Tottenham Hotspur

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

On the face of it, Tottenham are having a good season.

After 10 Premier League games Thomas Frank's side find themselves in the Premier League's top four and unbeaten in the Champions League.

Yet results - and noticeably the mood of supporters at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - have gone south in recent weeks.

After Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea - just as he does after every home game - Frank encouraged his players to do a lap of appreciation around the stadium.

As his players were booed off pitch, Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence were caught on camera snubbing their manager and going straight down the tunnel.

"All the players are of course frustrated," Frank said of the incident. "They would like to do well, they would like to win, they would like to perform well, so I understand that.

"I think it is difficult to be consistent in good times and in bad times. That is why I went around to the fans as I did. It is more fun when we win, I can tell you that."

When pushed on the reactions of Van de Ven and Spence and if their response was acceptable, he added: "I think that is one of the small issues. We have Micky and Djed who are doing everything they can.

"They perform very well so far this season and everyone is frustrated. We do things in a different way, so I don't think it is a big problem."

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer said the players' reaction has been blown out of proportion.

"I totally understand why the players want to get in as soon as possible," he said.

"They have been an embarrassment, they were booed off the pitch. They want to get in the dressing room and say sorry later on.

"As much as Thomas likes to go around and thank the fans, I get the players point of view that they have been absolutely awful and they want to get off the pitch as quickly as possible."

Are you worried about Van de Ven and Spence shunning Frank? Tell us

Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

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• Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

• Nottingham Forest 2-2 Manchester United

• Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham remain third in the Premier League but the frustration among the fans was clear, with the players booed off at half-time and full-time, and particular anger raining down from the UK's largest single-tier stand, the 17,500-capacity South Stand.

The data explains the reaction. Thomas Frank's side registered an expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.05 - their lowest on record in a Premier League game.

Mohammed Kudus registered all three of their shots - one blocked, one over the bar and one saved.

It is remarkable that Xavi Simons, Richarlison, Randall Kolo Muani, Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert all managed to feature without registering a shot of any kind.

Simons was so ineffective that, despite coming on as a substitute early in the match after Lucas Bergvall was forced off with a suspected concussion, he was taken off with 17 minutes remaining.

It felt as though only a Chelsea red card could have turned the game, because none of Frank's substitutions made an impact in a lacklustre display.

And, as Chelsea wrapped up a 10th win in their past 12 meetings, the Tottenham fans made their feelings known.

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank has been speaking to BBC's Match of the Day following the home defeat: "I think we were second best. Chelsea were better than us, no doubt about that. I saw a lot of effort from the players, but not a good performance. We lacked the energy and intensity that you have to put into a game like this. We go 1-0 down and then we are chasing the game.

"I think we made so many simple passing mistakes and lost the ball too many times. It can be down to freshness and many other things.

"We can play at every pace that is needed. Today, slow or fast, it didn't work no matter what.

"There will always be positives but, at the moment, I'm struggling to see it."

On having a tight turnaround for their next fixture: "Yeah I think that's the thing. We need to get things freshened up and make sure the team is ready for Tuesday night."

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also spoke to Sky Sports about the performance: "A very tough night. It was a bad day for us, for sure. Of course you don't expect that when you play such a big game like this, but this is the reality. As a collective we played very badly. We have to park this game away and focus on next one because in two days we play again [against Copenhagen].

"I think we struggled in some situations during the game. Of course when you can't keep the ball in some situations to launch your attacks it is tough. Chelsea were better than us in terms of second balls and they kept the ball with more quality. They had a better game than us, that's the reality."

On the 'anxiety' in the stadium: "I think we have to be more calm, with more cool heads. That's on us, we go on the pitch. You don't have to listen what happens around us, I know it's tough and it can influence. We are human beings but we have to be stronger."

Did you know?

• Tottenham's xG of 0.05 was their lowest on record (since 2012-13) in a Premier League game, with this being their 504th game in the competition since the start of 2012-13.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Tottenham's performance

What did you make of Chelsea's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has selected four central midfielders as they welcome Chelsea to North London.

It may suggest that someone like Joao Palhinha may drop into the back line.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Danso, Palhinha, Van de Ven, Porro, Bergvall, Sarr, Bentancur, Kudus, Kolo Muani

Substitutes: Kinsky, Romero, Udogie, Simons, Odobert, Johnson, Tel, Scarlett, Richarlison

Chelsea have made 10 changes from the Carabao Cup win at Wolves, playing Malo Gusto in central midfield.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, Gusto, Caicedo, Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho, Joao Pedro

Substitutes: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Tosin, Hato, Lavia, Andrey Santos, Estevao, Gittens, Guiu

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Leeds

• Burnley v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Brentford

• Fulham v Wolves

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Chelsea (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Burnley v Arsenal" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Chelsea", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

This is always a bit of a grudge game because the two sets of fans don't really like each other.

Chelsea need the result more, and they also have a much better record in this fixture, but their home defeat against Sunderland was another example of how flaky they are at the moment.

Tottenham have made the better start to the season but it still feels like there is more to come from them when their injured players come back, which won't happen this week.

I don't really know which way to go with my prediction, so I'm going to go for a draw. I feel like I'm turning into AI.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Paul Birch
BBC Sport journalist

Tottenham's top-flight away form has helped Thomas Frank's side rise to third in the Premier League table. However, they now face their nemesis Chelsea, who have inflicted years of nightmares on their London rivals. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes ahead of Saturday evening's game.

Chelsea derby dominance at Tottenham

Chelsea have had the run of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since it opened in 2019, posting a stunning record of six wins, one draw and one defeat in all competitions.

The Blues scored four goals on both of their last two visits, taking full advantage of former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou's tactics that played right into their hands.

Whereas Postecoglou lost all four of his Premier League matches against Chelsea by an aggregate scoreline of 11-4, new Spurs boss Thomas Frank was beaten just twice in eight league games in charge of Brentford against the Blues (W3, D3, L2). Perversely, though, he never managed to beat them at home.

And it is home form that Frank desperately needs to address at Spurs. Their eight-game unbeaten run on the road may have been ended in the Carabao Cup at Newcastle on Wednesday, but Frank's side have the best away record in the top flight.

They have accrued 13 points from their opening five games for only the second time in the Premier League. However, only the bottom three of Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Wolves have won fewer points on home soil than Spurs' four so far, and over the last year they have claimed just four wins out of 19 league games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Blues struggling for consistency

Chelsea's shock home loss to Sunderland last Saturday means they have won only two of their last six league games and languish down in ninth.

They have dropped eight points from winning positions so far to ramp up the pressure on head coach Enzo Maresca, who is desperate for his side to show more consistency.

Another defeat on Saturday would see the Blues register four losses in their opening 10 matches to a league campaign for only the third time in the last 30 seasons after 2015-16 (five defeats) and 2023-24 (four).

Discipline remains a problem with Liam Delap's red card against Wolves their sixth in their last nine games (including Maresca's dismissal against Liverpool).

Historically, though, Tottenham are exactly the side Chelsea would want to face to get their season back on track.

They have lost just one of their last 17 fixtures against Spurs in all competitions and have completed a league double against their London rivals in back-to-back seasons for the first time since a run of three between 1999-00 and 2001-02, when Tottenham's home was known to Blues fans as 'Three Point Lane'.

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Frank began his news conference by confirming the "positive news" that Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert are all available to face Chelsea.

• However, Dominic Solanke will not return until after the November international break and Dejan Kulusevski is "still not on the grass". Meanwhile, Kota Takai is "about to be training soon" after a quad injury.

• On captain Romero: "Very aware of trying to be able to make the best possible decisions. I'll get a lot of the decision from the medical staff but, in the end, it's always on me. If a player breaks down, it's on me. He's ready to be involved tomorrow. Let's see how much."

• Frank said facing rivals Chelsea under the lights will be "unique and special": "I'm really looking forward to it. We need the fans behind us. I know they give us everything and the best clubs are all united together. We have maybe the best stadium in the world and definitely the best fans in the world, and we know the sound in that stadium can be insane."

• More on the importance of facing the Blues: "There is so much on it against a very good Chelsea team. It has everything to be a top game that will hopefully put you on the edge of your seat."

• Reflecting on Wednesday's Carabao Cup defeat at Newcastle, Frank said: "I like to have a challenge. If we had won - which I think we weren't far from - we would be in the next round and still competing. It is tough to compete in 60 games. Every club is rotating. That is part of it and you're trying to find the right balance."

• On Micky van de Ven's form, after the defender scored two goals in last weekend's win over Everton: "Every defender needs to be good in defence and attack. He is very good on the ball, has good composure and his pace is quite unique. The cool defending in the decisive moments he is doing better and better. He is ticking a lot of boxes. He just needs to continue to perform at a good level consistently."

• Frank praised opposite number Enzo Maresca: "Enzo has done an amazing job at Chelsea, competing on more than one front. Won the Club World Cup and had a good start. They're clear in what they want to achieve and how they play. It'll be another nice Premier League challenge against a good team."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Spurs v Chelsea at 17:30 on Saturday on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman has retired from football to begin a new career as a director and photographer.

The 27-year-old, who came through the Spurs academy, left the club at the end of his contract in the summer.

Whiteman made one first-team appearance for the north London side, coming on as a substitute in a Europa League match against Bulgarian club Ludogorets in November 2020.

After being part of the squad that won the Europa League last season, he retires with a European winner's medal.

This - it seems - is the season of the set piece.

The Premier League debates are more about dead balls than ever before, with some sides enjoying immense success from corner kicks, throw ins or well-worked free-kicks.

What fine timing then for BBC Sport to launch a column with former manager Tony Pulis, a man who seemed to finely extract the fine margins from the game.

You can take in Tony's column on set pieces here

Barcelona defender Eric Garcia has agreed terms on a new Barcelona contract, despite the 24-year-old Spain international attracting interest from Tottenham and Chelsea. (TBR Football), external

Tottenham will look to sign Juventus striker Jonathan David during the January transfer window, with Bayern Munich also eyeing the 25-year-old. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

While English media outlets have reported growing interest from Tottenham and other Premier League clubs in Scott McTominay, sources close to the Scotland midfielder say he is extremely happy with Napoli. (Sky Sports), external

Former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou is very unlikely to become Celtic's next boss, with Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna and Wales head coach Craig Bellamy among the candidates. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Carabao Cup game between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Steve: The first time I can remember, we actually had a squad to rotate, everyone played well, and that is still with three players missing.

Paul: Excellent performance from Tonali, ran the show, but a big thumbs up to Ramsdale - great saves, great on the floor with the ball and spread confidence through the back four.

Katie: A very professional performance, good pressing and energetic style. Slight worry that we didn't put our foot on the neck in terms of closing the game out by half-time. Need to be more clinical!

George: We were in control for most of the game. While Tottenham had a few chances, Ramsdale made a few good saves and had good distribution. Tonali covered every blade of grass on that pitch. He is my man of the match without a doubt.

Tottenham fans

Laurence: The front line looks very light again, no control, just trading attacks with the opponents and hoping to do more damage than them.

Simon: Richarlison is just awful, Xavi Simons is awful. Tel is awful, we desperately need a striker who'll get in there putting their body in and not bottling it at the last minute like Richarlison does, could've played all night and we'd never score.

Stephen: The result was coming for Spurs. No depth in midfield or up front, so it was only a matter of time before the defence gave way. No Van de Ven, no result.

Andy: The game against Newcastle highlighted how poor we are going forward. Every attack we had ended with a player making a bad decision on the ball. Spurs were of no threat. We can't carry on hoping for goals from set-pieces.

Tottenham are considering a move for 28-year-old West Ham United and England forward Jarrod Bowen. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, PA Media

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after a 2-0 loss at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup:

"It's always disappointing to lose and always disappointing to go out of the tournament that we would love to progress in.

"Small margins decided the game tonight - it was a very even game with chances and situations in both boxes. The two goals were also small margins where there were two mistakes.

"One [mistake] unfortunately from [referee] Chris Kavanagh, in terms of things you need to give. Djed Spence had his boot off - he needs time to tie his boot and he didn't. His marker, [Fabian] Schar, scored.

"I have spoken to Chris about it, and we will keep that between Chris and I."

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter at St James' Park

Image source, PA Media

Spurs did not have to wait anywhere near as long as Newcastle to end their own wait for silverware last season.

It was just the 17 years, but manager Thomas Frank rightly talked up how his side were "very eager to win more trophies" after predecessor Ange Postecoglou led them to Europa League glory.

While injuries have limited Frank's options, somewhat, it was rather telling the Spurs manager only made four changes for this tie.

That's how seriously he took it.

Spurs have been harder to beat under the Dane and boast the top-flight's best away record, but the visitors will rue the manner of this defeat - and the goals they conceded.

Ahead of the first, Pedro Porro and Richarlison each feebly threw an arm up in a bid to grab the referee's attention as Djed Spence put his boot back on - and Spurs should have been more alert and defended the subsequent corner much better.

For Newcastle's second, Antonin Kinsky was at sea after coming off his line to try to claw Joe Willock's cross away - only for Nick Woltemade to get there first.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Holders Newcastle United have made eight changes for their Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham at St James' Park.

Aaron Ramsdale, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Ramsey, Joe Willock, Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes all come into the side.

Tottenham make four changes from the team that won at Everton at the weekend, with Antonin Kinsky, Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Richarlison starting for the visitors.