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SPURS SECURE FIRST LEAGUE VICTORY IN EIGHT GAMES

Tottenham secured their first Premier League victory in seven weeks as Vitaly Janelt’s own goal and Pape Sarr’s late strike secured a win at Brentford.

Spurs were on the back foot for much of the game as the hosts had over 30 crosses into the area and over double the touches in the opposition box, but Ange Postecoglou’s side showed a resolute edge they have not always exhibited this season.

The first goal came when Son Heung-Min’s inswinging corner found stand-in goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson out of position and the ball ended up deflecting into the goal off the back of Janelt.

Although the Bees dominated most of the play the only time they came especially close to scoring was when Yoan Wissa could only clip the crossbar when found six yards out from goal.

The victory lifts Spurs up to 14th in the table, four points and three places behind Brentford, and it must give Ange Postecoglou’s side some confidence going into their biggest match of the season, away to Liverpool in the League Cup semi-final, second leg on Thursday.

POSTECOGLOU HAILS SPURS DEFENSIVE DISPLAY

"It's always a challenge here, they're a quality side especially at home," Postecoglou told Sky Sports.

"After Thursday night we needed to back up here and I thought we did that really well.

"With so many set pieces we had to defend well and I thought we did as well as we have all season.

"We also showed some quality when we had the ball."

Some of Europe's greatest clubs were involved in the draw, and there are some fascinating fixtures on display - with plenty on the line as just eight spots in the last 16 remain.

Those representing the Premier League - namely Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur - secured victories on Thursday to make their spot safe, but some were not so fortunate.

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With that in mind, here is everything you need to know about the Europa League knockout phase.

Who could Man Utd, Spurs and Rangers face in UEFA Europa League last 16?

The draw for the last 16 will not take place until February 21, so the top eight will have to wait to learn their fate.

However, the new format means each team has four possible opponents at this stage.

All three British teams progressed automatically to the last 16 after cementing their places in the top eight in the final round of fixtures.

Manchester United finished the league phase in third despite being the only team in the competition not to lose a game.

The Red Devils are now set to face either AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Real Sociedad or Galatasaray when their UEFA Europa League campaign resumes.

Tottenham finished one place behind their Premier League rivals in fourth, meaning they have the same four possible opponents as United in the last 16.

It was confirmed in the play-off draw that AZ will face Galatasaray, while Real Sociedad and Midtjylland will do battle. In both matches, a blockbuster last-16 tie with a Premier League tie is at stake.

Rangers finished eighth in the league phase table after they secured a 2-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise on matchday eight.

Full UEFA Europa League knockout phase play-off draw and path to quarter-finals

Ferencvaros v Viktoria Plzen

FC Porto v AS Roma

The winners will face either Lazio or Athletic Club

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FC Twente v Bodo/Glimt

Fenerbahce v Anderlecht

The winners will face Rangers or Olympiacos

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Union SG v Ajax

PAOK v FCSB

The winners will face either Lyon or Frankfurt

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AZ Alkmaar v Galatasaray

Midtjylland v Real Sociedad

The winners will face Tottenham or Manchester United

The first legs of the knockout phase play-offs are on February 13, with the second legs on February 20.

Who do Mourinho's Fenerbahce face in the UEFA Europa League play-offs?

Jose Mourinho is a regular in Europe's esteemed competitions, but faces a new kind of challenge as he looks to guide Turkish side Fenerbahce to Europa League glory.

His side just about squirmed into a play-off spot in the league phase standings, occupying 24th - setting them up for a tie against either Anderlecht, who finished 10th, with a tie against either Rangers or Olympiacos on the line.

Meanwhile, AS Roma take on FC Porto - the victors of which will face either Lazio or Athletic Club in the last 16.

How does bracket format work?

From the knockout phase play-off stage onwards, the UEFA Europa League takes a bracket format.

So how does it work? Sides who finished between ninth and 16th in the league phase standings are seeded for the play-offs, while those between 17th and 24th are unseeded.

Teams are then paired by their final position in the league phase table, so, ninth and 10th are paired, 11th and 12th, etc, creating four pairs of seeded teams, and four pairs of unseeded teams.

Ahead of Friday's draw, each team involved knew their potential play-off opponents. Those positioned 23rd and 24th would meet those placed ninth or 10th. And it continues in that exact manner, 21st and 22nd clashing against teams placed either 11th or 12th, and so on.

But what is the significance of the bracket format?

From here, teams who were paired together will split off into separate sides of the draw, meaning they cannot meet until the final.

During the draw, unseeded teams (17th-24th) were first drawn into a bracket position, and the seeded teams are drawn thereafter - forming the round of play-off fixtures.

But the bracket is significant in splitting up some of the competition's well-matched sides. And the same will occur when the last 16 draw is made in February.

The winners of the play-off tie will be drawn between their corresponding, potential last 16 opponents. For example, Manchester United could face one of AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Real Sociedad or Galatasaray in the knockouts.

Ruben Amorim's side will not learn their fate until the draw is made, but they are guaranteed to land on the opposite side of the draw to Tottenham - due to being paired by their third and fourth-placed finishes.

Can teams from the same country face each other?

Two teams from the same national association can be drawn against each other from the knockout phase play-offs onwards.

While this did not materialise at this particular point of the competition, it did occur in the UEFA Champions League play-off draw, with Paris Saint-Germain and Brest set to clash for a last-16 spot.

To add another layer of intrigue, clubs can also face sides they played during the league phase.

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Ange Postecoglou has questioned his own future as Tottenham Hotspur manager after his side slipped to a 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City, while TNT Sports expert Karen Carney claimed recent results "just haven't been good enough".

Spurs, sitting 15th in the Premier League table, were beaten by Ruud van Nistelrooy’s visitors, who themselves ended an eight-game winless streak in the league thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy and Bilal El Khannous.

As a result, The Foxes hauled themselves out of the relegation zone, where they hover a point ahead of Wolves in 18th.

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Postecoglou’s side are still in the Carabao Cup – holding a 1-0 aggregate lead over Liverpool in their two-legged semi-final – and they are into the fourth round of the FA Cup thanks to a 3-0 win over non-league Tamworth, who took them to extra time.

In the UEFA Europa League, they sit sixth in the group stage league table and are on course to qualify automatically for the knockout stages.

Despite their form in cup competitions, the pressure has piled onto Postecoglou.

"Who knows, mate," the Australian replied when asked whether he would still be in his post when his first-choice defenders - chiefly Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero - returned from injury.

"I'm sure there will be a fair chunk that say no. As a manager, sometimes you can feel really isolated. I don't because of the players – not for me – but they're still giving everything for this club, and I've got great staff who are doing the same.

"I have been around long enough to know that some will just judge on where we are at the moment and rightly so in some respects. It’s not good enough.

"If people want to put context to that they can, if not, so be it. From my point of view, I’m still very much stuck on the fact that the players are just giving everything they can. They did on Thursday night [a 3-2 win over Hoffenheim], they did today.

"There are probably at least two who shouldn’t have been out there. They were just desperate to try to turn our fortunes around. Hopefully over the next 10 days, two weeks, we should get some significant players back, which I think will help this group a lot. It will give them the boost they need.

"We have still got some fantastic opportunities this year to make an impact in the second half of this year, and I’m sure that will happen."

Carney worried about 'stubborn' Postecoglou

Meanwhile, Carney admits that she "worries" about Postecoglou's future at the club.

"As soon as the fans start having a go at Daniel Levy, usually that means Daniel Levy acts and takes the pressure off him a little bit," said Carney ahead of Fulham v Manchester United on TNT Sports.

"He [Postecoglou] has had money this year and obviously a lot of criticism has been because he's been so stubborn.

"The results can't lie, and I think for Ange it might be a little too far.

"I like him, I love his football. I love the entertainment that he has brought to the club, and the fans wanted that, but the results just haven't been good enough."

Rio Ferdinand believes that Postecoglou needs to be "more adaptable with his tactics" given the injuries he has been faced with.

"If I was Ange, I'd turn my phone off for a couple of days minimum just to try and get through to the next game," said Ferdinand.

"I interviewed him at some point last season and I was really impressed with him.

"One of the things I actually thought was quite refreshing about Ange was his attitude: ‘I am what I am, I'm not going to change.’ I respect that and I understand that.

"But when you’ve had the amount of injuries they’ve had and the amount of young and inexperienced players they've had to bring in, that makes me think you have to be a bit more adaptable with your tactics, just to support those young players and give them a bit better of a foundation and build around them.

"Give them an opportunity to get their foot into games and maybe nick a couple of results to build some confidence. He hasn't done that, and I think they've been hugely punished."

Asked if Postecoglou deserved more time at Spurs, Ferdinand commented: "I think you’ve got to speak to him and check his temperature to see where he is.

"In his last few interviews I’ve seen he's been very, very tetchy, prickly, and understandably, because the results haven’t been good and he hasn’t liked the line of questioning.

"He looks a man under pressure right now and that'll be a concern."

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BIG SAVE TO DENY PORRO!

Gray delivers a cross from the left which finds Bergvall in space, but he can't find room for the shot so lays the ball off for Porro to strike first time which he does, but Stolarczyk pulls off a brilliant save to keep the score level.

CHANCE FOR LEICESTER

Victor Kristiansen races down the left wing and pulls a low cross back for Ayew on the edge of the box, he has loads of time but takes his shot first time and sends his effort straight at Ben Davies.

Leicester are getting a lot of joy going forward in the early stages and Spurs look wide open, which is not helping the nerves from the home support!

LEICESTER FAIL TO CAPITALISE EARLY ON

Sarr gives the ball away cheaply in the middle of the park and Leicester break forward, with Jamie Vardy finding Jordan Ayew on the right as he darts into the penalty area. Archie Gray comes across and does enough to prevent any further damage as Leicester are forced away from goal.

MAN UTD TRAVEL TO FULHAM ON TNT SPORTS

This game might not be televised in the UK, but TNT Sports will bring you all the action from Craven Cottage as Manchester United take on Fulham in west London later today.

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MADDISON 'SORE' AFTER UEL WIN

Ange Postecoglou has explained Maddison's absence today.

"He's still a bit sore from the other night, it took a fair bit out of the group and he just wasn't 100 per cent," the Spurs manager told the club website.

"Hopefully he should be alright for next week."

Image credit: Getty Images

SPURS EGDE NERVY THRILLER TO NEAR TOP-EIGHT FINISH

Tottenham Hotpur were made to sweat for their 3-2 victory at Hoffenheim, as an important Son Heung-min brace launched Ange Postecoglou's side into the UEFA Europa League top eight.

It was a blistering start from the Premier League strugglers, as James Maddison opened the scoring with a neat take from a long ball and emphatic finish inside three minutes.

And the midfielder was again at the centre of the action as he teed up Son midway through the first half, with the Spurs captain seeing a deflected strike drop over the head of Oliver Baumann for a two-goal cushion.

Hoffenheim seemed to find their feet ahead of the half-time break, and carried that momentum after the interval, seeing wave upon wave of pressure come to no avail – not helped by the woodwork denying Andrej Kramaric's header.

The hosts' pressure looked to have finally told when they won a penalty for Brandon Austin's challenge on Max Moerstedt midway through the second half, but referee Morten Krogh revoked his decision following a lengthy VAR check.

Hoffenheim eventually found the target though, Anton Stach capping off a neat move to halve Spurs' advantage.

But the game swung yet again nine minutes later, with Son notching his double in clinical style to give the visitors breathing room yet again.

Substitute David Mokwa pounced on some poor Spurs defending to force a nervy finish, but there was to be no dramatic equaliser for the hosts – whose hopes of remaining in the competition now look slim.

Spurs provisionally moved up to fourth ahead of the later kick-offs, and victory over Elfsborg at home next week would secure a top-eight finish.

WATCH MANCHESTER UNITED V RANGERS ON TNT SPORTS!

Another week of frantic European action, and Manchester United have just kicked off in their "battle of Britain" clash against Rangers!

If it ends up being half as dramatic as our early kick-off, it'll be a treat.

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POSTECOGLOU EYEING TOP EIGHT

The Spurs boss was looking ahead to next week's clash against Elfsborg - and victory against the Swedish side would confirm automatic qualification for the last 16.

"We have a home game," he told TNT Sports. "It's a great position to be in, we want to finish top-eight because it gives us an extra week of respite from the schedule we've had. We're going to need it around that time, great incentive, but credit to the lads."

Image credit: Getty Images

POSTECOGLOU SPEAKS TO TNT SPORTS

The Spurs boss was very pleased to see his side hold on for all three points in Hoffenheim.

"Not easy to get away wins in Europe," he said. "Watching the Champions League last night, only one away victory, so it's tough but credit to the boys. Outstanding first half, played really well. We looked tired in the second half but hung on.

"Sonny scored a great goal to give us that extra buffer, had schoolboys out there in the end but it was a great victory."

SON IS A SPURS 'LEGEND' - CROUCH

Watching what turned out to be the decisive goal, Crouch hailed Spurs captain Son and his overall contribution at the club.

"This is Son to a tee. 101," he said. "You see him in this position so many times, just haven't seen it enough this season. There was a time where it was a goal every time from that position. Quick stepover, move to the left, his signature move, great finish.

"Love him as a player, an absolute legend of the football club. He's put some goals up there with the greats of Spurs.

"There was a little bit of criticism this season, that creeps in when you're not performing to the ability that we've seen in recent seasons. Without doubt a legend of the football club."

CROUCH: 'THAT'S WHAT WE EXPECT FROM SPURS'

Peter Crouch was critical of Spurs' second-half performance, but did not want to take the shine away from what is a strong victory on the road in Europe.

"I don't want to do too much of a disservice to them," he said. "I thought there were elements of it that were very good. The first half was fantastic, but they lost control in the second half. Hoffenheim came into it, they had some chances.

"But they were clinical, Son was clinical, got his chance and took it. That didn't stop them having a nervy ending, but that's what we expect from Spurs at the moment."

Image credit: Getty Images

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?

Wherever Spurs do end up this season, you can safely say they have been five-star entertainment.

But victory in Hoffenheim will come as a major boost for a side which have struggled so much domestically in recent weeks - you can see fragility in their game, and when they're on the back foot, they almost get sucked in.

However, some important performances from their senior players pulled them through this evening, and that is a major positive for Ange Postecoglou's side.

The hosts could not live with James Maddison in the first half, and Son Heung-min showcased his captain's credentials with two extremely important contributions.

Spurs will want to make easier work for themselves in future outings, but for now, they have firmly lodged themselves in the UEFA Europa League top-eight mix, and remain in contention for three trophies this season.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim - Tottenham Hotspur Live - Europa League: Football Scores & Highlights - 23/01/2025  TNT Sports

Ange Postecoglou's week got even worse last night with the news of Solanke's knee injury that will keep him out for a prolonged period of time.

Not many people would have predicted this to be a battle between 15th and 16th in the table, but that's what we have in store today.

Both teams are in desperate need of a victory, with Spurs winning just once in their last six matches and Everton without a win in the same period.

Yves Bissouma and Brennan Johnson miss out on the trip to Goodison, with both suffering slight injuries in the midweek defeat to Arsenal.

Dominic Solanke is expected to be out for a number of weeks after picking up a knee injury in training yesterday.

Ben Davies makes his first appearance since the start of December after injuring his hamstring against Bournemouth.

James Maddison comes back into the side after only making the bench against Arsenal.

Everton make two changes from their midweek defeat to Aston Villa with summer signings Jake O’Brien and Jesper Lindstrom coming into the side for Ashley Young and Jack Harrison.

O’Brien is handed his first Everton start by new manager David Moyes, but it is unclear if the Toffees will play a back three or if O'Brien will start at right back.

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Ball breaks kindly to the Spurs captain on the edge of the box, and he expertly guides the volley into the corner of the net. Superb finish. A ninth goal in a North London derby from Son Heung-Min.

Taking so many chances with their passing at the back, but almost open the door at the other end as Raya makes his first stop of the night from a Dejan Kulusevski finish only six yards out. Better from Tottenham.

Out of nowhere, Tottenham almost stun the home side with their first attack of the day. Gabriel with a superb last-ditch diving tackle to win the ball ahead of Solanke from a brilliant run and cross by Djed Spence.

All one-way traffic in this North London derby battle as Trossard is penalised for a late clip on Porro to take the strain off Spurs for a few seconds.

Odegaard drops a decent free-kick into the heart of the Tottenham box, but Kinsky is off his line to punch clear as an offside flag is raised. The Spurs keeper is then almost robbed by Havertz before landing on the ball. So fortunate there.

But this time his cross is behind Havertz and the under-siege Spurs defence can wallop clear the latest Arsenal raid. Still 0-0 with Arsenal up to 29 passes in the final third. Which says it all.

Martin Ødegaard driving in another fine ball with plenty of whip and direction, but Kinsky does enough to claw that delivery behind his goal. Arsenal winning a series of set-pieces and corners. Spurs keeper again deals well with the Rice corner.

This time Odegaard plays in Sterling with a fine little pass, but the cutback across the box is cut out by Archie Gray for another Arsenal corner. Porro does some excellent covering work seconds later to stop the ball entering the Spurs penalty area.

Emirates goes a bit quiet every time Spurs are on the ball. Arsenal looking to apply the high press in the visiting box, and Tottenham end up knocking the ball out of play. Much to the delight of the home support.

Spurs coughing up the ball around the halfway line. Raheem Sterling seemed to take the ball beyond Kinsky, but Gray does well to track the run and do the covering work before Sterling lost his footing. Decent chance not taken. Rice then overcooks a corner to the back post as ball flies straight out of play.

Spurs in changed strips, a light blue striped number, for this trip to the Emirates. Rice with an excellent early free-kick straight into the Tottenham box, but the visitors do enough to clear the danger. Looking to ease themselves into this contest.

What a night at the Emirates. Can't beat a North London derby match in January. Arsenal fans in full voice. Looks a lovely night for football too. Spurs get the action moving.

Arsenal are second in the Premier League going into their north London derby against Tottenham – whose manager Ange Postecoglou has shied away from calling it "just another game" and told his players to be ready to fight for the victory. Spurs will be without Timo Werner, who has a hamstring injury, but Richarlison is available for selection. The match is live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Read more here

It is only the England player's third league start for the Gunners and he is the fifth player to start on the right wing since Bukayo Saka picked up his hamstring injury at Fulham last month. Sterling came off the bench against Manchester United on Sunday.

"I was really happy with the way he came in" said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. "Since he had the injury and he came back, you could sense he was going to give us something important.

"Great, because we need him. You see what he can bring. He is used to playing in this kind of context and the demands that we have, every three days. Great to have him."

The former West Ham manager will aim to steer Everton away from the relegation zone starting with a victory over Aston Villa tonight. You can watch that match live on TNT Sports and follow live updates with us here.

Mikel Arteta recalled his past conversations with Jack Wilshere about the significance of the North London Derby, ahead of the Gunners' Wednesday evening encounter with Tottenham at the Emirates. Arteta added that he wanted Arsenal fans to generate the best atmosphere the stadium had ever seen, as his depleted side attempt to arrest the slump after two successive defeats. Read more here