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An early own goal from Janina Leitzig gifted Tottenham a winning start to 2025 as they beat Leicester in the Women's Super League.

Goalkeeper Leitzig turned in Amanda Nilden's deflected cross in the fourth minute after great work from Maite Oroz in the build-up.

Leicester, who have scored just three goals in 11 WSL matches this season, should have equalised midway through the first half through captain Janice Cayman, who could only steer wide when presented with an empty net from six yards out.

Tottenham goalkeeper Lize Kop had just two saves to make on her debut against her former side, with Leicester's best chance coming shortly after the hour mark through Missy Goodwin.

Spurs, who are now unbeaten in three league matches, led for 70 minutes before having their first official shot in the match.

Robert Vilahamn's side almost added a second late on when captain Beth England's effort from 30 yards out crashed off the crossbar.

Tottenham climb above Liverpool into sixth place in the WSL, while Amandine Miquel's Leicester side remain 11th and one point clear of the relegation zone.

At what is now the halfway point of the WSL season in terms of matches played, Leicester have failed to score in eight of their 11 games.

A total of three league goals this season leaves the Foxes on track to finish the season on six. The current lowest by a team in the 12-team WSL era is the 13 from Aston Villa in the 2021-22 campaign. Last season, all 12 teams scored 20 or more.

Injuries have been a major issue for Miquel's side in attack. Germany international Lena Petermann has not played all season, while Noemie Mouchon, Deanne Rose, Jutta Rantala and Hannah Cain all missed the trip to Spurs. Attacking midfielder Saori Takarada played as a makeshift striker.

Creating chances was not a problem for the Foxes - they had seven shots to Spurs' two. They had an expected goals total of 1.33, with Tottenham only managing 0.05.

Yet Tottenham debutant goalkeeper Kop, who only left Leicester on Wednesday, was hardly tested.

Miquel said before the game she was looking to add an attacker in the January window, but only if they fitted her vision.

Cayman's miss summed up Leicester's performance, with the visitors the more likely of the two teams to score for large parts, helped by Tottenham's inability to muster a shot for the opening 74 minutes.

A 4-1 win over Stoke City in the FA Cup showed Leicester can score goals, but the importance of doing so in the WSL is becoming increasingly vital.

Sean Dyche was accused of being too defensive-minded before he got sacked last week, but Everton got a little bit stuck between being hard to beat and pushing for a goal when they lost to Aston Villa on Wednesday.

It meant they were quite open and, although David Moyes' side had chances, Villa really should have won by more than one goal.

I think it will be a similar story here, where Everton's approach will be different because they are at home.

If they were away, I think they would be happy to sit in and soak up pressure, but they might be a little bit more expansive at Goodison Park, and I don't see it ending well for them.

Everton's lack of goals - they have scored only 15 in their first 20 games - is pathetic. It cannot continue but, while it does, it looks like the weight of the world is on Dominic Calvert-Lewin's shoulders.

It should not be a case of him or bust in terms of Everton finding the net but that's how it felt against Villa and he is struggling. I have been there myself, when the goals are not flowing, and he looks hesitant and clunky in front of goal.

As a striker you have got to want chances to come your way but Calvert-Lewin looks like he is on the back foot in front of goal, and also that he's lacking the clarity of mind you have when you are flying form-wise, and you just finish those chances without thinking about them.

So, it's hard to make a case for Everton to beat Tottenham, even though Ange Postecoglou's side are on a poor run too.

Antonin Kinsky did not have a great game in goal against Arsenal but it was a disappointing display by the whole team.

Spurs have fallen so low in the table - 14th - that they need a win, and quickly. This might be the boost they need, although I am not convinced they will keep a clean sheet, even against Everton.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

With six defeats in their past 10 games, a loss to their biggest rivals and closer to the relegation zone than the top four, things are going from bad to worse for Tottenham Hotspur.

Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Arsenal at Emirates Stadium leaves Spurs 13th with 24 points, 14 off Newcastle in fourth but just eight above 18th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.

There would be a brief moment of cheer for Tottenham fans in the game when Son Heung-min fired them ahead in the 25th minute, but that was to be the last time they managed a shot on target as Arsenal scored twice in four minutes to win.

"We were nowhere near the levels we needed to be at today," Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said after the game.

"The fact we went out in the first half in such a big game and were so passive, it was unacceptable. And we paid a price for it."

Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer believes Tottenham's form will be a worry for the club's supporters.

"Without doubt the Tottenham fans have to be concerned," he said on Match of the Day.

"I know they have injuries but you can't go up against your rivals and your manager come out at the end of the game and say that the team were nowhere near their levels.

"That is unacceptable."

After Tottenham lost to Arsenal in the first north London derby of the season back in September, Postecoglou defiantly declared he "always wins a trophy" in his second season.

They were comments aimed at allaying fans' fears of a trophyless season, but instead they have been used to - as Postecoglou has said himself - mock him after a bad result.

Silverware does remain on the cards with Tottenham in the Europa League and holding a 1-0 first-leg advantage over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

But Postecoglou knows results must improve soon.

He added: "Of course the defeats hurt me. Not acceptable. Too many losses this year. Too many games getting away from us.

"It needs to stop."

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown feels pressure is mounting on Postecoglou, saying his style of play is at times proving costly as they continue to play a high-pressing game.

"Tottenham took so many risks and Arsenal took advantage - the game was so open," Keown said on TNT Sports.

"Manchester United will probably go above Spurs. A difficult moment for them and the manager is skating on thin ice."

Former Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon added: "One win in nine - it's not good enough at all.

"This puts a lot of unrest in that [Tottenham] camp. If they weren't in the Carabao Cup semi-finals there would be big problems."

Son said the players also need to stand up and be counted.

"It's up to the players as well," the striker said. You have to listen to what we want to do. I think we were not disciplined enough.

"We have to do better in every aspect. When you look at table it's not good enough."

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand criticised Tottenham's defending, saying: "It's like watching an academy under-18s game when the kids are working it out for themselves.

"I would be screaming at my goalkeeper, my defenders. Play over the press, not into the press."

Allowances do have to be made for Tottenham's injury list - they went into the north London derby with nine players ruled out.

Their defence in particular has taken a hit with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies all sidelined.

But despite that, Spurs fans will feel they still have enough in the squad to be battling further up the table.

Former Tottenham and Liverpool striker Peter Crouch said on TNT Sports: "We all know the injury problems, but the two 18-year-olds [Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray] were the best players.

"If I'm a more experienced player I feel embarrassed. I look at Son, he has had a disappointing season.

"They need players back - that team out there is not good enough in the league. I don't see them catching the top teams."

Ferdinand believes Postecoglou needs to become more flexible with his approach to games.

"Maybe he has to be more adaptable with his tactics," he added.

"I understand and respect Ange's principles but, with the injuries, surely you have to adapt them. Adaptability would be sensible at this time."

Next up for Tottenham is a trip to David Moyes' Everton on Sunday (14:00 GMT), a match Postecoglou knows is hugely important.

"No other way of looking at it," he said.

"If you give up now, there's no point. Right now we have a big game against Everton this weekend. That's our focus."

FULL-TIME

Newcastle 3-0 Wolves

All over and it is nine wins in a row for Newcastle thanks to Alexander Isak's double and an Anthony Gordon strike.

Wolves had no luck at all, but Newcastle are flying - they move into the top four.

Post

FT: Everton 0-1 Aston Villa

This was Aston Villa’s first away win in the Premier League since October at Fulham (3-1), ending a run of five successive defeats on the road. It was also their first away clean sheet in the competition since April 2024 at Arsenal, ending a run of 11 such outings without a shutout.

'Huge three points on the road for Villa'

FT: Everton 0-1 Aston Villa

Marc Albrighton

Former Aston Villa and Leicester midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Huge three points on the road for Aston Villa. With their indifferent away form coming into the games plus everything around Everton and David Moyes and the enthusiasm they had, it is a big result.

They weren't at their best with the ball but defensively they were strong. They were resolute. Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa worked fantastically well together, putting their bodies on the line with last ditch tackles.

Then you have the quality of Ollie Watkins up top. He came up with the goods, the winning goal to seal the three points.

'Odegaard never gives it away'

Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham

Pat Nevin

Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

The management of the game has been better from Arsenal.

Martin Odegaard, when it comes to him it sticks - he never gives it away.

Post

Newcastle 3-0 Wolves

Wolves keep plugging away as they look to just get a consolation. Rayan Ait-Nouri's persistence gets him into the box where he finds Matheus Cunha, but the ball is trapped under his feet and he can't get a shot off.

FULL-TIME

Everton 0-1 Aston Villa

David Moyes' Everton return starts with a home loss. Ollie Watkins' goal, from Morgan Rogers fine through ball, is the difference.

The hosts should have snatched a point at the death though, only for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to send an attempt over the top when well placed.

'A couple of years ago Calvert-Lewin was burying those'

Everton 0-1 Aston Villa

Marc Albrighton

Former Aston Villa and Leicester midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

You just sense that chance was the one chance Everton needed, and you would not want it to fall to another player in a blue shirt. A couple of years ago Dominic Calvert-Lewin was burying those.

Post

Everton 0-1 Aston Villa

What a miss.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin just has to get an equaliser. Jesper Lindstrom puts it on a plate for Calvert-Lewin, on the six-yard box and unmarked.

But it is a really poor finish, with Calvert-Lewin sending it over the top.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says the abuse directed at him by a minority of Tamworth fans was "vile and detestable".

The Australian was the target of chants from the home fans during Tottenham's 3-0 FA Cup third-round win against the non-league side on Sunday.

A sold-out crowd of 3,270 filled the Lamb Ground to see Tamworth hold out the Premier League side during normal time, before conceding three in extra-time.

While the majority of fans enjoyed the game in the right spirit, Postecoglou says there was an "unacceptable" minority who did not.

"90% of the crowd were very good and enjoyed the banter. There was 10% who were pretty unacceptable," said Postecoglou.

"The stuff I heard was pretty vile and detestable, and getting things thrown at me, not a great experience, but we're expected to be the bigger person.

"I would have loved to have turned around and not be the bigger person in that moment, but you deal with it and go on."

Fifth-tier Tamworth sit 96 places below Spurs in the football pyramid.

But the non-league side held their own during normal time, forcing Spurs to survive a couple of huge scares.

"Credit to Andy (Peaks, the Tamworth manager) and his players and the people of Tamworth at the football club," added Postecoglou.

"I thought they did themselves proud on the day with the way they presented themselves."

BBC Sport have contacted Tamworth and the Football Association for comment.

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Arsenal have won six of their last eight Premier League games against Spurs (D1 L1) and are looking to win three consecutive league games against them for the first time since January 1989 (a run of five).

Tottenham have won just one of their last 31 Premier League away games against Arsenal (D12 L18) and are winless in 13 since a 3-2 victory in November 2010.

Following their 1-0 win in September, Arsenal are looking to complete the Premier League double over Tottenham for the fifth time. Only in 2013-14 have they done so without conceding in the competition.

Tottenham have conceded at least once in each of their last 25 Premier League away games against Arsenal, since a 0-0 draw in 1998-99. In their league history, only at Bolton have they had a longer run without an away clean sheet (35 between 1923 and 2012).

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League home games (W9 D3), and are the only side without a home loss so far this season (W6 D3). They’ve kept a clean sheet in each of their last four home league games, last recording five consecutive shutouts at the Emirates between December 2013 and February 2014.

Tottenham have won just one of their last eight Premier League matches (D2 L5), with that victory coming at bottom side Southampton. Indeed, since the start of this run only Leicester (4) and Southampton (1) have earned fewer points in the Premier League than Spurs (5).

Arsenal have conceded a league-high 28% of their Premier League goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season (5/18). Meanwhile, Tottenham have scored more goals in this time period than any other side (11).

As a team, Tottenham have applied more pressures in the final third than any other side in the Premier League this season (1,321). Striker Dominic Solanke leads the way for this among players, with his 386 over 100 more than the next highest (Erling Haaland, 275).

Each of Kai Havertz’s last 11 Premier League goals have been scored in London. The last Arsenal player to have a longer such run was Lukas Podolski (12 between December 2012 and April 2014).

No player has provided more assists following a ball carry in the Premier League this season than Tottenham captain Son Heung-min (5). His next assist will make him the outright assist leader for Spurs in the Premier League (currently 68, level with Darren Anderton).

A net malfunction, a goalkeeper becoming a father hours earlier and a defender pulling off a 'Maradona' skill he could not explain.

Non-league Tamworth's performance against Tottenham had nearly everything you could dream of in an FA Cup tie - except a goal.

The Lambs, one of the few semi-professional teams left in the fifth-tier National League after back-to-back promotions, would even have had a rematch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had replays not been scrapped this season.

Premier League Spurs needed extra time to win the tie 3-0 after it had finished goalless in 90 minutes, but it was an occasion wrapped by tales befitting the historic competition.

The Staffordshire club, based not too far away from Birmingham, had been looking forward to this one - as they welcomed the eight-time FA Cup winners to the Lamb Ground and their artificial pitch.

National TV cameras were there in a bid to catch that fabled magic of the competition - and they got their wish early on when Beck-Ray Enoru had to climb onto a team-mate's shoulders and tape a hole in the net so the game could start, delaying the kick-off.

Tamworth performed admirably throughout, matching Tottenham for most of the game - and even had chances to win it.

But there were other moments which caught the eye too. That included 32-year-old journeyman centre-back Haydn Hollis' pirouette to lose two Spurs players - a decision which could have gifted the visitors a chance had it gone wrong.

Tamworth later posted on social media a picture of Diego Maradona doing the same bit of skill for Argentina.

"Their manager [Ange Postecoglou] just said to me, 'that's good enough to get you in the door here'," said Hollis afterwards.

"I said, 'believe it or not, I've never done it before'. That's not my game, you'll never see that again."

He also cleared a header off the line from Timo Werner, which is probably more his normal game.

Tommy Tonks, who drives a food van for work five days a week, caused Spurs repeated problems with his long throw-ins. One even hit the far post.

His name was all over social media at one stage with viewers loving the 33-year-old's work.

"All the lads can be proud of themselves," Tonks told BBC Radio 5 Live in an interview alongside his family. "I was cramping up a little bit. We would run through brick walls [for each other].

"I've not been in the house much this week.

"I'm in the twilight of my career - hopefully I can have more nights like this. The FA Cup is really special to me and the club."

Anything else missing? Oh, just that goalkeeper Jas Singh's partner had a son the day before the game.

The 34-year-old building surveyor, who has played for several non-league clubs in the West Midlands, put in a star performance and denied James Maddison and Werner.

"I just became a father yesterday and it just gets sweeter for me," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"This is a quiet day at the office. First time, a little boy. My partner is still in hospital, bless her for letting me play today."

On the game, he added: "To take a team like that to extra time is incredible and to do it in the way we did – we actually had a go.

"Maybe on another day a ball falls the other way – we should be proud. They brought the big boys on at extra time, and we were all having a laugh in our huddle saying, 'here we go!'.

"I am frustrated, but when the dust settles I will be proud.

"You don't get better than this. The majority of my career has been part-time - to have a day like this is incredible."

Singh was first beaten by an own goal from substitute Nathan Tshikuna, before Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson sealed Tottenham's success with a scoreline which hugely flattered them.

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Ange Postecoglou spoke to ITV after Tottenham's victory against Tamworth: "It was a challenging game as we expected it to be.

"They made it hard for us, with the surface it was about us staying calm and being persistent in our football.

"In the end, we got the job done."

On the message going into extra time: "Stay calm and persistent. We knew we would finish strong and you could see they were tiring a bit.

"It's a game of football you go into it with trepidation and knowing you can slip up with the challenges.

"Most parts the boys kept their heads. I thought they stayed clam and persisted and got through.

"We are through to the next round and that was the objective for today.

"Tamworth did really well and should be proud of their efforts. For us, we move on."