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The January transfer window is in full swing and a host of Premier League giants have already made big moves in the hopes of shifting their fortunes.

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Manchester City have already spent north of $150m AUD on talent, and there’s one more player set to arrive to push that figure close to $300m AUD.

Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are desperate to add depth to their injury-ravaged squad and Ruben Amorim’s United revolution is just getting started.

Read below for all the latest January transfer news!

TOTTENHAM

Done deals

Antonin Kinsky — Slavia Prague to Spurs ($31m AUD)

Yang Min-hyeok — Gangwon FC to Spurs ($7.9m AUD)

Rumoured deals

Tyler Dibling — Southampton to Spurs (more than $49m AUD)

Liam Delap — Ipswich Town to Spurs ($79m AUD)

Milan Skriniar — PSG to Spurs (N/A)

Thomas Kristensen — Udinese to Spurs (N/A)

Jack Grealish — Manchester City to Spurs (N/A)

Analysis: It’s been a horror campaign thus far for Spurs, and Ange Postecoglou desperately needs to reinforce his squad who currently sit in 15th after 22 games. Big name stars like Christian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur and Guglielmo Vicario have all been sidelined due to injury, forcing Tottenham to field a weakened side during a tough period for the Australian manager. Throw in a fresh injury to star striker Dominic Solanke, who is set for an extended sideline stint, and Spurs desperately need to recruit in January in both attack and defence. Yang Min-hyeok arrives at the club, but the young South Korean was signed previously, while Antonin Kinsky has hit the ground running since arrived from Slavia Prague, rounding out the club’s two done deals. Ipswich Town revelation Liam Delap is reportedly one target of Postecoglou, with the 21-year-old enjoying an impressive debut Premier League campaign. However, it’s unlikely Ipswich will be willing to part with their talisman in the midst of a relegation battle, but regardless Spurs could table and offer too good to refuse according to TeamTalk, which could be around $79m AUD. Elsewhere, Southampton star Tyler Dibling has also attracted interest from Tottenham, with Sky Sports reporting the 18-year-old is hot property and has many suitors. What complicates matters is the winger is sidelined for six weeks with an ankle injury, meaning a move in January might not make sense for potential clubs. RB Leipzig have reportedly offered $49m AUD to pry him away from the Premier League, but Southampton reportedly want a significantly higher offer before they consider letting him depart. Jack Grealish is another interesting figure who could be on the move, with Tottenham reportedly keeping tabs on the Manchester City attacker who is weighing up his future under Pep Guardiola according to Football London. In defence, two names have come up as potential targets, with Milan Skriniar and Thomas Kristensen on Postecoglou’s radar. According to TBR Football, Skriniar is also being targeted by Galatasaray, having been made available for transfer by the PSG board. Kristensen, meanwhile, has been impressive in the Serie A for Udinese this season, with the Daily Mail reporting Juventus are also in discussions to recruit the Danish defender.

LIVERPOOL

Done deals

N/A

Rumoured deals

Martin Zubimendi — Real Sociedad to Liverpool (N/A)

Takefusa Kubo — Real Sociedad to Liverpool (N/A)

Analysis: Liverpool are sitting pretty atop the Premier League ladder, and Arne Slot has a big job on his hands to lift the trophy in his debut season. But beyond that, the Dutch manager’s transfer priority could be retaining the club’s big-name stars as the Merseyside outfit remain largely quiet in the January transfer window. Liverpool have been linked with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who is currently hot property and is Arsenal’s No.1 transfer target. He looks to be heading to North London, with a deal reportedly in place for the summer. Elsewhere, according to TeamTalk, Liverpool bosses have their own on another Soceidad star, with Takefusa Kubo the club’s top target as a successor to Mo Salah. The club are reportedly willing to allow three players to depart in a swap deal, with Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa named as those on the chopping block, with Kubo having an $118m AUD release clause in his deal. Salah’s future remains up in the air, with his current contract running out at the season’s end, and Saudi club Al Hilal circling the Egyptian star. Salah has once again been one of the Premier League’s best players, but Slot is facing the real possibility of losing the prodigious winger in June if they club can’t sort out his new deal. Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract also expire, with the latter having been linked with a move to Real Madrid to join fellow English gun Jude Bellingham.

ARSENAL

Done deals

N/A

Rumoured deals

Martin Zubimendi — Real Sociedad to Arsenal (N/A)

Matheus Cunha — Wolverhampton to Arsenal (N/A)

Evan Ferguson — Brighton to Arsenal (N/A)

Benjamin Sesko — RB Leipzig to Arsenal ($118m AUD)

Dusan Vlahovic — Juventus to Arsenal (N/A)

Analysis: It’s been widely reported Mikel Arteta has won the race to sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi, but he won’t serve as a quick fix for the Gunners. The Spaniard is set to land in North London in the summer, meaning Arsenal are still on the lookout for recruits. Arsenal are desperate for a striker, with Kai Havertz failing to fire up front this season and a sheer lack of goals being to blame for the club’s lacking form. Matheus Cunha has emerged as a potential target, with the Brazilian having put together a strong season for Wolves, scoring 10 goals and assisting four more so far. According to Sky Sports, Arsenal powerbrokers are reportedly considering a loan with an option to buy, with the club having already used both of their domestic loan slots. However, Wolves won’t let him go without a fight, with the club battling to stay in the Premier League, currently sitting in 17th place. Another striker option looms as Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, who according to The Sun, could be on the move to Arsenal on loan. The 20-year-old has been hit with a string if injuries in recent seasons, but he has a breakthrough year in 2022 with the Seagulls. RB Leipzig target man Benjamin Sesko has also been linked with a move to Arsenal, having already said “yes” to a move to the North London club if a deal can be struck between the two parties, according to The Daily Mirror. The 21-year-old reportedly made a handshake agreement with his club to make a move in the summer for $118m AUD, but Arsenal reportedly want to secure a deal early.

Elsewhere, Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has also been linked with a move away from the Serie A, with PSG star Randal Kolo Muano set to join the Italian club on a loan deal. But overall, Arteta hinted the Gunners would be bringing in reinforcements after his side’s draw against Aston Villa, saying: “When you look at the performances, I don’t know how many teams are playing at this level in the league. But when you look at the bench, you would probably say we are very short.”

CHELSEA

Done deals

N/A

Rumoured deals

Alejandro Garnacho — Manchester United to Chelsea ($99m AUD)

Mamadou Sarr — Strasbourg to Chelsea ($23.5m AUD)

Dusan Vlahovic — Juventus to Chelsea ($118m AUD)

Jamie Gittens — Dortmund to Chelsea (N/A)

Liam Delap — Ipswich Town to Chelsea (N/A)

Analysis: Enzo Maresca is hopeful of adding some strike power to his outfit, with Chelsea pushing to compete with Liverpool for the Premier League title this season. In an interesting move, the London club are considering recruiting out-of-favour United winger Alejandro Garnacho, with his agent reportedly spotted at Stamford Bridge in recent days according to The Mirror. Manchester United officials reportedly want $99m AUD to make a deal happen, with the Red Devils hopeful of cashing in on the winger whose transfer fee would be pure profit under PSR rules. The rising star has also fallen out of favour under new boss Ruben Amorim, with Serie A club Napoli also interested in his services. Ipswich Town rising star Liam Delap was reportedly on Chelsea’s transfer shortlist, however no moves have been made to recruit him from the club fighting relegation. Elsewhere, Dusan Vlahovic shapes as Chelsea’s most likely striker recruit, with the club having already held talks with Juventus with Renota Veiga potentially departing the Premier League for the Serie A. Vlahovic has been valued at $118m AUD, with Veiga potentially included in the deal to reduce the fee according to ESPN. The Serbian’s current contract expires at the end of the 2026 season, scoring seven goals and assisting one more in his 17 appearances for Juventus this year. However, he’s also scored four times in five games in the Champions League. Mamadou Sarr will also reportedly join Chelsea for a fee of around $23.5m AUD, with the 19-year-old making his move in the summer according to the BBC. Elsewhere, Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens has also emerged as a potential candidate to make the move to London.

MANCHESTER CITY

Done deals

Vitor Reis — Palmeiras to Manchester City ($58m AUD)

Abdukodir Khusanov — Lens to Manchester City ($67m AUD)

Claudio Echeverri — River Plate to Manchester City ($30m AUD)

Rumoured deals

Omar Marmoush — Frankfurt to Manchester City ($125m AUD)

Douglas Luiz — Juventus to Manchester City (N/A)

Andrea Cambiaso — Juventus to Manchester City ($132m AUD)

Analysis: Pep Guardiola has taken action already in the January window, signing three players in Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Claudio Echeverri. Manchester City have endured their toughest period yet under the Spaniard, and in the hopes of surging back to the top of the Premier League, and winning a fifth straight title, Guardiola has hit the market and he’s showing no signs of slowing down with striker Erling Haaland also putting pen to paper on a contract extension. Khusanov and Reis’s arrivals are set to offset the loss of wing back Kyle Walker, whose loan deal to AC Milan is almost complete. According to ESPN, attacker Omar Marmoush is set to join Manchester City for a whopping $125m AUD. The 25-year-old reportedly was undergoing a medical exam on Tuesday ahead of his imminent signing. Marmoush has been impressive in the Bundesliga, with the Egyptian scoring four goals and assisting two more in six Europa League appearances this season. Douglas Luiz is also reportedly being eyed for a potential return to the City club, with a loan deal being considered for the midfielder who was sold to Aston Villa in 2019. According to Sky Sports, a move for Luiz being considered over a push to recruit Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. Luiz is reportedly expected to depart Juventus, but it remains to be seen where he will land. Elsewhere, Andrea Cambiaso has been named as a potential target for City, with the club in the early stages of a move to recruit the 24-year-old full back. The Italian giants reportedly value the defender at around $132m AUD.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Done deals

N/A

Rumoured deals

Patrick Dorgu — Lecce to Manchester United ($66.5m AUD)

Victor Osimhen — Galatasaray to Manchester United ($125m AUD)

Miloš Kerkez — Bournemouth to Manchester United (N/A)

Nuno Mendes — PSG to Manchester United (N/A)

Bryan Mbeumo — Brentford to Manchester United (N/A)

Matheus Cuhna — Wolverhampton to Manchester United (N/A)

Analysis: Ruben Amorim is in his first transfer window as United’s manager, already making his stance on two of the club’s biggest stars clear. Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford are set to depart Manchester, and the Portuguese boss is on the lookout for replacements. Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu is shaping as a player set to land in Old Trafford, with United bosses reportedly holding talks with Lecce’s director of football according to The Guardian. The Serie A club are reportedly seeking around $66.5m AUD for the wing back/winger who could fit perfectly into Amorim’s unusual three at the back system. Dorgu could fill the hole left by Garnacho, but can only play on both sides of the field in defence if needed. Milos Kerkez and Nuno Mendes are also reportedly on Amorim’s list of flank defenders, with the United boss making that position a focal point in his January transfer window. Elsewhere, United have been linked with a pair of strikers, with Victor Osimhen the biggest name listed in their rumoured targets. The Nigerian marksman is currently on loan at Turkish club Galatasaray, and is parent club Napoli are reportedly willing to offload the striker for a cut price. Garnacho’s move looks to be the linchpin in any deal for Osimhen, with Napoli officials hoping United bosses lower their asking price for the rising winger, while their own valuation for Osimhen sits at $125m AUD according to Naples publication Il Matino. The Nigerian’s arrival could solve what has been a striker crisis in recent seasons at Old Trafford, with Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Kirzkee failing to lock down the position. Brenford’s Bryan Mbuemo has also reportedly been included in United’s striker shortlist alongside Wolves’ Matheus Cuhna.

THE REST

Done deals

Jaden Philogene — Aston Villa to Ipswich Town ($39m AUD)

Donyell Malen — Dortmund to Aston Villa ($39m AUD)

Emmanuel Agbadou — Stde de Reims to Wolverhampton ($32.7m AUD)

Julio Soler — Lanus to Bournemouth ($13m AUD)

Diego Gomez — Inter Miami to Brighton ($21.6m AUD)

Andres Garcia — Levante to Aston Villa ($11.8m AUD

Matai Akinmboni — DC United to Bournemouth ($2.9m AUD)

Romain Esse — Milwall to Crystal Palace (undisclosed)

Woyo Coulibaly — Parma to Leicester City ($3.7m AUD)

Welington — Sao Paulo to Southampton (undisclosed)

Joachim Kayi Sanda — Valenciennes to Southampton (undisclosed)

Biggest rumoured deals

Matheus Cuhna — Wolverhampton to Nottingham Forest

Jhon Duran — Aston Villa to West Ham

It hasn’t been the season that Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou would have hoped for, and in just his second year at the helm, the Aussie appears to be on the hot seat.

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According to one leading football writer in the UK, the Spurs’ Premier League record this season would have been enough to already have him fired by Tottenham owner Daniel Levy.

Tottenham are 14th on the EPL ladder, which is among the bottom seven teams in the league. They have the same amount of losses (11) as Ipswich Town, who is currently in the relegation zone.

As The Telegraph’s Football News Correspondent Matt Law writes, there’s no doubt injuries haven’t helped Tottenham’s season.

Law continued though that the reason he believes why Levy hasn’t given Postecoglou his marching orders yet is due to his usual desire to jettison a coach perhaps earlier than he should have.

Law noted that under Levy, a Tottenham coach lasts on average 23 months. In order to have any success in this game, the respected UK scribe says the club can’t keep blowing things up and starting again.

While EPL glory and qualifying for the Champions League through the EPL is seemingly out of the question, there is still plenty Postecoglou and Tottenham can salvage.

The Spurs are in the midst of a Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Liverpool in which they won the first leg 1-0.

According to Law, the second leg of that tie early next month is being “portrayed by some outside the club as being crucial for the former Celtic manager who boasted that he always wins a trophy in his second season.”

If Tottenham were to beat Liverpool, progress to the final and defeat either Newcastle or Arsenal, it would be the Spurs’ first trophy since their Carabao Cup success back in 2008.

Would victory in that be enough to save Ange’s job despite the disappointing EPL season? Perhaps. But it’s fair to say that following a 5th in last season’s League, no matter what happens in the Carabao Cup, their current EPL standing of 14th will need to be improved upon greatly in the back half of the season for Postecoglou to keep his job beyond this season.

Ange Postecoglou expects Tottenham Hotspur to bolster their squad during the January transfer window.

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Spurs have been hit by injuries and suspensions during the past month, with Postecoglou refusing to rein in his attacking approach as the London club have dropped down the Premier League table during a run of inconsistent results.

A thrilling 4-3 win over Manchester United in the League Cup quarter-finals last week was followed by an embarrassing 6-3 loss at home to Liverpool in the league on Sunday.

But ahead of Thursday’s Boxing Day match at Nottingham Forest, Spurs manager Postecoglou said he was aiming to bring in new recruits next month.

“Like I said a while ago, we’ve been planning,” he told a pre-match press conference.

“A lot of it was going to be around where we’re at around this time. Fair to say we’re still a little bit short in a couple of areas and we need to reinforce.”

The 59-year-old Australian added: “I think the fact that, obviously, we’re still in the Carabao (League) Cup semi-final, still got Europe, FA Cup, we’re in all the competitions, it’s not like our schedule’s going to ease up at any stage.

“So, I think it makes sense. We will try and reinforce. Where and what number we’ll have to wait and see.

“You don’t just want to panic and bring in anybody that you don’t think will help our cause in the back half of the year, but I think we’ve already shown we are pretty methodical and prudent about our work.” Tottenham have lost three of their last five Premier League matches and lie 11th in the table heading into Christmas.

However, they have also been coping with cup commitments and a lengthy injury list that includes Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.

Postecoglou had sympathy for the players picking up the slack in their absence as they try to implement his aggressive style.

“I can’t be critical of this group of players at the moment in any sense,” he said.

“I think it would be unfair for anyone to because what they’re doing is they’re giving absolute maximum effort.

“That’s backed up by the physical parameters you put against what they’re doing. They’re trying to do it in the way that I’m asking them to.

“So how can I be critical of that? I think that would be hypocritical of me. The players are doing their part.

“They’re doing it to the maximum of their ability and it’s a credit to them.” Postecoglou, meanwhile, was preparing for another solitary Christmas Day, something the former Celtic boss has become used to during his football career.

“It’s a family tradition mate that I’m on my own,” he said. “The family is in a warmer climate in Australia.

“We have a couple of young boys, so it’s important they are around family at this time. I will give them a call in the morning and then get on about my day.”

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says he welcomes scrutiny but that some of the criticism directed at him is “offensive.”

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Injury-hit Spurs took a big step towards a first trophy since 2008 on Friday with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

Tottenham led 3-0 before two howlers from goalkeeper Fraser Forster let United into the game, but the home side held on for a precious win.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, said Spurs should be more flexible in their approach rather than sticking to all-out attack.

Ahead of Monday’s visit of Liverpool, Postecoglou found an ally on Friday in opposite number Arne Slot, who said he was a big fan of the Spurs manager’s style.

Postecoglou discussed in detail the analysis of Carragher and others when asked at his pre-match press conference on Saturday if he would listen more to someone like Slot than the ex-Reds defender.

“Jamie Carragher, mate. You can name him. He’ll enjoy that,” Postecoglou laughed.

He added: “I love the fact people are talking about our games and analysing our games. I think that is important as well for this football club and I’d rather that than us be anonymous and no one talk about us, or we’re just grinding out an existence.

“As I’ve always said, you have to be prepared for scrutiny, you have to be prepared for criticism and it’s how you react to that that is more important.

“What I am saying is I don’t need validity and it won’t change what I believe because what I believe (comes from) a lifetime of experiences and values that I won’t let anyone tamper with from the outside.”

But the Australian said he did not understand “some of the other stuff”, believing it was about getting headlines.

Asked to expand, Postecoglou replied: “There is some stuff out there and I find — and at the appropriate time I’ll call it out — just offensive towards me.

“I just think you know what, I don’t know. I’m up here with a silly accent and maybe I don’t take things as seriously as people want me to and I’m fairly dismissive of them, but that’s all right. I love my life and I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.”

Ange Postecoglou’s position as Spurs coach is under fire amid a string of poor results but a club legend has leapt to his defence, calling on Tottenham officials to ”stick with him”.

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Spurs currently sit in 10th in the Premier League, demolishing Southampton 5-0 in their latest outing. But before that came disappointing defeats to Chelsea and Bournemouth.

While Tottenham were also able to batter reigning champions Manchester City on November 24, their previous encounter was a 2-1 defeat to relegation candidates Ipswich Town.

Throw in Europe League draws against Rangers and Roma — and it’s fair to say it’s been a rollercoaster for Postecoglou and Spurs.

The Tottenham board will reportedly stick solid with Postecoglou for the remainder of the season, but if his side’s inconsistent performances continue the Australian’s tenure could come under the microscope.

Injuries and suspensions have also hampered Spurs, with Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Heung-Min Son, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven spending time sidelined in recent weeks.

All seven players have been regular fixtures in Postecoglou’s starting sides this year.

So with pressure mounting to turn his club’s fortunes around, former striker Teddy Sheringham has urged the board to put their faith in the former Celtic boss.

He pointed to the exciting style that Postecoglou employs, pressing opposition teams and creating a mountain of goalscoring opportunities with a direct attacking approach.

Only Chelsea have scored more Premier League goals this season, with Spurs netting 36 times. Meanwhile, Tottenham also have the equal second most ‘big chances created’.

“I’m here to back Ange this morning,” Sheringham said on Talk Sport.

“I love what he’s given Tottenham this year. I think over the last four or five years you’ve seen Tottenham under [Jose] Mourinho and [Antonio] Conte make one maybe two chances a game.

“I go to watch Tottenham now and I see them making ten chances in the first 15 minutes.

“I think it’s exciting. I think any team would struggle without their two main centre halves and their main goalkeeper.

“I’m still excited and optimistic for Ange and the way he plays the game and I think they should stick with him.”

However, other pundits and Premier League legends haven’t been so kind, including former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.

O’Hara specifically took aim at Tottenham’s defensive efforts against Rangers, saying his “patience was wearing thin”.

It’s important to note that Spurs were missing their best two centre backs, starting 18-year-old Archie Gray alongside Radu Drăgușin.

“Ange Postecoglou, mate. I’ve had enough,” O’Hara said.

“You know, we go on and like, oh yeah, the football’s great. Is it? Is it great?

“I’m not watching Barcelona. I’m just watching a good team, you know, in moments, have some decent spells, but you know, every team plays good football.

“It’s not like I’m watching Barcelona play, but can’t defend, but when we’ve got the ball, it’s just, you know, it’s brilliant to watch.

“All I’m watching is a Tottenham team that I’ve watched a million times before. Boring. There’s nothing special.”

Carragher’s criticism came after Spurs’ 4-3 loss to Chelsea, with Postecoglou claiming his side “played well” despite departing their home stadium without a single point.

The former England international was of the belief Postecoglou needs to adapt his style of play — or else he faces the sack.

“Ange said how well they played. I can’t imagine any Liverpool manager I played for - and we conceded four in a game - would say in the interview we played well,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.

“If you play this way you’ll get the result like at Manchester City but you’d also get results like this one where you’re 2-0 up.

“I’ve never got my head around managers saying we play a ‘certain way and we will never change’ - I think it started with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.

“This idea that wherever they play, they will play their way. But that was the best team I’ve ever seen. Pep Guardiola then had to change his Man City team who were winning the leagues every season, putting centre-backs at fullback. This idea that you can’t change is alien to me.

“The game-state dictates how you play, not all the time but if you go away to a tough away ground you shouldn’t play the same way as you do against a team at the bottom.

“There’s this idea of playing a pure game and the Tottenham fans singing ‘We’ve got our Tottenham back’ but you won’t win anything, you won’t challenge.”

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said his resolve to bring success to the struggling Premier League club has been strengthened by a tough run of results, despite being confronted by angry supporters.

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The former Australia boss exchanged words with some fans in the travelling support after Friday’s 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth(all times AEDT) left Spurs down in 10th.

Postecoglou pledged earlier this season to end Tottenham’s 16-year wait to win a trophy during his second campaign in charge.

“I am here, I am going to fight to make sure we bring success to this football club. Nothing really changes,” Postecoglou said on Saturday.

“Where there is doubt, whether that is internally or externally, it just gets my resolve stronger to make sure we get it right.”

When pressed on his interaction with supporters after the Bournemouth defeat, the 59-year-old added: “They aren’t behind me, they are behind the club. I have got no interest in who is behind me.

“Last night you have to figure the fans who travel to Bournemouth are fairly hardcore supporters. They weren’t happy with what they saw and they felt like they needed to give some feedback. I took the feedback onboard and we move on.”

Spurs face the top two, Liverpool and Chelsea, in two of their next three Premier League games.

In between times they also take on Rangers in the Europa League and have a League Cup quarter-final tie against Manchester United over the next two weeks.

Postecoglou’s men have won just once in their last six games in all competitions — a remarkable 4-0 victory at Manchester City which ended the English champions’ two-year unbeaten home run.

Injuries to goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and first choice centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have not helped and Spurs were dealt another defensive blow when Ben Davies was forced off injured against Bournemouth.

Postecoglou, though, believes his side have been masters of their own downfall too often in recent weeks.

“For me the disappointment last night, there was a repeat of cycle of us going into games, starting well enough but then allowing the opposition to get a grip on it by either conceding a sloppy goal — like we did last night — or not taking our opportunities,” he added.

“We need to break that cycle, irrespective of where we are at the moment. We know we are really thin on the ground in terms of squad numbers. We know there is not a lot of opportunity to rotate and rest players. We paid the price with Benny (Davies) last night.

“Those are known things. What also is known is we repeatedly shot ourselves in the foot in games like last night and we need to change that.”

Former Spurs midfielder and manager Tim Sherwood has called out Tottenham supporters who want Ange Postecoglou gone, describing the Australian as a “breath of fresh air” the team “needed”.

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Sherwood’s passionate message to the Tottenham fan base came after Spurs stunned Manchester City 4-0 at Etihad Stadium in a result that was just as impressive as it was perplexing given the side’s inconsistency this season.

Sunday’s shutout was one of a few standout games for Tottenham, including a 3-0 victory at

Manchester United, 4-1 triumph over Villa and win against City in the League Cup.

Conversely, Spurs also dropped a home game 2-1 to Ipswich before the international break and have also suffered surprise losses to Crystal Palace and Brighton.

Those defeats have seen pressure build on Postecoglou, with some fans turning on the Australian who was a revered figure at times in his debut season at the helm.

But speaking on Matchday Live on Optus Sport, Sherwood had a very clear message of support for Postecoglou.

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“I’m pleased for the manager because there’s probably a 50-50 split on Tottenham fans who either want him or amazingly want him out,” Sherwood said.

“It’s incredible. Shame on you guys for wanting this guy out. This guy, for me, is a breath of fresh air and what Tottenham needed.

“He needs results like this to convince a lot of the fan base that he is the main man. Give him time, give him the money, give him a few transfer windows, he’s got a clear identity — he will win trophies at this football club but he needs to be given time to be able to do it.

“Today is a good, good reminder for a lot of those fans who ring up these phone ins demanding the manager out and saying he’s not good enough. Believe me, he is good enough.

“He is a top drawer manager who’s got different ideas to the majority of managers in the Premier League.”

Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham are “making progress” but says any judgements on his work should wait until the end of the season.

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The Australian has experienced a rollercoaster start to his second season in north London.

A run of one win from Spurs’ opening four games was followed by five consecutive victories, including an impressive 3-0 win at Manchester United.

Postecoglou’s men have since scored impressive home wins over West Ham, Manchester City and Aston Villa, but have lost their past three away games.

Spurs sit seventh in the Premier League but are well-placed to progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League and face United in the League Cup quarter-finals next month.

“There’s still a hell of a long way to go and, for us, what’s important is we keep progressing in the way we have been,” Postecoglou said Friday on the eve of Ipswich’s visit.

“Our football for the large part has been pretty consistent, pretty good. We’ve obviously had a few stumbles along the way.

“Within that context I still think we’re making progress and that’s what we will keep doing. There’s no point looking at the table now because ultimately where we are at the end of the season is what counts.”

Postecoglou made changes for Thursday’s 3-2 Europa League defeat to Galatasaray, with a number of key players out injured.

Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Timo Werner, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore will all be absent this weekend, but there is hope that Cristian Romero could return.

Captain Son Heung-min has been used sparingly in the past two games to nurse him back to full fitness.

“We’re managing his minutes, building him up,” said Postecoglou. “Hopefully we get him back and keep him back. We can’t afford more injuries in that position.” Richarlison is set for a longer spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury against Villa last weekend, having only recently returned to action.

“We tried to take a different approach. He worked awfully hard on his rehab and not just his rehab, his general fitness,” said Postecoglou.

“We eased him back into playing, trying not to overload him but unfortunately he broke down again.

“He’s disappointed but ultimately we’ve just got to keep getting him back in there and working with him to get him back up because he’s an important player.”

Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou has signalled his team are firmly focused on a top four finish after a thumping 4-1 victory over Champions League rivals Aston Villa.

Only a week after Tottenham went down to Crystal Palace in their last Premier League fixture, their win over Unai Emery’s men marked a crucial return to form.

Spurs also beat red-hot Manchester City in the EFL Cup midweek, and the Australian coach likened his own focus to that of a racehorse with blinkers in a timely comment amid Melbourne Cup week.

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Villa were the team to pip Tottenham to the post and win fourth place last season, but this year Postecoglou is confident Spurs can slot into the Champions League spots.

“I don’t spend too much time thinking about it, but this year there is probably more congestion in terms of the field itself, so we will have to deal with it,” he said.

“While we’re running in the race, I don’t like looking either side of me. I keep saying to the players, if I was a racehorse, and I’m not, it would be one with blinkers.

“I’m just looking at the finish line. I think that’s right, I don’t know much about horse racing, but we have to stay true to the course we’re on.

“Seven days ago I was a grumpy old so-and-so, but we made sure not to feel sorry for ourselves and get back to being the team we want to be.”

He also hailed his team’s ability to bounce back after their loss to Crystal Palace, with a first half Jean-Philippe Mateta strike sealing their win.

“You don’t fall off cliffs and you don’t climb mountains within a week,” Postecoglou said.

“It’s all part of the same process for me. We’re going to have bumps along the way. It’s how you address them, how you cope with them, how you rebound and learn from them.

“There was no point feeling sorry for ourselves, we had to come in and get our heads straight and work back to the team we wanted to be... we still need to get better and keep pushing.”

Meanwhile, South Korean superstar Heung-min Son was taken off in the 56th minute, and he was visibly frustrated whilst sitting on the bench.

It was the Tottenham gun’s first appearance since mid-October, having sat out with a thigh injury in recent weeks.

While he spent limited minutes on the field, Son was still able to have a huge impact, delivering a pinpoint cross to find Brennan Johnson to level the scores.

“He was never going to play more than that today,” Postecoglou said when asked why Son was pulled from the field.

“He’d had an injury, and he came back it was around the 60th minute last time where he kind of got fatigued last time. So he was never going to play more than 50 or 60 minutes.

“Again, we’ve got more battles ahead and we need him... No, I didn’t see any difference in Sonny. I’d be surprised if any player likes coming off when they’re feeling all right.

‘I didn’t need to discuss it with him. What’s more important is the overall picture.”

Postecoglou was also full of praise for striker Dominic Solanke, with the former Bournemouth man scoring a brace in what was his most complete performance as a Tottenham player.

He’d not scored since late September, but was able to deliver a smart finish over Villa glovemen Emiliano Martinez before finishing a Richarlison cross.

“I just think the enormous effort he put in on Wednesday night (against Manchester City) to help us win a game of football, not just physically but mentally and his capacity to help the team in every way he can,” Postecoglou said.

“To back that up today with such a massive effort again against a pretty difficult team to play against in that sense, it’s just unbelievable.

“Yes, the goals are great and of course as a striker I am sure he loves the fact he can score a couple of goals, but even if he didn’t, I can’t speak highly enough of what he is contributing to our team at the moment.”

Dominic Solanke scored twice as Tottenham blitzed Aston Villa in the second half on Sunday, winning 4-1 to move just two points behind their rivals for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Shortly after the break, Brennan Johnson cancelled out Morgan Rogers’ first-half opener for Villa, before a cascade of home goals late in the game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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Solanke produced a delicate dinked finish to put Spurs ahead in the 75th minute and scored another from close range before James Maddison added gloss with a sumptious free kick deep into stoppage time.

The result lifts Ange Postecoglou’s men to seventh in the table on 16 points -- two behind Villa, who missed the chance to climb into third spot.

The Spurs boss, whose side lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace last week, said his men had shown they had “other gears” in the second half, praising Solanke for his performance.

“His goals are unbelievable but his general play, his work-rate, I can’t speak highly enough of him,” he told Sky Sports.

“Seven days is a long time in football. Seven days ago I was a grumpy old so and so. We have to say true to the course we’re on.

“We made sure not to feel sorry for ourselves and are back to the team we want to be.” Villa players wore training tops reading “Fuerza Valencia” during the warm-up, in solidarity with the victims of the deadly floods in Spain, the home country of Villa boss Unai Emery, who has managed Valencia.

- Son return -

Spurs had plenty of the ball early on but showed little penetration, despite the return of captain Son Heung-min from injury.

Rodrigo Bentancur’s shot from distance midway through the half landed on the roof of the net.

At the other end, Jacob Ramsey’s shot was deflected over the bar by Radu Dragusin before Amadou Onana headed against the post.

But seconds later Villa were ahead after Spurs failed to deal with Luca Digne’s corner, Rogers poking home in the 32nd minute after Guglielmo Vicario made an initial save.

It was the only shot on target either side mustered in the first half, continuing Spurs’ habit of conceding first and emphasising their problems dealing with set pieces.

Spurs could have been in deeper trouble had Ollie Watkins not skewed his shot wide shortly before half-time.

Postecoglou opted not to make changes at half-time and his side were level in the 49th minute when Johnson steered home Son’s inviting cross at the far post.

Minutes later Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez got a strong right hand to keep out Solanke’s close-range effort as Spurs found rhythm and intensity.

Villa captain John McGinn flashed just wide before Son was substituted -- much to his surprise -- as Postecoglou introduced Yves Bissouma and Richarlison.

The Korean was visibly stunned by the call from Postecoglou as his number was shown on the board, while he held his head in his hands when sitting down on the bench.

Some were shocked by the gamble for Postecoglou to take off his star man, but the Australian explained after the match that it was always in his plans to ease in the midfielder returning from injury.

“I didn’t need to discuss it with him. What’s more important is the overall picture,” Postecoglou said.

“He was never going to play more than that today because he had an injury.

“So he was never going to play more than sort of 55-60 minutes irrespective of how the game was going.”

The game became scrappy but Spurs seized the initiative when Dejan Kulusevski found Solanke, who finished cutely over the diving Martinez in the 75th minute.

Minutes later Villa lost the ball in midfield and Spurs broke at pace, with Pape Sarr feeding Richarlison, who crossed for Solanke to fire home.

Substitute Maddison made it 4-1 in the 96th minute, netting his 50th Premier League goal.

The defeat made it a miserable 53rd birthday for Emery, who had won on his past two visits to the stadium.

“When you are losing you have to try and get one step forward to try and change the result,” he said.

“But we know how difficult it is against Tottenham -- 4-1 is a tough result but the match we played was more or less in line with the expectation I had before the match.

“We are disappointed, frustrated but we are accepting it. We know our way, it is 38 matches, the league is very tight.”

MAN UTD HELD BY CHELSEA

Moises Caicedo’s strike denied Manchester United victory in their first Premier League game since sacking Erik ten Hag as Chelsea claimed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will be replaced by Ruben Amorim later his month, sprinted down the touchline in celebration after Bruno Fernandes put United in front from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.

Caicedo quickly replied for the Blues, who edge above Arsenal on goal different into fourth.

A point leaves United still down in 13th, six points off the top four. Amorim was not in attendance as he prepares to take charge of Sporting Lisbon for the one of the final times against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

United were far more competitive than in 3-0 demolitions by Liverpool and Tottenham at home this season, but showed many of the same flaws that cost Ten Hag his job.

Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a 5-2 demolition of an under-strength Leicester in his first match in charge to reach the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek.

Still a hero among the United fans from his days as a prolific striker, the Dutchman’s name was chanted in a buoyant pre-match atmosphere.

However, a Chelsea side that have lost once in nine Premier League games, provided a much stiffer test for a United side still short on confidence.

Noni Madueke came closest to opening the scoring for Chelsea in the first-half when he headed Cole Palmer’s corner off the post.

It took United time to find their feet as an attacking force but they were unfortunate not to go in front just before half-time.

Marcus Rashford hit the crossbar with a cushioned volley in the last action of a disappointing first 45 minutes from both sides.

Pedro Neto’s burst of pace nearly gave Chelsea a dream start to the second period but the Portuguese winger’s shot flew just past the far post.

The Blues remain overly reliant on Palmer for inspiration.

The boyhood United fan, who began his career at Manchester City before joining Chelsea last year, was kept quiet by Van Nistelrooy’s pairing of Casemiro alongside Manuel Ugarte in midfield.

Before kick-off only Southampton had scored fewer than United’s eight Premier League goals in nine games this season.

The lack of efficiency in front of goal that Ten Hag often bemoaned was in evidence again.

Garnacho wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring from Fernandes’ cut-back with a tame effort that looped into the arms of Sanchez.

United were gifted the chance to break the deadlock when Robert Sanchez clipped Rasmus Hojlund inside the box.

Fernandes kept his cool to send the Spanish international goalkeeper the wrong way and spark wild celebrations from Van Nistelrooy.

United’s joy was short-lived as Chelsea hit back within four minutes. A corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, where Caicedo connected a sweet strike to fire into the bottom corner.

Chelsea should have struck again moments later when substitute Enzo Fernandez spooned over with Andre Onana stranded.

It was United who came closest in a frantic finale when Garnacho’s acrobatic effort flew just over.

In the other match played on Sunday, relegation threatened Wolves and Crystal Palace played out a 2-2 draw.