys' impact.

"We have almost the same players but the quality now on the pitch is higher and you can see the results," Nkoudou reflected.

"Everyone knows better what they need to do and what the coach wants from us.

"I think really the next Afcon can be a great opportunity for Cameroon to get back the crown."

'Last 30 minutes we fight, that's what I want to see'

Nottm Forest 3-2 Southampton

Moving on to the City Ground and starting with Southampton manager Ivan Juric who, more than anyone right now, is in need of a pick-me-up.

His players almost handed it to him with a rousing late recovery against Nottingham Forest:

"Second half we played with the heart, with energy and intensity. We did two goals, we had other chances to score. Second half is how we have to play," he said.

"Last 30 minutes we fight, that's what I want to see...but still we are not ready for 90 minutes and that's really a pity."

'We weren't at our best and they were outstanding'

Ipswich 0-6 Man City

Kieran McKenna did his best to find the positives in what he acknowledged was a "gulf in class" between his relegation-threatened Ipswich side and defending champions Manchester City:

"A painful game for us beaten by a world-class side. They were too good for us on the day. There was positives in the early parts of the game. We actually had a lot of good moments in the first 20, 25 minutes but after the first goal they [City] hit top form and top confidence.

"We weren't able to find a response and weren't able to stop them today. We weren't at our best and they were outstanding. When that's the case the gulf between us was too much on the day."

'Not just about winning titles, it's the joy to do your best'

Ipswich 0-6 Man City

Pep Guardiola was happy to see his Manchester City side go back to basics at Portman Road and rekindle their enjoyment of the game:

"A long time it didn't happen. We have got some good results lately but our games was not like today. The most important thing is the result, to climb a bit in the table to try for qualification for the Champions League.

"But it's not just about winning titles, it's the joy to do your best, whether you are a professional or amateur...the joy to play good, not just for the three points.

"I think today the players improved many things and hopefully they can begin to recognise ourselves again."

Man City thrash Ipswich to move back into top four

Ipswich 0-6 Man City

Gary Rose

BBC Sport

Sunday's final game offered a timely warning to Manchester City's rivals as the defending Premier League champions looked like their old selves against struggling Ipswich at Portman Road.

After letting slip a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Brentford in their last league outing, Pep Guardiola's side returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion.

Phil Foden was particularly excellent as he scored twice and assisted another of the six goals, with his double coming in the first half.

Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and substitute James McAtee also found the net in a victory that moved City up to fourth on 38 points, while Ipswich remain in the bottom three with 16 points.

Forest hang on to beat Saints

Nottm Forest 3-2 Southampton

Matthew Henry

BBC Sport

Nottingham Forest moved level on points with second-placed Arsenal after withstanding an unlikely comeback by bottom club Southampton at the City Ground.

The hosts looked in total control with a 3-0 lead inside 41 minutes, following goals from Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and a 14th of the season from Chris Wood.

A fortuitous Jan Bednarek goal for Saints and Paul Onuachu's thumping header - in the first of 12 added minutes - set up an unexpectedly tense finale.

Southampton, who had battled back brilliantly in the second half, then almost snatched an equaliser but Ola Aina spectacularly cleared Bednarek's header off the line.

Unbeaten now in eight league games with seven wins and a draw, Forest remain third on goal difference, while Southampton have lost 18 games this season, including all five league matches since Ivan Juric was appointed in December, and stay bottom of the table with six points.

Everton beat Spurs to pile pressure on Postecoglou

Everton 3-2 Tottenham

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Everton started the road to recovery under returning manager David Moyes and piled more pressure on his struggling Tottenham counterpart Ange Postecoglou with an impressive victory at Goodison Park.

Spurs were shambolic for long periods as they were overrun by a resurgent Everton, who had won only three Premier League matches this season - scoring 15 goals - before this game.

Everton deservedly led 3-0 at the interval, then survived a late Spurs revival as the scoreline was given an appearance that did not reflect the difference between the sides.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended a barren Premier League scoring sequence stretching back to September - and lasting 1,288 minutes - when he turned Archie Gray twice in the area before leaving Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky wrong-footed with a smart finish.

Everton added a second on the half-hour when Iliman Ndiaye twisted Radu Dragusin inside out before firing high past Kinsky and compounded Spurs' misery in first-half stoppage time when Gray turned into his own net after James Tarkowski's header took a touch off Calvert-Lewin.

Spurs pulled a goal back through Dejan Kulusevski's clever lofted finish with 13 minutes left, with former Everton striker Richarlison increasing the nerves by bundling home in injury time.

But the hosts held out for a deserved win on a day to savour for the returning Moyes.

Onana howler helps Brighton win at Man Utd

Man Utd 1-3 Brighton

Simon Stone

BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

Brighton capitalised on a disastrous mistake from Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana to condemn their hosts to a fourth defeat in five Premier League home games and leave Ruben Amorim's side rooted in the bottom half of the table.

The visitors were already leading thanks to goals from Yankuba Minteh and Kauro Mitoma when Onana came sliding out to collect a low Yasin Ayari cross.

It seemed an easy enough take but somehow Onana managed to grab the ball, then release it. Substitute Georginio Rutter could not believe his luck as he turned the ball into an empty net, with Onana left exasperated at his inexplicable failure.

It was hardly the way United's players would have wanted to mark the death of legendary striker Denis Law, but they deserved nothing more.

What is going wrong for Man Utd and Spurs?

OK, that last post has to come with the admission that most of the messages we have been getting from you this morning have not come with positive vibes. Far from it.

The majority have questioned Ruben Amorim's thinking in describing his team as the worst in Manchester United's history, or called for an explanation as to just what is going on at Tottenham.

Just a reminder that Sunday's defeats left United in 13th place in the Premier League table, two points and two places better off than Spurs.

We will have a look at both matches - United's 3-1 loss at home to Brighton and Spurs' 3-2 defeat at Everton - in more detail next and bring you all the latest reaction, including a selection of your Get Involved messages.

'Keep positive'

Man Utd 1-3 Brighton

When Denis Law left Manchester United in 1973 they were in sharp decline.

He went on to score a famous backheel goal at Old Trafford for his new side Manchester City in 1974 on a day that United were last relegated from the top flight.

That fact should provide an important reminder for Ruben Amorim that, while he has dubbed his side as "maybe the worst in United's history", things have been worse.

Amorim was involved in a long conversation with former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as he left the pitch following Sunday's tribute to Law.

According to Amorim, Ferguson told him to "keep positive".

The Scot should know.

In the 1989-90 season, his side had less points (24) at this stage of the campaign than Amorim's does now (26), yet went on to win the FA Cup - the first trophy of his reign.

The rest, they say, is history.

'Old Trafford pays its respects to the king'

Monday's newspapers

The Daily Mail

We finish our round-up of today's national newspapers with a bit of context from the Mail.

Before Sunday's 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton, Manchester United fans, including current and former players and staff, gathered at Old Trafford to pay a touching tribute to one of the club's greatest ever players, Denis Law, who was known as "the king".

Law died on Friday, aged 84.

He won the European Cup, two English titles and the FA Cup in his 11 years with Manchester United, and is the only Scottish player to have been awarded the Ballon d'Or.

Tottenham fell to a fourth defeat in five Premier League games as they were beaten at Everton on Sunday, and it's starting to become a "familiar story".

They might not have been the words manager Ange Postecoglou wanted to hear at the start of his interview with BBC Match of the Day, external, but it's becoming an unwanted trend at the club.

Spurs trailed 3-0 against relegation-threatened Everton at half-time before a late fightback meant the game ended 3-2.

Defeat left the north London side 15th, and put Postecoglou under further pressure.

"It is a difficult result," the Australian said. "We struggled to really get in the game in the first half and that gave Everton momentum.

"We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. The players certainly tried to claw the game back but we just fell short."

Tottenham are eight points above the relegation zone after 22 games and have won just seven times in the league this season.

Asked if his confidence wavers, Postecoglou said: "No it doesn't.

"If you look at the situation we're in, it will eventually dissipate. I certainly hope and believe it will.

"I certainly haven't lost belief or determination to turn it around and the players showed in the second half that they haven't either."

Tottenham's injury issues deepened prior to their trip to Merseyside with the news £65m summer signing Dominic Solanke would be unavailable because of a knee issue.

Postecoglou said he had "literally 11 players fit enough to start the game" and had to name six teenagers, including 16-year-old Malachi Hardy, on the bench.

Regular first-team players Brennan Johnson, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Guglielmo Vicario and Micky van de Ven were among those sidelined.

"We are pretty stretched," Postecoglou said.

"There will be urgency [in the transfer market] but it doesn't need me to say it, everybody can see that. I have no issues with how the club are going about it, they are working hard and trying to find solutions.

"These players need help and hopefully over the next 10 days or so we'll find a solution. It is really tricky, we're not the only ones in the market. The club are trying hard."

Ben Davies returned from an 11-game absence with a thigh injury to play the full 90 minutes.

The Wales defender has been with the club since 2014 and was part of the squad that lost the 2019 Champions League final 2-0 against Liverpool.

"It is probably the toughest period since I've been at the club," Davies said.

"We'll see the players who are willing to fight and show they really care about this. It is a tough time for the club and squad. We need people who will really fight.

"I see the work we put in every day. Everyone is hurting. It is a very difficult period and we're hurting too like the fans."

Postecoglou is Tottenham's fourth permanent manager since Tottenham parted with Mauricio Pochettino in 2014.

Since the Argentine was sacked, Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte have all attempted to crack the code.

Mourinho lost 24 matches during an 86-game stint, Santo only lasted only 17 games and Conte was beaten 23 times in 76 fixtures.

Postecoglou, meanwhile, has overseen 27 losses in 74 games.

Spurs also have the seventh worst defensive record in the Premier League this season, conceding 35 goals.

"You cant be losing 3-0 at Everton at half-time - and it could have been worse," former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports.

"This is a mess. Tottenham are just so naive in everything they do.

"It's like watching a kids' academy play, where the manager keeps telling them to play and results don't matter."

In September, Postecoglou said "I always win things in my second year" following a 1-0 loss against Arsenal in the north London derby.

There could still be a happy ending to the campaign with Spurs leading Liverpool 1-0 after the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

"I think the pressure will crank up now because as manager of Tottenham you need to get results but it feels like there is a lot resting on the cup competitions," Carragher added.

Everton are the latest crisis club to seek a cure for their ills in the healing hands of 'Dr Tottenham' and their manager Ange Postecoglou - and come away feeling reinvigorated and revitalised.

David Moyes was the biggest beneficiary as Everton secured their first win since his return as manager with a 3-2 victory, but Spurs counterpart Postecoglou's position will come under even closer scrutiny after a seventh defeat in 10 Premier League games.

'Dr Tottenham' is the latest cruel jibe aimed in the direction of Spurs - the theory being if you are a team or manager in desperate need of a tonic, then look no further than the surgery in north London.

Among the satisfied patients this season have been Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town - both of whom secured sorely needed first league wins against Postecoglou's side.

Everton may have had a new (or old) manager in Moyes, but they took a list of ailments as long as your arm into Sunday's match after the 61-year-old Scot's first game ended in a home defeat by Aston Villa.

That made Spurs - admittedly in desperately reduced circumstances of their own because injuries - the ideal opponents.

At kick-off, Everton had failed to score in nine of their past 11 Premier League games, netting only five goals in that period, including two own goals from Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Craig Dawson.

They had scored a miserly 15 in their previous 20 league games this season, mustering just 66 shots on target from 226 attempts.

Central to that toil was striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who had not scored in the league since the 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa on 14 September - his barren sequence extended to 16 games when he looked short of confidence as he missed three good chances against those same opponents on Wednesday.

Spurs? No problem.

He was back on the target after 13 minutes with a neat, clinical finish as he turned Archie Gray twice before leaving keeper Antonin Kinsky wrong-footed.

It was Calvert-Lewin's first league goal in 1,288 minutes.

'Dr Tottenham' had written out the perfect prescription as Everton were transformed - unrecognisable from their stodgy appearance this season as they tore into a Spurs team that was once again far too easy to play against, racking up 12 shots, with six on target.

These were almost unheard-of riches.

Everton took the medicine they were offered to go 3-0 up at half-time after a truly shambolic first half from Spurs, and it would be delusional for Postecoglou - or anyone else - to be fooled by the late goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison that gave the scoreline a narrow appearance the visitors did not deserve.

It all turns up the heat on Postecoglou, with Spurs 15th in the table - only four points ahead of Everton, who have a game in hand.

Any analysis must take into account the injury problems Postecoglou is facing, having lost striker Dominic Solanke with a knee injury, Brennan Johnson with a calf problem and Yves Bissouma to a knock after the midweek derby at Arsenal.

There can be no excuse, however, for such a desperate run of results and performances, with the first half here an embarrassment to Spurs and a source of fury for the travelling fans.

They turned their anger on chairman Daniel Levy, and delivered a sarcastic "ole" when Spurs strung passes together. The elation of Everton's supporters enjoying only a fourth league win of the season was met with: "You're nothing special, we lose every week."

The half-time whistle was met with pure vitriol, and matters were only made slightly less toxic by those two late strikes that set up a tense finish of sorts.

Spurs got what they deserved: nothing.

Postecoglou's change of defensive strategy to three at the back failed dismally, though he insisted this was simply an attempt to find a structure with the personnel at his disposal.

The Spurs manager clearly has problems, but contrast their results and football to that of Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth.

He was without eight players and had a total of only 39 appearances on the bench at Newcastle United on Saturday, compared to the home team's 979.

Iraola still conjured up a tactical masterclass with a 4-1 win that makes the Cherries unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions, just one point off the Champions League places.

This comparison is stark and unflattering for Spurs and Postecoglou.

All eyes will increasingly be on Levy, who is not renowned for his patience or increasing the tenure of struggling managers, especially when he is the main target for noisy discontent, not the man in the technical area.

The Spurs fans went through their full anti-Levy songsheet – never good news for any manager under his rule.

The idea of sacking Postecoglou is the easy bit. The hard part is finding someone of quality available now. Change for change's sake is rarely a good solution.

Spurs and Postecoglou will cling to the hope offered by a 1-0 advantage going into the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Liverpool, when he will hope to have key defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven fit again, although Solanke will be a doubt as he is likely to face several weeks out of action.

They will have to play many levels above what they showed at Everton for that hope not to be extinguished very quickly.

Postecoglou did not attempt to duck the issue, saying: "I have the responsibility of the group of players. I do have to try and get us through this and that's what I've got to focus on.

"For me to focus on anything else is abstaining myself from the responsibility I have."

And he remained defiant, adding: "My belief doesn't waver.

"We are in a pretty extreme situation with injuries. If you look at the situation we're in, it will eventually dissipate. I certainly hope and believe it will.

"We'll give ourselves the opportunity to get consistency in performance and results. I certainly haven't lost belief or determination to turn it around and the players showed in the second half that they haven't either."

Spurs now travel to Hoffenheim in the Europa League before a meeting with another of those Premier League strugglers, Leicester City, at home next Sunday.

'Dr Tottenham' has helped others - now a cure must be found closer to home or Postecoglou will be in deeper trouble.

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