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Tottenham needed two late goals from Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson to beat second-tier Coventry 2-1 and avoid a shock League Cup exit on Wednesday.

Spurs were headed to a third consecutive defeat when Brandon Thomas-Asante fired the Championship side into a deserved lead after 63 minutes.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou had responded to criticism after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the north London derby by insisting he will continue his record of winning silverware in his second season at multiple clubs.

However, the former Australia boss was met with a backlash from his own supporters, who booed the decision to replace Swedish starlet Lucas Bergvall early in the second half.

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Coventry nearly shocked Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals last season and were sensing an upset when Norman Bassette produced a superb cross for Thomas-Asante to slot in.

As Postecoglou was facing up to a second consecutive early exit in this competition, his blushes were spared when Dejan Kulusevski linked up with Spence, who prodded home for his first Spurs goal in the 87th minute.

Tottenham sensed their moment and in the second minute of stoppage time Rodrigo Bentancur played in Johnson, who rolled home the winner.

“It was a tough game. Credit to Coventry, I thought they were outstanding,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports.

“They really took it to us. We had to hang in there somehow and we did. In the end credit to the lads. It was a typical cup tie.”

He continued: “There is no easy or quick fix to where we want to get to and one result doesn’t change that.

“We showed what we have been missing the first four games. We have lacked a little bit of an edge and hopefully tonight gives the boys a little bit of belief.”

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp continued: “Spurs were so poor and going nowhere fast. Ange will be mightily relieved. But they have to make sure that this is a turning point for them.

“I didn’t like the team he picked. I’m a big fan of Ange but l thought he took liberties tonight.

“He didn’t select a strong enough team but he has got away with it.

“Tottenham were diabolical up until the goals. Coventry were the better team. Ange Postecoglou will be so relieved.

“Tottenham got away with one, they were very, very fortunate.”

Brighton also booked their place in the last 16 with a 3-2 win over Wolves. Carlos Baleba, Simon Adingra and Ferdi Kadioglu were on target for the Seagulls.

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur have again fallen to their bitter rivals, while Newcastle has claimed a comeback victory over winless Wolves.

Spurs have lost back-to-back games and two of their first four in the new season, with Monday’s result coming after a 64th-minute Gabriel Magalhaes broke the deadlock.

Tottenham owned 63.8 per cent of possession but managed just one more shot on target than the Gunners, who recorded eight fewer total shots in North London.

Four games into the campaign, Spurs sit 13th on the table with one win, one draw and two losses from their opening slate, after finishing fifth last season.

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As he pointed to before the start of the season, history suggests Postecoglou’s teams improve in his second year in charge.

The 59-year-old led Celtic to silverware in the Scottish Premiership in his second year at the helm, and when he was reminded of the statement he made in the pre-season, he didn’t shy away.

“Absolutely, and I think I’ll correct myself and say that I don’t usually win things, I always win things in my second year,” he said convincingly after the 0-1 loss.

“I don’t say things unless I believe it … Nothing has changed.”

After a follow-up question about repeating history with these Spurs, Postecoglou didn’t waver, saying: “Well, I sort of said it now. I don’t say things unless I believe them.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta labelled it an “ugly” win for his club, which has now won on their last three visits to Tottenham, losing just once, in May 2022, in their last eight meetings with their hated neighbours.

“Super happy obviously. We know what it means for our club and our people to win a north London derby,” Arteta said.

“We had moments in the game where we had to suffer. We had to adapt a little bit because of some of the players we lost.

“I prepared for Tottenham for five days, then in one moment I lost one player and in another I lost another. I didn’t sleep much!

“There were no excuses, no crying. The players have thick skin. They love the game. Sometimes to win you have to do the ugly things and they love to do that.

“I loved it, because day after day the players are hungrier and hungrier.”

Arteta’s side were without skipper Odegaard due to an ankle injury suffered on Norway duty, while fellow midfielder Rice served a suspension for his red card against Brighton.

But the Premier League title contenders dug deep with a combative display, benefitting from Tottenham’s latest display of wasteful finishing before Magalhaes bagged the winner in the second half.

The Brazilian defender’s first goal since February made it three wins from four league games for unbeaten Arsenal as they chase a first title since 2004 after two successive runners-up finishes.

At Molineux Stadium, Wolves scored first through Mario Lemina but conceded two goals within a six-minute span to Newcastle in the last quarter of an hour to lose their third match in four to start the season.

Fabian Schar and Harvey Barnes did the damage for Newcastle, who moved above Liverpool into third on the table, having won three of its first four meetings.

The Magpies’ performances have been far from convincing so far this season. Yet, Eddie Howe’s men have still picked up 10 points from a possible 12.

Howe responded to another lacklustre opening 45 minutes with a triple half-time change with Alexander Isak among those to come off at the break.

Newcastle could have found themselves 2-0 down before the fightback started when Jorgen Strand Larsen smashed off the post.

Instead, fortune favoured the visitors when Schar’s speculative shot flicked off the head of Craig Dawson and flew beyond Sam Johnstone.

Barnes needed no such luck as he arrowed a rocket into the top corner 10 minutes from time to snatch all three points.

Newcastle still required a brilliant save from Nick Pope to deny Matheus Cunha in stoppage time and leave Wolves in the bottom three.

However, they survived to move level with second-placed Arsenal, just two points behind Manchester City.

Arsenal has passed an early test of their Premier League title credentials with a 2-0 win at Aston Villa as Manchester United crashed to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Brighton on Saturday.

Erling Haaland’s hat-trick fired champions Manchester City to the top of the table with a 4-1 win over Ipswich, while Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham thrashed Everton 4-0.

Arsenal’s two defeats to Villa last season cost them a first league title in 20 years.

The Gunners gained revenge in Birmingham but needed a stunning save from David Raya to prevent Ollie Watkins heading Villa in front.

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Leandro Trossard came off the bench to make the breakthrough with a composed finish on 67 minutes.

Thomas Partey then made sure of the victory with a low effort that Emiliano Martinez should have kept out.

Arsenal have finished second to City in each of the past two seasons and they seem set to battle it out for the title once more.

Pep Guardiola’s men were shocked early on by newly-promoted Ipswich when Sammie Szmodics squeezed a shot through Ederson’s legs at the Etihad.

But City responded with three goals in four minutes.

Haaland levelled from the penalty spot before Ipswich keeper Arijanet Muric handed his old club a gift as he was dispossessed by Savinho and Kevin De Bruyne slotted into an empty net.

City made it three when the unstoppable Haaland flicked De Bruyne’s deft pass past Muric.

Haaland completed his 10th City hat-trick in the 88th minute with a typically predatory finish for his fourth goal already this season.

With 94 goals in 96 starts for City, Haaland deserves to be ranked alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo according to boss Guardiola.

“The numbers are ridiculous. He can compete in terms of goals with Ronaldo and Messi,” he said.

Hope of a new dawn for under-fire United boss Erik ten Hag was shattered by Joao Pedro’s 95th-minute winner for Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

“Both goals are very soft,” said Ten Hag. “As a team, we should have done better. We have to be more clinical in both boxes.” United fell behind to a 32nd-minute goal from Danny Welbeck. Amad Diallo equalised for United after an hour, cutting inside for a shot that deflected in off Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

Joshua Zirkzee prevented Alejandro Garnacho from putting the visitors ahead in the closing stages when the United forward touched home his team-mate’s finish on the line from an offside position.

Brazilian striker Pedro rubbed salt into United’s wounds as he headed home from Simon Adingra’s cross to ensure Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler maintained his 100 percent start following last weekend’s win at Everton.

The 31-year-old German is the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history.

“My team deserved to win. These moments make memories and we have to enjoy it,” Hurzeler said.

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma got back in favour with boss Ange Postecoglou as his superb strike opened the floodgates against Everton.

Postecoglou picked Bissouma following a one-game suspension for posting a social media video that showed him inhaling nitrous oxide.

“You know what it’s like when you punish your child and they do everything right for the next two days?” Postecoglou had said of Bissouma’s return.

The Mali international made the most of his reprieve in the 14th minute, lashing home from the edge of the area for his first league goal for Tottenham in his 52nd appearance.

Son Heung-min doubled Tottenham’s lead in the 25th minute, forcing Jordan Pickford into an embarrassing mistake as the Everton ‘keeper was robbed by the South Korean for a simple finish.

Cristian Romero headed Tottenham’s third in the 71st minute. Son bagged his second with a clinical finish six minutes later.

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui earned the first win of his reign as second-half goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen sealed a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

Alex Iwobi’s 70th-minute goal clinched Fulham’s 2-1 win against Leicester at Craven Cottage, after Emile Smith Rowe’s first-half opener for the hosts was cancelled out by Wout Faes.

Nottingham Forest won 1-0 at Southampton thanks to Morgan Gibbs-White’s 70th-minute strike.

Ange Postecoglou warned Yves Bissouma not to misbehave again after the Tottenham midfielder returned from his laughing gas suspension to inspire Saturday’s 4-0 rout of Everton.

Postecoglou recalled Bissouma following a one-game suspension for posting a social media video that showed him inhaling nitrous oxide.

“You know what it’s like when you punish your child and they do everything right for the next two days?” Postecoglou had said of Bissouma’s return.

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The Mali international made the most of his reprieve in the 14th minute, lashing home from the edge of the area for his first league goal for Tottenham in his 52nd appearance.

Son Heung-min doubled Tottenham’s lead in the 25th minute, forcing Jordan Pickford into an embarrassing mistake as the Everton keeper was robbed by the South Korean for a simple finish.

Cristian Romero headed Tottenham’s third in the 71st minute before Son bagged his second with a clinical finish six minutes later.

Bissouma marked his goal with a contrite celebration before running up to the touchline to hug his manager, who made it clear no more mistakes would be tolerated.

“Biss was good and we know Biss is a good footballer,” Postecoglou said. “It’s about him being the best version of himself. Discipline is a big thing for him and he was disciplined today. It was a good performance.

“There’s no doubting his ability to do something special. But he needs to make sure he does everything right on and off the field to give him the platform to show who he can be as a footballer. We certainly believe in him. It’s up to him to keep going on.”

Thanks to Bissouma’s moment of magic, Tottenham were able to ease to their first win this season after a 1-1 draw in their opener at Leicester on Monday.

Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day, Postecoglou jokingly added: “I’m going to ban him next week and bring him back. It seems to work”.

“The performance was excellent. We looked really threatening going forward all the time, created many different kinds of chances and handled their threat really well,” Postecoglou said of the team’s effort as a whole.

“We looked a threat from different areas. If we are going to turn compelling performances into consistent results that’s what we have to do.”

Successive defeats at the start of the season for the third straight year have underlined the size of the task facing Everton boss Sean Dyche.

In their last season at Goodison Park before moving into a new stadium, Everton are already facing another battle to avoid relegation.

“It’s a strange situation here. We kind of build something, and then we have to go down the hill and build it again. What about playing when it’s 0-0?” said Dyche, whose team lost 3-0 at home to Brighton in their opener.

“We’ve done well when the challenges have come our way. We’ve done great. So I reminded them of that afterwards. Reminded them that this is not our first rodeo.

“We get written off and then we start changing the storyline again. It’s a never-ending challenge at Everton.”

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said midfielder Yves Bissouma has been suspended for Monday’s trip to Leicester after he was seen inhaling laughing gas in a video on social media.

The 27-year-old has since apologised for what he described as a “severe lack of judgement”.

Possession of nitrous oxide - also known as laughing gas - for recreational use has been a criminal offence in the United Kingdom since 2023 and can result in a two-year prison sentence for repeat offenders.

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“We’ve suspended him for Monday’s game,” said Postecoglou at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“Beyond that there is also some trust building that needs to happen between Biss and me and Biss and the group. That’s what he needs to work hard at from now on to try and win that back and that has nothing to do with just one game.

“He may be suspended for one game but he is going to have to earn that.

“The door is open for him and hopefully we can help him to realise the decisions he makes impact more than just him.

“Hopefully it allows him to make better decisions moving forward.”

“Behaviour, mate,” Postecoglou added, replying to a question on how Bissouma can win back the trust.

“It’s that simple. It’s about making better decisions. He was very apologetic to me, the club and everyone involved but that’s just part of it. I think the best way is awareness and education, and understanding the ramifications of making those kinds of decisions.

“There is a responsibility in what you do. He’s made a poor choice. But within that context, we all make mistakes, there should always be an opportunity there for rehabilitation and redemption for every human being, including footballers. That’s up to Biss now.”

Bissouma, who joined Spurs from Brighton for £30m in 2022, had played 45 minutes in Spurs’ friendly loss to Bayern Munich on Saturday afternoon.

Later that day he posted a video of himself on social media which showed him inhaling from a balloon.

“I want to apologise for these videos. This was a severe lack of judgement,” said Bissouma in a statement.

“I understand how serious this is and the health risks involved, and I also take my responsibility as a footballer and role model very seriously.”

In more positive news for Postecoglou, Dominic Solanke is in line to make his debut as the Premier League gets underway this weekend.

Solanke has joined from Bournemouth in a deal that could rise to £65 million ($A126 million) after scoring 19 Premier League goals last season.

“Thankfully it’s what we expected. He’s a top pro and a good guy, he’s settled into the dressing room really well,” added Postecoglou.

“Football-wise you can see he has all the attributes we need. He still needs time to fit in. He’s fitting in well with the group and training. We’ve still got a couple of training sessions to go but he’s doing well. He should be (available on Monday).”

Tottenham finished fifth in Postecoglou’s first season as they faded after a stunning start to the Australian’s reign.

The former Celtic boss believes his side are better placed to qualify for the Champions League this season.

“We feel a lot more settled and better prepared for what’s ahead,” he said.

“There were a lot of unknowns last year at this time. Having said all that, it didn’t stop us from having a great start to the season.

“The pleasing thing is pretty much everyone on the list is available and that will be important for us. After the (September) international break, Europe starts and the Carabao (League) Cup, so we’ll need all our players.”

Manchester United have signed Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

Fees for the pair were not disclosed by the English giants, but British media reports estimated the duo had arrived at Old Trafford for a combined £60 million (AU$116 million).

Netherlands defender De Ligt, 25, will now join up again with United manager Erik ten Hag, having played under him at Dutch side Ajax, after agreeing a five-year contract with the option of another year.

“As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity of a new challenge at such a historic club,” said De Ligt.

“In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out, and the role they saw for me in it.

“Erik ten Hag shaped the early stages of my career so he knows how to get the best out of me and I cannot wait to work with him again.”

De Ligt has already won league titles in three different countries with Ajax (Netherlands), Juventus (Italy) and Bayern (Germany).

He added: “I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I’m determined to continue that record at this special club.”

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De Ligt bolsters United’s central defence following the departure of Raphael Varane, with fellow summer transfer window arrival Leny Yoro in danger of being sidelined for up to three months with a foot injury sustained against Arsenal in pre-season.

Mazraoui, 26, also played under Ten Hag at Ajax, winning three league titles with the Dutch club and another with Bayern.

The fullback has also made 28 appearances for Morocco and reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

He has signed a four-year deal with the option of a further year and his arrival comes on the day that fullback Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s departure to Premier League rivals West Ham was confirmed.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be a Manchester United player, and I cannot wait to walk out at Old Trafford wearing the red shirt,” said Mazraoui.

“I know that I’m joining the club at an exciting time; everyone I’ve spoken to has the same ambition for us to win trophies together and I can feel the determination to achieve that.”

The new arrivals are set to be available for United’s season opener against Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday, with the Red Devils desperate to improve on last season’s eighth-place finish.

That left United a huge 31 points adrift of champions Manchester City. They did beat their local rivals in the FA Cup final before returning to Wembley last weekend to lose to Pep Guardiola’s side on penalties in the Community Shield.

ATLETICO SIGN MAN CITY STRIKER ALVAREZ

Atletico Madrid signed striker Julian Alvarez from Manchester City on Monday in a deal reported to be worth up to 85 million euros (AU$140 million).

“The club has reached an agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of the Argentine forward, who has signed a contract for the next six seasons,” said Atletico in a statement.

Spanish reports say Atletico will pay $124 million for the forward, with potentially $16 million more in bonuses.

The 24-year-old arrived at City for just $26 million in January 2022 from River Plate, winning two Premier League trophies and the Champions League among other silverware.

Alvarez also helped Argentina lift the World Cup trophy in December 2022 and the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.

“Today I say goodbye to this amazing club, with a lot of emotion,” Alvarez told City’s club website.

“These have been two very special years. During this time, I have grown and learnt a lot — both as a player and as a person.”

Alvarez scored 36 goals for City in 103 appearances across all competitions.

“He’s incredibly loved by the team for his behaviour but like I said many times for many players, he wants to leave and have a new challenge,” said Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola last week.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico have also signed Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth as they reinforce heavily to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona, following a disappointing fourth-place La Liga finish last season.

Atletico begin the new campaign with a visit to face Villarreal on August 19.

SPURS ON BRINK OF MEGA $126M COUP

Ange Postecoglou has got his man.

The Australian manager of Premier League side Tottenham wanted a new star striker, 12 months on from the departure of legendary club and England captain Harry Kane.

Now Spurs are on the brink of signing their number one target – Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth – according to widespread reports.

Solanke has a £65 million ($A126m) release clause, but a deal could be struck for slightly less according to some reports. Regardless, it will smash Bournemouth’s club record.

Solanke, a Chelsea academy product who struggled to impress at Liverpool, enjoyed the finest season of his career, with 19 Premier League goals seeing him unlucky to miss out on an England call-up for the Euros.

Just as impressive as his goalscoring form was his link-up play, crucial to Postecoglou’s free-flowing attacking approach.

Postecoglou said on Friday: “I have always felt that if you get the recruitment right then whoever it is hits the ground running.

“We signed Mickey van de Ven three days before the first game last year against Brentford and we threw him straight in. He literally hit the ground running.

“We are trying to identify players who fit into our style of football. There will be a bit of adjustment but hopefully they will already have those qualities to come into the group and contribute straight away.

“That is my expectation when we sign someone. They will be ready to contribute from the moment they arrive.”

Yet he emphasised that any new signing would not bear the weight of replacing club legend Kane.

“We showed last year that we were still a threatening team going forward without Harry. We are talking about a generational talent here, he was never going to be replaced, but invariably there will always be comparisons,” Postecoglou added.

“It’s pretty evident from the way we play that we are never going to be reliant on one player. When we are up and running we can score from many different areas.

“Hopefully the striker, when he is playing in our system, is a beneficiary of that as well as a contributor.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s overfull squad looks set to be stretched even farther with the club set to sign winger Pedro Neto from Wolves.

It would be their ninth arrival of the window, with the club desperately needing to offload some of their almost 45 contracted players.

Chelsea reportedly agreed a deal worth up to £54m ($A105m) for Neto, and are also closing in on the signing of striker Samu Omorodion from Atlético Madrid for a reported £34.5m.

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