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It is the first time the prime minister has been north of the border since the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for him to step down in February.
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Key events
10 mins: Udogie goes down in the area after nipping in front of Minteh. He wants a penalty, but again the referee is happy for play to continue and VAR isn’t going to overrule him. Looks like there’s a brief tug of his shorts as he breaks into the area, but it would have been an extraordinarily generous penalty decision if given.
7 mins: Absolutely excellent what-me-guv innocentface from Gomez after he concedes a free-kick. Beautiful technique.
5 mins: A big punt forward from Kinsky towards Solanke, who seems to pretty deliberately take out van Hecke. They both go down and the ball bounces forward, with Simons haring after it. He’s not far away from getting it, either, but Verbruggen comes out to huff it away in the nick of time. Again, the referee lets play continue.
3 mins: Lots of people running around as the game starts with a high tempo. But then Danso stops Minteh completing a one-two and thereby concedes a free-kick on halfway.
1 min: Peeeeeep! Action time! Brighton kick off, with at least one Spurs player several yards into their half. The referee lets it go.
Right then. Action time (almost).
The players are on their way out. The home fans have been given flags to wave, and they are doing so enthusiastically. It’s quite a sight. Now they need their players to show similar commitment.
Fabian Hurzeler has a chat!
It’s very important, I just said to the group, it’s not about being in form it’s about habits, it’s about showing the right habits today. I expect Tottenham to have a clear style of play, Roberto is known for that. He did a brilliant job here but today it’s Brighton against Tottenham, it’s a focus on trying to get three points and that’s the only focus we’ve got.
The relegation trapdoor is ready to swing into action: Wolves’ defeat today means they will go down if Spurs win today. Roberto de Zerbi has had a quick chat, and this is what he said about Maddison’s return:
James is one of the leaders, of the most important players in the squad. I think he can give us energy, quality, because when he is available to play his quality is amazing, and in this moment we need everyone. We need all players focused on Tottenham, and especially an important player like James.
James Maddison returns to Spurs squad for first time this season
Look who’s back! As it happens, Roberto De Zerbi was asked yesterday about James Maddison and the possibility of him returning from injury. This is what he said:
I don’t know yet. I don’t want to push too much. I’m used to waiting for the players when they are available, totally available to play and to restart the training, because it’s better to lose one game more than to take a risk for another new injury.
Which sounded to me like a no. And yet, here he is.
The teams!
The team sheets have been handed in to the referee and can no longer be changed unless someone asks very nicely. And here are those teams:
Tottenham Hotspur: Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Gallagher; Kolo Muani, Simons, Bissouma; Solanke. Subs: Austin, Bergvall, Dragusin, Gray, Joao Palhinha, Maddison, Spence, Tel, Richarlison.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu; Gomez, Ayari, Hinshelwood, Gross, Minteh; Welbeck. Subs: De Cuyper, Kostoulas, Mitoma, O’Riley, Baleba, Rutter, Steele, Veltman, Igor Julio.
Referee: Stuart Attwell.
VAR: Jarred Gillett.
Hello world! And welcome to today’s episode of Who Wants to Win a League Game in 2026!
Spurs are very close to using all their lifelines and they’ve still had no lucky, but with the two teams immediately above them, West Ham and Nottingham Forest, playing on Monday and Sunday respectively today is an opportunity to turn up the heat in the relegation dogfight, or indeed to deflate the pressure in the relegation dogfight balloon, depending how it goes.
The bad news for Spurs is that, well, they’re rubbish. Since that last league win, a 1-0 success at Crystal Palace on 28 December, they have taken a shameful five points from 14 games, by a massive margin the worst record in the division, while in the same period and also playing 14 times Brighton have 22 points, the fifth-best record in the land (above Everton on goal difference).
The good news is that Brighton begins with the letter B. Even while letting Bournemouth do the double over them Spurs have overperformed against B-sides this season, averaging 1.29 points per game, the record of a solidly mid-table side. Against non-B-sides they’ve taken just 0.84 points per game. But Brighton have won their last three and five of their last six, and ride into this reunion with their former coach Roberto De Zerbi on a wave of form.
Here’s what De Zerbi had to say about this game:
I’m positive. I’m ready to fight. I believe to keep the Premier League, I believe in my words, what I said the last week was the focus is to win one game. I don’t know if tomorrow we are able to win, I hope and I think we have the quality enough to win a game.
I think it’s crucial to win a game, not just for the table – OK, one part for the table for sure – but because we have to feel again what is nice to win a game and what they can do, because I have no doubt about the qualities of the players. OK, now is a tough moment, but to achieve the great target you have to pass through difficult times.
So here’s to a fun couple of hours, and an end to difficult times.
Key events
Leeds 2-0 Wolves: Tim Smith gets in touch to say: “A little harsh to say Justin’s goal “ went through” Bentley. He’d just made a great save and then was unsighted for a point blank overhead kick. Blame the defending all you want on that one. Oh and come on Leeds!”
Championship: Wrexham lead Stoke 2-0, which keeps their dimming playoff hopes alive
League One: Stockport lead 2-1 at Exeter, thus delaying the Cardiff promotion.
League Two: Notts County are losing to Barnet, which may delay Bromley’s promotion. Scratch that, it’s 1-1 Jodi Jones converting from the spot. So Bromley are on course.
Goal! Newcastle 0-1 Bournemouth (Tavernier, 32)
Huge goal in that mid-table concertina, Tavernier tapping in from close range as Bournemouth build on their great start and get the goal they deserve.
Leeds 2-0 Wolves: This could be a grim day for Wolves. Losing to Leeds and a win for Tottenham against Brighton could relegate them.
Via the BBC’s permutation guru Dale Johnson: “Wolves’ fate will be sealed if they lose to Leeds and Tottenham Hotspur beat Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday or West Ham United take at least a point in their Monday night game at Crystal Palace.
“Even if Wolves were to pick up a point in West Yorkshire, they could still go down if West Ham win and Nottingham Forest avoid defeat against second-bottom Burnley.”
Newcastle 0-0 Bournemouth: Rayan has missed a decent chance, laid on to him by a mix of Eli Junior Krupi and Evanilson.
Graham Randall gets in touch: “I don’t think I have seen a more spineless Leicester team in my life. Absolutely devoid of any ideas, tactics or anything that makes a team good. Commentators keep saying “ Leicester have a lot of quality” not sure where. Very depressing As it is. The Robert Johnson crossroads are a 10 hour drive away. Might take a trip there and see if I can find someone to make a deal with.”
Hellhounds on Leicester’s trail, certainly.
Goal! Hull lead Birmingham 1-0 through a goal from Joe Gelhardt. That may go a long way to maintaining their playoff spot.
In the Bundesliga, Union Berlin are playing Wolfsburg, the first game in charge for Marie-Louise Eta, their coach, though at half-time they are losing 1-0.
Newcastle 0-0 Bournemouth: My colleague Louise Taylor points out: “Anthony Gordon is officially injured but, given Eddie Howe’s pledge to not pick “anyone not 100 per cent committed to Newcastle” in the face of transfer speculation a lot of people have decided that 2+2 =4 Gordon dropped. Perhaps also significantly Sandro Tonali is not merely playing but named as captain.”
Goal! Swansea 1-0 Southampton (Stamenic, 20) The Saints no longer marching on?
Goal! Leeds 2-0 Wolves (Okafor, 20)
Leeds are rampant, and they are rolling their way to safety.
Goal! Leeds 1-0 Wolves (Justin, 18)
It had been coming, though who had a James Justin volley on the bingo card? It went through Dan Bentley.
In League One, it’s Stevenage 1-1 Lincoln, Tendayi Darikwa, the Zimbabwean scoring.
Newcastle 0-0 Bournemouth: An even contest at St James’, as 11th take on 14th.
While we sortied to Scotland, a big goal in the Championship, Josh Maja scoring for West Brom at Preston.
Dunfermline into the Scottish Cup final, beating Falkirk 4-2 on penalties
So, at 3-1, up steps Filip Lissah. Now for the crucial kick, and Tashan Oakley-Boothe slots so coolly. The Championship team are in the final, Neil Lennon’s men celebrating wildly.
Falkirk score – just – when Oxborough fails to keep Ben Parkinson out. But: Chris Hamilton hammers home.
Falkirk miss again, or more properly, Aston Oxborough saves from Liam Henderson. Up steps Charlie Gilmour, and it’s 2-0 to Dunfermline.
At Hampden, it’s penalties, and Brad Spencer smashes the inside of the right-hand post, Falkirk misses, while Josh Cooper converts for Dunfermline.
AFC Wimbledon are losing 1-0 to Plymouth, and that’s endangered the Dons, down in 20th.
At Hampden, it’s down to penalties, with Falkirk’s Henry Cartwright sent off for a second bookable in the 121st minute.
In League One, Stevenage lead Lincoln 1-0, and so the title party is on hold after Louis Thompson’s goal.
Goal! Bristol City 1-0 Norwich: Sam Morsy, not long since of Ipswich, scores the goal, the Royvolution rolls on. Cameron Pring got the assist.
Leeds 0-0 Wolves: An early chance for Calvert-Lewin, but he hits his shot straight at Bentley in the Wolves goal.
Away we go in the 3pm kick-offs
So much riding on these next two hours.
On Anthony Gordon, this Eddie Howe quote from Friday might well be pertinent: “I’m not going to play any player if I don’t feel they are 100% committed to the club and their future. That is generally across the board. I always do what I think is best for the team.”
Here’s Taha Hashim’s report from Brentford.
For Newcastle, the big news is Anthony Gordon missing out, with “a minor hip flexor issue” while Joelinton is suspended. Gordon has been linked with Bayern Munich this week. Jacob Ramsey, Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes each return, while Bruno Guimaraes returns to matchday squad for the first time since early February.
Andoni Iraola names the same Bournemouth team that triumphed at Arsenal last week.
Jeremy Boyce gets in touch: “Hand-on-heart Leeds-til-I-die (since childhood) fan here. Big afternoon up at crumbling Elland Road. A win today will surely see us safe, meaning that we can look forward to having the dosh for some much-needed ground improvements, also to sit back and enjoy watching Spurs getting done over at their lovely new cheese-shop home later by the loveable Seagulls. In the event of a Dan James kneed-in winner in stoppage time this afternoon, I predict a Kaiser Chiefs single will result.
“By the way, Spurs fans, we share your pain. A crap chairman/owner is the worst of all things. Ask Man U. Been there, done that, got the t shirt. Anyone remember Peter Ridsdale ? Preston fans, be careful what you wish for. The bottom line is, sometimes you’ve got to get down to get up.”
Leeds have named the same team that delivered that famous win at Old Trafford. Wolves have made just two changes from losing 4-0 at West Ham last Friday. Jose Sa is replaced by Dan Bentley in goal while Toti Gomes comes in to captain the side, Yerson Mosquera is suspended after a silly 10th yellow of the season last week.
Leeds v Wolves teams
Leeds: Darlow, Justin, Bijol, Struijk, Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson, Aaronson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin. Subs: Perri, Rodon, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Bornauw, Gnonto, Buonanotte, Gruev.
Wolves: Bentley, Toti, S Bueno, Krejci, Tchatchoua, Bellegarde, Andre, Joao Gomes, H Bueno, A Gomes, Armstrong. Subs: Brooks, Wolfe, Hwang, Arokodare, Lima, R Gomes, Mane, Olagunju, Edozie.
Newcastle v Bournemouth teams
Newcastle: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Miley, Tonali, Ramsey, Elanga, Osula, Barnes. Subs: Pope, Trippier, Wissa, J.Murphy, Woltemade, Willock, Burn, A.Murphy, Guimaraes
Bournemouth: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Christie, Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier, Evanilson. Subs: Mandas, Brooks, Adams, Adli, Smith, Unal, Gannon-Doak, Diakite, Toth
For years, Andy Mycock didn’t know others found his surname funny. Now, he’s the one making the jokes.
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