Daily Mail

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is in need of a big victory

Postecoglou has full belief in his team ahead of clash with Arsenal

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Ange Postecoglou bristled at the notion that anyone might be losing faith in his Tottenham revolution. Or that he could do with a statement win against big opponents like Arsenal to restore it.

‘If people have lost faith in what we’re doing, I cannot let that be my guide,’ said Postecoglou. ‘My guide is what I see on a daily basis, the way we play our football, the way the team is growing.

‘I’m as optimistic and as bullish as I’ve ever been. There’s nothing I’ve seen to make me waver in my belief about what we’re doing.’

The new season has started for Spurs with one thumping home win, a draw they ought to have won and a narrow defeat at Newcastle.

Performances have been bright enough, although this small sample of fresh results is disturbingly like an extension to the end of last season, when they beat the poorest teams while struggling to take anything at all from stronger opponents.

In 14 games since an impressive 4-0 win at Aston Villa in March, they have won only five. Last season against each of the Premier League’s bottom four and this season against Everton, who have started like a drain.

On Sunday Arsenal travel across north London. When they last made the trip in April, Mikel Arteta’s side were 3-0 up by half-time, dominating on the counter-attack and dangerous at set-pieces, then resisted a fightback to take three points. Having failed to derail Arteta’s tilt at the title, it left some Spurs fans to celebrate another defeat against Manchester City 16 days later on the grounds that at least the arch enemy would not lift the trophy.

This left Postecoglou feeling distinctly uncomfortable at the time. And victory in this derby might move the rivalry back to a more conventional footing and soothe some of those wounds. It might jolt this season into life but the Spurs boss is demanding more.

‘Is it important to win big games? Absolutely, yes, I want to win big games,’ said Postecoglou. ‘But we won big games early last season. It doesn’t mean it’s going to get you to where you want to get to. There’s got to be a consistency in approach.

‘Teams that win things win all the time. They don’t pick and choose. You can’t pick and choose. Small teams do because that’s where the only true victory lies because they think they can’t win the competition but can get a couple of big scalps.

‘I was with Australia for a long time and that was the mentality. Let’s knock off a big gun because we can’t win a World Cup. I don’t subscribe to that. Winners go, “Right, who’s in front of us? Let’s win”. That’s the way I am and the way I think.

‘I don’t think one win is bigger or more significant than any other. I would hate to think there are players in the dressing room who want to win this game more than any others or prepare differently or try harder in this game than any other.

‘That is not the way forward. We understand the significance of it because if we do win, our supporters will be over the moon. I understand that. If we don’t win, they are going to be devastated.’

Lose it and four points from four games will invite pressure ahead of a tricky Carabao Cup tie at Coventry.

The flying start to last season, when Spurs topped the Premier League after 10 games, would look more like the exception and 10 months of hit-and-miss results since the norm.

Arsenal finished 23 points ahead of Spurs last season. ‘A fair reflection,’ according to Postecoglou. ‘A significant gap we need to bridge. That won’t happen quickly but we need to chip away.

‘We’re a year into it. If we’re four or five years into it and still (23) points behind, then I wouldn’t be here talking about it.’

Which is the reason he won’t compromise his style just because Arsenal are the visitors. The difference between the neighbours is more than the three points up for grabs on Sunday.

‘I guess there can be, but there won’t be,’ replied the Australian when asked if there was any temptation to be more circumspect.

Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven are back after injuries but Yves Bissouma is a doubt and Richarlison is out. Arteta is without midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

‘That’s a hell of a trap to fall into if you think they’re reliant on two players,’ said Postecoglou. ‘They have the quality in their squad. The key for us is the focus on our performance.

‘When we’ve played well — and we certainly have played well in the first three games — and if we’re a little more clearheaded in both boxes, we’re a match for any team.

‘That’s what we’ve got to think about. If we go in there thinking they’re somehow weakened, we’re going to get punished.’

Tottenham return to action after the international break against Arsenal

Yves Bissouma suffered an injury with Mali but two key players could return

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Ange Postecoglou has revealed Yves Bissouma is set to miss Tottenham's North London derby showdown against Arsenal after picking up an injury.

In a mixed update on the fitness of his squad, Postecoglou confirmed midfielder Bissouma had suffered a groin tweak while on international duty with Mali.

But centre back Micky van de Ven and striker Dominic Solanke, the Premier League's most expensive signing of the summer at £65million, are in line to return.

Van de Ven featured against both Leicester and Everton but after sustaining a knee problem in the latter match, he was forced to sit out against Newcastle.

Solanke, meanwhile, damaged his ankle on his debut but has since trained.

On Bissouma, Postecoglou said: 'It's hard to say at the moment, it's a tweak in his groin. The initial reports are it's not serious which means there is a chance for Sunday, which tells me it's nothing significant.

'If he doesn't make Sunday, then I'll assume he'll be right for after that. At the same time, he's just come off a long flight, you never feel great anyway, we'll see how he trains tomorrow and that will give the best indication.'

Van de Ven is 'feeling good', Postecoglou has confirmed, and the defender is expected to start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

'He's trained all the way through the international break, and it was good for him to stay with us to build him back up so he's ready to go,' Postecoglou added.

Ace Solanke is a step closer to making his belated second appearance for the club, which could even come against Arsenal with a late call to be made.

Postecoglou said: '[He's] improved as well and trained the back half of this week. We still have two days to go with those guys, so hopefully, they get through training OK.'

Arsenal have also suffered in the injury department with captain and talisman Martin Odegaard likely to miss several weeks after injuring his ankle while with Norway.

Mail Sport reported Odegaard would undergo further tests to determine the extent of the issue - but he has not yet been officially ruled out of action this weekend.

Declan Rice will also be absent against Spurs, having been shown a red card for his bizarre involvement in a spat with Brighton defender Joel Veltman a fortnight ago.

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is facing a ban after being charged with misconduct by the Football Association in relation to his comments about the appearance of South Koreans in June.

The Spurs midfielder made the bizarre remark during an interview with Uruguayan TV when asked for captain Son Heung-Min's shirt.

Bentancur responded to the question telling the interviewer that he should get a jersey from Son's cousin because 'they all look the same'.

The 27-year-old has since apologised but has been informed that he has until Thursday 19 September to respond.

Bentancur is cleared to face Arsenal in the North London derby this weekend, whether he is guilty or not .

A statement from the FA read: 'Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged with an alleged breach of FA rule E3 for misconduct in relation to a media interview.

'It's alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.

'It's further alleged that this constitutes an 'aggravated breach' which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.'

Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out revealed that they received a 'significant number' of complaints after the comment was aired on Canal 10.

Bentancur later took to Instagram to apologise amid a backlash towards his comments.

'Sonny brother! I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke,' Bentancur wrote. 'You know I love you and I would never disrespect you or hurt you or anyone else! I love you brother!'

His apology could be used in mitigation by the FA when deciding any potential punishment.

Edinson Cavani, who was playing for Manchester United at the time, was handed a three-match ban and £100,000 fine in 2020 after using the word 'negrito' in a social media post.

The striker sent the message to a friend via an Instagram story after scoring a brace against Southampton in a 3-2 win for the Red Devils.

If Bentancur is found guilty and is hit with a similar ban, he could miss fixtures against Brentford, United, and Brighton, all in the Premier League.

Arsenal have been banned from wearing their traditional red home kit for this weekend’s North London Derby against Tottenham after the Premier League and PGMOL deemed it as having too much white.

Bizarrely, the Gunners’ red strip has been judged as a potential colour clash with Spurs’ white home kit.

Arsenal tried to come to a compromise, offering the option of instead wearing red shorts and socks, but that was rejected.

As a result, they will be wearing their black away kit for the crunch fixture this Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It’s understood Arsenal were informed of a potential clash ahead of time but it was too late for them to change their kit design by then.

The PGMOL and Premier League’s decision also means Spurs will wear different colours when they visit the Emirates Stadium in January.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are nervously waiting on the ankle assessment of captain Martin Odegaard.

Norway’s Odegaard appeared to twist his left ankle against Austria on Monday night, and immediately required medical attention before being helped off the pitch.

He flew back to London on Tuesday morning and is being assessed by the Arsenal medical staff.

Tottenham Hotspur vice-captain Cristian Romero was reportedly wanted by three of European football's biggest clubs during the summer transfer window.

Romero has been a Spurs player since August 2021 when he arrived in a £42million deal.

The 26-year-old has since made 101 appearances for the London club and is rated very highly by manager Ange Postecoglou.

According to TyC Sports, Spurs fielded interest from Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain over the summer but responded to all enquiries by making it clear that Romero was not for sale.

Had United signed Romero then Erik ten Hag would have been able to pair him with Argentina team-mate Lisandro Martinez at the heart of his defence.

Instead, Ten Hag brought in Leny Yoro from Lille, as well as Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.

Meanwhile, PSG spent around £34million to buy Ecuadorian centre back Willian Pacho from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Madrid did not sign any new defenders this summer, although Jesus Vallejo returned from a loan spell at Granada.

The report by TyC suggests that interest in Romero is likely to be reignited next summer when Spurs may be in a slightly weaker negotiating position - as Romero will have only two years left on his contract, unless he signs a new one before then.

Romero's current contract ties him to Tottenham until June 2027.

Romero is currently in South America on international duty with Argentina.

He played the full 90 minutes in a 3-0 win over Chile on Friday.

Tanguy Ndombele believes he made the correct decision to terminate his contract at Tottenham and is seeking redemption with Ligue 1 side Nice.

The French midfielder left Spurs in June after agreeing to terminate his contract, despite having one year remaining on his deal.

Nice snatched up Ndombele less than a month later, and following a tough few years in football, the 27-year-old is looking to regain the form that secured him a move to north London in 2019.

Just three games into the season, Ndombele is already showing flashes of his talent once more, but his renaissance in France is only just beginning.

'Returning to France was the right decision,' Ndombele told Marca. 'I am at a point in my career where I need to play.

'I have things to prove and, beyond playing well, I want to rediscover certain sensations.'

The midfielder made 91 appearances for Tottenham, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in his five years at the club.

However, after a bright start, Ndombele, who signed for £63million, was sent on a series of loans at his former club Lyon, Napoli, and Galatasaray.

His time in Turkey was a real low point in the midfielder's career. He only managed 664 minutes of football in 26 appearances at the Istanbul-based side.

Ndombele was also famously involved in a major bust-up with manager Okan Buruk due to being more than six kilograms overweight.

He was reportedly caught swapping a strict diet for less nutritionally beneficial foods such as hamburgers and chips.

However, Ndombele has shed much of that weight while at Nice and is convinced he can return to form once more.

He added: 'I've experienced some tough times, but that doesn't mean I won't play abroad again. I try to learn from the bad.

'People forget that we're human beings, we're not robots. I may not be the player I was before, but I can be a good player.'

Maurice still has faith in Ndombele and is also optimistic that the midfielder will shine back in Ligue 1.

'I've known him for a long time and I have confidence in him,' said Maurice. 'I know what he can and can't do.

'He needed a healthy environment to give his best. He's not there yet, but he's on the right track.'

Tottenham will have a huge Matildas flavour in the Women's Super League this season after Hayley Raso became the latest Australian to join the English club.

Raso's move from Real Madrid to Tottenham was confirmed on Sunday night, and it comes hot on the heels of Clare Hunt joining the club from Paris Saint-Germain.

The pair join Matildas defender Charlotte Grant at Spurs, while Ange Postecoglou coaches the men's side.

Raso, who announced in June she was leaving Real Madrid, has signed on with Tottenham until 2026 and will wear the No.8 shirt.

The 29-year-old made history last year when she became the first Australian to play for Real Madrid.

Raso scored four goals from 28 appearances in her sole season there, with her struggles to cement a starting berth convincing her to leave the Spanish powerhouse.

The speedy winger will be hoping her time at Tottenham is far more successful, and she'll have plenty of Australians for company.

Raso is no stranger to the WSL, having played for both Everton and Manchester City.

On the international stage, Raso made her Matildas debut in 2012 and scored three goals at the 2023 Women's World Cup as Australia reached the semi-finals for the first time.

She also played in the past two Olympic games in Tokyo (2021) and Paris (2024).

Billionaire former Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis has 'taken over' a picturesque Devon town after parking his £250million superyacht off the coast for almost a month.

The superyacht acts as a floating home for the private businessman, who is worth approximately $6.4billion (£4.8billion), and features onyx and marble interiors, an office and even a padel tennis court.

The 322-foot custom-built yacht has been docked in Dartmouth since the beginning of August after arriving from Troon, Scotland around August 5.

But local residents have complained about the boats long-term presence, calling it 'an absolute eyesore' and saying it is 'totally out of place in beautiful Dartmouth'

Aviva had not been seen in British waters for some time as it was held as collateral by US courts for over a year whilst Lewis faced charges of insider trading conspiracy charges which he pleaded guilty to in January, admitting to sharing insider secrets about publicly traded companies with several individuals.

Under US sentencing guidelines, Lewis faced 18 months to two years behind bars but he escaped jail time because of his age and medical issues and was instead handed a sentence of three years probation and $5million (£3.8million) fine.

One lifelong local questioned why the billionaire would want to spend nearly a month in Dartmouth, where it has been raining a lot, instead of somewhere more tropical like the Caribbean or the Mediterranean

They told The Sun: 'I guess he’s here for the regatta that starts this week but who knows how long he’ll stay.

'It’s just a huge floating gin palace, miles bigger than anything else in the harbour. We’ve seen his crew come and go in a tender but I don’t know if he’s even onboard - nobody’s heard anything.'

Aviva was built in 2017, sleeps 16 people and has a top speed of 20 knots and an eco-friendly hybrid electric propulsion system.

Lewis was born and raised in the UK, and turned his father's catering business, Tavistock Banqueting, into a company that sold luxury goods to American tourists, before turning to currency trading in the 1970s.

He moved to the Bahamas to avoid paying UK tax rates, and made millions betting against the British pound and the Mexican peso in the 1990s.

He eventually bought Tottenham Hotspur, though was removed as a 'person of significant control' in 2022 after it was handed over to a family trust.

Alexander Isak netted a late tap-in at St James' Park to hand Newcastle a huge 2-1 victory over top-four rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

Towards the end of an open first half, Harvey Barnes produced a smart finish inside the penalty area to fire Newcastle ahead at the break.

Spurs came out with more intensity in the second half and levelled terms in the 56th minute courtesy of an own goal from Magpies defender Dan Burn, who accidentally blasted the ball into his net following a poor piece of goalkeeping from Nick Pope.

Newcastle substitute Jacob Murphy and Isak capitalised on Tottenham's high defensive line in the 78th minute, and the Sweden striker was on the spot to net his first goal of the season and win his side all three points.

Mail Sport's AADAM PATEL was at St James' Park to give his verdict on the players' performances .

NEWCASTLE

Nick Pope - 6

Made two comfortable first-half saves from Pape Matar Sarr but will feel that he should have done better than parry James Maddison’s effort to Brennan Johnson for Spurs’ equaliser. Made a superb save to keep out Maddison with the scores level.

Tino Livramento - 7

Another solid performance in the week of his first England call up and a player that continues to go from strength to strength. More touches (59) than any other Newcastle player. No Trippier, no problem.

Emil Krafth - 6

Impressive alongside Dan Burn and did well to nullify Wilson Odobert whenever he cut in from the left in the second half.

Dan Burn - 6

Influential for the goal with a quick throw in to Lloyd Kelly and was superb defensively, including a superb block to deny Son Heung-Min. But will know he has to do better for the own-goal that very nearly cost Newcastle. Apart from that, a solid afternoon at the office.

Lloyd Kelly - 7

Nut-megged by Son and picked up a booking for dragging him down but did superbly for Newcastle’s opener, driving down the left flank and picking out Harvey Barnes. Replaced by Lewis Hall in the 68th minute but on the whole, a good display.

Bruno Guimaraes - 6

Has to do more in big games. Simply wasn’t on the ball enough and his afternoon was summed up when he was dispossessed by James Maddison before tracking back, fouling him and picking up a booking.

Sean Longstaff - 6

Did his job without ever threatening to take control of the game. Booked in the first half and was replaced by Sandro Tonali in the 68th minute.

Joelinton - 7

Like Guimaraes, such an asset to Newcastle but was far too passive until he played an exquisite through ball to Jacob Murphy, who squared to Isak for the winner. An unusually quiet game but the Brazilian showed his class when it mattered.

Anthony Gordon - 6

A quiet game by his standards after an electric start but constantly offered an option. Replaced in injury time for Miguel Almiron.

Harvey Barnes - 7

In for Jacob Murphy and justified that decision by Eddie Howe with a really well taken goal. Went close with an early effort that went wide before a superb finish that was wonderfully caressed past the outstretched Guglielmo Vicario. Replaced on the hour mark for Murphy.

Alexander Isak - 8

His attempt to lob Vicario with a cross-shot that hit the bar was outrageous and would have been a contender for goal of the season. And in the right place at the right time like a proper centre-forward to get the winner.

Substitutes

Jacob Murphy - 7 (61' for Barnes)

On for Barnes and really should have done better when he was presented with a golden opportunity but it was his run and pass that gave Newcastle the three points.

Sandro Tonali - 6 (68' for Longstaff)

Sounded like Newcastle had scored when he came on for his first appearance at St James’ Park since October 2023. Offered some much-needed control to the midfield in his cameo.

Lewis Hall - 6 (68' for Kelly)

Did his job after coming on in the 68th minute.

Miguel Almiron N/A (90+4' for Gordon)

TOTTENHAM

Guglielmo Vicario - 6

Kept busy but could do nothing to keep out Harvey Barnes’ opener. Great save to deny Jacob Murphy in the second half and again could do nothing for Alexander Isak’s winner.

Pedro Porro - 6

Always an entertaining watch and offered an attacking threat throughout with six attempts on goal - more than anyone else. And more touches (87) than any other player. But crucially couldn’t get back in time when Joelinton’s pass cut through the Spurs backline and has to improve at the back.

Radu Dragusin - 7

One of two Spurs changes, coming in for Micky Van de Ven. Put in a solid shift with some great challenges, with one denying a goalbound attempt by Isak.

Cristian Romero - 6

Scored early on but was miles offside. Was in no man’s land for the Newcastle goal but apart from that, had a decent game.

Destiny Udogie - 6

Could have offered more attackingly but kept Anthony Gordon quiet before he switched sides. Undone for the goal as he struggled to keep up with Jacob Murphy

Yves Bissouma - 6

Decent defensively but didn’t offer enough going forward. Booked early on in the second half and taken off for Rodrigo Bentancur late on after Newcastle restored their lead.

Pape Sarr - 7

In for Brennan Johnson. Constantly involved in possession in first-half and came close to scoring twice but was denied by two good saves from Nick Pope. Booked for a bad challenge in the first-half then replaced at half-time as Ange Postecoglou went more attacking.

James Maddison - 6

Had a really poor first half which was summed up by an embarrassing dive in added time. Fortunate not to get booked but he was much better after the break, playing a key part in Spurs’ equaliser before forcing Pope to make a superb save. Booked shortly after and let Joelinton turn him too easily for the move that led to Newcastle’s second and was booed off when he was replaced for Lucas Bergvall late on.

Dejan Kulusevski - 5

Started up top but dropped into midfield in the second half. Didn’t do anything of note.

Wilson Odobert - 6

Impressive start to the season though wasn’t as comfortable down the right flank. Still offered a threat and played down his preferred left flank in the second half. Missed a sitter before he taken off for Timo Werner. Will be such a force if he can improve his finishing.

Son Heung-min - 6

An unusually quiet game. Struggled centrally here last season so started on the left and even though he played down the middle in the second half, he was limited to just the one attempt on goal.

Substitutes

Brennan Johnson - 8 (45' for Pape Sarr)

Changed the game. On for Pape Matar Sarr at half-time as Ange Postecoglou reversed one of his two pre-match changes. Nearly had an immediate impact but somehow, Odobert skied his deflected cross over before playing his part in the equaliser. Caused Newcastle an array of problems.

Timo Werner - 4 (74' for Odobert)

Came on in the 74th minute but was so poor. Postecoglou should have kept Odobert on.

Lucas Bergvall N/A (82' for Maddison)

Rodrigo Bentancur N/A (82' for Bissouma)

A late Alexander Isak goal earned Newcastle all three points at St James' Park

Harvey Barnes, Dan Burn and Isak scored all three goals in the game

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After the fallout of failing to land a club-record signing this week, it was left to the fella who retains that tag to remind folk why keeping him is Newcastle’s smartest piece of business this summer.

Tottenham were desperately unlucky not to win, but they don’t have a striker. Newcastle do, and Alexander Isak was the difference here. The £63million Swede was not at his best and was not enjoying a particularly good afternoon.

But he was there to score the winning goal, there in the six-yard area, there to bring calm after perhaps the most turbulent 48 hours under Saudi ownership. Spurs had fizzed a succession of balls through the goalmouth without any takers.

Indeed, both of Newcastle’s goals came during periods in which the visitors were on top. Harvey Barnes gave them a first-half lead, but Dan Burn’s own goal deservedly put Spurs level before the hour.

Ange Postecoglou’s side were the most likely winners from that point. They would have won with a centre-forward.

And so, when Newcastle broke upfield on 78 minutes, there was an inevitability about Spurs being punished.

Joelinton muscled free of James Maddison and sprung Jacob Murphy free. He could have shot but instead squared for Isak. It was a simple finish, but simple gets the same reward as complicated.

The victory leaves Eddie Howe’s side fourth in the table, and they’ll take that after a transfer window that closed amid the failure to sign defender Marc Guehi for £70m from Crystal Palace.

It left Howe frustrated and questions being asked over new sporting director Paul Mitchell and chief executive Darren Eales. But this felt like the sort of boisterous occasion Newcastle needed.

Noise, wind, rain, irritation in the air. Even the floodlights were on from the off, and the hosts made an illuminating start.

Not quite the start of two seasons ago, when they led 3-0 inside nine minutes against the same opposition. But they were front foot, aggressive and pulsing forward to the beat of the crowd.

Isak bullied Son Heung-min out of possession in the fifth minute and, with a cute shot from a narrow angle, clipped the crossbar.

Barnes then shaved the post with a trademark curler after cutting inside and it needed a goalmouth block to deny defender Emil Krafth an unlikely goal.

It was all going so well until injury struck. It wasn’t a Newcastle player, this time. Rather, assistant referee Ian Hussin pulled up with a muscle complaint and a stoppage of around five minutes broke home momentum and, seemingly, concentration.

When the game restarted, Newcastle’s control had shifted to Tottenham. They were still in control when Newcastle took the lead on 37 minutes.

Burn would usually be on the end of a throw-in, but here it was his quick release from the left that put Lloyd Kelly clear.

He drew back for Barnes and the winger’s first-time finish had enough fade to carry it beyond the dive of Guglielmo Vicario. Did it spark a home improvement? Not really. After that bright start, the lights remained out.

Howe and assistant Jason Tindall were already deep in discussion about changes when Spurs drew level on 56 minutes.

Before that, in the minutes after half-time, Son, Wilson Odobert and Pedro Porro all went close to equalising. In the end, it was Burn who put through his own net.

Nick Pope has been recalled to the England squad this week - and he went on to produce a string of brilliant saves - but his part in this goal was not international class.

James Maddison’s low shot should have been gathered instead of parried and, when Brennan Johnson followed up to stab back on goal, Pope’s arm kept it out only for Burn to hook in from the goal-line.

The Newcastle keeper then went a long way to redemption with flying saves from Maddison and Porro, and without them victory would not have been possible.