Tottenham Hotspur

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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has said he "will never understand if somebody wants their team to lose" before Tuesday's game against Manchester City.

The outcome of the game could have a huge bearing on the title race as if Tottenham win or draw, Spurs' local rivals Arsenal would remain as leaders heading into Sunday's final round of fixtures.

At his pre-match news conference on Monday, Postecoglou was asked several questions about the possibility that some Spurs fans would want their own side to lose to City - a result that would reduce the chance of Arsenal ending their 20-year wait for a league title.

He said: "There's a pretty simple notion to this; there's a game of football tomorrow night. What do you think is going to happen? What do you think we are going to do as a team, or any team on this planet? Aren't we going to just try to win? It's a simple premise. How that makes people feel, I'm not really fussed and I don't really care.

"I'd hate to think anyone thinks we would go out with anything other than trying to measure ourselves against a top team and maybe win a game of football that's consequential.

"How are we ever going to become a team that wins things if we don't win the big games, if we shy away from it? Why would would shy away from a challenge that exists?"

Asked later if he felt it was a bigger thing now for football fans to want to revel in the potential misfortune of rivals, the Tottenham boss added: "I understand rivalry, I was part of the biggest ones in the world in the past couple of years with Celtic and Rangers, but I will never understand if somebody wants their own team to lose.

"That's not what sport's about. What I love more than anything else is the competitiveness, challenging yourself to beat someone and come out successful. Anything outside of that has got nothing to do with sport as far as I'm concerned.

"If other people want to treat it that way, where they derive pleasure from others' misery - that's not how I've lived my life and that's not how I perceive my role. My role is to bring success to this football club.

"Whatever proportion - whether it's [speaking to reporters] his two mates or the 99% of the people you know - I know 100% of Spurs supporters want us to win, be successful and win trophies.

"Us winning tomorrow night will help us bringing joy to 100% of Spurs supporters."

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The Premier League title now cannot be decided until the final day of the season but one or two other issues could be settled in midweek.

Aston Villa can clinch the fourth and final Champions League place if they beat Liverpool on Monday.

If they draw, they’ll be sure of fourth place if Tottenham fail to win against Manchester City on Tuesday.

If they lose, they’ll be sure of fourth place if Tottenham lose on Tuesday.

In all other scenarios, it goes to the final day.

Whatever their situation with Villa, Tottenham can ensure a top-five finish (so Europa League at worst) if they avoid defeat against Man City on Tuesday.

If they lose to City, Spurs could still clinch fifth place before their final game if Newcastle AND Chelsea both fail to win on Wednesday.

Newcastle and Chelsea know that whatever they do on Wednesday, they cannot be absolutely sure of European football until the final round of fixtures. However, goal difference means that should Newcastle beat Man Utd, and Chelsea lose at Brighton, it would take a minimum 12-goal swing on the final day for the Magpies to be deprived of sixth place.

Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League match at home to Manchester City.

Here are the main headlines from his news conference:

• Midfielder Yves Bissouma (knee) and striker Richarlison (calf) will miss Spurs' final two games of the season because of injuries.

• A positive result for Tottenham would hand neighbours Arsenal the advantage over City in the Premier League title race. When it was suggested some Spurs fans may want them to lose for that reason, Postecoglou said he "will never understand if somebody wants their own team to lose" and added: "I think the fans will create the atmosphere they've always created at our home games. We've got a game of football to win."

• He continued: "There's a pretty simple notion to this - there's a game of football tomorrow night, what do you think is going to happen? What do you think we're going to do as a team, or any team on this planet? Aren't we going to just try to win? It's a simple, basic premise."

• An Aston Villa win against Liverpool on Monday would end Spurs' hopes of Champions League qualification. "I'll be watching the game. I never stress or worry about things I can't control. What I do know is we've got two games left, six points to play for and we want to see how many of those we can get."

• On opponents City: "We've got an opportunity to measure ourselves against the best, a team that's consistently striving for honours and a team that we want to try to emulate one day. The best way to do that is to measure yourself against them by being yourself. We'll play our football and see where it takes us."

• Having led Celtic to successive league titles in Scotland, the Australian was asked how difficult it is to achieve the feat City are aiming for: "Sometimes people think that once you win it once, it should become easier, but actually it becomes more difficult. You've got a target on your back and every year you've got to get guys to climb the mountain again knowing they've already done it."

Follow Monday's Premier League news and media conferences

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BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty is answering all of your footballing questions.

George asked: Hi Phil. Can we expect a fully motivated Tottenham side facing Manchester City - when they know many of their fans might prefer to lose than Arsenal win the league?

Phil answered: Hi George. Great question. I’ve already had Spurs fans I know saying they wouldn’t mind losing against Manchester City rather than help Arsenal win the league.

I honestly think all professional footballers are fully motivated for games like this, irrespective of the context. To suggest otherwise questions their professionalism.

There is a rather large complication here as well. If Liverpool beat Aston Villa tonight then Spurs are still right in the mix for a Champions League place, so they would need to give it everything anyway.

The first priority for Spurs has to be Spurs. Not Arsenal.

Follow the rest of Phil McNulty's Q&A

We asked for your views on Saturday's match between between Tottenham and Burnley.

Here are some of your answers:

Tottenham fans

Daniel: Not the most convincing performance, but got the win in the end with our defenders doing the job of the attackers.

Andy: Yet again, majority possession only to be let down by an inept attack with Kulusevski and Johnson missing chance after chance. We need an upgrade on those players I mentioned if we are going to challenge for trophies.

Harry: I was at the match. It was a game of two halves. A nervy first with slow build ups from the back with the full-back distributing a lot of balls forward. The second half the midfield were able to open up their defence and created more chances.

Craig: You cannot escape the fact that it’s three points and a win, which after the four previous games is very welcome. But it wouldn’t be Tottenham without huffing, puffing and making hard work of beating a now-relegated team, at home. A total of 21 shots and we only score the winner with eight minutes to go, typical Tottenham.

Burnley fans

Francis: Today's game typified our season. Some nice play but a struggle in defence and up front. A frustrating season after the euphoria of last year, which was the best for years. This relegation will be good for us in the medium term.

Steven: A really good away performance just like quite a few this season. Berge was outstanding for a hour. Just hope we can keep most of this team together for next season as well as Kompany. In Vincent we trust!!

Keith: Usual Burnley. Played well, helped opposition to a goal and didn’t understand urgency of getting a winner.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here.

Also, listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham United v Luton Town

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea

Millwall have agreed a deal to sign on-loan 26-year-old English defender Japhet Tanganga on a permanent transfer from Tottenham. (Mirror), external

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

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Whatever happens over the final week of the season, Ange Postecoglou's debut campaign can only be considered a successful step in the right direction.

The style of the Australian manager has galvanised the club. The substance could still be a place in next season's Champions League.

Tottenham's chances of overhauling Aston Villa remain slim, but breaking Burnley's resistance keeps them in the hunt for the top four.

Even if they can't make up the four-point gap in the final two games, a spot in the Europa League is almost secured.

As Postecoglou pointed out afterwards, this season was always viewed as a building block with a raft of players - including Saturday's goalscorers Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven - far from seasoned Premier League players.

So even if Spurs miss out on the Champions League, it feels like there could be exciting times ahead for this young Spurs squad.

Ange Postecoglou, spoke to BBC Sport after Tottenham's victory over Burnley: "We were dominant enough, their keeper was outstanding today and we had enough chances.

"It's always difficult when you lose four matches in a row and it is only natural there will be a bit of anxiety and a bit of stress there.

"For the most part I think we handled the game well and we finished the game strong.

"It should have been a more comfortable victory but the most important thing is we won the game."

• Tottenham have rescued 25 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, their most in a campaign (previously 24 in 2010-11). Indeed, only Liverpool (28) have come from behind to win more points in the Premier League this term than Spurs.

• Since their debut Premier League campaign in 2009-10, no side has been relegated from the top-flight on more occasions than Burnley (4 times, level with Norwich), facing the drop in 2009-10, 2014-15, 2021-22 and now 2023-24.

• All three of Micky van de Ven’s Premier League goals for Tottenham this season have been winners, also netting against Luton in October and Nottingham Forest last month.

• Burnley have dropped 27 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, with only Brentford (30) losing more. Indeed, the Clarets have won just five of their 16 league games in which they’ve led this term (D6 L5).

• Tottenham have gone 1-0 down in each of their past five Premier League games, their longest such run since conceding first in seven consecutive league matches between October 2022 – January 2023.

• Five of Jacob Bruun Larsen’s six Premier League goals this season have put Burnley one goal in the lead, with each of his past four strikes being the opening goal of the game.

Burnley have been relegated from the Premier League after they could not secure a win at Tottenham which would have kept their hopes alive.

The Clarets, who knew a draw or defeat meant they would no longer be able to catch fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest, took the lead when Jacob Bruun Larsen slid in a 25th-minute opener.

The joy among the travelling fans was tempered seven minutes later when Pedro Perro hammered in an equaliser.

After dominating the second half without finding a way through, Spurs were finally rewarded when defender Micky van de Ven burst forward and expertly slotted the winner into the bottom corner.

The draw would have done few favours for fifth-placed Tottenham, who needed a win to keep the pressure on Aston Villa in the race for the Champions League.

Were you at the ground or following along from home?

Spurs fans, give us your thoughts on the game.

Tell us what you made of the performance, Burnley supporters.

Follow all the reaction here

There are eight Premier League games taking place today, and you can stay updated with all of them via our live page.

Keep up with all the action and reaction here.

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's matches, he takes on Kasabian frontman Serge Pizzorno.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

From Burnley's perspective, the fact Nottingham Forest's points deduction was upheld means they are not down yet, but if they don't win here then they will be relegated.

It felt like the end for them after the Newcastle game last weekend and while they have not quite been given a reprieve, I suppose the good news is that they are still not out of it. They might even think this is a good time to play a Tottenham team who have lost four in a row.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou will be concerned about his side's loss of form but this is the ideal fixture for them to bounce back. I would still say Spurs have a had a good season even if fourth place appears beyond them now, and they will have a point to prove here.

Serge's prediction: 2-0

It's win or bust for Burnley but I can't see Spurs dropping points here. Ange needs a performance - the Spurs fans are happy but the team needs to show them something for next season now.

Read all of the predictions here

Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Tottenham host Burnley on Saturday in the Premier League.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Postecoglou confirmed that they are "pretty much as we were" in terms of player availability from the last match against Liverpool.

• He said there were "some moments in the Liverpool game where we looked more like ourselves and we have to take that forward".

• On comments made about the challenge of the next few years in an interview with Australian TV: "I think I have been pretty consistent in saying that we know the challenge at the moment, the short-term challenge. But I always believe they are a constant in any significant re-build you are doing. The challenges will always be there, it is how you approach and tackle them."

• He added: "It is most important for me to be clear headed about what we are trying to do and achieve and be as visible in the process as possible. Everyone is trying hard, it is not for the want of not trying, you have to make sure you stay calm, clear headed and chart the way forward."

• On if the recent run of form has shown there are more tough decisions to be made: "No. I think I have tried to be consistent as I can in saying we have a long way to to go, that hasn't changed since the start. In both a positive and negative sense, if you go on the short term stuff you are liable to jump to the wrong conclusions and wrong decisions. Planning for the summer has been in hand for a while."

• Postecoglou said he can "understand what the fans are going through" but added: "These are the growing pains you go through. As much as you want to avoid it, it is is part if the process of growth. For the fans and us as a football club it is important to understand the road forward is a challenging one."

• On how he prepares the team to face a Burnley side who need to win to avoid relegation: "We have to block that out. Most important thing is to prepare ourselves for a big challenge. When you get to this time of year most games are for a consequence and we are still fighting for something. You don't want to fall into the trap of expecting something different other than a really tough opponent."

Follow all Friday's Premier League news conferences

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The Premier League have released their nominees for the young player of the season and fans can vote for their favourite on the official website, external.

Here is the list of eight players:

• Bukayo Saka - Arsenal

• William Saliba - Arsenal

• Erling Haaland - Manchester City

• Phil Foden - Manchester City

• Destiny Udogie - Tottenham

• Alexander Isak - Newcastle

• Kobbie Mainoo - Manchester United

• Cole Palmer - Chelsea

The winner will be announced on Saturday, 18 May.

Image source, Getty Images

A lot of teams play their penultimate Premier League game of the season this weekend.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have qualified for the Champions League. Aston Villa can finish no lower than fifth so will be in the Europa League at worst. Liverpool’s Europa Conference League place for winning the Carabao Cup reverts to the league and Sheffield United have been relegated.

But much is still to be decided.

Despite nobody being able to win the title just yet, here is what could happen...

Aston Villa can clinch the fourth and final Champions League place despite not playing until Monday:

• If Tottenham lose on Saturday, Villa qualify without kicking a ball;

• If Tottenham draw, Villa qualify if they draw with Liverpool on Monday;

• If Tottenham win, Villa qualify if they beat Liverpool.

Tottenham can ensure a top-five finish:

• If they win, Newcastle United lose and Chelsea and Manchester United both fail to win.

Failing that, Spurs can ensure a top-six finish - Europa Conference League at worst:

• If they win AND Chelsea and Manchester United both fail to win;

• If they win AND Newcastle lose AND one of Chelsea and Manchester United fail to win;

• If they draw AND Chelsea and Manchester United both lose.

The other two relegation places could also be settled this weekend.

Burnley will be relegated:

• If they fail to win at Tottenham on Saturday, whatever happens elsewhere;

• If Nottingham Forest win against Chelsea.

If Burnley win and Forest draw, the Clarets will be teetering and will need a huge swing in goal difference on the final day of the season when the two sides meet.

Luton Town are slightly better off than Burnley, but will be relegated:

• If they lose at West Ham AND Nottingham Forest avoid defeat;

• If they lose AND Burnley win, even if Forest lose;

• If they draw AND Forest win.

If Forest match Luton's result, the Hatters will be on the brink as they would need a big swing in goal difference on the final day.

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Tottenham and Burnley in the Premier League.

• Tottenham have won seven of their eight Premier League home games against Burnley and have won the past four without conceding. Only against Crystal Palace between 2015 and 2019 have they won five in a row at home and kept a clean sheet each time in the competition.

• Burnley have not won in their past 10 away league games against Tottenham since a 3-2 win at White Hart Lane in October 1974.

• Spurs have conceded four or more goals in four different Premier League games this season - most recently doing so more in 2013-14 (five). They have not kept a clean sheet in any of their past 13 home league games - their longest streak since a run of 15 between December 2002 and September 2003.

• Failure to win for Burnley will see them relegated from the Premier League for the fourth time. The Clarets have lost all seven of their league games against sides starting the day in the top five this season by an aggregate score of 24-7.

• Tottenham’s Son Heung-min has been directly involved in eight goals in his past six Premier League games against Burnley (five goals, three assists). He scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture at Turf Moor in September.

• Burnley’s Arijanet Muric has the highest save percentage of any keeper in the Premier League this season (81.3%). Despite playing just eight games so far, he has also got the second highest goals prevented rate (seven).

Tottenham are ready to give manager Ange Postecoglou the funds to sign a striker, centre-back and midfielder this summer. (Times - subscription required), external

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

Tottenham will listen to offers for 31-year-old Wales defender Ben Davies this summer. (Football Insider), external

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