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Ange Postecoglou “always wins things” in his second season in charge and his big statement remains on track as Tottenham defeated heavyweights Manchester City 2-1 to advance to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The Round of 16 clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a classic display of ‘Angeball’ as Spurs were electric early with two goals in the first 26 minutes of the game.

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City had more of the ball with 65% possession for the night but they could only get two of their 15 shots on targets, while Tottenham constantly threatened on the counter attack.

Spurs tested out City’s second choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega with seven of their 11 shots being on target as their speed and creativity in midfield caused headaches for Pep Guardiola.

Postecoglou’s side made early in-roads with Dejan Kulusevski picking out much-maligned attacker Timo Werner at the far post to open the scoring in the sixth minute, but it was not all smooth sailing as defender Micky Van de Ven injured his hamstring in a slide tackle in the 11th minute.

Tottenham’s advantage grew to two in the 26th minute when midfielder Pape Sarr curled a beautiful low strike home from the edge of the box after a short corner, but their Australian boss would have entered the dressing room at half time frustrated.

Spurs conceded in the fourth and final minute of added time when Savinho - who had to be stretchered off in the second half with a leg injury - crossed the ball to Nunes at the back post.

The late goal made for a nervy second half for the home fans as City have trailed many times so far this season and on each occasion they have come back and won.

But this time around it was not to be as Guardiola made a head scratching move.

Goal scoring machine Erling Haaland remained on the bench for the entire game despite City’s search for an equaliser.

Postecoglou on other hand brought Brazilian attacker Richarlison on in the 69th minute to try extend their lead, and he had the chance to bury City when he was through on goal in the 83rd minute but hit a tame shot directly to Ortega.

It did not matter in the end as Tottenham defended soundly in a scoreless second half - which included six minutes of added time - to bounce back from their disappointing Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.

Spurs have also kept alive their hopes of claiming their first trophy since 2008 when they won this very competition.

They will face Manchester United at home in a quarter-final.

FLURRY OF GOALS MARKS LIFE AFTER TEN HAG

Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy could hardly have asked for a better start to his new gig with the Red Devils piling on the goals against Leicester City as they won 5-2 at Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy said pre-game that his side “can be unstoppable” when “players, staff and supporters pull together” and remarkably there were six goals scored to half time as United lead 4-2 at the break.

Casemiro - who scored the last goal under Erik ten Hag - started the new era with a stunner from long-range and the highlights continued as the game went on.

Garnacho thumped a low cross into the roof of the net for their second, Bruno Fernandes then curled home a lovely free kick for United’s third and Casemiro scored his second from a delicate chipped cross by Marcus Rashford.

In the second half, Fernandes got a brace of his own by coolly going around the keeper and beating a defender on the line to make it two straight Carabao Cup matches at Old Trafford where seven goals have been scored.

In the previous round, United smashed League 1 side Barnsley 7-0.

LIVERPOOL HANG ON IN SECOND HALF THRILLER

Liverpool walked into the change rooms locked at 0-0 with Brighton at half time, but a flick was switched after the break as five second half goals lit up the Amex.

The Reds prevailed 3-2 to keep Arne Slot’s dream start to life at Anfield despite a late Brighton fightback.

The match looked all but over when, in the 63rd minute, Cody Gapko fired home his second of the night.

But a blunder at the back gave the Seagulls a sniff with a goal to Simon Adingra in the 81st minute before Luis Diaz added Liverpool’s third four minutes later.

A stoppage time goal to Tariq Lamptey courtesy of a wicked deflection gave Brighton hope of levelling it up at the death knock but Liverpool held firm to book their place in the quarter-finals against Southampton.

In other matches, Arsenal were far too strong for Championship side Preston North End as the Gunners won 3-0 away from home to advance to the next round against Crystal Palace.

Newcastle knocked out Chelsea 2-0 to gain revenge for their Premier League loss at Stamford Bridge last weekend, and they will take on Brentford in a quarter-final.

Crystal Palace upset Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park, while yesterday Southampton defeated Stoke City 3-2 and Brentford overcame Championship club Sheffield Wednesday on penalties.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou bristled in his post-match interview as he lamented a 1-0 loss away to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal of the game just after the half-hour mark at Selhurst Park to seal Palace’s first Premier League win of the season.

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Spurs defender Micky van de Ven was easily dispossessed deep in his own half before Daniel Munoz’s cross found Ebere Eze. He in turn set up Mateta, with the Frenchman on target with a low finish.

Defeat by one of their London rivals left Spurs eighth in the table, with Postecoglou’s men now having lost four of their nine league matches so far this term.

Postecoglou was in a no-nonsense mood after the match as his post-match interview took an awkward turn when he challenged the interviewer, who has just said “you’re not happy, obviously”.

“Why would I be happy?” Postecoglou responded. “Is there a question there?”

The interviewer didn’t back down, however, saying: “Only because I asked you if your level dropped below what you expected and you didn’t necessarily think that was the problem so...”

“No, but I identified another problem which was we didn’t battle today like they did,” Postecoglou replied. “So I think if you’re suggestion that our fans somehow weren’t happy with today then I think that’s a fair assessment. I’m not happy. The players aren’t happy.”

Inconsistency has been a perennial problem for Tottenham, last crowned champions of England in 1961, with Postecoglou accepting a Spurs side missing injured captain Son Heung-min had been outfought by Palace.

“It was one of those games with a lot of stoppages and battles and they (Palace) ended up winning a lot of them and coming out on top,” Postecoglou told the BBC. “There was a lot of disruption and it was hard to get any fluency. They did better than us.

“It turned into a game they were thriving on and we should have dealt with it better. It was a poor goal to concede, it had nothing to do with playing out from the back. That can happen.” The Australian added: “I’d be very surprised if they (Spurs supporters) were happy right now. Why would I be happy? If I’m unhappy then they’ll be unhappy.”

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was even more damning, telling Sky Sports: “They (Palace) fight and I think we lacked that today. We are disappointed because we have to fight. We play good football but maybe sometimes we lack the desire to fight.”

Spurs fans, rival rans and members of the English press were quick to poke fun at the disappointing day for Postecoglou and his team.

It was the sort of display that has been common place in Tottenham’s history and the term ‘Spursy’ - which is used to describe poor showings when they should win - has been thrown around.

Football writer for the UK Telegraph Nick Szczepanik was scathing in his assessment of a side that has a perfect record in the Europa League when rolling out a young side on a Thursday night, but has been up-and-down so far in the Premier League.

“If Tottenham Hotspur dislike the term “Spursy” so much, they should avoid putting in non-performances such as this,” he wrote.

“Against a winless Crystal Palace who began the game as the lowest scorers in the top five professional divisions in the country, they were careless at the back and toothless at the front. And nothing much happened in between either.

“How is it that a team on a run of seven wins in eight games in all competitions can scarcely show up for a London derby?”

Teenager Mikey Moore has been one of the shining light of their European campaign and the 17-year-old winger was rewarded for his efforts with a start against Palace.

He was compared to Neymar in a tongue-in-cheek manner by teammates James Maddison following their 1-0 win against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on Thursday, and joined Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson in the front three on Sunday.

Moore’s selection came at the expense of German attacker Timo Werner - who was subbed at half time against AZ Alkmaar after missing two relatively straight forward chances - and Sky Sports pundit Jamie O’Hara believes the change was a mistake.

“I think Ange [Postecoglou] got it wrong. I think he picked the wrong team. Starting a 17-year-old away from home against Crystal Palace is a big, big ask. He [Moore] did alright but it’s a big ask to come in for that game and make something happen,” O’Hara said.

“Use him for 20 or 25 minutes, but the damning indictment of that is that Timo Werner has been so poor he [Postecouglou] has had to start Mikey Moore. But, I would have stuck with Werner and given him another game, especially away from home as he’s experienced.”

The challenges do not get more daunting for Tottenham than Manchester City in the Round of 16 of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.

Postecoglou has discussed many times that he always wins trophies in his second year, so how they fare in the home knockout cup clash will be of great interest.

They then face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday - also at home.

A fortnight on from their loss to Brighton, described as the worst of Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs tenure, Tottenham needed an emphatic win to ease their manager’s pressure.

An emphatic win is exactly what they got, coming from behind to beat West Ham, with Postecoglou’s “strange” halftime tactical change proving a masterstroke.

For now at least the win, as well as the performance, has silenced the noise around Spurs, providing Postecoglou with a stable foundation to continue building Tottenham into the side he wants them to be.

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The Australian has come under fire at times during his reign in North London for a lack of ‘Plan B’, as well as some questionable in-game management decisions that have proven costly.

In the Brighton loss Postecoglou failed to make any changes until the 80th minute. Ange’s substitutes that day - Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma - were unable to effect the result and rescue a point for Spurs.

The same could not be levelled at the 59-year-old against their London rivals after Postecoglou removed attacking midfielder James Maddison at halftime for Sarr, a more traditional, physical midfield presence. He later insisted the move was purely tactical.

Sarr’s introduction provided Spurs with two deeper midfield presences, fortifying central areas against a physical West Ham side, and allowing Dejan Kulusevski to take greater attacking reign.

The move worked, with Sarr winning the ball in his own half and finding Heung-Min Son for the Spurs’ fourth goal.

Writing in the Independent, Miguel Delaney praised Postecoglou’s ‘proactive’ move, as well as Spurs’ general performance, which showed elements of a steeliness widely perceived to be lacking at the club.

Similarly, The Athletic’s Jay Harris and Liam Tharme argued Ange ‘identified a weakness in his team, corrected it and Maddison will surely come to accept it benefitted the team because it helped them achieve the right outcome.’

Generally, the mood in the English media about the substitution is positive, particularly given it could provide Spurs a potential confidence boost moving into their next three games against Palace, Villa and Ipswich respectively.

However, Delaney was quick to add the result isn’t as comprehensive as perhaps some might feel, noting it was ‘a very Spurs win.’

‘At least in terms of really going for it and looking convincing when it’s easy. Not when it’s hard.’

Such criticisms can easily be viewed as harsh. Delaney himself addresses as much, adding: ‘This was still one of those games where you can see how enjoyable a Postecoglou display is when everything works.’

That term Delaney alludes to - ‘Spursy’ - is such a common stick to beat Tottenham with that it even has its own entry in the Collins Dictionary, which defines it as: ‘To have success in reach but ultimately chuck it away.’

The Brighton loss is a fine example of this characteristic, as is Spurs’ 1-1 draw with Leicester to open this season. So too is last year’s 4-1 loss to Chelsea, or that season’s four-game losing streak between rounds 32 and 36 that played a key factor in Spurs’ failure to qualify for the Champions League.

There are countless more examples of Spurs being ‘Spursy’ dating back over a decade, with Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham sides all falling victim to this characteristic that’s so deeply ingrained in the North London club.

And while the term is directly associated with Tottenham, Tim Sherwood, who coached the club in 2013-14, insisted his former club weren’t the only Premier League side that show signs of being ‘Spursy’.

“Every team is ‘Spursy,’” he said.

“Let me tell you, unless they’re the Man Cities and the Arsenals of this world, and the Liverpools, everyone has a ‘Spursy’ moment.”

Sherwood insisted Ange is a “top drawer manager,” before praising the current Spurs head coach for facets of his coaching that others have criticised him for

“I think he’s playing his own way,” Sherwood said.

‘Angeball’, as Postecoglou’s style has come to be known, sees his side press high and keep their foot on their opponents’ throat without relenting. At times, an insistence on playing their way regardless of game state has been their Achilles heel.

However, as Delaney noted above, when it all clicks Spurs are both highly entertaining and effective.

This season no Premier League side has scored more goals than Postecoglou’s side, while their widely criticised defence has conceded the same number of goals as Manchester City, and just one more than their highly pragmatic rivals Arsenal.

For this reason, Sherwood insisted Spurs “have to get behind him. Give him more finances to strengthen and let him take this team as far as he can.”

The former Premier League winning captain feels Postecoglou’s coaching should give the club confidence to back him heavily in the transfer market.

“I’ve always criticised the recruitment but I think now, because of this manager, because of the offensive players and Micky Van de Ven who’s been a revelation, I think Ange Postecoglou is shining them in the correct light,” he said.

“All of a sudden the recruitment department must be saying ‘see. We must be doing something right.’ And I think they’re working hand in hand.”

“At the moment, and I know it’s game to game and they need more consistency, because before the international break the Brighton game, second half, they were the whipping boys.

“You can’t criticise that performance.”

As Sherwood alluded to, Spurs need to carry this form into their next few games if they are to truly silence the noise around the club and it’s trajectory.

Club-record signing Dominic Solanke stated as much following their West Ham win.

“Speaking to a couple of the boys after, I think we need to play like this as much as we can because we know we can do it,” he said.

“(In) the last game before this (Brighton) we showed we can do it in one half and not in the second half, but we need to do this consistently.”

Consistency will be crucial for Spurs, and their manager. Few doubt Postecoglou’s coaching ability. He’s said many times, much to the dismay of some UK pundits, that he tends to win things in his second season.

Having laid that marker down the pressure is on Ange to deliver results, and at least one trophy, before season’s end. Doing so and breaking Spurs’ lengthy trophy drought would be a significant step in the right direction for club and manager, one which could set them up for a fortuitous future.

And, when all’s said and done, the catalyst for any success during Ange’s Spurs tenure could be a halftime substitution that showed the Australian’s pragmatic edge and brilliant in game management at a time both were seriously doubted.

On the day Spurs’ fiercest rivals’ title challenge took a significant hit, Ange Postecoglou showed his pragmatic hand to guide Tottenham to a big comeback win.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were victims of their own ill-discipline once again, although William Saliba wasn’t the only player to see red in a wild night of Premier League football.

Read about all that and more in our wrap of the overnight Premier League action!

ANGE’S ‘EYE-RAISING’ SPURS GAMBLE PAYS OFF

Throughout this Tottenham career, Ange Postecoglou has come under fire often. At times the Australian has been perceived as lacking pragmatism, and the ‘Plan B’ so loved by English football.

Translation: Instead of taking the safe option, Ange goes for the jugular. He’d rather win 5-4 than 1-0.

And yet with his side level with West Ham at half-time Ange did something many thought unthinkable. He made a pragmatic substitution.

Off went attacking midfielder James Maddison, at times the creative jewel in Postecoglou’s Spurs crown. On came Pape Matar Sarr, a more conservative and traditional central midfielder.

Speaking on Optus Sports’ Matchday Live, Premier League legend Emannuel Petit described the move as “strange because he’s (Maddison) a really good player.”

“So I was quite surprised. It’s quite strange from the manager.”

Maddison hadn’t been poor by any stretch of the imagination. He’d created Dejan Kulusevski’s equaliser and had five key passes in the opening 45 minutes, but as Ange noted post-game he needed different profiles in midfield.

“I just felt West Ham ask you certain questions in midfield areas and I just felt Pape’s running power would help us in the second half,” he explained.

“They obviously worked hard in the first half and I thought he could give us some real energy.

“I thought he did really well and he gave us a platform to be really threatening every time we went forward and clinical in our football.”

Former Brighton striker Glenn Murray described it as an “eye-raiser” but conceded the decision ultimately worked.

“Hindsight proves it was the right decision,” Murray said.

As Murray noted, Ange’s gamble paid off. Spurs scored three times in eight minutes to win and climb to seventh on the ladder. Sarr too was strong, dispossessing Jarrod Bowen as he moved towards Tottenham’s goal and finding Heung-Min Son with a beautiful assist for his 60th minute goal.

Spurs could’ve scored more too. Son hit the post in the 61st minute while the free-flowing attack continued throughout the second half, forcing West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola into three saves.

“When they are good they are nearly irresistible, Tottenham,” Connor McNamara said on commentary.

Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood heralded the character Spurs showed during the win.

“To go behind and then come out with that character in the second half, after what happened at Brighton before the international break, I think not only the ability of his side, but the character of his side, really shone through,” he said.

Writing in The Guardian, Jacob Steinberg described Tottenham as ‘exhilarating,’ while noting ‘Ange Postecoglou was there to see another defensive implosion, but this time he would not be the coach who will have to deal with the fallout.’

Indeed the post-mortem will centralise on West Ham and new manager Julen Lopetegui, who has failed to inspire the tactical shifts expected of him in pre-season. Their second half capitulation means they sit 15th.

For Postecoglou though the win alleviates some of the pressure on his shoulders following Spurs’ bitter loss to Brighton in their last Premier League outing.

That game that overshadowed a five game winning streak and inspired further doubts about Postecoglou’s Premier League suitability.

For now at least those pressures are alleviated.

ARSENAL’S CHARGE TAKES SIGNIFICANT HIT

At the end of the season if Arsenal fail to break their Premier League title drought, Mikel Arteta will reflect on this loss as the moment the title slipped through his side’s fingers.

Arsenal were unbeaten heading into the weekend, with their defence the envy of the Premier League and their attacking improving weekly.

Bournemouth are a good side, coached well by Andoni Iraola, but their start to the season had been indifferent.

Few would have predicted the game to unfold as it did.

Arteta, and Arsenal fans, will argue William Saliba’s controversial 30th minute red card, awarded after the Frenchman brought down Bournemouth striker Evanilson just beyond the halfway line.

There was no Arsenal defender between the Brazilian and goal, a factor that ultimately led VAR Jarred Gillett to instruct referee Rob Jones, who initially awarded a yellow card, to send the Arsenal defender off.

For the third time this season Arsenal would need to see out a game with a man down.

Raheem Sterling initially shifted to right back, with Ben White moving into the heart of defence in Saliba’s place. However, Antoine Semenyo breezed by the pair twice, prompting Arteta to introduce Jakub Kiwior and return White to right back.

Arsenal, who were without Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, their two most important creators, held Bournemouth scoreless until the 70th minute, when a lovely corner move resulted in Ryan Christie’s strike breaking the deadlock.

The Premier League’s set-piece masters were breached by a set-piece.

Seven minutes later Evanilson was again involved. Fouled by David Raya in the box the Brazilian won a penalty, converted by Justin Kluivert to secure a big win for Bournemouth, a monumental loss for Arsenal.

The Gunners were not without their chances. Gabriel Martinelli had a great chance to score moments before Bournemouth’s opener, but missed the target, while Mikel Merino pushed a shot wide earlier in the game.

Speaking post-game, Arteta described the task set for Arsenal following Saliba’s send off as “impossible.”

“We are very disappointed with the result and gutted because we had to play in that context again,” he said.

Discussing Saliba’s red card, the Spaniard conceded he’s not expecting it to be overturned during the week.

“It was a decision made on the pitch. The decision was changed. I don’t think it will change twice. The decision has been made,” he said.

ETH SAFE FOR ANOTHER DAY

Boos rang around Old Trafford at halftime, though perhaps not the kind of boos some may have expected after the last fortnight at Manchester United.

Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock had just scored an injury time header from a corner to lift his side into the lead at the interval.

The strike didn’t come without controversy after United’s Dutch central defender Matthijs De Ligt was forced to leave the pitch and have some blood cleaned from his face.

Instead of waiting for De Ligt to return, referee Sam Barrott allowed play to continue, ultimately resulting in Brentford’s opener.

United’s bench erupted after the ball rifled into the back of the net. Erik Ten Hag, arguably the manager under the most pressure in world football, was booked for his protests of the decision to allow play to continue while De Ligt was sidelined.

Given the storm surrounding the future of the Dutchman’s managerial tenure, Ten Hag’s frustration was justified. In a must-win game his side entered the interval behind against a difficult to break down Brentford side.

Writing in The Athletic, Mark Critchley said Pinnock’s goal ‘felt like the end. The chances of a second half fightback appeared remote.’

At the break United, who were without six first team players, were yet to create a big chance. By full-time they’d created three, scoring two, to record a big win both in the context of their season and their manager’s future.

Alejandro Garnacho got the ball rolling in the 47th minute, meeting a sublime Marcus Rashford cross to score his first goal of the season, before a delightful Bruno Fernandes flick set Rasmus Hojlund up in the 62nd minute.

Even more impressive was the way United managed their lead in the dying stages of the contest, something Critchley noted.

‘Not only did (United) turn this game on its head, but once in front, they managed the final stages relatively well - something which has not often been said of this side in the past,’ he wrote.

Post-game Ten Hag insisted the victory “showed we are together.”

“We showed determination and scored two beautiful goals.”

Goals have been a major problem to United in what has been their worst-ever start to a Premier League season. Prior to their Brentford win they’d scored just five. That figure is now seven, two less than 19th placed Wolves.

Ten Hag will be hoping goals to Garnacho and Hojlund, as well as Rashford’s creative output, will kick his side into attacking gear as they look to kick their season into life.

“This team has the capacity to score very good goals,” he stated post-game.

“Today the two goals we scored were high quality and when you score and win you add confidence.

“At the start of the season we had some good performances but didn’t score enough, then everyone is negative.

“This result can help us, but it is only one win and we must build on it.”

LATE DRAMA SEALS FOXES COMEBACK

After half an hour Southampton were 2-0 up against Leicester, courtesy of goals to Cameron Archer and Joe Aribo, and seemingly on their way to a first win of the season.

Their lead remained after an hour, before Facundo Buoanotte’s fortunate strike found the back of the net, giving Leicester a way back into the game.

Fraser was sent off, the fifth player to see the red in the Premier League overnight, and Vardy converted the penalty, drawing the Foxes level with plenty of time to play.

Despite their man advantage, Leicester’s winner came with essentially the final kick of the game after Jordan Ayew swept the ball home from a corner in the 98th minute.

The win lifts Leicester to 14th, six points clear of the relegation zone - although both Palace and Wolves have a game in hand.

For Southampton, losing from such a winnable position has turned the pressure up on manager Russell Martin, who has constantly been accused of playing beautiful, possession-based football without getting results.

VILLA’S MARCH CONTINUES AS NEWCASTLE FALTER

Aston Villa’s towards the top of the Premier League table continued against Fulham overnight.

Unai Emery’s side fell behind to an early Raul Jimenez strike but scored three times before full-time to seal a crucial three points.

Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins both scored, continuing their fine seasons, before an Issa Diop own goal sealed the win after 70 minutes. Emi Martinez saved an Andreas Pereira penalty with the scores locked at 1-1.

Fulham lost central defender Joachim Andersen to a red card six minutes before Diop found the back of his own net.

The win leaves Villa fourth on 17 points, two clear of fifth-placed Brighton, who narrowly beat Newcastle overnight.

Danny Welbeck’s fifth goal of the season proved the difference between the two sides

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham started their Europa League campaign with a 3-0 win against Qarabag despite playing more than 80 minutes with 10 men, but Son Heung-min gave the north Londoners an injury scare on Thursday.

Radu Dragusin’s early dismissal was no obstacle for the Australian’s side, who cruised to victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson, Pape Sarr and Dominic Solanke.

However, the sight of South Korea forward Son being forced off in the 70th minute will be concerning for Postecoglou, who cannot afford to be without his talismanic captain for a long period.

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With a healthy Son, the Europa League could offer a path to silverware for Postecoglou, who boasts that he always enjoys success in his second season as he seeks to end a Tottenham trophy drought dating back to 2008.

Sterner tests await Tottenham but they delivered a confident opener, once the game -- delayed for 37 minutes after Qarabag were caught in heavy traffic -- finally got underway.

Tottenham weren’t fazed by being reduced to 10 men after just eight minutes when Romania defender Dragusin was sent off for pulling down Juninho as he raced through on goal.

They took the lead in the 12th minute through Johnson’s third goal in his last three games.

Qarabag conceded possession cheaply deep inside their own half and Solanke teed up Johnson for a composed finish from 10 yards.

The Wales forward had to delete his Instagram account after abuse from fans following a poor start to the season, but he has answered his critics in the perfect manner.

Sarr volleyed Tottenham’s second from six yards after Qarabag keeper Mateusz Kochalski made a hash of catching a 52nd-minute corner.

Yves Bissouma’s foul on Elvin Cafarguliyev gave Qarabag a penalty four minutes later, but Toral Bayramov blazed the spot-kick over.

Solanke wrapped up the win in the 68th minute, slotting home to claim his second goal since his club record move from Bournemouth in the close season.

ROMA DENIED

Troubled Roma were held to a 1-1 draw by Athletic Bilbao after conceding a late equaliser at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma fans were furious with the club’s recent decision to sack boss Daniele De Rossi, an iconic figure during his time as a Giallorossi player, just four games into the season.

Given the unenviable task of replacing De Rossi, Ivan Juric inspired a 3-0 win against Udinese last weekend, but he was denied a second successive victory.

Artem Dovbyk put Roma in front after 32 minutes as the Ukrainian made it three goals in his last three games for his new club with a thumping header from Angelino’s cross.

But Aitor Paredes headed Bilbao’s equaliser after Unai Nunez nodded across goal in the 85th minute.

Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce beat Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 as the Portuguese boss started his bid to win the tournament for the third time in his career.

Mourinho, who won the competition with Manchester United and Porto, watched as Caglar Soyuncu put Fenerbahce ahead in the 26th minute before Christian Burgess’s 82nd-minute own goal doubled the lead.

Ross Sykes’ stoppage-time reply for Union came after Franjo Ivanovic missed a penalty for the visitors, who had Kevin Mac Allister sent off.

Ajax thrashed Besiktas 4-0 thanks to Mika Godts’ brace and goals from Kian Fitz-Jim and Kenneth Taylor.

Olympiakos, UEFA Conference League winners last season, were beaten 2-0 at Lyon, whose second-half goals came from Rayan Cherki and Said Benrahma.

Eintracht Frankfurt blew a two-goal lead as Viktoria Plzen’s Vaclav Jemelka scored the stoppage-time equaliser.

Rangers won 2-0 at Malmo, with Nedim Bajrami scoring his maiden goal for the club in the first minute before Ross McCausland struck in the 76th minute

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.”