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Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou is looking more isolated than ever.

The Australian directed a brief clap towards the furious travelling away fans from near the halfway line following his side's 1-0 loss at Chelsea but, by then, it could be argued the damage had already been done.

Enzo Fernandez's second-half header was enough to inflict a 16th defeat of the season on Tottenham and leave them 14th in the Premier League - 10 points away from the top 10 - and the signs are growing the fans have had enough.

Chants of "you don't know what you're doing" came from the away end after midfielder Lucas Bergvall was replaced by Pape Sarr in the 65th minute.

Remarkably, Sarr found the net with an excellent long-range strike just four minutes later, leading Postecoglou to cup his ear and turn to the away end, only for VAR to then rule out the goal for a foul on Moises Caicedo.

When asked about the incident after the match, Postecoglou said: "Jeez mate, it's incredible how things get interpreted. We'd just scored, I just wanted to hear them cheer. Because we'd been through a tough time, and I thought it was a cracking goal.

"I wanted them to get really excited. I felt at that point we could potentially go on and win the game. I just felt momentum was on our [side]. It doesn't bother me. It's not the first time they've booed my substitutions or my decisions. That's fine, they're allowed to do that.

"But we'd just scored a goal, just scored an equaliser, I was just hoping we could get some excitement. If people want to read into that that somehow I'm trying to make a point about something, like I said, we'd been through a tough time, but I just felt there was a bit of a momentum shift there.

"If they get really behind the lads, I thought we had the momentum to finish on top of them."

It's just the latest in a season of incidents between Postecoglou and sections of the fanbase.

There was the recent exchange with an angry supporter after defeat by Fulham just before the international break, another similar back and forth happened after defeat at home to Leicester and he confronted the away end after they criticised players after losing at Bournemouth in December.

He added when asked if he was alienating the fans: "You know what, I am at such a disconnect with the world these days, that who knows? Maybe you're right. I don't know. But that's not what my intention was."

This just compounds the lack of progress on the pitch, especially with almost a full squad of players available, as Spurs look to avoid their worst season in the Premier League era.

Former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp put it plainly when he said on Sky Sports: "Tottenham were awful. It could have been so much more. Not good enough in any department from Tottenham. Chelsea were so much better.

"When Sarr scored, it looked like Ange cupped his ears to say: I know better. There's a disconnect between the two [Tottenham fans and Ange Postecoglou] at the moment.

"It's not ideal for the manager. He's got some big games ahead. He's got to keep his head up, got to keep going, working hard and believing in what they do."

Reports suggest Postecoglou is under severe pressure. Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, Fulham's Marco Silva and Brentford's Thomas Frank have all been linked with his job.

The 56-year-old, who became Spurs boss in June 2023 and is contracted to the club until 2027, even suggested in midweek there were plenty of outstanding candidates, external to replace him.

However, Spurs are expected to at least wait until the culmination of the Europa League campaign - a chance not only to win a first trophy in 17 years, but also to qualify for next season's Champions League. They host Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their quarter-final next Thursday.

A club source indicated before the match that they weren't expecting any managerial changes before the end of the season.

Redknapp, again speaking to Sky Sports, said after the match: "I think for Ange Postecoglou, it feels like he's going to make history or be history.

"When you lose 16 games in a season as Tottenham manager, still having great players at your disposal, it's not going to wash with the fans. The performances haven't been good enough.

"If they can win some silverware, it'll be unbelievable for them."

Vice-captain James Maddison, reacting to the fan frustration, said: "They have every right to be an angry bunch at the moment.

"I don't really want to be here talking and I'm sure the fans don't want to listen to me. It can still be a very special season if we lift silverware. We need them as much as they need us, so the message is to stick together."

Like Postecoglou, chairman and co-owner Daniel Levy has faced criticism from the fans.

But Levy has given the head coach resources to shape a squad. Postecoglou has spent £214.8m, with the most recent arrivals signed in January - forward Mathys Tel, defender Kevin Danso and goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

That extra spend was an attempt to salvage the season while alive in three cup competitions, but after elimination from the domestic cups, it is Europa League or bust.

It will be Spurs' last chance to live up to Postecoglou's comment early in the campaign that he "always wins a trophy in his second season" - having done so in Scotland, Japan and Australia.

With little to play for in the Premier League, a end to the Spurs trophy drought would end the season on a high.

On another night, Postecoglou's post-match rant about VAR would have taken the headlines. On Thursday, it was a footnote.

Tottenham thought they had equalised when Sarr struck home from distance.

The celebrations followed but were cut short as VAR checked for a possible foul. After a lengthy delay, the goal was ruled out.

Postecoglou told BBC Radio 5 Live he "hated VAR to his core", that there was no point in having referees - and that there would soon be AI officials.

Postecoglou, who has often criticised VAR, become embroiled in a lively post-match interview with Sky Sports.

Here is what he said in full:

"It's killing the game, mate. It's not the same game it used to be.

"We all sat on our couches last night and watched TV [when Everton's James Tarkowski was not sent off for a high challenge on Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister] and I guarantee you if Jarred Gillett was VAR last night, it would've been a different outcome, so you just don't know what we're going to get.

"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 of 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?

"Last night we were all sat on our couches and saw one replay and thought: 'Oh my God.'

"Tonight we sat there and were waiting for six minutes for something that VAR official Jarred Gillett thought was clear and obvious - it's crazy, it's madness.

"We accept it and have to take the fall out from it. Clear and obvious? What does that suggest? That it's on the first replay. That's why the game is going the way it is."

Maresca hails 'big win' as Chelsea return to top four. Video, 00:01:51Maresca hails 'big win' as Chelsea return to top four

Up Next. Tonali's goal - A cross? A shot? Or 'throbby wobbler'? Video, 00:01:41Tonali's goal - A cross? A shot? Or 'throbby wobbler'?

'You can't have all the success he's had without a genius of a brain' Video, 00:01:58'You can't have all the success he's had without a genius of a brain'

I'm not ruling out playing for three more years - Anderson Video, 00:01:00I'm not ruling out playing for three more years - Anderson

I've been playing 'better football' since joining Villa - Rashford. Video, 00:01:04I've been playing 'better football' since joining Villa - Rashford

Past two weeks have been best of my life - Shearer. Video, 00:01:52Past two weeks have been best of my life - Shearer

'Six minutes to come to a clear and obvious decision' Video, 00:01:54'Six minutes to come to a clear and obvious decision'

Up Next. Tonali's goal - A cross? A shot? Or 'throbby wobbler'? Video, 00:01:41Tonali's goal - A cross? A shot? Or 'throbby wobbler'?

'You can't have all the success he's had without a genius of a brain' Video, 00:01:58'You can't have all the success he's had without a genius of a brain'

I'm not ruling out playing for three more years - Anderson Video, 00:01:00I'm not ruling out playing for three more years - Anderson

I've been playing 'better football' since joining Villa - Rashford. Video, 00:01:04I've been playing 'better football' since joining Villa - Rashford

Past two weeks have been best of my life - Shearer. Video, 00:01:52Past two weeks have been best of my life - Shearer

Goodbye!

I think we're going to leave things there. In a few hours the live-texting team will return with more build-up to Chelsea vs Tottenham.

Thank you very much for joining me and the team - a rare shift without any errors from yours truly (and we even talked about leg injuries and VAR decisions against Liverpool - my two weak points).

We'll be back tomorrow morning at 07:00 BST to soak up all the Chelsea and Spurs reaction.

Take care.

Chelsea slipping from Champions League race

Chelsea v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

Opta's supercomputer is at it again.

Wednesday evening's results in the Premier League saw Chelsea slip to sixth in the table before tonight's game against rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues currently sit on 49 points, two behind Manchester City in fourth, though Enzo Maresca's side have played a game less.

According to the supercomputer, they now have just a 14.0% chance of making the top four.

Their most likely end of year finish is sixth (27.6%) while an unlikely end of season surge for third has just a 7.4% probability of happening.

A win tonight would see Chelsea jump back into the top four, though Newcastle in fifth will have played a game less.

Is the old supercomputer writing Maresca's men off too early?

'This is a great game to finish the week off'

Chelsea v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

This is a great game to finish the week off. It ended up 4-3 to Chelsea earlier in the season, and there are likely to be a few more goals this time too.

Chelsea have people like Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke back from injury to bolster their attack, but Spurs have got some key players like Micky van de Ven fit again too.

Tottenham's league campaign has been disappointing - it is winning the Europa League or bust for them - while Chelsea are still chasing the Champions League places.

Spurs looked tired to me before the international break, so it will be interesting to see what they are like here. We know how exciting they can be on their day, it is just those days have been few and far between this season.

Chelsea have been a bit flat as well, but maybe this is the game where both teams come to life and serve up a thriller - that is what I am hoping for anyway.

Sutton's prediction: 3-2

Rumours about future 'do not consume me' - Postecoglou

Chelsea v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou dismissed further questions about his future as Spurs boss in his news conference yesterday.

"I don't deal with it," he explained.

"It doesn't rock my world - it doesn't consume me. I know my responsibilities are and I am sure if the club decides to go in a different direction, there are some outstanding candidates for it.

"And you know what, maybe someone will think: 'Ange Postecoglou is not a bad coach - maybe we'll take a punt on him'."

"I am passionate about what we're doing," he added.

"I was brought in to change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad and bring success. I am focused on that and that is what I'll keep doing."

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'It was a decision the officials got badly wrong'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Rob, Cambridge: Another question for Phil M (it's a slow day here!): Do you think the relatively early timing of the Tarkowski tackle in the match may have influenced the decision at all? Was there pressure to not ruin the entertainment of the match with an early sending-off? Would there have been a different outcome had the foul been committed in the 85th minute?

Again, Rob we just do not know but I do think the old days of a “free hit” for defenders on an opponent are well behind us.

I just think it was a decision the officials got badly wrong and the time it happened had nothing to do with it.

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'It is just too invasive'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Ceiron: Hi Phil. When/what will change with VAR to make it more robust? When it works it works well generally but there’s still so much major error rate.

Hi Ceiron. You’ve got me on a hobby horse here. I have gone right off VAR after thinking it would be a great thing. We’ve just gone so far from “clear and obvious” and it now seems to me that officials are almost looking for reasons to disallow goals. It is just too invasive.

I’m happy with semi-automated offside and goal-line technology but remain unconvinced in other areas.

It doesn’t stop mistakes either. How could VAR not come to the conclusion that James Tarkowski should have been sent off in the Merseyside Derby?

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'it was such a reckless challenge'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Michael, Liverpool fan in Hackney: Hi Phil, the debate around Tarkowski's tackle is pretty one sided and everyone but the ref and VAR seem to have seen it as a straight red. Additional mitigation for me is that at first glance, it looked like Mac Allister had fouled an Everton player to get the ball immediately prior. I wonder if Tarkowski, as Everton captain, saw that and in the moment decided to react more strongly?

Hi, Michael. Only James Tarkowski would know that, but it was such a reckless challenge and could have caused serious injury to Alex Mac Allister. He was incredibly lucky not to have been sent off.

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'It was dealt with at the time'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Alex: To Phil. What would your stand be on retrospective punishment for not given red card offences such as the Tarkowski challenge where PGMOL have admitted it was an error?

Hello, Alex. No retrospective punishment. It was dealt with at the time – very badly admittedly – but it is done now. This does not stop me saying it was one of the most obvious red cards you will ever see, and quite how VAR studied it and did not recommend the referee to reconsider is beyond me.

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'I’m sure Liverpool would love to get their hands on Isak and Kerkez'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Mike, Eastbourne: Who would be your top 3 summer signings for Liverpool?

Hello, Mike. Entering the realms of guesswork and – perhaps – the extremely unlikely here, but mine would be Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak (could Newcastle even dare to part with him), Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez and maybe Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid.

If I was going for four (!) maybe they would consider strengthening in central defence and go back to Bournemouth for Dean Huijsen…sorry Cherries fans.

Should stress I’m not saying these will happen – but I’m sure Liverpool would love to get their hands on Isak and Kerkez.

A lot depends, of course, on the contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

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'We can’t disguise how disappointing the season has been'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Mick: Of the bottom eight teams in the premier league, only Spurs and Ipswich have not sacked their manager in a desperate attempt to avoid relegation. Maybe the Tractor Boys can be excused for showing loyalty to the management team who gained back-to-back promotions, but there can be no excuse for Tottenham. It's like "Call of Duty" in attack and dereliction of duty at the back, so how on earth is Ange Postecoglou still in a job?

Hi, Mick. First things first. Ange Postecoglou could still win the Europa League this season and get Tottenham into the Champions League. That would have been the aim before the start of the season – with a trophy as well, of course.

We can’t disguise how disappointing the season has been in other aspects, but if Spurs did sack Postecoglou now or had done in the past few weeks, who is realistically available and an upgrade, a guarantee of improvement? I don’t see anyone jumping out at me.

It’s easy to say “sack the manager” but what comes next is not so easy.

And while I have no particular wish to sound like an Ange Postecoglou apologist, he really has had to deal with an horrendous injury list this season.

I do accept that if Spurs do not win the Europa League, then I suspect his position would then come under review – but he could still fulfil his promise of always winning a trophy in his second season.

None of Tottenham’s last 15 Premier League home games against Southampton has finished level (W12 L3). Spurs have scored in all 15 of those games, while Saints have also found the net in each of the last eight.

Southampton have won just one of their last seven Premier League games against Spurs (D2 L4), beating them 3-2 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in February 2022.

Tottenham won the reverse fixture against Southampton 5-0 in December, with all five goals coming in the first half. It was the fifth time Spurs have scored 5+ goals in a Premier League match against Saints, with no side doing so against a specific opponent more often.

Spurs have won one of their last 10 home Premier League matches (D3 L6), picking up just six points. Across their 10 games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium beforehand, they won seven games and 21 points.

Across their last 18 away Premier League matches, Southampton have collected just five points (W1 D2 L15), and their one win was at fellow promoted club Ipswich in February.

Tottenham Hotspur have shipped 26 home Premier League goals this season, only ever conceding more in five campaigns on home soil. Their current average of 1.73 goals conceded per game is their second worst in a Premier League season, however, shipping 34 in 19 games in 2007-08 (1.79).

Southampton have lost 10 of their last 13 Premier League games in London (W1 D2) and among the 13 teams to play 100+ away games in the capital, the Saints have lost the highest percentage (59.4%, 85/143).

Spurs have won 11 of their last 14 Premier League matches against sides starting the day bottom (D3). Each of Spurs’ last five defeats against sides in 20th have been against teams starting with W (3x West Brom, 1x Wigan, 1x West Ham); they are unbeaten in 34 against non-W teams (W28 D6) since a 2-1 defeat to Leicester on the final day of the 2001-02 season.

Son Heung-Min has had a hand in 18 goals in 16 Premier League appearances against Southampton for Spurs (11 goals, 7 assists). The only current Premier League player with more goals and assists against an opponent is Mohamed Salah versus Man Utd (13 goals, 6 assists).

James Maddison – who netted a brace against Southampton in Spurs’ 5-0 win in December – has scored seven Premier League goals in 11 games against the Saints, more than he has against any other club.

Fabio Paratici is in talks with AC Milan over becoming their new sporting director, in a move that would end his ties with Tottenham.

The Italian administrator, who left his role as Spurs' managing director of football in April 2023 after being banned by world governing body Fifa - following an investigation into financial irregularities during his time at Juventus - is free to return to work in the summer when his suspension ends.

Sources close to Paratici have told BBC Sport the 52-year-old is in contact with AC Milan over becoming their new sporting director.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecolgou hopes Mauricio Pochettino returns to the club one day and said he did not "feel disrespected" by recent comments from the Argentine.

Pochettino, who managed Tottenham from 2014 to 2019, said last month that he wants to reunite with Spurs in the future.

He has had spells with Paris St-Germain and Chelsea since leaving north London and was appointed head coach of the United States in September 2024.

Postecoglou became Spurs boss in June 2023, making him the club's fourth full-time appointment since Pochettino departed, after Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte.

"If he wants to come back one day then I hope it happens for him," Postecoglou said when asked about Pochettino's comments.

"We all have dreams and aspirations. You're suggesting that he's trying to put pressure on me?"

Postecoglou was asked if the timing of Pochettino's comments was disrespectful as the Australian's future at Spurs remains uncertain, with the club sitting 14th in the Premier League.

"I don't feel disrespected," Postecoglou said. "If you asked Mauricio that question directly, I think you'd get a pretty clear answer about what his intent was."

Pochettino remains a hero among some of the Tottenham fanbase after leading them to a second-place finish in the 2016-17 Premier League season, the 2015 EFL Cup final and the 2019 Champions League final.

He has overseen eight matches with the United States but is already under pressure after losing three times, including successive defeats against Panama and Canada last month.

The 53-year-old was drafted in by the United States Soccer Federation to build momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which they will co-host with Canada and Mexico.

Postecoglou is under contract at Tottenham until 2027, but they are in danger of their lowest finish in the Premier League since 2003–04, when they finished 14th, and may yet end up even lower.

They make the short journey to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

Should Tottenham soon part ways with Postecoglou, they would be required to pay "one of the biggest financial compensation fees in football history" if they wanted to prise Pochettino away from his US job, according to a well-placed source.

Pochettino signed a two-year contract in September, with multiple reports stating he earns £4.6m a year.

'We know how important this game is'

Chelsea v Tottenham (Thu, 20:00 BST)

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca on facing Tottenham: "It's a huge game. We know how important it is for the fans and the club. It is also important for us to try and finish where we are now.

"Tottenham have a lot of good players, but no matter who is playing, it's going to be a derby and it's a Premier League and you can struggle against any team.

"We want to be direct and quick when they press higher. We cannot be direct and quick if they sit back. In our last three home games, they have all been games with every player behind the ball. When you have players who love to run in behind, it is easier.

"If we win, you can build momentum for the end. They are all important games and are all three points. We need to win as many games as we can and we will see where we finish."

On Spurs' struggles this season: "For part of the season, they had many injuries. It's not easy to deal with that. They had important players out. I'm not able to give you more reason because you need more details, but injuries have been an important part [of their struggles]."

'We need to manage James'

Chelsea v Tottenham (Thu, 20:00 BST)

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca on Reece James: "We still need to manage Reece. The reason why is because you know his history probably better than me. He is a player you need to be careful with him in this moment.

"We want him fit until the end so the idea is to manage him until the end and then we will see in the future if we can go every day. But in this moment, we need him until the end, so we are managing him.

"Reece in another team is very, very young. In our team, probably a bit old but he is still very, very young. He's 25 or 26, it's a top age."

'Sancho can do better'

Chelsea v Tottenham (Thu, 20:00 BST)

Chelsea

More from Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca on Jadon Sancho: "You probably have more news than me in terms of Jadon. For me, his situation does not change, it is exactly the same.

"For sure, he can do better in terms of numbers, no doubt, but it is not only about Jadon. We have more players in the same situation.

"I do not need to give Jadon a message, I speak with him every day. I had a conversation with him yesterday. He needs to continue to give his best until the end. That is what we want from Jadon."

'It's good to finish the season with all players'

Chelsea v Tottenham (Thu, 20:00 BST)

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca speaking ahead of facing Tottenham: "We've said many times, it is a game for players and when they are not there, you struggle.

"This has happened with us this season, where we had five or six unbelievable months and then had six or seven injuries in a row and we lost something. Now it is good to finish with all of them.

"Since day one, [the players] are giving everything. The attitude has always been top, every day, and even in the last week because they know how important it is from now on. Every game becomes important. We have nine games to go and hopefully we can finish well."

Bielefeld's remarkable cup run

Arminia Bielefeld 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Arminia Bielefeld, who are fourth in Germany's third division, have reached their national cup final after beating reigning Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal champions Bayer Leverkusen last night.

Bielefeld had already beaten three top-flight sides - Union Berlin, Freiburg and Werder Bremen - before their victory over Xabi Alonso's men.

They have played all those games at their own ground, thanks to a German rule that the lower league side in any cup tie plays the match at home.

Arminia are the fourth team from the third division to reach the German Cup final, following Union Berlin in 2001, Energie Cottbus in 1997 and Hertha Berlin's reserve team in 1993.

They will take on another Bundesliga side in the final, with Stuttgart or RB Leipzig facing each other in the other semi tonight.

Elsewhere in football

There was more than only the Premier League last night - across Europe we saw three quite remarkable cup semi-finals. Here's the round-up:

Real Madrid kept their Treble hopes alive in extraordinary fashion after Antonio Rudiger headed home an extra-time winner against Real Sociedad to book their place in the Copa del Rey final.

Substitute Rudiger climbed highest to meet Arda Guler's 115th-minute corner to flick a header beyond visiting keeper Alex Remiro, sparking wild celebrations from the home fans.

In a terrific end-to-end second half, five goals were scored in 21 minutes as both sides looked to confirm their spot in the Seville showpiece. You can read more here.

Third-tier Arminia Bielefeld stunned defending champions Bayer Leverkusen to reach the final of the German Cup.

Bielefeld fought back from a goal down to triumph 2-1 and become the first team outside the top two divisions to knock four Bundesliga sides out of the German Cup in one season. You can find our report here.

And Paris St-Germain battled from two goals down to beat second-tier Dunkerque 4-2 and book their place in the French Cup final.

Ousmane Dembele scored twice to spare PSG blushes, after the holders had fallen two goals behind inside just 27 minutes as Vincent Sasso and Muhannad Al Saad struck for the side currently fifth in Ligue 2. Read more here.

Wolves go 12 points clear of drop

Wolves 1-0 West Ham

Alex Brotherton

BBC Sport journalist

Jorgen Strand Larsen made it three goals in two games as Wolverhampton Wanderers beat West Ham United to move further away from the relegation zone.

The Norway striker sat out the international break with a fractured hand, but returned to record a 10th Premier League strike this season.

With Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha still suspended, the 25-year-old Strand Larsen converted just inside the penalty area in the 21st minute following a mazy run from Joao Gomes, albeit with the help of a slight deflection off West Ham's former Wolves defender Max Kilman.

Hammers boss Graham Potter made three changes at half-time with Carlos Soler, Niclas Fullkrug and Edson Alvarez all introduced, and the visitors immediately offered more of an attacking threat.

But a fourth home victory of the season moved Vitor Pereira's side 12 points clear of the relegation zone, although they remain 17th in the table and five points behind West Ham.

Man Utd's torrid season

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Man Utd

Simon Stone

BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

Manchester United are still to win successive Premier League games this season.

It is now looking increasingly likely they will finish no higher than 13th this season.

Just to put that into context, since the English league restarted in 1946-47, so nearly 80 years, United have only finished 13th or lower five times, one of which was when they were in what is now the Championship following relegation in 1973-74.

They last finished 13th under Sir Alex Ferguson in the 1989-90 campaign that ended with an FA Cup victory that propelled them into two decades of glory.

It feels like clutching at straws to think that will happen this season but winning the Europa League is of massive importance.

Arsenal and Tottenham will contest the first north London derby to be held outside the UK when the two teams face each other in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong this summer.

The London rivals will play in the newly-opened Kai Tak Stadium on July 31 as part of their preparations for the 2025-26 season.

The match, scheduled for 7:30pm local time (11:30am BST), will be the first time that the two teams have met outside the UK.

The fixture is part of the Hong Kong Football Festival, which will see Premier League rivals Liverpool take on AC Milan on 26 July.

Arsenal last toured Hong Kong in 2012, while Spurs visited Japan and South Korea in 2024.

Manchester United are set to play two post-season friendlies in Hong Kong and Malaysia, but they are one of a number of Premier League clubs set to tour the United States as part of their pre-season preparations.

Chelsea and Manchester City are yet to make decisions on their pre-season, given both clubs are involved in the Club World Cup that begins on 15 June.

Chelsea have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games against Spurs (W9 D2), winning the last three in a row by an aggregate score of 10-4.

Tottenham have lost each of their last three Premier League games against Chelsea, last losing more consecutively against the Blues between January 2000 and March 2002 (6).

Chelsea have won more Premier League games (36) and scored more Premier League goals (120) against Tottenham than they have vs any other opponent. Indeed, only three teams have scored more goals against a side in the competition than their 120 vs Spurs (Arsenal vs Everton, Manchester United vs Everton, Liverpool vs Newcastle, all 124).

No side has earned fewer points in Premier League London derbies this season than Tottenham (10, level with Brentford), who have lost five of nine such games this season (W3 D1). Only in 1987-88 (6), 1989-90 (6), 2003-04 (6), and 2004-05 (7) have Spurs ever suffered more London derby defeats in a league campaign.

Chelsea have won each of their last four Premier League games at Stamford Bridge, the last two of which while also keeping a clean sheet. Only once in the last five seasons (from 2020-21) have the Blues won three successive home league games without conceding, doing so from April to May 2024 in a run that included a 2-0 win over Tottenham.

Coming into this matchday, only Leicester (10) and Southampton (12) have lost more Premier League away games this season than Tottenham Hotspur (8). Not since 2008-09 have Spurs suffered more away defeats in a single league campaign (11).

Heading into this matchday, only Liverpool have had more shots following fast breaks (56) in the Premier League this season than Chelsea (42), while only Liverpool have scored more goals from fast breaks (13) than Tottenham (10) in the division this term.

Ange Postecoglou has lost all three of his Premier League meetings with Chelsea – the only side he has faced without yet picking up a point in the competition. He could become the first ever Tottenham manager to lose each of his first four league games against Chelsea in charge of the club.

Against no other side does Nicolas Jackson have more Premier League goals than his four against Tottenham (also 4 v West Ham). Indeed, 47.8% of the Chelsea striker’s goals in the competition overall have been scored in London derbies (11/23); among players with 20+ Premier League goals, only Manuel Lanzini has netted a higher proportion in all-London clashes (48.1% - 13/27).

Son Heung-min has nine Premier League assists this season, making him one away from recording 10+ assists in four separate seasons in the competition (10 in each of 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2023-24), which would equal Christian Eriksen’s Premier League record for Tottenham. However, Son has faced Chelsea in the league 17 times without providing a single assist – the most he’s faced a side in the Premier League without setting up a goal.