Month: April 2023

Tottenham’s players have offered to reimburse ticket costs of the fans who travelled to Newcastle for Sunday’s 6-1 drubbing.

A dismal showing at St James’ Park prompted chairman Daniel Levy to show interim boss Cristian Stellini the door yesterday. 

And Spurs, who will be led by Ryan Mason until the end of the season, will cover the cost of the match tickets for supporters who witnessed the collapse on Tyneside. 

A statement released on Twitter said: “As a squad, we understand your frustration, your anger. It wasn’t good enough. 

“We know words aren’t enough in situations like this but believe us, a defeat like this hurts. 

“We appreciate your support, home and away, and with this in mind we would like to reimburse fans with the cost of their match tickets from St James’ Park. 

“We know this does not change what happened on Sunday and we will give everything to put things right against Manchester United on Thursday evening when, again, your support will mean everything to us. 

“Together — and only together — can we move things forward.” 

Fifth-placed Spurs trail United, who currently occupy the Premier League’s final Champions League spot, by six points. 

And while covering the cost of tickets for Sunday’s game is a nice gesture from Mason’s squad, it remains to be seen how the news will go down with fans who would have paid a small fortune to travel.

But with European qualification still up for grabs, the players will hope the Spurs faithful get behind them when Erik ten Hag’s men visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

– Nottingham Forest have lost only five of 16 home games this term
– Brighton may not hit top form after their Wembley heartbreak
– Recommended bet: Nottingham Forest or draw double chance

Brighton had their FA Cup dreams cruelly dashed on Sunday evening and it will be a test of Roberto De Zerbi’s motivational skills to get his shattered players up for Wednesday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

The Seagulls remain right in the race for European places but visit a Forest side who, given how little hope their away form offers, must fight tooth-and-nail in their final three City Ground matches.

And while Steve Cooper’s side head into this match on a Championship-bound trajectory of three points from 11 winless games, Forest’s recent home form has not been disastrous and they remain stubborn on the banks of the River Trent.

A Brighton side who have had limbs drained and minds muddled by 120 minutes and penalty shootout trauma at Wembley may find this a trickier trip than expected.

Team news

Forest centre-forward Chris Wood and defenders Giulian Biancone and Scott McKenna are out for the season, while centre-back Willy Boly and goalkeeper Dean Henderson are also unlikely to play again this term.

Full-back Serge Aurier and midfielders Ryan Yates and Cheikhou Kouyate are out for a couple of weeks and full-back Omar Richards has yet to return from a lengthy layoff.

Gustavo Scarpa is close to recovering from a knee injury and midfielder Jack Colback could return from a concussion but Jonjo Shelvey’s participation is uncertain after he was sent home last weekend.

Brighton have a number of attacking players injured, with playmaker Adam Lallana, winger Jeremy Sarmiento and full-back Tariq Lamptey all unavailable and striker Evan Ferguson a major doubt with an ankle problem. 

Centre-forward Danny Welbeck is also a doubt after a receiving a knock at Wembley. 

The stats

While Cooper’s men were extremely lucky to draw the reverse fixture 0-0 despite hosts Brighton having 70% possession and 19 shots to their three, Forest are a different beast at the City Ground.

As the table stood on Tuesday lunchtime, Forest had lost only two of 12 matches against visitors placed sixth or lower in the Premier League, winning five and drawing five. 

And while Cooper’s men have lost eight and drawn three of their last 11 league games, their home record in that run is a respectable three draws from five – including a 1-1 against Manchester City – and their only defeats being 2-1 to Newcastle and 2-0 to Manchester United. 

Brighton remain unbeaten in 16 matches against teams in the bottom half of the Premier League, winning 12. However, their last seven league away trips have seen them draw at Leicester, Crystal Palace and Leeds while losing at crisis club Tottenham. 

Prediction 

Brighton are short-priced favourites against out-of-form Nottingham Forest and while that is understandable given the respective form and quality of the two teams, the unique circumstances offer the potential for an upset. 

De Zerbi’s players were crushed by the cruel nature of last weekend’s FA Cup defeat and an impressive but relatively inexperienced team could struggle to hit their physical and mental peaks on Wednesday due to the rapid turnaround. 

Injuries to key forwards could also impact the Seagulls’ attacking prowess, with under 2.5 goals looking a decent addition to Bet Builders given Forest have conceded an average of only one goal per game in their last 12 league home matches. 

And a Forest side who generally show up well in front of their own supporters – beating Liverpool and holding the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Aston Villa at the City Ground – could nick an unexpected and valuable result. 

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Brentford boss Thomas Frank predicts the turning point for “clear favourites” Chelsea’s latent form could happen in the blink of an eye.

Wednesday’s mid-table clash at Stamford Bridge will see the 10th-placed Bees go in search of their first win in seven attempts while Frank Lampard’s side, one place and five points below their West London rivals, are five Premier League matches without a victory.

While the Blues have far from lived up to expectations since their January transfer window splurge, Frank feels like a reversal of fortune under latest man-in-charge Lampard is looming.

Frank said: “I think we all know that Chelsea have been struggling a little bit this season.

“Very good players. I know they haven’t won, but I think clearly in the four games [Lampard] has been in charge they are playing with bigger energy, more intensity on the eye and also on the numbers.

“It’s top players, and at the end of the day they bought players for £600million in the past two transfer windows and they haven’t forgotten how to play football.

“Sometimes it takes one moment. Now they had a good week to work with them at Stamford Bridge. They are clear favourites of course. They should be. But we hope and believe that we can do something.”

Frank will once again be without the services of defensive midfielder Christian Norgaard, who remains sidelined with an Achilles injury with no clear timeline for a return.

The Bees boss also confirmed defender Kristoffer Ajer was back in full training with the team but added he will not be fit in time for Wednesday’s meeting, though there was better news about winger Kevin Schade, who suffered fatigue and cramp in Brentford’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last time out but will be available on Wednesday.

Frank’s side will hope to recreate some of the magic that saw them cruise to a 4-1 victory at Stamford Bridge last year, though the boss was less fussed when asked if he would be particularly satisfied to finish ahead of local rivals Chelsea and Fulham at the end of the campaign.

He added: “Of course last year was a special night in Brentford history. Fantastic. It’s a game I will always remember. We hope that we can go and perform again tomorrow and we hope that we can win.

“I know there’s this local rivalry against the two clubs so with that in mind of course it would be nice, but I don’t have any specific clubs I want to end above. I just want to end as high as possible, and if you end as high as possible there will be a few below you.

“Do we want to end higher than both clubs? Yes. But also we want to end higher than Villa, Brighton, as high as possible.”

David Moyes has not set West Ham a points target to secure their Premier League survival.

The Hammers remain in the relegation battle, although their recent upturn in results has lifted them six points clear of the bottom three with a game in hand on the teams around them.

Irons boss Moyes said: “I don’t think it’s fair to say what we need to stay up, but we need to get more points still.

“If we get more, it means the teams below us need to get more as well.

“Other results do matter at this time of the season, but you have to look after your own business more importantly.”

West Ham host Liverpool on Wednesday night on the back of a profitable week which saw them come from behind to draw 2-2 with Arsenal, reach the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League and thump Bournemouth 4-0.

Moyes added: “We came from 2-0 down against Arsenal and it’s given us a lot of confidence.

“We had a very good win at the weekend but now we have another incredibly difficult opponent who have been up there with the top teams in the world in recent times, not just the Premier League.”

Moyes turned 60 on Tuesday and is the second-oldest manager in the Premier League, albeit still 15 years younger than Roy Hodgson who recently returned to Crystal Palace.

The Scot said: “I’m thrilled that Roy is back, for all those reasons.

“It didn’t seem right being the oldest manager in the Premier League, but that’s what longevity does to you. Roy has shown that hopefully there are plenty more years to go.”

Gianluca Scamacca is West Ham’s only injury absentee. The Italian striker has undergone knee surgery and is unlikely to figure again this season.

Frank Lampard urged Chelsea’s players to show “personal pride” and finish the season strongly as the club target Mauricio Pochettino to become their new head coach.

Injuries are set to keep Reece James and Mason Mount out of action for the rest of the season, Lampard revealed on Tuesday.

The loss of the England internationals comes as the latest blow in a wretched season for the club that has seen two head coaches, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, lose their jobs.

Interim boss Lampard could also be replaced before the campaign ends, having overseen four defeats in four games since the club legend was asked to lead the team.

With Pochettino a firm contender to take charge, there may be a new man at the helm in the coming days or weeks.

What seems nigh-on certain is that Lampard will lead Chelsea in Wednesday’s home game against fellow west London outfit Brentford.

The Bees are remarkably five points ahead of the wealthy Blues ahead of that fixture, and Lampard wants to see battling spirit from his 11th-placed side.

He broke the dismal news of the fresh injury setbacks at the beginning of Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, saying: “Reece James is unavailable probably for the season, Mason Mount the same – potential for the last game of the season but probably not – so that’s obviously disappointing for us.

“They’re big players. Reece has a hamstring injury and Mason has been carrying this pelvic injury for quite a while. He’s been trying typically, and medical staff have been trying, but we’ve got to the stage now where he will have minor surgery and then a four-week recovery.”

Asked about the potential arrival of former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino, Lampard said: “I’m not going to get involved in any future manager talk, because it’s all speculation.”

Lampard is unsure whether his short-term position will soon be affected by the club’s efforts to appoint a coach, or whether he will continue to lead the team until the end of the season.

“I wouldn’t expect anything in football, but I think it’s very clear we’ve come into this club when it’s in big difficulties,” Lampard said.

He vowed he and his coaching staff would continue to try to draw the best from the expensively assembled Chelsea squad and called on the players to raise their games.

Two Champions League losses to Real Madrid and Premier League defeats to Wolves and Brighton have made it a disappointing start for Lampard.

“I have a big link to this club and pride, and so should the players,” Lampard said, when asked whether Chelsea’s season was effectively over.

“If you want to take it down your route, it’s over, but on my route it’s absolutely not over.

“I don’t have a mentality that there’s nothing to play for. I was fortunate to be a part of teams that were challenging normally for stuff towards the end of the season, but that’s not a given. It’s important that if you have a long career you won’t compete absolutely every season, it’s not a given.

“It comes down to your personal pride, responsibility, wearing the shirt. We’ve got seven games, four against the top four, three away from home.

“The run-in’s really tough, there’s no doubt about that. There’s always something on those games. I understand that and the players have to understand that.”

Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool must still prove themselves worthy of European football next season — despite boosting their qualification hopes with back-to-back Premier League victories.

The Reds go into Wednesday’s trip to West Ham in seventh place after wins over Leeds and Nottingham Forest ended a run of four league games without a victory, leaving them three points off Tottenham in fifth but nine behind Manchester United in fourth.

But with Brighton lurking a point below — with two games in hand — Klopp knows there is still much work to be done in a season where a lack of consistency has too often been Liverpool’s downfall.

Asked what the Reds had shown with their last two results, the German said: “Nothing. You could say the same about West Ham, they’ve found their feet as well so let’s see about that.

“We have to still prove ourselves. We cannot talk about consistency when you win two games. 

“We have to keep it going. We have to make sure it’s not too difficult for people to watch us, that they like it again.”

Diogo Jota has scored four goals in those two victories — his first Liverpool goals of a season wrecked by a calf injury.

Klopp, 55, said: “He just got back up to speed. He is an exceptional player.

“Since Diogo joined us he did exceptional stuff for us. He’s super smart, can play a lot of different positions, he has super interesting skills for an offensive player.

“He’s not the tallest but an extreme threat in the air, his timing is top, he can finish with both feet. 

“Diogo this season had a really bad injury, that kept him back, nothing else. If he stays fit he is an outstanding player.”

Liverpool’s trip to East London may be badly timed, with West Ham picking up form in their fight against relegation.

David Moyes’ side are unbeaten in their last four in all competitions, a run that has included a 2-2 draw with leaders Arsenal, victory over Gent in the Europa Conference League and Sunday’s 4-0 rout of Bournemouth.

Reece James has been ruled out for the rest of Chelsea’s season with Mason Mount unlikely to feature either, according to interim boss Frank Lampard.

Right-back James, 23, picked up a hamstring injury against Real Madrid last week and, despite carrying on in the 2-0 defeat, will play no part in the Blues’ final seven Premier League games.

England team-mate Mount has been struggling with a longer-term pelvic issue and any more action this season is similarly doubtful.

Ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Brentford, Lampard said: “Reece James will be unavailable for the rest of the season. 

“Mason Mount the same, he might make the last match but that’s unlikely. That’s obviously disappointing for us.

“Kai [Havertz] is still struggling with his knee but should be available for the end of the week.

“Reece had a hamstring injury in the midweek game, he got through it but then had a scan and he’s out.

“Mason has been carrying a pelvic injury for a while, it predates myself, he has been trying typically but he will have minor surgery, then will have a four-week recovery.”

Recent reports suggest the West Londoners are close to appointing former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as their next permanent manager.

Lampard, 44, refused to comment on the speculation but was asked whether he expects to remain in charge at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season.

The former midfielder responded: “I wouldn’t expect anything in football but we have come in to a club with big difficulties with not a lot of time. 

“A lot of factors as to the four games I have been here. The team and club have been struggling for a while. We are here to help. Things won’t change in a short time.”

The waiting is finally over as title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal lock horns on Wednesday night — and I’m expecting a classic.

Some will say Mikel Arteta’s men have wilted under the pressure in recent weeks but I think that’s harsh.

The Gunners have been churning out wins at a far greater pace than in previous campaigns and takes its toll on you as a player.

Look around the division. The form of several high-flying sides has plateaued in recent weeks — Arsenal are under scrutiny because they’re chasing the title.

It’s been a gruelling schedule. The fixture list has been compacted, plus they’ve been in Europe and they don’t have a massive squad compared to their rivals.

City also have plenty of players who are experienced in this kind of situation. 

Having been in title-winning dressing rooms, it’s not something you necessarily talk about among yourselves. 

But looking around you and seeing team-mates who have been there and done it numerous times does instil a calmness. 

Let’s be honest, though. Arsenal know they are six wins away from being Premier League champions and they’d have snapped your hand off for that in August.

Key battles

As it stands, Nathan Ake looks set to miss this clash and that news should fill Bukayo Saka with confidence.

Ake has been one of my players of the season and he put in a monumental performance against the Gunners in the FA Cup — that was probably the quietest game I’ve seen Saka have.

When you know somebody has kept you quiet in your last meeting, it does linger on your mind and I’m sure Saka will be quietly thrilled if Ake is unavailable.

Gabriel Jesus is facing his former club and I’m not sure any defender relishes coming up against the Brazilian. 

Add in Gabriel Martinelli and you’ve got a front line who will be confident of causing City’s occasionally vulnerable backline problems.

You can’t really call it an advantage, however. City’s frontline is equally devastating, if not better.

I’m also worried about that Arsenal defence, which has been disrupted by the loss of William Saliba. 

Not only is the Frenchman a big miss but his defensive partner Gabriel has been well below his usual standards since his mate got injured.

It’s no fault of Rob Holding but when you’ve formed a solid partnership with another defender, it’s really hard to replicate that — and City may well take advantage.

Time for my midweek predictions!

Joleon Lescott’s Premier League Matchday 33 predictions

Wolves vs Crystal Palace (Tuesday, 7.30pm, BT Sport)

I was surprised by Wolves’ defeat to Leicester but I expect them to bounce back. 

Julen Lopetegui strikes me as a fast learner and although Palace have looked good under Roy Hodgson, I’m leaning towards a home win.

Prediction: Wolves 2-1 Crystal Palace

Aston Villa vs Fulham (Tuesday, 7.45pm, BT Sport)

Fulham’s back-to-back wins certainly make this an interesting clash, especially with Villa’s winning run coming to an end against Brentford.

But they’ve been playing well at home under Unai Emery and I reckon they can bounce back with a win.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Fulham

Leeds vs Leicester (Tuesday, 8pm, BT Sport)

In this kind of game, home advantage can quickly become a disadvantage if you go behind because the fans are naturally feeling very nervous.

I’m still not convinced by how Leeds are approaching games and I’ll back Leicester to edge this one.

Prediction: Leeds 1-2 Leicester

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton (Wednesday, 7.30pm, BT Sport)

Forest look in big trouble and Brighton are not a team you want to be facing when you’re struggling — though Sunday’s FA Cup loss will have hurt them.

Their players looked devastated at full-time and those losses often hang over you, which could work to Forest’s advantage.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Brighton

Chelsea vs Brentford (Wednesday, 7.45pm, BT Sport)

Frank Lampard was looking forward to some time on the training pitch with his Chelsea squad and I hope for his sake it’s had a positive impact.

Brentford always make it a tough test and you’d be surprised if they don’t push the Blues very hard.

Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Brentford

West Ham vs Liverpool (Wednesday, 7.45pm, BT Sport)

This is a fixture that has produced some entertaining affairs over the years and both have enjoyed morale-boosting wins recently.

The Reds seem to be finding a bit of rhythm and that makes me lean towards them.

Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Liverpool

Manchester City vs Arsenal (Wednesday, 8pm, BT Sport)

The worrying thing for Arsenal is I think they’ll have to score three times to beat City — I see the champions scoring at least twice.

Can they do it? Possibly, but my head is telling me the hosts will be too strong.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal

Everton vs Newcastle (Thursday, 7.45pm, BT Sport)

Newcastle were amazing against Tottenham but I’m not sure this trip to Goodison Park against a very rigid Everton team suits them as well.

The Toffees are well organised under Sean Dyche and are capable of pushing the Toon close at home. 

Prediction: Everton 1-1 Newcastle

Southampton vs Bournemouth (Thursday, 7.45pm, BT Sport)

Not only is this a huge game down at the bottom but there’s also a derby element to it, which raises the stakes even higher.

Southampton would arguably be dead and buried with a loss but I’ve got a feeling they will pull a result out of the fire.

Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Bournemouth

Tottenham vs Manchester United (Thursday, 8.15pm, BT Sport)

I’m running out of words for what is going on at Tottenham. It’s shocking to see such a huge club off the pitch in such a huge mess on it.

I might be wrong but it looks like a game where Erik ten Hag’s visitors can pile on more misery.

Prediction: Tottenham 0-2 Manchester United 

Joleon Lescott was speaking to Matthew Hill

Pep Guardiola does not believe Wednesday’s clash with Arsenal will decide the outcome of the Premier League title race but wants Manchester City to take destiny into their own hands.

City, who have booked their place in the last four of the Champions League and the FA Cup final, will move within two points of Arsenal, with two games in hand, should they beat the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal have drawn their last three league games, while City have won 11 of their previous 12 outings across all competitions.

Asked if there was a reason behind City’s menacing form, Guardiola told reporters: “When, early in the season, we lost games, people said it was physicality, that it was not good – that is, bulls***.

“Many things are involved in a game. We know now if we lose games, the situation will be over, so that’s why when you are in October, November, you cannot have that feeling, especially after back-to-back championships.

“In the year when we won our first title [2017-18], when we got 100 points, we started the season like every game is a final.

“When we started this season after back-to-back Premier League titles, we did not have that feeling, every game was not a final. Now it is.

“Now we have arrived with the chance in our heads. If Arsenal win, the destiny is in their hands, but if we win, the destiny is in our hands.”

On whether Wednesday’s encounter was the decisive game in the title race, Guardiola said: “It’s really important. Not decisive because still many tough games for both sides but we cannot deny how important it is.

“When you play these kind of teams, it is about everything. Arsenal have always had incredible details and care on the ball, all the players they select to play for the club have the biggest quality, biggest skills.

“Mikel [Arteta] has brought another dimension, they are big competitors, so aggressive. They control a lot of aspects. This isn’t anything new. In the two games we’ve played this season, we felt it, and you have to challenge them or with the speed, intensity they have and quality they have in the build-up, it’s difficult.”

Arteta said his team will need to be “perfect” to beat City, though Guardiola does not see perfection as being attainable.

“Perfection doesn’t exist in football, you cannot be perfect in the game,” he said. “We know what happened against Bayern Munich and in the future against top teams, your standard has to be really high.

“They demand to be really good, so we have to do what we can to impose our game.”

Ryan Mason has been appointed as Tottenham interim head coach once again following the dismissal of Cristian Stellini after less than a month in charge.

After stepping into the top job on a temporary basis from his backroom role when Antonio Conte was sacked, Stellini lasted just four games before he was dismissed in the wake of Sunday’s 6-1 defeat at Newcastle.

Mason, 31, takes charge of the first team for a second spell, having overseen the squad following the departure of Jose Mourinho in April 2021.

Here, we take a look at some of the problems Spurs have to overcome as they try to salvage a Champions League spot from their final six games of the season.

Case for the defence

Stellini looked to shoulder the blame for a change in defensive tactics that had unravelled within the opening 21 minutes at St James’ Park as Spurs swiftly found themselves 5-0 down.

While injuries to key personnel played their part, deploying Ivan Perisic and Pedro Porro as full-backs was a decision that came under the spotlight.

Mason’s first game in charge will be at home to Manchester United on Thursday night, when he could opt for a three-man backline. 

That switch helped Spurs regroup and concede just once in the second half against Toon but the damage was already done.

Forster on stand-by

Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris apologised to Spurs fans for Sunday’s “embarrassing” defeat, acknowledging the players showed a “lack of pride”.

While Lloris, 36, could not be directly blamed for the goals conceded, the Frenchman went off at half-time with a muscle problem.

Fraser Forster proved an able deputy for his team-mate earlier in the campaign. 

And should Mason be deprived of the French goalkeeper for a key run of fixtures, the veteran former Southampton stopper will offer a safe pair of hands to help steady the ship.

Richarlison at the ready

Richarlison is another member of the Tottenham squad who has been hampered by fitness problems.

After recovering from a calf injury suffered before the last international break, the Brazil forward has made a couple of late substitute appearances.

Dejan Kulusevski could be the man to make way for him to start against Manchester United as Mason looks to breathe some new life into Spurs’ frontline.

Reconnect with the fans

Sunday’s shambolic start at St James’ Park saw some Spurs supporters heading for the exit well before the half-time whistle.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust called for decisive action to “give us all some hope and something to get behind at the end of a truly awful season”.

Whether or not the swift departure of Stellini and the rest of his support staff will provide that, putting faith in Mason once again at least restores a connection.

Ignore the outside noise

Former Spurs midfielder Mason has been part of the coaching staff for the past 18 months and has already seen plenty of changes behind the scenes.

His previous caretaker stint showed he can be his own man, helping Spurs finish seventh at the end of the season, one point above rivals Arsenal, and in doing so securing qualification for the Europa Conference League.

While the debate continues over the future direction of the club under chairman Daniel Levy and whether or not England captain Harry Kane will still be there next season, Mason just has to cut out all of the background noise and focus on producing results.