You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Inter Milan v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Slavia Prague".
Tel replaces Solanke in Champions League squad published at 14:57 GMT 9 December 2025
14:57 GMT 9 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
Winger Mathys Tel has been added to Tottenham's Champions League squad in place of injured forward Dominic Solanke.
Summer signing Tel was left out of Thomas Frank's initial European squad as Spurs were over the limit of the 22 players that they could register due to a reduced number of homegrown players.
Frank has been able to swap Solanke for Tel because Uefa allows a team to bring in a squad substitute if a player has been ill or injured for 60 days.
This rule can only be exercised up until the sixth game of the group phase, which coincides with Tuesday's match against Slavia Prague.
Frank on Udogie injury, Maddison latest and Bissouma investigationpublished at 15:28 GMT 8 December 2025
15:28 GMT 8 December 2025
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League game against Slavia Prague at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 20:00).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Frank revealed that defender Destiny Udogie would be out until January after picking up a hamstring injury at the end of the Newcastle game last week.
He said Brennan Johnson is "touch and go" after missing training on Monday.
Midfielder James Maddison returned to training on Monday but Frank said it will still be "a long time" until he's fully fit: "It's very early stages, still a long term injury. Good to see him out there, but no specific time frame."
The Spurs boss also revealed that there is an internal investigation into midfielder Yves Bissouma, who was recently filmed inhaling nitrous oxide: "It's an internal matter we are dealing with at the moment."
On following the weekend win over Brentford: "It's always good to build momentum, to get more consistent performances. We will try to build on that tomorrow night, we have a good opportunity against a Slavia Prague side who are very direct and physical, man mark all over the pitch. That can particularly make it difficult for us. It is about us making sure we perform well, with forwardness and directness in attacking play."
When asked about back-up keeper Antonin Kinsky, who joined from Slavia Prague last season, Frank said: "Toni is a very good goalkeeper, he has a great future ahead of him. It is difficult for any player, if you are not playing you are not 100% happy. You just need to keep your head down and keep training every day."
'Very important to be honest with each other and demand a lot' - Kudus published at 15:19 GMT 8 December 2025
15:19 GMT 8 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur attacker Mohammed Kudus spoke openly about the incident involving Christian Romero and Micky Van de Ven during their win against Brentford.
Reflecting on the clash, the Ghana international emphasised the importance of honesty within the squad, the emotional intensity of the game and the need for every player - including himself - to be held to high demands.
With Spurs chasing their first clean sheet since 26 October, the stakes were high. So when Kudus tried a flashy flick near the touchline and then gave the ball away for a throw-in, frustrations boiled over.
Brentford almost scored from the ensuing move, prompting Romero and Van de Ven to immediately confront Kudus and demand he stay switched on.
"I think it's very important to be honest with each other and demand a lot from each other," Kudus said. "It was a moment in the game where emotions are everywhere. Definitely they demand a lot from not just me but the whole team. It's part of the game. I just get on with it and kept playing."
Is Gray 'missing piece' in Spurs' midfield puzzle?published at 13:46 GMT 8 December 2025
13:46 GMT 8 December 2025
Ali Speechly Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Has Thomas Frank found the missing piece to his puzzle in one of our youngest stars?
As much as I remain a big fan of Joao Palhinha, and while his partnership with Rodrigo Bentancur initially added a robustness to our defensive play in the first few games of the season, there was clearly an issue regarding how they linked with our attacking midfielders.
Enter Archie Gray.
After spending much of his debut season at Spurs playing out of position due to an unprecedented injury crisis, the Leeds academy product is finally being given an opportunity to flourish in his preferred role as a central midfielder.
Gray's statistics from Saturday's much-needed home win against Frank's former side Brentford were impressive.
Completing 31 out of the 33 passes he made, Gray was the most accurate passer on the pitch out of those who played 45 minutes or more. Significantly, five of his passes were directed into the final third.
The teenager did not neglect his defensive duties either – making two tackles, one interception, two recoveries and four clearances. No Brentford player succeeded in dribbling past Gray for the entire game.
These statistics show that, not only is Gray shining in his preferred position, but the combination of his astute reading of the game, competent defensive positioning, and confident forward play is all enabling his more attacking team-mates to sparkle. That fact was noted by Frank in his post-match interview.
In contrast, after losing possession six times, failing to complete any of his own dribbles, and being dribbled past on one occasion, Bentancur was swapped for Palhinha after 65 minutes.
So, the next decision for Frank is not if Gray should be in his starting XI, but rather what is the best supporting cast to perform alongside him?
Select 'Follow' at the top to get Spurs news on your BBC Sport homepage and, if on the app, tap the bell icon to get notifications sent directly to your device.
FA Cup third round draw detailspublished at 13:45 GMT 8 December 2025
13:45 GMT 8 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
The draw for the third round of the FA Cup will take place on Monday, 8 December at around 18:40 GMT, before the broadcast of Brackley Town v Burton Albion - the final game of the Second Round.
Former England internationals Joe Cole and Peter Crouch will conduct the draw that will consist of 64 teams on TNT Sports.
The 20 winners of the second-round ties will be joined by all 20 Premier League clubs and 24 Championship teams in the third round.
All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra-time and if necessary, a penalty shootout.
Ben: A brilliant performance from us, finally getting another win at home. Every player put in the work, forcing mistakes from Brentford with Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons especially really going for it. However, we very much could have won it much earlier in the game if not for a few misses. Other than that, a perfect performance.
Andy: At last Thomas Frank climbs out of his mid-table mindset and adopts the 'we'll let them worry about us' style of football. Hey presto, it resulted in our first shot on target in the first half for five games... and it was a goal! I could get behind a front three of Kudus, Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani, with Simons in the number 10 role. Onwards and upwards, with fingers crossed.
Steven: Finally it looked like it's clicking. Consistency is now required plus true backing for Frank to get the players used to his systems, then we can have hope. There's still a way to go until we can say 'to dare is to do' again, but a most welcome step required.
Pablo: That is how we want to play. Front foot, attacking and swagger. That is Tottenham. Great to see this through the whole squad.
Brentford fans
George: Thomas Frank knows us inside and out but, given that none of our players were recognisable as themselves, it played little part in the result. Even after rotating our squad around for the Arsenal game, we didn't have the legs and willpower to finally take our great home form on the road, even against a team that has had totally opposite fortunes in their own stadium.
Peter: KeithAndrews is going to get found out. He speaks a good game but he sets his teams up in a self-defeating format and he doesn't have Frank's ability to change things around. We are in for long and tough season and I don't think he will be here at the end.
Russell: Poor throughout. If there isn't a big improvement in the next two games - against Leeds and Wolves - we will be in the throes of a relegation battle.
Neel: Poorest performance of the season. We were out-thought and out-fought by Tottenham.
Spurs to play in Sydney Super Cup in summer 2026published at 09:02 GMT 8 December 2025
09:02 GMT 8 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham will travel to Australia next summer to take part in the 2026 Sydney Super Cup.
The two week event in the Aussie capital will see Spurs play Sydney FC and Chelsea in the first-ever London derby taking place outside of England.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach, Thomas Frank said: "Sydney is one of the world's most iconic locations for sport and I'm excited to be able to take the team there to play two matches, including one against one of our biggest rivals.
"I've heard all about our passionate fanbase in Australia and it's something the club is very proud of. I can't wait to experience that for myself and I know the supporters will love the opportunity to watch us take on Sydney FC and Chelsea in their home country.
"While in Sydney, as well as engaging with our fans, it's important that we explore the local area and celebrate its culture – that is something we are all looking forward to."
'Spurs were at it'published at 07:53 GMT 8 December 2025
07:53 GMT 8 December 2025
Ben Mundy Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty Images
As I walked the High Road from Seven Sisters station to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, I passed more than one group of Spurs fans anticipating a goalless draw against Brentford.
In fact, one cluster of supporters (including a chap wearing a creatively named "Van de Ben" shirt) were seriously debating whether they would take such a scoreline before a ball was kicked.
Well, Ben. And your shirt. You shouldn't have worried.
Spurs were at it. Peppering the Brentford goal with half chances, before Xavi Simons exploded into life.
He sprung to assist Richarlison for the opener, before netting his first Premier League goal with a sumptuous solo run from his own half.
And while the Dutchman took the headlines, I can't help but feel Tottenham's success stemmed from a returning Micky Van de Ven.
He injected a calmness to the backline. A backline that has received heavy criticism recently. And alongside centre back partner Cristian Romero, they shut out 11 goal man, Igor Thiago.
A rare home win for Spurs was constructed from solid foundations at the back. Thomas Frank will be hoping his side can build on that over the busy Christmas period.
