Ange Postecoglou claimed Tottenham were masters of their own downfall in their 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth in the Premier League. 

Dean Huijsen headed home the only goal of the game from a corner in the 17th minute to inflict a sixth defeat of the season on Postecoglou's Spurs, who ended with an xG of only 0.58 despite having more than 65% possession. 

Indeed, Bournemouth had 21 shots and saw two goals disallowed for offside, albeit Spurs also had a would-be equaliser ruled out when Son Heung-min was flagged. 

But after his team followed up a disappointing home draw against Fulham with a toothless display on the south coast, Postecoglou did not hide his frustration.

"It is not good enough. We again fell into the trap of starting the game really well, we were in control, and then we conceded a really poor goal," Postecoglou told Amazon Prime, after a defeat that pushed Tottenham into 10th place with 20 points from 14 games. 

"Then we kind of lost our way a little bit and allowed Bournemouth to play the game that they wanted to. We had our moments in the second half, but we could not get a goal.

"I don't know if they had more urgency, but we have this sort of propensity to shoot ourselves in the foot when we should be controlling games."

Bournemouth, meanwhile, climbed into the top half of the table with their fourth win in five matches at the Vitality Stadium.

"Bournemouth are hard to beat here and what you should not do is give them a goal that gives them the momentum they need," the Tottenham head coach said. 

Spurs will next face second-placed Chelsea, who are unbeaten in their last six league games, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

"They are all big games coming up. We have to get ourselves out of the space we are in at the minute where we can't get a real grip on the season," Postecoglou said. 

Meanwhile, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was full of praise for 19-year-old Huijsen, who had made his third league start of the season in place of Marcos Senesi. 

"He was very, very good defensively and he got the goal. Obviously, we can use his height in the set plays. He is confident on the ball too. He is good news for us," said the Spanish tactician. 

"He needs and is demanding opportunities and I think he will get them more now. Marco [Senesi] is injured, so he will get the chance more and more. It is good for us that he has found the level."

Huijsen became Bournemouth’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Premier League at 19 years and 235 days and the third-youngest Spaniard, after Cesc Fabregas and Stefan Bajcetic.

"Our defensive performance was most pleasing. We did not give them many chances at all. Everyone defensively was very good," Iraola said.

"Luckily we finished the job, but there were moments when we thought that if we did not kill them they would punish us," he added. 

Bournemouth are next in action against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday.

Ange Postecoglou said that Tottenham must make signings during the transfer window to strengthen their attacking options. 

Tottenham find themselves seventh in the Premier League after 13 games this season, but have been unable to find consistency with results thus far.

But their form has not been helped by injuries in the forward areas, with Richarlison and Wilson Odobert out of action until next year with respective hamstring issues.

Dominic Solanke, who missed Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Fulham on Sunday, is expected to feature against former side Bournemouth on Thursday, however.  

Despite those injuries, Postecoglou's side top the scoring charts in the top-flight this term with 28 goals, but the Spurs boss said he is in need of attacking reinforcements.

"With Richy, it has been frustrating because I see the potential in him and, to be fair, when he’s been fit he’s always made an impact," Postecoglou said. 

"That’s what you kind of hold on to, but there’s no doubt we need some bolstering in that front third over the next couple of transfer windows."

“Dom coming in has been great, but again we can’t overload him either, because ultimately, even if he stays fit and nothing happens, performance will invariably drop if his energy levels drop. So it’s something we’re aware of and need to plan for."

Cristian Romero is also unavailable for Thursday's game, adding to the absences of Micky van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario and the suspended Rodrigo Bentancur.

Tottenham's squad is likely to be stretched once again during December, with eight games coming up this month. 

Following their trip to Bournemouth, they take on Chelsea, Southampton, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Wolves in the Premier League. 

In between those league games, they face Rangers in the Europa League as well as a quarter-final EFL Cup tie against Manchester United. 

"It's a Thursday Sunday cycle for us pretty consistently," he added. 

"Monday is recovery day for the lads and yesterday training with the guys who didn't play the majority of the game.

"They've all recovered well, no issues from [Fulham] and we're ready to go for a big game tomorrow."

But up first for Tottenham is a trip to the south coast against Andoni Iraola's in-form Bournemouth side, who beat Wolves 4-2 in their last Premier League encounter. 

And Postecoglou will have confidence of returning to winning ways at the Vitality Stadium given their recent meetings with the Cherries. 

Tottenham have won 10 of their 14 Premier League games against Bournemouth (D2 L2) – of the sides they’ve faced at least 10 times in the competition, only against Swansea (79%) do they have a higher win rate.

Along with that, each of their last five top-flight away wins have been to nil, including a 4-0 victory at reigning champions Manchester City last time out.

Spurs, however, haven’t won any of their last 14 when conceding on the road (D5 L9), since a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in October 2023, and Postecoglou is expecting another difficult task away from home. 

"A tough challenge, not just of late but from last year. They came here and were really aggressive with their football and especially at their place," Postecoglou concluded. 

"They've beaten City and Arsenal at their place. They are one of those sides where they have real consistency in performance and approach, so you know that you're in for a battle. I'm really looking forward to it."

Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham's positive displays cannot be placed as a "millstone" around their necks as they bid to return to winning ways at Bournemouth on Thursday.

Spurs made headlines by tearing Premier League champions Manchester City apart in a 4-0 away win on matchday 12, but they were subsequently held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham on matchday 13.

They have not played out the same result in any of their last eight Premier League games, flitting between wins and defeats across seven straight matchdays before Sunday's draw.

With Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario among their current injury absentees, Postecoglou says pundits and fans cannot reasonably expect total consistency.

"I know people use City as a reference point, but I was able to put on [Brennan] Johnson and [Timo] Werner, and I had Vicario in goal," Postecoglou said.

"I know people are looking for easy targets, but what the players are having to deal with is self-evident. We are going to have to protect our players. 

"We don't have many options, so we will manage them the best we can. We can't play like we did against City in every game.

"With this club, everything we do well is used as a millstone to bring us down at every opportunity. We can't react to any of that.

"I just feel that the players we have at the moment are working hard to get us where we want to be, and we are still in decent shape and a decent position in the league."

Bournemouth are just two points below Spurs in the table after beating Wolves 4-2 at Molineux in a thriller last week, with Justin Kluivert becoming the first player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick of penalties.

All three spot-kicks were won by recent arrival Evanilson, leading coach Andoni Iraola to shower the Brazilian with praise.

"Evanilson has made the difference. He has been fighting with the centre-backs and the keeper. He was phenomenal," Iraola said.

"Evanilson didn't score, but he is why we won. He has won five penalties this season and we have scored four.

"It is very difficult to score three penalties in one game. Justin is someone who gives us a lot, also without the ball. He is someone who understands we need his work rate. He is giving the team a lot."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bournemouth – Evanilson

Evanilson has won more fouls than any other Bournemouth player in the Premier League this season (23). At Wolves, he became the first player in Premier League history to win three penalties in a single match.

Only Kluivert (five), meanwhile, has netted more league goals for the Cherries than his four this campaign.

Tottenham – Brennan Johnson

Johnson was on target for Spurs against Fulham last time out, netting his 10th goal across all competitions this campaign. 

Only Erling Haaland (17), Mohamed Salah (12) and Christopher Nkunku (11) have netted more among all Premier League players.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Tottenham have won 10 of their 14 Premier League games against Bournemouth (71%), drawing two and losing two. Of all sides they have faced at least 10 times in the competition, only against Swansea City (79%) do they have a higher win rate.

They did the double over the Cherries in 2023-24, winning 3-1 at home last December after triumphing 2-0 at the Vitality in August.

Spurs average 2.5 goals per game in the Premier League against Bournemouth (35 goals in 14 matches), their highest rate against any side they have faced at least 10 times in the competition.

However, they have only won twice in six away matches in the top flight this campaign, drawing one and losing three. 

Each of Tottenham's last five Premier League away wins have been to nil, including a 4-0 victory at City last time out on their travels. They have not won any of their last 14 when conceding on the road (five draws, nine defeats), since a 2-1 triumph at Crystal Palace in October 2023.

Bournemouth have three wins in their last four at home so should be expected to provide a stern test. An entertaining draw could be on the cards.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Bournemouth – 36.5%

Tottenham – 39.1%

Draw – 24.4%

Ange Postecoglou believes his Tottenham side were worthy of a point, despite being far from their best in their 1-1 draw with Fulham. 

Brennan Johnson's sixth Premier League goal of the season was cancelled out by Tom Cairney's stunning effort, though the latter saw red late on for a foul on Dejan Kulusevski. 

The result saw the hosts miss out on the chance to move within a point of the top four, with their inconsistency this season proving to be their Achilles heel. 

Tottenham managed an expected goals (xG) total of 0.65 compared to Fulham's 1.38, though Postecoglou said that his injury-hit side deserved a point on home soil. 

"A point was probably fair. It was a tight game. Neither team opened up too much. It was hard to dominate for either side," the head coach said. 

"It was probably always going to be decided by some half-chances, and we ended up getting the draw.

"For the most part, we handled it OK, we should have taken those to put some pressure on them. We looked like we were getting on top and then they scored.

"They didn't create loads. We are pretty thin on the ground, so I can't ask too much more of them at the moment."

Postecoglou also praised Fraser Forster, who became the oldest player to make a Premier League appearance for Spurs since Brad Friedel in November 2013 on Sunday.

Forster made five saves against Fulham, denying efforts from Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez either side of half-time. 

"He pulled off a couple of important saves for us, and it is good to have someone in that area who is stepping in," Postecoglou said of his goalkeeper's display. 

Marco Silva, however, believed Fulham were the only worthy winners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

The Cottagers had several chances to punish Tottenham's sloppy play in possession, but failed to take their opportunities. 

Fulham are now unbeaten in their last eight Premier League London derbies (won four, drawn four), the club's longest ever such run, with Silva lauding his side's display. 

"I think that everybody should recognise that the team who deserved to win this afternoon was ourselves. We deserved to win. We played our way with our identity on the pitch.

"Myself, the players and the fans should be proud of it. We should have been leading the score with the chances we had. We have to be realistic that Tottenham had chances as well."

Silva also gave his view on Cairney's dismissal, with the Fulham captain given his marching orders 16 minutes after scoring the Cottagers' equaliser. 

"Firstly, I know him. Tom Cairney is not the player for that, everybody knows," he said.

"I have to be realistic and honest with you, everybody knows I am the first one asking him to be more aggressive in the right way, to keep some principles as a midfielder in that situation, but he is not the type of player to do that type of thing.

"He stamped on his leg and, of course, looking for the images, it should be a red card, and we have to accept knowing Tom Cairney was really unlucky because he is not that type of player."

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou played down the chances of getting a free agent goalkeeper in to replace the injured Guglielmo Vicario.

Vicario underwent surgery on a broken ankle sustained during their 4-0 victory over Manchester City last weekend, though Postecoglou suggested he was happy to play Fraser Forster when asked about the possibility of a new face coming in.

"No, that is not going to happen. That's why we've got a squad of players. I don't think us signing a free agent now is going to help us. If I hadn't named Fraser [Forster] in the European squad, that would've been a radical decision," said Postecoglou.

"When you're left with two and they couldn't play in Europe, then you would kind of look at it but unless something else happened, that's why we've got four goalkeepers.

"Young Luca [Gunter], who to be fair has been injured and is not ready, but Fraser I've known for a long time and he's such a strong character within the group and he's ready to play.

"Brandon [Austin] is improving all the time. Alfie [Whiteman] has also sort of been at the club for a while and whatever has been asked, the training capacity that they bring, we are more than capable with what we've got."

When asked about Vicario's recovery following his operation, Postecoglou explained that the Italian is going to be unavailable for the long term.

"It's not going to be weeks, it's going to be months. He's had surgery and with surgery, there are certain timelines and because it is Vic," he said.

"I don't like giving timelines so early in the process on something like that because it puts undue pressure on the player and also, maybe some expectations. I think once we get past the rehab stage, we will have a clearer idea."

Fulham player Antonee Robinson, meanwhile, is heading into the match full of confidence after claiming that Tottenham "are not unbeatable by any stretch".

“We’re going to have had a little bit longer break, us playing Saturday and not having a midweek game, they’re going to have a tough game [against Roma in the Europa League on Thursday]," he said. 

“So going into it, hopefully fresh legs play a bit of a factor in our favour. If we’re on form and playing how well we can play, I think we go toe to toe with anyone.” 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tottenham – Dejan Kulusevski

Kulusevski has scored two goals and supplied two assists in his last seven league games for Tottenham.

He finished with an assist in Tottenham's 4-0 victory over Manchester City last weekend, while he has also created more chances than any other Premier League player this season (33).

Fulham – Emile Smith Rowe

Smith Rowe has directly contributed to five Fulham goals this season, scoring three and assisting two.

His most recent goal was the opener in Fulham's last away game, in which they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 in November.

MATCH PREDICTION: TOTTENHAM WIN

Tottenham come into this match having won 4-0 away to Manchester City in their last league game.

The hosts are sixth in the table with 19 points after 12 matches and have won four (L2) of their six league matches at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season.

Tottenham have lost just one of their last 14 Premier League home games against Fulham (W10 D3), with that 1-0 defeat coming in March 2013.

Despite beating Spurs 3-0 in their last Premier League meeting in March, Fulham were winless in their previous nine (D1 L8) against them.

Marco Silva's side have won just two (D2 L2) of their six away games in the Premier League this season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Tottenham – 54.6%

Draw – 21.7%

Southampton – 23.6%

Ange Postecoglou rued a lack of composure from his Tottenham side as they conceded a "frustrating" late equaliser to Roma in a 2-2 Europa League draw on Thursday.

Spurs twice led at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Son Heung-min's fifth-minute penalty cancelled out by Evan Ndicka.

Mats Hummels then netted in second-half injury time after Brennan Johnson had put the hosts back in front in the 33rd minute. 

It means Tottenham are now outside the top eight in the Europa League standings on goal difference and boss Postecoglou was disappointed not to see the job out.

Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: "It's frustrating, particularly when they score so late in the game. 

"But it was a good game. We should have put it to bed early, and it's disappointing not to see it through.

"We should have shown a bit more composure. We had a couple of chances cleared off the line. We sort of kept them in the game."

"They are a good side. There is a reason why they are in the Europa League. They had a great season last time, but they have had some tough times this year. 

"They have quality players, but we had the chance to win the game."

Tottenham failed to win a home group stage match in the Europa League for the first time since October 2014 (1-1 vs Besiktas), having won 10 consecutive such games prior to Thursday's draw. 

Fraser Forster was called upon in goal after the news this week that number one Guglielmo Vicario is out for an extended period with a fractured ankle. 

And Postecoglou praised the role played by his experienced back-up goalkeeper, who made five saves during the contest. 

"He did well. We expect that from him. He is a very experienced goalkeeper, and he did his part," Postecoglou added.

But Postecoglou was quick to praise Roma's performance, despite seeing his side dominate the majority of the match statistics at the full-time whistle.

Spurs managed an expected goals (xG) total of 3.61 from their 24 attempts compared to the Serie A sides' 2.36 from their 18 shots. 

"They are a good side. There is a reason why they are in the Europa League," Postecoglou concluded.

"They had a great season last time, but they have had some tough times this year. They had quality players, but we had the chance to win the game."

Tottenham turn their attention to Premier League action when they return to home soil to take on London rivals Fulham, a side they have lost just one of their last 14 top-flight home games against (W10 D3). 

Ange Postecoglou is relishing the task of facing the "unbelievable" Claudio Ranieri when Tottenham Hotspur face Roma in the Europa League on Thursday. 

Ranieri came out of retirement earlier this month to take charge of the Giallorossi until the end of the season, returning for a third stint at the club. 

Across his previous two spells, the 73-year-old managed 96 games in all competitions, registering 53 wins, with a win percentage of 55.21%.

His first game in charge ended in defeat, however, with Roma losing against Napoli, as former striker Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal of the game for Antonio Conte's side.

Thursday's meeting will be the first between Roma and Tottenham, and Postecoglou is looking forward to the tie, as well as taking on Ranieri. 

"It's unbelievable. It just goes to show the passion he has for the game, because I'm sure there's more enjoyable, simpler ways to enjoy his life now, but he still has that in him," he said.

"I haven't come across him before, but I'm looking forward to saying hello because it's always nice to actually meet some of these people who have made such a massive impact on football, particularly in my field, management.

"He's always come across as a gentleman. I'm looking forward to meeting him, and it just goes to show that kind of bug for being a manager on the touchline doesn't leave you."

Spurs come into the encounter on the back of an impressive 4-0 victory over Manchester City last Saturday, inflicting Pep Guardiola's fifth defeat in as many matches. 

Postecoglou's side have also impressed in Europe, winning their last seven home matches in the Europa League without conceding, while also scoring 19 goals themselves. 

Spurs have endured an up and down start to the campaign, with consistency in results failing to transpire, particularly in the Premier League thus far. 

While Postecoglou acknowledged there had been some difficult moments this term, he lauded his players for some of the outstanding football they have played this season. 

"You'll see the same Spurs you see every game. It's about going out there and trying to play our football and try and be the best we can be," Postecoglou said. 

"Sometimes, that doesn't work out and hasn't worked out for us in a couple of games this year. We know that and it's something we need to kind of improve.

"At the same time, it's been more good than bad. If you are looking for likely outcomes, I'd say good but we have had the flat spots that we are working through.

"I don't discount the football we have played either. We've played some outstanding football. For me, it is about progress.

"I keep saying that we're a better side than we were last year and we want to keep improving and if we keep improving, the areas where there are gaps, we will slowly overcome."

Ange Postecoglou heaped praise on James Maddison after he bagged a brace to help beat Manchester City 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium. 
 
Maddison scored twice on his 28th birthday to give Spurs a 2-0 lead at half-time before Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson scored to hand the Premier League champions their fifth straight defeat across all competitions. 

The England international, who joined Tottenham from Leicester City last year, has now scored five goals and created three assists in the Premier League this season. 

"[Maddison] was outstanding," Tottenham boss Postecoglou told Sky Sports after the win. 

"You have to be against City, and Madders was great. He’s gone through a lean spell but I never doubted his ability. I thought the kind of game we were expecting would suit him.

"I thought we'd need his ability to keep the ball in tight midfield areas. I take it personally on myself if players aren't reaching their level, that’s on me to get him back up there."

With the win, Tottenham moved into sixth place and are only four points behind Pep Guardiola's side, who are in second place.

It was just the third time a team won away against the reigning Premier League champions by four goals or more. 

Ange Postecoglou relishes the opportunity to challenge Pep Guardiola’s Premier League dominance after he signed a contract extension with Manchester City.

It was announced by City on Thursday that Guardiola will stay at the club until 2027 after agreeing a new two-year deal, taking his time at the Etihad to over a decade. 

Under Guardiola (since 2016-17), City have lost more Premier League games (six) and conceded more goals (22) against Spurs than they have against any other opponent in the top-flight. 

It is perhaps unsurprising then that, despite the City boss having lifted the Premier League trophy in six of the last seven seasons, Postecoglou was happy his competitor was remaining at the helm.

"I look at it the other way, imagine you knock him off? That would be something, eh?,"Postecoglou began.

"And I'm at the stage of my life where I'd rather have a chance of knocking him off than missing that opportunity. In the right way, obviously. 

"I think when greatness is around, you want to be around it. Hopefully it challenges you to be like that as well.”

Postecoglou is preparing to travel to face City in the league on Saturday during Guardiola’s worst run of form of his career.

City have lost each of their last four matches in all competitions. The Citizens last lost more consecutively between March and April 2006 under Stuart Pearce (six – the fifth game of which was also against Tottenham).

It could present the perfect opportunity for the Australian boss to start his ascent on Guardiola’s dominance, though he will have to face demons of his own as his side have won just two of their last 11 Premier League away games (D2 L7).

"I love the fact that there is a massive target out there that can seem insurmountable. It does for me anyway, raises my level, gets me going,” he added.

"I love the challenge of that and I never see that as a bad thing."

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou took full responsibility after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat to previously winless Ipswich Town in the Premier League. 

Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap gave Ipswich a 2-0 lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs fell short, despite Rodrigo Bentancur returning a goal in the second half.  

It was Tottenham's third defeat in their last five matches across all competitions and leaves Postecoglou's side in 10th place in the Premier League with 16 points from 11 matches. 

"It's hugely disappointing. We started slow and passively. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. In the second half, we had chances but didn’t do enough to win the game," the Australian coach told BBC Sport after the game. 

His side had also suffered a 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray in the Europa League on Thursday. 

The hosts generated an xG of 1.82 on Sunday with five shots on target from 17 attempts, but were unable to take anything from the game.

"It's just down to me, I’m not getting consistent performances from the players. It’s something I need to address. I’m the person in charge, so that’s usually the way it goes. I take responsibility," said Postecoglou. 

"We can’t give ourselves those kind of mountains to climb." 

When asked about Ipswich's time-wasting tactics, Postecoglou said it is something his players will have to deal with. 

"It seems to be the way the Premier League is going. Clubs are taking strategic time-outs. We just have to cop it. It’s up to the officials, not me," he said. 

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has defended the club following comments made by former goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in his new book regarding the Champions League final in 2019.

Lloris, who made 447 appearances for Spurs between 2012 and 2024, suggested his former club were happy to be second best, claiming chairman Daniel Levy gifted the players watches with ‘Champions League finalists’ engraved on them before they faced Liverpool five years ago.

They went on to lose the final in Madrid 2-0. However, Postecoglou, who has questioned the club’s mentality himself, insists the period Lloris referred to should be looked back upon with pride.

"There could have been a very successful period for the club. They came very close. We're talking about finishing runners-up in the Premier League, runners-up in the Champions League,” Postecoglou said.

“It could have been a very different era and maybe, in retrospect, you would be looking at those things. It's easier to focus on the negatives when the outcomes are not what you want, but there was obviously a lot right at the time which got them close to the ultimate.

“From my perspective, you don't put a limit on what you can achieve because if you do, potentially you might miss something that comes along your way."

Spurs are aiming to avenge their midweek defeat to Galatasaray in the Europa League against strugglers Ipswich Town, who, along with Wolves, are yet to win in the Premier League this term.

But despite the Tractor Boys’ form, Postecoglou is expecting a difficult test, lauding Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna for the “unbelievable” job he has done at Portman Road.

"Yeah, I think every weekend, every league game, has its potential to hurt you if you're not at your best. Ipswich will be no different,” Postecoglou said.

"They got close last week, close the week before. I think Kieran McKenna has done an unbelievable job. We're expecting a tough one at the weekend, our form at home has been pretty strong."

While Ipswich remain winless upon their return to the top-flight, McKenna believes there have been signs of progress at the club.

"I don't think you can always set an exact expectation or definition of performances because every game is different. One of our first goals is to be competitive in every match, and we're not too far away from that,” McKenna said.

“Across the 10 games we have certainly been in the large majority of games. We would have liked to have won a couple by now but, also, we've only lost five out of 10 with what we have been through and the challenges we have faced over the early part of the season.

"To pick up five results - certainly could have been one or two more - and to be as competitive as we have been, I think there are a lot of positives in there. We know there is another step to take to win games consistently in the Premier League.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tottenham – Dominic Solanke

After scoring three goals in his last two games for Spurs across all competitions, Solanke will be hoping to get his season up and running against Ipswich this weekend.

But his work rate at the top end of the pitch has gone under the radar this term. He has applied more pressures in the final third than any other player in the Premier League this season (212).

Ipswich – Leif Davis

Davis has been a bright spark in a disappointing season for Ipswich thus far, creating more chances than any other defender in the Premier League so far this campaign (25).

But he has not neglected his defensive responsibilities either. Only Sam Morsy (17) has won more tackles than Davis (12) for the Tractor Boys in the top-flight.

MATCH PREDICTION: TOTTENHAM WIN

Despite being heavily favoured by Opta’s data-led simulations, Tottenham have won just three of their 10 Premier League games against Ipswich (D3 L4). Excluding ever-present sides, it’s their lowest win rate against any opponent they’ve faced 10 or more times in the competition.

And Spurs have also struggled after competing in the Europa League in midweek. They have lost their last two Premier League games at the weekend immediately following a European match, losing to Brighton and Crystal Palace. Only twice have they lost three consecutive such matches, doing so from December 2012 to March 2013 and from September to October 2019.

They have also conceded the first goal in each of their last four top-flight home games but have come back to win the last three. No team has ever conceded first but gone on to win four consecutive home games in the competition before.

However, Spurs have won 32 of their last 36 Premier League home games against promoted sides (D2 L2) and haven’t failed to score in any of their last 42 such games since a 1-0 loss to Wolves in December 2009.

Ipswich remain winless in their 10 Premier League games this season (D5 L5), their longest run without a win from the start of a top-flight season. They have lost their last two away games 4-1 at West Ham and 4-3 at Brentford, last conceding four or more goals in three consecutive away league games in March 1964.

The Tractor Boys have also struggled in recent visits to the capital. They have lost their last five Premier League away games against London sides, conceding at least two goals each time (16 in total). However, 33% of their Premier League wins in London have come against Spurs (2/6), including their last such victory in December 2001.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Tottenham – 71.2%

Draw – 16.2%

Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham's youngsters will have learned a lot from their 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray in the Europa League on Thursday. 

Yunus Akgun's stunning opener was cancelled out by 19-year-old Will Lankshear's first senior goal for Spurs, before Victor Osimhen's brace put the hosts in control at the break. 

Lankshear, however, would be sent off for a second bookable offence on the hour-mark, though Spurs did reduce the deficit through Dominic Solanke with a man less. 

Postecoglou named several inexperienced European players in his starting line-up, with 18-year-old's Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall also starting at Rams Park. 

But the Spurs boss believes that his younger players will learn from the experience against Okan Buruk's side. 

"Look, Will took his goal well, he worked hard for the team. Obviously, he hasn't had a lot of experience in senior football, so he would have learnt a lot today," Postecoglou said.

"The red card, it was a bit of overenthusiasm at that moment to give away a foul, but he'll learn from that. The same with Lucas. Giving him an understanding of the levels here.

"It is not easy when you are playing away in Europe. You can only allow them to learn that by exposing them to it.

"I thought Archie was great. It was a tough game for us defensively at different times, but I think we'll get so much growth out of him because he's not playing in his position.

"I guess for three teenagers in the starting line-up, I think they'll learn a lot from it, and hopefully it helps with their development."

At 19-years-old and 201 days, Lankshear is now Tottenham’s youngest goalscorer in major European competition since Harry Kane (18-years-old and 140 days) netted against Shamrock Rovers in the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League.

However, he became the third-youngest player to both score and be sent off in a Europa League game after Aleksandar Mitrovic for Partizan Belgrade in November 2012 (18-years-old and 67 days) and Federico Chiesa for Fiorentina in December 2016 (19-years-old and 44 days).

Despite the score-ine, Spurs were comfortably second-best against Galatasaray as they suffered their first defeat in the competition this season. 

They faced 28 shots from their opponents, their most in a game under Postecoglou. 

It is the most efforts faced by an English team in a Europa League group stage match since Everton faced 39 shots against Wolfsburg in November 2014.  

And Postecoglou believes his side only had themselves to blame for the defeat, citing a number of mistakes as their undoing in Turkey. 

"I just felt it was self-inflicted. We had real simple solutions out there to keep the ball. It wasn't that hard. We showed it with 10 men," Postecoglou added.

"We just needed to be stronger on the ball and play the kind of football we play every week.

"Maybe it was a little bit the changes I made and the environment and atmosphere, but the moments that stick out to me was giving the ball away.

"We were playing through them quite easily with 10 men but with 11 men we had nowhere near that conviction and that was disappointing."

Tottenham believe Cristian Romero has avoided serious injury, but Richarlison is set for a period on the sidelines after the pair limped out of Sunday's win against Aston Villa.

Both Romero and Richarlison were substituted in the second half of a 4-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Argentina World Cup winner Romero appeared to hurt his foot in a blow to a Spurs team already missing Micky van de Ven, while Richarlison was injured in creating the third goal for Dominic Solanke.

Neither will feature for Tottenham at Galatasaray in the Europa League on Thursday, but the outlook beyond that is rather more positive for Romero.

"From the weekend, obviously Richy unfortunately injured his hamstring," Ange Postecoglou said. "I'm still getting the final information, but I think he'll be out for a while.

"Romero, I think, is nothing too serious, hopefully. Hopefully, he still has a chance for the weekend [against Ipswich Town]."

Providing a further update on his squad for the Galatasaray match, Postecoglou said: "Timo Werner has been carrying a bit of a groin complaint, which is still there, so he didn't travel, and Mikey Moore picked up a bit of a virus yesterday, so we've left him at home as well.

"I think everyone else who's fit and eligible is here."

Given their injuries, a trip to a talented Galatasaray side might be considered daunting, but Postecoglou is relishing it.

"We're looking forward to it," he said. "It's a fantastic stadium, the supporters create an unbelievable atmosphere here, they love the big European nights.

"They're a very, very good team. It's exactly the kind of games you want to be involved in in Europe. Whether you're young, you're old, irrespective of the role you have, you look forward to it."

Ange Postecoglou saluted an "outstanding effort" by Tottenham after they came from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-1.

Spurs scored four second-half goals as they got back to winning ways in the Premier League, following last weekend's 1-0 defeat at lowly Crystal Palace.

Postecoglou's side notched up an impressive 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, but fell behind against Villa to Morgan Rogers' first-half effort.

Nevertheless, the hosts responded well after the break. Dominic Solanke scored twice, while Brennan Johnson and James Maddison were also on target in what was eventually a commanding victory.

And Postecoglou by the positive manner in which his players have responded to their setback at Selhurst Park.

"Seven days is a long time in football," he said. "Seven days ago, I was a grumpy old so and so. We have to stay true to the course we're on. We made sure not to feel sorry for ourselves and get back to the team we want to be.

"The first half was a bit of an arm wrestle. [Villa] have a consistent level of performance. We have other gears in us, which we showed in the second half. After the performance in midweek, I thought it was an outstanding effort.

"I felt the momentum was going our way, we knew we would finish strong and if we upped it a couple of gears like we can, we knew we would be hard to stop."

The head coach also paid tribute to Solanke, who became the first Spurs player to score at least four goals in his first eight Premier League appearances for the club since Rafael van der Vaart in 2010-11.

"The amount of work the guy did for us over the week - goals are great, but his capacity to do everything he can for the team in every area - I can't speak highly enough of him," Postecoglou added.

"We stuck with it," Solanke told Sky Sports. "A few times this season, we've gone a goal down. Against Palace, we didn't react in the right way, but today we did.

"We always believe we can score many goals. It all came together today in the second half. We had to adapt to the way they were playing. At half-time, we had time to regroup and discuss what we had to do.

"We've had some great games, but haven't managed to do it the whole season, but we think we're capable of it."

Micky van de Ven suffered a hamstring injury and will be out of action for Tottenham until after the international break, head coach Ange Postecoglou has revealed.

Van de Ven left the pitch in tears while clutching the back of his right leg 14 minutes into Tottenham’s EFL Cup victory over Manchester City on Wednesday.

While Postecoglou confirmed the fears of Spurs fans, he was optimistic about the prognosis with the defender not expected to be out for a long stretch.

"Micky has strained a hamstring. It's not too serious, but it will probably be after the international break for him [to return]," the Spurs boss told reporters ahead of his side's clash with Aston Villa on Sunday.

"He was disappointed. Obviously, he was really looking forward to the game, so he was a bit emotional, but it is definitely not a bad one like last time that kept him out for quite a while.

"He will work hard, and the good thing is we've got the international break, which is an extra two weeks. Hopefully, it means he won't miss too much football."

Van de Ven has featured in eight of Tottenham's nine Premier League games this season and has been a reassuring presence in defence.

Indeed, he has made the second most clearances (23) and blocks (four) in the squad, only second to Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro respectively.

There was, however, positive news about skipper Heung-min Son, who was absent during Spurs' defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend.

"Sonny trained [on Friday], so if he gets through training [on Saturday], he should be OK," Postecoglou added.