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EURO VISION

Europa League LIVE SCORES: FCSB vs Man Utd on NOW plus updates from Tottenham vs Elfsborg as last 16 race reaches climax

THE final league phase matches of the Europa League are taking place RIGHT NOW.

Manchester United travel to FCSB knowing a win will guarantee them a place in the top eight of the table and automatic qualification to the last 16.

A draw may well be enough for the Red Devils as they sit two points above the knockout play-off spots.

It's a little more complicated for out-of-form Tottenham, who only have one point more than the teams in 9th and 10th.

A win for Spurs over Elfsborg would guarantee automatic qualification to the last 16 of the Europa League.

TV channel: TNT Sports (various)

Live stream: discovery+

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Midtjylland 1-0 Fenerbahce

Jose Mourinho's side have fallen behind to a goal from Diao.

That means his team drop into the bottom segment in the table which would mean an early departure from Europe.

The hosts cement their play-off spot as a result also.

From Dan King at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Lucas Bergvall got a big cheer from the away fans when his name was announced, in recognition of a fellow Swede making his name in the Premier League.

The Elfsborg supporters will be even happier with the teenager now as he's given the ball away a number of times already. Ange Postecoglou has told him twice to calm down.

A pretty low-key start to this game otherwise, a few openings down the left for Spurs but no tough saves yet for Pettersson.

Athletic Club 1-0 Viktoria Plzen

Nico Williams is the scorer for the Spanish outfit.

That moves them up to third spot, leapfrogging both Tottenham and Man Utd.

Latest Europa League scores

Ajax 1-0 Galatasaray

Anderlecht 1-0 Hoffenheim

Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Viktoria Plzen

Braga 1-0 Lazio

Dynamo Kiev 0-0 FK RFS

FC Twente 0-0 Besiktas

FCSB 0-0 Manchester United

Ferencvaros 1-0 AZ Alkmaar

Lyon 0-0 Ludogorets

Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-0 Porto

Midtjylland 0-0 Fenerbahce

Nice 0-0 Bodo/Glimt

Olympiacos 0-0 Qarabag

Rangers 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise

Roma 0-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

Real Sociedad 0-0 PAOK

Slavia Prague 0-0 Malmo

Tottenham 0-0 Elfsborg

View of Craig Mahood watching Rangers vs Union SG

A bit of a stop-start opening 25 minutes but Rangers have that all important lead.

You have to feel for Leon King, who sees his big opportunity end just 13 minutes in after a head knock.

Nico Raskin won't have believed his luck to have a free header from seven yards to open the deadlock.

The delivery from James Tavernier was absolutely different class but this makeshift back four are sure to be tested.

Ajax 1-0 Galatasaray

Akpom shoots from the edge of the box and the keeper makes a save.

Traore hits the loose ball first time to give the Dutch side the lead.

As things stand

Well, well, well. Rangers move up to NINTH in the table with that opener.

Ironically, a Manchester United goal would move Gers into the top eight as things stand.

Fenerbahce or Braga - who are leading Lazio at the moment to save their Europa League campaign - the current potential opponents for Rangers as things stand.

Rangers 1-0 Union SG

They play a corner short and as it is whipped into the box, Raskin is completely unmarked at the back post.

He heads into the far corner to give Rangers the lead.

Goal - Nicolas Raskin (Rangers)

FCSB 0-0 Man Utd

Hojlund gets to the byline and cuts it back to Mainoo who is completely unmarked on the penalty spot.

He takes it on first time and sends it sailing over the crossbar.

The young midfielder last scored for the Red Devils in the FA Cup final, an area of his game that must improve.

Tottenham 0-0 Elfsborg

Nearly 80% of the ball has gone Spurs' way so far.

Sadly for the home fans, they are shooting like stormtroopers currently.

As things stand

Well, not much changes for the three British sides as their potential opponents remain the same.

Such is the complete borefest of the opening quarter of an hour.

Rangers 0-0 Union SG

The battle seems to be in the middle of the park but Rangers are putting pressure on but are lacking that final pass.

So far in this one, neither side has had a shot on or off target.

Rangers 0-0 Union SG

The defender has barely had a sniff with Philippe Clement clearly not an admirer.

A few minutes in he has a head knock after an accidental clash. Five minutes later when chasing back, he goes to ground and clearly signals that he's seeing double.

Huge disappointment for him given the huge opportunity he had tonight. He's replaced by Ross McCausland.

Ferencvaros 1-0 AZ

Ben Romdhane with a brilliant header, diving backwards and cushioning it towards the top corner.

That goal takes them from 22nd to 15th in the table.

Braga 1-0 Lazio

Braga on the other hand, need victory to stay in Europe.

They have made the perfect start with an early goal from Ricardo Horta.

As a cross comes into the box, he sweeps it into the bottom corner as the stadium erupts.

FCSB 0-0 Man Utd

There is no urgency to get through the transitions to attack quickly, happy to just pass it around.

Hojlund is already dropping deep looking for the ball.

He spends so little time in the penalty area, his lack of goals should not be rocket science to the coaching staff.

Tottenham 0-0 Elfsborg

Spurs pile forward and it is worked to Son out wide.

He cuts inside and looks to get a shot away but it is a routine save for the keeper.

Elfsborg look keen to get forward also, they are playing for their European status this evening.

Action, drama and surprises lay ahead

We are almost ready for kick-off in all the Europa League games.

The beauty of this format means that the table can change multiple times throughout the night.

If we have anywhere near as many goals as last night, we are all in for a treat once again.

English teams with important goal

Both Man Utd and Tottenham will be looking for one specific outcome this evening, to secure a top eight finish.

It rewards the teams who finish in those places automatic qualification to the last 16 which frees up two weeks of not having to play.

With their struggles in the Premier League this season, that is key for them to have any hope of changing their fortunes in the remainder of the campaign.

Pre-match feeling at Ibrox

Both Rangers and Union SG are safely in the play off round heading into this final game.

Gers are two spots ahead of the visitors heading into the contest but only down to goal difference.

The atmosphere really building at Ibrox as it usually does on these Thursday nights. With a chance to sneak into the top eight, it'll be all systems go on the back of two very encouraging performances.

They would need five other results to go their way for that to happen but it's not out of the realms of possibility.

Leon King is in for his first start since May which is a big call from the manager but needs must at this point.

Belgian feeling good about style

Despite being all but assured of their progression, Clement was asked whether the focus will be on trying to force themselves into the top eight this evening:

Yes like always, we always play for the win. You saw against Man Utd we always play for the win. We miss six defensive players today, which is massive.

Philippe Clement

Clement needing point in Glasgow

Rangers know what is required in their final league match tonight.

They will need at least a point to guarantee their play-off spot in the final league table.

Not that will be the focus for Philippe Clement, he will want a convincing win in front of their own fans.

View from SunSport's Tom Barclay in North London

TOTTENHAM'S objective is clear: Beat Elfsborg tonight, and they are through to the last 16 of the Europa League without a pesky play-off next month.

Their Swedish opponents are currently in their own pre-season and have only played two competitive games since December 12.

But both of those were 1-0 victories in this competition against Qarabag and Nice, underlining the threat Oscar Hiljemark's side pose.

Micky van de Ven makes his first start since December 8 after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained against Chelsea.

While 17-year-old wonderkid Mikey Moore starts out wide in Ange Postecoglou's starting XI.

Away from the game, Spurs are trying to bolster their injury-hit squad and have made a £50million approach for Bayern Munich's wantaway forward Mathys Tel.

Live Blog

DONE DEALS

Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd seal ‘£30m deal’, Neymar set for stunning move, Arsenal and Spurs ‘eye Williams’

THE January transfer window is heating up with some MEGA moves in the pipeline as Deadline Day rapidly approaches on Monday, February 3.

Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu.

Elsewhere, Neymar is set for an emotional return to boyhood club Santos, after his contract with Saudi club Al Hilal was terminated.

Meanwhile, Arsenal and Tottenham are reportedly willing to meet the £48.5m release clause for 22-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.

Elsewhere, Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Patrick Dorgu.

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Follow all the latest moves with our live blog below...

Man Utd close on defender

Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Patrick Dorgu, according to reports in Italy.

It is claimed Dorgu will make an immediate switch to Old Trafford for an initial £29million - with a further £4m in possible add-ons.

Dorgu, 20, joined Lecce in 2022 and made his senior debut at the beginning of last season.

He has racked up 57 appearances for the Serie A club, chipping in with five goals, too.

Potter eyes striker reunification

West Ham are currently the frontrunners to sign Brighton striker Evan Ferguson on a loan deal before the end of the month, according to the Daily Mail.

A troubled time with injury has meant that the 20-year-old striker, who burst onto the scene as a teenager under Graham Potter at Brighton, has found it difficult to pin down a place in the team.

The Republic of Ireland international has only made two Premier League starts for the Seagulls this season and hasn't featured in any capacity since December.

Chelsea pair set to leave

Chelsea have begun their latest clearout with Renato Veiga joining Juventus on loan and Aston Villa closing in on a deal for Axel Disasi.

Veiga, who joined Chelsea from Basel last summer, will spend the remainder of the campaign in Italy after Juventus agreed to pay a loan fee of almost £4million and cover his wages in full. Juventus do not have an option to make the move permanent.

Villa, meanwhile, are in talks with Chelsea over the terms of a loan move for Disasi, with a loan fee and salary coverage still under discussion.

Neymar set for emotional return

Neymar rolled credits on his hapless stint in Saudi Arabia as he had his contract with Al Hilal terminated by mutual consent.

The star forward moved to the Saudi Pro League from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 and signed a whopping £2.5million-a-week deal with the club.

However, the Brazil international endured a series of injury setbacks, including a devastating cruciate ligament tear that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2023-24 season.

The 32-year-old only managed one goal and three assists in a mere seven appearances during a disappointing two-year stint at the Kingdom Arena.

And now, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Neymar is heading back to Santos.

The versatile forward burst onto the scene with the Brazilian giants where he amassed a staggering 136 goals and 64 assists in 225 appearances.

That led to a big move to Barcelona in 2013 where he registered 105 goals and 76 assists in 186 matches during a four-year stint that included two LaLiga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies and the 2015 Champions League.

Wolves chase Disasi

Wolves are looking to hijack Aston Villa’s move for Chelsea's Axel Disasi.

The Blues defender is wanted by both West Midlands clubs after falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Villa are in pole position with boss Unai Emery looking for new players after selling Diego Carlos and seeing Tyrone Mings hit by a fresh knock during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to West Ham.

Wolves are considering him as an option, with boss Vitor Pereira believing they are one centre-back short as they battle for Premier League survival.

They started the season with four but lost Yerson Mosquera for the entire season to a knee ligament injury.

Under the new coach, they play with three at the back, and veteran Craig Dawson has to be managed at 34.

Disasi has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. He has started just three Premier League games all season.

Napoli 'set to resume talks for Garnacho'

Italian giants Napoli are expected to go in for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho once again before the window shuts.

The Serie A side are hopeful of reaching an agreement in principle with the 20-year-old, but they are reliant on the Red Devils lowering their current demands.

According to Sky Sports, Chelsea are also keeping tabs on Garnacho, but they have not shown official interest at this moment.

United are reportedly reluctant to sell the winger, but if a sizeable bid comes in, they are not in the financial position to turn it down.

Villa eye move for Joao Felix

Aston Villa could move for Chelsea's Joao Felix as Emi Buendia looks to be leaving the club.

Villa winger Buendia is close to agreeing a loan to Bayer Leverkusen, which includes an option to make the deal permanent for £17million.

Buendia, 28, signed a one-year contract extension until 2027 on Sunday.

But his future appears to be away from Villa Park with boss Unai Emery looking for his replacement.

And the Spaniard could move for 25-year-old Blues forward Joao Felix.

Felix was Emery’s top summer target before the Portugal star’s £38.4m move from Atletico Madrid to Stamford Bridge.

And, with Felix starting just three times in the Premier League so far this season, Villa could reignite their interest before the January transfer window closes.

Whether a move would be permanent or on loan may depend on another piece of business.

City sign defender

Manchester City have signed Christian McFarlane from New York City FC.

The 18-year-old left-back has become the first homegrown player at NYCFC to progress to a Premier League club.

Biggest deals this month

Manchester City have been the biggest spenders in the Premier League this season as they look to recover from a poor start to the season.

However, PSG's signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli is the most expensive deal of the month so far.

Here is a look at the biggest transfers that have happened this month...

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain) – £59.1m

Omar Marmoush (Frankfurt to Man City) - £63.2m

Abdukodir Khusanov (RC Lens to Man City) – £33.7m

Vitor Reis (Palmeiras to Man City) – £29.6m

Luiz Henrique (Botafogo to Zenit St Petersburg) – £27.9m

Elye Wahi (Marseille to Frankfurt) – £21.9m

Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund to Aston Villa) – £21.1m

Jaden Philogene (Aston Villa to Ipswich) – £20m

Claudinho (Zenit Saint Petersburg to Al-Sadd) – £16.91m

Emmanuel Agbadou (Reims to Wolves) – £16.76m

Fox on loan

Leicester City have loaned out midfielder Hamza Choudhury.

The ace has joined Sheffield United until the end of the season.

The Blades will have the option to purchase the midfielder at the end of the campaign.

Striker deal sealed

Sevilla have signed Montpelier star Akor Adams.

The striker has moved on a deal worth £4.6million.

Neymar leaves Saudi

Neymar has left Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal by mutual consent.

A statement from the Saudi club read: "Al-Hilal and Neymar agree to end contractual relationship by mutual consent.

"Thanks Neymar and good luck."

The former PSG and Barcelona star only played seven times for Al-Hilal due to injuries.

He is expected to return to Brazil and sign for boyhood club Santos.

Balotelli on the move?

Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli could be on the move once again in his career.

The Italian joined Genoa just 58 days ago but has struggled to get regular minutes.

Genoa director Marco Ottolini has confirmed that Balotelli could be on his way out of the club.

He said: "Mario wants to play and here he’s not finding enough space, so we’re looking for a good solution for all parties”

Chelsea star gone

Chelsea have announced that Renato Veiga has completed his loan move to Juventus.

He was seen at the Italian club's training ground earlier to undergo his medical.

TAA 'close to Madrid'

Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly extremely close to a move to Real Madrid.

Reports have claimed that a deal to take the Liverpool star is 98 per cent done.

Ferguson gaining Spain interest

Evan Ferguson is reportedly gaining interest from LaLiga side Real Betis.

The striker is expected to leave Brighton and Hove Albion this month on loan.

The Irishman is struggling for gametime and could benefit from a move to Spain.

West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham are also interested in his signature.

Ace urged to reject United

Patrick Dorgu's former manager has urged him to reject Manchester United.

Jens Fonnskov Olsen managed Dorgu when he was part of Denmark's Under-19s setup.

He told Tipsbladet: "If I have to be a little cheeky, I hope he chooses something other than Manchester United right now.

"I don't know if it's a bad fit, but they're just in a period where... I don't know if you can afford to say no to United, but maybe somewhere where there's a little more structure and where things fit in with his pace.

"Sometimes things have to go in the right order, if you can say it like that.

"The thing is that there are many paths to the goal."

Bee gone

Brentford star Mads Roerslev has left the club for the remainder of the season.

The defender has joined Wolfsburg on loan for the rest of the campaign.

The Bundesliga side have the option to purchase Roerslev in the summer.

Blue exit

Axel Disasi is in talks over a January transfer to Aston Villa.

The Chelsea defender, who can play at centre-back or right-back, is deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

And SunSport understands negotiations are well underway between the two Premier League clubs over a deal for Disasi, 26.

However, Disasi is attracting interest from several clubs - including Villa's West Midlands neighbours Wolves.

Face off

Victor Boniface is reportedly being targeted by Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed the club are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a transfer for the striker.

Leverkusen is believed to want £42million for the striker.

West Ham have been previously linked with the Nigerian star.

Buendia loan

Emi Buendia is also an option for Bayer Leverkusen.

The out-of-favour Aston Villa midfielder could also be on his way to Germany.

It has been reported that he could join Leverkusen on loan with an option to buy.

The buy option could cost upwards of £16.8million.

City slicker

Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly approached Manchester City over a deal for James McAtee.

Fabrizio Romano has reported the Bundesliga giants have made a loan offer with an option to buy for the star.

It is claimed that Xabi Alonso is a huge fan of the attacker but City are reluctant to let him leave.

Forest in Luiz line

Nottingham Forest are reportedly waiting to make a move to sign Douglas Luiz.

The Daily Mail have reported the Premier League surprise package could make a move for the end of the transfer window.

However, the Tricky Trees face competition from Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Fulham.

WHEN the anti-Daniel Levy noise cranks up, it usually leads to change at Tottenham.

The change that fans are demanding right now is in the boardroom — but usually that ends up coming in the dugout.

And, yet, the chairman with one of the itchiest trigger-fingers in football appears to be bucking the trend of a lifetime by sticking by manager Ange Postecoglou.

That is despite Spurs slumping to 15th and being in danger of getting sucked into a relegation battle.

Although the Aussie reacted snappily to a fan accusing him of just that as he walked down the tunnel after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Leicester.

And this despite the ‘Levy Out’ chants during, and after, that miserable home defeat to the Foxes — who had lost their previous seven on the spin — reaching new decibel levels.

As well as the chants, banners were unfurled in the stands which included one saying: “24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy . . . TIME FOR CHANGE.”

The question is, why is Levy sticking by Postecoglou right now?

It is baffling the football world and is multi-faceted in its answer.

First of all, the dismissals Levy has presided over — and there have been 12 permanent ones during his near-quarter of a century at the helm — have normally been preceded by a relationship breakdown between himself and the manager.

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That was the case with Harry Redknapp and later with Mauricio Pochettino, whose comments to the media towards the end of his reign irked Levy.­

But that fracturing does not appear to have happened with Postecoglou, who has resisted every opportunity to criticise the Spurs higher-ups publicly.

In this painfully quiet transfer window, staggeringly, Spurs have recruited no outfield players despite their injury crisis.

Yet the nearest that Postecoglou has come to a pointed comment has been to say the club would be “playing with fire” by not signing anyone.

Player power has had an influence, too. Nuno Espirito Santo — now flying high with Nottingham Forest — was sacked after just ten Prem games in part after losing the dressing room.

Italian firecracker Antonio Conte castigated his players to the point of no return in that amazing press-conference meltdown at Southampton in March 2023... and was gone soon after.

The chairman with one of the itchiest trigger-fingers in football appears to be bucking the trend of a lifetime by sticking by manager Ange Postecoglou.

Yet Postecoglou’s crocked squad, by all accounts, are just about still behind him.

Then there is the fact Levy has tried chopping and changing managers before — the average tenure of a boss during his reign has been 23 months — to little effect.

And Pochettino’s five-plus years in charge heavily skews that figure.

So the supremo, who celebrates his 63rd birthday next month, has tried a different tack in recent years.

It used to be that he was involved in just about everything.

Harry Kane would go on to become the greatest player in the club’s history but back when he was a teenager, you would not expect the chairman to be as heavily involved in an academy player’s contract negotiations as Levy was back then.

Yet that has eased off of late, to a certain extent, with the likes of Rebecca Caplehorn — director of football administration and governance — technical director Johan Lange and Scott Munn, chief football officer and de facto No 2 to Levy, taking more prominent responsibilities.

These are among the individuals Levy is understood to consult when weighing up big calls.

Along with external individuals like Leon Angel, head of leading sports agency CAA Base, former managing director of football Fabio Paratici and, in years gone by, David Pleat.

The new approach does not mean patience with Postecoglou will last forever at Spurs.

But there is considerable sympathy for his crock crisis, with ten senior players out injured against Leicester.

While there is also cause for hope from the cup competitions and Europe.

Victory over Elfsborg on Thursday night will secure a last-16 spot in the Europa League.

And winning the competition outright would not only end the club’s 17-year trophy drought but also get them back into the Champions League.

Spurs are joint-favourites to win that competition and should have some senior players back for the knockout stages.

And how easy would it be to hire a replacement for Postecoglou right now anyway?

Consider the months-long pursuits of successors to Jose Mourinho and Conte, when Kane was still at the club and Tottenham’s position in the league was relatively strong (seventh and fourth respectively).

Even if they managed to prise someone like Andoni Iraola away from high-flying Bournemouth, he would still have the same injury problems and the same inexperienced squad.

But the other factor is, this time, changing the manager would not quell the anger from supporters towards Levy. If anything, it would increase it.

It is questionable whether that deflection strategy even worked in the past but were Levy to do it now, all the heat would be on him and him alone.

'The trust looks to have gone'

That may be the case already, and certainly seemed to be on Sunday as enraged supporters called for his head.

The trust looks to have gone with a number of fed-up fans, whose gripes include controversial change to season-ticket concessions and a reduction in wage-bill spending.

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Michel Vorm, 41, reckons there could be a way to start fixing this seemingly-broken relationship between Levy and the fanbase.

The Dutchman told SunSport: “He’s quite open. His office is always open to have a chat.

“I know that his love for Tottenham is massive. He won’t approach players that quick — but he is far more approachable than people know.

“Maybe if he would be a bit more open in public, people would then understand more what’s going on behind the scenes at the club.”

A protest against Levy and the ownership is planned ahead of next month’s home game against Manchester United by activists Change for Tottenham.

These calls-to-arms have not had the desired effect in the past.

The ENIC Group even marginally increased their majority shareholding to 86.91 per cent in December, which does not hint at an imminent exit.

Yet Jamie Coughlan, of Change for Tottenham, said: “The pressure the fans are cranking up will have an effect.

“Whilst ultimately he is the chairman, the club is still owned by ENIC.

“The bad press that we are creating may affect future sponsorship deals or partnerships, which could lead to the real ownership looking to sell.

“What I think has changed is the fact it won’t be long before he has severe pressure placed on him elsewhere.”

Those who have worked with Levy talk about his extraordinarily thick skin.

But that last point could have some validity. Levy is on record as saying the club are looking for fresh investment.

Should potential investors be put off by a toxic atmosphere in the ground, maybe that could affect Levy’s thought process.

Likely it would far more than how he is perceived by supporters.

But Levy does not appear to be going anywhere and, for now at least, the same can be said for his manager.

TOTTENHAM have broken an unwanted record that had lasted over a century.

The North London outfit were beaten by Leicester City to compound further misery on their season.

Spurs had taken the lead in the 33rd minute as Richarlison fired in from close range.

However, just five minutes after the restart, Ange Postcoglou's side found themselves losing.

Jamie Vardy netted the equaliser before Bilal El Khannouss curled in the eventual winner.

It was the first time Spurs have conceded twice in the opening five minutes of a second-half match in the Prem since November 1987 against Liverpool.

The Foxes went into the game as heavy underdogs, having lost their previous seven games in the Premier League.

The result meant it was the first time Spurs had been beaten by a team on such a run since 1912, 113 years ago.

Just like Leicester, it was an East Midlands club that beat them then as well in Notts County.

Tottenham are 15th place in the league table, just eight points clear of the bottom three.

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The club has not won any of their previous seven league games, losing six and drawing just one.

This is the side's longest winless streak in the Prem since the nine-game stretch between May and October 2008.

It now means Spurs have lost THIRTEEN of their 23 Premier League games, winning just seven and drawing three.

After the defeat, Postcoglou insisted the team was giving their best efforts.

He told the BBC: "It is a disappointing result, but at the same time I can't ask anymore from this group of players.

"They are trying their hardest and things just aren't falling for us.

"We certainly had opportunities to kill the game off and we didn't take them.

"It wasn't for the want of trying, the players gave everything but we fell short.

"I thought first half we were good and probably could have had a couple more goals and for the most part they didn't threaten us.

"We conceded a couple of goals but after that we had the majority of the play but just weren't able to get the goals we needed."

Up next for Spurs is a Europa League tie against Elfsborg at home.

MAYBE Tottenham genuinely ARE in a relegation battle.

Before, it seemed like a sort of sick joke.

One that fans would have a relieved laugh about once they had come through this awful period and got their multitude of crocked stars back.

But that was before they lost at home to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester side, who had suffered seven straight defeats themselves and scored just two goals in the process.

Jamie Vardy was the man that sparked the shock win, levelling a minute into the second half from Richarlison’s opener, before Bilal El Khannouss’s winner four minutes later.

Now alarm bells really are ringing all throughout N17 because if you cannot beat this lot - scratch that, if you LOSE to this lot - then you can lose to anyone.

The gap is only seven points to the dreaded dotted line and with dreadful, knackered, injury-decimated Spurs without question showing relegation form, would you really rule it out?

It is now one win in 11 league games - and that victory came at doomed Southampton - for Ange Postecoglou, for whom the heat cranked up considerably in the miserable January weather on Sunday afternoon.

The vast number of players sidelined - it was ten here, with ex-Leicester man James Maddison the latest to be ruled out - have severely hampered him.

As has the lack of support this month in the transfer market by Daniel Levy, who was Public Enemy No1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium here.

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But even so, this was a team that finished fifth last season, that are competing in Europe, and are… well, bloody Tottenham Hotspur, one of the bastions of English football.

The fact that they are even being mentioned as a relegation candidate is as astounding as it is embarrassing.

And it is not like you can just turn form on and off like a tap in the Premier League, even when you have your key men fit. It is too demanding a league these days.

Levy may not have backed Postecoglou in the market so far this January, but until now he has supported the Aussie despite the club’s plummet down the table.

There has been a deep desire for it to work for the ex-Celtic manager and an understanding over the spate of injuries.

That faith is about to be given its strongest test yet though after this calamity.

As for Van Nistelrooy and Leicester, this was an unexpected massive boost given how the club were in freefall before now.

One win in 14 league games before this was even worse than Tottenham’s dire record and it only looked to be heading one way.

Ex-Manchester United super striker Van Nistelrooy played with a young Son Heung-min during his year at Hamburg in 2010-11.

He tweeted back then that his then 18-year-old South Korean team-mate was “a massive talent” and that the footballing world should “watch out for” his talent.

It was a solid tip as Son has gone on to be one of the finest players in Tottenham’s recent history and a Premier League centurion goal-scorer.

But fourteen years on and the winger’s poor campaign has been a big factor in Spurs’ problems, with the captain looking no longer the talisman he once was.

This was actually one of Son’s better games, though, at least in the first half, when he came close with two strikes which were brilliantly tipped wide and onto the crossbar respectively by Jakub Stolarczyk.

A rare moment of quality brought about the opener as Pedro Porro swung in a sublime cross which Richarlison guided into the net with a controlled header.

Given Leicester’s hopelessness in front of goal, many would have presumed Spurs - even this Spurs - would go on from there and see out the three points.

But those presumptions proved foolhardy as Leicester turned the game on its head inside the first four minutes of the second half.

First, a good ball across from Bobby De Cordova-Reid evaded both Kinsky and Davies, allowing Vardy to take a touch and smash in a leveller.

The former England striker revived his s***house tactics from the opening day of the season - where he also equalised against Spurs - by pointing to his Premier League badge, to indicate how he had won one title and Tottenham had not.

If that was a setback, what followed was a disaster.

El Khannouss was afforded the freedom of what felt like the Tottenham High Road, or the middle of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium pitch at least, as he raced towards Spurs’ box and curled into the far corner.

The chorus of anti-Levy chants, which had come and gone in the first half, significantly ramped up at that point.

There were incredulous boos when Richarlison was brought off on 54 minutes.

Postecoglou was presumably trying to manage the Brazilian’s minutes given his injury woes this season.

But given the state his side was in, few could fathom he had taken off his goal-scorer.

Neither could they believe when Porro, shortly after striking the bar with a deflected free-kick, opted to shoot towards the near post from the acutest of angles, instead of simply squaring for a wide-open Archie Gray.

Most damning of Spurs and Postecoglou from there was that that was pretty much it for their attacking threat.

Porous Leicester were comfortable and Tottenham were toothless.

The boos at full-time were deafening - save for the cheers of the Leicester fans - as were the ‘We want Levy out’ chants.

A banner was unveiled in the South Stand that read “24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy, TIME FOR CHANGE”, aimed at Levy.

Frequently in the past, these kinds of scenes have resulted in change - but in the dugout, not the boardroom.

LUCAS BERGVALL reckons his rapid rise at injury-ravaged Tottenham shows he was right to snub Barcelona.

The Swede, 18, looked set to join the LaLiga giants last January but opted for North London at the eleventh hour.

And one key reason for the change of heart was a feeling that his chances of getting game-time were higher at Spurs.

Bergvall officially moved from Djurgarden in July for £8.5million — and is set to make his 27th appearance of the season in today’s Premier League clash with Leicester.

He has started five of Spurs’ last six games, netting his first goal for the club in a 1-0 win over Liverpool earlier this month, in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Bergvall said: “When I decided, I thought that Tottenham was the best club for me. It is a great club with good ambitions.

“I feel I am getting better every day. Training with all the boys and all the staff, I’m getting used to it.

“It’s not an easy change coming from the Swedish league.

“Everything is different. The running, the physical part… everything.”

There was a lot of excitement around Bergvall when he first arrived, particularly after rejecting a club as mighty as Barca.

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His new team-mate Pape Matar Sarr added to the hype in August when asked which of the club’s summer signings had impressed him most.

The Senegal star — who is a doubt for today’s game — said: “Lucas. He is a really great player.

“I really love his style. He’s never under pressure when he’s on the ball. Technically, he’s fantastic. He’s bound to be one of the world’s top players. He’s got all the assets. With work, he’ll get to the very top.”

It was some appraisal from the 22-year-old and, in truth, it took a little bit of time for Bergvall to live up to it with some underwhelming early-season displays as he got to grips with his new environment.

In November’s 3-2 defeat against Galatasaray, for example, he was guilty of holding on to the ball too long in the lead-up to the Turkish hosts’ second goal.

But he kept racking up the substitute appearances and making the odd start here and there, learning, improving, adapting, before really kicking on over the last six weeks.

Bergvall’s breakthrough moment came against Liverpool when he netted the only goal to give Spurs a precious lead going into the second leg at Anfield a week on Thursday.

Since then, he has been a regular name in Postecoglou’s starting XI.

Spurs’ injury crisis boosted his chances of playing but there have times when he has been picked ahead of the likes of England star James Maddison purely on form.

Bergvall looked exhausted as he dropped to the turf at the end of Thursday’s crucial 3-2 win over Hoffenheim in the Europa League.

That victory means a top-eight spot and a path straight into the last 16, without having to worry about a pesky play-off next month, is within Spurs’ grasp, with Thursday’s final group game against Elfsborg to come.

But it was also a vital victory after a horror run of results which saw Spurs win just one of their last ten Premier League games, plummeting down the table and even sparking talk of the club finding themselves dragged into relegation scrap.

And Bergvall feels it is vital to take the boost in morale from Hoffenheim into today’s game against the struggling Foxes and rediscover get that winning feeling in the league once more.

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Three points would also ease the considerable pressure on Aussie manager Postecoglou, who is facing a testing time midway through his second season at Tottenham.

Bergvall added: “It was an important game in Europe, we needed to win to keep going.

“For the confidence too, we’ve had a tough time in the last few weeks, so it was really important.

“It’s difficult. We have 11 or 12 fit senior players, maybe more, it’s a tough period. We just have to keep going and fight.

“Especially now in tough times, when we have a lot of injuries, everyone needs to perform.

“We have to keep going. We don’t have any other option. He’s the coach and of course we work for him.”

WITH an injury list in double figures and the team stuck in mid-table, these really are dark old days for Tottenham fans.

Points on the pitch are as rare as patience off it... there’s certainly no chance of being dazzled by smiles in this part of North London.

Never mind silverware, a silver lining will just do for now and with so many dark clouds above the place at the moment, there’s plenty to pick from.

Which in Tottenham’s case is the emergence of three of the brightest young stars anywhere in the Premier League — Mikey Moore, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.

All of them chucked into the thick of it far sooner than boss Ange Postecoglou would have liked, for sure.

In an ideal world, I’m certain he would have far preferred to ease them in gently.

But needs must, of course, so it was a case of sink or swim instead and all three of them never for one second looked like going under.

They have been raving about Moore for ages, even though he’s still only 17, and it’s always great when a kid comes through the ranks and lives up to the billing.

Well, Mikey is definitely doing that and more — this kid is going to be a big star, believe me.

And before anyone jumps on my case, by the way, I know the other two were bought in.

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But that doesn’t mean it’s any less exciting to see a young talent come through.

Bergvall is a “proper” player. I love the fact he’s got a bit of devilment about him already and there is no chance of him getting pushed around. More the opposite, to be honest.

As for Gray, he came at a price and it’s easy to see why.

Another teenager, but already a nailed-on Spurs captain of the future in my book.

Archie’s played for England at every level from Under-15 up and it’s only a matter of time before he’s got the full set.

So there HAS been some good from all the problems... not that it will keep anyone happy if results don’t improve, mind. And to be fair, nor should it.

Although I do think it’s a bit harsh for the fans to be having a pop at Daniel Levy as they are.

I’m not chairman of his fan club by any means, but I just don’t agree with it.

Let’s be honest, what can Daniel really do? And don’t say get out of the club, because that’s not going to happen any more than he’s about to sack Ange.

Levy’s given his manager a fortune for players, Spurs have the best stadium in the country and the training ground is second to none.

Even with all those injuries, the squad is big enough to cope far better than it is.

And with so many players, there is really no point in paying loads for even more.

Look at the centre-backs, for example. When Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are fit, they go straight in again. Spurs already have defenders coming out of their ears.

Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison, James Maddison ... big-money buys everywhere. They ain’t going to sign guys to sit on the bench further down the line.

This is certainly no time to panic and, to be fair, there’s no chance of Daniel getting rid of Ange — whatever anyone says about him being under pressure.

Levy will realise this is a time for solidarity. Although if things don’t improve by the end of the season, I know better than most about how ruthless he can be.

If we get to May and they are still bobbing around in mid-table with no trophy on the table, that’s when Ange could find out, too.

But, don’t forget, they’re a goal up going into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final and the Europa League is hardly packed with the biggest names in football.

Let’s be honest, it’s a second-rate competition with a load of sides who are Championship standard at best.

That gives Tottenham every chance of going all the way.

If it all goes belly up then have a go, for sure, but for now just enjoy seeing those three young guns tearing it up.

ARSENAL have leapfrogged Liverpool and London rivals Spurs and Chelsea in the latest football earnings table.

The Gunners had dropped to 10th in the global revenue charts after five years outside the European elite.

But their return to the Champions League last season, and another Prem near-miss, saw the Emirates outfit gross £605.5m to move up to seventh in a table headed by Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants became the first club in Uefa football history to bank more than £1b Euros in 2023-24, with the Bernabeu side, who won a 15th European crown, earning £883.7m after the refurbishment of their home ground.

While Manchester City remained second in the table, with revenues of £708.1m, the gap between them and Madrid has leaped from just £5m in 2022-23 to £175m, last season.

Across Manchester, United moved up from fifth to fourth, overtaking Barcelona, who dropped two places, even though their revenues rose by less than £3m, from £648.5m to £651.4m.

But it was Arsenal who made the biggest advance - as Spurs’ lack of any European football saw them drop from eighth to ninth, according to the latest Deloitte Football Money League figures.

Tottenham had seen record income of £549.2m in 2022-23, when they reached the last 16 of the Champions League but missed out on European qualification.

That saw their 2023-24 income cut to £519.9, a £30m reduction.

Arsenal, eliminated by Bayern Munich in the last eight, earned £258.2m from broadcasters, plus £129.7m in match-day income and £217.9m from their commercial deals.

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Liverpool, seventh last year with £793.8m, drop a place after earning £604.2m, with Chelsea also down a place on £461.2m, down £51.3m.

It is the first time the Gunners have grossed more than Liverpool and Chelsea since the 2016-17 season.

The Deloitte figures confirm the Prem’s financial muscle with Newcastle, West Ham and Aston Villa all in the top 20 earners.

While that is nine Prem teams, Spain, France and Italy have three representatives, with Munich and Dortmund the Bundesliga money sides.

Prem income is set to rise by up to 20 per cent next term with the new international broadcast deals, while TV contracts across the rest of the Big Five are in decline.

Deloitte’s Tim Bridge said: “On-pitch performance is critical for teams to reach the top echelons of the rankings, although high performing clubs are also able to diversify the way they generate revenue through unlocking innovative partnerships and developing the land and stadium space that they own or operate.

“While commercial revenue dominates the income of the top ten Money League clubs, broadcast income remains crucial for teams in the second half of the rankings.

“As competitions expand and create more broadcast and matchday opportunities, these can further increase the earning potential for clubs.

“At a time where there is more demand than ever for a greater number of matchdays, this must be balanced with player welfare, as they ultimately bring the on-field success that can earn clubs many further rewards off-field.”

WHAT is German for ‘Dr Tottenham will see you now?'

That self-deprecating phrase is used by Spurs fans to poke fun at themselves when their team somehow lose to a side in hopeless form.

They wheeled it out after Crystal Palace earned their first win of the season against their side on October 27, and then again following November’s shock home defeat to winless Ipswich.

Need to find a win from nowhere? Doctor Tottenham’s office, please.

Expect a repeat prescription if boss Ange Postecoglou’s walking wounded come a cropper at Hoffenheim tomorrow.

Because if you think Spurs’ season has been a nightmare, take a look at how Thursday’s Europa League opponents have been faring.

Christian Ilzer’s side have managed only seven victories from their 27 games in all competitions this season.

Rival fans may be having a good laugh at Spurs’ perilous league state right now.

But few believe they will actually be relegated — although the same cannot be said for Hoffenheim.

The Germans were winless in nine, having netted just THREE times in those fixtures, before Saturday’s much-needed 3-1 victory at drop-zone rivals Holstein Kiel.

They are three points above the Bundesliga dotted line after that huge win in their six-pointer, which came off the back of an epic X-rated rant from club stalwart striker Andrej Kramaric.

The 33-year-old, in his tenth season at Hoffenheim, blasted after last Wednesday’s 5-0 pasting at Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich: “This is one big, s*** season, I’m going to be honest.

“And I’m still soft because if I want to say the truth and some things which are on my mind about the club and the situation, probably I will get the biggest punishment in the history of the Bundesliga.”

England fans may remember Kramaric from the heartbreaking World Cup semi-final loss to Croatia in 2018, with the forward coming on in extra-time.

He also netted the opener when Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions exacted some revenge with a 2-1 win in the Nations League a few months later.

Three years before that the 102-cap forward had a brief stint at Leicester — including during their historic title-winning campaign — but if you blinked, you may have missed it.

Brought in for £9.5million from Rijeka in January 2015, there was a four-game period a month later when he was keeping Foxes legend Jamie Vardy out of the team — but it did not last.

He ended up with just three goals in the second half of that season, then was frozen out by boss Claudio Ranieri in the next, unforgettable season.

Kramaric made only two league appearances during the campaign in which Leicester shocked the world, both off the bench, leaving him well short of the required ten to win a medal.

That January he was shipped off on loan to Julian Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim — and has stayed there ever since.

Kramaric has enjoyed European football — including the Champions League — in almost half of his seasons at the German club as a permanent player.

Which explains why he is so incensed at their failings this term.

His eye-catching comments went down well with frustrated fans, but less so at board level or in the dressing room.

One of Kramaric’s digs was that the club “invested so much money for nothing”, after a £56m spree on eight players this term — the fifth-highest spend in the Bundesliga.

Slaughtering your new team-mates and those who bought them seemed risky, yet after 309 appearances and 109 goals, clearly Kramaric felt he deserves to say his piece.

None of the incomings have been hits, with defender Robin Hranac and forward Haris Tabakovic particularly poor.

That was not helped by many of them being signed by an interim sporting director in Frank Kramer, stepping up briefly from his academy manager role.

Former Spurs target Gift Orban arrived this month under the new recruitment team but is not deemed fit enough yet to play Ilzer’s lung-busting style of play.

Similar to Postecoglou, Austrian Ilzer favours an intense pressing game and while it worked in his first game — a 4-3 win over RB Leipzig — it has been disastrous most of this season.

Kramaric has threatened to go “a little harder” with his criticism if things do not pick up, which is hard to imagine given his comments so far.

So, amazingly, Hoffenheim are in even more of a mess than Spurs going into tonight’s clash.

But as any travelling fans up with the Deutsch lingo might say, ‘Doktor Tottenham wird Sie jetzt empfangen’.

TOTTENHAM have sunk deeper into injury crisis after Pape Matar Sarr was added to their crocked list.

Ange Postecoglou will be going into the match against Hoffenheim on Thursday with a host of senior stars injured.

And they now also be without Sarr for the clash after he had to pull out of training earlier today.

That means Postecoglou has as many as 11 stars sidelined through injury.

To add insult to injury, three players who are fit are unavailable to play due to them not being registered in the competition.

Those are Djed Spence, Antonin Kinsky and Sergio Reguilon.

The North London club were handed a boost with both Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur seen back in training today.

However, the pair remain doubtful of being selected.

That means Spurs will be forced to field a makeshift XI of stars for the crunch tie.

The stars ruled out are as follows: Guglielmo Vicario, Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, Micky Van de Ven, Wilson Odobert, Yves Bissouma, Fraser Forster, Sarr and the aforementioned Romero, Bentancur doubtful.

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Despite the news, Sarr was strangely pictured in the background of training pictures released by the club.

Tottenham sit ninth in the Europa League table, one place below the automatic knockout qualification spots.

Spurs have seen their Premier League form drop off a cliff with four defeats in their last five games leaving them 15th in the table.