WAKE-UP CALL: JOãO PALHINHA APOLOGIZES FOR ARSENAL LOSS, PROMISES PSG FIGHT
João Palhinha apologises to Tottenham fans after a "frustrating" 4-1 North London Derby loss to Arsenal. The midfielder promised a big reaction from the team ahead of their crucial Champions League clash with PSG.
After a tough 4-1 loss to Arsenal, João Palhinha apologised to Tottenham fans and promised a strong comeback soon.
Spurs had a rough time against their north London rivals at Emirates Stadium, giving up two goals in each half while barely getting any shots on target.
Coach Thomas Frank is only five months into his job at Tottenham, but this poor showing comes after a similar performance in a 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea. Now, they've got a worrying game against Paris Saint-Germain coming up on Wednesday.
"First, we need to say sorry to our fans," Palhinha said, sounding disappointed.
There aren't many words to say, to be honest. It's always frustrating to lose like this against them. I think the result is fair, and we need to respond big time.
We need to show the team we used to be in the next two games.
I don't need to say much about it, but we need to react and look at the game, but not dwell on what happened.
Frank's decision to switch from his usual 4-2-3-1 lineup to a three-at-the-back formation against Arsenal didn't work out.
Eberechi Eze, who Tottenham wanted to sign in the summer and almost joined in August, had too much space outside the box and ended up scoring a hat-trick.
Frank went back to his usual system at halftime, which helped Spurs play better, but Palhinha admitted it still wasn't good enough, even though Eze scored quickly after the break.
The Bayern Munich player said they'd play better against PSG, who beat Tottenham on penalties in the Super Cup back in August.
Palhinha added, "We played with that setup against PSG in the Super Cup."
We tried to press them the same way or a bit closer than we did in that game, but after we decided to change at halftime, I think the team got better.
Even after we let in that early goal after halftime, I think we did better when we switched, but we need to take a closer look.
We can't let in goals like that, especially when we're playing with five at the back.
To come here and lose by four goals isn't our standard. We'll get back to our level in the next two games.
All I can say is we'll do everything we can to win those games.
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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