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Ryan Mason says one of his main goals is to "get energy and positivity back" into the players and fans after taking on his role as Tottenham’s interim head coach.

The 31-year-old returns to a role he assumed in April 2021 following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. He oversaw seven games in charge, winning four and losing three, including an EFL Cup final defeat by Manchester City.

"It came about relatively easily from my point of view," Mason said. "Naturally I feel comfortable and it is just part of being involved in football.

"From a personal perspective, we handled it well two years ago and obviously a lot of things have happened [since then] but ultimately I feel ready.

"My immediate focus is Thursday. The most important thing is a reaction and Sunday was obviously very disappointing for us and I would hope and expect their is a reaction from the players from everyone in this building.

"Another important thing is getting energy and positivity back into the group and the fans as well.

"We have to be realistic. With three training sessions before two games, it is hard to change a big deal but I would hope before the end of season people would see my stamp on the group."

Harry Tizard, The Saints Score, external

Carlos Alcaraz has been Southampton's shining light in 2023 and put on another stellar display against Arsenal on Friday.

The Argentine was cool under pressure in the opening minute, capitalising on a loose pass from Aaron Ramsdale and firing his effort past the Gunners goalkeeper before assisting Theo Walcott with a perfectly placed throughball for the Saints' second.

The 20-year-old has been someone the club have been able to count on. Unlucky not to have scored the winner against 10-man Wolves, the midfielder netted the decisive goal against Leicester City before recording his third opener of the season at Emirates Stadium.

His ability to help the team transition through the pitch and his calmness in front of goal were highlighted during his first-half performance against Arsenal, but it was still the right call to take him off.

Southampton had a lead to protect, and with both full-backs on yellow cards, defensive reinforcements were needed to stop the hosts targeting the wings.

His ability on the ball was not as necessary with the Saints sitting in a low block. Already carded, Ruben Selles did not want to risk him being sent off, as Alcaraz already has 26 yellows and two reds in his fledgling career.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham fans have been holding up 'Levy Out' signs outside the ground. Some supporters blame chairman Daniel Levy for the club's problems. They claim there is a lack of leadership on and off the pitch and that the owners have not invested correctly into the football side.

Spurs have not won a major trophy since 2008.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil has heaped praise on Southampton boss Ruben Selles ahead of tonight's game.

Saints are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League needing a win to maintain any realistic chance of survival, whereas the Cherries know three points could move them significantly closer to safety.

"It'll be a big challenge," said O'Neil. "They've made big improvements since the new head coach took over and they're not really in relegation form since he's taken the job.

"It's not like we're going to a team that are losing every week and have been rooted to the bottom of the table because they're in terrible form.

"They're putting in some really good performances and picking up some good results. If anyone is in any doubt, then I can assure them it'll be a really tough game for us."

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Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tavenier says he is "ready to go" after completing his first 90 minutes this year against West Ham on Sunday.

The 24-year-old has suffered two separate hamstring injuries this season but believes he is now fully fit for the Cherries' run-in.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent before a crunch game against Southampton tonight, Tavernier said: "I probably hit the best form I've ever been in my career so far just before the Christmas break and it's frustrating for myself and for the team to get injured.

"I fought back to get fit and then had another little setback but I am happy to fit now and hoping to get back to that form and putting the ball in the back of the net.

"I'm the worst for it because I'm telling the manager, 'I want to play, I want to play every minute' and the first time I came back a bit too soon. Second time, we've been more cautious."

Bournemouth face a Saints side rooted to the bottom of the Premier League knowing a win would be a huge step towards survival.

"It's going to be a very tough game," said Tavernier.

"I remember we played against them here and it was a tough battle and we got beat. We know that any side in this division if they're playing well can cause you problems.

"We have to be fully focused on ourselves and what we can do to try and prevent them scoring and then hopefully we put the ball in the back of the net."

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• Everton won two of their first three Premier League matches under Sean Dyche but have since been victorious in only one of their nine league games.
• Dyche has triumphed in six of his nine Premier League meetings with Newcastle's Eddie Howe, his most wins and highest win rate (67%) against any manager in the division.
• Newcastle United have won 59 points after 31 games - just five points shy of the club record at this stage of a Premier League season.
• They have scored 54 league goals, their most after 31 games of a top-flight campaign since 2002-03 when they went on to finish third.

Image source, .

Mike Hughes, BBC Radio Merseyside: "With just six games to go to save their season, time is clearly not on Everton’s side.

"Seemingly with each passing day or night, Everton fans spend two tortuous hours watching, or listening to, or awaiting the outcome of fixtures involving the other teams in the relegation battle.

"When the calculations are done on what the points tally might be for all the sides around them, one thing is abundantly clear.

"Everton can’t keep relying on others doing them favours. They've got to get back to doing it for themselves.

"It’s time to invoke the spirit of Carpe Diem. It’s time for Everton to seize the day."

Here's how it looks at the bottom of the Premier League. Everton can leap out of the relegation and above Leeds if they beat Newcastle tonight.

Southampton need to beat Bournemouth to keep their own survival hopes alive.

Massive games involving the sides at the bottom.

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Micah Richards
Former England defender on BBC's Monday Night Club

Why would you play [wing-backs] at full-back? Of course that's going to cause you problems. Against a team that are in magnificent form. Yes, Newcastle had a bit of a blip, but you know it was always going to be a tough game. When you talk about systems and knowing styles, you go with what you know. They've been playing that defensive football for a while now.

Manchester United

Erik ten Hag has just told BT Sport that Harry Maguire is not playing because of a "training injury".

Asked if this is a good opportunity to strengthen Manchester United's position in the top four, Ten Hag adds: "Yes it is when you see the table.

"But we have to think about the game. We have to show we are very hungry, play on the front foot and show that we are determined."

A reminder of how it looks at the top of the table as Newcastle and Manchester United look to strengthen their place in the top four with a win tonight.

Tottenham are six adrift but if they beat Manchester United then they will close that gap to just three points, although United have two games in hand.

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Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Goodison Park

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Anthony Gordon has just come out to warm up against his old club at Goodison Park and there are audible jeers for their former player.

The £45m man runs across the pitch to applaud the travelling Newcastle supporter, who afford him a much more pleasant ovation.

There's 15 minutes remaining in the Women's Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Chelsea.

It is 2-1 on aggregate to Barcelona but Emma Hayes' side are pushing to level things up in the tie and force extra time.

Follow here.

From a record-breaking start and playing in the Champions League to Antonio Conte being sacked, two interim managers and conceding five goals in 21 minutes at Newcastle United, BBC Sport looks at the ups and downs of Tottenham's season.

Image source, BBC Sport

I really fancy Manchester United here. Tottenham just capitulated against Newcastle and they are in such a mess that they have just fired their interim manager, Cristian Stellini.

If Newcastle had continued scoring at the same rate they did in the first 21 minutes, then they would have ended up winning 22-0.

Will Spurs bounce back, after one of the most gutless displays I have ever seen? I am not convinced.

United were fortunate to get through their FA Cup semi-final with Brighton. I enjoyed the game and how it panned out, and Erik ten Hag's side were quite effective on the break.

I don't see them scoring as many as Newcastle did, but I definitely don't think Tottenham will keep a clean sheet.

I am sure Spurs won't be as bad as they were on Sunday, but I just can't back them at the moment.

Chris Sutton's prediction: 1-3

Interim boss Ryan Mason makes three changes to the Tottenham side that started last Sunday's horror show at Newcastle, when Spurs were 5-0 down after 21 minutes.

Richarlison and Clement Lenglet return in place of Pape Sarr and Dejan Kulusevski, who both drop to the bench.

Keeper Hugo Lloris is out with a hip injury so Fraser Forster starts in his place.

Tottenham XI: Forster, Romero, Dier, Lenglet, Porro, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Perisic, Richarlison, Son, Kane.

Substitutes: Sanchez, Danjuma, Kulusevski, Tanganga, Lucas Moura, Sarr, Davies, Austin, Mundle.

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Despite going all the way to extra-time and penalties, Manchester United make just the one change to the side that started the FA Cup semi-final against Brighton at the weekend.

Jadon Sancho comes in for Anthony Martial, who is on the bench.

Harry Maguire, who is available after suspension, is not involved and Bruno Fernandes, who was doubtful with an ankle problem, starts.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford.

Substitutes: Martial, Malacia, Fred, Pellistri, Butland, Williams, Elanga, Sabitzer, Weghorst.

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The cameras at St Mary's are picking out home fans in their seats and pretty much every one has a glum look on their face. It is tipping it down with rain, so that's one reason. But this season has been a tough one for Saints supporters.

They desperately need a big lift tonight to give themselves a fighting chance of staying up.

In contrast, the Cherries fans in the ground will be feeling pretty good about things, despite that 4-0 loss to West Ham. A victory here will be a huge step towards safety.

Image source, BBC Sport

Bournemouth could effectively relegate Southampton here.

Saints would not be mathematically down, of course, but they will still be feeling sick after dropping points so late on against Arsenal and a defeat would be a huge blow to them.

Will that happen, though? On paper, yes. Southampton's home form has been wretched while Bournemouth had been doing pretty well until they ran into West Ham at the weekend.

I am going against the grain, though. This is very difficult to call but I just have a feeling Saints will get something here. They won't keep a clean sheet, though.

Chris Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Kyra's prediction: 0-1

Lee's prediction: I changed my mind on this one - my thinking now is that display at Arsenal will give Southampton a bit of a bounce. 2-1

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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says midfielder Anthony Gordon has been "in a good place" before returning to Goodison Park to face his former club.

Gordon, 22, joined the Magpies for a reported initial fee of £40m in January, with his time at Goodison coming to a sour end.

"It’s very difficult for me to comment on how he left because I’m not party to what happened and what went on," Howe said: "I can only really comment on the player that I’ve seen and he’s been very good.

"He’s trained really well, he’s very passionate, he wants to achieve and wants to do really well in his career. He’s fine, he’s in a good place and looking forward to the game.

"The beauty of it is he’s seen the Everton crowd many times. He was at the club a long time so he will have no surprises about what to expect.

"I’m sure he’s seen other players go back and receive mixed receptions. Hopefully he’s seen enough to be robust enough to deal with what happens."

Kris Temple
BBC Radio Solent

Firstly, under Premier League rules it would mean only two years of parachute payments (instead of three), after only one season back in the top division.

But, given the takeover in recent months by American businessman Bill Foley, the financial hit for the club would not be as damaging as it might have been in previous times.

It would certainly be a blow though to Foley and the club's ambitious plans for a new stadium, as well as other forward-thinking ideas, all of which are envisaged for the Premier League, not the Championship.

Personnel-wise, it would likely see the departure of key midfielder Jefferson Lerma, who stayed after relegation last time, but is out of contract this summer.

With a season of Premier League experience, other younger stars would also attract interest.

The club would also have to decide whether head coach Gary O'Neil - in his first job, with only 12 months on his current deal - was the right man to attempt a promotion challenge.