Tottenham Hotspur

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

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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

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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.

There are five Carabao Cup games on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

Kick-off times 19:45 GMT unless stated

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

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Swansea v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Wolves v Chelsea

• Newcastle v Tottenham (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's Radio 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Brighton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Crystal Palace", for instance.

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

Tottenham are keen on signing 28-year-old Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay from Napoli. (Teamtalk), external

However, they are unlikely to sign Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 33, from Barcelona in January. (Teamtalk), external

Meanwhile, Spurs and Chelsea showed serious interest in Morgan Rogers, 23, during the summer, but Aston Villa are currently holding talks with the England attacking midfielder over a new contract. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Spurs' effectiveness from set-pieces so far this season should come as no surprise.

This is not about hopeful balls into the box or copying the latest trend. This is about Thomas Frank being a details man who surrounds himself with equally technically and tactically astute staff.

While we scored 11 times from set-pieces last season, we have already produced five goals from them under Frank.

In direct contrast to his predecessor, Frank not only understands the technical and tactical detail of set-pieces, but he also believes passionately in their importance - an opinion that has changed during his career, as he has progressed to different clubs and developed his way of coaching.

When you are trying to build something new with people who you are still getting to know, it is a common human and coaching behaviour to go with what you know. Frank knows set-pieces and, perhaps more significantly, he knows an expert in them - Andreas Georgson.

Georgson helped Frank turn Brentford into set-piece specialists during their time together at the club, so when the Swede was also recruited to Spurs in the summer, it made sense that becoming better at attacking and defending set-pieces would be a priority.

Kevin Danso famously won the long throw-in competition in pre-season and is already causing chaos with it in this campaign. Micky van de Ven, someone with exceptional speed, was identified as a player who should be making more of his height and build to really bully opponents at both ends of the pitch. Both were excellent against Everton on Sunday.

Clearly, Spurs cannot rely on set-pieces alone. However, while Frank continues to improve the system so that our attacking players can flourish, being a force to be reckoned with from set-pieces is another valuable layer in a set of increasingly promising foundations.

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external

Barcelona lead the chase for Marseille's England forward Mason Greenwood, though Tottenham and West Ham are also interested in the 24-year-old. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Newcastle at St James' Park (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Frank confirmed it was "all good" for the players that featured in Tottenham's win against Everton on Sunday and added: "Dom [Solanke] stepped forward, step by step. Cuti [Cristian Romero] on the pitch today, not a timeframe. Destiny [Udogie] on the pitch as well today, so three steps forward."

• On being better away from home: "It's a relatively small sample. Hopefully at the end of the year it's fantastic away and home. It's a team that's still finding each other, the way we're building we have 14 games with one bad performance against Bournemouth, second half against Wolves and second half against Monaco. In general we're building."

• He said it is "very clear that we are in this game because we love it" when asked whether trophies were set as a target when he took over, adding: "At a club like Tottenham, we do everything we can to win. We're trying to win every tournament we're playing in. Playing against a strong team [in Newcastle], the holders, it's a very difficult place to play but we'll do everything to compete, win and progress."

• The Spurs boss added: "To get to win a trophy, that's very difficult. To sustain it is even harder, but that's the aim. The players here had a fantastic experience last year and are very eager to win again. We are going for it."

• On defender Micky van de Ven: "He's been brilliant for the club since he signed. He's taken his game up a level, he's still very good on the ball and he added headed goals. He's a threat from set-pieces. We have a good contract for him but definitely a player with a big future here."

• He said the team's set-piece coach Andreas Georgson "is doing a top job" and that his players are "really committed" to improving in this area: "We need to be good in every aspects of the game, but set pieces have created a third of all goals I think. So not to spend time on it, be super-focused on details, then defending and attacking those is a major strength and I'm really happy with how we are doing there."

• On squad rotation: "Of course there'll be rotation [when] playing every third or fourth day. If you want to compete over 60 games, you can't play the same XI. So there's a fine balance."

Image source, Opta

It may only be October, but is it already a one-horse Premier League title race?

Arsenal's impressive start to the season - along with their regular Premier League title rivals stumbling - has left Mikel Arteta's side with a 67.34% chance of winning the trophy this season, according to the latest predictions from Opta's Supercomputer.

The Gunners, who have scored the second-most goals and conceded the fewest, have looked in imperious form as they bid to win a first Premier League title since 2004.

Manchester City are their nearest predicted challenger at 12.43%, despite sitting fifth in the table and six points off Arsenal at the top.

Following their 3-2 defeat by Brentford on Saturday - their fourth successive loss in the league - reigning champions Liverpool, who currently sit seventh, have been given the third-best chance of keeping hold of their crown at 11.04%.

They may be second in the table, but the Gunners' nearest challengers Bournemouth have still only been given a 1.47% chance of lifting the Premier League trophy.

A top-four finish and guaranteed Champions League football, however, is rated as a 22.67% chance for the Cherries.

They may be their closest rivals geographically and be third in the league, but Opta does not have Tottenham running Arteta's side all that close for the top-flight crown, with just an eighth-best 1.43% chance.

And what of surprise candidates Sunderland?

They are fourth in the table following their 93rd-minute winner against Chelsea on Saturday, but thoughts of a dream run to the title for fans should be tempered according to the supercomputer.

The promoted side have been given a 0% chance of lifting the trophy and also just a 0.91% chance of staying in the top four. However, the Black Cats' chance of relegation now stand at less than 10% (9.52%).

Image source, Opta

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Mark: We just lack a goalscoring striker. Beto works hard, just not good enough, and we were poor defensively from corners.

Simon: This result is a pretty fair reflection of where the team is at, which is miles off the top half of the league. Until we can start playing through balls behind the opposition defence, we will continue to be an easy team to defend against. We have first-class wingers, but our nine and 10 offer nothing through the middle.

Mike: Everton have become so predictable, and teams have sussed us out very quickly. We are far too slow and ponderous; it's easy to defend.

Ted: We were awful. No centre forward. No creativity. Grealish tried, but was not supported by anyone.

Tottenham fans

Andy: Although we are now riding high in the league, I just can't get excited about this team or its manager. Frank is perfectly content letting the opposition dictate, playing all the positive football whilst we play on the back foot, passing sideways and backwards when we have the ball; hoping at some point to score from a set piece.

Frank: Much better performance. Defence is good, central midfield is excellent. Sarr seems to have an eye for goal play as a forward. As Frank says, it is about building layers, and we need to get the four forwards working with pace. Enjoyed the game.

Tony: Not our best effort, the scoreline is quite flattering, but a win is a win. We need to pass the ball better and at a better tempo. We play too slowly and lost the ball too much.

Danny Murphy
BBC Sport columnist

Supporters like their team to have an identity, and I can already see one at Tottenham under Thomas Frank after less than 10 league games.

At the moment they are a side which is well drilled with a tremendous work ethic and is difficult to beat, and not obsessed with playing out from the back and giving away stupid chances.

I'd also say they are reasonably pragmatic and rely heavily on set-plays, as we saw in their 3-0 win at Everton on Sunday, but there is nothing wrong with that.

Lots of other teams are the same and Spurs have got some big players to aim at, and others who can provide a good delivery.

At the moment it does feel like they are looking for individual brilliance from their forward players in open play to provide the magic moments in games, rather than a system to play through the opposition.

I look at them and think Mohammed Kudus needs some help in that respect, but that help is coming.

The biggest reason I think they will improve, however, is Frank himself.

Read Murphy's full column on Spurs

Pundits Danny Murphy and Theo Walcott join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City

• Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

• Wolves 2-3 Burnley

• Bournemouth 2-0 Nottingham Forest

• Everton 0-3 Tottenham

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is not impressed with Dominic Solanke, 28, and could look to sell the England striker in January. (Football Insider), external

Bournemouth rejected bids of £50m from Tottenham and Manchester United for 25-year-old Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo in the summer. (Telegraph), external

Tottenham are tracking Porto's 21-year-old Samu Aghehowa, but face competition from Arsenal, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest for the Spain forward. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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