Daily Star

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou remains defiant about his team's bold attacking tactics despite blowing a two-goal lead to lose 4-3 to Chelsea.

Spurs. stormed ahead barely 11 minutes into the match, courtesy of two blunders by Marc Cucurella, which led to Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski hitting the net. But Chelsea mounted a remarkable comeback, with Jadon Sancho firing home before Cole Palmer levelled things up with a penalty after Yves Bissouma's rash foul.

Enzo Fernandes put Chelsea in the lead, followed by a cheeky Palmer Panenka penalty after Pape Sarr's gaffe, rendering Son Heung-min's later strike nothing but a consolation. As Chelsea climbed to second spot, Spurs dropped to 11th position in the Premier League, piling on the pressure for Postecoglou.

Yet, the Tottenham boss stood firm on endorsing his philosophy of open play and aggressive pressing. "It was good enough to get us ahead in the game so I am not sure why we should change our approach," Postecoglou maintained in a chat with BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It was a game of big moments. If we score at 2-2 and go 3-2 ahead then the pressure is on them and they have to open up like we did when we conceded. But like I said, disappointing that we let them get the advantage in a way that was self-inflicted," reports the Mirror.

He remarked: "Their penalties were poor from our behalf. We didn't need to make those challenges and it was hard for us to claw it back. I think sometimes when you are in this position we are, you are desperate to do the right thing. You probably need a calmer approach. The guys are desperate to do the right thing and unfortunately it cost us."

Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, took issue with Postecoglou's steadfast tactics. "The manager keeps telling us he won't change," he observed. "I can't imagine any manager when I played for Liverpool, after conceding four goals, saying that we played well."

The ex-Reds defender added: "I wake up every morning, and if the sun's shining I put a pair of trainers, shorts and a T-shirt on, we all want to do that, but if it's raining, you put your coat on!

Chelsea produced a stunning second half fightback to come from 2-0 down to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3.

Enzo Maresca's side went 2-0 down after just 11 minutes against Tottenham, with Spurs finding the back of the net through Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski. While both goals were aided by Chelsea's Marc Cucurella, who slipped twice to gift Spurs the ball, they were excellent strikes, which Robert Sanchez had little chance of saving.

On 17 minutes, Jadon Sancho managed to grab a goal back for the Blues, who threw everything they could at Spurs in the first half in search of an equaliser. And then after the break, they levelled proceedings at 2-2 when Cole Palmer fired his penalty past Fraser Forester following a wild challenge from Yves Bissouma on Moises Caicedo.

Enzo Fernandez then put Chelsea ahead on 73 minutes with a beautiful half-volley, with Palmer then wrapping things up for Maresca's side on 84 minutes with a stunning Paneka penalty to make it 4-2. Tottenham did grab a goal back in injury time through Heung-Min Son.

But the game was effectively over - with the result moving the Blues up to second in the Premier League and within four points of Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Here are five things Maresca will have learned from the impressive comeback from his side against Tottenham...

Chelsea are in the Premier League title race

Chelsea are in the Premier League title race - and they might be the team that challenges Liverpool this season. Earlier on Sunday, Arsenal slipped up by failing to beat Fulham and drawing 1-1 at Craven Cottage on a day they could have moved four points behind the Reds, who had their Saturday game against Everton postponed due to Storm Darragh.

For a while, it looked as though Chelsea would be dropping points too against Spurs until their stunning second half fightback. During the summer Chelsea looked a mess, with players jettisoned from the first team squad and a number of new faces coming into an already packed dressing room.

What Enzo Maresca has done in under half a year at Stamford Bridge has been nothing short of spectacular. The Blues right now look to be title contenders. Yes, if Liverpool win their game in hand, then Arne Slot's side will move seven points clear of Chelsea. But Chelsea gave Liverpool a tough game at Anfield earlier this season and on their day are capable of beating anyone.

Enzo Maresca deserves all the plaudits

They may have gone 2-0 down to Spurs, but Chelsea still looked excellent going forward against Ange Postecoglou's side. Spurs' two goals were both excellent finishes from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski- albeit aided by two slips from Marc Cucurella to gift Tottenham the ball.

Despite being two goals down, Chelsea did not rollover. In fact, they just continued to attack. They managed to grab a goal back through Jadon Sancho, who scored a wonderful strike to make it 2-1.

Then in the second half, they equalised through a Cole Palmer penalty when Yves Bissouma's reckless challenge saw him bring down Moises Caicedo inside the area. Enzo Fernandez's goal, Chelsea's third, was excellent, and Cole Palmer's second penalty - a Paneka, was magnificent.

For all the talk of chaos around Stamford Bridge this past summer, Enzo Maresca has done an unbelievable job creating a coherent side out of a messy squad, with Chelsea now Champions League contenders - as well as possibly Premier League title contenders.

Capitalised on Spurs' Spursy-ness

You just knew that when Spurs' went 2-0 up after 11 minutes there would be more goals in this game. Thankfully for neutral football fans and unfortunately for Spurs supporters, there was. And if you'd told a Spurs fan at the beginning of the game they would go 2-0 up, they would probably have told you they'd go on to lose the game.

There was a sense of unease when Jadon Sancho scored on 17 minutes, suggesting Chelsea would not go down quietly. Chelsea kept going and got their equaliser in the second half through Palmer's penalty, leaving the home crowd stunned.

Then on 73 minutes, the Blues completed their stunning comeback through Enzo Fernandez, who netted a stunning half-volley which beat Fraser Forster to make it 3-2 to Enzo Maresca's side. And in the 83rd minute, the game was ended by Palmer who netted his second spot kick with a stunning Paneka penalty

Signing Jadon Sancho was a masterstroke

Speaking of Jadon Sancho, what a signing he has turned out to be for Chelsea. His time in the Premier League looked to be all but over after falling out with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

But Maresca has done an unbelievable job in turning around Sancho's career. The winger looks full of confidence and scored an excellent goal to get Chelsea back into the game against Spurs.

With teams willing to pay millions for creative wide forwards, the fact that Chelsea will only have to pay £25million to sign Sancho permanently from Manchester United makes a mockery of the latter's decision to simply give up on the England international.

Buy Marc Cucurella some new boots

However, one negative during the Sunday afternoon action for Maresca will have been the fact the club may need to invest in some new boots for Marc Cucurella, who slipped over twice in the opening 11 minutes, gifting Spurs the ball for their two goals.

A fortnight is a long time in football. For Ange Postecoglou it must feel like a lifetime.

It was just two weeks ago when his Tottenham side had thrashed champions Manchester City and he must have felt like a king among the Spurs fanbase. Fast forward to Thursday night and he’s getting abused by some of the same supporters after a defeat at Bournemouth.

How can a side go from sticking four past the reigning title holders to drawing with Roma and Fulham before losing to the Cherries?

It has to be the style of play and it is alright going ‘but mate we are what we are’ but if he doesn’t find consistency then the axe will come down on him.

Tottenham are just a point above Manchester United, who sacked a manager a few weeks ago who had won two trophies. Now ambitions and size of the club may be different. But it should make Postecoglou worried.

Spurs fans are well aware it is not just Postecoglou’s fault. They have a big amount of injuries and that has led to the need to play Radu Dragusin, who doesn’t look up to standard in the Premier League.

They’re aware that recruitment hasn’t been great and that Daniel Levy has often made the wrong decisions in the market with players. They buy good players but then expect them to play out of their skin. Dominic Solanke is a very good Premier League player.

But if he is to fill the void left by Harry Kane, an elite striker, you can see the problem. That’s no criticism of Solanke but he is - not yet anyways - on Kane’s level. That has happened in other areas at Spurs for more than a decade. Gareth Bale was never replaced with a player who could get anywhere near his level.

Top clubs replace their best players when they leave or age. Tottenham have so often made a mess of it. But they have made some good signings under Postecoglou. Micky van de Ven is certainly a player who can be elite, if he can limit the injuries.

Postecoglou still needs to adapt to the Premier League. He has a style of play and it is electric to watch at times. Nobody is asking him to abandon his principles but tweaks here and there to ensure they’re sometimes a little harder to play against will do no harm.

If he keeps the way they’re going then the results will continue to fluctuate and even though the problems listed above will have added to that, it will be Postecoglou who pays the price with his job.

As it always is in football. Yet it might well be a decent punt to back them to beat Chelsea tomorrow. That’s the season which Spurs are having.

Things are looking good again for Arsenal after they returned to winning ways in the Premier League and Champions League.

The collapse of Manchester City is also keeping spirits high in North London with Gunners fans asking themselves: Is it finally our year?

Well, according to Spurs’ most glamorous fan, Mikel Arteta’s men may need to watch their backs instead of worrying about catching league leaders Liverpool.

Medical marvel Annie Charlotte, who was born with two vaginas, told the Daily Star: “Arsenal… they are not invincible.

“Arsenal are doing well but they are not the unbeatable force they think they are. Spurs have more fight this season. Top four is a must and I am feeling good about our chances of finishing ahead of Arsenal and even City.”

Social media star Annie, who promotes herself as being the woman with two vaginas, believes Spurs will finally end their trophy drought this season too.

She has been in the stands for emphatic victories over the likes of Aston Villa and Manchester City and she is optimistic about Ange Postecoglou’s team.

Annie only announced her Spurs love affair earlier this year and it prompted a mixed response - with rival fans calling it a “shame” while poking fun at her.

Most of her followers know her from being a gamer and spicy model, but she has been open about being born with two uteruses and cervixes.

She was diagnosed with uterus didelphys after getting the contraceptive pill fitted at 16 - meaning she could theoretically conceive two babies at the same time because she has two functional vaginas.

But despite feeling positive about Spurs while issuing a word of warning to rivals Arsenal, she did offer her ultimate Premier League prediction.

She said: “Liverpool is likely to win the league and they have set themselves up nicely. The last three teams that have been in the position Liverpool are in at this stage of the Premier League have won.

“Though who doesn’t love a good underdog story? Keep your eye on Spurs…”

A medical marvel has made some bold football predictions after her beloved Spurs dismantled the Premier League champions.

Social media star Annie Charlotte, who made headlines after she was born with two vaginas, is still on cloud nine after seeing her team wallop Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. And she believes there is more to come from the lilywhites.

The 25-year-old believes Tottenham are not yet out of the title race but ultimately predicted a team in red would lift the Premier League this season.

But before getting to that, she told the Daily Star: “That 4-0 win over City? Iconic. It shows Spurs can beat the best and we needed that.

“Under Ange, the team is improving and playing better and if this keeps up, we could go all the way. Though it is absolutely gutting to hear that Vicario has broken his ankle and will be out for multiple games…”

Remaining optimistic, she added: “Top four here we come. And who knows? Maybe we will even grab some silverware. Ange did say he always wins silverware in his second season.

“Can we go for the title? It is still early but if we keep this up we are in the conversation. Don’t sleep on us.”

Annie has been to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium multiple times this year where she has seen her side beat the likes of Aston Villa and Manchester City. She believes these results indicate that the team could be well placed to finish above the champions and even their North London rivals.

Announcing she was a Spurs supporter earlier this season prompted a mixed response from her fans who know her only as the woman who promotes herself as having two sets of genitals.

The model was born with two uteruses and cervixes and was diagnosed with uterus didelphys after getting the contraceptive coil fitted at 16. It means she could theoretically conceive two babies at the same time and she said both vaginas are “functional” and she has two periods.

But despite feeling positive about Tottenham’s chances, she said the current league leaders have it all to lose.

She said: “Liverpool is likely to win the league and they have set themselves up nicely. The last three teams that have been in the position Liverpool are in at this stage of the Premier League have won.

“Though who doesn’t love a good underdog story? Keep your eye on Spurs…”

Pep Guardiola admitted his Manchester City side are "fragile" after the Premier League champions were hammered 4-0 at home by Tottenham in the biggest upset of the season so far.

A brace from James Maddison and goals for Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson consigned the Citizens to their first defeat at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League since November 2022 against Brentford - ending their longest ever unbeaten run at home in all competitions (52 games).

And it marked the fifth loss in a row for City in league and cup - the first time in Guardiola's career that he has been on such a losing streak. With his side now five points behind league leaders Liverpool, who could extend that gap to eight points with a win at Southampton tomorrow and who welcome City to Anfield next weekend, the Spanish boss addressed his team's shocking run.

Guardiola told BBC Sport: "We are fragile at the moment, we could not defend properly. We started well, struggled to score and then conceded. Then situation is more difficult.

"I've been here as a player, maybe not as a manager, first three games at Barcelona we lost. The only chance we have is stay there. Last eight years the results have been there, it would be a mistake to change the approach.

"There are not fairy tales in life and sport, sometimes you have to live through these situations. You have to accept it. You can't blame each other, stay together, continue to do what we have done.

"Run away? Absolutely not, we have to stand up more than ever. What will define us is when we fail, we stand up and face it.

"I don’t know what will happen this season, but not for one second will I not believe in these players. There is no team in the world that can sustain success for eight, nine, ten years in a row. Of course everything is not fine, but what we try to do is analyse it, let’s go to next game and see what happens.

Guardiola, who is counting the cost of injuries to star midfielders Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne, the first of whom is out for the season and the latter a late substitute in the defeat against Spurs, said late returning players from international duty was also a problem, as he looked towards two huge games this coming week, firstly in the Champions League and then against Arne Slot's Liverpool.

He said: "I have to see the situation. The players came back late [from internationals]. There were a few reasons we're not able to be consistent. Now the balance is not in the right moment. But it happened. We have to do it, talk and on Tuesday against Feyenoord have the chance to try.

"Of course Rodri is important but we knew that for many months. But Stones can only play 45 minutes. Jack has been injured many times. Kevin, two months and five months. We have to come back and freshen our minds. The season is so long. Many things can happen.

"Before the game I didn't know what will happen today. So I don't know what will happen at Anfield. Everyone knows the situation is new for us. We struggled more without the ball. I don't know how many chances we created. Our game was there."

Manchester City lost ground in the Premier League title race after Tottenham Hotspur dismantled Pep Guardiola's side 4-0 at the Etihad.

After just 20 minutes, City found themselves 2-0 down, with Spurs midfielder James Maddison scoring a brace. City had a chance to take the lead, but striker Erling Haaland had his effort saved by the feet of Tottenham's Guglielmo Vicario.

In the second half, the game was effectively ended by Spurs full-back Pedro Porro, who scored on 52 minutes following a flowing Tottenham move to leave City shellshocked. And then in injury-time, Brennan Johnson added a fourth following some excellent work by Timo Werner.

The 4-0 defeat was City's fifth consecutive defeats in all competition and it leaves Guardiola and co sitting five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool - who could open up an eight point gap on Sunday if they beat Southampton.

And here are five huge problems City boss Guardiola needs to address if he wants to guide the club to a fifth consecutive Premier League title...

Advantage Liverpool

As things stand after the defeat to Spurs, Manchester City sit five points behind league leaders Liverpool, who face Southampton on Sunday afternoon. A win for Liverpool would see Arne Slot's side move eight points clear of the reigning Premier League champions, setting up a huge clash next weekend when Guardiola and co travel to Anfield to take on the Reds.

Lose at Anfield and that could be City's title defence over. Liverpool would be 11 points clear with a win over City, opening up a gap that could potentially be insurmountable. We've seen City win the title when it goes down to the wire and another team are forced to match them stride for stride.

However, the last time they didn't win the league was the 2019/20 season, when Liverpool set off at such a blistering pace City couldn't catch them - something which could end up being repeated this term if they can't beat the Reds next weekend.

Manchester City need to spend in January

In the summer, Manchester City signed Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan. In January, they need to spend more money if they want to win their fifth consecutive Premier League title.

The absence of Rodri for City this season is glaringly obvious. He is the best holding midfielder in the world. But they could also do with another attacker to add some goals to their frontline, so they're not totally reliant upon Erling Haaland. They need to sign a holding midfielder, and they probably should look to bring in a wide forward too.

Speaking of one of those two summer signings...

What on earth has happened to Ilkay Gundogan?

Ilkay Gundogan looks a shell of himself. Back in 2023, he departed a treble winning captain after lifting the Champions League following Manchester City's win over Inter Milan in Istanbul.

He spent a season in Barcelona, where he play 51 games and then played at the European Championships with Germany before returning to City. And all those minutes really look to have taken their toll on the 34-year-old. Gundogan is not an aggressive midfielder, and alongside Rico Lewis, City are not winning any physical battle.

The German is not a bad player and still has a part to play for City this season. But it does seem strange that after a huge season last term in which he played so many minutes that Pep Guardiola decided to bring Gundogan back to the Etihad - and give him such an important role.

Defensive issues continue

Yet again, Manchester City failed to keep a clean sheet. In their last 13 games, the defending Premier League champions have kept just three of them. The teams they kept them against? Southampton, Sparta Prague and Slovan Bratislava.

Any time a team counter City, they look vulnerable. Against Spurs, the scoreline could have been much worse. Clearly, they have players of supreme talent capable of getting into any team in the world.

But right now they look easy to play against. City don't look capable of suffocating teams like they have in previous seasons. They look ponderous on the ball, and weak at the back whenever a team attack them - hardly a recipe for success.

Where are all the goals?

Cast your minds back to the opening few weeks of the Premier League season. Erling Haaland was on a goalscoring tear and was bound to break more records this season. However, in recent weeks - or rather month - the goals have dried up for City.

Pep Guardiola's side have not scored more than one goal in a game since October 23, when they beat Sparta Prague in the Champions League. This season, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are their second and third top scorers.

City look way off the pace right now and they're not scoring goals - and if you're not scoring enough goals, you simply can't win games. With Haaland currently blowing hot and cold, City need the likes of Phil Foden, Savinho, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish to produce, something which they haven't in recent weeks.

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur faces a seven-game ban over comments about his captain Son Heung-min.

The Uruguayan midfielder was filmed last June in a shocking social media clip. In a Spanish interview, he said that South Koreans "all look the same." The interview was broadcast on the Uruguayan TV programme 'Por La Camiseta."

During the interview, Bentancur was asked by the host if he could get him a Spurs player's shirt. The midfielders responded with, "Sonny's?" He then continued to say that "It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."

The FA had confirmed earlier this year that Bentancur had been charged with an "aggravated breach" of their rules. Bentancur later apologised on his Instagram saying that is what a "very bad joke."

The South Korean forward accepted his team-mate's apology, saying: "He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised. Lolo [Bentancur] would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all.

"We're past this, we're united, and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one." Chelsea ace Enzo Fernandez meanwhile was not sanctioned for racist and anti-gay chanting that were filmed while he was on international duty.

The derogatory songs were aimed at the French football team and performed when his Argentinian side were at the Copa America. Although FIFA had said that "the incident was being looked into," the FA decided not to investigate the chants.

If FIFA are to find any wrongdoing, and Fernandez faces match bans, these will only apply to Argentina and not Chelsea. The Chelsea player did apologise for what he had done and proceeded to donate to an anti-discrimination charity.

Football fans have been reacting to the news on X with one user saying: "Nearly double John Terry's for abusing Anton Ferdinand and 7 more than Enzo Fernandez for his part in singing racist songs."

Another commented: "[Luis] Suarez got a lesser ban for biting someone and Enzo Fernandez got away with it," and a third said: "Enzo Fernandez really is a lucky c***, isn't he? How the hell has he not been banned as well?"

A fourth poster commented: "Why has bentancur been punished but enzo fernandez not?" And another said: "My issue with it is Enzo Fernandez should be getting something or it’s not fair or consistent."

Football stadium food - often referred to as 'footy scran' - is always a hot topic among fans, especially when visiting a new ground for the first time.

This was certainly true for several Tottenham Hotspur supporters who were left feeling disappointedly hungry in Hungary after rejecting the menu at their Europa League opponents Ferencvaros, earlier this month. The Budapest club's version of cheese and onion toast was a far cry from the fare back home at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which opened its doors in April 2019.

There, supporters can tuck into pie with mash and gravy or a beef lasagne with garlic bread and rocket salad at half time for a fair London price. Away from home, however, despite being more than reasonably priced at 400 Hungarian Forint (around 85p), the Hungarian dish offered little to appease the hunger pangs of those who took the two-and-a-half hour flight.

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In a photo shared by X account, Sports Scran (@SportScran) and captioned with a translation of "greasy bread", a Spurs fan's card container could be seen with a barely toasted slice of bread, melted cheese and several hastily chopped slices of red onion.

Thankfully, Spurs went on to win the match 2-1 thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson and Pape Matar Sarr, but it seems the food on their travels left an unwanted lasting impression. Scores took to X to slam the "delicacy", with many confessing they'll never criticise food back in Britain again.

"Did a five-year old make this? " one puzzled punter questioned. "Hungarian food is too funny," chuckled another, adding: "This is what my Hungarian friend gave me last year. He said it's a Hungarian delicacy."

A third critic lashed out: "It's crazy how some places just don't understand food." A fourth quipped: "Wouldn't eat this if I was starving in a zombie apocalypse." Meanwhile, a Hibernian supporter from Scotland couldn't resist a dig either: "Will never complain about the a**e collapsing out a steak pie at Easter Road again."

Others, however, suggested the plate may have some use as a beer-absorbing miracle: "Plenty will mock this, but it'll save your life at the eighth pint," one X user joked, while another admitted: "I'd scran that. Really soak up the beers."

A third chimed in praising the snack: "Sorry to say but that's scran. For that price? Those simple yet unmistakable flavours? You could do so much worse." And a bargain-hunting fourth person agreed: "I'd take four for that price."

In contrast, over at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, reviews keep rolling in with a solid 4.5 out of 5 TripAdvisor score from over 800 visitors. Fans rave about the grub and service, with one visitor left gushing after their trip: "The Beavertown Neckoil is outstanding, a truly lovely pint."

They continued: "Really enjoyed the Margarita pizza, for commercial catering this was very tasty, really enjoyable. And highly recommended. Staff are all very friendly and helpful. Recommend you arrive well before kick off and enjoy the food and drink."

The name's Popescu, Gheorghe Popescu.

Tottenham fans might not remember their Romanian defender as being football's answer to James Bond. However, before he rocked up on these shores, the defender was employed as a spy - tasked with snitching on team-mates.

While on the up at first club Universitatea Craiova, Popescu, who turned 57 on Wednesday (October 9), acted as an informant on his team-mates who were feared to be a defection risk as they were regularly playing European football in the late 1980s.

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Shaken but not stirred, he originally denied helping the secret police, who were under the regime of dictator Nicolae Ceacescu - but he later admitted to signing a document promising to 'defend the national interests’.

There was little choice but to cooperate for Popescu. He was one of 700,000 informants in the eastern European nation at that time, which equated to 4% of the population.

Once communism fell in Romania in 1989, Popescu was able to spread his wings, heading to PSV Eindhoven where he spent four years. He'd turned down a move to Real Madrid in favour of venturing to the Netherlands, and later joined their rivals Barcelona from Tottenham in a £3million deal in 1995.

It was during his solitary season at White Hart Lane that English fans might best remember him. However, in his home country he became infamous after retirement.

In 2014, he was back in the headlines a decade later when he and seven others were convicted by a Romanian appeals court of money laundering and tax evasion, in connection with the transfer of football players.

Popescu was sentenced to a jail term of three years and one month but was released after 18 months in November 2015 for good behaviour.

The 57-year-old has returned to football, though, and he is chairman of Liga 1 side Farul Constanta, where his son Nicolas plays.