The Sun

TOTTENHAM goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario appeared to shush the travelling supporters after Spurs lost at Chelsea.

A second half goal from Enzo Fernandez sank the visitors, who succumbed to their 16th league defeat of the season.

Few supporters stayed behind after the final whistle but those who did made their feelings clear.

Some clapped while others questioned how and why their side keeps letting them down.

Vicario walked over to the away end and made a gesture, spinning his wrists around his head before appearing to make a shushing action.

The keeper then departed to head to the dressing room and as he left the pitch he punched part of the tunnel.

Postecoglou was also accused of cupping his ear towards the away end after Pape Sarr found the net - only for his goal to be ruled out.

But the Tottenham boss denied he was trying to goad supporters, claiming instead he wanted to hear their cheers as they have had little to celebrate this season.

Fans had reacted angrily to Sarr being brought on for Lucas Bergvall, and chanted: "You don't know what you're doing."

Postecoglou also added to fans' frustration by directing his players over to the away end at full-time while remaining on the halfway line himself.

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LIke his manager Vicario, 28, has also been involved in exchanges with Spurs supporters this season.

Following the 1-0 defeat to AZ in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 tie, the Italian made a gesture to the travelling fans encouraging them to show more support.

That did not go down well with some and Vicario reacted angrily before leaving the pitch.

He said of that incident: “I can assume the disappointment [was] for the night because we didn’t play our football.

“So I can understand the frustration of the fans.

“But we still have a lot to play for, especially in the second leg. It’s just a way of trying to stay together because we have the opportunity to go through to the next round.”

SEETHING Ange Postecoglou was caught up in more scenes of bitter controversy with Tottenham supporters.

Postecoglou became the first Spurs chief to lose his first four league games against Chelsea as Enzo Fernandez headed the only goal at Stamford Bridge.

And away supporters were angry with TWO incidents involving the Aussie.

The first came after Postecoglou surprised Spurs fans by replacing Lucas Bergvall with Pape Matar Sarr midway through the second period.

The away contingent responded by chanting: "You don't know what you're doing."

However, Sarr then fizzed a long-ranger into the back of the net.

And Postecoglou reacted by appearing to cup his ears towards his club's own fans.

That upset many observers - with the Aussie accused of goading Spurs supporters.

But the goal was then ruled out following a lengthy VAR intervention - which left Postecoglou furious.

Then on the final whistle, it looked like he gestured for his players to go over and applaud the travelling fans - while he himself remained near the halfway line.

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Some supporters accused the under-pressure boss of "staying out of the firing line" - after defeat cemented his side's dismal position of 14th.

Postecoglou denied any animosity over the Sarr encounter - and instead focused on attacking the lengthy delay before it was scrubbed out.

And of his hand-to-ear signal, he insisted he was just trying to gee up Spurs fans.

Postecoglou said: "I want them to be happy - we've just scored a cracking goal.

"I wanted them to get really excited. I felt at that time we could potentially go on and win the game."

And of the VAR hold-up he added: "You are standing around for 12 minutes. It's just killing the game, but no-one cares about that.

"They just love the drama and controversy and I'm sure there will be 24 hours discussion about it and that's what everyone wants - they're not really interested that it's killing the spectacle of the game.

"If a referee sees that and he needs to see it for six minutes, what's clear and obvious about it?

"That's why the game is going the way it is.

"The referee gave it and then needed six minutes [to rule the goal out] for something the VAR official thought was clear and obvious. It's crazy, mate. It's madness."

But supporters still hit back over his antics - with many suggested there was now a "huge disconnect" between fans and manager.

One posted: "I can’t tell if our fan base has broken him or if he has always been this arrogant.

"Goading fans after you’ve lost 15 leagues games and it’s only April is next level insanity."

Another blasted him for "blaming VAR for coming to the right decision because he is tactically inept and he’s team has lost again".

And a third wrote: "Ange Postecoglou remained closer to the halfway line after the final whistle, having encouraged the players to go over to the away fans, he kept his distance.

But a few supporters blamed the constant sniping of fellow fans.

One wernt on X to say: "Oh, no Ange cupped his ears bc of this chant?!? Whatever will our childish fan base do????"

Meanwhile, Spurs midfielder James Maddison seemed incredibly sheepish as he claimed fans were right to be so annoyed.

He told Sky Sports: "It's happened one too many times this season. Our fans are rightly disappointed.

"We're just trying to find the answers - to why we've lost so many tight games this season.

"It's important we go over and show our appreciation for them, even though we're not getting a nice reception.

James Maddison

"None of the fans want to hear what we've got to say at the minute. We've just got to try to be better."

Asked if he believed supporters were "angry" when he walked over after the match, Maddison replied: "Yeah, and to be fair they've got every right to be.

"I think it's still important that we go over and show our appreciation for them, even though we're not getting a nice reception.

"That's why I still walk over there - I think they deserve that. It's not easy to go over... but they pay their money, they travel all over for us and we're just as disappointed as they are."

But with Spurs in the Europa League last eight, he claimed: "It can still be a special season if we lift silverware. We're two fixtures away from a European final."

PAPE MATAR SARR had a whirlwind eight minutes after he was introduced as a substitute in Tottenham's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Sarr, 22, went through a game's worth of emotions in a rollercoaster eight-minute spell.

The Senegalese midfielder had spent much of the evening warming the bench, until Ange Postecoglou rolled the dice on a double switch to bring him and Brennan Johnson on for Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert in the 64th minute.

That change got Sarr's evening off to a sour start as boos echoed from the away fans - seemingly frustrated at Postecoglou's tactical decisions as Spurs trailed 1-0.

While fans could also be heard shouting "You don't know what you're doing" to the Aussie gaffer.

Sarr certainly didn't seem affected by the unwelcome start to his cameo, as less than five minutes after stepping on to the pitch he thundered a long range effort past Robert Sanchez and into the back of the net.

The stunning goal had drawn Spurs level in the match, taking Sarr's shaky start to the night to pure elation in a matter of minutes.

But that high was about to be taken away from him just as quickly as he had earned it, as VAR took a close look at the build-up to his goal.

Chelsea players had furiously appealed for a foul just moments before Sarr's long-range screamer, and the officials at Stockley Park agreed with their sentiment.

The goal was overturned after the replays showed that Sarr had fouled Moises Caicedo to win the ball for his effort on goal.

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In fact, the former Metz man was actually shown a yellow card for his foul after his high studs had made connection with Caicedo's knee.

The challenge even sparked speculation online as to whether Sarr should have been sent off.

Fortunately for the Spurs star he was only shown a caution and was able to play the rest of the game.

Sarr wasn't the only one that had an up-and-down few minutes either, as Ange Postecoglou suffered the same fate.

After being booed for his substitutions, Postecoglou appeared to cup his ear and wave at the Spurs fans following Sarr's goal.

VAR the made make his goading seem a little premature.

Spurs fans didn't hold back their rage against the players at full-time either.

The away support were seen berating the Tottenham stars as they came over to thank them for their support, while Postecoglou "stayed out of the firing line" on the centre circle.

It was an Enzo Fernandez headed goal that made the difference for Chelsea as they leapt back into the top four with a 1-0 win that saw both teams clash in a mass brawl just before half-time.

Meanwhile Tottenham are languishing in 14th place after yet another dismal display.

Match report

Cole Palmer and Chelsea are back on track. Ange Postecoglou and Spurs remain off the rails, on the road to nowhere. Or the sack.

The Aussie cupped his ears at his own fans when substitute Pape Matar Sarr seemed to have grabbed an equaliser his team did not deserve.

Moments earlier the travelling supporters had told him “You don’t know what you’re doing” when he had brought on Sarr for their beloved Lucas Bergvall in a double change with 25 minutes to go.

But Postecoglou was hung out to dry when a VAR intervention led to the goal being ruled out for Sarr’s foul on Moises Caicedo.

On another night, the main story would have been fit-again Palmer providing only his second goal contribution of 2025 – and his first in 10 games – by laying the only goal on a plate for Enzo Fernandez.

It puts Chelsea on the front foot again after rivals for a Champions League place won earlier in the midweek round of games.

But their victory was hardly unexpected. Nor was another dismal night for Spurs and Postecoglou.

Big VAR controversy

VAR ruled out not one, but TWO goals in the Chelsea vs Spurs clash.

First, Moises Caicedo's goal was ruled out for a tight offside call on Levi Colwill in the build-up.

Then, Pape Matar Sarr had his strike ruled out for a foul on Caicedo in the build-up.

The call looked to be the right one, but many Spurs fans, and Ange Postecoglou, were fuming at how long the check to the officials.

Match report

Cole Palmer and Chelsea are back on track. Ange Postecoglou and Spurs remain off the rails, on the road to nowhere. Or the sack.

The Aussie cupped his ears at his own fans when substitute Pape Matar Sarr seemed to have grabbed an equaliser his team did not deserve.

Moments earlier the travelling supporters had told him “You don’t know what you’re doing” when he had brought on Sarr for their beloved Lucas Bergvall in a double change with 25 minutes to go.

But Postecoglou was hung out to dry when a VAR intervention led to the goal being ruled out for Sarr’s foul on Moises Caicedo.

On another night, the main story would have been fit-again Palmer providing only his second goal contribution of 2025 - and his first in 10 games - by laying the only goal on a plate for Enzo Fernandez.

It puts Chelsea on the front foot again after rivals for a Champions League place won earlier in the midweek round of games.

But their victory was hardly unexpected. Nor was another dismal night for Spurs and Postecoglou.

Word from Stamford Bridge

Full-time and Ange Postecoglou has now become the first Spurs manager ever to lose his opening four league games against Chelsea.

They way things are going, you wonder if he will survive in his job to have a fifth and sixth next term.

His team were undone by one Enzo Fernandez goal here but were lucky it was not more.

The Aussie may have lost the support of a few more fans too after an incident surrounding a double sub in the second half.

Spurs supporters chanted, "You don’t know what you’re doing" when he took off fan favourite Lucas Bergvall for Pape Matar Sarr, as well as Wilson Odobert for Brennan Johnson.

Sarr then looked to have netted an equaliser with a long-range strike, after which Postecoglou controversially cupped his ear towards the away support as if to say, "What do you think of the sub now?"

The goal was then ruled out after a lengthy VAR check for a foul from Sarr on Moises Caicedo, who himself had had a goal chalked off for offside earlier in the game.

All in all, it was another uncomfortable night for Postecoglou whose dismal league season shows no signs of improvement.

TOTTENHAM legend Graham Roberts has hit out at Cristian Romero for appearing more committed to his country than his club.

Spurs’ vice-captain Romero has not played 90 minutes in the Premier League since November 10, having struggled with toe and quad injuries.

The Argentina star, 26, was taken off with the score goalless in the 68th minute at Fulham in the final fixture ahead of the international break - before Spurs went on to lose 2-0.

Yet Romero completed both games for his nation against Uruguay and Brazil in the following ten days, leaving some Spurs fans, and fellow hardman Roberts, irked.

The 65-year-old, who won back-to-back FA Cups in the early 80s with Tottenham, told Mr Vegas Casino: “I just can’t get that we played him 60 minutes and then he goes and plays two sets of 90 minutes. I just can’t understand that.

“I’m not happy because the club have looked after him and Ange (Postecoglou) has looked after him.

“If you’re fit and you start the game, then play the whole game (against Fulham).

“I know we’ve been taking care of Micky van de Ven as well, but he didn’t go away (on international duty). He was on the bench against Fulham, he didn’t play.

“I’m disappointed in him. If he had gone away and played 60 minutes in each game, that’s different. But to play 90 minutes…

“The club pays his wages and looks after him. It was a big disappointment.”

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Romero has faced accusations of prioritising his country over his club for much of his time at Spurs.

But when challenged on it by SunSport during pre-season in Australia two years ago, the centre-back refuted the claims as robustly as one of his full-blooded tackles.

Romero said back then: “I think the people that say this clearly don't know me because I’m contracted to the club for many (more) years. I always try to give my best.

“If I didn't feel the same passion (for Spurs as I do for Argentina), I would look to leave the club.”

A Romero exit from Spurs looks a possibility this summer with compatriot Diego Simeone keen to take him to Atletico Madrid.

Roberts would be gutted to see the all-action defender leave as he rates him as one of the Prem’s best - and warned any potential suitors the £42.5million capture would cost a pretty penny.

The former Chelsea and Rangers star told SunSport via Mr Vegas Online Casino: “I would say he and Virgil van Dijk are the two best defenders in the country at this time.

“But he’s injured too much. Micky van de Ven is injured too much. I don’t know if it’s we play a high game and their muscles aren’t up to it.

“But the bottom line is he is up there with Van Dijk. He’s proved it, he’s a World Cup winner.

“I’ve always said the badge on the front of the shirt is worth more than anybody’s name on the back of the shirt.

“If he doesn’t want to be there then that’s his prerogative, but you can’t just walk out. Somebody has to buy you and he won’t be cheap.

“There are players out there (who could replace him). I’m sure the recruitment department are well aware of that situation.

“Simeone likes him because he’s Argentinian. When your head gets turned, then you’re going to leave.

ANGE POSTECOGLOU reckons Tottenham will secure an “outstanding” manager if he is sacked at the end of the season.

And the under-pressure Aussie also believes he will not have any problems landing another job if Daniel Levy gives him the bullet.

Spurs face Chelsea tomorrow in the Premier League but the club’s only hope of a trophy is the Europa League and they face Frankfurt in the quarter-finals.

Asked about his future at the club, Postecoglou said: “I know what my responsibilities are. I'm sure if the club decides to go in a different direction, there's some outstanding candidates out there for it.

“And you know what, maybe someone will think, 'Ah Ange Postecoglou's not a bad coach, maybe we'll take a punt on him'.

“It doesn't rock my world. It doesn't consume me. I'm here, I'm passionate about what we're doing.

"I was brought in to change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad, bring success, I'm focused on that. That's what I'll keep doing.”

Postecoglou also hopes that Mauricio Pochettino will eventually return to Spurs.

The former Celtic manager claims he was not bothered about Pochettino’s comments that he had unfinished business at Tottenham after being sacked in 2019.

Postecoglou said: “If Mauricio wants to come back one day, I hope it happens for him. We all have dreams and aspirations, if that’s what he wants.

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“I don’t feel disrespected. I think if you ask Mauricio that question directly, you’d get a pretty clear answer as to what his intent was.

"Again, nothing from me to sort of be consumed with. I’m more focused on trying to make sure we win tomorrow night."

ANGE POSTECOGLOU admitted a large number of Spurs fans have lost faith in him — and confessed he would start the season differently if he could.

Tottenham are languishing in the bottom half of the table, lost to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and went out of the FA Cup after a fourth-round defeat to Aston Villa.

Their wretched, injury-hit campaign could still end gloriously, though, if they can win the Europa League, with a quarter-final first leg at home to Eintracht Frankfurt next Thursday.

But boss Ange knows he no longer retains the full backing of many disillusioned supporters, despite the promise of his debut campaign last year.

The 59-year-old said: “There’s no doubt there’s probably a large portion of Tottenham fans who have lost a bit of faith and belief in what we’re doing.

“They were encouraged by what they saw last year but that certainly hasn’t manifested itself this year.

“I still am really optimistic and bullish about the squad we’ve got. I think there will be enormous growth in them once we can navigate through this.

“Surviving tough times can be such a strong uniter of people.”

Postecoglou has had a crippling injury list to deal with, with a whole host of players suffering from muscle issues.

And in an interview for Optus Sport, the Aussie told compatriot and former goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer that he wished he had not worked his players so hard at the start season.

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The former Celtic chief explained: “We probably got the start of the year wrong. It’s becoming increasingly challenging for footballers these days, they don’t get the traditional break.

“We went into the season really hard and we probably underestimated the challenges of Europe this year with the two extra games and us having a deep cup run.

“You add to the mix that we lost some key players early on and it feels like we’ve been chasing our tails since then. We haven’t been able to get ahead of the challenge we’ve had.

“Every time we try to get some steady ground, something else happens that shifts and a lot of that goes back to the start of the year.

“We maybe would have taken a different approach knowing the season we had ahead.

“I’ve been trying to mend things as we go along.

“Probably in hindsight, with some better planning at the start of the year, I would have gone for a bit of a softer start to the season in terms of the way we tackled things.”

Spurs travel across London to rivals Chelsea tomorrow, host basement boys Southampton on Sunday and then have their first leg at home to Frankfurt four days later.

Postecoglou added: “The Europa League is a massive opportunity. We’re one of eight clubs [still in it].

“If you can go through what we’ve been through this year and come out the other side of it and have success, it’s a great builder for the future.”

DANIEL LEVY launched a fierce defence of his Tottenham stewardship - as the cost of missing out on Europe was confirmed.

Levy has been targeted by protesting fans with accusations that he is more concerned with the commercial success of the club than glory, glory on the pitch.

But as Spurs unveiled their financial results for the 2023-24 season when they finished fifth in the Prem, Levy pointed to the spending facts.

Levy said: “Since opening our new stadium in April 2019, we have invested over £700million net in player acquisitions.

“Recruitment remains a key focus, and we must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means.

“I often read calls for us to spend more, given that we are ranked as the ninth richest club in the world.

“However, a closer examination of today’s financial figures reveals that such spending must be sustainable in the long term and within our operating revenues.”

Criticism has also been aimed at Spurs highlighting the growth of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as an entertainment arena, with concerts from Rihanna, Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar this summer, as well as the ongoing deal with the NFL to stage two games a year.

Levy, though, insisted: “Our capacity to generate recurring revenues determines our spending power.

“We cannot spend what we do not have, and we will not compromise the financial stability of this club.

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“Indeed, our off-pitch revenues have significantly supplemented the lower football revenues this year, testament to our diversified income strategy.”

The numbers show a drop in revenue of four per cent, down £21.4m to £528.2m.

But that came with NINE fewer home games last term than when they reached the Champions League last 16 the previous campaign.

Tottenham missed out on more than £55m in Uefa income compared to the previous campaign.

This season the Europa League run ensures at least seven more home matches, although a miserable Prem campaign under Ange Postecoglou means Spurs must realistically win the competition to be in continental football next term.

That would be worth £60m-plus in prize money alone and Levy conceded: “We currently find ourselves in 14th position in the Premier League, navigating what has been a highly challenging season on the pitch.

“We are, however, in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

“Winning this competition would see welcome silverware and mean qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

“We must do everything we can to support the team in these final key stages.

“I want to thank everyone who supports us through good times and bad.

“We are resilient and passionate about our Club. We shall aim to finish this season as strongly as we can and continue to build for success on the pitch.”

Debt has risen by some £95m to £772.5m with total borrowings of £851.5m although with 90 per cent of that being repaid at just 2.79 per cent the cost is under £30m under deals running to 2051.

DELE ALLI's girlfriend Cindy Kimberly has turned heads with her outfit as she supports her man at his new club.

Ex-England midfielder Alli, 28, hopes to kick-start his career at Italian side Como.

Cindy and the former Spurs star have been dating since June 2022.

She currently works as a model and influencer and is signed to Uno models.

Cindy put on a show as she rocked up to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia for Como's clash with Empoli on Saturday.

The 26-year-old wore a fitted white cardigan for the Serie A showdown.

She went braless in the daring outfit, pairing it with a tiny matching white hotpants and chunky high heels.

Cindy uploaded a series of snaps to her 7 million-strong Instagram fanbase.

She was all smiles as she arrived at the venue hand-in-hand with Dele, who opted for an all-brown fit.

One fan gasped in the comment section: "Fashion icon!"

Another said: "Every time I look at you I feel like I'm staring into the sun."

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While a third added: "Wagging per usual."

Alli watched the game with Cindy from the stands in Italy.

The pair were joined on the terraces in Como by rappers Krept, Konan and Aitch.

Former Everton midfielder Alli picked up a red card just 10 minutes into his Como debut earlier this month.

The 28-year-old was making his first appearance since February 2023.

Dele was given his marching orders for a tackle on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, incensing fans and teammates.

Many claimed the red card was harsh, including Alli's former teammate Kyle Walker, who pleaded for it to be overturned.

Alli last played in the Turkish Super Lig for Besiktas and has penned an 18-month deal with the Serie A side.

He could potentially return against Torino on April 13.

MATHYS TEL has apologised to Tottenham fans after posting a photo of himself wearing a Willian shirt on social media.

The 19-year-old swapped shirts with the Brazilian following Spurs' 2-0 defeat to Fulham earlier this month.

And he donned the white top in a photo that was posted to his social media this week.

However, some Tottenham fans were furious to see that he was wearing the shirt of a player who once rejected them.

One person commented: "Oh, Mathys…"

Another said: "How do footballers not realise that this goes down like a lead balloon..."

While a third commented: "Willian jersey after he's played for both our biggest rivals is kinda nuts."

Willian came close to joining Tottenham in 2013 but ultimately rejected the Lilywhites.

After completing a medical in North London, the 36-year-old had a last-minute change of heart and instead signed for Chelsea.

He went on to win two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup at Stamford Bridge.

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The winger also spent a year with Arsenal, Tottenham's biggest rivals.

After realising his error, Tel promptly apologised to Spurs fans.

He said: "Ahaha sorry my bad guys I didn't know."

Some Tottenham supporters thought the loanee was unfairly treated over the incident.

One person said: "He joined two months ago. He's 19. He's French. Why would he know the history… Shameful the stick he got."

While another added: "To be honest I wouldn’t expect him to know the backstory to that situation. He’s a 19 year old who’s been at the club for 2 months so why would he know the full story about a transfer over a decade ago?"

Tel joined Tottenham on loan from Bayern Munich in January after initially turning down a move to North London.