HOW BAD WAS IT: THOMAS FRANK APOLOGIZES FOR PAINFUL DEFEAT TO RIVALS ARSENAL NOW
Thomas Frank and Guglielmo Vicario apologised to Tottenham fans after a "unacceptable" 4-1 derby loss to Arsenal. Both manager and goalkeeper admitted the team lacked fight and intensity in a dismal performance.
After Tottenham's 4-1 loss to Arsenal in the north London derby, manager Thomas Frank and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario said sorry to Spurs fans. They felt the team just didn't show enough fight.
Frank said the game was extremely painful, as Eberechi Eze scored an incredible hat trick. Richarlison's long shot was Tottenham's only real threat.
Vicario didn't blame tactics, even though Frank switched to a defensive formation. He admitted the players simply didn't battle hard enough.
Since Frank took over from Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham has lost to Arsenal and Chelsea. In those games, they struggled to score or create good chances.
It was a bad showing, Frank said. The game went completely against what we wanted. We can only say sorry to the fans. We didn't win enough battles, so the result was exemplified by Arsenal's second and third goals, where one of their players beat two or three of our players.
I've seen this team show a lot of character before, but we didn't win enough battles. Whatever we want to call it, the fact is, we didn't win enough. I tried a 5-4-1 formation, and I take responsibility for that choice. We switched it up at halftime.
“But no matter the formation, we didn't have enough fight or intensity in the important moments, and with Arsenal, it is hard to win. I need to look at the goals more closely. I'm going to have a tough time watching the whole game again tonight. We weren't aggressive when we could have been, and they just played around us.”
Tottenham needs to bounce back when they play Paris Saint-Germain, and Vicario said the team was too passive against Arsenal.
It was a really bad night. We have to apologise to our fans, who support us every day,” Vicario said. “They wanted us to fight, and we didn't. That's never acceptable in football at this level.
Very bad loss, but we have to stick together as we have a big game. We didn’t show what we can do tonight.
Emotions are high, but we need to keep calm and, again, apologise to the fans who travelled here. We waited too long to get into the game. We were too passive.
“The game plan we had didn't work. We didn't fight today, and we have to say sorry for that. But we need to stay united and move forward.
Vicario didn't blame Arsenal's first goal for the loss. He thought the offside Arsenal players blocked his view. The goal was checked by VAR but confirmed, and Vicario said, “I don't think it would have changed the game.
“There were three people in front of me, so of course, they blocked me. But that's not why we lost.
Ex-Tottenham striker Les Ferdinand was really critical of Tottenham's performance, saying they looked weak.
We just didn't compete. Derbies are hostile and fierce. It just wasn't there today,” Ferdinand said on Sky Sports. “They didn't compete at all.
If you're a Spurs fan, you're frustrated. We're talking about playing the league's best team. You want to put up a fight. We just gave up and got rolled over.
DERBY OUTRAGE: PETER BANKES DOUBLES DOWN ON DISALLOWED KOLO MUANI GOAL DESPITE MASSIVE CRITICISM
Referee verdict: Discover why Peter Bankes disallowed Kolo Muani’s goal and Keith Hackett’s "stupid and soft" reaction.
Referee Peter Bankes stood by his call to disallow Randal Kolo Muani’s equaliser in the North London derby, calling it “a very, very clear offence.”
The moment sparked outrage. Gabriel, Arsenal’s defender, hit the deck after Muani’s challenge in the box. Former Premier League referees’ chief Keith Hackett didn’t hold back, calling the decision “stupid and soft".
Bankes didn’t hesitate. He blew for a foul, ruled out the goal, and VAR stayed out of it, even as Spurs fans fumed. That goal would’ve levelled it at 2-2.
Bankes explained on the Match Officials Mic’d Up show: “I was exactly where I needed to be for a cross from the right. I saw the Tottenham player put two hands into the back of the Arsenal player. That’s what grabbed my attention. When you see that live, it looks like a straightforward push – a clear foul.
“I held off on the whistle to let play run, then made the call after the ball went in. That way, VAR could step in if I’d missed something or if it looked off. But honestly, on the pitch, it looked obvious.
“I’m still comfortable with my decision. Sure, things can look different at different speeds; slow motion isn’t the same as seeing it live. But I got one look, and I was confident the two hands on the back had enough impact to be a foul.
“I know people will split on this, but I’m comfortable. That’s a free kick for me.”
The decision was a huge break for Arsenal, who ended up winning 4-1. As far as Spurs fans were concerned, Gabriel got away with one.
Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher backed Bankes up: “The on-field decision always stands. The ref saw enough for a push. VAR isn’t going to overturn that when the evidence is there.”
THE GIBBS-WHITE PROJECT: WHY MANCHESTER UNITED SEE THE FOREST STAR AS THEIR NEXT PLAYMAKER
United transfer hub. Get the report on wage bill cuts, the Forest playmaker, and City’s rival interest.
Manchester United still have a bit of a wait before the summer transfer window opens, but talk around Old Trafford is already heating up. People keep linking United with all kinds of new signings for when the season wraps up.
Michael Carrick has made quite the impression as United’s interim head coach so far. The club handed him the reins until the end of the season, and honestly, he’s done well with the opportunity.
Still, no one really knows who’ll be in charge next season. That uncertainty just adds fuel to the rumours about which players United will chase in the transfer market.
Right now, everything hinges on Champions League qualification. United sit fourth in the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Everton on Monday night. That spot could make all the difference for summer plans.
Morgan Gibbs-White's claim
Now, United have reportedly joined the hunt for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. The Daily Mail says United are keeping an eye on the Forest playmaker, maybe even lining up a summer move.
But there’s a snag: United want to bring down their wage bill, and that could make signing Gibbs-White tricky.
Manchester City are also said to be interested, and Tottenham apparently tried to sign the 26-year-old with a £60 million offer, but that move fell apart.
Man United's Scott McTominay stance
As for Scott McTominay, it sounds like United aren’t planning a reunion. Despite recent talk about bringing the Napoli midfielder back, TEAMtalk reports United aren’t interested, and the idea hasn’t even come up in the recruitment department.
Napoli now values McTominay at close to £70 million, just a year and a half after he left United for around £25 million. He made the move to Italy in the summer of 2024 and, in his first season, helped Napoli win the Serie A title.
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